June  8,  1859. 
JGUEyAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDEXER. 
4h9 
-  RiCHilOXD  HoRTicULXrRAL  SOCIETY. — The  annual  exhibition 
of  this  soeietv  will  this  year  be  held  in  the  Old  Deer  Park  on  Wednesday, 
J une  2Sth.  The  schedule  which  has  been  sent  ns  by  the  Secretary 
embodies  100  classes,  arranged  for  the  l>encfit  of  all  sections  of  growers, 
Irom  the  nurseryman  to  the  cottager.  For  a  100  fict  group  a  sura  of  £14 
in  four  prizes  is  offered,  while  each  unsuccess.^ul  exhibitor  is  offereil  a 
premium  of  £1.  Six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  have  £12  allotted 
to  them,  while  for  forty-eight  Roses,  distinct  varieties  in  trebles,  the  three 
prizes  amount  to  £13.  In  addition  to  these  there  are  numerous  classes 
in  which  generous  prizes  are  offereil,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  brilliant 
display  will  be  brought  together.  The  Hon.  Secretary  is  Mr.  C.  R  King. 
61  and  62.  George  Street,  Richmond, Surrey.  The  show  will  be  opened 
by  Sir  William  and  Lady  Tiiiselton  Dyer. 
- Eremurus  himalaiccs?. — The  tinespikesof  this  beautiful  herba¬ 
ceous  plant  are  now  pushingup  strongly,  and  unless  si  vere  frosts  occur  late 
in  the  month  they  will  be  longer  than  usual  here.  ,lust  the  tips  of  the  leaves 
were  all  that  was  injured  during  the  recent  severe  weather,  as  the  crowns 
were  only  just  pushing  through  the  protective  litter.  It  is  a  mistake  to 
protect  the  Eremuri  too  early.  The  later  they  remain  dormant  the  less 
likely  are  they  to  suffer  from  inclement  spring  weather.  There  is  no  need 
of  covering  as  long  as  the  sheathing  scales  cover  the  loaves  when  the  large 
crown  is  pushing  through,  but  as  soon  as  the  green  tips  of  the  leaves  are 
•seen  a  little  loose  litter  should  be  placed  about  them,  drawing  it  away 
with  a  fork  on  bright  days  and  placing  it  about  them  again  at  night. 
M  hen  the  litter  is  removed  a  mulch  of  soil  and  leaf  mould  should  be  laid 
•on  if  it  is  to  spare.  When  the  large  spikes  are  a  couple  of  feet  in  height 
ilhey  must  bo  staked,  or  they  are  apt  to  be  blown  over  in  rough  weather. 
My  plan  is  to  push  in  two  stakes  6  feet  high  at  about  4  inches  apart,  the 
spikes  coming  between  them  and  being  supported  by  strands  of  raffia. 
This  will  be  found  a  belter  plan  than  tying  tl  e  spikes  to  a  stake,  as  the 
atom  is  not  lx)aud  and  cannot  be  crippled.— H.  R.,  CoUl/iain  Hall. 
-  Temple  Show. — We  w  ere  compelled  at  the  last  moment,  owing 
to  lack  of  space,  to  withiiold  the  following  reference  to  the  outdoor  exhibits 
from  our  last  issue  : — The  dower  beds  outside  the  tents  were  deeorated 
for  the  occasion  in  a  pleasing  manner.  Messrs.  J.  Clieal  &  Son-. 
Crawley,  filled  one  with  choice  Conifers,  another  with  Maples  and 
Rhododendrons,  and  in  between  was  an  exhibit  of  topiary  work,  the  first 
■of  its  kind  that  has  aj'peared  at  a  Temple  Sliow  for  some  time.  Messrs. 
Fisher,  Son  it  Sibray.  Sheffield,  made  a  grand  display  with  Acers,  Ivies, 
and  other  foliage  plants,  with  which  they  covered  a  large  area,  Messrs. 
Ihos.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Northampton,  sent  plants  of  a  new  Acer,  the 
foliage  of  which  was  very  effective.  Messrs,  das,  Veitch  it  Sous  had  a 
fine  collection  of  Ramboos,  conspicuous  among  which  were  Phyllostachys 
nigra  punctata  and  Aruiidinaria  nilida.  Mr.  J.  Russell  sent  a  few 
Guelder  Roses,  and  also  a  good  collection  of  Acers  and  other  foliage 
plants.  Messrs.  J.  AVaterer  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Bagshot,  set  up  a  good  display 
of  hardy  Conifers,  including  many  choice  varieties,  which  were  very 
effective. 
