802 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September SO, 1888. 
Mr. W. K. Woodcock, The Gardens, Oakbrook, Sheffield, 
says :— 
“ In replying to your inquiries as to the dates we in Sheffield have found 
most advantageous for ‘ taking ’ the buds, we have not found them to differ 
materially from those given by yourself, and with very few exceptions buds 
* taken ’ from August 10th to September 1st produce the best flowers ; the 
exceptions are a very limited number of varieties which produce the best 
flowers from buds ‘ taken ’ during the first week in August.” ’ 
Another cultivator situated much farther north than any of the 
preceding ones, Mr. T. B. Morton, Mowden Bridge Nurseries, Dar¬ 
lington, Durham, expresses himself thus :— 
“ I have carefully read your articles on ‘ taking ’ buds, and I fully agree 
with all you say. Only so far north as this I would ‘ take ’ buds of Meg 
Merrilies and Boule d’Or the first week in August. As regards the in¬ 
curved section, especially the Queen family, I would take them from 
August 25th to Sept. 6th. About here as a rule the buds are most plentiful 
the first fortnight in September.” 
Mr. R. F. Jameson, Hessle, Hull, writes :— 
“ Buds of Meg Merrilies and Boule d’Or, for example, should be ‘ taken ’ 
as near about August 3rd as possible ; other varieties from August 10th to 
Spetember 1st. My flowers were late last year, therefore I thought I would 
be soon enough this season. Consequently I ‘ took ’ buds of some varieties 
during the first week in August, and I find I have been in too great a hurry, 
as the blooms of Mdlle. Lacroix. Jeanne d’Arc, Soeur Dorothiie Souille, and 
Margaret Yillageoise are already developing fast.” ’ 
From the Northern Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire 
Mr. Midgley, The Gardens, Bankfields, Bingley, and Mr. Shaw, 
Oakworth House Gardens, Keighley, each growers of 500 plants, 
gave me their opinions in conversations on “ taking ” the buds— 
namely, that from the middle of August to the same time in 
September is the best time for that locality ; and Mr. W. Heath. 
Hampton Manor Gardens, Birmingham, informs, me “ From the 
end of the first week in August to September 1st answers the best 
for ‘ taking ’ the buds for first-class blooms.” It remains only to 
thank my correspondents for their co-operation in settling a dis¬ 
puted point, and to express satisfaction that my practice is con¬ 
firmed so thoroughly by so many noted cultivators.— E. Molyneux. 
(Concluded ) 
A MIDLAND SEED FARM. 
No department of commercial horticulture is more important than 
that which is concerned with seed-growing and saving, especially now 
that an interest in gardening has extended so widely amongst the masse*. 
Vegetables and flowers are in greater request than ever, and in consequence 
the maintenance of a full and pure supply of seeds has required increased 
attention. Few, perhaps, of the thousands who annually send in their 
seed orders have an adequate idea of the labour and expense needed to 
ensure having the numerous varieties true to their particular character¬ 
istics. Such work cannot be carried on in a haphazard fashion, as the 
slightest carelessness or confusion would cause disappointment to number¬ 
less persons, and if once the stock of any variety is allowed to deteriorate, 
it is often very difficult to obtain it again in its original form. Constant 
watching by experienced assistants, a carefully considered system of 
planting and cropping, ample space of land at command, and harvesting 
the seed in good condition, are the essentials to success in this business. 
There are, of course, other matters that require attention, also such, for 
instance, as the character of the soil upon which the plants are grown, for 
this is found to exercise a considerable effect on the quality of the seed 
produced. If good plants, either of vegetables or flowers, are desired, it is 
of the utmost importance that plump matured seed be obtained, and this 
is most likely to be procured from well nurtured plants grown in sound 
substantial soil. All who have had any experience in gardening realise to 
the full the importance of securing good seed, for the best culture is 
otherwise of little avail, and it is a serious matter, after a season’s labour 
and expectation, to find that one’s time has been spent over an almost 
worthless variety. 
A visit to one of the great establishments to which we are indebted for 
well organised systems of seed-rearing and saving is always interesting 
and instructive to both amateur and professional horticulturists, and a 
brief description of a few hours spent on Messrs. Webb & Sons’ farms and 
trial grounds at Kinver will serve to illustrate the subject to which 
reference has been made. The headquarters of the firm are in Wordsley, 
a short distance from Stourbridge, on the Great Western line from 
Worcester to Wolverhampton, and in a manufacturing town chiefly 
occupied with tbe production of glass and pottery many persons would be 
surprised to find such a large establishment of a totally different character. 
Huge warehouses, spacious offices, and other buildings cover a large ex¬ 
tent of ground, and though in every portion utility rather than ornament 
has been evidently the main object, yet there is a substantiality of 
appearance that is quite imposing. When arriving at Stourbridge with 
the intention of visiting K'nver, the seed warehouses are taken cii voute , 
and they well repay for an inspection, for nothing can give a better idea 
of the magnitude of a business than such store houses. Not only is a 
great space devoted to the garden, vegetable, and flower seed and bulb 
trade, but the farm seeds also occupy some extensive floors. Potatoes con¬ 
stitute another important department, and in addition to these Hops and 
wool form almost separate businesses, having received the special atten¬ 
tion of the firm for many years. Then there are the machinery room*, 
where the seed-sorting and cleaning are carried on, packing rooms for 
home and export, and innumerable other offices, which in the height of 
the seed season present a busy scene, and a very short period of rest is 
obtainable, for there is a succession of seasons for the various specialties. 
