1

about eight years ago, its exact origin being unknown to M. DENIS, who goes on to say that "the plant is rare in cultivation, doubtless be. cause of the difficulty of obtaining good seed. It is easy to surmount this obstacle by sowing seeds earlier than the other varieties of Cosmos are usually sown. By sowing seeds under glass o February 15, seedlings were raised which were put into the open ground in April. These soon flowered, and yielded an abundance of good seed. The plants reached nearly 18 inches in height, and mostly died during the summer. Those which survived formed exuberant growth by autumn, being nearly 4 feet in height. Et the second bloom was not until October, and early frosts killed the plants before they had yielded a second crop of seed." After examining the specimens at Kew in comparison with specimens already in the Herbarium, they were found to answer exactly to C. sulphureus, of which species Mr. S. A. SKAN kindly sends us the folwing note: Though by no means a novelty, this plant does not appear to be often seen in gardens, possibly because of its late flowering season, and therefore its liability to be killed prematurely by autumn frosts. Its reputation may have also suffered through the substitution for it of an inferior plant, Bidens ferulæ folia, which has been distributed by some seedsmen under the name of Cosmos sulphureus. The latter species is a much finer plant, and may be easily distinguished from the Bidens by its long-beaked fruits. The Cosmos has its headquarters in Mexico, and it is found also in New Orleans. Cavanilles (Icones, vol. i., p. 56, t. 79) first described and figured this species about the year 1791, from a plant found growing in the Royal Garden at Madrid. About the same time, Jacquin (Collect. Suppl., p. 155, and Icones Plant. Rar., t. 595) described and figured it under the name of Coreopsis artemisiæfolia, the plant, presumably, being then in cultivation in Austria. It is a much branched, more or less pubescent, annual, 4 to 8 feet high; leaves bipinnate or tri-pinnate, 12 inches long or sometimes more; pinnæ alternate or opposite, two or three-toothed, or entire, acute or acuminate; peduncles 3 to 10 inches long, naked; flowerheads 2 to 3 inches across, from a sulphur-yellow to a deep orange colour; ray-florets usually 8, obovate, often three-toothed at the apex; achenes linear, to 1 inch long, including the long, slender beak. Dr. J. N. ROSE, in Garden and Forest, 1895, p. 484, states that the plant has been in cultivation in the greenhouses of the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, and in his own garden, since 1892, and though very attractive when in bloom, it is too tender there to withstand the autumn frosts. commends that the plants be forwarded as much as possible early in the season by starting the seeds in a cold frame or greenhouse, and, further, that plants be placed under glass in the autumn, when they will soon begin to flower, and will continue in the flowering state for a long time. In a wild state the plant grows in the rich soil along creek-bottoms."

He re

THE BOTANICAL GARDEN, NEW YORK.-An idea of the enormous growth of New York, the second largest city in the world, with its 4,000,000 of inhabitants, is obtained from the Bronx suburb, which is readily reached by two elevated railways, and lies to the north of the city. This terrain, 20 years ago, was as difficult to reach as Philadelphia, and possessed a population of about 30,000 persons, distributed over an area of 917 square miles. There were but few good houses, and these chiefly summer villas scattered about in a wilderness of luxuriant-growing deciduous trees. The rest were huts inhabited chiefly by criminals. To-day the Bronx is one of the finest parts of New York, and the inhabitants number 400,000. Its

