534 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
June  11,  1896. 
Melon,  a  white-fleshed  fruit  with  thin  rind,  sweet,  juicy,  and  refreshing. 
Award  of  merit,  nine  votes  to  six. 
Mr.  W.  Messenger,  Wolverstone  Park,  Ipswich,  sent  a  new  Melon, 
Freston  House,  a  full-sized,  oval,  well-netted  fruit  of  faultless  shape  and 
noble  appearance.  It  is  a  white-fleshed  variety  with  a  thin  rind  and 
delicious  flavour.  A  first-class  certificate  was  granted  unanimously. 
Mr.  T.  Denny,  Down  House,  Blandford,  sent  a  gigantic  fruit  of 
Goodrich’s  Nonesuch  Melon,  which  was  cut  and  ta9ted,  but  no  award 
was  made.  Mr.  Whitaker,  Crewe  Hall  Gardens,  sent  an  oval  shaped 
Melon  with  a  rather  strong  flavour.  It  was  passed  by  the  Committee. 
Messrs.  E.  J.  Sargeant  &  Co.,  Stratton  Nurseries,  Worthing,  sent  some 
remarkable  Melons  with  extraordinarily  thick  netting.  One  was  tasted, 
but  no  one  could  eat  it ;  but  another  with  a  smooth  rind  and  fine 
netting  was  very  good  indeed.  If  high  flavour  could  be  imparted  to  these 
thickly  corded  fruits  they  would  find  a  place  on  many  dessert  tables. 
Toey  are  of  French  origin.  Some  fine  Capsicums  were  also  exhibited 
(silver  Banksian  medal). 
Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  a  splendid  collection  of  early  Strawberries, 
twenty-four  varieties,  gathered  from  plants  raised  from  early  runners 
last  year,  and  planted  in  a  rich  south  border  at  the  beginning  of  August. 
The  earliest  variety  was  Laxton’s  No.  1,  the  first  fruit  of  which  was  ripe 
on  May  19th  and  the  first  dish  gathered  May  21st.  The  fruits  were 
medium-sized,  larger  than  those  in  an  adjoining  dish  of  Keen’s  Seedling, 
but  were  not  tasted.  Among  other  varieties  were  enormous  fruits  of 
Sensation,  Leader,  Monarch,  Noble,  Royal  Sovereign,  and  Gunton  Park, 
with  fine  examples  of  Sir  J.  Paxton,  La  Grosse  Suciee,  James  Veitcb, 
La  France,  and  Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury.  A  highly  meritorious 
exhibit,  for  which  a  silver  medal  was  unanimously  awarded.  Messrs. 
Laxton  had  a  fine  exhibit  of  Leader  Strawberry  in  pots,  bearing  noble 
fruits  in  great  abundance  (vote  of  thanks). 
Mr.  J.  Hudson  sent  four  of  Mr.  Leopold  de  Rothschild’s  fruiting 
Nectarine  trees  in  pots,  denoting  at  once  superior  cultivation,  and  showing 
the  difference  in  ripening  between  Early  Rivers  and  Lord  Napier,  to  the 
marked  advantage  of  the  former,  of  which  splendid  ripe  fruits  were 
placed  on  the  table.  Fine  dishes  of  Early  Rivers  and  Bigarreau  de 
Schiecken  Cherry,  gathered  from  trees  on  the  open  wall,  were  also 
shown  by  Mr.  Hudson.  They  are  two  fine  dark  Cherries,  ripening  in 
the  order  named.  A  silver  Knightian  medal  was  unanimously  granted 
to  Mr.  Hudson  for  his  meritorious  exhibit. 
Mr.  Corbett,  Mulgrave  Castle,  sent  handsome  fruits  of  Royal 
Sovereign  Tomato,  apparently  of  the  Perfection  type.  Referred  to 
Chiswick  for  trial.  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward  sent  from  Longford  Castle  a  tray 
of  Peas  grown  in  the  open.  Telephone,  Duke  of  Albany,  Telegraph, 
and  Carter’s  Early  Favourite  Pea  being  represented  by  fine  pods  (vote 
of  thanks).  Mr.  Wythes  sent  Potatoes,  Peas,  Cauliflowers,  and  Straw¬ 
berries  grown  in  the  open  ground,  for  showing  the  earliness  of  the 
season  (vote  of  thanks). 
