March 23, 188P. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
263 
open class for hand bouquets, the second prize being well won by Mr. C. 
VVinstone. Messrs. Garaway & Co. were also successful with a hand 
bouquet. In the amateurs’ class Mr. Hookings was well first with a very 
elegant bouquet, Mr. Tagart being second. Wreaths not to exceed 
18 inches in diameter were beautifully shown. Messrs. Perkins and 
Sons were first, and Mr. Winstone second. Similar positions were 
occupied by these exhibitors in the class for a spray suitable for ladies, 
and Messrs. Perkins were also first with gentlemen’s buttonhole bouquets. 
The best twelve cut Roses were shown by Mr. F. Tagart, the second 
prize going to Mr. S. P. Budd. Mr. Tagart was also first for twelve 
bunches of choice flowers, and Mr. T. W. Gibson second. Not many 
vegetables, and but little fruit was shown. Mr. II. St. Vincent Ames 
was first for a collection of the former, and Mr. E. T. Hill second. A 
first prize was awarded to Mr. W. Proctor Baker for a brace of 
Cucumbers, the second prize going to Mr. S. P. Budd. Mr. Ames 
was awarded first prizes for Grapes and Apples, and a second for 
Pears, Mr. E. T. Hill being first for the latter and second for Apples. 
The most noteworthy among non-competitive exhibits was a fine 
bank of fine-foliaged and flowering plants arranged by Messrs. Parker 
and Son, St. Michael's Nursery, Bristol. Messrs. Garaway &; Co. con¬ 
tributed a good display of well grown Hyacinths, and Mr. Crispin, Fish¬ 
ponds, had a small group of Orchids. 
CRYSTAL PALACE.— March 23rd. 
A LACK of competition in the open classes operated to deprive the 
Exhibition of its usual proportions, but this was compensated for to 
some extent in consequence of miscellaneous productions being present 
in good force. The exhibits were arranged on tables under the centre 
transept, the extent of the .mave being filled by contributions to the 
photographic exhibition. Cyclamens were a remarkably good feature, 
and supplied charming patches of colour. Hyacinths, Tulips, and Nar¬ 
cissi fell below their usual level of quality, and this appears to be the 
case in the great bulb-growing districts abroad as well as in the co'lec- 
tions grown in this country. The collections from amateur cultivators 
were poor, and the Tulips had a drawn appearance as if too much 
forced. The Exhibition was flanked by a superb collection of cut 
blooms of Camellias from Messrs. William Paul & Son of Waltham 
Cross, which served to illustrate some of the best varieties in cultivation; 
a very fine collection of cut Daffodils of many types, Lilies, and other 
spring flowers from Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham ; 
pot Roses and spring flowers, including some charming Hepaticas, 
Amaryllises, &c., from Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, and 
tubers of Cyclamens from the St. George’s Nursery Company at Han- 
well, and Mr. John Odell, Golds - Green, Hillingdon, helped by smaller 
collections from other exhibitors. 
Hyacinths. —In the open class for thirty-six Hyacinths Messrs. 
H. Williams & Son, Fortis Green, Finchley, were the only exhibitors, 
and were placed first with all single varieties, the best reds being Von 
Schiller, Lord Macaulay, Koh-i-noor, and Garibaldi ; the best blues, 
King of the Blues, Czar Peter, Lord Derby, Charles Dickens, Grand 
Maltre, and King of the Blacks ; white, La Grandesse and Princess 
Amalia, blush ; yellow, Ida. In the amateurs’ class for twelve varieties 
the Judges had to deal with seven very moderate collections. Mr. J. Rod- 
bourn, gardener to Baroness Heath, Coombe House, Croydon, was 
placed first, his best varieties being King of the Blues, Charles Dickens, 
Garibaldi, Fabiola, Czar Peter, and Prince of Wales. Second, Mr. W. 
Clark, gardener to — Sopper, Esq., Eversley, Herne Hill. Third, Mr. 
