710 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 7, 1888. 
GardeningNotes from Ireland. 
The Royal Horticultural Society's Summer 
Show. 
Under most unfavourable circumstances indeed, the 
summer—or, as it is sometimes termed, tlie Rose— 
sliow of this society was held on Thursday, the 28th 
ult. The lateness of the season, as 1 have in recent 
notes in The Gardening World anticipated, prevented 
many would-be exhibitors from putting in an appear¬ 
ance, and the day itself, from a weather point of view, 
had a very deterrent effect on visitors. Had the show 
been held a fortnight later, a very successful display 
would have been achieved. As it was, what ought to 
have been a great metropolitan exhibition may be said 
to have hardly reached the limits of a fairly good 
provincial show. The competition among private 
growers was on a very restricted scale ; but taking into 
account the difficulties that had to be contended with, 
Captain Riall staged a fairly good twenty-four, with 
which he was first ; Mrs. Henry Close, of Windsor, 
Monkstown, being second with a nice lot. Tor twelve 
Roses, Lady Domville, Heywood, Queen’s co., was first, 
and Mrs. Donnelly second. In the class for twenty- 
four Teas and Noisettes, Captain Riall was again first 
with a good stand ; while for twelves of either dark or 
light Roses there were no entries. For stands of twelve 
yellow Roses, one variety, George McMaster, Esq.,M.A., 
was first, and Captain Cusack, Abbeville House, St. 
Dolough’s, co. Dublin, was second. The society’s cup. 
offered as a special prize, was awarded to Captain Riall 
for his stand of thirty-six Roses, containing eighteen 
different varieties. 
The Nurserymen’s Classes 
Are easily disposed of, as only one put in an appearance. 
This was Mr. Hartland, of the Lough Nurseries, Cork, 
and his success in staging so many Roses may be attri¬ 
buted to rare foresight, and, no doubt, much extra 
labour. It appears that the Rose blooms exhibited by 
Mr. Hartland were cut from plants grown in situations 
where they were well sheltered either by low hedges or 
walls, and possibly where temporary covering in severe 
weather could be given. At all events he contrived to 
stage a very creditable lot of Roses, some of his blooms 
being of fine colour and substance, so that his stand of 
forty-eight containing twelve varieties was awarded first 
prize, and for forty-eight blooms, distinct, the Society’s 
Cup was also given to the same exhibitor. 
Florists’ Flowers. 
Fuchsias were very well done, some splendidly grown 
and well-flowered specimens being shown by Mr. 
Heatton, gardener to George McMaster, Esq., M.A., 
Brookville, Donnybrook, and Mr. Hand, gardener to 
Mrs. Donnelly, Auburn, Malahide ; Mr. Heatton being 
awarded the first prize, and Mr. Hand the second. 
For want of competition little interest could be taken 
in the Pelargoniums, but the plants staged by Mr. 
Coghlan, gardener to Richard Pim, Esq., Stradbrooke 
Hall, co. Dublin, who was the only exhibitor in the 
two classes, were fairly well grown and flowered. For 
cut blooms of hardy herbaceous plants, the Marchioness 
of Headfort, Headfort House, Kells, offered a special 
prize, and in this competition her ladyship came in 
first with a very fine collection, the Rev. Mr. Tymons, 
Baskin Hill, Raheny, being second with another 
commendable lot. The exotic plants staged, included 
both fine-foliaged and flowering subjects, and the first 
prize was awarded to L. G. Watson, Esq., of Newstead, 
Black Rock, the second going to R. Pim, Esq. The 
groups were composed of small but well-grown 
specimens, and do not call for special notice. 
Fruits. 
The competition in this department was principally 
confined to the Marchioness of Headfort and the Earl 
of Wicklow, both of whom exhibited large well-berried 
bunches of white and black Grapes, the former being 
first for white, and the latter for black. In the classes 
where special prizes were offered, the Marchioness of 
Headfort’s gardener, Mr. McLeod, carried off the two 
firsts ; Mr. Tyler, the Earl of AVicklow’s gardener, 
being second. One of these, the Society’s Silver Medal 
and £1 added, was for a stand of six bunches, “ which 
shall show the most points of good Grape culture.” 
