114 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 7, 188i. 
Orchids in Flower at Westbrook, Sheffield.—A l- 
thougli tliis is a time when comparatively few Orchids are 
blooming, there is still a very good display at this garden, as 
the following list will testify. Cattleyas Dowiana, gigas, Men- 
delli, and Leopoldi; Cypripedium niveum; DIsa grandiflora, 
with eight spikes ; Epidendrum vitellinum majus, several plants, 
the largest of which is carrying fifteen spikes, and is a beautiful 
densely flowered specimen ; Lycaste Skinnerii; Mormodes par- 
dinum, very fragrant; Masdevallia ignea; Odontoglossura Alex¬ 
andra; (a white-tlowered forml, Warneri, Blunti, crispum, Rossi, 
maxillare, Roezli dentatnm, Lindleyana, and vexillarium; Den- 
drochilumfiliforme; Phalaenopsis grandiHora; Thunia alba; Yanda 
teres, two plants one with five spikes of four blooms each ; Yanda 
tricolor, a fine plant, two spikes; Dendrobium heterocarpum 
philippinense. Several large plants of D. nobile will also be in 
bloom in a few days. 
The collection of Orchids at Westbrook is fast improving 
both in numbers and in condition. Mr. Wilson has for some 
months past been adding to his fine collection numbers of rare 
and choice varieties, and in his endeavours to thus improve his 
valuable stock he is most ably supported by his skilful gardener 
Mr. Pidsley.—W. K. W. 
SUMMER TREATMENT OF PEACH TREES. 
I Am very particular what treatment my Peach trees receive through¬ 
out the winter and spring, as this has really the least to do with 
their having good crops of fine fruit; hut the same cannot be said of their 
summer treatment. This is of vital importance. If they are only well 
grown in summer, fruiting in spring will follow as a natural result, and it 
would be well if Peach-growers, especially amateurs, would observe this. 
No 'amount of care in protecting puny ill-developed blossoms in spring 
will ever insure a fine crop of fruit on a poorly grown and badly matured 
tree, but have the wood well ripened by the autumn and full of the best 
buds, and then a crop will he formed in defiance of the weather, which 
would kill the weak blossom on the badly summer-grown tree. 
Now is the time to make good trees. The wood is still growing and 
swelling, and capable of being made the most of. Crowding the young 
shoots together is ruinous. There is nothing worse for them in summer 
than this. Allow every branch formed this season to have a place of its 
own room to swell and full liberty to enjoy the sun heat, and then look out 
for Peaches the following season. We are all too much afraid of cutting 
and pruning in summet. Wood is left in excess in case of accident tj 
some of the branches, but it is just this surplus wood which causes the 
Accidents or failures. 
Where disbudding was done with a miserly hand in spring let the 
spendthrift step in now, and improvement will soon follow. Cut away all 
superfluous shoots close to the old wood. Where young shoots or lateral 
growths are being emitted on the young wood, as is often the case with 
very strong shoots, let all these “ twigs” be cut off close to the base. 
They are not wanted. Yery long shoots of this year’s formation may have 
the top taken off them if they have no more room to go forward, but if they 
have this do not stop them. All curled leaves should be taken off, and 
only fresh clean ones allowed to remain. Wherever there is any signs of 
red spider or thrips turn the syringe or garden engine on them without 
mercy. Trees which are sickly will hardly be cured by any treatment 
which can be given to the branches, but a thorough examination of the 
roots will expose the evil, and then remedy it as the character of the case 
may dictate.—A Kitchen Gaedener. 
PRESENTATION TO MR. A. F. BARRON. 
It will be remembered that a few weeks ago, on returning from his 
duties at the Eoyal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at South Kensington, 
accompanied by his niece, Mr. Barron was the subject of an attack by 
those trained ruffians who are ever on the look-out for a victim, and was 
relieved of the beautiful watch that was presented to him as a memento 
of the Apple Congress that proved such a great success at Chiswick last 
autumn. 
While it was felt that nothing could possibly conpensate for a loss so 
serious, still his personal friends, including his co-officials at the 
“ Healtheries,” considered that their sympathy should be shown in some 
practical manner. The subject was no sooner mooted than funds poured 
in, and in a very short time a sufficient sum was forthcoming to purchase 
another gold watch of at least equal value to the one lost, with a “ little 
over,” which is to be devoted towards purchasing a gift for Mrs. Barron. 
This watch, a very handsome and valuable one by Frodsham, was 
presented to Mr. Barron on Thursday last at a dinner, which was not 
only provided by the great caterers Messrs. Bertram & Roberts, but 
was generously given by them to as many of the subscribers to the 
presentation fund as could attend the club dining-room at the Health 
Exhibition. Under these circumstances it need scarcely be said that the 
repast was a splendid one. It must be observed that the whole affair 
from beginning to end was a surprise to Mr. Barron, who was not aware 
until the middle of the dinner of the object of the gathering, and this 
information was conveyed in the form of a congratulatory telegram that 
reached him half an hour too soon. Mr. Barron was induced to attend a 
“ little dinner ” given to a few friends by Mr. Roberts, of the firm men¬ 
tioned. Mr. Somers Vine, the London agent of the Health Exhibition, 
presided, Mr. Unite, who was, perhaps, the originator of the presentation, 
occupying the vice-chair. 
