June 18,1891.1 
JOURN’AL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
497 
a good bloom. Mr. Clinging, gardener to W. Greenwell, Esq., Marden 
Park, Caterham Valley, was second, and Mr. Ocock third, there being 
five other lots. Mr. Smith won in the other black variety class, showing 
Gros Maroc, moderate bunches, somewhat rubbed. Mr. Robins was 
second with Black Prince ; and Mr. 'W. Whiteley, Hillingdon Nurseries, 
Uxbridge, third with Madresfield Court, the bunches having been cut 
from Vines inserted as eyes in February of last year. Mr. A. Smith was 
first with Muscats, showing bunches of medium quality, Mr. J. Craw¬ 
ford, The Gardens, Coddrington Hall, Newark, being second, and Mr. 
Whiteley third. There were four other exhibitors in this class. Mr. 
Osman won with any other white, capital clusters of Buckland Sweet¬ 
water ; Mr. Crawford was second with very good examples of Foster’s 
Seedling; and Mr. Clinging third with large bunches of Foster’s 
Seedling, small in berry. 
Mr. W. Robins won with two dishes of Peaches, good lots of Grosse 
Mignonne and Alexander. Mr. Hicks, The Gardens, Pain’s Hill Park, 
Cobham, was second, and Mr. Hare, Wellingore Gardens, Grantham, 
third. Mr. Douglas had some capital Nectarines, and won from Mr. 
Craw'ford and Mr. Hare. Mr. Divers, gardener to J. T. Hopwood, Esq., 
Ketton, Stamford, had the two best dishes of Strawberries, Noble and 
Auguste Nicaise, both excellent, and Mr. Hare was second with President 
and Sir Joseph Paxton. Mr. Crawford won with Figs and Mr. Hare 
with Cherries, while the Tomato prizes went to Mr. Whiteley for 
Hackwood Park, and Mr. Crawford. 
The miscellaneous exhibits, for which various medals were awarded, 
were as usual of a very attractive and diversified character. Various 
groups were arranged upon the banks, and presented a splendid effect. 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, had a beautiful display, com¬ 
posed chiefly of Roses and Rhododendrons, but with a good sprinkling 
of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son were 
represented by a group of greenhouse and stove plants admirably 
arranged. Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son had a fine bank of Orchids 
interspersed with Ferns and foliage plants, which was much admired. 
From Messrs. Sander’s great establishment came some of his choice 
Orchids, including the lovely Phaius Humbloti, and some charming 
varieties of Miltonia vexillaria. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons had a large and 
well assorted group of indoor plants, in which Begonias played an 
important part. Messrs. Kelway & Son had a magnificent display of 
single and double Pyrethrums, single and double Pmonies, Irises, 
Delphiniums, and other hardy plants, unquestionably one of the best 
they have ever put together. Messrs. Carter & Co. had a charming 
display of Gloxinias and an interesting collection of Cactuses, which 
they are now pushing into prominence. Messrs. Collins Brothers 
and Gabriel had a most extensive exhibit of Pyrethrums, 
stretching more than half the length of the conservatory. Mr. T. S. 
Ware had one of his well-known groups of hardy flowers, comprising a 
great diversity of material. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons had an admirable 
co’lection of Rhododendrons and a miscellaneous display of hardy 
flowers, with a charming lot of Ixias. Messrs. Paul & Son of Cheshunt 
had one of the most beautiful groups in the Show, consisting of Roses, 
Rhododendrons, and other cut flowers, hardy plants and shrubs, most 
artistically grouped. Messrs. Hugh Low & Son had a charming bank 
of Orchids, and other stove and greenhouse plants. Mr. J. F. Mould 
had a group of Ericas and Carnation Pride of Penshurst. Mr. 
W. Rumsey had a bright display of Roses, and Messrs. Dobbie & Co. of 
Rothesay a lovely collection of Pansies and Violas, which they grow 
largely and well. From Messrs. Barr & Son came some 70 yards of 
Irises and various herbaceous flowers, a most attractive collection. 
WORK FoiiTHE week. S 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Nettixg Strawberries. —Attend to this as soon as the various 
kinds are ready ; it is better to be a day too early with this rather than 
wait until the birds have commenced operations, as the finest fruits colour 
first and the birds have keen eyes for them. Where this fruit is grown 
in beds instead of single rows raise the nets about 4 feet above the 
plants to allow the person in charge to walk beneath without removing 
the nets. This is easily accomplished by inserting stakes of the neces¬ 
sary length at 10 feet apart all over the bed, keeping the outer ones 
parallel with the outer rows of plants. In order to prevent the nets 
slipping down the stakes a piece of hayband or similar material may be 
tied round the stakes at the top to make a good sized knob on which the 
net will rest. If this is kept level with the top of the stake it is easy to 
tighten the nets all ways across the beds and to peg them out at the 
bottom so as to clear the outside plants. A man can then walk under¬ 
neath and gather the fruit wnthout unfastening the nets. The above 
system requires rather more net than the ordinary plan, but there is not 
so.much difference as might be expected, because the nets can be pulled 
tighter, and any excess in this matter is more than compensated for by 
the greater convenience and the better protection from the birds, which 
cannot sit on the nets and reach the fruit. 
