286 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  26,  1896. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall,  March  24th. 
The  Drill  Hall  presented  a  very  gay  appearance  on  Tuesday  last, 
when  the  Committees  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  met.  The 
number  of  exhibits  was  very  great,  and  the  quality,  broadly  speaking, 
left  little  to  he  desired.  For  the  first  time  this  season  the  members  of 
the  Narcissus  Committee  were  brought  together,  but  their  duties  could 
not  be  termed  heavy,  as  there  were  only  four  exhibits  staged.  The 
Floral  and  the  Orchid  Committees  were  much  busier,  and  many 
magnificent  flowers  were  placed  before  both  of  them.  The  display  of 
Orchids,  occupying  almost  the  whole  of  one  table,  was  a  singularly 
beautiful  one,  and  comprised  almost  all  the  forms  at  present  in  bloom. 
The  Fruit  Committee  was  not  very  much  pressed,  and  got  over  its  duties 
with  pleasing  expedition. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  Dr.  Hogg  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  Rev. 
W.  Wilks,  T.  F.  Rivers,  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cheal,  A.  F.  Barron,  G.  W. 
Cummins,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  G.  Pope,  G.  Norman,  F.  Q.  Lane, 
J.  Smith,  G.  Sage,  G.  Wythes,  A.  J.  Laing,  C.  Herrin,  W.  Pope,  A.  Dean, 
and  J.  Wright.  It  was  a  source  of  pleasure  to  the  members  to  see  the 
originator  of  this  Committee  (Dr.  Hogg)  able  to  attend  again  and  to 
preside  on  the  occasion. 
The  examples  submitted  for  examination  were  few,  as  they 
necessarily  must  be  at  this  period  of  the  year.  The  most  important 
contribution  from  a  cultural  point  of  view  was  a  collection  of  salads,  by 
Mr.  G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  Earl  Percy.  It  appeared  to  include  most 
kinds  of  salading  in  season  in  some  thirty  varieties,  and  a  silver  Banksian 
medal  was  awarded.  Mr.  Wythes  also  sent  excellent  dishes  of  Asparagus 
and  Seakale  (vote  of  thanks)  as  well  as  small,  close  white  heads  of 
Yeitch’s  Maincrop  Brocoli,  and  the  variety  was  referred  for  trial  at 
Chiswicfc. 
Mr.  W.  Troughton  sent  a  dish  of  the  old  culinary  Apple  Scotch 
Bridget,  the  large  angular  fruits  not  often  being  seen  in  the  South.  It 
is  a  useful  culinary  Apple,  much  grown  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Lancaster. 
Messrs.  Jarman  &  Co.,  Chard,  sent  a  dish  of  Apples  named 
Whiteway’s  Wimple  Wonder.  Some  experts  on  the  Committee 
considered  it  to  be  Grange’s  Pearmain,  and  they  well  agreed  with  the 
description  of  it  in  Dr.  Hogg’s  “  Fruit  Manual.”  The  Apple  is  there 
Baid  to  have  been  raised  by  Mr.  James  Grange,  a  market  gardener 
at  Kingsland,  Middlesex.  He  was  also  a  fruiterer  in  Covent  Garden 
on  the  premises  now  occupied  by  Mr.  James  Webber.  Mr.  Grange  died 
in  1829. 
Mr.  Rivers  sent  a  dish  of  Wagener  Apple,  a  medium-sized,  firm, 
waxy-looking  fruit,  with  a  tender  flesh  and  pleasant  flavour.  The  fruit 
is  yellow  flushed  with  crimson,  and  attractive  in  appearance.  It  is  said 
to  be  of  superior  quality  in  its  native  country.  America.  Mr.  W.  Bull, 
Ranesden,  Essex,  sent  a  small  seedling  Apple,  Sunset,  perhaps  in  refer¬ 
ence  to  its  rather  bright  colour.  On  the  fruit  being  cut  one  of  the 
members  compared  its  flavour  to  Cucumber  ;  but  another  thought  that 
scarcely  did  it  justice,  as  it  also  tasted  of  tallow  candle.  There  was  no 
dissentient,  and  the  suuset  ended. 
