by THE NEWYORK BOTANICAL GARD > AA - , r RR / ‘ a oe we : : A th { January 18, 1877, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, COTTAGE GARDENER, COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. A CHRONICLE OF THE HOMESTEAD, POULTRY-YARD, APIARY, & DOVECOTE, CONDUCTED BY GEORGE W. JOHNSON, F.R.H.S., anp ROBERT HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Roxson, Stone House, Linton, Maidstone; and Mr. J. Taytor, The Gardens, Longleat. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. T. Recor, Vinters Park, Maidstone; and Mr. E. Lucruurst, Old Lands, Uckfield. STOVE, GREENHOUSE, and WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. G. ABBEY, Grinkle Park. VILLA AND SUBURBAN GARDENING, by Mr. THomas Recorp. GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. J. Dovanas, Loxford Hall. FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rey. H. H. DomeRaIn. POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Barty; and E, Hewrrt, Esq. PIGEONS, AVIARY BIRDS, &e., by ‘‘ Wintsurre Recror;” Mr. BannesBy, and others. BEE-KEEPING, by “B.& W.;” and Mr. A. Petricrew. HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by several Ladies. LIBRARY NEW YOR! BOTAN GARDEN VOLUME xXxXxXTI., NEW SERIBS. VOL. LYI., OLD SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 1876. 171, FLEET STREET. LONDON: PRINTED AT THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE OFFICE, 171, FLEET STREET. January 18, 1877. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ili TO OUR READERS. ‘« Tx wishing ‘my friends and benefactors’ the compliments of the season, I cannot exclude from amongst that class the Editors of the Jowrnal of Horticulture, a paper that is inexpressibly dear to me, for from it I have derived profit and pleasure. Therefore permit me to tender to you my mite of thanks for the year that is about to pass away; and heartily do I hope, that in the new year which is about to 4 open, your Journal may be appreciated still more and more by the horticultural world. Wishing hap- piness, long life, and prosperity to the Journal of Horticulture and its Kditors, I am—A Youne GarpEener.” Such is one of the many greetings we have received; and as they have secured the aid that will render the Journal as useful and as trustworthy as in past years, the same hope as is expressed by « A Youne GARDENER ”” is entertained confidently by THE OLD EDITORS. Dec. 30th. Fa, TN ae a January 18, 1877. } ACACIA, LONGIFOLIA, 346; RICEANA, 386, 452 Achimenes potting, 475 Adiantum, amabile culture, 309; far- leyense, 265, 872; temperature for, Adornments, home, 302 Advertisements, notes on, 174 Agave Botterii, 128 Agaves, Mr. J. T. Peacock’s, 144 Ageratum Countess of Stair, 161,351; at Castle Kennedy, 164 Agricultural Hall Poultry Show, 8743; 397 Alder, 462 Alexandra Palace, Poultry Show aban- doned, 246; Bee Show, 272; Rose Show, 25 Alfreton Hall, 463 All-flower, 151 Almonds, 462 Aloes unhealthy, 220 Alstromeria planting, 434 Alterations, 459 3 Alternantheras, 352; for bedding, 152 Alyssums and culture, 14 Amary)lids, culture of Cape, 283 Amaryllises, early, 311 American blight,353; and petroleum, 255, x Amsterdam International Horticul- tural Show, 96 Anchusa capensis, 426 Anemone fulgens, 538; japonica alba, | 331 Anerley Nursery, 431 Animals, our duty to, $18, 873 | Annuals, for spring bedding, 89; hardy, 430; 401, 442; notes on, 405 Anthurium Bakeri, 430 Ants, destroying, 269 Aphelandra Roezli, 473 Aphelexis dying, 104 Apple, oldest variety, 292 Apples—Padley’s Pippin, 89; Wor- cester Pearmain, 58; insects on, 61, 220; Peasgood’s Nonesuch, 128; weights of in Nova Scotia, 173; early varieties of, 184; useful kinds, 206, 220; early, 229, 307, 326,366, 878, 498; Irish Peach, 245; select, 257. 268, 8545 for spring flowering, | gathering, 268; Greasy Coat, | 298, $12, 330, 344; list of in Hants, | 301; at Bonnytown, 307; Domino, | 381; Redleaf Russet, 351; storing, . $71; Cherry, 391; caterpillar in branch, 393; useful, 401, 425; old, 429; kitchen, 476; election of, 483, | 510, 583; Bramley Seedling, 494; | _sprays cankered, 520; Russian Transparent, 527 _ Aquarium, Westminster, 258; Rose Show,7; plants for, 475 Aralias, 510 Archer’s Court, 235 Arctic, cold, 390; hot-water apparatus, 447 ; temperature effects, 516 Arrangement of flowers, &c., for de- coration, 147 Artichokes, Globe, 494; planting, 335 Arundo donax, 127 Asarums and culture, 46 Ash, 461; trees, large, 171 Aspects of Nature—June, 29; July, 120; August, 188 Asparagus, bed-making, 520; culture, 850, 891; forcing, 55S; planting, 895; manuring. 335 Asphalt for Vine border, 872 Association of plants, birds, and in- sects, 255 , Asters, culture of, 340; perennial, 245 ; stopping, 872 Astrautia inajor and culture, 24 Auricula, Show, National, 609, 517; _. Society, 444, 445 uricula Society, National, 444, 446 w=A uricnla, leaves decaying, 99 ariculas, and their seedling, 2; from w— seed, 21; wintering, 400 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Vv INDEX. Autumn, growths, rapid, 265; pruning, 122 | Avenues, 441 Aylesbury Poultry Show, 294 Azaleas, repotting, 152 BAMBOO UNHEALTHY, 17 Banks, Sir Joseph, 308 Bantam’s legs swollen, 338 Bantams, Sebright, 250 Barrow, improved water, 140 Basket plants unhealthy, 496 2 ae and West of England Society, Battersea Park, 4fS Bawtry Poultry Show, 200 | Bay, the Sweet, 558 Bean, Canadian Wonder, 235 Bedale Poultry Show, 560 A Bedding plants, autumn propagation of, 89; propagating, 150, 291; new varieties of, 161; preserving, 219; wintering, 245, 87u, 392 P Bedding-out plants, 253; to be given, 810 Bedding, winter, 424 Beds, mixed, 80 Bedeguars, 269 Beech, 461 ans = Bee-keepers’ Association Show, 295 Bees—systems of management, 19; extra room, swarming irregularly, nadiring, artificial pollen, driving, excess of swarms, 20; Lincoln honey season, 41 ; adding to swarms, weak hives, cross sticks, artificial swarming, feeding, weight of stock, 42; species, systems of manage- ment, 63; searching for queens, ex- hibiting honey, taking supers, 64; , West of England Show, comb . foundations, 84; honey prospects, one stock in two hives, honey of second swarms, systems of manage- ment, nadiring and eking, 85; mov- ing to moors,combs melted, Mar- riott’s hive, 86; heather for, 107; season, marketable honey, modifi- cations of management, 109; white drones, 110; separating honey from wax, honey harvest, frame hives and extractor, 133; filling supers, &e, with comb, packing comb, ma- nagement, hiving a swarm, taking honey, wax moth, 184; artificial honey supers, to fill an apiary, honey recipes. 155; uniting swarms, Marriott’s hive, moving to moors, combs melted, 156; Stewarton sys- tem and Stewarton hive, 177; honey recipes, dying. 178; filling supers, 201; honey exhibition, destruction of, honey recipes, 2'2; lessons for _cottagers, honey at Crystal Palace, 224; completion of supers, Stewar- ton system, British Bee-keepers’ Association, management, ‘ Prac- tical Bee-keeping,” 225; honey re- eipes, killing drones, 226; feeding- up rescued, completing unfinished supers, honey gathered or made? Dundee Show, 249; Albino, variety of, depriving. wintering in glass, buying, 250; honey and wax, exhi- bition at Crystal Palace, 272; Sea Lavender for, 273; and music, Meli-~ Jot for, 274; driving, in Beds, old combs, empty drone combs, 296; eggs, time required for hatching, 317; wax from old comb, colour- ing wax, feeding swarms in autumn, Swarmipg without a queen, $18; straw v. bar hives, swarming with- out a queen, colouring comb, 337; “B. & Ws” apiary, working on a pine, taking honey, smoking, ex- amining hive, 888; do they gather or make honey 2? 857; how I obtained large returns, 357; if broodless, 358; BrrEs—Continued, i aretrospect, bar v.straw hives, 375; caps on cells, the honey season, 376; honey-gathering, honey in middle ages, 398; moveable v. fixed combs, their stores, 417; barley- sugar pollen, 418; exchange of queens, large apiary, 488; in au- tumn, 457; wax, foul brood, bar hives, weight of hives, 458; move- able versus fixed combs, queens, 479 ; Italian v. black, frames v. skeps, driving, 480; progress of knowledge, 501; during past season, 5/2; dead, 502; where is the honey found ? 502; moveable v. fixed combs, 523; Ren- frewshire Bee-keeper’s apiary, 524; Stewarton hive, 524; hives, 563; introducing queens, 563; two sove- reigns, 563; another year’s expe- rience, 564 Beet, Chitian. 519 Begonia Davisii, 242 Begonias, culture, 475; culture of tu- berous-rooted, 96, 801, $84, 872; in greenhouse, 269; repotting, 334; hardiness, $35 Belfast Poultry Show, 501 Belgium Arboricaltural Scciety, 582 Belts, 441 Benzoline for destroying scale, 872 1 oe superbissima culture, 1 Bestwood, 327 Bingley Poultry Show, 221 Birch, 462 Bird-cage parasites, 249 Bird news. 855 Birds for exhibition, 107 Birmingham Poultry Show, 487, 476, 496, 588; Columbarian Show, 561 Bishopstowe, 98; flower garden, 115 Blackberries, American, 429, 620; cnl- ture, 82, 463 Blackburn Poultry Show, 107 Bletia Tankervillix, 412 Bones, rendering soluble, 78 Bongardia Rauwolfii, 128 Borax an insect-destroyer, 195 Border flowers, 99, 121, 148, 195, 229, rw 447, 470, 511; of perenpials, Borders, mixed, $24 Botanical names, 258 “Botanical Reminiscences in British Guiana,” 165 j Bouquets, 352 eC UE SLBA baselloides culture, Bouvardias, 473 Box-edging, 352 Brackley Poultry Show, 271 Brahmas, 544; feeding, 358 Bramley Poultry Show, 83, 106 Brazilian flowers, 264 Briar, mossy balls on, 269 oy Briars, seedling, 420, 546; working seedling, 812 Brighton Horticultural Show, 51 Brisbane Botanic Garden, 447 Bristol, Canary Show, 316; Poultry Show, 374, 496 eraton Chrysanthemum Show, 444, Brockham Rose Show, 7 eroniley, Common Gardeners’ Society, 59 Broom, cutting down, 269 Brnosvigia Josephine culture, 269 Brussels Sprouts, 474 Buckingham Palace Gardens, 533 Bulb enlture, £97 Bulbs for next year, 60 Bullfinch, feeding, 86; food, 156 ep er fruticosum and culture, Burlingtonia fragrans, 481 Burton-on-Trent, Flower Show, 194; Horticultural Show, 12 Butomns umb-llatus, 549 Butterflies, 488 CABBAGE—CULTURE AND SUPPLY, 88, 102; Palm, 334; planting, 332; seed drilling,14 _ Cactus, wintering, 475 Cage birds, insects in seed for, 201 Cages, insects in, 418 Calandrinia umbellata, 115 Calanthes, 311 Calceolaria, culture, 291; cnttings, 870; damping-off, 292 Calceolarias, wintering, 245 Californian trees, 266 Calla culture, 104 Calliphruria Hartwegiana, 351 Caltha palustris, 229 Camellias, blooms, wiring, 476; forc- ing, 537; insect on, 17; leaves foul, 434; propagation and repotting, 520; repotting, 152; scale on, 854 Campanula calycanthema hardy, 293 Campanulas, 143 Canaries, not breeding, 20; manage- ment in olden times, §4, 29; i Canary, diseased, 524; eye affected, 544; head featherless, 110; sore on, 274; treatment, 523 Cannas, wintering, 298 Canouba tree, 432 Canterbury Bells, 475 Canterbury Poultry Show, 487, 521 Cape Town International Show, 285 Carbolic, dressing for Peas, 475; acid for weed-killing, 532, 588 Cardoon earthing, 244 Carica papaya, 433 Carlisle International Exhibition, $10 Carmarthen Poultry Show, 543 Carnation and Picotee culture, 87; se- lection, 88; showing, 104 Carnation and Picotee Society, 141 Carnations, culture, 412; from seed, 412; management of seedlings, 197; propagating Tree, 334; winter- flowering, 372 Carpet bedding, at Cleveland House, ae hardy plants for, 380; plants, Carpet green plants, 341 Carrot, culture, 529; worm, 406 Carter’s root show, 451 Castle Coch vineyard, 28 Castle Donington Poultry Show, $3 Castle Eden Poultry Show, 154 Castle Kennedy, 163, 122 Caterpillars, destruction of, 197 Cauliflower plants, 150 canoer keeping, 532; retarding, Caution, 532 Cedars poultry-yard, 270 Cedrus deodara cones, 354, 406 Celery, fly prevention, 212; imper- fect, 418; leaves grub-eaten, 17 medicinal, 518 Cestrum aurantiacum flowering, 446 ChameDuce diacantha, hardiness of, 4 Chambers, Sir W., 386 Charcoa? for flower beds, 475 Cherries not setting, 434 Cherry, 462; for wall, 364 Cheshunt, afternoon at, 91 Chesterfield Poultry Show, 294 Chester, in and about, 69 Chestnut, Horse, 461; Sweet, 462 _ Chickens, management, 17; dying suddenly, 20 Children’s Flower Show, 87 Chilies. culture of, 105 Chilwell Nurseries, 28 Chippenham Poultry Show, 478 Christmas Rose, 494 r Chrysanthemums, buds setting, 190; eulture, 490; in the greenhouse, 371 plea for Japanese, 550; specimen Pompon, 511; propagation, 538; standard, 520; stopping, 219; the Temple, 884; at Crystal Palace, 431 Church decoration, Cider, 180 Cirencester Poultr how, 386, 486 rete vi JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE Clay burning, 61 Cleckheaton Poultry Show, 83 Clematises, planting, 293: pruning, 538; select, 537 Cleveland Poultry Show, 131 Climbers. for conservatory, 312, 3933 exposed, 334; for indoors, 530; for north wall, 372 Coceus Camelliz, 39 Cockscombs, 211; large, 266, 811 Coffee in Ceylon, 212 Colein dye, 55S culture of, 174; Coleuses, for exhibition, 223; cold endured by, 269 Close of the year plants, 516 Comfrey, culture of Prickly, 151 Commelina tuberosa, 260 Compost for plants, 372 Conifers, cutting, 353; removing large, 362; in pots, 532; select, 334 Conservatory, removing, 559 Cordon fruit trees, 559 Coreopsis maritima, 5S Cosui ouene obtusifolia, var. latifolia, oO Cotiage gardening, Mr. Gladstone’s remarks on, 165 Cotoneaster frigida, 462 Cottingham Poultry Show, 222 Cotyledon teretifolia, 35 Covent Garden Market, 20, 42, 64, S6, 110, 134, 156, 17S, 202, 226, 250, 274, 296, 318,338, 358, 376, 398. 418, 438, 458, 490, 502, 524, 544, 56£; Christmas market, 00 Craigleith Nurseries, 290 Crategus orientalis, 334 Creeting poultry-yard, 354 Crinum, giganteum, fine specimen of, 172; ornatum, 144 Crooked breasts, 156 “Cross and _Self-f-rtilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom,” 509 Crystal Palace Autumn Show, 231, 265, 280; Poultry Show, 295, 4i4, 484, 453, Prizes, 573; evergreen bedding, 473 5 Rose Show, 8 Cuckoo, 109; v. caterpillars, 235 Cucumber house, 474; building, 269 Cucumbers—in dung bed, 244; bitter, 151; culture, 516, 535, 537, 550; dis- eased, 105 ; fasciated, 236; in frames, 88; for frames, 520; gummed, red spider on, $2; swelling irregu- larly, 104; varieties, 472; Masters’s Prolific, 494; Osmaston Manor, 113 Currant standards, 309 Currants, ' standard, seized. 390 Curtis, W., 239 Cutbush & Son’s Nurseries, 485 Cuttings, striking, 288 Cyclamen culture, 495 Cyclamens, composi for, 16,130; ma- nagement of seedling, 130; roots grub-eaten, 269 Cypress, deciduous, $61 Cyrtomium faleatum, 105 Cytisus culture, 104 889; imported Danii, ARtist, 351 Dahlias, culture, 319; at the Crystal Palace, 390; for exhibition, 293; flowers single, 412; frosted, 391; at of, 334; select, $12; taking up, Darlington Bird Show, 522 Darlington Gardeners’ Institute, 43) Dartford Chrysanthemum Associa- } tion, 445 - Daubenton’s herbarium, 236 Deciduous flowering shrubs, 547 Dendrobiums, 475 Derby Poultry Show, 415 Device, floral, 219 Devon and Exeter Autumn Show, 209 Dielytra spectabilis in pots, 215 Digging, cost, &c., of deep, 4 Dinner-table plants in winter, 107 Dioscorea retusa, culture of, 168 WES Kaki, 193, 208, 429, 442, 462, ‘ Disqualifications of poultry, 39, 197 Doncaster Poultry Show, 17 Dorking Poultry Show, 522 Dorking, cock diseased, 274; hatched by a Pigeon, St Dorkings eight-toed, 418 DAE? Flower Show, 194, 209; about, Dracena, flowering, 529: fruticosa, ae ; Goldieana, 10: Saposchnikowi, Draining, 475 Drain-pipe choked, 412 Drighlington Ponliry Show, 63 Driflie!d Poultry Show, 130 Dring’s poultry, 15 Drought, its lessons, 261 Drumlanrig, 287 z Dundee International Exhibition, 194, 282, 290 Dunse Poultry Show, 544, 561 Durham Poultry S how, 176 Duvalia polita, 128 Dyeing Mosses, Grasses, e., 50 Eaton Hatt, 30 Echeyerias, wintering, 245, 334 Edging and other hardy plants, 220 Edgings of succulents, 105 Egg-eating hens, 376 Eggs, broken in laying, 20; preserv- ing, 42, 437 ; production of, 453 Ejm 461 Elms, notes on and varieties, 172 Encephalartos retentive of life, 79 Endive and culture, 46 Epacris propagation, 520 Ericas, culture of soitwooded, 275 Eryngium maritimum, 213 : Espalier, fruit trees, 431; row dis- tance, 372 Eucalyptus, globulus, £93, 306, 310, 423, 472, 493, 583; hardiness of at Hyéres, 195; polyanthemos, 517 Eulophia macrostachya, 128 eupherpa jacquinizeflora, 236; hedge, 2. Evergreens, promoting growth of, 45 Everlastings, list of, 152 Exhibition plants, repotting, 38 Eshibitors’ wrongs, 25, 55 Fairy RING, DESTROYING, 130} Falkoners poultry-yard, 476 Farnworth Poultry Show, 316 Feather-eating birds, $6 Feathered jhelps in gardens, 164, 206, 920, 285 5 Ferneries, plants suitable for cover- ing surfaces of, 158 Fernery, 505 fern, thrips on, 270 Ferns in Devon, 96,183 Fever plant, 520 Ficus repens, hardy, 158 Fig trees in pois, 333 Figs, culture, 877; White Ischia, 462; in pots, 1038, 452; Negro Largo, 61 Filberts, 258 | Ploor of fowl house, 376 Floral Society, Metropolitan, 424 Hlorists flowers, special societies for, BES Flower—beds, raising, 250; gardening, 217; seeds, sowing, 475; shows and the public, 467, 484 Flowers—hardy autumnal, 3$i; co- lours of dried, 286; drying, 16: with Ferns, 67; and fruits, exhibition of artificial, 532; hardy, culture of, 16) 5 cutting, 127; in our rooms, 122; pre- serving scent,§2; for the sick, 144; early spring, 434 Forcing vegetables, 474 Forget-me-not planting, 334 Yorsyth, W., 147 Fowl’s eye inflamed, 544; toe broken, remedy for, 398; wings drooping and dying, 318 Fowls, for winter laying, 250; fortable use, 250 r Foxglove culture, 8 Fox taming, 42 Frame, miniature, 181 Frames, 559 Fritillaria recurva, 430 Fruiterers’ Company, 290, 391 Fruit wine with honey, 178 Fruit—culture, glass versus wall, 58; prospects, 2; protecting, 65; thin- ning, 81; farming, 126; trees, sum- mer praning of, 173; for orchard planting, 174; watering, 111; store- room, 220; trees, autumn pruning, 930, 254; luxuriant, 245; wooden fences for, 256; shows, 265, 370; trees for smali gardens, 276, 320; for cordons, 292; room arrangement, 293; gathering, 311; trees, distance apart, 354; packing, 366; tree rlant- ing, 371, 451; trees, winter-dressing, 401; flagstone under, 413; tree stems, protecting. 451; exhibited wrongly named, 452; tree manage- ment, 50S; painting, 517; trees planting, 495 Fruits, at the American Centennial, 144; culture of in Ontario, 167; for market, 854; vagaries of, 280 Fuchsia leaves falling, 220 Fuchsias, and Geraniums not flower- ing, 16; destroying insects on. 197 “angi, Plain Account of British,” 331 Fungi on lawn, 89 Fungus on lawn, 298 GALLON, 43) Galloway Rose Show, 85 Game cock’s comb, 338 Gamolepis euryopoides, 123 Gander, a friendly, 155 Garden day-book, 531 Garden, a picturesque, 349; Dr. Rogers’s, 187; of hardy flowers, 419, 44), 505 Gardeners’ Institute Festival, 532 Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institu- tion, 12 if Gardeners’ travelling expenses, 488 Gardenia florida dying, 520 Gardening in the old world and the new, 185. Gas, heating by, 452 Gates and stiles, 278 Geranium leaves spotted, 16 Geraniums—new varieties of, 170; at Chilwell, 186; growing, 197; large AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 18, 1877- Grraniuus—Continued. plants of, 197; bedding, 219, 403; _ Ivy-leayed seedling, 236; wintering, 245, 412; protecting in beds, 269; Mr. Pearson’s, 298, 330; legzy, 312; roots grub-eaten, 335; potting v2 riegated, 853; Mrs. G. Smith, 406; wintering, 412; Hybrid Nosegay, 4:3 ; pots mouldy, 434; not flowering, 454; seedling, 560 Gerard’s Catalogue of Plants, $ Gesnera exoniensis not fiowering, 538 Gesneras, 557 Gladioli, Australian, 228 Gladiolus, leaves brown, 151; versi- color, 352; select, 354 Gladioluses in conservatory, 517 Glass, toughenes, 406; ancient tough, 446 Glastonbury Thorn, 56 Glamorgan Poultry Show, 182 Glazing vinery and border, 434 Globe Thistle, culture of, 195 Gloriosa superba, 44, 144; culture, 71 CESSES Society’s Fruit Show, 2 Gloxinias, and culture, 475 Gluten, 502 Gnaphalium lanatum, 220 ‘i Goat-keeping, 318 Godetia Lady Albemarle, 208 Goldfinches, 317; white-marked, 274 Gooseberry, bush caterpillars, 68; standard, 309 : Gooseberries. summer pruning, 197 *‘ Grape Vine,” 259 Grapes—colouring of, 44; cracking, 61, 79, $2, 159; spotted, 61; Mrs. Pearson, 69; shaded, 82; shrivelling, 15%; raising of at Chilwel, 169; at Keddleston Hall, 172; at Londes- borough Lodge, 172; mildewed, 105; sulphur on, 105; large, 245; pack- ing, 259; diseased, 269; keeping in autumn, 283; Golden Champion, $30; keeping, 352; setting, 519, not setting, 353; decaying, 354; Duke of Buccleuch, 370; Venn’s Black Mus- cat, 870, 495; mouldy, 372; manage- ment, 379; gathering the Cham- pagne, 883; influence of stock, 385, 493; Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, 475 in open air, 406; growing, 446; Gros Colman, 446; Buckland Sweetwater, 452; West’s St. Peter’s, 428; in early and late vinery, 434; Madresfield Court, 485, 558, cracking, 424; seed- ling. 494; cracked, 520; Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, 546: Venn’s varieties, 553; late-hanging, 557 Grape growing, amateur, 421 Grass promoting, 544 Grasses, books about, 104; to crys- tallise, 266; ornamental, 152 Greenhouse, heating ‘small, 245; plants for autemn show, 393; roof, 16 Greyvillea robusta, 311 Grosvenor Park, 69 Grubs, 393, 476 Guildford Poultry Show, 548, 561 Gumming of stone-fruit trees, 536 HaGGERSTONE EntToxonocicaL So- CIETY, 473 & Hailstone, losses, 96; relief fund, 120, 127; injuries by, i84 : Halifax Poultry Show, 199 Hants and Berks Poultry Show, 40 Hardy flower garden, 526 Hawick Poultry Show, 436 Heanor Poultry Show, 176 Heat, consequences of, 212 Heath propagation, 520 Heather culture, 220 Heating, plant preserver, 496; defec- tive, arrangement of apparatus, 538 Heckfield Place gardens, 194 Hedgehog a chicken-slayer, $2 Hedgehogs v. chickens, 130 Helensburgh, 345 Henderson, E. G., 406, 452 Hen’s toe, lumps on, 318 Hens ceasing laying, 250 Heptapleurum polybotryum,.35 Hercules at home, 4 Hereford Pomona, $90 Hetton Poultry Show, 200 Hevea brasiliense at Kew, 194 Heworth Flower Show, 119; Poultry Show, 130 Hippeaster, 354 Hogg, presentation to Dr., 390 Hollies, variegated, 494 Holly berries, sowing, 293 Holly-berry failure, 558 Holyhocks, culture 166, 333; leaves diseased, 39, 82, 354, spotted, 269 Home adornments, 347 - Hoole Place, Hoole Hall, 69 Horticultural Club, 236, 830, 590, 431, 510; elections, 50 Horticultural (Royal) Society, 74, 79, 114, 116, 127, 422, 481, 483, 518; Com- mittees, 6, 95, 211, 487; Show, 48; meeting of debenture-holders, 9I, 472; special general meeting, 95; Meeting, 148, 3/4, 405; objects ob- jects of and position, 164; recon- pieachon, 344; Fellows’ privileges, 55) Horton Poultry Show, 151 Hotbed over flue, 375 Hondans’ characteristics, 274 Hail Bird Show, 356 | Huntingdonshire Poultry Show, 106 | - Hyacinths, culture, 297; for exhibi- tion, 245; after flowering, 8735 from leaves, 518; management, 608; ia water, 310 B f Hyacinthus candicans, introduction of, 197; at Glasnevin, 165 Hybrids from grafting, 889 Hyde Park, 448 Hydromel, 178 Ick HOUSE, 127 ~ Idle saclay oe 154 Ingram. » Jey SLT mee Insects, chapters on, 209; destroying, 372; composition for killing, 4345 notes on for gardeners, 96, 408, 443. 488 aa Intermediate house temperature, 475 Ipswich Poultry Show, 154, 314, 477 Tris susiana and iperice culture, 105 Islands, trees for, 392 Ivies in gardens, 5255 smallleaved, 538 -Ivy, for border, 269; for carpeting, 473; hedges, 90; its uses, 66, 82 varieties, 67 5 Txias, 2 plea for, 204; from seed, 269 Ixoras, temperatures they need, 519 Jacuson’s NURSERIES, £70 r Jasminum sambac flore-pleno, 5 nado udas Tree, Judging vegetables, 231, 946, 566, 38S. 409 Justicia unhealthy, 220 5573 KKALMIA LATIFOLIA AFTER FLOWERING, 17 Kales, late planting of, 157 Kauri Pine timber, 236 y Keddleston Hall, Grapes at, 191; trees, 331 we Kelp as manure, 476 a Kensington Gardens, 365 Keramanthus Kirkii, 493 ze: f Kew Gardens, hardy flowers 12, 403 5 novelties in, 23, 87,152, 510; in 1875, 38 : Kidney Bean, Canadian Wonder, 180 5 a Kidney Beans, for Christmas, 8925 reserving, 250 - Kingston-on-Thames Poultry Show, 548 Knight, T. A., 428 Kniphofia caulescens culture, 23 Kolrenteria paniculata, 462 LaBurnum, 463 Labour required, 559 5 Laeken Royal conservatory, 212 Ladder, self-adjusting, 463 Lane & Sons’ vinery, 79 Langshans, 560 Lantanas, culture of, 152, 161 Lapageria rosea, 475 Larch, 461 as Lasiandra macrantha floribunda, 431 Laurentia carnosula, 351 ms Laurustinuses for indoor decoration 485 Lawn patchy, 834 Laying hens, ornamental, 86 Lead in vegetables, 212 _ Ree Leaves, influence on fruit, color, an flavour, 439; gathering, 4025 retain- ing autumn tints, 293 Leeds Poultry Show, 521 Leek Rose Show, 75 Leghorn Club, 154 a Lemon tree unhealthy, 433, 478 Lettuce All the Year Round, lit Lettuces, culture, $21; running, 4; for spring, 244; winters, 40 winter, 515 c Leucothoe Davisiz, 128 Liatris pyenostachya, 402 Liberia, flowers in, 888; paniculata Liliums in beds, 538 d ‘om Lily of the Valley, forcing, 475, 583; leaves, 104 _ s Lily seed sowing, 572 Limatodes rosea, 516 Lime, 17; for slugs, $12; trees leaf less, 127 : Liming a garden, 293 Lindley Library, 36 '" pone monument commemorating, Liparis pendula, 494 Taped teanare apabyingy4T8 iquid manure applying, 476 | . Lobelias, for early flowering, 245 ~ reddish purple, 152 Longlest vinery, 585 Lough Inch, 122 January 18, 1877. } Lupinus polyphyllua, 80 Lycaste lasioglossa, 242 Lychnis, double scarlet, 127 Lycopersicum cerasiforme, 236 MADWoORTS AND CULTURE, ]4 * Magnolia acuminata, 462 Maidstone Rose Show, 10 Maize, watering, 152 Malmesbury Poultry Show. 176 a Mandevilla suaveolens in open air, 473 Manettia micans and culture, 460 Mansfield Poultry Show, 416 Manure, for neglected garden, 197; making, $2; applying, 291 Margate Poultry Show, 544 Marion Island flora, 51S Market gardens and nurscries, old of London, 33, 144, 288, 426 Martyn, Professor Thomas, 76 Martynia diandra, 866 Masdevallia, ionocharis, 430; poly- Sticta, 851; triaristella, 493 Mason, Rev. W.., 348 Meconopsis Wallichi culture, 23 Medlars, 354 Melons—cracking, 104; culture, 16, of late, $88, 884; failing, 220; flavour- legs, 212; in cold frames, 275; im- pregnating, 89; flavourless, 275; eaf spotted, 82; merits of, 848; ripeniig, 269; in Strawberry pits, 269; varieties, 22; Little Heath, 279 Mesembryanthemum wintering, 105 mi sbembryanthemums, propagating, Meéspilus, Snowy, 462 Metropolitan Floral Society, 400 Mice eating Crocus bulbs, 452 Michaelmas-tide, 318 Middleton Poultry Show, 355 mtiddletonn-Teesdale Poultry Show, 7 Mignonette culture, 68 Mildew, 400 Milla Leichtlinii, 35 Miller, Phillip, 76 Milnrow Poultry Show, 132 Miltonia cuneata, 329 Mimulus culture, 475 Mirabilis multiflora, 493 Momordica balsamez, 129 Monardas and culture, 99 Monardella macrantba, 495 Monmouth Poultry Show, 356 Monopyle racemosa, $5 Montrose Poultry Show, 500 Moor or Water Hens, 20 Morello Cherry soil, 105 Moricandia sonchifolia, 58, Mother as a plant name, 144 Moulting, iron during, 338 Mulberry, 462 Malleins, 447 Musa ensete, 254 Muscari xstivale, 493 Mushroom, beds, 268; culture, 451; house, 391 Mushrooms, large, 290, 870; protect- ing from slugs, 431 Myosotis sowing, 434 NATIONAL EMBLEMATIC PLANTS, 254 - Nectarine, Albert Victor, 430; Pine Apple, 96 Neill prize, 37 Nertera depressa, culture, 22; for rocks and ferneries, 158 Newbury Poultry Show, 200 Neweastle-upon-Tyne Horticultural Snow, 473 Newton Stewart, 74 Nierembergia gracilis, 80 Nitrate of soda, 269 Northallerton Poultry Show, 294 Northampton Pigeon Show, 335 North aspect, shrubs for, 392 Notice to leave, 452 Nottingham, Horticultural Show, 36; Poultry Show, 355 November aspects, 466 Oax, 461; BLEEDING, 89 Oaks, varieties of, 171 October aspects, 387 Odontoglossum, Hallii, 35; lave, 480 - Oldham, Bird Show, 397; Poultry Show, 175 Oleander culture, 292 Oleanders, pruning, 269 Oncidium stramineum, 242 Oncidiums, notes on, 284 calor, maggots, 82, 96,152; sowing, Orange, blossom, 560; tree obituary, 518; trees in pots, 411 Orchard, house, routine, 1(3, 183, 519; sien oh poate » 152; pruning o “Orehid Guiture’37 Orchid, culture, 78, 892; for November and December, 520 Orchids, at Messrs. Veitch’s, 290, 463; repotting, 88; winter, 433 Orchis latifolia varieties, 72 Osier bed, making, 392 Oswestry Poultry Show, 131 Oundle Poultry Show, 41 Oxalis enneaphylla, 351 Oxford Poultry Show, 154, 314, 394, 418, 436 Oxford Rose Show, 13 PaINT, STONE-COLOURING, 520 Pampas Grass crystalled, 388 Pansies, from seed, 65; dragon’s blood for, 82; seedlings for bedding, 130; improvement of, 187; for bedding, 189; wintering seedlings, 293 Paraffin, care in using, 516; lamp, heating by, 269 Parrakeets, green, 86; for, 42 Parrotia persica, 510 h Parrot, management, 132; moulting delayed, 226; self-plucked, 86 Parsley, Fern-leaved, 465 Paul’s, Mr. G., nursery, 91 grass seeds ‘| Pea, sowing, 432; supporters, 587 Peach—blister, 8, 21, 55, 74; leaves falling, 105; and Nectarine trees, dying of branches, 174; Royal Ascot, 181; Desse Tardive, 196; Crawford’s Early, 286,321, 341, 365; in greenhouse, 834; tree training, 892; trees’ pruning neglected, 220; insipid, on vinery wall, 245; house, a lean-to, 292; house borders, 495; tree management, 520; and Necta- rine training. 586; stock for, 538__ Peaches—Hale’s Early, Early Vic- toria, 85; leaves browned, Plum stocks, 89; in orchard house, 252; ripening, 269; Grosse Mignonne, 186, 242 Pearson, Mr. J. R., death of, 168 Pear, trees diseased, 537; tree un- healthy, 496; sprays cankered, 520 Pears, election of, 553; Jargonel un- fruitful, 220; for espaliers, 292; pele 834; storing, 871; for walls, 52 Peas—Unique, 24; Commander-in- Chief, 89; select, 59; preserving green, 86; early, 105; protection of, 194; Dr, Maclean, 235; this year, 860 Pectoplume, $87 Peewits in gardens, 24, 71 Pelargonium, Society, 143, 351; Show, 87; soil, insect in, 61 Pelargoniums, for conservatory, 1, 478; Zonal for show, 104; Mr. Can- neli’s double, 127; Mr. Bull’s, 127; pruning Zonal, 269; repotting, 292; grafting, 372; Cape, 487 Penninghame, 75 Perches for Cochins, 202 i SSA selectlist of, 161; planting of, 174 Petroleum, heating by, 438 Pescatoria lamellosa, 58 Petunia cuttings, 130 Petals falling, 520 : Philadelphia Exhibition, 89); Fruit Show, 352; fruit at, 127 Philodendron propagation, 530 : plomiss 122; fruticosa propagation, 104 Phloxes, management of, 151 Phylloxera, preventing, 532; vasta- trix, 400, 432, 443 Phytolecca decandra, 884 Pigeon cote, 478 Pigeon’s lungs inflamed, 156 Pigeons, diseases of, 177, 201, 228; form, influences on, 295; lungs in- flamed, 156; Powdered Owl, Ma- homet, and Damascene, 816; Blue Rock and Antwerp, 336 Pine Apples, black-centred, 835; early, 244; forcing, 871; plants fruitless; 130; potting, 103 ; management, 245; starting, 588; suckers, 150 (866 Pine, suckers, potting, 60; Umbrella, Pines for May, 495; decaying; 496 Pink, Anne Bullen, 17 _ i Pinks, showing, 104; winter-flowering, 372 Pinus austriaca from seed, 312 Piping required for heating. 17 Pit, constructing forcing, $92 Plane, 462 Plantains on lawn, 39 Plant house, two-storeyed, 369 Plants, not flowering, 17; of the past, 882; training, 196 Plumbago rosea, 518; culture, 581 Plum, crop, 144; trees barren, 475; tree suckers; for espaliers, 292; late, 476 Plums, Frogmore Damson, 493; Kirke’s decaying, 61; ripening, 269; in Servia, 96; for west wall, 61 Poingettia, double, 518; pulcherrima culture, 527, 582 Poland fowls, 274 Polygonum Bistorta, 361 Pomegranate, pot-culture, 105 Pomegranates in Battersea Park, 236 EDmOLCEy among the Woolhopians, By Poplar in fower border, 412 Foplars, 462 Portsmouth Poultry Show, 18, 246; de- falcation, 154 Post-box, Mr. Lovel’s, 194 Potato, culture, 468; disease, 102, 510; 118 ; growing trials, 37; Show, Alex- andra Palace, 302 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Potatoes—Porter’s Excelsior, 45; rest- ing spores of fungus, 52; maturing, 61; take up early, 71; sprouting, 130; super-tubered, 211; Early Rose, 229, 258; International Show, dis- ease in London, 265; American Breadfrnit, 266; Irish crop, 277; American Rose and Snowflake, 304; haulm manure, 312; Walnutleaved Kidney, $12: exhibiting, 332; stor- ing, 833; after Potatoes, 354; exhi- bited, disease, 406; will they wear out, 450; diseased, 416; Colorado beetle, 446, 518; for exhibition, 520; preparing for planting, 528; im- ported, 532; Lapstone Kidney, 559 Potting, 471; various, 243, 24 “Poultry-keeping for Profit or Exhi- bition,” 177 Poultry—farm paying ? 52; news, 105, 855 5 nodel house for, 10/ ; keeping, 413; extensive keeping, 106, 226; chickens feathering badly and dying. 106; cross-breeding, 106; run ia dry season, 152; profitable, 153; washing, 202; farming, 293, 414, 415, 453; imported, 226; yards, 270; young dying, 888; sales, 393, in Paris, 41 Porch, evergreen creeper for, 292 Preston Pigeon Show, 356 Primula, culture of double, 104; some species, 447; longifolia and culture, 448 Primulas, 532; double, 890, from seed, 409; blind, 412, 434 Pringlea antiscorbutica, 518 Protecting plants, 433 Pruning in winter, 530 Prunus, 462 z Putty, making, 475 Pyrethrum edgings, leaving, 812 Pyrethrums from seed, 112, 412 Pyrola rotundifolia, 191 Pyrus, 462 RABBITS, EATING THEIR YOUNG, £56 management of Lops, 562 Radishes, soil for, 312 Railway misdoings. 61 “Rain and Rivers,” 73 Rain, Mr. G. J. Symons’s volume on, 8 Ramogdia pyrenaica and culture, 511 Ranunculus and culture, 460 Raspberries, culture, 292, $11; three red, 412; weevils on, 16 Ray, John, 512 Reading Poultry Show, 416 Recreation grounds near London, 290 Red spider, 399 Regent’s Park, 283 Reigate Rose Show, 27 Reminiscences, 551 Repton, Humphry, 553 ; epitaph, 212 PRO INS obtusa gracilis aurea, 2 Rhexia virginica and culture, 4 Rhododendron forcing, 354 Rhododendrons, at Duneevan, 43; Geers 484; transplanting large Rhubarb forcing, 292 Richmond Horticultural Show, 5 Ripon Poultry Show, 40 Rivers’s Nurseries, 124 Robson, Mr. J., presentation to, 305 Rochdale Poultry Show, 198 Rock garden near Leicester, 310 Romneya Coulteri, 429 Roots, descending, 353; storing in winter, 227 Rockery, plants for, 73 osetia Society, West of Scotland, Rose Society, National, 506, 532 Roses—American opinion, 482; ants on, 82; Mr. Baker’s, 4; the best. 62; John Bright, 127; late blooming, 5382; on north border, 429; burying in winter, 446; late campaign of, 186 ; for small collection, 363; select crimson, 413; culture of in pots, 179 ; Messrs. Curtis & Co.’s, 8; cuttings, 429; from cuttings, 28, 104; under difficulties, 114; election, 86, 55, 188, 242, 257, 277, 298, 362, 365, 879, 384, 403, 421, 441; votes in election, 322, 842, 3416; nurserymen’s yotes, 364, 882; flowers small, 886; for foliage, 59; large foliage. 145; orange fangus, 61; for town gardens, 185; in small gar- dens, 447; how not to grow, 881; Marie Van Houtte, 227; house for, 8725 judging, 67; at Kensington, 72: late, 422; leaves mottled, 61; at Leek, 327; Manetti, 293, 452 ; raising Manetti stocks, 334; manuring, 423, 448, and plantmg, 464; Marechal Niel, 235; failing, 16; unhealthy, 475 ; mildew, 82,152,197; our old, 443 ; in exposed places, 251; list of for pots, 180; planting, 412, 484; repot- ting, 174 ; Réve d’Or, 475 ; Rhododen- dron bed for, 269; conference, 509, 517, 529; of rosarians, 446; seeds and cuttings, 245; ninety-nine select, 207 ; select H.P., 372; shows, 55; dark soil for, 129 ; at Southwell, 182; stan- dards, 410 3 Stocks for, 12, 45, 159, 259, 379; budding, $35; Tea-scented, 265, 312; cup for Tea, 405; twelve, apy vii RosEs—Continued. 