126 
journal  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
AuRust  6,  1897. 
Chrysanthemums  in  New  Fouth  Wales. 
Mb,  S.  £.  Levick  has  again  prepared  bis  annual  audit  of  the  best 
Cbrysanthemums  exhibited  at  the  Sydney  shows  during  the  past  season 
(April  and  May),  The  following  is  the  result  as  set  forth  in  the 
“  Australian  Agriculturist — Madame  Carnot  was  shown  twelve  times  ; 
Good  Gracious,  eleven ;  Golden  Gate,  ten  ;  Madame  Calvat  and  The 
Queen,  nine  ;  Robt.  Williams  and  Mrs.  Jas.  Murphy,  seven ;  Louise, 
Kda  Prass,  and  Vice-President  Audiguier,  six  ;  Nyanza,  T.  Wickham 
Jones,  Mdlle.  Marie  Recoura,  L’It6re,  Mrs.  C.  Harman  Payne,  Chas. 
Davis,  Col.  W,  B.  Smith,  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Horton,  five  ;  Buff  Globe,  Mrs. 
Hickman,  Molesworth,  Wallaroo,  Miss  M,  Blenkiron,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Adams, 
Golden  Wedding,  and  Viviand  Morel,  four;  Eva  Knowles,  E.  Forgeot, 
The  Wonderful,  Austral  Queen,  Oceana,  Silver  King,  Wilfred  Marshall, 
Mrs.  Libbie  Allen,  Pallanza,  and  Philadelphia,  three  times  each.  There 
were  eighteen  varieties  shown  twice,  and  forty  varieties  shown  once. 
Certificated  Australian  Chrysanthemums. 
Pride  of  Madford,  Oceana,  Australie,  and  perhaps  a  few  more 
have  been  sufficiently  long  in  cultivation  here  for  us  to  form  some  idea 
of  the  value  of  Australian  seedlings.  That  there  will  be  others  equally 
good  in  the  course  of  time  seems  to  be  certain,  for  although  during  the 
past  season  new  Australian  seedlings  were  not  exhibited  in  large 
numbers  at  the  meetings  of  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Horticultural 
Society  of  New  South  Wales,  several  novelties  were  awarded  first-class 
certificates,  showing  that  the  colonial  raisers  are  still  engaged  upon  the 
work. 
Mr.  G.  Kerslake  is  credited  with  raising  the  following,  besides  others 
in  previoui  years,  which  Jiave  had  certificates  awarded  to  them  : — 
F.  McQuade,  Japanese,  long  petals,  slightly  incurving  at  the  tips  ;  colour 
bright  terra  cotta,  reverse  amber.  Mr.  J.  H.  Horton,  Japanese  reflexed  ; 
colour  bronzy  yellow,  centre  paler.  Miss  Mary  TJnderhay,  Japanese, 
broad  incarved  petals  ;  colour  primrose,  but  deeper  than  Kate  Mursell. 
Of  varieties  referred  to  in  a  former  communication,  a  report  in  a 
colonial  paper  says — “J.  R.  Upton  deserves  special  mention.  This 
variety  has  everywhere  been  shown  in  splendid  form,  and  is  undoubtedly 
the  finest  yellow  we  have.  Another  magnificent  variety  is  the  white 
G.  H.  Kerslake,  not  yet  distributed.  The  six  blooms  of  this  variety 
shown  by  G.  Kerslake  were  magnificent.  Wallaroo  has  also  proved 
itself  a  very  fine  variety,  and,  as  it  is  being  distributed  this  season,  it 
will  probably  be  seen  in  several  prize  trays  next  year.’' — C.  H.  P. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Scientific  Committee,  July  27th. — Present:  Dr.  M.T.  Masters 
(in  the  chair);  Mr.  Bennett-Poe,  Prof.  Church,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Mr. 
Veitch,  Dr.  Bonavia,  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  Sec. 
Hybrid  Orchid, — Mr.  Veitch  exhibited  a  new  hybrid,  Epilfelia  x, 
between  Epidendron  radicans  and  Lselia  purpurata.  The  former  grows 
to  from  7  to  8  feet  in  height,  but  the  hybrid  is  only  about  18  inches. 
Its  leaves  more  resemble  those  of  Laelia,  nor  does  it  root  so  freely  as  the 
Epidendron.  The  flowers  are  larger  than  those  of  the  latter  parent,  and 
scarlet,  but  with  a  mnch  broader  and  blotched  lip,  approximating  that 
of  the  Lselia,  though  the  deep  mauve  colour  of  this  species  is  entirely 
wanting.  Mr.  Veitch  observed  that  it  is  remarkable  that  the  pollen  of 
Epidendron  radicans  is  potential  in  crossing  Laelia,  Cattleya,  and 
Sophronitis,  but  not  with  itself.  Dr.  Masters  remarked  that  this  hybrid 
thus  corroborated  Reichenbach’s  statement  that  the  two  parents  were 
allied. 
