484 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
April 3, 1886. 
for the outdoor culture of fruits which we cannot 
even dream of here, much less realise. But if 
there, as seems probable, one half of Guernsey 
will presently be covered with glass-houses for 
the production of fruits, Tomatos, dwarf Beans, 
Ac., even with the natural climatic advantages 
found there, how much more does it seem 
needful that we at home, if we are to keep pace 
with the requirements of the times, should 
follow suit. 
Both gardeners and agriculturists are ready to 
assert that even more needful than reforms of 
land-laws, however desirable that may be, and 
of changes in foreign competition, the great need 
for them is to be found in what is beyond 
human power to procure—change in weather or 
climatic surroundings. Of course, we do not 
desire to have a climate that is semi-tropical. 
If anything would tend to destroy the native 
energy and genius of Britons, it certainly would 
be a warm climate. Few things have so much 
tended to provoke energy and developments of 
human force as have our changeable and un¬ 
certain climate, and it is because it is so un¬ 
certain, and too often inhospitable in relation to 
the cultivation of fruits and flowers, that we are 
being more and more driven to the creation of 
glass-houses in which to produce that which can 
only be so obtained in this our cold climate. 
We have heard it asserted that there is too much 
glass engaged in the production of fruits and 
flowers already. That seems improbable in face 
of the fact that we have a rapidly growing 
population that certainly is not becoming poorer, 
even if at times exhibiting in parts material 
poverty. Then we are—or, at least, believe we 
are—as a people rapidly increasing in intelli¬ 
gence and refinement and a love for garden 
products ; indeed, all which relates to gardening 
is indissolubly associated with refinement. 
Perhaps the opinion that we have too much 
glass now arises from imperfect employment of 
the same—perhaps from some local causes. In 
any case, it is certain that some who do under¬ 
stand pretty well the requirements of the age 
and have faith in their enlargement, still con¬ 
tinue to erect glass-houses, and in blocks that 
would surprise those unfamiliar with the largest 
of our market establishments. At Bexley Heath, 
Hartford, and Swanley there may be seen such 
vast areas of glass-houses as to resemble small 
towns, each capable of sheltering an army : and 
very probably these three blocks alone have a 
run of not less than four miles of glass-houses, 
and all belonging to one grower. Four miles 
of glass-houses devoted to the production of 
Grapes, Peaches, Cucumbers, Tomatos, Straw¬ 
berries, and cut flowers, seems enough to 
supply a vast population alone ; but there are 
myriads of places—not merely around London, 
but all over the kingdom—devoted to the same 
special purpose ; and, we hope, in spite of the 
slackness of the times, that all are paying their 
way. 
Of agricultural land it is doubtful whether 
five or six acres maintain one man in constant 
labour. In open market-gardening about one 
acre maintains its man, and in high-class gar¬ 
dening would maintain two men; but an acre 
of ground covered with glass would need the 
labour of six men at least, and thus we see 
how much the question of extending glass¬ 
houses for the production of fruits and flowers 
tends to the solution of the labour problem. Hot 
only under glass do we need the assistance of 
more men, but we need also help of a much 
more skilled and intelligent kind. Better wages 
can also be given, and the employment of so 
much labour in the production of things neces¬ 
sarily now scarce or only obtainable from other 
countries, re-acts upon the nation, and serves to 
promote its prosperity, whilst controversialists 
will yet discuss the aimless subject as to whether 
our climate has changed for the worse or other¬ 
wise, sensible men will realise that whatever 
the climate may be, it is for us to do our best 
to surmount the obvious difficulties which it 
presents to gardening. In the gross, we cannot 
hope to produce large crops of Apples, Pears, 
Gooseberries, or similar fruits, except when 
seasons are specially favourable, and of late those 
seasons have been few. The continued produc¬ 
tion of crops of those fruits must still be de¬ 
pendent upon weather, do what we may in the 
erection of glass-houses, although a very profit¬ 
able result may still be obtained in the culture 
of the choicer kinds of the two former, and also 
of Cherries, Plums, the most select of other 
stone fruits, Strawberries, Ac. 
That a vast quantity of these fruits are already 
grown for sale is certain, but still so moderate 
is that quantity, none the less, as compared with 
the population of this country, that little of it 
so raised comes to the tables of the masses. 
We want fruits of these kinds produced in 
greater abundance (and cheaply, too) under 
glass, if it be possible to combine cost of pro¬ 
duction and profit on the same, and yet dispose 
of the things at reasonable prices. It may be 
taken for granted that flowers will seldom fail 
to find a ready sale, and their production is not 
necessarily costly under glass, because there, at 
least, they are secure from those troubles which 
afflict tender plants in the open. All depends 
upon the season at which they are required, 
and no reasonable buyer will exqtect to find 
flowers or even fruits so cheap in winter or 
early spring as in their ordinary seasons ; but it 
will be great gain to get them home-grown even 
in ordinary seasons, because purchasable by 
some to whom yet these things are costly 
luxuries. We prefer to take a generous view 
of the ultimate development of market-gar¬ 
dening in these its higher aspects, and think 
that nature, enterprise, and energy will event¬ 
ually overcome existing difficulties. 
-—- 
GARDENING MISCELLANY. 
The National Potato Show. —Under this 
title we understand that the Crystal Palace Company 
intend to hold an exhibition of Potatos in the autumn, 
which is to take the place of the collapsed International 
Show. A liberal schedule is projected under the 
direction of Mr. Head, and it is expected that the same 
substantial support will be received as was accorded 
to the previous scheme. Probably, some new features 
will be developed, and those interested in exhibitions 
of this tuber will welcome the news that the Sydenham 
Show is to be continued, but under new management. 
