376 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  2,  1901. 
one  posterior,  the  other  anterior,  closely  folded  together.  Within  was 
a  colnmn  without  anthers. 
Preparation  of  Woad. — An  interesting  paper  was  sent  by  Dr. 
Plowright,  with  numerous  specimens,  showing  the  production  of  the 
blue  colour  derived  from  this  plant.  After  alluding  to  several  ancient 
wi  iters,  who  described  the  colour  as  blue,  green,  and  black,  Dr. 
Plowright  could  find  no  recent  information  as  to  how  the  colour  was 
extracted;  as,  though  Isatis  tinctoria  is  cultivated  round  Wisbeoh, 
where  the  manufactory  still  exists,  it  is  no  longer  grown  for  the  dye, 
but  for  a  fermentable  substance  which  renders  true  indigo  (Indigofera 
sp.),  “fast.”  After  experimenting  he  found  how  all  the  colours,  blues, 
greens,  and  blacks,  could  be  obtained.  Full  details,  with  chemical 
analysis,  &o.,  will  appear  in  the  Journal  of  the  R.H.S.  A  vote  of 
thanks  to  Dr.  Plowright  for  his  valuable  paper  was  proposed  by  Mr. 
Hughes,  seconded  by  Dr.  Miiller,  and  carried  unanimously.  Prof. 
Church  remarked  that  Chinese  indigo  is  said  to  be  made  from  Woad ; 
the  “  balls  ”  of  pounded  leaves  being  extremely  like  those  made  in  India 
from  the  sp.  of  Indigofera.  He  observed,  also,  that  different  qualities 
occur  at  different  stages  of  growth.  He  added  that  the  colouring 
matter  is  not  only  produced  in  the  leaves  (in  the  chlorophyll  cells, 
according  to  Dr.  Plowright),  but  also  in  the  seeds.  These  contain  two 
colouring  Imatters,  the  true  indigo  and  erythophyll,  the  ordinary  red 
colour  of  flowers,  &o.  The  ripe  fruits  of  the  Woad  plant  sent  by  Dr. 
Plowright  were  deeply  stained  naturally,  of  a  dark  violet  colour. 
Tlie  Midland  Daffodil,  Edgbaston,  April  25tl|  and  26th. 
This  counts  the  third  exhibition  that  has  been  held  under  the 
.auspices  of  the  Midland  Daffodil  Society,  and  it  must  be  a  source  of 
pleasure  to  its  promoters  and  managers  to  know  that,  as  far  as  quality 
was  concerned,  it  was  a  distinct  advance  upon  either  of  its  predecessors. 
Both  in  the  competitive  and  the  non-competitive  sections  there  were 
many  superb  flowers,  some  of  which  owed  their  beauty  to  richness  of 
colouration,  and  others  for  size.  Iu  several  of  the  classes  the  competi¬ 
tion  was  so  exceptionally  keen  that  scarcely  a  point  divided  the 
prizewinners,  and  possibly  another  set  of  judges  would  have  altered  one 
or  two  of  the  positions.  The  secretaries  of  the  society  are  the  Rev. 
J.  Jacob  and  Mr.  Herbert  Smith,  who  were  assisted  in  the  management 
of  the  exhibition  by  Messrs.  R.  Dean  and  W.  B.  Latham. 
As  illustrative  of  the  importance  of  the  fixture,  it  may  be  mentioned 
that  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  sent  down  a  deputation  of  Daffodil 
experts  who  adjudicated  upm  the  numerous  seedlings,  giving  first- 
class  certificates  or  awards  of  merit,  according  to  the  excellence  of  the 
variety.  We  give  a  list  and  a  brief  description  of  the  chosen  sorts 
below.  The  members  of  the  deputation  were  Miss  Willmott,  V.M.H  , 
the  Hon.  J.  Boscawen,  the  Revs.  Eugene  Bourne,  and  Wm.  Wilks,  with 
Messrs.  J.  T.  Bennett  Poe,  Alfred  Pearson,  and  F.  W.  Burbidge.  Messrs. 
