August 8, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
777 
year Mr. Kime was just one month later with his 
Victors than he was in 1890, a circumstance attribut¬ 
able to the severe frosts in the middle of May 
last. 
National Co-operative Flower Show.— Great 
preparations are being made for the Sixth National 
Co-operative Flower Show, to be held at the Crystal 
Palace on August 15th, in connection with the Annual 
Co-operative Festival of 1891. This show of flowers, 
fruit, vegetables and honey, the produce of working 
men’s gardens and allotments, has grown to such 
dimensions that it is now, probably, “the greatest 
show on earth ” of the kind. Last year there were 
over 4,500 entries, from all parts of the kingdom, the 
produce filling one side of the great transept from 
end to end. The exhibits were of such a high order, 
that the judges who awarded the prizes declared 
that no better vegetables had been seen at any 
exhibition of the year, than those shown by these 
working-class cultivators. This year, the schedule 
contains details of 844 prizes, comprising gold, silver 
and bronze medals, about /350 in cash, and many 
special prizes in goods, certificates, &c. The entries 
are free to members of all Industrial Co-operative 
Societies. As the last returns give a grand total 
of 1,117,055 persons in co-operative membership, a 
large proportion of the population is now included 
in the category. Copies of the schedule may be had, 
free of charge, by any who are interested in the 
spread of a taste for floriculture amongst the people, 
on application to Mr. Edward Owen Greening, 3, 
Agar Street, Strand, W.C. 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —At the meeting of the 
Executive Committee, held on the 31st ult., it was 
announced that the gross amount received through the 
late general collections, was a little ever /280, which 
we hope may be made up to ^300 before the list is 
closed. The Sub-Committee appointed to carry out 
the recent fete at the Crystal Palace reported that, 
although no great amount would accrue to the fund, 
they were amply satisfied with the results as a first 
venture. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to 
all who assisted in making the fete a success. Mr. 
Barron announced the receipt, during the previous 
month, of the following amounts :—Mrs. Ford, by 
sale of flowers at the Richmond Show, £6 10s. 6d ; 
Mr. G. W. Cummins, by sale of flowers at the 
Croydon Show, £11 5s. 6d.; Mr. R. Dean, by sale 
of Roses, &c., at the Royal Aquarium Rose Show, 
£13 15s. 6d. ; and from the Wimbledon Horticultural 
Society, /n os. 6d., realised by the sale of flowers. 
By collecting boxes :—Mr. W. Brown, Richmond, 
4s. ; Mr. W. H. Divers, Kelton Hall, 12s. id. ; Ware 
and District Horticultural Improvement Society, 
£1 ns. 6d. ; Messrs. Cannell & Sons, £1 ; and Miss 
Barron, Chiswick, 18s. 9d. As the result of opening 
the gardens at Hardwicke, Bury St. Edmunds, to the 
public, Mr. D. T. Fish sent up the sum of /11 15s. 
Mr. Sawyer and Mr. H. B. May, of Edmonton, 
attended the meeting, as a deputation from the 
Covent Garden Standholders, and handed in a 
cheque for ^46, contributed by that body, in lieu of 
holding the Floral Fete in the Market, and nine 
of their number were elected life subscribers. The 
Committee at its rising adjourned, for the autumn 
recess, until the last Friday in October. 
Gaillardia Picta Lorenziana Flore Pleno. —The 
utility of Gaillardias for bedding purposes will 
by-and-by be more fully recognised than it has been. 
During the lengthened period of drought which 
occurred in the summer of 1887, the subject of this 
notice not only stood out well but flowered freely in 
in a district upon chalky soil, where Pelargoniums 
flowered themselves almost to death, losing the 
greater part of their foilage. The name Lorenziana 
is given to a strain in which the ray florets are 
tubular instead of being flat as in the typical form. 
The double-flowered race under notice has the 
florets of the disc, as well as the ray, lengthened and 
tubular. A bed of dwarf plants raised from seed 
may be seen in the gardens of the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society at Chiswick. The heads are large and 
of various colours, such as yellow or crimson with 
yellow tips to the florets, red with yellow tips, yellow 
with a red tube, pale-red and other hues. The 
plants continue to throw out branches from the 
rootstock, and, flowering in succession, keep up a 
display all through the summer months. The 
flowers are also useful in a cut state, lasting a long 
time in water. 
