498 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
f June 20, 1889, 
inspecting this morning. The acre was loaded with produce—about 
two-fifths under Raspberries, two-fifths under Gooseberries, the re¬ 
maining one-fifth under Currants and sundries. A passage 5 feet 
wide is left between each row of bush fruit, and utilised at times for 
Potatoes and Cabbages. The whole is dotted about with standard 
Apples and Plums, casting, in some cases, too much shadow. I think 
over the fruit and vegetables I should prefer to see “ bush ” Apples 
shaped like wineglasses hollowed in the centre, with a stem about 3 feet 
high and branches trained upwards, but never allowed to grow out of 
the reach of a man’s hand— i.e., about 7 feet from the ground. 
Plums will not bear this training, and must be grown with more 
or less bushy heads, as 1 am informed by my friend Mr. Rivers of 
Sawbridgeworth. 
As I sat in the clean and confortable home of the grower of all this 
produce after inspecting his little farm or big garden, his tidy wife 
exclaimed, The fruit is a great paying business.” The husband —quite 
a youth—remarked to me outside, referring to Irish small farmers in 
general, “ They are not refined to this business.” 
Dublin and Liverpool are the markets for the fruits produced. As a 
matter of fact the inhabitants of this fruit-growing district, locally 
known as Fingal, are mostly descended from Danes, as I am informed. 
But if fruit and vegetable farming can be successful in Fingal on the 
east coast of Ireland, to the north of Dublin, what may not be achieved 
in the south of Cork, where I am encouraging experiments over a limited 
area 1 I am convinced that three acres and fruit has a great future 
before it on both sides of St. George’s Channel.— W. H. Bullock Hall. 
Dublin. 
Events of the Week. —The York Floral Fete continues to-day 
(Thursday) and to-morrow. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Com¬ 
mittees will meet at the Drill Hall, James Street, Westminster, on 
Tuesday next, June 25th, and on the following day the Richmond 
(Surrey) Horticultural Society will hold their annual Show in the Old 
Deer Park, Richmond, and it is expected to fully maintain the high 
reputation the Exhibition has secured amongst suburban events of a 
similar kind. 
- The Weather. —This on the whole has been enjoyable for 
several days, though cold winds have occasionally prevailed. Showers 
have been adequate for the support of crops without materially inter¬ 
fering with the ripening of Strawberries, of which very fine samples are 
plentiful in markets and shops. Noble takes the lead of those we have 
seen, and we believe Mr. Laxton has been sending several hundred¬ 
weights daily from his garden at Girtford. 
- The National Rose Society's Show at the Crystal 
Palace.— On Saturday, July Gth, His Majesty the Shah of Persia will 
visit the Crystal Palace, where he will be received by their Royal 
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. It has been arranged to 
hold a grand fete in honour of His Majesty, and to conclude the special 
entertainment with a display of fireworks. The entry list for the Rose 
Show closes on J uly 2nd. 
- The usual monthly dinner and conversazione of the Horti¬ 
cultural Club took place on Tuesday, June lltb,at their rooms, Hotel 
Windsor, Victoria Street, Westminster ; Mr. J. Lee in the chair. There 
were present besides, the Rev. F. H. Gall, the Rev. Edward Handley, 
Messrs. Harry J. Veitch, A. J. Veitch, C. T. Druery, H. J. Pearson, 
C. E. Pearson. W. B. May, James Walker, &c. A very interesting 
paper was read by Mr. Druery, entitled “ Floral Notes During a Recent 
\ isit to Mexico,” but in truth it touched on a good many subjects con¬ 
nected with the country. An animated conversation arose on it, and a 
cordial vote of thanks was proposed by the Chairman, and carried with 
acclamation. 
-- The Wakefield Paxton Society. —At the last meeting of 
the Paxton Society, Mr. S. Pickersgill presided, and Mr. J. W. Simpson 
occupied the vice-chair. There was a moderate attendance. Mr. Mid¬ 
dleton of Rotherham delivered an essay on “ Hardy Herbaceous Plants.” 
He treated the subject in a practical manner. A short and interesting 
discussion followed. On the motion of Mr. G. Bott, seconded by Mr. J. W. 
Simpson, a vote of thanks was accorded to the essayist. 
