July  21,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
53 
Son,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  was  unanimously  awarded  what  it  undoubtedly 
merited,  a  gold  medal,  by  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  The  group, 
which  was  arranged  on  the  grass,  contained  grand  Caladiums,  Crotons, 
and  Orchids  in  flower,  including  Mormodes  pardinum,  Epiphronitis 
Veitchi,  Laelio-Cattleya  Canhamiana,  Phaius  bicolor  purpurascens,  and 
others,  the  whole  formiug  what  we  think  to  have  been  one  of  the  richest 
groups  in  the  Show.  Messrs.  Canned  &  Sons,  Swanley,  exhibited  a  most 
effective  group  of  their  excellent  Cannas  in  full  bloom.  These  had 
travelled  safely,  and  were  in  good  condition  ;  notable  among  others  were 
Admiral  Avelon,  Burbank,  and  Piamingo.  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather  of 
Kelso  had  a  small  exhibit  of  well-grown  Malmaisons  and  Tree  Carnations, 
for  which  the  firm  is  noted. 
A  beautiful  group  of  Malmaison  Carnations  was  contributed  by  Mr. 
Goodacre,  Elvaston  Castle.  All  the  plants  were  well  grown,  and  carrying 
good  blooms.  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  made  a  grand 
display  of  cut  Roses,  the  blooms  being  effectively  arranged  in  round 
hampers.  The  space  occupied  was  250  feet,  and  among  other  popular 
varieties  the  following  were  noted  : — Mrs.  John  Laing,  Merveille  de  Lyon, 
Ethel  Brownlow,  W.  A.  Richardson,  Gloire  Lyonnaise,  Spenser,  Marie 
Van  Houtte,  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant.  This  firm  also  showed,  among 
new  varieties,  Milton,  Tennyson  (a  rich  flesh  coloured  variety  of  good 
form),  E  xquisite,  Aurora,  and  Waltham  Standard.  Quite  distinct  from 
any  other  exhibit  was  the  miniature  rockery  sent  by  Messrs.  Jas.  Back¬ 
house  &  Son,  Ltd.,  York.  The  arrangement  of  this  exhibit  was  original, 
and  the  many  little  alpines  were  each  shown  as  if  just  transformed  from 
their  native  habitat.  The  back  of  the  rockery  was  furnished  with  Hardy 
Bamboos,  and  coming  gracefully  from  among  these  was  a  lovely  spike  of 
Romneya  Coulteri,  very  distinct,  and  reminding  one  of  a  large  single  white 
Paeony  in  the  bloom,  although  not  possessing  such  substance.  Among 
choice  alpine  plants  in  flower  were  Ramondia  pyrenaica,  Dianthus 
neglectus,  Campanula  G.  F.  Wilson,  C.  pumila  alba,  C.  persicifolia  alba 
grandiflora,  and  Darlingtonia  californica.  Adjoining  this  was  a  collection 
of  greenhouse  plants,  Crotons,  and  Orchids  in  flower  from  Messrs.  Back¬ 
house,  and  varieties  of  Nymphaea  marliacea.  Messrs.  Little  &  Ballantyne, 
Carlisle,  had  a  selection  of  clean,  well-grown  stove  and  greenhouse  plants, 
and  they  included  in  their  group  specimens  of  the  purple-leaved  Vine, 
and  also  their  new  Holly  Golden  King,  for  which  the  R.H.S.  awarded  a 
first-class  certificate.  Messrs.  Wallace  &  Co.  of  Colchester  sent  choice 
Liliums  and  Calochorti,  and  the  result  was  a  charming  collection,  con¬ 
taining  excellent  specimens  of  Liliums  Browni,  Hansoni,  Parryi,  and 
varieties  of  Thunbergi.  Hemerocallis  aurantiaca  major  was  also  noted. 
The  varieties  of  Calochorti  were  very  numerous  and  interesting. 
