March 25, 1893. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
473 
variation. The variety under notice is a great im¬ 
provement upon the original O. Ruckerianum, and 
certainly very choice. The sepals are lanceolate and 
marked all over with circular reddish-brown spots on 
a rose ground. The petals are similar but more 
shaded with white along the centre, and the spotting 
might be more irregular. The lip is pale yellow with 
an irregular crimson blotch in front of the crest. 
There were fourteen flowers on the spike, making 
an effective appearance. An Award of Merit was 
accorded it. 
Maxiilaria sanguinea. 
The leaves of this species are linear, 12 in. to 18 in. 
long, and very forcibly remind one of a grass. The 
flowers are small, but plentiful and pretty. The 
sepals are oblong, dull yellow, suffused with bronze 
externally, and spotted with purple internally. The 
petals are much narrower but similar. The lip is 
purple in the throat, white upwards, with a black 
crest. It was accorded an Award of Merit. 
Triphia orthocerus. 
The habit of this Orchid is similar to that of a Spir- 
anthes or Goodyera. The leaves are all radical, 
about two to each crown, ovate, dark green, and beau¬ 
tifully reticulated with grey lines following the course 
of the venation. The scape is 6 in. to 8 in. high, 
bearing a spike of flowers, arranged more or less re¬ 
gularly in two ranks. The sepals are green and in¬ 
conspicuous, the petals linear and white. The lip is 
wedge-shaped, toothed at the upper end, and white, 
with a few purple spots. The flowers are very 
small, but the leaves help to make the plant pretty 
and interesting. It was accorded a Botanical Certi¬ 
ficate, and was exhibited along with the Odontoglos- 
sum and the Maxiilaria, by Sir Trevor Lawrence, 
Bart., (grower, Mr. W. White), Burford Lodge, 
Dorking. 
Lycaste Skinneri Hettie. 
The sepals of this pretty variety are broadly oblong 
and white with a flush of rose at the base. The 
petals are of a rich rosy-pu r ple internally, with a 
white tip and white externally, irregularly splashed 
with purple. The lip is white with purple side lobes 
and a yellow crest. The combination of colours is 
curious, but certainly pretty, and when a plant was 
exhibited by Messrs Fred. Horsman & Co., Colches¬ 
ter, an Award of Merit was accorded it. 
A Purple Cypripedium. 
Under the name of Cypripedium Memoria Moensii, 
a coloured illustration has been given in Lindenia, 
pi. 361, of what is practically a purple Leeanum. 
The numerous forms of C. Leeanum now in cultiva¬ 
tion have been obtained by hybridising the various 
forms of C. insigne with C. Spicerianum. By the use 
of the various fine forms as seed-parents some 
remarkably fine improvements have been made. 
The form under notice may be considered one of 
the extremes, and is remarkable for its rich colouring. 
The exact parentage is not exactly known beyond 
the fact that C. Spicerianum is one of them. The 
leaves are lightly tessellated, which would lead us to 
suspect that C. insigne was not the other parent, but 
some species or hybrid having the leaves tessellated 
to some slight extent. The dorsal sepal is of a rich 
purple, intensified towards the base and along the 
midrib, while the upper margin only is white. The 
dark midrib points to C. Spicerianum, as well as the 
undulated upper edge of the petals, the form of the 
lip and the staminode. The edges of the petals are 
yellowish, while the rest is purple, almost as rich as 
that of the upper sepal. The lip on the other hand 
is shaded with a brownish-purple, and that over the 
greater part of it. The staminode is of a paler 
purple. The two scapes on the plant figured are 
each twin-flowered, thus showing that the new 
comer is of vigorous constitution. . 
Cattleya citrina at Lowfield. 
One rarely sees such a fine batch of these as is grown 
by the Rev. F. D. Horner, at Lowfield, Kirby Lons¬ 
dale, and it is a pity that this fine Orchid is so seldom 
seen in a flourishing condition. The plants at Low- 
field are very robust, and some are showing twin 
flowers Mr. Horner told me that he had had this 
batch from 10 to 12 years and has never had any 
difficulty with them. They are grown on rafts—with 
plenty of sphagnum—in an ordinary Cattleya house 
and are never allowed to get anything like dry. I 
noted several other finely grown Cattleyas, such as 
C. aurea, C. gigas, C. Mendelii, &c , also a nice 
plant and fine form of C. speciosissima 
in flower. Among lots of good Orchids in flower 
were to be seen select varieties of Dendrobium War- 
dianum, D. nobile, D. Ainsworthii, D. Leechianum, 
D. crassinode Barberianum—an extra fine variety, 
and a nice plant of D. Harveyanum in bud. 
