500 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  4,  1903. 
forms  of  Cattleyas  Mossise  and  Mendeli,  very  special  unnamed 
0.  crispum,  and  the  perfectly  distinct  Ccelogyne  p'andurata. 
Messrs.  J.  Peed  and  Co.,  Upper  Norwood,  gained  a  gold 
medal  for  well-grown  Caladiums  similar  to  those  seen  at  the 
Temple  Show. 
Silver-gilt  medals  went  to  Messrs.  Reamsbottom  and  Co., 
Alderborough  Nursery,  Geashill,  Kings  Co.,  for  giant  flowers  of 
double  St.  Bridgid  Anemones  ;  also  to  Mr.  Jno.  Robson,  Bowdon, 
for  excellent  Carnations  in  pots.  Silver  medals  were  awarded 
Me3.srs.  W.  Bull  and  Sons  for  a  small  but  choice  stand  of  Orchids; 
to  Messrs.  Dickson  and  Robinson,  Manchester,  for  Kalosanthes, 
dwarf  Mignonette,  double  Stocks,  and  Verbena  Miss  Willmott ; 
to  Messrs.  Dickson,  Brown,  and  Tait,  Manchester,  for  early 
flowering  Gladioli,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  Spanish  Iris ;  and  to 
the  Ranelagh  Nurseries  Company  for  Asparagus  myriocladus,  a 
fine  decorative  subject  which  is  bound  to  make  its  mark. 
Competitive  Classes. — Groups. — In  the  nurserymen’s  section 
the  place  of  honour  fell  to  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  and  Sons,  Aigburth, 
Liverpool,  with  a  bold,  handsome  series  of  mounds,  pools,  and 
shady  dells.  Not  overpowered  in  any  way,  it  was  at  once 
characteristic  of  the  firm,  who  know  so  well  how  to  manipulate 
the  choice  plants  grouped.  In  that  to  fill  a  space  not  less  than 
150  square  feet  three  competed,  the  award  being  given  to  Mr.  J. 
Smith,  gardener  to  J.  Brown,  Esq.,  Longfield,  Heaton  Mersey, 
with  one  somewhat  out  of  the  ordinary  run,  inasmuch  as-  he 
mainly  depended  on  the  great  effect  produced  by  some  specimen 
Crimson  Rambler  Roses,  which  towered  upwards  from  a  well 
broken  up  base.  The  second,  from  Mr.  Upjohn,  gardener  to  the 
Earl  of  Ellesmere,  Worsley  Hall,  must  have  entailed  consider¬ 
able  labour.  Orchids  playing  a  very  prominent  part  in  a  capital 
group.  Mr.  T.  Mulloy,  gardener  to  T.  Harker,  Esq.,  Brook  House, 
Withington,  a  fair  third.  For  one  not  less  than  100  square  feet 
Mr.  S.  Vickers,  gardener  to  J.  Lamb,  Esq.,  Kenwood,  Bowdon, 
arranged  lightly  but  lacked  weight  and  quality. 
Orchid^ — These  are  always  to  be  met  with  in  perfection  at 
Manchester^  and  although  many  old  faces  and  names  were 
missing,  there  is  much  room  for  congratulation.  Mr.  J.  Hol¬ 
brook,  gardener  to  E.  Ashworth,  Esq.,  Harefield  Hall,  ^ilmslow, 
contributing  a  costly  and  varied  collection  in  Class  1,  which  was 
for  the  best  collection  in  bloom.  I  noticed  Miltonia  vexillaria, 
rich  in  colour  and  form,  Dendrobiums  atro-violaceum  and  Victoria 
Regina,  Brassavola  Digbyana,  Cattleyas  speciosa  nobilius  and 
C.  Mossise  Victoria,  Cypripediums  of  many  types,  and  beauteous 
Odontoglossums.  Mr.  H.  Tindall,  gardener  to  W.  Duck- 
w'orth,  Esq.,  Shawe  Hall,  Flixton,  came  a  good  second,  wuth  his 
plants  massed  in  their  different  sorts.  In  the  corresponding 
class  for  nurserymen  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  the  only  exhibitor,  but 
what  an  exhibit  to  be  proud  of,  occupying  as  it  did  one  end  of 
the  exhibition  house,  while  the  arrangement  was  absolutely 
faultless.  Conspicuous  stood  out  Lselio-cattleya  Iona  (C.  gigas 
X  L.  Dayana),  Cypripedium  Haynaldi,  Odontoglossum  Adrianae 
magnifica,  Anguloa  Ruckeri,  Cypripediums  grande,  atratum,  and 
Goweri,  Masdevallia  Veitchiana  grandiflora,  Miltonias  in  variety, 
and  Oncidium  Krameri. 
