November 6, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
157 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The weather experienced lately has been anything 
but favourable in this department, dull heavy mists 
prevailing, so conducive to damping, unless great 
precautions are taken. In the greenhouses let the pipes 
be well warmed after breakfast, and good ventilation be 
given at the same time, so that damp may be driven 
out, and close the valves in good time, so that the pipes 
may become cool before night, closing the front and 
lower ventilators before the air becomes too damp. 
■Where the structures are continuous, opening of the 
doors through the range will afford a good circulation, 
with a slight top ventilation ; as before advised, avoid 
unnecessary damp as much as possible. 
Greenhouses may now be kept quite gay with Ericas, 
Salvias, Callas, Primulas and the like ; these all thrive 
best in a buoyant atmosphere, as above referred to. 
Chrysanthemums will now shortly be at their bestr, 
and a complete mass of bloom they will be, the season, 
in my opinion, having particularly suited them ; the 
foliage remains of that dark green colour denoting 
health, consequently, flowers are bound to be good alike 
in texture and colour ; and if only the weather will 
continue as propitious as to-day, the greatest gourmand 
can be gratified by the display, so wonderful an 
advance has there been in the production of newer 
varieties. 
It is now time that the stock of Eucharis amazonica 
should be placed in position for the winter ; probably it 
has been kept in some special house if the stock is of 
considerable extent, and in that case the house would be 
better occupied if filled with plants for forcing ; at any 
rate, any good heated pit will admirably suit for the 
storing of the Eucharis. A firm ash bottom is best for 
the pots to stand upon, as but little water need be 
given for a rather lengthened period ; extreme dryness 
at the roots causing a loss of the foliage must, of course, 
be avoided, at the same time, for successful flowering, 
the “rest” should be as complete as possible. Upon 
fine days a damping through the coarse rose over the 
entire foliage will be beneficial. 
Allow me to add, before storing examine the under¬ 
side of the foliage, and be satisfied that no mealy bug 
or scale are ensconced there, or endless trouble will be 
caused when the young foliage appears, when the plants 
are started. If it is found necessary to start any for a 
mid-winter supply of flowers, let the pots be plunged 
in bottom heat, giving water sparingly until growth is 
well started, when more may be given and also stronger 
bottom heat. Where home-grown Lily of the Valley 
are used for forcing, no time should be lost in potting 
up the crowns, by so doing, the soil thoroughly settles 
before being forced; the same remark applies to Spiraas, 
Dielytras, Solomon’s Seal and kindred subjects, the 
whole of which we have attended to, and they are 
placed under cover until required for use. A few pots 
of Roman Hyacinths should now be introduced to heat 
for bouquet work. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Affairs in this department must be regulated with 
the greatest forethought, as any undue amount of 
forcing upon almost every subject will militate against 
success. So far, nothing can be said to have properly 
gone to rest; consequently, the greater caution is 
necessary in re-starting them into active growth again— 
in fact, where it is attempted, the majority of plants 
will go blind. Even the earliest Hyacinths, Tulips 
and Narcissus will fail to put up their flowers if too 
much heat is employed for the present, and above all, 
let a low night temperature prevail. A good batch of 
Rhubarb-roots may now be lifted and placed in any 
dry shed for a week or ten days before placing them in 
the Mushroom-house, and they will, at this period of 
the year, be found to start much more readily than if 
introduced directly from the square. As previously 
advised, we always rely upon seedling roots for forcing 
purposes, and find them more suitable. 
Let the pruning, painting and cleansing be carried on 
in the succession Vineries, as more time can now be 
spared ; presently, work will come in abundantly, 
causing pressure which ought not to be if affairs are 
properly regulated. In the Cucumber-houses let a 
night temperature of 65" be kept, with a rise of 10° ly 
day, always, for a few hours at mid-day, admitting air 
and closing in good time. Keep a sharp look-out for 
fly ; train the laterals thinly over the surface of the 
trellis, that the foliage may be fully developed, as upon 
this, in a very great measure, depends success. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The planting of trees on the walls having been com¬ 
pleted, and the trees, in many instances, having shed 
their foliage, we have started nailing. While the 
weather keeps so open, this work can be earned on 
rapidly ;-and if a second hand can be utilised all the 
better, as too much haste cannot be made to get the 
work completed. The Pears w'ill first receive attention, 
and for these, wherever practicable, we use fair-sized 
tarred twine in preference to shreds, as these ties will 
last four or five years without renewing. Let all long 
or unsightly spurs be cut sharply back to encourage 
new growth nearer to the rod ; but of course this must 
be done piecemeal, or the crop will be sacrificed. Also 
be cautious that the young growths are not nailed too 
tightly, or canker may ensue. 
