100 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 4, 1892. 
best fruit, about a ton, at 2s. a pound, from an open field. Do any of 
our readers know anything about Knivett’s or Knevett’s Seedling ? It 
is said to possess all the high quality of British Queen, plus hardiness 
and vigour of growth.] 
Events of the Week. —Shows are not quite so numerous during 
the ensuing week as they have been recently. On Saturday, August 
6th, the Midland Carnation Show will be held in the Botanical Gardens, 
Edgbaston, Birmingham, where a good display is expected. The Com¬ 
mittees of the Royal Horticultural Society meet at the Drill Hall, West¬ 
minster, on luesday, August 9th, and a lecture on Fuchsias will be given 
by Mr. G. Fry at the afternoon meeting. There will be an Exhibition 
at Maidenhead on Thursday, August 11th. Messrs. Protheroe & Morris’s 
usual sale of Orchids takes place on Friday at their auction rooms in 
Cheapside. 
The Weather in London. —The weather has been warm 
and summer-like of late, though some days have not been bright. 
Yesterday (Wednesday) was very dull, the wind having a tendency to 
back from north-west to west or south-west, and rain is not unlikely to 
follow. The dry weather has kept the Potato disease in check more 
effectively than has iouillie , some of which has perhaps been wasted, 
- Layering Carnations.—I have been trying the method of 
making the tongue as described by “ B.page 50, but fail to see that 
it has any advantage, either in neatness of work or saving time, over 
the old plan of inserting the knife just below the joint and cutting 
upwards.—T. S. 
- Carnation Madame de Warocque.— If I may form an 
opinion on a single plant of this variety placed out on a border with 
other Carnations I should say that it will be a very useful one for that 
purpose. The flowers have opened well, and plenty of strong healthy 
grass has been produced. I hope to put out several plants next 
season.—T. S. 
- Heavy Tomatoes.— The Tomatoes exhibited by Mr. R. Gilbert 
of Burghley at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society 
attracted considerable attention. ■ They were perfect in shape and of 
an enormous size, six fruits weighing 10J lbs. The variety was Royal 
Sovereign. It would be interesting to know if any reader has grown 
heavier Tomatoes than these.— C. 
- Carnation Lady Nina Balfour.— Messrs. Laing & Mather 
send us from Kelso blooms of this new Carnation, which was certifi¬ 
cated at the recent Show at Edinburgh. The flowers are blush pink 
in colour, borne on long rigid stems, and the calyx shows not the 
slightest sign of splitting. This broad petalled decorative Carnation is 
probably destined to meet with popular favour, for not only are the 
flowers attractive in colour and bold in character, but they are delight¬ 
fully fragrant. 
I lower Show at Sandringham. — The twenty-seventh 
annual Show of the Sandringham Estate Cottage Horticultural 
Society, promoted and patronised by the Prince and Princess of Wales, 
was held in Sandringham Park on July 27th. Besides cottagers’ 
exhibits, there was a good collection of ornamental baskets of flowers, 
Ferns, bouquets, and table decorations. By permission of the Prince 
and Princess the whole of the grounds, conservatories, and green¬ 
houses were thrown open to the public. 
- Clematis Empress of India.—T his Clematis belongs to the 
I ate ns section, and is certainly a striking variety when in bloom. 
I lately saw a finely flowered plant on a south-east wall in the old 
Abbey gardens, Winchester, which is situated right in the heart of the 
city, having lately been acquired by the Corporation, and laid out for 
the benefit of the inhabitants. The gardens are under the charge of 
Mr. Foot, and they certainly do him credit for the orderly manner in 
v, hich they are kept. The flowers of the above Clematis are unusually 
large, and the colour most striking. The young blossoms are of a deep 
violet shade, parts of which lighten to puce as the flowers mature, 
finishing off with a purple bar on each petal.—E. M. 
- Lincoln’s Inn Gardens. —By permission of the Benchers, 
the gardens of Lincoln’s Inn are now open to the public every 
evening from half-past six until dusk, and on and after Aug. 15th. 
until the middle of September they will be open from five o’clock 
until dusk. This permission has been accorded by the Benchers for 
many years past. 
