444 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 12, 1887. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar, 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Early-flowering Heaths and Epacris. — As 
these go out of flower they should at once be cut back 
and staged in some airy situation by themselves where 
they can be properly attended to, and encouraged to 
break freely, so as to ensure a good head for next 
season. When the weather is bright and warm they 
may be lightly syringed early in the afternoon, which 
will greatly benefit them. After having fairly started, 
those that require potting should at once receive a 
shift ; if left until they have made much growth they 
invariably flag, much to their injury. Be careful that 
all houses containing hard-wooded plants are very freely 
ventilated, particularly as the weather continues so 
open. The same remark applies also to the structure 
containing 
Show and Fancy Pelargoniums, herbaceous Cal¬ 
ceolarias, and the like ; unless encouraged to make a 
sturdy growth they are extremely apt to become infested 
with aphis, upon the first appearance of which a slight 
fumigation should be given, to be repeated upon 
alternate nights until quite cleared. Complete the 
potting-off of bedding plants, if that work is not yet 
completed, and look well to the quantity required. 
Should any doubt exist, the tops of the earliest potted 
batch may be now taken off and inserted singly in 
small 60’s, and will make useful stuff for edging of large 
beds, ribbon or other such work. Where the stock 
of Dwarf Lobelias are raised from cuttings these should 
at once be taken off and inserted ; the} 1 ' strike very 
readily if kept well shaded and in a moist atmosphere. 
The cardinalis varieties we lift and store in leaf-soil in 
any corner of the cold pits, preferring this slight 
labour to running the risk of losing our stock by frost; 
because, although they may be raised quite freely from 
seed, there is little or no return from seedlings the first 
season in the shape of flower, therefore the precaution 
of lifting and storing is necessary where these flowers 
are appreciated. 
Gloxinias. —We have potted up a strong batch of 
Gloxinias to succeed the first lot, which are now throw- 
ing up their flowers, and are most useful for cutting for 
home decoration ; most unfortunately, they are of but 
little value if for travelling, the flowers showing so 
conspicuously even the slightest bruise ; but for fur¬ 
nishing the stove or intermediate house they are indis¬ 
pensable. Antliurium Seherzerianum is now throw'ing 
up its spathes freely, and should be assisted now 
and again with a dose of liquid manure, according to 
fancy. We generally prefer that made from sheep or 
deer droppings and soot ; it greatly assists in giving 
the foliage that deep green hue—such a sure indication 
of rude health. --- 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
The Succession Peach Houses are now coming 
into full bloom, and extra care will be devoted to 
them until a set is secured ; ventilate carefully, but 
as freely as possible throughout the day, and whatever 
damping is necessary should be done in the afternoon, 
so that the atmosphere in the structure may be. kept as 
dry and buoyant as possible. To ensure a full supply of 
pollen, let the trees be gone over about mid-day with 
the brush, and the trellis should be tapped with the 
hand when walking through. Should the weather be 
damp or foggy, such as we have lately experienced, 
heating of the pipes or flues is a strict necessity, and 
will remove all cause for anxiety. Carefully attend to 
the tying-in of the wood in the. early house, and do 
not maintain too high a temperature, except by sun- 
heat. The first thing to denote undue haste in the 
forcing of this fruit will, in the earlier stages, be a great 
variation in the size of the fruit ; should this be per¬ 
ceived, take the necessary precautions and lower at 
once the night temperature, and give more air during 
the day. Take care that the 
Inside borders of the late vineries do not be¬ 
come too dr)', or mischief to the cluster of flowers when 
they appear in the shape of blind points will be 
apparent ; we have given ours a soaking this week as a 
preventive. We have also given the Muscat house 
border half a cwt. of Clay’s manure, followed by a 
watering of warm water, this greatly assisting growth 
and also the size of the clusters ; we shall repeat this 
treatment frequently throughout the season, for to 
grow good Grapes the most liberal treatment must be 
given. Complete the potting of Pines as early as pos¬ 
sible, looking well to the stock of suckers; those in 
flower should not be syringed until set, and be careful 
not to maintain too high a bottom heat, 80° at any 
time being ample, except when pushed for time in pro¬ 
duction. — 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The State of the Weather still continues favour¬ 
able for work in this department, consequently, good 
headway has been made. We have, as far as practic¬ 
able, planted all our Potatos, simply waiting for rain 
on the recently-dug squares to finish altogether. It 
will be advisable now to sow a box or two of Snow’s 
Broccoli inside ; as a rule these come in most useful 
before those sown out-of-doors, and are always wel¬ 
comed in the kitchen. We have pricked off a good 
batch of early Celery, and also of Leeks, which are some¬ 
times asked for early in the season ; these we shall 
plant out later on ; the ground having been prepared 
some time since. It will now be advisable to make a 
Main Sowing of Peas, and if a couple of drills 
of that valuable variety, Ne Plus Ultra, are amongst 
the sorts sown, they may be found useful, as it is such 
a continuous bearer, and keeps a long time fit for use. 
Where one of the heated Potato pits can be spared, it 
will be advisable to sow it with French Beans, as they 
will give a much better return than if sown in pots. 
