470 
[ June 9, 1887. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Wood with the same. Eighth, Mr. H. Housley with R. Tates. Roses :— 
First, Mr. J. Thurstan with Lord Derby, very fine, sixth with Seedling, and 
seventh with Lady C. Grosvenor. Second, Mr. Woolley with Mabel. Third, 
Bev. F. D. Horner with Lady C. Grosvenor. Fourth, Mr. R. Woolfenden with 
Industry. Fifth, Mr. Moorhouse with Miss B. Coutts. Eighth, Mr. D. 
Barber with Industry. Bybloemen.—First and fourth, Rev. F. D. Horner 
with Beauty of Litchurch ; third and seventh with Talisman. Second, 
Mr. Woolfenden with Alice Grey. Fifth, Mr. Hesford with Seedling. 
Eighth, S. Barlow, Esq., with ABhmoles’ 114. 
The premier breeder was William Lea, shown by Mr. R. Woolfenden in 
excellent form. No certificates of merit were awarded upon this occasion. 
READING SHOW. 
June 2nd. 
A BE1GHT and varied display was provided in the large marquee in 
the Abbey Ruins at the Forbury Gardens, Reading, on Thursday last, 
but the competition was not very brisk, and there was an absence of 
large specimen plants that gave an appearance of thinness in some parts. 
It seems as if much of the enthusiasm which once rendered this exhi¬ 
bition such a good one has been lost, and whether the fault lies with the 
exhibitors or the management we cannot say. There is a danger, how¬ 
ever, that unless some energetic action is taken, the Reading Show will 
dwindle to one of fourth-rate importance. The site for the Exhibition 
is charming; most convenient for both exhibitors and visitors. The 
neighbourhood is an excellent one ; horticulture is largely patronised, 
and there can be no reason why the Show could not be made one of the 
best provincial exhibitions. Abundant examples are furnished by other 
societies, who, with practical secretaries and committees really interested 
in their work, have placed their exhibitions at the head of such events, 
both horticulturally and financially. We have seen many examples of 
success and failure in exhibitipns and societies, and the latter were 
almost invariably the result of following up the “let alone” system 
until it was too Tate to rectify the evil by a more energetic policy. 
The Orchids formed a pretty group on one of the central mounds, 
Mr. H. James of West Norwood winning the first prize for three plants 
with excellent specimens of Odontoglossum crispum, seven racemes ; 
O. Pescatorei, eight panicles ; and Cattleya Mossias, eight flowers. Mr. 
Pound, gardener to G. May, Esq., Caversham, was. second with Dendro- 
bium suavissimum in a basket, and bearing fourteen racemes, very 
handsome Aerides Fieldingi on a block with four spikes, and Odonto¬ 
glossum citrosmumroseum with three racemes. Equal third prizes were 
accorded to Mr. Woolford, gardener to A. Palmer, Esq., for Cypripe- 
dium Lawrencianum, Cattleya Mossife, and Laslia purpurata ; and to Mr. 
Baskett, gardener to W. J. Palmer, Esq., for Cypripedium barbatum, 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, and Odontoglossum Roezli, all healthy well 
flowered plants. An extra prize was adjudged to Mr. Lawrence, gardener 
to Mrs. Owen Knox, Caversham, for Laelia purpurata, L. majalis, with 
four of its beautiful flowers, and Cattleya Mendeli. The competition and 
quality of exhibits were better in this class than in any other in the 
Show. Mr. Parham, gardener to J. J. Simonds, Esq., Caversham, had 
the best single specimen Orchid, an extremely fine example of Demdro- 
bium c ensiflorum, 3 to 4 feet in diameter, with twenty-six racemes of 
golden flowers. Mr. Lawrence was second with Odontoglossum vexil- 
larium, and Mr. James third with Cypripedium barbatum majus. This 
Society might easily render the Orchids a still more prominent feature 
in their Show, as it is evident there are several excellent growers in the 
district. 
