March 28, 1889. \ 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
261 
Dendrobium melanodiscus (hybrid, Ainsworthi x Findleyanum) was 
adjudged an award of merit; growth similar to D. Ainsworthi, also the 
purple in the throat, the remainder like Findlayana. G. C. Raphael, 
Esq., Castle Hill, Englefield Green, sent a plant of Cymbidium species, 
having long spikes of green and yellow flowers, freely produced, but 
small in size : referred to the Scientific Committee. Mr. T. G. H. Elry, 
84, Drakefell Road, St. Catherines Park, Hatcham, sent a. spike of 
Zygopetalum Clayi, which had bloomed from an imported plant. A 
vote of thanks was given to Sir Charles Strickland, Bart., for Cattleya 
■citrina. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
DeiidroHwm micans (Yeitch).—The result of a cross between I). 
Wardianum and D. lituiflorum, the flowers more resembling the latter 
than the former. 
TRl Oncidium. sujioriiens (Sir T. Lawrence, Bart.).—Growth resembling 
that of 0. serratum, sepals brownish red, petals white spotted with 
brown. 
H Botanical certificates were granted to Sir T. Lawrence, Bart., for 
Masdevallia triangularis ; and to Mr. A. If. Smee for M. Chestertoni. 
JUDGING TREBLES. 
I have read “ J. H. P.’s ” letter on page 232 of the Journal 
With perhaps shocking rashness I do not agree with him. I should 
vote, if asked, for judging the trebles according to each individual 
flower— e.g., two first-rate blooms and one second of Earl Dufferin or 
A. K. Williams or Ulrich Brunner, would always, in my opinion, heat 
the best three blooms that could be cut of such Roses as Magna Charta, 
Paul Neyron, or A. Carriere. Judging by trebles as a whole seems to 
me reducing them to a competition of twelve hand bouquets of not 
more than three blooms of any one Rose, and then some pretty garden 
Rose might excel a bunch of even Her Majesty. Our refuge, then, is in 
some definite rule being laid down before the N.R.S. Show on July Cth. 
Why not let the matter be discussed by the Executive Committee of the 
N.R.S. on April 19th, or call a general meeting and take the majority of 
votes as a guide ?—F. H. G. _ 
With regard to judging trebles, I venture to think the Rev. H. H. 
D’Ombrain’s argument, “ Rosarian’s Year Book,” for 1889, page 20, is 
quite decisive. “ My opinion has always been that the treble must be 
judged a3 such, and not by individual blooms ; for see what the latter 
implies, that you have to judge not seventy-two, but in the highest class 
of trebles—3 x 48 = 144.”—A. C. 
Unquestionably this is a matter of great importance, and it is a 
wonder it has not been brought prominently before the public before. 
It is due, both to judges and exhibitors, that a definite rule should be 
laid down on the subject for avoiding a repetition of such confusion as 
is described by “ J. H. P.” on page 232. Cannot the Committee of the 
National Rose Society discuss the whole matter and determine the point 
at issue? I have officiated at several Rose shows, and am “booked” 
for more. Fortunately I have not met with stands that could not be 
satisfactorily judged as triplets, and I am in favour of that plan instead 
of having to estimate the individual merits of 144 blooms in one stand 
of forty-eight varieties; but I should willingly agree with the ruling of 
the majority of the N.R.S. Committee if they determined otherwise. 
The point ought to be settled iu one way or the other, and either would 
be preferable to the present laxity, under which it is impossible for exhi¬ 
bitors to stage on an equality, as they are at the mercy of the individual 
(unknown) fancies of adjudicators.— A Judge. 
It is certainly desirable, as “ J. II. P.” says, that the National Rose 
Society authorities should arrive at some decision on the question of 
judging trebles. Personally, I should agree with the professional 
opinion mentioned by him, and, in default of any rule to the contrary, 
judge each bloom by itself. This seems to me the fairest and most 
satisfactory mode ; but I should willingly defer to higher authority if 
any extra rule or instruction on the subject were given us. As “ J. H. P.” 
truly observes, a decision is wanted for the sake of exhibitors as well as 
judges, since nothing is more unsatisfactory than being judged by any 
other rules than those for which you have prepared. 
THE EFFECTS OF FROST. 
The evil results of the fatal night of February 12-13 are now 
becoming apparent. I had a grand row of twelve standard Marechal 
Niels, which had done very well the last two years. They were ap¬ 
parently in a thoroughly sheltered position, being shielded on the north 
and east by a high wooden paling only a few feet off. They were also 
well protected, to the best of my ability, with plenty of bracken, and 
furthermore the snow lay thick over all. As a result, every one 
appears to be absolutely killed, without a particle of life remaining. 
Standards of William Allen Richardson seem also to be quite killed, but 
all earthed-up dwarf Teas, however exposed, seem to have passed through 
this severe frost, which I have no doubt was zero at the snow line, 
without serious harm—that is, they appear to be unhurt below the 
earth line. 
DWARFS IN FUTURE. 
