S12 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 8, 18S1. 
WOOLTON GARDENERS’ MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT 
SOCIETY. 
Horticultural Exhibition and Conversazione. 
It has been a pleasure to us from time to time to report the progress 
male by the above excellent Society, but on no previous occasion has 
the Society claimed such notice as was accorded it last Thursday, where 
at the beautiful Parochial Hall, Woolton, was opened an horticultural 
exhibition and conversazione, which was continued the following day. 
The objects of the Exhibition were to arrange an interesting display of 
specimens in connection with horticulture, and to provide funds for 
the extension of the Society’s library. Numbering seventy or eighty 
members, the Society has been in existence for about two years, but 
never before has any effort in the direction under notice been taken in 
hand. The experiment cannot fail to prove successful, as everyone 
who visited the Exhibition must have been struck by the unique display. 
The platform of the hall presented a very gay appearance. On each 
.side were large Palms, whilst the front portion was decorated with 
Panicura, Maidenhair Ferns, and Zonal Pelargoniums. In the back¬ 
ground was a finely flowered plant of Anthurium Andreanum from 
Mr. J. Jellicoe, gardener to F. H. G-ossage, Esq., Camp Hill, Woolton. A 
stage ran round the room, and stages across contained the exhibits, 
which consisted of fruit and flowers, modern and ancient garden 
pictures, plates, photographs and literature, fossils, dried flowers, Ferns 
.and Grasses, novelties, varieties and monstrosities of plant life, horticul¬ 
tural appliances, microscopes with botanical sections, insects, and 
apiarian exhibits. Much taste was displayed in their arrangement, and 
the hall presented a most pleasing effect. 
The President, Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., Woolton Wood, opened the 
Exhibition, and stated that the idea, and the successful carrying out of 
it, was due to the gardeners themselves. He went on to speak in the 
highest of terms of the work done by the Society, and concluded by 
pointing out the beauty of gardening for those having a taste for it. 
Turning to the exhibits the first to be noticed were those belonging to 
the President, who had contributed to the greater portion of the sections. 
In literature were Loudon’s “Encyclopaedia of Gardening,’’ Pontey’s 
■“ Forest Pruner and Planter,” Seboth’s “ Alpine Plants,” Veitch’s 
■“ Manual of Orchidaceous Plants,” “ Lindenia,” “ Fairfield Orchids,” 
“Botanical Magazine, 1782,” Warner's “Select Orchidaceous Plants,” 
Williams’ “ Orchid Album,” and a magnificent work printed by order of 
the Emperor Napoleon by Alphand, entitled, “ Les Promenades de 
Paris.” It was undoubtedly the finest work exhibited, and found many 
admirers. The collection of Orchids which the same gentleman ex¬ 
hibited were arranged in one corner of the room, and a splendid effect 
was produced by Mr. Todd, Mr. Gaskell’s able gardener. Conspicuous 
were Laclia elegans Turneri, which secured a certificate of merit; two 
fine plants of Cattleya Dowiana, Cattleyas Gaskelliana, Loddiges', and 
Sanderiana, Miltonia Morrelliana, Masdevallia Chimaera Backhouseiana, 
’Cypripedium callosum, and many others equally beautiful; also fine 
selection of Nepenthes, Dionseamuscipula (Venus’ Flytrap) Cephalotus 
follicularis, Madagascar Lattice Plant (Ouvirandra fenestralis), in¬ 
florescence of Cycas circinalis (rare), and fruit of Pyrus Maulei. Messrs. 
-Charlesworth & Shuttleworth, Heaton,Bradford,had about thirty varieties 
of Orchids, many of them very valuable ; the following were well 
flowered — Miltonia Clowesi, Odontoglossums Harryanum and nebu- 
losum album, Oncidiums Forbesi and macranthum, Cattleya Schofield- 
iana, Laslia Perrini, Zygopetalum crinitum. Messrs. K. P. Ker & Sons, 
Aigburth Nursery, had a fine collection of new and rare plants, amongst 
-others their new Crotons Aigburth Gem and Golden Ring. 
