Jane 20 , 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
503 
little perceptible difference. Yes, the Show Pansy will come to the 
front again, and the sooner the better. I grow a fine collection, and 
shall stick to them. I also grow over 200 varieties of the leading Fancy 
varieties, and I shall reject many of these as not worth growing com¬ 
pared with others, many of which are older, such as Charles Stansell, 
Pilrig, Campbell Bannerman, May Tate, &c. I am afraid that in Fancy 
Pansies size is sought after much more than refinement. Let us have 
by all means for market purposes such flowers as My Lady and others, 
but for exhibition purposes do let “ refinement ” be a great point with 
judges, for at King’s Heath, as indeed elsewhere, size, with a great 
tendency to coarseness, was too apparent. I spent some time in looking 
over a stand of sixty blooms sent by Messrs. Laird & Sons, Edinburgh, 
amongst them a fine promising seedling under number only. I think 
that some of these will be heard of yet, but it is impossible to tell what 
a Pansy may prove to be from a single bloom only. Their James 
Simkins will, I venture to say, turn out to be good, distinct, and of a 
colour we want. James Alexander was fine in this stand, so also was 
G. J. Ros3. Messrs. Lawson & Sons, and Messrs. Bailey & Sons, both 
of Sunderland, sent good flowers of the older kinds chiefly; Messrs. 
Pope & Sons, The Nurseries, King’s Norton, exhibited, also not for com¬ 
petition, a stand of very fine blooms, Pilrig especially in fine character, 
and four blooms of John Pope, a great acquisition, and Neil McKay 
in fine character, and a grand variety it is. Mr. James Simkins, who has 
recently published a very useful book on Pansy culture, was the leading 
prizewinner in the amateurs’ classes, and there were other good exhibits 
from local growers. Only one seedling (three blooms) was set up for the 
Society’s medal, Princess, a seedling of Mr. Simkins's, but the judges 
did not think it up to the mark, as shown, to merit a certificate or medal. 
A few good Fancy Pansies, also Violas in pots, were staged by Mr. 
Clements. The cut Violas were poor generally, thunder storms having 
greatly injured them. Mr. W. Dean, Solihull, was awarded certificates 
for new Violas Golden Gem, Mrs. John Pope, Mrs. Wildsmith, and Mrs. 
Dranfield, all of great merit. Other exhibits, such as groups of plants, 
cut hardy flowers, Roses, &c., were exhibited. Mr. Cooper, The Gardens, 
Highbury, had some fine cut Roses, including a beautiful bloom of 
The Bride. The Norton Pansy Society ought to be made a “ big 
thing ” in the Midlands. Birmingham is central, and Pansy culture is 
popular in the surrounding districts, and we hope to see an enlarged 
sphere of operations another year, and a great accession of members, 
that the King’s Heath meeting may be looked forward to as the great 
Midland Pansy show of the year.— An Old Hand. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
June 19th. 
Very bright but not hot weather favoured the second summer Show 
of the Royal Botanic Society at Regent’s Park, affording an opportunity 
of inspecting the Exhibition under more cheerful circumstances than on 
some previous occasions. The major portion of the exhibits were, as 
heretofore, arranged in a large marquee, the banks in the centre form¬ 
ing admirable positions for the Orchids, Roses, and Begonias, while the 
side slopes were effectively furnished with specimen stove and green¬ 
house plants, Ferns, and cut flowers. The fruit was staged in a covered 
corridor leading from the great marquee. 
Pelargoniums were very finely shown by Mr. C. Turner, the Royal 
Nurseries. Slough, who was placed first in both the Show and Fancy 
classes. In the amateurs’ division, Mr. Phillips, The Gardens, Langley 
Broom, Slough, was the only exhibitor. Zonals were best shown by Mr. 
Eason, gardener to B. Noakes, Esq., Hope Cottage, Highgate. 
Palms and Ferns. —Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, West Nor¬ 
wood, won with six Palms, closely followed by Mr. Offer, gardener to J. 
Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, who had Kentia Belmoreana 
and Chamaerops humilis in admirable condition. With six exotic 
Ferns Mr. Offer won very easily, but his plants were too crowded to 
be seen to proper advantage. Mr. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourn, 
Ilford, was second. Mr. R. Butler was the only exhibitor of a collection 
of European Ferns, and was placed first. 
Begonias .—In the amateurs’ class for twelve plants Mr. G. Watts had 
some very healthy and well flowered specimen®, both single and double 
varieties, and was deservedly awarded the first prize. But a more 
interesting collection of Begonias were those employed with such ad¬ 
mirable effect in the miscellaneous group arranged by Messrs. J. Laing 
and Sons, Forest Hill. Orchids were freely arranged in this admirable 
group, also Gloxinias and Caladiums, the whole forming a grand display. 
There was a very fine collection of Begonias also from Messrs. Canned 
and Sons, for which a silver medal was recommended. It comprised 
such beautiful double varieties as Lady Marsham, Her Majesty, A. F. 
Barron, Mrs. Lynch, and Miss Mathews. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants — Mr. Mould of Pewsey bad some 
healthy, well-furnished plants in the trade class for s’x, but nothing 
like the giants seen in former days. Mr. James was second. Mr. Mould 
was also first with twelve plants, but Gloriosa superba and C’erodendron 
Balfourianum were the only specimens worthy of special note. The others 
were healthy, but small. Mr. James again followed, and he was first 
with fine-foliage plants. 
Orchids formed a large and important feature. A fine collection of 
Cattleyas came from Mr. G. T. White, Winchmore Hill, and a large 
silver medal was recommended. Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, 
had a large mixed group. The majority were well-known kinds, and 
need not be enumerated. Very interesting was Cattleya Mossiae poly¬ 
chroma, with large sepals deeply flaked ; also the quaint Odontoglossum 
Krameri, and Ccelogyne Massangeana. This group was beautifully ‘ 
arranged and highly effective. Messrs. Hugh Low & Son of Clapton also- 
had a fine group, comprising Cattleya gigas Sanderiana, Cypripedium 
Sanderiana, C. De Witt Smith, and many well known forms. A large silver 
medal was recommended. In the prize classes, that for twelve Orchids, 
amateurs, produced the finest specimens in the Show. Mr. Douglas was 
first with good pieces of Cattleya Mendeli, C. Mossiae, C. Mossiae superba, 
L;elia purpurata, Odontoglossum Roezli alba, Aeride3 Fieldingi, and 
Calanthe veratrifolia amongst others. Mr. Williams, Blenheim, who was 
second, had splendid specimens of Epidendrum vitellinum, Dendrobium 
Jamesianum, Cypripedium niveum and C. caudatum, and the third prize- 
lot of Mr. II. Little comprised good specimens of Cypripedium barbatum 
superbum, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Walkeri and Aerides Leoni. The 
latter won with a collection. Mr. James was first in the trade class, 
Cypripedium barbatum nanum and C. b. nigrens being the most note¬ 
worthy. He was also first for Nepenthes. 
Cur Flowers. —There were several classes for Roses. Mr B. IL. 
Cant showed extremely well, winning with twenty-four, and following 
closely in the other classes. A. K. Williams, Ulrich Brunner, and 
Dupuy Jamain were very good in the larger lot. Messrs. G. Paul and 
Son of Cheshunt were a good second, and Mr. Mount, Canterbury, third. 
Mr. Prince, Oxford, won with twelve yellows, and Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co., Salisbury, with twelve of any other colour. For six 
fine scented Roses Mr. Prince was placed first. Colonel Pitt, Maidstone, 
won in the amateurs’ class. A large and beautiful collection of Roses,, 
cut and in pots, was arranged by Messrs. W. Paul & Son of Waltham 
Cross, for which a large silver medal was recommended. Hardy herbaceous 
flowers, also Irises, were finely shown in competition by Messrs. Ware 
and G. Paul & Son, and made a rich display. Messrs. Barr & Son also- 
had an extensive collection, and Premies, Gaillardias, Pyrethrums, and 
Delphiniums were splendidly shown by Messrs. Kelway & Son, who 
were awarded a silver medal. 
