346 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 3,1894. 
Prospkcts of Rose Exhibitors in 1894. 
In reference to my recent remarks on the season and the editorial 
note thereon, to which I can take no exception, as it is perfectly correct 
as far as it goes, I would like to supplement what I said on page 316 
with some further comment. I note that a well-known writer in one of 
your contemporaries, who rejoices in possessing pseudonyms when 
writing in that Journal alone, takes the same view as I do this year, 
whereas last year he took the peculiar view that the season was a late 
one I By the way, why does anyone use pseudonyms which are clearly 
seen through? Calling oneself “Violet” in one paper, “Dahlia” in 
another, “ A Resident by the Seaside ” in a third, and by a cabalistic 
letter in a fourth, seems to me a very unnecessary proceeding. Surely 
there is no iniquity in writing on garden topics? I see that the growth 
of Roses, progressing as it does now, must end in our flowering season 
toeing at end of May or beginning of June, unless there be a very 
marked change shortly to cold weather. The difference between this 
year and last is simply in the fact that we now are having warm rain, 
which is stimulating, invigorating and refreshing, whereas last year 
we had perpetual sun, which forced everything ahead without the 
advantage of occasional showers to cool and otherwise benefit the plants 
in our gardens. 
In your editorial note you call attention to the fact that the 
professional northern exhibitors in the years 1888 to 1893 were able on 
only two occasions to win the nurserymen’s trophy. I am sorry that 
having instituted this comparison you did not go back one year further, 
to 1887, and compare seven years, a fairer period than six, as when 
a series of years is taken a septenate or decade is more usual for 
comparison. In 1887,1889 and 1893 the nurserymen’s trophy was taken 
by the same firm, Messrs. Harkness of Bedale, who must therefore and 
thereby be considered the champion exhibitors of the nurserymen 
north of the Tweed ; in 1888, 1890, 1891 and 1892 the trophy was won 
by Mr. Frank Cant thrice, and by Mr. B. R. Cant once, the latter 
gentleman having won it on five previous occasions since its institution 
in 1881. By making the comparison as I now call attention to it a 
much better estimate of the chances of north and south is given—by it 
the fact is made more apparent that in hot seasons like 1887, 1889 and 
1893 (and probably as in 1894), Messrs. Harkness, the northern cham¬ 
pions, are able to defeat the combined efforts of the great southern 
professionals. The comparison does not work out quite in the same 
way with our amateurs, as for four years in succession, and I hope he 
may prove it so in the present year, our greatest amateur rosarian has 
proved himself invincible, be the season cool or warm. Prior to Mr. 
Lindsell taking this position the west country amateurs seemed invin¬ 
cible for a time. But the question is one of far more importance to the 
National Rose Society than that of the championship, as it means, as a 
rule, that with a late date, or any ordinary date in hot seasons, there is 
usually a bad Metropolitan show of Roses, whereas in a late or medium 
■season there is a good show at the Crystal Palace. I need not go 
further back than 1892 and 1893 to exemplify this, but the same state¬ 
ment holds good of previous years. 
This question of early and late dates is one that I thrashed out fully 
in the columns of two of your contemporaries during the winter of 1892, 
and what I then contended—that an early season or a late date for the 
Crystal Palace Show meant disaster to the interests of the N.R.S., 
■except in the saving of prize money from the want of competition— 
turned out, unfortunately, too true last year, and even at the risk of 
being looked on as a prophet of evil, I see it is almost inevitable that 
this year will be a repetition of 1893. If we were but energetic, or 
really had our hearts bound up in the interest of the Society, instead of 
saying we were deeply attached to it and to all the best interests of 
rosarians, we should already be on the alert and seeking some way of 
averting the trouble ahead. Such of us as do not believe in late dates 
for our Crystal Palace meetings, and I proved by a vote last autumn of 
■over 100 exhibitors that the large majority of our Society is opposed to 
them, should have opposed the Crystal Palace fixture of July 7th. We 
negligently allowed the late-daters to carry their day, and I take for 
granted that piece of mischief is irremediable ; but can we not, with 
another show fixed for Windsor on June 27th, so re-arrange matters 
that the Windsor Show may, in part, make amends? No doubt we 
■could ; but I know what the answer will be, “ We cannot! ” 
Roses at the R.H.S. 
The R.H.S. second April meeting was, in my opinion, the best which 
the Society has ever held at the Drill Hall, and, wonderful to relate, the 
attendance, although on a wet afternoon, was commensurate with the 
importance of the display of flowers sent by amateurs as well as pro¬ 
fessional growers. The principtl event of the fixture was nominally 
the annual Auricula Show, but this seemed in reality quite secondary in 
importance to the splendid display of other plants and flowers sent by 
the greatest of our professional growers. If I were to name the ex¬ 
hibitors I should send a list of those most famous in horticulture in the 
neighbourhood of London. Roses were shown in profusion, and arranged 
with great taste. When everything was above the average it may seem 
almost invidious to distinguish, but the pot Roses of Mr. George Paul 
and Mr. Turner, and the cut flowers of Mr. Frank Cant and Mr. Walker 
of Thame, Oxon, were remarkable for their superiority. Mr. Walker 
had four boxes of Mar^chal Niel, and it may be truly said that hardly 
one Rose in this fine exhibit of eight dozen flowers was of inferior 
quality, while many amongst them were of the highest excellence. Of 
Mr. Frank Cant’s exhibit 1 can say that they were able to stand com¬ 
parison with his beautiful Roses of the 10th April, which I mentioned 
in my note in your issue of the 19th inst. (page 305). On the present 
occasion the majority of Mr. Frank Cant’s flowers were H.P. varieties, 
those of the most remarkable form being Mrs. John Laing, Madame 
Montet, Violette Bouyer, Thomas Mills, and Baroness Rothschild. He, 
however, also had exceptionally good flowers of La Boule d’Or, Catherine 
Mermet, The Bride, and Comtesse de Nadaillac ; The Bride, perhaps, 
being the finest flower in an exhibit of the highest general excellence. 
