May 20, 189$. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
599 
Coleus Distinction. —This variety has the dark 
hue of C. fulgens, but the leaves are more decidedly 
rugose. They are ovate, revolute at the sides, and 
of an intense blackish-purple. The plant is of 
compact habit. A basket of plants was exhibited by 
Mr. J. A. Morris, Church Road, Acton. 
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Hardening §[iscellany. 
ROSE AND CARNATION SHOWS. 
The season of 1893 will be remembered as one 
which upsets flower show arrangements to a con¬ 
siderable extent, and judging from present appear¬ 
ances, the dates fixed for important exhibitions of 
the Rose and Carnation will have to be altered to 
earlier dates. Both, and so many other things as 
well, are either flowering, or will flower three weeks 
to a month or more earlier than usual; there is no 
keeping them back, and this is the cry from all parts 
of the kingdom. The early dates for Rose shows 
stand the best chance at present, and York, as one of 
the earliest, should have a much finer display than 
usual, and there is invariably a good turn out of 
Roses there ; but it is at present an open question for 
consideration as to altering the dates of other later 
large exhibitions of Roses. As to Carnations, they 
are many of them already showing their flower-buds, 
with the half of May and the whole of June and 
July to go through before the Carnation 
shows commence. An expression of opinion from 
exhibitors through your columns would be advan¬ 
tageous just now, and lead up to definite information 
as to the future action of societies.— W. D. 
A HALF-HOLIDAY FOR GARDENERS. 
I am glad to observe that the important subject of a 
half-day’s holiday for the gardener's assistant is 
receiving so many advocates, and that from some¬ 
what unexpected sources, to say nothing of the daily 
and weekly Press. That "all work and no play 
makes Jack a dull boy ” is equally as certain of the 
gardener’s assistant as of any other class. But 
what I am most of all interested in is the future of 
this worthy and industrial class. In these days 
science must go hand in hand with labour, and woe 
to him who holds with a slack hand the advantages 
placed within his grasp to enable " Jack to become 
as good as his master." Societies are being 
advanced, teachers employed, and prizes offered for 
the best cultured amongst the class we have par¬ 
ticularly to deal with, and all that is now lacking is 
the opportunity for attending the lectures and 
classes. County Councils are on the alert, and 
nothing is easier than for them to arrange the time 
for these to suit any given day upon which it may 
be decided to hold the weekly half-holiday in a given 
locality. There was a period in the history of the 
country when the lords of the land absolutely pro¬ 
hibited the labourer to learn to read or write. To¬ 
day, where is the man who dares to stand in the 
way of intellectual progression ? Then let the first 
step be the weekly half-holiday.— X, 
SAXIFRAGA COTYLEDON PYRAMIDALIS. 
The value of this plant for decorative purposes 
cannot be over-estimated, when it has been properly 
grown with that end in view. The flowerless crowns 
should be separated and grown on singly in pots in 
a cold frame. Under this treatment, all other con¬ 
ditions being equal, each crown or rosette of leaves 
attains a large size, and is certain to throw a large, 
pyramidal panicle of flowers 12 in. or 18 in. long. 
The size of the pots may be regulated by the size 
of the crowns put into them, but the 48 or market 
size is a good average. Large crowns may be put 
into 32-size pots provided there are plenty of roots, 
but unless this is the case it is unwise to put them 
in a great quantity of soil that is liable to become 
sour and cause the plants to go wrong. If the 
crowns are small when taken off they should be put 
into 60-size pots and afterwards shifted on when 
they grow. The plant is a European species, but is 
often erroneously named S. nepalensis in gardens. 
LYCHNIS FLOS-CUCULI ALBA PLENA. 
When seen in its best condition this is a beautiful 
and graceful plant suitable for culture in pots if so 
desired, but being a British plant it is perfectly hardy 
and finds its rightful position in the herbaceous 
border. A naturally fair moist position should be 
selected for it, otherwise the flowering season will be 
of short duration in such droughty times as the 
present. Those who possess a bog garden will find 
it highly suitable for planting within reach of an 
abundance of moisture as it grows very frequently 
on the banks of rivers and ditches, or even in the 
ditch itself amongst the water if shallow. The 
stems are slender, graceful, 12 in. to 18 in. high, 
branched in the upper portion and bear a few flowers 
at the top of each branch. The flowers of the wild 
plant are rosy red, and the petals ragged, which 
justifies the popular name of Ragged Robin. The 
petals of the double white variety are ragged in the 
same, way and render the plant both distinct and 
interesting. Propagation is easily effected by 
cuttings. The double white variety may be seen in 
the nursery of Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham. 
