August 23, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
813 
lobe is acuminate and marked with five longitudinal 
and purple lines. The species is comparatively new, 
having only been introduced in 1879 from West 
Tropical Africa. We noted a quantity of recently 
imported bulbs or small pieces in the nursery of Messrs. 
B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway. It is astonish¬ 
ing how small the bulbs may be and yet produce 
flowers. They were growing in small pans suspended 
from the roof. 
Saccolabium Hendersonianum. 
This seldom appears in cultivation and is rather difficult 
to cultivate. It bears a close raceme of small but 
showy deep rose-coloured flowers. The lateral sepals 
are broadly and obliquely ovate, and the upper one is 
incurved at the sides. The petals are obovate. The 
lip is almost wholly reduced to a large white spur, 
recurved at the tip. A First Class Certificate was 
awarded it when shown at the Drill Hall on the 12th 
inst. by Major Mason, The Firs, Warwick. 
Sobralia Warscewiczii, 
The stems of this species are like the others, slender, 
reed-like, and 2 ft. long. The flowers are large, and 
purple with a shade of violet on the lip, which is 
darker than the sepals and petals. The latter are 
elliptic and crisped at the margin, while the sepals are 
ovate and flat. The lip is very much crumpled at the 
margins and round the side lobes, bifid at the apex, 
and stained with yellow round the opening of the 
throat. The column is yellow and white at the apex. 
The leaves are ovate, plicate, dark shining green and 
leathery. A First Class Certificate was awarded it 
when shown by Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, at 
the Drill Hall, on the 12th inst. 
Phal^enopsis Michlitzii. 
The leaves of this species are elliptic, deep shining 
green, leathery in character, and 3 ins. to 4 ins. long, 
by 2 ins. to 2\ ins. at the widest part. The sepals are 
elliptic, the petals broadly ova’te, and all are white, 
tinted with green on the upper part. The upper part 
of the three-lobed and white lip is curiously infolded 
at the edges, ridged and bearded along the centre ; the 
lateral lobes near the base are oblong, erect, and orange- 
yellow. The column is white. A Botanical Certificate 
was awarded it by the Royal Horticultural Society 
when shown at the Drill Hall on the 12th inst., by 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans. 
Odontoglossum grande. 
The flowering season of this Orchid is again close at 
hand, and a fine effect it makes, especially when seen 
in quantity. It responds to good cultivation, and often 
shows it in various ways by an increased number of 
spikes, either from the axils of the leaves or from the 
apex of the pseudo-bulb. A specimen amongst others 
at Devonhurst, Chiswick, is now throwing up three 
spikes from the axil of one sheath or bract. Two of 
the spikes are of average strength, while the third one 
is considerably weaker, at all events at present. The 
plants are grown in an intermediate house, such as 
proves suitable for Cattleyas. 
- - VZ*™ - 
NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE 
FLOWER SHOW. 
The fifth annual National Co-operative Flower Show 
was held at the Crystal Palace, on Saturday, the 16th 
inst, and, as usual, drew together an immense crowd 
of people, nearly 35,000. The exhibits were arranged 
in the northern transept of the Palace, and occupied 
several side tables as well as the central one. Apparently 
as great enthusiasm as ever prevailed amongst exhibit¬ 
ors, and profiting by former experience as well as 
perhaps by the favourable nature of the season, they 
showed a marked improvement in their exhibits, 
particularly in vegetables. Some rough or badly 
cleaned and some inferior examples were shown, 
probably by inexperienced hands, but these were much 
fewer than on previous occasions. Cut flowers and pot 
plants were better in some classes than formerly, but 
they were greatly eclipsed in interest by the vegetables. 
Apples were only fairly represented, as might be 
expected, but Gooseberries, Currants and Cherries were 
of good quality, and in some cases shown in quantity. 
The exhibits of collections of vegetables from various 
parts of Britain were arranged in sections for different 
districts. The northern, north-western districts, and 
Scotland and Ireland were not represented. The col¬ 
lections from the southern districts were both numerous 
and generally of high quality, and many of them were 
very neatly arranged. This was the case both in the 
section for members of industrial co-operative societies 
and for those of agricultural and horticultural associ¬ 
ations. In the industrial classes for the southern district 
Mr. W. Dow, member of the Oxford society, was the 
premier prize-winner. The eastern and midland 
districts were fairly represented in the industrial 
section, and the first prize-winner was Mr. J. 
