February 19, 1«91. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
151 
entirely lifted and replanted, and the second year after this process 
was rewarded with a fine crop with few exceptions, these latter being 
destroyed and more fruitful trees established. 
Seven years ago several hundred trees were procured, planted 7 feet 
apart and 8 feet from row to row, the land being well trenched and 
drained. The first year these made little progress, the second year 
sending out shoots a yard long, the third year a good growth, but no 
fruit to mention. The fourth year all the strongest were lifted and 
replanted as near the surface as possible, this being done in October 
and November, the result being that for the last two years he had 
fair crops of clean, good-sized fruit. It is now his rule to lift a few 
«very year, resulting in a collection of clean thrifty trees far exceeding 
his expectations. The intervening space from row to row was up to 
the past year utilised in cropping Potatoes, but since then the trees have 
had full possession. The Crab stock is, in his opinion, the best for 
general purposes, the I’aradise for bushes. As it dwarfs the trees, their 
growth is more sturdy, consequently more fruitful, the fruit is finer and 
not so apt to be blown off by the winds. Some few varieties, however, 
will not do on the Paradise, notably Blenheim Orange, but on the Crab 
as a bush it grows and fruits well. Mr. Baker then went on to state 
that he did not believe in severe pruning, but favoured the extension 
system. As regards summer pruning, in his opinion this does more 
harm than good, as the trees often make a second growth, which must 
of necessity weaken them. Manures in his opinion were not needed 
except on poor soils, or when the trees begin to decline, and then a 
mulching of good loam is preferable. The Apple with other trees is 
prone to disease, foremost of which perhaps is the canker, with the 
American blight or aphis. The latter will disappear after an application 
■of petroleum, but for the former he had never found a remedy. As pre¬ 
vention, however, is better than cure, he might say that his inclination 
led him to believe that over-rich soil and severe pruning were the 
primary cause of canker. 
As to varieties he had proved under the conditions named he would 
onumerate Irish Peach, Early Harvest, Kerry Pippin, Pine Golden 
Pippin, Margil, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Old Nonpareil, Braddick’s Non¬ 
pareil, King of the Pippins, Cornish Aromatic, Cockle’s Pippin, 
D’Arcy Spice, Court Pendil Plat, Blenheim Orange, Adam’s Pearmain, 
Boston Russet, Hawthornden (New and Old), Lord Suffield, Keswick 
Oodlin, Alexander, Warner’s King, Beauty of Kent, Cellini, Cox’s 
Pbmona, Wellington, Ecklinville, Lady Ilenniker, Lane’s Prince Albert, 
Stirling Castle, Dr. Harvey, and above all Norfolk Bearer, of which 
latter, as an all-round variety, he could not speak too highly. 
The Violet and its Cultivation. 
A short paper on this subject followed by Mr. Pell, The Gardens, 
<}reat Melton, who dealt chie9y with the variety Comte de Brazza 
(White), stating how it had been grown by him during the past four 
jears, and had given him flowers eight months in the year. He first 
takes cuttings in the same way as Pelargoniums from the old plants 
the first week in June, throws the old plants away, cleaning the pits 
and frames thoroughly, and fills up at once with good turfy maiden 
loam and decayed manure mixed together, the whole being pressed 
firmly down, the top of the soil being 6 inches from the glass. 
The cuttings are then inserted in the bed at a distance of from G 
to 8 inches asunder, with a little seasand to each cutting. The lights 
are placed on the pits immediately, and are kept closed night and 
day for about three weeks, syringing the cuttings every afternoon. 
They will by this time be well rooted, when air is given freely night and 
day for about one month, still syringing every afternoon. After this 
the lights are taken away altogether till August, and frames also, should 
they be wanted for other purposes. Now the frames and lights are put 
on again, giving plenty of air, still syringing every afternoon to keep the 
plants f’’om red spider, to which they are much subject. The first week 
in September the pits are lined with stable manure, this process being 
■continued through the winter if artificial heat is not at command. All 
the runners are cut off close during the growing season up to the end 
of March, when they are allowed to take their course, and will be found 
to make good cuttings by the first week in June. With regard to the 
variety Marie Louise Mr. Pell stated that he usually takes cuttings 
instead of dividing, as is usually the practice. 
