May  14,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
453 
containing  Wallflowers.  Again  in  the  kitchen  garden  two  large  square 
beds  may  be  seen  with  raised  centres,  which  show  off  the  flowers  to 
perfection.  In  one  bed  Covent  Garden  Blood  Red  forms  the  centre, 
edged  with  Golden  Tom  Thumb,  and  in  the  other  Primrose  Dame  and 
Blood  Red,  each  intermixed  with  MyoBotis  and  Arabia.  A  short  walk 
across  the  garden  brings  us  to  the  centre,  where  are  four  square  beds. 
In  these  are  the  same  varieties  as  before  mentioned.  Rarely  are  Wall¬ 
flowers  seen  to  such  perfection  as  those  at  Ingestre  at  the  present  time. 
Leaving  the  Wallflowers  we  enter  the  vineries,  and  find  even  crops, 
the  earliest  house  showing  good  bunches  of  Black  Hamburghs  and 
Foster’s  Seedling;  the  next  is  the  Muscat  house,  with  fine  young  rods 
aDd  looking  well.  In  the  other  vineries  we  noticed  Black  Hamburgh, 
Madresfield  Court,  Lady  Downe’s,  Gros  Maroc,  and  Trebbiano,  which 
ought  to  give  a  good  account  of  themselves  in  the  coming  season.  The 
Peach  and  Fig  houses  are  likewise  excellent,  the  latter  containing  an 
enormous  crop.  Crossing  the  garden  to  the  Tomato  house  we  see  an 
extremely  good  show  of  fine  ripe  fruit,  chiefly  Frogmore  Selected,  Lady 
Bird,  and  Ham  Green  Favourite.  The  Strawberries  must  not  be 
forgotten.  The  shelves  in  the  houses  are  laden  with  pots  for  succession, 
and  some  ripe  fruit  of  Noble  caught  my  eye. 
Visiting  the  Palm  house  we  find  before  us  large  Kentiag  which  are 
grown  for  decorative  purposes,  also  some  good  Areca  lutescens  and 
several  other  beautiful  plants  too  numerous  to  mention.  Ferns,  Orchids, 
Crotons,  and  Pines  all  find  a  place  in  the  houses.  Ingestre  is  noted  for 
Melons,  and  we  noticed  some  fine  ripe  fruit  as  we  passed  through  the 
houses.  Cucumbers  are  grown  to  perfection,  amongst  which  Allen’s 
Favourite  is  conspicuous  by  its  length.  Going  back  to  the  conservatory, 
we  are  again  among  Palms.  At  each  end  of  the  conservatory  is  some 
rockwork  forming  arches,  on  which  various  plants  are  growing. 
The  paths  are  kept  with  scrupulous  care,  and  altogether  the  visitor 
is  struck  with  the  fine  appearance  of  the  Hall  and  its  charming 
surroundings.  We  trust  these  beautiful  grounds  and  gardens  will  still 
retain  their  high  reputation,  which  is  mainly  owing  to  the  much  respected 
gardener,  Mr.  Gilman. — Observer. 
HIPPEASTRUMS  AT  AIGBURTH. 
In  a  short  preface  announcing  their  exhibition  of  Amaryllis  Messrs. 
R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons  give  a  brief  note  on  the  early  history  of  the  Amaryllis, 
in  which  they  state  that  the  original  species,  Amaryllis  aulicum, 
equestre,  psittacinum,  and  Reginae,  were  introduced  to  gardens  quite  a 
century  ago.  Numerous  beautiful  varieties  were  obtained,  which  figure 
largely  in  the  garden  literature  of  the  first  half  of  this  century  ;  but 
these,  from  a  florist’s  point  of  view,  were  all  defective,  and  their  culture 
declined  until  the  advent  some  twenty  years  ago  of  two  new  species, 
Amaryllis  Leopoldi  and  pardina  from  the  valleys  of  the  Peruvian  Andes. 