Mr.  Frank  Chapman  sent  100  heads  of  Colchester  Asparagus  from 
beds  twenty-five  years  old.  The  stems  had  been  earthed  and  were  very 
thick  (vote  of  thanks).  Mr.  Chapman,  also  Mr.  Daniells,  Bergholt,  sent 
fruits  of  D’Arcv  Spice  Apple,  but  they  were  not  in  good  condition. 
Mr.  A.  Pentney,  Worton  Hall,  Islewortb,  sent  a  collection  of  vegetables, 
also  a  good  dish  of  Gunton  Park  Strawberries  (bronze  Banksian  medal). 
Mr.  Empson  sent  a  most  attractive  collection  of  fruit  and  vegetables, 
including  fine  specimens  of  Royal  Sovereign  Strawberry  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
Floral  Committee  — Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  k  Sons  were  represented 
by  a  group  of  plants,  in  which  Carnations  predominated,  the  blooms 
of  pink  and  blush  MalmaiBon,  Countess,  and  Germania  being  excep¬ 
tionally  fine,  while  the  foliage  looked  clean  and  healthy.  Carna¬ 
tions  were  also  shown  in  good  form  by  Mr.  Pentney,  gardener  to 
A.  J.  Howard,  E>q.,  Islewortb,  who  had  a  mixed  g  oup,  and  Mr. 
G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  Earl  Percy,  Syon  House,  the  latter  staging 
well  grown  plants  and  fine  flowers  of  Malmaison.  A  remarkably  fine 
plant  of  Carpenteria  californica  covered  with  bloom  was  shown  by 
J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  Esq,  Holmwood.  Mr.  B.  Ladbams,  Southampton, 
Bent  a  large  and  varied  collection  of  Pinks,  many  of  the  flowers  being 
very  effective. 
A  striking  collection  of  hardy  flowers  came  from  Messrs.  Jas.  Yeitch 
and  Sons,  Chelsea,  which  included  Preonies  and  Delphiniums  in  variety, 
fine  spikes  of  Eremurus  robustus,  flowers  of  Centaurea  montana  rosea, 
Heuchera  sanguinea,  Phlox  ovata,  Linum  arboreum,  with  Gaillardias, 
Irises,  and  Oriental  Poppies  in  variety,  the  whole  making  up  a  very 
pleasing  group.  The  tame  firm  also  sent  hybrid  Streptocarpus  and  a 
collection  of  CanDas  composed  of  Austria,  L.  E.  Bally,  Madame  Crozv, 
Progressh  n,  Paul  Bruant,  Cheshunt  Yellow,  Admiral  Courbet,  Star  of  91, 
and  several  others,  together  with  flowers  of  hardy  shrubs,  Styrax 
japonica  (with  a  multitude  of  Snowdrop-like  flowers,  see  fig.  87), 
Hedysarum  multijugum,  Syriaga  japonica,  Abelia  triflora,  and  Ben- 
thimia  japonica. 
Mr.  Mann,  gardener  to  C.  F.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Llandaff,  sent  hardy 
flowers,  consisting  of  Iceland  Poppies,  Antirrhinums,  and  Pentstemons. 
G.  W.  Ewen.  Esq.,  Famborough,  sent  flowers  of  a  Rose,  sport  from  Prince 
Edward  of  York.  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  staged  a  mixed 
collection  of  foliage  plants,  comprising  Caladiums  Baronne  James  de 
Rothschild,  Marie  Freeman,  William  Bull,  Ibis  Rose,  and  others,  with 
Crotons,  Dracaenas,  Palms,  and  Maidenhair  Ferns.  Mr.  J.  F.  McLeod, 
gardener  to  J.  P.  Morgan,  Esq  ,  Dover  House,  Roehampton,  sent  several 
well  coloured  Caladiums.  Very  attractive  was  the  collection  of  garden 
Roses  staged  by  Messrs.  George  Cooling  k  Sons,  Bath.  Amongst  others 
were  noticed  Cooling’s  Single  Crimson  Bedder,  Janet’s  Pride,  York  and 
Lancaster,  Old  Tuscany,  Henry  Martin,  Meg  Merrilies,  rugosa  alba, 
Little  Gem,  Gustave  Regis,  Fringed  Musk,  and  Splendens. 
