October 4, 1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
327 
I believe the majority of those present to-night will agree with me that 
the expansion has been even greater than the improvement. Where one 
cultivator formerly grew either flowers, fruit, or vegetables up to that 
standard we call perfection, there are dozens who do so now. This, I 
think, must be attributed in a great degree to the wide-spreading 
influence of the horticultural press. We have the finest gardening 
press in the world, and the great impetus given to gardening, and the 
enthusiasm aroused by it, would be difficult to overrate. The age of 
secrets concerning the methods of culture adopted is now a thing of the 
past, and gardeners as a body may, I think, fairly claim to belong to one 
of the most free and progressing of callings, discussing as they do their 
methods of culture at meetings like the present one, and breaking a 
lance with each other over practices upon which they do not agree. 
Nurserymen and seedsmen must also claim a large share of honour in 
the achievements of the horticultural world, for the wonderfully im¬ 
proved types of flowers, fruits, and vegetables they place within the 
reach of gardeners, to produce which they incur great expense, and 
show a vast amount of enterprise. Far away in distant lands, facing 
dangers innumerable, and sometimes meeting death, their intrepid 
collectors have penetrated the thickest forest jungles, and climbed lofty 
mountains in order to send back to their native land the fairest and the 
rarest gems of other climes. These men earned our gratitude by a life 
of wandering, but the skilful hybridisers who have worked on steadily 
at home have achieved triumphs quite as great in the wonderfully 
improved types of many plants and flowers we now possess. 
Thus far I have endeavoured to give to others the praise which is 
their just due, but the gardeners of the past and present must claim the 
lion’s share in the onward march of gardening; for that progress has 
been accomplished in a great measure by their incessant work, close 
observation, and keen desire to excel. That they intend to advance still 
further is clearly shown by the great interest now taken in technical 
education, and I think there can be but little doubt that the successful 
gardeners of the future will be those who combine a scientific know¬ 
ledge of their calling with energy and practical ability. These two 
qualifications must go together to produce the best results. I have long 
ago formed the opinion that it is not those who have the greatest amount 
of knowdedge who are the most successful in any walk of life. Know¬ 
ledge is in itself a tremendous power, but something more is needed— 
viz., the ability and force of character to turn to practical account every 
atom ofknowledge acquired. _ 
Those who enter the vocation with the belief that a knowledge of 
the scientific part of gardening will serve as a substitute for instead of 
an adjunct to hard work will sooner or later find out their mistake. 
The successful men of the future will in my opinion be of a type 
similar to those who flourish now, shrewd, prompt, and energetic 
managers of men as well as good cultivators, and owing to the facilities 
there are in present times for acquiring scientific knowledge, these are 
not the kind of men who will neglect their chances. Neither will they 
be led to think that such training will cover other deficiencies. Every 
gardener must be a better man for having a sufficient knowledge of 
geometry to draw plans accurately and set them to a scale, for knowing 
something of the chemical constituents of plants, soils, and manures, 
and for knowing the principle upon which the circulation of sap is 
effected, as well as many other useful portions of the theory of 
gardening, and those who are alive to their own interests will not 
neglect opportunities. Every member of the craft, from the highest to 
the lowest, may still do something to uphold the honour and advance 
the credit of their calling if each in their own sphere endeavour to do 
with all their might whatever they take in hand, and I venture to 
assert that as long as this spirit of emulation pervades the ranks of 
gardeners throughout the kingdom they will assuredly maintain, if 
not enhance, the world-wide reputation so long enjoyed by British 
gardeners. 
THE KING’S SCHOOL GARDENS, WARWICK. 
The gardens at the King’s School, Warwick, are at all times worthy 
of a visit, because the Rev. J. P. Way is a great lover of gardening, and 
likes to keep abreast of the times by procuring the best varieties of the 
various plants grown there. Throughout the summer months a grand 
display of tuberous Begonias have produced a charming effect in the 
conservatory. The plants are arranged around the side stages, some of 
the largest of them being elevated well above the others to show up 
their drooping flowers to advantage. 
A wonderfully wide range of colour is found among the seedlings. 
Deep crimson, bright scarlet, soft rose, orange, pale yellow, and white 
are all represented by flowers of great size and substance. Among the 
double varieties I noticed Lord Rothschild and Rose Laing, two of last 
year’s new ones, which ought soon to find their way into every collection. 
The plants throughout are strong and sturdy, bearing the stamp of high 
culture, and reflecting great credit on Mr. G. Burrows, the Rev. Way’s 
head gardener. In the Orchid houses good plants of Dendrobium 
Wardianum, Oncidium Papilio, and Odontoglossums were a picture of 
health and cleanliness. Tomatoes in pots were carrying wonderful 
crops of fruit; the variety grown is that old favourite Conqueror, which 
it is well nigh impossible to beat as far as cropping qualities go, but the 
slight corrugation of the fruits somewhat mars its appearance when 
compared with the smooth modern kinds. 
