370 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  28,  1904, 
Midland  Daffodil,  April  26ili  and  27tli. 
The  sixth  annual  shon  ,  held  on  the  above  dates,  was  ushered 
in  with  fine  weather,  and  was  attended  hy  a  highly  numerous 
attendance  of  visitors  to  inspect  and  admire  the  best  exhibition 
yet  held  by  the  society,  enhanced  as  it  also  was  by  the  co-exhibi¬ 
tion  of  the  National  Auricula  Society  (Midland  section),  whoso 
sliow  was  held  in  the  Palm  house  of  the  Hotanical  (lardens, 
Pdgbaston,  as  space  could  not  bo  found  in  the  usual  exhibition 
Cjuarters  of  the  Daffodils.  Ac. 
The  tiade  or  honorary  exhibits  were  very  numerous,  and 
immensely  contributed  to  the  splendid  galaxy  of  spring  floral 
lieauty.  A  novel  feature  was  the  select  collection  of  Cacti  con¬ 
tributed  by  IMrs.  Thompson,  of  Handsworth,  and  which  afforded 
a  stinking  contrast  to  the  floral  disjrlay. 
Competitive  Classes:  Group  A,  Cur  JIlooms.— Class  1.— For 
a  representative  collection  of  Daffodils  in  fifty  varieties,  Mr. 
F.  M.  Crosfleld,  Little  Acton,  Wrexham,  who  was  placed  third 
in  this  class  last  year,  won  the  blue  rililion  on  this  occasion,  with 
a  superior  assoidment  of  blooms.  The  piize  was  an  elegant 
silver  Daffodil  cup,  of  original  design,  value  seven  guineas, 
given  by  Me.ssrs.  Barr  and  Sons,  together  vith  the  society’s  gold 
medal.  The  collection  contained  several  fine  examples,  includ¬ 
ing  such  as  Maid  Marion,  and  Saladin,  to  both  of  which  awards 
of  merit  were  given,  A\'eardale  Perfection,  Glory  of  Leiden, 
Waveren’s  Giant,  Emperor,  Horsefieldi,  King  Alfred,  Madame 
Plemp,  lauly  Margaret  Boscawen,  and  Madame  de  Graaff,  in 
the  large  trumpet  section,  were  also  here.  The  .second  honours 
fell  to  -Mr.  W.  Curtis,  gardener  to  A.  L.  Leslie  IMolyille,  Esq., 
Branston  Hall,  Lincoln  ;  third,  Messrs.  Pope  and  Sons,  King’s 
Norton;  and  fourth  to  Mr.  E.  IL  Walton,  The  Friary,  Hancls- 
worth. 
For  a  collection  of  twenty-five  varieties,  the  fir.st  piize  was 
accorded  to  iMr.  H.  IL  Young,  IMetheringham,  Lincoln;  second, 
the  Rev’.  J.  Jacob,  Whitchurch,  Salop  ;  and  third  to  Mr.  J.  H. 
Hartell,  Olton.  In  the  class  for  a  group  of  six  varieties  of 
Daffodil  seedlings,  all  to  be  raised  by  the  exhibitor,  the  fir.st 
prize  went  to  Mrs.  R.  O.  Backhouse,  Sutton  Court,  Hereford, 
who  had  some  promi.sing  varieties;  second  to  Miss  Catherine 
Spurrell,  Hanworth,  Norwich  ;  and  the  third  to  iMe.ssrs.  M.  Van 
Waveren  and  Sons,  Holland.  For  a  group  of  twelve  varieties 
of  seedlings  that  have  not  been  in  commerce  four  years,  the  first 
prize,  silver  bowl  and  gold  medal,  was  awarded  to  Miss  E.  Will- 
mott,  Great  Warley,  fir.st  class  certificates  being  awarded  to 
Warley  Scarlet,  Great  AVarley,  Count  Visconti,  Snowdrop,  white 
Mulicus,  and  Moonstone ;  second  to  Messrs.  AA'averen  and  Sons, 
Holland. 
For  six  varieties  of  Daffodil  seedlings  to  be  raised  by 
exliibitor,  Mrs.  R.  O.  Backhouse,  Mi.ss  Spurrell,  and  IMessrs. 
Waveren  won  as  in  their  order  named.  For  twelve  distinct 
varieties  of  true  trumpet  Daffodils,  Air.  J.  H.  Hartell  won  first 
Imnours  in  a  keen  competition,  with  a  collection  of  the  leading 
well-known  varieties;  second.  Air.  H.  B.  Young,  Inncoln  ;  third, 
Me.ssrs.  Pope  and  Sons;  fourth.  Air.  F.  A.  AYalton  ;  and  fifth, 
Mr.  J  ames  Douglas,  Great  Bookham.  For  six  varieties,  the 
Rev.  T.  Buncombe,  Ruabon,  was  to  the  foi’e  with  fine  samples  ; 
.second.  Air.  A\'.  Curtis,  gardener  to  A.  S.  Leslie  .Melville,  E,sq.  ; 
third,  the  Revx  J.  Jacob;  fourth.  Air.  C.  L.  Bran.son,  Colesliill 
Park,  Colesliill;  and  fifth,  Air.  AY.  L.  Deedman,  Edgbaston. 