In a very appropriate speech, the chairman observed aU but one 
individual in the room knew the object of the gathering. He then 
announced what had been done, and called upon Mr. J. D. Dick, the 
treasurer of the fund, to read the list of subscribers. In doing so 
Mr. Dick stated the pleasure it gave him in assisting in the work, 
and warmly acknowledging the invaluable aid that had been rendered 
by Mr. Unite and Mr. Richards. This list, minus the amounts, 
was with the watch handed to Mr. Barron by one of his oldest 
friends, Mr. Maurice Young, in well-chosen terms. Mr. Barron, in 
accepting the gift, remarked that the surprise was as complete as it was 
gratifying, as he had not the faintest idea nor remotest suspicion that 
anything affecting him was in progress when he entered the room. He 
referred to the grievous loss of the much-valued gift of his pomological 
friends, and would, with the aid of Superintendent Hambling, of the B divi¬ 
sion of police, who was present, endeavour to take better care of what had 
so unexpectedly, and he felt undeservingly, been placed in his hands as a 
mark of goodwill and friendship that he should never forget. A few 
other complimentary “ after dinner speeches ” brought to a close the 
proceedings of a most agreeably-spent and interesting afternoon. 
GRAPE MUSCAT TROYEREN. 
In reading the excellent article of Mr. Iggulden on “ What to Ex¬ 
hibit,” the thought occurred to me that he might be able to give me some 
information respecting the Muscat Grapes that I have under the name of 
Muscat Troveren. I have never seen it grown, and several gardeners 
that have visited me have not seen it anywhere in this neighbourhood. 
It is a robust grower, with large bunches, but not over-large berries, and 
with me is liable to crack very much. I should like to know what is the 
opinion of your coirespondent as to its quality for exhibiting supposing it 
to be staged with Muscat of Alexandria. 
I have forwarded you a small bunch of Venn’s Black Muscat, also 
leaves of the Troveren and a few berries. Venn’s Black Muscat with me 
does not swell its berries very regularly; in fact, owing to that I have 
been recommended to remove it. or inarch some other Grape on the Vine. 
I have some good Black Muscat growing near Venn’s. 
The opinion of some of your valuable correspondents relative to the 
Grapes named will be very welcome.—A. J. B. 
CAMPANULA BALFOURIANA. 
This very distinct and pretty plant is one which is likely to become 
popular, and certainly adds another gem to the already large number of 
beautiful plants known as Harebells. The subject of these remarks was 
raised and sent out by Messrs. Dickson & Co. of Edinburgh (to whom 
the writer is indebted for information freely given respecting il), and is the 
result of a cross between C. turbinata and 0. pulla, the latter being the 
seed parent, and may be said, “ broadly speaking,” to have the flowers of 
the latter with the habit of the former parent. The following description, 
made from plants flowering at present in Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons’ 
nursery at Swanley, will, it is hoped, give a clear idea of the plant. 
Radical leaves broadly cordate, with bluntly notched margins three-fifths 
of an inch long by half an inch in breadth; petioles] very slender, three- 
quarters to an inch long, covered sparely together with the leaves by soft 
hairs, giving the foliage a slight tinge. Stems erect, 3 inches in height, 
bearing on the lower half. Leaves broadly elliptical, with sharper notches 
than those of the radical ones, half inch in length, on footstalks half to 
three-quarters of an inch long. Flowers solitary, pendulous, but not form¬ 
ing so acute an angle with the stem as those of C. pulla, broadly cam- 
panulate, three-quarters of an inch long by five-eighths of an inch in 
diameter, divided in five broad lobes, which are very shallow, and have a 
slight outward inclination. The whole flower of the same rich deep purple 
as the seed parent. As far as at present observed, it does not seem to pro¬ 
duce seed. The general habit and appearance is that of C. turbinata, 
except for its producing underground stems, by means of which it may be 
easily increased. The first blooms appear early in June, and now, July 
30th, it is as full of flower as ever. It seems to prefer a half-shady posi¬ 
tion on the rockwork.— G. Guthrie. 
ROSES. 
EARLY VERSUS LATE PRUNING. 
At page 70 “ S. W.” invites discussion on this subject. I will record 
my experience, more readily so from a practical point of view, because 
ours differ entirely from those of which your correspondent speaks. All 
our Roses were shortened as usual about the middle of November to 
something like 18 inches to 2 feet from the ground, in order to lessen the 
damage from high winds, and also induce rest. This season all the 
bloom and display possible was required by the 19th of June, therefore 
it was decided not to prune our collection in the Rose garden, but simply 
to thin out all crowded and weak wood, shortening, perhaps, a few extra 
long shoots early in March. They commenced growing early and very 
vigorously, although considerably checked by cold winds late in spring. 
Fortunately, having no frost to injure them, they gradually progressed, and 