7 variety, 276; transplanting, 299; twelve, any variety, 2:1; Paul Ver- dier, 90; vigorous, ; for cold vinery, 320; at Wisbeach, §; year of, 87; York and Lancaster, 61 Rockery. plants for, 73 Rosewood, $31 Roup, remedy for, 398 St. Jamres’s PaRE Canat, 558 Salisburia adiantifolia, 462; gation, 104 Salsafy, forcing, 475, 476 Saltaire Poultry Show, 106 Salt brine manure, 235 Sandown Park Horticultural Show, 26 Sandy Flower Show, 187 Sarracenias, winter, 426 Saul’s Nurseries at Washington, 50 Sawdust and Mushrooms, 812 Scale insects, 408, 448 scaly legs in fowls, 274 Scarborough Lily after flowering, 220 Schizostylis coccinea, 478 Scottish tour notes, 74, 122, 287, 845 Scutellaria mociniana, 830 Sea Buckthorn for shrubbery, 831 Seacoast vegetation, 861 Seagulls in gardens, 8 Sea-kale forcing, 82, 353 Seaside, evergreens, 559; plants, 260 Seashore trees and shrubs, $2 Season lesgons—spring, 112, 185, 181, 230 Sedum spectabile, 478 Sempervivum, californicum, winier- ing, 293; tabuleforme propagation, 1 propa- Senecio macroglossus, 510 September aspects, 286 Serapias papilionaceo-lingua, 351 Sewage at Paris, 831 Shading plant-stove, 82 Shrubs, for small garden, 372 ard, 503 ‘i Silkies roosting, 358 Silene pendula compacta hardy, 298 Skeletonising leaves, 22C Sleep of plants 208 Small fruits, tree form, 192 Smoky district, shrubs for, 538 Snails, excluding, 39 Snaith Poultry Show, 62 Snakeweeds, 361 Solanum capsicastrum culture, 412 Soot water, 293; for Vines, 105 South London Poultry Show, 500 Southport Flower Show, 37 Southwell, Mr. Merryweather’s nur- series, 182 Southwell Poultry Show, 396 Specimen preserving, 42 Spinach, culture of, 157 Spirea japonica, culture, pots, 245 Spirzas, forcing, 402 Stoke Park pouitry-yard, 415 “Stove and Greenhouse Ornamental leaved Plants,” 236 Stove, arrangements, 519; climber, red-flowered, 872; for greenhouse, 334; plants, management of, 178 Stoves, mineral oil, 245 Strawberries—culture, 12, 102, of Alpine, 197, extensive culture, 162; Sir J. Paxton, 98, 45, 72, 114, 167; to grow Hautbois, 55; mildewed, 60; for showing, 82; for light soil, 82; Mmanuring, 105; for sandy soil, 245 ; manure for, 354; as a field crop, 870; with Vines, 392; forcing, 392; for forcing, 433; in November, 427, 431,446; Garibaldi, 427, 431, 467, 481, 494; from seed, 434, 441 Suburban gardening, 14, 59, 102, 150, 195, 248, 299, 332, 370, 410, 451, 494, 586 - Sudbury House, succulents at, 172 Sunflower seeds, 274; seed for fowls 250 Sutton & Co., 494 Sutton & Sons’ temperance restaurant, 351; Root Show, 467 Swallow-worts, 470 . Swanley, flowers and fruit, 138; vege- table and fruit culture at, 162 Swindon Poultry Show, 477 A es 82, 54,70; beneficial effects ol, stand 861; in TABLE DECORATIONS, 51 Tacsonia buds falling, 129 Tarring trees, 519 Tasmania, notes from, 492 a anton Deane Horticultural Society, 42 Tea imported. 370 Temple, Sir W., 457 _ Tennis ground marking, 17 Thompson fund, results of, 172 Thorn decaying, 452 Thrips, 399 : Timber, of the United States, 140 trees, profitable, 240 Titlark and feeding, 19 Tobacco for fumigating, 269 Todea superba as aroom Fern, 100 Todmorden Poultry Show, 222 Tomatoes, culture, 102, 286; and Po- tato disease, 305, 327, 845, 366, 870; viii JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [ January 18, 1877. TomatoEs—Continued. stepping, 104, 130; as wasp preven- ters, 194 Tong Poultry Show, 106 Torquay lanes,3 “ Tree-lifter,” 100 Tree planting, 204, 216, 242; absence of, 212; ornamental, 148, 170, 192, and useful, 266; in Canada, 266; re- warded, 558 Trees, planting of for timber, 160; and shrubs, deciduous, 367, 420, 441, 461; native deciduous. 517 Boe culture, 381; Uvaria names, Tropzolums, bulbs, 334; Lobbianum, 406 ; speciosum, 115, 304, 340, 3f4, 405; speciosum and pentaphyllum cul- ture, 293 Truffle. the White, 98 Truro Poultry Show, 62 Tulipa Hageri, 58 Tulip, culture, 377; Tree sowing, 434; Tree, 462 Tulips for exhibition, 24 Tunbridge Wells Pottionltaral Show, 27; Poultry Show, 335 Turkeys, fattening, 438; heads“swoll- en, 292 TOENID, Red Globe, 405; Silver Ball, Turnips for winter and spring use, 157 Turr#a obiusifolia, 493 Tweed Vineyard, notes on, 28 UusTER HoRTIcULTURAL SHOW, 37 VALLOTA PURPUREA FOR BEDDING, 329 ‘Van Geert’s nursery, 464 Acacia longifolia ...... Alfreton Hall gardens. Apples, early - Aquarium... Asarum europzum Astrantia major... Banks, Sir Joseph Battersea Park .. Bestwood House Bishopstowe.........+.0--+« Buckingham Palace Gardens Bupleurum fruticosum .... Butomus umbellatus .... Caltha palustris .. Castle Kennedy Chambers, Sir W. Chrysanthemum, Curtis, W. - Comme ina tuk Draceoa Goldieana Dioscorearetisa .. Diospyros kaki ceseserseeee | Vegetable Marrow not swelling, 82 Vegetables, exhibiting, 269; prospec- tive scarcity of, 157 Vegetation early, 518 Veitch’s fruit prizes, 8 Veitch’s nurseries, 554 Veratrums and culture, 410 Verbenas for cut flowers, 70 Veronica Blue Gem, 406, 445, 472 Veronicas, useful, 421 Victoria Park, 489 Villa gardening, 14, 59, 102,150, 195, 243, 29), 332) 370, 410, 45), 494, 536 Vine border, covering, 475, 520; fun- gus, 475 Vine forcing, 891, 392;*select, 392; management of late, 393 Vinery, air, 1525 air-tight, 360; divid- | ing, 82; insects fin, 220; manage- ment, 14; plants in, 433 Vines—leaves brown, 17, 61; pot-cul- ture, 38, 173; failing, 89; over-luxu- riant, 61, 219; leaves, fungus on, 82; torips on, 105; not fruiting, 130; planting, i135, 152; leaves decaying, 131; extension system, 191; over hot-water pipes, 197; grafting, 203, 496; leaves falling, 208; changing, 220; not growing, 245; in pots in open air, 253: border, 259; insects on 259; for vinery, 292; charcoal for border, 812; cutting down old, 312; mildew, 16, 174, 331, 372, 526; border, 834; in greenhouse, 335, 412, 453 transplanting old, 835; in pots, 339: fruiting young, 372; pests, 39! dressing border, 412; pruning, 45 early foreing, 474; in pots, 475; Muscat in stove, 476; pruning, 503 ; for late vinery, 520; renewing old, 533; Muscats on the extension VinEs—Continued. _ system, 534; training, 549; tempe- ratures for, 559 Vineyard, French, 890 Viola odorata pendula, 392 Violas, culture of, 25: list of and culture, 174; notes on, 186 Violets, culture, 359; and Pansies, 349; Prince Consort, 352: odorata pen- dula, 298; select, 45; unhealthy, 476 Virginian Creeper for house wal, 372 WACHENDORFIA THYRSIFLORA AND CULTURE, 70 Walk draining, 220 Walks, making, 538 Wallflowers, stopping, 372 Walnut, 462 Walnuts, keeping, 393 Wardian cases and ferneries, 109 Warminster Poultry Show, 199 Wasps’ nests, destroying, 242, 331 Wasps, banishing, 96; in vineries, 194 Watercresses in pots, 431 Watering, 17; improper prapiice of, 181; in winter, 482 Watery soil, 293 Watford Poultry Show, 522 : Weather, 494; in London and Scot- lana, 558 Weeds on walks, 520 Weeks, doings of dast and present, 15, 88, 60, SO, 103, 129, 159, 173, 195, 218, 2, 267, 291, 811, 333, 352 371, 391, 411, | 2, 451, 474, 494, 518, 536, 558 | Weenine! trees, 503 | Weigel amabilis Looymansi aurea, WOODCUTS. Eryngium maritimum Espaliers . Forsyth, W. Gates and stiles .... Gooseberry, standard Hyde Park............ Kensington Gardens Knight, T. A. ........ Ladder, self-adjusting Liatris pyenostachya Miltonia cuneata Momordica balsamea Oncidium crispum flav Pearson, J.R. .... Phylloxera vastatrix.. Potato disease spores Poultry house ..,c.cs+0e Eaton Hall .........00006 Ray, John Primula longifolia... Pyrola rotundifolia Regent’s Park . Wellingtonia gi Wheelbarrows... Wimbledon Hous Wire strainers... Wollaton Hall}. Worsley Hall ......s0++0e» Wellingtonia gigantea pendula, 422 Wellington Poultry Show, 271 West Indian plants, 496 West of England Rose Show, 56 West of Scotland Rosariars’ Show, West Riding Flower Show, 119 Weybridge, 385 Weymouth Poultry Show, 221 Wheelbarrows, 330 White poultry exhibitors, 374 Wigandias, wintering, 292 Willows, 462 Wimbledon House, 262, 324 Wimbledon Horticultural Show, 47; Society, 235, 445 Wimbledon Gardeners’ Society, 143; anniversary, \87 Window, boxes in winter, $27; gar- dening, 511; plant Show, 50 Winter-tlowering plants, 290 Winter flowers, indoor early, 48L Wire, for fruit training, 351; strain. ing, 326 Wireworms, 409; destroying, 229, 559 in Vine border, 8385 Witloof, 474 Witsenia corymbosa, 331 Wollaton Hall, 189 Woodlark and feeding, 19 Woodlice in frame, 13) Woodwork, preserving, 261 | Woolly refuse, 496 Worsley Hall, 214, 237 Wych Elm, 219 XANTHOCERAS SORBIFOLIA PROPAGA- TION, 236 YEAR, RETROSPECT, 555 Yew hedge decaying, 560 Repton, Humphrey .. aaccco 3 Retinospora obtusa gracilis aurea - 555 Rhexia virginica .........2...++. a 4 Rose Maréchal Niel dears - 146 Scale insect ..... - 408 Temple, Sir W. - « 468 butiiesece BS. Victoria Park . . 490 Vine training, extension. - 535 Wachendorfia thyrsifora .. =k) Water barrow. July 6, 1876. } JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 1 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Dey pay Sa SY SE Tampeeetse nea Sun Sun | Moon | Moon | Moon's pologe Day ore ee 3 ondone Rises Sets: Rises. Sets. Age. San Yous Day. |Night.)Mean.| h. m. h. Slobsmisle he nee, m. 8, 6 | TH | Nottingham, Newark, and Frome Shows. 76.0 | 50.8 | 63.4 8 53) 8 16 8 59] 2 ro) ee 4 30 187 ' 7 |F Alexandra Palace Rose Show. Sandown Park Show. 73.7 | 50.8 | 62.2 SPSL 5 B15) 1-927) 78) 55 16 4 40} 188 8 |S Royal Botanic Society at 3.45. 74.0 | 50.0 | 62.0 SHeSSi S14) 9 465 es 17 4 49 | 189 9 | Sun | 4 Sonpay aFTER TRINITY. 74.1 | 49.4 | 61.8 38 56) 8 13/10 2) 6 28 18 4 58 | 190 10 M 74.7 | 50.3 | 62.5 3 57 8 12|10 14 7 87 19 5. 6 | 191 il Tu Ealing, Acton, and Hanwell Show. 74.5 | 50.7 | 63.0 Si5S) 8 11)'10 24) 8 51 20 5 14] 192 | 12 WwW Enfield and Wimbledon Shows. 76.6 | 50.5 | 63.2 8 59 8 11} 10 84)10 5 21 5 22 | 193 | a on observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 748°; and its night temperature PELARGONIUMS FOR CONSERVATORY DECORATION ALL THE YEAR ROUND. HE perfection to which the Pelargonium of the common Tom Thumb type has now been brought renders this class of plants very suitable for indoor decoration. At the present time there are some signs of the old hardy sweet-scented flowers being substi- tuted for the Geranium in many flower beds, and with the decadency of Geraniums for this purpose there is every appearance of their being used for conservatory decoration to a much greater extent than hitherto. Plants are not very plentiful which are capable of extending their flower- ing period over three or four months at the most, and it is pretty well known to those who are expected to have the conservatory replete with flowers every day of the year that it is often a difficult matter to keep up a gay appearance. With a quantity of selected and properly- managed Pelargoniums, however, every conservatory may be easily made a place of great beauty, not only at the change of the season, but throughout every day of the year. Those introducing these Pelargoniums for the first time generally begin with young plants in 3-inch pots. This is the first size they are put into after they are rooted, and strong young plants produce fine trusses of bloom in this size for a time. As soon as the plants look as if they wanted more space at the roots to develope themselves they should be shifted into 6:inch pots. When placed in the 3-inch pots about the beginning of March they gene- rally require to be shifted into the latter size about the latter end of May. The soil now, as at the first potting and all other times, should consist of somewhat open loam and a little thorough-decayed horse or cow dung. A small quantity of drainage carefully placed. at the bottom of each pot is very necessary. As there is plenty of space to place a good quantity of fresh soil around a ball which is shifted out of a 3-inch pot into a 6-inch one without reducing the ball it should be transferred into the larger size whole. While potting, in every case, the soil should be pressed very firmly. When this is not done the plants must be watered two or three times a-day in hot weather. Some weeks after being placed in the 6-inch pots most of the plants will have made sufii- cient wood to afford a few cuttings. These should be taken off the first, second, or not later than the third, week of July. Each cutting should be made in the ordi- nary way and placed singly in small thumb-pots amongst a mixture of loam, leaf soil, and sand. Until they have formed a quantity of roots they must be kept in a cool rather moist place in a somewhat confined atmosphere. At this time of year they root quickly, and as soon as ; they begin to grow they should be potted into 3-inch pots and set in an open frame, or in the open air altogether if a frame is not available. From the time they begin to grow in the 3-inch pots until the middle of September they should be fully exposed to the sun No, 797,.—VoL, XXXI., NEw SERIEs, , and never be allowed to droop from want of water. Before that time many of the plants will show bloom, but every particle of this should be removed as it appears. In September each plant should be potted into a 6-inch pot. After this they should be grown in a frame where they can be pro- tected from cold and wet, and all the flowers which are produced should be left on the plants after this time. In November this batch of plants will supply abundance of flowers, and continue to do so throughout the whole winter months. Plants treated in this way bloom as freely in the winter as spring-rooted plants do in summer. The plants in 6-inch pots which supplied these cuttings in July will be benefited by being cut-in or pinched again in August. Another batch of cuttings should be put in then, but instead of placing them in thumb-pots this time they should at once be put into 3-inch pots. In this size they should remain through the winter until March, or whatever time it is convenient to shift them into larger pots. As soon as the cuttings are taken off in August the plants from which they have been taken should be shifted out of the 6-inch into 8-inch or 9-inch pots. With this addition to their root room they again start vigor- ously into fresh growth and flower freely all winter. In spring the July-struck cuttings should be potted out of their 6-inch pots into others two or three sizes larger, when they will continue blooming throughout the summer. Those in the larger-sized pots may be cut down in spring and formed into cuttings. The plants are not of such a useful size when they become large in a 9-inch pot; besides, small, healthy, well-grown plants under a year old always produce finer blooms than plants on the de- cline. It will thus be understood that to have Pelar- goniums in perfection all the year round there should always be one batch of plants following on the heels of another; and it is a great point to have at least one lot of plants always in their prime, and this is easily enough obtained by propagating frequently, as above advised, aud never allowing the plants to become stunted in their pots -| before transferring them to larger pots. Throughout the whole of their existence potting and watering are the chief of their wants. At no period of their growth do they require to be syringed, sponged, fumigated, or have any of those endless operations per- formed on them which are so necessary to the well- being of fancy Pelargoniums, herbaceous Calceolarias, Cinerarias, and many other plants which might be named that only bloom for a brief space and are destroyed. An ordinary Pelargonium cutting will often bloom if allowed before it is well rooted, and I have seen them when potted-on continue to do so for twelve months after- wards without intermission. Certain varieties may be considered to have much to do with the time and duration of their blooming, but this need not be regarded as a matter of great importance. I have no experience of any other bat the Chilwell strain, and I have no particular desire to become acquainted with any other, as many of them include all that is required in a Pelargonium : colour, size, form are there. ‘lo be brief, I will not go further back than those which were sent out for the first No. 1449.—Vou, LVI., OLD SERIES. 2 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876 time last year, although there are many older than that worth mentioning. Scarlet: John Gibbons, very bright and large trusses, single blooms often measure more than 2 inches across; Rey. I’. Atkinson is the finest scarlet of last year’s introduction; it is superb in every way, and it has a good companion in this season’s lot in David Thomson. With us there is little difference between the flowers, but the leaves of the latter are perfectly green, while those of the former are deeply zonaled. Pink: Lady Byron, very fine indeed; Lucy Bosworth; Lady Sheffield, best of all this class; Mrs. Rogers, Sybil Holden, scarlet and crimson, with white eye; Mrs. Whiteley, Harl Manvers, Dora Charlton, A. Henderson (very dark crimson), Charles Smith, E. Davies, Sir H. S. Stanhope, scarlets, in the way of Corgair and Vesuvius, but much better; Wordsworth, Havelock, Lord Zetland. Other beautiful varieties: Mrs. Mellish, rose; Mrs. Leacroft, red, fine white eye; Ellen and Mrs. Jacoby, salmon; Frederick William, rosy plum colour, extra fine; Mrs. Lancaster, clear bright pink; Louisa Smith, vivid crimson; John Fellows, cerise; Mary Pearson, rose; Mrs. Mellish and Evelyn Mellish, light rose. Many more good varieties might be named, but these are very select. All those which are fine and free summer ‘bloomers are generally the same in the winter time.—J. Murr. FRUIT APPEARANCES AND PROSPECTS. Dunine the early part of May, with frost every night, the chance of a crop of fruit of any kind looked a very poor one indeed. - Matters have considerably improved since then, and wo may now fairly expect to retain such fruit aswehave. Pears are almost a total failure, and Apples are partially so. Late- flowering kinds are generally supposed to be the least liable to injury from frost, but they have not escaped this season so well as the early-flowering kinds. Irish Peach and Oslin, which were flowering in the middle of April, have a good crop on them; while Margaret, and others which did not flower till a month later when the frost was more severe, have next to no fruit. Some trees of various sorts shaded on the east side by timber trees from the early sun have also a good crop. Plums on the west walls are abundant, especially Early Fa- vourite, Cooper’s Large, Mirabelle, Purple Gage, and Green Gage; those on the east side have only athincrop. There was abundance of bloom everywhere, which appeared to set, but only a very small portion of fruit swelled off. Standards do not pay for growing here, as, owing to the soil and climate being rather ungenial, they get covered with insects, and there is no chance to wage war against them as there is with trees on a wall. Many of the wall trees, especially Golden Drop Plums, have much bare wood. I am in the habit of nailing-in some young wood every season to take the place of that which is weak or dis- figured ; it sometimes bears a few Plums the year after laying- in, and always forms quantities of spurs for fruiting in future seasons. Last year, owing, I suppose, to the unfavourable weather, many of these spurs formed ouly fruit buds—no wood buds at all, and now the frost has taken the fruit the branches are bare. ‘ Cooper’s Largo, or La Delicieuse, is a valuable Plum, it always bears, and is good for all purposes; it is better than Washington in all respects but appearance. Washington with me is a shy bearer—a very handsome iruit, but only second- rate in quality. : My fan-trained Peach wrees are similar to a lady’s fan when it has had too much wear and shows rather more framework than is desirable, but still there is some fruit on them and no blister. They had a wooden coping over them a foot wide, and were covered every night with frigi domo from the 9th of March to the beginning of June. Another wall with the trees trained cordon fashion has an abundant crop of fruit; this, however, had the benefit of being sheltered from the sharpest frosts in winter, as I did not consider the wood sufficiently ripe to bear much frost. None of the trees covered at night with frigi domo have a blistered leaf on them, and this in- eludes somo maiden trees planted in November. Other maiden trees of the same batch, and treated exactly similar, excepting that they had no frigi domo over them, though they had the same sort of coping-boards, are now quite worthless, every one of them being blistered, deformed, and stunted, and some actually dead. To succeed with Peach trees at all I find I must cover them from their infancy whether they have fruit on them or not. Herring nets, tiffany, and euch-like slight covering have been tried and found wanting; they will not keep out 8° or 10° of frost on two successive nights if the intor- vening day happens also to have a low temperature, and on “chance of haying a continuous unchecked flow. out of place from this damp climate. two or three occasions this spring the mercury did not riso above 35° any time during the day. A covering like a blanket -igs needed to keep out such weather. Although I have such abundance of fruit on my cordon trees, and the plan proves much more profitable here than fan- training, Ido not mean to train any more this way, as many of the trees are gumming badly, and plainly show they do not like so much restriction. I think the best plan will be one which ig more natural than any of the systems in ordinary use —viz., to plant maiden trees upright, and fasten the laterals on each side to form main branches, making a tree something of the shape of a horizontal-trained Pear, excepting that the branches instead of being horizontal should have an incline of 30° or 35°, and the bearing wood instead of being spurred should be laid-in on each side of the main branches. There is little or no winter pruning necessary to carry out this plan. A novice can see easier what there is to do toa tree than he can with a fan-trained tree (unless that fan- trained tree would keep as perfect as it does on paper, which somehow or other it never does), and when the sap all flows through one main to branches’ having all the same elevation instead of five or seven mains at different angles, to supply branches varying in elevation from 0° to 90°, there is a greater There is no need to cut maiden trees down, as is usually done if the wood is ripe, and the laterals generally thought useless are as good as any to train-in for a permanency. Those not required should be kept pinched-back till midsummer, and then be re- moved with the knife, but most of them can with advantage be left on and kept pinched-back to shade the stems. Light-coloured walls are far preferable to those of a dark colour, the changes of temperature being less violent. Cherries on walls, including Morellos, are a fair crop. There are none on standards and bushes. Currants are a partial crop and will not be fine. Gooseberries, Strawberries, and Raspberries are very abundant. We have had a long period of dry weather, and although our heavy soil is quite moist enough 6 inches below the sur- face, the surface itself had become dry and was cracking. I therefore thought it advisable to slightly mulch all fruit trees and some of the vegetables.—Winuiam Taytor. AURICULAS. I sHovuxp find it difficult to say how much my old love for Auriculas has been stimulated and refreshed by the pleasant articles which have appeared from time to time in your pages from the pens of the Rey. F. D. Horner and Mr. Douglas, and I daresay I am not alone in my feelings of gratitude to them for their hints and for the amusement they have afforded to our leisure moments. Notes on Auriculas would seem almost A moist atmosphere is a characteristic of Wales. The rainfall is large; the amount of cloud and driving rain from the neighbouring Atlantic make it appear even larger than the tell-tale pluvi- ometer will gauge. My garden is in a valley surrounded with trees, and the Rhododendrons thrive to such an extent that we are forced to cut them down in places with a ruthless hand to prevent their overgrowing our paths and smothering one another. Everything is indicative of damp, the enemy of the Auricula, yet ‘“‘ where there’s a will there’s a way; and even here with cave and attention I have had some blooms which have charmed me and my neighbours, while also some pecu- liarities have occurred which perhaps other growers may have similarly noticed. All my plants of Alderman Wisbey, Dickson’s Duke of Wel- lington, Campbell’s Robert Burns, Summerseale’s Catharina, Smith’s Ann Smith, and Mrs. Smith, besides other sorts of which I had but a single representative, never bloomed at all; the plants seemed to be perfectly healthy and vigorous, but they never showed symptoms of forming a truss. Of all my sorts which did bloom none was better than Heap’s Smiling Beauty. I had three planis, all of which came out perfectly, and I gather from the prizo lists at Manchester that other growers found this fine variety to be in form this year. I had a Col. Champneys in grand condition with nine large pips, which everyone at first sight selected as a gem. Vivid, gay, and dashing it certainly was, but place Smiling Beauty along- side, and the effect was as though you brought a gas jet to bear upon a farthing rushlight, so necessary is the golden throat to light up a first-rate Auricula. 7 My green edges have been very disappointing. One plant July 6, 1876. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 3 of Ashton’s Prince of Wales came out well with a beautifully | pure and vivid green edge, but the other plants were crumpled. Franklin’s Colonel is a favourite of mine, very pure and very lasting in the bloom. Oliver’s Lovely Ann and Trail’s General Niel seem fair and easily increased sorts, but Oliver’s Lady Ann Wilbraham was too heavy in the body colour. The grey edges have done better. Lancashire Hero (one of my plants is green-edged), Lightbody’s Inkerman, Cunning- ham’s John Waterston, McLean’s Unique, Lightbody’s Richard Headly, Fletcher’s Ne Plus Ultra, and Turner’s Ensign, which last was very fine, only the petals werd slightly recurved, opening beyond the flat. Among the whites after Smiling Beauty camo Taylor’s Glory, Lee’s Earl Grosvenor, Gairns’ Model, and Clegg’s Crucifix, a very bold large flower. In the self-edged class I like Lord Lorne as much as any. What a flower C. J. Perry would be with only a brighter eye ! Topsy, Pizarro, Blackbird, and Mrs. Sturrock came well. Slugs have proved formidable enemies. They abound in this damp country, and they will march long distances in the night and go direct to the heart of the best sorts. The larva of Phlogophora meticulosa (Angleshades Moth) and Plusia gamma (Gamma Moth) haye robbed me of Smith’s Lycurgus and Sykes’ Complete; and some Tortrix, which I am rearing to determine the species, has been at work. I have not lost my plants, but the larva succeeded in each case in taking sufficient from the heart to destroy the chance of bloom for the year before I discovered its presence. Would the Rey. F. D. Horner or other successful raiser of seedlings tell me how they manage their seeding? Is the selection of the pollen parent left to chance or insect agency ? or is the pollen taken from one to the other by means of a camel’s-hair brush, so that by selection of parentage the fail- ings of an Auricula may be corrected in its offspring? I have tried this plan this year; but I fear that my isolation of the mother plant has been incomplete, and that without a bell- glass to each plant the more fertilisation of the mother bloom with selected pollen may be insufficient.—J. T. D. L. IN AND ABOUT THE] TORQUAY LANES.—No. 3. No weather could be more suitable for enjoying these shaded lanes than that which is now about 90° in the shade, and of those lanes none are more shaded or more beautiful than those around Berry Pomeroy Castle, where I was the day before Iam writing this. Beneath the trees there—evidence of a late season—were still in bloom a few Wood Anemones, and poignantly did they recall to memory the day of boyhood of fifty years since, when [ first found that flower in the Langford woods of Essex, and had a word-combat as to the origin of its name. We had no dispute as to Anemone being derived from tho Greek for the wind, anemos, but we could not agree as to the why a flower which seeks for shade and shelter in woods should be called ‘‘ The Wind Flower.” I believe it was be- cause its pappused seeds are borne ‘ over the hills and far away,’’ even by the slightest wind. My companion, an old parson, who cherished both the Anemone and Ranunculus in his vicarage garden, advocated the growth of the dark-coloured varieties, and I read in the century-old book of the Dutch florist I quoted in my last, ‘‘ the best sorts to gather seeds _from are the deep violets, and such as are all red.” This has but slight reference to the Beech woods of Berry Pomeroy, but it was near a noble specimen of those Beeches that I saw the Anemone nemorosa. That noble Beech is known there as ‘‘ The Wishing Tree,” and the well-trampled surface around it testifies that very many pilgrims have thrice passed round it to win what they desire. A noble tree it is, some 150 feet high, with a trunk nearly 20 feet in circum- ference, and branches covering a circle 100 feet in diameter. It is one of very many I haye stood beneath, each associated with some bright aspect of our nature, and testifying that “it is a happy world after all.’ The Baobab in India, sacred to the most influential of Hindoo deities, and only another namo for God; the Gospel Oaks of England; the Mother Vines of Italy ; the cleft Ash trees through which to pass the diseased and the crippled; and the Yew trees of many graveyards, but one of the finest here has been taken away, that of Waldon Hill Wood. I sit within the ruins of Pomeroy Castle, and am saddened that it is one of the numerous possessions of the wealthy of our land that is not rendered residential. No places within those possessions are so worthy of being tenanted as those which haye a history. Berry Pomeroy Castle is one of these, and one of the Seymour family with a judgment and taste deserving commemoration commenced erecting a mansion worthy of his dukedom, but his successors unworthily have allowed it to be swept away. The Castle was built by a Pomerai in the reign of the first William, and remained possessed by his descendants for five centuries, and then was forfeited to the Protector Somerset, in the possession of whose descendants it yet remains. There and around here I have heard words quite new to me, and which may be jotted down in a cluster. Lippen, a bee hive; cockhedge, » Hawthorn hedge; cowslop, the Foxglove ; cuckoe, the Harebell; fast, the subsoil; hoop, a bullfinch ; skeer, to brush over with a scythe; tang and untang, to tie and untie; and wood-quist, a wood pigeon, the cooing of which I heard on my way to the neighbouring fine half-ruin Compton Castile, to which tradition tells there is a subterranean passage. Compton is a castellated mansion, and I call it a half-ruin because its centre has been rendered habitable, and has a farmer for tenant. Its garden, stone-walled and occupy- ing three-fourths of an acro, is stocked with huge old Goose- berry trees; tho walls are covered with Apple and Pear trees, all very old yet fruitful, and I regretted that the fruit was too ‘young for identification, and in the borders were rows of Raspberries and Wood Strawberries improved by culture, but still exhibiting their close relationship to the wild specimens which abound on the hedgebanks all around here. The climate so well suits the wild Strawberries that they may be found flowering in almost every month. The Apple trees are so gnarled and look as old as if they were on the walls when the cannons of the Cromwellians played against the mansion. Returning to Torquay I halted at the Exhibition of the Torbay Horticultural Society in Belgrave Park, on a site com- manding a marine view unsurpassable. I must restrict my notes te the Roses at the Show. The prizes were awarded as follows :— First prize a silver cup (open), for the largest and best collection of cut Roses, not legs than seventy-two distinct varieties.—Curtis, Sandford, & Co. Nurserymen only—Forty-eight distinct varieties.—Cup, Curtis, Sandford, and.. Co. Amateurs.—Forty-eight distinct varieties, one truss of each.—Cup, Mr, Beachey; 2, Rey. J. P. Tomlinson; 3, Mr. Robson. Twenty-four varieties, single trusses.—1, Mr. Beachey; 2, Rev. J. P. Tomlinson; 8, Mr. Robson, Twelve |varieties, three trusses.—1, Mr. Beachey; 2, Rey. J. P. Tomlinson” 8, Mr. Robson. Twelve distinct varieties, single trasses,—1, Mr. Beachey 3 2, Mr. W. Froude; 3, Mr. Spencer-Mead. Twelve best new Roses of 1874 and 1875, distinct, single trusses (open).—Curtis, Sandford, & Co. Six blooms of any Rose of 1875 or 1876.—Curtis, Sandford, & Co. Twelve single trusses. of any fine Rose.—l, Curtis, Sandford, & Co.; 2, Mr. Beachey. Large pouquet of Roses.—2, Mrs. Hogg. Hand bouquet of Roses.—2, Curtis, Sandford, & Co, Amateurs.—For vase or epergne of Roses, with foliage only. —1, Mrs. Hogg; 2, Mr. Beachey, Ladies only.—Ornamental basket of Roses, with Rose foliage only—Mrs. Hogg. Stand of yellow Roses, twelve blooms (open).—Mrs. Hogg. Stand of Tea Roses, twelve blooms.—Curtis, Sandford,. and Co. The seventy-two trebles, for which the first prize was awarded to Messrs. Curtis, Sanford, & Co., comprised the following varieties :— Hybrid Perpetuals: Alfred Colomb, Annie Wood, Antoine Ducher, Antoine Mouton, Alexander Dickson, Arthur Oger, Bessie Johnson, Bernard Verlot, Boule de Neige, Camille Bernardin, Capitaine Christy, Centifolia Rosea, Charles Lefebvre, Col. de Rougemont, Comtesse de Chabrilland, Countess of Oxford, Docteur Andry, Duc de Rohan, Duke of Wellington, Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Edinburgh, Dupuy-Jamain, Edward Morren, Empereur de Maroc, Etienne Levet, Hugéne Appert, Exposition de Brie, Frangois Michelon, General Jacqueminot, General Von Moltke, Hippolyte Jamain, John Hopper, Jules Margottin, La France, L’Esperance, Lelia, Louisa Wood, Madame Emma Combey, Madame Chas. Wood, Madame Hippolyte Jamain, Madame Lacharme, Madame Marie Finger, Madame Rothschild, Madame Victor Verdier, Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier, Mdlle. Marie Rady, Marie Baumann, Marguerite de St. Amand, Marquise de Castellane, Mary Turner, Mons. Etienne Dupuy, Mons. Noman, Pierre Notting, President Thiers, Prince Camille de Rohan, Princess Beatrice, Princess Louise, Richard Wallace, Rosa Bonheur, Sophie Coquerelle, Star of Waltham, Victor Verdier, Xavier Olibo. Teas: Cheshunt Hybrid, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Deyoniensis, Gloire de Dijon, Madame Maurin, Maréchal Neil, Marie Guillot. Bowrbon: Souvenir dela Malmaison. Perpetual Moss: Soupert et Notting. Iwas informed that this Show was the largest and most successful the Society has held, and I can testify that no better specimens of some of the varieties of the Rose could be found in England. Cheshunt Hybrid, Francois Michelon, and Maré- chal Niel were superlative.