JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Ju  J  14,  189b. 
20 
The  amateur  section  was  thoroughly  well  represented,  E.  B.  Lindsell, 
Esq.,  Hitchir.,  taking  the  lead  with  twenty-four,  distinct— Ulrich  Brunner, 
La  France,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Horace  Vernet,  Mrs.  R.  G.  S.  Crawford,  Dr. 
Andry,  Muriel  Grahame,  and  Victor  Hugo  being  handsome.  The  Rev. 
<T.  H.  Pemberton,  Havering,  Essex,  was  a  close  follower.  Mr.  S.  P.  Budd, 
Bath,  was  third  ;  there  were  six  exhibitors.  For  twelve,  distinct,  Mr. 
Lindsell  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton  were  of  such  excellent  merit  as  to 
necessitate  the  judges  awarding  equal  firsts,  Mr.  Budd  taking  third 
position.  Three  staged  eighteen  Teas  or  Noisettes,  the  first  going  to 
Mr.  Budd.  The  Rev.  W.  H.  Jackson,  Bedford,  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton 
were  second  and  third  respectively.  Mr.  Lindsell  and  Mr.  Budd  were 
first  and  second  for  twelve  Teas  or  Noisettes.  The  Rev.'J.  H.  Pemberton 
was  seen  to  splendid  advantage  in  classes  for  twelve  light  with  Mrs.  J. 
Laing,  and  for  twelve  dark  with  Marie  Baumann  ;  Mr.  Lindsell  following 
with  the  same  light  variety  and  Ulrich  Brunner.  For  twelve  yellow 
Roses,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Jackson  won  with  Madame  Hoste. 
District  grown  Roses  were  fairly  well  shown,  Mr.  T.  S.  Jackson,  Tan 
Yard  Farm,  Ashley,  winning  with  a  very  creditable  stand,  closely  followed 
by  Mr.  Henry  Burgess,  Tabley,  Ivnutsford  ;  Mr.  Charles  Burgess  winning 
with  a  choice  twelve,  also  with  six.  Mr.  Wilkes,  gardener  to  Miss  Lord, 
Ashton-on-Mersey,  showed  remarkable  taste  in  his  bouquets-  of  Roses, 
winning  both  classes.  Baskets  of  Roses  were  not  of  sufficient  merit  to 
cause  any  comment. 
The  Roses  arranged  for  effect  were  worthy  of  all  praise,  Mr.  Prince's 
arrangement  for  first  prize  being  admirable.  Messrs.  Mattock  and 
Townsend  followed.  Mr.  Mattock’s  buttonhole  Roses  were 
delightful.  The  Society’s  silver  medal  for  the  best  II.P.  Rose  in  the  show 
went  to  Messrs.  Frank  Cant  &  Co.  for  Star  of  Waltham,  and  Messrs. 
Prior  &  Son  for  the  best  Tea  with  Maman  Cochet. 
Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts,  staged  a  bank  of 
Roses  in  variety  ;  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros,  boxes  of  their  celebrated 
Royal  Sovereign,  Eillbasket,  and  Leader  Strawberries  in  superb  form  ; 
the* Misses  Hopkins,  Knutsford,  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  herbaceous 
plants  well  arranged  ;  and  Messrs.  Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons  a  superb  collec¬ 
tion  of  single  Roses. 
The  exhibitors  were  loud  in  praise  of  the  courtesy  and  attention  given 
by  James  Brown,  Esq.,  a  well-known  amateur,  and  Messrs.  Weathers  and 
Paul,  Curator  and  assistant.  The  day  was  perfect,  fashion  greatly  in 
evidence,  and  music  of  the  best,  making  the  event  a  thorough  success. 
WESTMINSTER.— July  12th. 
There  was  an  excellent  show  for  visitors  on  Tuesday  last,  although 
only  two  open  classes  were  provided.  The  exhibits  were  very  fine,  while 
the*  amateurs  turned  out  in  very  strong  force,  many  really  good  boxes 
being  left  out  in  the  cold. 
