October 14, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
347 
years ago at the Leeds Horticultural Show, and the Judges awarded it a 
first-class certificate and the first prize for the best Melon in the show. 
It has been exhibited at several shows since, and has always gained first 
honours. 
WINTERING ALPINE PLANTS. 
It is at this season of the year that lovers of alpine plants generally 
will be considering the best methods for the safe keeping of their pets 
during the winter months. Not because they are tender, not because the 
climates of England and their varied mountain habitats are so widely 
different—at home they naturally exist during winter, snowbound perhaps 
for several months, while here they are exposed to incessant changes. 
They may be frozen hard during the night, with a rapid thaw in early 
morn, to be again succeeded by a biting frost at night. Compare this 
incessant change with the conditions under which they exist in their 
mountain home, where they remain snug beneath a deep bed of dry snow, 
uninfluenced by external conditions and changes, and who will wonder 
at the collapse of many a choice plant ? Still, it must not be regarded as 
an indispensable condition in their cultivation, and indeed it is fortunate 
it is not so, otherwise many who now enjoy a sight of alpines would be 
debarred from it. It is, however, so to speak, indispensable to a few, 
while it cannot be well imitated at home. Those plants which seem to 
suffer most away from their mountainous home are such as form dense 
cushions of soft silken or downy leaves, of which several of the Swiss, 
Pyrennean, and Himalayan Androsaces are fitting illustrations. Many of 
these often puzzle the most experienced cultivator of alpines, and those 
who, like myself, have had to contend with London smoke and London 
fogs, know something of the disappointment experienced at the sudden 
damping off of some choice plant which had made a presentable specimen. 
Such plants as Houstonia caerulea, Eritrichium nanum, Sibthorpia europea 
fol. var., and others of like character have this peculiarity. 
For all alpines of a doubtful character which are kept in pots a light 
airy frame forms the best receptacle, but having had occasion year after 
year to winter large quantities of choice plants I have not omitted to 
notice the results, and I can only say had the choice been mine I should 
never have placed them in the only frames then at my disposal, and in 
which numbers of plants succumbed annually from damp alone ; indeed, 
the greatest difficulty was to get the plants dry, especially if they hap¬ 
pened to be placed in frames at a wet time. I am convinced that the 
majority of alpines are better with no frames at all, unless they can be 
accommodated with abundance of ventilation all the winter. I am 
strongly opposed to covering frames containing alpines with mats, even 
in the most severe winters, but rather to keep them freely ventilated the 
whole time. The number of deaths attributable to frost as compared with 
that of damp are very few ; indeed, frost will seldom harm even our 
choicest alpines provided the foliage is dry and the soil is moderately dry 
at the roots. In the long severe winter of 1878 and 1879 I had a very 
choice collection of alpines in frames, among which were Houstonia, 
Androsaces, Himalayan Poppies, most of which were established in their 
pots, beside a late autumn consignment from Zurich, only recently potted. 
Of these I had little fear, but with them under precisely the same treat¬ 
ment I wintered several hundreds of Leucophyton Browni, a plant then 
in demand for bedding purposes. I had some little difficulty in getting 
permission for the last-named to remain, but I succeeded, and I think 
there was something like a score of dead ones when the winter had 
passed, and these could not have been killed by frost, as most of them 
were healthy and vigorous, much more so than a few which had found 
their way into a heated house, whence they came sickly and weak. The 
secret of my success I regard as this : the whole of the plants were 
always freely ventilated, not only by the lights being tilted sideways, but 
around the frame. In each light I had removed a brick at the back and 
front; this guaranteed a free current and constant circulation of air pass¬ 
ing amongst the plants. Theref re, if a frame be employed for wintering 
alpines let it be similarly ventilated. In such a frame alpines are bene¬ 
fited, but in the majority of frames they are invariably ruined. There 
are several ways by which frames for choice alpines may be freely and 
continuously ventilated without extra expense. In the construction of 
such a frame let the position face south, and let it be from 2 feet to 
2 feet 4 inches deep in front and an additional depth of 9 inches at the 
back. Fill in to a depth of 12 or 18 inches with brickbats, clinkers, or 
any material which will ensure a perfect drainage, adding fine ashes to 
stand the pots upon ; this will bring the plants near the glass. Instead 
of bricking the frame in the ordinary way, the space of half a brick or 
less should be left ; or if there be many cats about use perforated bricks 
placed at such a height that the plants may get the full benefit of the air, 
■either placed in one continuous course throughout the frame or inserted at 
intervals. The lights may also be raised by screwing wooden rests about 
■3 inches high to the wall plate back and front, each light requiring four 
of these—one at each corner. The lights being thus bodily raised ensures 
all that is requisite in this respect—viz,, a free ventilation, and which 
must bo had to winter rare alpines in frames. 