Scarlet Runners are now past their best, so they will 
be removed as the ground between is cropped with 
Savoys, and they need the light. We are making good 
blanks in the pricked-out Lettuce, so as to secure a full 
plant, as nothing looks worse than blanks. Endive we 
continue to tie up according to demand, and we shall 
also now place hoops over some of the beds, so as to be 
ready in case of frosts, which we may surely expect, 
and which will, in our opinion, cause much damage on 
account of the season, so far having been so open, 
that it behoves one to be on the alert. As so much 
wet weather prevailed, and the Strawberries for forcing 
had finished growing, we thought it advisable to house 
them. We have, consequently, had them all placed in 
the north pits, where, if necessary, the lights can be 
put on to shelter them. — TValter Child, Crooine Court. 
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CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
Ealing 1 , Acton and Hartwell.— Nov. 2nd and 
3rd .—“A very pretty show,” was the impression left 
on our minds, as we walked through the Lyric Hall, at 
Ealing, on the above date. This society treats its 
supporters to two shows annually, viz., a summer show 
in July, and an autumn show in November. On 
this occasion, the Chrysanthemum exhibition fell a 
little short of what we have seen in previous years, 
owing to the adverse character of the season ; still, a 
very bright and cheerful show was afforded, and 
visitors appeared to be very much pleased. 
The principal class was for a group of plants arranged 
for effect, and here Mr. James Wigmore, gardener to 
F. Hicks, Esq., Oakhurst, Ealing, was first with a very 
bright and effective group ; the quality of the flowers, 
made up of incurved and Japanese, being good through¬ 
out. C. A. Daw, Esq., Hounfield, Ealing (Mr. J. Baird, 
gardener), was a good second ; and two other prizes 
were awarded. The other classes for plants were not 
quite so well represented as we have seen them at 
Ealing; possibly, the character of the season had 
something to do with it. The best three specimens of 
incurved Chrysanthemums came from Mr. W. Wright, 
gardener to G. P. Greenfield, Esq., The Spring, 
Hanwell ; Mr. Chadwick, gardener to E. M. Nelson, 
Esq., J.P., Hanger Hill House, Ealing, being second; 
and these exhibitors had the same positions in the class 
for three specimen Pompons. Mr. Wright had the best 
specimen plant of a Japanese variety, Mr. Chadwick 
being second ; in the class for a specimen other than 
Pompon, the same exhibitors were also first and second. 
The display of cut blooms was highly creditable to 
the locality. The best twelve blooms of incurved came 
from Mr. H. Davis, gardener to H. G. Lake, Esq., 
Fairlawn House, Chiswick, his leading flowers being 
Queen of England, Empress of India, Golden Empress, 
Mr. Corbay, Jeanne d’Arc, Lord Wolseley, Prince 
Alfred, Alfred Salter and Mr. Bunn ; second, E. B. 
Ridger, Esq., Orchardene, Ealing (Mr. C. Long, gar¬ 
dener) ; third, Mrs. Murrell, Ealing (Mr. Colly.er, 
gardener). In the class for the best nine blooms of 
incurved Chrysanthemums, the first prize was the 
Silver Medal of the National Chrysanthemum Society ; 
this was awarded to Mr. Wilson, gardener to W. 
Lindell, Esq., Ealing, for a very good lot; Mr. A. 
Wright, The Gardens, Devonliurst, Ealing, being 
second. In the class for six blooms of incurved 
varieties, Mr. W. Murrell, Ealing (gardener, Mr. W. H. 
Collyer), was a good first, and Mr. C. Long second. 
Mr. Wilson had the best three blooms; Mr. G. 
Fulford, gardener to J. Boosey, Esq., Hill House, 
Acton, being second. 
Japanese Chrysanthemums were in fine form, and 
they were numerous also. There were eight collections 
of cut blooms, the best coming from Mr. C. Long, who 
had a grand lot of blooms, comprising Simon Delaux, 
Elaine, Thunberg, Mdlle. C. Audigier, Mdlle. Lacroix, 
Criterion, &c. ; second, Henry Smith, Esq., Chiswick 
(Mr. A. Stanton, gardener). Mr. J. Hudson had the 
best six Japanese blooms ; Mr. T. Wilson being second. 
They were also well shown in the class for three blooms. 
Pompon varieties made a capital display ; and reflexed 
and Anemone-flowered varieties were highly creditable. 
The premier bloom of incurved was Empress of India, 
shown by Mr. H. Davis; the premier bloom of 
Japanese was Elaine, shown by Mr. C. Long. 
