250 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 18, 1897. 
I have before me a coloured illustration of this 
Poinsettia in the Floricultural Magazine, Vol. i, 
March, 1837, taken from a plant (one of the first to 
flower in this country) grown in the gardens of 
Wentworth House, noted at that time for its collec¬ 
tion of new and rare plants. The plant in question 
it is stated was five feet high, and judging by the 
illustration this plant has been much improved by 
cultivation. It was introduced by Mr. J. McNab, in 
1834, from Philadelphia, to which place it was sent 
from Mexico, where it was discovered by Mr. 
Poinsette in 1828. — A. P. 
-- 
N.C.S. AND THE ROYAL AQUARIUM. 
Audi alteram partem. 
In all walks of life the grumbler plays an important 
part, and the world of horticulture is by no means 
exempt from the ventilation of his grievances ; in 
fact they regularly recur in an acute stage at certain 
seasons of the year. 
We are just now passing through one of these 
periods, and it is distinctly amusiDg, if not actually 
edifying, to observe with what eagerness a particular 
•' bone ” is being picked in certain quarters. 
" We have no suitable place in London to hold a 
show in ” is an old growl that comes up every 
November as fresh as paint. “ The Crystal Palace is 
impossible,” say the critics—want of centrality we 
suppose ; the Royal Aquarium is, of course, every¬ 
thing that is bad ; want of space is the cry for another 
place; and thus the eligible centres are disposed of 
one by one, until the plaint is proved—in the eyes of 
those who make it. 
The Royal Aquarium has been again the scene of 
the shows of the N.C.S , just as it has been for 
twenty years past. During that time the Aquarium 
authorities have certainly done all that has 
lain in their power to meet the requirements 
and wishes of the N.C.S, with the result 
that the society has prospered, and is now a 
very vital and important item amongst our big 
horticultural institutions. “ The Aquarium people 
have grown rich over the connection,” say the 
grumblers. Surely that is not apart from the fitness 
of things—some advantage should accrue to both 
sides of the compact. The donations of the 
Aquarium directors to the prize fund have been 
conducted on fairly liberal lines, and in return they 
have only had to depend upon the takings at the 
doors, which, to say the least of them, must be 
variable and uncertain. 
No one would contend that the Aquarium is an 
ideal place for a show, but if we take all things into 
consideration we must admit that it has great 
advantages. First of all there is plenty of space for 
the exhibits, and, scarcely less important, there is an 
abundance of auxiliary spice for the housing of the 
numerous and bulky adjuncts to such a show. Its 
centrality is scarcely less observable, and its suit¬ 
ability in this respect has really never been gainsaid. 
The light has not been always what it should be, 
and in one of the galleries during the November 
show it was undoubtedly bad. This, however, was 
not due to the fact that the building is normally in¬ 
sufficiently lighted, for the very reverse of this is the 
case. By an unfortunate coincidence the electric 
light apparatus went wrong on the date in question, 
as such apparatuses have a knack of doing, and the 
Chrysanthemums were the sufferers. Unfortunate ! 
of course, but still an accident. Anyway, the light 
in the darkest part of the Aquarium was not so bad 
as the light, or rather the lack of it, at the National 
Rose Society’s Show at the Crystal Palace in July 
last. 
The surroundings ! ah ! now we come to the crucial 
point ; the surroundings are unsuitable, we are told. 
But, Chacun a sou gout, and it may be that the side 
shows, including the music, provided at the Royal 
Aquarium, are not so universally detested as some 
would have us believe. If we look at any of the 
great shows heid throughout the kingdom we shall 
find that it has been found by experience that music 
must be provided to assist in drawirg the public, 
else why does the Scottish Horticultural Association 
pay such a stiff price for a band. Even the Royal 
Horticultural Society must have a band at the 
Temple Show. But that is different, we are told ; 
it may be, certainly, but it is a difference in degree 
and not in kind. Other societies find even the 
music insufficient, and in addition provide for sports, 
balloon ascents, and dancing. Surely the difference, 
if any, is fast vanishing when we come to this. 
