734 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 14, 1888. 
Gardens, Kew; the collection contained Olearia 
insignis, with very large heads resembling a white 
Thistle, Aristolochia elegans, Aranjia grandiflora, 
Primula imperialis, P. mollis, P. Lebbiana, Medinilla 
erythrophylla, the hybrid Nymphrea Kewensis, Strep- 
tocarpus Kewensis, S. Watsoni, and Passiflora coerulea x 
Kermesina. There were also a fine specimen of Begonia 
Haageana, with white sepals covered with red hairs ; 
Erythrsea diffusa, Dianthus Greivei, a garden hybrid ; 
Carpenteria californica, and many others too numerous 
to mention. A Bronze Banksian Medal was awarded 
to Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, who exhibited 
two stands of double tuberous Begonia blooms, in¬ 
cluding a huge yellow variety, named Duchess of Teck, 
and two boxes of single blooms. They exhibited a 
wealth of colour, and were of good size and substance. 
Mr. H. B. May, Upper Edmonton, received a similar 
award for a well-grown and beautifully-coloured group 
of Ferns, amongst which we noted Pteris tremula 
elegans, P. hybrida, P. tricolor, Gymnogramma Wetten- 
lialliana, a silvery grey species ; Nephrolepis of different 
kinds, some fine Adiantums, such as A. Regins, 
A. rubellum, and A. rodophyllum, all beautifully 
coloured. A Bronze Banksian Medal was also awarded 
to Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, who had 
six boxes of Rose blooms, amongst which were fine 
specimens of Madame Eugene Verdier, Duke of Edin¬ 
burgh, Madame G. Luizet, Beauty of Waltham, 
A. K. Williams, Paul Neron, Merveille de Lyon, Marie 
Baumann, Jean Soupert, Elie Morel, Pride of Waltham, 
Anna Olivier, and others. 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, exhibited a 
small group of Orchids, including Laelia Eyermanii, a 
supposed hybrid between L. autumnalis and L. majalis, 
which were also staged, and Epidendrum vitellinum 
majus, with large ovaries. F. G. Tautz, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. C. Cowley), Studley House, Hammersmith, showed 
two beautiful forms of Cattleya Gaskelliana—namely, 
C. g. alba and C. g. superba, with a large and richly- 
coloured lip; also Cypripedium Wallisii and Den- 
drobium hercogiossum. G. E. Wilson', Esq., Heather- 
bank, Weybridge, exhibited Lilium Szovitzianum with 
a stem 7 ft. high, and L. Hansoni, a darker yellow- 
flowered species, 6 ft. in height; also Erigeron multi- 
radiatus and Meconopsis grandiflora. Messrs. H. 
Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, showed some finely- 
spotted Gloxinias, including Mrs. W. Kennard, 
Wm. Fitz-Herbert and Unbelievable ; also Hart’s 
Conqueror Coleus, for which they were awarded a vote 
of thanks. Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, had three 
boxes of his Auricula-eyed Sweet Williams in many 
showy colours, for which he received a vote of thanks. 
He also showed garden Roses, a box of Dutch Honey¬ 
suckle, and a large box of his strain of Sweet Peas in 
great variety. Mr. C. J. Graham, Croydon, showed a 
quantity of Rose blooms and Lilium japonicum 
Krameri, for which he was accorded a vote of thanks. 
Mr. B. Hokes, Brockley, exhibited some yellow 
Carnations. Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham 
Cross, showed two boxes of Roses, including Silver 
Queen, Inigo Jones, Grand Mogul, Little Gem, and 
Waltham Climber, for which they were accorded a 
vote of thanks. Mr. Eckford, gardener to Dr. Sankey, 
Boreatton Park, Shrewsbury, staged some Pansies and 
ten bunches of Sweet Peas ; the strain of the latter was 
highly commended. Miss Jekyll, Munstead, God¬ 
aiming, showed some double white Pinks and Car¬ 
penteria californica. G. Eirth, Esq., Manningham 
Thorpe,Bradford, was awarded a Cultural Commendation 
for a specimen of Grammatophyllum Ellisi, bearing one 
spike with twenty-nine flowers and another with 
twenty-two. Sir E. Saunders, Fairlawn, Parkside, 
Wimbledon, showed a small group of Begonias, and a 
vote of thanks was accorded for a variety named Lady 
Saunders with rose-magenta flowers. 
Some special prizes for tuberous Begonias were 
offered by Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill. 
Sir Edwin Saunders (gardener, Mr. A. Newell), took 
the first prize for six single varieties, which were well 
flowered. Mr. A. Wright, Devonhurst, Chiswick, 
took the second prize ; and Matthew Hodgson, Esq., 
Shirley, Croydon, came in third. He carried off the 
first award, however, for three double varieties, which 
were compact and well furnished with bloom. Mr. A. 
Wright was awarded a third prize. 
