358 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  23,  1903. 
The  Midland  Daffodil  Society. 
The  headquarters  of  this  society  are  in  Birininghani,  an 
exemplary  city  in  many  of  its  institutions,  and  which  can  now 
claim  to  be  the  centre  for  the  greatest  Daffodil  exhibition  of  the 
year.  And  this  “greatest  Daffodil  exhibition”  is  not  peculiar 
to  1903  only,  but  has  been  recognised  for  the  past  half  dozen, 
when  these  shows  began.  The  instigator  of  this  reputed  spring 
exhibition,  we  believe,  was  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham,  of  Tenby 
Street,  Biivningham,  and  he  has  had  the  active  co-operation  of 
Mr.  John  Pope,  of  Messr.s.  Pope  and  Sons,  King’s  Norton,  and 
others.  The  honorary  secretaries  are  Rev.  Joseph  Jacob,  M.A., 
of  Whitewell  Rectory,  Whitchurch,  Salop,  and  Mr.  Herbert 
Smith,  22,  Tenby  Street  North,  Birmingham;  both  of  whom  are 
excellent  gentlemen  for  the  secretarial  position.  The  society 
has  the  best  representative  committee  obtainable,  including  as 
members  such  specialists  and  admirers  of  the  flowers  as  the  Rev. 
G.  H.  Engleheart,  M.A.,  P.  Rudolph  Barr,  W.  B.  Lathom,  J.  D. 
Pearson,  and  W^m.  Spinks,  under  the  chairmanship  »of  Prof,  W. 
Hillhouse,  M.A.,  F.L.S. 
The  exhibitions  have  been  held  at  the  Edgbaston  Botanical 
Garden,  the  hall  being  of  a  specially  suitable  character. — clean, 
spacious,  beautifully  lighted  (being  part  of  the  general  plant 
structures),  and  nicely  warmed.  In  such  cold  weather  as  was 
experienced  last  week,  the  indoor  warmth  was  all  the  more 
congenial.  Omnibuses  ply  from  the  city  part  of  Birmingham 
out  to  Edgbaston  Garden,  which  lies  westward  in  a  fine  suburb. 
The  omnibuses  are  well  plastered  with  the  announcement ;  “  To 
the  Daffodil  Exhibition,”  so  that  the  stranger  need  not  have 
trouble,  and  the  citizen  cannot  help  becoming  acquainted  with 
the  fact  that  such  an  exhibition  exists.  The  show  lasts  two  days. 
Luncheon,  tea,  and  dinner  are  provided  for  the  exhibitors, 
judges,  and  guests,  and  every  form  of  hospitality  is  given.  To 
the  dinner,  which  was  provided  by  Mr.  Sydenham  and  Mr.  Pope, 
about  120  guests  were  invited,  and  not  a  more  sociable  gather¬ 
ing  could  be  reported.  Everybody  seemed  to  enjoy  the  very 
liberal  and  varied  repast,  and  the  conversation  and  the  speeches, 
following  which  came  the  toasts,  and  afterwards  a  brief  considera¬ 
tion  of  a  new  system  of  classification  of  the  genus  Narcissus,  of 
which  we  have  more  to  say  following  the  report  of  the  exhibition. 
The  honorary  or  trade  exhibits  furnished  an  ample  show,  and  all 
were  of  superior  merit. 
London  was  well  represented  by  the  Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons, 
of  King  Street,  Covent  Garden.  The  collection  was  gracefully 
.set  up  over  a  fresh  green  bank  of  moss,  the  varieties  being  in 
groups,  thus  showing  their  merits  off  to  the  greatest  advantage. 
In  front  thei’e  were  bunches  of  N.  Jonquilla,  triandrus  albus, 
and  Johnstoni  Queen  of  Spain.  Along  with  these  were  plants 
of  Primula  rosea,  Shortia  galacifoHa,  Erythroniums,  and 
Fritillaras,  F.  pudica,  Meleagris,  and  others.  The  unique 
Muscari  conicum  Heavenly  Blue,  was  not  omitted,  and  the  new 
Iris  Warleyen.sis  was  seen.  Besides  a  selection  of  early  single 
and  double  Tulips,  in  which  T.  Greigei  (species)  was  the'Cynosure, 
there  were  such  choice  Daffodils  as  Madame  de  Graaff,  grandly 
shown;  Leeds!  Gem,  a  charming  flower,  as  here  seen;  wdth 
Maggie  May,  Wm.  Goldring,  Ray  Smith,  poeticus  Cassandra, 
and  Willie  Barr  (trumpet).  The  elite  in  the  centre  comprised 
Lady  Audrey,  a  fine  flower  with  a  much  softer  yellow  or  primrose 
trumpet  than  Mine,  de  Graaff;  also  the  handsome  King  Alfred, 
so  richly  coloured  and  a  stout  flower ;  Loveliness,  a  white 
trumpet  after  Peter  Barr  style  ;  Cleopatra,  a  noble,  finely-formed 
yellow  trumpet ;  Mrs.  R.  Sydenham,  resembling  Loveliness ; 
Mrs.  Geo.  Barr,  another  of  almost  identical  pattern  to  the  fore¬ 
going;  Cygnet,  a  remarkably  beautiful  bicolor,  with  long, 
rounded,  smooth,  bright  canary  yellow  trumpet,  and  ivoi-y  white 
curving  perianth  segments.  The  whole  collection  was  of  superior 
merit. 
Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  the  Floral  Farms,  Wisbech,  con¬ 
tributed  a  bright  display,  in  which  Johnstoni  Queen  of  Spain 
was  still  able  to  be  shown,  and  a  number  of  fine  poeticus  vases 
were  included.  Here,  too,  were  the  .showy  Nelsoni  aurantius; 
the  star-like  Duchess  of  Westminster,  with  deep  primrose  crown ; 
cernuus  pulcher,  a  graceful  flower;  Katherine  Spurrell,  one  of 
the  finest  bunches  of  any  variety  staged,  the  flowers  very  pure 
and  fine  ;  also  Flora  Wilson,  Burbidgei  Falstaff,  Nelsoni  major, 
Madame  de  Graaff,  Leedsi  Mrs.  Langtry,  and'  a  full  set  of  the 
double  Daffodils,  (dolden  Phoenix,  Orange  Phoenix,  Sulphur 
Phoenix,  and  Telamonius.  The  collection  was  large  and  well 
let  up. 
Pot  grown  plants  were  arranged  by  Messrs.  W .  H.  Simpson 
and  Sons,  seedsmen,  of  Birmingham.  There  w'ere  handsomely 
flowered  sets  of  Honsefieldi,  Emperor,  Mine.  Plemp,  Mine,  de 
Graaff,  Cyno.sure,  Duchess  of  We.stniinster,  and  others  of  the 
Leeds!  group. 
From  Ireland,  Messrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson,  seedsmen  and 
bulb  growers  to  His  Majesty  the  King,  brought  one  of  the  finest 
collections  at  the  meeting.  Their  Tulip.s-  (all  Irish  grown)  were 
of  the  finest — good  in  form,  large  in  size,  having  also’  substance 
and  brilliant  colouring.  Tln-y  surely  amply  deinon.strate  the 
fitness  of  Rush  and  otlier  parts  of  co.  Dublin  for  bulb  culture. 
The  double  Daffodils  here  staged  were  of  very  great  size  and  dis¬ 
tinctly  superior.  The  selection  of  poeticus  kinds,  and  the 
showier  incomparabilis  and  trumpet  varieties,  was  also  worthy 
of  note.  Leedsi  Beatrice,  with  white  dreojiing  flowers,  is  very 
dainty  and  graceful ;  Mrs.  G.  F.  Brooke  rivals  Gloria  Mundi ; 
and  Flamingo  was  also  here  seen  in  fine  form.  Of  the  Tulips 
we  would  name  retroflexa,  elegans  variegata,  and  the  following; 
Singles — Thos.  Moore,  King  of  the  Yellows,  Prince  of  Austria, 
Kolpi-Noor,  Golden  Crown,  Duchesse  de  Parma,  Keizerskroon, 
White  Swan,  Van  der  Neer,  Artus,  La  Reine,  Crimson  King,  and 
Golden  Lion  of  Helligom. 
Another  Irish  contribution  of  these  beautiful  flowers  was 
brought  and  set  up  by  Miss  F.  W.  Currey,  of  the  Warren 
Gardens,  Lismore.  The  bunches  were  closely  staged  and  very 
bright.  Michael  Foster  (trumpet)  was  well  shown,  as  also  Mme. 
de  Graaff,  Duche.ss  of  Westminster,  White  Lady,  Vivid  (with 
brilliant  orange  scarlet  crown),  Gloria  Mundi,  and  Maggie  May, 
besides  many  othens  too  well  known  to  be  specially  named  here. 
The  Green  Isle  is  no  le'SS  favourable  to  the  growth  of  the 
brilliant  double  St.  Bridgid  Anemones,  than  to  the  purely  bulbous 
subjects — the  Narcis.si.  The  Alderborough  strain  of  these 
Anemones  as  cultivated  by  Messrs.  Reamsbottom  and  Co.,  of 
Alderborough  Nursery,  Geashill,  King’s  County,  is  indeed 
unexcelled.  The  flowers  are  of  immense  size  (Sin  to  4in  across), 
very  “  double,”  and  intensely  bright  in  colour.  The  variety  of 
shades  embraces  crimson,  scarlet,  blue,  cream,  violet,  and  indeed 
all  hues. 
Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  and  Sons,  Chilwell  Nurseries,  Lowd- 
ham,  Notts,  staged  a  representative  collection,  in  which  we  noted 
Beauty,  Duchess  of  Westminster,  Minnie  Hume,  Cynosure,  Barri 
oonspicuus,  Mary  Anderson,  and  Madge  Matthew,  each  in  the 
^  very  finest  condition. 
