November 28, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
475 
best varieties of Japanese, and from Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Swan ley, were 
a stand of Etoile de Lyon, another of varieties for cutting, and four dozen 
trusses of Pelargoniums, which attracted a great deal of attention. Messrs. 
Todd & Co., Maitland Street, exhibited some lovely samples of bouquets, 
baskets of flowers, &c., and a number of stalls occupied one side of the 
market where trade could be done in various articles. 
Plants. —These were generally below the average quality, the best 
being those with which Mr. Calder, Calder Bank, Trinity, secured the 
first prize for four plants Japanese, and four of large flowering sorts. 
They were grown naturally and with large blooms, Madame de Sevin 
and Mons. W. Holmes being specially noteworthy. The same exhibitor 
staged a good example of E. Molyneux and of Criterion in the amateurs’ 
section for two plants. The plants with which Mr. Carruthers, Hill- 
wood, secured the first prize for three incurved sorts were also very fine, 
these being Mrs. Bundle, G. Glenny, and Mrs. Dixon. Pompons were 
generally poor. For a group 15 feet in diameter Mr. Grossart was easily 
first, the second prize lot being especially stiff. Messrs. Jas. Dickson 
and Sons, Hanover Street, secured prizes for Coniferae and for hardy 
plants in pots, and for Primulas and kindred plants there was a good 
competition. Messrs. F. Methven & Sons, Princess Street, contributed 
largely to the adornment of the building, a fine group of large flowered 
and Japanese Chrysanthemums with Roman Hyacinths, brightening one 
one of the darkest corners, while in other parts were groups of Conifers. 
Fruit. —There was a good show of Grapes, Pears, and Apples—many 
hundreds of dishes. Mr. Murray, gardener to J. Learmont, Esq., 
Polmont, secured the first prize for six bunches of Grapes, Gros Colman, 
Muscat of Alexandria, Lady Downe’s, and Alicante being very good. 
Mr. Murray, gardener to the Marquis of Ailsa, Culzean, second. For 
three bunches, Mr. J. Leslie, gardener to A. Coates, Esq., Pitcullen 
House, Perth, was first with beautiful examples of Gros Colman, 
Alicante, and Muscat. Mr. Murray, Polmont, second. Mr. McHattie 
had the best two and the best single bunch of Muscat of Alexandria, 
both fine. Mr. Bell, Clive House, Alnwick, with a small, well finished 
cluster, had first prize with Alicante. Mr. Neil, Peel Towers, 
Ayton, second with a very large, fine bunch. Gros Colman was also 
well shown, Mr. Murray being first. The best Black Hamburgh received 
only a second prize. These were from Mr. Murray, Polmont. Mr. 
Burnett had a commendation for a box of Gros Colman and Lady 
Downe’s, grown as for market purposes. Messrs. Thomson, Clovenfords, 
also exhibited fine examples of market Grapes along with Apples in 
variety. 
The prizes for Apples brought out a vast show. For the best collec¬ 
tion of at least thirty varieties the prize was easily secured by Mr. 
Woodward, gardener to A. Leigh, Esq., Barham Court, Maidstone, with 
about 130 dishes of most approved varieties. Mr. Waterman, gardener 
to H. A. Brassey, Esq., Prestonhall, Aylesford, was a good second with 
about seventy dishes, many of which were equal in quality to the first 
prize lot. Mr. Brown, Chesters House, Ancrum, third. For eighteen 
varieties of Apples and six of Pears, confined to Scottish growers, there 
was a strong competition, the first place being secured by Mr. A. Wilson, 
gardener to B. A. Oswald, Esq., Auchincruive, Ayr ; Mr. Cairns, The 
Hirsel, Coldstream, being second. Mr. Woodward secured first prizes for, 
respectively, six varieties kitchen and six varieties of dessert Apples, and 
for six varieties of dessert and three of culinary Pears, in each case with 
fine examples. Apples and Pears were extensively shown by Messrs. 
G. Bunyard and Co., Maidstone (who won the gold medal), while Mr. 
Watkins, Hereford, had a small collection, and from Nova Scotia a 
representative collection was exhibited. Market growers also showed 
Apples, and at least one “ shop ” collection was set up. 
Vegetables were fairly numerous, the best collection, which con¬ 
tained good Leeks, Celery, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflowers, Tomatoes and 
Onions being set up by Mr. G. Potter, gardener to Mrs. Laidlay, Sea- 
cliffe, North Berwick ; the best market grower’s collection being staged 
by Mr. Milne, Sunny Park, Leith. Cauliflowers, Leeks, Celery, 
Tomatoes, and Potatoes were also well shown. 
W0HK. F «iV mE wEEK.O 
m 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest House. —When the buds 
commence swelling maintain a temperature of 40° to 45° at night, and 
50° to 55° by day, admitting air moderately at the latter figure, allowing 
the temperature to rise to 65° from sun heat, syringing the trees and 
every available surface morning and afternoon until the blossom buds 
are showing colour, after which syringing the trees should be dis¬ 
continued. There must be no attempt at a close atmosphere, but allow 
a little air at the top of the house to lessen the condensation of moisture 
by the glass. The inside border will require to be well supplied with 
moisture. Trees that have been forced previously and are not unduly 
vigorous may have a good supply of liquid manure slightly warmer than 
the atmosphere. Borders inside require careful watering, making sure 
that every part of the soil is thoroughly moistened. Outside borders 
will be benefited by lights or shutters in addition to a covering of 
bracken or litter for throwing off heavy rains or snow. 