-* 5 -- 
SOCIETIES. 
Crystal Palace. May 11th and 12 th .—The Great 
Summer Exhibition was held on the above dates, and 
was generally acknowledged to be superior to those 
of several preceding years. This may be accounted 
for by the more liberal prize list and the abundance 
of sunshine that has prevailed for the past two 
months. The prizes offered for twelve stove and 
greenhouse plants in the open classes brought out 
some fine exhibits. The premier award was taken 
by Mr. J. Cypher, Queen’s Road Nursery, Chelten¬ 
ham, who had fine specimens of Erica Cavendishii, 
Pimelea decussata, P. Hendersoni, Bougainvillea 
glabra, Erica ventricosa magnifica, E. v. coccinea 
minor, and others. Mr. J. F, Mould Pewsey, Wilts, 
came in second with a fine piece of Erica Caven¬ 
dishii, also Clerodendron Balfourianum, Statice pro- 
fusa, and Erica tricolour Wilsoni in better condition 
than usual. Mr. Wm. Finch, gardener to James 
Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Road, Coventry, took the 
third position with some good specimens. Mr. C. 
Turner, Slough, easily won the first prize for nine 
greenhouse Azaleas, with well flowered, large and 
conical bushes of Roi de Hollands, Etendard de 
Flandre, and Due de Nassau. Mr. Albert Offer, 
Handcross Park Gardens, Crawley, Sussex, was 
second with much smaller plants, and Mr. Henry 
James, Castle Nursery, West Norwood, was third. 
The fine foliage plants were generally well coloured, 
especially the crotons ; and Mr. A Offer took the 
leading place. Mr. Wm. Finch was second and Mr. 
H. James was third. Mr. A. Offer again led in the 
class for nine stove and greenhouse ferns with fine 
samples of Cibotium Schiedei, Davallia polyantha, 
D. Mooreana and others. Mr. Wm. Howe, gardener 
to H. Tate, Esq., Park Hill, Streatham Common, 
was second, showing amongst others a grand piece 
of Polypodium subauriculatum. Mr. Joseph Howes, 
gardener to W. Cobb, Esq., Silverdale Lodge, 
Sydenham, had the best twelve exotic Orchids. Mr. 
A. Offer had the best nine Crotons, Weismanni, 
Chelsoni and Nestor being fine; Mr. H James was 
second and Mr. J.- F. Mould was third. Mr. J. 
Lambert, gardener to H. W. Segelcke, Esq., Elfin- 
dale Lodge, Herne Hill, had the best Dracaenas, and 
was followed by Mr. H. James. There were two 
fine groups of well coloured Caladiums, and the first 
place was taken by Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill, whose plants had large leaves. Messrs. John 
Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood 
Road, took the second place, with many small leaved 
kinds in front of their group. Mr. C. Turner was 
the only exhibitor in the classes for show and fancy 
Pelargoniums, being awarded the first prize in both 
cases. He was the only exhibitor of eighteen green¬ 
house Azaleas, and was awarded a second prize. The 
weather has been too warm for late Azaleas. The 
first award for eighteen Calceolarias was made to 
Mr. Henry Guyett, gardener to Thomas Gabriel, 
Esq., Elmstead, Leigham Court Road, Streatham. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, took the first prizes 
for eighteen and thirty Roses in pots; Mr. C. 
Turner was second for the eighteen. Mr. J. Lambert 
was the only exhibitor of nine Lycopods. Mr. C. 
Turner had a first prize for Auriculas ; Messrs. Paul 
& Son were second for Violas; and Mr. A. Smith, 
Prospect House, Downley, High Wycombe, was 
third for fancy Pansies. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale 
Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, was the only exhibitor 
of single and double tuberous Begonias, taking the 
first prizes in both cases with neat and well-flowered 
plants. A first prize was awarded to Messrs. B. S. 
Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, for Amaryllis, the 
only exhibit of the kind made. The collections of 
hardy herbaceous plants made a fine display. 
