June 22, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
685 
SOCIETIES. 
Royal Botanic.—The above Society held its special 
Floral Fete on Wednesday, June 12th, in Regent’s 
Park. Although the forenoon was dull and threat¬ 
ening the latter part of the day was considerably 
brighter, and thus the show was attended by large 
numbers of people, many of whom were doubtless 
attracted by the Children's Floral Parade which was 
one of the notable features of the day’s proceedings, 
the Prince and Princess of Wales having promised 
to attend. As usual a large marquee was set aside 
for the accommodation of various groups of flower¬ 
ing and foliage plants which arranged as they were 
upon the grass mounds and banks within the tent 
appeared to great advantage and reflected great 
credit both upon those to whose lot it fell to grow the 
necessary material, and to those who were entrusted 
with its arrangement. Messrs Hugh Low & Co., 
Upper Clapton, N. E„ received a large Silver Medal 
for a very nice little group of Orchids exhibited by 
them, conspicuous among which were the new Laelio- 
Cattleya Ingramii, Cypripedium Gertrude Hollington 
and C. Curtisii viride. Cattleyas, Cypripediums, 
Miltonias, and Odontoglossums in variety made a 
brave show. A large group of flowering and foliage 
plants contributed by Messrs. John Laing & Sons, 
Forest Hill, was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal. This 
group contained a great deal of excellent stuff, and 
tuberous Begonias, Caladiums, Gloxinias, Strepto- 
carpus, Odontoglossums, Miltonias, as well as two 
fine pieces of Dendrobium suavissimum were very 
bright and showy. The arrangement of the plants 
was likewise thoroughly deserving a meed of praise. 
From Messrs. William Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, 
came a very pretty group in which cut Roses played 
a very important part. Some well grown and 
shapely Araucarias and Japanese Maples were also 
noteworthy here, a Large Silver Medal being given. 
Mr. W. Rumsey, Joynings Nurseries, Waltham 
Cross, also sent stands of cut Roses and plants of 
the same in pots ; the showy blooms being relieved 
by the pots of Adiantum cuneatum which surrounded 
them. Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough, obtained a 
a Large Silver Medal for an exhibit of Pelargoniums 
in pots and cut Roses. His examples of the former, 
although not excessively large, were covered with a 
remarkable profusion of bloom, Princess Teck, 
Outlaw, Marie Lemoine, Iona and Gold Mine being 
some of the best. The Roses were really grand and 
than the examples of Ulrich Brunner, Mrs. John 
Laing, Marie Van Houtte and Pride of Waltham, 
nothing finer could be desired. A very tastefully 
arranged group of flowering and foliage plants in 
which Caladiums played a conspicuous part was 
staged by Messrs. John Reed & Sons, Roupell Park 
Nurseries, a Silver Medal being g iven. Hydrangea 
paniculata grandiflora and Saxifraga Cotyledon pyra- 
midalis were worthily represented by well flowered 
plants. Messrs. Kelway & Sons again occupied a 
very prominent position with a magnificent display 
of single and double flowered Chinese Paeonies. 
The blooms in their stands were arranged in long 
curving lines on one of the banks running round the 
tent, and from this vantage point could be easily 
viewed by the spectators. Cannas and Delphiniums 
also came from the same firm. This fine exhibit 
was appropriately awarded a Silver-gilt Medal. 
Mr. B. R. Davis, of Yeovil received a Large Bronze 
Medal for a neat little collection of the double 
flowered section of tuberous Begonias. A like 
award was made to Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., 
Colchester, for a bright and pleasing display of 
Irises, Liliums, and Calochortus. 
Mr. Frank Cant’s cut Roses were really good and 
well deserved the Silver Medal they received. 
Among other good varieties represented Madame 
Gabriel Luizet, Souvenir D'Elise Vardon and Lady 
Mary Fitzwilliam may be mentioned as being 
especially noticeable. Mr. George Mount, of 
Canterbury, was also rewarded for his display of cut 
Roses by a Silver Medal, many of the best varieties 
being worthily represented. Very fine Gloxinias 
were sent by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, 
the plants being strong and bearing a profusion of 
extra large flowers (Silver Medal). Messrs. J. 
Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, showed hardy cut 
flowers in quantity. Mr. J. O. Clarke, gardener to 
Ludwig Mond, Esq., The Poplars, Regent’s Park 
was responsible for a prettily arranged group of 
plants in which Palms and Grevilleas predominated, 
and which received a Bronze Medal. Great praise 
is due to Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons for a group con¬ 
tributed by them of cut flowers of Irises and Chinese 
Paeonies. Three fine spikes of Eremurus robustus 
were very noteworthy here (Small Silver Medal). 
A Large Bronze Medal was awarded to Messrs. Geo. 
Cooling for an interesting exhibit of old-fashioned 
and garden Roses. 
Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, staged a group 
of Orchids and Ferns in their usual meritorious style, 
Oncidiums, Cattleyas and Miltonias in variety pro¬ 
ducing a grand display, the exhibit receiving the high 
award of a Silver-gilt Medal. A Silver Medal 
went to Mr. R. Scott, gardener to Miss Foster, The 
Holme, Regent’s Park, for a miscellaneous group of 
plants containing much that was worthy of praise. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons were awarded a Silver Medal 
for an extensive collection of double flowered 
Paeonies comprising very many of the best sorts in 
cultivation. A Large Bronze Medal was awarded to 
Mr. H. B. May, Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Upper 
Edmonton, who had Gloxinias and Tropaeolum 
Coolgardie in fine order. A very extensive and 
praiseworthy exhibit was that of Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, N. who had cut 
hardy flowers in profusion and of the finest quality, 
Poppies, Campanulas, Liliums and Spiraeas being 
specially bright (Large Silver Medal). Messrs. 
J . Carter & Co., High Holboin, received a Large 
Bronze Medal for a collection of well-flowered 
examples of their prize strain of Gloxinias. A bright 
and attractive group of hardy flowers sent by 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, also received a like award. 
Children’s Floral Parade. 
This was undoubtedly one of the prettiest features of 
the show, a great deal of taste in the floral decora¬ 
tions being exhibited by the competitors. A procession 
was formed headed by a band of youthful musicians. 
Following these came a number of children's mail 
carts very prettily clothed with flowers and greenery ; 
white and yellow Marguerites being strongly in 
evidence. Several small ponies in their unwonted 
dress behaved exceedingly well and evidently shared 
some of the amusing self-importance of their youth¬ 
ful riders. Very charming was the gaily decorated 
sedan chair sent by U. P. Youens, Esq., for, apart 
from the quaint dresses of the bearers, Irises, yellow 
Marguerites, Spiraea astilboides, Liliums and Smilax 
were employed here with very pretty effect. The 
diminutive occupant also carried a large bouquet of 
pink Carnations and Asparagus. Other noteworthy 
representations were groups called “ Stolen by the 
Fairies ” and " Lalla Rookh.” The coveted Red 
Banner which was the distinguishing mark of the 
best exhibit in the procession fell to “Achild’s pony 
cart " sent by Mrs. Bernard, Campanulas being used 
in its decoration with other- common subjects with 
exceedingly fine effect. Her Royal Highness the 
Princess of Wales graciously distributed the awards 
to the successful exhibitors as the procession filed 
past the Royal dais. Needless to say, the triumphal 
march of the children was an exceedingly pretty 
spectacle, and one generally appreciated if we may 
judge from the crowds of people who surged about 
the ropes striving to obtain a peep at the flower¬ 
decked ranks as they passed along their allotted 
course. 
©Wtuar$. 
Many of our horticultural friends will learn with 
great regret of the death of their old and highly 
steemed colleague, Mr. Robert Creaser Kings¬ 
ton, for so many years gardener and estate manager 
to Christopher Sykes, Esq., of Brantingham 
Thorpe, Brough, East Yorkshire, who, after a brief 
illness of but a few hours, passed peacefully away on 
Thursday, June 6th. Mr. Kingston was born in the 
East Riding of Yorkshire in 1818, and after receiving 
a good education he went as under gardener at 
Stapleton Park Gardens, which were then under the 
able management of the late Mr. Seymour. From 
Stapleton our friend went as foreman in the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Garden, Chiswick, where 
he served for some years with great credit. In the 
year 1841 he took charge of the gardens at Branting¬ 
ham Thorpe, then owned by the late R. Fleetwood 
Shaw, Esq. In a very few years Mr. Kingston 
became well-known as a leading horticulturist and 
botanist, as well as a most successful exhibitor at 
the leading exhibitions in the country. 