Those interested in the cultivation of the Auricula 
can see two houses here, full of fine sturdy plants of 
the choicest kinds, without spot or blemish, and 
showing well for an abundance of flower.— A. I. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
Manchester Botanical and Horticultural. —The first 
of the spring flower shows promoted by the Botanical 
and Horticultural Society for the current season was 
held on the 14th and 15th inst., and the wealth of gay 
blossom was such as left nothing to be desired. The 
grand feature of the exhibition as a whole was found 
in the profusion of Orchids, two collections of which 
incomparable flowers received each the Society’s 
Gold Medal. Mr. George Hardy's lot was ex¬ 
ceptionally meritorious in regard to the diversity of 
the forms, and so also was Mr. E. Wrigley’s beauti¬ 
ful exhibit from Dunkinfield. Mr. G. B. Ball, of 
Bowden, had a charming group of Dendrobes, and 
Mrs. J. M. Bennett,Buile Hall, Pendleton, had a most 
pleasing collection of Coelogynes. Mr. W. R. Lees, 
Audenshaw, also sent Dendrobes, and a select but 
very brilliant collection of Orchids also came from 
Messrs. Charlesworth, Shuttleworth & Co., Clap- 
ham and Bradford. In respect of overwhelming 
luxury of colour it would be difficult to imagine any¬ 
thing that could surpass Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons’ 
Amaryllis (another Gold Medal) raised by them¬ 
selves at Aigburth. In delightful contrast to the 
scarlet of the Amaryllis, and confronting them, were 
Messrs Dickson’s Daffodils and other Narcissi from 
Chester, arranged, as heretofore, fanwise. Messrs. 
Dickson, Brown, and Tait showed their skill as 
growers of Hyacinths, and Messrs. Clibran & Son, 
of Altrincham, sent a fine group of all the green¬ 
house delicacies of the season. Another group, 
occupying the entire space below the organ, came 
from the gardens at Old Trafford, a splendid display 
of Cliveas conferring emphasis. Mr. Samuel 
Barlow sent an astonishing series of seedling varie¬ 
ties of the Chinese Primula, illustrating his belief 
that by perseverance with cross-fertilising he will 
succeed at last in obtaining that great desideratum 
with florists, a pure sky-blue, a colour many times 
met with in the Primulacese, though never yet 
seen in Primula sinensis. Mr. R. P. Gill sent a 
beautiful set of Primula marginata; Mr. Samuel 
Allan, of Sale, Orchids and Ferns ; Mr. Brownhill, 
of Sale, a white Carnation, very pretty ; and Mr. 
Joseph Broome some forty posies of hardy flowers 
from Llandudno, a miracle of vernal beauty. Cul¬ 
tural certificates were awarded by the Committee to 
Messrs. Ker and Messrs. Dickson. 
Preston and Fulwood Horticultural —The fifteenth 
spring show of this society was opened in the Preston 
Public Hall on Wednesday, the 15th inst., by the 
president, Mr. Councillor Humber, who afterwards 
entertained the committee, the members of the Town 
Council, and other gentlemen at a luncheon in one 
of the crush rooms. On the whole the standard of 
cultivation was in advance of previous years, the 
large plants which have appeared on former occasions 
being, if anything, in better form than ever. These 
were arranged in front of the orchestra, and the 
smaller ones and the groups under the galleries ; the 
bulbs and other dwarf plants on tables in the body 
of the hall, many of the cottagers’ exhibits being, 
for want of space, packed round the approaches to 
the galleries and on the stairs, as well as.at the back 
of some of the larger plants, making it difficult to 
inspect or judge them. 
The entries this year were 363, showing an increase 
of fifty-six over any previous year, and the exhibitors 
numbered ten more. From these figures some idea 
may be formed of the extent of the show. The 
leading exhibitors in the amateurs' classes were 
J. B. Dixon, Esq., who took thirty firsts, ten seconds, 
and five thirds. He was first in most of the bulb 
classes, also for fine foliage plants, for the group, 
and for Deutzias, the latter of which were remark¬ 
ably fine. 
