September K, 18*0. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
248 
4ong time tke few eyes left after removing tlie shoot and bunch 
had to fill and plump showed plainly that a rather severe shorten¬ 
ing back was highly desirable, and resulted in larger and more 
shapely bunches the following season. 
Shanking. 
. There are so many causes for this that I cannot in the limits of 
this paper enter into them. But there is one cause, and I think it 
is responsible for more shanking than any other. It is too rapid 
forcing in the earliest stage of development. As I said before, 
the man will be freest from shanking who can, when his Vines have 
made from 3 to 4 inches of growth, feel comfortable from the 
knowledge that he has got root-action on the move, and here the 
great advantages possessed by an aerated border come in, as you 
can with much less time and patience get a start in root growth in 
an open border than in a border too close and adhesive. I am 
conscious of many interesting points in Grape growing unnoticed 
in this paper, but as I wished to direct attention to what I consider 
the most essential points I hope I shall at least have set you 
thinking, and also criticising my remarks if they differ from your 
own ideas and experiences. 
Varieties 'for Market. 
Muscat of Alexandria must be placed first as a market Grape. 
The price realised for well grown samples of this Grape rule high 
at all seasons of the year. Some of the best growers of this Grape 
-6end them, to market on boards, and with the same care as if they 
were intended for exhibition at a horticultural show. Young 
beginners at market Grape growing should, if inexperienced, not 
start in their first efforts with this variety. It requires a high 
temperature compared with most varieties and much care during 
the setting period. 
The next most popular market Grape is Black Hamburgh. It 
is so free under all conditions and so accommodating in submitting 
to forcing at all seasons that it is the Grape for giving a supply of 
fruit from March to November. The enormous quantities of this 
Grape that come into Covent Garden show many varying 
qualities. Good, well swelled, and coloured examples carefully 
packed always fetch fair prices. 
Next to the Black Hamburgh I place Alicante as a market 
Grape—in fact, it has some advantages over the Hamburgh, espe¬ 
cially to the retailer of fruit, as it keeps in presentable condition 
after being cut much longer than the Hamburgh The great fault 
of the Hamburgh for retail work is the rapidity with which the 
stem and shoulder stalks of the bunches dry up. Alicante is 
coming back to be as popular as ever with growers, and I predict 
that it will yet drive Gros Colman clean out of the London shops 
and markets. You need not trouble about any other Grapes 
beyond the three I have mentioned, as you may with these three 
kinds have Grapes every day in the year. I may just mention that 
Gros Maroc has this season been sent into the market in good con¬ 
dition, and where this is the case satisfactory prices have been had 
for it. It remains to be seen whether it will hold its own with the 
Hamburgh and Alicante. 
Marketing. 
Packing for market is a point of much importance to the grower. 
Every basket should be firmly and fully packed, with as little show 
of footstalks as possible. The surface of the basket should show 
a-solid surface of well coloured berries. If a salesman has to keep 
your basket unsold for several days (which is often the case), and 
you have packed your basket so as to exhibit too much of the 
stalks of the berries, buyers are quick to note this, and know that 
when unpacked and exposed for sale in shop windows they rapidly 
shrink. So cover up the footstalks as much as possible, and you 
will be doing yourself, and all through whose hands the fruit will 
have to pass, a favour. 
THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
The first Chrysanthemum Show of the season reminds the 
admirers of the popular autumn flower that the busy season is ap¬ 
proaching rapidiy, though it seems difficult to think about dull November 
'in such brilliant summer weather as we are now having. Those, how¬ 
ever, who visit many gardens in all parts of the country, cannot fail to 
be impressed with two facts, first that Chrysanthemums are still extend¬ 
ing in popular favour rapidly, and secondly that great advances have 
been made in their cultivation. The decline of the Chrysanthemum, so 
often predicted, has not yet commenced, and though the present year is 
likely to be the most important in its history, there is yet a long future 
before so useful a plant. 
The National Society may be said to have entered on a period of 
great interest to Chrysanthemum growers, for many are looking forward 
to the centenary celebration next November as likely to prove a gather¬ 
ing such as London has not witnessed before amongst autumn floral 
displays. Mr. W. Holmes has taken up the direction of affairs with his 
accustomed skill, and the programme of arrangements for the four 
days will soon be issued. The first day, Tuesday, November 10th, will 
be distinguished by an opening ceremony, at which the assistance of 
some of the Patrons or Vice-Presidents is expected. Upon the same 
day a Conference will also be held in the Library, when the historical 
and artistic aspects of the Chrysanthemum will be discussed. Upon 
Wednesday the Show itself will furnish sufficient attractions for visitors. 
On Thursday another Conference will be held, dealing chiefly with 
practical subjects, and a banquet will be arranged to be held in St. 
