260 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURES  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  24,  1898. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall. — March  22nd. 
Though  the  day  was  murky  without,  and  some  of  the  fog  penetrated 
the  Hall,  yet  the  brightness  of  the  long  tables  of  flowers  predominated. 
Very  brilliant  indeed  was  an  imposing  display  of  Hippeastrums,  raised 
and  exhibited  by  Captain  Holford,  Westonbirt  (Mr.  A.  Chapman, 
gardener)  — an  extensive  and  fine  assortment,  in  greatly  varied  colours. 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  arranged  one  of  the  finest  groups  of 
Clivias  yet  seen — massive  trusses  of  brilliant  fiowers,  being  etfectively  set 
off  by  rich  green  leaves. 
Messrs.  Hill  &  Son,  Edmonton,  exhibited  a  great  anl  varied  collection 
of  Ferns,  and  Messrs.  J.  I^aing  &  Sons  arranged  a  diversified  assortment 
of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  also  a  pleasing  assortment  of  floral  decora¬ 
tions. 
A  fine  mass  of  Narcissi  in  pots  and  many  cut  bunches,  also  various 
other  hardy  spring  flowers,  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  and  Mr. 
K.  G.  Cuthbert,  Highgate,  arranged  a  very  fine  collection  of  Tulips  in 
pots,  Ophir  d’Or,  a  beautiful  yellow,  showing  conspicuously.  The  St. 
George’s  Nurse^’y  Company,  Han  well,  exhibited  a  large  assortment  of 
admirably  grown  Cyclamens.  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons  arranged  a  bold 
miscellaneous  group,  in  which  the  yellow  Calla  Elliotiana  contrasted 
effectively  with  the  pendant  scarlet  lacemes  of  Thyrsacanthus  ruliilans 
and  other  flowers. 
Messrs.  Wm.  Paul  &  Son  had  three  considerable  sized  groups  of  Koses 
in  pots,  two  of  them  composed  of  the  beautiful  and  floriferous  Enchantress, 
and  the  other  of  about  a  dozen  of  their  new  varieties,  including  Souvenir 
d'Eugfene  Verdier,  Sylph,  Madame  Julius  Grolez,  President  Carnot, 
Antoine  Riviere,  and  others  that  will  be  seen  again.  The  Waltham  Cross 
firm  also  arranged  one  of  the  largest  and  finest  collections  of  Hyacinths 
that  has  been  seen  for  many  a  day,  all  the  best  varieties  in  cultivation 
being  apparently  represented. 
Splendid  boxes  of  Roses  were  set  up  by  Mr.  W.  Rumsey,  yellows, 
whites,  pinks,  and  crimsons,  commanding  the  attention  of  visitors.  Mr. 
Mount  had  also  many  beautiful  blooms,  some  supported  on  long  stems 
clothed  with  rich  green  leaves.  Messrs.  J.  James  &  Son  covered  a  great 
length  of  table  with  such  grand  Cinerarias  as  could  scarcely  have  been 
dreamed  of  a  few  years  ago,  IMr.  John  R.  Box,  Croydon,  had  also  an 
excellent  display  of  these  flowers,  both  jdants  and  varieties  being  of  high 
merit, 
Messrs,  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son  exhibited  Hippeastrums,  Orchids,  dense 
masses  of  Azalea  mollis,  Staphyleas,  and  various  other  plants.  Messrs. 
Hugh  Low  &  Co.  had  a  compact  group  of  Orchids  in  the  best  of 
condition  and  in  choice  variety. 
Mes.srs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  exhibited  chaste  and  charming  masses 
of  various  alpine  plants  that  were  much  admired.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son 
had  a  great  and  varied  assortment  of  Daffodils  of  apparently  all  sizes 
and  in  all  colours  in  which  these  popular  flowers  are  represented.  Mr. 
H.  B.  May  arranged  an  attractive  group  of  Clematises  flowering  freely  in 
small  pots. 
Fruit  Committee. —  Present :  G.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  T.  F,  Rivers,  H.  W.  Ward,  J.  Cheal, 
J.  Willard,  A.  F.  Barron,  G.  Reynolds,  G.  Norman,  J.  H.  Veitch, 
W.  Poupart,  H.  Balderson,  G.  Wythes,  W.  Bates,  A.  J.  Laing,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  W.  Pope,  C.  Herrin,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
The  duties  of  the  Committee  were  extremely  light  on  this  occasion. 
Mr.  J.  Wythes  sent  from  Syon  six  punnets  of  Royal  Sovereign  Straw¬ 
berries,  splendid  fruits,  firm  and  well  coloured.  A  cultural  commenda¬ 
tion  was  unanimously  awarded. 