A collection of numerous varieties of Peas, including 
stems and fruits as they were grown, was exhibited at 
the meeting of the Fruit Committee by Messrs. J. Veitch 
& Sons. Yeitch’s Extra Early, Dr. Hogg, Earliest of 
All and Emerald Gem are very dwarf varieties that 
came into bearing on the 28th June, Chelsea Gem on 
the same date, Little Gem and American Wonder on 
June 29th, The Duchess and Essex Rival on July 7th, 
and Telephone and Telegraph with stems about 5 ft. 
high, on July 9th. A seedling Tomato named 
Favourite, and Thames Ditton Hero Melon were 
exhibited by Mr. W. Palmer, gardener to W. F. Hume 
Dick, Esq., Thames Ditton. Messrs. W. Lovell & 
Sons, Driffield, Yorks, showed Vicomtesse Hericart de 
Thury and La Grosse Sucree Strawberries. Mr. Ed. 
Wm. Ginger, Upper Clapton, had a vegetable curiosity 
in a double Cucumber, 18 ins. long, and united 
throughout. From the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
Gardens, Chiswick, came a basket of Early Hereford 
Cauliflower. 
Braintree and Booking' Horticultural. 
On Thursday, July 5th, the annual show of plants, 
flowers, fruits, honey, &c., of the above society was 
held in the adjoining grounds of Mrs. J. M. Courtauld 
and Mr. 0. Gosling, at Booking, the entries amounting 
to about 500, and a remarkably good show resulting, 
the effect of which was, however, more than damped by 
the frequent storms which “passed over the district. 
Arranged in four large marquees, aud with such effect 
-—both for display and comparison—as reflected great 
credit on Mr. H. Gibbs, the secretary, and on the 
committee generally, were some fine groups of foliage 
and flowering plants ; some pretty examples of table 
decorations, with both wild and cultivated flowers ; a 
grand display of vegetables, and a fair one of fruit; 
and a great variety of exhibits of wild flowers for which 
the Braintree show is noted. 
In all, eighty-six classes, including cottagers’ and 
honey classes, were set out, and most of them were well 
contested. The interest generally centres in the 
special prizes, and among them the Silver Cup given by 
Mrs. J. N. Harrison, for the best six distinct stove or 
greenhouse plants, was taken with a grand lot by 
Mr. W. Dance, gardener to Colonel Lowe, Gosfield 
Hall ; Mr. J. Burrell, gardener to W. W. Duffield, 
Esq., being a good second. The first prize, given by 
Sydney Courtauld, Esq., for six stove or greenhouse 
plants in flower, was carried off by Mr. Burrell ; Miss 
Cawston, of High Garrett, being second. Group of 
eight stove or greenhouse foliage plants, in 9 in. pots— 
prizes given by Miss Cawston : first, Mr. W. Dance ; 
second, Mr. J. W. Rolfe, gardener to Captain Harrison. 
For the most tastefully arranged group of pot plants, 
6 ft. by 4 ft., only two competitors came forward, Miss 
Cawston being first, while a fine lot arranged by Mr. W. 
Dance was disqualified as being over the limited size; the 
judges, however, awarded a special prize. Ferns were 
well exhibited in large specimens, a fine group, with 
which Mr. Courtauld took first prize, being a grand 
exhibit of rare and well-grown specimens ; Mr. Dance 
was second and Miss Cawston third. For a basket of 
pot plants, not exceeding 30 ins. in diameter, Mr. S. 
Courtauld was first with a grand arrangement of 
Orchids and Ferns ; Miss Cawston second, Mr. W. 
Dance third. Other remarkably fine exhibits were the 
first prize six Caladiums of Miss Cawston, and the 
second prize lot of Mr. Dance ; the single specimen 
Bougainvillea glabra of Miss Cawston, which took first 
prize in its class, and the fine Statice of Mr. J. W. 
Rolfe, which was second ; the grand Coleus of Mr. F. 
Smoothy ; the fine tuberous Begonias of Mr. T. Taylor, 
and the Gloxinias of Mr. G. Clements ; the cut Roses 
of Mr. Wm. Brown, of London Road Nurseries, Brain¬ 
tree, also were grand. It is impossible to touch on the 
long list of vegetable and fruit exhibits, but suffice it 
to say that the Braintree and Booking Horticultural 
Society holds its own and does much good in the 
district. 
-->X<~- 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Special attention is paid in the columns of The 
Gardening World to the answering of questions on 
all subjects connected with practical horticulture, and 
the naming of Plants (other than Florists’ Flowers) and 
Fruits, in which department the Editor is assisted by 
gardeners and specialists of great experience. 
It is particularly requested that correspondents 
will favour us with their communications as early in 
the week as possible, and that they address them only 
to “The Editor.” 
When sending Flowers or Fruits for identification it 
is requested that not more than six be sent at one time, 
that the specimens be good ones, and all legibly 
numbered. 
Secretaries of Horticultural Societies and Nursery¬ 
men and Seedsmen will greatly oblige The Editor by 
sending him their Schedules and Catalogues as soon as 
published. 
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS. 
Melon leaves diseased.— Cor: On examining the leaves you 
sent us under the compound microscope, we ascertained that the 
silvery gray or pale brown appearance was due to the effects of a 
kind of mite about the same size or even smaller than that of the 
Eucharis mite, but belonging to a different species. It was of a 
darker colour, inclined to amber-yellow, and was furnished with 
two forked bristles or appendages on the under part of its body, 
by the aid of which it is able to move about more freely amongst 
the numerous bristly hairs with which the Melon leaves are beset. 
