76 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 28, 1892. 
waste, and severely criticised by their employers, I enclose a letter 
which I sent to a local paper, the “Sunderland Herald and Daily 
Post,” If you will please publish it in the Journal of ITovticultuvc it 
may be the means of getting the opinion of gardeners on the subject. 
The following is the letter to which I invite attention :— 
“ On June 13th I noticed a letter in your paper upon the above 
subject, signed by W. Clark, as a member of the Sunderland and Dis¬ 
trict Gardeners’ Association. Like Mr. Clark I have had over thirty 
years’ practical experience in Grape culture, and grown the fruit under 
many varying conditions, but have never been able to accomplish such 
a feat as to procure ripe Grapes in ninety days from the time of starting 
the Vines. I cannot believe without some strong demonstration that 
any gardener ever succeeded in such a feat, particularly with Vines 
planted out as I understand the ones under Mr. Gilchrist’s charge are, 
I can assure Mr. Clark it is not the fault of the practical Grape growers 
of the Gardeners’ Association that the subject has been hitherto kept 
so quiet. I cannot wonder at noticing a letter in your paper on the 
18th July signed ‘Amateur’ upon the subject, as 1 know myself that 
gardeners in the district have been closely questioned upon it by their 
employers. Regarding the letter which appeared in your paper on the 
19tli from Mr. T. W. Bolam, I can assure him it is not the intention of 
the practical Grape growers of the Gardeners’ Society to remain silent. 
If Mr. Richardson is able to give ‘ Amateur ’ the information he 
desires I am surprised the members of the Gardeners’ Society should 
have been kept in the dark so long. 1 trust practical gardeners outside 
the Society will take the matter up and give their opinion upon the 
subject, as it appears to be of great importance, not only in this district, 
but to many others, as I have received letters from far and near upon it. 
I would ask Mr. Gilchrist if he would be kind enough to answer the 
following questions, which appear to be the main points :— 
“ 1, Time the Vines were started, and temperature. 
“ 2, Temperature after leaf expansion to flowering. 
“ 3, Date of flowering and temperature. 
“ 4, Date of colouring and temperature up to date of cutting. 
“ 5, Could Grapes be cut from day to day in a fit state for the table 
•after the bunch cut on the 5th of May ?—R. Honey, The Briery , 
Sunderland .” 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 26th. 
Rarely has the Drill Hall presented such a gay appearance as it 
did on Tuesday last. Apart from the Carnation Show the exhibits 
were numerous and diversified. Insectivorous plants were plentiful, 
as also were hardy flowers and gieenhouse and stove plants. Orchids 
were not so numerous as usual. 
Fruit Committee. —Present : P. Crowley, Esq. (in the chair), Dr. 
Hogg, and Messrs. W. Warren, G. T. Miles, A. Dean, W. Bates, J. Willard, 
G. H. Sage, A. H. Pearson, J. Hudson, F. Q. Lane, H. Balderson, G. 
Norman, J. Smith, W. H. Divers, T. Francis Rivers, R. D. Blackmore, 
H. Weir, W. Wilks, H. J. Pearson, J. Cheal, T. J. Saltmarsh. 
Fruit was plentiful and well shown. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons had a 
large and representative collection of Gooseberries comprising some 
choice varieties. The most notable kinds were Lord Derby, Dan’s 
Mistake, Surprise, Highlander, Early Green Hairy, Stockwell, and 
Fearless. Currants and Cherries were also shown by Messrs. Veitch, 
and a silver Banksian medal was recommended. Mr. Wythes had 
seedling Melons, as also did Mr. G. H. Sage, gardener to Earl Dysart, 
Ham House, Richmond. The latter was adjudged an award of merit 
for Melon Emerald Gem, a small scarlet-fleshed variety from America, 
and said to be very free fruiting. W. A. South, Esq., Neasdon, N.W., 
showed a dish of Carter’s Perfection Tomatoes, also the Peach Tomato. 
A splendid collection of Peaches and Cherries came from Messrs. 
T. Rivers & Son, for which a silver-gilt medal was recommended. 
Nectarine Early Rivers was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. R. 
