July  1,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
7 
CORNUS  KOUSIA. 
It  cannot  be  said  (“  M.  G,  E.”)  that  this  shrub  is  very  frequently 
seen,  notwithstanding  its  great  beauty.  The  leaves,  which  are  oval  iu 
shape  and  rich  green  in  colour,  are  luxuriant  and  attractive,  while  the 
pure  white  Trillium-like  flowers  are  certain  to  elicit  admiration. 
C.  Kousia  is  figured  and  described  by  Siebold  in  his  “  Flora  Japonica,”  I., 
page  30,  t.  16,  under  the  name  of  Benthamia  japonica.  The  genus 
Benthamia  has  long  since  been  very  properly  merged  into  Cornus,  and 
the  present  name  may  have  in  some  measure  obscured  its  origin. 
According  to  Siebold  it  is  a  dense  bushy  shrub  about  the  height  of  a 
man,  growing  wild  on  the  mountains  of  Kinsin  and  Nippon  in  Japan, 
from  2000  to  4000  feet  elevation,  flowering  in  May  and  June.  Its 
afliaity  with  the  Himalayan  Cornus  (Benthamia)  fragifera  is  very 
manifest.  Bushes  such  as  those  described  above  as  growing  in  Japan 
could  not  have  otherwise  than  a  picturesque  eflect  when  clothed  with 
the  pearly  white  flowers  as  shown  in  our  illustration  (fig.  2,  page  9). 
We  believe  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons  were  the  introducers  of  this  plant. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
YOKE. — June  16th,  17th,  and  18th. 
The  thirty-ninth  annual  show  of  the  above  Society  was  held  in 
the  Bootham  Asylum  Grounds.  The  show  of  this  year  will  be  long 
remembered  by  the  Gala  Committee  and  the  exhibitors,  as  the  experi¬ 
ence  of  the  opening  day  was  unique  in  the  history  of  this  Society,  and  it  is 
to  be  hoped  in  all  other  kindred  societies.  With  the  barometer  gradually 
falling  the  day  previous,  and  rain  early  in  the  morning  of  the  16th,  it 
was  feared  the  opening  day  would  be  a  wet  one.  Instead  of  rain,  how¬ 
ever,  a  strong  gale  sprang  up,  and  with  disastrous  results.  The  whole 
of  the  vast  marquees  in  which  the  exhibits  were  placed,  covering  it  is 
estimated  about  3  acres  of  ground,  were  blown  down,  the  poles  snapped 
in  twain,  and  the  canvas  in  many  places  was  torn  into  ribbons.  By  two 
o’clock  the  gale  had  completed  its  terrible  havoc.  The  one  containing 
the  fruit  and  table  decorations  was  the  first  to  go.  Some  of  the  exhibi¬ 
tors  got  their  fruit  out,  but  much  would  be  spoilt.  The  tent  in  which  the 
valuable  collections  of  Orchids  were  staged  was  the  next  to  go,  many  of 
the  plants  being  overturned  and  broken  ;  the  tents  now  left  forming 
three  sides  of  a  square,  these  soon  sharing  the  same  fate.  The  one  in 
which  the  groups  were  arranged  presented  the  most  lamentable  scene, 
the  short  poles  being  lifted  Lorn  the  ground  and  dashed  against  the 
plants,  sending  them  in  all  directions.  The  tent  containing  the  speci¬ 
men  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  stood  the  test  the  longest.  Most  of  the 
large  and  valuable  specimens  were  safely  transferred  to  the  vans.  The 
usual  gathering  of  members  of  the  Committee,  Judges,  and  invited 
guests  had  to  be  abandoned. 
Of  the  many  good  shows  held,  this  promised  to  be  one  of  the  best. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  last  year  the  Committee  of  the  Eoyal  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society  visited  the  show.  No  doubt  this  brought  a  larger 
number  of  exhibitors,  especially  from  the  trade.  It  was  thought  that  it 
might  not  be  so  good  this  year.  The  schedule,  however,  contained 
several  new  classes,  and  had  the  weather  been  favourable,  this  would  no 
doubt  have  proved  the  best  show  ever  held  in  the  Cathedral  City.  The 
groups  were  arranged  on  each  side  of  the  entrance  tent,  leaving  an 
opening  up  the  centre,  from  which  the  large  cone  of  specimen  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants  in  the  next  tent  could  be  seen.  There  were  only  five 
exhibitors  in  this  class.  The  arrangement  of  the  groups  was  quite  up  to 
their  usual  standard  of  excellence.  At  no  other  show  are  the  groups 
arranged  to  produce  so  good  effect  as  they  are  at  York. 
