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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ March 21, 1819 
handsome ; the petals are a little over half an inch broad at the 
base, 6 inches long, and tapering to a point, somewhat of a buff 
colour with dark crimson spots at the base, and longitudinal streaks 
o the same colour. The dorsal sepal is oval, 2 inches broad by 
2* deep, buff, regularly veined with dark crimson, the lower sepals 
being similar but smaller. The lip is much like C. Stonei in form, 
large, of a dull purplish crimson hue. 
Messrs. Sander & Co. of St. Albans claim to be the introducers 
of this Cypripedium, but the honour has also been claimed by Mr. 
J. Linden, who says he had it from New Guinea in May, 1887, that 
it flowered in January, 1888, and was then named C. neo-guineense, 
but the name was not published.—C. 
NOTES FROM THE SCILLY ISLANDS. 
Freesias all the Year Round.— I think the gardener who 
told Mr. Harris that he had seen Freesias that had been bloomed 
all the year round from the same plants has been deceived, or the 
year must have been a very short one. I know of no other bulbs 
more accommodating than Freesias. There are two ways of 
getting blooms all the year round—first, by planting bulbs in 
succession ; a little gentle heat may be used, but strong heat 
is not required. The second plan is by a succession of seed sowing, 
commencing in January in heat. The first week of April, 1888, I 
sowed half an ounce of seed in a bed in the open air. No more 
attention was given than to any other hardy seeds. They had 
no covering of any sort, not even a drop of water from the watering 
can, but were left to take their chance. The last week in August I 
cut the first bloom, and I have been cutting a few every week since, 
and hope to continue doing so for another month. I have some 
fine spikes of bloom on them at the present time. In December I 
put a frame over them, which has very much improved the colour, 
but at the same time I have some that have had no protection 
whatever. I may say that in cutting I sometimes pull up a bulb, 
_ and have found it no larger than a Radish seed, but with a long 
" tap root. 
Green Daffodils.— The seasons of 1887 and 1888 were most 
disastrous for Daffodil blooms. Hot summers and cold springs are 
very unfavourable for the production of good sound blooms with 
good colour. In 1887 the buds broke ground even before the 
foliage—the last week in January ; a sharp east wind set in, and 
the flowering season was retarded ; the consequence was that the 
buds split before they were 4 inches high, and a great portion of the 
crop was spoiled by split buds and green flowers ; a hot summer 
followed, which dried up the roots before they were fully matured. 
In 1888 the buds again broke ground, as in 1887 ; the spring was a 
very cold one, and more than 30 per cent, of the blooms were as 
green as the foliage by which they were surrounded ; in fact, the 
only good blooms were obtained from shady spots. This year there 
is not a green bloom to be seen ; quantity and quality are par 
excellence. I think this is a conclusive evidence that the Daffodil 
requires moisture and a cool soil during summer. With Narcissi 
and a few of the Trumpet Daffodils the result has been quite the 
contrary. Last year was never equalled for blooms, both as 
regards quantity and quality. This season it is quite the reverse ; 
hundreds of thousands of bulbs that bloomed last year are blind 
this. 
Lifting Narcissi. —These may not be lifted with impunity at 
any time while the foliage is green, or it may sadly interfere with 
the next season’s bloom. After the foliage turns brown they may 
be lifted, and the clumps allowed to remain on the ground for a 
few days, when they may be easily divided. Daffodils are best 
undisturbed for many years. Other sorts require to be lifted 
oftener.—J. C. T., Isles of Scilly. 
BULBS IN GRASS. 
Tiie planting of bulbs in grass, and under trees on lawns, does 
not appear to be practised with the freedom that might be done, as 
in no other manner can such flowers as Snowdrops, Crocuses, 
Daffodils, and Aconites be seen to the best advantage, or have such 
a telling effect. In many instances the fault does not rest entirely 
with gardeners in this matter, for in these days of strict economy 
the purchasing of bulbs is not frequently indulged in for this kind 
of use ; while on the other hand, labour is restricted to such an 
extent that time does not allow of extras in this way. I have seen 
one or two instances where Crocuses were planted on sloping 
banks, which, when glittering in the bright sunshine, had a very 
pleasing effect, dotted about in an informal manner, and in mixed 
colours. In such positions they are more effective than ever they 
could be in beds planted in the orthodox fashion, the grass forming 
an accompanying groundwork of the best description that Nature 
can produce. Snowdrops so planted would precede Crocuses in 
their flowering, and Daffodils would follow both, thus maintaining 
a succession of interesting flowers during the early spring months. 
None the less interesting or useful are the modest Winter Aconites, 
and certainly these are deserving of greater attention than is 
bestowed on them, for once planted they will generally take care 
of themselves. For some time past there has been a good example 
of the adaptability of these and Snowdrops for planting under 
trees, and in the grounds attached toBroomwell House, Brislington, 
Bristol, the residence of W. Proctor Baker, Esq., which has 
furnished their owner with a display for the past twenty-five 
years, and during that period have increased to such an extent as 
to give the spot the appearance of a veritable flower garden in itself, 
and is deserving of the unwaning admiration bestowed, both by 
privileged visitors and the owners themselves. 