most noteworthy feature is the Bronx Park which nature and art have united in forming into a charming idyll for the lover of nature. It is laid out in the English style, and contains a zoological and a botanical garden, provided with glasshouses; and a museum. A striking peculiarity of the place, due to climatic conditions, and the composition of the soil, which is rich in silicic acid, is the luxuriant foliage of trees, shrubs, and vegetation in general, and the poor floral development. Compared with the maritime climate of western Europe, the American seaboard shows important differences, and at certain seasons is not particularly favourable to vegetation. There is constant change, and the differences between the temperature in winter and summer are great. The foliage remains on the trees for a long time, often till late in November, a feature of the so-called "Indian summer. Vegetation, however, is greatly delayed in the spring, and often it is the first week in May before a green leaf is seen. Hail storms and long continued rains seldom occur. The botanical museum building consists of four stories, the lower one contains the lecture hall, constructed after the European university model; adjoining this are halls for exhibitions especially fitted up for tropical plants. The actual museum is found on the first floor. The interior is reminiscent in its decorations of the Carrara marble of a Grecian temple. Glass cases contain an enormous collection of all classes and genera of the vegetable kingdom, besides Cryptogamic plants, such as Fungi, Algæ, Lichens, &c., and specimens of timbers, wax models of plant diseases, together with photographs of the same. A large herbarium is situated on the second floor, and on the top storey there is found a very comprehensive library, lighted by a gigantic glass dome. Workrooms for botanical research abut on the library. The various officials and the director of the botanical garden, Dr. N. L. BRITTON, are provided with offices in the Museum. The glasshouses, constructed by Messrs. LORD & BURNHAM, cost 225,000 dollars. They face to the museum building, and exhibit the latest improvements in glasshouse construction and fittings. They form three sides of a square, one long side being left open, and consist of five domed houses and six span-roofed connecting houses. The area covered amounts to 47,000 square feet, and the glazing is done on the singlepane plan. The heating apparatus consists of a number of " radiators constructed in every case of 3-inch pipes, placed together to the number of 20, and the heating power is steam obtained from eight boilers having an expansion power of 80h.p. A great advantage found in this system of heating is that any repairs needed can be carried out by the garden staff of artificers, and a burst steam pipe can be removed and another inserted without much trouble in two hours. The ventilation is selfregulating and is effected by hydraulic pressure, acting by means of a thermostat. This method saves all the labour usually required by other methods. An interesting article, containing the foregoing particulars, was published in Die Gartenwelt for July 20, 1907.

COMARELLA MULTIFOLIATA.-In this Rosaceous plant, collected in the San Francisco mountains, and introduced by C. A. PURPUS about four years since under the name of Ivesia Purpusii, we have an interesting subject for the rockgarden. The leaves, 5-7 inches long, are very small, and formed of feather-like leaflets arranged in close order, giving the plant the appearance of a Fern. The plant is comparatively widespread in the higher regions of the San Francisco mountains, and usually in dry, sunny positions, a fact which indicates the best place for it on a rockery. The reddish-brown blossoms are inconspicuous, and the value of the plant as an ornament lies in its pretty foliage. The true Ivesia Purpusii stands botanically very close to Comarella, but differs

essentially from it. Ivesias are difficult of culti vation, whereas Comarella is readily grown. J. A. Purpus in Muller's Deutsche Gartner-Zeitung.

CELEBRATIONS AT THE BRAISWICK NURSERY, COLCHESTER.-On the 8th inst., the staff at this nursery was entertained by Messrs. F. CANT & Co. at dinner, to celebrate the coming of age of Mr. SIDNEY CANT. During the evening an interesting presentation was made to Mr. SIDNEY CANT on behalf of the employés.

FORESTRY AT CAMBRIDGE.-The importance of Fostry as a branch of knowledge and as a field for research is engaging the attention of the authorities of Cambridge University. A post of Readership in Forestry has been established, and the appointment has been awarded to Dr. AUGUSTINE HENRY, whose contributions to horticulture, and to botanical science are well known to our readers. Since his return from China, Dr. HENRY has devoted much attention to arbori. culture, and has visited the United States, Canada, Spain, Algeria, Corsica, and Italy for the purpose of studying tree growth in those

countries.

AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION.-At the annual convention of the American Seed Trade Association, held recently in New York, the President, Mr. HENRY W. WOOD, said that the past season was the most prosperous the seedsmen had experienced, and the outlook for the future was a bright one. In speaking of the general work of the association, he recommended agitation on the tariff question for the reduc. tion of duty on such seeds as cannot be raised in the United States. Amongst other matters of general importance to the trade is pure seed legislation, postal packet rates, telegraph and cable code of the association, and the society's efforts in the fight against the free distribution of seeds, the results of which, thus far, have been discouraging. Dr. GALLOWAY, in a subsequent paper on "What the Department of Agriculture is Doing for the Seed Trade," made mention of the breeding of various grasses, forage plants, vegetables, &c., now being done by experts under Government direction. Mr. GALLOWAY'S address will be published shortly with illustrations. Dr. W. W. TRACEY, in an address on "The Seed Trade of the Past 25 Years," alluded to the growth and prosperity of the population, which have resulted in a vast increase in the bulk of seed sold. The relative quantity of American-grown seed was constantly increasing, and the imported seed was only purchased when there was a short supply or the price of foreign seed was lower. Much of the imported seed was of poor germinating quality, and instances were given in which 60 per cent. would not grow. Dr. TRACEY made mention of the common prac tice of making seed-saving a side product of some other industry. The fruit from which a large pro. portion of the Tomato seed is taken is utilised for canning or for the making of catsup, and quite a proportion of the Sweet Corn, Peas, Beans, &c., come from fields which were primarily planted for the canning industry, but in which the fruit got too old to use for this purpose, and so was allowed to ripen for seed. In the same way Cucumbers, Melons, &c., planted with the intention of selling the fruit, were allowed to ripen. The practice was a dangerous one, and often resulted in seed which, because of being a mixture, is most undesirable. There has been a decided increase in varietal names, and a comparison was made of lists issued 25 years ago with those of the present day. The average of five leading trade lists in 1882 was 551; whilst in 1907 the aggregate was 689 names, 433 being new. In the lists of 196 leading seedsmen, Tomato seed was offered under 248 different varietal names, 118 of which were offered by a single firm. Yet all could be easily classed under fewer than a score of different types.

VIOLA TRIALS IN THE QUEEN'S PARK, GLASGOW.-The second and final inspection of a trial of Violas (see p. 91) conducted in this park took place on the 14th inst. Four Silver Medals were offered by the Scottish Pansy and Viola Association for the best varieties having blue, white, and yellow flowers, and also for the best variety of any other colour than these. First-Class Certificates were awarded to varieties receiving 36 or more points at either of the inspections. In arriving at their decisions the judges were influenced by the value of the variety for bedding purposes. The following varieties were awarded the medals:-Yellow, Red Braes, from Messrs. JAMES GRIEVE & SON, Edinburgh, with 68 points out of a possible 96; Blue, Ithuriel, from Mr. MICHAEL CUTHBERTSON, Rothesay, 52 points; White, E. C. Barlow, 52 points, from Mr. JOHN SMELLIE, Busby. Any other colour," Kitty Bell, a variety having lavender-coloured flowers, 60 points, from Mr. CUTHBERTSON. Only three plants were awarded First-Class Certificates, viz. : J. H. Watson, a striped flower, from Mr. JoHNSTON, Bearsden; Red Braes and Kitty Bell.

MARKET NOTES.

Tomato Sunrise.-This variety is finding favour with market-growers, and I recently saw fruits packed for market at the Finchley Nurseries. Mr. Frampton, the manager, informed me the crop is all best quality fruits, which are of a uniform size. The prospects of the out-door Tomato crop are poor, even in the Worthing district, but the season promises good returns for those growers who have crops under glass.

Tomatos in unheated houses.-The fruits should be fairly ripe when gathered, as they are slow to colour after picking. Tomatos have been realising 4s. 6d. per 12 lbs. during the past week. Comet succeeds well under the coldhouse treatment, and the crop of this variety now being harvested is most promising.

Price of fuel.-The high price of fuel will be a serious item this winter. I have knowledge of a contract for 1,000 tons of anthracite coal at an increased price of 5s. 3d. per ton over that of last year. Contracts for coke cannot be made for any length of time in advance. Assuming the value of anthracite coal to be 24s., and coke 18s. per ton, it is indeed a serious matter for all, but more especially for the smaller growers.

