380 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  23,  1898. 
DAFFODILS  AT  DITTON. 
To  almost  all  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  the  above 
beading  will  have  a  very  familiar  ring,  and  one  which  is  always  synony¬ 
mous  with  something  good.  Those  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  be 
able  to  visit  the  Daffodil  show  at  Regent’s  Park  last  week  could  not  fail 
to  be  impressed  by  the  magnificent  collection  of  flowers  that  was  staged 
by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  King  Street.  Covent  Garden,  and  which  so  well 
represented,  though  on  a  very  small  scale,  the  extent  and  diversity  of 
these  flowers  as  they  are  grown  at  Ditton.  But  to  grasp  to  the  full  the 
beauty  of  these  Narcissi  they  should  have  been  seen  at  home  a  few  days 
ago,  as  they  doubtless  were  by  many  thousands  of  people,  when  acres  of 
the  delicately  hued  flowers  were  at  the  summit  of  their  beauty. 
For  some  few  years  in  succession  it  has  been  the  privilege  of  the 
writer  to  see  these  large  nurseries  at  more  than  one  time  in  each  season, 
and  the  visits  are  still  as  full  of  interest,  and  anticipated  with  as  much 
pleasure  as  when  the  initial  pilgrimage  was  made.  One  is  certain  to 
find  much  to  engage  the  attention  at  all  times,  but  never  more  than  iu 
the  DafEcdil  days,  when  besides  these  may  be  seen  Muscaris  from  pale 
blue  to  almost  black  ;  Hyacinths  of  all  colours;  the  famous  “  Rainbow  ” 
Tulips,  ably  upholding  their  name  ;  besides  other  plants  m  large 
numbers.  There  are  those  that  interest  the  gardener,  and  others  that 
arrest  the  footsteps  of  the  botanist ;  but  it  was  as  one  of  the  former 
that  I  made  my  way  to  Surbiton  by  train,  and  thence  on  foot  to  the 
nurseries,  and  1  propose  to  mention  a  few  varieties  that  appeared 
particularly  striking,  and  thus  most  useful  to  my  brethren  of  the 
craft. 
At  the  show  above  mentioned  the  flower  of  flowers  in  this  firm’s 
stand — in  fact  in  the  whole  exhibition — was  unquestionably  Weardale 
Perfection,  with  its  massive,  upstanding  yellow  and  white  blooms.  But 
equal  to  it  in  every  way  at  Ditton  was  Glory  of  Leyden,  which  is 
fortunately  quite  distinct  from  the  first  named  in  colour,  and  thus  may 
advantageously  be  grown  side  by  side  with  it  in  the  garden.  The 
immense  flowers  of  this  one  are  yellow  in  shade,  and  very  imposing. 
Quite  as  beautiful,  though  in  perhaps  a  more  modest  way,  was  Madame 
de  Graaff,  of  which  the  perianth  is  almost  pure  white,  and  the  trumpet  a 
singularly  pleasing  shade  of  pale  lemon  yellow.  While  these  three 
stand  pre-eminent  in  the  Ajax  section,  there  are  many  others  of  great 
merit,  and  of  which  bulbs  may  be  bad  at  considerably  lower  prices. 
Amongst  these  may  be  mentioned  Emperor,  Empress,  P.  R.  Barr, 
Horsefieldi,  Santa  Maria,  maximus,  Mrs.  H.  J.  Elwes.  Marchioness  of 
Dome,  Lady  Groevenor,  Dean  Herbert,  Johnstoni  Queen  of  Spain, 
Gulden  Spur,  Henry  Irving,  and  Golden  Vase,  the  majority  of  which 
will  be  perfectly  familiar  to  Journal  readers. 
