268 
JOUBNAL  OF  HOB.TIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  24,  1898. 
BIRMINGHAM  SPRING  SHOW. 
March  IGth  and  17th. 
The  second  annual  Bulb  Show  was  held  as  usual  at  the  Botanical 
Gardens,  Edgbaston,  on  the  16th  and  I7th  under  most  favourable 
conditions.  The  exhibits  on  the  whole  were  an  improvement  on  those 
of  the  previous  occasion.  A  superb  exhibit  of  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  and 
Narcissi  in  pots  exhibited  by  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  attracted  much  attention, 
as  did  an  interesting  collection  of  bulbs  grown  in  ornamental  glazed  vases 
for  table  decoration  in  a  mixture  of  cocoa-nut  fibre,  ground  shells,  and 
charcoal  for  drainage. 
A  most  attractive  and  welcome  feature  was  comprised  of  three 
collections  of  spring  flowers  in  pots  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  not 
exceeding  30  square  feet,  both  forced  and  naturally  grown,  the  prizetakers 
in  this  class  being  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Borrow 
Court,  Edgbaston,  Mr.  I.  Priest,  gardener  to  A.  W.  Hulse,  Esq., 
Birmingham,  and  Isaac  Cooke,  Esq.,  Shrewsbury,  in  the  order  named. 
As  may  be  readily  conjectured,  another  highly  attractive  feature  was  the 
splendid  display  of  non-competitive  bouquets,  wreaths,  harps,  and  table 
decorations  contributed  by  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son,  Coventry.  A  col¬ 
lection  of  cut  Narcissus  and  Daffodils,  exhibited  by  Mr.  R.  Sydenham, 
added  not  a  little  to  the  general  effect  of  the  show. 
For  twelve  single-flowered  Hyacinths,  distinct,  Mr.  W.  A.  Sarson, 
Moseley,  secured  the  first  prize  for  very  good  samples  of  La  Grandesse, 
Princess  May,  Lord  Macaulay,  Vuurbaak,  LTnnocence,  King  of  the 
Blues,  Grand  Maitre,  Roi  des  Beiges,  Koh-i-Noor,  and  others.  The 
second  position  was  accorded  to  Mr.  A.  Ball,  gardener  to  H.  I.  Horsfall, 
Edgbaston,  the  third  being  creditably  taken  by  Sir  .John  Jaffray, 
Edgbaston.  For  six  pots  of  Hyacinths  the  first  prize  was  won  by  Mr. 
S.  Gibbs,  gardener  to  .1.  B.  Manly,  Esq.,  Harborne,  with  fair  examples  of 
La  Grandesse,  King  of  the  Blues,  Fabiola,  Queen  of  the  Blues,  LTnno¬ 
cence,  and  Koh-i-Noor,  the  second  going  to  R.  Chatwin  Cartwright,  Esq., 
Selly  Park,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  E.  C.  Eowke,  Edgbaston. 
For  twelve  pots  of  single  Tulips  the  premier  award  was  bestowed  on 
Mr.  A.  Cryer,  with  very  ffne  examples  of  Keysers  Kroon,  Proserpine, 
Dusart,  .Toost  Van  Yondel,  Cottage  Maid,  Ophir  d  Or,  Stanley,  White 
Pottebakker,  and  Prince  of  Austria,  whilst  Messrs.  1.  Cooke  and 
A.  W.  Hulse  followed.  For  six  pots  Mr.  E.  Sharpe,  Edgbaston,  was 
placed  first,  Mr.  E.  C.  Fowkes  second,  and  Mr.  Harvey  Dubros  third. 
The  first  prize  collection  consisted  of  excellent  examples  of  Proserpine, 
Cottage  Maid,  Vermilion  Brilliant,  Keysers  Kroon.  JoostVan  Vondel. 
and  Montresor. 
For  twelve  pots  of  single  Narcissi,  not  less  than  eight  varieties,  the 
first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  A.  Cryer  with  Golden  Spur.  Princeps, 
Mrs.  Langtry,  Figaro,  Emperor,  Barri  Conspicuus,  Sir  Watkin,  Henry 
Irving,  Horsefieldi,  and  Grandee  ;  whilst  the  second  and  third  prizes  fell 
to  Sir  .John  Jaffray  and  Mr.  I.  Cooke.  For  six  pots  the  respective 
winners  were  Messrs.  J.  Sceany,  E.  M.  Sharp,  and  R.  Chatwin.  For  six 
pots  of  Polyanthus  Narcissus  Messrs.  A.  W.  Hulse,  R.  C.  Cartwright, 
and  Isaac  Cooke  were  the  winners.  In  the  class  for  collections  of  cut 
flowers  of  Narcissi  Mr.  Isaac  Cooke  worthily  won  the  first  position,  the 
second  being  secured  by  the  Rev.  J.  Jacob,  Whitewell  Rectory,  Whit¬ 
church,  Salop ;  Mr.  Chatwin  Cartwright,  the  only  other  competitor, 
taking  the  third  prize. 
