44 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ JWy 16, 1891 
He recommended a deep cool soil for the plants, well trenched and 
manured previous to planting, but subsequently enriched only by 
forking manure in, digging bemg a mistake. He also particularised the 
pruning and training, recommending cultivators to fix hoops on stakes 
round the bushes, and to tie the outer shoots to them in order to secure 
symmetrical trees. His method of protecting the fruit from birds was to 
insert stakes about 12 feet apart and 5 feet high round the Gooseberry 
quarter, fixing rails across the top, and then throwing nits over them. 
To destroy lichens he used caustic lime, and for the caterpillar he 
advised dusting the bushes with hellebore powder while damp, and 
syringing it off when it had done its work. He also recommended 
removing a few inches of surface soil and substituting good loam, by 
which not only were a great many larvae removed, but nourishment was 
afforded to the bushes. To lengthen the supply of fruit he recommended 
the culture of a few bushes of Warrington on a wall, and referred to the 
plan of covering some bushes after the fruit was ripe for the same 
purpose. The late frosts this year had, he said, severely crippled the 
bushes. 
A practical paper on Raspberries was then read by Mr. G. Wythes. 
He referred chiefly to garden culture, but mentioned some points in 
market growing. They planted in heavily manured soil, and there was 
no doubt that manure was not used freely enough in private gardens. 
In the market gardens the rows were 6 feet apart, and the plants a foot 
asunder ; but in private gardens he recommended the rows being 12 feet 
asunder and low crops being grown between them. The bushes must 
never be dug amongst, even in top-cropping. He recommended an 
open situation and deep cultivation. In order to secure a long succession 
some should be planted in an open situation, and others on a north aspect. 
He considered Superlative to be one of the best varieties, and admirable 
for light soil. Baumforth’s Seedling, Carter’s Prolific, Hornet, Yel’ow 
Antwerp, Improved Northumberland Fillbasket, Semper Fidelis (for 
preserving), Red Antwerp, Magnum Bonum, Yellow Antwerp, Belle de 
Fontenay, and October Red and Yellow, were also recommended 
amongst others ; but he thought there was still room for improvement 
in the varieties. 
The reading of the papers was followed by some interesting remarks 
by the Chairman on the improvement of varieties in small fruits. With 
respect to Gooseberries, he thought an effort should be made to get 
varieties of more upright habit, and also earlier and later varieties. As 
a proof of what earliness meant in increased value of crop, he instanced 
a Kentish grower who, by having fruit ready ten to fourteen days earlier 
than others, had made £120 per acre of green fruit. He recommended 
their culture as cordons, and to the importance of manuring. The 
Kentish growers, he said, manured three times a year. Referring to a 
point of Mr. Wythes in respect to white Raspberries, he thought it 
desirable to get them of larger size; and as regards Currants, that 
longer bunches and larger berries should be striven for. He thought it 
was important that an endeavour should be made to get Black Currants 
with earlier leafage, so that the fruit might be protected from late 
frosts ; like, for instance, the Whitesmith Gooseberry. He thought 
there was room for improved flavour in late varieties of Strawberries. 
Varieties as late as Waterloo with the British Queen flavour would be 
invaluable. They should have strong leafage to protect them from 
drought. With respect to other small fruits, Cranberries find Bilberries, 
which did well on boggy ground, might be noted. American Black¬ 
berries, he thought, stood condemned by public opinion, but the Cut¬ 
leaved Bramble was excellent, and he should like to see the old wild 
Bramble more grown. Mr. Laxton said that as regards upright Goose¬ 
berries he had found them more affected by frost in the east and mid¬ 
land counties than the others, but Mr. Bunyard said that it was just 
the opposite in Kent, and he was supported by Mr. Pearson of Chilwell. 
The latter thought Gooseberries were much over-pruned. He had 
actually seen a bush being trimmed into shape with a pair of shears. 
Mr. Laxton spoke to the same effect, and after other discussion the 
proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the writers of the papers, 
moved by Mr. Crowley and seconded by Mr. Pearson. It may be added 
that the papers will be published in full in the Journal of the Royal 
Horticultural Society. 
Fruit Committee. 
A meeting of the Fruit Committee took place after the Conference 
to inspect some fresh arrivals in the way of fruit. Mr. Leach, Albury 
Park Gardens, Guildford, received a vote of thanks for two fine dishes 
of Grosse Mignonne Peach. A certificate of merit was awarded to 
E. Amies, Esq., Ashford Road, Maidstone, for Laxton’s Latest of All 
Strawberry, a large conical fruit of fine appearance, but not quite ripe. 
