June 1, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
633 
commenced the first part of the musical programme, 
and the Baroness, escorted by Sir Julian Goldsmid and 
party, commenced a tour of inspection that lasted over 
an hour, and which afforded the greatest pleasure to 
all. Earlier in the evening the market was also visited 
by the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, upon whom Mr. 
Assbee, the superintendent, was in attendance to 
explain the arrangements, and magnificent bouquets of 
Orchids, composed of flowers sent by Mr. Thomas from 
Chatsworth; Mr. Sander, St. Albans ; and T. B. 
Haywood, Esq., the treasurer of the fund, were pre¬ 
sented to the Duchess of Bedford, the Baroness Burdett- 
Coutts, and Lady Julian Goldsmid. 
Where all worked so indefatigably for the success of 
the fete, and each individually strove to the utmost to 
dress his stand in a manner worthy of the occasion, it 
would be invidious to make comparisons, and we shall 
not attempt to do so, even were it possible, which it was 
not, so strikingly distinct in character was one from 
another, and so widely different the style and charac¬ 
teristic of each grower’s specialty. The most pre¬ 
dominant subjects—those shown in massive blocks of 
colour or greenery—were the Regal, decorative and 
zonal Pelargoniums, Roses, Spiraeas, Liliums, Irises, 
Narcissus poeticus, Lilies of the Valley, Coleuses, 
Palms, and Ferns, and in smaller quantities were 
Orchids and a great variety of cut flowers. Perhaps 
the most striking object in the market was a huge 
bank of Coleus, surmounted by Lilium longiflorum, 
shown by Mr. Poulton of Edmonton, and which excited 
universal admiration, on account of the fine effect pro¬ 
duced by the variously tinted foliage under the gas¬ 
light. Mr. Aldridge had a finely-arranged bank of 
Lilium longiflorum intermingled with Iris germanica 
and I. florentina, and beneath these were Funkias, 
Ferns, Pansies, Roses, and Persian Ranunculus variously 
arranged ; the whole having a very effective appearance. 
One of the boldest groups of Palms was that of Mr. 
Drost, of Richmond. On the top shelf a large Cocos 
plumosa towered nearly to the top of the building, and 
all beneath this was arranged a large number of other 
decorative Palms of various sizes, interspersed with 
masses of Negundo aceroides variegata, Laburnum and 
white Lilac. 
A fine, bold, and massive bank of Dracaenas, Palms, 
Ferns, and Crotons was that of Mr. Bause, of Anerley, 
and on the top shelf was a fine specimen Nepenthes. 
Messrs. Hawkins & Bennett, of Twickenham, displayed 
their usual taste in the arrangement of Lily of the 
Valley, scarlet, pink, and white Pelargoniums in pots, 
cut Maidenhair fronds, and other subjects. A fine 
stand of numerous flowers was shown by Mr. T. S. 
"Ware, Tottenham, including Narcissus poeticus, Iris 
germanica and I. florentina, varieties of Oriental 
Poppies, bedding Violas, Forget-me-not, Centaurea 
montana alba, Persian Ranunculus, and Solomon’s 
Seal. Mr. James Walker, of Whitton, had also a fine 
lot of cut flowers, amongst which were the Gardenia¬ 
like double Poet’s Narcissus, Lily of the Valley, Iris 
germanica, I. florentina, Persian Ranunculus, Tulips, 
Scilla hispanica alba, and others. Mr. W. Poupart, 
Twickenham, had Anemones, Lily of the Valley, 
Yellow Globe Flower, Forget-me-not, and a fine mass of 
Ranunculus aconitifolius flore pleno, all beautifully 
massed. 
The usual masses of Ferns, including Pteris serrulata 
compacta, Aralias, Crotons, and other decorative sub¬ 
jects, were to be seen on the stand of Mr. H. B. May, 
of Edmonton ; and an effective group of Palms, inter¬ 
spersed with numerous Orchids, was put up by Mr. W. 
Denman, Covent Garden. Conspicuous kinds were 
Odontoglossum crispum, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, D. 
fimbriatum oculatum, D. transparens, D. Dalhousise, 
Cattleya Skinneri, C. Mendelii, and Odontoglossum 
vexillarium. Mr. Philip Ladds, of Bexley Heath, 
occupied several stands ; but that devoted to cut 
flowers was the most effective. Here were masses of 
white and scarlet decorative Pelargoniums in boxes, 
white and pink Tea Roses, scarlet zonal Pelargoniums, 
and Maidenhair Fern. 
