August  11,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
105 
Frank  Pearce  were  very  good,  considering  the  early  period  of  the  year. 
Mr.  J.  Walker,  Thame,  also  had  a  representative  display  of  Dahlias,  com¬ 
prising  Cactus,  Show,  Fancy  and  Pompon  varieties.  The  Cactus  forms 
were  very  good.  Excellent  flowers  were  staged  of  Britannia,  Keynes’ 
White,  Starfish,  Mary  Service,  Capstan,  Harry  Stredwick,  Arachne,  and 
Alfred  Vasey.  The  best  blooms  in  the  Show  types  were  Willie  Garrett, 
Golden  Gem,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  S.  Mortimer,  Goldsmith,  and  J.  T.  West. 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Brand,  Saffron  Walden,  had  a  very  good  display  of 
Hollyhock  blooms,  which  represented  a  wide  variation  in  colouring.  The 
varieties  Sunset,  Waverley,  Rose  Queen,  and  Amaranth  were  fine. 
Mr.  M.  Prichard,  Christchurch,  had  an  attractive  exhibit  of  hardy 
flowers,  composed  of  Montbretias,  Gypsophila  paniculata,  Delphiniums, 
Helenium  grandicephalum  striatum,  Clematis  coccinea,  Gladioli,  Phloxes, 
Geums,  with  a  large  variety  of  other  plants.  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  and 
Son,  Highgate,  staged  Sweet  Peas  in  variety,  border  Carnations,  such 
as  La  Villette,  Lorna  Doone,  Yuletide,  Miss  Minnie  Clark,  Santiago,  and 
Cardinal  Wolsey,  with  a  collection  of  hardy  flowers.  Messrs.  Kelway 
and  Son,  Langport,  brought  one  of  their  well-known  displays  of  Gladioli, 
very  fine  spikes  of  the  following  varieties  were  staged  : — Lady  Macfarren, 
Albino,  Lady  Derby,  Dodo,  Millais,  Jerome,  Auber,  Mrs.  Foster,  Sir 
M.  C.  Seymour,  Orme,  Duke  of  York,  and  Acallo ;  also  hardy  flowers 
such  as  Gaillardias,  Eryngium  dichotomum,  and  Rudbeckias 
Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  presented  a  very  interesting 
collection  of  Liliums.  The  chief  forms  were  L.  auratum  Wittei,  L.  a. 
rubro-vittatum,  L.  longiflorum  giganteum,  and  L.  Batemannas  ;  Gladiolus 
Sandersi  (a  very  distinct  species),  Montbretias,  Sternbergia  marrantba, 
and  border  Carnations  in  variety.  Mr.  Allan,  gardener  to  Lord  Hilling¬ 
don,  Uxbridge,  exhibited  a  collection  of  Carnations,  comprising  some 
very  good  yellow  ground  varieties.  Mr.  Garrett,  gardener  to  A.  B. 
Freeman  Mitford,  Esq.,  Moreton-in-the-Marsh,  exhibited  two  large  pans 
of  Water  Lilies,  with  beautiful  foliage  as  well  as  flowers.  Nymphasa 
flammea,  N.  lucida,  N.  gloriosa,  N.  ignea,  and  N.  Marliacea  chromatella, 
were  very  noteworthy.  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  Great  Bookham,  staged  some 
fine  bunches  of  Carnations,  chiefly  of  the  Fancy  types.  Miss  Alice 
Mills,  Miss  Violet,  Czar,  Mr.  Nigel,  Mrs.  Tremayne,  Rex,  Mrs.  Grey 
Buchanan,  and  Cadi  were  very  conspicuous.  Mr.  R.  Sisley,  Oekford. 
