30 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 14, 1895 
using the term “ repens ” is the “ London Catalogue 
of British Plants " (Ed. 1895)— 110 mean authority— 
although I find in Dr. Hooker’s “ Student’s Flora of 
the British Islands” (1870) the plant described as 
D. arvensis. 
In the “London Catalogue,” above referred to, 
three species are chronicled, viz., O. repens, O. 
spinosa and O. reclinata; whereas Nicholson's 
" Dictionary of Gardening” dismisses the subject 
very curtly by stating that “ in the British Flora the 
genus is represented by the variable O. spinosa and 
O. reclinata.” I therefore made a special visit to 
Kew, where I found plants labelled O. repens, O. 
arvensis and O. spinosa; but, minus the spines, there 
was really very little to choose between them. 
The spines, when present, undoubtedly constitute 
a disturbing element—especially if the plants be 
incautiously handled—but as to the distinction 
between O. repens and O. arvensis, I came to the 
conclusion that if there were such a thing it was 
without a difference. One thing, however, is 
apparent, and that is that there is a good deal of 
difference of opinion between our plant authorities. 
The subject of nomenclature is, I know, a “ vexed ” 
one, and arises principally, I presume, out of the 
question of priority. However, the question of 
priority can hardly affect the matter as regards Kew, 
where both species or both varieties breathe the same 
air and dwell in harmony together.— C. B. G., 
Acton, W. 
-» 1 — - 
Gardening §[iscellany. 
ROUPELL PARK NURSERIES. 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons have more than one nur¬ 
sery and several specialities ; and whilst inspecting 
the Caladiums and Gloxinias at the Koupell Park 
Nurseries, Norwood Road, London, recently we 
noticed that a roomy span-roofed house, in full view 
of the public road, and thus close to the artistically 
decorated entrance, was filled with fine strong 
plants of tuberous Begonias in full flower. No pre¬ 
tence at growing Begonias on a large scale is made- 
but still for all that the show was both bright and 
varied, and the collection fairly comprehensive, 
single and double flowered varieties dividing the 
honours pretty evenly amongst them. Two of the 
prettiest beds in the flower garden, at the front of 
the house, were also filled with strong young plants, 
chiefly scarlets, the centres of the beds being occu¬ 
pied by Cannas. The two together afforded a very 
pleasing and effective combination, and as such is 
well worthy of imitation. 
BEGONIA ODORATA. 
Special features of this Begonia are that it smells 
like a Musk Rose and bears its flowers on unusually 
long footstalks, well elevated above the foliage, 
making it highly suitable for cut flower purposes. 
The reniform, dark green leaves have red petioles 
and are produced in proximity to the soil in which 
the plants are grown. We noted a large batch of it 
recently in one of the houses of Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons, at the Portland Road Nurseries, Reading. 
The medium-sized and distinct looking flowers 
varied from pink and rose almost to carmine, and 
were pretty independently of their delicious 
fragrance. 
ROOT-PRUNING BY NATURE. 
It is annoying to the gardener to find, amongst 
his fruit trees, any which year after year refuse to 
yield fruit; and all his efforts to promote fruitful¬ 
ness are of no avail. In the case of a near neigh¬ 
bour who has a large Pear tree which for years bore 
no fruit, nature herself came to the rescue, and 
during a storm a few years ago uprooted the barren 
tree, which, being left as it fell, has since borne, 
annually, a heavy crop of fruit. It may now be seen 
in its recumbent position, bearing a heavy crop of 
ripening fruit.— A.P. 
THE MONTBRETIA. 
In yours of the 31st ult., p. 840, Mr. D. P. Bell 
speaks of Montbretia being perfectly hardy. In this 
he rather oversteps the mark. It should be 
“ fairly ” hardy, for myself and five friends in this dis¬ 
trict have in the past winter lost three-fourths of 
our stock through frost.— Geo. Crabbe. 
CYCLAMEN NEAPOUTANUM. 
