January 22, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
75 
Sheffield United Chrysanthemum Society. 
The annual dinner of this now prosperous Society was held on Mon¬ 
day evening, January 12th, at the Maunche Ilotel, Sheflield, when about 
eighty members sat down. In the absence of the President, Mark Firth, 
Esq., who is travelling abroad, the chair was taken by C. E. Jeffcock, 
Esq., Vice-President, who was supported by the principal officers of the 
Society, and also delegates from societies in various other West Riding 
towns. 
This was the first annual dinner held since the amalgamation of 
what previously were two rival Chrysanthemum Societies in the town, 
and the most enjoyable poriion of the evening’s entertainment was the 
presentation to Mr. H. Broomhead, Hon. Treasurer, and who from the 
first starting of the Sheffield and West Riding Society has been a most 
indefatigable worker in its behalf, a liberal subscriber to its funds, and 
has been very largely instrumental in bringing about the union of the 
two Societies. This consisted of a valuable testimonial, subscribed by 
the members, and consisting of a handsome marble timepiece, a pair of 
bronze Stanley ornaments, representing Stanley and Emin Pasha on 
horseback, and an illuminated address, which ran as follows The 
marble timepiece and pair of Stanley ornaments were presented to Mr. 
Henry Broomhead, Treasurer of the Society, by the members, as a slight 
recognition of his untiring energies, extending over a number of years, 
in the advancement of Chrysanthemum culture, and the liberal support 
freely rendered on all occasions, and more especially in connection with 
the amalgamation of the two principal Chrysanthemum Societies of 
Sheffield.” This was signed by the President, Vice-Presidents, and 
Secretaries. 
The Chairman in making the presentation referred at length to the 
valuable assistance and support to the Society so long rendered by Mr. 
Broomhead, and especially to his work in bringing about the amalgama¬ 
tion, the good results of which could be seen by a reference to the 
balance sheet. Mr. Broomhead, after thanking the Chairman and the 
members for their kindly expressions, said it was a ereat surprise to him 
to be made the recipient of so handsome a gift. He had not counted 
upon receiving anything of the kind, as whatever he had done for the 
advance of the Society's interests had been to him a work of pleasure. 
In responding to the toast, “ The Officers of the Society,” the 
Secretary, Mr. Housley, said that the Society now numbered 350 mem¬ 
bers, and that the season just closed had been the most successful one 
the Society had experienced. The Show held in November last was 
very far superior to any held in previous seasons, and notwithstanding 
that the amounts paid in prizes had this season been considerably larger 
than in any previous season, a reference to the balance sheet showed an 
addition of over £50 to the Society’s funds as the results of the year's 
workings. The amalgamation had been a great success. 
The Committee has decided to hold a Show in the Corn Exchange, 
Sheffield, in 1891, on Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th. 
—W. K. W. 
WQKK.foiitheWEEK.. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines.— Forced Trees. —Fertilising 
the flowers must be continued as succeeding ones expand and the pollen 
becomes ripe, distributing it over the stigmas, which is more etfectual 
when done with a camel’s hair brush or feather than shaking the trellis. 
Syringing may be resorted to both morning and afternoon when the 
fruit is well set, but in dull weather damping will be sufficient, and in 
cold weather syringe sufficiently early to allow the foliage to become 
dry some time before nightfall. This is important, for keeping the trees 
constantly dripping with water encouiages soft woody growths, and is 
fatal to that elaboration essential to the swelling of the fruit and the 
solidification of the wood. Water used for syringing must be of the 
same temperature as the house. Ascertain that there is no deficiency of 
moisture in borders inside, watering thoroughly if necessary, as driblets 
are next to useless. Disbudding must soon have attention. It must be 
dhne carefu ly at this early season, removing a few growths daily from 
a tree preferably to many at distant intervals. The latter practice gives 
a check to the roots, and promotes wood growth at the expense of the 
fruit, which for lack of assimilated matter often faPs at this juncture in 
consequence of sap congestion. Maintain the night temperature at 55°, 
60° on mild nights, 60° to 65° by day artificially, 5° less on those figures 
when the weather is severe and dull. Ventilate early, admitting a little 
air at 65°, not allowing an advance over 70° without full ventilation, 
closing at 65°, always excepting a small space left at the top constantly. 
This prevents a vitiated atmosphere, securing a healthy condition in the 
leaves, enabling them to do more and better work in the daytime. 
Second Early Forced Trees. —Those started at the beginning of the 
month are expanding their flowers, and before they open it is well to 
make a close scrutiny of the trees, and if any aphides are found fumi¬ 
gate to exterminate the pests. Great care is necessary in fumigating, as 
the organs of fructification are easily and irreparably damaged. 
