340 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE-  GARDENER. 
October  11,  1900. 
Mr.  Norman  Davis,  Framfield,  Sussex,  was  second  with  good 
Howers  of  Mrs.  W.  Cursham,  Oceana,  W.  Hart,  Mrs.  Coombs,  Miss  Alice 
Byron,  and  Soleil  d’Octobre,  while  Mr.  Eichard  Jones,  gardener  to 
C.  A.  Smith  Rjland,  Esq.,  Barford  Hill,  Warwick,  was  third  with  clean 
fresh  blooms.  In  the  class  for  twelve  blooms,  distinct,  there  were 
four  competitors.  Here  Mr.  R.  Jones  was  a  good  first  ;  the 
varieties  were  Soleil  d’Octobre,  Mrs.  White  Popham,  Lady  Phillips, 
Miss  Edith  Pilkington,  Madame  Ed.  Rey,  Helen  Shrimpton,  President 
Nonin,  Jas.  Bidencope,  Lady  Byron,  Mrs.  John  Shrimpton,  Mrs. 
Coombs,  and  Lady  Crawshaw.  Mr.  Jas  Agate  was  second  with  fair 
blooms  of  Mrs.  J.  Bryant,  Baden  Powell,  Miss  Alice  Byron,  Sir  Herbert 
Kitchener,  and  Mrs.  Coombs,  while  Mr.  N.  Davis  made  a  good  third. 
For  six  blooms  Japanese,  distinct,  there  were  four  contestants. 
Mr.  N.  Davis  secured  first  place  with  a  good  even  stand.  The  varieties 
were  Soleil  d’Octobre,  Mrs.  Coombs,  Miss  Alice  Byron,  Madame  Von 
Andre,  President  Nonin,  and  Mrs.  Cursham.  Mr.  Jas.  Agate  followed 
with  good  flowers  of  Miss  Alice  Byron,  Emily  Towers,  and  Captain 
Lees;  and  Mr.  T.  J.  Taylor,  gardener  to  F.  E.  Liebriech,  Esq.,  Logs  Hill, 
Chislehurst,  was  third.  In  the  class  for  six  blooms  Japanese,  yellow, 
one  variety,  there  was  only  one  entry,  from  Mr.  N.  Davis,  who  was 
deservedly  awarded  first  prize  for  six  good  blooms  of  Madame  Yon 
Andre.  In  a  similar  class  for  white  blooms  there  were  three  entries. 
The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  T.  J.  Taylor  for  Madame  Gustav 
Henry,  while  Mr.  N.  Davis  followed  with  good  blooms  of  Mutual  Friend  ; 
Mr.  Henry  Tanner,  Horsham,  brought  up  the  rear  with  Emily  Silsbury. 
There  were  only  two  entries  in  the  class  for  six  blooms  Japanese, 
any  other  colour,  and  Mr.  N.  Davis  won  with  well  coloured  blooms 
of  Mrs.  Coombs,  and  Mr.  S.  Foster,  gardener  to  R.  Nivison,  Esq., 
Hendon,  was  second  with  poor  blooms  of  Mrs.  W.  Popham.  In  the 
class  for  six  blooms  of  incurved  varieties,  not  less  than  three  varieties, 
there  were  only  two  competitors.  Mr.  R.  Jones  staged  well  for  the 
first  prize,  the  varieties  being  Mons.  R.  Bahuant,  Matthew  Russell 
(good),  Robert  Petfield,  and  Lord  Coleridge.  Mr.  R.  Andrews, 
gardener  to  A.  Short,  Esq.,  Shortlands,  was  second  with  a  much 
weaker  board. 
The  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  Pompons  attracted  three  exhibitors, 
but  the  board  staged  by  Mr.  J.  S.  Turk,  gardener  to  T.  Boney,  Esq., 
Southwood  House,  Highgate,  stood  head  and  shoulders  above  the  other 
competitors.  The  blooms  were  not  only  well  grown  but  staged 
admirably.  Mr.  D.  B.  Crane,  Highgate,  being  a  much  weaker  second, 
and  Mr.  A.  Taylor,  East  Finchley,  third.  For  six  bunches  of  Pompons, 
staged  in  vases  provided  by  the  society,  we  had  the  same  exhibitors, 
and,  curiously  enough,  placed  in  the  same  order,  the  first  prize  being 
especially  good. 
The  large  class  for  twelve  bunches  of  early  flowering  varieties 
brought  out  three  good  exhibits,  and  Mr.  E.  Ryman,  gardener  to 
C.  Sopper,  Esq.,  South  Park,  Reigate,  was  a  splendid  first,  the  bunches 
being  large  and  fresh ;  the  varieties  employed  were  Lemon  Queen, 
G.  Wermig,  Madame  Marie  Masse,  Madame  Desgranges,  Zephyr,  Lionet, 
Flora,  La  Vierge,  Blushing  Bride,  and  Coral  Queen.  Mr.  Eric  F.  Such, 
Maidenhead,  was  second  with  good  bunches  of  Blushing  Bride,  Coral 
Queen,  Strathmeath,  Crimson  Queen,  and  Bronze  Marie  Masse ;  Mr. 
