86 
JOURlfAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  25, 1896. 
laterals  are  for  35  feet  run  a  mass  of  golden  glory.  The  lion  of  the 
place  is  a  Bignonia  grandiflora  covering  the  roof  of  a  temperate  house  ; 
this,  in  blooming,  reaches  its  climax  about  mid- June,  but  all  too  quickly 
sheds  its  large  orange-scarlet  blossoms,  with  but  a  few  straggling  later 
growths  flowering  on  till  autumn.  One  must  not  pass  over  the 
Caladiums  in  these  rambling  notes,  for  thereby  hangs  a  tale  recalling 
the  trials  of  a  gardener’s  life,  for  were  they  not  tried  in  the  cool  under 
the  greenhouse  stage  for  their  winter’s  rest,  and  rested  so  effectually 
that  the  bulk  of  those  now  looked  at  were  provided  by  generous  and 
wiser  friends,  who  promptly  responded  to  a  plaintive  appeal  when  we 
saw  how  matters  stood?  A  clever  grower  once  told  me  he  stored  his 
Caladiums  in  a  dry,  cool  place,  but  he  was  more  clever  than  we  were. 
Henceforward  and  for  ever  I  shall  adopt  the  Kildare  tactics  of  an  old 
friend  who  keeps  them  (does  not  lose  them)  by  wet  and  warm  treatment 
during  the  resting  season. 
A  general  survey  of  the  fruit  crops,  past,  present,  and  prospective,  may 
be  summed  up  as  fair.  Strawberries  are  now  (July  10th)  all  but  over. 
In  the  earlier  stage  recourse  to  watering  was  necessary  to  prevent 
roasting  on  our  free  soil.  An  old  plot  of  Viscountess — undisturbed  for 
many  years — has  given  the  best  results,  the  ground  being  entirely 
covered  by  foliage  was  protected  from  the  solar  rays.  Bush  fruits  are 
fairly  plentiful  ;  Plums  scarce ;  Apples  and  Pears  medium. 
Beports  from  the  Midland  counties  show  that  serious  damage  to  the 
Potato  crops  resulted  from  June  frosts.  This  we  escaped  here,  though 
for  several  nights  temperatures  fell  perilously  close  to  freezing  point. 
Sufficient  rain  has  now  fallen  to  penetrate  to  the  tubers,  and  all 
Potatoes  in  this  neighbourhood  promise  well.  The  importance  of 
spraying  as  a  preventive  to  blight  appears  to  be  now  fully  recog¬ 
nised  by  Government,  and  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  Irish 
Land  Commission  have  disseminated  leaflets  giving  all  necessary 
information  on  the  subject.  Many  practical  agriculturists  are  also 
giving  the  matter  earnest  attention. 
In  the  vegetable  quarters  of  the  garden  there  are  no  complaints. 
I  am  happy  to  corroborate  other  testimony  which  has  appeared  as  to 
the  value  of  sowing  sulphur  in  the  drills  with  the  Onions.  It  is  a  cleanly, 
inexpensive,  and  non-laborions  method,  appearing  to  be  as  satisfactory 
as  it  is  simple  in  dealing  with  the  Onion  pest. 
Our  feathered  friends  (or  enemies)  are  unusually  troublesome.  A  flying 
visit  from  the  rooks  was  paid  in  the  quiet  of  a  Sunday  morning,  when 
they  cleared  off  two  lines  of  Telephone  Peas  with  telephonic  celerity. 
Drought  makes  the  birds  ravenous  ;  squirrels,  too,  actively  help  them 
to  show  us  (gardeners)  we  cannot  have  all  our  own  way.  If  we  could, 
feathers  and  bushy  tails  would,  for  the  present,  be  banished  from  the 
garden. — E .  K.,  Dublin, 
EOYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
July  23rd. 
The  Drill  Hall  was  not  very  crowded  at  the  meeting  of  the  Com¬ 
mittees  of  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  above  date.  Orchids 
were  shown  in  very  limited  numbers,  but  hardy  and  greenhouse  flowers 
made  a  handsome  and  varied  display.  Hardy  fruit  was  well  shown,  as 
also  were  Peas, 
Fruit  Committee. — P,  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  Bev. 
