96 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 33, 18! 1. 
any other collection. It succeeds well in the open air in the common 
garden soil, and we have no doubt but it might be increased by dividing 
at the root, in the same manner as B. australis ; we also believe it 
would produce perfect seeds if pains were taken to fertilise the stigmas 
with the pollen when in bloom.” 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS., 
THE THAMES DITTON HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL 
SOCIETY. 
The fourth annual Exhibition of this Society took place on July 22nd 
in a meadow attached to The Cedars, Portsmouth Road, by the kind 
permission of H. Cooper, Esq. The Show under notice was a distinct 
advance upon its predecessors, and this was very observable in the 
groups of plants arranged for effect. First honours were awarded in 
this section to a beautiful arrangement contributed by Mr. J. Plowman, 
gardener to L. Smith, Esq., Woodstock, Long Ditton. He was very 
closely followed by Mr. William Palmer, gardener to the Right Hon. 
W. F. Hume Dick, Thames Ditton House, whose efforts were worthy 
of all praise. The third prize went to Mr. H. Farr, gardener to Hannibal 
Speer, Esq., Manor House, Thames Ditton, who showed a creditable 
group. The latter exhibitor secured the premier honour for six stove or 
greenhouse plants with well-developed examples. The second prize 
plants were from Mr. W. Palmer, and very good. Third, Mr. W. Mearing, 
Cock Crow Hill, Long Ditton. Messrs. Sutton & Sons offered special 
prizes for a collection of vegetables. The leading position was taken by 
Mr. W. Palmer with some grand samples. Second, Mr. J. Plowman. 
The cottagers made a first-rate show of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. 
Non-competitive groups added much to the beauty, interest, and 
attractiveness of the Show. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden, whose 
well-known trial grounds are at Long Ditton, staged a splendid 
collection of hardy flowers. Mr. Robert Lambert, Thames DittoD, fine 
Poppies, Roses, and Stocks. Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, 
contributed a beautiful and well arranged group of hardy flowers ; 
whilst Gloxinias were well shown by Messrs. Peed & Sons, Streatham. 
Messrs. Lewis & Williams, Ember Nurseries, made an attractive display 
of bouquets and other cut flowers. 
Very interesting was the industrial part of the Exhibition. In this 
section prizes were offered and awarded for needlework and other 
handicraft executed at home—a most deserving innovation and worthy 
of every encouragement. Much credit is due to Mr. William Palmer, 
the energetic Hon. Secretary, and Mr. A. W. Cousins, the courteous Hon. 
Treasurer, for their successful endeavours to render the Exhibition a 
success and a source of pleasure to the numerous visitors. 
WALTHAM ABBEY AND DISTRICT. 
The sixth annual Exhibition of tins Society was held at Waltham 
Cro3S, in a field near the railway station, on Thursday, July 23rd, 
The entries in the open classes showed a decided advance on former 
years, though there was a slight falling off in the amateur section. This 
was especially noticeable in the vegetable classes. The principal classes 
devoted to all comers brought out some splendid plants. The groups 
arranged for effect occupied one side of a large marquee. Mr. Ayling, 
gardener to A. J. Hollington, Esq., secured first position. The grand 
Orchids used were Cattleyas Dowiana, Sanderiana, Mossiae, and gigas, 
with Oncidiums, Odontoglossums, and Cypripediums. They were 
associated with Tuberous Begonias, Ferns, and Cocos Weddelliana. Mr. 
J. Nicholdson, gardener to W. Melles, Esq., was second. His group was 
lightly arranged, and contained a fine specimen of Brassia verrucosa; Mr. 
J. Langlands, gardener to J. W. Melles, Esq., taking the third position. 
For a miscellaneous group, Orchids excluded, Mr. Nicholdson was first; 
Mr. J. Turk, gardener to P. Bosanquet, Esq., a close second. His Crotons 
were beautifully coloured ; and Mr. J. Watt, gardener to J. Reid, Esq., 
was third with a heavier display. There was close competition with six 
miscellaneous plants. Mr. Nicholdson was first, and his plant of 
Acalypha Macafeeana was very showy. Mr. Ayling and Mr. A. West, 
gardener to A. H. Lancaster, Esq., secured the other honours in the order 
named. The Palms from the latter were grand. Caladiums were not 
represented by the large plants we usually see at shows, but they were 
good varieties well coloured. The class for stove and greenhouse plants 
was as usual very attractive, Mr. Ayling’s plant of Cierodendron 
Balfourianum attracting great attention. For Ferns, six distinct, Mr. 
Ayling led with some fine specimens. Mr. Green, gardener to Sir T. F. 
Buxton, second. Mr. West third. The class for Tuberous Begonias was 
well filled, Messrs. Ayling, Watt, and Jupp winning the prizes in the 
order named. The best single specimen Orchid from Mr. Ayling was a 
grand Cattleya Sanderiana. Single specimen Ferns were very fine. Mr. 
Green was first with a magnificent Gymnogramma chrysophylla 
Laucheana ; Mr. Ayling second with Gleichenia Mendelli; and Mr. W. 
Clarke, gardener to W. Gibbs, Esq., with Adiantum formosum. Single 
specimen plants were well represented. First was a fine specimen°of 
the Screw Pine, P. utilis, exhibited by Mr. West. Fuchsias were good, 
though the competition was not strong. First, Mr. Ayling ; second, Mr. 
