218 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 11, 1890. 
the fine double form obtained a short time since is a most valu¬ 
able plant. 
The intercrossing of these species and careful selection from 
the numerous seedlings raised have produced with surprising 
rapidity the handsome race of plants which are now becoming such 
general favourites for decorative purposes either in pots, baskets, 
or for bedding out, and their popularity is still increasing. Selec¬ 
tions of varieties have been frequently given in these pages, and 
it is not necessary to repeat these now, but a glance may be given 
to the earliest of the hybrids obtained, though it would be almost 
impossible to trace the parentage of all those cultivated at present. 
One of the first hybrids secured, and certainly the best, was 
B. Sedeni, which was obtained at Messrs. Yeitch’s Chelsea Nur¬ 
sery by Mr. Seden as the result of a cross between B. boliviensis 
and an unnamed species. This was subsequently employed as a 
parent with B. boliviensis, B. Yeitchi, B. Clarkei, and B. Pearcei, 
giving rise to B. Chelsoni, B. Stella, B. Yesuvius, B, Model, and 
B. Chambersi respectively, the last two resulting from two crosses 
with B. Pearcei, all improvements of more of less value. B. 
Yeitchi crossed with B. boliviensis resulted in the production of 
B. Chelsoni, and this with B. Sedeni produced the variety Acme. 
Thus the first hybrids raised have been repeatedly utilised by 
intercrossing with each other, the diversity and excellence of the 
progeny being steadily and satisfactorily increased.—L. C. 
GATHERING APPLES AND PEARS. 
This is apparently a very simple matter, and so it is, but there 
are in connection with it a few points of the utmost importance to 
which attention must be given if we would store the fruit in sound 
condition, and not destroy the fair promise of another crop, which 
most trees in full bearing give to us now in a clear and un- 
mistakeable manner. Go to any tree laden with fruit, and close to 
the junction of fruitstalk and branch you will see one or two 
plump buds, which if the fruit is plucked roughly or carelessly 
will most probably be broken off with it. Those buds contain the 
embryotic blossom of another crop, which is thus destroyed through 
ignorance or carelessness. 
It is the intermediate and late sorts of fruit that require most 
care. Keswick Codlins and Kerry Pippins almost fall into our 
hands if we touch them now, but the fruit of the later ripening 
sorts requires careful and repeated examination, for the time of 
gathering is entirely dependent upon the nature of the season, and 
it is certain to be a little later than usual in such a cold wet one as 
the present is. If by a gentle turn upwards some of the fruit 
parts readily from the tree then the whole of it may very soon be 
gathered, but it should not be forgotten that a week or two longer 
on the tree may be conducive to the better keeping of the fruit, 
and it should be so treated upon all dwarf-spurred trees, which are 
not swayed by high wind. The fruit of standard trees should of 
course be gathered as soon as possible, but it is as well to be on 
one’s guard against premature gathering, and the resultant shrivelled 
fruit. 
There should be a few cordons of early Pears on walls on every 
garden, from which to obtain a full supply of really fine fruit. A 
large quantity of such fruit is never wanted for the ordinary supply 
of a family, and the fruit from a wall tree is always superior to 
that from a plantation bush or pyramid. The first ripe fruit is to 
be had near the top of the cordon, and so on to the bottom, and by 
gathering a few fruit every day or two the brief season of even 
Summer Doyenne is lengthened. Gardeners who have to supply 
the wants of a large establishment should be on their guard with 
the Pears of summer and early autumn, and take care that only 
fresh sound fruit goes to table. It is neither pleasant for them¬ 
selves or their employers that a tempting looking dish of Jar¬ 
gonelles should prove uneatable, and the disappointment is all the 
greater from the fact of a really good Jargonelle being so delicious. 
Every good old garden contains a Jargonelle Pear, a Moor Park 
Apricot, a Green Gage Plum, a Brown Turkey Fig, a Grosse 
Mignonne Peach, a Morello Cherry, an Elruge Nectarine, and a 
Ribston Pippin Apple ; and a good supply of all these grand old 
standard sorts of fruit is much appreciated in a new one. 
I must not close this note without a word of warning as to the 
importance of great care in the handling of fruit. Depend upon 
it the bushels of rotten fruit taken from so many fruit stores 
during winter is not owing so much to natural as to premature 
decay, caused by bruises received in the gathering or storing. Only 
for cider making should Apples ever be gathered into a sack slung 
under the left arm. Every fruit required for dessert or cooking 
should be handled precisely as though it were an egg, contact with 
any hard substance or with other fruit involving a risk of bruising 
that should always be remembered by the fruit gatherer. A well- 
stored well-arranged fruit room is indeed an interesting and attrac¬ 
tive sight, replete with instruction to the grower, and with satis¬ 
faction to all concerned in it. That satisfaction will be complete if 
the building itself has been constructed on sound principles, 
and is really calculated to preserve the fruit well.— Edwari> 
Luckhurst. 
