OUR SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATION.-The view shown in our supplementary illustration to the present issue represents a part of the Pinetree belt which encircles the charming garden and dwelling at Fir Grange, Weybridge Heath, in which Mr. W. A. BILNEY has arranged a series of natural gardens. In this belt most of the important classes of hardy plants and shrubs are arranged without interfering with that beautiful feature of the property, the Pine trees, which had been there for many years before a modern garden was formed in the locality. Instead of disturbing the trees, paths were made amid rockeries and between sloping banks; nooks and dells were formed available for Ferneries, a bog-garden (see fig. 93), and Alpine garden. On the banks and beneath the trees many thousands of Daffodils,

little trouble in the future. The planting of Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Pernettyas and other evergreen flowering shrubs in due proportion among the deciduous species has had the effect of making the gardens capable of affording interest in winter.

AUTUMN ROSE SHOW.-The fourth annual autumn exhibition of the National Rose Society will be held in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on Tuesday next, the 24th inst. A feature introduced this year for the first time is a class for table decorations, the first prize being a silver cup of the value of five guineas, given by the president of the society, Mr. E. B. LINDSELL. The exhibition will be open until 8 pm., in order that the flowers may be viewed under artificial light. The weather during

JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION. -The second number of this publication has just been issued. It consists of 16 pages, and is a well-printed and attractive publication. Some of the principal articles include "Examinations for Gardeners," "The Saturday Half-Holiday," "Garden Apprentices," "The B.G.A. and the Trade," "Notes and Comments," "Gardeners and Nursery Training," and The L.C.C., the R.H.S., and the B.G.A." The Journal is published at 3d., and copies may be obtained from the secretary, Mr. J. WEATHERS, Talbot Villa, Isleworth.

SEPTEMBER STRAWBERRIES.-We have received from Messrs. H. CANNELL & SONS, Swanley, some fruits of the variety of Strawberry known as

Crocuses, hardy Cyclamen, Chionodoxas, Lilies, Scillas and other bulbous plants were p'anted, and their beauties when in bloom have often been described in the pages of the Gardeners' Chronicle. In the bog-garden, with the Bamboos, Yuccas, &c., on the higher ground and Irises in the front, the British Sun-dew forms an interesting patch growing in native sphagnum-moss, and Sarracenia purpurea thrives well. Astilbe Davidii, with its bright rose-coloured plumes, is a fine feature, and the Hydrangeas, Chelones, Arundo conspicua, Anemone japonica, Lysimachias, &c, make a good show. Pillar-Roses, Clematis and other flowering shrubs are in great profusion, and so carefully and skilfully has the garden been planted that it will continue to increase in beauty with but

the first half of September has proved favourable for Roses, so that an unusually large and beautiful display of blooms may be anticipated. The hon. secretary is Mr. EDWARD MAWLEY, Rosebank, Berkhamsted, Herts.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.-The house dinners of the club will be resumed on Tuesday, October 1, at 6 p.m., at the Hotel Win'sor. Mr. ARTHUR W. SUTTON will speak upon "A camping tour from Damascus to Petra in Arabia." The subject will be illustrated by painted slides from original photographs.

CHARLES HUBER, founder of the firm of M. CHARLES HUBER & Co., nurserymen, at Hyères, France, died recently, aged 89 years.

St. Antoine de Padoue. These fruits were of very large size for this type of Strawberry, and the trusses bore also a very great number of green fruits in various stages of development, showing that under the influence of the bright sunshine which has been prevalent since we received the fruit, the plants will yield a prolific crop of acceptable Strawberries. Ripe fruits of the variety St. Joseph have been sent us by Mr. W. SELLEY, Highlands Gardens, Ivybridge, Devon. These fruits had been picked singly, and were excellent for dessert, being sufficiently large in size, and of sweet and agreeable flavour. Our correspondent states that he has gathered fruits of St. Joseph since August 20 last, and that they ripen much earlier than the variety St. Antoine de Padoue.

MR. GEORGE DICKSON, V.M.H.-We gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity of reproducing the portrait of Mr. GEORGE DICKSON, to whom we alluded in our last issue. Mr. DICKSON is the chairman of Messrs, ALEXANDER DICKSON & SONS, Newtownards. He was born in 1832, is a Justice of the Peace for County Down, a member of the Down County Council, and chairman of the Committee of Agricultural and Technical Instruction for that county.