- Presentation to Mr. Wj M. Baillie.— Mr. Baillie, who- 
has relinquished his charge as superintendent of the Luton Hoo 
Gardens, and who is shortly commencing business for himself as a 
nurseryman, seedsman, and florist, was on Saturday last presented 
with a very handsome marble clock by the gardeners on the estate. 
Mr. Baillie’s retirement will be a great loss to Luton Hoo, and 
although his name has not appeared so prominently of late years in 
horticultural papers as it did formerly, he still ranks among the leading 
horticulturists of the day. 
- Supports for Asparagus Tops.—W here Asparagus is grown 
in the modern style, with much more space than formerly, there is a 
greater opportunity for damage to be inflicted on the fully developed 
growth by heavy rains and wind than used to be the case when the rows 
were much closer together. Many persons do not realise the harm done 
to the roots through the tops being swayed to and fro by strong winds, 
aggravated by heavy rains, which tend to soften the soil about the 
stems. The most simple method of supporting the tops is by the aid of 
Pea sticks thrust into the soil among the stems, placing them on the 
eastern side of the plants, as the strongest wind comes from the south¬ 
west at this time of the year. Where it is possible to place a separate 
stake to each stem so much the better, but this can seldom be done.—E. 
- The National Co-operative Festival.—T his now well- 
known co-operative event, which this year enters upon its fifth anniver¬ 
sary, will be held at the Crystal Palace on Saturday, August 20th. 
The promoters—who are representatives of working men’s co-operative 
societies throughout the kingdom—intend to a great extent to follow 
their programme of previous years, and provide a flower show under the 
auspices of the Agricultural and Horticultural Association, an exhibi¬ 
tion of co-operative productions from profit-sharing workshops, a great 
choral concert upon the Handel orchestra of 6000 voices, a choir contest 
for gold and silver medals, a public meeting, and many Crystal Palace 
attractions. The General Secretary is Mr. Wm. Broomhall, 49, Bedford 
Street, Strand, W.C., who wili provide full details of the Society’s work 
to inquirers. 
- Dipladenia Brearleyana, —Last year we mixed a little of 
Thomson’s manure amoDg the peat and sand in potting one of our 
plants of the above named gorgeous Dipladenia; so pleased were we 
with the result that we have used it this year to our three plants, and 
have sent you two or three of the first flowers opened cut from a plant 
grown in a 14-inch pot. You will see from the leaves sent, and the size, 
substance, and deep colour of the bloom, that the plants have enjoyed 
their fare. Can you tell me if any of the newer varieties sent out lately 
are equal to D. Brearleyana and distinct in colour ?— Joseph Oliver. 
[We have not seen any finer Dipladenia flowers and foliage than the 
examples sent by our correspondent. The leaves are 7 inches long, 
2J to 3 inches wide, and remarkably stout in texture; flowers 5£ to 
6 inches in diameter, of unusual substance and richness in colour. 
Thomas Speed and Lady Louisa Egerton we have seen as large as those 
before us, and they are quite distinct, the former rosy crimson, the latter 
pinkish white.] 
- Viola Cuttings. —In order to secure a good stock of plants 
for next season’s bedding, cuttings should be put in at once. It 
fortunately happens that these useful plants are both easily and quickly 
propagated in this way :—The cuttings selected should be those which 
are now springing from the base of the old plants. These should be 
cut off near the old stools if not more than 2 inches in length, if 
longer shorten them to about that length. Where any particular variety 
is scarce the old shoots which have been flowering during the spring and 
summer may also be made into cuttings, but as they take longer to strike 
and never make such fine plants as the younger shoots, they should only 
be used in cases where there is a scarcity of cuttings of the right type. 
A north or west border is a capital position in which to insert the 
cuttings. Prepare the ground by thoroughly stirring the surface. If 
the soil is inclined to be heavy fork in a little leaf or old potting soil. 
In all cases spread a thin layer of sand upon the surface, press with a 
board, and dibble in the cuttings 3 inches apart. This will allow them 
room to grow without crowding till they are planted in the flower beds, 
either in autumn or early spring.— H. Dunkin. 
