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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  13,  1901. 
^arliness  of  the  reason  was  of  great  excellence,  being  staged  by  Messrs. 
James  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester,  and  to  whom  the  first  prize  (£3) 
was  awarded.  The  collection  contained  Catherine  Mermet,  Mrs.  Sharman 
Crawford,  Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam,  Mrs  John  Laing  (fine),  Rubens, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant,  Madame  de  Watteville,  Gustave  Piganeau,  La  France, 
Niphetos,  Comtesse  de  Panisse,  Helen  Keller,  Jules  Finger,  Captain 
Haywood,  Marechal  Niel,  Souvenir  d’Elise,  Bessie  Brown,  Souvenir  d’un 
Ami,  Countess  of  Caledon,  and  Devoniensis. 
For  a  collection  of  garden  or  decorative  Roses,  the  first  prize  of  £3 
was  awarded  to  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  for  large  bunches,  set  up  in  vases 
in  effective  display,  whilst  the  second  prize  was  annexed  by  Julius 
Sladden,  Esq.,  Badsey,  Evesham,  with  an  interesting  assortment, 
artistically  arranged,  and  in  whioh  Lord  Penzance’s  Briers  were 
conspicuously  evident.  For  a  collection  of  herbaceous  and  other  hardy 
■flowers  Messrs.  Heath '&  Sons  were  awarded  the  first  prize  for  a  large 
and  representative  assortment,  the  second  going  to  Messrs.  Yates  and 
Sons  of  Evesham  and  Cheltenham,  and  the  third  falling  to  Mr.  J.  H. 
White,  nurseryman,  Worcester.  For  a  collection  of  Begonias,  cut 
blooms,  Fred  Davis,  Esq.,  Pershore,  was  placed  first,  and  Messrs.  Heath 
and  Sons  second,  both  with  attractive  displays. 
Mr.  F.  Davis  was  again  to  the  fore  with  a  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants,  occupying  a  space  30  square  feet.  He  had  an  effective  display, 
consisting,  as  it  did,  chiefly  of  magnifioent  double-flowering  Begonias ; 
the  second  prize  fell  to  Mr.  G.  H.  Humphrey.  For  a  collection  of 
Carnations  in  pots,  shown  without  dressing,  Messrs.  Heath  &  Sons  were 
awarded  the  first  prize  for  a  highly  creditable  lot,  there  being  no  other 
exhibit.  Sweet  Peas  were  sparsely  shown,  the  first  prize  being  secured 
by  Mr.  A.  James,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  G  Coventry,  Woolstone  Rectory, 
Cheltenham,  with  tastefully  set  up  large  bunches  of  comparatively 
small  blooms;  the  second  prize  falling  to  Mr.  H.  B.  Pollard,  Evesham, 
with  an  elegant  arrangement,  fair  blooms.  Mr.  T.  E.  Doeg,  Evesham, 
was  placed  first  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of  hardy  flowers,  to  occupy 
a  space  6  feet  by  3  feet  j  the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  Julius  Sladden; 
and  the  third  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Humphrey. 
Dinner  table  deoorations  formed  a  very  attractive  and  interesting 
feature,  there  being  no  less  than  a  dozen  lady  amateur  competitors, 
and  decisions  of  the  judges  must  have  been  most  difficult  to  arrive  at, 
so  great  was  the  artistic  ability  of  the  fair  contestants  evolved. 
Considerable  diversity  of  opinion,  however,  was  expressed  amongst  the 
visitors  as  to  the  respective  merits  of  the  exhibits,  and  would  have 
reversed  the  first  and  second  awards.  The  first  prize  was  seoured  by 
Miss  J.  M.  Theodora  Martin,  Winwick  House,  Evesham,  with  an 
arrangement  of  two  shades  of  pink  Sweet  Peas,  set  up  in  low  bowls  or 
vases,  somewhat  crowded  with  blooms.  The  second  honours  fell  to 
Miss  M.  D.  Watson,  Lansdown  Parade,  Cheltenham,  for  a  bright  arrange¬ 
ment  of  pale  blue  Irises,  Ferns,  and  Asparagus  plumosus  fronds,  but 
the  effect  was  weakened  by  using  a  superabundance  of  tall  glasses,  thus 
giving  a  crowded  appearance.  The  third  prize  fell  to  Miss  Gertrude 
Pitcher,  The  Grange,  Pershore,  with  a  really  elegant  arrangement  of 
yellow  Iceland  Poppies  and  Fern  fronds. 
