May 24 , 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
407 
- Sugar Cane in Japan. —The government of Japan and 
public men interested in its industries are paying much attention to 
the subject of cane-sugar production. The annual consumption of 
sugar in Japan amounts to 120,000,000 lbs., only one-half of which is 
supplied by the native manufacturers, though many places in the 
islands are well adapted to the successful culture of Sugar Cane, or 
Sugar Beets. 
- Rhododendron rhombicdm. —This charming deciduous Rho¬ 
dodendron is rarely seen in cultivation, though it has been in existence a 
considerable number of years. This is a pity, as it is possessed of the 
highest qualities as a garden shrub. The flowers are to 2 inches 
across, pinkish purple in colour, and produced freely on short, wiry 
growths quite a fortnight in advance of Rhododendron mollis, which is 
one of the first of the deciduous section to open its blossoms. The plant 
grows from 3 to 1 feet in height and makes a large spreading bush.—D, 
- Choice Plants at the Manchester Whitsuntide 
Show. —Among the miscellaneous plants which attracted considerable 
attention at the Manchester Whitsuntide Show was a grand circular 
group of plants in pots of the new Carnation Uriah Pike shown by 
Mr. James Pike, South Acton, London. It is a superb variety, the colour 
being most dazzling, the flowers produced in abundance on lengthy 
stems, having a true clove scent. The award and certificate were 
richly deserved. Turner’s Crimson Rambler Rose was highly praised. 
With the mention of the exquisitely coloured Cannas arranged by 
Messrs. Paul & Sons, I may say that there were no three exhibits which 
attracted so much attention. Messrs. F. Sander & Co.’s pretty dwarf 
floriferous plants of Bougainvillea glabra Sanderiana also came in for a 
great share of attention. The attendance during the week was larger than 
for many years on Whit-Monday, 15,000 persons being present.—R. P. R. 
- Arrowroot Culture. —The West Indian island of St. Vin¬ 
cent has become the principal centre of Arrowroot culture. The 
exports of Arrowroot from the island grew from 15,458 barrels in 1888 
to 23,433 barrels in 1892, and proportionately since. This rapid increase 
of production was induced principally by the enhancement in the price 
of the prepared product. 
- Repotting Azaleas.— Mr. W. G. Bailey writes “ The 
flowering season of these plants is nearly over, and any that require 
potting should be taken in hand at once, while those not needing such 
attention should have a top-dressing of chemical manure. A difference 
of opinion exists among growers as to the compost that should be used 
for these plants, some maintaining that they thrive equally well if 
potted in loam as if peat is used. This, I think, depends on the quality 
of loam. I have known Azaleas thrive well in loam, and have seen 
them relapse into a most wretched condition when potted in loam taken 
from an old pasture resting on limestone. I always prefer good fibrous 
peat with a little leaf mould and an abundance of sharp sand. After 
potting or top-dressing the plants should be placed in a temperature 
ranging from 60° to 70°. A mistake is often made by placing them 
when finished flowering in a cold airy house. This oftentimes is the 
cause of the plants making such stunted growth and failing to set their 
buds satisfactorily and unable to resist the attacks of thrips. Bv placing 
them in heat they make a free growth, and rarely fail to set their buds. 
Syringe the plants freely two or three times a day with soot water. This 
not only stimulates growth but keeps insects in check. As the season 
advances they should be changed into a cooler house, and finally stood 
out of doors on ashes in a partially shaded place.” 
A TRIP TO ANTWERP. 
- Spraying Fruit Trees.—S praying fruit trees has now 
become such a regular part of a successful fruit grower’s operation that 
continual changes in formulations are being presented. It is found, 
says “ Meehan’s Monthly,” that solutions of copper sprayed over fruit 
trees are not only safeguards against the attacks of various insects, but 
are especially valuable against fungus diseases in Canada. They use 
the following mixtures :—10 lbs. of sulphate of copper or blue vitriol 
to 100 gallons of water, and add about the same weight of fresh lime. 
The lime and copper are dissolved in separate vessels, and mixed only 
when ready for use. It has to be constantly stirred when about to be 
used on the plants. In the case of the Apple, the spraying is performed 
just before bloom, after the growth starts, and once or twice after the 
bloom, which is for the destruction of the codling moth. For this latter 
process a small quantity of Paris green or London purple is added to 
the mixture. In many persons’ experience the addition of lime is found 
to be of no great value, and is not used. It gives a whitish appearance 
to the foliage which is not altogether agreeable ; but there are others 
who contend that they have much better results when lime is used as 
above indicated. 
