September  9,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
247 
To  THE  Members  of  the  National  Rose  Society. 
I  DO  not  think  that  any  member  of  the  N.H.S.  who  is  interested  in  its 
welfare  can  be  (juite  satisfied  with  its  present  condition.  It  is  true  that 
each  year  our  schedule  of  prizes  becomes  more  and  more  enlarged  ;  that 
new  classes  are  originated,  and  that  some  few  of  our  members  generously 
come  forward  to  ofier  an  additional  stimulus  to  exhibitors  ;  that  we  have 
issued  several  publications,  and  that  the  number  of  the  societies  aTliated 
with  us  does  not  diminish  ;  but  at  the  same  time  there  seems  to  be  that 
want  of  enthusiasm  without  which  no  cause  can  prosper. 
It  is  probably  the  very  fact  of  our  having  always  a  credit  balance  at 
our  bankers  at  the  end  of  the  year  that  leads  our  members  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  present  condition  of  things ;  but  when  we  consider  that  the 
number  of  our  members  has  not  of  late  years  increased,  I  do  not  at  all 
think  that  we  can  congratulate  ourselves  overmuch.  This  opinion  has  been 
expressed  by  many,  and  various  suggestions  have  been  made  as  to  how  it 
is  to  be  remedied.  Many  of  these  seem  to  me  unpractical  and  impracticable, 
and  I  have  therefore  felt  constrained,  as  the  founder  of  the  Society  and 
not  in  any  official  capacity,  to  make  this  appeal. 
I  want  to  ask  you,  my  friends,  if  each  one  of  you  cannot  procure  an 
additional  member  1  There  are  many,  both  professional  and  amateurs, 
who  have  received  considerable  sums  as  prizes  who  have  never  as  yet 
brought  us  one  member.  Will  you  not,  then,  bestir  yourselves,  and  see 
if  you  cannot  remedy  this  great  defect  I  Of  course,  I  do  not  anticipate 
any  immediate  response  to  this,  as  we  are  drawing  towards  the  end  of 
our  year,  but  I  do  want  you  to  think  over  it  and  lay  to  heart  the  sugges¬ 
tion  I  have  made. 
Let  me  again  say  that  this  move  is  an  entirely  independent  one,  and 
in  no  way  compromises  anyone  but  myself ;  but  I  feel  it  is  necessary  to 
make  this  appeal  when  I  note  the  steady,  and  in  fact  rapid,  advance  of 
other  societies  devoted  to  various  branches  of  horticulture,  while  our 
society  is  practically  merely  holding  its  ground.— H.  HoNYWOOD- 
D’Ombeain. 
Rose  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison. 
Ip  I  were  compelled  to  grow  only  one  Rose,  and  had  my  choice  of 
variety,  I  should  certainly  decide  in  favour  of  this  old  Bourbon.  It  comes 
as  near  to  perpetual  blooming,  without  any  special  pains  being  taken  with  it. 
as  any  Rose  of  good  form  that  I  know.  It  has  a  splendid  constitution, 
growing  and  flowering  as  freely  at  twenty  years  old  as  it  does  as 
maidens. 
Cuttings  of  this  variety  root  very  freely,  and  it  grows  as  vigorously 
on  its  own  roots  as  when  budded  on  any  stock.  Unless  the  antumn  is 
very  wet,  the  late  blooms  are  as  good,  and  often  better,  than  the  earlier 
ones,  and  it  will  not  cease  blooming  until  the  weather  becomes  so  bad 
that  the  unopen  buds  rot  on  the  trees. 
In  pruning  this  Rose  only  the  weak  shoots  should  be  removed,  and 
the  strong  ones  slightly  cut  back  ;  otherwise  the  bush  should  be  allowed 
perfect  freedom.  The  colour  of  the  blooms  is  a  delicate  pale  blush,  and 
it  has  a  pleasing  perfume.  Have  other  growers  their  favourite  Rose  / 
If  so,  what  is  it  ?  -  J.  H.  W. 
NOTES  ON  GOGERDDAN. 
Having  recently  been  on  a  holiday  visit  to  Aberystwith,  I  heard 
much  of  the  beauties  of  Gogerddan,  the  seat  of  Sir  Pryse  Rryse  and 
Lady  Prj'se.  The  estate  is  situated  about  three  miles  from  the  resort 
mentioned,  and  the  drive  through  charming  Welsh  scenery  is  most 
enjoyable.  The  gardens  are  about  4  acres  in  extent,  and  the  houses 
strong  and  well  built.  In  a  lean-to  vinery  we  saw  a  splendid  crop  of 
well  finished  Black  Hamburghs,  and  we  also  noticed  a  rod  each  of  Lady 
Downe’s  and  Foster’s  Seedling,  carrying  fine  and  well  coloured  bunches. 
