394 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 17, 1894. 
only one competed, viz., Jno. Hey wood, Eaq. Hardy Ferns were 
exceptionally good, Messrs. Birkenhead, Sale, being first, and R. P. 
Gill, Esq., second, for twenty varieties. In the open class for miscel¬ 
laneous group of plants arranged for effect Mr. McIntyre secured 
premier honours for a bold arrangement. Mr. G. Wilkes and Messrs. 
Ker did full justice in the other positions, their work finding hosts 
of admirers. Extra, Mr. A. J. A. Bruce, The Nurseries, Chorlton-cum- 
Hardy. In the corresponding class Mr. Wilkes arranged a striking 
group of flower and foliage beautifully combined, Mrs. Blair, Whalley 
Range, being second. 
The largest contributor in the trade was undoubtedly Messrs. B. S. 
Williams & Son, their table being about 60 feet in length, and comprised 
new and rare Orchids and other plants. They received first-class 
certificates for Dracaena Coullingi, Kentia Dumoniana, Nepenthes 
Curtisi superba, Anthurium eburneum, Gannas L. E. Baily and 
Alphonse Bunnier. Messrs. Charlesworth, Shuttleworth & Co. had 
Ltelia purpurata in grand masses and profusely flowered, also fine Odon- 
toglossums and Oncidiums. They received a first-class certificate for 
Odontoglossum crispum apiculatum. Messrs. Lewis & Co., Southgate, 
London, had an exceptionally good stand, which contained choice and 
rare plants of Lselia purpurata Bella and Cattleyas Mendelli, Venus, 
Cypripedium Aylingi and the plant of C. Winifred Hollington, which 
was certificated. Messrs. Sander & Co. were granted several certificates, 
and had Dracrena Sanderiana and D. thaloides for comparison. Messrs. 
Cowan & Co., Garston, contributed a fine arrangement; and Dicksons 
(Limited), were to the fore with their splendid cut flowers. Miss Hopkins, 
Mere Cottage, Knutsford, also showed well in this class of flowers. 
Waterer & Co., Bagshot, Surrey, had a good collection of Rhododendrons. 
Mr. James Pike had Carnation Uriah Pike ; and Messrs. Laxton Bros, 
exhibited a grand box of fruits of Royal Sovereign Strawberry, also 
plants in pots. The usual implements were staged outside. 
At one o’clock on the opening day a very large number of gentlemen 
met in the Council Chamber for the purpose of seeing the Dean of 
Rochester present Mr. Bruce Findlay with a handsome silver tea and 
coffee service and illuminated address, and a diamond ring to Mrs. 
Findlay. The chair was occupied by Mr. Tait, of Dickson, Brown and 
Taits, Manchester, who referred to Mr. Findlay’s exceptional ability, 
of the good work he had done, and of the pleasing fact that the testi¬ 
monial had not originated with Manchester gentlemen, but entirely 
with outsiders. The Dean, in making the presentation, claimed Mr. 
Findlay as one of his first and truest friends, expressing the hope that 
he would be long spared to preside over the gardens. Mr. Findlay 
thanked all for their kindness. A vote of thanks to the Dean and a 
similar compliment to the Chairman closed the interesting ceremony.— 
R. P. R. 
SOUTHAMPTON WHITSUNTIDE EXHIBITION. 
May 14th. 
A EEALLY good exhibition, if not a large one, was that held by the 
Royal Southampton Horticultural Society, in their grounds at Westwood 
Park, in conjunction with the annual athletic festival on the above 
date. There were two classes for groups arranged for effect. Three 
competed in the class for the larger group, and as the exhibits possessed 
merit a good display was the result. Mr. E. Carr, gardener to W. A. 
Gillett, Esq., Fairoak Lodge, Bishopstoke, was first. Not only was 
the arrangement most effective in combination, but the quality of 
the material composing it was of the highest order of merit. Grandly 
grown plants of various Orchids were arranged with Palms, Crotons, 
and Coleus on a groundwork of Maidenhair Fern. Mr. W. Peel, 
gardener to Miss Todd, Sidthorpe Lodge, Shirley, was second with a 
bright yet effective arrangement ; Mr. E. Wills, florist, Shirley, being 
third. 
In the smaller class, Mr. T. Hall, gardener to the President, 
S. Montague, Esq., M.P., South Stoneham, won premier honours. 
Well grown plants of Celsia Arcturus were employed with much 
taste and effect in the arrangement. Gloxinias were admirably shown 
by Mr. Carr, who easily took premier honours, as also did he for six 
pot Roses with well-flowered examples of popular varieties. Spiraeas 
and Caladiums contributed largely to the display. Cut blooms of 
herbaceous plants were well staged by Mr. B. Ladhams, florist, Shirley, 
who easily secured first place for twelve bunches. Mr. Carr was first 
for twelve cut Roses ; and Mr. Miles, gardener to W. Perkins, Esq., 
Portswood Park, second. Miss Kate Golding had the best arranged 
epergne. 
Vegetables were most creditably staged by Messrs. Hall, Mitchell 
(gardener to J. Willis Fleming, Esq., Chilworth Manor, Romsey) and 
Miles. The premier collection contained Potatoes Sharpe’s Victor, 
Veitch’s Self-protecting Broccoli, Wheeler’s Cabbage, Asparagus, and 
Cucumbers. 