Canon Hall Grape.-The mid-season crops of this Grape, or those that will be harvested by January, are doing well. Shanking is not much in evidence, owing to the wood having been well ripened last autumn. The season so far has been suitable for Canon Hall Muscat, and will be quite satisfactory if the wood ripens well. This fine Grape appears to succeed equally as well on the stiff Middlesex soil as on the lighter soils of the Worthing district.

The

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed by his correspondents.) HYDRANGEA HORTENSIA AT BOUGHTON PARK. During a recent visit to this establishment I noticed well-cultivated plants of Hydrangea Hortensia growing in tubs on the terrace. plants measured 8 feet in height and 6 feet through, and each was carrying 100 fully-expanded inflorescences; there being others in the bud state. The plants are given the protection of a greenhouse in winter. When growth commences in the springtime they are afforded a top-dressing consisting of a mixture of good loam, leaf soil, and artificial manure. A. R. Pearce, The Gab'es, Kenilworth.

THE CROWN PEA.-I was much interested in the illustration of this plant on p. 120. About 50 years ago I received seeds of it under the name of Pisum coronatum from, I believe, Mr. W. Hamilton, seedsman, Cheapside, London. There are two varieties of the Mummy or Crown Pea, the one with flowers of the same colour as the field Pea,

and the other white. I have never seen seeds offered for sale in any nurseryman's or seedsman's catalogue. Another interesting Pea, and one of which I am anxious to acquire seeds, is the white variety of L. tingitanus; this seems to be very little known. No doubt it exists in some old gardens. Justus Corderoy.

at

their

QUESTION NIGHT AT DEBATING SOCIETIES. -Committees of gardeners' mutual improvement societies often find a difficulty in providing fresh lecturers subjects and meetings. This difficulty has presented itself in Kingston, where lecturers are no more plentiful than elsewhere, and, as an experiment, one evening in the first half of the winter session has been set apart as a " Question night." Members will be invited to write legibly on strips of paper anonymous questions on subjects of gardening interest. These are to be handed to the chairman, who will present each separately to the members and invite a reply. Should no one volunteer to do so the chairman must do his best to provide a reply. It is hoped that in this way many subjects of general interest to members will be elucidated. A. D.

BUDDLEIA COLVILEI. - This Sikkim species also flowered in these gardens for the first time in June, 1906. Two plants have also flowered with us this season. The one is a bush-trained speci men in a perfectly open position, and one that is much exposed to cold winds. The weather during the past winter and spring has been exceptionally severe around Edinburgh, but all our plants of Buddleia Colvilei have proved perfectly hardy, and show no signs of injury by frost. A plant trained against a north-east wall has grown freely, but has not yet flowered. Our bush-plant, however, was only about 4 feet in height when it first flowered. I notice that on certain of the inflorescences the lower flowers only of the panicle have developed. In the Gardeners' Chronicle, August 13, 1892, p. 187, is an excellent illustration of this species, but the figure differs from any specimens I have seen in that the flowers are shown arising half-way between the internodes, whereas I have seen them as axillary only. Probably this arises from a very robust growing specimen being illustrated. The flowers that developed here were very much darker in colour than those illustrated in the Botanical Magazine, t. 7749. This beautiful species was, I believe, first flowered in Scotland some four or five years since in the gardens of O. H. Mackenzie, Esq., Inverewe House, Ross-shire. W. Smith, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE PRESENT SEASON. The cold, wet weather of summer has not been altogether favourable to the Chrysanthemum. It is possible that some varieties, which generally produce their best flowers from the second bud, will this year give better results from their first buds, especially in the case of plants that were late in starting into growth. The plants will not be benefited by heavy feeding until they are under cover, owing to the excessive rainfall. persons who have light, cool houses at their disposal may find it advantageous to place choice and delicate varieties under glass soon, unless there is a great improvement in the weather during September. A. J. Long, Wyfold Court Gardens.

