866 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ October 22, 1885. 
examined. Taking the groups in the order previously named, I 
will make a few remarks upon the best varieties.—J. T. R. 
(To be continued.) 
THE NATIONAL PEAK CONFERENCE AT CHISWICK. 
October 21st to November 4th. 
The Royal Horticultural Society opened yesterday (Wednesday) at 
their Chiswick Garden an Exhibition of Pears, which in extent and 
importance is second only to the extraordinary Apple Congress held two 
years ago in the same Garden. The season selected for the Apples was one 
that proved exceptionally favourable to that crop, and the present season 
was chos°n for a Pear Show from similar reasons—namely, the general 
quality and abundant supplies. The result, as seen in the display now pro¬ 
vided at Chiswick, is all that the promoters of the scheme could have 
wished, and more than was expected by many who could see the greater 
difficulties in the way of obtaining an Exhibition of Pears. Happily these 
have been surmounted. Gardeners and nurserymen in all parts of Great 
Britain have responded freely to the invitations, and, without the pecuniary 
temptations usually deemed indispensable, have provided an Exhibition of 
which all concerned have ample reason to be proud. These Congresses and 
Conferences possess that very agreeable feature, the combination of horticul¬ 
turists for a common benefit without the striving and struggling for money 
prizes that have in some cases almost rendered exhibiting a matter of 
business, and the numerous visitors who inspect this great Pear Show will 
not find their interest decreased by bearing in mind that it has been pro¬ 
vided without offering a prize of any kind. 
In round numbers about 6000 dishes of Pears are entered, occupying the 
whole of the large vinery and a spacious tent. The chief part of the display 
3(of course in the vinery, where there are two wide tables extending the 
whole length of the house, and each bearing six rows of dishes. The side 
stages are also fully occupied, and the whole produces a wonderful display 
such has certainly never been obtained before at one time. In general effect 
Pears are less beautiful than Apples ; there are few of the rich and varied 
colours which render the latter so charming, the brilliant red and crimson 
hues are wanting, but in their place we have some sober autumn tints, with 
& quieter beauty. Gold, with several shades of yellow and many browns, are 
the most noticeable, then there are innumerable shades of green, relieved in 
a few instances by a flush of warm crimson, all seeming suggestive of the 
falling leaves. In form there is more diversity amongst Pears, for we see 
gradations from globular fruits like Apples to long slender and elegant¬ 
looking fruits that would scarcely be thought to belong to the same family. 
In size also we find similar variations from pigmy Hessles and Sultans 
11 inch in diameter to giants of the Belle Angevine type 7 inches high and 
15 inches in circumference. 
The practical horticulturist will, however, find much more than this to 
instruct him, for accompanying each variety is a card telling many important 
particulars besides the name, the stock upon which the variety is men¬ 
tioned, the average fertility, and other remarks, of which the value will 
be readily understood. Thus the Pears most suited for particular districts 
can be seen at a glance, and gardeners are fully aware how much 
success is dependant upon a selection of varieties adapted for the locality. 
It is surprising how altered a variety becomes in unfavourable circum¬ 
stances, and in the Show in question there are innumerable instances of 
this kind that well deserve attention. Upon this, indeed, and the correct 
naming of the varieties submitted to the Committee, the real practical 
value of the Conference depends. By chronicling all the facts so collected, 
and correcting the nomenclature, they will be doing the whole fruit-growing 
community an inestimable service. 
Up to midday on Wednesday Mr. A. F. Barron and his staff of assistants 
were busily occupied in arranging the enormous number of exhibits, and 
anyone who saw the hundreds of packages and boxes arriving on Tuesday 
would have thought it almost impossible that order could so soon have been 
obtained from such a chaos. By late and early working the greater portion 
of the exhibits were ready for the inspection of the Committee by 1 p.m. 
yesterday. As, however, it was impossible for us to then obtain a full 
report for the present issue, we can only give a few statistics, ressrving 
further notes until next week. 
England, of course, is largely represented, contributions being entered 
from thirty-five counties. Wales, Scotland are also represented, but to a 
much smaller extent, while from Jersey, Guernsey, and France collections 
of considerable merit have been forwarded. Concerning the English coun¬ 
ties several interesting facts we observed. Dividing them into eighteen 
southern and seventeen northern counties, the following are the respective 
number of dishes from each. 
