276 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 21, 1895. 
mechanics, and allotment holder*. Weight of bulbs 30J lbs., 30| lbs., 
and 29 lbs. 
Class 7.—Eight distinct kinds of vegetables. First, Mr. Pope, with 
a faultless collection, containing grand samples of Exhibition Carrots, 
Lyon Leeks, Glenhurst Favourite Tomatoes, Middleton Park Beet, 
Aylesbury Prize Celery, Autumn Giant Cauliflower, Ailsa Craig Onions, 
and Satisfaction Potatoes. The second prize went to Mr. Wilkins, who 
had similar kinds, but a few points short. Mr. Waite was a close third. 
There were five competitors, all good.—W. Ckump. 
MANCHESTER.— September 15th and 16th. 
In the Gardens at Old Trafford the Royal Botanical and Horticul¬ 
tural Society of Manchester held a very fine Exhibition of fruit and 
other produce on the above dates. The beautiful gardens, containing so 
many well grown plants, all showing the touch of a master hand, add 
greatly to the interest of the meeting, which, combined with fine 
weather, excellent music, and easy access to the public, caused a crowded 
attendance. 
For twelve dishes of fruit the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, 
Derby (gardener, Mr. Goodacre), was first with fine Muscat of Alexan¬ 
dria, Black Alicante, and Gros Guillaume Grapes, a beautiful Countess 
Melon, very fine Sea Eagle and Golden Eagle Peaches, two good Pines, 
well coloured Nectarines, Louise Bonne de Jersey Pears, Cox’s Orange 
Apples, and fine Figs and Plums. Sir J. M. Pease, Hutton Hall (gardener, 
Mr. Mclndoe), was second with a fine collection. Unfortunately, some 
of his Grapes were rubbed in transit. The Duke of Newcastle (gardener, 
Mr. Slade), was third. For twelve bunches of Grapes, in not less than 
three varieties, two gold and one silver medal were offered, causing keen 
competition. E. M. Mundy, Esq., Shipley Hall, Derby, was first with 
a fine heavy Gros Guillaume, Muscat of Alexandria, and Gros Colman, 
all showing skilful treatment and good finish. The Earl of Harrington 
was second with a little smaller examples of high merit, having Gros 
Maroc, Alnwick Seedling, and Madresfield Court, in addition to the 
varieties staged in the first prize collection. The Duke of Newcastle 
was third with good heavy bunches. For six bunches of white Grapes 
E. M, Mundy, Esq., was an easy first with large, well coloured bunches 
of Muscat of Alexandria. Second, the Earl of Harrington with excel¬ 
lent Bowood Muscats, Muscat of Alexandria, and Mrs. Pearson. The 
prizes in this class were given by Mr. W. Innes of Derby. For four 
bunches of black Grapes Mr. W. Innes, Derby, was first with enormous 
clusters of Gros Guillaume, which had suffered somewhat in travelling. 
C. Lee Campbell, Esq., Glewston Court (gardener, Mr. S. T. Wright), 
was second with Black Alicante, firm in bunch and in perfect condition. 
The Earl of Harrington was third. 
With eight dishes of Apples the Earl of Harrington was first, showing 
large, highly coloured fruit of Loddington, Flower of Kent, Gloria 
Mundi, Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Ribston Pippin, Adams’ Pearmain, Fearn’s 
Pippin, and Cox’s Orange Pippin. Sir J. M. Pease was second 
with fruit grown under glass. Mrs. Barlow was third, A special prize 
was awarded to C, Lee Campbell, Esq., whose dessert Apples were very 
fine indeed. For eight dishes of Pears the Earl of Harrington was first 
with large fruits of Pitmaston Duchess, Catillac, Doyennd du Comice, 
Duchesse d’AngoulSme, Beacon, Beurr4 Diel, Williams’ Bon Chretien, and 
Louise Bonne de Jersey, Sir J. M. Pease was second, and Mrs, Barlow 
third. With twelve Tomatoes Mr. James Mason, Victoria Street, 
Manchester, took leading honours, followed by J. Grant Morris, Esq., 
Allerton Priory, and Mrs. Lord, Oakleigh, Ashton-on-Mersey. In the 
Apple and Pear classes open to residents within twenty miles of 
Manchester, the competition was good, and the fruit fine for the 
district; the most successful exhibitors being J. Watts, Esq., R. R. Gills, 
Esq., J. J. Travis, Esq., A. Hornby Lewis, Esq., and the Earl of 
Ellesmere. 
Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Norwood, staged about 120 dishes of Apples 
and Pears, also a collection of Grapes, altogether a fine collection, which 
deserved the gold medal awarded. Special prizes were awarded as 
follows :—To the Duke of Newcastle for six grand Pines ; to Mrs. 
Barlow for 100 dishes of Apples, Pears, and Crabs ; to Messrs, Keynes 
and Williams, Salisbury, for a most imposing and beautiful display of 
Dahlias, arranged in a charming manner ; and to Messrs. Harkness and 
Sons for a magnificent collection of hardy cut flowers in over eighty 
varieties. Mr. H. Merryweather, Southwell, Notts, also had a special 
prize awarded for thirty-seven dishes of Bramley’s Seedling Apple, very 
fine. Other non-competing exhibits were staged by Messrs, Dickson 
and Robinson, Old Mill Gate, Manchester, who put up fine Roses 
and Gladiolus ; Messrs. Dickson, Brown, & Tait staged good Dahlias and 
Gladiolus ; Messrs. Caldwell & Son, Knutsford, had Apples and 
Dahlias ; and Miss Hopkins, Mere Cottage, Knutsford, hardy flowers 
and Pansies. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Fred Horsman & Co., Colchester.— Orchid Specialities. 
