September 1, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
201 
they were the worst paid class of men in the land (hear.) For a long 
time he had been trying to impress upon gentlemen the fact that they 
should pay their gardeners higher wages. 
Mr. W. Marshall proposed “Gardening Charities,” mentioning the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, 
and the United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society. Messrs. 
A. F. Barron, G. Ingram, and J. Hudson responded on behalf of the 
respective Societies. Mr. Ingram, on behalf of Mr. H. J. Veitch and 
Mrs. Veitch, took the opportunity to thank the gardeners for the presents 
they had given the latter on occasion of their silver wedding. 
Major Mackenzie gave “ The Chairman,” and reminded those present 
that not only was Mr. Thomson a veteran successful horticulturist, but 
that many of the best and largest gardens in this or other countries 
were under the management of men who had been pupils of Mr. 
Thomson. A brief response by the Chairman brought the proceedings 
to a close. 
KINGSWOOD. 
This promises to soon become one of the best Shows and most 
popular fixtures in the neighbourhood of Bristol. In the open classes 
the prizes are good enough to attract some of the leading plant growers 
in the country, while the local private gardeners, amateurs, and cottagers 
all show remarkably well. With twelve flowering plants Mr. J. Cypher, 
Cheltenham, was well first, these consisting of Erica Austiniana, 
E. Marnockiana, E. Turnbulli, Allamanda grandiflora, A. nobilis, 
Anthurium Schertzerianum, Clerodendron Balfourianum, Ixora Pilgrimi, 
I. Fraseri, I. Williamsi, Erica Eweriana, and E. Thompsoni. Mr. J. F. 
Mould was awarded the second prize. Mr. G. Tucker, gardener to Major 
Clarke, Trowbridge, was a very close third. Mr. Cypher was also first 
for eight fine-foliaged plants, having beautifully coloured Crotons and 
well-grown Palms. With six Fuchsias Mr. G. Harris, gardener to 
the Clifton Zoological Society, was first, Mr. T. Fussell being a good 
second. The best six Zonal Pelargoniums were shown by Mr. G. Tucker, 
the second prize going to Mr. W. Smith. The last na'med was easily 
first for six double-flowering varieties, Mr. S. Bryant, gardener to 
Dr. Grace, being second. Exotic Ferns were well shown. Mr. Tucker 
was placed first for eight varieties. Mr. W. Rye, gardener to Captain 
Bell field, was a very close second. 
In the classes confined to private gardeners and amateurs Mr. W. Rye 
was the most successful, but several other gardeners exhibited in a very 
creditable manner. The first prize flowering plants were staged by 
Mr. Rye, and all were in good condition ; Mrs. Coles being second. 
Similar positions were occupied by these exhibitors in the "class for 
six fine-foliage plants, Mr. Rye staging fine specimens. The best 
six exotic Ferns were also staged by Mr. Rye, all being large and 
healthy. Mr. J. W. Langdon was a good second. Tuberous Begonias, 
Zonal Pelargoniums, Cockscombs, and other plants were all well 
shown by various growers, the competition generally being close and 
good. 
Cut flowers were a great feature of the Exhibition, the Bath growers 
being particularly well represented. For twenty-four triplets of Roses 
Dr. Budd, Bath, was a good first, and Messrs. Parker & Sons, Bristol, 
second. Dahlies were numerous and good. With twenty-four varieties 
and twelve Fancies Mr. G. Humphries, Chippenham, was first, being 
closely followed in both instances by Mr. T. Hobb 3 , Bristol. The best 
stand of single Dahlias came from Mr. A. A. Walters, Bath, Mr. 
Humphries being a good second. The last named won with Cactus 
varieties, Mr. F. Williams being second in this instance. Asters made a 
grand display, the best twenty-four French varieties being staged by 
Mr. G. Galloway, Bath, other Bath growers also showing well. Gladioli 
in twenty-four distinct varieties were more numerous than usual, the 
quality also being good. Mr. A. A. Walters was first, and Mr. W. Smith 
a close second, crowding the spikes in the latter instance greatly detract¬ 
ing from their appearance. The best twelve bunches of stove and green¬ 
house flowers were shown by Mr. Shelton, gardener to W. R. Wait, Esq., 
Bristol, Mr. G. Tucker following closely. Begonias, both single and 
double, were above the average, the classes also being better filled than 
at most exhibitions. The most successful with these were Messrs. 
T. M. Mobsby, gardener to Alderman F. F. Fox, and the Rev. G. H. 
Jackson. Hardy flowers in twelve varieties made a grand display. Mr. 
A. A. Walters was first, and Mr. G. Garraway second. Very good also 
were the Hollyhocks as shown by Mr. T. Hobbs and Mr. W. Smith. 
There is considerable room for improvement in the fruit classes, 
though some of the single dishes shown were very good. The first 
prize in the open class for a collection went to Mr. E. Hall, Bath, and 
in the local class Mr. W. G. Coles was first, and Mr. P. Fussell second. 
Mr. S. Bryant had a first prize for grandly set and well-finished bunches 
of Muscat Hamburgh, and also for good Foster’s Seedling Grapes ; Mr. 
