164 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 35, 1892. 
has produced are seen from time to time ; but the old species, from some 
of which they have taken their rise, are rarely met with. Similarly, 
many of the best exotic Ferns are frequently on view; but the occasions 
when a really representative collection of British species and varieties is 
gathered together are few and far between. With respect to the fruits 
singled out for special attention, both Apricots and Plums are valuable and 
popular, and it was unfortunate that owing in great part to the season a 
representative display of these could not be got together. If there was 
any disappointment in this respect it must have been amply atoned for 
by the Begonias and Ferns. The former, both in respect to species and 
florists’ varieties were full of variety and interest, while the Ferns were 
magnificent. Those contributed from the Clifton Zoological Gardens 
and Shirenewton Hall collections, with which the well-known name of 
Mr. E. J. Lowe is associated, were superb, affording in their diversity, 
beauty of form, and excellence of culture a great lesson, and providing 
a source of pleasure and instruction to Fern-lovers such as it is not often 
their good fortune to meet with. It is true that to the general public 
knowing nothing about Ferns the numberless varieties and sub-varieties 
may be confusing rather than instructive. They are certainly multi¬ 
plied to an almost alarming extent ; but to those who have familiarised 
themselves with the types the study of the different varieties is full of 
interest. Even the apparently formidable barrier of the nomenclature 
may be mastered, though the uninitiated may be forgiven if they look 
with something approaching alarm on a plant owning five or six 
names. 
In addition to Mr. Lowe’s magnificent contribution, which quite 
dwarfed the others in its magnitude, Mr. C. T. Druery contributed 
lavishly from his rich stores, exhibiting abundance of choice forms, 
while Mr. Wm. Marshall, Mr. H. B. May, and Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead 
also showed splendid material. Fern lovers, and indeed the public 
generally, owe a debt of gratitude to these well-known amateur and 
trade growers for their displays ; many must have wished that such an 
exhibition could become an annual fixture at Chiswick. Particulars of 
the principal exhibits are appended. 
The Ferns. 
Special prizes were offered for varieties and species of British Ferns, 
divided into sections according to their character, and amongst these 
plants were many beautiful forms. The first prize, for ten plumose 
varieties, was awarded to the collection from the Clifton Zoological 
Gardens and Shirenewton Hall collections (Mr. E. J. Lowe). These 
were superb plants. Very noticeable were Polystichum angulare divisi¬ 
lobum robustum, a very beautiful form ; P. a. plumosum augustum, 
P. a. inaccessum, P. a. bellatulum, and a grand plant of Athyrium filix- 
foemina plumosum Molyi. From the same collection came the first prize 
ten cruciate or narrow varieties, amongst which were Athyrium f.-f. 
notabile, A. f.-f. cruciferum, A. f.-f. ornare, A. f.-f. Irene, Polystichum 
angulare Hydra, P. a. cruciatum ornandum, and P. aculeatum gram- 
inioides, hybrid. Another beautiful group was shown from the same 
collection in class C, ten varieties of Athyrium filix-foemina. Amongst 
these were Arthuri, Excellentia, decoratum, ornamentissimum, Stella, 
intercisum, prominens, and exornatum. Mr. Lowe won again with 
hybrids and varieties of Polystichum aculeatum, capitatum, plumoso- 
cruciatum, pulcherrimum, pendens, abbotta, gratum, polydactyllum 
meritum, and honorabile being shown. Yet another victory was gained 
by him in the class for sixteen varieties. In these the plants were alike 
remarkable for excellence of variety and culture. Lastrea filix-mas 
Padleyi was a superb plant, nearly 5 feet through, and other grand 
specimens were Polystichum angulare centiceps, Athyrium filix-foemina 
bellatulum, P. angulare attractum, A. f.-f. crucipennulum, Scolo- 
pendrium vulgare crispum Kitsonm, and P. a. fascinum. 
The competition for eight varieties produced the same result, Mr. 
Lowe being easily first. He had Lastrea filix-mas maritum, S. v. crispum 
fertile, A. f.-f. augustum, and Polystichum angulare revolvens in fine 
condition. Mr. Lowe won again with eight varieties of Nephrodium 
(Lastrea) filix-mas, which included abbreviatum, gracile, crispum, 
paleraceum ovatum, p. depauperatum, Ellacombei, and others. A very 
beautiful group was Mr. Lowe’s first prize ten varieties of Scolo¬ 
pendrium vulgare, deleserioides, sagittatum grandescens, capitellum, 
crispum saccinum, marginatum corollarium, camulare, sagittatum 
Jonesi, crispum pendens (a form of robustum found in Monmouthshire), 
jubatum, and crispum Willsi. They were splendidly grown plants. 
