September 14,1882. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 241 
the roots laid near the surface, a good watering being then given to 
settle the soil about them. The house was kept as cool as possible 
consistently with the health of the plants that had to be grown in 
it. The trees were started during the last week in February. 
This would have been deferred, but fruit was wanted early. The 
pipes were only just kept warm until the stoning was completed, 
and after then the growth was not hurried. 
The result of the above practice was that the fruit was very 
much finer than formerly, but the trees were only allowed to carry 
a moderate crop. The two subsequent seasons the trees were 
pronounced grand, and carried a heavy crop.—A. Young. 
PRESTON FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The Exhibition of the above Society was held in Moor Park, 
Preston, on Wednesday the Gth inst., lasting three days, in connection 
with the Royal Manchester, Liverpool, and North Lancashire Agri¬ 
cultural Society’s Show. Although on Monday and early on Tuesday 
it was very wet, and the grounds were in a very bad condition, the 
prospects were greatly remedied on the appearance of summer-like 
weather. The decision of the above Society to hold their Show 
during the Guild week was evidently a wise one, as the Show was 
well attended, and we trust the financial condition of the Society will 
be materially improved. 
There were three large tents well filled with a good collection of 
plants, fruits, and vegetables, and a liberal schedule was arranged for 
cottager's and amateurs. There were also two other smaller tents 
filled with miscellaneous exhibits. Specimen plants, both stove and 
greenhouse, were good and clean, including Lapagerias, Palms, 
Cycads, Ferns both exotic and hardy, and a very varied assortment 
of other plants. The specimen of Lapageria alba exhibited by Mr. 
Forshaw was particularly fine, and richly merited the prize for the 
best plant in the Show. It had abundance of its charming white 
wax-like flowers. Softwooded plants were numerous, such as 
Coleuses, Pelargoniums, Tuberous-rooted Begonias, Salvias, Ac. Some 
of the two former groups were finely grown and of good colour. 
Lilies and other hardy flowers were not quite satisfactory. Cut 
flowers were largely staged, and the wreath of Camellias shown by 
Mr. Wm. Troughton, the Secretary of the Society, was well arranged, 
and well merited the award. Fruit was but scantily shown, and 
certainly not up to the average ; but for this deficit the vegetables 
made satisfactory amends, as many of them were very good. 
Messrs. Dickson, Brown, A Tait of Manchester exhibited a fine 
collection of Potatoes, Roses, and Dahlias, and received a special 
prize. The Roses were fine for so late in the season, while the 
Dahlias were examples of good culture. Messrs. W. Caldwell and 
Son of Knutsford, Cheshire, exhibited a collection of Coniferous 
plants, including but few rare specimens but those most useful for 
general decorative purposes, and these were effectively arranged. A 
special prize (silver medal) was also given to that firm for the exhibit. 
The hot-water appliances, &c., exhibited by Messrs. Medea 1 f & Dil- 
worth, hot-water engineers of Preston, was unique, and merited a 
special prize. Other miscellaneous groups which received special 
prizes were those of Mr. L. Black, nurseryman, Fulwood, for a vari¬ 
able group of plants ; Mr. Tyson of Ulverston, for hot-water appara¬ 
tus; to Mr. W. Clapham for an artistic rockery ; and to Mr. William 
Troughton of Church Street, Preston, for his magnificent stand of 
plants, which upon the whole was one of the finest features in the 
Exhibition, the plants being well grown and most effectively arranged. 
Much of the success achieved is due to the energy of the Chairman 
and Secretary of the Society, Mr. Alderman Forshaw and Mr. Wm. 
Troughton. 
In the plant classes the principal prizetakers were the following :— 
Mr. W. Troughton, Preston ; E. Forshaw, Esq., Fulwood; Col. Wil'son, 
Cooper Hill, Preston; W. Denny, Esq., and C. W. Hawkins, Esq., 
Ashton. For twenty herbaceous and alpine plants a silver medal 
was given to Mr. T. Miller of Woodplumpton, who exhibited a very 
creditable collection. 
In the cut flower classes the most important prizewinners were 
Mr. Wm. Troughton, W. Birley, Esq., Mr. A. Barker of Fulwood, 
Mr. J. B. Dickson, Preston ; Mr. R. Teebay of Fulwood, and Mr. J. 
Caunce. 
In the fruit classes the following exhibitors were the most success¬ 
ful :—Mr. W. Loose of Winmarleigh, Col. Wilson, R. J. Floweidew, 
Mr. E. Pirley, S. C. de Trafford, Esq., of Croston, and Mr. R. Smith. 
Yc-getables were largely exhibited and in very fine condition. For 
the best collection of twelve varieties of vegetables the first prize 
was given to J. Wilding, Esq., of Walton ; second Mr. J. Parker; 
third Mr. J. Titterington of Fishwick. 
THE ROYAL MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL, AND NORTH LANCASHIRE 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SHOW—HORTICULTURE. 
There were several important exhibitors in the grounds upon 
which the Agricultural Society’s Show was held. Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons of Reading had their grand display of seeds and roots, which 
■were a great centre of attraction. Messrs. W T ebb A Sons of Stour¬ 
bridge also had a remarkably fine exhibition, comprising chiefly 
seeds, vegetables, and farm produce. Messrs. Dickson A Robinson of 
Manchester exhibited a fine collection of Potatoes, which were well 
arranged. The same firm also exhibited a collection of Dahlias— 
Show, Fancy, and Pompon varieties, the flowers of most being large 
and of good form. Mr. J. Matthews of Weston-super-Mare had a 
stand of pottery, including pots of various patterns, vases, Ac. 
Messrs. James Dickson & Sons of Chester exhibited a fine collection 
of stove and greenhouse plants, including Tree Ferns, Palms, Crotons, 
Dracaenas, exotic Ferns, Ac., which were tastefully staged in a large 
tent with double Tiger Lilies and trays of superb Roses for so late in 
the season, as well as trays of about fifty varieties of hardy herba¬ 
ceous plants and a tray of a dozen flowers of their new white Carna¬ 
tion Duchess of Westminster, which was greatly admired. Outside 
the tent was a large well-arranged group of Coniferous and other 
hardy shrubs, interspersed by brilliant Gladioli and Tiger Lilies ; 
and not the least striking feature for this season were the numerous 
Fig. 40.—Scabiosa caucasica. 
small Apple trees well laden with fruits of excellent form and good 
size. There were also boxes of blooms of Roses, single and double- 
flowered Dahlias, Gladioli, and a good collection of Apples outside. 
Excellent examples of Grape Yines were also shown. Messrs. F. and 
A. Dickson from the same locality had also an excellent collection of 
stove, greenhouse, and decorative plants, as well as a choice assort¬ 
ment of hardy shrubs, Ac., all of which were creditable to the firm 
represented.—Y isitor. 
SCABIOSA CAUCASICA. 
The common Scabious, S. atropurpurea. is well known and 
much valued in gardens, not only as a border plant but in pots 
