528 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 18, 1891. 
Spring Bell. 
The above title aptly applies to Sisyrinchium grandi- 
florum, which is not only one of the earliest spring 
flowers, but the latter may be compared to a Campanula 
both for size, richness of colouring, and their drooping 
habit. The plant is perfectly hardy and requires no 
protection in winter. If grown in pots in a cold frame, 
as we have occasionally seen it treated, the flowers come 
somewhat earlier, but are liable to become disfigured 
or spoiled by damp, cold weather. The white variety 
(S. g. album) is the more especially liable to be spoiled 
in this way. By this it is not meant to be stated that 
cold weather is harmful provided it is dry and the 
plants are grown in the open air, for they vs ill flower 
magnificently in cool weather, lasting for some time, till 
the sun begins to get powerful, when the flowers 
speedily curl up and fade away. When planted in 
clumps the narrow leaves accompanying the stems give 
the whole a very pleasing effect. The species was 
originally introduced in 1826 from North America, and 
is a great favourite with the draughtsman, judging from 
the frequency with which it has been figured in 
different works. 
Barbacenia squammata. 
Plants of this class are seldom seen in cultivation, in 
spite of their beautiful flowers. The habit of the 
plants is against them for getting into public favour 
generally. Old plants of the species under notice have 
leggy stems of 1 ft. or 2 ft. in length, each bearing a 
tuft of dark green linear leaves at the apex. The stems 
are woody and brown, covered with the bases of the 
decayed leaves. Flowers are produced singly from the 
axils of the leaves on peduncles 8 ins. to 12 ins. long ; 
they are similar in shape to those of an Ixiolirion or 
Milla, but are larger and of some bright colour. The 
species under notice is a native of Brazil, and like the 
rest of its kind enjoys a warm and moderately dry 
atmosphere. In fact, some of the kinds at least prove 
suitable for suspending in the houses of the natives of 
South America, where they are prized for the beauty 
and fragrance of their flowers. The tube of B. 
squammata is yellowish ; the outer segments are 
orange-scarlet externally, and vermilion internally, 
while the inner ones are of a more intensely dark hue 
on both surfaces. A large plant may be seen in the 
Succulent-house at Kew. 
Draba bruniifolia. 
Few of the species of Draba are more pleasing in 
appearance than D. bruniifolia. The flowers are of a 
bright yellow, and produced on naked scapes about 
2 ins. high. The leaves are linear, ciliated, of a 
pleasing bright green, and produced in small, loose 
rosettes ; the latter are aggregated in close patches, 
carpeting the ground as with a close shaven turf. It 
is a native of the Caucasus, from whence it was intro¬ 
duced in 1825. The past winter evidently has not had 
the slightest effect upon it, for the foliage is now in 
beautiful condition, forming a clean and fresh back¬ 
ground to the flowers. Propagation is a matter of the 
simplest accomplishment, as all that is necessary is to 
divide the clumps into small pieces in spring while the 
ground is yet moist, or if a large quantity is desired 
every crown can be separated, treating those without 
roots somewhat differently by keeping them in a close, 
cold frame, till the roots are developed. This could 
even be effected in the open ground, provided the soil 
is constantly kept moist till fresh growth shows that 
roots have been emitted. For rockwork in spring it is 
invaluable. 
Be3Chorneria tubiflora. 
As far as the foliage is concerned this plant may be 
compared to Fourcroya, to which it is allied, or to some 
of the Yuccas amongst the Lilace®. The individual 
leaves are lanceolate or linear, glaucous, and produced 
in a spreading tuft of no great height. The flower 
scape rises to a height of 5 ft. or 6 ft., and assumes an 
arching habit with the flowers drooping in short 
branches on one side. The perianth is tubular, nearly 
of the same width throughout, crimson, except towards 
the apex, which is green fading ultimately to a yellowish 
hue. Being a native of Mexico, from whence it was 
introduced in 1845, it requires a dry and moderately 
warm atmosphere, and under these conditions young 
plants soon attain a sufficient size to'flower. Plants of 
this class are by no means common in cultivation, but 
might more often find a place for the sake of their foliage, 
more especially as their uncommon-looking flowers are 
produced in so bold and striking a way; a plant has been 
flowering for some time in the Succulent-house at Kew, 
Nepenthes Burkei excellens. 
Since N. Burkei was first introduced it has proved 
rather variable, and that under notice is one of the 
forms. A striking peculiarity about the pitcher is that 
wings are entirely absent, and yet. in other respects it 
seems as well developed as that of other species 
generally. It is also constricted about the middle, and 
widens out at either end in the manner of an hour¬ 
glass. The outer surface is of a dull green irregularly 
splashed with crimson. The annulus or collar is of 
considerable width, strongly undulated at the margin, 
and of a deep crimson. The constitution of the plant, 
as well as that of several other Nepenthes must be 
pretty good, otherwise the pitchers could not present 
so respectable an appearance after such a winter of fog 
and smoke as they must have endured at Chelsea. We 
noted several other kinds besides the above bearing 
good pitchers in Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’ estab¬ 
lishment. 