J. Marshal], gardener to Mrs. Doel, a so being successful with Grapes. 
The best Melon was shown by Mr. Coombs, gardener to J. W. Langdon, 
Esq., Mr. E. W. Towill being second. With Peaches Mr. W. Rye was 
first, having Crimson Galande good ; Mr. E. W. Towill was second, the 
last-named being first for Nectarines and Mr. Coombs second. Plums, 
Apples, Pears, and other hardy fruits were well shown, as also were 
collections of vegetables, the principal prizes for the latter going to 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Messrs. Fotheringham & Co., Dumfries .—Bulbs and Roses. 
Messrs. Hogg & Wood, Coldstream and Duns, N.B.— Bulbs. 
WOKK/Ofl-THEWEEK 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Gathering and Storing Fruit.— This is work requiring more or 
less daily attention from now onwards to the close of the fruit season. 
On its careful performance depend in a great measure the quality and 
keeping capabilities of even the best and most perfect samples of fruit. 
Good culture brings fruit to perfection in a natural manner sooner or 
later, but when this is attained means must be taken to insure its 
preservation either for long or short periods in the best possible manner. 
The first essential to success in securing perfect samples in every respect 
is to gather the individual fruits at exactly the right time. This can 
only be known by carefully watching the ripening process as it goes on 
at or near the period when each particular variety is known to be fit for 
use. In different localities the same varieties vary considerably in their 
time of ripening, as also they do in the same districts according as they 
are influenced by soil, position, and culture. The usual test, and one 
that is generally reliable for ascertaining the fitness or otherwise of fruit 
to be gathered, is to carefully raise up each fruit, when, if the ripening 
process has been almost completed, the fruit will separate itself readily 
from the spurs ; but if the connection between the wood and the fruit is 
still strong, so as to render separation difficult without twisting and 
injuring the stalk, then the time for gathering has not come. Every 
fruit should receive as little and as careful handling as possible, laying 
each as gathered separately in flat baskets, taking care not to bruise or 
damage in the slightest degree the skins and the flesh immediately 
underneath. The nearer the fruits are to maturity the more care is 
required. Most fruits, Pears especially, are best, gathered just before 
ripening is completed. When allowed to stay too long Pears develop a 
musty flavour ; if gathered too soon the peculiar aroma of the variety is 
not secured, a watery taste being developed instead. Plums staying too 
long on the _ trees are apt to crack, and Apples, too, fall of themselves, 
becoming injured and useless for storing. Sometimes maggot affects 
the Apple, many fruits being spoiled by their boring and the°premature 
ripening they induce. Gather all such fruits as soon as possible 
after they fall to prevent the depredations of the larvse another 
year. All good fruits when gathered should be laid thinly in dry 
cool quarters, where they will develop their own peculiar aroma and 
flavour. 
Protecting- Fruit— Wet weather affects all ripening fruit more or 
less, and if it is likely to be long continuous protection must be 
afforded to soft fruits such as Currants, Plums, and Cherries, which 
are often preserved on the trees as long as possible to afford a late 
supply. Any special fruits intended for’exhibition ought to have the 
early protection of gauze bags, which effectually prevents all winged 
insects from attacking them. Large quantities of fruit may be enclosed 
with hexagon netting, which will baffle wasps and bluebottle flies, these 
also being caught by a sweet mixture of treacle and beer contained in 
bottles suspended among the branches of any trees they are likelv to 
attack. 
Perfecting Fruit and Wood.— The effects of good culture are 
always apparent in bringing fruit nearer to its proper season of maturity, 
improving its quality, and ensuring an excellent finish. It is noticeable 
that Jargonelle Pears produced on trees that have not been properly 
cultivated—that is, neglected in many important respects—are never so 
large, fine, and early as on trees better managed. The reason is that 
support, which should be directed to the fruit, is attracted powerfully in 
other directions, often to useless parts, and the development of the fruit 
is retarded or proceeds very slowly. Sometimes fruit cannot develop 
through lack of support by the roots. The remedy for this is the appli¬ 
cation of stimulants in the form of liquid and artificial manures. 
Assistance of this kind, however, must be applied judiciously, or the 
result may be the forcing of too strong wood growth, where that may be 
already plentiful and vigorous enough. Manurial assistance is best 
given during the period when the fruit is hard and green, its enlarge¬ 
ment then needing acceleration and help the most. Moisture at other 
times during growth must be afforded, if not of a stimulative character, 
to assist the double strain of fruit-perfecting and fruit-bud-forming 
processes. The month of September is the period in which trees are 
employed in ripening the wood made during the current season. Any 
diminution of nutrition or moisture then occurring produces less plump 
fruit buds and stronger wood buds, also in some cases invites, especially 
during a very dry period, fresh attacks of red spider on the foliage, 
■which arrests the important work the leaves perform, inducing premature 
wood ripening. When the roots of fruit trees are mainly produced near 
the surface of the soil feeding induces them to stay there, thus maintain¬ 
ing a proper balance of health, fertility, and vigour. 
Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots.— The shoots which have borne 
the current year’s crops having been relieved of fruit ought to be cut 
back to the point from which the succession shoots start, these being 
securely fastened to the wall to induce speedy ripening of the wood. 
This, perfect cleanliness of the foliage, and just sufficient moisture 
at the roots to maintain health and vigour without encouragin 0 - second 
growth, are the main points to be aimed at. 
