536 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 28, 1889. 
the interior substance of the bulbs, and this starts the gumming. Eel- 
worms are easily killed in the ground by any slightly corrosive solution. 
The worms are often conveyed to greenhouses in infected water ; some¬ 
times, too, they fall in rain.— AVorthixgton G. Smith, Bumtallc. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
JUXE 2Cth. 
PyEONiES, Irises, hardy flowers. Pelargoniums, Tuberous Eegonias, 
and Orchids formed the principal groups in the Drill Hall on Tuesday 
last, the greater portion of the available space being filled, but the 
meeting was less interesting than the preceding one. 
Fruit Committee. —Present, Dr. Robert Hogg in the chair, and 
Messrs. John Lea, Philip Crowlej'’, E. D. Rlackmore, Joseph Cheal, 
G. \\ . Cummins, Sidney Ford, T. Francis Rivers, William Warren, W. 
Marshall, W. Denning, Charles Ross, Harry J. Veitch, T. J. Saltmarsh, 
G. Norman, J. Wright, and J. Willard. 
Early Strawberries, a new Grape, and new Melons were placed on 
the table for examination. The first Melon cut was from Mr. Benwcll, 
Cobham, a small fruit decidedly overripe, and on that account was 
passed. Mr. Gleeson, Clumber, sent a handsome and well gi’own fruit 
of his seedling that was exhibited at the last meeting, and described in 
our report on page 492. Its superior appearance and sweetness led the 
Committee to record it as a good one for market purposes, but not 
equal to Hero of Lockinge in flavour, and that record was unanimously 
confirmed on the present occasion. Mr. Alfred James, gardener to Rev. 
G. Coventry, Woolstone Rectoiy, Cheltcnh.am, sent fruits of a medium 
sized handsomely netted Melon, the result of a cross between Hero of 
Lockinge and Blenheim Orange. The flesh is scarlet, but the quality, 
though good, was not considered equal fo existing varieties ; the fruits, 
however, did not appear to be in the best condition, and were decaying 
round the stalk. Mr. William Hussey, Hains Hill, Twyford, sent a wire 
Melon rest—a wire skeleton hat-shaped contrivance for suspension and 
holding the fruit; a larger size would be required for fruit like Mr. 
Gleeson’s. It was passed by the Committee. Mr. Ross. Welford, sent 
his new Grape Mrs. Eyre. It is a seedling from the Black Monukka. 
The berries are large, oval-shaped, borne on thin footstalks, greenish- 
white, but had a suspicion of sourness, as if not fully ripe. As a Vine 
is fruiting at Chiswick the Committee deferred their decision till an 
inspection of it when the crop is ripe. 
Mr. George Paul was accorded a vote of thanks for bunches of fruit 
of Laxton s Noble Strawberry. A dish of splendid fruit of it was also 
sent from Chiswick. The fruits are indeed noble in appearance, very 
early, and though not rich are of good quality, and the certificate 
awarded last year was considered to be well merited. This variety is 
sure to be extensively grown. King of the Earlies (Laxton) was also 
exhibited and highly approved. The plants bear medium-sized, well- 
coloured, and richly flavoured fruits abundantly. It was also regarded 
as having been properly certificated, and plants will find their ■way into 
many gardens. Lieutenant and Admiral were also placed on the tabic, 
but would not bear examination after the two first referred to ; but 
three fruits of Crown Prince, large, symmetrical, and handsome, 
indicated this to be a variety of promise, and will be looked for again. 
It was introduced to Chiswick by Mr. J. Smith of Mentmore. 
Floral Committee. —Present, G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair, and 
Messrs. J. Laing, W. Goldring, H. Herbst, W. B.ites, G. Paul, W. Holmes, 
R. Dean, T. Baines, C. Noble, H. M. Pollett, J. 0. Brien, G. Duffield, E. 
Hill, B. Wynne, A. J. Lendy, Rev. M. Wilks, and Dr. M. T. Masters. 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P.,Burford Lodge, Dorking (gardener, 
Mr. Bickerstaffe), had a small group of Orchids, comprising a wonder¬ 
fully fine plant of Dendrobium Bensonife, with seven long growths 
densely crowded with flowers, the white sepals and petals contrasting 
with the gold-centred lip in which the two black dots stand out boldly. 
