December 12,1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
517 
Oct. 28th.—“ Trees and Shrubs for Large Towns,” Dr. Masters, F.E.S, 
Nov. 11th.—“Chinese Primulas,” Mr. A. W. Sutton. 
Dec. 9th.—Ordinary meeting. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
The Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society. Part 3, Yol. XI., 
October, 1889. Edited by D. MOBBIS, Esq., M.A., and the Rev. 
W. Wilks, M.A. 
The long expected issue of the Journal containing the papers read at 
the Rose Conference, report of proceedings, and analysis of statistical 
returns, has just come to hand as a substantial volume of about 440 pages. 
It is almost needless to say that it contains a great variety of interesting 
matter; but what will probably be looked for most especially is “ Digest 
of Statistical Returns,” upon the preparation of which the Rev. W. 
Wilks has expended so much time and labour. This will amply repay 
for a careful examination, and though at first glance it appears a little 
complicated owing to the system of abbreviation necessarily adopted, a 
few minutes’ quiet reading enables anyone to grasp the idea so ably 
carried out. 
One of the shorter papers, that by Mr. E. Mawley, on Rose stocks, is 
very instructive, and the following summary indicates his experience 
and views clearly :— 
“ 1, That on a mellow loam of good depth, with porous subsoil, 
Hybrid Perpetuals on almost any stock will thrive and do well. 
“ 2, That the seedling Briar has so far proved itself the best stock 
for the heavier soil and colder climate of my present garden. 
“ 3, That the Briar cutting under similar conditions is but little 
inferior to the seedling. In fact, from the first it has been gaining on 
the latter. In the autumn of 1886, the plants on the cutting were 
credited with but five first places against twenty-seven for those on the 
seedling Briar, whereas the most recent examination accords thirteen 
first places to the cutting and twenty-one to the seedling. 
“ 4, That the Manetti has proved itself in every instance inferior in 
a greater or less degree to the two other stocks, while in ten out of the 
thirty-four varieties in the experimental beds the difference is very 
marked. On the other hand, with thirteen other varieties there was 
little to choose between the three stocks. 
“ I find that Roses budded on these stocks flower, as a rule, in the 
following order. First come those on the Manetti, then those on the 
Briar cutting, and lastly those on the seedling Briar. 
“ For Tea Roses I have found the Briar cutting and seedling Briar 
excellent stocks. In dry seasons the latter has the advantage, and in 
wet ones the Briar cutting. The dwarf standard Briar also suits many 
Teas admirably, and some even better than either the seedling or 
cutting, and has the further advantage of keeping the blooms from 
getting splashed during heavy rains. It is of course, however, unsuit¬ 
able for very cold districts, and is less enduring than dwarf Briars. 
The standard Briar also suits certain varieties of H.P.’s better than 
any other stock. 
“ The question of stocks is a more complicated one than would at 
first appear, for in order to obtain the best results the soil must not 
only suit the stock, but the Rose budded on it must work harmoniously 
with that stock. The character of the subsoil has also almost as important 
an influence as the surface soil. I may state in passing that there are 
a few kinds of H.P.’s which refuse to grow with me at all on any of the 
dwarf stocks I have mentioned. 
“ I had intended to touch on the subject of soils and their suitability 
to different stocks, but have thought it advisable, on more mature 
consideration, to confine myself entirely to a simple statement of my 
own experiences ; for in discussing a matter of this kind I think you 
will all agree with me that one grain of fact is worth any number of 
pounds of theory. My experiments have, I trust, proved useful as far 
as they have gone. I can only regret now that they could not be 
carried out on a larger scale. I am pleased, however, to hear from 
Messrs. Cocker of Aberdeen, that they have during the last few years 
been testing stocks on similar lines to my own, and that they have 
arrived at some very interesting results, which will appear in the returns 
recently sent in to this Society. If other nurserymen and amateurs in 
different parts of the kingdom would only follow their excellent 
example, we should then at no very distant date be in a position to 
arrive at some more definite and satisfactory conclusions than in the 
present state of our knowledge is possible.” 
As to the other contents of the book the following list will give the 
best idea of their extent and varied character :—“ On Irises," bv Professor 
Michael Foster, Sec. R.S.; “ the Strawberry,” by Mr. A. F. Barron ; 
“Strawberries for Market,” by Mr. George Bunyard, F.R.H.S. The 
National Rose Conference.—Address by the Very Rev. the Dean of Roches¬ 
ter, D.D. ; “ Pruning Roses,” by Rev. A. Foster-Mel liar, M.A.; “the Group¬ 
ing of Garden Varieties,” by Mr. W. Paul, F.L.S. ; “ Roses since 1860,” 
by Mr. Geo. Paul, F.R.H.S.; “ Decorative Roses,” by Mr. T. W. Girdlestone, 
F.L.S.; “ R. Polyanthaasa Stock,” by. M. Viviand-Morel; “R. Caninafrom 
the Ural Mountains ; ” “ the Botany of Roses,” by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., 
F.L.S.; “Modern Roses and Hybridisation,” by the Right Hon. Lord Pen¬ 
zance ; “ A New Classification of Roses,” by Professor Francois Cr6pin ; 
“Rose Construction,” by Dr. Masters, F.R.S., F.L.S. “Noteson Australian 
Roses,” by Ba*jn Sir F. von Mueller ; “ Note on New Indian Roses,” 
by Dr. George King ; “ Digest of Statistical Returns at the Conference,” 
by Rev. W. Wilks, M.A.; “ Synonyms and Abbreviations used in Digest 
Notes on Digest of Statistics,” by Rev. W. Wilks, M.A. ; “ Summarised 
Result of Statistics,” by Rev. W. Wilks, M.A. ; “ Note on Species of 
Roses shown at the Conference,” by Dr. Masters, F.R.S. ; “ Note on 
Books and Drawings of Roses at the Conference “ The Origin of the- 
Florists’ Carnation,” by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, F.R.H.S. ; “ Peaches and 
Nectarines,” by Mr. T. Francis Rivers, F.R.H.S. ; “ On Conifers,” by 
Mr. W. Coleman, F.R.H.S.; “ On Pears,” by Mr. W. Wildsmith, F.R.H.S. ; 
Proceedings of the Society, March 12th to June 25th. 
