188 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  26,  1903. 
The  Large  Tortoiseshell  Butterfly. 
The  caterpillars  of  this  butterfly  (Vanessa  polychloros)  some¬ 
times  infest  Pew,  Cherry,  and  Apple,  as  well  as  Elm  and  other 
trees.  The  eggs  are  laid'  in  May  on  trees  upon  which  the  cater¬ 
pillars  feed.  The  larvae 
live  until  their  last 
moult,  huddled  to^ 
gether  as  masses  of 
little  wormy  bodies,  in 
a  common  web — that  is, 
one  that  serves  them 
all.  When  mature, 
they  spin  an  attachr- 
ment  at  the  tail  end, 
and  turn  to  the  chry¬ 
salis  state,  from  which 
the  butterfly  emerges 
The  L.vroe  Tortoiseshell  Butterely.  in  July.  They  pass  tire 
winter  in  the  adult 
stage,  liibernating  in  hams,  thatch,  outhouses,  &c.  Preventive 
and  remedial  mestsures  are  confined  to  (1)  collecting  the  egg- 
masses  when  possible;  (2)  spraying  with  Parist-green ;  and 
(3)  removing  all  the  webbing  when  the  larvae  are  collected 
beneath  it. 
Societies. 
Royal  Horticultural,  Drill  Hall,  Feb.  24th. 
Favoured  with  clear  and  dry  weather  (though  boisterous)  the 
exhibition  on  Tuesday  last  was  of  a  large  and  very  varied  cha¬ 
racter.  Hardy  plants,  Primulas,  Orchids,  and  forced  subjects 
were  presented  in  goodly  batches.  At  the  afternoon  meeting  102 
new  Fellows  were  proposed  for  election,  and  a  paper  on  the 
etherisation  of  plants  was  read  by  the  secretary  from  Mons.  E. 
Lemoine.  The  attendance  was  numerous. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present:  Geo.  Bunyard,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Messrs. 
Jos.  Cheal,  W.  Balderson,  J.  W.  Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  A.  Dean, 
Ed.  Beckitt,  H.  J.  Wright,  Geo.  Keif,  J.  Jaques,  H.  Somers 
Rivers,  Rich.  Parker,  G.  Reynolds,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Wythes,  W. 
Poupart,  J.  Gibson,  and  Owen  Thomas. 
Mr.  Will  Taylor,  Osborn  Nursery,  Hampton,  Middlesex, 
sta,gecl  over  a  score  of  dishes  of  Apples,  including  Prince  Albert^ 
The  Queen,  Cox’s  Orange,  Alexantler,  King  of  Pippins,  Bismarck, 
Alfriston,  and  the  Pine  Golden  Pippin.  A  Silver  Banksian 
Medal  was  awarded.  From  Miss  Martin,  Willowbrook,  Auburn, 
N.Y.,  there  came  six  dozen  jars  of  preserved  fruits,  the  quality 
of  which  wus  excellent.  A  cultural  commendation  was  accorded 
for  a  bunch  of  Asparagus  to  Mr.  Geo.  Wythes,  V.M.H.,  gar¬ 
dener  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  at  Syon. 
Orchid  Committee. 
Present:  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Messrs. 
J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  Crawshay,  R.  Brooman-White,  F.  A.  Relider, 
F.  Wellesley,  James  Douglas,  E.  Hill,  F.  W.  Ashton,  A.  A. 
McBiean,  H.  J.  Chapman,  J.  Wilson-Potter,  M.  Gleeson,  W. 
Boxall,  J.  W.  Odell,  W.  H.  Young,  H.  J.  Chapman,  J.  Charles- 
worth,  W.  H.  White,  H.  Little,  J.  G.  Fowler,  H.  A.  Tracy,  and 
H.  T.  Pitt. 
In  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  and  Sons’  collection  there  were 
plants  of  the  beautiful  L.-C.  Orpheus  and  Lielia.  x  Mrs. 
M.  Gratrix.  They  also  had  a  good  selection  of  the  best  Den- 
drobes  and  Cypripediums.  Messrs.  Cypher,  of  Cheltenham,  w^ere 
again  strong  in  Dendrobes,  staging  the  following  amongst 
others:  D.  Ellerianum,  a  pretty  tea-coloured  variety;  D.  splen- 
didissimum.  Stand  Hall  variety  ;  D.  nobile  nobilius  (exceptionally 
good),  D.  Backhousiie,  and  D.  Leechianum.  Their  Sophronitis 
grandiflora  in  small  pans  were  vei-y  freely  flowered. 
