82 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.. 
[ FeBrnary 2 , 188?. 
award than with any other in the whole exhibition. Again, we find 
both the Veitch Memorial prizes were awarded to exhibits where 
size predominated and quality was ignored. I commented upon 
this at the time, and was told it was a matter of opinion, which is 
the usual loophole. The important question to be settled now is. 
How is this loophole to be stopped ? I see no better way than for 
committees to make rules and adhere to them, otherwise they are 
worse than useless, as was the case at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where 
the rules for the Jubilee prize clearly stated that all fruit must be 
ripe and fit for table, yet the premier honours were bestowed upon 
exhibits half of which were uneatable, for who would think of 
using Beurre Diel Pears, Warner’s King Apples, Green Citrons, and 
Palm seeds in August ? 
Another question that ought to be settled is whether Tomatoes 
are to be classed as fruit or vegetables, or whether they may be 
exhibited as either or both, at convenience ? If Dr. Hogg would 
add Tomatoes to his “ Fruit Manual ” it would perhaps decide the 
question. At the show mentioned they were included in col¬ 
lections of both fruit and vegetables. 
There are many societies whose funds do not admit the com¬ 
mittee to offer prizes for separate varieties, a prize is therefore 
simp'y offered for black Grapes ; we find several varieties staged 
in this class, the judges being so prepossessed in favour of the old 
Black Hamburgh that they award the prize to it, whether red or 
black, in preference to other varieties, let them be ever so good. 
At the Crystal Palace last year there was some dissatisfaction in the 
“ any other black Grape ” class, where some superb Lady Downe’s 
received the first prize in preference to “ ordinary ” Muscat Ham- 
burghs, and because I quite agreed with the judges in this case I 
was advised to “ taste the difference,” but I did not do so, as I con¬ 
demn the tasting system ; it often disfigures exhibits, and I main¬ 
tain that unless a man can judge with his eye he is not qualified to 
judge at all. 
Mr. Thomson, on page 59, condemns large things, from Grapes 
to Gooseberries. I do not agree with such a sweeping verdict, as I 
find nothing more appreciated than Royal George Peaches 15 ozs. 
or 16 ozs. each ; Elruge Nectarines 10 ozs. or 12 ozs. each ; Presi¬ 
dent Strawberries twelve or fifteen fruits to the pound, while 
the nearer a pound each Marie Louise Pears are the better they are 
liked. As to Melons. If the sort is good and the fruit well grown 
and ripened it matters very little about the size. I have an excel¬ 
lent green-fleshed beautifully netted variety producing fruit 18 lbs. 
or 20 lbs. each. These are quite as good in quality as other sorts, 
producing fruits 2 lbs. or 3 lbs. each. I think the same remarks 
apply to Apples. If the variety is good it matters little how large 
they are grown. With regard to Grapes. If the variety is good 
let us by all means encourage large berries, as they contain most 
flesh, which is the substance most relished. I do not believe in 
small berries, which are mostly skin and stones. Where Cannon 
Hall Muscat is well grown it will be found the best example of a 
good Grape that I know ; but I may relate a curious incident in 
connection with this variety. In 1873 I exhibited good samples of 
it at Manchester, and only received third prize. This was a sur¬ 
prise to many as well as myself. On inquiry I was told the berries 
were fine but deficient in stones, many of them only containing 
two or three each. The same year I was ordered not to send Black 
Prince or “ Barbarossa ” to table again, because the berries con¬ 
tained too many stones, and I was to grow Cannon Hall as much as 
possible on account of its few stones and thin skin.—J. H. 
Goodacee. 
I HAVE been driving a wedge against immoderate size in flowers, 
fruit, and vegetables in these pages for the greater part of my life, 
and I need hardly say that I read with great pleasure Mr. D. 
Thomson’s article on the subject, for to find a man like him 
casting a vote against immoderate size in produce leads one to hope 
that many other capable authorities will follow suit to try to 
disabuse an indiscriminating public to avoid mere size as being a 
“ delusion and a snare.” I find I must have been penning a letter to 
a correspondent about the same time Mr. Thomson was writing 
his advice to the readers of the Journal. 
The letter was in reply to one (enclosed) from a correspondent 
and is as follows :— 
“ I have scarcely made up my mind whether to allow my seedling 
Potato Faith to go into commerce, as the public fashion now dwells 
upon such large produce, especially in huge Potatoes. When large 
types of Potatoes offer in my new seedlings I invariably destroy 
the stock, as I well know they would prove a delusion, in containing 
comparatively too small a quantity of nutriment and too large a 
proportion of water. In fact, I have given up raising Potatoes for 
the seed merchant or for market purposes, for of course the seeds¬ 
men or the purveyors for the markets purchase only what they can 
sell, and if either of the above objects is your case I fear my 
Potato Faith would not suit you. It is a Potato suitable for a 
connoisseur’s table and limited garden space, and it is what may be 
termed an all-round variety—viz., it is early and keeps well till 
planting time comes round again. 
