26 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  13,  idjo. 
tiDguishing  characteristics  of  the  parents  were  handed  down  to  the 
offspring.  Speaking  of  bigeneric  hybrids,  he  said  that  there  were 
150  of  them  in  the  Orchidae  alone.  The  production  of  seeds  lacking 
in  germinating  power  was  touched  upon,  such  pathogenetic  seeds 
being  produced  as  the  result  of  irritation  which  other  foreign  bodies 
other  than  pollen  were  capable  of  setting  up,  for  a  case  had  been 
known  where  this  irritation  had  been  traced  to  a  caterpillar.  Mr. 
Ilurst  went  into  the  subject  of  prepotency  of  either  parent  at  some 
length,  and  mentioned  the  fa'd  that  of  three  hybrids  produced  from 
the  same  capsule,  one  might  resemble  the  pollen  parent  in  form,  the 
second  might  be  like  the  female,  and  the  third  intermediate.  The 
same  differences  occurred  with  rega  d  to  colour.  When,  then,  the 
changes  were  rung  in  both  colour  and  form  in  twenty  or  more  parts, 
it  was  manifest  that  tho  number  of  possible  variations  must  be 
immense.  Of  twenty-four  hybrids  raised  from  the  same  capsule,  no 
two  might  be  alike,  and  yet  all  would  bear  some  resemblance  to  their 
ancestors.  Referring  to  the  erroneousness  of  the  belief  in  the  lack  of 
fertility  of  the  hybrid,  the  lecturer  pointed  out  that  while  ninety 
genera  had  produced  fertile  hybrids,  only  three  had  yielded  unfertile 
ones.  Such  races  as  Gladioli  and  Cannas,  made  up  of  four  distinct 
•species,  and  in  the  third  generation,  and  Rhododendrons  of  five  species 
*in  the  fourth  generation  were  all  abundantly  fertile.  Passing  to  the 
•consideration  of  the  stability  of  hybrids,  he  adduced  proof  that  hybrids 
'were  not  necessarily  unstable.  Thus,  out  of  500  seedlings  of  the 
hybrid  Berberis  stenopliylla  he  had  raised,  not  one  had  reverted. 
''Many  hybrids  were  remarkable  for  their  vigour  and  precocity  of 
blooming,  but  subsequent  in-breeding  served  to  impair  these  qualities. 
There  was  plenty  of  evidence  to  prove  that  while  out-crossing  tends 
to  increase  ,the  vigour  of  the  race,  in-breeding  was  liable  to  curtail  it. 
With  regard  to  the  limits  of  crossing,  some  apparently  far  removed 
plants  have  been  crossed.  With  the  comparatively  recent  union  of 
Zygopetalum  and  Batemannia,  no  fewer  than  twenty-seven  genera  of 
Orchids  have  been  united  In  concluding,  the  lecturer 
strenuously  advised  all  hybridisers  to  keep  as  exact  record  of  their 
work,  both  of  failures  and  successes,  as  possible,  for  these  would  prove 
of  inestimable  value  to  science. 
The  allotted  time  having  expired,  the  Conference  was  adjourned 
with  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Hurst’s  paper  until  the  following  day. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Chiswick. — July  11th.. 
The  meeting  in  the  Society’s  gardens  proved  to  be  most  interesting, 
as  the  number  of  hybrids  was  very  considerable.  The  central  portion 
of  (he  vinery  was  fitted  with  stages,  and  those  at  the  sides  also  were 
utilised.  The  heat  in  the  immense  structure  was  intense,  and  many 
visitors  found  it  much  more  comfortable  in  the  gardens,  which  are  just 
now  looking  very  attractive. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee.— Present :  H.  Baklerson,  Esq. 
(tn  the  chair)  ;  and  Messrs.  J.  W.  Bates,  A.  Dean,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch, 
.Jas.  Smith,  J.  Basham.  G.  Woodward,  A.  H.  Pearscn,  R.  Fife,  M. 
