460 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Marcli 19, 1887. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The Stove.— Most of the occupants of the stove 
are now making growth freely, and as the sun has 
considerable power, the necessary preparations should 
be made for shading by the fixing of blinds where used, 
or a slight coating of wash on the roof ; this will do 
away with the necessity of admitting too much air—a 
serious matter while cold north-easterly winds prevail. 
Keep a sharp look-out on the stock of 
Caladium and Begonia Tubers, and as they start 
let them be first well watered, and then shaken out 
and re-potted. Achimenes should also be potted at 
once, but if necessary, a part of the stock may be left 
over for a later batch ; take care that the compost for 
these is of an open nature, anything approaching 
sourness is fatal to their well-being, therefore an 
abundance of drainage must always be given. Do not 
use any manure whatever when mixing the soil, far 
better to use it iu a liquid state when the plants are 
growing freely. 
Calanthes will now be again starting into growth, 
and should at once be potted, or it will be almost im¬ 
possible to perform the operation without damaging 
the growth or roots, so tender are they. I need hardly 
say that all the old soil should be removed, and we 
always use a considerable share of loam in the compost. 
Where it is necessary to increase the stock of 
Anthuriums, divisions should be taken off, potted 
in small-sized pots, and plunged in a brisk bottom- 
heat ; keep closely shaded, anil they will quickly emit 
roots, and then can be gradually hardened off prepara¬ 
tory to being placed on the stove stages, where by 
their massive foliage they can be most effectively staged 
in conjunction with Palms, Crotons and such-like ; A. 
Andreanum is extremely useful. Many of the seeds 
sown as advised now require pricking off. Most of the 
Begonias have come well; then there is the Rhodanthe, 
Celosia pyramidalis, Cockscomb and a host of other 
such things so necessary for summer furnishing, and 
which to be of much service must receive timely 
attention. Still push on with the 
Propagating of all winter-flowering plants, and do 
not forget to secure a good stock of Eupatorium Wein- 
mannianum. Callas now require an abundance of 
liquid manure to enable them to throw up their blooms; 
they will also stand heat well, so that in case of 
quantity being required, they may be treated accord¬ 
ingly. If necessary, to start them, a few potsfull of 
Eucharis may be plunged in bottom-heat, which will 
quickly cause them to throw up their spikes. Easter 
being at hand, these little reminders may be necessary 
where much decoration is required. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Peach Houses.— Where, as will be generally the 
case, the trees in the late Peach houses are in bloom, 
the elements are anything but favourable for a good 
“set” so that extra care is necessary ; and it is 
absolutely necessary that the structures at this stage be 
freely ventilated, and, to prevent injury by cold cutting 
winds which prevail, the Hues or pipes should be kept 
warmed through the day, simply being careful not to 
close the house up warm. Let the trees be gone over 
every day about noon with the camel-hair pencil, and 
whatever damping is necessary, let it be done early in 
the afternoon ; but, for a time, do not damp more than 
can be helped. Noticing traces of green fly on the 
early Peach trees, we fumigated lightly on three alter¬ 
nate nights, and they are now free. Ply the syringe 
liberally morning and evening, warming the pipes 
early, and always admitting air. A temperature of 
70° may be maintained during the day with air on, 
but 55° at night will be ample ; and fire-heat should 
be dispensed with, if possible, except during the 
prevalence of frost. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Frost and Snow. —With the thermometer register¬ 
ing 13° and 14° of frost on the mornings of Sunday and 
Monday last, and also a heavy snowstorm, the outlook 
is dismal indeed, and work completely at a standstill. 
Havin'* lifted some Sea Kale, it has been placed in the 
Mushroom house, and cuttings made from the thongs, 
so that it may be planted as soon as the weather will 
permit. It is very fortunate that we pushed on vigor¬ 
ously with all ground work while the weather remained 
so open ; for, so far as was possible, all our ground is 
cropped. We are now 
Renewing Hot-beds and making up others, which, 
when cooled down, will be found of much service for 
pricking out such things as were sown under glass, 
notably Lettuce, Cauliflower and early Celery. We have 
also pricked out a good batch of Leeks for first eaily 
use ; these will, of course, be kept growing on and 
finally hardened off preparatory to planting out when 
the weather becomes warmer. 
