December 19, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
253 
ARDENING MISCELLANY. 
WINTER-FLOWERING RHODODENDRONS. 
These are grand objects when well done. I am 
alluding to those commonly called greenhouse 
Rhododendrons, but which succeed best in a mean 
temperature of about 6 o 9 . A great many beautiful 
hybrids have been put into commerce during the 
past few years. When a house can be devoted to 
their culture—as at Whetstone, Birmingham, the 
residence of G. H. Kenricks, Esq.—they are very 
attractive. The following are at the present time 
in flower, and as they vary considerably in colour, 
they make a grand display:—Favourite, Lord 
Wolseley, Princess Alexandra, Princess Teck, 
Amabilis, Lutea Rosea, Taylorii, Princess Royal, 
Princess Fredericka, Queen Victoria, Maiden’s Blush, 
and R. jasminiflorum— a good dozen distinct. These 
and many others are doing remarkably well under 
the treatment they receive from Mr. J. V. Macdonald, 
the gardener.— Rusticus. 
—-- 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.— Dec. 15 th. 
Orchids were the most prominent feature of the 
meeting on Tuesday last; for they were both 
numerous, well-flowered, and effective. They 
occupied more than half of one long table and a 
portion of that set apart for new plants. Pelar¬ 
goniums, Cyclamen, Roses, fine foliage plants, and 
Apples were also noticeable on the several tables. 
A large and tastefully set up group of Orchids was 
staged by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. The 
Cypripediums were very numerous and well-flowered. 
There were large pans of'C insigne Chantini and 
C. i. montanum, and pots of C. oenanthum superbum, 
C. Ianthe, C. Sallieri, C. Euryades, and a group of 
C. leeanum, in a great variety of colouring. Odonto- 
glossum cirrhosum carried four large panicles of 
bloom, and there were several others besides Cym- 
bidiums and Oncidiums. (Silver Flora Medal.) 
A magnificent and effective group of Orchids 
consisting chiefly of Calanthes was exhibited by J. 
T. Bennett Poe, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Downes), 
Holmwood, Cbeshunt. Calanthe Veitchi and C. V. 
superba were shown in quantity and were notable for 
the strength of the spikes and the number of 
blossoms. Others well represented were C. vestita 
luteo oculata, and C. v. rubro-oculata. Vanda 
caerulea was grandly coloured, and Zygopetalum 
Mackayi bore six racemes of bloom on one pot plant, 
(Silver Flora Medal.) 
Baron Schroder (gardener, Mr. H. Ballantine), The 
Dell, Egham, exhibited a spike of the beautiful 
Odontoglossum crispum schroderianum, also Laelia 
anceps amesiana, L. a. chamberlainiana, L. a. 
protheroeana, L. a. virginalis, and several Cypri¬ 
pediums with flowers of large size. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Upper Clapton, staged 
a group of Orchids including Laelia anceps, Cattleya 
bowringiana lilacina, Odontoglossum grande and 
numerous hybrid Cypripediums. 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co , St. Albans, staged a 
group of Orchids in which well-flowered pieces of 
Stenorhynchus speciosus were conspicuous. Den- 
drobium Johnsoniae, Oncidium crispum, Cymbidium 
winnianum, and Laelia gouldiana were also well 
flowered. Interesting was the uncommon Dendro- 
bium sanguineolentum with purple-tipped segments 
recalling an Aerides. 
Sir l’revor Lawrence, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H. 
White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, exhibited an exten¬ 
sive group of Orchids, for which he deservedly 
received a Gold Medal. He also received a Cultural 
Commendation for a large pan of Maxillaria lepidota 
profusely flowered. There were fine pieces of Cypri- 
pedium Sallieri, C. leeanum, C. 1 . giganteum and 
others. The Calanthes, however, were the most 
conspicuous feature of this collection and by far the 
most attractive to the general public. The colours 
of Calanthe Veitchi splendens, C. burfordiensis, C. 
revertens, and C. Wm. Murray were splendid. 
Pleasing and interesting were the paler varieties such 
as C. nivea, C. versicolor, C. jucunda, C. amabilis, 
C. Victoria Regina, and C. V. lactea, all of which 
served to set off the dark hue of the first-mentioned 
varieties. 
Amongst new plants Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons 
exhibited Laeliocattleya Semiramis, L. Rosalind, and 
Epidendrum wallisic-ciliare all interesting in their 
way. 
