[ May 10, 1880. 
402 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
colour showing to perfection. This variety is by far the best of the 
genus, although some of the others are well worth cultivating. 
Many varieties of Kibes are exceedingly attractive, especially those 
planted where they have some evergreen for a background. Kibes san- 
guineum and K. Gordonianum are two of the most ornamental. At Kew 
many of the fine flowering shrubs have been planted in masses in the 
shrubberies, or one sort only in a bed, and the plan deserves to be more 
generally practised, as a much bolder effect is produced than by isolated 
specimens. For example, a bed of Pyrus Maulei near the broad walk is 
a mass of bright orange scarlet, and shows off the plants much better 
than if scattered about amongst other shrubs. All the plants can be 
properly treated, and have a better opportunity of getting their wood 
thoroughly ripened than they have when dotted amongst other shrubs. 
The bulbs are nearly over, but many species of Tulips are still at 
their best, amongst others Tulipa spathulata, with its large bright scarlet 
flowers on stems 2 feet high, are exceedingly attractive ; T. macrospila, 
another species, similar to spathulata but not quite as robust. Tulipa 
elegans is a delightful species, flowers bright scarlet, with curiously 
twisted segments, a charming flower. T. retroflexa, also with twisted 
segments but of a lovely canary yellow, and the finest of all, Tulipa 
Greigi, with its large flame coloured flowers, so unlike all other Tulips. 
These and many more species yet to open come into bloom after the 
florist varieties are over, as if to lengthen the Tulip season.—F. G. 
HYACINTHS AND TULIPS AT HEADING. 
With a view of testing the merits of the innumerable varieties of 
these flowers Messrs. Sutton & Sons have this season had a most exten¬ 
sive display. Of Hyacinths from a couple to six bulbs of every variety 
of repute have been grown, and all having had the same treatment as 
to soil and position noting the best flowers has been a very easy task. 
Of course, in a trial embracing several scores of varieties it is to be 
expected that there would be many comparatively worthless, and these 
I have excluded, those named being the best of their respective classes 
both in size of bells, spike, and habit of growth. Varieties with long 
spikes and thin of flower bells I have set down as worthless, and, there¬ 
fore, they have no place in this list. Again, single varieties being by 
far the most telling flowers either for pot cultivation or for the open 
air, I have only noted a very few of the best doubles, and I advise that 
they be grown in pots only ; the singles make by far the grandest show 
in the open border. 
Amongst single %eds the best are Agnes ; General Pelissier, extra fine, 
magnificent spike ; Incomparable, one of the very best reds; Jenny 
Deans, extra dwarf, a very deep pink ; Mars, very compact ; Solfaterre, 
a bronzy pink, very distinct and full spike. In the single rose section 
the best are Fabiola, extra large truss ; Gigantea, grand spike and 
immense pips ; Lady ['Palmerston, bright rose and white centre ; La 
Dame du Lac, very large and most delicate pink colour ; Prince of 
Wales, bright rose with nearly white centre; Princess Charlotte, 
massive spike ; Princess Helene, very distinct colour, bright rose. 
Amongst single whites Belle Blanchisseuse stands out conspicuously, 
having a large spike and immense bells ; Baroness de Tuyll is very little 
behind, and is very early ; Alba Maxima, very full, and the most perfect 
white flower amongst the numerous white varieties; Grandeur a Mer- 
veille, blush white, of immense size ; La Franchise, creamy white, and 
extra large spike ; Mont Blanc has very large bells and is very free, the 
largest White variety ; Paix de l’Europe has long pure white drooping 
bells, a most distinct flower ; Princess Alice, a dwarf compact variety of 
the purest white ; and Princess Amelia is similar in character, but the 
flowers are tinted flesh colour. 
Amongst single Vines Captain Boyton is the largest, bluish lilac, truss 
gigantic both in length and thickness ; Leopold II. is the same colour, 
striped and large; Prince Oscar, very bright blue, compact spike, and a 
strong vanilla scent ; Charles Dickens, a good old sort, and still one of 
the best: Couronne de Celle, very large and distinct in colour, being a 
rich porcelain blue ; Grande Lilas is of the same colour, and has a more 
compact spike with smaller bells ; Pieneman, purplish blue, the flowers 
have a highly polished appearance, and shine as if artificially glazed ; 
Princess Mary of Cambridge, blue and indigo, of large size ; Queen of 
the Blues, a most delicate light blue and extra large flower. 
Amongst what I call “ black blues,” a class I do not admire, because 
the colours do not show up well, the variety which nearest approaches a 
black is appropriately called King of the Blacks. It is a magnificent 
flower as regards size, being extra fine both in truss and bell. Master¬ 
piece and Mimosa are of the same type, and both good. The gem of 
this section is Souvenir de J. H. Veen, a flower the colour of which it is 
most difficult to define, as it is neither black, blue, purple, nor red, and 
yet a mixture of all the four ; a deep purplish maroon is the nearest 
approach I can make to describing it. The variety is very scarce and 
expensive ; when it can be had at a cheap rate it will be much in demand. 
Another rare variety is Distinction. It is classed among the violet and 
mauve coloured flowers, but it is nearer a deep red—I term it a bronzy 
red. It is a perfect flower, and, like the preceding, distinct from all 
other Hyacinths in colour. Harlequin is also another rare variety, 
having mauve and white flowers, and will be much in demand soon as 
it can be had at a much cheaper rate than 5s. per bulb. President Lin¬ 
coln and The Shah are two good and cheap varieties of this class. 
