248 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  OOTTACE  GARDENER. 
September  10,  1898 
good  amount  of  space  a  ring  of  moss.  Into  this  moss  can  be 
inserted  at  interval*  tins  or  jars  filled  with  water,  tho*e  to  be 
arranged  with  Asparagus  and  flowers  on  long  stems.  On  the 
surface  of  the  moss  should  then  be  inserted  sprigs  of  Asparagus, 
and  the  whole  groundwork  dotted  with  flowers. 
These  notes  will,  I  fear,  to  many  appear  aomewhat  dry,  bat  at 
the  risk  of  being  prosy  I  have  endeavoured  in  a  limited  space  to 
show  clearly  bow  effective  decoration*  may  be  quickly  carried  out. 
In  this  endeavour  I  trust  I  have  to  some  extent  succeeded. — 
Decokator. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall,  September  8th. 
The  meeting  held  on  Tuesday  in  the  Drill  Hall  was  a  very  fine  one 
indeed,  the  Dahlias  being  superb.  Gladioli  and  other  hardy  flowers  were 
also  conspicuous,  while  the  foliage  plants  staged  in  a  group  by  Mr. 
Wythes  acted  as  an  admirable  foil  for  the  whole.  Fruit  was  not  largely 
shown,  neither  were  vegetables,  whilst  amongst  Orchids  quality  took  the 
place  of  quantity. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present:  Philip  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  T.  F.  Rivers,  George  Bunyard,  H.  J,  Pearson,  J.  H.  Veitch, 
G.  T.  Miles,  J.  Cheal,  W.  Pope,  A.  F.  Barron,  A.  Dean,  C.  Herrin,  J.  A. 
Laing,  W.  Bates,  G.  H.  Bage,  H.  Balderson,  J.  Smith,  G.  Reynolds,  and 
George  Wythes. 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  were  represented  by  100  dishes 
of  Apples  and  Pears  in  distinct  varieties.  Amonest  others  were  noticed 
good  specimens  of  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Stirling  Castle,  Lord  Grosvenor, 
Frogmore  Prolific,  Cox’s  Pomona,  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch,  Lord  Snffield, 
M^re  de  Manage,  Worcester  Pearmain,  Grenadier,  Beurr^  d’Aoianlis, 
Beurni  Diel,  Williams’ Bon  Chretien,  Beurr6  Clairgeau,  Grosse  Caiabasse, 
IjOuise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Marie  Louise  d’Uccle,  Pitmaston  Duchess,  and 
Brockworth  Park  (silvei  Knightian  medal). 
Superb  indeed  was  the  collection  of  fruit  staged  by  Mr.  Miller, 
gardener  to  Lord  Foley,  in  which  variety  and  excellent  quality  were 
displayed.  Fine  Peaches  of  varieties  Princess  of  Wales,  Bellegarde, 
and  Royal  George,  with  Nectarines  Pineapple,  Rivers’  Early  Orange, 
Pitmaston  Orange,  Elruge,  and  Violette  Hative  were  included  ;  also 
Apples  King  of  the  Pippins,  Beauty  of  Hants,  Yorkshire  Beauty, 
Cellini,  Alexander,  Ribston  Pippin ;  and  Pears  Brockworth  Park, 
Marie  Louise,  Josephine  de  Malines,  Beurrd  Diel,  Vicar  of  Winkfield, 
and  others  (silver  Knightian  medal).  Messrs.  E.  J.  Sergeant  &  Co., 
Worthing,  sent  an  interesting  collection  of  Aubergines,  both  purple, 
white,  and  green,  in  distinct  varieties. 
A  large  collection  of  Cabbages  came  from  Messrs.  Jas.  Carter  &  Co., 
Hoi  born,  in  which  were  noticed  fine  heads  of  Early  York,  Large  York, 
Heartwell,  Large  Nonpareil,  East  Ham,  Little  Pixie,  Sugar  Loaf,  Jersey, 
Wakefield,  Enfield  Market,  and  others.  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons, 
Swanley,  sent  an  exhibit  of  Parsley  Eynsford  Beauty.  Mrs.  McRonal 
sent  fruits  of  a  new  yellow  Tomato  “  Golden  Dessert.”  Mr,  Shingler, 
gardener  to  Lord  Hastings.  Melton  Constable,  sent  a  bunch  of  a  new 
black  Muscat  Grape  called  Lady  Hastings. 
