652 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 11, 1887. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Early Peach House. —Where the fruit is ripe or 
ripening, a much more buoyant atmosphere must be 
maintained, and damping down must only be done at 
mid-day; in fact, this process should, as much as 
possible, be avoided, a mulching of dry litter or made 
grass being spread over the inside borders to prevent 
evaporation. As the fruit is ripening, watering of the 
borders should be discontinued, so as to give a higher 
flavour to the fruit. 
Figs. —The same remarks apply also to the earliest 
house of Figs ; but great care must be taken that these 
do not suffer for want of water at the roots, or the 
second crop will be sure to fail. I need hardly add 
that the use of the syringe must be withheld in both 
cases while the fruit is ripening, to be resumed as soon 
as the crop is gathered. 
Melons. —Avoid watering Melons which are about 
ripening their fruits, or cracking will take place ; shade 
them in preference. - 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Beans. — We have made another sowing of Peas, also 
of French Beans ; and a second one of Scarlet Runners. 
This second sowing is often of the greatest value in dry 
seasons, and should never be neglected. W r e have also 
prepared the square ready for the planting of the main 
crop of Celery, which must be done within a few days. 
We have not yet commenced the thinning of 
Carrots, bedding-out having occupied so much of 
our spare labour ; but we hope before these lines are iu 
print to have done so. Keep the hoe constantly at 
work amongst all growing crops, not only to keep 
weeds in check, but also to admit air to the roots of 
the crops ; a crushed surface is at all times detrimental 
to their well-being. — Walter Child, Croorae Court. 
-- 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES. 
Reading' Hor fcicultural. —The spring exhibition 
of this society took place on June 2nd, as usual, in the 
Abbey Kuins, but, unfortunately, the day proved very 
wet, the rain coming on at a time when the company 
were arriving. This was very unfortunate, as the 
spring show held last year was under similar depressing 
circumstances. The tent looked somewhat thin, though 
there were many good and bright features ; unfortu¬ 
nately for Reading, several residents, such as Mr. W. 
Lees, the gardener at the Wilderness, Reading, have 
given up showing, and others do not come forward to 
supply what is thus lost. 
On this occasion there was but one collection of nine 
stove and greenhouse plants, Mr. James, Castle 
Nursery, Lower Norwood, being first with some good 
specimens. Mr. Parham, gardener to H. J. Simonds, 
Esq , Caversham, Reading, was the only exhibitor of 
six plants, having a fine piece of Vanda teres, 
Anthurium Scherzerianum, Lantana Le Grand, which 
makes a good exhibition plant. The best specimen 
was a fine Clerodendron Balfourianum, shown by Mr. 
Baskett, gardener to W. J. Palmer, Esq., Reading. 
Mr. James was the only exhibitor of nine Azaleas, 
having well-grown and flowered specimens. Mr. T. 
Lockie, gardener to the Hon. G. Fitzgerald, Oakley 
Court, Windsor, had the best six, showing very nice 
neat specimens ; Mr. Dockerill, gardener to G. W. 
Palmer, Esq., Reading, being second. Mr. Ashby, 
gardener to W. Fanning, Esq., Whitchurch, had a 
very fine group of hardy Rhododendrons, very striking 
and showy, and was the only exhibitor. Fuchsias 
were quite poor ; Mr. Ashby had nine good specimens of 
show Pelargoniums ; and Mr. Sumner, gardener to J. 
H. Millaird, Esq., Reading, a good six ; first prizes 
were awarded in each class. Gloxinias in sixes were 
superbly shown by Messrs. Baskett and Dockerill ; by 
the former especially, and it would be difficult to 
imagine anything much better in plant and flower. 
They were simply superb. Calceolarias were admirably 
shown by Messrs. Lockie, Baskett and Dockerill ; 
finely grown and bloomed; the flowersof thebest quality. 
