812 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 20, 1887. 
fruit is desired, the most constant and a full amount 
of bottom heat must be afforded at this season. We 
have shifted on the autumn and winter-fruiting batch 
of Tomatos, the sorts used for the purpose being 
Nisbet’s Yictoria and Hackwood Park, the former 
being the most valuable we have met with for late 
work. The time when the 
Lady Downe’s Grapes should be quite finished is fast 
approaching, and to insure a thorough ripening of both 
fruit and wood the pipes in the house have been kept 
quite warm continuously, and the desired end will be 
attained within the prescribed time, that is by the first 
week in September. Unless ripened early they never 
keep well ; they either damp off excessively during the 
latter part of November, or else they shrivel later on, 
which should not be. If they are properly ripened they 
should keep colour and be plump and fresh well on 
into May next, and in that condition are much valued 
as a dessert fruit. 
Strawberries, in pots, should now receive an 
abundant supply of water and be kept sprinkled over¬ 
head morning and evening so as to prevent red-spider 
establishing itself upon the under side of the foliage. 
Keep all runners removed from the plants as they 
appear, and should the plants have been staged thickly 
at first let them be at once rearranged, allowing room 
for each to fully develope. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Potatos.— Following the advice given last week, we 
have lifted all the second-early varieties of Potatos, and 
find the yield most variable. Cosmopolitan is by far 
the best, and we have lifted a crop equal to an average 
season, the quality being described at table as “most 
excellent.” Sutton’s Seedling, although not nearly so 
large, gave a good yield ; and as we hold a high 
opinion of it, all the seed possible will be saved. Lily 
White is a heavy crop, but very small, and we shall 
now discard it ; likewise Radstock Beauty. Woodstock 
Kidney is quite a failure, although it has hitherto been 
our best mid-season variety. Cosmopolitan coming 
into use about the same time, and having proved itself 
so much more reliable, will replace it. We have sown 
a good breadth of 
Winter Spinach, and also put in Tripoli Onions, 
Enfield and Red Dutch Cabbage, Brown Cos and Hardy 
Winter White Lettuce, and Early London Cauliflower, 
thoroughly soaking the drills, as advised, previous to 
sowing. As soon as they make their appearance 
through the soil, netting must be placed over them, as 
they are of great importance. We have mulched the 
late sowing of French Beans, afterwards giving them a 
thorough watering, which will last for a time, and so 
enable them to form a succession—by no means an easy 
task this season. We have pricked-out a good border 
of Ellam’s Cabbage, which will be kept sprinkled and 
shaded until they start. This, we expect, will be a 
valuable plant next spring, owing to the scarcity of 
green stuff of all kinds. The July sowing of Parsley 
having been kept watered, is now well up, and will 
be carefully attended to. Raspberries should now be 
gone through, and the old canes pruned out, neatly 
tying up the young growths for security. — Walter 
Child, Croome Court. 
-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
Barry-flowering Asters at Chiswick. —A large 
collection of China A.sters, varieties of Callistephus 
chinensis (we have no desire to be botanieally fastidious 
in ignoring the ordinarily accepted name of Aster 
chinensis), are being grown on trial in the Royal Hor¬ 
ticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick. It is too early 
to review the collection as a whole, although evidence 
of a fine display is already showing itself. By far the 
most conspicuous at present is a race named Pride of 
the Market (Yilmorin). We refrain from calling it a 
variety, because there is a number of colours ranging 
from white through pink, red and purple to crimson. 
The heads are not fully double, but have a very 
commanding appearance from their size—2£ ins. to 
3 ins. in diameter—variety of bright colours, and the 
fact that all the lateral branches throw up, arch over 
and flower at the same time as the terminal stem, 
making the line in which they are grown like a broad 
spreading ridge of flowers. Mr. Barron says they 
flower ten days earlier than any other large-flower¬ 
ing Aster, and are thus an acquisition for market 
purposes. 
A very dwarf or Pygmea (Yilmorin) race and Shake¬ 
speare or dwarf Pompon Asters are noticeable for their 
pigmy stature and early-flowering character. There 
are a few rogues amongst them, but, as a rule, they do 
not exceed 2 ins. to 4 ins. in height. They both seem 
identically the same race, but different strains. In the 
Pygmea race the flower-heads are pale blue, white or 
crimson, whilst the mixed Shakespeare varieties have 
the semi-tubular florets margined with blue or pink on 
a white ground, and a few of them are also red or blue 
seifs. They are undoubtedly pretty in their way, but 
too dwarf ever to become popular for general purposes. 
The best use for which they seem adapted would be as 
edgings to beds of taller-growing sorts. To our taste, 
the prettiest of the smaller-growing very early-flowering 
forms is that named Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered. 
The plants are 6 ins. to 9 ins. in height, close, compact, 
and profusely covered with small flower-heads, it is 
true ; but beauty does not always accompany size. 
The florets are very compact, semi-tubular or some¬ 
what quilled, with harmoniously blending blue and 
white colours. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Nether Edge Horticultural. —The eighth 
annual exhibition of the above society was held on 
August 8th and 9th, and the weather was all that 
could be desired for the occasion. The exhibits filled 
two large tents, one being devoted to the open class, 
the other to the district gardeners, cottagers, and 
amateurs, each of them being well represented. The 
centre part of the open class tent was well filled with 
groups of plants and other miscellaneous subjects. 
Conspicuous amongst them was a fine batch of 
Carnations in pots from Messrs. Fisher, Son & Sibray, 
not for competition, including some very fine seedlings, 
one of which, a fine yellow variety named Mrs. Milner, 
will become a favourite amongst lovers of this class of 
plants. In the class for a group of plants arranged for 
effect (space 10 ft. by 10 ft.), there were three com¬ 
petitors, all making a bright and attractive display. 
