198 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COJIAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 5,1885. 
we are glad to note all the Societies have now in their schedules, Man¬ 
chester offers as a first prize £15, York £10, Edinburgh £7, Liverpool £0, 
and Shrewsbury £5. Manchester is exceptional, inasmuch at its Whit-week 
Show no prizes are offered for vegetables or cut flowers. The Shrewsbury 
premier prize is £25 for twenty stove and greenhouse plants ; York £20 for 
sixteen ; and Liverpool £15 for twelve plants. For fruit York offers £8 for 
eight distinct varieties ; Manchester the same value for a like number of 
kinds ; Liverpool £6 for eight kinds ; Edinburgh £6 for twelve bunches of 
G-rapes ; and £5 for twelve sorts of fruits ; Shrewsbury £5 for six bunches of 
Grapes. 
One very important consideration must not be overlooked—that is, as to 
restriction. At Manchester, York, and Edinburgh every class is open to the 
world, and entries are free. At Liverpool members exhibit free ; to non¬ 
members the entrance fee is 5s. for each show ; and all classes in 1884 were 
open, the same as the three already named ; but to the discredit of the 
Liverpool gardeners, or the Committee of the Association, it must be ad¬ 
mitted in the year of grace, 1885, four classes are within the ten-miles 
radius ; class 88 at the summer Exhibition, and classes 56, 62, and 65 at the 
autumn Show. The horticulturists of the district should remember with 
pride where the premier awards of last year’s Chrysanthemum Exhibitions 
of Birmingham, Huddersfield, and Hull went to. We are told our schedule 
for Chrysanthemums if not large enough must suffice; it is the greater 
glory to our growers going far afield and reaping such splendid honours. 
Then why not in return give the best grower a chance in one and all of 
our classes? A few months ago, if the following query had been put to 
our best growers or judges of Chrysanthemums, When do you think 
Liverpool will be able to grow Japanese cut blooms to compete with the 
south ? The reply would probably have been a steady shake of the head, 
and the single word quietly spoken “ never.” He might also have volun¬ 
teered the information “ our climate will not permit as to compete with 
the southerners.” Our last Show has disproved that, and we ought not 
without a severe struggle admit being incompetent to grow vegetables, 
Apples, and Pears to compare with other parts of the country. Shrews¬ 
bury this year throws open their whole schedule with the following entrance 
fees—cottagers Is., for cut flowers 2s. Gd., and to the whole schedule half a 
guinea. 
It is hardly within our province to go into the matter of special societies, 
hut a word of praise is due to the National Rose Society for its usefulness 
and undoubted improvement of the queen of flowers. We have now another 
National, one perhaps which will prove of far greater interest to us. We 
refer to the National Chrysanthemum Society. Their mode of procedure 
was hardly to be commended when they first assumed the title, but now it 
appears they are endeavouring to take a broader ground as their basis, 
inviting the co-operation of all lovers of our autumn queen, offering medals 
to societies who are affiiliated to them at co3t price, and allowing such 
societies to send a representative of their body to serve on the general 
Committee. No town will be watching this week with greater interest and 
goodwill than Liverpool, but we must now consider our own Association. 
In the year 1879 a presentation was made to the late Mr. Hinds at the 
Aigburth Hotel on hia leaving Liverpool. A conversation amongst some 
that were present turned upon horticultural exhibitions, and whether those 
of Liverpool were worthy of the town. A meeting was the result, which was 
held at the Bull Hotel, Dale Street, when there were present Messrs. W. 
Mease, W. Tunnington, W. Blomily, J. Bramham, E. Bridge, F. Mee, and 
our late esteemed friend, F. Faulkner, and W. Bardneyas Secretary pro. tern. 
These meetings resulted in the formation of the Liverpool Horticultural 
Association ; and we must here note that the Committee was unique, inas¬ 
much that it was composed of gardeners only. There is, however, one 
Society, at the first Show of which in November last we had the pleasure 
of being present—namely, the Isle of Man Chrysanthemum Society, that 
is even more entitled to the term unique, as it is managed by a Committee 
of ladies. The Liverpool executive framed a liberal schedule ; considering 
the uncertainty of subscribers, visitors, or the weather, the prize list 
amounted in the aggregate to £267 18s. 6d., divided into sixty-three classes. 
