JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
116 
[ August 5, 1880. 
Mr. J. Turk, Cheltenham, who had also a fine collection—as, indeed, 
had all those competing. Messrs. Wheeler offered liberal prizes for 
vegetables of their own introduction, such as the Gloucestershire 
Kidney Potato, Empress of India Cucumber, Kingsholm and Tom 
Thumb Lettuces, Beetroot, Peas, <fec., and the numerous collections 
staged were creditable in the highest degree. 
On the centre of the fruit table the bouquets and vases of cut 
flowers were appropriately arranged, and for these Miss Cypher of 
Cheltenham outdistanced all others, her arrangements being extremely 
light and elegant. Amongst various extra exhibits Messrs. Wheeler 
showed a fine stand of cut Roses and various well-grown plants, and 
in the agricultural department the same firm had a large collection of 
agricultural seeds, and Grasses testified to their undeniable quality. 
On Monday last an Artisan’s Show was held in the Gardens 
of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington. The 
exhibits were not very numerous but of generally good quality. 
Capt. Patton’s large group of plants also remained on view, 
and in addition the Exhibition of the British Bee-keepers’ Asso¬ 
ciation was opened to the visitors. The nominal fee of 2d. was 
charged for admission, and above 11,000 persons assembled during 
the afternoon notwithstanding the frequent showers. 
-- Two cases of what is perhaps the most destructive and 
difficult to eradicate of all garden pests have come under our 
notice during the past week—viz., the Phylloxera on Vines. 
Those whose Vines, young Vines especially, which are apparently 
in an unhealthy condition (while they are at the same time in 
suitable soil, and receiving otherwise good treatment), should, if 
they are in doubt on the subject, send vs a sample of the foliage 
of the young laterals, and also of the fibrous roots, for examina¬ 
tion, as it would be a great calamity if this terrible pest were 
permitted to spread in this country. 
- Sweet and chaste white flowers for bouquets and vases 
are always welcome from the beginning of November onwards, 
and hence the popularity and usefulness of Roman Hyacinths. 
For having these early no delay should occur in potting the bulbs, 
five or six of which should be placed in a 5-inch pot, the soil 
employed being rich, light, and sandy. The pots should then be 
plunged in ashes, and when filled with roots and the growth ap¬ 
pears above the soil the pots may be placed on a shelf in a mode¬ 
rately heated house. Successional batches of bulbs may be potted 
at fortnightly intervals, those for early flowering being put in at 
once. 
- A correspondent, “ J. E. B.,” writes to us approvingly 
of Conqueror op Europe Melon for growing in frames with 
a few leaves for affording a gentle bottom heat for starting the 
plants, and no top heat in addition to that of the sun. “ This 
Melon,” he says, “ is one of the hardiest of all, one of the freest 
croppers and best setters, while the fruit is handsome and of excel¬ 
lent quality.” The true variety—and it is not always possessed by 
seedsmen—is rather oval-shaped with a bright yellow skin and 
finely netted, the flesh being nearly white.” 
- We have recently seen a fine batch of Ellam’s Early 
Cabbage, and it may be useful to mention the fact at this the 
period of sowing the seed, for the spring crop of this most impor¬ 
tant vegetable. The crop to which we refer was raised from seed 
sown in the spring ; the plants are very dwarf, the firm medium¬ 
sized hearts almost resting on the ground. This new variety is 
well worthy of trial, and may probably with advantage be included 
in the three or four varieties that are grown in many gardens. 
—— An excellent gardener speaking to us on preventing the 
attacks of the Celery Fly, suggests the application of paraffin in 
very small quantities. He has been syringing his rows lightly 
once or twice a week with a water in which a small wineglassful 
of paraffin has been mixed in every four gallons, and the plants 
have greatly improved in appearance. He suggests that probably 
if rags were dipped in paraffin occasionally and suspended near 
the rows that the fly would not alight on the plants to deposit 
eggs. The proposed plan is worthy of being tried, as the second 
attack of the fly usually occurs in August. 
- The northern division of the National Carnation and 
Bicotee Society will hold the annual Exhibition on Saturday, 
August the 14th, in the Botanical Gardens, Manchester. The 
Botanical Council grant £10 towards the prize fund, exhibition 
space, and free passes to exhibitors. All inquiries should be 
addressed to the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, the Rev. 
F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon. 
- During the past week there have been two Exhibitions 
of Plants and Flowers at the Crystal Palace. On Saturday 
Messrs. Cranston & Co., Hereford, sent about 12,000 Rose blooms, 
which were arranged on a low sloping central stage. A large 
number of varieties were represented, many of the blooms being 
exceptionally fine. On Monday Messrs. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, 
J. Peed & Son, and the General Horticultural Company, exhibited 
large groups of plants, comprising handsome specimen fine- 
foliage plants and others very pleasingly arranged. 
-In one of t^e carpet beds at Battersea Park a New Variety 
OF Alternanthera is very noticeable for its distinct and bright 
appearance. It is a form of A. paronychyoides with larger leaves 
of a bright yellow tinge that is very effective. It is appropriately 
named A. paronychoides aurea, and as arranged in contrast with 
the brightly coloured A. amoena is most pleasing. The carpet 
bedding in this Park is now in its best condition, the colours being 
bright and the designs tasteful. 
- As a means of preventing the attacks ©f insects and 
mildew on Roses and fruit trees what may be termed Bardney’s 
Insecticide deserves special mention on account of its simplicity 
and efficiency. The Tea Roses that are growing so luxuriantly in 
the excellent house devoted to them in Mrs. Heywood’s garden at 
Norris Green, and the remarkable cleanliness and rich colour of 
the foliage of the Peach trees in the several houses, afford striking 
testimony of the value of this insecticide as used by Mr. Bardney. 
About 2 lbs. of soft soap are placed in a saucepan with a little 
water, and boiled for about twenty minutes. This is mixed with 
five or six gallons of water and kept in a large flower pot. Half 
a pint of the solution is placed in a large waterpot full of water 
used for syringing. Neither insects nor mildew appear able to 
exist on the foliage, while nothing can exceed the admirable con¬ 
dition of the trees and Roses. It is important that it be used 
regularly, that is whenever the syringe is employed. 
- In the same garden some Vines in pots afford evidence 
of very superior culture. A cane of Duchess of Buccleuch is 
bearing five bunches as fine as are usually seen on established 
Vines. Foster’s Seedling and the Black Alicante are also remark¬ 
ably fine, bearing bunches and large aud well-finished berries. 
The Vines are one-year canes, grown by Mr. Cowan at the Garston 
Vineyard in 10-inch pots, and just when commencing growth they 
were shifted into 13-inch pots, and to this additional root room 
Mr. Bardney attributes much of his success in producing such 
excellent Grapes. 
- We are informed that Mr. Bentley of Scarborough has 
invented an appliance for syringing plants, which is note¬ 
worthy for the fact that it may be charged in separate compart¬ 
ments with pure water and a liquid insecticide, either of which 
may be ejected at the pleasure of the operator. 
