May  26.  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
441 
first-class  certificate.  Attractive  also  are  the  fine  specimens  of  Adiantum 
scutum,  Davallia  fijiensis  robusta,  Asplenium  nidus,  and  Pteris  cretica 
Mayi.  Giant  Elks-horns  are  dotted  about,  and  in  the  complication  of 
variety  and  character  there  is  much  in  Mr.  May’s  exhibit  that  cannot 
fail  to  interest. 
Mr.  William  Sydenham  shows  how  Pansies  and  Violas  can  be  jrown 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Birmingham.  There  are  Violas  shown  in 
designs,  and  as  such  they  are  very  effective  :  and  conspicuous  are  sprays 
of  Violas  Stephen,  Mary  Stuart,  Charm,  Rover,  Blanche,  William  Tell, 
Lucy  Eranklin,  and  Pembroke. 
Ferns  in  charming  profusion  are  staged  by  Messrs.  W.  &  J.  Birken¬ 
head,  Sale.  They  are  mostly  in  small  pots,  and  display  an  endless 
variety.  All  are  elegant,  and  many  of  the  forms  extremely  graceful, 
comprising  some  rare  varieties,  as  well  as  others  that  are  better  known. 
Under  a  glass  case  provided  for  their  accommodation  is  an  elegant  assort¬ 
ment  of  Filmy  Ferns  in  variety,  and  in  the  exhibit  the  firm  fully  maintains 
its  high  reputation  as  Fern  growers. 
Messrs.  J.  Backhouse  &  Son,  York,  have  their  usual  tasty  exhibit  of 
hardy  alpines  peeping  from  the  crevices  of  a  diminutive  artificial  rockery, 
where  they  look  very  charming.  There  are  pretty  blue  Gentianas, 
Saxifragas,  Primulas,  Orchises,  Campanulas,  Iberises,  and  many  others 
showing  their  diminutive  forms  and  pleasing  tints  of  colour.  The  firm 
also  shows  a  few  Orchids  interspersed  with  elegant  foliage  plants,  the 
effect  of  which  is  very  pleasing.  Not  the  least  interesting  are  the  firm’s 
hybrid  Water  Lilies,  displaying  variety  in  this  now  popular  family.  The 
exhibit,  as  a  whole,  is  tastefully  arranged  and  quite  up  to  former  efforts 
of  the  firm. 
Cacti  are  shown  in  variety  by  Mr.  G.  J.  Pritchard,  Forest  Gate, 
London,  E.  Among  them  there  are  many  curious  members  of  this 
family,  showing  their  varying  habits,  and  attracting  much  attention  on 
the  part  of  visitors.  Mr.  F.  Perkins,  Leamington,  shows  plants  of  a  yellow 
Carnation  Primrose  Queen,  which,  however,  lacks  scent.  This  appears  to 
be  the  only  defect,  as  the  variety  is  free  and  effective.  Messrs.  Geo. 
Jackman  &  Son  have  an  effective  group  of  hardy  flowers,  including 
Pfeonies,  Pyrethrums,  Cytisujes,  Lychnises,  and  Irises.  The  plants  are 
not  crowded,  and  the  group  altogether  is  a  pleasing  one. 
Mr.  Amos  Perry,  Winchmore  Hill,  has  an  exhibit  of  perennials,  in 
which  the  flowers  are  a  little  packed.  Many  familiar  hardy  plants 
are  noticeable,  including  Geums,  Phloxes,  Lupins,  Campanulas,  Irises, 
Anemones,  and  Aquilegias.  Messrs.  A.  W.  Young  &  Co.,  Stevenage,  are 
represented  by  a  mass  of  new  double  Zonal  Pelargonium  King  ot  Den¬ 
mark,  a  collection  of  hardy  flowers,  and  Lilium  Harris!,  and  an  exhibit  of 
hardy  alpine  plants.  The  Arm  also  shows  plants  ol  Gloxinias  of  a  good 
strain,  and  bunches  of  Pansies,  which  are  much  too  crowded  to  be 
effective,  Messrs.  F,  Miller  &  Co.,  Fulham  Road,  London,  have  an 
interesting  exhibit  of  Mimulus,  Mignonette,  Pansies,  Lobelia,  and  single 
Petunia,  which  are  very  attractive. 