—G. PEACH BLISTER. Your correspondent Mr. Luckhurst says in your last volume, page 481, that Peach blister is ‘‘caused by the exposure of the expanding foliage [of the Peach]. to the influence of frost or cold cutting winds,” and as a decisive proof of this being 4 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. the cause he instances as follows:—Certain leaves exposed to the east wind suffered from blister, whilst other leaves not so exposed did not suffer. Mr. Luckhurst then goes on to say, “Tt has also been asserted that blister is caused by a fungus (Asecomyces deformans). This is undoubtedly a mistake; the fungus forms upon the affected part simply because it is a fayourable medium for its development.” As to the decisive proof of the cold cutting winds causing the blister, does Mr. Luckhurst not know that Peach blister often occurs with great virulence inside the most carefully protected orchard houses? Does the cold east wind sweep un- checked through these structures? When Mr. Luckhurst says the fact of Ascomyces causing blister is undoubtedly a mistake, one is tempted to ask, Who says it is undoubtedly a mistake ? Mr. Berkeley, who has made vegetable pathology a study for fifty years, says of Ascomyces deformans (‘ Outlines,” page 376) that it causes one form of blister, and everyone who knows the genus Ascomyces and is acquainted with the habits of the different species and how they distort foliage and fruit, will agree with Mr. Berkeley. No doubt the east wind will shrivel and wither all sorts of leaves and prepare them for the attacks of all sorts of fungi; but this is quite beside the question. A man may ex- pose himself to the east wind and then die of bronchitis, con- sumption, inflammation of the lungs, or other diseases, but no one but a quack would say that man died of the wind. A child may sit by a drain and speedily die of diptheria or eneid fever, but although the drain may have predisposed the child to the attack, he dies of diptheria or fever, not of drain. The truth of these statements is proved by the fact of diptheria, fever, and bronchitis infecting healthy subjects who have not been exposed to winds and drains. It is known to be the same with Peach blister and a large number of other fungoid diseases of plants. Mr. Luckhurst says, ‘‘Can anyone who asserts that fungus is the cause of blister give us any facts in support of a theory which strikes me as being mischievous and calculated to mis- lead?” As I, in common with many other observers, believe one form of Peach blister to be caused by Ascomyces de- formans (a form quite distinct from that of tender leaves shrivelled by the east wind), I venture to submit the above facts for Mr. Luckhurst’s consideration, trusting they may not prove mischievous and calculated to mislead.—W. G. SurrH. [Blistered Peach leaves with Ascomyces deformans were figured by Mr. W. G. Smith on page 31, vol. xxix.] HERCULES AT HOME. “T am in lovely bloom; do come over and see my Roses, but it must be either early in the morning or late at night. I stage for Maidstone at 4.30 a.m. (Tuesday).” Such was the message I received from Mr. Baker, and busy though I was I could not refuse the invitation, so I went by the last train to Exeter with the intention of helping him to stage for Maid- stone. ‘‘If you are waking call me early; call me early, Mary dear,” was my request to the Abigail at the lodgings; but, alas! I needed not to be called, for the fear of being too late kept me awake all night, and punctually at 4.30 I turned up at Heavitree. There I found Hercules on the look-out for his gardener, and much astonished to find me instead. However, the old man soon appeared, and then we set to work. But what a sight met my eyes! I cannot better describe it than by saying you looked over a sea of bloom. There were four thousand Rose trees in full bloom, spread over 2 space which certainly did not exceed a quarter of an acre, and in my opinion was much less. Every good Rose in cultivation with one exception was in full bloom. That one was, strange to say, La France, which with me is always one of the earliest to bloom. Under the shade of gigantic Elms the boxes were placed, and the tubes filled with spring water, and then we began to cut for the cup, which before these lines see the light will be on the Heavitree sideboard. What a treat it was to stage that stand of thirty-six. The difficulty here was not where to find a grand bloom of a yariety, but which to take and which to leave of blooms that would grace any stand. We commenced with Marquise de Castellane, and I do not hesitate to say that if we had had to stage twenty-four blooms of that variety we could have done it, and yet left numbers of perfect blooms. I can, although I took no list, tell you all about the best Roses at Maidstone: Xavier Olibo, Annie Laxton, Centi- folia Rosea, Marguerite de St. Amand, Ferdinand de Lesseps, [ July 6, 1876. Duke of Edinburgh and his Duchess, Mdlle. Engénie Verdier, Countess of Oxford, Marie Baumann, all in the finest possible form, and many others too; in fact, when the boxes were closed I only saw two blooms which could in any way be con- sidered weak. It was a treat also to see the wonderful knowledge displayed by Hercules as to the endurance of the various blooms. Edward Morren and blooms of the kind were cut more than half ex- panded, while Xavier Olibo and others of those rapid openers were cut quite in the bud. By seven o’clock all was completed, and the boxes carried off to the cellar, there to wait till the night mail conveyed them in the cool to Maidstone. A box of spare blooms was cut at night. I now predict that the cup value £10 will be awarded to R. N. J. Baker, Esq., Heavitree, Exeter.—Joun B. M. Camm. RHEXIA VIRGINICA. Our figure represents a small family of plants said to be indigenous to the vast continent of North America. Though a small family there is something very interesting about them to the lover of choice, hardy, herbaceous plants. Rhexia Fig. 1—Rhesia virginica. virginica was introduced to our gardens as far back as 1759; the plants of this species require care and skill to cultivate them successfully. Rhexias are but little known and less cultivated, and are seldom met'with. There are only four or five kinds enumerated in some of the best works we have, but they are a race of plants of great beauty and ought not to remain longer in the background. , Their requirements can be met by imitating their natiy. habitats—sandy bogs. If they are accommodated with sandy peat and moisture success may be expected. They make fine plants on the moist rockery, and they will also succeed with care in a cool peat border, but they must be supplied with water when required. It requires time to get them established, and except for increase the plants should not be disturbed. They are increased by division when growth has commenced in spring. I. have not seen or heard of their being increased _ by seed. They are summer-blooming plants of great beauty, and ought to be much more cultivated than they are at the July 6, 1876. 1] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 5 present. When well grown and caught in condition they would prove telling plants for exhibition purposes in col- lections of hardy herbaceous plants.—N. RICHMOND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SHOW. Unver the auspices of a favourable day—neither too hot nor too cold—the second annual Exhibition of this Society was held in the Old Deer Park on the 29th ult. The Society, which embraces the district of Twickenham, Isleworth, Hast Sheen, Kew, Ham, and Petersham, is under the immediate patronage of H.R.H. the Duchess of Cambridge, H.R.H. the Duchess of Teck, H.R.H. the Duc d’Aumale, and H.R.H. the Duke of Teck, who is the President of the Society. It has an influential and practical Committee, and indefatigable officers in Lieut.-Col. F. Burdett, Treasurer, and Mr. Albert Chancellor, Hon. Secretary. Although the Society is young it is prosperous, and its Exhibi- tions may be numbered as of the best in the vicinity of London. The Deer Park is particularly suitable for a horticultural féte, the Beeches and Oaks being sufficiently large and numerous to afford shade to all visitors without interfering with the enjoy- ment of an agreeable promenade. Under these fine trees the tents were erected—one 140 feet by 50 feet for plants, and others of smaller dimensions for fruit and vegetables, table decorations and Roses, and cottagers’ productions. Large as was the space under canvas it was not suflicient to accommodate without undue crowding the many competing collections, and conse- quently the arrangements. were not so favourable for judging and for inspection as they otherwise would have been. It can never fail to add to the interest of a show if the collections in given classes are placed conveniently near to each other, and this, where space is sufficient and taste is exercised, is not an- tagonistic to artistic arrangement; but when a first-prize group is on one side of a tent, and the second-prize lot on the other, visitors simply become bewildered in fruitless searches for the different exhibits for purposes of comparison, and obstruction of the promenades is the inevitable consequence. The Show in question was a crowded Show—crowéded with excellent productions, and crowded with a select company of appreciative visitors. The centre of the large tent was devoted to specimen plants arranged on baize-covered stages, the sides being devoted to groups of plants arranged for effect on the grass, These groups were semicircular, each occupying about 100 square feet, and were placed at wide intervals apart, the interspaces being occupied by Ferns, Orchids, &c. The tent had thus a rich and pleasing effect. For the collections mentioned prizes of £5, £4, £3, and £2 were offered, and they were awarded to Mr. Kinghorn, Sheen Nursery, Richmond; Messrs. Jackson and Sons, Kingston-on-Thames; Mr. Bowell, gardener to Sir Aenry Parker, Richmond; and F. Wigan, Esq., Clare Lawn, East Sheen, in the order named, an extra prize being awarded to Mr. Bates, gardener to W. H. Punchard, Esq., Poulett Lodge, Twickenham. The whole of these collections were composed of a judicious mixture of fins-foliage and flowering plants, their arrangement generally being of’a free and informal character. Prizes of this nature cannot fail to give an impetus to the taste- ful arrangements of plants, and we were glad to see the com- petition so good and the collections so meritorious. Mr. King- hhorn’s group was edged with Lycopodiums; and Messrs. Jackson had a charming fringe of Agrostis nebulosa raised from seed sown this spring. SrovyE anD GREENHOUSE PLants.—In the class for nine plants Messrs. Jackson & Sons had the first place with plants as fresh as if shown in May. Noticeable were Kalosanthes coccinea superba 4 feet in diameter, Aphelexes, and Dracophyllum gracile” of still larger dimensions, Allamanda grandiflora exceedingly bright, a splendid Erica obbata, and a fine Pheenocoma. These - were not one-sided plants, but were as perfectly furnished as they were healthy and well bloomed. Mr. Child, gardener to Mrs. Torr, Garbrand Hall, was placed second for a good collec- tion; Mr. Ellis, gardener to J. Galsworthy, Esq., Coombe Leigh, Kingston Hill, being third for plants still better, but not sufii- ciently distinct to entitle them to a higher position; they were, however, undeniably well grown. For six plants Mr. Atrill, gar- dener to C. J. Freake, Esq., Bank Grove, Ham, had the first place with an excellent collection of freely trained plants; Mr. Orafter, gardener to the Rev. W. Finch, Woodlands, Kingston Hill, being second for a somewhat irregular collection, yet con- taining some good specimens. For nine fine-foliage plants Mr. Legg, gardener to S. Ralli, Esq., Cleveland House, Clapham Park, was first with the same fine plants which won him the premier place at the Royal Hor- ticultural Society’s Show at South Kensington. These plants bear the impress of superior culture, being in exuberant health, rich colour, and, for the size of their pots, they are very large. The Crotons Weismanii, variegatum, and Johannis, and Alocasia macrorhiza variegata (the finest plant, perhaps, ever exhibited), were in magnificent order; and the Palms Geonoma pumila and Stevensonia grandifolia exceedingly fine. Mr. Child had the second place with highly coloured Crotons, a very fine Pandanus Veitchii, large Maranta zebrina, Palms, &c., a most creditable group; Mr. Kinghorn having the third place with Palms, Phor- mium tenax variegatum, Yucca aloifolia variegata, Ananassa sativa variegata, &c. For six fine-foliaged plants Mr. Bates, gardener to W. H. Punchard, Esq., was placed first, Mr. Atrill second, and Mr. Crafter third. Mr. Bowell, gardener to Sir H. Parker, and Mr. Morrell, gardener to J. S. Rutter, Esq., Cam- bridge Park, Twickenham, staged collections worthy ot recogni- tion. In this class,in which the competition was great, size counted far more than quality and effect; all, however, cannot have prizes if all stage good collections. In the classes for Pelargoniums Mr. James, gardener to W. F. Watson, Esq., Redlees, Isleworth, was a long away ahead with both show and fancy varieties. The plants were 2 to 2} feet in diameter, not flat, but semi-globular, more effective than cart- wheel specimens, and in such modern varieties as Sultan, Zephyr, Pompey, Superb, and Example, all superior; his fancy varieties comprising Hast Lynne, Mirella, Madame Sainton Dolby, Lucy, and The Shah. Mr. Wells, Selwyn Court Gardens, Richmond, was second with show, and Mr. Morrell with fancy varieties. In the class for zonals Mr. Crafter was first and Mr. Morrell second for healthy and well-bloomed plants; and for tricolors and bicolors Mr. Tipping, 9, Sheendale Villas, Rich- mond, had the premier prizes for well-coloured medium-sized specimens. Caladiums were remarkably fine, Mr. Morrell win- ning with robust well-coloured plants 3 to 4 feet in diameter ; Mr. James being second with plants almost equally fine; and Mr. Peel, gardener to Lady John Chichester, Cambridge House, Twickenham, third, also for good examples of culture. The Caladiums were the finest plants that have this year been ex- hibited, and Mr. Morrell has now secured the first prize with them for fourteen years consecutively. Begonias were fairly well exhibited, the awards going to F. Wigan, Esq., Mr. Atrill, and Mr. Wells respectively for highly creditable collections. Fachsias were well represented, the plants being healthy, well flowered, and not too closely trained. Mr. Crafter was placed first, Mr. James second, and Mr. Wagstaffe third. These collec- tions made a very attractive display, and were greatly admired by visitors. Ferns.—These were remarkably good and very numerous. For six plants, exotic, Mr. Smith, gardener to A. Cooper, Esq., Park Road, Twickenham, was first with Davallia Mooreana 5 feet in diameter, Adiantum gracillimum 2 feet through, very good; A. farleyense, Gymnogramma ochracea, and G. peruviana argy- rophylla and Lomaria gibba. Mr. Atrill was second, and Mr. Morrell third, both of whom staged excellent collections. In the class for eight plants F. Wigan, Esq., was first with a very fine Cyathea medullaris, a Dicksonia, two Alsophilas, and four Adiantums. Had not these plants been good as well as large they would not have overweighed the second-prize group (Messrs. Rollisson’s), which contained beautiful Filmy Ferns, while many considered Mr. Child’s third-prize collection quite equal to the others. It contained a Cyathea and Dicksonia, both very good, and a highly superior specimen of Lomaria gibba. James Wigan, Esq., exhibited an admirable collection of Adi- antums. Hardy Ferns were rather small but very good, Mr. James being placed first, Mr. Crafter second, and Mr. Morrell third. Athyrium Filix-femina plumosum in Mr. James’s collec- tion was particularly elegant, Orcaips.—These were not numerous, but some good if small plants were exhibited. The first place for eight plants was se- cured by Messrs. Rollisson & Sons, their collection including Oncidium crispum grandiflorum, very fine ; Cypripedium Stonei, Saccolabiums guttatum and Schroéderi, Dendrobium Devoni- anum, Epidendrum vitellinum majus, and Odontoglossum Alex- andre, all good. Messrs. Jackson & Sons were second with larger plants, including Lelia Brysiana, with sepals and petals of snowy whiteness; L. purpurata, Saccolabiums retusum and premorsum, and Aérides Lobbii and odoratum majus, very large. Mr. Bates, gardener to W. H. Punchard, Esq., had the third place; an extra being awarded to Mr. Child, Saccolabium guttatum in his group being exceedingly fine. Messrs. Rollisson exhibited Cypripedium spectabile in superior condition, also C. niveum and the remarkably spotted Mormodes pardinum. In the miscellaneous collection of plants Messrs. Veitch staged a choice group, also a collection of Roses in pots, very dwarf, very good, and greatly admired; Mr. Dean, Haling, an extensive and attractive collection of succulents and bedding plants; Mr. Chancellor, very superior Musk; Messrs. Osborne & Sons, Ful- ham, a large and effective group of decorative plants; Mr. W. Steel, Richmond, standard Hollies, highly ornamental ; Mr. Chambers, Westlake Nursery, Isleworth, dwarf flowering Be- gonias, which surrounded with Isolepis gracilis had a good effect ; and Mr. Goddard, gardener to H. Little, Esq., seedling bedding Geranium Rosa Little, very brilliant and floriferous, which has received a first-class certificate at South Kensington. As speci- men plants Mr. Bowell exhibited a good plant of Pelargonium Unique; and Mr. Linser, gardener to J. Bali, Esq., West Hay, East Sheen, a specimen of the same type—a pyramid 5 feet high, and 6 feet in diameter at the base. .Mr. Kinghorn ex- 6 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876. bibited a new Fern, Adiantum hirsutum, highly distinct and elegant. DINNER-TABLE DEcoRaTIONS.—These were not numerous nor very superior. They were placed also on incongruous and rudely-constructed tables. In Class 62, open to all, Miss King- horn had the first place with a charmingly arranged table, the fruit being excellent, and the decorations of flowers and Ferns exceedingly chaste; Mr. Brown, Marshgate, Richmond, having the second place with a neatly arranged table of fruit, Ferns, and Grasses. In Class 63, for ladies of the district, Miss EH. Mackinnon, Ham Common, was placed first; Mrs. Askew, Ellerker House, Richmond, second; and Mrs. Mackinnon third, with elaborately arranged tables. For single decoration Miss Rose Little, Cambridge Park, Twickenham; Miss J. Warde, 8, South Terrace, Richmond ; and Mrs. Hunter, Isleworth, were placed in the order named. Miss Little’s decoration—a glassy pool with Water Lilies, and a miniature bank fringed with flowers—was very ornamental. Bouquets were not good, nor * button-holes ” superior. In this tent a basket of hardy flowers exhibited by Lady Parker was highly ornamental, and it is to be regretted that there was not a better response for the prizes offered by Lady Parker for flowers of this nature; the example sent was very charming. Hanging baskets were also exhibited in the same tent, but some of them were “made-up affairs,” and none superior. The prizes went to Mr. Atrill, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Morrell. Rosrs.—Of these many boxes were exhibited, Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, securing the chief prizes for thirty-six and twenty-four blooms in the open class; Messrs. Dobson & Sons being second. Madame Lacharme in Messrs. Pauls’ stand was in excellent form. Mr. Laing exhibited good boxes, not for com- petition. In the amateurs’ classes for twenty-four blooms Mr. Moorman, gardener to the Misses Christy, had the first place for an admirable stand, followed by Mr. James, Redlees; and J. S. Virtue, Esq., Oatlands Park. Mr. James also secured the special prizes offered by C. Turner White, Esq., and H. G. Bohn, Esq. Other successful exhibitors were J. Wigan, Esq., Rev. W. Finch, Mr. Holford, Mr. Yates, D. Roberts, Esq., R. H. Hunter, Esq., &c. For eighteen bunches of cut flowers Mr. James, Messrs. Dobson & Sons, and Mr. Kinghorn staged good coliections, and were awarded the prizes in the order of their names. Fruit,—There was a good show of fruit, but it was generally not of a high quality. Pines were small but ripe. W.H. Pun- chard, Esq., was first for three fruits, also for one fruit. Mr. Brown, gardener to H.R.H. the Duc d’Aumale, having a third prize. Grapes were rather extensively exhibited, but with the exception of about three dishes they were brown and not Black Hamburghs. For a single bunch of black Grapes F. Wigan, Esq., was first; Mr. Sallows, gardener to J. J. Flack, Hsq., second; and Mr. Bates, gardener to W. H. Punchard, Hsq., third; but none of them were superior. For three bunches of black Grapes Mr. Bowell was first with very good Black Ham- burghs; Mr. Bates being second with unripe Madresfield Courts; and Mr. James third with small bunches, but the best finished Hamburghs in the Exhibition. For Muscats, Mr. Bates was first with fine, well-filled, and finished bunches; Mr. Fry, gar- dener to Col. Beresford, being second; and F. Wigan, Esq., third. For a collection of six dishes, Mr. Cornhill, gardener to J.S. Virtue, Esq., was first with a Pine, Grapes, Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, and Strawberries, all good; Mr. Kent, gardener to C. W. Curtis, Esq., Coombe End, Kingston, being second. For Melons (green-flesh), Mr. Pithers, Munster House, Fulham, was first with an excellent and handsome fruit of A. F. Barron,-the best Melon in the Exhibition; J. Wigan, Esq. being second with Heckfield Hybrid; and F. Wigan, Esq., third. Scarlet- flesh—first, F. Wigan, Esq., with Cox’s Golden Gem; second, Mr. Brown, Orleans House, with Little Heath; and third, Mr. Wagstafie with a seedling. Mr. Turner, George Street, Rich- mond, exhibited four fruits of Little Heath weighing 17 lbs. 9 ozs. In Strawberries (two dishes), Mr. James was first with President and Sir J. Paxton; Mr. Croker, gardener to G. Whitby, Esq., second with Sir J. Paxton and Sir C. Napier; and Mr. Fry third with Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury and Keens’ Seedling. For single dishes the prizes went to Mr. Croker, Mr. James, and Mr. Bond. ‘The Strawberries were good and well coloured. For Peaches, Mr. Lake, gardener to Mrs. Boycott, Cambridge Park, Twickenham, was first with Royal George, very fine; Mr, Atrill being second, and Mr. F. Wigan third. For Nectarines, Mr. Lake was first with Violette Hitive, excellent; Mr. Baker, gardener to W. Budd, Esq., second with Pine Apple; and Mr. Wells third. For Plums, Mr. Baker was first with Kirke’s ; and Miss Headley second with Transparent Gage. Cucumbers were of fair quality, Mr. Beadle, gardener to EH. A. Woodroffe, Esq., winning with White Spine, Mr. Morrell being second with Tender and True, and Mr. Wells third with Monro’s Duke of Edinburgh. VrGErTarLes.—These were not of high quality. For a collec- second, his collection including good Celery; and Mr. Atrill third. Messrs. James Carter & Co. offered a silver cup value five guineas for eighteen dishes, for which there was very good competition; Mr. Bond, gardener to -Mrs. Beckford, Oxford House, Ham, winning, his collection including Mushrooms and Celery, otherwise it was no better, if as good, as some of the other collections. Potatoes were generally small, Cabbages and Cauliflowers large, Peas scarce, and Turnips and Carrots anything but good. Some of the vegetables staged by the cottagers were fully as good as those exhibited by gardeners. For cottagers many special prizes were given, and a good display of garden products _ were staged. Altogether the Exhibition must be pronounced & very successful one, and visitors were exceedingly numerous. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. JULY 5TH. Fruit Comnurrrer.—Henry Webb, Esq., in the chair. A very fine dish of Tomatoes, called Jackson’s Tomato, was sent by Mr. R. Gilbert of The Gardens, Burghley. They were large, almost quite smooth without furrows, and of a fine deep red. It re- ceived a cultural commendation. Mr. Wright, gardener, the Manor House, Lower Stoughton, sent a dish of a seedling Pea which very much resembled Dickson’s Favourite. As the Com- mittee decline to give an opinion upon Peas except in a state of growth these were passed. Colonel Trevor Clark sent fruit of the Doyenné d’Eté Pear perfectly ripe. Mr. Charles Turner of Slough sent a fruit of the White Turkey Cucumber, an old variety now almost out of cultivation in this country, but well known as one of the best in flavour, and with a fine aroma. Philip Crowley, Esq., of Waddon House, Croydon, sent a fine specimen of Shaddock, to which a cultural commendation was awarded. Mr. Gilbert, The Gardens, Burghley, sent several seedling Melons. One, called The First Lord, was raised from the African Melon of Sir S. Baker crossed with Victory of Bath, but it was not considered to possess any merit. The second was a red-fleshed variety, which was also inferior in flavour. The third, Hughes’ Golden Nugget, was better than the preceding, but still inferior. The true African was very deficient of flavour. Hero of Bath, a red-fleshed variety, was the best of the collec- tion. Prince’s Favourite, another red-flesh, was also inferior. Mr. Oxford, The Hall, Kenilworth, sent a Melon raised by cross- ing Hero of Bath with Horticultural Prize, but it-was inferior in flavour. A seedling Strawberry called Pioneer was sent by Thomas Laxton, Esq., of Stamford—a handsome cone-shaped Strawberry with a firm flesh, a briskly flavoured fruit with a decided Haut- bois aroma. The skin is dark red, and the seeds are small and prominent. It was awarded a first-class certificate. A collection of thirty-seven varieties of Strawberries came from the garden at Chiswick. Mr. Batters, gardener to Mrs. Willis Fleming, sent a dish each of Winter Greening and Nor- folk Beefing Apples. Fuorat Commrrre.—R. B. Postans, Esq., in the chair. A pair of very fine plants of Spirwa palmata were exhibited by Mr. Strahan, gardener to P. Crowley, Esq., Waddon House, Croydon. These plants were 5 feet high and through, and each contained thirty heads of beautiful pink flowers, and the foliage was perfect, overhanging the sides of the pots. A cultural cer- tificate was worthily awarded for these fine specimens. R. B. Foster, Esq., Clewer Manor, Windsor, exhibited seven varieties of show Pelargoniums, and first-class certificates were ~ awarded to Lord of the Isles, a bold highly-coloured flower with large truss and fine foliage, a splendid variety; to Sappho, a dwarf variety of close habit, the lower petals being salmon pink, the upper petals violet cerise, with very dark blotch and white centre, very attractive ; and to Toby, a flower of good substance, smooth, and of the most intensely crimson scarlet to be found in Pelargoniums. : A botanical certificate was awarded to Mr. Green, Botanical Nursery, Holmesdale Road, Reigate, for Eryngium pumilum, a hardy Thistle-like plant with violet-tinted bracts and spiny florets—an interesting plant. A first-class certificate was awarded to Thomas Laxton, Hsq., Stamford, for double white Pelargonium Mrs. Trevor Clarke, This is not a dirty pink semi-double variety, but is really doublé and really white. It appears to be a free bloomer, and the trusses are large; the leaves possess great substance and are faintly zoned. This plant is thoroughly distinct, appears to possess intrinsic merit, and is an important acquisition to double Pe- largoniums: it can hardly fail to become very popular. , A cultural commendation was awarded to Mr. R. Veitch, Exeter, for a pan of the brilliant-berried plant, Nertera depressa, a remarkably fine specimen; the small coral-like berries being packed tier upon tier. This charming alpine plant is worthy of extended cultivation. It is very nearly or quite hardy. Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited Ferns Osmunda tion of ten kinds Mr. Fry, Sheen House, was first; Mr. Bond ' palustris and Niphobolus lingua cristata, a very fine Gloxinia, 29a ee Joly 6, 1876. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 7 a new Lelia, and Ismene amancaés var. integra with yellow Narcissus or rather enlarged Pancratium-like flowers, the pre- vailing colour being bright yellow. It is a very gay plant re- quiring greenhouse treatment. Mr. T. Laxton exhibited several new Roses; and Mr. Turner exhibited a close dark crimson Rose. These varieties require further time to prove their character. WESTMINSTER AQUARIUM ROSE SHOW. JuLY 5TH AND 6TH. Fortunate in time of fixture must be written of this Show, for it was timed when Roses generally were in fullest beauty. The collectious were very superior, many, perhaps the majority, of the blooms being in the perfection of splendour. The com- petition was also good, and the Show was large as well as excel- lent, notwithstanding that several exhibitors who had entered failed to fulfil their engagements, a practice which unfortunately would appear to be growing into a system. We cannot do more than record the winners in several of the classes, the varieties being the same as those reported as successful at other shows held earlier in the week, only here they were, as a whole, finer than any which have been previously submitted to the public during the present season, not even excepting the admirable display that was staged at Oxford. The collections were arranged round the sides of the large hall, the table decorations being in the eastern vestibule. In Class 1, for seventy-two Roses distinct (nurserymen), five competitors, Mr. Cant, Colchester; Messrs. Cranston & Mayos, Hereford; Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt; and Mr. Keynes, Salisbury, were placed in the order named with really grand collections; Messrs. Cranston’s being the smallest blooms, and Messrs. Pauls’ the largest. In Class 2, for forty-eight trebles, six collections, Messrs. Paul and Son being first, Mr. Keynes second with rather small but beautifully fresh blooms; Mr. Turner, Slough, third, and Mr. Oant fourth. This class was most difficult to judge. Mr. Keynes’s were much the smallest and Messrs. Pauls’ the largest blooms. In the class for twenty-four trebles Mr. Turner was first with a grand end most perfect collection, Messrs. Paul & Son, Ches- hunt, being second, Mr. Keynes third, and Mr. Cant fourth ; and in Class 4, for twenty-four single trusses, five competitors, Mr. Turner was first, Mr. Cant second, Mr. Keynes third, and Messrs. Cranston & Mayos fourth, all staging in admirable form. In the amateurs’ class for forty-eight single trusses Mr. Baker, Heavitree, was first with a formidable collection of undoubted merit ; Mr. Nicholl, gardener to T. H. Powell, Hsq., Drinkstone Park, Bury St. Edmunds, being second, and Mr. Hollingworth, Maidstone, third. In Class 10, for twelve Tea-scented or Noisette Roses (nursery- men), four competed, the awards going in the following order to Messrs. J. Mitchell & Sons, Piltdown Narseries, Uckfield; Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt; and Mr. J. Keynes, Salisbury. The blooms were larger, but not equal in quality and freshness to those in the following class. Hor twelve Teas (amateurs), seven competitors, the Rev. J. B. M. Camm, Monkton Wylde, Charmouth, being first with a splendid stand containing Marie Van Houtte in a style we have never seen equalled; Madame Bravy, Souvenir d’Elise, Triomphe de Rennes, Devoniensis, Catherine Mermet, Céline Forestier, Souvenir d’un Ami, Com- tesse de Nadaillac, Moiré, Caroline Kuster, and Souvenir de Paul Neron. T. Jowitt, Esq., The Old Weir, Hereford, was second with blooms of almost equal excellence, and J. Holling- worth, Esq., Turkey Mills, Maidstone, third. For twelve Roses, single blooms (open), five competed. Mr. ~ Cant was placed first for a marvellously fine collection; Mr. G. Cooling, Bath, being second ; and Mr. R.N. G. Baker, Heavitree, Devon, third. In the class for twenty-four Roses in 8-inch pots (open), Messrs. Paul & Son were first, and Mr. Turner second, for dwarf plants, having from five to ten blooms on each. For twelve trusses of Alfred Colomb Messrs. Paul & Son were placed first, they being the only exhibitors. For twelve trusses of Duke of Edinburgh Mr. Cant was first with immense blooms ; and Messrs. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, second. For twelve trusses of Baroness de Rothschild ten fine collections were staged. Mr. R. N. G. Baker being first with really magnificent blooms; J Sargent, Esq., Reigate, being second. For twelve trusses of La France there were five competitors, Mr. Burley, The Nurseries, Brentwood, winning with perfectly formed blooms ; Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, having the second place. For twelve trusses of Maréchal Niel, Mr. Cant was first with rather poor blooms. For twelve trusses of Marie Baumann Mr. Turner was first, and Messrs. Paul & Son second, for splendid collections. For twelve trusses of Devoniensis Mr. Cant was the only exhibitor, staging blooms 4 to 5 inchesin diameter, and securing the first prize. \ In the amateurs’ class for twenty-four single trusses the com petition was great, and the quality of the collections very good. ‘The first prize was awarded to Mr. Sargent, Reigate; second to Mr. T. Gravely, Cowfield, Sussex; third Mr. Gould, Mortimer, Berks ; and fourth Mr. Camm. In the class for twelve single trusses, nine collections, Mr. Benstead, Rockston, Maidstone, being first with a splendid box; the Rev. A. Cheales, Brockham Vicarage, Reigate, second (ad- mirable); Mr. Ridout, gardener to W. L. Brown, Hsq., Reigate, third; and J. H. Pemberton, Hsq., and O. O. Hanbury, Esq., equal fourth. All very good. In the class for twelve Roses of 1874, 1875, or 1876 (open), Mr. Turner was first with Villaret de Joyeuse, Miss Hassard, Sir G. Wolseley, Antoine Mouton, Royal Standard, Oxonian, Perle des Jardins, William Gayter, Mrs. Baker, Countess Serenyi, J.S. Mill, and Rev. J.B. M. Camm. Messrs. Paul & Son were second, Duke of Connaught and Duchess of Edinburgh being particularly fine. Mr. Keynes third, and Mr. Cant fourth. In Class 9, for six trusses of any Rose of 1874, 1875, or 1876, seven competitors. First prize Mr. Cant for Prince Arthur, a Rose of the type of Général Jacqueminot, having great smoothness of petal extraordinary rich in colour, and sweet—a fine variety. lr. Turner was second, and submitted in one box Royal Stan- dard, Miss Hassard, J, S. Mill, and Rev. J. B. M. Camm, four Roses which should be added to all lists not containing them. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, being third for Emily Laxton, perfect blooms and beautiful. For a ‘“ vase” of Roses, first Mr. Einoper, Bath; three others being disqualified for exhibiting in glasses. In the plant classes there was scarcely any competition. Fairly good Fuchsias were staged, and the prizes were awarded to Mr. Wiston, gardener to R. D. Martineau, Esq., Clapham Park; Mr. Lambert, gardener to H. W. Segelcke, Esq., Herne Hill, Dulwich; and Mr. Watson, gardener to H. Bryant, Hsq., Glencairn, Surbiton, in the order named. In the class for twelve Liliums (open) Mr. Turner, Slough, was the only exhibitor, staging L. auratum with magnificent blooms, L. pardalinum, L. Brownii, and L. Humboldtii, and secured the first prize. Mr. Hooper, Bath, had a second prize for twelve Carnations ; he also exhibited Pansies. A fitst-class certificate was awarded to Mr. R. Dean, Rane- lagh Road, Ealing, for double Stock ‘‘ Mauve Queen,” a splendid variety, which should be largely grown. Mr. Osman, Metropo- litan District Schools, Sutton, was highly commended for Seville Longpod Beans. DINNER-TABLE Decorations.