776 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 9, 1890. 
s%of(id.iri<¥iJi{i<. 
The Carnation and Picotee Union. 
The annual gathering of growers and admirers of the 
Carnation and Picotee, in Mr. Dodwell’s garden at 
Oxford, took place on Tuesday, and again must it be 
recorded as a complete success. The weather, as usual, 
was all that could be desired for a garden party and 
exhibition under canvas—one of the few really hot, fine 
days we have had this season ; and to all the visitors 
was extended, by our venerable floral chief, the same 
warm and hearty welcome which has greeted them on 
all previous occasions, and which has rendered the 
Oxford gathering of florists one of the most enjoyable 
of the season. 
We were glad, with everyone else; to congratulate 
our old friend on his enjoyment of such wonderful 
health, considering his many infirmities, and upon the 
singularly fine display of flowers in his garden, which 
for richness of variety, numbers grown, and quality of 
the cultivation is unrivalled. 
As to the display of competitive flowers, it must be 
said that the unfavourable character of the season told 
its own tale, for as a whole the show was not so good 
as last year, and except in a few of the smaller classes 
it struck us that the competition was not so great. 
Our northern friends were, owing to the lateness of the 
bloom, somewhat out of the hunt, and this year failed 
to maintain their usual high position in the prize list. 
It was the turn of the Midland and Southern growers, 
and right royally they took advantage of the weakness 
of their usually formidable opponents. For twelve 
Carnations, dissimilar, Mr. Martin Rowan, Clapham, 
secured first honours with fine clean blooms of John 
Buxton, Robert Houlgrave, Sarah Payne, George 
Melville, J. Whittam, Gordon Lewis, Rob Roy, Mata¬ 
dor, Rifleman, Fred, J. D. Hextall, and Jessica ; Mr. 
Reed, gardener to E. S. Dodwell, Esq., being a good 
second ; Messrs. Thomson & Co., nurserymen, Bir¬ 
mingham, third ; Mr. R. Sydenham, Birmingham, 
fourth ; Mr. G. Chaundy, Oxford, fifth ; Mr. A. R. 
Brown, Birmingham, sixth ; Mr. T. Walker, Thame, 
seventh ; and Mr. H. Geggie, Bury, eighth. With 
six blooms, Mr. Tom Lord, Todmorden, came in first, 
with admirable examples of Biddy Malone, R. Dean, 
Robert Lord, Harrison Weir, J. Keet, and Squire 
Meynell ; Mr. T. S. Hedderley coming in second with 
fine blooms of Rifleman, George Melville, R. Houlgrave, 
Sportsman, William Skirving, and a seedling ; S. 
Barlow, Esq., Stakehill, third; Mr. Joe Edwards, 
Manchester, fourth ; Mr. W. L. Walker, Reading, 
fifth ; Mr. W. Bacon, Derby' sixth ; Mr. C. Phillips, 
Reading, seventh ; Mr. H. Startup, Bromley, eighth ; 
and Mr. T. Lakin, Temple Cowley, ninth. 
Mr. Martin Rowan also had the best twelve Picotees, 
an exceedingly nice stand comprising Brunette, Mrs. 
Payne, Duchess, Nellie, Edith Dombrain, Favourite, 
Mrs. Chancellor, Mrs. Dodwell, Mrs. Sharpe, Clara 
Penson, T. William, and Amy Robsart; second, Mr. 
R. Sydenham ; third, Mr. W. Reed ; fourth, Messrs. ' 
Thomson & Co. ; sixth, Mr. G. Chaundy ; seventh, 
Mr. T. Anstiss, Brill ; eighth, Mr. H. Geggie ; ninth, 
Mr. J. Walker. The class for six blooms was one 
of the finest in the exhibition, a grand lot of flowers 
being staged. The premier award went to Mr. A. W. 
Jones, of Birmingham, a young grower of great ability, 
who had superb blooms of Mrs. Sharpe, Muriel, T. 
