551 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 22, 1892. 
insinuate anything against the judges of the N.C.S, exhibits. It is 
not the men, but the principle, that does not seem to re3t on a national 
basis, thereby comes the suggestion of “cliqueism.” When Mr. Dean 
has answered these questions, with your permission I will ask him 
more.— Heney Havelock. 
Bolton Chrysanthemum Society. 
We are informed that the Committee of this Society have arranged 
for the next exhibition to be held in the Town Hall on November 17th 
and 18th of next year, and have appointed judges for the same. 
Chrysanthemums at Hull—John Lambert again. 
Your report of the Hull Chrysanthemum Show states that Golden 
Queen of England was awarded the prize for the premier incurved 
bloom in the show. In justice to the Committee of N.C.S. (who after 
a second year’s trial gave the sport John Lambert a first class certificate) 
I desire you to state the real facts of the case. At Hull Golden 
Queen of England, mentioned as the premier bloom in the show, 
was staged and labelled by the exhibitor as John Lambert. Someone 
crossed out the original name and substituted that of Golden Queen of 
England, a proceeding I feel sure will meet with the condemnation of 
exhibitors generally, and is altogether without precedent. Perhaps Mr. 
Molyneux as one of the judges present will kindly give a correct version 
of the matter.— John Lambert, Fowls Castle Gardens, N. Wales. 
The N.C.S. and the Westminster Aquarium. 
I hope it may be possible, just now that the National Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society is being referred to in your columns, to suggest that it is 
worth while striving to elicit some expression of opinion as to the 
retention of the Society’s Shows at the Royal Aquarium. Let it be 
said at the outset that the position of the Society is fully recognised in 
relation to the Aquarium Company, also that the Aquarium is one of 
the most central of places in London. The latter is, perhaps, its chief 
recommendation. The entertainment monopolises always the best 
portions of the Show days, and by far the best portion of the floor of the 
hall, so that the floral portion of the Exhibition is cut asunder by a 
seating space and a large crowd, through which it is very difficult for 
those anxious to see the flowers to pass. The consequence is that 
whilst the Show loses immensely in its effect, very much of the most 
interesting material is relegated to the gallery, to which only 10 per cent, 
of those visiting the Exhibition find their way. But these are not the 
worst feature. The exigencies of the association with the Royal Aquarium 
Company seem to render a series of three-day Shows necessary. How 
poor in value are plants, flowers, or fruits, after such long exposure in 
such a vitiated gaseous atmosphere, and in such a smother of dust as is 
created. But the worst element of discomfort to many is composed of 
what may be described as crush, crash, and noise. Real Chrysanthemum 
lovers do not appreciate music and shouting that drown their voices as 
they vainly try to discuss the merits of the blooms ; then there is the 
notoriously bad light that positively forbids the full beauty of the 
flowers being appreciated. I have spoken to scores of members on this 
subject, some of them prominent ones, yet I have never met with one 
but did not admit all that is complained of, and fail to find good 
excuse. 
No doubt the directors do all they can to accommodate the Society, 
but all the same every year shows that the floor area is more and more 
encroached upon, and the executive of the Society have to put up with 
it. We are told that were the Shows apart from the entertainment, the 
public would not patronise them. That has to be proved, and it might 
be found that if some who now visited the Aquarium would not go to 
a quiet hall, hundreds of people who detest a noise would go to see 
the flowers. The records of the Cattle Show at the Agricultural Hall 
show that the public will patronise a pure Show when thev know of it. 
—Alpha. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
December 13th. 
Scientific Committee. — Present: Dr. M. T. Masters (in the 
chair) ; Prof. Oliver, Prof. Church, Dr. Muller, Dr. Bonavia, and Rev. G. 
Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Garden Labels. —With reference to the value of leaden labels, Dr. 
Masters observed that some of the same date, about 1774, as of those 
described at the last meeting, were still on garden walls at Gunnersbury. 
Dr. Bonavia observed that in India he had found porcelain or china 
labels with the name burnt in to be the most serviceable. 
Abies Smithiana. —Prof. Church observed that a fine tree existed 
at Shelsley Court, which in 1849 was about 120 or more feet in height. 
According to Paxton, this species was introduced from Kamaon in 1818, 
so that it was probably one of the earliest examples. 
Malformed Orchid. —Mr. O’Brien sent a flower of Cypripedium 
-Chamberlainianum having one of the petals standing above the lip in lieu 
of a sepal, a not uncommon occurrence. 
Arbutus procera. —Flowering sprays of this species were sent by 
Mr. G. Lee from trees, of which there were three stretching to a length 
■of about 22 feet each. At 1 foot from the ground the trunk of one was 
3 feet 6 inches in circumference. The trees were planted about forty 
years ago. They flower profusely, but never bear fruit. He observes 
that this species is not cultivated so often as it deserves to be. 