-  Notes  krom  Hampton  Court.— Visitors  to  these  famous 
^jardeus  have  now  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  fine  collection  of  florists. 
iRanunculus,  which  are  flowering  profusely.  Besides  mimeroiis  small 
clumps  here  and  there,  there  are  two  largo  beds,  each  la  feet  by  12  feet, 
and  holdiug  several  hundreds  of  plants  in  remarkable  variety  and  of  great 
beauty.  Tlieso  are  strangers  at  Hampton  tknirt,  and  will  be  regarded 
with  undoubted  ailmiralion.  It  WMiild  be  impossible  to  describe  tlie  colours 
and  markings  ;  they  are  varied  and  beautiful.  Later  on  two  similar  largo 
beds  will  be  seen  in  tine  bloom  of  Spanish  Iris,  and  without  doubt  these 
will  be  most  beautiful.  Too  imieb  praise  can  hardly  be  given  for  tlie 
■introduction  of  handsome  Howers  of  this  description  ;  as  years  rollon  it  is 
hoped  that  many  others  may  bo  introduced,  lii  a  bed,  planted  doubtless 
temporarily  with  shrubs  out  of  pots,  numerous  plants  of  Spinea  coiiliisa 
arc  charming.  Apart  from  the  beauty  of  this  shrub  whoa  gently  forced 
in  pots,  it  is  not  less  so  wboii  grown  outdoors  as  an  ordinary  hardy  shrub, 
•111  another  bed  there  is  a  lino  show  of  bold  mixed  Pansies,  from  out  of 
which  rise  white  flowered  Marguerites.  1  saw  iu  one  of  the  London  parks 
some  days  ago  a  bed  of  similar  Pansies  dressed  with  Solomon’s  Seal  that 
produced  a  very  cliarming  effect.  A  far  too  free  use  of  standard  silver 
variegated  Accra  has  been  made  in  the  pleasant  inner  or  private  gardens, 
nod,  US  will  be  seen  in  a  few  years,  lliey  will  present  a  tawdry,  cockney- 
ified  appearaiioe.  There  are  fully  thirty  or  more  of  lliciii  planted  where 
halt  a  dozen  would  have  been  amjile.  Golden  Privets  as  standards,  and 
red  leaved  Pruiuis  are  eiidiirulile.  In  some  places  two  Acers  and  one 
Pruiiiis,  or  vice  versa,  are  planted  iu  triangles  4  feet  apart.  Siicli  plant¬ 
ing,  and  in  sucli  tt  ebarmiiig  old  garden,  is  enough  to  drive  a  lover  of 
Nature  to  distraction. — A  Visitor. 
-  The  Winchester  Gardeners'  Mutual  Imerovement 
Associ.\tion. — At  a  meeting  held  on  Monday,  May  2'.Uh,  Mr.  Harry 
Curtis,  gardener  to  W.  F.  G.  Spranger,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Southampton,  gave  a 
most  interesting  lecture  on  “Some  Hardy  Garden  Flowers.  "  Mr.  Curtis 
said  it  was  impossible  to  deal  in  one  evening  with  hardy  flowers  as  a 
whole,  so  he  hud  elected  to  treat  of  a  few  of  the  most  useful,  especially 
those  best  aiiapted  for  flowering  in  sprintr,  and  which  woukl  be  found 
suitable  for  large  or  small  gardens.  He  dealt  with  the  Myosotis, 
Aubrietias.  Pansies,  Walltlowers,  Hollyhocks,  Delphiniums.  .Vntirrluiuims. 
and  the  Helleborus  in  detail,  describing  in  each  case  the  different 
varieties  in  cultivation,  and  pointing  out  those  of  improved  form  and 
colour.  He  advised  in  everv  case  but  the  last  named  to  grow  the  plants 
from  seed,  procuring  the  best  possible  strains,  as  being  the  best  and 
cheapest  method  of  securing  a  large  number,  especially  for  spring  beddino. 
Cultural  directions  followed  for  the  kinds  named,  and  thus  the  lecture 
was  of  practical  value  to  many  voung  gardeners,  the  present  being  the 
time  to  prepare  for  next  spring’s  display.  There  was  a  brief  discussion, 
and  a  number  of  questions  were  satisfactorily  icpl  od  to,  at  ter  which  a 
vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  Mr.  Curtis,  who  exhibited  a  fine 
assortment  of  hardv  flowers. 
-  Mauriahe  of  Sir  Peter  Walker,  P>i'.,  of  Dsmaston 
Manor. — Oa  the  occasion  of  Sir  Peter  Walker  s  mani.ige  to  Miss 
Ethel  Dkcover,  which  was  solomnisea  on  May  oOlli,  tho  ilecoratiin  if 
the  clmreh  was  entrusted  to  tho  able  hands  of  .Mr.  B.irdiiey,  P.R.II.S,, 
head  gardener  at  Dsmiston  Manor.  Near  the  eniraiue,  uiui  on  either 
side  lit  the  crimson-caipoted  walk,  two  magmticeiit  Palms  wore  placed. 
