380 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 12, 1887. 
a branching spike of either of the above-named va¬ 
rieties or of C. nivalis ? We have one at the present 
time in fine form. Perhaps I may give our mode of 
cultivation on a future occasion. — X. Bland ford, 
Moor Hill, Southampton. [Please do.—E d.] 
Laelia Crawshayana. —The general appearance 
of this Orchid at a little distance suggests it to be a 
variety of L. anceps. The nature of the flower stalk, 
and the absence of the keeled, laterally compressed 
bracts characteristic of L. anceps, soon dispels this idea 
on a close inspection, and the peduncle is seen to 
resemble that of L. autumnalis or L. albida. By com¬ 
petent authorities the species or form under notice is 
considered a natural hybrid, having the pseudo-bulbs 
of L. albida, and flowers resembling L. anceps. The 
sepals and petals are of a fine amethyst-purple, and the 
middle lobe of the labellum, together with the tips of 
the lateral lobes, are deep rosy purple. The interior 
of the tube is white, bearing three medium longitudinal 
yellow ridges or lamella, and in that respect it entirely 
differs from L. anceps, with which the stature and 
general appearance of the plant may be compared. 
This fact, however, refers us to L. albida, or even to 
L. autumnalis, where we have similar ridges. It is a 
native of Mexico, and flowers in this country during 
the months of January and February, and has been in 
perfection for some time in Mr. Peacock's fine collection 
at Sudbury House, Hammersmith. 
-- 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES, 
Royal Horticultural. — Feb. 8th. —The meeting 
on this occasion was held in the East Crush Room of 
the Albert Hall, which proved too small to contain all 
the good things sent in for exhibition, and consequently 
some things, notably an extensive and admirable 
display of Chinese Primroses from Messrs. James Carter 
& Co., were seen at a great disadvantage. The new 
plants certificated, seven in number, are described on 
p. 374. Primulas and Daffodils were the leading 
features, and on this occasion were shown, perhaps, 
three of the finest single whites ever seen at one rime, 
and of one of which, Mr. Cannell’s White Perfection, 
it may truly be said to be a grand acquisition. The 
Messrs. Carter's extensive display included batches in 
colours of their well-known strains, and the Silver 
Banksian Medal awarded to them was well deserved. 
Mr. William Bull, King's Boad, Chelsea, exhibited a 
fine group of Orchids in flower, and obtained a Silver- 
Gilt Banksian Medal. Amongst others were Cattleya 
Trianse vesta, C. T. Rosalind, C. amethystoglossa mar- 
morata, Oncidium nubigenum, Dendrobium speciosum 
Hilli, Lycaste Skinneri alba, Cypripedium Argus, and 
C. Haynaldianum. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nur¬ 
series, Tottenham, also received a Silver-Gilt Banksian 
Medal for a fine group of hardy plants, consisting 
chiefly of the various types of early-flowering Daffodils. 
Freesia refracta alba, Helleborus niger major, Chion- 
odoxa Lucilise, Crocus Imperati, C. nivalis, Iris 
reticulata purpurea, I. histrio, and Ophrys tenthre- 
dinifera were also prominent features in the group. A 
Silvei Banksian Medal was awarded to Messrs. Barr & 
Son, 12 and 13, King Street, Covent Garden, fora group 
consisting chiefly of Daffodils, supplemented by Lachen- 
alia pendula, Freesia refracta alba and Iris reticulata. 
Messrs. Collins Bros. & Gabriel, 39, Waterloo Road, 
S.E., obtained a Silver Banksian Medal for a group of 
twenty-four varieties of Daffodils, supplemented with 
Galanthus Elwesii, Sisyrinehium grandiflorum, &c. 
Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited Dendrobium Fytchia- 
num. roseum, Lycaste plana Measuresiana, kc. Mr. 
Ballantine, gardener to Baron Schroder, The Dell, 
Egham, exhibited fine spikes of Laelia anceps San- 
deriana, L. a. Yeitehii, Odontoglossum crispum, 
O. Ballantinei, and Oncidium brevifolium. F. A. 
Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., Oldfield, Bickley, exhibited 
Phalsenopsis Stuarriana, P. casta and Saceolabium 
bellinum. W. Tanner, Esq., Camden Wood, Chisle- 
hurst, showed Dendrobium Tannerianum, a hybrid 
between D. japonicum and D. Falconeri, having white, 
purple-tipped segments, and Pachystoma Thomsonia- 
na. F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley House, Goldhawk 
Road, showed Cypripedium Boxallii atratum. Messrs. 