A  new  “cultivator,”  in  the  form  of  rotatory  prongs,  worked  by  hand, 
was  introduced  by  Mr.  Wythes.  It  is  an  implement  of  promise,  and  was 
unanimously  referred  to  Chiswick  for  trial.  It  is  the  invention  of  Mr. 
G.  W.  Shailer,  Brentford,  and  resembles  a  very  miniature  scarifier,  such 
as  is  seen  on  some  farms,  but  with  the  important  difference  that  the 
curved  prongs  in  the  new  “  garden  cultivator  ”  revolve  in  either  direction 
at  will — that  is,  they  can  be  drawn  or  pushed  through  the  ground,  and 
hoist  the  weeds,  if  any,  on  the  surface. 
Veitchian  Prizes.— Appfes.— First,  Mr.  J.  C.  Tallack,  Livermere 
Gardens,  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  with  Lamb  Abbey  Pearmain.  Second,  Mr. 
C.  Herrin,  Dropmore,  with  Sturmer  Pippin.  Pears. — First  prize  withheld. 
Second,  Captain  Carstairs  (Mr.  C.  Ross  gardener),  Welford  Park,  with 
Nec  Plus  Meuris 
Floral  Committee.— Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  Messrs.  C.  L.  Drewery,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  E.  Molyneiur, 
G.  Stevens,  J.  F.  McLeod,  R.  B.  Lowe,  .1.  Jennings,  C.  J.  Salter,  H  Selfe 
Leonard,  J.  Fraser,  J.  D.  Pawle,  C.  E.  Shea,  C.  E.  Pearson,  T.  W. 
Sanders,  E.  T.  Cook,  E.  Beckett,  H.  Cutbush,  0.  Thomas,  E.  Mawley, 
H.  Turner,  G.  Paul,  H.  ,T.  Jones,  W.  Howe,  J.  Hudson,  D.  B.  Crane, 
G.  Gordon,  C.  Jeffries,  and  James  Walker. 
Certificates  and  Awards  op  Merit. 
Amaryllis  Ideala  (Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons). — The  flowers  of  this 
variety  are  large,  heavily  marked  with  crimson-red  on  a  white  ground 
(award  of  merit). 
Amaryllis  Cionia  (Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons). — This  is  a  charming 
variety  with  bold  white  flowers  touched  with  pale  green,  streaked  and 
margined  with  warm  rose  (award  of  merit). 
Amaryllis  Sacola  (Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons).— Flowers  large,  brick 
red,  each  segment  having  a  broad  white  band  down  the  centre  (award  of 
merit). 
Amaryllis  Beacon  (Captain  Holford).— The  flowers  of  this  variety  are 
of  medium  size,  and  of  a  deep  velvety  crimson  (award  of  merit). 
Azalea  japonica  rubra  (W.  Nicholson,  Esq.,  Basing  Park,  Alton  ; 
gardener,  Mr.  Smythe). — The  small  bright  red  flowers  are  borne  with 
delightful  freedom  (award  of  merit). 
Clicia  Favourite  (Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — Flowers  produced  in 
great  trusses  :  colour  pale  salmon,  with  a  soft  yellow  throat  (award  of 
merit). 
Olivia  Opitime  (Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  vSons). — A  grand  variety,  with 
large  well-formed  trusses  of  terra-cotta  (award  of  merit). 
Dracxnu  Exquisite  (Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons). — Plant  of  good 
habit,  with  broad  bronze-green  leaves,  deeply  margined  with  rosy  pink 
(award  of  merit). 
Hyacinth  City  of  Haarlem  (Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son). — The  beautiful 
primrose  yellow  flowers  are  borne  on  long  stout  spikes. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present:  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien  (Secretary),  de  Barri  Crawshay,  Ballantine, 
Whittle,  Gabriel,  Chapman,  Thorne,  Young,  Bond,  Law-Schofield, 
Ashworth,  Protheroe,  Courtajild,  Hill,  Pollett,  White,  andN.  C.  Cookson. 
Certificates  and  Awards  op  Merit. 
Odontoglossum  Princess  Christian  (Baron  Schroder). — A  large  flowered 
and  beautiful  variety  with  distinct  blotches  of  chocolate  brown  (first-class 
certificate). 
Dendrohium  Ashworthianum  (E.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  Harefield  Hall, 
Wilmslow). — A  pure  white  flowered  variety  with  blooms  in  the  form  of 
D.  nobile  (first-class  certificate). 
Odontoglossum  hyhridum  Ashworthianum  (Ashworth). — Flowers  with  a 
pink  lip  and  chocolate  sepals,  a  curious  and  distinct  variety  (award  of 
merit). 
Odontoglossum  Rochfordianum  (Mr.  T.  Rochford,  Turnford). — Flowers 
creamy,  thickly  blotched  with  brown,  effective  (award  of  merit). 
