April 17, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
K 0 K 
Confidence, a good free variety ; Peverill of the Peak, 
Alexander Meiklejohn, Colonel Champneys, and the 
old Conqueror of Europe, in good form. Of white 
edges, Trail’s Beauty was in good form ; Read’s Acme, 
one of the best whites, is throwing up fine trusses ; 
Duke of Albany (Turner), a new white-edged raised at 
Slough and not yet distributed ; and Smith’s Ne Plus 
Ultra. There were many others hastening on into 
flower, but those named above were the most likely to 
be in by the 20th. 
And then the beautiful Alpines: these also are 
coming on fast, but on the whole they are later than 
the show varieties, though they are perhaps a little 
quicker in getting fully expanded. But in order to 
have anything like the large collection of Alpines we 
are accustomed to see at South Kensington, from 
Slough, on these occasions the plants have to do a 
great deal. Whether or no they will be up to ex¬ 
hibition form by the 20th, remains to be seen. I made 
a note of the following varieties as exceedingly beau¬ 
tiful :—Evening Star, Mariner, Mr. Thompson, Ve¬ 
suvius, Unique, Mr. Llewelyn, and Colonel Scott, old 
varieties ; with Garnet and Mungo McGeorge, two new 
varieties of great beauty, the latter probably one of the 
finest varieties raised at Slough. Then there are three 
pretty white or cream grounds that should be in a 
collection, viz, Tenniel, George Lightbody, and Queen 
Victoria. The most charming shades of purple, violet, 
and mauve, are in association with the white or cream 
centre. I do not think I ever saw a finer lot of clean, 
healthy, well-grown plants, than these are at Slough 
at the present moment. And large as many of the 
plants were, but few comparatively were in 32-sized 
pots ; a good many in 48’s, and a large number in 
large 60’s. John Ball in his fine management of Mr. 
Turner’s Auriculas, teaches this one important lesson— 
do not over-pot. It is surprising what the Alpines do 
in small-sized pots. They appear to be grown in good 
yellow loam, leaf-mould, and a little decomposed 
manure, with sufficient sand to keep the compost open. 
No fancy mixtures or stimulants are employed. With 
a fitting compost there is constant attention, and over¬ 
sight ; a proper system of treatment, and pure air, 
and the plants do well. If anyone wishes to pay an 
enjoyable visit to the Royal Nursery at Slough, let 
them do so while the Alpine Auriculas are in flower, 
for they will witness a sight of an extremely instructive 
character, and not soon forgotten.— 11. D. 
- ->x<- - 
THE NARCISSUS COMMITTEE. 
A meeting of the Narcissus Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society was held at South Kensington on 
Tuesday, April 13th, when a large number of specimens 
were exhibited, including, amongst others of special 
interest, seedlings from Captain Nelson and Mr. 
Engleheart, and a great many wild varieties of different 
types. There was not sufficient time to go thorougly 
into all the collections which were received, but the 
following is a brief account of what was submitted for 
inspection and the decisions taken :— 
1. Incomparabilis, from Messrs. J. Dickson & Sons, 
of Chester, not known, but apparantly a form of In¬ 
comparabilis from the Pyrenees. Particulars requested 
of its history. 
2. Nobiiis, from Dr. Wallace, Colchester, collected 
by Mr. Maw. Deferred to another year. 
3. Golden Spur, from Dr. Wallace. Correctly 
named. 
4. A form of Pseudo-Narcissus, from Mr. H. Collins. 
Not considered worthy of a distinctive name. 
5. Calathinus, of Redoute, from Mr. Barr. True to 
the figure. 
6. Tom Thumb, Mr. Barr. Deferred. 
7. Automedon, a good variety of Pseudo-Narcissus, 
from Mr. T} T erman. Name registered. 
8. Henry Irving, a Spurius of Dutch origin, from 
Mr. Barr. Name registered. 
9. Challenger, a strong-growing variety with foliage 
resembling Rugilobus, from Mr. Llewellyn. Name 
registered. 
10. Pseudo-Narcissus, from Mr. Tyerman. Not 
considered worthy of a name. 
11. Some small forms collected in the Maritime Alps, 
and ranging from deep yellow and lemon self-coloured 
shades to yellow trumpets with white perianth. From 
Mr. Scrase Dickins. Accepted as varieties of Minor. 
12. White Ajax, from Miss Owen. Identified as 
Colleen Bawn. 
13. Irish cerneum, from Miss Owen. 
14. A small straw-coloured Daffodil, from Miss 
Owen. Named as Minor citrinus. 
15. A flower from Mr. W. B. Hartland, similar to 
the last in shape and size, but white. Named as 
White Minor. 
16. A Polyanthus Narcissus, from Mr. Archer Hind, 
collected in woods near Ostia. Not recognised. 
17. A form of Pseudo-Narcissus, from the Rev. Mr. 
Wilks, described by him as the earliest, strongest, and 
most floriferous sort he has ever met with. Named 
Troilus. 
18. A seedling from Tottenham Yellow, more robust 
in form, from Mr. Wilks. 