J.  Douglas,  J.  Duncan  Pearson,  P.  Rudolph  Barr,  and  P.  D.  Williams 
were  pressed  into  the  service  of  the  examining  body.  All  these 
gentlemen,  with  a  few  other  guests,  were  entertained  on  the  evening  of 
Wednesday  by  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham  in  a  manner  which  the  Rev.  W. 
Wilks  subsequently  described  “  immense  hospitality.”  The  gathering 
was  at  Mr.  Sydenham’s  private  residence  in  the  Bristol  Road,  and  was 
of  wholly  social  character.  It  is  just  to  Mr.  Sydenham  to  add  that  he 
was  the  prime  mover  in  the  establishment  of  the  Midland  Daffodil 
Society,  and  it  is  doubtless  to  his  skill  as  an  organiser  and  to  his  striking 
personality  that  a  position  of  such  importance  has  been  attained  to  in 
the  short  spaoe  of  three  years. 
Competitive  Classes. 
Mr.  R.  D.  Backhouse,  Sutton  Court,  Hereford,  staged  handsomely  in 
the  class  for  fifty  varieties  of  Daffodils,  including  representatives  of 
each  section,  and  secured  the  premier  award,  which  took  the  form  of 
the  Barr  cup.  Polyanthus  Narcissi  were  excluded,  and  all  varieties 
had  to  be  correctly  and  legibly  named.  Quality  of  bloom,  oorrect 
naming,  and  tasteful  arrangement  were  considered  by  the  judges. 
Mr.  Backhouse  showed,  amongst  others,  Horsefieldi,  J.  B.  M.  Camm, 
Sensation,  C.  J.  Backhouse,  Almira,  Gold  Nugget,  Campanula,  Phyllis, 
Glory  of  Leiden,  Barri  conspicuus,  Weardale  Perfection,  Princess  of 
Wales,  Madame  Plemp,  Emperor,  Princess  Mary,  Lulworth,  Apricot, 
and  Wm.  Wilks.  The  second  position  was  assigned  to  the  Rev.  J.  Jacob, 
Whitchurch,  Shropshire,  who  showed  refined  flowers  of  Madame  Plemp, 
Princess  Mary,  Sir  Watkin,  John  Nelson,  J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Queen  of 
Spain,  Beauty,  Agnes  Barr,  and  Lulworth  amongst  others.  Mr.  F.  A. 
Walton,  The  Friary,  Handsworth,  was  third,  and  Mr.  W.  A.  Caldicott, 
Coventry,  fourth. 
Mr.  J.  Douglas,  V.M.H.,  Great  Bookham,  Surrey,  seems  to  grow 
every  kind  of  plant  with  excellence.  He  was  first  for  twelve  distinct 
Daffodils,  magni-coronati,  with  grand  examples  of  Victoria,  Horsefieldi, 
Weardale  Perfection,  King  Alfred,  Mrs.  W.  T.  Ware,  Madame  de  Graaff, 
J.  B.  M.  Camm,  Captain  Nelson,  Emperor,  Madame  Plemp,  W.  Gold¬ 
ring,  and  Glory  of  Leiden.  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams,  So.  Keverne,  Cornwall, 
was  second  with  excellent  flowers  ;  Messrs.  J.  Pope  &  Sons,  Kings 
Norton  Nurseries,  third;  and  A.  S.  Leslie  Melville,  Esq.,  Branston 
Hall,  Lincoln,  fourth.  Messrs.  J.  T.  White  &  Sons,  Spalding,  were 
easily  first  for  six  varieties  of  the  same  section.  Their  flowers  of 
Emperor,  Madame  Plemp,  Horsefieldi,  Victoria,  Madame  de  Graaff,  and 
Glory  of  Leiden  were  all  magnitioent,  especially  the  first  and  last 
.named.  Mr.  J.  Mallender,  Hodsock  Priory,  Worksop,  Notts,  and  Mr. 
A.  Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Kenriok,  Esq.,  B arrow  Court,  Edgbaston, 
were  placed  equal  third;  but  soma  experts  considered  the  former’s  set 
to  be  slightly  superior  to  the  latter’s. 
