June  3,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
489 
Byblatmen  Breeders. 
1  Mr.  Needham,  with  Bridesmaid 
2  Mr.  Bentley,  with  Beauty  of  Litchurch 
3  Mr.  Bentley,  with  Alice  Grey 
4  Mr.  Bentley,  with  Adonis 
5  Mr.  Kitchen,  with  Unnamed. 
Best  yellow  self,  Mr.  Needham,  with  Citronella.  |Best  white  self,  Mr. 
Bentley,  with  Cygnet. 
The  extra  prizes  for  the  best  feathered,  the  best  flamed,  and  the  best  breeder 
Tulips  in  the  show  were  all  won  by  Mr.  Bentley,  with  Sir  J.  Paxton,  flamed ; 
•  John  Mills,  feathered;  and  Lloyd’s  47.  breeder.  After  the  judging  the 
members  and  friends  dined  together,  Mr.  C.  W.  Needham,  the  President  for  the 
year,  occupying  the  chair. 
TAMWORTH  PANSY  AND  VIOLA  SHOW. 
Despite  the  unpropitioua  weather  that  had  predominated  for  the 
last  few  weeks,  this  important  exhibition,  which  was  held  on  the 
2oth  ult,,  in  a  large  marquee  at  Bolehall  House,  the  charming  residence 
and  grounds  of  Mr.  Wm.  Sydenham,  the  well-known  cultivator  and 
raiser  of  Violas  and  Fancy  Pansies.  The  recent  show  was,  in  some 
vespects,  not  so  good  as  usual,  the  entries  also,  from  the  same  cause, 
being  less  ;  otherwise  it  proved  successful,  and  was  well  attended  by 
■visitors. 
The  leading  feature  of  the  show  was  Mr.  W.  Sydenham’s  extensive 
and  much  varied  display  of  Pansies  and  Violas,  and  for  which  the  gold 
medal  was  worthily  awarded.  Another  attractive  feature  by  the  same 
gentleman  was  a  bsautiful  Jubilee  design  of  Violas  forming  the  initials 
V.R.,  the  upright  stands  having  been  made  for  the  purpose  out  of 
Sydenham’s  rustic  table  adornments.  In  the  centre  the  “  V  ”  was  com¬ 
posed  of  the  rich  crimson  purple  Councillor  W.  Waters,  and  the  “  R  ”  in 
the  ray  less  deep  yellow  Pembroke,  evidently  the  best  yellow  self  in 
•cultivation,  as  seen  at  the  present  time  in  the  Sydenham  collection. 
The  variety  in  question  was  awarded  a  F.C.C.  at  Regent’s  Park  Show 
last  year,  and  has  “  come  to  stay  ”  evidently.  The  flank  designs,  repre¬ 
senting  the  years  183  <  and  1897,  were  worked  in  white  and  yellow  and 
blue  and  white  respectively,  the  varieties  employed  being  Niphetos  and 
Stephen  for  the  former,  and  Niphetos  and  Mrs.  H.  Bellamy  for  the 
latter.  Altogether  it  was  an  appropriate,  well  conceived  arrangement, 
reflecting  much  credit  on  the  decorators,  Mr.  Sydenham’s  two  daughters. 
In  addition  to  the  foregoing  there  were  also  other  similar  designs  by  the 
same  artists,  one  being  a  most  effective  Prince  of  Wales’  Plumes,  com¬ 
posed  of  the  white  Niphetos  and  Formidable,  a  new  seedling,  catalogued 
1897,  a  lovely  variety,  colour  soft  lavender  self,  with  white  and  yellow 
centre.  Flanking  this  were  two  representations  of  Fir  trees,  which  were 
Tespectively  decorated  with  Dr.  Sculthorpe,  a  pale  creamy  self,  rayless, 
■a  real  acquisition,  and  Amy  Barr,  a  dark  pink  with  deeply  veined  white 
centre,  a  charming  variety.  The  whole  of  the  designs  were  more  or  less 
■supplemented  with  a  fringement  of  Fern  fronds  and  Asparagus  sprays 
judiciously  introduced. 
In  the  competitive  classes  Mr.  J.  M.  Johnston  was  awarded  the  first 
prize  for  a  very  handsome  cross,  composed  of  white  and  purple  Violas  and 
Maidenhair  Fern  ;  the  second  prize  being  secured  by  Mr.  R.  Pemberton 
with  a  smaller,  but  very  pretty  arrangement.  Two  charming  exhibits 
were  seen  in  the  class  open  for  any  design,  in  which  any  kind  of  flowers 
and  foliage  were  allowed,  the  first  prize  falling  to  Mr.  J.  M.  Johnston 
with  a  lyre  design,  the  framework  being  composed  of  white  and  light 
blue  Violas,,  with  a  centre  of  white,  lilac,  and  blue  Forget-me-not.  Mrs. 
Lovatt  obtained  the  second  prize  with  also  an  effective  design  represent¬ 
ing  a  harp.  A  certificate  of  merit  was  awarded  to  Mr.  R.  Sydenham, 
Birmingham,  for  a  charming  display  of  Carnations  and  Roses,  and  Mrs. 
