238 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 24, 1887. 
I do not know the origin of Marie Louise, but this sport would almost 
lead one to suppose that it may have been a sjnort from the Neapolitan, 
as the one sent has so nearly gone back to the original.— Joseph 
Oliver. 
[The Violet blooms are very fine and the foliage good, indicating the 
superior culture practised. It is a remarkably fine form of the true 
Marie Louise, which is an improved variety of the type usually grown 
in gardens under that name, and which is synonymous with New York, 
Odorata pendula, Venice, Marguerite de Savoie, Duke of Edinburgh, 
Madame Millet, &c. All are sports from the old Neapolitan, and being 
liable to vary somewhat in different soils and localities names without 
reason have been given to the variations. The varieties named are a 
dirty mauve, with a white eye, and the base of the petals splashed with 
red. Those are liable under superior cultivation to produce the true 
Marie Louise, which is deep lavender, tinged mauve, white eye, and with 
faint white lines up the petals. Such is your plant—not a reversion, 
but an improved form of the old Neapolitan Violet. It is quite distinct 
from De Parme—the best form of the Neapolitan extant, and most 
constant.] 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
March 23rd. 
This Society’s first spring Show of the year was a very satisfactory one, 
the number of the exhibits being greater than usual, especially those not in 
competition. The day was also a favourable one, being clear and sunny, in¬ 
ducing many visitors to attend. Quite an extensive display of Hyacinths, 
Tulips, Narcissi, Cyclamens, &c., was provided, Mr. B. S. Williams being a 
prominent exhibitor, Messrs. Cutbush & Son and J. Veitch & Sons also 
having large groups. We can only give a brief record of the principal 
exhibits. 
Hyacinths were chiefly contributed by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea 
(large bronze medal), H. R. Wright, Lee (large bronze medal), H. Williams 
and Son, Pinchley (small silver medal), W. Cutbush Si Son, Highgate (small 
silver medal), and B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway (large silver medal). In 
the amateurs’ class for twelve Hyacinths Mr. Douglas won premier honours 
with good plants, Mr. W. Eason following, and these exhibitors were placed 
in the same order for twelve pots of Tulips. In the nurserymen’s classes 
Mr. H. R. Wright, Lee, was first for Hyacinths and second with Tulips. 
Messrs. H. Williams & Son obtaining the second prize for Hyacinths and 
the first for Tulips, both showing well grown plants. The chief prizes for 
Cyclamens were gained by Messrs. F. J. Hill, J. Odell, and J. Wiggins, 
Messrs. H. Williams & Son and J. Douglas having the best Primulas, and 
the last named was also first with Crocuses. The St. George’s Nursery 
Companv, Hanwell, had a group of Cyclamens (bronze medal), as also did 
Mr. J. Wiggins (certificate). 
Azaleas were not very largely shown. Mr. H. James, Norwood, had 
some rather roughly trained specimens, and Messrs. Todman & Sons, Upper 
Tooting, had six neat specimens of their hybrids, Mrs. A. Heaver, double 
white, being very noteworthy; but the best plants were those from Mr. 
Eason, gardener to B. Noakes, Esq., Highgate. In the Amaryllis competi¬ 
tion Mr. J. Douglas and Paul & Son were respectively first and second, the 
former’s flowers being of capital size and rich colours. Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, exhibited Roses well, being first in the class, and also having a 
group (large bronze medal). They also had a pretty collection of Alpine 
plants. Mr. J. Douglas’s giant specimen Deutzias were as usual first in the 
class for these plants, being much superior to the other entries. 
Daffodils and miscellaneous flowers were contributed by Messrs. Barr 
and Son, Covent Garden (large bronze medal), Collins Brothers & Gabriel 
(bronze medal), and T. S. Ware, Tottenham (certificate). Messrs. H. Wil¬ 
liams & Son, Finchley, had the best Lilies of the Valley,very fine specimens, 
large bells and long spikes. Mr. J. Douglas was the most successful exhi¬ 
bitor of hardy plants and Primulas, showing pretty collections. Messrs. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, and Mr. F. Clement, gardener to L. H. Hicks, Esq., 
Muswell Hill, also showing well. Mr. W. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, had a 
pretty group of Roses in pots (large bronze medal). Mr. Drost, Rich¬ 
mond, sent a group of Spirals, Lilies of the Valley, Tulips, and Isolepis 
(certificate). Mr. F. J. Hill, gardener to H. Little, Esq., The Barons, 
Twickenham, sent a beautiful collection of Lycaste Skinneri varieties and 
other Orchids. 
A large group of Camellias in pots, Clematis indivisa lobata, and eight 
boxes of Camellia blooms came from Messrs. Wm. Paul it Son, forming an 
imposing display. (Silver medal.) The Cinerarias from Mr. J. James, 
Farnham Royal, Slough, were as usual extremely handsome and varied in 
colour. (Large brongo medal.) Mr. W. May, gardener to F. C. Jacomb, 
Esq., Stamford Hill, exhibited a beautiful group of Odontoglossums and 
other Orchids arranged with Ferns. (Bronze medal.) Messrs. J. Cheal and 
Son, Crawley, showed an excellent collection of Apples. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The Weather. —Recently the weather took a decided change for the 
worse. We had 15° of frost on the 13th, and 8 inches of snow on the loth, 
and our open-air crops have had to pass through it all; but they were placed 
in when the soil was in first-rate condition, and we do not think the severe 
weather will injure them very much ; but checked they undoubtedly 
will be, and the majority of the crops will be a fortnight or more later 
than they seemed likely to be two or three weeks ago. The whole of 
the crops we have recommended to be sown and planted have been 
placed out by us, and we do not intend trying to remedy matters at 
present, as a little good weather will soon do this, but more attention 
will be given to crops under protection, as these will be our mainstay 
for some time to come. 
