282 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
October  13,  1898. 
E.  Hill,  W.  Cobb,  W.  H.  White,  S.  Courtauld,  T.  B.  Haywood,  H.  M. 
Pollett,  and  H.  Ballantine. 
Orchids  were  not  very  numerous,  but  of  high  quality.  Mr.  W.  H. 
White,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  contributed 
Habenaria  militaris,  Lrnlia  pumila,  L.  prmstans  purpurea,  Cattleya 
exoniensis,  Miltonia  Lamarckiana,  Cypripedium  Lawrebel,  C.  regale, 
Cattleya  St.  Benoit,  Epidendrum  porphyreum,  and  Dendrobium 
phalasnopsis  hololeuca.  Mr.  Elphinstone,  gardener  to  E.  M.  Mundy,  Esq., 
Shipley  Hail,  Derby,  sent  Angrsecum  ichneumoneum  in  fine  condition  ; 
while  Mr.  F.  Fullerton,  gardener  to  B.  B.  Baker,  Esq.,  Roupell  Park, 
Streatham,  showed  a  well-flowered  plant  of  Odontoglossum  grande. 
Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  contributed  Yanda 
concolor,  Cypripedium  Charlesworthi  magnifieum,  and  Laelio-Oattleya 
Henry  Greenwood.  Messrs  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  sent  well-grown 
Masdevallia  tovarensis  and  Cypripedium  Spicerianum  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
Mr.  .T.  Hudson,  gardener  to  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunners- 
bury  House,  Acton,  exhibited  a  most  beautiful  group  of  Dendrobium 
lormosum  giganteum.  The  splendidly  grown  plants  were  carrying  a 
profusion  of  flowers,  and  attracted  a  considerable  amount  of  attention 
( silver-gilt  Flora  medal).  Mr.  W.  Cobb,  Tunbridge  Wells  staged  a  very 
fine  plant  of  Yanda  Sanderiana  Cobb’s  var.,  with  Cypripedium  Pereival. 
Mr.  W.  A.  Bilney,  Weybridge,  sent  two  well-flowered  plants  of  Lffilia 
prsestans.  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  showed 
Sophro-Cattleya  Cleopatra.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  staged  Dendro¬ 
bium  rhodostoma,  Lielia  splendpns,  with  Lselio-Cattleyas  Dominiana 
langleyensis,  callistoglossa  ignescens,  and  Nysa.  Messrs.  H.  Low  and 
Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  for  a  small  but  very  bright  collection  of  Orchids 
received  a  bronze  Banksian  medal. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Alocasia  spectabilis  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  handsome  plant.  The  leaves 
are  about  20  inches  in  length  by  10  in  breadth.  The  colour  is  very  dark 
green  with  white  veins  and  ribs  (first-class  certificate). 
Chrysanthemum  Jules  Marq  (W.  Wells). — A  dark  crimson  coloured,  free 
blooming,  early  flowering  variety  of  much  promise  (award  of  merit). 
Dahlta  Ebony  (S.  Mortimer).- This  is  of  the  Cactus  section,  and,  as 
the  name  implies,  is  of  deep  blackish  crimson  colour  (award  of  merit). 
Dendrobium  rhodostoma  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  very  distinct  Dendrobe. 
The  prevailing  colour  is  pure  white,  each  organ  having  a  crimson  tip 
(award  of  merit). 
Draccena  Eichanti  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — One  of  the  most  graceful 
Dracaenas  we  have  seen.  The  dark  green  leaves  droop  elegantly,  and  the 
plant  is  of  fine  form.  It  ought  to  prove  a  valuable  market  variety  (award 
of  merit). 
Lcelio- Cattleya  Dominiana  langleyemis  (J.  Veitch  &  Son). — A  superb 
form  from  a  cross  between  Cattleya  Dowiana  and  Lselia  purpurata.  The 
sepals  are  deep  blush  and  the  petals  rose  purple.  The  magnificent  lip  is 
intensely  dark  crimson,  with  a  lighter  fimbriated  margin  (first-class  certi¬ 
ficate). 
Lcelio-Cattleya  Henry  Greenwood  (B.  S.  Williams  &  Co.). — The  parents 
of  this  were  Lselia  elegans  Schilleriann  and  Cattleya  Ilardyana.  It  is 
handsome,  particularly  the  lip,  which  is  bright  velvety  crimson.  The 
side  lobes  are  pure  yellow.  The  sepals  are  blush,  and  the  petals  sott 
purple  rose  (award  of  merit). 
