November 21, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
183 
end of the season there was not an apiary in the 
whole locality which was not more or less in a pre¬ 
carious state, many perishing during the following 
winter. As to produce, the lecturer stated that he 
had himself known one hive produce more than 
i cwt. of honey in one season—of course a very 
favourable one—still leaving enough to feed the bees 
until the following year. 
Gardening |1iscellany. 
THE SOUVENIR DE MALMAISON ROSE. 
I have been much surprised to read the remarks 
made by Mr. James Percival in your issue for 
November 7th, respecting the Souvenir de Malmaison 
Rose not flowering well in the neighbourhood of 
Manchester. My experience is very different. We 
have a large one in the greenhouse, which has 
flowered continuously for twelve years. It is planted 
out in the back border, and generally blooms all 
winter as well as summer ; it is a great success. We 
likewise have a Malmaison flowering in the Rose bed 
in the open, from which I have gathered a quantity 
of blooms, and it is still in full bud. The Rose tree 
in the greenhouse is in full flower now, and has not 
been out of bloom for above eighteen months. 
Didsbury is much nearer Manchester than Roch¬ 
dale.—C. A/., The Old Parsonage, Didsbury, Manchester. 
SALVIA SPLENDENS 1NGENEUR CLAVEL- 
LAND. 
There are now several dwarf varieties of S. splen- 
dens, in cultivation, and that under notice is one of 
them. Those who know the old plant, with stems 
about 3 ft. high, will understand the nature of this 
variety when we state that it can be grown in the 
bush form only 12 in. high. Every shoot terminates 
in a dense spike of flowers, which, like the bracts, 
are of a bright scarlet, and last for a considerable 
length of time before dropping. Contrasted with 
the above, a very peculiar effect is produced by a 
number of plants of S. s. Mons. Issanchon. The 
latter has white flowers and the bracts of the same 
colour but variegated with scarlet. The effect is 
greater than if they had been wholly white. Those 
who prefer it may grow the plants separately or in 
mixture, according to the effects desired. Both may 
be seen in the nursery of Messrs. H. Canned & Sons, 
at Swanley. 
HEDYCHIUM FLAVESCENS. 
Those who have a large tank, even if devoted to the 
culture of Water Lilies, would find room for a plant 
or two of Hedychium flavescens without interfering 
with the Lilies in the tank. The stems attain a 
height of 6 ft., but their presence serves to give the 
house a furnished appearance. The leaves are of a 
light green. Five out of the six segments are narrow 
and pale yellow, as the name indicates, but the sixth 
is large, obversely heart-shaped, and creamy-yellow 
with a darker blotch in the median line tbwards the 
base. The plant likes a large supply of uFater while 
making its growth, and indeed till the leaves com¬ 
mence to ripen. These conditions it finds in the 
moist atmosphere of the Lily house, and by standing 
the pot in which it is grown upon anothef inverted 
in the tank so that the roots may just dip 
into the water. After growth is completed the 
water in the tank may be lowered, or if that is not 
convenient the pot may be raised or removed 
altogether, so that the supply of water may be 
controlled till the stems are ready to cut down. 
Hotbs. 
The Conference Pear. 
The fruit of this variety is above the middle size, and 
regularly pyriform, or is thick in the upper half, and 
suddenly tapers to a slender, elongated neck. The 
small eye is open and set in a very shallow basin. 
The skin is somewhat rough or scurfy, and com¬ 
pletely covered with a clear, almost uniform russet, 
but often shows greenish-yellow blotches or splashes, 
particularly in the lower half. The flesh is white or 
slightly amber around the small central core, while 
just becoming fit for use; but in a few days when, 
kept in a dry and warm room, the whole of the flesh 
assumes a distinct amber tint, and is then remarka¬ 
bly juicy, sweet, very finely gritty, or imperceptibly 
so. We prefer it before it becomes dead ripe, for 
then, although not aromatic, the flesh is rich and 
sugary, and crisp, but very tender. A box of fruits 
sent us by Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridge- 
worth, the raisers, enables us to describe the variety 
as a dessert Pear, fit for use in November and of the 
first quality. It is somewhat similar to Beurre Bose, 
but neater in form, and slightly different in colour. 