Orchids were a most satisfactory feature, the best 
seen at Reading for years. The best three came from 
Mr. James ; second, Mr. Pound, gardener to G. May, 
Esq., Reading; two equal third prizes, and an extra 
prize was awarded in this class. The best specimen 
Orchid was a very fine piece of Dendrobium densiflorum, 
with twenty spikes of bloom, from Mr. Parham ; Mr. 
Lawrence, gardener to Mrs. Owen Knox, Caversham, 
with a fine piece of Od. vexillarium, being second. 
Groups of plants, arranged for effect, are always a 
leading feature at Reading. Mr. James was first with 
a light and graceful semi-circular arrangement ; Mr. 
Woolford, gardener to Alfred Palmer, Esq., Reading, 
being second ; and Mr. Parham third. In the class 
for a smaller group, Mr. Pound was first ; and Mr. 
Balchin, gardener to B. Simonds, Esq., Reading, was 
second. Mr. James had the best six Ericas, showing 
nicely-grown and bloomed plants. Foliage plants were 
a good feature, and a very fine group of flowering and 
foliaged plants not for competition was shown by Mr. IV. 
Lees, gardener to Mrs. Marsland, The Wilderness, Read¬ 
ing ; and Mr. Turner sent, from Slough, a group of 
charming show Pelargoniums. First Class Certificates 
of Merit were awarded to Magnate, Excellent, The 
Czar and Goldmine, and to Fancy, Ambassadress, all 
beautiful and distinct new varieties of great merit; also 
to Azalea Madame van Houtte—a fine specimen coming 
from Slough. Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Hol- 
born, had a group of their Queen’s Royal Jubilee 
Mimulus, in fine condition, to which a First Class 
Certificate of Merit was also awarded. 
Some excellent Grapes were shown ; Mr. Turton, 
gardener to J. Hargreaves, Esq., Maiden Erleigh, had 
the best two bunches of Black Hamburgh, admirably 
finished ; Mr. Ashby being second, and Mr. Cook, 
gardener to J. Taylor, Esq., Rendcomb Park, third. 
Mr. Ashby had the best two bunches of white Grapes, 
showing admirable examples of Foster’s Seedling ; Mr. 
Cook being second, and Mr. Baskett third. Straw¬ 
berries in dishes of thirty-six were remarkably good ; 
Mr. Goodman, gardener to C. Hammersley, Esq., 
Bourne End, Great, Marlow, had a wonderful dish of 
La Grosse Sucree ; Mr. Waites, gardener to Colonel 
Talbot, being second with capital Sir Joseph Paxton. 
Mr. Turton had the best six Peaches, staging capital 
Early Ascot; Mr. Goodman being second with Royal 
George. 
Vegetables were scarcely up to Reading mark, 
owing to the season and cold nights. There was a 
good competition for Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ special 
prizes for collections of eight varieties ; Mr. Lockie 
being a good first with Suttons’ Ringleader, and 
Suttons’ Ash leaf Potato, Suttons’ Ringleader and 
American Wonder Peas, Moore’s Vegetable Cream 
Marrow, Hathaway’s Excelsior Tomato, Ne Pius Ultra 
French Beans, and Cauliflower ; second, Mr. Goodman, 
who ran Mr. Lockie very close indeed ; third, Mr. 
Booker, gardener to H. Littledale, Esq,, Reading ; 
fourth, Mr. Read, gardener to F. Wilder, Esq , Purley. 
Mr. Ashby had the first dish of twelve Kidney Potitos, 
having Suttons’ Ringleader in good form ; and Mr. 
Lockie the best dish of Round, showing excellent 
Suttons’ Eclipse. Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Asparagus, 
Rhubarb and French Beans were well represented. 
Mr. Lockie had the best collection of vegetables, Mr. 
Read being second. A First Class Certificate of Merit 
was awarded to Messrs. Oakshott & Millard, seed 
merchants, Reading, for Reading Defiance Cabbage, an 
excellent early garden variety. 
Cut Flowers. —These consisted of Roses, Mr. 
