May 22, 1886. 
THE GAKDENING WORLD. 
605 
supply until autumn. Of course, as cool a square as 
possible should be chosen for them, and one in good 
condition, or the roots will be hot and stringy. Plant 
forced Strawberries out as soon as hardened off. — Walter 
Child, Croome Court. 
-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
Gold Laced Polyanthuses. —I have to thank you, 
Mr. Editor, for so kindly sending me on Mr. Barlow’s 
Polyanthuses, and here let me remark as encouragement 
to those who may receive flowers per post in a dubious 
state, that although these same flowers had travelled 
per post twice, and when they reached me were in a 
desperately withered condition, such as would have led 
most persons to pitch them away at once. I preferred 
to clip the stems a little shorter, and set them into a 
glass of cold rain water, standing them in a cool place, 
and the result is that now on the 15th, probably six 
days after being gathered, they are singularly fresh ; 
every bloom is expanded, and no doubt they will keep 
as fresh for another week. So much en passant for 
caring for withered flowers, blow I have to thank Mr. 
Barlow also for sending the flowers, because I take it 
for granted that those represent the best strains of one 
of our most capable raisers. 
I not only repeat the note you appended, “ They are 
not good enough for the florists’ standard,” hut most of 
them are of very moderate quality indeed. The named 
variety Model is a red ground of a good rounded form, 
indeed, unusually so for a gold-laced kind, but the 
lacing is far from being clear and regular, and does not 
cut clean through the ground. The centre is too 
heavily yellow, indeed, almost an orange hue. In 
other respects it seems to present some good qualities 
as a parent, and should be utilised as a pollen parent 
upon some pin-eyed forms of which we often find 
many admirably laced in batches of seedlings. A 
couple of thrum-eyed flowers are meritorious, because 
the lacing is good, and one especially so, having that 
refined lacing which marks our best black grounds. 
Both these kinds, however, seem unwilling to expand 
fully ; on the other hand, most of the others expand 
well, hut have either pin eyes, clouded centres or 
grounds, and lacing wanting body or clearness. More 
size is desirable also, as some few are comparatively 
small flowers, and very few would make any appreciable 
show in the borders ; indeed, I venture the assertion 
that gold-laced Polyanthuses are not worth growing as 
border flowers, for they lack altogether those attractive 
and robust properties found in the true border or fancy 
varieties. 
As to the term “rivals,” which I previously employed, 
and to which Mr. Barlow objects, I may say that I used 
it in this sense. Calling the other day upon a friend, 
who has for years being growing large quantities of gold- 
laced Polyanthus from seed as border flowers, and 
thought them very beautiful, I found that this year he 
was blooming a quantity of the newer fancy—self or 
border kind, now becoming so popular—and he said, 
“ After these he could not think anything henceforth 
of laced forms for border purposes.” It is enough to 
say that whilst the border kinds give pips double and 
treble the size of gold-laced, much larger trusses, and 
infinite variety of colours, the gold-laced kinds give 
absolutely no variety whatever, except such distinctions 
as may be found in bad and good flowers, or in red or 
black grounds. As the perfect beauty, such as exist in 
high-class gold-laced kinds, can only be found in 
plants grown under glass, it is obvious that it is 
useless to grow them out in the open for pure florists’ 
purposes, except in raising seedlings when such 
culture is necessary. When so much ink has 
been spilt over the discussion as to the origin of the 
florists’ Auricula, doctors disagreeing deucedly, and no 
one convinced, it seems odd that no one has under¬ 
taken a similar satisfactory labour on behalf of the 
gold-laced Polyanthus. That it is of the same 
original parentage as the border kinds we have now in 
abundance is probable, but no doubt selection dis¬ 
tributed over generations of lives of florists has endued 
something apparently diverse from the ordinary strain. 
There is a black-ground strain much grown for market 
around London, which is late, and apparently distinct, 
but, perhaps, earlier, was allied to the gold-laced section. 
