January 21, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
43 
The boundless stores of grain possessed by other countries enable 
them to offer for our consumption enormous supplies and these will 
doubtless go on increasing, as we read of hundreds of millions of acres 
suitable for the production of Wheat being as yet untouched. No doubt 
in time all these virgin lands will be made to bear in abundance, and a 
due proportion of the produce will be available for Britain’s supply. 
Therefore we may assume that no return to high prices for grain will be 
in store for the farmers of the future. 
But we know that millions of pounds sterling leave this country 
annually in order that we may have a sufficient supply of eggs, butter, and 
cheese. Could we not produce more of these here to successfully com¬ 
pete with the importations from other lands ? Is there not a large field 
open for enterprise in supplying fowls in large numbers and good 
quality at moderate prices to our teeming population ? 
The farmers must adapt themselves more to the times. To continue 
growing exactly the same crops as they did when our Colonies were only 
a dream ; when America was just beginning to develope its vast re¬ 
sources ; when transport was slow and attended with more danger and 
difficulty than in these days of railways and of huge floating storehouses, 
which, impelled at great speed by the wondrous power of steam, bear to 
our shores in a short space of time the products of lands which not so long 
ago were unknown or only described in a partial way in some adventurous 
traveller’s book of exploits. Now we have the vast Continent of America 
at our doors and other equally productive quarters of the globe within 
easy reach ; so that the farmer must face this ever-increasing com¬ 
petition. 
Greater freedom in cropping, unrestricted leases, compensation on 
an equitable basis for unexhausted improvements, a more perfect 
understanding between landlord and tenant—in fact, the comprehension of 
the truth that their interests are identical, and let it also be added a more 
enterprising spirit on the part of many of our farmers ; all these must be 
brought to bear on the farming of the future. Science must also receive 
more attention, and mere rule of thumb must not be blindly practised. 
Landlords have evil times to face at present. Tn many cases their incomes 
have been sadly reduced, but they must also adapt themselves to the 
times, and “ cut according to their cloth.” 
And what of gardeners, market gardeners, and fruit and flower growers 
who are facing competition from abroad too ? Regarding gentlemen’s 
gardeners, there can be no doubt that they in many cases are feeling the 
effects of the hard times in such ways as reduction of labour and general 
curtailment of expenses, but in most cases they have not been called 
•upon to accept a lower salary themselves, and this is something to be 
thankful for ; but many of them have been turned into market gardeners, 
and send the produce of their labours to compete with that of men who 
are “ making a living ” by growing for market. 
The latter have not only foreign competition to face, but also the home 
competition of the nature referred to. Certainly one of the reforms of 
the future should be a readjustment of the rating of gentlemen’s hothouses 
and gardens, where such are employed in growing for market. Letjustice 
be done, and no one need grumble. The duke or lord has a perfect right 
to grow for market if he likes, and when compelled to do so by hard times 
no one would despise him for so doing; at the same time taxation should 
be laid on him in equal proportion at least to the way market gardeners 
have to bear it. Those of our nobility who compete with market 
gardeners, not from actual necessity, we will not venture to discuss 
here. 
The same conclusion must be arrived at in regard to market gardening 
as in regard to farming. We must “ bow to the inevitable,” must “ put 
our best foot foremost,” meet competition from whatever quarter it comes 
by increased effort, by endeavouring to grow such crops as experience 
teaches us are the most remunerative, and also by using every means to 
produce the very best quality of whatever is being grown. Some may go 
to the wall in the struggle, such is always happening ; but let us hope 
tbat the majority will be able to “ rub along,” and that an increased 
supply will, by reason of its excellence, increase the demand, so that a due 
reward may be found attending the labours of those who, having found 
many things against them, resolutely set themselves to overcome all 
difficulties. 
Horticulture generally, whether in connection with market produce, 
private or public supply, or private gratification for the love of the 
beautiful, seems passing through a trying time ; but let us again hope that 
the res-ult of all its trials may be an increased hold on the people in regard 
not only to the supply of their wants, but also the gratification of those 
feelings of admiration and pleasure which are awakened in the minds of 
all who are susceptible of being touched by the beauties of Nature, and 
who can feel elevated and refined by the sight of lovely flowers, splendid 
plants, aod noble fruits all appealing to the higher instincts of mankind 
when viewed aright.—J. T. S. 
GROS COLMAN VINE. 