Very  choice  are  the  hardy  flowers  from  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co., 
Colchester,  There  are  dwarf  Lilies  of  the  Thunbergiannm  types,  hardy 
Cypripediums,  Geums,  showy  Hemerocallis,  diminutive  Calochortuses,  and 
Watsonias.  Lilium  rubellum  is  a  beautiful  flower,  and  gained  a  first-class 
eertificate.  Flowers  of  Tulipa  persica  are  included  in  the  exhibit,  as  also 
are  Ixias  in  variety.  Irises  of  various  forms  and  variety,  and  many  others. 
Messrs.  Wallace’s  exhibits  at  the  Temple  are  always  interesting,  and  in 
this  respect  the  one  mentioned  is  no  exception.  Mr,  J.  Douglas,  Great 
Bookham,  has  a  small  exhibit  of  Auriculas,  amongst  which  Dean  Hole, 
Salamis,  Green  Frog,  In  Memoriam,  and  Delphi, 
From  Messrs.  Dicksons,  Ld.,  Chester,  come  plants  of  an  elegant  Dracmna 
ualled  Kippsi,  a  variety  apparently  suitable  for  table  decoration.  Mr.  A. 
Tulett  sent  plants  of  a  new  sport  from  the  double  Zonal  Pelargonium 
.  V.  Raspail.  Mr.  John  Pigg,  Royston,  Herts,  has  plants  of  a  new 
Fancy  Pelargonium  called  Agnes  Alma.  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Son  have  a 
auperb  exhibit,  comprising  tuberous  Begonias  and  Gloxinias.  Among 
the  latter  both  singles  and  doubles  are  well  represented,  the  flowers  being 
large  and  of  excellent  substance,  while  the  plants  are  healthy  and  sturdy 
in  habit.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  Gloxinias,  amongst  which  there 
is  a  diversity  of  striking  colours. 
Messrs.  Jas.Veitch  &  Sons  make  a  superb  display  with  their  Gloxinias. 
T’he  flowers  are  large  and  effective  in  colour,  comprising  such  varieties  as 
Mars,  Cygnet,  Beacon,  Modesty,  Virginalis,  Mona,  Columbus,  Cordelia, 
Beraph,  and  others.  The  firm  also  fills  a  large  area  with  hybrid  Phyllo- 
cactus.  Very  showy  are  the  blooms  of  these  plants,  and  amongst  the 
most  effective  are  Adonis,  Dorian,  Romeo,  Cato,  La  Belle,  Isabel  Watson, 
Norma,  and  Agatha.  Maidenhair  Fern  is  used  in  the  arrangement,  which 
is  very  striking  and  showy. 
Outside  of  the  tents  Mr.  J.  Russell,  Richmond,  has  set  up  a  collection 
of  hardy  foliage  plants,  including  Acers,  Ivies,  and  Euonymuses,  which 
are  very  attractive.  Messrs.  J.  Waterer  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  also  show  a  fine 
collection  of  Japanese  Maples,  including  many  of  the  best  varieties. 
The  whole  of  the  central  staging  in  tent  No.  1  is  in  the  possession 
of  Messrs.  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  High  Holborn,  who  have  a  very  striking 
miscellaneous  exhibit.  The  table  is  arched  over,  the  name  of  the  firm 
Ibeing  interwoven  in  the  greenery.  Beneath  are  examples  of  the  firm’s 
specialities,  including  amongst  the  flowers  some  beautiful  Gloxinias, 
Calceolarias,  Lilies,  and  Petunias,  with  Palms  and  Ferns.  Peas, 
Tomatoes,  and  Cucumbers  are  conspicuous  in  the  vegetable  portion  of 
the  stand.  The  Anglo-Continental  Guano  Works,  30,  Mark  Lane, 
exhibit  a  group  of  Gloxinias,  presumably  grown  with  the  aid  of  the  guano. 