Some 500 Chrysanthemums are grown. These are in extremely fine 
condition, notwithstanding the long spell of wet sunless days recently 
experienced the wood is apparently ripening perfectly. This is 
doubtless, to a great extent brought about by the thoroughly exposed 
position in which the plants are grown. Judging from their present 
appearance, something good may be looked for later on. 
Mignonette in pots, though not largely grown, is well done. Several 
strong sturdy specimens in 10-inch pots were growing close to the glass 
in a span-roofed greenhouse. These are now sending up numbers of 
shoots which will flower during the winter months. The seeds were 
sown the last week in June, and the plants have been stopped several 
times. Health, vigour and cleanliness are apparent throughout the 
plant houses, which prove Mr. G. Burrows to be both a good gardener 
and a plant lover.—D. W. 
MICHAELMAS DAISIES. 
Could the gardeners of half a century since but see a modern 
collection of perennial Asters they would indeed be amazed. Still these 
hardy plants are only as most others are, they have almost leaped into 
knowledge, and it is difficult to keep pace with them. A visit to 
Messrs. Barr & Son’s hardy plant grounds at Long Ditton reveals these 
Asters in wondrous profusion, for such a famous firm cannot allow 
varieties to exist without securing them. Still it is patent enough to 
the ordinary observer that if but one-third be retained and all the older 
and now superseded sorts were destroyed nothing would be lost to 
gardening. 
At the present what can excel in any family of plants in beauty as 
well as in effect the major form of Aster amellus ? This is a lovely variety, 
and can hardly be excelled for colour or for beauty. A most charming 
variety, too, is A. novi-belgi laevigatus, 18 inches in height, producing 
delightful clusters of rosy mauve flowers, a beautiful thing for pots or 
the front row of a border. Aster acris is very well known for its com¬ 
pact habit and free blooming qualities. It is also early. Late, but a 
most charming form to give vase flowers is Aster ericoides, but taller 
and earlier is a Vimineus Cassiope, nearly 3 feet in height, producing 
big clumps of flowers, which are white, though the unexpanded ones are 
red. These are borne on long stems in spike form, and are charming 
for domestic decoration. 
An excellent form too is A. Arcturus, 4 feet in height, flowers blue ; 
and not less good is A. Shorti, 3 feet, quite early. These are just a few 
selected from the mass. Anyone wanting to secure a collection of say 
a dozen specially good should visit Long Ditton and make their own 
selection. It is so advantageous to have full knowledge of time of 
flowering, colour, and general height.—A. D. 
WOKK.F0IITHEWEEK.. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pines. —Nursing Plants .—When the suckers that were started in 
September are rooted place them in well-drained pots. Employ the 
fibrous parts of turfy loam, using it in lumps proportionate to the size 
of the plants or pots. The stronger plants may be transferred to the 
largest pots at once, the size being adjusted to the habit of the varieties. 
Black Jamaica, Enville, and Prince Albert do well in 9 or 10-inch pots, 
some growers preferring this size for Queens, others give these 10 or 
11-inch pots; Smooth-leaved Cayennes and similar varieties 11 to 12-inch 
pots ; and Providence 12 to 13-inch pots, which will afford fruit of the 
larger size. Where smaller plants and fruit are required pots an inch 
or two less in diameter will answer, and, with judicious feeding, the 
plants often produce finer fruits than those grown in the larger sizes. 
The plants that are now fit for transferring to the largest can be shifted 
into 8-inch pots, in which they may be kept gently growing in a light 
position during the winter, and in the spring be shifted to the larger 
size. 
Routine .—Free ventilation is necessary to maintain the sturdy, 
healthful appearance of young Pine plants, keeping the heat about the 
roots at 80°, watering them whenever a supply of water or liquid 
manure is required, but only then, and after carefully ascertaining the 
need of soil moisture or otherwise. The syringe will be little needed, 
sprinkling the paths and walls in the morning and evening of bright 
days, and occasionally at other times, will suffice. Fire heat will be 
necessary to maintain a night temperature of 60° to 65°. Freshly potted 
plants should have a bottom heat of 90° to 95°. Recently started suckers, 
as soon as the roots are abundant, must be raised near the glass, while 
those intended to be wintered in small pots need to be brought on 
gradually. Afford fruiting plants a night temperature of 70°, 80° to 90° 
during the day, closing the house at 85°, 
Cberry House. —Where light, airy, and well-heated lean-to or 
three-quarter span-roof houses are available, and these face the south. 
Cherries can be had with certainty early in April, and are then welcome 
additions to the dessert. The trees may either be in pots or planted 
out. By the first of these methods the trees can be removed as soon as 
