April 11, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
513 
and. Phcenix rupicola, 10 ft. For a single stove plant 
Mr. A. L. Jones had the premier plant, a lovely Coe- 
logyne, Mr. Timmis being second with a Dendrobium. 
For one greenhouse plant in flower, Mr. R. Brockle- 
bank, gardener to T. Winckworth, Esq., scored with 
Imantophyllum miniatum, having over twenty grand 
spikes ; second, Mr. F. H. Gossage, with Rhododendron 
Gibsoni, well flowered. For three Orchids, Mr. Timmis 
had a grand lot—Dendrobium Wardianam with eleven 
spikes, Cattleya Trianfe, eight flowers (good variety), 
and Cymbidium ebumeum, sixteen flowers. Mr. 
Gossage had Cymbidium ebumeum with eleven flowers, 
Dendrobium Jamesianum with thirteen spikes, and 
Cymbidium Lowianum with five splendid spikes ; third, 
Mr. D. de Yborrondo. For the single specimen, Mr. J. 
E. Reynolds, gardener to J. Wilson, Esq., staged a grand 
plant of Dendrobium Ainsworthii, 4 ft. in diameter, with 
over twenty spikes, some 2 ft. in length, flowered the 
whole length of the bulb ; Mr. W. C. Atkinson, 
gardener to Jos. Madelay, Esq., was second with Den¬ 
drobium thyrsiflorum with twenty spikes of a fine 
variety. Mr. Timmis was third with Coelogyne cristata 
(Trentham variety), 3 ft. in diameter, laden with 
flowers. These were not the only charming plants out 
of the nineteen entries and in the three groups of nine, 
which collectively made up a grand bank. 
For four exotic Ferns, Mr. Watts took the lead with a 
Goniophlebium (seedling), 6 ft. in diameter ; Microlepia 
hirta cristata, 7 ft. across, &c. ; and in the single 
specimen class, Mr. Timmis staged a grand Nephrolepis 
davallioides furcans, 10 ft. in diameter. Mr. Timmis 
scored with three Azaleas, which were marvels of 
culture and about 4 ft. in diameter. 
Cinerarias, Cyclamen, and Lily of the Valley were all 
staged in very fine condition. The class for the best 
and most tastefully arranged bo-x of Roses brought out 
a nice display, Mr. A. L. Jones staging a selection of 
yellow and crimson flowers on a base of Adiantum ; 
Mr. 0. H. Williams, second. Mr. J. Grant Morris, 
gardener to J. J. Craven, Esq., secured the highest 
award for six pots of Strawberry “ Noble,” with fine 
fruits. 
Miscellaneous exhibits : Messrs. T. Davies had a 
table of high merit, including spring bulbs, Amaryllis, 
Azaleas, &c.—Certificate of Merit. Messrs. B. S. 
Williams & Son, London, staged a'table full of interest 
and rarity, including choice Amaryllis, Cyclamen, 
Heaths, Palms, Imantophyllums, &c., with a charming 
selection of Orchids—Certificate of Merit. Messrs. R. 
P. Ker & Son staged Azaleas, choice in substance and 
variety ; Lilium Harrisii, &c.—Certificate of Merit. 
Messrs. Fishlock Bros, had a fine show of cut flowers, 
including wreaths, crosses, bouquets, &c.—Certificate 
of Merit. Messrs. Dicksons Limited, Chester, had cut 
Lilium Harrisii and Narcissus in about two dozen varie¬ 
ties, with a base of Scillas, which proved very effective— 
Certificate of Merit. Mr. P. Harbordt had specimens of 
Harbordt’s Perfection Tomato. Mr. A. B. Gladstone was 
highly commended for two bunches of black Alicante 
Grape in fine condition. The arrangements were 
highly satisfactory, and it is to be regretted that a 
more detailed account cannot be given of such a grand 
show. Mr. White, as chairman ; Mr. Blackmore, 
treasurer ; and Mr. E. Bridge, with the members of 
the committee, deserve every credit for their work. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Asso¬ 
ciation.—The annual dinner of this association was 
held on the 3rd inst., Mr. G. Gordon in the chair. 
The prizes offered by Mrs. S. A. Lee for essays on 
horticultural subjects were distributed by him during 
the evening. Four prizes were offered in each of three 
classes, and the competition was larger than it has 
hitherto been. Members were allowed to compete who 
had attended twelve meetings of the session. The 
subject in class I. was, “Horticulture, its Influence 
on the Masses.” Here Mr. J. Smith was awarded the 
first prize; and Mr. J. Barry, the second. The 
subjects in the other two classes were left to the dis¬ 
cretion of the members. In the second class, Mr. A. 
"Wright was awarded the first prize, and Mr. T. "Waugh, 
the second; third prizes each being awarded to Mr. 
T. Bones and Mr. E. Booker ; and Mr. J. R. Wood 
and Mr. PI. Westgate each received a fourth. In the 
third class, the competition was restricted to members 
under the age of twenty-three. Here, Mr. T. "Waugh 
was first; Mr. R. Orchard, second ; Mr. W. Robertson, 
third ; and Mr. J. Rick, fourth. 