Godaiming,  staged  a  quantity  of  seedling  Carnations.  Mr.  J  Hughes, 
gardener  to  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  Rotherham,  exhibited  a  good  Croton, 
a  seedling  from  interruptus  crossed  with  Weismanni;  very  bright  in 
colour.  Mr.  Aubrey  Spurling  staged  some  very  good  border  Carnations  ; 
J.  D.  Pawle,  The  Major,  and  Mrs.  Geo.  Calder  appeared  to  be  very  good. 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  exhibited  a  fine  plant  of  Abutilon  Swatzi,  beauti¬ 
fully  variegated,  a  plant  likely  to  be  useful  to  decorators  :  also  a  flower 
and  foliage  of  Nelumbium  nuciferum  speciosum,  which  attracted  great 
attention.  Messrs.  Wra.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  had  an  exten¬ 
sive  display  of  Hollyhocks  from  seed,  showing  a  decided  range  of 
colours,  also  a  fine  exhibit  of  Phloxes  ;  the  best  varieties  were  Le  Mahdi, 
Lord  Rayleigh,  Etna,  Kossuth,  Oscar  Beyer,  Frau  S.  Buchner,  and 
Evenement;  also  a  good  display  of  Yucca  flaccida.  Mr.  H.  B.  May, 
Edmonton,  staged  a  group  of  Nephrolepis.  in  twenty-four  species  and 
varieties.  Mr.  G.  Keif,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Abbot,  Regent’s  Park,  arranged 
a  very  large  exhibit  of  foliage  plants  in  first  class  form,  comprising  Palms, 
Crotons,  Dracaenas,  Caladiums,  Acalyphas,  Ferns,  Pandanus  Veitchi, 
with  Liliums  and  Cannas,  edged  with  Panicums,  Isolepis,  and  Marantas. 
Mr.  Jas.  Hudson,  gardener  to  L.  de  Rothschild.  Esq.,  Acton,  staged 
a  representative  collection  of  Water  Lilies.  The  most  noteworthy 
forms  were  N.  alba  rosea,  N.  gloriosa,  N.  Ellisiana,  N.  odorata,  N.  stellata, 
cut  from  plants  in  the  open  air,  the  water  of  tha  tank  being  slightly 
warmed  ;  a  charming  Water  Lily.  Mr.  W.  Robinson  also  exhibited  a 
large  tray  of  Water  Lilies. 
Sherwood  Cup. — The  collection  of  annuals  sent  by  Messrs.  J. 
Veitch  &  Sons  in  competition  for  the  Sherwood  cup  was  very  interesting, 
and  contained  many  flowers  of  fine  quality.  It  is  matter  for  regret  that 
this  firm  has  been  the  only  one  that  has'sent  exhibits  in  this  class. 
Floral  Committee  Medals. — A  silver-gilt  Flora  medal  to  Mr. 
Owen  Thomas  ;  silver  Flora  medals  to  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Kelway 
and  Son.  and  Lee  Mitford  ;  silver-gilt  Banksian  medals  to  Messrs.  Keif 
and  H.  B.  May  ;  silver  Banksian  medals  to  Messrs.  J.  Hudson,  J.  Walker, 
G.  Wythes,  S.  Mortimer,  M.  Prichard,  and  R.  Wallace  &  Co.  :  bronze 
Flora  medals  to  Messrs.  W.  Robinson  and  Webb  &  Brand;  and  bronze 
Banksian  medals  to  Mr.  J.  Allan,  and  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present:  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  De  Barri  Crawshay,  H.  J.  Chapman,  H. 
Ballantine,  E.  Hill,  J.  Douglas,  J.  Jaques,  E.  Ashworth,  W.  Cobb,  H.  M. 
Pollett,  and  J.  G.  Fowler. 
