128 
JOUBNAL  OF  HORTIGtILTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  10,  1898. 
liulb  if  carefully  nursed  until  root  action  commences.  The  stems  of 
Thimia  Bensonim,  T,  alba,  T.  iMarshalliana,  or  any  of  the  finer 
varieties  of  these  specimens  may  be  cut  into  lengths  and  grown  into 
flowering  plants  in  about  a“couple  of  seasons.  Division  of  the  old 
specimens  is  successful  in  many  instances,  some  of  the  more  easily 
grown  Odontoglots,  Lycastes,  Brassias,  Oncidiums,  Burlingtonias, 
iMasdevallias,  Cypripediums,  IMaxillarias,  Coelias,  and  Zygopetalums 
being  easily  propagated  in  this  waJ^ 
Such  beautiful  Cattleyas  as  C.  Hardyana,  C.  Mossim  Wagneri, 
C.  Mendelli  alba,  0.  Trianae  alba,  or  any  other  of  the  finer  albino  forms 
may  be  freely  propagated  by  division,  provided  due  care  is  exercised 
both  with  the  divided  portion  or  pieces  lopped  off  and  toe  parent 
specimen  from  which  they  are  taken.  To  kill  the  old  plant  that  a 
young  piece  has  been  taken  from  is  worse  than  useless,  so  it  must  be 
kept  in  mind  that  both  these  and  the  divided  pieces  must  be  nursed 
a  little  after  division.  None  but  healthy,  well-rooted  plants  should  be 
selected  for  propagating  from,  as  a  weak  or  semi-established  plant 
may  be  killed  outright  by  the  check  caused  by  taking  a  piece  off  it. 
The  young  plant  is  bj'  Nature  provided  with  sound  eyes  that  break 
easily ;  the  older  one  has  to  force  a  growth  out  of  old  and  perhaps 
partially  decayed  ones,  hence  the  need  of  great  care  with  the  latter. 
—II.  B.  B. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — February  8th. 
The  meeting  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  the  above  date  was  a  very  bright 
and  beautiful  one,  the  Hall  being  well  filled  with  exhibits  of  more  than 
average  interest.  There  were  flowers,  fruits,  and  a  few  vegetables, 
quality  throughout  being  high. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  T.  F.  Rivers,  J.  Cheal,  W.  Poujiart,  G.  W. 
Cummins,  H.  J.  Veitch,  A.  F.  Barron,  F.  Q.  Lane,  R.  Parker,  G. 
Reynolds,  H.  Balderson,  F.  Gleeson,  J.  Willard,  W.  H.  Divers,  G. 
Norman,  J.  Smith,  G.  Wythes,  W.  ,T.  Empson,  G.  Woodward,  W.  Bates, 
A.  .J.  Laing,  C.  Herrin,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
As  will  bo  seen  there  was  a  large  attendance.  The  proceedings 
opened  with  a  brisk  discussion  on  a  plan  of  the  Council  to  form  a  mixed 
committee  to  inspect  fruits,  flowers.  Orchids — everything — for  the  purpose 
of  recommending  medals.  It  met  with  such  general  disapproval  that  it 
was  with  difficulty  that  three  members  could  be  found  who  would  consent 
to  act.  Eventually,  however,  the  trio  was  found  in  Messrs.  H.  Balderson, 
G.  W.  Cummins,  and  G.  Wythes. 
^Ir.  John  Watkins  sent  a  dish  of  Apple  Lord  Hindlip,  handsome 
conical  fruits  of  excellent  quality,  which  had  previously  received  an 
award  of  merit,  but  now  a  first- class  certificate  was  unanimously 
granted.  Mr  .1.  A.  Prall,  Matfield,  Kent,  sent  fruits  of  a  sport  from  the 
well-known  Dumelow’s  Seedling,  or  Wellington  Apple,  which  it  resembles 
in  appearance,  but  covered  with  broken  stripes  of  red.  Cucumber 
“  Everyday,”  sent  by  Mr.  Owen  Thomas,  is  a  new  and  productive  variety 
raised  and  grown  in  the  Royal  Gardens.  Handsome  fruits  have  been 
exhibited  on  previous  occasions  under  the  name  of  All  the  Year  Round. 
An  award  of  merit  was  recommended. 
Mr.  Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  sent  well-ripened  and 
brightly  coloured  fruits  of  Chiswick  Red  Tomatoes,  and  was  awarded  a 
vote  of  thanks.  Mr.  G.  Woodward  sent  from  Barham  Court  splendid 
fruits  of  Passe  Crasanne,  and  a  first-class  certificate  was  awarded.  A 
very  old  Pear,  rarely  seen  in  such  fine  condition.  Pear  Bleckling  was 
sent  by  Mr.  Allan  from  Gunton  Park,  medium  sized  fruits,  very  juicy  and 
sweet,  having  a  general  resemblance  to  .Josephine  de  Malines.  Mr. 