Apples  Diseased. — Dr.  Bonavia  inquired  as  to  the  nature  of  a  disease 
which  so  commonly  attacks  Apples.  Dr.  Masters  pronounced  it  to  be 
most  probably  Fusicladium  dendriticum,  which  attacks  Apples  and  Pears, 
causing  them  to  crack.  Mr.  Veitch  observed  that  it  generally  occurs 
when  the  tree  is  in  a  poor  condition,  and  recommended  a  renewal  of  soil 
in  the  autumn  to  strengthen  the  growth. 
Wheat-eared  Carnations. — Some  examples  of  this  well-known  pecu¬ 
liarity  were  received  from  Mr.  Colvile  Browne  of  Hextable,  Kent.  Mr. 
Veitch  observed  that  whenever  Carnations  were  grown  in  large  quanti¬ 
ties  for  market,  some  plants  generally  appear  among  them  with  this 
malformation.  Dr.  Masters  added  that  it  was  said  that  the  immediate 
cause  was  the  attack  by  mites  at  the  apex. 
Twin  Apple  Leaf. — Mr.  Browne  also  sent  a  specimen  in  which  two 
leaves  were  apparently  united  half-way  up,  and  back  to  back.  An 
examination  of  the  distribution  of  the  fibro-vascular  cords  showed  that 
there  was  only  one  petiole,  a  section  of  which  was  crescent-shaped,  with 
three  or  four  cords  on  each  half.  These  coalesced  higher  up  into  two 
distinct  bands,  from  which  the  cords  supplied  to  each  of  the  twin  blades 
arose,  fr,  was  analogous  to  a  foliaceous  stamen  of  Jatropha,  described 
by  Dr.  Masters  (^Teratology,  page  255). 
Lantana  Attacked  by  Insects. — Specimens  were  received  from  Chis¬ 
wick  covered  with  a  white  mealy  bug  known  as  Orthezia  insignis, 
Douglas,  and  called  the  “  Kew  bug.” 
Seeds  Germinating  within  a  Melon. — A  specimen  was  received  in 
which  this  peculiarity  had  occurred.  It  is  not  infrequent  in  Cucumbers, 
Oranges,  and  the  Papaw.  It  was  observed  that  the  cotyledons  were 
green,  though  in  the  absence  of  light  within  the  fruit.  Such  occurs  also 
in  Pistacio  Nuts,  Mistletoe,  pods  of  Cassia  fistula,  &c.  Professor  Church 
remarked  that  it  probably  arose  from  some  modification  of  the  rays  of 
light  which  were  capable  of  “  greening,”  although  their  energy  was 
altered  in  character.  It  is  observable  that  plants  turn  green  under  all 
the  coloured  rays  of  the  spectrum,  though  Ferns  will  be  green  in  total 
darkness  if  the  temperature  be  adequate. 
Pelorian  Calceolaria. — Mr.  Henslow  showed  two  flowers  of  the 
ordinary  yellow  bedding-out  plant,  which  had  assumed  the  sleeve-like 
shape  instead  of  the  usual  slipper. 
Cypripedium  two-lipped. — Dr.  Masters  showed  a  specimen  with  this 
maltormation,  the  flower  being  apparently  also  changed  as  to  the 
number  of  its  parts.  It  appeared  to  be  really  synanthic,  like  the 
Cattleya  shown  at  the  last  meeting. 
Rosa  rubrifolia.—'S.e  also  showed  a  spray  of  this  red-leaved  species, 
received  from  Mr.  G.  Paul,  having  the  gall,  “  Robin’s  pincushion,” 
likewise  intensified  in  colour. 
Hybrid  Aristolochia,—Dt.  Masters  showed  a  blossom  of  the  first 
hybrid  ever  raised  in  this  genus,  between  A.  gigas  (form)  and  A.  elegans 
from  Bolivia.  It  will  be  more  fully  described  elsewhere. 
Cream-coloured  Vallota. — He  also  exhibited  blossoms  of  this  variety. 
A  white  one  is  known  to  have  existed,  but  is  apparently  lost  to  cultiva- 
t  ion.  It  was  suggested  that  crossings  should  be  made  with  the  present 
one,  so  that  possibly  the  white  variety  may  re-appear. 
