78 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  22.  1887. 
analyses  of  the  atmosphere  and  of  rain  ;  the  amount  of  COj  in  the  free 
air  07er  land  and  sea  being:  now  found  to  be  almost  absolutely  uniform 
everywhere  (except  where  locally  contaminated),  and  less  in  quantity 
than  3  parts  in  10,000,  so  that  no  conclusions  could  be  drawn  from  the 
data  famished  in  the  paper  on  this  point.  With  regard  to  the  amonnt 
of  ammonia  in  the  air,  it  is  so  infinitessimally  small  in  quantity,  that  it 
can  only  be  estimated  by  the  most  modern  and  redned  chemical  opera¬ 
tions,  so  that  be  was  obliged  to  express  some  hesitation  in  accepting 
Mr.  Smee’s  statements  on  this  point.  With  regard  to  Mr.  Smee’s 
analyses  of  pseudo-bulbs  and  of  flowers.  Prof.  Church  observed  that  they 
agreed  fairly  well  with  average  results  hitherto  obtained  from  terrestrial 
and  epiphytic  plants,  but  he  thought  that  the  percentage  of  undeter¬ 
mined  ash  constituents — viz.,  about  one-half,  was  far  too  great,  and  he 
questioned  the  presence  of  aluminium,  observing  that  though  terrestrial 
species  of  Lycopodium  contain  much  of  this  metal,  epiphytal  species  of 
the  same  genus  contain  none.  He  felt  sure  that  some  ingredient  was 
wanting  which  had  not  been  determined.  With  regard  to  floral  colour¬ 
ing  matters,  Mr.  Smee  did  not  appear  to  have  consulted  recent  researches. 
Prof.  Church  had  proved  that  a  number  of  reds,  blues,  and  purples, 
though  called  by  different  names — e  g colein  in  the  Coleus,  erythro- 
phyll  in  Copper  Beech,  fruits,  &c  ;  oeuolin  in  black  Grapes  and 
anthocyan  were  absolutely  the  same  thing,  being  represented  by  the 
formula,  CaoH2oCio.  These  became  purplish  in  neutral  cells,  blue  in 
alkaline,  and  red  in  acid  cells..  Even  the  blue-green  of  a  certain  Ixia 
was  due  to  an  alkaline  solution  of  the  same  substance.  With  regard  to 
the  Beetroot,  however,  and  plants  allied  to  it,  as  the  Amaranthus  and 
Buckwheat,  he  found  that  the  red-purple  was  of  a  different  nature,  and 
he  had  called  it  “  amarantbin.’’  It  gave  neither  a  scarlet  nor  blue 
reaction,  neither  green  nor  yellow  with  acids,  but  Prof.  Church  had  as  yet 
not  determined  its  actual  chemical  composition,  although  he  had  found  it 
to  differ  from  anthocyanin  by  its  insolubility  in  absolute  alcohol,  and  by 
the  absence  from  its  spectrum  of  deflnite  absorption  bands.  With  regard  to 
nutritive  solutions.  Prof.  Church  thought  that  the  ordinary  solutions  for 
plant  culture  containing  phosphates  and  salts  of  lime  should  be  used  for 
Orchids,  not  the  solution  surcharged  with  nitrogen  compounds  recom¬ 
mended  by  Mr.  Smee.  He  would  suggest  spraying  with  "pulverised” 
solutions  the  epiphytic  Orchids,  for  be  had  proved  with  Echeverias — as 
Boussingault  had  also  long  ago  with  other  plants — that  salts  if  moist 
could  be  absorbed  by  the  surface  of  the  leaf,  so  that  when  a  lithium 
salt  was  placed  upon  a  lower  leaf  it  was  detected  in  others  above.  Dr. 
McNab  had  previously  proved  the  trar  amission  of  lithium  salts  imbibed 
by  the  roots  throughout  the  nlant,  following  the  suggestion  of  Prof. 
