May 7,1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
373 
H, J. Eush, and Mr. M. Purvey, gardener to Misa Culley, Burgess Hill, 
followed in order named. It is quite a mistake to limit exLibitors in 
such a class as this, to plants in bloom. A few bright flowering plants 
arranged on a groundwork of Ferns or other foliage produces a much 
better effect and with less trouble to the exhibitor. Amongst other 
successful exhibitors w^ere Mr. C. Crossby, Lindfield ; Mr. J. Cottington, 
gardener to Mrs. Wyatt; Mr. J. Harmes, gardener to Miss Wyatt, both of 
Haywards Heath; Mr. W. Brockway, gardener to A. S. Culley, Esq., 
Burgess Hill. In the class, a centrepiece for ladies only. Miss H. P. 
Willmot was successful wdth a simple but light arrangement of double 
Daffodils. The other ladies who w^erc to the fore in this and other 
classes were Misses M. Willmot and J. E. Vincent, Mrs. E. Pennet, Mrs. 
A. Alwin, and Mrs. Newington. The date of this Show was decidedly 
too late for Hyacinths, Cinerarias, Primulas, and Cyclamens, while it 
was quite early enough for a good show of Pelargoniums. The class 
for the best decorated window was a xfleasing feature and deserves to be 
encouraged with more prizes. There was a fair competition for six 
plants of Auriculas,fand this also should receive attention as the cottager 
and amateur can never come on more equal ground with the gardeners, 
as was shown on the present occasion. 
The exhibits not for competition did much to make up for the short 
entries. Messrs. J. Peed & Son of Norwood staged a fine group of 
decorative plants; their Ericas were especially fresh and vigorous. 
Messrs. Barr of Covent Garden sent some fine Daffodils—over fifty 
sorts—and were much admired. Messrs. Grimsdick of Haywards 
Heath suitably decorated the stage. Messrs. Balchin of Hassock and 
Brighton contributed a small group of plants. Messrs. Eoots of Cuck- 
field had a large assortment of Pansies and some fine Neapolitan 
Violets, their specialty; and Messrs. Cheal of Crawley had a large 
collection of Apples in wonderful fine condition for the season. The 
following were noted as being as sound and firm as when picked from 
the trees—Alfriston, Blenheim Pippin, Gloria Mundi, Golden Eeinette, 
Hollandbury, Hormead Pearmain, Kentish Fillbasket, Lady Henniker, 
Ottershaw Pippin, Lane’s Prince Albert, Winter Queening, Wellington, 
and others. Why should we not have a show of Apples at spring show's ? 
and why not have Strawberries in pots ? A specimen of the old- 
fashioned Brugmansia (Datura) was sent from the gardens of Sir John 
Stokes, K.C.B., and the same gentleman’s gardener, Mr. S. Lawley, also 
embellished another part of the hall with handsome decorative plants, 
HAEDY FEUIT GAEDEN. 
ApeiCOTS. —These have flowered freely and set well this season, and 
now require attention in disbudding. Take off all foreright shoots and 
any that are too gross to form fruiting w'ood ; lay in enough young wood 
for fruiting next season wherever space can be found for it, and pinch 
sufficient of the best placed shoots about 6 inches apart to keep the older 
branches covered with fruiting spurs. A sharp look-out must be kept 
for caterpillars, which often do much damage to the young foliage and 
fruit. Hand-picking is the only remedy, and it is seldom anything else 
attacks the Apricot, but a good wash two or three times a week in warm 
weather with a garden engine will assist in keeping the trees healthy. 
In dry weather supply water at the roots, giving a good mulching after¬ 
wards of half-decayed manure, the yorrng fruits being thinned to 3 inches 
apart wdien they are as large as Peas, leaving those that are best placed 
for swelling, and all the largest fruits. When these attain the size of 
marbles they can be again thinned, leaving them 9 inches apart in the 
large fruiting varieties such as Moorpark, and 6 inches for the smaller 
ones ; the best of those pulled off at this period make excellent tarts. 
Peaks. —In the colder parts of the kingdom these will now be in full 
flower, and are worthy of a little assistance in the shape of protection if 
frost is expected. A piece of dry canvas, frigi domo, or some similar 
material, stretched over them for one frosty night will sometimes insure 
a crop where failure would otherwise be a certainty. Caterpillars soon 
appear on Pears after the flowers open, and should be dealt with at once, 
or they soon attack the fruit and spoil it. They aio easily found by the 
leaves, ■which they roll together. 
Wall Teee Protectors. —Nets and canvas must be dispensed 
■with as soon as all danger of severe frost and cold winds is over, and 
while they remain remove them every day to give the tress the full 
benefit of the sun and render the foliage hardy. 
Watering. —In dry weather all newly planted trees will be much 
benefited by a good soaking of water, and old-established trees on walls 
may be assisted in a similar way. The rainfall lately in many places 
has not been sufficient to reach the roots of trees in dry positions. If 
liquid manure can be obtained it may be used for any fruit trees that 
have set a good crop, but those trees that usually make too much strong 
wood should have nothing but clear water. All w'all trees ought to be 
occasionally washed with the garden engine during warm weather after 
the fruit is set. This is best done in the afternoon as soon as the sun is 
off. If green fly is troublesome syringe them with tobacco ■water a& 
before advised, or with softsoap at the rate of 2 ozs. to the gallon of 
water, and the clear water spraying may be discontinued for a few days. 