Several  Melons  were  staged,  including  Osberton,  shown  by  Mr.  J.  H. 
Crasp,  Osberton,  Worksop  ;  “  Earl  of  Lathom,”  shown  by  Mr.  B.  Ashton, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Lathom,  Ormskirk  ;  and  “  Thames  Bank,”  sent 
by  Mr.  G.  Wythes,  By  on  House,  but  no  award  was  made.  Mr.  A.  W. 
Partridte,  Laham  Toney,  Norfolk,  sent  fruits  of  a  seedling  Apple  called 
Labam  Toney. 
In  the  fruit  competition  for  the  best  flavoured  Apples  and  Pears  Mr. 
John  Powell,  gardener  to  Colonel  Brymer,  M.P.,  Islington  House,  Dor¬ 
chester,  won  first  prize  in  the  first  class  with  Benoni ;  Mr.  C.  Herrin, 
Dropmore,  being  second  with  Worcester  Pearmain.  The  last-named 
exhibitor  had  the  best  dish  of  Pears,  showing  Souvenir  du  Congres  ; 
Mr.  J.  Powell  taking  the  second  award  with  Beurrd  d’Amanlis. 
Floral  Committee. — Present:  J.  Fraser,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  and 
Rev.  H.  H.  D’Ombrain,  with  Messrs.  J.  Laing,  H,  B.  May,  H.  Herbst, 
R.  Dean,  Geo.  Stevens,  Jas.  Hudson,  H.  Selfe  Leonard,  W.  Bain,  J. 
Fraser,  J.  D.  Pawle,  G.  Gordon,  C.  E.  Pearson,  G.  H.  Engleheart,  J.  T. 
Bennett  Poe,  E.  Beckett,  Ed.  Mawley,  R.  M.  Hogg,  C.  Jefleries,  and 
Harry  Turner. 
On  entering  the  hall  a  large  group  of  foliage  plants  and  Nepenthes 
arranged  by  Mr.  G.  Wythes,  gardener  to  Earl  Percy,  Syon  House,  Brent¬ 
ford,  was  very  prominent.  There  was  a  lightness  and  grace  about  this 
exhibit  that  is  not  always  so  prominent  in  such  a  group,  and  the  very 
best  use  had  been  made  of  the  clean,  splendidly  grown  plants  that  were 
utilised.  These  comprised  amongst  others,  handsome  Palms,  graceful 
Crotons,  well  pitchered  Nepenthes,  W’ith  Draemnas,  Ferns,  Bamboos  and 
Caladiums  (silver  Flora  medal).  Mr.  C.  Holden,  Hinckley,  sent  some 
Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  ;  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Witty,  Nunhead  Cemetery,  a 
group  of  well-grown  Chrysanthemums  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  k,  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  exhibited  a  large  table  of 
miscellaneous  stove  and  greenhouse  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  all  in 
capital  health.  Amongst  the  most  conspicuous  were  Crotons,  Dracfenas, 
Palms,  Caladiums,  Ferns,  Streptocarpuses,  and  Gloxinias  (silver  Flora 
medal).  Mr.  W.  Salmon,  Elder  Road,  West  Norwood,  sent  a  collection 
of  hardy  flowers,  consisting  mainly  of  Marigolds  and  Dianthuaes  (bronze 
Flora  medal).  Messrs.  J.  Burrell  &  Co.,  Cambridge,  staged  a  consider¬ 
able  number  of  Gladioli  spikes,  on  which  the  flowers  were  large,  of  good 
shape,  and  splendidly  coloured  ;  V  ictor,  Apollo,  Painted  Lady,  Alicia, 
Baroness  Burdett  Coutts,  Grand  Rouge  and  Atlas,  were  amongst  the 
most  conspicuous  (silver-gilt  Flora  medal). 
