18 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July C, 1893. 
Mr. Jeffrey, Eltham, third, Mr. Neighbour was again first for another 
collection of fruit, Mr. G. F. Shrubb, Blackheath, following. Black 
Grapes were best shown by Mr. J. Rhoden, Blackheath Park, gardener 
to J. Vavasseur, Esq., Mr. Neighbour being second, and Mr. Goddard, 
gardener to T. W. White, Esq., Eltham Road, third. The last named 
exhibitor was first with a single bunch of white Grapes, and Mr. Rhoden 
similarly for three bunches, showing Duke of Buccleuch in good con¬ 
dition. Mr. Shrubb was first with Strawberries, and Mr. Neighbour with 
Melons and Peaches. Other successful fruit exhibitors were Messrs. J. 
Pearce and W. H. Struckett. 
Vegetables were shown in first-rate condition by Mr. Fox, who was 
first for a collection ; Mr. Jeffery being second. The last-named ex¬ 
hibitor secured the leading award offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons for 
vegetables from their seeds, the others going to Messrs. Neighbour and 
C. Nunn. Mr. Fox had the best six Tomatoes in pots. Mr. Turpin, 
High Road, Lee, gained the first prize given by Messrs. C. Sharpe & Co., 
Sleaford. In other classes vegetables were also well represented, 
special prizes being offered by Messrs. Daniel Bros., Norwich, and 
Carter, Page, & Co., London Wall. 
Amongst the miscellaneous exhibits Mr, H. J. Jones, Ryecroft 
Nursery, Lewisham, secured a silver medal for a grand group of Fancy 
Pelargoniums tastefully arranged. Some splendidly bloomed Zonals 
staged by Mr, Jones also attracted attention, especially the new variety, 
Mrs. W. Wright, This is of a robust constitution, and the nearest 
approach to blue we have seen, meriting the first-class certificate 
awarded. It will unquestionably become a popular variety. Messrs. J. 
Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, sent some Tuberous Begonias, well flowered ; 
and Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood Road, 
S.E,, had a group of Caladiums and other foliage plants, also a collection 
of Gloxinias. Messrs. W. Butcher «fe Sons, Blackheath, had a stand of 
weed killers; and Mr. W. Colchester, Ipswich, a stand of ichthemic guano. 
Emigeatiok. —The July circulars of the Emigrants’ Information 
Office, 31, Broadway, Westminster, and the penny and other hand¬ 
books, with maps, show the present prospects of emigration. A short 
pamphlet on Newfoundland is also issued. A new branch office has been 
opened at the Public Library, Nottingham. Work in New South Wales, 
especially in towns, continues to be very scarce. The best openings are 
for men who are experienced in fruit growing, in the drying and packing 
of fruits for export, in the management of irrigated and unirrigated 
orchards, in wine making, and in the manufacture and packing of butter 
and cheese. Domestic servants continue to be in steady demand 
throughout the colony. The towns of Victoria, and especially Melbourne, 
are full of men seeking work, and no working man should go there at 
present. With the object of providing employment, and drawing men 
away from the overcrowded towns, the Government have thrown open 
more land for settlement, and have taken steps to initiate village settle¬ 
ments, to construct two or three country railways, and to assist the 
formation of labour colonies. In Queensland the depression at Brisbane, 
Ipswich, Townsville, and other places still continues. New Zealand is in 
a prosperous condition, and offers many advantages to settlers. In Natal 
there is no special demand for labour. New land regulations have been 
issued under which cultivation is no longer made a condition of occupa¬ 
tion by purchasers of crown lands. Agricultural farmers and their 
families are now given assisted passages to the Colony on certain con¬ 
ditions. Official information has been received that an agent has been 
sent from Brazil to induce British emigrants to go to the State of San 
Paulo in that country. In view of the suffering and loss of life which 
have been occasioned by previous schemes of this nature, all persons are 
again most strongly warned not to go to this or any other part of Brazil. 
WOKK.^o^theWEEK.. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines.— Early Souses. —When the Grapes are cut thoroughly 
cleanse the Vines from dust and insects by forcible syringings, keeping 
the house as cool as possible by free ventilation, and withdraw the roof 
lights where practicable when steady rains prevail. Vines that are 
becoming exhausted through long subjection to early forcing and bear- 
ing heavy crops should have one of the borders renovated where there 
are two, and the roots laid in fresh material near the surface. Where 
they are confined to inside borders the roots may also be lifted. 
Preparation should now be made for this operation by getting the 
materials together, so that the work may be executed at the right time 
and with dispatch. One of the borders only should be acted upon at a 
time, say the inside border one year, following on with the outside 
border the next. The proper time to attend to the roots in the case of 
early Vines is as soon as the foliage gives indication* of ripening. Shade 
should be provided during the operations and the Vines syringed, keep¬ 
ing rather close for a time, or until they have pushed fresh roots, 
when free ventilation is necessary. 
Houses of Ripe Grapes. —Give constant ventilation, and on hot days 
sprinkle water on the borders and floors to prevent the Grapes shrivel¬ 
ling. A temperature of 55° to 60° will be sufficient for Black Ham- 
burghs by artificial means, but Muscat of Alexandria and other heat- 
requiring varieties will need fire heat to prevent the temperature falling 
below 60° to 65° at night. Muscat of Alexandria Grapes colour in 
proportion to the light and air they receive. Black Hamburghs finish 
best beneath a good spread of foliage, and a slight shade is absolutely 
essential to their keeping colour for any length of time after ripening. 
