590 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 17, 1890. 
was arranged with Maidenhair Ferns, Cocos "Weddelliana 
and Cypripediums. Messrs. Ryder & Son, Sale, 
Manchester, exhibited a collection of varieties of 
Primula Sieboldi in pots, and also some cut flowers. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, showed ai 
basket of plants of a Wallflower named Miss Primrose 
Carter, the flowers of which are pale yellow, and soon 
after expansion fade to a soft primrose-yellow. Mr. 
C. Turner exhibited a small group of Azaleas in 32-size 
pots. Mr. J. Prewett staged two boxes of Marechal 
Niel Roses. A basket of four-year old plants of 
Leschenaultia biloba major was shown by Messrs. 
W. Balehin & Sons, Hassocks Nursery, near 
Brighton. 
A number of new varieties of plants received First 
Class Certificates, including tuberous Begonias, named 
Beauty, double, carmine, with a white centre ; Alba 
plena compacts, double, white ; and Mammoth, double, 
scarlet, with large undulated petals like a Hollyhock. 
All the three were shown by Messrs. John Laing & 
Sons. AnthuriumScherzerianum sanguineum, a richly 
coloured and large-spathed variety, was shown by 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons. The following varieties of 
Primula Sieboldi were shown by Messrs. Ryder & Son, 
namely, Queen of Whites, white ; Ruby Queen, reddish 
purple ; Bruce Findlay, lilac-blue ; Harry Leigh, lilac 
tinted purple ; Alba magnifies, white, with laeiniate 
segments ; Leo H, Grindon, purple and blue eye ; and 
Mrs. Ryder, white suffused with pink towards the 
margin. A Tea Rose named Corinna was exhibited by 
Messrs. William Paul & Son. The young stems were 
violet, the leaves dark bronzy green, and the flowers of 
a dark salmon colour. Azalea J. T. D. Llewellyn, a 
semi-double pink variety with a broad white margin, 
was shown by Mr. C. Turner. Messrs. Paul & Son 
exhibited Cytisus scoparius Andriana, a yellow Broom 
with the outer surface of the wings orange-brown. 
Royal Botanic.— May 14 th. 
The first summer exhibition of this society was held 
as usual in the large tent, when a rather pleasing effect 
was produced by the groups of flowering plants 
arranged on the terraces. Most conspicuous were the 
Azaleas, [Pelargoniums, Roses, stove and greenhouse 
plants, £nd hardy herbaceous subjects. The large 
group of Roses and mixed plants in the centre as well 
as the Or.chids were also effective, being more neatly 
arranged than usual. The fancy Pelargoniums in the 
open class were the neatest and best flowered in the 
exhibition ; these came from Mr. D. Phillips, 
Langley Broom, Slough. Mr. Turner had the 
best show varieties, and also the largest Azaleas 
in the exhibition, taking the first prize in the nursery¬ 
men’s class. Mr. A. Offer, gardener to J. Warren, Esq., 
Handcross Park, Crawley, had the best in the amateurs’ 
class, four of his plants being well-flowered. Mr. W. 
Chapman, gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard 
Park, Rugeley, had the best ten and six stove and 
greenhouse plants in the amateurs’ classes. The best 
twelve exotic Orchids were shown by Mr. T. Whillans, 
gardener to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim, and 
were admirable specimens of their kind, especially 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum and Odontoglossum seeptrum, 
the flowers of the latter measuring over 4 ins. across. 
H. Little, Esq. (gardener, Mr. A. Howard), Baronshalt, 
Twickenham, was awarded the first prize for a collection 
of Orchids. Roses in pots were smaller than we have 
seen them here ; Mr. W. Rumsey, Joynings Nursery, 
Waltham Cross, had the best twenty. 
In the miscellaneous classes Messrs. B. S. Williams 
& Son, Upper Holloway, had a group consisting of 
Palms, Olivias, Anthuriums and Ferns, enlivened by 
numerous Cattleyas, Oncidiums, Odontoglossums, 
■Cymbidium Lowii and others. Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill, had a very effective group of foliage 
plants on the opposite side, enlivened by Caladiums, 
tuberous Begonias and Ericas.' A group of Roses in pots 
and also cut blooms were shown by Messrs. Wm. Paul & 
Son. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, showed a large 
collection of hardy herbaceous plants in flower including 
Tree Paeonies, Primulas, &e. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons 
exhibited a group of hardy flowering shrubs in baskets. 
Mr. C. Turner had a group of Lilium Harrisi ; Messrs. 
Kelway & Sons, Langport, Tree Poeonies, &c.; Messrs. 
Barr & Son, Daffodils, &c.; Mr. G. T. White, Winch- 
more Hill, a group of Cattleyas and other Orchids ; Mr. 
John Forbes, Hawick, a large collection of Violas, show 
and fancy Pansies, chiefly the latter ; and Messrs. W. 
Balehin & Sons, Hassocks Nursery, Brighton, a group 
of Leschenaultia biloba major. 
Motes from Scotland. 
North of Scotland Horticultural 
Association. 