Mr. J. J. Craven, gardener to J. E. Grant Morris, Esq., Allerton 
Priory, exhibited six fine bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes, a plant of 
the Red Currant Tomato in a pot, and a good specimen of the Silver Fern 
■Gymnogramma peruviana argyrophylla. Mr. T. Carling, gardener to 
Mrs. Cope, Dove Park, Woolton, contributed excellent specimens of 
Tomatoes Dedham Favourite, Webb’s Sensation, and Golden Queen, 
Dickson’s Excelsior Cucumbers, and inflorescence of Cycas revoluta, very 
•curious, and which attracted much attention. Mr. Jellicoe showed 
Lockey’s Perfection Cucumber and a collection of plants. Mr. Vaughan, 
.gardener to T. Brocklebank, jun., had remarkably good Cockscombs. 
Mr. C. Osborne, gardener to Lieut.-Col. H. J. Robinson, Aymestry Court, 
had four Orchids in bloom, amongst which was the autumn-flowering 
variety of Odontoglossum vexillarium, variety rubellum. Mr. G. Eaton, 
gardener to W. H. Shirley, Esq., Allerton, had a grand stand of hardy 
nerbaceous cut flowers. The lovely Lychnis vespertina, Aster sagitti- 
folium, and Helianthus multiflorus Soleil d’Or standing out prominently, 
with choice Phlox and Liliums in perfection. Mr. J. Storey, 
gardener to Sir T. Earle, had superb samples of Ailsi Craig Onion. Mr. 
Winkworth, gardener to R. Brocklebank, Esq., contributed a small but 
excellent collection of Cacti and Succulents, and fruit of hardy Arum 
and Mulberries, a very interesting exhibit. Mr. Norman Davis had a 
fine stand of early-flowering Chrysanthemums, amongst them being Mrs. 
Cullingford, M. Pyneert Van Geert, Blushing Bride, Bouquet Estival, 
Flora, Scarlet Gem, A. Butcher, Bouquet de Dames, and the new incurved 
M. Bahaunt. As shown it was rather loose in form, but may come 
better later in the season. The petals are good, but I think it will have 
to be seen in better condition before it can be proved any acquisition to 
the present incurved varieties. Seeing it so early is no criterion of what 
it may prove. Messrs. Clibrau, Altrincham, had a magnificent collection 
of herbaceous cut flowers, Dahlias, and their new Trop®alums Mrs. 
Clibran and Clibran’s Gem. This collection well deserved the certificate 
of merit awarded to it. 
The Liverpool Botanic Gardens contributed a collection of most 
curious works and horticultural works, and Mr. P. Harbordt, Covent 
Garden Seed Stores, garden appliances, &c. Grapes were shown by Mr. 
Thos. Hayes and Mr. H. Cunningham. Mr. E. Molyneux, gardener to 
W. H. Myers, Esq., Swanmore Park, Hants, exhibited dishes of Quinces, 
Medlars, Plums, Pitmaston Duchess Pears, &c, the two latter being 
superb. Photographs embracing many subjects were also shown, the 
principal contributors being Lieut.-Col. J. B. Gaskell and F. H. Gossage, 
Esq. From Mr. M. Dunn, Dalkeith Palace, came a collection of 100 
varieties of Apples and Pears ; Mr. S. T. Wright, gardener to C. Lee 
Campbell, Esq., Glewston Court, Ross, had a well-coloured collection as 
well. There were no prizes giveD, but three certificates—viz., cultural, 
certificate of merit, and highly commended. The following are the 
awards :— 
Modern and Ancient Garden Pictures, fyc .—Certificate of merit, 
Lieut.-Col. J. B. Gaskell, photographic albums ; F. H. Gossage, views 
of Gvvysaney ; he, Mr. R. Todd, for Odonto. Alexandras, water colour; 
Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., ancient Chinese landscapes ; Messrs. Charles- 
worth & Shuttleworth, photographs by their collectors ; Messrs. Sander 
and Co., for “ Reichenbachia and to H. Gaskell, E-q., Mr. R. Fleming, 
and Liverpool Botanic Gardens for ancient garden literature. 
Fossils, Dried Flowers, Ferns, Grasses, fyc .—Certificate of merit, 
Mr. M. Smout, Seaweed table decorations ; Mrs. Hodgkins, Manchester, 
skeleton leaves; Mr. J. Edwards, Allerton Beeches, dried Orchid 
flowers ; vhc, Miss Jump and Mr. J. Griffiths, fossils and dried flowers ; 
he, Miss Griffiths and Mr. R. S. Waterman for dried Ferns. 