Some  useful  bottles  for  preserving  fruit  were  sent  by  Mr.  G.  Y.  de 
Lucca,  6,  Long  Lane,  Aldersgate  Street.  This  particular  form  is  known 
as  the  “  patent  self-closing  preserving  bottle,”  and  is  good.  The 
samples  exhibited  (some  of  them  containing  excellent  fruit  preserved  in 
pure  water  and  in  syrup)  were  pint  bottles  of  clear  glass.  Ttiey  are 
used  as  follows  : — The  fruits  are  gathered  dry  and  placed  in  the  bottles 
up  to  the  base  of  the  neck,  either  pure  water  or  syrup  is  then  poured  in 
till  the  fruit  is  covered  ;  but  the  liquid  not  reaching  within  somewhat 
less  than  an  inch  of  the  top  of  the  neck.  The  thin  metal  cap,  with  its 
indiarubber  ring,  is  then  pressed  down,  and  a  portable  steel  spring 
clipped  across  it  for  securing  it  in  position  during  the  process  of  boiling. 
The  bottles  are  placed  in  a  pan  of  cold  water,  which  is  boiled  and  kept 
boiling  for  fifteen  minutes,  then  taken  ofF  the  fire  to  cool.  When  cold 
the  spring  is  removed,  and  the  caps  are  as  firm  as  if  glued  down.  When 
the  fruit  is  wanted  for  use  the  cap  is  pierced  with  a  darning  needle,  aDd 
then  easily  removed.  The  contrivance  appears  simple  and  effectual, 
while  the  caps  are  said  to  be  as  cheap  or  cheaper  than  corks.  A  large 
bronze  medal  was  awarded. 
Floral  Committee.— Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  J.  Laing,  H.  B.  May,  H.  Herbst,  C.  T.  Druery, 
R.  Dean,  H.  Cannell,  J.  Hudson,  J.  F.  McLeod,  C.  J.  Salter,  W.  Bain, 
R.  M.  Hogg,  J.  D.  Pawle,  C.  E.  Shea,  H.  J.  Jones,  E.  Beckett,  T.  Peed, 
J.  Walker,  H.  Turner,  G.  Paul,  G.  Gordon,  J.  Jennings,  J.  Fraser,  and 
C.  Jeffries. 
A  very  fine  display  of  Cinerarias  came  from  Messrs.  Jas.  Carter  and 
Co.,  Holborn.  The  compact  nature  of  the  plants  gave  evidence  of  good 
culture,  while  the  variety  in  colour  left  little  to  be  desired  (silver  Flora 
medal).  Messrs.  J.  Peed  <&  Sons,  Norwood,  were  represented  by  a 
pleasing  group  of  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  in  which  was  noticed 
Hydrangeas,  Cypripediums,  Odontogdossums,  Ericas,  with  Caladiumr, 
Dracaenas,  Palms,  and  Ferns  (silver  Flora  medal).  The  group  staged  by 
Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate,  was  also  worthy  of  praise,  as 
Heaths,  Clivias,  Boronias,  Azaleas.  Carnations,  and  Palms  were  shown  in 
a  high  state  of  excellence  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
The  Rev.G.  H.  Eneleheart  sent  a  pleasing  little  collection  of  seedling 
Narcissi — hybrids  of  Narcissus  triandrus,  the  modest  blooms  of  which 
were  exceedingly  attractive.  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  showed  a  large 
collection  of  Daffodils  with  Fritillaria  pudica,  Trillium  grandiflorum. 
Muscari  botryoides  alba,  Anemone  appenina,  Primula  denticnlata, 
Doronicum  austriacum,  Iris  stylosa  marginata,  and  others  (silver  Flora 
medal). 
