THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 13, 1886. 
the “West Kent Pot” was illustrated] in most of the 
gardening papers at the time, and Dr. Lindley intro¬ 
duced it to public notice in a leader in the Gardeners 
Chronicle; Mr. Robert Marnock inserted it in the 
Gardeners' and Land Stewards' Journal' ; Mr. George 
Glenny, in the Gardeners' Gazette; Mr. Robert Plant, 
in the Florists' Journal; and Mr. Maunde, in his 
Botanic Garden. 
Mr. Fry also invented a self-acting fumigator, which 
was .exhibited at one of the meetings of the Horticul¬ 
tural Society, 21, Regent Street, in 1S50. So, also, 
was his “ sulphurator,” for distributing powdered 
sulphur amongst Grapes and all plants attacked by 
mildew, and his sulphurator and fumigator combined 
followed soon afterwards. 
Subsequent to 1840, Mr. Fry had taken a deep interest 
in all gardening associations having for their aim the 
spread of knowledge amongst young gardeners and the 
improvement of their social position, and we find him, 
in 1843, writing as follows in the Gardeners' Gazette 
with reference to the Philanthropic Society of Gardeners 
at that time in existence :—“You that are blest with 
a philanthropic spirit, come forward without delay and 
cast in your mite towards assisting in the prevention of 
our more ill-fated brethren and their companions being, 
through unavoidable circumstances, plunged into ex¬ 
treme poverty and helplessness. Probably, we who are 
at present sailing pleasantly with a fair wind may one 
day get unexpectedly dashed against some hidden rock. 
Then happily would we embrace with deep gratitude 
the kind helping hand that would at such a season 
administer to our wants, and save us from total ruin. 
Many, like myself, may be young and healthy, pos¬ 
sessing the entire use of their faculties, in good situations, 
bidding fair to become active, useful members of society. 
That, indeed, is well ; but as we cannot foresee the 
evil that may overtake us individually, it is far better 
to prevent than to cure. Let us, then, unitingly join 
hand in hand, both young and aged, with a determined 
fixed principle of rendering the burden of the oppressed 
lighter, and the path of the young, arduous practitioner 
plain, pleasant, and easy.” 
He was honorary secretary to a society of this kind 
for some considerable time, and also a member of the 
"West Kent Gardeners’ Association, of which Mr. W. P. 
Ayres was secretary. At that time there were a great 
many kindred societies in the neighbourhood of London, 
the “Regent’s Park” amongst others, and Mr. Fry 
well remembers being present at one of this society’s 
meetings on a special occasion, when Mr. Charles Moore, 
now curator of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney ; Mr. 
Thomas Moore, curator of the Botanic Gardens, Chelsea; 
and Mr. McEwen, who died whilst he was superin¬ 
tendent of the Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chis¬ 
wick, were present, all of them being then young men 
in the Botanic Gardens, Regent’s Park, under Mr. 
Robert Marnock. 
In 1855. Mr. Fry patented his Seakale and propa¬ 
gating pots, fern and seed pans, and which, on being 
shown at the autumn meeting of the Horticultural 
Society, received honourable mention. These also 
passed into the hands of Mi". Joseph Pascall. After 
being gardener to Mrs. Dent for fourteen years, she 
purchased the Homewood Estate, Chiselhurst, when her 
gardener’s engagement voluntarily ceased, and he went 
into partnership, which was dissolved at the expiration 
of three years, having turned out anything but a 
satisfactory arrangement. He still, however, remained 
at the old gardens, and 'raised several new Fuchsias. 
Lord of the Manor was figured in the Gardeners' 
Magazine, and sent out by himself : Blue Boy was 
sent out by our late much-respectcd friend, Mr. Charles 
Turner ; and other varieties followed, such as Miss Lizzie 
Yidler, new mauve double corolla ; Ethel Fry, double 
white ; Mrs. Gladstone, double white ; Mrs. George 
Grote, single white tube and sepals, with cherry-tinted 
corolla ; and several others, sent out by Messrs. Jones 
and North, of the Hope Nurseries, Lewisham. Having 
lived in the Manor Gardens twenty-three years, Mr. 