The  several  Dahlias  from  Mr.  B.  Mortimer,  Rowledge  Nursery, 
Farnham,  formed  a  charming  feature  of  the  show.  Bhow,  Fancy  and 
Cactus  varieties  were  all  splendidly  represented.  Amongst  the  latter 
were  Matchless,  Mrs.  Francis  Fell,  I^ady  Penzance,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
Glofiosa,  Miss  Annie  Jones,  and  Ernest  Cannell.  Of  the  Show  and  Fancy 
were  noted  Mrs.  Mortimer,  Clara,  John  Walker,  Wm.  Powell,  Harrison 
Weir,  Victor,  Rev.  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Shottesham  Hero,  John  Hickling,  and 
Mr*.  S.  Walker  (silver-gilt  Banksian).  Messrs.  Jones  &  Sons,  Shrews- 
bnry,  with  the  various  types  of  Dahlias,  spray*  of  Asparagus  and  Palms, 
made  up  a  charming  exhibit.  Bamboo  stands  were  decorated  with 
flowers  of  the  best  quality,  and  the  effect  was  excellent  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams,  &  Co.,  Salisbury,  sent  a  number  of  new 
Dahlias,  receiving  awards  of  merit  for  Cycle,  Flossie,  Cinderella,  and 
Starfish.  Mr.  J.  T.  West,  Tower  Hill,  BrentWwOd,  staged  a  large  exhibit 
of  Dahlias,  amongst  which  Pompons,  Cactus,  and  Show  and  Fancy 
varieties  were  represented  in  splendid  form.  The  blooms  combined  with 
excellent  substance,  size,  and  richness  of  colouration  (silver  Flora  medal). 
From  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  came  Dahlias,  mostly  com¬ 
prising  single,  Pompon,  ^d  Cactus  varieties.  Almost  all  the  best  known 
varieties  were  represented,  besides  a  considerable  number  of  new  ones 
(silver-gilt  Banksian  medal).  Mr.  B.  Ladhams,  Shirley,  Southampton, 
sent  flowers  of  a  fine  new  Heliopsis  named  H.  scabra  B.  Ladhams. 
Mrs,  E.  Salmon,  West  Norwood,  had  a  few  specimens  of  table  decora¬ 
tions,  sprays,  and  bouquets,  in  which  Marguerites,  Chrysanthemums, 
Asters,  Ferns,  and  Grasses  were  conspicuous  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
T.  W.  Glrdlestone,  Esq.,  Sunningdale,  staged  a  superb  collection  of  single 
Dahlias,  the  flowers  of  which  were  of  really  exceptional  colour.  Awards 
of  merit  were  adjudged  to  Trilby,  Naomi  Tighe,  Folly,  S.  D.  Jeannette, 
and  Polly  Eccles  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Mr.  D  mell,  Stamford 
Hill,  sent  a  group  of  Crotons,  comprising  well-grown  richly  coloured 
plsnts  (silver-gilt  Banksian  medal).  Mr.  Bain,  gardener  to  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  Dorking,  sent  plants  of  Lobelia  Carmine  Gem,  which 
received  a  first-class  certificate.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  sent  branches 
of  Crataegus  pyracantha  Lelandi  that  were  splendidly  berried. 
Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham,  sent  a  brilliant  display  of  Dahlias,  in 
which  the  various  sections  were  well  represented.  In  the  large  collection 
Cactus  and  Fancies  were  the  most  conspicuous,  and  among  other 
varieties  were  noticed  Mrs.  Peart,  Ernest  Cannell,  Blanche  Keith,  Mrs. 