They  are  not  of  very  great  merit. 
Mr.  G.  Edom’s  Tulips,  from  Epsom,  are  gorgeously  beautiful  to-day 
^Wednesday)  but  to-morrow  it  is  probable  that  much  of  their  beauty  will 
•have  departed.  There  are  breeder  and  rectified  flowers  of  bybloemens, 
bizarres,  and  roses.  The  form  of  the  flowers  is  as  a  rule  good,  and  the 
colours  rich. 
No  one  shows  hardwooded  plants  in  better  condition  than  do  Messrs. 
W .  Balchin  &  Son,  Hassocks,  and  their  exhibit  in  the  Temple  is  worthy 
of  their  reputation.  Grandly  flowered  plants  of  Browallia  alata,  Boronia 
serrulata,  B,  heterophylla  ;  Ericas  Spenceri,  candidissima,  Cavendishi, 
perspicua  nana,  ventricosa  rosea,  and  v.  magnifica  ;  Leschenaultia 
biloba  major,  and  Genetyllis  tulipifera,  are  in  mass. 
Mr,  John  Forbes,  Ho  wick,  is  known  to  all  as  an  excellent  grower  of 
plants,  and  the  stand  he  has  arranged  is  just  such  as  anyone  would 
expect  him  to  show.  It  is  composed  entirely  of  Carnation  Yule  Tide, 
and  Violas  and  Pansies  in  variety. 
Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Lowfleld  Nurseries,  Crawley,  are  represented 
by  an  arrangement  of  plants  on  a  rockery,  in  the  composition  of  which 
is  displayed  much  taste.  At  each  end  of  the  rockery  are  Rhododendrons, 
Violas,  Irises,  and  Paeonies.  Of  the  Violas  the  best  are  J,  B.  Riding, 
Iona,  Annie  King,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Mars,  Countess  of  Hopetoun,  The 
Mearng,  Dawn  of  Day,  Blue  Gown,  H.  W.  Stewart,  and  Lord  Elcho. 
Brightly  beautiful  are  the  Azaleas  from  Messrs.  M.  Koster  &  Sons, 
Boskoop,  Holland,  Unfortunately  they  are  shown  as  cut  trusses,  placed 
very  fiat  in  boxes  of  moss.  This  greatly  detracted  from  their  appearance. 
The  colours  are  rich,  and  the  form  of  the  flowers  excellent.  Messrs. 
Dicksons,  Ltd.,  Chester,  show  the  new  tree  Carnation,  Duchess  Consuelo, 
a  fine  yellow. 
Mr.  F.  G.  Foster,  Brockhampton,  Havant,  staged  a  collection  of  Sweet 
Peas,  which  comprised  a  number  of  new  varieties  shown  rather  too  thinly 
for  the  best  effect.  Very  charming  are  Blanche  Burpee,  Waverley,  Lady‘ 
Mary  Currie,  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Royal  Rose,  Lady  Nina  Balfour 
Colonist,  and  Daybreak. 
Messrs.  Fisher,  Son  k.  Sibray,  Ltd  ,  Handsworth,  Sheffield,  occupy 
a  considerable  amount  of  space  out  of  doors  with  a  group  of  miscel¬ 
laneous  ornamental  foliage  plants.  The  examples  shown  are  well  grown, 
and  include  Acers  Leopold!,  polymorphum  purpureum,  linearilobum 
atro-purpureum,  rufinerva,  septemlobum  elegans  purpureum,  reticulatum, 
and  rubrifolium  ;  Cornus  siberica  elegantissima  ;  Quercus  raacrophylla 
and  Concordia  ;  Betula  purpurea,  several  Irises,  Weigelas,  Euonymuses, 
and  others. 
Mr.  V.  N.  Gauntlett,  Redruth,  is  exhibiting  in  the  gardens  an  e.xten- 
sive  collection  ot  Bamboos.  There  are  several  distinct  forms,  but  the 
specimens  are  not  in  the  best  state  for  showing  the  graceful  beauty  of 
these  plants.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  show  a  bed  of  Bamboos  out 
of  doors.  The  plants  are  in  capital  condition.  A  few  Rhododendron 
seedlings  are  also  included  in  group. 