T.  S.  Turk  brought  up  the  rear. 
In  the  smaller  class  for  six  bunches  there  were  four  entries, 
Mr.  Jas.  Brooks,  gardener  to  W.  J.  Newman,  Esq.,  Totteridge  Park, 
Totteridge,  making  a  good  first  with  typical  bunches  of  Madame 
Desgranges,  Lyon,  Madame  M.  Masse,  Blanche  Colomb,  Bronze  Bride, 
and  Blushing  Bride.  Mr.  E.  H.  Chitty,  gardener  to  S.  Hardy,  Esq., 
Highgate,  was  second  with  a  bright  display  and  Mr.  A.  Taylor  third. 
The  trade  exhibitors  made  a  fine  display.  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones  occupied 
a  large  space  with  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums,  Bamboos,  Palms, 
Crotons,  Cannas,  and  Begonias  of  the  tuberous  section,  also  some 
splendid  plants  of  the  winter  flowering  varieties.  The  Devon 
Chrysanthemum  Nursery,  Teignmouth,  had  an  exhibit  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  Cactus  Dahlias,  and  single  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  the  latter 
being  exceptionally  fine.  Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey.  Exmouth,  arranged  a 
good  display  of  October  flowering  varieties  with  a  collection  of  the 
exhibition  varieties.  A  grand  display  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Damsons 
was  made  by  Messrs.  S.  Spooner  &  Sons,  Hounslow,  some  of  the 
baskets  of  Apples  being  especially  good.  Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co., 
Rothesay,  had  a  collection  of  early  flowering  Chrysanthemums  grown 
in  the  open  ground  at  Rothesay.  Mr.  R.  C.  Pulling,  Monkhams 
Nursery,  Woodford  Green,  arranged  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  with 
foliage  plants.  From  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  came 
a  large  collection  of  fruit.  The  Apples  were  specially  well  coloured  and 
clean.  A  grand  group  of  Cannas  was  arranged  by  Messrs.  H.  Cannell 
and  Sons,  Swanley,  the  colours  being  exceedingly  bright.  Mr.  Jas. 
Williams  had  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums.  The  plants  were  all 
splendid  examples  of  the  market  growers’  art.  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware, 
Ltd.,  Feltham,  contributed  a  display  of  double  and  single  Begonias 
arranged  in  colours.  A  pretty  group  of  early  flowering  Chrysanthemums 
was  sent  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Witty,  Nunhead  Cemetery,  and  hardy  flowers 
were  well  represented  by  Mr.  H.  Deverill. 
Floral  Committee. 
There  was  a  good  attendance  of  the  Floral  Committee,  and  about 
ten  seedlings  and  sports  were  brought  up  for  awards,  but  the  only 
variety  to  secure  a  certificate  was  Mrs.  Jas.  Williams  (J.  Williams),  a 
canary  yellow  sport  from  Lady  Fitzwygram,  the  well-known  market 
white.  The  certificate  was  awarded  as  for  a  market  varietv.  An  exhi¬ 
bition  variety.  Attraction  (W.  J.  Godfrey)  was  commended.  It  is  a 
variety  that  resembles  Julia  Scaramanga  in  colour  and  form. 
Spring  Flowering  Bulbs. 
Spring-flowering  bulbs  are  amongst  the  most  easily  grown 
plants  for  pots  that  an  amateur  can  have  ;  as,  with  only  a  cold  frame, 
they  may  be  cultivated  to  perfection.  Our  main  batch  last  season 
was  grown  in  cold  frames,  and  the  plants,  I  was  told,  were  quite  equal 
to  any  exhibited  at  the  principal  London  shows. 
We  grow  a  large  quantity  of  bulbs  for  conservatory  decoration,  so 
some  are  potted  now  which  are  required  early,  and  the  main  batch 
about  the  third  week  in  October.  Apart  from  Roman  Hyacinths, 
which  were  potted  three  weeks  since,  the  following  are  the  earliest,  and 
will  be  potted  first: — Hyacinths — Norma,  pink;  General  Pelissier, 
bright  crimson ;  and  La  Tour  d’Auvergne,  white.  Tulips — Due 
Van  Thol,  crimson,  scarlet,  and  yellow ;  Le  Matelas,  more  expensive 
than  the  majority,  but  very  beautiful,  colour  bright  rose  ;  white  and 
yellow  Pottebakker,  and  Vermilion  Brilliant. 