-- 
DUwXL A AaZsuO* 
Royal Horticultural April 14th .—The best display 
of flowers that has yet been seen this year was that of 
the meeting at the Drill Hall last Tuesday. Orchids, 
hard-wooded flowering plants, and Daffodils constituted 
the larger groups ; and it is a pleasing sign of the 
times that the old-fashioned and so-called New Holland 
plants are again receiving due attention, for many of 
them are really beautiful. A Gold Medal was awarded 
to Baron Schroder (gardener, Mr. Ballantine), The 
Dell, Egham, for a group of Orchids which, if not 
large, was made up of many samples of exceptional 
merit, rarity, or of good culture. A magnificent 
specimen of Cypripedium Morgani® bore twenty-two 
blooms, three to four on a scape. Odontoglossum 
crispum Stevensi bore a similar number of blooms on 
a panicled scape. Then he had fine pieces of Cymbidium 
eburneo-Lowianum, L®lia Jonghiana, Cymbidium 
Devonianum, Cattleya Lawrenceana Vinckii, Den- 
drobium superbum Dearei (white), Odontoglossum 
crispum Veitchianum, and Masdevallia ignea with 
about fifty blooms. A Silver Flora Medal was 
awarded to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. (gardener, 
Mr. White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, for a fine group 
of Masdevallias, including M. Arminii, with dark 
purple flowers, M. Shuttleworthii xinthocorys, M. 
triangularis, M. ignea, M. i. Massangeana, and a 
number of well-flowered samples of the large-flowering 
kinds. A similar award was made to W. Whiteley, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. Godfrey), Hillingdon, for a group 
of Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums, and Cattleyas. A 
Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to F. C. Jacorab, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. May), Cheam Park, Surrey, for a 
group of Orchids, amongst which Odontoglossum 
citrosmum roseum giganteum, Oneidium concolor, 
Phalsnopsis Sanderiana, Dendrochilum glumaceum, 
and others were noticeable. A Bronze Banksian Medal 
was accorded to Malcolm S. Cook, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. D. Cullimore), Kingston Hill, Surrey, also for 
a group of Orchids, amongst which we noted Chysis 
bractescens, Cymbidium tigrinum, Cypripedium Druryi, 
and several others. A similar award was made to F. A. 
Bevan, Esq., Ludgrove, New Barnet, for a group of 
Orchids containing Aiirides Fieldingi, many specimens 
of Deudrobium tliyrsiflorum, some Cypripediums, Odon¬ 
toglossums, Catasetums, &c. Messrs. F. Sander & Co., 
St. Albans, exhibited Maxillaria Sanderiana, Odonto¬ 
glossum retusum superbum, Scuticaria Hadweni, 
Ccelogyne pandurata, and others, for which a Silver 
Banksian Medal was awarded. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea, exhibited Miltonia Bleuianasplendens, raised at 
Chelsea, repeating thesame result which was accomplished 
in France a few years ago. Mr. G. Wythes, gardener to 
the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House, staged a 
fine specimen of Cymbidium Lowianum. Cypripedium 
Curtisii was shown by G. W. Sloper, Esq., Westrop 
House, Highwood, Wilts. Messrs. Charlesworth, 
Shuttleworth & Co., Heaton, Bradford, and Clapham, 
staged Cypripedium bellatulum superbum. H. M. 
Pollett, Esq., exhibited Odontoglossum Parksianum. 
Cypripedium Rowallianum was shown by Messrs. 
Pitcher & Manda, Hextable, Swanley, Kent. 
A Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal was awarded to Messrs. 
Hugh Low k Co., Clapton, for a large and varied group 
of hard-wooded flowering plants, including Boronia 
elatior, B. heterophylla, Fabiana imbricata, Anopteris 
glandulosa, Pimelea Neippergiana, Heaths, Epacris, 
and others of a similar nature. A Silver Banksian 
Medal was awarded to Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Sons, 
Highgate, for a smaller group of Heaths, Epacris, 
Clivias, Mignonette, Ferns, &c. A similar award was 
accorded to Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Copper 
Holloway, for Amaryllis, Spiraea astilboides, Boronia 
heterophylla, Heaths, and others. A Silver Flora 
Medal was awarded to Messrs. Barr k Son, Covent 
Garden, for a fine display of Daffodils done up in groups 
of a kind. In another group belonging to the same 
firm were numerous spring-flowering bulbs, including 
Primulas, Scillas, Puschkinia, Anemones, and others. 