There was nothing of a special character in the stove and greenhouse 
plants. Mr. James secured the chief honours with capital specimens, to 
which we have repeatedly referred this season ; but they were notable 
for their very satisfactory freshness on this occasion. In the amateurs’ 
class for six stove and greenhouse plants Mr. Parham was the most 
successful, having large healthy plants of Rhyncospermum jasminoides, 
Lantana Le Grand, Vincas rosea and alba, Anthurium Schertzerianum, 
and a capital Vanda teres with twenty fine flowers. The same exhibitor 
was awarded chief honours for six Ferns, vigorous specimens of Cibotium 
Schiedei, Alsophila australis, Adiantum Williamsi, Lomaria cycadasfolia, 
Davallia Mooreana, and Gymnogramma chrysophylla. Mr. Armitage, 
gardener to \V. Clark, Esq., and Mr. Dockerill, gardener to G. W. 
Palmer, Esq., second and third,. also with good plants. Mr. Dockerill 
was first for fifteen Ferns and Selaginellas, showing small but fresh 
healthy plants. He also had the best six Selaginellas, being followed 
in the former class by Mr. Parham, who was, however, first with best 
four foliage plants, showing examples of Phcenix dactylifera, Pandanus 
Veitchi, Livistona borbonica, and Maranta zebrina. 
Mr. Lockie, gardener to the Hon. G. Fitzgerald, Windsor, was the 
premier exhibitor of four Azaleas, medium size plants of Roi d’Hollande, 
Reine des Pays Bas, Extrainei, and Duchesse Adelaide de Nassau ; Mr. 
Armitage following with freely flowered small plants. Mr. Baskett was 
first for the Society’s prize with four Roses in pots, strong healthy 
examples of Baroness Rothschild, Paul Neyron, La France, and Duke 
of Edinburgh. He was also first for Messrs. Wood & Son’s prize for a 
specimen Rose, showing Hippolyte Jamain, and he had the finest single 
specimen stove or greenhouse plant, a large globular Clerodendron 
Balfourianum, profusely flowered. Mr. Armitage was second with 
Plumbago capensis, and Mr. Hatch, gardener toS. B. Stevens, Esq., third 
with Hydrangea hortensis, 4 feet in diameter, and loaded with large 
heads of flowers. 
In the class for nine show Pelargoniums, Mr. Ashby, gardener to 
W. Fanning, Esq., was first with fine well-flowered Plants, comprising 
Rob Roy, Duchess of Edinburgh, Triomphe de St. Maude, Spotted Gem, 
Crimson King, Claribel (very good), Prince Leopold, and Bridal Bouquet. 
Mr. Lockie had the best six Calceolarias, followed by Messrs. Baskett 
and Dockerill, the two latter, with Mr. House, gardener to J. 0. Taylor, 
Esq., having the best Gloxinias. 
The groups of plants occupied the greater portion of the space in the 
marquee. In the class for a group effectively arranged in a space 
12 feet by 10 feet Mr. H. James was easily first with a most tasteful con¬ 
tribution, the base formed of Adiantums and other dwarf Ferns, with 
numbers of brightly flowered Orchids and taller plants of Cocos, 
Dracaenas, and a central plant at the back of Rhapis. Mr. Woodford was 
second for a varied and bright group of Rhododendrons, Calceolarias, 
Azaleas, Gloxinias, Orchids, &c., with a due proportion of Ferns. Mr. 
Parham third with a showy group, but rather too formal and elaborate. 
Extra prizes were accorded to Mr. Sumner, gardener to T. H. Millard, 
Esq., and to Mr. G. Phippcn for good groups. Mr. Ashby was first with 
a capital group of Rhododendrons. Mr. Pound was the premier ex¬ 
hibitor of a group (6 feet by 4 feet), followed by Mr. Balchin. For 
small groups of miscellaneous plants the following prizes were awarded : 
—First, Mr. Hatch ; equal second, Messrs. Phippen and Armitage ' r 
third, Mr. Woolford ; fourth, Mr. Pound; and equal fifth, Messrs. 
Balchin and House. These small collections might be rendered a more 
important feature in -the Bhowr- and ■ would deserve a more prominent 
position. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, contributed a charming group of show 
and decorative Pelargoniums, healthy vigorous plants profusely 
flowered, very notable being Edward Perkins, Formosum, Lady Isabel, 
Venus de Milo, Magnet, Illuminator, Marguerite, Norma, Madame 
Albert Descairis, and Gold Mine. Special mention must also be made 
of a large non-competing group from Mr. W. Lee, The Wilderness 
Gardens, which formed a fine bank at the end of the marquee, and com¬ 
prised a number of well grown Ericas, Azaleas, Anthuriums, Orchids, &c. 