Denospadix  Petrickiana  (F.  Sander  &  Co.). — A  dwarf-growing  Palm  of 
attractive  habit.  The  leaves  are  about  2  feet,  long  and  1  wide,  finely 
divided  and  of  handsome  shape  ;  the  colour  is  green  (first-class  certificate). 
Sophro-Cattleya  Cleopatra  (Charlesworth  &  Co.). — This  is  a  bigeneric 
hybrid,  from  a  cross  between  Sophronitis  grandiflora  and  Cattleya 
Leopoldi.  The  flowers  are  of  the  Sophronitis  type,  and  are  dull  crimson 
in  colour,  with  almost  imperceptible  spots  (award  of  merit). 
ISLE  OF  WIGHT. 
The  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement  Association  is  do'ng 
good  work  in  the  development  of  gardening,  as  was  evidenced  by  the 
show  of  fruit  in  the  Medina  Hall,  Newport,  on  Tuesday,  the  4th  inst. 
There  were  no  money  prizes,  and  the  Island  was  well  represented  from 
east  to  west  and  north  to  south.  The  only  outside  exhibitors  were  Messrs. 
J.  Cheal  &  Sons  of  Crawley,  who  staged  100  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears. 
The  hall  and  tables  were  tastefully  decorated  with  flowering  and  foliage 
plants,  including  many  choice  Orchids  and  Ferns,  from  Messrs.  E.  Cave 
and  Sons.  The  sixty  exhibitors  staged  600  dishes  of  fruits,  besides  run 
and  section  honey,  which  latter  materially  added  to  the  interest  of  the 
show.  The  exhibition  was  opened  by  R  F.  Eldridge,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Vice- 
Chairman  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  County  Council  and  Chairman  of  the 
Technical  Education  Committee. 
The  exhibits  were  remarkably  good  as  a  whole,  and  special  mention 
should  be  made  of  the  huge  Pears  (Pitmaston  Duchess)  staged  by  Aider- 
man  Colenutt ;  the  magnificent  Peaches  (Lord  Palmerston)  from  Mr. 
Snook  ;  the  dish  of  Tomatoes  (Duke  of  York)  shown  by  Mr.  Tribbick  ; 
the  Plums  (Coe’s  Golden  Drop),  and  the  Red  Currants  (La  Versaillaise), 
staged  by  Mr.  W.  Morris  ;  the  Plums  (Pond's  Seedling)  staged  by  Mr. 
Williams  ;  the  dish  of  Apples  (Newtown  Pippin)  staged  by  Mr.  Honey- 
bourne  ;  the  Grapes  (Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Black  Alicante)  staged 
by  Mr.  T.  Brown,  and  the  collection  of  seedling  Melons,  and  a  huge 
Australian  Melon,  weighing  over  30  lbs.,  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Barkham. 
The  Committee  return  thanks  to  all  who  helped  to  make  the  show 
the  success  it  was,  and  the  attendance  during  the  day  was  exceptionally 
good. — S.  II. 
Weather  in  London. — At  last  we  have  had  a  change  in  th& 
weather.  Each  of  the  past  seven  days  has  been  cold,  the  nights  and- 
mornings  particularly  so.  On  Sunday  afternoon  and  evening  rain  fell 
teavily  for  some  hours,  as  did  it  for  a  brief  period  on  Monday  morning- 
On  one  or  two  occasions  there  have  been  somewhat  dense  fogs. 
-  Gardening  Appointments. — Mr.  J.  Mack,  for  sixteen  years- 
head  gardener  at  Drayton  Manor,  Tamworth,  has  succeeded  Mr.  Rye  as 
steward  and  head  gardener  to  Lord  Harris,  Belmont,  Faversharo,  Kent, 
Mr.  Jas.  Hamilton,  late  of  Byrkley  Lodge  Gardens,  Burton-on-Trent, 
has  been  appointed  head  gardener  at  Manderston,  Duns,  the  seat  of  Sir 
James  Miller,  and  takes  charge  early  next  month.  His  successor  at 
Byrkley  is  Mr.  R.  Nesbit,  late  of  Needwood. 