THE NATIONAL FRUIT GROWERS' FEDERATION. A meeting of the Council will be held on Monday, October 7, at 3 p.m., at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster. At this meeting a revision of the rules, and re-organisation of the Federation will be considered.

THE LATE LORD ALDENHAM.-In the recent death of Lord ALDENHAM, at the age of 88 years, horticulture loses one of its most liberal patrons. Our columns have frequently borne testimony to the excellent gardening carried out at Aldenham House, Elstree, under the superintendence of his late lordship's gardener, Mr. EDWIN BECKETT. In recent years the gardens and grounds have been greatly extended, and the magnificent exhibits of flowering trees and shrubs contributed from time to time at the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society have shown what a rich collection has been planted in the newer portions of the grounds. It is especially sad that on the following day to that on which Lord ALDENHAM died, the death occurred of his lordship's youngest son, the Hon. HENRY GIBBS, at the age of 46 years.

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND PLANT GROWTH.Experiments are being conducted by Mr. B. H. THWAITES in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park, in respect to the culture of plants by the aid of the electric light. The plants receive the benefit of the ordinary sunlight during the daytime, and at night a powerful electric light enables the plants to carry on the work of carbon-assimilation. The light is obtained from a powerful lamp which travels slowly from one end of the house to the other, and returns again by an automatic process. A small engine generates the electricity, and the surplus heat from the engine is utilised for the heating of the glasshouse in which the experiments are conducted. The cost of the gas, which serves the double purpose of heating the structure and driving the generating plant, is lower than that of the fuel consumed in an ordinary heating furnace necessary to maintain the same degree of warmth by means of a hot-water system. The rays of light from the lamp pass through a water-screen, and on emerging they form a spectrum approximating to that of ordinary sunlight. Particulars of Mr. THWAITES' system were given in Gardeners' Chronicle for September 8, 1906, p. 180, and in the issue for April 3, 1880, p. 432, details were published of experiments conducted by the late Sir WILLIAM SIEMENS in regard to the same subject.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed by his correspondents.)

THE VETERANS OF PROFESSIONAL GARDENING. Whilst the members of the British Gardeners' Association are at the moment of writing engaged in the task of determining the status and requirements of the professional gardener of the future, so far as it may be possible for any voluntary organisation so to determine, my mind during a time of sickness has been car. ried into the past rather than into the future. The biographies of gardeners may not offer very heroic stories, but there have been, and there are still, in the ranks of British and Irish professional gardeners men who have, through hard work and manly effort and faithful service, won very

high honours in their vocation, and have reflected upon it the highest lustre. Such men have been noble and illustrious workers. What the late beloved Dean Hole thought of those of whom 1 am writing is seen in the letter, so highly cherished, he wrote me from his sick bed in North Wales on September 30, 1903, just four years ago, and which referred to his "bitter disappointment" in not being able to attend the great dinner and gathering of gardeners in London a few days later. "I have been anticipating long and anxiously a meeting with so representative a body of those men among whom I have found the most congenial friendships and happiest enjoyments of my life. Will you tell them that with an old man's blessing, and from a brother's heart, I pray that they may ever cherish in themselves, and may communicate to others, that love of a garden which brings health to the body, peace to the mind, and thankful worship to the soul." Such a testimony as these words furnish to the worth and nobility of the British gardener deserves to be written in letters of gold. Well may the British Gardeners' Association desire to see in the gardeners of the future men who shall merit all the warm praise bestowed by Dean Hole on those of the present and past generations. Young men who are content to drift into their profession, rather than aspiring to shine in it, will do little to maintain that high standard which the best gardeners of the kingdom have so earnestly sought to create. If, through the aid of examinations, it be found

MR. GEORGE DICKSON, V M.H.

possible to generate in young men some ambi. tion to be of the best, some desire to be leaders, some effort to secure the greater knowledge without which no gardener can ever be a real one, then will the new association's labours have not been in vain. Were it possible to evoke from the dead the spirits of those great and good men who have done so much honour to gardening, what a procession of splendid reputations would be presented! But they are gone to rest in the great garden of eternity, where soon so many more of us will sleep. But we still have amongst us some fine old veterans. Would it were possible to have in London ere long one great social gathering of these veterans! Would the council of the Royal Horticultural Society, with its wealth, bring this about? How they would delight to gather once more together to fight over again with each other their bothy or youthful battles, and to recall to each other's memories the names and teachings of those who have gone before. We too soon forget those who have worked so illustriously in the field of horticulture. We so haste to live in the future that the past with its great dead is forgotten. It is, therefore, the more desirable that we should warmly cherish the veterans yet left to our esteem. A. D.

