June 12 , 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OB' HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
491 
and their estimate is somewhat different from that given on pages 424 
and 470. On the former page they arc stated to have “no flavour, 
and you could only taste the fat in which they were cooked.” 
Now let us see what has been said in favour of the “spirals.” Jlr. 
II. J. Veitch, in his excellent paper on the “ Progress of Vegetables,” 
read at the Chiswick Conference, and republished in the Journal of 
Horticulture, page 407), says the tubers of the Stachys “ have an agree¬ 
able flavour peculiar to themselves. ’ Jfr. H. Norman, gardener to the 
Marquis of Salisbury, Hatfield, says he believes “ they will be useful for 
salads.” Mr. J. Smith, gardener to Lord Rosebery at Mentmore, 
describes the Stachys as a “ new and excellent vegetable where flavour 
is required.” Mr. M. Dunn, gardener to the Duke of Buccleuch, 
Dalkeith, says, “ the tubers make a nice dish for table.” Then we have 
the official Report of the Royal Horticultural Society, adopted by the 
Council as the verdict of the Judges who were appointed to examine the 
new vegetables at Chiswick. This is their verdict :—“ This new vege¬ 
table seems to be meeting with increased approval, both for cooking 
purposes, also for use in winter as salads.” The Judges were Messrs. 
Benary, Erfurt; Hill, Tring Park ; Moss (Wrench & Sons), Ross, 
Welford Park ; and Silverlock, Strand.* 
Tastes vary unquestionably, so do soils, and their influence on vege¬ 
tables. I do not see, therefore, what other conclusion can be arrived at 
than that either “ D., Deal's," taste must be unusually acute, or the 
soil of his garden unsuitable for the production of the vegetable which 
the gentlemen named approve, but he so strongly condemns. I have not 
written a line with the intention of causing “ D., Deal," any discom¬ 
posure. and I hope he can say the same .about his references to myself. 
—A CiiY Max. 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 10th. 
P.EONIES were announced as the special attraction of this meeting, 
and the offer of a silver challenge cup to amateurs ought to have been 
sufficient to induce a spirited competition. Certainly there was no lack 
of Paeonies, they were in fact grandly and extensively shown by the 
leading firms that include these plants in their collections. Amateurs, 
however, were not well represented, and the Rev. W. Wilks was the 
only exhibitor. The prize was accordingly awarded to him, but so fine 
were his flowers, so well selected the varieties, and so effectively were 
they staged, that he would have probably gained the honour in a strong 
competition. Irises and Pyrethrums were shown in large numbers. There 
were some particularly fresh and substantial Tea Roses from the Oxford 
district, and numbers of other special exhibits. Orchids were well 
shown, and included several remarkable novelties, the most noteworthy 
being Cypripedium Aylingi, referred to at length in another page. 
Cattleyas were bright, especially three of the choicest from the fine 
collection at The Grange. Altogether there was plenty to please and 
interest such visitors who, undeterred by the wet afternoon, found their 
way into dismal James Street and the Drill Hall. 
Fruit Committee.— Present : Sir C. A\^. Strickland, Bart., in the 
chair, and Messrs. J. Lee, T. Francis Rivers, Philip Crowley. R. D. 
Blackmore, G. W. Cummins, G. Bunyard, A. H. Pearson, J. Hudson, 
H. Balderson, F. Q. Lane, and J. Cheal. 
Five varieties of Tasmanian Apples were submitted to the Committee 
for consideration and names. After a careful examination the follow¬ 
ing resolution was adopted :—“ In the opinion of the Committee the 
climates differ so greatly that it is impossible to identify any of the 
fruit sent with recognised English varieties, and that the Committee 
desire to express an opinion that none of the fruits equal the best 
English varieties in quality.” Messrs. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgew’orth, 
sent two varieties of early Cherries—viz.. Belle d’Orleans, red, and 
Early Rivers, black, fine fruits of both being shown, and a cultural 
commendation was awarded. Mr. J. Smith, Mentmore Gardens, exhi¬ 
bited large fruits of Strawberry A. F. Barron (vote of thanks) ; Messrs. 
