March  16,  1896. 
jnnntfAL  OP  fJORTlCULTcJUP  AKD  cottage  gardener 
265 
CRYSTAL  PALACE  SPRING  SHOW. 
The  Crystal  Palace  Company  opened  its  show  season  on  Saturday 
last  with  an  exhibition  of  spring  flowers.  Taken  as  a  whole  the  quality 
of  the  exhibits  was  only  fair,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  of 
the  principal  classes  the  competition  was  not  strong,  as  in  some  instances 
only  one  exhibit  appeared.  In  the  bulbous  section  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  was, 
as  usual,  the  chief  prizewinner,  his  exhibits  being  much  superior  to 
those  of  any  other  competitor.  Cyclamens  were  largely  represented, 
and  the  plants  throughout  showed  unmistakeable  signs  of  good  culture, 
while  the  competition  was  fairly  keen,  the  St.  George’s  Nursery  Company 
being  the  chief  prizewinner. 
Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Whitbourn,  Great  Gearies,  Ilford, 
occupied  the  premier  position  with  thirty-six  Hyacinths  in  pots,  his 
plants  being  exceedingly  well  grown,  and  of  pleasing  variety  in  colour. 
Mr.  Jas.  Gibson,  gardener  to  E.  H.  Watts,  Esq.,  Chiswick,  was  second 
with  an  exhibit  of  fair  quality,  and  the  third  place  was  taken  by 
Messrs.  Jas.  Winter  &  Son,  West  Norwood.  For  thirty-iix  Tulips  in 
pots  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  was  again  to  the  front  with  fine  examples,  and 
amongst  others  were  noticed  good  blooms  of  Proserpine,  Joost  Van 
Vondel,  Vermilion  Brilliant,  Keizers  Kroon,  and  Fabiola.  As  in  the 
former  class,  the  second  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  Jas.  Gibson,  the  third 
place  being  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Howe,  gardener  to  H.  Tate,  Esq  ,  Streatham 
Common. 
For  twenty-four  Polyanthus  Narcissus  the  premier  position  was 
taken  by  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  who  staged  sturdy  well-grown  plants.  Mr. 
W.  Howe  also  exhibited  good  plants,  which  were  awarded  the  second 
prize,  and  Mr.  Jas.  Gibson  followed  with  the  third.  Only  two  exhibits 
were  shown  in  the  class  for  twenty-four  Narcissus  (Daffodil  section). 
Mr.  W.  Howe  was  first  with  well-flowered  plants,  which  included  Golden 
Spur,  Horsefieldi,  Ard  Righ,  and  others,  the  second  place  being  taken  by 
Mr.  James  Gibson.  Cyclamens  were  undoubtedly  the  best  feature  in 
the  show,  and  in  the  class  for  thirty-six  the  St.  George’s  Nursery 
Company,  Hanwell,  claimed  the  highest  award  with  an  exhibit  the 
characteristics  of  which  were  abundance  of  flowers  on  sturdy  footstalks, 
together  with  substantial,  well-marked  foliage.  Mr.  J.  G.  Mowbray, 
gardener  to  Major  the  Hon.  H.  C.  Legge,  Slough,  wa»  second  with  an 
exhibit  of  little  less  merit,  and  Messrs.  Thos.  Pestridge,  Brentford,  and 
Thos.  Walker,  Hounslow,  equal  thirds.  Only  two  exhibits  appeared  in 
the  class  for  twelve  Amaryllis,  the  first  prize  going  to  Mr.  James 
Douglas  for  a  collection  of  seedlings,  and  the  second  to  Mr.  W.  Howe. 
Mr.  J.  R.  Box,  West  Wickham,  was  first  with  twelve  Cinerarias,  Mr. 
W.  Leakey,  gardener  to  J.  M.  Douglas,  Esq  ,  Upper  Norwood,  following 
with  the  second.  For  twenty-four  Chinese  Primula*  Mr.  Jas.  Bateman, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  King,  was  first  with  well-grown  examples,  and  Mr. 
J.  G.  Mowbrav  a  fair  second.  Mr.  T.  Jannoch  was  the  only  exhibitor  of 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  was  awarded  first  prize.  Mr.  Jas.  Wyatt, 
gardener  to  J.  Perry,  Esq.,  Caterham  Valley,  was  awarded  second  prize 
for  nine  Mignonette  plants,  he  being  the  only  exhibitor.  Mr.  Robert 
Wells,  Sydenham,  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  twenty-four  greenhouse 
Azaleas,  and  was  awarded  first  prize. 
Mr.  J.  Schumacher,  gardener  to  M.  Jacoby,  Esq.,  Gipsy  Hill,  was 
first  with  twelve  Hyacinths  in  pots,  and  C.  L.  Bathurst,  Esq.,  Penge, 
second.  For  a  like  number  of  Tulips  in  pots  the  first  prize  went  to 
Messrs.  James  Winter  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  and  the  second  to  Mr. 
