182 
JOURNAL OF HORTIODuTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 24, 1893, 
the varieties shown, but the names of a few of the most striking may 
be interesting. These included Grand Rouge, Baroness Burdett Coutts, 
Cygnet, Atlas, Flambeau, Florence, lolanthe, Corinne, Muriel, Fiamette, 
Castilda, and Tessa. First-class certificates were awarded for the last 
four varieties. In the class for twelve varieties Mr. D.Witlaw, Brechin, 
Scotland, was the only exhibitor, and the first prize was awarded for a 
collection of fine spikes. The best of these were Enchantress, Dr. 
Bailley, Grand Rouge, Opale, Sultane, Pyramid, Tiger, and Baroness 
Burdett Coutts. Messrs. Kelway & Sons, Langport, were awarded a 
silver-gilt medal for a fine collection of Gladioli, comprising seventy-two 
spikes of the leading kinds, also nine new varieties. Among the latter 
were Boston, Kate Marsden, Palene, Admiral Marden, Mariana, 
and Indiana, the last-named a very deep coloured variety. A first-class 
certificate was awarded for a charming variety named Sir Michael 
Culme Seymour. Messrs. Kelway & Sons also had some boxes of Asters, 
Gaillardias, and miscellaneous hardy flowers. 
Dahlias were shown in good condition, although not so extensively 
as might have been expected. There were five exhibitors in the class 
for twenty-four Show and Fancy Dahlias, and the competition was very 
keen. Mrs. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, succeeded in winning the 
first prize with a stand of fine, clean, and even blooms. The best of 
these included Mrs. Saunders, Reliance, Mrs. George Rawlings, Maud 
Fellows, Henry Walton, Eclipse, Duke of Fife, Diadem, Sunbeam, and 
Harrison Weir. Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough, was a close 
second with even flowers. Colonist, W. Keith, Miss Cannell, Hope, and 
Crimson King being particularly fine. Mr. M. V. Seale, Vine Nurseries, 
Sevenoaks, was third with smaller flowers. 
In the class for twelve Show and Fancy Dahlias there were also five 
exhibitors, and Mr. T. Vagg, gardener to J. Theobald, Esq., M.P., 
Bedfords, Havering, Romford, won the leading prize. The finest 
flowers in this stand were Prince of Denmark, John Walker, Mrs. 
Gladstone, and William Rawlings. Mr. A. Ocock, gardener to Mrs. 
McIntosh, Havering Park, Romford, was second, and Mr. J, G. Fowler, 
Glebelands, South Woodford, third. 
The single Dahlias were exceedingly good, and it is a pity that there 
were not more exhibitors, Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, The Nurseries, 
Crawley, secured the flrst prize for twenty-four bunches, showing the 
principal varieties. Amongst others Victoria, The Bride, Lowfield 
Beauty, Eclipse, Alba Perfecta, and Formosa were very good. Mr. 
M. V. Seale followed with an attractive stand, the third award going to 
Mr. E, F. Such, The Nurseries, Maidenhead, Mr. Seale was first, 
however, for twenty-four bunches of Pompon varieties, the best of 
which were Red Indian, Whisper, Favourite, and Dorothy, Mr. C. 
Turner was second, and Messrs, J. Cheal & Sons third. The last- 
named firm was, however, first for nine bunches of Cactus and 
decorative Dahlias. The most attractive of these were Duchess of 
York, Delicata, Charming Bride, and Bertha Mawley. Mr. Seale gained 
the second prize, and Mr. C. Turner followed closely. 