Cut flowers in six bunches made an excellent display; 
Mr. J. Hudson being first, and Mr. Wilson, second. 
Mr. Hudson also had a large box of blooms, not for 
competition, and Mr. G. Weedon, St. John’s Nursery, 
Mattock Lane, the same. 
Fruit was well represented by Grapes, Apples and 
Pears, the former were good, and the latter numer¬ 
ous and very fine. Vegetables were remarkably good ; 
Potatos, a leading feature. Special prizes were offered 
by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading, for four dishes 
of Potatos, and there were seventeen competitors, 
which was very satisfactory, for the competition was 
exceedingly keen. Amongst the special prizes were 
two volumes of The Gardening World ; one was 
awarded to Mr. W. Wright, The Gardens, The Spring, 
Hanwell, as the gardener taking the greatest number 
of first prizes ; and Mr. W. Weal, Hanger Vale 
Cottage, Ealing, as the cottager taking the greatest 
number of first prizes. 
Highgate. — Nov. 3rd and 4th. — This young 
society, which embraces the district of Highgate, 
Finchley and Hornsey, has much reason to be proud 
of the progress it has made ; inasmuch, as while last 
year the Northfield Hall, Highgate, sufficed to hold all 
the subjects sent for exhibition, this year a large tent 
had to be requisitioned in order to find room for all the 
contributions sent in. It was a capital show, and the 
arrangements made for staging, and for the comfort of 
visitors were most satisfactorily carried out by the 
secretary, Mr. H. Barnby, and an able assistant, Mr. 
Thomas Bevan. 
The groups of Chrysanthemums, covering a space 
of 60 sq. ft., were an admirable feature, and in this 
competition the highest honours fell to Mr. Brooks, 
gardener to W. Reynolds, Esq., The Grove, Highgate ; 
the second and third prizes going to Mr. Witty, the 
Cemetery, Highgate ; and Mr. Britain, gardener, Caen 
Wood Towers. For specimen plants, Mr. Theobald, 
gardener to A. Goslett, Esq., West Hill, was first with 
six Japanese ; Mr. J. Brooks, first with six incurved 
varieties ; and also fust in the corresponding class for 
Pompons. The cut-flower classes were all well contested, 
and a fine lot of blooms were staged. The leading prizes 
were aw'arded as follows :—For thirty-six blooms, equal 
numbers of incurved and Japanese varieties, first, Mr. 
Calvert, gardener to G. Kent, Esq., Southwood ; for 
twenty-four incurved, first, Mr. Calvert, again ; for 
twelve Japanese, first, Mr. Britain ; for twenty-four 
Japanese, first, Mr. Theobald ; for six Japanese, first, 
Mr. Turk ; prize given by W. Morley, Esq., for twenty- 
four Japanese, first, Mr. J. Brooks ; Messrs. Cutbush & 
Son’s prizes for twenty-four incurved or Japanese, first, 
Mr. W. Theobald. Other special prizes were Mr. 
B. S. Williams’, for six table plants, won by Mr. B. 
Calvert; and Mr. Shelton’s, for dinner-table decora¬ 
tions, won by Mr. Wilkinson, gardener to W. W. 
Webster, Esq., Highgate Hill. 
Miscellaneous contributions were sent by Mr. B. S. 
Williams, an attractive group of plants ; Messrs. W. 
Cutbush&Son, ashowv group of berried and fine-foliaged 
plants ; Mr. W. E. Boyce, cut blooms of new varieties 
of Chrysanthemums, including the beautiful pale rose 
seedling Pompon, from President, named Mrs. Mardlin. 
There was also a fair show of Apples, Pears and 
Grapes. 
-->$<-- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Leaf Soil.— E. H.: Oak anil Beech leaves undoubtedly make 
the best leaf soil, but the Elm leaves need not be burnt. They 
can be used the same as others, with manure for making hot¬ 
beds, &c., and thus be more profitably utilised than by burning 
them. 
L^lia anceps.— R. R. Ford: A very fine variety in the way 
of Barkeriana. 
Names of Plants. —IP. R.: l,Oncidium aurosum; 2, iEschy- 
nantlius grandiflorus ; 3, Antliericum lineare variegata. G. IV.: 
Acineta Barkeri, and Odontoglossum Liudleyanum. Wahsdarb: 
The scraps sent were too small to recognise with any degree of 
certainty, but they are probably: 1, Abies numidica ; 2, Abies 
lasiocarpa ; 3, Pernettya mucronata, quite correct; 4, Abies 
canadensis; 5, Abies Albertiana. IF. Robinson, Ullswater: 
Cattleya Harrinsonise. 