Those

SUMMER PRUNING OF FRUIT TREES.-I enclose three shoots of last year's growth-one of Pear and two of Apple-showing the effect of last summer's pruning as practised in Mr. E. A. Wilson's garden, Rockingham, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham. You will observe that the Keswick Codlin Apple and Williams' Bon Chrétien Pear were enabled last autumn to so mature many of the buds that they formed fruit-buds, whilst those that have not fruited will certainly do so next season. The shoot of Cellini Pippin shows what usually takes place on many of the varieties of Apples and Pears that have been summer pruned at the proper time. It has produced a few fruits at the upper end, whilst the buds below have developed into fruit-bearing buds, and with little or no superfluous side growths that many of your correspondents complain of. The current year's growth is poor and weakly owing to a lack of sunshine, and to all appearances these growths will not be ready for summer pruning until later in the season. In the Warwick Castle collection of Apples staged at the Royal Horticultural Society's Apple Congress (1888) many of the best fruits were from the previous year's wood. At Ragley Hall the best samples of Keswick Codlin, Lord Derby, Wor

cester Pearmain, and Stirling Castle were, with few exceptions, obtained from the previous year's growths that had been summer pruned. The tables on pp. 400-403 in the issue for June 22 should be of much service to all interested in summer pruning. By reading very carefully the various reports, one lesson can be learned, viz., that one's faculties for observation and discrimination should be brought to bear upon this subject, for many persons seem to regard summer pruning as a matter of form. My experience is that all fruit trees require both summer and winter pruning to yield the best results. Trees properly treated from the commencement will not require much pruning at either season. The most suitable time for summer pruning and the mode of performing it is ruled by many circumstances. Every variety of fruit tree has a habit of growth peculiar to itself, and this varies with cultivation, soil, situation, temperature, &c. A. D. Christie, Rockingham Gardens, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham.

ASTILBE DAVIDII.-This plant has now been in cultivation long enough for its value in the gar den to be tested. Personally, I must confess to disappointment in what I had hoped would prove a fine addition to gardens. It grows more luxuriantly each successive year, and has an excellent habit of growth, but the colour of its flowers turns to an inky shade in a very few days after the flowers open. We purchased six plants, one of which never grew. The other five have grown well. Two of them are of a dull red purple. The first one was of a rosypink shade, such as the form which was first exhibited, and much about the shade of the old Spiræa venustum. Of the remaining two plants, one is pale rose and the other not a good shade of rosy-purple. Probably, had all been like the one I call rosy-pink, this note would not have been written. It seems a pity that the poorlycoloured forms should be distributed. spikes grow to a height of 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches here, and the actual length of the flowering spike is at least 3 feet. The side spray, like the central spike, grows very upright, so that the maximum diameter of the flowering portion does not much exceed 5 inches. The flowers are slow to open, and are borne over a period of about five weeks, commencing in August, but the inky tinge acquired by the earlier flowers spoil what otherwise would be a fine splash of colour Like most plants of its kind, it revels in a good supply of water, and succeeds best in swampy ground or by a pond which is allowed to overflow its banks frequently. J. C. Tallack, Derbyshire.

SOCIETIES.

The

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. AUGUST 20.-The exhibition on Tuesday last at the Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster, was again very small, and the attendance of visitors meagre. There were fewer entries for Orchids, and the ORCHID COMMITTEE recommended only one Award of Merit and one Botanical Certificate.

The FLORAL COMMITTEE had several meritorious exhibits to inspect, notably a display of Gladioli, and a representative collection of hardy annuals. This Committee granted an Award of Merit to a large-flowered strain of Streptocarpus and a Botanical Certificate to a species of Rubus.

The FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMITTEE Conferred Awards of Merit on two varieties of Melons, and a Potato, all of which had been grown under trial at Wisley. Two meritorious collections of fruit trees in pots, notably one of Apricots, formed the principal exhibits brought to the notice of this Committee.

At the afternoon meeting 16 new Fellows were elected, and a lecture on "Terrace-garden Plants," illustrated by lantern slides, by Mr. JAMES HUDSON, of Gunnersbury House Gardens, was read by the Secretary.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair); and Messrs. H. B. May, Jas. Walker, T. W. Turner, Chas. E. Pearson, J. H. Barr, G.* Reuthe, W. P. Thomson, W. Howe, E. H. Jenkins, Geo. Nicholson, Jas. Hudson, R. Hooper Pearson, and George Gordon.