Gleeson,  A.  F.  Barron,  W  Pope,  G.  Norman,  W.  H.  Divers,  Prof.  Hugo 
do  Vries,  J.  H.  Veitch,  W.  Poupart,  J.  Willard,  G.  T.  Miles,  Chas. 
’Herrin,  P.  Crowley’,  and  S.  Mortimer. 
Messrs.  Laxton  Brothers,  Bedford,  staged  boxes  of  Strawberries 
Waterloo,  Latest  of  All,  and  Climax,  the  last  a  good  flavoured  variety, 
and  free  cropping,  judging  from  the  plants  staged;  also  a  collection  of 
Peas,  consisting  of  Thomas  Laxton,  Doris  Harrison,  Gladiator.  Gradus, 
Duke  of  Rutland,  and  Tho  Ameer,  as  well  as  a  general  collection  of  well- 
known  varieties. 
Mr.  J.  Hudson,  gardener  to  L.  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Acton,  exhibited 
eight  boxes  of  Cherries  in  grand  condition.  The  varieties  were  Governor 
Wood,  Black  Eagle,  Emperor  Francis,  Black  Circassian  (a  splendid  box). 
Bigarreau  Napoleon,  Early  Rivers,  Frogmore  Early,  and  Bigarreau 
de  Schreken. 
Mr.  W.  Al'an,  gardener  to  Lord  Suffield,  sent  a  basket  of  Strawberries 
named  Lady  Suffield.  The  plants  were  prolific,  but  the  fruits  are  ra'her 
deep  in  colour.  Messrs.  R.  Veitch  <fc  Son,  Exeter,  sent  a  new  Pea, 
"Glury  of  Devon,  which  bids  fair  to  become  a  popular  kind. 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  sent  a  large  specimen  of 
their  hybrid  Blackberry,  which  appears  to  partake  of  the  Raspberry  in 
the  spines,  while  the  fruit3  undoubtedly  favour  the  Blackberry.  Mr. 
H.  Eckford,  Wem,  staged  some  culinary  Peas  to  number,  some  of  them 
very  fine.  A  very  prolific  Apple  was  sent  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Cross.  Wisbech, 
a  cross  between  Lord  Grosvenor  and  Keswick  Codlin.  Tho  branches 
were  roped  with  fruit,  and  the  fruits  of  good  size. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  C.  E.  Shea,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  F.  McLeod,  \V.  Bain,  J.  II.  Fitt,  J.  Jennings.  Wm.  Howe, 
C.  T.  Druery,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  C.  J.  Salter,  R.  Wilson  Kerr,  Robert 
Sydenham,  J.  W.  Barr.  G.  Paul.  II.  B.  May,  Chas.  Jeffries,  E.  Beckett. 
J.  Eraser  (Kew),  Jas.  Walker,  E.  Mawley,  H.  Marshall,  H.  Turner,  and 
0.  R.  Fielder. 
A  group  of  Kalanehoe  flammea  from  the  Royal  Gardens,  Kew, 
attracted  a  great  deal  of  attention.  It  is  an  introduction  from  Somali¬ 
land  ;  the  corymbs  of  orange-red  flowers  were  bright  and  pleasing.  It 
should  make  a  good  decorative  plant  (see  p.  32).  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Edmonton, 
exhibited  a  beautiful  collection  of  Ferns,  comprising  eighty  fine  forms 
all  raised  in  their  nurseries.  The  collection  was  much  admired,  and 
contained  good  specimen  plants  of  Aspleniums  ornatum,  internatum 
Mayi,  incisum,  and  majesticum  ;  Adiantums  ornatum,  parviceps, 
plumosum,  and  Sehneideiianum  ;  Gymnogrammas  Mayi,  convoluta  ; 
chrysophylla  grandiceps  sunerba  and  inulticeps,  with  a  collection  of 
Pterises  and  Lomarias. 