A well-attended meeting of the members of this 
association was held in the Christian Institute, 
Aberdeen, on Wednesday evening, 7th inst. Mr. 
Smith, the president,’occupied the chair. The chief 
item on the agenda card was a paper by Mr. Alexander 
Robson, of Messrs. William Smith & Son, seedsmen, 
Aberdeen, on the “Propagation and Improvement of 
Cultivated Plants.” Mr. Robson reviewed the improve¬ 
ments of the last twenty years, showing that immense 
progress had been made in that time, mainly owing to 
the increased activity of hybridists and cross-breeders. 
This activity was due very much to the painstaking 
work of Darwin, who did more than any other man to 
make clear the knowledge of the effect of crossing and 
hybridising upon plants. He instanced Darwin’s 
experiments, giving chief prominence to cross-breeding, 
as being the means by which almost all recent improve¬ 
ments had been effected. Darwin had shown that 
cross-breeding improved the quality and productiveness 
of the stock. He gave detailed lists of vegetables and 
flowers, showing that, of the principal varieties of 
twenty years ago—new and greatly improved kinds 
had since superseded them. The science of horticulture 
had been making as much progress as any of the other 
arts or sciences. 
Mr. Robson, at the close of a somewhat animated 
discussion, was warmly thanked for his paper. The 
members at this stage proceeded to inspect an exhibi¬ 
tion of spring flowers, which is becoming a feature of 
each meeting of the society, and which is doing not 
only good work among the members themselves, but 
to the public, who on the day following the meeting are 
allowed to inspect the display free. The exhibits put 
forward were largely illustrative of the paper read by 
Mr. Robson. Mr. Gregor, Fairfield, showed a collec¬ 
tion of Orchids, exceptionally well flowered, and a box of 
Polyanthus and Auriculas, for which he was awarded 
the Association’s Cultural Certificate. There were 
three boxes of Daffodils, in eighty varieties ; a box of 
herbaceous flowers, in thirty varieties ; and a box of 
Polyanthus, and Primroses, in thirty varieties ; two 
boxes of Pansies, in sixty varieties ; ten pots of 
Primula Sieboldii, in ten varieties; and a climbing 
Rose of rare merit from the nurseries of Messrs. James 
Cocker & Sod, for which a similar honour was awarded. 
Mr. G. Stephen, Crathes Castle, and Mr. Ross, 
Cranford, also received certificates. The other exhibi¬ 
tors were Mr. McPherson, Delmont ; Mr. Morrison, 
Waterton ; and Mr. Mortimer, Tullos. A large num¬ 
ber of the public visited the display on Thursday. At 
the close of the meeting notice of motion was given to 
the effect that the association take into consideration 
the advisability of offering prizes for collections of 
spring flowers. Votes of thanks to the chairman and 
exhibitors terminated a most enjoyable and instructive 
meeting. 
-- 
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Special attention is paid in the columns of The 
Gardening World to the answering of questions on 
all subjects connected with practical horticulture, and 
the naming of Plants (other than Florists’ Flowers) and 
Fruits, in which department the Editor is assisted by 
gardeners and specialists of great experience. 
Secretaries of Horticultural Societies and Nursery¬ 
men and Seedsmen will greatly oblige The Editor by 
sending him their Schedules and Catalogues as soon as 
published. 
Correspondents who may require their communica¬ 
tions, if not accepted, to be returned, must in all cases 
enclose stamps for the return postage. The name and 
address of every writer must be given, not necessarily 
for publication, if that is not desired, but simply as a 
guarantee of the writer’s bond Jides. No notice what¬ 
ever will be taken of anonymous letters. 
It is particularly requested that correspondents 
will favour us with their communications as early in 
the week as possible, and that they address them only 
to “The Editor.” 
To save time, as far as possible, correspondents are 
specially requested to write only on one side of the 
paper ; to write their questions in as few words as 
possible consistent with clearness ; and where two or 
more questions are asked on widely different subjects, 
to be good enough to put them on separate pieces of 
paper. 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
When sending Flowers or Fruits for identification it 
is requested that not more than six be sent at one time, 
that the specimens be good ones, and all legibly 
numbered. 
Chrysanthemum Annual.— J. B.: Not yet published, but in 
the press. 
Circular Flower Bsd.— Mixed Bed: The bed you mention 
is not a large one, and in using the material you have in stock, 
we think you could not do better than fill the greater part of the 
space with Flower of Spring Pelargonium and Iresine mixed. 
The Pelargonium should rather preponderate, using the Iresine 
to add to the effect by contrast. If you had them, Mangles Silver 
Pelargonium and blue Violas mixed, make a very effective bed. 
Plant your Ageratums as a line surrounding the Pelargoniums 
and Iresine, and outside of all as a margin to the bed, plant a 
line of Oxalis eorniculata rubra. 
Gold-laced Seedling Polyanthus.— Polyanthus: For border 
decoration your seedlings are certainly very ornamental, but 
hardly come into the category of first-class exhibition varieties. 
