September 10,1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
237 
best, Messrs. J. Carter & Co., Holborn, were adjudged a vote of thanks for 
a plant of Fourcroya longaeva bearing numerous young plants upon the in¬ 
florescences, and a certificate for a Lilium described under that head. 
H. J. Buchan, Esq., Wilton House, Southampton, was accorded a cultural 
commendation for a well-grown plant of Odontoglossum Krameri with four 
spikes bearing about sixteen flowers. W. Soper, Esq., 307, Clapham Road, 
sent a plant of Ananassa sativa variegata neatly variegated. Messrs. 
J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed a plant of Amasonia punicea with 
abundant spikes of creamy flowers and bright scarlet bracts, very showy. 
Mr. Ridout, gardener to T. B. Haywood, Esq., Woodhatch Lodge, Reigate, 
was awarded a cultural commendation for an excellent specimen of Vanda 
Sanderiana with two spikes of seven and eight flowers each. Mr. P. Ladds, 
Swanley, sent plants of the pure white Zonal Pelargonium White Queen 
Improved, which is very free and bears large trusses. Mr. Aslett, gardener 
to C. Butler, Esq., Warren Wood, Hertford, had a double pink Tuberous 
Begonia named Mrs. C. Butler, very free and large flowers. Messrs. 
R. Veitchit Son, Exeter, showed flowering branches of Escallonia exoniensis, 
a seedling of strong habit, with large tubular pinkish white flowers, for 
which a vote of thanks was accorded. Messrs. W. Paul & Son had plants of 
Abies Douglasi and a variety named glauca, with a distinct bluish tint. 
This firm also sent three varieties of climbing Roses, one of which was 
certificated. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Lilium auratum rubro-vittatum (J. Carter A Co.).—A bold variety with 
large flowers, the petals white striped in the centre with dark red. 
Draccena Noriooodiensis (J. Veitch it Sou3).—A graceful variety, with 
lance-shaped leaves about II inch broad in the widest part, and tapering to 
each end, elegantly streaked with green, red, and white, the latter chiefly on 
the margin. 
Lomariopsis buxifolia (J. Veitch & Sons).—A very pretty and distinct 
Fern of semi-scandent habit, and shown growing over a large Tree Fern 
stem. The fronds are pinnate, 4 to 6 inches long, with small shining green 
oval pinnules closely placed. 
Lose Waltham Climber No. 1 (W. Paul Son).—A pretty variety of a 
bright lively rose tint, and likely to be a useful autumn Rose, as it is ex¬ 
tremely free, and the cheerful tint renders it especially acceptable. 
. Cactus Dahlia Mrs. C. Hawkins (T. S. Ware).—After being shown several 
times, this really meritorious variety has received the recognition it de¬ 
served. It is a pale yellow or cream-tinted form of the Juarezi type, and 
approaches that very closely in the shape of the blooms. 
Gladiolus J. L. Toole (Kelway & Son).—Very handsome, rich crimson, 
the lower petals white at the base, flowers large, and spike massive. 
. Gladiolus Prince Waldemar (Kelway & Son).— Bright clear rose in colour, 
with white lines iu lower petals. A charming variety. 
. Gladiolus Lord Carnarvon (Kelway & Son).—A bold flower, bright scarlet, 
with a white centre, which shows up the brilliant tint well. 
Dahlia Mrs. G. Lawlings (Rawlings Bros.).—A Show variety, well built 
symm'-trical bloom, white tipped with crimson purple. 
Dahlia Bird of Passage (Rawlings Bros.).—A charming Show variety, 
bloom of moderate size, but neat form, white tipped with pale rose, the centre 
of the bloom being of the latter shade. 
Dahlia George Paul (Rawlings Bros.).—This was certificated as a Deco¬ 
rative variety, and though not of first-rate form it is attractive in colour, the 
florets being white tipped with deep rich crimson. 
Dahlia Eclipse (H. Cannell & Sons).—A single variety, rich deep scarlet, 
yellowish at the base, the florets round, and general outline good. 
Dahlia Faust (H. Cannell & Sons).—Another single variety of a peculiar 
bright red shade, the florets substantial, broad and round. 
r&i 
WORK FOfiTHE WE EK.. O 
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HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Gathering Fruit. —We were recently dining with a gentleman who 
has an extensive fruit garden, of which he is justly proud, for it contains 
a large collection of the best sorts of fruit, and his evident vexation at 
finding unripe fruit had been sent in for dessert was a reminder to us of 
the fact tbatdue attention is often wanting on the part of fruit-growers 
in gathering the fruit, which they now bring to so high a degree of excel¬ 
lence. Certainly we ought not to rest satisfied with anything short of 
absolute perfection in fruit culture in gar tens—a very different affair to 
fruit culture in the orchards and plantations of market gardens. In the 
garden of a private gentleman facilities generally exist for the culture of 
fruit in its highest form, and the gathering of it mu-t certainly be regarded 
as no mean part of such culture. Take, for example, Green Gage Plum, 
ror culinary purposes it is sufficient if the fruit is about half ripe, but for 
dessert we watch each fruit with anxious care, and not one should be 
picked for table that is not perfect in ripeness, bloom, and colour. A 
pale, glossy, greenish-yellow small fruit of this delicious old Plum is not 
a tempting object, but a really fine fruit, covered with delicate bloom, 
with a pink tinge upon the side most exposed to the sun, and not nnfre- 
quently having a slight crack or two in the skin, is both grateful to the 
palate and tempting to the eye ; and it is precisely this happy combina¬ 
tion in fruit of entire gratification of the two keen senses of sight and 
aste which marks perfection. We call timely attention to this important 
matter now in order to secure greater watchfulness and patience in Pear 
gathering. It has long been our habit at this season of the year to 
evote an hour or two on fine afternoons to a careful inspection of the 
ruit, and to gather it gradually, a few from each tree, as it becomes quit 
ready. Depend upon it that such care, combined with delicate handling 
and careful storage in the fruit room, carries its own reward with it, for 
it enables one to have a supply of ripe fruit in succession for a long time, 
and to become intimately acquainted with the peculiarities of each sort. 
