March  19,  19C3. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
255 
Societies. 
®0YAL(  horticultural.— Scientific  Committee,  Feb.  24th. 
Cineraria  diseased. — Some  plants  were  received  from  Mr.  C- 
Buckland,  Braintree.  Mr.  Saunders  reports  as  follows  from  his 
examination  of  them  :  “  The  Cineraria  plants  were  in  a  very  sad 
condition  ;  the  leaves  were  infested  by  green  fly,  and  the  roots  with 
one  of  the  Poduridse,  or  Springtails,  I  believe  by  Lipura  ambulans, 
which  were  present  in  large  numbers,  and  by  some  small  worms 
belonging  to  the  family  Enchytrgeidte,  which  are  nearly  related  to  the 
true  earthworms.  They  were  very  abundant,  particularly  at  the  base 
of  the  roots.  They  die  almost  instantly  on  being  placed  in  lime  water, 
so  that  they  Avould  easily  be  destroyed  by  soaking  the  soil  in  which 
they  were  with  lime  water ;  but  whether  they  would  be  reached  by 
watering  when  at  the  roots  close  up  to  the  stem  I  cannot  say.  Both 
the  worms  and  the  Springtails  are  very  injurious  to  plants  ;  the  latter 
do  not  appear  to  be  much  affected  by  lime  water.  Probably  a  strong 
solution  of  nitrate  of  soda  or  common  salt  would  have  more  effect, 
but  I  do  not  know  of  any  experiments  that  have  been  made  on  them.” 
Azaleas  and  fiwiago. — Mr.  Mortimer  sent  samples  attacked  by 
the  common  fumago,  due  to  a  too  close  an  atmosphere.  A  good 
washing  would  be  desirable  in  such  cases.  They  had  also  been 
attacked  by  thrips. 
Stone  embedded  in  a  tree. — Rev.  A.  Harvey,  Shirehampton  Vicarage, 
Bristol,  sent  a  photo  of  a  portion  of  a  root  of  an  Ash  tree.  It  was 
cut  down  in  1870  from  a  tree  at  Hampsted.  The  root  had  evidently 
grown  over  the  stone,  a  not  uncommon  occurrence. 
Scientific  investigations. — Dr.  Masters  laid  a  resolution  before  the 
committee,  observing  that  the  question  of  the  society  undertaking  in 
its  gardens  to  investigate  physiological  and  other  matters  bearing  upon 
horticulture  was  a  most  pressing  one,  to  be  carried  out  under  a  properly 
appointed  director.  After  several  suggestions  were  made  by  Mr. 
Ehves,  Mr.  Massee,  Mr.  Brown,  and  others,  the  resolution  was 
.seconded  by  Mr.  Shea  and  passed  unanimously. 
Floral  Committee,  March  10th. 
A  beautiful  group  of  Olivia^  came  from  Mr.  T.  Arnold,  gar¬ 
dener  to.  Lady  Batliur.st,  Cirencester  House,  Cirencester.  The 
lilants  were  healthy,  and  carried  fine  heads  of  bloom  in  varying 
shades.  Me.ssrs.  James  Veitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  again  sent  a 
fine  bank  of  their  yellow  Primula  Kewensis.  The  plants  appear 
better  each  time  they  are  .staged.  On  this  occasion  they  were 
masses  of  bright  yellow  flowers.  The  firm  also  staged  a  group 
of  Cineraria  stellata,  including  Feltham  Beauty,  which  was 
notable  for  the  dwarf  habit  of  the  plants  and  the  variety  of 
colours  displayed. 
