151 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Anfcu. t 20, 1891. 
floral beauties to be readily seen. In some the colour is solid from 
margin to centre, in others a clear white margin throws up the 
colour still more boldly, while delicately dotted or netted varieties 
are also seen in due proportion, the last-named constituting a very 
distinct and elegant strain. Perhaps the finest of all is a pure 
white variety named Her Majesty, which has already secured 
several certificates, and is in all respects unique. Then the 
Achimenes, the Gesneras, the Tuberous Begonias, the healthy 
Cyclamens advancing for another season’s display, and many other 
attractions in succession receive hurried attention. 
Oat of doors, both in the nurseries and trial grounds, are 
breadths of all the most useful annuals and hardy plants raised 
from seed, some beds of seedling Carnations and Picotees being 
remarkable for the large percentage of well-formed double varieties 
of excellent colours, and the profusion of flowers, plants about 
eighteen months old bearing hundreds of bright and fragrant 
blooms invaluable for cutting purposes. The trials of Asters will 
afford much interest in a week or two, as also will the Tomatoes, 
of which large numbers are being tested side by side. Half a day 
could have been advantageously spent in the admirable SuttoDian 
establishment, but an hour had to suffice, and by the kindly 
assistance of Mr. Leonard Sutton the station was reached in good 
time for the Cardiff train, and I arrived at my destination in a 
little over four hours’ iun, via Stroud, Gloucester, Chepstow, and 
Newport. 
The Conference. 
The Sophia Gardens is a capital place for a horticultural ex¬ 
hibition, its dense fresh lawns and abundant trees adapting it 
admirably for such a purpose, and most generously is the local 
Society treated in having so fine a site placed at their disposal. 
Fortunately the weather favoured the gathering, and visitors 
assembled in considerable numbers. The dozen or so tents 
-devoted to the Show were soon filled with competitors’ friends and 
the general public, the spacious tent devoted to the Conference 
being also crowded when the proceedings commenced. With much 
kind consideration the Marquess of Bute had consented to preside, 
and his presence undoubtedly contributed materially to the success 
of the meeting. Mr. Gordon gave a short address on the past and 
present condition of fruit culture in the United Kingdom, and in 
doing so directed attention to the enormous influence for good that 
had been exercised by the British Fruit Growers’ Association since 
its foundation in 1888. As proved by the Agricultural Returns 
the area under orchards had since that year increased so rapidly 
that the total acreage of land devoted to fruit at the end of last 
year exceeded that of 1888 by over 12,000 acres. He did not, 
however, attach so much importance to the increase in the acreage 
as to the improvements that had been effected both in the 
selection of sites and varieties and in the preparation of the land, 
because it was only by adopting the best possible methods that 
fruit culture could be made profitable. This point the Association 
had from the first kept to the front, and had at all times carefully 
avoided the extravagant estimates that had been given by some 
speakers. The Association endeavours to enforce the view that 
fruit culture would, if properly carried on, give a good return for 
the outlay both in plant'ng and management. The means by which 
it is seeking to disseminate trustworthy information was briefly 
described, and it was pointed out that in addition to holding con¬ 
ferences, arrangements had been made for giving lectures at 
meetings of horticultural and other societies, the staff of lecturers 
comprising about thirty of the most eminent fruit growers in the 
United Kingdom. A plan had also been prepared by which it is 
hoped that fruit culture will occupy a prominent position in the 
schemes of technical educat on now being carried out under the 
direction of the various County Councils. In conclusion, it was 
pointed out that many districts in South Wales were highly favour¬ 
able to the production of hardy fruits, and although in the gardens 
of Cardiff Castle hardy fruit* were grown in a manner that was 
not surpassed in the United Kingdom, good orchards were practi¬ 
cally unknown in the vale of Glamorgan. 
Then came worthy Mr. Pettigrew with the practical remarks 
upon fruit culture in South Wales which have already been read 
with interest by thousands of cultivators. Probably, however, the 
reader was afforded more gratification by the close attention with 
which the Chairman followed this narration of successful experience, 
and th a applause in which he a’so heartily joined. It was a subject 
upon which Mr. Pettigrew could speak with the greatest authority, 
and the proofs of all he sail concerning fruit culture were within 
a few hundred yards of the Conference tent, almost in the midst 
of a busy city. 
Mr. Baillie’s address on fruit growing as an industry was an 
eloquent dissertation upon the pecuniary and social advantages 
arising from judiciou ly extended fruit culture, and it is needless 
io say that it was admirably delivered. It was suggestive and 
clear, just what was desired and expected from him. It was 
unfortunate that the time did not permit of extended discussion, 
for it was evident that much of a useful character could have been 
communicated by some of those present, and this is exactly what 
is required. It is only by a comparison of experiences and opinions 
that the best way can be found, and in every district there are 
special obstacles as well as special facilities that demand careful 
consideration before embarking extensively upon fruit tree 
planting. 