From  Mr.  John  Forbes  of  Hawick  came  spikes  of  Pentstemons, 
Phloxes,  and  Delphiniums,  and  everyone  agreed  that  on  no  occasion  had 
they  seen  finer  exhibited.  A  great  centre  of  attraction  was  the  collection 
of  cut  blooms  of  Nymphasa  marliacea  varieties,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Hudson, 
gardener  to  L.  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury  House.  With  one 
exception  they  were  all  cut  from  the  open  air,  and  were  excellent,  and 
should  certainly  give  encouragement  to  others  to  take  up  the  cultivation 
of  these  easily  grown  plants.  Among  others  we  noted  rubra,  chromatella, 
rosea,  albida,  punctata,  Andreana,  odorata  rosea,  and  a  lovely  blue 
variety.  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  Edenside,  Great  Bookham,  showed  choice 
Carnations,  including  Churchwarden,  Nell  Gwynne,  Prime  Minister,  Lady 
Grimston,  and  Mrs.  J.  Douglas.  Messrs.  Robson  &  Son,  Hexham,  staged 
a  group  of  Conifer®,  effectively  arranged  and  relieved  by  the  use  of 
variegated  Cornus.  Messrs.  W.  Fell  &  Co.,  Hexham,  also  contributed 
Conifer®,  with  herbaceous  flowers  dotted  among  them.  In  addition  the 
firm  sent  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  and  cut  Roses.  Particularly  note¬ 
worthy  were  the  varieties  of  Spanish  and  English  Iris  sent  by  Messrs. 
Cocker  &  Son,  Aberdeen  ;  the  varieties  were  excellent,  and  gave  great 
satisfaction. 
The  Luncheon. 
At  noon  the  members  of  the  R.H.S.  deputation  were  entertained  to 
lunch  at  the  Grand  Hotel,  when  about  fifty  gentlemen  sat  down.  The 
President  ot  the  local  Society,  Riley  Lord,  Esq.,  presided,  and  was 
supported  by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence  Bart.,  Alderman  Ellis,  J.P.,  and 
others.  The  Chairman,  in  proposing  the  toast  of  success  to  the  R.H.S., 
said  how  much  they  appreciated  the  visit  of  the  parent  Society,  and  the 
fact  of  their  visit  would  no  doubt  account  for  the  improved  Show. 
Undoubtedly  the  parent  Society  was  doing  excellent  work  in  London  in 
stimulating  the  love  for  flowers,  and  he  thought  that  evidence  was  forth¬ 
coming  when  one  looked  back  and  remembered  what  a  great  change  had 
been  effected  in  the  open  spaces  and  parks  of  London.  He  assured  the 
parent  Society  that  their  visit  was  appreciated,  ar.d  hoped  they  would 
give  them  hints  as  to  improvements.  The  President  mentioned  that  the 
Society  was  founded  in  1824,  and  had  held  a  show  every  year  since.  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  President  of  the  Il.H.S.,  in  responding,  thanked  the 
Newcastle  people  for  the  very  flattering  reception  given  to  the  R.H.S. 
They  were  all,  he  said,  delighted  with  what  they  had  seen,  and  the 
handsome  way  they  had  been  entertained.  The  R.H.S.  had  for  the  last 
four  years  sent  out  one  deputation  a  year  to  the  provinces,  and  he  hoped 
that  good  work  had  been  done  both  for  the  visitors  and  the  vidted 
societies.  They  were  very  decided  in  their  praise  of  the  show,  and  he 
thought  that  the  herbaceous  flowers  were  certainly  shown  finer  than  they 
had  seen  the  year  before.  The  Rosrs  also  were  deserving  of  great  credit, 
and  also  especially  noticeable  were  the  charming  Pentstemons  and  Phloxes 
from  Mr.  John  Forbes  of  Hawick.  Mr.  Shea  proposed  the  health  of  the 
Newcastle  Flower  Show  Committee,  and  Alderman  Ellis,  J.P.,  in  respond¬ 
ing,  said  how  very  greatly  they  valued  the  kind  words  spoken  by  the 
President  of  the  R.H.S.  and  Mr.  Shea.  He  had  an  excellent  Committee 
and  was  well  supported  by  the  townsmen,  and  he  trusted  that  when  next 
the  R.H.S.  honour  them  the  Show  would  have  improved,  and  have  done 
good  work. 
