April  14,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
329 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — April  12th. 
The  exhibition  on  Tuesday  was  one  of  the  finest  that  has  been  seen 
in  the  Drill  Hall  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Almost  the  whole  of  the 
available  space  was  occupied  with  floral  exhibits  of  high  quality.  Orchids 
were  admirably  though  not  extensively  shown,  while  exhibits  for  the 
Fruit  Committee  were  very  few.  Narcissi  were  staged  in  superb 
condition. 
Fruit  Committee.  —  Present:  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  with  Messrs,  J,  H.  Veitch,  A.  F.  Barron,  T.  Fife, 
J.  Willard,  G.  Norman,  G,  Reynolds,  J.  Smith,  J.  T.  Miles,  G.  Sage, 
M.  Gleeson,  W.  Bates,  F.  Q.  Lane,  C.  Herrin,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
Only  a  few  products  were  placed  on  the  table  for  examination,  but 
these  were  distinctly  meritorious,  and  met  with  prompt  recognition. 
Mr.  J.  Miller,  Ruxley  Lodge,  Esher,  sent  a  large  box  of  Mushrooms. 
They  were -grown  on  ridges  in  the  open  air,  and  were  remarkably  firm 
and  fine.  Mr.  Miller  is  an  adept  in  this  method  of  growing  the  delicious 
esculent.  A  cultural  commendation  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Mr.  McLeod  sent  from  Dover  House,  Roehampton,  a  box  of  splendid 
Brown  Turkey  Figs,  gathered  from  a  trained  tree,  covering  a  space  6  by 
18  feet,  and  now  carrying  470  fruits,  of  which  these  were  fair  samples, 
and  excellent  they  were.  A  cultural  commendation  was  voted  unanimously. 
Mr.  E.  Beckett  sent  from  Aldenham  House,  Elstree,  a  large  basket  of 
Daxton’s  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry.  The  fruits  were  very  fine,  firm, 
and  richly  coloured,  meriting  the  cultural  commendation  which  was 
promptly  granted. 
A  dish  of  a  small  well-coloured  seedling  Apple  from 'Mr.  W.  W.  Bull, 
Ramsden,  Billericay,  was  placed  on  the  table — fruits  small,  round,  and 
coloured.  They  were  somewhat  shrivelled.  The  Committee  desired  to 
see  others  next  j'ear  in  a  firmer  condition. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  0.  Thomas,  C.  T.  Druery,  R.  Dean,  J.  H.  Fitt, 
G.  Stevens,  W.  Howe,  J.  F.  McLeod,  T.  Peed,  C.  J.  Salter,  .1.  W.  Barr, 
J.  D.  Pawle,  H.  J.  Jones,  C.  Jeffries,  C.  E.  Shea,  D.  B,  Crane,  E.  Beckett, 
H.  J,  Cutbush,  G.  Paul,  J.  Fraser  (Kew),  E.  T.  Cook,  H.  Turner,  and 
E.  Mawley. 
The  large  group  of  Cinerarias  arranged  by  Messrs.  J.  C arter  &  Co., 
Holborn,  was  very  effective.  The  plants  were  of  medium  height,  many 
of  the  flowers  being  of  good  form  and  rich  in  colour.  They  were  inter¬ 
spersed  with  Maidenhair  Ferns,  and  backed  by  small  Palms.  Mr.  T.  S. 
Ware,  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  Tottenham,  staged  a  small  collection  of 
Alpines,  amongst  which  were  noted  many  charming  and  interesting  plants. 