Parkinson, Loughborough. The western districts were 
poorly represented in both sections, Mr. E. Page 
taking the first prize in the industrial classes. Scarlet 
Runners were as numerous as usual, numbering over 
100 dishes in both sections, independently of those 
shown in collections of vegetables. 
The first award in the industrial classes went to Mr. 
R. Neal, Tring, whose exhibit was a fine one. There 
were seventy dishes of French Beans, and the first prize 
in the industrial section went to Mr. A. Ward, 
Horsham. Mr. G. North, Banbury, took the first 
prize for Longford Broad Beans. Of Broad and Long¬ 
ford Beans together .there were sixty-nine entries. 
Independently of those in collections of vegetables, 
there were fifty-five bunches of Beet, sixty-one exhibits 
of Cabbages, seventy-seven bunches of Carrots, and 
thirty-nine bunches of Parsnips. Many of the samples 
were of a high order of merit. Cauliflowers were but 
poorly represented, and few of the exhibits were in 
prime condition. There were forty-nine entries for 
Celery, and the finest sample of a white variety in the 
exhibition was that shown hy Mr. J. Parkinson, 
Loughborough. 
Forty-nine brace of Cucumbers were shown, of which 
only nine were Ridge varieties. Considering the earli¬ 
ness of the season some fair samples of Leeks were 
staged. Lettuces numbering some fifty-six entries seem 
to have been badly packed, and had suffered some 
damage in travelling. There were some splendid 
samples of Unions, both winter and spring sown. 
There were no less than 156 entries, exclusive of those 
shown in collections. Mr. T. Nunn, Alcester, had the 
best sample of Winter Unions. In the classes for 
Peas there were 121 dishes. Potatos were shown in 
great quantity, and contributed a strong feature on 
the exhibition tables. There were some splendid 
samples, both as to size, shape, and general appear¬ 
ance, but many of them might have been improved 
if they had been furbished up by a professional hand 
before being placed on the tables. Besides those in 
various collections of vegetables there were 314 entries, 
and many of them consisted of collections of four and 
six dishes each. Radishes numbered sixty-three entries, 
Shallots, 101 bunches ; Tomatos, 29 dishes ; Turnips, 
94 bunches ; and Vegetable Marrows, 74 brace. The 
latter were more uniformly of a small and suitable size 
for table than they were last year. A few outrageously 
big specimens were, however, shown. 
Amongst cut flowers the bunches ot annuals produced 
a fair display, both by numbers and variety. Notice¬ 
able amongst them were Stocks, Sweet Peas, Candytuft, 
Marigolds, Scabious, China Asters, Cockscombs, Ever¬ 
lastings and Phlox Drummondi. Some have not yet 
learned precisely what is an annual, and exhibited 
perennial Phloxes and Monkshood in the wrong place. 
A class for Sweet Peas only, brought out a large num¬ 
ber of competitors, producing an interesting feature. 
There were numerous entries for Marigolds, both 
African and French, as well as Antirrhinums, Dahlias, 
Petunias, China Asters, Zinnias, Roses, and others. 
Border Carnations were small, and the Stocks were 
rather below the average standard. Hardy herbaceous 
plants were represented by Phloxes, Gaillardias, 
Monkshood, Everlasting Peas, Pentstemons, and white 
Japan Anemones. Window plants were largely 
represented by Musk, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, and 
Balsams. Hardy and greenhouse Ferns were shown in 
larger quantity than formerly, but the best exhibits were 
those staged by members of the Agricultural and 
Horticultural Association. 
The fruits best shown by the industrial classes were 
Gooseberries, Currants, Cherries, and Apples. There 
were also some fair samples of Jargonelle Pears and 
Victoria Plums. Peaches, Apricots, Melons, and 
Grapes were sparingly represented. Some interest was 
created by a dish of Mulberries, and another of 
Brambles, particularly the latter, on account of their 
size and jet-black colour. As might be expected, 
the indoor fruit shown by members of the Agricultural 
and Horticultural Association was of a higher order of 
merit, as well as greater in quantity. A dish of 
Princess of Wales Peach was notably fine. Some good 
collections or fruit were shown, and amongst them 
were some splendidly-coloured bunches of Gros Maroc 
Grape. Cherries, Gooseberries, and Currants were 
shown in quantity, but Apricots and Apples were 
sparingly represented. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
--J-- 
Taunton Horticultural. 