Turning  now  to  the  section  of  which  a  medium-sized  crown  is  the 
predominating  feature,  we  come  to  some  of  the  most  beautiful  members 
of  tbe  whole  family,  which  is  useful  alike  for  providing  ornaments  in 
vases  and  other  receptacles  in  the  house,  as  well  as  for  the  adornment  of 
the  garden.  Their  utility  does  not,  however,  end  here,  as  most  of  the 
varieties  are  admirably  adapted  for  culture  in  pots  in  the  greenhouse, 
though  as  a  matter  of  fact  there  are  forms  in  each  of  the  sections  that 
are  in  every  respect  suitable  for  this  purpose.  Of  all  the  varieties  in 
this  section,  new  or  old,  none  is  more  popular  than  Sir  Watkin,  and  one 
would  be  almost  justified  in  terming  it  the  king  of  Medii-coronati.  No 
space  need  be  wasted  in  describing  it,  so  well  is  it  known.  C.  J.  Back¬ 
house  is  extremely  beautiful,  the  perianth  segments  being  yellow,  while 
tbe  rather  long  cup  is  deeply  margined  with  orange-scarlet.  It  is  a 
favourite  with  almost,  everyone  who  knows  it,  and  tbe  same  may  be  said 
of  the  well-known  Barri  couspicuus,  which,  though  it  has  been  in 
commerce  some  years  now,  is  still  one  of  the  most  extensively  culti¬ 
vated.  At  Ditton  there  was  a  drift  of  this  variety  which  our  guide 
computed  to  contain  100,000  bulbs,  a  number  that  most  people  would 
consider  ample.  It  may  be  interesting  to  note  that  to  several  sorts  quite 
as  la'ge  pieces  of  ground  are  devoted. 
Gloria  Mundi,  though  much  larger  than  Barri  conspicuus.  reminds 
one  very  forcibly  of  that  variety  by  reason  of  its  colour,  while  Barri 
Sensation  has  white  instead  of  yellow  perianth  segments,  and  a  canary 
yellow  cup.  Besides  Ihose  mentioned  there  are  a  number  of  varieties  of 
the  Leedsi  type,  many  of  which  are  supeib.  and  all  charming.  Many  of 
the  forms  are  possessed  of  a  delicate  fragrance  that  is  very  pleasant, 
and  assists  materially  in  extending  their  popularity.  Grand  Duchess, 
Katherine  Spurred,  Minnie  Hume,  and  Duchess  of  Westminster  are  four 
of  the  best.  Included  also  in  this  section  are  the  varieties  of  Back- 
housei,  Nelsoni,  Bernardi,  odorus,  triandrus,  and  Humei,  all  of  which 
are  possessed  of  a  considerable  share  of  beauty,  and  consequently 
are  somewhat  extensively  grown. 
Group  three  is  termed  Parvi-coronati,  the  small  crowned  or  true 
Narcissus,  in  which  the  forms  of  Burbidgei,  poet.icus,  and  jonquilla  are 
the  most  conspicuous.  Of  the  former  Ellen  Barr,  Princess  Louise, 
Model,  and  Falstaff  are  very  fine,  while  of  the  poeticus  the  premier 
position  may  be  accorded  to  poetarura.  Then  everyone  knows  the 
ordinary  form  that  is  so  largely  grown,  as  well  as  the  earlier-blooming 
ornatus  which  is  such  a  favourite  with  most  growers.  Grandiflorus 
is  well  named  and  it  vi  b  tripodalis  roust  not  be  despised. 
Mention  so  far  has  not  been  made  to  the  many  double  varieties  that 
were  in  flower.  The  common  double  Daffodil  (telamonius  plenus)  was 
in  grand  form  ;  Queen  ADne’s  Double  was  beautiful,  while  the  varieties 
of  iDComparabilis  known  as  Codlirs  and  Cream,  Butter  and  Eggs,  and 
Eggs  and  Bacon  with  the  double  Jonquils  lent  a  colour,  diversity, 
interest,  and  beauty  to  what  is  probably  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
complete  collections  of  Daffodils  in  this  country. — Visitor. 
SPRING  SHOWS. 
BRIGHTON. — April  14th  and  15th. 