Messrs.  J.  Hill  &  Son,  Lower  Edmonton,  were  represented  by  a  handsome 
exhibit  of  Ferns,  comprising  many  species  and  varieties,  all  in  excellent 
health.  Well  grown  and  flowered  plants  of  Azalea  indica  were  shown 
by  Mr.  W.  Kemp,  Barnes.  The  colours  were  very  bright.  Along  the 
front  of  the  table  were  fine  pots  of  Lily  of  the  Valley.  Messrs.  W.  Paul 
and  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  exhibited  in  their  customary  admirable  condition 
Camellias,  both  in  a  cut  state  and  plants.  The  flowers  were  of  fine 
substance  and  the  colours  rich.  Prominent  amongst  the  varieties  were 
L’Insubria,  Princess  Charlotte,  The  Duchess,  Beali,  L’Avenir,  Cup  of 
Beauty,  Mathotiana,  Montironi,  C.  M.  Hovcy,  and  Beauty  of  Waltham. 
The  five  boxes  of  Mare'chal  Niel  Roses  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Walker,  Thame, 
were  the  most  fragrant  feature  of  the  show.  The  flowers  were  full  and 
of  rich  colour.  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  sent  a  capital 
collection  of  Erythroniums,  together  with  Fritillarias,  Tulipa  Greigl, 
Irises,  and  other  flowers. 
Hybrid  Streptocarpus,  with  a  few  Ferns  and  Palms,  formed  the  exhibit 
from  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill.  The  flowers  were  particularly 
conspicuous  for  size  and  substance.  Mr.  W.  Rumsey,  Joynings  Nurseries, 
Waltham  Cross,  sent  a  large  number  of  Roses,  comprising  many  of  the 
best  known  varieties.  These  were  Mardchal  Niel,  Niphetos,  Gendral 
Jacqueminot,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Ethel  Brownlow,  Elise  Fugier,  and  the 
charming  Mrs.  Rumsey,  with  its  shapely  flowers  borne  on  long  stems. 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  staged  well-grown  plants  of 
Deutzia  Lemoinei,  Staphylea  colchica,  and  dwarf  Laburnums.  Roses  in 
pots  from  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  The  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt,  were 
attractively  beautiful.  Some  of  the  best  were  Inuocente  Pirola,  Caroline 
Testout,  Elise  Fugier,  Clara  Watson,  Captain  Hayward,  Mrs.  R.  G.  S. 
Crawford,  Madame  Hoste,  and  Antoine  Rivoire,  with  several  of  the  dwarf 
Pol3’antha  varieties.  Primulas  in  extensive  variety  were  shown  by 
P.  Purnell,  Esq.,  Streatham  Hill.  As  a  rule  the  plants  were  well  grown, 
and  flowering  freel}'.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  sent  a  small 
collection  of  Hyacinths,  in  which  several  of  the  leading  varieties  were 
observed.  Mr.  Charles  Turner  sent  from  the  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough, 
baskets  of  Nepeta  glechoma  variegata,  an  old  but  very  charming  plant 
for  the  purpose. 
One  of  the  most  effective  exhibits  was  that  staged  by  Mr.  H.  B.  May, 
Upper  Edmonton.  It  was  composed  of  grandly  grown  plants  of  Crimson 
Rambler  Rose,  with  Hydrangeas,  Ferns,  Spiraeas,  Acers,  and  other  plants 
effectively  disposed  in  a  semicircle.  Mr.  May  also  sent  small  plants  of 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  which  is  evidently  useful  for  spring  as  well 
as  winter  flowering.  Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Lord  Fole3-,  Ruxley 
liOdge,  sent  several  bunches  of  fine  Violets.  Mr.  H.  Walters,  gardener 
to  Lord  Gerard,  Eastwell  Park,  Ashford,  showed  Roses  in  variety, 
the  flowers  of  Marechal  Niel  being  particularly  good. 
