6 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 5, 1885. 
be compared with Sir Joseph or President, on which we 
mainly depend for our indoor supply. It has, however, 
come better on shelves in a late vinery or peach-house, 
but still a long way behind our former experience with 
it. Past recollections of the praises its distinct and high 
flavour has evoked induced me to struggle with it, and, 
if possible, produce similar results. Only once, however, 
has it presence on the dessert dish, or, more correctly, 
its influence on the palate, elicited favourable comment. 
"Whether in pots or in the open ground the plant is 
vigorous enough, but odd ones die off in winter. 
Loxford Hall Seedling grows so stunted that the 
plants might be put 12 ins. distant in the row, and IS 
ins. between the rows. "We have only had one row, and 
that is not in a good position for a fair trial, so that I 
am not able to speak definitely respecting it. It is the 
latest we have, and the flavour is similar to that of 
British Queen, and the fruits are smaller and not so 
numerous. If this year’s planting should turn out more 
successful, Loxford Hall Seedling will be as valuable as 
any we have on account of its lateness, and by planting 
thicker the produce will be equal to some of the others. 
I notice that odd plants of it die in winter, and that it 
makes runners very tardily. I have not had an oppor¬ 
tunity of trying here other late varieties, such as Elton 
Pine, Frogmore Late Pine, and others which do so well 
in some parts, and I- should like to know from your 
Northern readers if it is worth while attempting their 
culture in a cold part of Lancashire. 
There is a second early variety named Barnes’ Prolific, 
which I saw last year in the fruit grounds of Hr. 
Troughton, "Walton, near Preston, which has got into 
favour with the growers in that district. It was in ex¬ 
istence twenty years ago, and thought much of, but 
somehow or other it nearly dropped out of cultivation 
till a few years ago, when it became again the leading 
sort. The plant has a vigorous constitution, and the 
fruit is above the medium size, but rather rough looking. 
It is said to be a heavy cropper and a good traveller. 
Probably some one who may have lived in the district 
years ago can give some clue as to its origin, or say if it 
is known by any other name.— TV. P. R. 
VALLOTA PURPUREA. 
lx is needless to write about the cultural requirements 
of Yallotas for the benefit of professionals. Gardeners 
are fully aware of the course of treatment necessary to 
obtain good results; but there may perchance, be 
among the many amateurs who read the Gardening 
W orld, some who are not so well informed on the subj ect. 
I have myself obtained good results with this favourite 
plant, and therefore can recommend my mode of treat¬ 
ment to others. If small plants are required, I would 
select a fair-sized bulb, and place it in a 5-in. pot, using 
for a compost two parts of fibry loam to one of peat, 
with sand added, and potting moderately firm only. 
If larger plants are required, I would put about five 
bulbs into a 7-in. pot, and then just before the plants 
commence growing in spring, which will depend more 
than anything else upon what sort of structure the 
bulbs were wintered in ; and I may here say that any 
house to which frost is not admitted is the best place 
for them. I had 10° of frost on some plants in a cool 
pit on one occasion which did them no apparent 
damage, and I have also seen less frost completely 
destroy them, so that I say keep the frost from them. 
After potting, which won't require to be done oftener 
than two or three years, very little watering is required 
until they are fairly on the move ; they will do in any 
light house less than an intermediate one, but, perhaps, 
the most suitable is the front side of a slightly warm 
greenhouse, where the direct rays of the sun are only 
allowed to reach them through the upright panes of 
glass, as if falling directly on them, the leaves may get 
blistered. I have also seen them, and also grown them, 
on the front side of both vineries and Peach-houses. I 
saw some remarkably good plants at Plassy, on the 31st 
of last month, that were similarly grown, i.e., on the 
front side of a vinery, which had been only planted last 
winter, and which has had no artificial heat for some 
time. I counted the flowers open on one plant in an 
8-in. pot, and found forty-seven fully expanded blooms, 
and some few buds which would replace the earliest 
flower on each spike, of which there were nine. Mr. 
Smith, the gardener at Plassy, may well be proud of 
them, and he had not one or two plants in flower, but, 
I should th ink , close upon fifty, tastefully arranged in 
a large conservatory, and also in a house for growing 
successional plants to keep the conservatory gay. 
Some growers place their plants out of doors for a few 
weeks after flowering, but, as far as I see, no advantage 
is gained by the practice. — E. Dumper, Limerick. 
--- 
FLOWER SHOW AT RYDE. 