As  has  been  said,  Orchids  were  by  no  means  numerous,  only  three  or 
four  exhibitors  being  represented.  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill 
Park,  sent  a  few  plants,  and  G.  W.  Law  Schofield,  Esq.,  New  Hall,  Hey, 
Manchester,  showed  Odontoglossum  crispum  Lehmanni,  Schofield’s 
variety.  It  is  a  charming  form  of  much  promise.  Mr.  E.  Zollinger 
Jenny,  Zurich,  exhibited  Vanda  Sanderana  rosea,  and  Captain  Julian, 
Plymouth,  showed  a  form  of  Cattleya  Warscewiczi.  Mr.  C.  J/Salter, 
gardener  to  J.  B.  Haywood,  Esq.,  Woodhatch  Lodge,  Reigate,  exhibited  a 
fine  spike  of  Vanda  Batemanniana,  and  Mr.  J.  Douglas  Great  Bookham, 
Dendrobium  formosum,  Edenside  variety. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Carnation  Nox  (J.  Douglas). — A  dark  blackish  crimson  variety  with 
fine  petals.  It  is  very  fragrant  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Mdlle.  Marie  Masse  (C.  J.  Salter). — A  fine  summer 
flowering  variety.  The  colour  is  rose,  shaded  with  yellow  (award  of 
merit). 
Cypripedium  Olivia  (H.  Low  &  Co.). — A  chastely  beautiful  Cypripedium. 
The  prevailing  rcolour  is  cream  suffused  with  purplish  rose,  the  petals 
being  occasionally  spotted  with  brown.  The  pouch  is  as  if  it  had  been 
varnished  (award  of  merit). 
Furcrsea  Sanderiana  (F.  Sander  &  Co.). —A  handsome  plant  with  broad 
leaves,  having  green  edges  and  a  white  central  band.  It  should  become 
popular  for  decorative  purposes  (first-class  certificate). 
Gladiolus  Baron  J.  Hulot  (M.  Prichard). — The  colour  of  this  is  violet 
with  deeper  shadings.  The  flower  is  small  (award  of  merit). 
Gladiolus  W.  B.  Child  (Kelway  &  Son). — A  large  purplish  crimson 
variety  of  the  best  quality  (award  of  merit). 
Gladiolus  Lemoinei  Vesuvius  (M.  Prichard). — A  grand  variety.  The 
colour  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  flower  is  scarlet,  the  lower  part  being 
velvety  crimson  (award  of  merit). 
Nelumbium  nuciferum  speciosum  (O.  Thomas). — This  is  a  superb  aquatic 
with  immense  creamy  white  flowers.  These  are  fully  7  inches,  and 
3  inches  in  depth.  The  centre  is  flat  and  green,  surrounded  by  yellow 
anthers  (first-class  certificate). 
Nymphsea  ignea  (Lee  Mitford). — The  colour  of  this  is  a  most  intense 
crimson  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  crispum  Lehmanni  Schofield s  variety  (J.  Shill). — A  very 
charming  little  Orchid.  The  petals  are  pure  white,  as  are  the  sepals  save 
for  maroon  spots  and  suffusions.  The  broad  lip  has  a  band  of  white  round 
the  maroon  patch  (award  of  merit). 
Sobralia  Sanderiana  (H.  Ballantine). — This  is  a  fine  Sobralia  of  very 
marked  colour.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  purplish  rose,  while  the 
fimbriated  lip  is  dull  claret.  The  throat  is  bright  yellow  (award  of 
merit). 
PACKING  FLOWERS. 
In  dealing  with  this  subject  at  length  the  first  matter  to  be  considered 
is  the  train  by  which  the  flowers  shall  travel,  or  the  post  by  which  they 
shall  be  despatched,  so  that  they  will  arrive  at  the  appointed  time  with  as 
little  delay  in  transit  as  possible.  The  shorter  the  time  they  are  on  the 
journey  the  fresher  the  flowers  when  they  are  unpacked.  A  day,  or  even 
a  few  hours,  is  a  great  consideration  during  hot  dry  weather,  and  would 
alter  to  a  large  extent  all  other  arrangements,  both  as  regards  the  condi¬ 
tion  of  the  blooms  and  the  time  they  are  cut.  It  must  be  remembered  that 
flowers  expand  even  when  packed  in  boxes  or  other  contrivances  just  in 
proportion  as  the  weather  is  hot.  or  the  reverse.  In  this,  as  in  many 
other  matters  connected  with  gardening,  it  is  difficult  to  lay  down  hard-and- 
fast  rules,  as  many  diverse  circumstances  have  to  be  considered. 
When  to  Cut  the  Flowers. 