Another special prize offered by Mr. Thornton, fruit 
merchant of Grafton Street, Dublin, was for the best 
six bunches, three white and three black, and this, as 
stated above, was awarded to Mr. McLeod. Peaches, 
Nectarines, Melons, Strawberries, Cherries, and 
Tomatos were very good, and some fine examples of 
Pine Apples were shown by Mr. Tyler. 
Mr. Hartland’S Begonias. 
From the Lough Nurseries came a remarkably fine lot 
of seedling Begonias. These comprised many fine 
forms of both doubles and singles, and some varieties 
of the former were very much admired. This stand 
was not intended for competition, but the judges 
recommended a first prize, and it was well bestowed. 
A New Cucumber. 
Mr. Taylor, gardener to Lady Domville, Heywood, 
Queen’s co., exhibited a new seedling Cucumber, 
named “Taylor’s Model.” The specimens were very 
fine, and were highly commended by the judges, who 
also recommended a First Class Certificate. 
Messrs. Henderson & Sons- Collection of 
Plants. 
From their nurseries at Templeogue, co. Dublin, this 
firm contributed, not for competition, a splendid lot of 
variegated-foliaged and flowering plants. Their stout 
and vigorous growth gave proof that the Messrs. 
Henderson have a high standard of cultivation. I do 
not think anything I saw exhibited would have 
suffered by postponing the show for a week or ten 
days ; on the contrary, many things in point of 
ripeness would have been benefited, and although it 
would have been a departure from the usual routine 
adopted, I think there was ample reason for deferring 
the show to a more advanced date where there was so 
much to gain as regards Roses. 
The Band of Hope Fete. 
This annual fete, which among other competitions 
includes that of plants and flowers, was held in the 
spacious grounds and buildings of the Royal Dublin 
Society at Ballsbridge. Considering that children 
were cultivators of the flowering plants shown, I must 
congratulate the managers on the results obtained, 
and on the knowledge of plant-growing displayed by 
many of the youthful competitors. This is another of 
the far-reaching means by which a love and taste for 
plants can be, and undoubtedly is being gradually 
fostered among a class of the community who have not 
hitherto given the matter any practical consideration. 
Such displays as that held on the 29th ult. cannot fail 
to bring pleasure and knowledge to children who are 
brought into so desirable a rivalry. Besides plants 
and flowers, competitions were instituted in drawing, 
modelling, painting, mechanics, and various kinds of 
fancy work. Many prizes were awarded, which, of 
course, will have the effect of giving a stimulus to 
future efforts at improvement. 
Gladiolus, The Bride. 
It has been stated that this Gladiolus is too tender for 
planting in the open, and requires the shelter of a wall 
to protect it from early frosts. I cannot say whether 
this is the general experience of those who have tried 
it in the open ; but I can give an instance that came 
under my notice lately of several large clumps of it that 
had been planted in the autumn, and in a well-exposed 
border. The display of white blooms made by the 
various clumps was most pleasing, and the flowers were 
very desirable for cutting. 
Pyrethrum, Mont Blanc. 
This plant is a most useful addition to herbaceous 
border subjects. Recently I came across some fine 
single plants of it on a border, and if it could be grown 
in masses as dwarf as I saw it, it would make a fine 
subject for beds. The flowers were somewhat larger 
than well-grown quilled Asters, and could scarcely be 
surpassed for cutting purposes, and where flowers would 
be required to do duty for any length of time. I 
daresay growers will soon find out its usejas a marketing 
subject, when it may be expected to be popularly 
appreciated. 
Asparagus filifera. 
Being of the same type of characterjjas Asparagus 
plumosus and A. p. nana, A. filifera is a very welcome 
addition to those two handsome plants. When treated 
to a stove temperature, as I saw it lately, it is well 
worth a place iu any collection. 
Rivinia humilis. 
I never saw this plant grown to greater perfection 
than when trained as an irregular climber, that is, 
allowing it to fiud its way along a trellis, merely con¬ 
fining the more rampant growths here and there to 
prevent it breaking away. In this way I lately saw a 
remarkably fine specimen of this plant treated. It was 
growing in the cool end of a stove, and with its 
beautiful healthy foliage, and stems covered with a 
profusion of scarlet berries, it looked very different to 
the plants we generally see. 
Figs. 