Fry was induced in 1875 to offer himself as a candidate 
for the situation of superintendent of the Lee Cemetery, 
then just completed, and was duly elected, and here 
he has been ever since, employing his talents to the 
satisfaction of his employers ; and enjoying the friend¬ 
ship of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
Our readers, many of whom we know have been greatly 
interested in the reminiscences of days gone by which 
he has contributed to our columns, will, we are sure, 
join heartily with us in hoping that for many years to 
come he may enjoy the blessings of good health and 
prosperity and the warm esteem of his fellow men. 
GOOSEBERRIES FOR EXHIBI¬ 
TION. 
There is probably no other county in England in 
which the Gooseberry is grown to a larger size or heavier 
weight than in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire. 
The temperature, the soil, and the less powerful sunlight 
than is experienced in the south apparently favouring 
its better development, and these advantages coupled 
with the energy and vigour with which its cultivation 
is carried on by those who make*5t their speciality, 
mostly cottagers, and attend to its various wants, is, 
no doubt, the cause of the superiority of the counties 
named. In giving you a brief resume of the general 
system of cultivation adopted, it will be best to begin 
with 
The preparation of the Soil. —The space selected 
should be open, and in a sunny position, but sheltered 
if possible from the north and north east winds. Beds 
should be marked out from 6 ft. to 8 ft. wide with 
narrow walks between, edged with boards, bricks, or 
anything else available. Double dig or trench these 
beds 15 ins. to 18 ins. deep, adding plenty of rotten 
manure and decayed turf or loam if it is to be had, and 
if the soil is at all binding a sprinkling of road sand 
will be of much benefit. This done, the next in order 
will come 
The Planting. —The trees which can be procured 
from any of the principal nurserymen advertising in 
your columns should consist of or be cut to three 
main shoots, plant them 5 ft. apart up the centre of 
each bed, spreading out the roots evenly and not too 
deep, but as near to the surface as possible, and cover¬ 
ing them over with fine yellow loam. Tread them in 
firmly, and mulch, prop up those shoots that have a 
tendency to grow downwards, such as London, 
Thumper, &c., with Y shaped sticks, and bringing 
down those that have an erect growth, such as Dan’s 
Mistake, &c., with pot-hooked pegs, thus, in both cases 
to within 8 in. of the soil. They will require nothing 
further than the protection of the buds from the birds. 
Towards the latter end of March the buds will push, 
and the future fruit will show itself. On the sign or 
approach of frost the trees should be protected by 
covering them over at nights with canvas, newspaper, 
&c., uncovering them again in the morning. At the 
end of May or early in June, the fruits should be 
thinned, leaving only the most promising, the longest, 
and best shaped, and if in a good position so much the 
better. 
Feeding with liquid manure commences in June. 
Some growers commence on a particular date, but this 
much depends on the season and the locality. On or 
about the 24th is the date fixed in this locality. It is 
given weak at first, and gradually increased in strength, 
and applied not necessarily near the collar, but within 
reach of the spongiolcs or growing points. Drainage 
from the stable or stye, guano or soot, &c., put in a 
tub, and well mixed with water, are all of especial 
benefit; but there are two points which I wish to 
impress upon the grswer : the first is, never give it too 
strong, and the second, never to apply it except when 
the weather is wet. At other times give an abundance 
of water, and place saucers filled with water under 
each fruit, so as to keep the atmosphere humid around 
the fruit, which will help the swelling of it. The 
liquid manure should be withheld just before the 
turning of the fruit. 
Pruning.- —The trees as received from the nursery 
may be of one, two or three years' growth, and as 
before stated, should have three main branches. If 
only of one year’s growth, cut back to about 8 in. in 
length. These shoots the second year will have pro¬ 
duced laterals or side shoots. If of three or more 
years’ growth, the result is the same. Most of these 
laterals should be cut back to two eyes, and the thin 
and weakly ones removed altogether. The outer shoots 
should be pruned to half their length, until the tree 
has arrived at its proper dimensions. In pruning for 
show purposes, always select good firm well-ripened 
shoots of the previous summer’s growth. Keep the 
laterals well thinned, and encourage young sturdy 
wood. Strong shoots that have a tendency to rob the 
tree of its support should be pinched. Pruning is 
usually done in November, but where birds are trouble¬ 
some, some leave them until spring, and both times 
have their advantages and disadvantages. 
