40 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 16,1689. 
Tound the sides of the pot, and to these tie the lower portion of 
the stems rising in the middle of the plant, and allow those on the 
outside to grow naturally. Properly managed the plant when in 
flower is a cloud of feathery sprays of white flowers. It may be 
added that want of moisture is extremely detrimental to the well 
being of this plant. 
Not only is the Francoa of value as a decorative plant, but the 
flowers in a cut state are much appreciated for furnishing vases, 
the small side shoots for small glasses, and main growths for vases 
of the largest size. 
F. appendiculata is more common than the above. It is not a 
pluit to be despised either, but when grown beside ramosa, its less 
graceful habit combined with the somewhat characterless shade of 
its flowers stamps it at once as inferior. This is hardy in warm 
positions.—B. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
May 15th. 
The above Society’s first summer Show of the present year was held 
in the Regent's Park, Botanic Gardens, yesterday (Wednesday), and 
proved to be one of the brightest and most varied that we have seen for 
a considerable time. There were not quite so many of the huge speci¬ 
men stove and greenhouse or fine-foliage plants which were at one time 
seen at the leading exhibitions, but this was not felt to be a defect, for 
the spacious marquee devoted to this Show was amply furnished, and if 
the plants staged in competition were in some cases smaller than custo¬ 
mary they were fresh and in good health generally, more than compen¬ 
sating for any assumed defect in size. Bright colours were sufficiently 
abundant without being overpowering. The prominent groups on 
elevated corners of brilliant Azaleas and Pelargoniums were very attrac¬ 
tive ; rich tut softer shade of colour were also furnished by the Roses, 
which were well represenicd ; the bank of Orchids in the centre afforded 
a variety of rich and curious tints ; while the collections of miscel¬ 
laneous non-competing plants from the leading nurserymen not only 
occupied a large portion of the available space, but added greatly 
to the interest and beauty of the Exhibition. 
Very conspicuous was the magnificent group of Bermuda Easter Lily, 
Lilium Harrisi, from Messrs. J. Carter & Co., which comprised about 100 
tine plants, each bearing from three to five long pure white flowers, the 
powerful fragrance of which was perceptible all through the marquee. 
Though less prominent the groups of Japanese Maples from Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons and J. Standish & Co. were noteworthy for the extreme 
gracefulness of the plants, and the varied tints of the deeply cut leaves. 
Mr. B. S. Williams’s group included a choice selection of Orchids, with 
stove and greenhouse plants in flower, a sufficient number of Ferns, 
Palms, and fine-foliage plants being employed to produce an admirable 
effect. Messrs. J. Laing & Sens had a charming group of Tuberous 
Begonias, Caladiums, Adiantums, Palms, Dracaenas, Heaths, Orchids, 
and other plants, arranged in an excellent manner. Messrs. William 
Paul& Son also had a similarly beautiful group of Roses to that which 
• was so much admired at the Royal Horticultural Society's Show on the 
preceding day. 
Orchids were not so largely shown as on some previous occasions 
either in numbers or as regards the size of the plants. Mr. A. Howard, 
gardener to H. Little, Esq., The Barons, Twickenham, won the premier 
honours in the two amateur classes for a dozen specimens and a collec¬ 
tion. In both cases well grown plants were shown of Cattleyas, Den- 
drobiums, Lycastes, Cymbidiums, Odontoglossums, Cypripediums,&c. Mr. 
IT. James, Norwood, was also first in both the nurserymen’s classes with 
plants whichhave been seen before at exhibitions, and there were no other 
competitors in any of the classes. Messrs. Hugh Low & C)., Clapton, had a 
very pretty group of Dendrobiums and Cypripedi u ms arranged with Ferns 
(silver medal). Numbers of novelties were shown by Messrs. Sander 
and Co., several of which were certificated and will be referred to in 
another issue. 
Stove and greenhouse plants were capitally shown by Mr. W. Chap¬ 
man, gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard Park, Rugeley, who won 
the first prizes both for ten and six specimens from amateurs. All the 
plants were distinguished by their fresh healthy condition, and were of 
the usual exhibition kinds. Mr. R. Scott, Mr. H. James, Mr. Offer also 
secured prizes in this and other classes. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were well to the fore with nine Roses 
in pots, substantial handsome plants bearing fine blooms. Mr. W. 
Rumsey followed with much smaller plants, while Messrs. Paul & Son 
again won first honours for twenty Roses in pots with compact bushes 
and standards of the leading varieties, Mr. Rumsey again being second. 
Azaleas came from Mr. Offer, Handcross Park Gardens, and Mr. R. 
Scott, gardener to Miss Foster, The Holme, Regent’s Park. Mr. C. Turner, 
Slough, was the leading trade exhibitor of Azaleas, having twelve and 
six neat specimens well flowered. The same exhibitor was first with 
six Show Pe'argoniums, and second with six Fancy Pelargoniums in the 
open classes ; Mr. D. Phillips, Slough, securing the first prizes for 
amateurs’ Show and Fancy Pelargoniums, beautifully fresh and well 
trained. Ferns and fine-foiiaged plants were successfully shown by Messrs. 
