September 22, 1906 



HORTICULTURE 



809 



British Horticulture 



THE SHREWSBURY SHOW 



The annual show held at Shrewsbury continues to 

 maintain its premier position. This years exhibition 

 which took place on August 22nd was on a larger scale 

 than ever. The amount offered in prizes was £1,200, 

 whilst the entries numbered close upon 3000 or 120 more 

 than in 1905. A special feature is made of the groups 

 of miscellaneous plants, and this again proved a very 

 popular section. There were two classes for groups of 

 plants, each restricted to a space of 300 square feet, one 

 being for plants in and out of bloom, and the other for 

 ornamental foliage plants, palms, and ferns. Messrs. 

 Cypher and Sons of Cheltenham, a noted firm of orchid 

 growers, secured the first prize in the first section and 

 the Leanington Xurserymen and Florists, Ltd., for the 

 group of ornamental plants. Originality of arrange- 

 ment was not very conspicuous in this section. The 

 show of grapes was of a highly meritorious character. 

 The 50-guinea cup and £20 in cash offered for the 

 finest 12 bunches were taken by Lord Hastings, of 

 Melton Constable, whose absolute property the trophy 

 now becomes. The variety Mrs. Pince was shown in 

 a remarkably fine condition, whilst Alnwick seedling 

 was also of a very high order. Some pleasing effects 

 were produced in the section for tables laid as for 

 dessert, the first prize being awarded to the Earl of Har- 

 rington, Elvaston Castle, Derby. 



THE WINTER FLOWERIXG CARNATIOX SOCIETI 



A meeting of the committee of the newly-formed 

 Winter Flowering Carnation Society was held at the 

 Hotel Windsor, Westminster, on Tuesday, Aug. 28th. 

 Mr. Hayward Mathias, the energetic secretary, wao able 

 to report that a satisfactory progress had been made 

 since the Society's inception, and many of the leading 

 specialists in Great Britain and the Channel Islands 

 have joined. The question of the time and place of the 

 first show was discussed. A favorable offer was re- 

 ceived from the Eoyal Botanic Society giving the use 

 of the Society's ground at Eegent's Park, London, for 

 the show. It was decided to accept the offer, and that 

 the show should take place on Tuesday, Dec. 4ih. It 

 was felt that this date would be convenient to most of 

 the growers. The schedule was discussed and arranged 

 and a Floral Committee, who will grant certificates to 

 new introductions, was appointed. There is no doubt 

 that a good display of carnations will be brought to- 

 gether, as the number of trade growers who pay atten- 

 tion to this section has largely increased. Some of the 

 American visitors who attended the international con- 

 ference on plant hybridizing in London recently were 

 very considerably impressed with the high standard of 

 -culture which has been attained by the English raisers 

 of carnations. It was certainly a revelation to some of 

 the transatlantic delegates. 



ROSE SOILS 



The National Eose Society publish a number of very 

 useful books, amongst them being a report on the con- 

 stitution of rose soils. Some years ago an investigation 

 was undertaken to ascertain, if possible, what, if any, 

 were the particular chemical ingredients in certain soils 

 which enabled rose plants grown in them to produce 

 such an exceptionally large proportion of choice eshi- 

 l)ition blooms. With this object in view samples ob- 

 tained from the principal rose nurseries in the kingdom 

 •were submitted to Dr. Bernard Dyer, an eminent au- 



thority, for analysis. Dr. Dyer's conclusion was as 

 follows: "I am obliged, after careful study of the 

 chemical results to come to the conclusion that any 

 common bond that may exist between the soils must be 

 sought less in chemical resemblance, or in abundance 

 in any particular cliemical ingredient than in good 

 meclianical and physical condition of the soil, and good 

 drainage. Under this head, I need only say tliat it 

 has been pointed out that all the soils are more or less 

 sandy loams, although they differ in lightness and con- 

 sistency within somewhat wide limits." The conclu- 

 sions point to the fact that the essential of success is 

 not so much the soil but good cultivation. 



>tyr/, OiM^tXc^ 



Small Bush Chrysanthemums 



Small bush chrysanthemums grown in 7 or 8-in pots 

 will be found to be the most useful size for conserva- 

 tory or window decoration and general sale. If they 

 have been planted out in the garden they should now 

 be lifted and potted without any loss of time. A cold 

 frame is an ideal place to set them for the first few 

 days. After being potted they should get one good 

 watering and be allowed to dry out well before given 

 more. Syringe every bright morning and partially 

 shade until they become established. 



Plants that have been grown in pots and plunged 

 out of doors should now be housed and placed on a 

 light, airy bench and given all the air possible. Do 

 not crowd them too close together or they will be sure 

 to lose a quantity of their bottom foliage and with 

 the foliage gone so goes half the beauty of the plant. 

 Plants in this size of pots should have from 15 to 20 

 flowers per plant and should not average more than 20 

 inches in height. Buds will be coming along every day 

 now and as soon as they can be handled the side thoots 

 and buds should be rubbed out and the cent'-e one 

 allowed to flower. When the buds appear, a little feed- 

 ing should be resorted to. This can be done much the 

 same as for large blooms. Clay's Fertilizer is a good 

 chemical to use for bush plants. The fill of a 3 1-2- 

 inch pot thoroughly dissolved in 50 gallons of water 

 is about right ; it heightens the color of the flower and 

 makes a dark glos.sy foliage. 



As soon as the buds show color it is time to do the 

 staking; of course plants of tliis size do not require 

 manv stakes; the less that can be done with the better, 

 but there should be as many used that, when the plant 

 is finished, every shoot should show to advantage. The 

 neater this part of the work is done so much more will 

 be the reward for the little extra time and care when the 

 plants go tc market. Go over the house at least twice 

 every week and pick off all dead or decayed leaves See 

 that the fumigating is attended to regularly that no 

 insect pest gets a foothold. Guard against rust and 

 mildew. If given the necessary attention by doing the 

 work when it should be done there is no plant that will 

 respond more readily to the care given and give more 

 satisfaction than will tlie chry.santhemum. 



^Q/,a^ Of. yr/'_ 



'^ 