Adjoining  this  house  is  the  late  vinery,  in  which  the  Hamburghs  were 
just  beginning  to  colour.  The  clean,  health}'^  foliage  denoted  high  culture 
and  careful  management. 
A  block  of  three  span-roofed  structures,  comprises  two  fine  green¬ 
houses,  with  the  stove  in  between  them,  the  cool  portions  of  which  contained 
a  fine  show  of  flowering  plants,  notably  Begonias,  Petunias,  and  Zonal 
Pelargoniums,  Liliums,  Fuchsias,  bearing  a  wealth  of  flower,  while  along 
the  back  of  the  stages,  planted  in  large  pots,  were  two  superb  Abutilons 
in  full  flower.  Ijapageria  rosea  and  alba,  Hoya  carnosa,  and  Passiflora 
Buonapartea,  all  help  to  make  a  charming  display.  The  stove  is  a  lofty 
structure  with  a  centre  bed,  in  which  we  saw  some  choice  specimen  Palms, 
while  on  the  side  stages  were  well  grown  Ferns,  a  Cissus  discolor, 
Stephanotis  trained  on  balloons,  and  by  the  door  a  splendid  specimen 
t  roton  Weismanni  ;  on  the  roof  were  an  Allamanda  in  full  bloom,  Bou¬ 
gainvillea  glabra,  and  Clerodendron  Balfourianum.  In  a  neighbouring 
structure  there  was  a  grand  show  of  Crotons,  Dracaenas,  and  Pandanus, 
which  will  make  nice  table  plants. 
Along  the  whole  length  of  a  high  wall  running  across  the  centre  of 
the  garden,  separating  it  into  two  parts,  is  a  row  of  Peach  houses,  with  a 
southern  aspect.  There  is  the  early  Peach  house,  cleared  of  its  fruit ; 
another  with  its  beautiful  fruit  now  ready,  while  a  third  is  devoted  to  late 
varieties  that  will  carry  on  the  supply  for  a  long  time  to  come.  The 
chief  varieties  grown  are  Nectarines  Rlruge  and  Lord  Napier,  while  of 
the  Peaches  there  are  Early  Rivers,  Noblesse,  and  Stirling  Castle,  with 
others.  Planted  out  along  the  front,  and  trained  up  under  the  glass, 
was  a  splendid  row  of  Tomatoes,  carrying  heavy  crops  of  handsomely 
finished  fruit,  the  varieties  being  Ham  Green  Favourite,  Perfection, 
^larket  Gem,  and  Peach  Blow. 
Chrysanthemums  are  also  in  evidence,  for  along  the  side  of  a  walk 
were  some  tall  specimens,  intended  for  cut  blooms  for  exhibition,  their 
healthy  dark-green  foliage  showing  they  are  well  looked  after  ;  while  in 
another  place  was  a  useful  collection  of  bush  plants,  which  should  produce 
good  blooms  later  in  the  year. 
The  kitchen  garden,  a  model  of  cleanliness  and  order,  is  stocked  with 
all  kinds  of  vegetables.  To  enumerate  all  would  take  far  too  much  space. 
On  the  whole  the  gardens  are  a  credit  to  Mr.  .lames  Vearey  and  his  staff, 
and  bespeak  careful  and  well-considered  culture.  Across  the  road  is  the 
mansion,  with  its  attendant  pleasure  grounds  and  flower  garden.  The 
flower  beds  were  charmingly  arranged,  and  presented  a  mass  of  colours, 
well  blended.  By  the  kindness  of  the  owners  these  gardens  are  open  to 
the  public  on  every  day  except  Sunday. — A.  E. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
READING.— September  1st. 
In  most  inauspicious  weather  the  Reading  Horticultural  Society 
opened  its  summer  exhibition.  Rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and  strong 
winds  ]  ire  vailed.  Horticulturally  the  show  was  one  of  the  best  the 
Society  has  had,  all  sections  being  well  represented,  although  the  place  of 
honour  must  be  given  to  the  vegetable  classes.  The  many  collections 
set  up  wei’e  indeed  superb,  and  we  may  safely  say  that  a  standai'd  of  such 
excellence  has  not  been  reached  at  any  other  show  this  season.  The  fruit 
staged  in  the  various  classes  was  of  good  quality,  while  groups  and 
specimen  jilants  all  added  to  make  a  fine  display.  Cut  flowers  were  also 
well  represented  in  the  classes  allotted  them.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons, 
Ltd.,  R.  Wallace  &  Co.,  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  and  .1.  Hudson  had  beautiful 
non-competitive  exhibits. 
There  were  three  entries  in  the  class  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged 
for  effect,  occupying  a  space  18  feet  by  10  feet,  and  in  addition  to  the 
money  the  Sutton  challenge  cup,  value  25  guineas,  goes  with  the  first 
prize.  Mr.  Peel,  gardener  to  Miss  Todd,  Southampton,  was  the  winner 
with  a  pleasing  arrangement.  Mr.  Pope,  gardener  to  J.  P.  White,  Esq., 
was  very  close  second.  ]\Ir.  Bassil,  gardener  to  D.  IL  Evans,  Esq.,  third. 