J.  Clarke,  gardener  to  G.  W.  Keene,  Esq.,  Mill  Lodge,  Barnes,  sent  a 
basket  of  Mushrooms  (cultural  commendation). 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Es(i.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  O.  Thomas,  ,J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  11.  B.  May, 
R.  Dean,  J.  H.  Fitt,  G.  Stevens,  W.  Howe,  J.  Hudson,  ,1.  , Jennings, 
C.  J.  Salter,  R.  B.  Lowe,  H.  Selfe  Leonard,  ,J.  Fraser  (Kew),  W.  Bain, 
C.  Jeffries,  J.  D.  Pawle,  G.  Gordon,  C.  E.  Shea,  G.  H.  Engleheart, 
J.  Walker,  J.  W.  Barr,  E.  T.  Cook,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  H.  Turner,  C.'E. 
Pearson,  H.  ,f.  .Jones,  and  G.  Paul. 
A  handsome  group  of  well  grown  Ferns  was  arranged  by  Messrs. 
.J.  Hill  &  Son,  Lower  Edmonton.  Some  of  the  plants  were  small,  while 
others  were  fine  shapely  specimens.  Several  of  the  leading  kinds  and 
varieties  were  represented,  as  well  as  a  few  that  are  more  rarely  seen. 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Roupell  Park  Road,  sent  a  number  of  flowering 
and  foliage  plants,  comprising  amongst  others  Cinerarias,  Cj'clamens, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  Cypripediums,  Lilacs,  double  Daffodils,  Cytisus, 
Aspidistras,  Palms,  Ferns,  and  Saintpaulia  ionantha.  Mr.  ,J.  Russell, 
Richmond,  was  represented  by  a  group  of  Euonymus,  including  both 
small  standards  and  very  dwart  plants,  in  the  best  of  health.  The  same 
exhibitor  also  sent  a  basket  of  the  handsome  leaved  Andromeda 
Catesbffii,  and  baskets  of  Daphnes  mezereum,  atro-rubrum,  and  the 
double  white. 
Camellias,  both  in  the  form  of  plants  and  cut  blooms,  were  sent  by 
Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross.  The  plants  were  well  grown, 
and  carried  blooms  of  splendid  form  and  substance.  The  varieties 
included  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  Corallina,  Double  White,  Mathotiana, 
Tricolor,  Madame  Eugene  Massina,  Donckelaari,  Monteroni,  Conspicua, 
Exquisite,  and  the  more  rarely  seen  alba  simplex.  Considering  the 
earliness  of  the  season  this  was  a  splendid  exhibit.  Mr.  ,J.  G.  Mowbray, 
gardener  to  Major  the  Hon.  H.  C.  Legge,  Fulmer,  Slough,  staged  a 
collection  of  Freesias  in  5-inch  pots.  Individually  the  flowers  were  not 
very  large,  but  the  spikes  were  good  and  very  numerous,  and  made  not 
only  a  beautiful  but  a  fragrant  exhibit  that  was  very  highly  appreciated 
by  visitors. 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  sent  a  box  of  Rose  Catherine  Mermet, 
which  for  the  time  of  the  year  was  superb.  The  colour  in  some  of  the 
two  dozen  blooms  was  exceptionally  rich.  Messrs.  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert, 
Southgate,  sent  a  number  of  pots  of  Crocuses,  and  some  pots  of  a  straw- 
coloured  Roman  Hyacinth.  Mr.  W.  Camm,  gardener  to  the  Duchess  of 
Cleveland,  Battle,  showed  remarkably  fine  sprays  of  Bougainvillea 
spectabilis  and  Bignonia  venusta  in  good  form.  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Hale 
Farm  Nurseries,  Tottenham,  exhibited  some  very  interesting  hardy 
flowers,  including  early  Daffodils  in  pots.  Irises  histrioides  and  reticulata 
in  good  form.  Hellebores,  Primulas,  Anemone  pulsatilla.  Crocuses, 
Galanthus,  and  others. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt,  sent  a  collection  of 
Hellebores,  including  amongst  others  Councillor  Benary,  Gretchen 
Heineman,  Olban  Otto,  foetidus,  orientalis,  lutescens,  colchicus 
coccineus,  orientalis  jmnetatus,  Colchicus  guttatus  and  odorus.  From 
this  firm  also  came  Saxifraga  Boydi  alba.  Cyclamen  Coum  zonale, 
Hepatica  triloba  variabilis.  Primula  obconica  lilacina,  and  Saxifraga 
lutea  purpurea,  besides  Amygdalus  Davidiana  alba,  Forsythia  Sieboldi, 
Garrya  elliptica,  Amygdalus  Davidiana  rosea,  and  Alnus  glutinosa  aurea. 
