m 
■fdtiRNAL  OP  HOPJPlGtJLTtJRE  AND  COTTA  OR  0  ARM  ft  DR. 
April  1886. 
Peaches,  or  Strawberries,  which,  having  a  heavy  show  of  bloom  year 
after  year,  what  may  be  the  consequences  of  the  supply  of  soluble 
sulphur  being  thus  used  up,  this  deficiency  being  spread  over  the 
thousands  of  blossoms  showing  on  a  single  tree?  How  far  this  would 
affect  the  potency  of  the  pollen  would  be  an  interesting  point  to 
determine,  because  independent  of  the  effects  of  frost  many  cases  are 
known  when  the  heaviest  show  of  bloom  has  resulted  in  a  thin  crop 
of  fruit  following  in  its  wake. — Azota. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL,  April  21st. 
The  display  of  flowers  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  was  a  brilliant 
one,  the  whole  of  the  Hall  being  packed  with  exhibits.  The  stands 
were  numerous,  and  the  products  of  an  exceptionally  high  quality,  for 
which  attribute  the  Orchids  were  conspicuous.  Narcissi  and  Vegetables 
were  well  though  not  largely  shown  before  the  respective  Committees. 
A  considerable  amount  of  space  was  occupied  by  the  exhibits  in  the 
Primula  and  Auricula  show,  a  report  of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present  :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  H.  Pearson,  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cbeal, 
A.  F.  Barron,  A.  II.  Pearson,  T.  Fife,  W.  H.  Divers,  G.  Norman, 
J.  Smith,  F.  Q.  Lane,  C.  Herrin,  W.  Popp,  T.  Farr.  J.  Willard,  T.  J. 
Miles,  A.  J.  Laing,  A.  Dean,  T.  H.  Crasp,  G.  Sage,  H.  Balderson,  and 
J.  Wright. 
Mr.  F.  Marsh,  Priory  Nursery,  Warwick,  sent  a  dish  of  Apples 
named  Countess  of  Warwick,  no  doubt  a  useful  Apple,  as  it  was  decided 
1o  be  either  Beauty  of  Kent  or  bore  such  a  close  resemblance  to  it  as  to 
preclude  its  being  regarded  as  a  distinct  variety. 
Mr.  H.  Thorne,  gardener  to  the  Maharajah  of  Durbungah,  sent  a 
Gourd— Lagenaria  vulgaris  clavata,  between  5  and  6  feet  long  and  12  to 
16  inches  in  circumference,  a  remarkable  specimen,  for  which  a  vote  of 
thanks  was  accorded. 
Mr.  Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  Ampthill,  sent  a  dish  of 
Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry.  Mr.  Wythes  also  sent  splendid  fruit 
grown  ten  to  each  forced  plant.  The  fruits  were  large,  fresh,  and 
bright,  a  cultural  commendation  being  unanimously  granted  for  both  the 
exhibits. 
Mr.  Wythes  sent  a  basket  of  heads,  1  to  3  inches  across,  of  Sutton’s 
Bouquet  Broccoli,  which  produces  six  to  eight  heads  to  a  plant;  also  a 
basket  of  Sutton’s  Late  Queen  Broccoli — excellent  heads,  but  no  award 
was  made. 
Mr.  J.  Crook,  The  Gardens,  Forde  Abbey,  Chard,  sent  excellent  fruits 
of  Sturmer  Pippin  Apples,  which  had  been  stored  in  cases  for  six 
months.  H°  also  sent  bulbs  of  Forde  Long  Keeper  Onion,  sown  in  the 
autumn  of  1894,  and  perfectly  sound  (vote  of  thanks). 
Mr.  G.  Page,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Fortescue,  Esq.,  Bonconna,  Lost- 
withiel,  sent  a  dish  of  Apple  Ironsides,  a  medium  size  crimBon  fruit, 
resembling  a  cider  variety,  and  no  award  was  made. 
