April  21,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
351 
into  the  Casino  they  began  to  run.  In  view  of  their  excitement  imagination 
fails  to  grasp  the  effect  which  a  really  great  display,  such  as  the  Temple, 
for  instance,  would  have  had  upon  them.  It  would  be  too  much  to  say 
that  the  Orchids  were  poor,  but  as  regards  both  interest  and  beauty 
several  Ghents  would  not  have  made  one  Temple.  The  fact  is  Belgium 
is  beginning  where  we  left  off.  This  is  not  insular  pride,  though  it  may 
sound  like  it.  It  is  the  truth. 
A  splendidly  bloomed  piece  of  Odontoglossum  Ilalli,  exhibited  by  Mr. 
Stevens,  gardener  to  W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Walton  Grange,  Stone,  received 
attention  and  a  medal.  He  had  a  very  attractive  little  group,  including 
O.  crispum  Thompsonise,  O.  Coradinei  expansum,  O.  Humeanura  splendens, 
O.  crispum  roseum  leucoglossum,  and  O.  Wilckeanum  nobilior.  In  the 
competitive  classes  Mr.  A.  Van  Imschoot  was  the  most  successful,  his 
collection  including  as  it  did  Cypripedium  Chamberlainianum,  Odonto¬ 
glossum  cariniferum,  Dendrobinm  Kingianum,  Odontoglossum  Andersoni, 
O.  odoratum,  and  Cypripedium  Rothschildianum,  all  in  good  condition.  ]Mr. 
A.  A.  Peeters,  St.  Gilles,  Brussels,  had  a  bright  display,  including  Miltonia 
Bleuana  nobilior  and  aurea,  Zygopetalum  Perrenoudi,  Cattleya  Mossiae 
Reineckiana,  C.  Lawrenceana,  Odontoglossum  crispum  punctatum,  Ltelio- 
Cattleya  Hippolyta,  Cattleya  Parthenia  gratissima,  C.  intermedia 
Parthenia,  Eulophiella  Elisabeth®,  and  Mesospinidium  vulcanicum.  There 
were  several  items  of  interest  in  the  gold  medal  collection  of  Mr. 
G.  Vincke-Dujardin,  including  Lycaste  Skinneri  Augusta,  rich  rose  ; 
Odontoglossum  crispum  excellens,  lemon  and  brown  ;  Masdevallia  ignea ; 
Cypripedium  Druryi,  yellow  ;  Odontoglossum  Gabrieli,  lemon,  light,  with 
brown  bars;  Cypripedium  villosum  aureum,  Oncidium  macranthum, 
Ansellia  africana,  Epiphronitis  Veitchi,  and  Phaius  Cooksoni.  , 
New  plants  in  general  drew  the  special  attention  of  the  trade,  but  in 
one  or  two  cases  that  of  the  public  as  well.  L’Horticulture  Internationale 
(Linden)  had  a  diversified  collection,  in  which  were  conspicuous  Maranta 
Euncki,  Peperomia  metallica,  Caraguata  cardinalis,  Tradescantia  delecta 
with  leaves  three  or  four  times  the  size  of  T.  zebrina,  and  clearly  barred, 
from  Peru  ;  Leea  amabilis  var.  splendens,  Spathiphyllum  (loribundum, 
the  Brazilian  Maranta  setosa,  Dichorisandra  angustifolia,  Fittonia 
gigantea,  Gunnera  manicata,  Acalypha  quadricolor,  Adiantum  lineatum 
from  Brazil,  Maranta  illustris,  iSlalpighia  ilicifolia.  The  last  was  the 
plant  introduced  from  Cuba  by  Mr.  J.  Linden  in  1838.  Either  from  the 
interesting  fact  of  its  being  the  plant’s  jubilee,  or  because  of  current 
excitement  about  the  Carribean  island,  it  attracted  a  great  deal  of  notice. 
