280 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April S, 1890. 
make young growths 18 inches in length or more the soil is, generally 
speaking, rich enough ; if they make less than a foot of growth a mode¬ 
rate dressing of manure is desirable ; if less than 6 inches a liberal 
application is demanded. A moderate dressing means 2 ozs. of chemicals 
to each square yard of surface, a liberal one twice the quantity, and it 
must always be remembered that the best feeding roots of trees that 
have been left to forage for themselves are not near the stems, but at a 
distance from them at least equal to the length of the branches. The 
roots will not travel so far if they find what they need nearer home, 
and the first need is moisture in summer, hence the advantage of surface 
dressings of stable manure or vegetable refuse, though circumstances 
often prevent their application. Liquid manure given copiously is of 
enormous benefit to trees that need additional support, and many have 
been invigorated by the contents of cesspools, which may be applied 
at any time, even in winter. 
The lecturer concluded :—One other aspect of the fruit question, and 
a most important one, remains to be noticed—namely, the result of an 
extension of planting. If this is considerable will not the supply of 
fruit soon exceed the demand? My answer to that question is this : It 
will be soon enough to consider the matter when 25,000 acres of the 
miserable unproductive orchards of this kingdom cease occupying the 
land they waste, and an equal extent of other land is occupied with 
thrifty trees of the best varieties. But why that particular acreage ? 
Because it is equivalent to the Apples now imported. It is from every 
point of view better to grow that bulk of fruit than to buy it from dis¬ 
tant lands, as the nation is now doing. Moreover, mouths are ever in¬ 
creasing ; and further, a better supply of first-class home-grown fruit 
will create a greater demand, as is the case with all useful commodities. 
We have also to consider that educational agencies are at work that will 
result in fruit being more regarded as food than it is at the present time. 
If we do not meet the demand that will arise other nations will do so, 
notably our go-ahead kinsmen in the land of the west. Have we not a 
fair chance to compete successfully with them ? Land is about or quite 
as cheap here as it is in America, where the best fruit is grown. The 
average productiveness of cultivated land is much greater here than 
there, as is conclusively shown by the Wheat averages—ours being above 
29 bushels, theirs being less than 19 bushels per acre. Labour is much 
cheaper here than there. They have hotter summers that make the 
fruit drier, and colder winters that often kill the trees ; but they have 
better and more systematic methods. Their fruit culture is garden 
culture, so must ours be. Given this, with careful handling, sorting, 
and proper marketing, we shall regain our lost supremacy as a fruit- 
producing nation, enhance the value of land, increase the field of employ¬ 
ment for workmen, and afford our populations what we do not afford 
them now—a full supply, a good supply, a wholesome and enjoyable 
supply of the purest food that can be produced—fruit, home-grown 
well-grown British fruit. Let us all join heartily and intelligently in 
this most worthy endeavour, and we shall not fail. 
Mr. Baillie of Chester emphasised many of the points referred to 
by Mr. Wright, and said that if people that were fruit growers, or in¬ 
tended to commence the cultivation of fruit, were to follow the advice 
they would not be misled. He said good land, good trees, and good 
management were the secret of production. The people, too, wanted 
educating as to the value of fruit as food, for he thought it a 
shame that fruit should so seldom be seen on the tables of the people, 
except the wealthier classes. He pointed out that half an acre of land 
would produce £20 worth of fruit per annum, and said he knew many 
men near Chester who, with a garden attached to their cottage, more 
than cleared their rent out of it. (Applause). 
Mr. Bentaed gave some most instructive hints to the gardeners 
present on fruit growing, which were listened to with great attention. 
The Kev. O. M. Feilden proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers 
for their excellent addresses, which was respohded to by Mr. Baillie, 
who concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, remarking 
that such gentlemen as Mr. Tower were just the class of people to in¬ 
troduce fruit growing in a district. 
The Chaikman, in response, said he was in favour of fruit growing, 
and would do all he could to encourage it in this district. He advised 
all tenants to make arrangements with their landlords before com¬ 
mencing to plant fruit trees, feeling sure there would be practically 
no difficulty in their doing so in most cases. Speaking on behalf of 
Lord Brownlow, he was quite ready to enter into arrangements which 
he believed would be satisfactory to the tenants on the Bridgewater 
estate. 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
Aealia Sieboldi. —Next to the Aspidistra I know of no other plant 
to equal the above for house decoration. It is surprising how long it 
can be kept in close rooms without injury if carefully watered and kept 
free from dust. Anyone who has a hotbed at command can soon raise 
a stock if they do not care to invest in a few plants, but like many 
other specialities in the hands of the nurserymen it is cheaper in the end 
to purchase a few plants, as the cost is but little. 