In answer to “ A. L. G.,” I have to say that if he will look again at 
my note on this subject I think he will find no difficulty in separating the 
facts from the theory. To ask me if I am “sure that it was potash alone 
that the Vines required” is rather too much. I have said that the Vines 
exhibited certain unfavourable symptoms, and that those symptoms dis¬ 
appeared gradually and completely on the Vines receiving repeated appli¬ 
cations of a liquid manure which contained a large amount of potash. I 
also gave facts from which it might be inferred that the soil was not likely 
to be deficient in supplying nitrogen or phosphorus. That is as much as I 
can say now, excepting that the liquid manure used was composed of one 
part of cow urine to about twenty parts of water. 
My experience with “potassium salts” is too limited for me to feel 
justified in giving directions for their use. Possibly “ Latbyrus,” who 
omitted to state the form of potash he finds beneficial to fruits and 
vegetables in general, can supply the requisite details. 
The last-named writer is perhaps justified in refusing to accept my 
conclusions in face of his own experience; but on the other hand I have 
succeeded in making Gros Colman retain its foliage in a healthy condition 
without shade, and he has not, although apparently he has grown the 
Grape as sucjessfully as I have. Is the potash he uses in such a form as 
can be readily assimilated by the plants ? “ Lathyrus ” says, “ It is 
difficult to see why Gros Colman should need food so entirely different 
from others.” It is just as difficult to understand why it should require 
shade more than others. I do not say that it requires food different from 
others, but that it may require more than some other varieties ; and when 
we consider that there is probably a greater weight taken from it annually 
in shape of foliage and possibly, too, in fruit than from other varieties, it 
follows that the supplies in the soil would be sooner exhausted. Iam 
now writiDg without a leaf before me, but I should say that a good leaf of 
Gros Colman, such as will stand the sun, is double the thickness of any 
other variety that is now usually grown in houses.—W m. Taylor. 
The annual meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society 
will be held at South Kensington on February 9th, when the ordinary 
business will be transacted—namely, reading the annual report, the 
appointment of officers for the year, and the election of gentlemen to fill 
vacancies on the Council. The following are nominated as officers :— 
President, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P.; Treasurer, William 
Houghton ; Secretary, William Lee (Downside) ; Auditors, John Lee, 
James F. West, and W. Richards. The vacating members of the Council 
are G. T. Clark, F. Du Cane Godman, F.R.S., and Sir P. Cunliffe 
Owen, K.C.M., G.C.B., C.I.E., and the^ following are recommended to 
fill these vacanciesSjdney Courtauld, A. B. Mitford, C.B., and Baron 
Schroder. 
-We are informed that the dinner of the Royal Horticultural 
Society is fixed for the 9th of February, and will take place in the Albion 
Hotel, Aldersgate Street. 
- The monthly dinner and conversazione of the Horticultural 
Club was held on Tuesday last at the Club Rooms, 1, Henrietta Street, 
Strand. Amongst those present were Dr. Hogg, Dr. Masters, Rev. F. H. 
Gall, Mr. J. G. Baker (Kew), Messrs. George Paul, Wheatstone, Bull, 
Upcott, Gill, Lindsell, Nicholson,Watson, Dewar, &c., &c. The discussion 
was opened by an interesting paper on Cape Bulbs, by Mr. J. G. Baker 
(Kew), which is published in another column, and was continued by Dr. 
Masters, Messrs. Watson, Nicholson, G. Paul, &c., and many interesting 
facts bearing on their horticultural aspect were elicited. 
- Messrs. Sutton Sc Sons, Reading, offer a number of special 
prizes at the Show of the Royal Horticultural on the following dates :— 
May 25th, six prizes for Cucumbers and Melons. June 22nd, three prizes 
for Melons. July 27th, ten prizes for Cauliflowers, Peas, and Cabbages. 
September 7th and 8th, six prizes for Carrots and Tomatoes. October 12th 
and 13th, twelve prizes for vegetables and ^nions. October 26th and 
27th, twenty-six prizes for Potatoes, Celery, Beet, Carrots, Leeks, and 
Parsnips. These prizes vary in value from 42s. to 5s. Prizes are also 
offered at Oxford on July 30ih, and at Reading on June 1st and August 
26th. Particulars respecting the varieties to be shown on each occasion 
can be obtained from Messrs. Sutton Sc Sons. 
- We are requested to insert the following relative to Royal 
Honours to the SEed Trade. “ Messrs. James Carter Sc Co., who 
have supplied their celebrated Grass Seeds and other specialities to H.M. 
the Queen for nearly twenty years, have received the honour of a Royal 
Warrant appointing them upon Her Majesty’s service as seedsmen. 
Messrs. Carter have for many years held Special Royal Warrants as 
seedsmen to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, H.R H. the Duke of Connaught 
H.I.M. the King of Italy, and H.I.M. the King of Portugal.” 
- We are desired to state that Messrs. Wright’s Boiler Co., 
of Airdrie, N.B., have been awarded medals for their “ Endless Flame 