Hardly less noteworthy were the eight varieties of Polystichum angulare 
from him, which consisted of stipitatum, innocuum, insignitum, lati- 
folium coronare, longipinnulum, coronum, acutilobum fascinans, and 
flabellipinnulum. They were, of course, placed first. The same result 
had to be recorded in the class for eight crested varieties, and 
somewhat similar remarks apply, for all were splendid plants. The 
varieties were Athyrium filix-fcemina uncum cristatum, Polystichum 
angulare decorandum, Scolopendrium vulgare promesitum, S. v. 
accumulare, Lastrea paleracea bicornis, L. abbreviata cristata, 
P. a. divisilobum cristatum, and P. a. galeatum. For four varieties 
of Ferns Mr. Lowe won with Adiantum Capillus-Yeneris Lucasi, 
A. C.-v. Lowm, Osmunda regalis cristata and Lastrea spinulosa 
cristata of Jones. He was only second with four varieties of Poly¬ 
podium vulgare, but won again with four Adiantums, the varieties 
being Capillus Veneris beatum, C. v. dentatum, C. v. augustum, and 
C. v. autumnale. He was also first with eight rugose or muricate varieties, 
showing Scolopendrium vulgare muricatum subcrispum, S. v. muricato- 
undulatum, S. v. bimarginatum Lyelli, S. v. muricatum maritum, and 
others. lor ten varieties of Asplenium he continued a remarkable 
series of victories with A. trichomanes triangulare, A. ceterach multifido- 
cristatum, A. t. incisum O’Kellyi, A. C. muricatum, and others. Mr. 
Lowe was again first for sixteen dwarf varieties, having Scolopendrium 
vulgare corollarium, S. v. corolla, S. v. muricatum-reflexum, S. v. bland- 
issimum, A. f.-f. minimissimum cristatum, and others. 
The first prize for four varieties of Polypodium vulgare varieties 
went to W. Marshall, Esq., Auchinraith, Bexley, who exhibited good 
plants of cornubiense semi-lacerum, cambricum Prestoni, and tricho- 
minoides ; he was second with four varieties of Ferns. Mr. C. T. Druery 
also exhibited many good plants and varieties ; he was second with 
sixteen varieties, any species ; he had the best variety of Scolopendrium 
vulgare—namely, cornutum radiosorum, and also the best variety of 
Athyrium filix-fcemina, plumosum Drueryi. Mr. Marshall received 
the first prize for the best Polypodium vulgare with a beautiful plant of 
trichominoides, and this was also awarded the first prize as the best 
specimen in the Show. Mr. Lowe was first for the best plant of 
Polystichum vulgare with inaccessum, an exquisite form ; he also had 
the best Nephrodium, this being the filix-mas Padleyi before referred 
to. The first prize Osmunda appeared to be his regalis cristata, and the 
first prize Adiantum Capillus Veneris beatum, but the cards did not 
make this quite clear, and in one or two other cases it was somewhat 
difficult to follow the decisions, so that an occasional error may have 
crept in ; he had the best Asplenium also, this being Ceterach multifido 
cristatum. 
Amongst the miscellaneous contributions of Ferns there were several 
exhibits of much interest. Mr. H. B. May, Edmonton, had a group of 
small plants, comprising Athyrium filix-fcemina Howardise, Lastrea 
filix-mas linearis, L. f.-m. polydactyla, A. f.-f. pulcherrimum, A. f.-f. 
superbum, A. f.-f. plumosum, A. f.-f. Cousinsi plumosum, Nephrolepis 
davalliodes var. multiceps, Adiantum elegantissimum, Pteris tremula 
variegata, P. Reginae, P. Reginae var. cristata, and many others. 
A silver-gilt Banksian medal was recommended. W. Roupell, Esq., 
Roupell Park, contributed a group of Polystichums, healthy plants, 
and many of very large dimensions. Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, 
Sale, Manchester, had a magnificent miscellaneous group, worthy of 
their reputation, both in its extent, variety, and interest. Amongst the 
species and varieties represented were Athyrium setigerum var. 
