March  10,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
225 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DKILL  HALL.— March  8th. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  was  one  of  the  best  early  March  meetings 
that  have  been  held  in  the  Drill  Hall.  Not  only  was  there  an  extensive 
display  of  general  plants  and  flowers,  but  the  quality  was  very  high, 
while  a  choicer  collection  of  Orchids  has  seldom  been  seen. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  T.  F.  Kivers,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Eev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  A.  H.  Pearson,  J.  H. 
Veitch,  G.  W.  Cummins,  A.  F.  Barron,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  W.  Poupart, 
J.  Willard,  G.  Keynolds,  T.  Fife,  J.  Smith,  H.  Balderson,  G.  Wythes, 
W.  Bates,  W.  J.  Empson,  C.  Herrin,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
As  will  be  seen  there  was  a  good  attendance  of  members,  but  their 
duties  were  somewhat  light. 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  magnificent  samples  of  his  Cucumber  Every 
Day,  fruits  uniform  in  shape,  dark  green,  and  attractive.  They  were  cut 
from  plants  raised  since  Christmas.  The  high  honour  of  a  first-class 
certificate  was  awarded  without  a  dissentient  vote. 
Mr.  G.  Wythes  sent  tubers  of  his  new  Artichoke  Syon  Long  Red, 
tubers  nearly  a  foot  long,  and  IJ  inch  in  diameter.  To  be  grown  and 
cooked  with  other  varieties  at  Chiswick.  Mr.  Wythes  also  sent  fine 
bundles  of  Asparagus  from  outside  beds,  advanced  and  blanched  with 
leaves.  A  cultural  commendation  was  deservedly  awarded. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  exhibited  twenty 
dishes  of  well  kept  Apples,  also  very  large  IJ  vedale’s  St.  Germain  Pears. 
Prominent  in  the  collection  was  a  new  local  Apple,  apparently  inter¬ 
mediate  between  Beauty  of  Kent  and  Catshead  —  no  doubt  a  very 
serviceable  cooking  Apple.  A  silver  medal  was  awarded. 
Mr.  E.  Bullock,  gardener  to  C.  P.  Scorold,  Esq.,  Taplow  Hill,  sent 
eight  very  good  dishes  of  dessert  Apples,  for  which  a  bronze  medal  was 
awarded. 
Messrs.  H.  Lane  &  Son  sent  a  large  basket  of  handsome  Lane’s  Prince 
Albert  Apples  ;  and  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Limited,  exhibited  a 
pile  of  beautifully  variegated  Kale  (vote  of  thanks). 
Prizes  for  Flavour. — The  first  prize  for  a  dish  of  Apples  went  to  Cox’s 
Orange  Pippin  as  shown  by  Mr.  Bullock,  gardener  to  C.  P.  Scorold, 
Esq.,  Taplow  Hill.  The  fruits  were  in  superb  condition.  Mr.  C.  J. 
Salter  came  second  with  an  excellent  dish  of  Bess  Pool.  Mr.  Maher, 
gardener  to  A.  Waterhouse,  Esq.,  Yattendon  Court,  was  the  only  exhibitor 
of  Pears,  and  received  the  second  prize.  The  variety  was  Bergamotte 
Esperen. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  J.  Laing,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  G.  Stevens, 
W.  Howe,  J.  F.  McLeod,  T.  Peed,  ,L  .Jennings,  0.  J.  Salter,  H  S.  Leonard, 
W;  Bain,  J.  D.  Pawle,  J.  Fraser  (Kew),  D.  B.  Crane,  C.  Jeffries,  T.  W. 
Sanders,  C.  E.  Shea,  H.  J.  Jones.  E.  Beckett,  E.  T.  Cook,  G.  Gordon, 
G.  Paul,  G.  H.  Engleheart,  H.  Turner,  C.  Blick,  J.  W.  Barr,  H.  J.  Cut- 
bush,  and  J.  Hudson. 
The  group  of  Camellias  from  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  AValtham  Cross, 
which  occupied  one  corner  of  the  hall,  was  very  effective.  As  is  customary 
with  the  Waltham  Cross  plants,  they  were  clean  and  healthy,  and  pro¬ 
ducing  shapely  flowers  of  excellent  substance.  A  few  of  the  most  effective 
w'ere  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  Madame  Cochet,  Mathotiana,  fimbriata, 
C.  H.  Hovey,  Double  White,  conspicua,  and  Ninfa  Egeria.  In  addition 
to  the  plants,  there  were  several  boxes  of  cut  blooms.  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware, 
Tottenham,  sent  a  collection  of  Narcissi  in  pots,  comprising  most  of  the 
leading  earlier  flowering  varieties.  Besides  these,  there  were  Chionodoxas, 
Saxifragas,  Primulas,  Muscaris,  and  many  others  of  equal  interest. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  sent  a  collection  of  Hellebores, 
Chionodoxas,  Crocuses,  Anemones,  and  Narcissi,  which,  if  rather  small, 
was  very  interesting. 
