Maj U, 1800. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
407 
mention the Rousham Park, the Queen, the Roccas and other Italian 
Onions, all useful introductions and much in demand of late years. 
The Vegetable Marrow, one of the most popular and cheapest of 
vegetables when in season, has received at least two useful additions of 
late to the number of its varieties in Pen-y-Byd (the best in the world), 
rai^l by Mr. Muir, of Margam Park, Glamorganshire, a small round- 
fruited sort, and Ilibbert’s Prolific, a small egg-shaped variety. One of 
the first to improve the vegetable was the late Mr. Thomas Moore, of 
the Chelsea Botanic Garden, who raised Vegetable Cream. 
A few other kinds of vegetables have yet to be noticed which, on 
account of some special requirements in their culture, are still restricted 
to gardens in which these necessary requirements can be provided, or 
can be grown on a large scale for market. Among these the fine form 
of Seakale called Lily White is an improvement both in colour and 
flavour on the old form with purple colouring. The Tomato is yearly 
increasing in popularity, and receives a corresponding increase of at¬ 
tention from cultivators; its season has been extended to almost 
throughout the year. Thirty years ago not more than four or five 
varieties appeared in seed lists, but now the enumeration of them fills 
well-nigh a whole page of some catalogues ; without referring to any of 
them by name, the best of them are undoubtedly in advance of such old 
sorts as De Laye, Powell’s Prolific, &c. The cultivation of the Mushroom 
has increased enormously of late years ; it is perhaps no exaggeration to 
say that, for every pound produced by cultivation thirty years ago, up¬ 
wards of a ton is so grown now. 
I will take buta glance at the progress made in Saladings. In Lettuce) 
during the period under review, a multitude of varietal names have ap¬ 
peared and almost as rapidly disappeared. In the Cabbage Lettuce 
seetion the kind known as All the Year Round has proved a useful 
introduction, and retains its place as one of the best. Early Paris 
Market is one of the best early kinds, and is much cultivated. In the 
Cos section, Paris White, Hicks, Hardy White, and Bath Cos are among 
the most useful. In Celery, too, the list of names constantly increases, 
so that selection sometimes becomes difficult. Of the red varieties. 
Major Clarke’s is one of the best of recent introduction, and, among the 
white kinds. Turner’s Incomparable White (syn. Sandringham) holds its 
own. The finest addition to the varieties of Endive is the Improved 
Brown-leaved Batavian, certificated in 1878 ; this is by far the best of 
the broad-leaved forms. 
Among Radishes the best improvements come from France ; the 
extra-early Turnip varieties are useful for growing in frames, whilst the 
white-tipped olive-shaped, or French Breakfast, is one of the most 
largely grown. Although the Cucumber is properly a fruit, it is practi¬ 
cally looked upon as a salad. Here again, as in the case of many other 
popular vegetables, the multitude of names is bewildering. Rollisson’s 
Telegraph and Douglas’s Tender and True are both standard sorts. 
MAEfiCHAL NIEL ROSE. 
I SEKD you a few blooms of Mardchal Niel Rose, cut from plants 
one year old* from cuttings, with a brief note as to how such results are 
obtained. 
A deep box (an old tea chest, for instance) is procured, in which are 
placed 2 inches of drainage, 2 or 3 inches of light soil, with a surfacing 
of silver sand, and a square of glass to tit closely. Now as to cuttings. 
They consist of the remaining portion of the flower stalk after the 
flower has been cut, taken off back to the old wood with a heel, 
shortened to one or two joints if necessary, but the leaves left intact. 
They are inserted in the said box, a good watering is given through a 
fine rose to settle the soil about them. They are covered closely with 
the square of glass, plunged in the manure of a Melon or Cucumber 
frame where there is a good bottom heat, and shaded from sun. We 
occasionally examine them, removing decaying leaves, and giving a 
sprinkling of warm water. 
As soon as rooted they are placed singly into 3-inch pots in a compost 
•of loam, leaf soil, and sand, and returned again to the frame, placing 
them as far from the point where air is .admitted as possible, and shade 
till established. Then they are gradually Inured to cooler treatment 
and have the benefit of full sunshine. As soon as the pots are filled 
with roots the plants are shifted into 0-inch and finally into 8-inch 
pots, which will well accommodate them to flower in, using a mixture ■ 
of good strong loam, old mortar rubbish, and a small portion of leaf-^ 
soil rammed into the pots. 
The treatment here indicated, together with a free use of the 
syringe, plenty of air, unobstructed light, the judicious use of some 
fertiliser, and liquid manure occasionally when the pots are filled 
with roots, will result in good stems capable of giving a score of 
first rate blooms. One shoot only should be taken up with no stopping 
whatever, just the unripe point is taken off at the winter pruning, 
and ours are kept entirely under glass. I may add that from eight 
plants grown as here described we are taking 150 blooms.—T. Cross¬ 
well, Ilometoood , Eden Parh , lieekenham , 
[Remarkably fine were the blooms received, substantial, clean, and 
sweet. The foliage also was most vigorous.] 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
May 13th. 
A LARGE portion of the Drill Hjill at Westminster was filled with 
plants and flowers at the meeting on Tuesday last, the exhibits being 
varied in character, and comprising many novelties of interest. At the 
afternoon meeting Mr. W. Goldring, who has just returned from India, 
discoursed upon “ Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs ” to a large and 
appreciative audience. 
