76 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 28, 1887. 
careful avoidance of all formality in arrangement, and the extremely neat 
finish imparted by the pleasing margin. In the background were a few 
Palms and Dracaenas, several well-coloured Crotons, and a groundwor lc 
of Caladium argyrites and Adiantum cuneatum, from which arose 
graceful plants of Eulalia japonica variegata, the edge being formed of 
Panicum variegatum, Fittonias, Caladium argyrites, and the elegant 
Fern Onychium japonicum. which was turned out of its pots and placed 
flat on the turf between the other plants. Colour was imparted by the 
following flowering plants :—Gloxinias, a few scarlet Gladiolus at the 
back, Carnations, Tuberous Begonias, blue English Irises, and the bright 
red Clerodendron fallax. Other flowering plants of lighter tints were 
Lilium candidum, L. auratum, L. speciosum, L. longiflorum, Odonto- 
glossum vexillarium, 0. crispum, and Cvpripediums. These were dis¬ 
posed in a free and graceful manner, and though Mr. Brown had a for¬ 
midable opponent in the winner of the second prize, he clearly merited 
the honours accorded him. It may be expected that the competition next 
year will be even more interesting, and it is not likely that the present 
winner will be allowed to retain the prize without a considerable 
struggle. 
FLAVOUR OF STRAWBERRIES IN 1887. 
When I planted Loxford Hall Seedling two years ago I did it in 
doubt. I was afraid my land was too heavy for it. However, the plants 
grew well, and last year, as I stated, the fruit gave great satisfaction, so 
I planted another quarter with the same variety instead of British 
Queen. Then I noted that, good as the old British Queen was, this 
Loxford Hall was superior, it could be eaten after British Queen. The 
habit of Loxford Hall is sturdy, leaves only of medium size and round ;• 
the fruit is exposed to the sun much more than any other Strawberry I 
grow. The fruit trusses are of medium size, yet push beyond the foliage. 
I am particular in noting this, for reasons to be stated presently. This 
is a late variety, even later than British Queen. They showed well for 
fruit again this season, and I anticipated a treat, but the fruits never 
swelled. They are only about half the size they should be, and are 
scalded. It is not a question of ripening, they will be no better. Some 
fruit I have marked for a fortnight, and they still remain in poor con¬ 
dition. Then the flavour is gone, they are quite tasteless and sour. To 
make sure of these being good I was not content with once top-dressing, 
I mulched them twice. Certainly the heat and drought have spoilt the 
fruit, but I did not suppose it would take all flavour away. I shall try 
them another year, and if I can obtain runners I shall plant a few in 
the shady places and note the result. British Queen, while not quite so 
much scalded, growing side by side under the same conditions, is un¬ 
eatable. What appears strange to me is that President, though quite 
half the plants look dead, and the fruits are miserably small, has its 
flavour good. Sir Joseph Paxton has done the best of all; foliage here, 
without doubt, has done good, but I might say that the first gathered 
fruits especially, though the weather being so very hot, failed to 
colour at the points. Flavour is very fair. 
For fine flavour this season I have none to equal Vicomtesse Hericart 
de Thury. These are grown in a shady position. They have no midday 
sun, and the rows are closer together than in my other varieties. The 
fruit is small, but with a powerful scent and flavour. I should suppose 
for preserving there is nothing to equal it. It would be interesting if 
“ J. E.” page 27, would try Loxford Hall Seedling another season. I 
am sure it is the season that is to blame, though this is the first time I 
ever knew abundance of sun and heat to be detrimental to flavour. The 
query is, Why should it affect the flavour of these two varieties in 
particular ? I grow the bulk of my Strawberries for a late supply, and 
British Queen is at home here, the crop being very good, the fruit of 
good size. Loxford Hall seems equally at home. I enclose a few berries 
of each. You will see they are scalded quite as much on the under side 
ns at the top, and the refreshing showers we have had apparently make 
no difference to swelling up of younger fruit. A row of Pauline sent 
me by a friend grew well and gave great promise, but though the plants 
are very vigorous, not one fruit has ripened. The Captain was the same. 
King of the Earlies is a very weak grower here, I did not hope for 
fruit; next year shall look forward to it doing well.—S. C. 
[The fruits sent were just as described by our correspondent—in¬ 
ferior in appearance and quality.] 
