66 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jar.uary 2C, 1890. 
For it should be borne in mind that only in the case of duplicates (see 
rule !t) shall the judges’ decision be absolute; rules 7 and 8, to which 
the dressing clause is appended, may be carried into effect by that 
“ other authority.” I thank “ D.. Dial," for his interpretation that 
dressing shall be dealt with solely by the judges. 
But if this is so, is not the clause out of place in its present position, 
and altogether superfluous ? Is there an exhibitor -who intends when he 
dresses his Roses to do more than (I give the words of “ D., Deal," in 
his description of the art) “ to display their charms to the best perfec¬ 
tion, and such dressing the rules of the Society acknowledge to be fair ? ” 
Exhibitors, like other people, make mistakes at times and overdress 
their blooms, as I know to my cost. It may happen that someone, 
especially a beginner in his eagerness to be first, overdoes it—the Rose is 
dressed “ out of character,” it is a blot in the stand, it is a bad bloom. 
Now, what is the penalty for thus spoiling the bloom? Nothing more, 
says “ D., Deal," than that which is accorded to a bad bloom—the 
disqualification of the Rose, not the stand, by the usual method of 
judging. Surely it did not require a special clause on dressing to be 
added to the rules which refer to the disqualification of the exhibitor— 
not the Rose—for gumming, wiring, and the like ! The judge comes to 
a bad bloom in a stand ; he does not scop to consider whether it is the 
result of rain, overshading, bruising on the journey, or overdressing ; 
he sees the bloom is a bad one, and cleals with it accordingly. I myself, 
with other judges, have come across blooms spoilt most probably from 
overdressing, but we did not require this ambiguous clause to enable us 
to deal with the blooms according to their deserts. 
I ought not to omit to acknowledge the very flattering terms in which 
Mr. W. R. Raillem speaks of my poor attempts at dressing Rose blooms. 
My letter has not been unsuccessful if only for having elicited from 
such an excellent authority, exhibitor, and judge, his admirably expressed 
opinion that “ dressing is often beneficial and desirable, and sometimes 
necessary.”— Joseph H. Pemberton. 
Notes on Roses. 
Climbing Niphetos fully bears out the raisers’ description as to the 
growth ic makes ; its flowering qualities we have not been able to test, 
but hope next season to speak favourably on that point. Another good 
new Pose is Souvenir de Mdme. Joseph Metral; its bright red blooms 
are full, of good shape, and is a fine addition to the climbing Roses. If 
as good under glass as in the open it will rival Reine Marie Henriette. 
Among Teas Sappho seems to be a good grower. We have not flowered 
it yet. If up to the raiser’s description it is certainly worth having. 
Mdme. Scipion Cochet is first class, with large solid blooms that remain 
fresh a long time. Luciole is also good, and quite distinct in colour. 
Mdme. A. Etienne is likely to prove useful, and probably better forced 
gently. Elizabeth de Grammont resembles a dwarf Gloire, sweet, of 
good constitution, with ample foliage. Chateau des Bergeries is an 
improved Isabella Sprunt, and most suitable in the bud state for cutting. 
Duchesse de Bragrance I cannot speak very highly of. It is a weak 
grower, but may improve with age. Mdme. Bois is a good addition in 
the Victor Verdier style. Mdme. D6sir was very good, a free dwarf 
variety, but likely to be influenced by the seasons in the matter of 
opening. Mdme. J. Desbois, Mdme. Trevye JIarie (distinct colour). 
Dr. A. Joly, Comte de Paris, Oueen of Autumn, Silver Queen, and 
Mdme. 11. Pereire are all good.—S, 
Special Prizes for Tea and Moss Roses. 
The following prizes have been ofiered in addition to those already 
provided for Roses at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on 
June 2Ith : —Class V., for amateurs only, six varieties. Tea and Noisette 
Roses, three blooms of each, £2, £1, and 10s. ; first and second prizes by 
Mr. Frank Cant, third by Mr. Prince. Class VI., for nurserymen only, 
twenty-four varieties. Teas and Noisettes, distinct, £2 10s., £1 10s., and 
£1 ; offered by Dr. Hogg, F.R.H.S., F.L.S., &c. Class VlL, twelve 
varieties, Teas and Noisettes, distinct, three blooms of each, £2 lOs., 
£1 10s., and £1 ; offered by W. H. Fowler. Esq. Class VIII., open, 
twelve varieties of Moss Roses in bunches, £1 10s., and £1 ; offered by 
Messrs. George Bunyard & Co. and Messrs. Cooling. Class IX., open, a 
basket of Tea anl Noisette Roses, in tripod wicker baskets, as at National 
Rose Society’s Shows, Rose foliage only to be used ; offered by Messrs. 
Paul & Son. 
DESTROYING PARASITIC FUNGI. 
