November  10,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
359 
-  Speculations. — “  H.  H.  R.”  does  me  too  much  honour.  The 
"analysis  of  judges”  at  Shrewsbury  was  most  ably  done,  but  not  by  me 
I  plead  guilty  to  a  little  banter  at  “  A.  D.’s  ”  expense,  but,  bless  yoa  !  the 
rare  old  critic  likes  it — so  long  as  he  can  give  one  hack  !  I  am  afraid 
"  H.  H.  R.”  misses  the  point.  Ho  is  perhaps  one  of  those  people  who  can 
see  a  joke  only  after  a  surgical  operation,  but  if  he  will  give  me  an  idea 
how  I,  or  anyone,  can  add  anything  useful  to  a  complaint  about  something 
we  cannot  control,  I  will  do  my  best  to  meet  his  wishes. — W.  Pea. 
-  Marchand  a  Gardener. — This  is  what  the  “  Daily  News  ” 
correspondent  says  of  the  French  explorer,  whose  name  is  not  unfamiliar 
in  this  country  : — “  Marchand’s  stature  would  be  about  5  feet  3^  inches. 
If  he  were  not  a  naval  officer  he  might  have  been  an  eminent  gardener. 
Wherever  he  planted  the  flag  he  planted  a  garden  and  sowed  edible 
vegetables.  His  Radishes,  it  appears,  were  a  great  success.  So  were  his 
Cucumbers,  Pumpkins,  Lettuces,  Spinach,  and  Sweet  Potatoes.  Vege¬ 
tables  almost  sprang  up  in  the  course  of  a  night  on  the  Bahr-el-Ghazal, 
and  at  Fashoda,  as  is  known,  he  was  able  to  send  a  well-filled  hamper 
from  his  garden  to  the  Sirdar.”  The  P.  D.  says  this  is  better  than  (in 
Cockney  slang)  the  Sirdar  “  giving  the  Major  ‘beans.’  ” 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall. — November  8th. 
The  exhibition  at  the  Drill  Hall  was,  as  might  have  been  expected, 
comparatively  small  ;  but  there  were  several  most  interesting  exhibits  of 
Orchids,  flowers,  and  fruits. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  Phillip  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  G.  B unyard,  J.  Cheal,  J.  H.  Veitch, 
W.  Poupart,  A.  H.  Pearson,  J.  Smith,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Woodward, 
W.  Bates,  C.  Herrin,  A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrewsbury,  sent  a  display  of  Beurrd  Clairgeau 
Pears  from  a  tree  which  was  full  of  blossom  in  August.  The  fruit 
exhibited  were  of  the  second  crop  resulting,  and  very  fine  (vote  of 
thanks). 
Mr.  James  Day,  Galloway  House  Gardens,  Garlieston,  sent  a  dish  of 
James  Grieve  Apple,  yellow  flushed  red,  a  tender  and  excellent  dessert 
Apple.  It  had  an  award  of  merit  in  1 896  (vote  of  thanks). 
Messrs.  Jarde  &  Co.  sent  a  brilliantly  coloured  seedling  Apple,  a  medium 
sized,  five  knobbed,  flattish  fruit,  shining  crimson,  but  the  quality  was 
not  approved  by  the  Committee.  Mr.  Glenister,  gardener  to  M.  S.  Morri¬ 
son,  Esq.,  Crowhurst,  Finchley,  sent  beautifully  coloured  fruits  of  Gas¬ 
coyne’s  Scarlet  Seedling  Apple  (vote  of  thanks). 
Mr.  W.  Bygrave,  The  Gardens,  Rous  Leuch  Court,  Evesham,  sent  a 
dish  of  Peas  Charles  I.,  pods  small,  peas  also,  and  hard.  Their  lateness 
was  considered  largely  the  result  of  the  prolonged  mild  weather,  as  both 
Omega  and  Ne  Plus  Ultra  have  been  gathered  occasionally  in  November. 
Mr.  Vert  sent  from  Audley  End  a  splendid  dish  of  Coe’s  Golden  Drop 
Plum.  He  also  sent  beautiful  fruits  of  Vert’s  Favourite  Cucumber,  a 
dark  green  form  of  Telegraph  and  of  excellent  quality.  A  vote  of  thanks 
was  accorded,  and  a  cultural  commendation. 
From  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew,  came  fruits  of  the  “  Tree  Tomato,” 
Cyphomandra  betacea,  gathered  from  a  tree  two  years  old,  which  pro¬ 
duced  200  fruits  in  a  warm  greenhouse  (cultural  commendation). 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  exhibited  a  box  of  splendid  fruits  of  Everyday 
Cucumber,  of  which  they  have  obtained  the  stock  from  its  raiser,  Mr. 