For  the  best  group  in  a  space  10  feet  by  8  feet  Mr.  Chamberlain,  gardener 
to  F.  M.  Lonergan,  Esq.,  was  successful,  followed  by  Mr.  Alexander, 
gardener  to  R.  Hewett,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Goddard.  Specimen  plants  were 
well  staged  by  Mr.  Wm.  Finch,  Coventry,  who  took  first  place.  Mr.  Peel 
was  second.  For  the  best  six  stove  or  greenhouse  Ferns  Mr.  IVillis, 
gardener  to  H.  C.  Symonds,  Esq.,  was  a  sjilendid  first,  Mr.  Leith  and  Mr. 
Peel  being  second  and  third  in  the  order  named.  For  the  best  six  plants 
for  table  decoration  Mr.  Fulford,  gardener  to  F.  D.  Lambert,  Esq.,  was 
to  the  front ;  Mr.  Pope  second  ;  and  Mr.  Best  third.  Fuchsias  were 
superb.  Mr.  Bright,  gardener  to  .1.  B.  Karslake,  Esq.,  was  a  splendid 
first  ;  IMr.  Wilson  second,  also  having  a  fine  lot,  Mr.  Hinton  taking 
third  place.  Messrs.  R.  Wallace  &  Co  ,  Colchester,  staged  half  a  dozen 
Liliums,  and  were  awarded  the  prize.  Coleus  were  good,  Mr.  Hammond, 
IMr.  Goddard,  and  Mr.  Ferry  being  the  winners.  For  three  Palms  iMr. 
Peel  was  a  good  first  with  healthy  plants.  Mi’.  Hammond  taking  second 
place.  Begonias  were  represented  by  nice  plants.  iMr.  Bassil  staged 
the  best,  Mr.  Smith  second,  and  Mr.  IVIayne  third. 
Dahlias  were  very  good.  Mr.  J.  Walker,  Thame,  was  placed  first  for 
eighteen  Show  varieties.  IMr.  Mortimer  was  a  sjilendid  second  ;  and 
Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons  third.  Mr.  Mortimer  took  first  place  in  a  similar 
class  for  Cactus  kinds  ;  Messrs.  Cheal  &  Sons  second.  The  last  named 
were  a  good  first  for  single  Dahlias  ;  klr.  Such  second.  Asters, 
Gladiolus,  and  Zinnias  were  all  well  staged,  and  the  display  made  in  the 
hardy  cut  flower  classes  was  very  fine. 
Fruit  made  a  fine  display.  For  the  best  eight  dishes  Mr.  Gleeson, 
gardener  to  C.  E.  Keyser,  JEsq.,  was  a  fine  first  with  Black  Hamburgh 
and  iNIuscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  Barrington  Peach,  Golden  Perfection 
Melon,  a  fine  Pine,  Nectarines,  Figs,  and  Cherries.  Mr.  Pope,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  was  second  ;  and  Mr.  Cole  third.  In  the  class 
for  six  dishes  Mr.  Howard,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Myers,  Benham  Park,  was 
first  with  fine  Pineapple  Nectarines,  Buttons’  Scarlet  Melon,  Stirling 
Castle  peach,  Kirke’s  Plum,  Black  Hamburgh  and  Muscat  Grapes.  Mr. 
Chamberlain  was  a  creditable  second  ;  Mr.  Bassil  third. 
There  were  five  entries  for  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes- 
Mr.  W,  Fyfe,  gardener  to  Lord  Wantage,  was  first  with  grandly  coloured 
examples,  Mr.  Cole  second,  and  Mr.  Wilson  third.  IMr.  Fyfe  was  also 
first  in  the  class  for  any  other  Black,  staging  ^ladresfield  Court  in  perfect 
form.  Mr.  C.  Cooper  was  second  with  Gros  IMaroc  :  Mr.  Cole  third. 
For  the  best  three  btmches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Mr.  Fyfe  was  again 
successful  with  superb  examples,  IMr.  Cole  second  with  larger  bunches 
not  nearly  so  well  finished.  For  the  best  dish  of  Peaches  twelve  staged, 
Mr.  Bowerman  winning  with  fine  Barrington  ;  Mr.  Leith  second,  and 
Mr.  Cole  third.  For  six  Nectarines  IMr.  Howard  was  awarded  the  prize, 
staging  Pineapjile,  Mr.  Gleeson  second,  iMr.  T.  Turton  third.  The  last 
mentioned  exhibitor  won  for  Figs,  followed  by  Mr.  Bastin.  IMr.  Turton 