These remarks so far have only referred to pot plants and frames, so 
that we have now to consider choice plants on the rockery. There is only 
one way, and this is within the reach of all, this is by placing pieces of 
glass slightly sloping over the plants to throw off the rain ; this makes an 
excellent protection, and is easily and readily applied. In this way all 
choice plants, such as Opuntias, Indian Meconopsis, Androsaces, Hous- 
tonias, Epigaea repens, which is benefited by temporarily covering 
it during its flowering period, Agave utahensis, and Eritrichiums, Gre- 
novia dodrontale, and Edelweiss, will be safe. Primula obconica may 
also be so treated till thoroughly established, and among Saxifrages few 
will take any harm, all of the crustaceous and mossy types being 
thoroughly hardy. In the first named group, however, there are some 
which, provided the plants are small,"may be similarly treated ; these are 
S. Rudolphiana, S. calyciflora, 8. squarrosa, S. aretioides and primulina, 
with S. coriophylla, and S. lutea viridis. These are all lovely plants, and 
all remarkably slow growers, hence the desirability of taking some extra 
precautions. The Saxifragas which suffer most is the Megasea group, of 
which ciliata is the most tender. These are invaluable for spring garden¬ 
ing, and unless the situation be highly favourable for them a slight pro¬ 
tection will not only hasten the flowering period, but will assist in retain¬ 
ing the foliage. Even at favoured and sheltered Belvoir Mr. Ingram 
deems it prudent to protect with handlights all the most valuable of the 
Megasea group. Armeria juncea and Campanula Raineri may be covered 
with glass ; Lewisia rediviva, Onosmas, .Cyananthus, Drabas, Gentianas, 
and Phyteumas will be safe if in well drained positions on the rockery ; 
the same may be said of the major portion of Primulas, verticillata and 
erosa being about the only two species which are permanently injured by 
frost, the best place for the former being the cool greenhouse. Soldanellas 
should be in the frame, and take special note of Hypericum segyptiacum 
and balearicum. A wet and frosty winter will kill these. Primula 
capitata, a species I had almost forgotten, must be protected. 
From the foregoing remarks some idea may be formed of what plants 
require protection. It is next to impossible to give a complete list, since 
so much depends on the season alone, so that amateurs while taking the 
foregoing remarks as a rough guide will do well to lean a little on their 
own experience, at the same time carefully considering their own peculiar 
circumstances.—E. Jenkins. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
October 12th and 13th. 
The series of exhibitions provided at South Kensington this year is 
nearly completed, some most varied and successful displays having resu] ted 
from the liberal prizes contributed for the purpose. There has been a 
succession of shows devoted to the favourite flowers in season ; vegetables 
have been amply represented, and the later exhibitions have been appro¬ 
priated to fruit and Chrysanthemums. At the preceding gathering Grapes 
formed the principal feature ; at that held on Tuesday and Wednesday last 
Apples and Pears were specially provided for ; and at the next, and con¬ 
cluding show, Chrysanthemums are to take the leading place. The ex¬ 
hibition of the present week must, however, be recorded as one of the most 
successful and satisfactory of the season, and the grand array of Apples 
must have afforded a surprise to many horticulturists who know too well 
how short is the crop of those fruits. Pears also were represented by some 
fine specimens, though taken generally they were more irregular in quality 
than the Apples. Then there were plentiful exhibits of Dahlias, Roses, and 
hardy flowers to vary the display, a capital competition with vegetables 
and a remarkable show of Tomatoes all contributing to the interest of the ex¬ 
hibition, every available portion of space in the conservatory being occupied, 
and some non-competing exhibits had to be very reluctantly refused. 