-  Experimental  Horticulture. — At  a  recent  meeting  of  the- 
Birmingham  and  Midland  Counties  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement 
Association,  held  in  the  Athletic  Institute,  John  Bright  Street,  on 
Monday,  October  3rd,  a  paper  on  “Experimental  Horticulture”  was 
contributed  by  Mr.  Lewis  Castle,  Manager  of  the  Woburn  Experi¬ 
mental  Fruit  Farm.  The  subject  was  treated  at  some  length,  the 
experimental  work  in  Great  Britain  and  other  countries  was  reviewed, 
condensed  instructions  were  given  for  the  formation  of  horticultural 
stations,  and  the  direction  in  which  useful  work  could  be  done  were 
referred  to.  Mr.  W.  Latham,  Curator  ot  the  Botanic  Gardens,  presided, 
and  considerable  interesting  discussion  followed,  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  lecturer  closing  the  proceedings  at  a  late  hour. 
- Reading  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improve¬ 
ment  ASSOCIATION. — The  first  meeting  of  the  1898-99  session  was  held 
on  Monday  evening  last  in  the  Club  Room  at  the  Old  Abbey  Restaurant,. 
Mr.  Turton  presiding  over  a  good  attendance  of  members.  The  subject 
for  the  evening  was  “  A  few  Orchids  that  can  be  grown  with  other 
plants,’'  introduced  by  Mr.  W.  P.  Bound  of  Bill  Hill  Gardens,  Woking¬ 
ham,  and  late  of  Messrs.  Sanders,  St.  Albans.  The  lecturer  took  up  the 
various  varieties  suitable  for  different  houses,  and  gave  very  valuable  and 
practical  advice  as  to  their  treatment  from  the  time  of  the  purchasing  of 
the  pseudo-bulbs  to  the  time  the  plants  had  done  flowering.  An 
interesting  discussion  ensued.  A  splendidly  flowered  specimen  of  Miltonia 
Clowesi  was  shown  by  Mr.  Lever,  gardener  to  Leonard  Sutton,  Esq., 
Hillside. 
-  Retirement  of  Mr.  Jas.  Carruthers.— Mr.  James  Car- 
ruthers,  gardener  at  Hillwood,  Corstorphine,  N.B.,  has  found  it  necessary 
to  retire  from  that  charge  on  account  of  ill  health,  a  most  regretable 
circumstance.  He  has  held  this  post  for  twenty-two  years,  and  he  was 
known  not  only  as  an  excellent  gardener,  but  as  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Edinburgh  Chrysanthemum  Society.  He  has  occupied  a  high  position 
at  the  great  shows  held  in  Edinburgh,  and  was  one  of  the  best  of  losers 
in  competitions,  never  grumbling  at  fancied  wrongs,  but  taking  defeat 
in  a  proper  spirit  and  with  a  firm  resolve  to  do  better  next  time.  By  his 
friends  in  and  around  Edinburgh  it  is  thought  the  present  is  a  fitting 
opportunity  for  presenting  Mr.  Carruthers  with  some  tangible  expression 
of  their  appreciation  of  his  services  to  horticulture,  and  with  this  object 
in  view  a  committee  is  being  formed  to  carry  out  the  necessary  details. 
-  Autumn  Planting — Wait  Till  the  Rain  Comes. — 
According  to  the  Calendar  nurserymen  should  now  be  busy  executing 
orders  for  Roses,  Gooseberries,  Currants,  trees,  and  Conifers,  and  even 
lifting  some  few  Pears  and  Plums.  But,  alas  !  the  land  is  as  dry  as 
possible,  and  below  the  surface  baked  like  a  brick,  making  all  this 
work  impossible,  and  meantime  we  are  bombarded  with  letters,  such  as 
I  am  told  now  is  the  very  best  time  to  remove  the  things  I  ordered." 
“If  you  are  unable  to  supply  what  I  ordered  you  should  have  said  so 
at  the  time.”  “  Unless  my  order  is  forthwith  executed  please  consider  it 
cancelled.”  Well,  what  is  the  remedy  ?  Simply  patience.  Practically 
the  season  is  three  weeks  late  ;  and  as  no  fibrous  roots  can  be  got  out 
of  the  hard  soil,  planters  will  undoubtedly  gain  by  waiting.  Apples 
are  yet  in  full  growth,  and  practically'  a  week’s  heavy  rain  is  wanted 
before  lifting  can  be  started.  I  send  these  few  lines  on  behalf  of  myself 
and  fellow  nurserymen,  as  we,  I  feel  sure,  are  only  too  anxious  to  do 
our  best,  and  are  not  responsible  when  the  Clerk  of  the  Weather  and  the 
Calendar  do  not  agree. — Geo.  Bunyard,  The  Royal  Nurseries ,  Maidstone.. 
