October 5, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
319 
well kept, and the carpet bedding and an avenue of half-standard 
Acacias were most noticeable. The same may be said of a fine tennis 
court and bowling green. The grounds are not extensive, but afford 
many beautiful views, and being well kept reflect much credit upon 
Mr. Jennings.— A Gardener. 
COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER AND CHELTENHAM ROYAL 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SHOW.— Sept. 27th, 28th. 
The annual autumn Exhibition of this Society was held in the 
Winter Gardens, which is admirably adapted for the purpose, being 
a fine, spacious, well lighted, and central building, on the above 
dates. Taken altogether the Show was a good one. In the plant and 
cut flower classes there was a falling off both in quantity and quality, 
but the fruit section was a decided advance, some remarkably fine 
exhibits being staged. Vegetables were very good for the season. 
For six stove and greenhouse plants Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, 
secured, as usual, first honours with large well-bloomed plants, the best 
being Ixora Pilgrimi and I. Williamsi. Messrs. Heath & Son, Chelten¬ 
ham, came second with some excellent plants. With thirty plants, in 
or out of bloom, grouped for effect, Mr. J. Cypher and Messrs. Heath and 
Son took the honours as named, both staging gigantic plants in prime 
health and condition. For twenty-four Dahlia blooms, distinct, Mr. 
Thos. Hobbs, Bristol, was first, Messrs. Heath & Son a very close second, 
and Mr. Humphries, Chippenham, third. With twelve Dahlia blooms, 
distinct, Mr. Hobbs was again first, Mr. T. Haskins, Bristol, second. 
For twenty-four German Aster blooms Messrs. John Price & Son, Stone- 
house, were first. Mr. G. Garraway, Bath, occupied a similar position 
for twenty-four French Asters. For thirty-six Rose blooms Messrs. 
T. J. Townsend & Son were first, Messrs. Perkins & Son, Coventry, 
being second. Messrs. Perkins & Son were an easy first for the best 
bouquet, made up in their usual faultless style. Mr. J. Cypher was first 
for twelve varieties of herbaceous flowers, Messrs. Heath & Son second. 
The same exhibitors were placed as named for twelve exotic Ferns, both 
staging massive well grown plants. 
For six bunches of black Grapes in two varieties, the Rev. G. Coventry 
was first, Gros Colman and Gros Maroc very fine ; Canon Coventry, 
Severn, Stoke, second, with fine bunches of Gros Colman and Alicante. 
For three bunches of black Grapes, Mr. George E. Cox was first; Lieut.- 
Colonel Rogers second, both showing well finished Alicante. With six 
bunches of white Grapes, two varieties, Mr. D. Sheppard was first with 
Bowood Muscat and Muscat of .Alexandria ; Rev. G. Coventry second. 
For one dish of white Grapes Mr. G. E. Cox was first. Canon Coventry 
second, both staging Muscats, For two bunches of black Grapes the Rev. 
G. Coventry was first and C. Lee Campbell, Esq., was second, both 
putting up fine, well coloured bunches. With eight dishes of fruit, the 
Earl of Coventry secured premier honours with good Gros Colman and 
Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, a fine Smooth Cayenne Pine, a large 
Melon, and good dishes of Pears, Peaches, Figs, and Plums. C. Lee 
Campbell, Esq., second, with large bunches of Black Alicante and well 
coloured Muscat of Alexandria Grapes, a fine Melon, and good dishes of 
Pears, Apples, and Plums. Mr. E. Hall, Batb,was third. For four dishes 
Mr. D. Sheppard was first with good Muscat Grapes, fine Pitmaston 
Duchess Pears, Figs, and Peaches. J. P. W. Butt, E-q., a very good second. 
Lieut.-Colonel Rogers had the best Peaches ; and C. Lee Campbell, Esq., 
and J. P. W. Butt, Esq., were the most successful in the Melon classes. 
The Earl of Coventry had the best dessert Apples, showing King of the 
Pippins ; and Mr. H. Shurmer had the finest dish of culinary Apples, 
with magnificent examples of Peasgood’s Nonesuch. The same exhibitor 
was also first for twelve dishes of Apples. In the vegetable classes Mr. 
G. Garraway, Mr. H. Shurmer, and Mr. A. Be van took leading positions 
for collections. In the single dish classes the competition was keen, but 
it would take up much space to name them. 
Mr, B. Ladhams, Shirley Nurseries, Southampton, was awarded a 
silver Flora medal for a fine collection of herbaceous flowers, also a first- 
class certificate for a perpetual-flowering Pink named Ernest Ladhams, 
which promises to be an acquisition. First-class certificates were 
awarded to Messrs. Perkins & Son for two beautiful Cactus Dahlias— 
viz,. Purple Prince and Matchless. Messrs. W. Edwards & Son, Sher¬ 
wood, Notts, exhibited their new bronze-like receptacles for Ferns 
or other plants. Mr. C. Phillips staged a miscellaneous collection 
of flowering and foliage plants. Mr. G. Humphries and Messrs. 
Heath & Son staged Dahlias in variety ; and Mr. J, Townsend, 
Worcester, Dahlias and Roses, not for competition. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
E. P. Dixon & Sons, Hull.— Forest and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, 
Fruit Trees, Sfc. 
Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, N.B.— ITyaeinths, Tulips, Roses, Carna¬ 
tions, c^'C. 
