July SO, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
93 
of a cluster grown here several years ago, which measured 4 feet 6 inches 
in circumference and 26$ inches long. Unfortunately its weight was 
not ascertained at the time, but was calculated to be not less than 100 lbs. 
The Melons occupy four spacious pits in different stages, and are wonder¬ 
ful examples of cultivation. In one house a little over 20 feet long we 
counted over forty fruits that would average 5 and 6 lbs. each, finely 
shaped and beautifully netted. They included, besides some of the best 
varieties, a few very promising seedlings raised in the place, William 
Tillery, Eastnor Castle, Best of All, and Blenheim Orange being particu¬ 
larly fine. The system adopted in their cultivation is one of close stop¬ 
ping and planting 18 inches between each plant, and but one leaf to each 
lateral. Three fruits are taken from each plant, and are ready for cutting 
in five weeks from the date of planting. Figs are grown on the north half 
of the span, and were bearing a good second crop of fruits. Two other 
pits are filled with healthy well-grown Pines swelling off fruits of Queens 
and Smooth Cayennes, the two varieties principally grown. 
Mr. Boyd, the gardener in charge of this establishment, has for many 
years been a very successful exhibitor at most of the principal shows 
both in England and Scotland, and everything under his charge fully 
bears out the high reputation he has gained as a fruit-grower, and to 
his courtesy and kindness we are indebted for much of the plea¬ 
sure we derived from our first visit to Callendar Park.—DUNCAN 
Buchanan. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 28th. 
Varied tastes might be gratified in the conservatory on this occasion. 
The central tables at the east end were occupied by as fine exhibits of Car¬ 
nations and Picotees as have ever been seen at the National Society's shows 
of these beautiful flowers, and in contrast on the side tables were banks of 
gorgeous Begonias, diversified groups of flowers of hardy herbaceous plants, 
extensive assortments of Gloxinias, a fine display of Pine Apples, and, con¬ 
sidering the season, a wonderfully fine exhibition of vegetables in compe¬ 
tition for the prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton <fe Sons, Beading. 
In the Begonia competition Messrs. J. Laing & Co. had a grand field day, 
securing the first prizes in every class in the easiest possible manner. In 
the group not exceeding fifty plants they had in fact no competitors, yet 
nevertheless won the first prize of £5 with admirably grown and brilliantly 
flowered examples. 
In the class for nine plants they were far away ahead, staging beautifully 
grown examples from 2 to 4 feet high and the same in diameter; second 
Mr. Bealby with very small plants. 
In the class for six double-flowered varieties the same well known firm 
secured the first prize with plants ranging from 18 inches to 2 feet high and 
the same in diameter, laden with massive flowers. The varieties were— 
Lady Hulse, white, free; The Czar, scarlet, dazzling; Mr. Brissenden, 
orange scarlet; Mr. Howe, buff; Goliath, cerise; and Mrs. Brissenden, rosy 
salmon ; Mr. Bealby, The Laurels, Koehampton, securing the second prize 
with much smaller plants. 
In the class for six Tuberous Begonias (nurserymen excluded), W. N. 
Cheesman, Esq., the Hall, North Dulwich, (gardener, Mr. Monk), secured the 
first prize with well-flowered examples 2 to 3 feet high and through ; second, 
Mr. Bealby with small plants ; third, Mr. W. H. Apthorpe, Cambridge, with 
vigorously grown yet noilarge examples. 
Gloxinias. —The first prize offered for these was awarded to six plants 
belonging to Colonel the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher (Mr. Waite, gardener). 
They were not large hut healthy, and the exhibitor never won £3 more 
easily. 
In the class for six pots of Liliums in not less than three varieties we 
only saw one collection, for which the first prize was awarded to Mr. J. S. 
Ware, who staged L. auratum, L. pardalinum Michauxi, L. Humboldti 
ocellatum (both scarlet with lilac spots), L. chalcedonicum maculatum, 
L. Browni, and the elegant L. phillipinensis. 
Carnivorous Plants. —The first prize was adjudged to Mr. James, Castle 
Nursery, Lower Norwood, for a neat, interesting collection, that attracted 
much attention from visitors, B. R. Hyatt, Esq., having the second prize 
for a less varied collection. 