Kidney Beans. —Many are apt to discontinue sowing these under 
glass about this time, as they think it will not be long before the open- 
air seed can be sown, but Kidney Beans can rarely be gathered in the 
open until the middle of June, and the recently sown seed will not give 
a supply until then. More should be sown to fruit in May, but they 
can be placed in more roughly than those sown in the short days. Any 
old cutting boxes may be filled with rich soil and the seed dibbled into 
it. They will germinate in a temperature of 60°, and as the bedding 
plants are turned out of the frames in April the Kidney Bean boxes 
may take their place, as the plants will bear freely in cold frames in May. 
Where early Potatoes are being lifted from frames level the soil after¬ 
wards and fill with Kidney Bean seed, as sowings of this kind will bear 
before the open-air plants, heavy crops and a long succession of 
pods being obtained from such quarters. Repot those requiring this 
attention, give those in bearing weak liquid manure twice weekly. 
Throw away all plants that have ceased bearing. Ne Plus Ultra is now 
bearing very heavily with us ; it is a grand variety for forcing, we do 
not grow any other at this season. 
Young V egetables Under Glass. —The plan of raising Cauliflowers, 
Brussels Sprouts, Leeks, Lettuces, and other vegetables under glass is 
an admirable one, and we have practised it for years. Just now when 
our young crops in the open are looking anything but bright, we have 
hundreds of young plants in shallow boxes under glass, and as these will 
be planted early in April they will form valuable early crops. This 
system should be followed by all who have the opportunity of doing so. 
The great point is not to place them out too soon, and see that they are 
well hardened first. If it is necessary to cover them at night always 
remove the protection early in the morning and admit abundance of air 
to them when the thermometer is over 40°. 
Peas. —Those sown in December in the open are now 4 inches high, 
others sown in February are well above the ground, and those reared 
under glass are ready for planting. Altogether we are well supplied 
with early Pea plants, and we do not attribute this so much to cultural 
advantages as timely attention and forethought. Sow more seed of 
main crop varieties as soon as the weather will allow. All our directions 
are given subject to this condition. The plan of sowing main crop Peas 
in trenches is an excellent one, but it is a mistake to begin it too early. 
We have secured some good Pea prizes from time to time, but one year 
we thought to surpass all our previous success, and we began by sowing 
our Peas in spring in deep well manured trenches. A wet season came 
immediately afterwards and three parts of the seed perished. Since 
that time we have ceased sowing in trenches until the end of March or 
beginning of April, then all are sown in trenches. They are thrown out 
as if for Celery and well manured, and all such crops bear the warm 
dry weather of July and August much better than any sown on the level 
ground, as dryness at the roots not only hinders development but it 
deteriorates flavour and generates mildew and other causes of premature 
decay. Make the trench plan a system from the time named, and all will 
be well. Plants which have been reared under glass may now be placed 
out. If they are in pots plant a little mass of them from 4 inches to 
6 inches apart, and plants in turves or any other form may be kept at the 
same distance, as when they grow they will fill the rows. Give them 
rich soil, a warm sheltered position, do not disturb the roots any more 
than it is possible in planting, stake at once, and a good crop is sure to 
follow. 
Early Leeks and Celery.— Seed sown in boxes some weeks ago 
has produced plants which are now ready to be transplanted. Fill 
some shallow boxes with very rich soil, lift the young plants, and dibble 
them into the boxes at a distance of 2 inches from each other. Water ; 
and place in a temperature of 65°, and an early supply of plants wilj 
oon be produced. 
Thinning Young Vegetables.— Of late we have had to keep the 
Carrot and Radish frames somewhat close, and this has induced the 
plants to develope top growth rapidly. Indeed they become crowded in 
a very short time, and great attention should be given to timely thinning. 
When this is neglected at first the crop suffers from it ever afterwards, 
and close attention to early thinning is of the utmost importance just 
now. 
Broccoli.— The supply of these has been interrupted several times 
during the winter, and just now they are at a standstill, but the plants 
have stood the severe weather very well, and we shall yet have plenty of 
heads. Where the ground on which the plants are growing is urgently 
required for other crops, lift the Broccoli plants with a good ball of 
soil to the roots, place them in a cool shady corner with plenty of soil 
or old vegetable refuse over the roots, and they will produce their heads 
as freely as if they were still in their old quarters. A good sowing 
should now be made of Veitch’s Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli. It 
is the best of all during November and December, and no garden should 
be without it. 
Tomatoes. —Our earliest plants are those from cuttings inserted and 
rooted last October. Their crop is well advanced, and will be very valu¬ 
able in a short time. All plants fruiting, or about to fruit, should be 
restricted to one or two main stems, kept well in the light, and supplied 
liberally with liquid manure. Keep successional plants growing freely. 
