566 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December S9, 1887. 
Amongst the miscellaneous Orchids the Calanthes rank next to the 
Cypripediums in number of flowering specimens at the close of the year, 
the excellent C. Veitchi with varieties of C. vestita afford a wealth of 
flowers in long graceful racemes, from white to the richest rose. The 
hybrid C. lentiginosa of the C. porphyrea tppe, and C. bella being 
choice additions to this group. In the cool house are many beautiful 
varieties of Odontoglossums Alexandras and Pescatorei, one of the 
former in particular being very notable with a raceme erf ten beautifully 
formed flowers, the sepals and petals broad, heavily suffused with a dis¬ 
tinct purple tint, a few brown spots in the centre of the petals and 
lip. Phalasnopses, Saccolabiums, Oncidiums, with Angrascum sesquipe- 
dale are the chief attraction in the warmer houses, and of the last 
named there are about seventy-five flowers opening, that will shortly 
afford some grand examples of this remarkable Orchid. Other plants in 
flower are the following :—Sophronitis grandiflora, Odontoglossums 
maculatum, Andersonianum, Insleayi, leopardinum, Dendrobium endo- 
charis, Angrcecum bilobum, Dendrobium chlorops, Cymbidium Lowi- 
anum Mastersi and giganteum, Yanda coerulea, Zygopetalum Mackayi, 
Laslias anceps, L. acuminata, L. anceps in several varieties, including 
Sanderianum, and Epidendrum ciliare. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Lapagerias .—Though not in flower now, the house of white La pa" 
gerias contains such a large stock of healthy young plants that it well 
deserves a note. For cool houses no climbers can surpass the Lapage- 
rias, both red and white, but especially the latter. At Chelsea no fire 
heat is employed, except in very frosty weather. Keeping the plants cool 
and clean renders them hardy and healthy, and it is to neglect of these 
two points that most failures are attributable. Young plants from 
layers are in all stages, from those a few months old to specimens fit for 
training to the roof of a large conservatory or placing on trellises, and 
preparation has been made for next year’s supply by filling a large bed 
with stems to yield shoots for young plants next season. With them 
are grown some plants of the interesting hybrid Philageria Veitchi, 
which, however, is not quite so floriferous as either the Lapageria or the 
Phileria (its parents) : a curious fact, as many hybrids are more free 
than the parents. Perhaps, however, there may be some cultural secret 
that has yet to be discovered. It is also rather strange that, though the 
Philageria is of climbing habit, like the Lapageria, it cannot be propa¬ 
gated by layers, but only by cuttings. 
The new and graceful Fern, Nephrolepis rufescens tripinnatifida, is 
represented by some capital specimens, which in the erect and plum-like 
character of the tall fronds is rather suggestive of the Struthiopteris. 
The blush-white Kalanchoe carnea is a free and useful plant, one 
specimen having twelve large trusses of its small, neat flowers. The race 
of winter-flowering Begonias, obtained from crosses between B. soco- 
trana and the tuberous varieties, include a trio of beautiful forms—John 
Heal, Adonis, and Winter Gem—all very distinct, of good habit, with 
beautiful foliage and abundant, long-lasting flowers. The Pitcher 
Plants are in the best condition, and afford at the present time the finest 
display that could be found in cultivation of all the best species, 
varieties and hybrids. In addition, there are the usual winter-flowering 
Heaths and forced plants, which render the show-houses extremely ' t 
THE DINNER AT ANDERTON’S. 
( Continued from page 539.) 
CHAPTER II. 
As will be seen in this correct account of the celebrated dinner, I am 
working on the show system in dividing the classes and arranging the 
groups for effect. It will be noted also, as at most shows, there were 
“ no entries,” and these having been accounted for by my obliging 
friend, we will now take a glance at the collections staged. The big 
classes were arranged across the end of the room, President Sanderson 
occupying the “ leading position,” as the regular reporters say, with the 
high officials stretching along on each side of him ; but one of them I 
noticed was flitting to and fro as if acting as aide de camp to the grand 
Panjandrum. 
Before proceeding further let it be said that everything was con¬ 
ducted in the most “ proper ” manner at the commencement of the pro¬ 
ceedings. It would not be right to allow the Christian world to think 
that as we had no clergyman we had no grace. This was said with due 
solemnity, and the vocalists sang with much feeling “ For these and all 
thy mercies,” the company rising and remaining standing till the last 
sweet cadences died away. Then the clatter began down the three long 
tables, and it was a clatter. Between the courses I had time to look 
round, and of course wanted to know a few things. I had been watching 
a guest taking soup, and his action denoted energy of character. I asked, 
“ Who is that man with the beaming countenance and not many whiskers, 
he who keeps half rising and leaning across the table for a jaw with his 
vis-a-vis’!” “ Oh,” said my guide, “that is Cannell.” “ Really,I have had 
lots of good things from him, but never saw him before. He looks very 
happy, and as if he were doing well; bought 10,000 acres of land in 
Kent, hasn’t he ? and hunts 2” “ No,” you are wrong there,” he replied; 
“ he has got a lot of land, but not so much as that, and I have not heard 
that he hunts.” “ Well, of course I may be wrong, but I thought I had 
read about his favourite hors’, ‘ Tom,’ that I took to be a hunter.” He 
may have been, but I guess all he does now in that line is hunting after 
business.” I was glad to hear that, for I have known hunting farmers 
go too fast and fall into the pit of depression. An hour afterwards the 
head of the Home of Flowers went bustling past me. I thought I heard 
him say he couldn’t stop another minute, he couldn’t indeed ; it was a 
fine meeting, very fine—very fine, but he was obliged to go to meet the 
Duke of Somebody (I didn’t catch his name) at his club about sending 
a shipload of things to the colonies. And that was the first and last I 
saw of Mr. Cannell. His table companion over the way was Mr. Wright. 