Gilbert, Burghley sent some Royal Sovereign Tomatoes of a sensational 
size and weight. Six fruits weighed lOj lbs. An award of merit was 
adjudged this exhibit. Mr. W. H. Divers, Ketton Hall, staged a 
collection of well-grown Peaches (silver Banksian medal), while Peaches 
and Melons were shown by Mr. Miller, gardener to Lord Foley, Ruxley 
Lodge, Esher. A collection of Melons and Peaches from the Royal 
Gardens, Frogmore, was staged by Mr. Owen Thomas. A bronze medal 
was recommended. Messrs. J. Hammond & Sons, Carlisle, showed 
fruiting branches of a Black Currant named “ \V. E. Gladstone.” 
Floral Committee. —Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair), 
Messrs. 0. Thomas, H. Herbst, B. Wynne, C. T. Bause, C. Ross, Norman 
Davis, J. Laing, and W. Watson. 
The exhibits placed before this Committee were varied and of an 
interesting character. Messrs. Pitcher & Manda, Hextable, Swanley, 
Kent, sent a large collection of Sarracenias, Droseras, and other insect¬ 
ivorous plants (silver-gilt medal). Conspicuous amongst other species 
were S. Drummondi, S. Wilsoni, S. Nelsoni, and S. Mitchelliana. 
Hardy flowers were also shown by the same firm. Messrs. Sutton and 
Sons, Reading, had a beautiful display of their prize strain Gloxinias. 
The pure white variety Her Majesty, Duke of York, and a rich purple 
named Invincible Purple were very fine. Messrs. Sutton also staged a 
number of bunches of a new and interesting annual named Nemesia. 
The flowers of this embrace colours of various shades, from a creamy 
yellow to a rich crimson. It is a pretty flower, and will undoubtedly 
become popular. Plants of a dwarf Tuberous Begonia named Meteor 
were also shown by the same firm. This was adjudged an aw r ard of 
merit, and is described elsewhere. Mr. Henry Brownhill, Mayfield 
Nursery, Sale, staged four bunches of a white Pink named Snowflake—a 
semi-double variety, useful for cutting. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, 
had blooms of Tuberous Begonias, amongst which Beauty of Belgrove 
(a charming pink double variety), Princess May, and Baronne de St; 
Didias were conspicuous. A splendid collection of Carnations, taste¬ 
fully set up in bunches with their own foliage, came from Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. The flowers were fresh, bright, and perfect 
in form. They comprise most of the varieties described elsewhere in the 
present issue. Messrs. Veitch also had Sarracenias in pans, and a box 
of their hybrid Rhododendron blooms, fresh and charming as usual. 
A silver-gilt medal was recommended. An interesting collection of 
Sarracenias was also staged by Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son. Mr. 
Eckford, Wem, Salop, had a number of Sweet Peas, the flowers being 
exceedingly bright and fragrant. Tuberous Begonia blooms, tastefully 
set up with Asparagus and Maidenhair Ferns, were staged by Messrs. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, the flowers being notable for their size and 
colour (bronze medal). Mr. Riding, Chingford, was accorded a vote 
of thanks for Gloxinia blooms, these being very fine. 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, staged a collection of Carna¬ 
tions, Picotees and Pentstemong, also a large collection of Caladiums, 
and a basket of a Tuberous Begonia named Scented Rose. A silver 
medal was recommended. Mr. G. Wythes, Syon House, showed bunches 
of Clethra arborea. Roses, Carnations, and hardy herbaceous flowers 
were shown in quantity by Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, this 
contribution making a bright display, meriting the silver-gilt medal 
recommended. Mrs. C. Jones (gardener, Mr. W. Barton) had a collection 
of Carnations, comprising twenty varieties growm in an open border in 
Kensington. The flowers were very fresh and bright. Sweet Peas, 
Shirley Poppies, and Carnations were shown by Mr. W. Wells, Earls- 
wood, and a vote of thanks accorded. Martin R. Smith, Esq., Hayes 
Common (gardener, Mr. Blake), staged a group of Carnations in pots 
and a large number of cut blooms, for which a silver medal was 
recommended. Several varieties were adjudged awards of merit. Blooms 
of a new hybrid Eucharis named E. Clibrani were shown by Messrs. 
