228 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AXD COTTAGE GARDEXER. 
[ March 24, 1892. 
result. The second day brousht a better attendance, but the loss 
will be great. The Show was opened bv the Mayoress (Mrs. de Bels 
Adam), and although not nearly so extensive as last year it was marke-i 
by a pleasing brightness and freshness. The entries this year were 230 
as compared with 250 last year. The Orchids were arranged, as usual, 
under the orchestra, the other exhibits occupying the body of the hall. 
There was a magnificent group of seedling Amaryllis from Messrs. 
Ker (k Sons, Aigburth Nursery, which contributed the special feature of 
the Show. They were the result of crosses eSected between some varieties 
bought on the Continent. Another feature was a splendidly flowered 
plant of Ccelogyne cristata carrying 520 flowers, which was exhibited 
by Mr. B, Cromwell, gardener to T. Sutton Timmis, Esq., Clevelly, 
Adlerton. 
Turning to the schedule the first class was for a table of miscel¬ 
laneous plants, for which there were four entries, but only three tables 
had been erected, consequently the third prize group exhibited by 
Mr. Carling, gardener to Mrs. Cope, Dove Park, Woolton, had to be 
arranged on the floor. Between the first exhibited by Mr. J. Bounds, 
gardener to A. L. Jones, Esq., Oaklands, Aigburth, and the second from 
Mr. A. R. Cox, gardener to W. H. Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, Wavertree, 
there was very little choice. The only fault to be found in the second 
prize was that, taking size of table into consideration, the centre Palm 
and Crotons at each corner were a trifle too heavy, but it wa? certainly 
the more naturally arranged, though not quite so fresh. Mr. Bounds 
had some verj* choice plants in his group, and it was marked by a fresh 
groundwork of Maidenhair Fern, but much of its natural effect was lost 
by too many plants being introduced. For ten pots of hardy herbaceous 
and bulbous plants Mr. Bounds was again first, the second position being 
taken by Mr. T. Moorhouse, gardener to R. Brocklehurst, Esq., Sandfield 
Park, West Derby ; the third by Mr. T. Hitchman, gardener to Arthur 
Earle, Esq., Child well Lodge. For one bouquet Mr. T. Wilson, gardener 
to O. H. Williams, Esq., Fulwood Park, Aigburth, took the first place. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, and other bulbs were well shown and bright in 
colour. For eighteen Hyacinths, distinct, the last-named exhibitor was 
first, having John Bright, Baroness Von Tuyll, Robert le Diable, Czar 
Peter, Argus, Obelisque, Chas. Dickens (pink and blue forms), Mont 
Blanc, Vuurbaak, La Joyeuse, La Grandesse, Fabiola, King and Queen 
of the Blues, Isabella, Schotel, and Gigantea. The second prize was 
awarded to Mr. Wm. Kneale, gardener to Lient.-Col. Gaskell, Roseleigh, 
Woolton, for a capital selection ; and the third to Mr. C. Waring, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Aiken. The same exhibitor was again first for twelve, 
being followed by Mr. J. V. Thompson, gardener to W. P. Sinclair, M.P., 
Devonshire Road, Liverpool ; also for six distinct, for six (three bulbs 
in each pot), and for six pots of Daffodils. In other bulb classes the 
prizes were taken by Messrs. T. Hitchman, H. Holford (gardener to 
Miss Fowler, St. Anne’s, Aigburth), W. Sivess (gardener to T. Smith, 
Esq., M.P., Princes Park, Liverpool), A. R. Cox, Cha.s. Waring, and 
C. Osborne (gardener to H. J. Robinson, Esq., Aymesbury Court, 
Woolton). 
