28 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 8, 1894. 
during August and September. The flowers are 
similar in shape to those of L. speciosum, and may 
be, it anything, a trifle smaller, but the difference in 
that respect is not very appreciable. They are of a 
beautiful orange-apricot, fading with age, but not 
liable to bleach white in the same peculiar way as 
those of L. Hansoni, which are, of course, earlier 
and subjected to a greater amount of glaring sun¬ 
shine. The lower half of each segment is strongly 
tuberculated on each side of the middle line, and 
more or less striped with crimson. 
LARGE v. SMALL POTS. 
There seems to be a tendency among amateurs to re¬ 
pot a subject when it does not appear to be doing 
so well as they wish. Many instances have come 
under my notice during the past few weeks where 
the plant would have been better off, or at least 
quite as well, in a much smaller pot. This is not 
the only object, for weight alone is no inconsiderable 
item when handling a large number of pots if a size 
or two above what is necessary be used. We see 
ample proofs that plants can be well grown in small 
pots by the good-shaped and beautifully-finished 
Palms, Crotons, Dracaenas, etc., to be found in the 
market establishments. Turning to flowers. What 
exquisite plants of Cyclamen, Calceolaria, Cineraria, 
etc., we find in pots that are only about half the size 
many amateurs would use for plants of the same 
dimensions ; nor would they get the same grand 
results. Of course, a larger selection of soil and 
more compost can scarcely do harm ; but still there 
are some instances where a smaller amount of rich 
soil is far preferable. Use a good compost, see that 
drainage is efficient, pot firmly, and attend to their 
water supply, when we may have better results with 
less labour and expense, to say nothing of the greater 
usefulness of such plants when decorating.— P. 
LYCOR1S AUREA. 
The species of the genus Lycoris are closely allied 
to the Hippeastrums, whose flowers vary from pink 
to rose and crimson as a rule, and, in one case, at 
least, are beautifully tinted with blue. The bulbous 
plant under notice has golden-yellow flowers borne 
in umbels of five to ten. The segments are wavy 
and all directed upwards, reminding one of a Nerine, 
but they are united at the base into a tube f in. to 
§ in. long. The flower scape varies from i ft. to 2 ft. 
long, and the glaucous, strap-shaped leaves are just 
appearing, but do not reach perfection till May or 
thereby. The species is a native of China, from 
whence it was originally introduced in 1777, but 
could never have become very common. Bulbs 
were imported from Hong-Kong this year and have 
been flowering beautifully for some time past in the 
Begonia house at Kew. Though the flowers require 
a higher temperature to develop them than in the 
case of the Nerines, yet it would seem possible to 
keep them under the same conditions while in 
flower; at all events, it would be desirable to 
associate them together for the contrast of colours 
in similarly formed flowers. 
THE BERRY BEARING ALDER. 
The popular name of this shrub is somewhat mis¬ 
leading in this instance, since the plant has no 
connection either with the Alder or Elder. It is 
more nearly allied to the Ceanothus, of which a 
considerable number of American species and garden 
varieties are now cultivated. The Berry-bearing 
Alder or Rhamnus Frangula is a British plant and 
still exists in widely separated localities, especially 
where virgin wood forest or untilled scrubland still 
exists. The greenish white flowers are small and 
produced in clusters in the axils of the leaves, but 
are scarcely conspicuous enough to be ornamental. 
They, however, commence to bloom in May and 
keep on till September, provided the bush is healthy, 
and are succeeded by berries that at first are green, 
then turn red, and finally black. All these stages 
from the flower to the black berries may be seen 
upon the plant at the same time and render it 
highly ornamental, especially in association with the 
shining, deep green leaves. For these reasons the 
the shrub might well find a place in shrubberies. 
Birds do not seem to molest the berries, at least 
during the summer months so that they long 
continue in perfection. The wood is used by gun¬ 
powder makers under the name of Black Dogwood. 
CANKER IN MELONS. 
Thls dread disease has been more prevalent this 
season than usual, owing, no doubt, to the sunless 
weather, and the low temperature which we have 
experienced for some time past, and which has made 
Melon growing rather difficult. I have several 
varieties growing in unheated pits, all of which have 
suffered more or less from its effects, with one 
exception—I have a six-light pit planted with Sutton’s 
A 1 which seems to bid defiance to its attacks. 
Having examined plant after plant without finding 
any trace of canker, and having grown this variety 
for several seasons, I have found it to be proof 
against this disease. Fresh slaked Lime applied to 
the affected parts is one of the best remedies I have 
yet tried for canker.— fas. Barkham, Longford House 
Gardens, Haven Street, Isle of Wight. 
