16 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 7, 1887. 
Duclier, Madame Cusin, Etoile de Lyon, Niphetoa, Marechal Niel, Madame 
de WatteviHe, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Hon. Edith Giffard, and Francisea 
Kruger. 
The day was a brilliant one, and the tent very destructive to the staying 
powers of the Hoses.—D., Deal. 
TWICKENHAM.— July Gth, 
Few of the districts around London- can equal Twickenham in its 
historical, interest not on account of the great events that have there 
occurred, hut from the number of celebrities who have resided in its 
vicinity. Pleasantly situat d on the right bank of the Thames a short dis¬ 
tance above Richmond, it long ago became famous as an agreeable retreat 
for the wealthy and literary, but in recent years it has undergone consider¬ 
able changes ; the builder has been busy, and many of the old landmarks 
have disappeared, though it still retains some of its former charms. Per¬ 
haps one of the most noted places was Pone’s Vil'a, which during the life of 
the poet Alexander Pope was the resort of the most distinguished people of 
his age.' The villa itself has long since disappeared, and the grotto if it still 
exists, but has lost all that characterised it in the time of its designer. 
There are-some remains of the garden in which the poet took so much pride, 
but bis Willow has been lost, and -little remains in the way of mementos. 
Another riverside mansion, near by which, a hundred years ago, was the 
residence of Earl Poulett, and still bears the title of Poulett Lodge, is more 
interesting for its present histoiy than the past. It is now occupied by 
Mrs. Meek, and the gardens during the life of the late J. E. Meek, Esq., and 
under the management of Mr. Bates, gained mo e than local fame, the 
products, both plants, fruits, and vegetables, having won honours at 
many exhibitions during recent yeai s. Nearly opposite to this was a garden 
which early in the present century was well known to horticulturists and 
botanists as the Twickenham Botanic Garden. It was the residence of 
Isaac Swainson, E-q., who amassed a considerable fortune by the sale of 
Develno’s Veg table Syrup. He was the brother of William Swainson, an 
eminent naturalist, and devoted his garden mainly to a collection of hardy 
plants, which became one of the largest in cultivation, under the charge of 
Mr. Robert Castle, and is repeated'y mentioned in the early volumes of 
“Loudon’s Gardeners’-.Magazine,” several plants from it being also depicted 
in the “ Botanical Magazine ” during the time that work was edited by Dr. 
John Sims. The whole collection was swept away many years ago, and the 
place is unknown except to a few veterans-who can carry their memory 
back for half a century. Strawberry Hill, the residence of Horace WalpoU, 
a shott distance from there, is full of historical interest, to do justice to 
which a volume would be required. The residence of Mr. Twining, in 
another portion of the town, was at one time celebrated for the museum of 
economic products it contained, but which was totally destroyed by fire, the 
loss being estimated at £10,000. Cambridge House is of some historical 
interest, and, while occupied by the late Lady Chichester, the gardens, under 
the care of Mr. Munro, became well known to horticulturists in this and 
neighbouring districts. Marble Hill is another celebrated establishment, 
formerly the residence of‘the Countess of Suffolk. Orleans House was for 
a number of years the residence of Louis Phillippe and other members of 
the Orleans family; subsequently it passed into the occupation of the 
Orleans Club, and is now the property of W. Cunard, Esq. 
The Twickenham Horticultural Society held their eighteenth exhibition 
in the delightful grounds of- the last-named establishment on Wednesday 
last, when four large marquees were devoted to the competing and non¬ 
competing exhibits. The quality was very satisfactory throughout, the 
arrangements were well conducted, and the Committee, with their Hon. 
Sec., J. J. G. Pugh, Esq., may be congratulated on their success; Mr. Bates 
deserving especial praise for hi#energy in superintendence. 
In the specimen plant classes there was not a large competition. Messrs. 
Jackson & Son and Mr. Parsons led with stove and greenhouse plants. 