This  was  not  the  best  exhibition  of  spring  flowers  and  plants  we 
have  seen  in  the  Dome  and  Corn  Exchange  under  the  Dew  management, 
but  if  it  contained  no  startling  exhibits  there  were  few  bad  ODes.  Groups 
were  pretty,  especially  the  first  and  second  in  the  higher  class,  and  if 
Mr.  J.  Turner,  gardener  to  Sir  Greville  Smythe,  Wick  Hall,  Hove,  had 
a  trifle  more  colour  he  would  no  doubt  have  been  placed  in  front  of  Mr. 
G.  Miles,  Dyke  Road,  Brighton.  Mr.  Miles  has  been  very  successful 
with  groups,  setting  up  our  commonest  greenhouse  plants  with  better 
effect  than  the  majority  obtain  with  choicer  specimens. 
Mr.  G.  Simms,  gardener  to  C.  J.  Inwood,  Esq.,  Dyke  Road,  Brighton, 
won  with  a  group  open  to  gentlemen’s  gardeners,  and  Mr.  J.  Lewis, 
37,  Preston  Road,  Brighton,  was  a  good  first  with  one  open  to 
amateurs  only.  Orchids  were  poor,  Mr.  H.  Garnett,  gardener  to  R. 
Fletcher,  Esq.,  being  first  for  a  small  table  of  only  second  rate  merit. 
Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Mignonette,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Lachenalias,  and 
Primulas  were  numerous  and  of  fairly  good  quality.  One  of  the  most 
successful  competitors  was  Mr.  M.  Tourle,  gardener  to  F.  Borchard,  Esq., 
Little  Horsted. 
As  usual,  Mr.  E.  Meachin,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Armstrong,  Woodslee, 
Preston,  was  prominent  in  many  classes,  some  of  his  best  exhibit*  beiDg 
Cyclamen,  Hydrangeas,  Show  and  Fancy  Pelargoniums,  Deutzias, 
Azaleas,  Callas,  Roses  in  pots,  and  table  decoration.  Cut  Roses  were 
indifferent.  In  one  box  of  twelve  no  less  than  five  were  wrongly 
named.  Mr.  G.  Miles  was  first  in  a  class  for  twelve  blooms,  and  Mr. 
T.  Fairs  second.  For  six  table  plants  Messrs.  W.  Miles  &  Co.,  Hove, 
were  awarded  first  ;  Mr.  L.  Wickens,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Dawson  Rowley, 
Chichester  House,  Kemp  Town,  winning  with  a  very  neat  and  pretty 
table  of  plants  arranged  for  effect. 
Some  good  stands  of  non-competitive  exhibits  were  set  up,  among 
the  best  beiDg  Messrs.  Balcbin  &  Sons,  Brighton  and  Hassocks,  who  had 
some  well-grown  Azaleas,  Liliums,  Boronias,  Acacias,  and  Anthuriuma, 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  staged  a  magnificent  collection  of 
Narcissi  ;  aDd  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate,  a  fine  Btand  of  mixed, 
chiefly  of  hard  wooded  greenhonse  plants. 
NEWCASTLE. — April  15th  and  16th. 
At  the  Newcastle  spring  flower  show,  which  was  held  on  tbe  above 
dates,  tbe  display  was  considered  to  be  tbe  best  in  the  experience  of 
the  Society  for  the  time  of  year.  In  some  respects  there  was  a  slight 
falling  off  in  the  number  of  entries,  owing  to  cause*  that  are  easily 
accounted  for  ;  but  some  of  the  classes,  on  the  other  hand,  were  charac¬ 
terised  by  a  considerable  addition  of  strength.  Perhaps  the  most  impor¬ 
tant  feature  of  the  exhibition  was  tbe  display  of  bulbs.  There  was, 
says  a  local  contemporary,  quite  a  remarkable  presentation  of  Hyacinths, 
the  competition  being  so  keen  that  in  two  or  three  cases  the  judges 
were  compelled  to  point  the  flowers.  Double  Tulips  also  were  worthy 
of  special  mention  ;  as  a  matter  of  fact  there  has  never  been  such  a 
froe  show  of  this  flower  in  the  annals  of  the  Society.  Orchids  were 
more  numerous  and  ol  finer  quality  than  usual,  and  the  groups  were  the 
subject  of  great  admiration.  Amongst  miscellaneous  exhibits  Mr. 
