June 12, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
653 
and the length of supply is curtailed, whereas if gathered 
before becoming dead ripe, they can be safely kept 
without impairing the flavour for several days, some¬ 
times a matter of importance. 
Be particularly careful that an abundance of air is 
admitted to all the Peach houses at all times. Continue 
to plant out the Strawberries that have been forced, as 
they are hardened off, the late rains which we have en¬ 
joyed will be the means of quickly establishing them. 
It is also advisable, perhaps, to say take care of the 
earliest batch of runners, for layering as soon as large 
enough, for no time must be lost if a good supply is 
hoped for. _ 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Work in this department is now abundant, and some 
care is necessary in apportioning it. Let the thinning 
of Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, and such-like crops be 
completed as early as possible, after which the Dutch 
hoe should be run between the rows. This will, in a 
great measure, prevent the drought entering, and also 
will furnish a loose surface, which will greatly help in 
future operations. If not already finished, push on 
with the hoeing of all Potato quarters, and within a 
few days moulding-up should be done. 
The late sowing of Peas now require sticking, and we 
have to-day had the sticks carried to them. Be careful 
to have the hoe run frequently through the quarter to 
keep quite free from weeds ; and should any lengthened 
spell of dry weather follow, it will be advisable to 
mulch liberally -with half-decayed manure, or mildew 
will be apt to make its appearance, when the crop is 
quickly spoiled. As an early variety, William I. is 
still well able to hold its own; sown on the same date, 
and side by side with American Wonder, it is this 
season fully a week earlier, and this, with so unfavour¬ 
able a season, means a great deal. 
Trenches for the late or main batch of Celery should 
now be prepared. Do not have a hard smooth surface 
at the bottom of the trench, but rather thoroughly in¬ 
corporate the manure with the soil, and the plants will 
thrive more satisfactorily. Let the early planting be 
liberally treated, giving an occasional dose of liquid 
manure, and during hot weather a good sprinkling 
overhead through the “rose” of an evening -—Walter 
Child, Croomc Court. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural.— June. 8th. —It was in¬ 
tended that Orchids should be the special feature of this 
meeting, several classes being inserted in the schedule 
with that object, but the response on the part of ex¬ 
hibitors did not come up to expectations, and but for a 
goodly number of good specimens staged by Mr. Cypher, 
of Cheltenham, the display would have been meagre 
indeed. As it was, the feature of the show was, un¬ 
doubtedly, the wealthy display of herbaceous Paeonies, 
the massive, semi-globular and highly coloured flow T ers 
of which were staged in great numbers by Mr. T. S. 
Ware, Messrs. Barr & Son, Messrs. Hooper & Co., 
Messrs. Kelway & Son, &c. 
In the amateurs’ class for 12 Orchids, there was only 
one exhibitor, Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to J. South- 
gate, Esq., Streatham, who secured the first prize 
with an admirable group, conspicuous in which were 
good examples of Oncidium macrantlium, Masdevallia 
Harryana, a grand mass of flowers ; Anguloa Rucker- 
iana, Dendrobium suavissimum, with fifteen spikes, 
and Aerides Fieldingii, with six spikes. Mr. Cypher 
was first with twelve Orchids (distinct), and also for 
six ; staging, amongst others, Cattleya Mossiae, with 
thirty-four blooms; Anguloa Clowesii, with fifteen 
flowers ; a splendid mass of Epidendrum vitellinum 
majus ; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, a yard through ; a 
mass of Odontoglossum citrosmum, with eleven spikes ; 
the richly coloured Cattleya Mossiae var. Rothschild- 
iana; Laelia purpurata alba; and a fine pan of 
Cypripedium Lawrenceanum. Mr. Hill, gardener to 
H. Little, Esq., Twickenham, was second in the former 
class, and Mr. H. James in the latter. Mr. Cypher 
was also first for six Cattleyas or Lcelias, in which 
class Mr. Cooke, gardener to De B. Crawshay, Esq., 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks, came in second, and Mr. H. 
