May 20, 1386, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
407 
On? of the main points in the successful cultivation of Mignonette 
in pots is watering. If carelessly watered failure is certain, and if pr per 
attention in this respect cannot be given the culture of these plants had 
better not be attempted. The soil in which they are growing should 
never become dry from the time the seed is sown until the plants are ready 
for throwing away. If once dry during the growing season the growths 
become woody and fail to extend, but make small short-jointed shoots 
that are continually producing small flowers. If dry during the winter 
the foliage turns brown and disfigures the plants, besides considerably 
dwarfing the flower spikes. If, on the other hand, the soil is constantly 
wet by over-watering, they are certain to go off. In either case the fine 
thread-like roots of these plants quickly perish. When the plants are 
watered a good soaking should be given, and should then remain until 
the soil is nearly dry before more is applied. The plan's are much bene¬ 
fited by being syringed twice daily during the summer, or whenever the 
weather is favourable and will allow of this being done. At the same 
time the walls and vacant portions of the frame should also be well 
moistened. No feeding will be needed until the plants have filled their 
trellis. An occasional application of clear soot water is very beneficial ; 
it acts quickly upon the plants, and imparts to the foliage a fine dark 
■colour. The most reliable system of feeding is to apply artificial manure 
to the surface of the soil About half a teaspoonful is sufficient for 
10-inch pots, and this may safely be applied about every third week. It 
is surprising how quickly they come up to the surface and take possession 
■of it. When we fed the plants with liquid manure there was always an 
absence of active roots on the surface ; in fact the roots appeared to be 
driven downwards, which led to this practice being discarded. The 
surface soil is full of roots and perfectly sweet by the system of feeding 
with top-dresdngs. 
For cutting in autumn, say from the time the supply outside fails 
untd near Cnristmas, it is a good plan to prepare a patch of ground by 
the addition of manure and a lit!Ie fresh loam, and sow it with seed about 
the middle of June. The common garden variety will do very well h r 
this purpose. The seedlings, when large enough, should be thinned out, 
leaving them 3 or 4 inches apart, so that they will have room to develope 
without being crowded. This bed should be covered with a frame towards 
the end of September, so as to protect the plants from frost and heavy 
rains. In most seasons the supply fails outside by the end of October, 
and cutting can then commence from this frame, which will yield a supply 
for a long time if protected from sharp frosts by covering the frame with 
mats. A frame should be sown towards the end of February or early in 
March, which will yield a supply fully a month before it can be cut from 
the open borders. This will be found invaluable, and clear the houses 
and frames of pot plants much sooner than would otherwise be the case. 
—N. G. 
BATH SPRING SHOW. 
Mat 12th. 
As far as the extent and quality of the exhibits were concerned this 
may be said to be an unqualified success, but unfortunately most unfavour¬ 
able weather was experienced, and a heavy deficit was the result. Rain was 
badly wanted, but a heavy and steady downfall, such as fell throughout the 
Show day, is bound to keep away all but the most enthusiastic of flower- 
loving visitors, and it was after all poor consolation to the Committee to 
know that “ their loss was the country’s gain.” 
Azaleas.— There were fewer of thess than usual, a difficulty having be n 
experienced in keeping them late enough. W. Long, gardener to C. Gar¬ 
diner, Esq., was awarded the first prize for twelve grand pyramids, which 
with two exceptions were at their best. Very fine were the specimens of 
Magnet, Souvenir de Prince Albert, Due de Nassau, Roi d’Holland, Stella 
Iveryana, and Criterion. Mr. W. C. Drummond took the third prize for an 
uneven and poor collection. The first prize for nine specimens was easily 
won by Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, who had globularly trained freely 
flowered examples of Model, Criterion, Nulli, Reine do Pays Bas, and other 
popular sorts. Mr. H. Keel, gardener to Colonel Landon, also exhibited in 
this class, but only secured a third prize. Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey, was 
first with six varieties, these including Incomparable and Sankei in good 
condition ; and Mr. A. Hawkins, gardener to T. Jolly, Esq., was third. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —The twelve flowering plants that 
gained Mr. Cypher the premier prize were exceptionally fine, and most 
probably some of the specimens are superior to any of the kind hitherto 
staged. They consisted of Dracophyllum gtacile, Pimelea Hendersonii, a 
fine globular plaut about 5 feet across and loadei with bloom, Franciscea 
eximea, Azalea Magnificent grandly flowered and fully 6 feet through 
Anthurium Schertzerianum densifolium with thirty-two fine spathes, Erica 
affinis, E. Cavendishii richly coloured, Aphelexis macranfcha purpurea, 
Hedaroma tulipifera, Azalea Cedo Nulli, Anthurium Schertzerianum a fine 
form with thirty-six spathes, and Pimelea spectabile, a magnificent plant 
from o Get to 6 feet through. Mr. W. Long was placed second with a 
■creditable collection, though not so good as he exhibited la 3 t May. With 
nine plants Mr. J. F. Mould was a good first, having among others medium¬ 
sized well-flowered specimens of Erica ventricosa coccinea, E. affinis E. 
