November 25, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
485 
ficent examples. In these classes the competition was eo close that only 
one po ; nt decided the relative merits of the collections. 
We regret very much that time and pressure upon our pages this week 
prevent us giving a more detailed report of such a beautiful show. We 
hop^, however, to be able to refer to the fruit and other portions of the 
Exhibition more fully in our next issue. 
EASTBOURNE.— November 22nd and 23rd. 
Chiefly through the energetic action of Mr. Jupp, Hon. Sec. to the 
Eastbourne Gardeners’ Society, a very good display, considering the late 
■date and the time they had to prepare for it, was made in the Town Hall 
lecently opened. Most of the classes were well filled, and in some the com¬ 
petition was keen; both the cut blooms and the plants were surprisingly 
tresh for the late date. In the open class for a group of Chrysanthemums 
arranged for effect Mr. Helmsley, gardener to J. Dore, Esq., Arundel Terrace, 
was first with a viry bright and effective arrangement. Mr. Morley, 
gardener to Miss Brodie, The Gore, second; and Mr. Wise, gardener to 
Major-General Holrojd, The Meads, third. For the group of Chrysan- 
ihemums and any ofli“r plants Mr. Fuller, gardener to — Wbatmore, Esq., 
was first, and Mr. Morley second, both showing very good groups. Mr. 
Helcnsley was again first for group in the class limiteu to members of the 
Society ; Mr. Phillips, gardener to Dr. Jeffrey, being second, and Mr Eden, 
gardener to C. D. Gilbert, Esq, Manor House, third. Mr. Helmsley ar.d 
Mr. Fuller we-e also prizetakers for foliage plants and Ferns. Cut blooms 
were well shown. In the open class for twenty-four incurved Mr. Gore, 
gardener to Capt. Taylor, Glenleigh, was first with good fresh blooms, the best 
being Lord Alcester, Empress of India, Cherub, Mabel Ward, Golden Queen, 
and Queen of England. Mr. Russell, gardener to Dr. Lewis, Henfield, 
being second, and Mr. Simmons, gardener to the Rev. H. Hales, Henfield, 
third. For twelve incurved Mr. Winchester, gardener to W. A. Taylor 
Esq., Hailsham, was first, Mrs. Heale, and Lord Alcester, being viry good., 
Mr. Russell and Mr. Simmons following very closely. For twenty-four 
Japmese Mr. Gore was fiist, Thunberg, Sarnia, and Madame Audiguier 
being good. Mr. Russell was second, and Mr. Jupp, gardener to G. Boulton, 
Esq., Torfield, third. Mr. Winchester was first fjr twelve Japanese, fol¬ 
lowed by Mr. Russell and Mr. Jupp. Anemones and reflexed were very 
good, Mr. Gore being first in both classes, also in the two classes of Pompons. 
Messrs. Jupp and Russell taking the seconds and thirds in the reflexed and 
Anemones. In the Society classes Mr. Emery, gardener to R. W. Tweedie, 
Esq , Avoca, was very successful, taking first for tw lve incurved, twelve 
Japanese, and twelve of any sort, followed in each class by Rev. H. Short- 
lands, Upperton. Fruit was very good, Mr. Clarke, Polegate, being first for 
Grapes. Mr. Gilmour, Hawkhurst, and Miss Brodie taking the chief prizes 
for Apples and Pears. 
Sfo WORK 
m 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Very favourable has the weather been for the planting, and where 
the work was well done either late in October or early in the present 
month the trees are now settled in the soil, and root-action has begun. 
Let us take care that tender young rootlets, which the warm moist soil 
has induced the roots to put f 'rth during the last two or three weeks, do 
not suffer from exposure to the severities of hard frost when it sets in. 
To guard against this we apply a surface dressing to the soil about the 
trees as we plant them, and we never put off doing so. Each tree as it is 
planted has any portion of damaged root cut off, each branch is shortened 
to the bud which we wish to afford us a vigorous Bhoot next spring, the 
soil is pa-ked carefully about the roots, and pressed gently but firmly 
upon them. A surface dressing of half-decayed stable manure is given, 
the tree made so fast to wall, fence, or stake that it cannot be swayed by 
wind, a label bearing its name put either upon or close to it—then, and 
not till then, should we proceed to the planting of another tree. Every 
detail must have full attention at once, the name of the tree should also 
be entered iu the garden fruit book, and its position shown upon the 
garden plan. Take care also that no injury is done to the bark of the 
trees, and if string or wire is used to fasten the tree see that some soft 
■substance is put between it and the bark. It is precisely by close atten¬ 
tion to careful and early planting that we are able to ensure free robust 
growth n»xt spring and summer. Our object in shortening the branches 
■of trees as we plant them is to ensure growth next season, which will form 
the basis of a healthy well shaped tree. Each tree must be examined 
closely, and the pruning be specially adapted to its condition as it conics 
to our hands from the nursery. The fine flourishing young pyramids 
which we perhaps selected ourselves at the nursery last August may, when 
they are sent to us, have a stem 5 or 6 feet in height bristling with 
lateral growth from the top downwards to within about a couple of feet 
of the bottom. If so much of the bottom of the stem is bare we never 
hesitate to sacrifice the upper part, but cut it clean off right down to the 
bare part of the stem. It requires some courage to do this, but then we 
know from experience that from those bare stumps will spring a plentiful 
crop of stout shoots, one of them to form a new loading shoot, and the 
others to afford us a choice of basal branches, which will thus have so 
good a start that they will not eventually be robbed of vigour by the 
upper ones. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest-forced Trees— The trees in 
the earliest house having been started, they must have sufficient water at 
the roots, and if, after examination, it is doubtful whether the soil be moist 
enough, give a thorough supply slightly in advance of the temperature of 
the house, and if the trees aie weakly employ tepid liquid manure. A 
bed of fermenting materials formed on the borders will give off an 
invig* rating heat, whilst the moisture will be more regular and conducive 
to the buds swelling thin frequently syringing the trees. Fire heat 
should only be employed at night to exclude frost, and by day to insure a 
temperature of 50°, above which ventilate freely. Avoid as much as 
possible a close vitiated atmosphere after the buds begin swelling, syringe 
the trees and house in the morning and early afternoon of bright days 
until the buds or blossoms begin showing colour ; then discontinue the 
syringing, but maintain a suitable moisture in the air by damping the 
paths, &c., on bright days in the morning and early afternoon, and ven¬ 
tilate constantly. The object should be to bring the trees on gradually, to 
secure large, well expanded blossoms, and to have the stamens strong, 
with anthers well laden with pollen, and the pistils stout and perfect. 
