410 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 15, 1890. 
The Show was formally opened by Robert Cathcart, Esq., of Pitcairlie, 
in a neat speech, in which he expressed the hope that the taste for the 
Auricula would spread. My colleague, Mr. J. Morris of Dundee, and 
myself when judging the plants came to the conclusion that the quality 
was an improvement on last year, the closest attention to the various 
points being necessary repeatedly to decide the awards. 
In addition to the prizewinners which are named below, Mr. J. 
Morris exhibited a collection of twelve exceedingly well grown Auriculas, 
having fine blooms, Including seifs—Morris’s Fidelity, King Lea, and 
Blue Gown, Duke of Argyll, Barlow’s Mrs. A. Potts (a grand bloom 
of the finest self in commerce). The Secretary, Mr. W. Stratton, 
Dundee, to whom most of the success of this Show is due, had a good 
display of plants, which, with Calceolarias from Bliss Cox, some in¬ 
teresting Orchids from Blr. Bludie, and miscellaneous plants from the 
local nurserymen, added much beauty and variety to the Show, which 
had a most pleasing effect. The Scottish Society have the use of a room 
for this Show, which is far superior to those used by the southern 
societies.—F. Pohlmann. 
Prize List. 
Class A, six dissimilar Auriculas.—Blr. W. Kilgour, Blair Drummond, 
first with BIrs. Potts, Beeston’s Apollo, George Lightbody, Lancashire 
Hero, Acme, and Kilgour’s Andrew Blillar ; Blr. J. D. Kerr, Douglasfield, 
second with Acme, George Lightbody, Black Bess, F. D. Horner, Col. 
Taylor, and George Rudd ; Blr. James Black, East Calder, third with 
George Lightbody, Brunette, John Simonite, F. D. Horner, BIrs. Potts, 
and Mrs. Dodwell. 
Class B, four dissimilar Auriculas.—First, Blr. W. Kilgour, with 
Talisman, Acme, Blackbird, and Geo. Rudd ; second, Blr. J. D. Kerr, 
■with Acme, Blackbird, Geo. Lightbody, and Col. Taylor ; Blr. W. Stratton, 
Dundee, third with Lancashire Hero, Acme, Blackbird, and plant 
unnamed, possibly Alex. Bleiklejohn. 
Class C, two dissimilar Auriculas.—Blr. W. Kilgour first with Geo. 
Lightbody and F. D. Horner ; Blr. J. Kerr second with Acme and Geo. 
Lightbody ; Blr. J. Blenzies, Duns, third with Acme and BIrs. Erskine. 
Single specimens.—Class D, one green edge'.—First Blr. J. Blenzies, 
Duns, with Prince of Greens (this was also premier of its class and 
premier of the Show) ; second, Blr. BV. Kilgour, with Rev. F. D. Horner, 
and third with Lancashire Hero. Class E, one grey edge.—First, Blr. 
J. D. Kerr, with Alex. Bleiklejohn, second with Geo. Rudd, third with 
Geo. Lightbody. Class F, one white edge.—First, Blr. W. Kilgour, with 
John Simonite, second with Regular, third with John Simonite. Class G, 
•one self.—First, Blr. W. Galloway, with Patronella ; second, Blr. J. 
Blenzies, with Black Bess ; third, Blr. W. Kilgour, with Heroine. 
Premier green. Prince of Greens, from Blr. J. Blenzies ; premier 
■grey. Geo. Lightfoot, from Blr. BV. Kilgour ; premier white. Acme, from 
Mr. BF. Kilgour; premier self, BIrs. A. Potts, from Blr. BV. Kilgour. 
Seedling seifs, special prize.—First, Blr. W. Kilgour, for Vidette (certifi¬ 
cated), and Cornet (certificated). 
Alpine Auriculas, six dissimilar.—First, Blr. BB''. Kilgour; second, 
Blr. J. Menzies. Four dissimilar.—First, Blr. BV. Storrie ; second, Mr. 
J. Black. Six gold-laced Polyanthus.—Blr. J. Blenzies. Six dissimilar, 
Fancy.—First, Blr. BV. Scratton ; second, Blr. 0. Stratton. 
WO^foi(theWEEK,. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pines. —Attention to details is very essential in fruit, particularly 
In Pine Apple culture, at this time of the year, when the weather is 
changeable, especially as regards plants with the fruits in an advanced 
•state, a moderately moist atmosphere and high temperature being 
necessary to their well-being, which condition renders them more sus¬ 
ceptible of injury, the effects of sudden outbursts of sun telling disas¬ 
trously, especially upon the crown, which is not infrequently scorched 
if the ventilation is not carefully attended to. Large well-finished 
fruits are only to be obtained by attention to details, especially when 
the plants are cultivated in pots. BB^atering will require attending to 
cnce a week, but avoid indiscriminate periodical watering.s. Plants 
that have heat at the roots by means of hot-water pipes need more 
■water than those having the heat furnished by means of fermenting 
materials. The former should have water as often as required, on every 
occasion employing some stimulant ; 1 lb. guano to 20 gallons of water 
is a suitable quantity. Amit air at the top of the house, main¬ 
taining the temperature during the day at 80° to 90°, closing at 85°, 
but unless it be desirable to enlarge the crowns do not quite close the 
houses. Fire heat must be employed to prevent the temperature falling 
t)elow 70° at night, and to raise it to 7.5° in the day, the bottom heat 
being kept at 80° to 90°. Syringe the house and plants two or three 
times a week according to the weather, and maintain the atmosphere in 
■such a condition as to secure the perfect development of the fruit. 