Oncidium  cuculatum  (Frau  Ida  Brandt). — Plant  had  vanished  when 
sought  for  purpose  of  description  (award  of  merit). 
Medals  Awarded. 
Silver-gilt  Flora  medals  were  awarded  to  Messrs.  William  Paul 
and  Son  and  Mr.  G.  Mount  for  Roses  ;  to  Captain  Holford  for  Hippe¬ 
astrums  ;  to  the  St.  George’s  Nursery  Co.  for  Cyclamens,  and  to  Messrs. 
J.  James  &  Son  for  Cinerarias.  Silver  Flora  Medals  were  granted  to  Mr. 
T.  Rumsey  for  Roses,  to  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons  for  Clivias,  and  to 
Mr.  H.  B.^klay  for  Clematises.  Silver  Banhsian  Medals  were  adjudged  to 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons  and  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware  for  Daffodils  ;  to  Messrs.  J. 
Laing  &  Sons  for  wreaths  and  other  ornaments  ;  to  Messrs.  Hill  &  Son 
for  Ferns,  and  to  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.  for  Orchids. 
AHTIFICIAL  MANURES. 
We  daresay  there  are  very  few  of  the  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horti¬ 
culture  who  have  not  had  a  visit  from  some  of  the  numerous  artificial 
manure  merchants.  We  have  had  a  few,  and  if  our  experience  is  any 
criterion  it  is  time  more  light  is  given  to  the  subject,  so  as  to  enable  those 
who  have  not  had  the  facility  for  learning  the  “tricks  of  the  trade,”  to 
understand  something  about  what  they  are  asked  to  buy.  It  is  quite  a 
common  thing  for  some  of  these  peripatetic  manure  vendors  to  promise  to 
send  the  analysis  of  their  fertiliser  when  they  send  you  on  the  manure. 
We  always  consider  that  the  man  who  cannot  show  us  the  analysis  of  the 
“  stuff  ”  we  are  asked  to  buy,  so  as  to  enable  us  to  judge  of  its  good,  bad, 
or  indifferent  qualities,  is  not  the  one  for  us  to  deal  with  ;  and  we  think  if 
the  analysis  is  of  any  value,  the  owners  will  not  mind  showing  it. 
Last'spring  a  traveller  in  the  artificial  manure  trade  called  upon  us 
with  a  Vine,  Tomato,  and  a  Chrysanthemum  fertiliser.  Of  course  there 
was  nothing  on  this  earth  to  equal  his  particular  mixtures — indeed,  the 
way  he  talked,  one  would  have  supposed  he  had  a  Klondike  somewhere 
up  in  the  north,  and  wanted  us  to  share  some  of  his  gold  ;  but  although 
he  stayed  pestering  us  for  nearly  two  hours,  we  could  not  be  induced  to 
take  any.  Some  of  our  neighbours  were  less  fortunate,  and  could  not 
shake  him  off  until  they  had  promised  to  take  a  few  cwts. 
By  an  Act  of  Parliament  passed  in  1892  I  believe  every  manure 
merchant  is  compelled  to  give  an  analysis  to  purchasers  of  more  than 
1  cwt.  of  manure.  When  the  above  merchant  sent  his  mixtures  he  did 
not  send  an  analysis,  and  of  course  this  made  the  buyer  suspicious.  He 
wrote  asking  him  to  send  one,  but  no  notice  was  taken  of  his  letter  ; 
another  letter  was  sent,  telling  him  that  unless  the  analysis  was  sent  by 
return  of  post  the  matter  would  be  put  in  other  hands.  The  analysis  was 
sent,  and  on  it  was  stated  that  the  merchant  guaranteed  his  mixtures  to 
contain  1  per  cent,  of  ammonia.  Supposing  his  manure  contained  only 
the  specified  amount  of  plant  food — viz.,  1  per  cent,  of  ammonia,  its  value 
to  the  purchaser  would  be  7d.  per  cwt.,  and  yet  the  artificial  manure 
vendor  as  good  as  told  you  he  was  giving  you  the  stuff  at  ISs.  per  cwt. 
It  should  be  added  that  the  firm  in  question  is  not  among  those  whose 
names  are  familiar  to  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture. — W.  Dyke. 
[Our  correspondent  is  quite  right  in  his  reference  to  the  law  on  the 
subject,  and  we  know  of  no  respectable  dealer  who  hesitates  for  a  moment 
in  sending  an  analysis  of  his  product.  We  have  ascertained  this  fact  by 
a  number  of  auplications.  From  those  peripatetic  canvassers  for  orders 
who  decline  to  furnish  the  information  suggested,  we  should  not  be 
induced  to  “  take  any  stuff.”] 