Messrs.  Laxton  Bros.,  Bedford,  staged  a  collection  of  dwarf  Sweet 
Teas  of  the  Cupid  type.  The  varieties  most  noteworthy  were  Sultan, 
Princess  Victoria,  Princess  of  Wales,  Invincible,  Indigo  King,  Blanche 
Ferry,  and  Vesuvius.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  showed  a 
collection  of  hardy’  flowers,  comprising  a  collection  of  Brodiseeg, 
Potentillas,  Gladioli,  Japanese  Irises,  and  dwarf  rock  and  alpine  plants. 
Mens.  L.  Duval,  Versailles,  staged  an  interesting  collection  of  Tillandsias 
and  Vriesias.  The  plants  were  very  effective  and  the  colouring  re¬ 
markable.  The  best  hybrids  were  V.  Itnperator,  fenestrale  fulgida, 
Pollmani,  Vigeri  major,  Rex  superba,  splendens  major,  sphinx,  and 
magnifica. 
Mons.  Morel,  Lyon,  exhibited  boxes  of  Clematises,  also  plants  to 
illustrate  their  flowering  properties.  The  colours  were  exceptional,  but 
the  flowers  appeared  to  be  somewhat  small,  mostly  of  the  viticella  type  ; 
some  of  tho  hybrids  of  C.  lanuginosa  Candida  exhibit  a  great  advance 
in  colouring.  The  eoccinea  hybrids  were  also  very  distinct.  One  of  the 
best  of  the  collection  was  Ville  de  Ly  on,  a  claret  red  colour  of  good 
shape. 
One  of  tho  most  interesting  exhibits  came  from  Mr.  Jas.  Hudson, 
gardener  to  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  Gunnersburv,  consisting  of  a 
grand  collection  of  hybrid  Water  Lilies,  arranged  tastefully  in  tubs  and 
pans,  Nymphteas  stellate,  with  its  pale  bine  flowers  ;  Aurora,' a  pale  lemon  ; 
Robinsoni,  a  rosy  red,  were  splendid.  The  gigantic  forms  of  Marliacea 
aibida  and  rosea,  also  Ellisiana  and  Exquisita  were  also  noticeable,  while 
a  good  background  was  formed  of  Nicotiana  sylvestris. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  staged  an  interesting  collection  of 
Roses,  showing  crosses  carried  out  by  Mr.  G.  L.  Paul  ;  one  of  the  most 
striking  was  J.  B.  M.  Camra,  the  result  of  across  between  Mrs.  Paul 
and  Madame  G.  Luizet,  also  Royal  Scarlet,  which  owes  its  parentage  to 
Cheshunt  Scarlet  and  Mario  Rady.  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham 
Cross,  displayed  some  excellent  boxes  of  Roses,  all  raised  by  the  firm. 
Many  general  favourites  were  on  view.  The  flowers  were  excellent  when 
staged,  but  the  sun  soon  destroyed  their  beauty. 
An  interesting  collection  of  bar  jy  shrubs  grafted  on  a  variety  of  stocks 
was  staged  by  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea.  The  stocks 
were  particularly  interesting  ;  for  instance,  the  Lilac  grafted  on  Phillyrea, 
Cratfegus  on  the  Quince.  Lilac  on  the  Privet,  Garrya  on  the  Aucuba, 
Olea  on  the  Privet,  and  Kalmia  on  the  Rhododendron.  Two  tanks  of 
Nvmphfeas  also  were  in  good  condition,  and  included  N.  Marliacea  chroma- 
tella.  N.  Laydekeri  fulgens,  N.  carnea.  and  N.  Marliacea  aibida.  Inclose 
proximity  were  Nepenthes — a  really  fine  collection.  Those  most  noteworthy 
were  N.  Balfouri  intermedia,  Raftiesiana  (with  sixteen  perfect  pitchers), 
Wrigleyana,  mixta  (p.  38),  and  Mastersiana,  also  some  good  plants  of  Sar- 
racenias,  which  included  Courti,  Wrigleyana,  Chelsoni,  and  exoniensis. 