Monks, gardener to G. H. Higgins, Esq., Eastland, Dulwich. 
Tulips.— Messrs. H. Williams & Sons were also first with thirty-six 
Tulips, being the only exhibitors, staging a good lot the season con¬ 
sidered, having of crimson seifs Epaminondas and Vermilion Bri'liant ; 
rose, Joost van Vondel, Rose Luisante, and Proserpine ; pink, Rose 
Gris de Lin; purple, Van der Neer ; edged, Keizers Kroon ; Hector, 
reddish brown and orange base, with narrow edge of deep yellow, 
distinct though not brilliant in colour ; striped, Van Spaendorick, deep 
rosy lilac, striped and feathered with crimson, and Fabiola, purple and 
white ; white, White Joost van Vondel and White Pottebakker, and 
yellow Ophir d’Or, the finest of all the yellows. In the amateurs’ 
class for twelve pots in not less than four varieties there were four com¬ 
petitors, Mr. W. Monk being placed first with Proserpine, Keizers 
Kroon, Joost van Vondel, White Pottebakker, and Van der Neer. 
Second, Mr. T. Penfold, having Vermilion Brilliant and the double 
blush Murillo, distinct from the foregoing ; and Mr. H. Shoesmith, 
gardener to M. Hodgson, Esq., Shirley Cottage, Croydon, third. 
Narcissi. —In the open class Messrs. H. Williams & Son were the 
only exhibitors of thirty-six pots, well grown and bloomed specimens, 
all of the Polyanthus section. The best yellows were Sir Isaac Newton 
and Jaune Supreme ; the best white with orange or yellow cups, 
Gloriosa, Grand Duchess, Her Majesty, Prince of Wales, and Bazelman 
Major ; sulphur and yellow, Laura. In the amateurs’ division there 
were two collections of twelve pots, Mr. W. Monks being first, having 
two pots of double Daffodils among his Polyanthus varieties ; second, 
Mr. T. Penfold, who had some excellent pots of N. bicolor Horsefieldi in 
his collection. 
Cyclamens. —These were a very fine feature, the plants being seen 
pretty well at their best. Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, was 
first in the open class with thirty-six pots, having large plants mainly 
of light varieties, superbly grown and bloomed ; Mr. John Odell, Gold’s 
Green, Hillingdon, was second with smaller plants, but a very bright 
lot, well balanced in colour; the St. George's Nursery Company at 
Hanwell being third. There were three collections of twelve plants in 
the amateurs’ division, Mr. D. Phillips being again first; Mr. A. Carter, 
gardener to Mr. Alderman Evans, Ewell Grove, Ewell, second; and Mr. 
W. Hibburt, gardener to W. Clay, Esq., Kingston, third. 
Amaryllises. —Of these there was but one collection of twelve plants 
in the open class, which came from Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old 
Nurseries, Cheshunt, well flowered examples of Dark Beauty, deep- 
shaded crimson with maroon lines ; Mrs. Gaskell, white edged, with 
deep crimson, R. D. Blackmore, Gonzolea, Henry Little, Thackeray, and 
seedlings. There was no competitor in the amateurs’ class for six 
specimens. 
Cinerarias. —These were a good feature also. In the open class for 
twelve plants Mr. J. Ford, gardener to Sir C. Pigott, Bart., Wexhara 
Park, S.ough, was first with a well grown and bloomed lot of plants of 
good quality, he being the only exhibitor. In the amateurs’ class Mr. 
A. Carter was first with twelve plants in pots not exceeding 8 inches, 
the plants well grown specimens of excellent quality ; Mr. J. Ford 
came second, with plants having large heads of bloom but lacking 
finish ; third, Mr. G. Cole, gardener to D. Sinclair, Esq., Eliot Bank, 
Sydenham. 
Lily of the Valley. —The open class for twelve specimens in 8-inch 
pots brought some fine examples from Messrs. H. Williams & Son, but 
they were disqualified owing to being in a larger size than 8-inch pots. 