For  twelve  medio-ooronati,  distinot,  Mr.  P.  D.  Williams  was  a 
splendid  first  with  Sulphur  Phoenix,  B  itter  and  Eggs,  Queen  Sophia, 
Lulworth,  Dorothy  E.  Wemvss,  Nelsoni  aorantius,  Mrs.  Langtry, 
Magpie,  Flora  Wilson,  C.  J.  Baokho  ise,  Katherine  Spurred,  and 
Albatross.  There  was  not  a  weak  variety  in  this  stand,  and  soma 
were  remarkable  for  the  intensity  of  the  oolour.  Mr.  H.  B.  Young, 
Metheriugham,  was  second ;  Gloria  Mundi  was  beautifully  coloured. 
Mr.  J.  Douglas  was  a  dangerously  close  third.  For  six  varieties,  the 
Rev.  G.  F.  Eyre,  Rick  S.O.,  was  to  the  fore  with  Flora  Wilson,  Maurice 
Vilmorin,  Barri  conspicuus,  Nelsoni  major,  Sir  Watkin,  and  Duchess  of 
Westminster.  The  second  and  third  prizes  went  to  Mr.  A.  Cryer  and 
the  Rev.  G.  P.  Huydon,  Westbere,  Canterbury,  as  named.  Mr.  P.  D. 
Williams  was  easily  first  for  six  parvi-ooronati,  Mr.  H.  B.  Young  being 
second,  and  Miss  Fanny  Currey,  Lismore,  third.  The  winner  showed 
Chaffiaoh,  Redbreast,  Blood  Orange,  Cassandra,  H  iraoe,  and  Scarlet 
Runner. 
Messrs.  Hogg  &  Robertson  offered  the  prizes  in  a  class  for  twelve 
distinct  varieties,  of  which  the  bulbs  had  not  exceeded  10s.  a  dozen. 
Mr  Chatwin  Cartwright,  Middleton  Dene,  Kings  Norton,  was  first  with 
.a  fine  stand.  The  varieties  were  Sir  Watkin,  poeticus  ornatus, 
Horsefieldi,  Figaro,  Golden  Spur,  Princeps,  Emperor,  Grandee,  Cynosure, 
Barri  conspicuus,  P.  R.  Barr,  and  Empress.  Mr.  J.  W.  Cunningtou 
was  second,  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Hartill,  Olton,  third.  Messrs.  C.  L. 
Branson,  J.  Sceaney,  and  E.  M.  Sharp  were  the  successful  exhibitors  in 
a  corresponding  class  for  six  varieties.  Mr.  Branson  staged  Sir  Watkin, 
Emperor,  Mrs.  Langtry,  Barri  conspicuus,  rugilobus,  and  Grandee. 
Mr.  F.  VV.  Burbidge,  V.M.H.,  originated  the  class  for  six  varieties,  open 
only  to  those  who  had  never  won  a  prize  at  any  Daffodil  show,  and  he 
provided  the  prizes.  Mr.  J.  H.  Hartill  was  easily  first  with  Sir  Watkin, 
Barri  conspicuus,  Emperor,  Horsefieldi,  Grandee,  and  princeps.  Mr. 
F.  A.  Walton  was  second,  and  Mr.  W.  M.  G.  Willows,  Beckenham  Villa, 
St.  Ives,  Hunts,  third. 
Mr.  A.  Cryer  was  deservedly  placed  first  for  twelve  distinct  varieties 
of  Daffodils  (Polyanthus  section  excluded)  in  pots,  with  Horsefieldi, 
Figaro,  Princess  Ida,  Leedsi  amabilis,  Barri  conspicuus,  Empress,  Mrs. 
Langtry,  Emperor,  Sir  Watkin,  Cynosure,  princeps,  and  albicans.  The 
second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J.  Cooke,  Corner  Farm,  Shrewsbury, 
and  the  third  to  Mr.  F.  A.  Walton.  Mr.  R.  C.  Cartwright  was  first,  Mr. 
