22 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 12, 1885 
H. calycinum, the so-called Eose of Sharon, is a 
very fine species, and does well under trees ; it is very 
free-flowering, the flowers nearly 3 ins. across. 
Those best suited for the rockery are H. regypticum 
H. balearicum, H. Coris, H. repens, H. liummu- 
larium, and others. These are all neat attractive little 
objects, and worthy of cultivation. It is worthy of 
note that all the species and varieties of this genus have 
yellow flowers, without, so far as I am acquainted, a 
single exception ; this seldom occurs to a genus in its 
entirety. ' Another noteworthy feature is the cluster of 
anthers occupying the centre of the flower, and which 
is so conspicuous in many of the larger-flowered kinds. 
Heuchera sanguinea. —This is one of a small genus 
belonging to Saxifragacea, a genus remarkable rather 
for the bronzy hue of its foliage than for any special 
beauty of its flowers ; therefore is it that I would call 
special notice to not only the finest of the genus, but 
also to one of the most beautiful rock plants of recent 
introduction. It is one of those perfectly hardy gems 
that will be a lasting boon to all lovers of hardy plants. 
In its tufted habit of growth, its height, and its slender 
flower stems, it does not differ materially from the 
other members of the genus. The leaves are five to 
seven-lobed and deeply cordate, the lobes, again, 
sharply crenate and’ slightly pubescent. It is, how¬ 
ever, in the colour of its flowers that the departure 
comes, and which is sure to elicit the admiration of all 
who behold it. The slender flower stems, about 15 ins. 
high, issue from amidst a tuft of leaves, and having 
attained their maximum, assume a slightly arching 
position. These are furnished with its brilliant flowers, 
which are of a bright coral-red—a hue of colour effective 
in the extreme, and which last a long time in perfec¬ 
tion, and when detached from the plant, its lasting 
qualities are very durable, as shown by the fact that 
during the extreme heat of the passing summer the 
writer had a spike of this lovely plant in water for a 
little more than a week, so that its charming spikes 
may be turned to account in this way when 'sufficiently 
plentiful. It will be well to add that it is being dis¬ 
tributed for the first time this year, and thus far the 
supply is limited. 
Ibeeis or Perennial Candytufts.— There are now 
in cultivation many exceedingly good free-flowering 
and useful species and varieties of this genus, so that I 
will only mention some of the very best for general 
decorative purposes, and one of the best of these is 
that known as the white perennial Candytuft, I. cori- 
folia, producing pure white somewhat globular umbels 
of flowers in spring, this grows about 9 ins. high, and for 
massing on the rockery, or as a front row border plant, 
or for lines, it is probably the best of the group. 
For size of individual blooms the Gibraltar Candytuft, 
I. gibraltarica is the finest. Owing to its distinct 
trailing habit it is especially adapted for the rockery in 
warm well-drained positions, though in light soils it 
does well as a border plant; under glass this is a pm-e 
white, in the open it generally assumes a reddish lilac 
hue, its large heads often measuring three inches across. 
Seeds sown at once, and grown on in pots, make 
especially good ornaments for the conservatory during 
February and March. With liberal treatment it is 
surprising the size that this attains, and, added to this, 
its free-flowering qualities, it is really a valuable plant. 
Seedlings invariably make the best plants. 
Iberis sempervirens plena.— This is a double form 
of the well-known evergreen Candytuft, and a very 
superior plant in all respects. The original species is 
well known to all, known in some respects, if not by 
name, for it is a frequent occurrence in the majority of 
cottage gardens, as well as those of greater size and far 
more elaborate style. It is at home in almost any soil, and 
it is among the freest of our spring-flowering plants ; all 
these qualities are possessed by the double kind, which, 
in so far as purity and compact globular heads of 
are flowers concerned, surpasses all that has preceded 
it. It is destined to become a most popular plant, and 
will be eagerly sought after by those who have to pro¬ 
vide white flowers in quantity in the early part of the 
year. For any and every purpose where white cut- 
flowers are used this must have a place. It may be 
grown in pots, and when established, may be forced 
gently. All the perennial forms of the Iberis may be 
propagated by means of cuttings, these may be inserted 
any time during September, choosing half-ripened 
shoots, strip them off with a heel attached in as many 
cases as possible, as these are most sure to form roots. 
