88 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 30, 1885. 
very conclusively how much may he accomplished with them under 
conditions of the same kind when their cultivation is guided with skill 
and energy. “ What about the Grapee ? ” Well, they were in good health, 
with plenty of clean foliage, and bearing an average crop. Many of your 
readers will be familiar with Mr. Little’s productions in the way of 
Cyclamens, Pelargoniums, &c., which figure so conspicuously at the 
London spring shows; and if I was an Orchid competitor I would feel 
rather uneasy with the idea of what is likely soon to be seen from 
Hillingdon. Other Orchids merit notice, but as they were not under the 
Vines my notes on them are held over.—M. M. 
NOTES FROM HANDSWORTH. 
Going through the glass department of the famed Handsworth 
nurseries we cannot help admiring the healthy character of the general 
stock, and of the hybrid greenhouse Rhododendrons in particular. House 
after house is filled with magnificent plants of all the newer varieties now 
in commerce, and scores of fine specimens are placed out of doors in 
nursery quarters, and protected from inclement weather by screens of 
tiffany. Handsworth is also famous for Lapagerias, which are there pro¬ 
pagated in thousands annually, and hundreds of plants in 12-inch pots and 
trained up strings to a height of 10 feet, strong and vigorous, are to be 
seen out of doors and on the north side of a high hedge. These are sure to 
make rapid progress when planted out in their permanent positions. In 
passing from one house we saw two large tubs filled with water, and 
containing vigorous young plants of the common, but chaste and beauti¬ 
ful, white Water Lily (Nymphaea alba), which is within the reach of 
everyone ; the roots are in G-inch pots, and consequently can be removed 
without injury. 
Amongst the beautiful Orchids in flower was particularly noticeable a 
fine plant of Brassavola Digbyana, bearing a large flower with very pale 
green sepals and petals, and a large lip most beautifully fringed, and rich 
creamy white in colour—altogether a very striking flower. Phalaenopsids 
are well grown at Handsworth, and produce leaves of great length, 
breadth, and substance. In the same house are some good plants of the 
charming Bertolonia Van Houttei, a plant worthy of more general cultiva¬ 
tion, and close by are some good plants of the noble-looking Sphoerogyne 
latifolia—a fitting companion for the rightly named Cyanophyllum magni- 
ficum. In an adjoining house are some good plants of the exceedingly 
beautiful Dracmna Lindeni, a variety that should be in every garden 
where Dracaenas are grown. In one of the large cases devoted to Filmy 
Ferns are some splendid examples of Todea superba and T. pellucida, 
Hymenophyllum demissum, and Trichomanes radicans. Camellias are 
there in thousands, healthy, clean, and luxuriant ; and Azaleas, Roses in 
pots, Pelargoniums, and miscellaneous Orchids are all that could be 
desired, and indicate the ability and indefatigableness of Mr. Williams, 
the foreman and manager of the glass department.—J. U. S. 
NEWCASTLE AND DURHAM INCORPORATED HORTICUL¬ 
TURAL AND BOTANICAL SOCIETY. 
The summer Show of the Society was held on Wednesday, Thursday’ 
and Friday last in Leazes Park, Newcastle. The park was originated by 
Mr. Alderman Charles Hammond, now chairman of the Parks’ Committee, 
and is in close proximity to the business centre of the west end. Till within 
thirteen or fourteen years ago Newcastle was without any parks except the 
town moor. Now it embraces four parks, all in excellent condition, and of 
easy access from every part of the town. The Committee of the Flower 
Show are therefore favoured with a suitable locale for their exhibition. 
The staging committee (Messrs. Balfour and E. Wilson), the tent com- 
committee (Messrs. Dunning, Gasgoigne, and Nesbit) were indefatigable in 
doing everything that thoughtful care could suggest in bringing the Show 
to a successful issue. 
Referring to the exhibitions the grouped plants were excellent. The eight 
and six stove and greenhouse plants were certainly such as had never been 
surpassed or equalled in a previous exhibition, while the entries in all classes 
were numerous. For eight plants in bloom Mr. H. Johnson, gardener to J. 
