April'18, 88'. 3 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
319 
ing points : —Do late planted trees, if pruned the same season as planted, 
make such clean and free growth as early planted trees ? My experi¬ 
ence as regards Apple, or indeed any kind of fruit tree, is that the 
growth made is not nearly so free, and is also late, consequently is not 
well ripened if the district happen to be a late one. With meagre rooted 
trees this is quite obvious. Early planted trees come, as it were, semi- 
established before spring. Last autumn I had rccasion to take up some 
Apple trees just as the leaves were falling, and these trees were laid in. 
They were not planted until early in March, and I could see at a glance 
that fresh roots had been produced quite freely soon after the trees were 
taken up and laid in the soil.—A. Young. 
VASES IN FLORAL DECORATIONS. 
No form of floral decoration is in more general demand than the 
adornment of vases for rooms and tables, and none affords a better 
•opportunity for the display of varied skill and taste. A good indication 
of the popularity of vase decoration is afforded by the fact that few 
Horticultural Societies now neglect to provide one or more classes for 
them at both summer and autumn exhibitions, and they, in some cases, 
constitute one of the most important features. In the classes for table 
decoration the principal efforts of the exhibitors are invariably concen¬ 
trated upon the vases employed ; then, too, classes are devoted to vases 
alone, and at some of the larger summer shows not unfrequently a whole 
tent is appropriated to this portion of the schedule with bouquets, 
buttonholes, &c. Not less attractive at the autumn shows are the 
6tands of berries and leaves. Though less gay than the others, they 
have many admirers when the material is carefully selected and taste¬ 
fully arianged, the quiet sober tints harmonising well. In private 
establishments vase decoration often imposes a considerable respon¬ 
sibility upon the gardener, and where the style has to be frequently 
changed, i - , not only necessitates an abundant supply of flowers, but 
a few hints or fresh ideas are always -welcome. Those commencing 
the work experience the greatest difficulty at first, but in many cases 
it is either superintended by the ladies, or undertaken by someone in 
the house, the gardener having to supply the flowers. This division of 
labour, however, sometimes gives rise to difficulties which have been 
frequently pointed out. Amateurs, however, of all classes who do not 
require the services of a gardener, can yet i articipate in the pleasures 
derived from floral decorations, and at some provincial exhibitions they 
are much more numerous than gardeners as competitors ; but so many 
disputes have arisen in consequence of permitting both to show in the 
same classes, that it is desirable, wherever possible, to provide separate 
classes. 
Tastes differ materially respecting the style of vase or flower stand 
that should be employed, but one principle is generally recognised now 
—namely, that the vases of simple and not elaborate structure are pre¬ 
ferable. The less conspicuous they are the better effect the flowers pro¬ 
duce, as the object should be to bring them into relief as much as 
possible. Some, it would seem, entertain a different idea, using costly 
and ornate vases as if they were of really more interest and beauty 
than their contents. Such happily are, however, rare, and examples of 
much better taste are now common. The height and size of a vase 
must be regulated by the size of the table, but the shape can be selected 
according to fancy. The simplest form is the plain trumpet vase, rising 
either from a solid base or from a bowl that can be filled with flowers. 
Then some have a second smaller bowl at about half the height of the 
stem, or a tier of branches, cups, or tubes in place of that. Occasionally 
in the trumpet form of vase three nearly of equal size start from near 
the base, but these seldom permit the decorator to produce such good 
effects as the others. One simple form of vase used for a small table 
with much satisfaction is easily rendered very attractive even with 
limited material. This consists of a simple central trumpet rising from 
a small solid base, but a few inches above this is a shallow bowl which 
can be filled at pleasure, and being raised above the table it admits of a 
graceful draping with foliage. They can be had of all sizes, and are 
procurable at a moderate price. The size is 13 inches high, the bowl 
being 3 inches above the base, the central trumpet 10 inches high and 
just over 4 inches in diameter at the mouth, the base being also 4 inches 
across, and the bowl 7\ inches. 
