May 19, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
379 
The Effect of Deaught on Marechal Niel. 
I DO not think there is any Eose which is so susceptible to the 
effects of draught than this noble variety, and I have had direct proof 
of it only this season. I was desirous of increasing the number of trees, 
and had no alternative but to establish some plants in a low span-roofed 
house, from which the frost is only just kept out during the winter, and 
in which it was difficult to find root room, the floor of the house being of 
cement. Underneath the side stage, which is a batten one, a bed was 
made about 3 feet square on the surface with freshly cut turf for the 
retaining walls, this being not more than 15 inches deep. The compost 
employed was strong fibry turf partly decayed, about three parts to one 
of horse manure and old lime rubble. Half-standards on the Briar were 
obtained, the heads of which were pushed through the trelliswork of 
the stage. The previous year’s growth was cut back to two or three 
eyes. Plants were put in at both ends of the house ; the one at the 
further end made shoots 15 feet long, the foliage being very strong and 
of good colour. From this plant we have this year had a quantity of 
very fine blooms, exceedingly rich in colour, and of excellent substance. 
From first to last the plant has not had a suspicion of mildew or insect 
of any kind beyond a few green aphides, which a gentle fumigation got 
rid of. While the buds were bursting their calyx and the foliage was 
very tender, the temperature many times stood at 33°, yet neither 
foliage nor blooms showed any ill effects. The plant close to the door, 
and consequently exposed to almost continual draught, has never grown 
vigorously. The foliage has invariably been attacked by mildew, despite 
all the known remedies for this parasite. The blooms, though freely 
enough produced, are pale in colour, the stalks exhibit great weakness, 
the petals are limp and show a disposition to premature decay at the 
base, the flowers being in every respect but one—quantity—a failure. 
The plant in question is at the lighter end of the house, obtaining all the 
sunlight available. I have long held the opinion that draught is the 
great precursor of mildew on all plants, whether they be Koses, Peaches, 
or Vines.—E. M. 
Maggots. 
Your correspondent “Eosier” must surely live in an early neigh¬ 
bourhood to be troubled by the Eose maggot as yet, but if he is there is 
no means of getting rid of it or keeping it out but hand-picking. No 
insecticide or other appliance is of any use.—D., Deal. 
Paris Green foe Eose Maggots. 
On page 360 I notice a remark on hand-picking Eose maggots on 
which I should like to say a word. I have never seen any reference to 
Paris green being used for this troublesome pest, but can testify to its 
efficacy in clearing a large Gloire de Dijon tree in a very short time in 
1890. I would recommend Eose growers to spray or syringe in the 
absence of a proper sprayer, in the proportion of 1 lb. of Paris green to 
150 gallons of water, or on a small scale one teaspoonful to a bucketful of 
water, say 3 gallons. If using a fine nozzle syringe take in a syringe¬ 
ful of liquid, then send it back with full force to stir up the Paris green 
from the bottom and draw in while the liquid is on the boil from the 
force, thus keeping the liquid at a uniform strength, otherwise the Paris 
green to a great extent sinks, thus making some of the liquid too weak 
and the remainder too strong, which causes scorching of the edges of 
the leaves. Care must be used not to deluge the foliage, but simply to 
damp all portions as near as can be and stop as soon as it begins to 
drip off. Finger and thumb work is both disagreeable and tedious, and 
much time would be economically saved at a mere trifle as to expense 
of material. I should be pleased to hear of the results from others.— 
J. Hi AM, Astioood Banli, Redditcli. 
Faded Eoses. 
I think that on this subject and that of Eose judging in general 
there is a good deal of misconception, and that my good friend, 
Mr. Biron, forgot the old Latin adage Ars longa, vita hrevis." If we 
did as the French do, have the judging on one day and the show on the 
next, these things might possibly be done better ; but do those who carp 
at judges consider what it means ? Let me take the principal class for 
nurserymen, 72’s. It rarely happens that there are more than four boxes 
for serious consideration, but these have first to be selected if the points 
have to be taken. It implies, therefore, that five Eoses would have to 
be examined each minute, for it must be remembered that at the Crystal 
Palace Show barely one hour can be allowed for judging, and those who 
have been selected for that purpose have nothing else before them. It is 
therefore not difficult to see how we so often find people complaining of 
the decisions made in such classes. I hardly think that Mr. Biron helps 
the matter by his definition of what a faded Eose is. Is a Eose which 
has lost two or three shades of colour a faded Eose ?—D., Deal. 
Judging Eoses. 
