110 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 6, 1891. 
Fish sent £11 15s. as the result of opening the Hardwick Hall Gardens 
to the public ; and the general collecting cards distributed a few weeks 
ago have brought in a sum of about £280. The result of the Crystal 
Palace fete had not been exactly ascertained, the railway receipts not 
having passed the clearing house, but the Committee were satisfied the 
Fund would benefit by the effort, and that their anticipations would 
be realised. 
- The Finest Vine in Britain. —Mr. Barron in his excellent 
work, “ Vines and Vine Culture,” gives particulars of some of the 
largest Vines in Britain, including the remarkable example at Manresa 
House, Boehampton. Judging by the dimensions of the houses given in 
the work in question the Vine at Kinnell House, Bredalbane, Scotland, 
would appear to be the largest; but a Scottish gardener who is 
intimately acquainted with it, and who has closely examined the 
Manresa Vine, declares this to be the finer and in all respects superior. 
It is truly a marvellous Vine, trained and managed by the present 
gardener, Mr. M. Davis. It now completely fills the house 224 feet long, 
with seven rods as straight as Vine rods can be, stretching from end to 
end. Each rod resembles a vigorous young Vine, and bunches averaging 
1$ lb. each with fine berries are hanging in the greatest regularity. 
Last year 607 bunches were cut from the Vine, weighing 956 lbs. This 
year the number is 642 bunches, the weight of which exceeds 1000 lbs. 
There are other unusual Vines at Manresa. Remarkable also are the 
espalier wires affixed along the tops of garden walls laden with Plums 
and Pears, much more fruit being borne on the branches above the walls 
than on those trained to them. Unusually fine young standard 
Apples are to be seen, and all the trees in the garden are laden with 
fruit. Manresa House is near the centre of the village of Roehampton, 
and about half a mile from Putney Railway Station. The garden is 
just now particularly worth a visit, but as cutting has commenced from 
the big Vine the sooner it is seen the better. It is a grand example of 
patience and culture by one of the most genial and courteous of men to 
be found in the gardening ranks. 
—— Cardiff Parks. —The prosperous town of Cardiff is famed 
for its parks and open spaces that have been provided for the inhabi¬ 
tants. At the last meeting of the Parks Committee the only business 
was the consideration of testimonials received from the ten applicants 
for the post of head gardener of the parks and open spaces under the 
control of the Corporation. On the proposition of Councillor Ramsdale, 
seconded by Mr. Andrews, Mr. William W. Pettigrew, son of Mr. A. Petti¬ 
grew, of the Cardiff Castle Gardens, was appointed. The successful 
candidate is twenty-four years of age, and presented testimonials from 
the Director and Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew. The salary is 
fixed to commence at £120 a year, with £10 a year increases to £180. 
We know Mr. W. Pettigrew to be thoroughly well trained, and as he is 
intelligent and persevering, we have not a doubt he will ably discharge 
the duties of the position to which he has been elected, and do credit to 
the name he bears. 
- Modes of Chrysanthemum Culture.—I have read with 
more than ordinary interest that portion of Mr. Woodcock's paper 
which treats of plants for exhibition blooms, more especially the para¬ 
graph wherein he speaks of Hull cultivators having the advantage of 
free sandy loam. Would Mr. Woodcock be so kind as to say where in 
the neighbourhood of Hull such loam can be had ? as hitherto I have 
been unable to obtain it, and I cannot help thinking he must be mis¬ 
taken in his information. Though the briny ocean doubtless contributes 
to brightness of colour in flowers grown in its neighbourhood, still as 
Hull is about twelve miles from the sea as the crow flies, some other 
reason must be sought for here to account for such brightness. In proof 
of this it may be mentioned that at the last Hull Show there was a 
marked difference between the brightness of some stands of blooms from 
Grimsby and those grown locally. I think salt in the atmosphere has 
more to do with it than salt at the roots ; but this would be a good 
subject for Mr. Briscoe-Ironsides to experiment upon.—R, Falconer 
Jameson, Hesslc, near Hull. 
- The Beddington, Carshalton, and Wallington Show, 
held in Beddington Park on Monday last, was very satisfactory as 
regards the quantity and quality of vegetables staged by cottagers and 
allotment holders ; there were also some tasteful baskets of flowers. 
The non-competing exhibits from nurserymen occupied much space, and 
were of a most interesting character. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill, had a handsome group of Tuberous Begonias with miscellaneous 
stove and greenhouse plants, a large collection of hardy flowers, and 
several boxes of ficsh bright Roses. Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Tulse Hill, 
contributed a well arranged group of choice flowering and fine-foliage 
plants, and Mr. J. R. Box, Croydon, had a group of Caladiums, Begonias, 
and other plants. 
