390 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
November 5, 1887. 
nectary. If this be done at once it is evident that the pollinium will he 
pushed into or against its old place, the anther cell. How, then, can the 
flower be fertilised 1 This is effected by a very beautiful contrivance. 
W ithin a minute the pollinia, by the contraction of the minute disc to 
which they are attached, move downwards to an angle of about 45° from 
the first upright position. When the insect sucks the next flower the pollen 
masses come in direct contact with the stigmatic surface. The stigma is 
so very viscid that it is certain to pull off some of these pollen packets 
and rupture the threads. The whole pollinium is scarcely ever retained 
by the stigma, so that one pollinium serves to fertilise several flowers. 
So economical is Nature in her workings that even a few pollen masses 
are not unworthy of her sedulous care. 
Of all the pollen-carriers, and consequently flower-fertilisers, bees 
are the most assiduous. Attracted by the gay colours of the corolla, 
sweet scent, or the prospect of honey, they visit most flowers that are 
incapable of self-fertilisation. That bees can distinguish between one 
colour and another, and that they exhibit a preference for certain 
colours has been clearly proved by Sir John Lubbock and others. The 
bodies of some bees, and the legs of others, are so admirably adapted for 
the collection and carriage of pollen, that it is almost impossible for 
them to visit any flower in pursuit of honey without bearing away a 
large quantity of pollen grains. The body of the humble bee (Bombus 
terrestris) is the best adapted for pollen-carrying. Lepidoptera stand 
next in order of importance to bees as pollen-carriers. Their long pro¬ 
boscides enable them to drain nectaries which less favoured insects can¬ 
not reach. The despised wasp is not without its use as a fertilising agent; 
for, according to Mr. Darwin, “ if wasps were to become extinct in any 
district, so would Epipactis latifolia.” 
Honey, I need scarcely say, is the principal object of attraction to 
bees, butterflies, moths, and many other insects which assist in the work 
of fertilisation. It is secreted by specialised organs known as nectar 
glands. “ In the flower,” according to Dr. Goodale, an eminent American 
botanist, “ these glands consist usually of specialised parenchyma, not 
unlike the secreting surface of the stigma.” “ Nectar glarids,” continues 
the author, •“ may occur in any part of the flower, upon its bracts, or 
upon some part of the flower-stalk near it. From the nectar glands of 
proper floral organs the secretion of nectar is generally copious, and is 
prone to collect in minute cavities, such as shallow pits, or in conspicuous 
special receptacles, the so-called nectaries. The period of most copious 
secretion of nectar usually coincides with the maturity of the anthers or 
of the stigma.” Here we perceive another of Nature’s beautiful contri¬ 
vances for carrying out her purposes. Just at the time when the pollen 
is ready to do its work of fertilisation, or the stigma to receive it, a 
copious supply of honey both attracts and rewards the insect pollen- 
carriers. 
11m odours of flowers must be classed amongst the most potent 
attractions of insects. White flowers are more generally fragrant than 
those of any other colour. As examples of the accuracy of this proposi¬ 
tion, I would refer to those delicately scented flowers, the Lily of the 
\ alley, the Jasmine, ahd’the Butterfly Orchis. I cannot do better than 
quote the words of Mr. Darwin in explanation of this :—“ The fact of a 
large proportion of white flowers smelling sweetly may depend in part 
on those which are fertilised by moths requiring the double aid of con¬ 
spicuousness in the dark, and of odour. So great is the economy of 
Nature that most flowers which are fertilised by crepuscular or nocturnal 
insects emit their odour chiefly or exclusively in the evening.” 
I have ventured to call attention to a comparatively large number of 
important facts, and for the purpose of giving my authorities have 
quoted largely. If these quotations have the effect, as I trust they may, 
of directing attention to, and inducing a perusal of, the works referred 
to, this paper will not have been written in vain. It will naturally be 
asked, Why has Nature planned all these contrivances to bring about 
cross-fertilisation ? Mr. Darwin has clearly proved that plants which 
are the product of cross-fertilisation are both stronger in constitution 
and more prolific in seed-bearing, than those resulting from close-fertili¬ 
sation. Another and more important result may have been designed, 
namely, the origin of new varieties and new species. If we consider 
how much the skilled nurseryman has effected, within living memory, in 
the direction of producing new varieties in such well-known plants as 
Roses, Strawberries, Pelargoniums, Primulas, and a host of other flower¬ 
ing and fruit-bearing plants, we may readily understand how pollen¬ 
carrying insects may, in the countless ages that have passed, have been 
instrumental in effecting changes of a similar character in plant de¬ 
velopment. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
LONDON CORN EXCHANGE.— November 1st and 2nd. 
t The first of the metropolitan shows was held in a room of the London 
Com Exchange on Tuesday and Wednesday last in aid of the Corn Exchange 
Benevolent Society. Prizes ranging from £2 2s. to 5s. were offered in nine 
classes for cut blooms, and it is stipulated in the schedule that all blooms, 
whether in competition or not, should be sold by auction on the second day. 