Grindelia invloides. —A flowering stem of this plant was forwarded 
by Rev. C. W. Dod. It is figured in the “ Botanical Magazine” t. 3737. 
Peas Attached by Mites. —A specimen of earth containing mites, 
which have proved injurious to Peas, was received from Mr. McDonald, 
of Jura Forest, Greenock. They were forwarded to Mr. Michael for 
further examination. 
Dendrobium Findley anum,pseudo-bulb. —Sir Trevor Lawrence sent a 
bifurcating branch of this Orchid. He observes that “ Dendrobium 
bulbs often make side shoots from the ‘eyes ’ at the apex of each seg¬ 
ment, but this example seems to be a true bifurcation, due it would 
appear from the bend in the branch to some arrest of growth by a wire 
or another bulb.” A microscopical examination appeared to confirm 
the above view, for the stem was single at the base, but a slight con¬ 
striction began on one side, then a second appeared on the opposite side, 
higher up, until they deepened and met, thereby dividing the single stem 
into two. 
National Rose Society—Voting by Proxy. 
Individually, I regretted that both Mr. Pemberton’s proposal as 
to altering the date of the Metropolitan Show of the National Rose 
Society (reported by you on page 536) and Mr. Foster-Melliar’s propo¬ 
sition to allow members to vote by proxy, were negatived last Tuesday. 
I hope, however, they may be proposed again next year. There may be 
rosarians whose counsels might be very valuable to the interests of the 
National Rose Society, while it seems to me very unreasonable to put 
them to the trouble and expense of coming from Ireland, Scotland, or 
Wales to vote when it could be done for a penny by naming a proxy in 
a letter.—F. H. Gall, Hitchin. 
Celine Forestier. 
Mr. D unkin, page 349, rightly observes that Cbline Forestier is a 
valuable hardy Rose. We have several very large trees which have been 
planted over twenty years against the terrace walls with a south-east 
aspect, fully exposed, and these have never had any protection in 
winter other than a mulching of short manure about the roots. The 
trees have annually produced a successional crop of useful blooms, 
of which we have a good supply at the present time, as you will see by 
enclosed buds.— John Chinnery. 
[The flowers sent were remarkably fresh and fragrant for the time 
of year.] 
Madame Falcot. 
Another good Rose which I should advise anyone to add to Mr. 
Dunkin’s list if they are forming a collection is Madame Falcot. I had 
a tree of it planted on a south-east wall in Monmouthshire, which grew 
well and produced a plentiful supply of well developed buds of a good 
colour. The foliage of this Rose is very ornamental, assuming in a 
young state in the autumn a dark colour, which produces when used 
for buttonholes or for other purposes a pleasing contrast to the bud. 
Whether for private use or for growing for market this is a most valuable 
Rose, as it readily sells on account of its pleasing colour.—J. C. 
Rose Judging at N.R.S. Exhibitions. 
The National Rose Society is to be congratulated on its almost 
perfect system of judging at the various exhibitions held under its 
auspices, the rule being “ that successful exhibitors only shall be per¬ 
mitted to act as adjudicators and whilst I should be sorry and very 
wide of the mark to say that they alone are able to properly make 
the awards, it is well that the judging can be done by those who are 
successful growers and exhibitors. That portion of the community 
who spend the greater part of their leisure amongst Roses (and they 
are an important portion, embracing clergymen, lawyers, doctors, and 
intelligent tradesmen of various pursuits), and who are ever and anon 
occupying the ‘‘pride of place” at the N.R.S. Exhibitions, are well 
qualified for this somewhat arduous though exceedingly pleasant and 
important duty, as also are they who make Rose growing a study for 
trade purposes. 
Of late years the disappointed Rose exhibitor has almost ceased to 
exist. So conscientious and careful are the Judges in their work that 
the exhibitors most cheerfully accept as their due the piece of cardboard 
which indicates their position, be it first, second, third, or fourth. 
Many are the stories that could he related of disappointed exhibitors, 
some of whom have buttonholed the unfortunate Judge, and “ had it 
out ” with him then and there; others have rushed into print, and 
fought out their battle by the aid of a free Press. To-day a better 
feeling seems to pervade ; all, more or less, resemble the gentleman who, 
upon being told he was “ nowhere ” to-day, and asked if he considered 
the judging correct, calmly replied, “ I never question the decision of 
the Judges.” The system of selecting adjudicators from the roll of 
successful growers is an excellent one, and it is to be hoped there may 
never be a lack of willing spirits to undertake this most important item 
in the programme of Rose exhibitions. 
There are, however, one or two matters that might receive even more 
attention than has hitherto been bestowed upon them. One is that the 
judges selected be asked only to take part in judging classes similar to 