Tuberous Begonias from Mr. Little and Gloxinias from Mr. Parsons were 
good. Messrs. Hooper & Co.) Twickenham, had the only group in the chief 
class, gaining the leading honours with a charming arrangement. Mr. Fil- 
sell was first with a group of plants arranged for effect, followed by Messrs. 
Parsons, Buckland, and J. Street. For a stand of flowers, Mr. A. Ayres, 
Sandycombe Road, East Twickenham, was first with alight tasteful arrange¬ 
ment, followed by Mr. T. W. Alexander. Mrs. Stev.ens had the best button¬ 
holes, followed by Miss Little. Miss Laming, Miss G. Gardner, Miss Pou- 
part, Mrs. Griffiths and Miss L’lian Cobbett also showed well in other classes. 
Stands of flowers, baskets of Roses, bouquets, &c., were well shown; cut 
Roses being also fresh and good, especidly those from J. P. Kitchin, Esq. 
(gardene--, Mr. C. Warwick).J 
With black Grapes, Messrs. W. & E. Wells (gardener, Mr. G, Thompson), 
Sir H. Thompson (gardener, Mr. G>, H. Hookings), and T. Twining, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. Parsons), were the prizetakers in that order; Mr. Hookings 
leading with white Grapes, good examples of Foster's Seedling; Messrs. 
Thompson and Hookings showing Peaches, and the lat'er had the best 
Melon Longleat Perfection. Six fine Melons from Sir Henry Thompson 
were highly commended, as also were some magnificent Sir Joseph Paxton 
Strawberries from Mr. R. Clarke, Pope’s Grove. Strawberries were also 
well represented in the class for one dish. 
Of the non-competing exhibits, especially fine were the groups of plants, 
a good collection of Orchids from H. Little, Esq., Twickenham (gardener, 
Mr. F. Hill), being highly commended, and cultural certificate awarded:. 
Fine groups were also contributed by Mr. Laing,Twickenham. A superb 
group from Mess-s. Jackson & Son, Kingston, was . highly commended. 
Mr. H. Little had a group of Pelargoniums, and Mr. W. Gordon a group of 
Lilies and Orchids. Me-eers. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, had six boxes of 
handsome Rose blooms (very highly commended). 
A group of Cockscombs from Mrs. Meek, Poulett Lodge, Twickenham 
(gardener, Mr. W. Bates), comprised some well-grown plants with large 
richly coloured heads ; they were highly commended. Mr. Poupart had a 
collection of vegetable?, and Mr. W. Taylor Roses and fruits, which were 
similarly recognised. There were many other meritorious exhibits which 
cannot be noticed now, especially table plants, with foliage plants from 
Messrs. Hooper & Co , who contributed well to the attraction of the Show, 
Mr. Little al-o assisting materially from his collections.. The Judges were 
Mr. W. Smythe, Basing Park Gardens, Alton, Hants, and Mr. Lewis 
Castje. , A .... 
PEACHES AND NECTARINES OUT OF DOORS. 
According to my ideas of good culture, most of the operations con¬ 
nected with Peach culture should be completed noxv. How can success 
be expected if the trees are left smothered writh unnecessary growth 
until a late period l and how can anyone expect well-ripened wood it 
sncli be the case ? One of the most important practices, however, is the 
pinching in due time of gross shoots. This can scarcely be done too 
early : they need not be more than 4 inches in length when.this is per¬ 
formed. This practice is equally applicable to young trees or those in 
full bearing. Some persous have affirmed that there is no need for 
pinching when the trees bear well ; but this is not correct. Of course 
we do not expect much gross wood from trees performing hard duty ; 
nevertheless they are still, if healthy, liable to produce such, and should 
be handled accordingly. Indeed, in the latter case the practice has a 
double effect, which is scarcely the case in young trees ; it concerns the 
fruit of the present year quite as much as the welfare of the trees in 
future years. 