A  pleasing  collection  of  hardy  plants  came  from  the  Guildford 
Hardy  Plant  Nursery,  arranged  in  growing  form  on  a  miniature  rockery. 
Cypripediums,  Saxifragas,  and  others  of  the  Alpine  family  were  repre¬ 
sented.  Mr.  George  Prince,  Oxford,  staged  Rose  blooms  composed  of 
3uperb  flowers  of  Marechal  Niel.  Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  and  others. 
Mr.  C.  Blick,  gardener  to  Martin  R.  Smith.  Esq.,  Hayes,  sent  plants  of 
Carnations  Her  Grace  and  Nabob.  G.  Yeld,  Esq.,  Clifton  Cottage, 
York,  staged  a  collection  of  Irises  and  Hemerocallis,  the  majority  of  which 
had  been  raised  by  the  exhibitor,  and  included  several  pretty  forms. 
Messrs.  W.  Paul  k  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  staged  flowers  of  a  hybrid 
rugosa  Rose,  Mungo  Park.  Messrs.  Paul  k  Son,  Cheshunt,  were  repre¬ 
sented  by  a  large  exhibit,  comprising  single  Roses,  Preonies  in  variety, 
Pyrethrums,  Phloxes,  Irises,  and  other  hardy  flowers,  with  superb  Cannas 
of  varieties  Persimmon,  George  Paul,  Alexander  III.,  President  Carnot, 
Amphion,  Dr.  Masters,  Cheshunt  Yellow  and  Comet.  A  most  pleasing 
collection  of  flowers  eame  from  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  k  Co.,  Colchester, 
consisting  of  Irises  in  variety,  Cypripedium  spectabile,  Brodirea  ixioides 
erecta,  Brodirea  Howelli  lilaeina,  Hemerocallis  aurantiaca  maj  >r, 
Preonies  Margaret  Attwood,  Princess  of  Wales  and  The  Mikado, 
Calochortuses  pulchellus,  albus  and  venustus  roseus,  and  Liliums  in 
variety. 
Hardy  flowers  in  great  variety  were  staged  by  Mr.  M.  Prichard, 
Christchurch,  amongst  others  being  Preonies,  Irises,  Orchis  foliosa, 
Gaillardia  maxima,  Delphiniums,  Thalictrums  squilegifolium  and 
purpureum,  Campanula  persicifolia,  Helenium  pumilum.  Campanulas 
persicifolia  and  grandi9.  Cut  Roses  in  variety  came  from  Mr.  G.  Mount, 
Canterbury,  consisting  of  good  blooms  of  La  France,  A.  K.  Williams, 
Rubens,  Marechal  Niel,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Captain  Hayward,  Anna 
Ollivier,  Viscountess  Folkestone,  Fisher_  Holmes,  and  others.  Mr.  J. 
Fraser,  South  Woodford,  sent  a  collection  of  Clematis  flowers,  and 
seedlings  also  came  from  Mr.  Noble,  Bagshot.  Mr.  G.  Stevens,  Putney, 
showed  several  pretty  seedling  Carnations. 
A  large  amount  of  space  was  occupied  by  Messrs.  Kelway  k  Son, 
Langport,  who  showed  in  large  numbers  and  great  variety  Preonies, 
double  and  single,  Pyrethrums,  Irises,  Delphiniums,  comprising  many 
charming  varieties,  with  Oriental  Poppies  and  other  hardy  flowers,  the 
whole  making  up  a  gorgeous  display.  Mr.  Neve,  Hampton  Court  House, 
sent  plants  of  a  white  seedling  Carnation,  Agnes  ;  and  Messrs.  W.  Bal- 
chin  k  Sons,  Hassocks  Nurseries,  sent  plants  of  a  scarlet  Carnation, 
Mrs.  Kate  Balchin.  A  most  curious  flower  in  the  shape  of  Puya  Wbytei 
was  Bhown  by  Mr.  E.  Gibbs,  gardener  to  Miss  Alice  de  Rothschild, 
Aylesbury,  and  was  the  subject  of  much  observation.  Mr.  P.  Ladds, 
Swanley,  staged  plants  of  a  fine  new  fancy  Pelargonium  named 
Persimmon.  A  magnificent  group  of  Streptocarpus  was  shown  by  Mr. 
