September  19,  1901.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
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white;  Belle  Chinoise,  golden  yellow;  Formosa,  blue  ;  Leander,  deep 
yellow  ;  Hercules,  purple  ;  and  La  Reconesans,  bronze.  Pavonia  major 
and  Reticulata  are  two  splendid  Japanese  Irises,  suitable  for  pot 
culture. 
Tigridias,  Gladioli,  and  Hyacinths. 
Tigridias  should  find  a  place  in  the  mixed  border  of  those  who 
pride  themselves  on  the  possession  of  really  novel  and  showy  flowers  ; 
conchiflora,  grandiflora,  g.  alba,  and  Pavonia  are  excellent  varieties. 
Plant  during  November  or  December.  Gladioli  Colvillei  The  Bride, 
is  grown  extensively  both  in  market  and  private  establishments, 
as  the  flowers  come  in  at  a  time,  April  and  May,  when  white  spiky 
blooms  are  not  particularly  plentiful.  When  good  bulbs  are  obtained 
they  flower  with  certainty,  but  poor  samples  have  during  the  last  few 
years  been  offered  at  very  low  prices  ;  these  have  not  been  satisfactory, 
and  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  sound  economy  to  procure  the  best 
possible  bulbs  of  this  useful  Gladioli.  The  coloured  varieties  of 
Colvillei  are  also  very  showy  for  pot  culture,  and  splendid  for  cutting. 
All  varieties  should  be  potted  during  September  or  October. 
The  Grape  and  Italian  Hyacinths  are  useful  for  growing  in  pots, 
as  they  produce  abundance  of  foliage  as  well  as  flowers,  and  form  a 
good  succession  to  Romans.  Allium  neapolitanum  is  excellent  for 
planting  in  the  open  air  or  for  pot  culture.  It  bears  gentle  forcing 
well,  and  its  “  starry  ”  white  flowers  are  appreciated  during  February 
and  March. 
Chionodoxa  Lucilise  (Glory  of  the  Snow),  Scilla  sibirica,  S.  praecox 
superba,  and  S.  bifolia,  are  ail  delightful  bulbs  to  plant  as  edgiDgs  for 
beds,  or  in  clumps  or  masses  in  the  mixed  border,  as  the  brilliant  blue 
of  their  flowers  is  a  refreshing  chtnge  to  eyes  which  during  the 
previous  week  may  often  have  wandered  over  lines  of  golden  Crocus. 
When  grown  in  pots  they  may  be  had  in  flower  at  the  same  time  as 
Crocuses,  and  if  the  various  blues  and  yellows  are  then  intermixed 
in  one  large  pan  the  whole  forms  a  pleasing  feature  suitable  for  room 
decoration. — D.  W. 
- * — - 
Societies. 
Derby  Horticultural,  September  11th  and  12tlj, 
Beautiful  weather  and  a  capital  attendance  favoured  the  fortieth 
annual  exhibition  of  the  Derbyshire  Agricultural  and  Horticultural 
Society.  The  horticultural  section  was  held,  as  on  the  last  occasion,  in  a 
commodious  field  near  the  Meadow  Boad.  The  arrangements,  under 
the  experienced  directorship  of  the  oourteous  secretaries,  Messrs. 
8idney  Barton  and  C.  F.  Steele,  and  the  competent  stewards,  left  little 
to  be  desired,  but  the  lacking  little  resolved  itself  into  one  item  only, 
and  which  is  worthy  of  the  consideration  of  the  oommittee  upon  future 
occasions — namely,  the  addition  printed  or  written  on  the  exhibition 
cards,  the  names,  not  only  of  the  gardeners  but  those  of  their  employers 
and  their  addresses,  both  in  the  interests  of  the  visitors  and  in  aid  of 
reporting. 
