July 31, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
768 
hydro-carbons of the rubber, the rubber being wetted 
through by the liquified gas, which re-appears as gas 
into a vacuum on the other side of the membrane, 
or into another gas which acts as a vacuum. 
He also proved that the effect of temperature on 
rubber rendered it more permeable to gases as the 
temperature is elevated. There is no doubt but that 
the membranous skin of the leaf of a plant behaves 
in the same manner as the film of indiarubber, more¬ 
over, oxygen is twice as soluble in rubber as the same 
gas in water at the ordinary temperature. It is pro¬ 
bable that the membranous skin of the leaf alters its 
physical condition at various stages of its growth, 
approaching at its resting period to gutta percha, and 
its power of absorption of the gases would conse¬ 
quently differ at different temperatures and at 
different seasons of the year. This would be an ex¬ 
planation of the reason why at certain stages of the 
plants’ growth the process of the absorption of its 
gases is reversed. 
I suspect that the phosphates increase the inflore¬ 
scence of plants. Last year I watered a Marechal 
Niel Rose in a pot with water containing nitrate of 
ammonia. Although the plant made a strong growth 
of io ft. in length, the flowers were very few in number 
this year, and badly developed ; on the other hand, 
two Gloire de Dijon Roses, which I fed with phos¬ 
phate of ammonia in addition to the nitrate, had in 
the one case 93 and in the other over 180 large and 
fully-expanded blooms open at the same time. 
The phosphates are decomposed and reduced to 
their elements by plants, and phosphorus (P) is 
liberated. Phosphorus may replace the nitrogen in 
the ammonias in organic compounds ; in this manner 
another series of organic products is built up in the 
constituency of plants. 
I believe that the scent of flowers is formed in the 
flower itself. If Pinks or other flowers are cut and 
placed in water under a bell glass in which a funnel 
filled with ice and salt has been placed, the ethereal 
odour of the blossom given off by the flower is 
deposited on the exterior of the glass funnel 
and drops into a glass vessel below; if a 
little ether is volatilised under the bell glass, the 
whole of the odour can be extracted from the flower, 
but next day the flower will regain its scent. 
Flowers growing on the plant behave in the same 
manner as cut flowers. The experiment may be 
repeated two or three times, but after that the flower 
ceases to make any more scent. I have in this 
manner extracted the scent of Pinks, Roses, Lilies 
and other flowers. I believe that these odours are 
of the nature of camphors, they are very volatile, 
and rapidly become sour by oxidation, they have 
definite crystaline forms, but are very unstable, and 
liable to change by exposure. 
In concluding this letter, I cannot help expressing 
a hope that the horticultural society or amateur 
Orchid growers will raise a fund to be expended in 
having a thorough analysis made by a professional 
chemist of tbe chemical constitution of Orchids, 
together with the mineral and alkaline salts of the 
flowers, and pseudo-bulbs of the principal species of 
Orchids, which are in cultivation at different seasons 
of their growth. I feel convinced that many obscure 
points in their habits would be cleared up and a 
more rational treatment would follow, in place of 
the empyric and rule of thumb method of cultivation 
now in vogue. - A. H. Smee, The Grange, Carshalton, 
July yth. 
SOCIETIES 
NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE, July 21 st. 
The exhibition of the southern section of this society 
was held in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society 
at Regent’s Park. The show was well up to the 
average standard, although numbers of exhibitors 
failed to put in an appearance. The flowers were 
staged in the large tent in the expectation of hot 
weather, when the shade would have been grateful, 
but as it was the day was dull, and the light none too 
good. Martin Smith, Esq , presided at the luncheon 
held in the afternoon. 
Carnations. 
Bizarres and Flakes.—I n the most important 
class in this section, viz., that for twenty-four 
blooms, including not less than twelve dissimilar 
varieties there were eight entries. Mr. C. Turner, 
Slough, led the way with a grand lot. Prince 
George of Wales, Robert Houlgrave, Arline, Guards¬ 
man, Chas. Henwood, Duke of York, Tom Pinley, 
and Bil'y Henderson were some of the strongest 
blooms. Mr. Rowan, Clapham, was second ; Mr. J. 
Douglas, Gt. Bookham, Surrey, third ; and Mr. Geo. 
Chaundy, New Marston, fourth. 
In the smaller class for twelve blooms, dissimilar, 
the winning stand came from Mr. Chas. Phillips, 
Bracknell. Messrs. Thomson & Co., Birmingham, 
were second; and Mr. A. J. Saunders, gardener to 
the Viscountess Chewton, Cobhara, third. 