Moderate fumigation on two or three consecutive evenings will be- 
sufficient, keeping them in check until the fruit is set. Avoid solutions 
which sometimes damage the petals and enfeeble the stamens and 
pistils. Where there is an excess of blossom buds draw the hand the con¬ 
trary way of the growth along the under side or back of the trellis, so 
as to remove all those there situated, and if that is not enough thin them- 
well with the forefinger, leaving the bestsituated, which, by the removal of 
the ill-placed and too crowded, will be increased in vigour, and a more even 
setting and better swelling of the fruit be thereby secured. Syringing, 
must cease when the buds show colour, but damp the house in the morn¬ 
ing and early afternoon, for though damp stagnant cold air is not 
favourable to Peach blossoms, or the trees in any stage of their growth, 
a dry atmosphere is pernicious by provoking constant and excessive 
evaporation. See that the inside border is thoroughly moistened through 
to the drainage, but avoid needless waterings. 
Succession and Late Houses. —Finish pruning the trees at once^. 
dressing them with an insecticide, after washing them with softsoapy 
water, lozs. to a gallon, taking care not to dislocate the buds, not using 
the dressing at “ winter ” strength if the buds are advanced in swelling, 
but syringe with a weaker solution. Secure the trees to the trellis, 
allowing ample space for the swelling of the branches, and leave room 
between them for laying in young wood for future bearing. Fork the 
borders lightly, not disturbing the roots, removing any loose soil and 
supplying fresh loam, with a dressing of steamed bone meal and wood 
ashes in equal parts at the rate of half a pound per square yard when 
the trees are weak through carrying heavy successive crops of fruit. 
Half the quantity will suffice for vigorous trees. Apply it to the 
surface, trusting to washings from the watering pot or hose for its 
admixture with the soil. If the trees are liable to gum use super¬ 
phosphate of lime and muriate of potash. The sulphur energises the 
protoplasm, and the acid of the muriate dissolves silica, which 
strengthens .the epidermal structure of the trees, rendering them less- 
susceptible of gum disease. Three ounces of the superphosphate and 
2 ozs. of potash muriate are a full dressing per square yard. If the 
trees are inclined to long-jointed growth increase the superphosphate by 
1 oz., reducing the potash proportionately. If the borders are at all dry 
they should be given a thorough watering. Those with moveable roof 
lights will not require watering, the soil being in a thoroughly moist 
state from rain, and the shoots are kept in a condition by the air 
moisture unfavourable to evaporation, so that the trees not only have 
thoiough rest but conditions favouring the huds, which not infrequently 
fall in the dry changeable atmosphere of houses with fixed roofs. Bud, 
dropping is, however, due to other causes thin deficiency of moisture at- 
the roots during the rest period. Over-maturity of buds, as in trees early 
and consecutively forced ; imperfect bud formation, through a deficiency 
of moisture at the roots or in the air, or lack of support and assimilating 
power through attacks of parasites, and too crowded a condition of the 
foliage are fatal. 
Cherry House —Ventilate early, for no fruit tree dislikes confine¬ 
ment more than the Cherry. Maintain a night temperature of 40°, no- 
more by artificial means, 45° by day in dull cold weather, 50’ in mild or 
sunny, ventilating at 50°, and allowing a rise of 10° to 15° from sun heat 
with full ventilation, closing at 50°. Syringe the house and trees in the 
morning and afternoon when the weather is bright, damping occasionally 
in dull. Trees in pots must have the necessary care in watering. 
Pines. — Fruiting Plants and Starters. —Afford a mean temperature 
of 70°, varying it 5° according to external aspects, admitting air at 80° 
with sunshine, but do not lower the temperature, allowing the heat to 
rise to 85°, closing at 80°, with a prospect of a slight advance from sun 
heat. Syringe all available surfaces twice every day, but do not syringe 
the surface of the bed between the plants. Avoid dense steam pro¬ 
duced by syringing highly heated hot-water pipes. Syringe the plants 
occasionally early in the a ternoon when the axils of the leaves become' 
dry. 
Pla?its for Successional Fruiting. —At the commencement of Feb¬ 
ruary another supply of Queens should be started to supplement the 
fruit from those which are already introduced for that purpose. Beds 
having hot-water pipes beneath them can soon be prepared, but it is 
not the case where fermenting materials alone are employed for bottom 
heat, hence the subject is mentioned now so that the matter may be 
teen to at once, and 85° to 90° of bottom heat secured by the time it is 
required. When plants which have been kept somewhat drier are to be- 
started see that the balls are made thoroughly moist, so that with the 
extra warmth root action may commence at once. 
Svceessional Plants. —Maintain a night temperature of 60° to 65°, and 
5° less in severe weather, 5° to 10° advance in the day according to 
external conditions. Keep the plants rather dry at the roots, but not 
excessively so, and when water is considered necessary give it thoroughly 
at a temperature of about 80°. Suckers should have a temperature of 
55° to 60° at night, and 60° to 65° by day from fire heat, with 10° more 
from sun heat. 
Melons. —As the seedlings grow add a little warm soil, keeping 
them near the glass, and look out for slugs. A ring of soot or lime 
placed round the plants will generally preserve them, but means must 
be taken to entrap the slugs ; they are particularly fond of brewers’ 
grains and moist bran. Soil should be placed under cover, so as to 
become dried preparatory to forming into ridges or hillocks in the Melon 
house. Good loam, rather strong than light, is suitable for Melons, and 
if it has been laid up in ridges so as to reduce the turf it will be in a 
fit state for the purpose. If deficient in grit add a fifth of roacT 
