5 
December 25, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE OARDEHER. 
- We have received an advance copy of that marvellous produc¬ 
tion, “ Whittaker’s Almanac for 1887.” It contains 632 pages of 
information on every subject imaginable. When we state that it contains 
160 pages more than ordinary some opinion may be formed of the mass 
of matter which has been added to this issue. 
-We have also received one or two of “ Letts’ Diaries,” which 
are now published by Messrs. Cassell Sc Co. 
- “ A. B.” considers the idea broached by “ Thinker ” as to 
Chrysanthemum Challenge Trophies a capital one. “ An enor¬ 
mous amount of interest would be centred in the contest for such a 
trophy. I believe that any Society who had the courage to take the 
matter in hand would find the outlay well repay them, as such a prize 
would certainly draw the public. For such a handsome prize all sections 
of varieties should be represented. I would suggost that something like 
the following should be stipulated for :—Twenty-four varieties of incurved 
single blooms, the same number of Japanese, twelve blooms of reflexed 
■distinct, twelve show Anemones, twelve Anemone Japanese in six varie¬ 
ties, Pompons in twelve varieties, three flowers of each, and twelve 
hunches of Anemone Pompons, three flowers of each in eight varieties. 
Single varieties should be staged in the same way. The whole would 
form a grand collection, and I am Bure would bring the best growers 
together, which could not fail to make a most interesting exhibition.” 
- The monthly meeting of the Belgian Horticulturists was 
held in Ghent on the 15th inst., when the following were present :— 
MM. J. Closon, Jules Hye, V. Cuvelier, Ph. Blancquaert, B. Spae, A. Ros- 
seel, Desmet-Duvivier, and E. De Cock ; M. Moens presiding, and Mr. 
A. De Smet acted as Secretaiy. Certificates were awarded to M. A. 
D’Haene for Calanthe Yeitchi rosea alba ; to M. Louis Yan Houtte for 
Cypripedium Leeanum, and the variety superbum ; to M. Jules Hye for 
Cypripedium caudatum roseum splendens, C. politum, and C. Lawrenci- 
anum, fine variety ; to MM. Boelens fibres for Odontoglossum Alexandra 
album, and Dracaena fragrans aurea lineata from M. Louis Desmet- 
Duvivier. Cultural certificates were awarded for Tillandsia tessellata 
from Madame Ve. Van Acker-Maenhout, Cycas circinalis from M. B. 
Spae, and Kestrepia antennifera from M. Jules Hye. Honourable men¬ 
tion was accorded to M. Jules Hye for Cypripedium tonsum, and C. 
sylhetense from M. Jules Hye, and Cycas sinensis from M. Spae-Vander 
Meulen. 
- At the ordinary meeting of the Leeds Paxton Society, 'held 
at the Society’s room, Vicar Lane, on the 11th inst., Mr. Joseph Smith 
(the President of the Society) in the chair, and Mr. J. \V. Frankland 
(Vice-President) in the vice chair, a paper was read by Mr. Thomas 
Garnett, St, John’s, Wakefield, entitled “A Critique on Molyneux’s 
Chrysanthemum Culture as applicable to the North of England.” The 
room was crowded, about a hundred being present, including several 
visitors from neighbouring towns. There was a magnificent display of 
Chrysanthemums and other flowers. The room was also tastefully 
decorated with plants kindly lent by Mr. W. Crossley and Messrs. Shaw. 
Mr. Garnett read an admirable e.say, criticising some of the rules laid 
down by Mr. Molyneux as requiring considerab'e modification before 
becoming applicable to the smoke-laden atmosphere of a portion of the 
West Riding of York. A long and interesting discussion followed, in 
which a number of members and others took part, and at the close a 
cordial vote of thanks were given to Mr. Garnett, on the motion of Mr. 
Featherstone, and seconded by Mr. Frankland. We shall take an early 
opportunity of publishing the critique which has been kindly forwarded 
to us for the purpose. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS FOR WINTER BLOOMING. 