From  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Cheshunt,  came  forced  Lilacs  and 
tree  Carnations.  The  former  included  well-bloomed  plants  of 
Countess  H.  de  Choiseul,  Madame  Lemoine,  Pre.sident  Carnot, 
and  Doyen  Keteleer.  Tbe  best  Carnation  was  undoubtedly 
America,  while  the  white  variety  Lorna  was  also  good.  Cycla¬ 
mens  were  well  represented  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  and  Sons, 
Swanley.  The  plants  were  in  5in  pots,  with  good  vigorous  foliage 
and  covered  with  flowers,  the  latter  being  of  good  substance  and 
diversified  in  colouring.  Messrs.  J.  Pe^  and  Son,  West  Nor¬ 
wood,  staged  a  miscellaneous  group  of  plants  in  which  the  foliage 
section  was  strong.  The  Drac£ena.s  (Cordylines)  included  well- 
grown  plants  of  Lord  Roberts,  Coullingi,  Norwoodiensis 
triumphans,  and  Goldieana.  The  flowering  section  included 
Odontoglossums  and  Cypripediums  in  variety.  Lilacs,  Vibur¬ 
nums,  and  Azaleas  mollis  and  rustica. 
The  largest  display  of  Narcissi  came  from  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush 
and  Son,  Highgate,  N.,  who'  arranged  a  large  bank  in  pots,  about 
fifty  varieties  being  repre.sented.  The  best  forms  were 
Grandee,  Duche.ss  of  Westminster,  Mrs.  Langti’y,  Empress, 
Emperor,  Sir  Watkin,  Princess  Ida,  and  Golden  Spur.  The  .same 
firm  also  contributed  a  pretty  display  of  winter-flowering  Carna¬ 
tions  arranged  in  vases.  Viscount  Kitchener,  Gemma,  Jane 
Seymour,  Mr.  Thos.  Lawson,  Lady  de  Ramsey,  Stella,  Mrs.  S.  J. 
Brooks,  and  America  were  capital,  though  the  American  fringed 
edge  was  not  very  much  in  evidence. 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  staged  an  extensive 
di.splay  of  hardy  flowers  arranged  in  attractive  style,  the  bunches 
of  cut  Narcissi  being  especially  good  so  early  in  the  season.  The 
best  were  Duchess  of  Normandy,  Defiance,  Dandy  Dick  (a 
beauty),  and  Galatea.  The  pretty  batches  of  N.  cyclamineus  and 
Rose,  Her  Majesty. 
In  that  masterpiece  chapter  of  his  “  Book  of  the  Rose,”  en¬ 
titled,  “Manners  and  Customs,”  the  Rev.  Foster-Melliar  has  this 
to  say  of  Her  Majesty : — “  In  size  and  la.sting  qualities  it  is  quite 
at  the  top  of  the  tree  ;  as  a  free  bloomer  and  autumnal  absolutely 
at  the  bottom.”  Well,  that’.s  a  summary  verdict.  The  author  of 
the  book  just  named  has  a  good  deal  to  say  of  this  remarkable 
Ro.se.  It  makes  a  grand  growth  under  favourable  conditions, 
Init  a  poor  show  if  not  treated  regally  and  favoured  with  Queen’s 
weather.  It  is  a  good  standard  or  balf-.standard  Rose,  better 
than  as  a  dwarf,  and  is  of  no  use  on  the  Manetti  stock.  “  It  is 
essentially  a  Briar  Rose,”  according  to  the  Cheshunt  firm.  It 
is  a  perfectly  double  Rose,  even  when  expanded  to  the  fullest. 
Messrs.  Kelway  and  Son  find  it  do  well  at  Langport. 
N.  nanus  were  admirable.  A  few  Darwin  Tulips  arranged  with 
Ferns  were  also  pretty.  Primroses  were  staged  in  great  varietjq 
as  were  also  Hellebore.s,  Scillas,  and  Saxifrages. 
Mr.  J.  May,  Gordon  Nursery,  St.  Margaret’s,  Twickenham, 
pre.sented  a  long  bank  of  Cyclamens  in  oin  pots.  The  plants  were 
remarkable  for  their  dwarf  iiabit,  large  flowers,  and  variety  of 
colours.  The  whites  and  crimsons  were  certainly  some  of  the 
best  ever  seen  in  the  hall,  and  the  strain  appeared  excellent 
throughout.  Messrs.  Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  N., 
contributed  a  pretty  exhibit  of  flowering  plants,  relieved  by 
Palms,  Acers,  and  Ferns.  The  flowering  plants  included  good 
plants  of  Azalea  indica  in  variety.  Azalea  mollis,  Boronia 
megastigma,  and  Polygala  dalmaisiana— a  pretty  spring  display. 