Alexander, grown as pyramids,one bearing over a dozen good fruits; also 
dishes of the following fruits—Governor Wood, Cleveland Bigarreau, Im- 
peratrice Eugenie, Elton, and Mammoth Cherries, for all of which a vote 
of thanks was awarded. From the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society came a dish of Roseberry Gooseberry, Variegated Black Currants, 
and Gloire de Sablons Currant, to which a vote of thanks was awarded. 
Mr. Norman, The Gardens, Hatfield House, sent dishes of remarkably fine 
fruit of Royal George Peach and Elruge Nectarine, to which a cultural 
commendation was .awarded. Messrs. Paul & Son of Cheshunt, exhibited 
a collection of fifty dish< s of Gooseberries, to which a vote of thanks was 
awarded. Mr. G. Clowes, Blackbrook, Newcastle, Staffs, sent a dish of 
green fruited variety of Black Currant, which he supposed to be a seed¬ 
ling, but which is a very old and worthless variety. 
Messrs. Rivers it Son, of Sawbridgeworth, sent a very interesting col¬ 
lection of thirteen dishes of Peaches and Nectarines, containing fine 
specimens of iSea Eagle, Lord Palmerston, Nectarine Peach, Prince of 
Wales, Early Beatrice, and Victoria Nectar'ne, to which a vote of thanks 
was awarded. Mr. Rivers also exhibited a dish of Early Rivers Cherry, 
which had been ripe and hanging on the tree since the second week in 
June. Mr. T. F. Rivers also exhibited a seedling Peach and a seedling 
Nectarine, both of which were raised from the Nectarine Peach. Both had 
the singular shape of the parent, being quite conical, terminating in a long 
beak. The Peach is yellow fleshed, and the Nectarine is pale greenish 
yellow like Victoria, and both possessed good flavour. Mr. Marriott, of 
Skirbeck, Boston, sent a Pea called Boston Hero, which was passed. 
Floral Committee. —Present: G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S, in the chair, 
and Messrs. G. Duffield, H. Bennett, H. Herbst, J. Walker, W. Goldring, C. 
Noble, C. Pilcher, J. Dominy, H. Ballantine, H. M. Pollett, Thomas Baines, 
A. J. Lendy, J. O’Brien, E. Hill, G. Paul, J. Hodson, J. Fraser, R. Dean, 
Amos Perry, J. Douglas, Shirley Hibberd, and Dr. M. T. Masters. 
An interesting group of plants was contributed from the Royal Gardens, 
Ivew, comprising a large plant of Phaius bicolor with three s; ikes of flowers, 
the dark-coloured Anguloa Ruckeri var. sanguinea, the bright yellow stove 
climber Adenocalymnanitidum, several choice Ferns, Mesembryanthemums, 
Statice Suworowi, and some hybrid Streptocarpus, which were certificated. 
Messrs. H. Canned & Sons, Swanley, had a large group of double Tuberous 
Begonias, all raised from seed this year, and comprising a number of very 
handsome varieties, which were mostly named after the members of the Floral 
Committee. Several of the varieties were selected for certificates, and a cul¬ 
tural commendation was awarded for the whole group. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tot¬ 
tenham, contributed a choice collection of hardy flowers, comprising Poppies, 
Lilies, Japanese Lises, Spiraea palmata, Gaillardias, and numerous examples 
of bright and varied border Carnations (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. 
J. Carter it Co., High Holborn, exhibited a plant of the pretty yellow Lily, 
Lilium Hansoni. G. F. Wilson, E-q., F.R.S., Weybridge and Wisley,showed 
examples of Eryngium giganteum, which Mr. Wilsou states is frequented 
by bees more than any other plant in his garden. Mr. Robertson Munro, 
Abercorn Nurseries, Edinburgh, sent flowers of Matricaria inodora fl. pi., 
together with an improved form named Snowflake. Mr. J. Blundell, 
Dulwich, was awarded a vote of thanks for a handsome collection of double 
Hollyhocks, representing many varieties. Mr. F. T. Smith, West Dulwich, 
showed four boxes of double Hollyhocks, rich and del'cate in colour. The 
Rev. H. H. D'Otnbrain, Westwell Vicarage, Ashford, showed a flower of a 
hardy Amaryllis named Bayard (Souchet) from a plant which has been 
growing in the open ground for eight years unprotected, and has two scapes 
of four flowers each. Mr. Norman, The Gardens, Hatfield House, Herts, 
exhibited a grand plant of Siccolabium Blumeiwith four expanded spikes 
of flowers 12 to 1G inches long, and one spike undeveloped (cultural com¬ 
mendation). 