These  were  so  different  from  the  existing  sorts  that  growers  hybridised 
them  with  the  finest  of  the  old  varieties,  and  it  speedily  became  appa¬ 
rent  that  they  would  prove  of  great  potency  in  the  further  improvement 
of  these  plants.  This  hope  has  been  fulfilled  to  a  large  extent,  and 
varieties  richer  and  more  varied  in  colour,  of  flue  form  and  vigorous 
growth,  have  been  produced. 
Impressed  with  the  beauty  of  these  newer  varieties  and  their  growing 
popularity,  and  believing  that  still  further  progress  could  be  made  in 
colour,  form,  and  freedom  of  flowering,  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons  a  few 
years  since  purchased  the  choicest  varieties.  These,  under  the  careful 
and  painstaking  manager,  Mr.  Hugh  Ranger,  have  been  cross-fertilised 
with  the  utmost  care  and  discrimination  so  as  to  produce  perfect  flowers. 
That  they  have  succeeded  is  beyond  doubt,  and  whatever  objection  some 
people  may  have  as  to  the  usefulness  of  the  Amaryllis  must  be  entirely 
dispelled  when  such  an  exhibition  can  be  seen  as  the  one  that  has  for 
the  past  two  or  three  months  been  attracting  visitors  from  all  parts  of 
the  kingdom  to  Messrs.  Ker  &  Sons’  Aigburth  Nurseries. 
So  large  has  become  the  trade  in  them  that  several  large  span-roofed 
houses  containing  many  thousands  are  now  devoted  to  them.  In  the 
flowering  house  one  might  well  call  them  the  most  gorgeous  and  beau¬ 
tiful  of  all  bulbous  plants,  for  almost  every  shade  of  colour  was  to  be 
seen,  many  carrying  two  scapes  to  a  bulb,  some  having  seven  flowers 
on  a  scape.  Many  named  forms  were  to  be  seen,  but  I  contented 
myself  with  taking  down  some  of  the  most  beautiful  from  the  collection. 
Amongst  the  best  were  : — Darks  and  Selfs. — Sultan,  The  Moor,  Black 
Prince,  and  Terentian.  Scarlet  and  Orange  Scarlet. — Scarlet  King, 
Ladas,  and  Cynthia.  Light  Scarlet  and  Green  Throat. — Puritan,  The 
Warrior,  and  Lothair.  Light  Ground,  Suffused  with  Rosy  Salmon. — 
Aspasia,  Melpomene,  and  Daphne.  Pure  White  Ground,  Red  Markings. — 
The  Queen,  Fairy  Queen,  and  Midas.  Each  year  sees  a  closer  approach 
to  pure  white,  and  amongst  flowers  of  different  types  two  stood  almost 
ideals — viz.,  album  and  albescenB.  Probably  no  two  out  of  the  collec¬ 
tion  pleased  me  more  than  Marmorata,  quite  a  new  break  in  colour, 
being  deep  salmon  slightly  marbled  white  ;  and  Rosy  Belle,  pure  white 
ground  with  lively  rose  markings.  Messrs.  Ker  &  Sons  are  to  be  highly 
congratulated  on  so  excellent  a  collection. 
To  those  about  commencing  their  culture  a  brief  note  may  be  of 
assistance.  After  flowering  place  them,  if  available,  in  a  warm  house,  or 
the  warmest  part  of  a  greenhouse.  Water  freely  until  the  end  of  August, 
when  water  should  be  gradually  withheld  and  the  bulbs  allowed  to  go 
to  rest.  By  the  beginning  of  October  the  pots  may  be  laid  on  their 
sides  under  the  greenhouse  stage.  If  they  are  required  to  bloom  in 
December  or  January — and  that  they  will  do  if  properly  cared  for — 
they  should  be  placed  in  a  temperature  of  60°  or  65°  about  the  middle  of 
November,  but  if  not  required  so  early  they  may  be  started  about  the 
middle  of  January,  50°  to  55°  suiting  them  well ;  water  sparingly  at 
first.  The  best  time  to  pot  the  bulbs  is  just  before  starting  them,  the 
compost  two-thirds  good  loam,  one-third  leaf  mould,  and  a  little  sand 
will  suit  them  admirably. — A  Visitor. 
