692 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 27, 1896. 
consisting of turfy peat and liberal proportions of 
leaf-mould and sand was recommended for the Poly- 
podiums and Spleenworts ; and for the Athyriums, 
Lastreas, Polystichums, and Scolopendriums a 
compost consisting of turfy loam, leaf-mould, 
powdery cow manure, and coarse silver sand was 
advised. The importance of moistening the whole 
of the soil at each watering was insisted upon, and it 
was pointed out that when the plants are at rest the 
soil must be maintained in a moderately moist state, 
for when, as so frequently happens, the soil is 
allowed to become dust dry, and remain so for any 
considerable period, the plants are greatly injured, if 
not killed. Repotting in spring was advised, but it 
was pointed out that annual repottings were not 
necessary, as the plants would be maintained in the 
most vigorous condition for several years without 
disturbance at the roots, by assisting them with weak 
liquid manure—that prepared by steeping cow 
manure in water and used in a highly-diluted state, 
being recommended as the best. 
At the close of the lecture hearty votes of thanks 
were accorded the chairman and Mr. Gordon. 
-- 
YORK GALA. 
THEthirty-eighth Grand York Gala which was opened 
in the Bootham Asylum grounds at York, on Wednes¬ 
day, June i8th,compared very favourably with the dis¬ 
play of any previous year. Unfortunately the weather 
was not all that could be desired, although crowds 
of visitors attended in spite of heavy thunderstorms 
and deluges of rain. The arrangements throughout 
were excellent, and so favourably impressed the 
deputation sent by the Royal Horticultural Society 
that the ten gentlemen composing it unanimously 
expressed their entire approval, and awarded a 
number of the Royal Horticultural Society’s medals 
and certificates to the most meritorious exhibits. 
The largest amount of prize money offered by the 
committee in any previous year has been £650. 
This large sum has been increased this season to 
^750. Consequently, a great deal of keen competi¬ 
tion characterised the various classes for plants, cut 
flowers, fruit, and vegetables. 
In the large circular tent the most conspicuous 
feature was the huge central pyramid of plants in 
which stove and greenhouse flowering and foliage 
subjects figured conspicuously. The groups of 
miscellaneous plants arranged for effect each 
occupied a space of 300 sq. ft. Sir James Reckitt, 
Bart., Hull, was the first prize winner here, 
and was followed by Mr. C. J. Mee, Nottingham, 
and Mrs. Gurney Pease. Mr. Cypher, Cheltenham, 
won the first award for a group of stove and green¬ 
house plants in which Orchids were excluded. A 
superb exhibit was that made by Messrs. Cutbush & 
Son, Highgate, of miscellaneous plants, all in grand 
condition, and for which a Gold Medal was awarded. 
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, obtained a 
similar award for a group of stove and greenhouse 
plants in which Caladiums played an important part, 
and also a Silver Gilt Flora Medal from the Royal 
Horticultural Society. 
Orchids were abundantly represented, the amount 
of space devoted to them being very great. In fact 
they constituted quite the best array of the popular 
flowers to be seen at any show out of London. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co,, Clapton. E., staged a 
really superb collection, for which a Gold Medal 
was given. Magnificent, indeed, were the well- 
flowered samples of Cattleya Mossiae, which, 
although not one of the rarest of Cattleyas, is yet 
one of the most showy. Very fine collections were 
also sent by Messrs. F. Sander & Co,, St. Albans, 
and Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Bradford. 
Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, N., received 
the third Gold Medal at the disposal of the judges 
for a most brilliant display of Carnations, and hardy 
cut flowers. Conspicuous among the Carnations 
were such grand varieties as Cardinal Wolsey, 
Yellow Queen, and Marchioness of Londonderry. 
Messrs. Fisher, Son & Sibray, of Handsworth, 
showed a very comprehensive collection of the 
pretty Japanese Maples, a wonderful variety, both 
as to colour and cutting of the leaves, being forth¬ 
coming. The Pelargoniums and Begonias sent by 
Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, 
excited a deal of well-deserved admiration. 
Roses, unfortunately, were scarcely up to the 
standard of former years. The drought has had an 
ill effect upon the plants, and the flowers lack size, 
substance, and depth of colouring. Pansies and 
Violas, too, have been labouring under the same 
difficulties. Mr. J. Smellie, Busby, N.B., and Mr. 