- Market Growers’ Specialities.—W hen growers of plants 
for market content themselves with specialities it is wonderful how well 
they grow them ; indeed, we may say that there are no plants grown 
in the world relative to size of pot that excel those turned out in our 
suburban market establishments. I looked in upon one of these growers, 
Mr. G. Pike of Hanworth, Middlesex, the other day. That he grew 
Heliotropes well I knew, but I did not expect that he grew them so 
largely. However, I found plants by thousands in various stages, with 
thousands of cuttings in course of being rooted. The best plants, all of 
course in the usual 48-pots, were some 15 inches in height, very robust, 
well foliaged, and carrying several beads of bloom. Very cheap were 
they at the going market rates, but what ultimate purchasers paid for 
them it would be interesting to learn. Better plants for the size of the 
pots could not be turned out. The chief sorts were President Garfield 
and Florence Nightingale. Then there was a fine collection of the 
double Tropreolums, Hermine Grasshoff, bright orange scarlet flowers, 
and the double yellow form of it. Those of the most advanced were 
blooming freely at about 12 inches in height, dense bushy plants, well 
furnished and excellently grown. These should make useful window 
box furnishers. Then there were great numbers of Madame Thibaut, 
the beautiful double pink Ivy-leaved Pelargonium. This still keeps 
the most popular for market purposes, because, whether as plants or cut 
blooms, the colour is one of the most in demand. It is easy to fancy 
windows or window boxes having a back row of these Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums, a centre row of the Heliotropes, and a front of the double 
Nasturtiums that could trail and droop, as presenting a very attractive 
and pleasing effect.—D. 
The humours of printers are proverbial to those who know them, 
and also peculiar. If they see an opportunity for misreading a word 
and making the writer say exactly what he did not mean, the chance to 
do so is irresistible. Those writers who are prone to accuse revisers of 
mutilating their productions by taking out their best points little 
know how much they owe to editorial watchfulness. If in recounting 
a Christmas experience a gardener should in his joy say he had a turkey 
for dinner, those “ terrible comps ” would be quite as likely as not to 
print it “ donkey,” and if by chance the error passed, their joy would be 
great. We must not, however, be hard on them. They mean no harm, 
but seek momentary relief from monotonous work. 
But what has this to do with Antwerp ? In the remarks on the 
luncheon (page 389) given by Baron Osy the printers had the audacity 
to inform the world that it ended in a “ grand fuddle.” What a treat 
the comps must have had in the smart turn they gave to the words of 
the writer—a “grand finale "—a few bright, sparkling, happy moments 
of general greetings at the close of the enjoyable repast. 
Then, again, how the little menu crept into print is one of the 
mysteries. It was not sent to the Editor by his reporter, yet found 
its way by some devious route to the printers, and whatever they get 
goes forthwith into type. No harm was done or libel committed in this 
case; but the landlubber, on his return to his beloved Fleet Street, 
thought it looked very absurd to give prominence to the lesser event while 
ignoring the greater—the banquet. Consumed with a desire to fairly 
at least, if he cannot fully, represent the hospitality of horticultural 
Antwerp on the occasion of the show of which it was the celebration, 
he gives the larger menu. 
BiNQUBT OFFERT AUX MEMBRES DU JURY A L’OCCASION DFS OOnCOURS InTER- 
NATIONAUX D’HORTICULTURE, LB 15 MAI, 1894. 
MENU. 
Potage I’Eoossaise. 
Oroustades a la r^genoe. 
Traites du Rhin, gfenevoise. 
Pouimea A I’Anglaise. 
Train de Durham printani^re. 
Poalarde reine blanche. 
Timbales de petits pois. 
Quartier de venaison St. Hubert. 
Homards de Norwige ravigotte. 
Salade de laitues. 
Glace Amandine. 
Corbeilles de fruits. 
Desserts. 
Cafh et Liqueurs. 
VINS 
St. Bstfephe 1887. Haut Sauterne 1878. 
St. Julien 1881. Margaux 1878 
Champagne Moot et Ohandon. 
A pleasant gathering of about 150 guests assembled. Speeches 
excellent, animated and humorous were delivered by the respective 
speakers, Baron Osy, the Minister of Agriculture, Mons. J. Everaerts, 
Comte de Kerchove and Mons. de Bosschere. It is the custom, however, 
to prepare and read the speeches on such ceremonial occasions, and very 
effectively is it done. There was none of the mumblmg monotony 
about the process that might be imagined, and it would be a great 
deal better if some of our would-be orators at home would have the 
courage to act in the same way, as it is certain they would say some¬ 
thing better worth hearing than often results from their extempore 
struggles with their mother tongue. 
Social and ceremonial adjuncts are not the usual concomiiants of 
horticultural shows in England, except in some of the provinces. In 
these the gatherings are regarded as important features of the events. It 
is believed by their promoters that they serve a useful purpose,and certain 
it is those societies which cultivate the social amenities in the direction 
indicated are among the richest and most successful in the kingdom. 