The Eyde Horticultural Society held its annual show 
of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, in the beautiful grounds 
of the Isle of Wight College, on Wednesday, August 26th, 
under the most favourable auspices. The weather was 
all that could be desired, and the exhibits were arranged 
in three large marquees, each of which was under the 
direction of some person appointed by the Committee, 
who directed the placing of the exhibits as to their 
respective classes, as well as to their general effect, and 
I must say that they are to be congratulated on their 
success in attaining that end. The productions ex¬ 
hibited throughout, were good, and in some cases very 
numerous, especially so in the Cottagers’ classes, for 
rarely has there been a better display of Cottagers’ 
produce, either flowers, fruits, or vegetables, than was 
brought together on this occasion. 
In the class for 6 fine foliaged plants, Mr. G. Wilkins, 
gardener to S. W. Ridley, Esq., St. Helens, was placed 
first. He had good examples of Alocasia, Cissus dis¬ 
color, Latana borbonica, &c. For a group of plants 
arranged for effect in a space 6 ft. by 8 ft. (the first and 
second prizes presented by Miss Brigstock), Mr. 
Wilkinson again took the lead with an effective group, 
having for its centre Seaforthia elegans, on either side of 
which were plants of Cocos Weddeliana, and Dracaena 
australis, Lilium auratum, some good Ixoras, and 
Pandanus Yeitehii,"ns well as Pelargoniums and other 
flowering plants to impart colour ; the edge was fringed 
■with Isolepis gracilis and Ferns, the whole combination 
being a very elegant arrangement. Mr. J. James, Florist, 
Ryde, was placed second, with rather a formal group, 
having for the centre a pyramid Fuchsia. Two other 
groups were set up, viz., by Messrs. C. Dimmick & Son, 
Nurserymen, Ryde, who had good plants of Auricaria 
excelsior, and Alsophilla australis standing above the 
other plants, which were flat and rather deficient in 
colour ; and Miss Brigstock, who had some good Lilium 
auratum, tuberous Begonias, Carnations, Tuberoses, 
fringed with Adiantum gracillimum and cuneatum. 
This would have made a delightful group, with an 
addition of more foliaged plants. For 6 Ferns, Mr. H. 
Quinton, was placed first, having good Adiantum 
gracillimum and formosa. For a basket of plants ar¬ 
ranged for effect, Mr. H. Strickland, gardener to 
Madame Spartali, Shanklin, was first, showing a very 
good arrangement in a circle, composed of Grevillea 
robusta, Lilium auratum, Begonias, and other flowering 
plants, with a fringe of Isolepis gracilis, and Ferns, 
the whole having a very good effect. Messrs. Dimmick 
& Son, were second, with some good Gloxinias and 
Begonias in their arrangement. 
In the class for 6 Zonal Pelargoniums, Mr. J. James 
had a very nice lot, for which he was placed first, his 
plants of F. H. Raspail, candidissima plena, and Emily 
Gerard, were particularly good. For 4 Caladiums, dis¬ 
tinct, Mr. H. Quintin was first, having good plants of 
"Whitei, Beethoven, and magnificum. For 6 Coleus, 
Mr. G. Wilkinson was first with fine plants of Sunray, 
Glow, and Mr. Baxter and Mr. J. James, second, his 
best plants being Sumbeam, Putney Gem, and Black 
Prince. For 4 plants suitable for the dinner table, 
Mr. G. Wilkinson was placed first with a very pretty 
lot, and Messrs. Dimmick & Son followed. Among 
exhibits, not for competition, was a splendid plant of 
Platycerium alcicorne, or Elk’s Horn Fern, from the 
garden of W. Gibbs, Esq. W. D. Dashwood, Esq., also 
sent, not for competition, some fine specimens of Adian¬ 
tum formosum and A. cuneatum. 
Am ong cut flowers there was but one exhibitor of 
Gladiolus, Mr. A. Richard, who staged a very creditable 
lot. Other awards made were for 12 Asters, first, Mr. 
J. Blake ; second, Mr. H. Strickland ; for 12 Dahlias, 
double, first, Mr. Till ; second Mr. Newham ; for 12 
Single Dahlias, first, Mr. J. Newman ; second, Mr. J. 
Flux ; for 12 Roses, first, Mr. H. Butcher; second, 
Mr. H. Strickland ; for 12 cut Pelargoniums, single 
trusses, there were several very creditable lots, first, 
Mr. J. Burt ; second, Mr. J. James. 
In the Classes for fruit there were many good exhibits, 
but many of the Grapes were sadly rubbed, thus spoiling 
the effect of what might have been excellent samples. 