Three i)lants of Masdevallia Harryana Bull's Blood also came from 
Burford Lodge, each having several large intensely rich flowers, and 
Cattleya Mossim Reineckiana had five handsome flowers, the sepals and 
petals white, with a crimson-veined lip. F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley 
House, Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith (gardener, Mr. J. C. Cowley), 
showed several interesting Orchids, amongst which, in addition to the 
Epidendrum certificated, were the following :—An uncommonly good 
variety of Cattleya Acklandim, with large finely spotted flowers; 
Saccolabium Rheedi, having small white flowers spotted with m.auve in a 
dense spike; Acanthophippium striatum, the creamy tinted flowers 
striped with crimson ; and two curiosities—namely, Ornithocephalus 
grandiflorum and Physosiphon Loddigesi, which, with the Epidendrum, 
are described in the Orchid column. G. T. White, Esq., Drayton Villa, 
Winchmore Hill, sent flowers of two Brassias, and Messrs. H. Low and 
Co., Clapton, exhibited a pretty group of Orchids and Fern.s, comprising 
fine varictiesof Cattleya Mendeli and gieas ; Cypripedium concolor, pale ; 
Regnieri, yellow, with small dots ; the new C. bellatulum in several 
varieties ; C. Laurencianum, Lmlia purpurata, Vandas teres and Rox¬ 
burgh!, and Dendrobium suavissimum. 
The Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley Vicarage, Croydon, sent a collection of 
“ Shirley Poppies,” representing numerous beautiful varieties, and a 
remarkable strain of seed described as having been obtained by selection 
from the Field Poppy, Papaver Rheeas. Wc have previously referred to 
the range of soft and rich colours in these Poppies, and an illustration was 
given on p. ,307, Oct. 21,1886, of the principal variations in the markings. 
In some the colouring is confined to the margin with a light centre, in 
others there is a pale or white edge to brighter body colours, and all are 
handsome. From pure white to blush, pink, and scarlet the intermediate 
sh.ades are innumerable (vote of thanks). G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., 
Weybridge, exhibited several interesting plants an^I flowers, comprising 
an Anemone allieil to A. polyanthos with white fl.owers and large leaves 
divided in a somewhat trifoli.ate manner ; Campanula G. F. Wilson, 
raised by Mr. Isaac Anderson-IIeury, a dw'arf variety, having deep blue 
shallow cup-shaped flowers ; the magnificent Cercus Alice Wilson, 
one of the hybrids rai.sed by the late Mr. Hovey, and remarkable for 
the size and rich crimson colouring of the flowers ; and Milla laxa with 
mauve flow'ers in tall loose heads (vote of thanks), kir. C. Ross, 
Pendell Court Gardens, Bletchingley, brought flowmrs of Aristolochia 
trilobata, large, veined with dull reddish purple on a pale ground (vote 
of thanks). 
Me.ssrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited some of their new 
greenhouse Rhododendrons, one of which, Hippolyta, was certificated ; 
the others were Portia, pale yellow, from Taylori crossed with Teys- 
manni ; and Juliet, large buff yellow flowers of good shape, from Taylori 
crossed with Teysmanni. Flowers were also sent of the typical 
R. Teysmanni, having yellow flowers ,and reflexed segments ; the line 
yellow Queen of the Yellows, the red multicolor var. Curtisi, and the 
well-known Taylori. From the same firm came a group of hardy 
shrubs, which in adilition to those certificated included .some distinct 
Japanese Maples ; Philesia buxiflora, with small Lapageria-like flowers ; 
Elre.agnus pungens variegata, having neat foliage ; EscalIonia macrantha 
s.anguinea, the flowers bright red instead of crimson ; Raphiolepis ovata, 
Robinia hispida, and the white-flowered Escallonia exoniensis. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, h.ad a choice group of alpine and 
other hardy jrlants, a cultural commendation being awarded for a good 
specimen of Phyteuma comosum, grown in a pot. A large collection of 
handsome Pseonies also came from the same nunsery. Mr. C. Turner, 
Slough, sent a group of show, fancy, and decorative Pelargoniums, and 
besides the two certificated there were many handsome varieties- 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, contributed'an extensive group of 
single and double Tuberous Begonias in all the brilliant colours 
characteristic of the Stanstead Park varieties (silver medal). Messrs. 
