22 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 10. 1890. 
down the runners in it with flat stones, and by the end of July you will 
have the best of young Strawberries for planting, and when they are in¬ 
serted dig the parents up at once and crop the ground, if you like, with 
winter Spinach. In this way a stock of vigorous early Strawberry 
plants is maintained, very different from those from enfeebled parents. 
I have planted in the open early in August for two years fruiting, placing 
them together in triangles 2^ feet from row to row and a little closer in 
the lines, and the following season gathered 2 lbs. of fruit from each 
clump, but 1 lb. is nearer the average, and not a bad crop in the time. 
Hundreds of persons may do the same without difficulty when they 
once get in the way of it and have rather light and fertile soil. 
For preventing the deterioration of some Strawberries in some 
girdens it is absolutely necessary to procure plants occasionally from 
vigorous stocks. In no other way could I grow the British Queen in one 
particular garden. Plants propagated from the home stock became 
weaker yearly, and so it is with others if long grown in certain soils 
and positions that are not naturally adapted for producing well 
constitutioned plants. 
In reference to the durability or profitable period of fruitfulness of 
Strawberries, that is a question of soil mainly. Some soils will sustain 
the plants for several years, others will not. Generally speaking, per¬ 
haps, the second year’s crop is the best in the majority of light soils ; 
the third year’s in soils of a more holding nature. By thinning the 
crowns and surface manuring, profitable crops have been afforded for 
seven years, and I have seen a productive Strawberry bed fifteen years 
old ; but this is exceptional, and as a rule stout early young plants that 
mature quickly are the most satisfactory in gardens, and a suitable 
number for increasing the fullest supply of the finest fruit should be 
planted every year, a corresponding number that have yielded their 
maximum crop being chopped up immediately after fruiting. 
Another practical point to bear in mind is this, a greater breadth 
both of the very early and very late varieties should be planted than is 
customary. Owners of gardens usually wish for more Strawberries than 
they get when the first fruits commence ripening, and gardeners cannot 
produce as many dishes of Strawberries late in the season as are wanted, 
unless they plant suitable sorts freely, for the crops of very late Straw¬ 
berries are not nearly so heavy as those of midseason varieties. But 1 
must stop. 
I began with the remark of an old doctor, and will conclude with 
the observation of another, pertaining to the use of Strawberries, and 
the good effect they ha 1 on an eminent man, whose name is familiar to 
gardeners throughout the world. It was the custom of a physician to 
terminate his spring course of lectures by a Strawbery festival. “ I 
must let the class see,” he said, “ that we are practical as well as 
theoretical. Linnaeus cured his gout and protracted his life by eating 
Strawberries.” 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
TWICKENHAM SHOW.— July 2nd. 
The historic district of Twickenham has been renowned for its horti¬ 
cultural shows for a considerable time, the present Society having 
this year completed its majority, but, like other societies, it has in recent 
years had to contend with increasing competition and occasional periods 
of ill-luck due to unfavourable weather. Still, under good guidance it 
has weathered the stoim°, and again last week presented numerous 
visitors with a pleasing display of hoiticultural produce and artistic 
floral designs. The Society is fortunate in possessing an extremely 
courteous and able Secretary in Mr. J. J. G. Pugh, and it has the support 
of a practical and thoroughly interested Committee, amongst whom 
Messrs. W. Bates, It. W. Freshwater, W. J. Fitzwater, Fordham, and 
Poupart may be specially mentioned. 
The Show was held in the grounds attached to Orleans House, the 
residence of W. Cunard, Esq, a delightful position, and fortunately, 
though the weather on the previous night had been extremely unpromising, 
it was fa'rly fine the whole of Wednesday, thus inducing a large number 
uf visitors to a'semble. The competition was not very keen in the 
plant classes, but several exceedingly tasteful groups were contributed. 