Offer, Crawley ; and Butler, Regent's Pailc. Mi. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, 
was first for a large and varied collection of hardy plants, closely 
followed by Messrs. Paul & Son, who were, however, first for a 
collection of alpine plants. Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, were 
first for twelve Calceolarias, dwarf compact plants with good flowers. I 
Miscellaneous Exhibits.— The following awards were made to 
non-competing exhibitors. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Japanese Maples 
(silver medal). Mr. B. S. Williams, Orchids, &c (small silver gilt medal), 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Begonias and Orchids (large silver medal). 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Roses (large silver medal). Messrs. J. Peed 
and Sons, Norwood, Anthuriums (small silver medal). Messrs. H. Lane 
and Son, Berkhampsted, Roses (small silver medal). Messrs. J. Standish 
and Co., Ascot, Japanese Maples (silver medal). Mr. A. Offer, fine- 
foliage plants (bronze medal). Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Tuberous 
Begonias (certificates). Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden, Daffudils 
(bronze medal). Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, Lilium Har¬ 
risi (large bronze medal) and a group of Cinerarias with Lilies (small 
silver medal). Mr. G. T. White, Winchmore Hill, Orchids (bronze 
medal). Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale, Manchester, group of Primula 
Sieboldi (bronze medal). 
Many new plants were certificated, which will be noted in another 
issue. 
FRUIT PROSPECTS—A SCOURGE OF CATERPILLARS. 
Perhaps it may be considered earl} - to form an estimate of fruit 
crops, but so far as we are concerned here I anticipate a very poor crop 
of Apples, Pears, and Plums. The trees blossomed most profusely and 
promised well, but owing to swarms of caterpillars the look-out is 
decidedly bad ; many of the trees look as if seared by fire, on others the 
foliage is completely riddled. The caterpillars seem to particularly 
like the opening blooms, drawing the petals over them and eating out 
the inside, thus completely spoiling them. So far as our experience 
goes, no really sound remedy has yet been recommended. All our trees, 
or rather most of them, were surrounded with grease bands, by which 
means enormous numbers of the female winter moth were caught; but 
in spite of this great numbers of eggs were deposited on the trees, more 
particularly in the ends of the shoots that had been summer pruned. 
The eggs were wedged in between the bark and the wood, many of the 
ends containing thirty eggs and upwards. All the ends thus containing 
eggs were cut off—no light task when there are thousands of dwarf trees 
a3 we have here—yet in face of this the attack is worse this year than 
ever before. We have tried lime, soot, and salt applied to the soil, but 
nothing has proved of any service. Messrs. Calvert & Co. have sent us 
various preparations that will kill any insect they come in contact 
with, but no insecticide, so far as we can judge, is of much good, as the 
caterpillars curl themselves up in the leaves in such a manner that 
nothing can get at them. Curious to3tate, in the gardens our trees may 
be termed free from insects, it is outside in the orchards and our fruit 
plantation that we are troubled. I should be glad to learn if the 
attacks are general this year, and should be pleased to see any sound 
practical remedy advised. I believe that we have tried the majority of 
the remedies recommended by Mr. Whitehead in his excellent treatise, 
but so far have not succeeded in beating the enemy. There can be no 
question that unless insect pests can be mastered fruit-growing for profit 
will be a precarious undertaking. All practical men will agree with 
me that insect pests have increased in tremendous numbers during the 
last few years.— S. T. Wright, Glewston Court Gardens. 
My Vines are again in grand form, but the blossom of outside fruit 
is a little weak, and will require much genial nursing weather, or it 
will either fail to set or the fruit will drop at stoning. The condition 
of the blossom is the result of too little sun last year.— Joseph 
Witherspoon, Chester-le-Street, Durham. 
THE EAST ISDIAN HOUSE. 
The blinds must be drawn down to shade the occupants of this 
structure with the utmost care. They must be shaded from the 
sun, and at the same time every ray of light possible should be 
admitted. Plants that cannot endure much light must be shaded 
for an hour or two before the blinds are used, and again in the 
afternoon before they are dispensed with. For instance, most of 
the plants in this department are benefited by more light reaching 
them than is good for Pha'senopses. Pieces of newspaper placed 
over the plants will afford the extra protection that is needed. 
The temperature should range from 65° at night to 70° by day, 
■with a rise of 5° or 10° by sun heat. Considerably less harm will 
be done if the temperature rises to 90° than if cold air is admitted 
to keep it 5° or 10' lower. More moisture will be needed both at 
the roots of the plants and in the atmosphere. Plants growing on 
blocks will need daily attention in order to keep them sufficiently 
moist to encourage growth and root activity. Be careful to use 
water of the same temperature as the house. ,,The plants generally 
may be syringed on the mornings of fine day§, so that the water 
that settles on the axils of their leaves will be evanopated by noon. 