Complete the laying of box edgings with as little delay 
as possible, also any levelling or re-laying of turf. 
The Walks, both in garden and shrubberies, must 
be kept well rolled ; the frost having lifted the gravel 
a good deal, every effort should be made to secure a 
clean, firm face. We are now busy thoroughly cleaning 
and dressing the rosery. — Walter Child, Croomc Court. 
-->X<~-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural — March 8th. —This meet¬ 
ing took place in the conservatory, and the chief 
features of the exhibition in the floral way consisted of 
large groups of Narcissi, both cut and cultivated in 
pots ; these were greatly assisted by numerous hardy 
bulbs, all of which, however, had been forced or, at 
least, grown under glass. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., 
M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking (gardener, Mr. Bicker- 
staff), showed a plant of the beautiful Phaius tuber- 
culosus, with white sepals and petals and a richly 
coloured labellum, consisting of a mixture of orange, 
crimson, brown and white, with a golden boss on 
the terminal lobe ; and lie also exhibited Anthurium 
earneum, receiving a Cultural Commendation for 
each of the exhibits. The Hon. and Rev. J. T. 
Boscawen, Lamorran Probus, Cornwall, received a vote 
of thanks for a-fairly well flowered Dendrobium nobile. 
De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks (gardener, 
Mr. S. Cooke), exhibited a small group of Orchids, 
consisting of Odontoglossum hebraicum, 0. Rossi majus, 
0. Wilckeanum, 0. Alexandra and Masdevallia Shuttle- 
worthii xanthocoiys, for which he received a vote of 
thanks. W. Vanner, Esq., Camden Wood, Chislehurst, 
received a vote of thanks for Cattleya Trianse Van- 
neriana. Mr. F. W. Moore, curator of the Botanic 
Gardens, Glasnevin, sent a group of Lachenalias, 
consisting of L. aurea, L. tricolor, L. orchidioides. 
A spike of the curious Catasetum discolor also accom¬ 
panied the above. A vote of thanks was accorded for 
these. S. Courtauld, Esq., Booking Place, Braintree, 
Essex (gardener, Mr. Wright), received a Cultural 
Commendation for a fine plant of Cattleya Triame 
Courtauldi, bearing seventeen flowers. He also exhibited 
a fine spike of Phalasnopsis Sehilleriana, with cut flowers 
of a pale form of Cattleya Triame. B. D. Knox, Esq., 
Caversham Park, Reading, received a vote of thanks 
for an exhibit consisting of Odontoglossum erispum 
with pale rose-coloured flowers, a variety of Lselia 
aneeps, and a variety of Cattleya Trianae. Besides 
those certificated and described on another page, 
Messrs. James Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited a 
white Amaryllis named Iona, striped with crimson, and 
a broad-fronded garden form of Fern, named Lomaria 
gibba platyptera. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, 
Tottenham, London, exhibited a large collection of cut 
Narcissi, and another in pots. Their attractiveness was 
augmented by Anemones, Freesias, Lachenalias, Iris and 
other things. He was accorded a vote of thanks each 
for Anemone fulgens oculata and Narcissus cernuus. 
The groups were exteusive, and a Silver Banksian 
Medal was awarded them. Messrs. Page & Sons, Grove 
Nursery, Teddington, showed five varieties of Odonto¬ 
glossum erispum, and a fine group of Cyclamen persicum, 
which latter was awarded a Bronze Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, 
exhibited a group of cut Narcissi, supplemented 
by Anemone fulgens, varieties of Iris reticulata, 
Galanthus Elwesi, and other spring flowers, for 
which they received a Bronze Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, N., 
showed a group of hardy plants, including Leucojum 
vernum, Narcissus monophyllus, Saxifraga Frederici 
Augusti, and others. The latter was from the open- 
air. A vote of thanks was accorded this group; a vote 
of thanks was also given for a group of the purple-leaved 
Prunus Pissardi in flower. A pan of Saxifraga Bur- 
seriana in full flower was sent from the Horticultural 
Society’s Garden, Chiswick, for which a vote of thanks 
was awarded. Messrs. Collins Bros. & Gabriel, 39, 
Waterloo Road, London, staged a group of cut Narcissi, 
in coloured glass vases. Amongst these Ghionodoxa 
Luciliae and C. sardensis, Primula obconica major, with 
large white flowers, and Freesia refracta alba were 
prominent. A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded for 
this group. Henry Little, Esq., The Barons, Twicken¬ 
ham, received a vote of thanks for Odontoglossum 
erispum Littleanum. He also exhibited a large group 
of Lycaste Skinneri, amongst which were four or six of 
the best varieties in cultivation. He was awarded a 
Silver Banksian Medal for the fine group. Mr. F. 
