April 16, 1885. ]] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
317 
EUCHARISES. 
( The letter of “ Amaryllid ” in your last number mentions a new disease 
ofEucharis, and sugerests that the mode of cultivation which he describes 
may be the eau°e. Whether my much simpler mode of treatment has 
anything^ to do with its freedom from disease with me I cannot say, but 
perhaps it may be worth describing. I may premise that I am one of 
that large cla c s of horticulturists whose appliances are by no means 
equal to their aspirations, and that my one small hothouse has to grow 
Orchids (from Odontoglossums to Dendrobiums), Ferns, two or three 
Palms, plants in general, and to serve as a propagating house, so that it 
is impossible for me to give to each class the treatment recommended by 
specialist 0 . In this I grow two 14-inch pots of Eucharises, which are now 
I suppose about twelve years old ; they have not been potted for three or 
four years, but I think of repotting them this spring. The thermometer 
n the body of the house is often below 50° in winter, but the Eucharises, 
are near the pipes. The plants produce never, I think, less than three 
crops of flowers, varying from eighteen to forty blooms each every year 
which I suppose is a fair success. 
Their cultivation is simply as follows :—Directly the flowerstalks 
appear the plants are watered most freely, and when these die they have 
liberal supplies of liquid manure till the leaves are fully expanded, when 
all watering is in a great measure withheld till the flowerstalks show again. 
This alternation of feeding and fasting seems to suit them exactly. The 
pots are generally brought into the drawing-room when in bloom, and 
take no harm there; but I would not answer for the result were they used 
for the decoration of draughty corridors.— Duckwing. 
WALKLEY AMATEUR FLORAL AMD HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY (SHEFFIELD). 
April 7th. 
This remarkably p-osperous Society held their first spring Show in the 
National Schools, Walkley, on the above date, and as regards the quality 
and quantity of the exhibits it cannot but be considered as an unqualified 
success. Before proceeding to particulars concerning them a few as to the 
characteristics of the Society may be of interest, and may perhaps induce 
some to attempt the formation of similar societies iu the suburbs of other 
of our large towns, in most of which there is loom for one at least, and, 
judging from the practical knowledge I have of the Walkley Society and 
the good work it is doing, I feel certain such societies deserve the hearty 
support and encouragement of everyone interested in horticultural pursuits, 
nurseryman, professional gardener, or amateur. 
This Society was established about five years since in a suburban district 
of Sheffield, which had long been celebrated for its numerous well-kept 
cottage gardens and its number of enthusiastic amateur gardeners, most of 
them being clerks and shopkeepers engaged in the town during the day, 
and spending their evinings and early hours in the morning in the garden 
or greenhouse. 
The initiative in forming a society was taken by Mr. T. B. Hague, a 
manufacturing cutler in Sheffield, who had for some time previously been a 
very active member of the Sheffield Floral and Horticultural Society, and 
who, from his experience in connection with this Society felt certain that 
in a district so devoted to amateur gardening as is Walkley a society for 
amateurs might easily be made both useful and successful. 
On mentioning the subject to some friends, who, like himself, were 
ardent horticulturists, the business was taken in hand, meetings arranged, 
rules drawn up, officers elected and a society started whose success was assured 
from the first night of meeting. The rules, as then drawn up, are strict in 
not allowing the admission of any person as a member who is not bondfide an 
amateur grower, and who has not a greenhouse or a garden of a given size. 
Professional gardeners are only admitted as honorary members free of con¬ 
tributions, and are not entitledto exhibit in competition at any of the Society’s 
shows. The meetings are held on alternate Friday evenings at the Freedom 
Hotel, Walkley, and at each meeting an essay is read on horticultural topics, 
most often by one of the professional gardeners who are honorary members 
of the Society. 
At every meeting a miscellaneous exhibition takes place of plants, 
flowers, fruit, &c., whatever of interest the members have in condition and 
for the which no schedule is arranged or prize offered, but marks are 
awarded according to the merits of each exhibit, varying from one to six, 
which is the maximum number. Those achieving the honour of six marks 
for any exhibit are called upon by the chairman to describe the mode of 
culture which has proved so successful. Six of the professionals who are 
honorary members are annually elected as honorary judges, and attend in 
their turn the meetings of the Society to carry out this work. 
The Society now numbers sixty to seventy members, and has an average 
attendance at its fortnightly meetings of thirty to forty. It is most evidently 
doing a good and useful work, and is setting an example which may weil 
be copied by amateur horticulturists in other of our large provincial towns. 
In addition to the fortnightly exhibitions they have each year since the 
formation of the Society held a summer show in August, which has been 
open to the general public and been well spoken of ; but not until this year 
have they ventured upon a public spring show. Unfortunately the weather 
proved very unfavourable, as rain continued to fall during a great part of 
the day, and doubtless prevented a great many from visiting the Show. I 
am glad, however, to find that the Committee are not discouraged, but are 
well satisfied with the success of their first attempt, and hope to repeat the 
same annually. The exhibits well filled the large school-room and a class¬ 
room adjoining, and, considering that it was without exception produced by 
amateur growers, was of great excellence; indeed, the exhibits in several 
classes, notably Hyacinths, Tulips, Deutzias, Spiraeas, Cytisus, and dwarf 
Azalea indica, could scarcely have been exhibited finer by nurserymen or 
professional gardeners. 