Keep the cutting frame close and shaded till rooted. —J. 
Scottish Gardening. 
Horticultural Exhibitions. — Exhibitions of 
fruits, plants, flowers, and vegetables are so numerous 
throughout the country, that one might suppose there 
is little left in horticultural matters which is not well 
understood by the bulk of the keen exhibitors, who 
have long tried their skill at raising produce for compe¬ 
tition. After an experience of many years, we have a 
difficulty in finding objects which can be named as 
triumphs of horticultural skill, resulting from such 
exhibitions, and the vast amount of labour and anxiety 
they entail. Nevertheless, true lovers of progress 
would not wish to see an end of the attractions which 
horticultural exhibitions give to such great numbers of 
our race—its refining influence and the promulgation 
of that fraternising spirit which is often noticeable 
among the lovers of gardening, are strong arguments of 
themselves—-we refer more particularly to the amateur 
and cottager class, wdio figure so strong at our rural 
exhibitions. Seldom do they fail in producing articles 
creditable to themselves and suitable to the exhibition 
tables—tables standing so high (in many cases) seem to 
impair the effect of plants only showing their under 
parts effectively, while the surface of the plants which 
have been fully developed by light, are seen at great 
disadvantage. The change effected at the Edinburgh 
Shows, and some other places, have called forth (very 
justly too) very favourable comments. 
It would be very pleasing if sympathy and courtesy, 
with a total absence of bickering, were as prominent 
characteristics of professionals as we observe they are 
of amateurs, such, I feel sure, would be productive of 
great good, and exhibitions would leave reminiscences 
much more pleasant than they now sometimes do. 
Lately we visited a west highland town where amateur 
exhibitors are keen, painstaking, and much embued 
with a spirit of emulation, but, the brotherly feeling 
which seemed to exist, and the interest which each 
appeared to have iu their neighbour’s success as cultiva¬ 
tors, was very refreshing. They had each others advice, 
read one anothers’ books and papers, and all seemed to 
be on a footing worthy of honourable mention. To see 
the books and papers (no doubt well thumbed) in pos¬ 
session of some, almost suggested that bibliomaniacs 
existed in that quiet highland district. I visited some 
of their gardens where specialities in some form pre¬ 
vailed. Collections of Apples, Pears, suitable for the 
north, Plums and Cherries had received much attention, 
and fruitfulness and canker were not left master of the 
situation ; lifting, root-pruning, and re-planting above 
the ordinary level on a firm lime bottom were items in 
cultivation which had not been neglected ; herbaceous 
plants, the cultivation of choice Peas, Potatos, Onions, 
&c., were deemed objects worthy of primary considera¬ 
tion, and we have always felt, that, intercourse with 
those who cultivate tastes so laudable, have rendered 
us receptive of sound instruction. 
Referring to the shows, as far as we had opportunities 
of observing, we can safely state that there seems to be 
no retrogression in vegetable growing. It has always 
been well represented at exhibitions by the amateur 
classes, and is well maintained by professional men, 
and though many fall out of the ranks of competitors 
to “rest on their oars,” others seem ready to fill up the 
gaps. Not contented with success among then- com¬ 
peers, we notice that amateurs challenge (often success¬ 
fully) practical men. To see an amateur with Black 
Hamburgh Grapes of such excellence (as we did some 
time ago) carry off the first prize against fruit from a 
high-class garden, which were grown by one of the 
leading gardeners in the North, of course, ripeness and 
some other advantages out-distancing first-class culti¬ 
vation, which, under other circumstances, would have 
easily held its own. We always have respect for the 
conduct of judges, who, irrespective of snarling and 
unpleasant comment, are not afraid to pass by high- 
class cultivation when the objects are neither ready nor 
suitable for exhibition. It is not what the articles were 
some time ago, or what they might have been a few 
weeks hence, but what condition they are in when on 
the exhibition tables. If the rules found in most 
schedules were closely adhered to when judging, there 
would be fewer discontented exhibitors, and far less 
retiring from the contests of “miuds made up” not to 
re-enter the lists again. Growers, who have been for 
some time the chief admirers of their own productions 
at home, are slow to accept verdicts of censors who have 
made up their miuds to do justice and maintain a 
good reputation. 