When exhibited at the Apple and Pear Conference, 
held at Chiswick in 1888, it was awarded a First- 
class Certificate. 
Two New Apples. 
Atalanta.— The fruit of this new variety is above the 
medium size, globular, or ovate, bluntly five angled, 
especially towards the top, with a closed eye in a 
shallow, irregularly plaited basin. The skin is clear 
yellow, shining and thinly dotted all over with small 
brown specks. This year, for the first time, the 
exposed side is slightly flushed with red with a few 
streaks and spots of a deeper red. The flesh is 
yellowish, crisp, very tender and sweet, with a slight 
but pleasant acidity. It may be classed amongst des¬ 
sert Apples and is now in perfection. The tree is of 
strong healthy constitution, and has fruited well for 
the last three years. It was raised from Scarlet Non¬ 
pareil, and, when shown two years ago, the flavour 
was approved, but the Fruit Committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society wished to know more about its 
fruiting qualities. A dish of fruits was exhibited by 
the raiser, Mr. C. Ross, gardener to Lt.-Col. Eyre, 
Welford Park, Newbury, ' at the meeting on the 
10th inst, and a First-class Certificate was awarded 
the variety. 
Chelmsford Wonder. —The fruits of this variety 
are large, somewhat conical, obtusely five angled, 
especially at the top, and the closed eye is set in a 
deep plaited basin. Like the last named it is very 
fragrant, yellow, and suffused with red and streaked 
with crimson on the exposed side. The flesh is 
yellow, crisp, and tender, with a pleasant flavour and 
delicate aroma. It is a culinary variety and is in 
use from early winter till spring. The original tree 
was raised by a cottager in the neighbourhood 
of Chelmsford, about 20 twenty years ago, and the 
variety is reputed to bear regularly and freely every 
year. Fruits were exhibited by Messrs. Saltmarsh 
and Son, Chelmsford (who sent out that fine variety 
the Queen), and were accorded a First-class Certifi¬ 
cate. 
- H --- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SHOWS. 
The Birmingham Show— the thirty-third which 
has been carried out by the local society—was held 
on the nth and 12th inst., and as usual was an un¬ 
qualified success, the display being even finer than 
usual, while the attendance of visitors was very 
large. The committee, of which Mr. Latham is the 
chairman, and Mr. J. Hughes the indefatigable sec¬ 
retary, work hard to ensure the success of the 
exhibition, and they certainly do not lack encourage¬ 
ment from the Birmingham public. The principal 
competition, which was for forty-eight blooms—• 
twenty-four Japanese and twenty-four incurved— 
brought out no less than sixteen competitors, a 
grand display in itself, and again proved the wisdom 
of giving good prizes. The first prize of £20 was 
well won by Mr. J. Parker, gardener to J. Corbet, 
Esq., M.P., Impney Hall, Droitwich, who was also 
successful in securing the premier awards, with 
twenty-four incurved and eighteen incurved, his 
nearest competitor being the gardener to W, H. 
Watts, Esq., Liverpool, who was second in the two 
largest classes and first for twelve anemone-flowered. 
In the classes for twenty-four and twelve Japanese 
incurved, the first prize went to the gardener to Sir 
Thomas Martineau. 
Specimen plants we have seen better, but; the 
groups not exceeding eighty square feet, of which 
there were five, were magnificent, especially 
that from Mrs. Marigold, which secured the 
highest award. The smaller groups were also excel¬ 
lent, and here Sir Thomas Martineau’s gardener 
again came to the front. After the Chrysanthemums 
the Chinese Primulas claimed the greatest share of 
attention. Birmingham has always been noted for 
the high cultivation of these plants, but this year 
the exhibitors eclipsed all previous efforts, and 
especially the Messrs. Thomson & Co., who besides 
giving special prizes in two classes open to amateurs 
and gentlemen's gardeners only, secured the four first 
prizes in the open classes. There were also two 
good collections of Orchids, for which W. Bown, 
Esq., was first, and the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain 
second. 
The fruit classes brought out some excellent 
Grapes, especially Muscats, and a grand lot of 
Apples; and the vegetable department proved quite 
a feature, the produce staged being exceedingly fine, 
The local Nurserymen—Messrs. Thomson & Co., 
Messrs. Hewitt & Co., Messrs. Pope & Sons, and 
Mr. F. Denning—all contributed most largely and 
well; and Messrs. R. Smith & Co., Worcester, and 
Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, exhibited meri¬ 
torious collection of hardy fruits. 
