78 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
January  28,  1904. 
that  although  they  thrive  in  light  peat  soil,  at  the  same  time 
the  result  of  experience  is  greatly  in  favour  of  employing  light 
loamy  soil,  leaf  soil,  and  sharp  sand,  which  is  also  an  exc'ellent 
soil  for  most  of  the  Primulas.  Planted  on  the  rockery  in  a  small 
portion  of  that  soil  they  will  succeed  well,  and  the  result  will  be 
satisfactory. 
The  typical  forms  of  Dodecatheons  are  all  natives  of  North 
America  ;  some  of  the  varietal  forms  of  D.  IMeadia  may  have 
originated  in  our  gardens,  or  have  been  introduced  as  natural 
varieties,  since,  like  almost  all  the  genera  of  Primulacese,  they 
are  easily  worked  upon  either  by  artificial  or  insect  agency. 
They  are  all  perennials,  easily  increased  by  division  of  the  root- 
stock  or  from  seed,  although  the  seed,  if  sown  in  spring,  is 
freeiuently  slow  in  germinating;  in  fact,  we  have  had  it  germi¬ 
nate  after  being  in  the  pots  twelve  months.  The  seed  should 
be  sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  but  if  purchased  from  a  seedsman  it  is 
as  well  not  to  discard  it  until  all  probabilitj'  of  its  germination 
is  past. 
TTie  plants  produce  erect  racemose  spikes  of  pendulous  Cycla¬ 
men-like  flowers  during  the  early  summer  months,  with  the 
segments  of  the  corolla  sharply  reflexed.  The  generic  name 
assigned  to  these  plants  by  Linnseus  is  very  absurd,  as  it  literally 
means  “  twelve  divinities,”  and  like  a  multitude  of  other  names 
the  similarity  or  associations  of  the  subjects  in  ciuestion  with 
those  represented  only  rests  in  a  very  remote  region  of  the 
imagination.  Below  are  enumerated  some  attractive  species  and 
varieties. 
Dodecatheon  integrifolium  is  widely  distributed  over  North 
America,  varying  to  some  extent  ;  it  grows  from  9in  to  12in 
high,  lU'oducing  numerous  spikes  of  bright  crimson  flowers,  which 
last  a  considerable  time  in  beauty.  This  is  as  handsome  and 
durable  as  any  of  them.  D.  Jeffreyanum  is  a  more  recent  in¬ 
troduction  than  the  last ;  it  varies  in  height  from  1ft  to  2ft, 
usually  growing  about  18in  high,  producing  strong  scapes  of 
bright  rosy  purple  flowers,  which  are  also  rather  larger  than 
those  of  the  last. 
B.  Meadia  is  the  most  common  of  the  series,  and  is  fre- 
rpiently  known  as  the  ‘‘  Shooting  Star  of  the  West.”  It  is  very 
widely  distributed  throughout  North  America,  and  there  is  a 
large  amount  of  variation,  which  has  originated  the  establish¬ 
ment  of  many  varietal  forms.  The  typical  form  produces  scapes 
about  a  foot  high,  bearing  .several  flowers  of  lilao  or  rosy  red 
colour.  It  is  a  very  valuable  species,  and  will  thrive  Avell  in 
ordinary  borders  if  a  select  position  is  given  to  it  and  a  little 
attention.  For  growing  in  pots  it  is  valuable,  and  the  culti¬ 
vator  is  well  rewarded. 
Varieties  of  this  species  worth  growing  are  album,  which 
is  similar  in  all  respects  to  the  type,  but  has  Avhite  flowers. 
Elegans,  a  charming  variety ;  the  flower  scapes  are  freely  pro¬ 
duced,  bearing  several  large,  bright  rosy  lilac  flowers.  This  is 
also  a ‘vigorous  grower.  C'arneum,  with  very  delicate  blush 
flowers,  produced  in  very  large  umbels.  Giganteum,  a  tall- 
growing  variety  18in  high  ;  the  umbels  large,  beai'ing  dark  rose- 
coloured  flowers. 
Societies. 
Royal  Horticultnral,  Drill  Hall,  January  26tli. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  last  was  bright  and  interesting.  At 
three  o’clock  Mr.  H.  Somers  Rivers  gave  a  lectui’e  on  cultivated 
Oranges. 
Floral  Committee. 
