452 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 29, 1890. 
collection of Cattleyas and Loelias. IMessrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, 
had a large group of small plants of Cattleyas, Cypripediums, and Den- 
drobiums, forming a fine bank, but a little too crowded. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son have an extensive group of Orchids 
arranged on the grass, and a capital efiect ‘is produced, as the plants 
and flowers can be readily inspected. Lmlia purpurata, Cymbidium 
Ix)wianum, Cypripediums, Masdevallias, and Oncidiums were tastefully 
arranged with Adiantums and Asparagus. 
Mr. James Cypher, Cheltenham, has a handsome group of Orchids, 
Lmlia purpurata and several Cattleyas being represented by fine speci¬ 
mens ; Dendrobiums suspended from bamboo stakes also formed a 
special feature of this group, D. Faiconeri delicata, D. Bensoniae with 
its varieties splendens and album, being the most conspicuous. 
Miscellaneous. 
Specimen Roses from Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, form a magnifi¬ 
cent group in one corner of the marquee. Then comes a charming col¬ 
lection of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Lilies, Spirmas, Maples, G'adioli, 
and Hydrangeas from Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. Messrs. Laing 
and Sons, Forest Hill, have an imposing array of Caladiums, Crotons, and 
Palms, margined with Tuberous Begonias and Orchids. A group of 
R iphetos Roses edged with Palms and Adiantums from Mr. W. Rumsey, 
Waltham Cross, is very attractive. A dozen good specimen Caladiums 
from F. W. Wiltshire, Esq., Alverstone, Selhurst Road, South Norwood 
((gardener, Mr. Simmonds),also occupied a large space near the entrance 
to the large marquee. Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, have a superb 
collection of Rose plants arranged in a crescent-shaped bank, and com¬ 
prising some excellent varieties, including a gigantic new Moss Rose, 
Crimson Globe. Facing the dais is flower stem and plant of Puya 
c'hilensis about G feet high, bearing at the summit a dense spike of 
green flowers with prominent yellow anthers. This was sent from 
the Tresco Abbey Gardens, Isles of Scilly, where it had been grown 
in the open air. Behind the dais Mrs. W. Iceton, Putney, has a large 
group of Palms and other fine-foliage plants. 
Handsome bushy Rhododendrons from Messrs. H. Lane & Son, 
Berkhampstead ; richly coloured Calceolarias from Mr. J. James, 
T'amham Royal ; Pelargoniums in many varieties, both of the Show 
and Fancy types, are shown by Mr. C. Turner of Slough. 
Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, Roupell Park Nurseries, Norwood Road, have 
a large group of Anthuriums and Sarracenias, margined with Ferns. 
Beautiful globular specimens of Clematis from Messrs. R. Smith & Co., 
Worcester, occupy a position near one end of the large tent, and 
adjoining these was a group of miscellaneous greenhouse plants with 
Palms arKl Ferns from Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, forming a 
suitable finish to the tent. 
The long tent (160 feet) is mainly occupied with cut flowers. 
Messrs. Kelway «k Son, I.angport, show Pseonies, Pyrethrums, and 
Irises in great numbers. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, has an extensive 
collection of hardy flowers. Messrs. Paul & Son. Cheshunt, also have a 
beautiful and varied collection of hardy herbaceous and alpine flowers ; 
and Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, have an eSective 
group of hardy plants. Messrs. H. Cannell & Son contribute Tuberous 
Begonias and Caladiums in capital condition. Messrs. J. Laing & Co., 
Forest Hill, have an admirable group of single and double Tuberous 
Begonias, representing some of the finest varieties in cultivation. 
F'ihny Ferns are not often seen at exhibitions in London, and the 
superb collection sent by Messrs. Backhouse & Son, York, to the Temple 
Show is one of the best ever seen. About sixty specimens are shown, 
the choicer or more delicate under bellglasses. Mr. A. B. May, 
tipper Edmonton, had an enormous collection of Ferns filling 100 feet 
of tabling. All the best of the market Ferns are represented by small 
compact specimens, Dracmnas and Crotons also being employed to 
impart colour to the display. Messrs. W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, 
Manchester, contribute a most interesting collection of Ferns, com¬ 
prising many species and varieties, all healthy little plants. Mr. W. 
Balchin, Hassocks, has a group of the brilliant blue Leschenaultia 
biloba major. Mr. R. Miller, Shoreham, has a group of the new Regal 
Pelargonium Pearl, pure white, and very free, while Mr. F. Hooper, 
'.Bath, and Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, stage Pansy flowers in large 
numbers. 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, contribute an extensive collec¬ 
tion of Gloxinias in pots, representing a remarkably fine strain and 
many excellent varieties. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, also have 
.a beautiful group of Gloxinias arranged with Ferns and a bank of 
Txias, Pieonies, Irises, Ranunculus, and other hardy flowers. Mr. 
G. Phippen, Reading, show numerous bouquets, wreaths, and floral 
decorations. Messrs. Cannell & Sons exhibit stands of Pelargoniums. 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son show ten boxes of Rhododendrons, and Mr. 
B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, has a collection at fine Ixias. Messrs. 
Perkins & Son, Coventry, show some magnificent wreaths, bouquets, 
and baskets of flowers. Orchids and Roses being largely employed. 
Fruit and Vegetables. 
