444 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 23, 1896. 
“ Thursday night was still rough. Friday morning no 
better, and at noon a heavy steady rain set in, which from the 
state of the roads must have continued through the greater 
part of the night. This morning (Saturday) dawned dull 
and cold. The wind lulled, the rain uncertain whether to come 
or go. What the effect on the Apple trees will be no one can tell 
yet. It is possible the damage may not be so great as one expects, 
but at present everything is too wet for an investigation. 
“ Roses had made wonderful progress, but alas ! the devastation 
is great; a cherished archway of climbing Roses is gone, but like 
the phoenix of old will arise from its own ashes—in other words, 
will grow from the bottom again. The weeping Rose is like a shorn 
lamb ; but this subject is too wide, and I must leave it to ‘ D., 
Deal, and clerical ‘ Raillem ’ to give us in their own good time 
words of hope and consolation.” 
The above letter embodies, we have no doubt, the experience of 
hundreds of persons ; yet though the temperature fell in some 
cases nearly or quite 70° in thirty-six hours last week—namely, 
from over 120° in the sun to 32°, we are glad to think that nothing 
like the loss will be experienced that followed on the disastrous 
loss of last year, and “ check ” changes to “ promise ” once again—a 
promise of flowers in infinite variety and countless numbers. 
We are on the eve of a great show. Huge marquees are 
erected within five minutes walk from Fleet Street. It is some¬ 
thing to have a fine space of some 4 or 5 acres practically in 
the heart of the City, approached by the ‘‘ finest promenade in 
Europe,” parallel with the ancient and broad-breasted Thames. 
It is fortunate, too, that the Benchers of the Inner Temple 
Gardens permit their use by the Royal Horticultural Society 
once a year, in order that all which is newest and best in 
flowers and other garden produce may be displayed for the 
enjoyment of the thousands who will assemble to enjoy the feast. 
Fortunate also is it that a Royal lady has consented to open 
the exhibition—one who never fails to attract by her presence, 
and who wins more and more homage and affection as the years 
roll round—the Princess of Wales. Only a softening of the wind 
and clear skies, are needed to make the show now in preparation 
a brilliant success. 
THE TEMPLE SHOW. 
May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. 
On Tuesday the wind softened, bat the sky was not clear, nor was the 
popular Princess able to attend (unfortunately through indisposition), 
crowds of persons who assembled on the embankment being accordingly 
disappointed ; but there could be no disappointment with the show, 
which from a floral point of view, is the richest and most extensive in 
the British Isles. It was thought that the weather, which of late 
has been so unfavourable, would have marred to a certain extent the 
beauty and completeness of the exhibition, but happily such was not 
the case. Readers well know the extent to which the exhibition has 
grown during the time that it has been in progress, and this year it 
was perhaps more beautiful than ever. We noticed an innovation, 
emanating from a suggestion of Mr. Newton (the able gardener at 
the Inner Temple) in the form of covering the long walk at the 
bottom of the gardens, and running parallel with the river. This 
idea was an excellent one in every way, and especially in the saving 
of the cherished lawn and the expense of several tons of boards for 
flooring. 
It may be of interest to know how so much space was taken up, so 
we give the dimensions of the five principal marquees. The largest 
was 150 feet long by 60 feet broad; the next 120 feet by 40 ; No. 3, 
170 by 28 ; No. 4, 150 by 28 ; and No. 5, 110 by 28, the figures being 
in each case approximate, and rather under than over the average. 
Despite this enormous provision it was found necessary to curtail the 
space allotted to almost every exhibitor, a proceeding that has nothing 
to commend it, and which should if possible be obviated on future 
occasions by a pre-arrangement of space. Unfortunately an exhibitor 
of some forty years’ standing felt himself shut out by a misinterpre¬ 
tation of the conditions affecting duplicates, which it seems did not 
apply to varieties of plants but only to flowers in a cut state. This 
was a pity, because Mr. John Laing always exhibits well, and is said 
never to have been better prepared than on the present occasion. 
Though essentially a flower show, fruits and vegetables were represented 
in fair numbers and high quality, but the other compartments com- 
prisiug Orchids, greenhouse and stove plants, and hardy flowers took 
up by far the greatest amount of space. 
As is usual on this occasion Orchids formed a most superb feature, 
being shown in little short of perfect condition; Arranged in the same 
tent as the Orchids were the Roses, than which nothing makes a brighter 
display, while passing on into other marquees we found glowing 
Begonias, charming foliage plants, elegant Ferns, softly hued Gloxinias, 
and in endless variety hardy plants and flowers, from modest alpines to 
the imposing Pseonies. Before turning to the general report, it may be 
worth while to point out that the exhibits were noted practically as 
staged, and not in order of merit, as the show was not competitive. 
Orchids. 