Radishes  were  sent  from  Chiswicx,  Aqp  bunches  of  Vilmorin’s  Extra 
Early  Olive  shared,  scarlet ;  also  extra  Early  White,  the  earliest  at 
Chiswick,  sown  March  5th.  These  are  no  doubt  valuable  first  early 
Radishes,  they  bulb  quickly,  producing  very  little  leaf  growth.  The 
Chairman  brought  fruits  of  Bismarck  Apple,  admirably  kept,  and  in 
quality  quite  good  enough  for  des*ert  purpose. 
Mr.  Wythes  sent  an  excellent  collection  of  vegetables,  including 
very  fine  new  Potatoes,  also  superior  Asparagus,  Seakale,  Cabbage, 
French  Beans,  Mushrooms,  besides  Broccoli,  and  other  kinds.  Mr. 
Empson  also  staged  an  imposing  display  from  Ampthill,  including  mag¬ 
nificent  heads  of  Veitch’s  Model  Broccoli,  enormous  Leeks,  with 
Cabbages,  Seakale,  Asparagus,  Mushrooms,  Beans,  Potatoes,  and 
Cucumbers.  Silver  medals  were  granted  for  both  these  collections.  A 
large  display  of  bottled  fruits  and  vegetables  was  arranged  in  the 
particularly  convenient  and  excellent  glass  bottles  of  Messrs.  G  V.  De 
Luca,  Hill  &  Co.,  Long  Lane,  Aldersgate  Street.  A  bronze  medal  was 
granted  for  the  bottleB  at  a  previous  meeting,  and  this  was  now  super¬ 
seded  bv  a  silver  medal.  Some  of  the  fruits  were  in  syrup,  others  in 
pure  water,  and  all  good. 
Floral  Committee.— Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  H.  B.  May,  H.  Herbst,  J.  H.  Fitt,  G.  Stevens,  J  Jennings, 
Jas.  Hudson,  J.  F.  McLeod.  Thos.  Peed,  J  D.  Pawle,  Chas.  E.  Shea, 
H.  J.  Jones,  E.  Beckett,  R.  Owen,  G.  Pawle,  H.  Selfe  Leonard.  J.  Fraser, 
R.  M.  Hogg,  G.  Nicholson,  C.  Jefferies,  J.  Walker,  R.  Dean,  and 
H.  Turner, 
Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  was  represented  by  a  collection  of  hardy 
iloweis  in  the  form  of  an  attractive  group,  including  Spiraeas  multiflora 
compacta  and  astilboides,  Ranunculus  amplexicaulis,  Adonis  pyrenaica, 
Saxifraga  Camposi,  Fririllaria  meleagris,  Trillium  grandiflorum,  Primulas 
Sieboldi  in  variety,  Cvpripedium  pubescens,  Iris  pumila,  gold-laced 
Polyanthuses,  and  other  fine  flowers  of  similar  character.  Double  Ghent 
Azaleas  in  variety  came  from  the  nurseries  of  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Son, 
Highgate,  which  were  extremely  attractive,  and  composed  of  such  varie¬ 
ties  »s  Orphirie,  Raphael  de  Smet,  chromatella  major,  Aiethusa,  and 
Graf  Von  Meran. 
Messrs,  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  showed  hardy  flowers  in  great 
variety.  Amongst  others  were  noticed  Saxifraga  muscoides  purpurea, 
and  several  others,  Tiarella  cordifolia,  Alyssum  podolicum,  Andro¬ 
meda  polifolia,  Hutcbinsia  alpina,  Aubrietia  purpurea.  Phlox  stellaria, 
Primula  Cashmeriana,  Geum  moutanum,  and  Ribes,  ForBythias,  Lilacs, 
Spiraeas,  and  Prunuses  in  variety.  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood, 
as  usual  sent  a  pleasing  collection  composed  of  Azaleas.  Clivias,  Ericas, 
and  other  flowers  tastefully  arranged  with  Palms  and  Ferns,  the  whole 
forming  a  pretty  gToup. 
