272 
JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  i9,  1900. 
Stenogastra  concmna, 
This  is  a  small  but  attractive  stove  plant  that  is  by  no  means  so 
shoivy  as  some  of  its  relatives  in  the  Gesnera  family.  The  interest 
of  plant  houses,  however,  does  not  depend  on  occupants  with  large 
or  brilliant  flowers,  and  sometimes  a  neat  little  plant  like  this 
Stenogastra  (fig.  V3)  is  quite  as  much  admired  as  those  of  more 
striking  character.  The  leaves  are  small  and  oval,  the  growths  short, 
and  the  flowers  rise  in  slender  stalks  only  an  inch  or  two  above  the 
soil.  They  have  a  narrow  funnel-like  tube,  with  an  expanded  limb  of 
five  lobes — the  two  upper  very  dark  purple,  the  lower  a  lighter  shade 
of  purplish  lilac  and  white,  a  dark  stripe  running  down  the  upper  part 
of  the  tube  outside,  and  inside  are  numerous  dark  spots.  Flowers 
are  produced  freely,  and  clustered  over  the  plant  have  a  pleasing 
appearance. 
- - - - 
Tlie  Hoyal  llorticultural  Society. 
Drill  Hall,  March  27th. 
The  exhibition  on  Tuesday  was  an  excellent  one,  considering  the 
weather  that  has  prevailed  of  late.  Orchids  were  not  generally  very 
numerous,  but  floral  exhibits  were  plentiful  and  varied.  Apples  were 
not  particularly  meritorious. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present ;  Philip  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  the  Eev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  J.  H.  Veitch,  J.  Cbeal,  G.  Keif, 
A.  Dean,  S.  Mortimer,  J.  W.  Bates,  W.  Farr,  G.  Wythes,  W.  Balderson, 
F.  Q.  Lane,  Jas.  Smith,  G.  Reynolds,  E.  Bectett,  J.  Willard,  G.  Bunyard, 
and  H.  S.  Rivers. 
Mr.  R.  Parker,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Richmond  and  Gordon, 
Goodwood,  staged  nine  dishes  of  Apples  in  good  condition,  which 
embraced  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Sturmur  Pippin,  Norfolk  Beefing, 
Beauty  of  Hants,  and  Wellington.  Mr.  W.  Poupart,  Marsh  Farm, 
Twickenham,  staged  five  varieties  of  Rhubarb,  to  show  their  respective 
merits  as  grown  outside  at  this  season.  Daw’s  Champion  was  far  and 
away  superior  to  the  others,  and  the  committee  awarded  it  a  first-class 
certificate,  which  was  richly  deserved.  Hawke’s  Champagne  came 
next  in  point  of  earliness,  but  was  decidedly  behind  in  both  size  and 
colour.  Albert  followed  with  less  than  a  third  of  the  growth,  while 
Linneeus  was  smaller  still  under  the  same  conditions.  Victoria  was 
only  just  starting. 
FL0R.4L  Committee.— Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  G.  Reuthe,  Wm. 
Howe,  J.  Hudson,  J.  Jennings,  J.  F.  McLeod,  R.  Fife,  C.  H.  Pearson, 
J.  D.  Pawle,  R.  Wilson  Ker,  Chas.  E.  Shea,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  E.  T.  Cook, 
Harry  Turner,  G.  Paul,  G.  Nicholson,  and  J.  H.  Laing. 
A  splendid  collection  of  hardy  flowering  plants  and  shrubs  were 
staged  by  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross.  The  old  Double 
French  Cherry,  Carnation-flowered  Peach,  Staphylea  colchica,  Double 
White  Peach,  Forsythia  suspensa,  and  Pyrus  Malus  floribunda  were  all 
deserving  of  special  attention,  while  their  arrangement  with  a  variety 
of  foliage  plants  left  little  to  be  desired  (silver-gilt  Flora  medal). 
Messrs.  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate  Nurseries,  staged  a  group  of 
Azalea  indica.  Fielder’s  White,  arranged  with  Palms  and  Ferns.  The 
plants  were  all  giants,  and  carried  hundreds  of  flowers,  probably  thou¬ 
sands;  it  was  certainly  a  noteworthy  exhibit  (bronze  Banksian  medal). 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  arranged  a  group  of  foliage  and 
flowering  plants,  such  as  Clivias,  Azalea  mollis.  Ericas,  Azalea  indica. 
Cyclamen,  Hyacinths,  and  Mignonette,  with  Palms,  Ferns,  Pandanus 
Veitchi,  and  Aralias.  The  group  was  spread  out  to  such  an  extent 
that  most  of  the  pots  and  other  machinery  was  all  too  visible. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  had  a  large  exhibit  of  Narcissi, 
grown  in  pots,  also  in  a  cut  state.  The  chief  forms  were  Cynosure, 
Victoria,  Henry  Irving,  Duke  of  Bedford,  Cernuus,  Emperor,  Horse- 
fieldi,  Sir  Watkin,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Catherine  Spurrell,  Cyclamineus, 
W m.  Goldring,  Emperor,  and  Golden  Spur,  amongst  many  others.  A 
few  Anemone  fulgens,  Scillas,  and  Irises  gave  a  little  brightness  to 
such  a  large  group  of  yellow  and  white  (silver  Flora  medal).  Messrs.  H. 
Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  staged  a  box  of  semi-double  Zonal  Pelar- 
goniums,  pure  white  in  colour,  and  a  fine  improvement  on  the  old 
Hermione,  should  make  a  good  market  variety  ;  it  was  labelled  All 
Flower  (Miss  G.  Ashworth),  from  which  it  does  not  transpire  whether 
Miss  G.  Ashworth  is  the  actual  name  or  that  of  the  raiser. 