Kelway & Son, Langport, filled one side of a table the whole length of 
the hall with massive douVJe and single Pfeonies, Pyrethrums, stately 
Delphiniums, and Gaillardias, and seven certificates were awarded, 
besides a silver-gilt medal. Mr. J. Walker, Whitton, had a most beauti¬ 
ful anS tastefully arranged collection of Irises and Pieonies, with the 
white Gladiolus Colvilli albus, all of which are now grown so exten¬ 
sively for market (silver-gilt medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, 
showed a hand,some group of hardy flowers, Lilies, Irises,' and Pmonies 
predominating (silver medal), and Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, 
sent a group of Tuberous Begonia plants, with a box of select flowers, 
chiefly double varieties. Messrs. E. Collins & Sons, Willesden Junction, 
showed two large plants of Carnation Gloire de Nancy with m.assive 
full white flowers, and from Chiswick came plants of Pelargoniums 
zonale and inquinans, interesting as two of the earlier forms from which 
the modern Zonal Pelargoniums have been derived. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Blindodendron Hippolyta (J. Veitch &. Sons).—The several interest¬ 
ing hybrids obtained from crosses in which R. Teysmanni and R. multi¬ 
color var. Curtisi have been employed as parents have been previously 
noted, and the above is one from seed borne by the last named crossed 
with Queen of Yellows, a fine yellow v.arietj', also a seedling secured 
before at Chelsea. The flowers are of moderate size, neat, and partaking 
of the Curtisi characters; they are borne in a compact head, and the 
plant appears to be of pood habit. 
Cwsalpinia yaponica (J. Veitch & Sons).—Many Cfesalpinias are 
known, but they are mostly trees, natives of tropical countries, 
requiring to be cultivated in stoves, or at least in warm conserva¬ 
tories in this country ; but C. japonica is a native of Japan, and would, 
no doubt, be found as hardy in many districts of England as it is at 
the Coombe Wood nursery. The leaves are [unnate, the piiinm sm.all, 
narrow, and bright green, the bright yellow flowers being produced in 
erect racemes 8 or 9 inches long. 
Baplinipliyllum glaucesccns (J. Veitch & Sons).—This also is a 
Japanese plant, an evergreen shrub found in the centre and northern 
parts of Japan, where it grows to the height of 8 or 9 feet, and compact 
in habit. At Coombe Wood it succeeds well, and at first glance it 
might be taken for a Rhododendron with exceptionally beautiful 
foliage. The leaves are elliptical, about 6 inches long and 2J inches in 
the centre, of a soft pale green on the upper surface, ■with a glaucesceqt 
under surface, the petioles and midribs being of a deep red colour, and 
somewhat of this tint is seen in the bark. As an ornamental shrub, for 
it.s foliage alone, this is a distinct acquisition, and novelties amongst 
shrubs are by no means.numerous. 
Eulalia japonica yracillima (J. Veitch & Sons).—A slender and 
exceedingly graceful plant with narrow ai'ching green leaves 3 or 4 feet 
high. For grouping this plant is most valuable, and arranged as it was 
with green and red-leaved Japanese Maples, the Daphniphyllum, and 
other shrubs, it had a fine appearance. 
Roue Striped Briar (Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain).—This was certificated 
subject to its examination at Kew, apparently with the object of deter¬ 
mining its correct name or giving it a fresh one—a very unusual course. 
It is a very pretty variety, judging by the one semi-double white and 
bright rosy crimson flower exhibited. 
Calocliortus venimtus rar. citrinus (T. S. Ware).—A distinct variety 
with bright clear yellow flowers, with a maroon blotch in the centre of 
each petal, and a few spots at the base. 
