July 21, 1837. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
57 
a nimble little bright green insect, which eats the very young leaves 
at the tips of the fresh growing shoots ? It is most destructive in my 
garden this year. I remember some years ago the same enemy 
causing great annoyance to Mr. S. Mount of Harbledown.— Henry 
B. Biron, Lympne Vicarage. 
PINKS—THE DOUBLE LYCHNIS VISCARIA. 
Amongst our hardy plants what can surpass the exquisite fragrance 
of the Pinks ? The old white fimbriata is still a good plant, and happily the 
occupant of nearly every garden, hence a general favourite. It lacks 
the size of Mrs. Sinkins certainly, but the unfortunate drawback in the 
latter plant is the matter which its pods— i.e., calyx, burst ereithe flowers 
expand. I doubt not but that this will have to give way presently to 
still better forms, for it is much below the standard of perfection which 
our florists claim as right. Lychnis Viscaria splendens plena is one of 
those choice border plants which should find a place in many gardens 
from which it is now excluded. The colour is a rich magenta, and stands 
almost, if not quite, alone in this respect. It will grow in almost any 
situation or soil, possesses the sterling qualities of free flowering, perfect 
hardiness, with easy means of propagation—viz., by dividing the root- 
stock. Those unacquainted with it I would ask to imagine a tufted 
cushion of leaves similar to some Thrifts, from which issue numerous 
Hower stems to a height of 18 inches, closely packed with bright magenta 
flowers, very useful for cutting. Its extreme beauty is in the embellish- 
ment of the hardy plant border or rock garden, where the flowers retain 
to the last that brilliant hue of colour which renders it so conspicuous 
at J H T- ^ an * ec ^ ' II ^ h as a most effective appearance. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
BEDFORD AND BEDFORDSHIRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The fourth annual Show of tliis Society, competition for which is 
mainly confined to the county, was held on Wednesdiy, July 13th in an 
admirably adapted and centrally situated ground on the Golflington Road, 
.Bedford. The Committee is to be congratulated on the success that 
attended their well-directed efforts, notwithstanding the severe drawback 
caused by the long-continued drought, the effects of which have been 
especially marked in this district, and were patent in the display of outdoor 
products at this Show, which, with the general exception of Roses, were 
in most of the classes deficient in size and appearance. For Roses and 
* le f^ aceous piahts there are open classes, and in those for Roses the com¬ 
petition was not only strong in all the classes, both open and local, but the 
blooms were quite up to the average. 
In the open class for forty-eight cut blooms, distinct, Messrs. J. Burrell 
and Co., Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, took the lead with a fine even 
stand containing good blooms of Francois Michelon, Pride of Waltham 
Reynolds Hole, Countess of Rosebery, Horace Vernet, Mdlle. Montet (after 
* MS?®-.CL Luizet), Duchesse de Moray, Francisca Kruger 
Alfred Colomb Dr. Andry, Niphetos, M. YaiUant, Her Majestv, Madame 
Cusm, and Duchess of Bedford. Mr. H. Merryweather, Southwell, Notts 
was second, showing some very fine blooms, but less even in size than the 
first. J ean Soupert was especially striking in this stand, Pride of Reigate 
and Etienne Levet also good. For third place Messrs. J. & W. H. Bnrcli 
Rose-growers, Peterborough, were successful, showing Her Majesty Eclair 
(very bright), Xavier Olibo, A. K. Williams, Marechal Niel, and Comtesse 
de Radaillac in good style. Mr. F. Cant, Colchester, and Mr. J. C. 
Sheppard, Bedford, also showed creditably in this class. 
In the open competition for eighteen Teas, Messrs. J. Bun-ell & Co. 
were again first with a splendid lot, the stand scarcely containing a defec- 
tive bloom. Cornelia Koch (a very striking flower), Madame de Watte- 
Madame Cusm, David Pradel, Madame Angdle Jacquier, Marie 
Guillot (in best form), Marie Van Houtte, Innocente Pirola, and Souvenir 
d un Ami being all here well represented. Mr. F. Cant secured second 
place, and the Rev. W. H. Jackson of Stagsden Vicarage was third. 
For twenty-four cut blooms, open to all amateurs, E. B. Lindsell Esq. 
