February 29,18*9. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
179 
A pit contains some 200 Tine plants, showing fruit which will, when 
ripe, average from 5 to 9 lbs. each. The plants are dwarf and very 
strong in growth. A few years ago I had the pleasure of seeing in this 
pit the finest specimen Pine I ever saw, the variety being Charlotte 
Rothschild, well meriting from the Royal Horticultural Society a cultural 
commendation. The stoves are gay with foliage and flowering plants. 
The late Vines are well ripened, and with medium wood and plump buds 
promise their usual crop. The early Vines are just breaking strongly 
I considering the sunless weather we have had of late. The next house 
contains some fine succession Pine plants in good health, also hundreds 
of young Vines in thumb pots, which are just bursting from eyes. These 
I am informed are French Vines to be introduced to the Castle Coch 
vineyard. In this house are large numbers of young Cucumber plants 
of the Cardiff Castle variety, which will no doubt hold its own as one of 
the best for general work. The Azaleas are large and well set with fine 
buds, which will in a short time make a grand display. The next house 
contains Vines ofjFoscer’s Seedling and Gros Colman. They are breaking 
strongly, and will, judging by their appearance, produce extra large 
bunches. Upon the back wall of this house is a crop of ripe Lemons, 
the fruit being very fine. The Peach house is looking well. Mr. Petti¬ 
grew is to be congratulated upon obtaining such a good set of fruit. 
The wall trees and bush fruit are also very promising.—H. Mitchell. 
JUDGING FRUIT AT HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
Mr. McIndoe, page 137, has done good service by calling attention 
to the above important subject, and on some of his conclusions most 
exhibitors will agree. I think there is one point worth the attention of 
all secretaries and managers of horticultural exhibitions, and that is to 
spare no pains to get the most competent men to act as judges —men 
thoroughly conversant with the class of subjects they have to judge, 
whether fruits, flowers, or vegetables. I should say get the best men to 
be had, even if the expense is greater, and let their decision be final. 
Too often the Secretary is a good man of business, and the Committee 
as a rule in most societies away from the metropolis is composed of 
successful shopkeepers, worthy men of business in their own particular 
branch, but as horticulturists of a very limited knowledge. The interest 
they take in the matter is the love of the thing. In such cases the 
best practical horticulturists in the district should be consulted on the 
choice of judges, and if the judges are competent men they will be able 
to frame them own system of awarding the prizes. With regard to 
cutting Melons, I should say when shown in a class for Melons always 
cut them, but if a Melon is shown in a collection of fruit it is not 
necessary, unless the competition is very close.—R. M. 
RECREATION FOR GARDENERS. 
Recreation in some form has now become a recognised necessity of 
human existence. The very name denotes that it must be had if we are 
to go on with our daily occupation in a satisfactory manner, for the most 
enticing duties will at length become irksome if they are continued 
unceasingly. To many a one who labours in a different field gardening 
has proved itself a pastime of the noblest kind, and from earliest ages 
the garden has been the retreat and refreshment of the learned and the 
luxurious. But whilst gardening is thus a recreation for others there are 
but few occupations to which the same term can be suitably applied for 
gardeners. A suitable recreation ought to combine pleasure with profit, 
although the latter may only be present in a very small degree, still 
without its existence a working man’s pleasure is only a fallacy. These 
lines are intended more particularly for young gardeners, as the writer 
has experienced bothy life in the country and lodgings in the town, and 
noticed the want of variety that exists amongst recreations. Much of 
the unpleasant feeling that is sometimes noticeable in gardens amongst 
those employed there, and which occasionally finds vent in the horticul¬ 
tural press, might never occur at all if some useful amusements were 
provided for leisure hours. 
Of late years a most useful society has sprung up having its head¬ 
quarters in Langham Chambers, London, called the Home Arts and 
Industries Association. It is under distinguished patronage, and has 
already done a great deal of good wherever a branch or class has been 
started. The Association embraces other arts and industries besides 
wood-carving, which has been selected for these remarks as beiag most 
suitable, both from its nature and as causing a less outlay for tools and 
material than some of the other arts. Not only does it educate the eye 
to uniformity of detail—in itself of no slight advantage to the gardener, 
but the wood carver sees beauties in the leaf, flower, or fruit which he is 
cutting out that are passed unnoticed by the general observer. 
