Cecember 7, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
619 
and if the foliage is too thick half of each of the largest leaves should be 
cut away. 
No feeing with manmres is required until the first truss of fruit is 
set; then feed as much as you like, as the fruit prevents any undue 
groBsness. By heavy feeding the plants will continue bearing for 
months. At all times avoid a close, moist atmosphere, as it is almost 
certain to cause disease to set in. A warm and dry atmosphere with 
plenty of liquid nourishment suits the Tomato. 
Outdoor Tomatoes should be sown in heat early in March, and kept 
growing sturdily from the first as before mentioned, gradually hardening 
the plants off in May, and planting them out in warm and sheltered 
positions at the end of that month, keeping the shoots far enough apart 
to prevent crowding, and shortening the leaves if necessary. A mulch 
of good manure, or an occasional soaking of the same in liquid form, 
when the plants are fruiting, will act very beneficially. At the end of 
August all further growth should be stopped, as fruit formed after that 
date will not develop properly ; and it is better to throw all the strength 
of the plant into the fruit already formed. If any fruit is not ripened 
when cold weather approaches, it should be cut off with a good piece of 
stem, and hung up in a warm place where it will colour later on. 
DESSERT TABLE COMPETITIONS. 
At the Hull Chrysanthemum Show there has been a challenge cup 
competition for a dessert table for many years past, the exact wording 
of the schedule being as follows : “ Dessert table, S feet by 4 feet, 
completely laid out for six persons, only Chrysanthemums loith any hind 
of foliage to be used in its decoration.” 
This year the first prize was awarded to a table having no dessert 
thereon, excepting one small dish containing about half dozen chocolates 
and another the same number of Almonds; there were also six plates, 
and knives and forks, in addition to the floral decorations, but no fruit 
or other accessories. On the one hand it is held that it is not the 
custom now to put the dessert on the table along with the floral 
decorations, and as this table was the best artistic arrangement as 
related to the use of Chrysanthemums and foliage, the prize was, from 
that point of view, rightly given to it. 
On the other hand, it is contended that as there was no fruit or other 
accessories placed it did not comply with the terms of the schedule, 
having regard to the words “ completely laid out,” consequently must 
have been disqualified had a protest been entered. I shall be glad to 
know which is the correct view. Being a challenge competition not 
yet finished the wording of the schedule cannot be altered.— Edward 
Harland. 
[ We shall be glad to publish the opinions of table decorators and 
show judges on the subject indicated.! 
ROYAL AQUARIUM FLOWER SHOW. 
December 5th, 6th, and 7th. 
An Exhibition of winter flowers, including Chrysanthemums, Cycla¬ 
mens, and Primulas, was held under the auspices of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society at the Koyal Aquarium, Westminster, on the 
above dates. There was an exceedingly good display, but owing to the 
dull weather that prevailed it was impossible to see the true colours of 
the flowers, which were of excellent quality. 
The principal class was for twenty-four Japanese blooms, and in this 
there were eleven competitors. The flowers were good, and a close 
competition resulted. Mr. E. Rowbottom, gardener to H. R. Williams, 
Esq., The Priory, Hornsey, won the premier award with a grand stand 
of blooms. The best of these were Mdlle. Th^rfese Rey, Beauty of 
Castlewood, Empire, Pearl Beauty, G. C. Schwabe, Princess Victoria, 
Lizzie Cartledge, W. H. Broomhead, and Etoile de Lyon. Mr. W. 
Collins, gardener to J. W. Carlile, Esq., Ponsbourne Park, Heitford, was 
second; and Mr. H. Alderman, gardener to G. Hatfield, Esq., Morden 
Hall, Surrey, third. An extra prize was awarded to Mr. W. G. Gilbert, 
gardener to B. Le Neve Foster, Esq., J.P., Sennowe Hall, Guist, Norfolk. 
For twelve bunches of Japanese blooms, six varieties, Mr. C. W. Knowles, 
gardener to Mrs. Chas. Egerton, Solna, Roehampton, was first; and Mr. 
W. Tyster, gardener to Miss Smith Dorridon, Hartwell Villa, Aylesbury, 
second. The class for twelve Japanese blooms, distinct, was very keenly 
contested, there being seventeen competitors. Mr. J. Turk, gardener to 
P. Bosanquet, Esq., Penfield, Hertford, was placed first with fine blooms. 
Amongst them E. Molyneux, Pelican, Mrs. E. Beckett, and Mrs. E. W. 
Clark were the best. Mr. W. G. Gilbert was second, and Mr. Row- 
bottom third. 
The flowers in the class for twenty-four bunches of any varieties of 
Chrysanthemums made a good display. Mr. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst 
Gardens, Esher, was placed first with a stand of blooms tastefully 
arranged. Mr. C. W. Knowles was second, and Mr. G. Smith, Floral 
Cottage, Hull, third. Mr. C. Cox, gardener to J. Trotter, Esq., 
The Grange, Brickendon, was first with six Japanese blooms, showing 
Viviand Morel, G. C. Schwabe, Mrs. E. W. Clarke, Beauty of Castlewood, 
Etoile de Lyon, and Robert Owen in splendid condition. Mr. W. Collins 
was a good second, and Mr. H. Shoesmith third. Extra prizes were 
awarded to Messrs. H. Alderman and A. Gibson. 