On  the  floor  in  the  centre  of  the  hall  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Reading,  had  a  group  of  plants  of  what  they  call  Cineraria  stellata, 
which  is  a  selection  from  C.  cruenta.  The  plants  were  tall,  and  carrying 
graceful  trusses  of  many  coloured  flowers.  Almost  all  the  colours  found 
in  the  garden  varieties  were  represented.  The  plants  were  clothed  to  the 
pot  with  foliage.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  sent  a  group 
of  hybrid  Cinerarias  resulting  from  a  cross  between  C.  cruenta  and 
garden  varieties.  Some  of  the  plants  were  from  seeds  and  others  from 
cuttings,  the  former  being  very  much  freer  flowering  and  of  more  graceful 
habit.  The  colours  were  well  diversified.  The  same  firm  sent  also 
Deutzia  Len.oinci,  Azalea  obtusa  alba,  A.  citrminata  splendens.  Rhodo¬ 
dendron  racemosum,  and  several  other  plants.  Mr.  W.  Bardney,  gardener 
to  Sir  Peter  Walker,  Osmaston  Manor,  Derby,  staged  spikes  of  different 
varieties  of  Clivia  miniata.  The  flowers  were  of  great  size  and  the 
colours  exceptionally  rich.  Mr,  E.  Beckett,  gardener  to  Lord  Aldenham, 
Aldenham  House,  Elstree,  showed  a  basket  of  a  form  of  Deutzia  gracilis 
with  variegated  leaves. 
Narcissus  Committee. — Present  :  J.  Bennett-Poe,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  with  Miss  Willmott,  and  Messrs.  De  Graaff,  W.  Ware,  R,  Barr, 
G.  H.  Engleheart,  C.  Macmichael,  Kingsmill,  J.  Walker,  and  Scrase 
Dickens, 
Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Lord  Folevq  staged  a  few  Narcissi,  including 
incomparabilis  Stella,  Burbidgei,  Leedsi,  Duchess  of  Brabant,  princeps, 
and  Emperor.  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware  sent  a  collection  of  Narcissi,  comprising 
many  flowers  of  fine  quality,  such  as  Victoria,  maximus.  Glory  of  Leyden, 
Horsefieldi,  M.  .1.  Berkley,  Sir  Watkin,  P.  R.  Barr,  Grand  Duchess, 
Catherine  Spurrell,  albicans,  and  dozens  of  others.  The  Narcissi  shown 
by  Messrs.  .1.  Veitch  &  Sons  were  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of  the 
quality.  There  were  grand  examples  of  princeps,  Golden  Plover,  Gloria 
Mundi,  Barri  conspicuus,  Horsefieldi,  maximus.  Captain  Nelson,  Princess 
Mary,  Sir  Watkin,  Chieftain,  Emperor,  Queen  Bess,  Empress,  Mary 
Anderson,  Glory  of  Leyden,  F.  W.  Burbidge,  Flora  Wilson,  Mrs.  W.  T 
Ware,  Beauty,  and  others. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  were  represented  by  a  superb 
exhibit  of  Narcissi.  The  flowers  were  of  fine  size  and  great  substance, 
the  colours  being  particularly  clear  and  bright.  Amongst  the  many 
excellent  varieties  were  obvallaris,  Barri  conspicuus.  King  of  the  Nether¬ 
lands,  Sensation,  Flora  Wilson,  M.  J.  Berkley,  Ellen  Barr,  Mrs.  W. 
Ware,  P.  R.  Barr,  Sharman  Crawford,  Duchess  of  Westminster,  Constance, 
Grand  Duchess,  Madame  de  Graaff,  Hogarth,  maximus,  Backhousei, 
Portia,  Golden  Spur,  Gloria  Mundi,  King  of  the  Netherlands,  St.  John’s 
Beauty,  Goliath,  Minnie  Hume,  Henry  Irving,  Maurice  Vilmorin,  Hume’s 
Giant,  Princess  Mary,  William  Goldring,  Princess  (double),  Fred,  Moore, 
Katherine  Spurrell,  Weardale  Perfection,  Beaut3’,  .John  Bain,  Sir  Watkin, 
Victoria,  Empress,  C.  ,1.  Backhouse,  Emperor,  and  poeticus  ornatus. 
This  was  probably  one  of  the  finest  groups  of  Daffodils  Messrs.  Barr  and 
Son  have  ever  staged. 