The underside of the leaves was simply swarming with the small 
but formidable enemy, and the dried-up appearance of the foliage 
sent is, no doubt, accounted for by the presence of this insect 
pest, that does not by any means appear to be new, judging by 
the number of complaints made by gardeners, and from what we 
have seen both of diseased Melons and other plants. 
Iron in Tank.— Arthur Briant: The small quantity that your 
tanks would contain at any time, we do not think would prove 
harmful to your plants, especially seeing that by constant use of 
the water, a fresh supply has to take its plase. That in the tank 
would, therefore, be frequently renewed, very much in the same 
way as running water purifies itself. Plants furthermore require 
a .certain supply of iron in their food, otherwise the green 
colouring matter would not be developed. They utilise or take 
it up in many forms in a state of solution in water. Low oxides 
such as are generally plentiful in a stagnant and water-logged soil, 
are injurious, but when the soil is drained it becomes aerated, and 
the low oxides take up more oxygen, and become not only 
harmless, but serviceable to plants. Therefore, if the water be 
frequently renewed in your tanks, and well exposed to the air, 
we do not consider your plants would suffer. 
Rose-buds Rotting. — A. Smith: Your Roses are not affected 
by any disease that we could discern, and the blackened appear¬ 
ance of the buds is simply due to the low temperature and the 
great amount of rain which we have been having for some weeks 
past. Your case is only one of many this summer, as complaints 
are frequent on every hand. The buds just as they are com¬ 
mencing to expand get saturated with wet, and that, together 
with the lowness of the temperature, prevents them from 
expanding, and instead of which they become blackened and rot 
away. 
Sedums, &c., for Beds. — John Williams: Seduin glaucum, S. 
sexangulare, S. corsicum, S. anglicum, S. farinosum and S. dasy- 
pliyllum would suit you. The last two and S. corsicum are 
rather tender, and impatient of wet. Saxifraga hypnoides, S. 
csespitosa hirta, S. muscoides purpurea, S. sancta, and S. trifur- 
cata, better known as S. ceratophylla,are all dwarf-growing tufted 
species, and grow freely. 
Names of Plants.— John Williams: 1, Hemcrocallis flava ; 
2, Tradescantia virginica; 3, Bocconia cordata; 4, Ampelopsis 
quinquefolia; 5, Pteris serrulata ; 6, Blechnum occidental ; 7, 
Gymnogramma ehrysoinelanos; 8, Nephrolepis exaltata; 9, Pteris 
straminea ; 10, Sedum acre ; 11, Saxifraga ciespitosa var.; 12, 
Sedum lydium. H. Cannell £ Sons: The white Orchid is 
Orchis maculata alba ; the brownish yellow one, Aceras anthro- 
pophora. J. W.O.: Sisyrinchium striatum. Limnanthes: 1, 
Gladiolus byzantinus; 2, Paradisia liliastrum ; 3, Papaver 
orientale; 4, Inula glandulosa ; 5, Iris versicolor: 6, Geranium 
nodosum; 7, Campanula glomtrata dahurica; S, Campanula 
rhomboidalis ; 9, Hemerocallis flava ; 10, a species of Bupleurum, 
not recognised, ill. P. : 1, Libocedrusdecurrens; 2, Chanuecyparis 
Lawsoniana lutea ; 3, Chamacyparis (Retinospora) obtnsa 
plumosa aurea; 4 and S, Chamsecyparis (R.) obtusa plumosa ; 
5, Chamiecyparis (R.) squarrosa ; 6, Juniperus communis 
variety (cannot say which without knowing the habit of the 
plant); 7, Juniperus virginiana (probably, material insufficient, 
no fruit). 
Communications Received. —W. B.—S. & S.—W. J., Junr.— 
E. J. B.—W. B.—W. J. M.—C. J. G.—J. L.— II. W. W. 
-- 
THE WEATHER. 
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean reading 
of the barometer during the week ending July 7th was 
29'57 in.; the highest reading was 29'88 in. on Sunday 
evening, and the lowest was 29'31 in. on Wednesday 
afternoon. The mean temperature of the air was 56'4°, 
and 5 '2° below the average in the corresponding weeks 
of the twenty years ending 186S. The mean was 
considerably below the average throughout the week ; 
the coldest days being Monday, Friday, and SaturdajL 
The general direction of the wind was south-westerly, 
and the horizontal movement of the air averaged 12'2 
miles per hour, which was two miles below the average 
in the corresponding weeks of sixteen years. Rain fell 
on six days of the week, to the aggregate amount of 
0'90 in. The duration of registered bright sunshine in 
the week was 18 '8 hours, against 24'2 hours at Glynde 
Place, Lewes. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
July 11th. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, London, report very little 
doing in agricultural seeds at to-day’s market. Some 
New White Clover samples from Germany are to hand, 
and the quality is very poor. The Trifolium trade has 
not started yet. Mustard and Rape keep a steady 
sale ; the latter article is getting scarce. Hemp seed is 
dearer ; other Bird Seeds unchanged. 