Chemical  Analyses  of  Orchids.  —  Prof.  Church,  having  carefully 
considered  Mr.  Smee’s  second  paper  on  the  chemical  processes  which  are 
supposed  to  take  place  in  Orchids,  observed  that  it  was  somewhat 
difficult  to  follow  the  author’s  observations,  as  there  was  a  want  of 
systematic  cohesion  throughout  the  paper,  some  parts  appearing  to  be 
father  irrelevant  and  others  open  to  question.  Thus  chemists  are  not 
agreed  upon  the  composition  of  chlorophyll,  and  if  they  were  there 
would  be  in  consequence  no  special  light  thrown  on  the  cultivation  of 
Orchids.  In  bis  observations  upon  the  presence  of  nitrogen  in  sewage 
grass  Mr.  Smee  had  altogether  omitted  any  mention  of  nitrates,  and  no 
conclusions  can  be  drawn  from  the  absolute  quantities  given,  as  they 
bear  no  relation  to  the  actual  quantities  employed,  but  not  stated  in  the 
experiments.  The  diagram  supplied  by  Mr.  Smee  Prof.  Church  thought 
interesting,  as  approximately  representing  the  gradual  loss  of  earthy 
salts  as  one  of  the  causes  of  decline  and  death.  With  reference  to  his 
observations  on  phosphates  in  connection  with  the  flowering  process,  it 
is  well  known  that  phosphates  generally  increase  the  inflorescence, 
while  nitrogen  enhances  the  foliage  and  deepens  the  green  colour  of 
chlorophyll ;  but  Mr.  Smee’s  remarks  upon  the  decomposition  of  phos¬ 
phates  are  extremely  doubtful.  It  has  been  found  in  all  experiments 
that  ammonias  in  which  phosphorus  has  replaced  nitrogen  have  always 
proved  fatal  to  plants.  Mr.  Smee’s  experiments  on  scents,  as  being 
formed  in  the  flower  itself,  are  well  founded.  Lastly,  the  suggestion 
that  thorough  analyses  should  be  made  of  all  parts  of  Orchids  was 
advisable,  if  practicable  ;  but  such  would  require  very  accurate  work  on 
deflnite  lines.  Such  only  would  give  valuable  results. 
A  “GOLDEN  GARDEN.” 
Outside  a  comparatively  small  district  in  Buckinghamshire  the 
Wing  Horticultural  Society  is  practically  unknown,  yet  the  special 
favour  of  an  exceptionally  advantageous  situation  for  its  annual  Show 
bids  fair  to  raise  it  to  a  high  level  amongst  local  organisations  of  a 
similar  kind.  When  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  with  a  generosity  that 
distinguishes  a  great  family,  permitted  the  Wing  Society  to  bold  its 
exhibition  in  the  grounds  at  Ascott,  and,  further,  threw  open  his 
beautiful  gardens  to  all  visitors,  the  success  was  assured  provided  only 
that  fair  weather  could  be  secured.  This  condition  was  amply  fulfllled 
last  week  (July  29  th),  when  crowds  of  visitors  from  Leighton  Buzzard 
and  the  neighbourhood  flocked  into  the  Show,  and  spent  a  most  enjoy¬ 
able  afternoon  amidst  the  numerous  attractions  of  a  superb  garden. 
The  visitors  were  not,  however,  confined  to  residents  in  the  district,  for 
excursions  were  provided  from  Bedfordshire  and  Northampton,  which 
brought  many  to  whom  the  charms  of  Ascott  had  been  hitherto  unknown, 
and  they  departed  both  surprised  and  satisfied. 
As  a  matter  of  fact  little  can  be  said  about  the  exhibition  itself. 
There  were  the  same  arrays  of  well-grown  vegetables  most  country  shows 
provide,  there  were  also  cut  flowers  and  plants  in  moderate  numbers,  all, 
however,  examples  of  good  culture  and  care,  with  an  additional  tent  devoted 
to  groups  of  plants  which  were  either  from  district  or  distant  nursery¬ 
men  (Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  and  Cutbush  &  Sons  being  amongst  the 
latter).  Respecting  them  nothing  need  be  said  in  these  notes,  because 
the  chief  object  is  to  refer  to  what  was  after  all  the  greatest  attraction 
to  visitors — the  garden;  Perhaps  it  would  scarcely  be  possible  to  select 
any  time  in  the  whole  year  when  Ascott  could  be  seen  to  better  advan¬ 
tage  then  July  or  August ;  there  is  such  a  wealth  of  shrubs,  trees,  and 
plants  that  in  favourable  seasons  have  by  that  time  made  their  best 
growth,  and  are  seen  at  once  in  their  freshest  and  richest  attire.  At 
intervals,  from  the  early  years  of  this  garden,  the  writer  of  these  notes 
has  bad  the  opportunity  of  observing  the  progress  made,  the  gradual 
development  as  it  were  of  the  ideas  which  influenced  the  designers  and 
planters.  Each  visit  has  in  this  way  yielded  greater  satisfaction,  until  on 
the  occasion  under  notice  it  seemed  that  the  picture  was  completed.  It 