In  the  premier  open  class  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son,  Colchester,  secured 
the  first  place  with  a  very  strong  box.  The  varieties  were  Lady  Mary 
Fitzwilliam,  S.  M.  Rodocanachi,  Her  Majesty,  Helen  Keller,  Marchioness 
of  Londonderry,  Gustave  Piganeau,  Maman  Cochet,  Alfred  Colomb.  Mrs. 
W.  J.  Grant,  Duke  of  Fife,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Horace  Yernet,  La  France, 
Marie  Verdier,  Margaret  Bourdet,  Comtesse  de  Ludre,  Caroline  Testout, 
and  Camille  Bernardin.  Messrs.  F.  Cant  &  Co.,  Colchester,  second  with 
good  blooms  ot  Mrs.  S.  Crawford,  Her  Majesty,  Marchioness  of  London¬ 
derry,  and  Captain  Haywood.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  third. 
In  the  class  for  eighteen  Teas  or  Noisettes,  distinct,  Messrs.  D.  Prior 
and  Son  repeated  their  former  success,  staging  in  very  fine  form.  The 
best  flowers  were  Bridesmaid,  Maman  Cochet,  Comtesse  deNadaillac,  and 
Madame  Cusin.  Mr.  G.  Prince,  Oxford,  second  with  good  Mardchal 
Niel,  The  Bride,  Bridesmaid,  and  Madame  Hoste.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son 
third. 
In  the  amateur  division  the  competition  was  most  keen,  the  classes 
were  well  filled,  and  the  quality  good.  For  eighteen  distinct  varieties 
Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen,  Colchester,  was  placed  first  with  a  capital  exhibit.  The 
best  varieties  wore  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Frangois  Michelon,  Helen  Keller, 
Souvenir  de  S.  A.  Prince,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  and  La 
France.  Mr.  T.  B.  Haywood,  Reigate,  was  second  with  good  blooms  of 
Frangois  Michelon,  Her  Majesty,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Marchioness  of  London¬ 
derry,  and  Marie  Baumann.  Mr.  C.  J.  Grahame,  Leatherhead,  third. 
For  twelve  distinct  varieties  Mr.  E.  Mawley,  Berkhampsted,  was  first 
with  good  blooms  of  Ulrich  Bruiner,  Caroline  Testout,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant, 
Marquis  Litta,  and  Mrs.  J.  Laing  ;  Mrs.  A.  Tate,  Leatherhead,  second 
with  bright  even  flowers  ;  Rev.  A.  Foster-Melliar,  Ipswich,  third.  For 
six  distinct  Mr.  G.  W.  Cook,  North  Finchley,  was  first  with  a  very  good 
stand  ;  Mr.  J.  T.  Thompson,  Bounds  Green,  second ;  Mr.  P.  C. 
Burnarid,  Reigate,  third. 
For  nine  single  trusses,  one  variety,  Mr.  T.  B.  Haywood  was  first 
with  a  grand  exhibit  of  Mrs.  J.  Laing;  Mr.  C.  J.  Grahame  was  second 
with  the  same  variety  ;  Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen  third  with  a  good  team  of 
Ivaiserin  Augusta  Victoria.  Mr.  G.  W.  Cook  was  placed  first  for  six 
blooms,  one  variety,  with  Mrs.  J.  Laing  ;  Mr.  Alfred  Tate,  Leather¬ 
head,  second  with  the  same  variety  ;  Mr.  E.  M.  Bethune  third. 
In  the  class  for  eighteen  varieties,  distinct,  Mr.  O.  G.  Orpen, 
Colchester,  was  awarded  first  with  a  very  good  stand.  The  varieties 
were  Cleopatra,  Madame  Cusin,  Souvenir  d’Elise  Vardon,  Maman  Cochet 
(grand).  Bridesmaid,  Cleopatra,  Catherine  Mermet,  and  Medea.  Mr. 
E.  M.  Bethune,  Horsham,  was  second  with  good  flowers  of  Cleopatra, 
Caroline  Kuster,  Souvenir  de  Therese  Levet,  and  Medea.  Rev.  A. 
