November  7,  1931. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
425 
Societies. 
Coming  Chrysanthemum  Shows. 
The  following  fixtures  are  advertised  : — 
Birmingham,  Nov.  12th 
Bolton,  Nov.  15th 
Bournemouth,  Nov.  13th 
Bradford,  Nov.  15th 
Brighton,  Nov.  12th 
Hull,  Nov.  13th 
Leamington,  Nov.  21st 
Leeds  Paxton,  Nov.  12th 
Rugby,  Nov.  13th 
Scottish  Horticultural, 
burgh,  Nov.  15th 
Sheffield,  Nov.  15th 
Windsor,  Nov.  8th 
York,  Nov.  13th 
EdiU' 
Royal  Horticultural — Scientific  Committee,  October  29th. 
Present :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair)  ;  Messrs.  Druery, 
Odell.  Bennett-Poe,  Worsley,  Hogg,  Saunders,  Holmes,  and  Gordon  ; 
Drs.  Rendle  and  Cooke  ;  Revs.  W.  Wilks,  Engleheart,  and  G.  Henslow, 
Hon.  Sec. 
Crinurn  seeds.—  He  also  exhibited  some  germinating  seeds  of 
C.  longifolium  from  which  the  embryo  had  escaped  with  the  exception 
of  the  tip  of  the  cotyledon,  which  was  absorbing  the  reserve  food 
materials  of  the  endosperm. 
Sunflower  proliferous. — Mr.  Ballard,  C-olwall,  Malvern,  sent  a 
remarkable  floAver,  in  which  every  floret  consisted  of  a  solid  axis,  writh 
no  ovary,  the  pappus  scales  being  very  numerous,  and  more  or  less  of 
a  purplish  colour.  Within  them  were  several  small  florets,  constructed 
in  a  similar  manner,  in  having  short  solid  axes,  with  numerous  pappus 
scales.  Within  these  the  summit  of  the  latter  axes  bore  very  minute 
immature  scales.  Tnere  was  no  trace  of  any  essential  organs  or 
corollas. 
Pelargonium  proliferous .  — -  Mr.  Odell  showed  specimens  of  a 
crimson  flowered  scarlet,”  in  which  secondary  floral  axes  proceeded 
from  the  umbels  associated  with  foliage.  The  peculiarity  is  not 
uncommon,  but  it  had  become  a  fixed  habit  in  the  plant  in  question. 
Cypripedium  scale. — Dr.  Masters  exhibited  a  specimen  of  stellately 
formed  scales.  Mr.  Saunders  undertook  to  examine  them. 
Pear-rind  ivith  grit. — Mr.  Holmes  exhibited  some  pieces  of  the 
rind  of  a  Pear,  with  remarkably  large  callosities  of  “  grit  ”  just  below 
the  surface.  No  cause  could  be  assigned  to  its  formation. 
Bircli  bark. — He  also  exhibited  a  specimen  of  the  thin  bai'k  of 
Betula  Bacjpootra  from  India,  where  it  is  used  as  a  Avriting  material, 
the  numerous  papery  layers  being  easily  separated. 
Vine  leaves  diseased. — Mr.  E.  Portsmouth  of  Herrington  Hall, 
Sunderland,  sent  some  leaves  and  fruits.  He  observes,  “  the  disease 
is  not  confined  to  the  Vines,  but  is  groAving  on  the  timber  in  the 
house ;  only  in  the  latter  case  it  does .  not  appear  to  thrive  so  Avell.” 
Dr.  Cooke  undertook  to  examine  and  report  upon  it. 
Trehalose. — Dr.  Cooke  showed  specimens  of  cocoons,  occurring  on 
Echinops  Perscius,  Fisch.  They  are  made  by  a  beetle,  Larinus 
maculatus,  Paid.  The  cocoons  contain  a  peculiar  sugar  called 
“  Trehalose,”  a  bitter  principle,  gum  and  starch  identical  writh  that 
found  in  the  stem  of  Echinops,  and  earthy  alkaline  salts.  It  is  found 
near  Kirrinel  in  Persia  (see  Hanbury,  “  Science  Papers.”  pp.  159-164). 
Bunslochum. — Dr.  Cooke  exhibited  specimens  usually  known  as 
“  Tabaaheer,”  a  secretion  of  silica  and  lime  occurring  in  the  nodes 
of  Bamboos.  It  was  received  from  Calcutta. 
Portsmouth,  October  29th. 
In  the  Town  Hall  the  fifteenth  annual  autumn  exhibition  was 
held,  and  was  in  every  way  a  success.  Cut  blooms  were  a  pro¬ 
minent  feature.  For  forty-eight,  half  Japanese  and  the  re¬ 
mainder  incurved,  there  was  brisk  competition  and  a  good  dis¬ 
play.  Mr.  G.  Hall,  gardener  to  Lady  Louisa  Ashburton,  Melchet 
Court,  Romsey,  won  the  premier  award  with  handsome  Japanese 
and  fair  incurved.  The  best  of  the  varieties  were  Japanese  Mrs. 