Ealing Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society.—- 
At the close of the session it is customary to have a 
reunion in the form of a dinner, at which the members 
of the society and their friends may meet. The third 
annual dinner was held in the Victoria Hall, Ealing, 
on the 1st inst., under the presidency of the Rev. Dr. 
Oliver. The prizes were distributed in the early part 
of the evening by Mrs. Oliver. A large number of 
books on different branches of gardening were awarded 
to those who by their exhibits of flowers at the meetings 
during the winter had merited them. Prizes were also 
awarded for essays that had been written on five 
different subjects. For an essay on Violet Culture 
Mr. Long took the first prize ; Mr. Gates, the second ; 
and Mr. Simmonds, Junr., the third. Mr. Peutney’s 
was the best paper on Villa Gardening, followed by 
Mr. Viner’s. The first prize for a paper on Straw¬ 
berries went to Mr. Gladden ; and Mr. Hammond was 
second. Mr. Chadwick was first for a paper on Winter 
Salads; Mr. Gates was second, and Mr. Edwards, 
third. Mr. Chadwick was also awarded the first prize 
for a paper on Trees for Street and Road Planting. 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural. — The annual 
spring show of this society, held on the 1st and 2nd 
inst., though favoured by bright, dry, if somewhat cold 
weather, was hardly equal to former displays of the same 
kind, either as regards extent or the quality of the 
products displayed. Spring-flowering bulbs showed a 
great falling off, and the Hyacinths especially, at Edin¬ 
burgh as elsewhere this season, were greatly below par. 
The local nursery firms as usual contributed largely of 
their floral wealth, and Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons 
particularly distinguished themselves in the trade com¬ 
petition classes, securing no less than sixteen first prizes 
and four seconds. Non-competition groups from Messrs. 
T. Methven k Sons, Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, and 
Messrs. Dickson k Co. added much to the general 
effect ; and a collection of varieties of Primula Sieboldii 
from Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale, was much admired. 
In the gardeners’ and amateurs’ plant classes Mr. 
John Patterson, of Millbank, again secured a goodly 
number of firsts with his stove and greenhouse plants, 
and Mr. Malcolm McIntyre, The Glen, also came out 
well in the prize list ; while Mr. J. Curror, Eskbank, 
took the lead in the two classes for specimen Orchids, 
and Mr. W. Sharp, Freeland, Forgandenny, in that 
for a dozen bunches of Orchid blooms. In the cut- 
flower division also Mr. John Ramage, Wallhouse, had 
the best eighteen Roses, and Mr. James Wynter, 
Linlithgow, the best dozen. 
Fruit was very sparingly represented. Mr. Mclndoe 
was first for a fine dish of Strawberries, two dozen 
each of kitchen and dessert Apples, and a dozen 
kitchen Pears ; while Mr. Smith, Oxenford Castle, had 
the finest pot Strawberries and black Grapes. 
Royal Horticultural of Perthshire. — The usual 
monthly meeting of the literary branch of this society 
was held in the hall of the Natural Science Society, 
Tay Street, Perth, on the 1st inst., Mr. Galloway, 
Ballindrick, vice-president, in the chair. After the 
election of several new members, Dr. Robertson, Errol, 
read an interesting paper on that much-discussed 
question, “Does fruit-growing pay?” According to 
Dr. Robertson it does and will pay, and that handsomely, 
if proper care be taken in the selection of sorts suitable 
for the locality and proper attention be paid to pruning, 
manuring, &c. The paper showed all through how 
thoroughly Dr. Robertson had studied his subject, both 
by practice and theory. A lengthy discussion followed 
the reading of the paper, and Mr. Carnochan, "VVells- 
hill, read some notes from a Canadian fruit grower, 
explaining how orchards are treated in Canada. 
Mr. Stenning, of the Hatton Nurseries, exhibited a 
very finely grown Cineraria, also a stand of single and 
double blooms of the same plant, which were much 
admired. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded 
to Dr. Robertson, and a similar compliment paid to 
the chairman brought the meeting to a close. The 
chairman intimated that at the next meeting a paper 
would be read by Dr. Buchanan White on “Some 
Aspects of Parasitism in Plants.” 
Hawick Horticultural Improvement.—At the usual 
monthly meeting of this association, held on the 3rd 
inst., Mr. Forbes, president, in the chair, the first item 
on the programme was a paper on “.The Pentstemon,” 
written by a well-wishing friend of the association. 
The writer gave a brief sketch of the history of the 
Pentstemon ; dwelt at length on the most suitable soils 
for its successful management ; how and when to plant; 
the different modes of propagating, and the most 
successful way to keep the plants through the winter, 
all of which points the writer dealt with in a thorough 
practical way. Of all the flowers that embellish our 
gardens in the summer months the writer claimed for 
the Pentstemon the first rank as being the most ac¬ 
commodating, the most showy, the most continuous 
bloomer, and the most adaptable. Being of easy 
cultivation, it grew freely and well in any good garden 
soil, supplied plenty of cuttings, and was easily kept in 
winter by anyone possessing a cold frame. Neither was 
it liable to disease, canker, or attacks by insects. A 
discussion followed, after which Mr. Swanson, gardener, 
Kilmeny, read an excellent paper on “ The Melon.” 