James  Wyatt.  Messrs.  James  Winter  &  Son  were  first  with  twelve 
Daffodils,  being  the  only  exhibitor.  For  twelve  Cyclamens  Mr.  Thomas 
Crosswell,  gardener  to  W.  M.  Bullivant,  Esq  ,  Beckenham,  was  first  with 
well-flowered  plants.  Mr.  F.  Watts,  gardener  to  D.  J.  Trinder,  Esq., 
Caterham  Valley,  followed  with  the  second,  and  Mr.  James  Wyatt 
third. 
Well-grown  specimens  staged  by  Mr.  C.  Lane  were  awarded  the  first 
prize  in  the  class  for  twelve  Cinerarias,  this  being  the  only  exhibit.  Mr, 
M.  Webster,  gardener  to  E.J.  Preston,  Esq.,  Beckenham,  was  a  good 
first  with  twelve  Chinese  Primulas,  showing  fine  examples.  Mr.  C.  Lane 
was  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  W.  Slogrove,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Crawford, 
Reigate,  and  Mr.  E.  Mills,  gardener  to  F.  Lloyd,  Esq.,  Croydon,  equal 
third.  Mr.  James  Gibson  was  first  with  six  pots  of  Lily  of  the  Valley, 
second  Mr.  C.  Lane,  and  third  Mr.  W.  Slogrove. 
Several  meritorious  exhibits  appeared  in  the  class  for  a  group  of 
Cyclamens  arranged  with  small  Palms  and  Ferns  for  effect.  The  St. 
George’s  Nursery  Company  occupied  the  premier  position,  staging  superbly 
grown  plants.  Mr.  Thomas  Pestridge,  Brentford,  was  a  creditable 
second,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Walker,  Hounslow,  third. 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  were  the  only  exhibitors  in  the 
class  for  an  oval  group  of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  and  were  justly 
awarded  the  first  prize.  The  group  contained  Palms,  Dracaenas, 
Caladiums,  and  Crotons,  with  Clivias,  Cyclamen,  Arum  Lilies,  Odonto- 
glossums,  Dendrobiums,  Cattleyas,  and  other  flowering  plants,  the  whole 
producing  a  graceful  effect. 
Amongst  the  miscellaneous  exhibits  was  a  large  collection  of 
Camellias,  both  plants  and  cut  blooms,  from  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son, 
Waltham  Cross.  Mr.  J.  R.  Box,  Croydon,  staged  a  fine  group  of  well- 
grown  Cinerarias ;  another  exhibit,  also  fine,  coming  from  Messrs.  J.  James 
and  Son,  Slough,  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  were  repre¬ 
sented  by  a  handsome  group  of  forced  flowering  plants,  Hyacinths  ard 
Tulips  ;  and  from  Mr.  Theodore  Jannock,  Dersingham,  came  a  superb 
exhibit  of  Lily  of  the  Valley,  staged  in  an  exceedingly  tasteful  manner. 
Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  showed  Tulips, 
Hyacinths,  Clivias,  and  Lily  of  the  Valley  in  good  form. 
REGENT’S  PARK. 
With  regard  to  weather  the  Royal  Botanic  Society  was  very 
unfortunate  on  the  occasion  of  its  first  spring  exhibition  on  Wednesday, 
as  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day  the  rain  fell  in  torrents.  Dismal, 
however,  as  was  the  state  of  affairs  outside,  the  appearance  inside  the 
large  conservatory  was  in  all  respects  inviting,  the  show  of  flowers  being 
both  large  and  varied.  The  trade  was  greatly  responsible  for  this,  for 
whereas  the  non-competitive  portion  was  well  represented,  the  prizes 
offered  in  the  remaining  section  did  not  have  the  effect  of  bringing 
together  many  exhibitors,  as  several  of  the  classes  were  totally  unrepre¬ 
sented.  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  was  the  chief  prizewinner,  being  successful 
in  obtaining  the  highest  awards  in  most  of  the  principal  classes. 
The  inclemency  of  the  weather  was  unfortunate  for  the  Society,  aa  it 
would  doubtless  be  the  cause  of  preventing  many  visitors  from  attend¬ 
ing,  thus  rendering  it  mutually  disappointing,  aa  the  exhibition  as  a 
whole  was  quite  up  to  the  standard  of  its  predecessors  at  this  season  of 
the  year. 
Mr.  J.  Douglas,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Whitbourn,  Great  Gearies,  Ilford, 
was  easily  first  with  twelve  Hyacinths  in  pots,  showing  very  fine 
flowers.  Mr.  R.  Scott,  gardener  to  Miss  Foster,  Regent’s  Park,  followed, 
a  good  second.  The  first  named  exhibitor  was  also  to  the  front  with 
twelve  Tulips  in  pots,  his  exhibit  containing  very  fine  flowers  of  Keizers 
Kroon,  Joost  Van  Vondel,  Vermilion  Brilliant,  and  others,  and,  as  in 
the  former  case,  Mr.  Scott  was  second.  Mr.  Douglas  was  also  first  with 
twelve  pots  of  Narcissi,  the  second  prize  again  falling  to  Mr.  Scott. 