Foster-Melliar  was  third. 
For  twelve  varieties,  Refl!  W.  H.  Jackson,  Bedford,  was  first  with  a 
good  even  stand ;  Mr.  J.  T.  Strange,  Reading,  second  ;  and  Mr.  E.  Mawley 
third.  For  six  varieties,  Miss  B.  H.  Langton,  Hendon,  secured  first 
prize,  followed  by  Mr.  R.  H.  Bowyer,  Hertford,  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Thompson 
in  the  order  named.  For  six  blooms,  one  variety,  Mr.  E.  M.  Bethune  was 
first  with  good  blooms  of  The  Bride  ;  Rev.  A.  Foster  Melliar  second  with 
Souvenir  d'Elise  Yardon  ;  and  Mr.  F.  W.  Flight,  Winchester,  third,  with 
Maman  Cochet. 
HARDY  FLOWERS  IN  OTHER  GARDENS. 
Dumfries  Gardens. 
Gardens  with  which  one  is  familiar  give  us  perhaps  less  enthusiasm, 
but  yield,  it  may  be,  even  more  valuable  lessons  as  to  cultivation,  as  one 
can  see  them  more  frequently  and  can  study  them  more.  A  very  interest¬ 
ing  garden  is  that  of  Mr.  James  Davidson,  of  Summerville,  near  Dumfries. 
Mr.  Davidson  has  of  late  been  paying  a  good  deal  of  attention  to  Orchids, 
but  has  not  neglected  his  herbaceous  and  alpine  flowers,  while  adding 
largely  to  his  glass  structures  and  the  plants  they  contain.  The  borders 
are  planted  with  a  large  collection  of  the  best  herbaceous  flowers,  with  a 
number  of  good  bulbous  plants. 
Very  pleasing  at  the  time  of  my  visit  were  groups  of  Fritillaria 
armena,  with  its  small  yellow  flowers,  and  the  variety  rubra,  which  is  less 
effective,  with  the  exterior  of  the  bl.  oms  of  a  brown  red  colour.  F.  aurea 
was  also  exceedingly  well  grown  and  healthy,  making  the  writer  wish  it 
would  only  be  as  successful  in  his  own  garden.  A  nice  clump  of  Fritil¬ 
laria  imperialis,  with  silver-margined  foliage,  but  without  a  flower,  led  to 
the  remark  that  this  variety  was  seldom  seen  in  bloom,  but  was  pretty 
enough  to  be  grown  for  its  foliage  alone.  A  unique  feature  for  a  garden 
in  this  district  was  Narcissus  triandrus  albus  in  the  border  with  self-sown 
seedlings  in  flower.  It  has  been  in  this  position  for  six  or  seven  years, 
and  shows  how  peculiar  are  the  ways  of  plants,  and  how  a  troublesome 
flower  may  at  times  be  unexpectedly  grown  with  the  best  results. 
Scoliopus  Bigelowi,  which  is  more  curious  than  beautiful,  also  does  well 
in  the  borders. 
Alpine  flowers  are  well  represented  in  rock  beds,  on  the  lawn  and 
elsewhere.  Encrusted  Saxifrages  do  remarkably  well  here,  and  some  of 
the  Alpine  Diant  hi,  trouolesome  to  grow  in  most  gardens,  are  very 
healthy  and  long-lived  at  Summerville.  The  Saxifrages  are  well  chosen, 
and  are  quite  a  pretty  feature.  Dwarf  shrubs  are  also  fairly  well 
represented,  among  those  grown  being  Bryanthus  erectus,  Andromedas 
fastigiata  and  tetragona,  the  charming  little  Cytisus  Ardoini,  and  a 
number  of  New  Zealand  Veronicas. 