Confining his remarks entirely to Melons grown in 
houses, he advocated steeping the seeds in water until 
they germinated, which he held gave them a better 
start. The most suitable soil for the Melon was next 
dealt with, also the proper temperature at the different 
stages of growth, and the most suitable varieties to 
grow. The paper led to a spirited discussion, which 
was highly edifying to all concerned. Both essayists 
received the thanks of the association. Mr. Forbes 
exhibited a few choice Auriculas, the most noticeable 
of which was Lord of Lome (self), also a very fine 
pot of Polyanthus Formosa. Mr. Wood had also a very 
fine double yellow, and a very fine primrose self (seedling) 
Auricula, which helped to gladden the eyes of those 
present, and distract their attention from the miserable 
weather outside. The usual votes of thanks followed. 
Bolton Horticultural and Chrysanthemum. —The 
usual monthly meeting of this society was held on 
April 2nd, at the Operative Spinners’ Hall, Mr. Chas. 
Jones presiding, when a goodly company assembled to 
hear a paper on the Grape Vine by Mr. Herd, of the 
Gardens, Fernclough. Mr. Herd, who is a very suc¬ 
cessful Grape grower and exhibitor, remarked at the 
outset that for this part of England all borders should 
be inside, should be flagged or concreted, and have 
at least 6 ins. of broken rubble as drainage, the whole 
to be covered by a layer of fresh cut turf grass down¬ 
wards. Good fibrous loam was indispensable in the 
formation of the Vine border, and he preferred it not 
cut too thin (about 3 ins.), used fresh cut rather than 
after being laid up for a time, and put on in layers, 
intersecting each layer with inch bones, charcoal, broken 
bricks, and if possible parings from horses’ hoofs. The 
border should be made up in sections of about 4 ft. at a 
time. Mr. Herd strongly condemned the practice of 
adding farmyard or stable manure when making up a 
Vine border, it having a tendency to promote over- 
luxuriant growth and goose-quilled roots in place of 
the good solid fibrous roots necessary to ensure success. 
Details were also given of after management—such as 
careful ventilation, stopping the shoots, thinning 
bunches, watering, &c.—and in conclusion Mr. Herd 
appealed to the young men just starting on their 
gardening career to be ever watchful and attentive in 
the matter of details, and what success had been 
obtained by others would in the end be attained by 
them. A lively discussion followed, Messrs. Corbett, 
Callow, Tatton, Wainwright, Sewell, Smith, and others 
taking part, on the merits of Black Alicante and Gros 
Colmar Grapes as winter-keeping varieties, and opinions 
were equally divided, some being in favour of one 
variety and some of the other. 
-- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
"When sending Flowers or Fruits for identification it 
is requested that not more than six be sent at oue time, 
that the specimens be good ones, and all legibly 
numbered. 
Grubs in Parsnip Ground. —IK. C.: The pups you send us 
are doubtless those of the Celery Fly (Zepliritis onopordinis), 
whieh attacks and destroys the leaves of the Parsnip, causing 
as much havoc to the foliage as in the case of Celery. If the 
ground is once infested with this pest, it will appear every year 
unless vigorous means are taken to exterminate them. Should 
the size of your garden permit of it., you might gain some 
advantage by sowing in places wide apart every year. But as 
the insects emerge in perfect form from the small grub-like 
pupse cases they can fly to fresh pastures. During summer 
remove the badly infested leaves and burn them. Go carefully 
over the plants and pinch the grub between the finger and 
thumb, in the rest of the leaves. A good dusting with dry soot 
would help the plants in the early stages by preventing the 
insect from laying its eggs upon them. Lift the roots late in 
autumn and pit them, so that a quantity of gas-lime may be 
spread on the ground and lightly forked in to kill the pup* 
laying there. 
Oxlip —H. IK.: The Oxlip you mention is probably that 
popularly known as the English Oxlip. which is merely a yellow 
variety of the garden Polyanthus. The true Oxlip (Primula 
elatior) is very different in general aspect, as well as in the size and 
shape of its flowers. It has not been recorded in a wild state 
from your locality. The plants you picked up in all probability 
are escapes from some neighbouring garden. Send us a 
specimen or some flowers when they come into bloom. 
Names of Plants.— B. R. : 1, Eutaxia myrtifolia ; 2, Cytisus 
fllipes • 3 Adiantum hispidulum. G. M. : 1, Saxifraga ligulata; 
2 Scilla bifolia ; 3, Saxifraga oppositifolia; 4, Spiriea Thunbergii; 
o’ Iris reticulata. R. West: 1, Petasites vulgaris; 2, Salix 
caprea probably, send when in leaf. J. H : 1, Dendrobium 
crassinode ; 2. D. Findlayauum ; 3, Odontoglossum Edwardi; 
4, 0. luteo-purpureum. 
Communications Received. —R. S. & Co.—J. L.—W. H. S.— 
R. G. W.-S.T—K. W.-J. B. H.—G. H,—W. S T.-G. il. 