J. Veituh & Sons, Chelsea, sent fruits of Apple North End Pippin 
(passed) and Pingo de Mel F'igs (vote of thanks). From the R.H.S. 
Garden at Chiswick came fruits of Crescent Strawberry with several 
ripe fruits, and evidently much earlier than Noble, which was also 
shown for comparison. Two new seedling Melons were sent by dif¬ 
ferent exhibitors, one of the fruits being over-ripe, and was therefore 
passed ; the other was of extremely bad flavour. 
Floral Committee.— Present : W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair, 
and Messrs. H. Herbst, T. Baines, R. Dean, J. Walker, T. W. Girdle- 
stone, H. B. Ma 3 ', H. Cannell, B. Wynne, H. Turner, C. Noble, J. 
Fraser, G. Paul, W. Holmes, G. Nicholson, F. Ross, and the Rev. H. H. 
Dombrain. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, contributed a group 
of well grown Sarracenias, and some of those neglected beautiful foliage 
Melastomaceous plants, the Bertolonias (bronze medal). Mr. G. Prince, 
Oxford, had three boxes of charming Tea Roses, Catherine Mermet and 
Prince of Wales being conspicuous amongst many other beauties (bronze 
medal). 
Hydrangeas formed an uncommon and most attractive group from 
Messrs. J. Veitch A Sons, Chelsea. The varieties were II. rosea, with large 
deep rose flowers ; H. Otaksa, pale pink and white ; H. mandshurica, rose 
tinged and tipped ; and Thomas Hogg, white. Primula sikkimensis. 
with tall scapes of yellow flowers ; and the stately Rodgersia podo- 
phylla (certificated) were also notable in the group. A white flowered 
variety of lonopsidium acaule named album from C. T. Hodges, Esq.,. 
Lachine, Chislehurst, secured the exhibitor a vote of thanks. Ivies 
were admirably represented from Messrs. Wm. Cutbush A Sons. High- 
gate ; and in the six boxes staged it is probable that nearly 100 
varieties w^ere included, showing most varied foliage and colour (bronze 
medal). 
The handsome Paionies, the graceful Shirley Poppies, and interesting 
hardy plants from Messrs. Paul A Son, Cheshunt, deservedly secured 
the award of a silver medal. Charming Aquilegias in numberless, 
shades of colour constituted an interesting exhibit from Miss Harris, 
Lamberhurst (vote of thanks). The large curiously veined and 
strangely foetid flowers of Aristolochia ornithocephala from Messrs. 
Cannell A Son attracted some attention. Mr. F. Reeves, Acton, sent 
some deep red Carnations of the Clove type. A group of Irises, 
Aquilegias, Pyrethrums, and the old garden favourite, Ilemerocallis 
flava, came from Messrs. Veitch A Sons. Messrs. J. Laing A Son, Forest 
Hill, had several choice new tuberous Begonias. Gloxinias, Pelargoniums 
and tuberous Begonias in many fine varieties were shown by Messrs. 
Cannell A Sons (bronze medal). Tulip flowers from S. Barlow, Esq.,, 
Manchester, received a bronze medal. Mr. R. Dean exhibited a col¬ 
lection of fine white Violas. A rich series of Irises shown by Messrs. 
Barr A Son, and an extensive bank of Pieonies, Irises, Pyrethrums, 
Delphiniums and Amaryllises seefired Messrs. Kelway A Son a silver- 
gilt medal. 
Lord Penzance, Godaiming (gardener Mr. Baskett), had a most 
interesting collection of single Roses and Sweetbriars, together with 
several crosses of a very distinct character, one of which was certificated. 
Several exhibits from the Royal Gardens, Kew, excited much interest, 
notably Dendrobium lineare, a species from New Guinea, with small 
white flowers and purple lip in long racemes ; Solanum Wendlandi, a 
trailing plant with large bluish Convolvulus-like flowers ; Pachira 
insignis, with large yellowish flowers, and a great bunch of reddish 
stamens in each ; also the rich blue Nymphaia zanzibarensis. Mrs. 