B. Hodgson, Esq., Elmridge, Darlington, was first. The Ixoras Williamsi 
and Dixiana were both fine plants, large in truss, and firm. Allamanda 
Wardleyana, Clerodendron Balfourianum, Ericas ;emula, retorta, and Turn¬ 
bull’s Shannoni were excellent and told well. A fine plant of Statice pro- 
fusa completed the eight. Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, was second with 
good Ixoras regina and amabilis. Bougainvillea glabra, Phsenocoma prolifera, 
and the charming Erica Parmenteriana rosea. For the eight foliage plants 
the Society offered £ 26. For eight foliage plants Mr. J. Hammond, gardener 
to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, Bart, Brayton Hall, was first. In this stand were 
four Crotons, averaging G or 7 feet high. Mr. Hammond evidently makes a 
speciality of Crotons, and is a successful grower. The names were inter¬ 
rupts aurea (with its striking characters well brought out), majesticus, 
and Queen Victoria. There were, in addition, Kentia Fosteriana, Dicksonia 
antarctica, Dasylirion glaucum, and Phoenix reclinata. Mr. A. Methven, 
gardener to E. Lange, Esq., Heathfield House, Low Fell, Gateshead, was 
second. His plants were Cycas revoluta, Crotons pictus and Victoria, 
Encephalartos natalense, and Kentia Fosteriana. Mr. J. Cypher was third. 
For three Crotons Mr. J. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Gurney Pease, Wood- 
side, Darlington, was first with Warreana, Queen Victoria, and majesticus. 
Mr. J. Hammond was second with Morti, a seedling, and Hammondi. The 
latter is Mr. Hammond’s own raising. It is in the way of majesticus, but 
shorter in the leaf, good in colour, and excellent in habit. 
The group of miscellaneous plants 20 feet by 10 feet was certainly the 
admiration of every critic. Mr. Hammond well won the chief position. In 
the background were tall Palms relieved by three finely coloured Crotons, 
all healthy, and contrasting effectively with some Dracasnas. The ground¬ 
work was composed of Adiantums, from which were springing Acalyphas, 
Hydrangeas, Eulalia japonica, and various flowering plants, including Onci- 
dium sphacelatum, and Odontoglossum Alexandras. This group was edged 
with Panicum variegatum. Mr. J. McIntyre was second with a creditable 
group. White Lilies, Acalyphas, Dracaena Goldieana, Kalosanthes coccinea, 
with its agreeable perfume, were used effectively. 
For six exotic Ferns Mr. H. Johnson was successful in securing the first 
place with fine examples of Adiantum farleyense, Gleichenias rupestris and 
Mendelli, Davallia Mooreana, and Microlepia hirta cristata. Mr. J. Hammond 
was second, his best plants being Gleichenia rupestris, Davallia Mooreana, 
and Platycerium alcicorne. Mr. J. Noble was third. For four Ericas Mr. 
J. Cypher was first; also for six Orchids. For twelve bedding plants Mr. 
A. Methven was first with plants in excellent condition. Alpine plants, 
Sempervivums, and Sedums in a collection of twelve plants were also 
shown; Mr. Richardson was first in each class, followed by Mr. J. 
McIntyre. For tuberous-rooted Begonias and Dracaenas Mr. Noble and Mr. 
Hammond were first respectively. 
Cut Flowers and Table Decorations. —These were as usual much 
admired. Roses in the north are very good this year. Although Mr. 
Whitwell was second to Messrs. Harkness in both forty-eights and thirty- 
sixes it was very close, and must have caused the Judges to weigh 
carefully to find the best stands. Messrs. Harkness’s best flowers were 
Duke of Edinburgh (good), Alfred Colomb, Abel Carrier?, Constantin 
Tretiakoff, Exposition de Brie. Mr. E. R. Whitwell’s consisted of Madame 
Lacharme, Madame Lambard, Innocente Pirola, Marie Baumann, Sultan of 
Zanzibar. Messrs. Mack & Son were third for forty-eight. Mr. William 
Boston was first for twelve yellow Roses, and for any colour Messrs. 
Cranston were first with Alfred Colomb. The number of Roses exhibited 
was over 1300. Although there are not many classes the interest in their 
extensive culture is evident. 
Herbaceous plants are always exceptionally good at this successful 
Show. Mr. F. Battensby, Hagg Hill, Blaydon, was first with a beautiful 
stand. Second Mr. J. Short. Third Mr. J. Oliver, Eslington Park. These 
four lots attracted much attention, as not one bad lot was shown. For 
twenty-four Fancy Pansies, twelve varieties, Messrs. A. Bailey & Son, 
Ashcroft Hall, Sunderland, were first with a fine lot. For twenty-four 
Show Pansies Mr. J. Bohn was first. 
The first prize for a drawing-room epergne was won by Mr. J. Cypher 
with a chaste and beautiful combination of colour. The top tier consisted 
of Pancratiums, Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cyanus major, the blue of 
which was most effective. The base was also equally effective, being 
composed of Dipladenias, Gloriosa superba in a pendent position, and 
Masdevallias. Mr. J. Lamb, gardener to Lady M. Thompson, The Her¬ 
mitage, Chester-le-Street, was second with an excellent arrangement where 
Francoa ramosa, Water Lilies, Tacsonia Van Volxemi, and Dipladenias 
were employed neatly draped with Lygodium scandens. This is only a. 
young exhibitor, and it is to be hoped we shall see his work again. Mr. J. 