Achimenes. —The only plants we observed were those to which the 
second prize was awarded. They were staged by Mr. Luff, gardener to 
R. R. Hyatt, Esq., Streatham—well-grown pans, but past their best condition. 
Group of twenty-five miscellaneous plants.—In this class Mr. James was 
placed first with a bright and neat assortment of small plants ; R. R. 
Hyatt, Esq., second, but the display was the reverse of imposing. 
Mr. Ware was awarded the first prize for a collection of twelve Pent- 
stemons, also for a collection of cut blooms of herbaceous plants, a truly 
remarkable exhibit, comprising 180 species and varieties. 
VEGETABLES. 
Several collections were staged in competition for the prizes offered by 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, and all of them were good. Mr. Richards, gardener 
to the Earl of Normanton, Somerley Park, was first with imposing dishes 
of Cauliflowers, Onions, Artichokes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Kidney Beans, 
Potatoes, and Peas. Second, Mr. M. C. Waite, The Gardens, Glenhurst, Esher, 
Tomatoes and Onions being remarkably fine. Third, Mr. Haires, The 
Gardens, Coleshill, Berks, his collection including an excellent dish of Mr. 
Muir’s excellent Vegetable Marrow Pen-y-byd, good Peas, Tomatoes, and 
Cauliflowers. Fourth, Mr. T. N. Beckett, Cole Hatch Farm, Penn, Bucks. 
Fifth, Mr. James Neighbour, Bickley Gardens, Kent. The prizes offered 
for Sutton s All Heart Cabbage and Earliest of All Savoys were taken by 
the following exhibitors—first, Mr. James Neighbour ; second, Mr. Osman, 
Sutton, Surrey; third, Mr. P. Cornish, gardener to J. Downing, Esq., 
Enfield, all of whom staged good examples of these useful varieties. 
Fruit Committee. —Harry J. Veitch, Esq., in the chair. Mr. R. Nicholls, 
I he Gardens, Castle Hill, South Molton, sent eighteen Pine Apples of the 
Smooth Cayenne variety, which weighed in the aggregate 126£ lbs., to which 
a silver-gilt Banksian medal was awarded. Mr. Stephen Castle, The Vine¬ 
yard, West Lynn, Norfolk, sent two varieties of seedling Tomatoes, which 
were passed. Mr. T. C. Worsley, Linslade Nursery, Leighton Buzzard, sent 
a seedling Melon which was not quite ripe. Mr. James Bolton, The Gardens, 
Coombe Bank, Sevenoaks, sent a Gooseberry called Bolton’s Prolific, which 
has been exhibited twice before the Committee. Its chief recommendation 
is its good bearing properties, but it is not particularly early. Mr. Isaac 
Harrison, of Leicester, sent a seedling Apple, which had also been exhibited 
in November last, but it has now passed its season. Mr. J. Merryfield, The 
Gardens, Waldershare Park, Dover, sent a seedling Raspberry called “ Super¬ 
lative,” but it was considered to be too near others already in cultivation. 
Mr. Charles Ross, The Gardens, Welford Park, Newbury, sent a seedling 
Grape from Black Monukka, called “ Mrs. Eyre,” which was not ripe, and 
without flavour. He also sent two Melons that were not approved of. 
Floral Committee. —G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. 
A silver-gilt Banksian medal was worthily granted to Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons, Reading, for a great and in every way admirable collection of 
160 Gloxinias, characterised by free growth, large flowers, and clear and 
decided colours. The same firm also staged an effective assortment of 
double Stocks and Hollyhocks. 
A silver Banksian medal was awarded to Messrs. Hooper & Co., Covenfc 
Garden, for a beautiful collection of seedling Gloxinias, the majority of 
them spotted and of great merit. They had a pretty effect amongst 
Adiantums margined with Isolepis. 
Messrs. Veitch & Sons staged amongst other plants spikes of the distinct 
and brightly attractive hybrid spotted Gladiolus Lemoinei, which has been 
previously certificated, the clear yellow in the segments rendering it very 
striking. They also staged Olearia Haasti, one of the most floriferous 
summer-flowering evergreens in cultivation. 
The Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen exhibited a wonderfully vigorous 
plant of Lselia purpurata, with six trusses of very large flowers, and leaves 
18 inches long and 3 inches wide. This plant well merited the vote of 
thanks awarded. The New Plant and Bulb Company, Colchester, exhibited 
fine cut spikes of Lilium auratum, and dwarf plants of the variegated 
Lilium longiflorum, for which a vote of thanks was awarded. Mr. Perkins, 
Leamington, exhibited plants of decorative Pelargonium Volonte Nationale 
album, which has been previously certificated. Mr. Cannell exhibited a 
group of the extremely valuable double Ivy-leaved Pelargonium Madame 
Thibaut, characterised by sturdiness of growth, floriferousness, and huge 
trusses of pink flowers. This plant ought to find its way into every green¬ 
house in the land, and will no doubt do so; also very fine Begonias and 
stands of Carnations and Picotees. Messrs. Laing & Co. also staged a 
remarkable collection of cut flowers of Begonias. Mr. Ware exhibited 
Gaillardias, which were commended, and a vote of thanks was awarded to 
him for Dianthus Napoleon III.—good examples of this richly coloured 
variety. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Begonia Thwaitesi (Veitch).—An ornamental-foliaged species from 
Ceylon, the leaves 4 or 5 inches in diameter, green, of plush-like texture, 
blotched with greenish white : habit dwarf, flowers white. 
Begonia Prince Henry (Sutton & Sons).—A striking variety with small 
foliage and a profusion of coral-red flowers, somewhat resembling those of 
B. Ingrami, but larger and in all respects better. It is the result of a cross 
between a seedling from the Tuberous Begonia Davisi and a seedling raised 
from Begonia Rex. Its origin is thus remarkable, and there is no question 
as to its distinctness and great decorative value for fringes to larger plants. 
The same firm was also awarded a vote of thanks for a seedling raised from 
B. semperflorens and B. Schmidti. It resembles the former parent more 
than the latter, but is distinct from both and remarkably free. 
Begonia Marchioness of Lothian (Cannell).—With huge, pendent, creamy 
white Hollyhock-like blooms. Well grown in a basket or suspended, 
this variety must have a striking effect. 
Begonia Picotee (Cannell).—A double variety, rosy pink, the edges of 
the petals clearly margined with white, like the wire of a Picotee. 
Begonia Marquis of Stafford (Laing).—A double variety with cherry 
crimson flowers ; plant dwarf, and very floriferous. 
Campanula Hendersoni (Ware).—Dwarf, dense in habit, not exceeding 
1 foot high, with large clear blue flowers 1£ inch in diameter, resembling 
C. turbinata. 
Clove Carnation The Governor (Cannell).—Large, smooth, broad-petalled 
pure white flowers, evidently a very fine variety. 
Dracocephalum virginicum album (Ware), with effective dense spikes of 
white flowers, resembling at a distance large sprays of Ericas. 
Helenium pumilum. —Exhibited by Mr. Ware, a valuable old yellow¬ 
flowering herbaceous plant, represented by some of the finest flowers we 
have seen. A figure is given on page 95 which well displays the character 
of the flower. 
Marigold Miniature Orange African (Carter).—A small compact form, 
bright and attractive. 
Pelargonium Josephine de Hohenzollern (Bealby).—A fine free-growing 
Ivy-leaved variety, with double crimson scarlet flowers. 
Pelargonium Paul Charbonnier (Bealby).—Dwarf double scarlet, resem¬ 
bling Wonderful. 
Rhododendron incarnatumfloribundum (Veitch).—One of the greenhouse 
varieties, remarkable for its floriferousness, every stem terminating with 
trusses of miniature trumpet-like flowers ; a curious mixture of buff and 
rose colour, distinct and attractive. 
Scientific Committee. —A. Grote, Esq., in the chair. 
Fungus Poisonous to Pheasants. —Mr. W. G. Smith reported that he had 
ascertained that the fungus which had proved poisonous to pheasants, as 
mentioned at the last meeting, was Agaricus trachysporus. Colonel Clarke 
mentioned having seen squirrels eating Agarics. 
Odontoglossum nebulosum with Three Lips. —Dr. Masters reported on the 
flower from Dr. Duke submitted to him at the last meeting. The segments 
of the perianth were normal, as also the single perfect stamen. Midway 
from either side of the column proceeded a lip-like petal wholly detached 
from the lip. There was no trace of the three inner Btamens, nor of the 
stigma. 
Cones of Abies brachyphylla. —Dr. Masters showed cones of this compara¬ 
tively new Japanese Conifer grown by Messrs. Veitch at their Combe Wood 