Miscellaneous floral exhibits were more numerous than those in the 
competitive classes. Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons sent a collection of Cactus, 
decorative, and Pompon Dahlias, tastefully arranged in bunches (silver 
medal). Mr. S. Mortimer had a large number of Show and Fancy 
Dahlias, the blooms being clean and brightly coloured. A similar 
collection came from Mr. B. F. Such, who also had some summer 
flowering Chrysanthemums (silver medal). Mr. W. Salmon, 2, Ivy 
Cottages, Elder Road, West Norwood, sent hardy flowers, arranged in 
bunches, and a collection of Dahlias (silver medal). Messrs. P. Barr 
and Sons, Long Ditton, had a collection of Liliums and other hardy 
flowers, for which a silver medal was awarded. Messrs. W. Paul 
and Son, Waltham Cross, sent a splendid collection of fruit trees 
in pots, including Apples, Peaches, Plums, Pears, and Figs. 
The trees were remarkably healthy and loaded with fruit. The same 
firm also had boxes of cut Roses, dishes of Apples and Pears. This contri¬ 
bution attracted considerable attention by reason of its diversity and 
excellence, and merited the gold medal awarded. Mr. W. Welsford, 
South Lambeth, sent a group of annuals in pots, and a collection of 
hardy flowers, Mr. J. Hudson, gardener to Messrs, de Rothschild, 
Gunnersbury House, Acton, contributed a group of specimen scented¬ 
leaved Pelargoniums, some of which were 4 feet in height and as much 
in diameter. Mr. J. Walborn, Cedars Nursery, West Kensington, had a 
small group of plants, comprising Palms, Liliums, and Crotons (silver 
medal). Mr. G. Wythes, gardener to the Duke of Northumberland, also 
staged Crotons and some well-grown Nepenthes (silver-gilt medal). 
Mr. A. W. Young, South Norwood, had some Gloxinia and Begonia blooms. 
Fruit formed a feature in the Show, although only one competitive 
class was provided. This was for twelve dishes of hardy fruits, and 
there were four exhibitors. Mr. Mclndoe, Hutton Hall Gardens, 
Guisborough, secured the first prize for a grand collection, comprising 
Pitmaston Duchess and Souvenir du Congres Pears, Crawford’s Early 
and Violette Hative Peaches, Elruge and Byron Nectarines, Columba and 
Jefferson’s Plums, Swedish Reinette and Cox’s Pomona Apples, Morello 
Cherries, and Apricots. Mr. G. Wythes was second, this exhibitor 
showing a good dish of Mulberries in this collection. The third prize 
went to Mr. G. H. Sage, Ham House, Richmond. Mr. J. F. Hoar, 
gardener to J. T. Cooper, Esq., The Grange, West Molesey, sent a collec¬ 
tion of Plums, Cherries, Pears, Peaches, and other fruit. Messrs. 
S. Spooner & Son, Hounslow, had a splendid collection of Apples of 
bright and clean appearance (silver medal). Mr. W. G. Richerd, gardener 
to F. Lilley, Esq., “Croft,” Mount Park, Ealing, sent a number of 
dishes of fruit, including ten varieties of Peaches (silver medal). Mr. 
T. J. Stacey, Tne Peacheries, Caversham, Reading, had a very large 
collection of Melons, for which a silver medal was awarded. 
O WEEK.. 1 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pines. — Potting Rooted Suckers. —When the suckers obtained from 
the summer fruiting plants are ready for repotting, it is well to divide 
the plants into two batches. The strongest should be put in 10 or 
11-inch pots as soon as they are well rooted, affording them a position 
near the glass in a light airy house. The plants so treated will produce 
a good successional supply of ripe fruit in late summer or early autumn 
next year. The other plants, suckers from the summer fruiters, winter 
best in 7 or 8-inch pots, transferring them to larger ones in the spring, 
which with suckers of Smooth-leaved Cayenne that were started last 
March will provide a successional supply of Pines through the winter 
months. 
Re-arranging the Plants. —Those plants not fruiting will have com¬ 
pleted their growths, and should have air liberally for the next six 
weeks when the temperature exceeds 80°. All well rooted plants 
require a bottom heat of 80° to 85°, but recently potted suckers, or 
those not having roots well established in the fresh compost, should have 
the bottom heat maintained at 90°. 
