April  -28.  IM'.'H 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
H73 
13icton  is  distinct  from  P.  Montezumae.  This  unfortunately  I  have  not 
seen,  though  I  find  there  is  an  impression  amongst  several  that  they 
really  are  distinct. 
Amongst  other  Conifers  that  thrive  uncommonly  at  Endsleigh, 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana  is  conspicuous,  one  example  reaching  nearly 
70  feet,  in  magnificent  condition,  and  surpasses  the  great  majority  of  trees 
of  this  Cypress  in  British  gardens  ;  but  I  have  seen  one  at  Dupplin  Castle, 
Perthshire,  that  is  a  near  rival,  though  it  is  under  60  feet  in  height. 
Cupressus  nutkaensis  and  Cryptomeriai  japonica  are  each  about  45  feet 
high  ;  Wellingtonia  gigantea,  80  feet ;  Araucaria  imbricata,  45  feet  ; 
Taxodium  distichum,  50  feet ;  Cedrus  Libani,  70  feet ;  Sequoia  semper- 
virens,  45  feet,  and  Thuia  L  .bbi,  in  several  good  examples  40  to  60  feet 
high,  are  the  most  remarkable  of  the  larger  trees.  It  must  be  mentioned, 
however,  that  Retinosporas  succeed,  numbers  of  handsome  specimens 
being  observed  near  the  walks. 
A  picturesque  feature  is  the  glen  which  extends  from  the  higher  part 
of  the  ground  to  the  neighbourhood  of  “  The  Cottage,”  with  a  stream 
running  through  it,  dashing  at  intervals  over  rocky  falls.  Being  sheltered 
on  each  side  by  the  tree  plantations  and  shrubberies  abundant  suitable 
sites  have  been  provided  for  tender  plants,  and  those  which  thrive  in 
moist  situations  or  near  running  water.  Pull  advantage  has  been  taken 
of  these,  and  quite  a  sulj-tropical  character  is  imparted  to  portions  of  the 
glen  by  means  of  Palms,  the  taller  grasses  of  the  Gynerium  type,  and 
rare  or  tender  shrubs.  Chamterops  Fortune!  and  C.  humilis  have  both 
stood  out  for  some  years,  and  have  passed  through  severe  frost  trials 
unscathed.  They  are  in  good  condition,  and  appear  to  find  the  conditions 
exactly  suited  to  their  requirements.  That  interesting  shrub  Benthamia 
fragifera,  however,  suffers  frequently  by  frost,  and  consequently  does  not 
make  much  progress,  though  I  have  seen  it  thrive  in  much  more  exposed 
and  colder  positions.  Situation  and  moisture  have  a  great  bearing  on  the 
hardiness  of  plants  of  all  kinds.  I  imagine  that  at  Endsleigh  there  is  a 
marked  difference  between  the  climatal  conditions  of  the  higher  and  lower 
ground. 
It  is  only  in  the  gardens  of  our  southern  and  western  counties  that  the 
Tree  Heath,  Erica  arborea,  is  seen  in  its  full  beauty  ;  indeed,  it  is  rarely 
found  in  cultivation  here,  even  under  glass,  though  the  reason  for  this 
neglect  would  be  difficult  to  discover,  as  it  is  equal  in  attractions  to  many 
other  species  that  are  in  favour.  In  the  Southern  States  of  Europe  it  is 
often  a  conspicuous  object,  attaining  the  height  of  12  feet  or  more  ;  and  as 
it  flowers  profusely,  huge  bushes  appear  to  be  a  mass  of  blossom.  At 
Endsleigh  this  Erica  is  evidently  thoroughly  at  home,  vigorous  specimens 
7  to  8  feet  high  having  a  grand  effect  when  their  branches  are  thickly 
set  with  the  long  tubular  white  flowers,  as  they  are  usually  in  the  late 
autumn  months.  A  sheltered  situation  is  accorded  to  the  plants,  but  they 
seem  to  escape  the  spring-frosts  injuries,  which  cause  trouble  to  so  many 
other  shrubs.  The  wood  of  this  Heath  has  been  in  great  demand  for  the 
manufacture  of  pipes,  and  the  French  word  “Bruyere”  has  been 
converted  into  “  Briar  ”  here,  which  conveys  a  very  different  and  erroneous 
impression  as  to  the  source  of  the  material  so  much  in  request. 
Much  more  was  there  to  be  seen  and  noted  at  Endsleigh,  but  the 
shades  of  an  autumn  evening  were  fast  obscuring  the  prospect,  and  when 
the  kitchen  garden  was  reached  the  light  only  sufficed  to  show  that  it 
was  admirably  kept  and  stocked,  just  indeed  as  might  be  expected  at  the 
hands  of  so  capable  a  gardener  as  Mr.  Frank  Yole. — VlATOE. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — April  26th. 
The  display  in  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday,  when  the  Auricula  and 
Primula  Show  was  held  in  connection  with  the  regular  meeting,  was  very 
rich  and  diversified.  Every  section  was  well  represented. 
