81 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
.TjiIv  ’(•<'0 
only  being  examined.  Out  of  about  thirty  rows  tested,  s<  me  <>t 
which  gave  either  small  produce,  or  were  evidently  not  quite  ready,  nine 
were  selected  for  the  eoOlunz  trial,  and  five  were  granted  three  marks. 
These  were  Bradlev’i  Early  Peter,  Hibberd’s  Seedling,  Solomon's  Norbury 
Park,  Caddick's  Caradoc  Seedling,  and  Johnson’s  Prolific.  Some  standard 
■varieties  were  very  good,  but  had  previously  had  awards.  Next  was  seen 
an  extensive  trial  of  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans.  Several  of  these  were  only 
suitable  for  pot  culture.  Some  very  promising  ones  were  not  yet  ready, 
but  most  of  the  usual  garden  varieties  were  in  cxce.lent  condition.  Those 
awarded  three  marks  were  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  Stringless,  Veitch’s  Progress, 
button’s  Perfection,  Watkin’s  Covent  Garden,  Negro,  and  Everbearing. 
Three  marks  were  also  given  to  Tomatoes  Comet,  a  fine  large  red  ; 
•Cherry  Ripe,  smallish,  rich  flavour  ;  and  Chiswick  Peach,  a  sport  from 
Red  Peach  of  last  year,  fruit  medium  size,  round,  ot  a  lemon  colour, 
■coated  with  bloom,  ami  of  fine  flavour.  Cherry  Ripe  also  gave  quite  rich 
favour.  It  is  suited  for  dessert. 
CARNATIONS  AT  CHELSEA. 
I  SHOULD  not  like  to  confess  the  number  of  years  that  have  found 
one  wending  my  way  to  see  the  Carnations  in  flower  at  Messrs.  J.  Veitch 
dntl  Sons  nursery  in  King’s  Road,  Chelsea — it  must  extend  a  long  way 
mho  the  teens.  Nevertheless  the  interest  remains  as  keen  as  ever,  because 
the  inspection  is  peculiarly  instructive.  The  reason  it  teaches  such  uselul 
iessons  lies  in  the  fact  t hat  the  varieties  that  flourish  at  Chelsea  will 
luxuriate  practically  unyw here.  Not  only  have  the  plants  to  withstand 
the  effects  of  a  vitiated  atmosphere,  hut  the  position  of  the  beds  is  such 
that  they  can  never  have  the  slightest  protection  lrom  the  rays  of  the 
sun.  This  season,  with  upwards  of  120°  registered,  the  flowers  Lave  not 
stood  as  they  usually  do,  und  have  lacked  suostance  ot  petal,  owing  to  the 
absence  of  tne  health  and  strength- giving  rain. 
While  it  is  not  suggested  that  the  collection  a9  a  whole  reaches  the 
standard  ore  looks  lor,  it  is  none  the  less  a  fact  that  some  varieties  ere 
in  splendid  condition  us  regards  size,  f  jrm,  substance,  and  colour  ot  the 
blooms.  But  these  alone  do  not  always  speak  as  to  the  constitution  ot  a 
particular  plant — to  know  this  one  must  see  the  foliage  and  the  “  grass.”  If 
these  have  all  the  desirable  attributes  then  it  may  safely  be  taken  that  the 
plants  will  produce  flowers  even  under  the  unfavourable  conditions  of  any 
ot  our  large  manufacturing  townc.  In  the  pure  air  of  the  countiy  a 
jplaut  that  does  moderately  well  in  a  town  will  simply  luxuriate  and 
produce,  if  it  is  allowed  to  do  so,  flowers  without  number.  Jt  very 
large  blooms  are  required,  it  is  obvious  that  the  disbudding  must  be  severer 
tnut  when  largo  numbers  of  moderate  size  form  the  object  in  view.  Soil, 
too,  plays  an  important  part  in  the  formation  of  the  most  satisfactory 
growth,  but  an  expensive  staple  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to  the  pro¬ 
duction  ot  flowers  of  average  quality  and  sufficiently  meritorious  to  satisfy 
the  majority  of  growers  tor  home  adornment. 
At  Chelsea  plants  are  growing  out  of  doors  as  well  as  in  pots  in  one 
of  the  greenhouses,  so  that  the  enthu  iastic  visitor  may  get  from  the  beds 
an  idea  of  the  plant’s  constitution,  and  from  the  pot  plants  an  estimate  of 
the  real  merit  of  the  b’ooms  themselves,  and  of  their  true  colours.  Tilts 
•is  very  advantageous,  as  it  allows  one  to  make  a  better  selection 
than  would  he  possible  under  one  of  the  two  systems  alone.  Those  who 
would  see  the  plants  in  flower  should  lose  no  time,  as  with  a  continuance 
of  the  great  heat  the  flowers  must  rapidly  pass  their  best  development, 
a^'id  will  be  seen  no  more  for  another  year. 