The prizes for table plants brought several exhibitors, Mr. Waite, 
gardener to the Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher, winning first' honours with 
neat plants of Croton Sinitzianus, Cocos Weddelliana, Dracaena ter- 
minalis, Dracaena Guilfoylei, and Pandanus Veitchi. Mr. Lockie, who 
was second, also had good plants and varieties, Aralia Veitchi, Crotons 
angustifolius and Lord Derby, Oyperus variegatus, Dracaena superba, 
and Asparagus plumosus; an extra prize was accorded to Mr; Dockerill. 
Cut flowers were not very: numerous ; Pansies were, however, well 
shown by Mr. Laurence, gardener to Mrs. Owen Knox, who gained the 
first prizes for show and fancy varieties, followed by Mr. Shfimpton. 
Mr. Goodman had the best twelve bunches of stove and greenhouse cut 
flowers, Mr. James being second ; and Mr. Phippen was first with twelve 
bunches of hardy flowers, Mr. Sumner taking the second place. The 
Misses Phillips and Barrett were the principal exhibitors in the classes 
for vases of flowers. Mr. Phippen was first for a tasteful bridal bouquet, 
also showing a fine floral cross and a large epergne of flowers similar to 
that honoured at the Crystal Palace recently. For buttonhole bouquets. 
Mr. Pound was first, closely followed by Mr. Phippen and Elliott. 
Fruit was necessarily somewhat scarce at such an early period in so 
late a season ; but the black Grapes were good, especially the premier 
pair of bunches from Mr. Turton, gardener to J. Hargreaves, Esq., 
Maiden Erleigh, who had compact well-coloured branches of Black 
Hamburgh. Mr. Ashley was second with good bunches, not quite so 
black ; and Mr. Cook, gardener to J. Taylor, Esq., third, there being 
five exhibitors. The white Grapes were green. Mr. Ashley was first. 
wi(h Foster’s Seedling, Messrs Cook and Baskett being second and 
third with the same variety. For a dish of thirty-six Strawberries there 
were six entries, Mr. Goodman being first with La Grosse Sucree, large 
fruits, rich in colour. Mr. Waite was second with Sir Joseph Paxton, 
and Mr. Lockie third with Keen’s Seedling, Vicomtesse Hericart de 
Thury being shown by two other exhibitors and Sir Charles Napier by 
one. The best six Peaches were from Mr. Furton, Early Ascot of good 
size and excellent colour, Mr. Cook being second with Royal George. 
Vegetables were well represented, particularly in the class for Messrs. 
Sutton &. Sons’ prizes, whicii brought several good competitors. Mr. 
Lockie was adjudged the first place with clean excellent samples of 
Tomato Hathaway’s. Excelsior, Peas American Wonder and Sutton’s 
Ringleader, Potatoes Sutton’s Ringleader and Ashleaf, Beans Ne Plus. 
Ultra, Cucumber Purley Park Hero, and Vegetable Marrow Moore’s 
Vegetable Cream. Mr. Goodman was a close second with similar 
varieties, except Tomato Reading Perfection, Sutton’s favourite Cauli¬ 
flower, Sutton’s Telegraph Cucumber, and Asparagus. Mr. Brooker, 
gardener to C. Littledale, Esq., was third. With miscellaneous collections, 
of vegetables Messrs. Lockie, Goodman, and Brooker were the prize- 
takers, Rhubarb, Asparagus, Lettuces, Cauliflowers, Beans, Potatoes, and 
Mushrooms also being well shown in their respective classes. 
First-class certificates were awarded to Messrs. J. Carter & Co. for 
their fine Queen’s Prize Jubilee Mimulus, and to Messrs. Oakshott and 
Millard for a fine solid compact Cabbage named Reading Defiance. 
NICOTYL YAPOURISER. 
Mb. Benjamin Field, 75a, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., sends us a 
sample of a new fumigator entitled Field & Hearson’s Nicotyl Vapouriser 
(fig. 80), which is constructed upon the principle of converting a liquid 
strongly impregnated with nicotine into a vapour, which is diffused 
through the house, and is said to destroy aphides and other insects very 
readily. It is thus described—“ The apparatus consists of an annular 
vertical chamber, into which is dropped a conical cylinder, open at the 
top and bottom. The introduction of this open-ended cylinder divides 
