8 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 3, 1889. 
will ever continue to have a proper value attache! to them by judges 
when shown in classes, without restriction as to character of bloom, as 
it is most important that the exhibitions should be as varied as possible. 
So much depends upon the colour in the case of the Japs that blooms 
should be shown in as fresh a condition as possible. Stale blooms are 
so objectionable that to obtain a high position with them when there is 
any competition is impossible. 
There are three classes with Anemone flowers, and these are known 
as the Large Anemones, Japanese Anemones, and Pompon Anemones. 
The most perfect type is the Large Anemone, but there is plenty of room 
for improvement, as by far the majority fall much below the standard. 
Speaking generally, a large proportion of the exhibitors and many 
judges would do well to make themselves better acquainted with the 
properties of these sections, for much too high a value is attached to 
size, and we frequently see comparatively large flowers with hardly the 
ghost of a disc placed before blooms a size smaller, but perfect in de¬ 
velopment. Indeed, some of those who regard themselves as authorities 
consider a disc altogether unnecessary in the case of the Japanese 
Anemones. The blooms of both the large and the Pompon Anemones 
should be circular in outline. The ray florets be stout, free from inden¬ 
tation at the point, and be regularly arranged ; and the disc be high in 
the centre and regular in outline, forming as near as may be a half 
globe. In the Japanese Anemone, a high, full centre is of prime impor¬ 
tance ; the ray florets may be long and drooping, much curled, or other¬ 
wise irregular, but the fringe should be full. A distinctly fantastic 
character is a decided advantage, and I would like to emphasise the fact 
that indifferent quality does not, as some appear to suppose, change a 
large Anemone into a Japanese Anemone. To convert the section into a 
receptacle for the rubbish from the seed bed is a serious mistake. 
The Pompons may be referred to very briefly, although they consti¬ 
tute a very useful group. If the florets incurve the blooms should bo 
more or less globular in form; but if they reflex a half globe will be 
preferable. In all cases they should be neat and regular in outline, and 
not exceed 3 inches in diameter. A diameter of 2 inches would be pre¬ 
ferable ; and it may be said that too much encouragement is given to 
the production of flowers of excessive size. This is done by the stipula¬ 
tion that the flowers shall be shown singly, or by not prohibiting thin¬ 
ning. In my opinion thinning should not be allowed in the case of 
Pompons grown for exhibition ; as when grown naturally, and staged in 
bunches as cut from the plants, they are net only more attractive, but 
they afford visitors a better idea of their elegance and beauty than is to 
be obtained from an inspection of flowers staged in triplets, and grown 
so out of character as to be barely recognisable. 
MANURE AND MOISTURE FOR FRUIT TREES. 
Under this heading “ JVI. D.” comments in a very favourable manner 
on the appearance of the Pear trees at Marston, and also corroborates 
some of the theories I advanced on page 542 of the last volume of our 
Journal. I am not quite sure of the identity of “ M. D.,” as we had 
several hurried visits paid here last autumn, but in any case I am always 
glad to fully discuss any matter connected with horticulture either in a 
friendly chat or through the medium of the Journal of Horticulture. 
Our friend is quite right as regards the rather gappy appearance of the 
Apricot trees under a glass coping, and he is equally correct with regard 
to the better appearance of those on a wall, in a line with (not parallel 
to) the cordon Pear trees. Undoubtedly the Apricot trees on this south¬ 
west aspect are in much better health than are those under the coping, 
the aspect in this instance being south-south-east, but want of manure 
and moisture at the roots is not in my opinion the cause. It is to be 
attributed to the difference in the varieties grown, those on the south-west 
waff being principally Ilemskerk, Large Early, and Shipleys, while the 
majority of the trees under the coping, and which is rightly considered 
the best nosition as far as productiveness is concerned, are Moorpark, 
Early Moorpark, and Hemskerk. Apricots are the favourite fruit here, 
and no variety approaches Moorpark for lusciousness, and in point of 
size it is second to none. Unfortunately it is the most liable to the 
disease called “gumming,” and when the trees reach a good size or 
nearly furnish the wall space nothing apparently will prevent the loss 
of several limbs. I have tried manure and moisture as a preventive, 
and also keeping the soil drier at their roots, especially during the rest¬ 
ing period, but the result was unsatisfactory in each instance, the con¬ 
sequence being no more trees of Moorpark will be planted. According 
as the trees of the latter become disfigured and unprofitable their places 
are taken by large trees of the more reliable varieties from the south¬ 
west wall, maidens being introduced for the purpose of filling the gaps 
thus caused. 
