492 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 16, 1887. 
®tones. This is only to be overcome by covering with handligkts, or, in 
.act, introducing them into glass structures, hut only such as are 
unheated. In heated structures they soon become drawn and wealcliy 
at the same time losing the colour of their flowers, wherein lies ther, 
great charm. Few plants, or rather groups of plants, are more interesting 
than these, and especially so when among other plants, where their 
numerous and varying shades are especially valuable in spring time. 
But while the introduction into glass houses or frames does to some 
extent destroy the colour of their flowers, it must be borne in mind that 
at the same time it preserve?Whe flowers from the storms without, and 
you have clean fresh spikes of some of the most enjoyable flowers of 
spring. 
Taken as a whole, these plants have produced an exceedingly good 
effect at the recent exhibitions at South Kensington and Regent’s Park, 
and to some extent show the great number of varieties which have re¬ 
sulted from hybridisation. In this direction, however, much remains to be 
accomplished, and the work of improvement has barely begun. In the 
first place we stand very much in need of a good and pure white of good 
habit, with flowers erect or semi-erect, and to obtain this end I would 
advise all who are making any attempt to improve this group to aim. 
We have in the variety Grandiflora alba a fine pure white in point of 
colour, but the drooping habit of the plant is much against it becoming 
popular; in other respects, such as fragrance, its free-flowering and 
robust habit of growth it is a good plant, in fact much the best white of 
the present day. I have known it some fifteen years, but I do not knbw 
its origin. One thing to avoid in this class, as well as in all other 
groups of florists’ flowers, is the introduction of too many of those 
invisible shades of colour which too frequently find their distinctive 
characters merely in wordy descriptions rather than in the plants them¬ 
selves. 
They produce seeds rather freely were on small plants, which if sown 
as soon as ripe will germinate in about a month, or thereabouts. To the 
enthusiastic hybridist there is a wide field open for extension with im¬ 
provement, and new and distinct shades of colour will be welcomed among 
this already valuable group of hardy spring flowers. When Hyacinths 
are past these Primulas might well help to fill their place, unless a more 
brilliant array be needed and afforded by Azaleas, Cinerarias, and the 
like. There is only one way of increasing the better named varieties, 
and that is by dividing the rootstock, which in established plants is 
composed of several small rhizomes thickly studded with fleshy roots 
throughout their entire length. They submit most readily to this 
dividing process, which may be done to good advantage when the 
flowering is completed, or lifted in the autumn when the foliage is 
decayed they may be divided and potted according to requirements. 
A well enriched loam with leaf soil added suits them admirably, and if 
partial shade can be given them so much the better. 
The best and most distinct varieties in commerce at present are the 
type—viz., Sieboldi, magenta crimson ; grandiflora alba, pure white ; 
Lilacina, a very handsome fringed Variety ; Magenta Queen, intense in 
colouring, and beautifully fringed'; Vincreflora, rich lilac ; this is much 
smaller in flower, and very distinct in general appearance from all the 
others ; Intermedia hybrida, a very fine variety, flowers rosy lilac ex¬ 
ternally, and white flushed with rose on the inside ; Lilacina marginata 
is dwarfer in habit than some, but has very large handsome trusses of 
pale lavender flowers externally, while the interior is 'of a whiter shade 
and margined with lilac. The numerous other varieties, which I shall 
refrain from noticing here, have flowers of varying and intermediate 
shades of the above, which are a selection of the best.—J. H. E. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
June I5th. 
An extensive and varied show was held in this Society’s gardens on 
Wednesday, plants, flowers, and fruits being largely shown in all the 
classes. There was not quite so much brilliancy of colour as at the first 
summer show, but the exhibits were very interesting, and the collections 
of Irises and hardy flowers most abundant. The weather was exception¬ 
ally fine, and a large number of visitors assembled during the afternoon. 
