May IS, 1890. ] 
JOUnXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
409 
succeeded in defeating Messrs. Perkins, gaining premier honours for 
charming sprays, &c., Orchids and Roses being chiefly employed. Messrs. 
Perkins and J. Peed i: Son were second and third. Mr. H. Bawtree had 
the best three stands of flowers, and Mr. Prewett of Hammersmith the 
best twenty-four bunches of cut flowers. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were numerous and of remarkably good 
quality. Messrs. Paul & Son, AValtham Cross, had, .as already noted, 
a magnificent group of Roses in pots ; Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, 
contributed an exceptionally fine display of Calceolarias, representing 
their “ Perfection ” strain, and a group of the Cloth of Gold variety ; 
Messrs. Laing A: Sons, Forest Uill, had a group of choice tuberous 
Begonias, several of which were certificated; Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, showed a group of hardy flowers; Messrs. Barr &; Son, 
Covent Garden, sent a collection of Daffodils and hardy flowers; 
Messrs. J. Peed k. Sons, Roupell Park Nursery, had a tasteful exhibit of 
floral wreaths, crosses, .sprays, buttonholes, kc., also a group of Sarra- 
cenias, Anthuriums, and Cypripediums ; Mr. T. S. Ware showed a 
collection of Uaffodi's and spring flowers ; Messrs. Ryder k Son, Sale, sent 
examples of their Japanese Piimulas, varieties of P. cortusoides ; Messrs. 
Balchin & Son, Brighton, showed plants of the brilliant blue Les- 
chenaultia biloba major, and Messrs. J. Carter & Co. exhibited plants of 
Wallflowers, Miss Primrose Carter, pale yellow, and Golden Bedding, 
deep orange. Certificates were awarded for the following Primula 
cortusoides:—Queen of the Whites, Ruby Queen, Harry Lee, Alba 
magnifica, Leo H. Grindon, and Mrs. Ryder, from Messrs. Ryder and 
Son, which have been previously noted, also for those here described. 
Begonia Beauty (.J. Laing & Sons).—Double crimson, with a creamy 
centre ; very full and distinct. 
Begonia Mammoth (J. Laing A; Sons).—An enormous double scarlet 
flower; very massive, and aptly named. 
Begonia Boxy Mari (J. Laing A; Sons).—A rich clear rose, finely 
formed flower. v. & / , .r 
Begonia alha jolena compacta (J. Laing A; Sons).—Flower double, 
very large, of good form, and pure white ; compact and dwarf in habit, 
but very floriferous. 
Genista Andreanits (Paul A: Son).—A novel and peculiarly hand¬ 
some hardy shrub of slender graceful habit, with small leaves, and large 
bright yellow flowers, having the “ wings ” a rich reddish brown, con¬ 
trasting well with the other portion of the flower. 
Rose Corrinna (W. Paul vt Son).—A Tea Rose, with substantial 
flowers of a bronzy or rosy salmon hue, very distinct, and tint that is 
likely to please many. 
Anthurium Schertzerianvm sanguineum (.J. Peed Ac Son).—A fine 
variety, with large broad well-shaped spathes of a rich colour. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
May 14th. 
Whex a Society has once secured a reputation for liberal encourage¬ 
ment of exhibitors it can ensure shows of a highly satisfactory character, 
comprising the best examples of cultural skill to be obtained either in 
plants, fruits, or vegetables, and therefore possessing some educational 
value. When, too, a Society confines itself entirely to the show 
element in horticulture it is more than ever necessary to render 
the exhibition as complete as possible. It is therefore a most 
dangerous policy to start considerably reducing prizes without making 
some corresponding alterations in the classes. This course has been 
adopted by the Council of the Royal Botanic Society in recent years, 
and the result is that the character of the once famous shows is rapidly 
changing. Exhibitors complain that the second and third prizes offered 
in the large specimen classes will not pay the expenses of carriage, and 
the consequence is the chief awards are left to a few who practically 
make exhibiting a trade. Certain specimens are grown to be conveyed 
to as many shows as possible, and the grower is expected to be able to 
show a favourable balance at the end of the year. Were this confined 
to nurserymen it would be perfectly legitimate, but when amateurs take 
up such a method of procedure it is at least somewhat degrading to 
genuine horticultural enthusiasm. 