Beaidon, Hitchin, well maintained his reputation, and secured first position’ 
ms finest flowers being Merveille de Lyon, Charles Lefebvre Ulrich 
Brunner, Madame Victor Verdier, Marechal Niel, Francois Michelon Her 
Majesty, Abel Carriere, and Innocente Pirola. Mr. Lindsell’s boxes ’were 
refreshingly cooled with ice. The Rev. W. H. Jackson was a formidable 
competitor, and came in close as second, bis bloom of Baroness Rothschild 
comparing favourably with any bloom of Her Majesty in the Show The 
latter, however, is by no means a despicable occupant of the Rose sta^e 
but probably will be in finer form another year. The Rev. W Langlev’ 
Narborough, was third in this class. 
For twelve Teas and Noisettes, open to all amateurs, Dr. King Mading- 
ley Vicarage, Cambridge, was first, having Madame Margottin, Etoile de 
Lyon, Princess of Wales, Souvenir d’Elise, Jean Ducher, Madame de 
Watteville, and The Bride in fine form ; the latter, however, as shown has 
a rather strongly tinted outline. Mr. Lindsell was second, and Mr. Jackson 
J* 11 ™- ,*’ or twelve cut Roses, distinct, in the open class for amateurs Mr 
G.Moules of Hitchin was first; the Rev. W. H. Gall, Hitchin, second;’ and 
Mr. J. T. Green, Bletsoe, third. 
In the open class for thirty-six bunches of hardy herbaceous or bulbous 
flowers Messrs. J. Burrell & Co. were first with a fine and well set-up 
collection, containing several of the best Liliums, including testaceum 
pardalinum, Humboldti, and chalcedonicum; also the.lovely Campanula 
pelviformis, and Pyrethrum Parthenium. “ White Queen,” a useful white 
flower. ‘ Mr. J. Sheppard was second, and Mrs. Horton third. ! Messrs. 
Burch also showed a very attractive stand of Rose W. A. Richardson not 
for competition. Amongst the successful exhibitors of Roses in the local 
classes the Rev. W. H. Jackson was first for twenty-four and twelve 
blooms ; and for nine flowers Mr. Quarry and Mr. Johnson, Bedford, were 
each first in separate classes. 
Plants are not usually a strong feature at the Bedford Show, the prizes 
offered being small. Mr. G. Robinson, gardener to Frederick Howard, 
Esq., Abbey Close, Bedford, however, showed some well-grown specimens, 
securing first honours for a group; also for six foliage plants, six exotic 
and six hardy Ferns, and six well-grown Fuchsias. Mr. G. Vyne, gardener 
to C. Franklin, Esq., Bedford, coming first for very fine Coleus and 
Liliums. Mr. Galloway, gardener to Miss Rice Trevor, Bromhall Hall, 
led in Begonias, <fec.; Mr. Musgrove, gardener to A. D. Chapman, Esq., 
Milton Ernest, came first for twelve plants for table decoration; and 
J. W. D. Harrison, Esq., Bedford, for six Pelargoniums. 
Fruit was not strongly represented in competition. Mr. G. Allis, 
gardener to Major Shuttleworth, Old Warden Park, Beds, however, was 
first for six varieties, Pines excluded, showing some remarkably fine 
Buckland Sweetwater and Hamburgh Grapes, Melon, Peaches, Nectarines, 
and Strawberries ; Mr. Galloway coming in a creditable and close second. 
For two bunches of black Grapes Mr. Allis was again first, and Mr . 
Galloway second, both with Black Hamburghs. For two bunches of white 
Grapes Mr. Allis was first with Buckland Sweetwater very fine in berry 
and bunch but wanting in finish. Mr. Robinson was second with smaller 
but well-ripened fruit of the same variety. For three dishes of Straw¬ 
berries Mr. Allis was first; and Mr. Waller, gardener to Jas. Howard, Esq., 
Clap ham Park, Bedford, was second. For a single dish of Strawberries 
Mr. G. Dyer, gardener to G. W. Repton, Esq., Odell Castle, came to the 
fore with fine fruit of Sir J. Paxton. 
Messrs. Thomas Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, showed, not for com¬ 
petition, a collection of fruit which was a source of much attraction, the 
Cherries looking especially captivating; Early Rivers, Black Hawk, 
Ludwig Bigarreau, and Monstrueuse de Mezel were the varieties shown, 
and in the finest condition; Dr. Hogg, Magdala, Princess of Wales, and 
Crimson Galande Peaches; Newton, Goldoni (new and striking), Pine 
Apple, and Rivers’ Orange Nectarines; Early Transparent Plums and 
English Oranges were also all worthily represented. This collection 
deservedly received the high commendation of the Judges. 