ST. ALBANS AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
An Exhibition of Chrysanthemums, fruits, and vegetables was held 
in the County Club hall on the 4th inst. As the Show was held 
principally in order to clear the Society of the debt incurred at the 
summer Show owing to the adverse state of the weather, but few prizes 
were offered. The chief of these in the cut bloom classes went to Miss 
Debenham. There was a keen competition amongst the cottagers in 
the vegetable class. The same remark applies to the preserved fruit 
class. The Show, although very late, was a capital one, and was 
largely made up with honorary exhibits. The exhibits staged by Mr. 
Beckett, gardener to H. Hucks Gibbs, Esq., must be awarded the palm ~ r 
his cut bffioms were exceedingly fine, especially the Japanese, the best 
being Volunteer, Etoile de Lyon, Ralph Brocklebank, Boule d’Or, Geo- 
Daniels, White Ceres, Pelican, Mrs. W. A. Harris, Mr. H. Wellam. The- 
six trained plants were very good. He also staged a fine lot of vege¬ 
tables and fruit. Handsome groups were staged by Mr. Whitelaw, 
gardener to Lord Grimthorpe ; Mr. Sconce, gardener to J. S. Hill, Esq. p 
H. Slade, Esq., and Mr. Nutting, gardener to J. Blundell Maple, Esq. 
Messrs. Lane & Son, Berkhamstead, staged a fine collection of Apples, 
the following sorts being very fine—Peasgood’s Nonesuch, Mere de 
Manage, Bramley’s Seedling, Winter Queening, Prince Albert, Wor¬ 
cester Pearmain, Annie Elizabeth, and Lord Derby. A good programme 
of music, instrumental during the afternoon, and vocal in the evening, 
was got through, and added to the attractions. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectabines. —Earliest Forced House .—With the 
buds swelling and advancing for flowering the atmosphere must not be 
kept nearly so close, as it is important the blossoms come on steadily 
and have time to develope a strong flower, perfect in all its parts. A 
little ventilation should be given constantly, and above 50° it should be 
increased correspondingly with the temperature, but not allowing a, 
decline below 50° in the daytime, sufficient artificial heat being 
employed for that purpose, and with sun an advance may be allowed 
to 65°, closing for the day before the temperature has receded 55°. A 
temperature of 40° to 45° is ample at night or in mild weather. When 
the flowers are advanced so that the anthers are showing cease syring¬ 
ing, but afford a moderate amount of moisture by damping available 
surfaces, as borders, paths, &e., in the morning and early afternoon. 
Avoid a moist, close, stagnant atmosphere with a high temperature at 
night. Make sure that there is no deficiency of moisture in the inside 
borders. If necessary supply tepid water or liquid manure. Moistening 
the surface is only a waste of time. Afford enough to moisten the soil 
through to the drainage. Weakly blossoms and failures in setting are 
often a consequence of moisture being given the tops of the trees- 
instead of the roots. If there be a superabundance of flowers remove 
that on the under side or back of the trellis by drawing the hand con¬ 
trary to the growth. It will materially assist the swelling and' 
strengthen the remaining flower. 
Second Forced House .—This may be the first in some establishments. 
It is that from which fruit is to be gathered in May or early June, 
and to which fire heat will be applied about the New Year. It must be 
closed at once, fire heat being only used to exclude frost, the trees being 
sprinkled in the morning and early afternoon, allowing time for them 
to become fairly dry before night. Nothing is so enfeebling as keeping 
the trees constantly dripping with moisture, especially at night. Do 
not allow the temperature to exceed 50° without full ventilation. Soak 
inside borders with tepid water or liquid manure, and protect those 
outside with dry leaves or bracken and a little long litter, allowing a- 
slope to the front, so as to throw off cold rains and snow. Some tarpau¬ 
lin or spare lights would be an advantage. 
Succession Houses .—Proceed with the pruning, bringing matters in 
respect of cleansing the house and trees to as speedy a conclusion as 
practicable. If the houses have fixed roof lights ventilate to the fullest 
extent in all but very severe weather. It is much the best plan to 
remove the roof lights and expose the trees to the elements for the 
winter. Even the latest and unheated houses should be treated that 
way. We find the best results attend that method of procedure. Trees 
even that are liable to cast their buds, such as Noblesse, retain them, and 