Messrs.  J.  Cypher  and  Mr.  W.  Vaase,  Leamington,  were  the  only  exhi¬ 
bitors  in  the  class  for  ten  stove  or  greenhouse  plants  in  bloom  and  six  orna¬ 
mental  fine-foliage  or  variegated  plants.  Two  good  groups  of  Carnations 
in  pots  were  set  up  by  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather,  and  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush 
and  Son.  One  of  the  principal  features  of  the  show  was  a  class  for  a 
collection  of  Orchids  in  bloom  arranged  for  effect,  occupying  space  not 
exceeding  150  square  feet,  Palms,  Ferns,  and  foliage  plants  being  allowed, 
for  which  a  first  prize  of  £20  and  the  Society’s  gold  medal  was  offered, 
given  to  commemorate  the  sixtieth  year  of  the  reign  of  H  M.  the  Queen. 
There  were  many  valuable  plants  in  these  collections,  Messrs.  J.  Cypher 
and  Mr.  John  Eobson,  Bowdon  Nurseries,  Altrincham,  being  the  exhi¬ 
bitors.  There  were  several  other  classes  for  Orchids,  for  which 
substantial  prizes  were  offered.  The  Show  Pelargoniums  were  a  grand 
eight,  good  specimens  and  better  flowered  than  some  years.  Collec¬ 
tions  of  Eoses  in  pots  were  good,  The  exhibitors  in  this  class  were 
Messrs.  W.  Jackson  &  Co.,  Mr.  G.  Cottam,  and  Mr.  H.  Pybui.  The  cut 
Eoses  were  not  quite  so  good  as  last  year,  and  the  number  of  entries 
less, 
A  new  class  was  for  a  decorated  table  of  ripe  fruit,  not  to  exceed 
fourteen  dishes  and  not  less  than  ten  dishes,  plants  in  pots  allowed, 
flowers  and  foliage  to  be  in  glass  epergnes,  prizes  of  £15,  £12,  £8,  and 
£5  were  offered.  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart.,  M.P.,  the  Duke  of  St.  Albans, 
the  Earl  of  Harrington,  and  Mr.  Jas.  Sinclair  were  the  exhibitors. 
There  were  classes  for  six  kinds  of  fruit  and  four  kinds  respectively — in 
all  fourteen  classes  for  fruit.  Prizes  as  usual  were  offered  by  Messrs. 
Sutton  &  Sons  and  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons  for  collections  of  vegetables, 
which  brought  several  competitors. 
The  gale  commenced  its  work  of  destruction  just  before  the  time  for 
judging,  so  of  course  no  prizes  were  awarded.  It  was  hinted  that  the 
show  would  be  closed ;  but  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  was  held  under 
the  presidency  of  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  exhibits 
should  be  removed,  but  that  the  Gala,  so  far  as  possible,  should  proceed, 
the  admission  to  the  field  being  reduced  to  half  price,  as  no  flower  show 
could  be  held.  The  loss  will  be  heavy  both  to  the  Committee  and  the 
exhibitors.  It  is  to  be  hoped  it  will  not  prevent  the  latter  from  staging 
at  future  shows. 
POETS  MOUTH.— June  18th. 
In  the  Victoria  Park,  which  is  most  conveniently  situated  to  the 
railway  station,  the  annual  Southern  Provincial  Exhibition  of  the 
National  Eose  Society  was  held,  and  considering  the  backward  state  of 
Eoses  was  of  much  excellence.  If  the  blooms  generally  were  not  large, 
they  were  exceptionally  clean,  shapely,  and  bright  in  colour,  combining 
the  salient  qualities  of  the  flower.  The  garden  Eoses  were  no  doubt  the 
feature  of  the  Show,  demonstrating  so  ably  the  value  they  possess  for 
floral  decoration.  The  variety,  too,  of  form  and  colour  in  this  section  is 
most  charming,  from  the  pure  single  Sweet  Briar  to  the  compact  and 
neat  button-like  blossoms  so  freely  displayed.  The  Isle  of  Wight  Eose 
Society  held  its  meeting  in  conjunction  with  the  parent  Society,  an 
arrangement  that  seemed  to  be  quite  a  happy  combination,  as  both 
apparently  benefited  by  the  association.  The  arrangements  were  of  the 
best,  under  the  able  guidance  of  the  Hon.  Secretaries,  the  Eev.  H.  H. 
D’Ombrain  and  Mr.  E.  Mawley.  Captain  Ramsay,  Fareham,  the  Hon. 
Secretary  to  the  Local  Committee,  exerted  himself  to  make  the  Show 
what  it  was— a  success. 
The  centre  of  interest  lay  in  the  principal  class  for  forty-eight 
distinct  varieties,  one  truss  of  each.  Mr.  B.  E.  Cant  was  some  distance 
ahead  of  his  three  opponents,  securing  the  coveted  award  with  medium¬ 
sized  handsome  blooms,  beautifully  staged.  Especially  worthy  of 
mention  were  Madame  Gabriel  Luizet,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Marchioness  of 
Downshire,  Marie  Baumann,  Captain  Hayward,  and  Kaiserin  Augusta 
Victoria.  With  smaller,  yet  bright,  blooms  Messrs.  D.  Prior  «fe  Sons, 
Colchester,  secured  the  second  award.  The  third  prize  was  taken  by 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury.  In  this  class  Messrs.  P.Cant&  Co.,  Col¬ 
chester,  were  unfortunately  disqualified  through  including  a  sport  from 
Susanne  Marie  Rodocanachi,  not  yet  in  commerce,  and  thus  contrary 
to  rule  7,  which  is  a  recently  added  one. 
