April 4, 188!\ ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
a grand display. Mr. Heron, Pollok Gardens, Pollokshaws, still occupies 
the premier position in both classes, the same gentleman having the 
best Polyanthus Narcissus. The pure air of Campbeltown seems to 
favour the growth of the Lily of the Valley, Mr. Wm. Cowan, Killelan 
Gardens, being again successful in both classes. Primulas were never 
better shown. The first prize plants were the best ever shown in 
Glasgow, and reflected great credit on the grower, Mr. Anderson, 
Towerville Gardens, Helensburgh. Cannell’s White Queen, one of the 
varieties shown by Mr. Anderson, throws its trusses up much better 
than the type, and is of a more robust character. Alpines were well 
shown and very numerous, the best coming from Bridge of Weir, Mr. 
Meiklam, Alpine Cottage, gaining the first prize. 
The best collection of vegetables came from Craigends, Mr. D. 
McBean being the most successful competitor for vegetables in the west 
of Scotland. The class open to ladies only is always interesting. Mrs. 
Geo. H. Clarke had the best Hyacinth grown entirely in water. Miss 
Janet Sutherland, Lenzie, had the best three, and Miss Maggie 
McIntosh, 2, Firpark Terrace, Dennistoun, had the two best pots of Dutch 
bulbs in bloom. 
The arrangements were carried out under the superintendence of 
Mr. F. Gibb Dougall, the able Secretary, and were, as usual, of the 
most satisfactory character.— Kelvingrove. 
“SCIENTIFIC” FLOWER POTS. 
Under the above designation some new flower pots have been sent 
to us for inspection. They are made of ordinary flower pot clay of 
fig. 44. 
good quality, and not decorated in any way. These pots were invented 
by a Yorkshire amateur, (fig. 44 being for Orchids and fig. 45 for ordinary 
conservatory plants). Finding them serviceable in preventing his plants 
suffering from drought in his absence and deriving support from the 
water rising up the porous earthenware legs of the pots'by attraction, 
’fig. 45. 
also in the form of vapour, his friends also being impressed with their 
usefulness, a company has been formed for the manufacture and 
sale of these “ Scientific ” pots. They are attached to the saucers, and 
as the roots of the plants are above the water they cannot be water¬ 
logged. They are made in different sizes, and will probably be tried by 
many amateurs who are absent from their homes during the day, and 
their plants suffer in consequence during hot weather. Moisture in the 
form of vapour rising amongst Ferns, and, indeed, most plants in dry 
conservatories, is beneficial in the summer months. Water in the 
saucers also prevents snails and slugs reaching the plants. The saucers 
would, perhaps, be better glazed. 
SPRING PROSPECTS. 
These seem fairly promising at present, fruit buds being generally 
late and backward ; Apricots especially so. Pears appear rather more 
forward, at least I was struck with the advanced state of the blossom 
I buds on Doyennd du Comice grown en cordon on a south-east wall 
I between two Apricot trees which until the last day or two showed 
hardly any prominent buds. Near that vegetation is nowhere in these 
parts very forward, so let us hope up to this date (March 28th) the 
coming fruit crops have not suffered. 
To resume the subject of spring bulbs for the open, some remarks on 
which may have, perhaps, already had a favourable reception in the 
pages of the Journal. Is it the case that Crocuses do better and have 
finer flowers when occasionally lifted after flowering and before seeding, 
dried gradually off, and then laid by in a cool place under a thin cover¬ 
ing of mould until the usual time for planting them in a permanent 
place arrives ? Certain it is that for the first year or two newly pur¬ 
chased Crocuses seem larger and finer both in foliage and in blooms 
than those which have been left undisturbed to come up in crowds, but 
narrowed in petal and wanting the substance and the really beautiful 
form of those that are newer inhabitants of our borders ; but whether 
the old Crocuses be compelled to move about to re-invigorate them and 
regain if possible their first sumptuous appearance, it is certainly well 
laid out money, and time too, to purchase from year to year, if space 
permits and the pocket can afford it, a small collection of hardy bulbs. 