Messrs. H. B. MAY & SONS, Edmonton, showed a number of varieties of Campanula

isophylla as small pot plants, all of which were covered with their pretty bell-shaped flowers in blue and white colours: the varieties included Mayii, alba and superba. The taller C. pyra midalis was also exhibited in both the blue and the white varieties. The group included well-grown plants of Ixoras, Vallota purpurea, greenhouse Veronicas, and flowers of Lapageria, including the large-flowering Nash Court variety. Several choice Ferns were interspersed amongst the flowering plants. (Silver Flora

Medal.)

were

Mr. A. Bullock, gardener to E. WYTHES, Esq., Copped Hall, Epping, Essex, showed a group of Ixoras in variety. The plants exhibited good culture and very freely flowered. (Silver Banksian Medal.) Messrs. PAUL & SON, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts, staged a collection of Roses of such varieties as Dean Hole, Le Progrès, Hugh Dickson, George Laing Paul, The Dandy and Farbenkonigen, Sprays of the interesting Rosa sericea pteracantha with its dark-red spines, and of Tamarisk hispida æstivalis, were also seen in this exhibit. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. GEORGE PRINCE, Longworth, Berkshire, Cisplayed cut blooms of Roses of suitable garden varieties, and a seedling named after Mrs. Longworth, with striped petals, that are similar in marking to those of the old York and Lancaster. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. KELWAY & SON, Langport, Somerset, again exhibited a large collection of Gladioli. The varieties were more numerous than in their exhibit at the last meeting, and they occupied the whole of a table at the end of the building opposite the clock. Some of the finer spikes shown were those labelled Lord Milner (reddish-orange with a yellow lip), Lady Peyton scarlet), Crown Princess of Sweden (salmon), Dovedale (white, with spots of rose colour in the throat), Lady Macdonald (purple), Edward VII., Brooklands, Golden Sword (yellow), and Glory of Huish. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. BULL & SONS, King's Road, Chelses, displayed an interesting collection of economic plants, many of which were of medicinal value. There were about 60 varieties of such plants as the Olive, Olea fragrans, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Kickxia africana (from which is produced Lagos rubber), Saccharum officinarum, the Sugar Cane, &c. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. A. LL. GWILLIM, Cambria Nursery, New Eltham, Kent, showed flowers of tuberous-rooting Begonias of both single and double-flowering varieties. We also noticed some of the "crested " type. The shades of yellow, scarlet, pink, &c., were very beautiful, and the exhibit represented a fine strain of these useful bedding plants. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. JAMES VEITCH & SONS, LTD., King's Road, Chelsea, staged a group of hardy flowering shrubs and tall-growing herbaceous plants. Artemisia lactiflora has numerous inflorescences of cream-coloured flowers; Eucryphia pinnatifolia is a handsome shrub that bears numerous large white flowers; Pavia macrostachya has tall florescences; Sambucus racemosus develops large umbels of fragrant flowers; Berberis hakeodata is an ornamental shrub when in fruit. We also noticed Buddleia variabilis magnifica, Astilbe Davidii, Serratula atriplicifolia, Senecio Veitchianus, hardy Heaths, &c. (Silver-Gilt Hora Medal.)

Messrs. H. CANNELL & SONS, Swanley, Kent, showed an interesting collection of hardy annuals, interspersed with a few showy border flowers. Varieties of Helichrysum bracteatum were very pretty, also Centaurea Bridesmaid," Salpiglossis in variety, Alonsoa mutisi, Phlox Drummondii, Zinnias, Marigolds, Calliopsis atrosanguinea, Scabiosa grandiflora, Viscaria corulea, Clarkia pulchella, Godetia grandiflora, and many others. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. ARTHUR CHARLTON & SONS, Summervale Nursery, Eridge Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, showed a fine collection of seasonable hardy flowers, including choice varieties of Gail. Tardias, Phloxes, Veronicas, Pentstemons, Gladioli, Verbenas, Liliums, Statices, Coreopsis, ere. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. GEO. REUTHE, Keston, Kent, showed interesting Alpine and hardy plants. Lysimachia Henryi is a dwarf species, with relatively large, yellow flowers; Hypericum cuneatum is another dwarf plant, the flower-buds are red, but the

petals when expanded are yellow. Samolus rupestris, Tamarisk hispida æstivalis, herbaceous Phloxes, and many other pleasing plants were seen in this exhibit.