Now is the busy time with the bulbs, the trade in which is steadily in¬ 
creasing, and this season the consignments seem to very satisfactory in 
quality. 
But all this may be taken in parenthesis, for we started to see tbe 
Kinver farm, and will now resume our journey. In fine weather the 
drive from Wordsley to Kinver is a most enjoyable one, the scenery is 
varied and interesting, and in some portions of the route quite picturesque, 
especially when nearing the village of Kinver. The road there is a very 
steep ascent, and some pleasing glimpses of distant landscapes are obtained 
at certain points, while at others the road passes through deep cuttings in 
the red sandstone, with a dense tree canopy overhead. If the traveller 
has the time, he will also do well to prolong his journey beyond the farm 
and up to the remarkable Kinver Edge, from which a magnificent prospect 
is seen, extending over a great extent of country. The seed farm and 
trial grounds occupy the slopes and lower portion of this hill, 1600 acres 
being appropriated to this purpose, the greater portion being a rich sub¬ 
stantial loam that suits almost any vegetable crop admirably. The farm 
serves a special and important purpose, being something more than a 
mere trial ground, for it is there that the stock seeds of new and choice 
varieties are raised for subsequent distribution lo various parts of the 
kingdom for farther increase. Proving the merits and purity of novelties 
is thus carried out under the immediate superintendence of the heads of 
the firm, who are practical and successful cultivators. The practice is 
when a novelty is secured to test it thoroughly at Kinver ; then, if found 
sufficiently distinct, it is grown isolated from other similar crops. To 
prevent its becoming mixed it is carefully “ rogued that is, all plants 
not showing the true character are destroyed, and the seed thus raised 
constitutes the “ stock,” which another season will probably yield sufficient 
for placing in the market. This system applies to the general farm crops, 
vegetables, and flowers, and has been found to yield excellent results. It 
can be readily imagined that much land would be required for raising the 
general supply, and it is estimated that in various districts of Great 
Britain and the Continent Messrs. Webb & Sons have 16,000 acres thus 
occupied. 
A glance at some of the principal crops at Kinver will serve to convey 
an idea as to the leading specialties. The cereal crops, which form an 
important part of the business, can only be cursorily noticed, but they 
deserve a few words, as a large acreage of land is appropriated to them. 
Of Wheat, for instance, there has been this season about 185 acres, com¬ 
prising selections of considerable merit, such as Kinver Giant White, 
Challenge White, Selected Square Head, Selected Golden Drop, Hard- 
castle White, Selected Rough Chaff, and many other choice selections. 
Of Barleys have occupied 200 acres, chiefly Golden Grain, Kinver 
Chevalier, and Webb’s Beardless, while of Oats there were 168 acres of 
Challenge White Canadian, Prolific Black Tartarian, New White Tar¬ 
tarian, and others. As coming under the head of general farm crops, it 
may be mentioned that some special selections of Swedes, Mangolds, and 
Turnips were also being grown at Kinver, but the greater portion of these 
are cultivated in other districts. 
Turning to what will more particularly interest the readers of this 
Journal, the garden vegetables and flowers, the former may first receive 
attention. The importance of Peas amongst the choicer vegetables is 
widely recognised, and upon these extra care is bestowed in the trial 
grounds. No less than 140 varieties have been tested there this season, 
the comparison of the respective qualities of which has been an arduous 
but most useful task. They included several novelties not yet in 
commerce, but promising well, while the numerous varieties previously 
sent out from Stourbridge well maintained the reputation they have 
already gained. Wordsley Wonder, in particular, lias been extremely 
good, and as an early blue wrinkled Marrow it deserves high com¬ 
mendation, being dwarf, prolific, and of fine flavour. Chancellor, another 
new Pea, a capital main crop Marrow, is remarkable for the size of the 
well-filled and abundantly produced pods. Kinver Green is a good early 
variety, Stourbridge Marrow, a second early, with Triumph and Electric 
Light for the main crops, are all varieties identified with the name of the 
Stourbridge firm. 
Potatoes are made a strong feature at the trial grounds, 67 acres being 
devoted to them, but only the new varieties are grown there, such as 
Kinver Hill, a second early kidney, Discovery, a seedling from Wood- 
stock Kidney, and Benefactor, a main crop variety from a cross between 
Bianchaid and Scotch Champion, Surprise, Reliance, Improved Magnum 
Bonum, and Improved Schoolmasttr, all of which have been thoroughly 
tested with satisfactory results. Cabbages are abundantly represented, 
the excellent variety named Webb’s Emperor being very conspicuous. 
This is not a novelty, but has now become an established favourite in 
many gardens, being of quick growth, forming a solid heart, and of mild 
flavour. Beans constitute another important class of vegetables. A re¬ 
markably fine long-pod variety is Kinver Mammoth, the pods commonly 
over 12 inches long, and sometimes 18 inches, well flavoured, and capital 
for exhibition. Golden Queen Butter Bean is prolific and of very good 
flavour, Victoria Dwarf French Bean and Selected Scarlet Runners being 
also notable soits. Many other vegetables might be named of which 
there are special types, as for example Matchless Brussels Sprouts, Autumn 
White and Champion Broccoli, Early Mammoth Cauliflower, Little 
Wonder Savoy, Summerhill Cabbage, and Wordsley Gem Cos Lettuce?, 
Improved Banbury Onions, Parsnip*, Carrot*, Turnips, Rac’iihe 1 , 
Celery, Ac. 
