April 26, 1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
325 
expense and no bother. Anyone with a surplus of Plums and a kitchen 
oven may do the same. We found one lot was not sufficiently dried, and 
began to mould ; these we put m again for a night and saved, but with a 
little care, of course, one kuows how dry to make them. I have also done 
Apples in the usual ring very successfully. 
The variety exhibited on the present occasion was Rivers’ Monarch, 
evidently one of the best for the purpose. The fruits had been stewed 
with a very little sugar, and were quite equal to the best cooking Prunes 
from France or elsewhere. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed 
to the Chairman for his useful object lesson in home-dried Plums. 
Last but not the least feature of the proceedings was the award 
of a silver Banksian medal to Messrs. Laxton, Bedford, for the Royal 
Sovereign Strawberry plants above mentioned. They were not large, 
but rather small plants in 5-inch pots, nor were the fruits numerous, 
but two or three of the finest of them on each plant made a brave 
display. The largest fruit, though something like a double one, girthed 
7f inches. The fruits were also fine in colour and firm, just such as Mr. 
J. Smith of Mentmore describes in another column (page 319), and a 
Strawberry or anything else has to be good before this excellent and 
cautious gardener will give it his commendation. 
Floral Committee. —Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair), 
with Messrs. J. Fraser, O. Thomas, J. Laing, C. T. Druery, H. Herbst, 
Walter C. Hackett (Australian visitor), G. Stevens, H. B. May, 
C. T. Bause, W. C. Leach, R. B. Lowe, J. Jennjngs, T. G. Grey, 
J. Walker, H. Selfe Leonard, C. E. Shea, E. Beckett, H. J. Jones, 
W. Watson, T. Baines, J. D. Pawle, G. Paul, H. Turner, H. Cannell, 
R. Owen, and Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain. 
Messrs. H. B. May, Dysons Lane Nurseries, Upper Edmonton, sent a 
collection of Ferns, and amongst these Pteris reginas, P. cretica Mayi, 
P. reginse cristata, P. Victorias, P. serrulata gracilis, and some Adiautums 
were conspicuous (silver Flora medal). Messrs. Barr & Sons had a very 
fine collection of hardy flowers, including Tulips, Narcissi, Irises, 
and Anemones. Especially good were Tulipa retroflexa, T. elegans, 
T. Picotee, T. Clusiana, T. Darwinians, and such beautiful varieties as 
Golden Eagle and Golden Beauty (silver Flora medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, contributed hardy flowers in variety, 
but these could not be closely viewed whilst the Committees were 
sitting. Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. arranged a group of Hydrangeas 
as generally grown for market, and a large number of hardwooded 
plants (silver Flora medal). A fine eflEect was made by some plants 
of Bougainvillea glabra Sanderiana, all shown in 4J-inch pots by Messrs. 
F. Sander & Co. The plants were profusely flowered nearly to the base, 
and the blooms were richer in colour than the ordinary type, and a first- 
class certificate was awarded. The same firm also exhibited a brightly 
coloured Coleus named Mrs. F. Sanders, and Alocasia Watsoniana, a new 
species (first-class certificate). Lady Henry Grosvenor, Bulwick Park 
(gardener, Mr. T. J. Deanfield), sent sprays of Syringa japonica, a cream 
coloured Lilac ; and Mr. R. Whyte, Pentland House, Old Road, Lee, 
staged a plant of the yellow Richardia Pentlandi. 
Hardy flowering shrubs were splendidly represented, a large collection 
having been sent from the Royal Gardens, Kew. This contribution 
included Staphylea colchica, Pyrus floribundus, Vaccinium amoennm. 
