2 68 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 18, 1890. 
Madresfield Court Grapes. A white seedling Show Dahlia, named Ivory 
White, from W. R. Shakeshaft, Lymm, of a promising character was 
commended. A semi-double brilliant scarlet Dahlia, named John Burn, 
from Messrs. Harkness & Son, nurserymen, Bedale, was highly commended 
as a decorative border variety. 
M. W. D. Bason, Town Wills Fold, Wolverhampton, exhibited his 
new Milltrack Mushroom spawn, which has acquired a great reputation 
in the north and midland districts, and Messrs. Dickson, Brown, and 
Tait McDougall’s Self-acting Tobacco Sheets, which consist of cellulose 
saturated with tobacco extract of standard strength, and so prepared 
that they will fume or smoulder when a lighted match is app'ied. 
CHIPPENHAM. 
This Show was held recently in the beautiful grounds of Harden- 
buish Park. The chief features were not so much the exhibits of 
nurserymen and professional gardeners, of which, however, there was 
a very fair display, as the unusual excellence of the cottagers’ 
exhibits, which were displayed in a large tent quite distinct from 
the rest, a provision which afforded a pleasing contrast to that 
ofmany shows where the cottagers’ productions are too often to be 
seen either exposed to the full glare and shrivelling influence of 
the sun without any protection whatever, or crowded together under 
a tree in some out-of-the-way place, where the visitors cannot see them 
properly. 
This tent was not only well filled with vegetables, fruit, plants, and 
cut flowers, but each exhibit was so much above the general average of 
cottagers’ productions that to me, who am not accustomed to cottagers’ 
shows, it was an agreeable surprise. Not only did the exhibits consist 
of the best kinds, but they were set up in a trim and businesslike 
manner, plainly showing great care and deep interest on the part of the 
exhibitors. The fruit—which with cottagers generally means a few 
dishes of Apples, Gooseberries, and Currants—was here represented by 
really good collections and single dishes, comprising Apricots, Cherries, 
■Green Gages, Pears, Melons, and Grapes, in addition to the commoner 
kinds. The plants were also very creditable, showing such health and 
vigour as is seldom seen amongst cottagers’ exhibits. As to the cut 
flowers, which consisted chiefly of Asters, Dahlias, Marigolds, Hoses, 
Stocks, and Zinnias, they were exceptionally fine, the Zinnias and 
Marigolds being unusually large, perfect in shape, and most brilliant in 
colour. I was so favourably impressed with these exhibits as to be 
induced to inquire what were the special causes which contributed to 
such good results, and I found that one of the causes was undoubtedly 
the capital list of prizes offered for competition, also the excellent 
provision made for the exhibits, and to the careful consideration shown 
by the Committee. There was to be seen amongst the exhibitors a keen 
spirit of rivalry and a businesslike professional method seldom witnessed 
amongst cottagers. 
I was also informed that the most successful had now invested not 
only in glass frames, but also in miniature greenhouses, and the pos¬ 
session of these of course accounted for the presence of such flowers as 
Lapageria alba, Liliums, and other uncommon flowers in some of their 
bouquets. One other cause, I was informed, contributed in no small 
■degree to their success—viz., the general adoption and utility of the 
earth closet system in the district, also the care exercised in saving and 
judiciously utilising the household slops and refuse, which are too often 
thrown away as worthless. The earth closet is so simple and economical 
in construction, and its contents are so valuable in the garden, that the 
only wonder, in this sanitary age, is that it is not more generally and 
more freely provided, especially where in those towns and villages which, 
from their flat position, or other causes, good drainage is almost im¬ 
practicable ; and also, because in numerous cases the cottager, for 
sanitary reasons, is now prevented keeping that most liberal manure 
producer, and most useful animal, the pig. Whether or not the cottagers 
of the Chippenham district would, if asked, attribute their proficiency 
in horticulture chiefly to the judicious use of the contents of the earth 
closet, would be interesting to know. 
The Chinese, who are clever and very successful gardeners, are great 
believers in this system, and depend largely upon it for the supply of 
manure used in their gardens; indeed, so much do they value it, that 
it is said they look more favourably on the visitor who makes a discreet 
use of it before he takes his departure. 
Some persons say that to adopt this system would be taking a 
backward and insanitary step, but the former objection is not a 
forcible argument against its use, because, as time passes, we do 
occasionally find such a step advantageous, even in horticulture ; and 
as to the latter objection, it can only apply when the system is im¬ 
properly or indifferently carried out. Whether or not the proficiency of 
■the cottagers of the Chippenham district be chiefly due to this cause, 
or to any other yet unexplained, I beg to congratulate them on the 
best all-round cottagers’ show I have seen this season.—T. Challis. 
Globe Artichokes. —These have been plentiful, but most of them 
are now over. There are some more forming, and if properly treated these 
may be useful in October or probably in November. In cutting the 
heads they are generally taken off at the top of the stem, and the stumps 
are allowed to remain full length. The whole of these should be cut 
over close to the ground, all decayed leaves being removed at the same 
time, and the young heads will soon show how much they have 
benefited by it.—M. 