A  collection  of  Primulas  came  from  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd., 
Chelsea.  The  major  portion  of  the  plants  were  not  over  medium  size  ; 
but  all  were  well  flowered,  and  some  exceptionally  free.  The  colours  of 
the  flowers,  which  were  of  the  refined  type,  were  clear  and  distinct.  The 
varieties  were  : — Doubles,  white,  blue,  crimson,  rose,  salmon,  and  lilac  ; 
with  singles.  Gigantic  red.  Gigantic  Rose,  Fern-leaf  blue.  Gigantic  white, 
Chelsea  Criiiison,  superb  fringed  white,  Salmon  (new).  Gigantic  blue. 
Fern-leaf  lilac,  superb  fringed  red,  Chelsea  Rose,  and  Chelsea  Blue.  Then 
there  were  the  floriferous  Star  Primulas,  and  the  now  popular  blue  Prim¬ 
roses. 
Messrs.  Cannell  &  Sons,  Swanley,  occupied  the  whole  of  one  side  of  a 
table  with  Chinese  and  Star  Primulas.  The  plants  were  dwarf  and 
sturdy,  and  producing  large  flowers  on  trusses  of  good  average  size. 
Particularly  noticeable  were  Lady  Marsham,  Lady  Whitehead,  Mrs. 
R.  Cannell,  Her  Majesty,  Victory,  Dr.  Nansen,  Emperor  Improved,  Lady 
Emily  Dale,  Swanley  Giant,  and  Swanley  White.  Hardy  flowers  made  a 
very  interesting  exhibit  as  sent  by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  King  Street, 
Covent  Garden.  There  were  lovely  Crocus  species,  many  Hellebores, 
Lachenalias,  Iris  histrioides,  Muscaris,  hardy  Cyclamens,  and  Narcissus 
minimus. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  H.  M.  Pollett,  II.  Ballantine, 
H.  Little,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H.  Young,  F.  .1.  Thorne,  W.  H.  White, 
E.  [Ashworth,  J.  Jaques,  E.  Hill,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  Thompson,  Chas. 
Winn,  S.  Courtauld,  and  J.  Douglas. 
Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Lord  Foley,  Ruxley  Lodge,  Esher,  staged  a 
collection  of  Cypripedium  insigne,  the  plants  all  being  excellently 
grown  specimens.  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  sent  a  group  of  Orchids, 
comprising  Dendrobiuras,  Cypripediums,  Coelogynes,  Lmlias,  and  others 
in  splendid  condition.  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Clapton,  were  represented 
by  some  charming  Orchids,  in  which  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Dendrobiums, 
Cypripediums,  Lmlias  and  Cattleyas  were  conspicuous  by  reason  of  the 
shajiely  well  coloured  flowers. 
Mr.  W.  H.  White,  gardener  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford 
Lodge,  Dorking,  sent  a  few  bright  Orchids,  conspicuous  particularly 
for  quality.  There  were  Dendrobiums,  Odontoglossums,  Sophronitis 
grandiflora,  Masdevallins,  and  others.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons, 
Chelsea,  exhibited  a  collection,  of  which  the  chief  features  were  the 
Cypripediums  and  Dendrobiums.  These  were  of  widely  different  forms 
and  colours,  but  all  alike  were  of  excellent  quality. 
Certificates  ahd  Awards  of  Merit. 
Anthurium  Dr.  Lawrence  (W.  Bain). — An  immense  spathe,  as  broad 
as  it  is  long.  The  colour  is  light  salmon  pink  (first-class  certificate). 
Galanthe  splendens  (N.  Cookson). — A  handsomely  formed  flower  of  a 
bright  rose  colour  (award  of  merit). 
Lmlia  anceps  waddonensis  (J.  Harris). — A  lovely  variety.  The  shape 
is  almost  perfect,  and  the  colour  pure  white  save  for  a  blotch  of  yellow  in 
the  throat  and  purplish  veins.  The  flowers  measure  4|  inches  across,  the 
depth  being  4  inches  (first-class  certificate). 
Phaio-Calanthe  grande  (N.  Cookson). — A  bigeneric  hybrid  of  which 
the  sepals  and  petals  are  cream  with  a  dull  rose  base.  The  brown  lip  is 
dull  deep  rosy  red  (award  of  merit). 
[We  have  not  received  any  list  of  honours  which  may  have  been 
awarded  for  exhibits  of  vegetables  and  fruit  (not  placed  on  the  Committee 
tables)  by  six  members  of  the  Floral  and  Orchid  Committees  combined, 
and  three  members  of  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee.  We  consider 
this  scheme  of  the  Council  the  most  revolutionary  and  unfortunate 
that  has  ever  been  formulated  since  these  Committees  were  established. 
The  sooner  this  fanciful  scheme  is  abandoned  the  better  for  exhibitors  and 
the  Society.] 
ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING. 
As  is  customary,  the  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society  was  held  in  the  Lindley  Library,  117.  Victoria  Street, 
under  the  presidency  of  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.  There  having 
been  an  exhibition  in  the  Drill  Hall  earlier  in  the  day,  the  number  of 
Fellows  present  to  hear  the  President’s  address  on  the  report  was  very 
large — indeed  the  room  was  most  uncomfortably  full,  there  not  being 