Yellow Hyacinths I have never thought worthy of cultivation, 
because the flowers have up to the present been thin and poor. This 
opinion has now deserted me, because in the trials under notice are 
four yellows as fine as those of any other section. Their names are 
Heroine, King of the Yellows, Marchioness of Lome, and Obelisque. 
These four are a bright citron yellow, with fine spikes and bells, and irk 
this class was one other variety named Tamerlane, it is nearer a light 
copper colour than orange or yellow ; I should describe it as a coppery 
orange. The variety is worthy of culture for the novelty of colour 
alone. 
The doubles had but little charm for me, so that my notes of these 
are scanty. Amongst the reds Empress of India and Marie de Medicis 
were the best ; amongst light rose colour Lord Wellington and Noble 
Par Me rite ; of double whites La Vestale and Venus were the best; of 
double blues Charles Dickens, Laurens Coster, Magnificent, and Van 
Speyk were all good ; and the only double yellow I fancied was. 
Minerva. 
What are known as bedding Hyacinths were well represented. These 
consist of red, blue, and white of various shades, and the aim has been 
to obtain sorts of the various colours that flower simultaneously and of 
the same habit of growth, and right well has this been accomplished. 
As showing the mistaken opinion that is sometimes formed in respect 
of size of bulb and its influence on the spikes certain flowers were 
pointed out to me as being very fine, and yet the bulbs were of the 
smallest, and though as a rule, the finest bulbs do produce the finest 
flowers growers should not be so ready to condemn small bulbs till after 
trial. 
The trial of Tulips is not quite so extensive as Hyacinths, yet it- 
embraces all the best varieties worthy of cultivation. I had only time 
to note a few of the more conspicuous; Grace Darling, an extra large 
carmine, red flowers ; Keizers Kroon, gold and yellow, very fine ; Le 
Matelas, a grand flower, a bright rose colour ; Ophird’Or, a magnificent 
yellow ; Proserpine, a rich silky rose ; and Vermilion Brilliant. I was 
much struck with a number of clearly variegated leaved varieties, and 
planted in a mass the effect is unique. The best single variegated 
forms are Purple Crown, Lac Van Rhyn, and Yellow Prince ; the 
doubles, Due Van Thol, Tournesol, and Yellow Rose. This variegated 
section is, I think, worthy of extended cultivation, and one way of using 
them with excellent effect would be as marginal lines to the same sorts, 
less the variegation.—W. Wildsmith. 
CRYSTAL PALACE. 
GREAT SUMMER SHOW.— May 11th. 
Very gay was the appearance of the Crystal Palace on Saturday 
last. A fine Show arranged by the experienced hand of Mr. W. G. 
Head, and an excellent selection of music under the direction of 
Mr. August Manns, drew a large attendance in the afternoon. Viewed 
from either end the display of flowering and foliage plants and the mass 
of people in the great transept formed an imposing and animated scene. 
An ample canvas awning had been erected above the flowers, but this 
thoughtful provision for prolonging the freshness of tha plants and 
enhancing the comfort of the visitors was practically useless, as sun¬ 
shine was not vouchsafed. The greatest interest was manifested in the 
exhibits. Roses perhaps received the lion’s share of attention, as is 
usually the case. There was a fine group representing the combined 
products of three great exhibitors, and the display of these alone would 
have satisfied many people. Mr. Turner’s huge Azaleas, perfect 
pyramids of bloom ; Messrs. Laing’s Caladtums, magnificent examples 
of culture ; Mr. Offer’s splendid Crotons ; and the specimen foliage 
plants and Ferns shown by the latter and Messrs. Chapman and Pen fold 
were among the other features of the Show. Orchids were represented, 
but hardly as one wou’d have expected to find them at an exhibition of 
such pretensions. Mr. James Douglas, who is apparently at home with 
all sorts and conditions of plants, and is a man of many prizes, showed 
them well. Pelargoniums were very gay. Garden flowers were not 
plentiful, there being no classes for them ; but Messrs. G. Paul & Son of 
Cheshunt exhibited an attractive miscellaneous collection, and Messrs. 
Barr & Son of Covent Garden were represented by an extensive display 
of Daffodils and other flowers, which excited considerable attention. 
Some particulars of the Exhibition are appended, but as our reporter 
had to manipulate his pencil in the midst of a moving mass ef people, 
and with a shower of questions raining upon him from all sides about 
this plant and that, full details are not given, nor probably are they 
looked for. It should be added that this was in no way the fault of the 
Palace authorities, who supplied the usual facilities for an earlier 
inspection. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants.— Nine specimens were asked 
for, and prizes value £9, £6, and £3 were offered. Mr. \V. Chapman, 
gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard, Staffs, was first. Tremandra 
ericasfolia, densely flowered ; Hedaroma tulipifera, in wonderful condi¬ 
tion ; Statice prof usa, with numerous fine trusses ; the graceful Darwinia 
f uchsioides, with drooping tubular blooms. These were amongst the finest 
specimens of this grower’s accomplished handiwork. There were also 
some fine p'ants in the second and third prize lots, staged respectively 
by Mr. Finch, gardener to J. Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Road, Coventry, 
and H. James, West Norwood. Messrs. Chapman and Turner were the 
chief prizewinners with single specimens. 
Fine-j?oliage Plants.— With these Mr. Penfold, gardener to the 
Rev. Canon Bridges, Beddington, won. Cycas undulata, 9 or 10 feet 
high, and with a spread of nearly as much, commanded attention; 
Phormium tenax Veitchi was very fine ; Carludovica Drudei was shown 
as it rarely is ; and the remaining plants were all excellent. In Mr. 
Offer’s second prize lot a fine Cycas circinalis was very conspicuous. 
Mr. James was third. Mr. J. Lambert won with a single specimen. 