A igorous and not very fruitful young trees do not need any manure, 
are better without it in fact, but any fine old specimens that have long 
been established in one position are greatly benefited by liberal dress¬ 
ings of solid manure and copious supplies of water. We treated some 
of our old Apricot and also Peach trees exactly as the cordon and other 
Pears were served, and a marked improvement in the weight and quality 
of the crops was soon apparent. The surface soil was forked away from 
the roots, and where found at all dry liquid manure was freely given. 
It is astonishing how impoverished some of the old borders become, 
especially close to the walls, and in our case large shelter trees at the 
back of the walls also rob the borders of much moisture, the roots of 
Elms and B ech travelling a long way, and prove very troublesome. 
We once bared the roots of all the old trees, and covered them with 
solid manure fresh from a farmyard, and this quite put new life into I 
the Apricots and Peaches alike. In many instances a top-dressing of 
good turfy loam, with perhaps a little bonemeal, is all that the trees 
need, this also being applied directly on to the topmost roots; but much 
stunted old trees, including numerous Pears on the Quince stock, let me 
repeat, want sometfilng much stronger than that—viz., a good surfacing- 
of solid unexhausted manure. This should be disposed where the roots- 
will get the full benefit of it, and not on the surface where much of 
its valuable constituents are wasted.—W. Iggulden. 
Events of the Week.— On Wednesday, January 9th and 10th,. 
the National Chrysanthemum Society’s winter Exhibition will be held 
in the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. A Conference will take place on 
the first day at 5 P.M., particulars of which are given (page 6)_ 
A General Committee Meeting of the same Society will be held on- 
Monday next, January 7th, in Anderton’s Hotel, at 7 P.M. 
- Skimmia Oblata X fragrans.—I n reference to a first-class 
certificate lately granted by the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horti¬ 
cultural Society, I ask whether it is usual to speak of a “ hybrid ” 
between a male and female of the same species. It is generally believed 
that Skimmia fragrans is the trade name for the male plant of the 
dioecious S. oblata, when S. fragrans is planted neari S. oblata. This 
latter under favourable conditions produces a profusion of berries, but 
not when in a garden by itself. If the so-called hybrid is a monoecious 
seedling it will be valuable, as the two sexes cannot, always be got to- 
flower simultaneously, but nothing is said about the sex of the certificated 
plant, which is an important point.—C. W. D. 
- Transplanting Large Trees.—W e are requested to state 
that several full grown trees 40 feet high have been removed from a 
wood into the park of Mr. Blundell Maple’s seat at Childwickbury. 
The trees are conveyed on an improved Capstan trolley, whilst the 
watering of them is provided for by a Merryweather Valiant fire pump r 
which takes its supply from a source a mile distant, and distributes it 
over the tops of the trees by means of a flexible hosepipe and American 
spreader. 
-In our report of the National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
Annual Dinner recently, it was stated that Mr. C. Gibson was not 
present, and he requests us to correct this mistake, as he was present 
for the ninth consecutive year, and enjoyed himself very much, both of 
which facts we gladly make known. 
- Gardening Appointments.—M r. J. T. Barker, late foreman 
in the gardens of the Hon. Mrs. Meynell Ingram, Hoarcross, Burton- 
on-Trent, has been appointed to succeeed Mr. W. Gaiger as head gardener 
to S. Taylor Whitehead, Esq., Burton Close, Bakewell. Mr. Thomas 
Bonsall has been appointed head gardener to J. Hawthorn Kitson, Esq., 
Elrnet Hall, Roundhay, Leeds. Mr. J. Gadd, Scarlett’s Gardens, Col¬ 
chester, writes “ I am leaving here to take charge of the garden at my 
employer’s (Sir Evelyn Wood) residence at Aldershot, where he has- 
recently been appointed to the command of the Aldershot Division.” 
- We are desired to note that Mr. J. Murison on leaving the 
employment of Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holborn, was presented 
with a handsome aneroid barometer by his fellow workers, as a mark of 
their appreciation of the pleasant associations that have existed between 
them during the time he has been in the firm. 
-We learn that the Wells (Somerset) Chrysanthemum 
Show is fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday, the 12th and 13th November, 
1889. 
- At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Messrs. Hooper 
and Co. on the 10th inst., the usual interim dividend at the rate of 
6 per cent, per annum was declared. 
- There has been some controversy about Lily of the Valley 
as to the relative profitableness of forcing it early or waiting until 
February. It goes without saying that the later we are in forcing it 
the better it may be expected to prove, but I imagine a bunch of spikes 
at Christmas, though even of inferior quality to those forced in spring, 
will be thought more of. I have cut many dozens of spikes already, 
yet the pots were introduced to heat only four weeks and three days 
