June 29,1882.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
583 
individual opinions, and I should be glad if some who have studied 
the matter would give their opinion. Some years ago the fashion 
was introduced of having holes arranged so that plants were placed 
in pots and thus came through the centre of the table. Some of us 
loudly protested against this. Prizes were withheld where it was 
adopted, and it was very soon found out that the thing was wrong, 
and the trouble it occasioned gave it the coup de grace. I, therefore, 
think we are not to be tied by the bonds of fashion, but by the more 
easy and silken cords of good taste. All the arrangements for the 
Show were carefully carried out, and the thanks of all concerned are 
due to Capt. Knight for the encouragement thus given to the flower 
which his own garden testifies he can grow successfully, and for the 
hospitable reception given to the lovers of the Rose.—D., Deal. 
Although it would be scarcely appropriate to refer in eulo¬ 
gistic terms to the nurseries and gardens which the represen¬ 
tatives of Belgian horticulturists are at present visiting 
as guests in this country, or to describe the establishments in 
detail, yet as an item of news we may state that the first visit of 
our friends was made on Monday last to Mr. Cannell’s nursery at 
Swanley and Mr. Ladd’s great plant-growing establishment at 
Bexley Heath. Both these are distinct typical examples of the 
industry of horticulture, and quite dissimilar from general nur¬ 
series. The former may be described as a manufactory of florists’ 
and decorative flowers, while the latter is an establishment where 
plants (also fruits) are grown by and for the million, and disposed 
of in the markets. Both are characteristic examples of trade 
enterprise. Less than ten years ago there were only wild flowers 
at Swanley, now there are some thirty houses averaging more 
than 100 feet long, and an acre or two of frames, all filled with 
the best varieties of plants ; also several acres outside devoted to 
hardy flowers. After passing through the structures, some wholly 
occupied with Zonal and other Pelargoniums, others with Be¬ 
gonias, Petunias, Coleuses, Primulas, Fuchsias, Salvias, &c., and 
after partaking of Strawberries and honey (home-grown), the 
company, upwards of forty, repaired to the hotel adjoining the 
nursery, where an excellent luncheon was provided. The chair 
was occupied by Mr. G. F. Wilson, who in felicitous terms pro¬ 
posed two toasts, “ The United Royal Families of England and 
Belgium” and “Belgian Horticulturists.” For the latter Count 
Oswalde de Kerchove responded in English and French, and was 
much cheered. On the return from Bexley Heath M. Van Hulle, 
on behalf of his confreres , expressed the gratification they had 
experienced in visiting the establishments, and thanked all who 
had contributed to the success of the day. We regret that the 
pleasure of a drive through the fruit farms of Kent was marred 
by showers; yet, although these were frequent and heavy, they 
were not sufficient to damp the ardour of our appreciative friends. 
On Tuesday they were entertained at a luncheon at South Ken¬ 
sington Gardens. The President of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, Lord Aberdare, presided, and Sir Joseph Hooker, Drs. 
Masters and Hogg, with a number of leading horticulturists, 
joined in the welcome accorded to the visitors. They subse¬ 
quently visited Mr. Bull’s exhibition of Orchids, and next in¬ 
spected the establishment of Mr. Yeitch, with whom they dined 
in the evening. On Wednesday they visited Frogmore and 
Cliveden, as representative examples of the large private gar¬ 
dens of England. 
- Relative to fruit crops in Kent, it was observed that 
in the district traversed between Swanley and Bexley Heath—a 
circuit of about twenty miles, that few or no Apples and Pears 
were seen, and Plums are very scarce. Bush fruits are more 
plentiful, but Currants, of which there are hundreds of acres, are 
not ripening satisfactorily. The Raspberry fields are more promis¬ 
ing, and a good yield is expected. Strawberry culture is largely 
practised, one grower, Mr. Vinson, having three hundred acres. 
On Monday last he sent 1300 pecks from Swanley station before 
breakfast, and in one day has gathered 9 tons 15 cwt. The 
“ pickers ” are counted by hundreds, and receive 4 d. per peck for 
their labour. When the crop is good a quick worker will gather 
nearly forty pecks a day, but this is considerably above the 
average of their earnings during the fruit-picking season. 
- A correspondent, “ A. B.,” would be glad to hear from 
those who have been recommending sawdust, not only for 
plunging but for striking cuttings, whether the kind of wood it 
comes from does not make a difference. He thinks the kind 
which contains turpentine, as that from pitch pine and red pine, 
can scarcely be good for the latter purpose, and he hesitates to 
plunge pots in it. 
- On the recent visit of the Prince and Princess of 
Wales to Milner Field near Bradford the dinner table on 
June 21st was decorated wholly with Roses grown by Mr. 
Anderson, the gardener ; and on the 22nd the flowers were 
entirely Orchids sent by Charles Stead, Esq., and grown in his 
gardens at The Knoll. There were upwards of a hundred spikes 
of the following :—Odontoglossum crispum, 0. cirrhosum, O. ci- 
trosmum, O. vexillarium, Cattleya Mendelii, Epidendrum vitel- 
linum majus, Cvpripedium niveum, Phalsenopsis amabilis, with 
several Oncidiums, Miltonias, and Thunias. A few Begonia leaves 
were used with excellent effect. The arrangement was most 
tastefully executed by the Misses Stead, and was greatly admired 
by the Princess and guests. The Orchids were fine examples of 
cultural skill grown by Mr. A. F. Gordon, Mr. Stead’s gardener. 
Before leaving Milner Field the Princess planted two trees as a 
memento of their visit to the owner, Titus Salt, Esq. 
- The weather in the South has lately been inclement 
and cold for the time of year. On Monday last there was a 
hailstorm in London, and on the Thursday previous frost in Kent 
—the tarpaulins on the goods trains from Dover being covered 
with ice at daybreak. Showers have been very frequent, but 
while these have been of benefit in gardens they have placed the 
bay crop in jeopardy, and already a great quantity of produce 
has been injured and some spoiled. On Tuesday there was a 
welcome change, the day being bright, and the temperature in 
the shade 73° ; Wednesday was dull but mild. 
- We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Robert 
Arthur Osborn of the Fulham Nursery, which took place at 
Tonbridge Wells on Sunday last the 25th inst., at the age of 
twenty-seven. Mr. Osborn was the sole surviving son of the 
late Mr. Thomas Osborn, and was the sole representative of the 
business since the death of his mother in 1878. 
- We also regret to record the death of Mr. John Sherratt 
of Springrove, Biddulph, who died June 20tb, aged fifty-three. 
Mr. Sherratt was formerly gardener at Biddulph Grange, then 
in the possession of Mr. James Bateman, and was noted as an Orchid 
grower. Subsequently he began business on his own account, 
and at the time of his death was head of the firm of Sherratt and 
Pointon of Biddulph, near Congleton. 
- At a recent meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society 
a first-class certificate was awarded to Messrs. Laing & Co., Forest 
Hill, for the new Tuberous Begonia the Hon. and Rev. 
J. T. Boscawen. It is a remarkably fine variety, with flowers 
of great size and very bright scarlet in colour. The petals are 
broad, rounded, and of good substance, the plant being of vigorous, 
compact, and floriferous habit. 
- “ Head Gardener ” writes to us as follows on Melons 
