542 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 21, 1900 
Keelingii, and another for an unnamed plant. This 
collection received a vote of thanks. 
Messrs. Backhouse & Sons, York, received a vote 
of thanks for a fine bank of miscellaneous Orchids, 
the following receiving First-class Certificates 
Odontoglossum elegans St. Albans var.. O. crisputn 
Mrs. F. Sander, and O. cuspidatum var. nobilior. 
Mr. T. Baxter, Morecombe, was awarded a Silver 
Medal (M.O.S.) for a valuable group. First-class 
certificates were given for Dendrobium splendidissi- 
mum grandiflorum, and an Odontoglossum unnamed. 
Mr. O. V. Wrigley was awarded a vote of thanks for 
a beautiful lot of cut blooms, including Dendrobiums, 
Cypripediums, Laelias, &c. Mr. W. Duckworth 
received a First-class Certificate for an unnamed 
Dendrobium. 
Messrs. Charlesworth & Co , Heaton, were the 
recipients of a Silver Medal (M.O.S.) and a Gold 
Medal (M.B.S.) for an imposing group amongst 
which Odontoglossum crisputn Duke of Connaught 
gained a First-class Certificate. 
Messrs. Cypher, Cheltenham, fully deserved the 
high honours accorded them—the Gold Medal of 
the M B S., the Silver from the M.O.S., First- 
class Certificate for Sophronitis grandiflora (fine 
type) and for Dendrobium rubens magnificum. 
Many other rare kinds figured in this telling group. 
Mr. John Robson, Altrincham, also secured the 
Gold Medal (M.B.S.) and the Silver (M.O.S.) for a 
large collection chiefly of Dendrobiums. A First- 
class Certificate was awarded for Cattleya 
Schroderae. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield, 
Middlesex, gained a vote of thanks (M B S.) and a 
Silver Medal (M.O.S.) for a beautiful collection of 
Orchids. First-class Certificates were gained for 
Cattleya speciosisma Lowiae and C. Trianaei, Em¬ 
press of India. 
John Leeman, Esq., Heaton Mersey, fully deserved 
his awards of Gold Medal (M.B.S.) and Silver 
(M.O.S ) for a brilliant lot, First-class Certificate for 
Zygopetalum Perrenoudii, with two Awards of 
Merit for unnamed varieties. W. Thompson, Esq., 
Stone, Stafford, secured a Gold Medal (M.B.S.) and 
Silver Medal (M.O.S.), and First-class Certificates 
for Odontoglossum excellens var. luteum, and O. 
andersonianum albo-maculosum. Mr. A. A. Wrigley, 
Bury, was awarded a Silver Medal for some good 
types of Clivias. 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, well 
deserved their Gold Medal for a grand display of 
Amaryllis interspersed with suitable greenery. An 
Award of Merit was given for Midas. The collec¬ 
tion was a distinct attraction to the hall and gener¬ 
ally admired. 
Messrs. Dicksons, Ltd., Chester, received an Award 
of Merit for a comprehensive display of spring 
flowering plants. Mr. Jos. Broome, Llandudno, 
staged an interesting collection of out-door flowers 
found in his North Wales garden, for which he 
received an Award of Merit. 
Mr. P. Weathers, curator of the Botanic Gardens, 
deserves special thanks for the highly creditable dis¬ 
play. The only regret must be that the patrons of 
horticulture were not present in far greater numbers. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY .—April nth. 
What the real objects the Society has in view in 
having these exhibitions we do not know. If it is 
to encourage a higher system of culture among pro¬ 
fessional or amateur exhibitors, then the object is not 
attained by a very long way. Much as one likes to 
speak well of such enterprises, one cannot refrain 
from honest criticism. In some of the competitive 
classes in this thaw at Regent’s Park, the entries 
could scarcely have been of poorer quality. 
Competitive Classes. 
For twelve Cinerarias in bloom, A. W. Young & Co., 
Stevenage, Herts, was the winner. The display of 
Tulips was not great though some very fair samples 
were on view. For twenty-four Tulips in pots, Mr. 
Geo. Keif, gardener to Mrs. Abbot, South Villa, 
Regent’s Park, came first, his best being Keizer 
Kroon, and Prince of Austria. For twenty-four 
Hyacinths in pots not less than twelve varieties, Mr. 
Geo. Keif also won first. 
Mr. G. Keif came also in for the six table plants 
with fine Dracaena Fraseri and Cocos weddeliana. 
The first prize for six Azalea indica was carried off 
by Mr. T. Abbot, The Holme, Regent's Park, he 
hiving splendidly flowered specimens. For six 
Azalea mollis, Mr. Geo. Keif was the prize taker. 