Non-competitive exhibits were numerous. The most important in 
this section was the magnificent group of shrubs. Rhododendrons, and 
hardy Azaleas in pots, which occupied half of one 100 feet tent, making 
a grand display, and reflecting much credit on Mr. W. H. Rogers, The 
Nursery, Bassett, Southampton. Mr. Wills staged a neat group of 
flowering plants, and Mr. Carr had a splendid bank of Orchids and 
Gloxinias. Mr. Ladhams sent his usual fine display of cut blooms in 
large bunches of herbaceous plants, such as Heuchera sanguinea, 
Achillea mongolica, Saxifrages, Phlox setacea varieties, Onosma taurica, 
Camassia Fraseri, and Tulips. 
Not the least interesting was a collection of well preserved Apples 
and Nuts from Mr. Miles; Wellington, Blenheim Orange, Annie 
Elizabeth, Royal Russet, Sturmer Pippin, and Flower of Kent were the 
most noteworthy. The Cob Nuts were marvels of perfection^ in 
preservation, being the produce of 1891, 1892, and 1893. I 
The exhibition on the whole reflected credit on all concerned. 
The arrangements were, as they always are here, perfect under the 
experienced guidance of the Secretary and his assistants, Messrs. 
Fuidge and Dallison, ably aided by the Committee. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pigs. — Early Forced, Trees in Pots. —When the first crop fruit has 
all been gathered remove the loose portion of previous mulching and 
supply well decomposed manure, which will encourage root action and 
assist the trees to perfect the second crop. In this they may be assisted 
by top-dressings of chemical manure, applying a little over the mulch¬ 
ing at intervals of a fortnight or three weeks. If the trees have become 
infested with red spider or scale thoroughly cleanse them by means of 
soapy water and a stiffish brush, or apply an insecticide. Use the 
syringe freely twice a day. Supply water and liquid manure liberally 
at the roots, not allowing them to lack moisture nor giving it excessively, 
yet the supplies must be adequate and well sustained. Leave the 
second crop fruit low down on the growth, and keep the points of the 
shoots free and well exposed to light. 
Planted-out Fig Trees. —The first crop of Figs on the trees started 
at the new year are ripening. Syringing must cease and a super¬ 
abundance of water or moisture about the house be avoided. A little 
air should be admitted constantly at the top of the house, continuing 
this until the fruit is perfected, and whenever the weather is favourable 
a free circulation of warm air must be afforded. A good watering 
should be given when the fruit commences ripening, especially where 
the trees are large and the root space limited. The fruit should be 
kept perfectly dry, well exposed, with its apex as far as possible to the 
light, and be quite ripe before gathering, unless it is to be packed, when 
it must be gathered a few days sooner. 
Successional Fig Houses. —Attention will be needed in stopping the 
young shoots at the fifth or sixth leaf to induce a sturdy habit and 
shoots at the right place and proper length for furnishing the trees with 
bearing wood evenly in every part. Crowding, however, should be 
avoided by removing growths that cannot have ample room for 
development and exposure of the foliage to light and air, rubbing off 
such growths early. When the shoots are sturdy and short-jointed, the 
terminals or extending growths should not be stopped, and only a 
judicious number of the side-shoots be pinched to form spurs. Strong¬ 
growing and long-jointed sappy wood is best removed, but if the trees 
produce much of that they ought to be marked for lifting and root- 
pruning, or they may have the growth checked by taking out a trench 
down to the drainage, cutting the roots at about one-third the distance 
from the stem the branches cover of trellis. This will give a sudden 
check, and the trees respond by concentrating their forces on repro¬ 
duction, and are aiding in developing the fruit by the fibrous root 
action induced. Do not give so severe a check as to cause the leaves to 
fall, but when done judiciously summer root-pruning is better than 
winter, as a year is gained. Attend to syringing the trees twice daily, 
and water abundantly at the roots as often as required, employing weak 
liquid manure, especially where the borders are small. 
Vines. — Early Forced Houses. —Where the Grapes are ripe afford 
fire heat only to prevent the temperature falling below 60°. Admit a 
little air constantly, with a free circulation when the weather is 
favourable. Do not allow the border to become dry, but keep it moist, 
and mulch with rather dry, sweet litter, both to prevent excess of mois¬ 
ture and keep the toil from cracking. A little moisture in the atmo¬ 
sphere is not injurious to the Grapes, and is highly beneficial to the 
foliage, which must be kept clean and healthy. Fumigation may be 
resorted to if thrips appear, repeating in the course of a few days. For 
red spider there is no better plan than the tedious process of carefully 
sponging the leaves with soapy water, but phenyle solution in saucers 
of water placed in the house is very distasteful to red spider and other 
pests, yet it must not be used too strong, or it will affect the young 
foliage injuriously. It is also useful for destroying the vegetating 
micro-organisms that produce disease. About a tablespoonful to a gallon 
of water usually suffices as a germicide and insecticide in vapour 
forms. 
Successional Vineries. —As little fire heat as consistent with the 
steady progress of the crops should be employed, for with sun heat and 
an abundance of atmospheric moisture more real benefit is gained in a 
week than in a month of dull weather with the aid of fires. The Vines 
being in full growth the temperature may be allowed to rise to 90° to 
95°, closing the house at 85°, employing fire heat only to maintain a 
day temperature of 70° to 75° and to prevent it falling below 65° at 
right, yet 5° less will do no harm but gocid when the weather is cold. 
These remarks apply only to Vines in full growth and swelling their 