Camellia japonica var. (grown outdoors). Magnolia purpurea, Rhodo¬ 
dendron indicum var. amoenum and others, two of which are described 
below. A fine plant of Streptocarpus Dyeri sent from the same source 
attracted more than ordinary attention by reason of its bright rosy 
purple flowers. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., had a 
beautiful collection of Gloxinias tastefully arranged with Palms and 
Adiantums. The flowers were large and very bright in colour (silver 
Banksian medal). Fuchsias, Gannas, and cut blooms of Tuberous 
Begonias came from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent. The 
blooms of Canna Queen Charlotte were exceptionally fine. A number 
of alpine plants arranged in boxes from the Guildford Hardy Plant 
Nursery made a good effect, as did a huge bank of Azaleas sent by 
Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate Nurseries, London, N. (silver 
medal). This firm also had hardy flowers in variety. F. S. Still, Esq., 
Wimbledon Park, showed Amaryllises and Spirasas, and from Lady 
Theodore Guest, Inwood House, Blandford (gardener, Mr. Wilkins), 
came blooms of Alpinia nutans, a showy Cape bulbous plant (first- 
class certificate), Bauhinia purpurea, and Thunbergi Harris! (first- 
class certificate). Mr. James Pike, South Acton, had plants of Carnation 
Uriah Pike. Messrs. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, sent standard Roses, hardy 
flowering shrubs, and a few herb- ceous plants. The same firm secured 
awards of merit for Canna Cheshunt Yellow and Exochorda Alberti, 
and a first-class certificate for Phlox canadense, which is described else¬ 
where. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited hardy trees and 
some greenhouse plants for which awards of merit and certificates were 
adjudged. 
Roses made a charming display, one side and end of the huge build¬ 
ing being filled with these. Messrs. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, had large 
bushy plants as well as standards, all remarkably well flowered. Magna 
Charta, Catherine Soupert, Celine Forestier, and Camille Bernardin were 
conspicuous amongst others (silver-gilt medal). Mr. C. Turner, Royal 
N urseries, Slough, staged profusely flowered plants of Crimson Rambler 
Rose and some Azaleas, which are noticed elsewhere (silver Flora medal). 
Mr. W. Rumsey, Joyning’s Nursery, Waltham Cross, sent Roses in pots 
and cut blooms, the whole making a good effect (silver Flora medal). 
Roses were likewise shown in splendid condition by Messrs. W. Paul 
and Sons, Waltham Cross, Herts. The best of these comprised fine 
plants of Madame Sophie Stern, Claire Jacquier, Victor Verdier, Little 
Gem, and Princess May. The cut blooms exhibited by this firm were 
also bright in colour and fresh in appearance (silver Flora medal). J. C. 
Tasker, Esq., Middleton Hall, Brentwood (gardener, Mr. Perry), had 
Roses in pots; and Mr. F. Cant, Braiswick Nursery, Colchester, sent 
magnificent cut blooms. These included fresh and brightly coloured 
blooms of Thomas Mills, Ulrich Brunner, La France, and Mrs. J. Laing 
(silver Banksian medal). Mr. G. Mount, Canterbury, was represented 
by cut Roses, including a box of well grown flowers of Mrs. John Laing 
(silver Banksian medal). Four boxes of Mar4chal Niel and one of 
Niphetos Roses were exhibited by Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, and 
were much admired (silver Banksian medal). 
Orchid Committee. —Present: Dr. Masters (in the chair), with 
Messrs. J. O'Brien, De B. Crawshay, H. M. Pollet, W. H. Protheroe, 
J. T. Gabiiel, W. H. White, E. Hill, H. J. Chapman, T. Statter, 
H. Williams, J. Douglas, S. Courtauld, T. B. Haywood, A. H. Smee, and 
H. Ballantine. 
As already mentioned. Orchids were finely exhibited. A. H. Smee, 
Esq., The Grange, Wallington (gardener, Mr. G. W. Cummins), sent a 
number of choice plants, inc’uding a Phaius and Dendrobium nobile, 
Smee’s variety (award of merit). De B. Crawshay, Esq., Sevenoaks 
(gardener, Mr. S. Cooke), sent some splendid forms of Odontoglossum 
crispum, one named Florie being unusually fine (award of merit). 
From the Hon. Mrs. Foley, Fordingbridge, Hants (gardener, Mr. J. 
Moxham), came varieties of Cattleya Mossiae and C. Mendeli, with cut 
blooms of C. Schidderm. A plant of Dendrobium Fortile was also staged 
by the same exhibitor. Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, arranged a 
charming group, amongst which were plants of Coelogyne Dayana, 
C. Swaniana, a new species (award of merit), Cypripedium nitidissimum, 
Phaius Oweniae (award of merit), P. Sanderianus, Oncidium phymato- 
chilum, and the pretty little Lfelia Oweniana (silver Banksian medal). 