Perhaps  the  mo  it  difficult  matter  to  be  taken  into  consideration  is  the 
time  to  cut  the  flowers  so  that  they  arrive  in  the  best  condition  the 
following  day.  At  first  sight  it  might  be  naturally  thought  that  the 
nearer  the  packing  time  the  better  and  the  more  certain  the  flowers  would 
be  to  last.  This  is  a  great  mistake,  and  one  that  is  too  generally  practised, 
as  I  have  proved  and  hope  to  clearly  demonstrate  for  the  benefit  of  others. 
In  nearly  every  instance  they  should  be  cut  three  or  four  hours  before  they 
are  packed.  Such  flowers  as  double  and  semi-double  Pelargoniums  can 
be  cut  just  before  packing,  but  not  so  with  Roses  and  many  other  flowers. 
All  flowers  that  expand  rapidly  (take  Roses  as  an  example)  should  be 
gathered  in  the  morning  while  the  dew  is  upon  them,  for  if  exposed  to 
the  sun  during  the  day  hundreds  that  would  be  suitable  for  packing  would 
be  too  fully  developed.  Roses  should  be  gathered  in  a  bud  state,  their 
leaves  and  stems  immersed  in  water,  and  then  stood  in  a  cool  shed  ;  others 
not  sufficiently  developed  may  be  gathered  at  dinner  time  and  treated 
similarly.  It  is  surprising  how  well  they  travel  and  how  fresh  they  arrive 
when  packed  in  a  suitable  manner  after  their  stems  have  been  in  water  for 
a  few  hours.  If  Adiautum  cuneatum  is  cut  from  the  plants  and  placed  at 
once  into  the  packing  boxes — however  well  it  may  be  grown  for  the 
purpose — it  will  wither  directly  it  is  removed  ;  but  this  will  not  be  its 
condition  if  steeped  for  a  few  hours  in  a  bucket  of  water  prior  to  packing. 
It  should  be  subjected  to  the  same  treatment,  if  only  for  a  short  time, 
directly  it  arrives,  and  it  ia  surprising  how  long  it  will  retain  a  beautifully 
fresh  appearance. 
Boxes  and  Packing  Material. 
Hampers  or  baskets  are  objectionable  in  which  to  pack  flowers  for 
travelling  a  long  distance,  for  the  contents  are  too  much  exposed  to  the 
drying  inflences  of  the  atmosphere.  I  have  used  them,  however,  with 
marked  success  by  placing  a  layer  of  Rhubarb  leaves,  Spinach,  or  other 
suitable  material  of  a  similar  nature  at  the  base,  then  lining  the  sides  in 
the  same  way  as  the  process  of  filling  proceeds.  The  leaves  used  should 
be  well  damped  or  dipped  in  water,  a  few  damp  leaves  being  laid  between 
the  layers  of  flowers  and  also  over  them.  This  method  is  good  for  short 
journeys,  and  may  be  practised  for  longer  ones  if  no  better  packing  cases 
exist  for  the  purpose. 
The  best  system  of  all  is  to  pack  the  flowers  in  tin  boxes,  made  to  fit 
inside  a  larger  box  ;  the  lid  can  either  be  at  the  top  or  at  the  front.  Tin 
boxes  are  always  cool  and  retain  any  moisture  that  falls  from  the  leaves 
and  stems,  which  would  be  absorbed  if  wood  is  used.  The  carriage, 
however,  must  be  considered,  and  for  economy,  in  this  matter  tin  is  objec¬ 
tionable,  for  it  is  considerably  heavier  than  light  boxes  made  of  wood. 
Although  I  had  suitable  tins  for  this  and  other  purposes  they  were  only 
used  for  a  short  period  of  the  year,  when  fruit  as  well  as  flowers  are  sent 
in  the  same  large  box.  Light  boxes  were  made  4  inches  deep  ;  the  length 
and  width  can  be  arranged  to  suit  the  box  in  which  they  have  to  be  packed, 
but  the  one  must  fit  closely  on  the  top  of  the  other.  Lids  therefore  are 