Major Jcicey (gardener, Mr. F. j. Thorne), 
Sunningdale Park, Berks, exhibited the beautiful 
white Dendrobium johnsoniae. J. Bradshaw, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. H. Whiffen), The Grange, Southgate, 
staged a varied and beautiful lot of Odontoglossum 
crispum, spotted in a great variety of ways. Various 
Cypripediums were exhibited by E. Ashworth, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. H. Holbrook), Wilmslow, Cheshire; 
Major Mason, The Firs, Warwick ; S. G. Lutwyche, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. Paterson), Eden Park, 
Beckenham ; and Thos. Statter, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
R. Johnson), Stand Hall, Manchester. F. C. 
Jacomb, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Turner), Cheam Park, 
Surrey, staged a fine piece of Odontoglossum 
andersonianum leucochilum. Dr. Hodgkinson 
(gardener, Mr. J. H. Moore), The Grange, Wilmslow, 
Cheshire, showed some beautiful varieties of Laelia 
anceps. T. W. Temple, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
Bristow), Layswood, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, 
staged a fine piece of Laelia anceps amesiana. 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nur¬ 
series, Norwood Road, S.E., had a very neat group 
of stove foliage plants, chiefly Dracaenas, in which 
a few pieces of Cypripediums were included. C. T. 
B. Haywood, C. Dauthieri, and C. oenanthum super¬ 
bum were some of the most noteworthy among the 
latter. The foliage plants were clean and shapely 
samples throughout. Mention should also be made 
of two splendid little specimens of Terminalia 
elegans (Bronze Banksian Medal). 
Mr. Farr, gardener to A. Pears, Esq., Spring 
Grove House, Isleworth, sent a splendid batch of 
Euphorbia (Poinsettia) pulcherrima. The plants 
were dwarf samples in qS-sized pots, and bore some 
fine heads. Not only were the bracts of great width 
and substance, but they were grandly coloured. 
The arrangement took the form of a circular group 
edged by small plants of Araucaria excelsa, Grevillea 
robusta, Panicum, and Isolepis (Silver Flora Medal). 
A very interesting exhibit of berried plants, and 
one strongly suggestive of the approaching season 
was made by Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, High- 
gate, N., of berried plants. Against a background of 
Kentias appeared a lot of beautifully berried plants 
of Skimmia japonica, arranged in two flanking 
groups. In the centre of these two batches were 
staged some well grown little samples of Citrus 
sinensis, bearing a profusion of the small ora r ge- 
yellow fruits (Silver Banksian Medal). 
A Silver Flora Medal was awarded to Messrs. 
Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, for some grand 
pot Roses of the new winter blooming variety 
Enchantress. From the samples submitted this 
would appear to be a very free form, and an excellent 
doer. The plants in question, although they were 
large specimens in 8-in. pots were all obtained from 
grafts made last spring. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., 
sent a few foliage plants, including Dracaena Dou- 
cettii, Livistona rotundifolia, and Casuarina 
ericoides. In another part of the hall some well- 
berried plants of Solanum Capsicastrum, and mis¬ 
cellaneous foliage plants sent by the same firm 
appeared. 
A quantity of cut Chrysanthemums was sent by 
Messrs. Young & Dobinson, Holmesdale Nurseries, 
Stevenage, for which a Bronze Banksian Medal was 
awarded. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, made a 
brave display with cut zonal Pelargoniums, set up in 
their usual effective fashion in pyramidal sprays, 
interspersed with Maidenhair Fern. Amongst the 
numerous fine varieties on view, Princess Alix, John 
Ruskin, Mrs. P. Routh, Enid, Birthday, Sunbeam, 
and Duchess of Marlboro’ were some of the most 
praiseworthy. Side by side with the Pelargoniums 
appeared some excellent double Primulas in six inch 
pots. The named forms Annie Hillier, Earl of 
Beaconsfield, King of Purples, and Marchioness of 
Exeter, In addition to a fine double white form, were 
in grand condition. The committee awarded a 
Silver Gilt Banksian Medal for this fine exhibit. 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, 
N., showed pans of Narcissus monophyllus, and N. 
