March 20, 18E0. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
247 
site is to cut away old growths that detract from the appearance, and 
not to water so as to render the soil sodden, for much as Cannas like 
moisture, they soon become rueful objects when saturated. Give a full 
supply of water when it is wanted before the foliage flags, and wait until 
the soil or the ring of the pot indicates the necessity of its repetition. 
Plants grown in this way are in season from June onwards. If earlier 
plants are wanted they must be forwarded in a stove or warm house, 
but they are not half as good for deeorative purposes as those grown in 
a greenhouse or conservatory. 
Select Varieties. 
For Growing in pots for Decorative Purposes. —C. iridiflora, broadly 
acuminate leaves, the whole plant attaining to a height of 6 feet or more. 
Its flowers are Iris-like, large, rose coloured with a yellow spot on the 
lip ; the spikes droop gracefully, several emanating from the same spathe. 
C. iridiflora hybrida has large blood red flowers, very effective, the foliage 
green and bold. It also attains to a height of 6 feet or more. C. iridi¬ 
flora Ehemanni, immense foliage of an attractive reddish hue, flowers 
bright crimson, perhaps the noblest of all Cannas. 0. Bihorelli, leaves 
red in a young state, changing to deep bronze with age, flowers deep crim¬ 
son, very freely produced, height 6 to G feet. C. gigantea major, leaves 
green, petioles having a velvety down covering, flowers large, orange red 
or scarlet, very ornamental, height 6 feet. C. nigricans, dark bronze 
stems and foliage, red flowers, one of the finest, height 4 to 6 feet. 
C. Annmi, green glaucous foliage, flowers salmon. This is perhaps the 
most glaucous of all the kinds. Height 6 feet. C. PrGmices de Nice, an 
exact counterpart in foliage of C. Annsei, of which it may be a variety, 
flower large, bright yellow, height 6 feet. C. zebrina, fine deep green 
foliage, passing into dark red rayed with purple, stems dark violet red, 
in foliage very effective, flowers small, orange, height 6 feet. C. musfe- 
folia maxima, fine large green Musa-like foliage with dark petioles, 
stately in contour, flowers orange red, height 4 feet. C. grandiflora flori- 
bunda, foliage dark, flowers large, red, freely produced, height .G to 4 
feet. C. Van Houttei, foliage green, rayed and margined purplish red, 
flowers large, scarlet, and very freely produced, height 3 to 4 feet. C. 
Chatei sanguinea, leaves ovate elliptic, deeply tinged purple, red flowers, 
height 3 to 4 feet. C. nobilis, leaves rayed and margined red, flowers 
red, height 3 to 4 feet. The two last are undoubtedly varieties of 
C. Warscewiczi, dark foliage, blood red flowers, height 3 feet. There are 
many other fine species and varieties, but commencing with C. iridi¬ 
flora Ehemanni, I do not think thirteen choicer varieties exist for 
decorative purposes outdoors, being in respect of foliage and flowers 
highly effective. Cannas, however, need improvement in the direction 
of the flower in form, substance and size; indeed there is no reason 
why they should not be as remarkable for the beauty of their flowers 
as they are now for their unique grandeur of foliage and habit.— 
G, A. 
EICHMOXD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 18th and 19th. 
The second spring Show of the above Society was opened on Tues¬ 
day last by the Duchess of Teck, and proved very satisfactory in all 
respects, being favoured with extremely fine weather. The Show was 
held at the New Castle Assembly Booms, but the apartment devoted to 
it was scarcely large enough, consequently some of the exhibits were 
rather crowded, and a portion of the adjoining corridors was occupied. 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Deutzias, Azaleas, Orchids, groups of plants, and 
floral decorations contributed to the bright, varied, and pleasing effect 
produced. The Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. H. Ford, has worked hard to 
develop this ShoiV and increase the loeal interest in horticulture, and he 
deserves every credit for the success achieved. Messrs. Bates, Lindsay, 
Brown, and other members of the Committee have also contributed 
materially to the prosperity of the Society by their well-directed 
efforts. 
A prominent position was accorded to the tastefully arranged group 
from H. Little, Esq., Baronshalt, Twickenham, which gained him the 
premier prize in the class, Orchids, Clivias, Cyclamens, Deutzias, and 
bulbs being employed with Ferns and foliage plants. Mr. H. Williams, 
Finchley, was second with Azaleas, Deutzias, and bulbs ; and Mr. Ford- 
ham of Twickenham was third with a bright group, but rather formal. 
Mr. H. Little also had the best six Orchids, comprising well-flowered 
plants of Cymbidium Lowianum, Vanda suavis, Phalmnopsis Schil- 
leriana, Cattleya Trianse, and Cypripediums villosum and Boxalli. 