There were only five entries for six blooms, dissi¬ 
milar. Mr. A. K. Brown, Handsworth, led the way 
in this class. 
Selfs. —There were eight entries in the chief 
class for twenty-four blooms in not less than twelve 
varieties, and some superb material was forthcoming. 
The first award went to Mr. Chas. Blick, gardener 
to Martin R. Smith, Esq., The Warren, Hayes, 
Kent, who had a truly grand lot. All the samples 
were strong, but mention may be specially made of 
Endythion, Helmsman, Mrs. Prinsep, Her Grace, 
The Naiad, Purity, Solon, Mrs. McRae, and Mrs. 
Eric Hambro. The second award went to Mr. C. 
Turner; the third to Mr. Jas. Douglas; and tbe 
fourth to Mr. John Walker, Thame, Oxon. 
Mr. E. Colby Sharpin, Bedford, headed the list in 
the class for twelve blooms, distinct, followed by Mr. 
Chas. Phillips in the second place, and Messrs. 
Thompson & Co. in the third. 
The class for six blooms, distinct, was a most 
popular one as there were no fewer than sixteen 
entries. J. H. Went, Esq., Thames Ditton, took 
premier honours with good samples of Sir John Fal- 
staff, Miss Ellen Terry, Miss Maude Sullivan, and 
Miss Aubrey Campbell. Mr. A. K. Brown was 
second ; Mr. Chas. Harden, Ash, third ; and Mr. W. 
GartOD, Junr., Woolston, fourth. 
Fancies. — There were six entries in the class for 
twenty-four blooms, distinct, in not less than twelve 
dissimilar varieties. Mr. G. Turner secured the 
leading prize here, and his blooms were remarkably 
good all round, size, form, and colour being first- 
class. The Gift, Duchess of Portland, SeedliDg, and 
May Queen, were the back row flowers. In front of 
these appeared grand samples of Virgo, Geo. Cruick- 
shank, and Primrose League. A large proportion of 
the flowers were unnamed seedlings, and yellow 
grounds were very strong. Mr. Jas. Douglas received 
the second award, also with a good collection. 
Such varieties as Damocles, Haidee, Pelegia, Cato, 
Czarina, Khedive, Minerva, and Phcebus were 
grand. Mr. John Walker, and Mr. Chas. Blick 
occupied the third and fourth positions respectively. 
In the class for twelve blooms, dissimilar, there 
were but two entries. Mr. Chas. Phillips was placed 
first, and Mr. G. Chaundy second. 
Six blooms, distinct, were represented by ten 
entries. The winning stand came from Mr. W. 
Garton, Jun., who was followed in order of merit by 
Mr. A. Greenfield, Sutton ; T. C. Taite, Esq., 
Shortlands ; and M. V. Cherrington, Esq., Hever. 
Single Specimens.— There was a good deal of 
competition under this part of the schedule. The 
following exhibitors won first prizes in their 
respective classes; Mr. J. Douglas, for a rose 
flake with William of Wykeham ; Mr. R. Sydenham, 
Birmingham, for a scarlet flake,-with John William 
Wormald ; Mr. Geo. Chaundy for a purple flake with 
Gordon Lewis; Mr. Sydenham fora pink bizarre, 
with Master Fred ; and Mr. Chas. Turner for a purple 
bizarre with Robert Houlgrave. 
In the classes for self-coloured flowers the first 
prizes in each division were awarded to Mr. A. R. 
Brown, for the white Mrs. Eric Hambro ; to M. V. 
Charrington, Esq., for the scarlet Verbena; to Mr. 
A. R. Brown, for the crimson Marcuriam ; to Mr. 
C. Phillips for the yellow Lord Wantage; and to 
Mr. Colby Sharpin for a buff-coloured seedliDg. 
Brodrich, shown by Mr. J. Douglas, was awarded 
the first award in the class for fancies. 
Premier Blooms. —The premier blooms in the 
show in their respective classes were adjuged to be 
as under : —Bizarre, Robert Houlgrave, shown by 
Mr. Rowan ; flake Matador (scarlet), shown by Mr. 
Douglas ; self, Mrs. Prinsep (yellow) shown by Mr. 
Chas. Blick ; fancy Brodrick, shown by Mr. Douglas. 
Picotees. 
White Ground. —Six stands of twenty-four blooms 
were staged, tbe first prize lot coming from 
Mr. C. Turner, who had Favourite, Brunette, Little 
Phil, Mrs. Payne, Duchess of York, Mrs. Gorton, 
and Lady Emily Van der Heyst in grand order Mr. 
James Douglas was placed second, showing fine 
samples of Gannymede, Liddington’s Favourite, 
Jessie, Her Majesty, and Constance Heron. Mr. 