Fruiting Plants. —Moderate atmospheric moisture will be necessary 
for those swelling their fruit, admitting a little air early in the morning, 
so as to allow of any superfluous moisture escaping before the sun’s rays 
act powerfully or directly upon the fruit. Any fruit it is desired to 
retard should be moved to a rather cool or shady house, affording an 
abundance of air. 
i Figs, — Earliest Trees in Pots. —These may be placed outdoors if the 
wood be ripe, but if there is any doubt about this the trees must be con¬ 
tinued under glass with a free circulation of air. These are matters in 
which the cultivator must exercise judgment. In either case encourage 
surface roots by a top-dressing of rough loam and manure, with a. 
sprinkling of superphosphate occasionally. Those placed outdoors must 
not be allowed to root from the base of the pots. Cut off all such roots, 
top-dress, after which afford a good watering, and the^ will need no 
more water at the roots than is sufficient to keep the foliage in health. 
Earliest Fig Houses. —In the house started at the new year and with 
the trees planted out the wood will now be ripening, and the supply of 
water may be diminished or discontinued, air being given very liberally- 
If, however, the second crop is not yet ripened moderate moisture in the 
soil will be necessary, with a rather free circulation of warm air to 
insure high quality in the fruit. When the fruit is gathered take prompt 
measures to destroy insects, syringing forcibly to dislodge red spider, 
and remove brown scale with a brush and solution of softsoap, 3 ozg. to 
a gallon of water. 
Late Houses. —The fruit of trees in cool houses is earlier and flher 
this year than usual, and the second-crop Figs are so forward as to be 
likely to ripen. If any are left with this object it should be at the base 
of the current growth, removing those from the extremities of the shoots. 
The great point is to keep the growths thin and the roots restricted, so as 
to insure sturdy, short-jointed, well-ripened wood. Keep up a circulation 
of air, expose the fruit as much as possible to the sun, and if red spider 
be troublesome syringe on a fine morning after a close picking of 
the fruit, and give no more water than is absolutely needful for the well 
being of the plants. 
Unsatisfactory Trees. —Planted-out Fig trees not unfrequently grow 
rampantly, and in consequence produce thin crops of fruit. In that 
case root-pruning should be resorted to, and the roots confined to a 
narrow border of from 3 to 4 feet width, A trench taken out at this 
distance from the stem after the fruit is gathered will check the tendency 
to a late growth, assist in the ripening of the wood, more especially if 
the growths are disposed thinly, and the points of the shoots, instead of 
being closely tied-in, are allowed to grow up to the glass. If the 
drainage be defective it will be necessary to lift the trees as soon as the 
leaves commence falling, and replant in fresh soil. Place 9 to 12 inches 
of rough rubble for drainage, and on this about 3 inches thickness of old 
mortar rubbish freed from pieces of wood. This will keep the drainage 
clear indefinitely, and the roots will find the lime that is required. Good 
turfy calcareous loam, rather strong than light, will grow excellent 
Figs. If deficient in lime add a sixth of old mortar rubbish to the 
loam, and in replanting ram the compost, thoroughly incorporated, well 
about the roots, for short-jointed wood cannot so well be secured by any 
other means than a solidified compost. The border must be 24 inches 
deep. Should the drainage be good it will only be necessary to confine 
the roots to the narrow border, removing some of the old soil from 
amongst the roots, and supply fresh compost. 
melons In Houses. —Maintain a night temperature of 65° to 70°, 
and 75° artificially by day. As the weather is exceptionally favourable 
there will be little need for fire heat, and the supplies of water will 
require to be liberal. As the days shorten lessened supplies will be 
needed, yet give enough water to keep the soil in a moist state whilst 
the fruit is swelling, but after it is full sized or ceases swelling afford 
no more than to prevent the foliage flagging. Keep the laterals well 
stopped to one joint or leaf, and rub off all superfluous shoots as they 
show, allowing nothing to interfere with the principal leaves, or to 