Gishurst compound is still one of the best remedies for mildew or red! 
spider if applied at 2 ozs. to the gallon of w'ater and not rinsed off after¬ 
wards ; it is also destructive to aphides. The efficiency of these insecti¬ 
cides depends very largely on the mode of application. The syringe- 
must be Avorked gently in an upward direction so as to reach the under 
side of the leaves, and ahvays commence operations before the enemy 
gains a strong foothold. 
FEUIT FOECING. ■ 
Vines. — Early Houses. —Insect pests are inseparable from early- 
forcing operations, and the appearance of red spider on Vines is certain.. 
They not only prejudice the current crop, but so impair the vital forces- 
of the Vines as to affect that of the following season. Thrips are in 
degree only worse than attacks of red spider, and are usually introduced 
by plants infested with them. Persons in charge of fruit houses cannot 
be too careful not to commence operations on Vines direct from working- 
amongst red spider infested plants, or Azaleas attacked by thrips. 
Where red spider has obtained a hold prompt measures must be adopted 
for its destruction. Eecourse cannot be had to syringing after the 
Grapes are advanced in colouring, because the water washes off the 
bloom and often leaves a stain on the berries. Sponging the leaves,, 
though a good means of preventing the spread of the pest, and if taken 
in time effectual, yet in most cases recourse is had to it so late as ta 
render it but a partial remedy by a tedious operation. The judicious 
application of sulphur to the hot-avater pipes is the most effectual 
remedy. Heat the hot-AA'ater pipes to bet^wesn 180° and 200°, and paint 
them thinly ■wdth a mixture of sulphur and skim milk. Keep the pipes 
hot for about an hour, and then the heat may be allowed to fall to the 
ordinary degree. Close the ventilators, and take care not to give too> 
much. Some Grapes, such as Frontignans and Muscats, are apt to be dis¬ 
coloured by the sulphur fumes, and sometimes have the skins hardened 
to an extent that causes the berries to crack. Sulphur applied to hot- 
water pipes whilst the Grapes are young is liable to cause them to rust, 
and unless carefully used is not safe. It would be unnecessary to use 
sulphur were proper regard paid to assailing the pest upon its first- 
appearance, and there is nothing better than sponging the affected’ 
parts with softsoap, 2 ounces to the gallon of water, Thrips readily 
succumb to fumigation Avith tobacco on tAVO or three consecutive calm 
evenings, repeating at intervals of a few days so as to destroy those 
escaping the first fumigations through being in the egg state, and since 
hatched out. Early Grapes that are ripe will only require enough fire- 
heat to maintain a circulation of dry air, alloAving the temperature to 
fall to 60° at night. 
Second Early Ihmscs.—ThQ fruit of Vines started at the new year is 
commencing to colour. No great means should as yet be taken to produce- 
a dry condition of the atmosphere, as the Grapes SAvell considerably in 
ripening. Maintain a moist atmosphere in the early stages of ripening,, 
sprinkling the house in the early part of the day, and at closing^ time. 
Provide a little ventilation constantly to induce a change of air and 
prevent the deposition of moisture on the berrie.s A warm genial con¬ 
dition of the atmosphere with a circulation of air is essential to the;- 
thorough swelling of the berries. Maintain the temperature at 70° to- 
75° by day from artificial means, and 80° to 85° through the day from 
sun heat, advancing in the afternoon to 90° or 95°, falling with the- 
declining sun or light to a night temperature of 60° to 65°, 5° more both 
day and night being necessary for Muscats. As the fruit advances in 
colouring the moisture should be gradually reduced and the ventilation 
increased, but there must not be any diminution of the temperature 
until the Grapes are thoroughly ripe. The inside border must have due 
supplies of Avater or liquid manure, the quantity being such as to 
thoroughly moisten the border to its full depth, and give a mulch of 
short material. Grapes that are liable to crack, such as Madresfield 
Court, may, AA’hen ripening commences, have the needful supplies of 
Avater or liquid manure, and then have the inside border mulched Avith 
I to 6 inches thickness of dry material, AA'hich, with early ventilation, 
insures this remarkably fine Grape arriving at perfection. 
Succession Houses. —The remarks as to thinning, disbudding, stopping- 
and tying given in former calendars still apply ; especially let all super¬ 
fluous bunches be removed as soon as the number to be left on a Vine is 
decided. Examine the borders of all succession houses at least once a 
week, and Avhen dry supply Avater freely. Inside borders -vauII take- 
almost any quantity of Avater after the Vines are in full foliage, and 
Avith a full crop of Grapes apply liquid manure at every alternate 
watering. Outside borders, except in special cases, aauII not as yet 
require water. 
Late Houses.—TD iq Vines making rapid progress must be tied out, 
and stopped as soon as they have made sufficient groAvth to cover the 
trellis with foliage. Every care should be taken to secure good colour 
and firm texture in the leaves by free yet judicious ventilation. Take 
advantage of sun heat to increase the ventilation early in the day, but 
close eaidy, excessive fire heat being injuiious and costly, 
Heioly Planted TTnc.?,—With advancing growth—an evidence that 
the roots are active—close attention Avill need to be given to the roots 
to see that they do not suffer from over-dryness. AIIoav all the Avmod to 
remain that can be exposed to light, but supernumeraries intended for 
fruiting next year should be confined to one rod or cane, and the laterals 
pinched at the first joint, and to that of subsequent growths, stopping 
the canes at 6 to 8 feet. 