Victoriae, A. Girdlestonei var. grandiceps, A. f.-f. Frizellac coronare, 
A. F. f.-f. gracile, A. f.-f. curtum multifidum, Osmunda regalis cristata, 
A. f.-f. Grantiae, A. f.-f. crispum, Polypodium cristatum, A. f.-f. con- 
glomeratum, A. f.-f. Frizellm ramo-cristatum, Asplenium lanceolatum 
microdon, Asplenium Trichomanes conflurus, Osmunda Claytoniana, 
Struthiopteris pennsylvanica, Polystichum Browni, P. munitum, Aspidium 
nevadense, Phegopteris hexagonoptera, Asplenium thelypterioides, 
Polystichum angulare Pateyi, P. a. plumosum Moly, P. aculeatum 
pulcherrimum, Blechnum s. contractum, B. s. Mainderi, B. s. apiculatum, 
B. s. Aitkenianum, B. s. multifidum, B. s. crispum, B. s. serratum, 
Airey’s No. 2, B. s. lineare, B. s. concinnum, B. s. imbricatum erectum, 
B. s. trinervo-coronans, Polystichum angulare divisilobum, P. a. divisi¬ 
lobum densum, P. a. venustum cristatum, P. a. imbricatum, Jones, 
P. a. divisilobum plumosum, P. a. d. decorum, Lastrea dilatata crispa, 
L. montana congesta, L. f.-m. polydactyla, Mills ; L. f.-m. polydactyla, 
Dadds ; A. f.-f. Elworthi, Lastrea propinqua cristata Barnesi, Scolopen¬ 
drium vulgare grandiceps, S. v. kerotoides, S. v. crispum robustum, 
S. capitatum, S. v. cochleatum multifidum, and S. v. crispum fimbriatum, 
Cropper. A silver-gilt Flora medal was awardel. 
A group of considerable interest came from the Clifton Zoological 
Gardens and the Shirenewton Hall collection. They represented various 
results of multiple parentage by Mr. E. J. Lowe. For examp'e, two 
plants were exhibited out of three produced by crossing six varieties of 
Athyrium filix-foemina together, and one of the prothalli divided into 
three, the three plants being exactly alike, and in portions of the fronl 
showing the characters of all the parents. Examples of Scolopendrium 
crosses were also shown ; for example, undulatum crossed with 
muricatum and sagittatum ; crispum crossed with Victoriae and muri¬ 
catum ; undulatum crossed with Victoriae, spirale, and muricatum— i.e., 
a wavy form crossed with a crested, a spiral and a rugose variety. These 
were inspected with much interest by Fern lovers. 
Many first-class certificates were awarded, and the plants thus 
honoured are referred to below. 
Fruit Committee. —Present : P. Crowley, Esq. (in the chair), with 
Messrs. J. Cheal, H. Balderson, F. Q. Lane, J. Smith, W. Warren, 
T. J. Saltmarsh, J. Willard, J. Hudson, G. Reynolds, A. Dean, G. W. 
Cummins, G. Sage, W. Bates, and J. Wright. 
W. Roupell, Esq , Harvey Lodge, Roupell Park, S.W., sent a collec¬ 
tion of Grapes grown in pots, and not commonly seen, but highly 
flavoured varieties—Primavis Frontignan, very rich and pleasant ; 
Grizzly Frontignan, also rich ; Purple Constantia, small, sub-acid ; 
Dr. Hogg, not quite ripe, excellent; Diamond Traube, round, white, j uicy, 
and sweet, recommended as a good Grape for invalids, being so juicy 
and refreshing. It was certificated last year (cultural commendation). 
Mr. Roupell also sent a fine dish of Lady Sudeley Apples, very attractive 
and of good quality, evidently a good late summer Apple (vote of 
thanks). Mr. Bunyard also showed very fine samples of Lady Sudeley, 
and was accorded a vote of thanks. 
Mr. W. C. Leach sent from the Duke of Northumberland’s garden at 
Albury Park a fruiting branch of Bradley’s King Damson (vote of 
thanks). Mr. John King, Bandon Hill, Croydon, sent a cluster of 
Victoria Plums, as representative of his crop, which must be enormous 