I had seen him before, but thought he had gro*n. 
But the clatter is over, the clearing away is done, thanks returned, 
and the President, with up-raised hand, flourishing a mallet. He made 
his “ pile ” in the timber line my friend thought, and could afford a good 
mallet. Well, he had one and he used it. When calling attention it 
came down, making the table shake and the glasses jingle. When the 
cheering had been long enough it was up in the air in a threatening 
attitude. It acted like a talisman. I never saw such a magical mallet. 
Let it be said the great grower and finisher of incurved blooms is a 
shortish, big framed, square shouldered, sharp featured man, with a good 
deal of facial expression and well-marked lineaments. He is active, 
energetic, enthusiastic, full of good humour of a rollicking kind—the 
man for the occasion, apparently everybody’s favourite, and pcrhap9 
there are not many like him at threescore years and ten—just the man 
to strike a stranger.—I don’t mean with his mallet. “ Gentlemen,” he 
said, in robust tones, “ we are all loyal heie, I give you ‘ The Queen, the 
Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family.’ We are all loyal 1 say, 
loyal to the backbone. We revere them, we’ll fight for them if wanted, 
and we’ll win, the same as we do at the shows.” Down came the 
mallet, crash went two or three hundred hands on the tables, with as 
many feet dancing on the floor, in came the singers to take the lead, and 
the “ National Anthem ” went with a swing. So did the mallet quickly 
after for the next toast from the Chairman, “ The National Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society.” It was a noble institution, he was proud of it, proud to 
belong to it, proud of the men who made it. It had done wonders, and 
it would do more, for it had got the men and got the money—not (in 
subdued tones) that it would refuse more, and if any of the company 
pressed it into the coffers, he shouldn’t like to be an obstructionist. 
(Cheers.) 
“And now gentleman,” he said almost solemnly, as if approaching 
something of tremendous moment, “I have the great pleasure, the very 
great pleasure, of asking Mr. Richard Dean to propose the next toast— 
“ Our Patrons and Fellows.” A rattling cheer gre ted him as he rose—a 
tallish, thinnish, palish faced, and iron grey hairish sort of man. With 
slightly tremulous voice, yet clear, and in thoughful words and fluent 
utterance he did his duty well. After conveying a tribute of apprecia¬ 
tion to all supporters, and recognising the honoured presence of one who 
had served his country and won the great prize of the Star of India, he 
expressed the pleasure it was in these days to know that all ranks could 
meet so happily in a Society that was strictly non-political. This was a 
“ hit, sir, a decided hit,” and the mallet had to go up to stop the cheers. 
The speaker then paused to tell what he called a melancholy story, but 
I should spoil it in attempting a reproduction. Mr. Dean also suggested 
that the congratulations of the meeting be sent to the Rev. Canon Hole 
on his appointment to the Deanery of Rochester—a graceful proposal, see¬ 
ing that the new Dean is a rosarian. Sir Guyer Hunter responded to the 
toast, referring to his experiences of gardening in India and the medals 
Lady Hunter won at flower shows in Bombay, concluding by wishing 
unbounded success to the National Chrysanthemum Society with which 
he had the pleasure to be associated. This very agreeable speech was 
much applauded. 
Now followed a little bustling about and spasmodic breathings were 
heard, as if something serious was going to happen. I had now Mr. 
C. Gibson pointed out with Mr. C. Orchard near him, and they looked 
like two working bees, spare and active. “ No better men in the room,” 
said my guide. “ Gibson has nearly swept the boards this year, and 
Orchard has helped to win a lot of prizes, but he wants a gardener’s place 
again, and whoever gets him will get a good man.” The bustling was 
preparatory to the presentation of prizes, this being evidently regarded 
as one of the events of the evening. The first was a handsome silver 
cup handed to the President for his splendid incurved blooms. He 
received it amidst cheers, and said though he had hundreds (I am 
not sure of the exact term), he should prize this most highly, and 
endeavour to win more, for though he was seventy years old there was 
life in the old dog yet. I am sure I am correct in that ; and he clasped 
the shining goblet to his breast as if he loved his cups. 
Mr. F. C. Jukes proposed the “ Affiliated Societies ” in one of the 
best speeches of the evening, “ A treat,” my friend remarked, and it 
was. Mr. J. Fraser gave the “ Treasurer and Honorary Secretary,” 
observing he had no idea he should be called on, and had nothing to 
say, but he had no difficulty in making something that met with warm 
acceptance. Mr. \V. Holmes was entrusted with “ The Committees 
General and Floral,” remarking on the zeal and ability displayed by 
all, the proof of this heing seen in the high position attained by the 
Society in the Chrysanthemum world. They could do more with more 
money, and if any friends were longing to help, perhaps someone would 
kindly wait on them. Several gentlemen responded to those toasts, 
one pleading the cause of the reserve fund, another for a better prize 
list, and so on, and all so earnestly and eloquently that the hands of 
the multitude could not be kept out of their pockets, and to relieve 
them it seemed necessary to send round collectors. Amidst all the 
plaudits and endeavours to do justice to each other it was difficult to 
learn who had done most for the Society ; each seemed to say that he 
had done nothing, but somebody else had done everything, until the 
compliments and disclaimers got so mixed that they could not be 