For a collection of flowering and foliage plants 
arranged for effect, Mr. Geo. Keif won the premier 
award with a very tasty and varied collection of 
plants. Palms, Caladiums, Azaleas, Roses, and 
spring bulbous plants were all seen in good form. 
Mr. T. Abbot was second. The group in this case 
was smaller and rather too crowded. Some fine 
Anthuriums, Azaleas, and Maples were included in 
the group. 
For twenty-four Cyclamen in bloom Mr. G. Bowles, 
Church Road Nursery Co., Hanwell, beat the St. 
George’s Nursery Co., though between the two en¬ 
tries there was but little to make comparison. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
Mr. John Russell, Richmond Nurseries, Rich¬ 
mond, exhibited a collection of Azaleas and flowering 
shrubs. Very fine was Andromeda spesiosa, and 
various of the hybrid Azaleas, crosses between the 
mollis and sinensis types, of which many good new 
varieties were staged. 
Purnell Purnell, Esq., Woodlands, Streatham Hill, 
S.E., set up a varied and effective group of alpines. 
The collection of Primulas in flower was complete 
and very interesting. 
Messrs. Frank Cant and Co., Braiswick Nursery, 
Colchester, exhibited a number of cut Roses, which, 
for size and general excellence, were very fine. Teas 
and H. Teas were largely represented. 
Mr. James Williams, 4A, Oxford Road, Ealing, 
made a pretty exhibit of table decorations, brightened 
by flowers and Asparagus. 
Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London, 
N., had a fine display of hard-wooded plants, includ¬ 
ing Epacris, Ericas, Boronias, Lilacs, and Magno¬ 
lias. The stage was edged with Maidenhair Ferns. 
Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert, Southgate Nurseries, 
Middlesex, had lots of fine Azaleas, Staphyleas, and 
other flowering plants. Ferns and Palms were inter¬ 
spersed among the flowering stock. 
Messrs. John Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nur¬ 
series, West Norwood, had a fine collection of 
Clivias, Ericas, Azaleas, Genistas, and other things. 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, London, 
S.E., set up a very fine and varied group of flower¬ 
ing and stove plants, among which were some good 
Hippeastrums, Cytisus, Clivias, Cyclamens, and 
other things. 
Messrs. Morle & Co., 152, Finchley Road, N.W., 
had a very nice lot of Mignonette in pots, a fine 
dwarf strain of well flowered plants. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
London, arranged a splendid lot of flowering hardy 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Viburnums, Hawthorns, 
and Negundos. 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, 
Herts., were strong in Camellias, Lilacs, and the 
like. These were very fine, both in shape and 
flowering quality. 
The St. George's Nursery Co , Hanwell, exhibited 
their famous strain of Cyclamen latifolium. Their 
new C. fimbriatum was also shown. 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, 
London, exhibited a select and representative 
collection of cut Narcissi. Of these Sir Watkin, 
Mdme. Plemp, Cynosure, Stella, Emperor, Henry 
Irving, incomparabilis plenus, Grandis, and Glory of 
Leiden were conspicuous. N. Poetaz, a cross 
between N. poeticus and N. Tazetta was also on 
show. 
Mr. W. Rumsey, Joyning’s Nurseries, exhibited 
some fine cut Roses. Niphetos, Marechal Niel, 
Gloire de Margottin, Queen of Queens, La France, 
and others were very strong, and in all points ex¬ 
cellent. 
Mr.'R. Mount, of Canterbury, also showed a fine 
collection of cut Rose blooms. His Catherine 
Mermet, Capt. Hayward, La France, and Gioire de 
Dijon were exceedingly fine. 
READ THIS. 
A weekly award of 5s. will be made by the pro¬ 
prietors of The Gardening World, to the person 
who sends the most interesting or valuable item of 
news upon passing events likely to interest boriicult- 
urists at large ; hints containing suggestive facts of 
practical interest to gardeners or growers of plants, 
fruits, or flowers; successful methods of propagating 
plants usually considered difficult ; or any other 
topic coming within the sphere of gardening proper. 
The articles in question should not exceed 250 words, 
and should be marked " Competition." The address 
of the winner will be published. The Editor’s 
judgment must be considered final. The communi¬ 
cations for each week should be posted not later 
than Monday night. 
The prize last week was awarded to Mr. W. Waite, 
Southfields, for his article on “ Tomato Culture " 
p. 517. Several excellent articles were much over 
the 250 words given in the rules for the competition. 
Questions MB 
R.H.S. Examination in Horticulture. — D. 
McGregor : The date of the examination was origi¬ 
nally fixed for Tuesday, the 17th inst., but that, upon 
reflection, was found to be Easter Tuesday. The 
date was, therefore, changed to Wednesday, April 
25th, that is. next Wednesday. 