Although  the  entries  in  the  class  for  twenty-four  distinct  varieties 
were  limited  to  three,  they  made  a  pleasing  display.  The  post  of  honour 
was  occupied  by  Messrs.  Curtis,  Sanford  &  Co.,  Torquay,  with  medium¬ 
sized,  richly  coloured  examples  of  popular  varieties.  The  second  prize 
was  secured  by  Messrs.  Burrell  &  Co,,  Cambridge  ;  Mr.  G.  Prince  winning 
third  place.  Five  exhibitors  ventured  for  the  prizes  in  the  class  for 
triplets,  in  twenty-four  varieties.  Mr.  B.  Cant  followed  up  his  previous 
success  by  easily  winning  from  Messrs.  Curtis,  Sanford  &  Co.  the 
premier  award  with  a  really  fine  stand  of  shapely  specimens.  Messrs. 
D.  Prior  &  Sons  were  third. 
Tea  and  Noisette  varieties  were  well  staged.  Mr.  G.  Prince,  Oxford, 
won  first  honour  in  the  class  for  twenty-four  distinct  single  trusses. 
The  blooms  were  even,  clean,  and  tastefully  set  up.  Golden  Gate, 
Comtesse  de  Nadaillac,  The  Bride,  alba  rosea,  Cleopatra,  Innocente 
Pirola,  and  Mar4chal  Niel  were  noticeable  for  their  excellent  quality. 
Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Sons  and  Messrs.  F,  Cant  &  Co.  were  second  and 
third  respectively,  Mr.  John  Mattock,  New  Headington,  Oxford,  won 
for  one  dozen  single  trusses  with  creditable  examples.  Messrs.  Curtis, 
Sanford  &  Co.  second  ;  Messrs.  G.  Cooling  &  Sons,  Batb,  third.  For 
tjvelve  blooms,  any  one  H.P.,  Messrs.  Prior  &  Son,  with  Lady  Mary 
Fitzwilliam,  easily  took  the  winning  card.  For  Mrs.  Sharman  Crawford 
Mr.  B.  Cant  was  awarded  second  prize  ;  Messrs.  Curtis,  Sanford  and 
Co.  third. 
Interest  centred  in  the  amateurs’  division  iu  the  class  for  twelve 
distinct  single  trusses,  the  first  prize  being  the  “  Ramsay  ”  cup,  value 
10  guineas,  given  by  Captain  Ramsay.  Mr.  Mease,  gardener  to  Alfred 
Tate,  Esq.,  Downside,  Leatherhead,  won  easily  with  beautiful  blooms, 
including  Madame  Watteville,  Eubens,  Caroline  Kuster,  Hon.  E.  Gifford, 
and  Jeanie  Dickson.  Mr.  R.  E.  West,  Reigate,  was  second.  For  two 
dozen  blooms,  distinct,  there  was  but  one  entry — Rev.  J.  H.  Pemberton, 
Havering,  This,  however,  was  so  thoroughly  deserving  that  the  first 
prize  was  awarded.  Mr.  R,  E.  West,  with  neat  highly  coloured  blossoms, 
secured  the  leading  award  for  eighteen  distinct ;  Mr.  F.  W,  Campion, 
Reigate,  second.  Mr,  West  in  the  triplets,  six  varieties,  again  was 
distinguished  by  having  the  premier  award  made  in  his  favour.  Mr. 
Campion  and  the  Rev,  J,  H.  Pemberton  were  equal  second. 
For  the  “  Prince  "  Memorial  cup  there  was  keen  competition, 
eighteen  distinct  blooms  being  the  number  required.  A,  Hill  Gray,  Esq., 
B°th,  secured  this  coveted  award  with  medium  size  blooms,  clean  and 
good.  Mr.  Campion  was  again  second.  Dr.  Seaton,  Bitterne,  won  for 
six  distinct ;  Mr.  West  second  ;  Miss  G.  Carter,  Ryde,  third. 
The  competition  in  the  open  classes  was  brisk.  Five  staged  twelve 
distinct  triplets.  Mr.  Prince  was  first  with  commendable  examples, 
Mr,  B,  Cant  second.  Mr.  Prince  was  also  successful  for  twelve  any 
variety  Tea  or  Noisette,  with  handsome  examples  of  Princess  of  Wales. 
Garden  Roses  made  a  magnificent  display.  For  thirty-six  distinct 
varieties,  open  to  nurserymen,  three  competed.  Messrs.  G.  Cooling  and 
Sons,  Bath,  were  an  easy  first  with  one  of  the  best  exhibits  ever  seen. 
Not  only  were  the  varieties  wisely  chosen,  but  their  arrangement  left 
little  to  be  desired.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  were  second  with  a 
commendable  collection,  and  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  third.  For  nursery¬ 
men  another  class  was  made  for  eighteen  bunches.  Here  the  leading 