One of the finest lots of Orchids was exhibited by 
Mr. Henry M. Page, of Teddington, the most con¬ 
spicuous being Cattleya Mossife and C. Mendelii, with 
smaller lots of Oncidium Marshallianum, 0. concolor, 
and Cypripedium caudatum. He also had fine Migno¬ 
nette and Marguerites. Lilium longiflorum Harrisi 
was shown in great quantity by Mr. G. Monro, and was 
effectively set off by Marechal Niel Roses, the double 
Poet’s Narcissus, Fair Maid of Guernsey Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, Pansies, and ornamental Grasses. 
A beautiful bank of Fuchsias, Caladiums, Regal 
Pelargoniums, Petunias, Roses, Lilium longiflorum, 
and Miss Jolliffe Carnations, was that of the Messrs. 
Beckwith & Son ; and nicely-flowered Heaths, including 
Erica Cavendishii and E. ventricosa, were shown by 
Messrs. Gregory & Evans, who also had Pteris serrulata 
cristata, Astilbe japonica, Heliotropes, and Regal 
Pelargoniums. A fine bank of the Trumpet Lily 
(Richardia africana) was put up by the Messrs. Mizen. 
They also had Roses, Marguerites, Forget-me-not, dark 
Pansies, and Maidenhair Fern, mostly cut. Beautiful 
samples of Saxifraga Cotyledon pyramidalis were shown 
by Mr. E. Brown, together with Harrison’s Musk and 
decorative Pelargoniums. 
On both sides of one of the avenues were stands 
evidently put up by the same owner, whose name 
could not be discerned for the flowers, consisting of the 
Bermuda Lily, Spiraea palmata, Palms, Ferns, white 
Spiraea, and others. A fine bank of Pelargoniums, 
Fuchsias mixed with Maiden-hair Fern, Marguerites 
and Pandanus Veitchii, was shown by Mr. H. R. 
Wright, Lee, Kent. Very unique in its way was a 
stand of New Holland plants, consisting of Boronia 
elatior and Leptospermum scoparium, together with 
Caladiums, Azaleas, and Ferns. The owner’s name was 
concealed by the masses of flowers. Mrs. Weatherill 
had a large quantity of the Rose, La France, in 
excellent condition, together with others in pots, regal 
Pelargoniums and Mignonette. The pretty Crassula 
jasminea set off with Adiantums was shown by Mr. 
W. Warren, together with Ferns, Selaginellas and 
Palms. A very showy lot of Hydrangeas in 48-size 
pots, and measuring 10 ins. or 12 ins. across the head 
of bloom, was staged by Mr. C. E. Woodroffe. A 
varied assortment of flowers was exhibited by Mr. 
William Cale, Covent Garden, including fine blooms of 
Cattleya Mossise, Dendrobiums, Roses, and Pelar¬ 
goniums ; and cut blooms of Tea and Noisette Roses, 
including the white Niphetos and Marechal Niel, were 
shown in beautiful condition by Mr. W. Unwin, Covent 
Garden. The brilliant glare of white and scarlet zonal 
Pelargoniums and decorative or Regal varieties was 
toned down by being freely interspersed with Ferns, in 
the group shown by Mr. S. W. Brown. 
The Blenheim Palace Gardens. 
11 was a happy thought of Mr. T. Whellans, gardener 
to the Duke of Marlborough, to get the sanction of His 
Grace to the opening of the gardens at Blenheim in aid 
of the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, and it is gratifying to 
know that as a result the fund will benefit to the extent 
of a considerable sum. The gardens, which have 
undergone extensive alterations and renovation since 
the present Duke took possession, were opened on the 
22nd and 2-3rd ult., on the occasion of the holding of 
the Oxfordshire Agricultural Show in Blenheim Park, 
and we understand that about £40 was taken on the 
first day and £80 on the second. 
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Begonia John Heal. — Inquirer: Being a winter-flowering 
plant, the tubers should be started about July and allowed to 
grow away slowly, giving water as required—that is, according 
to the rate of its progress. Late in autumn it will commence 
flowering, and should be well exposed to the light, although not 
to intense sunshine, which, however, will not be of frequent 
occurrence at that season of the year. Give plenty of venti¬ 
lation, with an intermediate or warm greenhouse temperature, 
but close the house during foggy weather, as this causes the 
whole of the flowers to drop off in a very short time. After 
flowering is over the plant should be allowed to gradually go to 
rest. Keep the tubers moderately moist, to prevent shrivelling, 
in a moderately high temperature till summer. 