-A work on Room and Window Plants, by Mous. D. Bois> 
has been received from the publishers, M.M. J. B. Bailliere et Fils, 19, Rue 
Hautefeuille, pres du Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris. It is practically 
written and freely illustrated, therefore would be found useful by those 
who are interested in this branch of plant culture and are familiar with 
the French language. 
- The total rainfall at Cuckfield, Sussex, for July was 
2 - 99 inches, being 0 33 inch above the average. The heaviest fall was- 
1-04 inch, the result of a thunderstorm on the morning of the 27th. 
Rain fell on seventeen days. The highest temperature was 77°, on the 
17th ; the lowest 42°, on the 28th and 29th. Mean maximum, 68°; 
mean minimum, 47T U ; mean temperature, 57 - 5°. Partial shade read¬ 
ings 2° below the average.—R. I. 
- Weather at Ripley, Yorks, during July, 1891.—July 
was with us a good growing month. Up to that time the rainfall had 
been deficient, but I am glad to say we have during the month had 
several good penetrating showers, which have been of great benefit to all- 
fruit and vegetable crops, especially so as regards Strawberries and' 
Peas. Only on one day could the heat be said to be oppressive (the- 
17th), when we registered 79° in the shade. Rain fell upon thirteen 
days. Total fall for the month 3 08 inches, of which 0 - 54 inch fell upon 
the 7th. Mean reading of barometer, 29 95. Maximum temperature, 
68 9° ; minimum temperature, 46 - 3°. Temperature of month, 57'9°». 
Highest maximum temperature, 79°, on 17th, shade ; lowest minimum 
temperature, 38°, on 28th, shade. Hay is a light crop hereabouts, 
and there is still much to be harvested. Potatoes look healthy so far. 
—J. Tunnington, Ripley Castle Gardens. 
- - Warwick Flower Show. —The annual Exhibition of the 
Warwick Amateurs’and Cottagers’ Horticultural Society was held in the 
Castle grounds, which were generously placed at the disposal of the 
Society by the Earl of Warwick last week. No more delightful 
situation could have been found for holding a show. The long stretch- 
of green sward set apart for the purpose descends gradually to the banks 
of the winding Avon, and is backed up on either side by noble specimens- 
of Cedars, Limes, and Planes. The prizes were distributed by the 
Countess of Warwick, and during the afternoon both the Earl and 
Countess, accompanied by Lady Louisa Wells, closely inspected the 
exhibits in the show tents, and evinced great interest in all matters 
connected with the Show. Many of the productions staged by the 
cottagers were of great merit, and the Show as a whole was very effective. 
Many well known business firms sent non-competing exhibits, which 
were in all instances greatly admired. 
- National Carnation and Picotee Society (Southern 
Section).— The series of prizes offered by Martin R. Smith, Esq., on 
July 21st were not competed for, owing to the season of the year 
being too late for Carnations. Mr. Smith is anxious that the prizes 
should be again offered on the date of the Exhibition of Ornamental 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants, in the Drill Hall, St. James’ Street, 
Westminster, August 11th, 1891. The Council of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society has kindly offered every facility for exhibitors. 
Notice of entry must be given to Mr. Barron, Royal Horticultural 
Society, Chiswick, W., three clear days before the day of exhibition. 
The Carnation Society will provide bottles if desired. The prizes are 
as follows :—Class A, The best border variety of self-coloured Car¬ 
nation, not less than twelve trusses. Three prizes : £3 3s., £2 2s., £1 15s. 
Class B, Twelve varieties of self-coloured border Carnations, not less 
than six trusses of each variety. Three prizes : £3 3s., £2 2s., £1 15s, 
Class C, Eighteen varieties of flake, bizarre, or fancy Carnations 
or Picotees, not les3 than six trusses of each variety. Three prizes : 
£3 3s., £2 2s, £1 15s. These conditions must be observed.—1, Each 
exhibitor must sign the following declaration :—“ I certify that all 
trusses shown by me for the prizes offered by Mr. Martin R. Smith 
have been cut from plants which have been wintered without 
protection in the open garden, and that they are staged without 
‘ dressing,’ and exactly as they were cut from the plants; ” 2, Each 
truss to have not less than three flowers or buds ; 3, Each truss to 
be cut with stems not less than 9 inches in length ; 4, To be shown 
with Carnation foliage and buds ; 5, A specimen of the foliage of 
each variety to be shown with the flowers ; 6, The trusses to be staged 
in bottles, tins, or glasses; 7, No bands or ties round the calyx, and 
no paper collars or -wire supports to be used; 8, A burst calyx to be 
a disqualification.— James Douglas, Hon. Sec., Barliiny Side, Ilford. 
