April 14, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
an easy first with an admirably arranged large group, in which sus¬ 
pended plants were used, such as Dendrobiums, Cattleya citrina, and 
others. In the group was a good plant of Lycaste clava. Mr. Powell, 
gardener to Gr. H. Kenrick, Esq., was second with a fine group. In both 
cases Ferns w'ere used. 
The specimen Orchids were a grand display. In the class for six, 
Mr. Palmer, gardener to W. Bown, Esq., was first with Cattleya 
Lawrenciana, a grand mass deep and rich in colour; Dendrobium 
thyrsiflorum, Odoatoglossum crispum, Oncidium sarcodes, Dendrobium 
Wardianum, and Cypripedium villosum. Second, Mr. Burberry, the 
Orchid grower at Highbury, with Cattleya Lawrenceana, Dendrobium 
nobile, Cattleya Schroderiana, and Dendrobium Devonianum, D. Find- 
leyanum and D. Wardianum. Both had very fine specimens. For three 
Orchids Mr. Palmer was first with fine examples of Cymbidium Lowi, 
Dendrobium nobile, and D. fimbriatum. Second, Mr. Burberry, with 
Ada aurantiaca, well flowered and brilliant in colour, Dendrobium 
Dalhousianum and D. Wardianum. The first prize for a single speci¬ 
men Orchid was carried o£E by Mr. Finch, gardener to Mr. Alderman 
Marriott, Coventry, with a magnificent Dendrobium thyrsiflorum. 
Five groups of mixed plants were set up in competition, and were a 
pretty feature cf the Exhibition, Mr. Cooper securing the first prize, 
having a fine display of Clivias and Amaryllis with other plants. 
Mr. Finch w'on both first prizes in the gentlemen’s gardeners’ class 
for brides’ and bridesmaids’ bouquets, both very beautiful; and Messrs. 
Pope & Sons, nurserymen, were first for a superb bouquet in the open 
classes. Liberal prizes were also offered by Messrs. Thomson & Co. and 
Messrs. Sutton «fe Sons for Hyacinths, Tulips, Cinerarias, and Cyclamens, 
and there was keen competition in each class. Other prizes were also 
offered by other nurserymen. 
Honorary exhibits were very numerous. Messrs. Robert Ker and 
Sons, nurserymen, Liverpool, staged fully 100 pots of Amaryllis—a 
grand display—in which very fine form and substance were remarkable. 
This fine collection was most deservedly admired. Messrs. Cutbush 
and Son, Highgate Nurseries, London ; Messrs. Pope & Son, Messrs. 
Hewitt & Co, Messrs. R. Smith & Co. of Worcester, and Mr. R. 
Vertegans also sent groups of interesting plants, as did Messrs. Thomson 
and Co., who contributed a very beautifully arranged group ; while Mr. 
Robert Sydenham staged a large collection of Hyacinths and Tulips, 
some of them befing especially fine. 
KOYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
As usual the large Waverley Market in Edinburgh was requisitioned 
for the spring Show held on the 6th and 7th of the present month. The 
entries were more in number than at last year’s Exhibition, but judging 
by the general appearance of the large structure there was apparently 
less produce staged. The winter and spring in the north, as elsewhere, 
have been fickle in the extreme, and under such conditions the result as 
seen on the tables in the Waverley Market was eminently satisfactory. 
Among the chief features of the Show was the large group of hardy 
Ghent Azaleas staged by Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, 81, Prince’s Street. 
The best sorts were included, the grouping was most effectively carried 
out, and the exceeding brilliancy of many of the sorts was toned down 
by the softer coloured varieties and by a lavish employment of Ferns 
used as a groundwork. This fine exhibit was well worthy the special 
prize awarded to the firm. Another noteworthy table was furnished by 
Messrs. Ker & Sons, Aigburth, Liverpool, to which also a special prize 
was given. This consisted of a variety of named and seedling 
Amaryllis raised by the exhibitors, and was eertainly the best group of 
these now popular plants yet seen in Edinburgh. 
Close to these Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso, had a smaller group 
of Malmaison Carnations in the different sorts, flowering in 6-inch pots, 
and they also exhibited some dozens of cut blooms of the same flower. 
A special award was given to this table. Messrs. Laird & Sons, West 
Coates, had a group of Clivias, seedlings. Messrs. Methven & Sons, 
Princes Street, and Messrs. Dickson & Co., Waterloo Place, each set 
up a very bright display of stove and greenhouse plants, which added 
very much to the general effect. Special prizes were awarded to both 
firms. 
In the competition produce. Orchids were the feature, and nothing 
finer, if so fine, has ever been staged at any previous exhibition. The 
first prize for six distinct sorts was secured by Mr. McIntyre, gardener 
to Sir Charles Tennant, The Glen, Innerleithen. His plants comprised 
large specimens of Dendrobium Wardianum, Cymbidium Lowianum, 
C. eburneum, Cypripedium Boxalli, a small Coelogyne cristata, and a 
two-spiked Odontoglossum Edwardi. Mr. Wilson, gardener to Hugh 
Stevens, Esq., Kelvinside, came second with a fine lot, five of the plants 
being Odontoglossums, and the sixth a large and good example of 
Dendrobium nobile ; of the former 0. triumphans and 0. Andersonianum 
were noteworthy. The third prize was secured by Mr. Sharp, gardener 
to Charles Wood, Esq., Freelands, Cypripedium grande and Vanda 
suavis being good. Mr. Curror, gardener to C. Douglas, Esq., Eskbank, 
was the other exhibitor. For three and for one Orchid, Mr. J. Jardine, 
Osborne Terrace, secured the first prizes, Mr. Sharp being second for the 
latter, and Mr. McIntyre third. The latter was also first for twelve 
sorts of cut Orchids, and staged among others bunches of Cypripedium 
grande, C. villosum, Odontoglossum Rossi majus, 0. Pejcatorei, and 
Phalaenopsis Schilleriana. 