19. A seedling from Captain Nelson, in appearance 
like a white Telamonius. 
20. A seedling from Captain Nelson, like a pale 
Exquisite. 
21. A seedling from Captain Nelson, of a deep gold 
colour. . 
22. A short crowned Moschatus, from Rev. Mr. 
Engleheart. Name registered as Niobe. 
23. Some forms, single and double, found growing 
between Telamonius plenus and wild Pseudo-Narcissus, 
which had been planted in concentric rings round the 
stems of trees, showing strong evidence of being hybrid 
seedlings between the two (Rev. Mr. Engleheart). 
24. Specimens of Pseudo-Narcissus of various forms 
and colours, from Rev. C. Wolley Dod. 
25. Corbularia nivalis, from Mr. Corder, true ; 
Triandrus pulchellus, and some other forms of Trian- 
drus. 
26. A collection of forms of Spurius from Mr. A. E. 
Barnaart, including Golden Spur, Spurius coronatus, 
and Henry Irving ; and several others not recognised 
by distinctive names. 
27. A collection of Italian Trumpet Narcissus, from 
Mr. Morse, of Epsom. 
28. A report, with dried specimens of N. Triandrus, 
was presented to the committee from Professor Hen- 
riques, of Coimbra. 
29. A collection of white Ajax was brought by Miss 
White. One large variety, known sometimes as tor- 
tuosus tenuifolius, was registered under the name of 
Leda. It had the peculiarity of being strongly scented 
like old Oak. 
30. Bishop Man, a very tall-growing Moschatus, 
from Mr. W. B. Hartland. Deferred. 
31. Minnie Warren, a small Moschatus, from Mr. 
W. B. Hartland. Name registered. 
32. Gladys, another small white form. Name 
registered. 
33. A very interesting collection of forms of Incom¬ 
parabilis, from Mr. W. Godolphin Osborne, collected 
by him in the Pyrenees, varying considerably in the 
colour of the crown and perianth. 
34. Muticus and juncifolius, and a Corbularia, from 
the same source. 
35. A white Ajax with buff-coloured trumpet, very 
distinct; and a variety of Sir Watkin, with deeply 
stained crown, were shown by Mr. J. Walker. 
36. A collection of various sorts from Mr. J. H. 
Krelage, for verification of names. 
37. Some flowers were shown by Mr. Ware, which 
were accepted as true nobiiis. The roots were collected 
in the Pj'renees, and had been in cultivation in England 
for two years. 
38. A number of single and double Pseudo-Narcissus 
and Telamonius from various sources, sent in reference 
to the question of the conversion from single to double. 
C. 11. Scrase Dickens, Hon. Sec. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
♦ 
Royal Horticultural. —April 13<A.— Daffodils 
and Orchids were the lions of the day on Tuesday, and for 
the loversof both there was much of great interest beyond 
the mere brilliancy of the display, which on its own 
merits we should have been glad to have seen more visitors 
present to enjoy. The display of Daffodils was the 
largest we have ever seen ; the leading growers, Messrs. 
Barr & Sons, Mr. T. S. Ware, Messrs. Collins Bros., 
and Mr. Walker, of Whitton, sending immense col¬ 
lections of the finest flowers, while smaller contributions 
came from the New Plant & Bulb Co., Colchester, and 
others. Fuller details on this section of the exhibition 
will be found in another column. The Orchids ex¬ 
hibited included several very fine specimens of first- 
class species from Sir Trevor Lawrence’s collection, 
and which well deserved the silver gilt medal awarded 
to them. First in point of attractiveness was a speci¬ 
men of Oncidium Marshallianum, with five noble spikes 
of brilliant yellow flowers, spotted with chestnut-red. 
A specimen of the fragrant and pretty Maxillaria 
Turneri bore about 250 blossoms; and a plant of 
Odontoglossum vexillarium roseum, with five spikes 
carried twenty-five lovely blossoms. But, perhaps, 
the most remarkable plant, was one of Epidendrum 
Wallisii with five spikes of flowers. These are of 
an exceedingly fascinating character, the sepals and 
petals being of a rich lemon colour, dotted with a few- 
crimson spots, and the lip white feathered with shades 
of rose and crimson. This was awarded a First Class 
Certificate. Cattleya Lawreneeana, one of the best 
shaped and richest coloured varieties we have seen, 
also received a similar award. Dendrobium Bry- 
merianum, and D. Harveyanum formed a pleasing 
contrast, both being golden-yellow in colour, the latter 
about half the size of the former, and having the 
petals, as well as the lip, fringed. With the orchids 
from Burford Lodge, came also an instructive collection 
of Anthuriums, which included fine specimens of A. 
Scherzerianum Wardii, and Henderson’s variety, which 
has equally as fine spathes as the former, and not 
being so much curled, give a much finer effect. The 
new A. Rothschildianum, figured in another column, 
was also represented by a strong growing piece with 
spathes of good size, and with it was A. Devansayanum, 
another mottled variety of great merit, the spathes 
being longer and narrower than those of Mr. Bergman’s 
Seedling, and the scarlet blotching more pronounced. 
