398 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 18, 189*. 
rCHR 
UMS 
Portsmouth Chrysanthemum Show, 
We have received the schedule of the next autumn Show, which 
opens on October 31st and closes on November 2nd. The Portsmouth 
shows of the past have been among the earliest, largest, and best in the 
kingdom, and the next may be expected to equal its predecessors. The 
leading class is the usual mixed, and of forty-eight blooms in thirty-six 
varieties, and the five prizes offered, of £10, £7, £5, £3, and £1 10s., 
should bring out good competition. The stands of single Chrys¬ 
anthemums are invariably attractive at Portsmouth—the finest we have 
seen. The bunches are limited to three blooms. The fimbriate class is 
also effective, the blooms being arranged in the same way as singles. 
Good prizes are also provided for plants as well as in the fruit section of 
the Show, The Portsmouth November Shows are highly popular and 
attended by crowds of visitors. Mr. F. Power is the Honorary Secretary, 
and does all things well. 
Seasonable Notes on Chrysanthemums, ' 
The majority of the plants for large blooms will now be occupying 
a position out of doors, although if it were possible I should prefer that 
they have the shelter of a cold frame for a couple of weeks yet; removing 
the lights entirely during fine and warm weather, but having them 
handy in case of frost, or cold east wind, where the plants are at all 
exposed to it. In my case it is necessary to provide temporary shelter 
by means of thatched hurdles for several weeks, while the wind remains 
in the east. Plants that are exposed are liable to have the foliage 
changed in colour to a pale hue by a prevalence of cold wind, which is 
not at all conducive to their welfare. This paleness in the colour of the 
foliage is very much aggravated if water is drawn direct from water 
companies’ pipes, underground tanks, or wells, and given to the roots 
without first warming it, either by exposure to the sun in uncovered 
tanks or mixing with it hot water. It is surprising how quickly such an 
apparently small matter as the above will affect the colour of the leaves 
and with that the general health of the plants. 
Plants grown without topping are now making what is known as the 
“ first break,” which is simply a transition from the single stem to a new set 
of branches by natural means, caused by the formation of a flower bud at 
the point of the shoot, causing a temporary check to progress. This bud 
must be promptly removed and the requisite number of shoots selected, 
so that the whole energy of the plant will be concentrated in their 
progress for the future production of blooms. The orthodox number 
for each plant to develop thoroughly is three. In some instances where 
the blooms are small four are not too many, neither need the plants 
be restricted to less than three. It is at the “ first break” stage that 
the number is decided upon, as but one to each shoot is allowed 
to develop ; all surplus growth ought to be removed directly the 
most promising growths can be discerned. Some cultivators practise 
the topping plan on certain varieties and with very good results in 
the Japanese section, as for instance Mrs. Falconer Jameson, Mrs. 
Alpheus Hardy, and Stanstead White at times. The two former do 
not bloom quite at the right time in some districts, when managed 
on the orthodox method of allowing the plants to make their 
natural breaks. I would, however, caution cultivators with limited 
experience upon the topping principle. So much depends upon the 
weather that the plan is a risky one where the best results are desired. 
In the case of the incurved section I cannot advocate the topping 
principle at all. Plants require a longer season of growth in certain 
stages than the topping allows to enable the blooms to be developed deep 
and solid in “ build.” The recent hot weather has induced many 
plants to form flower buds too freely. The “ Queen” family is particularly 
liable to this fault, so much so that many plants are rendered quite 
useless by the persistent manner in which the buds arc formed, not only 
in the leading shoot, but the side branches are also affected in the same 
way. It is most difficult to account for this defect in culture beyond 
the reason given. The only remedy that I know of is to cut the plants 
down close to the soil with a view of inducing them to throw up 
another shoot. In many cases this will also set a flower bud before it is 
C inches long. 
The plants are now in 5^-inch pots, and mainly are full of roots, 
quite ready for their final shift. Where a slight delay must take place 
before repotting can be done it is wise to supply the roots with weak 
liquid manure occasionally, with a view of stimulating the plants in 
the absence of more root space. 
Preparing the soil for the last potting is a matter requiring some 
thought. No time should be lost in getting it ready, so that the 
manurial matter may thoroughly permeate through the whole of it. As 
a rule where bone manure is employed in the compost it is not mixed 
with the soil early enough to give off its manurial properties. Loam 
should form the principal ingredient, and it ought to be fibry. If it is 
taken from the surface of heavy land, partly decayed leaves, charcoal, 
wood ashes, and horse droppings ought to be freely used with a view 
to keeping the whole porous. Loam inclined to be sandy needs less of 
these materials, although wood ashes are good even for that class of 
soil. Where turf is cut from poor land like that found on the downs in 
some districts it needs considerable assistance, either by the aid of 
animal or chemical manures. The latter may be used at the rate of 
from 2 lbs. to 3 lbs. to every bushel of compost, according to their 
individual strength. 
