460 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 6, 1889. 
seems all that can be desired as far as I can see. The temperature 
ranges at this time of year from 60° to 85° or 90° ; in winter never less 
than 50°. The roof is whitewashed in summer on account of the hot 
sun. For some years I used nothing but peat for planting in ; this year 
I am using a compost prepared by Messrs. Birkenhead of Sale, consisting 
of loam, leaf mould, sand, and charcoal; but it makes no difference. 1 
got a new plant to try in it ; it commenced growing well, but after a 
time the young fronds began to turn brown as usual, and the plant, as 
its predecessors have done, is getting gradually smaller instead of larger. 
1 enclose a specimen (the point) of a frond beginning to go. In the 
same house a great variety of Adiantums grow to perfection, including 
cardioclasna, macropliyllum, trapeziforme, cuneatum, formosum, and 
others. The only other plants in the house are Stephanotis and Alla- 
manda, both of which are in perfect condition. If anyone can point out 
where the fault in treatment is I shall be greatly obliged. The plants 
never have cold water, and are never watered or syringed over the 
fronds.—E. T., Portugal. [The frond received is quite brown, as if it 
had not had sufficient shade or enough moisture in the atmosphere. We 
assume the plant is properly watered. The subject is, however, left for 
those of our readers who grow this Fern well to oblige by pointing out 
the possible failure, and by stating the practice they have found satis- 
actory.J 
FIG. 74.— EXACUM mac ranthum. (See page 464.) 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Great Show in the Temple Gardens.—May 30th and 31st. 
The Royal Horticultural Society have achieved an artistic triumph, 
and we are glad to say without incurring financial loss. Their 
Show in the Inner Temple Gardens last week was in many im¬ 
portant respects a model one, and some of its features were of a 
character to eclipse anything that has previously been brought 
together by any other body of horticulturists. To begin with, the Show 
was not too large to be enjoyed in its entirety. It was thoroughly 
representative, yet the visitor was not wearied by having to inspect a 
mass of exhibits possessed of no individual quality and of little interest 
to anyone except those who owned them. 
To a very great extent the Show was made up of three distinct and 
popular features — Orchids, hardy and greenhouse decorative plants, 
and cut flow T ers. Nearly half of the Exhibition was composed of 
Orchids, which command attention alike from horticulturists and the 
general public, and it might safely be said that had there been no other 
plants besides these on view, the extent and beauty of the display 
would have left no room for disappointment. Larger made up plants 
may have been seen at Manchester, but neither there nor elsewhere in 
the world probably has a more thoroughly representative collection in 
numbers, richness, and diversity been brought together than was 
arranged in the historic Gardens on the occasion now referred to. The 
largest of the three marquees devoted to exhibits was 160 feet long by 
60 (vide, and it was almost filled with Orchids. The central tabling was 
100 feet long, and the whole of one side was occupied by a magnificent 
collection of popular kinds, such as Miltonia vexillaria, Laslia purpurata, 
and Odontoglossum crispum, with a choice collection of rarer sorts, from 
Mr. F. Sander. Their numbers spoke eloquently of the resources of 
the St. Albans establishment, and to bring such a collection of delicate 
flowers and exhibit them in all their freshness at a London show was a 
triumph of skilful packing. 
More varied and more interesting from a. connoisseur’s point of 
view were the contributions from the treasure houses of Baron Schroder 
and Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. They are dealt with in detail 
below, and it will suffice to say here that in interest and beauty they 
were unique, comprising many of the choicest forms in cultivation. 
Besides these, such well known specialists as Mr. B. S. Williams ; Mr. 
J. Cypher, who brought his plants in such marvellous condition from 
Cheltenham; Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Mr. 
G. T. White, and several amateurs showed Orchids largely, while the 
Cattleyas from Mr. Smee were a great feature in the general display. But 
Orchids were not the only popular class. Hardy herbaceous and alpine 
plants were exhibited in great abundance, with many other plants and 
flowers to be further referred to. 
A better position fora show than the Inner Temple Gardens, or even 
one so good, could not, probably, be found in the heart of London. The 
gardens are about 4 acres in extent, surrounded on three sides by the 
lofty buildings of the Temple, and on the fourth opening on to one of 
the finest promenades in the world—the Thames embankment. More¬ 
over, the gardens are readily accessible. The weather on the opening 
day was generally fine, though a few showers fell. On the second day 
the sun shone brightly, but its heat was tempered by a strong breeze. 
Appended are some notes of the exhibits. 
ORCHIDS. 
Orchids were exhibited in superb form by the leading amateurs and 
nurserymen. They occupied the greater part of the largest tent, and 
were acknowledged to be the great feature of the Exhibition. 
Baron Schroder .—The first to claim attention was the magnificent 
collection from The Dell, Egham, most effectively arranged on the 
central stage near the entrance. In the middle of the bacic row was an 
immense specimen of Cymbidium Lowianum, carrying nearly a score of 
graceful arching spikes with over three hundred flowers, and on each 
side were large plants of richly coloured Cattleya Skinneri equally 
good, Laslia purpurata and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, with a splendid 
well-flowered plant of the pretty Epidendrum prismatocarpum. Below 
these were rare varieties of Miltonia vexillaria, some richly coloured, 
others pure white. Among white flowers Cattleya Skinneri alba was 
conspicuous, also C. Mossife Wageneri and C. M. alba. Other large 
specimens of C. Mossise were in the group, and C. Mendeli also in fine 
varieties. The most handsome and distinct was C. M. Rothschildianum, 
which was certificated by the Orchid Committee on the first day. 
C. Lawrenceana, C. Warneri, and C. Sanderiana (fig. 75) were good 
in size and colour. 
Very fine were the varieties of Odontoglossums; O. crispum and 
O. Pescatorei were most abundant, and O. maculatum, O. excellens, 
O. nrevium majus, O. Halli magnificum, O. H. leucoglossum, and 
O. Wallisi were represented by one or two good plants. Dendrobium 
Bensoni®, D. Lowi, and D. Jamesianum were well flowered. Among 
Masdevallias one named Harryana armenaica was very distinct in colour. 
Other noteworthy plants in this collection were Aerides Williamsi, 
A. Lobbi, A. Yeitchi, Cypripedium bellatulum (page 457), C. Godefroyae, 
C. Lawrencianum, and C. Harrisianum superbum, the hybrid Phalas- 
nopsis, John Seden, Laslia bella, Thunia Veitchiana, and the natural 
hybrid L;olia delliensis, certificated by the Committee. The Veitch 
Memorial medal was awarded for the collection. 
Sir Trevor Lawrence .—The Veitch Memorial medal was also awarded 
for a magnificent display from Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Bur- 
ford Lodge, Dorking. Amongst the Orchids were arranged some large 
and choice varieties of Anthuiium Schertzerianum with brilliant coloured 
spathes. Vanda teres was well bloomed. Aerides Fieldingi and 
A. Godefroyae were very fine. Cattleyas Mendeli and Mossiae were 
shown in variety. The bright yellow Oncidium Marshallianum was also 
noteworthy, and amongst others were the new Maxillaria Sanderiana. 
with beautiful flowers of white and crimson, large specimens of 
Cypripediums, including caudatum, Dayanum, and Swanianum ; 
Epidendrum llandi, and the sweet scented E. raniferum, a richly 
coloured form of Loelia pumila, large plants of Cattleya Sanderiana, 
' Disa racemosa in a paD, with four spikes bearing nearly thirty blooms 