It is distinct also in the spadix being scarlet 
instead of yellow ; this also was awarded a First Class 
Certificate. 
Another sterling novelty which attracted much 
attention was the new yellow Odontoglossum Pescatorei, 
for which its lucky possessor, B. D. Knox, Esq., 
Caversham, Reading, also received a First Class Certifi¬ 
cate. In shape the flowers represent the best types of 
O. Pescatorei, with the sepals and petals of a clear 
yellow colour, the centre of the flowers white, and the 
lip of a pale straw colour, with a few crimson spots. 
It is a novel, distinct, and beautiful variety, and at 
Stevens’sale on Wednesday it realised 165 guineas. To 
W. C. Pickersgill, Esq., Blenden Hall, Bexley, a First 
Class Certificate was awarded for a grand variety of 
Lycaste Skinneri, named gloriosa, a much larger flower 
in all its parts than the ordinary type, and the colours 
very bright. The plant bore two dozen blooms and 
was much admired. Another First Class Certificate 
was awarded to Sydney Courtauld, Esq., Booking 
Place, for Odontoglossum mulus Courtauldianum, in 
which the yellow ground colour is paler than in the 
type, and the blotches purple-brown instead of Chest¬ 
nut-red ; and a similar award was made to William Lee, 
Esq., of Downside, for Cypripedium Wallisii, a species in 
which the sepals are grass-green with deep green lines ; 
the petals white with green and brown veins, and the 
lip white veined with crimson. Mr. Lee, among other 
good things, also showed some fine blooms of various 
Cattleyas, and a splendidly marked variety of Cypri¬ 
pedium Godefroy®, named punctatissima. To H. M. 
Pollett, Esq., Fernside, Bickley, a Bronze Medal was 
awarded for a small but remarkable collection of Odon- 
toglossums, consisting of O. Pollettianum, O. Mulus, 
O. Andersonianum, O. Ruckerianum, and O. Ruekeria- 
num insignis, every one of which are regarded as gems, 
and of the possession of which Mr. Pollett may be not 
a little proud. 
Another new plant certificated was Myosotidium 
nobile, from the collection of E. G. Loder, Esq., Floore, 
Weedon. This is a lovely but rarely seen New Zealand 
perennial, more fully noticed in another column. The 
chairman, Mr. G. F. Wilson, received a similar award 
for Primrose Alice Wilson, a seedling from his well- 
known variety “Scott Wilson,” but much deeper in 
colour, being of a rich purple-blue plum colour. Mr. 
Wilson has a great number of varieties obtained from 
seed of “ Scott Wilson,” of which the one exhibited to 
day is a well-marked advance. 
Messrs. James Yeitch & Sons obtained certificates for 
two grand new Amaryllis, of which Princess of Wales 
may be said to be—for size, shape, and substance 
combined—the finest variety yet seen, and which must 
be taken as the standard that must now be worked up 
to. The flower is of a light ground colour, veined and 
suffused with crimson. Crown Princess of Germany is 
of the Leopoldi type, but of fine form and very attrac¬ 
tive, the segments being white, boldly feathered and 
banded with scarlet. The same firm also showed in 
flower, the first seedling Phal®nopsis bloomed. in 
Europe. It is the result of a cross between P. amabilis 
and P. rosea, and proves to be identical with P. inter - 
. media. From H. J. Buchan, Esq., Southampton, 
came, under the name of Odontoglossum liliiflorum, a 
form which was understood to be named by Professor 
Reichenbach Od. ramosissimum roseum, but which 
appeared to be nearer 0 ioploeon, a supposed hybrid 
between 0. ramosissimum and 0. Edwardii, the mauve 
flowers of the plant exhibited being much like those of 
0. ioploeon. Fir. B. S. Williams, among other novelties, 
showed the new Himantophyllum Ambrose Verschaf- 
felt, a very fine variety with bright warm red flowers. 
At the meeting of the Fruit Committee, Mr. 
Cummings, gardener to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, 
Carshalton, exhibited a very fine collection of Apples, 
in a high state of preservation, and was awarded a 
Silver Medal ; and Mr. Stephen Castle, West Lynn, 
received a Cultural Commendation for a superb sample 
of Gros Colmar Grapes. 
Royal Botanic.— April \ith.— -As at South 
Kensington, the Daffodils were again in stiong force 
from Messrs. Barr & Son, Ware, and Collins Bios. & 
Gabriel who were all awarded Silver Medals for their 
contributions, but these and a few others, non-compet¬ 
ing exhibits, constituted the chief portion of the show, 
as°the classes were not so well filled as might have been 
desired. A handsome half-dozen Azaleas from Fir. C. 
Turner, Slough, won the first prize, and the plants 
were incomparably the finest shown, not of great size, 
but bearing a profusion of bright flowers, the double 
white Fladeline and single white Baron de Vriere being 
wonderfully good. Flessrs. Paul & Sons’ Roses in pots 
formed another excellent feature, well deserving the 