There  was  a  close  fight  for  the  ten  specimen  Orchids  in 
bloom,  the  prize  being  awarded  to  Mr.  Ashworth,  who  had 
Epidendrum  prismatocarpum,  eleven  spikes,  Miltonia  vexillaria 
Empress  Augusta,  Cattleyas  speciosa  nobilius,  Mossise, 
Reineckiana,  Cattleya  Skinneri,  Cypripediums  Rotlischildianum 
and  caudatum,  Odontoglossum  luteo-purpurem,  Vuylestekeanum 
and  Dendrobium  Deari.  Mr.  Cypher  was  second  with  good 
plants  of  Cypripedium  grande  atratum,  Ccelogyne  atratum, 
Cattleya  Mossise  Wagneri,  and  an  extra  good  Odontoglossum 
crispum.  Mr.  Harker  was  third. 
For  the  best  collection  of  Odontoglossums  Mr.  Ashworth 
again  claimed  superiority  from  the  fact  that,  although  only 
exhibiting  some  twenty-five  plants  to  Mr.  Robson’s  eighty,  the 
judge  gave  it  on  the  score  of  variety.  Luteo-purpurea  elegantius, 
Halli,  leucoglossum,  Pescatorei  (special),  cordatum  (albino  type), 
with  crispums,  composed  a  smart  set.  Mr.  Robson’s  were  chiefly 
crispums,  but  of  great  merit  and  substance. 
Stove  and  Greenhouse  Plants. — These  at  one  time  were  the 
glory  of  the  Manchester  Shows,  but  not  so  now,  owing  to  the 
great  hold  on  public  favour  which  the  Orchid  possesses,  and 
more  so  with  the  Manchester  merchants.  Mr.  Cypher,  as 
usual,  displayed  his  culture  of  these  noble  plants,  taking  the 
twelve  class  with  three  good  Azaleas,  two  Anthurium 
Scherzerianum,  Ericas  Cavendishi  and  ventricosa  grandiflora, 
Dracophyllum  gracile,  Hedaroma  tulipifera,  and  Pimelea 
diosmeeflora.  A  capital  plant  of  Clerodendron  Balfourianum  was 
the  best  stove  plant,  a  variegated  Lonicera  the  best  foliage 
plant,  a  huge,  intensely  blue-coloured  Hydrangea  (probably  one 
of  the  finest  ever  seen)  the  single  greenhouse  plant,  this  latter 
being  exhibited  by  Mr.  J.  Holt. 
Calceolarias  were  much  improved,  the  first  falling  to  Mr. 
Willacy,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Gaddum,  Esq.  Cinerarias  ought  to 
receive  the  same  attention.  Mr.  Mulloy  won  also  for  six 
beautiful  hardy  Ferns,  and  Mr.  Brown  for  six  Coleus.  Mr. 
Brown’s  first  prize  collection  of  Roses  were  of  the  highest  quality, 
substance,  and  form,  and  reflected  much  credit  on  so  enthusiastic 
a  rosarian.  Mr.  Mulloy  was  a  fair  second.  Caladiums  and 
Gloxinias  and  other  minor  classes  were  fairly  contested. 
Herbaceous  and  Alpine  Plants. — Three  distinct  classes  are 
provided  for  these,  the  competition  being  good,  although  soma 
of  the  plants  showed  signs  of  the  severe  w’eather.  For  the  best 
collection,  not  less  than  fifty,  arranged  for  effect,  Mr.  J.  Derby¬ 
shire,  Astley  Road,  Hale,  put  up  a  bright  lot  of  Caltha  palustris 
fl.-pl.,  Geums  cocoinea  and  Eweni,  Armerias  Cephalotes  and 
Eweni.  Asphodela  lutea,  with  its  peculiar  yellow  spikes,  and 
Saxifraga  trifurcata  oeratophylla  looking  the  pick.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Thornley  was  a  good  second.  Mr.  J.  Lamb  w’on  for  not  less  than 
thirty,  and  Mr.  T.  Shawcross  for  twelve.  It  only  remains  to  be 
added  that  a  decided  improvement  has  been  made  by  moving 
the  side  tables  to  their  proper  position,  and  so  allowing  four 
passages  as  against  two  for  promenading ;  that  the  gardens  are 
in  the  best  of  order ;  that  Mr.  Weathers  and  Mr.  Paul  know  how 
to'work  their  shows  to  advantage  ;  and  that  Alderman  Gibson, 
who  presided,  made  an  admirable  chairman. — R.  P.  R. 
Shirley  Gardeners’  Association. 
There  was  an  excellent  attendance  at  the  monthly  meeting  of 
this  society,  held  at  the  Parish  Room,  on  the  25th  ult.,  Mr.  B. 