The Committee laboured hard for the subscription list, which showed 243 
honorary subscribers and 230 members, or a total amount of £283 16s. 6d. 
The year’s working was most gratifying, showing a balance of £189 Os. 3d. on 
the right side. This gave so much satisfaction that in the following year, in 
addition to the Sefton Park Show, an autumn Exhibition was arranged with 
similar results, a balance of £340 6s. lOd. remaining in hand January, 1883. 
The Committee decided in extending its usefulness if possible, and a spring 
Show schedule was framed, and the Exhibition held with disheartening re¬ 
sults ; but after carefully weighing both sides of the question a spring Show 
was again announced with far more satisfactory results. 
A glance at our report for the present year is needed, and it will be seen 
our subscribers for the past year, as already noticed, exceed any horticul¬ 
tural society in the United Kingdom ; but the gate money is not yet worthy 
of Liverpool. It is doubtful, however, whether Liverpool will be able to 
induce the masses to visit the exhibitions, unless a more suitable site be 
provided. Take Manchester and Sheffield even at a Rose show when the 
thousands are promenading upon the beautiful well-kept lawns. 
We have now entered upon our seventh year, and it is worthy of our 
serious consideration whether we cannot improve our position as a society ; 
therefore it would be well to look at our arrangements from various points. 
Are the shows arranged in the most desirable manner for the comfort of 
our visitors ? St. George’s Hall is not nearly large enough for the numerou 
entries and the 7,000 visitors who patronise them. Waverley Market, where 
the Edinburgh hold their exhibitions, is the size and convenience to be 
desired. Another consideration is the opportunity of appreciating the music. 
The Committee now secure, and that we believe wisely, the best music to be 
obtained in the city, but the only notice our subscribers get is on the 
placards, and a couple of thousands of the cheapest and meanest programmes 
obtainable are scattered broadcast amongst the audience. Why not make 
our programmes more tasteful ? let these be arranged in good time, secure 
some first-class advertisements for front and back, and let about five thou¬ 
sand be printed and one or two enclosed with tickets as sent to subscribers 
and members. 
Making the shows is very important, and a few items have to be care¬ 
fully considered. Judges must be competent, honourable, above a suspicion 
of a doubt, and if possible, strangers to the district. Staging isa duty that 
not only requires judgment, knowledge, and energy; a good stager should 
be courteous, yet firm, with exhibitors. The rule as to the time of exhibitors 
leaving the show should be strictly enforced, to give the judges proper time 
and facilities for making their awards. Competitors should be willing to do 
their utmost in regard to this matter. They should also consider the 
schedule as compiled for all sections of growers, large and small classes 
b j ing provided ; therefore as ye are strong be merciful, consider the associa¬ 
tion is not formed for gain, but for honour and friendly rivalry. There is 
no honour for a large grower to win in a small class, but for a small grower 
to surpass a large one in a small class is meritorious; but if he succeeds in 
a large one he deserves every congratulation and commendation. Although 
this is referred to, it is with pleasure to state that but few cases can be 
recorded where the weak has been harshly dealt with by the strong. 
Our schedule requires but little notice—the baits already referred to are 
not required to secure superior exhibits. Take Liverpool as a horticultural 
centre it must hold a very enviable position, for whatever department may 
be selected we shall find worthy foemen in our midst. 
Our winter meetings must not be left without passing the ordeal of 
criticism. There is not yet the heartiness and success attending them that 
there ought to be amongst such a mass of the craft as we can present in 
Liverpool. We would especially urge upon all the desirability of making 
these reunions useful, instructive, and entertaining. Let us hope the mem¬ 
bers will accept the cordial invitation of the Committee, and bring for in¬ 
spection anything worthy. Let us have every meeting not a little flower 
show as generally understood, but a collection of horticultural rarities and 
beautiful specimens. Another matter we are compelled to mention is the 
invitation to our younger members to enter the lists as essayists on horti¬ 
cultural topics. Last year we had two entries, the year before only one. 
