March 81.1?87. ] 
JOURNAL Or' HORTICULTURE 
AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
243 
81 
TH 
Royal Society at 4.80 p m. 
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E 
y 
s 
Rryal Fo'anio Society at 3.45 p.M 
8 
KCN 
Palm Sunday. 
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To 
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THE SPRING SHOWS. 
IIE last fortnight in March reminds us that 
the exhibition season has again commenced, to 
be continued with scarcely any intermission 
until December. The latter month, with 
January and February, forms the only period 
when the horticultural exhibitor has no 
special calls upon his time and attention, but 
from March onwards there is a succession of 
show r s of more or less importance. 'J he exhibitions held 
recently in the metropolis, and at some large provincial 
cities like Liverpool and Bath, have been very satisfactory, 
the two latter especially so. In addition to these we 
have in and near London special displays at the principal 
nurseries, such for example as Amaryllises, bulbs, and 
Orchids at Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’ and B. S. Williams’ 
establishments ; bulbs and miscellaneous plants at Messrs. 
W. Cutbush & Sons ; Orchids and general flowering 
plants at Messrs. J. Laing & Co., H. Cannell & Sons, with 
many others. At this time of year the Hyacinths con¬ 
stitute the great feature both at the nurseries and the 
exhibitions, but they have not been quite so fine as usual 
as regards size of spikes, although there has been a more 
general uniformity and fewer rough specimens than is 
sometimes the case. Another very pleasing character in 
all the contributions has been the freshness and bright¬ 
ness of colours, which for exhibition purposes has ren¬ 
dered them pariicularly welcome. Despite the tormality 
of long rows of Hyacinths rising tier upon tier from the 
stages, they are indispensable at these early shows, and 
their individual beauty compensates for their collective 
formality. At the same time it is regretable that some 
attempt is not made to vary the mode of arranging such 
plants. At present they are either placed in the parallel 
line system, or they are “heaped” together with a 
number of other brightly flowered plants that effectually 
“ kill ” each other, and it is difficult to say which is pre¬ 
ferable. An exhibitor recently attempted a group of the 
latter kind, in which, by a plentiful use of Azaleas, 
Daffodils, and Cytisuses, the Hyacinths were rendered 
dull-looking objects, and the general effect was a gaudy 
mass of conflicting colours almost painful to contemplate. 
In a tastefully arranged conservatory Hyacinths can be 
employed to advantage by a judicious association with 
Ferns, Lilies of the Valley, and other white or soft-tinted 
flowers, and there is no reason why something of the 
kind should not be seen at exhibitions. 
The >arieties of Hyacinths are not increased with the 
same rapidity as many other popular plants, and the 
Dutch growers seem to find it difficult to improve upon 
some of their older productions. Comparatively few 
novelties make their appearance each year, and of these 
No. 353.— Vol. XIV., Third Series. 
but a small number take a place amongst those of proved 
merit. A dozen varieties that are notable f r their uni¬ 
form good condition in different collections and imported 
from different growers are the following, all single 
varieties:—La Grandcsse, pure white, very large bells, 
and handsome massive spike; King of the Blues, very 
dark rich blue; Lord Derby, pale blue, fine spike; 
Koh-i-Noor, pink, massive spike; Charles Dickens, blue, 
light centre, handsome; King of the Blacks, intensely 
dark bluish black ; Norma, delicate pale pink, very large 
bells, x’ecurving segments; Baron Van Tuyll, bright rich 
blue, good spike; Vuurbaak, bright red, compact spikes, 
very fresh and good everywhere; King of the Yellows, 
bright clear yellow, compact spike; Ida, pale yellow, 
good; and Boi des Beiges, bright rosy red, very fresh 
and effective. 
Tulips have not been so numerously represented this 
season, but Daffodils in all their varied forms have 
occupied great space at the London exhibitions, and prove 
how popular they have become within the past few years. 
From the giant forms of the large Trumpet Daffodils to 
the diminutive and graceful Bulbocodiums and Corbu- 
larias the range of variation is sufficient to gratify any¬ 
one, and the gradations in many cases fine enough to 
puzzle even the specialists. Admirably grown Cyclamens 
have been shown, but we are now so accustomed to seeing 
the vigorous “ market plants ” at exhibitions that they 
do not attract so much attention as they would have done 
a few years since, when really first-rate Cyclamens were 
not so frequent in private gardens as they are at present, 
thanks in a great measure to the rapid and excellent 
system of culture adopted by trade growers. 
The Roses have made their first appearance of the 
season, not of course in their perfection of form and 
colour, but beautiful reminders of what are to come later 
on, and excellent for the time of year. The charming 
varieties of the Polyantha type, Paquerette and Migno¬ 
nette, have been much admired, and well adapted as they 
are for culture, either as standards or dwarfs and for 
car'y forcing, they might be advantageously grown much 
more extensively in gardens. They are exceedingly 
graceful, very floriferous, and easily grown, and it is to 
be hoped the rumour is true which leads us to expect 
several important additions to the group this season. 
Adding to these the Orchids, the Amaryllises, the Iman- 
topbyllums, and the Cinerarias, it will be seen that there 
has been no lack of material to produce the bright cheer¬ 
ing displays for which the spring shows are celebrated. 
SPRING TREATMENT OF STRAWBERRY 
PLANTS. 
There are many gardens where Peaches, Apricots, 
and other choice fruits cannot be grown with advantage, 
but Strawberries can be grown nearly everywhere, and 
with the exception of the Gooseberry they are more 
popular than any other fruit. I know scores of amateurs 
who find it very difficult to manage Apples and Pears 
satisfactorily in their localities, but the Strawberries 
never fail to reward them handsomely for the attention 
they receive, and a good Strawberry bed is always a part 
of the garden which is regarded with pride by small 
holders. So far, I do not remember Strawberry plants 
in the open to be more backward than they are at pre¬ 
sent. As yet they are more dead than alive in appear¬ 
ance, and their promise of being remunerative two 
months or three months hence is remote enough ; but it 
No. 2009.— Voe. LXXVI., Old Series. 
