June 4, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
637 
far in advance of anything seen before, and a number 
of Certificates were awarded. It was in every way a 
group that did credit to the firm. To Messrs. W. & J. 
Birkenhead, Fern Nursery, Sale, for an extensive and 
tastefully grouped collection of hardy and exotic Ferns, 
in great variety and luxuriance of foliage, which made 
an admirable contrast to Mr. Williams’ brilliantly 
coloured flowers opposite. To James Broome, Esq., Dids- 
bury, for a fine group of stove and greenhouse plants, 
Orchids, &c., including a wonderful example of Vanda 
teres with about a hundred flowers on it, fully developed. 
To 0. 0. Wrigley, Esq., Bury, for a fine collection of 
Cattleya Mossise in two groups, and exhibiting some 
1,400 blooms fully developed. To A. Heine, Esq., 
Fallowfield, for a lovely display of cut blooms of 
Cattleyas, Lselias, Odontoglossums, Cypripediums, 
Vandas, Dendrobiums, &e. To Mr. James Mason, 
Victoria Street, Manchester, for a splendid group of 
small Palms and Ferns intermixed with lovely baskets 
of Roses, Lily of the Valley, Lilac and Carnation, an 
exquisite -wreath and cross—altogether an exceedingly 
rich display of the choicest of Flora’s productions. To 
Messrs. F. & A.. Dickson & Sons, Upton Nurseries 
Chester, for a charming group of hardy herbaceous 
and Alpine plants—all quality. To S. Schloss, Esq., 
Bowden, for a handsome group of stove and greenhouse, 
flowering, and fine foliaged plants. To S. Baerlein, 
Esq., Didsbury, for a very beautiful group of plants 
arranged for effect. To Messrs. James Dickson 
& Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, for an ex¬ 
tensive and well-arranged collection of Alpine and 
herbaceous plants occupying the whole of the centre of 
one of the tents. To Messrs. C. Rylance & Co., Ormskirk, 
for a most creditable group of Show, Fancy and Zonal 
Pelargoniums, hardy Ferns, &c. To James Brown, Esq., 
Heaton Mersey, for a most creditable group of fifty pot 
Roses, turned out in good style. To. A. Burley, Esq., 
Pendlebury, for a fine group of hardy and exotic Ferns; 
and Sir J. Pease, M.P., Hutton Hall, Guisborough 
(Mr. Mclndoe, gardener), for an admirable collection of 
twenty-eight dishes of fruit, consisting of good black 
and white Grapes, Figs, Oranges and Lemons of home 
growth, Peaches, Cherries, Apples, Pears, Melons, 
Strawberries, &c.—a handsome dessert for the season. 
Jubilee Medals of the Second Class were awarded to 
Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, for an extensive 
and choice group of Ghent and Indian Azaleas, New 
Holland plants, &e., including numerous examples of 
the intense blue Leschenaultia biloba major. To the 
Liverpool Horticultural Co. (John Cowan) for au ex¬ 
tensive collection of showy and attractive Orchids. To 
C. Moreley, Esq., Rusholme, for a group of stove and 
greenhouse plants of admirable quality. To John 
Heywood, Esq., Stretford, for a capital group of Orchids, 
including well-flowered specimens of Cattleya Skinneri, 
Laelia purpurata, &c. To Messrs. Heath & Son, 
Cheltenham, for a group of Orchids neatly set up 
with small Palms, Ferns, &e. To Messrs. R. P. Ker & 
Sons, Liverpool, for a capital group of Indian Azaleas 
and herbaceous Calceolarias, &c. To Mr. A. J. Bruce, 
Chorlton, for Nepenthes and Sarracenias ; Mr. W. 
Owen, Hereford, for cut Orchids ; Messrs. Perkins & 
Sons, Coventry, for wreaths, bouquets, &c. ; Mr. F. 
Robinson, Sale, for fancy Pansies ; H. D. Leake, Esq., 
for Calceolarias, Mr. W. J. William, Stockport, for a 
group of Roses ; Mr. J. Hooley, Stockport, for a group 
of plants ; J. F. Campbell, Esq., Woodseat, Uttoxeter, 
for a collection of new Grapes ; The Earl of Ellesmere, 
Worsley Hall, for pot Strawberries, Melons and Peaches ; 
and P. Thelluson, Esq., Brodsworth Hall, for fine ex¬ 
amples of Duke of Buccleuch and Black Hamburgh 
Grapes. Messrs. W. Wood & Sons’ Special Medal for 
Strawberries was taken by S. Baerlein, Esq. 