James jhird. Mr. Crawshay’s gardener took the first 
prize in another class for six ; and Mr. H. James 
also secured a first with a group of Odontoglossums. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, exhibited (not for 
competition) a nice assortment of Odontoglossum cris- 
pum varieties, tastefully grouped with Maidenhair 
Ferns ; and a similar batch of Cattleya Mossiae varie¬ 
ties—broad-petalled and nicely coloured forms. 
The new plants certificated were as follows :—To 
Admiral Fairfax, Ravenswood, Melrose, for Cattleya 
speciossissima, Fairfax variety, a richly-coloured variety 
with the veins of the sepals, petals, and lip of a 
pronounced crimson hue. To Mr. T. S. Ware, for 
Pyrethrum Mrs. B. Brown, a very large and well- 
formed single flower of an intense maroon-scarlet shade 
of colour ; and Paeonia festiva maxima, a splendid white 
herbaceous variety, with the tips of a few of the petals 
shot with crimson. To Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, for 
Gloxinia Ormonde, a medium-sized, rich deep crimson, 
erect-flowered variety. To Messrs. Kelway & Son, for 
herbaceous Pseony Eclaire, a large, full, double flower, 
flesh-pink, feathered with satin-rose ; for Pyrethrum 
Celia, a very fine double, rich rose-pink, with a light 
centre ; for Pyrethrum Ormonde, another fine double, 
rosy crimson with a light centre ; for Pyrethrum Prin¬ 
cess of Wales, a large single flower, bright rose in 
colour ; and for Iris Victorine, with white standards 
and bluish purple falls. To F. G. Tauntz, Esq., Gold- 
hawk Road, Hammersmith, for Moutan Paeonies 
Lilacina, semi-double white, feathered with rosy crim¬ 
son in the centre ; and to Mr. W. Stracey, nursery¬ 
man, Dunmow, for Verbena Lady Charles Beresford, a 
fine large soft scarlet flower with a large white eye. 
A Cultural Commendation was awarded to Mr. A. 
Wright, gardener to Sydney Courtauld, Esq., Booking 
Place, Braintree, for a lovely specimen of Masdevallia 
rosea, the flowers of which formed a perfect fringe 
round the centre of bright green leaves. It is not too 
much to say that a finer example has never been seen. 
Messrs. John Laing & Co. showed a very fine new 
double Begonia named Triumph, with flowers perfectly 
double, quite 3 ins. in circumference, and pale flesh 
coloured. Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, 
contributed a large and pretty assortment of cut blooms 
of Rhododendrons and two baskets of cut Roses, one of 
Scotch varieties, and the other of the seldom seen old 
Austrian Copper Rose. The New Plant & Bulb Co., 
Colchester, showed one of the most distinct varieties 
of Cattleya Mossiae that we have seen lately, and 
which is identified as the Colchester variety. It has 
grand sepals and petals, but it is in the lip that its 
most distinguishing feature is seen, the purple colouring 
being distinctly and clearly localised in the centre, 
with a broad margin of rose, while the yellow in the 
throat of the lip is very bright. In Mr. T. S. Ware’s 
very fine display of hardy plants we noted a good 
novelty in Papaver bracteata praecox, a variety collected 
by Herr Max Leichtlin, which is dwarfer and more 
compact, earlier flowering, and a little deeper in colour 
than P. bracteata. 
At the Fruit Committee meeting, the South Australian 
Commission showed good examples of various dried 
fruits, Winter Nelis, Pears, Potatos, Onions, &c. Messrs. 
T. Rivers & Son, received a Cultural Commendation for 
specimens of the Early Favourite Plum ; and Mr. T. 
Lockie, gardener, Oakley Court, Windsor, sent a seed¬ 
ling green-fleshed Melon, the result of a cross between 
the Dr. Hogg Melon, and the old Egyptian Green-flesh, 
a variety of the good old-fashioned Egyptian Green-flesh 
type, but hardly at its best. Mr. E. S. Wiles, The 
Gardens, Edgcote, Banbury, also sent a seedling Melon, 
named Edgcote Beauty, a white-fleshed variety, which 
did not come up to the Committee’s standard of quality. 