As has been suggested, Orchids made an exceedingly beautiful dis¬ 
play, being splendidly diversified ; in fact, all the best now in flower 
were represented in one collection or another. Conspicuous on entering 
the large marquee was the superb arrangement of Messrs. F. Sander 
and Co., St. Albans, in which the blending of colours was tastefully 
carried out. It was impossible for us to name all the kinds staged, but 
a few of the best were Cattleya nobilior, Sander’s variety; C. Mossim 
Prince of Wales, an exceedingly beautiful form ; C. Mossise, C. dolosa ; 
Lselia purpurata Princess of Wales, a variety worthy of its illustrious 
name : Lselia purpurata, in fine variety ; L. p. alba ; Lmlio-Cattleya 
Phoebe, a charming bigeneric hybrid of beautiful colour ; Cypripedium 
Chamberlaiuianum ; C. Lawrenceanum, a grand example in a pan ; 
0. selligerum ; Odontoglossum vexillarium in great variety, and of 
which a spotted form named Princess of Wales was quite out of the 
common ; 0. sceptrum ; crispum, in large numbers and of various forms, 
of which Florrie was amongst the best; crispum xanthotes (see 
woodcut, fig. 74), and Duchess of York. In addition to these were 
Phaius, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Masdevallias, Sobralias, and others of 
more particular botanical interest. 
Mathew Wells, Esq., Broomfield, Sale, Manchester, staged a few 
Orchids of high quality, in which most noticeable was a plant of 
Cattleya Mossite, carrying handsome charmingly coloured flowers. 
The group of Orchids shown by Mr. W. H. Young, gardener to 
Sir F. Wigan, Clare Lawn, East Sheen, was not extensive, but of great 
interest, and comprised some grand flowers. Very beautiful was a form 
of Cattleya Mossise named Lady Wigan, C. Warneri, C. Schilleriana, 
several Mossise and Mendeli varieties of merit, a big specimen of 
Oncidium sphacelatum, Cypripedium Rothschildianum, C. Chamber- 
lainianum, C. cymatodes, Odontoglossum polyxanthum var. grandiflora, 
0. vexillarium, and 0. crispum in variety. Charmingly staged was the 
exhibit of Mr. Davis, gardener to J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, 
South Woodford, and in which excellent culture was very conspicuous. 
Perhaps of the whole the Cattleya Mossise in variety were most notice¬ 
able, but the Odontoglossum crispum were equally good. Of the 
Cypripediums note was taken of Lawrenceanum Hyeanum (in splendid 
condition), grande, Lawrenceanum, bellatulum, ciliolare, bellatulum 
excellens, volonteanum, and Chamberlaiuianum. Epidendrum Wallisi 
was singularly beautiful, as also was Phal^nopsisatnabilis. Also highly 
creditable were Lselia purpurata, Cattleya Mendeli, Masdevallias, and 
others. . , , , , 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, as might have been 
expected, showed in their very best form, and put up a group that 
attracted attention, as well for excellent arrangement as for high 
quality. An admirable centrepiece was formed with a plant of Cym- 
bidium Lowianum, ranged on each side of which were large numbers of 
Orchids in variety. Special attention may be called to Odontoglossums 
Alexandra, Warneri, Lselia purpurata rupelliana, Cypripedium grande, 
Odontoglossum facetum, 0. vexillarium in variety, 0. polyxanthum, 
Dendrobium densiflorum, Vanda teres Andersoni, Cattleyas Mossise in 
variety, 0. Mendeli in variety, Odontoglossum Alexandra giganteum, 
Vanda suavis, Tricopilia crispa, Cypripedium Chamberlainiamum, 
C. grande, Ada aurantiaca, the colours of which formed a pleasing diver¬ 
sion, and numerous others of equal merit, but for which space cannot be 
found for individual mention. 
From Baron Schioier, The Dell, Egham, came an almost perfect 
exhibit—in fact, just such an one as was anticipated from this source. 
The arrangement was as good as the flowers, and the use of small Ferns 
aided much in the improvement of the display.^ The Odontoglossums 
were superb, especially of the crispum section, in which were noticed 
Bonnyanum, apiatum, xanthotes (fig. 74), Wilckeanum, and giganteum, 
while other Odontoglossums included excellens, vexillarium Pescatorei, 
cuspidatum xanthcdon, luteo-purpureum, polyxanthum, and others. A 
plant of Masdevallia nycterina carrying extraordinary numbers of 
flowers was conspicuous. The Vanda teres staged here vvere superb, 
as also were the Cattleyas, of which Mossims and Mendelis were very 
showy. A plant of Skinneri and another of Skinneri alba attracted 
attention, as also did the many Cypripediums, Masdevallias, Vanda 
suavis, Epidendrum, and Laelia purpurata in variety. 
The arrangement of Mr. W. White, grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence, 
Burford Lodge, Dorking, was particularly noteworthy for high quality, 
in which respect nothing was lacking. Delicately beautiful was 
Lselia majalis, while Cypripedium Stonei platytsenium was co^ 
spicuous for magnificent blooms and excellent culture. Shown with 
this were blooms of the type, the difference being very marked. 
Other plants were Masdevallia Shuttryana, M. Veitchi, M. Harryana 
lateritia, Cypripedium Elliottianum, Cymbidium Lowianum vinde, 
Cattleya citrina, Vanda Dennisoniana, Odontoglossum citrosmum, 
