August 4, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
93 
not bigger than, a lien’s egg, and use this chiefly for mixing with th 
loosened material beneath the good surface soil. Ashes also are 
serviceable. 
There are other soils and peats, which only need treating like sandy 
so “~^ rea king up the pan, and bringingsome of it, but not much, to the 
surface. Treated in the way indicated, most, if not all, soils will grow 
Asparagus. What, no manure i That is a first consideration with 
most persons, but we make it secondary. The soil must have its 
resources made available by stirring, so as to admit of its deriving the 
most benefit from the assimilating influences of the atmosphere, 
becoming a reservoir of warmth, air, andimoisture—aliment presented in 
the form most available as food, and to which the roots of the Asparagus 
must have free access, so that what encourages the enriching of the soil 
accelerates the rooting of the Asparagus. With the soil freed of stag¬ 
nant water, and deeply stirred, rain and air will enter it freely, we 
obtain a larger rooting area as well as an extended source of plant food. 
Instead, therefore of burying the manure in the bad soil, which is 
equally crude, supply it so that it will by access to air and rain be 
sooner converted into acceptable vegetable subsistence, and any excess 
be washed down and retained by the soil. In breaking up fresh ground, 
instead of putting the turf at the bottom of the trench, two spits from 
daylight only, turn it under so as to admit of the needful loose tilth for 
cropping, and to prevent trouble by the growth of the herbage, but the 
under strata must be disturbed all the same, and the deeper the better, 
so that the liberation of the food from the turf above may be distributed 
by the air and rain. The aliment should be brought to the plants, and not 
away from them, so as to cause the roots to descend in quest of it. Be 
the soil ever so poor it will be enriched by the dressings applied to the 
surface, but the surface is not enriched by that placed a foot or more 
from the top, except by what is brought up by worms. Get the soil well 
mixed and deeply stirred, and it will take any amount of manure to the 
best advantage to the crops. 
. ^ ground be poor and thin apply a dressing of manure G inches 
thick, and mix it with the top spit; if in fair condition a 3 inch dressing 
will be sufficient. On a clay soil the refuse of the potting bench and 
rubbish heap mixed with the top 6 to 9 inches of the soil is capital, 
especially if it has been turned twice, and some salt added to it. 
Seaweed to the extent of aGinch thickness on light and peaty soil is attended 
with good results, and dead fish or fish refuse, such as obtains about 
fishing stations, is highly enriching to the soil, and is best formed into a 
compost with road scrapings and ashes for heavy soils, allowing it to be 
a few months before applying, but for light soil it must be dug in at 
once. Town manure is also an excellent dressing for heavy soil, alike on 
account of its enriching and mechanical action on the soil. The soil in 
all cases should be prepared in the winter some little time before being 
required for sowing or planting with Asparagus, and be forked over in 
dry weather before those operations, in order to effect a better incorpo¬ 
ration of the manurial matter with the soil. Some may consider the 
preparation beyond their means. Manure is not available to anything 
like the extent advised, reliance having to be placed for the most part on 
artificials, and as they grow other vegetable crops fairly well why not 
Asparagus ? Why not ? Indeed, any soil of a light friable nature will 
grow Asparagus, only stir it and feed it at the surface, and adverse soils 
can be made available by utilising materials usually carted away as 
rubbish.—G. Abbey. 
(To be continued.) 
WEST OF SCOTLAND PANSY SOCIETY'S SHOW. 
The eighth annual Exhibition of Pansie3, Roses, and Pinks was held in 
the "Victoria Hall, Glasgow, on the 27th inst., under the auspices of this 
Society. The display of Pansies, notwithstanding the very dry season we 
have had this year, was verv fine, the b'ooiru for size, form, colour, and 
texture were all that could be dtsired. There was a very fine display of 
Roses and Pinks. 
