210 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
t September 5, 1889. 
first-class certificate Royal Aquarium, rich orange rose, flushed deeper) 
a striking large seedling of their own raising ; Baroness Burdett Coutts> 
pale rosy lilac ; Grande Rouge, brilliant scarlet, fine spike; Africaine> 
■good dark brownish red; Ovide, Rupert, A. Brongniart, Flamingo) 
Enchantress, Conquerant, Rayon d’Or, Pyramide, Ondine, Mikado, 
Atlas, Florence, and several promising seedlings as yet unnamed. 
For twenty-four Dahlias in the open class Messrs. Heath & Son of 
Cheltenham were placed first with large but somewhat coarse flowers. 
Their stand, containing notable blooms of W. H. Williams, Thos. Hobbs, 
■Jas. Keith, Mrs. Gladstone, Miss Cannell, Mrs. W. Stark, and Wm. 
Rawlings. Mr. H. Glasscock, the Bishops Stortford veteran, gaining 
second with refined but smaller flowers, amongst which were prominent 
Glowworm (Turner) new 1888, very fine bright scarlet and a decided 
advance in its class, Mrs. Theobald, Burgundy, Mrs. Harris, and Mrs. D. 
Sanders. For twelve Dahlias Mr. W. H. Apthorp, Cambridge, was first 
and Mr. G. Arnold, Leighton Buzzard, second, and for six Fancies Mr. 
Glasscock was first and Mr. Apthorp second. Asters, Zinnias, and 
French and African Marigolds were largely represented, the latter 
especially fine, the chief prizewinners in these classes being Dr. Swaine, 
Arlsey, Mr. Babbitt, Mr. H. E. Fuller, and Mr. W. Bourne, Cambridge. 
Mr. Bourne was also awarded first for a fine stand of hardy cut flowers. 
Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, also showed a large and showy collection 
of hardy flowers not tor competition. 
Fruit. —This was not equal to the displays of former years, some of 
‘the principal exhibitors being absent. For a collection of eight varieties Mr. 
R. Carter, gardener to Col. Duncombe, Waresley Park, was the only and 
successful exhibitor, showinga very creditable collection. For two bunches 
black Grapes (Hamburghs excluded) Mr. R. Kitchen, Thorney, Cambs, 
was first with well-finished Gros Maroc ; and Mr. H. Ridgwell, Cambridge, 
second. For two bunches of Black Hamburghs Mr. C. Moore, St. Neots, 
was first ; and Mr. J. A. Baker, St. Ives, second. For white Grapes the 
chief prizewinners were Mr. G. White (for Muscats), Mr. R. Carter, and 
Mr. C. Forbes, Trumpington, Cambs. Pears, Apples, and Plums were 
largely shown, but mostly underripe, and inferior in colour and size. 
Vegetables. —These are always a feature at Sandy, were shown well 
and largely in all the divisions. Potatoes were perhaps rougher and 
somewhat more undersized than are usually found here. For a basket 
-of twelve varieties of vegetables in the chief amateurs’ class Mr. F. 
Faint, gardener to R. Hoare, Esq., Maiden Hill, Hertford, was first ; 
Mr. G. Yyne, gardener to C. Franklin, Esq., Bedford, second ; and Mr. 
II. Ridgwell, third. For Red Tomatoes Mr. J. Witney, Turvey, Beds, 
was first with sound medium-sized even fruits of Model ; and for Yellow 
Tomatoes Mr. J. A. Baker was first. Some fine dishes of Perfection Red 
were passed by the Judges as being past perfection. For a collection of 
six varieties of Potatoes in the same division Mr. Faint was first with 
very clean and even specimens of Satisfaction, Abundance, Snowdrop, 
•Schoolmaster, International, and Beauty of Hebron ; and Mr. W. 
