438 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  26,  1898. 
There  is  no  schedule  of  specified  classes,  but  varying;  amounts  of 
space  are  allocated  to  applicants,  and  they  occupy  it  with  the  best 
products  at  disposal.  This  permits,  not  only  of  large  and  splendidly 
grown  plants  being  arranged,  but  also  of  smaller,  which  are  rich  and 
rare,  or  the  latest  and  best  introductions,  or  home-raised  varieties, 
being  placed  before  the  public. 
Then,  in  addition  to  the  plants,  and  an  important  addition  too’ 
fruits  and  vegetables,  both  in  the  guise  of  bearing  trees  and  plants,  as 
well  as  in  dishes  of  the  best  kinds  and  quality  which  the  season  affords, 
go  to  form  in  its  entirety  the  best  and  most  complete  representation 
of  British  horticulture  that  can  be  seen  at  the  end  of  the  “  merrie 
month  of  May.’ 
From  end  to  end  of  the  show  there  can  scarcely  be  less  than  half  a 
mile  in  length  of  groups  of  plants,  flowers,  and  other  products  of  the 
nature  indicated,  arranged  on  the  tables,  in  banks,  or  other  forms  for 
inspection,  besides  outside  exhibits,  and  we  are  at  liberty  to  believe 
that,  taking  the  several  components  of  the  exhibition  all  in  all,  they 
could  not,  in  intrinsic  merit,  be  equalled  by  any  country  in  the  world, 
though  some  other  nations  have  the  means  for  making  more  striking 
spectacular  displ  lys. 
Unfortunately  to-day  the  great  Derby  is  run  at  Epsom,  and  this 
may  {have  a  i)rejudicial  effect  upon  the  number  of  visitors.  This, 
however,  can  only  be  decided  when  tlie  day  is  past.  It  is  practically 
cei  tain  that  the  Temple  Show  will  not  be  honoured  by  the  presence 
of  any  members  of  the  Koyal  Family,  as  has  been  the  case  in  years 
I'ast,  and  this  loss  can  only  be  attributed  to  the  above  cause.  We 
are  glad  to  say  tb.it  the  show  was  op.  ned  in  fine  though  dull  weather. 
Enter  now  the  reporters.  They  have  only  a  few  hours  in  which  to 
do  the  best  tliey  can,  and  as  they  have  nimble  pens  or  pencils,  and 
printers’  imps  to  rush  to  and  fro,  snatching  the  sheets  from  their 
fingers,  we  trust  to  their  giving  not  a  discreditable  account  of  the 
great  show,  which  opened  yest'.-rday,  and  of  themselves  as  narrators, 
as  they  march  along  the  avenues  of  beauty. 
Orchids. 
Numerically  the  Orchid  department  of  the  exhibition  shows  a  slight 
decline,  as  two  or  three  exhibitors  who  last  season  staged  excellent 
groups  have  this  year  fallen  out.  Baron  Schroder’s  superb  Orchids 
are  missed,  as  are  the  Odontoglossums  of  Mr.  Ellis.  However,  the 
difference  in  numbers  is  by  no  means  sufficient  to  mar  the  success  of 
the  display  as  a  whole  ;  indeed,  the  spectacle  is  a  singularly  brilliant 
one.  The  central  table  of  the  large  marquee,  except  a  sms  11  space 
occupied  by  new  plants,  is  full  of  Orchids  from  several  well-known 
growers,  while  a  portion  of  the  second  tent  is  similarly  occupied.  As  is 
customary  the  vast  majority  of  the  plants  are  of  comparatively  well- 
known  kinds,  but  some  new  ones  are  also  to  be  seen,  and  several  of  them 
are  of  the  first  merit.  Cattleyas,  Lselias,  Odontoglossums,  and  Cypri- 
pediums  are  all  magnificently  represented  in  the  various  stands,  of  which 
particulars  are  given  below. 
As  has  been  the  case  at  several  Temple  shows,  Messrs.  Sander  &  Co., 
St.  Albans,  occupy  the  most  conspicuous  position  immediately  within  the 
large  tent.  Their  display  is  always  an  imposing  one,  as  the  firm  stages 
splendidly  grown  plants,  carrying  flowers  of  good  size,  substance,  and 
beautifully  coloured.  It  would  be  obviously  Impossible  to  mention  every 
individual  plant  in  either  this  or  the  other  groups  in  the  limited  time  at 
disposal,  and  it  would  serve  no  practical  purpose.  We  shall,  therefore, 
content  ouraelves  with  a  selection  of  the  most  conspicuous,  which  included 
Cj’pripedium  callosum  Sander*,  C.  bellatulum  album  ;  Cattleyas  Wagneri, 
Mendeli,  Mossiae,  William  Murray ;  Oncidium  ampliatum  majus,  Masde- 
vallias,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Epidendrum  Randi,  and  others. 