Messrs.  Peed  &  Son,  Roupell  Park  Nurseries,  sent  a  group  of 
miscellaneous  flowering  plants.  Clivias  in  variety  were  splendidly 
represented,  as  were.  Azaleas,  Polyanthus  Narcissi,  Primulas,  Staphylea 
colchica,  and  Acacias.  All  the  plants  were  fresh  and  well  flowered. 
Mr.  C.  Turner  showed  from  the  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough,  a  number  of 
Cyclamen  persicum,  all  the  plants  being  dwarf  and  profusely  flowered. 
The  foliage  of  soice  was  particularly  well  marbled.  Another  group  of 
Cyclamens  was  contributed  by  Mr.  J.  May,  Twickenham.  Some  of  the 
darker  varieties  were  above  the  average  of  merit  both  in  size  and 
substance  of  flower.  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  were 
represented  by  a  number  of  Irises,  including  alata,  persica,  reticulata, 
orchioides,  and  others. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  staged  a  small  collection 
of  Amaryllis  comprising  several  varieties  of  merit,  such  as  Miranda, 
Leonie,  Navala,  pardinum,  and  Dryades.  The  Chelsea  firm  also  sent  a 
number  of  superbly  flowered  plants  of  Cerasus  pseudo-Cerasus  grown  in 
differing  forms.  Primus  sinensis,  Staphylea  colchica,  Spirma  confusa,  and 
Corylopsis  spicata.  A  beautiful  collection  of  Ferns  came  from  Messrs.  .J. 
Hill  &  Son,  Lower  Edmonton.  The  plants  were  of  all  sizes  and  many 
kinds.  A  very  bright  stand  of  several  varieties  of  Azalea  mollis  was 
arranged  by  Messrs.  K.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate.  Two  large  collec¬ 
tions  of  Cyclamens  came  respectively  from  the  St.  George’s  Nursery 
Co.,  Hanwell,  and  the  Church  Road  Nursery  Co.,  Han  well,  each  being 
comprised  of  well-grown  plants. 
Messrs.  W.  Balchin  &  Sons,  Hassocks,  exhibited  several  well-grown 
plants  of  the  fragrant  Boronia  megastigma  and  Tetrathecas.  Boronias, 
Oranges,  Acacias,  Ericas,  yellow  Callas,  Epacris,  and  Eriostemons  came 
from  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  and  made  a  diversified  and 
interesting  display.  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  sent  a  number  of 
plants  of  Clematis,  including  many  of  the  popular  varieties,  and  these 
utiracted  a  considerable  amount  of  attention.  A  large  group  of  miscel¬ 
laneous  flowering  and  foliage  plants  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing 
and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  and  amongst  others  were  noticed  Clivias,  Orchids 
in  variety,  Amaryllis,  Crotons,  Ferns,  Dracaenas,  Palms,  and  Caladiums. 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  sent  three  boxes  of  Roses  in  superb 
condition.  The  blooms  were  exceptionally  rich  in  colour  for  the  time 
of  the  year,  while  the  foliage  was  remarkable.  P.  Purnell,  Esq., 
Streatham,  sent  Narcissi  in  pots,  as  well  as  several  little  gems  that  are 
usually  included  under  the  category  of  Alpines.  Mons.  L.  P.  de  Langhe- 
Vervaene,  Brussels,  staged  a  collection  of  plants  of  Butterfly  Cyclamens  ; 
and  Mr.  A.  Chapman,  gardener  to  Captain  Holford,  Westonbirt,  showed 
fine  new  Amaryllis.  Messrs.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  sent  freely 
flowered  plants  of  Deutzia  Lemoinei,  as  well  as  plants  of  D.  parviflora. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  Barri  Crawshay,  H.  M.  Pollett,  H.  Ballantine, 
N.  C.  Cookson,  H.  Little,  H.  J.  Chapman,  F.  .J.  Thorne,  A.  H.  Smee, 
F.  Sandor,  C.  Winn,  W.  H.  Young,  E.  Ashworth,  J.  Jaques,  E.  Hill, 
T.  W.  Bond,  W.  H.  Prothero,  S.  Courtauld,  T.  B.  Haywood,  and 
T.  St  alter. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  staged  a  very  beautiful  collection 
of  Dendrobiums,  including  such  as  crassinode,  Euryalis,  splendidissimum, 
Edithiae,  Wiganse,  Gybele  nobilius,  stratius,  and  others.  The  same  firm 
also  sent  Epidendrums,  Cymbidiums,  Cattleyas,  Cypripediums,  Trichopilia 
suavis,  and  Phalsenopsis  John  Seden.  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co., 
Heaton,  Bradford,  staged  a  bright  group  of  Orchids,  comprising  Odonto- 
glossums,  Phaius,  Oncidiums,  and  Dendrobiums  in  many  forms.  Messrs. 
H.  Low  &  Co.,  Enfield,  sent  Cymbidium  Devonianum,  C.  Eburneo- 
Lowiana,  Dendrobium  Brymerianum,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  and 
O.  nebulosum  pardinum  splendens. 
Mr.  T.  W.  Bond,  gardener  to  C.  L.  N.  Ingram,  Esq.,  sent  some  magni¬ 
ficently  flowered  plants  of  Dendrobium  splendidissimum.  Mr.  C.  J. 
