242 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 13, 1894. 
If this state is not quite assured it w juld repay even now to apply 
the rammer. It affords considerable pleasure to some growers to 
get their plants furnished with abundant foliage and great luxuri¬ 
ance, but my observations lead me to believe that such plants not 
invariably disappoint when flowering time arrives in the spring. The 
crowns become sub-divided to such an extent that a bold t^uss of 
flower is not easily found, and it is generally admitted that the 
finer the individual trusses of bloom the better are the chances of 
gathering large berries at the finish. It is a very good plan to 
reduce the superfluous or side crowns during the growrng season so 
that the central one may be the better developed, and for the same 
reason all runners ought to be rigorously pinched oil as they 
appear. 
Writing of forced Strawberries reminds me of the grand crop 
of the variety Auguste Nicaise I saw at IIey wood, Westbury, last 
spring. Judging from the size of the fruits, some 2 ozs. each, and 
none I should think less than an ounce, together with the vigour 
of the plants, this Strawberry must deserve to be grown more 
largely than seems to be the case at present. Mr. Robinson grows 
the variety extensively, and contrives by cool treatment to have 
them as late as the middle of June; and it also succeeds Noble, 
which is grown only in moderate numbers for early supplies. As 
a late sort James Veitch has few superiors. This I saw in splendid 
form under the charge of Mr. G. Pymm, Rod well Hall, Trow¬ 
bridge, last spring. It is not of first-class flavour, but this is not 
always considered so much as mere size, and under pot culture 
flavour may be developed if need be by treatment at the ripening 
period. It is a good traveller, and in late-forced Strawberries this is 
a consideration, because they have so often to be despatched by rail 
or post at that season. Strawberries winter best in the open, 
provided sufficient leaves are available for protecting the pots 
thoroughly. _ Taken from the open they respond quickly to the 
warmth provided in the forcing house, but unless well protected it 
is a risk to leave them outdoors.—W. Strugxell. 
IMPORTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 
I OBSERVE that, in common with many writers both in the 
public and horticultural press, you look with much satisfaction on 
the enormously increased and increasing importation of Bananas 
for consumption in this country. If this fruit could be allowed to 
ripen on the plant that produces it I should be in perfect agreement 
with you. In such a case it is a most agreeable, excellent fruit and 
very nutritious. It is not allowed so to ripen, but is gathered not 
even fully swelled and perfectly green. 
It comes to this country, chiefly to London, where it is hung up 
in dark cellars, and subjected to artificial heat, to ripen it, forsooth, 
in the dark. No process that goes on in continuous darkness can 
ripen any fruit like the Banana. A process of fermentation takes 
place, which results in a tough indigestible fruit in which I 
sometimes observe the process of decay beginning. I have grown 
this fruit in hothouses till the ripening was complete, and the 
comparison between such fruit ard the fruit that is imported was 
that between light and darkness. 
The Banana is not the only fruit that is offered to the public in 
these days that is unwholesome from not being left on the tree 
that produces it till it is matured. At one time Oranges were 
gathered green for shiprnent to this country, but with such swift 
steamers as we have this is not so now to any injurious extent, but 
Apples that come from Tasmania and New Zealand are gathered 
when not nearly ripe, and hence are insipid in flavour compared 
with what they would be if left to ripen on the tree, nor can 
they be so wholesome. The same may be said of Pjne«, hence the 
sugar that is taken with them at dessert. A good well-grown 
English Queen or Black Jamaica Pine needs no such aid ; the 
flavour is exquisite, sugar would but spoil it. 
There is now a rigid inspection of all foods and drinks offered 
for sale, except fruit and vegetables ; I believe such to be as neces¬ 
sary as any other. I often see Cauliflower, Broccoli, and other 
vegetables in greengrocers’ shops that have iu course of sea transit 
undergone a process of fermentation that has changed and cor¬ 
rupted their natural juices and rendered them anything but safe 
food for human beings, specially when choleraic disease is present, 
even in a latent form.—W m. Thomson. 
[We are obliged to our able and experienced correspondent for 
his communication. On the citation from the “ Western Press ” on 
page 224 last wmek, we made no comment, but inserted the para¬ 
graph as an item of news appropriate to our columns. At the 
same time we think the free importation of Bananas to this country 
IS very advantageous to consumers, while not prejudicial to home 
growers of this enjoyable and nutritious fruit. Though many 
inferior samples are placed on the market, as is the case with various 
kinds of home grown fruit, yet on the whole there has almost been 
as great improvement in imported Bananas as in Oranges during 
recent years. 
It is true that many tons of Bananas are stored in dark cellars, 
but not, we suspect, for the purpose of ripening so much as for 
retarding their maturity as long as possible ; but though many 
change in their dark abodes, it is to a large extent the custom of 
fruiterers to purchase them prior to such change and ripen them in 
light positions. It is to their interest to do this, as the clearer 
they are and the better in quality the higher the prices they 
command. They give satisfaction to many thousands of persons 
who have never tasted, nor are likely to taste. Bananas which have 
ripened on plants in English hothouses. 
These in their best form are altogether superior to imported 
samples, and, indeed, so delicious that we often wonder why they 
are not more frequently seen in the gardens of the affluent. 
Possibly even the owners of such gardens do not know what a 
treat they might have for themselves and their friends in the form 
of ripe clusters of home grown Bananas. 