Chadwick,  Hints  Hall,  lent  a  quantity  of  ornamental  foliage  and  flower¬ 
ing  plants,  which  added  much  to  the  exhibition.  The  attention  of 
specialists  was  drawn  to  a  new  seedling  Viola  named  A.  Sydenham, 
an  entirely  new  character,  the  curious  feature  being  that  every  petal 
was  crimped  all  over. 
In  the  cut  bloom  classes,  open,  including  trade  growers,  for  forty- 
eight  Fancy  Pansies,  dissimilar,  the  first  prize  and  gold  medal  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  A.  Lister  (Rothesay)  with  a  meritorious  stand,  including 
several  novelties,  the  second  prize  falling  to  Mr.  J.  Smellie  for  a  worthy 
assortment.  In  the  three  subsequent  classes — viz.,  for  twenty-four 
blooms,  twelve  blooms,  and  six  seedlings,  the  awards  fall  as  in  the  order 
named ;  whilst  for  the  best  exhibit  of  Violas,  artistically  shown,  Mr. 
Smellie  secured  the  chief  honours  with  a  collection  arranged  with  much 
taste. 
Them  was  a  fairly  strong  show  in  the  “open  amateurs’ division,”  and 
in  a  few  instances  the  competition  was  keen.  The  exhibits  most 
distinguished  were  those  shown  by  Mr.  T.  Nadin  (Derby),  Mrs.  R.  Lovatt 
(Newport),  Mr.  J.  M.  Johnston,  and  Mr.  J.  W.  Paul. 
The  local  amateurs’  class  formed  a  somewhat  small  but  interesting 
show.  Mr.  J.  W.  Paul  (Wilnecote)  secured  first  honours  in  the  classes 
for  twelve  and  six  Pansies  (Fancy)  respectively,  and  Mr.  Johnston 
secured  the  first  award  in  the  Viola  class.  There  was  little  competition 
in  the  local  cottagers’  section,  and  the  first  and  second  prizes  fell  to 
Messrs.  R.  Hatwell  (Freasley)  and  H.  Machin  (Tamworth). 
Mention  wag  nearly  omitted  of  the  competition  in  the  class  for  twelve 
Show  Pansies,  dissimilar,  not  a  strongly  represented  class,  the  first  and 
second  prizes  being  awarded  to  Messrs.  A.  Lister  and  J.  Smellie 
respectively  for  stands  of  very  good  blooms. 
The  band  of  the  Bedfordshire  Regiment  was  in  attendance,  and  the 
visitors  availed  themselves  of  the  permission  to  inspect  the  splendid 
array  of  Pansies  and  Violas  in  Mr.  Sydenham’s  nursery  department. 
Daring  the  course  of  a  brief  inspection  amongst  the  forthcoming 
novelties  growing  in  the  various  quarters  the  writer’s  attention  was 
drawn  to  a  few  possessing  considerable  merits,  and  conspicuous  amongst 
the  Violas  was  one  named  Charles  Hughes,  a  decided  improvement  on 
Peter  Barr,  and  with  a  broader  border  of  a  deeper  blue  than  the  older 
beautiful  variety.  A  vtritable  gem  is  a  new  one  of  the  Violetta  type, 
called  “  Robin,”  of  very  dwarf  habit,  and  producing  a  mass  of  bloom 
throughout  the  season,  colour  pale  blush.  Another  striking  Viola  is 
“  Devonshire  Cream,”  an  appropriate  name.  It  is  a  seedling  from 
President,  and  much  more  floriferous.  and  evidently  destined  to  supplant 
such  as  the  famous  Sylvia.  As  a  strong  opponent  of  such  as  Archie 
Grant  and  True  Blue,  one  named  Britannia,  a  seedling  from  Blue  Gown, 
but  very  much  darker,  with  an  excellent  habit,  claimed  special 
attention. 
Amongst  Fancy  Pansies  one  called  Felicia,  a  fine  thing  with  purple 
blotch  edged  with  maroon,  was  noticeable,  whilst  Turquoise,  with  a 
beautiful  circular  dark  purple  blotch  on  an  orange  ground,  is  destined 
to  become  very  popular.  Exceedingly  attractive  is  Mrs.  R.  G.  Moir, 
with  its  large  circular  velvety  dark  blotches,  laced  pure  white,  tinted 
with  crimson,  upper  petals  white,  with  a  broad  band  of  reddish  purple, 
picoteed  with  white.  Amongst  the  many  other  acquisitions  the  noted 
Tamworth  Yellow  holds  its  own,  and  is  one  of  the  best  summer  flowers 
extant,  as  the  sun  does  not  readily  fade  the  colour.  It  is  a  great 
favourite  with  the  public. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Eucharis  amazonica. 
The  Eucharis  is  a  plant  of  great  beauty  in  both  foliage  and  flowers, 
and  should  take  front  rank  amongst  stove  flowering  plants.  It  is  of 
easy  culture  when  once  its  requirements  are  understood.  When 
healthy  the  plants  do  not  like  being  interfered  with  at  the  roots. 
