May 14, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
589 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, sent 
some nice pot Roses and a quantity of cut blooms of 
the same for which a Silver Gilt Medal was voted. 
The showiest exhibit in the whole tent came from 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, of Forest Hill, S.E. It 
consisted of a great variety of flowering and foliage 
plants, amongst which were some capital Crotons, 
Dracaenas, Caladiums, and Palms in variety amongst 
the foliage element, whilst Gloxinias and Ericas were 
wonderfully bright and good (Silver Gilt Medal). 
The Messrs. Laing also had a table of very handsome 
floral arrangements, set off with pot plants and 
draped with sprays of Smilax. A basket of Irises, 
Lilium Harrisii, and Pelargoniums with Croton 
leaves and sprays of Asparagus was specially worthy 
of note. A bouquet of Roses and Lilies of the Valley 
was also good (Large Bronze Medal). 
Messrs. B. S. Williams 1 & Son, of Victoria and 
Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, N., had a nice 
group of Orchids, and with them showed Clivias, 
Ericas, Anthuriums, and the new American Canna 
Mrs. Fairman Rogers in capital condition (Silver 
Gilt Medal). 
A showy exhibit of miscellaneous flowering plants 
set up with Palms and Ferns came from Messrs. 
Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, N. Erica candi- 
dissima, E. ventricosa minor, Boronia heterophylla, 
and the fine Malmaison Carnation Princess of Wales 
were the choicest of the flowering element (Large 
Silver Medal). 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, 
N., had a varied group of hardy plants for which 
a medal was given. Tulipa Greigi, Epimedium 
alpinum and Dodocatheon jeffreyanum were in 
grand condition, whilst a collection of hardy Orchids 
was very interesting (Small Silver Medal). 
The Caladiums sent by Messrs. John Peed & 
Sons, of Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood Road, 
S. E., were of that high quality that we expect to 
see from this firm. There were some grand speci¬ 
men plants of such varieties as John Peed, Excellent, 
Pavis de Chevannes, and Triomphedu Comte, whilst 
the smaller samples of Rose Laing, Lady Mosley, 
Duke of Teck, and Louis Van Houtte were equally 
bright (Silver Gilt Medal). A collection of Dra¬ 
caenas was also contributed by the Messrs. Peed, 
and consisted of well-grown and shapely plants of a 
number of leading varieties, likewise cut blooms of 
single tuberous Begonias and Gloxinias. 
Mr. Keif, gardener to Mrs. Abbott, South Villa, 
Regent’s Park, received a Small Silver Medal for a 
semi-circular group of Palms, Liliums, Caladiums, 
and miscellaneous foliage plants. This was a 
meritorious exhibit. 
The specimen Azaleas from Mr. Charles Turner, 
Slough, were first-class, for all the plants were well 
flowered, and in excellent trim. Reine des Pays Bas, 
Mme. Hermann Seidel, Rosa Mundi, Charmer, 
Ceres, Kronprinzessin Victoria, and Louise Cuvelier 
were some of the best varieties. Mr. Turner also 
showed Rose Thalia and Malmaison Carnation 
Princess May (Silver Gilt Medal). 
A very charming exhibit of Japanese Maples, 
varieties of A. palmatum was made by Messrs. John 
Watercr & Sons, Ltd. (Large Broze Medal). 
Cardinal Nectarine, both in plucked fruit and on 
the trees, was again well shown by Messrs. T. Rivers 
& Son, of Sawbridgeworth, Herts. (Silver Gilt 
Medal). 
Messrs. A. Young and Co., of Stevenage, Herts, 
had a collection of hardy flowers (Large Bronze 
Medal). 
Mr. George Mount, of Canterbury, sent some 
magnificent cut roses. Catherine Mermet, Mrs. John 
Laing, and Ulrich Brunner were Mr. Mount's best 
varieties (Small Silver Medal). 
The hardy cut flowers from Messrs. Barr and 
Sons, of Covent Garden, consisted chiefly of Tulips, 
of which a great variety was shown. The Sultan, 
Picotee, Hecla, King Harold, T. retroflexa, and T. 
maculata Brilliant were some of the finest forms, 
and a few bunches of Parrot varieties were also in 
evidence. A Silver Medal was awarded for this 
grand display. A Bronze Medal went to Mr. A. 
Smith, Downley, High Wycombe, for a quantity of 
good Marechal Niel Roses. The floral table sent 
by Mr. J. Prewett.of n, Lancaster Street,Bayswater, 
was very pretty. Some tastefully executed and 
imposing floral devices came from Messrs. B. S. 
Williams and Son (Small Silver Medal). 
