450 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 14, 1896. 
upon you many of the thoughts I have on this sub¬ 
ject of the grouping of plants, but trust that some of 
the points I have raised may set you thinking, and 
question yourselves whether, after all, you had really 
grasped the true system of arrangement, or the most 
desirable to aim at. I hope it will never be realised, 
because much of the pleasure of our work would be 
gone. After all, there is very much pleasure in look¬ 
ing forward to the realisation of an object in view, 
and ofttimes that is all the pleasure we derive from 
it, and that from no fault of our own. 
Exhibitions. 
I now come to another part of my paper—viz., 
exhibitions. Whatever system of grouping we may 
adopt at home, when we come to the exhibition our 
best endeavours are put forward, we try to excel 
everything we have previously done. Here we find 
also that we must not attempt the same system of 
arrangement too often. The public as well as the 
judges are always looking for something novel and 
fresh. One point, however, strikes one as rather 
remarkable, and that is the length of time the 
classes usual in the schedules of flower shows have 
found favour with the public, where prizes have been 
offered year after year for a certain number of 
plants. Year after year we see almost the same 
specimens carrying off the prize. It may be there is 
one or perhaps two fresh faces amongst the half 
dozen, but to the ordinary observer the plants are all 
the same ; they may have been preserved in spirits 
from the last show for anything the general public 
knows, their appearance is so similar. The 
consequence is that flower shows are not so 
largely patronised as in past years. An 
exception may be made to that statement in the 
annual show of the Royal Horticultural Society at 
the Temple Gardens—a show at which there is no 
specified number of plants stipulated to fill certain 
classes. Here, then, is one of the drawbacks against 
the majority of our flower shows turning out the 
success we should like to see them all. The public 
have got so used to seeing the same plants at the big 
shows time after time that they can almost tell the 
plants that are there beforehand, or as I saw some 
one mention about the Royal Botanic Society's 
shows—one could write a report of the show a 
month beforehand accurately enough to represent 
what would be exhibited. 
More than that after you have seen one large show 
of the season, say in the neighbourhood of London, 
if you go to another the same plants are found in the 
leading classes. As a matter of fact the show has 
little to interest you. To remedy this defect I should 
like to apply the system of grouping, of which I have 
spoken, to all our horticultural exhibitions. Then, I 
think, we would find something more interesting all 
round—both to the gardener and the general public. 
What would also be of more use to the framers of 
schedules, this plan would bring greater success to 
their flower shows. To some it may seem sacrilege 
to mention discarding those big plants that often go 
and make up most of our horticultural shows; but, 
to say the least we can about them, they have had 
their day and are found wanting ; they have not made 
flower shows a continual success. Fashion is chang¬ 
ing, and it changes in the taste of the plant-loving 
public, so that we must change with it if we desire 
to keep in touch with the 11 fickle jade.” 
At one sweep—without the least compunction—I 
would do away with all those classes in flower show 
schedules that limit the number of plants in a class, 
and instead give a certain number of square feet 
wherein the plants of that class are to be arranged. 
We are to a certain extent following that out in our 
groups of stove and greenhouse plants arranged for 
effect, and so far those groups on the whole are 
successful. Then let us extend this system, and 
instead of saying Class VII.—‘‘Six exotic Ferns," 
say "for the best group of Ferns arranged for effect 
in a space not exceeding 40, 50, 60, or ico square ft., 
or whatever number of square feet is desired. When 
we come to foliage plants, such as Crotons, Begonias, 
Caladiums, Palms, etc., a groundwork of some other 
plant should always be allowed. Where it is known 
that a certain plant makes a better groundwork for 
a particu’ar class that plant should then be 
mentioned. I have no hesitation in saying that a 
show carried out somewhat on those lines would be 
far more attractive than our flower shows are at the 
present time. We would then expect to see some¬ 
thing iresh or different arrangements wherever we 
might go. There is another feature attached to this, 
and that is, it would allow many more exhibitors to 
enter the lists, because at most places the large 
specimen plants (asked for in the schedules) are 
limited. Do not think because they are not grown, 
they could not be. No, that is not the reasoD, but 
rather that the owner of plant houses has discovered 
that smaller plants are more effective for house 
decoration, and that those huge specimens are 
useless except for the exhibition tables. Even then 
we find that the general public is finding out that 
they are not attractive, and if that is the case when 
they are at their best what must they be throughout 
the year in their own homes. 