Salter,  gardener  to  T.  B.  Haywood,  Esq.,  Reigate,  sent  Dendrobium 
Ainsworth!  and  a  Lmlio-Cattleya.  Mr.  J.  Lupton,  gardener  to  J.  Ruther¬ 
ford,  Esq.,  Blackburn,  sent  three  Odontoglossums,  while  several  other 
growers  sent  one  or  two  plants  each.  A  small  gold  medal  was  given  to 
Mr.  H.  Ballantine,  gardener  to  Baron  Schroder,  Egham,  for  a  plant  of 
Odontoglossum  Baroness  Schroder,  3arrying  two  flowers.  It  has  been 
twelve  years  producing  these,  and  attracted  an  extraordinary  amount  of 
attention. 
Medals. —  Floral  Committee. — Silver-gilt  Flora  to  Messrs.  J.  Hill  and 
Son  and  W.  Paul  &  Son  ;  silver  Flora  to  Messrs.  ,T.  May  and  G.  Mount ; 
bronze  Flora  to  the  Church  Road  Nursery  Co.  and  J.  Laing  &  Sons  ;  and 
silver  Banksian  to  Messrs.  P.  Purnell,  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  H.  B.  May, 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  and  the  SU  George’s  Nursery  Co.  Orchid  Committee. — 
Small  gold  to  Baron  Schroder  ;  silver  Banksian  to  Messrs.  .J.  Veitch  and 
Sons,  and  bronze  Banksian  to  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Amaryllis  Princess  Ossa  (A.  Chapman). — A  beautiful  variety,  of  which 
the  colour  is  very  bright  red  with  a  white  central  stripe.  The  flower  is 
shapely,  and  of  good  substance  (award  of  merit). 
Amaryllis  Navala  (J.  Veitch  &  Son). — This  is  a  variety  of  esceptionally 
good  form.  The  colour  is  brigiit  orange  red  (award  of  merit). 
Azalea  grandiflora  alba  (St.  George’s  Nursery  Co.). — This  is  a  grand 
pure  white  variety.  The  flowers  are  of  remarkable  size  and  fine  form 
(award  of  merit). 
Cattleya  Miranda  (.J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  hybrid  resulting  from  a  cross 
between  guttata  Prinzi  and  Trianse.  The  prevailing  colour  of  the  sepals 
and  petals  is  soft  rose,  but  the  broad  petals  are  splashed  with  crimson. 
The  lip  is  deep  velvety  crimson  (award  of  merit). 
Dendrobium  Ainsicorthi,  Woodhatch  variety  (C.  J.  Salter). — This  is  a 
decided  advance  upon  the  type  (award  of  merit). 
Dendrobium  Astrxa  (N.  C.  Cookson). — On  each  of  the  sepals,  petals, 
and  lip  of  this  Dendrobe  is  a  large  patch  of  purplish  rose,  otherwise  the 
colour  is  creamy  white,  the  throat  being  yellow  with  crimson  veins  (award 
of  merit). 
Lselio-Cattleya  wamhamensis  (G.  Duncan). — A  lovely  bigeneric  hybrid. 
The  sepals  are  bright  orange  and  the  petals  purplish  maroon,  the  lip 
being  of  a  similar  colour  but  much  richer  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  nebulosum  pardinum  splendens  (H.  Low  &  Co.). — This  is, 
in  all  respects,  a  glorified  form  of  the  well  known  type  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  Wilckeanum  Pittice  (H.  T.  Pitt). — A  superb  Odonto¬ 
glossum,  and  one  of  the  finest  varieties  of  Wilckeanum  that  has  ever  been 
shown  (tirst-class  certificate). 
Phaius  Norman  (Charlesworth  &  Co.). — This  is  a  hybrid  from  a  cross 
between  Sanderianus  and  tuberculosus.  It  is  a  grand  flower.  The  sepals 
and  petals  are  very  delicate  rosy  buff  with  deeper  rose  venations.  The 
fine  lip  is  purplish  crimson  at  the  outer  portion,  the  throat  being  brown 
with  yellow  and  white  markings  (first-class  certificate). 
Phaius  Norman  rosea  (Charlesworth  &  Co.). — The  flowers  of  this  are 
rather  smaller  than  the  preceding,  and  the  colour  is  brighter  throughout 
(first-class  certificate). 
Phaius  aurea  var.  (Charlesworth  &  Co.). — The  handsome  lip  of  this 
is  almost  identical  in  colour  with  P.  Norman.  The  sepals  and  petals  are 
pale  yellowish  buff  (award  of  merit). 
Early  Brussels  Sprouts. — A  small  quantity  of  seed  of  a  good 
variety  such  as  Matchless  ought  now  to  be  sown  in  a  box  or  on  a  slight 
hotbed,  and  tbe  plants  pricked  out  when  forming  rough  leaves  on  a  bed  of 
soil  in  a  frame  where  protection  can  be  afforded.  If  grown  as  sturdily  as 
possible  good  plants  will  be  secured  for  finally  planting  the  end  of  May. — E. 