In  a  wing  of  the  large  gallery  something  like  a  sensation  was  caused 
by  the  group  of  new  plants  from  Messrs.  Sander  of  St.  Albans,  prominent 
amongst  which  was  Acalypha  Sanderi  from  New  Guinea.  Its  long 
tails  ”  of  rosy  inflorescence  were  viewed  with  astonishment  and 
admiration.  Louis  called  Adolphe,  and  Adolphe  excitedly  fetched  Zelie. 
Then  they  nearly  talked  its  tails  off.  Acalypha  Godseffiana  also  received 
attention,  but  next  to  Acalypha  Sanderi,  the  huge  plant  of  Dracaena 
Sanderiana,  7  feet  high,  and  the  same  through,  drew  the  most  notice. 
Dracmna  Godseffiana,  Anoectochilus  Leopoldl,  and  Odontoglossum 
crispum  Roi  Leopold,  were  all  much  remarked. 
In  a  general  survey  of  the  show  a  busy  reporter  must  make  pickings 
here  and  there.  To  put  everything  in  proper  form  would  be  to  evolve 
order  in  the  work  of  an  hour  or  two  out  of  the  chaos  of  days.  It  is 
easiest  to  dip  here  and  there.  England  came  gallantly  to  the  front  with 
one  great  flower.  The  Amaryllis  from  Messrs.  Veitch  were  worthy  of 
their  country.  One  gentleman  told  another,  who  was  not  close  enough  to 
see,  the  size  of  the  variety  Francisca.  The  other  threw  up  his  hands  in 
horror  at  such  uncalled  for  mendacity.  Then  there  was  a  squeezing,  a 
jostling,  a  dragging  forth  of  measures,  and  a  staggered,  (Test  vrai!  The 
mendacious  one  had  triumphed  to  the  sixteenth  of  an  inch.  The  bloom 
was  over  11  inches  in  diameter.  Then  a  priest  measured  the  flower  with 
his  umbrella,  and  wheezed  away  into  a  fit  of  amazed  and  unctuous 
laughter.  This  variety  and  several  others  have  not  bloomed  in  England. 
Perfect  in  shape  and  grand  in  colour  was  King  of  the  Belgians.  Big, 
bold  and  bright  were  Euphrasia  and  Owick.  The  whole  group  was  a 
magnificent  one,  being  distinguished  not  only  for  wonderful  quality,  but 
great  variety  of  colour.  The  Veitchian  Sarracenias  and  Nepenthes  were 
nearly  as  much  admired  as  the  Amaryllis,  and  that  may  be  taken  as 
proof  enough  of  their  grand  quality.  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons  of 
Liverpool  surprised  everybody — their  friends  not  the  least— with  the 
splendid  banks  of  Amaryllis  they  put  up,  which  did  further  credit  to  the 
horticulture  of  England.  It  was  quite  evident  that  to  most  of  the  visitors 
our  contributions  of  this  plant  came  as  a  revelation. 
Another  speciality  from  England  was  found  in  a  large  group  from 
Messrs.  Cannell  &  Sons  of  Swanley,  who  had  a  collection  of  beautiful 
Zonals.  Some  of  them  seemed  to  be  much  to  the  taste  of  the  visitors, 
particularly  Comtesse  de  Morelia,  a  vermilion  with  light  centre  ;  St. 
Cecilia,  a  rich  salmon  ;  Nicholas  II.,  deep  crimson  ;  Sir  J.  Kitson,  a 
purple  of  huge  size  ;  and  Duchess  of  Marlboro’,  soft  rose.  The  same 
firm  had  a  number  of  blue  Prlmrose.s,  very  charming,  but  not  apparently 
so  much  appreciated  as  they  would  be  by  us.  ,  And  here  it  may  be  noted 
that  in  British  eyes  the  show  was  wanting  in  one  noteworthy  respect — 
hardy  border  and  alpine  flowers.  The  eternal  Azalea  rules  the  sway. 