Mr. J. T. Gilbert, Dyke, Bourne, Lincolnshire, showed 
orange and yellow Crown Imperials, double white 
Neapolitan Violets, Anemones, &c. A stand of grand 
flowers of the Guelder Rose was staged by C. E. Smith, 
Esq., Silvermere, Cobham. Mr. G. Wythes had a fine 
group of Spiraea confusa well flowered. Mr. R. Dean, 
Ealing, showed a box of the Golden Valerian (Valeriana 
Phu aurea). Messrs. Wm. Paul k Son, Waltham Cross, 
staged some Roses, and some Camellia flowers. Poli- 
anthes tuberosa trained on wire-work was shown by 
W. Whiteley, Esq. A basket of a bedding Primrose, 
named Munstead Early White, was shown by Miss 
Jekyll, Munstead, Godaiming. A basket of alpine 
plants was brought up from the Royal Gardens, 
Kew, containing amongst others Shortia galacifolia, 
Primula Clusiana, P. marginata, Draba Mawii, and 
Saxifraga aretioides. Mr. James Allen exhibited some 
flowers of a plant named Chionscilla, said to be a hybrid 
between Chionodoxa and Scilla bifolia. Some prizes 
were offered for collections of Daffodils ; and for a 
collection exclusive of Tazetta the first prize (a 
Silver Challenge Cup) was awarded to C. W. Cowan, 
Esq., Valleyfield, Penicuick, Midlothian. He also 
received the first prize (a Bronze Flora Medal) for nine 
varieties of Daffodils. The first prize (a Bronze Bank¬ 
sian Medal) was awarded to the Rev. W. Wilks, 
Shirley Vicarage, Croydon, for six varieties. 
At a meeting of the Fruit Committee a Silver 
Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. G. W. Cummins, 
gardener to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, Carshalton, 
for a collection of twenty-five dishes of Apples and 
five dishes of Pears in good preservation. A dish 
of John Ruskin Strawberry was shown by Mr. R. 
Gilbert, Burghley. Messrs. H. Lane & Son, Berk- 
hamsted, were accorded a Cultural Commendation for 
some Apples. A similar award was made to Mr. C,, 
W. Leech, Albury Park Gardens, Guildford, for 
Tomatos. Mr. J. Miller, gardener to Lord Foley, 
Ruxley Lodge, Esher, showed Apples and Mushrooms. 
The Melon Pear was shown by Messrs. Vertegans& Co., 
Chad Valley, Birmingham. Mr. A. Bradshaw, 
Davenham Gardens, Malvern, exhibited a Melon. 
Royal Horticultural, of Aberdeen.—A magnificent 
exhibition of flowers under the auspices of this society 
was held in the Music Hall Buildings, Aberdeen, on 
Friday and Saturday, 10th and 11th inst. Thirty- 
years have elapsed since the society last held a spring 
show, but judging from the excellence of Friday and 
Saturday’s display, the society have been fully justified 
in reviving the exhibition. The flowers were laid out 
with an exceedingly tasteful effect on four rows of 
stands, ranging the length of the large hall. While on 
the whole the display was a wonderful one, the back¬ 
ward state of the weather had a somewhat prejudicial 
effect, in that the number of Hyacinths, Auriculas, 
Polyanthus, Narcissus, and other spring flowers was 
comparatively limited. One half of the show was made 
up of collections of plants forwarded by local nursery¬ 
men for the purpose of exhibition only, whilst the other 
portion was devoted to specimens of flowers and 
vegetables sent by members of the society for compe¬ 
tition. In the latter section the entries were not 
numerous, but the specimens foruarded were of a very 
meritorious description. In the section for professional 
gardeners, Mr. Grigor, gardener to A. 0. Gill, Esq., of 
Fairfield, was the most successful competitor, taking 
first place for the best table of stove and greenhouse 
plants, first and second prizes for stove and greenhouse 
flowering and foliage, and carrying everything before 
him in Orchids. 
In general the competition amongst amateurs and 
working men was superior to that amongst the pro¬ 
fessional gardeners. For the best table ot plants Mr. 
Arthur, Broomhill, was awarded the first position, and 
a really good collection belonging to Mr. Gillespie, 
Aberdeen, took the second prize. The cut flower 
department was small but of superior excellence. 
Vegetables were noteworthy as displaying the excellence 
of competitions in forced Rhubarb, the first place 
being gained by Mr. Hadden, Bloomfield. The 
exhibits of the local nurserymen formed perhaps the 
special feature of the exhibition. Among those who 
sent exhibits were Messrs. Masson &. Mackay, Stanley 
Street, Messrs. William Smith & Sous, Messrs. Cocker 
& Sons, Messrs. Ben Reid & Co., Mr. Alexander Giles, 
Union Street, Mr. Reid, Dorris, Mr. Mavor, Holburn 
Street, and Mr. Beveridge, Polmuir. 