The Potato Frames need some attention ; those 
approaching ripeness must not be watered, at the same 
time free ventilation must be given or they will be 
deficient in flavour. So far, Alma Kidney has been 
undoubtedly the best for forcing purposes. We are 
trying Sutton’s Seedling, and are much pleased with 
its progress. 
The Apricots were fast coming into flower, so we 
have placed the heavy netting over them as protection. 
The Peaches we kept tied in bundles, away from the 
walls, which has had the desired effect of keeping them 
from flowering so early. Some of the varieties are on 
the point of bursting their buds, and have been nailed ; 
had the weather been favourable, all would have been 
completed ere these notes appear.— Walter Child, 
Croomc Court. 
--- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Manchester Horticultural Improvement. 
-—March 10th .—At the last meeting for the present 
session of this society, Mr. Robert Tait, the honorary 
treasurer, presiding, Mr. J. S. Butterworth made a 
communication on “ The Fertilisation of Plants.” He 
said that in the reproduction of plants by means of 
fertilization we had one of the most important and in¬ 
dispensable laws for carrying on the government and 
succession of the vegetable kingdom. In the lowest 
forms of vegetation, plants are reproduced by cell 
division, in the next by self-fertilization in small closed 
complete flowers, and more often by the action of the 
wind in carrying pollen from one flower to another ; but 
undoubtedly the most frequent, and by far the most 
important, is the cross-fertilization effected through the 
agency of insects, which, by their unconscious selection, 
have gradually developed a greater diversity of colour 
and form, and improved the quality and robustness of 
the new varieties. The fact of nature taking much extra 
trouble to prevent self-fertilization, and bringing about 
cross-fertilization, demonstrates most emphatically that 
there must be something injurious in self-fertilization, 
and something beneficial in cross-fertilization. 
Mr. W. J. Upjohn, honorary secretary, said nature 
seemed to have made endless provision to prevent the 
self-fertilization of plants, and it was important that 
gardeners should know that they could not force nature. 
They should learn in what direction nature would lead 
them. It was often said that beautiful flowers were 
created for the special benefit of man. That was not so. 
The fact was that nature was most lavish in her wealth 
of floral beauties in places where man had hardly put 
his foot. The approach of man and civilization seemed 
to cramp these wonderful displays. 
Mr. J. Hadfield, of Brinnington, Stockport, read a 
paper on “Clay Soils and their Improvement.” It 
often happened, he said, that gardeners in taking a fresh 
place, have a number of difficulties to contend with, 
for how often do one see a piece of ground set apart 
for the production of vegetables in some out-of-the-way 
corner, or, if the situation was favourable, then the soil 
was perhaps unsuitable. Yet in some instances the 
gardener was expected to produce vegetables as satis¬ 
factory as those of his neighbour whose kitchen garden 
was favourably placed. Clay soils are stiff, cold and 
very tenacious, and it is these qualities which gar¬ 
deners wish to combat. In improving the soils, proper 
drainage is of the first importance ; then came the use 
of lime ; the burning of clay is another mode of effect¬ 
ing an improvement, but having had no experience in 
this direction he could not speak with authority on the 
matter. Sand should also be used, but not by itself. 
There should be plenty of manure, that from the horse 
being the best. This prevented the sand and clay 
from forming into a kind of mortar, which they would 
do if only sand was used. In addition to this the 
manure lightens the ground as well as fertilizes it. He 
recommended that in this class of soils too early 
sowing should not be practised. Take Peas, for 
instance. He never sowed before the first week in 
March, yet he had gathered Peas before those who had 
sown a month earlier. By being planted under more 
favourable conditions seeds thus sown have fewer checks, 
and are not so liable to injury by frost or damp as 
those laid down earlier. They grow stronger and give 
a better result. Messrs. Butterworth, Booth, H. 