There were only two entries for six stove and greenhouse plants, and 
they were not what we usually see here. Mr. A. R. Cox came in first, 
and Mr. Cromwell second. Some very finely flowered plants of the 
good old Dendrobium nobile were shown for first, second, and third 
positions in class for one stove plant by Mr. J. .J. Craven, gardener to 
J, Grant-Morris, Esq., Allerton Priory ; Mr. W. Wilson, gardener to 
H. Cunningham, Esq, Gorsey Cop, Gateacre ; and Mr. Cromwell. That 
useful flowering plant, Imantophyllum miniatum, was shown in perfec¬ 
tion by Mr. Carling, who had a specimen carrying over twenty trusses of 
flowers of good colour. Mr. Kelly, gardener to R. Singlehurst, Esq., 
Endfield House, Aigburth, was a good second with the same variety ; 
and for the third Mr. Cromwell exhibited a well-flowered plant of the 
old Diosma. 
Orchids were not nearly so well represented as last year, but were 
fresh, clean, and well-flowered examples. For three, Mr. Cromwell was 
an easy first, having the Ccelogyne cristata Trentham variety previously 
mentioned, Odontoglossum vexillarium with twenty-three fine flowers, 
and Dendrobium Wardianum giganteum. The second prize went to 
Mr. J. Wilson, gardener to J. E. Reynolds, Esq., Sandfield Park, West 
Derby, who had a fine piece of Dendrobium Ainsworthi. Mr. J. Bounds 
was third. In the class for one Orchid, Mr. T. Shaw, gardener to John 
Wood, Esq., Hazlehurst, Mossley Hill, exhibited a b^utiful example of 
Phaltenopsis Schillerianum, Mr. Cromwell following with a gigantic 
plant of Dendrobium fimbriatum oculatum carrying some hundreds of 
flowers. Six Dracaenas, pots not to exceed 10 inches, Mr. A. R. Cox first 
and Mr. Carling second. For four exotic Ferns, distinct, there was only 
one entry, that of Mr. A. R. Cox. Mr. Cromwell was first for one exotic, 
and Mr. Moorhouse second. 
Azaleas were in good condition for the season, those exhibited by 
Mr. W. Wilson, who took leading honours for three and a single, being 
perfect in health, flower, and training. For three, the second place was 
awarded to Mr. Cromwell for well-flowered specimens. For four Azaleas 
in 8-inch pots Mr. C. Osborne staged fine examples of Raphael, Due de 
Na.ssau, Pluto, and Mrs. Turner, Mr. Moorhouse being second, and Mr. 
Bounds third. Hardy Rhododendrons, with the exception of those 
shown by Mr. Moorhouse, who came in first for four and a single, call 
for no comment, the second in each class not being awarded, the third 
going to Mr. Bounds. This order was reversed in the class for six forced 
hardy plants. 
The two entries for two bunches of Grapes displayed well preserved 
samples. First, Mr. J. Glover ; second, Mr. T. Elsworthy, gardener to A. R. 
Gladstone, Esq., Court Hey, Roby. Certificates of merit were awarded 
to Messrs. Ker A Sons for Amaryllis Asp.aaia, Cassandra, Black Prince, 
Daphne, Enrydice, Imperial Pre.sident, Sultan. Terentian, and Virgin 
Queen, and a collection of Azaleas ; to Messrs. T. Davies A C'^., Waver¬ 
tree Nursery, for a basket of Mushrooms and a stand of miscellaneous 
plants, highly commended ; also to Liverpool Horticultural Co. for 
miscellaneous table of plants; to Messrs. Fisblock Bros.. St. John’s 
Market, and Messrs. J. Williams A Co., Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, for 
patent manures. The Chairman (Mr. White), Secretary (Mr. W. 
Dickson), Sub-Treasurer (Mr. Blackmore), and the Committee worked 
hard for the success of the Show. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
ViXES. — Earliest-forced Vines in Pots. — The canes started last 
November, that were duly attended to in regard to heat, moisture, and 
other cultural requirements, also furnished with supplies of liquid 
manure and surface dressings of rich compost, have the Grapes swelled 
to a good size and these are changing colour. The supplies of liquid 
manure should be lessened gradually so as not to give a check, and the 
atmospheric moisture must be reduced, yet do not withhold it entirely, 
but allow a gentle circulation of air constantly, and damp the house in 
the morning and afternoon, as moisture is essential to the finishing of 
the Grapes, and does not inimically affect early Grapes. Maintain the 
temperature at 60° to 65° at night, 70° to 75° by day artificially, and 
between 75° and 85° through the day from sun heat, ventilating freely 
in fine weather. 