The  group  from  Messrs.  IT.  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park  Nurseries, 
Enfield,  is  a  very  charming  one,  and  the  best  use  has  been  made  of  the 
space,  and  the  well-grown  plants,  so  far  as  effect  is  concer:'.ed.  It  is 
beyond  question  a  very  fine  exhibit,  and  one  which  does  credit  to  its 
producers.  Amongst  the  many  splendid  plants  comprised,  a  few  of  the 
choicest  are  Cattleyas  Mossiae,  M.  Reineckiana,  Mendeli,  Wagneri ; 
L'elia  purpurata  Russelliana ;  Odontoglossum  crispum  in  charming 
variety  ;  Cypripediums  Gertrude  Hollington  and  Mastersianum  ;  Odonto¬ 
glossum  Pescatorei,  Lselia  elegans  Lowiae,  Oncidium  sphacelatum, 
Odontoglossum  Dieu  Donn6.  a  superbly  coloured  Mendeli,  and  Dendrobium 
Dalhousianum  Salmoneg,  a  lovely  variety  that  is  unique. 
The  next  stand  to  claim  attention  is  smaller  than  either  of  the  fore¬ 
going,  but  is  none  the  less  worthy  of  attention,  for  it  is  the  result  of  an 
amateur’s  efforts.  It  is  from  Mr  Hislop,  gardener  to  H.  S.  Leon,  Esq , 
Bletchley,  and  is  highly  creditable.  The  several  Orchids  are  examples 
■nl  g''o  1  culture,  and  we  may  enumerate  as  amongst  the  most  praiseworthy 
Cattleyas  Skinneri,  Mossise,  and  Mendeli  ;  Laelia  purpurata,  Dendrobiums, 
Vanda  teres,  Odontoglossums  crispum,  and  Pescatorei,  Cattl^ya  Schroderse 
alba,  C.  speciosissima  Ernesti,  and  Cypripediums. 
Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  cannot  be  regarded  as 
regular  London  exhibitors,  though  we  occasionally  see  them  at  the 
fortnightly  Drill  Hall  meetings,  and  they  invariably  stage  effectively. 
Such  is  the  case  on  this  occasion,  their  examples  of  Cypripediums 
Schofieldiannm,  Rothschildianum,  caudatum  ;  Cattleyas  Skinneri,  Mossiae, 
Mendeli,  F.  Denis,  and  Lord  Masham  ;  Odontoglossums  crispum  Princess, 
and  cordatum  ;  Laelio-Cattleyas  Cinna-brosa,  and  radiata,  Oncidiums, 
Masdevallias,  Miltonia  vexillaria,  Vanda  teres  being  very  fine. 
Very  beautiful  is  the  assortment  sent  by  Mr.  W.  Stevens,  gardener  to 
W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  the  celebrated  Midland  amateur,  from  Walton  Grange, 
Stone,  Staffs.  It  is  evident  that  all  the  gems  of  the  collection  were  not 
disposed  of  at  the  recent  sale,  for  we  observed  such  excellent  Orchids  as 
Odontoglossum  crispums  Lily,  Capartianum,  Prince  Charming,  Dorothy, 
Thompsonianum,  and  fastuosum,  Wilckeanum  grandis,  Andersonianum, 
excellens,  and  tripudiens. 
It  is  pleasant  to  observe  that  a  London  amateur  is  contributing  to 
this  unique  exhibition  of  Orchids,  for  it  proves  that  the  plants  are,  to  a 
certain  extent,  amenable  to  culture  in  towns.  The  group  referred  to  is 
from  Mr.  J.  Clarke,  gardener  to  Ludwig  Mond,  Esq.,  The  Poplars, 
Avenue  Road,  Regent’s  Park,  who  staged  Cattleya  Mossise  Mondi,  Onci¬ 
dium  ampliatum  majus,  Odontoglossum  Andersonianum,  O.  citrosmum, 
O,  crispum,  and  Cymbidium  Lowianum. 
The  north  of  London  is  handsomely  represented  by  two  firms,  the 
first  to  take  our  attention  being  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper 
Holloway,  who  show  in  the  charming  style  that  has  become 
characteristic  of  the  firm.  Though  this  particular  group  is  really  one 
of  Orchids,  the  effect  has  been  enhanced  by  the  judicious  admixture  of 
graceful  Ferns  and  Palms.  Of  the  Orchids  that  here  find  a  place  the 
best  are  forms  of  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Oncidiums,  Calanthes, 
Lslia  purpurata,  Cypripediums,  Miltonia  vexillaria,  Laelia  Latona, 
Vandas,  and  several  others. 
