810 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April $S, 1888. 
border, and Mr. Wilson says it grows as freely in liis garden as 
the common Primrose. From the Royal Gardens, Kew, was con¬ 
tributed the largest collection in the Exhibition, comprising plants 
of 118 species and varieties, though necessarily these included many that 
were not in flower, as it would be impossible to obtain so many forms in 
their best condition at one time. Some of the most notable were P. cortu- 
soides, P. vulgaris, P. Sieboldi, P. viscosa varieties, P. denticulata cash- 
meriana, obconica, Obristi, involucrata, and spectabilis Wulfeneniana. Forty- 
eight coloured plates of Primulas were also shown with this group. A smaller 
but very good collection was sent from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, 
the most remarkable plant, and indeed one of the finest in the conservatory 
being P. obconica, which had thirteen handsome trusses of large flowers. 
This plant was greatly admired, and afforded ample proof of what good 
culture can effect with this useful Primula. With these were several An- 
drosaces, the one named rotundifolia macrocalyx having a very uncommon 
appearance, each pale pink flower having four large spreading calyx lobes 
beneath it, something like the curious old Polyanthuses with large green 
calyxes. 
Dr. Robert Hogg exhibited plants of the common English Oxlip and the 
true Bardfield Oxlip, together with a seedling that had been obtained from 
the latter, having pale purplish flowers, very pretty ; and two seedlings from 
this had still more strongly marked characters, the flowers being tinged with 
red. It was an interesting series, showing the gradual changes effected, 
although it has been thought that the Bardfield Oxlip does not produce seed. 
Messrs. J. Backhouse it Son, York, had a large collection, comprising a 
number of varieties of P. vulgaris, P. marginata, and P. denticulata, with 
the bright yellow dwarf P. floribunda and innumerable others, P. ciliata 
purpurea, with rich crimson purple flowers, being one of the most effective. 
Several choice hardy plants were included, a bright purple variety of Polygala 
Chamaebuxus, a handsome Darlingtonia californica, and the pretty Daphne 
Blagayana. Messrs. J. Veitch, Chelsea, showed a group of Primroses very 
bright and varied in colours, the single white and double yellow and lilac 
forms of P. vulgaris being extremely good. With them was P. obconica, one 
of the Yeitchian introductions, intermedia, involucrata farinosa, and the 
most diminutive Primula in the Exhibition, P. mistassinica. This had 
leaves about half an inch long, flower stalks an inch high, bearing one or 
two star-like white or pale blush flowers. It is a North American 
plant and was one of the curiosities of the Show, contrasting strangely 
with a gigantic form of Auricula in Mr. Dean’s group. A so-called 
“hybrid Primula ” was shown by Mr. T. Walkden, Marsland Road, 
Sale, which was said to have originated in the following manner. Some 
plants of P. nivalis were grown in a frame with ordinary Auriculas, with 
the object of procuring a cross if possible, though this was not attempted 
artificially. Seed was obtained, and from this the plant shown and two or 
three others were raised. It had large white flowers and a pale yellow eye, 
a stout truss, and green notched leaves, the general habit being similar to 
the Auriculas. Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, showed a series of Primroses, such 
varieties as Cloth of Gold, Crimson Beauty, and Scarlet Gem being very 
noticeable for their brightness of colour, the hose-in-hose Jackanapes 
and several unnamed seedlings being similarly good. The giant of the 
Show has already been mentioned : it was in the form of the double Alpine, 
with flowers 2£ inches in diameter and partly double, some of the stamens 
being petaloid. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Jheshunt, contributed a group of P. acaulis varie¬ 
ties, alba plena, major, CrouBsei purpurea, and others, together with many 
choice species and a few Androsaces. Miss Jekyll, Munstead Grange, 
Godaiming, exhibited a number of varieties of the common Primrose, 
arranged in moss to form a bank, which some considered very tasteful. 
E. G. Loder, Esq., Floore Weedon (gardener, Mr. C. J. Goldsmith), showed 
sixty pots of Primulas, representing most of the best species in flower at 
this time, and some of which have already been noted. Mr. F. W. 
Moore, Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasneven, Dublin, had eighteen varie¬ 
ties of Primulas, which had suffered considerably in transit. Mr. T. S. 
•Ware, Tottenham, supplied an extensive collection of miscellaneous 
hardy flowers, together with many Primulas arranged in the groups adopted 
by Stein. About 109 species and varieties were represented, but only a few 
of these w r ere in flower. Smaller collections were contributed by’Mr. J. 