Nicotiana afpinis. —Regarding the note by your correspondent, 
Mr. W. J. Murphy, Clonmel, in reference to the plants grown by him, I 
hope it may prove to be a dwarf variety, as it would be very serviceable 
for pot culture. The finest efiect I have seen produced by being planted 
outdoors was at Lyons, the residence of Lord Cloncurry, where the 
gardener, Mr. Down, had planted a border, the back line of which was 
formed of Gladiolus in mixed varieties. The Nicotiana was next to 
the Gladiolus. The two front rows were Pelargonium Henry Jacoby, 
edged with blue Lobelia. 
Bedding Begonias.— Anyone in the neighbourhood of Dublin in 
August or September who wishes to see these in their glory should 
pay a visit to the above named garden. None but the best varieties 
are grown, and they are well arranged as regards colour and height. 
Mr. Down is very successful in the culture of this plant. 
Celekiac.—T his vegetable, a stranger in many gardens, is well 
worth cultivation. Treated like Celery, with the exception of earth¬ 
ing, it gives but little trouble. Care should be taken that the ground 
is not too heavily manured, or the roots will be stringy and black in 
the centre. 
Buda Kale.—A very useful spring vegetable, especially if the 
winter has been severe. It defies all weather, and when properly 
cooked equals the best Cabbage grown. 
Cabbage. —Chou de Schweinfurt. Have any of the readers of the 
Journal grown this variety ? 
Peach Buds Falling. —The main cause of this, I believe, is dry¬ 
ness at the roots. I remember some time ago reading an article by Mr. 
J. Groom, then gardener at Linton Park, strongly advocating j udicious 
watering through the winter, and never allowing the borders to ap¬ 
proach anything like dryness. The instructions referred to I had the 
opportunity of carrying out last winter with good results. 
Feeesias. —I can add little to the excellent article on the culture 
of these beautiful winter flowering bulbs by “ W. S.” I find they do 
better if potted deep and plunged in sifted coal ashes—in fact, by treat¬ 
ing like the Roman Hyacinths I have been fairly successful. I prefer 
them to any Hyacinth. The best flowering bulb which I have ever seen 
had a branched spike with twenty-two buds. I find 5-inch pots are the 
most suitable size to grow them in, as they come in very useful for 
vases for room decoration. 
Seed Catalogues. —As this subject has been written about before 
by abler pens than mine, I do not intend to add much to it. I have 
been looking through two catalogues of the leading seedsmen in 
England, and I find there are twenty-eight named varieties of Radishes. 
Is it not to be wondered that we are put to our wit’s end which are the 
best sorts? If we had three varieties more we should then be able to 
send to table a different variety every day in the month. The time was 
when the French Breakfast variety held its own, and I do not think 
it can be surpassed when well grown.—R. Russell, Palmerstoion. 
Events of the Week. —The Easter holidays give a brief cessation 
from horticultural engagements, but the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
meeting on Tuesday, April 8th, will call many back to business. The 
Fruit, Floral, and Orchid Committees will assemble as usual at twelve 
noon in the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Street, S.W., and at 3 p.m. 
Mr. W. Ingram of Belvoir Castle Gardens will give a lecture on “ Spring 
Flower Gardening.” The usual monthly dinner of the Horticultural 
Club will also be held on Tuesday at 6 P.M., when Mr. C. T. Druery will 
read a paper on “ The Wonders of Fernland.” On Thursday (to-day), 
April 3rd, the Linnean Society will meet at Burlington House at 8 p.m. 
-The Weathek in the Metropolitan District has during 
the past week been variable but fine. Saturday and Sunday were re¬ 
markable days, very clear, with a soft S.W. wind, a bright sun, and a 
high temperature for the season, rising above 60° in the shade on 
Sunday. The wind changed on Monday to E. and N.E., and it became 
much colder, but still clear and bright. 
- The Weather in the North.—M arch 2Ith-31st. Alternate 
bright and dull days have marked the past week ; 2° frost on the morn¬ 
ing of the 24th, and 3° last night. Saturday was the most unpleasant 
day of the week, with high gusty wind and pelting showers from the 
west. Sunday was as enjoyable as the preceding day was disagreeable, 
and the last day of March was also fine.—B. D. 
- The Wildsmith Memorial Fund.—W e are desired to state 
that the total amount received up to March 26th, as contributions to 
the above fund, was £91 9s. 6d. Further subscriptions are earnestly 
solicited to raise the sum required for the proposed purpose. They may 
be sent either to Mr. T. Turton, Maiden Erleigh Gardens, Reading, Hon. 
Secretary; or to Mr. A. W. Sutton, Reading, or Mr. H. J. Veitch, 
Chelsea, Hon. Treasurers of the fund. 
- Crocuses and Snowdrops. —There have been of late several 
articles on early Snowdrops and Crocuses, but, like many other plants, 