Two  firms  staged  “the  market  pink”  Chrysanthemum, 
Mdlle.  Louise  Charvet,  the  flowers  being  large,  full,  fresh,  and 
bright.  The  colour  is  rose  pink  with  a  creamy  centre,  making 
it  a  most  excellent  flower.  The  exhibitors’  names  were  Hender¬ 
son  and  Sons,  Elmhurst  Nunsery.  and  J.  W.  Springbett,  Holly 
Nursery,  both  of  C'heshunt.  Mr.  AV.  Seward,  of  Hanwell, 
staged  a  really  magnificent  .strain  of  large  flowered  floriferous 
Cyclamens,  and  Alessrs.  Sutton  and  Sons  had  a  very  effective 
display,  filling  half  of  one  of  the  long  tables  (both  sides).  Their 
Giant  White,  Giant  Pink,  A'ulcan,  and  Salmon  Queen  are 
amongst  the  finest  of  present-day  varieties.  They  also  had 
flowering  plants  of  “Improved  Reading  Blue”  China  Primula,  of 
good  depth  of  colour. 
Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons  brought  up  from  Swanley  a  large 
collection  of  China  Primulas  in  pots,  the  plants  being  sturdy 
and  sti-ong,  with  large  tricsses  and  bold  flowers.  AA"e  would 
name  their  Queen  of  Pinks,  Swanley  Blue.  The  Sirdar  (salmon). 
Improvement  (scarlet  crimson),  and  Cannell’s  AA'hite.  The  plants 
displayed  remarkably  good  culture.  They  had  fifteen  vases  with 
spikes  of  Coleus  thyi^^soideus  in  another  part  of  the  hall. 
Air.  Godfrey,  of  Exmouth,  Devon,  was  able  on  this  occasion 
to  show  his  late  Chrysanthemum,  “  AAT liter  Queen.”  Though 
loose  in  build,  it  is  very  pleasing,  palest  creamy  colour. 
Alessrs.  Cutbiish,  of  Highgate,  had  fruiting  Orange  plants, 
which  are  exceeclingly  decorative  in  conservatories  and  dwelling- 
rooms,  lasting  in  a  presentable  condition  for  months.  They 
also  had  Rhododendron  Jacksoni,  as  standards,  over  Ijd  high,  in 
flower,  the  flowers  being  pink.  Their  Carnation  flowers  were 
a  great  treat  at  this  time  of  the  year,  and  represented  the 
varieties  Airs.  S.  J.  Brooks  (white),  America  (scarlet  crimson), 
Lady  Smith  (pink),  and  A’iscount  Kitchener  (flaked  red  over 
white).  They  ivere  further  in  evidence  by  an  attractive  group 
of  hardy  plants  ancl  shrubs.  Here  were  displayed  Sternbergia 
Fischeriana,  Iris  histrio  and  histrioides,  and  the  Winter  Helio¬ 
trope. 
Alessrs.  A’'eitch,  of  Chelsea,  staged  Jacobinia  coccinea  and  J. 
chrysostephana,  Eupatorium  vernale,  a  greenhouse  subject,  with 
stout  ribbed  ovate-acuminate  leaves,  and  branching  heads  of 
white  flowers.  Their  Cheiranthus  Kewensis  (AA’^ allflower),  of  a 
bronzy  yellow  colour,  is  showy  for  present  decorations.  There 
were. also  Coleus  thyrsoideus  and  Gesnera  exoniensis. 
Lady  Plowden,  Ashton  Rowant  House,  AA’allingford,  sent 
some  beautiful  sprays  of  Chrysanthemum  Polar  Stai',  a  white, 
small-flowered,  decorative  variety.  Lady  Plowden  also  sent 
a  group  of  Laelia  anceps  in  pots  :  very  creditable  to  Air.  Clark, 
the  gardener. 
Alessrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  staged  a  collection  of  hardy 
plants,  including  Hellebores,  Iris  sidjarensis,  hardy  Cyclamens, 
C’rocus  ancj'rensis,  and  other  species.  “Floral-aid”  came  from 
Air.  C.  J.  AVakefield,  58,  Hendon  Street,  London,  S.W.  Air. 
Pattisson,  of  Farm  Avenue,  Streatham,  showed  his  substantial 
and  improved  horse  lawn-shoes.  Alessrs.  Champion  and  Co., 
corner  of  Old  Street  end  City  Road,  E.C.,  sent  their  ornamental 
and  substantial  “tubs  for  shrubs”;  while  Walters  and  Co., 
greenhouse  blind  manufacturers,  16,  Water  Lane,  Great  Tower 
Street,  E.C.,  sent  samples  of  their  manufactures. 
Orchid  Committee. 
Alessrs.  J.  A'eitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  had  some  fine  hybrid 
Cypripediums,  including  C.  aureum  virginalis,  C.  x  Euryades, 
C'.  X  Chantino-villosum,  C.  x  Catherine  (a  lovely  flower),  C.  x 
Gertrude,  and  C.  x  Trollius.  They  also  had  Lselio-Cattleya 
Cappei  var.  aurea.  Cat.  Aliranda,  and  Laelia  Digb.vano-purpurea. 
