August 21, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
811 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
_ . ♦ . 
4 - 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The late batch of Celosias, Cockscombs and Gom- 
phrenas must now, 'without further delay, receive their 
last shift. Use a light open compost, into which the 
new roots will readily attach themselves ; it will also 
be necessary to keep them rather warmer now, or fully 
developed plants can hardly be expected. The nights 
are already becoming much lengthened, cooler, and 
with heavy dews, and under these conditions it will be 
advisable to close early the frame or pits in which 
these subjects are grown, keeping the plants as near 
the glass as possible, and freely syringing them before 
closing. Browallias may also be grown with them ; 
ours are now read} 7 for their shift into 8-in. pots, and 
are a nice sturdy lot, which will do us good service a 
bit later on. 
The first batch of Roman Hyacinths must now be 
potted, that is if very early flowers are expected. It 
is quite useless to attempt any kind of bulb success¬ 
fully until thoroughly furnished with roots ; and in 
case of there being any doubt upon this point, turn out 
the pots, and ascertain before introducing them to 
heat. If not well rooted, allow them to remain where 
they are, or failure is sure to follow. I need hardly 
say that a light rich compost must be used in the 
potting of all such things as Hyacinths, Tulips, Nar¬ 
cissus, &c., and it mil be advisable to use materials 
that have lain by rather than fresh loam. After the 
bulbs are potted, they may receive a watering through 
the rose, to thoroughly settle the soil about the bulbs, 
after which, the pots should be placed on an ash 
herder, in some cool situation, and covered with about 
6 ins. of screened coal ashes, where they may remain 
without further attention for the next few weeks. If 
many of these early bulbs are used, a second potting 
may be made in about a fortnight, and a third about 
in the same, to follow as the last, after which the 
ordinary varieties may be readily had in flower. A 
few pots of the Paper White Narcissus may be also 
potted up and similarly treated, but a week or two 
later will be found to suit these much better. 
Our Poinsettias having become too tall for the pits, 
we have removed them to the stage in the intermediate 
house, placing them in a batch by themselves, where 
they may receive a good syringing morning and even¬ 
ing, and so help to ward off the attacks of red spider. 
This is of the greatest consequence, for if once they be¬ 
come infested the loss of the greater part of the foliage 
will be certain before it can be eradicated. Where the 
planting out of these is adopted prepare compost, &c ., 
ready for potting up, as, if this is not done in good time, 
they are scarcely ever satisfactory, in fact we very much 
prefer keeping them always in pots, and this season 
they are a very useful lot, with from four to seven 
good growths to a stool. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Where pot Vines are used for furnishing the early 
supply of Grapes, it will be necessary to use some dis¬ 
cretion in their treatment just now, naturally they will 
now be in that state which, to a casual observer, is of 
no moment, but to those upon whom it may devolve to 
produce the crop, it is a season of care, because if neg¬ 
lected now, and premature ripening ensue, most 
assuredly the crop next spring will be affected, there¬ 
fore, look well to them. Let them be carefully and 
constantly watered, syringed, and so on, and, if at all 
possible, let them remain under glass until the foliage 
shows signs of decay, when they may be removed out 
of doors to the foot of a sheltered wall (the rods being 
tacked securely), which will greatly tend to a thorough 
ripening and rest; but be careful not at any time to 
allow the soil in the pots to become dry. Should the 
weather be very hot and dry, to prevent over-watering, 
cover the pots with litter or an old mat to help to pre¬ 
vent evaporation. 
See well to it that the early Vinery (from 'which, as 
a rule, the crop will now be cut) does not suffer from 
want of water, and even a good dose of liquid manure 
or guano will, at this time, materially assist next 
season’s production. Now, I do notbelieve in mid-winter 
attention in this respect, far better, in my opinion, 
supply nourishment now and on through September, 
than just before the Vines are started, as is usually the 
case ; and when from frequent waterings much of the 
benefit hoped for is carried through the soil into the 
drains, from the simple reason that the roots of the 
Vines are in that state that they cannot receive 
the nourishment applied, as if applied now it is stored 
for next season’s crop, and the result quite apparent. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
A great deal of time must now be devoted to the 
fruit crop, more especially that of early Plums, Pears, 
and Apples, which ripen rapidly and as quickly spoil 
if left too long on the trees, more particularly will this 
apply to the two latter, which in every respect are 
much better if gathered and eaten direct from the trees. 
"Where the bottling of early plums is desired, they must 
be carefully watched, aud they must be gathered when 
not over-ripe or they will not keep satisfactorily. 
Greengages must be looked after, they are much later 
than usual, but if the present showery weather 
continues they must be gathered before they are quite 
ripe or they will crack and speedily go bad. Jargonelle 
Pears may be gathered at intervals, and the season 
by this means considerably prolonged. Apricots are 
a good and heavy crop, and must be frequently looked 
over and gathered as fit, selecting the finest for dessert, 
the remainder for preserving. 