The Croydon Horticultural Society will 
hold its nineteenth summer show, in the grounds of 
Wellesley House, on June 30th, and its tenth exhibition 
of Chrysanthemums, See., in the Public Hall, Croydon, 
on November 10th and 11th. 
The United Horticultural Benefit and 
Provident Society.— The annual report and 
balance sheet of the above society has just been issued ; 
it also contains lists of the committee and members, 
and also a list of the meeting nights in the year 1886, 
and January, 1887. It is a pity that it does not also 
contain a statement in brief of the advantages offered 
by the society to members. A small leaflet could be 
made to contain all that it is necessary should he 
stated, and if these could be distributed amongsuchof the 
members as would be willing to circulate them, many 
persons would gain a knowledge of the society who are 
at present ignorant of it. Copies of the report and 
balance sheet can be had of the secretary, Mr. J. F. 
McElroy, The Gardens, Moray Lodge, Campden Hill, 
Kensington, W. 
Home-grown and Foreign-grown Fruits. 
—How is it that the Apple cultivators in Canada can 
compete with the home producer, and not only hold 
his own, but find his trade increasing. The Covent 
Garden Gazette and Market Record points out that 
while the advance in Canada is so rapid, “the increase 
in the same branch at home is so insignificant that one 
almost wonders if the home grower is not only 
apathetic, but asleep ; or is it true that they are bound 
hand and foot and cannot move ? We fear there is 
something in this. Unjust land laws arid impediments 
block the agriculturist in every direction when he 
attempts to move ; not the least of these being tithes, 
which are a disgrace to any enlightened nation. Does 
the land tiller improve his soil, and by industry and 
skill force its value up in the market ? Then, at the 
expiration of his time, he must stand by and see the 
fruits of his hands harvested by another. What the 
agriculturists want, and must have, is to be placed 
upon the same footing as his foreign and colonial rival. 
But till he is free, he is only making the world believe 
he is a farmer, at the some time that he knows he is 
simply playing the part. The fact remains that in no 
country under the sun is fruit culture so hampered as 
in this country, where it should be most unfettered. 
The English grower’s loss is the foreigner’s benefit. Is 
this just ? ” 
Stocks for Exhibition.— At not a few flower 
shows, held during the months of July and August, 
examples of Stocks are shown in the cut-flower classes ; 
but it can be noticed that there is a want of uniformity 
in the method in which they arc shown. One exhibitor 
will dig up plants from the ground when the centre 
and side spikes are at their best, and by washing the 
roots free of soil, show them in this way with then- 
roots put into a glass of water, or some such vessel ; 
another will cut out from his plants the centre spike 
when at its best, and be content with exhibiting this. 
So much depends upon the wording of the schedule of 
prizes and the interpretation put upon it. What is the 
best Stock for exhibition ? There are two deserving of 
attention. One is a strain known as Giant Perfection, 
a strong-growing type, with very large and fully double 
flowers, and this can be had in six or eight distinct 
colours ; another is Mauve Beauty, a Wallflower-leaved 
pyramidal Stock of great beauty, and massive spikes, 
but it only forms one of a collection of six sorts, and 
it is well worthy a place among exhibition varieties. 
The Royal Horticultural Society of 
Southampton will hold its twenty-fourth great 
summer show in Westwood Park, Avenue, on Satur¬ 
day and Monday, July 31st, and August 2nd, 1886 ; 
and its ninth grand exhibition of Chrysanthemums, 
Fruits, and Flowers, in the skating rink, on Tuesday 
and Wednesday, November 9th and 10th, 1886. Owing 
to the falling off in the receipts at the exhibitions last 
year, the Council express their regret that they are 
compelled to issue a schedule of prizes for these shows, 
containing a reduced number of Classes, and in several 
cases smaller prizes. It is hoped, however, that the 
exhibitors will assist the society, in tiding over its 
present financial difficulties, by exhibiting as largely as 
before, notwithstanding the reduced amount offered. 
Anthracite Coal.— A correspondent “J. 
S. T.,” writes:—“The use of Anthracite as a fuel for 
garden purposes is becoming (year by year) more 
appreciated, but while some recommend that it be 
mixed with coke, I much prefer it alone. Among its 
many advantages over other fuel, it may be said that 
it is smokeless, requires less attention, is of slow com¬ 
bustion, takes less room for storage, and the great heat 
which it throws out. I am led to make a few remarks 
upon the use of Anthracite Coal, from the fact of my 
being compelled—from unavoidable circumstances— 
to resort to coke again, but as soon as possible I hope 
to be relieved from that necessity. I w-ould not return 
to the sole use of coke for a pension, and those of your 
readers who do not consume this coal, I heartily invite 
to give it a trial. I might enter at length into the use 
and mis-use of dampers, but I will confine myself to 
mentioning that Anthracite requires a little more 
draught than coke. I remember one place I was 
at where there was no damper in the chimney for regu¬ 
lating the fire, hence there was much waste, but I soon 
rectified that mistake.” We may add to our corres¬ 
pondent’s remarks, as a bit of practical experience, 
that Mr. B. S. Williams uses no other fuel than 
Anthracite Coal, and considers that as it is cheaper 
than ordinary coal, that it gives off greater heat, is 
more cleanly, and requires less attention from the 
stoker ; he saves quite 50 per cent, by it—a matter of 
considerable importance now-a-days. 
Mr Joseph Powis, of Shobdon Gardens, 
Herefordshire, has been engaged as gardener to S. Howitt, 
Esq., The Firs, Worcester. 
The Havant Chrysanthemum Society- 
will hold its third annual exhibition, on Tuesday and 
Wednesday, November 3rd and 4th next. 
The Ludlow Horticultural Society's 
summer show, will be held on August 25th. 