Church  to  use  this  salt.  Mr.  Veitch  and  Dr.  Maiters  called  attention 
to  the  p  actice  carried  out  by  amateur  Orchid  growers  of  suspending  a 
bag  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  (smelling  salts),  to  that  the  vapour  might 
be  absorbed.  Mr.  Henslow  suggested  that  it  might  be.  absorbed  with 
the  aid  of  vapour  of  water,  as  he  had  found  by  experiments  that  this 
can  be  absorbed  by  leaves.— in  a  SaUirated  Atmosphere, 
Journ,  Lin.  Soc  ,  Bot,,  xxiii.,  page  303). 
CARNATIONS  AT  CHELSEA. 
Every  year  now  for  several  seasons  there  has  been  a  rich  display  of 
Carnations  in  the  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea,  and  this  year  proves 
itself  to  be  no  exception  to  what  has  come  to  be  regarded  as  a  rule  by 
horticulturists.  As  with  other  plants  grown  by  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and 
Sons,  Ltd.,  Carnations  are  done  thoroughly  well,  and  the  arrangement 
of  varieties  in  beds  permits  of  their  being  readily  inspected  by  the 
several  visitors.  The  different  shades  of  colour  are  of  course  very 
numerous,  and  the  flowers  are,  as  a  rule,  of  high  quality,  though  perhaps 
not  quite  so  large  as  those  that  are  cultivated  in  the  purer  atmosphere 
of  the  country. 
There  can,  after  seeing  the  Chelsea  collection,  be  no  question  as  to 
the  adaptability  of  Carnations  and  Picotees  for  culture  in  towns.  Here 
they  make  capital  “  grass,”  and  produce  large  numbers  of  blooms  over 
a  considerable  period  of  time.  If  these  results  can  be  achieved  without 
any  elaborate  preparation  of  the  soil  in  the  beds,  it  may  be  safely  said 
that  better  flowers  and  plants  might  be  had  by  those  persons  who  have 
abundance  of  time  to  devote  to  the  plants.  Not  only  are  they  good  for 
large  gardens,  but  also  for  small  ones ;  indeed  in  the  most  enclosed 
suburban  garden  they  may  be  grown  to  a  state  well  approaching  to 
perfection.  Some  varieties  may  thrive  better  than  others,  but  it  is  not 
difficult  for  anyone  desirous  of  doing  so  making  a  judicious  selection 
under  the  advice  of  some  experienced  grower,  such  as  Mr.  Weeks  at 
Chelsea. 
In  drawing  attention  to  this  collection  it  may  be  permissible  for  the 
writer  to  call  particular  notice  to  one  or  two  which  were  apparently  of 
more  than  ordinary  merit.  These,  however,  are  somewhat  numerous,  so 
that  those  named  must  not  be  taken  as  the  whole  of  the  varieties  in  the 
selection,  but  simply  as  a  representafive  selection  from  them.  They 
have  beeii  chosen,  not  especially  with  regard  to  the  quality  of  the 
flowers,  but  also  with  respect  to  their  habit  of  growth,  which  is  of 
almost  equal  importance  to  the  amateur  grower,  though  not  so  much  so 
to  the  one  who  grows  especially  for  exhibition.  In  this  case,  of  course, 
the  quality  of  the  flowers  is  of  paramount  importance,  as  it  is  imma¬ 
terial  to  him  how  many  blooms  he  gets  from  any  individual  plant 
provided  they  are  perfect,  or  nearly  so. 
It  is  noticeable  that  many  of  the  best  of  the  varieties  have  had  their 
origin  in  the  splendid  collection  of  Martin  R.  Smith,  Esq.,  at  Hayes. 