Dipladenias.— Constant Reader: You cannot keep back till 
August the flowers showing now, and if you put the plants in a 
cooler house the buds would probably drop off. If you pick off 
the flowers now showing, keep the plants in strong heat and 
feed them with liquid manure, you will stand the best chance of 
having them in bloom by the date wanted. 
Drying Orchid Blooms. — C. P., Preston: Orchid flowers are 
dried in various ways. If you would like to have them in their 
natural shape or form after being dried, you must get a box of 
clean silver sand, and thoroughly dry it until it runs through the 
Angers like dust. Then bury the flowers in the sand with all the 
parts in their natural positions. The sand will gradually 
abstract the moisture from the flowers, which will retain their 
natural colours, or nearly so, and if mounted in cases they will 
last good for many years. Another method must be adopted if 
the flowers are intended to he mounted on sheets of paper. 
They must then he dried between sheets of any soft kind of 
paper, including blotting paper, and placed between two flat 
boards or frames made of laths for the purpose, and subjected 
to heavy pressure. A heavy weight may not be placed on them 
at first until the flowers become limp, otherwise many of the 
fleshy kinds would be crushed and broken. After being under 
pressure for one night, the flowers may be taken out and 
arranged perfectly flat, as some of them will now be found to 
be more or'less doubled up or crumpled. Place between dry 
sheets of paper, and subject to a heavy weight. Change the 
paper every day, or every second day after a time, until the 
specimens are dry. 
Enamelled Pots.— Onega: An ordinary workman outside of 
a pottery knows nothing about enamelling or glazing pots, and 
we have never seen it attempted in gardens. The glazing is 
usually done before the pots are fired. You might try AspinalTs 
Enamel without much trouble—anyone can paint that on. 
Kalanchoe carnea.— Inquirer: The speciesof Kalanchoe are 
succulent herbs, or sub-shrubby plants with fleshy stems and 
leaves, and require treatment similar to that class of subjects. 
Pot them in a compost consisting of sandy loam and brick rubble; 
drain the pots well, and keep in a rather warm or intermediate 
greenhouse. While making their growth they will enjoy a fair 
quantity of water; but towards the end of summer this should be 
gradually withheld, to cause the stems to ripen and develop 
flower buds. Keep your plants on the dry side during winter, 
and they should come into flower early in the year. 
Names ok Plants.— Saxon: 1, Petasites vulgaris; 2, Luzula 
sylvestris; 3, Piptanthus nepalensis or Evergreen Laburnum; 
4, Trollius asiaticus ; 5, Stellaria Itolostea ; 6, Ranunculus ain- 
plexieaulis. ill. P.: l, Erysimum ochroleucum, erroneously 
called Cheiranthus alpinus in gardens ; 2, Veronica repens ; 3, 
Trollius europmus ; 4, Diplacus glutinosus. H. MeM. : 1 and 
2, imperfect; 3, Adiantum cuneaturn grandiceps; 4, A. assimile; 
5, A. cuneaturn, var. ; 6, A. incisum ; 7, A. hispidulum; 8, A. 
cuneaturn Pacotti; 9, A. Rhodophyllum ; 10. Asplenium Filix- 
foemina ; 11, Selaginella Martcnsii; 12, Aspidium capense ; 13, 
Pteris (no fruit) ; 14, Nephrodium decompositum glabellum ; 
15, Nephrodium (Lastrea) Filix-mas cristata ; 16, Selaginella 
uncinata ; 17, Asplenium Trichomanes ; 18, Selaginella (shrivelled 
up); 19, Pteris serrulata cristata; 20, Pteris serrulata; 21, 
Sedum sarmentosum variegatum; 22, Stenotaphrum glabrum 
variegatum; 23, no specimen ; 24, Nephrolepis cordifolia; 25, 
Adiantum cuneaturn. W. K. Glover: Ranunculus montanus. 