Air.  Colman  (gr,  AA'.  P.  Bound),  from  Gatton  Park,  Reigate, 
.sent  Dendrobiums  and  other  orchids,  filling  the  entire  side  of 
a  table,  and  obtaining  a  gold  medal.  He  also  included  Cym- 
bidium  Hookerianum  punctatissimum,  a  noble  subject,  with 
.green  sepals  and  petals,  and  ijurplish  spotted,  tea  coloured 
lip. 
Hugh  Low  and  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park,  Enfield,  had  Dendror 
bium  AA’ardianum.  D.  heterocarpum  aixreum,  Cycnoches  chloro- 
chilon,  Oncidium  ornithyorhynchum,  Cypripedium  x  AA'atson- 
ianum,  Lpelia  anceps  Sanderianum,  and  others. 
Fruit  Committee. 
In  order  to  illustrate  the  lecture  by  H.  Somers  Rivers, 
Alessrs.  Rivers  and  Son,  of  Sawbridgeworth,  staged  a  collection 
of  Orange  fruits  with  a  few  beariirg-plants  hi  pots.  The 
varieties  shown  were  St.  Alichael’s,  Excelsior,  Tangerine,  Egg 
(A.AI.),  Silver  or  Plata,  Achilles,  AA^hite  Orange.  Bittencourt, 
Phiibiguo  or  Navel,  Brown’s,  Sustain,  also  four  large  Citrons, 
and  the  AATiite  Lemon. 
Air.  J.  H.  Goodacre  showed  from  the  Earl  of  Harrington’s 
garden  at  Elvaston  Castle  six  bunches  of  Aluscat  of  Alexandria 
in  excellent  condition  as  regards  colour,  quality,  size,  and  form. 
A  .silver  Knightian  medal  was  awarded.  Tomato  W’inter 
Beaut.v  was  staged  by  Air.  AA^addo,  of  Paddockhurst.  Sussex. 
Air.  H.  B.  AA’e.stropp,  The  Lodge,  Hydport,  Alaidenhead.  staged 
a  bunch  of  Bananas,  which  might  possibly  have  had  from  130 
to  150  fingers. 
Certificates  and  Awards. 
CJirysanthcmum  Mdlle.  Louise  Charvet  (Henderson  and  Sons, 
and  AA^  .J.  Springbett,  each  of  Cheshunt). — A  late  pink  Japanese 
variety,  ivith  excellent  qualities  for  market.  A.AI. 
Chrysanthemum  Winter  Cheer  (.J.  E.  Hatton). — A  bright  rose-purple 
decorative  Jap,  -with  stiff  stems  and  plenty  of  foliage.  A.AI. 
Lcelio-cattleya  iMyra  var.  Charlesivorthi  (Charlesworth  and  Co.). — 
Parentage :  Lfelia  flava  x  Cattleya  Trianae.  There  is  no  trace  of 
Cattleya  Trianse  here.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  rich  yellow,  and  the 
lip  is  dark  crimson  Avith  yolk-coloured  tube.  A.AI. 
Cypripedium  x  Morteni  (Air.  AA’'.  Appleton). — Parentage;  Cypri¬ 
pedium  Leeanum  x  C.  Chamberlainianum.  The  lip  is  deep  purple,  the 
narrow  petals  sinuous  edged,  the  dorsal  sepal  dark  at  the  base  and 
white  at  the  tip.  A.AI. 
Lcelia  anceps  Sclirlklercc  Theodora  {Mr.  F.  hVeWefiley). — The  petals 
are  nearly  oval  and  l^in.  broad  in  the  centre.  The  apex  is  acute  and 
slightly  acuminate.  The  apex  of  lip  is  dark  velvety  crimson ;  a  bold 
fine  flower.  A.AI. 
Orange,  the  “Egg”  (Rivers  and  Son). — .A  variety  cf  eultivr'cd 
Orange,  which  received  an  A.AI. 
Medal  Awards. 
Orchid  Committee. — Gold  Aledal  to  Jeremiah  Colman,  Esq. 
Silver-gilt  Flora  to  Charlesworth  and  Co.  Silver  Flora  to  Jas 
A^eitch  and  Sons.  Silver  Banksian  to  Lady  Plowden,  Oxon. 
Floral  Committee. — Silver  Floras  to'  Sutton  and  Sons; 
A'eitch  and  Sons;  Air.  AA^.  Seward,  Hanwell;  Cutbush  and  Son; 
