June 18, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
667 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Hard-wooded Plants. —It will now be advisable 
to rid the houses, as much as possible, of all the hard- 
wooded plants which are sufficiently advanced in 
growth, such as common Heaths, Epacris, and Acacias, 
and others too numerous to mention ; choose a north 
border for the placing of them, and let it be well coated 
with fresh coal ashes, or slugs and worms are apt to be 
troublesome. In case of any particular plant being 
unsatisfactory at the roots, let it be placed on bricks 
or tiles so as to ensure a free passage for water when 
given. The plants must be kept frequently turned so 
that they may not be one-sided, and during hot dry 
weather, such as we are now experiencing, the syringe 
should he freely used late iu the afternoon, after water¬ 
ing has been done. - 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Ventilating. —With summer at last upon us, care 
must be taken in the ventilating. Open earlier in the 
morning, and, as. far as possible, prevent the houses 
from becoming too hot, as there is then a great danger 
of scalding. The front ventilators should be freely used, 
and where the fruit is colouring, they must be left open 
night and day, or the bloom is apt to be deficient. As 
soon as the fruit is cut from the pot Vines, let them 
be removed out of doors, and if it is thought desirable 
to keep them on for another season, they may be 
securely tacked to a wall in some sunny position 
where the growth will thoroughly ripen ; but it is not 
advisable to rely upon these for pot-work next season. 
Generally speaking, the house after being thoroughly 
cleansed can be profitably used for a batch of Melons, 
which should be planted when ready, and will be found 
useful for shooting parties. We have planted another 
house, making the soil rather firmer than previously to 
avoid too frequent waterings, which are at all times 
injurious to the growing of this fruit. We shall make 
another sowing at once, in case of need. 
Vines. —We have completed the thinning of the 
late vinery ; the border lias also been pricked up and 
a good soaking of water given, so that the berries may 
be encouraged to swell away rapidly. Where Lady 
Downes prevails, early ventilation is an absolute 
necessity to prevent the scalding of the berries, for 
nothing is more aggravating than to find many of the 
clusters spoiled through this being neglected ; but 
experience proves to us that much of the mischief may 
be averted if the lights are left open continuously for 
the next two months, as all danger will then be passed. 
Peach Houses. —Keep the fruit in succession Peach 
houses quite exposed to the light. Do not, however, 
bunch the foliage too soon, or a great part of it will be 
destroyed. Much can be done by removing the lower 
half of the leaves that may obstruct the rays of the sun, 
which is far preferable to keeping them tied for any great 
length of time. As soon as the crop is gathered, give 
the border a thorough watering if necessary, and let 
the trees be pruned at once. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Planting Celery. — Preparations must now be 
made to plant out the main batch of Celery. Care 
must be taken, however, that a thorough soaking of 
water be given after planting, as this crop will not 
bear any very severe check. Should it flag much from 
any cause, shade with leafy twigs for a few days until 
a start is made. We are busy pricking out all the early 
and spring Broccoli plants from the seed-beds on to 
prepared beds, from whence they will be planted out 
into permanent quarters. We have also thoroughly 
cleaned the squares of Strawberries, removing all the 
runners from the fruiting plants, and a good layering 
of clean straw has been placed round them to keep the 
fruit clean and free from grit in case of storms. 
Potatos. —Moulding of the Potato squares has also 
been completed, so that work is now well under hand. 
Much time must, however, be devoted to watering, as 
the rainfall this season has been much below the 
average, and such crops as Peas and Beans make but 
little headway if neglected. It will be advisable to 
give a mulching of half-rotten manure before watering, 
which will greatly tend to keep the roots cool and 
retain the moisture. Trees on the walls now require 
pinching back, and the laying in of necessary wood ; 
but avoid overcrowding, more especially of Apricots. 
Taken all round, we have an excellent promise this 
season.— Walter Child, Croome Court. 
THE GRAND YORKSHIRE GALA. 
June 15 th to 17 th. 
This great annual Floral Exhibition and Gala, 
of which w T e gave an historical account in our last 
issue, commenced on Wednesday last, and gave abun¬ 
dant promise of being once again most satisfactory to 
its promoters in all respects. The weather was delight¬ 
fully fine and the exhibition was visited by a great 
number of subscribers during the day, and on Thursday, 
as usual, a vast crowd passed through the turnstiles. 
The main features of the exhibition were the show and 
zonal Pelargoniums, the groups arranged for effect and 
a fine display of fruit, concerning which details will be 
found below. The arrangements, as usual, in the 
experienced hands of Mr. John Wilson, were all that 
could be desired. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. 