Hyacinths and other Dutch bulbs were staged in good numbers. In 
the nurserymen’s class for the former Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons were 
first with twenty-four good spikes, and Messrs. Kerr & Son, Kalemouth, 
second. Mr. D. McBean, gardener to J. C. Cunningham, Esq., Craig- 
ends, had the chief prizes in the gardeners’ section. The best Tulips 
were staged by Mr. G. Wood, gardener to J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald 
House, and the best Narcissi by Mr. Cowan, Penicuik. 
In the classes for Ferns Mr. Napier, gardener to P. Niel Fraser, Esq., 
Murrayfield, staged the best four, an extra fine example of Gonio- 
phlebium being conspicuous. The same exhibitor was first with a fine 
case of Filmies. British Ferns were also well shown. In the various 
classes for stove and greenhouse plants. Azaleas, Indian and hardy, 
foliage plants, and Palms, the chief prizetakers were Mr. McIntyre, The 
Glen; Mr. McIntyre, Darlington; Mr. Wood, Mr. A. Crichton, and 
Mr. J. Forrester, Green Park, Liberton. Large numbers of Mignonette, 
which was fine. Cyclamens, Primulas, Richardias, Lily of the Valley, 
Spiraeas, Deutzias, and other seasonable plants were staged. 
Fruit was a small display. Mr. Pirie, Selkirk, set up fine examples 
of Noble Strawberries, both in pots and as a dish. A few Grapes were 
staged, the best coming from Mr. W. Smith, Dalkeith. Mr. G. Potter, 
Seaclille, had the best Apples in both kitchen and dessert kinds. These 
were not large, but fresh and well kept. Of vegetables there was a fair 
display. The best collection came from Mr. P. Robertson, Hartrigge, 
Jedburgh, Peas, Potatoes, Extra Leeks, and Onions being the most note¬ 
worthy dishes. In the single dishes. Mushrooms, Rhubarb, French Beans, 
Leeks, and early Potatoes were noticeable. 
S WOKllF0fi.THEWEEK.. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Outdoor Figs. —The culture of Figs outdoors is not generally prac¬ 
tised because of their unsuitability for positions other than those which 
are warm and sheltered, also safe from very severe frosts in winter. 
The trees only succeed in the open as bushes or standards in the southern 
parts of the kingdom, chiefly in Sussex on the chalk formation. In less 
favoured districts they must have the shelter of a wall having a south 
or south-west aspect, where protection can be easily afforded in winter. 
They are not injured in the least by covering during the season of rest, 
but if it is possible to do without the latter so much the better. The 
warmth diffused in the gable end of a building up which a chimney runs 
makes it an excellent situation for a Fig tree. From the middle of 
April to May is the best season for planting Figs outdoors. Growth 
does not commence before May, the Fig being one of the latest of hardy 
fruits to come into leaf. A fertile, but not rich, friable loam, of a cal¬ 
careous nature and well drained, is suitable. Too moist soil will not 
render the trees fruitful, but the reverse. A warm, firm, and restricted 
root run favours short-jointed growth, followed naturally by fruitfulness. 
Where the soil is not naturally calcareous the addition of lime rubbish 
materially improves it. A border 5 or 6 feet wide is ample. Manure is 
not needed when planting, but a mulching may be applied to keep 
the border moist in summer, and further support can be given if required 
in the form of liquid manure. 
Pruning and Training Figs. —Practically the Fig should receive 
little or no pruning. When grown in suitable positions in light warm 
soil the growths made are mostly fruitful, and pruning simply resolves 
itself into thinning overcrowded shoots in summer, and allowing the 
foliage on those retained to be fully exposed to the sun. When first 
planting, however, some little pruning is necessary in order to provide 
the requisite branches for covering a given space of wall. The main 
branches must be trained about a foot apart. 
Wall Trees. —Protect wall trees when necessary, both when in 
flower and during the early swelling of the fruit. Look out for insects ; 
green fly and red spider are generally the first to show themselves. 
Both may be destroyed by syringing with a solution of 2 ozs. of softsoap 
dissolved in a gallon of water, a&ing to this a little tobacco liquor. The 
cause of the early appearance of these pests on wall trees is generally 
to be found in a dry condition of the border, which must be speedily 
rectified by a thorough soaking of water to reach the lowest roots. It is 
not advisable to syringe or apply water in cold weather when easterly 
winds prevail. The maggot which attacks Apricots and Plums must be 
sought for ; it rolls itself up in the leaves. Crushing is the best means 
of eradication. Newly planted wall trees will be benefited by syringing 
in bright weather. Plums, Pears, and Cherries need protection in some 
situations, in others they may be quite safe. For protecting choice 
pyramid Pears three or four long poles are placed round the trees of 
sufficient length to reach well above the tops, and to allow of being 
drawn out at the foot. They may be bound together at the top. Material 
wrapped round these, making all secure, so that wind does not loosen it, 
will preserve the blossom from injury. Similar poles placed against 
walls on which choice fruit trees are growing, and the protective 
material stretched over them, answer the purpose as well as more 
ambitious arrangements. _ 
Disbudding Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots. — This 
important detail in the culture of these fruits must have early atten¬ 
tion. First rub off all misplaced shoots or buds when quite young that 
can be decided upon as totally unnecessary ; then remove some of the 