ROYAL  BOTANIC  SOCIETY. 
May  I3th. 
Beautiful  weather  prevailed  on  the  event  of  the  summer  show 
in  Regent’s  Park  on  Wednesday,  but  the  exhibition  was  disappointing 
owing  to  the  extreme  scarcity  of  competitors.  The  show  was  practically 
made  up  of  nurserymen’s  miscellaneous  exhibits,  and  it  is  somewhat 
remarkable  that  though  money  prizes  were  offered  in  twenty-four  classes, 
three-fourths  of  these  were  entirely  unrepresented,  and  in  no  class  was 
there  more  than  one  exhibit.  This  condition  of  affairs,  to  say  the  least  of 
it,  is  most  unsatisfactory,  especially  when  we  remember  the  magnificent 
exhibitions  that  used  to  be  held  in  Regent’s  Park.  The  exhibition,  as 
in  former  years,  was  held  in  a  large  marquee  erected  for  the  purpose, 
the  groups  of  plants  and  flowers  being  arranged  on  the  sloping  banks, 
amongst  which  the  winding  pathways  intersect,  making  it  an  almost 
ideal  spot  for  a  flower  show.  Much  less  space,  however,  would  have 
sufficed  for  the  exhibits  present,  as  the  appearance  was  not  improved 
by  the  attempts  made  to  fill  up  space  by  spreading  them  out.  We  hope 
tbere  was  not  also  such  a  great  falling  off  amongst  the  visitors,  or  it 
will  be  still  more  discouraging  to  the  Society.  As  already  stated,  the 
miscellaneous  exhibits  were  the  only  feature,  and  amongst  these  were 
several  excellent  collections  of  Roses,  both  plants  in  pots  and  cut  blooms 
being  excellently  shown.  Hardy  flowers,  too,  were  well  represented,  and 
a  special  word  of  praise  is  merited  to  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son  for  a  fine 
collection  of  early  forced  Nectarines  in  pots.  An  account  of  the  principal 
exhibits  is  herewith  appended. 
Mr.  Geo.  Cragg,  gardener  to  W.  C.  Walker,  Esq.,  Winchmore  Hill, 
was  awarded  first  prize  for  twelve  exotic  Orchids,  showing  a  well  flowered 
plant  of  Ltelia  purpurata,  with  Cattleyas  Trianre  and  Skinneri,  Odonto- 
glossums  crispum  and  Halli,  and  Cymbidium  Lowianum.  Mr.  T.  S. 
Ware  was  first  with  twelve  tuberous  Begonias,  showing  well  grown 
specimens  of  Bexley  Gem,  Bexley  White,  Devonia,  Princess  May,  Brides¬ 
maid,  Goliath,  and  others.  The  same  exhibitor  was  also  awarded  first 
prize  for  a  group  of  herbaceous  plants,  which  was  composed  of  fine 
plants  of  Lilium  Harrisi,  witn  Irises,  Saxifragas,  Spiraeas,  Aubrietias, 
Phloxes,  Ranunculus,  and  others  of  the  hardy  section.  As  these  were 
the  only  exhibitors  in  the  above  classes  no  second  prizes  could  be 
awarded. 
Mr.  W.  Rumsey  was  first  with  a  group  of  Roses,  showing  good 
specimens  of  Crimson  Rambler,  Mrs.  Orrnsey,  Cleopatra,  Magna  Charta, 
Madame  Hoste,  and  Madame  Victor  Verdier.  Mr.  R.  Scott,  gardener  to 
Miss  Foster,  Regent’s  Park,  showed  six  fine  Azaleas,  obtaining  first  prize. 