Owen  Thomas  of  the  Royal  Gardens.  It  is  a  much-honoured  variety, 
having  first  received  an  award  of  merit  and  subsequently  a  first-class 
certificate.  Fruits  of  this  Cucumber  can  be  cut  every  day  in  every 
garden  in  which  conveniences  are  provided  for  producing  them,  and  the 
variety  will  now  find  its  way  into  many 
Mr.  F.  Cornish,  gardener  to  the  Dowager  Lady  Bowman,  Joldwynds, 
Dorking,  sent  fruiting  sprays  of  Akebia  quinata.  Their  peculiar  form 
and  pale  lavender  colour  were  very  attractive. 
Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co.  sent  a  remarkable  collection,  consisting  of 
100  dishes  of  dessert  Apples,  in  which  the  characteristics  of  the  varieties 
were  admirably  displayed.  Since  all  the  Apples  were  as  good  as  they 
could  be  produced,  it  would  be  invidious  to  enumerate  some  and  ignore 
others.  An  exception,  however,  may  be  made  in  the  case  of  the  com¬ 
paratively  new  Allington  Pippin,  which,  in  all  probability,  has  a  future 
before  it  that  will  equal  in  popularity  that  of  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin.  The 
best  evidence  of  the  value  of  the  Maidstone  collection  was  the  unanimous 
award  of  a  gold  medal. 
Floral  Committee.— Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  H.  B.  May,  J.  H.  Fitt,  Geo.  Stevens,  J.  Jennings,  J.  F. 
MacLeod,  W.  Howe,  C.  E.  Pearson,  J.  D.  Pawle,  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe, 
C.  E.  Shea,  E.  T.  Cook,  H.  Turner,  C.  T.  Druery,  C.  Jeffries,  E.  Mawley, 
and  the  Rev.  G.  Engleheart. 
Mr.  FI.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  made  a  handsome  exhibit  of 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  and  Polypodiums,  comprising  fifty  species 
and  varieties.  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Hale  Farm  Nurseries,  Totten¬ 
ham,  sent  a  stand  of  Cactus  Dahlias  in  capital  condition,  with  a  few 
Chrysanthemums  and  Nerines.  Winter-flowering  Begonias  Myra,  Mrs. 
Heal,  and  a  new  semi  double  named  Winter  Perfection,  and  Dracaena 
The  Sirdar,  were  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea. 
The  same  firm  sent  also  Michaelmas  Daisies,  Drummondi  Sappho,  grandi- 
florus,  and  Tradescanti.  Messrs.  Ray  &  Co.,  Teynham,  staged  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  Arrliie  Ray.  Mr.  N.  Molyneux,  gardener  to  J,  C.  Gamier, 
Esq.,  Rookesbury  Park,  Fareham,  sent  Chrysanthemums  Jane  Molyneux, 
Nellie,  S.  Threifall,  and  John  Miles.  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co.] 
Maidstone,  staged  double  Zonal  Pelargcnium  White  Abbey. 
Some  Chrysanthemums  of  excellent  quality  were  exhibited  by  Mr* 
W.  J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth.  The  flowers  were  fresh  and  of  good  colour* 
the  varieties  including  Autumn  Glory,  Le  Grand  Dragon.  Marie  Calvat* 
Celeste  Falconnet,  President  Bevan,  Lord  Boston,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Glessner* 
Mr.  T.  r arrington,  Dome  d’Or,  and  King  of  the  Yellows.  Mr.  W.  Wells* 
Earlswood,  staged  the  most  extensive  exhibit  of  Chrysanthemums,  and 
there  were  several  of  considerable  merit.  Amongst  others  were  observed 
The  Convention,  President  Nonin,  Mary  Molyneux,  G.  J.  Warren, 
President  Bevan,  Mr.  T.  Carrington,  Miss  Nellie  Pockett,  John  Pockett, 
Mrs.  White  Popham,  Simplicity,  Leocadie  Gentils,  Australie,  and  Lord 
Ludlow,  with  numerous  floriferous  decorative  varieties. 
Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  contributed  Acalvpha  Sanderiana, 
Dracaena  Godseffiana,  with  a  few  Orchids.  IL  J.  El  ves,  Esq.,  Coles- 
bourne,  Glos.,  sent  a  very  handsome  collection  of  Nerines,  the  colours 
ranging  from  delicate  blush  to  brilliant  scarlet  and  crimson.  Mr.  R. 
Owen,  Maidenhead,  exhibited  Chrysanthemums  Ladv  Phillips,  Mrs, 
J.  W.  Barks,  Mrs.  W.  C.  Egan,  Owen’s  Memorial,  Edith  Owen,  Lord 
Cromer,  and  Mrs.  W.  Mease. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present:  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  H.  M.  Pollett,  H.  Ballan- 
tine,  H.  Little,  H.  J.  Chapman,  F.  J.  Thorne,  W.  H.  Young,  T.  Statter, 
and  T.  W.  Bond. 