Goodman having the best twelve : and Mr. Elliott, 
gardener to J. Hibbert, Esq., Bray wick Lodge, Maiden¬ 
head, being second. Mr. Lawrence was first, both 
with twelve show and twelve fancy Pansies, showing 
desirable blooms of each ; Mr. Shrimpton, Englefield, 
being second. Mr. Goodman had the best twelve 
bunches of stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr. James 
being second. Mr. Phippen, Oxford Road Nursery, 
Reading, had the best twelve bunches of hardy flowers; 
Mr. Sumner being second. 
The best bridal bouquet came from Mr. Phippen. 
Mr. Pound had the best three button-holes ; Mr. 
Phippen being second. Miss Phillips, Reading, 
had the best three pieces for table decoration, setting 
up three charmingly-arranged vases ; Miss Barrett, 
Jesse Terrace was second. There was also a class for 
two pieces arranged with wild flowers and foliage, 
Miss L. Phillips, Reading, being first ; Miss N. Cole, 
Reading, second ; and Miss Barrett, third. 
Royal National Tulip Exhibition. —Owing 
to the great pressure on our space this week we are 
compelled to hold over for a week a detailed report of 
this exhibition, held at Manchester on Saturday last. 
----2K-- 
FLO RICULT URE. 
The Norton Pansy Club. —In your notice of this 
exhibition on Whit-Monday, your correspondent gives 
an indistinct description of Mr. Simkins’s beautiful 
seedling fancy Pansy, Syren, which obtained a Certi¬ 
ficate, as well as the Silver Medal, for the best; named 
seedling (three blooms) not yet sent out. It is a flower 
of very fine form and substance, full size, rich dark 
blue-violet top petals, with an immense, solid, clean-cut 
blotch, and even medium margin of white in the lower 
petals. A Certificate was also awarded to Messrs. 
Laird and Sons for a grand fancy Pansy, which, if not 
a seedling from William Dean, is a decided beat upon 
it. In my opinion this variety will be a great favourite, 
for it possesses most promising qualities, and it was 
named John Pope in honour of Mr. John Pope, of the 
King’s Norton Nurseries, a good grower of Pansies. 
Messrs. Paul & Son, of Paisley, obtained a Certificate 
for seedling fancy, Alfred Hunt, a flower with good 
proportions, and an acquisition ; also a Certificate for 
a fine yellow-ground show named William Dean. 
Messrs. Paul & Son sent—not in competition—a 
superb lot of blooms, and Messrs. Laird & Sons also, 
but with smaller blooms from recently planted-out 
varieties. Some of the local growers, however, had 
blooms quite as fine as those from Scotland, Messrs. 
Pope & Sons’ stands being very fine indeed. A few 
Pansies and Violas in pots showed improved culture, 
and it is evident the growers are beginning to under¬ 
stand how to grow them. Violas, when well staged, as 
Messrs. Laird’s were, not only make a feature of the 
exhibition, but they gain also a great amount of 
admiration.— W. D. 
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS. 
Basket Plants for Cool Conservatory.— Al. Perry: A 
great variety of these are obtainable, and will succeed where a 
very low temperature is maintained. Of course, growth and 
flowers will only he produced in summer. Convolvulus mau- 
ritanicus, if kept growing, will bloom all the summer and has 
blue flowers ; the pink-flowered C. arvensis has also been used. 
Vinca major variegata produces long stems, and a well-defined 
variegation, when grown under glass during winter. Fragaria 
indica is most valuable for its fruit and the long pendent runners 
producing them. Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, Tradeseantia zebrina, 
Lythrum Gnefferi, and several Ferns, such as Asplenium lucidum, 
Woodwardia radicans. Adiantum cuneatum, Polystichum an- 
gulare, and Selaginella ciesia, may he used with good effect. 
Celeriac.—IP. P. T. : The Turnip-rooted Celery is not grown 
like that used for blanching. It is a variety of the common 
Celery, cultivated for the sake of its thickened rootstock or 
stem. Raise in the same way as ordinary Celery, and plant in 
rows after being well hardened off. Hoe between the lines, give 
frequent waterings all through the summer, and cut away all 
lateral shoots and roots except the main one, which should he 
encouraged to develop. 
