June 23, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
075 
Bedding Plants 
Established, and so sure to give satisfaction. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS. -— The very choicest 
sorts, in good plants. 
DAHLIAS. —An unsurpassed collection. 
DESCRIPTIVE LIST FREE. 
RICHARD SMITH & Co., 
Nurserymen end Seed Merchants, 
o:rceste]r. 
Gypripedium Bellatulum 
(RCHB. F.) 
This grand Novelty has, on flowering, at once taken the foremost 
place in the genus, and can be seen in flower at the Clapton 
Nursery. 
Fine plants are offered at 10s. 6 >1. each ; larger, 21s. to 105s. 
each. Also a few extra-sized specimens are for sale. 
HUGH LOW & CO., 
Clapton Nursery, London, E. 
NEW PELARGONIUM, 
“ PWettil OF TECK,” 
Awarded a First Class Certificate at the Manchester Royal 
Botanical and Horticultural Society’s Summer Exhibition of 1SS7. 
It is a white Regal decorative variety, semi-double, immense 
trusses. The flowers are erect, petals undulated, distinguishing 
it from the ordinary Pelargoniums. It is novel and conspicuous, 
has a strong compact habit, and is one of the best Pelargoniums 
in cultivation. 
It is invaluable for cut flowers where white is in demand. 
3s. 6 d. each, 30s. for 12 plants, 50s. for 25 plants. Cut 
flowers sent on application. 
Sent out by 
FI3KEB, SON, & SX3EAY, 
HANDSW0RTH NURSERIES, SHEFFIELD. 
FERNS A SPECIALITY. 
The largest, most complete and profusely ILLUSTRATED 
CATALOGUE OF FERNS ever published, containing over 
120 Illustrations and much valuable practical information on 
the cultivation of Ferns, Ac. 
One Shilling and Sixpence, post free. 
Smaller Catalogue of over 1,300 species and varieties free on 
application. 
W. & J. BIRKENHEAD, 
FERN NURSERY, 
SALE, MANCHESTER. 
Popular GARDENING BOOKS, 
By far the most widely read on the subject, full of soundest 
and best information. Mr. Ryder's writings have been praised 
by every gardening paper. The books are practical, interest¬ 
ing, reliable, and please all readers. 
HOW TO GROW ROSES in the garden and in pots under 
glass. Chapters on Budding, Grafting, &c. Post free, 7 d. 
HOW TO GROW TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. Chapters on 
Raising Seed and every other part of culture. A new and 
thoroughly revised edition. Post free, Id. 
Every Amateur and every Gardener as well should read 
these books. Only to be obtained from 
RYDER & SON, Seed Merchants, Sale, Manchester. 
SPECIAL CULTURE OF 
FRUIT T REE S AND ROSES. 
A Large and Select Stock is now offered for Sale. 
The Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits 
Post Free. 
The Desciiptive Catalogue of Roses Post Free. 
THOMAS RIVERS & SON, 
NURSERIES, SAWBRIDGEWORTH, HERTS. 
ROSES in POTS. 
All the best New and Old English and Foreign sorts, 
from 18s. to 36s. per dozen. 
Descriptive List free on application. 
RICHARD SMITH & Co., 
Nurserymen and Seed Merchants, 
WORCESTER. 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
T he eorty-fifth anniversary 
DINNER in aid of the Funds of this Institution will 
take place at the Albion, Alderscate Street, on Wednesday, 
the 4th July, when 
The Right Hon. Joseph Chameerlain, M.P., will preside. 
Tickets 21s. each. In order to provide for the comfort and 
convenience of the Guests, no Tickets will be issued after 
Friday, the 29th June. 
By order, EDWARD R. CUTLER, Secretary, 
50, Parliament Street, S. W. 
30th May , 1S8S. 
A LEXANDRA PALACE GRAND ROSE 
SHOW, June 27th and 2Sth. 
The series of Shows promoted by the ALEXANDRA PALACE 
and PARK COMPANY, Ltd., for 18SS will be inaugurated by 
a grand display of Roses on the above dates. 
Liberal Prizes in all classes of Roses for professional and 
amateur growers are offered. All prize-money will be paid on 
the first day of the Show. Treasurer, Shirley Hibberd, Esq. 
Excellent facilities are ottered for trade exhibits, specialities 
and appliances, and suitable honours and certificates will be 
awarded. Full particulars and schedule of prizes may be 
obtained on application to the Secretary of Rose Show, Mr. R. 
BEALE, Alexandra Palace, London, N. 
R oyal horticultural society. 
Patron : Her Majesty, The Qdeen. 
President: Sir Trevop. Lawrence, Bart., M.P. 
Offices : 111, Victoria Street, S.W. 
IVfOTICE! The next meeting of the Fruit 
-L 1 and Floral Committees will be held in the Drill Hall of 
the London Scottish Rifle Volunteers, James Street, S.W., on 
Tuesday, June 26th, when the special subjects invited for exhibi¬ 
tion will be Roses, P peonies, Begonias, Gloxinias, Clema¬ 
tises and Pelargoniums, &c. 
Open to Fellows at 12 o’clock, and to the public at 1 p.m. 
For particulars respecting the election of Fellows apply to the 
Secretary., Ill, Victoria Street, S.W. 
H eeded bridge floral and 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—This Society will hold 
its Annual Show on Saturday, August 4tli. For Schedules of 
Prizes apply to the Secretary, JAMES CRABTREE, Balmoral 
Street, Hebden Bridge. 