W,  Wilks,  Dr.  Hogg,  and  Messrs.  T.  P.  Bivers,  G.  Bunyard,  H.  J.  Pear¬ 
son,  H.  J.  Veitch,  J.  Cheal,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  G-.  W.  Cummins,  G.  Norman, 
G.  Beynolds,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Wythes,  G.  Sage,  W.  Bates,  C.  Herrin, 
W.  Farr,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
Mr.  G.  Dyke,  Stubton  Hall  Gardens,  Newark,  sent  his  seedling  Melon 
again.  It  has  had  an  award  of  merit  unde~r  the  name  of  Nugget.  This 
was  confirmed,  as  fairly  representing  the  merits  of  the  fruit.  Mr,  G. 
Wythes  sent  a  seedling  green  flesh  Melon,  but  it  was  passed  ;  a  second, 
a  scarlet  flesh,  from  the  same  garden,  better  than  the  other,  but 
not  ripe. 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  a  smooth  Melon  from  Frogmore  of  the  colour 
of  the  fruit  after  which  it  was  named — Orange  ;  handsome,  juicy,  but 
lacking  aroma.  A  French  variety,  evidently  early,  but  the  fruits  were 
over-ripe. 
The  Jadoo  Company,  Ltd.,  gent  a  “  root  ”  of  Potatoes  as  grown  in  the 
Jadoo  fibre,  crop  good  and  skin  clear.  They  were  grown  by  Col.  Halyard 
Thompson,  Eastcliff,  Teignmouth.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea, 
sent  fruits  of  Precoce  Croncels  Nectarine.  Messrs.  Letellier  &  Fils  sent 
plants  of  a  new  thornless  Gooseberry  from  Caen,  France.  The  plants 
were  dwarf  and  weak  in  growth,  but  not  highly  regarded.  Mr.  T.  F. 
Bivers  stated  that  he  had  grown  these  Gooseberries  but  had  found  them 
of  no  special  value,  while  Mr.  G.  Bunyard  said  that  if  the  plants  were 
strongly  grown  the  spines  appeared.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded. 
Mr.  W.  Carmichael  (formerly  at  Sandringham),  14,  Pitt  Street,  Edin¬ 
burgh,  sent  more  of  his  seedling  Strawberry  plaats  to  be  tried  at 
Chiswick.  Col.  Houblon  (gardener,  Mr.  C.  Boss)  sent  a  seedling  Cherry, 
but  it  wag  passed. 
Mr.  B.  Gilbert  sent  from  Burghley  Gardens  fruits  of  “  Walburton  ” 
Admirable  Peach,  but  the  majority  of  the  Committee  considered  it  to  be 
the  Late  Admirable,  very  fine,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded.  A 
new  Cucumber  sent  by  Mr.  Gilbert  is  to  be  tried  at  Chiswick.  Mr.  E. 
Byder,  Northumberland  Nurseries,  Orpington,  sent  fruit  of  the  Duhe  of 
York  Tomato,  handsome  ;  referred  to  Chiswick.  A  silver  medal  was 
awarded  for  plants  exhibited  in  June  heavily  cropped  with  medium¬ 
sized,  handsome- looking  fruit.  A  first-class  certificate  was  recommended. 
Messrs.  W.  E,  Wells  &  Co.,  Hattonhurst,  Hounslow,  sent  a  basket  of 
Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  very  fine  berries,  but  not  perfectly  coloured 
(silver  Banksian  medal).  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  sent  pods  of  the  Skinter 
Pea — pods  and  peas  are  all  cooked  together.  It  is  ‘an  old  and  well- 
known  sort.  Mr.  H.  W.  Blake  sent  very  handsome  Bed  Currants — La 
Versailles — a  splendid  Currant,  but  wood  brittle,  and  bushes  require 
close  pruning.  A  vote  of  thinks  was  given  for  this  exhibit. 