Stephen’s Hall at 6 p.m., when Lord Brooke, M.P., President of the 
Society, will take the chair, and the innovation of allowing ladies to be 
present will be tried. The fourth day, Friday, the conclusion of the 
festival, will be devoted to a conversazione in the afternoon, followed 
by the presentation of prizes. This programme, with the unusual 
attractions of the liberal schedule, should result in a fine competition 
and a large gathering of Chrysanthemum admirers. 
A few words are necessary respecting the Show at the Royal 
Aquarium last week, for time would not admit of a report in our pre¬ 
vious issue, and it is unnecessary now to give all the formal details. It 
must be said that it was one of the best of the series held at 
Westminster this year, under Mr. Holmes’s superintendence, Chrys¬ 
anthemums, Dahlias, Gladioli, Roses, and miscellaneous collec¬ 
tions of plants and flowers being very abundant, but the prizetakers 
were nearly all the same as those mentioned in our full report 
of the Dahlia Show at the Crystal Palace. The Chrysanthemums 
only can be here referred to. The groups showed a distinct advance 
upon those at shows in previous years both in quality and taste of 
arrangement. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, were the leading 
exhibitors, but Messrs. Reid & Borneman of Shrewsbury Road, Syden¬ 
ham, and Mr. Norman Davis of Camberwell, also exhibited uncommonly 
well for the remaining prizes, Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, 
Lewisham, having so good a non-competing group that he was awarded 
a silver medal. The collections of cut blooms from Messrs. Owen, Davis, 
and Such were noteworthy ; but the finest cut blooms were the examples 
of Madame C. Desgrange and its sports, which gained Mr. J. Black- 
burne, Elmstead Grange Gardens, Chislehurst, first prizes in several 
classes, Messrs. Blair, Howe, Beech, and Scevens taking second and 
third prizes in the same classes. Mr. Blackburne’s blooms were 
specially remarked last year, and they again caused quite a sensation, 
their size, substance, and purity bringing them into the first rank as 
exhibition flowers, and such as would compare favourably with many 
of the best of other standard varieties at the November shows.—C. 
THE BRITISH FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
A Visit to Crawley. 
The third of the Conferences arranged to be held by the above 
Association during the present year was announced to take place at 
Brighton on Thursday, September 11th, and after the Crystal Palace 
meeting it was suggested that as a party would on that day be travelling 
down from London, an excellent opportunity would be afforded for a 
visit to the Crawley district under the guidance of the local secretary 
for Sussex, Mr. Joseph Cheal. The idea met with approval, and, as a 
result, a party of the earlier rising members of the Association reached 
Horley at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday morning, where Mr. Cheal had the 
necessary conveyances in readiness. The morning was delightfully 
bright and fresh, and the drive to Crawley was greatly enjoyed by all. 
At the Lowfield nurseries the party was received by Mr. J. Cheal, sen.— 
who, at the venerable age of ninety, appears to be more active in mind 
and body than some men at half his age—and by Mr. Alexander Cheal. 
A hurried inspection of the extensive and well-stocked nurseries was 
commenced, and much valuable information was conveyed by the 
conductors respecting the peculiarities or qualities of certain varieties 
of fruits, stocks, modes of training, &c. Apple budding was just in 
full progress, and a few of the members left mementos of their vary¬ 
ing degrees of skill in this important operation by commencing a row, 
preparing the buds and stocks, tying and completing the work. In 
another portion of the nursery, a member who farms much land in 
Essex proved that he was master of the details of his work by guiding 
a plough with all the skill of an experienced hand. Several other 
practical demonstrations followed. The plantations and “ quarters ” of 
healthy young fruit trees in all stages were inspected with the keenest 
interest, particularly the cordon trees, of which so many are grown at 
Crawley. Dahlias of all sections and many other outdoor plants were 
still gay with flowers, notwithstanding the recent frosts which in some 
districts have caused much devastation. 
This part of the morning’s proceedings concluded with a substantial 
lunch generously provided by the Messrs. Cheal. Another pleasant 
drive to Three Bridges, and a rapid run to Brighton prepared the party 
for the more serious portion of the day’s business. 
The Conference. 
As previously announced the conference was held in the King’s 
apartments of the Royal Pavilion, in conjunction with the excellent 
show of plants, flowers, and fruit provided by the Sussex Horticultural 
Society under the management of Mr. Edward Carpenter. The Mayor 
of Brighton, Mr. Alderman George Manwaring, had kindly consented to 
take the chair, and he was supported by the Rev. Cox Holes, Councillors 
Ballard and Booth, and Mr. T. Francis Rivers (Chairman of Commit¬ 
tees) ; amongst others present being Mr. Philip Crowley, Mr. Lewis 
Castle (Hon. Sec.), Mr. J. Roberts, Mr. G. Gordon, Mr. J. Cheal, Mr. A. 
Cheal, Mr. R. Smith, Mr. W. G. Head, Mr. G. Hammond, Mr. Stephen 
