228 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 22, 1894. 
There were only two competitors in the class for thirty-six Hyacinths, 
both stands being of a high order of merit. The first prize was awarded 
to Mr, J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourn, Great Gearies, Ilford. 
The spikes were fine in shape and the colouration perfect. Amongst the 
best may be mentioned Sir H. Barkley. Electro, Garibaldi, Princess 
Amelia, King of the Blues, Lord Derby, Vuurbaak, and La Grandesse. 
Messrs. H. Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, were placed second. 
The exhibit was fine, but perhaps not quite so fresh as the one previously 
named. Von Schiller, Lord Derby, Princess Amelia, and Czar Peter 
were particularly prominent. For twelve Hyacinths, distinct, Mr. J, 
Schumacher, gardener to M. Jacoby, Esq., Lynwood, The Avenue, Gipsy 
Hill, was a good first with La Grandesse, Moreno, and Lady Clinton, in 
splendid form, Mr. J. Gibson, gardener to E. H. Watts, Esq., Devon- 
burst, Chiswick, was a close second ; and Mr, Lambert, gardener toH, W. 
Segelcke, Esq., Herne Hill, third. There were five competitors in this 
class. In the class for thirty-six Tulips Mr. Douglas was first with 
Joost Van Vondel, Keizer’s Kroon, Van der Neer, Ophir d’Or, and 
Vermilion Brilliant, exceptionally good. The second and third prizes 
were taken by Messrs. H. Williams & Co. and J. Howe, gardener to 
H. Tate, Esq., Park Hill, Streatham Common, in the order of their 
names. Mr. J. Gibson, who appeared to be the only competitor, was 
given the first position for twelve Tulips. 
For twenty-four Narcissi (Polyanthus) Mr. J. Douglas repeated his 
former successes with a superb stand. The plants, amongst which were 
seen Gloriosa, Adonia, Jaune Supreme, Mont Cenis, and Grand 
Monarque, were perfectly grown and bloomed. Messrs. H. Williams 
and Sons were a good second. Messrs. J. Gibson and W. Kemp, Bland- 
ford Nursery, Teddington, took first and second positions respectively 
for twelve Polyanthus Narcissus, both exhibits being good. In the 
class for twenty-four Narcissi (Daffodil section) Mr. Howe was a good 
first. Empress, Horsfieldi, Princeps, Henry Irving, Irish King, and 
Telamonius plenus were amongst the best. Messrs. H. Williams and 
Sons were a close second with Henry Irving, Princeps, Van Sion, 
Horsfieldi, and others ; Mr. J. Gibson being a fair third. Mr. T. S. 
Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, was first for twelve Narcissi 
(Daffo dil section) ; and Mr. Lane, gardener to E. H. Coles, Esq., Burnt- 
wood, Caterham, was second. The St. George’s Nursery Company, Han- 
well, was first for thirty-six Cyclamens with a magnificent stand ; Mr. J. 
Mowbray, gardener to Major the Hon. H. C. Legge, Fulmer, Slough, 
being second with fine plants; and Mr. J. Odell, Gould’s Green, 
Hillingdon, third. There were four competitors in this class, and the 
quality was fine throughout. Mr. Wyatt, gardener to J. Berry, Esq., 
Bradenhurst, Caterham Valley, was first for twelve Cyclamens; Mr. 
Lane being second ; and Mr. Slogrove, gardener to Mrs. Crawford, 
Reigate, third. For twelve Amaryllises Messrs. Paul «& Son, Old 
Nurseries, Cheshunt, were first; Mr. Douglas second, and Mr. Howe 
third. 