Hand  bouquets  were  very  well  exhibited,  and  Mrs.  James,  Woolston, 
Cheltenham,  was  accorded  first  honours  with  a  composition  of  pale  blue 
Irises,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Ferns,  and  Asparagus ;  the  second  prize  to 
Mrs.  M.  D.  Watson,  Cheltenham.  Buttonholes  and  lady’s  sprays  were 
tastefully  arranged  by  Miss  M.  Doeg,  Miss  Warner,  Hampton,  Evesham, 
and  Miss  Ethel  N.  Sladden,  Badsey. 
Vegetables  were  excellently  exhibited,  and  for  a  collection,  unlimited, 
the  Rev.  G.  Coventry  was  awarded  the  first  prize,  having  very  fine 
Tomatoes,  Peas,  Cauliflowers,  Artichokes,  French  Beans,  Vegetable 
Marrows,  Cucumbers,  Turnips,  winter  Onions,  and  Asparagus  ;  the 
second  prize  falling  to  Mr.  G.  W.  Restall  with  also  a  capital  exhibit. 
Single  dishes  of  Peas,  Tomatoes,  Potatoes,  and  Asparagus  (the  latter, 
as  might  be  expected  of  Evesham,  was  of  prodigious  size),  were  finely 
shown  by  several  exhibitors.  There  was  also  a  good  competition  for 
Messrs.  Yates  &  Sons’  prizes  for  collections  of  vegetables. 
Fruit  was  not  in  evidence,  excepting  a  few  dishes  of  Strawberries,  a 
remarkably  fine  one  being  Monarch,  beautifully  coloured,  grown  by 
Mr.  W.  G.  Restall. 
Messrs.  James  Carter  &  Co.  and  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  offered 
prizes  in  a  number  of  the  classes. 
Notts  Horticultural  and  Botanical. 
An  attractive  schedule  has  been  issued  by  the  Notts  Horticultural 
and  Botanical  Society,  in  connection  with  the  annual  exhibition,  to  be 
held  in  the  Arboretum,  Nottingham,  on  July  24th  and  25th.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  last  year  the  show  was  held  in  conjunction  with  that 
of  the  Notts  Agricultural  Society  at  Colwick  Park,  but  it  has  been 
decided  on  this  occasion  to  return  to  the  scene  of  former  exhibitions. 
The  schedule,  which  is  open  throughout  to  all  England,  contains  the 
particulars  of  sixty -one  classes,  entry  for  which  must  be  made  by 
July  17th,  the  most  important  competitions  being  for  a  silver  cup  and 
prize  of  £10,  offered  by  Lord  Henry  Bentinck,  M.P.,  for  a  group  of 
plants  not  to  exceed  200  superficial  feet,  and  a  silver  cup  and  prize  of 
4  guineas,  offered  by  the  Mayor,  fora  group  not  to  exceed  120  superficial 
feet.  In  conjunction  with  the  show  a  public  garden  party  will  be  held, 
and  music  will  be  provided  on  both  days  by  the  band  of  the  Royal  Horse 
Guards  (Blue)  and  other  bands.  Elaborate  arrangements  have  been 
made  for  the  illumination  of  the  grounds  in  the  evening. 
Loughborough  and  District. 
At  a  meeting  on  Tuesday  evening,  the  4th  inst.,  Mr.  W.  English 
presiding,  Mr.  R.  Lisle,  Beau  Manor,  read  a  practical  paper  upon  the 
cultivation  of  “  Store  Foliage  and  Flowering  Plants.”  The  essayist 
gave  full  details  of  the  propagation  and  growth  of  a  large  variety  of 
plants  for  decorative  purposes. 
Royal  Meteorological. 
At  the  ordinary  meeting,  to  be  held  in  the  rooms  of  the  society, 
70,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  S.W.,  on  Wednesday,  the  19th  inst., 
at  4.30  p.m.,  the  following  papers  will  be  read: — 1,  “The  Eclipse 
Cyclone,  the  Diurnal  Cyclones,  and  the  Cyclones  and  Anticyclones  of 
Temperate  Latitudes,”  by  H.  Helm  Clayton ;  2,  “  The  Seismograph  as 
a  Sensitive  Barometer,”  by  F.  Napier  Denison,  F.R.Met.Soc.  Tea 
and  coffee  will  be  served  from  4  to  4.30  p.m. 
Wakefield  Paxton. 
For  about  an  hour  and  a  half  on  Saturday  evening,  Mr.  W.  A.  Clark, 
F.R.H.S.,  of  the  York  Nurseries,  lectured  on  alpine  plants  before  the 
members  of  the  Wakefield  Paxton  Society,  at  the  Woolpacks  Hotel. 
The  subject  has  been  studied  to  some  profit  by  the  lecturer,  who  has 
just  published  a  book  upon  it,  whioh  is  likely  to  be  much  sought  after. 