J.  Sceaney,  Harborne,  second,  and  Mr.  E.  M.  Sharp,  Edgbaston,  third, 
for  six  pots.  For  six  pots  of  Polyanthus  Narcissi  Mr.  A.  Cryer  was 
first  with  splendid  examples  of  Maestro,  Grand  Primo,  Mont  Ceuis, 
Grand  Monarque,  Jaune  Supreme,  and  Gloriosa.  Mr.  R.  C.  Cartwright 
was  second,  and  Mr.  R.  Sydenham,  Bristol  Road,  third,  both  showing  well. 
Prizes  were  also  offered  for  single  Tulips,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Cyclamens, 
and  Lilium  Harrisi,  but  lack  of  space  precludes  our  giving  details. 
The  prizewinners  were  almost  wholly  those  of  the  three  classes 
immediately  preceding. 
For  a  table  decoration,  Miss  Elsie  Swinden,  Heigley  Road, 
Edgbaston,  was  first,  Mr.  I.  Cooke  second,  and  Messrs.  J.  Pope  and 
Sons  third.  The  designs  in  each  oase  were  elegant.  For  a  round 
table  of  out  spring  flowers  the  Rsv.  J.  Jacob  was  first,  Mr.  A.  Cryer 
seoond,  and  Mr.  I.  Cooke  third.  Messrs.  J.  Pope  &  Sons,  R.  Sydenham, 
and  W.  B.  Latham  were  the  successful  exhibitors  of  a  bouquet  of 
Daffodils.  There  were  eight  entries  in  the  class  for  a  bowl  of  out 
Daffodils.  Mr.  F.  A.  Walton  was  placed  first,  Mr.  J.  W.  Cunnington 
second  (this  exhibit  was  easily  first),  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Stiles,  Spalding, 
third.  For  three  bowls  or  jars  of  Polyanthus  Narcissi,  Messrs.  R. 
Chatwin  Cartwright,  A.  Cryer,  and  E.  M.  Saarp  annexed  the  prizes 
in  the  order  named  ;  while  for  a  corresponding  class,  exclusive  of 
Polyanthus  varieties,  precisely  the  same  order  was  maintained. 
Certificated  Daffodils. 
New  varieties  were  fairly  numerous,  and  those  enumerated  here¬ 
with  were  specially  honoured  by  the  committee  of  experts. 
Earl  Grey  (Miss  Willmott). — A  superb  variety.  The  perfectly 
straight  trumpet  is  soft  yellow,  and  the  segments  cream  (first-class 
certificate  and  silver  medal). 
King  Alfred  (J.  P.  Kendall,  Newton,  Poppleford). — As  all  Daffodil 
enthusiasts  are  now  familiar  with  this  magnificent  large  trumpet 
variety,  a  description  becomes  unnecessary  (first-class  certificate). 
Og  (Rev.  C.  Wolley  Dod).  —  A  fine  bioolor  ;  the  broad  spreading 
trumpet  is  pure  yellow,  and  the  perianth  segments  white  (award  of 
merit). 
Robert  Berkeley  (Miss  Willmott).  — A  most  charming  flower  after 
the  character  of  Sir  Watkin.  The  segments  are  white,  and  the  fringed 
crown  sulphur  (first-class  oertifioate  and  silver  medal). 
Sunbeam  (Mrs.  R.  0.  Baokhouse). — An  attractive  variety.  The 
crown  is  glowing  orange  crimson,  and  the  segments  cream  with  yellow 
margins  at  the  base  (award  of  merit). 
Sunpise  (Mrs.  R.  O.  Baokhouse). — A  lovely  incomparabilis.  The 
broad,  flit  segmeats  are  pure  white  suffused  with  yellow,  and  the 
broad  spreading  ciroua  glowing  orange  red  with  a  scarlet  margin  (first- 
class  certificate). 
Mi-cellaneous  Exhibits. 
Though  the  spaoe  ia  the  corridor  at  Edgbaston  Botanical  Gardens 
was  taxed  to  its  utmost  limits,  it  was  not  wholly  occupied  by  the 
