March 29, 1883. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 265 
Messrs. H. Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, E. Baxter, and 
R- Butler were the prizetakers in that order for six Chinese Primulas, 
but none of the plants were of remarkable merit. Mr. J. Douglas 
secured the first prize for the only collection of twelve pots of 
Crocuses—viz., fine specimens of such varieties as Purpurea grandi- 
flora, President Grant, Marie Stuart, and Golden Yellow. For six 
Deutzias Mr. J. Douglas took the lead with the large plants that are 
now so well known at exhibitions, they were flowering most freely. 
Mr. Wiggins was second with smaller but well-flowered plants, and 
Mr. Eason was third. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, were the only exhibitors of six 
Roses in pots, and gained the chief prize with fine plants of Edouard 
Morren, Caroline Kuster, Madame Victor Verdier, Madame Therese 
Levet, La France, and Duke of Teck. 
Miscellaneous. — The collections and groups not in competition 
formed the chief portion of the Show, very prominent being the 
superb bank of Hyacinths from Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, 
for which a large silver medal was awarded. The plants were the 
same as those shown at Kensington on the previous day, and are 
noted in the report. A large silver medal was also awarded to 
Mr. B. S. Williams of Upper Holloway for groups of Cyclamens, 
Hyacinths, and Tulips, which were also at Kensington. A small 
silver medal was awarded to Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, 
for a large and tasteful group of Cinerarias, Deutzias, Dielytras, and 
Primulas. A similar award was also granted to Mr. Wiggins for a 
group of well-grown Cyclamens, and bronze medals to Mr. H. James, 
Slough, for a group of handsome Cinerarias ; and to Mr. H. Clarke, 
Twickenham, was awarded a bronze medal for a collection of Cyclamens. 
A small silver medal was adjudged to Mr. Anthony Waterer, Knap 
Hill, Surrey, for a handsome collection of hardy Primulas and Poly¬ 
anthuses, with a few plants of Andromeda japonica. A similar 
award was granted to Messrs. W. Cutbush & Sons, Barnet, for an 
extensive collection of Hyacinths and Tulips, and to Messrs. Paul 
and Son for a group of Roses. 
WO RKjwhe W E EK,. : 
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[By the most shilful Cultivators in the several Departments.'] 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Op all the years we have practised kitchen gardening we have 
experienced no spring so backward as the present one, and we 
cannot conceal the fact that our spring vegetables are more 
backward and less promising than they were six weeks ago. For 
the past three weeks we have had frost nightly, sometimes as 
much as 20°, and never less than 8°. Accompanying this were 
some most destructive winds, which penetrated everywhere, and 
the consequence is that the majority of protectors of an ordinary 
description were useless. Potatoes sheltered under fern, branches, 
and leaves in the open borders were destroyed in one night; 
Cauliflower plants put out in shallow trenches and covered with 
inverted flower pots appear as if boiling water had been poured 
on them ; Onions coming through the ground have the points of 
the young shoots quite withered ; spring Cabbages, which gave 
every indication of forming large white centres by this date, are 
now only a drooping mass of useless leaves ; spring Broccoli, 
which should have been in by the hundred, have no heads— in 
short, vegetables at the present time are a complete wreck. Hope 
is our only consolation, and perseverance must be our practice. 
Many seeds consigned to the ground immediately before the frost 
came are not yet showing any signs of life, yet it is hoped they 
are safe. Judging from all accounts this state of matters must be 
general, and many will be at their wit’s end to know from whence 
to draw a supply of produce. 
Whenever the weather will allow quick-growing vegetables 
should have the greatest attention. Spinach is one of the quickest 
crops to become useful, and where it is valued large quantities of 
seed should be sown on the first favourable opportunity. Asparagus 
may be expected to make rapid progress as soon as the weather 
is favourable. Where no other kind of manure is available soot 
and salt mixed together and applied at the rate of one handful 
to each root weekly will be productive of much good. Where 
Potatoes have been cut down let them have time and they may 
yet prove productive. Later-planted tubers which were not far 
enough advanced to be checked will now give the first crops. 