THE CHAMPION GRAPE CLASS AT SHREWSBURY. I regret to find my opinions are not in accord with those of my old and esteemed friend Mr. Crump over the champion Grape Vase award at Shrewsbury. When making the

suggestion that in future the vase should not be won by any competitor who does not obtain at least six maximums, I had in mind several things. First, that famous grower Mr. Shingler, whose efforts have for several years past been the principal means of maintaining a high, standard of excellence in this class, might, possibly rest on his honours. This would make the competition easier, but the Champion Vase is so noble a prize that any person winning it may well wish to do so with bunches of the greatest merit. I have not before me the total number of points obtained by Mr. Shingler during the past three years, but, failing to accept my suggestion of at least six maximums out of 12 bunches to qualify for a vase win, is it too much to ask that during the three years which must elapse ere any competitor can again win such a trophy the total maximum of points to secure the full possession of the vase shall be not fewer than has been Mr. Shingler's winning total of three years? Another thing merits attention. Whilst Mr. Shingler's exhibit included six varieties of Grapes, the second prize exhibit comprised four varieties only. Having regard to the many fine varieties of Grapes in commerce, and the valuable nature of the prize, it is not too much to ask that at least six varieties must be shown by each competitor. Mr. Crump mentions there were 132 bunches to judge by points in the class. That means there were 11 exhibits. Does not that mean that some bunches must have been little better than thirdrate as compared with those of the winning collection? I would like to point out, in the champion vegetable competition of nine kinds or dishes only, Mr. J. Gibson secured five maximums out of the nine, and was short of the total maximum by four points only. Five in nine is a much better standard than is three out of twelve. I trust whatever conditions may rule in the champion Grape class in the future-and all Grape growers will hope for its continuanceit may prove as successful, and never of lower merit, than was the new champion vegetable class at this show. D.

DUFF HOUSE.-It will be remembered that some months ago his Grace the Duke of Fife handed over as a free gift to the inhabitants of Banff and Macduff-two small and poor communities on the Moray Firth-the old and historic mansion of Duff House, together with the beautiful grounds attached to it, to be utilised in the best interests of the townsfolk. To maintain the grounds in a proper condition will involve the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, which the authorities do not possess; consequently weeds are beginning to grow, and the once neatly-kept grass verges and walks are now untidy. A suggestion has been considered for converting the mansion into a hydropathic establishment, whilst a wellknown golfing expert has declared that the grounds are splendidly adapted for a golf course. This part of Scotland is especially picturesque, and on every hand the visitor will find something of charm, some shady walk or breezy seashore, some upland that presents a fine sweep of view. There is also Duff House, the grounds of which include twining paths by the Deveron side-a most beautiful river-winding in and out on the way to the picturesque Bridge of Alvah, that spans at one leap the deep gorge that hems the river between its rocky walls. Truly, Banff has decided attractions-attrac tions which will appeal to all who desire a quiet, healthful scene, and these attractions deserve to be more widely known. Cor.

ASSOCIATION OF PARK SUPERINTENDENTS.In the Gardeners' Chronicle for August 17 reference was made to the annual meeting of the Society of Park Superintendents of America, and the opinion was stated that a similar society would be likely to succeed in this country. I consider that the benefits to be derived from such an association and the holding of a conference annually, with lectures, &c., bearing upon the management of public parks, would be very helpful. I hope other superintendents will express their views, believing that the suggestion made in the note already referred to should be acted upon. The annual meeting could be arranged to be held in the metropolis the first year, and in important provincial towns afterwards. A. Waters, Queen's Park, Heywood, near Manchester.

Mr. C.