Pansies. —Nurserymen only.—TweDty-four blooms show Pansies, dis¬ 
tinct varieties. The first prize was awarded to Mr. A. Irvine, Tighna- 
bruaich, for very fine blooms of the following varieties : — D. Malcolm, d s ; 
Miss McFarlane, w.G ; J. B. Robertson, y.g. ; W. Duncan, d.s. ; E J. 
Martin, y g. ; Mrs J. G. Paul, wg. ; W. Dickson, y.g. ; Rev. J. Morrison, 
D.S.; M E. Sutherland. w.G.; Gomer, Y.s.; Mauve Queen. D s. ; Victoria 
Gem, w.G.; Sir W. Collins, y g. : Mrs. J. P. B. Robert-on, w.s.; W. Robin, 
Y.G. ; Annie Dowie w s. j D. Dalglish, y.g. ; Harry Paul D.s. ; Mrs. Ander¬ 
son, w.G.; Maggie Thomson, Y.s.; and four Beedlings. Mr. A. Lister, 
Rothesay, was second, and Mr. J. Sutherland, Lenzie, third. 
Twenty-four blooms, fancy Pan-ies, distinct varieties.—Mr. A. Lister, 
Rothesay, was first with a splendid stand of blooms, comprising Pilrig, A. 
Buchanan, E. Bruce, Lord Rosebery, Endymion, Mrs. G-. P. Frame, Cathe¬ 
rine Agnes. Mias Browell, Miss j. Orkney, N. M Kay, G. Cromb, Aye 
Ready, J. Bryce, and J. Lamont, Iaa Alexander, D. McBeau, J. Battensby, 
Princess Beatrice, Craigforth, Arthur Stewart, Mrs. Wm. Dalglish, Mis. 
Fulton, and two seedlings. Mr. J. Sutherland, Lenzie, was second ; Mr. A. 
Irvine, third. 
Gardeners’Class.—Theprizetakers in this class were:—Twelve blooms, 
Bhow Pansies, distinct varieties.—First, Mr. J. Harpe-, Dreghorn ; second, 
Mr. J. Tinsley, L nnnx Castle; and third, Mr. R. Miller, Netherhill. 
Twelve blooms, faucy Pansies, distinct varieties.—First, J. Tinsley; second, 
R. Stewart; third, R. Miller. 
In the amateurs’ class, Messrs. P. Lyle, Kilbarchan ; D. Russell, Calder ; 
Wm. Smellie, Neuton Mearns; and W. Buchanan, Balmore, were the prin¬ 
cipal prizetakers. 
In the gardeners’ and amateurs’ class, Messrs. J. Harper, P. Lyle, W. 
Storrie (Lenzie), and J. Harper were the successful competitors. 
Open to all, twenty-four blooms show Pansies, distinct varieties. Mr. 
P. Lyle gained the first prize in this class with a very fine stand of blooms, 
which were—Pilrig Gem, d.b. ; Miss E. D. M‘Laren, p.s.; Mrs. J. BoltOD, 
w.G.; Mrs. Gladstone, w.s. ; Pilrig Model; Mrs. Galloway, w.s.; Countess, 
w.g. ; J. Bolton, y.g. ; A. Miller, d.s.; Royal Visit, w.G.; seedling; Miss 
Bair, w.g. ; Gomer, y.g.; Mauve Queen, d.s.; J. Smith, y.s.; Miss 
Buchanan, w.s.; Captain Crombie, D.s.; Lizzie Bullock, Y.s. seedling; 
W. Crockart, y.s. seedling; Arch Holland, Y.s.; Mrs. Fife. Second, Mr. 
W. London ; third, Mr. G. Harper. 
Twenty-four blooms, fancy Pansies, distinct varieties. The first prize 
was won by Mr. A. L’ster, the blooms were—E. Bruce, A. Buchanan, J. G. 