The growths of these should be protected as they are seen above 
ground. All seeds not yet sown should be kept in the bags 
until there is a certainty of their being safely used. Ground 
which has been occupied with late crops should be trenched or 
dug and prepared for the next crop. All work which can possibly 
be done should be forwarded. There will be many arrears to 
bring up by-and-by, and these when they can be done should not 
be interrupted with any kind of work which might have been 
accomplished in the time of frost. 
Under glass activity should be everywhere the rule. The 
majority of vineries and Peach houses have now been started into 
growth, and there are no better places than these in which to 
forward vegetables of all kinds. Gentle hotbeds, too, should be 
made everywhere, and with whatever material can be had for 
their formation. If only a few cartloads of hot manure can be 
procured any kind of refuse will do to increase its bulk. With the 
assistance of this and frames and lights young Celery plants, 
spring-sown Cauliflowers, Lettuce, early Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, 
Radishes, and everything of the kind may be brought forward. 
The Radishes and Lettuces will soon become ready for use, and 
the other plants can be forwarded to plant out in the open when 
the weather becomes favourable. We have many thousands of 
young plants now in these positions, and these will be of the 
utmost use further on. Large quantities of French Beans should 
be sown in every available space ; Tomatoes coming into bloom 
and swelling their fruit may have a temperature of 70° by night 
and 80° by day ; Cucumbers will do well under the same con¬ 
ditions. Use the syringe on fine days to expel insects. Pot 
Vegetable Marrow and Egg-plants. They all require rich soil and 
a genial atmosphere at this time. 
PLANT HOUSES. 
Azaleas .—Plants that have been forced should after flowering 
be assisted to make their growth. A good place for them is a 
Peach house or vinery at work, or any position where slight shade 
can be given and a moist night temperature of 55° or G0° main¬ 
tained. It is decidedly preferable to encourage them at this 
season than to subject them to hard forcing when wanted to 
flower during winter or early spring, which not unfrequently ends 
in failure. Plants that make their growth and set their flower 
buds early force into flower when wanted with ease and certainty, 
in fact unfold their blooms almost naturally as soon as heat is 
applied. When these plants have started fairly into growth and 
their roots are active potting can be done if required. Before 
commencing this operation see that the soil is sufficiently moist, 
so that no water will be needed for some days after repotting. 
Use clean pots and afford liberal drainage, which should be care¬ 
fully placed in the pots and covered with a layer of moss. Good 
fibrous peat, with a liberal admixture of silver sand, is the most 
suitable compost for these plants. Remove the old drainage 
carefully, but do not disturb the remaining portion of the old 
ball. The new soil must be pressed firmly into ihe pots round it, 
so that water when applied will not pass through it and leave the 
old soil dry, which means serious injury and even death if the 
error be not quickly detected. If repotting is not necessary apply 
weak liquid manure, or, better still, give two or three applications 
on the surface during the season of some artificial manure pur¬ 
posely prepared for plants in pots. This in many instances will 
prove as beneficial as repotting. Keep a sharp look-out for thrips, 
and on the first appearance of the insects wash the plants with 
the solution recommended a few weeks ago. 
Forced Shrubs. —Deutzias, Prunuses, and other similar plants 
that have ceased flowering should he cut close back and started 
in growth quickly. When faiily started they can be given larger 
pots if needed. Use for potting rich loam, with one-seventh of 
manure and sand. If repotting is not required employ stimulants, 
for the stronger their growths, provided they are ripened, the 
more beautiful these plants are when in flower. Cuttings of 
Deutzias strike readily in heat, and if rooted at once will the 
second year make valuable plants for decoration in 5-inch pots. 
The Prunus cuttings should be taken off with a small heel, or 
they will fail to root. 
Ghent and Mollis Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and other hardy 
shrubs that have been forced early, should have positions in cool 
houses to make their growth until they can be safely placed out¬ 
side. This is necessary if they are required again for forcing the 
following autumn and winter. If placed directly outside from 
the flowering house they seldom recruit themselves under two 
years. 
Dielytras should be gradually hardened off to be finally planted 
outside. Spiima japonica can be thrown away after flowering 
if a judicious system of preparation by division is practised 
annually to raise the required stock for forcing ; if not they can 
be hardened, and when safe planted out for two years to recruit 
themselves. 
Zonal Pelargoniums .—Those that bloomed in the autumn and 
early winter and have been kept moderately dry and at rest for 