The Sevenoaks and West Kent Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society held its seventh annual exhibition in 
the Club Hall, Sevenoaks, on Nov. 10th and nth. 
The show was one of the best ever held in Sevenoaks, 
the quality of the exhibits all round being much in 
advance of former years, except the specimen or 
trained plants. Groups of Chrysanthemums for 
effect were numerous and good. In a close 
contest, Mr. E. Hughes, gardener to J. Dixon, Esq., 
Edenhurst, secured first honours with a well-arranged 
lot; second, Mr. S. Cook, gardener, Rose Bank, 
Sevenoaks; third, Mr. W. Searing; fourth, Mr. J. 
Smith ; fifth, Mr. A. Gibson, whose plants were the 
best in the show, but the arrangement was bad or 
he must have been first. The National Society’s 
Certificate was awarded to this exhibit for superior 
culture. There was a grand lot of miscellaneous 
groups arranged for effect, in which Mr. A. Hoadley, 
gardener to F. L. Bevan, Esq., Kippington, led 
with a very telling group of Palms, Ferns, Tuberoses, 
with a few Chrysanthemums ; second, Mr. Searing ; 
third, Mr. Heath ; fourth, Mr. J. Smith. In the 
open class for twenty-four cut blooms, twelve Japa¬ 
nese and twelve incurved, Mr. W. Searing, gardener 
to R. Monckton, Esq., Oak Lodge, was easily first; 
his incurves being really fine ; second, Mr. S. Cooke; 
third, Mr. J. Smith. For twelve incurved, Mr, 
Searing again led ; second, Mr. E. Hughes; third, 
Mr. S. Cooke. For twelve Japanese, Mr. Searing 
was first, Mr. Gibson a good second, Mr. Hughes 
third. For twelve Japanese not less than eight 
varieties, Mr. A. Floadley was first with a grand 
box of fresh blooms. Fruit was not largely shown, 
but vegetables were plentiful and good. The only 
drawback was the wretched weather, which made a 
great difference in the takings at the door, but 
fortunately the society does not solely depend upon 
this source of revenue. 
The fifth exhibition of the Eccles, Patricroft, 
Pendleton & District Chrysanthemum Society 
was held on the 13th and 14th inst., and showed a 
solid improvement on previous efforts, thanks to its 
efficient Committee, which has Mr. Larmuth as 
chairman, and Mr. H. Huber as secretary. The 
plant classes were very satisfactorily filled, notably 
those for the now popular groups, the first prizes for 
which went to Mr. Belshaw, gardener to G. H. 
Leigh, Esq., Swinton, and Mr. Elkin, gardener to 
Mrs. Thomas Agnew, Eccles. The cut bloom 
classes were also, well-filled, and a grand lot of 
blooms in particular were staged in the class for 
twenty-four, the prizes for which went to Mr. J .Walker, 
Stockport Mr. J. Kirkman, Leyfand, and Mr. 
Hathaway, Lathom House, Ormskirk, who, with Mr. 
H. Huber, were also successful in several other 
classes. The bouquets and button-hole flowers were 
very good, as also were the table plants with which 
Mr. Huber secured first honours. The several classes 
open to amateurs in the district not employing gar¬ 
deners were also exceedingly ;well contested. The 
leading Manchester nurserymen and seedsmen also 
contributed largely. 
The Leicester Show, held on the 13th and 14th 
inst., was a decided success from an exhibition point 
of view, and included among the competitors some 
of the best growers of the kingdom, and, so far as 
the " open ” blooms are concerned, such names as 
Mr. A. Coombes, Mr. P. Blair, Mr. R. Adams, Rev. 
J. Bird, etc., will answer for the quality, and the 
entries amounting to ninety-five dozen blooms should 
be for quantity. This year the open class has been 
altered ; instead of forty-eight blooms — twenty-four 
incurved and twenty-four Japanese—the prize has 
been divided, and in class one for twenty-four 
incurves in eighteen varities no less than nine 
entries were received, the first prize falling 