Messrs.  J  W.  Silver  &  Co.,  Norbury,  sent  plants  of  a  hardy  purple 
Primula  Dr.  Jameson,  of  compact  habit  and  apparently  very  floriferous. 
From  Mesirs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  came  a  fine  and  interesting 
proup  of  flower  and  foliage  plants,  consisting  of  Tillandsias  Zahni, 
Pimelea  spectabilis,  Epiphvllum  Russellianum  Gaertneri,  Boronia 
serrulata,  Maranta  majus,  Boronia  megastigma,  Nidularium  Meyen- 
Horfi,  Hydrangeas  japonica  rosea,  and  hortensis  variegata,  Calla 
ElliottiaDa,  Wistaria  sinensis,  Cerasus  pseudo-cerasus  (Waterers’ 
Cherry),  Rhododendron  Schlipoenbachi,  and  others. 
A  charming  collection  of  Ferns  came  from  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper 
Edmonton,  in  which  Pterises  serrulata  gracilis,  tremula  elegans,  Cretica 
Wimsetti,  and  Reginse,  Davallia  decora,  Adiantum*  farleyense,  rhodo- 
phyllum,  Veitchi,  Collisi,  and  tenerum,  together  with  various  others 
were  represented. 
A  superb  stand  of  Gloxinias  came  from  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons, 
Forest  Hill.  The  colours  were  splendidly  diversified  and  the  flowers 
were  of  much  size  and  substance.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  King  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  had  a  collection  of  Daffodils  comprising  almost  all  of 
the  leading  varieties.  The  same  firm  also  staged  a  few  hardy  Alpine 
plants,  including  Irises,  Dutch  Tulips,  and  others.  From  Messrs.  J. 
Cbeal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  came  a  varipd  and  interesting  collection  of  hardy 
flowering  shrubs,  besides  splendid  Violas  of  bedding  varieties  and  some 
Polyanthus  in  pots. 
Mr.  C.  Turner,  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough,  had  a  group  of  Primula 
Sieboldi,  including  the  major’!, y  of  the  best  named  varieties.  The  same 
firm  also  staged  a  plant  of  Calla  EUiotiana  and  flowers  of  Carnation 
Countess  Carrington.  Mr.  R,  Dean,  Ranelagh  Road,  Ealing,  sent  a 
collection  of  Primroses  of  various  colours  and  some  plants  of  gold-laced 
Polyanthuses.  Blue  Primroses  of  exceptionally  rich  hues  were  con¬ 
tributed  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  while  Mr.  W.  Bain, 
gardener  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  showed  Anthurium  Lawrence- 
anum  elegans. 
Large  and  brilliantly  effective  were  the  several  boxes  of  Roses 
exhibited  by  Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterburv.  AmongBt  the  most  conspicuous 
were  La  France,  Catherine  Mermet,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Mrs.  John  LaiDg, 
Madame  Montet,  Baroness  Rothschild,  and  The  Bride.  The  colour  in 
each  case  was  exceptionally  rich.  Wallflower  Eastern  Qaeen  was  shown 
by  Messrs.  Dobbie  A  C  Rothesav.  Mr.  J.  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon, 
showed  Roses  Niphetos,  MaiAchal  Niel  and  others,  arranged  in  boxes. 
Thov  were  exceedingly  attractive  Amaryllises  D  zzle,  Hon.  Maurice 
G  fford,  Dr.  Masters,  Leviathan,  Mrs.  Nottage  and  othi  rs,  with  some 
named  Paeonies,  came  from  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper 
Holloway. 
Mr.  J  Empson,  gardener  to  Mr*  Wingfield,  Ampthill,  Beds,  sent  a 
plant  of  Trillium  grandiflorum  in  a  14-inch  pot,  which  was  nothing  less 
than  a  mass  of  the  pure  white  flowers.  It  was  a  sph  ndid  example  of 
go  d  culture.  The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  Guildford,  was 
represented  by  a  collection  of  alpines  in  great  variety. 