Celosia cretica.— E. A. D. : This showy species is a true 
biennial, and must he raised from seeds annually. Seeds sown 
now, or a little later on, will flower finely next spring and 
summer, according to the time they are put in and the treatment 
they get in winter with regard to temperature. They may he 
sown in boxes, pans or pots, according to the quantity required, 
and potted off singly into small pots when fit to handle, using 
32's for the last potting. So managed, they will make fine 
inedium-sized plants for greenhouse work. The plant is hardy, 
except in very severe winters, but grows much taller and coarser 
when planted out. 
Campanulas for Window.— Amateur: Several may he used 
very effectively for this purpose; hut there are a few that merit 
a place above others. C. isophylla is one of the most suitable 
for this purpose, either the blue or white form, and the pot in 
which it is grown may be suspended with a cord or piece of wire. 
C. fragilis, C. garganica and C. Portenschlagiana—best known 
as C. muralis—may be grown in the usual way, and require 
plenty of light. 
Tree Peonies Injured.- W.P.G. : The reason why these get 
injured so frequently when planted iu the open air in the south 
of England is that fluctuations in the weather during winter 
cause growth to become active, and whenever late frosts occur 
the young shoots and flower-buds get killed, or so far destroyed 
as to he useless. In the north growth is held in check till all 
danger of severe frost is over. Protection by mats, tiffany, or 
something that will keep out several degrees of frost, will do 
much to ward off the danger. 
Polygonum viviparum. — Collector: The specimens of these 
you mention are perfectly normal. Instead of producing fruit, 
the lower flowers develop little tubers or buds, by which the 
plant reproduces itself and extends its area of distribution. It 
is pretty common where it does occur in Alpine districts. 
Names of Plants. — Levenshulme: 1, Cattleya Mosshe ; 2, 
Oncidium crispum ; 3, lost; 4, Trichopilia snavis ; 5, Odonto- 
glossum crispum, a very fine variety, with deep rose-coloured 
sepals and petals. (The box containing the above was smashed, 
one or more of the flowers lost and the letter gone ; we have 
only guessed at the sender's name by the post-mark). IF. J. B.: 
Pulmonaria officinalis. R. J. G. Read : 1, Claytonia sibirica; 2, 
Erinus alpinus, naturalised in some places in the north of 
England. R. C. Kingston : Epidendrum densiflorum var. (We 
should he much obliged if correspondents would send a pseudo- 
bulb and a leaf, in the case of such large and difficult genera as 
Epidendrum—containing some 400 species. 
Communications Received.—W. T.- D. P. L.—J. L.—E. J. 
—J. C. K.-A. W.-O. & II.—J. D.—R. D— Scot,— A. Grant.— 
W. J.—C. B. G. 
--> 2 <-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
B. S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Hol¬ 
loway, N.—New and General Plant Catalogue for 1SS7. 
John Laing & Co., Forest Hill, London, S.E.—Jubilee List 
of Begonias, Orchids, Roses, &c. 
John Jardine, Junr., Portland Gardens, Kilmarnock.— 
Florists’ Flowers and Bedding Plants, Seeds, &e. 
--»*«-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
June 3th. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditcli, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, London, report no change in 
state of market for agricultural seeds. Supplies of 
Mustard continue large. Rape Seed is scarce and 
rather dearer. Clover Seeds unchanged ; stocks of 
Red and White are small. Bird Seeds and Blue Peas 
realise prices current last week. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
June 9th. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Apples, i sieve. 2 0 5 0 
Grapes .per lb. 3 0 5 0 
Grapes, Chan. Islands, 
per lb. 2 0 3 0 
Kent Cobbs.. 100 lbs.60 0 
Melons .each 16 3 0 
s.d. s.d. 
Peaches....per dozen 4 0 12 0 
Pine-apples, St. 
Michaels, each_ 3 0 SO 
Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 10 16 
Strawberries, per lb.. 1 0 3 6 
