18 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [JAXfAitv, 



alludod to, and I generally commence to gather fruit from them after the middle 

 of May. I could have the fruit earlier by growing Black Prince or some such 

 early variety ; but we have early strawberries in the forcing-house, and do not 

 therefore grow very early sorts in this house, only the most approved. 



A house such as this, with high sides, is not adapted for small trees ; wo 

 have therefore erected a lean-to 38ft. by 6ft., which gives space for one row of 

 young trees in front, while it allows of bearing trees being trained to the back 

 wall. The young trees are principally "maidens," which are lifted in autumn 

 from the open ground, and potted for the most part in lOin. pots. These bear 

 a crop of fruit the next season, and then replace a few of the oldest and least 

 useful of the trees, which I throw away each year. 



Loxford Hall, Ilford. J. Douglas. 



NOVELTIES, ETC., AT ELOWEll SHOWS. 



^mjLfiOST interesting and highly valuable as winter decorative plants are the 

 (QJMJJ IL Hybrid Solanums, of which fine groups were staged at the meeting of 

 e$j$£ the Floral Committee on December 15th by Mr. Weatherill, of Finch- 

 L§S ley, and Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway, to each of whom a special 

 certificate was awarded. These new forms originated with Mr. "Weatherill, 

 and were the result of a most successful cross between S. Capsicastrum 

 hybridum and S. Pseudo-Capsicum. With a dwarf habit, they combine the 

 vigorous growth of the latter, and produce such a profusion of highly-coloured 

 fruit as to become most valuable for the purpose of winter decoration. They 

 grow from 18in. to 24in. in height in the first season, and have a dense com- 

 pact freely-branched habit of growth. The leaves vary in breadth and length, 

 and the form and size of the fruits also differ, some being quite round, others 

 oval or olive-shaped, while others again are intermediate. Some plants produce the 

 fruits in clusters of from four or five to seven or eight, which much enhances 

 their decorative value. Though the different varieties may not be reproduced 

 true from seed, there is such a general similarity, that seedling plants are certain 

 to be quite worthy of cultivation ; and, like the parents, the distinct forms may 

 be increased by cuttings. The vigour of these plants suggests that they might 

 probably be grown as small standards, resembling miniature orange trees, as is 

 sometimes done with S. Pseudo-Capsicum. Mr. Peel, of Cambridge House 

 Gardens, Twickenham, grows remarkably fine samples of these standard Sola- 

 nums, and it would be of interest to have his method of culture explained. On 

 the principle that we should yield honour where honour is due, it should be 

 stated that Mr. P. M Arthur, of the Edgeware Road, was the successful operator 

 in obtaining the first break from the older forms ; but, failing to continue the 

 work, it has been carried to such a successful issue by other hands. 



A first-class certificate was awarded at this meeting to a magnificent single- 

 flowered form of Chinese Primrose, named Wonderful, also shown by Mr. Weatherill. 