Fruit Committee.— Present: Sir Chas. Strickland, Bart, (in the 
chair), and Messrs. R. D. Blackmore, Harrison Weir, T. Francis Rivers, 
J. Cheal, W. Bates, G. W. Cummins, T. J. Saltmarsh, G. Bunyard, 
P. C. M. Veitch, G. Wythes, H. Balderson, F. Q. Lane, and James 
Hudson. The work of this Committee was extremely light on this 
occasion, for the exhibits were few. and small space at the end of a 
table sufficed to hold them. The Right Hon. Lord Foley, Ruxley Lodge, 
Esher (gardener, Mr. Miller), contributed some fine specimens of Mush¬ 
rooms, also some Asparagus (vote of thanks). J. Butler, Esq., Warren 
Wood, Hatfield (gardener, Mr. G. Aslett), sent two dishes of Alexander 
Peaches, large well coloured fruits (vote of thivnks). Mr. E. Chopping, 
Milton, exhibited specimens of Bugg’s Apricot Pippin ; Col. T. P. 
Turberville, Ewenny Priory, Bridgend, showed a green flesh Melon ; 
and from the Society’s gardens at Chiswick came a collection of Broccolis. 
A first-class certificate was awarded for the following :— 
Veitch's Model Broccoli (W. C. Leach, Albury Park, Guildford).— 
A solid white-headed variety of good quality, of moderate size, and well 
protected with long leaves. 
Floral Committee. —Present: W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair, 
and Messrs. R. Dean, B. Wynne, H. Herbst, T. Baines, C. T. Druery, 
H. B. May. W. C. Leach, G. Mawley, H. Cannell, R. B. Lowe, Lewis 
Castle, G. Paul, W. Holmes, G. Nicholson, and Rev. D’Ombrain. 
Many novelties were submitted to the judgment of this Committee, 
and a considerable proportion of these had to be passed without any 
award ; indeed, in one or two cases it was surprising that the exhibitors 
had not exercised more discernment before taking the trouble to bring 
their “ novelties ” into public with the expectation of receiving any 
recognition. From the Royal Gardens, Kew, came an extensive 
collection of flowering specimens of hardy trees and shrubs, represent¬ 
ing many of great beauty, though their attractions cannot be seen to 
the best advantage in small pieces arranged in bottles or other vessels. 
Mr. R. Irwin Lynch, Curator Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, also ex¬ 
hibited plants of Arisa3mas, Asarums, and Aristolochias, including some 
very interesting species. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, contributed a small group of 
Phyllocactus varieties and the bright red flowered Epiphyllum Gaertneri, 
but although the former included two excellent varieties, one bright 
crimson named Admiration, and the other a soft rose named Delicatus, 
the Committee did not accord them any special recognition. When 
plants become unpopular it is very difficult to restore them to favour 
again, and beautiful as many of the Phyllocactus and Cereus un¬ 
doubtedly are, nurserymen and the public look at them with little 
enthusiasm. Mr. Poupart, Twickenham, sent three large pots of Lilies 
of the Valley bearing long spikes of flowers (cultural commendation). 
Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale, showed a group of Japanese Primulas 
similar to those at the Crystal Palace on the previous day. Mr. F. 
Hooper, Bath, exhibited flowers of the large white Pink Her Majesty 
and a collection of Pansies (bronze medal). Mr. R. Dean showed some 
Alpine Auriculas ; Mr. Simpkins, Camberwell, sent a new white Zonal 
Pelargonium named Miss F. Measures ; Messrs. H. Cannell & Son, 
Swanley, exhibited a choice collection of Zonal and Show Pelargoniums 
with fine Pansies (bronze medal). 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, exhibited blooms of a new 
Hybrid Perpetual Rose named Denmark, of similar colour to La Fr.ance, 
but different in the form of flower and the foliage, and the Committee 
a.sked to see it again. Plants of the white Tea Rose The Queen and 
Souvenir de S. A. Prince for comparison, and the Committee was asked to 
express an opinion regarding the identity of the two Roses. This, how¬ 
ever, they declined to do, but as they were shown, and compared also 
with the* blooms from Mr. G. Prince of the Souvenir there is a strong 
resemblance between them, and it is possible the National Rose Society 
will find an opportunity of dealing with them, as they will probably 
go into the list of too much alike Roses if both names are retained. 
Jlr. Forbes of Hawick sent a large collection of his best Pansies, for 
which a bronze medal was aw.arded. Jlessrs. Barr & Son had a group of 
Daffodils and hardy flowers (bronze medal). 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons also had some hardy shrubs and trees, such 
as Bedum latifolium, Abies excelsa mutabilis, a new Cydonia, and a 
Juniper, for which certificates were awarded. Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, had a most interesting collection of flowering tree and shrub 
specimens. Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Lilacs being well represented 
(silver medal) ; and Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, showed numerous 
boxes of fine Pieonies and Pyrethrums (silver-gilt med.al). 
Orchid Committee. —Present: Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, 51.P., 
in the chair, and Messrs. S. Courtauld, F. Moore, H. J. Veitch. 