Third Class Medals were taken by J. Fildes, Esq., 
Chorlton-cum-Hardy, for a small group of Nepenthes ; 
Mr. J. Wallis, Keele Hall, for capital examples of new 
and old Grapes ; T. Earnshaw, Esq., Totlv Grange, for 
Grapes and Tomatos ; Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, for 
a fine lot of cut blooms of Moutan Preonies ; R. P. Gill, 
Esq., Ashton-on-Mersey, for a nice group of Aquilegias ; 
Mr. G. Ireland, of the same place, for Calceolarias and 
Gloxinias ; Mr. A. J. Bruce, Chorlton, for show Pelar¬ 
goniums and Saxifrages ; Mr. W. J. Ireland, Nostel 
Priory, Wakefield, for a well-grown lot of Cape Pelar¬ 
goniums ; and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, for an 
oval group of standard and bush-trained pot Roses. 
A considerable number of new plants were exhibited 
for certificates, and the lion’s share of the awards in 
this division fell to Messrs. John Laing & Co., who 
put up an unusual number of seedling tuberous Begonias. 
They received Certificates for the following Begonias : — 
Alba Magna, a large and fine double white ; Althae- 
flora, a full double, like a fine Hollyhock, and of a 
bright rose colour ; Alba rosea, a decided novelty 
among doubles, the flowers being rosette-shaped, with 
the centre white and the lower petals rose-coloured ; 
Prince of Wales, a single crimson flower, measuring 
quite 6 ins. across ; Duke of Edinburgh, single, very 
deep crimson, and measuring 4;^ ins. across ; Lillie, 
double, with a light centre and Peach-coloured lower 
petals ; Mrs. Petch, a very beautiful, single, Pieotee- 
edged flower, light rose, shaded with pink on the 
margins of the petals : and Mr. Hardy, a variety of 
Begonia subpeltata, with rose-pink blossoms. Also for 
Azalea Souvenir de F. Vervaene, semi-double white ; 
Caladium excelsa, delicate blush-white ground, with 
green veins and deep rose-shaded centre ; and Pteris 
cretica albo-lineata Mayi. Mr. B. S. Williams also 
received Certificates for the last-named plant, Adiantum 
schizophyllum (figured at p. 633), Azalea paeoniseflora, 
and Davallia tenuifolia Veitehii ; and also for the 
Thanatophore, the new Nicotine vapouriser. 
Norton Pansy Club. —The second exhibition 
of Pansies and other flowers in connection with the 
Norton Pansy Club was held in the large hall of the 
King’s Heath Institute, near Birmingham, on Whit- 
Monday, and the quality and number of the exhibits 
showed that Pansy-growing is slowly but surely gaining 
favour in the neighbourhood. The exhibition was not 
confined entirely to Pansies, hut a welcome variety 
was lent to the show by the inclusion of groups of 
foliage and flowering plants mainly sent not for 
competition. The principal prize-takers in the amateur 
classes were Mr. Frederick Hunt, Mr. John Hunt, Mr. 
G. F. Bullock, Mr. John Simkins, and Mr. C. E. 
Scarse. In the classes open to members of the club 
only, Mr. A. Hunt was awarded the prize for eighteen 
distinct blooms, show varieties. He also took third 
prize for twelve blooms, fancy varieties, and the prize 
for hardy Ferns in pots ; and in addition to these was 
a special prize of an electro-mounted salad bowl, 
painted in pansies, with pair of servers, presented by 
Mr. C. E. Scarse to the exhibitor of the best collections 
in the amateur members’ classes. Mr. G. F. Bullock 
was first, and Mr. James Simkins second in the class 
for eighteen fancy varieties, and Mr. John Hunt and 
Mr. W. R. Swain were placed first and second 
respectively in the class for twelve fancy varieties. 
There were a great number of entries in this class, and 
the competition was very keen. 
Mr. John Hunt won the prize offered for the best six 
blooms of any one variety, show or fancy, with some 
splendid flowers of William Dean ; and he also carried 
all before him in the classes for spring or hardy flowers. 
Mr. C. E. Scarse was placed at the head of all the 
classes for Pansies and Violas in pots, showing some 
beautifully cultivated specimens. Mr. R. Austen took 
the first prize for six distinct Roses, and also that 
offered for the best single bloom. Mr. James Simkins 
showed some excellent Pansy blooms ; he took the 
first prize for twelve fancy Pansies, amongst the blooms 
shown being splendid specimens of Lord Rosebery and 
Evelyn Bruce. The Norton Pansy Club Silver Medal 
for the best seedling Pansy, show or fancy, raised sub¬ 
sequently to 1883 by the exhibitor, and named, but 
notin commerce, was awarded to Mr. James Simkins. 