GLADIOLUS FOR CUTTING. 
No autumn flower is more valuable than the Gladiolus for vase 
decoration. All are useful, but there are some which are better 
adapted for cutting than others. The varieties of the Gandavensis 
section are the most generally grown, and any of these are useful 
for cutting from. Care is necessary in making selections to choose 
those which have a strong constitution. Early ripening sorts will 
be found to be almost without exception of a vigorous habit, and 
continue for years in health and strength, while most late-flowering 
varieties under ordinary cultivation deteriorate, until in many 
cases they disappear altogether. Many of the newer sorts with 
extra large flowers possess excellent constitutions, and while small- 
flowered old varieties are beautiful in their way, they are generally 
far behind the latter productions. Pasteur, Amitie, Dalila, En- 
chantresse, Opale, Baroness Burdett Coutts, Dr. Bailly, Celimene, 
Eugene Souchet, Sultana are varieties of capital constitution, with 
long spikes and very large flowers. Of smaller dimensions are the 
following, some of which are, however, very beautiful :—Caprice, 
Horace Yernet, Shakespeare, Bicolore, Penelope, Mascarille, Pano¬ 
rama, Lady Bridport, De Brazza, Flamboyant, Le Phare, Brench- 
leyensis, and Diamant, are varieties I particularly like. 
Of even greater beauty than the varieties of the above section 
are some of the hardy hybrids of the Lemoinei type. The later 
productions are almost as large as some of the Gandavensis, but I 
do not know that these are recommendable on that account. John 
Laing, cor instance, is of large size and brilliant colouring, but I do 
not think it is so good for decorative purposes as the older Bossuetr. 
The best of the large flowered sorts I am acquainted with are W. E. 
Gumbleton and Lafayette. The former has a very long stem, and 
can be employed most effectively for the decoration of very large 
vases in large apartments. For brilliancy of colouring M. Leroque- 
is very noteworthy. But the most beautiful of all are such small- 
flowered sorts as Andre Chenier and Etoile. Beautiful also is the 
clear yellow Sceptre d’Or. These are of the greatest service, either 
for medium sized or large vases. Some of the new Nancianus 
section are extra fine for decorative uses. Some, however, are of 
a colour which, as a rule, do not find favour in the north country, 
but they are nevertheless very handsome. Charles Baltet is one of 
these, a curious mixture of slate and crimson ; Maurice de Yilmorin 
is a slaty bluish violet. President Carnot and M. Lefebvre are 
perhaps the two finest from the general point of view, but for cut 
flowers I imagine none is so good as De Candolle, the flowers of 
which are open, narrow petalled, and loose, but of the best effects 
when cut. P. Duchartre is in the same way. We have had some 
fine arrangements with these alone, and with the Lemoinei varieties 
to brighten them with yellow tones. I should be inclined to advise- 
those who do not succeed with the finer Gandavensis section to try 
both of Lemoine’s types. Some of the Nancianus are of the- 
strongest growth, and appear of as easy culture as the others. 
A word as to setting up Gladiolus. The spikes should be cut 
early, say when three to four flowers are expanded. They are 
perhaps more effective arranged by themselves than in any other 
manner. The foliage we employ is either Iris germanica, Iris 
ruthenica, the common Sedge, Iris pseudo-acorus, the common Rush, 
Juncus triquetris, or some strong grass.—N. B. 
THE BRITISH FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION, 
A successful meeting of the above Association was held in the 
Crystal Palace, Sydenham, on Friday, September 5th, where there was- 
a good attendance of fruit growers and amateurs interested in the 
subjects on the programme. G. T. Rait, Esq., Deputy Chairman of 
the Crystal Palace Company, took the chair at 3.30 P.M., and opened 
the proceedings with a brief but appropriate introductory speech. He 
referred to the fact that the British Fruit Growers’ Association, which 
was doing so much good work, really originated at one of the Shows 
in the Crystal Palace, and he had much pleasure in extending a cordial 
welcome to the members this year. He complimented the Committee 
and the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Lewis Castle, upon the energy and judg¬ 
ment displayed in the management of the Association’s business. He 
referred to his own experiences as a fruit cultivator, and in review¬ 
ing the programme for the day observed that Messrs. Castle and 