Some day, perhaps, we shall know more about Poly¬ 
anthus parentage ; at present we have chiefly to do 
with the improvement of Polyanthus progeny.— Florist. 
HORTICUL TURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Botanic. — May IWi. —The Summer Ex¬ 
hibitions of this Society in the Gardens at Regent’s 
Park, have deservedly gained the reputation of being 
the most effective in the neighbourhood of London, 
and the show now under notice was no exception to the 
rule. There was not quite such a large proportion of 
brilliant colours such as are furnished by Azaleas, for 
these were not so numerously represented as usual, hut 
if the softer tints predominated it did not lessen the 
beauty of the exhibition, and in some respects it was 
superior to its predecessors. Orchids, for example, 
were in great abundance, occupying a long bank in the 
centre of the tent and a similar ODe at the side, some 
scores of really fine specimens being exhibited. Roses 
also were more numerous than we have seen them 
at this show for several years, and though there was 
only one lot of giant plants the smaller specimens were 
equally as beautiful though they did not produce such 
an imposing effect. The Stove and Greenhouse Plants 
from Messrs. Chapman, Cypher, and Rann were dis¬ 
tinguished by their excellent, fresh, healthy condition, 
and careful training added considerably to the attrac¬ 
tions of the show. 
In the Orchid classes, Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to 
F. Whitbourn, Esq., Great Gearies, Ilford, was the 
most successful exhibitor in the amateurs classes, 
securing first honours with twelve plants and with 
twelve single specimens, in both cases showing capital 
plants of Cattleya Mossiae, Odontoglossums, Dendro- 
biums, &c. His Odontoglossums—vexillarium and 
Roezlii, with varieties—were marvellously well grown, 
and seldom do we see more healthy plants at exhibitions. 
One variety of 0. vexillarium, named Silvia, was re¬ 
markable for its rich rosy crimson colour ; 0. crispum 
and 0. citrosmum were also represented by good plants of 
first-rate varieties. Mr. F. G. Hill, gardener to H. Little, 
Esq., the Barrons, Twickenham, and Mr. C. J. Salter, 
gardener to J. Southgate, Esq., Selborne, Streatham, 
were second and third, each showing well, and Mr. 
Salter’s Masdevallia Veitchi majus, with eleven flowers, 
was the best variety we have seen for some time ; 
Dendrobium Falconeri being also notable for the size 
and high colour of the flowers. In the nurserymen’s 
classes, Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, was as successful 
as Mr. Douglas in the other classes, taking the first 
prize in each, and staging some excellent Laelias and 
Cattleyas with other plants similar to those rve noted 
at Birmingham last week. Other exhibitors and prize- 
takers were Mr. H. James, Lower Norwood, who 
followed Mr. Cypher in the two classes for nurserymen ; 
Mr. S. Cooke, gardener to De B. Crawshay, Esq., 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks ; and Mr. W. May, gardener to 
F. C. Jaeornb, Esq., Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill, 
who were awarded equal second prizes in the amateur’s 
class for twelve single specimens, both showing healthy 
plants of moderate size. 
Roses were contributed by Messrs. Paul & Son, Ches- 
hunt, Mr. C. Turner, Slough, Messrs. G. Jackman & 
Son, Woking, and Mr. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, in the 
Nurserymen’s classes, which proved the chief exhibits ; 
the Cheshunt Roses being in admirable condition and 
grandly flowered. With Stove and Greenhouse Plants 
the amateurs were well to the front, Mr. Chapman, 
gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard Park, Rugeley, 
taking the lead, closely followed by Mr. C. Rann, 
gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, 
Messrs. Wheeler & Butler showing in the class for six. 
Mr. J. Cypher secured the premier awards in the trade 
classes for twelve and six specimens with his usual giants; 
Mr. H. James and Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey, were 
awarded second and third prizes. Mr. C. Turner had 
some grand examples of Azaleas, and his Pelargoniums 
were very bright and well flowered, the latter from Mr. 