The  exhibits  were  contained  in  three  large  marquees.  The  gigantic 
circular  one  was  apportioned  principally  to  the  groups  of  plants 
arranged  for  effect.  As  compared  with  the  last  show,  when  there  were 
Bix  exhibits  versus  four  on  the  recent  occasion,  the  deficiency  may  be 
attributed  to  the  failure  of  finding  contestants  sufficiently  courageous  to 
enter  the  lists  against  such  as  the  redoubtable  Mr.  Ward,  gardener  to 
G.  H.  Oakes,  Esq.,  The  Biddings,  near  Derby,  and  who  once  again 
maintained  his  reputation  by  securing  the  premier  prize  of  £20.  The 
space  allotted  to  each  competitor  was  200  super  feet  (segments  of  a 
circle),  the  segments  radiating  from  the  centre  pole,  similar  to  the 
spokes  of  a  cart  wheel,  and  each  measuring  about  27  feet  long  by  the 
same  width  at  the  periphery  of  the  circle,  the  arrangement  being 
refreshing  in  comparison  with  the  more  orthodox  ones  usually  adopted 
at  other  large  shows.  In  an  aesthetic  point  of  view,  however,  the 
striotly  formal  outline  of  the  segments  does  not  tend  to  the  best 
advantage  for  a  free  artistic  exposition  of  floral  decoration,  unless, 
indeed,  an  undulating  outline  were  requisitioned.  The  style  of 
arrangement  by  the  other  three  competitors  were  mainly  replicas  of 
Mr.  Ward’s  original  design,  consisting  of  low  moss  and  oork  bark 
banks,  discreetly  disposed  over  the  allotted  space,  and  each  surmounted 
by  specimen  ornamental  foliage  plants,  such  as  Codisenms  (Crotons), 
Palms,  Dracaenas,  Bamboos,  Acalypba,  &c.  These  specimens  were 
sufficiently  elevated  to  allow  of  an  under  arrangement  of  other  suitable 
plants  sprung  from  the  base  of  the  mound,  while  lightly  disposed  small 
plants  were  worked  in  here  and  there  over  the  moss-covered  ground¬ 
work  of  the  design.  Mr.  Ward’s  renowned  Codiaeams  were  in  a  state  of 
absolute  perfection,  both  in  contour  and  richness  in  colouration  ;  and 
three  examples  of  the  graceful  C.  caudatus  tortilis,  each  about  6  feet 
high,  were  marvels  of  skilful  culture.  Similar  remarks  also  apply  to 
three  examples  of  C.  Beidi,  and  including  such  as  C.  Mrs.  Dorman, 
C.  aigburthensis,  and  C.  ambanivoulensis  (?).  Very  effective  too  were 
specimens  of  the  charming  Lygodium  scandens  trained  pillar  fashion  ; 
and  compactly  grown  examples  of  the  elegant  Arundinaria  (Bamboo) 
gracilis,  the  foliage  being  of  a  bright  rich  green  ;  the  graceful  Eulalia 
japonica  variegata,  Lilium  speoiosum  lanoifolium,  L.  auratum,  Ixoras, 
Ferns,  and  a  few  Orchids  and  other  subjects  contributed  towards  a 
picture  of  superlative  excellence.  The  seoond  honours  fell  to  Mr. 
C.  H.  Turner  (a  new  aspirant  we  understand)  for  a  highly  creditable 
composition,  similar  in  arrangement  and  kind  of  subjeots  employed  as 
in  the  foregoing,  but  with  a  greater  profusion  of  Orchids.  The  third 
prize  was  accorded  Mr.  J.  S.  Sharpe,  Huddersfield,  who  occupied  the 
same  position  as  last  year  ;  the  fourth  prize  falling  to  Mr.  George  Wood- 
gate,  Bolleston,  with  a  rich  and  striking  group,  excepting  that  perhaps 
an  air  of  heaviness  was  imparted  by  an  overcrowded  disposition  of  his 
fine  Codiaeums.  The  interstices  between  the  groups  allowed  of  a  single 
smaller  group  of  Begonias  in  pots,  Perns  and  foliage  plants  being 
admissible.  These  groups  served  efficiently  as  a  set  off  to  the  larger 
ones.  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodaore  secured  the  first  prize,  Mr.  W.  B.  Bond  the 
second,  and  Mr.  B.  B.  Tilley  the  third  prize. 
Strangely,  there  was  no  class  for  specimen  plants ;  but  if  the 
committee  were  to  include  such  a  class  in  future  schedules,  with 
inviting  prizes,  doubtless  they  would  be  forthcoming.  This  matter 
refers  to  the  nurserymen  and  gentlemen’s  gardeners’  class  only,  as 
provision  was  duly  made  for  the  amateur  division.  In  the  first  class 
prizes  were  offered  for  cut  flowers,  bouquets,  dimer-table  or  dining¬ 
room  decorations,  and  to  which  there  was  a  multitudinous  response. 
Another  chief  feature  in  the  show  was  decorative  dessert  tables, 
contributed  by  five  contestants,  and  the  redoubtable  Mr.  J.  H.  Good- 
acre,  Elvaston  Castle  Gardens,  proved  the  champion  with  one  of  the 
best  arrangements  of  fruit  and  flowers  yet  staged  by  him.  More 
especially  does  this  refer  to  the  floral  element,  assimilating  in  arrange¬ 
ment  to  his  usual  style,  but  more  elegant  and  lighter  than  usual, 
insomuch  that  it  elicited  the  highest  encomiums  of  the  experienced 
judges.  The  fruit,  which  was  to  consist  of  twelve  dishes,  and  not  less 
than  eight  kinds,  nor  more  than  two  distinct  varieties  of  a  kind, 
consisted  of  fine  examples  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Madresfield 
Court  Grapes,  fine  Golden  Eagle  and  Boyal  George  Peaches,  Pineapple 
and  Victoria  Nectarines,  Taunton  Hero  and  Sutton’s  A1  Melons, 
Golden  Drop  Plums,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  Souvenir  du  Congres  Pears, 
and  Bibston  Pippin  Appies.  The  seoond  prize  was  adjudged  Mr. 