M.  E.  Pynaert  Van  Geert  received  several  honours  for  his  Ferns  and 
foliage  plants.  Novelty  and  good  culture  were  both  to  be  noted.  He 
exhibited  some  excellent  specimens,  particularly  of  Polypodium  aureum, 
Gleichenia  Mendeli,  Adiantum  concinnum  latum,  Dennstaditia  apiifolia 
(a  gold  medal  was  awarded  to  this),  Asplenium  laxum  pumilum,  Adiantum 
tenuissimus,  and  Aralia  elegantissima  (silver-gilt  medal).  We  ought  to 
see  more  of  the  last  named,  for  it  has  grace  and  symmetry,  with  a  colour 
as  effective  as  Prunus  Pissardi  amongst  outdoor  trees.  The  De  Smet, 
Freres,  exhibited  some  magnificent  Tree  Ferns  and  Palms,  towering 
specimens,  giving  the  imposing  green  background  for  banks  of  bright 
colour  which  the  Continentals  love.  Most  of  the  kinds  were  old  friends, 
but  this  remark  hardly  applies  to  Latania  borbonica  aurea  striata,  which 
gives  us  yellow  variegation,  like  the  well-known  Aspidistra,  though  not 
in  reckless  profusion,  A  Todea  barbarea,  6  feet  high  and  through, 
attracted  a  good  deal  of  attention,  and  also  a  gold  medal.  Zamia 
Lehmanni  glauca,  a  very  distinct  and  effective  silvery  form,  carried  off  a 
silver  medal.  We  could  do  with  it — the  plant— here.  Mr.  .Tules  De  Cock 
received  a  medal  for  the  very  handsome  Cibotium  princeps,  and  so  did 
Mr.  A.  Michiels  lor  Dracsena  fragrans  aurea  striata,  a  plant  of  fine  habit 
and  rich  colour. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  there  were  hosts  of  Anthuriums, 
but  there  were  not  many  of  the  quality  of  A.  Scherzerianum  Souvenir 
de  Louis  de  Smet.  Perhaps  it  is  as  well  that  the  number  is  few  while 
such  names  are  given ;  but  be  that  as  it  may,  the  variety  is  a  gem,  having 
enormous  spathes  of  wonderful  colour.  As  far  as  excellence  of  culture 
is  concerned,  perhaps  Mr.  Warocque  carried  off  the  palm.  He  had  a 
large  group  of  plants,  each  3  or  4  feet  through,  and  carrying  eighteen  to 
twenty  fine  spathes  each.  Mr.  A.  de  Smet  had,  however,  a  grand 
group  also.  The  Comte  Kerchove  de  Denterghem  showed  Anthurium 
Hookeri,  with  leaves  5  feet  long  (special  medal).  Caladiums  were  not 
up  to  Laing  size,  if  they  were  to  Laing  colour  ;  Mr.  L.  Van  Houtte  had, 
nevertheless,  a  beautiful  group  of  them,  which  would  probably  have 
received  more  attention,  being  well  placed  near  the  entrance,  if  people 
had  not  been  falling  over  each  other  to  get  to  the  Orchids. 
Florists’  flowers  were  admirably  shown  by  the  well-known  Parisian 
firm  of  Vilmorin.  Their  Cinerarias,  both  single  and  double,  were 
excellent  strains,  and  the  plants  well  grown.  Their  group  was  fringed 
by  a  line  of  white  Primula  obconica,  profusely  flowered,  and  very 
attractive.  The  same  firm  sent  a  number  of  Calceolarias,  hardly  so 
meritorious  in  type.  The  name  of  Cutbush  was  known  at  home  and 
abroad  for  many  things  years  ago,  but  not  perhaps  for  Carnations.  The 
firm  contrived,  however,  to  draw  many  a  rapturous  “  Tiens !  ”  and 
“Voila!”  with  their  Ghent  group.  The  sorts  were  Malmaisons  mostly, 
but  included  a  few  other  forms.  Hyacinths  and  Tulips  were  abundant, 
but,  lacking  any  special  horticultural  interest,  are  passed. 