We never had much difficulty when judging, but 
from some reports we have lately read, and what we 
have too often listened to, it would appear that carping 
is by no means extinct. One also occasionally meets 
with temptation at shows. Once at a Southern show a 
grower, in a small business, was successful with Cloves, 
&c., and on one occasion he was fairly beaten. This 
cute gentleman appealed to the judges to remember 
that “ he had a wife and family to maintain.” Though 
he was crowded out with better exhibits, they were 
worthy of “special notice.” and they got it. The same 
cute exhibitor at another show was extra successful, but, 
unfortunately for his honour, was convicted of tieing 
on (with veiy fine green wire) Hollyhock blooms. 
When we referred to the delinquency, he, most in¬ 
nocently, assured us that he believed it quite -legitimate 
to tie on the blooms which his unsteady cart caused to 
be shaken off on the journey. We would hope, how¬ 
ever, that such malpractices are not common. 
There are a few things which judges and exhibitors 
would do well to consider when judging iu some classes 
of plants, viz., the awarding of prizes to those which 
are novel, when their real value is nil. A plant of 
great money value is often discarded when plentiful and 
cheap as an incumberanee. While purchasing a small 
collection of dwarf jdants lately we were asked for one, 
the same as one in our selection, fifty guineas, about seven 
years ago. but bought ours, the one referred to above, 
for less that number of pence. It is high cultivation 
we wish to see encouraged, and let a class for novelties 
be encouraged by all means, but separately. 
As shows worthy of recognition are generally well 
reported, especially when they have other attractions 
apart from horticulture, we need hardly venture on 
details of them. Falkirk Show was held lately in the 
town hall there, and many of the exhibits were worthy 
of honourable mention. Vegetables were excellent. 
Cauliflower, Leeks, Potatos, autumn-sown Onions, 
Cabbage, and some other specialities were of much ex¬ 
cellence, and both from amateurs and professional men 
the most of the kinds would have created admiration at 
any show which we ever visited. Bouquets (both hand 
and table) were superb, some working men taking the 
lead in some classes. The Crotons from Park Hall, 
which held high honours at Edinburgh some time ago, 
were out-distanced by the superb specimens from the 
same place when exhibited at Falkirk. The table 
plants from Park Hall, which had the first prize, might 
do the same at many other shows of less obscure cha¬ 
racter than Falkirk. Croton Chelsoni was so fine in 
colour that it created special attraction. It was about 
15 ins. high on a single stem, and the leaves like golden 
icicles hung beautifully over the pot. Roses were in 
excellent form for the season. The blooms from Mr. 
Cocker, of Aberdeen, would with difficulty be surpassed 
anywhere. They reminded us strongly of the Belfast 
Roses when shown in July. Pansies, both in seifs and 
fancies, were largely shown ; but to do justice to both 
classes, they should be exhibited separately. Fruit 
(though not extensively shown) had some high-class lots 
in the collection. The pair of Gros Maroc bunches of 
Grapes were on a level with the finest of that kind which 
we have ever seen tabled, not excluding Mr. Coleman’s 
example at the Manchester “ International.” The large, 
handsome bunches of perfect form, with such immense 
berries and dense bloom, kept that portion of the hall 
where they were placed very busy. This was another 
of Mr. Murray’s (gardener at Park Hall) successful hits. 
White Grapes called for no special remark. Black 
Hamburghs were remarkably good. A bunch from an 
amateur was first; form of bunch and bloom were very 
near perfection, but the berries were undersized. We 
would like to encourage such a bold amateur to go 
further afield, where he would be sure to reap high 
honours ; I quite forget this exhibitor’s name. The 
flower garden designs exhibited by journeymen gar¬ 
deners were well done, all being neat and the colours 
well balanced. The first prize, we were told, was 
easily arranged, and though on the side of being a 
“gaudy show,” was remarkable for neatness, and all 
the proportions of walks, margins, &c., were correct. 
The names or localities of the young men who competed 
for this popular prize we did not learn. Many other- 
features of this, the oldest society iu Scotland, were of 
special merit, and may be taken as a fair example of a 
provincial show in the north held for the advancement 
of horticulture only. — M. T. 