A capital addition to poor turf is liquid manure, thoroughly saturating 
the turf some time before using it. Where obtainable cow manure in 
a half-decayed state is perhaps the best for light soil, horse manure 
being better for heavy loam as it tends to lighten it. Chrysanthemums 
require such a quantity of water at their roots during nearly all stages 
of their growth, that it is absolutely essential that the compost is made 
porous. Lime is necessary in some form or other, as soil deficient of 
calcareous matter is not likely to produce the best blooms. A handful 
of lime thrown on the turf occasionally when stacking it will not only 
supply a want, but is useful in destroying worms in the soil. Pounded 
oyster shells supply to an extent the want of lime in the soil. The turf 
I employ is wholly taken from a chalk subsoil, and to this fact—the 
presence of lime in quantity—I attribute the success in obtaining 
blooms of great depth and solidity. 
Many persons make a mistake in the use of animal manures mixed 
with soil. It is too often the practice to advise the use of thoroughly 
decayed manure. This is wrong, because what beneficent properties 
can there possibly be in manure when decomposition has entirely taken 
place ? The best way to prepare this manure is as if for a Mushroom 
bed, removing, of course, the greater part of the straw. It is sweetened, 
yet the ammonia is retained. To three parts of turf add one part of 
manure, half a part of decayed leaves, wood ashes and charcoal at the 
rate of one-sixth part, and artificial manure in addition at the rate 
named.—E. Molyneux. 
THE GARDENING AND FORESTRY EXHIBITION. 
The Inaugural Ceremony. 
In beautiful weather the Gardening and Forestry Exhibition at 
Earl’s Court was opened on Saturday, May 13th, by H.R.H. the Duke 
of York, K.G. As is usual on such occasions, the inaugural ceremony 
was of a brilliant character, the huge Exhibition buildings being most 
e'aborately decorated. A large crowd assembled to meet the Royal 
visitor, who arrived about one o’clock, accompanied by General Sir 
Francis de Winton, the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, the 
Thakfir and Ranee Sahib of Gondal, the Lord Mayor of London and Lady 
Mayoress, and Cardinal Vaughan. The following, amongst other nobility 
and gentry, had also accepted invitations :— 
The Marquis and Marchioness of Lothian, the Earl and Countess of 
Denbigh, the Earl of Haddington, the Earl and Countess Manvera, 
Viscount Powerscourt, Viscount Gort and Hon. Miss Vereker, the Lady 
Mayoress of Dublin, Hon. Mark Napier, M.P., and Mrs. Napier, Baron 
and Baroness de Reuter, Sir W. G. S. Vesey FitzGerald, Baron George 
de Reuter, Sir Richard Temple, M.P., and Miss Temple, Sir James 
Linton, P.R.I., Sir William Henry Flower and Lady Flower, Sir Charles 
Tupper and Lady Tupper, Sir Saul Samuel and Lady Samuel, Sir Charles 
Mills, Sir James F. Garrick and Lady Garrick, Lieut.-General Sir 
Andrew Clarke, Sir John C. Bray and Lady Bray, Sir Malcolm Fraser, 
Sir John Heron Maxwell and Lady Heron Maxwell, Sir Edward and 
Lady Braddon, Sir Algernon Borthwick and Lady Borthwick, Sir 
Walter Buller and Miss Buller, Sir Edmund Lechmere, M.P., and Lady 
Lechmere, Sir Joseph Hooker and Lady Hooker, Sir E. M. Shaw and 
Miss Shaw. Mr. H. E. Milner (Chairman of the Executive), Mr. Cadell 
(late of the Indian Forest Department), Mr. Harry Turner, and Mr. 
G. A. Loveday (Secretary) were also in attendance. 
When the Duke of York reached the dais in the centre of building 
Mr. Milner advanced to the steps and read an address of welcome, in 
which the objects of the Exhibition were declared to be instructive and 
wholesome enjoyment, in which the study of forestry and gardening 
might be pursued amid such auxiliary attractions as good music and 
light and pleasant surroundings might afford. Reference was made to 
the sympathy which the Prince of Wales has shown in every movement 
conducive to the welfare and happiness of all classes, and there was 
much applause when Mr. Milner read the concluding words of the 
address, which alluded to the approaching marriage of His Royal 
Highness and Princess May. 
The Duke of York in reply said : Mr. Milner, I thank you for your 
kind address, and I glad to come here to-day to open this Exhibition. 
It has for its object the instruction and enjoyment of all classes. The 
promotion of the love of gardening and the better knowledge of forestry 
are subjects of importance, and I am sure that your Exhibition will 
have a beneficial effect by drawing the attention of the public to these 
useful pursuits. I thank you for your kind allusion to my father, 
which I know will please him. In conclusion, I feel deeply touched by 
the congratulations you have offered me on my approaching marriage, 
and it is indeed a source of great gratification to both Princess May and 
myself that the announcement of our engagement has been so kindly 
received by all classes throughout the country. 
A daughter of Mr. Dodson, of the Board of Directors, then came 
forward to present the Duke with a white Rose. Then the Prince passed 
through the great covered in garden which leads to the Exhibition 
grounds, and after a brief inspection of the flower Show, took his 
departure. 
The Flower Show. 
The majority of the exhibits at the special flower show, which was 
held in connection with the opening of the Exhibition, were staged in a 