Mr. George Paul had a most interesting, large, and beautiful collec¬ 
tion of Roses in pots. Amongst these the palm may be given to a 
plant of La France, shown to perfection, and we who are rosarians all 
know what a perfect plant of La France is ; but it is exceptional when 
it bears some twelve really fine specimens of its sweet flowers in full 
bloom at the same time. Mr. Paul’s exhibit had other good plants, 
notably Margaret Dickson and Marchioness of Londonderry, the latter 
with only two flowers in bloom, but one almost if not quite a medal 
Rose. I truly hope we may be able to grow this Rose well in the open, 
its size and massive form being above the average of most Roses, and I 
should say it is certainly the largest white Rose now in cultivation. 
Other good Roses shown in this exhibit were Madame de Watteville, 
Innocente Pirola, and Souvenir d’un Ami, all well grown and covered 
with fine flowers. Messrs. Turner of Slough showed their Rose Crimson 
Rambler and Souvenir de S. A. Prince in a most taking way, and their 
flowers were fresh and good. 
The other exhibitors of Roses growing in pots, which made a fine 
combined display, covering over one length of the Drill Hall, were 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son (who also sent boxes of cut flowers), Mr. 
Rumsey of Joynings Cross, and Mr. Tasker of Middleton Hall, Brentwood. 
Mr. Wm. Paul showed two Roses of his own raising. Princess May 
and Corinna, two very sweet varieties. I hope that the latter may 
become a favourite exhibition variety, as its colouring is distinct. We 
cannot have too many good Teas, and our British hybridisers deserve 
encouragement in their efforts.— Chas. J. Grahame. 
STRAWBERRY GROWING FOR PROFIT. 
In some districts Strawberries are considered the most remunerative 
crop of all hardy fruit. In making new plantations a comparatively 
small outlay is necessary, inasmuch as well rooted runners of the best 
varieties for this purpose can be purchased for a modest sum. It 
cannot be said that the Strawberry is at all fastidious as to soil. As far as 
I know there is but one class of soil in which Strawberry culture does 
not pay—namely, where the surface is impregnated with chalk. Where 
the roots come in direct contact with chalk the foliage quickly assumes 
a paleness of colouring which betokens a short existence and with 
it a moderate crop of fruit. Perhaps the best of all soil for this fruit 
is loam of medium character overlaying gravel or clay. In peaty soils, 
or even sand and shingle, so much of the latter that it is difficult to see 
aught else after the ground has been undisturbed on the surface for a 
few months. Strawberries flourish. It is indeed surprising how under 
such conditions the plants grow at all, to say nothing of the heavy crops 
of fruit they bear in some districts. 
While some growers allow their plants to occupy the same site but 
three years, ot’uers do not disturb them for double that period, and the 
plants continue to give satisfactory crops. In a garden not far from 
where I write some plants have occupied the same site for twelve years, 
and as yet there is no attempt to replace them. Circumstances in 
regard to this matter have to be taken into consideration and acted upon 
accordingly ; by the third season, however, the plants should arrive at 
perfection. 
Preparing the land is an important matter in Strawberry cultivation. 
In the case of heavy loam upon clay, the soil should be trenched at least 
18 inches deep to provide perfect natural drainage. It is important 
that the top soil should be kept on the surface. Where the land is at all 
dirty with weeds, it is a good plan to take off it first a crop of Potatoes. 
This is perhaps the best method of cleaning land and still have a crop 
upon it. In the case of soil that has been impoverished, some cultivators 
manure as many as three times for the Potato crop. They give the 
land a dressing in the autumn, another at planting time and a stimulant 
when the Potatoes are earthed up ; the continual stirring of the soil 
by the aid of the plough or fork thoroughly cleanses it from weeds and 
gives it a good tilth. Land worked in this manner cannot fail to be in 
perfect condition by the time the Strawberries should be planted at the 
end of September. Some few persons plant in March, but they lose a 
year by the plan. If early well rooted runners are put out, choosing 
showery weather, they will produce sufficient fruit the following season 
to pay for the labour incurred in cleaning them, and be in a condition 
to give a full crop the year after. 
The varieties grown vary somewhat in different districts ; as a rule, 
though. Sir Joseph Paxton is an excellent market Strawberry. This 
sort possesses all that is required to make Strawberries profitable; its 
constitution is undoubted, as are its cropping qualities and firmness of 