At  the  close  of  the  luncheon  the  members  of  the  deputation  were 
conducted  round  the  City  by  the  Committee,  and  thus  closed  what  must 
have  been  to  all  a  most  enjoyable  visit. 
The  Show  during  the  first  day  was  largely  patronised,  wbat  we  think 
is  an  excellent  system  in  regard  to  charge  for  entrance  being  here  in 
force.  The  charge  for  admission  up  to  two  o’clock  is  2s.  6d.  (professional 
gardeners  Is.)  ;  after  that  it  is  Is.  to  the  general  public,  and  therefore 
people  crowd  in  then,  knowing  that  everything  can  be  seen  fresh,  and  an 
excellent  shillingsworth  obtained.  We  trust  the  show  proved  what  it 
deserved  to  be — a  financial  success. 
R.H.S.  Awards. 
The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  awards  made  by  the  deputation  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  : — Gold  medal  to  Messrs.  J.  Yeitch  and 
Sons,  Ltd.,  for  a  group  of  plants.  Silver-gilt  Flora  medals  to  Messrs.  W. 
Paul  &  Son  for  Roses,  and  to  Messrs.  Backhouse  &  Son,  Ltd.,  for  Alpine 
plants  and  others.  Silver-gilt  Banksian  medal  to  Messrs.  Wallace  &  Co. 
tor  Lilies  and  Calochorti.  Silver  Flora  medals  to  Messrs.  Pocker  &  Sons 
for  herbaceous  flowers,  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons  for  English  and  Spanish 
Iris,  to  Messrs.  Cannell  &  Sons  for  Cannas,  and  to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons 
for  Roses  arranged  for  effect.  Silver  Banksian  medals  to  Mr.  Alex. 
Lister  for  Violas,  to  Mr.  J.  Hudson  for  Water  Lilies,  to  Messrs.  Ilarkness 
and  Sons  for  box  of  Roses  Mrs.  John  Laing,  to  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  for  eight 
dishes  of  fruit,  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  for  eight  dishes  of  fruit,  to  Mr.  J. 
McIntyre  for  a  group  of  plants,  and  to  Mr.  S.  Pye  for  Violas.  A  bronze 
Flora  medal  to  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  for  cut  herbaceous  flowers,  and  a 
first-class  certificate  to  Messrs.  Little  &  Ballantyne  for  Holly  Golden 
King. 
READING. — July  14th. 
Usually  the  summer  meeting  of  this  Society  has  been  held  in  the 
month  of  August,  and  has  produced  some  of  the  best  exhibitions  in  the 
South  of  England.  This  year  a  change  in  the  date  was  deemed  advisable, 
mainly  with  a  view  to  increasing  the  interest  taken  in  the  exhibition  of 
Roses.  In  this  section  alone  the  change  was  noticeable,  for  a  really  fine 
display  was  got  together.  Vegetables,  as  was  to  be  expected  owing  to 
the  season,  were  not  nearly  as  fine  as  in  former  years.  It  must  not, 
however,  be  supposed  that  the  display  in  this  department  was  a  poor  one, 
far  from  it  ;  a  really  grand  collection  was  got  together,  as  might  be 
expected  when  the  names  of  Messrs.  Lye,  Waite,  Pope,  and  Wilkins  are 
quoted  as  having  been  present.  The  exhibits  wero  arranged  in  three 
large  marquees  in  the  Forbury  Gardens. 
The  greatest  interest,  perhaps,  was  centred  in  the  groups  of  miscel¬ 
laneous  plants  arranged  for  effect,  of  which  there  were  two  classes  set 
apart.  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  offered  a  challenge  cup,  value  £25,  open 
to  gardeners  only,  as  first  prize  for  the  best  group  to  occupy  a  space 
18  feet  by  10  feet.  In  addition  to  the  cup  £5  was  offered  in  money,  with 
substantial  cash  prizes  for  second  and  third  prizewinners.  For  this  coveted 
trophy  three  competed.  Mr.  W.  Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  Sidford 
Lodge,  Shirley,  Southampton,  easily  secured  the  premier  position  with  a 
commendable  arrangement.  Mr.  Woolford,  gardener  to  A.  Palmer,  Esq., 
East  Thorpe,  Reading,  was  a  creditable  second,  and  Mr.  Bassil,  gar¬ 
dener  to  D.  H.  Evans,  Esq.,  Pangbourne,  third.  The  Society  also  offered 
a  challenge  cup,  value  £21,  for  a  similar  group  open  to  all  England.  Mr. 