For  six  pots  polyanthus  Narcissi,  Alessrs.  Cartwright,  Deed- 
man,  and  A.  Cryer  were  the  respective  winners.  Tulips  formed 
a  striking  feature.  For  six  pots,  single  varieties,  Me.ssrs.  Cart¬ 
wright.  Cryer,  and  Deedman  were  the  winners.  Air.  A.  Cryer 
was  the  only  exhibitor  of  six  pots  of  Lily  of  the  A'alley,  and 
worthily  won  the  first  prize ;  also  for  six  pots  of  Lilium  longi- 
florum.  Table  decorations,  bouquets,  Ac.,  materially  contri¬ 
buted  to  the  enhancement  of  the  show. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  varieties  of  medio-coronata  Daffodils, 
Mr.  W.  Curtis  took  the  lead,  with  an  assortment  of  the  leading 
varieties;  second.  Air.  A.  Al.  AVilson,  Spilsby  ;  and  third.  Air. 
J.  H.  Hartell.  For  six  varieties  ditto  the  first  prize  fell  to  the 
Rev.  T.  Duncombe  ;  second.  Air.  C.  L.  Bran.son;  third,  the  Rev. 
J.  Jacob;  and  fourth,  Air.  AY.  Ij.  Deedman.  For  six  varieties 
parvi-coronata  first  prize  Mas  accorded  to  Air.  H.  B.  A^oung, 
Lincolii;  second,  Mr.  A.  S.  L.  Alelville;  third.  Air.  F.  A.  AA’al- 
ton.  For  six  v’arieties  of  true  poeticus,  Air.  A.  AI.  AATlson  led; 
.second.  Air.  James  Douglas;  and  third,  Air.  H.  B.  Young.  For 
six  varieties  of  Daffodils  (not  to  co.st  more  than  3s.  per  doz)  the 
first  prize  wa.s  anarded  to  the  Rev.  T.  Buncombe,  the  only 
exhibitor. 
For  tnelv’e  varieties  (with  orange  cups)  Air.  F.  A.  AA’alton 
«'as  the  winner,  and  Air.  James  Douglas  second.  For  twelve 
varieties.^  not  more  than  10s.  a  dozen.  Air.  R.  C.  Cartwright, 
King’s  Nortoii,  took  the  lead;  second.  Air.  S.  S.  Jones;  third, 
Air.  \\  .  Brodie.  AA  yloe  Green;  and  fourth,  Air.  A.  Cryer.  For 
■six  varieties.  Air.  J.  Sceany  led  with  very  good  blooms;  second, 
Mrs.  Alustin,  Edgbaston.  Daffodils  grown  in  pots  were  well 
exhibited. 
Hoxorary  Exhibits.  —  A  gold  medal  was  awarded  to  Alessrs. 
Felton,  florists,  Hanover  Squaie,  Ijondon,  for  a  splendid  col¬ 
lection  of  plants  and  cut  flowers.  Silver-gilt  medals  to  Alessrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  Alessrs.  Dickson  (Che.ster),  Alessrs.  Gunn  and 
Sons  (Biimiingliam),  Alessrs.  Hogg  and  Robertson  (Dublin), 
Al  essrs.  Pearson,  and  Alessrs.  Reamsbottom  (Geashill,  Ireland)  ; 
a  large  .silver  medal  to  Air.  R.  Sydenham;  silver  ineLlals  to  .Sir 
H.  J.  Gore,  AIe.ssrs.  B.  Cant  and  Sons,  Aliss  Currey,  Ale.ssrs. 
Gilbert  and  Son;  Alessrs.  Hewitt  and  Co;  .Alessrs.  Simpson  anu 
Son,  and  Airs.  Thompson. 
Av  ards  of  merit  were  accorded  to  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart 
for  seedling  -Narcissi,  Goldeye,  Fearless,  Acme,  and  Epic. 
Newport  (Mon.)  Gardeners’. 
The  usual  meeting  of  the  above  association  was  held  on  April 
13,  vhen  Air.  J.  AA’iggins  read  a  very  intere.sting  paper  on  “  The 
Culture  of  the  Herbaceous  Calceolaria.”  Air.  AA'iggins,  nho  is 
looked  upon  as  the  champion  Calceolaria  groM'er  of  tliis  district, 
recommended  that  the  seed  be  sown  the  first  or  second  week  in 
Augmst  in  clean,  well-drained  pans,  filled  nearly  to  the  rim  with 
soil  composed  of  loam,  leaf  .soil,  and  sand,  watering  the  pans 
half  an  hour  or  so  befoie  sowing  the  seed,  m  Inch  should  not  be 
covered  with  soil.  Place  the  pans  in  a  cool  frame,  covering 
them  with  a  piece  of  glass,  to  be  kept  shaded  until  the  seecl 
germinates,  vhen  air  and  light  can  be  given,  but  bright  sun¬ 
shine  must  be  kept  from  them.  AVhen  the  seedlings  are  laige 
enough,  prick  off  into  small  pots,  place  again  into  cold  frame. 