Messrs. J. Veitch it Sons, Chelsea, showed flowers of their Rhododen¬ 
dron hybrids, also of several new forms, and a large flowered rich rosy-red 
Begonia named Bismarcki. Mr. W. Gordon, Twickenham, sent a plant of 
Cypripedium Liurencianum, in which the dorsal sepal was split into two 
lobes, only one petal was present, erect in the centre, taking the place of 
the dorsal sepal. R. J. Measures, Esq, Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell 
(gardener, Mr. Simpkins) exhibited plants of Cypripedium javanico-super- 
biens, an interesting and valuable hybiid, a richly coloured variety of 
Vanda tricolor, Cattleya Acklandise, C. Schilleriana, and a flower of Cypri¬ 
pedium concolor, with two lips. Messrs. James Dickson it Son, Chester, 
showed flowers of a distinct orange-buff coloured Carnation. Mr. R. Spinks, 
Horley, was awarded a vote of thanks for a Carnation Pride of Horley, a 
white variety with a few crimson streaks. Messrs. F. Sander it Co., St. 
Albans, showed plants of Oiontoglossum Hariyanum, the sepals and petals 
brownish, the lip beautifully veined with purple at the base and white at 
the top. Messrs. Paul it Son, Cheshunt, contributed a large collection of 
hardy flowers, including numerous Pentstemons, Gaillardias, Everlasting 
Peas, Phloxes, Erigerons, Epilobiums, Lilies, itc. M ssrs. Hooper it Co., 
Covent Garden, were awarded a vote of thanks for a handsome collection 
of Gloxinia blooms, very bright in colours. Messrs. J. Green it Nephew, 
Victoria Street, had a col'ection of oramental glasses and stands for 
flowers. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
JdlT 26th. 
The exhibits before the Fruit and Floral Committees, the competing 
collection for the special prizes with the Carnations and Picotees constituted 
an excellent show in the conservatory, which was nearly filled. 
Fruit Committee. —T. F. R vers, Esq.,] : n the chair. Present: Messrs. 
Warren, Veitch, Willard, Norman. Heywood, Saltmarsb, Woodbridge, Black- 
more, Fitt, and Dr. Hogg. Mr. C. W. Cook, Rendcomb Park Gardens, rent 
a seedling Melon, call d Cook's Perfection, but it was not of sufficient merit. 
Messrs. James Carter it Co. of High Holborn, exhibited two varieties of 
Tomatoes, one called Blenheim Orange, which is of a yil'owish colour 
tinged with red, and the other Sandwich Islands, round, smooth, and deep 
red. Neither of them was considered superior to existing varieties. 
Messrs. James Veitch it Sons exhibited a collection of fruit, consisting 
of Strawberry Qnatre Saisons, Raspfcerrv Superlative, Pears Mdlle. Solange, 
Citron des Caimes and Doyenne d’Ete, Peach Alexandra, and White 
Joaneting Apple. They also sent three Peach trees in pots of the variety 
PLANTS CERTIFICATED. 
Streptocarpus Watsoni (Royal Gardens, Kew).—A hybrid between the 
large-haved S. Dunni and S. parviflo"us, raised at Kew in 1886. A pretty 
form, with small flowers produced in great numbers of a rosy purple 
colour. The leaves are very large, about 18 inches long and 8 inches 
broad. 
Streptocarpus Kewensis (Royal Gardens, Kew).— A hybrid between 
S. Dunni and S. liexi, the flowers resembling the latter parent in form 
and colour, but much more numerous ; the leaves very large, like those in 
S. Watsoni. 
Tuberous Begonia Edelweiss (H. Cannell & Sons).—A double variety, 
with solid handsome pure white flowers. 
Tuberous Begonia Major Lendy (S. Cannell it Sons).—A double variety ; 
flowers of good shape, ot a soft salmon rose tint. 
Tuberous Begonia Shirley Hibberd (H. Cannell it Sons).—A handsome 
double variety, with large full flowers of a soft blush t'nt. 
Carnation Alice Ayres (T. S. Ware).—A border variety with white 
flowers, streaked with bright red. Very free and good. 