Amaryllis  and  alpine  plants  were  well  shown  by  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son, 
Cheshunt.  Amongst  the  latter  were  Iberis  saxatile,  Saxifraga  Mayli, 
Hepaticas  triloba  alba,  angulosa,  triloba  Barlowi,  and  triloba  ccerulea 
plena,  Aubrietia  aurea  variegata,  Arabia  lucida,  and  Aucnbas  japonica 
splendens  and  japonica  viridis  nana  (bronze  Banksian  medal).  Messrs. 
R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  sent  blooms  of  Iris  orchioides,  Fritillaria 
pudica,  and  Erythronium  Hartwegi.  Plants  of  Nidularium  Innocenti 
striatum  came  from  Mr.  W.  Bull,  Chelsea,  who  also  staged  a  group  of 
Imantophyllum  miniatum,  the  characteristics  of  which  were  well-grown 
plants  and  large  trusses  of  bloom.  Mr.  W.  Slogrove,  gardener  to 
Mrs.  Crawford,  Reigate,  sent  two  seedling  Clivias,  Mrs.  Crawford  and 
Salmon  Queen. 
Messrs.  T.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  sent  well-flowered  speci¬ 
mens  of  Crimson  Rambler  Rose  and  Deutzia  Lemoinei,  together  with 
plants  of  Leyceeteria  formosa  variegata  and  Asparagus  Sprengeri.  Plants 
of  Streptocarpus  gigantea  were  staged  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Son,  Forest 
Hill.  A  very  pale  form  of  Mardchal  Niel  Rose  came  from  Miss  B. 
Tomlinson,  Chellaston,  Derby. 
The  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  staged  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons, 
Swanlev,  were  exceedingly  striking,  and  consisted  of  such  varieties  as 
White  Lady,  Sherlock  Holmes,  Owen  Thomas,  Lord  Elgin,  Lord  Rose¬ 
bery,  Double  Jacoby,  Midsummer,  and  Pink  Domino  ;  included  in  the 
exhibit  was  a  novelty  in  white  Daisies,  The  Bride  (bronze  Banksian 
medal).  A  fine  group  of  Cyclamens  was  shown  bv  Mr.  J.  Wiggins, 
gardener  to  M.  Stacey,  Esq.,  West  Drayton  ;  the  plants  bore  traces  of 
excellent  culture,  and  were  furnished  with  an  abundance  of  substantial 
flowers  (bronze  Bauksian  medal).  A  high  standard  of  excellence 
was  noticed  in  the  groups  of  Cyclamen  staged  by  the  St.  George’s 
Nursery  Company,  Hanwell,  which  was  large,  and  composed  of  magnifi¬ 
cently  grown  plants,  while  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  blooms  left 
little  to  be  desired  (silver  Flora  medal). 
Yerv  commendable  was  the  group  of  Clivia3  staged  by  Messrs. 
B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  amongst  which  were  noticed 
fine  trusses  of  Holloway  Beauty,  Robusta,  Ambroise  Verschaffelt,  and 
Baroness  Schroder  ;  the  firm  also  staged  well- flowered  plants  of  Azalea 
mollis  (bronze  Banksian  medal).  A  large  group  of  Calla  Little  Gem 
was  staged  by  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  Aldenham  House,  Herts,  the  dwarf 
habit,  diminutive  blooms,  and  bright  green  foliage  of  which  were 
extremely  attractive  (silver  Banksian  medal).  H.  W.  Pownall,  Esq., 
St.  Margarets-on-Thames,  sent  eighteen  varieties  of  cut  Camellias, 
which  included  many  of  those  best  known. 
Mr.  Downes,  gardener  to  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  Esq.,  Cheshunt,  sent  a 
p’ant  of  the  Anthurium  Andreanum  var.  maximum.  Plants  of  a  new 
Fern,  Pteris  peculium,  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Stroud  Brothers, 
Finsbury  Park,  N.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  a  small  but 
superb  collection  of  Amaryllis,  which  included  Model,  Rosalind,  Excel, 
Eros,  Diamond,  and  Xantho  ;  the  same  firm  also  showed  flowers  of  their 
strain  of  Cinerarias. 