—For a table laid for fourteen persons, and arranged so as to show the best means of utilising fruit and flowers in its adornment, prizes of £25, £20, £15, and £10 were offered and were awarded to Mr. C. Burley, The Nursery, Brentwood; Mr. J. Cypher, The Nursery, Queen’s Road, Cheltenham; Mr. Harris, Clarendon Park, Salisbury ; and Mr. Soder, gardener to O. O. Hanbury, Esq., Weald Hall, in the order named. Highly commended, Messrs. Dick Radelyffe & Co. These decorations will be more fully alluded to on a future occasion. BROCKHAM ROSE SHOW. Juxy Ist, BrockuHam is a Surrey village on the banks of the Mole, and gives its name to a kind of peripatetic Rose Association, holding meetings by invitation in the grounds of various members of the Association at Brockham, Holmwood, and Mickleham alter- nately. The Society this year pitched their tent at North Holm- wood, where they were most hospitably received by the Ladies Mary and Ann Legge. ‘The principal prizetakers were as follows :— Class 1.—Champion prize, given by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. Best box of twelve Roses in the Show. Prize, an ornamental object value £2, B.Pawle, Hsq. Class 2.—Any kind. Group 1, twenty-four varieties; one bloom or truss of each. Three prizes.—1, Rev. A. Cheales ; 2, Mrs. Mortimer; 3, F. Wollas- ton. Group 2, twelve varieties; one bloom or truss of each. Two prizes.—1, J. O. Pawle, Esq.; 2, H. Horne, Esq. Group 3, six varieties; one bloom or truss of each. Class 3.—All of the same variety. Group 1, twelve Roses ; one bloom or truss of each. Two prizes.—1, Mrs. Mortimer ; 2, Capt. Lang. Class 4.—Triplets of any kind. Group 1, eight varieties; three blooms or trusses of each. Two prizes.—l, Rev. A. Cheales; 2, Mrs. Mortimer. Group 2, four varieties ; three blooms or trusses of each. Two prizes.—l, E. Horne, Esq.; 2, Capt. Lang. Class 5.—Teas and Noisettes. Group 1, twelve varieties; one bloom or truss of each. Two prizes.—l, Rev. A. Cheales; 2, J. D. Pawle, Esq. Class 8.—Bouquets and devices. 1. One device for table decora- tion, consisting of Roses combined with Ferns or other foliage. Two prizes.—l, Mrs. Chaldecott; 2, Mrs. T. B. Nichols. 2. One device for table decoration of any flowers combined with any foliage. Two prizes.—l, Miss Chaldecott; 2, Mrs. Benecke. 8. One hand bouquet of Roses combined with Ferns or other foliage. Two prizes.—1, Miss S. Cheales; 2, Miss Wilson. 4, Button hole bouquet; one Rose or Rosebud combined with 8 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { July 6, 1876. foliage or other flowers, in groups of not less than three. Three prizes.—l, Mrs. T. B. Nichols; 2, Miss Wilson; 3, Miss A. Benecke. In this Association and the sister one at Reigate a practice prevails of giving prizes for the best Rose in the Show. This creates considerable interest, and has an educating tendency. Camille de Rohan has several times obtained this honour, also Annie Wood and Marie Baumann. On this occasion Louis Van Houtte was distinguished. Amongst Teas Madame Bravy has come oftenest to the front, and next Maréchal Niel, Gloire de Dijon, and Madame Margottin. This year the winner was Souvenir d’un Ami. Judges.—W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S.; Rev. A. B. Alex- ander, and Mr. George Paul. ROSES AT WISBECH SHOW. Tue third annual Exhibition of Roses, &c., was held in Col- ville House grounds (lent by Mr. John Baker) on Thursday last. The grounds were in excellent condition. Like other early Rose exhibitions the blooms at Wisbech showed very plainly the effects of the May frosts. As a rule the flowers were not up to the mark in colour or quality. Reynolds Hole was well exhibited in several stands. Madame Lacharme, Général Jacqueminot, Maréchal Niel, Francois Michelon, Marguerite de St. Amand, Baron Adolphe de Roth- eouild, and Dupuy-Jamain, were the best blooms in the winning stands. Mr. W. Farren of Cambridge was the most successful exhibtor, securing the three silver cups in the open classes. The amateurs’ classes were well contested; but the blooms were wanting in quality andsize. A basket of twelve blooms of Madame Lacharme exhibited by Mr. Prince of Oxford were simply superb. Bouquets were well shown and in good taste, also table de- corations were very fair; only it is a pity the exhibitors will crowd so many flowers in. However choice the flowers may be, the stands look so much better with few flowers arranged with taste. Appended is a list of the awards :— Open classes.—F orty-eight varieties of Roses, one truss of each distinct kind.—1, silver cup value £10, Mr. W. Farren, Cam- bridge ; 2, Mr. J. House, Peterborough; 3, Mr. G. Prince, Ox- ford. Twenty-four varieties of Roses, one truss of each distinct kind.—1, silver cup value £5, Mr. W. Farren; 2, Col. Read, Elm ; 3, Mr. J. L. Curtis, Chatteris. Twelve varieties of Roses, three blooms of each, distinct.—1, silver cup, Mr. L. Farren, Cam- bridge; 2, Mr. G. W. Piper, Uckfield ; 3, Miss Penrice, Norwich. Twelve Roses of any variety.—l, Mr. G. Prince; 2, Mr. W. Farren; 3, Mr. J. L. Cartis. Best specimen bloom of any Rose. —1, Mr. E. Bagge, Islington Hall, Lynn; 2, Mr. J. L. Curtis ; 3, Miss Penrice. Amateurs (including nurserymen within a circuit of ten miles of Wisbech).—Twenty-four varieties of Roses, one truss of each, distinct.—1, Mr. J. S. Curtis ; 2, Hon. and Rev. F. J. O. Spencer, Sutton; 3, A. H. Ward, Esq., Elm. Twelve varieties of Roses, one truss of each distinct kind.—1, Mr. J. L. Curtis; 2, Hon. and Rey. F. J. O. Spencer; 3, Mr. J. Burton, Peterborough.—H. A PLEA FOR FOXGLOVE CULTURE. Amonest the many fine biennials that bloom at the present time, there are possibly none to surpass the Foxglove for its noble appearance. Planted in groups in the shrubbery, among Tuins, on extensive rockwork, surrounded by trees, or near the flowing spring or the standing pool, it always gives a charm to them, and grows equally well in sunshine or in shade, in moisture or in drought; whilst its hardiness, long- flowering period, and its various colours ought to commend it to all lovers of hardy flowering plants. It is a native plant and found growing wild in abundance in some places. Fine as these are they are not to be com- pared with some of the beautiful varieties in cultivation, es- pecially Ivery’s varieties, some of these being so beautifully spotted as to compare with the choicest Gloxinias, the colours varying from the purest white to purple, with several inter- mediate shades of rose, rose-pink, &c. It is one of the easiest of plants to cultivate, being increased by seed, which should be sown at once to insure good plants for next year. Seed should be sown in the open ground and covered slightly, the seedlings to be afterwards transplanted where they are to remain for flowering.—J. B. L. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. WE are requested to call attention to an error in the schedule of the Royal Horticultural Society at page 19, where it is stated among Messrs. Sutton’s prizes that in the collection of Cucumbers and Melons there is to be a single specimen of the former and a brace of the latter. It ought to read—a brace of the former and a single specimen of the latter. —— We have to remind our readers that Messrs. VEITCH AND Sons’ FRUIT PRIZES Will be awarded at the great Exhibi- bition of the Royal Horticultural Society, which is to be held on the 19th. No doubt these will form a great attraction, as they have always been one of the leading features of the July shows. The vegetable prizes offered by Messrs. James Carter and Co. will be competed for at the same exhibition. —— Some important Exursrtions are pending. The Alex- andra Palace Rose Show on the 7th may be expected to be a great success, seeing that it is timed when Roses generally are at their best. Sandown Park, a new Show, falls on the same day. Nottingham on the 6th (this day), is always a great show. Ipswich, Frome, and Newark Shows are held on the same day, and Reigate (Roses) on the 8th. Only a continuance of ‘* flower-show weather” is necessary to render these events as successful and enjoyable as their promoters can desire. — WE have been favoured by having 2 copy sent to us of @ reprint of JonN Gerarp’s ‘‘ CATALOGUE oF Prants,” cultivated in his garden in Holborn in the sixteenth century. The re- print is “‘ privately printed,” and beautiful in the typography and paper. A life of Gerard by the Editor, Mr. B. D. Jackson, is prefixed, which includes, with some additions, the life of Gerard which we took great pains to gather together and pub- lish in this Journal in vol. xxviii., page 145. Our biography is accompanied by a portrait of Gerard. — Tue Crry Firower Suow will be held in Finsbury Circus on Tuesday the 11th inst. The prizes will be distributed by H.R.H. the Duchess of Teck at 2 p.a. — WE recommend to all serEoRovocists Mr. G. J. Symons’s volume ‘‘ On the Distribution of Rain over the British Isles during 1875.”’ It contains a mass of information besides the record of observations made at eighteen hundred stations. —— Sracuius.—Having had one of these birds in our gar- den for about five years, I can, from experience, state that they are most valuable exterminators of those garden pests slugs, &e. Iwould strongly recommend any of your readers to pro- cure one.—Pax (in English Mechanic). CRYSTAL PALACE ROSE SHOW. JUNE 30TH. Rost shows have become so popular and Rose-showing has been brought to such a high state of excellence, the shows which have been held during past years have been so superior and have merited such unmixed admiration, that a show, and especially at the Crystal Palace, is invariably looked forward to with great expectations. It was so last year, and the anticipations were more than realised by the result; and it was so this year, but the result was unfortunately of a different character. The Show was a postponed Exhibition, yet a premature one, for many of the greatest growers were unable to stage blooms worthy of themselves and of the varieties which they exhibited. The Exhibition was not so large as last year’s grand display, and its average quality was below that of the last gathering in the same place. Need we say that the chilling ungenial spring has set at nought the highest cultural skill and the best of manage- ment in producing the Rose in full perfection ? At this tournament Cant was the conqueror,and set up fine yet not faultless boxes. Paul & Son were nof in their old (Cheshunt) form. The Slough Roses were not such blooms as the past has produced, and as we are sanguine the future will equal. The Oxford contingent was scarcely a Princely one; and even Salisbury has not been sufficiently salubrious to enable Mr. Keynes to do so well as he has done before. “ y Let us now look a little more minutely, commencing with the nurserymen’s class for seventy-two varieties, single blooms, The winners were placed in the following order—Mr. Cant, Colchester; Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt; and Messrs. Oran- ston & Mayos, Hereford; Mr. Prince, Oxford, receiving an extra prize. The Colchester Roses were as a rule massive in petal, pure, glossy, and fine, and the foliage was good. Amongst the light colours Madame Lacharme was very good, Madame Bravy excellent, as also was Souvenir d’Elise. Of high merit also were Devoniensis, Duc de Montpensier, Miss Hassard, La France, Malle. Marie Cointet, Souvenir d’un Ami, Madame Hippolyte Jamain, Madame la Baronne de Rothschild, and La Boule d’Or. Of darker shades the most noticeable were La Ville de Lyon, Mons. Noman, La Duchesse de Morny, Madame Fillion, Hippo- lyte Jamain, Marguerite de St. Amand, Mdlle. Marie Finger, Abel Grand, Nardy Fréres, and Princess Beatrice. The best of the dark Roses were Ferdinand de Lesseps, Fisher Holmes,” Dupuy-Jamain, very fine; Mdlle. Marie Rady, splendid; Prince Camille de Rohan, Baron de Bonstettin, Auguste Nieumann July 6, 1876. ] Thomas Mills, Beauty of Waltham, Reynolds Hole, and Expo- sition de Brie. In the Cheshunt collection rich colours prepon- derated. Very fine were Exposition de Brie, Marie Baumann, Etienne Levet, Duke of Connaught, Mrs. G. Paul, Madame Nachury, Xavier Olibo, Senateur Vaisse, and Maurice Bernardin. Of light colours Madame Lacharme, Miss N. Grain, Madame Vidot, Duchess of Edinburgh, La France, and Madame la Baronne de Rothschild were very fine; and of rose colours the best were Madame Alice Dureau, Elie Morel, The Shah, Rev. J. B. M. Camm, Mons. Noman, Edouard Morren, Madame Therése Levet, and Marquise de Castellane. Fine as many of these blooms were, it was plain that they had not opened kindly, and they spoke as clearly as injured Roses could speak—* bad weather.” Messrs. Cranston & Mayos had in superior form Madame Vidot, Mdlle. Marie Cointet, Madame Lacharme, Centifolia Rosea, and a lovely Homére. The most noticeable in Mr. Prince’s collection being the Teas—Madame Opoix, Alba Roser, Marcellin Rhoda, Jean Ducher, Madame Margot'in, and a perfect Madame Lacharme. There were seven entries. In the class for forty-eight trebles Mr. Cant, Messrs. Paul and Son, and Mr. C. Turner, Slough, were placed as named. Mr. Cant’s blooms were all-powerful by their size, quality, and ex- celJence. Dupuy-Jamain was here in splendid form, and very fine were Madame Lacharme, Thomas Mills, Prince Arthur, Maréchal Niel, Louis Van Houtte, Etienne Levet, and Madamo Willermoz. Messrs. Paul & Son had as their best Annie Laxton, Henri Ledechaux, Miss Ingram, Mons. Noman very fine, Lonis Van Houtte, and Rev. J. B. M. Camm; the most noticeable of Mr. Turner’s being Lord Napier, Beauty of Waltham, Mons. Been: Marquise de Mortemart, and J. S. Mill. Vive com- peted. In the class for twenty-four trebles there were nine com- petitors, Mr. Cant was again first with a formidable collec- tion; Mr. Turner being second, his stands containing many remarkably fine flowers; Messrs. Paul & Son having the third place, an extra prize being awarded to Mr. Prince. The varie- ties being much the same as those above enumerated. Tor twenty-four singles eight competed, the awards going in the following order to Messrs. Cranston & Mayos, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Cant. In Class 5, for twelve Tea-scented and Noisette Roses Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were first with splendid examples of Souvenir d’un Ami, Perle des Jardins, Cheshunt Hybrid, Jean Ducher, Marie Van Houtte, Devoniensis, Homére, Perle de Lyon, and Rubens. Mr. R.T. Veitch, Exeter, was second; and Messrs. Davison & Co., Hereford, third. Mr. Prince and Mr. Cant staged admirable collections. We now come to the amateurs’ classes. For forty-eight varie- ties, single trusses, nine competed, the premier prize going to Mr. Rushmore, gardener to Sir C. R. Rowley, Bart., Tendring Park, Colchester ; Mr. Nicholl, gardener to T. C. Powell, Esq., Drinkstone Park, Bury St. Edmunds, was second ; Mr. R. N. G. Baker, Heavitree ; and Mr. Davis, Salisbury, being placed equal thirds. In the first-prize collection Julie Touvais was never staged in finer condition. Pitard was also very fine; and good were Elie Morel, Emilie Hausburgh, Baronne de Rothschild, and Dr. Andry, the rest being small. Mr. Powell’s were of more level excellence, and but for their being a trifle too much ex- panded must have had the first place, which many thought they merited. Souvenir d’Elise was splendid, and almost equally fine were Marquise de Mortemart, Hugine Vavin, Edouard Morren, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Dupuy-Jamain, [Exposition de Brie, and Maréchal Niel. In the class for thirty-six varieties, single blooms, seventeen competed. Mr. Baker was first, Mr. Nicholl second, and Mr. Rushmore third; an extra prize going to Mr. J. L. Curtis, Chatteris. Mr. Baker’s blooms were rather small, but splendidly - fresh, bright, and beautiful, and with perfect foliage. Mons. Noman, Madame C. Crapelet, Camille Bernardin, Auguste Rigotard, very fine; Xavier Olibo, Catherine Mermet, Caroline Kuster, Edouard Morren, and Marie Baumann were the most remarkable in this collection. - For twenty-four trebles Mr. Baker was again first with a grand collection, the blooms being full, massive and clear, but not large. Marie Baumann, Baronne de Rothschild, Marquise de Castellane, Camille Ber- nardin, Mdjle. Marie Rady, Louise Van Houtte, Marguerite de St. Amand, extra fine; Ferdinand de Lesseps, and Madame Victor Verdier were just as these fine varieties should be. Mr. Davis, Salisbury, was placed second, and Mr. J. Hollingworth, Maidstone, third. In the class for twelve trebles Mr. Baker was again first; Mr. Henry Atkinson, Brentwood, second; Mr. J. Ridout, gardener to S. Brown, Hsq., Reigate, third, an extra prize being awarded to Mr. J. H. Cavell, Bardwell Villa, Walton Manor, Oxford. The amateurs’ Roses, excepting, perhaps, Mr. Baker’s, were much below the standard of the nurserymen’s collections. In the open classes the competitors were not very numerous. For twelve Roses of 1874 and 1875 Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were first, with as the best Mons. E. Y. Teas, a most promising Rose of high quality; Marchioness of Exeter, a light Edouard JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. : 5 Morren, and very good; Miss Hassard, somewhat similar to but batter than the preceding Rose; Rev. J.B. M. Camm, Sir Garnet: Wolsley, Star of Waltham, and Comte Serenyi. Mr. Turner, Slough, was second, his best being Oxonian, massive and fine; Miss Hassard, very superior; Isaak Wilkinson, a very close dark flower ; Hippolyte Jamain, and Dean of Windsor, a promising variety. Mr. Keynes, Salisbury, was placed third, bis best blooms being Miss Hassard, Wilson Saunders, and Mons. HE. Y. Teas. For six trusses of any Rose of 1875 or 1876 Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, were first with Rev. J.B. M. Camm; Mr. Turner being second with Miss Hassard, and Mr. Cant third with Antoine Mouton, a faded Paul Néron. For twelve blooms of Duke of Edinburgh Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, Mr. Cant and Mr. Cavell were the successful exhibitors. For twelve of Maréchal Niel Mr. Davison, Whitecross Nursery, Hereford, was first, Mr. Cant second, and Mr. Webb, Calcot, third. Mr. Davison exhibited a small velvet Rose, La Rosiére, which was greatly admired by the lady visitors. Jor twelve blooms any variety, Mr. J. L. Curtis, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, was first with Marie Baumann; Messrs. Panl & Son were second with Etienne Levet, Mr. Turner being third with Miss Hassard, extra prizes being awarded to Sir C. R. Rowley for Madame Lacharme, and a prize to Mr. Laxton for Annie Lexton. Tor a collection of yellow Roseg Messrs. Paul & Son, Mr. Prince, and Mr. Webb were awarded the prizes. Mr. Corp, Oxford, had an extra prize for a collection of Tea Roses, and Mr. Laing exhibited the old but charming miniature Rose de Meaux. Full Roses, such as Alfred Colomb, Charles Lefebvre, Duchesse de Caylus, &c., were sparsely exhibited; while flowers of the Dr. Andry, Exposition de Brie, Auguste Rigotard, and Dupuy- Jamain type were staged freely. Mr. Baker’s Auguste Rigotard was perhaps the finest Rose in the Exhibition. Mdlle. Marie Cointet, which caused such a sensation last year, was seen in several stands, butin none really superior. Madame Lacharme has improved in character, and is more than holding her last year’s position. Rev. J.B. Camm is more firmly than ever established as a constant, if rather emall, and extremely sweet Rose—a Rose to be had and enjoyed by all. Miss Hassard, Ox- onian, Htienne Levet, and Cheshunt Hybrid were in splendid form. Marchioness of Exeter, R. Marnock, and Duke of Con- naught were all well exhibited by Messrs. Paul & Son. Amongst the finest and most promising of the newer Roses were Monsieur i. Y. Teas, and Mr. Turner’s new dark Rose Mrs. Baker, which received a first-class certificate. Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, also had cert ticates for seedling Roses Emily Laxton and Marchioness of Exeter; and Mr. J. Laing, Stanstead Nurseries, Forest Hill, for Fuchsia Laing’s Hybrid, a distinct cross between F. fulgens and one of the ordinary greenhouse varieties. The Table Decorations, always a great feature at this Show, occupied the centre of the transept; there were eighteen tables in competition for three sets of prizes. The tables were 12 feet by 6 feet, and were not allowed to be “cut or mutilated.” The great fanlt with many of the tables was their being overdone with decorations. One exhibitor made a mistake in placing very large fronds of Lastrea Filix-mas as an edging to the base of his stands ; they nearly covered the tablecloth. There was also considerable sameness about the whole of them, the large white Water Lily and Cornflowers being invariably present. In nearly all the classes the competitors who obtained awards stood very near each other ; and the Judges, Miss Hassard (now Mrs. Tyrrel), and Mr. Harrison Weir, spared no pains to arrive at a correct decision, their office being by no means an enviable one. In the open class the first prize fell to Mrs. W. Seale, London Road, Sevenoaks. If any fault could be found with this table it was that the centre stand had too much colour from some very large flowers of Dipladenia Brearleyana being placed init. The other flowers were Water Lilies, small yellow Dendrobium flowers, and Rhodanthe, with Adiantum farleyense. The main flowers in the side stands were Kalosanthes and Water Lilies. Wild Grasses were mixed with them. Nearly all the stands were of the same pattern, being a slender glass stem rising from the centre of a flat dish, at the top of the stem a smaller dish, and from the centre of this a trumpet-shaped vase. Mrs. Seale had twelve small glasses with button-hole bouquets of small Rosebuds and Forget-me-nots, and two small glass baskets with white Roses. Mr. C. Burley, nurseryman, Brentwood, was second. The base of his stands were fringed with hardy Ferns, Lastrea and Athyrium. The centre stand was filled with Roses, Rhodanthe, and purple Iris. The small glasses had each double Rosebuds. ‘The side pieces were plants of Cocos Wed- deliana with a base of Roses and purple Iris. Mr. T. Butcher, South Norwood, was third. The vases here were triplets, and the whole was very nicely arranged, but there was too much of it. The next class was for amateurs, and Mr. Soder, gardener to Osgood Hanbury, Esq., Weald Hall, Brentwood, was first, and this stand was perhaps as well arranged as any in the Show. The centre piece was a fine Cocos Weddeliana, the base being filled-in with Amaryllis, white Water Lilies, Anthurium, fancy 10 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COT'I'AGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876. Pelargoniums, Ixias, and pink Geraniums; the tops of the side stands were filled with Cornflowers, Rhodanthe, and Orchids ; the base, Epidendrum vitellinum, Cape Pelargoniums, Water Lilies and double rose Geraniums. The small glasses had single Rosebuds, and four glass baskets completed the arrangement. These were filled with single pips of Marie Lemoine double Pelar- gonium, with a base of Maidenhair Ferns. Mrs. Burley, Brent- wood, was second. Her centre stand was nicely balanced with Roses, Water Lilies, &e. The sides were Palms, with similar vases to the centre. Small dishes were very neat, filled with Maidenhair Fern and pale blue Delphiniums. The Rosebuds in the small glasses had the leaves cut off and Fern fronds put in instead—a barbarous practice, as a Rose looks best with its own leaves. Mr. F. Lambert, gardener to H. W. Segelcke, Esq., Herne Hill, Dulwich, was third. His three centres were Palms (Cocos). He had small glasses and four baskets. In class C, for ladies only, Mrs. Burley was first, and her arrangement was very neat, except that the base of the centre piece was a little too glaring with three very large red Cactus flowers. These were alternated with Eucharis, interspersed amongst them being Pancratium, Iris, and Anthurium. Aga- panthus umbellatus was worked into the base of the side stands. Mrs. Seale was second, and we thought that her teble was lighter and more elegant than that of the first-prize. The three stands were of equal size; and the flowers, which were Water Lilies, blue Delphiniums, rose and white Rhodanthes. with wild Grasses, Ferns, and Lycopods, were tastefully arranged. The third prize went to Miss Edith Blair, 22, Mornington Crescent, Regent’s Park. This arrangement was certainly the neatest and simplest in the Exhibition, and was well worthy of a higher position. The base of the centre stand was filled with a most de- licate-tinted Iris, crimson Kalosanthes, and Stephanotis; the top being small Begonia flowers, Stephanotis, and a pale-flowered Kalosanthes, Rhodanthes, and very fine Grasses ; the side pieces were two very handsome Cocos Weddeliana, and the base simply blue Delphinium and Maidenhair. Four small dishes each contained a Maidenhair Fern edged with leaves of a Tri- color Pelargonium. In the Miscellaneous class Mr. John Laing, Stanstead Park, Forest Hill, sent two of his new Bronze and Gold Zonal Pelar- goniums, One of them the best yet raised, named John Jenner Weir, is a most beautifal plant; the leaf is almost circular, with a narrow edge of greenish yellow enclosing a broad band of chocolate red, with yellow centre. Mrs. Horniman is also a fine sort, with circular leaves and medium band of chocolate red. The same exhibitor sent about thirty-six sorts of Del- phiniums, amongst them was a very fine seedling. The colour is a rich deep blue with very dark centre. All the shades of blue were represented from the palest blue to deep purple-blue. He had also a dozen flowers of the old striped Rose, York and Lancaster. Mr. Parker of Tooting sent cut flowers of the English Tris (I. xiphioides), many of them being strikingly beautiful. The best were Harlequin, Mercurius, Pelius, Prince of Wales, Bell Brunette, Madame Charme, Heroine, Francois Fayel, and Duke of Portland. He had alsosome cut flowers of herbaceous Pzxonies (P. sinensis), also herbaceous and other hardy plants for which he is so famous. Bouquets were very good, but not different to those of former ears. For the best wedding bouquet (open), the prizes went to rs. L. M. Chater, 40, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, and Mr. Charles Hepburn, Crystal Palace. For the best opera bouquet (open), to Mr. Charles Hepburn and Mrs. L. M. Chater. For button-hole bouquets (open), to Mr. Charles Hepburn and Mr. W. Wood, High Street, Sydenham. d MAIDSTONE ROSE SHOW. Tus Exhibition was held in the Corn Exchange on June 28th under the auspices of the Maidstone Rose Club; and there was not a box of indifferent blooms in the Show. Most of our principal Rose-growers exhibited. These included Messrs. Paul of the Cheshant Nurseries, Mr. Charles Turner of Slough, Mr. B. Cant of Colchester, and Mitchell of Uckfield. While among amateurs who came from a distance were Mr. R. G. Baker, Heavitree, Devon; Mr. Thomas Jowitt of Hereford; Mr. Quennell of Brentwood, Essex; and Mr. Harrington of Romford, besides several others. In Class 6, for forty-eight varieties, three trusses of each, Messrs. Paul & Son were a good first, Mr. B. Cant second, and Mr. C. Turner third. In the first-prize lot among those most conspicuous were grand blooms of Marquise de Oastéllane, Horace Vernet, Baronne de Rothschild, Madame Lacharme, very fine; Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, Devoniensis, and Mons. Noman; while the other competitors in this class had, besides similar sorts, La France, Marguerite de St. Amand, and Capitaine Christy in excellent condition. In Class 8, for twelve varieties of Tea and Noisettes, Mr. Mitchell of Uckfield took the first prize, a cup value £5, given by Thomas Holling- worth, Haq. Mr. Mitcheli had splendid examples of Maréchal Niel, Narcisse, Gloire de Dijon, Duc de Margottin, Madame Margottin, and Souvenir de Paul Neron. In the class for amateurs (open), thirty-six varieties, one truss of each, Mr. J. G. Baker of Heavitree, Devon, with his blooms stood a long way first, he winning the £10 10s. and cup presented by John Holling- worth, Esq.; Mr. Jowitt of Hereford was second, and Mr. Har- rington of Romford third ; while for twenty-four varieties (open to amateurs only) J.C. Quennell, Esq., of Brentwood, Essex, took the cup presented by Edwin Amies, Esq., and the first prize. He had in high finish Madame de St. Amand, Maréchal Niel, Devoniensis, Abel Grand, Madame Bonnaire, La France, Dr. Andry, Charles Lefebvre,Therése Levet, Victor Verdier, and others before mentioned. Their brightness was very striking in comparison to the others. Mr.C. Turner exhibited two boxes of his splendid Rose Miss Hassard. This is a conspicuous flower of good shape and substance, and ought to have been placed in a better position than on the floor of the room. He likewise exhibited some splendid blooms of Rev. J. B. Camm and Oxonian. In Class 6 Mr. Turner’s three blooms of Madame Lacharme were very superior and very much admired. Local exhibitors, both belonging to the Club as well as the Maidstone Horticultural Society, came in rather numerous, and brought some excellent and well-finished blooms. Many were fresh ex- hibitors, showing that Rose-growing about the neighbourhood is on the increase. This is mainly due to the Honorary Secre- taries of both Societies—H. Bensted, Esq., and Herbert Monck- ton, Esq.—who combine in their efforts to make the Rose Show at Maidstone a success both practically as well as financially ; and this year it was no disappointment in either sense, for it was pronounced by competent judges, such as Messrs. Paul and Turner, to be in all ways a grand exhibition for the season. The stands and devices were very well and gracefully arranged. The first-prize stand came from Mrs. J. B. Green, and consisted of a great variety of Roses of all sections, mostly just opening their buds. There were Fern fronds of both silver and gold, Maidenhair, and common Grasses and Woodbine. Miss Kate Lawrence was a good second, and the Rev. H. Biron third, with much the same style of arrangement. The following is a list of the prizes :— Class 1.—Any kinds of Roses. Group 1, eighteen varieties, one truss of each.—l and cup, T. F. B. Atkins, Esq., Halstead ; 2, H. Bensted, lisq., Maidstone; 3, H. F. Warde, Esq., Tutsham, West Farleigh. Group 2, twelve varieties.—1, Rev. H. B. Biron, Biddenden ; 2, J. Weld, Esq., Marden; 3, R. W. Tootell, Esq,, Thurnham. Group 3, six varieties.—1, J. Smythe, Esq., Maid- stone; 2, Mrs. J. B. Green, Tovil. Class 2.—Tea-scented and Noisette. Group 1, twelve varieties, one truss of each.—No entries. Group 2, six varieties —1, J. Weld, Esq.; equal 2, Mrs. J. B. Green and L. A. Killick, Esq., Langley. Class 3.—Any kinds. Group 1, twelve varieties, three trusses of each.—No entries. Group 2, six varieties.—Rev. H. B. Biron. Class 4.— All of same variety, six trusses.—1, R. W. Tootell, Esq.; 2, L. A. Killick, Esq. Class 5—Device consisting of Roses combined with Ferns or other foliage—l, Mrs. J. B. Green ; 2, Miss K. Lawrence; 3, Rev. H. B. Biron; 4, L. A. Killick, Esq. Button- hole Bouquet.—l, Mrs. J. B. Green; 2, R. W. Tootell, Esq. ; 3, Rev. H. B. Biron. Open to all England. Class 6.—Forty-eight varieties, three trusses each.—1, Paul & Son, Cheshunt; 2, Mr. B. Cant, Col- chester; 3, Mr. C. Turner, Slough. Class 7.—Thirty-six va- rieties, one truss of each. No competition. Class 8.—Twelve varieties, Tea-scented and Noisette, one truss of each.—1, Messrs. Mitchell, Uckfield ; 2, Paul & Son; 3, Mr. B. Cant. Amateurs only. Class 9.—Thirty-six varieties, one truss of each_—Cup and 1, R. G. Baker, Esq., Heavitree, Devon ; 2, T. Jowitt, Esq., Hereford; 3, W. W. Harringion, Esq., Romford; 4, Mr. P, Bennett, gardener to W. W. Burrell, Esq. Class 10.—Twenty- four varieties, one truss of each.—Cup and 1, J. OC. Quennell, Esq., Brentwood, Essex; 2, J. Sargant, Esq., Reigate; 8, Rev. A. Cheales, Brockham; 4, J. Wakeley, Esq., Rainham. Class 11, —Twelve Tea-scented and Noisette, one truss of each.—l, J. Hollingworth, Esq., Maidstone; 2, R. G. Baker, Esq.; 3, T. Jowitt, Esq. Open to Members of the Maidstone Horticultural Society.— Class 12.— Twenty-four varieties, one truss of each.—l, J. Hollingworth, Esq.; 2, Mr. W. Wilson, Ashford; 3, Mr. J. Wakeley. Class 13.—Twelve varieties.—1, L. A. Killick, Esq. ; 2, Misses Jones, Hayle Place; 3, W. Mercer, Esq., Hunton. Class 14.—T welve varieties, Tea-scented and Noisette, one truss of each.—1, J. Hollingworth, Esq.; 2, Misses Jones. The cups were presented By Sir J. Lubbock, Sir Sydney Waterlow, Major Ross, John Hollingworth, Esq., and Mr. Kdwin Amies; and a silver cup value £5 was given by Thomas Holling- worth, Esq., for the best box of twelve Tea-scented and Noisette Roses in the Show. _ DRACANA GOLDIEANA. Mz. Azpey in a recent number of the Journal of Horticul- ture has written very fully on the increase of cultivation of Dracenas. In that communication he adyerted to the extreme July 6, 1876. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER. Il ane en Te eer Re eee eee eee ee usefalness of these plants—of those species and varieties in | in view the celebrated English seedlings which startled the ordinary cultivation, shadowing that there were others of | horticultural world by their variety and beauty. recent introduction surpassing in many respects the old kinds Admitting the value of many of these, it nevertheless can- in character and beauty of colouring. He had then probably | not be questioned that no English-raised Dracmna, nor any W a 5s = \\\ Fig. 2.