Referring  flrst  of  all  to  the  seifs,  we  might  call  attention  to  Exile,  a  soft 
rose-hued  flower  of  exquisite  beauty.  Her  Grace,  a  delicate  blush,  is  of 
flne  form,  as  also  is  Nabob,  an  orange  buff,  which  is  very  distinct.  The 
bright  scarlet  of  Paradox  is  very  striking,  as  is  the  blush-tinted  bloom  of 
Seagull.  Cantab  and  Joe  Willett  are  older  than  those  that  have  been 
mentioned,  but  it  will  be  a  considerable  time  before  they  are  ousted 
from  popular  favour,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Rose  Celestial 
and  Winter  Cheer.  Of  yellows,  Corunna  and,  Germania  are  very 
beautiful,  as  are  the  pure  white  Snowdon  and  Mrs.  Frank  Watts.  Such 
old  Fancy  varieties  as  The  Dey,  Duchess  of  Portland,  and  George 
Cruicksbanks  meet  with  favour  from  many  people,  as  do  the  lovely 
light  and  heavy  edged  Picotees. 
Many  of  the  yellow-ground  flowers  are  exceedingly  beautiful,  and 
ought  to  have  a  prominent  position  in  every  garden  where  flowers  are 
desired.  Amongst  the  very  best  of  these  now  in  bloom  are  Eldorado, 
Mr.  Nigel,  Voltaire,  and  Golden  Gate.  In  addition  to  those  named,  if 
one  wished  to  augment  the  list  one  might  add  Hayes  Scarlet,  Sadek, 
Miss  Audrey  Campbell,  King  Arthur,  Bendigo,  and  Miss  Ellen  Terry, 
and  with  these  this  brief  notice  must  be  brought  to  a  close.  Readers 
should  take  the  flrst  available  opportunity  of  making  an  inspection  for 
themselves. — Scrutator, 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
NEWCASTLE. — July  8th,  9th,  and  10th. 
The  show  was  one  of  the  flnest  ever  held  by  the  Society,  and  there 
were  several  new  and  interesting  features.  Some  of  the  competitions 
did  not  bring  forward  so  many  exhibitors  as  formerly,  one  reason, 
perhaps,  being  the  knowledge  that  certain  famed  prizewinners  would  be 
there  to  maintain  their  glory  and  renown  in  the  world  of  fruit  and 
flowers,  and  another,  that  several  other  important  flower  shows  were 
being  held  at  the  same  time  Still,  the  magnificent  show  in  the 
enormous  tent  erected  for  this  occasion  was  one  to  be  remembered. 
Narserymen  and  seedsmen  were  exceptionally  well  represented,  and 
many  lovely  exhibits  not  for  competition  were  shown  by  eminent 
florists.  An  enormous  trophy  of  Palms,  Conifer £e  and  hothouse  plants, 
surmounted  by  the  national  flag,  did  credit  to  Mr.  W.  R.  Armstrong. 
Messrs.  Wm.  Fell  &  Co.  made  a  characteristic  display  of  flower  and 
foliage  by  ornamental  grouping  on  each  side  of  the  entrance,  for  which 
collection  they  again  secured  the  silver  medal.  The  Jubilee  was  re¬ 
garded  by  another  exhibitor,  who  with  scarlet  “Geraniums,”  Corn¬ 
flowers.  and  white  Pinks,  garlanded  a  mail  cart  in  a  most  interesting 
and  artistic  fashion.  The  herbaceous  plants  were  a  fine  feature  of  the 
Exhibition,  but  still  the  ordinary  visitor  looked  most  at  the  flowers  and 
fruit. 