The  larger  of  the  two  main  exhibition  buildings  was  referred  to  by 
many  as  a  work  of  extraordinary  art  in  flower  grouping.  They  could 
not  have  seen  Hamburg.  Beauty  there  was,  but  it  was  of  the  garish 
order.  For  instance,  of  the  eight  large  floor  groups,  seven  were  Indian 
Azaleas,  and  the  eighth  Azalea  mollis.  It  was  a  huge  sheet  of  dazzling 
colour,  sadly  in  want  of  relief.  Perhaps  the  Committee  were  oppressed 
with  a  tardy  sense  of  repentance  as  regards  the  reporters,  and  gave  up  their 
splitting  tactics.  In  justice  to  them,  however,  it  must  be  recognised  that 
the  Azalea  is  of  such  vast  importance  as  a  trade  plant  in  Belgium  that  it 
is  bound  to  have  a  prominent  place.  Some  of  the  specimens  were  really 
wonderful.  There  were  beautiful  banks  of  specimen  and  fine-foliage  plants 
along  each  side  of  the  great  building. 
The  Azaleas  were  worth  a  paragraph  to  themselves.  The  principal 
group  was  a  circular  one.  More  than  one  exhibitor  had  contributed  to  it, 
but  the  honours  were  divided  between  the  Countess  of  Kerchove  and  Mr. 
de  Ghellinck  de  Walle.  Truly  marvellous  were  some  of  the  giants  of  the 
latter  famous  grower.  They  were  half  globes,  6,  7,  and  8  feet  across, 
beautifully  rounded  and  smothered  with  bloom.  In  impressiveness,  in 
rich  majesty  of  effect,  they  eclipsed  everything,  but  in  point  of  horti¬ 
cultural  interest  they  did  not  exceed  the  mollis  forms  shown  by  Messrs.  B, 
Spae,  Pynaert  Van  Geert,  and  M.  Koster.  The  latter  had  a  number  of 
mollis-sinensis  crosses,  principally  unnamed  seedlings,  but  including  (the 
best  sort  in  his  group)  the  splendid  yellow  Anthony  Koster.  This  is  a 
magnificent  Azalea,  and  does  high  honour  to  the  raiser. 
If  the  mixing  system  was  partially  deserted  with  the  floor  groups,  it 
recurred  with  depressing  severity  on  the  wings.  Thus  comments  become 
more  than  ever  of  a  hotch-potch  character.  The  Countess  of  Kerchove 
contributed  some  Cape  and  New  Holland  plants,  such  as  Diosma  cordata, 
rhorozema  Lowi,  Kennedya  purpurea,  and  Eriostemon  floribundum. 
Choisya  ternata,  as  a  pot  standard,  was  not  a  whit  less  beautiful  than 
Deutzia  gracilis  near  by.  Mr.  L.  Eckhaute,  Mr.  E.  de  Cock,  and  Mr.  Louis 
van  Houtte  were  of  the  few  exhibitors  of  Camellias,  which  were  not  a 
strong  feature,  anj'  more  than  Clivias.  Adenandra  fragrans,  in  the  form 
of  a  bush  a  yard  across,  was  as  noteworthy  as  anything  amongst  the  pot 
plants,  unless  it  be  an  Eriostemon,  unblushingly  labelled  Acacia  linearis. 
If  someone  in  this  country  showed  pot  Oranges  like  Mr.  Van  de  Wynckal 
of  Ghent,  and  Mr.  Emile' Lossy,  they  would  soon  be  popular,  for  the  little 
plants  were  as  compact  and  full  of  fruit  as  a  Worcester  Pearmain  Apple. 
There  were  very  few  Roses,  and  those  not  of  a  type  we  like.  They  were 
mostly  pot  standards.  On  the  other  hand.  Rhododendrons  from  IMr. 
Pynaert  van  Geert,  Mr.  B.  Fortie,  Mr.  Spae,  Mr.  van  Heddeghem  and 
others  were  by  no  means  wanting. 
