JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  21,  1900. 
0.‘5  -i 
Onions  froni  Bermnda. 
We  have  received  through  Messrs.  Northard  &  Lowe,  Tooley  Street, 
S.E.,  a  sample  of  Onions  from  Mr.  G.  A.  Bishop,  superintendent  of  the 
'Government  Botanic  Station  and  Public  Garden,  Bermuda,  who  “  would 
like  to  see  a  note  respecting  (hem  in  the  dear  old  Journal.”  We  under¬ 
stand  this  is  a  portion  of  the  first  consignment  to  this  country,  sent  with 
the  object  of  establishing  a  market  for  the  produce  in  Britain  during 
March,  April,  and  May.  At  present  Egyptian  Onions  largely  hold  the 
field  for  general  household  purposes.  They  are  firm,  conical  Onions, 
varying  in  size  from  1  to  2  or  3  inches  in  diameter,  of  a  dull  straw 
colour,  and  sell  for  7s.  or  Ss.  a  bag  of  about  100  lbs. 
The  Bermuda  Onions  are  entirely  different.  The  bulbs  are 
perfectly  flat,  and  resemble  the  original  type  of  the  white  Spanish, 
now  not  often  seen.  They  vary  in  size  from  a  little  under  2  inches 
to  a  little  over  3  inches  in  diameter,  the  larger  being  about  1|  inch 
thick  at  the  margin,  and  very  little  more  at  the  centre.  They  are 
greenish  yellow  in  colour,  very  firm,  with  thin  transparent  skins 
the  bulbs  perfectly  ripened,  and  bright  in  appearance.  Some  of  them 
when  roasted  were  found  unusutlly  tender,  mild,  and  sweet,  and  the 
•cook  praised  them  highly,  as  not  affecting  the  eyes  in  peeling. 
Whether  the  cost  of  production  and  transit  will  prejudice  the  Onions 
•of  our  ancient  colony  (-annexed  in  1609)  as  against  the  “'Egyptians” 
we  do  not  know,  but  we  are  strongly  of  opinion  that  it  would  be 
hard  to  find  better  samples  in  appearance,  quality,  and  the  varied 
sizes  requisite  for  general  household  use,  than  those  which  have  been 
sent  by  Mr.  Bishop  from  one  of  the  main  islands  of  the  Bermudas 
group  in  the  West  Atlantic,  nearly  600  miles  from  North  Carolina. 
These  islands  are  said  to  be  a  favourite  winter  resort  of  Americans; 
chief  products,  vegetables;  climate,  temperate  and  equable;  mean 
temperature  (1896)  69'7  ;  rainfall  (same  year)  59'38.  There  is  no  note 
on  the  soil  in  our  reference,  but  it  can  clearly  be  made  to  grow 
superior  culinary  Onions,  though  they  are  the  reverse  in  character  of 
the  Brobdignagian  bulbs  as  produced  by  our  great  growers  for 
exhibition. 
- - 
Tl(e  Hoyal  Horticultural  Society. 
Drill  Hall,  June  19th. 
The  exhibition  in  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  was  a  most  excellent 
one,  and  was  admirably  representative  of  the  plants  now  in  flower. 
Fruits  were  not  numerous,  but  some  splendid  Melons  and  Peaches  were 
exhibited.  Orchids  were  seen  in  b  )th  quantity  and  quality,  as  were 
exhibits  for  the  special  inspection  of  the  Floral  Committee. 
Fruit  Committee. 
Present  :  G.  B unyard.  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks, 
and  Messrs.  J.  H.  Veiich,  H.  Esliug,  A.  F.  Barron,  W.  Pope,  G.  Keif, 
A.  Dean,  S.  Mortimer,  W.  Bites,  W.  Farr,  G.  T.  Miles,  G.  Wythes, 
F.  Q.  Lane,  H.  Markham,  E.  Beckett,  G.  Norman,  and  J  Willard. 
Mr.  11.  Walters,  gardener  to  Lord  Gerard,  Eastwell  Park,  Ashford, 
contributed  an  excellent  collection  of  Melons,  including  the  leading 
varieties.  Mr.  H.  Folkes,  gardener  to  C.  E.  Strachan,  Esq.,  Gaddesden 
Park,  Hemel  Hempstead,  sent  Peaches  Dr.  Hogg  and  Royal  George, 
with  Mi'lons  Hero  of  Lockinge,  Taunton  Hero,  and  Eureka.  Mr.  W. 
Fyfe,  gardener  to  Lord  Wantage,  V.C.,  Lockinge  Park,  Wantage, 
arranged  a  splendid  collection  of  fruit.  Amongst  others  we  noted  well 
finished  Grapes  Madresfield  Court  and  Foster’s  Seedling,  Nectarine 
Imperatrice,  Peach  Stirling  Castle,  Figs  Brown  Turkey  and  White 
Ischia,  and  Melon  British  Queen.  The  fruits  were  set  off  with  Iris 
fiowers. 
Floral  Committee. 