What  may  be  done  in  small  gardens  in  and  about  towns  is  illustrated 
by  two  in  the  neighbourhood.  <  >ne  of  these  belongs  to  Mr.  John  Maxwell, 
Maxwell  town,  and  is  almost  surrounded  by  houses.  Here  for  many  years 
Mr.  Maxwell  has  grown  herbaceous  and  alpine  flowers  with  much  perse¬ 
verance  and  pleasure.  This  little  garden  has  also  been  in  a  sense  a 
missionary  one,  as  from  it  many  plants  have  been  given  to  help  to  form 
the  nucleus  of  other  collections.  Daffodils  have  long  been  favourites,  and 
some  of  the  latest  of  the  French-raised  Phloxes  and  Delphiniums  have  of 
late  years  been  studied  with  much  enjoyment  by  Mr.  Maxwell.  Quite  a 
feature  of  the  garden  in  summer  is*  the  wonderful  variety  of  seedling 
Campanulas — crosses  principally  of  C.  carpatica  with  C.  Hosti  and  other 
alpine  varieties.  Some  of  these  are  of  great  beauty,  and  Mr.  Maxwell  has 
often  been  urged  to  select  and  propagate  from  the  best  of  these.  Space 
will  now  only  allow  of  a  reference  to  the  establishment  of  Narcissus 
corbularia  citrina,  the  sulphur-yellow  Hoop  Petticoat,  on  the  rockery  here, 
without  any  artificial  supply  of  moisture.  It  flowers  annually,  and  self- 
sown  seedlings  come  up  and  bloom  as  well  in  due  course.  This  is  an 
interesting  garden,  and  many  who  have  far  larger  pay  it  a  visit  from  time 
to  time. 
A  visit  was  also  paid  to  the  garden  of  a  lady  amateur,  who  was 
however,  engaged  in  all  the  toils  of  removing  her  flowers  to  another  she 
had  acquired.  Fortunately  this  was  the  next  garden,  as  it  was  no  light 
task  to  remove  plants  and  rockeries,  and  to  replant  and  re-erect,  even  at 
so  short  a  distance.  My  friend,  although  she  has  not  lost  her  old  love 
for  Ferns,  has  of  late  years  developed  a  stroug  admiration  for  the  gems  of 
the  rock-garden,  and  grows  these  with  Ferns  and  herbaceous  plants  with 
not  only  zeal  but  skill.  Among  other  flowers  early  Chrysanthemums  are 
favourite-,  and  the  best  of  that  section  are  usually  grown.  When  the 
troubles  incidental  to  removal  are  overcome  the  fair  owner  is  likely  to  be 
recompensed  for  her  anxiety  and  care  by  a  full  reward  in  the  way  of 
healthy  flowers. 
It  is  well-known  in  the  district  that  one  of  the  most  select  collections 
of  alpine  flowers  is  that  grown  at  Nithbank,  Dumfries,  by  Mr.  James 
Latimer.  It  is  always  a  pleasure  to  see  this  garden,  not  only  because  it 
contains  many  good  flowers  well  grown,  but  also  because  of  the  care  they 
receive.  New  plants  are  constantly  added,  propagation  is  regularly 
attended  to,  and  care  is  taken  that  the  wants  of  the  flowers  should  be 
provided  so  far  as  the  garden  will  allow. 
Nowhere  have  I  seen  Cyananthus  lobatus  with  its  exquisite  blue 
flower  do  better  than  here,  and  Ramondias,  including  R.  pyrenaica  alba, 
are  splendidly  grown,  as  also  is  Haberlea  rhodopensis.  A  delightful  spot 
in  the  garden  is  formed  of  a  steep  bank  with  pockets  of  rockwork  and 
planted  with  alpine  shrubs  and  other  plants.  In  spring  and  early  summer 
this  corner  of  the  garden  is  of  the  greatest  beauty,  and  one  may  travel  far 
before  they  meet  with  anything  of  similar  size  so  charming  in  its  way. 
Besides  the  large  collection  of  choice  rock  plants  a  small  space  is  devote d 
to  a  very  select  variety  of  the  finest  border  plants  and  bulbs. 
But  one  must  draw  these  gleanings  to  a  close.  They  are  more 
suggestive,  perhaps,  than  exhaustive,  although  lengthy  enough.  A  few 
days  thus  spent  in  other  gardens  are  of  more  value  than  can  be  readily 
told. — S.  Arnott. 