Articles for Competition.— H A C : We thank 
you for your suggestion, and have the matter under 
consideration. There are difficulties in the way of 
an article, of the length you suggest, both on account 
of the space it would occupy in those weeks when 
space is at a premium. No doubt it might be 
suggested that the successful articles only might be 
inserted; but as the time for closing the competition 
is on the day before going to press, there are many 
occasions on which there is no time to examine and 
compare the rela.ive merits of the essays except in a 
rough and ready fashion, white they must be got 
ready for putting into type at once not to hinder the 
printing. We admit there is difficulty in getting the 
right meaning of many articles into so short a com¬ 
pass as 250 words ; but that would suggest that the 
competitor should select subjects in which the pith 
of the story can be put into such small compass that 
most readers would have time to read it, and may¬ 
hap feel interested. A short article may be made 
very suggestive and set many to ponder over the 
subject, and see the matter in a different light from 
that when the story is a long one and more or less 
involved or complicated. Of course the more 
obvious details might be omitted, particularly those 
items with which most people are familiar. For in¬ 
stance, a new and successful method of treating 
some plant or class of plants would always be inter¬ 
esting to those who had net tried it, or possibly had 
not heard of it before Such cases frequently occur 
iu gardens, and the recording of them helps those 
who are striving to get a proficient knowledge of the 
profession. Gardeners could thus help one another 
to their mutual benefit. 
Names of Plants.— R. M.: 1, Berberis steno- 
phylla ; 2. Spiraea Thunbergii; 3, Pyrus japonica; 
4, Acacia ovata; 5, Acacia Drummondi.— T.M. W. : 
1, Dendrobium crassinode ; 2, Dendrobium findlay- 
anum; 3, Dendrobium crepidatum.— A. L.\ i, 
Retinospora plumosaaurea ; 2, Retinospora obtusa; 
3, Thuya orientalis; 4, Nuttallia cerasiformis; 5, 
Hyacinthus azureus (not Museari)— W. M.: 1, 
Pelargonium Radula; 2, Pelargonium citriodorum 
minus; 3, Primula floribunda ; 4, Scilla sibirica.— 
A. L.; 1, Pteris Wimsettii; 2, Pteris serrulata 
cristata; 3, Selaginella Martensii robustum; 4, 
Adiantum formosum ; 5, Lastrea aristata variegata ; 
6, Asplenium bulbiferun minus.— E. C. H. D. : 1, 
Saxifrage tridactylites; 2, Ranunculus hederaceus. 
Book on Table Decorations. —J.M.D .: There is 
a book on the subject, but it has been out of print 
for some years ; and the only chance is that you 
might be able to obtain a second-hand copy by 
applying to various booksellers. Some of the 
libraries might have it, which you could ascer.ain by 
consulting the catalogues or librarian. 
Tomatos in a bad way.—G., Fairbitin: From 
what we can see of the specimen sent, by the naked 
eye, you are keeping the atmosphere of the house 
too close and moist. You must give more air so as 
to strengthen the tissues. They may appear to be 
making fine progress, but in the absence of air and 
sunshine the tissues are soft and without stamina. 
We shall examine the specimen more closely and 
report next week if we find any enem y upon the foliage. 
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amusement than to produce life, and what more profitable than 
turning penny eggs into happy, healthy, hungry, impudent 
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The AMERICAN EGG HATCHER will hatch and rear 
Turkeys, Geese, Pheasants, Docks,Chickens, absolutely while 
you wait, and includes Patent Lamp, Thermometer, instruc¬ 
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Note.—N o. 2 size, 30-egg, price 10/6. 
Address— THE MANAGER, Room 5, The Hatcheries, 
19, Qu een’s Road, Southeno-on-Sea. _ 
NATIVE G U ANO. 
Best and Cheapest Manure for Garden use. 
Price £3 10s. per ton, ia bags. Lots under 10 cwt., 4s. 
per cwt.; 1 cwt. sample bag sent carriage paid to any station 
in England on receipt of P.O. for 5s. 
Extracts from 24th annual collection of reports:— 
Native Guano for Potatos, Vegetables, etc. 
R. Webb, Swallowfield.—“ Used for seven years for general 
gardening with good results. Best manure in use for Onions 
and for preventing maggot and fly.” 
E. Atherton, Weymouth.—“ Vegetables, flowers, and 
Peaches, excellent results. Could not wish lor better." 
Native Guano for Fruit, Roses, Tomatos, etc. 
W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth.— 11 Used lor exhibition Chrys¬ 
anthemums, Carnations, and garden crops. Very best results. 
A cheap, useful, and handy manure.” 
B. S. Johnson, Northampion. — “Grapes, grand, laige 
bunches and berries. For Tomatos cannot speak too highly. 
The best manure I have ever had.” 
Order to the NATIVE GUANO CO., Limited, 29, New 
Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, where pamphlets ot tesli 
monials, &c., may be obtained. Agents wanted. 
