Jane 12. If 90 . ] 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AXD COTTAGE GARDEXER. 
493 
(forty)—six Golden Perfection, weight 27 lbs.; six Conqueror, 41 lbs.; 
one Gem, 7i lbs.; three each of Scarlet Invincible and Hero of Lockinge, 
9 lbs. each trio. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
JUXE llTH. 
The second summer Show of the year by the above Society was 
held in the Ilegent’s Park Botanic Gardens yesterday (Wednesday), the 
character of the display being similar to previous years, perhaps a little 
wanting in colour. The weather was very changeable with frequent 
heavy showers. 
Plants. 
A good bank of Orchids was provided, the chief attraction being the 
dozen specimens for which Mr. Whellans, gardener to the Duke of 
Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, secured the premier honours, and an 
extra award of a silver-gilt medal. These comprised Epidendrum 
prismatocarpum, with about thirty spikes ; Dendrobium Deari, loaded 
with flowers ; Cypripedium caudatum, with over forty flowers ; and 
large masses of Cypripedium barbatum, Cattleyas Warneri, Mendeli, 
Sanderiana and Mossine, and Anguloa C'owesi, with Epidendrum 
vitellinum. The second prize was taken by II. Little, Esq., Baronshalt, 
Twickenham (gardener, Mr. Howard), for a tasteful group arranged 
with Ferns. Mr. J. Douglas, Great Gearies Gardens, Ilford, was first 
for a collection of Orchids, comprising some good Cattleyas ; and Mr. 
H. James, Norwood, was first in the nurserymen’s class for twelve Orchids 
with ordinary plants. 
In the classes for plants we can only indicate some of the chief 
features, but the Show was largely composed of non-competing groups. 
Pelargoniums from Mr. C. Turner and Mr. Phillips of Slough occupied 
prominent positions, the plants compact bright specimens of moderate 
size. 5Ir. Phillips and H. Little, Esq., were the chief exhibitors of 
Zonal Pelargoniums. Mr. A. Offer, Handcross Park Gardens, Crawley, 
was first for Palms, Ferns, and fine-foliage plants, exhibiting Large 
specimens in good condition, his first prize six being extremely fresh 
and good, Croton Morti of excellent colour. Mr. J. Ford, gardener to 
Sir Charles Pigott, Wexham Park, Slough, was second, with six fine- 
foliage and the same number of Ferns. Mr. F. Mould, Pewsey, was 
first for twelve stove and greenhouse plants, showing small specimens, 
similar examples gaining the first prize for six plants. Mr. Offer had 
the best six in the amateurs’ class. Several other exhibits of poor 
quality came into th’s section, and a second prize was accorded for six 
plants of such an inferior character that it was a subject of common 
remark that the Judges had failed in their duties in awarding them a 
prize of any kind. 
Caladiums were admirably shown by Messrs. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill, who won the first prize with well-grown highly coloured plants, 
Raymond Lemoinier, Charlemagne, Leopold Robert, Ornatum, Madame 
J. Kcechlin, and Princess Royal being very notable. 
Tuberous Begonias were represented by one excellent collection of 
twelve plants, which gained for H. Little, Esq., the leading prize. The 
plants were compact, bushy specimens, bearing fine flowers, both single 
and double varieties of great merit being shown. 
Fruit. 
This was exhibited in fair condition for such an early date, and the 
competition in some of the classes, especially for black Grapes, was also 
keen. Mr. J. Edmonds, Bestwood Lodge G ardens, Nottingham, won the first 
prize for a collection of fruit, staging admirable samples of Madresfield 
Court, Buckland, and Black Hamburgh Grapes, the first and last well 
coloured ; a Queen Pine, Hales’ Early Peaches, Lord Napier Nectarines, 
four good Melons, Sir Joseph Paxton Strawberries, Black Circassian 
Cherries, and Washington Plums. Mr. W. Robins, gardener to Colonel 
E. Dyke Lee, Hartwell House, Aylesbury, was second with four dishes 
of fine Peaches, fine Melons, and small Grapes. 
Five baskets of black Grapes were staged, all very good and even in 
quality. Mr. T. Osman, gardener to L. J. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw Park, 
Chertsey, was first for Black Hamburghs in superb condition, Messrs. 
Clinging and Edmonds following in that order. Mr. Feist of Staines 
had the best basket of white Grapes, Muscat of Alexandria, Messrs. A. 
Smith and Clinging following with Foster’s Seedling. Six competitors 
entered with three bunches of Black Hamburghs, Mr. Osman leading 
with fine even examples bearing good bloom. Messrs. Edmonds and 
Feist were second and third. JIadresfield Court Grapes were wanting 
in colour. The prizes went to Messrs. G. Thomson, Clinging, and Feist. 
Mr. Feist was first with Muscat of Alexandria, and Mr. Clinging first in 
the white Grape class with Foster’s Seedling. 
Mr. J. Douglas won/irst honours both with Peaches and Nectarines, 
and Mr. W. H. Divers, Ketton Hall Gardens, Stamford, was first for 
Laxton’s Noble and Auguste Nicaise Strawberries. Mr. Hudson, gardener 
to the Messrs. Rothschild, Gunnersbury, was accorded the first prize for 
a box of grand Lord Napier Nectarines, large and highly coloured 
fruits. 
