470 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 26, 1885. 
- Mr. William H. Bannister, The Gardens, Cote House, 
Bristol, informs us that the Committee at the Bath Show awarded him 
an equal first prize for a collection of Pears. 
- “T. W. S.” writes that the Orchids at Messrs. J. Laing 
and Co.’s Nursery now occupy several new houses, a commendable 
feature of which is the use of corrugated iron by this firm in preference to 
slate or wood staging. It is more durable, as well as, when covered with 
shell shingle, retaining a greater amount of moisture. The Cattleyas 
are in excellent health, among which we noted some fine examples of 
C. Lawrenciana. Vanda Sanderiana is also doing well here grown in 
baskets suspended from the roof. There is also a large healthy example 
of the somewhat scarce and rare Sobralia virginalis. Many species of 
Dendrobiums, Lrelias, and Cypripediums were in flower. 
-As a conservatory plant, Chrysanthemum Mademoiselle 
Lacroix, or La Purete, is unsurpassed amongst the white-flowering 
varieties, and those who have seen it at Mr. B. S. Williams’ Nursery will 
be able to form an adequate, idea of its value in this respect. It was 
obtained last year under the name of “ Madame ” Lacroix; but though 
the blooms differ to some extent on freely grown and undisbudded plants, 
from those grown specially for exhibition it is apparently the same 
variety. The florets are shorter on the conservatory plants, slightly 
fluted or twisted, pure white, fully justifying what appears to be its true 
name, La Purely, as there is only a slight yellow tinge in the centre of the 
expanding bloom. The variety is extremely floriferous, and continued in 
good condition late in January last year. For general decoration or 
cutting it proves invaluable. 
- In the same nursery there are several Orchids in Flower at 
the present time, including the following :—Cypripedium insigne Chan- 
tini, very fine, the dorsal sepal 2| inches in diameter, with a broad white 
margin and purple spots. Calanthes Veitchii and vestita add their 
attractions, some remarkably strong spikes of the former being notable. 
Oncidium tigrinum furnishes abundant panicles of bright golden flowers. 
Vanda suavis tricolor and the wonderfully distinct Sanderiana are flower¬ 
ing well, the last named being represented by a light-coloured pretty 
variety, quite different from any we have previously seen. Dendrobium 
superbiens, which some complain is a difficult plant to grow, is most 
successful at Holloway, there being quite a pretty display of its deep 
purplish flowers. It is one of the most continuous-blooming species in 
cultivation, some having been had for three months in attractive con¬ 
dition. Zygopetalums and several other plants are also attractive, and 
the general collection is in most satisfactory condition. 
-One little Orchid deserves special notice—namely, the Bra¬ 
zilian Hawthorn, as Burlingtonia fragrans is sometimes popularly 
designated in reference to its delicious perfume. It is capitally adapted 
for culture in small pots to suspend from the roof of an Orchid house, as 
the racemes of pure white flowers are pendulous, drooping round the pot 
or pan, and attaining a length of 8 to 12 inches. Its usual time of 
flowering is in the spring, but several plants are now bearing flowers 
which frequently last for a month in good condition. 
-Mr. A. It. Cox, The Gardens, Elm Hall, Wavertree, Liverpool, 
desires us to state that “At the Huddersfield Chrysanthemum 
Show recently he was awarded first prizes for both forty-eight and 
twenty-four cut blooms, with two special prizes for the best incurved 
and best Japanese in the Show, with Mr. Bunn and Boule d'Or 
respectively. 
-A Durham correspondent writes:—“ Messrs. Clark Bros., nur¬ 
serymen, Moorhouse Nursery, North Shields, have an excellent sport from 
Carnation Souvenir de la Malmaison. It is of the same type and 
habit, and the colour is a most delicate rose. It is already quite a 
favourite amongst north-country ladies. It promises to be a great 
acquisition.’’ 
- A correspondent sends the following note:—Mr. J. Mac- 
Michael’s annual Show of Chrysanthemums at Spike House, Ham¬ 
mersmith, has this year included many specimens of rare beauty. Some 
of the finest were secured by having them placed under glass before the 
rough weather set in. The following are a few of the most noteworthy :— 
The Maid of Athens ; Culliugfordi, bright crimson, flowers very large and 
attractive ; Beauts des Jardins, deep crimson toned with violet; Belle 
Alliance, deep red, shaded maroon ; Blanche Neige, pure white, very 
large ; Etoile du Midi, orange red ; Jeanne Delaux, fine large flower, very 
long florets, dark crimson ; Frizou, bright canary yellow ; La Ghante de 
Valence, long tubular florets, shaded with violet ; L’Alsace, deep reddish 
violet, dotted with white; Mdlle. Lacroix, sulphur white, extra fine; 
Mdlle. Antoinette Brunei, pale rose suffused with white ; William 
Kobinson, bright sulphur yellow ; Madame de Sevin, deep rosy lilac, very 
effective. The Show has been one of the best amateur displays of the 
season. 
