August 30, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
823 
however, there is always a chance of obtaining some¬ 
thing new and superior to existing varieties, either 
in colour, size of flowers, dwarfness, or floriferous- 
ness. 
A large number of varieties all raised from seed are 
now on trial at the Chiswick nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. A very large and deep blue- 
flowered variety gives great promise of being a good 
thing if propagated from cuttings. It is a vigorous 
grower. L. Erinus erecta is very dwarf and compact, 
but the flowers are rather small and pale blue, with 
three dark blue spots and a white one. It may certainly 
be called pretty. That named L. E. gracilis erecta 
(Bicton) has white flowers with a pale blue tube and 
three blue spots on the lip. It is compact, bushy and 
floriferous, with blooms of medium size. Similar in 
habit is L. E. gracilis erecta alba, but the flowers are 
pure white. A tall-growing kind named L. E. hybrida 
grandiflora is notable for the size of its deep blue 
flowers. It would no doubt be greatly improved in 
habit by raising it from cuttings. As a pot plant it 
■would also assume a dwarfer habit and appear more 
floriferous, from the simple fact of the internodes 
between them being shorter. 
A pale rosy purple variety, 
named L. E. erecta rosea, 
presents something different 
from the usual blue and 
white, notwithstanding the 
fact that blue varieti.es are 
the most popular of all the 
kinds in cultivation. Those 
who like a change from 
blue, would find in Prima 
Donna something both 
novel and attractive. The 
flowers are much larger 
than those of the last, and 
deep purple with a white 
eye. A more compact and 
floriferous habit would, 
no doubt, be induced by 
propagation from cuttings 
in spring. It is certainly 
very choice in its way. 
Very different is Paxtoniana, 
whose large sky-blue flowers 
have a large white blotch 
on the lip—so large, indeed, 
that in many instances 
it occupies the greater 
part of the area of the 
lower segments of the flower. 
The variety flowers with 
tolerable freedom. Some¬ 
what novel is Pearl, the 
whole of the flower being 
white, with the exception of 
the two small upper lobes 
and the tube, which are 
pale blue. The flowers are 
large and rather pretty. 
The Crystal Palace Speciosa 
is a well-known and useful 
variety which comes pretty 
true from seed. The 
flowers are of a rich bright 
blue colour, and the foliage assumes a dark bronzy hue. 
Altogether about twenty-six varieties are grown on 
trial from seeds, of which the above named sorts were 
the best at the time of our visit recently. It gives 
some idea of the number of kinds in cultivation ; and 
extensive as the list may seem, most growers no doubt 
would be able to name many others which they grow 
or have seen in cultivation at one time or other. Some 
varieties, such as Mazarine Blue, are very difficult to 
preserve through the winter in houses with a low 
temperature and a moist atmosphere, especially when 
they have not been well established before winter. A 
good plan, and one that should be adopted in every 
establishment, is to keep a few stock plants in pots at 
planting-out time. Any amount of cuttings can be 
obtained from these when placed in heat in spring. 
-- 
A FLOWER SHOW AT DUNMORE 
EAST. 
It is highly creditable to this small fashionable water¬ 
ing place that it can hold a fine show, be able to fill a 
200 ft. marquee, and with exhibits generally of a 
commendable character. I often wonder why more 
favoured localities do not do likewise. All my 
experience tends to show that both employers and 
gardeners benefit mutually by competitive friendly 
emulation. Here the committee rests upon a broad 
basis, consisting of both the gentry proprietors, the 
local clergymen, and the leading gardeners, with the 
Hon. Dudley Fortescue as president, while generous 
subscriptions supplement the funds. The show was 
held on the loth inst. — Lady Day, a general holiday in 
Ireland—in the beautifully situated little town park 
immediately overlooking the bay and harbour, and was 
fortunate in being held in tolerably fine weather, an 
important factor for a flower show, and, unfortunately, 
the exception rather than the rule in the Emerald Isle 
this year. The town from this position is picturesque 
in the extreme. Right in front, and across the estuary 
is the co. Wexford, and jutting out into the broad 
Atlantic is Hook Head, on which is situated the fine 
marine residence of the Marquis of Ely, Loftus Hall. 
At Dunmore, an influential supporter of the society is 
Mrs. Malcomson, of Villa Marina and Ballinakill, while 
it is fortunate in having so courteous a secretary as the 
Rev. J. D. Eorde, who is warmly supported by Mr. 
Harvey, a leading merchant. The Hon. D. Fortescue’s 
exotic Ferns, including Adiantum gracillimum, A. 
Achimenes, Rosy Queen. 
Farleyense, A. farinosa, and A. trapeziforme (several 
feet through) ; Crotons, Caladiums, Dracaenas, orna¬ 
mental foliage plants and tree Ferns ; Mrs. Malcomson’s 
Palms and Yuccas, with the non-competitive con¬ 
tributions of Gloxinias, spotted and marbled ; Triumph 
Melons, &c. from Glenville ; Asters, Zinnias, Picotees, 
and Carnations from Miss Bolton, Brook Lodge ; and 
Campanulas from Mrs. Alcock, were special features of 
the show. The following is a brief summary of the 
prize list. 