Knight’s Monarch affords a remarkable example of the importance of 
such care, the fruit always ripening in batches, some being ready long 
before others, and if the forward fruit is not picked as it becomes ready 
it will fall and become bruised. In looking over the fruit the eye soon 
becomes accustomed to the different changes of the fruit, and by lifting 
the fruit outwards it parts readily from the branch when ready for gather¬ 
ing. Do not forget that many Pears are good one year and inferior or 
decidedly bad another. A sort with a good character ought not, therefore, 
to be lightly discarded, and remember that the fruit can at the worst 
always be turned to account for stewing. After the fruit is picked, if the 
drought still continues, let every tree have enough water to thoroughly 
soak the soil, so as to promote a strong full flow of sap to render the buds 
full and plump for another season. Let us not also forget to apply the 
lesson of the drought once more. A dry hot season insures colour and 
flavour, but the fruit is always small if the trees are not watered and 
mulched. See, then, that the supply of water to the fruit garden is 
abundant enough to insure a full supply throughout the driest summer, 
and also that the means for its use among the trees is simple and efficient. 
At Chiswick the trees have had both watering and mulching this summer 
with the best results. Let us beg gentlemen having fruit gardens to send 
their gardeners to the Fruit Congress to be held there this autunm, and 
to impress upon gardeners the importance not only of seeing the display 
of fruit, but to go into the gardens among the fruit trees and to get a 
lesson from Mr. Barron’s practice. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Figs. — Early-forced Trees in Pots. — The next two months maybe 
considered the resting period of early Figs, during which they must be 
kept moderately dry and as cool as possible. If they persist in growing, 
the roots that have have found their way iDto the fermenting bed should 
be cut through about a foot from the pots, and the plunging material 
taken out down to the bottom of the pots. All unripe fruit should be 
removed, and red spider kept from increasing by washing the trees 
occasionally with the syringe until the leaves fall, when not a day should 
be lost before the annual cleansing should be given. If the roof lights 
are moveable they may be taken off for a season if fine for painting or 
other repairs, but they must not be removed under any pretence unless 
the wood be thoroughly ripe. It is necessary, however, that any paint¬ 
ing be done in time so as to allow of its thoroughly hardening before it 
becomes necessary to subject it to the trying influences of confined 
moisture. 
Succession Houses. —The trees in these will still be ripening quanti¬ 
ties of useful Figs, and will need a free circulation of dry warm air, the 
most important factor perhaps in the production of high-class fruit. 
When necessary to keep these trees in bearing a time longer a little fire 
heat with ventilation through the night will be necessary, and any water¬ 
ing must be given early when the day promises to be fine. Red spider 
will make headway with the dry heat, and brown scale is often very 
troublesome, and if undisturbed soon finds its way to the foliage and 
fruit, from which it cannot be dislodged without injury. As prevention 
is better than cure the parts infested should be well washed with an 
insecticide of approved strength with sponge or brush before these pests 
have time to spread. Thin out any spray that may have accumulated 
now, not waiting until pruning time, allowing the regular extension or 
succession shoots intended for next year’s crop to grow up to the glass, 
where light and warmth will mature the points better than were they 
kept closely secured to the trellis. 
Young Trees in Pots for Early Forcing. —Any young trees in pots 
still under glass and having rooted in the plunging material should have 
the roots cut off, as a means of inducing rest. Any that are not considered 
of a size fit for forcing, and will need growing on another season in 
heat preparatory for early work, should be shifted ; and those which 
though large enough in head for forcing are not in the size of pot 
desirable should be shifted into larger pots without delay. All straggling 
roots should be cut off when pottiDg, and the soil rammed very firm as 
the potting proceeds, otherwise the water when they are again started 
will pass away, the old balls become and remain dry, and the first crop 
of fruit will drop. Rich turfy loam with a sixth of lime rubbish and a 
sprinkling of bones is a proper compost. The culture of Figs in pots is 
a most interesting mode of culture, as many of the moderate growers can 
be accommodated in a small house, and, being very prolific, plenty of 
heat and moisture will result, along with good feeding, in the production 
of a full crop of delicious fruit of a highly wholesome and health-giving 
kind. 
Pines. —Pine plants, especially Queens, which are intended to give a 
supply of fruit next May or June, should by this time have developed a 
sturdy growth, and have the pots well filled with roots. The utmost 
attention must be given the watering, so as to maintain the vigorous habit 
acquired, bearing in mind that the soil, being permeated with routs, will 
have parted with much of its feeding qualities, and to make up for this 
loss stimulants will be necessary to maintain the vigour of the plants, 
being careful not to give them too strong and always tepid, and every 
time the plants are watered. In order to secure the thorough maturation 
of the plants a liberal supply of air should be given whenever sunshine 
and heat prevail to an extent to allow of its being given, and the atmo¬ 
sphere must not be too closely charged with moisture ; but syringing the 
plants should j>8 continued two or three times a week during fine weather, 
or as shall be determined by an examination of the axils of the leaves of 