Poe, Nenagh ; Mr. P. J. Worsley, Clifton; Professor Kanitz, Kalossvar, 
Hungary; and from the Sccittv’s Gardens, Chiswick. Messrs. G. Bun- 
yard & Co., Maidstone, showed some hose-in-hose Polyanthuses ; Mr. G. 
Lee, Clevedon, a plant of Primula cashmeriana ; Miss C. M. Owen, Knock- 
mullen, Gorey, Ireland, a variety of P. vulgaris with green flowers; Messrs. 
R. Yeitch & Son, Exeter, bad several white and blush varieties of P. acaulis 
from the open ground; the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen, Lamorran, 
Probus, Cornwall, exhibited fifty bunches of wild Primroses most varied in 
colour, white, yellow, rose, lilac, and crimson; and Mr. W. Roupell, 
Roupell Park, had a basket of seedling Auriculas, differing greatly in their 
tints. 
Several species and varieties of Primulas were certificated, and amongst 
them the small P. mistasinica already noted in Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons’ 
collection, and a grand variety of P. rosea from Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn ; but 
particulars of the others which were unnamed must be reserved to our 
■next issue. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits .—An imposing group of forty dwarf and standard 
Roses was shown by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, the plants being strong, 
healthy examples, with vigorous foliage and fro sh bright blooms, the best 
we have seen this season. Innocenti Pirola, Beauty of Waltham, La France, 
Ilippolyte Jamain, Souvenir d’un Ami, White Baroness, Catherine Soupert, 
Senateur Vaisse, and Mad. de Montchaveau. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent 
Garden, had one of their extensive groups of Daffodils in all the best 
varieties. Mr. B. S. Williams, Uppor Holloway, staged a choice group of 
stove and greenhouse plants, Orchids, Ferns, Palms, Ac. Messrs. J. Pearson 
and Son, Chilwell, showed twenty-four varieties of Zonal Pelargoniums 
exceedingly bright; and Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, had a group 
of double Cinerarias, purple and crimson, the blooms very full and bright. 
Messrs. J. Cheal ifc Sons, Crawley, exhibited a collection of sixty-four dishes 
of Apples, the fruits fine, firm, and handsome; it is seldom, in fact, that 
such well-kept Apples are exhibited at this time of year. Some of the 
varieties best represented weie Alfriston, Curl-tail, Reinette du Canada, 
Blenheim Pippin, Emperor Alexander, Ribston Pippin, Winter Queening, 
Lady Henniker, Royal Russet, Betty Geeson, Mere de Menage, Gloria Mundi, 
Cox’s Orange, Winter Pearmain, Cellini, and Lane’s Prince Albert. The 
other not competing exhibits, chiefly Auriculas aud Polyanthuses, are 
referred to in the report of the Auricula Show. 
THE NATIONAL AURICULA SHOW (SOUTHERN SECTION). 
April 20th. 
The annual Show at South Kensington opened on Tuesday last, but, 
owing to the northern growers being unable to compete, it was not so 
thoroughly representative as those in preceding years. The season has been 
a most trying one, the plants were late, it became necessary in many cases 
to employ a little extra heat to bring the flowers out in time for the Show, 
and the result was seen in the long-drawn truss stems which characterised 
nearly every collection. There was also in several cases a roughness in the 
blooms which generally accompanies the other evils induced by unduly 
hastening these plants, for the best grown Auriculas can only be had in true 
exhibition form when brought on as gradually and naturally as possible. 
Amongst so many there were of course some exceedingly handsome plants, 
and that selected as the premier Auricula—Headly’s George Lightbody in 
Mr. J. Douglas’s first-prize twelve—was a superb example of that fine 
variety. The truss was stout and bore nine large but clean even pips, 
beautiful in outline, with edge, body colour, and paste well proportioned, 
and tube bright. This variety was far the best in the classes, and the plant 
well merited the honour. 
Seedlings were not numerously shown, and only four prizes were awarded 
as follows :—In the edged classes to Mr. J. Douglas for Snowdoun’s Knight, 
a white-edged variety of his own raising, a medium-size flower with a good 
edge, dark body colour, solid, pure, and well-defined paste, and a bright 
tube ; and to Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn for Charles Warrington, a grey-edged 
variety with a strong truss of five large pips, all the parts well proportioned 
and with a very bright tube. Mr. H. Bolton obtained two prizes with seifs ; 
Mrs. W. H. Bolton (Bolton), very deep maroon, nearly black, and Mrs. 
Wilson (Bolton), violet purple, the pips of great size. Both are beautiful 
varieties of good quality. 
SHOW AURICULAS. 
