234 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 11, 1890. 
it was yet light and graceful. Mr. Finch was second with a bed of 
Fern relieved by a few ornamental leaved plants, and of which he 
■appeared to entertain a much higher opinion than the judges. There 
were classes also for groups of plants for room and hall decoration, and 
baskets of the same, but they were of an ordinary character. There 
were several c'asses for plants by amateurs, but they were generally of 
moderate quality. 
CUT FLOWERS. 
A very attractive feature, and especially the class for twenty-four 
bunches of herbaceous plants. Messrs. Pope & Son, nurserymen, Bir¬ 
mingham, were first, and Mr. F. Perkins second, both with strong and 
weak bunches, but the balance of quality, which, after all, was not 
much, laid with the former. Mr. F. Perkins had the best collection of 
annuals, very pretty bunches of good things ; but we were unable to 
obtain the name of the winner of the second prize. The best stand of 
twenty-four bunches of stove and greenhouse plants came from Mr. 
W. R. Mann, a very good lot indeed, representing what is usually shown 
in such a class. Mr. J. J. Whalley, Kenilworth, was second. Asters 
were represented by quilled and flat-petalled types, but they all showed 
the effects of the stormy weather. 
The best thirty-six Roses came from the only exhibitors of the same 
—Messrs. Perkins & Sons of Coventry, a very good lot indeed, the lead¬ 
ing varieties being Mad. Marie . Verdier, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, 
Niphetos, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Mad. J. Laing, Duke of Teck, Alfred 
Colomb, Marie Van Houtte, Charles Lefebvre, Ulrich Brunner, Dr. 
Andrv, The Bride, A. K. Williams, Rosieriste Jacobs, &c. They also 
had the best twenty-four varieties, Messrs. Pope & Son taking the second 
prize. 
Gladioli were shown in collections of twenty-four spikes, but they 
were not of a character to call for special mention. Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums, shown in bunches, were a very fine feature indeed, but we were 
unable to gather up the names of the successful exhibitors. 
Dahlias were generally shown too large and coarse, and too much ad¬ 
vanced in bloom, the centres being quite gone in several instances. 
Messrs. Kimberiey & Son, nurserymen, Coventry, had decidedly the best 
twenty-four varieties, and Mr. J. Wood, florist, Derby, was second. The 
best twelve came from Mr. F. J. Burbury of Kenilworth ; the second 
prize went to Mr. C. Carrington, florist, Derby. There were several 
classes for cut flowers grown by amateurs, but they contained only 
ordinary contributions. 
Table decorations included the best arranged dinner-table for ten 
persons with fruits and flowers. There were but two competitors ; and 
Miss Perkins, Regent Street, Leamington, was awarded the first prize, 
Miss L. Perkins, of the same address, being second. The best two 
bouquets—one a bride’s, the other a bridesmaid’s—came from Messrs. 
Pope & Son, Birmingham ; and Messrs. Perkins & Son, Coventry, were 
second, both remarkably good and but little to choose between them. 
Messrs. Perkins & Son had the best basket of Roses, and Miss Perkins. 
Leamington, was second. A centrepiece for the dinner table was also 
shown by amateurs. 
FRUIT. 
Fairly good and that was all, though the prizes offered seemed likely 
to tempt a greater disp’ay. Mr. Hopkins had the best collection of 
ten varieties, having Black Hamburgh and Muscat of Alexandria 
Grapes, Royal George Peaches, Pitmaston Orange Nectarines, Moor Park 
Apricots, Bon Chretien Pears, Figs, Cherries, &c. Second, Mr. W. R. 
Mann, who had similar varieties of Grapes, very fine Mr. Gladstone 
Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, Apricots, Jargonelle Pears, Fi^s, &c. 
The first prize for three bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes was 
taken by C. J. Lefroy, Esq., Willesbourne, Warwick, and the second 
prize by Mr. W. B. Mann. Mr. E. F. Flower, Stratford-on-Avon, was 
first with white Grapes, having very good Muscat of Alexandria ; Sir 
R. Moon, Bart., was second with the same. Collections of hardy fruits 
were shown in baskets, Mr. Hopkins taking the first prize and Miss Perry, 
Leamington, the second. 
Some very good Plums were shown. The best three dishes were from 
Miss Perry, who had capital fruits of Washington, Victoria, and Diamond, 
the second prize going to Mr. Hopkins for Kirke’s Victoria and Cox’s 
Emperor, also very good. 
Mr. Kitley, the lessee of Warwick Castle Gardens, had the best 
three dishes of Apples, staging very fine fruit of Stirling Castle, 
Eeklinville, and Warner’s King. Mr. W. R. Mann was awarded the 
second prize for Lord Suffield, Warner’s King, and Emperor Alexander. 
Mr. Hopkins had the three best dishes of Pears, staging excellent 
examples of Bon Chretien, Jargonelle, and Souvenir de Congres. 
Messrs. Kimberley <fc Son received the second prize for Louise Bonne of 
Jersey, Jargonelle, and Bon ChrtStien. Hardy fruits of the bush type, 
such as Currants and Gooseberries, were well shown also. 
VEGETABLES. 