Hawkins,  Viscountess  Folkestone,  Mrs.  Barnes,  Cannell’s  Gem,  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  Countess  of  Pembroke,  and  others.  Singles  were  also 
effective,  composed  of  varieties  Emily,  Victoria,  Miss  Barker,  Kate, 
White  Queen,  Fashion,  and  others,  the  whole  making  up  a  most 
interesting  exhibit  (silver  Flora  medal).  The  same  firm  also  sent  a 
pleasing  group  of  Chrysanthemums  and  Liliums  (silver  Banksian 
medal). 
Asters  were  splendidly  shown  by  Messrs.  D  jbbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay, 
Bobbies’  Giant,  Comet,  and  Victoria  being  especially  fine.  The  Quilled 
Globe  section  was  well  represented,  and  comprised  numerous  named 
varieties.  In  addition  to  the  above  the  firm  had  an  interesting  collec¬ 
tion  of  Marigolds,  African,  French,  and  Scotch,  which  were  much 
admired  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Mr.  F.  W.  Burt,  gardener  to 
F.  Reckett,  Esq.,  Caen  Wood  Towers,  sent  a  small  but  interesting  group 
of  stove  plants,  in  which  Caladiums,  Dracaenas,  Crotons,  and  Palms  were 
included,  though  the  arrangement  was  slightly  crowded  (silver  Banksian 
medal).  Pompon  and  Cactus  Dahlias  of  the  best  varieties  came  from 
Mr.  Charles  Turner,  Slough.  Amongst  the  former  were  noticed  superb 
blooms  of  Ganymede,  Nancy,  Bianca,  Sultan,  Jessica,  Purity,  Nerissa, 
and  others. 
Hardy  flowers.  Begonias  and  Coleus  growths,  were  shown  by  Messrs. 
Young  &  Dobinson,  Stevenage ;  but  any  effect  that  the  flowers  them¬ 
selves  might  have  caused  was  done  away  with  by  the  entire  lack  of  taste 
in  the  arrangement.  Liliums,  Gladioli,  and  Montbretias  in  charming 
variety  came  from  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  who  showed 
among  the  former  several  varieties  of  speciosum  and  tigrinum,  and  the 
latter  sections  were  represented  by  a  wide  range  of  colour  and  variety 
(silver  Flora  medal). 
Orchid  Committee. — Present  :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  Jas.  O’Brien,  H.  Ballantine,  A.  H.  Smee,  John  Gabriel, 
Thos.  Statter,  T.  W.  Bond,  W.  B.  Latham,  E.  Ashworth,  H.  J.  Chapman, 
W.  Cobb,  J.  Jacques,  Jas.  Douglas,  and  S.  Courtauld. 
Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  sent  a  small  group  of 
Orchids,  consisting  of  Renanthera  Lowiana,  Cypripediums  Pescatorei, 
Klabochorum,  and  one  or  two  others  (silver  Banksian  medal).  The 
Orchids  from  Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  were  noticeable  for 
excellence  of  culture.  Cypripediums,  Zygopetalum  Gautieri,  Oattleya 
granulosa,  Miltonia  Moreliana,  and  others  were  represented  in  fine  form. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  as  usual,  sent  some  splendid 
Orchids  in  their  small  exhibit.  There  w^ere  Sobralias,  Laelias,  Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums,  Cypripediums,  and  others  (silver  Flora  m^al).  Mr. 
Ballantine,  gardener  to  Baron  Schroder,  The  Dell,  Egham,  sent  a  plant 
of  Sophro-Oattleya  Veitchi  with  superbly  coloured  flowers. 
Certificates  and  Awards  op  Merit. 
Acidanthera  Meolor  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons).— This  is  a  plant  whose 
flowers  are  borne  up  the  stem  somewhat  after  the  style  of  a  Calochortus, 
The  colour  is  pale  cream  with  a  central  blotch  of  blackish  brown  (first- 
class  certificate). 
Adiantuvi-  capillus  eiincoformis  (JidAj  Emily  Foley). — A  distinct  and 
beautiful  variety  of  the  British  Adiantum,  with  long  pendulous  fronds 
and  graceful  habit  (award  of  merit). 
Aralia  triloba  (William  Bull).— An  erect-growing  green  and  cut- 