H.  T.  Pitt,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  assorted  a  varied  group  of 
the  leading  seasonable  genera,  including  some  nice  pieces  ^  of 
Epidendruiu  Endriesio-Wallisi.  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co., 
Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  had  Laelia  harpophylla,  Lycaste  Cappin, 
Dendrobium  primulinum,  D.  aggregatum  majus,  Cypripedium 
niveum,  D.  Boxalli,  and  a  superb  ihece  of  Chttleya  Trianse. 
Messrs.  Jas.  and  A.  A.  McBean,  Orchid  growers,  Cooksbridge, 
Sussex,  contributed  a  goodly  collection  of  w'ell-flowered  plants, 
chiefly  Dendrobe.s  and  Odontoglossums.  Their  D.  Wiganianum 
album  is  very  distinctive  and  almost  pure  wdiite ;  D.  Wiganise 
was  also  staged.  They  had  also  a  fine  Odontoglossum  crispum, 
named  Grace  Ruby,  a  finely  spotted  form,  though  but  moderate 
in  size.  The  plants  of  this  collection  Avere  robust  and 
healthy.  Amongst  those  staging  small  collections  were  Mr.  J. 
Bradshaw  with  a  fine  Cattleya  Trianse  Fairy  Queen,  having  a 
lovely  lip,  and  L.-C.  x  Hon.  Mrs.  Aster,  a  rich  orange  yellow 
flower,  with  ruddy  lip.  Messrs.  Stanley,  Ashton  and  Co.,  Orchid 
importers,  of  Southgate,  N.,  had  L.-C.  x  Captain  Percy  Scott 
and  0.  W’ilkcanum  Southgatense. 
From  Messrs.  Charlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford  came 
some  remarkably  showy  subjects,  as  Odontoglossum  Vuylsteke- 
anum,  Laelia  Coronet  (harpophylla  colour),  Cattleya  Enid,  a  largo 
handsome  flower;  Brasso-Cattleya  Digbyano-Mendeli,  Zygope- 
talum  crinitum  caeruleum,  and  other  things.  Mrs.  Haywood, 
Woodhatch,  Reigate,  sent  some  Dendrobiums,  three  receiving  an 
Arvard  of  Merit.  Captain  Holford  (grower,  Mr.  Alexander), 
We'stonbirt,  Tetbury,  received  an  Award  of  Merit  for  Dendro¬ 
bium  X  Ophir,  a  pretty  yellow  form ;  D.  primulinum,  rvith  a 
showier  of  pendant  pseudo-bulbs,  smothered  in  flowers;  L.-C.  x 
Warnhamiensis,  Westonbirt  var. ;  the  lovely  rose-lilac  L.-C.  x 
Enid,  and  la.stly  Dendrobium  "Wiganse  xanthochilum.  Sir  Trevor 
Lawwence,  Burford,  Dorking,  sent  well-flowered  Dendrobium 
melanodiscus,  Neottia  picta,  and  other  subjects. 
Norman  C.  Cookson,  Esq.  (growler,  Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman), 
Oakwood,  Wylam-on-Tyne,  was  again  represented  by  a  choice 
group  of  w’ell  growm  plants.  He  received  a  cultural  commenda¬ 
tion  for  a  basket  plant  of  Phaius  tuberculosis,  with  five  racemes. 
P.  X  Clive  (tuberculosis  x  Normani)  was  awarded  an  A.M.  Frank 
A.  Rehder,  Esq.  (grower,  Mr.  Norris),  The  Avenue,  Gip.sy  Hill, 
S.E.,  staged  Dendrobiums,  including  a  white  nobile.  de  B. 
Crawshay,  Esq.  (grower,  Mr.  W.  J.  Stables),  Rosefield,  Seven- 
oaks,  had  Odontoglossum  crispum  Rosefieldiense,  the  plant  bear¬ 
ing  a  raceme  Avith  seven  flowers  of  a  sweet  yellow  colour,  with 
AvaA'y  edge. 
Floral  Committee. 
Present:  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Me.ssrs. 
C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  Geo.  Nicholson,  R.  Dean,  John  Green, 
Amos  Perry,  J.  F.  McLeod,  John  Jennings.  J.  A.  Nix,  Jas. 
Hudson,  G.  Reuthe,  W.  HoAve,  C.  R.  Fielder,  Chas.  Dixon, 
C.  J.  Salter,  Chas.  Jefferies,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  R.  W.  Wallace, 
Chas.  E.  Pearson,  Chas.  E.  Shea,  W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jenkins, 
W.  J.  James,  Chas.  Blick,  Harry  Turner,  Geo.  Paul,  and  W.  G. 
Baker. 
