568 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTACE GARDENER. 
June 27,1895. 
a fine group of Carnations in pots, as well as a stand of cut flowers. 
From W. & J. Birkenhead came a large collection of small Ferns in 
great variety. Messrs. Edwards & Sons, Nottingham, also had a stand 
of small Ferns in fancy pots and baskets; and Messrs. Sutton & Sons, 
Beading, a stand of Gloxinias, Begonias, Achimenes, and other plants in 
pots, also Peas in bearing; and Mr. Tidy, Havant, exhibited various 
useful appliances, his stand being brightened with a choice assortment 
of cut Pelargoniums. 
Gold medals were awarded to Messrs. F. Sander & Co. for miscel¬ 
laneous plants, Messrs. Charlesworth & Co. for Orchids, Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons for stove and greenhouse plants, and Messrs. Cutbush & Sons 
for Carnations and cut flowers. First-class certificates were granted to 
Messrs. Laxton Bros, for Royal Sovereign and Monarch Strawberries. 
RICHMOND.—June 26th. 
In glorious weather the Richmond Horticultural Society h 3 ld its 
twenty-first annual exhibition of plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables 
on Wednesday last. Several large marquees were provided, and well 
filled with excellent exhibits. Roses were well shown in good quantities, 
and a large amount of space was taken up by the miscellaneous exhibits 
of nurserymen, by whom large and varied groups of flowers and plants 
were staged. 
The premier prize for a group of plants was awarded to Mr. 
H. E. Fordham, Twickenham, for a tastefully arranged exhibit, con¬ 
sisting chiefly of Gloxinias. Orchids, Liliums, and Carnations, with 
Palms, Crotons, and Maidenhair Ferns. Mr. J. F. McLeod, Roe- 
hampton, was second with a good group, but inferior to the former in 
elegance ; and Andrew Pears. Esq., Isleworth, third. Mr. A. Offer, 
gardener to J. Warren, E.q., Handcross Park, Crawley, was awarded 
first for six stove and greenhouse plants in flower, his exhibit consisting 
of well-flowered examples of Erica magnifica, Ixora Fraseri, Bougainvillea 
glabra, and others. 
For six fine-foliaged plants, distinct, Mr. A. Offer was again first with 
magnificent examples of Cycas levoluta, Croton Williamsi, Kentia 
Belmoreana, and Anthurium magnificum, the second prize falling to 
Andrew Pears, Esq. For six exotic Ferns Mr. C. Want, gardener to 
Sir F. Wigan, East Sheen, was first with well grown plants. Mr. J. 
Simmonds, gardener to W. Cunard, Esq., Twickenham, was a good first 
for six Caladiums. The premier award for six Fuchsias was awarded to 
G. Cotterell, gardener to the late W. Davies, Esq., Isleworth. Mr. J. 
Smith, Isleworth, was first for six Coleus, and Mr. A. Russell, gardener 
to J. Green, Esq., Isleworth, second. % 
In the class for forty-eight Roses, distinct (two trusses of each), the 
first prize fell to Messrs. D. Prior & Son, Colchester, for a fine 
exhibit of magnificent blooms, consisting of all the popular varieties, 
Mr. Frank Cant, Colchester, was a good second ; and Mr. B. R. Cant. 
Colchester, third. For twenty-four Roses, distinct, Messrs. G. & W. H, 
Burch, Peterboro’, were first; Messrs. D. Prior & Son second ; and Mr. 
Frank Cant third. For twelve Tea Roses of one variety, J. Gurney 
Fowler, Esq., South Woodford, was first; Mr. B. R. Cant second ; and 
Mr. G. Mount, Canterbury, third. Other classes for Roses were we’l 
filled and the competition keen, the Judges having much difficulty in 
awarding the prizes. 
Floral decorations were shown in quantity, and for dinner table 
decorations of natural flowers and foliage Mr. F. W. Seale, Sevenoaks, 
was first; Miss C., B. Cole, Feltbam, second ; and Miss Lilian Hudson, 
Gunnersbury House, Acton, third. The first prize for six exotic Orchids was 
awarded to Mr. A. Howard, Orchid grower to H. Little, Esq.. Twicken¬ 
ham ; Mr. W. H. Young, Orchid grower to Sir F. Wigan, East Sheen, 
being second. 
Gloxinias were well shown, the best collection being that of Mr. H. G. 
Fordham, Twickenham. Mr. Watts, gardener to H. Little, Esq., gained 
first prize for Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums ; and for Begonias, the first prize 
fell to Mr. Jas. Portbury, gardener to W. N. Froy, Esq., Putney Heath, 
Mr. Chas. Turner, Slough, was first for a collection of Fancy Pelar¬ 
goniums. For a collection of Begonias, the first prize fell to Mr. Jas. 
Portbury, gardener to W. N. Froy, Esq., Putney Heath ; Mr. R. Johnson, 
gardener to Alderman Roberts, Richmond, coming second. For six 
Palms, Mr. J. Simmonds, gardener to W. Cunard, Esq., Twickenham, 
was first; and Mr. T. P. McGregor, Putney Hill, second. 
Fruit of fair quality was staged, Mr. W. Ford, gardener to W. H. 
Ellis, Esq., being first for collection of six dishes, which consisted of 
Foster’s Seedling and Black Hamburgh Grapes, Hale’s Early Peaches, 
Brown Turkey Figs, Melons, and Strawberries. Mr. G. H. Sage, 
gardener to the Earl of Dysart, Petersham, was second ; and Mr. Thos. 
Osman, Ottershaw, Chertsey, third. For black Grapes, Mr. W. Ford, 
gardener to H. Ellis, Esq., was first; Mr. T. Osman, second ; and Mr. 