Like many outdoor-flowering and fruiting plants, the 
dry summer of last year appears to have had a most 
beneficial effect on Figs. Everywhere I have seen 
them this season the trees are showing fruit in abun¬ 
dance, and if the remainder of the summer proves to 
be fairly dry and warm, a good crop may he expected 
to ripen. 
Apples. 
For the guidance of intending- planters it may be 
worth while to mention some Apples which are proving 
themselves this year to be heavy croppers. They are 
Galway Pippin, Warner’s King, Gladstone’s Glory, 
Blenheim Orange, Lady Henniker, Irish Peach, Ecklin- 
ville, Bess Pool and Hawthornden. Some of these 
were trained as espaliers, and as they are intended for 
exhibition next autumn, the fruit has already been 
considerably thinned out. In a season like the present, 
when large crops of fruit are set, this practice of 
thinning might be largely extended with advantage, 
even in cases where exhibiting the fruit is not 
intended.— W. D. 
-- 
NOTES PROM AMERICA. 
( Continued from p. 663 ). 
Erastus Cornixg’s, Albany. — This collection of 
Orchids is one of the oldest in America, Mr. Corning 
having began to cultivate them some years ago. It 
was most winterly weather when I paid my last visit. 
In fact they had been completely snowed up, for the 
memorable blizzard of March 9th reached Albany in 
full force. I soon found Mr. Gray, however, who has 
had charge of the collection for so many years, and 
who, for the last few years, has been ably assisted by 
Mr. Goldring. Mr. Gray is a great enthusiast in his 
profession, and is highly respected for his genial 
character and high cultural attainments. 
This collection contains many fine novelties and 
numbers of handsome specimens, especially of Cattleyas, 
Lfelias and Odontoglossums. The Cattleva house at 
the time of my visit was very gay with hundreds of 
expanded flowers of the Triame section, including many 
beautiful and distinct forms, which it would be 
impossible to describe here, and it must suffice to say 
that almost every conceivable form and variety was 
represented, and by fine healthy-growing plants. The 
same may be said of the Cypripediums, for here are 
noble specimens of the old favourite, as well as fine 
healthy plants of the newer ones. The Cypripedium 
craze is contagious in the States, all being anxious to 
add to their collections. In Mr. Coming’s case all the 
novelties are added as they make their appearance, and 
both Mr. Goldring and Mr. Gray are busy hybridising. 
The East Indian house contains fine varieties of 
Yandas, Aerides aud SaCcolabiums, also a fine lot of 
Dendrobes. I was pleased to see Phajus tuberculosus 
growing luxuriantly and flowering very freely—a superb 
variety. Odontoglossum Roezlii is also well done, and 
there were many fine plants of Phalrenopsis in flower. 
Mr. Gray has been fortunate in raising many seedlings 
of these, and some of them will doubtless render a good 
account of themselves in the future. Lycastes are 
extensively grown, and were flowering with wondrous 
freedom. I noticed also some grand plants of Cym- 
bidium Lowianum, which vary considerably. 
Cool Orchids are a great feature in this collection. 
Odontoglossum crispum is grown by hundreds, and 0. 
Pescatorei and 0. triumphans by the dozen ; all of them 
were pictures of health, with hundreds of spikes open, 
and many more to follow. Odontoglossum vexillarium 
is grown here at the warm end of the cool house, and a 
more healthy lot of plants I have never met with in 
America. "What astonished me most was that they 
were actually growing as described, while icicles were 
hanging over their heads inside the house. Here they 
were, however, and here they had been all the winter, 
and they were perfectly at home. Masdevallias are 
well done, and many good specimens were in flower. 
In addition to the Orchids, a fine collection of 
stove and greenhouse, foliage, aud flowering plants, 
and florists’ flowers are also well cared for. Cyclamens, 
Primulas, and Cinerarias were finely done and well 
flowered. The vineries contained good crops of fruit, 
and the Rose house was throwing enormous quantities 
of flowers, which are used extensively for decorative 
purposes. At some future time, I purpose giving a 
more detailed description of this fine place and collec¬ 
tion of valuable plants ; but should the reader be in 
the vicinity of Albany, or within a day’s journey, he 
should not fail to visit Mr. Coming’s collection, for he 
will be well repaid for his trouble, and will find in 
Messrs. Gray & Goldring two great enthusiasts in their 
profession. —A. Outram, 
