May 2, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
387 
Round the Nurseries. 
SOCIETIES. 
Messrs. Dicksons, Ltd., Chester. 
Not very far from the historic walls of the ancient city of 
Chester lie—at Upton and Newton—the principal or home 
nurseries of Messrs. Dicksons, Ltd. The grounds occupy about 
500 acres of land, and are exceptionally well situated for their 
purpose, being sufficiently exposed to ensure that anything 
grown in them will be of a thoroughly healthy and hardy 
nature. On the occasion of our visit a short time ago the 
season was yet too early for a comprehensive survey, there 
being not very much in the open that appealed strongly to 
one’s visual sense until the four-acre field devoted to the 
Narcissi was reached. Here was a field one blaze of gold, with 
patches of white showing in places, where the Pheasant’s Eye 
Narcissi (N. poeticus ornatus) was in full bloom somewhat- 
before its time. On closer examination these revealed their 
beautiful scarlet margined cups. Close to these were large 
beds of N. poeticus recurvus and N. poeticus plenus and others 
not yet in bloom, but looking well and strong. A large amount 
of space was covered with Narcissus incomparabilis, some of 
these, of the earlier flowering varieties, showing signs of not 
very gentle treatment from the winds “ that shake the gentle 
Daffodil ” in these times, when spring so long delays her 
coming. Nevertheless, it was a brave show of bloom. 
Of the Ajax, or trumpet Narcissi, there were many varieties, 
both yellow and white. The Jolmstonii King of Spain and 
Johnstonii Queen of Spain, with their delicate colouring, were 
particularly attractive. Emperor, with large flowers of deep 
primrose, made a veiy fine display, while Glory of Leiden, a 
variety of which Messrs. Dicksons make a speciality, looked 
particularly well in its full yellow hue. In the bi-coloured 
sorts, Empress, white, with a rich yellow trumpet, was con¬ 
spicuous. In the white varieties Madame de Graaff and Mrs. 
J. B. M. Camm may be mentioned particularly. 
In the old-fashioned double yellow trumpet Daffodil Van 
Sion the crop this season has been very heavy, and these 
plants are very useful, being bold and showy for massing. 
Oernus plenus was also very plentiful. 
Of Narcissus incomparabilis there was a bewildering number 
of varieties, at the head of which stood here t he Gloria Mundi, 
with its yellow perianth, and expanded cup stained orange- 
scarlet, if we except the giant Sir Watkin, the magnificent 
variety originally introduced by Messrs. Dicksons. Albus 
Gurantiaeus plenus and albus sulphurens plenus were almost 
over, but have done very well. Among the Narcissus Barrii 
perhaps the most beautiful was Barrii conspicuus, with its 
broad and spreading perianth and short, bright-edged cup. 
Narcissus Burbidgei was well in evidence in different types, 
md appeared to be in good healthy condition, while a number 
hf late flowering varieties appeared to be promising well, 
although still in the green. 
In an adjacent plot were observed Wallflowers of many hues. 
There has been a great demand for this old-fashioned flower of 
sweet, scent of late, and there are signs that it is coming to 
the front again. Its growing popularity, perhaps, is explained 
,hy the great variety of colours in which it is now being grown. 
A walk through the houses revealed that everything is well 
n hand for the coming season in this well-ordered nursery, and 
’hat the old-established Chester firm will be able to cope with 
fll demands made upon them at very short notice. 
Brodiaea uniflora (syn. Tritclcia uniflora.) 
An early-flowering, small bulbous plant which remains in 
ewer over a very considerable period. It is very useful for 
massing as a carpet for beds of flowering shrubs, or if planted 
n a cold frame in autumn, it will supply a wealth of white 
oweis tinged jvith blue on the reverse side. Native of Buenos 
yyrea. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. 
April 21st. 
1 he Drill Hall on Tuesday of the above date was very much 
crowded, owing to the presence of the ordinary meeting" of the 
society in conjunction with the National Primula and Auricula 
Society, which held their show on this occasion. Bound the sides 
of the building large groups of flowering trees and shrubs were 
arranged, and groups of Cinerarias were also a prominent 
feature, together with Daffodils, Tulips, Aoalypha hispida, and 
other stove and greenhouse plants. Hardy herbaceous plants an 1 
rookery subjects were also well represented. Orchids well hell 
their own. 
ORCHID COMMITTEE. 
R. W. Hudson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. James Gibson), Danesfield, 
Marlow, Bucks, staged a splendid group of Dendrobium 
wardianum, showing excellent culture. The stems were wreathed 
with blossom for about half their length, and some beautiful 
varieties were observable in the group. " (Silver Banksian Medal.) 
Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield, exhibited 
a mixed and interesting group of Orchids. Very fine were Odon- 
togloissum Ha,Hi, 0. harryanum, O. andersomianum, Oncidium 
marshallianum, Cypripedium grande, Miltonia Roezli alba, 
Droseka mgiiotoma. (See p. 397.) 
Cattleya gigas and Cattleya intermedia nive-a. (Silver Banksian 
Medal.) 
W. M. Low, Esq. (gaidener, Mr. H. Linsey), Wellesbourne 
House, Warwick, exhibited a group of Dendrobiums, chiefly 
varieties and hybrids of D. nobile, showing considerable variation 
in colour. The plants were in splendid form and well flowered. 
Messrs. Oharlesworth and Co., Heaton, Bradford, exhibited a 
select group of Orchids, including Laeliocattleya highburyensis, 
Lc. G. S. Ball, Lc. Dora magnifiea, Lc. Mercia, Miltonia bleu an a 
grandiflora rosea, and a finely blotched form of Odontoglossum 
crispum. (Silver Flora Medal.) 
Jeremiah Colman, Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. P. Bound), Gatton 
Park, Reigate, exhibited Acineta Humboldtii Coknani, having 
large fleshy flowers with small crimson spots. 
Norman C. Cookson, Esq. (gardener, Air. H. J. Chapman), Oak- 
wood, Wylam-onr-Tyne, staged Odontoglossum crispum Jennetta, 
a very finely spotted variety, and also Dendrobium Venus grandi- 
florum. 
Captain C. C. Hurst, Burbage Grove, Hinckley, exhibited Lc. 
hyeana magnifiea. 
F. Wellesley, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Gilbert), Westfield 
Common, near Woking, exhibited Laeliocattleya Iona ignescens 
with a blackish-crimson lip. 
Messrs. J. Veitoh and Sons, Limited, Chelsea, exhibited a re- 