Present;  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  Messrs.  J.  Walker, 
S.  M.  de  Graaff,  H.  B.  May,  C.  Jeffries,  R.  Dean,  G.  Reuthe,  J.  W. 
Barr,  W.  Howe,  J.  Fraser,  J.  Hudson,  J.  Jennings,  H.  S.  Leonard, 
C.  E.  Pearson,  J.  D.  Pawle,  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  C.  E.  Shea,  G.  Gordon, 
H.  J.  Jones,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  W.  J.  James,  G.  Paul,  E.  T.  Cook,  C.  Blick, 
and  E.  Mawley. 
Mr.  Chas.  Blick,  gardener  to  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  Hayes,  Kent, 
arranged  a  large  semi-circul  ir  group  of  Carnations  in  grand  style.  The 
blooms  were  simply  immense,  and  the  “  grass  ”  clearly  indicated  the 
splendid  condition  of  the  plants.  The  new  yellow  variety  Cecilia  could 
only  be  described  as  magnificent,  while  Mrs.  Martin  Smith,  Calypso, 
Grace,  King  Oscar,  Florizel,  Lady  Rose,  and  Mrs  Trelawny  were  also 
remarkable  for  their  beauty.  The  Palms  forming  the  back,  and  the 
Maidenhair  and  Caladium  argyrites  in  the  front,  made  an  excellent 
finish  to  the  group.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  arranged 
a  table  of  hardy  flowers  in  which  Paeonies  and  Irises  formed  the 
principal  features,  while  a  general  collection  of  cut  fiowers  made  up  a 
good  display.  The  Spanish  Irises  included  fine  bunches  of  Thunderbolt, 
Blue  Beauty,  California,  a  grand  yellow;  Cantab,  and  Snowball.  The 
most  conspicuous  Pmonies  were  Sir  Henry  Irving,  a  pretty  rose  ;  humea 
carnea,  flesh  pink  ;  delicatissima,  creamy  white;  Boccage,  rosy  red  ;  and 
Duke  of  Wellington,  a  good  white.  Iceland  Poppies,  Calichorti,  Lupinus 
arboreus  luteus,  and  Pyrethrums  were  all  worthy  of  commendation. 
Hardy  flowers  were  again  well  staged  by  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware 
Ltd.,  Feltham.  There  were  German  Irises,  Armeria  cephalotis 
rubra,  Cypripedium  spectabile,  Scabiosa  oaucasici,  Aster  alpinus,  a 
few  Liliu  ns,  which  included  L.  elegans  raaculatum  aureum,  L.  elegans 
r  ibustum,  L.  colchicum,  and  L.  pomponium,  while  a  collection  of  rock 
plants  completed  the  display.  A  tasteful  group  of  Carnations  arranged 
with  Palms,  variegated  Acers,  Ferns,  Crotons,  Dracaenas,  and  other 
foliage  plants  was  displayed  by  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper 
Holloway.  The  best  Carnations  were  Alice  Avres,  Rose  Celestial,  R.  H. 
Measures,  and  Tom  Sayers  in  the  border  section,  while  the  Milmaison 
type  was  represented  by  Sir  Evelyn  Wood,  Blush  White,  Princess  of 
Wales,  and  the  Churchwarden.  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd., 
Chelsea,  put  up  a  splendid  bank  of  Spanish  Irises,  Ranunculus,  and 
Ixias,  which  were  arranged  in  a  bank  of  Maidenhair  Pern,  and  produced 
a  capital  effect.  The  most  noteworthy  varieties  were  Darling,  Leander, 
Blanchard,  Agnes,  Belle  Chinoise,  Formosa,  and  Mia.  A  good  display 
of  mixed  English  varieties  was  also  staged,  and  the  Ranunculuses 
formed  an  attractive  feature. 
Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester,  had  a  fine  display  of  garden  and 
other  Roses  arranged  in  vases,  which  formed  a  perfect  Ro^e  garden  in 
itself.  A  few  of  the  best  varieties  were  Paul’s  Single  White,  Papillon, 
Reine  Olga  de  Wurtemburg,  Princess  de  S  igan,  fimbriata,  W.  A. 
Richardson  in  capital  form,  Paul’s  C  irmine  Pillar,  Marquis  of  Salisbury, 
Gustave  Regis,  and  Alister  Stella  Gray.  Prom  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son, 
Cheshunt,  came  a  large  colleotiun  of  garden  Ruses,  in  about  110 
varie  ies  ;  a  most  interesting  display.  The  new  garden  Rose  Una,  a 
creamy  semi-double  variety,  shading  to  apricot  in  the  centre,  was 
conspicuous;  as  were  The  Lion,  a  seedling  from  Carmine  Pillar; 
Aglaia,  L’Ideale,  Blairi  No.  2,  Gustave  Regis,  Morletti,  Mignonette,  Mrs. 
Bosanqiiet,  Rugosa  alba,  microphylla,  Fimbriata,  and  Carmine  Pillar. 
Hybrid  Aquiiegias  were  staged  in  grand  condition  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell 
and  Sons,  Swanley.  The  strain  is  undoubtedly  a  gjod  one,  and  as 
staged  left  little  to  be  desired,  the  colours  being  most  varied,  while 
the  huge  bunches  displayed  them  admirably. 
Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  staged  a  miscellaneous 
collection  of  plan's  and  cut  flowers.  The  back  was  formed  of  specimen 
plants  of  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana  in  full  flower,  Nicotiana  colossea 
foliis  variegatis,  a  gigantic  Tobacco  plant;  while  the  baskets  of  Roses 
arranged  with  Perns  made  a  pleasing  group.  The  Roses  included 
baskets  of  Madame  Hardy,  Adele  Prevost,  Spong,  Blanchfleur,  and  Gloire 
des  Polyantha.  Prom  Messrs.  Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  came  a  grand 
display  of  Pseonies,  Delphiniums,  and  Gaillardias.  The  Pceonies  were 
arranged  in  huge  clusters,  and  the  following  were  most  conspicuous — - 
Duchess  of  Somerset,  Joan  Seaton,  Dr.  Bonavia,  Maria  Kelway,  Lady 
Romilly,  Mrs.  George  Lewis,  Red  Ensign,  and  Sir  George  White.  The 
Delphiniums  formed  an  attractive  feature,  and  contributed  well  to  the 
exhibit.  A  most  interesting  exhibit  was  that  arranged  by  Messrs. 
Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  the  Irises,  L'liums,  Cabichorti,  and  Pseonies 
being  particularly  attractive,  while  good  b  inches  of  Incarvillea 
Delavayi,  Brodiaea  ixiodes,  and  a  few  bearded  Irises  materially  assisted 
the  display. 
Messrs.  Geo.  Cooling  &  Sons,  Bath,  arranged  a  fine  exhibit  of  garden 
Roses,  staged  in  their  well  known  style.  The  bunches  were  huge, 
though  lightly  arranged.  The  varieties  included  rugosa  fimbriata. 
Dr.  Rouges,  Papillon,  Queen  Mab,  Harrisoni,  Heb-i’s  L’p,  Perle  d’Or, 
Camoens,  Blanche  de  Coubert,  and  Marquis  of  Salisbury,  among  many 
other  well  known  varieties.  Mr.  G.  Prince,  Oxford,  arranged  a  large 
exhibit  of  Tea  Roses  in  boxes,  staged  in  the  orthodox  stjle,  also  in 
pyramid  form,  together  with  a  splendid  collecion  of  Sweet  Peas 
arranged  with  Asparagus.  The  Roses  included  fine  specimens  of 
Muriel  Grahame,  Marechal  Niel,  Comtesse  de  Nadailbac,  Princess 
Beatrice,  Maman  Cuchet,  Cleopatra,  Mons.  Furtado,  and  Catherine 
Mermet.  The  Sweet  Peas  were  in  the  pink  of  condition,  and  included 
such  varieties  as  Triumph,  Coun'ess  of  Radnor,  America,  Salopian, 
Firefly,  and  Ovid.  Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  staged  a  large 
collection  of  hardy  flowers  in  bunches,  forming  an  attractive  exhibit; 
notable  were  Dictamuus  fraxinella.  Campanula  speciosa,  Heuchera 
sanguinea,  double  Rockets,  Irises  in  variety,  also  Papa  vers,  and  Lychnis 
viscaria  splendens  plena.  Many  others  might  be  mentioned,  but  space 
forbids. 
Prom  Mr.  M.  Prichard,  Christchurch,  Hants,  also  came  a  collection 
of  hardy  fl  iwers,  arranged  in  large  bunches  which  looked  imposing 
and  attractive.  Some  of  the  chief  were  Dianthus  Napoleon  III., 
Orchis  foliosa,  Potentilla  Congo,  a  dark  crimson  variety  ;  Delphinium 
formosum.  Pinks  in  variety,  and  a  collection  of  Spanish  Irises.  Mr. 
J.  Fitt,  gardener  to  P.  W.  Campion,  Esq.,  Trumpet’s  Hill,  had  a  good 
collection  of  garden  Roses,  and  although  they  were  staged  in  a  bad 
light  it  had  the  advantage  of  preserving  the  fl  iwers,  which  kept  fresh 
and  bright  throughout  the  day.  The  bunches  of  Reve  d’Or,  W.  A. 
Richardson,  Carmine  Pillar,  and  Marquis  of  Sili-biry  were  capital. 
A  large  group  of  Pseonies  and  Irises  was  arranged  by  Messrs.  Jas. 
Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  TUe  Paeonies  were  simply  gorgeous, 
while  the  Irises  included  Arnols,  Nationale,  Louise  M-iyer,  Mrs.  H. 
Darwin,  Garrick,  Topaz,  and  Bridesmaid.  The  same  firm  also  sent 
greenhouse  Rtiododendrous  and  Kalanchoe  flamniea. 
Mr.  John  Fleming,  gardener  to  Lady  Pigott,  Wexham  Park, 
Slough,  occupied  a  large  space  at  the  side  of  the  hall  with  a  charming 
decorative  exhibit  beautifully  arranged,  while  the  material  employed 
was  of  first-rate  quality.  Tall  Humeas  and  Palms  formed  a  light 
