36 3 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 30, 1004. 
SOCIETIES. 
NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA. 
April I9th. 
The twenty-eighth annual show of this society was held on, 
the above date, in conjunction with the meeting of the ll.H.b., 
and was a great success. The tine weather which we had just 
a few days before the show had the effect of bringing on the 
blooms nicely, so that they were in tine condition for the show. 
All classes were well represented, or, at least, as well as we have 
been in the habit of expecling. Auriculas were, of course, the 
principal section of the show, but various other species ancl 
varieties were entered, such as Primulas, Polyanthuses, in¬ 
cluding a few of the laced types, and other species There were, 
however, numerous exhibits of Primulas brought up for the 
meeting of the R.H.S., so that the one show helped the other 
immensely. , . . , j 
The leading award for twelve distinct Auriculas was seemed, 
by Mr. James Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookham, burrey, 
who had well-grown specimens in Amy Robsart George Lign - 
body, Dr. Hardy, Magpie, Mrs. Phillips, and Ruby nm 
second award was taken by J. Sargent, Esq., Cobliam, Suney, 
with fine plants of F. D. Homer, Richard Headly, Heatherbell, 
Mrs. Potts, and Ruby. .vie 
J. Sargent, Esq., took the lead for six varieties of Auriculas, 
showing well-grown specimens of Acme, Gerald, Gladiator, 
Elaine, etc. He was followed by J. T. Bennett loe, Esq., 
Holm wood, Chesliunt, who had very good plants, ancl well 
bloomed, of some of the varieties above mentioned, there were 
seven entries in this class. , , r , 
For four Auriculas, distinct, the lead ivas taken by l. A. 
Wellesley, Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. Hopkins), Westfield Woking, 
who had beautiful specimens in Acme, Shirley Hibberd, etc. 
The second award in this case went to J. H. Wilson, Esq., fehei- 
For two Auriculas the lead was taken by A. S. Hampton, 
Esq., Reading, who had several well-grown varieties, including 
the beautiful" Ruby. Ci. W. Bentley, Esq., Stake Hill, Man¬ 
chester, was a good, second. 
The competitors for single specimens were pretty numerous, 
as usual, making the judging difficult work at times m allo¬ 
cating the prizes. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, had the best green- 
ed°etf in F. D. Horner; he was followed by F. Sargent, Esq. 
The first and second prizes for a green-edged variety were 
taken by J. T. Bennett Poe, Esq., showing George Lightbody 
in both cases. , . , , 
J. Sargent, Esq., again came to the front m the class ioi 
a white-edged variety, showing John Simonite. 
Wm. Smith, Esq., took the lead for a specimen self, showing 
Mrs. Phillips. The second award went to P. Hemnell, Esq., 
Winchmore Hill. . . 
There was wonderful competition in the class for 50 Auriculas, 
there being no less than six entries. The stipulation was that 
collections should contain at least 20 varieties, and might in¬ 
clude Alpines. The first award was secured by Mr. James 
Douglas, who had a very fine collection indeed; he had well 
mown and bloomed plants of Ringleader, Lancashire Hero, 
Heatherbell, Ruby, Black Bess, Sapphire, Ajax, Abbe Liszt, 
etc. The second award was won by Wm. Smith, Esq., Bishop s 
Stortford ; he had beautiful specimens in Shirley Hibberd, 
George Lightbody, Mrs. Podwell, Ruby, Mrs. Phillips, etc. 
Air. C. Turner came in third. 
In the class for four show Auriculas, open to those who had 
never previously won a prize, the first award went to Mr. G. 
Blick, gardener to M. R, Smith, Esq., Hayes, Kent. He had 
several well-grown varieties, and seems to have recently added 
this class of plants to his cultures. 
The premier show Auricula was Shirley Hibberd, a green- 
edged variety, exhibited by J. Sargent, Esq. 
There can be little question that the Alpine Auriculas take 
the eye of the casual visitor more than do the show varieties. 
The bright colours of the former, and their symmetrical 
arrangement, created an impression of great beauty. Mr. James 
Doimlas here again came to the front with well-grown specimens 
of Firefly, Rosy Morn, Dean Hole, J. F. Kew, Ganymede, and 
Teviotdale The second award was secured by Messrs. Pnulips 
and Taylor, Bracknell, Berks, beating Mr. C. Turner, who was 
The class for six Alpine Auriculas brought eight entries, and 
here again Mr. J. Douglas was determined not to be deposed. 
He had several very fine varieties, including Thetis, Firefly, 
and Gillie. Messrs. Phillips and Taylor were again second. 