Driver and Jones took part in a brief discussion. 
The chairman said this was the final meeting of the 
society of the fourth session, and as treasurer he had 
pleasure in telling the members that their funds had 
not decreased very much. This year there had not 
been the good average attendance which they had had 
previously. The decrease he thought could be accounted 
for from the fact that postcards had not been sent to 
members calling attention to the meetings about to be 
held. They had relied simply upon the syllabus and a 
weekly advertisement ; but a lesson had been learned, 
and the postcards would be resumed. 
Manchester Botanical and Horticultural. 
—March 15th arid 1 6th .—Notwithstanding the severity 
of the weather, which caused several collections of Orchids 
to be kept at home, the Town Hall presented a bright 
and gay appearance, and as usual there was a good 
attendance of visitors. The special feature of the 
exhibition was a collection of twenty-five hybrid 
varieties of Hellebore, exhibited by S. Barlow, Esq., 
Stakehill House, Castleton, and for which he was 
awarded the society’s Jubilee Gold Medal. Mr. Barlow 
also exhibited a superb collection of about 500 Hyacinths, 
for which he received a Cultural Certificate. Mr. Swan, 
gardener to E. G. AYrigley, Esq., Howick House, 
Preston, showed three dozen cut blooms of Cattleya 
Trianre varieties, which were greatly admired. Messrs. 
W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, sent an excellent lot of 
Hyacinths, Cyclamens and Azaleas, Palms and Ferns, 
&c. ; also their charming new Laurustinus, a perfectly’ 
pure white, and when grown in the shape of hemi¬ 
spherical bushes, one of the best of decorative plants ; 
Staphylea colchica, a first-rate plant for forcing 
for the greenhouse, where a pure white, especially 
when the sprays of bloom are pendulous, is 
always so welcome ; and Boronia megastigma, one of the 
best scented plants we know of. Mr. John Hooley 
staged a collection of greenhouse plants tastefully 
grouped. Messrs. Dickson, Brown & Tait exhibited a 
collection of Hyacinths grown in their accustomed 
good style. The Liverpool Horticultural Co. made a 
capital display of miscellaneous plants, very good 
Cinerarias predominating. Messrs. Dickson & Robin¬ 
son sent Potatos in thirty varieties. 
The following awards were made by the Committee : 
—The Society’s Jubilee Gold Medal.—Hybrid Helle¬ 
bores : Mr. S. Barlow, Stakehill. Cultural Certificates. 
—Hyacinths: Mr. S. Barlow, Messrs. Dickson, Brown 
& Tait, Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate. Mush¬ 
rooms : Mr. R. P. Gill, Timperley. Pernettyas in 
berry : Messrs. Cutbush & Son. Commendations. — 
Strawberries: The Earl of Ellesmere. Cattleya blooms: 
Mr. E. G. AVrigley, Preston. First Class Certificate.— 
Dendrobium, new seedling: Mr. Charles Mosley, 
Rusliolme. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.— 
March 10th. —This society held its fifth annual spring 
show in St. George’s Hall on Wednesday, and, both 
as regards entries and quality, the exhibition surpassed 
those of previous years. The Orchids which at all times 
are well represented at Liverpool fully held their own ; 
the bulbs were both numerous and good ; and the Azalea 
indica showed an improvement, whilst the mollis section 
were remarkable for the profusion of bloom and good 
quality. A new feature was introduced in the form of 
tables of miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, which 
showed to greater perfection than when arranged on the 
floor as hitherto. For eighteen Hj’acinths, distinct, 
R. Singlehurst, Esq. (gardener, Mr. James Kelly), 
Aigburth, was first with a good lot, including Lord 
Derty, Koh-i-Noor, La Franchise, La Grandeur, F. 
