598 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December ss, m 2 . 
much laudation in catalogues prove far below the standard of 
merit assigned to them. It would be much more satisfactory for 
all concerned if nothing but the very plainest truths were em¬ 
ployed in descriptions of plants. Vendors would, in the long run, 
profit by only praising what they could positively declare were 
good. The rage for new varieties of plants of all kinds is tempt¬ 
ing, no doubt, to those who have to supply the demands of the 
public, and leads to the varieties being over-praised simply 
because they have some little novelty about them. Varieties that 
have proved good should not be placed aside for others whose 
chief recommendation is that they are “new."—-A Market 
Grower. 
A BOUQUET DISSECTED. 
To whom are we indebted for setting the latest fashion in 
ball-room bouquets 1 I make the inquiry, not because I am 
anxious to perpetuate the inventor’s fame, but because I am so 
thoroughly disgusted with the style as to wish to hold them up to 
opprobrium. Call me uncharitable if you will, but when we see 
such monstrous bouquets as are now being borne in ball-rooms, 
who can help pitying gardeners who, at this dull season of the 
year especially, have to imitate a fashion initiated doubtless by 
those interested in the sale of as many choice flowers as possible ? 
These “ sweet things in the way of bouquets ” average 45 inches 
in circumference, some in fact being 18 inches in diameter—this, 
be it remembered, being all flowers, as Fern fronds and papers 
are scarcely seen. In some instances nothing but Violets are 
employed, in others Violets in equal proportions with the choicest 
white flowers, while many white Camellias, Eucharises, Roman 
Hyacinths, and Gardenias are freely used. 
The bouquet I contrived to secure when its owner had had 
enough of it was composed exclusively of Gardenias (thirty-six in 
all), Maidenhair Fern, much extremely dirty moss, wire in great 
quantities, the holder and twelve strong brass pins varying in 
length from 3 to 4 inches. Very little growth was cut with the 
blooms, but each, unless bunched as they sometimes were, had 
three or four wire stems bound together, the longest two only 
passing into the handle. They were arranged almost flatly, and 
a few blooms were bent over the side which was to be carried 
uppermost. The Gardenias were really bedded among the moss, 
this serving to keep them in position, and being freely damped 
also to preserve freshness. The bouquet was first placed in a 
collar of stiff brown paper, then in a wider strip of the same 
material covered with white satin and fringed with two bands of 
lace, the large pins securing these in position. The bundle of 
wires serving for a handle were then surrounded with soft tissue 
paper in such a manner as to fit tightly in a neat bouquet-holder, 
then more pins, and this too highly scented combination of the 
sublime and ridiculous was completed. 
The only consolation in connection with the subject I can find 
at present is the thought, how wearied the proud bearers of these 
monstrosities must have felt long before the ball was at an end. 
At any rate this must have been the case if those as large or larger 
than my specimen, as this weighed in its entirety exactly 24 ozs.; 
and I should say the strongest of us would not care to carry such 
a weight near our noses for more than a hour at a time. Indeed 
they had to be left on the seats when a dance commenced, and 
for this reason alone I should say they will not long remain 
fashionable.—W. I. M. 
GOOSEBERRY-GROWING FOR MARKET. 
The annual statement of the weights of the heaviest prize¬ 
winning Gooseberries is certainly very tempting, and I for one 
must plead guilty to having weakly yielded to an ambitious wish 
to see what I could do in that direction by planting the whole of 
them and many others. An answer to a correspondent on page 558 
shows that would-be growers for market are also tempted by the 
“monsters.” Nor can it be wondered at, for upon the face of it 
Gooseberry culture appears most simple, and one might reason 
that if certain sorts grow to so large a size under peculiar care 
and skill, surely they will be considerably above the common 
size under ordinary methods of culture. But in reality there is 
as much difference in Gooseberries as there is among Pears and 
Apples. Weakly drooping spreading growth, shyness in fruiting, 
poor insipid flavour, and premature fruit-shedding are all to be 
found among them. Warrington is undoubtedly the best of all, 
either for green or ripe fruit. In the green state it is ready for 
picking early, it ripens slowly, hangs long upon the bush in prime 
condition when ripe, and ranks in general estimation among our 
best late sorts either for jam or eating. It has been so useful to 
me for so many years that I consider it the best for any purpose. 