—DRAOZNA GOLDIEANA. Dracena introduced from abroad, is comparable for distinct- ; honours in England, and as a Dracena that it received the ness of character and striking and remarkable leaf-colouration | gold medal for the best new representative of the genus at the to Dracwna Goldieana. So thoroughly distinct is this plant | late Great Centennial International Exhibition at Brussels. that it has been regarded by many as belonging to another | At that great gathering of the world’s floral treasures no other genus. Itis as a Dracena, however, that it has received high | new plant attracted more admiration.. No mere description 12 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, can convey an adequate idea of D.Goldieana to those who have not had an opportunity of seeing the plant. It is not only not like any other known species or variety, but is altogether unlike them. In the recognised type the leaves of Dracwnas are more or less lanceolate, and are erect or drooping; but of this especies the leaves are cordate, 6 or 7 inches long by 5 to 6 inches broad in the widest part, and are nearly horizontal. Hitherto, alzo, the colouring in the foliage of Dracwnas has been srranged longitudinally, but in this plant it is transverse. It is difficult to say which of its two colours preponderate, the zebra-like markings of silvery grey occupying as much space as the olive green. The accompanying figure, drawn on a reduced scale by per- mission of Mr. Bull from one of his plants, gives a correct representation. As an exhibition plant in a collection of Dracwnas this species is very conspicuous, while as a decorative plant it can- not fail to command attention by its stateliness of habit and Py the conspicuous yet chaste markings of its glossy marbled ‘oliage. The history of the plant is remarkable. It was discovered by Mr. Goldie in Africa, and sent by him to the Botanic Gar- dens at Glasgow. On its being proved there a description of it was written by the Curator, Mr. Bullen; and on this de- scription and in relying on the judgment and character of the Curator, Mr. Bull without seeing the plant purchased it. It is not yet in commerce. ROSE STOCKS. Tus experience of Mr. Peach, page 341, as to the comparative merits of Briar and Manetti stocks may be quite what he describes it; but it must not be supposed that the Briar is everywhere an inferior stock, or tender. I followed a gentleman tenant of mine here (Cheshire 8.) who had budded largely on the Briar, and then (ten years ago) purchased his stock of Roses. I have many of them still, and they must be at least thirteen years old. Most of them are in great vigour, and promising to continue so. The difficulty with some is to keep them in reasonable bounds. A Gloire de Dijon is now covering a considerable space of wall, and a picture of health and beauty; and another, which has been left uncut (except taking out old wood), is equally large and flourishing. As to the hardiness of the Briar, do not Mr. Peach’s facts of the winter in Northamptonshire of 1860 prove too much? If ‘large Oak trees which had stood ‘ the battle and the breeze’ two or three hundred years” were killed by that frost, it must have been a singularly exceptional case. The Dog Rose grows here naturally very fine; I never saw it anywhere finer. I have many Roses on the Manetti. They neither do as well generally as Roses on the Briar, and I find the stock shoots from the Manetti so like many of the Roses as to be difficult to distinguish. Attracted by Mr. Prince’s (Oxford) catalogue of Roses on the seedling Briar, I last winter obtained and planted some twenty of them. All nearly are now in fine healthy growth, and with a promise of bloom that would not disgrace Roses which had been in position two years. I observe Mr. Peach says the seedling Briar as a stock is not open to the same ob- jection as the ‘‘hedgerow or mop-headed” stocks. With what he says about those I quite agree, and as to their unsight- liness, except the flowers. Mr. Prince’s method of raising stocks promises I think, a great advance in Rose culture, and I shall not be surprised, with all deference to Mr. Peach, if the seedling Briar does not put his pet Manetti’s ‘‘ nose out.” I observe on reading the Journal of Horticulture that a diversity of opinion and experience is not confined to growing Roses, and may teach us to be thankful that we have so much choice, that what will not succeed in one situation and soil will in another. Indeed it would be scarcely possible to find the place where something will not really flourish, and that is the thing when found out to cultivate. Some of our most beautiful plants badly grown are little better than weeds, and so the converse of common things.—Y. STRAWBERRIES. Last year I planted runners of about nine varieties of Straw- berries, eelected from the “election” lists in your Journal. With one exception the greater proportion of plants of each variety have flowered, and are setting their fruit. tion is Sir Joseph Paxton, of which not a single plant has The excep- | { July 6, 1876. flowered, although in growth and appearance they seem to have done the best. I conclude they have run to leaf. But what makes it the more remarkable that this kind should alone hava failed is, that the half of the plants have received rather different treatment to the other half. One row (about fifteen plants) was removed (owing to being in the way of some alterations) in November, and the other row remained where first planted in the beginning of August. Ireceived the runners from a friend, and know that they were taken from fruiting plants. I shall not layer from these plants, but as the perusal of your Journel has caused me to estimate this variety as one of the very best I shall let my present plants remain another year, and I write to ask whether I should submit them to any special treatment, such as cutting off the leaves. My soil is a light- coloured virgin loam (Bracken and Foxgloves preceded the Strawberries), and the ground was well trenched and manure for planting, but no manure has been applied since. I shall be glad to have the opinions of practical correspondents on this matter.—J. T. BURTON-ON-TRENT SHOW. Tuts Show, held on the 28th inst., was the finest the Society ever had; from fifteen to twenty thousand people were on the ground, all of whom seemed to thoroughly appreciate the beau- tiful plants and fruit that was collected together. Mr. Cypher of Cheltenham was first for the twelve stove and greenhouse plants, the most noticeable being Anthurium Scher- zerianum, forty-six spathes, a beautiful plant; Gleichenia rupes- tris, 5 feet through; Stephanotis floribunda, very superior; Croton Weismannii, 6 feet by 5 feet; Dracophyllum gracile, very good; Allamanda Hendersonii and A grandiflora, &c. Mr. Pilgrim, Cheltenham, was second ; Pheenocoma prolifera, Croton ictum, Dipladenia Brearleyana, Bougainvillea glabra, Croton ongiflorum, Dracophyllum gracile, &c., being inadmirable condi- tion. Mr. Tudgy, Worcester, being third ; Dipladenia amabilis, Anthurium Scherzerianum, with over forty spathes ; Cocos Wed- deliana, a Bougainvillea, and Allamanda grandiflora being the best plants in his collection. The other exhibits do not cail for especial mention, being mainly contributed from the neighbour- ing gentlemen’s seats; but certainly without them the Show would have lost most of its interest, as the plants were admir- able specimens of culture. The Rangemore collection is always a special feature of this Show—in fact is a show in itself. Grapes were sadly in want of colour, but very fine in bunch and berry. Peaches and Nectarines were very fine, the winning half-dozen Peaches weighing 4 lbs. The Pines were very good, the winning Queen weighing 5 lbs. The Cherries and Straw- berries were not good. Vegetables were not quite so good as in other years, yet many collections deserved much praise.—J. GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Tue anniversary dinner of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution was held at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate Street, on the evening of Friday last. The chair was occupied by Dr. Hogg, Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society, who was supported on the right by Lord Alfred S. Churchill, Rev. C. P. Peach, Mr. Robert Wrench the Treasurer, Mr. Frank Fuller, Mr. Richard Smith, Mr. T. I. Rivers, Mr. J. Bolton, Wc.; and on the left by Mr. G. F. Wilson, I'.R.S., Dr. Masters, F.R.S., Professor Bentley, Mr. Marnock, Mr. William Paul, Mr. EH. J. Beale, Mr. Charles Lee, &c.; and among the rest of the company were Rev. Canon Hole, Mr. T. Moore, Mr. B. S. Williams, Mr. Charles Turner, Mr. Weeks, Mr. Deal, Mr. James Gray, Mr. Weston, Mr. H. J. Adams, Mr. A. C. Wheeler, and a large gathering of horticulturists to the number of a hundred or more. This was one of the finest—some say the finest—meeting the Institution has ever had. The room, which is far superior for the purpose to that at the London Tavern where the dinners have been held for many years, was splendidly decorated, Mr. B.S. Williams, Messrs. J. & C. Lee, Messrs. Veitch & Sons, and Mr. Charles Turner having contributed most liberally and grg- tuitously handsome specimen plants of Palms, Cycads, ‘Tree Ferns, Dracenas, Caladiums, and other fine-foliaged plants interspersed with other plants in bloom, and which were not lumped together in a mass as formerly, but distributed all over the room wherever they could be introduced with the greatest effect. The table was richly furnished with the ample resources of the establishment, which were greatly helped by several elaborate plateaux and groups of fruit and flowers presented for the occasion by Mr. Buck and Mr. Dickson, the two great florists and bouquetists of Covent Garden. Nothing could exceed in beauty and richness of quality the group sent by Mr. Buck, which graced the head of the table in front of the Chairman ; and the general effect of the whole was such as to call forth the admiration of everyone who was present, Even the toastmaster / Tuly 6, 1876. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 13 was prompted to remark in sotto voce, “I have been to many dinners, sir, but I have seen nothing like this in the City of London this year.” On rising to propose the health of Her Majesty the Queen the Chairman was received with an outburst of applause which was long, and often repeated. After the loyal toasts, Lord Alfred S. Churchill having in an excellent speech replied for the army, the Rev. C. P. Peach proposed “The President and the Vice-Presidents of the Institution,” which was responded to by Mr. G. F. Wilson, F.R.S., one of the Vice-Presidents. The Chairman then introduced what is called the toast of the evening, “‘ Prosperity to the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Insti- tution.” He said, In proposing this toast I have to introduce to your notice the claims and merits of an Iastitution which is not one of those whose history has long been associated with that of this ancient city. Its origin is of more recent date, and does not extend beyond the time of living memory. It was on January 17th, 1839, that a few earnest men, of whom few are now alive, met at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand to inaugurate a Gardeners’ Benevolent Society. Mr. Buchanan of Camberwell was in the chair, and they resolved to carry out the object they had in view. On the 29th of the same month a second meeting was held at Wright’s Hotelin the Strand, the Duke of Cambridge having become President. The only mem- bers of the original Committee now living are Mr. Chandler formerly of Vauxhall, Mr. W. Gregory formerly of Cirencester, Mr. Lane of Berkhampstead, Mr. Marnock, a name honoured in horticulture, and whom we have the pleasure of seeing with us this evening [great cheering], and Mr. Protheroe of Leyton- stone 3 80 that out of the twenty-four members of the original Committee there are only five who are now alive. The progress of the Institution was slow at first. Dissensions crept in, and charges of mismanagement were made against the Seoretary, who was replaced in 1843 by Mr. Cutler, who has remained Secretary ever since, and under whose good manage- ment coupled with that of the Committees the Institution has arrived at its present state of usefulness. With your permission I will take a retrospect of the workirg of the Institution by way of reviewing our progress, to see what condition we were in in 1842 and compare it with the present. It is well that we should do this occasionally, that we may know whether we are advancing or retrograding. In 1842 we started with a balance in hand of £106 9s. 10d., and our income from all sources was £2042, of which £187 12s. was from subscriptions. We had then £400 invested in consols, and that year £200 more was added ; and as the report states, ‘‘ these gratifying prospects induce them to recommend that two pensioners be elected ac- cording to the rules of the Institution.” Let us now turn to our present balance sheet of 1876. We start this year with a balance in hand of £441 9s. 8d., and our income from all sources is £1634 2s. 3d., of which £693 is from subscriptions. We have £10,750 invested in 3 per cent. consols, a balance at the bankers’ and in hand of £430 12s., and seventy-four aged pensioners on our list who are receiving sums of £16 and £12 a-year. Now we have doubtless made great progress since 1842, but has it been a8 great as if ought to have been? I think not; and my reason for saying so is that when I look at the printed list of subscribers there are numerous names of employers and employed which arise in my mind whom I do not find there, and who ought to be there. Itis to the employers that we must chiefly look to aid the Institution on behalf of the gardener, and I trust that Some scheme will be devised of reaching them more effectually than we have hitherto done. But there are many gardeners who can contribute also and who do not. I have heard some even rail against the Institution, while others scoffed at it; but we have seen some of those who when in their prosperity were loudest in their attacks upon it come, both they and their ‘widows, to be recipients of its charity, and thereby have coals of fire heaped on their heads. There are few so poor as that they cannot spare a guinea a-year at least for such a purpose. Ishall conclude my appeal to you with an anecdote which happened to myself. A few years ago I sent a letter broadcast over the land soliciting subscriptions to the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, and I am proud to say the result was far beyond my expectation. ‘Twelve months ago a person called at the office of the Journal of Horticulture in Fleet Street, and Sending in his name requested to see me. I was very much engaged, as I usually am, and could not see him, but requested that if he had anything important to communicate he could send me anote. He did not send me a note, but called several times afterwards while I was absent, still keeping his secret to himself. One day he called while I was there, and his name Was again announced. ‘Do you know what he wants?” said I to the attendant. “No, sir; he says he wants to see your- self, and he has some money for you.” ‘Then show him up,” said I [laughter]. My visitor was a grey-headed venerable old man of gentle nature and somewhat agitated in his manner. After I had given him a chair he began, “Two years ago you wrote me a letter asking me to subscribe to the Gardeners’ Benevolent. -At that time I was in great trouble, and I was very ‘sorry I could not send you anything. My wife had been an invalid for years, and she was then at her worst; the doctors had given her up, and they said nothing would do her any good but her native air. She longed to go there, and wished to be buried in the churchyard of her native place. I took her down to Langholm in Scotland ; that is where she was born, and after a fortnight she died. It was a great expense and sore trouble to me; but you know, sir, I did my duty to her and fulfilled her last request. Then I thought of your letter and began to save, and now I bring you £10 for the Gardeners’ Benevolent.” Gen- tlemen, does not that touch your heart-strings and make them vibrate? If so great an effort can be made by one so humble, what may not you and we all do for the poor gardener if we but try? The Chairman sat down amidst great applause. The next toast, ‘the Health of the Chairman,” was proposed in aclever and humorous speech by Rey. Canon Hole. ‘‘The Treasurer and Trustees’? was proposed by Dr. Masters, and responded to by Mr. Robert Wrenchthe Treasurer. ‘ The Royal Horticultaral and Botanical Societies of London” was proposed by Mr. W. Paul, and replied to by Lord Alfred S. Churchill and Professor Bentley. ‘‘ The Seed and Nursery Trades, and thanks to them for their services to the Institution,” was proposed by Mr. Frank Fuller and responded to by Mr. B. S. Williams. On the health of the Secretary being proposed by the Chair- man Mr. Cutler returned thanks, and announced that the sub- scriptions of the evening amounted to upwards of £500. The music, which was under the direction of Mr. W. Ganz, assisted by Miss Annie Sinclair, Madame Marie Belval, Mr. Trelawny Cobham, and Mr. Maybrick, was executed in a very masterly style, and elicited repeated rounds of applause, OXFORD ROSE SHOW. Mucx might be written about Oxford—of the beauty of its architecture, its trees, and its gardens, but our remarks must be limited to the grand display of Roses under the Lindens in the grounds of Trinity College. The Show was a postponed Show, and the only day that could be found for a second fixture was Monday-the 3rd.inst. Monday was felt to be an unfavourable day, especially for distant exhibitors, but the time for staging the blooms was prolonged until one o’clock, and this enabled an exhibition to be made—even the finest exhibition that up to its date had this year been held in England. Of course when there was such a race against time the trains must be late, yet by extraordinary efforts all collections were staged in time for judging. The Show was arranged as if by magic, and it was with great reluctance that some exhibitors ceased the work of trimming and touching-up their blooms when judging commenced. The Show was not only intrinsically good, but it was decidedly novel, and unquestionably one of the most delightfully enjoyable Exhibitions that has been held at any time or place. The col- lections were not arranged under a plastered roof, not even under a roof of canvas, but under a living roof of Limes. This Lime avenue is remarkable for its regular formation and the density of its arch of green. The trees are growing 5 yards apart in two rows about 20 feet asunder. The trees have been roughly pruned at 20 feet from the ground, and their branches arch over and sweep the grass. Underneath the main branches are bare of foliage, and arch over almost with the regularity of the ribs of a cathedral’s nave. The light beneath is subdued, and the most powerful sun could not penetrate the thick canopy of foliage. On the day of the Show the sun was not bright, and the bower, 120 yards long, was fully too dark to show the dark Roses to the best advantage; but it was deliciously cool and roomy, and no exhibition under canvas could have been so com- pletely enjoyable and satisfactory. In the open class for seventy-two varieties, single blooms, Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, had the first place, followed by Mr. Prince, Oxford, and Mr. Turner, Slough, in the order named. Messrs. Paul & Son’s Roses were very massive. Edouard Morren, Marquise de Castellane, Herry Ledechaux were in fine con- dition. Duke of Edinburgh, Louis Van Houtte, Mons. Noman, Eugénie Verdier, Nardy Fréres, Marquise de Gobat, Ferdinand de Lesseps, La France, Mdlle. Marie Rady, Beauty of Waltham, Etienne Levet, Emily Laxton, Annie Laxton were all in the old Cheshunt form, and what thatis many know—some too well. Amongst the light flowers Madame Lacharme was very beau- tiful; there were also good blooms of Marquise de Mortemart and Alba Rosea. Mr. Prince’s was a fresh and beautiful col- lection, the blooms not large but justin their best state. Dr. André and Souvenir de Mons. Boll were very splendid; and Marie Baumann, Madame Lacharme, Charles Lefebvre, Duchess of Edinburgh, Madame Fillion, Camille Bernardin, Felix Genero, Maréchal Niel, Homére, and Triomphe de Luxembourg were all in superior form. It was not size but quality and freshness that found favour with the Judges. Equal in these respects were Mr. Turner’s blooms, and they were also larger. This was a splendid collection, in which the following were noticeable— Mrs. Baker, Oxonian, Miss Hassard, Sir G. Wolseley, Royal 14 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, [ July 6, 1876. Standard, J. S. Mill, Annie Laxton (gem of the stand), Star of Waltham, Horace Vernet, a grand bloom; Louisa Wood, excel- lent ; Louis Van Houtte, Etienne Levet, Abel Grand, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Villaret de Joyeuse, Madame Charles Wood, Mons. Noman, Pitard, Baroness de Rothschild, La Fontaine, Alba Rosea, Edouard Morren, Marquise de Gobat, Madame Vidot, and Maréchal Niel. Mr. Farren, Cambridge, also exhibited; his collection including a seedling, Alice Farren, a soft General Jacqueminot, of beautiful form, smooth petal, and altogether good, and another seedling of the Horace Vernet type but deeper. Messrs. Cranston & Mayos, and Messrs. Davison & Whitten, Hereford, also staged admirable collections in this class. In the class for forty-eight trebles Mr. Prince was first, Mr. Turner second, and Messrs. Davison & Whitten third. Mr. Prince had some magnificent blooms, such as Htienne Dupuy and Edward Morren, and charming triplets of Gloire de Sante- nay, Madame Opoix, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Madame Bravy, Mdlle. Marie Cointet, and JeanDucher. ‘‘ The Teas pulled him through” was the general remark; but of more uniform excel- lence was the Slough collection, which was weakened only by Capitaine Christy and Souvenir de la Malmaison, which were too much expanded; Royal Standard, Mdlle. Thérése Levet, Mons. Noman, J. S. Mill, Pitard, Madame Liabaud, very pure; Miss Hassard, splendid; Ed. Morren, Rev. J.B. M. Camm, Louisa Wood, Oxonian, Francois Michelon, Etienne Levet, Maréchal Niel, Beauty of Waltham, and Marquise de Castellane were as near perfection as these fine Roses can be. In Davison and Whitten’s collection Bessie Johnson was quite lovely, as also were Marguerite de St. Amand and Mdlle. Marie Finger; Madame Lacharme was also very good, but the blooms were generally small. : For forty-eight varieties (singles) Mr. Turner, Mr. Prince, and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were placed in the order named. In Mr. Turner’s boxes Baroness de Rothschild, Francois Miche- jon, and Louis Van Houtte were wonderful blooms; and very fine were Etienne Levet, Xavier Olibo, and Miss Hassard, but all were good saving Gloire de Dijon. Mr. Prince’s were smaller, but very compact and remarkably fresh, of the same varieties as previously enumerated; Messrs. Pauls’ being very large, some even too large, yet many very perfect, especially Etienne Levet, Madame Laurent, Dr. Andry, Annie Laxton, Centifolia Rosea, &c.; the foliage was also very exuberant. In the class for twenty-four varieties, singles, Mr. Cooling, ! Bath, had the premier position for a remarkably good collec- tion. For sixteen triplets Mr. Arkwright, Hampton Court, Leo- minster, had the first place. He had Maréchal Niel in grand form; Catherine Mermet, exceedingly lovely ; Madame La- charme, Fisher Holmes, Charles Lefebvre, and Souvenir d’un Ami, all in admirable condition. Mr. Cooling was placed second, also with very fine blooms. For twelve blooms of Marie Baumann Mr. Turner, Slough, won with one of the finest collections ever staged; second Mr. Farren, smaller. For twelve Maréchal Niel, first Mr. Ark- wright, Leominster, for a magnificent dozen ; second Mr. Prince. | For twelve Baroness Rothschild, equal first Mr. Prince and Mr. Farren for noble stands. For twelve La France, first Mr. Cavell with wonderful blooms; second Mr. Prince. The exhibits in this class were remarkable for their great excellence. For Teas Mr. Jowitt, Mr. Prince, and Mr. Cavell were placed as named. The best blooms were Perle de Lyon, Madame C. Kuster, Homére, Belle Lyonnaise, Madame Margottin, Marie Van Houtte, Reine du Portugal, Adrien Christophle, Narcisse, Madame Charles, Madame Opoix, Jean Ducher, Souvenir de Paul Neron, Bouquet d’Or, Rubens, La Boule d’Or, Comte de Paris, Madame St. Joseph, and Anna Olivier. : Amateurs.—In the class for forty-eight varieties, single blooms, there was great competition, and many blooms of high character were exhibited. Mr. T. H. Gould, The Vicarage, Mortimer, secured the first prize. The collection included grand examples of Francois Michelon and Edouard Morren. Amongst lights Alba Rosea, Mons. Van Houtte, America, and Perle de Lyon were all excellent. The second prize went to Mr. J. H. Arkwright with a collection almost equally good, and containing the finest Maréchal Niel we have ever seen exhibited. Mr. Thomas Start, gardener to Rev. C. Evans, Solihull Rectory, near Birmingham, was third, also with a most admirable collection, Madame La- charme, Belle Lyonnaise, Marie Van Houtte, and Lord Macaulay being in the perfection of loveliness. For thirty-six varieties, single blooms, Mr. Jowitt, The Old Weir, Hereford, was first with a beautiful collection of perfect blooms, not large, but “in” to the hour. C. Rouillard, Annie Wood, Charles Lefebvre, Le Havre, Mdlle. Marie Rady, Mons. Noman, Xavier Olibo, Francois Michelon, La France were all in the highest possible state of excellence; Mr. J. E. Cavell, Bardwell Villa, Walton Manor, Oxford, being second for a re- markably good collection. Mr. Scott, Warminster, Wilts (Mr. Goodfellow, gardener), having the third place for highly credit- able blooms. For twenty-four varieties Rev. C. Hvans won with a really admirable collection ; Emilie Hausburgh, Madame George Schwartz, and Annie Laxton were highly superior; and or eighteen varieties Mr. Bradley, Oxford, was first with capital ooms, — In the classes for members of the Society there was spirited competition, and the quality of the blooms was highly compli- mentary to the several exhibitors. For thirty-six varieties the prizes were secured by Mr. W. J. Emberlin, Mr. J. Bloxham, and Mr. W. Freeman, in the order named; for twenty-four varieties the awards went to Mr. Charles Patey, Mr, Arthur Evans, Mr. Charles Taylor, and Mr. J. P. Bradley; for eighteen varieties Mr. D. Chapman and Mr. Charles Davies won with very good boxes; and for twelve varieties the successful com- petitors were Mr. J. G. Bartlett, Mr. C. R. Ridley, Mr. John Allin, and Mr. W. Cauldwell. In the remaining classes excellent blooms were staged, notably those of Mr. Freeman and Mr. Calcutt, which would have done credit to any professional exhibitor. Bouquets of Roses were numerous, but too formally arranged, and the Judges appeared to have awarded the prizes to those who ped packed the blooms together the closest, but chacon a son gout. Both in quality and extent this must be rsgarded as one of the most successful exhibitions of the year, and the company was exceedingly numerous and appreciative. The judging was expeditiously done. Mr. Ridley’s plan of having the names of the exhibitors printed on large cards, and pasting across each the words “first prize,” “second prize,” and ‘third prize,” is a system not easy to improve. To Mr. Ridley’s (the Hon. Secre- tary) efforts—his zeal, ability, and industry—the Society owes a large measure of its success. Need it be said that the officials of a Show so well managed were attentive and courteous to all? - OUR BORDER FLOWERS—MADWORTS. = Some of them are closely allied to shrubs, and are frequently described as half-shrubby. Generally speaking the perennial species are evergreen. We cannot say of the Madworts as we have to say of many of our old border flowers, that they are neglected; far from that, for in many places they are much cared for, and reward the cultivator with a display of their beautiful flowers. What would our spring gardens be without them? What would our herbaceous borders or our rockeries be with- out those charming occupants during spring and early summer, and often in the autumn and winter furnishing us with stray blooms ? I know of no hardy plants that are more effective than the Alyssums. ‘To see.well-established plants of Alyssum saxatile compactum, 2 sheet of bloom with its intense orange hue, can- not easily be forgotten. Others of this charming group are also effective, but the above, in my estimation, carries off the palm. The variegated form is a useful summer bedding plant. Alys- sum spinosa is a fine addition to our border flowers; it may be turned to good account for all purposes, but especially so in a choice selection of rock plants. Alyssum olympicum, A. montanum, and others of the family are very ornamental plants. They may be raised from seed, but are much better from cuttings, as the seedlings are inconstant. Sometimes they may be increased by division, but I find them answer best from cuttings in the early autumn when they have partly matured their growth; they may be cut across at a joint or taken with a heel pared smooth and inserted in moist sandy soil, with good drainage, either under hand-glasses or in cold frames in a shaded situation. When rooted they are best potted and plunged in sand or ashes till required for planting. They will bear a good deal of rough usage, often lasting for years, but are all the better for being often renewed, as old plants become unsightly, having an untidy appearance.—VERITAS. NOTES on VILLA ann SUBURBAN GARDENING. Tur Amateurs’ Vinery.—Now that late Grapes are approach- ing the stoning stige they ought to have the fullest attention paid to them, for a little extra care given now has a very markea influence on the crop. I have lately inspected three or four of these small vineries, and where the crops were fairly good; but the shoots and foliage have been let alone till they have all becomes matted together. Now, it is difficult to advise in a case of this nature. If the shoots had been disbudded in their earlier stages of growth, and those left to support the crop had been regularly stopped as previously advised, the bunches and berries would have been larger and the foliage more healthy and better developed. IfI advised regular training-up of these neglected growths now I _ should expect: shanking to take place and almost a stoppage of growth, and the berries would most likely be of a foxy colour when ripe instead of possessing the blackness and fine bloom July 6, 1876. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 15 characteristic of a good Grape with fine flavour. I like to regu- late the growth of Vines, so that when or just before they com- mence colouring the shoots may grow and be kept growing all through the colouring process. In the case of the Vines referred to I would advise that they receive a very gradual thinning of the lateral shoots, and when that is done, say at two or three times, then the points of the leading shoots may be pinched-out. This will stop rapid growth, yet it will secure ample foliage for the perfection of the crop. Vines neglected in this way are subject to mildew through the condensed moisture settling continually on the leaves and berries. I am an advocate for allowing Vines to become dry once in every twenty-four hours ; after that, when they receive moisture, they can absorb it for the purposes of growth instead of its inducing a stagnant atmosphere from which something injurious is sure to arise. Let there be a circulation of air night and day in these small places, and if the house is placed in a hot sunny position water must be thrown on the floor and over the stages of the house three or four times in the day. Fires may be dispensed with unless the atmosphere outside is dull and very close, when a little fire heat sufficient to put the inside air in circulation will be necessary. While the berries are stoning they seldom swell much, but as soon as that is over the last swelling before that of colouring takes place, and if the Vines are in a healthy state through that swelling the colouring process may be expected to progress satisfactorily. Outdoor Vines are now in bloom, and as their season is short and the weather uncontrollable there must be no neglect now. Let all the bunches have full exposure to the sun, so as to in- duce them as much as possible to come into bloom all at once. In the case of an individual bunch it often happens that if one part of the bunch blooms and sets its fruit before the other part that bunch is irregular, many of the berries not swelling into a 8ize worth having, so that there are two crops in different stages, one of which is fit to use and the other is not. Early thinning is a great advantage, and it should be done well—I mean that the most promising berries must be left, and all of about one size, and they may be expected to do well.— Tuomas REcoRD. DOINGS OF THE LAST AND WORK FOR THE PRESENT WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Ovr ground is still dusty dry. Rain has fallen south, north, and west of us, and within little more than a mile, but we have not had enough to lay the dust. Allusion was made in the “Doings” at page 495 to the advantages of deep trenching, and the rainfall on June 15th was stated as 6.5 inches, it should be 0.65 inches, or the 65-100 part of aninch. The crops are coming in far too quickly; spring and autumn-sown Cauliflowers are nearly together, and the first and second sowing of Peas are the same. The new variety, Dr. Hogg, is bearing an abundant crop of its large curved pods. William I. is slightly before Alpha, and has the advantage of it for show, the pods being larger and of a much darker green. Alpha being a wrinkled Marrow is more esteemed in the kitchen. All the pods are gathered as soon as they are ready, as if they are left on till they are too old they exhaust the plant and prevent fresh young pods from fill- ing out. We have not yet watered the Peas, but those who find it necessary to do so should not pour the water down upon the stalks, but should draw shallow drills on each side of the rows about 5 or 6 inches from the plants; these should be filled twice with water, and the ground may be hoed over, mulching it with litter if possible. ‘Ihe new Seville Longpod Bean is bearing an erormous crop of large handsome pods. It is now ready for gathering, and is earlier than the Windsor; it seems to be the best sort for exhibition purposes. As the early crops are cleared off the ground is immediately trenched for other crops. The quarter of early Peas is devoted to Strawberries. They will be planted out this year about the middle of July. A good crop to succeed the exhausted Strawberry plants is Broccoli, and as the beds were well trenched and richly manured about twelve months ago the Broccoli may be let into the hard soil with a crowbar after the ground has been cleared from weeds. We have placed stout long sticks to the Scarlet Runners, as we depend on them to supply us with gatherings until the frost comes, and it is astonishing for how long a period they will continue to bear in rich deep soil when the rows are well supplied with water. it is not absolutely necessary to place sticks to this crop. The farmers who grow for the London market do not stick them ; they pinch the leading points out, and the plants naturally form a ridge about 2 feet in height. We are planting out in trenches the main crop of Celery. In dry seasons this crop is frequently injured through becoming too dry. From the time the plants appear above ground until they are ready to dig out of the trenches for use they ought not to suffer from drought in any way. The Celery maggot is doing considerable injury to the leaves. By a little patience the pest may be destroyed by crushing it between the finger and thumb. A full crop of Savoys should now be planted in good soil. Crops of Coleworts and early Cabbages should be planted on all vacant ground as soon as it is cleared of Potatoes, or indeed any crops. There are but few gardens where the ground can be allowed to lie vacant; it must produce at least two crops in one season if cleared by the end of this month. Broccoli should be planted in different situations, and we advise all who have the opportunity to try a plantation under the shelter of a north wall. Broccoli suffers more from alternate sunshine and frost than if itis exposed to frost and the sun is not allowed to shine upon it. Carrots sown now come in very useful in October and No- vember. Artichokes are now ready for use, and as soon as the heads are cut the stalks should be cut off as close to the ground as possible. We have also made the last sowing of Dwarf Kidney Beans. As this sowing is intended to last until the frost cuts down the plants, the sowing is made in a sheltered position. Under a wall facing west is very good, as here the crop is sheltered from the east winds and the sun does not act upon the plants very early in the day. The crop should be gathered as soon asit is ready, for the plants are soon exhausted if the pods are allowed to hang too long. The plants will some- times produce gatherings well into October. It is necessary to water the drills well before sowing. This is also a good time to make a sowing of Turnips for autumn use. The plants come in with us in September and onwards. A later sowing continues the supply until they run to seed in spring. Small salading must be regularly sown in a shady position. A north wall is best for this. PINES. In ordinary seasons tho earliest Queens would be nearly over by this time ; so far only two or three fruits have been cut in our house, but the suckers are very strong, and will be potted when the plants are ready to ke removed from the bed. It is no use potting them sooner, as the bed will not be ready for them until the succession plants are removed from the bed intended for the suckers. Most likely the suckers will not be potted for a month, and they are not expected to bear fruit until 1878. Fire heat has beer dispensed with in all the houses, as the weather is very mild at present. The succession plants are rather back- ward, but the house is not sufficiently heated, and it has not been possible to hurry them on. We are careful to see that none of the plants suffer for want of water at the roots, as over- dryness is very apt to throw Pine plants prematurely into fruit. There are a few Cayennes and Charlotte Rothschilds throwing up fruit which will ripen in autumn and winter. These plants are aided by a little guano dropped in the water at every alter- nate watering. ORCHARD HOUSE. Except one tree of Early Rivers Peach, which has the fruit stoned and taking the second swelling, all the other trees have the fruit passing through the stoning period. All the trees are in pots, and they require very large supplies of water at least twice daily. The pots have also been mulched with decayed manure and turfy loam in equal proportions. The material is pressed down upon the surface quite firmly with the fingers. We syringe the trees at 64.m. and about 5 P.u. daily. All tho Strawberry pots have now been cleared out of the house. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. é Show Pelargoniums are getting past their best, but they still make a tolerably good show. Zonal Pelargoniums ought now to be at their best, and the many different shades of colour —white, pink, salmon, scarlet, crimson, &c., can be arranged so that a fine effect is produced from this class of plants alone. Primulas, Cinerarias, and Calceolarias require to be kept clean, and the plants suffer if exposed directly to bright sunshine. A house with a north aspect suits them best, but if this is not to be obtained the plants must be shaded when the sun strikes directly upon them. Cyclamens are at rest at present, and the plants have just as much water as keeps the foliage from flagging. Hyacinth and Tulip bulbs are quite ripe, and have been turned out of the pots. These roots are always potted, and they flower tolerably well the second year. About three Hyacinths and six Tulip roots are placed in a 6-inch pot. Tying and training Chrysanthemums. All the specimen plants are now in their flowering pots, and the shoots have been pinched for the last time, at least the late-flowering sorts. Aphis has been very troublesome, and as it is difficult to dip the growths in the usual solution the points have been dusted with snuff. We syringo frequently in hot dry weather. : Specimen hardwooded plants are better for being placed out of doors at this season, but the sun must not be allowed to act upon the sides of the pots, else the roots may be destroyed. A slate or board may be placed against the pots to prevent this. All plants subject to be attacked by red spider or thrips should be freely syringed. FLOWER GARDEN. The Dutch hoe has been kept at work amongst the bedded-out plants, and so far nothing seems as yet to have suffered from the drought except the old yellow shrubby Calceolaria rugosa. This 16 variety is the most hardy sort we have and flowers very freely. It would be very beneficial to the plants if we could give them all a good watering, and then mulch the surface of the ground with decayed manure. Asters also suffer from the attacks of insect pests. The beds have been well watered and mulched, and if this does not start the plants into healthy growth they will be syringed daily with soot water. This causes the foliage to become of a darker green, and soot is obnoxious to most insects. Pinks arein splendid bloom. The plants never were more healthy or the flowers better laced than they are this season. Hach plant has about a dozen well-shaped flowers on it at one time. Carnations and Picotees are also coming freely into flower, and it seems as if there would also be a good show of them. Auriculas are very quiet behind a north wall. The plants are carefully watered, they are kept clear from green fly by brushing it off; there are always a few withered leaves at this season which are picked off, and the weeds are not allowed to remain in the pots. Herbaceous borders require frequent attention at this season, else the stronger-growing subjects quite destroy the more dwarf and tender species. Hach plant ought to have its allotted space, and must not be allowed to grow beyondit. Many persons complain that certain tender alpine plants do not succeed with them. How can they unless they have space to grow? The reason is not always the unsuitable soil and situation, but simply that the weaker plants are smothered with their robust neighbours.—J. Dovewas. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. William Clark, The Nurseries, Wallington, Surrey.—Cata- logue of New and Choice Greenhouse and Hardy Plants. Ant. Roozen & Son, Overveen, near Haarlem, Holland.— Catalogue of Bulbs, Aquatics, Terrestrial Orchids, Gesneri- aceous Plants, dc. HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. SECRETARIES Will oblige us by informing us of the dates on which exhibitions are to be held. IpswicH.—July 6th, and September 17th. Road, Ipswich. FRomeE (Roses). July 6th. Mr. A. R. Baily, Hon. Sec. NeEwakRk (Roses). July 6th. Mr. F. R. Dobney, Sec. Norrimneuam. July 6thto 10th. Mr. A. Kirk, Municipal Offices, Sec. Sanpown Park. July7th and 8th. Mr. Wills, Royal Exotic Nursery, Onslow Crescent, South Kensington, Sec. ALEXANDRA PaLace. Roses, July 7th and 8th. WELLINGBOROUGH. July 7thand Sth. Mr. W. B. Parke; Hon. Sec: REIGATE (Roses). Jnly 8th. Mr. J. Payne, Treasurer. Sec., Mr. W. B. Jeffries, Henley Eauinc, ACTON, AND HANWELL. July 11th (at Fordhook). Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, Sec. ENFIELD. July 12th. Mr. J. T. Rofe, Bloomfield Nursery, Sec. HELENSBURGH (Roses). July 12th and18th. Mr. J. Mitchell, Sec. WIMBLEDON. July 12thand18th. Mr. P. Appleby, 5, Linden Cottages, Hon. Sec. Hieueate. July 13th. Mr. W. M. Biirck, 6, North Road, Highgate, Sec. West oF ENGLAND (HEREFORD). Roses. July 18th. Rey. C. H. Bulmer, Credenhill, Sec. Cuirron, Bristow (Roses, &c.). Jaly 13th. Mr. J. T. Jackson, Sec. LEEK (Roses). July 18th. Mr. S. Cartwright, Sheep Market, Leek, Stafford- . shire, Hon. Sec. Kanmarnock. Roses, July 18th and 19th. General Exhibition, September 14th. Mr. M. Smith, 11, King Street, Sec. TonpRipGE. July 19th. Mr. W. Blair, Hon. Sec. Roya HorvticutturaL Society, SourH KENSINGTON. (Roses, &c.). November 8th (Fruit). THORNTON HEATH. July 2lst and 22nd, and September 1st and 2nd. Mr. jie eines; 10, St. John’s Villas, Bensham Manor Road, Thornton Heath, on. Sec. TEWKESBURY. July 25th. Mr. P. Mooreand Mr. H. J. Cochrane, Hon. Secs. WreExHAM. July 25th. Mr. J. B. Shirley, Hon. Sec. Hontinepon. July 26th. Mr. J. Dilley, Market Place, Sec. HEADINGLEY. July 26th and 27th. Mr. T. Atkinson, Burleywood, Head- ingley, Leeds, Sec. ABERDEEN (Royal Horticultural Society). July 26th, 27th, and 28th. Mr, Archibald J. Rennie, 123}, Union Street. BricHouse. July 29th. Messrs. C. Jessop & E. Rawnsley, Hon. Secs. SaLrarre. July 29th. Mr. G. A. White, Hon. Sec. Krispy (Flowers). August 1st. Mr. C. E. Bracebridge, Sec. HeEworrtH (Horticultural). August 2nd. Mr. R. H. Feltoe, Hon. Sec. RaAWTENSTALL (ROSENDALE). August4th and 5th. Mr. M. J. Lonsdale, Sec. SOUrRAMEZON: August 5th and 7th. Mr. C. 8. Fuidge, 39, York Street, eC. Binepon. August 7th. Mr. G. C. Mann, Sec. Taunton DEANE. August 10th. Mr. F. H. Woodforde, M.D., and Mr. Clement Smith, Hon. Secs. Fingy. Augustllth. Mr. Walter Fisher, Hon. Sec. Orney. August 12th. Mr. Alfred Suttle, Hon. Sec. Cuay Cross. August 15th. Mr. J. Stallard, Clay Cross, noar Chesterfield, Sec. WESTON-SUPER-MARE. August 15th and 16th. Mr. W. B. Frampton, Sec. Preston. August 16th and 17th. Mr. W. Troughton, Hon. Sec. SHrewspury. August 16th and17th. Adnitt & Naunton, Hon. Secs. Norton, NEAR STOCKTON-ON-TEES. August 18th. Mr. C. Turner, Sec. MIRFIELD HorTICULTURAL. August19th. Mr. George Senior and Mr. John Rushforth, Hon. Sees. CaLNE (Wilts). August 22nd. Mr. H. Blackford, Sec. Newesury. August 22nd. Mr. H. Seymour, Hon. Sec. CHEPstow. August 23rd. Mr, R. Thorn, Hon. Sec. SEaTon Burn. August 26th. Mr. R. Richardson and Mr. W. Eliott, Secs. July 19th and 20th JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876. CARSHALTON, WALLINGTON, AND BEDDINGTON. August 24th. Mr. J. Baines, Leicester House, Carshalton, and Mr. W. Clark, the Nurseries, Wallington, Hon. Secs. IsLE oF THANET (MarGATE). August 30th. Mr. C. D. Smith, 8, Marine Terrace, Margate, Sec. Montrose. September Ist and 2nd. Mr. Alex. Burnett, 2, High Street, Sec: TO CORRESPONDENTS. ** All correspondence should be directed either to ‘ The Editors,” or to ‘‘The Publisher.’”’ Letters addressed to Mr. Johnson or Dr. Hogg often remain unopened unavoid- ably. We request that no one will write privately to any of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to un- justifiable trouble and expense. Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee sub- jects, and should never send more than two or three questions at once. All articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the post. Books (I. F.).—'‘ The Elements of Botany,’ by Thomas Moore, published by Longman, will suit a young lady “anxious to begin the study of botany.” (Glenore) Any bookseller in the town near you can obtain the book you need. Compost FOR CycLAMENS (J. T.).—Three parts fibrous loam, one part leaf soil or well-decayed manure, one part sandy peat, and a part of silver sand, well mixed and broken-up fine but not sifted, will be suitable. Drain efficiently. Forming RooFr FoR GREENHOUSE (E. M. P.).—We know nothing of the house you allude to, but if we understand your sketches aright the supports for the glass in the present case are lengthwise of the house, glazed without putty, and that you wish to convert it into an ordinary roofed house glazed with putty. You will require rafters, and these need not be more than 2 inches thick and 44 deep, rebated half an inch wide and three-quarters of an inch deep for the glass, and between each of those you will require sash- bars 2} deep and 1} inch thick, rebated the same as the rafters. These may be morticed and tenoned into the ridge the depth of rebate below the ridge, and a piece of wood half an inch wide and three-quarters of an inch deep placed on the ridge between the rafters and sash to form the rebate for the glass. The rafters may be secured to the plates at bottom, and a fillet let in between the rafters and sashbars, bringing up the front level with the rebates, which should also project and form a nosing. You ought to have an opening for ventilation 18 inches wide the whole length of the house. Doing the work yourself if ought not to cost more than half of the sum you name. WEEVILS ON RASPBERRIES (A Subscriber).—The insect you have sent is Rhynchites alliariz#, which in some seasons attacks fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. It is very different from what is familiarly known as the Raspberry beetle, Byturus tomentosus. Evidently the visits to the young shoots are for the purpose of depositing eggs, and the only way by which it can be kept under is by the plan often pursued successfully with other weevils—spreading sheets under the Raspberries at night and gently shaking them. Also all twigs should be at once removed which appear to have been touched. The bark of the Vine sometimes affords a shelter to small companies of these weevils, and should be looked to wherever the species shows itself. Vines MILDEWED (A. B. P.).—Apply flowers of sulphur to all the parts affected—leaves, shoots, and bunches, admitting air more freely, repeating the sulphuring if necessary. Dress the border with guano, making the sur- face quite yellow, and wash-in with water at a temperature of 85° to 90°. The mildew has probably arisen from a too moist and close atmosphere. Composts For Prants (R. 4. C.).—The “ Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary” gives the compost required for every description of plant. It may be had through any bookseller. If you only require a work treating of greenhouse plants, our ‘Greenhouse Manual” would suit you. It may be had from our office for 10d. Meton Cunrure (4 Young Gardener).—You may grow the Melon in a light part of the '‘ moderately cool vinery,” giving the plant or plants 13-inch pots, well drained, and using a compost of strong or yellow loam, firming well, keeping the neck or collar of the plants rather high in the centre of the pot, and leaving a couple of inches space for watering and top-dressings of manure after the fruit is swelling. Had you a frame on a hotbed of dung we should put out the plants, one in the centre of each light, with 10-inch depth of soil for the plants to grow in. Marécnat Nret Rose not Turivine (A Subscriber).—The plant has not grown from the soil being so wet as to hinder the formation of roots. It is likely to do better in a bed of fresh soil, and will not be injured by the removal, only shade until established. We do not, however, advise this or any Rose to be grown in a house employed for Cucumbers. It will not long remain healthy, the atmosphere being too warm, close, and moist. Give it a chance in acool airy house planted in a border of good material—turfy loam rather stiff, with a fourth of manure. PLANT AND STRAWBERRY (S. B.).—The box was smashed. We can only say the plant is a Pentstemon. GeRANIuM LEAVES SpotreD (A. Bland).—The air of the house is too moist. More ventilation will check the present spots, and prevent more appearing. s FuoHSIAS AND GERANIUMS NoT Frowerine (G. H. H.).—Haying only top light is the probable cause, and if so your only remedy is to place the plants on shelves close to the glass. Dryinc GRASSES AND FLowers (K. and J. B. A.).—Take some fine white sand (that called silver sand is the best), wash it repeatedly until all dirt is removed and the water remains clear. Next dry it thoroughly, and fill a vase, a stone flower-pot, or a glass half full of the sand; in this stick fresh- gathered flowers in their natural position, and afterwards cover them gently with the sand, taking care not to damage the petals. Now place the vessel in the sun or in a room where a constant fire is kept, and let it remain until the flowers are pérfectly dry. Then remove the sand carefully, and clean the leaves with a feather brush. You must gather your flowers for this purpose when they are dry—that is, after the dew has evaporated. The process succeeds July 6, 1876. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 17 best with single flowers, but the difficulty attending such double ones as Pinks, Carnations, &c., may be obviated by splitting the cup on each side, and when the flower is quite dry the incision made to adhere by means of gam-water; orthe cap may be pricked around with a pin to let out the mois- ture, White flowers lose their natural colour by this process, but it may be restored by exposing them to a moderate vapour of brimstone; but crimson or scarlet flowers should ba placed in a vapour of the solution of tin in spirits of nitre. The green leaves and stems are renovated by the vapour produced from a solution of steel filings in oil of vitriol. When dried the scent of each particular flower may be artificially renewed by dropping into the middle of it some of its essential oil; thus oil of Cloves will scent the Pink, oil of Roses the Rose, oil of Jasmine the Jasmine, &c. Waite Pinx (F. J., Dublin),—There is one called Anne Bullen or Boleyn. BampBoo Unneatruy (A. DL. M.).—We find on inquiry that there are this year many instances similar to the one you have noticed. An experienced correspondent states that as the plants become old they are apt to die off after the manner of old roots of Pampas Grass. He advises that all the small shoots of the Bamboo be cut away, leaving the few strong canes which may show some signs of life for another year’s trial, subsequently transferring the plant to a fresh site and soil, when it may regain its usual healthy state. Hand Provcu.—‘G, M.’” wishes to know if it answers in a kitchen garden. Marginc Lawn Tennis Grounp (Young Ponica).—Tho only plan we know is to mix whiting to the consistency of whitewash with water and apply with a brush, drawing a line about 2 inches wide. It does not injare the grass, and is not obliterated by mowing, but becomes fainter each time, requiring renewal occasionally, and after heavy rain, which washes away the chalk mark. In mowing we take no account of the chalk line, simply taking up the poles and pegs with the net, readjusting them after mowing. KALMIA LATIFOLIA AFTER FLOWERING (Wimbledon Target).—The plant should be placed outdoors in a sheltered situation, the pot plunged in ashes and duly supplied with water. Having flowered massively this season it is very unlikely it will not do so another year. Preinc ReQuireD For Heatine Conservatory (7. P. R.).—To heat 2430 cubic feet of air to a temperature of 45° to 50° in winter you will require 200 feet superficial of heated surface, or 266 feet of 3-inch piping. We have made allowance for your house being in an exposed situation. PLants Not FLrowEeRinG (Mark Manchester).—Not knowing where they are, nor what they are, nor how you treat them, we can give no certain ad- y.ce. Want of sufficient light is the probable cause of the deficiency. Vine Leaves Brown (4. B. C., Doncaster).—If you water the roots abundantly you will prevent the leaves becoming brown. CeLERY LEAVES GRUB-EATEN (Biceps).—The grubs are the larve of a saw-fly, Tephritis onopordinis. A drawing and description are in the first volume of this Journal. There is no remedy but picking off the blotched leaves and burning them before the grubs escape. WATERING (F.J.).—The quantity of water to be applied in dry weather must be regulated by the soiland crop. No arbitrary rule can be laid down. Guano water is best applied in a clear state. Lime (H. J. B.)~-The common lime used by bricklayers is that applied. Mixed with the top 2 inches of the soil and sprinkled over the surface it will exterminate the slugs. Repeat the application if necessary; fresh caustic lime must be employed. Fonat (J. 4.).—One of the forms of Agaricus campestris, and doubtless good for food. (J. M.).—The Vine leaves are covered with the black smut, which is known under the name of Fumago, and consists of Cladosporium herbarum and other moulds. There must be something wrong in the mapagement of your house, or the leaves could not be in such a state. InsEcts oN CamELurA (S. C. Oakes).—The white matter on the Camellia leaves is the exudation from the bodies of the females of a rare species of scale insect, Coccus Camellim.—I. 0. W. . Name oF Fruir (James Radford).—Alfriston. Names or Pranrs (J, H.).—Lilium p»mponium, a native of the Pyrenees. It is noticed in Parkinson’s “ Paradisus” under the name of Martagon pom- ponianum. (W. D. H.).—The Gum Cistus, Cistus ladaniferus. A native of Spain, and cultivated by Tradescant in his garden at Lambeth more than two centuries since. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON OHRONIOLE. MANAGEMENT OF CHICKENS.—No. 2. _Aut the while the present hot weather lasts the chickens cannot have too much shade, and their food cannot be too fresh and sweet. Shade is important for all breeds. Cochins, and Dorkings, and Hamburghs are all the better for shade. With white varieties to keep them white it is essential. Those who only have bare and enclosed runs will keep them cool and fresh by watering them every two or three nights. It is quite sur- prising to find how the chickens are benefited by that practice. We again urge that the yards should now be thinned, and all the inferior specimens removed to make room for the others. Cochins with scanty leg-feathering, or Cochins with heavy hocks and inside leg-feathering, can never be of much use. Hamburghs with white legs, Houdans and Dorkings with bad claws, single-combed and clean-legged Silkies, and all birds with such serious imperfections can never be up to the mark, and should be at once done away with. We are quite positive that many, too many, inferior and perfectly useless birds are annu- ally allowed to live, and then perhaps sold for 3s. or 4s. each, and in their turn used by inexperienced purchasers as breeding stock, and hence come the swarms of perfect rubbish which we find advertised in cheap advertisements. These birds will, we fear, in time half ruin the fancy; and we often think the selling classes are in another way equally as unprofitable and damaging, for to every good bird sold in a sale class we should think woe may safely reckon there are ten bad ones. Weed-out, we say then, now the wasters—roast them, boil them, pie them, only get rid of them, and we dare say—we feel certain—the remainder will be doubly as valuable as if all had been allowed to live. It is important now, too, to see to the roosting places of the chickens, for many will soon be changing their feathers, and overcrowding or bad housing may spoil the new plumage. Those which are allowed still to sleep in their coops—and we fully approve of the. plan—should be carefully watched, for often a dozen or two will try and crowd into a coop which can only hold half the number. We like our chickens to sleep in these coops, when there is no fear of dogs or foxes disturbing them, as long as possible, for by moving these small tenements every day to a fresh place the ground is well manured, and the chickens are always in clean feather. Of course, only those who have a field or some such run can do this; but those who have the ordinary fixed houses merely for the chickens to roost in must keep such very clean, for just at this time many birds in one building, especially where any matter is allowed to re- main and decompose, will fill the place with injurious and bad air. Boards under the perches which can be scraped every morning some use, but we like ourselves nothing so well as a bed of clean dust and sand, for it is so easily raked over with a finely-toothed rake, and the dust acts as a powerful deodoriser and removes every particle of smell. Some mix lime dust with this sand or road grit, but we do not approve of this where the birds can have access to the houses in the daytime, for they will often dust in it, and we are sure the lime injures the feathers and spoils some of the bloom and gloss. Many who have a small plot of garden for flowers or vege- tables, and also go in for chickens in quite an amateur way, are afraid of letting their brood loose in the garden, for a lettuce bed or young turnips or beetroots would soon cease to exist under the mothers’ claws and the chickens’ mouths. We should re- commend them to have a few yards of galvanised wire and bend it loosely round the rhubarb bed, or when the strawberries are over round the plants there, or the artichokes and seakale, for they will now do no harm there; and we have seen a young brood of three or four weeks old thrive ina surprising manner when so wired-in, for they obtain shade, and the loose straws and refuse which are generally found on such beds afford a capital opportunity for scratching, and plenty of woodlice and flies and insects are being repeatedly turned up. All will probably have by now cockerels' and pullets large enough to separate. If only two runs can be spared for this purpose let the birds be changed in them frequently. The cockerels can have one run for a fortnight, and then the pullets can go there and the cockerels come to the “‘ ladies’ enclosure.” The greater distance these runs are apart the better. We do not care for them being side by side and only divided by wire fencing. When, however, this cannot be remedied, let there be close hurdles or wattle fencing for about 3 feet high, such as we described in the ‘‘ Basse-Cour” of Mr. T. C. Burnell of Michel- dever, for we do not desire the birds seeing each other through the wire. The larger birds will not now want feeding so frequently. Birds four and five months old can well do now with three meals a-day, and three-months-old birds well with four. We again recommend at this period of their growth an abundance of vegetable food and not too much water. Bone dust some use very much, and we were much surprised to hear this last week from one or two celebrated fanciers how extensively they use it. We have never tried it ourselves, and yet we have sent to the exhibition pen a goodly number of winning chickens ; but those who do care to try it, or who are in the habit of doing 80, must see they get a useful sample, for we have seen some sent out which was simply perfect rubbish, and which would do about as much good as sawdust. Bones from the house, or, where the establishment is not large enough to supply any quantity, from the butcher, smashed-up and crushed on a wooden block by a heavy hammer, would prove of value we cau well imagine; and that is the sort of bone-food, ased, of course, in moderation and with judgment, which we should recommend and feel inclined to use ourselves.—W. DONCASTER POULTRY SHOW. Tse annual Show of the Doncaster Agricultural Society was held on June 28th, 29th, and 30th in Netherhall Park. The three days is sadly against the entries. The list of prizes needs revising, no Variety class being provided, while two classes are given for Dorkings. r Game headed the list, and a cup being given the quality was very good. In single cocks first was a grand coloured Brown Red, but rather excited, and evidently not used to the show pen; second a tall likely bird, but a little overshown ; third a fair bird. Black Reds were mostly out of condition. First a grand moulded bird, with a fair hen; second a good-coloured cock, but a little high in tail. Duckwings not as good. The 1s JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876. ————————Kweaoooooo first cock was very good, but the hen dark in eyes; second and third better hens, but cocks odd-eyed. Brown Reds very good, first and cup going toa perfect pair in fine order. Any other variety were all Piles. First the best cock we have ever seen; the hen was pale in leg, but these left no chance for any other. Second a fair pen; but third bad—old-fashioned with blotched legs and feet, but the only penavailable. Silver-Grey Dorkings very good, as also Dark ; the second largest, but cock lop-combed The cup for the Hamburghs and larger varieties was given to Spanish, these being uncommonly good. In Cochins Bufis were first, Whites second, and Partridge third. Brahmas, Light, no third was given, but the two winners were fair pens. Dark very good. Hamburghs, Silver-spangles were good in most cases; the second-prize pen better in some respects than the third, but cock a little tilted in comb. Others very good, especially the first Silver-pencils. Bantams, Red, a large class. First-and-cup a grand pen of Black Reds; second Brown Reds, very good in colour; third old Black Reds, but the hen faded. In the Variety class was one very good pair of Piles; second of that colour were stylish; third Duckwings, a littlefaded. Créve- Ceurs and chickens @ failure. In Ducks only the variety of any note, and some of the money previously withheld was awarded extra here. Turkeys were a grand class. Pigeons were very badly provided for, and were shown in pairs, though the winners in each class were such as would come to the surface in more severe competition. POULTRY.—Game.—Cock.—1, H. E. Martin, 2,Holmes & Destner. 8,C.W. Brierley. Black-breasted Reds.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, H.C. & W. J. Mason. 8,J.Mason. Brown and otker Reds, except Black-breasted.—Cup and 8, C. W. Brierley. 2, Sales & Bentley. Duckwings and other Greys and Blues.—1, H.C. and W.J. Mason. 2, Holmes & Destner. 3,J.A.&H.H. Staveley. Any other variety.—1, H.C. & W.J. Mason. 2,J. F. Walker. 8,R. Walker. Dorkinas. —Silver-Grey—1, J. Walker. 2and38,W. Roe. Any variety.—l, W. Arkwright. 2, J. Walker. 8, W. Roe. Spanisa.—Cup, H. Beldon. 2, J. Powell. 3, W. Rowbottom. Coonrs.—l, J. Walter. 2,H. Beldon. 3,A. Bamford. BraHMas. —Light.—1, J. F. Smith. 2,H.Beldon. Dark.—land 3, T.F.Ansdell. 2,J.F. Smith. HawsurGHs.—Silver-spangled.—1 and 3, H. Beldon. 2, Holmes and Destner. Silver-pencilled.—1,2,and3,H.Beldon. Golden-spangled.—l, Holmes and Destner, 2and3,H.Beldon. Ponanps.—l and 2, H.Beldon. Banrams.— Black-breasted and other Reds——Cup and 2, W. F. Entwisle. 3, A. S. Sugden. Game, any variety.—1, Bellingham & Gill. 2, W. F. Entwisle. 8, R. Newbitt. Any Varrety.—Chickens.—1, J. C. & H. Elwis. Guinea Fowts.—l, F. Clater. 2, E. Snell. 8, W. H. Garforth. Turkeys.—l, W.H. Garforth. 2, J. Walker. 3, G. Mangles. whe, B. H. Brooksbank. Ducxs.—Azylesbury.—l. J. Walker. 2, W. Stonehouse. Rouen.—l, J. Walker. 2, W. H. Garforth. Ducks.—Any other variety.—1 and 2, A. & W.H. Silvester. Extra 1,J. Walker. GEESE.— 1, W. H. Garforth. 2,J. Walker. 8, J. White. Spnuine Crass.—1, J. F. Walton. 2,P. Powell. 8, R. Newbitt. PIGEONS.—Carrirs.—l, J. Walker. 2, J. E. Crofts. Jacoprns.—l, J. E. Crofts. 2, J. Walker. ANTWERPS.—l and 2, W. F. Entwisle. ANY OTHER Varrety.—l, J. E. Crofts. 2, J. Walker, A. & W.H. Silvester. 3,J. G. Knowles. A. & W.H. Silvester. vke, J. E. Crofts. FAanraris.—l and vie, J. F. Loversidge, 2, H. Yardley. SELLING CiAss.—l and 2, J. E. Crofts. JupGze.—Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey. PORTSMOUTH POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. Part 2. Havine looked through the 417 pens of poultry I next come to the 240 pens of Pigeons. The order in which they are placed in the catalogue is new, but hardly to be approved, for instead of the high-class varieties being put first—viz., Carriers, Pouters, and Tumblers, we have wattled birds of all descriptions, the rule of nose being the guide, then Tumblers, 2nd last of all—ah ! name it not in Scotland—come Ponters. This is really too bad, for Pouters ought to be first of all rather than last of all. Carriers.—Fulton and Maynard carried almost all before them in all colours save in Blues of 1876. An odd-looking mottled bird of Mr. Ord’s won in Carriers any other colour. Dragoons, far too much honoured by being placed next to the Carriers (depend upon it the Committee were all long-nosed men!), showed some good birds in all classes, but the Judge was very Sparing of his highly commendeds and very highly commendeds. The White class was particularly strong, and I was glad to see it, for a White Dragoon is one of the most elegant of Pigeons, and the two winning White hens were singularly elegant birds. In the Any other colour a good Red cock first, but the second not sound in colour as to tail, that great difficulty. Among the hens of this class a good Yellow of Mr. Baker’s first, and Red, sound in tail, second. Of the Dragoons of 1876 a good Silver second, and a highly commended Chequer. In a Show of 240 Pigeons there were over fifty Dragoons. Truly this is a popular class in England, showing, I think, that elegance and a naturally- bred and good flying Pigeon has great attractions; for the Dra- goon is the naturally-bred Carrier, and I expect in very old days our best heavier Dragoons would have been called Carries. Tumblers few, but very good. Cocks, a capital Kite of Mr. renee second. Hens, a Red Mottle second; a good Almond st. Passing by Barbs and Fantails as deserving, I come to the Jacobins. First, a Red of Mr. Baker’s, with the sides of the chain quite closing in whatever position the bird stood, and the hood neat and cap-like; second a Black, also Mr. Baker’s, very good, with great length of chain; third Yellow and good in colour. Nos. 588 and 589 Red, good in colour. All the prize birds were somewhat large, and if they are to have length of feather in chain, &c., they must be large. Pouters were not strong in numbers. Baker and Fulton won in cocks. In hens the same owners, and Mrs. Ladd third with an _elegant-shaped, but not large-enough cropped bird. _ In Any other variety, cocks, a grand Black Trumpeter first ; in hens Mr. Baker won all, his White Owl being the best. There was in a permanent building on the ground used, as Timagine, fora Drill Hall in inclement weather, a capital col- lection of English Cage Birds, and as we may well imagine at Portsmouth, a splendid lot of foreign birds. The Canaries almost smelt of pepper, and Goldsmith’s line now bears a mean- ing and a signification he never intended— ** Who peppers the highest is surest to please.” Ecstatic spinsters and dowagers hovered in delight round the cages whether of English or foreign birds, according to their fancy, be that fancy turned to sprightly Norwich, neat Lizard, or high-shouldered Belgians, in the catalogue spelled Belgiums ; indeed, it was the worst-spelt catalogue I ever had in my hand, names of owners spelled incorrectly, and owners’ names given to their dogs. Dun spelled “Dunn,” Dragoon “ Dragon,” Coppy printed “Poppy,” &c. The printer’s reader is clearly no fancier. With a parting look at all sorts of foreign birds I go next to the Rabbits. First come the strictly fancy animals, the Lops, the best contrasting colours in the front—viz., the Black-and- white. Dear pretty ‘‘ Bunnies,” you carry my mind back to days when I kept you—days when my pockets were distended with marbles and tops. Now men and women delight in Rabbits —yea, as I see, soldiers and ladies. The excellency of the Lops must be apparent, by the fact that a buck (Mrs. Dresing’s), with ears 22} inches by 53, got only a very highly commended. Getting away from Lops come the foreign varieties, one a huge giant weighing 16} lbs.; then the small, neat, clean Dutch, and quaker-like Silver-Greys, Belgian Hare, and Himalayas, which look as if they had been indulging largely in taking black snuff. In the same tent with the Rabbits are the Cats, thirty-three pens, naturally enough nearly all owned by ladies. No Tor- toiseshell Tom was there, and not more than one female of that colour worthy of the name. Tabbies were better, among them aterrible cat and her three kittens, all of whom were double- jointed and had a hundred claws. Oh, dreadful kittens! If the little boy in Punch exclaimed with a rueful face of an ordinary kitten after some scratching experiences, “‘ Mamma, has tittens pins in their toes?” what would he have said of you, you dreadful kittens? Of other and more proper kittens there was & nice entry, among them a Blue Tabby (869), and a Silver Tabby (865), which pleased me greatly. There was, too, another rather dreadful kitten having twenty-six claws—i.e., eight more than it ought to have, and some long-haired Cats always thin from their life-long labour of keeping their long hairs clean, for Puss in health will always be clean at whatever cost of trouble and saliva. Next to the Cats come Guinea Pigs. Well, and why not? they please the boys and girls, and with a prize will be doubly pleasing. Guinea Pigs have got up in the world, and now, like St. Bernard Dogs, boast of two varieties, the rough and the smooth, the former called Abyssinian. They are in colour like the English, rich tortoiseshell, and the growth of their hair is very curious, for not only is it rough, but it grows in a series of rosettes, not very unlike the rose in a Jacobin Pigeon or a “feather” in the coat of a horse. The little animals seem to carry targets on their sides to be shot at, with a prize for who- ever hits the bull’s-eye. These little Abyssinians are quaint- looking rather than pretty. Across to another and larger tent containing the Dogs. Al- though the attendance, especially at the early part of the day, was very small, yet such is an Englishman’s love for a dog that everyone, I think, found his way into this tent. There were a little over two hundred animals exhibited, and the strength of the Exhibition was in the Newfoundlands, which were indeed well worth seeing. Next to them in excellence were the Blen- heim Spaniels. The Fox Terriers seem to me to be growing more and more Beagle-like; and some dogs entered as White English Terriers were simply Bull Terriers. The Wire-haired Terriers were numerous, and No. 1000 was no doubt the real thing; a great Pigeon fancier, strange to say, was his owner (Mr. Maynard), and another great Pigeon exhibitor took first in Black and Tan Terriers (Mr. Fulton). Know a Pigeon know a dog, it seems. Specially to be spoken of was the life-saving contest. A dummy sailor was made which at a distance a man even might mistake for another man. This dummy was thrown from a boat moored 200 yards from shore, the competing dogs were on land, and each in turn let loose when the dummy was thrown overboard. I made the acquaintance of the hero ot the first day—viz., “ Monarch,” a black Newfoundland of noble presence, who swam direct to the dummy, seized it, and at once brought it to the shore; this done in about a minute and a half. This beau- tiful dog is owned by Mr. T. Loader Browne of Chard. He was second at Birmingham when about a year old. He measures 21 inches round the head in front of his eyes. On the second day a Retriever, I believe, was first and a Newfoundland second. 