April 10, 1890. ] 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
805 
Primrose Oakwooil Blue (G. F. Wilson, Esq.).—A seedling from 
Scott Wilson, which has been flowering in the open border since the end 
of January, and was lifted the previous day for exhibition. The flowers 
are IJ inch across, deep blue, with a yellow centre ; one of the finest of 
the blue Primroses yet obtained. 
Polyanthus Terra Cotta (Mr. R. Dean).—'A distinct variety of Prim¬ 
rose, the flowers of a peculiar shade well expressed by the name. 
Pyxidanthera harhatula (Messrs. Paul & Son).—.A dwarf tufted 
plant like one of the small Saxifrages, with minute white starry flowers 
scattered over the plant at the points of the growth. 
THE LECTURE. 
At .3 p.M. a general meeting of the Society was held in the Drill 
Hall, D. Morris, Esq, in the chair, and there was a remarkably good 
attendance of Fellows and visitors. Several new Fellows having been duly 
proposed and elected, the Chairman introduced Mr. W. Ingram of Bel- 
voir Castle Gardens, as a well-known authority on the subject which he 
had undertaken to discourse upon, namely, “ Spring Flower Gardening.” 
The lecturer then proceeded to deal with his suljject in a thoroughly 
practical and interesting manner. He divided spring flowering plants 
into two groups—those that flower in early spring, viz., from February 
through ilarch; and late spring, from March through April to May. 
The latter included the great bulk of plants which gave attraction to the 
flower garden at that period of the year. The names, characters and 
requirements of the chief species were enumerated, and much special in¬ 
formation derived from a long experience was conveyed to the audience. 
The Rock Garden was next described, the best mode of construction, 
arrangement and planting, a free, natural style being advocated in 
opposition to the formal designs too frequently seen. The shrubs 
adapted for shelter as well as for adornment of the rockery were also 
referred to at some length, and Mr. Ingram concluded his able lecture 
amidst hearty applause. These afternoon lectures are evidently much 
appreciated, though the hall itself is not well adapted for the purpose. 
Daffodil Exhibition and Conference. 
Particulars of the Exhibition of Daffodils to be held at Chiswick, 
April 15th to 18th next, are issued in a schedule and programme, of 
which the following is the substance ;— 
Schedule. —For the better examination and comparison of the flowers 
it is particularly requested that exhibitors will divide their collections into 
the following classes :—Classes 1, Corbularia ; 2, Ajax (yellows only) ; 3, 
Ajax (bicolors only) ; 4, Ajax (white or pale sulphur— e.g., albicans, 
cernuus, moschatus, pallidus prmcox, tortuosus, &c.) ; 6, Incomparabilis, 
Barri, and Leedsi; 6, Humei, Backhousei, Nelsoni, montanus, Macleai, 
Sabini, Bernardi, and tridymus ; 7, Triandrus ; 8, Burbidgei, poeticus, 
■odorus, juncifolius, and Jonquilla ; 9, Gracilis, intermedius, polyanthus, 
and double polyanthus; 10, Double and semi-double Daffodils of all 
kinds— e.g., Ajax, incomparabilis, odorus, poeticus, Jonquilla,, &c., ex¬ 
cept polyanthus ; 11, New or unnamed seedlings of the Ajax classes ; 
12, New or unnamed seedlings of any other class than Ajax. No 
doubles or semi-doubles may be shown in classes 1 to 8 inclusive. The 
flowers may be shown set up in bunches oi separate, according to the 
fancy of the exhibitor, and with or without foliage. No limit is placed 
on the number of flowers of a sort, but it is most desirable that, however 
many of a sort be shown by any one exhibitor, that they should be all 
staged side by side. Thus, if a dozen bunches of Empress be shown by 
one exhibitor, they should all stand together, and not be mingled about 
indiscriminately with Horsfieldi, grandis, &c., and so on. In the case 
of any new or little known forms the exhibitor is requested to state, in 
writing attached to the flowers, the points in and for which he considers 
them superior to or more desirable than older or more generally known 
forms. 
Prizes. —In addition to any awards which the Council of the Society 
may themselves see fic to make at the time to any exhibitors in the 
foregoing classes, the following prizes have been placed at their dis¬ 
posal :— 
Open to amateurs only.—Classes 13, A silver challenge cup, pre¬ 
sent^ to the Society by the Rev. W. Wilks, Sec. R.H.S., for the best 
collection of Daffodils, grown by exhibitor in the open (PolyantlAis ex¬ 
cluded) ; not more than five blooms of a sort. If won by the same 
exhibitor two years in succession to become the property of the winner. 
14, A large silver medal, presented by Messrs. Barr & Son, for the best 
and most distinct fifty varieties of Daffodils, three varieties of each, to 
include representatives from the Trumpet, incomparabilis, Barri, 
Leedsi, Backhousei, Nelsoni, Burbidgei, poeticus, &c., sections. No 
Polyanthus Narcissi. 15, A small silver medal, presented by Messrs. 
Barr k Son, for the best and most distinct twenty-five varieties of 
Daffodils, three fiowers of each. The three great groups, Magni- 
coronatae, Medii-coronatm, and Parvi-coronatae must be represented. 
No Polyanthus Narcissi. 
Open to all Comers.—16, A large silver medal, presented by Messrs. 
Barr k Son, for the largest, finest, most varied, and distinct collection of 
Daffodils irrespective of the number of flowers. No Polyanthus 
Narcissi. 