Weeks,  Mrs.  G.  Mileham,  Florence  Molyneux,  Le  Grand  Dragon, 
General  Buller,  Miss  A.  Byron,  Edwin  Molyneux.  Mme.  Carnot, 
and  May  Vallis. 
Mr.  G.  Hunt,  gardener  to  Pantia  Ralli,  Esq.,  Ashtead  Park, 
Epsom,  was  second  with  very  fine  incurved,  but  light,  Japanese. 
In  the  former  section,  Mr.  James  Eadie,  Pearl  Palace,  Duchess 
of  Fife,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Globe  d’Or,  and  Miss  Haggas  Avere  well 
shown.  Mr.  Nobbs,  gardener  to  His  Majesty  King  Edward  VII., 
Osborne  House,  Isle  of  Wight,  Avas  a  good  third. 
Mr.  Hall  was  also  successful  with  two  dozen  Japanese  distinct, 
staging  wonderfully  well  Edith  Dashwood,  T.  Carrington,  Mrs. 
Weeks,  Mrs.  Barks,  and  Le  Grand  Dragon.  The  second  prize 
was  secured  by  Mr.  J.  Agate,  Brockhampton  Nurseries,  Havant. 
Mr.  E.  Brown,  jun.,  Alma  Road,  Southampton,  won  the 
premier  place  with  twenty-four  Japanese  in  tAvelve  varieties, 
with  full-sized  blossoms  of  Lord  Ludlow,  Edwin  Molyneux,  Mrs. 
Weeks,  Miss  A.  Byron,  Vivian  Morel,  and  Master  Seymour.  The 
second  prize  was  secured  by  Mr.  G.  Lambert,  Chichester,  Mr. 
White,  Southsea,  coming  next  in  order  of  merit. 
Amateurs. 
Competition  was  very  close  in  the  classes  set  apart  for 
amateurs.  In  the  Japanese  class  for  twelve,  Mr.  T.  Williams, 
Southsea,  won  the  premier  aAvard  with  an  even  set.  Mr.  J.  Love, 
West  Cowes,  a  good  second.  For  six  Japanese,  Mr.  Crockford, 
Southsea,  annexed  the  premier  award  Avith  even  sized  flowers. 
Mr.  C.  Snook  secured  the  leading  award  in  the  class  for  six 
bunches  of  Pompons,  medium  sized,  shapely  blossoms. 
Chrysanthemums  employed  for  decorative  use  provided  an  in¬ 
teresting  feature.  Especially  good  were  the  exhibits  for  one 
basket,  one  bouquet,  and  for  a  table  decorated.  Miss  K.  Turner 
annexed  the  leading  aAvard,  Miss  L.  Fay  second.  This  exhibitor 
also  Avon  for  one  basket  of  Chrysanthemums,  a  really  deserving 
exhibit.  Groups  of  Chrysanthemums  associated  with  foliage 
plants  added  much  to  the  attraction  of  the  show.  Mr.  Cheator, 
gardener  to  Sir  W.  Pink,  Shrover  Hall,  Cosham,  was  an  easy 
first  with  a  nicely  balanced  group,  Avell  furnished  with  Palms, 
Ferns,  &c.  Mr.  Agate  second.  Fruit  and  vegetables  were 
numerous  and  good.  Space  forbids  details.  Messrs.  Isaac  House 
and  Sons,  Westbury-on-Trym,  staged  an  interesting  exhibit  of 
Violets,  which  were  much  admired. 
Mr.  N.  Molyneux,  Rookesbury  Park,  Fareham,  secured  a  first- 
class  certificate  for  Japanese  Chrysanthemums,  Violet  Lady 
Beaumont,  a  full-sized  Japanese  of  dUvarf  habit,  dark  crimson  in 
colour,  with  a  pure  gold  reverse,  a  really  good  acquisition. 
Croydon  Chrysanthemum —October  29th  and  30th. 
The  exhibition  of  Chrysanthemums  held  on  Wednesday  of  last 
week,  in  the  Public  Halls,  Croydon,  was  the  fourteenth  in  succes¬ 
sion  held  under  the  segis  of  this  earnest  body  of  devotees.  Until 
this  year  we  had  not  hitherto  attended  the  Croydon  autumn 
show,  but  from  what  we  saw  and  heard  we  were  entirely  satis¬ 
fied  that  the  society  works  Avell  together,  and  they  are  fortunate 
in  possessing  a  diligent  and  conscientious  secretary  in  Mr.  W.  B. 
Beckett.  The  aim  is  constantly  to  include  new  features  annually, 
to  be  prompt  in  paying  prize  money  (it  is,  indeed,  all  paid  before 
the  show  is  concluded),  and  in  other  ways  to  seek  encouragement 
and  to  give  it. 
