156 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 25, 1886. 
in acclimatising the Androsaces, the Pinguiculas, the Azalea procumbent, 
Gentiana bavarica and vema, and that prettiest of all alpine gems Eritri- 
chium nanum, which is found on hard gritty ledges of high mountains, 
where melting snow from above gently percolates through the hard stony 
soil. These gems seem to grow well enough, but are eaten, uprooted, or 
otherwise tormented and destroyed by snails, moles, crickets, and black¬ 
birds, the latter uprooting the plants in search of some earthworm 
attracted during hot summer days by the moisture of the roots. I have 
saved some Androsaces and Gentians lately by protecting them from the 
marauders by pieces of wire netting. We wage continual war against 
the mole, crickets, pouring oil into their little galleries, which soon brings 
them to the surface and causes their death.” With these few exceptions 
the success has been surprising, and M. Everaerts deserves all the praise 
due to a skilful horticulturist. 
The kitchen and fruit garden departments are well attended to by a 
gardener, who, by the way, has, through the liberality of his employer, 
learnt English that he might read the Journal of Horticulture. In every 
department, however, the proprietor superintends, and right well is the 
work performed. My visit was a brief one, but never have I spent a 
more enjoyable hour than in the garden at Vieux-Dieu.— Lewis Castle, 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S PROVINCIAL 
SHOW. 
PRIZES FOR GARDEN PRODUCE. 
The date at which the Royal Horticultural Show at Liverpool has 
been fixed surprised me, and I think it would have been decidedly better 
towards the end of July or early in August. This date, the 29th of June, 
will certainly exclude nearly all vegetable growers from the northern 
parts of the country ; in fact, they will be entirely shut out—that is, if 
the schedule contains prizes for vegetables. It is too early to expect a 
good display of fruit. No doubt, Black Hamburgh Grapes, Peaches and 
Nectarines, Melons and Strawberries, may be gathered together in 
quantity, but a good representative fruit and vegetable show can scarcely 
be expected. Although the date is too early for the above, it will be right 
for a good display of Roses and Orchids, which will be more plentiful in 
June than in August. 
I was, however, going to write about the excellent suggestion of “ Ex¬ 
exhibitor,” and not to criticise the date at which the Royal Horticultural 
Society have fixed their Show to be held in Liverpool. The system of 
grouping small decorative plants has become a general one, and very 
effective and interesting they certainly are, in fact few exhibits are more 
admired by the public. I think the “ Royal ” would be doing a service 
to horticulture generally if they took up the idea of “ Ex-Exhibitor” and 
offered substantial prizes for a miscellaneous collection of garden produce, 
or as stated on page 128 “everything that a gardener can arrange as 
representing his work and practice. If the Royal did this they would be 
taking a new departure—for the notion is new as far as I know—and add 
materially to the interest of the exhibition. Not only so, but they would 
be setting a worthy example, which would be taken up and carried out in 
the future by other societies, horticulture would be more widely and 
generally stimulated than is the case by exhibitions as conducted at the 
present time. I do not doubt that if the officials of the “ Royal ” think 
this suggestion worthy of their consideration that the class provided would 
be worthily represented. Now that the shows are going to be held again 
in the provinces some new departure should be taken or distinctive feature 
displayed to render it in advance of those that have been previously held. 
The 11 Royal Horticultural Society" has been “sleeping” lately said a 
friend the other day, and I believe gardeners and horticulturists generally 
are anxious and desirous to see it again the leading spirit and prime mover 
in horticultural matters. I support “ Ex-Exhibitor’s ” suggestion, and I 
do not see that anything can be added to it, except that similar provision 
be made for nurserymen and seedsmen. Such an assortment that could 
be provided by them could not fail to be interesting and attractive as well 
as instructive to all lovers of horticulture. 
PRIZES FOR GARDENS. 
Prizes are given for farm3, why could not the Royal Horticultural 
Society offer a cup, medal, or substantial money prize for the best kept 
garden within a certain radius of the exhibition ? When I write the best 
kept garden, I do not mean the largest and most extensive, but the quality 
of the whole produce of the place might be subjected to the judgment of 
those appointed for the purpose. The whole contents of the houses, 
whether plants or fruits, the vegetables, the flower and fruit garden as 
well as the general condition might be considered. The object of the 
Royal Horticultural Society is to advance horticulture and stimulate hor¬ 
ticulturists to zeal and energy, and would not some suggestion such as 
this assist in carrying out the object in view ? By so doing I am inclined 
to think the Society would rise considerably in the estimation of that 
class who would otherwise be excluded from taking an active part in 
making an attractive exhibition in the Botanic Gardens. There are many 
employers who object to their gardeners exhibiting, but very few indeed 
would, I think, object to the produce of their garden being subjected to 
the judgment of competent men. They could not well object, for in the 
end they would be the gainers, for those in charge would certainly exert 
fhemselves to the utmost to excel with all they took in hand, whether 
fruits, vegetables, or flowers. This is no new notion, for it has been prac¬ 
tised by some societies on a limited scale, principally for cottage gardens, 
and in others a3 far as lawns and flower gardens are concerned. There 
would certainly be some difficulties in the carrying out of this project, 
but there are difficulties in every undertaking, and surely these could be 
surmounted. They are in the case of the farm, why not for the garden ? 