In this class for 6 dishes, Mr. H. Quinton was placed 
first with Black Hamburgh and Foster’s Seedling Grapes, 
Royal George Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, Apricots, 
and Read’s Hybrid Melon. For 4 dishes, Mr. J. Dale 
was first, showing Black Hamburgh Grapes, good 
Melons, Peaches, and Nectarines. In the class for 2 
bunches of black Grapes, Mr. H. Butcher was first with 
well finished Madresfield Court; Mr. A. Richards second 
with Alicante. In the corresponding class for white 
Grapes, Mr. H. Butcher was again to the fore with 
Muscat of Alexandria. Intending exhibitors in this 
class another year, would do well to take a lesson from 
these stands, as they were neat, and the bunches and 
berries free from being rubbed, which was so conspicuous 
on some stands. Mr. Richards was second with Golden 
Hamburgh. For 6 Peaches indoor, Mr. H. Quinton 
first, Mr. J. Burt second. For 6 Nectarines, Mr. H. 
Strickland was placed first with Elruge, Mr. J. Dale 
second. For 6 Apricots, Mr. J. ToRy was first, and 
Mr. A. Richards second. For a green-fleshed Melon, 
Mr. H. Butcher was placed first, and Mr. H.- Candles 
second. For 6 varieties of out-door fruit, Mr. H. 
Butcher was first, showing a very creditable lot in¬ 
cluding Morello Cherries, Magnum Bonum Plums, 
Early York Peaches, Moorpark Apricot, Jargonelle 
Pear, and Elruge Nectarine. Mr. A. Richards was 
a good second. For a single dish of Cherries, Mr. H. 
Quinton was first, and Mr. J. Burt second, each 
showing Morellos. For a dish of Figs, Mr. H. Candles 
was first. 
In the class for 6 dishes of Yegetables, Mr. A. Richards 
was placed first, and Mr. H. G. Mann second. For a 
single dish of Peas, first, Mr. Dinton ; second, Mr. 
Newman. There are many other classes too numerous 
to mention in detail, suffice it to say that the exhibits 
throughout reflected great credit on the exhibitors, and 
the Committee of Management are to be congratulated 
on the success of their efforts.— C. D. 
-—- 
Scottish Gardening. 
Potato Cri/rrRE.— The culture of this popular and 
most useful esculent is too well known to induce the 
writer to attempt anything, beyond a few discursive 
remarks, on the subject. During the past few weeks 
we have had exceptional opportunities for noticing the 
potato crops, and the manner in which they are culti¬ 
vated in those districts in which they are grown largely 
for sale as weR as for home consumption ; but to give 
merely detaffed remarks on the cultural methods such 
as are practised in private gardens is not our intention 
at present. The history of the Potato, as given in an 
abridged form in some school works, is calculated to 
create interest among the young which must grow up 
with them, especiaRy if their lot is cast among the 
peasantry. In many parts of England where the 
Potato holds no secondary position as an article of diet, 
morning and evening, the failure of the crop is a 
calamity of no ordinary magnitude, and in Ireland the 
loss of the Potato crop cannot be supplemented by anj- 
other article in the vegetable kingdom. Though the 
loss in Scotland is great, those who have reason to value 
the Potato most (the peasantry) are generaRy better 
provided with resources to meet their requirements in 
the form of their famous ‘ ‘ Green Kail and Leeks. ” Still, 
the Potato holds the same position among vegetables 
in the north as Burns attributes to the Haggis among 
another class of viands, “ Great chieftain of thepuddin’ 
race. ” 
Judging from what we have seen in some of the 
agricultural districts of Perthshire, "West and Mid¬ 
lothian, as weR as in Stirlingshire, we are confirmed in 
the opinion that in Scotland the culture of Potatos is 
now of such a high character that it is not surpassed in 
any other country, and from the cottager’s plot to the 
vast acreage which may be noticed in many districts, 
the system of manipulation in preparing the soR, 
planting the crop, cleaning, hoeing, lifting and storing 
the tubers is the same. The dependence of many in 
southern districts on their supply of Potatos from the 
north is much the same as many in the north depend 
on having their best suppfies of wheat from the south. 
The Potato being a native of Chffi, would lead one to 
suppose that a warm climate would be most conducive 
to the exceRenee and productiveness of the tubers, but 
it appears that no finer Potatos are grown anywhere 
than in the northern half of Scotland, and the quan¬ 
tities raised are immense. 