Plain glass vases should always be used in preference to those of 
coloured glass, and all of a heavy character with several tiers of 
branches are objectionable to most people, however good the flowers 
may be, and however tastefully they are arranged. 
In the selection of flowers and foliage for vases to be placed on a 
dinner table many points have to be considered. Thus, what would look 
extremely beautiful by daylight might lose all its effect at night, flowers 
of some colours being quite unsuited for decoration under artificial 
light. Then also the character of the surroundings in the room often 
require consideration, and it is therefore impossible to lay down definite 
rules in the regulation of such matters. But it can safely be said that 
one of the chief mistakes and main sources of failure in such work is 
attempting too much. A few well-harmonised colours, avoidance of 
crowding, and endeavouring to render the whole as light and graceful 
as possible, are the leading points requiring attention, and it is not 
difficult to attain p'easing results with a little practice. Heaviness 
that acts as an obstruction to the view across a table is one of the worst 
defects in this work, and should on no account be tolerated. Tastes 
differ in the employment and appreciation of various colours of par¬ 
ticular flowers, but a series of heavy crowded vases upon a table can 
obtain no favour. 1 
Two very elegant vases, admirably filled, are lepresented in the 
Illustrations, figures 50 and 51. These stands with another the same as 
fig. 51 were shown at the last Ghent Quinquennial Exhibition by Mr. 
W. Brown of St. Mary’s Grove Nursery, Richmond, and gained, as they 
amply deserved, the highest honour in their class—a gold medal. The 
one which had the central position (fig. 50) contained the following 
Grasses and foliage. At the base, Nephrodium molle and Adiantum 
farleyense, with Liliums candidum and Harrissi, three Amaryllises, and 
Azalea mollis, besides a few sprays of Lily of the Valley, Odonto- 
glossums, a spathe or two of Anthurium Schertzerianum, and the Grasses 
Agrostis pulchella and Briza maxima, with Adiantum gracillimum 
fronds. Around the stem Lygodium scandens was entwined, the cups 
containing Adiantum gracillimum, Agrostis pulchella, Begonia manicata, 
and Odontoglossum Rossi. In the top were Asparagus plumosus, the 
graceful Oncidium flexuosum, Odontoglossum vexillarium, Begonia 
eoccinea,and the variegated Eulalia. 
The other two vases were exactly alike, one being depicted in 
FIG. 51. 
fig. 51. This contained at the base Adiantum concinnum, three flowers 
each of Eucharis, Olivias, and Cattjeyas, Odontoglossum vexillarium, 
white and yellow Marguerites, with Adiantums cuneatum and gracilli¬ 
mum. Asparagus plumosus was twined round the stem, the top con¬ 
taining Begonia manicata, Marguerites, Odontoglossum Rossi, Lily of 
the Valley, and Agrostis pulchella. Mr. Brown has given many examples 
of his good taste in these matters, and his record of over 100 prizes 
won at various exhibitions for vases, bouquets, and buttonholes is sub¬ 
stantial proof of his skill; but these stands and the groups he has 
shown at Chiswick must be counted amongst the best of his achieve¬ 
ments. 
We are informed that he was entrusted by H.R.H. the Duchess of 
Teck to provide the wreaths and other floral decorations, which were 
elaborate and extensive, on the occasion of the funeral of H.R.H. the 
late Duchess of Cambridge. 
JUDGING MELONS. 
I AM asked by “ Old Amateur ” to give him the benefit of my ex¬ 
perience as to the correct method of judging Melons without cutting. 
Let it be understood that I do not set myself up as an authority upon 
such subjects. At the same time I have no hesitation in stating what 
in my opinion ought to be the leading points required in establishing 
the properties of a perfect fruit. 
1st, Size, and weight in proportion to size. 
2nd, Handsome form, richly coloured and finely netted rind. 
3rd, Flavour, as a last resource. 
This latter quality of course can only be decided by cutting and 