Incurved blooms were well shown for the time of year. There were 
sixteen exhibitors in the class for six blooms, and the competition was 
exceedingly keen. The first prize was secured by Mr. H. Alderman, who 
had fine examples of Golden Empress of India, Princess Teck, Lady 
Dorothy, Lord Alcester, Empress of India, and Barbara; Mr. H. Shoe- 
smith was second, and Messrs. W. & G. Drover, Fareham, third. An 
extra prize was awarded to Mr. W. G. Gilbert. Mr. H. Shoesmith was 
first with twelve blooms, showing these in very good condition. The best 
were Princess of Teck, Lady Dorothy, Chas. Gibson, and Hero of Stoke 
Newington. Mr. W. G. Gilbert was second, and Mr. G. Smith third. 
For twelve incurved blooms in not less than six varieties Messrs. W. & G. 
Drover were first, Mr. Gilbert second, and Mr. H. Alderman third. 
For six blooms, distinct, of any new varieties Mr. E. Rowbottom won, 
showing Le Ver?6au, W. H. Broomhead, Le Drac, Waban, Chas. Blick, 
and Mr. Hubbuck. Mr. A. Newell, gardener to Sir Edwin Saunders, 
Fairlawn, Wimbledon, was first for six bunches of six Japanese blooms. 
Mr. C. W. Knowles was second, and Mr. D, B. Crane, Highgate, a good 
third. An extra prize was awarded to Miss R. Debenham, St. Peter’s, 
St. Alban’s. The last-named exhibitor was first with twelve bunches of 
single Chrysanthemums, Mr. W. C. Pagram, Weybridge, second, and 
Mr. G. Smith third. An extra prize was awarded to Mr. J. Agate. 
Messrs. T. Lansley, E. Spurge, and F. Hicks secured the prizes for six 
Japanese blooms. Mr. W. Howe, gardener to Henry Tate, Esq., Park 
Hill, Streatham, was first for a group of foliage, berried, and flowering 
plants ; Mr. Newell being second. Mr. D. B. Crane won with a vase of 
Chrysanthemums, and Mr. W. Cook with twelve Cyclamens. 
Miscellaneous exhibits were numerous, and made a charming display. 
Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, arranged one of the finest 
and most unique exhibits of Chrysanthemums ever seen in this country. 
Eleven handsome vases filled with splendid blooms and Mahonia foliage 
were placed on a large table with a few Palms for a background. The 
vase was filled in with Ferns, amongst which some Chrysanthemum 
blooms were dotted. Boxes of flowers were placed on the front, the 
whole making a feature that attracted much attention. A gold medal 
was awarded to Mr. Jones for his splendid contribution. Mr. J. H. Witty, 
Nunhead Cemetery, had a group of Chrysanthemums (silver medal) ; 
and Mr. G. Stevens, St. John’s Nursery, arranged a table of blooms 
with Palms and Ferns. Mr. E. Rowbottom had a collection of foliage 
and flowering plants, as also did Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate. 
Mr. R. Owen, Castle Hill Nursery, Maidenhead, sent a large collection 
of Chrysanthemum blooms tastefully arranged (silver-gilt medal). Mr. 
W. Wells, Earls wood Nurseries, also secured a similar award for a 
collection of Chrysanthemums arranged in a unique manner. Mr. J. R. 
Chard, Stoke Newington, had some table decorations (silver medal). 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, made a bright display with Zonal 
Pelargoniums and Chrysanthemums ; and Mr. H. Perkins, Greenlands, 
Henley-on-Thames, won a silver-gilt medal for a collection of Amaryllis 
in fine condition. A first-class certificate was also awarded to Mr. 
Perkins for Amaryllis Charles Davis, a crimson flower with broad petals 
and a whitish green throat. Mr. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst, sent some 
magnificent vegetables. 
Some new Chrysanthemums were exhibited before the Floral Com¬ 
mittee, and certificates awarded for several varieties which are 
described on page 514 of this issue. 
WOKHfo^theWEEK.. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peacbes and ITectarlnes. — Earliest House. —The earliest house 
having been closed as advised in former calendars, fire heat should now 
be applied. The house ought to be freely ventilated even at night in 
mild weather, only using fire heat to exclude frost until the 
buds commence swelling, then 40° to 45° is quite high enough at 
night, turning on the heat in the morning so as to maintain 50° by day, 
with free ventilation between 50° and 55°, and full at and above -the 
latter temperature, rising on bright days to 65°. Reduce the ventilation 
gradually, and close between 50° and 55°, leaving a little air on at the 
top of the house. Syringe the trees and every available surface morning 
and afternoon until the blossom buds are showing colour, after which 
discontinue syringing the trees, but sprinkle the surface of the border and 
path as before, so as to maintain a genial atmosphere. The inside 
borders will require to be watered with water not less in temperature 
than the mean of the house, making sure that every part of the soil 
is properly moistened. 
Pines. — Young Plants. —Pits or small houses, properly heated and 
well ventilated, are most suitable for young stock. Successional plants 
often suffer irreparable injury at this season from being kept too close 
and warm, the plants becoming drawn and weakly. A temperature of 
55° to 60° at night, with 60° to 65° in the daytime, will keep young 
plants gently growing, and they will not become weakly provided a 
little air is given at the top of the house at 65°, leaving it on all day. 
Do not let the temperature fall below that point, and when the sun 
raises it to 75° a free circulation of air should be allowed. Maintain a 
steady bottom heat of 80°. Avoid a very damp atmosphere, moderate 
humidity sufficing at this season. Examine the plants once a week for 
watering, applying it only when they become dry, and then give weak 