The classes for stove and greenhouse plants were not 
nearly so well contested as we have seen here in the 
days when Baines and Cole were to the front, but no 
exception could certainly be taken to the winning 
collections staged by Mr. Letts, gardener to the Earl of 
Zetland, who, in the premier class, beat Mr. Cypher, of 
Cheltenham, somewhat easily. His group consisted of 
noble specimens of Kentia Fosteriana, Encephalartos 
Altensteinii, Kentia Belmoreana and Crotons Johannis 
and Queen Victoria, perfect in foliage and grand in 
colour, which formed the back-ground of the group ; 
and among flowering plants, large and well-finished 
examples of Azaleas, Due de Nassau and Cannaert 
d’Hamale, Anthurium Scherzerianum, Shuttleworth’s 
variety, Phoenocoma prolifera, Erica Massoni major, 
E. ventricosa coccinea minor, Aphelexis macrantlia 
purpurea, &c. Mr. J. Cypher, who was second, was 
not in his usual form ; and the third award went to 
E. Adams, Esq., Swalwell. For six ornamental- 
foliaged plants Mr. Letts again came to the front with 
splendid specimens of Stevensonia grandiflora, Cycas 
revoluta, a wonderfully fine example ; Croton an- 
gustifolius, C. Johannis, brilliantly coloured ; Cycas 
circinalis, and Dasylirion acrotriclium. Second in 
this competition came Mr. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. 
Gurney Pease, and third Messrs. Simpson & Son, 
York. The best four Crotons came from Mrs. Gurney 
Pease’s garden, and consisted of nice specimens of C. 
Andreanus, C. Hammondi, and C. Warrenii; and the 
best three Heaths were showm by Mr. Cypher, good 
bushes of E. Cavendishii, E. ventricosa hirsuta alba, 
and E. tricolor Wilsoni. For three stove and green- 
house-flowering plants, Mr. Lyon, gardener to Lady 
Ossington, Newark, came in first with capital examples 
of Stephanotis floribunda, Clerodendron Balfourianum, 
and Ixora coccinea superba. 
The groups competing in the two classes for miscel¬ 
laneous plants arranged for effect, completely filled a 
large marquee, and made an excellent exhibition in 
themselves. In the largest class, which was for a space 
not exceeding 250 sq. ft., there was a grand competition, 
and equal first prizes were awarded to Mr. A. AVebb, 
gardener to J. H. M. Sutton, Esq., Newark, and Mr. 
McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Gurney Pease, Darlington, 
the former of whom had the most tasteful arrangement, 
and the latter the best quality plants, which about 
balanced the chances of each. Mr. Webb’s plants were 
very nice indeed, but his grouping was somewhat flat ; 
while Mr. McIntyre’s grouping was light, elegant and 
well broken up. Mr. Lyon, gardener to Lady Ossington, 
a strong competitor in these kinds of classes, was a very 
good third, and Messrs. Simpson & Son, York, were 
fourth ; while admirable groups were also shown by 
Mr. Duncan, gardener to J. B. Hodgkin, Esq.; Mr. 
Dawe, gardener to Dr. Baker, York ; Mr. Stephenson, 
gardener to Mr. Alderman Makin, York, and Mr. G. 
Cottam, Junr., Cottingham. In the smaller class, 
which was for 150 sq. ft., there were only three com¬ 
petitors, and the awards went in the order named, to 
Mr. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Gurney Pease ; Mr. 
Lister, gardener to J. S. Brogden, Esq., York, and 
Mr. Lyon. 
Pelargoniums, &c. 
The Pelargonium tent was a sight to see and re¬ 
member, the display, both in point of numbers and 
quality, being most remarkable ; and than the dozen 
show varieties, which gained the first prize in their 
class for Mr. Mackintosh, gardener to J. T. Hingston, 
Esq., York, we have no hesitation in saying that finer 
have never been seen anywhere. The examples staged 
in former years by Bailey, Turner, James, Ward, and 
Eastwood, superb as we reckoned them to be, all seem 
to have lacked the perfect evenness of size, beautiful 
symmetry, and high finish of Mr. Hingston’s plants, 
which in every respect reflected the highest credit on 
the grower. The plants were all about 4 ft. over, and 
consisted of the following sorts Prince Leopold, La 
Cygne, Claribel, F. & A. Dickson, Salmonida, Mary 
Hoyle, Clarissa, Lady Arabella, Kingston Beauty, 
Triomphe de St. Mande, Prince of Pelargoniums, and 
La Patria. Mr. Eastwood, gardener to Mrs. Tetley, 
Leeds, was a grand second, showing immense specimens, 
well bloomed, but not so even as the first-named. For 
six Mr. Eastwood came in first, beating Mr. Mack¬ 
intosh ; but the latter again took the lead with three, 
showing, amongst others, Miss Minnie Hingston, a fine 
semi-double white. Mr. Vear, gardener to Miss 
Steward, York, was third in each of these classes. The 
zonal classes were equally grand in quality, and here 
Mr. Eastwood held his own, winning with twelve and 
six singles, and six and three double-flowered varieties. 
