302 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 11,18tS. 
much, while many of those in the frames, after three weeks, are by no 
means vigorous-looking. The outside ones have had since very cold 
days and winds. Is not tender petting treatment for cuttings overdone ? 
—W. J. Mubphy, Clonmel. 
LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Mr. A. Haggart, Moor Park Gardens, Ludlow, sends us some fresh 
blooms of Madlle. Lacroix, gathered from a plant which has been in 
flower since Christmas. Such blooms must be very useful at this time 
of year, when they can be cut in quantity. 
JUDGING COLLECTIONS OF FRUIT. 
When we hear so many complaints by judges of the want of a 
proper system, and by exhibitors of the vagaries of censors, we may be 
assured that not a few are looking on with concern at the diversity of 
opinion expressed by those who have taken part in this matter. It is 
evident from what has been said that the uniform maximum stanlard 
will not do, then the sliding scale is the only alternative. Differences 
may arise as to the grade which certain kinds of fruit should occupy, 
but this difficulty could be overcome by combining quality or flavour, 
with appearance, and intrinsic worth, the latter measured by commercial 
value. We will note, for example, certain sorts having all these pro¬ 
perties in a high degree—namely, Muscat of Alexandria and Madresfield 
Court Grapes. There are several others which could be placed on equal 
terms when in the best of condition. 
I notice on page 253 Mr. Temple would give Muscat Hamburgh the 
highest position amongst black Grapes, I presume because of its flavour. 
It will also be noticed that he would consider flavour, or such varieties 
as meet the taste of certain families, as the qualification for a high 
position in the scale of merit. It is a well known fact that the taste in 
families varies considerably, so that this could not be accepted as a 
criterion on which to frame a standard of merit. 
“ A. D.,” page 280, gives another qualification for the highest posi¬ 
tion—namely, the easiness or difficulty of production. This could not 
be entertained as a prime factor in the case, because some things are 
not easily grown, while they would be of little value in competition 
after being produced. Then he is a little confused when referring to 
the marks and points, forgetting that a point bears the same relation to 
a mark as a farthing to a penny. He asks if it be right to give small 
fruits the same number of marks as are granted to Pines, Grapes or 
Melons. If he refers again to the table (page 148) the wide difference 
between the value of these fruits will be observed. He says, “ We may 
put Pines and Grapes into the highest catagory certainly, perhaps also 
Peaches and Nectarines, giving them the maximum standard 7 points ; 
then Melons, Pears, Cherries and Plums may well follow with G points.” 
No wonder “ A. D.” expects to see his mode of classification objected 
to, when he places Peaches and Nectannes on equality with Pines and 
Grapes, while Melons and Cherries meet together on equal terms, and 
only one point below Pines and Grapes. 
There should be a wider range between the fruits named by “ A. D.” 
than one point in order to admit of a margin for recording their actual 
relative values in cultural merit. The table already referred to shows 
as near as possible the relative value of the fruits there named, and 
supposed to be ordinary samples of their kind : then, for what may be 
termed extraordinary productions, such as a dish of French Pears, of 
extra size and quality, it might be entitled to points above its standard, 
and possibly qualified to rise above the next grade. Or, again, certain 
dishes might be so inferior as to warrant a reduction in value even below 
the next gradation. 
For other fruit classes, and all exhibits belonging to the same genus, 
species, or varieties of the same species, 3 marks, equal to 12 points, should 
be the maximum standard, and for varieties of the same sorts, or the 
same varieties opposing each other in close competition, quality and 
appearance should be adjudged separately, allowing 3 marks as standard 
value for each property. —Judex. 
POPULAR BOOKS. 
Three new editions of books have been issued during the past few 
weeks, and will, no doubt, meet with a reception not less favourable 
than was accorded to their predecessors. Only a few lines can be 
accorded to these useful aids to cultivators of the crops and plants to 
which they are devoted. 
Mushrooms for the Million (Wright). - The sixth edition of this work 
has been reached, or an aggregate issue of thirty thousand copies. It is 
pnly necessary to say that this is not only the largest, but most complete 
of the series. It consists of 136 pages of matter, and the additions, to 
the illustrations comprise a portrait of Mr. J. F. Barter and of the 
Scottish Mushroom Company’s work in a railway tunnel. This has 
appeared in the Journal with an extract from the letterpress. “At 
last,” the author says, “ the importance of Mushrooms appears to bo 
recognised, both as enjoyable and good for food, and as profitable to 
grow by persons who have manure from horse stables at command, oi 
can readily procure it; and if there is no material departure from the 
routine that is described in the plainest of plain language in the pages, 
and no mistakes made in carrying out simple details, success is certain.” 
Mr. Barter also states that a gentleman in Kent grew 5 tons of Mush¬ 
rooms as a first trial by following the instructions in the last edition 
with a few “ object lessons ” in his grounds. The proved usefulness of I 
the work is its recommendation, and as it is published at this office we 
are free to state that the price remains as before, Is.; post free, Is. 2d. 
Orchids: their Structure. History, and Culture ( Castle).—In the 
addenda to this, the volume before us, the author savs, “ The continued 
demand for this treatise has necessitated the publication of a fourth 
edition, to which several chapters have been added, making the book 
nearly three times its original size.” The additions consist of an 
admirable selection of “ Orchids for Amateurs,” extending over ten 
pages, and a very complete “ Orchidist’s Calendar ” of eight pages. 