Orchids.—A magnificent bank of Orchids was formed on one of the 
slopes in the centre of the tent, a number of large specimens being 
shown. There was also a large bank at the side of the tent. In the 
amateurs’ class for twelve Orchids, Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to F. Whit- 
bourn, Esq., Great Gearies, Ilford, won the premier award for Dendro¬ 
bium nobile, loaded with flowers ; Cattleya Mendel i, with two dozen 
flowers ; Masdevallia Harryana, Odontoglosum vexillarium, very fine ; 
O. Roezli album, in admirable health; Lailia purpurata, fourteen flowers ; 
Odontoglossum crispum, Oncidium macranthum, Cattleya Mossias, and 
Cypripedium Lawrencianum. Mr. F. J. Hall, gardener to H. Little, 
Esq., The Barons, Twickenham, was second with very fine specimens of 
Cattleya Mossias, Laslia purpurata, Cypripedium Lawrencianum, and 
Cattleya labiata Warneri. Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to J. Southgate, 
Esq., Selborne, Streatham, was third with some very handsome plants, a 
large pan of Crypripedium Lawrencianum being remarkable, also 
Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cattleya gigas, and Masdevallia Veitchiana 
grandiflora with eleven large flowers. 
Mr. J. Cypher secured the chief prize in the nurserymen’s class for 
twelve Orchids for Cattleya Mendeli and Mossias, Dendrobium Dal- 
houseanum, Anguloa Clowesi, Masdevallia Harryana coerulescens, 
Odontoglossum vexillarium, Epidendrum vitellinum, Cypripedium bar- 
batum, Dendrobium Bensonias, and others similarly well flowered. Mr. 
James was second with healthy and profusely flowered plants. 
For twelve Orchids, single specimens, Mr. J. Douglas was first, con¬ 
tributing fine specimens of Odontoglossum vexillarium loaded with 
flowers ; Cymbidium Loweanum, with four long racemes ; Saccolabium 
guttatum, two fine spikes ; [Laslia purpurata, and Dendrobium meso- 
chlorum. Mr. F. J. Hill was second, his plants including six Cattleyas. 
Mr. H. James had the only collection of twelve Orchids, single specimens, 
in the nurserymen’s class, small plants but healthy. A small silver 
medal was awarded to Mr. W. May, gardener to F. C. Jacomb, Esq., 
Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill, for a beautiful group of Orchids similar 
to that he had at Leyton recently, and noticed on another page. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —The principal class for these 
was that for twelve specimens, in which Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, 
won first honours with handsome plants, but not his largest specimens. 
Erica Cavendishiana, some 0 feet high and through, was profusely 
flowered, other grand plants being E. depressa ; Bougainvillea glabra, very 
large and beautiful; Stephanotis floribunda, Dracophyllum gracile, Ixora 
Pilgrimi, and Aphelexis macrantha purpurea. Mr. Donald, gardener to 
J. G. Barclay, Esq., Knotts Green, Leyton, was a close second with very 
even fresh plants capitally flowered, Statice profusa being uncommonly 
fine, also several excellent Heaths. Mr. H. James, Norwood, was third 
with good Heaths and other plants. For six plants Mr. Donald was first 
with neat globular specimens of Erica Paxtoni, Aphelexis purpurea, Dra¬ 
cophyllum gracile, and others; Mr. A. Offer, gardener to J. Warren, Esq., 
Handcross Park, Crawley, was second, and Mr. G. Wheeler, St. John’s 
Lodge, Regent’s Park, was third. In the nurserymen’s class for six 
plants Mr. H. James took the lead, showing an excellent sample of Erica 
Massoni major well flowered. Mr. J. Cypher was a very close second 
with medium-sized but even and fresh plants, Erica ventricosa, magnifica 
being noteworthy for its number of flowers and their rich colour, 
Aphelexis macrantha purpui-ea was also good. 
Pelargoniums. —Two beautiful corner groups of Pelargoniums were 
formed of the competing collections. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, was first 
with six show varieties, handsome specimens of Amethyst, Comtesse de 
Choiseul, Gold Mine, The Baron, Maid of Honour, and Sister of Mercy. 