The Judges placed a smaller lot of plants from Messrs. J. Laing & Co., 
Stanstead Park Nursery, Forest Hill, first; and gave Messrs. Williams 
second prize, which appeared a singular proceeding. It would have 
been better to have placed them out of competition and given them an 
extra prize on their merits. In the amateurs’ division for six plant3 
there were three collections, Mr. F. Penfold being placed first, and Mr. 
J. Lambert, gardener to H. W. Segelcke, Esq., Elfindale Lodge, Herne 
Hill, second. 
Azaleas. —These were shown in groups of twenty-four plants in not 
larger than 9-inch pots, and not less than twelve varieties, but in each 
of the four groups they were scarcely advanced enough in bloom. The 
best came from Mr. C. Nunn, gardener to J. Soames, Esq., J.P., Maze 
Hill, Greenwich ; the collection included a few very good quarter 
specimens, the leading varieties being Comtesse de Flandres, Stella, 
Madame Van der Cruyssen, Jean Vervaene, and Bernhard Andreas. 
Second, Mr. R. Wells, Longton Nursery, Sydenham, with small well 
grown plants, not quite forward enough. Messrs. J. Todman & Son, 
Rose Park Nursery, Upper Tooting, being third. 
Mignonette. —This was somewhat poorly shown, Mr. D. Phillips 
having the best eighteen pots of ordinary market plants, Mr. Carter 
being second with plants that did not deserve recognition. Mr. J. R- 
Bird, gardener to J. A. Causton, Esq., Lodgemore, Alleyn Park, West 
Dulwich, was the only exhibitor of nine Tree Mignonette, being placed 
first with somewhat poor plants. 
Groups of Plants. —Messrs. J. Laing & Son were placed first with an 
arrangement covering 100 square feet, consisting of Palms, Clivias, 
one named John Laing being of fine form and unusually deep in colour, 
Orchids, Dendrobes and Cattleyas being in strong force, Gloxinias, 
Begonias, &c., edged with Fern. Second, Mr. Henry James, Castle Nur¬ 
sery, Lower Norwood. This consisted of Palms, Azaleas, Ferns, Eucharis,^ 
Dractenas, &c. 
Miscellaneous. —Extra first prizes were awarded to Messrs. Paul and 
Son and Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria Nursery, Holloway, the latter 
having a group of decorative plants with a fine collection of striking 
Cyclamen, second prizes to Messrs. W. Paul & Son and T. S. Ware ; 
third prizes to the St. George’s Nursery Company, Hanwell, and Mr. 
John Odell, for Cyclamens ; and fourth prizes to Messrs. Hibburt and 
Rodbourn, the former having Cyclamen, and the latter Lachenabas and 
Primula obconica. 
Certificates of Merit were awarded to Amaryllis Dark Beauty from 
Messrs. Paul & Son ; to Clivia John Laing, and Dendrobium crassinode- 
album from Messrs. J. Laing & Co.; to Cyclamen Empress of India, 
crimson shaded with maroon, and Striatum, a novel and distinct form, 
each petal having a flame of white up the centre, with side edgings of 
rosy crimson ; and to Cyclamen Faust, deep rosy crimson shaded, very- 
bright, from Mr. J. James, Woodside, Farnham Royal, who also had some 
blooms of Cinerarias of remarkably fine quality. 
WORK ™l THE WEEK- 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Figs. —Earliest Forced Trees in Pots .—The fruit of such varieties 
as Early Prolific and Early Violet will soon be showing signs of 
ripening; syringing must then cease and a lessened supply of water 
given, or the fruit will be insipid ; but trees swelling their fruit must 
be well supplied with water. A circulation of warm air is necessary 
for securing well flavoured fruit. The temperature should be 60° to 
05° at night, 70° to 75° by day from fire heat, 80° to 85° with sun, 
advancing 5° to 10° after closing, admitting air or increasing it from 
75°, closing at 80° to 85°. 