The great difficulty with this, like most other classes of a useful 
nature, is getting a start made, and that might be overcome if it was 
suitably brought before the notice of employers. As a rule they are 
only too pleased to assist any object which is to the advantage of the 
young men in the gardens, and by payment of a small annual sub¬ 
scription enough patterns to keep a small class going, and an occasional 
model will be sent down by the Association. Tools and wood are all 
that will then have to be procured by the pupils, and doubtless in many 
cases these would be provided if a real interest was shown to be taken 
in the work. In most establishments there need be little trouble in 
obtaining a class room with benches around about a foot higher than 
the ordinary carpenter’s bench, this height being more suited for carving 
owing to the different nature of the work. However, if their workshop 
should be the place chosen the benches there will be found quite suit¬ 
able, and are more frequently used than the higher ones. When one© 
the class is started it need not be exclusively for those in the garden, 
and if there are other young men near who would like to become mem¬ 
bers they certainly ought to be admitted. This not only causes a 
friendly rivalry, but increases the interest of the class considerably, anti 
prevent localisation, which is nearly always detrimental to any good 
cause. The parish clergyman, whose evening classes have been a failure;, 
would perhaps find in wood-carving or some kindred art something to 
give a fresh impetus to their work. The writer has seen the experiment 
tried, and can vouch for the good it has been the means of doing. 
Many shun the evening class through knowing their own ignorance, 
and a feeling akin to shame at seeing younger men outstrip them. But 
■where such a subject is taught all start on a level, and the most indus¬ 
trious are generally the most successful. Besides, the feeling that their 
labour is expended on something more substantial than paper gives an 
interest to the work, which is only instanced occasionally in the even¬ 
ing class of a village school. 
There is no household but would gain additional interest were it to con¬ 
tain a piece of wood-carving, especially if it was done by one of its 
members. The breadboard on the table with its carved border of Wheat,, 
the workbox with panels of Oak leaves and acorns, the picture frame 
with Ivy or Hop spray running around, or the manj" other similar 
subjects which will suggest themselves to most readers. There is a 
certain taste abroad which would try to keep this form of carving in 
the background, and completely fill its place with what is termed “ Old 
English,” which style can be seen in one of its best forms on old oaken 
chests. Now, there is much to admire in old English carving, and it 
would be well for the learner to begin with this style, and keep to it 
until he has gained a mastery over his tools—how to use and sharpen 
them. These are not such minor details as they may appear to be, for 
the tool's edge must be as keen as a razor’s; a carpenter’s edge is of little 
use, and proficiency with them is maioly due to the manner in which 
they are held. Many ought never to advance beyond this style which 
mere mechanical ingenuity can often perform in a creditable manner, 
but a certain amount of taste is required for what may be called the more 
ornamental form, in which success according to taste and perseverance 
alone is ensured. 
The difficulty of the elementary portion once mastered, the continual 
intercourse with Nature which a gardener enjoys would assist him in 
any future studies very materially, and render him able to cope most 
successfully with many so-called masters of the art. To the eye trained 
by Nature there is a great want of reality in many productions which 
occupy conspicuous positions. The carver is not always to blame for 
such work, as when fashion dictates style it must be followed. But 
when it is undertaken as a recreation individual taste may be exercised, 
or only the footsteps of the best masters that there is an opportunity 
of studying followed. This paper has reached a greater length than 
was at first intended, but it is written with an honest intention to- 
benefit others through the same medium by which the writer has been 
often benefited himself.—M. D. 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS. 
Anyone having a frame to spare cannot do better than sow a few 
seeds of this popular vegetable at once. If a frame is not available, 
boxes will do, placing them in a slight heat till the seedlings are up, 
when they are gradually hardened. Preference is given to frames as. 
not only more convenient, but finer plants are produced than when- 
grown in boxes. Whatever plan is followed the plants cannot be pre¬ 
pared and in their permanent situations too soon. The ground should 
have been heavily manured and well trenched the previous autumn. 
Two feet six inches apart each way will be a good distance, as though 
usually planted much closer it will be better if the extra room can be 
given, as it will give the air and sun a better chance to ripen the 
sprouts. 
The plants should be earthed up as soon as they are large enough. 
During the dry summer months they will require watering, and it will 
tend greatly to their productiveness if an occasional supply of liquid 
manure can be given. Avoid plucking off the tops, as this limits the 
succcessional supply, and hastens the sprouts to early flowering.— 
A. E. Frampton. 
THE CUCKOO IN WINTER—BLACKCAPS. 
I AM always a little sceptical as to the cuckoo being heard in winter, 
but as there is no rule without an exception, it is said, it is not certain 
that the cuckoo does not make a mistake as well as other birds. Last 
week I had a blackcap (Moticilla atracapilla) brought to me for identi¬ 
fication. He wandered into a trap cage set for bullfinches. As there- 
was 10 inches of snow on the ground, and this is looked upon as an 
undoubted summer migrant, it is remarkable. I have him alive and 
healthy. I also met with a chiff-chaff once on the 12th December, on a 
bitter cold day, and everything clothed with a coat of icy hoar frost. 
Speaking of bu'lfinches, they are just now very busy on the Plum 
bloom buds. I have taken in trap cages in my garden twenty-three 
this winter against sixty caught last winter. 
House sparrows are nearly as bid as bullfinches on Plum trees. 
During the late snow I watched them particularly, and I found the 
surface of the snow liberally smothered with the husks .or outsides of 
buds where they congregated after feeding on pigs’ food.—J. Hiam. 