Arrangements for the Conference. —Tuesday, April 15 th.—The Judges 
and Committees of Selection will be engaged in examining the flowers 
and drawing up their reports. Fellows will be admitted to the gardens 
at 1 P.M., and the public at 2 P.M. Her Royal Highness the Princess 
Mary, Duchess of Teck, has kindly consented to open the Exhibition 
at 3 p.M. 
Wednesday, April 16th.—Admission to the Gardens at eleven. The 
Conference will be opened at two o’clock by Professor Michael Foster, 
Sec. R.S., President of the Conference, who will deliver an opening 
address. Mr. C. R. Scrase-Diokins, Secretary of Narcissus Committee of 
the R.H.S., will give a short resumi of the work done by the Committee 
since its appointment in 1880, and will present the report of the Com¬ 
mittee as to the exhibits and the awards of the Judges. The following 
papers will then be read, and discussion invited :—“ Historical Account 
of Cultivated Narcissi,” by Mr. F. W. Burbidge, M.A., F.L.S. Mr. T. A. 
Dorrien-Smith has been asked to read a paper on “ Daffodils in the 
Scilly Islands.” “The Poeticus Group,” by the Rev. G. H. Engle- 
heart, M.A. 
Thursday, April 17th.—Admission to the gardens at eleven. The 
Conference will be resumed at 2 p.m., Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., in the 
chair. Papers to be read :—“ On the Natural History and Cultivation 
of the Trumpet Daffodil and its Hybrids,” by the Rev. C. Wolley- 
Dod, M.A. Herr Krelage has been asked to read a paper on “ Poly¬ 
anthus Narcissi.” “ On Irish Varieties of Daffodils, with Special Refe¬ 
rence to the White Forms,” by Mr. John T. Bennett-Pde ; “ Notes on 
Seedlings and Seedling Raising,” by the Rev. G. H. Engleheart, M.A.; 
“ Daffodils for the London Market,” by Mr. James Walker. 
Friday, April 18th.—Admission to the gardens at eleven. The Exhi¬ 
bition will close at 4 P.M. 
The following ladies and gentlemen have been requested to act as 
Judges of the various classes :—Mr. T. A. Dorrien-Smith, Heer Krelage, 
Mr. James Walker, Mr. Walter Ware, Mr. F. Moore, Miss Jekyll, Rev. 
C. Wolley-Dod, Rev. G. H. Engleheart, Mr. F. W. Burbidge, Lady 
Henry Grosvenor, Miss H. M. White, Mr. Bennett-Poe, Rev. G. P. 
Haydon, Sir John Llewelyn, Bart., Mr. C. W. Cowan, Mr. H. J. Elwes, 
Heer S. A. de Graaff, Mr. J. G. Baker, Mr. W. Alfred Dickson, &c. 
Intending exhibitors are requested to communicate with Mr. Barron, 
Superintendent, R.H.S. Gardens, Chiswick, on or before Friday, April 
11th, stating the classes in which they propose exhibiting;, and giving an 
approximate idea of the amount of space they will require. Any other 
flowers exhibited during this Conference must be kept quite separate 
from the Daffodils. 
CULTIVATION and SELECTION OF POPULAR ORCHIDS. 
Bt Mr. Alexander Wright. 
[Prize Essay, Cliiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association.] 
(^Concluded fromiiage .SS5.) 
Potting. —The material used for potting purposes is in itself so 
simple that it loses much of the mysterious properties attached to various 
compounds often recommended for potting different stove and green¬ 
house plants. For the epiphytal Orchids, good fibry peat, sphagnum 
moss, that grown under trees to be used in preference to that found 
growing in water; the former being shorter in its growth, and more 
compact, a neater finish can be given to the plants when potted, and I 
find that it grows better and lasts longer than that found growing in 
water. Charcoal may be used with advantage, but if not readily ob¬ 
tained broken pots may be used instead. In crocking the pots keep the 
potsherds on edge, rather than lay them flat, as it wiil allow a stick to 
get a firmer hold in using one to tie the plant or flower spike to. In 
using the peat knock all the dust out of it on the bench before using, 
using only the rough pieces, with about equal parts of sphagnum, with 
the addition of a few pieces of charcoal or potsherds, which help to keep 
the material open. Finish the pots neatly by using the compact grow¬ 
ing pieces of sphagnum, placing them so that they will grow on the 
surface. 
In potting Odontoglossums, I do not recommend the plan of keeping 
the plants raised above the top of the pot as is often seen. If the base 
of pseudo-bulbs is just elevated above the edge of the pot, that will be 
sufficient. Nor should the pot be filled to the rim with the potting 
material, rather allow about half an inch, so that should the plant get 
dry at any time it can be watered with the watering can, and without 
having recourse to dipping, a plan that requires much time to carry 
it out. 
There are plants on the other hand that are better raised, such as 
those that emit roots freely, and prefer to grow out of the material 
rather than in it. Examples of this kind will be found amongst the 
Oncidiums, Vandas, Aerides, Ac. The Cypripediums are often raised 
unnecessarily high in their pots. In potting them there ought to be 
room left for watering. Most of the Cypripediums will be benefited by 
the addition of a few small pieces of turfy loam to the peat and sphag¬ 
num in potting, and for some of them, such as niveum, concolor, .kc., the 
addition of small pieces of limestone will make a great difference to the 
well-being of the plants. 
The terrestrial Orchids will require more substantial material to 
grow in. Calanthe Veitchi, Phajus grandifolius, Peristeria elata, 
Anguloas, &c., can best be grown with good loam, manure, and leaf soil, 
to which so me bonemeal may be added. Nor will the plants be required 
to be raised in the pots, like the epiphytal group, but enough room 