There is yet one other feature in favour of group¬ 
ing at our flower shows I should like to mention, 
and that is, the great number of beautiful plants it 
would bring before the public, which at the present 
time are left at home because they are not large enough 
—although far prettier—to compete with their larger 
brethren of the same house. Surely it is not size 
alone that is to find favour. Look at the huge 
made-up specimens of Orchids when the class is 
limited to a certain number of plants. Those in the 
know are well aware that there are perhaps twelve 
or more plants packed together. Remove this 
temptation from our path and better effects will 
follow. But we cannot dwell on this,—time forbids— 
but I trust enough has been said to draw attention 
to this most important question and hope the 
discussion will but strengthen the views I have 
endeavoured to lay before you.— Alex. Wright. 
-- 
VERNAL FLOWERS. 
I.— Snowdrop. 
Snowdrop, first our gardens cheering, 
With the young year first appearing, 
Blending, 'midst the doubtful scene, 
Wintry white with vernal green ; 
Welcome, o'er the flowerless waste, 
Stooping, smiling, meek and chaste ! 
She, sweet hymnist of the young— 
Barbauld—well of thee hath sung, 
As chang'd by Flora’s magic power, 
“ An icicle into a flower” : 
Still " the scentless plant retains 
Winter lingering in its veins.” 
II.— Anemone (Hepatica). 
Little, beauteous, hardy flower, 
That, peeping forth in wintry hour, 
Oft beside the Snowdrop pale, 
Fearless of the nipping gale, 
Dar’st thy blushiDg smile unveil— 
Thee, Hepatica, I hail! 
Small and low, yet not obscure, 
Thou seem’st a Rose in miniature; 
Now thy rich and roseate hue 
Chang’d for maiden white we view 
Now for clear celestial blue ! 
III.— Crocus. 
Following with contrasted glow, 
Snowdrop, white and cold as snow,' 
Crocus, now of orange brightness, 
Now of Lily's virgin whiteness, 
Now of more delicious hue— 
Of richest amethystine blue, 
Or vein’d with purple, thee we view ! 
Milton names thee 'midst the flowers 
That broider’d earth in'Eden's bowers.* 
— Thos. Grinfield, 5, Elienborough-park, Weston-super- 
Mare, February 25 th, 1896. 
-- 
POTATO TRIAL AT CHISWICK IN 1881. 
For the sake of comparison with the varieties which 
are the most popular at the present day or which 
excite the greatest amount of interest amongst 
Potato growers, it may be worth while giving a list 
of the Potatos that were grown upon trial in the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick 
in 1881, exclusive of those that so closely resembled 
older sorts as to be regarded as synonymous. 
Series I.— Skin White or Straw-coloured. 
(a) Long or Kidney-shaped. 
Old Ashleaf Surrey Gate Post 
Kentish Ashleaf Seedling No. 1 (FenD) 
Jackson’s Improved Ash- * Garnett’s Seedling (Gar- 
leaf nett) 
Lye's Prolific Bath Kidney 
Early King Offa (Myatt) Lapstone 
Alderman (Dean) Magnet (Ross) 
Covent Garden Perfection B. B. No. 12 (McKinlay) 
Bedfont Early Emerton’s Advance 
Avalanche (Dean) Rev. W. F. Radclyffe 
* Cosmopolitan (Dean) (Fenn) 
*" Crocus and Hyacinth with'lich inlay 
Broider’d the ground.” 
—"Paradise Lost,' Book lV 
Seedling No. 16 (Dean) * Early Cluster (Dean) 
Seedling No. 20 (Dean) Magnum Bonum 
Dale Park Prolific Kidney Calicoes 
(Veitch) Burbank's Seedling 
The Druid (Donaldson) Amazon Queen (Daniel's 
Woodstock Kidney 
(b) Not true Kidne 
Snowflake 
American Giant (Bliss) 
Rand’s No. 39 
Wiltshire Snowflake 
Rand’s No. 40 
Chancellor (Gardner) 
Bresee's Prolific 
Rand’s No. 11 
Rand's No. 12 
Climax 
Rand's No. 4 
t Criterion (Ross) 
Rand’s No. 30 
Reading Abbey 
AmericanMagnumBonum 
(Bliss) 
f Sir Walter Raleigh 
(Ross) 
Armstrong’s Prolific 
(Daniels) 
Rand’s No. 26 
Silver Skin 
;—half of them round. 