--- 
ROYAL AQUARIUM 
SHOW. 
An early exhibition of Chrysanthemums, Dahlias 
and Gladioli, was held in the Royal Aquarium, 
Westminster, on the 4th, 5th, and 6th inst. The 
Chrysanthemums were very much the same as on 
former occasions of the earliest show, the Pompons 
being most in evidence. Dahlias, and especially the 
Cactus varieties, were undoubtedly the great feature 
of the show, being largely represented. The Gladioli 
were also showy, though the exhibits were not 
numerous. The first prize for twenty-four bunches 
of Chrysanthemums was taken by Mr. E. Vince, 
Highgate Cemetery. Quite a third of his bunches 
consisted of large flowering sorts, such as Souvenir 
de Madame Menier, Sam Henshaw, Vice President 
Hardy, and Madame Desgranges. The Pompons 
were generally good. The second award went to 
Mr. E. F. Such, Maidenhead, whose flowers, even 
of the larger kinds, were smaller, but in most cases 
fairly fresh. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nursery, 
Tottenham, took the third place with smaller 
bunches. The best twelve blooms of Madame 
Desgranges in the exhibition were those shown by 
Mr. B. Calvert, gardener to Col. Archer Houblon, 
Hallingbury Place, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts; Mr. 
E. Vince was second; and Mr. John Wright, 
Middle Temple Gardens, E.C., took the third place. 
He, however, had the best six bunches of that 
variety, and the best six bunches of yellow varieties 
of Madame Desgranges. Mr. E. Vince was second 
for six bunches of the white form of the latter. 
In the class for twelve blooms of any large flower¬ 
ing kinds except Madame Desgranges the firsc award 
was made to Mr. W. Wells, Earls wood Nurseries, 
Redhill, Surrey, who had fine blooms of Madame 
Edward Rey, Beauty of Exmouth, W. H. L'ncoln, 
and Bridesmaid; Mr. J. Agate, Havant, Hants, 
took the second place, with some fine blooms of 
Madame Harman Payne and President Borel; Mr. 
B. Calvert was third with blooms of George Wermig 
only. Miss R. Debenham, St. Peters, St. Albans, 
had the best twelve trusses of pompon Chrysanthe¬ 
mums ; and was followed by Mr. E. Vince with 
smaller blooms. Mr. W. Wells was awarded the 
first prize for six bunches of large flowering varieties, 
as well as for six distinct blooms, the latter being by 
far the best. In the amateurs’ classes the first 
prize for twelve bunches of Chrysanthemums was 
awarded to Mr. Thos. W. Lester, 90, Alexandra 
Road, Hornsey, N. Frank Bingham, Esq,, 6, 
Bethune Road, Stoke Newington, had the best six 
blooms of Madame Desgranges in this divison ; Mrs. 
W. Smith, Como Street, Romford, Essex, had the 
best epergne of Chrysanthemums. Some prizes 
were offered for a collection of Gladioli spikes, and 
the first award was accorded to Messrs. J. Burrell 
& Co., Howe House, Cambridge, who were the only 
exhibitors, bat whose collection was both extensive 
and imposing. 
The first prize for forty-eight blooms, comprising 
not less than thirty-six varieties of show and fancy 
Dahlias, was awarded to Mr. Charles Turner, 
Slough, for a very fine collection; blooms of such 
sorts as G. Rawlings, John Walker, Seedling, and 
Maud Fellowcs were particularly good. The second 
prize was carried off by Messrs. Keynes, Williams & 
Co., Salisbury. Mrs. Foreman, Arthur Ocock, 
William Keith and Agnes, were some of the best 
varieties exhibited by this firm. The third prize fell 
to the lot of Mr. John Walker, Thame, Oxon, who 
had Colonist, Ethel Briton and Maud Victor very 
fine. For thirty-six blooms, distinct, Mr. John 
Walker, was first, with such varieties as Miss Can- 
nell, Mrs. Langtry, Mrs. W. Slack, and John Wyatt, 
in very fine order. The second prize was taken by 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co. with, amongst others 
good blooms of Eclipse, William Keith, and Mr. 
Charles; Mr. Charles Turner was third. Messrs. 
Saltmarsh & Son, C helmsford, were awarded the 
first prize for twenty-four blooms, distinct, such 
sorts as John Walker, Shirley Hibberd, and Alice 
Emily, being well represented in this exhibit. The 
second prize went to Mr. G. Humphries, Kington 
Langley, Chippenham, and the third fell to Mr. J. 