PRIZES FOR BOILERS. 
There have been many discussions from time to time on the relative 
merits of boilers for horticultural purposes. There has not been a boiler 
contest since the one held at Birmingham—if my memory serves me right 
—and would not the exhibition to be held be a fitting opportunity for 
testing the merits of the various boilers in the market ? Liverpool is very 
central, and in my opinion no branch of horticulture—for such it may be 
termed—is of greater importance or more deserving the attention of all 
interested in gardening pursuits. We cannot well do without a boiler of 
some description to heat our plant and fruit houses, and when new ones 
are required it would be a great advantage to know which could be relied 
upon as the most durable, economical, and by which the desired heat could 
be achieved in the least possible time. Many boilers, although they may 
be durable, are neither economical nor can they be heated quickly. One 
that can be heated quickly and at the same time effect a saving in fuel, 
combined with durability, is the boiler that is in request at the present 
time. I believe there are boilers which combine all these qualities, but it 
would be well to know which they are or the one considered the best by 
the authority of the Royal Horticultural Society. I think if those who 
have the management of the Exhibition in question could see their way 
to arrange a contest, and thus settle this question for the present, they 
would be doing good service, which, I believe, would meet with the 
approval of hot-water engineers as well as gardeners. I know several of 
the former as well as the latter who are anxious that a boiler contest 
should take place, and it is certain that if this matter cannot be entered 
into by the “ Royal ” this year it will not be long before it engages the 
attention of some of the leading provincial societies. 
1 do not well remember the conditions upon which the boilers con¬ 
tested at Birmingham, but throw out the following suggestion for the 
consideration of all who may be interested in this subject. I think the 
best plan would be to provide each competitor with a certain quantity of 
coal and as much water as would be equal to 1500 or 2000 feet of 4-inch 
piping. At a certain distance from the boilers as might be arranged the 
water, except that required for the boiler and connecting pipes, should be 
in a tank. Those who heated the water in the tank to any heat that 
might be specified in the least time and with the smallest quantity of 
fuel should be accorded the premier position, provided the durability of 
the boiler was considered equal, if not superior to the others, or was at 
the least perfectly satisfactory in this respect. The thickness of the iron 
of which the boiler was made, whether cast, rivetted, or welded, should 
also be considered in judging, for one with a very thin plate of iron 
would certainly heat first, but would lack durability. I do not think the 
contest should be decided by one trial, but that they should be tested for 
three or four consecutive days, or each day during the time the exhibition 
is held. 
I hope that these few ideas may draw from “Ex-Exhibitor” and 
others their views upon this subject, and suggestions for the best and 
mo3t effectual manner of testing boilers used for horticultural purposes. 
It is to be hoped that the Royal Horticultural Society will see their way 
to include in their exhibition scheme a boiler contest if they consider the 
matter of sufficient importance.— Horticulturist. 
[We understand the Liverpool Horticultural Association will hold its 
Show as usual at the eni of July, so that the fixture of the “ Provincial ” 
could not be very well deferred to a later date than that announced.] 
Your able article on the above which appeared in your last issue 
would be read with interest and satisfaction by all lovers of horticulture 
and friends of the “ Royal,” one sentence especially being worthy of the 
greatest consideration : “ With strong local support and the friendly aid 
of horticulturists in other parts of the kingdom an exhibition of remark¬ 
able beauty may be easily provided.” To this, the end of the first 
paragraph seems to give a satisfactory reply : “ The Council was farther 
assured of the hearty co-operation of the Liverpool officials and horticul¬ 
turists.” There can be no question as to the desirability or, might it not 
be urged, the necessity of “ strong local support ” to arrange a successful 
exhibition. A writer in a contemporary advises the combination of ihe 
“ Royal” and the Liverpool Horticultural Association as the surest means 
to this desired end, and without doubt the executive of a Society who in 
seven years can show a subscription list unequalled by any in Great 
Britain, whose spring and autumn meetings are second to none, would be 
of value for advising or carrying out the work in detail, such as advertising, 
placarding notices, and the many requ'rements needed for a display of 
such magnitude. They would also be in a position to gain the public 
interest for this show, but ii the event of their holding the usual Bank 
Holiday Exhibition their whole energies would naturally be centered for 
the welfare of the Association.—A Lover of Horticulture. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
The Miniature Fruit Garden, edited by T. Francis Rivers, Nine¬ 
teenth edition. London: Longman, Green & Co. 1886. 
It is nine years since the eighteenth edition of this useful little work 
was issued, and another edition being demanded, the nineteenth is now 
placed bef ore the public. Very few works upon special subjects command 
su‘,h an extensive sale as this has done, and its popularity is a faithful 
index to its merits, for as a concise practical treatise it is most valuable. The 
original work was from the pen of the late Mr. Thomas Rivers, but several 
of the recent editions have been revised by his son, Mr. T. Francis Rivers. 