Novelties, Parities, and Monstrosities. — Certificates of merit.— 
Holbrook Gaskell, Esq , and Charlesworth & Shuttleworth for Orchids ; 
W. H. Myers, Esq., Physalis Alkekengi ; Mr. Jellicoe, Fern-covered 
water bottle ; Messrs. Ker & Sons, new and rare plants ; and Liverpool 
Botanic Gardens for curious plants. Highly commended.—F. H. Gossage, 
Esq., and IT. J. Robinson, Esq., for Orchids ; Mrs. Cope for inflorescence 
of Cycas revoluta; Mr. R. Brocklebank for Cacti, &c. Cultural 
certificate.—Thos. Brocklebank, jun., Cockscombs; Holbrook Gaskell, 
Esq., for Orchids and other plants. 
Collection of Fruits, Plants, fyc. —Certificates of merit.—Mr. Norman 
Davis (London), early Chrysanthemums ; Mr. J. Leather for butterflies 
and moths ; W. Lees McClure, Esq., fifty varieties of honey-yielding 
plants ; Messrs. H. Thompson & Sons, St. John’s Market, for splendid 
exhibit of foreign fruits. Highly commended.—Mr. T. Hayes, J. G. Grant 
Morris. Esq., and H. Cunningham, Esq., for Grapes ; W. H. Myers, Esq., 
for collection of fruit ; C. Lee Campbell, Esq., and Mr. M. Dunn for 
Apples and Pears ; Mrs. Cope, Cucumbers and Tomatoes; Mr. J. 
Leadbetter, spring-sown Onions ; Mr. T. Leadbetter, case of flies. 
Cultural certificates. — Mr. Jellicoe, Adiantum cuneatum (window 
plant) ; J. Grant Morris, Esq., for Silver Fern and well-flowered plant 
of Aristolochia elegans; F. H. Gossage, Esq., Palms; W. H. Shirley, 
hardy flowers ; and Mr. J. Stoney, Ailsa Craig Onion. 
There was also a stall set apart for the benefit of the Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund, to which the following contributed articles for sale :— 
Liverpool Horticultural Co., R. P. Ker &; Sons, Gateacre Nursery Co., 
Messrs. W. H. Myers, T. White, H. J. Robinson, C. L. Campbell, 
W. L. McClure, N. Davis, F. H. Gossage, H. Gaskell, M. Dunn, and 
Mrs. Cope. 
The following works were presented to the Society :—“ Reichen¬ 
bachia,” by F. Sander & Co., St. Albans ; horticultural works, by 
B. S. Williams, London ; “ Vines ” and “ Chrysanthemums,” by 
E. Molyneux ; “ Training and Culture of Fruit Trees,” by Mr. T. White. 
The judging gave every satisfaction. The Hon. Sec., Mr. J. Roth well, 
Hon. Treasurer, Mr. R. S. Waterman, and the hardworking Committee 
may rest assured that they have done a good work, and set an example 
worthy of emulation, and it is to be hoped they will have gained the 
object they had in view.—R. P. R. 
RHODODENDRONS. 
I spent a summer not long ago in the mountains of Western North 
Carolina, and saw a part of the Rhododendronal procession that is such 
a famous feature of that sylvan region. The time of my going thither 
was the second week in June, and the R. Catawbiense and R. Vaseyi 
were already out of bloom, while the R. maximum and R. punctatum 
were just showing the delicious pink of their opening buds. The 
interval meantime was superbly filled by the flame-coloured Azalea— 
—A. calendulacea—which is the most splendid forest blooming shrub 
that I have ever anywhere seen. 
R. maximum well deserves its name, notwithstanding Dr. Hooker’s 
discoveries in the Himalayan mountains, for it is not uncommon to find 
it from 30 to 35 feet high, with a bole at the base from 10 to 14 inches 
in diameter. It fraternises perfectly with the Kalmia, supplementing it 
in flowering, and I have seen acres of the two a mass of bloom for 
weeks, forming a floral display well worth a long journey to see. A 
Rhododendron jungle is an interesting thing to enter, because of the 
curious and sprawling way the branches reach out and interlace with 
each other. But they are detestable to the surveyor or woodsman, who 
readily calls them what the mountaineers do—“ hells.” They spring up 
abundantly from seeds, and they seem to thrive in clearings, quite as 
well as when surrounded by shade. I remember two particularly fine 
Rhododendron clumps, 10 to 12 feet high and half as great, or more, in 
diameter, and beautifully spherical in shape, which grew on the north 
side of my aunt’s house in Burlington, New Jersey, to which place they 