THE HORTICULTURAL 
CLUB. 
The annual excursion of this club took place on 
Wednesday, the 29th ult., when Crawley and the 
neighbourhood were selected for a visit. The 
weather proved somewhat unfavourable, but the 
party to the number of twenty-four, including several 
ladies, alighted at Three Bridges Station, and, 
nothing daunted by the threatening clouds, entered the 
three brakes provided for their accommodation and 
drove off through Crawley to the Nurseries of 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Son. They were there received 
by the members of the firm, and immediately 
commenced a tour of inspection through the ex¬ 
tensive grounds, and, as far as time would allow, 
examined the numerous subjects of interest in the 
various departments, especially amongst the fruit, 
herbaceous plants, flowering shrubs, and dahlias; 
and before leaving partook of some fruit and light 
refreshment upon the lawns adjoining the house, 
under the leafy shade of the overhanging trees. 
They then re-entered the brakes, and drove to 
Worth Park, the palatial residence of Mrs. 
Montefiore. They were received by Mr. Glen, the 
gardener, and were conducted in the first place 
through the various greenhouses, which contain a 
large assortment of choice exotics, and the vineries 
with their heavy crops of excellent grapes were 
greatly admired. The kitchen gardens, with their 
productive crops of fruit and vegetables, were next 
inspected, and the party were conducted through 
winding paths, verdant lawns, and plantations of the 
choicest Shrubs towards the house. They then 
entered the corridor, which is a covered promenade 
surrounding the winter garden. The space enclosed 
by this long corridor is laid out in an elaborate 
geometrical design, with fountains in the centre, and 
the beds are now gay with brilliant flowers. This 
feature is quite unique, and was greatly admired. 
The broad terraces and Italian gardens adjoining 
the mansion were next inspected, and a tour of the 
park was commenced, and the party were led by 
winding paths through woodlands and shrubberies 
surrounding the beautiful lake to the farmstead, 
where they were met at the model dairy by the 
courteous steward Mr. Mare, They were here most 
hospitably entertained to luncheon, which was 
tastefully spread in the winter dairy which looked 
delightfully cool with its polished marble slabs, 
coloured windows, ornamental paving, and central 
fountain. After the luncheon Mr. D'Ombrain in a 
few well chosen words expressed the gratitude of the 
members to Mrs. Montefiore for the most kind and 
generous reception of the club, and complimented 
Mr. Mare and Mr. Glen upon the excellent condition 
of the whole establishment. Mr. Wilkes seconded 
the proposition and Mr. Mare suitably responded. 
The brakes were again mounted and the party 
started for a long drive through Tilgate Forest with 
its lovely scenery to Handcross Park, the residence 
of Mr. Warren. They were here met by Mr. Offer, 
the able steward. The gardens contain a rich 
collection of Japanese and other dwarf conifers, 
most of which presented a particularly healthy 
appearance, and have passed through the late 
severe winter unhurt. The party then started for 
a long tour of inspection through the undulating 
forest land surrounding the gardens, where the 
natural wilderness of the scenery is undisturbed, but 
its charms are added to by the judicious planting of 
a large assortment of ornamental trees. And here 
in wild and natural beauty may be found a collection 
of coniferae consisting of all the known varieties that 
will thrive in this country. The winding paths of 
velvety turf through this heather-clad forest having 
been traversed brought the party back to the gardens, 
where the conservatories where next visited, and the 
unequalled specimens of stove and greenhouse plants, 
which have gained such world-wide reputation, were 
greatly admired. They left the handsome residence 
of Mr. Warren amidst continuous rain, and 
returned towards Crawley by way of St. 
Leonards Forest, driving through the grounds of 
Holmbush Park, the charming residence of Colonel 
Clifton Brown. Most of the party, in spite of the 
rain, left the brakes, and walked through the 
pleasure grounds, over which they were conducted 
by Mr. Paterson, the gardener. 
They then returned to the “George” Hotel at 
Crawley, where an excellent dinner awaited them. 
The cordial thanks of the club were given to Mr. 