Paul, Lord Rosebery, J. Bryce, John Gibson, Catherine Agnes, Wm. Dick, 
Chas. Stamsell, John Shaw, Mrs. Goodwin, J. Lamont, Pilrig, Janet Orkney, 
Sweet Jessie, P. Beatrice, T. Bell, Miss Dalgliesh, Mrs. Sutherland, Aye 
Ready, Miss E. Lawson, Neil M'Kay, Craigforth, and Mrs. Howard ; second, 
Mr. A. Dalziel; and third, Mr. R. Stewart. Mr. D. Russell wa3 awarded 
the prize for the best bloom of a show Pansy in Hall, of the variety W. 
Fulton, D.s. Mr. M. Campbell, High Blantyre, had the best fancy Pansy; 
it was a seedling named Mrs. J. Ellis, which was submitted to the Judges 
for their opinion, and they granted it a first-class certificate ; its colour is 
deep blue, edged with white. In the seedling class for Bhow and fancy 
Pansies, the prizetakers were Messrs. A. Irvine, R. Stewart, J. Milne, S. 
Russell, and R. Edmondstone. 
In the local class, two miles from Glasgow Royal Exchange, Messrs. J. 
Astie, Albert Gardens, J. McCrossan, and Allan Ashcroft were the prize- 
takers in the Pansies. For six bunches Violas J. Campbell was first, W. 
McLaren second. 
Violas (open to all).—Twelve bunches Violas, distinct varieties.—Mr. J. 
Baxter, Daldowie Broomhouse, again carried all before him. The varieties he 
exhibited and gained first prize with were Countess of Hopetown, Ebor, 
Blue Cloud, Goldfinch, York and Lancaster, Mina Baxter, Countess of 
Kintore, Bullion, Morning S'ar, A. Grant, Lucy Ashton, Mrs. Cobham; 
second Mr. A Lister, third Mr. George Bainbridge. Six bunches Violas, 
distinct varieties.—First Mr. J. Baxter, second Mr. J. Stewatt, third Mr. A. 
Lister. Six bunches seedling Violas, three blooms of each.—First Mr. J. 
Baxter. Best self Viola selected from the above.—First Mr. J. Baxter. Best 
Fancy Viola selected from above.—Mr. J. Baxter. 
In the ladies’ competition for best arranged epergne filled with Pansies, 
Violas, Roses, Pinks, and Ferns, Mrs. W. B. McNeil, Woodlands Road, was 
successful. Best bouquet of Pansies.—First Mrs. J. G. Paul, Paisley; 
second Jane P. Stewart, Lenzie; third Edith Sutherland, Lenzie. Beet 
bouquet of Violas.—First Jane P. Stewart; second E. Sutherland; third 
Mrs. Raeside, Yorkhill. Best basket of cut flowers and Ferns.—First Mrs. 
McNeil; second Mrs. Paul; third,E. Sutherland. 
Pansies.—Special prizes open to garden-rs and amatiurs. Twelve blooms 
Fancy Pansies.—First, Mr. W. Louden, second Mr. W. Storrie, third Mr. D. 
Russell. Twelve blooms Show Pansies.—First Mr. J. Harper, second D. 
Russell, third A. Wilkie. 
Roses. —These formed a very fair show, but they were not quite up to 
former years. The blooms on some of the stands were small. In the 
nursermen’s class for forty-eight blooms, distinct varieties, Messrs. J. Cocker 
and Sons, Aberdeen, were first with a very fine stand. The names of the varie¬ 
ties were Mary Pochin, Her Majesty, Alfred Colomb, A. K. Williams, Mons. 
Noman, Duke of Wellington, Alphonse Soupert, White Baroness, Horace 
Vernet, John Stuart Mill, Pride of Waltham, Queen of Queens, Annie Wood, 
Comte Raimbaud, Senateur Vaisse, Duke of Albany, Due de RohaD, 
Charles Wood, La France, Antoine Ducher, Marie Baumann, Mdlle. 