A  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  F.  J.  Griffiths,  Esq.,  Wellington  Boad, 
Bilston,  for  a  sample  of  his  preserved  Cob  nuts,  two  years  old,  well  kept, 
but  not  well  flavoured.  Dr.  King,  Spalding,  sent  fruits  of  his  Moulton 
Tomato,  fruits  fine,  resembling  Dedham  Favourite,  but  they  were 
passed.  Mr.  Peter,  gardener  to  H.  P.  Sturgis,  Esq.,  Givons  Grove, 
Leatherhead,  sent  twenty-four  dishes  of  Gooseberries,  generally  ex¬ 
cellent.  A  small  silver  medal  was  awarded. 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  sent  an  enormous  collection  of  Goose¬ 
berries  in  plates,  also  heavily  fruited  cordon  trees,  as  well  as  a  fine 
collection  of  Currants,  with  a  trellis  of  fruiting  trees,  A  silver-gilt 
Knightian  medal  was  deservedly  awarded  for  this  exhibit.  Mr.  Walker, 
Thame,  also  sent  a  large  collection  of  Gooseberries  and  received  a  small 
silver  medal.  Messrs.  W.  W.  Johnson  &  Sons,  Boston,  sent  an  imposing 
collection  of  Peas,  for  which  a  small  silver  medal  was  recommended. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  O.  Thomas,  H.  B.  May,  H.  Herbst,  B.  Dean, 
G.  Stevens,  B.  Owen,  C.  J.  Salter,  W.  Bain,  J.  T.  Bennett-Pce,  J.  D. 
Pawle,  H.  J.  Jones,  C.  E.  Shea,  J.  Walker,  H.  Cannell,  C.  Noble,  and 
G.  Paul. 
Mr.  Prichard,  Christchurch,  staged  a  large  and  extremely  varied 
collection  of  hardy  flowers,  amongst  which  were  Statice  latifolia, 
Coreopsis  lanceolata.  Campanula  rotundifolia  alba,  Galega  officinalis 
compacta,  Potentilla  formosa,  Spirrna  venusta,  Gypsophila  paniculata, 
Funkia  lancifolia,  Gaillardia  maxima,  Scabiosa  caucasica,  Hemerocallis 
T  hunbergi,  Genista  tinctorea  elata,  Liatris  spicata,  and  Helenium 
pumilum,  together  with  Phloxes  William  Bobinson,  Charlemagne,  Jean 
Bart,  and  Pantheon,  the  whole  producing  a  pleasing  effect  (silver 
Banksian  medal). 
A  distinct  feature  in  the  hall  was  the  extensive  and  diversified 
collection  of  Sweet  Peas  staged  by  Mr.  Henry  Eckford,  Wem.  The 
flowers  were  shown  in  long  elegant  glasses,  and  their  delicate  tints  of 
colour  were  much  admired.  Amongst  many  other  varieties  were 
noticed,  Captain  of  the  Blues,  Gaiety,  The  Queen,  Mrs.  Gladstone,  Lady 
Grisel  Hamilton,  Peach  Blossom,  Countess  of  Badnor,  Lovely,  Monarch, 
Queen  Victoria,  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Mrs.  Joseph  Chamberlain,  Duke 
of  York,  Mrs.  Dugdale,  Triumph,  Mars,  Ovid,  Boyal  Bose,  Stanley, 
Boyal  Bobe,  and  Novelty.  The  above  are  but  a  small  percentage  of  the 
varieties,  as  no  less  than  fifty  kinds  each  distinctly  named  were  staged 
(silver  Flora  medal). 
