JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  26,  1900. 
Tlie  Hoyal  fjorticnltural  Society. 
Drill  Hall,  April  24th, 
Seldom  has  the  incapacity  of  the  Drill  Hall  been  better  exemplified 
than  was  the  case  on  Tuesday.  Every  corner  of  the  hall  was  packed 
with  products  in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  anyone 
properly  appreciating  the  beauties  of  the  exhibits.  This  was  to  a 
certain  extent  accounted  for  by  the  presence  of  the  National  Primula 
and  Auricula  Society,  a  report  of  whose  show  will  be  found  on  another 
page,  but  the  fact  remains  that  the  accommodation  of  the  Drill  Hall  is 
insufficient  for  the  splendid  shows  of  to-day.  The  Fruit  Committee 
was  not  pressed,  there  being  only  four  exhibits,  including  magnificent 
Lemons  from  Kew,  Winter  Orange  Pears  from  Mr,  Notcutt,  and 
Cucumbers  from  Mr.  Markham  of  Wrotham  Park. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  5 
with  Messrs.  J.  H.  Laing,  H.  B.  May,  G.  Reuthe,  G.  Nicholson,  J.  H- 
Fitt,  E.  Molyneux,  J.  F.  McLeod,  C.  R.  Fielder,  H.  S.  Leonard.  J.  Frasen 
J.  D.  Pawle,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  R.  W.  Ker,  G.  Gordon,  C.  Jefferies,  T.  W. 
Sanders,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  C.  E.  Shea,  E.  T.  Cook,  J.  W.  Barr,  G.  Paul, 
C.  Blick,  H.  J.  Jones,  J.  Hudson,  J.  Jennings,  W.  Howe,  and  H.  Turner. 
Mr.  R.  Brown,  gardener  to  Sir  F.  Tress  Barry,  Bart.,  St.  Leonard’s 
Hill,  Windsor,  exhibited  a  collection  of  fifty  varieties  of  Camellias  from 
plants  grown  out  of  doors.  The  flowers  were  of  exceptional  excellence, 
while  the  foliage  was  of  splendid  substance.  Such  an  exhibit  as  this 
should  do  much  to  popularise  those  handsome  plants  for  outdoor 
culture.  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  contributed  a  display  of 
Begonias,  amongst  which  were  Gloire  de  Montet,  Boule  de  Neige, 
Triomphe  de  Lorraine,  all  semi-doubles,  and  the  brilliant  Count  Zepplin. 
Veronica  Bulkeana  and  Primula  obconica  were  also  staged.  Mr.  G.  W. 
Piper,  Uckfield,  sent  a  number  of  blooms  of  the  beautiful  Rose  Sunrise, 
which  is  rapidly  becoming  so  popular. 
A  large  bank  of  Cineraria  polyantha  (cruenta  hybrids)  was  arranged 
by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  The  plants  carried  splendid 
foliage  and  graceful  heads  of  variously  coloured  flowers.  This  type  of 
Cinerarias  produces  excellent  material  for  cutting.  Messrs.  R.  &  G. 
Cuthbert,  Southgate,  were  represented  by  a  group  of  Azaleas,  mainly 
comprising  varieties  of  the  Ghent  section.  Many  of  them  were  of 
great  beauty,  and  strikingly  floriferous.  A  most  handsome  exhibit  of 
Cinerarias  was  sent  by  Messrs  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn.  The 
singles  indicated  an  excellent  strain,  not  too  dwarf,  and  carrying 
handsomely  coloured  and  formed  flowers  in  abundance.  The  double 
varieties  also  were  good. 
A  most  attractive  group  was  that  comprising  pot  Roses  from  Messrs. 
F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester.  Needless  to  say  the  plants  were  excellently 
grown  and  carried  flowers  of  fine  substance.  Many  of  the  most 
popular  varieties  were  represented.  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Son,  Norwood, 
arranged  a  group  of  Lilacs,  Staphylea  colchica.  Azaleas,  Clivias, 
Ribes,  Laburnums,  and  others,  the  whole  being  tastefully  displayed. 
Mr.  D.  Kemp,  gardener  to  W.  Bryant,  Esq.,  Sfoke  Park,  Slough,  sent  a 
number  of  Amaryllises,  magnificent  plants  in  large  pots,  carrying  large 
numbers  of  spikes  of  finely  formed  flowers. 