Southern Counties.— Middlesex. 694; Kent, 538; Surrey, 521; Herts, 
445; Hereford, 343 ; Essex, 225 ; Bucks, 200; Devon, 189; Wilts, 133; 
Sussex, 182 ; Hants, 102; Dorset, 110 ; Somerset, 30 ; Gloucester, 98 ; 
Berks 84 ; Oxfordshire, 41 ; Bedfordshire, 20 ; and Monmouth, 30. Total, 
3985 dishes. 
Northern Counties.— Nottinghamshire, 159 ; Worcestershire 140 • 
Yorkshire, 105 ; Northampton, 80; Staffs, 55; Leicester, 50 ; Cheshire, 50 ; 
Hunts, 52; Rutland, 50 ; Shropshire, 25; Warwick, 12; Norfolk, 52 • 
Suffolk, 25 ; Lincolnshire, 30 ; Lancashire, 35 ; Derby, 12 ; and Cumberland 2 
Total 970 dishes. 
We thus see that from the southern portion of England there is four 
times as many exhibits as from the northern half, and the first seven 
of the counties represent a total of 2968 dishes, or about half the whole 
number exhibited. It may be remembered also that at the Apple Congress 
Kent took the lead in numbers; this time, however, Middlesex heads the 
list by 150 dishes, due in a great measure, no doubt, to the contributions 
from Chiswick Garden. The lowest number is from Cumberland, two 
exhibitors sending one dish each. The greatest numbers of exhibitors are 
from Middlesex, Surrey, and Kent, the two first with fifteen each, and the 
last with eleven. 
There are 170 exhibitors, the following showing fifty dishes and 
upwards: Royal Horticultural Society, 200; M. Leroy, Angers, France 
196; Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, 150; Messrs. W. Paul * Son’ 
Waltham Cross, 150 : Messrs. T. Rivers & Son, 150 ; Mr. G. Pragnell, Sher¬ 
borne Castle Gardens, 110; Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, 100; 
Mr. C. Turner, Slough, 100 ; Mr. G. W. Cummins, gardener to A. H. Smee, 
Esq., The Grange, Wallington, 103; Mr. Wm. Wildsmith, Heckfield 
Gardens, 90 ; Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. 80 ; Mr. Le Cornu, Jersey, 
80; Mr. E. Cole, The Gardens, Althorp Park, Northhampton, 80; Mr. W. 
Coleman, Eastnor Castle Gardens. Hereford, 90; F. C. Barker, Esq., 
Heatherdale, Woodford Green, 50; Mr. C. Davies, The Moat Park Gardens, 
Maidstone, 50 ; Messrs. F. & A. Dickson, Chester, 50 ; Mr. F. Jamin, Bourg- 
la-Reine, Paris, 50; Mr. Denning, gardener to the Earl of Chesterfield; 
Holme, Lacey, 62; Messrs. C. Lee & Son, 60 ; Mr. J. Renwick, Melrose, 50; 
Mr. J. Roberts, Gunnersbury Park, 50; Mr. J. Burnett, Deepdene Gardens, 55, 
Mr. S. Ford, Leonardslee, Horsham, 73; Messrs. R. Smith &. Co., Worcester, 
60 : Mr. J. C. Mundell, Moor Park, 60 ; Mr. Thomas, Orchard Lane Gardens, 
Sittingbourne, 70; Mr. C. Haycock, Barham Court Gardens, 76 ; Mr. J. W. 
Dance, Gosfield Hall, Halstead, 61 ; Mr. P. Middleton, Wynnstiy Gardens, 
Ruabon, 60; Mr. E. Cole, The Gardens, Althorp Park, Northampton, 80; 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Son, Crawley, 60; Messrs. Harrison & Son, Leicester, 
54; Mr. H. Ritchie, Eardiston Gardens, Worcester, 50 ; and Mr. G. Breese, 
Petworth, 50. From Wales 143 dishes are sent; from Scotland, 134, not 
including those from Mr. Dunn, of Dalkeith Palace, which had not all 
arrived ; and there are some from Ireland. 