By seed sowing and careful selection you might, however, ob¬ 
tain soiuething good from amongst them. They show gold and 
lemon-coloured lacing, the former being the best. The ground 
colour is, however, mostly black, and there ought for the sake 
of variety to he more of the red. As far as size is concerned, 
your flowers are well to the front; hut the highest value is 
placed by florists upon those in which the lacing is the most 
perfect, and the ground colour well defined iu outline, indepen¬ 
dently of mere size. Of those with a black ground. Nos. 5 and 8 
were the most perfectly laced, while No. 4 was the best of the 
kinds with a red ground. The white and yellow varieties were 
very good in their way, and useful for border decoration or cut 
flowers. 
Names of Plants. — J. M.: 1, Magnolia conspieua ; 2, Celsia 
areturus. Pink: 1, “The Giant Maidenhair Fern sent from 
Africa ” is a form of Thalietrum minus ; 2, it may be a Dombeya, 
hut we cannot name it from a solitary leaf; 3, may he a Kalanchoe 
or a Crassula, hut we cannot tell from a single leaf; 4, apply to 
Mr. Banger Johnson, 90, Harleyford Road, S.E.; 5, Tes. 
R. II. R. : The common Celandine, Chelidonium majus. The 
yellow juice is an acrid poison, and has been used for destroying 
warts. IV. T. : The Berheris is B. Darwinii; the zonal Pelar¬ 
gonium and Pansy are quite beyond our power to identify ; the 
latter is somewhat iu the way of a sort called Fiery Cross. 
Oswestry: Brassia verrucosa. H. Morris: 1, the Douglas Fir 
(Pseudotsuga Douglasii), apparently from a vigorous young tree ; 
2, Thuya (Cupressus) nutkaensis; 3, Sequoia (WelliDgtonia) 
gigantea ; 4, Acaeia 'pulcliella ; 5, Cryptomeria japonica ; 6 
Callistemon speciosus; 7, Libocedrus decurrens, erroneously 
called Thuya gigantea in gardens. 
Plums and Potatos.— North Lincoln: Me should prefer to 
pinch the shoots when they have made three or four leaves, 
rather than to rub them off altogether, as in time they will make 
fruiting spurs. We cannot recognise the Potato now. 
Vine Leaves Spotted.— Cor.: From the evidence before us, 
the leaves appear to have suffered from scalding. They have 
also been punctured with green-fly or some other small insect at 
an early stage, but now appear to he perfectly clean, and other¬ 
wise of good substance aud.healthy. With the precautions you 
are taking, we venture to say the Vines Mill get all right presently. 
After such a spell of dull, sunless weather the leaves are very 
tender, and when the sun bursts out some of the leaves are sure 
to be scorched, especially in hothouses. What you should 
observe is to ventilate early and with good judgment, so as to 
avoid as much as possible an unduly higli temperature. The leaf 
sent appears to be that of Lady Downes. 
Communications Received.,--J. P.—E. 0. G.—J. F.—M. B.— 
J. G.—J. R. A. (identity not sufficiently concealed)—G. P.— 
G. S.—E. C.—R. S. 0. 
-*>$<-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
James Veitch & Sons, King’s Road, Chelsea, S.W.—Catalogue 
of Plants, including Novelties for 1S90. 
James Carter & Co., High Holborn, W.C.—Choice Florists’ 
Flower Seeds, Herbaceous and Bedding Plants, S:c. 
-->K-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
May 12th. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houudsditcli, and 39, Seed 
Market, Mark Lane, report a moderate enquiry for 
agricultural seeds at unchanged rates. Supplies of finest 
English Cow Grass are exhausted. Some speculative 
trade is being done in Trefoil, owing to unfavourable 
reports as to new crop. Rye Grasses steady. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
May 7th. 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s.d. s.d. g.d. s.d. 
Artichokes,Globe,doz. 3 0 6 0 Herbs ....per bunch 0 2 0 4 
Asparagus ....per 100 3 0 5 0 Horse Radish,bundle 3 0 5 0 
Beans, French, per lb. 1 6 2 6; Lettuces ..per dozen 16 2 0 
Beet .per dozen 2 0 3 0 Mushrooms, p. basket 13 2 0 
Cabbages.... per doz. 1 6 2 6: Onions.... per bushel 3 6 5 0 
Carrots_per hunch 0 6 ; Parsley per hunch 0 6 
Cauliflowers, English, [ Radishes ..per dozen 1 6 
per dozen 3 0 6 0 Small salading,punnet 0 4 
Celery-per bundle 2 6 Spinach, per strike ..2 0 
Cucumbers _each 0 6 10 Tomatos ....per lb. 16 2 0 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 3 0: Turnips ....perbun. 0 6 
Potatos.— Kent Regents, 80s. to 100s. per ton ; Kent Kidneys, 
80s. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s.d s.d. s.d. s.d. 
Apples .J-sieve 2 0 7 0 j Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 
— Tasinanian.percaselS 0 18 0 ■ — St. Michaels, each 2 6 7 6 
New Grapes ..per lb. 2 6 5 0 i Strawberries., per lb. 3 0 6 0 
