January i9, 1882.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f opinion on the subject, like that much-vexed question the re¬ 
striction or non-restriction of Vines, and I think the subject needs 
more ventilation.—C. P. P. 
FAULTY PRIZE SCHEDULES. 
Me. Moorman had decidedly pointed out what is unquestionably 
a serious defect in the terms employed in such classes as he quotes 
on page 37, and which cannot fail to perplex both exhibitors and 
judges. If Societies like the Royal Botanic adopt such loose 
terms as those quoted, it is not to be wondered if the schedules of 
local shows are imperfect. To stipulate for twelve or twenty-four 
trusses, and then to permit exhibitors to win prizes with thrice 
that number, is manifestly unfair to those who follow the strict 
terms of the schedule. It may be said the judges should dis¬ 
qualify those collections that contain a greater than the stipulated 
number of trusses, but the judges ought not to have such an 
onerous duty imposed on them when the necessity for it can be 
so easily avoided by the officials. If in a class for twelve trusses 
of flowers the prizes were awarded to bunches of several trusses 
each, and the non-successful exhibitor who conformed with the 
schedule were to lodge a formal protest against the awards and 
claim the prize, he would have a good case. If a given number 
of “ trusses ” are asked for, only that number can properly com¬ 
pete ; if “ bunches ” are permissible, why cannot the term be 
employed? Under the circumstances named by your corre¬ 
spondent he may well ask, “ What is the difference between 
twenty-four ‘ trusses,’ or twenty-four ‘spikes or trusses ?’ ” There 
is no difference for the purposes of exhibiting, and the necessity 
for that question shows how utterly unsatisfactory were the 
stipulations referred to. 
“ We often see,” says Mr. Moorman, “ a schedule stipulating 
for twenty-four trusses of Pelargonium blooms, and as many as 
three trusses of each variety are shown; surely this must be 
seventy-two trusses, but allowed as twenty-four because it is the 
custom.” If it is the “custom” it is a bad custom ; and if the 
custom were admitted your correspondent would not have been 
able to adduce the example of “ disqualification ” to which he 
directed attention. As to exhibiting cut flowers of Pelargoniums, 
the Pelargonium Society’s schedule is commendably explicit, the 
stipulation being—“ Distinct varieties, not to exceed three trusses 
of each ; and the Royal Horticultural Society’s schedule, in refer¬ 
ence to cut flowers, employs the term “ bunches.” There can 
be no doubt of the meaning in those cases, and the sooner such 
ambiguous terms as your correspondent has pointed out become 
obsolete the better. 
As to the disqualification of a stand of Roses “ single blooms,” 
because a bud had expanded in the show, the exhibitor had only 
himself to blame—he should have removed the bud. 
The Kingston plan of exhibiting Pompon Chrysanthemums 
is good; but the schedule is not quite explicit, for certainly a 
bunch of three single blooms could not be disqualified. 
There is one sentence in Mr. Moorman’s letter not very clear. 
He says a person “ exhibiting three stems of disbudded flowers to 
form a bunch, has a decided advantage over the exhibitor who 
has pinched off all except three solitary flowers, which are also 
growing on three stems.” Are not the three single flowers the 
result of disbudding ?—A Judge. 
I consider Mr. Moorman too conclusive in his remarks on 
this subject. That the first-prize stand in question was liable to 
be disqualified I fail to see. Your correspondent admits that 
three single blooms placed together form a “ bunch ; ” then, if 
this be so, why disqualify a stand which undoubtedly did contain 
twelve “bunches” of three flowers ? It is a fact, perhaps worthy 
of notice, that, out of seven stands staged in this competition, 
only the one previously alluded to contained bunches with more 
than three flowers. 
Mr. Moorman is also open to question when he states that 
framers of schedules would do well to stipulate for flowers that 
are grown without disbudding. I am of opinion that the result 
of this would be a mass of flowers in the majority of cases very 
inferior in quality to those which have been disbudded; or, again, 
how could judges prove whether certain bunches had not, to some 
extent, been disbudded ? Your correspondent also states that 
twelve bunches of three disbudded flowers would produce little 
or no effect when staged. Had he seen the stand above referred 
to he would probably have formed a different opinion. The 
blooms in this surmounted a wealth of foliage fully 6 inches 
above the board, and for quality of flowers and general effect it 
was distinctly ahead of that containing larger bunches and smaller 
flowers. 