“ Y. B. A. Z.” comes near the point at which I wish to arrive in his 
suggestion as to pointing the comparative merits of form, size, and 
colour. Mr. Eaillem in his interesting letter avoids the essential part of 
my query. He, in his first letter, said that there was no difference 
between “ giving points to ” and “ taking points from a Eose.” I quoted 
the paper in the“ Eosarian’s Year-Book,” not with the view of enlarging 
the discussion, but to show that the writer of that paper did not take 
the same view as Mr. Eaillem. If Mr. Eaillem objects to Perle des 
Jardins I am perfectly willing to take either of the other examples 
mentioned in the paper referred to above, and I ask, “ Are we to give a 
point or points to such a Eose as a Charles Lefebvre the size of Ducbesse 
de Caylus, or to a Thomas Mills wnth its eye open from over¬ 
blooming?” If not, I fail to see how Mr. Eaillem’s interpretation 
of the paper referred to can be correct. However, I have written to 
the author of that paper, and I hope that his opinion will appear.— 
Henry B. Biron. 
Colour in Marechal Niel Eoses. 
I DO not know whether it is generally known that the colour of 
Marechal Niel Eoses can be greatly improved by affording them a little 
shade. While cutting some Eoses a few days ago I was much struck 
with the deep colour of one which had been growing in the shade of a 
rafter and a thicket of leaves. This led me to try an experiment with 
another bloom, and I am quite satisfied with the result. Anyone wish¬ 
ing to improve the colour of their Eoses or verify what I state may do 
so by taking small squares of tissue paper (brown) , and folding them 
round the buds while they are yet firm, then tie them round the stem 
at the back, leaving the front open, and they will observe the improve¬ 
ment as they unfold their petals. This may appear a little faddy to 
some, but the work is worth the cost. I enclose two blooms for your 
inspection ; one has been shaded, the other exposed to the light, and 
the difference is very marked. The value of shading Marechal Niel may 
perhaps be known to exhibitors.—E. M. 
[One of the blooms sent was distinctly richer than the other, though 
not of such a deep golden hue as a bloom we have received from another 
source, but we do not know whether the latter had been shaded or not.] 
NOTES BY THE WAY. 
Fruit and Jam. 
I ENDEAVOURED to show on page 331 an aspect of horticulture in 
Kent that is fraught with deep interest to all who look forward to 
a development of the fruit-growing industry in England, and what 
was stated there in sober fact may serve to show that their hope is 
not an idle dream. There are armchair fruit growers in plenty, 
and calculations by the fireside have enabled them to show without 
difficulty what they have never accomplished, and a plain record 
of “something attempted, something done” will perhaps be generally 
thought of more practical value. Columns of figures sometimes arrest 
attention and prove attractive in a certain degree, but avenues 
of robust and vigorous trees are a thousandfold more potent to 
those who think calmly and refuse to lose their heads with every fresh 
sensation. There is no gainsaying their influence even when not in 
fruit. Seated lately in the comfortable little “ Bull ” Hotel at Sitting- 
bourne I noted a photograph of a pleasant episode at Pear-gathering 
time, and the Leaped up baskets of splendid fruit were not without 
effect; but they were only on paper after all, and the magnificent trees 
of Pitmaston Duchess referred to before proved far more impressive, 
even though they were only just bursting into blossom, and fruiting 
time was still distant. 
There are many fruit farms in the neighbourhood of the old Kentish 
town other than that managed so successfully by Mr. A. J. Thomas, and 
a drive through them on a bright spring morning when the blossom is 
unfolding is an experience not readily forgotten. Miles of Apples, 
Pears, Plums, and Cherries stretch away on every side—a glorious vista 
of snowy alpine summits brought down to the earth’s level. Sitting- 
bourne is rapidly developing into a fruit-growing paradise. The town 
smiles with flowers in the spring, and in the autumn with the rich and 
mellow products of the farm. There are fruit-growers of all grades to 
be met with—farmers, such as Mr. Thomas ; gardeners, such as Mr. 
Fryer, the excellent Secretary of the Horticultural Society ; and 
amateurs, such as Mr. Thomas Henham, a veteran grower enjoying the 
respect of his fellow townsmen, all of whom are earnest cultivators, 
whether their collections be large or small, and whose knowledge of 
fruit is exceptionally good. The latter piloted me through several 
miles of blossoming fruit trees, and as his recollection extends back 
to the time when the stage-coach was the general means of communi¬ 
cation the difference between past and present could be more clearly 
realised from his remarks. The many acres of vigorous and healthy 
trees afford an indication of the spirit of the age, and a building now 
approaching completion shows its latest development. It is a jam 
factory erected by private enterprise, and by means of which fruit, for 
which a prompt and profitable sale cannot be found when ready, will 
be converted into something that will keep until a suitable time arrives 
for disposing of it. It will obviate the danger of loss arising from a 
glut of fresh fruit, and as the demand for pure and wholesome preserves 
keeps on growing a glut of good jam need not be feared. On every side 
there are tokens of life and energy, the mainsprings of an industry that 
is yearly growing, and which finds work for many hands that would 
have to remain idle under the old regime. 
Passing from the roads and lanes which are skirted by the fruit 
fields, and into one or two private establishments of note in the locality, 
the same able and energetic spirit is found, and a few remarks may be 
devoted to two of them. 
Tunstall House. 
An intimation to “ find all the fault possible ” accompanied the 
welcome that greeted us on entering the gardens attached to the pleasant 