At that time the collection of Orchids, stove and 
greenhouse plants, and British and exotic Ferns at 
Brantingham Thorpe was one of the best in the 
north of England. In later years flower gardening, 
more especially carpet-bedding, was a very promi¬ 
nent feature, though it is not too much to say that 
nearly everything was well done during the half 
century that it was under the charge of our dear old 
friend. About thirty years ago the estate passed 
into the hands of Christopher Sykes, Esq., and 
during that time much of the estate has been re¬ 
modelled and improved in such a charming manner 
by Mr. Kingston as to call forth the highest praise 
from his generous employer and his many distin¬ 
guished guests during their enjoyable visits to this 
beautiful place. 
Besides being an excellent gardener and botanist, 
Mr. Kingston was an ardent entomologist; in fact, it 
can be truly said of him that he dearly loved the 
beautiful works of nature, and up to the very last 
he was an ardent student of her laws. 
Before closing this very imperfect notice of one of 
whom so much could be said, I should like to say a few 
words about him as a man and a friend. To one and 
all he was ever kind, courteous, and sincere, and 
many of his gardening friends will recall with 
pleasure the cheery and hospitable welcome they 
always received at his hands, and truly the hours 
passed with winged feet whilst enjoying his company 
and conversation, which bubbled over with informa¬ 
tion both scientific and practical. Towards the 
young men who had the privilege of serving under 
him he was always most considerate, yet ever 
urging them on in the search for knowledge—in fact, 
always doing his utmost to prepare them to fight 
life's battle. Many of his old pupils are now 
scattered far and wide. Several of them have made 
names for themselves as good honest men, well 
versed in their calling, and some few are looked up 
to as horticultural leaders in the New World as 
well as in the old, and to each and all of them 
the memory of their dear old master will be always 
green, for he was truly one of nature’s gentlemen. 
On Monday last in the presence of his family and 
of his employer (C. Sykes, Esq.), as well as a very 
large number of friends, the remains of “ Kingston, 
of Brantingham Thorpe,” were quietly and un¬ 
ostentatiously laid to rest in the beautifully 
situated church)ard at Brantingham, and many 
were the expressions of sympathy with his widow 
and family in their great bereavement.— C. L. 
We also regret to learn of the death on the 13th 
inst. of Mr. Robert Craike, gardener and bailiff to 
Miss Staveley, of Old Slemingford Hall, Ripon, York¬ 
shire, aged 54 years. 
--— m*m- - 
Question* ADD AD$(DGK$- 
*,* Will our friends who send us newspapers be so good 
as to mark the paragraphs or articles they wish us to see 
We shall be greatly obliged by their so doing. 
Removing Begonia Blooms. —G. G. : The para¬ 
graph you refer to was partly metaphorical and 
perhaps liable to be misunderstood. In any case we 
should not advise you to take off the tops of the 
shoots, because, although the plants might throw 
out a number of side shoots, they would be much 
smaller or weaker than the leading ones, and not 
likely to prove so satisfactory as you might desire. 
The shoots that come naturally are always the 
strongest in this particular class of plants. All that 
you need do is to remove the blooms only while yet 
quite young, as well as those that are expanded. 
This will ease the plants greatly, and enable them 
to make a vigorous growth, so that the next crop of 
flowers will even be finer than the first. Feed the 
plants well after removing the flowers. They should 
bloom more or less finely all the season, but if the 
flowers are removed at present the later stages of 
the plants will be more vigorous than if they were 
allowed to produce an abundance of flowers early in 
the season. Never allow them to produce seed 
unless you actually want it. 
The Salmon Berry. — M. McLaren : The Salmon 
Berry (Rubus spectabilis) flowers in April and May 
in the southern counties of England, whether it is 
grown in the open or planted against a wall. It 
fruits with moderate freedom in some gardens, but 
in other cases fruits are very sparingly developed. 
The flowers are ornamental, but the fruits will never 
prove very remunerative in this country, judging 
from what we have seen of the species. 
American Cranberry. —M. McLaren : This fruits 
very freely in this country if planted under favour¬ 
able conditions. It must have a peaty soil, and the 
beds must be kept in a boggy condition till the fruits 
are ripening, when the water may be allowed to run 
off. If the peat is kept constantly moist, it need not 