•Vermont Champion 
(Bliss) 
Rand's No. 37 
Fluke 
Model 
Paterson's Victoria 
Gordon's Victoria Regent 
(Daniels) 
* V ic t o r i a Kidney 
(Edward’s) 
Rival (Ross) 
Hut ley’s Britannia 
(Hutley) 
H u 1 1 e y ’ s Protector 
(Hutley) 
Seedling C. (Webb & 
Sons) 
Doran’s Surprise (Doran) 
f Victoria Alba (Donald¬ 
son) 
Schoolmaster 
Dimmick’s Early 
Series II.— Round White. 
Regents 
Abercorn (Daniels) 
Lord of the Isles (Daniels) 
King Noble 
Henderson’s Prolific 
Shaws 
Early Malta (Daniels) 
Bedfont Prolific 
* Lord Mayor (Dean) 
* Standard (Fenn) 
Seedling No. 3 fFenn) 
Seedling No. 6 (Fenn) 
White Emperor 
Rector of Woodstock 
American Seedling (Dean) 
Early Ebor Seedling 
(Mclndoe) 
Alpha (Bliss) 
Rand's No. 16 
Don of the Day (Dean) 
Albert Edward (Myatt) 
Farren's No. 1 (Farren) 
* President Garfield 
(Bliss) 
Pride of Wilts 
Mammoth Pearl 
B. B. No. 18 (McKinlay) 
Late Perfection (Daniels) 
Scotch Champion 
Series III.— Skin Red or Pink. 
Knowfield Red-skinned 
f Trophy (Bliss) 
Rand’s No. 17 
Mr. Bresee 
Peerless Rose (Daniels) 
Rand’s No. 34 
No. 15 Red Kidney (Dean) 
*Fenn’s Seedling No. 29 
Sim’s Seedling Pink 
Kidney 
Seedling No. 2 (Daniels) 
B. B. No. 13 (McKinlay) 
Early Ohio 
Beauty of Kent (Hooper) 
* Queen of the Valley 
(Bliss: Hooper) 
Seedling No. 1 (Daniels) 
Bliss’ Triumph (Bliss) 
Rand’s No. 5 
Rand’s No. 33 
Grampian 
Andrew Lammie (Far- 
quhar) 
Seedling No. 4 (Fenn) 
* Matchless (Bliss) 
* Adirondack) 
Dale’s Rob Roy 
Brownell’s Beauty 
Seedling Victoria 
(Harrison) 
Red-skinned Flourball 
Johnston's Downshire. 
Series IV.— Skin Purple or Blue. 
Sim’s Blue Kidney Scotch Blue 
American Purple Kidney Seedling A (Webb & 
(Dean) Sons) 
Purple King f Vicar of Laleham (Dean) 
Series V.— Skin Streaked or Flaked. 
Extra Early Peachblow Tiftie’s Annie (Farquhar) 
Seedling No. 6 (Daniels) Radstock Beauty 
Beauty of Norfolk Rand’s No. 28 
(Daniels) Heather Bell (Farquhar) 
JWhiteElephant(Daniels) Empress (W. Ironside) 
Favourite (Farquhar) Manhattan 
Brownell’s No. 11 
Varieties marked with an * received a First-class 
Certificate, and those having a f were accorded 
Second-class Certificates, during the summer or 
autumn of 1881, according to their period of 
maturity. Fortyfold White (Farquhar) received a 
First-class Certificate from the Fruit and Vegetable 
Committee, but the report for 1881 considered it 
doubtfully distinct from Schoolmaster. Foster's 
Seedling (Foster), Iroquois (Bliss), Prizetaker (Bliss), 
and Tremont (Bliss), received First-class Certificates 
the same year. St. Patrick (Daniels) and White 
Star were awarded Second-class Certificates, but the 
report considered them probably not separable from 
Buibank’s Seedling, which did not get any award. 
Magnum Bonum was described as of excellent 
quality, a very heavy cropper and late, but too well 
known to require comment. Strange to say, this 
fine Potato has never been certificated. Lists like 
the above, taken every five or ten years, should be 
useful in determining the life or duration of varieties. 
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years' time. Experienced local adviser. Income first year 
Large profits. Supei lor market and railway facilities ; 1,500 
miles nearer than California to Chicago and New York. Four 
to seven weeks earlier fruiting season. Ideal climate for weak 
lungs. Splendid shooting. For free illustrated pamphlet and 
full particulars, address— Mesilla Valley Irrigation Colony, 341 
Victoria Street, London, S.W, 