Royal Botanic Society. — June 9 tli. —At the 
show on Wednesday last, there was a very pleasing 
display of plants in most of the classes, and it need 
scarcely be said that they were arranged to the best 
advantage, for this point always receives Mr. Coomber’s 
careful attention. Habitual visitors are always de¬ 
lighted with the tout ensemble, while strangers are 
astonished ; for the general effect is so different from 
that at most horticultural exhibitions. There is a 
naturalness that is too often wanting in such displays, 
and with a due proportion of flowering and fine foliage 
plants, there is nothing to overpower the attention ; 
though, perhaps, those who prefer masses of colour 
might think the general appearance somewhat dull. 
Another great inducement to visitors at this time of 
year, is the beauty of the grounds, which are at their 
best now, and it was not surprising, therefore, that 
with an exceptionally fine June day, and the attractions 
of handsome flowers and select music, a large company 
of visitors assembled during the afternoon. 
Orchids were capitally represented, and it is quite 
evident that they are rapidly advancing in favour 
as exhibition plants. Many of them were seen at 
South Kensington on the previous day, and as they 
are noticed in our report of that show, they need not 
be specially referred to again. Mr. J. Cypher, Chelten¬ 
ham, was the leading exhibitor in the nurserymen’s 
classes ; Mr. -H. James, Norwood, and Messrs. Jackson 
& Son, Kingston, taking the second and third places 
with smaller specimens, but including some healthy 
plants, flowering capitally. Mr. J. Douglas was the 
premier exhibitor amongst the amateurs, taking the 
first place in both classes ; his plants of Odontoglossum 
vexillarium were remarkably fine, particularly one 
which had 280 flowers, a single specimen in a small 
pot, a splendid example of skilful culture. Odonto¬ 
glossum Roezli was also shown well by the same 
exhibitor. The other amateurs competing were De B. 
Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks ; F. C. Jacomb, 
Esq., Stamford Hill ; Mr. C. J. Salter, gardener to 
J. Southgate, Esq., Selborne, Streatham ; and H. 
Little, Esq., Twickenham. 
Mr. J. Cypher was well to the fore with stove and 
greenhouse plants, his magnificent specimens being in 
superb condition ; Messrs. Mould and H. James were 
the other prizetakers. Mr. C. Rann, gardener to J. 
"Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, was the leader 
in the amateurs’ class, Messrs. Wheeler and Butler fol¬ 
lowing with small and rather poor plants. Mr. C. 
Turner's Pelargoniums, both shows and fancies, were 
very fine ; those from R. W. Mann, Esq., and H. 
Little, Esq., being very few points behind them. 
Messrs. J. Laing & Co’s, group of Tuberous Begonias, 
which took the first prize in their class, comprised a 
selection of their best single varieties, with immense 
flowers of extremely bright colours. The fine foliage 
plants and Ferns were well represented by healthy 
specimens from Messrs. Cypher, James, Mould, Butler, 
Rann, and Douglas. 
Considerable space was occupied with cut flowers, the 
hardy flowers and Irises from Messrs. Ware, Paul & 
Son, Cheshunt, and Barr & Son forming a most inter¬ 
esting and beautiful display. Messrs. Paul & Son’s 
Roses, arranged in a large basket, and Mr. J. Douglas’ 
Orchid flowers, which were inserted in pots of Ferns, 
had a most graceful effect, this method of showing 
flowers being one worthy of more general adoption. 
Fruit was not shown by so many competitors, nor in 
such good condition, as is usual at this show, the 
falling off being mainly attributable to the unfavour¬ 
able season. Mr. Robbins, gardener to E. Dyke Lee, 
Esq., Hartwell House, Aylesbury, won the prize offered 
by the Fruiterers’ Company for the best collection of 
fruit, his best dishes being Alexandra and Early Louise 
Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, Melons, Foster’s Seedling 
Grapes, and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Strawberries. 
Black Grapes were fairly good. Mr. T. Osman, gar¬ 
dener to W. L. Baker, Esq., Ottershaw Park, Chertsey, 
had Black Hamburgh, rather small but of good colour. 