A splendid collection of vegetables and fruit was 
staged by Mr. J. Empson, to whom a large Silver 
Medal was given. Beans, Peas, Potatos, Asparagus, 
Tomatos, and saladings in variety amongst the 
vegetables were of the best, and the fruit was 
represented by Bananas, Strawberries and 
Apples. 
NATIONAL TULIP.—May nth. 
The annual show of the National Tulip Society was 
held in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Society's 
summer show at Regent’s Park, the exhibits being 
staged in the long corridor. 
There was rather a dearth of material, as far as 
quantity went, and the blooms, too, were inclined to 
be smaller than usual, doubtless owing to the 
malign influence of the late cold weather, for the 
season this year is fully ten days late. The chief 
feature of the exhibition was a splendid collection 
sent by Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Long Ditton. The 
following were some of the finest varieties in their 
respective sections :—Rose breeder: Mabel, Lord 
Derby, Lady C. Grosvenor, and Annie McGregor. 
Rose rectified : Annie McGregor, Aglaia, and Alice. 
Bizarre breeder: James Wild, Wm. Lee, Sam 
Barlow, and Dr. Hardy. Bizarre rectified : Colbert, 
Sir Joseph Paxton, Sam Barlow, and Lord Stanley. 
Bybloemen breeder: Miss Hardy. Bybloemen 
rectified: Friar Tuck, Talisman, and Lord Denman. 
A Gold Medal was deservedly awarded. 
Mr. C. W. Needham showed a collection of three 
blooms each of twenty-five varieties of English 
florists' Tulips. They comprised some excellent 
flowers of Mabel, Lord Derby, Adonis, Talisman, 
Sir Joseph Paxton, Chancellor, Modesty, and Mrs. 
Hardy. 
In the competitive classes, Mr. Alfred Chater, 
Cambridge, was placed first, for twelve dissimilar 
rectified varieties. He showed Duchess of Suther¬ 
land, Sarah Headley, Gucedo, Arion, Glor/ of 
Stapleford, Mrs. Jackson, Richard Headley, and 
Sam Barlow among his best. The last named variety 
was adjudged to be the premier flamed bloom in the 
show. A. D. Hall, Esq., Wye, Kent, was second 
for the twelve, having good blooms of Comte de 
Vergeunes, Duke of Devonshire, Sir Joseph Paxton, 
and Annie McGregor; Mr. Chas. W. Needham, 
Ray ton, Lancashire, was third; Messrs. Barr & 
Sons were fourth. The best feathered bloom, a 
variety named Industry, was in the Messrs. Barr's 
twelve. 
In the smaller class for six dissimilar, rectified, 
Mr. J. W. Bentley, Middleton, Lancs., come to the 
front, showing Annie McGregor, Lord Stanley, 
Adonis, Comte de Vergeunes, Wm. Wilson, and 
Bessie. Mr. A. Chater, and Mr. Charles W. Need¬ 
ham were awarded equal seconds. 
Three flamed Tulips, one of each class, were best 
shown by Mr. J. W. Bentley, who had capital blooms 
of Lord Stanley, Mabel, and King of the Universe; 
Mr. C. W. Needham was second; and Mr. A. 
Chater, third. 
Mr. J. W. Bentley was placed first for the 
Barlow prizes for a pair of rectified Tulips. 
He showed San Josef, and Duke of Devon¬ 
shire. Mr. A. D. Hall was second with Sir 
Joseph Paxton, and Comte de Vergeunes. Mr. A. D. 
Hall received first for six breeder Tulips. He had 
grand samples of Mabel, Glory of Stakehill, John 
Heap, Lloyds 200, Annie McGregor, and Excelsior. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons were second, and their stand 
contained the premier “ breeder " bloom in Gold- 
finder. Mr. J. W. Bentley was third. 
In the smaller class for three breeder varieties, 
Mr. J. W. Bentley was first, showing Mabel, 
Storer’s Seedling, and Glory of Stakehill. Mr. C. 
W. Needham was second. 
-•*>- * 
Questions add snsraeRS. 
*.* 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 bv their so doing. 
[ Correspondents, please note that we cannot undertake to 
name florists' flowers such as Carnations, Pelargoniums, 
Chrysanthemums, Roses, nor such as are mere garden 
varieties, differing only in the colour of the flower. 
Florists' flowers, as a rule, can only be named by these who 
grow collections of them.] 
Aerial Roots on Vines .—R S. W.: It is quite a 
common thing for Vines to produce roots in clusters 
from the old rods in the interior of vineries and 
other houses. The warm, moist air of the house en¬ 
courages their development; but you must seek else¬ 
where for the cause. They mean that the proper 
roots in the soil are not performing their functions 
properly. They may be in a wet or damp, cold soil, 
so that some of them may have perished in winter. 