Liliums, Spiraeas, Irises, Pyrethrums, Saxifragas, 
&c. were very conspicuous. The first award was 
made to Messrs. Collins, Bros , 39, Waterloo Road; 
Mr. T. S. Ware had his plants of a kind in effective 
groups and was placed second. Messrs. Paul & Son 
were third with dwarfer plants. The plants suitable 
for dinner-table decoration were also attractive. The 
first award was taken by Mr. C. Lane, gardener to 
E. H. Coles, Esq , Burntwood, Caterham. Mr. 
Thcmas McGregor, gardener to the Dowager Lady 
Hay, North House, Putney Hill, was second, and 
Mr. Jas. Portbury, gardener to W. N. Troy, Esq., 
Ripon House, Putney Heath, was third. The groups 
of Orchids arranged for effect were most conspicuous 
and a feature of the show. Mr. Jas. Cypher took 
the first award with Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Lselias, 
&c., placed under tall, arching Palms. Messrs. B. 
S. Williams & Son were second with a more florifer- 
ous group arranged like a four sided pyramid with a 
huge piece of Cymbidium Lowianum on the top, and 
a wealth of Odontoglossums, O’ncidiums, Laelias, 
Cattleyas, &c., on the sides. A few more Palms 
would have improved it, but it was wonderfully 
effective all the same. The groups of miscellaneous 
plants arranged for effect were also decided features 
of the exhibition. They were placed in semi-circular 
groups, and Messrs. J. Laing & Son, took the first 
award with tall plants of Cocos Wedeliana over¬ 
shadowing various Anthuriums, Crotons, Orchids, 
Gloxinias, &c., amongst Maidenhair Ferns. Messrs. 
}. Peed & Sons, were second with a fine display like¬ 
wise. Mr. J. Curry, West End, Wilton Road, 
Salisbury, was third with a flatter group, interspersed 
with relieving plants. 
In the amateurs' classes the first award for six 
stove and greenhouse plants was taken by Mr. W. 
Chapman, gardener to J. Spode, Esq., Hawkesyard, 
Rugeley, Staffordshire, with grand specimens of 
Aphlexis grandiflora, Statice prbfusa, Tremandra 
ericeefolia, and others. Mr. A. Offer was second, with 
much smaller plants ; and Mr. J. Curry was third. 
Mr. A. Offer had the best fine-foliage plants, and the 
best Dracaenas. Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. 
Whitbourn, Great Gearies, Ilford, had the best 
stove and greenhouse Ferns, the best Orchids, 
including a specimen of Dendrobium Dalhousieanum, 
with about thirty racemes of bloom, and the best 
Calceolarias, which were particularly fine; Mr. J. 
Howes was second for Orchids ; and Mr. H. Guyett 
was second for Calceolaries. Mr. Wm. Howe had 
the best Palms. Caladiums in this section were 
good, the first prize going to Mr. Chas. Boatwright, 
gardener to E. Coveil, Esq., Beckenham Place. Mr. 
J. Day, gardener to W. S. Gover, Esq., Casino 
House, Herne Hill, was second, with smaller 
but brighter plants. In the cut flower classes the 
first prize for twenty-four varieties of stove and 
greenhouse plants was taken by Mr. Wm. Finch. 
Mr. A. Gibson, gardener to T. F. Burnaby Atkins, 
Esq., Halstead Place, Sevenoaks, was second. Mr. 
C. Lane had the best Orchid flowers, and was 
followed by Mr. J. Prewett, Swiss Nursery, Hammer¬ 
smith. Messrs. Paul & Son had the only collection 
of hardy flowers. 
There . were various miscellaneous and non¬ 
competitive exhibits, including a collection of 
Paeonies, Irises, Tulips, Violas, Aster diplo- 
stephioides, and other herbaceous plants exhibited 
by Messrs. J. Laing & Sons. They had a smaller 
group of Streptocarpus, Bertolonias, etc., and 
received an extra prize. Mr. T. S. Ware had a long 
table of Begonias, single and double, in the first 
freshness of the season, receiving an extra prize, and 
a stand of Carnation, Pride of Great Britain An 
extra prize was awarded to Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither 
Green, Lewisham, for a long table of show and 
decorative Pelargoniums, including two new varieties 
named respectively Mrs. H. J. Jones and Mr; H. J. 
Jones, as well as the best of the leading sorts. 
Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, had a similar 
table of Palms, numerous Heaths, Leschenaultia 
biloba major, etc., receiving an extra prize. A 
similar award was made to Messrs. Reid & Borne- 
mann, Trewsbury Road, Sydenham, for a group of 
zonal, bronze, and tricolor Pelargoniums, Lilies, etc. 
Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., St. John's Nursery, 
Worcester, had a magnificent group of Clematis, 