The trees of this old-established residence, too, are of large 
dimensions and worthy of mention, one particularly so, under 
which these Aconites are established, and have been for so long a 
period. This one is a Horse Chestnut, having a girth of 15 feet, 
and the first branches are situate at a distance only of 4 feet from 
the ground, and extend 36 feet in every direction, from the main 
stem or trunk. It is also of pendulous habit, so much so that many 
of the branches are resting on the ground, and constitutes a perfect, 
and noble specimen in its variety. An idea may be readily esti¬ 
mated of the display made by these desirable winter-flowering 
plants when it is stated that the whole space beneath this venerable 
specimen is fully utilised, from quite close to the stem to each 
extremity. Both trees and plants were highly cherished by Mr. 
Morse, the late gardener (deceased), and is not the less so by the 
present gardener in charge, Mr. T. Archer. The present time 
affords excellent opportunities of carrying such ideas into effect, or 
at least preparing for such, by lifting Snowdrops or Crocuses as 
their growth is completed, and laying them aside for autumn 
planting. Aconites, if not already existing, may, where desired, be 
purchased from hardy plant dealers.—W. S. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
SPRING 'SHOW AT REGENT’S PARK. 
The Royal Botanic Society is not often favoured with fine weather 
on the occasion of its exhibitions ; but though light showers occasionally 
fell during the course of the opening Show on Wednesday last, the sun 
shone brightly the greater part of the day, and there was a good 
attendance of visitors. As heretofore the exhibits were arranged in the 
corridor and conservatory, and viewed en masse formed a very 
attractive display. 
Greenhouse Plants. —Mr. Eason, gardener to R. Noakes,' Esq., 
Hope Cottage, Highgate, won with six greenhouse Azaleas (amateurs), 
the plants small, but fresh, healthy, and well flowered; Mr. Clements, 
gardener to L. H. Hicks, Esq., Springfield House, Muswell Hill, being 
second, and Mr. Scott, gardener to Miss Foster, The Holme, Regent’s. 
Park, third. In the corresponding class for nurserymen there were only 
two weak lots, and a second prize only was awarded, this going to Mr. 
James of The Castle Nursery, Norwood. The first with Chinese 
Primulas were Messrs. Cannell & Sons of Swanley, their plants being 
large and densely bloomed. Messrs. Williams, Fortis Green, Finchley, 
and D. Phillips, Langley Broome, Slough, were the remaining prize¬ 
winners. Mr. Douglas showed Amaryllises well. In his first-prize 
collection of twelve Emperor (Douglas) was the most noteworthy, 
Messrs. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, were second ; and Mr. Butler, gardener 
to H. H. Gibbs, Esq., Regent’s Park, third. 
Bright, fresh, well-bloomed plants from Mr. D. Phillips secured the 
first prize in the amateurs’ division for Cyclamens. Mr. W. Hibburt, 
gardener to W. Clay, Esq., Grove Road, Kingston, and Mr. Clements 
were the other prizewinners. Their plants did not call for comment. 
In the open class Mr. Phillips again won, Mr. Odell, Goulds Green, 
Hillingdon, and the St. George’s Nursery Co., Hanwell, being second 
and third. All these lots were very good, Mr. Phillips’s plants being of 
a very high order. Large freely flowered plants from Mr. Eason were 
deservedly placed first in the class for Deutzias; Mr. Douglas, repre¬ 
sented by smaller specimens than the giants of former years, being 
second, and Mr. Clements third. 
Bulbs.— These formed a conspicuous feature. Mr. Douglas won 
with twelve Hyacinths in the amateurs’ class, Mr. Eason second, and 
Mr. Scott third. These were perhaps hardly up to the average. In 
the nurserymen's class Messrs. H. Williams & Sons were the only 
exhibitors, and were placed first. Tulips were fair, Mr. Eason’s being 
the best lot-. Mr. Douglas was second, and Mr. R. Scott third. With 
twelve pots of Polyanthus Narcissi Messrs. H. Williams & Sons were to the 
fore, Messrs. Douglas and Scott following. Crocuses in pots were finely 
shown by Mr. Douglas, who was first, Messrs. Scott and Clements fol¬ 
lowing. The varieties Anna, pure white, and Purpurea grandiflora were 
especially fine. For a collection of twelve bulbous plants Messrs. Paul 
and Sons, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, were first, and Mr. Ware, Hale Farm 
Nurseries, Tottenham, second. The former had the finer examples, the 
latter the greater variety. Lilies of the Valley were best shown by 
Messrs. H. Williams & Sons, who received first prize for some very fiDe 
pots. 