Some  new  forms  of  Anemone  fulgens,  and  a  double  variety 
of  this  named  King  of  Scarlets,  having  large  flowers  with  a 
“  pompon  ”  centre  and  broad  crimson-scarlet  calyx  segments, 
were  staged  by  Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Son,  Anemone  Nurseries, 
Dyke,  Bounie,  Lines.  The  latter  (King  of  Scarlets)  attracted 
general  admiration,  and  many  inquiries  as  to  the  price  of  the 
novelty  were  made.  Anemone  Gilbert!  is  a  fine  crimson  single 
of  the  Pulsatilla  type. 
From  the  Midland  Spring  Garden,  Northfield,  there  came  a 
collection  of  cut  Narcissi  of  the  popular  sorts ;  and  Mr.  J.  Kings- 
mill,  nurseryman,  Sharrow,  Ripon,  staged  a  finely  flowered  set  of 
new  Daffodils. 
A  representative  group  came  from  Messrs.  Dicksons,  of 
Chester.  N.  montanus  w'as  very  distinctive ;  Victoria  was  in¬ 
cluded,  together  with  Mme.  de  Graaff,  aurantius  plenus,  Mrs. 
Langtry,  Maurice  Vilmorin,  Baroness  Heath,  Princess  Mary,  &c. 
Mr.  J.  W.  Ci'oss,  of  Wisbech,  had  exceptionally  fresh  flow'ers, 
and  staged  also  Anemones,  Tulips  and  Muscaris.  His  incompara¬ 
bilis  Queen  Sophia  was  very  fine.  C.  J.  Backhouse  vras  good ; 
Crown  Prince,  striking;  Minnie  Hume,  large  and  pure;  Stella 
superba,  as  fine  as  ever ;  while  Bieauty,  Gloria  Mundi,  Barri 
consi>icuus,  Beatrice,  Shakespeare,  and  Sensation  (a  superb  and 
charming  flow'er)  were  amongst  a  few  of  the  more  conspicuous. 
The  colouring  in  Messrs.  J.  T.  White  and  Sons’  collection, 
from  Spalding,  w'as  quite  unusual ;  the  flowers,  too,  were  very 
pure  and  fine ;  all  sections  being  represented.  The  firm  grows 
some  6,000,000  bulbs. 
Messrs.  Mauger  and  Son,  of  Guernsey,  contributed  a  col¬ 
lection  of  Tulips  of  immense  size ;  and  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  staged 
pot  Tulips  and  Narcissus.  The  Rev.  Geo.  Engleheart  had  a  fine 
number  of  very  fine  novelties,  some  of  which  were  awarded 
certificates,  and  which  we  elsewhere  describe. 
Messrs.  Hewitt  and  Co.,  Solihull  and  Birmingham,  had 
decorative  subjects  in  variety,  like  Azaleas,  Primula  obconica. 
Genista  Andreana,  Carnations,  and  Rose  Chatenay,  a  vigorous 
variety  in  the  wmy  of  Mrs.  S.  Crawford.  They  also  had  a  great 
horseshoe  floral  design,  wdth  Pteris  and  Bay  leaves  silvered  over. 
Table  decorations  were  admirably  arranged  by  Messrs.  Perkins 
and  Sons,  North-Western  Arcade,  Birmingham,  wdiose  epergnes 
of  the  Liberty  Rose  were  simply  superb.  This  firm_,  rich  amaranth 
crimson  flow'er  has  in  its  colour  no  equal  for  forcing.  They  also 
had  Mme.  Hoste,  Bridesmaid,  and  Sunrise  Roses.  The  floral 
designs  were  chiefly  composed  of  Odontoglossums,  Cattleyas,  and 
other  Orchids. 
Medal  Awards. 
The  following  awards  were  made  to  honorary  exhibits  ;  Large 
Silver  Medals  to  Messrs.  J.  W.  Cross,  Wisbech  ;  J.  R.  Pearson, 
Chilwell ;  Hogg  and  Robertson,  Dublin ;  Reamsbottom  and  Co., 
Geashill,  Kings  Co. ;  Barr  and  Sons,  London  ;  and  Miss  F,  W.  Curry, 
Lismore,  Ireland. 
Silver  Medals  to  Messrs.  Hewitt  and  Co.,  Birmingham ; 
Dicksons,  Chester;  R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech;  Simpson  and  Sons, 
Birmingham  ;  and  Gilbert  and  Son,  Dyke. 
Premier  Blooms. 
Silver  Medals  were  awarded  as  follows  to  the  premier  blooms  in  the 
various  sections  ;  Magni-coronati  King  Alfred,  from  A.  S.  L.  Melville, 
Esq.  Medio-caronati  White  Queen,  from  Messrs.  Pope  and  Son 
Parvi-coronati  Southern  Star,  from  Messrs.  Pope  and  Son. 