THE PINK-FLOWERED CLOVE CARNATION. -I have read with interest the correspondence concerning the pink-flowering Clove Carnation. I was concerned with the introduction of this new variety, and I should like to state the following remarks. Mr. Woodgate, p. 203, says: Young correctly stated the origin of this variety, and that the pink-flowered Clove Carnation mentioned by Mr. Alex. Dean, on p. 172, probably came from Warren House."' The original plant of which Mr Dean wrote was lifted four years ago from Winkfield Gardens, it being one of a batch of seedlings of the old crimson Clove variety. The same season it flowered at Kingston-onThames. In all appearances, save that of colour, it exactly resembles the crimson variety, and the Warren House variety is totally different to the one described by Mr. Dean. H. Hatcher, Winkfield, Windsor

It is evident from the correspondence which has followed upon my first reference to the above-named Carnation, that what was hitherto regarded as a very fixed and reliable plant, viz., the old crimson Clove, was after all of a very sportive nature, for pink-flowered varieties appear to be fairly common; whether all are identical in shade of colour has to be proved. But the odd thing about these sports is that each person who finds one seems to jump at once to the conclusion that they alone have thus been favoured and that all other similar sports must have originated from their stock. If the crimson Clove has sported in one place why should it not do so in twenty places Mr. Woodgate may be assured that the stock I referred to at Kingston Station did not find its way there from Kingston Hill. The true old Clove was brought to Kingston from Dorset, and did not sport until after several years had elapsed. I hope to procure plants later for trial at Wisley, A. D.

>

VAR.

EMINENS.

ACONITUM NAPELLUS, The accompanying photograph of this beautiful Aconite was taken in Dr. Stapf's garden at Hanover House, Kew, about the end of the second week in August. The plant is figured in the Botanical Magazine for September, tab. 8,152 (see Gardeners' Chronicle, p. 202). Dr. Stapf states that it is by far the most handsome of the numerous varieties of A. Napellus, and that it appears to be confined to the limestone zone of the Eifel Mountains in Rhenish Prussia. He collected the tubers, from which the plant photographed was raised, on the banks of the River Kyll, some miles from Gerolstein, in 1904. There the plant grew most luxuriantly in rich, deep soil, close to the water, in company with Willows, the tallest specimen being about 64 feet high. In another locality, on the slopes of a hill called Auburg, to the west of Gerolstein, he found it in almost impenetrable thickets of Hazel, Cornus sanguinea, Viburnum Lantana, and other shrubs. The tallest specimen in Dr. Stapf's garden in 1907 reached a height of more than 9 feet, an unusual size for an Aconite. J. Hutchinson, Kew. [We regret that the photograph is unsuitable for reproduction.FD.]

BRAVOA POLIANTHES.-I enclose a photograph of a bigeneric hybrid, which, I think, is new. It is a cross between Bravoa geminiflora ? x Polianthes tuberosa . The cross was made in 1903, and six seeds resulted, which all germinated, and the seedlings are now fully. grown plants, but only one flowered this year. The hybrids seem nearly, if not quite, as hardy as the seed-parent, having passed the last two winter in a cold greenhouse, from which frost was barely excluded. This plant had a spike about 3 feet high (grown in a pot), with 25 flowers, which are fairly intermediate in colour, size, and form between the parents. The colour is a pale, Coppery, or salmon-cream. In Bravoa the flowers hang down, and in the Tuberose are semi-erect; in this hybrid they are (when fully out) horizontal. The bulb and roots showed signs of the cross and also the leaves, which are somewhat broader than those of Bravoa, but the two plants are very similar in these characters, and I have been surprised that they should have been placed in different genera. I suggest Bravanthes as a name for the hybrid. I hope all the six plants will flower next year, and I expect to see some differences in the flowers, as the leaves are different, some being broader and deeper green, and, in one case, much spotted at the base. I also enclose the top part of the spike of the hybrid with a spike of Bravoa

geminiflora for comparison. A. J. B. [We cannot see that the flowers differ in any way from typical Bravoa geminiflora. They have none of the characters of Polianthes. In Polianthes the ovary and fruit are half superior, the flower white, 1 to 2 inches long, with large segments half as long as the funnel-shaped tube, and the anthers are scarcely exserted from the tube of the perianth. In the specimen received the ovary and fruit are quite inferior, the tube is nearly cylindrical, and the segments very small. In Bravoa the riper flowers are erect.-ED.]