Plants.—In the open competition for plants, the 
President, Hon. Dudley Fortescue, Summerville 
(gardener, Mr. J. A. Calthorpe), took first prize for 
exotic Ferns, ornamental foliage plants, Coleus (highly 
coloured), tree Ferns, and richly-veined Caladiums ; 
and for the best specimen in the show he scored with 
an immense Adiantum gracillimum. Mrs. Malcomson, 
Villa Marina (gardener, Mr. Dunphy), and at her second 
residence, Ballinakill, near Waterford (gardener, Mr. 
Noonan), had some remarkably fine Palms about 5 ft. 
high in comparatively small pots, and was first for 
Cockscombs, double zonal Pelargoniums, and native 
Ferns, being second for exotic Ferns, ornamental foliage 
plants, single zonal Pelargoniums, &c. Mrs. Alcock 
was first for single zonal Pelargoniums, and Mrs. Jacob 
second for an ornamental arrangement of native Ferns. 
Many extras for effect were sent, not for competition. 
Cut flowers.—Here there was considerable com¬ 
petition, many exhibits being very meritorious. Lady 
Carew, Woodstown (gardener, Mr. O’Brien), gained 
first for double Dahlias, Asters (Comet), six Gladioli 
Gandavensis, and a finely-arranged hand bouquet; and 
was second with African Marigolds. Sir Robert Paul, 
Ballyglan, contributed largely, getting first for twelve 
single Dahlias (how very badly these stand the heat of 
a show !), twelve Asters (different), African Marigolds, 
and single zonal Pelargoniums in trusses of three. 
One of the sights in this section was an artistic trophy 
arrangement of some score spikes, each different, of 
some charming hybrids of Gladiolus Gandavensis, sent 
by Lord James Butler, which readily got first prize and 
a special Award of Merit. The Hon. Dudley Fortescue 
was first for Zinnias, gaining prizes also for Pansie 
and Gladiolus Brenchleyensis. The first for Pansies 
went to Mrs. Jacob, who took prizes for Dahlias, Asters, 
and hand bouquet (second). 
Fruit. —The Summerville exhibits by Mr. Calthorpe 
were really splendid, and would possibly win at any 
show, especially his Triumph Melon, Black Hamburgh, 
Black Alicante and White 
Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, 
as also were his kitchen 
Apples, each getting first 
prize readily. Mrs. Malcom- 
son’s black Grapes required 
a few more days’ ripening, 
but Mr. Noonan, her gar¬ 
dener, had splendid speci¬ 
mens of Barrington Peaches 
and Morello Cherries, secur¬ 
ing first. Lady Carew did 
similarly with Victoria 
Plums, dessert Apples, and 
Pears. The first for the latter 
fruit went to Mrs. Jacob, 
Miss Armstrong gaining a 
similar prize for Gooseberries. 
Vegetables.—This section 
was so large, and the 
entries so numerous, that I 
cannot claim your space for 
an extended notice ; suffice 
it to say it was a strong 
feature of the show, the 
principal prize-winners being 
Sir Robert Paul, Lady 
Carew, Mrs. Malcomson, the 
President, Mr. Dobbyne, 
Mrs. Jacob, and others. A 
committee of ladies judged 
the table decorations, while 
the window-gardens had been 
previously inspected and the 
prizes awarded. These latter 
should be a feature in every 
town, especially a sea-side 
resort. The honorary 
secretary, the Rev. J. D. 
Forde, had all the arrange¬ 
ments perfect, and had the 
satisfaction of seeing his 
efforts a success in the 
largest attendance of any 
previous year. The judges seem to have given satis¬ 
faction also ; they were Messrs. Crawford, Kilcronagh 
Gardens ; O’Shea, Clonmel Asylum Gardens ; and your 
correspondent, TV. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
-- >I< -- 
ACHIMENES, ROSY QUEEN. 
The varieties of Achimenes in cultivation at one time 
or other have been exceedingly numerous, but with the 
exception of A. rosea and A. r. superba, none of them 
exhibited a pure rose colour like that of Rosy Queen, 
which has been obtained bv selection from a large 
number of seedlings. The flosvers of A. rosea and its 
variety A. r. superba are, however, small by comparison 
with those of the new variety under notice, which are 
large and bright rose with a white throat. The stems 
grow about 6 ins. or 8 ins. in height, bearing their 
showy flowers singly from the axils of the leaves along 
the greater part of their length, as shown in the 
accompanying illustration, for which we are indebted 
to Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading. The leaves are 
ovate, softly hairy, and light green in colour ; and the 
habit of the plant is robust and vigorous. It was 
exhibited at the Royal Aquarium on 29th of April of 
this year for the first time, when Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons received a First Class Certificate for it. They also 
showed it a month later at the Temple show in May, 
when it was still in fine condition. Those who grow 
Achimenes will find it a very distinct variety for 
mixing with older and better known kinds of white 
and purple shades. 