Narcissus  Competition. — The  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart,  Andover, 
secured  the  premier  prize  for  a  collection  of  Daffodils.  His  exhibit  was 
comprised  of  seedlings,  man3'  of  which  were  of  high  quality.  J.  W. 
.lones.  Esq  ,  Woking,  was  adjudged  the  second  prize  with  a  very  credit¬ 
able  exhibit. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present:  S.  Courtauld,  Esq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  Crawsha3',  R.  B.  White,  H.  IM.  Pollett, 
H.  J.  Chapman,  F.  J.  Thorne,  W.  H.  Young,  W.  H.  White,  W.  Cobb, 
T.  W.  Bond,  H.  Ballantine,  and  F,  Mason. 
Mr.  F.  J.  Thorne,  gardener  to  Major  Joice3’,  Sunningdale  Park, 
Sunningdale,  sent  a  number  of  grandly  grown  plants  of  Epidendrum 
bicornutum  flowering  as  this  Orchid  is  unfortunately  seldom  seen. 
Mr.  Thorne  sent  also  a  plant  of  Dendrobium  atro-violaceum,  carrying  a 
splendid  spike  of  flowers.  Mr,  W.  King,  gardener  to  J.  Colman,  Esq,, 
Gatton  Park,  Reigate,  showed  a  few  Orchids  in  good  condition,  the  plants 
being  well  flowered.  Mr.  W.  H.  Young,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  F.  Wigan, 
East  Sheen,  staged  a  grand  spike  of  Ccelogyne  pandurata.  Mr.  H.  J. 
Chapman,  gardener  to  R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell,  eshibited  a 
group  of  Orchids,  comprising  Angrmeum  modestum,  Dendrobiums, 
Cattleyas,  Cymbidiums,  and  several  others  in  good  health.  Mr.  J. 
Bradshaw,  The  Grange,  Southgate,  staged  Cattleyas,  Odontoglossums, 
and  Cymbidiums,  in  good  variety  and  fine  condition. 
From  Mr.  H.  H.  White,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart., 
Dorking,  came  Eulophiella  Peetersiana,  Cypripedium  Olenus  Burford 
variety,  Odontoglossum  nebulosum  candidum.  Dendrobiums  crassinode, 
crepidatum,  micans,  Epiphronites  Veitchi,  Odontoglossum  coronarium 
miniatum  van,  Polystachya  Ottoniana,Leptotes  bicolor  and  Odontoglossum 
Pescatorei  Prince  of  Orange.  Messrs.  J-  Veitch  &  Sons  exhibited  a 
bright  collection  of  Orchids,  amongst  which  were  Epidendrums,  Laelias, 
Dendrobiums,  Cymbidiums,  a  new  hybrid  Phalmnopsis  named  Stuartiano- 
Manni,  Epidendrum  elegantulum  leucochilum,  and  others.  Smaller 
exhibits  of  Orchids  came  from  Baron  Schroder,  H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  A. 
Warburton,  Esq.,  and  many  others. 
Certificates  and  Awards  op  Merit. 
Amaryllis  Daones  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  very  distinct  variety.  The 
central  colour  is  bright  orange  red,  and  each  segment  has  a  margin  of 
white  (award  of  merit). 
Camellia  Mrs.  J.  Buchanan  (W.  Paul  &  Son). — A  semi-double  variety, 
of  which  the  flowers  are  blush,  spotted,  splashed,  and  flaked  bright  scarlet 
(award  of  merit). 
Camellia  Duchess  of  Tech  (W.  Paul  &  Son). — This  is  a  finely  shaped 
double  ;  the  colour  is  rich  rose  (award  of  merit). 
Camellia  Pride  of  Waltham  (W.  I’aul  &  Son).— A  dwarf-habited  variety 
with  silvery-rose  flowers.  The  flowers  are  large  and  substantial  (award 
of  merit). 
Cypripedium  Olenus,  Burford  variety  (W.  11.  White). — A  magnificent 
variety,  in  every  respect  superior  to  the  type,  which  was  a  hybrid  resulting 
