Febnaary 2, 1888. 'j 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
77 
■TvISCUSSIOXS on horticultura,! topics can be rendered very pro- 
aJ stable to readers as ■well as the dispntants when the sole 
•object is the elucidation of some difficult point, and the desire of 
those engaged in it is not to prove themselves right and others 
wrong, but to find the truth. Within such limits there is ample 
room for the courteous expression of different opinions, and much 
good often results from a consideration of a matter from opposite 
standpoints. During the past few weeks floral decorations at 
■exhibitions have been discussed by several correspondents in this 
Journal, and, as announced last week, advantage has .already been 
taken of i^ in the framing of schedules for the current year. The 
Richmond Horticultural Society (Surrey) has set an excellent 
■example in tliis respect, and it is reported that the enterprising 
Honorary Secretary (Mr. J. H. Ford), supported by a thoroughly 
practical Committee, contemplate some other alterations in their 
an-angements for the present year that are likely to still further 
increase theii' popularity. 
There can be no question that, in fairness to all exhibitors, 
schedules cannot be too clearly worded, and, as regards the size of 
bouquets, much latitude has been allowed to competitors, with the 
result that there has seemed to be a general struggle which should 
show the largest, and the real objects of such classes have been lost 
sight of. Why the enormous bouquets sometimes seen at exhibi¬ 
tions and in florists’ shops find admirers or purchasers it is difficult 
to understand, but it is probably in the same way that large fruit 
and vegetables find favour with some. A bouquet of medium size 
c.an be rendered astastjfula combination of flowers as the most 
exacting could wish to see, and what advantage is gained by using 
twice the number of flowers ? Too often the only results are an 
increased cost, and a huge production that is almost fatiguing to 
look at. Some of the finest bouquets of many hundreds th<at have 
come under my notice were not the most elaborate, in which the 
•striving fore ffect was apparent ; but those, composed with a kind of 
careless grace, good flowers only being used, and these with judg¬ 
ment, so that while their individual characters were not lost they 
were not sufficiently prominent to mar the general effect. 
The separation of gardeners’ and amateurs’ classes from those 
devoted to the trade florists is a step in the right direction where 
sufficient competitors can be obtained to make an adequ.ate display. 
It is coiTectly said, however, that gardeners can learn much from 
professional florists, and this they no doubt have done. Perhaps, 
however, they can learn just as well Avithout having to be con¬ 
stantly contented with second and third prizes, as they are usually 
placed at a great disadvantage when competing with a trade grower 
having an almost unlimited command of choice flowers. Florists, 
like other human beings, are fallible, and they sometimes make 
mistakes that gardeners need not wish to follow. For example, in 
one of the leading florist’s shops in CoA^ent Garden market recently 
there was displayed a very elaborate bouquet of white Camellias, 
Eucharises, Christmas Roses, Roman Hyacinths, with graceful 
spikes of Lilies of the Valley freely and well arranged ; in fact 
all that could be desired, except in one particular, Avhich, to my 
taste, effectually spoiled it—namely, four large sprays of artificial 
white Lilac Avere inserted. Whatever could have prompted such a 
positively hideous production cannot be imagined, and happily such 
instances are rare, though florists may find some excuse for eccen¬ 
tricities in the A-ariable tastes or peculiarities of their cuistomers. 
No. 397. — VoL. XVI., Third Series. 
StiU the combination of artificial Avith real flowers in such a way is 
painful, and it would be as appropriate and agreeable to have a feAV 
Avax models st.ationed in an assemblage of young and beautiful 
Avomen. 
Wreaths and ci’osses are noAV greatly in demand, and some of 
the trade florists derive a good portion of their Inisiness from the 
production of them. The spathes of Richardia aithiopica are ex¬ 
tensively employed for this purpose, but they are often too nume¬ 
rous, and impart a heavy effect that is very undesirable. For 
decoratiA'e purposes generally they are A'ery useful, either cut or on 
the plants, especially Avhere large spaces have to be filled, but they 
might be frequently dispensed with altogether in wreaths. There 
are plenty of Avhite floAvers to select from that are much better 
fitted for the purpose, and the peculiar heavy wliite of the 
Richardia spathes contrasts unpleasantly with the purity of the 
old double Avhite Camellia japonica, the Christmas Roses, and 
Lilies of the Valley. 
Sprays of floAvers for ladies, and buttonhole bouquets for 
gentlemen, are usually the most satisfactory at exhibitions and 
in the florists’ shops, because they are marked by the greatest 
simplicity. Very fcAV floAvers are employed, and consequently 
more care has to be exercised in their selection or combination. 
In the case of ladies’ wreaths there has been a tendency to increase 
the size unduly, but CA'en in those the flowers require to be used 
Avith care.—C. 
THE CULTURE OF HARDY FRUITS. 
The Apple, I consider, may fairly claim the first place amongst 
our liardy fruits. Being indigenous to this country it can be 
cultivated Avith considerable success, and no other kind of fruit 
tree affords so lasting, and so generallj^ useful, a supply of fruit, 
for with a suitable selection of A'arieties a supply may be had the 
whole year round. Its usefulness for culinary, dessert, con¬ 
fectionery, and cider-making purposes is too well known to need 
comment. A suitable selection of A'arieties is of vast importance, 
as some Avell-knoAvn varieties succeed in certain localities much 
better than others, therefore it is an advantage to be well ac¬ 
quainted Avith the A'arieties that are found to succeed best in the 
neighbourhood. It is also necessary to bear in mind the kind of 
trees taken in hand, and the purpose for Avhich they are required, 
and the kind of stock they are Avorked upon. For small gardens, 
where space is limited, and numbers of different varieties are 
required, it is necessary that the trees must be of small stature ; 
therefore trees Avorked upon dAvarfing stocks are preferable, other¬ 
wise much labour has to be spent upon them in root and branch 
pruning to keep them Avitliin the limited space allotted to them. 
In many instances, too, much is expected to be produced from a 
given space of ground. It is not uncommon to find fruit trees 
surrounded with crops of vegetables close up to their stem, diaAi- 
ing away the food Avhich should go to support the trees, and 
necessitating stirring the soil far too deeply for the full benefit of 
the trees, and is the cause of depriving them of their most im¬ 
portant roots. I can fancy what a fii’st-class Grape-grower would 
say to anyone recommending digging, a spade deep, the surface of 
a Vine border, and yet how frequently do Ave find the ground 
immediately around the roots of hardy trees dug the full depth 
of a spade, and then it is Avondered that trees do not bear satis¬ 
factorily, and that they gi'OAV so strongly. The cause in their 
unsatisfactory condition in this respect is not far to seek, for with 
the annual cutting off of theii- most important roots (those just 
below the surface of the ground) they are left to derive their 
supply of food from tliick roots placed deep doAvn away from the 
immediate influence of the warmth of the air, thereby causing 
them to produce a superabundance of gross unripened Avood, which 
usually proves unfruitful, ultimately cankers, and is one of the 
causes of branches dying back. 
"When trees are planted sufficient room must be allotted to them 
No 2053.—VOL. LXXVIll., ODD SERIES. 