J.  Doe,  gardener  to  Lord  Saville,  Bufford  Abbey,  Notts,  for  an 
assortment  of  very  excellent  fruits  in  close  competition  with  the 
former,  but  lacking  the  tasteful  arrangement  of  the  cut  flowers.  His 
fine  bunches  and  berries  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Gros  Maroc 
Grapes  were  much  admired.  The  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  A-  McCullock 
for  also  very  good  fruit,  having  excellent  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and 
Madresfield  Court  Grapes;  Sweet  Peas  composed  the  decoration.  The 
fourth  prize  fell  to  Mr.  J.  Bead.  There  were  five  exhibits  in  all. 
Grapes,  though  not  so  extensively  or  hardly  so  finely  shown  as  last 
year,  contained  several  excellent  examples,  Mr.  Goodaore  carrying  off 
the  first  prize  in  the  olass  for  three  bunches  of  any  variety  of  white 
Grape  with  large  bunches  of  fine  and  well-ripened  berries  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  the  second  and  third  prizes  going  to  Messrs.  H.  D.  Smith 
and  George  Wadeson  respectively,  both  with  very  good  examples,  and 
fourth  Mr.  H.  Does.  For  three  bunches  of  black  Grapes,  any  variety, 
Mr.  Goodaore  again  asserted  his  pre-eminence  with  grand  bunches  and 
berries  of  well-finished  Madresfield  Court ;  the  seoond  to  Mr.  McCullock, 
third  Mr.  G.  Wadeson.  Peaches  were  very  well  shown,  and  Mr.  Goodacre 
wns  first  with  a  fine  dish  of  Barrington  ;  second,  Mr.  G.  Wadeson  with 
same  variety,  third  Mr.  J.  Doe,  and  fourth  Mr.  J.  King.  Nectarines 
were  large  and  finely  coloured,  Mr.  Goodp.cre  scoring  with  Pineapple, 
second  Mr.  J.  Doe  same  variety,  third  Mr.  G.  Wadeson  with  Viotoria. 
Melons  were  very  good,  and  Mr.  G.  Wadeson  was  the  victor  with  a  fine 
Earl  of  Lathom,  a  yellow  skin  variety  ;  second,  Mr.  H.  D.  Smith  with 
Hero  of  Lockinge,  and  third  Mr.  A.  McCullock.  Apples  and  Pears, 
though  comparatively  small  in  numbers,  were  fine  and  of  good  quality. 
Vegetables  were  excellently  exhibited  in  the  various  classes  of  single 
dishes,  Potatoes  being  remarkably  fine.  A  similar  observation  may  also 
be  made  to  the  numerous  exhibits  of  vegetables  in  the  amateurs’ 
division,  but  space  forbids  a  detailed  list  and  description  of  the  prize 
exhibits.  There  was  also  a  keen  competition  for  the  prizes  offered  by 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  and  Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons,  but  no  response  was 
observed  to  the  offers  made  by  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co. 
The  amateurs  made  a  grand  display  of  hardy  cut  flowers.  In  the 
trade  exhibits  Messrs.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex,  contributed  a 
grand  display  of  Cactus,  pompon,  and  single  Dahlias  ;  and  the 
memoranda  books  were  in  evidence  amoDgst  the  host  of  admirers. 
Messrs.  B.  W.  Proctor  &  Sons,  Chesterfield,  had  a  fine  display  of  Boses, 
Dahlias,  &o. ;  Mr.  J.  H.  White,  Worcester,  herbaceous  flowers,  Boses, 
and  Dahlias ;  Mr.  Deverill,  Banbury,  cut  flowers;  Mr.  J.  Wood,  Burton- 
on-Trent,  Dahlias,  Gladioli,  and  herbaceous  flowers.  Messrs.  Vernon  and 
Barnard,  Nantwich,  Cheshire,  had  a  decorative  stand  of  their  new 
Cactus  Dahlia,  J.  H.  Jackson,  a  dark  variety,  similar  to  Night  or 
Uncle  Tom,  with  very  good  twisted  petals,  but  rather  fiat  on  the  whole  ; 
it  attracted  considerable  attention.  Mr.  Edwards  had  a  rich  display  of 
his  Edwardian  floral  ware;  and  Messis.  Barron  &  Sons,  Borrowash 
Nurseries,  Derbyshire,  furnished  a  fine  collection  of  Conifers  and  other 
trees  and  shrubs.  No  honorary  awards  were  allocated  to  any  of  the 
trade  exhibits,  for  some  unexplained  reason. — G. 