The principal prizetakers were for Azaleas, G. B. Stocks, T. B. Hague, 
M. Taylor, A. Hartley, and J. Saunders; for Camellias, J. Marson and M. 
laylor; Cinerarias, G. B. Stocks and J. Marson; Deutzias, Messrs. W. H. 
Barnes and T. B. Hague ; Dendrobes, good examples of nobile andDevoui- 
anum, T. B. Hague ; Ferns, Messrs. Hague, Taylor, and Swindon ; foliage 
plants, Messrs. Hague and Taylor; Hyacinths and Tulips, Messrs. Stocks 
and Hague; Rhododendrons, Messrs. W. H. Barnes and Hague; Cytisus, 
Messrs. J. Marson and F. Barnes ; Primulas, Stocks, Singleton and Hague. 
—W. K. W. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Vegetable Marrows. —Plants now growing under glass from seed 
sown a few weeks ago should not be kept in a warm house or frame too 
long. It is no advantage to have long spindly plants to turn out in May. 
Dwarf robust ones are much better. Place them in a cool frame and 
harden them off there without too sudden an exposure to cold air. Now is 
a good time to begin Vegetable Marrow culture in the open. Gather a 
few barrowloads of any old material that will ferment together, make it 
into a little hotbed, place two or three barrowfuls of pure loam on this, 
and a few seeds in the mound. They should be placed about 3 inches 
below the surface. The young plants will be up by the beginning of May, 
and prove both early and fruitful. If frost should come after they are 
through a flower pot should be turned upside down over each plant at 
night, or a handlight may be placed on to answer the same purpose. 
They must be protected from frost. 
Ridge Cucumbers. —These are very much valued in small gardens, 
and succeed admirably under the same treatment as the Marrows. Indeed, 
where space is limited a plant of each may be grown on one mound, and 
they will vie with each other in fruitfulness. In sheltered positions in the 
south they may both be sown later on in any good garden soil and 
without any hotbed. 
Peas. —Sow main crop varieties largely ; form narrow trenches, manure 
heavily, and sow thinly, as there is no danger of seed failing at this 
season. Those sown now will be ready in July. Generally a hot dry 
time and a cool moist soil must be selected for them, as tender sweet 
Peas cannot be produced in shallow dry soils. Earth up and stake ad¬ 
vancing crops. So far our Peas are looking uncommonly well. 
Beetroot. —More of this may be sown, and if the weather is favour¬ 
able sow the main crop, especially in early and mild districts. Give it a 
deep not over-rich soil, have the drills 15 inches or 18 inches apart, 
3 inches deep, sow thinly, and a good crop is sure to follow. As a rule I 
often think too much Beet is growD. It is very seldom a large patch of 
it is all used, and we do not approve of growing more of any vegetable 
than is really wanted. 
Kidney Beans. —Our remarks on these a fortnight ago were mainly 
directed to those under glass, but we will now speak of those for the open 
air. We find cooks as a rule prefer Runner Beans to Dwarfs, and the 
tall ones cannot be had too soon, but they will not force, and it is some¬ 
times difficult to get them to form pods at first in the open air. The 
blooms often fall without forming fruit, and the crop is not secured until 
the plants are well established. In cold backward districts the first of the 
plants should be raised in pots. Fill 100 or so of 3-inch pots half full of 
rich soil, put two beans into each, cover with more soil, and place in a 
warm frame until the plants are a few inches high, when they should be 
hardened by degrees and be planted out by about the middle of May. 
These will fruit before any raised entirely in the open. In mild dis¬ 
tricts this extra trouble need not be taken with them, as they do very well 
outside. Select a warm sunny spot, open a wide drill 3 inches deep, sow 
and cover with light rich soil. They are very tender while young, and 
must be protected from frost. Laxton’s Girtford Giant is the best of all 
in the Runner section. 
Capsicums. —These are not an important crop, but are easily 
cultivated. Sow a quantity of seed in a 6-inch pot, place it in a gentle 
heat until the plants are well through, then give more air, and pot 
singly when the plants are 2 inches or 3 inches high. They will grow 
and fruit freely in a greenhouse temperature during the summer, and we 
have bad good crops from plants which were placed in cool frames after 
the bedding plants were taken out in May. 
The Egg Plant. —This is another plant not commonlv grown, but it is 
very useful where a variety of vegetables is required. We generally sow 
and grow it with the Capsicums, but it is benefited by a richer soil, and it 
also enjoys a higher temperature. We repot them until they are in 8-inch 
and 10-inch pots. These are generally placed on the back shelves of 
some vinery in summer, and never fail to bear many large fruits. They 
are rather subject to red spider and green fly, and both of these pests 
must be kept away by copious syringing. 
Celery. —Plants from early-sown seed are growing fast. If those 
pricked out first are in boxes move them into cool quarters, and get them 
hardened ready for planting out early in May. Lift young seedlings and 
dibble them out into boxes or frames 2 inches or 3 inches apart. Give 
them rich soil, and do not allow them to become dry at the roots. Th : s 
is of the utmost importance, as dryness &t the root will cause the plants 
to flower prematurely. Sow more seed for a late supply in a cool frame 
or in the open air, and place a handlight over the seed until the plants 
are well up. 
WQHK. F0I l THE WEEK,. 
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