The annual exhibition of this society has long been 
regarded as the best in the West of England, and the 
twenty-third show, which was held in Vivary Park, 
Taunton, on Thursday, maintained in every respect the 
reputation of its predecessors. The weather in the 
morning was dull, and just as the gates were opened to 
subscribers, there was a heavy shower of rain, which 
looked like marring the success of the show. Fortu¬ 
nately it was followed by bright sunshine, and from one 
o clock till late in the afternoon there was a continuous 
stream of visitors. Excursion trains from Bristol and 
all parts of Somerset and North Devon brought a great 
many people into the town. The streets, as usual, 
wore a holiday appearance, flags and bunting floating 
from the windows of business establishments in the 
main streets, and Venetian mast3 being erected at the 
entrance to the Park. 
Doubtless, owing to the unfavourable season which 
horticulturists have experienced, the entries were not 
quite so numerous as last year ; but the quality of the 
exhibits showed a distinct advance. So noted has this 
show become for its magnificent specimen plants that 
Manchester, which was formerly looked upon as the 
most important show in this respect, has, in the opinion 
of one or two judges, to give front rank to Taunton. 
In other departments this year’s show takes a decided 
lead. Such a grand collection of cut flowers has never 
previously been known in the society’s history, while 
the remarkably fine vegetables could be nowhere excelled 
and equalled at very few places. The show does more 
than maintain its reputation—-it largely increases its 
importance as one of the best in the kingdom. 
In the classes open to all comers, the magnificent 
show of stove and greenhouse plants in flower, which 
has for many years been associated with the name of 
Mr. Cleave, of Crediton, was missed in this depart¬ 
ment, although his successor in the prize list, Mr. 
James Cypher, of Cheltenham, exhibited a grand lot 
of twelve plants. He easily secured the champion 
prize of the show—£20. His exhibits included speci¬ 
mens of Erica Austiniana, E. tricolor coronata, E. 
Irbyana, Bougainvillea glabra, the stately Ixora salici- 
folia, I. Duffii, I. regina, I. javanica, the handsome 
Clerodendron Balfourianum, Allamanda nobilis, and 
A. Hendersoni ; Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey, was a very 
good second. Mr. Cypher also took the first prize in 
the class for six stove and greenhouse plants ; Mrs. 
Pearce, Bassett, Southampton (Mr. E. 'Wills, 
gardener), was second, a beautiful specimen of Eucharis 
amazonica being much admired. Mr. Cypher was 
again to the fore with eight fine foliaged and variegated 
plants, his winning collection comprising Latania 
borbonica, Cycas rcvoluta, a Dasylirion, Kentia Fosteri- 
ana, Cordyline indivisa, and three grand Crotons: 
Sunset, Queen Victoria, and angustifolius. The eight 
exotic Ferns which secured first prize for Mr. Vincent 
Stuckey in the following class were very choice. A 
striking feature in the tent was the grouping of 
miscellaneous plants, arranged for effect, occupying a 
space of 100 square feet. The class is a comparatively 
new one, but it adds considerably to the attractiveness 
of the tent. There were four entries, and the exhibits 
served admirably to fill to the best advantage the corners 
of the marquee. Mr. Rowland, gardener to W. Brock, 
Esq., Exeter, was awarded first prize, the grouping 
of his plants being exceedingly artistic. There was 
a ground-work of Maidenhair Fern, with light Palms 
and Crotons and specimens of the Agapanthus and 
Bridal Wreath dotted amongst it. A fine Palm formed 
the background, with a beautiful Dipladenia training 
around it. Zonal Pelargoniums were a good feature. 
Mr. V. Slade, of Taunton, took first for six distinct 
varieties ; Mr. G. E. Colthurst was a very creditable 
second. In the class for double Pelargoniums, four 
distinct varieties, Mr. Slade was again first, and Mr. 
Godding came second. Begonias were a fine show, 
and Mrs. Altham was awarded first for a very hand¬ 
some lot ; Mr. Godding being second. The latter had 
a first for Fuchsias. Cockscombs were fine, and Mr. 
C. L. Collard took first with some grand specimens. 
Mrs. Macalister secured the prize for a newly-intro¬ 
duced plant, with ornamental foliage, with an elegant 
Asparagus scandens dependens. Mr. Cypher was first 
for a newly-introduced plant in bloom, with Cattleya 
labiata striata. Mr. Cypher was to the front with 
Grchids, securing first with four plants, having 
Cattleya crispa, C. Gaskelliana, Saccolabium Blumei, 
and Odontoglossum Harryanum. 
