804 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 10, 
less than 100 with Latin names were enumerated in Sweet’s “ British 
Flower Garden ” in 1830. 
It is only within the past twenty years, however, that the greatest 
progress has been made, and previous to then the flowers of the hybrids 
raised were much smaller, and in most instances greatly inferior in form 
and colour to these we now have the opportunity of admiring. Much 
credit is due to Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons of Chelsea for the attention 
they have given to the Hippeastrums, and the results they have achieved 
in recent years have been amply sufficient to satisfy all who are in¬ 
terested in the improvement of plants. At a meeting of the Koyal 
Horticultural Society a short time since a group of these was shown, 
together with some of the earliest forms to illustrate the advance that 
had been made, and the contrast was most striking. It is only by 
means of comparing the extremes of variation in a class of plants that 
an adequate idea can be formed of the progress made. We become 
familiar with the improved types, and do not so readily realise what has 
been done to effect this improvement. At Chelsea for the past few 
weeks the Hippeastrums have been in fine condition, and they will con¬ 
tinue attractive for two or three weeks more, a sufficient indication of 
their lasting qualities. A commodious span-roof house is devoted to 
them, a central and two side beds being filled with bulbs, and there are 
over 2000 spikes bearing expanded or expanding flowers. It is quite a 
forest of spikes, and the large flowers of the most brilliant shades of 
scarlet are quite dazzling on a bright sunny day. It would be un¬ 
necessary to enumerate all the varieties represented, though all are 
beautiful, still there are differences which render some of them easily 
distinguishable and unquestionably superior to the others. So large a 
number of seedlings also have been raised that novelties are constantly 
appearing, and scarcely a day passes without some addition being made 
to the already long list of those found worthy of names. A few of 
the principal novelties of the present year are briefly described in the 
following notes. 
Champion. —A magnificent variety of the Empress of India type, the 
flowers exceeding 10 inches in diameter, the divisions inches across, 
and slightly recurving, giving a distinct character to the flower. The 
colour is a most brilliant shade of scarlet, and the variety appears to be 
a strong one, the bulb bearing two fine spikes. It has been certificated 
by the K.H.S. this year. 
Lacinia. —A delicately pretty variety, the flowers white with a few 
rich crimson streaks in the upper divisions. 
Attraction. —A finely formed fiower, with broad divisions, crimson 
scarlet, and a white central bar. 
Bromio. —A particularly rich deep shade of scarlet, unbroken up to 
the centre ; the flowers of moderate size but excellent shape, and a fine 
contrast with the lighter varieties. 
y/ic Aaiser.—Flower of excellent shape and substance, the colour a 
light, clear, bright scarlet, very effective. 
Ossidine. —Light scarlet, a clear white bar in the centre of the 
division, the flower of excellent shape. 
Agenora.—A. superior variety of the Dr. Masters type, rich deep 
scarlet, large flowers. 
Egeria. —Salmon scarlet, a distinct and pleasing tint, the flowers 
well formed, a white bar in the centre of the divisions. 
Cypria. —One of the champion type, flowers of capital shape, the 
colour a rich scarlet. 
Keranno.i.—'Lxgh.t scarlet, broad white central bar in each division, 
free, four flowers in a spike. 
Acanthea. —A neat flower,'bright scarlet, with a white central star ; 
effective and distinct. 
Eros. —Flowers of good shape, boldly veined with scarlet on a white 
ground, and with a white central bar in each division. 
Haidee. —Rose scarlet, a warm and distinct shade of colour, the 
divisions very broad. A handsome novelty. 
Avion. —White suffused with a rosy tint, and veined with a similar 
colour. 
Attila. —A pale delicate tint of salmon, with white central bars and 
base. One of the most distinct of the light coloured varieties. 
Borothy. —Excellent shape, veined scarlet on white. A graceful 
flower in poise and shape. 
Ino. —A charming variety, evenly and boldly veined with scarlet on a 
white ground. Very free. 
Those named are all seedlings that have flowered for the first time 
this year. In addition to them there are the many handsome varieties 
of recent years, and amongst the best of these may be noted Her 
Majesty, Illustrious, Nemesis, Mirabella, Aureole, Exquisite, Marcellus, 
and King Lear as possessing prominent attractions, but there are num¬ 
bers of others equally as good.— Visitor. 
EOYAL HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 
April 8th. 
Though following the holidays so closely the meeting on Tuesday 
was very interesting, the exhibits of plants and flowers being varied and 
bright in a more than ordinary degree. 
Fruit Committee.— Present: Sir Charles AV. Strickland, Bart., in 
the chair, and Messrs. T. Francis Rivers, R. D. Blackmore, P. Crowley, 
J. Smith, H. Balderson, A. Watkins, AV. AA’arren, G. Wythes, J. Hudson, 
J. Smith, and J. AAbight. Their duties were light, as is usual at this 
period of the year. 
Splendid fruits of Auguste Nicaise Strawberry were brought by Mr. 
J. Smith from Mentmore. They were equal in size and appearance to 
first-class British Queens grown in the open air. The variety is exten¬ 
sively grown in pots by Mr. G. Wythes at Syon, also by Mr. J. Chains 
at Wilton. An award of merit was adjudged to it as a good variety 
for forcing. It is not considered generally reliable for outdoor culture. 
Mr. Smith also sent excellent fruit of Noble, but not equal to those or 
Auguste Nicaise. Mr. AV. Miller sent large basketfuls of fine Mush¬ 
rooms, and was accorded a vote of thanks. _ ^ 
A dozen varieties of Broccoli were brought from the Society’s Gardens 
those which found the most favour with the Committee being Cooling s 
Matchless, Leamington, and Mammoth (Veitch), the White and Purple- 
Sprouting varieties were also considered useful vegetables. 
