450 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 16, V?98. 
which white scale could be stamped out by one or two dressings 
without fear of injury to the plants they would save gardeners a 
good deal of care and worry. _ 
Considering the good, even luxuriant, growth that fresh plump 
pseudo-bulbs of Odontoglossums make the first year after they 
have been imported, it has often struck me that we give our plants 
too much water at certain periods of the year. I have experi¬ 
mented so far only very slightly in this matter, but I am led to 
believe that plants kept on the dry side after they have completed 
their growth start again afterwards with greater freedom than when 
they have been kept thoroughly moist throughout the year. I do 
mot recommend this practice, only commend it to the notice of 
growers, for it might prove the reverse of beneficial. Some good 
will have been achieved if the results of experience can be recorded 
by someone who has tried this method of culture. If beneficial 
we may launch out on a larger scale ; if the reverse we may drop it 
altogether. _ 
Yellow thrips is another of the pests we dislike to find in our 
Orchid houses, although it is much easier to get rid of than scale. 
Plants infested are carefully removed from the rest and stood over 
a tank of water or a tub containing water, and the moss is carefully 
covered with a piece of close canvas to prevent the insects dropping 
into it. After this the plants are damped with a spray distributor 
and then thoroughly dusted with tobacco powder. This is left on two 
or three days and then thoroughly washed off. This we have found 
cheaper, more effectual, and to give less trouble than fumigating. 
For a time afterwards, however, the plants are stood by themselves 
and the syringe is applied liberally. Yellow thrips cannot endure 
the syringe, but once they attack the plants the syringe cannot be 
applied to the extent that is necessary to destroy them unless some 
other effectual means are first taken.—E. M. B. 
BLUE, WHITE, AND YELLOW VIOLAS. 
It is by no means surprising that inquiries should be made as 
to which varieties of these popular flowers are the best for bedding 
purposes, but the exact information which “ L. J.” requires as to 
the three best varieties of the colours above named cannot be given 
in so many words, because “ L. J.” did not state if he preferred 
dark or light shades of blue, or pale or bright ones of yellow. 
These things are, to a great extent, a matter of individual taste. 
We grow both Violas and Pansies rather extensively here, and 
employ them for both spring and summer bedding. I will, there¬ 
fore, give the names of a few which I consider the best for tbe 
purpose, state their qualifications for the post of honour, and I 
have no doubt “ L. J.” will then be able to choose the three most 
suitable for his purpose. Dr. Bright is in my opinion the finest 
dark blue. It is compact in habit, grows well, and is extremely 
floriferous—in fact, it seems to be quite perfection as a bedding 
Viola, and wherever a good deep blue with a tinge of purple is 
wanted this variety cannot be beaten. Archie Grant is of a similar 
colour, but the habit of growth is not so compact and the flower 
stalks are longer. It is, therefore, useful for planting in lines, 
clumps, or any positions where a compact habit of growth is either 
not necessary or not desirable. Holyrood is a true dark blue in 
colour, free flowering, and of good habit, but the flowers are not so 
large or so well formed as those previously named. Blue King is 
an extremely useful variety, the flowers being several shades lighter 
than the last-named, and very attractive. This also is a good 
grower and free bloomer. 
Countess of Kintore, though not a self, is one which everyone 
should grow on account of its striking and novel appearance. The 
centre of the flower is bluish purple, with a broad edging of 
white, having a pale blue tinge. Bullion is the best variety of 
bright golden yellow colour, and cannot fail to give satisfaction. 
Ardwell Gem is a fine pale yellow, and should certainly be grown 
where two shades of this telling colour are wanted. For bedding 
purposes Countess of Hopetoun is, I consider, the best of all whites. 
Its flowering capacities are wonderful, the colour pure white, and 
the flowers well formed. It should, however, be grown in good 
rich soil, or the growth becomes stunted. Treat it liberally and it 
proves a grand bedder. 
The best way to raise an annual stock of named varieties is by 
cuttings. These spring freely from the centre of the plants 
early in August, which is the time to put in cuttings to have 
them ready for planting in April. Select sturdy suckers about 
2 inches in length, and insert them in well prepared soil on a slightly 
shaded border. A little road sand should be spread on the surface, 
so that when the holes are made with a dibble a little sand will run 
into them and promote quick root action. If the cuttings are 
placed 3 inches apart they will not require transplanting till wanted 
in April. They should of course be kept watered till well rooted. 