These  were  blown  over  a  few  minutes  prior  to  tlie  ceremony,  but  it  was 
not  long  before  they  once  more  reared  their  stately  hetuis,  carrying  one  .s 
thoughts  to  tlie  hixuiiant  foliage  of  tropical  climes.  I  iiiler  tlie  noonday 
sun  this  could  be  forgiven.  Turning  again  to  tlie  sacicd  edifice,  lovely 
Pansies  in  beds  of  moss  lined  the  porch,  and  the  interior  yvas  a  study  iu 
dolicate  cnlourirg,  the  various  flowers  and  Ferns  having  been  arranged 
with  the  perception  of  a  true  artist.  Lilacs  iiiul  Palms  embellished  the 
font,  and  the  windows  were  beautitied  with  Lilies  of  the  Valley  and 
Spiriea,  Arum  Lilies  being  also  employed  iu  the  treatment  of  tho  altar 
window.  Tho  screen  was  decorated  yvith  clusters  of  Lilacs  and  Lilies  of 
the  A’allev,  backed  by  syrays  of  Asparagus  Fern,  and  urouiul  the  altar 
stately  Palms  towered  anovo  tiistclul  groupings  of  Kliododciuirons  and 
Lilacs.  A’uriegatcd  creepers  w cro  I'lUw  med  around  tho  altar  rails,  Lilies 
of  the  N’alloy  reposing  at  tho  foot  in  ino>sy  beds,  tho  wliolo  eff'oet  being 
of  a  charming  description.  The  ilccoratioiis  at  the  Hall  were  also  of  a 
notcwortliy  character.  'The  draw ing-rooiii  and  the  eiitriiiice  were  nicely 
deckeil  yvith  Lilies  of  the  Valley  and  Arum  Lilies,  and  wherever  flowers 
were  arranged  they  yvere  used  to  the  best  iiilvaiitage,  the  decorations 
being  greatly  admired.  Lilies  of  the  Valley,  yvbite  Roses  and  Asparagus 
I'ern,  graced  the  tables  at  the  yvedding  breaklast. — (“Ashbourne  Nows.  ) 
-  'I'llF,  .\SltFORD  A'lNF.RlES,  foitllA.M,  SfRREY.— I  looked  in 
on  Mr.  Smith,  the  ii.iitmgcr  ol  this  extensivo  range  of  glass  bouses, 
to  see  how'  the  11,000  Strawberry  plants  layered  last  summer  direct 
into  tho  fruiting  pots  bad  turned  out.  Not  a  few  gr.’wiTs  object  for 
various  reasons  to  tliis  iiicth  id,  preferring  to  layer  into  small  pots  first. 
Great  numbers  of  tho  plants  liail  fruited  and  were  turiu'd  outside. 
Many  others  wore  in  full  fruit,  lu  si.x  huge  simiis,  InO  feet  long,  there 
were  seven  or  eight  rows  stauding  on  the  floor  down  tlio  cciitro 
fruiting  finoly,  oven  in  such  a  difficult  position.  Hut  tho  fruits  wero 
as  fiiio  and  as  well  coloured  tliero  as  ou  ilio  shelves.  Soino  wero  iu 
more  favourable  positions,  but  about  loO  lbs.  bad  been  galliereil  and 
marketed  in  live  days,  evidenco  of  the  sort  of  crop  that  was  being 
prodiiceil.  Ill  these  hiuise.s  Gros  Golniau  Vines  yvere  covering  tho  roofs 
two-thirds  up  the  rafters,  thus  showing  how  far  from  the  light  the  plants 
were.  Iu  some  160  feet  long  hoiisi's  Mini,  have  been  during  tlie  past 
yyintcr  planted  witli  Peiiclics  and  Ncotariiics,  Tomatoes  being  just  got 
out  between  theso  trees,  ilicre  were  jilaulcd  out  as  Idled  from  tlio 
open  ground,  all  down  the  eentre  of  each  bouse,  several  rows  ol  plants 
just  blooming  or  sotting  fruit.  'I’licse  would  give  l'..e  latc.sl  inside  fruits, 
as  till)  bouses  aio  quite  uiibcateii.  I'luier  any  eirouiustances  outdoor 
Strayvberries  caiiUDl  be  yery  early,  and  imicli  of  the  early  expanded 
bloom  has  been  cut  with  frost.  Several  tbousaiuls  of  young  plants, 
cliictly  Royal  Sovereign,  liuvo  been  put  out  to  produce  early  rumiors 
for  layering.  1  could  Iml  notice  tlmt  whilst  nearly  all  tho  viucrics  run 
north  and  south,  oiio  large  span  riiiiiiing  east,  and  west  seemed  to  give 
the  best  results,  espeeiully  on  the  souili  side.  No  duufit  a  far  greater 
amount  of  sunlight  and  warmth  is  thus  obtuiiied  than  is  the  case  in 
spans  of  till*  other  aspects.  Arums  boro  tue  grown  iii  iiumeiisc  iiuaiitities, 
ami  thrive  yvonilorfiilly  well.  Next  autumn  the  (! rapes  will  bo  yvorth 
going  miles  to  see. — WANDERER. 