Paul k Son showed Iris histrio, a native of Palestine 
at an elevation of 4,000 ft. Mr. G. Maw exhibited the 
rare Narcissus cyclamineus for A. W. Tait, Esq., of 
Oporto. Mr. W. B. Hartland, 24, Patrick Street, 
Cork, had a vote of thanks for the Daffodil Irish 
King. Messrs. Masereel Bros., Ghent, Belgium, also 
received a vote of thanks for cut blooms of Odonto¬ 
glossum allied to O. crispum. R. J. Measures, Esq., 
Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell, showed several hybrid 
Cypripedia, prominent amongst which were C. Sallierii, 
C. insigne grandis and C. i. Richardi, for the last 
of which he received a vote of thanks. Mr. Derbyshire, 
gardener to L. A. Balestone, Esq., Timperly, near 
Manchester, showed a branching spike of Calanthe 
nivalis, and received a vote of thanks ; and Mr. 
AT. Allan, gardener to Lord Suffield, Gunton Park, 
Norwich, received a Cultural Commendation for a 
basket of double white and pale blue Violets, showing 
how admirably he cultivates these ever-welcome flowers. 
At the meeting of the Fruit Committee, Messrs. 
Rivers & Son exhibited a number of varieties of late- 
keeping Apples; Mr. C. Ross, Welford Park, and 
Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford, exhibited samples 
of two seedlings. Air. AT. Tronghton, 4, Church Street, 
Preston, sent samples of a free-bearing Cucumber in 
the way of the old Hedsor Prolific. 
Annual General Meeting. —This meeting was 
also held in the East Crush Room, at 3 p.m. ; the 
president, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., ALP., presided, 
and there was a good attendance of Fellows. The 
usual preliminary formalities being concluded, the 
president rose to move the adoption of the report and 
statement of accounts, and said, with reference to a 
question which had already been asked as to whether 
the time at which the ballot papers had been sent out 
was in accordance with the bye-laws, that the council 
met on December 7th, 1SS6, when there was so much 
business to be transacted that some had to be post¬ 
poned until January 11th. Then there would have 
been time to issue the notices by the 15th ult. had not 
some difficulty occurred in getting the consent of the 
gentlemen proposed to fill the vacancies on the council, 
and before this could be done the requisite time had 
lapsed. They, therefore, could not proceed with the 
election until proper notice had been given, and the 
council and officers would remain in the meantime as 
before. The council had to regret the death of Air. 
"West, who had rendered the society most valuable 
services as auditor, and they wished to express their 
hearty condolence with his family. Referring to the 
report, the president regretted that he was unable to 
give a definite statement as to their prospects. The 
negotiations with the Albert Hall Corporation had 
fallen through because the terms proposed by the 
latter to the Commissioners of 1851 were of such a 
nature that they declined them. The position now is 
that the Commissioners would place alternative terms 
before the Albert Hall Corporation, and, in the event 
of these being unaccepted, they would be prepared to 
enter into direct negotiations with the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society. The position of the society was 
undoubtedly very unsatisfactory, but it could not 
establish itself in an independent position without 
considerable expense. It was most desirable that the 
society should have a home of its own if they could 
obtain the necessary funds. He thought it was de¬ 
sirable to make an arrangement to the mutual advan¬ 
tage of South Kensington Fellows and horticulturists 
generally, but they could not sacrifice the interests 
of the society to the former element. Their recent 
position had not been creditable to them, but their 
grateful acknowledgments were due to the Commis¬ 
sioners for their terms of occupation. They had per¬ 
mission to use the offices they now occupy by accepting 
all liability as to rates and taxes, but the use cf the 
conservatory for shows and meetings had been declined 
unless some arrangement could be effected with the 
parochial authorities by which the latter would accept 
a stipulated sum for each time it might be employed. 
The president said as regards the Liverpool show, that 
the matter was fully considered before it was undertaken. 
The Alayor of Liverpool and other local authorities were 
consulted, who represented it as an exceptionally 
favourable opportunity, and in matters of this kind 
they were necessarily chiefly dependent upon local in¬ 
formation. Though the accounts show a considerable 
loss, the show was a great success horticulturally. The 
president then nominated Air. H. Turner as auditor in 
the place of the late Air. AYest. 
Air. Guedella, who seconded the motion for the 
adoption of the report, thought that the time had 
arrived when a plan should be elaborated by which the 
society could be established on a more satisfactory 
footing. Air. J. T. D. Lleweleyn wished to know, with 
regard to the shows of the special societies which had 
been arranged to be held in the conservatory, whether 
the earliest intimation as to any change would be given, 
as the schedules were then being printed ; and in reply 
the president said, that in the event of any difficulty 
occurring, the society would feel itself bound to provide 
some other suitable place. Mr. Hodges wished to know 
what advantages could now be offered to Fellows in 
return for a 4-guinea subscription. A 40-guinea life 
Fellow regretted the difficulties in which the Society 
was placed, but thought the life F ellows had been badlv 
used in their tickets being made non-rransferable. He 
■wished to know whether the life subscriptions had been 
capitalised, or what had been done with the debentures. 