Nightingale, King of the Blues, Prince Albert, Ida, &c.; 
second, Mrs. J. Aiken (gardener, Mr. C. AVaring), 
Princes Park ; third, H. J. Robinson, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. A. Eaton), AVoolton. For tw’elve varieties, AA r . H. 
A4 T atts, Esq. (gardener, Mr. A. R. Cox), AA’avertree, took 
the premier position with even massive spikes ; second, 
Major Gaskell (gardener, Mr. AV. Neale), AA T oolton ; 
third, AV. P. Sinclair, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. R. 
Thomson). For six varieties AV. P. Sinclair, Esq., 
H. J. Robinson, Esq. and R. Singlehurst, Esq., were 
placed in the order named. 
Narcissus : Six pots of not less than three varieties : 
In this class the prizes were awarded in the order 
named to S. S. Parker, Esq., Milne Barnsley, Esq. 
and AV. B. Bowring, Esq. Eight pots (Polyanthus 
excluded), in pots not exceeding 7 ins. in diameter, 
J. S. Rogerson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. C. Copple). Tulips : 
Twelve pots, single, distinct, first, S. Smith, Esq., 
second, H. Nash, Esq. (gardener,Mr. J. Leather),Princ< s 
Park ; third, R. Cornelius, Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. 
Stephenson), Aigburth. Ten pots, double, five varieties, 
J. B. Dixon, Esq., Preston, first. Six pots in three 
varieties ; the prizes were awarded to Milne Barnsley, 
Esq., S. S. Parker, Esq. and J. Lewis, Esq. Eight pots 
of hardy herbaceous plants, distinct, first, AV. Bowring, 
Esq. Ten pots, open, first E. Harvey, Esq. Azaleas, six 
distinct varieties, H. Cunningham, Esq. (Mr. A4 r . 
AA T ilson, gardener), Gateacre, was first with well-flowered 
plants. For a single specimen, the winners were S. S. 
Parker, Esq. ; AV. II. AVatts, Esq. ; AA T . B. Bowriug,' 
Esq. For four varieties in pots not exceeding 8 in. in 
diameter, the prize winners were B. Hall, Esq. ; A. L. 
Jones, Esq. ; and J. Cunningham, Esq. For six stove 
or greenhouse plants, three flowering and three foliage, 
F. H. Gossage, Esq., was first with a fine Pritcliardia 
Pacifica, 10 ft. through, Croton Queen A T ictoria, Latania 
borbonica, Azalea Fielder’s AA’hite, &c. 
Orchids, four varieties, first, A\’. II. AVatts, Esq.; 
second, H. Tate, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Edward), 
Allerton ; third, AAL Hallard, Esq. (gardener, Air. \\ T . 
Moss), Mossley Hill. Single Orchid, first, J. E. Rey¬ 
nolds, Esq. (gardener, Air. J. AA’ilson), with Ccelogyne 
cristata, 3 ft. through ; second, H. G. Schintz, Esq. 
(gardener, Air. D. Heany), Liverpool ; third, E. L. 
AVigan, Esq. (gardener, Air. A. Ford), Aigburth. 
Certificates of Alerit were awarded as follows :—To 
Alessrs. R P. Ker & Son for Impatiens Hawkerii ; 
Alessrs. J. Dickson & Sons for Narcissus, &c. ; Air. G. 
Downes for a collection of Hyacinths, &c. ; Alessrs. F. 
and A. Dickson & Sons for Narcissus and Hepatieas ; 
Air. H. Aliddlehurst, for Hyacinths and Narcissus ; 
Alessrs. Fishloek Bros, for a collection of cut flowers ; 
The Liverpool Horticultural Company (J. Cowan) for a 
group of plants ; Alessrs. Thomas Davies & Co. for a 
collection of miscellaneous plants. 
The show was well patronised during the afternoon 
and evening, and the arrangements reflected great 
credit upon the committee and officials. 