Oliver  of  Eslington,  gardener  to  Lord  RaveDsworth.  had  a  group  of 
hardy  Primroses  and  Violets  ;  and  Messrs.  W.  Fell  &  Co.  of  Hexham  a 
fine  stand  of  foliage  plants.  The  arrangements  were  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  J.  J.  Gillespie,  juD.  (Secretary),  and  members  of  the  Council. 
In  the  open  division  the  premier  award  for  a  group  of  miscellaneous 
flowering  and  foliage  plants  arranged  for  effect,  went  to  Mr.  J.  McIntyre 
for  a  charming  exhibit,  Mr.  J.  Wood,  Morpeth,  the  only  other  com¬ 
petitor,  beiDg  second.  In  the  class  for  three  plants  of  Azalea  indica  in 
distinct  varieties.  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  was  again  first,  Mr.  H.  Hillier  being 
second  and  Mr.  P.  Blanchard  third.  For  three  Orchids,  distinct,  Mr.  T. 
Wheeler  secured  the  leading  position,  followed  by  Mr.  J.  Wood,  while  in 
tbe  class  for  four  Dielytra  spectabilis  the  prizes  went  to  Messrs.  W.  Pitt 
and  W.  J.  Boyd  as  named.  For  four  pots  of  Amaryllis,  Mr.  J.  Wood 
w»s  first,  Mr.  J.  MclDtvre  second,  and  Mr.  D.  Wylam  third.  Mr.  T. 
Wheeler  secured  the  premier  prize  in  the  class  for  four  Deutzia  gracilis, 
Mr.  P.  Blanchard  being  second,  and  Mr.  G.  Corbett  third. 
Mr.  J.  McIntyre  again  took  the  lead  in  the  class  for  six  plants  of 
Spiraea  japonica  with  highly  creditable  examples  ;  tbe  second  and  third 
prizes  going  to  Messrs.  J.  Wood  and  J.  Charlton  in  the  order  of  their 
names.  For  six  Cinerarias  Mr.  W.  Pitt  was  first,  Mr.  W.  J.  Boyd  second, 
and  Mr.  T.  Wheeler  third.  In  the  class  for  six  Chinese  Primulas  Mr. 
G.  McDougail  wan  first,  Mr.  J.  Wood  second,  and  Mr.  T.  Mitchell  third. 
For  four  pots  of  Cyclamen  persicum  Mr.  Jos.  Gardner  was  first,  Mr. 
W.  J.  Boyd  being  second,  and  Mr.  F.  Edmondson  third.  Messrs. 
W.  Handysides  and  J.  McIntyre  were  the  prize  akers  for  six  pots  of  Lily 
of  the  Valley ;  while  for  six  plants  suitable  for  table  decoration  the 
prizes  went  to  Messrs.  J.  McIntyre  and  G.  Wbeeler  in  tbe  order  in  which 
tbe  names  are  here  given.  Auriculas  aDd  Polyanthuses  were  staged  in 
fair  numbers  and  condition,  amongst  the  chief  prizewinners  being  Messrs. 
R.  Patterson,  T.  E.  Hay,  Geo.  Lee,  and  J.  Cowthorne. 
As  already  stated,  the  Hyacinths  made  a  brilliant  display,  and  proved 
a  tremendous  attraction  to  the  visitors.  For  twenty-four,  in  not  less 
than  twelve  varieties,  one  in  each  pot,  Mr.  G.  McDougail  was  first,  Mr.  T. 
Wheeler  second,  and  Mr.  D.  Wylam  third.  For  twelve,  in  not  less  than 
nine  varieties,  Messrs.  T.  Wheeler,  D.  Wylam,  and  J.  Woodlenham  took 
the  awards  as  named.  Tbe  winner  for  nine  pots  of  single  Tulips  was 
Mr.  G.  McDougail,  followed  by  Mpssrs.  J.  Woodfenbaro  and  T.  Wheeler. 
For  six  pots  of  dojrble  Tulips  tbe  fiisb  and  second  prizes  went  as  in  the 
