882 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 11, 1893, 
readers. The charming white flowers are freely produced from the 
axils of the leaves along the entire length of the young growth and 
hanging gracefully in loose axillary or terminal cymes are then most 
effective. The blooms are also very fragrant, Ailing the house in which 
they are grown with a delightful perfume. 
Rhyncospermum jasminoides is admirably adapted for a variety of 
positions under glass, but I think by far the best effect is produced 
when grown as a pyramid. One of the chief features respecting the 
culture of this charming plant is not to subject it to too severe training ; 
indeed, I And the best results are obtained by allowing the young 
growths to assume a loose condition, as by so doing a much more 
graceful and pleasing effect is produced. After the plants have finished 
flowering, enough of the strongest growths should be tied in to make the 
plants of an even appearance, all superfluous branches being removed, 
as nothing is gained by overcrowding. 
A compost of good fibry loam and peat in equal proportions, with a 
little sharp sand, will form an excellent mixture for the plant. Liquid 
farmyard manure, or one of the numerous chemical fertilisers, if applied 
two or three times a week will prove very beneficial to them during the 
growing season. Brown scale is particularly troublesome on these 
plants, but if syringed, say once a week, with petroleum in proportion 
of a wineglass to three gallons of water, the pest is easily kept in check. 
—George Parra^tt, Ashby Lodge Gardens, Itugby, 
NATIONAL AURICULA SOCIETY. 
(Northern Section). 
The annual Exhibition of the Northern Section of the National 
Auricula Society was held in Town Hall, Manehester, recently, and 
despite the exceptionally early season the Show was a very good one, 
some well-grown flowmrs being staged. Mr. T. Lord exhibited the 
premier Auricula, a fine specimen of Rev. F. D. Horner, a splendid 
green-edged variety. Miss Woodhead, Messrs. W. H. Midgley, Irving 
Hind, T, Lord, J. Beswick, and J. Clements secured most of the prizes 
for Auriculas, and Messrs. G. Thornley, S. Barlow, and J. Beswick for 
Polyanthuses. Appended are the names of the leading prizewinners 
and the varieties they exhibited. 
In the class for six dissimilar Auriculas (Alpines excluded), Mr; 
Irving Hind, Halifax, was first with Mrs. Dodwell, Mrs. Potts, Lanca¬ 
shire Hero, Talisman, Acme, and Geo. Lightbody. Mr. Tom Lord, 
Todmorden, second with Rev. F. D. Horner, Mrs. Potts, Mrs. Dodwell, 
Geo. Lightbody, Lancashire Hero, and Acme. Mr. W. H. Midgley, 
Halifax, third with Mrs. Potts, John Simonite, Mrs. Dodwell, Rev. F. D. 
Horner, Meiklejohn, Geo. Lightbody. Miss Woodhead, of Halifax, 
fourth. Mr. Geo. Middleton, Prestwich, fifth. Mr. J. Stokes, sixth ; 
and Mr. J. Clements seventh. For four dissimilar Auriculas Mr. 
Tom Lord was first with Mrs. Potts, Rev. F. D. Horner, Mrs. Dodwell, 
and Geo. Lightbody. Mr. Irving Hind second with Mrs. Potts, Lanca¬ 
shire Hero, Rev. F. D. Horner, and Acme. Mr. W. H. Midgley third. 
Miss Woodhead fourth, Mr. Thos. Buckley fifth, Mr. G. Middleton 
sixth, and Mr. J. Clements seventh. Mr. Simonite Avas first for a pair 
of dissimilar Auriculas with Ivanhoe and a seedling. Mr. B. Shaw 
second with Mrs. Dodwell and Wm. Brocklebank, followed by Messrs. 
S. Barlow, J. Dickin, and J. Stelfox. 
The single classes were fairly represented. Mr. B. Simonite was 
first for a single green edge with Dr. Hardy, Miss Woodhead second with 
Talisman, Mr. T. Lord third with Rev. F. D. Horner, Mr. Irving 
Hind fourth with Prince of Greens, Mr. B. Simonite fifth with a seed¬ 
ling, and Mr. J. Stelfox sixth, also with a seedling. Mr. T. Lord came 
first for single plants of a grey edged variety with G. Lightbody, Mr. 
W. H. Midgley second with A. Meiklejohn, Mr. Irving Hind third with 
Lancashire Hero. Mr. W. H. Midgley was first with Traill’s Beauty in 
the white edged forms, Mr. Irving Hind second with Mrs. Dodwell, 
Mr. W. H. Midgley third with Acme ; and Mr. Tom Lord fourth with 
Smiling Beauty. Mr. Irving Hind took premier honours with Mrs. 
Potts in the class for single plants of seifs, Mr. B. Simonite being second 
with Raven, third with Miriam, fourth with Melaney, fifth with Dazzle, 
and sixth with Viola. 
In the class for four dissimilar Alpine Auriculas, Mr. J. Beswick was 
first with Nellie, John Allen, Mrs. Beswick, and Mr. Durnford. Mr. J. 
Stokes second with Albion, Edith, Mrs. Ball, and Unique. Messrs. S. 
Barlow, H. Geggie, J. Clements, J. Stelfox, and George Thornley 
securing positions in order of their names. In the class for single 
specimens of yellow centred Alpines Mr. J. Beswick won first, second, 
and third prizes. In class for shaded Alpines with white centres, Mr. J. 
Clements was first with Exonia. Mr. J. Beswick was second with Mrs. 
Beswick, and third with The Bride ; followed by Mr. H. Geggie with 
seedling varieties. 
For three dissimilar Polyanthuses (black grounds), Mr. Geo. Thornley, 
Middleton, gained first prize, the varieties being Mrs. Holden, Mrs. 