Roses  in  pots,  trained  in  various  forma,  were  arranged  by  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt.  The  plants  of  Psyche  were 
superb,  as  were  the  many  other  varieties  represented.  A  few  hardy 
plants  were  also  employed  as  an  edging.  Plants  of  Gilffinia  trifoliata 
(fig.  100)  were  most  charming.  Mr.  J.  Russell,  Riohmond,  contributed 
a  collection  of  Japanese  Maples,  but  the  position  assigned  to  them 
was  not  favourable  to  showing  their  beauty.  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper 
Edmonton,  had  an  artistic  arrangement  of  splendidly  grown  plants 
of  Crimson  Rambler  Roses,  Hydrangeas,  Caladiums,  Spiraeas,  with 
Clematis  Nellie  Moser  and  Marcel  Moser,  and  Perns. 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Co.,  Forest  Hill,  contributed  a  collection  of 
flowering  and  foliage  plants,  including  Ericas,  Clivias,  Begonias, 
Crotons,  Dracaenas,  Palms,  and  others,  all  in  good  condition.  The 
same  firm  sent  also  a  semicircular  group  of  Azaleas,  Crimson  Rambler 
Roses,  Lilacs,  Acers,  Roses,  and  Clematis.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons 
exhibited  Lilacs,  with  Magnolias  obovata  Lenne,  conspicua  Norberti, 
Soulangeana,  and  stellata.  Mr.  W.  Humsey,  Joyning’s  Nursery, 
Waltham  Cross,  sent  some  magnificent  Roses,  including  Marechal  Niel, 
Niphetos,  L’Ideal,  and  others.  Prom  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  came 
Cineraria  Lady  Thiselton  Dyer,  a  hybrid  from  C.  Heritieri,  and  a  blue 
gaiden  form.  It  is  a  graceful  and  attractive  plant. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  showed  Pelargonium  Emanuel  Lias, 
a  pretty  rose  and  white  variety.  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester, 
staged  Muscaris,  Irises,  Priti  larias,  and  Erythroniums  in  variety. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  were  represented  by  Azaleas, 
Gueldres  Roses,  Staphylea  colchica.  Lilacs,  Calla  ElUottiana,  and  Palms. 
Mr.  J.  Hudson,  gardener  to  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury, 
staged  a  dozen  varieties  of  Cape  Pelargoniums,  all  carrying  floweis  of 
great  excellence.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  sent  a  number 
of  Japanese  dwarfed  trees. 
Irish  grown  Tulips,  from  Messrs.  Hogg  &  Robertson,  Dublin,  made 
a  really  brilliant  display,  and  was  immensely  admired.  All  the  popular 
varieties  were  represented  by  flowers  of  exceptional  excellence.  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons  sent  a  small  group  of  Hydrangea  hortensis  rosea. 
Orchid  Committee.- — Present:  H.  Little,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  J.  Oolman,  T.  Roohford,  W.  Cobb, 
J.  Douglas,  H.  T.  Pitt,  H.  A.  Tracy,  E.  Hill,  J.  W.  Potter,  P.  J.  Thorne, 
W.  H.  White,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  J.  Chapman,  and  J.  Jaques. 
Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  arranged  a  handsome  group 
of  Orchids.  Cattleyas  were  particularly  prominent,  while  Odonto- 
glossums  were  also  excellent.  Phala^nopsis  Lady  Rothschild  is  an 
attractive  form,  that  was  much  admired..  Mr.  W.  Whitlock,  gardener 
to  W.  A.  Bilney,  Esq.,  Weybridge,  staged  some  superb  Dendrobiums, 
that  made  a  bright  show.  Mr.  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford  Lodge,  Dorking,  sent  Dendrobium 
macrostachya,  D.  teretrifolium,  Cirrhopetalum  fimbriatum,  and 
Cattleya  Schroderse.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  staged  Dendrobium 
Sosius,  Lselio- Cattleya  Wellsiana,  Cypripedium  Jocasta,  and  Zygocolax 
alba. 
Mr.  Robbins,  gardener  to  W.  Vanner,  Esq.,  Chislehurst,  sent  Cypri¬ 
pedium  William  Vanner,  while  Sir  J.  Miller,  Duns,  N.B.,  showed  Laelio- 
Cattleya  Lady  Miller.  Mr.  Thurgood,  gardener  to  H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq., 
Stamford  Hill,  exhibited  a  miscellaneous  group  of  Orchids,  including 
representatives  of  many  of  those  now  in  flower.  Mr.  W.  H.  Young, 
Pig.  100. — Gillenia  trifoliata. 
Orchid  grower  to  Sir  P.  Wigan,  Bart.,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen, 
contributed  Cattleya  Metideli,  C  Schroderse,  C  Schilleriana,  C.  inter¬ 
media  superba,  Laelia  Jongheana,  L.  Latona,  a  superb  white  Cattleya 
intermedia,  and  a  few  others.  Mr.  W.  Stevens,  gardener  to  W.  Thomp¬ 
son,  Esq.,  Stone,  Staffs,  exhibited  some  Odontoglossums  of  exceptional 
excellence,  two  of  which  were  specially  honoured  and  are  referred  to 
below.  There  were  several  other  growers  who  contributed  small 
exhibits,  including  Messrs,  de  Barri  Crawshay,  N.  C.  Cookson,  and 
J.  Colman. 
Narcissus  Committee. — Present :  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  wiih  Messrs.  C.  Macmichael,  G.  T.  Titheradge,  R.  Sydenham, 
J.  Boscawen,  A.  Kingsmill,  W.  Poupart,  P.  R.  Barr,  W.  Ware,  J.  W^lker, 
G.  H.  Engleheart,  S.  A.  de  Graaff,  J.  Pope,  W.  Goldring,  C.  Scrase 
Dickens,  S.  Eugene  Bourne,  and  Miss  Willmott. 
Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecioft  Nursery,  Lewisham,  staged  a  table  of 
Narcissi  arranged  with  Palms,  and  a  front  of  Isolepis  and  Panicum. 
The  chief  vaiieties  were  Empress,  Emoeror,  Sulphur  Phoenix,  Victoria, 
Apricot,  Samson,  Gloria  Mundi,  and  W.  P.  Milner.  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  L  d.,  Chelsea,  arranged  a  large  table  of  Narcissi  with 
Adiantums  and  Pterises  iti  relief,  making  a  pleasant  groundwork.  The 
collection  included  most  of  the  well  known  forms,  the  chief  were 