Why is this? We cordially invite the young men to give us their ideas 
fully and freely. We sincerely urge upon them the usefulness of essay 
writing, as it is of vital importance to be successful as gardeners, to prove 
themselves not only practical but also competent to put their ideas on paper 
in a clear and terse form. It also gives confidence in facing an audience, 
which they will find is of the utmost importance. We feel assured that 
although competition is now keen the keenness will not abate, the fight 
will be equally severe, and, comparatively speaking, the untutored and care¬ 
less will have to give way to the earnest, striving, and diligent. 
ABOUT BEDDING PLANTS. 
We have again reached the season when the preparation of plants for 
summer and autumn bedding must have earnest attention to do justice to 
the arrangements for the current year. Pelargoniums are still at the 
head of the list of plants suited for this purpose, and these are best 
divided into two sections—the flowering varieties, and those grown for 
the beauty of their foliage. Where the plants have been wintered in 
boxes—the best plan generally—they should be potted without delay. I 
think as a rule that gardeners by a short-sighted policy in this the matter 
of potting, give themselves in the end much more labour than is necessary, 
while they at the same time fail in securing such good plants. We find 
it difficult to provide room for everything that must have a place under 
glass in the spring months; but considering it to be the cheapest, because 
the most satisfactory way to deal liberally with the plants, we have 
grown fewer of them, and given those we did grow much better treat¬ 
ment than is usually accorded to Pelargoniums. For the stronger-growing 
sorts 5-inch pots are used, Henri Jacoby being the type of these, less 
vigorous kinds of the Little David class having a smaller size. We cannot 
afford the best quality of soil for these, but by adding a good proportion 
of the right kind of manure, in addition to a little superphosphate and 
potting firmly, the plants make very strong and vigorous growths. After 
they are established in the soil the tops are pinched out, and the plants 
being placed thinly on the stages the shoots break well. Another point 
in general practics, which I do not like to follow, is allowing the plants 
to stand about in vineries until they are drawn and ineffective until after 
they have been in their summer quarters for some time. I do not object 
to the plants having a start in a moderate heat of 55°, but immediately the 
plants have young growths starting after pinching, an ordinary cool house, 
is the place lor them. I had a very cheap structure erected lor these and 
other plants which either become tall and weak or are starved under mats. 
Plunged in coal ashes they require very little attention, while they make 
progress slowly, but steadily, and without check. 
Variegated Pelargoniums, especially such as Golden Chain and the 
tricolor sorts, are best propagated in spring, though it is not possible to 
grow the whole of them in that way. One feature of the variegated sorts 
is that they must not be starved at the roots ; they are also the better for a 
higher temperature than the green-leaved varieties. Strong plants of 
these are most useful for placing amongst Violas, Koniga, Lobelia, or 
Ageratums, forming most pleasing combinations. Cuttings at this time 
can either be dibbled singly into thumb-pots or in numbers over tbe 
propagating bed, or in boxes. Early in the season they are apt to damp 
off, but if the ends are merely set on the surface and kept moderately 
moist they root with certainty. However, I find it better to wait untd 
there is no danger to be apprehended, as the cuttings are stronger, and in 
the end make better plants. In order to have fine plants they must be 
grown close to the glass in heat, the more weakly sorts having 4-inch 
pots, stronger varieties a size larger. The tops require to be nipped out 
of each, when the plants will throw from four to six shoots, and form 
sturdy little specimens. The foliage of these is larger, brighter, and in all 
respects better than from autumn-struck plants. 
For several years past I have grown strong stock plants of those 
bedding plants propagated in spring. The advantages of this practice are 
that a few strong plants furnish as many cuttings as can be procured from 
a large number of autumn-struck cuttings, that we have no losses to 
mourn over during the winter months, no difficulty in procuring sufficient 