In  November  place  them  in  oin  pots,  using  a  compost  as  above, 
with  a  little  well-rotted  horse  droppings.  They  can  now  be 
placed  on  a  shelf  near  the  gla.ss  in  a  ■  cool  greenhon.se.  In 
February  they  may  be  placed  in  Sin  pots  for  flowering,  using  a 
compost  of  tMO  parts  loam,  one  part  rotten  horse  droppings,  one 
part  leaf  mould  and  wood  ashes,  adding  a  Tin  potful  of  soot  to  a 
barroM  load  of  soil,  and  a  bandful  of  artificial  manure. 
From  noM'  onnards  they  must  be  grown  in  a  cool,  shady, 
moist  position,  to  be  carefully  natered,  sometimes  giving  them 
a  little  weak  liquid  manure  vater.  They  must  be  kept  free 
from  green  fly  by  frequent  fumigations.  In  potting,  do  not 
pot  too  firm.  As  the  flower  stems  advance  they  must  be  tied 
out  in  place,  then,  if  all  goes  well,  there  will  be  such  a  disnlav  of 
flower  that  m  ill  gladden  the  heart  of  employer  as  well  as  of  those 
m  Iio  have  had  the  care  of  the  plants  throughout.  A  good  di.scus- 
sion  folloM'ed,  in  which  Ale.ssrs.  Harris,  Daniels,  AA’codward, 
Jones,  Taylor,  the  chairman,  and  others  took  part.  Air. 
AATggins  was  accorded  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  for  his  able  paper. 
Air.  J.  Duff  presided  over  a  good  attendance. 
Resurrection  Plants. 
Three  different  plants  are  knoMui  under  this  name.  Alesem- 
liryanthemum  Tripolium  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable.  AAdien 
dry  the  seed  capsules  are  tightly  closed  up,  and  m  hen  soaked  in 
water  the  capsules  Mill  open  out  their  curious  valves.  On 
being  dried  they  muH  close,  but  Mill  open  again  Muth  moisture. 
This  may  be  repeated  several  times  Muthout  destroying  the 
romarkable  hygroscopic  properties.  The  seed  vessels  or  cap¬ 
sules  of  many  other  plants  possess  the  same  properties,  and  it  is 
chiefly  those  Mhich  groM'  in  countries  or  districts  nhere  they 
have  long,  dry  seasons.  The  seeds  m  IucIi  ripen  during  the  early 
part  of  the  dry  .season,  remain  on  the  ground  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  are  protected  by  tbe  folding  up  of  tbe  capsules. 
AA'hen  the  rain  comes  these  coverings  open  and  alloM'  the  seed 
to  escape  during  the  time  the  ground  is  most  suited  for  their 
germination.  In  addition  to  the  species  named  above,  tliere 
are  several  other  Alesembryantheinums  Mdiich  possess  the  same 
properties. 
Anastatica  hierochnntica  is  another  knoMn  as  the  Resur¬ 
rection-plant.  It  is  a  curious  little  annual  belonging  to  the 
Cruciferm.  It  is  the  only  .species  belonging  to  the  genus,  and 
is  M  idely  disbursed  over  the  Alediterranean  regions  from  Syria 
to  Algeria.  The  short  .stem  is  branched,  the  branches  .spreading, 
and  the  floMers  are  produced  on  these.  AVhen  the  seeds  ripen 
the  branches  close  up  and  all  the  leaves  fall  off,  and  later  on  the 
stem  dries  off  at  the  base,  and  the  little  ball-like  heads  of  .seeds 
are  dispersed  by  the  Mind,  sometimes  being  bloMui  into  the  sea. 
AA’ben  this  happens  the  branches  unbend,  the  seed  capsules  split, 
and  the  seeds  may  be  cast  on  shore  to  germinate.  AAdien  rain 
comes  on  land  the  seeds  are  released  in  the  same  May  to  ger¬ 
minate  Mdiile  the  ground  is  moist.  This  plant  also  possesses  the 
hygroscopic  properties,  that  is,  the  branches  m  ill  open  m  hen  M'et 
and  close  again,  to  reopen  aarain  as  freouentlv  as  they  are 
expo.sed  to  the  change.  In  addition  to  being  called  the  Resur¬ 
rection-plant,  it  is  also  known  as  the  Ro.se  of  Je}dcho,  and  in 
Palestine  it  is  knoMui  as  Kaf,  Alaryan  or  Alary’s  IdoM-er,  there 
being  a  tradition  that  it  expanded  at  the  birHi  of  Christ.  The 
third  knoM'u  as  the  Resurrection-plant  is  Selaginella  lepido- 
phylla,  a  Club-moss,  Mhicb,  after  being  dried  up.  Mill  again 
assume  its  natural  annearance.  On  this  account  it  is  often  sold 
as  a  vegetable  curiosity. 
