280 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 28, 1896. 
SPRING SHOWS. 
GRASSENDALB AND AIGBURTH.— March 16th. 
The fifth annual spring show was opened on the above date at the 
Parish Room by the Rev. C. Yeld, Vicar of Grassendale, who con¬ 
gratulated the Committee on the increasing prosperity both in funds 
and membership. There were thirty classes provided, the entries 
numbering 140. Thanks to the staging Committee, ably assisted by the 
energetic Secretary (Mr. R. Fawkes), the plants were displayed to great 
advantage; the room in fact could not have looked more beautiful. 
Hyacinths and Tulips were shown in good condition, the veteran 
cultivator, Mr. J. Kelly, gardener to R. Singlehurst, Esq., winning for 
twelve and six distinct. For six pots, three bulbs in a pot, Mr. J. Grant, 
gardener to W. S. Gladstone, Esq., won well, also for six double, six 
single Tulips, and six pots Narcissus. The prize for Amaryllis was 
worthily won by Mr. T. Johnson, gardener to G. W. Moss, Esq. Mr. 
Johnson was also granted a certificate for an admirable collection, not 
for competition, which displayed high cultural skill. 
For stove and greenhouse plants, a specimen Fern, and specimen 
Orchid, Mr, J. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, Esq., took all the firsts, 
the prize for two Orchids going to Mr. G. Leadbeater, gardener to W. J. 
Davey, Esq.. Azaleas were bright and in good condition, Mr. J, Kelly 
winning in both classes. Mr. P. Field, gardener to J. H. Wilson, Esq., 
and G. Leadbeater winning with hardy and greenhouse Rhododendrons, 
the latter taking the prize for forced hardy plants. Cinerarias, Primulas, 
and Cyclamen were superbly shown, Mr. A, Lewis, gardener to T. Neal 
Esq., being simply invincible. This group of Cyclamen he exhibited 
were acknowledged by some of the most experienced growers to be 
perhaps the finest they had seen at any show. Mr. J. Grant was 
successful with Spirmas and Carnations in pots, Mr. Kelly with Palms 
and table plants, and Mr. J. Heaton, gardener to R. T. Houston, Esq., 
with a bouquet. 
A pretty feature was the special prize given by Messrs R. P. Ker and 
Sons for the most tastefully arranged hamper of plants, the hamper not 
to exceed 3 feet, and which might be carried out at many other places, 
Mr. Bounds won, and was closely followed by Mr. J. Heaton. Messrs. 
R, P. Ker & Sons, Aigburth Nursery, were awarded a certificate for 
a collection of superb seedling Clivias, Throughout the day the 
attendance was of a most gratifying character.—R. P. R. 
BRIGHTON.— March 26th and 27th. 
This was a much better show than expected, for there were scarcely 
any classes without several competitors, and many were very closely 
contested. The benefits of a practical and working Committee were 
well shown, and a good meeting resulted. 
A silver cap was presented by T. Billing, Esq., for a group of mis¬ 
cellaneous plants, and called out some spirited competition. Mr. G. Miles, 
Victoria Nursery, Dyke Road, was awarded this for a very charming 
arrangement of Asparagus, Aralias, Amaryllis, Palms, and other plants, 
the smaller and brighter of which were well shown up by a low ground¬ 
work of A. cuneatum, the whole being encircled with Primroses. Mr. 
Meachen, gardener to Mrs. Armstrong. Woodslee, Preston, was second 
with a very pretty group, but too heavy in arrangement. For a table of 
plants Mr. Jupp, gardener to G. Boulton, Esq., Eastbourne, was first, 
closely followed by Mr. J. Hill, gardener to Marriage-Wallis, Esq., 
Withdeane. For a smaller table, open to single-handed gardeners only, 
Mr. Anderson, gardener to S. Cowell, Esq., Melodia, Preston Park, and 
Mr. Wickens, gardener to Mrs. Dawson Rowley, Chichester House, 
Brighton, were first and second. 
Mr. Hart, gardener to A. Head, Esq., Shoreham, was a good first for 
twelve pots of Hyacinths in a well-contested class; while for six 
Mr. Wickham, gardener to J. Humphrey, Esq., Highlands, Keymer, won. 
Tulips were good, but not numerous. Mr. Rapley, gardener to Miss 
Visick, St. John’s, Withdeane, was first for twelve ; and Mr. Hart for six 
pots, also first for six Violets. The twelve Cinerarias from Mr. Murrell, 
gardener to Mrs. Macdonald, Manor House, Preston, and the nine green¬ 
house Azaleas from the same place were marvels of good culture. Mr. 
G. Miles had some beautifully flowered Azalea mollis. Pot Roses were 
not up to the usual standard if we except Mr. Meacben’s six plants, 
which gained first honours. The same grower’s Deutzia gracilis were 
grand; as also were his pots of Lily of the Valley, obtaining first in each 
class. Mr. Hart was first for twelve Narcissus, and Mr. Wickens for six 
Amaryllis. Callas from Mr. Murrell and Mr. Harper were good, and 
Mr. Murrell was also first for six double ancj six single Primulas. 
Pots of Strawberries in fruit were shown in' good condition, the 
first prize for six being awarded to Mr. Golding, gardener to H. St. 
George Voules, Esq., Uplands, Dyke Road, and second to Mr. G. Hel- 
man, gardener to Viscount Gage, Firle Park, Lewes. 