With the admission fees and the proceeds of the sale a substantial amount 
is usually realised, thus since 1883 the total has ranged from £13 to £27. 
A Rose show is also held in the summer on the same principle, which since 
1875 has been very successful, the amount in one case (1883) reaching as 
much as £G4. The shows are held under the management of Mr. Honry 
Robins, the courteous Secretary of the Corn Exchange, who deserves much 
credit for the successful results. The date fixed this year, owing to the late 
season, was fully a week too early, and many exhibitors were unable to 
enter; still the blooms that were shown were extremely good, especially 
those presented by Messrs. Davis & Jones, Camberwell. Successful exhi¬ 
bitors with Japanese varieties were Mr. Cyrus L?gg, Selhurst Road, South 
Norwood ; Mr. H. Shinder, Epsom ; Mr. A. B. Lambert, Streatham, and 
Mr. A. Margetson, Streatham. The incurved were not so fine, several of 
those named gaining prizes. Other exhibitors were Messrs. J. Spiers, 
Tottenham Park; A. Eowkes, Northampton; Wickham Jones, South 
Norwood; Robert Pirn, Streatham; Claude Bennett, 1G, Mincing Lane; 
J. Westwood, Wanstead; John Aste, Norwood; O. Hodge, Chislehurst, 
and N. Sherwood, Esq., who sent a tasteful basket of Chrysanthemum 
blooms. Miss Percy and Mrs. Robinson also had handsome bouquets of 
blooms, the former’s all white varieties, the latter’s bronze and yellow. 
SOUTHAMPTON. — November 1st and 2nd. 
Considering the late season, it was feared the date would be too early, 
but a capital Show was provided. Cut blooms made quit? a good display, 
while the quality in the Japanese blooms was excellent. The competition 
in all the Japanese classes was keen, as many as 550 Japanese blooms were 
staged. Fruit, as it always is at this Show, was of good quality. Vegetables 
were extensively staged and of very fine quality. Table plants, Palms, and 
groups for effect were of the best character. 
Cut Blooms. —With twenty-four blconis, twelve Japanese and twelve 
incurved, nine competed. First, Mr. Woodfire, gardener to J. P. Boyd, Esq., 
J.P., Emsworth House, Havant, showing Triomphe de la Rue de Chalets, 
Madame C. Audiguier, Thunberg, M. Astorg, Princess of Wales, Lord 
Wolseley, and Novelty, very fine ; second, Mr. J. Trinder, gardener to Sir H. 
Mildway, Dogmersfield Park, with large blooms a trifle coarse ; third, Mr. C. 
Penford, gardener to Sir F. Fitz wygram, Leigh Park. For twenty-four blooms, 
not more than two of any one sort, Mr. W. Neville, girdener to F. W. Flight, 
Esq., Cornstiles, Twyford, Winchester, was first with full solid blooms of 
Japanese and incurved; second, Mr. Wm. S. Woodfire, whose Japanese was 
of capital quality; third, Mr. G. Inglefield, gardener to Sir T. N. Kelk, 
Tedworth, Marlborough. Tr-n competed. For twelve incurved blooms three 
only competed. First, Mr. J. Snow, gardener to J. Bruce, Esq., South Park, 
Wadhurst, Sussex; Messrs. W. & J. Drover second. For twelve 
Japanese Messrs. W. & J. Drover, The Nurseries, Fareham, were 
easily first with a fine stand of full solid blooms, Carew Underwood and Fair 
Maid of Guernsey were the best; second, Mr. Penford, with fresh blooms. 
There were thirteen entries. For twelve Anemone varieties Messrs. Drover 
were again first, a close second being Mr. Woo ifire. Eight entries. For 
twelve reflexed, first, Mr. Woodfire, with good medium-sized blooms ; second 
Mr. Wildsmith, gardener to Lord Eversley, Heckfleld, Winchfield. In other 
classes for those not having won prizes and those debarred from showing in 
former classes there was brisk competition and good produce. 
For the best group of Chrysanthemums in pots, space 8 feet by G feet, 
Mr. S. Busby, gardener to F. Willan, Esq., Thornhill, Bitterne, was first for 
dwarf, clean, well flowered, and neatly arranged plants. Second Mr. T. 