Messrs. T. S. WARE, LTD., Ware's Nursery, Feltham, Middlesex, exhibited an assortment of hardy flowers. Pentstemons were shown in many fine varieties, also herbaceous Phloxes, Tritomas, Chrysanthemum maximum, Dendromecon rigidum, &c., and the whole was relieved with light sprays of Statice, Grasses, and Bamboos. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. J. CHEAL & SONS, Crawley, Sussex, showed a number of flower-spikes of their rosecoloured Lupin named Lupinus polyphyllus roseus and a white pompon-Cactus Dahlia labelled The Bride.

Messrs. Wм. CUTBUSH & SON, Highgate Nurseries, London, N., displayed a prettily-arranged exhibit of Chrysanthemum maximum "The Speaker," a large-flowered variety, with pure white florets.

Messrs. KENWARD & SON, Lewes, showed a number of floral devices.

Mr. A. WRIGHT, 43, Tharp Road, Wellington, Surrey, showed flowers of Petunia, each under

a name.

Miss DODGE, Loseley Park, Guildford (gr. Mr. R. Staward), exhibited vases of double-flowered Stocks.

LEOPOLD DE ROTHSCHILD, Esq., Gunnersbury House, Acton, W. (gr. Mr. James Hudson), showed a batch of plants of a small-flowered, scented-leaved Pelargonium named Countess of Devon, and excellent specimens of Cyrtanthus hybridus, to which a First-Class Certificate was awarded in 1885. A Cultural Commendation was awarded for these latter plants.

AWARDS.

AWARD OF MERIT.

Awards.)

a

The

Messrs. CHARLESWORTH & Co., Heaton, Bradford, secured a Silver Flora Medal for a fine group, containing some good examples of their fine strain of Odontoglossum Rolfeæ and a hybrid between this and O. Pescatorei. hybrid resembled a very large-flowered O. Pescatorei, with violet-purple blotches on the sepals. The group also contained other showy hybrids, including one raised from Lælia purpurata X L. grandiflora (majalis). The seedling showed a great improvement on the latter parent, and was most attractive flower. Among the species were two plants of Cycnoches Egertonianum, the one representing the numerous-flowered racemose male form, and the other the female, bearing a short twinflowered spike of large, wax-like blooms. In the centre of the group was a specimen of the rare Bulbophyllum virescens with an umbel of 10 flowers; other species noted were Zygopetalum Burkei, Z. crinitum coeruleum, Brassia guttata, Angræcum Scottianum; the very singular fringed-lipped Chondrorhyncha Chestertoni and Scuticaria Steelii, with long terete leaves and showy flowers at the base. (See Awards.)

Messrs. SANDER & SONS, St. Albans, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a meritorious group, the back plants of which were fine selections of Lælio-Cattleya Bletchleyensis, L.-C. callistoglossa, Cattleya Lord Rothschild, Odon. toglossum Rolfeæ, and a very effective arrange. ment of the scarlet Disa grandiflora. Among the newer hybrids, Cattleya Davisii (velutina × Hardyana) was pretty, and showed great varia. Cypripedium Watsonianum, C. Mary Beatrice, and C. Niobe magnifica were other good flowers. Of the species noted were Stanhopea oculata, Catasetum macrocarpum, Miltonia Roezlii alba, Promenæa xanthina, Miltonia Regnellii citrina, and Galeandra lacustris.

BOTANICAL CERTIFICATE.