For four Alpine Auriculas F. W. Price, Esq., Beckenham, 
came to the fiont with some well-grown specimens. R. Holding. 
Esq., Birmingham, was second. 
The best golden-centred Alpine Auricula was Charmer, shown 
by Messrs. Phillips and Taylor. A. S. Hampton, Esq., was 
second, and F. W. Price, Esq., third. 
Purnell-Purnell, Esq., Streatham Hill, had the best while- 
centred Alpine Auricula ; he was followed by Messrs. Phillips 
and Taylor 
R. Holding, Esq., had the best gold-centred Alpine Auricula 
in Mabel of the Manor. 
Messrs. Phillips and Taylor had the best white centre in this 
section. 
R. Holding, Esq., secured the [Silver Medal of the R.H.S. 
offered by Mr. J. Douglas for seedling Alpine Auriculas. 
The premier Alpine was the new white centre variety named 
Teviotdale, and was shown by Mr. J. Douglas. The latter was 
the only exhibitor of twelve fancy Auriculas. 
For twelve distinct species of Primula, Purnell-Purnell. Esq., 
was the only exhibitor, and amongst others he had P. verti¬ 
cil lata, P. marginata, P. frondosa, fine varieties of P. Sieboldii, 
etc. 
J. Granfield, Esq., Hayes, had the best group of species or 
varieties of Primula in a box or basket, showing fine specimens 
jin, P. frondosa, P. Sieboldii, P. obconica, etc. J. H. Wilson, 
Esq., Sheffield, took the second place with an interesting lot. 
Mr. S. Mortimer Rowledge, Farnliam, Surrey, took the lead 
for twelve fancy Polyanthuses, showing a very fine strain of 
well -flowered plants in large pots; he was followed by Mr. J. 
Douglas and Mr. Dean, of Ealing, in this order. 
For a single specimen fancy Polyanthus, M. P. P. ^ lllianis. 
Esq., St. Keverne, took the lead, beating Mr. Mortimer. 
Mr. J. Douglas came to the front for twelve Primroses, vInch 
were of large size and well defined in colour. Mr. R. Dean 
was second with a good strain. 
M. P. D. Williams, Esq., had the best single specimen Prim¬ 
rose. i i t rr 
For three gold-laced Polyanthuses the lead was taken by J . *' • 
Bentley, Esq., with some very fine plants of George IV., Mid¬ 
dleton'Favourite, etc. ; he was followed by Mr. R. Dean, who 
had also very good varieties. 
J. W. Bentley, Esq., and Mr. R, Dean Held the same posi¬ 
tions for a single plant of gold-laced Polyanthus. 
Mr. S. Mortimer again came to the front in the class tor 
a group of Primroses and Polyanthuses arranged for effec . 
As the strain was good and the plants well grown, the exu is 
in this class were very effective. J. Granfield, Esq., and i. ri. 
Barnard, Esq., Bedford, were second and third respectively. 
CROYDON AND DISTRICT SPRING SHOW. 
April 20th. 
A spring show is carried out at Croydon under the auspices 
of the Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Improvement 
Society, and on this occasion it was held in the Art Galleries, 
Park Lane, Croydon. A brilliant day of sunshine was mos 
favourable to the exhibition of plants and cut blooms, w in 
filled the side tables and floor spaces, contributed by mem tie is 
of the society, together with a few more who made displays oi 
behalf of the society. To look from one end of the reams to the 
other was a picture, and made a fine impression upon the mi u. 
of visitors, giving them an idea that spring m all its fullnes • 
beauty had at last arrived. . 
On cross-examination of the exhibits we found the i ■ 
bulbous flowers were very prominent in their bright colour. 
The alpines and flowering plants were also magnificent, aim. 
together with the products of the garden, contributed to mam 
the exhibition worthy of anyone’s time to visit. 
When, we think that all this display is made for no monetai 
benefits whatever, but simply to encourage the love of hoHnu 
ture m the minds of all, this society is to be congratulated u 
its unique and edifying undertaking. The exhibits weie w / 
numerous and of greater variation than in previous jeais, 
needless to say, since it was free to all, the show was 
patronised. It was open to the public from three to ten p.m- 
J. J. Reid, Esq., the president of the society (gardener, Mi. 
J. Oxtobv), contributed a miscellaneous group of plants, 
eluding Cineraria stellata, Azaleas, Mignonette, etc. 
.Tames Pascal 1, Esq. (gardener, Mr. A. Edwards), also had 
group of Cinerarias, and Azaleas. 
R. A. Laing, Esq. (gardener, Mr. B Acock)..brought 1 
interesting display of Primula obconica, V. kewems, and Aucis. • 