D. Phillips, gardener to R. W. Mann, Esq., Langley, 
also being noteworthy for their good culture. Heaths, 
Ferns, fine foliage plants and others were well shown 
by several of the exhibitors already mentioned. 
The non-competing exhibits were numerous as usual; 
the handsome groups in the centre of the tent from 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son, E. G. Henderson & Son, 
J. Laing &Co., and B. S. Williams, for which silver 
medals were awarded, were the most noteworthy. 
Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Messrs. H. Lane & 
Son, Great Berkhampstead, Sir. J. James, Farnham 
Royal, Slough, and several others, also exhibited well, 
the Farnham Royal Calceolarias being of uncommon 
merit. Certificates were awarded for the following 
plants :—Botanical Certificates:—To Mr. J. Douglas for 
AeranthusLeoni; to Messrs. J. Veitcli&Sonsfor Phoenix 
hybrida, Rosa lucida Rose Button, Ulmus Dampieri 
aurea ; to Mr. B. S. Williams for Alocasia regina, Laelia 
purpurata bella, L. Russelliana, and Oncidium tetra- 
copis ; to Mr. J. Douglas for Cattleya Mossiae Silvia, 
and Odontoglossum vexillarium Silvia ; to Messrs. H. 
Low & Co. for Cattleya Mossiae splendidissima, per¬ 
haps the finest-formed Mossiae that has yet appeared, 
and remarkable for the grand expansion of the lip and 
its brilliant colour ; to Sander & Co. for Odontoglossum 
Ruckerianum ; and to Henderson & Son for Alocasia 
Regina. Floricultural Certificates :—To Mr. P. Ladds 
for Zonal Pelargonium, Queen of the Whites ; Messrs. 
J. Yeitch & Sons for Rhododendron President and 
Brookianurn ; Messrs, J. Laing & Co. for Begonia In- 
cendie, Begonia Queen Victoria ; Mr. T. S. Ware for 
Moutan Pteonies Lord Macartney, Madame de Yitry 
and Carolina. We shall have occasion to refer to these 
later on. 
The Bath Floral Fete—Spring Show.—In 
the midst of drenching rain, and with surroundings of 
the most depressing character, the annual May exhi¬ 
bition took place on the 12tli inst. There were charming 
gardens, with the trees in the full flush of their vernal 
beauty and many in splendid bloom, such as the 
Amelanchier, various forms of the Pyrus, and especially 
the Chinese P. spectabilis, Horse Chestnut, Lilac, &e. ; 
there were tents filled with good plants on various 
patches of turf ; there were thousands desirous of seeing 
them and listening to the first-class music provided; 
but with few breaks the rain held on steadily, and 
though some ventured in, it was at the risk of severe 
cold. But Bath has a pilucky committee that rises 
superior to all failures ; they trust to the citizens to 
help them out of a financial difficulty, and they seldom 
find disappointment. In the upper part of the Sydney 
Gardens, where the shows are held, there is one space 
with turf banks, and when covered with canvas, this 
forms an imposing tent. Here were grouped the leading 
features of the show—huge Azaleas, stove and green¬ 
house and foliaged plants, pot Roses, Calceolarias, &c. 
One collection of twelve specimens, set up by Mr. G. 
Gardiner, gardener to W. Long, Esq., recalled the days 
when Turner and Veitchused to contend for supremacy 
at the London exhibitions. There were excellent 
examples of Roi d’Hollande, Roi Leopold, Due de 
Nassau, Souvenir de Prince Albert, Stanleyana, Model, 
Magnet, Stella, Mrs. Turner, Flag of Truce, Iveryana, 
and Criterion. Mr. James Cypher, nurseryman, Chel¬ 
tenham, whose productions helped to make the show, 
had the best nine, staging large bush-grown plants as 
contrasting with the pyramids just noticed. He had 
Due de Nassau, Model, Reinede PaysBas, andDuchesse 
Adelaide de Nassau as his best. Mr. J. F. Mould, 
Nurseryman, Pewsey, had the best six ; and Mr. C. 