Ladhams  in  the  chair,  when  Mr.  W.  G.  Bushell,  of  Rownham 
House  Gardens,  gave  a  very  interesting  lecture  on  the  “  Destruc¬ 
tion  of  Insect  Pests.”  The  lecturer  gave  his  own  experience  in 
the  destruction  of  insect  pests,  which,  he  said  they  all  knew, 
generally  first  attacked  weakly  and  over-coddled  plants.  For 
outside  use  he  found  a  mixture  of  petroleum  emulsion  and 
sulphide  of  potassium  a  good  thing.  Caustic  soda  and  pearlash 
was  a  good  winter  wash  for  fruit  trees.  Mr.  Bushell  also  re¬ 
commended  cyanide  of  potassium  mixed  W’ith  sulphuric  acid  and 
water,  and  from  the  experiments  he  had  made  he  was  able  to 
recommend  it  as  an  unfailing  specific  for  fumigating  greenhouses 
and  conservatories.  It  was  one  of  the  most  potent  poisons,  and 
threw  off  a  deadly  gas  which,  if  it  once  filled  the  lungs,  caused 
instant  death,  so  that  the  greatest  care  was  required  in  its  use. 
Mr.  Avery,  of  Loperwood  Manor,  gave  his  experience  of  the 
cyanide  as  a  vapouriser ;  he  highly  recommended  it.  In  the  dis¬ 
cussion  the  following  took  part,  viz.,  Messrs.  Jones,  Ladhams, 
Verdon,  Wilcox,  &c.  The  secretary  (Mr.  J.  Miles)  gave  his 
experience  of  caustic  soda  and  pearlash,  having  used  in  the 
year  1899  over  7,000  gallons,  and  in  1903  about  5,500  gallons  to 
fruit  trees.  He  said  he  tried  31b  of  caustic  soda,  without  pearl¬ 
ash,  to  fifty  gallons  of  water,  and  found  it  quite  useless  for  either 
scale  or  American  blight,  but  where  he  had  used  51b  of  each  to 
the  fifty  gallons  it  had  killed  both.  There  was  a  grand  exhibi¬ 
tion  of  flowering  shrubs  and  plants  at  this  meeting.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Rogers,  of  Red  Lodge  Nursery,  gained  the  certificate  of  merit 
for  a  magnificent  display  of  flowering  shrubs;  Mr.  B.  Ladhams 
a  special  vote  of  thanks  for  a  very  attractive  stand  of  hardy 
herbaceous  flow’ers ;  Mr.  Tomselt,  vhc,  collection  of  Coleus ; 
he,  Mr.  J.  Biggs  for  a  grand  Begonia.  The  secretary  announced 
that  the  outing  would  take  place  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  Juno 
or  the  first  Tuesday  in  July  to  Swanmore  Park,  by  the  kind 
permission  of  W.  H.  Myers,  Esq.,  M.P. — J.  M. 
Scottish  Horticultural  Association  < 
The  monthly  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  in  Dowell’s 
Rooms  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the  2nd  inst.,  w'hen,  for  the 
season  of  the  year,  there  was  a  good  attendance  of  members. 
A  number  of  new  members  were  proposed  and  elected.  A  paper 
from  Mr.  Mair,  florist,  Prestwick,  Ayrshire,  on  “  The  Culture 
of  Gladioli,”  was  read  by  the  secretary.  Mr.  Mair’s  paper  was 
thoroughly  practical,  and  detailed  very  shortly  but  clearly  the 
method  of  culture  he  adopts,  and  which  with  him  has  been  so 
highly  successful.  He  recommends  deep  planting  on  well 
trenched  soil,  fertilised  with  well  prepared  horse  manure.  Mr. 
Mair  also  dwelt  on  the  method  of  raising  seedlings  and  young 
bulbs  from  spawn.  The  paper  was  listened  to  with  great  atten¬ 
tion,  and  was  followed  by  an  interesting  discussion,  taken  part 
in  by  Messrs.  Mackeniiie,  Whyttoek,  ScarletU  Grieve,  Sclater, 
and  Todd.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  awarded  Mr.  Mair.  It 
was  intimated  that  the  annual  summer  excursion  would  take 
place  on  the  13th  inst.  to  Dundas  Castle.  The  address  of  the 
association  to  the  King  on  the  occasion  of  the  Royal  visit  to' 
Edinburgh  was  read,  and  the  reply  thereto,  intimating  his 
gracious  acceptance  of  the  same.  An  interesting  incident  of  the 
evening  was  the  congratulations  of  the  members  present  to  Mr. 
Whyttock  on  his  having  received  a  very  beautiful  gold  scarf  pin 
from  His  Majesty  as  a  souvenir  of  his  recent  visit  to  Dalkeith 
Palace.  The  pin  w'as  handed  round  and  much  admired. 
The  exhibition  table  was  gay  with  a  variety  of  interesting  and 
beautiful  subjects.  Mr.  Smale,  Blackford  Park  Gardens,  ex¬ 
hibited  a  beautiful  collection  of  cut  Sweet  Peas,  showing  remark¬ 
ably  good  cultivation.  The  blooms  were  large  and  handsome, 
with  fine  stems,  and  all  of  brilliant  colours.  The  most  notice¬ 
able  were  Salopian,  Hon.  F.  Bouverie,  Blanch  Burpee,  Triumph, 
and  Lady  Mary  Currie.  Mr.  Small  also  showed  a  handsome  vase 
of  double  White  Clematis  Duchess  of  Edinburgh,  and  several 