Mr. 'G.  E.  Day,  gardener  to  H.  F.  Simonds,  Esq.,  Beckenham, 
arranged  a  small  but  attractive  group  of  Orchids,  deluding  Cattleya 
labiata,  Odontoglossum  grande,  Laslia  autumnalis  atrorubens,  Lycaste 
Skinneri  alba,  and  a  few  others.  From  the  Right  Hon.  J.  Chamberlain, 
Highbury,  came  Cattleya  fausta  delicata,  C.  Mrs.  Endicott,  Lfelio-Cattleya 
Sallieri  magnifies,  L.-C.  Semiramis,  and  Dendrobium  -  Phalaenopsis 
Schroderianum  Chamberlainianum  Small  exhibits  of  Orchids  were 
contributed  by  Messrs.  W.  H.  Young,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  Whiffen, 
R.  C.  Williams,  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  and  Sir  Wm.  Marriott,  Bart.  Mr. 
J.  Douglas.  Great  Bookham,  showed  splendid  flowers  of  Cattleyalabiata  in 
variety.  Verjr  attractive  indeed  were  the  Orchids  from  Messrs.  J.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Ltd.  They  were  charmingly  arranged,  and  made  one  of  the 
most  effective  standards  in  the  hall.  Cattleyas  labiata,  Bowringiana, 
Wendlandiana,  and  Mantini ;  Laelio-Caftleyas  Decia,  Nysa,  Statteriana, 
Lady  Rothschild,  and  Semiramis  ;  Cypripediums  insigne  Sander®, 
Euryades,  Niobe,  Milo,  and  others  ;  with  Miltonia  Bleuiana,  Dendrobium 
atro-violaceum,  Odontoglossum  grande,  Catasetum  fimbriatum,  and 
Brassia  Lawrenceana  longissima  were  amongst  the  most  prominent.  It 
was  generally  considered  that  this  was  one  of  the  finest  collections  of 
Orchids  that  has  ever  been  staged  at  this  period  of  the  year  (gold 
medal.) 
Medals.  Floral  Committee. — Silver-gilt  Flora.  Mr.  H.  B.  May  ; 
silver  Floras,  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  and  W.  Wells  ;  and  silver-gilt 
Banksian  to  Mr.  H.  J.  Elwes.  Orchid  Committee. — Gold  medal  to  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  &  Sons  ;  silver  Banksian  medals  to  Messrs.  J.  Chamberlain, 
H.  F.  Simmonds,  and  J.  Bradshaw  ;  bronze  medal  to  Ur.  J.  Douglas. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Begonix  Winter  Perfection  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons). — A  semi-double  rose- 
coloured  winter-flowering  Begonia  (award  of  merit) 
Cattleya  Bowringiana  var.  (VV.  H.  Young).— This  i*  i  charming  variety. 
The  sepals  and  petals  are  lilac  with  a  rose  suffusion,  the  lip  being  reddish 
lilac  on  the  front  lobe,  velvety  crimson  at  the  centre,  with  a  pale  primrose 
sport  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Jane  Molyneux  (N.  Molyneux).— A  fine  Japanese,  with 
oreamy  white  reflexing  florets  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Lord  Cromer  (R.  Owen). — A  superb  reflexed  Japanese. 
The  colour  is  rich  glowing  crimson,  with  a  pale  yellow  reverse  (award  of 
merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Mrs.  W.  Mease  (R.  Owen). — A  lovely  form  of  Madame 
Carnot,  with  very  pale  primrose  flower  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  President  Nonin ( W.  ,T.  Godfrey  and  W.  Wells). — An 
incurving  Japanese  with  pale  buff  hued  blooms  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Nellie  Pockett  (W.  Wells).— A  delicate  creamy  white, 
with  narrow  reflexing  and  recurving  florets  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  John  Pockett  ( W.  Wells).— A  magnificent  broad  floretted 
incurving  Jap  of  Australian  origin.  The  inner  colour  is  rich  crimson, 
and  the  reverse  yellowish  buff  (award  of  merit). 
Ci/pripedium  Wottoni  (H.  J.  Chapman). — A  hybrid  from  C.  bellatulum 
and  C.  callosum.  The  flower  is  massive.  The  pouch  is  deep  claret,  and 
the  petals  paler  claret  with  deep  spots.  The  dorsal  sepal  is  broad,  pale 
claret  in  colour,  with  deeper  veins  and  a  white  margin  (award  of  merit). 
Dracaena  The  Sirdar  (J,  Veitch  &  Sons).— A  striking  form,  with  deep 
green  and  red  margined  leaves  of  drooping  habit  (award  of  merit). 
Nerine  Miss  Jekyll  (H.  J.  Elwes).— A  salmon  rose-tinted  variety  of 
much  beauty  (award  of  merit). 
Nerine  Lady  C.  Mitford  (H.  J.  Elwes).— This  is  a  soft  rose-hued  variety 
that  is  very  charming  (award  of  merit). 
Nerine  Mrs.  Douglas  (H.  J.  Elwes).— A  silvery  rose  form  with  a  scarlet 
midrib  (award  of  merit). 
Polypodium  grande  nigrescens  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons).  This  is  a  hybrid 
from  a  cross  from  P.  nigrescens  and  P.  vulgare  grandiceps,  but  the  latter 
is  not  very  apparent.  It  is  very  handsome,  being  splendidly  crested, 
while  the  spore  cases  are  very  conspicuous  (first-class  certificate). 