Eugenie Verdier, Francois Levet, Lariia, Merveille de Lyon, Madame 
Eugenie Verdier, Charles Lefebvre, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, 
Marguerite de St. Amand, Madame Hippolyte Jamain, Duchess of Bedford, 
Earl of Pembroke, Marquise de Castellane, Mons. E. Y. Teas, H i rich 
Schultheis, E ie Morel, Baroness Rothschild, Francois Michelon, Mario 
Rady, La Duchesse de Morny, Marie Louis Pernet, Sir Garnet Wolseley, 
Madame Gabriel Luiz t, Ulrich Brunner, Comtesse de Serenye, La 
Duchesse de Morny, and Marie Van Houtte. Second Messrs. A. Dickson 
and Sons, Newtonards, Ireland ; third, Mr. David Robertson, Helensburgh ; 
fourth, Mr. S. McGredy, Portadown. Twenty-four blooms Roses, distinct 
varieties, Messrs. A. Diekson & Sons were first in this class with Her 
Majesty, Madame E. Verdier, very fine (this was awarded the prize as 
being the best bloom in the hall) ; Alfred Colomb, Madame Nacbury, 
Madame Isaac Periere, Wm. Keile, La France, Earl of Dufferin, Captain 
Christy, Madame V. Verdier, Etienne Levet, Marguerite de St. Amand, 
Madame Christine Nillson, Ulrich Brunner, A. K. Williams, Comtesse de 
Serenye, Souvenir de Spa, Chas. Lefebvre, Lady Sheffield, Lady Helen 
Stewart, Sophie Coquerel, Horace Vernet, Madame Finger. James Cocker 
and Sons second ; William Montgomery, Cardross, third. In the gardeners’ 
class Mr. Wm. Parlane, Row, was the principal prizetaker. Open to 
amateurs only.—Messrs. T. McCrorie, Kilbarchan, J. Kidd, Rothesay, 
P. McFarquhar, Row, were very successful in this class. Twenty-four 
blooms, York and Lancaster Roses.—First, Mr. J. Baxter ; second, Mr. W. 
Thorburn ; third, Mr. W. Buchanan. 
Pinks (nurserymen only). — Twenty-four blooms Pinks, distinct 
varieties.—First J. Cocker it Sons. The varieties were Prince of Wales, 
John Pattison, Emerald, Olga, Dr. Clark, Boiard, Ne Plus Ultra, Firefly, 
Wm. Paul, Kate, Empress of India, Clothilda, Brightness, Nellie, Device, 
Royal Standard, seedling, seedling, Fireman, Wm. Bruce, John Ball, 
Scarlet Gem, Lena, Harry Hooper: second M. Campbell; tliird W. Paul 
and Son. In the gardeners’ and amateurs’ classes Mes-rs. W. Storrie, 
A. Gilchrist, T. McCrorie, and J. Muir, were the principal priz- takers. 
Open to all.—Twelve blooms, Pinks, variet’es.—First J. Cocker it Sons ; 
stconi William Storrie. Best Pink in the Hall, J. Cocker & Sons. The 
bloom was “Boiard.” The Jubilee prize for Pinks (twenty-four blooms, 
laced, di-tinct varieties) was gained by J. Cocker it Sons with a very fine 
Bland of blooms. The varieties on this stand wus Boiard, Brightness, 
Ne Plus Ultra, Emerald, Prince of Wales, W. Paul, seedling, Fireman, 
Lena, Olga, Attraction, Dr. Clark, D. Saunders, Harry Hoope , seedling, 
James Minty, Royal Standard, R. H. McShie, Elsie, Emily, John Ball, 
Godfrey, Com t, Gwendoline; second Messrs. W. Paul it Sons; third 
Mr. M. Campbell. 
Twelve table plants, varieties.—First Mr. J. Sutherland; second Mr. At 
Raeside; third Mr. J. McCrae, Whiteinch. Twelve coat flowers.—First 