There were only two competitors in the class for twelve Cinerariast 
the winner, Mr. Ford, gardener to Sir C. Pigott, Bart., Wexham Park> 
Slough, staging handsome specimens. Mr. .T. Douglas was accorded the 
second place. For twenty-four Primulas Mr. J. Odell was an easy first 
with splendidly flowered plants, Mr. Ford the only other competitor 
being placed second. Mr. Jannock, Dersingham, the only contestant 
in the class for twelve pots of Lily of the Valley, was deservedly 
placed first with perfectly grown examples; The first and second prizes 
for eighteen pots of Mignonette grown in the market style were taken 
by Messrs. Kemp and H. Williams & Sons as named, each showing 
highly creditable plants. For nine trained Mignonette Mr. Leakey, 
gardener to J. M. Douglas, Esq., Kuparra, College Road, Upper 
Norwood, was first with splendid bush plants, and the second prize not 
being awarded, Mr. Ford was placed third. Mr. R, Wells, Longton 
Nursery, Wells Road, Sydenham, the only competitor for twenty-four 
greenhouse Azaleas, was awarded the premier position with well grown 
and trained specimens. Oswald Schriber, President Raphael de Smet, 
B. S. Williams, Madame Bafinger, Mdlle. Marie Lefebvre, Apollon, and 
Deutche Perle were noticeable. In the class for a group of Cyclamens 
arranged for effect the St. George’s Nursery Co. was a splendid first, 
Mr. Mowbray being second, and Mr. Odell third. The plants in each 
case were well grown and staged, except in the third prize exhibit 
which was too flat and formal. 
For a group of flowering and foliage plants arranged for effect in a 
space not less than 100 square feet, Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, 
were placed first. The taste displayed in the arrangement of this exhibit 
was superb, the colours blending perfectly. Amongst the plants used, 
Dendrobium Wardianum were particularly fine, as also were D. nobile 
and Cymbidium Lowianum. Cypripediums too were in good form, and 
the white Cyclamens were splendid. Amongst other plants were 
Clivias, Selaginellas, Ferns, Palms, Crotons and Anthuriums. The 
second position was accorded to Mr. James, Castle Nursery, Norwood, 
for a good arrangement. Orchids, Acacias and Crotons were prominent 
in this exhibit. 
As has been said, the miscellaneous exhibits were numerous and of 
high quality. Messrs. Paul & Sons, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, staged a 
collection of hardy plants, for which they were accorded an extra prize. 
Hepaticas, Saxifragas, Hellebores, and Chionodoxas were prominent. 
For a group comprising Daffodils in variety, Iris alata alba, Primulas, 
Hellebores, Snowdrops, and Dog’s-tooth Violets, Mr. T. S, Ware, Hale 
Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, received an extra prize. One of the best 
features of the Show was the exhibit from Messrs. Wm. Paul & Sons, 
Waltham Cross, which was composed of Camellias and Roses. Amongst 
the latter, Madame Hoste, White Lady, Corinna, Madame Pernet 
Ducher, and Lady Henry Grosvenor were very fine ; and of the 
Camellias, Marchioness of Exeter, C. M. Hovey, Guillaume III., Arch¬ 
duke Carlo, Beauty of Waltham, Aulica, and alba plena were amongst 
the most beautiful (extra prize). Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, High- 
gate, showed a group of Epacrises, Ericas, Boronias, and Dendrobiums, 
which was charming. The extra prize was well merited. Mr. Jannoch 
was accorded an extra prize for a group of superb Lily of the Valley ; 
as also were Messrs. J. James & Sons, Farnham Royal, for Cinerarias. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Sons, Upper Holloway, staged a handsome 
exhibit, consisting of Lilacs, Clivias, Azalea mollis, and Staphylea 
colchica (extra prize). Messrs. J. Laing & Sons arranged a small 
group, composed mainly of new and rare plants, such as Grevillea 
Banks!, Variegated Nicotiana, Ophrys muscifera (Fly Orchid), and 
other plants. Bouquets, wreaths, and crosses were shown by Miss 
E. Holyoake, Gipsy Hill; Miss Jackson, Upper Norwood; and Mr. 
J. Morter, Westow Hill. 
nSl\ Irvy 
WOKK.foi(theWEEK.. 
