July in, 18:8 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
49 
of its members for the purpose of full discussion of the work done by 
the Association, with its present condition and future prospects. Some 
minor business, with a vote of thanks to the Leeds Paxton Society and 
to Mr. Smith as President, concluded the meeting. 
- Cabbage Competition. —Encouraged by the great success 
attending the Cabbage competition which they inaugurated last year, 
Messrs. Stuart & Mein, seedsmen, Kelso, determined to hold a similar 
competition this season, and accordingly Friday last was the date fixed 
for the Exhibition. Last year, with a view to demonstrating the 
superiority of Mein’s No. 1 Cabbage as an early variety, the firm offered a 
premium of £5 for the best pair of hearts grown from seed directly 
supplied by them, the date of Exhibition being in May. On that occa¬ 
sion the prize was won by Mr. D. Inglis, Howick Hall, Northumberland, 
With two fine Cabbages weighing 8] lbs. This year a premium of £5 
was again held out, to show that the Cabbage is also the best late variety, 
standing longest without bursting ; and hence the reason for the Show 
being held much later than last year. No fewer than ninety-one pairs 
of hearts were sent in from all parts of Great Britain and Ireland. 
There was a large consignment from Cornwall, the counties of Kent and 
Devon being also represented, while specimens were sent from as 
far south as the Isle of Wight. Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in 
the Midlands also made a good appearance, while Scotch exhibits were 
received from as far north as Forres. Three lots were also forwarded 
from Parson's Town, Longford, and Ballymena in the north of Ireland. 
As on the former occasion, the Show took place in Kelso, and the large 
collection of Cabbages formed a very imposing display, the bulk well 
matured and generally in good condition. The Judges were Mr. Waite, 
nurseryman, Berwick-on-Tweed, and Mr. Elphick, of Messrs. Hurst 
and Son, seed merchants, London, who discharged their duties in a 
very satisfactory manner. Eventually three pairs were set apart, 
consigned by Mr. W. H. Divers, Ketton Hall, Stamford, Lincolnshire ; 
Mr. James Lockie, Heat.herslaw, Cornhill-on-Tweed ; and Mr. Feddon, 
gardener, Scotby, Carlisle. After considering their respective merits 
the Judges awarded the premium to Mr. Divers for a pair of hearts 
of grand form and quality. Originally they weighed 8j lbs. and 
Of lbs. each, but when divested of their outer leaves, in which manner 
they were judged, they together scaled 9 lbs. The hearts shown by Mr. 
Lockie and Mr. Feddon weie also of a very meritorious description, but 
neither in form, compactness, nor quality were they equal to the first 
pair. Mr. James Hall, Kelso, exhibited a very good pair, and had they 
been more equally matched they would have had a fair chance of gain¬ 
ing the premium. Among the heavier of the Cabbages shown were two 
sent by Mr. E. Rilestone. Truro, Cornwall, which weighed 28 lbs., and 
other two pairs scaled 22 lbs. and 20 lbs. respectively. 
PORTSMOUTH SHOW. 
The annual flower Show in aid of local charities was opened on the 
10th inst. in the Victoria Park. The exhibits were more numerous than 
last year, and in order to provide the necessary accommodation the 
Committee have been compelled to make additional space. At two 
o’clock the Mayor, A. Addison, Esq., who was accompanied by his 
daughter, arrived, and the Show was at once opened. The Mayor 
trusted that the Show would be even more successful than those of 
previous years, and he regretted that every man had not the means to 
cultivate flowers and plants. Such exhibitions created emulation 
among gardeners, and in other ways, and did an immense amount of 
good, and he attributed the increase in the growth of flowers in Ports¬ 
mouth of late years to the shows which had been held from time to time. 
The Judges had no easy task in awarding the prizes, the competition 
being very keen, especially with the cut blooms of Roses from Mr. W. 
Rurosey, Waltham Cross ; Mr. Flight, Twyford, Winchester ; Messrs. W. 
and G. Drover, Fareham. The latter also showed a collection of herba¬ 
ceous flowers, which was highly commended, and a similar compliment 
was paid to Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, who exhibited a fine co’- 
lection of foliage plants, and Mr. King of Lymington for double 
Begonias. Mr. F. Power, the popular Hon. Secretary, must be congra¬ 
tulated on the success of the Show, ably assisted by Mr. Hatch, the 
head gardener of the Park, and Committee. The total receipts for the 
three days amount to £275 4s. 5d. On Thursday, the charge for admis¬ 
sion being Id., no fewer than 14,700 visitors passed the turnstiles. The 
number of visitors exceeded that of last year. 
The following is the prize listEight stove and greenhouse plants.— 
First, Mr. J. Cypher, Cheltenham ; second, Sir F. Fitzwigram, M.P. 
(gardener, Mr. J. Penford). Four stove or greenhouse plants.—First, 
Col. Pepper, Millford Hal 1 , Salisbury ; second, E. Bishop, Esq.. South¬ 
ampton (gardener, Mr. E. Hawkins). Three specimen Palms.—First, 
Mr. J. Cypher ; second, Sir F. Fitzwigram, M P. Miscellaneous collec¬ 
tions of plants.—First, Sir F. Fitzwigram ; second, E. K. Parsons, Esq. 