Some doubled herring nets drawn over the roof lights is mostly 
sufficient. 
Grapes Stoning. —During this process the Vines should not be 
hurried, either by artificial heat or early closing. Supply the Vines with 
plenty of food in an available form at the commencement of the stoning, 
which is soon after the Grapes are set, and continue this up to their 
changing colour. There is nothing better for Vines than phosphatic and 
potassic manures, with nitrogenic in proportion to the vigour of the 
Vines, If they are heavily cropped and the foliage is relatively small 
they will require more nitrogen than where the foliage is ample. 
Nitrate of soda may in such cases be given with advantage, especially 
where the soil is light or calcareous. Root growth should precede or be 
simultaneous with leaf growth, and the growth produced must be stable, 
therefore the manure ought to contain other elements besides nitrogen. 
A good mixture for weak Vines in light and calcareous soils may be 
formed of three parts bone superphosphate, two parts carbonate of 
potash (pearlash), two parts nitrate of soda (powdered), and three parts 
ground gypsum ; mix and apply quarter of a pound per square yard 
after watering, and wash in moderately. Sulphate of ammonia may be 
used where the soil is rather strong instead of the nitrate of soda. As 
a good all-round manure for Vines there is everything they require in 
three parts bone superphosphate, two parts powdered saltpetre, and one 
part ground gypsum mixed, supplying a quarter of a pound per square 
yard at intervals, say when the Grapes are set or thinned, half swelled, 
and commencing to colour. If the roots are near the surface half 
the quantity only should be given at a time, but at less distant intervals. 
Grapes Scalding. —The best preventive for this consists in admitting 
air rather freely towards the close of the stoning period, especially in 
the early part of the day and through the day, with a little at night, 
and a gentle warmth in the pipes, so as to maintain a temperature of 
about 70° artificially. Scalding is most prevalent during bright weather 
following a dull period. The essential point is to avoid the deposition 
of moisture upon the berries, for if they are allowed to be covered with 
moisture and the sun raises the temperature considerably before ventila¬ 
tion is given the leaves will assuredly scorch and the berries scald. The 
most critical time is just before (a fortnight to three weeks) the Grapes 
change colour for ripening, Muscat of Alexandria, however, scorches 
badly even after the Grapes are advanced in colour, and a slight shade, 
as that of garden nets drawn over the roof lights, is of great benefit in 
breaking the fierce rays of the sun. 
Shanking. —This is seldom altogether absent from the best cultivated 
Grapes, and often causes great trouble through deterioration of crop. 
It is known to be accelerated by suspended root-action at the critical 
period of the Grapes ripening, and certainly is a result of error in 
management, border formation, and soil constituents. No one really 
knows anything for certain about this tantalising disease, but it has 
been attributed to fungal and bacterial agencies. There are, however, 
no fungous outgrowths to be found in shanked Grapes, except those 
usually found on dead vegetable matter, but there is an affection on the 
shanks of the berries and footstalks of the bunches of Muscat of 
Alexandria Grapes that contain mycelia in the living tissue, and the 
outgrowths, though not well developed, are evidently those of a 
Gloeosporium, not unlike G. laticolor. This is a rather unusual ailment 
in Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, and may or may not be associated with 
ordinary shanking (a contraction instead of swelling) in the footstalks of 
the berries. 
To avoid shanking the borders must be well made and the Vines 
properly managed, fully exposing the foliage to light and air, allowing 
no more growth to be made than can have those essentials. Deficiency 
of ventilation in the early stages of growth, combined with too much 
moisture, inducing long-jointed growth and thin foliage, are unfavour¬ 
able to the building up of healthy tissues, and food derived from a cold 
wet border, with the roots deeply situated, are not likely to produce well 
finished fruit. Vines liable to have shanked berries should be given 
time, particular attention being paid to the ventilation, and avoiding 
sudden fluctuations of temperature, so as to secure a steady supply of 
nutriment, and allow for its due assimilation by permitting a good spread 
of; foliage. Regulate the growths on the extension rather .the 
restrictive system where there is room for it without crowding, keeping 
all gross laterals stopped so as to cause an equal flow and distribution 
of the sap throughout the Vines, and this will assist them to perfect 
their crops. It is, however, necessary to renovate the border in bad cases 
of shanking, and lay the roots in fresh compost near the surface. 
Young Vines. —There are two methods of treating those of this 
season’s planting. 1, Allowing them to grow unchecked so as to secure 
plenty of roots and stout stems, little regard being paid to the growths 
except as regards the leaves corresponding to the pruning buds, which 
are not suffered to be crowded, and this gives three good buds at the 
bottom of the trellis to which the canes are shortened at the winter 
pruning. 2, The young canes are permitted to grow to a length of about 
9 feet, and are then stopped. The lateral at the joint will push strongly, 
and should be let grow to the extent of four to six leaves, when its 
point may be pinched off ; then its laterals may be pinched to one leaf, 
also sub-laterals as made. Laterals proceeding from the joints along 
the cane being stopped to one leaf, and the sub-laterals also to one joint 