E.  Beckett,  Aldenbam  House  Gardens,  Elstree.  The  plants  were  large, 
well  grown,  and  carrying  numerous  clusters  of  delicately  coloured 
flowers. 
Mr.  Chas.  Turner,  Slough,  sent  a  fine  group  of  Carnations,  which 
included  large  flowers  of  Little  John,  Virgo,  Ness,  Delos,  Miss  Ellen 
Terry,  Water  Witch,  Corunna,  Tom  Sayers,  Fireball,  Primrose  League, 
Persimmon,  and  others.  A  superb  group  of  Cannas  was  shown  by 
Mpssrs.  H.  Cannell  k  Son.  Swanley,  consisting  of  Golden  Queen,  Duchess 
of  York,  President  Carnot,  Queen  Charlotte, Golden  Queen,  Madame  Crozy, 
Alphonse  Bouvier,  and  others.  The  same  firm  also  showed  Malmaison 
Carnations  Princess  of  Wales  and  white  Stock  Cannell’s  camellireflora. 
Messrs.  Dobbie  k  Co.,  Rothesay,  filled  considerable  space  with  hardy  and 
herbaceous  flowers,  Sweet  Peas,  and  Violas.  Amongst  the  latter  weie 
MiBS  Dorothy  Tennant,  Norah,  Mary,  Lemon  Queen,  Iona.  Lord  E'cho, 
Ardwell  Gem,  and  others.  Included  also  in  the  exhibit  was  a  fine 
collection  of  double  Pyrethrums. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  made  a  fine  display  with  hardy 
flowers,  showing  Pyrethrums,  Delphiniums,  Persian  Ranunculi,  Irises  in 
variety,  Hemerocallis  flava,  Ixias,  Oriental  Poppies,  Premies,  Cam¬ 
panulas,  Pinks,  Gaillardias,  and  others.  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  k  Co., 
Clapton,  staged  a  good  collection  of  Cannas,  consisting  of  Major  Martin, 
John  Laing,  Francis  Wood,  President  Chandon,  Florence  Vaughan,  Papa, 
Pierre  Dupont,  Charles  Moore,  Charles  Pallice,  and  others.  An  interest¬ 
ing  group  of  flowering  and  foliage  plants  came  from  Messrs.  J.  Laing 
and  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  in  which  were  included  Orchids  in  variety, 
Begonias,  double  and  single  Gloxinias,  Crotons,  Palms,  Dracrenas, 
Bertolonias,  and  Ferns.  Mr.  T.  Whillans,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of 
Marlborough,  Woodstock,  showed  vigorous  plants  of  a  new  yellow 
seedliDg  Carnation  Admiration. 
Orchid  Committee.— H.  J.  Veitcb,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  De  B.  Crawsbay,  H.  M.  Pollet,  H.  A.  Smee, 
J.  T.  Gabriel,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  H.  White,  Hy.  Chapman,  J.  Douglas, 
E.  Hill,  W.  Cobb,  M.  Mason,  S.  Courtauld,  T.  B.  Haywood,  H.  Ballantine, 
and  Baron  Schroder. 
As  usual  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  k  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  a  group  of  Orchids, 
composed  of  plants  rich  both  in  quality  and  in  variety.  The  health  and 
cleanliness  were  remarkable.  Amongst  others  were  noticed  Dendro!  ium 
thyisiflorum,  Biassia  verrucosa,  Cypripedium  Curtisi,  Disa  kewensis, 
D.  langleyensis,  Cattleyas  Mossire,  SchrbJerre  and  Mendeli  in  variety, 
Odontoglossum  cordatum,  D.  crispum  in  variety,  Epidendrum  aromati- 
cum,  Dendrobium  Dearei,  Oncidium  macranthum,  Lrelio-Cattleya 
Hippolyta,  L.-C.  Canhamiana,  and  several  Cypripediums.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Young,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  F.  Wigan,  Clare  Lawn,  East  Sheen,  staged 
Cattleya  Mossire  Mrs.  Egerton  Grey,  C.  M.  S.  Ashworth,  and  a  superb 
Miltonia  vexillaria  var.  memoria  G.  D.  Owen. 