1 July 6, 1876. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 19 This life-saving contest strikes mo as a most meritorious scheme, and deserves strong support. At Portsmouth are thousands of arms made on purpose by man to destroy man’s life ; and at Portsmouth the wiser dog showed his power and desire of saving man’s life. Surely such a contest on alarge scale might be carried on at various seaports and towns. Brighton abounds with dogs, people, and money, why not have such a contest there? inking is too hot for summer, while the very sight of the dogs in the water is cooling, to say nothing of the grand purpose for which the contest takes place. Train Pigeons by all means to carry our letters, if a day of terrible need should come, but train dogs also to save our lives. The instinct is in the noble animals, it only wants cultivating.— WILTSHIRE REcTOR. TITLARK OR WOODLARK. In answer to “T.H. Y.” the Titlark, which is 5} inches in length, is the smallest of the Lark tribes, being half an inch shorter than the Woodlark, which more resembles the Skylark in figure and appearance although less in size. Tho Titlark has two bright bars upon the wings, the throat is pale and not speckled, and above each eye there is a bright stripe. The beak is very pointed, the upper mandible being dark brown, and the lower one whitish; the nails of the back toes are crooked, and the tail narrow and rather forked. The Woodlark’s beak is black above and brown beneath, merging into flesh colour to- wards the tip of it. The head feathers, which are longish, give a broad appearance to the bird’s head, and somewhat resemble a crest when the bird is under excitement. Around the head from eye to eye appears a whitish-grey mark, and the feathers about the cheeks, throat, neck, and breast are whitish-yellow with black-brown spots. The coverts of the wings dark brown, with a pale reddish-brown margin. At the joint of the wing, the shoulder, and the four first coverts there is 2 white spot. Tail feathers broad, black-brown, the first and second with a reddish-white conical spot, and a white tip; the two middle feathers entirely greyish-brown. Titlarks so change their places of resort that to gain a know- ledge of the various kinds of food they pick up would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer. Their places of resort are woods that abut upon arable land, with gardens and meadows adjacent thereto; places, also, where timber has been felled and rooted up. In or about the beginning of autumn they visit fields planted with cabbage and other vegetables; somewhat later on they resort to eat fields. As we cannot, therefore, name “ all the things” they eat, we will state a few—for instance, gnats, grasshoppers, flies, caterpillars, small butterflies, and when in confinement, German paste, crushed hempseed, and unflavoured curds, It is better to frequently vary their food, for they are somewhat delicately constituted, and if in confinement they are not at once supplied with a nutritious diet, such as mealworms and ants’ eggs, they will quickly show signs of declining health. When they are first taken it is somewhat difficult to treat and accustom them to food. If anything will tempt them it will be mealworms and ants’ eggs. Do not give Canary seed to your Titlarks. We cannot help here recording the fact that at an exhibition at Birmingham some two or three years back, the only food a Thrush had in its food-trough was Canary seed! and we could not help fancying that the Thrush appeared much puzzled whilst surveying the strange food supplied to him.— GuorcEe J, BaRNnesBy. SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT.—No. 4. Arter adverting to swarming, nadiring, and eking, we now come to supering. Supering is a mode of enlargement well understood by all classes of apiarians, and when successfully done gives satisfac- tion, for both the bee-farmer and the amateur feel enriched by the possession of some woll-filled supers. It is an ancient practice, and was partially adopted long before my day. What i mean by partial adoption is this, that those who used supers tried other ways of enlarging hives, and wisely so, for supering in many cases does not answer at all. All hives that admit of enlargement by supers only are faulty and imperfect. 1, Supering on the non-swarming principle consists in placing Supers on hives as soon as they are full of bees, and when the supers are filled they are taken off and empty supers are put on in their places. This system is open to many objections, two of which may be noted here—namely, the uncertainty of success and the risk of losing swarms. 2, Supering on the swarming principleis resorted to in a great variety of ways. Sometimes small supers are obtained from hives before swarming—that is to say, a8 soon as the supers are full they are taken off, and the hives are swarmed at once arti- ficially. The swarms are put into 16-inch hives, which in fino weather they fill in about three weeks or a month, when they should be supered. The mother hives, too, may be ready to fill supers by the end of three weeks from the time of swarming if no would let them. second swarms be takenfrom them. On both mother and swarm hives supering may be continued till the end of the season with- out much risk of losing swarms. We have obtained 30 lbs. of super honey from swarms put into 18-inch hives, which hives hold and yield more honey than the 16-inch hives. In 1863 Mr. George Fox had two supers above 100 lbs. each from two non-swarmers, and one super of 90 lbs. from a swarm hived late in June. Hives on which supers have been filled are too full of honey for stocks, and yield, according to size, from 25 lbs. to 50 lbs. of run honey. We take, and advise others to take, the honey from heavy hives. If stocks be wanted, the bees from these hives could be driven into empty hives and fed with sugar syrup. Both honey and better stocks are thus obtained. In all cases of supering, pieces of guide comb (white drone comb) should be used to entice the bees to enter and commence working at once. These pieces of guide comb should be cemented to the crowns of the supers, and small wooden ladders about as thick as a child’s finger should be fixed between the crowns of the hives and crowns of the supers to enable the bees to ascend and begin at the top. It should be borne in mind by all apiarians that bees like to Swarm every year, and in hot seasons first swarms are prone to send off virgin swarms ; it is therefore desirable to prevent hives with supers on them from becoming too full of bees, In the Bpring and early summer months bees multiply rapidly, and may cluster at their doors before supers on their hives are quite full. We never like to see bees clustering and wasting their time on the outsides of their hives. By raising the hives 2 or 3 inches by ekes, clustering is prevented and more work is done inside. When the season is nearly over and supers nearly filled it may be desirable to avoid eking, that the bees may well fill and finish their supers. Last autumn something was said in this Journal about the American practice of supering with small boxes. Boxes con- taining 4 or 5 lbs. only of comb are there more readily sold than larger boxes; and the Rev. Mr. Blyth suggested two years ago the desirability of offering prizes for the greatest weight of super honey from a hive under any system of management. I then resolved to try what could be done this year in filling supers from a stock hive and its swarms. I marked my largest and best hive for this experiment, but, unfortunately, the queen of this hive died in autumn or winter, and the whole affair came to grief. This season, too, has been unusually unfavourable for bees. Till the 17th of June bees have been unable to find food enough for themselves here. On the 18th day of this month the wind veered round to the south (from the north), and the bees began to work in earnest. I weighed two of my hives or Monday morning the 19th, and again on Tuesday night the 20th. One hive gained 14 Ibs. and the other 13 lbs. in the two days. To-day the wind has been high, and a thunderstorm has stopped outdoor work. In this contemplated experiment or effort to fill a number of small boxes with honeycomb my plan is to follow the usual mode of management till the end of the season. For the sake of clearness let us take a strong stock to begin with. The first swarm from it would be put into a 20-inch hive con- taining about 5000 cubic inches of space; and the second swarm or cast would be put into an 18-inch hive containing upwards of 3500 cubic inches of space. At the end of three weeks from the time of first swarming the bees would be turned out of the old stock into another 18-inch hive. Thus we should have two or three large swarms at work in large hives, and the parent hive with its honey put aside till autumn. Swarms in large hives capable of producing from 100 lbs. to 150 lbs. each would work in a satisfactory manner as long as weather and store-room ‘How, then, could you get supers?” That is the question and point we are coming to. In such swarm hives we find at the end of every honey season large stores of honey, and the great bulk of it stored in pure virgin comb. In taking the honey from our hives in the autumn we put the discoloured combs in earthenware or milk pan for running, and the pure virgin honeycomb is placed on dishes and in clean empty hives. Sometimes we have cut the discoloured combs from the centres of the hives and sold the virgin comb in them in its natural state ; but our usual mode is to empty every honey hive and put aside the virgin honeycomb for sale at Is. 6d. per lb., never less than 1s. 8d. per lb., and we can sell it thus as readily and at as high a price as in supers, but in supers it is more easily carried and looks better. Now let us come to the projected experiment or supering process. The bees, of course, are driven from the honey hives into empty hives, and all the white pure combs, both fall and empty, go to fill small boxes. The boxes with holes in their bottoms would be filled as well as human hands could fill them with the combs as they are taken from their hives, leaving room enough between the combs for the bees to work, for the combs thus placed would require refixing, repairing, and some cells re- filling by workmen more clever than bee-masters. Supers thugs filled and retouched and completed are both seemly and saleable. “But why use combs that are empty or partially filled in this artificial process?” Because it is desirable to use up every bit 20 of white comb and fill as many supers as possible, and because the bees make a better finish with combs unsealed than they do with sealed combs. ‘‘ But how can they fill and finish after the honey season is over?” As soon as all the combs are partially fixed in boxes their lids should be nailed or screwed on, and then placed on the tops of the empty hives containing the swarms. By giving the honey of the discoloured combs to the bees they would soon commence carrying it all into the supers. Thus all the honey gathered into the large hives may be trans- ferred to either large or small supers. ‘All this is very arti- ficial, and might disqualify for competition.” It is artificial, but we are in search of a system that will give the greatest results in super honey for market or home use, and experience has taught that more honeycomb may be obtained from large hives managed on the swarming principle without the complica- tion of supers than from smaller hives supered throughout the season. Like the Rev. Mr. Blyth we are on our way for the largest amount of pure honeycomb, and if any of our readers who have hitherto been living in the land of hope will condescend to join us in our march they will be conducted across the frontiers into a land of success.—A. PETTIGREW. OUR LETTER BOX. CHICKENS Dyina SupDENLY (EZ. L. P.).—Have your chickens the run of the lawn, or only the space enclosed by the coop? If only the latter they will die as they get older, and they have neither room nor food enough. If they have been kept in let them out; the hen need not go with them, and they will do no damage. There is nothing wrong in your feeding if we except the rice. As they were probably all together, lightning ii it killed any would have killed all. We believe if they have their liberty there will be no return of the mortality. Eees BrRokEN my Layrne (Marks, Manchester).—As they are shell-less it -is evident that the egg organs are disordered. The hens are overfed. Give them less food both in quantity and quality. Let them have bricklayer’s rubbish, and give each a dessert-spoonfal of castor oil. CaNAaRIEs FAILING To BREED (Inquirer, New Ross).—Ift your Canaries have been properly matched we see no reason why they should not have bred before this. There has been some defect in the mode of treatment to a certainty. There is little chance of the birds breeding this season, although you can further exercise your patience by keeping the pairs separated in the breeding compartments until the end of this month. If the birds have not moulted out of their proper season (the autumn) they should have bred; but if they have been kept in an artificial temperature, occasionally casting or throwing off odd feathers, they have not been in condition to breed. In the absence of further knowledge as to your general treatment of the birds we cannot assist you as to how to proceed in the future, although we should have been pleased to have given you assistance. Moor HENs, OTHERWISE WATER Hens (EH. B. M.).—Young Water Hens leave the nest to follow their mother soon after they are hatched, and no doubt they feed upon the same kinds of food as their parents, which con- sists of worms, insects, portions of aquatic plants, mollusks, and the smallest of fishes, Extra Htve Room (——).—No doubt bees will frequently work down- wards through a hole such as you describe, but we have never found it answer. We prefer the open eke, or better still the use of supers, where free access through wide and extensive openings is afforded to the bees of a stock. Our friend “B. & W.” wrote something on this subject not very long ago in this Journel. We refer you to his article. BEEs SwARMING IRREGULARLY (Jane M.).—lIrregularities in swarming such as you describe are not uncommon with bees. You have treated the two second swarms which issued the same day quite right. We should have done exactly as you hayedone. Probably the queen of the one which returned was imperfect, or else too quick in her movements for the bees to fiad where she TE eee We ourselves once picked up a queen which the bees had failed to find. Navirine (Amateur).—If both honey and stocks be wanted from early Swarms, hives or nadirs may be placed beneath them as soon as their hives are filled with combs. The bees readily build combs in the bottom hives and carry most of the honey into the upper ones. The same thing may be done with stocks that have not become ripe for swarming before the end of June or thereabouts. When the topmost hives are removed for honey their bees are driven into the nadirs. As bees like to swarm, and instinctively prepare for swarming by building drone combs before swarming, it has been found that they very often build too much drone combs in nadirs, especially those that have not swarmed, and therefore eking and supering are preferable in most Cases to nadiring. In all cases of nadiring the bees should be made to out and in by one door in the bottom hive. ARTIFICIAL POLLEN (J. F.).— We have never tried this pollen, bat it Seems to meet with decided favour at the hands of many abie bee-keepers who haye tried it. We do not quite understand your question. Do you wish to give each hive a separate dole of this pollen? If you wish to supply it en masse you cannot do better than others do. Take a common straw skep, fill it with fine shavings, and the pollen mixed withit; and pat all under an open dry shed, close at hand. Try Brown & Polson, and report your experience. Drivinc BEEs (Wm. Talbot).—You will do well to turn the bees out of your old hive and put them into a larger one, and the sooner you do it the better; indeed, it should have been done on the 20th of June before the young queen in the hive began to lay. You will probably find brood in the combs, which will be lost, but this cannot be prevented 1f you drive the bees now into a larger hive. Drive the bees first into a small hive, and then shake them into the larger one. If you haye not a small hive to fit, roll some haybands or towelling cloths round the mouth of the old hive, so that the larger hive may rest on them and not elip over the sides of the old one. All that you want is a little more courage. In cases like yours we have taken our coat off and tied it round the mouths of hives to make them fit in arti- ficial swarming. JOURNAL UF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 6, 1876. Excess oF Swarms (Thomas Meattlin).—The Isle of Wight is a good Place for bees. From a very heavy hive you had a natural swarm on the 18th of May and an artificial one on the 26th of June. You have puta super on the old one to prevent it from swarming again, and you intend to super the first swarm by the end of this month. You should not have attempted to take a second on the 23rd and 26th of Jane. On the 23rd the Swarms went back to the parent hive because the queen was left behind, and on the 26th you took the queen with the swarm and thus made the old hive queenless, and if the young queen which you took with the swarm has not begun to lay the old hive is queenless still. Bat probably she had begun to lay before her removal, and the bees may be now rearing another. It would have been better to have turned ont all the bees from old one at the time and taken the honey; thus you would have obtained two good swarms and hive fullof honey. Bear in mind that a second swarm can be taken at one time only—namely, when there are more than one queen in the hive, or, in other words, at the piping season. You will not get a super filled on the old hive this year, so you may remove it and put it on the first swarm. Examine the combs of the old hive at once to see if they contain any brood, and if the cells are empty your better plan will be to drive all the bees out and unite them to the second swarm. Beginners run great risks in attempting to take second swarms artificially; not so with first swarms, METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. CAMDEN SquaRE, LoNDON. Lat. 51° 82’ 40” N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude, 111 feet. Date. 9AM. In THE Day. 1876. |4%_ | Hygrome- | $3 |S=4|Shade Tem-| Radiation | 3 June A223 ter. 38 (ac8| perature. |Temperature.| & anal (Paolo peaa|| false ain Oa Jnly. |S S94| Dry.| Wet.} AS |B Max.| Min.| sun. |grass hes.| deg. | deg. deg. | deg. | deg. deg. | deg.| In. We. 28 riety 63.8 | 61.0 N. | 65.1 | 93.2 | 56.8 | 1242 | 562 | — Th. 29 | 29979 | 643 58.3 N. | 66.0 | 73.1 | 54.1 | 1212 | 62.3 | — Fri. 20 | 29.966 | 6)-2 | 549 | N.W. | 64-5 | 72.8 | 49.8 | 122.9 | 46.6 | 0.010 Sat. 1 | “9952 | 67-5 | 622 | S.W. | 65.0 | 72.5 | 58.4 | 100.2 | 574 | — Sun. 2} 30.006; | 66.9 | 62.2 | S.W. | 63.5 | 80.i | 58.6 | 1842 | 561 | — Mo. 8 | 30108 | 68-0 | 60.4 | N.W- | 64.6 | 78.5 | 60.4 | 1234 | 59.4 | — Ta. 4 | 30.068 | 67-7 | 616 | S.W. | 65.3 | 74.9 | 57.7 | 107.8 | 56.4 | — Means.) 80.027: | 65.5 | 62.1 64.9 | 76.4 | 56.5 | 119.1 | 549 | 0.010 REMARKS. 5 p.u., when it = i d till 9 4.x, then very fine till 28th.—Thick fog all night an : y 52am became dull and cloudy; thunder at 6.10 and 6.35, during the remainder of theday. 4 29th.—Very fine all day, but looking storm-like in the evening, cooler than it was yesterday. : b 80th.—Fine, but at times rather cloudy and cool; slight rain between 9PM. and midnight. Si : July 1st.—Dull and cloudy all the forenoon, but very fine evening and night. 2nd.—Rather close and warm all day, though there was but little sun. 8rd.—Dull morning; very storm-like about noon, but fine afternoon and very fine evening and night. 4 4th.—Dull all day, at times particularly ro, but the evening rather more bright. i Memperscds very nearly the same as last week, only a few drops of rain, but much cloud. Sun very powerful on Sunday the 2nd.—G. J. Symons. and very much COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Juty 5. Ovrpoor fruit is now putting in a good appearance; in fact, the Straw- berries grown near home are now at their height, and are being followed by a large supply out of Kent and Essex. Cherries bid fair to be light crops, while Raspberries show want of rain. Hothouse fruit is quite equal to the demand owing to the moderate amount of business now doing. Prices generally lower. FRUIT. 8.d. s.d. s.d. 5s. d. veceeesse-4Bieve 1 6to5 O | Mulberries.... 0 Otod 0 GS isos 1 6 4 0| Nectarines . 6 0 21 0 Cherries.. ails. 2h & 6 a 4 Chestnuts bushel 0 v O 0 6 De . ¢sieve 0 0 0 U uv 0 dos 20) 0200 00.00 dozen 9 0 15 0 -.-. 1b. 2 0 6 0 lb. uv O O 0} Plums...... agsieve 0 0 U 0 Cobs....+6 . lb. 0 0 O 0} Quinces bushel 0 0 a c Gooseberries...... quart 0 8 0 9/| Raspberries =n 0 3 cae Grapes, hothouse.... aR . 3 a a Stra wpe a Foret 2 a areose Teens a Mach 2 0 8 0 ditto:.s...006 #1000 0 00 VEGETABLES. g..d. 8. d. mae 8 Co, oe Arti ozen 4 Oto6 0/| Leeks............ bunch 0 chokes oe 1 6 6 O| Mushrooms...... pottl 10 2 4 bundle 0 Uv O O| Mustard& Cress punonet 0 2 0 0 100 G 6 1 6| Onions... . bushel 2 0 6 0 dozen 16 8 0 pickling -... quart 0 0 00 bundle 0 9 1 6/ Parsley.... doz.bunches 2 0 4 0° sieve 0 0 O 0| Parsnips. 000600 dozen 1 0 2 OQ| Peas..... 09 16 bunch 0 4 U 8/ Potatoes.. 26 80 e100 16 20 Kidoey. ee .dozen 10 4 0 NOW. ...-seeceeeee 0 0 vJU ‘i"pundle 1 6 2» 0| Radishes.. doz.bunches 1 0 1 6 doz. bunches 2 0 4 0/| Rhubarb........ bunde 08 UY 9 each 0 4 1 0| Salsafy..... . bunde 09 10 . dozen 1 0 2 O| Scorzonera. bundle 10 00 .. bunch 0 8 O O| Seakale., basket 0 0 Ov Garlic . lb. 0 6 © O}| Shallots.............5 Ib 0 8 O 6 Herbs......se-ee. bunch 0 8 0 0| Spinach.. bushel 1 6 2 6 Horseradish... 4 0 O 0| Tomatoes.... -.dozen 1 6 3 0 Lettuce....--.-..-. dozen 0 6 1 0) Turnips............ bunch 0 4 u & French Cabbage .... 0 0 0 0| Vegetable Marrows...,.. 0 2 0 3 July 13, 1876. } JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 27 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Sun Sun Moon | Moon | Moon’g| Clock | Day ot of JULY 13—19, 1876. Temperature near : A 8! bef t Month| Week. STAG Rises. | Sets. | Rises. | Sets. Age. ‘Sao wens me Day. |Night..Mean.| h. m.| h. m.| hb. m.| h, m.| Days,| m. 28. 13 | TH | Hereford, Clifton, and Highgate Shows. 76.1 | 51.4 | 63.7 40] 8 10|10 45})11 20 22 5 29 | 194 l4 | F Queckett (Microscopical) Club at 8 P..t. 74.5 |50.5 | 625 | 4 2] 8 10] 10 57] 0238 ¢ 5 86 | 195 15 8 | 76.6 50.7 | 63.7 4 3 8 9]11 144) 2 1 24 5 42 | 196 16 | Sun | 5 Sonpay arrer TRINITY. | 76.0 | 50.1 | 6830 | 4 4] 8 8/11 87| 8 29] 25 5 47 | 197 17 M | 748 | 51.8 | 62.8 4°95 8 .% | morn. | 4 58 26 5 53 | 198 18 | Tu | Leek and Kilmarnock Rose Shows. 74.7 | 50.2 | 62.5 49 GINS eon) (Oe t2ey (6 tOr 27 5 57 | 199 19 | W Royal Horticultural Society’s Second Summer Show. 738.2 | 49.9 | 61.1 ASH S40 ee Soo het, 227, 28 6 2] 200 | sf om observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 74.9°; and its night temperature AURICULAS. BSE ats Le N no account should your correspondent g \ “J.T. D. L.” put his trust in chance-saved ©») Taz) seed for raising florist Auriculas. In the | " : Ze, first place, the quality would be dismally | BES obscure in comparison with that which may TS € be obtained from known and chosen parent- age on both sides. Hventhe quantity would be uncertain and small. The Auricula is flowered in a quiet though free air. Bees about it are an abomination, and every in- sect trespasser is prosecuted with the utmost rigour, so that the agencies of wind and winged insects in fertilisa- tion are withheld from choice Auricula blooms. Seed is therefore best and most abundantly obtained from studied crossing, and the florist is very thankful for the rich opportunities he has in plants so secured from intrusion. The pleasures of raising seedlings are manifold. The crowning one, of course, is the final result; but the choice of parentage, the careful fertilisation itself, the watching of the swelling pods, the harvest of the seed, and the diverse growth of the young plants, are all matters of deep interest. The more completely each florist makes these operations the work of his own judg- ment, hand, and eye, the more thoroughly will he under- stand and value and enjoy the result. Herein, indeed, is one’s own experience the sweetest. Herein do even dis- appointments “pay,” for whatever you miss, you fail not in great variety and beauty. In saving Auricula seed it is important to begin with the flower when young enough. ‘The stigma is not fit for impregnation until it is viscid or slightly gummy. By this natural provision the light pollen grains are enabled to adhere to it. It soon, however, loses this dew of its youth—soon, indeed, after the pollen of the anthers is past its abundance. Before these anthers can burst I remove them from a flower I wish to fertilise, and this will be before it is well open. I watch the stigma, and when it becomes fit I apply a well-dusted young anther from a bloom of the variety I wish to cross with. I have discarded the use of camel-hair pencils; for pollen isa very subtle substance, and in spite of care there is a possibility of mixture by brush-work, whereas nothing is So pure as a virgin anther. When the stigma is covered with pollen it may be expected that the parentage of the seed is tolerably safe, since the stigma has been pre- occupied, and its powers pass away when its work is done. T use a pair of very delicate nippers, fine enough to lay hold of a single anther and to pass down the throat of the flower to the low-lying pinhead or stigma within. Tt is no matter-of-course that crossing properly per- formed is effective. The plants may refuse to bear seed, something untoward occurring leading to a failure or poor crop. Auricula seed is a breakdown with me this year, although I took pains in every way. Spring was a most vexatious and hurtful time, and no florist could read any poetry about it with patience and with- out feeling it all mere works of fiction, untrue to nature. No, 798.—VoL, XXXI., NEW SERIEs, = | If your correspondent has no other green edges than | those he has named his disappointment among them is | attributable to his apparent lack of the best varieties, which are so difficult to meet with. Prince of Wales is the best he mention‘, and it is often awkwardly crumpled. When he can cbtain Freedom, Champion, Col. Taylor, Prince of Greens, and Anna his eyes will be gladdened with beauties that do not often disappoint. As to Lan- caster Hero coming green-edged, he should rejoice when it does so, and he will grow accustomed to see it bloom in that choice character from a truss that is formed be- fore the spring growth; but the variety is normally a grey edge, and one of our most dashing ones. I should say he might fairly hope to succeed with the Auricula in rural Wales. Some growers would very gladly exchange their difficulties for his, and take a pure though rainy climate in return for their dingy, dewless, poisoned town atmosphere. The Auricula rejoices in fresh upland air and clear breezes from the moors. But the damp that is fatal to it is not the moisture of a plentiful rainfall, from which it can be protected; ‘‘ the enemy” is the unnatural dampness and stagnation of ill-ventilated frames, and the sour marshiness of an ill- drained soil—F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon. PEACH BLISTER. WueEn the expanding foliage of the Peach is exposed to the influence of frost or cold cutting winds it becomes blistered—not shrivelled—pretty much in proportion to the cold or exposure to which it is subjected ; the affected part changing from its normal colour to a pale green hue, thickens and swells, becoming larger with the growth of the leaf, the outer surface often becoming very rugged and irregular, and upon this a delicate mould or fungus makes its appearance in due course, but not till the blister has been established for some time. This is what close observation extending over many years has’ taught me. Let those who say that fungus is the cause of this blister explain the process, and prove to demonstration if they can how and why it does so, and in doing so let me ask them to keep to Peach blister alone and not wander off to other forms of disease ; in a word, let them give us facts and not fancies. Mr. Smith evidently confounds blister with curl caused by the attacks of aphides upon the under surface of Peach leaves causing a contraction of the tissue : hence the curl. IT am aware that this curl affects other trees in precisely the same manner and from the same cause; but let us confine ourselves to the Peach leaves. If an argument is sound it needs no foreign support. Curl is often present in the foliage of Peach trees growing under glass, but blister is never found in a well-managed house. Mark! I say “well-managed” advisedly, because a little mis- management of the ventilators during the prevalence of a cold wind induces blister to appear even with “ great virulence.” Many examples might be quoted, but one will suffice. I was once asked to examine a rather bad case of blister under glass, and found that all along the house immediately under the ventilators the foliage was No. 1450.—Vot, LYI,, OLD SERIES. 22 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { July 13, 1876. much blistered. Traces of the scathing power of the cold air were visible in other parts of the house, but nowhere was there so much affected foliage as in the direct line of the venti- lators; thus showing plainly the source of the mischief and its remedy. Mr. Smith alludes to a form of Peach blister quite distinct from that arising from cold. When and where does this occur? Upon what form of Peach tree, and under what cir- cumstances of climate or cultivation? I have cultivated the Peach successfully under a variety of circumstances and not a, ies difficulties, and so far I have met with but one form of ister. To own, as Mr. Smith does, that ‘‘ the east wind will shrivel and wither all sorts of leaves and prepare them for the attacks of all sorts of fungi,’ and then to add, “ but this is quite be- side the question,” is to show that he has failed to grasp its meaning or to appreciate its full significance. The questions asked in the first paper on this subject were simply, ‘“‘ What is Peach blister ?”’ and ‘‘ What is its cause?” In replying to these questions I showed that the foliage of trees exposed to cold winds became blistered, while that of the trees sheltered from the cold remained perfectly healthy ; my aim being to enforce the importance of such shelter, and thus avoid the recurrence of a scourge of such deadly virulence. That is the question, besides which the matter of the fungi assumes quite secondary importance. Mr. Smith believes that fungi is the prime cause of Peach blister and not its result. He is entitled to entertain that opinion, but I consider it is in opposition to the plain teaching of facts.