With eighteen Hyacinths Mr. H. Williams secured first honours for 
even plants, having grand spikes, and Mr. J. Lonsdale, Shepperton, was 
second. Mr. Williams was also first for six single Tulips, again fol¬ 
lowed by Mr. Lonsdale, while Mr. Williams had the first prize for six 
pots of Narcissi. Mr. W. Brown, St. Mary’s Grove Nursery, Kichmond, 
secured premier honours with six plants of Dielytra spectabilis well 
flowered. W. Clay, Esq., Elm Villa, Kingston, had a collection of 
Primulas, and secured first prize for well flowered plants. In the 
amateurs’ classes for six Hyacinths Messrs. D. White, J. Lonsdale, and 
F. Lonsdale were the prizetakers. 
There were four entries of twelve Cyclamens, and the competition 
was rather keen in regard to the two first prizes. Mr. D. White, gardener 
to Mrs. Farnell Watson was placed first with compact even plants, in¬ 
cluding several bright colours, and H. Little, Esq., was second with 
stronger plants bearing a number of large, well-formed flowers. Messrs. [ 
Williams of Finchley, and Bray of Kichmond, were exhibitors of Lilies of 
the Valley ; Cinerarias came from Mr. D. White and Mr. Baynes, gar¬ 
dener to Sir J. Brunlees, Argyle Lodge, Wimbledon Park ; double Primulas- 
from Mr. Brown ; Deutzias from Messrs. Little, White, and Brown also- 
added materially to the Show. Mr. W. Brown had a capital collection of 
Azalea mollis varieties; Spirmas were shown by Messrs. Williams, 
Brown, and Bray, who gained the prizes in the order named. Mr. W- 
Clay of Kingston had a large collection of Cyclamens. Three good col¬ 
lections of six table plants were shown. Mr. Sullivan, gardener to D. B- 
Chapman, Esq., Downshire House, Roehampton was first for neat anti 
graceful plants, and Mr. Bates was a good second. 
With bouquets Mr. G. Newman, 1, Broadway, Bromley, Kent, was- 
first, having a handsome combination of Roses, Cattleyas, Lilies of the 
Valley, Spirteas, and Angraecums. Miss E. L. Clarke, Whitton,. 
Hounslow, was second with a loose arrangement of Chionodoxas, White 
Tulips, Lilies of the Valley, and Cyclamens. Mr. J. R. Chard, Bruns¬ 
wick Nursery, Stoke Newington, following with a bouquet of Roses and 
Mahonia leaves. Stands of plants were shown by Mr. F. T. Wadhouse 
and Miss E. L. Clarke, who were first and second, Freesias predominating 
in the former, and Daffodils in the latter. With buttonholes and sprays 
Mr. Newman, Mr. Chard, and Mr. Bray were the prizetakers in the order- 
named, all showing very tasteful productions. Messrs. Lonsdale and 
Bray had collections of Daffodils. 
Mr. Wm. Bates was first with four dishes of excellent Apples, fine- 
specimens of Dumelow’s Seedling, Blenheim Pippin, Lord Burghley, 
and Cornish Aromatic. Mr. Wadhouse was second with Gloria Mundi,. 
Beauty of Kent, and King of the Pippins, all well kept. 
s 
B WORK foutheWEEK..' 
FRUIT FORCING. 
'PTS’E&.—Snehers. —The rooting of those recently potted will be- 
indicated by the growth of the foliage, but it is well to turn the plants 
out of the pots, or at least a portion of them, to ascertain the condition 
of the roots and the soil. The young roots which issue from suckers,. 
or plants subjected to similar treatment, are tender and susceptible off 
injury from the effects of too much bottom heat, hence when the roots 
reach the sides of the pots 83° is ample, above which there is danger. 
When the bottom heat is excessive the pots may be raised, placing some- 
loose tan under and around them, so as to allow the superabundant heat 
to pass away without injuring the roots. The plants must be carefully 
supplied with water. 
Established plants now root rapidly, and soil should be prepared for- 
transferring them to their largest pots, as it is important they be grown> 
without check by being either dry or root-bound, Sound fibrous loam- 
in good sized lumps is the best material for potting, pressing it firmly 
down and round the balls of the plants, watering the plants with tepid 
water, and plunging them in a bottom heat of 90° to 95° until the roots- 
have possession of the fresh soil, when 85° is more suitable. 
Fruiting plants, and those that are at or near the flowering stated 
should have a night temp rature of fi5° to 70°, and 75° by day, with 80°' 
to 90° from sun heat, closing at 85°, well damping the house at that 
time. Afford succession plants a bottom heat of about 85°, ventilating 
at 80°, and closing at 85°, lightly sprinkling the plants occasionally. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest Forced, Trees. —When the- 
fruit are stoning too high a temperature at night is not favourable, and 
cold draughts in the daytime are even more injurious, therefore main-- 
tain as agreeable a temperature as practicable. Continue it at 60° to- 
G5° at night, and 70° to 75° during the day. Thinning the fruit must be 
attended to betimes, it not being advisable to leave during the stoning- 
period more than twice the number of fruits that are to be left for a 
crop. One fruit to a square foot of trellis covered with foliage is ample. 
Nectarines are often left much eloser, which proportionately lessens their- 
size, whereas to secure fine fruits they require the same space as Peaches. 
See that all the shoots are tied to the wires as they progress, stopping 
any gross shoots at about 15 inches, or if very gross and likely to inter¬ 
fere with an equal distribution of the sap or induce gumming, remove 
them altogether. If the pinching results in laterals stop them at the 
first joint, and if extension is wanted the uppermost laterals may be- 
trained in as a continuation. If the trees are in good order there will be¬ 
little necessity for stopping the shoots, they being trained in their full 
length, allowing space for the development of the foliage in order to- 
solidify the wood as made. Shoots retained to attract the sap to the 
fruit should be stopped to one leaf, they having previously had the- 
growth stopped at the second or third leaf. 
Second Early Forced Trees. —Disbudding must be attended to, a 
shoot being taken from the base of the present year’s bearing wood, or 
last year’s young wood, and one on a level with or beyond the fruit may 
be stopped at the second or third leaf. Upon extensions leave young 
shoots at 15 inches to 18 inches distance, the shoot from the extremity- 
being trained as a continuation of the primary branch. The main shoots 
must be 12 inches apart. Commence tying earlv, as when the shoots 
are allowed to grow considerably they cannot be brought near to the- 