- We have received fruits of the new Crab John Downie, raised 
by Mr. E. Holmes (formerly of the old firm of Fisher & Holmes), at his 
Whittington Nurseries, Lichfield. The fruits are of the size and shape 
of large nutmegs, and borne in great profusion on the branches. They 
are bright red in colour, and in taste and texture resemble the Siberian 
Crab. John Downie Crab promises to be an acquisition for shrubberies, 
pleasure grounds, and ornamental plantations. 
-A correspondent informs us that a bunch of Gros Guillaume 
Grapes weighing 20 lbs. has recently been cut by Mr. McKenna; 
gardener to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, at his official residence in the 
Phoenix Park, Dublin. The bunch measures 24 inches across the shoulders 
and is 27 inches long. It is described as a model in shape, and the berries 
large, regular, and perfectly finished. Though not the largest, this is 
considered by judges competent to form an opinion on the subject the 
most meritorious bunch of th's variety that has_been grown, and for which, 
we are informed, a silver medal was granted at the late Dublin Show. 
The Vine that has produced this splendid bunch was one of several others 
that were raised from eyes three years ago. They were cut down after 
the first year’s growth, made and matured grand canes last year that were 
left 7 or 8 feet long, and have this year produced a splendid crop, some 
other bunches weighing from 12 lbs. to 15 lbs. Mr. McKenna is to he 
congratulated on his notable achievement. 
- The following simple method of growing Tuberoses is, we 
are told, practised by Mr. Bell at Strathfieldsaye. He keeps them in paper 
bags in a cool place till May, then plants them in good soil in the garden. 
There they grow steadily and sturdily, producing stout flower spikes by 
the autumn, when the plants are taken up and potted. Plants thus 
treated are now flowering splendidly, fifteen to twenty blooms on a stem, 
and will afford a valuable supply for cutting for a long period. 
- The effect of soil on Pears was well exemplified by 
examples of fruit of Beurre Diel sent to the Lincoln Show (which could 
only be briefly reported last week) by Mr. G. Picker, gardener to 
A. S. L. Melville, Esq., of Branston Hall. Fruit gathered from a tree 
with its roots in cold inert subsoil was so pitted and specked as to render 
the sample worthless; fruit from a similar tree, but with its roots in good 
soil near the surface, was perfectly clear, and specimens from a wall tree 
that had been lifted last year and the roots placed in good soil were also 
quite clear and larger than the others, shelter having had a beneficial 
effect as well as good soil. If what is bad were occasionally exhibited as 
well as what is good, and the cause of the difference indicated, horticul¬ 
tural shows would be instructive as well as attractive. A vote of thanks 
was accorded to Mr. Picker for his interesting contribution. 
- Mr. B. Cowan writes R. S. Donkin, Esq., North Shields, 
has lately erected a range of glass 336 feet long. The first portion is 
divided into a splendid Winter and Sub-Tropical Garden. The 
rockwork in this department is most natural, the water falling over 
cascades with sufficient force to make it dance as if it were amongst 
natural boulders. Palms, Tree Ferns, and Magnolias are quite at home, 
while from the roof hang Tacsonias insignis, Van Volxemi, Passion 
Flowers of sorts, all forming and creating with the waterfalls a most 
pleasing sub-tropical aspect. The plant houses contain many choice 
varieties of Crotons, all in excellent condition. We noticed Clerodendron 
splendens trained to a pillar, very beautiful in flower at present, also 
Jasminum gracillimum. The grounds are small, but they are well laid 
out and tastefully kept. There is a splendid rockery, with an excellent 
collection of Rhododendrons; also Thujopsis dolabrata and Cotoneaster 
miorophylla, all doing well within a mile from the sea. The houses and 
grounds are in excellent order, and reflect credit on Mr. Metcalfe, the 
gardener.” 
- Fragrant Flowers. —The perfume manufacturers of Nice and 
Cannes crush 154,000 lbs. of Orange blossoms, 13,200 lbs. of Acacia 
flowers, 154,000 lbs. of Rose petals, 35,200 lbs. of Jasmine blossoms 