The border should be examined to see if the drain¬ 
age is good, and whether there is a drain or a proper 
and natural escape for the superfluous moisture in 
the border. If not, you had better take out the soil 
in September, or in case the Grapes are still hanging 
it might be done in March before the Vines begin to 
grow. September is the best time if you could man¬ 
age to have the Grapes removed. After making the 
drainage good, put some turves over the brick bats 
used for drainage, cover this with a layer of soil, and 
then carefully spread out the roots of the Vines 
about 9 ins. from the surface, and cover with soil. 
Shade the house for about a week to prevent the 
Vine leaves from flagging till the roots have taken 
fresh hold of the soil. They will be established 
before winter. Do not place a pot under the air 
roots nor encourage them in any way. They will 
die of their own accord when the wood ripens in 
autumn. 
Book on Table Decorations. — E. E .; There was 
a book on floral decorations by Miss Hassard, but 
we believe it is out of print, and can only be 
obtained second hand by a rare chance now and 
again. We understand that Messrs. S. Perkins & 
Sons, Coventry, Warwickshire, issue a pamphlet or 
small book on the subject, but whether it is illus¬ 
trated we have not heard. You could ascertain by 
writing to the firm at Coventry, which is noted for 
floral decoratio is generally. There does not seem 
to be a good handbook on the subject, probably be¬ 
cause fashions in decorations are continually chang¬ 
ing. You should make a point of visiting some 
good shows where floral decorations are well done, 
and so get a few hints upon which you can act and 
work up fresh devices for yourself. You only want 
a start, and,with a little care and observation you will 
soon get a good notion of the subject. 
Bedding Arrangements —Box . We should have 
liked to know the colours of your Begonias, but in 
the absence of the same we should say plant No. 4, 
with scarlet Begonias No. 10, with orange 
Begonias; No 9, with rose varieties; and No. 12, 
with white varieties. These would not clash with 
the Roses in the centre, nor outside of the design. 
Mesembryanthemum would answer in Nos. 4 and 10 
as a groundwork, but we should like something green 
in No. 12 not to clash with the white, and No. 6 
might be done to match No. 12. Use Herniaria or 
Mentha gibraltarica, but if you have not got either 
you can use the yellow Mesembryanthemum. The 
Begonias may be put further apart if you use a 
groundwork. Edge them with blue Lobelias. Plant 
Nos. 3 and 7 with Pelargonium Flower of Spring, 
mixed with blue Violas, and edged with Iresine. No. 
3 will be close to No. 12, but we would aim at getting 
the lighter colours towards the centre. Nos. x and 9 
might be planted with Pelargonium Mr. Christine, 
edged with Pelargonium Mrs. Pollock to tone down 
the dark Roses at the circumference. Nos. 2 and 8 
might be planted with Pelargonium Crystal Palace 
Gem, which will be an intermediate shade between 
Nos. 1 and 3 on the one hand, and Nos. 7. and 9 on 
the other. Edge No. 2 and 8 with a double line of 
blue Lobelias. Nos. 5 and 11 could be planted with 
bronze Pelargonium Marshal MacMahon, edged 
with Echeveria. By-the-bye you have a number of 
small ones edged with Echeveria, so that those 
edgings which we have a'ready named in those cases 
may be omitted. The design is rather complicated, 
and we have arranged the colours as well as we can 
with the material you have in stock. The central 
line, including the bed of Rose Gloire de Dijon, 
contains seven beds which come in contrast with so 
many others that great caution is needed to avoid 
their clashing with one or other of the rest. Unless 
you employ Pelargonium H. Jacoby in Nos. 2 and 8, 
we do not see where else you can place them without 
clashing with other beds, and even then they would 
be close to the dark Roses on the circumference of 
the plan. We shall keep your plan for a week or 
two, so that if you have other suggestions to make 
we can refer to it. Your second plan arrived as we 
were going to press, but you will see that we have 
adopted the beds in pairs exactly as you have marked 
them. 
Watercress Culture.— D. W. D .: The Watercress 
(Nasturtium officinale) is a common British weed, 
often choking up small streams of clear, running 
water, so that the streams you mention should answer 
admirably. It should grow freely with you, for it 
does so, to our knowledge, only a few miles to the 
south of your locality. We have seen the stems 6 ft. 
long, and choking up the waterway. Seeing that you 
do not know the plant, the best way would be to order 
some Watercress seeds from your seedsman, telling 
him to get them for you if he does not keep them in 
stock. The seeds are small, so that a small quantity 
will give you many plants. The best way to proceed 
would be to sow the seeds in boxes, pans, or in an 