Although only a common British plant, Polystichum 
ACULEATUM is one of the best hardy Ferns, the fronds develop in a 
graceful manner ; the fronds themselves are perfect in form where the 
plants have ample space for development ; the colour, too, is pleasing. 
Taken altogether this Polystichum is well worthy a position in any 
garden.—S. 
- Last week I saw a capital specimen of Celsia arcturuS 
growing in a cottage window quite covered with flowers. It had been 
raised and grown in a greenhouse during the spring of 1888. Last 
winter it was grown where now flowering, so it has had a good test of 
its capabilities for window decoration, which proves that it is well 
suited for the purpose. It has six or eight spikes of richly coloured 
blossoms, and carries well-coloured foliage.—M. S. B. 
- Solomon's Seal by the Waterside. —It would be difficult 
to have this plant in a position where it would be out of place in the 
spring time and early summer. Under glass it is much appreciated for 
its graceful habit of growth, but nowhere does it show to better advan¬ 
tage than when growing by the waterside, its long arching spikes 
reflect so decidedly in the water, while the handsome green of its leaves 
and the drooping bell-shaped flowers are everywhere admired, and 
contrast delightfully with the surroundings.—T. 
- There are about seventy species and varieties of Irises in 
flower at the present time in the Oxford Botanic Garden. These 
formerly occupied a spacious bed nearly opposite the main entrance ; 
and when in bloom always presented a rich floral spectacle. In the 
latest alteration of the garden the beds have been reduced to a 
uniform width of 5 feet, into one of which the greater portion of the 
Irises have been removed. They are flourishing in their new quarters, 
but before they attain their former dimensions they will require to be 
accommodated with something like the space originally allotted to them. 
- Orchis maculata.— We have received from Mr. A. Harding, 
Orton Hall, Peterborough, a box containing blooms of Orchis maculata 
in various shades of colour from purple almost to pure white. Mr. 
Harding writes, “ I grow a bed of this Orchis about I square yards in 
size in the kitchen garden for affording spikes for cutting. This year 
they are unusually fine, probably owing to the last wet summer. The 
spikes are treble the natural size, and some that were cut a fortnight 
ago look as fresh now as when cut. In the natural state the spikes rise 
to a foot in height, but cultivated in rich soil they are now 2 feet in 
height.” The spikes are very beautiful, and this native Orchis is highly 
worthy of cultivation. 
- It may not be generally known that Polystichum pro- 
liferum is capital for outdoor growth, but it flourishes well 
and is very effective when allowed sufficient space for development. 
The fronds remain perfect all the winter, which is an advantage, 
as they help to dress the hardy fernery at that dull time of the year 
when the commoner sorts are resting. This Polystichum forms a 
fitting companion to the Scolopendriums of the vulgare type, which are 
evergreen. Only for a very short time is this Fern without perfect 
fronds, that being when the new ones commence pushing in the spring ; 
at that time the older ones turn rusty and are better removed. 
- The Silver Elm is but seldom seen, when we take into con¬ 
sideration the scarcity of silver-foliaged hardy plants. Grown in standard 
form, planted amongst Portugal Laurels, it shows to advantage at this 
time of the year, and is certainly worthy of more extensive planting. 
It bears pruning with impunity, and can be kept in a small space for 
many years without detracting from its appearance, as it breaks back 
freely, growing all the denser for annual pruning. It pays for fairly 
good treatment in prolucing finer foliage, but where the space is at all 
limited it is not wise to add too much manure to the soil. Our tree is 
growing in a heavy soil, and with a small portion of manure occasionally 
seems to thrive well.—E. 
■- On the Southampton Common, which covers upwards of 
400 acres, a splendid sight is now to be seen in the shape of common 
Gorse fully in bloom. There are quite 100 acres, perhaps more, princi¬ 
pally in a mass, which is one sheet of orange yellow, relieved here and 
there by clumps of trees, Scotch Fir, Larch breaking into growth, the 
pale colour of which relieves the sombre tints of the evergreen Firs. 
With the sun shining fully the Gorse presents a splendid sight, quite 
different from the ordinary small patches seen in various places. It 
may not be generally known that common Gorse makes a capital hedge. 
When young it grows very bushy, and is deep green ; afterwards it loses 
its bottom leaves ; then it should be cut down close to the ground, 
when new growth will quickly spring up.—M. 