Gardiner the best specimen in Model. All the others 
staged were so poor that second prizes in the first three 
classes were withheld. 
Roses in pots are generally a good feature in Bath. 
They were not so numerous as usual and scarcely so 
fine. One leading exhibitor had overdone his—got 
them too forward, and they were past their best. Mr. 
Taylor, gardener to S. P. Budd, Esq., had the best nine, 
well-grown and flowered specimens ; Mr. R, B. Cater, 
of Bath, being second. Mr. A. Hawkins, gardener to 
T. Jolly, Esq., had the best six ; Mr. F. J. 'Walker 
being second. Some Pelargoniums that would have 
done credit to the Regent’s Park show were staged by 
Mr. Cypher ; they were generally of the decorative 
section, well grown and flowered. Lady Isabel, purple, 
and Triomphe de St. Mande deserve especial mention. 
Mr. Tucker, gardener to Major Clarke, Trowbridge, was 
a good second. With six plants, Mr. A. J. C. Bliss 
was first, and in this collection the two varieties just 
named were prominent. Mr. Jno. Mattock, nursery¬ 
man, Oxford, was second. Calceolarias were fine and 
gay. Mr. Tucker and Lord Justice Lopes were first and 
second ; and in the class for six Cinerarias, in which 
there were several exhibits, Mr. R. B. Cater, of Bath, 
was first, and Mr. Jerome Murch, also of Bath, second. 
Mr. Cypher had it all his own way with Heaths, having 
the best four and the leading single specimen also, 
backed up by Messrs. Bryant and Gardiner, the first- 
named taking the second prize four. 
But it was in the class for twelve stove and green¬ 
house plants that Mr. Cypher shone, and it may truly 
be said, surpassed himself. I think I never saw a 
better twelve from Cheltenham ; they consisted of 
noble plants of Pimelias Hendersoni and spectabile, 
Dracophyllum gracile, Franciscea eximea, Anthurium 
Scherzerianum, and a fine variety named densifolia, 
Erica affine and E. Cavendishiana, Hedaroma tulipifera, 
Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, and two fine Azaleas. 
Mr. C. Gardiner was a good second, having Anthurium 
Andreanum, Ixora Williamsii and I. Fraseri, Cleroden- 
dron Balfourianum, &c. Mr. W. C. Drummond, nursery¬ 
man, Bath, had the best six, and Mr. Cypher had the 
best single specimen, staging a fine plant of Anthurium 
Scherzerianum Cypheri, with ten bold rounded spathes. 
Mr. Gardiner was second with a fine Ixora Prince of 
Orange. Foliaged plants and Ferns were such as is 
usually seen ; Mr. Cypher had the best fifteen, a fine 
lot ; Mr. W. C. Drummond the best nine, and Mr. 
Cypher the best single specimen, staging a fine piece of 
Kentia Canterburyana. Mr. Tucker had the best 
fifteen Ferns, and Mr. Drummond the best nine. 
Of Orchids there was a select display. Efforts are 
being made to encourage the cultivation of Orchids in 
the Bath district, and there is every probability of its 
proving successful. The Rev. E. Handley, Bath, had 
the best six, showing Cattleya Mossiae, fc. Mendelii, 
Laelia purpurata, Oncidium Marshallianum (not a good 
form of this showy species), Odontoglossum Roezli, and 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum ; Mr. H C. Miles was second; 
and Mr. Cypher third. The Rev. E. Handley had the 
best single specimen in Odontoglossum citrosmum. In 
the amateurs’ class the best four came from Mr. H. C. 
Miles, who had Cymbidium Lowianum, Cattleya 
Mossiae, Laelia cinnabarina, and Masdevallia Lindeni ; 
Mr. E. E, Bryant was Second. 
