536 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 13, 188?. 
business of the meeting to a conclusion. A meeting was, however, sub¬ 
sequently held of the General Committee and representatives of the 
affiliated Societies to make some arrangements with respect to the dates 
of shows. The annual dinner was also held in the same hotel at 6 P.H., 
Dr. Hogg in the chair. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
December 11th. 
The last meetings of the year of the Fruit and Floral Committees 
were well attended by the members, but the exhibits were comparatively 
few. The slight frost and somewnat heavy fog were not favourable for 
the movement of tender plants, and only those of a hardy nature were, 
with a trifling exception or two, brought to the hall. The most effective 
group was formed of finely berried plants of a new Skimmia, and in 
the vegetable department the greatest extent of space was occupied 
with collections of Turnips and vegetables from Chiswick. At the 
close of the respective meetings unanimous votes of thanks were 
accorded by the members of the Committees to the Chairmen for the 
year, G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S. (Floral), and Dr. Robert Hogg (Fruit), 
which these gentlemen responded in pleasant and appropriate terms. 
Fruit Committee.— Present : Dr. Robert Hogg in the chair, and 
Messrs. H. J. Veitch, W. Warren, W. Denning, J. Burnett, Philip 
Crowley, G. T. Miles, Harrison Weir, J. Wright, R. D. Blackmore, 
Sidney Ford, C. Howe, C. Ross, and W. Marshall. Mr. R. Gilbert, Burghley, 
sent specimens of the Universal Savoy and Chou de Burghley, both in 
the best condition, and a vote of thanks was awarded. Messrs. W. & J. 
Brown, Stamford, sent a seedling Apple of medium size and good appear¬ 
ance, but it was not considered an advance on existing varieties. 
Samples of Asparagus Ch icory were again sent by Mr. Willard from Holly 
Lodge, Hampstead, and presented in a cooked and uncooked state. It 
was considered a distinct and wholesome vegetable, and accorded a 
first class certificate. Mr. W. Blackmore, Dereford Gardens, Exeter, 
sent a seedling Apple Queen of the Exe, bearing some resemblance to 
Cox’s Orange Pippin, but though it was said to keep later it was bj r no 
means equal in quality to that variety, and was passed by the Com¬ 
mittee. Mr. Campbell, The Gardens, The Priory, Roehampton, sent 
admirably grown and blanched examples of Batavian Endive, and a 
.cultural commendation was awarded. In the collections of Turnips 
above referred to, Yellow Finland (Vilmorin) appeared to be the best of 
the yellow sorts, small, neat and good in quality, and Model (Wrench 
and Watkins & Simpson) the best of the whites. The Brussels Sprouts 
•which were grown from seed supplied by Mr. Peter Barr were mostly 
overgrown, and the smaller and compact forms were the most 
approved, notably the French Superior, Roseberrv, Imported and 
Wroxton, this last, however, being somewhat larger than the preceding, 
but the knobs were uniform in size and firm. A. report of the trials will 
be prepared by the Superintendent. 
The report of the sub Committee appointed to conduct experiments 
in the cold storage of fruit was presented, and was not on the whole of 
a favourable character, the keeping properties of some kinds of fruit 
being materially prolonged, while others, notably Melons and Tomatoes, 
entirely failing. The chamber was not considered suitable, the atmo¬ 
sphere not being sufficiently dry for the purpose, nor so sweet as was 
desirable. With a dry atmosphere and equable low temperature there 
is no doubt that the keeping of hardy fruit can be materially prolonged. 
The report is placed before the Council of the Society for consideration. 
Floral Committee.— Present : G. F. Wilson, Esq. (in the chair), 
and Messrs. W. Bates, H, Herbst, W. Holmes, B. Wynne, R Dean, J. 
Dominy, H. M. Pollett, J. O’Brien. H. Ballantine, E. Hill, and Rev. W. 
Wilks. A number of plants from 1 foot to 2 feet in diameter, of Skimmia 
Foremani were exhibited by Mr. Foreman. The variety was raised at 
the Eskbank Nursery, Midlothian. The plants were sturdy yet vigorous, 
with dark green leaves, and quite covered with bunches of bright scarlet 
berries. Such specimens possess great decorative value. Plants are 
said to have been uninjured by 32° of frost, and the berries are retained 
(some of them, presumably) from eighteen months to two years. A first 
class certificate was awarded. A similar honour was accorded to Primula 
Swanley Pink, exhibited by Mr. Cannell. The plant is of sturdy habit, 
and the flowers large, well formed, and of good substance, colour delicate 
blush pink and very pleasing. Mr. Cannell also placed flowers on the 
Table of others of his Primulas, and one of these, Swanley Giant, ap¬ 
peared identical with Great Western, for which Messrs. J. James & Son 
were accoided a vote of thanks. Similar votes were accorded to Mr. R. 
Dean for plants of hardy coloured Primroses, flowering profusely ; to 
Messrs. Collins Brothers & Gabriel for Carnation White Andalusia, pure 
and sweet; to Mr. Odell, Hillingdon, for Cyclamen Rosetta, very fine, 
rosy mauve ; to Mr. Rowe, Nun field Gardens, Dumfries, for a pale form 
of Pleione maculata ; and to Mr. Heath, Cheltenham, for two seedlino- 
Masdevallia®. 