The amateurs of Portsmouth, doekyardmen, exhibited good collections 
of plants. Ball bouquets and bridal bouquets, Mr. J. Cypher was well 
to the front, 
Roses.-Forty-eight cut blooms, single trusses.—First, Mr. W. Rumsey; 
second, Mr. Flight ; third, Messrs. W. & G. Drover. Twenty-four, three 
trusses to a bunch.—First, Mr. Rumsey; second, Mr. Flight; third; 
Messrs. W. & G. Drover. Twelve Teas, distinct.—First, Mr. Flight ; 
second, Messrs. VV. & G. Drover ; third, Mr. Rumsey. Twelve Hybrid 
I’erpetuals, dark, four distinct varieties.—First, Mr. Rumsey; second, 
Messrs. W. & G. Drover ; third, Messrs. Ewing & Co., Havant, Twelve 
Hybrid Perpetuals, light, distinct,—First. Mr. Flight ; second, Messrs. 
W. & G. Drover ; third, Messrs. Ewing & Co. Twelve Teas or Noisettes, 
distinct,—First, Mr. Flight ; second, Mr. Rumsey ; third, Messrs. Ewing 
and Co. 
Fruit and vegetables were well shown by Mr. Penford. and some very 
fine Tomatoes by Mr. Kimber, gardener, Borough Lunatic Asylum. 
NIPHETOS. 
A short time since at Gomfield House, Exeter, we noticed a healthy 
plant of this beautiful Rose trained to a wire trellis fixed beneath the 
roof of a lean-to house having a south aspect. This vigorously glowing 
tree Mr. Sellick, the gardener, informed us had yielded subtantial 
blooms of pearly whiteness during the spring months, and it had every 
appearance of producing a good supply of such blooms during the 
summer and autumn months, as there is a good supply of hot-water 
pipes in the house with which to produce the necessary temperature 
during inclement weather. When the plant has ceased flowering and 
shed its leaves all weakly growths are cut back to one joint from their 
bases, and any unduly long and strong shoots are shortened back a little 
to promote a balance of growth.—H. W. W. 
A PLAGUE OF EARWIGS. 
Earwigs were bad enough last year, but this season we have them 
already in as large numbers as in last September. Each of my 
Chrysanthemum pots has a hollow Teazle stalk laid on it, and when 
these are blown out every morning it is not uncommon to find as many 
as twenty earwigs in one stalk. I have found five or six in one 
Marechal Niel Rose—not an old decayed one, which would be more likely 
to yield thirty, but in my best young bud in the show tent. They are 
in our house, in our clothes, in our boots, in our beds. In spite of the 
cold weather and of the slaughter from the Teazle stalks every morning 
the numbers are decidedly increasing. It is quite a business to collect 
and relay all the stalks in the Rose beds and round the Chrysanthemums, 
but we must increase them ; and, with all our pains, I fear the greater 
part of our flowers and fruit will be spoiled. 
However, “ it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good ;” the trout 
in the pool in my garden have a real good time when the earwigs are 
blown to them, and I find a large proportion of the visitors to my rosery 
are more interested in seeing the rise of the golden two-pounders than in 
looking at the Roses. I suppose theie is nothing more to be done. I 
find the earwigs are much more quickly collected in the hollow stalks 
than in moss or flower pots, or anything else.—W. R. Raillem. 
PROPAGATING ROSE?. 
Cuttings of ripened wood mse:ted in the open ground last autumn 
did not strike root nearly so well as usual, this being principally due to 
the action of the frost on the ground. The cuttings were repeatedly 
loosened, and although refixed several times this did not save more than 
one-third of those inserted. As a consequence more attention will be 
paid to the summer propagating, and others will do well to follow the 
examp'e set, the aim being to secure as many dwarf Roses as possible, 
so as to be quite independent of the uncertain Briar and Manetti stocks. 
Plenty of cuttings are generally available for the method shortly to be 
described—many more, in fact, than can be found suitable in the 
autumn. Every shoot that has perfected a bloom is in the best possible 
condition for making into a cutting, and these should be taken with a 
heel or small piece of old wood attached, preserving the leaves and 
shortening to about three joints. Short firm lengths without a heel 
will also strike freely, these being cut cleanly across below a joint, ana 
two or three sound leaves preserved. 
It is of the greatest importance that the cuttings be inserted 
directly they are made, as should they fla • badly, or be allowed to 
shrivel, however slightly, failure is certain. The first proceeding, there¬ 
fore, should be to prepare deep boxes or handlights for their reception. 
Set these close to the foot of a north wall, or where little or no sunshine 
will reach them, not less than 3 inches of fine fresh loam with plenty 
of road grit or sharp sand being placed in, this beirg faced with more 
of the grit or sand. Then collect, prepare, and at once insert the cuttings 
with the aid of a blunt-pointed dibber. They may just touch each other 
all round, should press against the bottom of the holes, and have the 
soil firmly fixed about them. After being watered the boxes ought to 
be closely covered with squares of glass, or the handlights closed, 
neither being opened until the cuttings either need water or are rooted. 
