April 3. If90. 3 
287 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
ha^ npened in the garden of Mr. Hanbury at La Mortola, near Venti- 
made some comments on the peculiarities of its structure, 
de Vilmorin said that similar malformations occurred in other 
Oranges, especially in the Bitter Orange, the flowers of lehich were used 
in perfumery, and in which the carpels might be seen occasionally in all 
stages of dissociation. 
Sport o/^arcisxux .—From Mr. Walker came one bulb producing two 
distinct flowers—viz.. Silver Phoenix and N. incomparabilis fl.-pl. The 
specimen was referred to Dr. Masters for further examination. 
-Pine .—From Jlr. Divers came a cone of Pinus cubensis 
(Elliotti), and one of P. inops var. clausa, just brought home from 
Horida. Mr. Morris spoke of the wood of the Cuban Pine as being 
■very hard, and said that many colonies were now importing soft wood, 
their own forests were destroyed, but because the timber 
yielded by them was too hard to be used profitably. M. de Vilmorin 
pointed out the difference between the typical Pinus inops and the 
specimen exhibited. 
the jap ax QUIXCE (CYDOXIA or PYRUS JAPOXICA). 
The common scarlet flowering variety of the so-called Japan Quince 
18 said to have been introduced into English gardens in 1815, and a few 
years later into those of this country. Authorities differ in their 
opinions as regards the proper position this plant should hold in the 
Rosaceae, or great Rose family. Some consider it so nearly allied to the 
common Quince (Cydonia vulgaris) that it should be placed in the 
same genus ; others believe it more nearly related to the Pear and 
Apple, hence should be classed among the Pirus or Pyrus, as both 
forms of spelling the word are about equally popular and common in 
botanical works and plant catalogues. Bat whatever its generic name, 
the Japan Quince must long remain a very popular ornamental shrub, 
increasing in the estimation of all lovers of showy plants as new varieties 
are introduced and disseminated. The first species or variety intro¬ 
duced from Japan has dark scarlet flowers, and it is probably the same 
one now most common in garden.s. Later a variety with pale rose or 
pinkish flowers was introduced under the name of Cydonia chinensis, 
as it was supposed at the time to be a distinct species, and a native of 
China, but it is now known to be only a variety of the first, and not 
specifically distinct. Soon after a semi-double scarlet variety was in¬ 
troduced, and this is also common in nurseries and private gardens. 
For a number of years these three varieties were the only ones offered 
in nurserymen’s catalogues, but in the past two decades a large number 
have been added to the list, and while the range in colour of the flowers 
is not so great as in some other genera of cultivated plants, still it is 
sufficient to warrant the assertion that the Japan Quince is one of the 
most showy and desirable deciduous shrubs in cultivation. They vary 
greatly in habit, but are mostly many-stemmed, thorny shrubs, growing 
6 to 6 feet high. The flowers, as in the Apple and Pear, are produced 
on short spurs, growing from the stems and older brancheSj and rarely 
on wood less than two or three years old. The fruit of the species and 
older varieties is of a roundish form, about 1 inch in diameter, often 
ribbed or sutured, greenish yellow when ripe, very acid, flesh firm but 
vyith no grittiness, and agreeably perfumed. It has long been con¬ 
sidered by pomologists as utterly worthless, and not edible even when 
cooked, but exceptions to this rule are known, and others are likely to 
occur as new varieties are produced. That the fruit is susceptible of 
great improvement is indicated in its variableness in the different 
varieties in cu.tivation. The habits of the plants are also variable ; 
some are low-growing and dwarfish, others slender and upright; some 
are armed with an immense number of strong and sharp thorns ; others 
are smooth stemmed and almost as free from them as a Willow. The 
great differences in the size of the fruit is shown in the following 
varieties :—No. 1 is from the common scarlet, while No. 2 is a medium¬ 
sized fruit of C. grandiflora, or the “ large flowering.” The flowers are 
pale pink, somewhat blotched with white. The plant is a low-growing 
shrub with a spreading habit, but wonderfully productive. Fruit when 
ripe, green, spotted with small pink dots. No. 3, Sunray, flower pure 
bright salmon colour, each petal with a smooth margin, and elevated 
from the calyx on a slender stem-like base, giving to the flower a deep 
cup-like shape. Fruit of the form shown, resembling in shape certain 
varieties of the Lemon. The skin is a deep lemon-yellow, without spcds 
or blemishes, and feels to the touch as though it had been oiled. No. 4 
is from an unnamed seedling with pink flowers, only remarkable on 
account of its russet fruit. The original plant produced about a half 
peck of fruit this season all of the same form and size, with skin thickly 
covered with dark brown rmsset. No 5 is from a seedling of grandiflora, 
and while in habit of plant, colour, and size of flowers it is identical 
with its parent, still the fruit is distinct, and it is merely introduced 
here to show that the fruit is a character worthy of attention when 
attempting to distinguish closely related varieties. 