Pots  of  Lilies  of  the  Valley  were  well  shown,  more  especially  the  first 
prize  six  of  Mr.  A.  Cryer,  the  second  prize  going  to  Sir  John  Jaffray, 
and  the  third  to  Mr.  I.  Cpoke.  Spir^as  were  fairly  good,  Messrs. 
A.  Cryer,  1.  Priest,  and  1.  Cooke  taking  the  prizes.  There  were  four 
collections  of  Cinerarias,  the  first  prize  being  awarded  to  Mr.  A.  Cryer 
for  well  grown  examples,  the  second  and  third  prizes  falling  to  Mr. 
G.  S.  Mathews,  Edgbaston,  and  Mr.  I.  Cooke.  In  Mr.  R.  Sydenham’s 
collection  of  Tulips  the  most  notable  were  Unique,  Proserpine,  Stanley, 
Little  Dorrit,  Montresor,  Golden  Lion,  Cerise,  Gris  de  Lin,  Duchesse  de 
Parma,  and  Joost  Van  Vondel. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
On  behalf  of  young  gardeners  permit  me  to  render  our  hearty  thanks 
to  “  An  Old  Boy  ”  for  his  good,  sound,  practical  advice  to  young  men  in 
the  “  Domain.”  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  reading  many  previous  articles 
which  have  appeared  from  time  to  time  in  the  pages  of  the  Journal,  each 
of  which  was  equally  well  filled  with  practical  advice  to  young  gardeners. 
I  sincerely  trust  that  his  appeal  will  not  be  in  vain,  and  I  hope  that 
ere  many  weeks  have  passed  we  shall  see  many  new  writers.  I  feel 
certain  that  nothing  will  be  more  gratifying  for  the  “Old  Boy”  should 
this  be  the  case,  and  let  us  hope  that  he  will  realise  his  expectations  of 
us,  and  at  some  not  far  distant  day  take  up  his  pen  once  more  on  our 
behalf.-J.  F.  D. 
Dahlias. 
The  Dahlia  is  a  native  of  Mexico,  and  was  discovered  by  Humboldt 
growing  in  sandy  soils  between  4000  and  5000  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  sea.  One  variety  flowered  in  1789  under  the  care  of  that  eminent 
botanist  Cavanille,  Professor  and  Director  of  the  Botanic  Gardens  at 
Madrid,  where  he  soon  after  flowered  two  others,  and  figured  and 
described  them  in  his  “Scenes.”  From  the  Madrid  gardens  they  were 
sent  to  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  at  Paris  in  1802,  and  in  May,  1804, 
seeds  arrived  in  England  from  Lady  Holland,  from  which  the  first  plants 
in  this  country  originated. 
The  Dahlia  may  be  propagated  by  seed,  cuttings,  division  of  roots,  or 
grafting.  The  plants  are  very  useful  for  adorning  either  the  flower 
garden  or  borders,  to  which  they  add  a  charming  effect.  They  are  of 
great  value  where  cut  flowers  are  in  demand.  In  this  case  I  think  it 
advisable  to  plant  in  beds,  the  plants  from  2  to  5  feet  apart  each  way, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  varieties  planted.  They  should  be  first 
started  into  growth  in  a  temperature  of  45°,  gradually  hardening  the 
plants  as  the  planting  season  approaches,  and  plant  out  as  soon  as  the 
weather  permits. 
The  soil  most  suitable  for  Dahlias  is  a  good  sandy  loam  not  too  rich, 
and  which  has  been  deeply  dug  and  manured  in  the  autumn.  As  soon  as. 
they  are  planted  out  each  one  should  be  neatly  staked  and  kept  well  tied 
in  during  the  growing  season.  When  the  flower  buds  appear  an  occa¬ 
sional  watering  of  weak  liquid  manure  and  soot  water  will  be  very 
beneficial  to  the  flowers.  When  growing  for  exhibition  disbudding  will 
have  to  be  practised,  and  the  flowers  lightly  shaded  from  the  hot  sun. 
They  also  require  some  protection  from  wet  weather. — J.  F.  D.,  Yorks, 
Dwarf  Beans  for  Early  Work. 
In  your  valuable  paper  on  April  8th,  1897,  I  wrote  concerning  the 
culture  of  this  valuable  vegetable,  and  was  criticised  by  “  Stone  Warrilow” 
and  “ Single  W.”  which  I  was  glad  to  see.  Now,  “Stone  Warrilow” 
and  “  Single  W.,”  I  am  sending  the  Editor  a  sample  of  Beans,  grown  by 
the  treatment  I  advised,  and  perhaps  you  would  do  likewise.  What  a 
fine  chance  we  youngsters  have  to  enlighten  ourselves  and  to  exchange 
our  views  in  the  “  Young  Gardeners’  Domain.”  The  Beans  I  send  are 
Canadian  Wonder  sown  in  60-pots.  On  .January  4th,  when  about  5  inches 
high,  they  were  potted  into  16’s  and  placed  in  the  stove.  I  need  not 
say  more  of  the  treatment,  as  it  is  recorded  in  the  Journal  for  April  8th, 
1897,  page  301.  I  am  sure  the  Editor  will  be  judge  for  us. — W.  W. 