Cut blooms of Dendrobium nobile and Cattleya Mossiae were sent by 
F. Gurney Fowler, Esq., and F. Wigan, Esq., respectively. The last 
named exhibitor also had a white form of Cattleya Mossiae which 
attracted notice. Plants of Cirrhopetalum Collecii and Phalaenopsis 
tetraspis (award of merit) were contributed from the Royal Gardens, 
Kew. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams «& Sons, Upper Holloway, staged a fine group of 
Orchids, comprising some choice species and varieties. Amongst others in 
this collection were Odontoglossum triumphans, O. Edwardsi, Lycaste 
Skinneri delicatissima, Epidendrum radicum, and Miltonia stellata 
(silver Banksian medal). Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton Nursery, had a 
small but attractive group of Cattleyas, Dendrobiums. and Cypripediums 
(bronze Banksian medal). Mr. W. Appleton, Weston-super-Mare, 
exhibited a fine plant of Lselia cinnabarina, for which a first-class 
certificate was awarded. Messrs. W. Lewis & Co., Southgate, Mr. P. 
McArthur, The London Nursery, Maida Vale, W., and Messrs. J. Veitch 
and Sons, also staged Orchids, but our reporter was not permitted to 
view the exhibits during the time at his disposal for descriptive purposes. 
Certificates and Awards of Merit. 
Adiantum tenelliom (H. B. May).—Apparently this is a free growing 
plant with fronds nearly as finely cut as those of A. gracillimum (award 
of merit). 
Adiantum Schreideri (H. B. May).—A distinct species with finely 
cut pinnae and moderately large fronds (award of merit). 
Alpinia nutans CiB,dy Theodora Guest).—A Cape bulbous plant of an 
attractive appearance. The foliage grows erect to a height of nearly 3 feet, 
and the flowers are produced from the centre. The unexpauded flower 
is shiny white tipped bright pink, the inside when opened being red 
margined yellow (first-class certificate). 
Alocasia Watsoniana (F. Sander «fe Co.).—The leaves of this plant 
are upwards of 2 feet in length and 1 foot in width. They are of a deep 
glaucous green shade with pale ribs, under side dark purple (first-c'ass 
certificate). 
Azalea Mr. Victor Savart (C. Turner).—This is a fine variety 
of Azalea indica, dark red, rich coloured single flowers (award of merit). 
Azalea Lively (C. Turner).—An attractive variety, the flowers being 
double, and of a pale pink colour (award of merit). 
Azalea Julia Vervaene (^G. Turner).—A charming variety, dwarf in 
habit, and with semi-double pink flowers margined white (award of 
merit). 
Azalea Perle de Ledeherg (C. Turner).—A large flowered variety, 
the blooms being 3 inches in diameter, white splashed rose (award of 
merit). 
Bougainvillea glahra Sanderiana (F. Sander & Co.).—A profuse 
flowering form of this well-known plant. The specimens exhibited were 
from 18 inches to 3 feet in height, growing in small pots, and flowered to 
the base. The blooms are richer in colour than those of the type (first- 
cldss CGrtific&tc). 
Canna Cheshunt Yelloic (Paul & Son).—A showy variety with rich 
yellow flowers, reddish in the centre (award of merit). 
Coelogyne Swaniana (F. Sander & Co.).—This is a new species, and 
the flower spikes droop in a similar manner to those of C. Dayana. The 
sepals and petals are pale buff, the lip also being of that shade 
margined brown (award of merit). 
JJendrohium nohile Smee’s variety (A. II. Smee).—This is a good 
variety, the flowers being of a delicate shade, and yet attractive when 
produced in masses as on the plant exhibited. The sepals and petals 
are cream coloured tipped with rosy violet, the throat being dark 
crimson (award of merit). 
Epidendrum radicum (B. S. Williams & Sons).—The flowers of this 
species are bright orange scarlet, paler in the centre (award of merit). 