W. Clibran & Sons, Altrincham. The flowers are pure white, erect, 
and borne in clusters. Messrs. J. Green & Nephew, Victoria Street, 
E.C., showed a number of flower glasses and bowls of various shapes. 
Orchid Committee. —Present : H. Veitch, Esq. (in the chair) ; 
Messrs. J. O’Brien, J. Jacques, W. H. White, J. Douglas, E. Mood, 
C. Pitcher, T. Bond, T. B. Heywood, H. Ballantine, H. M. Pollett, A. H. 
Smee, S. Coatswold, and E. Hill. 
Orchids, if not numerous, comprised several interesting things. A 
small group was staged by G. R. Le Doux, Esq., Langton House, East 
Molesey, containing Miltonia vexillarium Klabrochorum, Oncidium 
trifurcatum, and others of a notable character. F. Wigan, Esq., East 
Sheen (gardener, Mr. W. H. Young), was awarded a cultural commen¬ 
dation for a fine plant of Platychinis filiformis. Mr. P. McArthur, 
London Nursery, Maida Vale, showed Cypripedium superbiens, and 
Welbore S. Ellis, Esq., Hazelbourne, Boxhill, Dorking, staged a plant of 
Cattleya Rex, a beautiful form, but scarcely so good as was anticipated. 
This is referred to below, it being awarded a first-class certificate. 
Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Wylam-on-Tyne (gardener, Mr. Murray), 
showed several fine Cypripediums, which are referred to below. A large 
spike of Saccolabium Blumei came from the Marquis of Salisbury, Hat¬ 
field House (gardener, Mr. Norman), and a fine spray of Cattleya gigas 
Sanderiana, from C. J. Lucas, Esq., Warnham Court, Horsham. Messrs. 
H. Low & Co. sent a small collection, which included a small piece of 
Cattleya Schilleriana Lowiana. This is an interesting flower, and was 
awarded a first-class certificate. H. M. Pollett, Esq., Fernside, Bickley 
(gardener, Mr. T. Paterson), also showed a plant of Cattleya Rex, which 
was likewise awarded a first-class certificate. Messrs. F. Sander & Co., 
St. Albans, staged a small group, comprising Cypripediums, Odonto- 
glossums, and Cattleya Gaskelliana alba, the latter a delightful white 
form. 
Certificates and Awards. 
Cattleya Rex (Welbore S. Ellis).—The specimen shown had one 
spathe carrying three flowers. The petals and sepals are creamy 
white ; the lip yellowish at the base, similarly veined in the throat, 
other portion rich purplish crimson, heavily fimbriated Qfirst-class 
certificate). 
Cattleya Rex (H. M. Pollett).—This specimen was larger than 
that exhibited by Mr. Ellis, and carrying four flowers on one spike. The 
flowers were similar in colour and form to that already described (first- 
class certificate). 
Cypripedium Youngianum svperbwtn (Norman C. Cookson, Esq.).— 
This 'is a crots between C. Veitchi and C. laevigatum superbum. The 
dorsal se| al is nearly white, veined with green and brown. The petals 
droop, and are covered with rich reddish brown spots, and have a 
hirsute margin. The lip is large and a bronze green colour (award of 
merit). 
Cattleya Schilleriana Lowiana (Hugh Low & Co.).—The plant exhi¬ 
bited was bearing two flowers ; the petals and sepals are green, covered 
with brown spots ; the lip a pale purple streaked with white and a 
slight tinge of yellow in the throat (first-class certificate). 
Cypripedium Bryan, Cookson's var. (N. C. Cookson).—This is a hybrid 
between C. laevigatum and C. Argus. The dorsal sepal is a greenish 
white, blotched and veined with brown, the petals being covered with 
heavy chocolate spots and having a hirsute margin. The lip bronze- 
green and veined with a brighter colour (award of merit). 