Amongst  them  were  good  specimens  of  Ceres,  Charmer,  and  8tella. 
Mr.  R  Scott  was  also  awarded  a  second  prize  for  a  group  of  Azaleas,  the 
plants  being  small  but  fairly  well  flowered. 
In  the  m  scellaneous  section  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  staged  a 
group  of  hardy  flowers,  comprised  of  Saxifraga  pyramidalis,  Irises, 
Cypripediums,  Spiraeas,  and  Aubrietias.  A  small  but  varied  collection 
of  plants  came  from  Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea.  Amongst 
others  were  noticed  Gloxinias,  Begonias,  and  Caladiums  in  variety,  with 
a  few  Orchids,  consisting  of  Dendrobium  obscurum  and  Cypripediums  in 
variety,  and  several  plants  of  Phyllocactus  and  Caila  Elliottiana. 
Mr.  P.  Perry,  gardener  to  J.  C.  Tasker,  Esq.,  Brentwood,  sent  fine 
collection  of  Cannes  displaying  a  pleasing  variety  in  colour.  The  most 
conspicuous  varieties  were  Madame  Crozy,  Progression,  Cheshunt 
Yellow,  Victor  Hugo,  Mrs.  Tasker,  and  Miss  T.  Hill. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  made  a  large  show  with  hardy 
flowers,  showing  Tulips  in  great  variety,  with  Paeonies,  Irises,  Scillas, 
and  other  hardy  flowers.  Mr.  Sturt,  gardener  to  N.  L.  Cohen,  Esq., 
Englefield  Green,  showed  a  collection  of  well-lowered  Calceolarias. 
The  plants  were  dwarf  and  sturdy,  with  blooms  rich  and  diversified  in 
colour.  A  superb  collection  of  cut  RoseB  came  from  Mr.  G.  Mount, 
Canterbury.  Amongst  others  were  noticed  perfect  flowers  of  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  Niphetos,  Captain  Hayward,  La  France,  Ulrich  Brunner,  and 
Prince  Arthur, 
Messrs.  Kelway,  Langport,  made  a  large  and  effective  show  with 
Pyrethrums,  Paeonies,  single  and  double,  in  great  variety,  Cannas, 
Irises,  and  Gladioli.  Included  amongst  the  Paeonies  were  several  very 
pleasing  varieties.  A  very  fine  collection  of  Roses  came  from  Messrs. 
W.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  comprising  both  pot  plants  and  cut 
blooms.  Amongst  the  former  were  fine  examples  of  Dr.  Andry,  La 
France,  White  Lady,  Duke  of  York,  Salamander,  Duke  of  Edinburgh, 
Victor  Verdier,  and  Crimson  Queen.  Amongst  the  cut  blooms  La 
France,  Mardchal  Niel,  and  Crown  Prince  were  the  most  conspicuous. 
Messrs.  J.  Waterer  &  Sons,  Bagshot,  sent  a  collection  of  Rhododendrons, 
comprising  John  Waterer,  Marchioness  of  Lansdowne,  Mrs.  John  PenD, 
Kate  Waterer,  Princess  of  Wales,  Queen,  Mrs.  Tritton,  and  others. 
Mr.  Scott,  Regent’s  Park,  set  up  a  group  of  plants  consisting  of 
Azaleas,  Orchids,  Marguerites,  Caladiums,  and  Ferns,  the  whole  making 
a  good  effect.  Mr.  A.  Smith.  High  Wycombe,  sent  a  collection  of  cut 
Roses.  Several  plants  of  Daphne  cneorum  major  came  lrom  Mr.  A. 
Knowles,  Woking.  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Spn,  Sawbridgeworth,  sent  a 
fine  group  of  Nectarines  in  pots  of  a  new  forcing  variety  Cardinal,  the 
iruits  of  which  are  large  and  highly  coloured.  The  plants,  too,  looked 
a  picture  of  good  health,  and  in  every  way  worthy  of  this  well-known 
firm. 