The president stated in reply, that the life subscriptions 
had been spent, and between £900 and £1,000 had been 
expended in supporting the rights of the debenture 
holders. 
Air. Harry J. A' eiteh had listened to the preceding 
remarks, and thought they ought to come to the point 
at once. Some valuable suggestions had been made, 
and he believed that they might, by united efforts, 
remove the society from its present difficnlt position. 
They had an excellent council, and the observations he 
was about to make were not offered in an antagonistic 
spirit : but he thought the report was unsatisfactory, 
and might have been of a more business-like character. 
The subjects alluded to in it seemed to range from Dan 
to Beersheba, and back to Dan again. For some years 
the society had been knocked about from pillar to post — 
since, indeed, they lost their president, the Prince 
Consort. He believed the Queen was then desired to 
nominate a president, the late Duke of Buccleuch being 
appointed ; and he thought if Her Alajesty was applied 
to now more progress might be made in the settlement 
of their affairs. Land had been found at South Ken¬ 
sington for several societies, and he could not see why 
the Royal Horticultural Society should not be treated 
in a similar way. If land could be so obtained, there 
would be no difficulty in procuring funds ; he therefore 
proposed that a committee of five persons be appointed 
to confer with the council to determine what course the 
society should adopt, and, if possible, to procure land 
as a site for permanent offices. 
Air. Elwes supported Air. Veitch’s proposal ; but said 
it seemed to him that many of the difficulties would 
be removed by the employment of an efficient paid 
secretary, as some of the most successful societies owed 
their prosperity, in a large measure, to their secretaries, 
who are really the managers. He thought the con¬ 
tinued existence of the society was mainly due to Mr. 
Barron and Air. Dick. He mentioned that the report 
of the severe winters six or seven years ago was not yet 
issued. Air. A. H. Smee thought that the society 
would never do any good until it was clear of South 
Kensington. If it would give up there and make its 
home at Chiswick, he felt sure any amount could be 
raised. He would willingly head a subscription list 
with 100 guineas to assist in establishing the society 
away from South Kensington. After some few ex¬ 
planatory remarks by Sir Trevor Lawrence, the report 
was then formally adopted. 
Air. Shirley Hibberd thought they wanted a more 
popular representative council It was disad¬ 
vantageous that it should be self-elected, and that the 
Fellows were required to nominate members of the 
council a month in advance. He complained that no 
list of the Fellows had been issued for ten years, and 
he believed it would be better if the annual general 
meeting was held in Alay instead of February. 
Mr. A’eitch's proposition as to the formation of a 
sub-committee was then adopted, five Fellows being 
nominated—viz., Alessrs. G. Alaw, H. J. Elwes, H. J. 
AMiteh, H. AL Pollett, and Major Lendy, to consider 
the future of the society, and report thereon at their 
earliest convenience. The names of a considerable 
number of Fellows having been struck off the rolls, a 
hearty vote of thanks to the president brought the 
proceedings to a close. 
Manchester Royal Botanical. — Jan. 31st.— 
The fifty-ninth annual meeting of the proprietors of 
the Botanical Gardens at Old Trafford was held in the 
Alayors Parlour, at the Town Hall, the Alayor (Mr. 
Alderman Curtis) presiding. The Mayor, in moving 
the adoption of the report, said the report was in some 
respects satisfactory, but in one important respect it 
was a little unsatisfactory, because it showed that the 
debt had increased. This was due to an expenditure 
of something like £2,000 in the erection of the new 
Palm-house. He presumed, however, the proprietors 
were all agreed that the council had done right in 
spending this amount of money, because if they had 
not done so a large number of valuable plants would 
have had to be parted with or put aside. Another 
cause of the increase of the debt was the diminution in 
the receipts from the various shows, in consequence of 
the bad weather. Air. Samuel Barlow, in seconding 
the motion, said the real cause of the unfavourable 
position of the society, as shown in the balance sheet, 
might be given in two words — bad weather. The 
result was an addition to their liabilities of £1,733 2s. 
As a set-off against that they had the new Palm-house. 
The expenditure on the Palm-house would, he thought, 
complete their expenditure for a long time to come. 
Something like £S,000 had been spent during the past 
twelve years, and the gardens were now in a wonderful 
state of efficiency. The contents of the Palm-house 
would be of great beauty, and would form one of the 
leading attractions of the gardens during the forth¬ 
coming Jubilee Exhibition. 
Mr. AY. Fogg called attention to the subject of the 
conditions under which subscribers to and shareholders 
in the gardens were to be admitted to the gardens while 