The schedules of the Royal Botanic Society require a thorough 
revision and considerable alteration to render them in accordance with 
the times, and many would gladly welcome some indicaiion of energetic 
action in popularising the work of the Society. 
The summer shows held in the spacious marquee are. of course, 
invariably attractive ; the contour of the ground and the style of the 
place altogether are unsurpassed in producing tasteful floral effects. 
The courteous Superintendent, Mr. Coomber, knows well how to take 
advantage of the capabilities of the situation, and he has earned a well 
merited reputation for skilful arrangement. At the Show held yester¬ 
day (Wednesday), the usual style was adopted with excellent results. 
Flowers and foliage, bright and soft colours, were contrasted or associated 
with most satisfactory results, but still that essential element in a first- 
rate horticultural show, keen and abundant competition, was wanting, 
and this detracted from the interest of an otherwise fine display. Mis¬ 
cellaneous non-competing exhibits were, as they always are, very 
numerous. These help greatly in a popular show ; something more is 
needed in one based upon competitive classes. 
Orchids have been strongly represented at some of the shows, but on 
this occasion they were few, only two collections in competition were 
entered. Mr. T. Whellans, gardener to the Duke of -Marlborough, was 
first with twelve Orchids, remarkably fine specimens of Cypripedium 
selligerum majus, eight flowers, Cattleya Mendeli, fifteen flowers, Lmlia 
purpurata, nine racemes, OJontoglossum sccptrum, five strong racemes 
of Large flowers, Cypripetlium Lawrencianum. thirty-two flowers^ 
Cattleya Lawrenciana, weT flowered, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, a very 
large specimen, OJontoglossum vexillarium, Cypripedium caudatura-, 
with about forty flowers, C.ittleya Mendeli, Dendrobium .famesianum, 
and 1). suavissimum. Henry Little, Esq., Baronshall, Twickenham, 
gained similar honours for a group of Orchids tastefully arranged with 
Ferns on a bank. 
Pelargoniums furnished much bright colour, and the groups and 
corner banks had a capital effect. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, and Mr. Ih 
Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, were the prizetakers as usual in open 
and amateur classes, their plants being in e.xcellent condition and well 
flowered. Hardy herbaceous plants and alpines were shown by Messrs-. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, and the first prize was secured in each class with 
admirably representative collections. 
Roses were good, especially the premier nine from Messrs. Paul and 
Son, large healthy plants, good alike in foli.age and flowers. Beauty of 
Waltham and Catherine Soupert were notable for their fine condition. 
Exhibitors in other classes were Mr. W. Rumsey, Mr. J. P. Mould, and 
Mr. C. Turner, who had smaller but good plants. Mr. Rumsey, Waltham, 
was first in the class for twenty Roses, similar to those shown at the 
Crystal Palace on Saturday. 
Azaleas were bright and effective, particularly the premier six from 
Mr. C. Turner, large conical specimens bearing abundant flowers. 
The second prize plants in the same class from Mr. James were not 
fully out, and one plant was very thin. In the amateur class for si.x 
Azaleas Mr. Offer had some well grown plants bearing numerous 
flowers. Model, Due de Nassau, and Roi d’Hollande were unusually 
fine. 
Stove and greenhouse plants were deficient in several classes, and 
some were much inferior to those usually seen in large classes. Mr. 