From  Mr.  W.  Baxter,  Woking,  came  a  small  collection  of  Violas, 
which  included  J.  B.  Biding,  White  Duchess,  Carissima,  Duchess  of  Fife, 
Countess  of  Kintore,  Archibald  Grant,  Ardwell  Gem,  Sweet  Lavender, 
and  others.  Showy  Gannas  came  from  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt, 
i  which  include  a  Comet  and  Souvenir  de  la  Crozy.  The  same  firm  staged 
]  Clematises  flammula  rubra  marginata,  and  Viticella  uniflora.  The  same 
firm  also  staged  a  fine  collection  of  hardy  flowers,  composed  of  Phloxes 
delicata,  Moli&re,  Pluton,  Le  Soleil,  and  Beatrice,  together  with  Gypso¬ 
phila  paniculata.  Campanula  carpatica.  Coreopsis  lanceolata,  Malva 
moschata  alba,  Potentillas  William  Bollisson  and  Le  Vesuve,  Inula 
oculis  Christi,  Montbrietia  Pottsi,  Achillea  ptarmica  plena,  and  many 
others  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Mr.  B,  P.  Brotherston,  Prestonkirk,  sent  blooms  of  Carnation 
Germania.  Mr.  B.  G.  Rowntree,  Hermitage  Place,  Stockton-on-Tees, 
sent  plants  of  Begonia  Marquis  of  Londonderry.  Messrs.  T.  Cripps  and 
Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  sent  plants  of  Mutisia  decurrens  and  Schubertia 
grandiflora  (bronze  Banksian  medal).  Well-flowered  plants  of  Strepto- 
solen  .lamesoni  and  Campanula  Vidali  were  staged  by  Mr.  Downes, 
gardener  to  J.  T.  Bennett- Poe,  Esq.,  Cheshunt.  From  Messrs.  John 
Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  came  an  effective  group  of  Gloxinias.  The 
flowers  displayed  a  diversity  in  variety,  and  the  plants  were  interspersed 
with  Maidenhair  Ferns  (bronze  Flora  medal). 
Mr.  C.  Herrin,  gardener  to  Lady  Fortescue,  Maidenhead,  sent  flowers 
of  border  Carnation  Dropmore  Clove,  and  spikes  of  Cirsium  Eriophorum, 
From  the  Boyal  Botanic  Gardens,  Glasnevin,  came  flowers  of  Crinums 
Powelli,  Powelli  alba,  and  Yemense,  and  Agapanthus  Mooreana.  A 
small  but  effective  exhibit  came  from  Messrs.  John  Laing  &  Sons, 
Forest  Hill,  consisting  of  Begonias  Mrs.  W.  J.  Bilney,  Madame  de  Falbe, 
Mrs.  Hall,  and  Mrs.  Peek,  Caladiums  Dona,  Carmen,  Macedo,  and 
Princess  Olga,  and  a  plant  of  Streptocarpus  superba. 
Beautiful  spikes  of  Canna  Queen  Charlotte  were  sent  by  Messrs. 
H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  who  also  staged  a  charming  collection  of 
border  Carnations  and  Picotees.  Amongst  many  other  varieties  were 
noticed  The  Governor,  Cannell’s  Scarlet,  Esther,  J.  Crossland,  Irene, 
Brunette,  Mrs.  Wilson,  Alice  Ayres,  Mrs,  Sharp,  Baby  Castle, 
W.  N.  Gales,  Princess  Maud,  Miss  Mary  Dyke,  Guardsman,  Andromeda, 
Duchess  of  Portland,  James  Douglas,  Alliance,  Miss  Curtis,  Favourite, 
Mrs.  Dodwell,  and  Little  Phil  (silver  Banksian  medal).  A  fine  display 
of  Liliums  were  staged  by  Messrs.  B.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  which 
could  not  fail  to  be  admired.  Amongst  others  Liliums  japonicum 
Colchesteri,  excelsum,  dalmaticum,  Catani,  Browni,  and  longiflorum 
giganteum  were  chiefly  conspicuous  (silver  Banksian  medal) . 
Mr,  G.  Cragg,  gardener  to  W.  C.  Walker,  Esq.,  Winchmore  Hill,  staged 
a  group  of  Achimenes,  including  grandiflora,  Gibsoni,  Margaretta, 
Admiration,  longiflora  alba,  and  longiflora  major.  Most  of  the  plants 
were  shapely  and  well  grown  (bronze  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  Jas. 
'  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  a  group  of  Javanico-Jasminiflorum  hybrid 