[The  pods  received  were  of  first-class  merit  and  a  credit  to  the 
cultivator.] 
Bananas. 
I  HAVE  been  waiting  several  weeks  for  an  answer  to  appear  to  your 
“  Domain  ”  correspondent’s  appeal  for  cultural  notes  on  the  above  fruit. 
A  few  months  ago  I  secured  my  present  charge,  and  found  myself 
similarly  situated.  I  have  two  Musas  growing  in  the  stove  in  large  tubs. 
In  August  last  they  showed  fruit,  which  has  been  swelling  slowly  all  the 
winter,  but  for  the  last  two  months  appears  to  be  at  a  standstill.  The 
temperature  of  the  house  has  been  65°  b)  night,  with  a  rise  of  5°  by  day 
and  10°  from  sun  heat.  The  plants  have  been  copiously  watered,  and  had 
liquid  manure  twice  a  week  from  the  time  the  fruit  started  to  swell  up  to 
the  present.  Is  it  usual  for  them  to  fruit  at  the  time  stated,  or  is  it  the 
result  of  bad  management  in  the  early  stages  of  growth  1  If  the  fruit  has 
now  finished  swelling,  should  they  be  cut,  or  allowed  to  ripen  on  the 
plant  ?  Any  information  about  them  from  a  brother  craftsman  or  an 
“  Old  Boy  ”  will  be  gratefully  accepted  by— Nil  Desperandhm. 
Orchids  at  Vine  House,  Haslingden. 
A  VISIT  to  this  well-kept  establishment,  the  residence  of  A.  War- 
burton,  Esq.,  is  always  full  of  interest  to  any  lover  of  Orchids,  and  our 
visit  recently  was  no  exception.  To  enter  into  a  full  account  of  all  the 
Orchids  at  Vine  House  would  occupy  far  too  much  space,  so  it  is  intended 
only  to  give  a  short  note  of  a  few  of  the  best  in  flower  at  the  present  time. 
We  found  Mr.  Lofthouse  and  his  assistants  busily  engaged  arranging 
Cypripediums  on  a  side  stage  in  the  Dendrobium  house,  which  was  until 
recently  a  Peach  house,  but  the  fruit  has  had  to  give  way  to  Orchids. 
There  was  arranged  a  splendid  collection  of  Dendrobiums,  which 
was  well  worth  a  long  journey  to  see.  Very  prominent  were  some 
grand  specimens  of  the  well-known  and  ever  useful  nobile  nobilius  and 
Wardianum.  There  were  also  two  excellent  specimens  of  D,  n.  Apollo — 
one  a  white,  and  the  other  a  beautiful  salmon  colour,  not  yet  named,  but 
which  will  probably  be  heard  of  again.  Several  comparatively  rare  forms 
were  observed  in  good  condition,  besides  others  which  are  often  seen,  but 
these  need  not  be  particularised. 
Adjoining  the  Dendrobe  house  is  one  devoted  to  Cattleyas,  in  which 
there  is  not  at  present  very  much  bloom  But  there  are  some  grand 
specimens  from  a  cultural  point  of  view.  On  entering  one  could  not  help 
being  struck  with  a  fine  form  of  Cattleya  Trianas  alba.  There  were  two 
fine  spikes  of  Phaius  Cooksoni,  and  a  hybrid  between  C.  Trianse  and 
Mendeli,  which  is  not  yet  named.  From  here  we  journeyed  to  the 
Odontoglossum  house.  Very  showy  on  entering,  suspended  from  the 
roof,  were  several  pots  of  that  little  gem  Sophronitis  grandiflora,  making 
a  perfect  blaze  of  colour.  In  a  few  weeks  there  will  be  a  fine  show  in 
this  house,  there  being  hundreds  of  flower  spikes  showing.  A  fine 
specimen  of  0.  Ruckerianum  was  very  attractive,  as  was  0.  Andersonianum. 
There  are  many  other  Orchids  grown  well  at  Vine  House  which  I  might 
mention,  but  time  and  space  forbid.  Taken  on  the  whole  Mr.  Warburton 
is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  excellence  of  his  collection,  and  also  the 
skill  displayed  in  their  culture  by  his  energetic  and  capable  gardener, 
Mr.  T.  Lofthouse.  — J.  C.,  Lancashire. 
Rhododendron  pr^cox. — Early  flowers  are  always  acceptable, 
and  those  who  grow  them  would  welcome  the  brief  paragraph  on  this 
Rhododendron  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Journal.  With  us  in  the 
North  it  is  later  than  at  Kew,  but  on  March  5th  it  was  fully  covered 
with  flower.  But  for  the  sharp  frost  which  has  occurred  at  night  this 
early  Rhododendron  would  have  opened  considerably  sooner,  as  it  was 
showing  colour  for  some  time  before.  Very  beautiful  is  it  now,  and 
although  the  night  frosts  are  yet  keen  they  do  not  appear  to  do  much 
injury  to  its  bright  purple  blossoms  — S.  xVrnott. 