The Show. 
A word or two must now be devoted to the Show itself, which 
far exceeded the expectations of most visitors, and it was gratifying 
to learn that the exhibits exceeded those of last year by nearly 
100 per cent. It is customary at provincial and metropolitan 
horticultural shows to crowd all the exhibits into two or three tents, 
placed as near together as possible, and the visitors are often kept 
in the tents until a complete circuit has been made. A different 
order of things prevails at Cardiff, and it has much in its favour. 
About a dozen tents were employed, each one being devoted to 
special classes or exhibits. The tents were also placed some 
distance apart, the visitors were not crowded into so small a space, 
and were thus enabled to inspect the Show with much more 
comfort than is the rule at popular gatherings of this kind. 
The quality of the exhibits throughout was very satisfactory, 
plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables being all well represented. 
Fruit was good, the Grapes especially so, and excellent bunches 
were shown by Mr. G. Gill, gardener to W. M. Franklin, Esq., St. 
Helens (six variet’es) ; Mr. Silk (Muscat of Alexandria, Gros 
Mai’oc, and Golden Queen) ; Mr. A. Pettigrew (Foster’s Seedling), 
and Mr. J. Ayeq Clifton (Black Hamburgh). In the Melon 
classes Mr. Pettigrew was victorious, as he also was with Apples 
and Pears ; Mr. Muir, Margam Park Gardena, being the best 
exhibitor of Peaches (Barrington). 
In the plant classes groups were not very well shown, but 
specimens were fine, Mr. J. Lockyer, gardener to J. C. Hanbury, 
Esq., Pontypool, having twelve grand plants in flower, defeating 
Mr. J. Cypher of Cheltenham, who, however, had the best fine- 
foliaged plants and Orchids. Pelargoniums. Fuchsias, and other 
softwooded plants were well shown, as were also cut flowers and 
table decorations, which occupied several tents, and formed a very 
interesting portion of the display. Amongst the vegetables 
Mr. Muir exhibited'well, and took the first place for a collection of 
nine kinds with excellent samples in his best style. The non¬ 
competing exhibits also occupied considerable space. Messrs. 
B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, had a fine group of stove 
and greenhouse plants. Messrs. Clibran & Son had a capital group 
of hardy flowers, with fine examples of their new Tropseolums 
Mrs. Clibran (bright yellow) and Gem (very dark maroon). 
Mr. Pettigrew had forty varieties of Apples and thirty varieties of 
Pears ; Mr. J. Watkins, Hereford, had fifty dishes of Gooseberries 
and Apples ; Mr. Ralph Crossling, Penarth, had a group of plants ; 
Messrs. Dobbie & Co , Rothesay, a collection of Marigolds and 
Yiolas ; and Messrs. Perkins & Son, Coventry, showed several hand¬ 
some bouquets. This is only a brief review of a really creditable 
Exhibition, and it only remains to be said that the Chairman 
(Mr. Lewis), the Vice-Chairman (Mr. Pettigrew), the Secretaries 
(Messrs. Blackmore and Gillett), with several members of the 
Committee assisted materially in promoting the success of the Show, 
while they certainly contributed to the pleasure of the members 
of the British Fruit Growers’ Association who were enabled to be 
present at the Show and meeting. 
Cardiff Castle Gardens. 
The members of the Association are busy men, and the majority 
hurried away to other duties immediately after the conclusion of 
the Conference. A few, however, remained, and on the following 
day had the pleasure of inspecting the gardens at Cardiff Castle, a 
treat which would alone have repaid the trouble of so long a 
journey. Able writers have made readers of this Journal familiar 
with the great establishment over which Mr. Pettigrew presides, 
and it is unnecessary to enter upon a description ; but it must be 
said that not one word too much has been written concerning the 
examples of cultural skill there found. I was prepared for some¬ 
thing exceptional in the fruit trees, but I did not expect to see 
such marvellously healthy specimens of Apples and Pears, loaded 
with fine fruits from the tips of their branches to within a few inches 
of the ground. Trees eighteen or twenty years old 20 to 30 feet 
high, and forming avenues as regular and perfect in form as if cast 
in one mould, cannot be seen every day ; but there they are, an all- 
convincing proof of what can be accomplished in hardy fruit culture 
even in a town garden. They have been planted under Mr. Petti¬ 
grew’s superintendence, he has watched them grow into bearing and 
profit, and the tons of fruit they have produced have afforded an 
