848 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 24, 1899. 
F. 0. Ford was again first for Dielytra and Deutzias. Messrs. F. C. Ford 
and Wood respectively took first, and for Spineas, Cinerarias, Primula 
einensis, and six pots of Lily of the Valley Messrs. Paul Blanchard, 
W. B. Forsyth, Joseph Punton, and John Morris, Felling-on-Tyne, the 
latter a builder, and all through the Exhibition exhibited first-c'ass 
plants, the Lilies of the Valley in this class being especially admired. 
In the amateur or C class, open to cottagers only, Messrs. E. Adams, 
Thomas Ruskham, John Battensby, Jos. Collinson, J. Birkinshaw, Wm. 
Muir, J. Morris, R. C. Hope, and Thomas Battensby were the most 
•successful exhibitors. 
Cnt Flowers and Table Decorations. —For twelve Camellias Mr. 
James Wood was again first, and for twelve Rhododendron blooms 
Mr. F. C. Ford was as usual first. For twelve Rose blooms of Mardchal 
Niel Mr. Jas. Wood was first, and received the special certificate of 
the Royal Horticultural Society. For twelve Show and Fancy Pansies 
Mr. Thos. Battensby was respectively first. Epergnes.—These, as we 
Lave said before, form a most distinguished feature of the Spring Show 
■at Newcastle, and the smallest epergne, arranged by Mr. O. Lamb, 
gardener. South Hill, Chester-le-Street, was a creditable example of 
what judicious taste can do combined with a recherche variety of stove 
and greenhouse flowers also arranged and displayed in faultless style. 
As regards colour and placement, this young exhibitor on all sides was 
awarded that the opinion of the Judges in "^premier prize was most 
■deserved. To describe the epergne as best we can. Lygodium scandens 
was used in the upper tiers of the March stand most effectively, An- 
thurium Schertzerianum and Andreanum amongst bright coloured 
flowers were most effective, Zygopetalum Mackayi, Phaius grandiflora, 
and Cypripedium Lawrenceanum, Lilium Harrisi, white Camellias, 
Roses, Eucharis amazonica, were all used with good effect, as well 
as varieties of Amaryllis, all worked in with due regard to colour 
and effect. Mr. F. E. Edmondson, Newcastle, was second with a very 
fine epergne. Marguerites were used with much effect, as well as many 
other choice flowers, and the whole was evenly draped with Asparagus 
plumosus. 
Bridal bouquets were tasteful. Messrs, Perkins & Son, Coventry, 
were first with a marvellous bouquet, including many choice flowers. 
Amongst Orchids were Odontoglossum grande, Coelogyne cristata, Pan- 
■cratium, Eucharis, and some marvellous Roses of Nipbetos, Stephanotis, 
Lily of the Valley, and white Lapageria. Amongst foliage Caladium 
argyrites was deftly worked in. Miss Emily Armstrong, Neville Street, 
Newcastle, was second with flowers similar to those mentioned, except 
"the favourite Tabernffimontana cymosa flore-pleno was used. Cymbidium 
aloifolium was also very useful. Mrs. John Jennings was third. In 
this class there were five competitors. For a hand bouquet Miss Emily 
Armstrong was most deservedly first. Many choice flowers were used, 
including Cattleya Mossise, Sophronitis grandiflora, employed so as to 
_ have a most telling effect, and Roses, all being dispersed over with 
Adiantum gracillimum. Messrs. Perkins & Sons were second with a 
very tine bouquet. 
For a lady’s spray Messrs. Perkins were again first, employing 
Odontoglossum ^ande and Alexandra, Oncidium, other choice flowers, 
■Caladium argyrites, and Asparagus were also entwined gracefully 
amongst the flowers. For a buttonhole bouquet there were numerous 
■competitors; Miss Emily Handyside, Newcastle, was first, including 
Odontoglossum Alexandne, Bouvardia (scarlet), Lily of the Valley, and 
Adiantum gracillimum, this was first amongst twenty competitors. In 
the corresponding class for an epergne Mr. J. Battensby was first, and 
for a hand bouquet Miss Emily Armstrong was first with similar to her 
first prize in the other class, and with the addition of Catherine Mermet 
Roses, and Dendrobium nobile. Mrs. John Jennings was second ; 
Odontoglossum Alexandra and a fine specimen flower of Cattleya 
Mossi® aurea, the sepals of a charming primrose colour, were much 
admired. 
Several local nurserymen contributed stove and greenhouse plants, 
which added much to the attractiveness of the Exhibition, including 
Messrs. J. W. Tait, W. R. Armstrong, John Jennings, Newcastle ; Wm. 
Fell & Co., Hexham ; Kent & Brydon, Darlington ; John Morris, Park 
Road, Felling ; W. Smout, Trinity Street, Leeds, exhibited a fine stand of 
dried seaweeds. The receipts for the two days were a few pounds short 
of last year. The Committee were, as usual, indefatigable in their 
exertions to render the Show a great success, and aided by their accom¬ 
plished Secretary, Mr. Jas. J. Gillespie, the visitors were well looked 
after, and the indispensable attention to exhibitors was not forgotten. 
THE BIRMINGHAM SPRING SHOW. 
April 16th and 17th. 
In the tenth annual Exhibition, regarded as the best the Society has 
beld. Orchids were a great feature, and in an extra group Mr. Charles 
Winn of Selly Oak exhibited, was a plant of the beautiful Cypripedium 
Lathamianum, raised by Mr. Latham of the Birmingham Botanical 
■Gardens, the result of a cross betwixt C. villosum and C. Spicerianum. In 
the class for twelve Orchids the first prize was won by the Right Hon. 
Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., amongst which were notable examples of 
Dendrobiums Wardianum, Freemani, and crassinode Barberianum, Onci- 
■dium Marshallianum, Cattleya Mendelli, a well flowered plant of the 
bright Ada aurantiaca, and Cattleya Lawrenceana. Mr. C. Winn was 
■second with good specimens of Masdevallia Harryana, and Cypripediums 
Echroederte, Warnerianum, and villosum. Third, Mr. G. H. Kenrick, 
who staged Odontoglossum citrosmum, Dendrobiums Wardianum and 
thyrsiflorum, and Cymbidium Lowianum with others. In the class for 
six Orchids Mr. C. Winn was second with capital examples, including 
Cypripediums villosum and venustum, and a good plant of a grand 
Cattleya Trianre formosa, the labellum large and very rich in colour, 
with a bright yeilow throat. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P., 
securing the first prize with some good plants, which included handsome 
specimens of Odontoglossum Andersonianum, Cattleyas Schroederi and 
Lawrenciana, and Dendrobium Wardianum. 
Sir Thomas Martineau’s first prize six stove and greenhouse plants 
were well done specimens, all flowering plants. Azaleas were very good, 
not monster specimens, but clean, well-grown, and flowered. Hyacinths 
were well represented, considering that so many collections grown in 
the district were over. Mr. Charles Showell took the first prize for well- 
grown specimens, which included some new varieties. Other successful 
exhibitors were Mr. G. Newell, gardener to Mr. G. H. Kenrick ; Mr. J. 
Beesley, gardener to Mr. N. Thwaite ; and Mr. W. H. Dyer, gardener to 
Mrs. Marigold. 
Tulips were numerous and good. Mr. Cooper, gardener to the Right 
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., was first with stove and greenhouse 
flowers, and was throughout a very successful exhibitor. A few Auriculas 
were staged, but were not up to the mark generally. The best were 
Duke of Wellington, Frank Simonite, General Niel, John Simonite, 
Robert Trail, and Alpinis, John Leech, Mrs. Ball, Sailor Prince, Rival, 
Mrs. Thompson, and Mrs. Dodwell. Mr. Cooper, The Gardens, High¬ 
bury, obtained the first prize for six superb Cyclamens. Mr. Brasiere 
had some grand specimen plants of Hydrangea Thomas Hogg. Plants of 
Azalea mollis in variety were excellent. Deutzias, Spiraeas, and Diely tras 
are always shown well here. 
Several non-competing exhibits were staged, and Narcissi in a cut 
state were conspicuous. Mr. Thomas Ware, Tottenham, set up an ex¬ 
tensive collection. Messrs. Dickson & Co. Limited, Chester, also staged 
a collection of about fifty varieties. Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, 
Nurseries, London, sent some very fine Cyclamens, Boronia heterophylla 
a gem amongst hardwooded plants, cut Narcissi and Crown Imperialsi 
and other plants. Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., nurserymen, Worcesteri 
contributed a large group of forced Rhododendrons, Azalea mollis, 
berried Aucubas, Clematises, and Japanese Maples. Messrs. Pope and 
Sons, nurserymen, exhibited some new Clematises, the double Pelar¬ 
gonium Le Bruant, a group of Primula marginata, and other plants, 
and a stand of very fine fancy Pansies, as well as artistic floral 
arrangements. Messrs. Thomson, nurserymen, set up an exquisitely 
arranged group of plants, in which a circle of Primula obconica was con¬ 
spicuous, and also a massive and handsome memorial anchor of flowers 
of great beauty. Messrs. Pope & Son took the first prize for bouquets 
with a splendid example of artistic work. Messrs. Hewitt & Co., 
nurserymen, had a small but charming group, in which were two 
patches of the old Hoop Petticoat Narcissus and fine Lilium Harrisi. 
also a group of hardy spring flowers. Mr. Shuttleworth had a Large 
assortment of rustic garden adornments, lightly and artistically made. 
^mw 
m 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Early Forced. —In the earliest house red spider may be 
expected. Paint the return hot-water pipes with sulphur mixed with 
milk so as to form a thin paste. Give the border a thorough watering, 
mulching afterwards. This refers to the inside border. Apply the 
water early in the day, so that surplus moisture may pass off before 
closing time. Early Grapes do not always colour well, the defect 
arising from overcropping or continued hard forcing. It is only avoided 
by a constant supply of dry warm air and a low night temperature. 
Where Grapes are fully ripe a reduction in temperature is advisable, 
yet moderate moisture should be maintained for the benefit of the 
foliage. The moisture will not do the Grapes any harm provided the 
air is changed by free ventilation. Afford a temperature of 60°. 
Succe.ssion Homes. —Attend to stopping and tying the shoots. Where 
the space is restricted stop the shoots two joints beyond the fruit, and 
as foliage is necessary leave the laterals on the shoots both above and 
below the bunch, or at least those from the two lowmost eyes, and 
those level with and above the bunch. Pinch those at the first joint, 
especially those from the basal leaves, also those above unless there is 
space for extending the laterals, when they may be allowed to make 
two or three leaves, but no more growth should be encouraged than 
can have exposure to light and air. After the space is fairly furnished 
keep the growths closely pinched to one joint as made. Where there 
is more space stopping will not take place until growth has extended 
four or more joints beyond the fruit. The great evil is overcrowding, 
which deprives the foliage of the light and air, and restricting the 
growth is intended to avoid that. 
Tying the /S/iocf*.—Securing the shoots into the places where they 
are to remain during the summer is an operation which commands 
much attention. It is a common practice to begin to tie down the 
shoots as soon as they are long enough to bend. This is not advisable 