There are substantial additions of a practical character, and as a sample 
we cite the remarks under the heading of the present month—April. 
“ Cool House. —There is a wealth of bloom now, and the temperature 
can easily be kept up without overheating the pipes. Many spikes of 
bloom are pushing from Oncidiums and Odontoglossums ; so also are the 
Masdevallias, especially such handsome species as M. Lindeni,M. Veitchi, 
and M. Harryana. Care must be taken not to allow them to be injured 
by slugs, and give close attention to the wants of the plants by supplying 
them with water, and keeping them free from green fly. 
“ In the intermediate house the Cattleya Trianae varieties will be 
passing out of bloom, and C. Mendeli, C. Mossiae, &c., are not yet in ■, 
but the flowers can be seen pushing upwards through the sheaths, 
and the showy Laslia purpurata will also be in the same stage. 
Dendrobiums are plentiful, and amongst newer Cattleyas C. Lawrenciana. 
arrests attention by its rich and decided colour. Epidendrum Wallisi, 
a distinct species, is also attractive. In the shady part of the house 
the Cymbidiums are in flower or now growing freely. The spikes of 
Odontoglossum vexillarium are also pushing from the sheaths freely, 
and it adds vigour to them if the plants are surface dressed with 
clean chopped sphaenum, intermixed with a portion of fibrous peat. 
Ocelogyne cristata may be potted this month, and, in fact, any Orchids 
starting to grow after having flowered. 
“ Though we usually class Orchids in three groups, there are also 
many species requiring atmospheric conditions and even temperatures 
different from either of them. As the Mexican Laelias require special 
treatment, so also do the Pescatoreas, Bolleas, and Batemannias. Col¬ 
lectors say they grow in shady woods, and in a district where rain faj's 
on almost every day in the year ; a moist atmosphere and shady part of the 
house, with a temperature rather warmer than Cattleyas require, suits 
them best. Temperatures should now be increased. The following are 
good minima :—Cool house, 50° ; Cattleya house, 60° ; and East India 
house, 65°. A little higher in mild weather, as the temperature is kept 
up by the effect of sun heat well into the night.” 
We have only to add that, though the work comprises 140 pages, 
there is no increase in price, except of an extra Id. for postage, and it 
therefore stands at Is., post free Is. 3d., from this office. 
The Tomato : Its Culture and Uses (Iggulden).—The author states in 
the preface that this, the second edition, has b >en completely re written, 
and he hopes it will prove as welcome as the original, and that his 
“endeavour to bring all cultural details up to date will meet with a 
good reception.” There is scarcely a doubt that his hope will be 
realised. It is a work that was wanted when it was first written, and is 
wanted still more dow, as so many amateurs are engaging in the culti¬ 
vation of Tomatoes, either for home use or market purposes, or both. 
We take an extract, showing the prices of Tomatoes. 
“ Those who grow for the markets will soon discover the best prices 
are obtained from fruit during the early part of the season, or before 
open-air crops are available, and again after they are exhausted. The 
subjoined list of prices will demonstrate this, and also serve as a guide 
to intending senders to Covent Garden or other markets. They were 
kindly supplied by a very extensive grower, and, in addition to being 
instructive, are also interesting, as showing the great difference of the 
prices realised in a favourable year, or that of 1887, and the unfavour¬ 
able season of 1888. 
Covent Garden, 1887. 
Price per lb. in each weeli: — 
May, Is. 6d., Is. 4d., Is. 3d., lid. 
June, lid.. 10d., 9d., 8£d. 
July, 8d., 7d., 4J., 4d. 
August, 4d., 3d., 3d., 3d. 
September, 4d., 4^d., 5d., 5Jd. 
October, Gd., Gd. Gd., 6£d. 
November, 7d., 7£d., 8d., 8d. 
December, 10d., Is., Is., Is. 7d. 
Co vent Garden, 1888. 
Price per lb. in each week :— 
May, 3s., 3s., 2s. 9d., 2s. Gd. 
June, 2s., Is. 4d., Is. 4d., Is. 3d. 
July, Is., 10d., 10d., 9d. 
August, 8d., Gd., Gd., 5d. 
September, Gd., 5d., 5d., 6^d. 
October, Gd., 7d., 8d., 8d. 
November, Sd., 9J., 9d., lkl. 
December, Is. 2d., Is., Is. 3d., Is. Gd 
The diseases to which the plants are liable are fully described and 
remedies suggested ; and as “ there are quite a bewi dering number of 
recipes” for using Tomatoes, only sixty are given over fifteen pages. 
Thus cooks and cultivators are catered for in this good shillingswortb,. 
and it passes through the post for 2d. from 171, Fleet Street. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
April 10th. 
The second spring Show of this Society did not open under very 
favourable auspices so far as the weather was concerned on Wednesday 
last, a lowering sky and incessant, if not heavy, rain marring the com¬ 
fort of visitors and preventing the exhibits being seen at their best. 
They were, as heretofore, arranged in the glass-covered corridor and 
conservatory, and as Mr. Coomber knows well how to make the best 