William, Clara Penson, Miss Homer, and Edith 
Dombrain ; second, Mr. J. Whitham ; third, Mr. J. S. 
Hedderley ; fourth, Mr. W. Bacon ; fifth, Mr. Nutt, 
Southampton ; sixth, Mr. J. Lakin ; seventh, Mr. S. 
Rebbeck ; eighth, Mr. W. L. Walker, and all in close 
order of merit. 
The pretty seifs, fancies, and yellow grounds made 
up two lovely classes, and with twelve, Mr. W. Reed 
was first, showing superb flowers of Gladys, The 
Maestro, Sehlieben (Benary), Stadrath Bail (Benary), 
Norah (Benary), Terra Cotta (Douglas), and several of 
Mr. Dodwell’s seedlings. Mr. G. Chaundy came 
in second; Mr. R. Sydenham, third ; Mr. A. R. 
Brown, fourth ; Messrs. Thomson & Co., fifth; Mr. 
M. Rowan, sixth ; Mr. W. L Walker, seventh ; Mr. 
T. Anstiss, eighth ; and Mr. J. Walker, ninth. With 
a pretty stand of six, consisting of Thalia (a lovely 
rose-pink), Sparkler (crimson), Dodwell’s 186, Gladys, 
Mrs. Price, and Tom Pinch, Mr. Tom Lord secured 
the first prize, the other awards going to Mr. F. Nutt, 
S. Barlow, Esq., G. F. Ffoulkes, Esq., Mr. J. S. 
Hedderley, Mr. C. Phillips, Mr. H. Startup, and Mr. 
A. W. Jones, in the order named. 
The class for Kilmurrey seedlings, yellow grounds, 
brought out a very pretty lot, and Mr. Reed, with 
splendid blooms of Alfred Grey, Tournament, Patricia, 
Queen of Hearts, Rachel, &c., secured the premier 
award ; Mr. G. Chaundy was second ; Mr. T. 
Anstiss, third; Messrs. Thomson & Co., fourth; and 
Mr. R. Sydenham, fifth. With six blooms, any 
raisers, Mr. Reed was also first, showing Alfred Grey, 
Tournament, Patricia, Queen of Hearts, Rachel, and 
Nancy ; Mr. G. Chaundy again came in second ; 
Mr. T. Anstiss, third ; Messrs. Thomson & Co. ; fourth ; 
and Mr. R. Sydenham, fifth. 
Single classes: Carnations, scarlet bizarres :—First, 
Messrs. Thomson & Co., with C. H. Herbert (Herbert), 
a remarkably fine flower ; second, Mr. W. Reed, with 
R. Lord ; third, Mr. G. Chaundy, with a seedling ; 
fourth, Mr. W. Reed, with R. Houlgrave ; fifth, Mr. M. 
Rowan, with R. Houlgrave. Crimson bizarres : First 
and second, Mr. Rowan, with J. D. Hextall ; third, 
Mr. W. Reed, with J. Lakin; fourth, Mr. R. 
Sydenham, with J. D. Hextall; fifth, Mr. J. S. 
Hedderley, with Fred. Pink bizarres : First, Mr. 
Tom Lord, with Eccentric Jack ; second, Mr. R. 
Sydenham, with J. Harrison ; third, Mr. Hedderley, 
with W. Skirving ; fourth, Mr. Rowan, with Sarah 
Payne ; fifth, Mr. Joe Edwards, with Sir Garnet 
Wolseley. Purple flakes: First and second, Mr. Rowan, 
with Gordon Lewis ; third, Mr. R. Sydenham, with a 
seedling ; fourth, Mr. H. Geggie, with a seedling ; 
fifth, Mr. Joe Edwards, with Sarah Payne. Scarlet 
flakes: First and second, Mr. Rowan, with John 
Whitham and Matador ; third, Mr. Hedderley, with 
Sportsman ; fourth, Mr. Reed, with a seedling ; fifth, 
Mr. G. Chaundy, with Sportsman. Rose flakes ; 
First, Mr. Lakin, with Mrs. Gibson ; second and third, 
Messrs. Thomson & Co., with R. Thomson and Thalia ; 
fourth, Mr. Geggie, with a seedling ; and fifth, Mr. 