Bulbocodium Clusii, Iris alata, and a pot of the 
seasonable Christmas roses. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, 
Enfield, sent a collection of Cj clamen in first-rate 
order. The strength and vigour of the plants were 
remarkable, as also the great size and substance 
of the flowers. (Silver Banksian Medal.) 
Mr. Empson, gardener to Mrs. Wingfield, Ampthill 
House, Ampthill, contributed a group of exceedingly 
well-grown foliage plants, just suitable, in fact, 
for table decoration. Crotons formed a large portion 
of the collection, and were very well coloured. 
A remarkably well-flowered piece of Laelia anceps 
was a central and prominent feature of this exhibit. 
(Silver Banksian Medal). 
Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, Redhill, 
Surrey, received a Bronze Banksian Medal for cut 
Chrysanthemums in which were some good late 
samples of M. Chenon de Leche, M. Gruyer, and 
Golden Gate. The pretty and distinct Mrs. Filkins, 
was also conspicuous here. 
Mr. Robert Owen, also sent a few cut Chrysanthe¬ 
mums; likewise Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon. 
Messrs. Crane and Clarke, March, had a small 
batch of winter flowering Carnations. Messrs. Jas. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, submitted plants of Rhodo¬ 
dendron nobilius, and R. Little Beauty, both of them 
belonging to the Messrs. Veitch's well-known 
Javanico-jasminiflorum section. Cut trusses of 
blooms representing older varieties were also forth- 
comirg from the same firm. 
Fruit was well represented, the collection of 
Apples especially were a great feature. 
A comprehensive collection of Apples in first-rate 
condition came from Lord Wantage, Lockinge Park, 
Wantage (gardener, Mr. Fyfe). Warner’s King, 
Blenheim Orange, King of the Pippins, Wadhurst 
Pippin, Lord Grosvenor, and Mere de Menage were 
some of the best samples. Bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria Grape were forthcoming from the same 
source as well as an excellent dish of Tomato Dwarf 
Champion (Silver Banksian Medal). 
Upwards of fifty dishes of Apples were sent by 
Messrs. T. Rivers & Sons, Sawbridgeworth, for 
which a Silver Knightian Medal was awarded. 
Cox’s Orange. Pippin, Golden Reinette, Sandring¬ 
ham, Sutton’s Beauty, Buckingham, Nancy Jackson, 
and Gascoigne's Scarlet were all splendidly coloured 
samples. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E , 
contributed some exce’lent dishes of Apples in good 
preservation. Many of the leading sorts were 
included (Silver Banksian Medal). 
The Veitch prizes for the best flavoured Apple 
and Pear again called forth a good deal of com¬ 
petition. Col. Brymer, M.P., Ilsington House, 
Dorchester, showed the most deserving Pear in 
Winter Nelis. Mr. W. Cotterell, the Gardens, Oxon 
Heath, Tonbridge, was second with Glou Morceau. 
Mr. W. King, gardener to J. Colman, Esq , Gatton 
Park, Reigate, had the best Apple in Cox’s Orange 
Pippin, Col. Brymer, M.P., taking the second place 
with Blenheim Orange. 
Tomato Frogmore selected was exhibited in the 
form of fruiting sprays by Mr. Owen Thomas, The 
Royal Gardens, Frogmore. Mr. Farr had samples 
of Tomato All the Year Round, and Messrs. Young 
& Dobinson sent a dish of the lately-certificated 
variety, Young's Eclipse. 
-- 
Questions sod snsroeRS 
*„* 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. 
r 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 those who 
grow collections of them.'] 
Culture of Ranunculus.— F. L., Salisbury. We do 
not consider that the cultivation of the garden 
Ranunculus (R. asiaticus) would be very successful 
in pots. The tuberous roots should be planted in 
the open ground towards the end of February 
according to state of the weather. You can make 
arrangements at once, however, by prepar ng the 
soil. If the ground is heavy, clayey, or wet, these 
conditions must be rectified at once. Take out the 
natural soil of the beds to be planted to a depth of 
18 in. or 2 ft. Then loosen up the subsoil and place 
some brick bats or other rubble in the bottom for 
drainage. Now make up a compost consisting of 
two parts of friable loam to one of leaf mould and 
well-decayed farmyard manure in mixture ; add a 
good quantity of sharp river or other sand, and mix 
the whole together thoroughly. Fill up the bed or 
beds till above the level of the surrounding soil, and 
leave them to settle down by the aid of the winter 