Fruit for Exhibition. —Supply liquid manure until the Straw¬ 
berries commence colouring, and must be staked up clear of the ground 
if there is any danger of slugs attacking them. Laxton’s Noble is one 
of the finest varieties for show, as it swells to a large size, and assumea 
an excellent colour. British Queen when in good condition will carry 
more weight than any other kind on account of its excellent flavour, 
but it is very uncertain. Sir Charles Napier makes a fine show variety 
in a warm season. Waterloo is one of the finest late varieties, good in 
flavour, very large, and of first-rate appearance, but a poor cropper 
in some soils. In order to give every advantage possible the fruit should 
be kept clear of the foliage, and all small fruits must be removed. In 
very hot weather sun scorching must be guarded against. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —These require attention now to keep 
all growths stopped which are not needed for furnishing the tree with 
bearing wood for next season. The fruits also should be thinned to the 
proper distance, leaving those preferably which stand out from the wall 
and are not placed near the forks of the branches or any similar position 
where they would be likely to be wedged and bruised. One fruit to each 
square foot of surface is ample for a crop, one fair-sized Peach of good 
flavour being far more satisfactory than two smaller ones that are almost 
flavourless or bitter. Overcropping also tells seriously on the health of 
the trees and on the following season’s erop. Nectarines may be left at 
9 inches apart each Avay, as they do not grow so large as Peaches. Where 
any danger of failure at stoning time is anticipated fork a good dressing 
of dusty lime into the border at once, and wash it in with water if rain 
does not fall soon after the application. Curl in the leaf seems very 
prevalent this season, and trees with this disease are soon infested with 
green fly and mildew. All affected leaves should be removed at once if 
there are plenty of healthy ones to keep growth going on. If the majority 
are bad they must be removed by degrees. In any case syringe the 
trees thoroughly with London tobacco juice and softsoap mixed in water, 
using one-quarter pint of the former and 2 ozs. of the latter to the 
gallon, applying it in the afternoon when the heat of the sun has 
declined and not rinsing the trees after. If red spider or mildew is 
noticed use Gishurst compound at 2 ozs. to the gallon instead of the 
above occasionally. 
Cherries. —-Keep a sharp look out for black fly, and as prevention 
is the best policy syringe the trees thoroughly with London tobacco 
juice and softsoap, as recommended for Peaches above, only mix it 
50 per cent, stronger for Cherries. This pest is most difficult to over¬ 
come, and nothing but unceasing attention will stop it when it once has 
a start on the trees. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Pot Vines. —Stop the canes when from 6 to 8 feet long, 
pinching the laterals and sub-laterals at one joint as produced. This 
applies to Vines intended for fruiting next season ; those intended for 
planting may be allowed to make all the growth they can, and be 
cut back to two or three eyes or to the length required at planting 
time. 
Vines Cleared of their Crops. —Syringe occasionally to keep the 
foliage clean, afford water to render the soil moist, a mulching of short 
spent material will prevent the surface cracking, and the moist surface 
will prevent the roots going down. Allow a moderate extension of the 
laterals, and admit air freely above 60°. There is no fear of the wood 
not ripening, and the difficulty is to prevent the premature ripening and 
fall of the foliage. 
Houses of Ripe Grapes. —These ■will be the better for slight shade 
from powerful sun. Some pilchard or a double thickness of herring nets 
drawn over the roof lights will mostly be sufficient shade, and a good 
spread of foliage wnll assist Black Hamburghs in keeping their colour. 
Moderate air moisture will not injure the Grapes if accompanied by free 
ventilation. Keep laterals fairly under, but a little extension will 
assist in the retention of the principal leaves, and upon their contimrance 
in health depends the maturity of the buds for next year’s crop. 
Grapes Ripening. —When the Grapes begin to change colour admit a 
little air constantly, with sufficient heat in the pipes to maintain a night 
temperature of 65" and 70° to 75° by day, ■nnth 80° to 85° or 90° through 
the day from sun heat. Avoid an arid atmosphere, damping occasionally, 
and do not allow the border to become dry. Vines ripening heavy crops 
wall be assisted in perfecting them and storing food for the future by an 
application of tepid liquid manure, applying it early in the day, and 
choosing a fine day so that superabundant moisture will be dispersed 
before evening. A light mulching of dry spent material will assist the 
Vines by securing uniform moisture and keeping the roots near the 
surface, whilst avoiding excess of moisture, and thus preventing cracking. 
It is a confined stagnant atmosphere that does all the mischief in Grapes 
cracking. 
Late Grapes. — Thinning. —There must not be any delay in thin¬ 
ning the berries and bunches. Nothing is so fatal to perfect finish as 
overcropping. To burden a Vine beyond its strength is to cause it to 
ripen fl-s fruit later, and to leave doubts as to the berries colouring, and 
having that amount of saccharine matter stored in the berries ■which 
secures their sound keeping. Thin well to secure large and highly 
finished berries, leaving those of the larger berried varieties, such as 
Gros Colman and Gros Guillaume, about an inch apart, the oval-berried 
varieties not requiring so much room as the round ones, but all should 
be so thinned that they will have space for swelling fully witlwut 
wedging, and yet be so close that when dished they wall retain their 
form. Loose bunches that show the footstalks are not so pleasing, how¬ 
ever fine the berries, as those more compact. Shy setting varieties are 
often thin of berries through the number of stoneless ones that must be 
removed, to guard against which no pains should be spared in getting 
