February 8, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
107 
in practice the time ia saved over and over again when we use it as a 
preventive rather than a cure. 
As growth advances it will derive much benefit from weak doses of 
liquid manure ; it also feeds, much more thaa many would seem to 
imagine, upon the ammonia arising from a little of the manure water 
used to damp down or moisten the atmosphere. The clean foliage and 
open pores caused by a free use of the syringe places the plant in a 
splendid condition for atmospheric feeding, and I always make a 
practice of aiding them in this way. With brighter weather, say during 
March, it is wiser to give a very slight shading than to admit air. Few 
imagine how slight a wash is effectual in breaking the force of the sun 
during the spring months, and we must avoid the need for ventilation 
during bright weather accompanied by a chilly wind. Room and light 
among the growth is of the utmost importance, and I cannot help think¬ 
ing that the advice of air and light would often be better expressed as 
room and light; even these are both included in one or other of the last 
terms. Many have misconstrued the term air to mean a free circula¬ 
tion. When the air is of the right temperature this is very well, but it 
is fatal to successful culture otherwise.— Practice. 
FORCINa NARCISSUS TELAMONIUS PLENUS. 
Why do gardeners write without they really know that their infor¬ 
mation is reliable 1 We claim to know a little about forcing the above 
and N. obvallaris mentioned on page 88, and venture to assert that 
it is impossible to force either to be in flower at the same time as 
Roman Hyacinths may be had, viz., October and November ; 
N. obvallaris flowers about a week earlier than N. Telamonius plenus. We 
can assure your correspondent that if he is able to produce 400 to 500 
flowers from a box 2 feet by 16 inches (How is it done?) and can force 
these bulbs as he states, he has the knowledge of soon realising capital. 
We force annually about 150,000 various Daffodils, and think we can 
claim to be the first firm to exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
Show at South Kensington, many years ago, a collection of early 
forced Daffodils.— Collins Bros. & Gabriel, Hampton. 
[It is a bold thing to charge Mr. Bardney with writing about what 
he does not understand and recommending methods he has not proved. 
Our correspondent stated that the variety in question can be forced 
“nearly as well and as early as Roman Hyacinths,” and that flowers 
could be had in abundance in January. We suspect he has made a 
little capital by his good work, but he has not yet told how many 
bulbs he packed in boxes of the dimensions indicated and the number 
of blooms each plant produced. We know they are packed as closely 
together as possible for forcing as suggested. We have seen better 
work in the early forcing of Narcissus and other bulbs for the Liverpool 
market by Mr. Bardney when he was at Norris Green than we have 
seen in London before Christmas.] 
A VISIT TO MESSRS. CLIBRAN’S. 
Time speeds quickly, and on paying a recent visit to the Oldfield 
Nurseries, Altrincham. I could scarcely bring myself to believe that twelve 
months had elapsed since I made my previous call on this enterprising 
firm. More ground has been acquired, and, if I mistake not, another large 
addition will shortly be added. The reason of the success is not far to 
seek, as they keep abreast with the times. Mr. Clibran’s great object is 
to make all about him comfortable, and by doing so he earns the respect 
and good wishes of the large army of workers which he employs. 
The Chrysanthemums made a grand display at the time of my visit. 
The show house is one of the finest of its kind in England, being a span- 
roofed structure 210 feet long by 30 feet wide, the plants being arranged 
on each side, with the path in the centre. As showing the magnitude 
of the collection, I may mention that over 3000 plants of all the best 
varieties are grown. These in their season are visited by thousands of 
people from the neighbouring towns, who can at a glance see the best of 
everything. A systematic weeding out takes place each year, so that 
all varieties of note are kept up to date. In this particular line Messrs. 
Clibran do a great trade. 
Other important plants include the Zonal Pelargoniums, which on 
that autumn day presented a gorgeous sight. A structure, of the same 
dimensions as the Chrysanthemum house, was filled with plants in 
bloom. Only the best varieties are grown, with the seedlings which the 
firm have sent out, and their new ones for this season are equal to any¬ 
thing ever seen. Roses in pots occupy three houses, 200 feet each^ in 
length, and were remarkable for well-ripened growth. They were being 
tied down from the wires, and large inroads were made to supply the 
numerous orders which had been received. It would occupy too much 
space to enumerate all the choice and valuable stove and greenhouse 
plants, but special mention must be made of Crotons, Alocasias, 
Dipladenias, Cyclamens, Bouvardias, Ixoras, the two varieties of 
Richardia aethiopica, including Little Gem. Carnation Winter Cheer 
was most conspicuous. Of Roman Hyacinths 50,000 are .forced annually, 
these being required to supply the demand for cut flowers required at 
their Manchester emporium. Tuberous Begonias were just going to rest. 