As I consider it indispensable that every amateur gardener should 
well understand the mode in which this practice influences the trees I 
will endeavour to explain it. Young Peach trees are very apt to pro¬ 
duce unequal wood ; one or more riotous shoots not unfrequently 
threaten to destroy the balance of the whole tree. Of course it will be 
here understood that what befits the Peach applies equally to the 
Nectarine. Now, the pinching back gross shoots in this case simply 
tends to throw part of the overweening power of these robbers—or rather 
monopolisers—into the inferior shoots, or those which do not assume so 
much consequence. This gardeners term equalising the sap, or, in other 
words, sustaining a due proportion between the various members of 
which the tree above ground is composed. 
In the case of pinching, as applied to trees in bearing, we have an 
extra feature to record and explain. Those who are in the least con¬ 
versant with the habits of the Peach and Nectarine will have frequently 
observed that very commonly a tendency exists in the tree to produce 
coarse “ breast shoots ”-—shoots springing with more luxuriance half-way 
up the branches than at the extremities. This carries a very anomalous. 
appearance to those who have not spent much time, or exercised much 
close observation as to the mode in which Nature works. The fact is- 
that under such circumstances one or more causes may be adduced to 
account for it. The chief, however, seems to be that the upper portion 
or extremity in trees of any age and bearing habits becomes much robbed 
of its sap by certain demands consequent on bearing. As a necessary 
consequence of the parts becoming drier, a sort of contraction or shrink¬ 
ing of the vessels takes place, and thus less facility in receiving the 
ascending fluids, and, indeed, of reciprocating with the root, and other 
portions of the tree. But the root having acquired power will not long, 
be baffled ; absorption proceeds, and the hitherto untaxed portions of 
the lower parts of the tree receive more life ; those which were inferior 
speedily evince a desire to take a lower position, and hence the sudden, 
impulsive, and somewhat unexpected movement which occurs as to tho 
matter in hand. 
It so happens that in such cases, whatever tends to arrest the 
ascending sap before it can reach freely the extremities of the branches, 
tends in a like degree to rob the fruit at the extreme portion of their 
proper share of nourishment, and also to lower the energies of the 
branches in that quarter ; hence the reason for so often “ cutting back ” 
in Peaches—sometimes whole branches. 
Here I must observe, that in this, as in most other matters, a certain 
amount of caution is necessary. There are cases in which it is desirable 
to cover naked walls as speedily as possible. Here the pinching must 
be modified according to circumstances, having regard to the extent of 
walling to be covered. In such cases the luxuriant shoots may be left 
until about a foot in length before they are pinched. This will bring 
them to the end of June ; and if pinched about that time, two pairs of 
side or lateral shoots may be counted on from the side of each gross 
shoot. These may be suffered to ramble until 9 inches in length, 
when their heads should be pinched, and they will ripen tolerably well, 
and may, in the succeeding training season, be laid in as permanent wood. 
I do not think that under any circumstances it is expedient to attempt 
to gain more than this in one season ; but it may be here observed, that 
the gross shoot will produce another leader besides the two pairs at the 
sides ; this may be allowed to ramble another foot, and then bp pinched. 
Thus it will be seen that one gross shoot, properly handled, may be 
made to cover a considerable amount of wall in one season. 
The disbuddin?, as it' is termed, will have been looked well to, 
doubtless, by this time ; and I recommend that a final handling of this 
kind be carried out in the end of June or early in July. My practice is 
to remove every shoot not required for the ensuing year. Of course, it 
is difficult to determine on every one ; but I approach this; principle as 
near as I can. Whenever any doubt exists in the mind of the operator 
as to whether a certain shoot or shoots should be removed, sqch may at 
once be retained, simply pinching off the point. At that period, when 
the fruit commences the last swelling towards ripening, say the last 
week in July, I commence pinching.the wood in general. But this is 
not everybody’s, practice. Be that as it may. I have found immense 
benefit from it; indeed, how could it be otherwise ? This pinching is 
best done at thrice; and if we say the first, at the end of July, the 
second in the middle of August, and the third in the first week of 
September, we shall be as near the point, according to my idea of 
principles, as. possible. I go over first and pinch all the very strongest 
shoots, be they where they may ; those, of course, are not what I before; 
