1876. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
141 
to such treatment. Nevertheless, subject to any disadvantage that may be 
attached to them, they are most effective glorious subjects for warm conservatory 
embellishment, provided a dry atmosphere is at all seasons afforded them during 
the blooming period. 
There are numerous varieties adapted for winter-blooming, amongst which I 
have found the following to be very suitable :— ’ 
Gesnera refulgens: A strong growing variety, with beautifully marked velvety leaves, 
and showy flowers, which are produced in great profusion. 
Gesnera zebrina splendens: A well-known sort, with handsomely marbled leaves, and 
bright orange blossoms, 
Gesnera exoniensis: A splendid variety, with rich velvety foliage, and free branching 
habit. 
Gesnera Sappho: A variety with marbled leaves, and a white corolla tinted with rose, 
Gesnera cinnabarina rosea: A chaste and pleasing variety. 
Gesnera elliptica: Should be grown'on account of its delicious fragrance. 
Encodonia ncegelioides : A magnificent variety, which should bo grown in all collections. 
Eucodonia ncegelioides iilacinella is also a charming new variety, which gives great 
promise. 
There are various other varieti^es of the G. refulgens and zebrina splendens 
strain, which are equally well adapted for winter blooming, and may be added to 
collections by those who strive for variety ; but those I have named are varieties 
of well-known excellence.— Geo. Westland, Witley Court. 
GAEDEN GOSSIP. 
« HE International Horticultural Exhibition and Botanical Congress., which 
was opened in Brussels on April 30, was a very successful meeting. The 
f Exhibition was, indeed, one of which our Belgian friends may well be 
proud, so excellent, as a general rule, were the chief products exhibited. 
In Palms and large Foliage plants the Belgians had the advantage, and the influence which 
a few noble objects of this class have on the pictorial effect which is realised, is very great. In 
the case of Indian Azaleas, again, which were largely represented, the home-growers were 
able to produce plants which were superbly flowered, and superior in this respect to anything 
we are accustomed to see amongst ourselves'. On the other hand, Orchids and Roses, not¬ 
withstanding the perils of transit, were most fully illustrated by the English growers, and 
Hyacinths and other bulbous plants by the Dutch. The show was probably as high in the 
quality of its exhibits as any of the Internationals which have preceded it, though differing 
from them all through the influence of circumstances and of locality; not quite so extensive 
as our own show of 1866, but large enough for all practical purposes. The principal Belgian 
exhibitors were M. Linden, M. Van Hoiitte, M. Ghellinck de Walle, Madame Legrelle 
d’Hanis, MM. Vervaene, M. A. Van Geert, M. De Smet, M. Jacob-Makoy et Cie., M. Beau- 
carne, M. Siraux; while the English were strongly represented by Mr. Williams, Messrs. 
Veitch and Sons, Messrs. W. Paul, and Son, Mr. Bull, and Mr. Wills. The Prix d’Honneur, a 
large gold medal offered by his Majesty the King of the Belgians to the foreign exhibitor 
mpst instrumental in contributing to the splendour of the exhibition, was unanimously 
awarded to Mr. B. S. Williams. A second gold medal, offered by H.R.H. the Count of 
Flanders, was awarded to Messrs. Veitch, and a third was bestowed on Mr. Bull, for the 
scientific interest and value of his collections. The corresponding prizes which went to Belgian 
exhibitors were :—A gold medal, offered by the Queen of the Belgians, awarded to M. Linden ; 
a gold medal, offered by H.R.H. the Countess of Flanders, awarded to M. Van Houtte ; and 
a gold medal, awarded to Madame Legrelle d'Hanis. Among the more important prizes 
gained by English exhibitors were several gold and other medals to Mr. B. S. Williams and to 
Mr. Bull, for new plants; a gold medal to Messrs. Veitch, for a collection of plants sent not 
for competition ; a gold medal to Mr. 'Wills, for twenty-five Dracaenas, and similar awards 
for new varieties of the same genus, Mr. Williams also took the large gold medal of 1,000 
francs for twenty-five Orchids, two gold medals for Ferns, including one by “ acclamation” 