Another  point  Avorthy  of  being  emphasised  is  that  the  exhibi¬ 
tion  hall  isi  cleared  at  the  scheduled  hour,  a  factor  that  greatly 
helps  judges  and  everybody  else  to  get  along  with  their  business. 
Fruit  and  vegetables,  though  not  figuring  prominently  in  our 
report,  were  yet  fairly  numerous,  and  of  superior  merit. 
Ghallenge  Cup  Class. 
Tliis  fine  class  was  for  eighteen  cut  blooms  of  Japanese  type 
in  distinct  varieties,  plus  eighteen  distinct  incurved  sorts.  Four 
magnificent  exhibits  came  fonvard,  and  the  keenest  competition 
was  the  order  of  things.  The  Challenge  Cup  was  in  the  long  run 
secured  by  Mr.  G.  T.  Hunt,  gardener  to  P.  Ralli,  Esq.,  Ashstead 
Park,  Epsom,  whose  blooms  of  Mrs.  W.  Mease  (premier  bloom), 
W.  R.  Church,  Pride  of  Madford,  and  Le  Grand  Dragon  were  as 
near  perfection  as  might  be.  The  other  blooms  were  also  good, 
though  some  were  slightly  lacking  in  finish.  The  varieties  in¬ 
cluded  Charles  Longley,  Mme.  Gabriel  Dabrie,  Florence  Moly¬ 
neux,  Mrs.  J.  Bryant,  Mrs.  Greenfield,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Mme. 
Philip  Rivoire,  Mrs.  G.  Mileham,  Mr.  Louis  Remy,  Mme.  H. 
Rey,  Princess  Alice  de  Monaco,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Thorneycroft,  Mr.  T. 
Carrington,  and  Edith  DashAvood.  These,  with  the  varieties  pre¬ 
viously  named,  comprised  the  eighteen  Japanese. 
The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  F.  Bible,  gardener  to  H.R.H. 
Prince  Hatzfeldt.  The  Japanese  blooms  were  less  refined  than 
Mr.  Hunt’s,  but  of  large  proportions.  Mrs.  Coombes  was  repre¬ 
sented  by  a  bloom  of  enormous  size  and  grand  in  every  respect. 
Mrs.  Parks  Avas  also  very  fine,  and  so,  too,  Viviand  Morel,  and 
M.  Louis  Remy.  The  incurved  blooms  were  very  fair,  though 
somewhat  uneven.  Mr.  C.  J.  Salter,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Haywood, 
Reigate,  occupied  the  third  position  with  blooms  of  bright  colour 
and  fair  size  and  finish.  His  Matthew  Smith,  Mme.  Carnot,  Pride 
of  Exmouth,  and  Mrs.  Thos.  Pockett  were  capital  samples.  The 
champion  of  last  year,  namely,  Mr.  F.  King,  of  Holnrwood,  was 
out  of  the  running  on  this  occasion. 
Groups. 
Three  prizes  were  offered  for  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  in 
pots,  set  up  in  a  semicircle  10ft  by  5ft,  and  edged  with  foliage 
plants;  and  three  groups  Avere  brought  forAvard.  The  best  of 
these  was  from  Mr.  W.  Collins,  gardener  to  R.  V.  Barrow,  Esq., 
J.P.,  of  Park  Hill  Road.  The  plants  were  strong,  robust  speci¬ 
mens,  with  abundance  of  dark,  leathery  green  foliage,  and  mas¬ 
sively  developed  blooms,  particularly  those  of  Mrs.  Mease  and 
Mme.  Carnot.  Mr.  E.  Dove,  from  Bickley  Hall,  was  a  close 
second,  though  his  blooms  Avere  less  massive ;  and  third,  Mr.  E. 
Seymour,  gardener  to  Samuel  Taylor,  Esq.,  Park  Hill  Road. 
For  eighteen  cut  Japanese  blooms,  in  a  dozen  distinct 
varieties,  Mr.  E.  Dove,  gardener  to  E.  Wythes,  Esq.,  Bickley 
Hall,  led  off  with  a  remarkably  even  set  of  blooms.  Here  the 
blooms  of  Mr.  T.  Carrington,  M.  Chenon  de  Leche,  Mrs.  Weeks, 
Australie,  Phoebus,  Edith  Tabor,  and  Miss  Nellie  Pockett  were 
most  conspicuous.  Mr.  C.  Payne,  gardener  to  C.  Whittington, 
Esq.,  Betchworth,  followed  as  a  good  second;  and  Mr.  L.  Gooch, 
gardener  to  F.  Wickham  Jones,  Esq.,  Selhurst  Road,  a  creditable 
third.  Six  entered.  In  Class  5  nine  entrants  contested  with 
ten  cut  Japanese  blooms,  in  one  or  more  varieties,  staged  with 