Fruit. —Of this there was a large and excellent display. The- 
principal class was for a collection—number of dishes unlimited—and, 
Mr. R. Parker, gardener to J. Corbet, Esq., Impney Gardens, Droitwitch, 
took first place. He had fine clusters of Black Hamburgh and Foster’s- 
Seedling Grapes, Queen Pines, the largest 5| lbs., the remaining two 
5J lbs. each, Cox’s Golden Gem and Best of All Melons, Negro Largo- 
Figs, Dr. Hogg Peach, Lord Napier Nectarine, President and British 
Queen Strawberries—a highly praiseworthy collection. Mr. J. Edmonds,. 
Bestwood, Nottingham, was second, though many points in the rear. 
The remaining prize went to Mr. W. Robins, gardener to Colonel Lee, 
Aylesbury. Mr. Hare, Wellingore Gardens, Grantham, won with 
Me’ons, Mr. Douglas second. Mr. Parker won with a Queen Pine, 
weight apparently about 5 lbs., and well ripened. 
Grapes were in much force, and well shown on the whole. With a 
basket of blacks Mr. Edmonds won, showing finely ripened and coloured. 
Black Hamburghs. Mr. Clinging, gardener to W. Greenwell, Esq.,. 
Caterham Valley, was second with the same variety ; and Mr. A. Smith, 
third. Mr. Feist, gardener to R. J. Ashton, Esq., Bishopsgate House, 
Staines, showed a splendid basket of Muscat of Alexandria in the white 
class, and won very easily ; Messrs. Clinging and Smith following- 
Mr. Edmonds won with three bunches of Black Hamburgh, very neat and 
well coloured ; Messrs. Aslett (gardener to C. Butler, Esq., Hatfield} 
and Ford (gardener to Sir C. Pigott, Bart., Slough) following. With 
three bunches of any other blacks Mr. Thompson, Hounslow, won,. 
Madresfield Court in very fair condition representing him. Muscat of 
Alexandria was very finely shown by Mr. Feist, the bunches being large 
and symmetrical, and the berries large ; Messrs. Grimmett and Smith 
followed. In the “ other whites ” class Mr. Osman, gardener to. 
L. J. Baker, Esq., Chertsey, had excellent clusters of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water, and secured a ready victory. 
Peaches were splendidly shown by Mr. Divers, Ketton Hall, Stamford, 
Mr. Hare won with Nectarines. Strawberries were well shown by 
Messrs. Divers and Sharpe, Royal Strawberry Gardens, Chertsey, the, 
former winning with Sir C. Napier and British Queen ; the latter 
second with President and Marguerite. Figs were best shown by Mr. 
Wallis, Keele Hall Gardens, Staffs; and Cherries by Mr. Hare. 
A collection of fruit trees in pots, comprising Pears, Plums, Cherries,. 
Oranges, Lemons, and Shaddocks, was shown by Messrs. Rivers & Son, 
Sawbridge worth. 
WORKJorthb WEEK,. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Strawberries and Birds. —Black Prince, Keens’ Seedling, Lax- 
ton’s Noble, Princess of Prussia, and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury are- 
ripening on sunny borders, but before any were half coloured the black¬ 
birds were busy among them. The surest way of preserving the fruit 
from birds genemlly is to well cover the plants with fish nets, but when 
these are allowed to rest on the foliage they are only partially effective, 
and new nets especially are injurious to the leaves. It is a simp’e 
matter to suspend the nets 18 inches or more clear of the foliage, with 
the aid of stout stakes and strong tar-twine strained both lengthways 
and across the beds. This necessitates removing the nets when the; 