Fruit  Committee.  —  Present :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cheal.  P.  Veitch, 
A.  H.  Pearson,  G.  W.  Cummins,  A.  F.  Barron,  W.  H.  Divers,  G.  Norman, 
J.  Willard,  J.  Smith,  G.  Wythes,  J.  H.  Veitch,  W.  Pope,  W.  J.  Empson, 
A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
Mr.  H.  T,  Martin,  gardener  to  Lord  Leigh,  Stoneleigh  Abbey,  sent 
extremely  large  heads  of  Seakale,  some  of  them  weighing  1  lb.  each. 
They  had  presumably  been  grown  from  unusually  large  crowns  covered 
in  the  open  ground.  A  cultural  commendation  was  unanimously 
awarded. 
Mr.  J.  Read,  The  Gardens,  Bretby  Park,  Burton- on-Trent,  sent 
samples  of  a  late  and  proliferous  vegetable,  Read's  Sprouting  Kale.  It  was 
called  Read’s  Sprouting  Broccoli,  but  as  plants  are  grown  at  Chiswick 
and  approved  there  the  variety  was  determined  to  be  a  Kale.  It  is 
distinct  from  all  others,  and  will  probably  prove  a  serviceable  addition  to 
late  spring  greens  (award  of  merit). 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  from  the  gardens  of  her  Majesty  an  extremely 
handsome  Melon,  Lord  Edward  Cavendish.  Fruit  large  round,  with  a  thin 
rind,  chastely  netted  ;  thick,  tender,  white  flesh,  faintly  tinged  with 
green,  juicy,  and  pleasantly  flavoured.  The  best  Melon  that  has  been 
exhibited  at  any  of  the  Society’s  meetings  in  April.  An  award  of  merit 
was  unanimously  granted. 
Mr.  G.  Wythes,  Syon  House  Gardens,  arranged  an  extensive  and 
admirable  display  of  vegetables.  It  comprised  upwards  of  thirty  dishes. 
all  in  the  pink  of  condition  for  a  nobleman’s  table.  Potatoes,  French 
Beans,  Cabbages,  and  Broccoli  in  variety.  Mushrooms,  Seakale,  Asparagus, 
Tomatoes,  Peas,  Kales,  Spinach,  Tomatoes,  and  Lettuce  were  all  excel¬ 
lently  represented,  and  a  silver-gilt  medal  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Of  equal  merit  in  the  estimation  of  the  Committee  was  a  very  fine 
assortment  of  fruit  and  vegetables  from  the  gardens  of  Mrs.  Wingfield, 
Ampthill  House  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  J.  Empson).  A  row  of  Royal 
Sovereign  Strawberry  in  pots,  laden  with  rich  scarlet  fruit,  made  a 
handsome  background.  The  central  object  in  the  group  was  a  bunch 
of  Bananas,  flanked  by  large  Apples  and  Pears.  The  vegetables  con¬ 
sisted  of  enormous  Leeks  and  Onions,  diminutive  tender  Radishes,  bright 
Tomatoes,  excellent  Potatoes,  Asparagus,  Cucumbers,  and  Seakale.  As 
above  indicated,  a  silver-gilt  medal  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Prizes  for  Flavour. — The  first  prize  for  a  dish  of  Apples  went  to 
Col.  Brymer,  Dorchester,  with  Allen’s  Everlasting  ;  and  the  second  to 
C.  P.  Serocold,  Esq.,  with  Herefordshire  Pearmain.  No  Pears  were 
staged. 
Floral  Committee.— Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Eraser,  Owen  Thomas,  C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May, 
G.  Nicholson,  R.  Dean,  G.  Stevens,  W.  Howe,  J.  F.  McLeod,  T.  Peed, 
K.  B.  Lowe,  J.  Jennings,  N.  F.  Barnes,  J.  Hudson,  C.  Jeffries,  W.  Bain, 
J.  D.  Pawle,  C.  E.  Shea,  J.  W.  Barr,  T.  W.  Sanders,  E.  T.  Cook, 
E.  Beckett,  H.  J.  Jones,  D.  B.  Crane,  G.  Paul,  H.  S.  Leonard,  G.  Gordon, 
and  H.  Turner. 
The  several  splendidly  flowered  plants  of  Azalea  mollis  from  Messrs. 
R.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  made  a  charming  display.  Many  named 
varieties  of  merit  were  observed.  Mr.  John  Walker,  Tname,  sent  half  a 
dozen  boxes  of  Mardchal  Niel  Roses,  which  diffused  a  pleasing  fragrance. 
A  small  group  of  alpine  plants  came  from  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham. 
There  were  Primulas,  Saxifragas,  Trilliums,  and  several  others.  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Son,  Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt,  staged  an  interesting  exhibit  of 
hardy  flowers  in  capital  condition.  The  plants  were  in  good  health,  and 
as  a  rule  were  flowering  freely.  Conspicuous  among  the  many  were 
Aubrietia  Eroebelli,  Gerbera  Jamesoni,  Alyssum  saxatile  fl.-pl.,  Geum 
miniatum,  Viola  Skylark,  Primula  altaica,  P.  rosea,  Doronicum  planta- 
gineum  excelsum,  Adonis  vernalis,  several  Saxifragas,  and  others. 