Robb, 40, Rutland Gate, showed several Ferns and flower stems of the 
common Broom. 
Orchid Committee.— Present: Sir Trevor Law’rence, Bart., M.P.,, 
in the chair, and Messrs. De B. Craw'shay, H. Ballantine, J. Dominy,. 
C. Pilcher, E. Hill, F. Sander, Lewis Castle, A. H. Smee, H. J. Veitch, 
and James O’Brien. 
Orchids were shown in good numbers, and besides those for certi¬ 
ficates or awards of merit were granted, the following were specially 
worlhy of note. A vigorous plant of Phalmnopsis grandiflora with large- 
flowers, from F. Wigan, Esq., Clare Lawn, East Sheen (gardener, Mr. 
W. H. Young), for w’hich a cultural commendation was awarded. A 
small group of Orchids was shown by the President. The peculiarly 
spotted Catt'eya intricata variety maculata came with other C.ittleyas 
from M. C. Cooke, Esq., Kingston Hill (gardener, Mr. D. Cullimore). 
Fine panicles of the useful Oncidium sphacelatum were shown by Mr.. 
G. Wythes, Syon House. Handsome varieties of Cattleya Mendeli and' 
C. Mossim, with PhaliEnopsis speciosa maculata, were shown by A. H. 
Smee, Esq., The Grange, Hackbridge (gardener, Jlr. Cummins). Odonto- 
glossum cristatellum came from J. Larkin, Esq., 142, Highbury New 
Road, and a cultural commendation was awarded. 
Sir W. H. S. Marriott, Down House, Blandford, sent a plant of a 
hybrid Orchid, named Lmlio-Cattleya Marriotti, from a cross between 
C. Mossiaj and Lrelia purpurata. C. L. N. Ingram, Esq., Elstead House, 
Godalmins:, also sent a Cattleya from the same parentage, which the. 
Committee desired to see again. They were both, however, considered 
to be forms of C. Canhami, a similar cross previously obtained by 
Messrs. Veitch A Sons. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Cypripedium Aylingi (A. J. Hollington, Esq).—A fine hybrid,, 
described in our Orchid column. 
Phaius Ilumhloti alia (Baron Schroder).—A beautiful variety, with 
pure white broad rounded sepals and petals. 
Cattleya intermedia Partlienia (Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P.). 
—A variety with pure white flowers. 
Batemannia iVallisi (F. Sander A Co.).—A strong plant with one 
large flower, the sepals and petals broad and fleshy, the apical half of a 
rich glossy brown, the centre white ■with two dark spots, one on each 
side of the column ; the lip is also edged with brown. 
Crinum brachynema (J. Smith, Mentmore).—The plant of strong, 
but dwarf gro'.vth, the flowers pure white and of good shape. 
Jlose Sweetbriar x IJarrisoni (Lord Penzance) —A hybrid from the 
parents named, with single flowers of a delicate salmon hue tinged with 
bronze and pale yellow in the centre. 
llodqersia podophylla (J. Veitch A Sons).—A bold plant with deeply 
divided irregularly cut leaves and panicles of white flowers, suggestive 
both in appearance and fragrance of the common Meadow-Sweet. 
Bertolonia Souvenir de Gaud (B. S. Williams A Son).—A dis¬ 
tinct variety with deep green leaves, clearly veined with rich rosy 
crimson. 
Cattleya 'Mendeli Alfred Smee (A. H. Smee, Esq).—Described in 
the Orchid column (aw'ard of merit.) 
Odontoglossum (laleoitianum (Thomas Statter, Esq., Stand Hal?, 
Manchester).—A dwarf species with small pseudo-bulbs and white 
flowers, having a prominent yellow crest at the base of the lip. 
♦ Journal of the Royal Ilcrticultural Society. 