Riss, gardener to Sir George Mailea 3 T , Pendell Court, 
Bletchingley, exhibited a stand of cut sprays of Acacia 
vertieillata and a basket of the beautiful pale blue, 
large-flowered Thunbergi Harrisii. The Acacia had 
long slender pendent branches, and appeared a distinct 
variety. A vote of thanks was awarded for the exhibit. 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, Herts, 
exhibited a considerable number of Camellias in pots, 
with a numerous array of cut blooms in boxes, for 
which they received a Silver (Jilt Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. Pope & Sons, The Nurseries, King’s Norton, 
Birmingham, staged four new varieties of Primula 
sinensis, two of which were shades of blush and two 
of deep red ; and received a vote of thanks. Mr. W. 
Gordon, The Nurseries, Twickenham, exhibited a dis¬ 
tinct white variety of Camellia japonica, named Lady 
Clancartney. The petals were superposed to one 
another, much the same as in Narcissus Eystettensis. 
Mr. J. James, Woodside, Farnham Royal, Slough, re¬ 
ceived a vote of thanks for a stand of cut blooms of Cin¬ 
eraria. Mr. J. Fitt, The Gardens, Cassiobury, Watford, 
exhibited a fine scarlet Amaryllis named Lord Esher, and 
a large well-flowered specimen of Dendrobium nobile, 
for the latter of which he received a Cultural Com¬ 
mendation. 
At the meeting of the Fruit Committee, Mr. 
Sidney Ford, Leonards Lee, Horsham, exhibited 
nine varieties of Apples in excellent condition, in¬ 
cluding Blenheim Orange, Flower of Kent, Barcelona, 
Pearmain, Dr. Hogg, &c. He was awarded a Bronze 
Banksian Medal. Messrs. Rivers & Sons, The Nur¬ 
series, Sawhridgeworth, exhibited eleven varieties of 
Apples in good condition. Messrs. Saltmarsh & Son, 
Chelmsford, showed a seedling Apple. W. Roupell, 
Esq., Harvey Lodge, Roupell Park, S.W., exhibited 
the Melon Apple, of fine flavour and a good one for 
invalids. He was accorded a vote of thanks. 
Birmingham Gardeners’ Mutual Im¬ 
provement. —At a meeting on Wednesday evening, 
March 2nd, a first-rate paper on the cultivation of the 
Cyclamen and Bouvardia was read by Mr. Herbert, and, 
it is needless to say, was listened to with marked atten¬ 
tion by about a hundred members who were present. 
The lecturer, after alluding to the introduction of 
Cyclamen persicum to our gardens upwards of a hundred 
years ago, and describing the plant as figured in 
Curtiss Botanical Magazine of 1794, a fac simile of 
which figure he compared with specimen flowers of the 
Cyclamen of to-day, referred to the immense improve¬ 
ment wrought by careful selection and hybridisation 
during the last twenty years. 
Alludipg to a visit paid to Isleworth some fifteen 
years ago, Mr. Herbert said the sight of flowers and 
foliage he then found on Mr. Little’s plants would not 
be easily effaced from his memory. Broad-petalled 
flowers, carried well above the foliage, which must be 
of compact habit and well developed, should be selected 
for seed-bearing purposes. Advocating the sowing of 
the seed during July and August—not later, and 
giving clear and practical suggestions as to soil and 
temperature, and insisting on thorough cleanliness in 
all subsequent operations, Mr. Herbert concluded his 
paper, as far as the Cyclamen was concerned, by cau¬ 
tioning his hearers not to adopt the now thoroughly 
exploded “ baking process,” to which old plants of this 
beautiful flower were formerly subjected. With a 
slight rest, however, he said such old stock would be 
found useful for succession ; but for all early purposes 
young plants were infinitely preferable, and should be 
grown in quantity by all lovers of this, one of our most 
useful winter-blooming plants. 
Bouvardias were next dealt with, and after giving 
dates when some of the most useful varieties were in¬ 
troduced, with the best approved method of cultivation, 
and describing the innumerable uses to which their 
almost indispensable flowers could be put, the best 
growing temperature (55° to 60°), and also giving a 
selection of the sorts most likely to give satisfaction, 
Mr. Herbert brought his very practical and highly 
interesting paper to a close. A discussion on the 
system of cultivation advocated by the lecturer, in 
which Messrs. Spinks, Cooper, Harris, and others took 
part, concluded the meeting. 
Dumfries Horticultural Improvement 
Association. —The usual monthly meeting of 
this association was held in Greyfriars’ Hall on March 
3rd, Mr. M’Creath, president, in the chair. A paper 
on “ The Cultivation of Orchids,” by Mr. George Cole, 
Woodbank Gardens, was read, and listened to with 
great interest. The paper was brimful of sound advice 
and information to young gardeners. Mr. Cole seems 
to have studied his subject thoroughly, and while he 
speaks much from his own practical experience as to 
the growth and cultivation of orchidaceous plants, he 
yet thankfully acknowledges such information in 
regard to their native habitats as has been given to 
the horticultural world by collectors who have studied 
this interesting family of plants in their native and 
wild state. He pointed out that now that Orchids 
were found to do in much less heat than was at first 
supposed, they have been more extensively cultivated, 
and now there are but few gardens in the country of 
any size that have not at least a few plants. Mr. Cole 
was deservedly awarded a hearty vote of thanks. 