We are reminded of the extreme usefulness of these well-known 
Plants for winter decoration by a visit to Chatsworth last week, where 
r ne of the small span-roofed houses near the large conservatory is now a 
•glowing mass of colour. The plants are kept dwarf and compact by being 
placed near the glass, and are carrying fine trusses of bloom, some of 
them 7 and 8 inches across. The varieties grown are the well-known 
Chilwell strain raised by Mr. Pears n. No one will dispute the utility of 
a display of this kind, as the colour of a well grown Zonal Pelargonium is 
only rivalled by the Poinsettia, and those who have experience of the 
demand for flowers at Christmas know that the “ brighter the better” at 
this season. The objection to Zon tls as cut flowers on the score of falling 
petals may be obviated by a drop of florist’s gum in the eye of each 
flower. 
In growing, two methods may be adopted by those who wish to try 
their lands next season. Where frame room is plentiful the cuttings 
may be struck in March, or even later, being potted as required, first into 
3-inch and then into 5-ineh pots, the soil used being good sound loam, 
and the potting being firmly done to encourage hard healthy growth. The 
plants should be grown in a frame all the summer, giving plenty of air, 
and picking off the flower buds as they appear until the time comes for 
them to be transferred to their winter quarters. Those who have not the 
convenience of a frame should choose autumn or very early spring-struck 
plants. Place them in 3-inch pots in March, and 5-inch the first week in 
June, when they may be plunged in a bed of ashes out of doors, taking 
care that the position chosen is fully exposed to the sun, so that the 
growth may be well ripened. 
In growing winter-blooming Zonals out of doors, one of the most 
important points to be noted is to get them housed before the heavy 
autumn rains, which often cause failure by decaying the roots. When in 
their winter quarters it should be remembered that dry air is of more 
importance than a very high temperature. All necessary watering should 
be done in the morning, and all water used confined to the pots, not 
slopped about the benches, &c. By attent : on to these few details a fine 
display during the dullest months is within reach of those who have even 
the most ordinary accommodation. The following are a few of the best 
varieties:—Aida, blush white ; Atala, scarlet; Burns, light scarlet, white 
eye ; Chas. Smith, dark crimson ; Constance, rosy pink ; David Thomson, 
crimson ; Edith Pearson, salmon rose ; Eurydice, lilac pink, white eye ; 
Gertrude, salmon ; Henry Jacoby, very dark crimson ; Herminius, scarlet, 
shaded magenta ; John Gibbons, scarlet; Mrs. Gordon, scarlet, shaded 
magenta, white eye ; Mrs. Leavers, pink; Mrs. Strutt, pale lilac pink ; 
Omphale, pale salmon ; Queen of Whites, white; and Zelia, magenta.— 
Experientia docet. 
FINE GR03 COLMAN GRAPES. 
Ok page 515 we referred to some fine samples of Grapes received 
from Mr. J. H. Goodacre of Elvaston, and incidentally alluded to the 
still larger specimens of Gros Colman that were exhibited by this cultivator 
Fig. 84. 
in November. Two Grape growers have a-ked for more precise informa 
tion respecting the size of the berries. The figure represents the exact 
size of the largest, and that the rest were not small will be apparent when 
it is stated that the bunch from which it was taken weighed 7 lbs., but 
only contained sixty-eight berries. This bunch caused quite a sensation 
among the guests at the Mayor’s dinner at Derby. We do not know if 
any larger Gros Colman have been grown than the one figured, but an 
opportunity is afforded for cultivators to settle the point by comparison. 
The Elvaston Grapes were admirably coloured, and we learn that Mr. 
Goodacre has no “secrets” to keep as to his method of producing 
them. 
DINNER TABLE DECORATION. 
This is a subject that requires great ingenuity and forethought in 
design, so as to give variety on each occasion when parties follow in close 
succession ; and however well the plans are laid, great care is needed to 
carry them to a successful termination, in selecting suitable material, and 
good taete must be exercised to show it to advantage. There is no style 
of furnishing dinner tables that we hke better than when the elegant 
trumpet-shaped glasses, with smaller arms around the central one, are 
placed down the centre of the table and dressed in a distinct and light 
manner, smaller glasses being also used where space admits, and coloured 
leaves, Ferns, and flowers used as a groundwork to the whole. It, how¬ 
ever, sometimes happens that we have to make an entirely new departure 
to give to a table the novel and imposing appearance that a great 
occasion demands. At an important gathering at Longford Castle recently 
it was determined the dinner table should be worthy of it, and judging 
from the way in which it was admired, that determination was fully 
realised. Others might like to carry out similar arrangements, and I 
will try and describe the one in question. 