Miscellaneous. 
The non-competing collections were very numerous and of exception¬ 
ally fine quality throughout; indeed but for them and the fruit the 
Show would have been an e.xtremely poor one as compared with what 
used to be seen at Regents Park. Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridge- 
worth, showed a group of fruit trees in pots, including I’eaches, 
Nectarines, Pears, Apples, Cherries, Oranges, &c. (large silver medal). 
Messrs. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, had a magnificent group of 
Orchids, comprising a great diversity of excellent forms and arranged 
with much taste. In numbers of plants and flowers it was one of the 
best groups this firm h.as staged (silver-gilt medal). 
Slessrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, contributed an extensive 
and imposing group of fine-foliage and flowering plants. Tuberous 
Begonias and Orchids being conspicuous (silver-gilt medal). 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, had an effective group of 
pj’ramidal Ivies, with boxes of Rhododendrons, Roses, Lilies, and hardy 
flowers (silver-gilt medal). 
Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, had a handsome group of Orchids 
tastefully arranged with small Ferns and Arundinaria falcata, pro¬ 
ducing a capital effect. Odontoglossum vexillarium, 0. crispum, and 
Masdevallia Harryana varieties were strongly represented (silver-gilt 
medal). 
Messrs. Low & Co., Clapton, had a group of Orchids (silver medal). 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, a group of Pneonies (bronze medal). Messrs. 
B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, a group of Sarracenias and new 
plants. Messrs. Kelway& Son, Langport, a large collection of Pmonies,. 
&c., similar to that shown at the Drill Hall on the previous day (silver- 
gilt medal). Mr. C. Turner, a group of Pelargoniums (bronze medal). 
Mr. G. T. White, Winchmore Hill, a group of Orchids (silver medal). 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, group of Tuberous Begonias (silver 
medal). Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, collection of Pmonies and hardy 
flowers (bronze medal). 
In the cut flower classes Mr. J. Douglas was first for Orchids, Mr. 
H. James for stove and greenhouse flowers, Mr. C. Turner for Pelar¬ 
goniums, and Messrs. Barr & Son for Irises and Ixias. Roses were shown- 
by Mr. Robins, Colonel Pitt, Mr. Prince, Mr. Mount, and Mr. Dyke. 
Certificates were awarded with considerable liberality, V/ut we cannot 
give a list in the present issue. It need only be remarked that Mr. 
Smee’s Cattleya Mendeli Hackbridgensis and Mr. Hollington’s Cypri¬ 
pedium Aylingi were certificated, the latter for the second time, and the 
former securing an award it well deserved. 
FRUIT FORCING, 
Peaches and Nectarines. —Early Houses .—In houses that con¬ 
tain successional varieties the fruit of individual trees will be cleared 
in advance as regards some of the others, and when this is the case the 
wood upon which it has been produced should be cut away to a shoot 
at its base, which is to afford the bearing wood of next season, except 
the fruit has been produced on wood that it is necessary to retain for 
the extension of the trees. All growths not absolutely necessary for 
bearing next season or the extension of the trees should be cut away> 
as it is important that ihe foliage be fully exposed to the influence of 
light and air, and it is equally important that it be kept healthful and 
die naturally. Employ the syringe or engine freely, keeping the insido 
borders well watered, and the outside borders must not be neglected if 
the weather be dry. All the air possible should be admitted, and when 
the buds are plump and the wood thoroughly ripened, the roof lights- 
where moveable (and they ought to be in all early forced structures for 
stone fruits, excepting Grapes) may be taken off, whereby the trees will 
be much invigorated, and it will mostly prevent buds falling, one of 
the chief causes of this being dryness of the soil at the roots, and the 
alternating heat and cold occasioned by the retention of the roof lights 
when the trees should have complete rest. 
Second Early House .—No Peach can vie with Royal George for 
certainty in early forcing. It is a full month or six weeks behind some 
in ripening, but it is well wort’n waiting for, as the crop is good, the 
colour high, and the quality good. Early York and Early Alfred are 
fine and well coloured fruits, quite equal to Royal George in that respect, 
but the trees are not at all comparable to Royal George for crop. Both 
have a habit of casting their buds or of premature development, and 
the large flowered Peaches have all more or less the same propensity. 
Great care is necessary in handling the fruit when gathering, as slight 
pressure is sufficient to spoil the appearance. Fruit for packing should 
be gathered before it is quite ripe, and all is better taken from the trees- 
rather under than over ripe. Some soft netting suspended beneath th& 
trees is useful to prevent fruits that fall from getting bruised. Venti¬ 
late freely, admitting a little air constantly, and to insure the necessary 
moisture so essential for the preservation of the foliage in health, 
sprinkle the paths and borders in the morning and afternoon, not allow¬ 
ing the soil to become dry, but giving water as required to maintain it 
in a moist healthy state. A mulching, it must only be light, of 
short material, such as Mushroom bed refuse, or some material not 
rich in ammonia, may be used with advantage in keeping the earth 
from cracking and the roots near the surface, for when deprived of 
moisture they descend in quest of it, and long-jointed sappy growths 
with imperfect setting and casting of the fruit in stoning is engendered. 
Syringing must cease directly the fruit commences to soften for ripen- 