Very  striking  indeed  was  the  large  collection  of  Daffodils  staged  by 
Mes-rs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  which  included  such  favourites  as 
Golden  Spur,  Snowflake, ohvallaris,  Thomas  Moore.  Marchioness  of  Lome, 
Princeps,  Henry  Irving,  Horsefieldi,  Sir  Watkin,  Empress, Wm.  Goldring, 
Leedsi  amabilis,  and  Beauty.  The  same  firm  also  showed  Lachenalias, 
Chionodoxas,  Tulips,  and  other  hardy  flowers  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Orchid  Committee. — Present  :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  J.  O'Brien,  De  B.  Crawahay,  Norman  C.  Cookson.F.  Hardy, 
H.  M.  Pollett,  W.  H.  White,  J.  T.  Gabriel,  W.  H.  Protheroe,  H.  J.  Chap¬ 
man.  J.  G.  Fowler,  T.  W.  Bond,  E.  Hill,  H.  Williams,  J.  Jacques, 
H.  Ballantine,  and  A.  H.  Smee. 
The  Orchids  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Hueh  Low  &  Co.,  Upper  Clapton, 
made  a  bright  and  beautiful  display.  They  were  well  diversified,  and 
comprised  numbers  of  the  more  popular  kinds  and  varieties  of  Oionto- 
glossums,  Cattleyas,  Cypripediums,  Dendrobiums,  and  several  others 
(silver  Flora  medal).  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford, 
staged  a  number  ot  plants,  including  Cypripedium  Boxalli  excellens, 
C.  Warneri,  C.  selligerum  majus,  0 iontoglossum  Halli,  0.  Alexandras, 
0.  Ruckeri&num  Masoni,  O.  Lindeni,  Masdevallia  falcata,  Coelogyne 
speciosa  majus,  Maxiilaria  Sanderiana,  and  a  few  Dendrobiums  (silver 
Banksian  medal).  De  Barri  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Rosefield,  Sevenoaks,  sent 
a  plant  of  Odontoglossam  Coradini,  Rosefield  variety. 
Very  imposing  were  the  Orchids  from  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal 
Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea.  The  plants  were  remarkable  for  their  splendid 
health  and  for  the  many  brightly  coloured  and  finely  formed  flowers 
they  were  carrying.  Amongst  the  most  prominent  were  Platyclinis 
glumacea,  Lycaste  Skinneri,  Cymbidium  Eburneo-Lowianum,  C. 
Lowianum,  Cattleya  Trianse,  C.  Schioderas,  Phalmnopsis  Sanderiana, 
Oncidium  sarcodes,  Cypripediums  in  variety,  Dendrobiums  in  good 
numbers,  with  Odontoglossum  triumphans,  and  numerous  others  (silver 
Flora  medal). 
So  far  as  numbers  of  flowers  are  concerned,  the  group  of  Orchids 
Rtaged  by  Mr.  Wm.  Bull,  King’s  Road,  Chelsea,  was  very  conspicuous  ; 
but  quality  was  also  combined  with  quantity  to  a  marked  degree. 
Dendrobiums,  Oncidiums,  Odontoglossums,  Pnalasnopsis,  Cattleyas, 
Cypripediums  were  all  seen  in  excellent  health  (silver  Flora  medal). 
Mr.  IT.  N.  Tracey,  Twickenham,  sent  DeDdrobium  Devonianurn  and 
Pbalaauopsis  Stuartiana,  while  W.  T.  Ellis,  Esq.,  Dorking,  was  repre¬ 
sented  by  Maxiilaria  lepidota  and  a  fine  plant  of  Odontoglo@surrj 
Alexandras. 