The bloom, which was named the Syren, was one of the 
best new varieties in the exhibition. It had a rich 
blue margin, with gold uniform colouring, a perfect eye, 
and fine outline. The professional classes w T ere well 
filled, Messrs. Paul & Son, of Paisley ; Messrs. Pope & 
Sons, of King’s Norton ; and Messrs. R. B. Laird & 
Sons, of Edinburgh, sending collections. Messrs. Paul 
& Son exhibited an attractive seedling named Alfred 
Hunt, and Messrs. Laird & Sons showed a new seedling 
variety christened John Pope. The latter firm, in a 
collection which they forwarded, not for competition, 
included two choice specimens named The Gem and 
William Allen, being brilliant crimsons with yellow 
bands. Messrs. Pope & Sons also staged an attractive 
stand, including specimens of My Lady, Thalia, 
Collinsbury, grand yellow blooms with black blotch ; 
Albert Grant and Bellona, the latter of a fine scarlet 
hue. Included in the exhibits sent by Messrs. Paul, 
of Paisley, was particularly noticeable a handsome 
bloom called Royal Visit, one of the best show' 
Pansies in the exhibition ; and another named William 
Jamieson. They also showed a seedling of considerable 
merit named after Mr. C. E. Scarse, the hon. secretary 
to the club and show. 
Messrs. Laird also sent an admirable collection of 
Violas, including thirty varieties, chief amongst them 
being Skylark and Countess of Kintore. Three prizes 
for the best-arranged epergne filled with Pansies, Violas 
and other hardy flowers, open to ladies only, were won 
by Miss Cooper, Mrs. Scarse and Miss Innes. Arranged 
in the centre of the hall were groups of foliage and 
flowering plants from the conservatories of Mr. Joseph 
Chamberlain, M.P., and Messrs. Pope. 
-->33-0- 
FLORICULTURE. 
Carnations and Picotees. —My own plants in 
their blooming pots are now making capital headway, 
despite the cold nights, and they look thoroughly clean 
and healthy. The flowering stems are commencing to 
ascend, and they are tied out neatly and securely to 
stakes. Not too tightly must this be done ; in making 
the tie it should be done in such a way that the stem 
may not be prevented from making an upward growth. 
As a matter of course, in the case of Carnations and 
Picotees producing blooms intended for exhibition, all 
shoots running for bloom are stopped, except the 
leading ones. On this point Mr. E- S. Dodwell states: 
“ Some cultivators remove these entirely from the plant, 
my practice is merely to pinch out the shoots, and 
thus, as a rule, a large accession of the increase— i.e., 
shoots of which layers can be made—is thus obtained”; 
and, under the head of general directions, our great 
mentor states : “Top-dress with equal parts of sound 
loam, sweet leaf-mould and well-decomposed manure, 
watch persistently for green-fly and remove them with 
a small brush ; if the points of the shoots are much 
infested, moisten the brush with a little Tobacco-water 
as needed, syringe frequently and water liberally when 
required. A free use of the syringe will not only 
promote a vigorous growth, but will greatly aid in 
keeping the plants free from thrips and green-fly ; 
either of which, if allowed to get ahead, is certain 
destruction to a fine bloom.” 
I need scarcely add that the amateur should remove 
all decaying foliage from his plants, and so make them 
look as cleanly aud fresh as possible. Then there is 
the all-important process of disbudding, and on this 
matter Mr. Dodwell states : “ Some discretion is neces¬ 
sary in this operation, and the number of blooms to be 
left must depend on the variety—whether full or thin 
in the flower, and whether for exhibition or for bearing 
seed. With new varieties, if quite in ignorance of 
their character, I should feel my way, watching for the 
appearance of the bud, and being guided by that and 
the state of the plant as to the number to be left. A 
little careful observation will soon inform the least ex¬ 
perienced. If ‘ full ’ and of strong growth, three buds 
may be left; if 1 thin,’ two buds ; and if on a weakly 
growth, one bud only. As a rule, the buds to be left 
will be the main bud and those proceeding from the 
third and fourth joint, or fourth and fifth, counting 
from the top ; but the operator must be guided in his 
selection by the appearance of the buds, their vigour, 
healthiness, and regularity of form. A ‘ full ’ flower 
may be expected where the young bud presents a 
broad obtuse top ; whilst a ‘ thin ’ variety is generally 
indicated by a sharp and long pointed bud.”— R. D. 
-***-- 
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS. 
Godetias.— T. Jepson You may allow your Godetias to run 
into flower unchecked or stop them, according as you wish them 
to bloom early or late. We presume they are sown in the open 
ground. It' so, and you wish for large well-developed plants, 
that will continue the longest possible time in bloom, thin them 
out about 6 ins. apart before they become overcrowded ; this 
will encourage a free-branching habit and prolonged flowering 
from lateral branches. If wanted to flower very late in the season, 
cut off or pinch out the tops some time previous to flowering 
Those shoots will throw out laterals, and flower late in the 
season. 
Orchids Bought with Beer Bottles.— Chysis .- You will 
find the story in an article headed “The Qualifications of Plant 
Collectors,” in our number for May Sth, 1SS6, p. 56S. 
Orchids starting afresh. — A. R.: As this is the proper 
season for the Orchids you mentioned to make their growth, they 
should by all means be encouraged to do so, and not dried off. 
The unseasonableness of the time when potted doubtless caused 
growth to commence then. They should now receive the best 
treatment you can give them with regard to light, heat and 
moisture, to induce vigorous growth, which will flower in due 
time. It would ruin the plants to check the fresh growth they 
are now making. 