As  both  old  and  new  varieties  find  places  in  the  collection  the  range 
•of  habit,  constitution  and  colour  is  very  considerable,  and  no  difficulty 
ought  to  be  experienced  by  anyone  making  a  selection.  Eor  example, 
there  are  Mrs.  Frunk  Watts,  white  ;  Mephisto,  crimson  ;  and  Crombie’s 
Pink,  which,  th'.ugh  have  been  in  cultivation  for  several  years,  possess 
merits  that  entitle  their  inclusion  in  every  comprehensive  list.  Among 
newer  ones  there  are  many  of  sterling  merit,  such  as  Isinglass,  the  super u 
scarlet  crimson,  and  George  Maquay,  most  floriferous  of  whites,  that  were 
•only  put  in  commerce  last  year,  and  yet  are  necessary  adjuncts  to  every 
garden.  Then  the  soit  rose  of  Lady  Nina  Balfour,  the  salmon  of  May 
Yolie,  and  the  terra-cotta  of  Mrs.  Colby  Sharpin  will  have  many  admirers, 
as  will  the  splendid  yellow  grounds  Mohican,  His  Excellency,  Mrs. 
Tremayne,  and  Zingara.  Bendigo,  bluish  purple  ;  Sweet  Briar,  pale 
scarlet :  and  Boadicea,  rose  scarlet,  make  a  charming  trio  ;  as  do  Sir 
Henry  Irving,  crimson  ;  The  Briton,  white  ;  and  Saul,  yellow, 
A  few  that  come  within  the  newest  of  the  new  are  Francis  Wellesley, 
deep  carmine  rose,  large  and  striking  ;  Amy  Robsart,  dark  scarlet  of 
fine  form  ;  Helmsman,  pure  white,  splendid  petals;  Haidee,  mauve,  very 
large  ;  Czarina,  yellow  ground  heavily  marked  with  scarlet ;  Diane, 
lemon  yellow,  of  perfect  contour  ;  and  Holmwood,  maroon  crimson.  Of 
course  there  are  many  others,  but  those  enumerated  took  my  eye,  and 
appealed  most  strongly  to  my  particular  taste.  Despite  the  rival  attrac¬ 
tions  at  Chelsea  in  the  form  of  Orchids,  visitors  now  make  prompt  tracks 
towards  the  Carnations,  and  in  doing  so  thev  are  exercising  a  judgment 
lhat  everyone  will  do  well  to  take  copy. — G.  H.  F. 
“Familiar  Wild  Flowers.” — The  plates  comprised  in  parts  16 
and  17  ot  this  worx  are  Bladder  Campion.  Rest  Harrow,  Deadly  Night¬ 
shade,  Self-Heal,  Foxglove,  Musk  Mallow,  Nodding  Thistle,  Corn  Crow¬ 
foot,  Broom  Rape,  Purple  Loosestrife,  Autumnal  Hawk  Bit,  Common 
Mallow,  Common  Avens  and  Meadow  Barley,  Meadow  Saffron,  Scentless 
Mayweed,  Creeping  Thistle,  Water  Ragwort,  Tansy  and  Wood  Vetch. 
SCABIOSA  CAUCASIGA. 
The  common  Scabious,  S.  atropurpurea,  is  well  known  ami  much 
valued  in  gardens,  not  only  as  a  border  plant,  but  in  pots  for  decoration 
or  to  iurnish  a  supply  of  fragrant  blooms,  and  in  many  establishments  it 
is  now  largely  grown  for  the  latter  purpose. 
A  b.autiful  but  quite  distinct  companion  for  it  in  the  flower  border  is 
St  abiosa  eaucasica,  of  which  a  woodcut  is  given  (fig.  21).  This  species 
uudoubtedly  deserves  a  place  in  every  collection  ot  hardy  plants  ;  and 
though  it  h  is  do  claim  to  novelt\’,  its  beauty  is  amply  sufficient  recom¬ 
mendation  to  cultivators.  The  flower  heads  are  3  or  4  inches  in  diameter, 
b right  pale  blue,  and  they  are  very  freely  produced,  rising  above  the  long 
slender  pinnatifid  leaves.  It  is  of  compact  habit  when  growing  freeh  ,  as 
it  will  in  any  moderately  good  garden  soil.  The  flowers  are  well  udap  id 
lor  cutting,  as  they  last  a  considerable  time  in  water. 
SHOWS. 
NEWCASTLE.— July  19th,  20th,  and  21st. 
The  above  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Leazes  Park  on  Wednesday, 
Thursday,  and  Friday.  The  venue  was  this  year  changed  to  its  former 
place,  and  none,  we  think,  will  regret  it.  Newcastle  is  now  rich  in 
parks,  by  the  enterprise  ot  its  citizens  and  tne  munificent  gift  of  its 
noblest  one.  Lord  Armstrong.  The  Leazes  is  extremely  heuutilul  ;  the 
trees  and  foliage  of  the  same  arc  at  their  very  best.  Flower  beds  of 
every  design  are  rich  and  choice  with  all  t ho  well  known  summer 
Id  oming  plants,  but  the  carpet  bedding  on  the  front  and  the  grand 
terrace  is  superb  in  colour,  design,  and  conception,  and  was  the  centre 
of  attraction  of  thousands.  The  beds  are  mote  ireehand  than  geometrical, 
and  well  show  the  artistic  skill  of  the  Superintendent,  Mr.  Moffatt.  who 
in  his  leisure  hours  is  as  much  at  home  with  the  eas-d  as  he  is  in  his 
tavourite  pursuit  as  a  recognised  specialist  in  carpet  bedding. 