Its habit of growth is excellent, and it is so sturdy and robust as 
to flourish in our poor thin soil where many other sorts planted 
near it have perished after a brief existence of a few years. In 
the valuable “ Hints on Vegetable and Fruit Farming,” published 
in the last number of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural 
Society, Mr. Whitehead speaks of Warrington in unqualified 
terms of praise. That gentleman lives in the very heart of the 
Kentish fruit-growing district, and his opinion is most valuable. 
He recommends Whitesmith and Early Sulphur for picking green, 
and has a good word also for Lancashire Lad, Red Rifleman, 
Golden Drop, and Monarch. Of prize sorts he considers Roaring 
Lion, Leveller, Leader, Napoleon, and Careless good, but he only 
mentions them as garden sorts, profitable if grown with special 
care. 
A brief extract of quantities and prices may usefully be given— 
“ Directly the berries are large enough the bushes are picked 
over, and the largest are sent to market, when they make 3 d. 
to 3 \d. per lb., or even more at the beginning of the season, 
but the price soon falls to 2 d. and 1 \d. per lb., and even to 1 \d. 
per lb. An average crop from Gooseberry bushes in full vigour 
would be between 6500 and 7500 lbs. per acre, and the price 
between 1 tyl. and 2d. per lb. Occasionally, when the soil is 
well suitedfor these bushes, very large profits and quick returns 
are made. The expense would depend upon the amount of the 
crop in respect of picking, carriage, and salesmen’s charges. 
The expenses in connection with the cultivation alone would 
range from £10 to £12 per acre, and all other charges in the case 
of an average crop would amount to £7 or £8 per acre.” The 
bushes are 6 feet apart, or 1210 to an acre in some cases, and 
5£ feet, or 1440 to an acre, in others. The ground is manured 
and dug in winter, and hoed once or twice in summer. 
These interesting facts of what is done in Kent are important, 
and are safe data for the guidance of beginners in other parts of 
the country. The only question to which they give rise is, Could 
not Gooseberries be cultivated more cheaply ? I have two rows 
of Warrington, which were planted twelve years ago, now in full 
vigour, and always bearing a full crop of fine fruit, among which 
there has been no digging for full half that time, probably longer. 
An annual surface dressing of manure is given in winter, and hoe¬ 
ing if weeds appear in summer, but digging would certainly do 
more harm than good, for the soil near the surface is crowded with 
roots. Nobody digs a Vine border for the same reason ; why, 
therefore, should we dig a fruit plantation, provided the land is 
drained and rendered pervious to the quick passage of rain water 
before planting ? —Edward Luckhurst. 
work/ 01 !™ week,. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Forcing Department— It will be necessary to keep fermenting 
materials in a state of preparation for use in this department; and as a 
larger bulk than usual is generally required for the next two months, it 
will be found desirable to mix two parts tree leaves with one of stable 
manure, which will considerably increase the bulk, and the heat, 
although not so strong as in stable manure alone, will be more 
regular and durable. The Radishes sown last month in heat will be 
coming on for use, and should have free ventilation, or they will he 
liable to damp off ; similar remarks applying to those sown later and 
Carrots, which must not be kept close, or they will become drawn. 
Only sufficient heat by linings should be afforded as to keep them 
gently moving. Frames of Potatoes must be freely ventilated on all 
favourable occasions, applying linings to the sides of the bed alike 
for safety from frost and to promote a steady growth. Fresh beds 
should be made and planted with sets previously started in heat as 
pits or frames become available. Maintain the supply of Asparagus 
by the introduction of fresh roots at intervals according to the 
demand, similar remarks applying to Seakale, Rhubarb, and Chicory, 
the last three forcing admirably in a Mushroom house or other place 
having a temperature of 55° to C0°. Mustard and Cress must be sown 
at intervals so as to maintain a successional supply. French Beans 
will likewise require to be sown at fortnightly intervals to maintain 
a regular supply, ventilating those advancing freely when the weather 