He  gave  the  Paxtonians  on  Saturday,  however,  full  details  as  to  the 
history,  habits,  and  culture  of  some  250  choice  plants  brought  with 
him  for  specimen  purposes.  The  chat  was  a  most  profitable  one,  and 
at  the  close  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  the  lecturer,  on 
the  motion  of  Mr.  Cumherbirch  (Normanton),  seconded  by  Mr.  Garside. 
Sharrow  and  Distiict. 
At  the  monthly  meeting  of  this  society  a  very  interesting  and 
instructive  essay  was  given  by  Mr.  Marsden,  gardener  to  Mr. 
W.  G.  Blake,  Mylnhurst,  the  subject  being  “Pruning  of  Outdoor  Fruit 
Trees.”  A  useful  discussion  ensued,  and  a  number  of  questions  were 
answered  by  the  essayist.  The  exhibit  for  the  meeting  was  herbaceous 
Calceolarias,  of  which  some  capital  specimens  were  staged.  Mr.  Marsden 
also  exhibited,  not  for  competition,  a  fine  collection  of  cut  blooms  of 
herbaceous  Calceolarias  of  Messrs.  Fisher,  Son,  &  Sibray’s  strain. 
The  specimen  plants  were  mostly  from  the  same  strain,  and  deserved 
the  eulogy  passed  upon  them.  Mr,  R.  Watson  also  showed  some  very 
nice  Gloxinia  blooms. 
Blackheath  Naturalists’. 
From  a  paper  read  recently  before  the  Blackheath  Naturalists’ 
Society  by  Mr.  A.  D.  Webster,  we  learn  that  up  to  the  present  no  fewer 
than  175  species  of  native  plants  have  been  catalogued,  while  of  birds 
seventy-four  species  have  been  observed,  thirty-four  of  which  breed  in 
Greenwich  Park.  Among  rare  visitors  is  the  green  woodpecker.  The 
kingfisher  is  often  seen  at  the  pond  in  the  park.  Other  rare  birds  met 
with  are  the  lesser  grebe,  or  dabchick ;  the  moorhen,  the  teal,  the 
kestrel,  and  the  sparrow-hawk.  The  common  owl  is  breeding  regularly 
in  the  park,  and  jackdaws,  wood-pigeons,  and  ringdoves  are  also 
frequently  encountered.  The  crossbill  Mr.  Webster  has  seen,  as  well 
as  the  nuthatch.  The  common  wren  is  plentiful,  and  the  golden. crested 
wren  has  also  been  recognised  more  than  once. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident. 
The  monthly  committee  meeting  of  this  Society  was  held  at  the 
Caledonian  Hotel,  Robert  Street,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  on  Monday 
evening  last,  Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis  in  the  chair.  The  minutes  of  the  last 
meeting  were  read  and  confirmed.  Eight  new  members  were  elected. 
One  member  asked  to  be  allowed  to  pay  the  higher  scale  of  contribution 
instead  of  the  lower,  which  was  granted.  Messrs.  H.  M.  Pollett  &  Co.’s 
estimate  for  printing  1000  copies  of  the  rules  was  accepted.  The 
secretary  produced  the  receipt  for  £55  0s.  Sd.  paid  to  the  widow  of  the 
late  Mr.  Miohael  Davis,  being  the  amount  standing  to  his  credit  in  the 
ledger.  A  letter  of  thanks  from  Mr.  H.  Saunders  was  read,  for  7s.  per 
week  allowed  him  from  the  Benevolent  Fund,  and  a  receipt  for  £5 
paid  to  Mr.  Saunders  from  his  deposit  account  was  produced.  A  grant 
of  10s.  from  the  Convalescent  Fund  was  made  to  Mr.  Joseph  Russell 
(No.  473).  Eight  members  are  receiving  sick  pay.  The  treasurer 
reported  that  he  had  a  balance  in  hand  of  £155  5s.  5d. 
- - 
Darkness  and  Light  In  Flower  Development.  —  M.  L. 
Beulaygue  has  made  some  interesting  experiments  upon  the  influence 
of  darkness  on  the  development  of  flowers.  He  finds  that  flowers  open 
in  darkness  later  than  in  sunlight,  and  that  the  colour  of  the  flowers 
is  in  general  less  intense  in  darkness  than  in  sunlight,  the  diminution 
of  intensity  being  small  for  some  species,  while  others  lose  nearly  all 
their  oolour.  Flowers  developed  in  darkness  have,  in  general,  a  smaller 
size  than  those  developed  in  the  light;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
pedicels  are  sometimes  more  fully  developed.  He  also  found  that  the 
weight  and  the  size  of  flowers  developed  in  darkness,  including  the 
pedicels  whioh  support  them,  are  less  than  for  flowers  developed  in 
sunlight,  except  in  some  rare  cases  where  the  increase  of  size  of  the 
peduncles  counterbalances  the  diminution  of  the  test  of  the  plant. 