"We have prepared ready a sheltered border for 
sowing Lettuce for winter and spring use, Cauliflower, 
Cabbage, Tripoli Onions, and a late batch of Endive, 
these will be put in without further delay ; we always 
(a few days before sowing), give the ground a good 
dusting of gas-lime, after which we are seldom troubled 
with slugs or vermin of any kind. "We are busy 
removing the sticks and haulm of the Peas which are 
over, and the ground being cropped with winter greens, 
the Dutch hoe is run between the rows and puts all 
straight. — Walter Child, Croome Court. 
-->*<-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Shropshire Floral and Horticultural.— 
August 18 th and 19th .—The ancient Borough of 
Shrewsbury was en f6te on Wednesday and Thursday 
last, on the occasion of the annual celebration of the 
horticultural fete in the far-famed Quarry grounds. 
From a horticultural point of view Shrewsbury show 
has become one of the best held in the provinces ; 
and the society, under whose auspices it is held, 
is unquestionably one of the most prosperous, 11 its 
run of luck” during the last ten years having been 
most remarkable. We remember well the poor little 
show that used to be held there—a one tent affair—- 
scarcely worth crossing the road to see, and they 
were held, as now, in the Quarry, “ one of the finest 
sites in Europe ” for a horticultural show, but until 
within the the last few years disgracefully neglected by 
the townspeople. We are glad to record the fact that 
the old order of things obtains no longer ; the horti¬ 
cultural society got into new hands, the new blood has 
given new life, a bold and liberal policy has been most 
ably carried out, and unqualified success has been the 
reward. The society has spent much of its handsome 
profits in planting, laying out, and improving the 
grounds in which the exhibition is held, for the benefit 
of the town, and a marvellous change has come over 
the scene. The desert has indeed been made to smile, 
and now in “The Dingle” which for very many years 
was a noisome spot, with a filthy little pond in the cen¬ 
tre, the proud Salopians have one of the most charming 
bits of gardenesque scenery to be seen in any public 
park or pleasure ground in the country. • But more of 
the Quarry anon : we must confine ourselves to-day to 
the show, and a grand show it was ; not so varied in 
materials, as regards plants it is true, as would be the 
case were the exhibition held earlier, but first-rate 
nevertheless. What was wanting in the plants was 
more than compensated for by the fruits and vegetables, 
the former of which was staged in wondrous profusion, 
and made up a display that those who should know 
declared to be the best that has been seen anywhere 
this season. The attendance of visitors has again this 
year been very large, the number passed through the 
turnstiles on Wednesday being 10,000, and on Thurs¬ 
day, by 4 p.m., 35,000. 
The principal class for plants, was that for twenty 
stove and greenhouse, not less than ten in bloom, with 
prizes amounting to £25, £20, and £15, respectively, 
and exhibitors permitted to take more than one prize. 
Here the invincible Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, again 
managed to secure the lion’s share of the awards, 
taking the first and third Prizes ; with another fine 
plant grower, Mr. C. Roberts, gardener to A. Nicholson, 
Esq. Highfield Hall, second. In the main group from 
Cheltenham, were noble examples of Kentia Canter- 
buryana, Thrinax elegans, Areca Baueri, a very fine 
specimen, and Latonia borbonica, Crotons magesticus, 
Johannis, angustifolius, and Queen "Victoria, all 
grand bushes and well coloured ; a fine example of 
Cycas revoluta; and large well-bloomed specimens of 
Ericas, _ Eweriana, and Irbyana, Ixora Fraseri, Statice 
Gilberti, Allamanda nobilis, FrancLscea calycina. Mr. 
Roberts’ large and very effective group, contained a 
very handsome Cycas circinalis, Encephalartos villosus, 
Croton magesticus, a huge bush, superbly coloured ; a 
fine Ixora Williamsii, and bright fleshy bloomed 
specimens of Dipladenia amabilis, Clerodendron 
Balfourianum, Dipladenia profusa, and a large balloon- 
trained plant of the old Gloriosa superba, not often 
seen in such good condition. For nine stove and 
greenhouse plants, Mr. C. Roffil, gardener to H. 
Lovat, Esq., Low Hill, Wolverhampton, was first with 
a good lot, including two fine Palms, Allamanda 
Hendersoni, Bougainvillea glabra, and Erica am- 
pulacea vittata, all well done ; second, Messrs. 