Vegetables were in most of the classes well competed for, and, with the 
exception of Potatoes and roots, generally good. Peas were especially fine 
and weU shown by Mr. Waller, gardener to James Howard, Esq. For a 
collection of twelve varieties of vegetables open to all amateurs in the 
J county Mr. Waller was first, showing very good Peas, Mushrooms, Arti¬ 
chokes, Carrots, Tomatoes, French Beans, and Marrows. Mr. Robinson 
was second, Mr. Vyne third, and Mr. Musgrove fourth. In competition 
for the prizes offered in this class by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, the Royal 
Berkshire Seed Establishment, Reading, for six varieties of vegetables, Mr. 
Waller was again first, Mr. Musgrove second, and Mr. Robinson third. 
For collections and single dishes of Potatoes Mr. Waller was also first, as 
also for a very fine collection of Peas, including Duke of Albany, Laxton’s 
Walton Hero, and a seedling, Progress, and Sutton’s Reading Giant, in fine 
condition. For the single dish of twenty-four pods Mr. Waller took the 
lead, and was well first with wonderfully fine examples of a new 
seedling of Mr. Laxton’s (since named Victorious). For the collection of 
six varieties of vegetables in competition for prizes offered by Messrs. 
Webb & Sons, Royal Seed Establishment, Wordsley, Stourbridge, Mr. 
Waller was also first, and Mr. Vyne second. Wild flowers and Grasses 
were largely shown, and in most instances carefully named and classed 
both in the fresh and dried states ; and the judges at these shows have 
generally a heavy assize, the large number of children educated at Bedford 
usually providing ample competition; and although the season has been 
adverse, their duties on this occasion were by no means light. 
A simple appliance for training plants was shown by Messrs. W. Day 
and Sons, Ironmongers, Bedford, and used by J. W. D. Harrison, Esq., of 
Bedford, on plants exhibited by him. Looped or indented rings made of 
copper wire of good strength were fixed around the pot under the rim, and 
to these the branches were tied down, and they seemed to answer their pur¬ 
pose admirably. 
The continued success of this Show is largely due to the able efforts of Mr. 
H. Tebbs, the Honorary Secretary, who is a well-known adept at organisation 
in Bedford ; and it is to be hoped that a financial loss will not be sustained 
by the Society, although the attendance was hardly equal to that of last 
year. The weather was, however, all that could be desired. 
HAWKHURST.— July 13th. 
There are few prettier spots thin Hawkhurst in the highly favoured 
county of Kent, and very few better all-round displays of garden produce 
are brought together at its annual Show. The Society embraces a rather 
large district, is remarkably well managed, and receives good support from 
all classes in the neighbourhood. In spite of a g-nerally bad season, the 
cottagers were yet able to stage excellent vegetables, in some instances 
even surpassing the exhibits of professional gardeners. One large tent was 
devoted to arts and manufactures, and local talent had various opportunities 
of asserting itself. This feature is well worthy of imitation by other 
societies in want of novel and attractive addition to their programme, and 
if they meet with success at all equal to that enjoyed at Hawkhurst they 
will have good cause to congratulate themselves upon the innovation. 
Stove and greenhouse plants, considered as a local display, were highly 
creditable, and some of them would have taken good prizes at more pre¬ 
tentious exhibitions. For six flowering plants Mr. C. Nicholls, gardener to 
Mrs. Fisher, Hawkhurst, was well first, having good specimens of Statice 
profusa, Allamanda Hendersoni, Stephanotis floribunda, Kalosanthes 
coccinea, Bougainvillea glabra, and Eiica Thompsoni. Mr. J. Gilmour, 
gardener to the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, Seacoxe Heath, Hawkhurst, was 
a good second. Mr. G. Rummery, gardener to Sir E. J. Hardinge, Bart., 
Fowler’s Park, Hawkhurst, followed. For six plants of any description Mr. 
C. Nicholls wa9 first, having well flowered Anthurium Schertzerianum, 
Erica Aitoniana turgida, Kalosanthes coccinea, and Statice, fresh and good. 
Mr. J. Knapp, gardener to H. Maynard, E-q , Oakfield Lodge, Hawkhurst, 
was awarded the second prize. Mr. G. ltummerv was a creditable third. 
Mr. Knapp received a first prize for four plants, Cissus discolor, Bougain¬ 
villea glabra, and Vinca rosea being most worthy of note. 
There was quite a fine display of Fuchsias. Mr. J. Gilmour was easily 