Henry Norton, Louth, Lincolnshire.— Dwarf Roses. 
GARDENERS’ CHARITABLE AND PROVIDENT 
INSTITUTIONS. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. — Secretary, 
Mr. G. J. Ingram, 60, Parliament Street, London, W.C. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
Secretary, Mr. W. Collins, 9, Martindale Road, Balham, London, S.W. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. — Secretary, Mr. A. F. Barron, 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, London, W, 
WOKK.Foil'rHEWEEK.. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Early-forced Vines in Rots. —Those to be forced to furnish 
ripe Grapes in March or April should be started not later than the first 
or second week in November. Early and free fruiting varieties must be 
chosen. There are few that are in all points so satisfactory as White 
Frontignan, Foster’s Seedling, Black Hamburgh, and Madresfield Court. 
If bottom heat can be given to start them they will break well. Pro¬ 
vided there is a pit of 3 feet depth and 4 feet width, the pots may be 
raised upon bricks in pillar fashion, so that their rims are slightly higher 
than the pit edge, and so that the pots will be in the centre of the bed. 
Leaves being placed in to fill the pit a gentle warmth will be afforded 
the Vines, and the roots will pass from the pots into the leaves, deriving 
support beneficial to the growth of the Vines and Grapes. The tempera¬ 
ture at the roots must be moderate at all times, especially at the com¬ 
mencement, 60° to 65° being sufficient about the pots and 70° to 75° at 
their base. When in growth the temperature about the pots ought to 
be between 70° and 76°. The house must be light, properly ventilated, 
and well heated. It should face the south, a lean-to or three-quarters 
span-roof being most suitable. 
Early-forced Houses. —It is not desirable to start permanently 
planted Vines early in November to afford a supply of ripe Grapes in 
late March or April where there is convenience for growing them in 
pots, as it is a great strain on their energies through having to make 
growth at the dullest period of the year, and to rest at the hottest. The 
Vines ought now to be pruned, and rest assured by keeping them cool and 
dry. If the roots are partly outside that part of the border should have a 
covering of moderately dry leaves with a little litter to prevent them 
blowing about. This is an effective protection, and need not be used 
until the soil has been well moistened by the autumn rains, yet before 
the ground has become soddened and much reduced in temperature. 
Where the border is entirely outside and early forcing is practised it will 
be necessary to cover it with fermenting materials about the time of 
starling the Vines. Three parts of Oak or Beech leaves to one of stable 
litter will give a more suitable and durable warmth than all manure. 
The material need not be thrown into a heap until the house is closed, 
then mix well together, damping if dry, and when getting warm it is fit 
to place on the b rder. But Vines in outside borders are not desirable 
for early forcing, though it is sometimes necessary to make the most of 
them for the purpose, and in that case a supply of fermenting material 
must be held in readiness so as to renew the heat as required. Ferment¬ 
ing materials are also a great aid in forcing operations where the roots 
of the Vines are partly or entirely inside, as they generate and maintain 
a genial condition of the atmosphere, without recourse to so much fire 
heat or sprinklings from the syringe. In that case the material should 
be placed in the house when it is closed, turning the heap a time or two 
more than is advised for outside borders, so as to become well sweetened 
before being used. 
Second Early Houses. —Vines to be started at the new year to afford 
ripe Grapes in late May or early in June ought now to be pruned and 
dressed, removing the loose bark only, and washing them with a tepid 
solution of Eoftsoap, 2 ozs. to a gallon of water. The house also must 
be thoroughly cleansed, whitewashing the walls, and painting the wood 
and iron if necessary. Unless the Vines have been infested with insects 
it will not be necessary to apply an insecticide. If they have been 
attacked, it would be advisable to dress them carefully with an approved 
solution. The loose surface soil should be removed and a couple of 
inches thickness of fresh loam be supplied, sprinkling about 4 ozs. of the 
following mixture over each square yard—steamed bonemeal two 
parts, and kainit one part, mixed, and leave it on the surface, unless it 
is necessary to apply water to render the soil moderately moist, then of 
course it will be washed in, and the soil will hold its manorial elements. 
The house should be kept cool and dry, ventilating fully except when 
frost prevails, and only use fire heat to exclude it or prevent the hot- 
water pipes becoming frozen and burst. 
Midseason Houses. —Where the Grapes are hanging it will be 
neces^ary to employ a little fire heat so as to insure a circulation of air 
and prevent the deposition of moisture on the berries, which is almost 
sure to be followed by decay. Air should be admitted constantly unless 
the weather is very damp or foggy, when it will be best to maintain a gentle 
warmth in the pipes and keep the house closed, not employing more heat 
than sufficient to keep the temperature at 45° to 50°. If the roof is a 
leaky one or plants have to be accommodated in the house, it is advisable 
to cut the Grapes with as much wood as can be spared, and, removing 
the leaves, place the shoots in bottles of clear rain water placed in an 
inclined position in a cool dry room, so that the bunches will hang clear 
of the bottles. Grapes in this way will often keep plump and sound up 
to Christmas, whereas left on the Vines they often decay long before 
that time, and the shortening of the bearing shoots to two or three 
buds above the pruning buds is often beneficial by plumping the 
latter, also by affording freer access of light and air. It is also 
a good plan to remove some of the laterals where they are crowded, but 