Tildesley, Bedford, second. The best Potatoes in the Show were a dish 
•of Satisfaction from Mr. Jas. Simkins, Shillington, Beds, and which 
obtained the first prize in the chief amateurs’ class for twelve white 
■kidneys ; the tubers were remarkably handsome, and averaged 2 lbs. 
each in weight. Mr. Simkins also obtained the first prize for a dozen 
Globe Spanish Onions, very perfect specimens. Mr. Dale, gardener to 
J. N. Foster, Esq., Sandy Place, was awarded first also for twelve fine 
White Spanish Onions of the Sandy Prize type. Many other good col¬ 
lections of vegetables were shown, but the exhibits at Sandy are too 
numerous and extensive to compass in one day, and it is a matter of 
Tegret that so educating a collection should have to be dispersed, half 
•seen and half appreciated, at the end of a few hours only. 
HARPEXDEN. 
The eleventh annual Exhibition was held in Wrothampsted Park on 
Wednesday, August 28th, in most brilliant weather. This told well in 
favour of the Society after having such a disastrous day last year. It 
is to be hoped it will now be able to hold its own, though I fear the 
balance is still on the wrong side. 
Taking the plants first, Mr. Turk, gardener to Mr. Bosanquet, Ponfield, 
Little Berkhampsted, was first ; Mr. T. Notting, gardener to Mr. Maple, 
second ; and Mr. Pepper, Tenin Water, third. For six foliage plants 
Mr. Metting was first, Mr. Turk second, Mr. Sconce, gardener to Mr. 
Hi I, Kankwick, St. Albans, third. For forty-eight Roses Messrs. Paui 
and Son were first, for twelve the same firm was also to the front. They 
were first for twenty-four Dahlias, and Mr. Littlechild, St. Albans, was 
a good second. For twelve bunches of herbaceous plants there was a 
good competition ; Mr. J. Henshaw was first, Dr. Maclean second, and 
Mr. Turk third, all showing well. For a similar number of stove and 
greenhouse cut flowers Mr. Anning, gardener to Mr. Brown, Diswell, 
was well to the front, many of his blooms being of choice Orchids ; 
Mr. Turk was second. 
For the best group of plants Mr. Nutting was first, Mr. Turk second. 
There were other two groups, and contained some well cultivated 
plants, but the taste in arranging was far behind that of Mr. Nutting, 
to say nothing of the beautiful specimens put up by him. For table 
plants Mr. Nutting was again first, Mr. Anning second. For six 
exotic Ferns Mr. Sconce was a long way ahead with a superb half- 
dozen, Mr. Nutting second. 
For black Grapes Mr. Faint, gardener to Mr. Hoare, Hertford, was 
first, the same exhibitor coming first for a grand collection of 
vegetables and a most clean and handsome collection of Potatoes. 
Among the other succ-.ssful exhibitors was Mr. Hogg, The Hyde, Luton ; 
Mr. Sibley, Ilarpenden ; Mr. Pepper, Mr. Tilbury.—G. M. H. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. —Early Forced Vines in Pots .—Those for starting in Novem¬ 
ber must not be allowed to become dust dry at the roots. They will 
now be at rest, the wood ripe, the laterals cut close in, and the canes 
shortened to about 6 feet, according to the situation of the plump eyes. 
Whilst the cuts are dry dress them with styptic or knotting to prevent 
trouble from bleeding. They should be kept in a cool airy house. 
Earliest Forced House .—Early forced Vines, when care has been 
taken to preserve the principal foliage by cleanly culture and a judicious 
encouragement of the laterals after the fruit was cut or ripe to prevent 
premature ripening of the leaves, will be in a condition to be cut ordi¬ 
narily ; but with early forced Vines it is not necessary to wait until all 
the leaves have fallen before pruning, as the Vines will be sufficiently 
matured, the wood being brown and hard, and the leaves, or some of them, 
turning yellow. The pruning will cause the Vines to go more quickly 
and thoroughly to rest. If in good condition they will afford bunches 
quite large enough when pruned to a couple of buds from the base, but 
if the Vines are weak from overcropping or a long course of forcing 
the spur shoots may be left a little longer, to secure larger bunches. 
