JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 4 t 1E90. 
no 2 
Groups were fairly well represented, and showed improvement. Mr. D. 
Wilks, gardener to B. E. Cammell, Esq., Folly Court, Wokingham, was 
first, with an even arrangement; the plants well clothed with foliage. 
Second, Mr. Bungay, gardener to Sir W. Moreshead, Forest Lodge, Bin- 
field. Third, Mr. Woodgate, gardener to Colonel Harvey, Ambarrow, 
Sandhurst. Vegetables were well shown for Messrs. Sutton’s prizes. 
Mr. Lane being first. Second, Mr. Bungay. Third, Mr. Hughes, 
gardener to H. F. de Paravicini, Esq., Heathfield, Bracknell. Some 
grand Grapes were staged by Mr. Ashman, gardener to C. D. Crews, Esq., 
Bilpngbear Park, Wokingham, who was the only exhibitor. Mr. 
Ashman was also first for a collection of fruit. 
Cottagers’ vegetables were very fine, the first prize collection of six 
varieties being as good as those in the gardeners’ class. It is hoped 
that the Show was well attended, as it certainly deserved to be. 
TWICKENHAM. 
The Twickenham Chrysanthemum Show has become of considerable 
importance in the district, and has taken a place amongst the most 
interesting of those held around London. The date wts this year, 
however, somewhat against its success, as several large shows had been 
held in its neighbourhood a week before, and these had attracted some 
of the best exhibitors of blooms. The Committee had, however, good 
reason to be satisfied with the results of their efforts, towards which 
Mr. J. J. G. Pugh (the Hon. Secretary), Mr. Bates, Mr. Freshwater, and 
•others had done so much. 
The chief winners can only be noted, and it may be said that the 
groups arranged for effect were the chief features in the plant classes. 
These were arranged near the sides of the hall, each in a space of 50 
square feet, a belt of Ferns or decorative plants not exceeding 1 foot 
wide being allowed. The prizes were won by Mr. E. Mitchell, gardener 
to W. Cunard, Esq., Orleans House, Twickenham ; Mr. J. Parsons, 
•gardener to T. Twining, Esq., Perryn House, Twickenham ; Mr. A. H. 
Eickwood, gardener to Dowager Lady Freake, Fulwell Park, Twicken¬ 
ham ; Mr. W. Fitzwater, gardener to H. Labouchere, Esq.. M.P., Pope’s 
Villa, Twickenham ; and Mr. J. Waldie, gardener to J. Bigwood, Esq., 
M.P., The Lawn, Twickenham, in the order named. Mr. J. Sallows, 
gardener to Miss Vaughan, Minden Eose, Twickenham also gained a first 
prize for four trained specimens, capitally grown examples, in his usual 
•style. 
The cut blooms were fairly good, especially those from Teddington, 
which secured nearly all the more important pr'zes. The following 
were the successful competitors Mr. E. Coombes, gardener to W. 
Furze, Esq.. Eiselands, Teddington ; Mr. C. J. Waite, gardener to the 
Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher ; Mr. J. Parsons ; Mr. W. Davies, gardener to 
J. P. Chappell. Esq., Weir Bank, Teddington ; and Mr. C. Garrod, 
gardener to J. E. Tindale, Esq., Orford Lodge, Twickenham. 
‘Fruit and vegetables, with cottagers’ produce, were also well shown, 
•and occupied several rows in the upper part of the Hall. 
EUGBY. 
The Eugby Society is making steady progress. Each year some im- 
•provement is manifest in the Show, and i his season was no exception to 
the rule, for cut blooms, plants, and groups presented a decided advance. 
The Committee is a practical one, and the members are fortunate in 
possessing a most industrious and capable Secretary in Mr. W. Bryant. 
In the class for thirty-six blooms, eighteen incurved and eighteen 
Japanese, there was a capital competition, Mr. William Finch, gar¬ 
dener to J. Marriott, Esq., Queen’s Eoad, Coventry, securing first 
'honours with neat well finished bright blooms of the following varieties. 
Incurved : Jeanne d’Arc, Miss Haggas, Mrs. Heale, Lord Alcester, 
Hereward, Jardin des Plantes, Empress of India, Empress Eugenie, 
Princess Beatrice, John Lambert, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Davis, Golden 
Empress, Violet Tomlin, Hero of Stoke Newington, Lord Wolseley 
Guernsey Nugget, and Princess of Wales. The Japanese were Madame 
C. AudiguieiyMadame Baco, Gloriosum, Ealph Brocklebank, Avalanche, 
Sarah Owen, Belle Paule, Mr. Cannell, Etoile de Lyon, Mrs. Cannell, 
Mrs. Wright, Jeanne Delaux, Boule d’Or, W. G. Drover, Golden 
Dragon, and three others. The second place was taken by Mr. Harman, 
gardener to the Eight Hon. Earl of Denbigh, Newnham Paddox, 
Lutterworth, who had creditable blooms, a little too far advanced, 
otherwise they would have taken higher rank. Messrs. Plowman and 
Sons, Market Harborough, were third. With both twelve incurved and 
twelve Japanese Mr. Harman was easily first, being followed by 
Messrs. Finch and Perkins for the second place ; and Messrs. Plowman 
and Sons for the third. His incurved were Queen of England, Golden 
Empress, Barbara, Empress of India, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Heale, 
Alfred Salter, Emily Dale, Miss M. A. Haggas, Lord Alcester, Lord 
Wolseley, and Jardin des Plantes. The Japanese were Etoile de Lyon, 
Avalanche, Sunflower, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Madame J. Laing, 
Madame C. Audiguier, E. Molyneux, Comte de Germinv, Stanstead 
White, Thunberg, Moonlight, and another. Eemaining cut bloom 
classes were well filled, and the quality generally good. 
