530 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  2,  1897. 
The  Conservatory  at  Westonbirt. 
The  corridor  that  may  be  seen  in  the  photographic  illustration  is 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  mansion.  It  is  30  yards  long,  and  leads 
to  the  conservatory,  which  has  an  arrangement  of  four  large  beds,  filled 
with  specimens  of  Bananas,  Palms,  Ferns,  Bamboos,  and  other  imposing 
plants.  Large  pillars  support  the  roof,  and  on  these  are  growing  Hibiscus 
in  variety,  which  succeed  well,  making  shorter  growths  and  flowering 
more  freely  than  in  the  stove.  On  the  sides  are  arranged  flowering  plants, 
brought  from  the  other  houses  in  season,  making  a  pretty  effect. 
Two  large  plants  of  Olea  fragrans  are  in  bloom,  which  scent  the  whole 
of  the  conservatory.  It  is  an  excellent  plant,  which  is  rarely  found  in 
conservatories,  but  those  who  object  to  the  perfume  emitted  by  the 
leaves  of  the  Chrysanthemum  will  find  it  very  pleasant.  The  creepers 
hanging  from  the  roof  (in  view)  are  Coboea  scandens  variegata, 
Tropmolum  Fire  King,  Abutilons,  Lapagerias  rosea  and  alba.  Fuchsias, 
Bignonia  Cherere,  and  Lasiandra  macrantha.  The  latter  is  now  in 
full  bloom,  and  contrasts  splendidly  with  the  yellow  blooms  of  the 
Chrysanthemums. 
On  the  walls  on  each  side  of  the  corridor  are  Camellias,  which  are  in 
splendid  health,  the  old  0.  althseflora  just  now  expanding  hundreds  of 
bloom. 
On  each  side  of  this  corridor  are  arranged  two  long  banks  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  comprising  all  the  leading  varieties,  preference  being  given 
to  the  Japanese  incurved.  The  waxy  texture  of  the  blooms  has  a  more 
massive  appearance,  and  they  are  found  to  resist  the  damp  better  than  the 
more  loose  type  of  Japanese  varieties.  Amongst  the  largest  blooms 
are  Edith  Tabor,  Oceana,  Phoebus,  A.  H.  Fewkes,  Pallanza,  Australian  Gold, 
Modesto,  Boule  d’Or  (Calvat’s),  Amos  Perry,  very  fine  ;  Philadelphia, 
Sunflower,  Mons.  Panckoucke,  and  Noces  d’Or  of  the  yellows.  Nivens, 
extremely  large  blooms ;  Avalanche,  Stanstead  White,  Mdlle.  Alarie 
Hoste,  Mutual  Friend,  Mdlle.  Th^rese  Rey,  Madame  Carnot,  Lady  Esther 
Smith,  Souvenir  de  Petite  Amie,  very  dwarf  and  good  ;  Kentish  White, 
and  Lady  Byron,  whites.  The  higher  coloured  varieties  are  C.  W. 
Childs,  Wm.  Holmes,  Elmer  D.  Smith,  W.  K.  Woodcock,  Owen’s 
Crimson,  Octoroon,  Khama,  Lady  Randolph,  Commandant  Blusset, 
Viviand  Morel  (terminal  buds),  Maggie  Blenkiron,  and  Nyanza,  with 
others. 
Huge  bushes  are  grown  and  arranged  in  the  front  row,  carrying 
several  hundreds  of  bloom  of  Sir  Admiral  Symonds,  Mons.  Lemoine, 
White  Jane,  Source  d’Or,  Chevalier  Homage,  W.  H.  Lincoln.  These 
form  fine  masses  of  colour,  and  show  off  the  larger  blooms  to  perfection. 
N.C.S.  Annual  Dinner. 
The  annual  dinner  of  this  Society  was  held  on  Wednesday,  the 
24th  ult.,  at  Anderton’s  Hotel,  Fleet  Street,  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders  being  in 
the  chair.  There  was  a  numerous  company  present,  and  the  proceedings 
were  of  the  usual  hearty  nature.  Among  many  others  we  recognised 
Messrs.  P.  Waterer  (the -Vice-Chairman  of  the  General  Committee), 
Harman  Payne,  R.  Ballantine,  T.  Bevan,  G.  Gordon,  J.  Scott,  T.  W. 