When this method is adopted shoots should be taken from as near the 
base as possible in the spring, and not be allowed to carry fruit, but be 
stopped at about the sixth leaf, and the laterals at the first leaf, and 
subsequently as produced. Such shoots are sure to form good buds ; 
the extra foliage will tend to invigorate and support the fruit on the 
other shoot, which can be cut away in due time in favour of that 
retained for fruiting the following season. This alternate system of fruit¬ 
ing necessitates the shoots being kept wider apart for development and 
exposure to light and air. If the Vines are grown on the extension 
system it will only be necessary to cut back to plump buds on firm ripe 
wood, being guided by the space at command, for there must not be 
overcrowding. It is important that the house be thoroughly cleaned, 
and the Vines also. Any weakly Vines, or those in an unsatisfactory 
state, may be improved by removing the soil down to the roots, and 
substituting fresh loam, with an admixture of crushed bones, to the 
extent of about a twentieth, and if calcareous matter be wanting add a 
sixth to a tenth of old mortar rubbish, according to the character of the 
soil, more being required for heavy than for light soil. Lift any roots 
available for the purpose, laying them out upon the fresh compost, and 
cover 8 or 4 inches deep. This is best done before the fall of the leaf. 
It is a mistake to allow Vines when at rest to become dry at the 
roots. Comparative dryness is desirable, yet great injury is caused 
by allowing the soil to become dust dry. The outside border should 
have a covering of some kind to protect the roots from the heavy 
autumn rains, which reduce the temperature considerably. Glass 
lights are preferable, as they throw off heavy rains, whilst allowing the 
sun to penetrate the soil. Many, however, are obliged to rest content 
with a covering of leaves and litter after cold weather sets in. 
Young Vines .—Those that have made a strong growth and are late 
in ripening should be assisted with fire heat, maintaining a minimum of 
65°, and maximum of 75° from fire heat, continuing it until the wood 
is ripe, accompanied with free top and front ventilation. Discourage 
any further growth by the removal of the laterals as they appear, and 
withhold water from the roots, only the soil must not be allowed to 
become dry, and, if the roots have the run of outside borders, some 
spare lights placed over the border so as to throw off heavy rains will be 
very beneficial. 
Late Grapes .—Grapes for some unaccountable reason are ripening 
early. Gros Colman, for a wonder, is colouring very little behind Black 
Hamburghs, and its footstalks are more woody than usual. There is 
nothing like an early start with late Grapes—they require plenty of time. 
Keep the laterals well thinned, and thereby admit as much air as possible 
to insure the finishing of the crop, not by large reductions of foliage at 
a time, but by frequent pinchings. Maintain a night temperature of 
70° to 75°, falling 5° to 10° during the night, increasing to 80° or 85° 
by day, accompanied with a circulation of air constantly, and free under 
favourable atmospheric conditions. It will require sharp firing to finish 
those that are only commencing colouring before the days are too 
short to admit of full ventilation ; indeed, more may be done in the 
next month or six weeks than in twice the time later on. Those Grapes 
well advanced in colouring and ripening may have the atmospheric 
moisture reduced; those only colouring should have a moderate amount 
of moisture to assist their swelling, not neglecting to apply water to the 
inside border as may be necessary. 
Melons. —The latest plants are fast covering the tre’lis and showing 
blossoms. If the crop is wanted quickly the early flowers should be 
fertilised. A portion of the plants may have the first fruits removed, 
and they will afford a later and fuller crop from the second laterals. 
Earth up the plants after the fruit is set, not before, and after that 
be sparing, with the syringe, employing it only during bright afternoons 
and then early, taking care not to overwater at the roots, yet main¬ 
taining a genial moisture in the atmosphere by sprinkling. Promote 