An epergne of flowers brought several competitors, and resulted in 
Mr. E. Meachin just defeating Mr. R. Miller. For twelve varieties of 
cut flowers Mr. H. Garnett, gardener to R. J. Fletcher, Esq., With¬ 
deane, was deservedly put in front of Mr. J. Gore, Polegate, but the 
points were close. 
As usual, there were many exhibits not for competition, the most 
noteworthy being a good stand of Azaleas. Boronias, Dendrobinms, 
Ericas, Hyacinths, and Palms from Messrs. Balchin & Sons, who also 
decorated the stage ; a small collection of fruit and seeds from 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, seeds from Messrs. Tilley Bros., a complete 
collection of garden implements from Messrs. Palmer & Co., and a stand 
of artificial flowers from Madame Hastings, Brighton. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Earliest Bouse. — If fermenting materials have been 
employed inside the house they should be removed before the berries 
commence colouring, retaining about a couple of inches thickness as 
a mulch, and affording a thorough supply of water or liquid manure, 
or a top-dressing of some approved chemical manure washed in. The 
manure supplied at this juncture must be of a sweet nature, and not 
likely to taint the flavour of the Grapes. This sometimes arises from 
the late use of soot and other crude substances, and that of a sustaining 
rather than a stimulating character is most advisable. Phosphatic and 
potassic manures, which usually contain sufficient nitrogenic elements 
for the due formation of chlorophyll are valuable, and suffice for the 
appropriation of the other substances. After the Grapes commence 
colouring ventilate as freely as possible, and gradually reduce the 
atmospheric moisture. The temperature should be maintained in the 
daytime at 70° to 75°, with 10° to 15° rise from sun heat, allowing 
a decline to 65°, or even 60°, on cold mornings. Allow a moderate 
extension of the laterals, as this accelerates root activity, favours 
due supplies of nourishment to the fruit, and aids, rather than hinders, 
acquirement and retention of colour in Black Hamburgh and other 
black Grapes. Crowding, however, must be avoided, as the results 
depend on the amount of matter assimilated and stored. 
Vines in Flower .—A moderate amount of atmospheric moisture, with 
a steady circulation of warm (rather drier for Muscats than Hamburghs) 
air, is desirable when the Vines are in flower, with a temperature of 
70° to 75° for Muscats, and 5° less for Black Hamburghs, allowing an 
advance of 10° to 15° from sun heat. Muscat of Alexandria and Canon 
Hall Muscat—the two finest Grapes extant—should have the points of 
the bunches brought to the light, and be lightly brushed over, when the 
caps of the flowers have parted from the calyxes, with a camel-hair 
brush, and shortly afterwards pollen, taken from free-setting varieties 
such as Alicante, be applied to the stigma. All shy-setting kinds 
ought to be fertilised artificially in this manner, the correct procedure 
being to brush over the bunches of the latter first, and then apply 
the pollen with another brush, always operating lightly, and with 
circumspection. 
Dishtidding Vines. —This, as a rule, should not be attempted until 
the bunches appear in the points of the shoots; even then it is not advisable 
to be in a hurry, nor remove a large amount of growths at a time, so as 
to give as little check as possible, and divert the sap into the shoots re¬ 
tained equally. Reserve no more growths than can have full exposure 
to light, as crowding is one of the chief causes of disaster in Grape¬ 
growing. The bearing shoots should be 15 to 18 inches apart. This 
gives sufficient space for the exposure of the lateral as well as the prin¬ 
cipal leaves to light and air, and where the extension system is followed, 
the canes trained 2\ to 3 feet apart for having bearing shoots the fol¬ 
lowing year on both sides, but for these on the upper side only 15 to 
18 inches distance suffices. 
Stopping Vines .—When the growths have advanced one or two joints 
beyond the show for fruit the cultivator should exercise judgment in 
respect of the space, and stop so as to apportion the leafage for due ex¬ 
posure. Where there is space it is better to allow shoots with fruit to 
extend three or four leaves beyond the bunches before taking out their 
points, then there must be space for lateral growth, it being preferable 
to allow the laterals to make two or three leaves before stopping, after¬ 
wards pinching as space permits. This applies to growths above or level 
with the bunch, the object being to secure abundant supplies of nutri¬ 
ment to the clusters. The laterals from the leaves below the bunches 
may be pinched to one first joint and to one leaf afterwards as growth is 
made. This secures good results in the current season without prejudice 
to the prospect for another year. Where the space, on the other hand, 
is limited, it not being possible to carry out the process without 
crowding, the bearing shoots may be stopped when the leaf at the point 
determined on is the size of a halfpenny, one or two joints being allowed 
beyond the bunch. The lateral, level with or above the fruit, must be 
pinched to one leaf as growth is made, and those below the bunch can be 
dealt with in a similar manner. This will secure plump basal buds and 
admit of close pruning, while the principal leaves have full exposure to 
light, and there is some amount of lateral growth for sustaining root 
activity and a fair amount of nourishment and stored matter for meeting 
contingencies. Under these conditions, combined with clean foliage 
and judicious management. Grapes may be grown satisfactorily by 
either method, but there is greater danger of overcropping and con¬ 
sequently indifferent finish by the restrictive than by the freer lateral 
development. 
Thinning Grapes. —Free-setting varieties may have the berries 
thinned as soon as they are out of flower, even such as Gros Colman 
whilst they are in flower, as then the best berries can be decided on, 
and those left get all the benefit of the swelling and are larger in 
consequence. Muscats and other shy-setting varieties should not^ be 
thinned until it is seen which berries are taking the lead in swelling, 