Among these newer varieties the one known in some nurserymen’s 
catalogues as C. simplex alba is perhaps the best white, as there is no 
tinge of colour in the flowers. C. Maulei is probably the best of the 
light scarlets. The fruit is very ornamental, as it assumes a bright golden 
colour long before it is mature. C. tricolor is a beautiful variegated¬ 
leaved variety with pale scarlet flowers, but unfortunately a feeble 
grower on its own roots, though moderately vigorous when grafted on 
Paradise Apple stocks. C. Gaujardi is a Ijeautiful variety with orange- 
red flowers. The plant is of a low, spreading habit, with vigorous and 
almost thornless branches. Many other varieties are described in 
nurserymen’s catalogues, to which it is unnecessary to refer, for my 
object in writing is not so much to encourage the purchase of a great 
variety as it is to raise them from seed. With a half-dozen of the very 
best as stock plants, anyone so inclined can raise an unlimited number of 
varieties by annually saving and sowing the seed, and, when the plants 
are a year old, transplant into rows, and cultivate them as an ornamental 
hedge. It requires no great amount of skill or care to raise the seed¬ 
lings, and there is always a chance of producing something better than 
is on the market, besides knowing that what you have raised is all your 
own, and that you are not greatly indebted to others for the plants, 
whether good or bad. All that is necessary to raise seedlings and new 
varieties is to gither the fruit when ripe in autumn, and spread it out 
in the house until it begins to shrivel and soften, then cut it open and 
remove the seeds. The seeds will, no doubt, grow if kept dry over 
winter, but my practice has been to take a large flower-pot or box with 
a hole in the bottom for drainage, then fill with seed and moist sand 
well mixed, after which bury the vessel on the north side of some build¬ 
ing or board fence, covering about 1 foot deep. Early in spring sow 
the seed and sand together in drills in the garden. The plants will 
usually grow C to 12 inches high the first season, and the following 
spring they should be transplanted into nursery or hedge rows, and* 
given the same cultivation as those raised from cutings of the roots,, 
layers, or other modes of propagation. Some of the plants may bloom 
the third season, others not until four or five years old, but whenever 
they do bloom we are sure to find some among them that will interest 
us. I have followed this mode of propagation of the Japan Quince for 
a number of years, and must confess that the results have been 
eminently satisfactory, for there seems to be no end to the variations in 
seedling plants. Should a unique and valuable variety be produced, it 
may be readily propagated by layers, cuttings of the wood and roots, or 
by budding and grafting upon Paradise Apple stocks, or those of our 
native Crab App’e. The common Pear and Apple appear to grow toa 
rapidly, and the union is seldom perfect or very lasting, although there, 
is no difficulty in making the wood of the Quince unite temporarily 
with either.—(Aj/ierican Agriculturist.') 
GLASGOW SPRING SHOW. 
The spring Show of this Society was held in the City Hall on 
Wednesday, March 26th. The weather was not of the best, some heavy 
showers marring, as it always does, the attendance and consequent 
success of the Show from a financial point of view. The patronage 
under the circumstances, however, was very good, particularly in the 
afternoon and evening. The electric light is a vast improvement for 
showing the true colours of the flowers, such trying shades as blue and 
violet coming out as distinct as at noonday. What was wanted most 
was some greenery to tone down the great mass of colour with which 
the tables were loaded. Hyacinths were well shown, comparing 
favourably with former years. Nurserymen were represented by two 
collections of eighteen distinct varieties, Mr. John Sutherland having 
the best. The same exhibitor was also first for twelve table plants. 
Messrs. Smith & Simons were successful with hardy Rhododendrons, 
This firm had a large collection of spring flowering plants, especially 
Azaleas. The platform was decorated by the Messrs. Austin and 
McAslan. Spring flowering shrubs were well represented, and a few 
Orchids were included. Mrs. Paterson, Buchanan Street, was awarded 
a first class certificate of merit for floral exhibits of wreaths, baskets, 
bouquets, sprays, and crosses, a large Ionic cross being most artistic, 
Mr. Hugh Millar, Auchenraith, Bothwell, had chief honours in the 
gardeners’ class for Hyacinths, twelve distinct varieties, six being 
doubles. Mr. Carnegie, Gartshore Gardens, Kirkintilloch, was a good 
second in these classes, and had first for six singles. Mr. Hugh Millar had 
also the best Cinerarias and Narcissus. Tulips were admirably shown 
by Mr. Heron, Pollok Gardens, Pollokshaws, and this is the thirteenth/ 
year consecutively in which he has had the premier award. The only 
collection of plants came from Murder House (gardener Mr. Geo. Mes- 
ton), a first prize was deservedly awarded. Orchids were the best feature 
of this group, some Dendrobiums and Odontoglossums peeping out from 
a carpet of Maidenhair Ferns. Three collections of specimen Orchids 
were shown. Mr. D. McKenzie, Muirena Gardens, Cathcart, had first p'ace 
for small but well flowered plants of Cypripedium villosum, Cattleya 
Triame, and Coelogyne cristata. Mr. D. 'Wilson, Westmount, Kelvin- 
side, was second, having a we’l flowered plant of Dendrobium nobile, 
Odontoglossum Edwardi with three good spikes, and the beautiful Cym- 
bidium eburneum. Mr. Geo. Meston was third, Dendrobium crassinode 
Barberianum being his best plant. Mr. Jas. Spiers, Violet Bank, Langside^ 
had the best stove and greenhouse plants and specimen Azaleas, although, 
these were not up to the standard of former years. Azaleas in 8-inch 
pots were creditably shown by Mr. Jas. Millar, Castlemilk Gardens, 
Rutherglen. Dinner table plants were largely shown, Mr. D. V. Agnew, 
Asgog, I5ute, being an easy winner ; his plants were splendidly coloured 
and medium in size. Crotons Weissmani and elegantissima, Pandanus 
Veitchi, Aralia Veitchi, Dracama nigra rubra, and Cocos Weddelliana. 
were included. Deutzias were numerous and well grown ; Mr. D. Wilson 
had the best specimen, a moderate sized but densely flowered plant. 
The best Palm, a fine plant of Kentia Belmoreana, came from the same, 
gentleman. Mr. Jas. Millar, Castlemilk, had the best Cyclamens, and 
of the two collections of vegetables staged Mr. Millar’s was decidedly the 
best. Alpines in pots are always admir^ when well done. Mr. Meiklem, 
Alpine Cottage, Bridge of Weir, had first prize with Primula nivalis", 