Mr.  J.  Odell,  Violet  Farm,  Colliam  Green,  Hillingdon,  sent 
a  noteAvorthy  strain  of  Cyclamens  in  Sin  pots.'  The  blooms  were 
bright  and  in  great  variety,  the  deep  reds  being  especially  fine; 
also  Primula  Duchess  of  Fife,  a  pale  pink  variety  of  good  habit, 
carrying  large  trusses  of  floAvers.  The  .strain  of  Clydamens  is 
Avithout  doubt  a  good  one.  Messrs.  G.  Jackman  and  Son, 
Woking,  exhibited  a  very  tastefully  arranged  rock  and  Alpine 
exhibit,  in  Avhich  the  Irises  fumosa  and  sindjarensis  w'ere  con¬ 
spicuous.  Primulas  Avere  represented  by  P.  rosea,  Cashmeriana, 
megassefolia,  Avith  double  and  single  forms  of  the  gai'den  Prim¬ 
rose.  Ericas,  Daphnes,  and  Pernettyas  formed  the  backgound, 
while  the  front  Avas  prettily  arranged  with  Saxifragas,  Cycla¬ 
mens,  Ramondia  pyrenaica,  and  Hepaticas. 
Mr.  E.  Beckett,  gardener  to  Lord  Aldenham,  Elstree, 
arranged  a  fine  display  of  Cyclamens  in  oin  and  Gin  pots.  The 
plants  Avere  Avell  grown,  and  covered  with  floAvers.  In  addition 
an  attractive  display  of  that  old  neglected  plant,  Thyrsacanthus 
rutilans  proved  quite  a  feature,  the  plants  being  beautifully 
flowered  and  the  foliage  all  that  could  be  desired.  From  Mr.  F. 
Cubberley,  gardener  to  W.  M.  Cazalet,  Esc^.,  FairlaAvn,  Ton- 
bridge,  came  a  fine  display  of  Avinter  floAvering  Begonia  Gloire 
de  Sceaux.  The  plants  were  growing  in  7in  pots,  and  w’ere  about 
3ft  high,  the  dark  coppery  foliage  and  soft  pink  flowers  forming 
a  pleasing  contrast,  the  Avhole  of  them  exhibiting  pleasing  cul¬ 
tural  skill.  A  few  forms  of  the  Sacred  Lilies  groAving  in  clinkers 
completed  the  display.  A  large  table  Avas  occupied  by  Me.ssrs. 
H.  Cannell  and  .  Sons,  SAvanley,  Avith  an  exhibit  of  Cyclamens, 
Avhich  contained  a  Avidc  range  of  colours,  Avhile  the  blooms  Avere 
large  and  the  plants  full  of  blossom;  certainly  a  very  fine 
strain. 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  Chelsea,  arranged 
a  large  exhibit  composed  of  Primulas,  Loropetalum  chinense,  and 
Clivias.  The  Primulas  Avere  represented  by  a  beautiful  display 
of  the  yelloAV  flowering  P.  Kewen.sis,  some  of  the  plants  carrying 
eight  and  nine  Avhorls  of  flowers.  The  AA'hole  exhibit  was  bedded 
in  small  Maidenhair  Ferns,  Avhich  enhanced  their  beauty.  A 
feAV  pretty  plants  of  Daphne  Fioniana  and  a  pan  of  Shortia 
galacifolia  completed  the  display.  A  gi’oup  of  forced  spring 
floAvers  came  from  Me.ssrs.'  Hugh  Loav  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
A'-hich  consisted  of  standard  Laburnums,  Lilacs,  Guelder  Roses, 
and  Staplyleas;  Avhile'  Azalea  indica,  A.  mollis,  Lily  of  the 
Valley,  Avith  Ferns  and  Palms,  completed  a  pretty  group. 
Rock  and  Alpine  plants  AA'ere  well  represented  by  Mr.  G. 
Reuthe,  Fox  Hill  Hardy  Plant  Nursery',  Ke.ston,  Kent.  Good 
pan.s  of  Iris  reticulata,  I.  Heldreichi,  I.  Tauri,  I.  histrioicles,  and 
I.  reticulata  purpurea,  Avith  a  feAv  Narcissi,  in  which  the 
N.  cyclamineus  was  prominent,  and  Saxifragas  Avere  all  well 
represented.  Mr.  Robert.  Sydenham,  Birmingham,  exhibited 
Narcissi  and  Tulips  in  moss-fibre  and  shells.  The  blooms  had 
certainly  developed  Avell,  Avithout  being  unduly  clraAvn.  A  ,s.mall, 
but  choice  collection  of  plants  Avere  exhibited  by  Me.ssrs.  Wm. 
Bull  and  Sons,  Oielsea,  Avhich  included  Dracaena  Hookeriana, 
D.  argentea  striata,  the  pretty  trailing  plant  Ceropegia 
Woodi ;  Aralia.s  triloba  and  elegantissima,  also  Ficus  radicans 
variegata.  The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  exhibited  a 
ba.sket  of  hardy  rock  plants,  in  which  the  Saxifragas  apiculata, 