Unhealthy  plants  should  be  taken  out  and  thoroughly  cleaned.  Large 
plants  may  be  divided  to  increase  the  stock,  or  given  larger  pots  as 
needed.  A  compost  of  three  parts  rough  turfy  loam  to  one  part  each  of 
dry  Oik  leaves  passed  through  an  inch  sieve,  charcoal,  and  sand,  and  to 
every  bushql  of  compost  a  6-inch  pot  of  half-inch  bones  we  find  suitable. 
See  that  the  pots  are  well  drained,  as  the  plants  like  an  abundance  of 
water  when  growing,  but  it  should  pass  quickly  away.  Pot  firmly,  and 
place  them  in  a  temperature  of  70°  at  night,  with  a  corresponding  rise 
in  the  day.  Shade  and  syringe  them  two  or  three  times  a  day,  according 
to  the  weather.  Watering  must  be  carefully  attended  to.  Some 
growers  partly  dry  the  plants  off  and  keep  them  cool,  but  it  is  the  safest 
plan  to  keep  them  fairly  moist  all  the  year  round  with  a  fall  of  5°  to 
10°  in  temperature  when  not  in  active  growth. 
Mealy  bug  and  the  Eucharis  mite  are  the  two  most  troublesome 
pests  ;  the  former  may  be  kept  down  by  frequent  spongings.  The  mite 
seldom  attacks  healthy  plants,  but  should  it  do  so  wash  the  bulbs  in 
some  approved  insecticide.  When  well  rooted  the  plants  should  receive 
liberal  supplies  of  liquid  manure  two  or  three  times  a  week.  If  the 
above  details  of  culture  be  carried  out,  healthy  plants  should  flower  two, 
and  sometimes  three  times  a  year. — Grower, 
Packing. 
In  most  private  gardens,  as  well  as  the  market  nursery,  packing  is  a 
necessity,  but  the  private  gardener  does  not  always  do  his  packing  the 
same  as  the  market  grower. 
Grapes. — There  are  two  or  three  different  methods  of  packing 
Grapes  ;  one  of  them  is  in  deep  square  boxes  made  for  the  purpose.  The 
box  is  well  lined  with  wood  wool,  both  at  the  bottom  and  sides.  A 
sheet  of  tissue  paper  is  put  over  this,  and  the  Grapes  packed  in  as  close 
as  possible  with  the  bunches  upright,  the  bottom  of  each  bunch  at  the 
bottom  of  the  box.  Over  the  top  of  them  is  put  tissue  paper,  then 
wood  wool,  and  the  lid  is  fastened  securely. 
Another  method,  and  the  one  chiefly  in  use  by  market  growers,  is 
packing  in  baskets.  The  baskets  have  plenty  of  wood  wool  at  the 
bottom,  covered  over  with  tissue  paper.  The  bunches  are  laid  on  this 
as  closely  as  possible,  and  the  baskets  covered  with  strong  paper,  taking 
care  that  this  paper  does  not  touch  the  Grapes,  or  the  bloom  would  be 
rubbed  off. 
Exhibitors  when  sending  Grapes  to  shows  usually  fix  the  bunches 
on  the  show- boards  previous  to  starting,  fastening  them  down  with 
Btring.  The  boards  are  then  placed  in  a  box  made  to  hold  them  firmly, 
or  so  that  the  board  cannot  move  about.  A  handle  is  fixed  on  the  top, 
or  two  at  the  sides,  and  the  box  labelled  “  This  side  up,  with  care.” 
Melons. — If  Melons  are  to  be  sent  away  singly,  a  small  Grape  box 
is  suitable  for  the  purpose,  the  bottom  of  the  box  lined  with  wood  wool. 
The  Melon  is  wrapped  with  tissue  paper,  and  then  placed  in  the  centre 
of  the  box,  sides  and  top  being  then  well  filled  with  the  wool,  and  the  lid 
nailed  oa.  If  Melons  are  to  be  sent  away  in  large  quantities,  a  box 
4  feet  long,  3  feet  wide,  and  about  1  foot  deep  will  hold  from  a  dozen  to 
fifteen  fruits,  according  to  size.  The  box  is  well  covered  at  the  bottom 
with  wood  wool  or  hay,  each  fruit  being  wrapped  in  tissue  paper. 
Great  care  is  taken  that  they  do  not  touch  each  other,  and  the  spaces 
between  are  filled  with  wood  wool  as  the  Melons  are  placed  in  the  box. 
A  good  layer  of  wool  is  put  over  the  top,  taking  care  not  to  break  the 
short  piece  of  stalk  that  is  cut  with  each  fruit. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — These,  like  Melons,  travel  the  best  a 
single  layer.  Boxes  about  4  inches  deep,  made  to  hold  about  eighteen 
or  twenty-four  fruits,  are  the  most  suitable  size  ;  a  layer  of  cotton  wool 
at  the  bottom,  and  over  it  a  sheet  of  tissue  paper.  The  Peaches  are 