Wilkinson  ( Secretary  of  the  Royal  Atj^uarium  Company),  H.  .1.  Jones, 
W.  Mease,  H.  Cutlmsh,  Leonard  Brown,  and  R.  Dean. 
The  usual  loyal  toasts  having  been  duly  honoured,  the  Chairman  rose 
to  propose  “  The  Glorious  Chrj^santheraum  and  Its  Devotees,”  which 
was  a  toast  he  felt  sure  everyone  present  would  heartily  welcome.  He 
could  safely  say  that  not  even  the  Rose,  beautiful  as  it  was,  could  claim 
to  have  so  great  a  share  of  admiration  and  popularity  as  the  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  had  obtained.  It  was  a  flower  that  united  men  of  all  creeds, 
all  nations,  all  shades  of  political  opinion  in  a  bond  of  brotherhood  and 
love.'  The  Chrj’santhemum  had  exercised  its  wonderful  influence  in 
China,  in  Japan,  and  other  places  almoad  ;  and  had  it  not  long  since  had 
the  same  beneficial  effect  upon  us  in  the  West?  It  was  a  flower  that  had 
done  much  to  make  horticulture  a  more  tempting  pursuit  to  many  who 
could  not  otherwise  have  taken  up  the  cultivation  of  flowers  at  all.  The 
Chairman  then  referred  to  the  East  End  of  liondon,  where  it  was 
surprising  to  find  such  admirable  displays,  and  proceeded  to  show  how 
the  cultivation  of  the  flower  had  spread  throughout  the  United  Kingdom, 
and  even  into  our  far  off  Colonies  beyond  the  seas.  Wherever  we  go  we 
find  people  taking  more  interest  in  its  culture  than  ever.  Much  of  this 
he  considered  was  due  to  the  N.C.S. ,  which  provided  fine  shows  and  useful 
literature  on  the  subject,  and  by  admitting  societies  into  affiliation  they 
have  helped  to  continue  the  good  work.  These  societies  were  situated  in 
almost  every  county  in  England,  and  at  the  present  moment  numbered  148. 
In  conclusion,  the  Chairman  expressed  the  hope  that  the  N.C.S.  would 
continue  its  good  work,  and  so  spread  the  love  of  the  flower  in  those 
quarters  where  its  beauty  and  usefulness  had  not  yet  penetrated.  The 
toast  was  drunk  with  enthusiasm. 
Mr.  G.  Gordon  proposed  “  The  Donors  of  Special  Prizes,”  and  said  that 
the  N.C.S.  was  largely  indebted  to  its  honorary  members  and  donors  of 
special  prizes,  and  he  should  be  pleased  if  anything  he  could  say  would 
induce  others  to  follow  the  example  already  so  worthily  set,  and  coupled 
with  the  toast  the  names  of  Mr.  H.  .1.  Jones  and  Mr.  P.  AVaterer,  the 
latter  of  whom  had  recently  shown  them  at  Edinburgh  that  he  could  win 
an  important  prize  in  a  competition  where  the  best  blooms  in  the  United 
Kingdom  were  staged.  Mr,  Waterer  and  Mr.  Jones  both  replied  in 
suitable  terms. 
The  presentation  of  the  national  challenge  trophy  was  then  made  to 
the  representative  of  the  Bromley  Society,  Mr.  J.  Scott,  who  replied,  saying 
he  was  proud  of  the  position  he  occupied  that  evening  in  the  absence 
of  their  President,  Mr.  Coles  Child.  The  Bromley  Society  had  had  the 
honour  on  a  previous  occasion  of  winning  the  trophy,  and  were  now  again 
successful.  The  blooms  shown  were  the  product  of  ten  different 
members  of  the  Society,  and  they  would  be  quite  prepared  to  contest  it 
again. 
At  this  point,  on  account  of  the  time  being  somewhat  advanced,  the 
health  of  the  visitors  was  proposed,  and  responded  to  by  Mr.  Spencer 
Hughes,  of  the  “  Morning  Leader,”  and  Mr.  Leonard  Brown. 
Next  came  the  presentation  of  the  Holmes  Memorial  cup  to  Mr. 
Mease,  the  Turner  Memorial  cup  to  Mr.  N.  Davis,  and  various  gold  and 
other  medals  to  Messrs.  Cutbush,  W.  Wells,  H.  J.  Jones,  and  John  Laing 
and  Sons. 
”  The  President,  Vice-Presidents,  Officers,  Auditors,  and  Committees  ” 
was  proposed  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  who  said  he  was  sure  they  would 
all  regret  the  unavoidable  absence  of  their  esteemed  President,  Sir  Edwin 
Saunders,  who  took  so  keen  an  interest  in  the  Society’s  work.  With 
regard  to  the  others,  the  value  of  their  work  must  be  measured  by  the 
success  they  had  achieved.  He  would  specially  mention  Mr.  R.  Ballantine, 
Mr.  R.  Dean,  Mr.  Harman  Payne,  Mr.  AA'’m.  Holmes,  and  Mr.  T.  Bevan. 
