312 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 9,1890. 
It has been generally believed that red spider on Yines is solely 
the outcome of drought, or at least when the atmosphere of the 
structure becomes dry as well as the border the leaves are certain 
to be attacked. This we do not doubt to be the case, because a 
check is brought about and the Yines at once become a prey to 
this particular pest. They are, however, equally liable to an 
attack when the borders are too wet, and when they can be dried 
until they are in a normal condition red spider will disappear. 
This will undoubtedly be questioned, but I have ample proof which 
need not be entered into just now. 
Too generally has water been given to Yines with a free and 
liberal hand without taking into consideration the drainage of the 
border and the nature of the soil of which they are composed. 
One example has been given of where liberal supplies could do 
little or no harm, and even those in this condition may be over¬ 
watered after the decomposition of the fibre. But the soil of 
which Vine borders are composed varies so widely that much 
judgment is needed. Where the soil is close and tenacious few 
applications suffice, the drainage of the border and nature of the 
soil should be the sole guide in this matter. If instead of adopting 
a general practice judgment and sound common sense were 
exercised fewer Yines would be ruined. Well drained borders are 
necessary, but not over-drained ones, the heavier the soil and the 
closer it is likely to go together after it has been in the border a 
few years the more liberal should be the drainage and the less 
frequent the supplies of water. Borders of this nature need most 
care or they are sure to become too wet, the Yines flag and fail to 
grow when they should bear the full force of the sun and be 
growing luxuriantly. 
Shanking may arise from a variety of causes, but is frequently 
due to a severe check to the Vines, which prevents their bringing 
up the necessary supplies at the proper time. The lack of suit¬ 
able food during the stoning period often results through the 
roots being in wet borders. Active roots are formed in quantity 
only very late in the season, and these die after the foliage 
falls, so that there is an insufficiency of active feeders until the 
mischief has been accomplished. The roots in wet cold borders are 
naturally late in starting into growth, and shanking follows. This 
can be largely remedied by careful watering and an increase of 
surface roots without recourse to lifting. Rich surface dressings are 
the best means of encouraging roots near the top, and thin mulch¬ 
ings of manure, heavy mulchings when the borders are composed 
of heavy soil are an evil, and prevent necessary evaporation and 
warmth. A very thin layer of manure will keep the soil beneath 
moist for a long time, and the daily sprinklings of the border can 
be dispensed with. 
The supply of water in gardens generally is much better than 
it used to be, and the evils arising from the overwatering of borders 
are far more frequent. —W. Bardney. 
HASSOCKS GATE NURSERY. 
Business took me to Messrs. Balcbin & Sons’ Nursery some days 
ago, and I saw much that was both interesting and instructive. The 
glass houses are well built, well stocked, and are kept as clean and 
orderly as any gentleman’s houses. We find a large span-roof house 
devoted to Leschenaultia biloba major, which is a speciality. Hundreds 
are grown in all sizes, and no better evidence of the purity of the air of 
Hassocks and the correctness of the treatment could be* afforded than 
by the fact that they grow like weeds. The next thing that took my 
attention was the enormous quantity of Palms, Phoenix reclinata, 
Latania borbonica, Seaforthia elegans, and Areca lutescens in large 
numbers in all sizes, and of Kentia australis thousands, and it is sur¬ 
prising how regularly they grow, almost every plant having the same 
number of leaves. Many of these are sold in a small state for furnish¬ 
ing those small vases and ornaments so troublesome to many gardeners, 
but the great bulk are grown into plants of 18 inches or 2 feet high. 
Palms, of course, play an important part in ballrooms, and other 
decorations undertaken by this firm in Brighton and neighbourhood. 
About 5000 Chrysanthemums are grown. Madame Desgranges, Mrs. 
Burrell, and George Wermig are largely grown for cutting. The great 
bulk are such popular sorts as Fair Maid of Guernsey, Lady Selborne, 
Source d’Or, Peter the Great, James Salter, Hiver Fleuri, Elaine, and 
the neat little incurved Mrs. Geo. Bundle, Mrs. Dixon, and Geo. Glenny. 