D'Ombrain and Mr. Cheal for carrying out the 
arrangements for such an enjoyable day, and after 
half an hour of pleasant social intercourse the party 
re-entered the saloon carriage which awaited 
fliem at Crawley Station for the return to town, 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
Gentiana septemfida. —No blue is exactly like that 
of the Gentian, and that of the species under notice 
is particularly attractive. The flowers are in 
perfection during the latter part of July and the 
beginning of August. The typical form has three- 
nerved leaves, grows to a height of 3 ins. to 5 ins. 
and has much richer blue flowers than G. s. cordi- 
folia, which is taller and paler with broader leaves. 
Both plants increase very slowly, and growers should 
try to obtain seeds and establish the seedlings in 
pots before planting them out. 
Lychnis chalcedonica. —The scarlet Lychnis 
will always be a favourite in gardens, whether single 
or double. It does not produce seed very freely, but 
can be propagated from the eyes on the stem in the 
same manner as Hollyhocks. These eyes are pro¬ 
duced alternately on the different sides of the stem, 
and sometimes lengthen so as to form little shoots. 
The double-flowered variety lasts longer in bloom 
and is very choice. 
Bravoa geminiflora.— The Twin Flower from 
Mexico is so nearly hardy that the bulbs may be 
planted in the open border in the warmer situations 
of England, but in other parts of Britain require the 
shelter of a cold frame. It keeps in perfection for a 
long time, and the scarlet, tubular and curved 
flowers are very pretty. Offsets are produced whereby 
the plant may be propagated. 
Heuchera sanguinea.— The lengthened period 
over which flowers can be produced by this, the 
prettiest of all the Heucheras, is remarkable. By 
keeping a batch of plants in pots and placing them 
in gentle heat early in spring they soon come into 
flower, and prove very useful for the decoration of 
the greenhouse when variety is often much wanted. 
A second batch might be brought on in a frame to 
keep up the supply till those in the open air come 
into bloom. 
Armeria plantaginea rosea.— The leaves and 
the flower heads of this species are much larger 
than those of the common Thrift, and are choice 
enough to find a place on the rockery. If planted 
in the herbaceous border the soil should be well 
drained, or a little mound made, stones embedded in 
it, and the Thrift planted amongst them. 
Gypsophila paniculata.— The utility of this 
plant for mixing with cut flowers is becoming more 
and more apparent to those who require flowers to 
set up in vases and stands, on account of their 
graceful and elegant appearance. Happily there is 
no difficulty in growing the plant, provided always 
the soil is well drained, and the situation open. In 
a state of nature they affect chalky places. 
Meconopsis Wallichi.— Strictly speaking, this 
is a biennial easily raised from seeds. It succeeds 
best in a rather moist, but well drained, soil, in a 
shady situation. The lobed leaves are covered with 
orange-coloured hairs, which are most conspicuous 
during the first year, or before the plant has flowered. 
The plant is known as the Blue Poppy, but some 
varieties have the flowers shaded with purple. 
Allium pulchellum.— The flower stems of this 
species are slender, attaining a height only of 9 ins. 
to 12 ins., but bear a large head of very numerous 
flowers. The latter are by no means large individu¬ 
ally, but their great number and clear purple colour 
entitle the plant to a place in the border or on a 
rockery, which would be better. The plant is easily 
propagated by offsets. 
Calochortus macrocarpus.— The Mariposa 
Lilies are all very pretty, and some of them decidedly 
showy. Coming as they do from California they 
require to be planted in rich but light and well-drained 
soil in a warm and sheltered position. More 
success attends their culture if protected from wet 
during winter by means of hand lights or sashes, or 
even frames. That under notice has the three inner 
petals very large and of a soft purple suffused with 
lavender, especially on the outer face. The basal 
and saccate portion is white with a purple blotch at 
the very base, and all the white portion is heavily 
bearded with white hairs. 
Calla palustkis.— Considering the hardiness, of 
this aquatic, we might reasonably expect to find it 
more frequently grown in ponds, tanks and other 
pieces of ornamental water in the public parks, 
pleasure grounds and gardens of private estates in 
various parts of the country. The white spathe 
ultimately becomes tinted of a bright red, as the 
plant passes into fruit, especially if fully exposed to 
sunshine in the open. The fruit itself consists 
of numerous red berries arranged all over the spadix. 
All the above we noted in bloom in Mr. T. S. 
Ware's Nursery at Tottenham. 