I MUST apologise to Mr. G. Steel for not replying to his inquiries 
before (see page 560 last vol.), but as Mr. Steel coupled Mr. Tonks’ 
name with mine for the information he required I thought it prudent 
to give Mr. Tonks the opportunity of replying first. As Mr. Tonks 
has responded so ably I will now deal with the matter. In the first 
place I am asked by Mr. Steel if I can recommend anything that will 
destroy the Hollyhock fungus. My answer to this is in the affirmative, 
for I am quite confident the composition I have been experimenting 
with for the last ten years will destroy any species of fungus either 
indoors or out wherever it can be applied to it. In proof of this I may 
say I have battled successfully against fungus on the Gloxinia, Begonias, 
Roses (outdoors and in), fruit trees (outdoors and in), the °Melon 
canker, and severe attacks of mildew on Grape Vines, which have 
baffled many a good’ gardener. I now come to that part of Mr. Steel’s 
I^etter where he quotes me—“ I was now convinced the enemy was a 
fungus of some description, and treated the trees accordingly.” This 
was after I had tried all other remedies suggested, and had I followed 
my own dictates I should not have had half the trouble and anxiety. 
as I should have treated the trees for a fungus from the first, therefore 
it whs not the remedy I had to seek for. 
Mr. Steel asks me for the name of the composition I used. The 
original, as used by Bell, was called mildew composition. I may state 
I was placed in the above gentleman’s nursery at an early age, and was 
called upon to assist the manager to make up a stock of this same com¬ 
position. When I became older I made many experiments on various 
kinds of fungoid growths, but without any apparent good results, not 
even exterminating severe cases of mildew. I therefore came to the 
conclusion the concoction was wrong (yet it was made in every respect 
the same as Bell’s). I knew the composition contained two substances 
which were valuable antidotes against the fungi, but other ingredients 
were added which neutralised their power. By dispensing with these 
and adding other chemicals I have brought it to its present state of 
perfection. I shall be pleased to send a few bottles to two or three 
gardeners or nurserymen, on their paying railway expenses, for experi¬ 
mental purposes and report thereon, and should it prove as effective as 
with me I shall be most happy to bring it out for the benefit of my 
brother gardeners. 
In reference to Mr. Tonks’ remarks I should like to ask him if ever 
he took in hand to eradicate mildew on Grape Vines with the composi¬ 
tions he names, and with what result, as I have frequently made use 
of them both (the sulphur and lime especially), but I cannot recom¬ 
mend them only in a very mild case, for I find it only partially destroys 
it, as the mildew soon reappears. In conclusion, 1 may say if Mr. 
Steel should accept my offer he should add about a wineglassful of the 
composition to one gallon of warm soft W’ater, and syringe the plants 
two or three times a day.— Alfred Bishop, Westley Hall Gardens, 
Bury St. Edmunds. 
Events of the Week. —To-day (Thursday) Messrs. W. Bush and 
Son will resume the sale of the late David Ward, Esq’s., Orchids at 
Mount View, Sheffield; the Royal Society has a meeting to-day 
at P.M. The Quekett Microscopical Club meet on Friday, January 
21th, at 8 P.M. ; and the Royal Botanic Society on Saturday, January 
25th, at 3.15 P.M. On Monday, January 27th, the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society’s Annual General Meeting will be held in Anderton’s 
Hotel, Fleet Street, at 7 p.m. The Society of Arts has a meeting on 
Wednesday, January 29th, at 8 p.m. 
- The Weather in the metropolitan district has again been 
extremely variable, but several bright days have been experienced that 
are most welcome at this time of year, especially to those engaged in 
early forcing. Snowdrops, Winter Aconites, and Primroses are flower¬ 
ing in many gardens, and though the wind has been keen at night, little 
frost has been registered. Rain has fallen somewhat heavily on two or 
three days and nights, while Saturday night was very stormy. 
- The Weather in the North. —The week has been extremely 
disagreeable, high winds and rains prevailing throughout. The 15th 
was an exception, being fine. Some of the nights have been tempestuous. 
There has been no frost. At 9 P.M. on the Ifith the themometer stood 
at 40°. Cold sleety showers with high gusty wind fell all throughout 
yesterday, and this morning (20th) the hills all round are white, and 
the low grounds covered with slushy snow. — B. D. 
- Daffodil Medals. —It is announced in the schedule of the 
Royal Horticultural Society that Messrs. Barr & Son have placed at the 
disposal of the Council three silver medals, to be awarded at the great 
Daffodil Conference, April 15th, to the following exhibits ;—Open to 
amateurs only.-—1, Small silver medal for the best and most distinct 
twenty-five varieties of Daffodils, three flowers of each. The three 
great groups, Magni coronatm, Medii coronatm. and Parvi coronatm 
must be represented. No Polyanthus Narcissi. 2, Large silver medal 
for the best and most distinct fifty varieties of Daffodils, three flowers 
of each, to include representatives from the Trumpet, Incomparabilis, 
Barri, Leedsi, Backhousei, Nelsoni, Burbidgei, Poeticus, &;c., sections, but 
no Polyanthus Narcissi, ©pen to all comers.—large silver medal for 
the largest, finest, most varied and distinct collection of Daffodils, 
irrespective of the number of flowers. No Polyanthus Narcissi. 
- The Death of Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, the “Father of the 
House of Commons,” has been recorded in all the newspapers. His 
handsome residence, Margam, and its delightful surroundings, have 
been described in this Journal, and instructive matter on various 