M. Rowan, Clapham, was third, and Mr. John 
Walker, fourth. 
Amongst the four competitors for twelve blooms, 
dissimilar, Messrs. Thomson & Co. scored a first, 
followed in the second place by Mr. C. Chaundy. 
There were also four entries for sixes. Here Mr. A 
R. Brown secured the first award with some capital 
samples; Mr. Thos. Anstiss, Brill, received the 
second prize. 
Yellow Grounds. —The premier class in this 
section was for twelve blooms of six distinct varieties. 
Here Mr. C. Blick distanced all competitors with 
grand samples of Badminton, Dorris, Voltaire, 
Mohican, Golden Eagle, His Excellency, and Mrs. 
Tremayne. Mr. James Douglas was second, 
Voltaire, Empress Eugenie, Xerxes, Hygeia, and 
Miss Violet Douglas were some of his strongest 
varieties. Mr. Charles Phillips was third. 
Mr. Frederick Hooper, Bath, showed the best 
stand of six blooms, dissimilar, with fair samples of 
May Queen, Mrs. Gordon, and Ladas. Mr. Chas. 
Harder received the second award, and Mr. W. 
Garton, Junr., the third. 
Single Specimens. —First prizes were awarded 
to the following exhibitors in their respective 
classes: Mr. Chas. Turner, for the yellow ground 
Mrs. Douglas; Mr. Rowan, for the light purple- 
edged Somerhill; Mr. A. R. Brown, for a heavy, 
purple-edged seedling; Mr. J. Douglas, for the 
heavy, crimson-edged Brunette, also for the light, 
crimson-edged Mrs. Gorton ; Mr. Sydenham, for the 
heavy rose-edged Lady Louisa; Mr. Chas. Turner 
for the light, rose-edged Mrs. Payne; and also for 
the heavy, scarlet-edged Duchess of York. 
Premier Blooms. —The premier blooms in the 
show were as follows : heavy, scarlet-edged Duchess 
of York, shown by Mr. C. Turner ; light, scarlet- 
edged Favourite, shown by Mr. Douglas; yellow- 
ground Picotee Badminton, shown by Mr. C. Blick. 
All Classes. 
Here both Carnations and Picotees of any section 
were admitted. In the class for six blooms of such 
mixed material, Mr. G. Wright, gardener to F. G. 
W. Wiggin, Esq., Woodford Green, scored a well- 
deserved first. 
Exhibits without Dressing. 
Under this section of the schedule Mr. G. Charring¬ 
ton, Chislehurst, secured a first award for twelve 
Carnation blooms, each arranged with a spray of its 
own foliage. S. A. Went, Esq., was first for six 
blooms similarly staged. 
F. A. Wellesly Esq., Woking, contributed the 
first prize lot of twelve white ground Picotees, staged 
in the same way as in the two preceding classes, 
with a spray of foliage to each bloom. There were 
only two entries in the smaller class for six blooms. 
M. V. CharringtoD, Esq., was here awarded a third 
prize. Six yellow ground Picotees were best shown 
by Mr. J. F. Kew, Southend. F. A. Wellesley Esq., 
was second, and S. A. Went, Esq., third. 
Mr. Chas. Blick was placed first for a group of 
Carnation plants arranged in an area of fifty square 
feet. The plants were all healthy specimens in 8 in, 
pots. 
Mr. J. Douglas received the first award in a 
smaller group occupying 30 sq. ft. Mr. Chas. Blick 
carried off chief honours for twelve specimen plants. 
Mr. Chas. Turner was second, and Mr. Jas. Douglas 
third in this class. Mr. Chas. Blick showed the best 
specimen plant in a fine sample of a scarlet seedling. 
The Martin Smith Prizes. —Under this head¬ 
ing Philip Lionel Browne, Esq., Bishop Stortford, 
secured a first for twelve trusses of a self-coloured 
border Carnation, showing Miss A. Campbell. M. 
V. CharriDgton, Esq., was first for nine varieties 
of flake, bizarre, or fancy Carnations or Picotees. 
The blooms were shown in large bunches, arranged 
with their own foliage. Mr. A. Sparling, Blackheath 
Park, was first for six bunches of border Carnations. 
Three very pretty floral dinner tables were exhibited, 
the first award going to Mr. Chas Blick, who had a 
tasteful arrangement of Carnations, Smilax, and 
Asparagus. 
The best three sprays of Carnation and Picotee 
blooms came from Mr. Cbas. Turner, Slough, whose 
flowers were fresh and good. Mr. Chas. Blick was 
second. Mr. Jas. Douglas had the best vase of Car- 