CHERRY LAUREL TIMBER.-Rarely has the wood of the Common Laurel, Cerasus laurocerasus, been found of sufficient size to be used as timber, though not long since I recorded the sale of some 40 tons of this wood from an estate in the north of Ireland. Several of the stems which I measured were fully 12 inches in diameter at the root end, and the whole realised 55s. per ton, for use in the spinning mills at Belfast. This timber was grown on a reclaimed peat bog, from which peat for fuel had at one time been cut. Recently the Earl of Charlemont, when conducting me over his beautiful estates of Drumcairne, informed me that he also had sold a quantity of Laurel timber, but at about double the price above recorded. The timber is very heavy and durable. A. D. Webster.

ANTS ON A LAWN.-A fortnight ago we had quite a plague of ants on the lawn and they appeared to be destroying the grasses. I told my gardener to thoroughly soak the infested portions with water several times every day. The result has surprised me, for now there are no ants to be found The applications of cold water cannot have killed them. I can only suppose that it made their quarters so uncomfortable that they moved somewhere else. F. S., Sidmouth, September 14.

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PRESENT VALUE OF BRITISH TIMBER. I am sorry my experience in South Hants does not agree with that of A. D. W. (see p. 193) to the prices obtained for British grown timber. In this neighbourhood it pays much better to farm the land than to plant trees of any kind, as is proved by the many acres of woodland which have been grubbed of trees and prepared for farm cultivation. Many persons have of late suffered through the mistaken notions of writers as to the future value of timber, and notably Larch. With regard to the prices of various kinds of woods, quoted by A. D. W., the most I can obtain for Oak is 1s. 6d. per foot for trees of 50 cubic feet. If I could furnish a quantity of crooked limbs, so valuable for yacht building, I could find for these a ready market. Beech timber realises here no higher price than 10d. per cubic foot for trees containing from 60 to 80 cubic feet Elm will produce from 10d. up to 1s. per cubic foot for particularly good samples of large, clean growth. For Scotch Pine 4d. per foot is the average price obtained, and Poplar timber, of big size, realises no more. Even faggots, of a suitable size for heating ovens, can be readily bought for 8s, per 100. Thus, it will be seen, the returns for timber in this part offers no encouragement to the planter. E. M., South Hants.

HELIOTROPE "LORD ROBERTS." This grand Heliotrope is equally useful for bedding purposes or for culture in pots. I have eight beds filled with it. The plants are not taller than 12 inches, and they have trusses of bloom which measure 10 inches across. The intense shade of colour is all that can be desired in a "dark Heliotrope. A. E. Y. R., Sudeley Cast e.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. SEPTEMBER 17.-The usual fortnightly meeting of the Committees was held in the Vincent Square Hall on Tuesday last. An excellent display was made with plants and flowers, amongst which the Dahlias, especially Cactus Dahlias, were a prominent feature.

Orchids were fairly numerous, but there were few novelties of outstanding merit, and the ORCHID COMMITTEE's awards consisted only of one Botanical Certificate and two Awards of Merit.

The FLORAL COMMITTEE recommended a FirstClass Certificate for the new spec es of Viburnum illustrated at fig. 95, and nine Awards of Merit to varieties of Dahlias and Montbretias.

The FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COMMITTEE did not make any award to a novelty.

At the afternoon meeting a lecture on "Sedges and Rushes for Ornamental Purposes," prepared by Mr. W. Smyth, was read by the Secretary.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and Messrs. H. B. May, Geo. Nicholson, Jas. Walker, Jno. Green, T. W. Turner, R. Hooper Pearson, J. F. McLeod, Jas. Douglas, W. Howe, C. Blick, J. T. Bennett-Poe, Walter T. Ware, R. W. Wallace, H. J. Cutbush, A. Turner, H. J. Jones, T. W. Barr, C. E. Pearson, E. H. Jenkins, W. J. James, George Paul, James Hudson, and E. T. Cook.

Lord SALISBURY, Hatfield House, Hatfield (gr. Mr. Prime), displayed a group consisting of more than 30 plants of the scarlet-flowered Clerodendron fallax. The plants exhibited good culture, and were carrying large inflorescences. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. HUGH Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield, showed a batch of Nephrolepis exaltata var. Whitmanii, and another of the pink-flowered Chironia exifera, with a few vases of Carnations between the two groups.

Sir EDMUND LODER, Leonardslee, Horsham, Sussex (gr. Mr. W. A. Cook), showed inflorescences of Hydrangea Hortensia with blue flowers.