s 
1 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines.— Earliest Houses. —Colouring will shortly be proceeding in 
the very early started houses. To insure well-developed berries afford a 
thorough supply of tepid liquid manure, and mulch the border at once 
with an inch or two thickness (not more) of partially decayed manure, 
preferably rather lumpy. Stable litter, having the strawy portions 
shaken out, thrown into a heap and, when commencing to heat, turned 
over twice, forms excellent mulching material. This will give a stimulus 
to the roots and secure healthy foliage, while the moisture will be 
sufficient for the Vines until the Grapes are cut; but they must not 
suffer for lack of water, as this will cause the premature ripening of the 
wood and loss of the principal leaves, which may induce fresh growth 
when the Vines should be going to rest. Damping must be continued 
until the Grapes are well advanced in colouring, after which reduce the 
moisture gradually, and insure a circulation of warm air day and night 
by regulating the ventilation judiciously. The temperature should be 
maintained at 70° to 75° in the daytime, with a rise of 10° to 15° from 
sun heat, allowing the temperature to fall during the night to 65°. or 
even 60°. 
Vittes in Flower. —Afford a circulation of warm rather dry air, and 
a temperature of 65° to 70° at night for Black Hamburghs and similar 
varieties, and 70° to 75° for Muscats. The latter and other shy-setting 
sorts should be brushed over with a camel’s-hair brush about the time 
the blossom is fully expanded, so as to rid the stigmas of the caps and 
glutinous substance, choosing a warm part of the day after the house 
has been rather freely ventilated. This will render them fitted for 
fertilisation, which should be effected by brushing them over with a 
brush surcharged with pollen taken from such free-setting varieties as 
Black Hamburghs and Alicante. 
Succession Houses. — Disbudding. —It is not good practice to attempt 
this until the bunches appear in the points of the shoots, and then it 
ought not to be done in a hurry, nor a large reduction made at one 
time. Proceed gradually and with discrimination, so as to give as little 
check to the Vines as possible. Retain no more shoots than can have 
the full benefit of the light, as crowding is one of the greatest evils in 
Vine culture. Allow for the due extension of the laterals, for on this 
depends sustained root-activity till the crop is perfected. 
Stopj)ing the Growths. —The bearing shoots should be allowed to 
extend in accordance to the space. If this is limited, the Vines being 
close, the shoot may be pinched at the first joint beyond the bunch, and 
this should be. done when the leaf at the joint is the size of a penny. If 
there is moderate space between the rods, allow two joints beyond the 
show of fruit. Where there is abundance of room allow the shoots with 
fruit to extend three or four leaves beyond the bunches before taking 
out their points, doing this when the leaf at the stopping joint is the 
size of a farthing. Laterals will push from the joints bo*^h above and 
below the bunches. Those below may be rubbed off, except from the 
two lowest leaves, which should be pinched at the first joint, or if there 
is a good distance between the spurs on the rods all the laterals below 
the bunch may remain, pinching to one leaf. But laterals above the 
bunch may either be pinched to one joint or allowed to extend until the 
available space is fairly furnished, then pinch and keep them within 
bounds afterwards by stopping to each joint of growth as made. 
Thinning. —This is a very important operation, both as regards the 
bunches and berries. Remove all superfluous and duplicate bunches 
before they flower. Setting depends on the good form of the bunch 
and on its receiving the essentials of fertilisation. Free-setting varieties 
may have the berries thinned as soon as they are out of flower, but 
Muscats and other shy setters should not be thinned until it is seen 
which berries have been properly fertilised by their taking the lead in 
swelling. Every berry should have room to swell without becoming 
wedged, and yet leave enough berries to insure the bunch retaining its 
form when cut. 
Watering, Feeding and Mulching. —Until the Vines are in leaf they 
require very moderate supplies of water, sufficient only to keep the soil 