Chapman, gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Ilawkesyard Park, Rugeley, had 
the best ten specimens, and these constituted a fine group on one of the 
slopes, Ericas, Ixoras, Statices, Tremandras, Dracophyllums, and 
Anthuriums having a capital effect. The same exhibitor was also first 
with six stove and greenhouse plants of similar size. Mr. J. F. Mould 
was also first for six specimens in the nurserymen’s class, fairly good 
plants and well flowered. He was also second with twelve plants. 
Mr. Offer, Handcross Park Gardens, Crawley, was first with six large 
Ferns, healthy finely developed specimens ; with nine Dracaenas, mode¬ 
rate sized plants, furnished with leaves to the base ; with six Azalea.'',, 
small globular plants, crowded with flowers, being followed by Mr. T. 
Lockie, Oakley Court Gardens, Windsor, and Mr. James, the latter 
showing very poor plants. Mr. Offer also had the best six fine-foliaged 
plants, comprising gigantic Cycas revoluta, C. circinalis, Encephalartos 
villosus, Croton Warreni, Croton undulatus, and Dasylirion acrotrichum. 
Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, had the best six Heaths, small but healthy 
plants. He was also first for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, and 
second with six, but they were not of special merit. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. —As already indicated these were very 
numerous and of capital quality, varied and beautiful groups occupying 
considerable space in the marquee. Three of the central stages were 
devoted to contributions of this character, and these were unsurpassed in 
the whole show for interest and effect. Messrs. B. S. Williams and 
Son, Upper Holloway, had a grand group of Orchids and fine-foliags 
plants (silver-gilt medal). Messrs. J. Laing A: Sons, Forest Hill, had 
a charming group of Caladiums, Tuberous Begonias, Azaleas, Orchids 
and Ferns (silver-gilt medal). Messrs. Wm. Paul k Son, Waltham 
Cross, had a superb group of Roses in pots and a large collection of cut 
Roses (large silver medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, had a large 
collection of hardy plants (small silver modal). Messrs. Paul Ac Son> 
a group of Lilacs, shrubs. Rhododendrons and Azaleas (bronze medal)j 
Messrs. Ryder Ac Son, Sale, a collection of Pansies and Japanese Primulas. 
Mr. G. James, Slough, had a group of Calceolarias (large bronze medal). 
Messrs. J. Veitch k Sons, Chelsea, showed a large choice group of 
plants similar to those at the Drill Hall on the previous day ; Mr. 
C. Turner, Slough, had a group of fine Lilium Harris! ; Mr. J. Walker 
of Thame two boxes of Mardchal Niel Rose blooms ; Messrs. Kelway 
and Son. Langport, Lad a large group of Paeonies and hardy flowers; 
Messrs. Barr Ac Son showed Daffodils and hardy Ferns ; Mr. J. Forbes, 
Hawick, a collection of Pansies ; and Messrs. Balchin Ac Son, Hassocks 
Gate, a group of Leschenaultia biloba major. 
Certificates were awarded for numerous plants, some of which 
have been previously honoured elsewhere, and one at least had 
been certificated by the Judges at the summer Show of the 
Royal Botanic Society last year under another name. Some of the 
plants distinguished were as follows : — Cypripediums Elliottianum 
(Low A: Co), Acer Prince Hendjery (Paul A: Son), Catcleya Mendeli 
alba (Mr. White), Genista Andreanus, Acer japonicum laciniatum, 
and Nephrolepis cordata laciniata (J. Veitch Ac Sons), Calla Elliottiana 
(Knight),-Vbies excelsa mutabilis, Juniperus japonica aurea (J. Veitch 
and Sons), Syringa grandiflora alba (Kelway), Trollius caucasicua 
aurantiacus (T. S. Ware), Tulipa elegans alba (Barr). 
SCOTTISH AURICULA AND RRIMULA SOCIETY. 
The fourth Exhibition of the Scottish Auricula and Primula Society 
was held in the City Assembly Rooms, Dundee, on May 8th. Tnere 
was a large and good collection, and the attendance of the admirers of this 
special flower was excellent, the various points being criticised keenl 5 . 