Cypher also scored first prize for the hand bouquet, which was very 
beautiful. It contained Pancratiums, white Lapageria, Eucharis, Agapan- 
thus umbellatus, and Cattleya intermedia, every flower being seen to 
advantage, with Adiantums—neither too much nor too little. Mr. Cypher 
was also first for a bridal bouquet with similar white flowers as above. Mr. 
Atkinson followed Mr. Cypher in each class of nine competitors. For the 
buttonhole there were over twelve competitors. Mr. J. Douglass, 14, Durham 
Street, Newcastle, was first. It contained a Tuberose, Hoya bella, Oncidium 
flexuosum, and Forget-me-nots on a back of Adiantum gracillimum. Mr. 
Thomas Battensby was second. _ 
In Class B nurserymen are not allowed to exhibit. For six plants the 
Society offered £12 and a Veitch Memorial medal. Mr. E. H. Letts, gardener 
to the Earl of Zetland, was first with superb examples of culture, the Ericas 
Shannoni, obbata, and Anthurium Schertzerianum 6 feet through, with 
spathes 5 inches long, being of remarkable excellence, with Azalea Brilliant 
over 8 feet high as fresh and as brilliant as ifit had been April instead of July. 
Mr. Bartle Thompson, gardener to E. Hope, Esq., Morpeth, was second with 
a good Stephanotis, Erica speciosa, Dracophyllum gracile. Mr. E. Adams, 
Swalwell, third. For six foliage plants Mr. E. H. Letts was first with Cycas 
revoluta, Kentia Fosteriana, Crotons Johannis and majesticus, and Dasy¬ 
lirion acrotrichum. Mr. J. Hammond was second. For six Ferns Mr. H. 
Johnston was first and Mr. J. Noble second, both exhibiting well. For 
hardy Ferns and Orchids Mr. J. Noble was first, and Mr. E. H. Letts for 
three Ericas. For table plants Mr. McIntyre was first. Coleuses and 
Fuchsias were also shown. 
Cut I’lowers and Epergnes. —For twenty-four Roses the Society offered 
£6 and the Knightian medal. Mr. G. Finlay was first, Mr. Laws second ; and 
for twelve Roses Mr. G. Finlay was likewise first. In each case he showed 
excellent stands. Mr. T. Smith was first for Pinks, and Mr. Flowdy first 
for both Carnations and Picotees. For six bunches of cut flowers Mr. J. 
Noble was first and Mr. H. Johnston was second. For a drawing-room 
epergne Mr. T. Rutherford, Layes House, Durham, was first with an 
arrangement that was faultless ; Mr. T. Battensby second. For a hand 
bouquet Mr. T. Rutherford was also first, in which Lselia purpurata and 
Ixora were used with effect. For a basket of cut flowers Mr. T. Ruther¬ 
ford was first, and Mr. Geo. Corbett second. The bridal bouquet prize was 
won by Mr. J. Battensby, Swalwell. 
Fruit. —Grapes were excellent, but perhaps some of them, such as 
Muscats and Madresfield Court, were scarcely ripe enough. For eight dishes 
Mr. J. Edmonds, gardener to the Duke of St. Albans, was first with a 
Queen Pine (3 lbs. weight), Black Hamburgh Grapes (excellent), Muscat of 
Alexandria, Elruge Nectarines, Chancellor Peaches, and May Duke Cherries. 
Mr. A. Methven was second. Only two collections were staged. For four 
dishes, Pines excluded, Mr. E. Edmonds was first also. The Grapes were 
excellent, Bellegarde Peaches and Best of All Melons being good. Mr. Wm. 
Jenkins, Aldin Grange, Durham, was an excellent second, Black Hamburgh 
Grapes, Hales’ Early Peaches, Hunt’s Tawny Nectarine, and Blenheim 
Orange Nectarine all being very good. Mr. R. Dawes, gardener to the Hon. 
Mrs. M. Ingram, Temple Newsam, Leeds, was third. There were seven 
competitors. For one Pine Apple Mr. R. Parkes, gardener to J. Corbett, 
Esq., Impney, Worcester, received the chief prize. For four bunches of 
Grapes Mr. F. Douglass, gardener to J. Harris, Esq., Derwent Lodge, Cum 
berland, was first, Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, and Muscat 
Alexandria being excellently staged. Mr. J. Thompson, gardener to T 