Mr.  R.  Ballantine  replied,  and  felt  proud  at  being  one  who  had  inaugurated 
the  affiliation  scheme,  which  had  done  much  to  extend  the  area  of 
operations,  and  felt  sure,  from  his  own  experience,  that  in  holding  out 
the  hand  of  friendship  to  our  friends  across  the  water  they  had  done  the 
right  thing ;  and  if  anyone  belonging  to  the  N.C.S.  ever  found  them¬ 
selves  in  our  Colonies  where  there  was  an  affiliated  society  there  would 
be  sure  to  be  a  hearty  welcome  for  them.  Mr.  Harman  Payne’s  name 
being  also  coupled  with  the  toast,  referred  to  the  work  of  the  various 
committees,  and  to  his  being  brought  into  contact  with  foreigners  of 
many  nationalities,  he  also  responded. 
Other  toasts  were  “The  Chairman.  ’  proposed  by  Mr.  Gordon  ;  “  The 
Secretary,”  proposed  by  Mr.  Ballantine  ;  and  “  The  Press,”  by  Mr.  Cutbush, 
all  of  which  were  suitably  responded  to.  The  musical  arrangements 
were  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  H.  Myers,  and  the  room  was  decorated 
with  plants,  kindly  lent  by  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons  of  Highgate. 
N.C.S.  Floral  Committee. 
On  Monday  last  the  Floral  Committee  of  this  Society  held  a  meeting 
at  the  Royal  Aquarium,  Mr.  T.  Bevan  presiding  over  a  somewhat  small 
gathering.  First-class  certificates  were  awarded  as  under  ; — 
Mrs.  J.  R.  Tranter. — A  .Tapanese  with  fairly  long  florets,  curling  and 
twisting,  and  of  medium  width.  Colour  creamy  white,  edged  and  streaked 
rosy  purple.  Shown  by  Mr.  ,J.  R.  Tranter,  Henley-on-Thames. 
Violacea. — Immense  Japanese  with  numerous  florets  of  medium  width, 
twisting  and  intermingling,  making  a  capital  show  bloom.  Colour, 
pale  rose  violet,  white  reverse.  From  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  Elstree. 
j\Irs.  AV.  Butters,  a  pretty  white  .Japanese,  and  Sam  Caswell,  rosy  pink 
spidery  Japanese,  were  commended. 
N.C.S.  AND  THE  Royal  Aquarium. 
I  AM  of  the  same  opinion  as  your  correspondent  “  A.  D.”  (page  503), 
that  the  impor  ant  exhibitions  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society 
are  wmrthy  of  a  better  place  as  regards  convenience  and  effect  than  is 
afforded  them  by  holding  the  shows  at  the  Royal  Aquarium.  The 
greatest  fault  to  be  found  lies  in  the  cutting  up  of  the  exhibits  which 
have,  perforce,  to  be  accommodated  where  they  can.  Thus  there  is  no 
room  for  a  general  effect,  such  as  some  of  our  provincial  shows  can  present, 
though  the  material  is  there  and  in  plenty.  The  next  fault  is  in  the 
wretched  light  in  the  west  gallery,  which  on  the  occasion  of  the  last 
exhibition  was  simply  disappointing,  in  the  evening  at  all  events.  The 
long  rows  of  magnificent  cut  blooms  were  in  an  atmosphere  of  semi¬ 
gloom.  The  front  of  the  gallery  from  which  a  view  of  the  stage  is  obtained 
had  been  closed  with  an  effective  barrier  of  paper.  Probably  this  was 
done  with  the  intention  of  preventing  a  crush  of  gazers  upon  the  enter¬ 
tainment.  The  light,  too,  which  fell  upon  the  groups  in  this  gallery  was 
insufficient,  and  rendered  more  so  by  the  groups  being  arranged  under  the 
lights  instead  of  between  them. 
The  arrangements  at  last  year’s  e  <  hibition  were  much  better.  The 
October  show  this  season  was  not  open  to  the  same  objections  in  these 
respects.  It  was  less  bulky,  and  taking  it  altogether  a  very  attractive  and 
instructive  exhibition.  The  east  gallery  was  excellently  lighted,  and  the 
cut  blooms  could  be  well  examined,  but  access  to  it  below  the  organ  was 
often  blocked  with  two  streams  of  visitors. 
In  St.  Stephen’s  Hall  there  is  ample  space,  well  lighted.  Here  were 
staged  the  vegetables,  fruit,  and  trained  plants  of  Chrysanthemums.  If 
the  cut  l.ilooms  had  occupied  this  hall  they  could  have  been  examined 
better. 
I  say  nothing  about  the  “  objectionable  surroundings.”  It  is  a 
matter  of  opinion.  Some  like  these  accessories  to  an  exhibition,  and 
some  do  not.  Provincial  shows  place  some  dependence  on  music  and 
singing,  and  find  it  advantageous,  but  of  course  the  National  Chrys- 