H. W. Blake, gardener to Mrs. Blaine, Clandon Park, Guildford, third. 
For white Grapes, Mr. W. Tidy, gardener to W. K. D’Arcy, E.-q., Stan- 
more Hall, Middlesex, was first; Mr. T. Osman, second ; and Mr. W. 
Ford, third. Strawberries were fairly well shown, Mr. G. H. Sage gaining 
first prize with an excellent dish. 
Excellent vegetables were shown in the classes set apart for them, 
the collection of Mr. Thomas Wilkins, Ilenstridge, near Blandford, 
which gained first honours for the prizes given by Messrs. Jas. Carter 
and Coi, being exceptionally fine. Another good collection was that ot 
Mr, C. T. Waite, Glenburst, E-her, which was awarded first for the 
prize offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading. A bright feature in 
the show was the miscellaneous exhibits, which were numerous and 
extremely diversified. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and IVectarlnes. — Early Forced Trees. — Continuous 
forcing to have the fruit ripe in May and early in June taxes the 
energies of the trees, as they have to make the growths during the early 
months of the year and mature them in early summer. After the fruit 
is all gathered ventilate to the fullest extent, if possible removing the 
roof lights by the middle of July, or sooner in the case of the very early 
forced houses, if the weather be hot and the growths sufficiently 
matured. If the roof lights are not moveable, in addition to ventilating 
to the fullest extent, the borders should be duly damped and properly 
watered, so as to keep the foliage fresh, and no check given likely to 
induce the premature ripening of the young wood and leaves. Keep 
the latter free from red spider by syringing occasionally, applying an 
insecticide if necessary, sparing no pains to keep the foliage clean and 
healthy, thus enabling it to mature naturally. Stop laterals likely to 
interfere with the principal growths, but moderate lateral extension 
will promote root action and appropriate any excess of nutriment, 
which forced into the buds may result in an undue development. All 
shoots that have supported fruit, and are no longer required, should be 
removed to let air and light freely to the growths, and if there is too 
much crowding of the shoots for next year’s bearing, thin them well to 
admit sun for solidifying those left. 
Homes with Fruit Ripening. —A temperature of 60° to 65° at nighfe 
and 70° to 75° by day, with 10° to 15° more from sun heat, is essential 
to the swelling and securing quality in the fruit. Except on cold nights 
and in dull weather little fire heat will be required, as the weather is 
bright ; but changes come suddenly, and attention must be given to 
circumstances, so as to maintain steady progress, and admit of a little 
air constantly for securing flavour and good finish. Afford moderate air 
moisture, but withhold water from the fruit after ic commences to 
soften, damping the floors and borders whenever they become dry,, 
supplying water as required, and a mulching of spent, rather lumpy 
material will keep the surface in a condition favourable to the activity 
of the roots, and that without overdue atmospheric moisture. If the 
weather continue bright some netting spread over the roof lights will be¬ 
an advantage in preserving the delicate skinned varieties, such as 
Noblesse, from unduly heating by the sun’s rays, causing the fruit to 
ripen at the apex greatly in advance of those on the lower parts, and 
the fruit not infrequently decays there through over-ripeness, whilst 
the lower part is quite hard. These, indeed all fruits, are bettei^ripened 
gradually than by being much heated, as is sometimes done under the- 
large and clear panes of glass rightly employed in modern glass structures 
for growing fruit. A double thickness of herring nets or a single 
thickness of pilchard net drawn over the roof lights will sufficiently 
break the most powerful sunlight, insuring the fruit ripening evenly. 
This shading may remain on after the fruit is gathered, as it greatly 
conduces to the preservation of the foliage, insures the perfecting of the 
buds, preventing malformation or premature maturity, and this signifies 
less danger of the buds falling. 
Young Irees. —Inattention to disbudding these, or leaving more 
growths than absolutely necessary for bearing and furnishing the trellis 
is a great mistake. The principal branches, or shoots to form them, 
should be 12 to 15 inches apart, and the shoots for next year’s bearing, 
originated from the preceding year’s shoots, disposed about 15 inches- 
asunder along them, stopping if necessary at that extent of growth, 
and the laterals to one shoot as produced. The extension, or main 
shoots, should be trained in their full length, provided they are evenly 
balanced. If the shoots on one side are stronger than the other, depress- 
the strong and elevate the weak, so as to induce an equal distribution, of 
vigour throughout the tree. Any gross shoots may be stopped, but it is 
better to cut out excessively strong wood, as it is difficult to restrain,, 
and often succumbs to gumming, therefore encourage sturdy, short- 
jointed growths. Ventilate early in the day, increase with the advancing 
temperature, avoiding a vitiated atmosphere by leaving on a little air 
constantly. Essential growths must be trained so that sun and air have; 
access to them freely, keeping them thin and the foliage clean. 
Figs. — Second Crops. —The fruits on early forced trees have now 
swelled to a good size, and being judiciously thinned, there will be a 
crop of good Figs towards the latter part of the summer. To insure this 
the foliage must be kept free from insects and the feeding liberal. 
When the crop is heavy, and the former tbinuing not having been suffi¬ 
cient, a second thinning should take place at once, leaving the most 
forward at the base of the shoots, which will ripen earlier than the 
others, and BO afford more time for the ripening of the shoots at their 
points, these being kept well up to the light. Early forced, planted out 
trees, should have the young wood ripened and be resting by the middle 
of October. 
Watering and Feeding. —If the borders have become dry whilst the 
first crop of fruit was ripening they must be watered repeatedly until 
the soil is properly moistened through to the drainage. Liquid manure 
will be required by trees having iheir roots in borders of limited extent. 