The best of these in c’a's 1, arranged in a space not exceeding 100 equare 
feet, was from Mr. H. E. Fordham, Richmond Road, and well balanced 
highly tasteful display, with a background of Palms, a base of Ferns, with 
Cattleyas, Gloxinias, Begonias, and taller Coreopsis, Liliums, and Tube¬ 
roses, margined with Isolepis and Pansies. It was bright without being 
too gay, the flowers and foliage well proportioned. Mr. J. Parsons, 
gardener to T. Twining, Esq., Penrhyn House, Twickenham, was a good 
second, his group being a trifle heavier than the first, but in all other 
respects it was an example of admirable arrangement. In the class for a 
group on 50 square feet Mr. G. Watts, gardener toH. Little, Esq., Twicken¬ 
ham, secured the prem'er award for an exquisite gioup in the best style 
—light, varied, and bright, fresh green Ferns forming the groundwork, 
from which arose Cattleyas, Begonia 0 . Irises, and other flowering plant 0 , 
with an edging of Sibtbo’pias, Caladiums, and Grasses. Mr. Parsons also 
won the first prize for nine s:ove and greenhouse plants, and Mr. Little 
had similar honour for six well-grown Orchids, and the same exhibitor 
secured honours for Z mal Pelargoniums and Tuberous Begonias, excel¬ 
lent plants beiDg staged in each case. For six table plants Mr. Gage, 
gardener to the Earl of Dyeait, Ham House, won first with neat little 
specimens, but closely followed by Mr. Waite, gardener to W. P. Talbot, 
Esq. Gloxinias from Messrs. Hilditch and Tindale were extremely fine, 
both as regards the size and colour of the flowers. 
Cut flowers and floral decorations occupied a large lent, and con¬ 
stituted the special feature of the Show. Roses were fresh and good 
from several exhibitors ; Mr. C. Warwick, gardener to J. P. Kitchen, 
Esq., taking first place for twenty-four blooms, and Mrs. Rust was- 
second in the same class, Mr. J. Bateman, Upper Holloway, being” 
third. With twelve Roses the prizes went to the same exhibitors- 
in the order named, but in the district class for twelve Roses Mrs- 
Rust was first, Messrs. Kestin and Hoar being second and third 
respectively. In the floral decorations Miss E. L. Clarke, Twickenham,, 
was very successful, her tasteful arrangements securing four first prizes, 
lightness and the avoidance of discordant colours distinguishing this 
lady’s exhibits. Mrs. J. Yickery, Miss G. Gardner, Miss A. Muller, Mr- 
Fordham, and Mrs. Freshwater also contributed well to this department, 
the stands of flowers and the baskets of Roses constituting charming 1 , 
features. 
Grapes, Melons, Peaches, Nectarines, and Strawberries were shown in- 
capital condition, and the leading prizes were secured by Messrs. W. & E. 
Wells, Waite, W. Cunard, G. Sage, F. J. Wadham, Howell and Goody- 
Cucumbers, collections of vegetables, and Tomatoes were similarly good, 
while the cottagers’ productions filled a tent, and were as usual of high- 
merit. 
LEE, BLACKHEATH, AND LEWISHAM. 
One of the best Exhibitions of stove and greenhouse plants held 
around London this season was that of the Lee, Blackheath, and- 
Lewisham Horticultural Society, which took place on July 2nd and 3rd 
in the grounds of Mrs. Penn, The Cedars, Lee. It would be difficult to* 
find better grown specimens of either flowering or foliage plants than 
were shown there, the former being abundantly furnished with flowers 
and beautifully trained, and the latter possessing foliage the picture ok" 
health and cleanliness. 
Particularly fine were the specimens of Dipladenia amabilis, Anthu- 
rium Andreanum, Clerodendron Balfouri, and Ixora Williamsi, shown 
in the class for six stove or greenhouse plants in flower by Mr. 