Houses to Afford Ripe Fruit in May or Early June. —The house 
should be closed early in December, but no fire heat employed except 
to exclude frost, and for an hour or two in the early part of the day, 
if the weather be severe, not, however, exceeding 50° by fire heat in the 
daytime, syringing the trees and every available surface morning and. 
afternoon. A ridge of thoroughly sweetened manure and leaves placed 
in the house after the border is well moistened will afford a genial atmo¬ 
sphere superior to that obtained from hot-water pipes, admitting aiir 
whenever the weather permits, Peaches delighting in a well-sweetenedi 
atmosphere. 
Succession Homes. —Push forward the pruning, thoroughly cleansing- 
the glass and woodwork, whitewashing the walls, and dressing the trees 
for the destruction of insects. Secure the trees to the trellis, top-dress 
the borders, and keep the house cool by ventilating abundantly in mild 1 
weather, if the roof lights are moveable and off, by all means let them 
remain so until the time arrives for starting the trees. No frost will 
injure the wood if it be ripe, and if not ripe satisfactory crops are not. 
obtainable. 
Pines.— Young Stock. —Well ventilated span or three-quarter span- 
roofed pits or small houses are the most suitable for small plants, which 
at this season often suffer irreparable injury from being kept too close 
and warm. At night 65° should not be exceeded, but a mean between 
that and 55° at night, which, with 65° in the daytime, will be suitable, 
admitting a little air at the top of the house at 65°, but not to lower the 
temperature below that point, and when the sun raises the temperature 
to 75° a free circulation of air should be allowed. Keep the bottom 
heatsteady at 80°, avoiding anything approaching to a damp atmosphere ; 
moderate humidity will suffice. Apply water only when the plants 
become dry, and then give weak liquid manure. Keep the plants near 
the glass, and allow them plenty of room. 
Suckers. —Those ready for starting now should be kept until March, 
and if there is likely to be a scarcity of suckers, any recently potted' 
may be retained in 5-inch pots, affording them a light position in a. 
moist pit, with a slight bottom heat and a temperature of 55° at night, 
keeping them rather dry at the roots. 
Fruiters. —In this department 65° will be ample at night, 5° lower 
in the morning in cold weather, 70° to 75° by- day being maintained 
artificially. Take every opportunity of collecting leaves whilst dry, 
Oak and Beech being the best, and whenever a favourable opportunity 
offers push forward whatever may be necessary in the renewal or aug¬ 
menting the fermenting beds. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Complaints are frequent of a deficiency of hands in many garden?, 
and where thi9 is so a close study of the arrangements of labour will- 
facilitate matters wonderfully. 
Vegetables in Frames. —Now is the time these are most difficult 
to preserve from damp. They do not require much water at the roots,, 
and they keep much better when a little too dry than when too wet.. 
Abundance of air should be admitted on every favourable opportunity, 
and on fine days, especially when the sun is out, the lights should be 
drawn off. When it is necessary to water them apply it early on such 
days. 
Hotbeds. —These will soon be in great demand where midwinter. 
and early spring forcing is practised. Pits and frames heated with hot 
water are the best for forcing, but where these are not available the 
hotbed will be found most useful, but the amount of service to be 
secured from it will depend on the manner it is formed. Suitable 
manure and leaves should be mixed about a fortnight before the bed is 
wanted, and turned over every other day until the violent heat and 
steam have escaped. When the bed is finally formed and made firm it 
will not subside much, and the heat will be steady and lasting. We 
have just filled a three-light frame on such a bed with Rhubarb roots, 
which will give a good return in about four weeks. If a number of 
Seakale roots are lifted, placed in 10-inch pots as close as they will 
stand, and plunged up to the rim, good produce will be afforded ; but 
it must be grown in the dark to be tender. 
Dead Leaves on Winter Greens. —There are now many withered 
leaves on Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, and other winter greens. When these- 
leaves are allowed to remain and decay slugs and snails find congenial 
quarters under them, and the uncleaned quarters are always worse to 
deal with in spring than those which have had a little attention as 
suggested. 
Winter Spinach. —This is one of the most useful winter vege¬ 
tables. The September-sown seed has produced luxuriant plants, and in 
gathering the leaves the largest should be taken first, as should sharp 
frost occur these will shrivel considerably, and may become unfit for use. 
The removal of the largest also allows the younger and more central 
leaves to become hardy, which is an advantage in December and 
onwards. 
Parsley. —So far this is abundant, but a severe frost would cause it 
to decrease rapidly, and in cold districts provision should be made to 
cover it. If frames and lights are disengaged put them over some of 
best of the Parsley. Hoops may also be placed over the rows to support 
mats or canvas during the time of frost and snow. We have tried to- 
force Parsley when scarce, but the result was not satisfactory, and it is 
much better to preserve the crop in time than allow it to be partially 
destroyed. 
Apply lime or manure and rough dig vacant quarters. Where 