Mr. Dixon is really his own gardener, and his 
Palms, bulbs, and Crotons would do credit to any 
professional, and his Cycas revoluta is perhaps the 
finest specimen in the country. He was beaten in 
some of the classes, and closely followed in others, by 
Mr. Frisby, gardener to Miss ffarington, Worden 
Hall, who this time was a good first in the class for 
twenty 6-in. pots of bulbs, corms, tubers, and 
rhizomes, not mentioned in the schedule. He had 
Zephyranthes corinata, Amaryllis, Lilium Harrisii, 
Lachenalia, Tropaeolum tricolorum, Gesneria, 
Dogstooth Violet, Fritillarias, and Scillas, twenty 
distinct kinds, and the best lot ever staged at the 
Preston Show. As so much interest is directed to 
this class it is to be regretted that neither of the 
exhibitors had their plants named. Mr. Frisby 
carried away in all fourteen firsts, seven seconds, and 
seven thirds, with fine foliage, flowering stove and 
greenhouse plants, Lily of the Valley, bulbs, and 
vegetables. Mr. Williams, gardener to J. Whitehead, 
Esq., a young exhibitor who is creeping steadily to 
the front, showed Azaleas, bulbs, Roses, vegetables, 
and a group of plants, securing nine firsts, seventeen 
seconds, and six thirds. Mr. Lamb, gardener to R. 
Smith, Esq., Longridge, was successful with Spiraeas, 
dinner table plants, bulbs, Musk, Exotic Ferns, etc., 
which brought him seven firsts, twelve seconds, 
thirteen thirds. Next to him came Mr. Rigby, 
gardener to J. Smith, Esq., Whittingham House, 
who carried away five firsts, four seconds, three 
thirds, for bulbs, Cinerarias, Dielytras, pot Roses, 
etc. A fresh exhibitor in Cinerarias, Primulas, 
bouquets, and buttonholes, was Mr. W. Gillet, 
gardener to B. Copland, Esq , Farington Lodge, who 
got three firsts, three seconds, and one third. 
In the nurserymen's classes, Mr. Payne, Fulwood, 
took the lion’s share of the awards for bulbs and for 
a group, whilst Mr. Troughton, of Walton-le-Dale, 
who always took the lead with Hyacinths and groups 
only exhibited floral devices such as bouquets, 
wreaths and crosses, being a good first in each case, 
the bouquet composed of Catherine Mermet Roses, 
white Lilac and Lily of the Valley was much 
admired by the ladies, as were all the other devices 
for their extreme lightness, each flower being quite 
free from its neighbour. This is a welcome depar¬ 
ture from the usual method of cramming together as 
many flowers as possible, as seen at provincial shows. 
--j-- 
Qai’denBf?’ IpiproVepieiit ^ociatiojip. 
Kingston and Surbiton.—The fortnightly meeting 
of this new society was held at St. James’s Hall on 
Wednesday evening of last week, when the first 
paper for the season was read by Mr. Cushon, of 
Norbiton Park Gardens, on “The Amaryllis,” 
illustrated by several fine specimens of this beautiful 
flower. The paper was a very practical one, and 
the reader was cordially thanked. Messrs. Tate, G. 
C. Sherrard, Mundy, Trower, and C. R. Bond, were 
elected Vice-Presidents. An invitation from Mr. J. 
Walker, of Ham, to view his display of Narcissi 
next month, was very warmly accepted. Several 
new honorary and ordinary members were elected. 
The next meeting will be held in Miss Greatorex’s 
Schoolroom, Eden-street, on Tuesday evening, the 
28th, when Mr. Hawkes will read a paper on the 
“Culture of the Violet.” 
Birmingham.—At the last meeting of the associa¬ 
tion, Mr. C. E. Pearson gave a most interesting and 
instructive lecture on “ The Insect Friends and Foes 
of the Garden,” illustrated by lantern-slides, 
describing the habits and history of each, from the 
egg to its full development into the moth, butterfly, 
or congenera; also the vegetable or animal foods 
requisite for their subsistence. Instructions were 
also given as to methods commonly adopted for the 
extirpation of these foes, not all of which, however, 
should be regarded as such, as there are certain 
species of grubs and insects which prey upon each 
other. Mr. Pearson entered very fully into the 
subject, giving lantern illustrations of each, and as 
well as giving a great amount of practical informa¬ 
tion, also answered many questions. He strongly 
advocated a study of entomology for practical 
purposes as well as a pleasant recreation. An 
interesting exhibit was made by Mr. Deans, Messrs. 
Pope & Sons, of Resurrection plants, especially in 
specimens of Anastatica hierochuntina, the Rose of 
Jericho, and dried specimens of the Resurrection 
Mosses or Selaginellas. 
Woolton.—The final meeting of the session was 
held in the Mechanics’ Institution on the 16th inst., 
the event being of special importance from the fact 
that the members arranged for an open night in the 
form of a complimentary concert and exhibition of 