But all the best are grown in smaller numbers. The plants are good, 
and they show less signs of loss of bottom leaves than is generally the case 
this season. A lean-to house is devoted to Tea Roses in pots. Niphetos, 
Isabella Sprunt, Madame Falcot, and W. A. Richardson are grown in 
large numbers for cutting. Almost everything that will produce choice 
fbwers, especially white flowers, are grown in quantity. Eucharis, 
Stephanotis, Lilium Harrisi, Lapagerias, white Azaleas, Bouvardias, 
and Tuberoses. The latter have special attention, and are well grown. 
Nearly 2000 are now coming on for autumn and winter blooming. 
They are started in comparatively cool quarters, but are moved into a 
little warmth as soon as they begin to throw up. A necessary adjunct 
to their cut-flower business is Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum cuneatum, of 
which they grow thousands, and never get enough ; also useful sorts for 
decorative purposes, such as Pteris tremula, P. serrulata, and its crested 
varieties. Amongst other popular plants well grown were Erica hyemalis, 
Cyclamen, Cinerarias, Hydrangea Thos. Hogg (in a forward stage, and 
just being placed in their largest pots), and Solanums. Roses, fruit trees, 
hardy herbaceous plants, Coniferm, and hardy shrubs are also grown, 
but my time did not permit a further inspection. The few I have just 
mentioned, and the fact that the same firm has two large conservatories, 
and another nursery with a great extent of glass, together with a seed 
business in Brighton and Hove, will give some slight idea of the nature 
of the business.—R. I. 
Events of the Week. —To-day (Thursday) the Crystal Palace 
Hardy Fruit Show will be opened at Sydenham, and it will close on 
Saturday, October 11th. On Tuesday, October 14th, the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s Committee meetings will be held in the Drill Hall, 
Westminster, at 12 noon. The following day (Wednesday, October 
15th) there will be an Exhibition of fruit and Chrysanthemums at the 
Royal Aquarium, Westminster ; the Floral Committee of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society meeting at 12.30 P.M. A meeting will also be 
held in the Library at 4 P.M. to consider the proposed Holmes memorial, 
and following this at 5.30 P.M. the British Fruit Growers’ Association 
will hold a Conference on Apples, to be introduced by a paper read by 
Mr. G. Hammond of Brentwood. 
- The Weather in the Metropolitan District has con¬ 
tinued fine for the greater part of the past week, Tuesday being the 
only exception, rain falling heavily during the day. Very slight frosts 
have been experienced in some districts, but generally the temperature 
has been high and the atmosphere clear. 
- The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —As 
will be seen on reference to our advertisement columns an addition is to 
be made to the pension list of this admirable institution, and that can¬ 
didates must send in their applications to the Secretary on or before 
November 8 th. 
- We regret to announce the death of Mr. Walter Darkin, 
which took place quite unexpectedly at an early hour on Monday in 
last week. Mr. Darkin was proprietor of *• Bell’s Weekly Messenger,” 
“ Mark Lane Express,” and “ Farm, Field, and Fireside.” He was able, 
energetic, enterprising, and gained a good position in the newspaper 
world. 
- B. S. Williams’ Memorial. —We are informed that, although 
a considerable list of promises of contributions has been secured, the 
total amount promised is still insufficient to carry out the recognition 
that forms the basis of operations. It is hoped that friends of the 
movement will renew their efforts to augment the list, the more 
especially as the Fund will be wholly devoted to the sustenance of the 
orphans of gardeners and the encouragement of excellence in the 
cultivation of plants. Those who have promised and not paid are 
requested to forward their several amounts as early as may be con¬ 
venient, as the Treasurer desires to advertise all contributions in the 
order in which they are received. The Chairman of Committee is Mr. 
Shirley Hibberd, Kew ; Treasurer, Mr. H. J. Veitch, 544, King’s Road, 
Chelsea, S.W. 
- The death of a celebrated French author, Alphonse Karr, 
was announced by the London daily papers on October 2nd as having 
occurred at Saint Raphael on the previous day. M. Alphonse Karr was 
principally known to amateur horticulturists in this country as the 
author of a most interesting book, “A Journey Round My Garden,” 
which has been translated into English, but has had a large sale in the 
original French. M. Karr had for some years engaged in the cultivation 
of plants, and it is said that he had inscribed over the door of his 
unpretentious cottage the words, “Alphonse Karr, Gardener.” He was 
the author of several successful works of fiction and dramatic works. 
He was in his eighty-second year, and his death is due, it is said, to a 
severe cold contracted by superintending some work in his garden 
during a recent heavy rainstorm, and refusing to change his clothes for 
some time afterwards. 