Peaches and Nectarines.—D ree* Started at the New Tear.— 
The fruit is in the last stages of stoning, and must not be subjected to 
a higher temperature by artificial means than 60° to 65°, commencing 
to ventilate early and at 65°, not allowing 75° to be exceeded without 
full ventilation. Tie in the shoots as they advance, removing super¬ 
fluous growths, as it is important no more be trained m than can have 
full exposure to light and air. If the shoots are crowded thin them 
well as soon as the stoning is completed. Allow one fruit to every 
square foot of trellis covered with foliage, which will be one to every 
shoot of last year, although vigorous shoots may be allowed to carry 
two fruits. By apportioning the fruit to the vigour of the trees or 
degrees of vigour in different parts the evenness of vigour may be main¬ 
tained throughout the tree. After stoning, maintain adequate moisture 
in the house, watering the inside border copiously, which in well 
drained borders will be required at least once a week, mulching the 
surface with about 2 inches thickness of short half-decayed manure. 
Unless it is desired to accelerate the ripening, continue 60° to 65° as the 
night temperature, and 65° by day artificially in dull weather, and 75° 
with sun heat, closing at the latter with plenty of moisture. In a high 
temperature and moist atmosphere Peaches swell to a great size after 
stoning, but are not so tempting in appearance nor so well flavoured 
as those in less heat and moisture ■with freer ventilation. 
Trees Started in Feirxiary, —The fruit of these will soon be com¬ 
mencing stoning and should have the number reduced, leaving two 
fruits on strong shoots, but one will be sufficient on the weaker. The 
fruit in all instances must be the best situated for receiving air and 
light. Thin the shoots where crowded. The temperature by artificial 
means may be kept at 55° to 60° at night, and 60° to 65° by day artifi¬ 
cially, ventilating from 65°, and fully between 70° and 75°. 
Trees Started in March. —The fruits are swelling and require to 
be freely thinned. It can now be seen which have taken the lead. 
Two or three will be ample to leave on strong shoots, and less on weak 
shoots. Afford liquid manure to weakly trees, but vigorous trees being 
more prone to cast the fruit must have clear water only. Remove all 
superfluous shoots, the remaining growths being trained to the trellis as 
they advance. 
Late IIouses.~T'hQ fruits are well set, and syringing will be needed 
in the morning and early afternoon, but on fine days only, to rid the 
fruits of the remains of the blossom. Commence thinning when the 
fruits are the size of horse beans, removing the smallest and worst 
placed, leaving very few more than will be required for the crop. Dis¬ 
budding and heeling in the shoots must be carefully attended to. A 
temperature of 50° at night will be safe, and 55° by day artificially, 
ventilating freely above that unless it is desired to hasten the crop, 
when a temperature of 55° at night and 60° to 6.5° by day artificially 
may be secured, with 70° to 75° by day, ventilating from 63°. 
Unlieated ITouses. —The promise of an abundant crop seems assured, 
the set being good, nine-tenths too many for a crop. A moderate 
syringing on fine mornings will be a great assistance in ridding the fruit 
of the remains of the blossoms ; but there must not be any attempt at 
an afternoon syringing for the present, and no sprinkling practised 
likely to cause a moist temperature at night, as the weather is not yet 
to be depended on, and a sudden severe frost occurring whilst the house 
is moist is very much more likely to prove disastrous to the crop than if 
the atmosphere is dry. B''entilate at 50°, not allowing an advance 
above 65° without full ventilation, and close at 50°, or before if there is 
a prospect of frost at night. If water be necessary apply it sufficiently 
eajly in the day to allow of the surface becoming fairly dry before 
closing time. 
Cherry House. —Cherries are ripening rapidly ; the fruits must be 
kept dry, but the surface of the borders should be rendered moist by 
damping with the syringe, air being admitted constantly, or condensa¬ 
tion will seriously affect the fruit. Damping the border is calculated to 
mislead as regards its condition, therefore if necessary a thorough supply 
of water must be afforded without delay. Tie-in the shoots as they 
lengthen, and stop those not required for training in, at the fifth leaf. 
Black aphides may be kept in check by fumigation or by dipping the 
shoots or leaves in tobacco water. B'entilate freely on all favourable 
occasions, and when the external conditions are unfavourable recourse 
must be had to the heating apparatus to ensure a circulation of warm 
dry air. Netting will be necessary over the ventilators with sufficiently 
small mesh to exclude birds, which have a striking partiality for 
Cherries. 
Cucumbers. —Clean growth is imperative in the cultivation of fruits. 
Aphides must be kept under by fumigation, filling the house with 
smoke in the evening, and repeating in the early morning, or it may be 
practised on two or three consecutive evenings. It is essential to have 
the foliage dry, but the floor well damped. Red spider is the worst 
enemy, and is sure to put in appearance. Remove the worst leaves, 
and keep the atmosphere charged with ammonia vapour by damping the 
floor in the evening with guano water, supplying the roots with the same 
about twice a week. The hot-water pipes may be thinly brushed over 
with sulphur mixed with skim milk to make it adhere. Let the roots 
be duly supplied with water, affording the same temperature as the 
house or bed. Pl.ants in bearing all the winter will now be showing 
signs of exhaustion, and had better be removed, and young plants 
placed in without delay. All the old soil must be removed and the 
house thoroughly cleansed, using entirely fresh sweet material for the 
young plants. Assist "young plants showing signs of weakness by 
removing the staminate flowers and the first fruits, stopping at every 
third or fourth joint, removing all weakly and superfluous growths. 
Shading will be necessary for an hour or two in the middle of the day 
when the sun is hot, especially houses facing south, but let it be done 
before the plants flag, as afterwards it will only prevent further injury, 
flagging being invariably injurious. Houses with roof lights facing east 