Root pruning is essential where trees are of many 
years’ standing, but it is advisable to let these emerge 
into the general bush form, and to prune and, to use 
them for general cropping, as the youngest trees in¬ 
variably produce the finest fruits. However, take up 
the trees, shorten the long straggling roots, and replant 
at ones in fresh quarters, or back again in fresh maiden 
loam and manure mixed. This should be done at the 
end of October or early in November, or as soon as the 
leaves are of a bronzy hue, which is a sure sign that 
the wood is ripe. Never mind the leaves falling off, 
but plant while the earth is still warm. The hushes 
will receive but little check, and get well hold of the 
soil ere cold weather arrives. Mulch freely as before. 
A good Selection. — Red : Dan’s Mistake, Con¬ 
quering Hero, London, Clayton, Speedwell, Companion, 
Ploughboy, Eskender Bey and Monarch. White: 
Antagonist, Careless, Hero of the Nile, Freedom, King 
of Trumps, Queen of Trumps, Mitre, Postman, and 
Snowdrift. Green: Shiner, Stockwell, Thumper, 
General, Plunder, Telegraph, London City, Diadem, 
and Gretna Green. Yellow: Leveller, Leader, Gari¬ 
baldi, Drill, Ringer, Catharina, Lady Houghton, Peru, 
and Mount Pleasant.— B. L., Huddersfield. 
-->£<—- 
FRDITS, FLO WERS & V EGETABLES. 
The Poinsettia at Seaham Hall.—Allow 
me to thank Mr. Draper for his prompt answer to my 
inquiry respecting the above. It will be seen from 
Mr. Draper’s note that where Poinsettias are liked for 
decoration (and where are they nothin a cut state, and 
where a back wall can be spared in a house that can be 
kept a little warm in winter, the system of planting out 
has much to recommend it. Fancy 240 heads of bracts 
from a wall 23 ft. by 11 ft.; how many plants would 
one have to grow in pots to obtain that number, say at 
three or four heads to a plant, which is quite enough 
if one wants to get them a fair size, to say nothing 
about the room they would take up, and the time oc¬ 
cupied in propagating, potting, and watering all through 
the summer. — W. C. 
Hardiness of the Variegated-Leaved 
Phormium tenax.— Mr. W. E. Gumbleton’s 
interesting information respecting this plant (for 
which I beg to thank him), coupled with my own 
experience, points to the conclusion that if the roots 
of plants can be kept fairly dry they can withstand a 
great deal of frost. Fuchsias in the same house are 
killed outright; but the Phormium, in one of the 
coldest corners, lives on. Heliotropes in pots are alive 
also, but the soil dry about the roots. They look 
poorly but are alive, and when cut back presently and 
re-potted after they show signs of breaking, will yet be 
serviceable plants.— R. D. 
Early Blooming of Irish Daffodils in 
the Open Air. —Pallidus praecox (Irish-grown, one 
year) and Ard-Righ (in Irish, “High King’’) are both 
now in full bloom. The latter is a very early variety of 
Spurius, blooms of which I have already sent you. 
The small violet-scented little white Daffodil, “Minnie 
"Warren,” is a perfect gem in pots in a cold house. 
It has been in flower since January 27th. It well 
deserves notice at South Kensington, and a Certificate. 
The big early Spurius referred to above will be the 
leading Daffodil of commerce for early market work. 
I promise it in succession from November to April.— 
W. B. II ., Temple Hill, Cork. 
Clematis indivisa lobata— This is certainly 
one of the most desirable plants that can be grown; 
flowering as it does at this season of the year when so 
few greenhouse climbers can be had in flower ; at any 
season of the year its pure white star-like flowers would 
be acceptable, but just now they are particularly 
serviceable. As a greenhouse climber the plant has 
many advantages being evergreen, and the foliage of a 
rich glossy green ; it always has a neat appearance, 
and the plant is more easily kept in order than most 
climbers. And when grown in pots it may easily be 
removed to the eonservatoiy, the stems being very 
pliable they may be twisted about in any direction 
without fear of breaking them. As a pot plant trained 
round a pyramidal trellis it makes a very effective 
plant for decoration.— H. 
Balsams.— We often hear of complaints of the bad 
quality of Balsams, and some hard words of blame are 
used towards the seedsman ; but is it his fault ? It is 
not difficult to discover that the same packet of seed 
will yield plants of the opposite character; on the 