So  far  as  size  is  concerned  the  first  amateur  exhibitor  is  undoubtedly 
Mr.  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  Burford 
Lodge,  Dorking,  whose  arrangement  is  very  imposing.  It  occupies  a 
position  at  the  end  of  the  central  tent,  and  attracts  attention  by  the 
diversity  and  beauty  of  its  many  parts.  A.s  is  customary,  Mr.  White  has 
utilised  numerous  Orchids  of  botanical  interest,  several  of  which  possess 
structural  peculiarities  that  always  take  the  attention  of  visitors.  There 
are,  of  course,  others  of  far  showier  character,  and  which  do  much  to 
brighten  the  group.  Perhaps  the  most  conspicuous  are  Miltonia  vexillaria 
ill  variety  ;  Cattleyas  Mendeli,  Skinneri  alba,  Mossi*,  and  M.  Wagneri ; 
Lfelia  purpurata ;  "Cypripediums  Lawrenceanum,  Hoo  er®  volonteanum, 
Curtisi,  barbatum,  Dautheiri,  Eleanor,  Olenus  Burford  var.,  and  super- 
biens ;  Odontoglossum  crispum  in  variety  ;  several  Dendrobiums  ; 
Brassia  verrucosa  ;  Cymbidium  Lowianum,  C.  tigrinum  ;  Masdevallias  ; 
the  blue  Dendrobium  (D.  Victoria  Regina)  ;  Aganisia  coerulea,  Habenaria 
rhodochila,  and  Microstylis  macrophila. 
A  cleverly  arranged  group  is  one  from  Mr.  W.  H.  Young.  Orchid 
grower  to  Sir  Frederic  Wigan,  Bart.,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  who 
utilises  his  excellently  grown  plants  to  the  best  advantage.  The 
“  greenery  ”  employed  sets  off  the  bright  flowers  of  the  Orchids  in  a  very 
pleasing  manner.  Cymbidium  Lowianum,  Laelia  purpurata,  Miltonia 
vexillaria,  Cypripedium  caudatum,  barbatum,  Lawrenceanum,  Cattleya 
Mossi®,  C.  Mendeli,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Cypripedium  callosum 
Sunder®,  several  Oncidiums,  and  others  were  very  charming. 
The  Orchids  employed  by  Mr.  G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  Earl  Percy, 
Syon  House,  Brentford,  are  of  a  more  homely  character  than  are  hundreds 
of  others  in  the  show.  This  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  they  are 
cultivated  for  home  adornment.  Interspersed  amongst  them  are  foliage 
plants,  and  the  group,  though  perhaps  slightly  crowded,  is  neverthe¬ 
less  a  very  creditable  one.  We  observed  amongst  others  Cypripedium 
Lawrenceanum,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  Cymbidium  Lowianum,  Cattleyas 
Mossi®  and  Mendeli,  L®lia  purpurata,  with  Dendrobiums,  Oncidiums, 
and  others  in  variety. 
Mr.  W.  S.  Buckill,  gardener  to  Malcolm  S.  Cooke,  Esq.,  Kingston 
Hill,  S.W.,  shows  a  small  group  of  Orchids  in  capital  condition,  which 
adds  its  share  to  the  general  display.  This  exhibitor  stages  some 
charming  spikes  of  Odontoglossum  crispum  and  Pescatorei,  Miltonia 
vexillaria,  a  number  of  Cymbidiums,  Cattleyas,  Masdevallias,  Brassias, 
Cymbidiums,  and  Dendrobiums. 
The  last  exhibitor  of  Orchids  to  be  noted  as  staging  in  the  big  tent 
is  Mr.  J.  Cypher,  the  celebrated  Cheltenham  grower.  He  is  the  only 
representative  from  the  West  of  England  in  the  show,  and  his  assortment 
is  exceptionally  fine.  The  grand  plants  carry  healthy'  green  leafage  and 
splendidly  developed  flowers,  that  are  of  great  substance  and  rich  in 
colour.  This  latter  feature  is  particularly  observable  in  such  specimens 
as  L®lia  purpurata ;  Cattleyas  Mendeli,  Mossi®,  and  citrina  ;  INIiltonia 
vexillaria  ;  Odontoglossums  crispum,  Halb,  triumphans,  cirrbosum,  and 
luteo-purpureum  ;  Dendrobiums  in  variety,  Oncidium  Marshallianum, 
Anguloa  Clowesi,  many  Cypripediums.  and  others. 
The  great  Belgian  firm  of  Linden  comes  to  the  assistance  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  with  an  exhibit  of  considerable  extent.  We  are 
glad  to  observe  that  the  system  of  staging  that  was  adopted  last  year  has 
been  changed,  and  a  much  better  effect  is  the  result.  The  whole  of  the 
plants  are  species,  hybrids,  or  varieties  of  Odontoglossum.  with  a  number 
of  plants  of  Cypripedium  Lawrenceanum.  The  long  graceful  spikes  of 
the  former  produce  a  very  charming  effect,  and  several  of  the  forms,  of 
which  names  cannot  possibly  be  given,  are  of  great  morfl. 