Mr. Turner was also first with six fancy varieties, delightfully fresh, pro¬ 
fusely flowered plants of East Lynne, The Shah, Mrs. Langtry, Ellen 
Beck, Princess Teck, and Fanny Gair. Mr. J. Cypher was second with 
six show varieties, Duchess of Bedford and Lady Isabel being the most 
noteworthy. In the amateurs’ class Mr. F. J. Hill was first with show 
varieties, satisfactory specimens of good varieties, and second with 
fancies, Delicatum being a magnificent plant. Mr. D. Phillips, gardener, 
Langley Broom, Slough, was first with medium sized but excellent 
fancy varieties, and second with show varieties, having Mauve Queen in 
capital form. The prizes for Zonals were gained by Messrs. H. Eason, 
F. J. Hill, and H. Rowson. 
Tuberous Begonias. —Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, were 
accorded chief honours for twelve Tuberous Begonias, representing some 
of their superb varieties with large brightly coloured flowers. The 
varieties were Marchioness of Teck, Ball of Fire, Lady Chesterfield, Earl 
of Rosslyn, Lady Falmouth, Bicolor, Queen Victoria, Primrose Queen, 
Lady Brooke, Sarah J. Reed, Virgin Queen, and Marquis of Bute. The 
third prize was awarded to Mr., \V. Windsor, gardener to W. H, 
Williams, Esq., The Chantry, Enfield, for small plants. Classes were 
provided for nineteenth century plants, but only one collection of 
annuals and herbaceous plants was shown, for which Messrs. Paul and 
Son, Cheshunt, obtained the first prize. Large numbers of plants were 
represented, including some of the most showy of the hardy plants now 
in cultivation. 
Foliage plants and Ferns were chiefly shown by Mr. J. Cypher, who 
had some huge Palms, Cycads, and Crotons. Mr. Offer had similarly 
large specimens. Mr. Donald, Mr. H. James, Mr. R. Butler, and Mr. 
Eason were also prizetakers. 
Fruit. —There was a good display of fruit for the season, and the 
competition in the leading classes was keen. In the Fruiterer’s Com¬ 
pany’s class for a collection, Mr. R. Parker, gardener to J. Corbett, Esq., 
M.P., Impney, Droitwich, was a capital first with three even hunches of 
Black Hamburgh Grapes, well-coloured large bunches of Foster’s Seed¬ 
ling Grape, a good Queen Pine, Elruge Nectarines ; Best of All, Scarlet 
Premier, and Cox’s Orange Gem Melons ; Noblesse Peaches, excellent ; 
President, Sir Joseph Paxton, and British Queen Strawberries ; Belle 
d’Orleans and Early Red Bigarreau Cherries, and Brown Turkey Figs. 
There was an admirable collection, distinguished by the even quality of 
the fruit, and one of the best we have seen at such early shows. Mr. 
T. Hare, Wellingore Gardens, Grantham, was second, also with good 
specimens of Black Hamburgh Grapes, but rather smaller ; Duke of 
Buccleuch Grapes, good bunches and berries, but slightly green * 
Murrey Nectarines, of fine colour ; Black Tartarian and Elton Cherries ; 
Early Albert and Early Louise Peaches, fine ; Longleat Perfection, 
Dell’s Hybrid, and a seedling Melon ; Sir Joseph Paxton Strawberries, 
and Brown Turkey Figs. Mr. W. Robins, gardener to Colonel Lee, 
Hartwell House, Aylesbury, was third, showing excellent Hero of 
Lockinge Melons, seven dishes of Peaches and four of Nectarines, 
with large bunches of Foster’s Seedling Grapes, and small ones of 
Black Hamburgh and Buckland Sweetwater. 
With Melons Mr. Parker was first for Blenheim Orange and Best of All, 
followed by Mr. W. F. Smith, Nevill Court Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, 
and Mr. Hollingsworth, gardener to J. F. Campbell, Esq.. Wood seat, 
Uttoxeter. For Pines, Mr. II. W. Ward, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, 
Longford Castle, Salisbury, was first with a good Queen, Mr. W.F. Smith 
being second, and Mr. R. Parker third. 
Four baskets of black Grapes were entered, Mr. J. Hollingsworth 