Pritchard & Sons ; and third, Mrs. Juson, Abbey 
Foregate. With six, Mr. C. Roberts secured a good 
first ; and with a similar number in a class from which 
Orchids were excluded, Mr. Lovatt’s gardener again 
came to the front. The now popular class for groups 
arranged for effect brought out several admirable ex¬ 
amples of decorative skill, and Messrs. Pritchard & 
Sons took first honours with one of the prettiest groups 
we have seen in the form of an irregularly surfaced 
sloping bank, densely set with Maidenhair, among 
which were dotted a few choice little Palms, Crotons, 
&c., aud a few spikes of Odontoglossum Alexandra. 
Messrs. Jones & Sons, Croton Hill, were second, also 
with a most admirable group, in which a greater variety 
of plants were used, but most tastefully arranged. The 
same firms were also placed equal third with most 
effective combinations, but marred in one case by the 
rrse of mirrors, and in the other by the display of Cork. 
Ferns were a nice feature, being fresh and clearly 
grown, but rather ou the small side. For six, open, 
Mr. Lambert, gardener to Col. Wingfield, Onslow, was 
first with a pretty lot including very fresh looking 
Adiantum concinnum latum, A. cuneatum, and Hy- 
meuophyllum demissum, &c. Mr. Cypher was second, 
and Messrs. Pritchard & Sons third. In a gardeners 
class for the same number, Mr. Farrand, gardener to 
Mrs. Juson, came in first; Mr. Milner, gardener to 
the Rev. J. D. Corbert, Sundorne Castle, second ; and 
Mr. Lambert, third. The Dracsena class was a very 
nice one ; so also was that for Coleuses, in which a 
capital lot of pyramids were shown, and for which Mr. 
J. Laing, Cherry Orchard, was awarded the first prize, 
and Mr. Milner the second—an error of judgment, we 
thought, on the part of the censors. There were several 
collectionsof four Fuchsias shown, an uncommonly grand 
lot. Messrs. Pritchard & Sons were first and second, 
with plants about 6 ft. high, and 5 ft. in diameter ; and 
H. Owen, Esq., Shrewsbury, was third. Caladiums 
were fair, Zonal Pelargoniums, both double and single, 
very good, and Begonias poor, with the exception of 
one lot. There was a very good competition with 
table plants, a very pretty and useful lot of stuff being 
staged. Mr. Lambert secured another first prize here, 
Messrs. Jones & Sons being a good second, and Mr. 
Farrand third. 
Cut flowers were extensively shown, and proved as 
usual a very attractive feature. Messrs. Heath & Son, 
Cheltenham, took the highest awards for twenty-four 
and thirty-six Dahlias in a very good competition, 
Mr. "W. Shaw, Blackbrook, being a good second in 
both classes. Cut Roses were good for the season, but 
call for no further comment. Carnations and Picotees 
were shown in considerable numbers, and in both 
classes the first prizes went to Mr. Hans Niemand, 
Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, for very neat 
clean blooms. Asters were very fine, and with a grand 
stand of a dozen, Mr. G. J. Fox was first; while with 
Gladioli, Messrs. Burrill & Co., Cambridge, were well 
ahead of all competitors. For a bridal bouquet, Messrs. 
Perkins & Sons, Coventry, were placed first, and for a 
ball or hand bouquet, Mr. Hans Niemand secured the 
highest award, Messrs. Jones & Sons coming in second, 
and Messrs. Perkins third. 
The fruit classes were unusually well contested, and, 
as we have remarked, a superb lot of produce was 
staged. The handsome prizes of £10, £6, and £6 
for a collection of twelve dishes brought out seven 
competitors, and the first three were so close that it 
took the judges, very experienced men, sometime to 
decide between them. Eventually they finally decided 
that Mr. Roberts, gardener, Gunnersbury Park, Acton, 
was first ; Mr. Gilman, gardener, Ingestrie, Stafford, 
second ; Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Castle, third ; and 
extra fourth and fifth prizes were awarded to Mr. 
Parker, Impney, and Mr. Edmonds, Bestwood. Mr. 
Roberts had, we believe, the first specimen that has 
been exhibited, except by the raiser, of the new Lady 
Beatrice Lambton Pine Apple (the poor top of which 
nearly threw him out) ; beautifully finished bunches of 
Gros Maroc, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court, 
and Buckland Sweetwater Grapes; a good Golden 
Perfection Melon, Lord Napier Nectarines, Ormskirk 
Apricots, La Grosse Sucree Strawberries, Sea Eagle 
Peaches, Figs, and Cherries. Mr. Gilman was very 
strong in Grapes aud Peaches, and Mr. Goodacre had 
also a grand lot of Grapes, but was weak in his front 
dishes. A first prize of £10 for six bunches of black 
Grapes brought out a splendid competition, and a 
superb lot of fruit. Mr. Pratt, of Longleat, came in 
first with well-finished bunches of Mrs. Pince’s Black 
Muscat, Black Hamburgh, and Alicante, averaging 