Rubus bambusarum.-This is a newly-introduced species from China. It has a trailing, drooping habit, with long, bramble-like shoots, bearing handsome tri-parted leaves of a deep, glossy green above, and with a white tomentum beneath. Each leaf-segment is about 5 inches in length, and linear-lanceolate in shape. The fruits are not unlike those of our native Bramble. Shown by Messrs. JAMES VEITCH & SONS, LTD.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chair); and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec.), Harry J. Veitch, W. Boxall, G. F. Moore, W. Thompson, J. Wilson Potter, H. T. Pitt, A. A. McBean, T. W. Bond, A. Dye, W. P. Bound, W. H. Young, J. Charlesworth, H. G. Alexander, W. H. White, F. J. Thorne, H. A. Tracy, W. Cobb, and W. Bolton.

Major G. L. HOLFORD, C.I.E., C.V.O., Westonbirt, Tetbury (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), was awarded a Silver-Gilt Lindley Medal for an immense plant of Lælio-Cattleya elegans with 30 flower-spikes, bearing together 230 flowers, the largest spike having 13 blooms The speci men, which was one of the finest Orchids ever staged at an exhibition, was an example of high culture, the flowers being perfect in development and of fine, rich, purple colour.

Major HOLFORD also received a Silver Banksian Medal for a selection of six new hybrid Orchids, viz., Brasso-Cattleya Madame Jules Hye, with pretty, blush-white flowers, having sulphurcoloured discs to the lips; Cattleya Pittiana superba; C. fulvescens magnifica, with flowers of a pale buff tint, having handsome rose-veined lips; Lælio-Cattleya Ophir "Variety delicata," white, with yellow throat, and rose front to the lip; Cattleya Euphrasia Westonbirt variety," a fine form of the plant recorded at a recent meeting as L.-C. Macænas; and Lælio-Cattleya Arethusa (C. Harrisoniana x L.-C. Exoniensis). Sir TREVOR LAWRENCE, Bart., Burford (gr.

At

Messrs. ARMSTRONG & BROWN, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, staged an excellent group, for which a Silver Flora Medal was awarded. the back were six plants of the new Lælio-Cattleya George Woodhams (L. purpurata x C. Hardyana), a fine companion to the handsome L.-C. callistoglossa, with large, purplish-rosecoloured flowers, having a finely-developed claret-purple lip; several of a fine type of L.-C. Bletchleyensis, a large specimen of Maxillaria tenuifolia, a selection of Dendrobium Phalaenop sis, and several good white Odontoglossum crispums. With these were several Cypripediums, including the new C. Braceyanum (superbiens X Lord Derby), which had flowers of the Lord Derby type, but with much broader petals, and a white ground; C. Maudiæ, C. Bella, C. Dayanum, C. Harrisianum albens, and several hybrids of C. Charlesworthii. The group contained also three plants of Bulbophyllum Dearei, a good example of the rose-coloured Eulophia guineensis, Masdevallia Davisii, &c.

Mrs. TEMPLE, Leyswood, Groombridge (gr. Mr. Bristow), was awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a group of well-grown Disa grandiflora, the plants bearing together over 100 very fine scarlet blooms. With them was a very handsome specimen of Epidendrum Brassavola with nine flower-spikes.

Baron Sir H. SCHRODER, The Dell, Egham (gr. Mr. Ballantine), showed Cypripedium Dellense (Mastersianum X Rothschildianum), an effective hybrid with the habit of C. Rothschildianum. The upper sepal is greenish-white, with purple lines; the petals are greenish, tinge i with rose and spotted with chocolate; the lip is long, compressed, and of a pale reddish-brown colour. We also noticed a good form of Cattleya A. de Lairesse.

Messrs. JAS. VEITCH & SONS, Chelsea, sent Cypripediums Jas. H. Veitch (Curtisii x Stonei platytænium) and C. W. R. Lee.

Messrs. HUGH Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield, staged a small group, which contained Cattleya bicolor Grossi, C. granulosa, C. Dowiana, C. Gaskelliana alba, several Lælio. Cattleya Ingramii, Odontoglossum Pescatorei,