458 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May S3, 1896. 
and not even that in some cases, I will pass over that part, as it is not 
essential for successfully contending with the disease. This is carried 
over with the seed of the Tomato, and the thing is to begin with that. 
This is a very diflScult matter, as the fungal plasma is internal ; but 
much can be done by saving seed from perfectly disease-free fruits. 
It may also be possible to destroy the plasma within the seed by 
steeping the seed in a solution of corrosive sublimate, sulphate of 
iron (not sulphate of copper), or even niorate of soda or kainit. 
Anyone can test the matter for himself by using (1) corrosive sublimate, 
finely powdered, 2 grains (apothecaries weight) to 1 gill (quarter of a 
pint) of water, bearing in mind that this solution is a terrible poison) ; 
(2) sulphate of iron, three-quarters of an ounce (avoirdupois weight) to 
1 gill of water, allowing the seed to remain in the respective solutions 
one hour and a half, then remove and sow at once, treating in the usua 1 
manner. If, as I anticipate, the plasma of the fungus is within the 
outer coat of the seed it may take a longer time to reach it; but as 
a rule the time named is sufficient to effect its destruction, especially 
when the integument is thin, as it usually is, where the fungus lies 
dormant. 
As regards soil treatment there is nothing better than a peck of air- 
slaked, or even freshly slaked lime per rod, distributing it evenly and 
pointing in lightly, or not that when likely to interfere with the roots 
of the plants. For the part of plant above ground, air-slaked lime, 
100 parts, and carbonate of copper (precipitated) one part, thoroughly 
mixed and distributed over the foliage with a bellows apparatus, so as 
to coat every part of the plant with the finest possible film, will give a 
good account of any outgrowths, thus preventing the spread of the 
disease, also making sure that no fungus whatever can germinate 
externally and push the germinal tube of its spore into the Tomato 
plant. If a liquid is preferred, use Bordeaux mixture, half strength. 
—G. Abbey. 
A YISIT TO THE KEY. F. D. HORNER, M.A., BURTON- 
IN-LONSDALE. 
Brightly was the sun shining as we approached the houses wherein 
were staged some of the most beautiful of Flora’s gems. Directly 
we got inside and viewed the Auricula bloom generally the mind was 
deeply impressed with the exquisite display of rich tints and soft 
shades. 
The blinds allowed a little sunlight to stream in here and there, 
lighting up the colours and showing charming variety of tint and depth 
of colour, though the subdued candlelight of last night’s preliminary 
peep was more favourable to a careful examination of the merits of the 
dowers, as it was to the due appreciation of their delicious aromatic 
fragrance. 
The season having been such an unkind one the plants were by no 
means so healthy as is usual at Mr. Horner’s, appearing flabby and short 
of stamina, due to stunted root action. Though the date was May 4th 
very many of the green-edged varieties were not open ; indeed, much of 
the bloom excepting seifs was not fully expanded. 
Amongst the grey edges. Lustre appeared to be the best. The tube 
perhaps may not be quite so rich as “ Lightbody ; ” but it has more body 
colour and is a better balanced flower. In addition to a fine truss of 
Geo. Lightbody, we noticed Lapwing, Fairy Ring, Harbinger, and 
Hypatia—all excellent. 
Of the white edges, Miranda was most prominent, then Luna, 
Magpie, Bull’s-eye, a new seedling—Bean Blossom, and a very promising 
Heather Bell; with the portly Meiklejohn nodding close by, apparently 
about to awaken and open his eye. 
Of green-edged varieties, a grand truss of the Rev. F. D. Horner was 
easily discernible, Chloe and Viridiflora (both seedlings of Mr. Simonite 
of great merit), and T. E. Hen wood were in good form. 
Mr. Horner this year seems to have struck quite a group of green- 
edged seedlings of the highest quality, patient and persistent endeavour 
on the most scientific lines thus being rewarded. We noticed Verdant 
Green, the Rev. G. Horner (a fine specimen). Bull Dog (a bold dashing 
bloom), a fine light green Sparkle, Ossian (very good), and a shapely 
flower that bids fair to prove a regular Adonis. 
Amongst his seifs, Mr. Horner had many of high excellence ; indeed, 
one may safely say of his seedlings generally it is difficult to find a 
second-rate flower. As the trusses were for the most part fully expanded 
they were very telling amongst the groups of Auriculas. Favourite, a 
lustrous violet, one specimen we saw, a sturdy plant, carrying no less 
than sixteen pips, and towering above its neighbours ; Melaine, dark 
maroon ; Rosy Morn, a lovely light shade of cherry red ; Enchantress, a 
fine purple ; Black Swan, a chocolate brown with a beautiful tube and 
clear paste ; Charmer, velvety red ; lolanthe, purple; and Florence, 
grand violet, were very conspicuous. Heroine was past its best. This 
variety gives its best bloom from a maiden plant. We noticed a 
wondrous light lavender self with a clear round paste, but a wee bit 
green in the tube ; Symmetry, a beautifully formed flower of light rcsy 
purple, on a healthy mealy plant ; Midnight, a magnificent blue with a 
purple sheen, circular paste, and good tube, amongst the latest of 
Mr. Horner’s seedlings. 