Woolford  appropriated  the  coveted  award  with  a  particularly  bright 
arrangement.  Two  others  competed,  but  no  prizes  were  awarded.  Still 
another  group  class  was  provided,  tins  for  10  feet  by  8  feet.  Mr.  Chamber- 
lain,  gardener  to  F.  M.  Lonergan,  Esq.,  was  adjudged-  the  premier  place 
for  a  bright,  somewhat  heavy  arrangement. 
Specimen  plants  were  freely  contributed.  Mr.  Peel  won  for  eight, 
half  in  flower,  with  creditable  examples.  Mr.  Peel  also  secured  the 
premier  place  for  specimen  plants  in  flower,  staging  Ixora  Williamsi  in 
capital  condition.  Mr.  Woolford  followed  with  Clerodendron  Balfouri- 
anum.  Ferns  were  of  high  order.  Mr.  Woolford  won  for  four  with 
handsome  examples  of  Davallia  Mooreana,  D.  fijiensis  elegans,  and 
Microlepia  hirta  cristata.  Mr.  Leith,  gardener  to  A.  B.  Welch  Thornton, 
Esq.,  Beaurepaire  Park,  second.  The  latter  was  snccessful  with  four 
specimens,  flower  and  foliage,  and  also  for  four  foliage  plants.  Orchids 
were  not  numerous,  but  interesting,  Mr.  Woolford  winning  for  three  with 
healthy  specimens  of  Epidendrum  vitellinum  majus,  Cattleya  Gaskelliana, 
and  Cyenoches  chlorochilon.  Fuchsias  were  a  distinct  feature.  Mr. 
Bright,  Wkiteknights,  was  ahead  of  all  others  with  specimens  fully 
9  feet  high,  elegantly  trained,  and  grandly  flowered.  The  varieties  were 
Mrs.  Rundle,  Western  Beauty,  Star  of  Wilts,  Wiltshire  Giant,  elegans, 
and  Grand  Duchess.  Mr.  Hinton,  gardener  to  Major  Batterscombe, 
Bath  Road,  Reading,  was  second”. 
Cut  flowers  were  numerous  and  good,  R  >scs  especially  being  freely 
contributed.  For  thirty-six,  distinct,  single  trusses,  Mr.  C.  Turner, 
Slough,  was  placed  equal  first  with  Mr.  J.  Mattock,  Oxford,  both  staging 
blooms  remarkable  for  quality  and  freshness.  In  the  former  stand  were 
grand  examples  of  Marie  Baumann  and  Duchesse  de  Morny,  and  in  the 
latter  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady,  Auguste  Rigotard,  Marchioness  of  Downshire, 
and  The  Bride.  Mr.  Alfred  Walters,  Bath,  was  third.  For  eighteen  Tea 
or  Noisette  varieties  Mr.  Mattock  was  the  premier  prizetaker  with  even, 
fresh  blooms.  In  the  one  variety  class  for  twelve  blooms  Messrs. 
C.  Turner  and  Mattock  were  placed  in  the  order  noted,  both  staging 
superb  blooms  of  Mrs.  J.  Laing.  The  best  twelve  Tea  or  Noisette  varieties 
<  ame  from  Mr.  Mease,  gardener  to  A.  Tate,  Esq.,  Leatherhead.  Chief 
amongst  them  were  Madame  de  Watteville,  Maman  (’ochet,  Madame 
Cusin,  and  Miss  E.  Brownlow.  In  the  amateur  class  for  twenty-four 
varieties,  single  trusses,  Mr.  Humphrey,  gardener  to  P.  Burnand,  Esq, 