First  of  all  the  Roses.  In  this  summer  show  a  Victorian  prize  was 
offered  under  the  designation  of  “  cut  flowers,”  not  only  for  the  best 
collection  of  Roses,  but  arranged  for  effect.  The  first  award  was  the 
gold  medal  of  the  Society,  and  the  first  prize  collection  was  of  great 
beauty.  The  prize,  as  did  most  of  the  leading  honours  for  cut  flowers, 
went  to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  of  Coventry.  The  exhibits  by  other 
famous  Rose  growers — Harkness  &  Sons,  of  Bedale,  Mack  &  Son, 
Catterick — showed  the  present  perfection  of  the  national  flower.  Violas 
and  Pansies  from  Mr.  T.  Battersby,  of  Hagg  Hill,  Blaydon,  were  very 
pleasing,  the  blooms  being  of  excellent  quality.  The  Carnations  were 
choice  in  quality  and  arrangement,  Messrs.  Laing  &  Mather,  Kelso, 
having  as  flne  specimens  as  we  have  ever  noted.  The  Begonias  shown 
by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  were  superb  with  their  delicacy 
of  texture  and  colour.  Fruit  from  Sir  Joseph  Pease,  Bart.,  M.P. ,  at 
Guisborough,  provided  a  feature  that  attracted  much  notice.  A  few  of 
the  prizewinners  are  named  below. 
For  a  group  of  miscellaneous  plants,  arranged  to  produce  the  most 
artistic  effect,  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  was  first,  Mr.  F.  Edmondson  second,  and 
Mr.  J.  Cocken  third.  For  six  plants  in  bloom,  distinct,  Mr.  F.  Nicholas 
was  the  only  competitor,  and  received  the  premier  award.  For  six 
foliage  plants,  first,  Mr.  J.  McIntyre  ;  second,  Mr.  F,  Nicholas. 
The  Victorian  prize  for  a  collection  of  Roses  arranged  for  effect  went 
to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  being  second,  and  Mr. 
F.  Edmondson  third.  For  seventy-eight  Roses,  thirty-six  varieties,  first, 
Messrs.  Harkness  ik  Sons  ;  second,  Messrs.  R.  Mack  &  Son  ;  third,  Messrs. 
D.  and.  W.  Croll,  Messrs.  Harkness  «&  Sons  were  the  only  exhibitors 
of  forty-eight  Roses,  dissimilar,  and  received  the  first  prize.  Thirty- 
six  Roses,  dissimilar. — First,  Messrs.  Harkness  k,  Sons  ;  third,  Messrs. 
D.  &  W.  Croll.  Twenty-four  dissimilar,  trebles. — Messrs.  Harkness  and 
Sons  again  secured  the  premier  award. 
In  the  class  for  eighteen  bunches  hardy  herbaceous  and  border 
flowers,  dissimilar,  Messrs.  Cocker  &  Sons  were  first,  Mr.  F.  Edmondson 
second,  and  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  third.  Twelve  bunches  hardy 
herbaceous  and  border  flowers.  —  First,  Mr.  M.  Campbell;  second, 
Messrs.  Harkness  &  Sons  ;  third,  Mr.  F.  Edmondson.  For  forty-eight 
Pansies,  Fancy,  distinct,  Mr.  M.  Campbell  was  first,  Mr.  A.  Lister  second, 
and  Mr.  K.  H.  L.  Bell  third.  For  twenty-four  Pansies,  Fancy,  distinct.— 
First,  Mr.  M.  Campbell;  second,  Mr.  A.  Lister;  third,  Mr.  W.  Archer. 
Twenty-four  Pansies,  Show,  distinct. — First,  Mr.  A.  Lister  ;  second,  Mr. 
W.  Archer;  third,  Mr.  J.  Wright.  Twenty-four  spray  Violas,  six  blooms 
in  each,  not  less  than  fifteen  varieties. — Mr.  M.  Campbell  first,  Mr.  T. 
Battensby  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Cairns  third.  Twelve  specimen  glasses  of 
Carnations,  not  more  than  six  blooms  in  each. — First,  Messrs,  Laing  and 
Mather  ;  second,  Mr.  M.  Campbell ;  third,  Mr.  J.  Cairns. 
In  the  fruit  division  the  chief  class  was  for  a  collection  of  eight 
dishes  of  fruit,  distinct  kinds  (black  and  white  Grapes  allowed  ias 
separate  dishes),  and  Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  a  fine  first,  followed  by  Messrs. 