Decorative  Exhibits. 
The  art  of  floral  decoration  is  one  that  has  advanced  by  leaps  and 
bounds  during  recent  years.  At  all  large  shows  exhibits  of  floral  designs 
attract  much  attention,  as  the  brains  of  skilled  decorators  are  continually 
inventing  new  features.  Under  canvas,  in  the  Temple  Gardens,  there  are 
at  present  works  of  art  in  the  way  of  floral  decoration,  and  many  of  our 
leading  firms  have  put  forward  their  best  efforts.  These  never  fail  to 
please,  and  judging  from  the  interest  shown,  particularly  by  the  ladies, 
the  exhibits  of  this  character  are  not  lacking  in  admirers. 
The  Women’s  Gardening  Association,  Sloane  Street,  have  an  exhibit 
comprised  of  bouquets  and  floral  arrangements.  Miss  Edith  Langton, 
Swanley,  has  a  pretty  table  decoration  formed  of  Spanish  Irises  and 
variegated  Grasses  ;  Mr.  W.  G.  Parkin,  Sheffield,  shows  a  table  decora¬ 
tion  of  Violas  and  other  flowers  ;  Miss  Dalton,  Ludgate  Hill,  London, 
shows  floral  decoration,  as  also  does  Miss  F.  West  Bradley,  Gipsy 
Hill,  S.E. 
Bouquets  and  wreaths  are  staged  by  Moyses  Stevens,  Belgravia,  in 
the  form  of  a  lovely  harp  of  Orchids  and  Narcissi.  Baskets  of  pink 
Paeonies  and  Lilium  Harris!,  and  a  beautiful  wreath  of  choice  flowers. 
Mr.  Seale,  Sevenoaks,  shows  floral  arrangements,  including  wreaths, 
crosses,  and  other  designs  of  simple  flowers  and  foliage.  The  decorations 
on  either  side  are  formed  of  the  rarest  and  choicest  of  flowers,  but  Mr. 
Seale  shows  that  simple  flowers  can  with  advantage  be  used  for  the  same 
purpose.  Very  graceful  and  beautiful  are  the  floral  decorations  staged 
by  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son,  Coventry.  Huge  shower  bouquets  of  Orchids 
are  exceedingly  beautiful.  Baskets  of  the  same  flowers,  and  others  of 
Roses  are  perfect  examples  of  taste  and  elegance,  and  quite  equal  to  the 
wide  reputation  of  the  firm. 
]VIr.  J.  Prewett,  Bayswater,  has  a  most  elegant  table  decoration  formed 
of  Fancy  Pelargoniums  and  light  foliage,  the  effect  of  which  is  very 
pleasing.  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  show  a  tasteful  arrange¬ 
ment  of  flowers.  Bouquets  of  Carnations,  Orchids,  and  Violas  are 
represented,  as  well  as  baskets  of  Sweet  Peas,  Roses,  and  Irises,  all  set 
up  to  good  advantage.  Mr.  L.  H.  Caleutt,  Stoke  Newington,  shows 
a  magnificent  decoration  composed  of  Orchid.s,  Lilies,  and  greenery,  in  a 
large  epergne  surrounded  by  smaller  arrangements  of  Marguerites, 
Spanish  Irises,  Cornflower,  and  Ferns.  The  exhibit  shows  not  only  the 
beauty  of  the  flowers,  but  also  the  suitability  of  the  stands  for  table 
decoration. 
A  charming  display  is  made  by  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Picca¬ 
dilly  and  Holloway.  There  is  a  beautiful  and  gigantic  basket  of  Orchids, 
a  basket  of  large  Carnations,  a  mirror  surrounded  with  white  Narcissus, 
lightened  with  delicately  tinted  Orchids.  One  bouquet  is  a  mass  of 
scarlet  Geraniums  and  Anthuriums,  another  is  a  dream  of  Lily  of  the 
Valley,  white  Roses,  and  Odontoglots,  and  in  all  the  florists’  art  is  fully 
displayed. 