Victoria Regina, Hedaioma tulipifera, and an Anthurium. Mr. G. Tucker 
gardener to Major W. P. Clarke, Trowbridge, was a good second, his best 
being Anthurium Schertzerianum, Erica alba, and Clerodendron Balfouri- 
anum. Mr. W. J. Mould, gardener to E. E. Bryant, Esq., was third. The 
prizewinners with six varieties were Messrs. W. C. Drummond and 
A. Hawkins. The first prize for a single specimen was awarded to Mr. 
Cypher for Anthurium Schertzerianum Cypheri, this, the largest of all the 
forms, having thirteen grand spathes. Ericas were well shown by several 
growers, though the majority had half specimens only. Mr. Cypher was 
first for four varieties, these consisting of E. ventricosa magnifica, E. ventri- 
cosa coccinea major, E. depressa, and E. Cavendisbiana, all of good size and 
well flowered. Mr. W. J. Mould was second, and Mr. J. F. Mould third. 
Mr. Cypher was also first for a single specimen, and Mr. Long second. 
1' ine-foliage plants were not so good as usual. Mr. Cypher was first for 
fifteen varieties, these including Kentia Fosteriana, Pritchardia pacifica, 
Kentia australis, Latania borbonica, and Thrinax elegans in good condition. 
Mr. W. Long was a fairly good second. Mr. W. C. Drummond was first for 
nine varieties.. Several good groups of Ferns were shown, those from 
Trowbridge being the most attractive. Mr. G. Tucker had the best fifteen 
varieties, these including Gymuograinma sulphureum, Asplenium nidus 
avis, Adiantum cuneatum, Cheilanthes, Lomaria giganteum, Oheilanthes 
hirta, and the handsome and seldom-seen Athyrium Goringianum tricolor in 
good condition. Mr. W. J. Mould was a good second, and Mr. J. Coke, 
gardener to A. P. Stancombe. Esq., third. Mr. W. C. Drummond had the 
best nine varieties, and Mr. W. Marchant, gardener to Jerome Murch, Esq., 
was second. Roses in pots were scarcely so fresh as usual, but several of 
the exhibits were very creditable. Mr. W. Taylor, gardener to S. P. Budd, 
Esq., was deservedly first for nine varieties, of which the best were 
Catherine Mermet, Pauline Labonte, Celine Forestier, Edouard Morren, La 
France, and Dupuy Jamain. Mr. J. E. Morris, gardener to R. B. Cater, Esq., 
was a good second, his best being Marechal Niel, Rubens, Madame Clemence 
Joigneaux, and Charles Lawson. For six varieties Mr. A. Hawkins was 
first, the second prize going to Mr. A. W. Southard, gardener to F. J. 
Walker, Esq. Mr. Cypher was easily first for nine large-flowering Pelar¬ 
goniums, these consisting of C. Outram, Mies Simpson, Decorator, Digby 
Grand, E. Perkins, Triomphe de St. Mand6, Rob Roy, and Lady Isabel, all 
fresh and good. Mr. G. Tucker also had several good plants, and took 
second prize. The best six varieties were staged by Mr. A. J. C. Bess, 
Bath; and Mr. J. Mattock, Oxford, was a close second. The prizewinners 
with Calceolarias were Messrs. Tucker, W. Robinson (gardener to Lord 
Justice Lopes), and W. Marchant; and with Cinerarias Messrs. J. E. Morris, 
W. Marchant, and J. Southard, the exhibits being meritorious in each 
instance. 