Such an outlay always gives satisfaction, not to oneself only, but to the 
friends who may look round one’s garden, and still more to those, alas f 
who, shut up on the couch or in the house, have their spirits soothed 
and revived by the sight of the flowers they long to look at. 
How much might not be said on such a bright theme as our spring 
bulbs 1 One does not want to enlaige, and 1 must have done, as there may 
be more about Daffodils by-and-by if you give me room. One observa¬ 
tion I would make is this, That amid the passion for flowers prevailing 
and extending everywhere, I do not find a corresponding increase (even 
amongst those who could find an opportunity) of inclination to study 
the cultivation of flowers. 
Holocausts of blossoms, hundreds of cut blooms, and countless plant3 
in pots, however employed and displayed with unquestionable taste, can 
never give the interest and the delight that is felt in the earnest culti¬ 
vation personally of some favourite flowers. One rejoices in the 
evidences of skill and of industry that the demand for decorative 
plants creates ; but there is room for a larger development of practical 
knowledge of the habits and treatment of plants among the middle and 
upper classes, whose ignorance or indifference often contrast unfavour¬ 
ably with the clever cottage culture and window gardening of our 
labourers and artisans.—A. M. B., Mid-Lincoln. 
FRUIT FORGING. 
Pines. —Suckers or Plants Started Early in March .—These will 
now require attention. The pots must be full of roots, but before 
the plants are root-bound shift them into the fruiting size, watering 
them a day or two previously, so as to have the soil moderately moist 
when they are potted. They may be shifted into 10, 11, or 12-inch 
pots. Take advantage of the removal of the plants to examine the bed, 
replenishing it if needed by the addition of fresh tan, mixing it with 
the old to a depth that will afford the temperature required—viz., 9a° 
at the base of the pots until the roots reach the sides, when 90° is more 
suitable. Keep the air about such plants well charged with moisture 
during the time the house is closed, employing no more fire heat than 
is absolutely necessary to maintain a temperature of 70° to 75° on mild 
nights. Ventilate slightly at 80°, liberally at 90°, closing with sun heat 
at 85°, at which time syringe the plants. This treatment will be. 
suitable for fruiting plants except such as are in bloom, which should 
not be syringed. Examine the plants twice a week, and water those 
that require it. 
Cherry House. —If the trees are heavily laden with fruit the. 
demand for nutriment will be greater, as such trees will be less vigorous 
than those with fewer fruits, and whilst the former will be benefited by 
the application of liquid manure, the latter should have clear water.. 
A good soaking of those elements most suited to the requirements of 
the trees should be given, and as often t s required, to maintain the soil 
in a thoroughly moist condition. Inside borders are most suitable for 
fruit trees subjected to early forcing, as they afford a better temperature,, 
more corresponding to that in which the trees are growing, and render¬ 
ing the progress of the crop more certain and satisfactory, provided due. 
regard be paid to affording the needful supplies of water. Attend to 
ventilation and temperature as advised in our last calendar, syringing: 
the trees twice every day, and keeping the surface of the borders con¬ 
stantly moist. As soon as the shoots have made four or five joints they 
should have the points taken out so as to form spurs, but shoots required 
for furnishing the trees should be tied in position early, and be carefully 
trained in Deir full length. Aphides must be kept under by repeated 
fumigation, as if they obtain much hold they are not only difficult to 
exterminate, but spoil the appearance of the fruit. 
Strawberries in Pots. —The weather until recently has been 
unfavourable to plants in flower, which are liable to have the blossoms 
chilled by an influx of cold air acting directly upon them, as is the case, 
with plants on a level with the ventilators. It is well when the venti¬ 
lators are above the plants or beneath the pots ; in such positions we 
have the Strawberries doing well, whilst those on a level with the. 
ventilators are doing as indifferently. In dull and wet weather shake 