Mr. W. Mowbray, gardener to the Earl of Leven and 
Melville, Fulmer, Slough, had Buckland’s Sweetwater 
in first-rate condition, taking first in the white Grape 
classes, and he also had three fine bunches of Black 
Prince, which secured him the first prize in the black 
Grape class. Peaches were capitally shown by Mr. 
H. Hepworth, gardener to H. T. Goodwin, Esq., 
Maidstone, Mr. Osman, and Mr. Nash ; Nectarines by 
Mr. J. Harris, gardener to Mrs. J. H. Vivian, Singleton, 
Swansea, Mr. Nash, Mr. A. Miller, Rood Ashton Park, 
Trowbridge ; and Melons by Mr. G. R. Allis and Mr. 
J. Douglas. 
The non-competing groups comprised the following : 
Tuberous Begonias, Orchids and Caladiums from Messrs. 
J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill (small silver gilt medal) ; 
Choice Orchids from Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Hollo¬ 
way (large silver medal) ; fine foliage plants from 
Messrs. E. G. Henderson, Pine-Apple Nursery, Maida 
Vale (silver medal) ; groups of flowering and foliage 
plants and Irises from Messrs. Hooper & Co., Covent 
Garden (large silver medal) ; and a collection of hardy 
flowers from Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham. 
Some very beautiful named Pansies were shown by 
Mr. John Forbes, Hawick, the flowers being of ex¬ 
cellent quality, and bright clear colours (certificate). 
A group of Orchids from Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., 
Clapton (small silver medal) ; Pelargoniums from 
W. Clay, Esq. (certificate) ; collection of Ixias from 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co. (certificate) ; and some hand¬ 
some plants of Hydrangeas from Mr. C. J. Salter, 
Selborne, Streatham (certificate). 
New plants were numerous, especially from Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, who were awarded a small silver 
medal, and several certificates. Gloxinias were shown 
by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons ; Leschenaultia biloba 
major by Messrs. Balchin & Sons, Brighton ; Pelar¬ 
goniums by Mr. D. Phillips ; Fuchsias by Mr. Wheeler 
and others ; greenhouse plants by Messrs. Cutbush & 
Sons, Highgate (small silver medal) ; and Orchids by 
Mr. May. 
Reading Horticultural. — June 2nd. —This 
annual exhibition took place a week later than usual, 
and was held in conformity with usage in the prepared 
ground within the Abbey walls, with its winding 
gravelled paths and turf banks. There is a large space 
to fill, and owing to a few exhibitors having failed at 
the last moment to put in an appearance, the subjects 
were a little thin, still it was a bright and effective 
exhibition, and the weather being fine, attracted a 
good company. The exhibits were arranged as usual 
with excellent judgment by Mr. Baskett, gardener to 
"W. J. Palmer, Esq., Reading. In the Forbury gardens 
adjoining, the band was stationed, and after taking a 
tour round the exhibition the visitors could walk into 
the gardens enjoying music and shade and the flower¬ 
beds and turf so well kept by Mr. Phippen, nursery¬ 
man of Reading, under the corporation of that borough. 
The leading feature of the show was the magnificent 
Gloxinias staged by Mr. Baskett, we have never before 
seen anything to equal them. By spreading out the 
huge leaves of a massive olive-green, and measuring 
from tip to tip, the diameter was about 40 ins. ; 
the heads of bloom were fully 18 ins. over, and they 
averaged twenty-five to thirty flowers each, flowers of 
large size and splendid quality. They should have 
received the gold medal of the Royal Horticultural 
Society. These Gloxinias afforded another proof, if 
one were needed, of how often a pains-taking gardener 
in a small place can, by doing a few subjects well, raise 
himself head and shoulders above his fellows in the 
cultivation of a particular plant. We imagine these 
fine Gloxinias represented the fine strain for which 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons are so celebrated. Equal second 
prizes were awarded to Mr. Farey, gardener to C. 
Stephens, Esq., Woodley Hill, near Reading; and 
to Mr. Parham, gardener to H. J. Simonds, Esq., 
C’aversham, Reading, both of whom had plants falling 
below those of Mr. Baskett’s it is true, but superbly fine. 
There will be nothing better in the way of Gloxinias 