I must, in future, in this low situation, grow all, even Mardchal 
Niel and W. A. Richardson, as dwarfs ; though, with this class of Roses, 
there is the further difficulty that the long rods must be protected, or 
there will be no blooms. I suppose they must be pegged down for 
the winter, and covered with earth, and with mats where it is im¬ 
possible to bend the shoots low enough for the earth covering, for fear 
of snapping the shoots at the base. Once get them fairly low and 
thoroughly covered with anything that will not blow off, and the snow 
becomes a much greater protection than it ever is to standards. Most of 
my II.P.’s would undoubtedly have been killed if they had been 
unprotected standards ; being dwarfs, the snow saved them.—W. R. 
Raillem. 
THE WEATHER AND THE ROSES. 
I fear the ideal Rose year is still in the dim distance. Pruning 
time will this year be a painful time in many low-lying gardens. In 
my own case the H.P.’s might have been pruned with a scythe. They 
are all level with the ground. It has been difficult to get below the 
discoloured pith. It is fair to say they were not protected, but I have 
only registered over 20° of frost twice—on February 13th and on 
March 4th. It appears to be the result of the wet 1888, during which 
the new wood was unable to ripen. In a few cases branches of Charles 
Lefebvre, Sophie Fropot, and some others which have been well 
ripened, emerge and could be left. I apprehend the case of the Fern- 
protected Teas will not be much better.—A. C. 
SPRING EXHIBITIONS. 
BATH.— March 20th and 21st. 
Although the competition was of a rather limited character, and 
the exhibits scarcely so numerous as usual, a really beautiful display 
was arranged, and another success was scored by the Bath Floral Fete 
Committee. Hyacinths were not in the best form, the same complaint 
being heard here as at Bristol—viz., imperfect ripening of the bulbs , 
Various -bulbous-rooted and other flowering plants were shown, but 
Orchids were the feature of the Show, such a grand lot never before 
being seen so early in the season at Bath. 
A special prize of £5 was offered for a collection of eighteen 
Hyacinths and twelve Tulips, and this was well won by Messrs. Veitch 
and Son, Exeter, who always show fine bulbous-rooted plants at this 
Show. Messrs. G. Cooling & Son, Bath, also staged a very creditable 
collection, and were awarded the second prize, equal third prizes going 
to Mr. S. P. Budd and Mr. A. J. C. Biss, both of Bath. The last-named 
was first for twelve Hyacinths in six pairs, and Mr. S. P. Budd second, 
and similar positions were occupied by these exhibitors in the class for 
nine Hyacinths, distinct. Mr. S. P. Budd was the only exhibitor in the 
amateurs’ class for twelve Hyacinths, and was awarded the first prize, 
and he was also first for six varieties, and Mr. T. Jolly second. There 
was somewhat better competition with Tulips. Mr. S. P. Budd was first 
for six pots of single varieties, and Mr. C. H. Dutton second, and these 
exhibitors were similarly placed in the class for double varieties. The 
best six pots of Polyanthrfs Narcissus were shown by Mr. A. A. Walters, 
Bath ; Mr. F. Hooper, Bath, being second. The Rev, E. Handley, Bath, 
was first for twelve pots of Daffodils, and Mr. A. A. Walters second. 
Lilies of the Valley are always remarkably good at Bath. Mr. A. J. C. 
Biss was first for three grand pots, and Mr. W. C. Drummond second. 
The best three pots of Amaryllis were staged by Mr. T. Jolly, the 
executors of the late Mr. S. Tredwell being second. 
Three classes were provided for Orchids, the competition being good 
in each instance. The Rev. E. Handley was well first for six varieties, 
and Mr. J. S. Holmes second. For three varieties Mr. R. B. Cater, Bath, 
was first, and Mr. T. Jolly second. A grandly flowered specimen of 
Oncidium macranthum shown by the Rev E. Handley was awarded the 
first prize in the class for a single Orchid, Mr. R. B. Cater being second 
with Cattleya intermedia in good condition. Roses in pots were beauti¬ 
fully shown by the Rev. E. Handley and Mr. R. B. Cater, who were 
respectively first and second. Mr. J. C. Doherty was the most success¬ 
ful" exhibitor of fine-foliaged stove and greenhouse plants and Ferns. 
Mr. W. C. Drummond also excelling in a similar direction. Primulas 
were well shown by Messrs. S. P. Budd and W. Pumpbrey ; Cyclamen 
by the Rev. E. Handley and Mr. T. Hooper ; Cinerarias by Messrs. R. B. 
Cater and Tredwell; Azaleas by Mr. J. C. Doherty ; Rhododendrons by 
Messrs. A. A. Walters and F. Hooper ; and table plants by Messrs. A. A. 
Walters and A. J. C. Biss, who were awarded the prizes in the order 
named in each instance. Two classes were provided for groups arranged 
for effect. In that open to all Messrs. G. Cooling & Son were easily 
first, their arrangement being excellent, and comprised numerous 
Orchids and other choice plants. Mr. W. C. Drummond was second. 
The best group in the amateurs’ class was shown by Mr. R. B. Cater, 
who had numerous well flowered Orchids and a generally choice assort¬ 
ment of plants most effectively arranged. Mr. W. Pumphrey was 
second for a group and first for a basket of plants, exhibiting creditably 
in each instance. 
Cut flowers were not very extensively shown, but the quality was 
good. Messrs. Perkins <fc Sons were first for a hand bouquet,'and Mr. 