Juno: Lastrea Filix-mas cristata ; 2, Polystichum angulare var.; 
3, Medicago echinus. The Stanhopeas next week. IF. J. D.: 
1, Cyperus alternifolius ; 2, Euphorbia Cyparissias ; 3, Jasminum 
Sambac ; 4, Chlorophytum elatum variegatum ; 5, Fittonia 
Verschaffeltii. (We did not receive your last consignment or we 
should have named them.) B. O.: 1, Choisya ternata; 2, Adiantum 
cuneaturn grandiceps; 3, Ophiopogon japonicus intermedins 
argenteo-marginatus; 4, Asplenium viviparum; 5, Davallia 
pallida, better known as D. Mooreana. Thomas Campbell: A 
lovely variety which we should call Odontoglossum crispum 
Stevensi, otherwise known as Stevens’ variety. It may differ 
slightly from the originally named specimen, but not sufficiently 
so to make a distinct variety. There are a few more of the 
small spots on the lip than on the first one. You have certainly 
got a very fine thing, and seeing that it was an imported piece, 
we should advise you to cut off the flowers at once, and grow on 
the plant strongly for next year. 
Pansy. — Amos Carter: The Pansy you sent us would be 
classed amongst the fancy kinds, and for that class we consider 
it very good. Exhibition varieties would either he seifs or 
would have a ground of some other colour, with dark blotches 
round the eye and a dark margin. But in all these the markings 
and bands of colour should be well defined, and not running off 
into streaks or rays. This is the fault with your one, otherwise 
it would constitute a good yellow-ground exhibition kind. The 
blotches on the three lower petals are of great size, and of a rich 
velvety brownish violet, almost black ; but they are a little 
broken at the edge of the colouring. 
Treatment of Orchids.— Robert Savage : Most of the Orchids 
you mention require warm treatment in the East Indian house. 
Cymbidium bicolor should be grown in a pot, using a compost of 
sphagnum, fibrous peat, and lumps of charcoal or broken pot¬ 
sherds ; give plenty of water in summer, and never dry off the 
plant even in winter, although less water must be given at that 
time. Acampe Whitiana and Vanda spathulata should be grown 
in baskets in the East Indian house, and will require less water 
in winter than the Cymbidium. Pholidota imbrieata may be 
treated much in similar way as Acampe, and grown either in a pot 
or basket. It should be kept rather dry in winter tiil it develops 
its flower stalk. Cirrhopetalum Maersei may be grown on a 
block of wood or cork, or placed in a basket. A certain amount 
of water must be given even in winter, but nothing like the 
quantity given it in summer, and shading must be given while in 
flower. All the above may be grown in the same house, which 
should be kept at a night temperature of 60° or 65° in winter, 70° 
to 75° during the night in summer, and 10° or 15° higher by day 
with sun-heat. 
Valisneria Fertilisation. —Omega: The male and female 
flowers being borne on separate plants, it is impossible that they 
can be self-fertilising, unless by accident your plants have pro¬ 
duced hermaphrodite flowers, w T hich we hardly think likely. If 
you have male and female plants in the same tank, fertilisation 
has taken place in the usual way with this plant— i.e., the 
female flowers have been “set" by the pollen from the male 
blooms floating about on the top of the water. 
Communications Received.— W. J. M.—T. S. W.—B. F.— 
G. C.—J. V. & S.—W. L. W. —H. A. J.-C. S.—R. D. 
-- 5^0 - 
TKADE CATALOGUES EECEIYED. 
Williams Bros. & Co., Pershore Street, Birmingham.— 
Patent Flower and Plant Support, Syringes, &c. 
Stansfield Bros., Southport.—Alpine and Hardy Perennials. 
-->Z<-- 
THE WEATHER. 
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean reading 
of the barometer during the week ending May 25th, 
was 29 70 ins.; the highest reading was 29 93 ins. on 
Monday evening, and the lowest 29’37 ins. on Saturday 
morning. The mean temperature of the air was 619°, 
and 67° above the average in the corresponding weeks 
of the twenty years ending 1868. The mean was 
below the average on Sunday, hut exceeded the average 
on each of the other days of the week ; the excess was 
exceptionally large on Thursday and Friday. The 
direction of the wind was variable, and the horizontal 
movement of the air averaged 5'8 miles per hour, which 
was 4'6 miles below the average in the corresponding 
weeks of sixteen years. Rain fell on three days of the 
week, to the aggregate amount of 0'51 of an inch. 
The duration of registered bright sunshine in the week 
was 497 hours, against 49’0 hours at Glynde Place, 
Lewes. 
-~>X<-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
May 27th, 1889. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Iloundsditch, E., report 
sowing demand for Clover and Grass Seeds has ceased. 
Rape Seed is in moderate demand. Mustard meets 
with attention at present low prices. Hemp steady. 
Linseed firm ; other Bird Seeds unchanged. 