From a financial point of view it is very question¬ 
able if horticultural shows in London could be made 
to pay consistently if no side shows were provided. 
Iu the provinces we have only to lcok at Newcastle 
and Chester to see examples of balances appearing 
on the wrong side of the sheet, even when side 
shows have been provided. In the case of the 
N C S. the society relies upon the Aquarium to 
furnish them, and thus has the benefit of their 
“drawing” powers upon the people, but not the 
disadvantage of feeliDg their “ drawing " powers on 
the funds of the society. The general concourse of 
people is as orderly at the Aquarium as in any public 
hall, and one need not see evil unless one goes out of 
the way to see it, under which circumstances a 
“Peeping Tom” may generally be obliged in any 
part of the world. 
Some exception has been taken to the way 
in which the various exhibits were cut up and 
scattered all over the hall and galleries at the 
November show ; indeed, this particular string has 
been played on for all it is worth, and a good deal 
more beside. When the critics have recourse to such 
an objection as this it only goes to show how weak 
their case really is. Those who remember the 
crowded state of the building during that show, and 
the difficulty of locomotion, will admit the necessity 
of giving people room to move, and how could this 
be done except by cutting up the exhibits, and dis¬ 
tributing them over the available area ? Certainly, 
had they been closer together it would have been 
absolutely impossible to move about. 
All who have the welfare of horticulture at heart 
would be glad to see a special hall for shows built in 
a suitable locality, but in the meantime, and before 
such a desirable consummation of our hopes appears, 
we must, admit that the N.C.S. is not after all so 
badly berthed at the Royal Aquarium.— A. S. Galt. 
-—- 
LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL 
ASSOCIATION. 
A highly interesting gathering of this society was 
held on Saturday evening last, in the Free Library, 
Liverpool, Mr. Thomas White presiding over a good 
attendance of members, when Mr. P. Weathers 
curator of the Botanical Gardens, Manchester, gave 
a highly interesting review of “The progress and 
popularity of Orchid growing.” Many of the oldest 
and best-known kinds, that are at present found in 
most collections, were first considered; and where 
special needs of culture were required these were 
briefly given. This was folio xed by some interesting 
details of the early organised importation, the 
R. H. S receiving some commendation for their 
initial work, then followed the names and work of 
private and trade importers who have made them¬ 
selves famous in the Orchid world by their fore¬ 
thought and enterprise. In connection with this 
detail many of the latter day gems were recognised, 
and honour done to those who at great risk had 
placed them before the public of Europe. This 
matter led up to the excitement and fascination that 
gained the attention of the amateur and profes¬ 
sional, and was followed by mention of the popular 
prices at which they can be obtained, as well ss the 
fabulous prices that the unique kinds command. 
Hybridising was a subject that was treated at con¬ 
siderable length by the lecturer. Some interesting 
details of the early work were given, by the names 
of raisers well-knoxn in the Orchid world, and of 
the many beautiful varieties that had been obtained, 
and now that seedlings from hybrids could be raised 
we have no need to fear that the introduction of new 
varieties would stop, as they could be obtained from 
seed. The review of Orchid literature was some¬ 
what startling, for as Mr. Weathers remarked we 
had sufficient to form a good library. 
In addition to an excellent paper, Mr. Weathers 
had a large assortment of excellent illustrations that 
were of considerable interest, especially those that 
had been more recently introduced. A very interest¬ 
ing discussion followed, which consisted more of cul¬ 
tural details in which several of the most noted of 
Liverpool growers took part. 
A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. 
Weathers for his interesting and excellent paper. 
Mr. T. Carling showed a small-leaved seedling 
Elder, prettily marked with pea-greea blotches on a 
white ground, which was much admired. 
NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY. 
The annual general meeting of this society was held 
at the Hotel Windsor, on Thursday, December 9th. 