Messrs.  Isaac  House  &  Son,  Westbury-on-Trym,  Bristol,  staged  a 
table  of  Violets  in  pots,  all  well  grown  and  flowered.  The  following 
varieties  were  included — La  France,  Luxonne,  Princess  of  Wales, 
California,  Admiral  Avellan,  Coolcroonin,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Astor,  and 
R.  Augustine,  certainly  an  interesting  exhibit.  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  staged  some  specimen  plants  of  Viburnum  Tinus 
lucidum  in  baskets.  The  plants  were  all  in  splendid  health,  and  well 
furnished  throughout  with  attractive  white  flowers  (silver  Banksian 
medal).  The  same  firm  also  arranged  a  pretty  group  of  Clivia  miniata 
seedlings,  which  displayed  a  wide  range  of  colouring,  while  the  plants 
were  carrying  large  and  well  developed  trusses  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Cyclamens  were  staged  in  great  variety  by  the  St.  George’s  Nursery 
Company,  Hanwell.  The  plants  were  in  5  and  6-inch  pots,  and  all 
laden  with  flowers.  Some  of  the  plants  must  have  been  carrying  fifty 
to  sixty  fully  developed  flowers.  The  same  firm  also  staged  a  table  of 
Cyclamen  fimbriata.  This  is  truly  a  novelty,  the  foliage  being  as  much 
fringed  as  the  flowers,  but  it  is  decidedly  inferior  to  the  old  strain  as  a 
decorative  plant  (silver-gilt  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware, 
Ltd.,  Tottenham,  arranged  a  table  of  hardy  plants  in  flower,  including 
Irises,  Primulas  in  variety,  Cyclamens,  Grape  Hyacinths,  Anemones, 
Saxifragas,  Narcissi,  and  others.  The  exhibit  was  spread  out  too 
much  to  permit  of  a  good  display.  A  pleasing  feature  was  the 
group  of  Hippeastrums  staged  by  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A. 
Kendrick,  Esq.,  Barron  Court,  Edgbaston.  The  flowers  were  well 
formed  and  of  good  type. 
Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham,  arranged  a  collection 
of  Tulips  and  a  few  Narcissi.  The  Tulips  were  chiefly  Joost  Van 
Vondel,  Belle  Alliance,  Bacchus,  Wouvermans,  Lord  Derby,  Queen  of 
the  Netherlands,  Proserpine,  and  Artus,  while  the  Narcissi  comprised 
the  well  known  sorts,  all  arranged  with  little  Ferns  and  Palms,  and  a 
variety  of  other  spring  flowering  shrubs.  A  group  of  Laburnums, 
Magnolias,  Stapelias,  Laurustinus  hirta,  and  double  flowering  Thorns 
were  arranged  effectively  by  Messrs.  Wm.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate, 
but  the  light  from  the  windows  behind  somewhat  detracted  from  the 
display.  Mr.  J.  Russell,  Richmond,  had  a  collection  of  standard  and 
other  flowering  shrubs,  which  included  Lilacs  in  variety,  double  Prunus 
aud  Gueldres  Roses,  also  Clematises,  Azalea  mollis,  and  Staphyleas 
(silver  Flora  medal). 
Mr.  J.  May,  Twickenham,  staged  a  splendid  table  of  Cyclamens,  in 
a  variety  of  colours,  the  standard  reds,  whites,  and  shaded  flowers  were 
all  included  and  beautifully  developed.  The  strain  is  well  known,  and 
under  Mr.  May’s  care  appears  to  improve,  not  only  in  the  flowers  but 
in  the  foliage  also  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Col¬ 
chester,  staged  three  boxes  of  cut  Roses,  all  being  fresh  and  bright.  The 
following  varieties  were  well  represented — Medea,  Madame  Lambard, 
Perle  des  Jardins,  Cleopatra,  Rubens,  Bridesmaid,  The  Bride,  and 
Niphetos,  also  a  box  of  W.  A.  Eichardgon  in  superb  form  (bronze 
Fig.  73. — .SrENOGASTKA  concinna. 
Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  staged  a  few 
choice  hardy  Irises,  Hepaticas,  and  Tulips,  Hepatioa  coerulea  Warley 
Blue  being  very  attractive,  as  was  also  Iris  sindjarensis. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present :  J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.  (in  the  chair) ; 
and  Messrs.  H.  J.  Chapman,  J.  Coleman,  H.  T.  Pitt,  W.  H.  Young,  A. 
Hislop,  E.  Hill,  J.  Jaques,  W.  H.  White,  H.  A.  Tracy,  J.  W.  Potter, 
H.  Little,T.  W.  Bond,  and  de  B.  Crawshay. 
A  small  group  of  Orchids  was  arranged  by  Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co., 
St.  Albans.  Varieties  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  were  conspicuous, 
with  Cirrhopetalum  picturatum,  Bulbophyllum  saurocephalum,  Cypri- 
pedium  Svend  Bruin,  Oncidium  Wiltoni,  and  a  hybrid  Cypripedium 
from  barbatum  and  bellatulum  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Mr.  J.  Black, 
gardener  to  N.  G.  Thwaites,  Esq.,  Christchurch  Road,  Streatham, 
exhibited  Dendrobiums  nobile  Cooksonianum,  n.  Ballianum,  Wigante, 
Wardianum,  aud  others. 
A  bright  and  attractive  group  of  Orchids  came  from  Mr.  T.  Thur, 
good,  gardener  to  H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Rosslyn,  Stamford  Hill.  It  com  , 