Osborne, gardener to H. J. Buchan, Esq., J.P., Wilton House, Southampton. 
For six incurved or reflexed, first Mr. Wakeford, gardener to G. Harris, Esq., 
Aldermoor, Shirley. For six Japanese, first Mr. Wakeford, 5 feet over, freely 
flowered, smallish blooms. Single specimen Japanese was best shown by 
Mr. E. Wills, gardener to Mrs. Peace, The Firs, Basset—i.e., Lady Selborne. 
Mr. Wakeford was second with a large plant of Madame B. Rendatler, with 
small flowers. For the best incurved or reflexed Mr. Wills was first with Dr. 
Sharp, Mr. Wakeford second with Mrs. G. Bundle. For the best group of 
miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, 12 feet by 7 feet, first Mr. J. Rey¬ 
nolds, gardener to Col. the Hon. H. C. L. Crichton, Netley Castle, with a 
bright arrangement of flowering seasonable plants. Second Mr. G. Wills. 
The best group of Orchids was staged by Mr. Osborne, very choice varieties. 
Table plants and Palms were staged by Mr. C. J. Waite, gardener to the 
Hon. Col. Talbot, Glenhurst, Esher, and Mr. J. Reynolds. Solanutns, Poin- 
settias, and Primulas were staged well. 
Fruit. —For threa bunches of Grapes, distinct varieties, Mr. Hall, 
gardener to Captain Davidson, South Stoneham House, with Alicante, Bar- 
barossa, and Muscat of Alexandria, all well fin’shed, but rather small in 
berry; Mr. E. Molyneux, gardener to W. H. Myers, E3q, Swanmore 
Park, Bishop Waltham, being a close second with Alicante and Barbarossa, 
fiite. Third Mr. H. W. Ward, gardener to Earl Radnor, Longford Castle. 
For three bunches of black Graphs Mr. Molyneux was easily first for Bar¬ 
barossa, averaging 5 lbs. each, well coloured, of good shape. Mr. Hall was 
second with Alicante, finely finished. Mr. C. Curtis, gardener to J. S. 
Dixon, E-q., Holly Bank, Hythe, being third. For three bunches 
of white Grapes, Mr. J. Chalk, gardener to G. Reed, Esq , Westwood, Wil¬ 
ton Road, Salisbury, was first, his Grapes being good in quality. Second, 
Mr. T. Hall, with two bunches black Grapes. Mr. C. Warden, gardener to 
Sir F. Bathurst, Clarendon Park, Salisbury, was first with AlLante in 
good condition. Second, Mr. T. Osborne. For the same number of bunches 
of white Grapes, Mr. W. Sanders, gardener to J. East, Esq., Loystock House, 
Stockbridge, was first. Second, Mr. C. Penford. For the heaviest bunch of 
Grapes, first, Mr. Ward with Gros Guillaume, weighing 9 lbs. 15 ozs. Second, 
Mr. Molyneux, with the same variety, weighing 8 lbs. 14 ozs. For one Pine 
Apple Mr. Wildsmith was first, and Mr. Ward second. 
For four dishes of Apples, distinct, first Mr. Saunders with large finely 
coloured fruits. Second, S. Goodwin, Esq. For three dishes of dessert 
Apples, distinct, first Mr. Wildsmith with King oE .Pippins, R bston Pippin, 
and second Mr. Goodwin. For three dishes of kitchen Apples, first Mr. 
Saunders, second Mr. Hall. For four dishes of Pears, distinct, Mr. Saunders 
first, General Todtleben and Pitmaston Duchess very fine; second Mr. 
Wildsmith. also fine. For three dishes of Pears, first Mr. Saunders; second 
Mr. A. W. Rooke, gardener to W. Gascpigne Roy, E-:q., Byams, Mach- 
wood. 
Vegetables .— For a collection of six varieties, first Mr. E. Molyneux, all 
in capital condition; Mrs. G. Busby second, alse good. For the best col¬ 
lection of six varieties the prizes given by Messrs. Sutton & Sms brought 
seven competitors. First Mr. J. C. Waite with splendid prodqce ; Mr. Pope, 
gardener to Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Newbury, was second, with 
very fine produce; third Mr. G. Inglefield; fourth Mr. Saunders. 
Mrs. M. Smout, seaweed florist, 8, Trinity Street, Hastings, had a 
first-class certificate for specimens arranged for table decoration, ballrooms, 
flowers, dfcc. First-class certificates were awarded to Mr. F. W. Flight fora 
new seedling'Japanese Chrysanthemum Bertha Flight, a full flower, long 
drooping florets of a pale blush or pink colour, very promis'ng; and to 