WORKjwhe week,. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —Houses tube Started at the NewYear .— 
The trees will be shedding some of the leaves, but they must not have them 
brushed off with a broom as sometimes occurs to save trouble in clearing 
up the leaves as they fall naturally, which they must be allowed to do. If 
the trees are weakly from continued forcing and continued full crops of 
fruit, they may have, the border being properly drained, a good supply 
of liquid manure, which will assist the trees in keeping the buds, and 
to some extent invigorate them by inducing root action and a good 
start at the proper time. If, on the other hand, the trees do not set 
and stone the fruit satisfactorily, they should be lifted. This must be 
done carefully, preserving all the roots practicable, and keeping them 
as much as possible from the drying influence of the atmosphere. The 
drainage must be seen to, and if necessary rectified, putting in fresh 
drains, which, to be of use, must have proper fall and outlet, and pro¬ 
viding clean rubble for drainage, with sweet soil for planting in. If a 
thorough renovation of the border has to be made the lifting must not 
be attempted until most of the leaves have fallen, as it will necessitate 
the trees being kept out of the soil some time ; but they should have 
their roots damped and covered with moist mats, and the trees should 
be shaded and occasionally sprinkled with water from a syringe. Cut 
away any long bare roots, and shorten back or pare the ends smooth of 
those damaged in lifting to sound parts, laying them in the fresh com¬ 
post evenly, with soil worked in+o their interstices, keeping them well 
up to the surface and making it firm. It is no use attempting to grow 
Peaches and Nectarines in loose soil; firm wood is the outcome of firm 
soil, and fruitfulness resultant of aliment steadily furnished for elabora¬ 
tion and storing in the fruit; wood, and buds for future crops. Afford 
a good watering after lifting, and when settled mulch with a few inches 
thickness of rather short stable manure. The trees being sprinkled 
occasionally for a few days will keep sound in the wood, and roots will 
be pushed more or less into the fresh soil, which usually is a great 
incentor of root action. The most unsatisfactory trees carefully lifted 
and replanted in properly drained borders of suitable material never 
fail to fruit satisfactorily under proper management in light and well 
ventilated structures. 
Lifting in Succession Houses. —When the growth is too free, the 
crops not being satisfactory, the trees should be root-pruned or lifted 
as soon as the foliage shows indications of falling. If judiciously per¬ 
formed this will check their vigour and induce short-jointed fruitful wood. 
Any lifting or root-pruning should be performed before the leaves fall, 
affording a good watering afterwards, mulching with a couple of inches 
thickness of short manure, and syringing the trees each evening for a 
few days. The trees will soon produce young active feeders. 
Late Houses. —The weather is all that could be desired to insure the 
perfect finish of those very fine varieties—Barrington, Princess of Wales, 
Sea Eagle,the finestof all late Peaches; Gladstone, Walburton Admirable, 
Nectarine Peach, Lady Palmerston, and Comet. These are unsurpassed 
in appearance by any of the early and midseason varieties, and properly 
fed and duly ventilated they are juicy and full-flavoured. They are now 
ripening the fruit in houses that have been freely ventilated, well watered 
at the roots through a mulching of lumpy manure, and the foliage kept 
clean and healthy by forcible syringings. The trees should now have 
the benefit of a free circulation of air, utilising sun heat by keeping 
the ventilators closer than usual, as with ventilation in the early part 
of the day the temperature may be allowed to run up to 80° or 85°, 
which will do more to ripen the fruit and wood than sharp firing in 
dull weather. A somewhat drier condition at the roots is desirable 
when the fruit is ripening, but they must not be allowed to suffer from 
want of water so as to affect the foliage, and though the trees are not 
to be syringed, an occasional damping of the floors will greatly tend to 
keep the foliage in health. In dull wet weather a gentle warmth in 
the pipes will be serviceable in securing a genial warmth and allowing 
of a circulation of air. 
Unhcated Houses. —The late varieties before mentioned ripen perfectly 
in these structures when they are given a good aspect and the climate is 
not unfavourable or the location high and cold. Means of affording 
warmth in spring to insure a good set, and in autumn to perfect the 
fruit and mature the wood, are necessities in cold damp late situations 
to have the late Peaches in perfection, than which there is no finer 
ornament for dessert, irrespective of their particular flavour in the 
autumn months ; but in a majority of locations the late Peaches ripen 
well in unheated houses, we having had Sea Eagle first-rate up to the 
middle of October. Induce ripening by a somewhat dry atmosphere. 
Make the most of sun heat by allowing a considerable advance under 
its influence, closing early, but putting on a little top ventilation before 
night. Keep the wood thin, cutting away any gross growth, and shorten 
any sappy shoots to 12 or 15 inches, and keep all laterals closely pinched 
to one joint. 
Melons. —The latest plants having been stopped when they ex¬ 
tended two-thirds across the trellis are well up it. There is no better 
system for houses than the single cordon—viz., the plants have all the 