We should advise all interested in this Conference to visit Chiswick as 
early as possible, for there are many of the finer Pears that are now ripe 
which will not keep in good condition so long as the Apples did at the 
previous show. 
AUTUMN SHOWS. 
Exhibitors of Chrysanthemums will soon be actively engaged in 
preparing for the numerous shows announced for the present season, and 
the following list of fixtures may be useful as a reminder. Secretaries of 
Societie i not mentioned will oblige by forwarding their schedules. 
October 2lst to November 4th.—Chiswick (Pear Congress). 
October 27th ami 23th.—South Kensington (Chrysanthemums and Vegetables). 
November 3rd and 4th.—Ealing, Southampton, and Lambeth. 
„ 4th and 5th.—Brixton. 
„ 5th and 6th.—Richmond, Havant, and Highgate. 
„ 10th.—Southend and Putney. 
„ 10th and Uth.—Brighton and Kingston. 
,, ltth—Basingstoke. 
„ llth and I 2 th.—National Chrysanthemum Society and Croydon. 
„ 12th and 13tb.—Lindfleld and Portsmouth. 
„ 13th and 14th.—Huddersfield. 
„ 14th.—Ramshottom. 
„ 17th.—East Grinstead and Devizes. 
17th and 18th.—Lincoln and Winchester. 
„ 18th and 19th.—Northampton, Bristol, and Birmingham. 
„ 39th.—Taunton, Hammersmith, and Aylesbury. 
„ 19th and 2 ith.—Hull. 
„ 20th and 21st.—Sheffield. 
STEPHAN OTIS AND GARDENIAS. 
It is rather surprising that the culture of these plants should be 
denounced, considering that their blooms are amoDgst the most chaste 
and beautiful of any we possess, and their successful cultivation is looked 
upon by many as a great achievement. Exception is taken to the 
fragrance of the Gardenia, and Mr. Muir states, page 295, that not one 
person in a dozen can really enjoy it, but I maintain that the perfume of 
Gardenia is as much prized as that of any other flower grown. 
The Stephanotis must be cast away because its flower stems are so 
short and it cannot be comfortably arranged with anything else. Our 
plan is to put it by itself (except an edging of greenery), and for this 
purpose shallow vases or dishes are used, which are appreciated as much 
as any combination of colours—certainly they are not suited to mount on 
the top of tall vases or glasses. 
If the cultivation of Gardenias was better understood there would not 
be so much need of the sponge. Procure cuttings thoroughly clean, and 
strike them at any time in any hot close frame, and when rooted pot 
them or plant them out. Never allow them to become root-bound, and 
syringe them heavily twice a day, and they will make fine plants a yard 
through or more in aboat eighteen months, with foliage as healthy as 
Laurels, and each plant will give scores of good blooms. Both these 
plants are as easily kept clean as many other stove occupants, such as 
Dipladenias, Ixoras, Crotons, &c. But what are we to grow in place of 
them P Of course no one will say a word against the Eucharis, but they 
must be grown in enormous quantities in order to give cut flowers all the 
year round, such ns can be obtained from a dozen or two well-grown 
Gardenias, and we have been cutting Stephanotis since March, and hope 
to continue so umil nearly Christmas. 
As to the blooms of Gardenias being almost black after travelling, the 
fault is with the packing, as mine used to be so at one time, but since then 
I have learnt a lesson, as they generally arrive as “ fresh as cut ” after a 
sixteen to twenty hours journey. If Mr. Muir had some employers, they 
would perhaps prefer to “ throw him away ” and retain their Gardenias. 
—W. J. Ireland. 
Mr. E. Jenkins, page 324, writes of these as if they were the only 
pretty and good flowers in our gardens. He would observe that I only 
wrote against them being taken in by those who were obliged to place 
them with other plants, and I said nothing against their cultivation in 
special houses. I may, however, verify my former remarks, and assert 
that I have known scores of growers, both amateur and professional, who 
had all their indoor plants together, complain bitterly of the extraordinary 
increase of pests which was continually taking place after these plants 
were introduced. There is nothing difficult in finding substitutes for 
both. Bouvardias, especially candidissima, jasminoidee, and Humboldtii 
corymbiflora are as delicate and pretty as Stephanotis in summer, and far 