Early Houses. —In the house started early in December the Grapes 
are rapidly advancing towards the colouring stage and should be afforded 
a thorough supply of tepid liquid manure, mulching with a little parti¬ 
ally decayed rather lumpy manure. Stable manure with the strawy 
portion shaken out answers well after it has been properly sweetened. 
With the border in a proper state of moisture and the stimulus given 
the roots, little, if any, further moisture will be needed by the border 
until the Grapes are cut, but there must not be any deficiency, as it is 
important that the foliage be kept healthy. Continue damping at 
closing time until the Grapes are well advanced in colouring, after 
which reduce the moisture gradually ; but provide a circulation of warm 
air by day and night. This is particularly necessary with Madresfield 
Court and other Grapes liable to crack, and where these are grown it may 
be wise to dispense with the dampings, covering the border with rough 
chopped itraw,excluding water from the house after the Grapes show colour. 
Vines Started at ttie Hew Year. —These will soon be advanced 
towards the flowering stage, and will need plenty of warm rather dry 
air when in flower, with a temperature of 65° to 70° at night for Black 
Hamburghs and similar sorts, and 70° to 75° for Muscats. All shy 
setting varieties must have their flowers gently rubbed with a camel’s 
hair brush to rid the stigmas of the glutinous substance about the time 
the blossom is fully expanded, choosing a warm part of the day after the 
house has been freely ventilated. Varieties deficient in pollen may be 
supplied from those that afford it freely. On no account allow the thin¬ 
ning to remain a day longer than is necessary to ascertain the best set 
bunches. Free-setting varieties, such as Black Hamburgh, may be 
thinned as soon as the berries are formed, but Muscats and other shy 
setters ought not to be thinned until the properly fertilised berries are 
taking the lead. No rule can be laid down for thinning, as the berries 
vary in size in different Vines of the same variety. Healthy, 
strong Vines swell much finer berries than those not so vigorous, but 
space must be left so that each berry will have room to swell without 
being wedged or crushed, yet the berries must be close enough to pre¬ 
serve the form of the bunch when placed upon the dish. When the 
Grapes have been thinned and are fairly swelling supply liquid manure 
in a tepid state, and mulch with about an inch depth of rather fresh 
lumpy manure, keeping it damp byspiinkling daily, especially at closing 
time. Admit air early and liberally as the heat Increases, seeking to 
secure short jointed wood and thick leathery foliage. Close early, with 
plenty of atmospheric moisture, raising the heat from the sun to 85° to 
90°, and allow the night temperature to fall to between 60° and 65°. 
Late houses of Black Hamburghs may be allowed to start naturally 
next month, they advancing sufficiently by sun heat and a little artificial 
warmth on cold nights to set and have the Grapes thinned by early 
June, and the fruit, mainly forwarded by sun heat, ripens in late Sep¬ 
tember, which suits them very well, for if ripened earlier they are 
liable to lose colour and quality by hanging, which is common to all 
black Grapes with thin skins; even Madresfield Court becomes quite 
red by November, yet none loses colour so badly as Hamburghs. 
Peaches axd Nectabines. — Earliest Houses. —Wintry weather 
has prevailed lately, but the days have been bright, yet the wind was 
cold, and necessitate careful attention to ventilation, as cold currents 
cripple the foliage and give a check to the fruit, often causing it to fall; 
therefore admit a little air early, and allow the temperature to rise 
somewhat higher than would ordinarily be permitted rather than give 
air to keep it down, and in doing so cause an inrush of cold air. The 