Brownhill, and a seedling ; Mr, J. Beswick was second with Lancashire 
Hero, Exile, and Mrs. Brownhill ; Mr. S. Barlow third, and Mr. J. Stokes 
fourth. Mr. Geo. Thornley was again first for three Polyanthuses (red 
grounds), showing Lancer, Middleton Favourite, and George IV. ; Mr. 
J. Beswick second, Mr. S. Barlow third. Mr. Thornley was also first for 
a single specimen red ground Polyanthus with Middleton Favourite, and 
second with Lancer; and Mr. S. Barlow third with Prince Regent. For 
single plants of black ground Polyanthuses Mr. Geo. Thornley led with 
Mrs. Brownhill, and second with a seedling ; Mr. J. Beswick third with 
’• fourth with Cheshire Favourite ; Mr. Beswick 
fifth with Lancashire Hero ; Mr. S. Barlow sixth with John Bright ; 
and Mr. G. Thornley seventh with Mrs. Holden. For twelve dissimilar 
fancy Polyanthuses, Mr. S. Barlow was also first, and Miss Hopkins of 
Knutsford second. 
Mr. Barlow was awarded a first-class certificate for a seedling Alpine 
Auricula, Miss Lloyd, a charming variety. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. —■ Houses of TUpe Grapes. —Vines started in December will 
now have ripe Grapes. Tue temperature should be lower, but sufficient 
fire heat will be necessary to prevent its falling below G0°, and allow a 
free circulation of air. Sufficient moisture, however, must be present 
in the atmosphere to prevent injury to the foliage from drought or the 
spread of insects. Examine the borders, and if sufficiently moist let 
them be covered with a little short litter to prevent evaporation and 
keep the soil from cracking. Vines carrying ripe Grapes in June and 
July require more water than they do in the autumn. If water is 
necessary afford it in the early part of a fine day, keeping the soil 
healthfully moist. Allow a moderate extension of the laterals, which 
will keep the roots active, and prevent the foliage ripening prematurely. 
Shading will be necessary to assist the Grapes retaining their colour 
longer, as ripe Hamburghs lose colour when exposed to the direet rays 
of the sun for some time, which must be prevented by placing a double 
thickness of herring nets over the roof lights. 
Houses Started at the Hew Year. —The Graces will now be advanced 
in colouring, and require a free circulation of air. Moderate atmospheric 
moisture will still be necessary for the benefit of the foliage, and it will 
not injure the Grapes, provided it is not stagnant and deposited upon 
them. A little air and gentle warmth in the hot-water pipes will keep 
the atmosphere in motion and prevent moisture being deposited on the 
berries. The borders must not be neglected for water, but when needful 
afford a supply to keep the soil in a moist condition. Allow the laterals 
to extend where there is space, as a good spread of foliage aids the 
retention of the colour in black Grapes. Where red spider has obtained 
a hold prompt measures must be adopted for its destruction. Sponging 
the leaves is a safe and efficacious means of preventing the spread of the 
insscts. Sulphuring the pipes sometimes proves worse than the pests, 
as an excessive dose prejudicially affects the skins of the Grapes, but a 
judicious application of sulphur, mixed with skim milk, to the hot-water 
pipes, heated to 170°, on a calm evening, and with the house closed, 
destroys red spider without damage to the Grapes. The heat should be 
maintained about an hour, and then it may be allowed to fall to the 
ordinary temperature. Where fermenting material on outside borders 
has become cold and wet a portion of it must be removed, leaving 
enough for a light mulch. 
Early hluscats. —Those started in December to ripen early in June 
are just beginning to colour. They require a moist condition of the 
soil, as the berries are liable to shrivel unless the Vines are kept well 
supplied with water at the roots. When beginning to colour Muscat of 
Alexandria is liable to be scorched, for which a slight shading of herring 
netting doubled is a good preventive, but early ventilation and a circu¬ 
lation of warm air must be attended to. This will cause the Grapes to 
be a little later in ripening, but well-ripened Muscat of Alexandria 
cannot be had before the middle of June. Black Muscat and Madres- 
field Court may be had much earlier and with less heat than Is required 
for Muscat of Alexandria, 
Succession Houses. —Disbudding, stopping, tying, and regulating the 
growths must be followed up, making the most of the space at command 
for a good spread of foliage fully exposed to light. Allow crops propor¬ 
tionate to the vigour of the Vines, removing surplus bunches before 
they come into flower. Examine the borders occasionally, and when 
dry afford a thorough supply of water. Vines in full foliage and 
carrying heavy crops of fruit should be assisted with surface dressings 
or liquid manure. Inside borders will take almost any quantity of 
water, provided they are well drained, when the Vines are swelling 
their crops. Outside borders in this exceptionally dry season, and where 
high and dry, will require a copious supply of water or liquid manure. 
Ventilate early; it causes accumulated moisture to disperse, gives 
texture to the foliage, and solidity to the wood. Allow a high day 
temperature from sun heat, closing early to store the sun-warmed 
atmosphere. A temperature of G0° to G5° at night is best, especially 
to Vines carrying heavy crops, which require more time than those but 
lightly cropped, and maintain a day temperature of 70° to 75° in dull 
weather with a little ventilation. 
Grapes Stoning. — This process requires time and a 3‘eady 
temperature, G0° to 65° at night being sufficient, and 5° to 10° rise by 
day artificially. The borders must be kept well supplied with moisture, 
but excessive supplies of water and feeding substances check root-action 
and induce shanking. Keep the pinching of the laterals well in hand, 
avoiding checks, either by large reductions of foliage, cold currents, or 
water supplied at a low temperature. When the stoning is completed 
feed liberally, maintain a good moisture in the house, and mulch the 
W/ WOKK.Fon.THEWEEK.' 
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