Orchids. —These would appear to be gaining in popularity with the 
citizens of Bath, and several new growers are commencing to exhibit them, 
one of the latter, the Rev. E. Handley, taking the fi-st prize for six varie¬ 
ties. These consisted of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, Cattleya Mossiee, 
Oncidium Marshallianum, Cattleya Mendelli, Lselia pnrpurata, and Odonto- 
glossum Roezlii. This exhibit, as well as others that won prizes, was 
somewhat marred owiDg to the pots being “ made up” without due regard 
to the variableness of the varieties, two or more forms being included in one 
maie-up specimen. This ought to be avoided in the future. The second 
prize for six varieties went to Mr. F. Perry, gardener to H. Oruger Miles, 
Esq., Bristol, who had good examples of Cattleya Mossim, Oncidium 
macranthum, and Masdevallia Lindeni. Mr. J. Cypher was third. With 
four varieties Mr. F. Perry was a good first, his best being Cymbidium 
Lowianum, Laelia cinnabarina, and Masdevallia Lindeni. Mr. W. J. Mould 
followed, showing Aerides Fieldingii and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum in good 
condition ; and Mr. J. E. Morris was third, noteworthy among his being 
Cattleya Mossiie and C. speciosissima. The latter was first in the amateurs’ 
class for a single specimen, having Cattleya Mossias with ten fine blooms; 
and in the open class the Rev. E. Handley (gardener, Mr. J. Frost) was 
first with Odontoglossum citrosmum. 
Cut Flowers. —Cut Roses are invariably good at the Bath Shows, and 
on this occasion several growers had stands of very fine blooms. Mr. J. 
Mattock, Oxford, was placed first for twenty-four good blooms in twelve 
varieties, Niphetos, Perle des Jardins, Anna Ollivier, Souvenir d’un Am!, 
Madame Willermoz, Hippolyte Jamain, Auguste Rigotard, Madame Welch, 
and Jean Pernet being the best. The second prize was awarded to Mr. W. 
Taylor, who had Catherine Mermet, Niphetos, Countess of Oxford, Madame 
de Watteville, and General Appert in good condition. Messrs. G. Cooling 
and Son obtained the remaining prize with a creditable stand somewhat 
lacking variety, but which included very fine blooms of Marechal Niel, Paul 
Neron, Countess of Oxford, La France, and Dupuy Jamain. With six 
varieties Mr. E. S. Cole, gardener to W. Pethick, Esq., was first; Mr. J. Curtis, 
gardener to W. W. Kettle well, Esq., second; and Mr. W. C. Drummond 
third. A grand stand of Marechal Niel was shown, not for competition, by 
Mes-rs. C. Cooling & Son ; Mr. Mattock also brought an extra stand of good 
Roses ; and Mr. T. Hooper, Bath, staged a box of Marechal Niel. The 
competition with twenty-four varieties of cut flowers was close and good, a 
considerable number of Orchids being included. Mr. F. Perry was first ; 
Mr. E. Miller, gardener to F. Tagart, Esq., Bristol, second; and Mr. W. J. 
Mould third. With twenty-four Pansies Mr. T. Hooper was first, and Mr. 
W. Meddick second; and with twelve varieties Messrs. H. Hooper, 
G. Hooper, and W. Meddick were the prizewinners. Bouquets were of 
great excellence, the prizewinners (Messrs. W. Dobson, C. Winstone, and 
E. S. Cole) all coming from Bristol. Vases of flowers were also as near 
perfection as possible, the prizewinners being Messrs. W. Dobson, H. Mardon, 
and E. S. Cole. Mr. J. R. Pearson, The Chilwell Nurseries, Nottingham, 
exhibited three stands of cut blooms of Zonal Pelargoniums, for which 
Messrs. Pearson have long been noted, and these attracted much attention. 
A considerable number of the varieties were uunamed seedlings, these 
being certainly superior to the older sorts. Such named varieties as Lady 
Chesterfield, Lord Chesterfield, Cato, Alex. Albrecht, Mrs. Gordon, Miss 
Hamilton, A^pasia, Zelia, Octavia, and Mrs. H. F. Barker were among the 
best represented. 
Fruit and Vegetables. —Strawberries were not so plentiful as usual. 
For six plants in pots Mr. J. Weston, gardener to Rev. 0. C. Layard, was 
first, having Oscar in good condition. Mr. G. Pymm, gardener to Mrs. 
Goldsmith, Trowbridge, was first for a single dish of Strawberries, staging 
J. Veitch large and bright in colour. Mr. Robinson was second, and Mr. 
J. G. Kitching third, both having large but rather rough fruit of President. 
Messrs. P. J. Walker and E. T. Hill had the best Apples, and Messrs. 
F. Evry, E. T. Hill, and A. T. Hall were successful with Pears. There 
were nine classes for vegetables, all well filled. The most successful 
exhibitors were Messrs. Pymm, A. Beavis, J. Long, T. Evry, C. Garraway, 
W. G. Tylee, J. Weston, G. Horsell, F. Evry, and J. Ashton. Classes were 
also provided for cottagers, and it was a surprise to some to find that these 
could also exhibit early Potatoes, Asparagus, Seakale, and other choice 
vegetables. 