SOFTENING HARD WATER. 
Those persons who have a good supply of soft water for 
horticultural purposes know' nothihg of the difficulties attached 
to the use of hard water. The cultivation of plants and fruits 
where only water from wells or water companies’ pipes is obtain¬ 
able is not readily rendered successful. Water from chalk wells is 
the worst of all if convenience does not exist to soften it before 
using, or even to allow it to stand in the sun for a time before applying 
it to plants. I have noticed that during a hot season, plants—Chrys¬ 
anthemums, for instance—assume a much more sickly appearance 
of the foliage than they do in a wet season, which proves to me 
that cold hard water plays an important part in the colour of the 
foliage. Particularly does cold hard water affect the leaves of 
Azaleas at all times of the year. Where nothing but water from 
chalk is available, the sediment left on the leaves of Crotons, 
Dracaenas, or any other fine-foliage plants which are daily syringed 
with this water causes much disfigurement, as the sediment is most 
difficult to remove, even with the aid of softsoap. 
To lessen these difficulties means should be taken to soften the 
water by some process. Where exposure to the sun of a quantity 
of water, say from 500 to 1000 gallons, in tanks, can be adopted, 
much may be done to improve hard water by adding some soften¬ 
ing matter. Where the demand for water is not so great, the 
amateur can, by the aid of several petroleum or other casks, 
insure a supply of softened water. Water which contains a large 
per-centage of carbonate of lime in solution is bad for plants, and 
should be softened before using. A very good test for hard or 
soft water is as follows :—Dissolve a small quantity of good soap 
in alcohol. Let a few drops fall into a glass of water. If the soap 
coagulates or thickens, the water is hard ; if it does not coagulate, it 
is soft. If common washing soda be used, at the rate of a quarter 
of a pound to 36 gallons of water (first dissolving the soda in 
hot water), allow’ing the water to stand twenty-four hours, the 
chalk, which was before invisible, will be precipitated to the bottom 
of the tank, and the soda acts as a stimulant to the plants. When 
using the water from the tank care should be taken not to disturb 
the sediment at the bottom. 
Another method of softening water on a larger scale is by the 
use of anticalcaire, more commonly called milk of lime. To 
250 gallons of water add 1 lb. of the latter, allowing it to stand 
for twenty-four hours, when the chalk will be deposited at the 
bottom of the tank and the water rendered soft. If the tank were 
fitted with a tap 6 inches from the bottom the softened water could 
be run off into other vessels without fear of disturbing the objection, 
able sediment at the bottom of the tank. Another tankful of water 
could be prepared also while the former one was being used, thus 
keeping up a constant supply of softened water. If lime in excess 
be added to chalk water the water becomes turbid, and the 
carbonate of lime, formerly held in solution, is precipitated, render¬ 
ing the whole soft.— E. Molyneux. 
PEAS IN 1888 . 
For some years past you have published remarks of mine on 
the Pea crop. The past season has been peculiar for many crops, 
some it has suited, and many it has not ; but 1888 has not been a 
bad Pea year. The earliest crops were a little later than usual, 
but they yielded a long succession : indeed, I do not remember a 
season when Peas continued bearing so long as they did this 
summer. As in many former years we had several new varieties 
on trial, but I do not purpose passing a definite verdict on these, as 
it was not the best of years for testing their habits and merits. 
For instance, we had one variety said to be limited to a height of 
2^ feet, but it grew 4J feet, and was no doubt forced out of its 
normal character by the superabundance of rain and dull weather. 
Some others which were said to pod and mature in the shortest 
time on record did not do so, and in these cases I am also inclined 
to give them the benefit of the doubt, and will try them another 
year. 
Our early Peas consisted of William I., Alpha, Carter's 
Lightning, Day’s Early Sunrise, Kentish Invicta, Alpha, and 
American Wonder. Carter’s Lightning was ready first by seven 
days, and is very good in other respects ; it was followed by 
Alpha; this by Kentish Invicta ; and then came William I. ; 
Sunrise failed to fill at the points, and we have discarded it; 
American Wonder came in about the middle, but it is too dwarf,, 
and gave only a poor succession. 
If the second early varieties are sown with the early crops they 
■will form a useful succession. In this section Anticipation did not 
equal our expectations either as to earliness or productiveness. 
Paragon, said to be early, was not early enough ; it is prolific, but 
not of the first quality. Duke of Albany I regard as the best of 
all Mr. Abbot’s productions amongst Peas. It had a good character 
originally, and retains it still. It resembles Telegraph, but being 
wrinkled, is superior in flavour to that variety ; its deep colour and 
fine size of pod render it good for exhibition. Evolution is showy, 
but not a favourite in the kitchen. I have grown Giant Marrow 
for years, and like it still. Telephone is also good. Stratagem 
and Pride of the Market do better in a somewhat dry than a wet 
sunless season, and were long in filling their pods this year. 
Wordsley Wonder has sustained its reputation. Walker’s Perpetual 
Bearer did not bear longer than several others. Matchless Marrow 
fat has proved grand in flavour. Royal Jubilee is very large. 