The  varieties  of  Due  Van  Thol  are  grown  in  pans,  being  inserted 
about  an  inch  and  a  half  apart  and  when  brought  in  for  forcing  are 
placed  on  a  shelf  close  to  the  glass  in  a  temperature  of  55°  to  60°.  As 
soon  as  the  buds  show  colour,  and  before  they  expand,  they  are  lifted 
carefully  from  the  pans,  the  roots  washed  clean,  and  arranged  in  small 
vases,  specimen  glasses,  fancy  baskets,  or  glass  dishes  or  bowls.  Clean 
water  only  is  required  when  placed  in  the  vases  or  single  specimen 
glasses,  but  when  placed  in  the  baskets  or  bowls  the  roots  are  arranged 
in  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  and  surfaced  with  moss,  receiving  a  thorough 
watering  when  finished,  to  settle  the  fibre  about  the  roots  so  as  to 
keep  them  fresh.  Small  Ferns,  single  roots  of  Lily  of  the  Valley, 
also  small  Primulas  and  Cyclamens,  may  be  worked  in  the  baskets 
with  advantage.  My  readers  no  doubt  have  seen  such  baskets  on 
view  in  florists’  windows,  so  the  arrangement  of  the  plants  to  them 
will  not  appear  difficult.  I  have  learned  many  hints  from  viewing 
these  windows,  and  at  one  time  wondered  how  these  baskets  were 
furnished  ;  but,  when  once  let  into  the  secret,  the  plan  is  easily 
followed. 
The  following  are  the  varieties  grown  for  the  main  display : — 
Hyacinths — Oavaignac,  pink ;  Fabiola,  rose ;  Macaulay,  rose  ;  Robert 
Steiger,  bright  crimson  ;  alba  maxima.  Grandeur  a  Merveille,  and  La 
Grandesse,  whites;  Baron  Van  Tuyll,  Czar  Peter,  Grand  Lilas,  King 
of  the  Blues,  Lord  Derby,  and  Marie,  blues  ;  Ida  and  Cloth  of  Gold, 
yellow ;  Koh-i-noor,  double  pink  ;  Florence  Nightingale,  double  white ; 
and  Blocksberg  and  Laurens  Koster  double  blue.  The  above  are  the 
best  doubles.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  thatjthe  singles  form  the  best 
spikes.  We  grow  other  varieties,  but  the  above  are  a  good  selection. 
Tulips — Couleur  Cardinal,  Fabiola,  rosy  purple  and  white ;  Joosi 
Van  Vondel,  rosy  crimson,  white  pencillings  ;  Kaiser’s  Kroon,  crimson 
scarlet,  margined  with  clear  yellow ;  Proserpine,  dark  rose ;  and 
Wouvermans,  deep  purple.  Crocuses — Golden  Yellow,  King  of  the 
Blues,  purpurea  grandiflora,  and  Sir  Walter  Scott,  white,  striped  lilac. 
Scilla  sibirica  we  also  grow  in  pots.  Narcissi — N.  bicolor  Horsefieldi, 
N.  bulbocodium,  N.  obvallaris,  N.  princeps,  and  N.  spurius  Henry 
Irving.  The  above  we  have  found  the  most  useful  for  pot  culture. 
Ixias,  Fritillarias,  Freesias,  and  early-flowering  Gladioli  may  be  all 
grown  in  pots. 
The  compost  most  suitable  for  Hyacinths  is  equal  parts  of  rich 
fibrous  loam,  decayed  cow  manure,  leaf  soil,  and  river  sand.  Horse 
manure  should  be  substituted  for  cow  manure  for  Tulip.s.  Five-inch 
pots  are  a  useful  size  for  Hyacinths,  6-inch  for  Tulips,  three  bulbs  in  a 
pot,  and  the  same  for  Narcissi.  The  other  bulbs  named  should  be 
placed  about  an  inch  apart  in  5-inch  pots.  The  pots  should  be  well 
drained,  and  the  soil  pressed  in  rather  firmly  to  about  two-thirds  the 
depth.  The  crown  of  the  Hyacinths  and  Tulips  should  be  level  with 
the  surface  soil,  and  the  other  bulbs  named  half  an  inch  beneath  it. 
The  soil  must  Ise  pressed  about  the  bulbs,  not  the  bulbs  pressed  into 
it.  If  the  soil  is  in  a  proper  state  as  regards  moisture,  not  too  dry,  no 
water  will  be  required  after  potting  while  plunged. 
After  the  bulbs  are  potted  stand  them  on  a  bed  of  ashes  and  cover 
to  the  depth  of  4  or  5  inches  above  the  pot  with  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse. 
If  wet  weather  should  set  in,  the  bed  must  be  protected,  as  too  much 
water  will  cause  the  roots  to  decay.  In  about  five  or  six  weeks  the 
bulbs  will  be  well  rooted  and  the  tops  have  grown  about  an  inch ; 
they  must  then  be  taken  from  the  plunging  material  and  stood  in  a 
cold  frame,  the  light  being  excluded  for  a  few  days  so  as  to  inure  the 
young  growth  to  it  by  degrees.  Water  carefully,  and  ventilate  freely 
on  favourable  occasions ;  and,  by  the  time  the  plants  are  in  full  growth, 
weak  liquid  manure  should  be  applied  at  every  other  watering.  The 
plants  will  come  into  bloom  in  the  frame  ;  but,  as  previously  stated, 
some  may  be  placed  in  a  greenhouse  or  in  a  warm  structure  if  required 
early. — A. 