C. E. Shea, Esq , presided. 
After the notices convening the meeting, and the 
minutes of the last general meeting had been read 
and passed, and Mr. Geo Gordon and Mr. W. J 
Jefferies appointed as scrutineers of the ballot for the 
ensuing nomination of officers and committee, the 
report and balance sheet for the year 1897 were pre¬ 
sented by Mr. Mawley, one of the hon. secretaries. 
The report dealt with the effect produced by the 
Diamond Jubilee upon the National Rose Society, in 
common with other institutions from a financial 
point of view. Ic also caused the date of the Ports¬ 
mouth sho v to be altered to June i8th, the earliest 
date on which a provincial sho v has ever been held 
by the society. The northern show took place at 
Norwich, where the arrangements were, on the 
whole, excellent. 
The arrangements for 1898 provide for a show to 
be held at Bath, on June 23rd, for the southern part 
of the country, whilst the northern exhibition is to 
go to Halifax, under the au=pices of the Salterhebble 
and District Rose Society, on July 14th. The 
Metropolitan show will be held at the Crystal 
Palace, on July 2nd. A Rose conference will take 
place at each of the exhibitions, some subject of 
nterest being discussed at each. 
The report further dealt with the privileges 
e'joyed by members of the society, and in conclu¬ 
sion expressed the thanks of the executive to 
secretaries of local societies especially holding to 
praise Mr. H. P. Landon ; also to the donors of 
special prizes. 
The balance sheet showed a totality of receipts 
amounting to /804 12s. 2d., with an expenditure of 
£764 13s. 7d., thus leaving a sum of £39 18s. 7d. 
After he had finished the reading of the balance 
sheet, Mr. Mawley explained that in reality the 
balance amounted to £64 18s. 7d., owing to the fact 
that £10 had been paid in for special prizes during 
November, and that there cvas a difference of £15 in 
the printing expenses that could be accounted for. 
Ttie lormal adoption of the report and balance 
sheet was moved by the chairman, who delivered a 
very practical and periiaent address. After alluding 
to the fact that another m lestone in the history of 
the society had been passed, he said that Mr. 
Mawley’s explanation of the apparently unfavourable 
balance remaining in hand was very satisfectory, and 
had removed many of their fears. The past year had 
been rather a chequered one, for while the show at 
Portsmouth was a bad one; that at the Crystal 
Palace had been the most successful that the society 
had ever had. Looking around upon the number of 
lovers and cultivators of the Rose that he saw there 
he had no fears for the future of the flower. Mr. G. 
Bunyard seconded, and the motion was duly carried. 
A note of thanks to the officers of the society was 
then brought forward. It was seconded by Mr. A. 
Munt, and carried unanimously. The Rev. H. 
Honywocd D'Ombrain replied. 
The Rev. H. A. Berners proposed, anl Mr. O. G. 
Orpen seconded that Bye-law 5 be altered to read : 
"A special general meeting,” instead of “ the special 
general meeting ” This was carried without opposi¬ 
tion 
The Rev. A Foster-Meldar proposed, and Mr. C. 
Cant seconded that Bye-law 7 be altered to read : 
" The functions of that sub committee shall endure 
until the next Annual general meeting,” the word 
annual having previously been left out. There was 
no dissent to this alteration. 
Mr. H. P. Landoa proposed that Regulation 8 
should read : All Roses must be exhibited as cut 
from the plants. Artificial aid of any kind is strictly 
prohibited witn the exception of wires or other sup¬ 
ports which are only to be used to keep the blooms 
erect. A bloom left tied will not receive any psint from 
the judges, dressing Roses so as to alter their char¬ 
acter is prohibited, a bloom so dressed will not receive 
a point from the judges. The insertion of any 
additional foliage will disqualify the stand. The 
italics denote the alterations and additions. 
There was a good deal of discussion over this 
regulation, bat it was seconded by Mr. Orpen and 
finally adopted. A new regulation to read : “ Ex¬ 
hibition stands should be of the regulation size, viz., 
4 in high in front and 18 in. wide, and to be set out 
with moss or other suitable ma'erial. They should 