A disbudded flower of Jean Hatchette was recently sent to the 
Editor, whose suggestions on page 573 in last volume are well 
to the point, and worth the attention of those charged with the 
formation of schedules.—C ompetitor. 
[The bloom referred to us was remarkably fine.—E d.] 
NOTES ON VEGETABLES. 
Little Pixie Cabbage. —For a supply of greens during the 
autumn and winter months I do not know of anything so delicious 
as the above Cabbage. According to my taste they are preferable 
to any of the larger varieties or the Coleworts—in fact they 
equal Brussels Sprouts. Coleworts as a rule are not so tender, 
but improve much in this respect after a few good frosts. They 
are seldom required before Christmas, but there is a demand here 
for those little Cabbages as they are called early in November. 
If sown about the last week of June and again in July a good 
supply will be maintained until after Christmas. It is surprising 
what a quantity of useful vegetables can be taken off a small 
portion of ground from which some early crop has been cleared, 
as they only require to be planted 1 foot between the rows and 
10 inches from plant to plant. The ground need not be dug unless 
weeds have been allowed to become established. Little Pixie 
will turn in before Coleworts sown at the same time, and should 
be used first, reserving the latter in case of severe weather.—B. 
Forcing Seakale and Rhubarb. —As the season advances 
the early-forced Seakale and Rhubarb will become nearly ex¬ 
hausted. It is necessary to keep up the supply by covering 
roots with pots and. manure, leaving a crevice in the top of the 
pots to allow the moisture arising from the heap of manure to 
escape. The best and strongest roots should have been selected 
during the past spring, and allowed to grow to maturity and 
decay without pulling, thus securing good strong crowns. Where 
forcing houses are available a number of roots should be lifted 
and planted on the floor under the stages. Avoid planting over 
bottom heat. To ensure good, strong, and fully developed stems 
plant on a cool bottom, otherwise they will be drawn up weakly. 
Seakale may be planted in large pots ; inverted pots placed on 
the top of them will answer very well, and they can be removed. 
Forcing in houses is preferable to outdoor forcing, owing to the 
rank moisture arising from the material employed making the 
vegetables unpalatable, if not carefully guarded against.—Z. 
Cabbage Broccoli. —Mr. Gilbert kindly sent me seed of this 
vegetable for trial. I have grown it two seasons, and find it a 
great addition to our list of hardy vegetables. It withstands frost 
better than many other varieties, is good when cooked, and can be 
had at different parts of the year by making two or three sowings 
in succession. I hope seed will soon be obtainable by all gardeners. 
On visiting Burghley a few days since I was much pleased with 
a large breadth of this fine vegetable. At first sight they had the 
appearance of a fine bed of hearted Cabbages, but inspection 
proved them to be of more value. I hope as long as I have to 
supply vegetables never to be without the Cabbage Broccoli.— 
W. Divers, Wierton House , Maidstone. 
Cauliflowers. —Were Cauliflowers and Broccoli ever finer, 
more plentiful, and cheaper than they have been during the present 
winter ? I have seen large close heads, fit for exhibition, sold from 
the costermongers’ barrows in London at “two a penny.” As 
these itinerant vendors must have a profit, and as the salesmen from 
whom they obtained them are not in the habit of doing business 
for nothing, it appears to follow that the crop has not been very 
lucrative to the cultivators. If I were a farmer I should not 
attempt the cultivation of vegetables extensively ; but being a 
consumer I do not object to any number of farmers adopting the 
practice, as the produce will not be too cheap for me if it is not 
for them.—A City Man. 
Raising Old Trees—A number of fine old Yews and Hollies, 
which were blown over by the gale of the 14th of last October at 
Dirleton Castle, Haddingtonshire, have, we hear, been successfully 
raised by Mr. Morrison, gardener to Lady Mary Nesbit Hamilton, to 
whom the property belongs. The trees which have been raised form 
a portion of those that enclose the ancient and picturesque bowling- 
green, and are probably nearly three centuries old, although from the 
rather crowded state in which they have been grown, none of the 
stems are of extraordinary girth. The task of raising such hoary 
veterans must have been one of considerable difficulty, and it is very 
satisfactory to know that it has been successfully accomplished. 
Hollies and Yews are excellent trees to raise in this manner, and 