These were represented, though not extensively. Mr. George Monro, 
Covent Garden, exhibits the most meritorious collection, consisting of 
splendid Melons, Strawberries, Grapes, and Figs ; also Cucumbers, 
Tomatoes, Peas, and Kidney Beans of high excellence. A silver-gilt 
medal was recommended. J. F. Campbell, Esq., Woodseat, Uttoxeter 
(gardener, Mr. J. Hollingworth), sent baskets of excellent Black 
Hamburgh and fine bunches of F'oster’s Seedling Grapes (silver medal). 
Mj. J- R. Featherby, The Vineries, Gillingham, exhibits remarkably 
fine Black Hamburgh Grapes, very large in berry, and uniform ; also 
very good Tomatoes (silver medal). E. Pettit, Esq., Broadwater, Wey- 
bridge (Mr. Reed, gardener), sent very good black Grapes, Peaches, and 
Tomatoes (bronze medal). A similar award was adjudged to J. L. 
Mansell, Esq., Somerset Terrace, Guernsey, for a basket of very good 
Muscat Grapes. A cultural commendation was granted for very fine 
Auguste Nicaise Strawberries from the Duke of Northumberland, Syon 
House (Mr. G. Wythes, gardener). 
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons contribute a collection of forty-three 
dishes of admirably kept Apples, for which a silver medal was recom¬ 
mended. A fruiting tree of the St. John Fig, staged with the Apples, 
arrested attention. It is said to be the earliest Fig in cultivation, and 
to retain its fruit crop better than any other variety, and on a length of 
about 8 inches of last year’s wood as many uniformly sized fruits were t 
approaching maturity. Mr. G. Bunyard had forty-five dishes of Apples, 
many of which had probably been honoured in previous campaigns, 
and had seen their best days (bronze medal). Mr. Mayers, The 
Gardens, Stoke Court, Slough, was awarded a vote of thanks for Peaches 
and Nectarines, as was Mr, Miller, Ruxley Lodge, for Peaches, Melons, 
and Mushrooms. Mr. James Hopkins, High Cross, Framfield, Sussex, 
sent specimens of the High Sheriff Cucumber. 
An extensive and interesting collection of forty-four varieties of 
Radishes came from the Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, and the follow¬ 
ing were chosen for awards of merit :—Turnip varieties. Scarlet Forcing, 
White Round (Veitch) and Scarlet White Tipped : Olive Shaped, Scarlet 
Olive Shaped (Veitch), and French Breakfast: Long-rooted, Wood’s 
Long Frame, and Long White. Several varieties of Rhubarb are also 
exhibited. 
fe WORK foi(the WEEK., fc 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Apricots.— The crops on all trees not well protected when in bloom 
are very scanty, and they are also very irregular even where good care 
was taken of them. None of the long spurs, or those that stand well 
out from the branches, are furnished with fruit, while those short spurs 
very close to the wall are bearing fruit in great clusters, this being proof 
positive of the unwisdom of encouraging the growth and retention of 
long spurs. Comparatively light as the crops may be, it is yet advisable 
to early thin out large clusters of fruit, or otherwise very few well 
developed fruit will be obtained this season. So unusually thick are 
these clusters of fruit that it is necessary to lightly thin them out at 
once, completing the thinning when the fruits are large enough to use in 
a green state. 
Thinning the growths is most necessary in the case of young trees 
and branches generally. The shoots on these ought to be thinned to 
about 3 inches apart, those best placed only being reserved, and all not 
required for furnishing blank space duly stopped to a length of about 
2 inches. The leaders in all'cases to be allowed to grow unchecked, 
and wherever there is space for a young branch reserve and lay in a 
shoot now. It is the young branches that produce much the finest 
fruit in abundance, and seeing also that numerous old spurs, and fre¬ 
quently whole branches, are apt to die somewhat suddenly, and from 
unpreventible causes, this is another reason for having young branches 
coming from the base of the tree especial'y, in readiness to take their 
place. Where ihere are moveable blinds over the trees these ought not 
yet to be taken down, as they are of good service during the prevalence 
of cold winds. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —These have flowered very freely, and 
a moderately heavy crop of fruit is set in spite of the frosts experienced 
while they were in bloom. Any light protecting material, including 
treble fish nets, that may have been used should not be too hastily 
dispensed with, though if somewhat closely woven blinds are used these 
ought to be withdrawn on mild still days, the protection being needed 
only when cold easterly winds prevail. When the disbudding and 
stopping takes place allow the leading shoot on all fruiting branches to 
extend, and also lay in a young growth to its full length from near 
the base of every fruiting shoot, or wherever there is space for it. 
Remove any shoots were not required for supporting fruit, and stop all 
left for the latter purpose at the fourth joint. In the case of quite 
young trees reserve and lay in shoots wherever they are required for 
furnishing blank space, and either remove or stop the rest. 
Plums. —In all probability the crops of these will be light, but that 
is no reason why the wall trees especially should be neglected. The 
aim should be to furnish all blank space with young bearing wood in 
preference, it may be, to stunted old growth, which is liable to collapse 
in much the same manner as Apricots do. By thinning out the shoots, 
stopping most of those reserved at a distance of 2 inches from their 
base, this will greatly benefit those left intact for laying in to their 
full length, and also tend to quickly clothe the older branches with 
fruiting spurs. In many instances the main branches become some¬ 
what bare of spurs and foliage, and where possible ought to be covered 
with young shoots, these if possible tied over them, protecttig from 