Floral Committee. — Present: W. Marsh.all, Esq., Messrs. R. 
Dean, Shirley Hibberd, T. Baines, H. Herbst, D. T. Druery, T. W- 
Girdlestone, P. Blair, H. B. May, R. B. Lowe, D. Jeffries, B. AVynne,. 
G. Paul, and the Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain. 
From the Royal Gardens, Kew, came a collection of hardwoodea 
and decorative plants, such as are ]ust now employed with excellent 
effect in the greenhouse at Kew. Some of the most notable were 
Chorozema Soulangeanum, with orange and crimson coloured flowers^ 
produced very freely ; Eupatorium atro-rubens is remarkable for its 
large heads of purplish flowers ; the white-flowered Eupatorium probum 
was also shown ; the purplish Tetratheca pilosa, the scarlet-flowered 
Agapetes buxifolia, the bright yellow Goodia lotifolia, a small plant or 
Mackaya bella, several Grevilleas, Polygalas, Eriostemons, and Agath- 
osmas were included. D. T. Hodges, Esq., Lachine, Chislehurst, had 
a group of Primulas, including several pretty species (bronze medal). • 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, contributed a handsome collection of 
plants, comprising a large number of Primulas, Doronicum platagineum 
excelsum, an excellent variety ; Daffodils ; choice hardy plants TOm- 
prising several Gentians, Tulips, and several Berberises, amongst them 
being a hybrid from B. Aquifolia and fascicularis, “ selected^^ for some- 
years for its early flowering babit and fine trusses of flowers.” It has 
bright yellow flowers and leaves like B. Aquifolia. A group of varied 
brilliant Hippeastrums completed the collection, for which a 
Banksian medal was awarded. Mr. W. Roupell, Harvey Lodge, S.AV.,. 
sent a plant of an Auricula to show the reversion from the show type to 
the earlier forms. Mr. W. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, showed a_box of 
pale and bright Rose blooms (vote of thanks). He also had a group of 
Roses in pots well flowered (silver medal). 
Messrs. Rothschild, Gunnersbury House, Acton (gardener, Mr. _F- 
Hudson), sent flower sprays of Habrothamnus scaber (Newell!) with 
trusses of light red flowers, and flower stems of Maranta Warscewiczi 
and flowers of Magnolia conspicua. The Rev. W. AVilks, Shirl^ 
Vicarage, Croydon, sent sprays of Cytisus purpureus (C. Adami), ob¬ 
tained from grafting the purple on the common Laburnum. Mr. F. 
Wilkins, The Grange Gardens, Kingston Hill, showed a basket of fine 
Primroses (vote of thanks). 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, showed a large 
collection of Narcissi and hardy flowers. Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, ex¬ 
hibited several Primroses of distinct colours. From Mr. J. AValker, 
Ham Common, Surrey, came a grand group of Dafiodils in many 
varieties and admirably staged (silver medal). 
Orchid Committee. —Present: Dr. M. T. Masters in the chair,, 
and Messrs. D. B. Crawshay, H. M. Pollett, H. Ballantine, C. Pilchw, 
J. Dominy, E. Hill, Lewis Castle, Sidney Courtauld, J. Douglas, A. H. 
Smee, James O’Brien, T. B. Haywood, and Baron Schroder. 
F. G. Tautz, Esq., Hammersmith (gardener, Mr. Cowley), exhibited a 
small group of Orchids in flower, Cypripedium selligerum majus with 
four fine flowers being very notable. Mrs. Brightwin, The Grove, Stan- 
more (gardener, Mr. J. AV. Odell), sent a plant of a small flowered, pale- 
mauve, or white Disa, named sagittalis. It is said to last eight weeks m 
flower. F. AA^igan, Esq., Clare Lawn, East Sheen (gardener, Mr. AV. H. 
Young), showed a group of Orchids comprising several Cypripediums- 
and Cattleyas, C. Trianm Schoderte, with soft purplish mauve flowers,, 
being the most remarkable, and it had twelve flowers on four spikes. 
Aeranthus Leonis, well flowered, was awarded a cultural commendation. 
Mr. P. Blair, Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, contributed a 
collection of choice Orchids, Dendrobium nobile nobilius, D. chryso- 
discus, D. nobile Cooksoni, Odontoglossum flaveolens, and the Trentham 
variety of Odontoglossum Ruckerianum, with deeply spotted flowers, 
were conspicuous (bronze medal). The Rev. H. Handley, 19, Royal 
Crescent, Bath (gardener, Air. S. Veersteke), exhibited a plant of Angrm- 
cum sesquipedale with seven large flowers, a large-flowered variety of 
Odontoglossum crispum and 0. maculatum. E. Ellis, Esq., Manor- 
House, AVallington (gardener. Air. T. A. Glover), sent a plant of 
Aerides suavissimum, with four spikes of flowers, pale pink sepals ancJ 
petals, and large fleshy yellowish lips (cultural commendation). _ Alessrs. 
J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, showed a small plant of Cypripedium 
niveum, with a white flower dotted with purple, like C. Godefroyae. 
Alessrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, sent a plant of Dendrobium 
atro-violaceum, a native of New Guinea, with leafless slender furrowed 
pseudo-bulbs, and creamy coloured sepals and petals densely spotted 
with deep purple. The lip is green, closely and heavily striped with 
dark purple. They were borne in a short raceme of six flowers at the: 
apex of the pseudo-bulb, 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
nippeastrum Grand Monarch (.lames A'^eitch & Sons).—A magnifi¬ 
cent variety, the flowers of excellent form, and the colour an intensely 
' rich dark scarlet to the centre. 