This is the name of a hardy autumn-flowering 
Cyclamen, best known in gardens under the name of 
C. hederaefolium, and which has become naturalised 
in several places in Great Britain. A fine planta¬ 
tion of it has been flowering and fruiting for weeks 
past in the gardens of Messrs, de Rothschild, Gun- 
nersbury Park, Acton, where Mr. Reynolds has 
established it under the shade of tall trees close to 
the banks of the round pond. A large number of 
waterfowl in the latter makes it necessary to 
protect the Cyclamens with a low fence of wire 
netting. The ground is kept loose on the surface 
by means of top-dressings of leaf mould, and no 
weeds are permitted to grow. The result is that 
the Cyclamens have thriven and flowered remark¬ 
ably. The blooms vary between purple, pink, and 
white. So thoroughly happy and at home are they 
that they seem perfectly naturalised. Hundreds of 
seedlings are springing up around the mother 
plants, and Mr. Reynolds means to grow on some 
of them separately, leaving the rest to thoroughly 
cover the ground. 
CHELMSFORD. 
Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford, Essex, have 
several specialities, but, although their ranges of 
glass are not very extensive, they have so far yielded 
to the needs of the times that they devote a span- 
roofed house to the cultivation of a fine strain of 
tuberous Begonias, single and double. On visiting 
their nurseries some short time back we were pleased 
to note a fine display of the popular flower. The 
benches of the house are high, so that the plants are 
well elevated and close to the glass, which sufficiently 
explains their dwarf and stocky character with the 
relative profusion of bloom. The flowers show a 
wide range of colour, and both single and double 
varieties are of good form, and well raised above the 
foliage on stout, erect footstalks. They are therefore 
suitable alike for pot culture and bedding purposes, 
and are grown to a great extent for the production 
of seed. 
BEGONIA LEVIATHAN. 
Those who desire a variety that will grow to rela¬ 
tively gigantic size for decorative or exhibition pur¬ 
poses, will find it in the subject of this note. Under 
ordinary culture it grows to a height of 2ft. to 2Jft., 
and bears bright rose flowers of enormous size, with 
wavy petals resembling a Hollyhock. Several fine 
specimens of it may be seen in the Begonia nursery 
of Mr. T. S. Ware, at Bexley Heath, Kent. One 
huge bush has eight leading stems and numerous, 
branches all staked up like an exhibition subject. 
A short time ago this plant bore 30 fully expanded 
flowers at one time, most of them measuring 6in. 
across, and of great depth. Some of them, even 
although growth is getting exhausted, still measure 
5in. across. The leaves are of medium size and dark 
green, while the flower stalks are strong, and 
the blooms not liable to drop. 
- 
GRAND VEGETABLE SHOW IN KENT. 
The annual competition for the championship belt 
for the best collection of twelve varieties of vege¬ 
tables grown by cottage garden societies in Kent, 
took place at Rodmersham, near Sittingbourne, on 
Wednesday, the 28th ult. The competition is pro¬ 
moted by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, the well- 
known seedsmen of Swanley, the first prize consist¬ 
ing of a silken sash and prize of £3, while the 
second and third collections in point of merit receive 
£2 and £1 respectively. The Rodmersham Society 
won the belt last year from the Milton, near Sitting- 
bourne, Society, in the face of strong competition. 
On the day appointed there were fourteen gardening 
societies in the county which had entered for the 
competition, viz., Rodmersham (holders), Milton, 
Ightham, Borden, Ashford, West well, Gillingham, 
Murston, Lynstead, Dartford, Ewell, Bapchild, 
Gravesend, and Littleborne. The fight was very 
keen, some splendid vegetables being staged, but 
ultimately the champion belt was awarded to Milton, 
Rodmersham being second, and Ightham third. 
The collections of vegetables, which formed the 
finest display of products of the kitchen garden ever 
seen in Kent, aroused great interest, and attracted 
visitors from far and near. The winners were duly 
invested with the belt at the luncheon by Mr. 
Henry Cannell, who complimented the competitors 
upon the splendid display they had made. Mr. 
Cannell announced that next year the competition 
would be extended, so as to include collections of 
flowers, fruit, and vegetables, which, he said, would 
fully test the capabilities of a garden, and would, 
moreover, give a better chance to professional gar¬ 
deners. The announcement was hailed with approv¬ 
ing cheers. 