The  hybrid  Java  Rhododendrons  were  a  grand  feature.  The  plants  were 
well  gr  >wn  and  were  full  of  flowers.  The  most  striking  were  Souvenir 
de  J.  H.  Mangles,  Diadem.  President,  Ophelia,  jasmimflorum  carminatum, 
Purity,  Ne  Pius  Ultra,  Imogene,  Yellow  Perfection,  and  Neptune.  A 
few  specimens  of  Streptocarpus  and  Begonias  of  the  Rex  type  were 
shown.  The  Perns  also  staged  included  forty- two  supposed  hybrids  and 
sports,  the  parentage  of  which  is  quite  unknown.  They  included  such 
well  known  specimens  as  Adiantum  gracillimum,  A.  C.  strictum,  A. 
Earleyense  alcicorne,  A.  Bausei,  A.  Lathomi,  and  A.  Pacotti.  Mr.  Wm. 
Smythe,  Basing  Park,  Alton,  Hants,  sent  two  hybrid  Tacsonias,  one  a 
cross  between  T.  mollissima  and  T.  manicata,  and  a  cross  between  mollis¬ 
sima  and  Smytheana,  which  was  named  T.  mollissima  splendens,  but  it  was 
quite  impossible  to  form  anv  idea  of  what  they  were  like.  Hardy  Ferns 
were  staged  by  Mr.  C.  T.  Druery,  Acton,  and  comprised  Scolopendriums 
in  good  variety  ;  also  a  number  of  Athyriums  and  Polypodiums,  the  whole 
forming  an  interesting  exhibit. 
Hybrid  Clematises  were  staged  in  quantity  by  Messrs.  G.  Jackman  and 
Son,  Woking.  The  varieties  were  Henryi,  Madame  Van  Houtte. 
Duchess  of  Teck,  and  Beauty  of  Worcester.  Their  new  hybrids  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence  (a  claret  red),  Duchess  of  Albany,  Duchess  of  York, 
and  Countess  of  Onslow  were  unique.  The  older  forms  were  also 
much  in  evidence.  Some  excellent  Delphiniums  were  staged  by  Messrs. 
Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  consisting  of  double  and  semi-double  varieties. 
Michel  Lando,  Monument,  and  Rubens  were  gcod.  A  hybrid  Hemero- 
callis  was  sent  by  Mr.  G.  Tell,  Clifton  Cottage,  York,  called  Pioneer,  a 
cross  between  H.  aurantiaca  and  Thunbergi,  the  result  being  a  beautiful 
deep  yellow  flower; 
Sweet  Peas  were  contributed  by  Mr.  Eckford,  Wem,  who  staged  some 
new  varieties.  General  Gordon,  Lord  Kenyon,  and  Duchess  of  West¬ 
minster  were  distinct  and  of  good  size.  A  small  collection  of  hybrid 
Cinerarias  from  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden  illustrated  the  crosses 
made  by  Mr.  I.  R.  Lynch.  Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  exhibited 
some  new  plants,  Caladiums  A.  Siebrecht,  Rufus,  W.  Lanche,  and  Mrs. 
Oliver  Ames  amongst  others,  Eucharis  Stevcnsi,  a  small  flowering  variety. 
Herr  Wilhelm  Pfitzer,  Stuttgart,  staged  a  dozen  blooms  of  his  single 
crested  tuberous  Begonias.  The  flowers  were  well  frilled  and  bright  in 
colour. 
Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  Edenside,  Great  Bookham,  exhibited  a  collection  of 
Carnations,  some  of  which  were  acknowledged  by  the  Committee.  The 
best  varieties  were  The  Baron,  Rosalind,  Heather  Bell,  Delos,  Majestic, 
and  The  Maid.  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  staged  two  new 
Sweet  Peas — Navy  Blue,  a  good  colour;  and  Gorgeous,  an  improved 