J. Hudd, gardener to F. W. Prior, Esq., these winning the first prize. 
In previous years Mr. S. Reece, gardener to R. Whyte, Esq., has had 
the leading position in this class, but this year he had had to take a 
second place, his plants, though admirably growD, being, with two excep¬ 
tions, scarcely so well flowered. In Mr. Reece’s collection were two- 
plants well worthy of note on account of their great size and abundance- 
of flowers—Erica gemmifera elegans and Parmentieriana, plants rarely 
seen in such good form nowadays. In the next large class for six plants- 
of ornamental foliage Mr. Hudd again came in first with some grand 
plants of Croton Queen Victoria, Cycas revoluta, and Cycas undulata,. 
the latter being a sturdy well furnished specimen. As in the previous- 
class, Mr. S. Reece ran a close second. In his collection a noteworthy 
plant was Phyllotaenium Lindeni. The third prizewinner was Mr.. 
J. Lambert, gardener to H. W. Segelcke, Esq. Ferns were in capital* 
condition, the specimens being large, choice, and well furnished with 
healthy green fronds. Mr. Hudd won the first prize for six exotics, one- 
of his specimens, Davallia Mooreana, measured fully 5 feet in diameter,, 
and proportionately large were Gleichenia rupestris glaucescens, Micro- 
lepia hirta cristata, and Acrophora chrerophyllus. The winner of the 
second prize was Mr. S. Reece. Mr. J. Lambert showed well-growm 
examples of Selaginella laevigata umbrosa, bsematodes, and cm3ia in the 
class for six Lycopods, for which he was awarded a first prize, Mr- 
J. Rhoden, gardener to C. Vavasseur, Esq., coming in second with smalt 
but creditable plants. Caladium9 formed a prominent feature in the Show- 
Tke first prize collection in the class for six embraced large and beauti¬ 
fully coloured specimens of Herold, Bicolor splendens, BeethoveD,. 
Chantini, &c. They were exhibited by Mr. T. Aley, gardener to 
R. Keisey, E-q. The second prize went to Mr. C. Nunn, gardener to- 
J. Soames, Esq., and the third to Mr. J. Dobson. In the class for four 
kinds Mr. Newnham wa9 first, and Mr, Mullens second. There was only 
one competitor in the class for four Heaths, Mr. S. Reece, who was- 
deservedly awarded the first prize for large and well-flowered specimens. 
Perhaps the greatest feature of all in the Show were the Gloxinias. A. 
special prize was offered by Messrs. James Carter & Co. for the best four 
pots of Gloxinias in bloom, and this brought together some really grand- 
plants. Those which were awarded the first prize were fully 2 feet in 
diameter, and each plant carried on an average fifty blooms—examples 
reflecting the highest credit on the exhibitor, Mr. R. Sholdice, gardener to- 
R. P. Barrow, Esq. Scarcely less noteworthy were the second prize 
specimens shown by Mr. J. Rhoden; and those by Mr. S. Reece, which 
gained the third prize. There were some good specimens shown in the- 
class for six by Messrs. Baiker, Sholdice, and Rhoden, who were the- 
respective winners in the order of their names. For a specimen plant in 
flower Mr. C. Nunn was first with Slephanotis floribunda ; Mr. J. Mullens- 
second ; and Mr. Reece third. Mr. W. Jeffery occupied first place for 
four stove and greenhouse plants in flower, Mr. C. Nunn being second. 
For the same number of foliage plants the first prize was well won by 
Mr. Barker, the second by Mr. C. Nunn, and the third by Mr. J. Mullens- 
Orcbids were very good. Mr. J. Barker, gardener to C. Htmmerde, Esq.,, 
was first for four specimens, these being Cattleya Mossiac, Ada aurantiaca,. 
Dendrobium suavissimum, and Brassiu verrucosa ; and Mr. Hudd second. 
In the class for a single specimen Mr. Hudd was first with Dendrobium. 
Pierardi, and Mr. Barker second with Cypripedium barbatum. Fuchsias 
are always in good condition at this Show. The chief prizewinners were 
Messrs. Dobson and Hudd. Space will not permit as to enumerate in 
detail the other classes ; we cannot therefore do more than say that the 
principal prizewinners in the classes for Pelargoniums were Messrs* 
Jeffery, Reece, Hudd, and Dobson ; and for miscellaneous classes Messrs.. 
Nunn, Sholdice, Helmer, and Payne. 