R. Tranter, Henley-on-Thames. For eighteen 
blooms, distinct, Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, were 
again first. Mr. Arthur Rawlings, Old Church, Rom¬ 
ford being second, and Mr. G. Humphries, third. 
In the Amateurs’ and Gardeners’ classes, Mr. J. 
T. West, gardener to W. Keith, Esq , Cornuwalls, 
Brentwood, took first honours for twenty-four blooms 
distinct, some of his best varieties being Alice Emily, 
Rev. J. Goodday, and Duchess of York. The second 
prize fell to J. Gurney Fowler, Esq , Glebe Lands, 
South Woodford, and Mr. James Stredwick, Silver- 
hill, St. Leonards-on-Sea, coming in third. For 
eighteen blooms, distinct, Mr. J. T. West was again 
successful in gaining first honours with twelve 
blooms, distinct, Mr. Thomas Elagg, gardener to 
Mrs. Theobald, The Bedfords, Havering, near 
Romford, was awarded the first prize ; Mr. Arthur 
Ocock, Rudgewick, Horsham, Sussex, taking the 
second. For six blooms, distinct, Mr. Arthur Ocock 
was first, and Mr. Thomas Elagg, second. 
Pompon varieties were in fine form, and for twenty- 
f jur bunches, distinct, Messrs. Keynes, William & 
Co., were first, such varieties as George Brinkman, 
and Arthur West being among the best in this 
exhibit; second, Mr. Charles Turner, who had White 
Aster, Lilian, Favourite, and Isabel among the best 
varieties; third, Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield 
Nurseries, Crawley. For twelve bunches, distinct, 
Mr. J. T. West was first, Messrs. J. Burrell & Co., 
Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, second; and 
Mrs. F. W. Seale, Vine Nurseries, Sevenoaks, third. 
For six bunches, distinct (open to amateurs and 
gardeners only), Mr. J. T. West was first; Mr. 
James Stredwick, second ; and Mr. C. Osman, South 
Metropolitan District Schools, Sutton, third. 
In the single variety classes, Messrs. J. Cheal &Sons 
were first for twenty-four bunches, distinct, having 
Golden Locks, The Bride, Rosebank, and Cardinal 
amongst their best varieties ; second, Mrs. F. W. 
Seale. For twelve bunches, distinct, the first prize 
went to F. W. Girdlestone, Esq., Sunningdale, 
Berks, the second to Mr. Eric F. Such, Maidenhead, 
and the third to Edward Mawly, Esq., Rosebank, 
Berkhamsted. 
The decorative and Cactus varieties were grandly 
represented, and in a fine class for eighteen bunches 
of six blooms each, distinct, the first prize was 
awarded to Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, for a superb 
collection ; second, Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., 
and third, Mr. Charles Turner. For twelve bunches 
of six blooms each, distinct, Messrs. J. Burrell & Co. 
came in first, Mrs. F. W. Seale, second, and Mr. 
Eric F. Such, third. 
In the Miscellaneous Class a Silver Medal was 
awarded to Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green, 
Lewisham, for a group of Chrysanthemums, con¬ 
sisting of the larger bloomed varieties of the early 
kinds, which were fine. A similar award was made 
to Mr. J. H. Witty, Nunhead Cemetery, S.E., for a 
group of Chrysanthemums backed up with Cannas 
and fronted with Ferns. A showy and imposing 
collection of cut flowers of Zonal Pelargoniums, set 
up with Maidenhair Ferns, was set up by Mr. H. J. 
Jones, who was awarded a Silver Medal. A very 
imposing and effective arrangement of all the leading 
types of Dahlias was made by Mr. T. S. Ware, who 
secured a Silver-gili Medal. The Cactus varieties 
in the centre formed a fine bank. Bamboos and 
Eulalia gracillima lightened up the group. A Silver- 
gilt Medal was also awarded to Messrs. J. Cheal & 
Sons, Crawley, Sussex, for an effective arrangement 
of Apples, Pears, Plums, also cordon fruit trees, and 
the whole flanked with hardy herbaceous plants and 
Dahlias. The trees were heavily laden with fruit. 
An effective floral arrangement was set up by Mr. J. 
R. Chard, Brunswick Nurseries, Stoke Newington, 
for which he received a Silver-gilt Medal. A similar 
award was made to Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, 
Swanley, Kent, for a large collection of Cactus and 
decorative Dahlias set up in bunches in their usual 