Rowan, with Thalia. 
Picotees :—Heavy red-edged : First, Mr. Reed, with 
a seedling ; second, Mr. Rowan, with Mrs. Sharpe ; 
third, Mr. W. Reed, with a seedling; fourth, Mr. 
Rowan, with Edith Dombrain ; fifth, Mr. R. Sydenham, 
with Dr. Epps. Medium red : first and second, Mr. 
Rowan, with Mrs. Payne and Nellie ; third, Mr. A. W. 
Jones, with Miss Horner ; fourth, Mr. W. Reed, with 
Nellie; fifth, Mr. R. Sydenham, with Lady Holmesdale. 
Light red: First, Mr. G. Chaundy ; and second, Mr. W. 
Reed, with Favourite ; third, Messrs. Thomson & Co., 
with Mrs. Herbert ; fourth, Mr. A. W. Jones, with 
T. William; fifth, Mr. Rowan, with Mrs. Gorton. 
Heavy purple : first, Mr. W. Reed, with Amy Robsart; 
second, Mr. R. Sydenham, with Mrs. Chancellor ; 
third and fourth, Mr. Jones, with Muriel ; and fifth, 
Mr. Hedderley, with the same variety. Medium 
purple : first and second, Mr. Rowan and Mr. W. L. 
Walker, with Muriel; third, Mr. Rowan with Mary ; 
fourth, Mr. A. R. Brown, with Juliette ; fifth, Mr. T. 
Anstiss, with Baroness Burdett Coutts. Light purple: 
first, Mr. Sydenham ; second, Mr. Jones ; third, 
Messrs. Thomson & Co. ; fourth, Mr. Jones ; fifth, Mr. 
R. Sydenham, all showing Clara Penson. Yellow 
grounds : first, Mr. F. Nutt, with Germania; 
second, Mr. G. Chaundy, with Germania ; third, Mr. 
W. Reed, with Queen of Hearts ; fourth, Mr. W. Reed, 
with Germania ; fifth, Mr. Chaundy, with Queen of 
Hearts. 
Premier blooms.—Bizarre or Flake: Messrs. Thomson 
& Co., with C. H. Herbert ; Selfs, Mr. F. Nutt, with 
Germania ; Fancy, Mr. W. Reed, with Dodwell’s 167 ; 
Picotee, Mr. W. Reed, with Little Phil, heavy rose ; 
Yellow ground, Mr. W. Reed, with Patricia. 
A new feature was a series of prizes from the “ Maud ’’ 
Commission Fund, offered for decorative groups and 
bouquets of Carnations and Picotees, and some pretty 
examples of both were staged. Mrs. G. B. Dodwell 
carried off premier honours for a group for table adorn¬ 
ment, Mrs. W. Howell being second, and Mr. W. 
Wardill, Luton, and Messrs. Thomson & Co. equal 
third. The best Lady’s Bouquet also came from Mrs. 
G. B. Dodwell, together with the best half-dozen 
button-hole bouquets. 
In the afternoon the luncheon took place in a 
marquee erected in the school-ground of Cowley St. 
John—a very pleasant social reunion much enjoyed by 
all. 
—-- ■ -— 
PANSIES. 
This is a good time of the year to put in cuttings of 
anything specially choice. A bed of light sandy soil 
made up under the shade of a wall or hedge is a capital 
place in which to do this, to ensure adequate pro¬ 
tection, and also to encourage quick rooting. It should 
be covered with a hand-light, or one of those small 
frames designed for amateur cultivators who can devote 
only a very small space to such work. But some 
people say, Why go to the trouble of propagating by 
means of cuttings when such good strains of Pansy 
seed can be obtained ? My reply is, that one may raise 
a great many seedlings before something thoroughly 
first-rate can be obtained; and any one having a 
thoroughly good thing should do all they can to 
preserve it by propagating it. It is of no use to say 
that it will be certain to reproduce itself from seed. 