Certificates of merit were awarded to the following Strawberries in 
the collection of Messrs. Paul & Sons, the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, for 
varietal excellence : Vicomtesse Hdricart de Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton, 
Pauline, Auguste Nicaise, President, and King of the Earlies. Similar 
awards were made to the following in Messrs. Bunyard’s collection : 
Oxonian, Countess, Lucas, Latest of All, Auguste Nicaise, British Queen, 
Dr. Hogg, and Elton Pine. Silver medals were awarded to each 
collection in addition. Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury and Sir Joseph 
Paxton, in Mr. Watkins’s collection, also received certificates of merit. 
Mr. Allan, Gunton Park Gardens, Norwich, exhibited six boxes of 
Strawberries, comprising one each of Sir Joseph Paxton, President, 
and The Countess, and three seedlings. They were splendid examples, 
and a certificate of merit was awarded to each. Seedling No. 2 was a 
very large, wedge-shaped fruit, deep red in colour, and with a rich and 
luscious appearance. No. 3 was a medium-sized bright red fruit, with a 
fine Hautbois flavour. No. 4 was a large conical fruit as deep in colour 
as Waterloo. Mr. T. Laxton also had some fine fruit, and certificates of 
merit were awarded to Scarlet. Queen, illustrated on page 22 last week ; 
and White Knight, a large round very pale fruit, though with more 
colour than Bicton Pine. The Mayfarth patent fruit evaporator, w T hich 
has been illustrated in the Journal of Horticulture , was tried before 
the Committee, and approved of by them. 
Events of the Week. —To-day (Thursday, July 16th) is a busy 
one for exhibitors. The National Rose Society’s Provincial Show takes 
place at Hereford, and the Midland section of the National Pink Society 
hold their Exhibition in connection with the Floral Fete at Wolver¬ 
hampton. There are also Shows at Trentham, Helensburgh, Highgate, 
and Bedford. Ulverston Rose Show is fixed for the 17th, and on the 
18th there will be an Exhibition of Roses at Old Trafford, Manchester. 
The National Carnation and Picotee Society (southern section) hold 
their annual Show at the Drill Hall, James Street, Westminster, in 
connection with Committee meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society 
on the 21st, and Rose Shows are fixed for the same date at Christleton 
and Tibshelf. 
- The Weather. — For some days past agreeable summer 
weather has been enjoyed in the Metropolitan district, and been par¬ 
ticularly welcome to Strawberry growers and haymakers. 
- The Emperor of Germany and Baron Schroder. —We 
are gratified to learn that among the honours bestowed upon distin¬ 
guished Germans resident in England by the Emperor of Germany, in 
commemoration of his visit, Baron Schroder has received the decoration 
of the Red Eagle second class with Star. All horticulturists will be 
delighted at this announcement. 
- United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society. —The quarterly meeting of this Society was held on Monday 
evening last at the Caledonian Hotel, Mr. E. Berry in the chair. The 
principal business was the election of new members, no fewer than 
twelve being elected and one other nominated. The sick list has been 
rather heavy, but at the present date there are only two members on 
the fund. It may not be generally known to new members that a 
Convalescent Fund was established last year for the purpose of assisting 
members to enjoy a change of air after illness. Ten shillings per week 
would be allowed for three weeks. The subscriptions are not less than 
Is. per year, payable in July. The fund is voluntary. 
- Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Society. —The 
annual meeting of this Society was held on Saturday evening last, Mr. 
S. H. Stott in the chair. The report read by the Secretary showed that 
the spring Exhibition had been successful, and that the finances were in 
a sound state, the balance in favour of the Society exceeding £50. 
■-- Ceanothus Veitchi. —Mr. W. Drover, Fareham, sends us a 
photograph of this Ceanothus a3 it was growing on a south wall in the 
garden of W. Pocock, Esq., Wellington House, Fareham. It was planted 
three years ago, and has made growth 14 feet high, covering a space 
13 feet wide. It is a remarkably fine specimen, covered with myriads 
of flowers, and Mr. Pocock has good reason to be satisfied with the 
progress his plant has made. 
-The Weather During the Past Month has been of a very 
genial character, with occasional showers, although the early part of the 
month was cold, and for some daya the sun did not present itself ; but 
since then the weather has been all one could desire. On the 25th we 
had a severe thunderstorm, when 0'51 of rainfall was registered in 
thirty-five minutes, the heaviest rain this season. Rain has fallen upon 
ten days during the past month, maximum in any twenty-four hours 
being 0'51° on the 25th ; minimum in any twenty-four hours being 0.01° 
on the 24th. Total for the month 1‘40, against 2*18 of 1890. In spite 
of the cold spring and late frosts Strawberries and bush fruits, Peaches 
and Plums, are plentiful, Pears a medium crop. Apples and Apricots 
suffer the most, but even Apples of the Codlin type there will be a fair 
crop.—E. Wallis, The Gardens, Hamels Park, Buntingford, Herts. 