M. Campbell, High Blantyre, N.B., were the most 
successful exhibitors of these showy and popular 
flowers. In a class for seventy-two cut Roses, com¬ 
prising not less than thirty-six varieties, Messrs. D. 
Prior & Son, Colchester, were placed first, and were 
followed in order of merit by Messrs. Harkness & 
Sons, Bedale, Yorks ; Mr. G. Mount, Canterbury ; 
and Messrs. G. & W. H. Burch, Peterborough. 
The first award for forty-eight cut Roses was also 
carried off by Messrs. D. Prior & Son. Messrs. W. 
Jackson & Co., Scrutton, Bedale, Yorks, contributed 
the best collection of Roses in pots, and were 
followed by Mr. G. Mount. 
Fruit and vegetables were well shown, Sir J. W. 
Pease, Bart., M.P., being a heavy winner in numer¬ 
ous classes. He obtained first awards for a collection 
of fruits, comprising ten distinct kinds, also for 
smaller collections of six and four kinds, the latter 
including Pines, a dish of Cherries, Tomatos, and 
two collections of vegetables. 
The special awards of medals made by the deputa¬ 
tion of the Royal Horticultural Society included the 
following: — A Silver Gilt Flora Medal to Messrs. 
Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, for a group of plants ; 
a Silver Flora Medal to Mrs. Tetley, for Pelar¬ 
goniums ; Silver Banksian Medal to Mrs. Gurney 
Pease, for Ferns ; Mr. C. J. Mee and Sir J. Reckitt, 
for groups of plants; and Mr. H. Pybus for zonal 
Pelargoniums. 
Sir Joseph Terry presided at the luncheon served 
in a marquee on the ground during the afternoon. 
He was supported by the Dean of York, the Lord 
Mayor, and Sir Trevor Lawrence,Bart., with theother 
members of the deputation. Sir Trevor spoke at 
some length of the pleasure it gave him to be present 
on that occasion, and warmly eulogised the show and 
the capable manner in which the arrangements had 
been carried out by the executive. Speaking of the 
departure made by the Royal Horticultural Society, 
he said that they had long felt the desirability of 
being brought into closer touch with the various 
very active societies scattered throughout the 
country, and he thought the move they had lately 
made was a step in the right direction. 
Later in the afternoon a meeting was held in the 
council tent on behalf of the Gardeners’ Royal Bene¬ 
volent Fund, at which the Lord Mayor presided and 
the claims of this charitable institution were urged 
by various gentlemen. The Dean of York announced 
that it had been arranged to hold a floral service in 
York Minster during July, the proceeds of the 
offertory to be devoted to the Benevolent Fund. 
-<*.- 
ORCHIDS AT HIGHFIELD. 
Liverpool can claim many valuable collections of 
Orchids, and those of Mr. W. H. Tate J.P., of 
Woolton, justly merit a place in the fore-front. 
Therefore, it may be worthy to notice a group that 
was arranged for the edification of the large 
assemblage of friends who were present at the double 
marriage ceremony of the Misses Ethel C. and 
Helen F., the two eldest daughters of Mr. W. H. 
Tate, to Messrs. William W., and Guy W., eldest 
and fifth sons of Mr. F. H. Gossage, of Camp Hill, 
also a great lover and supporter of horticulture. 
The group in question was arranged in a small 
span-roofed house about 20 ft. by 12 ft., the bank 
running down each side and across the end. The 
prevailing features were scores of fine spikes of 
Odontoglossum vexillarium. Above these at the end 
rose several strong spikes of Oncidium sphacelatum, 
whilst on either side were many well-flowered plants 
of Cattleyas and Laelias. Of the former C. Mossiae 
was good, C. Mendelii in grand form, and C. 
Warscewiczii rothshildiana, distinct and clearly 
marked. Amongst the Laelias, L. purpurata alba, 
good varieties, L p. wyattiana, L. p. brysiana, and 
L. p. russelliana added a charm. Amongst other 
good things, were Dendrobium suavissimum, 
Maxillaria tenuifolia in profusion, Brassia verrucosa, 
Oncidium Papilio &c. A judicious addition of 
Adiantum and foliage plants completed the floral 
picture that was justly admired. Other plants in 
flower included Oncidium macranthum with fully 
seventy fine flowers. This is the earliest of half a 
dozen plants, all of which promise equally well. 