In the class for twelve Auriculas the champions usually try their skill, 
and so it was this season, but the absence of the Rev. F. D. Horner lessened 
the interest of the competition, which was confined to Mr. J. Douglas, 
gardener to F. Whitbourn, Esq., Great Gearies, Ilford, and Mr. C. Turner, 
Slough, who were awarded the first and second prizes in the order named. 
The varieties in the premier twelve were Campbell’s Pizarro, Simonite’s 
Rev. F. D. Horner, Trail’s Prince of Greens, Douglas’s Mabel, Duke of 
Albany, Verdure, and Conservative, Leigh’s Colonel Taylor, Heap’s Smiling 
Beauty, Turner’s C. J. Perry, Headly’s George Lightbody, and Dr. Homer. 
All the plants were somewhat “ drawn,” but Mr. Douglas gained in fresh¬ 
ness and substance. The same exhibitors held the similar positions in 
the class for six Auriculas, but were there followed by J. T. D. Llewelyn, 
Esq., Penllergare, Swansea, and Mr. Hardwidge, 1, Martineau Road, High¬ 
bury Hill, N. Nine competitors entered with four varieties, Mr. T. E. 
Henwood, Earley, Reading, leading with Horner’s Sapphire, Lancashire’s 
Lancashire Hero, Douglas’s Conservative, and Headley’s George Lightbody, 
strong plants with good blooms. The other prizes in that class were 
awarded to Mr. C. Phillips, Earley, Reading ; A. Potts, Esq., Hoole Halt, 
Chester ; Mr. W. C. Walker, Reading; and Viscountess Chewton, Bookham 
Lodge, Cobham (gardener, Mr. A. J. Sunday), in the order named. With 
two varieties ten exhibitors entered, Mr. A. Potts leading with Headly’s 
New Green and Read’s Acme. Mr. C. Phillip ; H. A. Rolt, Esq, 170, Hart- 
field Road, New Wimbledon ; J. Galsworthy, Esq, Coombe Warren, 
Kingston (gardener, Mr. C. Orchard), and Mr. W. C. Walker following 
closely. 
Single Specimens. —The entries in these classes were not so numerous 
as usual, and the Judges had less difficulty in making their awards, the 
prizes going as follows :— Green-edged —Mr. C. Turner, first and second with 
George Lightbody and Lancashire Hero ; Mr. J. Douglas third and fourth 
with Prince of Greens ; Mr. Henwood fifth with Colonel Taylor ; and Mr. 
Potts sixth and seventh with New Green and Prince of Greens. Grey-edged 
—Mr. C. Turner first and fourth with George Lightbody and Richard 
Headley; Mr. J. Douglas second and third with George Lightbody; Mr. 
W. G. Walker fifth with Richard Headley; and Mr. C. Phillips seventh 
with George Lightbody. White-edged —Mr. A. Potts first and fifth with 
John Simonite and Beauty ; Mr. j. Douglas second and third with Acme 
and Conservative; Mr. C. Turner fourth and sixth with Acme and Time 
Briton ; Mr. Henwood seventh with Acme. Selfs —Mr. Bolton first and fifth 
with Black Bess and a seedling ; Mr. Henwood second with Pizarro ; Mr. C. 
Turner third and sixth with C. J. Perry and Lord of Lome, and Mr. Potts 
seventh with the same variety. 
In the class for fifty Auriculas, not less than twenty varieties, Mr. J. 
Douglas and Mr. C. Turner were the only exhibitors, being placed respec¬ 
tively first and second, the former having a larger proportion of edged Show 
varieties, while in the Slough collection seifs were prominent. 
ALPINE PLANTS. 
The classes devoted to these are invariably more attractive to the 
general public than the Show varieties, which are so highly appreciated 
by the florists. The Slough collection is particularly strong in Alpines, and 
Mr. C. Turner has usually scored well in these classes. On this occasion 
the giants from the same establishment were first both for twelve and six 
varieties, the former comprising Sceptre, Edith, Unique, Sir H. Darvill, 
J. T. Poe, Sensation, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Thomson, J. J. Colman, 
Hotspur, Charles Turner, Athlete, all, we believe, having been brought out 
by that firm. The hading va’ieties in the smaller class were Progress, 
Mrs. Ball, Paragon, Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Thomson, and Edith. The second 
prizes being secured in each class by Mr. J. Douglas, Mr. R. Dean third, and 
Mr. C. Orchard fourth with six. For a single specimen gold centre Mr. 
C. Turner was first and fifth with Sunrise and John Ball, Mr. J. Douglas 
second and third with Rosamond, and Mr. R. Dean fourth with Mrs. 
Thomson. The prizes in the corresponding class for white or cream centre 
varieties being secured by the following—Mr. C. Turner first and third with 