Mr. R. Mercer, who allowed the show to be held 
in Rodmersham Park, kindly threw open his beauti¬ 
ful grounds to visitors. The exhibition of the Rod¬ 
mersham Society surpassed anything seen in the 
parish before, and proved a great success. The 
grounds were illuminated in the evening, and music 
was furnished by Mr. W. Erewer’s string band, 
Sittingbourne. 
-- 
BIRKENHEAD FLOWER SHOW. 
This annual event was held on the 4th and 5th inst., 
and in every respect proved successful. The entries 
numbered 900, about the same as last year, whilst the 
exhibits generally were fully up to the average, the 
glorious weather resulting in a record gate. The 
groups held a foremost position of interest, K. Eger- 
ton Laird, Esq (gardener, Mr. S. Haines), securing 
the premier award with a pleasing combination of 
Maidenhair Fern, with Crotons and Dracaenas on 
raised mounds ; Mr. E. Bradshaw was second. 
For ten stove and greenhouse plants, G. Webster, 
Esq. (gardener, A. Brown), took the leading award, 
having a good Statice, double Petunia, &c. For 
three stove and greenhouse plants in flower, W. 
Laird, Esq. (gardener, J. Tottey), took the 
lead. For three stove or greenhouse foliage 
plants, J. Heath, Esq. (gardener, W. Ewbank), 
scored. W. Laird, Esq. staged the finest Palm. 
For one stove plant in bloom, G. Webster, Esq. 
von with a finely-flowered Eucharis grandiflora. 
For one foliage plant, W. Laird, Esq. took the lead, 
and E R. Laird, Esq. had the finest three Ferns and 
three Coleus. For one Fuchsia, W. Laird, Esq. 
won with a half-standard, and had the best specimen 
Fern. G. Webster, Esq. had the best three 
tuberous Begonias and three Pelargoniums. G. H. 
Clarke, Esq. showed the best six Roses, and Mrs. 
Banner (gardener, R. Pinnington), had the best six 
Gladioli. For twelve bunches of art flowers, F. H. 
Gossage, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Jellicoe), scored 
with choice varieties, including three Orchids. A. L. 
Jones, Esq. took the prize for six bunches, and F. H. 
Gossage, Esq. had the best three. L. Jones, Esq. 
took the leading award for twelve bunches grown in 
the open. F. H. Gossage, Esq. had the best six. Fora 
fruit collection of six kinds Mrs. Banner had a good 
lot. For six hardy kinds Mrs. Bloomfield led the 
way. For two bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes 
Mrs. Paterson was to the fore. For two bunches of any 
other variety of black, F. H. Gossage, Esq. took 
the lead. For two bunches of Muscats, G. A. 
Fowler, Esq. (gardener, Mr. R. Brownhill), was 
first, Mrs. Banner securing the leading award for 
any other variety. W. B. M. Wynne, Esq. had 
the best Peaches, and Mrs. Banner the best 
Nectarines. For one Melon, scarlet-fleshed, C. J. 
Procter, Esq. was first. For six culinary Apples 
Mr. J. Stevenson led with fine fruits of Lord 
Suffield, and he had the best dessert Pears. 
Vegetables were a strong feature, C. J. Procter, 
Esq. staging eight varieties, the winning lot. His 
Onions, Carrots, and Scarlet Runner Beans were 
especially good. In the second class for the same 
number G. Taylor, Esq., took the lead. For twelve 
and six Tomatos Mr. J. Stevenson staged heavy 
fruit. 
-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM AND DAHLIA 
SHOW. 
The early exhibition of Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, 
Gladioli, &c., inaugurated by the National Chrysan¬ 
themum Society and the directors of the Royal 
Aquarium, was held at the latter place on the 3rd, 
4th, and 5th inst. The Chrysanthemums were much 
the same as at the shows of previous years, but the 
Dahlias and Gladioli, but especially the former, 
constituted a fine display. The numerous mis¬ 
cellaneous exhibits were also a decided feature of 
the show. The first prize for twenty-four bunches 
of Chrysanthemums was taken by Mr. E. F. Such, 
Maidenhead, with good samples of pompon varieties. 
He was followed by Mr. Chas. Shaw, Sherwood, 
Nottingham, also staging pompons. Mr. S. B. 