With the remarks generally of our correspondent on the 
deterioration, only too apparent, of man}"^ samples of fruit and vege¬ 
tables iu greengrocers’ shops we cordially agree. We do not 
consider some of these fit to be eaten, though in the view of the 
authorities they seldom appear to pass to the stage entitling them 
to be regarded as “unfit for human food,’’ yet not very long 
ago large quantities of Bananas were seized ani destroyed.] 
SHROPSHIRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
We purpose giving our readers this week a few particulars of the 
origin of this important Society, which we think will be interesting as 
illustrating how success may be attained by good management, treating 
exhibitors liberally, and giving the general public such a programme as 
they cannot obtain elsewhere for a shilling. In the spring of the year 
1875 the Shropshire and West Midland Agricultural Society was 
established, and the Committee decided to hold their first meeting in the 
Quarry Grounds, Shrewsbury, in July following. The present inde¬ 
fatigable Hon. Secs. (Messrs. Aduitt and Naunton) and the late 
Mr. W. Pritchard (a nurseryman of some standing in the town) 
consulted together as to whether a floral exhibition would not prove 
an interesting attraction to the show, and they eventually resolved 
to try the experiment. They accordingly headed the subscription 
list with £20 each, and obtained the names of several other influen¬ 
tial townsmen to a fund for guaranteeing the necessary expenditure 
in prizes and expenses, and thereupon set to work in earnest, 
formed committees, prepared a schedule of prizes, and engaged the 
band of the Coldstream Guards, being the first time the Shrewsbury 
public had had the pleasure of hearing this fine band. The show was 
accordingly held in the following August, and resulted in a handsome 
profit of £409 Is. 2d. After this success it was resolved to establish a 
permanent society, when an excellent working committee and officers 
were appointed, whose valuable services re-ulted in establishing on a 
sound basis the finest and best horticultural society in the country. We 
here append a statement showing its annual receipts since the start in 
1875 up to last year, a glance at which will show its wonderful 
growth : — 
TOT.VL RECEIPTS FOR EACH NEAR. 
Sundry Receipts, 
Subscrip- Clieap Takings at the Gates. including 
tions. 
Tickets. 
First Day. 
Second Day. 
interest. 
Total. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
1875—318 
18 
0 
77 
10 
0 
286 
15 
1 
107 
9 
8 
0 
19 
3 
791 
12 
0 
1876—259 
10 
6 
105 
11 
0 
82 
4 
6 
189 
5 
2 
43 
14 
0 
685 
5 
2 
1877—277 
13 
0 
154 
12 
0 
92 
1 
10 
381 
3 
8 
69 
19 
4 
975 
9 
10 
1878—316 
2 
6 
219 
15 
6 
104 
7 
3 
528 
6 
1 
1(2 
19 
2 
1281 10 
6 
1879—581 
1 
0 
210 
3 
8 
65 
8 
2 
398 
8 
10 
151 
7 
3 
1206 
8 11 
1880—388 
17 
6 
217 
13 
0 
121 
4 
9 
653 
12 
8 
135 
19 
0 
1517 
6 
11 
1881—397 
1 
0 
260 
19 
0 
104 
17 
10 
725 
2 
0 
153 
16 
2 
1641 
16 
0 
1882—392 
6 
6 
319 
9 
6 
134 
7 
0 
824 
15 
0 
159 
17 
5 
1831 
15 
5 
1883—400 
18 
6 
396 
11 
6 
156 
1 
0 
1055 
7 
0 
190 
13 
4 
2199 
11 
4 
*1884—41)0 
5 
0 
501 
7 
3 
154 
18 
3 
678 
2 
11 
206 
4 
3 
1740 
17 
8 
1885—402 
6 
0 
346 
18 
3 
218 
9 
7 
1(74 
19 
0 
207 
8 
1 
2250 
0 
11 
1886-403 
9 
6 
372 11 
2 
216 
0 
4 
1157 
1 
4 
262 
6 
6 
2401 
8 10 
l“87-409 
18 
6 
500 
9 
6 
130 
17 
8 
1142 
17 
7 
253 
6 
9 
2437 
1 ) 
0 
1888—414 
9 
6 
504 
10 
2 
247 
1 
O 
u 
1317 
18 
0 
291 
6 
5 
2775 
5 
4 
1889—416 
18 
6 
525 
1 
8 
225 
12 
6 
981 
4 
6 
280 
9 
4 
2429 
6 
li 
1890 428 
3 
0 
551 
3 
9 
311 
13 
9 
1317 
11 
9 
354 
13 
2 
2963 
5 
5 
1891—428 
7 
6 
633 
3 
2 
351 
16 
2 
1413 
a 
4 
507 
12 
4 
3334 
10 
6 
1892-414 
19 
0 
667 
4 
8 
434 
19 
6 
1C33 
14 
8 
691 
7 
4 
8742 
5 
2 
1893—404 
18 
0 
496 
16 
10 
504 
15 
8 
1459 
6 
2 
7 6 
15 
9 
3631 
12 
5 
1891— 
— 
583 
11 
3 
1262 
8 
9 
* Year of R.A. Society’s Show, 
As will be observed, the above is incomplete for the present year, 
but the takings at gates on the first day is far in excess of any previous 
first day ; and whilst the second day’s takings are less than since the 
year 1890, such is easily accimntcd for in consequence of severe rain all 
the day from early morn, which kept away many thousands from the 