Mr.  G.  Reuthe,  Ke.ston,  Kent,  contributed  a  nice  exhibit  of 
hardy  plants  in  pots.  The  chief  subjects  were  Shortia  galacifolia. 
Iris  Heldreichi,  Galanthus  Ikarise,  Fritillaria  a.skbabadensis, 
Muscari  botryoides  carneum.  Primula  rosea,  and  a  large  variety 
of  rock  and  alpine  plants.  A  group  of  Cactaceous  plants  came 
from  Mr.  R.  Anker,  54,  St.  George  Street,  Baker  Street,  W.  Tbe 
plants  were  small,  but  included  a  large  variety  of  these  curious 
and  interesting  plants. 
Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  arranged 
a  nice  group  of  Palms,  forced  shrubs,  and  Ferns.  The  Palms 
N'lirtiy  (l-  Do  . 
Rose,  Her  Majesty. 
V  ere  well  grown,  while  the  shrubs  were  chiefly  standards  of 
Prunus  triloba,  and  Lilacs  in  variety.  A  few  well-flowered  plants 
of  Azalea  mollis  completed  the  display.  An  interesting,  though 
small,  exhibit  of  hardy  flowers  came  from  Mr.  M.  Pritchard, 
Christchurch,  Hants,  in  which  were  noted  Anemone  blanda, 
Tulipa  Kaulfmanniana,  Anemone  Pulsatilla  alba,  Saxifragas  m 
variety,  a  fine  blue  Primrose  and  the  double  lilac  form ;  also  P. 
rosea  splendens. 
A  large  semicircular  group  vas  arranged  by  Mr.  J.  Russell, 
Richmond,  whicli  was  composeel  of  well-flowered  standards  of 
Prunus  triloba,  Cerasus  'Watereri,  Laburnum  Adami,  and 
Cratregus  Oxyacantha  alba  plena ;  while  the  groundwork  was 
formed  of  Azalea  rustica  (well-flowered),  with  nice  specimens  of 
Eiuya  latifolia  variegata.  Campanula  Balchiniana,  Coboea  scan- 
dens  variegata  and  Clematises.  On  this  occasion  Messrs.  R.  and 
G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  staged  their  collection  of  Azalea  mollis 
and  A.  rustica  as  bush  plants,  relieved  with  nice  specimens  of 
Acers,  Palms,  and  Ferns.  The  arrangement  was  undoubtedly  of 
a  satisfactory  cbaracter.  and  made  a  pleasing  change.  Needless 
to  say,  the  A.  mollis  varieties  were  beautifully  developed,  and  the 
double  varieties  of  A.  rustica  were  much  admired. 
Ferns  were  represented  by  a  fine  display  from  Messrs.  J.  Hill 
and  Son,  Barrowfield  Nui-sery,  Lower  Edmontyn.  The  exliibit 
was  arranged  witli  lightness  and  taste,  the  chief  subjects  being 
Asplenium  caudatum.  Gymnograiinna  schizopbylla  gloriosa  (a 
fine  plant),  and  Cibotium  Schiedei.  The  front  was  composed  of 
baskets  containing  small  plants  of  Ferns  with  tinted  foliage,  some 
of  the  most  noticeable  being  Lomaria  L’Herniinieri,  Adiantum 
Legrandi,  Doodia  aspera  multifida.  and  Blechnum  latifolium. 
TFrom  Mr.  H.  B.  May.  Dy.sons  Lane  Nurseries,  Upper  Edmon¬ 
ton,  came  a  similar  display'  to  that  staged  last  meeting.  The 
groups  of  Clematises  included  well-flowered  plants  of  Edith  Jack- 