Fruit Committee. —Present : T. Francis Rivers, Esq., in the chair; 
and Messrs. J. Burnett, C. Ross, T. J. Saltmarsh, W. Denning, G. Norman, 
J. Ellam, G. Bunyard, A. W. Sutton, Harry J. Yeitch, F. Rutland, Wm. 
Paul, W. Warren, R. 0. Blackmore, P. Crawley, S. Ford, T. B. Haywood, 
G. Goldsmith, G. T. Miles, and J. Woodbridge. 
Mr. T. Laxton, Bedford, contributed a collection of seedling Potatoes 
raised by himself, fruits of Apple September Beauty, which has been certifi¬ 
cated; the Dartmouth Crab, of beautiful colour and with a bloom like a 
Plum; autumn fruits of Laxton’s Noble Strawberry, open-air Tomatoes, 
and a new Pear, a seedling from Autumn Bergamot, which is noted in 
another column. Mr. J. Phillips, Tudor Road, Norbiton, was awarded a 
vote of thanks for an Apple named Princess Royal, which somewhat resem¬ 
bled M§re de Menage and Scarlet Nonpareil in good condition. Mr. Chad¬ 
wick, Ealing, showed some well-coloured Peaches from trees out of doors on 
a wall, for which a vote of thanks wa3 adjudged, a similar recognition being 
accorded to Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, for fine samples of 
the large purple Monarch Plum ; October Yellow and Grand Duke also 
being fine, from the same firm. Mr. Pionchon, Marine Hotel, Shanklin, 
Isle of Wight, had a large Pumpkin weighing 90 lbs., with a collection of 
Gourds, Beet, Apples, &c. Mr. A. J. Harwood, Colchester, sent some 
branches of the black Bullace loaded with fruits (vote of thanks) ; and Mr. 
G. T. Miles, Wycombe Abbey Gardens, showed a magnificent fruit of Pine 
Apple Lord Carrington, 9 inches deep and 6 inches in diameter at the base, 
the cultural commendation awarded being well deserved. 
From Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, came fruit3 of the Nanny Apple from a tree 
on the Crab stock, grafted eighteen years, the grafts being from a large tree 
in Hampshire, supposed to be 100 years old (vote of thanks). Good fruits 
of Ribston Pippin, weighing 8 ozs., were also shown, said to be from a tree 
formerly dying of canker, but which was “ beheaded,” and has now a 
healthy, fruitful top. M. Anton Horvath, Hungary, sent a collection of out¬ 
door Grapes, chiefly Frontignans, forms of Chasselas and Muscat Hamburgh. 
Mr. A. J. Oxford, Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire, sent a Vegetable 
Marrow of nearly globular form, and described as “ a good summer and 
winter vegetable.” Mr. C. Springham, Penylan, Llandogo, Monmouth¬ 
shire, showed a seedling Nut raised ten years ago from Cosford Cob; it 
was of good size, short, and round. Mr. Howe, Benham Park Gardens, 
Newbury, exhibited a Melon a cross between Blenheim Park and Hero of 
Lockinge, which the Committee wish to see earlier in another season. 
Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, Chelmsford, had a collection of Plums, comprising 
Coe’s Golden Drop, Jefferson, Coe’s late Red, Wyedale, and Belle de Sep- 
tembre ; samples of the Queen Apple, the Dartmouth and Scarlet Siberian 
Crabs were also shown. Mr. S. Ford, Leonardslee Gardens, had fruits of a 
pretty, red-streaked, medium-sized conical Apple, named Ford’s Seedling, 
which the Committee desire to see again in May. Mr. H. Deverill, Banbury, 
had several varieties of Beet, Celery, Carrots, and Beans ; Neal’s Ne Plus 
Ultra Runner Bean with some of the others being referred to Chiswick for 
ial. A jaltural commendation and a silver medal were awarded him for an 