G, Mount, Canterbury.— Roses. 
McRonald, Chichester.— Dutch Bulbs and Flower Roots. 
VanZ inten&Nieuwerf.Boskoop, Holland, and Tottenham,N.— Plants 
for Pottinq and Forcing. 
T. S, Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham.— Carnations and 
Picotees and Axitumn Bulb Guides, 
Dicksons, Limited, The Nurseries, Chester.— Select Roses. 
WOKK.F0R.THEWEEK,. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Flg^s,— Early-forced Trees in Pots. —As it is not advisable to increase 
the pot room, a few inches of soil may he removed from the base of each 
ball, cutting back the roots, also reduce the ball a little at the side so as 
to provide room for fresh compost, and remove the loose surface soil, 
cutting off any strong straggling roots. The drainage must be thorough, 
using a compost of fibrous loam three parts, decayel manure one part, and 
old mortar rubbish pounded one part, thoroughly incorporated and had 
under cover a few weeks previous to potting (if necessary) to become 
moderately dry. Make the whole very firm. Afford a good watering, and 
place the trees where they can have plenty of air with shelter from 
heavy rains and snow. This is only available for trees that are not in 
large pots or have the roots mainly restricted to the pots, as those that 
are in 18-inch pots and have been stood on brick pedestals to prevent 
their sinking with the fermenting material, require different treatment. 
In their case every particle of the old Oak or Beech leaves should be 
removed from the bed, and the surface dressings also be picked from 
amongst the roots with a handfork, shortening the strongest roots. 
The drainage being attended to the trees are to be placed in position on 
the loose brick pedestals, and the soil surface-dressed with the compost 
named firmly rammed into the pot. Supply water to settle the soil, and 
after this keep the house cool, dry, and well ventilated until the time of 
starting in November or early December. This method is preferable to 
repotting annually, as the trees are less likely to cast their first crop 
of fruit, which is the most important, and it is not advisable to disturb 
trees in 18 or 20-inch pots at the roots more than can be helped. Trees 
that are not in as large pots as desired, or when it is thought desirable 
to increase the root space, a liberal shift may be given, the sides of the 
ball being loosened with a handfork, and any straggling roots cut back, 
also the matted roots in the drainage. Provide good drainage, using the 
same kind of compost for potting as previously advised, and ram it as 
hard as the ball, this having been moistened previously, but the soil used 
in potting must be rather dry. 
Succession Houses.—The trees now ripening the second crop Figs 
must be gradually kept drier as the days shorten, a little fire heat being 
necessary in dull weather to admit a free circulation of air and prevent 
damp, for moisture settling on the fruit causes it to fall an easy prey to 
fungi, which compass its decay. Particular attention must be given to 
the exposure of the wood to the full influence of sun and air, removing 
all useless growth, thinning where the shoots are too close, and allow 
the points to stand well up or out to the glass. As already mentioned, 
the supplies of water must be diminished, but not so as to cause the 
foliage to become limp, and it may be withheld from borders that have 
been well watered and mulched up to the middle of this month. The 
main point is to get the wood well ripened, especially at the points of 
the shoots. 
Lifting Over-luxuriant Fig Trees. —When in rich borders and the 
rootage deep and extensive. Fig trees are apt to become too strong for 
fruit bearing, and in that case preparation should be made for lifting 
them as soon as the leaves turn yellow. If the trees are fruitless a 
trench should be taken out about one-third the distance from the stem 
the branches extend, cutting off all the roots. This will check the 
tendency to late growth and concentrate the forces on the ripening of 
the wood. In other cases the trees should be attended to as soon as the 
crop is gathered, lifting them with care, cutting back all long roots, 
reserving the fibres only. Good drainage with a drain to carry off 
superfluous water is necessary. A 3-inch drain with proper fall and 
outlet will do the last, and a foot thickness of brickbats with a 3-inch 
layer of old mortar rubbish over will provide the first. A border of 4 to 
6 feet width is much better than a wide one, and 18 inches to 2 feet 
depth of soil ample. What is wanted is firm, sweet, calcareous soil that 
will admit of the percolation of water and air through and retain the 
manurial elements essential to the production of fine fruit. Good turfy 
loam four parts, and one part each old mortar rubbish and road scrap¬ 
ings forms a suitable and durable border, incorporating well. Place the 
compost together firmly so as to insure a sturdy short-jointed growth. 
Spread out the tree roots evenly, work in the soil amongst them, and 
make it firm, placing them in layers as they rise, and keeping them well 
up. not covering the topmost more than 2 or 3 inches. The soil must be 
moist when used, but it ought not to be wet. Give a moderate watering,, 
and keep cool and dry. 
Peaches and Tfectarlnes. —Trees Rijoening the Fruit in Judy .— 
Tie trees will now be approaching the resting period, indicated by some 
of the leaves falling. They should be kept somewhat drier at the roots,, 
but if the lights have been removed the trees will not take any harm, 
but be benefited by the thorough moistening of the soil, as they will 
have a correspondingly cool atmosphere and not be excited by fits and 
starts as in houses that are made receptacles for plants. If the trees, 
however, are very strong, it is not wise to remove the roof lights, and if 
the wood does not ripen well a trench may be made at a distance of 
about one-third the height of the tree from the stem, and detach all 
roots down to the drainage, leaving the trench open for a fortnight,. 