My reply again is, there is no certainty about it, for I 
have known seed saved from a very fine variety to pro¬ 
duce what is simply rubbish. I must not be under¬ 
stood as saying that this is the only period of the year 
when cuttings should be put in. It can be done at any 
time when there is young growths available for making 
cuttings ; but as the plants now appear to be pushing 
forth vigorous young shoots, the present is a good time 
for selecting some for cuttings. 
It is of great advantage to top-dress any plants it is 
desirable to save, as it encourages growth, and the 
summer growths of Pansies put forth roots if they 
have suitable soil about them to assist in doing so. 
Any refuse potting soil, finely sifted, and enriched by 
the addition of a little leaf-soil, will be found very 
useful for the purpose ; and there is this further 
advantage, that if you encourage the plants to make a 
good late summer growth you can lift them at the end 
of September, and by dividing them be put into 
possession of a number of rooted pieces that will be 
found very useful. I do not think amateur cultivators 
are so fully alive as they should be to the advantage of 
top-dressing many things. Everything of a choice 
character is benefited by its being done. It is a part 
of careful and attentive cultivation, and it pays by an 
increase of stock. 
Anything specially good should be marked for seed 
purposes. Unfortunately many of the finest Pansies 
seed but very sparingly indeed, and when I see seed of 
so-called named Pansies offered at 10s. per ounce, I am 
made aware that floricultural humbugging is still 
rampant. 
There is a danger that the bold, striking and showy 
fancy Pansies will thrust the show varieties to a great 
extent out of cultivation ; but I hope not, for they are 
so attractive, so refined, and so winsome, that it will 
be a great pity if florists lose their interest in them. I 
think there is no Pansy that can compete with a first- 
rate white-ground show flower for beauty and attractive¬ 
ness.— R. B. 
-- 
THE GROVE, HAREFIELD. 
Harefield is situated in one of the most picturesque 
and salubrious districts of Middlesex, and is about 
three miles from Rickmansworth on the London and 
North-Western and the Metropolitan Railways. The 
mansion stands on a knoll or spur in a well-wooded and 
beautifully undulated park. The grounds are agreeably 
diversified with grand deciduous trees, handsome 
Conifers, luxuriant evergreens, excellent walks, and 
splendid lawns. The view from the front of the 
mansion across the lawns to the pleasure grounds and 
scenery beyond, is extremely beautiful. In the fore¬ 
ground are the boldly-undulating lawns, smooth as 
velvet, some acres in extent, which are so regularly 
machined that not a “ bent” is to be seen to mar the 
effect of these splendid lawns. The large old trees 
give the place an air of antiquity, and although com¬ 
paratively close to the public highway, it enjoys a quiet 
seclusion. 
Being the day of the Harefield Flower Show, which 
was held in the grounds at The Grove, by the kind 
permission of the proprietor, G. Webster, Esq., we had 
an opportunity for an inspection of this, one of the 
most remarkable places in the country for its vast 
extent of glass houses, devoted to the cultivation of 
Grapes, Fruit, Tomatos, Cucumbers, &c., a further 
description of which we hope to give at a future time, 
confining ourselves now to what we enjoyed outside. 
Mr. Bennett has only recently taken charge of the 
place, but he has already wrought many improvements 
upon it, though much yet remains to be accomplished 
before he gets everything under his control and in 
working order. Although there had been no time to 
prepare anything specially for the show, yet Mr. 
Bennett made a very successful display, both of groups 
of plants, and of fruit, flowers, &c. We noticed that 
the removal of plants for the show had given the 
opportunity, which was being taken advantage of, to 
overhaul the plant houses, and to make a fresh arrange¬ 
ment of them. We were also very much interested 
with the collection of hardy herbaceous plants in the 
splendid long borders devoted to these subjects, to 