A large house has been erected to afford shelter to the choicer kinds 
of Ivies, Clematis, and similar plants. In this structure I noticed a 
splendid stock of Cytisus scoparius Andreanus, good alike for conserva¬ 
tory and outdoor decoration. Another novelty is the Urceocharis 
Clibrani, which originated with this firm, being the result of a cross 
between the Urceolina and Eucharis. A large stock is being wcrke 
up. The sale is already great, as it ought to be, for even the smallest 
bulbs are profuse in flowering. Succulents are being cultivated 
largely, and in some cases, notwithstanding the rapid propagation, the 
demand exceeds the supply. 
Herbaceous plants, Dahlias, and Coniferm are extensively grown, 
and some sterling novelties amongst the Dahlias are catalogued for 
distribution. Roses and fruit trees are grown chiefly at their 
Principality Nurseries, Llandudno. Other good features must be left 
for some future time.— A Visitor. 
Events of the Week. —As mentioned in another paragraph, the 
annual general meeting of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund will be 
held on Friday the 9th inst. at the Cannon Street Hotel, E.C., 
Dr. Hogg presiding. The Committees of the Royal Horticultural Society 
will meet at the Drill Hall, James Street, S.W., on Tuesday the 13th 
inst., and in the afternoon of same day the annual general meeting of 
the Fellows of the Society will be held in the Council Room at the 
offices, 117, Victoria Street, S.W. 
- The Weather in London. —Mild weather has prevailed in 
the metropolis during the past week. Sunday was fine and windy, but 
Monday proved showery, with local fogs. Tuesday was fine and mild, 
but windy, Wednesday opening similarly. 
- Weather in the North.— On the 1st of the month we had 
5° frost, with a slight fall of snow. Heavy rain followed in the evening. 
Till Monday, which was fine both day and evening, no day has been 
dry throughout, and high westerly winds have been frequent. The 
night of Monday, or rather Tuesday morning, was extremely boisterous 
with heavy rain, and this continued into the forenoon. Heavier 
flooding has taken place in many parts of the country than has been 
known for thirty years, owing to the frequent rains and melting snow. 
—B. D , S. Perthsldre, 
- Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. — The annual general 
meeting of the supporters of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund will be 
held on Friday the 9th at 2 P.M., at the Cannon Street Hotel, 
London, E.C. Dr. Hogg will preside. 
- Royal Horticultural Society.—T he next meeting of the 
Society will be held on Tuesday, February 13th, in the Drill Hall, 
James Street, Victoria Street, Westminster. The Fruit, Floral, and 
Orchid Committees will assemble at noon, and the annual general 
meetings of Fellows will take place in the Council Room, 117, Victoria 
Street, at three o’clock, to hear the report for 1893, and to elect new 
officers for 1894. 
-National Amateur Gardeners’ Association.—T he third 
annual general meeting of this Association was held at the Memorial 
Hall, Farringdon Street, E.C., on Tuesday evening last, Mr. T. W. 
Sanders presiding. According to the Committee’s report for the past 
year the Association is numerically in a flourishing condition, there 
being 500 members on the books. The financial statement showed a 
fair balance on the right side. After the adoption of the report it was 
decided to alter the terms of subscription, the sum being not less than 
2s. 6d. or more than lOs. per annum. 
- The Kew Guild. —We are asked to state that the annual 
general meeting of the Kew Guild will, by permission of the Director, 
be held in the Library in the Royal Gardens, Kew, on Monday, 
February 26Lh, at 8 P.M. It is hoped that as many “ Past Kewites” as 
possible will endeavour to be present. The chief busine.ss will be the 
election of officers and the adoption of the Committee’s report. The 
Secretary will be glad to receive any addresses omitted from the first 
number of the Journal and auy subscriptions not yet paid. 
- The Difficulties of the Royal Botanic Society.—A t 
last this very exclusive Society, which has often been complained about 
for its slowness in paying exhibitors their prize money, has been con¬ 
strained to send a “ humble memorial of the Council and Fellows ” to 
the Lords’ Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury for relieving the 
Society cf its financial difficulties—a debt we understand of some 
£18,000. We are sorry for the necessity and the appeal, and shall be 