His plants in the first-named class measured 3 ft. to 
4 ft. over, were well bloomed, and carried ample foliage. 
They consisted of Mrs. A. Mills, Olive Carr, Lucy, and 
Mrs. Levers, pink ; W. Groom and Princess of Wales, 
salmon ; John Watson, R. Clifton, and Rev. A. At¬ 
kinson, crimson ; and Santley, Renown, and The 
Shah, scarlet. Messrs. Pybus & Son, Ripon, were a 
very good second ; and among the successful exhibitors 
in other classes were Miss Steward’s gardener and Mr. 
Mackintosh. Variegated, tricolor, and bicolor varieties 
were also admirably represented. The Fuchsia classes 
were not so good as usual, and there was only one half- 
dozen of any particular merit. These came from Mr. 
Mackintosh, and consisted of well-grown and large 
examples of Lustre, Rose of Castile, Miss Marshall, 
and Littre, light kinds, and Charming and Letty Lye, 
dark varieties. A considerable number of pot Roses 
were staged ; but they were all poor—in fact, as far 
behind in quality as the Pelargoniums were in advance. 
The display of Orchids was to some extent a dis¬ 
appointment, considering the good special prizes 
offered. Mr. Cypher, Cheltenham, took the leading 
award for sixteen specimens, showing small neatly- 
bloomed examples of Cattleya Mossioe Rothschildiana, 
C. M. grandiflora, C. Mendelii, C. lobata, Lafiia 
purpurata, Odontoglossum vexillarium, Cypripedium 
barbatum superbum, C. Lawrenceana, Dendrobium 
Bensonke, &c. In another class for eight Mr. Cypher 
was also first; while for four W. Bateman, Esq., 
Harrogate (Mr. Rollisson, gardener), was first, and 
Mr. Kendall, gardener to J. M. Weddall, Esq., Selby, 
second. 
Exotic and British Ferns—the latter especially—we 
thought below the York standard, but in the first- 
named section there were some good examples. For 
six Mr. Johnston, gardener to J. B. Hodgkin, Esq., 
Darlington, beat the gardeners of Mrs. Gurney Pease 
and Captain Starkie, of York, with among others very 
creditable specimens of Davallia Mooreana, Microlepia 
hirta cristata and Davallia Fijiensis. Mr. McIntyre 
had among others a perfect specimen, about 3 ft. 
through, of Adiantum gracillimum. Captain Starkie 
had the best specimen Fern, a very handsome Dick- 
sonia antarctica. The best hardy Ferns came from 
Mr. J. Rodwell, York, and Mr. Simpson, of Selby. 
Cut Flowers, &c. 
Cut flowers were represented by numerous Tea and 
H. P. Roses— but almost without exception they were of 
very poor quality—and a fine lot of bouquets, the main 
prizes for which were won by Messrs. Perkins & Son 
and Mr. Cragg, gardener to A. Heine, Esq., Fallow- 
field, Manchester. In the stove and greenhouse cut- 
flower class another Manchester grower came to the 
front—viz., Mr. Williams, gardener to S/ Baerlein, Esq., 
Didsbury. 
The miscellaneous class was not so large as at some 
other shows of the same magnitude as York, but it 
brought out a few subjects of special merit. Among 
these must be named a group of twenty Clematis—fine 
well-bloomed specimen plants from Messrs. R. Smith 
& Co., Worcester, including such fine doubles as Venus 
Victrix (a lovely shade of lavender), Countess of 
Lovelace and Duchess of Edinburgh (white) ; and of 
singles: Gloire de St. Julien (pale blush), Lady C. 
Neville, Profusa elegans (deep mauve), Blue Gem and 
Mrs. G. Jackman (white). Messrs. W. & J. Birken¬ 
head, Sale, Manchester, contributed a very interesting 
group of various-sized hardy and exotic Ferns, 
including most of the latest introductions. Messrs. 