A  handsome  group  of  Gloxinias  was  arranged  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing 
and  Sons,  Forest  Hill.  It  was  apparent  that  the  strain  is  an  excellent 
one,  for  not  only  were  the  colours  well  diversified,  but  the  flowers  were  of 
good  size  and  substance.  The  plants  were  very  floriferous.  Mr.  W.  J. 
Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  Ampthill,  Beds,  showed  a  magni¬ 
ficently  flowered  plant  of  Trillum  grandiflorum  album,  while  J.  H.  Ark¬ 
wright,  Esq.,  sent  from  Leominster  bunches  of  beautiful  Primrose  Evelyn 
Arkwright.  Mr.  J.  Crook,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Evans,  Esq.,  Eorde  Abbey, 
Chard,  exhibited  flowers  of  Rhododendron  Veitchi  Isevigatum.  Messrs. 
J.  Peed  A  Son,  Norwood,  exhibited  an  assortment  of  finely  grown 
Dracaenas.  There  were  a  considerable  number  of  varieties  in  each  case, 
the  foliage  was  splendidly  coloured  and  of  great  substance. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  staged  in  splendid  condition 
Deutzia  hybrida  Lemoinei,  Rhododendron  indica  Kaerapferi,  and 
Chionanthus  virginicus.  Sir  .Tohn  T.  D.  Llewellyn,  Bart.,  Penellgare, 
Swansea,  showed  a  most  interesting  collection  of  hardy  Himalayan 
Rhododendrons.  Almost  the  whole  of  them  were  named,  and  some  of 
them  were  very  handsome,  the  colour  being  rich  and  the  flowers  of  great 
size.  Messrs.  K.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  exhibited  a  small  group  of 
hardy  flowers,  comprising  mainly  Erythroniums,  Fritillarias,  Tulipa 
Greigi,  and  Trillium  erectum.  Mr.  W.  EjTe,  gardener  to  Lord  Wantage, 
Lockinge  Park,  Wantage,  sent  a  large  exhibit  of  Fortune’s  Yellow  Rose. 
The  blooms  were  of  superb  quality,  and  represented  the  best  of  cultivation. 
Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  exhibited  a  group  of  gold  and  silver 
Ferns  in  variety.  The  group  was  of  much  interest. 
The  large  exhibit  of  Roses  from  Mr.  W.  Rumsey,  Joyning’s  Nurseries, 
Waltham  Cross,  was  an  admirable  one.  The  varieties  were  numerous, 
the  flowers  of  good  form,  and  the  colours  rich.  Amongst  the  most 
noticeable  were  Mardchal  Niel,  Mrs.  Rumsey,  Niphetos,  Ernest  Metz, 
Ulrich  Brunner,  Madame  Hoste,  and  Alba  Rosea.  Mr.  W.  Mount, 
Canterbury,  showed  Roses  in  superb  form.  Catherine  Mermet,  The 
Bride,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and  several  others  were  magnificent.  The  growth 
made  by  the  Canterbury  Roses  is  wonderful,  as  was  proved  by  the  flowers 
that  were  shown  on  long  stems.  Mr.  W.  Bain,  gardener  to  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  Dorking,  showed  a  group  of  Anthuriums  that  were  far 
above  the  average  of  merit. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  were  represented 
by  a  remarkable  little  gruup  of  Ophrys,  and  Primulas  and  Saxifragas, 
w  ith  single  and  double  Tulips.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  showed 
an  exceedingly  floriferous  Polyantha  Rose,  named  Psyche,  which  Mr. 
Paul,  jun.,  has  raised  from  a  cross  between  Golden  Fairy  and  Crimson 
Rambler.  It  should  be  an  acquisition,  A  new  H.P.  named  J,  B.  iM. 
Camm  also  came  from  Cheshunt,  as  did  one  or  two  Rhododendrons. 
Messrs.  Linden,  Brussels,  sent  a  number  of  Anthuriums  in  variety. 
Rhododendron  Nuttalli  in  grand  form  was  shown  by  Mr.  W.  Howe, 
gardener  to  H.  Tate,  Esq.,  Streatham  ;  while  G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  sent 
Primrose  of  excellent  quality.  Messrs.  Osman  &  Co.,  Commercial  Street, 
sent  dried  Ferns  on  a  groundwork  to  form  lamp  shades  and  other 
ornaments. 
Narcissus  Committee, — Present  :  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe,  Esq,  (in  the 
chair);  with  Miss  Willmott,  Rev.  S.  E.  Bourne,  Messrs.  W.  Golding, 
F.  W.  Burbidge,  Kingsmill,  G.  H.  Engleheart,  and  C.  Scrase  Dickens, 
Hon.  Secretary. 
A  large  and  comprehensive  display  of  Daffodils  was  staged  by  Mr. 
Thos.  S.  Ware,  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  comprising  fine  bunches  of 
