March  1,  1900, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
183 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — February  27th. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  was  in  all  respects  a  splendid  one,  the 
Hall  being  almost  quite  full  of  excellently  grown  produce.  Orchids 
were  magnificently  staged  by  both  trade  and  private  growers.  Fruits 
were  neither  numerous  nor  particularly  meritorious. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present  :  Philip  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair) ; 
and  Messrs.  Jas.  H.  Veitch,  E.  Shaw  Blaker,  W.  Poupart,  M.  Gleeson, 
G.  Keif,  A.  Dean,  S.  Mortimer,  G.  Miles,  W.  Bates,  G.  Reynolds, 
G.  Wythes,  R.  Balderson,  F.  Q.  Lane,  J.  Willard,  E.  Beciett, 
H.  Markham,  and  G.  Bnnyard,  and  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks. 
Mr.  R.  Bullock,  gardener  to  C.  Pearce  Serocold,  Esq.,  Taplow  Hill, 
Maidenhead,  staged  a  collection  of  Apples  in  good  condition,  which 
included  capital  dishes  of  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Blenheim  Pippin, 
Waltham  Abbey  Seedling,  Norfolk  Beeflng,  and  Tower  of  Glamis  (silver 
Banksian  medal).  Mr.  G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Northumber¬ 
land,  staged  Yanilla  planifolia,  both  growth  and  fruits.  Mr.  Jas.  Hudson, 
gardener  to  L.  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury  House,  sent  some 
ripe  fruits  of  the  common  Papaw  (Carica  papaya)  and  received  a 
cultural  commendation.  A  capital  dish  of  Parsnip  Tender  and  True 
was  staged  by  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  gardener  to  Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree, 
which  received  a  cultural  commendation.  A  number  of  Apples  and  a 
few  Pears  were  before  the  Committee,  but  only  one  secured  an  award. 
Floral  Committee. — Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  0.  Thomas,  H.  B.  May,  G.  Nicholson, 
G.  Reuthe,  R.  Dean,  Wm.  Howe,  J.  Hudson,  J.  Jennings,  R.  Fife, 
R.  B.  Lowe,  C.  J.  Salter,  C.  E.  Pearson,  J.  "W.  Barr,  Chas.  Jefferies 
J.  Fraser,  G.  Gordon,  W.  H.  Lees,  Jas.  Walker,  C.  E.  Shea,  H,  J. 
Cutbush,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  H.  J.  Jones,  E.  T.  Cook  and  G.  Paul. 
A  table  of  Lachenalia  Nelsoni  in  pots  was  staged  by  Mr.  W.  Allan, 
gardener  to  Lord  Suffield,  Gunton  Park.  The  plants  were  a  mass  of 
golden  yellow  spikes,  and  clearly  evinced  high  cultural  treatment  (silver 
Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  arranged  a 
large  table  of  Cyclamens  in  grand  condition  ;  the  foliage  left  nothing  to 
be  desired,  whilst  each  plant  without  exception  was  literally  covered 
with  well-developed  flowers  in  every  shade  known  to  Cyclamen  growers. 
The  white,  rose  and  crimson  varieties  arranged  in  blocks  were 
particularly  effective  (silver-gilt  Banksian  medal). 
Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham,  arranged  his  first 
group,  of  spring  flowers  at  the  Hall,  which  consisted  of  Narcissi  in 
variety,  and  included  N.  bicolor  Horsefieldi,  Emperor,  Golden  Spur, 
rugilobus.  Sir  Watkin,  and  Henry  Irving  among  others  ;  also  a 
collection  of  Hyacinths  in  variety,  the  whole  arranged  with  Palms  and 
Ferns  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  staged  a  group  of  hardy 
flowers.  The  Hellebores  were  interesting,  and  staged  in  variety.  The 
chief  forms  were  H.  orientalis  punctatus,  H.  o.  ruberrissimus,  H.  o. 
antiquorum  James  Atkins,  and  H.  o.  a.  elegans.  Pots  of  Narcissi,  such 
as  cyclamineus,  N.  coronatus,  and  N.  minimus;  also  a  collection  of 
Crocuses  and  Cyclamens.  Messrs.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood, 
arranged  a  semicircular  group  of  foliage  and  flowering  plants,  which 
included  Kentias,  Dracaenas,  Crotons,  Pandanus,  and  Abutilons  in  the 
foliage  section,  while  Azaleas  indica  and  mollis.  Begonias,  Cyclamens, 
and  Tulips  were  the  most  prominent  in  the  flowering  plants  (bronze 
Flora  medal).  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  N.,  staged  a 
table  of  spring  flowering  plants  which  were  most  interesting.  The 
Acacia  Drummondi.  Boronia  megastigma.  Daphne  Mezereum,  Ericas 
Wilmoreana  and  melanthera,  with  Epacris  Lady  Panmure  and  Diadem, 
formed  a  unique  display  arranged  with  well-fruited  plants  of  Citrus 
sinensis,  Aralias,  Palms,  and  a  front  of  Ficus  repens  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
From  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Tottenham,  came  a  collection  of 
rock  and  alpine  flowering  plants  and  bulbs,  chief  of  which  were  Iris 
reticulata  purpurea,  Hyacinthus  azureus,  Galanthus  giganteus  and 
Whittalli,  also  some  Anemones,  Cyclamens,  and  Saxifragas.  Messrs. 
Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  arranged  a  grand  exhibit  of  Camellias 
in  pots,  and  cut  flowers  in  boxes,  while  the  plants  of  Clematis  indivisa 
lobata  imparted  a  lightness  to  the  exhibit.  The  large  plants  staged 
clearly  demonstrate  Mr.  W.  Paul’s  well-known  love  for  the  Camellia, 
though  it  may  be  under  a  cloud  as  far  as  public  favour  is  concerned. 
But  on  this  occasion  everyone  was  compelled  to  admire  the  clean 
healthy  plants  and  their  wealth  of  flowers.  The  following  varieties 
were  well  represented — Imbricata,  Exquisite,  Alba  Plena,  Reine  des 
Fleurs,  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  Halleyi,  Teutonia,  Mathotiana,  Lady 
Hume’s  Blush,  Jeffersoni,  C.  M.  Hovey,  and  Montironi  vera  (gold 
medal). 
The  Rose  season  was  opened  by  Mr,  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  who 
staged  two  boxes,  and  a  number  of  vases  of  cut  blooms.  A  box  of 
Captain  Hayward  were  in  grand  form,  the  colour  being  bright  and  the 
blooms  full.  Mrs.  J.  Laing  was  also  of  good  colour  and  size,  especially 
for  this  early  date.  La  France,  staged  with  18  inches  of  clear  foliage, 
was  also  to  be  admired  ;  as  was  also  Viscountess  Folkestone  (silver-gilt 
Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  staged  a  few 
baskets  of  early  flowering  Irises,  Anemones,  and  Galanthuses.  Four 
vases  of  Violets  were  staged  by  Mr.  G.  Nobbs,  gardener  to  her  Majesty 
the  Queen,  Osborne,  and  included  large  bunches  of  Princess  Beatrice, 
Princess  of  Wales,  Amiral  Avellan,  and  Primavera. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  staged  a  vase  of  double  white  Lilac 
Belle  de  Nancy,  beautiful  in  colour  and  nicely  perfumed ;  also  Rose 
Paul’s  Single  White.  From  Mr.  J.  Downes,  gardener  to  J.  T.  Bennett 
Poe,  Esq.,  Cheshunt, came  a  beautiful  plant  of  Agapetes  buxifolia  (fig.  49) 
a  hardwooded  plant  seldom  seen.  A  large  group  of  Narcissi  in  pots  was 
staged  by  P.  Purnell,  Esq.,  Woodland,  Streatham  Hill,  which  included 
some  capital  examples  of  Sir  Watkin,  rugilobus,  Emperor,  Empress, 
incomparabilis,  and  poeticus  types  (silver  Flora  medal).*!*  Messrs.  F. 
Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  Herts,  staged  a  new  Camellia  General  Hector 
Macdonald  and  a  double  Azalea  Louis  Sander,  both  of  which  exhibited 
points  of  excellence.  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  con¬ 
tinue  to  exhibit  their  Rhododendron  hybrids,  which  are  as  attractive 
as  ever,  the  colours  being  exceedingly  bright. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present  :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair) ;  and  Messrs.  Jas.  O’Brien,  W.  Cobb,  J.  Douglas,  H.  A,  Tracy, 
H.  T.  Pitt,  W.  Thompson,  E.  Hill,  J.  Jacques,  T.  W.  Bond,  F.  J.  Thorne, 
J,  Wilson  Potter,  J.  T.  Gabriel,  H.  J.  Chapman,  IW.  H.  Young, 
H.  Little,  H.  Ballantine,  de  B.  Crawshay,  C.  J.  Lucas,°R.  B.  White, 
J.  Colman,  W.  H.  White,  and  T.  B.  Haywood. 
The  collections  of  Orchids  sent  by  various  growers  of  repute  were 
of  exceptional  beauty  and  interest.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd., 
Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea,  contributed  a  bright  and  diversified 
group.  The  plants  were  well  flowered  and  effectively  arranged. 
Dendrobiums  were  splendid,  and  included  a  fine  specimen  of  atro- 
violaceum,  with  Euosmum  delicatum,  Euryalus,  Cybele  elegans,  rubens 
grandiflora,  splendidissimum,  Wardiano-japonicum,  nobile,  Ainsworthi, 
intertextum,  and  splendidissimum  grandiflorum.  There  were  also 
Lselia  Mrs.  M.  Gratrix  rosea,  Cypripedium  Lathamianum,  C.  calypso, 
Phalsenopsis  Mrs.  J.  H.  Veitch,  Lselia  glauca,  Lycaste  costata,  Sophro- 
laelia  Iseta  superba,  Phaio-Calanthe  Niobe,  Epidendrum  elegantulum, 
and  two  magnificent  varieties  of  Lselio-Cattleya  callistoglossa  named 
respectively  superba  and  splendens  (silver  Flora  medal.) 
The  backbone  of  the  exhibit  from  Mr.  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  grower 
to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart,  Burford  Lodge,  Dorking,  was  found  in 
the  beautiful  collection  of  Dendrobiums,  which  comprised  melan- 
odiscus,  Johnsonianum,  specie  -  Kingianum,  barbatulum  puniceum, 
Hilli,  Clio  Burford  variety.  The  Pearl,  Wiganse  xanthochilon,  nobile, 
Burford  variety,  melanodiscus  Dido,  Treacherianum,  splendidissimum, 
Dominanium,  pallens,  Juno,  burfordiense,  chrysodiscus,  and  Luna.  Mr. 
White  sent  also  a  basket  of  Cypripedium  hursuto  Sallieri  as  illus- 