It may be added in conclusion that this Club is making rapid strides 
towards becoming an important Society. This is mainly due to the 
assiduity and perseverance of Mr. Geo. Daniels, under whose auspices 
it was originally formed. 
MIDLAND CARNATION AND PICOTEE SOCIETY. 
Birmingham is evidently not satisfied that Midland Carnation 
and Picotee growers should be unrepresented except by the union 
at Oxford. Mr. Dodwell has stood by the helm there with a vigour 
and determination that has compelled respect, but the veteran’s hands 
are growing feeble. The new Society at Birmingham is not hostile 
to its Oxford associate. It has been formed with Mr. Dodwell’s 
approval, and is perhaps intended to carry his work on when declining 
strength compels him to retire altogether from the exhibition arena. 
The midland growers are choosing a new centre of acivity and a new 
leader. Mr. Robert Sydenham is at the head of the new movement ; he 
is not a born florist, nor has he had long experience, but he has qualities 
which may serve the Society in better stead. He is a business man to 
the finger tips, managing two trade concerns of such an entirely 
opposite characer as jewellery and bulbs with success, while he has 
contrived to obtain a foremost position as a grower and exhibitor in a 
few years. The energy and experience of the successful business man 
allied with the love and enthusiasm of the florist ought to effect such. 
The Committee over which he presides is composed for the most part of 
well known florists : they are—Messrs. Arthur Brown, C. H. Herbert, 
A. W. Jones, Jos. Lakin, W. B. Latham, Tom Lord, John Pope, J. P. 
Sharp, Wm, Spencer, jun., and Wm. Spinks. The Honorary Secretary, 
from whom particulars may be obtained, is Mr. Wm. Dean, Dolphin Road, 
Sparkhill, Birmingham, well known as a florist of life-long experience, 
and it is hard to imagine a more suitable man for the post. 
The first exhibition of the new Society is announced to take place at 
the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Saturday, August 
8th, 1891. The schedule has just been issued, but it is a little disap¬ 
pointing in one or two respects. Many will have looked for a fresh 
departure where Birmingham sets a lead, but the Committee seem 
content to follow on the old lines. It is true there are two classes for 
border flowers, but against these we have fifteen for the wearisome 
single blooms. There is no class for pot plants, nor for exhibits illus¬ 
trating the value of Carnations and Picotees for cutting and vase 
furnishing. Free and graceful arrangements of this kind would impart 
beauty and interest to the show and give encouragement to amateurs. 
In respect to Carnations and Picotees even florists of the newest 
school seem afraid to break away boldly from the principle of laissez 
faire. 
IRIS DANFORDIJil. 
We already have several diminutive early flowering Irises which are 
specially fitted for culture in pots, but that named above is a most 
welcome addition. Mr. T. S. Ware’s plant, for which the Floral Com¬ 
mittee of the R.H.S. awarded a first-class certificate, was only 2 or 
3 inches] high, and consisted of flower stem chiefly, as the leaves were 
onlyj,beginning to develop. The flowers are of a very pleasing rich 
yellow tint, and their neat shape is also noteworthy. The standards are 
narrow and erect,The falls elliptical and spreading, having a few greenish 
dots in the centre and towards the base. Whether it is hardy or not 
is of little consequence, as so small a plant at this time of year could 
not be duly appreciated in a border out of doors. Grown in pots in a 
frame or a cool house, however, it will no doubt flower more strongly, 
and be free from the damage that must ensue to so delicate a flower by 
exposure. 
With it were plants of Iris reticulata var. Bakeriana distinguished 
by the bluish colour of the flowers, deepening in the falls to a rich 
violet tint—a charming variety. 
AS OF A DREAM. 
(^Continued from page 92.') 
I SHALL not easily forget the combined fog, dust, and noise in which 
I packed up my case. Men had been set to work long before my 
exhibits could be cleared, I think they said for the purpose of enlarging 
the hall. I was single handed, my wares were tender and brittle, and, 
as for this reason I was first in, so I was last out, and I arrived at my 
son’s the fac-simile of the historical “ dusty miller.” I will just add 