Messrs. WM. BULL & SONS, King's Road, Chelsea, exhibited showy ornamental-leaved plants of stove and greenhouse species as a setting to choice varieties of Cattleyas and other Orchids. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. MAY & SONS, Upper Edmonton, exhibited plants of Bouvardias in variety, a number of small plants of greenhouse Veronicas, including several trained as standard specimens, with choice varieties of greenhouse Feins, small Palms, Ficus radicans, &c. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. JAMES VEITCH & SONS, King's Road, Chelsea, showed flowering sprays of Streptocarpus raised from seeds sown eight months since. There were 27 distinct shades of colouring and one of pure white amongst the seedlings, which represented an excellent strain of this useful greenhouse flowering plant. Nerine Fothergilli major was shown by Messrs. VEITCH in very large plants, some having 16 or 18 flowerspikes. Sarracenia purpurea and Crowea latifolia major were also noticed in this exhibit. As a separate group, Messrs. VEITCH showed hardy plants from their Coombe Wood Nursery, including the new Viburnum rhytidophyllum, ornamental fruited Crabs in fruit, remarkably well-fruited shrubs of Hippophae rhamnoides, many Hypericums, including the small-flowered H. galioides; Sambucus canadensis, a species with a huge inflorescence; Aralia spinosa in flower; Nandina domestica, a plant with handsome foliage; Cydonia pygmea, and many others. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. & J. BROWN, Stamford, showed bunches of garden Roses, with plants of Kochia scoparia interspersed. (Silver Banksian Medal.) Mr. L. R. RUSSELL, Richmond Nurseries, Richmond, Surrey, showed hardy ornamentalfoliage plants in small pots, with small plants of large flowering Clematis interspersed.

Messrs. W. CUTBUSH & SON, Highgate, London, N., staged an assortment of varieties of the Winter-flowering or American Carnations, with two large vases of Lilium speciosum rubrum at the back of the exhibit. (Silver Flora Medal.) Messrs. W. WELLS & Co., Merstham, Surrey, exhibited vases of early flowering Chrysanthemums of the market type, and including Nina Blick (bronze); Miss B. Miller (yellow); Goacher's Pride (white): Polly (bronze), an incurved bloom; Perle Chatillionaise (cream, faintly suffused with pink), &c. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. WALLACE & Co., Kilnfield Gardens, Colchester, showed a collection of Montbretias of varieties raised by Mr. Geo. Davison, and including Prometheus, Westwick, Ernest Davison, Lutetia, King Edmund, and several new varieties which are described under Awards. Adjoining the Montbretias was an assortment of seasonable hardy flowers, including many spikes of Gladioli. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Mr. AMOS PERRY, Enfield Chase, London, N., showed seasonable hardy flowers in variety. We noticed flowering sprays of Potentilla Hopwoodiana with expanded flowers, that

are tinged with rose on a yellowish ground; the giant Rudbeckia, R. maxima; Coreopsis verticillata with yellow flowers that are like a miniature Sunflower; Lilium auratum in variety; Pentstemons of many shades of colours; Stokesia cyanea; Chrysanthemum maximum, and the charming dwarf Tritoma Macowanii, with rich, orange-scarlet flowers. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. MAURICE PRICHARD, Christchurch, Hants, exhibited an assortment of hardy flowers. Hemerocallis flava "Dr. Regel" was very finely shown; also Montbretias in variety, Kniphofias,

CARTER, PAGE, & Co., London Wall, London. The exhibit extended along the entire end of the building opposite the clock, and was arranged in a very pleasing manner. The flowers were principally of the Cactus type, and almost all the best varieties were shown. At either end were stands of single and Pompon varieties. The whole was relieved with Grasses, small Palms, and sprays of Ampelopsis. As a separate exhibit, this firm displayed pot plants of Clematis in flower, and small specimens of Ampelopsis Veitchii, with autumnal colouring in the foliage. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

perennial Asters, Anemones, Phloxes, Liliums, &c. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. FRANK BRAZIER, Caterham Hardy Plant Nurseries, exhibited hardy plants, such as perenial Asters, early-flowering Chrysanthemums, Gladioli, Roses, Antirrhinums, Phloxes, and many others. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

The exhibits of Dahlias were extensive, and many new varieties of this seasonable flower were presented for Awards. A large display of these flowers was shown by Messrs.