Cypripediums, and Odontoglossums in variety, all 
in robust condition, show the culture of Mr. G. 
Heigh. The gardener is of the right kind to secure 
success.— IV. 
ARDENiNG gflSCELLANY. 
BURCHELLIA CAPENS1S. 
This is among those plants introduced from the 
Cape in the early part of the present century, which 
are not so popular as they were a few decades back. 
It will grow well in an ordinary greenhouse. At the 
same time, if a slightly warmer temperature is avail¬ 
able during its growing period, it succeeds better. It 
is an evergreen shrub, with fair sized, ovate leaves, 
dark green in colour. It flowers in clusters at the 
points of the shoots, each bloom beiDg an inch or so 
in length, tubular in form, and orange-red in colour. 
A mixture of fibrous loam and peat, made moderately 
sandy, is a suitable compost. It strikes pretty well 
from cuttings of the half ripened shoots during the 
spring and summer. Like some other warm green¬ 
house plants, it is capable of enduring, when the 
wood is well ripened, five or six degrees of frost. 
For a short time we have seen it with other plants 
subjected to this treatment in order to kill mealy 
bug. — W. B. G. 
THE SCARLET RUNNER A PERENNIAL. 
It is not generally recognised nor remembered that the 
Scarlet Runner Bean is a perennial plant, and under 
favourable conditions will live and thrive for many 
years. On the wall of a cottage near by, may be seen 
in full vigour and clothed with bloom, an example of 
this Bean treated as a perennial. It has now reached 
a height of about 20 ft., and is supported by long 
rods secured to the eaves of the roof. I know for a 
fact that Beans were fit for gathering last year quite 
a fortnight before those getting annual treatment. 
It has grown and flourished in its present quarters, I 
believe, for the last fourteen years. I mean to 
embrace the first opportunity of a chat with its owner. 
— A. Pentney. 
STPAWBERRY JOHN RUSKIN. 
My friend Mr. Baird’s experience of John Ruskin 
Strawberry carrying its petals is similar to mine, two 
batches, one in pots and one outside, behaving 
similarly ; the petals appear to be of stouter texture 
than those of most varieties and with age assume a 
reddish colour. As a cropper this Strawberry with 
me is very disappointing, both indoors and out. Its 
fruits although numerous are miserably small. The 
same might be said of Auguste Nicaise— A. 
Pentney. • 
SEEDLING ROSES. 
We are in receipt of a box containing blooms of 
seedling Roses from Mr. James Bryson, 173, Princes 
Street East, Helensburgh, N.B. A single-flowered 
seedling from Madame Isaac Pereire had large 
petals of an intense rose fading to white in the 
very centre. If it flowers freely it might find a 
place as a garden Rose, for the colour is rich and 
the flowers fragrant. Some flowers of a seedling 
raised from Victor Verdier were double, though not 
very full, but most deliciously scented. The petals 
were much narrower than in the case previously 
mentioned, but of a rich carmine, tinted with purple 
and flushed with the same hue along the centre. Of 
the varieties sent, the above two were best. The 
chief fault we have to them is that the flowers do not 
last long in perfection; but that is a fault that 
applies generally to single, and semi-double Roses 
used for garden decoration. Their fragrance, but 
especially that of the dark carmine seedling, we 
consider one of the leading recommendations. The 
single one was very similar in colour to Ulrich 
Brunner, but probably somewhat darker. 
SYRINGING TOMATOS. 
In reply to W. P. R.’s remarks on the above subject 
(p. 670), I think his method of criticism is very un- 
gentlemanly, and it gave me the impression that W. 
P.R. was a knowing sort, and one who thinks he has 
all the experience, knowledge, and sense in the 
world. I can kindly inform W. P. R. that I served 
my apprenticeship in one of the largest and best 
kept horticultural establishments in England, and 
was trained under a gardener and a gentleman. 
And what I preach I practice, and that is more than 
some people do. W. P. R has evidently not seen 
much if he has not seen Tomato plants suffering with 
red spider and aphides ; and if he has not seen excel¬ 
lent results by the occasional syringing of the plants. 
— J. Heaton. 