The  show  was  held  in  ttree  tents,  two  at  right  angles  to  each  other, 
and  they  were  spacious  and  lofty.  Tne  rain  fell  in  copious  torrents  both 
the  first  and  second  day.  There  is,  perhaps,  in  England  no  show  that 
the  cruel  irony  of  Fate  has  had  such  an  exacting  effect  upon.  The 
Committee  and  the  newly  appointed  Secretary  deserve  therefore  the 
commiseration  of  everyone.  Referring  to  the  salient  points  of  the 
exhibition,  it  is  regretable  that  the  competition  is  not  so  good  as 
it  used  to  be.  Knowing  the  exhibition  for  thirty  years,  we  can  vouch  for 
what  we  say.  This  is  most  prouounced,  too,  in  the  more  important 
classes  for  exhibitors,  such  as  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  and  groups 
the  competition  was  very  bad  indeed,  and  it  it  were  not  for  the  splendid 
wuy  the  local  nurserymen  support  the  exhibition  by  their  magnificent 
groups  and  stands  of  plants  the  show  would  lose  much  of  its  effect  as  an 
exhibition.  The  strong  points  of  the  exhibition  were  the  magnificent 
exhibits  of  Roses,  which  certainly  never  were  surpassed  at  Newcastle, 
while  the  superb  collections  of  herbaceous  plants  were  most  attractive 
by  the  large  and  mussive  way  each  specimen  was  represented,  and  it  is 
questionable  if  better  have  been  staged  in  this  country. 
Table  decorations  were  of  a  unique  and  artistic  character,  which  is 
always  the  case  at  Newcastle.  These  include  epergnes,  baskets,  bridal 
and  ordinary  bouquets,  buttouholes,  all  of  which  were  of  very  high-class 
merit.  Also  mention  must  be  made  of  the  “  fireplace  decorations,”  which 
were  exceedingly  pretty,  and  no  doubt  it  practised  more  for  home 
adornment  would  have  a  cool  and  pleasing  eflict  in  drawing-rooms  duiing 
the  summer. 
Fruit  was  not  very  extensive,  nor  the  competition  keen;  but  some 
excellent  produce  was  staged,  and  for  the  season  highly  commendable 
exhibits  were  placed  on  the  exhibition  table.  Below  is  appended  the 
awards  of  the  Judges. 
For  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants  arranged  for  effect,  20  feet  by  30, 
Mr.  J.  McIntyre,  of  Darlington,  was  first  in  his  best  form,  and  showed 
what  can  be  done  by  good  taste.  The  groundwork  was  ino;6  ;  Palms  and 
Crotons  were  raised  on  vases,  and  covered  with  virgin  cork.  These 
plants  were  set  off  with  Caladiums  and  all  kinds  of  flowering  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants  ;  here  colour  and  effect  were  brought  in  to  harmonise 
with  each  other.  This  truly  shows  how  a  grand  effect  can  be  made 
sometimes  with  very  little  expense.  Mr.  B.  Jennings,  Newcastle,  was 
second  with  a  very  effective  arrangement.  Dracaenas,  Croton®,  double 
tubprous  rooted  Begonias  were  shown  in  this  section,  and  Mr.  J.  McIntyre 
was  first  in  each,  a9  well  as  for  six  table  plants,  which  were  of  even  size, 
and  consisted  of  small  plants  of  Drueaenas,  Crotons,  and  Palms. 
Collection  of  Roses  arranged  for  effect,  occupying  space  10  by  4  feet, 
Palm,  foliage  plants,  and  moss  to  be  allowed.  This  class  was  much 
admired  although  there  were  only  two  competitors.  The  Society  offered 
f  >r  first  £6  and  the  bronze  medal.  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  were 
firs',  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons,  Beaale,  second.  For  thirty-six  Roses 
there  were  four  competitors,  the  varieties  to  be  shown  in  triplets,  and  to 
consist  of  twelve  varieties.  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  were  first,  Me»srs. 
Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons.  Belfast,  second,  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll  third,  and 
Messrs.  CocUer&  Son  fourth.  The  first  stand  contained  Alfred  Colomb, 
Comtesse  de  Ludre,  and  Marchioness  of  Londonderry. 
For  forty-eight  Roses,  distinct  varieties,  £4  is  offered  for  first.  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll  were  first,  Harkness  &  Sons  second,  Alex.  Dickson 
and  Sons  third.  This  stand  was  the  centre  of  attraction,  as  truly  they 
were  a  grand  class  altogether.  In  the  first  the  best  (lowers  were  Horace 