“ But how the world turns round ! The beginning of Faith ha(I 
its origin in the Vicarage garden of Stanton Lacey in 1837 as a 
selection from the old Ashleaf Kidney. Selection only was thoughb 
of in those days, which after many years of trials was found tof 
produce no permanent improvement in types. Then followed cross¬ 
breeding by pollen, and from that day to this I have handed down 
the blood of our best old varieties, and within the last twenty years I 
have blended with it the best qualities of the American sorts, an(? 
thus obtained a pedigree for quality distinctly in opposition to the 
unstudied indiscriminate monstrous kinds that are meant merely to 
satisfy the eye and the breeches pocket rather than for human 
sustenance. Besides, almost every sort that I have sent into 
commerce or not have gained first-class certificate honours at 
Chiswick, and the beginning of it was, as I mentioned above, at 
Stanton Lacey, where possibly my name may not now be even 
known.” —Robeet Fenn. 
GOOD VEGETABLES. 
I SHOULD like to supplement “B.’s ” remarks on page 26. Snow¬ 
ball Turnip fully deserves all “ B.” says in its favour. I continue to 
like Early Snowball Cauliflower, which, I suppose, is really a form of. 
Early Erfurt. 
Sutton’s Little Gem Cabbage is the earliest and most delicate, 
flavoured Cabbage I know ; it is a treat to partake of a dish of that 
variety. All the plants not required for planting out and left in the 
seed bed produced small and beautifully compact heads a few days irfc 
advance of those transplanted. 
Prince of Wales Pea is an old and well-tried friend, medium in 
height, superior in flavour, an enormous cropper when well grown, and! 
is suitable for all gardens. 
Dell’s Crimson Beet with me holds its own in general quality against- 
all comers. There are varieties that produce foliage of a deeper purple: 
and roots of slightly deeper crimson, but I prefer the above for general 
cropping and eating qualities combined. 
Handsworth Large Late White is the best late Broccoli I have 
grown. It comes into use in May, is very hardy, very delicate in flavour, 
and, after ten consecutive years’ trial of it it has never disappointed me,, 
which is more than I can say of many varieties more generally known. 
Neepsend Pink Celery, a variety local to Sheffield, is perfectly hardy,, 
crisp. tender, nutty, and scarcely ever “ bolts.” It is the most reliable; 
variety I have grown.— -J. Udale, Elford. 
THE SIZE AND AGE OF YEW TREES. 
I HAVE been with my friends measuring several big Yew trees in 
the south-east corner of Hampshire. Will you allow me to state the-, 
result in the Jouriuil of llortimdture, with a view to learning about, 
other big Yews, and with a view to discussion as to their age 'I I give 
the circumference, the smallest circumference, of each of four trees irt 
three neighbouring churchyards :— 
ft. in. 
1. In Warblington churchyard. 18 4 
2. In Bedhampton churchyard. 20 0 
3 . „ „ „ . 20 .5 
4. In S. Hayling churchyard. 33 0 
Reckoning a year for every line of diameter, or twelve years for every 
inch, this would give to the Hayling tree, with a diameter say of 
11 feet, or 132 inches, an age of 1.584 years. Will any of your readers- 
contribute any information as to big Yews, their size, and the mode of 
ascertaining the age ?—P. J. 
DAFFODILS IN POTS. 
These are not grown nearly as much as they deserve to be- 
We have about 130 bulbs in pots, some of them in 4-inch, and the. 
remainder in 3-inch pots. We place three bulbs in the former, 
and one in the latter size, and some have three blooms to each bulb. To- 
have these in flower at the new year is quite a simple process. We pot 
the bulbs in the first week of September, stand them on a hard bottom, 
and eover them .3 inches deep with coal ashes. There they remain until 
well rooted, then remove fhem to a cold frame, and slightly shade them 
for a week or so, for if allowed too much light at first after removing- 
them from the ashes they are apt to go blind and not flower. As to the- 
time they will be in flower all will depend upon how they are managed. 
Never place them in strong heat, 45° to 50° I find suits them best.—- 
John A. Calthoepe. 
NEW GANNAS. 
Cannas are recognised as useful plants for sub-tropical gardens and 
large conservatories, but they are not generally regarded as of much’ 
value as pot plants in houses of moderate size. In France much atten¬ 
tion has been paid to them, and scores of varieties raised of most diverse- 