Nicholdson. The leading Coleuses from Mr. West were well coloured 
plants. Second, Mr. Langlands j third, Mr. Isicholdson. The competi¬ 
tion for table stands was keen, and brought numerous entries, Mr. May, 
gardener to H. J. Adams, Esq., taking the first place. His best plants 
were Aralias elegantissima and Yei.chi gracillima. Second, Mr. Lang¬ 
lands ; third, Mr. Nicholdson. 
Roses were rather strong, and did not appear to have sufferel by the 
recent storms. The competition for Teas was weak, though the prize¬ 
winning stand was beautifully fresh. The competition for Carnations, 
Pinks, and Picotees was poor. The flowers are backward in the district, 
consequently many growers were not represented. The chief prizes for 
twelve bunches cut, stove, and greenhouse flowers went to Mr. Ayling, 
his Orchids being invincible. Mr. Nicholdson was second, and Mr. May 
third. Hand bouquets (five entries) were ordinary. The first prize 
bouquet from Mr. Ayling was far ahead of the others. Mr. Nicholdson 
was second, and Mr. Clarke third. 
Grapes were not largely represented. Melons made a greater show, 
while Peaches and Nectarines were fine. Cucumbers brought out a 
good competition. Mr. T. Hamilton was first, and Mr. Poyser second. 
Of Tomatoes a large and representative display was provided, and the 
collections of vegetables attracted great notice, Mr. Clarke securing 
first prize and Mr. Langlands the second. The ladies’ classes were cer¬ 
tainly the best ever seen at this Show, and great improvement was 
manifested. The premier winner in both classes was Miss Ellen Vincent, 
with light and graceful arrangements. Amateurs and cottagers compete 
together, and are allotted forty-three classes. The cut flowers in this 
department were good, especially Mr. W. Rigg’s Roses and Mr. S. Fear’s 
Carnations and Picotees. The plants were also good ; Mr. Gregory’s 
Fuchsias were excellent. Their fruit was also fine. Vegetables do not 
appear to attract much competition. The Committee would do well to 
spur these classes up, for there is plenty of material in the district. 
The exhibits not for competition were a show themselves, Messrs. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, staging Roses, herbaceous flowers, a beautiful 
collection of Cannas, Disa grandifiora, Peas, Strawberries, and Goose¬ 
berries. Mr. Rumsey had a very fine collection of Roses and Palms. 
Mr. T. Rochford filled all available space, as well as two fine groups 
with Palms in all the popular species. Mr. T. Hamilton had a group of 
Maidenhair Fern ; A. J. Edwards, Esq., shovred a large miscellaneous 
group. Mr. J. B. Riding sent a collection of spotted Gloxinias. Mr. 
Poyser showed fine Tomatoes and Cucumbers. Mr. T. Rochford also 
contributed a grand display of Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Melons. The 
Exhibition is certainly the finest seen in the district, and great praise 
is due to the energetic Secretary, Mr. John Eve, for the ability displayed 
in his task. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Planting Strawberries. —As soon as the runners are well rooted 
they must be planted without delay, as this is the main point in order 
to ensure a good crop next season, therefore prepare the ground at once. 
Strawberries succeed best in a rich, deep, and moist soil, and it is 
desirable these conditions be secured as far as possible by heavily 
manuring and deep digging or trenching if it can be done. Mix the 
greater part of the manure in the top spit. Deep cultivation is chiefly 
necessary in order to prevent damage while the fruit is swelling in dry 
seasons. The Strawberry is chiefly a surface rooter, and it is not 
possible to dig in manure among the plants after they are planted with¬ 
out doing considerable injury. A good supply of manure is, therefore, 
given before planting to suppcrt the plants tor three years, at the end of 
which time it is be3t in most instances to destroy the beds and form new 
ones. Under this system a third part of the beds can be cut up every 
year after fruiting, and a similar quantity planted in order to maintain 
a good supply. 
In planting turn the Strawberries out of the pots without disturbing 
the roots. Piant them with a trowel, and then ram the earth around 
them firmly with a wooden rammer in order that the soil may close 
up to the young roots and fresh root growth may commence at once. 
Do not proceed with planting if the soil is wet and likely to bind 
too closely, and care must be taken not to bury the crown of the 
plants. The distance apart depends on the character of the soil and 
the consequent growth of the plants. Where the Strawberry reaches its 
perfection 3 feet apart each way is not too much for such varieties as 
British Queen, Sir Charles Napier, and President ripening their fruit in 
a dull wet season ; but even in the best of soils some varieties do not 
grow so strong as the above, and among those which make the least 
growth are King of the Earlies, A. F. Barron, Elton Pine, Latest of All, 
Waterloo, and others, and in field culture the growth of all the varieties 
is much smaller than it is in a kitchen garden. 
The following are twelve of the best varieties in their order of 
ripening, but Strawberries are capricious, and one cannot always be sure 
a good variety in one place will turn out well in another until it has 
been tried on a small scale. King of the Earlies, rather small, but 
useful for a few early fruits, and of good flavour. Noble is worthy of a 
place for its heavy cropping and fine appearance. Grow Vicomtesse 
H. de Thury wherever a large quantity of preserving fruit is w r anted. 
President is well known and good. British Queen is still the finest 
flavoured Strawberry in cultivation, but will not succeed in some soils, 
and where it fails Dr. Hogg should be tried; it is a similar variety. 
Sir Joseph Paxton is a useful market kind, of large size and good 
quality. Sir Charles Napier is a heavy cropper where the soil suits it, 
and a good firm fruit, but rather too acid for some tastes ; the plant is 