Mr. J. T. WEST, Tower Hill, Brentwood, displayed many beautiful varieties of Cactus and Pompon-flowered Dahlias, with suitable greenery. The blooms were of exceptionally high quality, and were displayed in an artistic manner. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. WARE, LTD., Feltham, Middlesex, displayed a pretty exhibit of Cactus Dahlias, with several of the Pæony-flowered type intermixed. The best of these latter varieties is the scarlet Souvenir de Gustave Douzon. At the

back of the exhibit were sprays of perennial Asters in variety. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. CHEAL & SONS, Crawley, exhibited Cactus, Pompon-Cactus, single, and Pomponflowered Dahlias in many of the best varieties. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. CHAS. TURNER, Royal Nurseries, Slough, displayed a choice assortment of miniature Pompon-flowered Dahlias, and exhibition boxes of blooms of the larger show type. The Pompon Dahlias were of especial merit. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. HOBBIES, LTD., Dereham, Norfolk, set up a very extensive exhibit of Dahlias of the single Pæony-flowered type, with a row of (actus varieties as an edging to the group. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. J. WALKER, Thame, Oxon., displayed show and Cactus-flowered Dahlias of high quality in a pretty setting of fancy baskets with Grasses and other suitable foils. At the back of the Dahlias were many excellent varieties of Anemoneflowered or quilled China Asters. (Silver-Gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. PAUL & SON, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, showed an assortment of Dahlias of most types interspersed amongst sprays of ornamental trees and shrubs. Amongst the last-named were fruiting sprays of Cotoneaster frigida, omamental Crabs in variety, Weigela versicolor, Purple-leaved Peach, Clerodendron trichotomum in flower, ornamental-leaved Elder, Ligus trums, and many others.

Messrs. H. CANNELL & SONS, Swanley, Kent, made an extensive display with Cactus and Pæony-flowered Dahlias. Among these latter type notable varieties were Souvenir de Gustave Douzon (scarlet), Mdlle. van den Dael (soft pink), Grand Duc Alexis (white), Papa Charmet (dark crimson), and Yellow Colosse. The two lastnamed varieties are new. (Silver Flora Medal.)

AWARDS.

A FIRST-CLASS CERTIFICATE was awarded to

Viburnum rhytidophyllum.-This is a new Chinese species introduced by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, and it is described in the Hortus Veitchii published by that firm. It is an excellent, hardy shrub, and its character may be seen from the illustration at fig. 95, in which the very large, much wrinkled leaves and immense corymbs of flowers are well portrayed. The plant exhibited by Messrs. Veitch on Tuesday last was in fruit, and it showed that the fruits set very freely. In colour they are first bright red, but afterwards become of deepest purple or black. (See Gardeners' Chronicle, June 30, 1906, p. 418.)

AWARDS OF MERIT were recommended to the plants enumerated below:

Montbretia King Edmund.-A yellow flowered variety, apparently of very tall, vigorous habit, the inflorescences branching freely. The flowers are of large size, and they do not expand so fully as most varieties.

M. Lady Hamilton.-This variety appeared scarcely so tall. The flowers are an Apricot shade of yellow, and in form are greatly supe rior to the much larger blooms seen in Prometheus. They do not expand so fully even as those of the variety King Edmund, but have some resemblance in form to Watsonias.

M. Lord Nelson.-A most effective va iety with orange-scarlet-coloured flowers, having yellow centre, the exterior of the segments being of dark crimson.

The three varieties of Montbretias were shown by Major PETRE, Norwich (gr. Mr. Davison), who also raised the variety Prometheus. They are excellent acquisitions to these desirable border plants.

All the following varieties of Dahlia are of the Cactus-flowered type:

D. "Flame."-A very large flower of orangered colour. Shown by Mr. H. SHOESMITH, Woking.

D.

Dorothy."-A pretty, light mauve-coloured flower with white centre. An attractive variety of good form.

D. Ivernia.-A very large flower of orange and pale-red tints.

D. Rev. A. Bridge.-This variety has yellow flowers with reddish tips to the florets.

D. C. E. Wilkins.-A pretty flower of salmony. rose shade with straw-coloured centre. The florets, being much rolled, appear extra narrow and they incurve well towards the centre.