Size,  diversity,  and  r  chness  of  colour  were  the  attributes  that  must 
be  attached  to  Mr.  Frank  Cant’s  exhibit  of  Roses  from  Colchester.  The 
flowers  were  comprised  in  four  boxes,  and  it  was  the  exception  to  find  a 
really  faulty  bloom.  Prominent  were  Madame  Gabriel  Lu'zet,  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  Mated al  Niel,  D  ■.  Andry,  Susanna  Mario  Rodocanachi,  Comtesse 
de  Nadaillac,  Dake  of  Wellirgton,  Nipheros,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Caroline 
Testout,  and  Ernes!  Metz.  J.  H.  Aikwright,  E  q.,  Leominster,  staged 
flowers  of  Primrose  Evelyn’s  Beacon;  and  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co., 
Colchester,  three  pots  of  Eiy  throniums,  including  a  charming  new  species 
named  E.  Johnsoni. 
A  pretty  proup  of  hardy  flowers  was  sent  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Divers, 
parcener  to  the  Duke  of  Rutland,  Bel  voir  Castle,  Grantham,  and 
included  Irises,  Rhododendrons,  Camellias,  and  many  others. 
Competitive  Exhibits. — A.  Kingsmill,  Esq.,  Harrow  Weald,  was 
awarded  a  first  prize  for  eighteen  varieties  of  Narcissus,  showing 
amongst  others  Stella,  Ellen  Barr,  Frank  Mills,  Autocrat,  Mrs.  Langtry, 
Barri  conspicuus,  Beanty,  and  Harper  Crewe.  The  same  exhibitor  was 
first  with  eight  varieties  of  yellow  and  bicolor  Ajax  Narcissi,  showing 
Empress  Mr.  J.  Berkeley,  Princess,  Horsefieldi,  Major,  and  others.  The 
Rev.  G.  H.  Englehiart,  Andover,  was  also  awarded  a  first  prize  for  a 
group  of  Narcissi,  which  contained  some  beautiful  flowers  of  the 
poeticus  section. 
Orchid  Committee. — Brightly  beautiful  was  the  group  of  Orchids 
arranged  by  Messrs.  J  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea.  Excellent  health 
characterised  the  many  splendidly  flowerpd  plants,  amongst  which  the 
most  conspicuous  were  Lasli*  latona,  Lselio-Cattley a  Pallas,  Cattleya 
Lawrencenna,  C.  Mendeli,  C.  Sohibierse  eximia,  C.  S.  aurea,  Lycaste 
cruenta  Rossiana,  Cypripedium  Drurio- Hooker  ae,  Dendiobium  Wiganiae, 
Cymbidiums,  Oocidium  varicosum  Rogersi,  Odontoglossums  in  variety 
and  many  others  (silver  Flora  medal). 
Messrs.  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  Upper  Clapton,  staged  a  charming  exhibit 
including  Cattleva  Lawrenceana  grandis,  Odontogloasum  luteo-pur- 
pureum  magnificum,  Cy pripediums,  Dendrobiums,  Oncidiums,  and 
others.  Mr,  W.  E.  Ledger,  5,  Wilion  Road,  Wimbledon,  sent  a  plant  of 
Dendrobium  linpueforrae.  and  Mr.  J.  Douglas,  Great  Gearies,  flowers 
of  Phaius  Cooksoni.  De  Barri  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Sevenoaks,  sent  Odonto- 
glossum  Andersonianum  hebraicum  and  O.  A.  Rosefield  variety;  G.  W. 
Schofield.  Esq.,  Rawksfield,  exhibiting  Cypripedium  Schnfieldianum. 
Mr.  W.  Buckill,  gardener  to  M.  S.  Cooke,  Esq.,  Kingston  Hill, 