Next Week’s Engagements. 
Monday, June 25th.— Sale of Orchids in Flower at Messrs. 
Protheroe & Morris’s Rooms. 
Tuesday, June 26th.—Royal Horticultural Society : Meeting of 
the Fruit and Floral Committees at 11 a.in. Boston Rose 
Show. Sale of the collection of Orchids belonging to F. A. 
Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., at Messrs. Protheroe & Morris’s Rooms 
Wednesday, June 27th.—Alexandra Park Rose Show (2 days). - 
Thursday, June 2Sth.—Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, 
Summer Show. Rose Shows at Brockham and Ryde. Sale 
of Imported and Established Orchids at Messrs. Stevens 
Rooms. 
Friday, June 29th.—Maidstone Rose Show. Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund: Committee Meeting at 6 p.m. Sale of Imported 
Orchids at Messrs. Protheroe & Morris's Rooms. 
Saturday, June 30th.— Rose Shows at Colchester and Reigate. 
FOR INDEX TO CONTENTS, SEE P. 687. 
“ Gardening is the purest of human pleasures, and the greatest 
refreshment to the spirit of man.”—B acon. 
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 1888. 
Judging Cottagers’ Gardens. —The awarding 
of prizes for the best kept cottagers’ gardens 
in any district is one of the most difficult 
yet — paradoxical as it may seem—one of the 
pleasantest tasks a practical gardener may he 
called upon to perform. We number among our 
friends many who have had much experience 
in this kind of work, and who look forward 
to their annual inspection of their humbler 
neighbours’ gardens with a great deal of plea¬ 
sure, because they know their work, the 
ways of the district, and the means and 
inclinations of most of the competitors ; and, 
further, because in tlie course of their inspec¬ 
tion in the previous years they have been 
able to give here and there, where it was 
required, good sound advice on various prac¬ 
tical matters, which they have seen has not 
been given in vain, and the pleasure of noting 
improvements in any direction is great to a 
man who is fond of his work. 
There are many gardeners, however, who 
have not had the chance of acquiring exper¬ 
ience in this very important matter, and 
who, when suddenly called upon to under¬ 
take the duties of a censor, can hardly make 
up their mind how best to deal with a 
number of gardens, no two of which may he 
alike in any main particular. Such a case is that 
of a correspondent, who writes:—“I am 
appointed to judge sonic cottagers’ gardens 
for a local society, the prizes being offered 
‘ for the best kept garden ’ in a certain district; 
but as the gardens vary considerably in size, 
and some of their owners grow more flowers 
than vegetables, and vice versa , it is difficult 
to know where to draw the line. I think of 
giving so many points for neatness, so many 
for the crops (according to their quality and 
serviceable character), and so many more in 
cases of systematical cropping. I propose also 
to take into consideration the question of ways 
and means in each case, as this varies very 
much; but should be glad if you could 
advise me as to the best course to pursue.” 
Our reply is that by the term “ best kept 
garden,” we understand that three points of 
consideration are essential, viz., first, clean¬ 
liness and neatness ; second, the most varied 
and suitable crops ; and third, the best general 
quality of the crops. These are the main 
principles which we consider should always 
be kept in view. "We should always like 
to see a piece of flower garden in connection 
with an allotment or cottage garden; but 
some judgment is necessary that the latter is 
not out of proportion to the vegetable crops. 
Some allotment gardeners convert too much 
of their ground into a flower garden, because 
it requires less labour. The sorts of flowers 
grown also needs some consideration, as a 
garden wholly composed of perennials does 
not require so much labour as one does in 
which biennials and annuals are cultivated. 
The arrangement of the flowers, their effect, 
and their quality must also be considered, 
and things difficult to grow, both of veget 
ahles and flowers, should have careful atten¬ 
tion too. 
Our correspondent will act quite rightly in 
considering the circumstances of the cottage 
or allotment gardener ; the time he can devote 
in tending his garden, and its distance from 
his residence. This requires some amount of 
local knowledge, hut it must be applied justly 
aud impartially. Supposing our correspondent 
takes the three main points instanced, lie 
should give a maximum of six points to each 
where it can he carried out. Then he 
should judge of the individual quality of the 
respective crops by points, giving thiee as a 
maximum, and the total of these will assist 
him materially in coming to a correct deci¬ 
sion. Let there he no exhibition of prejudice 
because a cottager cultivates some of the 
higher order of vegetables, such as Tomatos, 
Cucumbers, Cauliflowers, &c. Narrow-minded 
judges have been known to take exception 
to these on the ground that cottagers should 
grow more serviceable things; but we would 
rather give extra points to such vegetables as 
these when they are well done. Let due 
value also be given to the variety of crops, 
proper rotation, and systematic culture. 
All awards of this nature are best made 
by men who know something of the best 
varieties of vegetables, and how to cultivate 
them, and who also understand rotation and 
cropping — but they should be large-minded 
men. Some cottage gardeners will plant two 
or three leading kinds of vegetables only, 
giving Potatos an undue preference in com¬ 
parison with the extent of land they have, 
and by growing them well and keeping their 
gardens clean and neat have created favourable 
impressions upon the minds of the judges; 
hut a variety of serviceable crops should 
always be a consideration set against this. 
Our correspondent has evidently a good grip 
of the essential principles underlying his task, 
and we are sanguine that with care and atten¬ 
tion lie will come to just conclusions, 