The chief feature in the plant classes was that for a group arranged 
for effect, in which Mr. Parker of Eugby won first honours for one of 
the best groups shown this year at any exhibition, both in the quality 
of the plants and blooms and the style of arrangement. Other exhibits 
also showed well, and there were numerous plants. Vegetables were 
largely shown, and fruit was also represented, together with bouquets, 
baskets, and miscellaneous plants, 
SS wokkjwheweek. 3 
1# 
FEUIT FOKCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest House. —There must not be 
any further delay in putting on the roof lights and closing the house for 
the fruit to be ripe in May. By what is known as “ hard forcing ” the 
very early varieties may be had earlier. Alexander and Waterloo as 
grown here are not materially different, but in America Alexander, 
which originated in Illinois State, is “ most widely grown as best early 
variety. Fruit medium to large ; greenish white, nearly covered with 
deep red ; flesh firm, juicy and sweet, bears transportation well, pit 
(stone) partly free.” Waterloo originated in New York State, and is 
described as “ medium to large, round, pale green, marbled with red ; 
flesh adhering partly to pit, greenish white, juicy, vinous. Not largely 
grown.” These are very much “ mixed” in this country, but there is no 
question that Alexander as first sent out by Mr. Eivers is the better 
variety. Early Beatrice closely follows Alexander in ripening, and 
though smaller is still handsomer, indeed a very pretty fruit of good 
quality. This, like Alexander and Waterloo, adheres partially to the 
stone, and it is singular the three varieties were originated at about the 
same time. Early Eivers is undoubtedly the finest quality early Peach, 
fruit large and beautiful, pale straw with a blush cheek, very juicy and 
sweet. Its flesh is very melting and does not bear carriage well, and is 
a freestone. Well grown it is the most delicious of early Peaches. Hale’s 
Early originated in Ohio, U S.A., is “ medium to large, nearly round ; 
skin greenish, mostly covered and mottled with red when ripe ; flesh 
white, melting, juicy, rich and sweet, freestone.” The descriptions are 
American, which we give, as there is some confusion as regards early 
Peaches in gardens. Our estimate of the varieties is Alexander, Hale’s 
Early, and Eoyal George or Stirling Castle as the three best Peaches for 
early forcing in order of succession, Alexander ripening a month to six 
weeks in advance of Eoyal George in the same house, therefore this 
must be kept in view in starting the trees. It will only be necessary to 
exclude frost and admit air freely at 50° until the buds commence 
swelling, when it will be necessary to maintain a temperature of 40° to 
45° at night and 50° to 55° by day, admitting air moderately at the 
latter figure, allowing the temperature to rise to 65° from sun heat, 
syringing the trees and every available surface morning and afternoon 
until the bloom buds are showing colour, after which the syringing may 
be discontinued, but sprinkling the house, walls, and paths may be 
continued as before. There must be no attempt at a close 
atmosphere, but allow a little air at the top of the house to lessen the 
condensation of moisture by the glass. The inside border will require 
to be supplied with water slightly in advance of the mean temperature 
of the atmosphere, maintaining the soil in a thoroughly moist state. 
Borders outside require to have a covering of leaves with a little stable 
litter to keep the leaves from blowing about, and lights or shutters to 
throw off the wet are an advantage. 
Houses to Afford Ripe Fruit in Late May or Early June. —These 
should have the lights put on not later than the middle of next month, 
therefore have any repairs or painting attended to. When the lights 
are put on no fire heat should be applied except to exclude frost, and 
the trees not swelling the buds freely the heat may be turned on in the 
morning if the weather be severe to raise the temperature to 50°, which 
must not be exceeded in the daytime, syringing the trees in the morning 
and early afternoon, only using fire heat at night to exclude frost. 
Admit air at 50° freely whenever the weather admits, as Peaches delight 
in a well sweetened atmosphere. 
Succession Houses.— Proceed with the pruning, thoroughly cleansing 
the glass and woodwork, whitewashing the walls, dressing the trees 
with an insecticide. Secure the trees to the trellis, top-dress the borders, 
and keep the houses cool by ventilating abundantly in mild weather. 
If the roof lights are moveable by all means remove them, or if off let 
them remain so until the time arrives for starting the trees. No frost 
will injure the wood if ripe, and if not thoroughly matured in wood and 
buds satisfactory crops are not obtainable. 
Pines. —Young stock suffer irreparable injury from being kept too 
close and warm, particularly at this season, the plants being drawn and 
weakly. Well ventilated span or three-quarter span-roofed pits or 
small houses properly ventilated and heated are the most suitable for 
Pine growing. A temperature of 65° at night should not be exceeded, 
but a mean between that and 55° at night, which, with 65° in the day¬ 
time, will keep young stock gently progressing, admitting a little air at 
the top of the structure at 65°, leaving it on all day, but not to lower 
the temperature below that point, and when the sun raises the tempera¬ 
ture to 75° a free circulation of air should be allowed. Keep the bottom 
heat steady at 80°, avoiding anything approaching to a damp atmo¬ 
sphere, moderate humidity will suffice. Apply water only when the 
plants become diy, and then give weak liquid manure. Keep the glass 
clean, the plants near to it, and allow them plenty of room. 
Suckers ready for starting now may be kept until March, and if 
there is likely to be a scarcity of suckers any recently potted may be 
retained in 5-inch pots, affordmg a light position in a moist pit with a 
i slight bottom heat, and a temperature of 55° at night, keeping them 