These were good and numerous, but baskets of vegetables arranged 
for effect appeared to be a novel feature. The Judges wisely awarded 
the prizes to the best examples. Some very good Potatoes were 
shown, but there appeared to be a tendency, in more than one 
instance, to show the same variety under different names. The best six 
dishes came from Mr. C. J. Lefroy, who had The Dean, Reading Russet, 
.Snowdrop, Woodstock Kidney, Prizetaker, and Schoolmaster. Mr. F. J. 
Burbury was second with a very good set of six dishes. Vegetables 
were also shown by amateurs and cottagers. 
WORKJ0IITHE' WEEK,, iw 
□: 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. —Houses of Ripe Grapes .—Those that contain the thick- 
skinned Grapes will require, whether they are to be kept on the Vines or 
in the Grape room, liberal ventilation, with gentle fire heat for the 
maintenance of a certain ventilation of air. With the Grapes ripe, 
gradually reduce the strong laterals as the days decline in length, and 
keep the foliage healthy by means of a proper supply of moisture on 
the walls, paths, and floors sufficiently early in the day to admit of the 
atmosphere becoming light and buoyant before nightfall. Black Ham¬ 
burgh and other thin-skinned black Grapes are liable to have the colour 
taken out of them by hanging under powerful sun. Some netting 
should be drawn over the roof lights to prevent it. Hamburghs and 
Foster’s Seedling will bear as much air moisture almost as the thick- 
skinned varieties, provided it be not stagnant, and it is very necessary 
for the foliage, which must be kept healthy. Madresfield Court do 
not endure moisture to anything like the same extent as Hamburghs, 
and must be treated accordingly. It, however, loses colour quite as 
badly, and must be shielded from the direct rays of the sun. Muscats 
hanging on Vines with the roots in outside borders will keep a long 
time, protecting the roots from heavy raiDS. A covering of dry fern, 
shutters, or tarpaulin answer, but glazed lights are better, placing in a 
sloping position for throwing off the wet, as they admit sun heat, and 
retain it for warming the borders. If the foliage is not sufficient for 
the protection of the tender skins of the berries, some light shading 
will be necessary, particularly where the houses are glazed with large 
panes of glass. A single thickness of pilchard netting is sufficient, or 
hexagon netting may be used, which effectually excludes wasps. It is 
hardly possible to keep Muscats well without a gentle warmth in the 
pipes, in order to keep the air in motion, for when the air is still 
moisture sometimes condenses on the berries, and they are then liable 
to spot. It should be accompanied with a little ventilation. 
Lifting Vines .—This and relaying the roots in fresh compost near 
the surface should be proceeded with as the Vines are cleared of their 
crops. The sooner it is done after the wood is mature and the buds 
plumped the better, but it must not be attempted whilst there is doubt 
of that being effected. Yet it is always best to perform work of this 
kind whilst the leaves are upon the Vines. Good loam with some brick 
and lime rubbish, and a liberal admixture of crushed bones and charcoal, 
will meet all requirements in respect of compost. See to the drainage, 
make it satisfactory, and follow on with turf grass side downwards, or 
a 3-inch layer of lime rubbish freed of all laths or other pieces of wood. 
Keep the roots near the surface, always bearing in mind that a narrow 
border well filled with roots is preferable to a large mass of soil at the 
onset, as the roots can be more easily excited and fed at the proper time. 
The Grapes, too, in a border well in hand invariably set and colour 
better. Always choose dry weather for making the border, and be 
careful to have the compost in good working order, neither too wet or 
too dry, but moderately moist. Cover it when finished with a thin 
layer of stable litter freed of the coarse strawy portions, and keep 
the interior of the house close and rather moist until the foliage shows 
signs of fresh root action having set in, then ventilate freely, and keep 
the air dry. In all cases, especially in cold localities, the Vines should 
have inside as well as outside borders, as the roots can then be lifted 
and relaid in either of the borders without injury to the following year’s 
crop. If the border in which the roots are lifted be an outside one it 
should be well protected with leaves before frost, covering with a little 
litter to prevent the leaves blowing about. 
Pines. —Young Pine plants always present at this season, under 
liberal and proper treatment, a luxuriant appearance. This arises from 
the beneficial effects of natural means so important in cultivation. 
Those influences being now on the wane greater care will be necessary 
in the management to prevent the growth becoming soft, and measures 
should be taken to consolidate it by a drier atmosphere and artificial 
heat. Syringing will only be needed occasionally, and it should be done 
early in the afternoon of bright days. Water must only be given when 
absolutely necessary, then afford a plentiful supply of weak liquid 
manure in a tepid state. The bottom heat should be kept steady at 
85°, or between 80° and 90°, and pay particular attention to the ventila¬ 
tion, which is important at this period of the year. Plants in a 
luxuriant condition should have air at 80°, above which ventilate freely, 
especially on warm sunny days, and close the house for the day at 80°. 
The night temperature should be maintained at 65°, allowing 70° to 
75° by day artificially. 
Fruiting plants should be kept together in a suitable structure for 
finishing the fruit well. Isolated they cannot always be furnished with 
their needful requirements. Plants that are intended for starting into 
fruit early in the year should be selected from those that were started 
last spring, and be arranged not later than the end of this month, where 
they can rest for six weeks. Those on which the fruit is swelling 
should be encouraged with a liberal amount of heat and moisture, keep¬ 
ing the night temperature from 70° to 75°, and that in the daytime 
from 80° to 90°, closing the house at 85° with sun heat. 