Crocuses  were  well  shown,  Mr.  Douglas  being  first  with  twelve  pans,  and 
Mr.  Scott  second. 
Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  and  Mr.  H.  Perkins,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  F.  D. 
Smith,  M.P.,  Henley-on-Thames,  were  equal  first  with  twelve  Amaryllis, 
each  exhibitor  showing  well-flowered  plants.  Mr.  M.  Webster,  gardener 
to  E.  J.  Preston,  Esq.,  Beckenham,  had  the  best  six  Primulas;  Mr.  Odell, 
Hillingdon,  being  second.  The  first  prize  for  six  greenhouse  Azaleas 
went  to  Mr.  Scott,  who  exhibited  shapely  and  well-flowered  plants.  Six 
remarkably  well  flowered  plants  of  Deutzia  gracilis,  shown  by  Mr. 
Douglas,  won  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for  them,  and  this  was  the  only 
exhibit. 
The  St.  George’s  Nursery  Company,  Hanwell,  showed  twelve  splendidly 
grown  plants  of  Cyclamen,  which  were  jus'ly  awarded  the  first  prize, 
Mr.  Pestridge,  Brentford,  also  staging  good  specimens  for  the  Becond 
award.  The  first  prize  for  a  collection  of  hardy  herbaceous  plants  was 
won  by  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  who  staged  a  pleasing  and  varied 
exhibit,  in  which  many  well-known  flowers  of  this  section  were 
represented. 
As  is  usual  at  the  Regent’s  Park  shows,  and  already  stated,  miscel¬ 
laneous  exhibits  were  the  principal  feature,  these  being  numerous,  and 
of  excellent  quality.  The  various  collections  were  staged  up  both 
sides  of  the  long  corridor,  and  the  mass  and  variety  of  bloom  were 
most  effective.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  were  represented 
by  a  large  collection  of  Narcissi  and  other  hardy  flowers.  Messrs. 
Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  a  collection  of  their  blue  Primrose*,  and 
a  small,  but  choice,  exhibit,  comprised  of  Orchids,  Amaryllis,  and  Ferns. 
T.  H.  Burrough,  Esq,,  sent  a  varied  exhibit  of  Anemone  flowers. 
Splendidly  grown  Cyclamen  came  from  Mr.  Odell,  Hillingdon,  the 
St.  George’s  Nursery  Co.,  Hanwell,  and  the  Church  Road  Nursery  Co., 
Hanwell.  Messrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  showed  a  fine 
collection  of  Camellias  and  Tea  Rosea  in  pots  ;  and  from  Messrs.  J.  Peed 
and  Son,  Norwood,  came  a  pleasing  group,  consisting  of  flower  and 
foliage  plants. 
Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  was  represented  by  a  large  collection  of 
Daffodils  and  Narcissi,  which  were  extremely  effective.  The  Hyacinths, 
Tulip*,  and  Clivias  staged  by  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Holloway, 
made  a  pleasing  show,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  award  too  much  praise 
to  the  tastefully  choice  arranged  group  of  flower  and  foliage  plants  sent 
by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Son,  Forest  Hill,  who  also  staged  a  small  collection 
of  Apples  and  Pears.  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush,  Highgate,  sent  a  large  and 
striking  exhibit  of  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Cyclamen,  and  forced  shrubj, 
which  were  most  effective.  A  good  group  of  Cyclamen  came  from  Mr. 
T.  Pestridge,  Brentford,  and  Messrs.  Jas.  Carter  &  Co.,  Holborn,  were 
represented  by  plants  of  their  new  Primula  Bouquet,  and  a  striking  mass 
of  well  flowered  Cinerarias. 
Messrs.  J.  James  &  Son,  Slough,  also  showed  good  Cinerarias,  and 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  staged  some  excellent  blooms  of  Tea  Roses. 
Mr.  Chas.  Turner.  Slough,  sent  a  plant  of  Calla  Elliottiana.  Mr.  Wells, 
gardener  to  T.  R  Richards,  Esq.,  Woodford,  sent  a  small  group  of 
Gloxinias.  Mrs.  Walter  Mole,  Kew,  sent  a  fire-screen  in  the  shape  of 
a  pretty  arrangement  of  Daffodils  and  Arum  Lilies  ;  and  Mr.  C.  Last, 
gardener  to  H.  0.  Hagan,  Esq.,  sent  a  well  grown  plant  of  Dracaena 
latifolia. 
GARDENERS’  CHARITABLE  AND  PROVIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 
The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution. — Secretary , 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  50,  Parliament  Street,  London,  W.C. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society. — 
Secretary ,  Mr.  W.  Collins,  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balham,  London,  S.  W. 
Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund.— Secret  ary,  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron, 
The  Royal  Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund,  Chiswick,  W, 