—Epw. Luczuurst. ABOUT MELONS. Ir is always a time of anxiety both to amateurs and pro- fessionals when Melons are setting. The fruit though appa- rently setting does not swell but turns yellow, and unless care be taken to have all the fruit upon a plant set together, the first set fruit takes the lead and appropriates all the support of the plant to itself, the others not swelling but turning yellow, though they may for several days remain green but stationary. Ican account for the non-setting, it being invariably asso- ciated with a defective root-action—want of warmth and moisture in the soil, with a too close, moist, and not unfre- quently cold atmosphere; but for the uncertain and irregular swelling of the fruit I have more difficulty in ascertaining the cause. In some of the older types, as the Cantaloupe in searlet-flesh, and the Mussulpatum in green-flesh Melons, I have noticed an occasional fruit not starting with the first set, yet swelling off freely. I have often thought if a free-setting kind, when the first crop was half swelled, had another crop of two or three fruit per plant, that the value of Melons would, especially to those with but a two or three-light frame, be con- siderably enhanced. A good succession would be had without the means of resorting to a second bed. Ihave noted all kinds with a tendency to give successional fruit. Ido not mean one crop to ripen and then succeeded by another setting after the first were ripe; but with the first fruit swelled fifteen to twenty days, other fruits followed— perpetual bearers in fact, so far as annuals can be such. Little Heath gave some hope from an occasional fruit of this de- scription, but though its flavour was fair it was not likely to command favour with those having heat. Read’s Scarlet Flesh gave proof of its free setting and continuity of bearing, but the secondary fruit were so small as not to be of much worth. Victory of Bath exhibited a disposition of this kind, also Beechwood in the oval form, which is a very free setter, and does not net much. There is another form of Beechwood perfectly spherical and beautifully netted, which is not a good setter, being very impatient of moisture, the plant being much given to damp at the collar. This is not a good second-crop sort nor a successional bearer, but being a great favourite I still think it unsurpassed in green-fleshed Melons when it can be kept in character, it being apt to degenerate or revert to the oval form, which is not good in any respect. Oulton Park (Wills) also gave evidence of intermediate bearing, but the secondary fruit, as with Read’s, were so small as to be unde- serving attention. ; Now, seeing the intermediate fruit of Read’s were small, I crossed Beechwood therewith ; but though I have a plant less susceptible of damp, the fruit setting very freely, swelling splendidly to a good size, round as a ball, without a trace of rib, and netted all over without a core, seeds embedded in the flesh, pale rose colour, yet not a sign is given of perpetual bearing. Golden Gem x Read’s has given a smaller fruit than either of those with a white flesh, the fruit ripening off golden as in Golden Gem, and being well netted. It may, however, be grown to a size of 2 to 3 lbs., with three to four fruits upon a plant; but I have it this year with eight, three of which are intermediate fruit. The point sought is, therefore, to a certain extent gained, also an increased hardiness of plant, which ig one of the greatest desiderata in Melons. Victory of Bath, as before stated, exhibits a tendency to perpetual bearing, and the result of a cross between it and Beechwood has given us Eastnor Castle, which possesses the vigour of Beechwood and its deeply-lobed foliage. It has also the same tendency as the last-named to damp at the collar. The fruit is oval and slightly netted, but excellent in flavour. Now, this is one of the freest-growing and setting of all Melons, and a certain (so far as two seasons’ experience of it verify) and continuous bearer. I have only two plants (for I do not grow named sorts except a few plants for impregnating), dependance being placed upon crossbreds, and of these two plants have respectively five and four fruit of the first swelling, and four and three of the second, respectively. The secondary fruit will apparently swell to a size superior to the first crop. The secondary fruit are twelve to thirty days later than the first crop—thus a bed planted at the clcse of March or early April will have the fruit set in about six weeks, and the fruit ripe about the end of June or early July, and the last of the secondary fruit will not be ripe until early August. It may not be a fixity of character, but it appears to be so, and in that case it will be highly valuable to those who do not care to have the fruit all ripe together, but are desirous of a continuity of bearing—the fruit ripening at intervals. Varieties of Melons are being extended annually, the main object apparently being to impart flavour to bulk without taking into consideration other advantages, particularly that of hardiness. Could the flavour of our best heat-requiring kinds be implanted in a plant that would succeed in a cold frame it would be a boon to many who canuot command heat, as well as advantageous to those who can.—G. ABBEY. NERTERA DEPRESSA. As information is sought on the cultivation of this remark- able and exceedingly ornamental plant, I may briefly detail my experience. I have grown it now for four years, and each year I find that the less I shelter it the better it flourishes. If it is not entirely hardy it is very nearly so, and certainly all the shelter that is needed to protect it in winter is the glass of a cold frame. I at first failed with this plant, as many have failed, by placing it in a temperature too high for its nature, when it grew spindly and eventually dwindled away. I was afraid also of watering it overhead lest it should ‘‘ damp-off,” but expe- rience has taught me that the plant is not nearly so delicate as its looks imply. I now permit it to have frost and snow in moderation and rain without reserve, and I am rewarded with healthy plants laden with brilliant orange-scarlet berries. I am indebted to the ‘‘ Botanical Magazine’’ for suggestions as as to the right mode of culture, having found it there stated to be ‘‘a native of the bleak cold antarctic mountains, and found also on the mountains of New Zealand, and on the Andes from Cape Horn to New Grenada.” ; It does not grow more than 2 inches high, and produces its Red Currant-like fruits to the number of more than a hundred on a few square inches of surface. For rockwork it is a charming plant, and for the front row in a light and cool greenhouse it is a gem ever to be admired. Its culture is of the simplest, and it is a plant which almost all who own a garden may grow successfully. It is not at all dainty as to soil; but a compost in which it grows with great freedom is equal parts of loam, peat, and bruised charcoal. The great point is to afford it plenty of water—in fact, with good drainage too much. water cannot be given to established plants. : There can be no better place in which to grow it than a very light cold frame, the pots to be plunged in ashes. This is very important, for if not plunged the soil will become dry at some time or other, and the plants will then inevitably lose vigour. The lights should be removed from the frame during fine nights, so that the plants can receive the benefit of the dew, and also during the day when heavy showers are not prevalent—not that the rain will do serious injury, but by 1 July 13, 1876. J splashing the soil over the plants they are rendered somewhat unsightly. I read last year in the Journal that this plant was employed by Mr. Legg of Clapham for purposes of carpet bedding, it being associated with Sedum glaucum. I considered that a valuable hint, for I cannot conceive a combination more chaste yet more brilliant, and I shall report progress of the growth of these two lovely hardy plants for garden decoration by-and-by. At present my plants of Nertera are just showing their insignificant pink flowers in profusion, and I am sanguine that a rich crop of fruit will follow. These plants were wintered in a cold frame, the glass having had no covering, and since March they have been plunged in ashes in the open border, receiving no protection whatever. Other plants grown under glass are about perfecting their berries, and I cannot imagine any low-growing plants more conspicuously beautiful. Plants are readily increased by division, keeping the plants regularly and continually moist; also from seed, sowing as soon as ripein a damp shaded frame, never permitting the soil to approach a state of dryness. The three prime essentials in the cultivation of this plant are coolness, light, and water. With a bed of ashes in which to plunge the pots, and a hand-light or frame to afford shelter in severe weather, anyone may grow Nertera depressa if he will but water it freely.—W. B. J. NOVELTIES IN THE ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. Meconorsis WALLIcHI, on account of its high reputation as a beautiful plant and from its long absence from cultivation, is of the greatest interest just now on the rockwork. In our issue of June 11th, 1874, we gave an account with a figure, and to which we must now call attention. It is there said to be “remarkable as being one of the very few plants, if not the only one of the order, with blue flowers. It was discovered in the Sikkim Himalaya by Dr. J. D. Hooker, who sent seeds to the Royal Gardens, which produced flowering plants in June, 1852.” This plant is about 24 feet high, and the leaves and stem have a very yellow appearance, from which one would almost feel sure of a yellow flower ; indeed, until the last few days it was supposed to be M. nepalensis, a tall species with yellow flowers that has also been in bloom. It cannot be said that this is anything like the celestial blue represented ; the colour is, in fact, slightly inclined to purple, and not at all bright. This is possibly a very poor representative in point of colour, and we shall hope that such is the case until evidence is given by other specimens. Tis cultivation has been considered difficult, though that does not seem really to be the case. Seeds sown in a cold frame have come up well—far better than others with slight heat. The young plants have had no inclination to die during winter, either in pots under glass or planted out on the rockwork. It Seems much the best to plant out as soon as the plants have become established after the first potting-off, and it might even be better to prick-out in the final position from the seed pot. A full supply of moisture both at roots and top is evidently essential, and this is perhaps the secret of success. Arather shady position will be found the best. It is more than likely that the above-mentioned plant will produce good seeds, so that many who are interested will again be able to possess this handsome blue Poppywort. Cucumis sativus var. sikkimensis, a curious and interesting form of Cucumber, is fruiting in the Economic house. The most striking peculiarity is the network which covers the entire fruit much as in the Melon, and which renders it quite characteristic. It is commonly grown in all parts of the Sik- kim and the Nepal Himalaya, where it is eaten both raw and cooked by the natives of all ages. It was found by Dr. Hooker in Sikkim in 1848, who brought drawings and specimens to England, and until then it had never been noticed either horti- culturally or botanically. M. Naudin, who has made aspecial study of the Cucurbitacez, said when describing it that it was the most remarkable variety of the common Cucumber known to him. It is sometimes about 5 inches through, while only 1} foot long. This, it may be mentioned, was the supposed hybrid between the Cucumber and the Melon, but the distinct species to which they belong have never yet been crossed. It was figured and described in the “‘ Botanical Magazine” for January of this year, from specimens grown in the tropical economic house last summer. Calochortus citrinus is flowering in the Orchid-house porch, where also have been several other species, as well as in one of JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 23 the herbaceous beds. This, which is the most recently figured, must be an excuse for calling attention to the decorative value of the genus, which includes also Cyclobothra as a sub-genus. Some are as brightly coloured as many of the very fugacious Trids, but have the advantage of lasting several days. It has recently been mentioned in a contemporary that they last a long time in water. They appear of easy cultivation, though likely to do best where, being planted in the open ground, they can have the protection of glass during very wet weather when at rest. Theropogon pallidus is a newly introduced plant, figured in the ‘‘ Botanical Magazine” last year. Ithas Lily-of-the-Valley- like flowers, with a pinkish tinge and a slight scent of some- thing like cinnamon. The leaves are very narrow, with much the aspect of Ophiopogon. It is a native of the Himalaya Mountains, where it is a common plant. Kniphofia caulescens has been flowering in the herbaceous ground, and in the opinion of one authority is the finest of all. It is still very rare, from the fact that it will not divide like the other species. After attaining its arborescent habit the leaves and flower spikes lose 2 very considerable amount of vigour. If the development of its characteristic stem is thought most important, then the loss of handsome flowers and foliage must be borne. To produce the most ornamental effect it is necessary to keep the head low down, so as to be ag near to the roots as possible, for the purpose of being well fed. It may safely be said that, like most of the Aloes, the top may be cut off and rooted without trouble. A safer method of pro- cedure is to produce the roots before amputation, either by tying a bundle of damp moss round the stem, or by any other method that may suggest itself as best under the circumstances. A great advantage in taking off the top is that the old stump will give a stock of young plants. NOTES ON THE TWEED VINEYARD. Many of your readers will know that the principal crops of Grapes at this place are growing in five span-roofed houses, 200 feet long and 24 feet wide each. The crops in these this season are much superior to what they have been in previous years. All the Vines are now bearing to the extreme top of the rafters. The thinning, which employs half a score of men for twelve weeks every season, is just finished. The first thinned Grapes are nearly fullyswelled. Of courseit is quite out of the question to give a calculation of the number of the bunches, but the weight of many may be guessed pretty accurately. Lady Downe’s, of which there are nearly two housefuls, are a magnificent crop. Few of the bunches can finish under 1lb., and scores of them will approach 3 lbs. This is very fair for this variety. Alicantes are heavier in the bunch, and just about as abundant. Next to those two Gros Colman is perhaps grown most extensively amongst lates at present, and right well if looks; but Barbarossa will very soon be more plentiful than any other late variety excepting Lady Downe’s. At first the south house of the chief block of vineries was wholly planted with Muscats. They succeeded very well, but it was found that they did not pay quite so well as Vines which produced black fruit. In the latter end of 1874 a young cane of the Barbarossa was inarched on to every Muscat stem. Last year the top part of the stock was cut away, and the growths which the Barbarossas made were of a first-class description ; so strong indeed was the young wood that at pruning time from 6 to 8 feet of it was left to iruit this season. On many of these lengths there are now half a dozen bunches, and excellent clusters they are both in form and size. They will average from 4 lbs. to 7 lbs., and not a cane has missed a crop. The splendid crop they are carrying is not more worthy of note than the young wood they have made this season. That between the top of last year’s wood and the top of the rafter on many of them is so thick that it can scarcely be spanned with the hand. There is another thing connected with these Vines worth mentioning—every top has the support of two roots. The young canes of Barbarossa, instead of being left in the pots when inarched, as is done in most cases, were turned out of the pots and planted about a foot from the Muscat root; the top is cut off the latter, and both stems join one another about 3 feet from the ground. Amongst new Grapes Pearson’s Golden Queen is promising well; Waltham Cross, a late white, has been tried every season since it was sent out, and it has as often completely failed. Mr. Douglas must be extremely unfortunate with the Duke of Buccleuch (see page 493). On scores of rods of it here this JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { July 13, 1876. season it has produced one and two bunches on every shoot. The crop of it now is one of the finest sights about the place, and the young wood is not far behind that of the Barbarossa. None of the hundreds of bunches will be much under 2 lbs., and the most of them will run between this and 3} 1bs., and the bunches and berries are as finely developed as any person need wish to see. Pine-growing is all but given up. One of tho Pine stoves 200 feet long is planted as a vinery. Muscats and the Duke of Bueeleuch are the principal sorts. Another Pine stove 200 feet long is filled with young Vines in pots. Fruiting canes of the Duke and many other sorts were in fine condi- tion here, as they were without exception in four or five other large houses, which are entirely devoted to growing young Vines. Excepting for early fruiting all the strongest Vines are grown into fruiting rods in one season, and judging from their size now they will be first-rate canes by the end of the season. Preparations are being made for erecting another vinery. It is to be alean-to 250 feet long and 16 feet wide. Lady Downe’s will form the principal stock here. Plants are not largely grown; the only class of note being Orchids, and a more healthy or better grown collection is im- possible to conceive. One splendid plant of Lelia purpurata had one fine spike of seven blooms of immense size and very rich in colour. All the Orchids here are grown in a much lower temperature than is generally the case, 40° at night throughout the winter being about the average, and right weil the plants thrive with this. The finest plant of Anthurium Scherzerianum I have ever seen is here. It fills 2 16-inch pot. The leaves are about 4 inches across, and the scarlet spathes are very large and bright in colour. This is not intended as a fall report of all that may be seen here of interest; but there is another thing which I must not forget to mention, and that is a new Viola which was raised here two years ago, and named Sir Walter Scott. It is very dwarf and compact in the habit of its growth. The flowers are of the most intense purple, and from 24 to 3 inches in diameter. They are produced in dense masses, which are very effective. I had an opportunity of comparing it with others where all the best Violas are grown by the thousand, and every one of them were yery much inferior to it.—A Mupnanp Countins READER. UNIQUE PEA. Tue desirability of a first dish of Peas is shown by the eagerness of the grower and the zest of the consumer. There is, of course, some difference of opinion as to the fitness of a first dish of Peas for gathering; also in having a heavy or light soil in equal climatic conditions to deal with in the pro- duction of early Peas. I remember well having a hard struggle to gather a first dish from a heavy clay by the time that Peas were had from the open fields in sandy soil, I having walls for shelter, and could if needed protect the crop. At that time there was no really good early dwarf Pea. The most that could be done was to sow on turves or in pots and plant out after the Peas had made so much headway as not to be longer continued in frames. Tom Thumb, and subsequently Little Gem, marked a new era in Peas, admirably adapted as they were from their dwarf growth and productiveness for warm situations, as the fronts of south walls, where the taller kinds could not be accommodated without injury to the fruit trees against the wall, and for frame culture and forcing. It is not now a matter of difficulty to command a dish of Peas at an early and late season. They force as readily as Kidney Beans, but require alower temperature and moreair. Where Potatoes and Strawberries succeed Peas may be forced successfully. For forcing or for growing in cold frames (I find a span- roofed frame best for Peas and Kidney Beans to come in a month before those in the open ground), and for sowing a foot from the south wall, I consider Unique to be the best of the dwarf Peas. It is slightly more prolific than Little Gem, the pods are mostly produced in pairs, eight to ten on a stem, the pods slightly curved and pointed similar to Blue Scimitar, the peas, six to eight, being of a fine green colour. It is moderately robust in habit, attaining to a height of 18 inches. I sowed Unique this year on January 29th 1 foot from a wall with a south-west aspect, and had the first dish, a full even-sized crop, on the 28th of June. It is about 6 to 8 inches less in height than Blue Peter, and the crop ripens off very nearly together—a great point in a forcing Pea or one grown in a warm situation. For the purposes named and for small gardens it is very desirable, alike for its earliness and good quality. I may say that William I. and First and Best, sown February 21st 3 feet from a south wall, are only just now (July 5rd) fit to gather. ASTRANTIA MAJOR. Tuts was introduced from southern Hurope many years ago, but is by no means a common plant. It belongs to a small but interesting genus, requiring no particular treatment in cultivation. Any ordinary garden soil will meet the require- ments of these plants. They are the better if they are re- plenished now and again with a little good sandy loam until established, and then they will remain a long time without removal. When they have attained to a large size they may Fig. 3.—Astrantia major. be taken up, divided, and replanted, or reduced according to the operator’s views. Being natives of mountainous districts they must not be allowed to suffer from too much moisture. They are quite at home in our borders and out-of-the-way places in wilderness scenery and partially shaded walks, where, if they can have light and air, they continue in bloom for a length of time. Astrantia caucasica is of dwarf habit, and is a handsome - plant on the shady part of the rockery. A. pauciflora is like- wise of dwarf habit; it has pretty white flowers. It is, perhaps, the least known of the family, and is an acquisition to all collections. A. carniolica and maxima are taller and stronger- growing kinds. All are pretty, and deserve more extensive , cultivation than they are at present receiving. A. major is an effective border plant, growing 2 feet or more in height ; it commences flowering in June, continuing in beauty for a considerable time.—N. FEATHERED HELPS IN GARDENS. I HAVE great pleasure in noting attention being drawn to the utility of peewits in gardens. We have been in the habit of securing some ef the young birds for a number of seasons in May or June, and were formerly in the habit of pinioning them, July 18, 1876. J in which way we kept them for a number of seasons, but in times of hard weather —snow and continued frost — they perished from sheer starvation. These were “ hard lines,” it being clear that we were guilty of their death, for had we taken measures only to stay their flight by clipping the feathers of one wing we might in severe weather have so cut the other as to permit of the birds escaping to find some food. In another way we were convinced of the cruelty of pinioning. A bird of this kind would escape by an open or unguarded door. A peewit escaping is certain to make clear off, and with its wing pinioned it has no chance of finding fresh pasture, or if it does its fate is sealed. It hurts the bird to pinion it; thus eruelty commences with its captivity and often is the precursor of its death. Just a last word—Place water for the birds to drink. —A.G. ALEXANDRA PALACE ROSE SHOW. JULY 7TH AND 8TH. Bors for the high quality of the collections and the excellent effect they produced this Exhibition must take very high rank. It was the last of the metropolitan Rose shows, as it was un- doubtedly the best. The Exhibition was held in the concert room, which is vastly superior to the large hall for such a pur- pose, the subdued light of the concert room showing the blooms to great advantage. The collections were arranged on four tables running the length of the room, the centres of which were occupied with Palms, Ferns, and Aroids, affording a pleasant relief to the formal and-massive lines of Roses. Although many who had entered failed to stage their collections, yet the tables were very nearly filled, and the thousands of superior blooms afforded a rich feast of beauty to rosarians and the Rose-admir- ing public. The total length occupied by the boxes was about 1000 feet. The room was cool—agreeable to the visitors, and favourable for preserving the freshness of the blooms. In the class for seventy-two varieties (nurserymen), the Judges after a long and careful examination awarded the first honours to Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. The blooms were full, com- pact and superior, and perfect in colourand freshness. Duchesse de Caylus, Duke of Wellington, Madame Lacharme, Felix Genero, Madame Clemence Joigneaux, Dupuy-Jamain, Marie Baumann, Richard Wallace, Victor Verdier, Madame Victor Verdier, Reynolds Hole, Annie Wood, and Paul Verdier were in Superb condition. This is the finest collection of Roses that Messrs. Paul have this year exhibited; they have staged larger blooms, but never blooms of such uniform high quality. Mr. Cant, Colchester, was second with a very fine collection, most of the blooms being perfect, but a few were fully too much ex- panded. Most lovely was La Boule d’Or; and splendid were Emilie Hausburg, Horace Vernet, Fisher Holmes, Ville de Lyon, Prince Arthur, Charles Lefebvre, Madame Willermoz, Monsieur Noman, Black Prince, and Francois Michelon. Messrs. Cranston & Mayos were placed third. Bessie Johnson, Annie Laxton, Charles Rouillard, Sir G. Wolseley, Duchesse de Caylus, and Etienne Levet were very splendid; and Jean Cherpin, Fisher Holmes, and Reynolds Hole were a trio of dark Roses not easy to be superseded. Ferdinand de Lesseps and Madame Charles Wood were also exceedingly fine. Mr. Prince, Oxford, had the fourth prize. Le Havre, Devienne Lamy, Francois Courtin, Gloire de Santenay, and Henry Ledechaux were very superior ; and the Teas, Madame Guillot, Narcisse, Marcellin Rhoda, Madame Jules Margottin, and Catherine Mermet were ex- tremely effective. An extra prize was awarded to Mr. Keynes, Salisbury, for an admirable collection, the blooms being per- fectly fresh and bright, but somewhat irregular as to size. The best bloom in the stand was Madame Marie Finger. The Teas, Souvenir de Paul Neron, Catherine Mermet, Madame Mar- gottin, Souvenir d’Elise, Caroline Kuster, Madame Willermoz, and Jean Ducher were in superb condition. The Judges had @ difficult task to perform in making their awards, and he would be a bold man to question the correctness of the decision of Mr. William Paul, Mr. Baker, and Mr. S. Hibberd. It is only such Judges who can deal satisfactorily with large collections so nearly alike in point of merit. The next class, for forty-eight trebles, required also close and long examination before judgment could be delivered. The collections were exceedingly fine, the blooms equalling in quality those in the preceding class. Mr. Cant was declared the victor. In this collection Thomas Mills was simply grand; and splendid were Ferdinand de Lesseps, Etienne Levet, Marie Rady, Charles Lefebvre, Marie Baumann, Comtesse d’Oxford, Louis Van Houtte, Francois Michelon, Marguerite de St. Amand, Dupuy-Jamain, Baronne de Rothschild, and Devoniensis. Messrs. Paul & Son were placed second for a fresh and splendid collection. Louis Van Houtte, Monsieur Noman, Etienne Levet, Comtesse d’Ox- ford, Xavier Olibo, Annie Laxton, Senatear Vaisse, Exposition de Brie, Madame Thérése Levet, Madame Vidot, Reynolds Hole, Mdile. E. Verdier, M. de St. Amand, Mad. Lacharme, and Maréchal Niel were perhaps as near perfection as these fine Roses have JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 25 been produced. Mr. Turner had the third place. Le Havre was here again in grand form, and almost equally splendid were Louis Van Houtte, Auguste Rigotard, Dean of Windsor, Royal Stan- dard, Francois Lovat, Madame George Schwartz, Villaret de Joyeuse, Triomphe de Caen, Xavier Olibo, Lelia, Beauty of Waltham, Charles Rouillard, Marie Baumann, Etienne Levet, Fisher Holmes, and Alfred Colomb. Messrs. Cranston & Mayos were placed fourth for a collection containing many blooms of great merit, notably Annie Laxton, Marquise de Castellane, Madame Vidot, Mons. Noman, Princess Beatrice, Duchesse de Caylus, Fisher Holmes, La France, Madame George Schwartz, Madame Furtado, Lonis Van Houtte, Ferdinand de Lesseps, and Madame Marie Finger; an extra prize being awarded to Mr. Keynes. In this collection Mdlle. Marie Cointet was per- fectly charming, and Fisher Holmes was grandly conspicuous ; Camille Bernardin, Senateur Vaisse, Duchesse de Morny, Dr. Andry, Monsieur E. Y. Teas most beautiful, Francois Michelon, Edouard Morren, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Capt. Lamure, Etienne Levet, Madame Charles Wood, and Madame Marie Finger were all in full perfection. In the class for twenty-four trebles six grand collections were staged, the prizes going to Mr. Turner, Messrs. Paul & Son, Mr. Keynes, Mr. Prince, and Mr. Cant in the order named. Htienne Levet, Francois Lovat, Le Havre, splendid; Madame Hazard, Marquise de Gibot, and Senateur Vaisse in the Slough collection were unsurpassable. The prize collections in this class con- tained the finest blooms to be found in the Exhibition. For twenty-four single trusses the collections of Mr. Cant (first) and Mr. Turner (seconG) were nearly equal in point of meris, and far in advance of the others. Mr. Turner staged one of the finest blooms of Madame Vidot ever seen. Devienne Lamy, Alfred Colomb, Francois Michelon, Charles Rouillard, Duchesse de Morny, Marie Rady, Madame Charles Wood, Alba Rosea, and Devoniensis also showed to great advantage. The remaining prizes went to Mr. Keynes and Mr. House, Hastgate Nurseries, Peterborough. For twelve Tea-scented or Noisette Roses Mr. Prince, Oxford, was first; Mr. Corp, Oxford, second; and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunf, third. The best blooms in this class were Adam, Alba Roses, Belle Lyonnaise, Comtesse Nadaillac, Madame Willermoz, Marie Van Houtte, Marcellin Rhoda, Madame Opoix, Moiré, and Souvenir de Paul Neron. We now come to the amateurs’ classes, and find great competi- tion and many highly superiorcollections. For forty-eight single blooms Mr. W. Nichol, gardener to T. H. Powell, Hsq., Drink- stone Park, Bury St. Edmunds, was placed first with a collection of undeniable merit, and containing many blooms equal to the best in the Exhibition, notably Madame E. Verdier, Madame Lacharme, Mons. Noman, Marie Rady, Etienne Levet, LeopoldlI., and Annie Wood; second honours going to Sir C. R. Rowley, Bart., Tendring Hall, Colchester (Mr. Rushmore, gardener) ; Mr. Ingle, gardener to Mrs. Round, Birch Hall, Colchester, being third with very creditable collection; and Rev. J. B. M. Camm, Monkton Wylde, Charmouth, fourth, Prince Arthur (dark) and Madame Trifle (white) being the best blooms, many of the others being fully too much expanded. For thirty-six varieties, single trusses, the first prize went to T. H. Powell, Esq., for a really splendid collection. Maréchal Niel and Baroness Rothschild were very perfect, and nearly all the others good; the second place being occupied by Mrs. Round; third, Sir C. R. Rowley; and fourth, Rev. J. B. M. Camm. The first-prize collection reflected the greatest credit on the grower, the blooms being of “‘ professional” quality. For twenty-four Roses there were twelve competitors, first honours being awarded to Mr. Henry Atkinson, Brentwood, Essex, for an excellent collection; Mr. Smallbones, Chatteris, being second; Mr. Cavell, Oxford, third, the blooms being smoother and better than the Chatteris Roses; and Mr. Quen- nell, Brentwood, Essex, fourth. In the class for twelve Roses there was great competition, twenty-two collections being staged—the finest lot of amateurs’ “‘twelves”’? we have ever seen exhibited. The first prize was awarded to Mr. Smellbones for Louis Van Houtte, Baroness de Rothschild, Maurice Bernardin, Edouard Morren, Comtesse de Chabrillant, Alfred Colomb, Felix Genero, Camille Bernardin, Madame Rivers, Oliver Delhomme, Senateur Vaisse, and Fran- cois Michelon; Rev. Alan Cheales, Brockham Vicarage, Reigate, being placed second, Charles Lefebvre and Leopold I. being very superior; Mr. Jowitt, Hereford, being third for smaller yet ex- cellent blooms ; and Mr. H. Atkinson fourth. For twelve Tea-scented and Noisette Roses (amateurs) the first prize went to Mr. Ingle, gardener to Mrs. Round, and second to Mr. Camm, the first-prize collection only having three perfect blooms, while the second-prize box had at least half a dozen of superior quality. As arule the standard of quality of the Tea Roses was not equal to that of the Hybrid Perpetuals. Tn the open classes some very fine new Roses were exhibited. For twelve Roses of 1874, 1875, or 1876, Mr. Turner, Slough, was first with Villaret de Joyeux, Sir Garnet Wolseley, Miss Hassard, Isaac Wilkinson, Beauty of Slough, a splendid Rose and 26 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ duly 13, 1876. sweet; Hippolyte-Jamain, Sir Salar Jung, very dark and very | the Rose Show at the Alexandra Palace. Neither is the month full; Royal Standard, Madame Liebhart, Jean Ducher, Rev. J.B. M.Camm, and Alexander Mackenzie. The last-named is after the style of Pitard, maroon suffused with violet. Hvery Rose here named was in splendid form, Isaac Wilkinson being perhaps the premier bloom in the entire Exhibition. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were second; The Shah, Sultan of Zanzibar, Duke of Connaught, Duchess of Edinburgh, Perle des Jardins, and Mons. EH. Y. Teas being remarkably fine, especially the Rose last named, a variety likely to prove of sterling worth. The remaining prizes went to Mr. Keynes and Mr. Cant. For six trusses of any Rose of 1874, 1875, or 1876, Mr. Corp, Oxford, was first with Hippolyte Jamain; Messrs. Cranston and Mayos being second with Sir Garnet Wolseley ; Mr. Prince third with Mdlle. Marie Cointet ; and Messrs. Paul & Son fourth with Duke of Connaught. For eighteen English-raised Roses in commerce Messrs. Paul and Son were placed first with, as the best, St. George, Bessie Johnson, Cheshunt Hybrid, Queen Victoria, Duke of Connaught, Peach Blossom, Beauty of Waltham, Princess Beatrice, Lord Macaulay, Devoniensis, Empress of India, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Dr. Hooker, Reynolds Hole, Annie Laxton, and Duchess of Edinburgh. Mr. Turner being second with a col- lection little, if anything, inferior, comprising Mrs. Baker, Royal Standard, Sir G. Wolseley, Black Prince, Princess Beatrice, Peach Blossom, J. S. Mill, Miss Poole, Star of Waltham, Miss Hassard, Reynolds Hole, Devoniensis, Marquis of Salisbury, John Hopper, Princess of Wales, Annie Laxton, Bessie Johnson, and Rev. J.B,M.Camm. Mr. Cant had the third prize. For twelve Roses, distinct, Mr. Corp, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Tranter were placed in the order named. For twelve blooms of Edouard Morren Mr. House, Peterborough, was first for grand blooms; Messrs. Paul & Son being second. Mr. Cant was first for Princess Beatrice, and Mr. House second. For Madame Lacharme Mr. Cavell, Oxford, was first with the most perfect and lovely blooms which have perhaps ever been staged at any exhibition; Messrs. Paul & Son having the second place also with fine blooms. For twelve Maxéchal Niel Mr. Cant had the first place with moderate blooms. For twelve Alfred Colomb Mr. Turner was first, and Messrs. Paul & Son second. Tor twelve La France first Mr. Cavell with magnificent blooms; second Sir C. R. Rowley. For twelve Marie Baumann first Mr. Turner, second Messrs. Paul & Son for admirable boxes; Mr. Turner’s blooms having the best form, Messrs. Pauls’ the best colour. For twelve Princess Beatrice first Mr. Cant, second Mr. House. Roses in pots were not superior, Messrs. Paul & Son being the successful exhibitors. Neither were the vases of cut blooms of noteworthy merit; the prizes for these went to Mr. Rumsey, and Mr. Gardiner, gardener to Lady Garnier. Mr. Rumsey, Joyning’s Nursery, Waltham Cross, exhibited new Lobelias: L. compacta Blue Perfection, L. compacta cosles- tina, and L. compacta purpurea, good and effective varieties ; and Messrs. Dick Radclyffe & Co. tastefully arranged Fern cases. As an exhibition of Roses this must be considered as one of the best and most effectively arranged that has ever been held in or near London.