Second Early-forced Trees. —The trees to be started early in the year 
f r affording fruit in May must now be kept as cool as possible. The 
lights having been removed may be left off until the weather sets in very 
rainy or the snow falls, when, if there is danger of the soil becoming too 
wet and reduied in temperature by the cold, snow, or frost, replace them 
after they have been thoroughly cleaned, repaired, and, if necessary, 
painted. Toe trees may be dressed with an insecticide, the woodwork 
having been cleansed with soapy water and the glass with clear water, 
both ins : de and outside, and the walls washed with hot lime. The trees 
will have to be pruned—a very trifling affair if the proper attention has 
been given to disbudding, reserving only the wood needful for extension 
and next year’s crops, and cutting out that on which fruit has been borne 
this year. This will leave very little work for the knife at this season, 
and the less the better, only it must be used to cut out wood not required, 
to rectify anything that has been overlooked during the summer. The 
trees having been infested with scale, nothing clears them so well as 
syringing with water at a temperature between 140 Q and ICO 0 , but it 
must not be used by a careless person ; indeed, extreme measures must 
never be taken except under the eye of the chief. Frost has a very 
decided effect on scale, but its removal is best effected by washing with a 
s iapy solution, 8 ozs. softsoap to a gallon of water, and being careful 
not to disturb the buds. The solution properly applied is fatal to all 
insects or eggs. In bad cases it is well to go over the trees a second time 
before they are tied to the trellis. Plenty of space must be left in the ties 
for the swelling of the branches. Mulch the border and remove any 
loose inert surface soil, supplying fresh loam 2 or 3 inches deep at most, 
and to which has been added about a quart of bonemeal to every bushel, 
and a similar proportion of wood ashes, the loam chopped moderately 
small if turfy, and the whole well incorporated. Mulching with short 
manure may be deferred until the trees are somewhat in growth. Keep 
the house as cord as possible, ventilating to the fullest extent except 
when the weather is frosty. 
Third House. —The trees in this will be started early in February to 
ripen the fruit late in June or early in July, and they should now be sub¬ 
jected to the same treatment as advised for the trees in the second early 
house. It is a bad practice to leave houses and trees unattended after the 
leaves fall until the necessity arises for closing the houses. The trees can 
never be handled so safely, either for the needful cleaning, pruning, &c., 
as when the buds are least active, which is as soon as the leaves have 
fallen, and the insects (if any) are best caught before they are obliged by 
cold to make their retreat to safe quarte s. It is a common practice to 
use houses of this kind for plants, especially Chrysanthemums. It is a 
practice that would be much better discarded, as it is fatal to that rest so 
essential to the success of the Peach trees, and a primary cause of the 
buds subsequently falling. 
Fourth House. —This can hardly be called a forcing house, yet there 
should be means of affording a genial heat when the trees are in blossom, 
and for accelerating the ripening as may be necessary ; also for ripening the 
wood in cool districts. The house being closed early in March, the trees 
will ripen their fruit early in August and September if kept cool. It may 
be analogous to a Peach-case or covered wall planted with midseason 
varieties—the choicest Peaches and Nectarines. The trees in this house 
are leafless. They should undergo the process advised for the early 
house in every particular, only the hot-water pipes must be emptied and 
the house never closed, but be thrown open to the fullest extent in all 
but when frost prevails. It will not hurt the trees in the least to remove 
the lights and leave them off until the blossom begins showing colour. 
Tate House. —No attempt should be made to force the leaves off the 
trees. Cut out all the wood that has borne fruit if not otherwise required. 
The soil must not be allowed to become very dry, but if necessary give 
a thorough soaking of water. If the wood does not ripen well turn on 
the heat by day with moderate ventilation, and turn it off in the after¬ 
noon, so as to have the pipes cool before night, and then open all the 
ventilators. When trees do not ripen the wood up to the point of the 
shoots it is a good plan to make a trench at some distance from the stem 
and have the roots cut, which will check the tendency t > growth and 
induce ripening. After remaining open ten days or a fortnight the 
trenches may be closed, the soil being well firmed and a good watering 
given. The house must otherwise be kept cool by free ventilation, and 
the leaves cleared away as they fall. If any of the trees grow too luxu¬ 
riantly root-pruning and lifting mu-t be attended to whilst the leaves are 
on the trees. The value of late Peaches is not so much recognised as 
they deserve. They are noble in appearance, and when well done good 
in quality. 
Unheated Houses.— The leaves in these are off in all except where 