Considerations of space prevent more than a passing reference to the 
glories feen in Mr. Horner’s Orchid jungle. 
As our authority on the Tulip, Mr. Bentley, was one of the party, it 
is perhaps needless to state that our host’s collection .of Tulips was 
eagerly and closely scrutinised, and pronounced well grown and full of 
promise. Just a touch of colour was seen cn one or two buds, and pious 
hopes were indulged in that his crack seedlings may be seen at their 
best on the exhibition table at the National show. 
An evening spent round the fireside, where our quartet of florists 
met and talked over the flowers, descanted on their beauties, condemned 
the faults of various sorts, dealing first with Auriculas, then with Tulips, 
next with Carnations, back to Auriculas, and on went the “ gossip of 
the garden,” with many a story of the florists of old and their methods, 
and many new ideas for crossing suggested, memories recalled of florists 
that were, until it was time to glance again at the pets in the Auricula 
house ere we dropped into sleep.—C. W. N. 
CUCUMBERS. 
The resolve at which the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticul 
tural Society has arrived, to invite the Council to have next year a 
thorough test trial of Cucumbers at Chiswick, is one that must be com¬ 
mended, although no doubt there are some raisers of new varieties to 
whom the resolve may give pain. The resolution has been arrived at 
only because it has been found impossible to deal justly with Cucumbers, 
seeing that what are no doubt new varieties, yet bear to older ones such 
exceeding resemblance, it is not possible to say from a cursory notice of 
the fruits whether they differ materially or not. 
But whilst with many growers of these assumed new sorts singularly 
hazy notions seem to prevail as to what constitutes quality in Cucumbers, 
samples sent being often of the most ungainly and coarse description, 
some others have thoroughly realised what is quality in these fruits, 
and have during the past few years put before the Committee sorts of 
such exceeding excellence, such unquestioned beauty and quality, that 
it seems as if little or no room really was left for improvement. I 
almost think that there can be very little such room, because it is 
difficult to see where improvement can come in. What improvements 
there are yet to be considered can barely be in colour, form, length, or 
beauty of the fruits. It is only in growth or cropping qualities that 
improvements may be looked for, and it is evident that only through 
a good trial conducted at Chiswick can these improvements be 
ascertained. 
Some twenty years or more have, I believe, elapsed since a similar 
trial of Cucumbers took place at Chiswick, hence it is about time 
another was conducted. It is to be hoped that only recognised good 
old sorts will be grown, as it is evident for summer uses not a few 
of the old sorts have been quite superseded. There we should like 
to see not only seedlings shown for the first time this year, but 
all varieties certificated or put into commerce during the past ten 
years. Even with this limitation a large trial must take place. It is 
hoped that all interested in Cucumbers will do their best to make it a 
success. 
Obviously now that the Fruit Committee has come to this resolution 
it will be difficult, to my mind impossible, to grant certificates to any new 
sorts this year. That seems to be the only logical outcome of the 
proposal. One result of the trial it is hoped will be to give to the 
Chiswick Gardens greater interest in the estimation of the Fellows and 
horticulturists generally. Whilst testing of various products should 
constitute the principal work of the Gardens, it is obvious that this 
work does not receive at the hands of Fellows one tithe the 
attention it deserves. It seems perhaps too much to ask of the 
Committees, but it would be well were it possible for these bodies 
or portions of them, to meet at Chiswick, very much oftener than 
now. Indeed to keep pace with growing produce it seems as if meetings 
there once a fortnight during the summer would not be too often 
to enable what is being there grown to be thoroughly examined and 
dealt with. 
Perhaps there may be some desire expressed on the part of Cucumber 
raisers to learn what sort of excellence the Fruit Committee look for in 
new varieties. Well, before any person sends out as new anything they 
may have raised from seed, they should purchase and grow a few of 
the recognised best sorts in commerce, and thus ascertain for themselves 
what existing excellence is. Possibly such a home trial would do very 
much to help raisers to arrive at more correct conclusions. The more 
recently certificated varieties have given tons fruits ranging from 15 inches 
to 20 inches long, and these are indeed long enough for any purpose. 
Dark green in colour, very smooth and even from heel to point; in fact, 
as perfect as it would seem Cucumbers apparently can be. It is not 
possible with such sorts in mind to give any sort of recognition to fruits 
that even if of fair length are almost of large dimensions, very ribbed, 
wanting colour, and uneven in form. 
Then, again, Cucumber*, if ever so handsome and prolific, may be in 
the estimation of the Committee too short. Thus one of our most 
successful raisers exhibited the other day a variety that was without 
doubt singularly prolific, jet the fruits, very handsome, averaged only 
12 inches in length. A better variety for home use perhaps could 
hardly be found, but it was not long enough for market, and to that 
test chiefly now are Cucumbers brought. But then with regard to 
prolificacy, there seems to be no doubt but that Cucumber plants have 
limited powers of production, short fruits being numerous, long fruits 
much fewer. The short prolific sorts no doubt are best for winter 
culture, but still the winter culture of Cucumbers is very limited. 
Generally we have to regard them as summer products, and in that 
respect good average length must always constitute an important 
qualification.—A. D. 