I would also strongly advise “ F. J.” to sow a few packets of mixed 
Violas and Pansies, as they are extremely beautiful and interesting. 
These should be sown at once.— H. Dunkin, The Gardens, Warwick 
Castle. 
EDUCATION IN GARDENING. 
Sir,—A s you may be aware, the Technical Education Com¬ 
mittee of the Surrey County Council, instituted (amongst^ other 
things) during last autumn and winter, lectures on gardening in 
various centres in Surrey, and, in compliance with the request of 
the County Council, our Society undertook to examine all who 
had attended the Lectures regularly, and were desirous of sitting 
for such examination. Special interest attaches to this examina¬ 
tion, as it is the first of the kind that has been made after any 
County Council Technical lectures on gardening ; and I, therefore, 
hope you may be able to find space for the publication of the 
following Class Lists.—I am, yours faithfully, W. Wilks, Vicar 
of Shirley, Surrey, Secretary Royal Horticultural Society. 
Class List. 
Examination in Gardening, conducted by the Royal Horticultural 
Society, after lectures given under the direction of the Technical Educa¬ 
tion Committee of the Surrey County Council. 
Maximum Number of Marks Obtainable 300, 
HIGHER GRADE— 28 Candidates. 
First Class:— 
1.* Stephen Morrill, Carshalton 
Second Class :— 
... 
... 
225 
Marks. 
2. 
William Thorpe, Betchworth 
... 
... 
170 
3. 
Joseph Parry, Reigate . 
... 
... 
160 
♦1 
4. 
Francis Bradbeer, Bletchingley ... 
... 
... 
155 
K 
' W. Green, Horley. 
. •• 
150 
■ ( J. P. Owen, Brockham, Betchworth 
Third Class :— 
... 
150 
91 
7. 
John Harrison, Capel . 
... 
... 
135 
8. 
T. Painter, Redhill... 
... 
• •• 
130 
ft 
W. White, Sutton. 
... 
130 
91 
10. 
Felix Crawford, Horley. 
... 
125 
11 
Walter Waller, Reigate . 
... 
... 
125 
11 
R. A, Stone, Horley . 
... 
115 
11 
12. < 
J. A. Smith, Wallington. 
115 
♦1 
Rose Jarman, Sutton . 
... 
115 
11 
15. 1 
John Langdon, Sutton 
105 
19 
W. A. Strong, Sutton . 
• •• 
... 
105 
19 
17. 
C. F. F. Hutchings, Carshalton ... 
... 
... 
100 
11 
* Wins the Royal Horticultural Society’s Medal. 
Candidates obtaining less than 100 out of the 300 marks not classed. 
LOWER GRADE—44 Candidates. 
First Class:— 
1.* 
Walter Smith, Kenley . 
... ... 
205 
Marks. 
2. Eli Csesar, Farnham . 
Second Class ; — 
... ... 
200 
19 
3. 
G. Miller, Ashtead . 
... ... 
160 
11 
( W. H. Galsworthy, Farnham 
... ... 
150 
11 
4. 
< W. H. Woodgate, Kenley. 
... ... 
150 
19 
Third 
( Geo. King, Egham Hill . 
Class : — 
... . • • 
150 
11 
7. 
. F. Fermor, Englefield Green 
... • 
125 
11 
8. 
Jesse Morris, Ashtead 
... ... 
120 
11 
9. 
W. Goody, Kenley ... 
... ... 
107 
19 
10. 
A. Everard, Kenley . 
... ... 
105 
11 
11. 
1 Eleanor Partridge, Ashtead 
... ... 
100 
11 
1 J. Hauchet, Aldershot . 
... ... 
100 
11 
* Wins the Royal Horticultural Society's MedaL 
Candidates obtaining less than 100 out of the 300 marks not classed. 
Generally speaking, and taking into consideration the novelty 
of the scheme, the candidates showed as good an average acquaint¬ 
ance with the subjects upon which they were examined as could 
have been expected. We cannot doubt but that such practical 
teaching as has been given in the county of Surrey, and such test¬ 
ing of results will be of great service by calling attention to the • 
points of greatest practical importance in cultural matters, and by 
showing how and why these points are important. Information of 
the highest practical value has thus been conveyed co a class of 
persons whom daily experience teaches us an not likely to be 
reached by the medium of the horticultural press. 
Maxwell T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S.) Examiners 
James Douglas, F.R.H.S. \ £.xaminers. 
W. Wilks, Secretary, R.H.S. 