Mr. Collier, gardener to J. Eaton, Esq., Sharrow 
Bank, Sheffield, was justly awarded the first prize ; 
Mr. Foggin, gardener to Mrs. Wilson, Tapton Hall, 
was second ; and Messrs. H. Shaw & Son, Richmond 
Nursery, came in third. For six stove and greenhouse 
plants (open), three lots were staged. Mr. J. Walker, 
gardener to B. P. Broomhead, Esq., was first; Mr. 
Foggin was second ; and Mr. Thomas, gardener to 
Mrs. Thorpe, third. For twelve table plants Mr. 
Collier was first ; Mr. Foggin and Mr. Thomas took 
second and third respectively. Mr. Collier and Mr. 
Thomas took the prizes for exotic Ferns. 
British Ferns were well represented, there being a 
class for twenty-four pots not exceeding 8 in., arranged 
for effect. This brought together three groups all of 
meritorious character ; Mr. Newsham gaining the first 
position, was closely run by Mr. Eadon, who is well 
known in the neighbourhood as an enthusiast and true 
lover of these British Cryptogams ; Mr. Smith was 
third. Mr. Eadon was first for six British Ferns, his 
plants being fine examples ; Mr. Foggin came second ; 
and Mr. Newsham third. For a collection of zonal 
Pelargoniums in bloom Mr. Foggin was first, closely 
followed by Mr. Atkinson, gardener to W. Wilson, 
Esq., Ecclesall Grange. The society offered a prize 
this year for six Orchids in bloom, but one lot only was 
staged by Mr. J. Walker, to whom the judges awarded 
the first prize. Mr. How, Nottingham, was first for 
twenty-four blooms of Roses; Mr. D. Gilmour was 
second ; Mr. R. W. Proctor, Chesterfield, came third. 
For twelve Roses Mr. Gilmour was first. Dahlias were 
well represented considering the unfavourable season 
for this moisture-loving plant, and the first prizes for 
twenty-four and twelve were taken by Messrs. H. 
Clarke & Son, of Rodley, who were closely followed by a 
local amateur, Mr. C. Storey. The noted Sheffield 
florist, Mr. B. Simonite, secured first prizes for both 
Carnations and Picotees ; Mr. G. Beal and Mr. Proctor 
were the other prize-winners. In the class for twelve 
bunches of cut blooms Mr. Walker was first; Mr. 
Foggin and Mr. Collier were second and third. 
Fruit was poorly represented in this class, owing to 
the prizes being so small, which did not attract growers 
from a distance. Mr. Shackleton, Norwood Grange, 
Sheffield, was the only exhibitor for eight kinds of 
dessert fruits, he being awarded the first prize. For 
two bunches of black Grapes, Mr. Kelly, gardener to 
A. Wilson, Esq., Archer House ; and Mr. Warrington, 
gardener to J. J. G. Tuckwood, Esq., Broomhall Park, 
took the first and second prizes for both black and 
white Grapes. Mr. Jefferson, The Gardens, Totley 
Grange, exhibited six good bunches of well-finished 
Grapes, not for competition, which were an attractive 
feature, and should be an inducement to the committee 
to offer better prizes for fruit next season. Collections 
of vegetables were well shown, Mr. Foggin taking the 
first prize with some fine examples ; Mr. Urton was 
second, and Mr. Cooper third. The second tent was 
well filled with the exhibits of the district gardeners, 
amateurs, and cottagers, among them being several 
neat and attractive groups of plants, specimen stove 
subjects, cut flowers, and single dishes of fruit and 
vegetables.— Visitor. 
Longfords Valley Horticultural and 
Industrial.— August 1 1th. —The second annual show 
of this society was held, under very favourable auspices 
as to weather and other circumstances, in the beautiful 
and spacious grounds placed at the disposal of the 
committee by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Playne, Longfords. 
There was a large attendance of visitors, which must 
add materially to the funds of this young but well- 
managed society. Some of the exhibits were inferior 
in growth compared with those of last year ; but the 
excellence of others more than compensated for this 
defect. Three spacious tents w-ere well occupied. 
Some exhibits of honey were made, besides many others 
classed in the industrial department ; but our limited 
space forbids notice of them. Vegetables, in most 
cases, bore evident traces of the long-continued drought. 
Miscellaneous exhibits, not for competition, were shown 
by Messrs. J. Cypher, Cheltenham, and Messrs. Jefferies 
& Son, Cirencester. 
The following prizes comprise those for amateurs, 
nurserymen, and gentlemen’s gardeners. For the most 
tastefully-arranged group of plants in a space not 
exceeding 72 sq. ft., Mr. Driver, gardener to A. T. Playne, 
Esq., and Mr. 'Wilkinson, gardener to Mrs. Frith, 
were declared equal firsts ; Mr. C. Mayo, gardener to 
A. Apperly, Esq., was second ; and Mr. Blackwell, gar¬ 
dener to the Rev. Father Prior, took the third prize. 
Mr. Driver had the best six stove or greenhouse plants 
in bloom, and Mr. Bastin w r as second. Mr. Smith, 
gardener to Mr. Houghton, had the best three plants 
of that class. The first prize for six stove foliage 
plants went to Mr. Wilkinson, and that for three plants 
was secured by Mr. W. Smith. The best exotic Ferns 
came from Mr. Wilkinson, and the best hardy ones 
were those of Mr. W. J. Ogden. Mr. Bastin was the most 
successful exhibitor of six zonal Pelargoniums. Mr. 
Driver secured the first prize for both tuberous-rooted 
Begonias and Fuchsias. Mr. Wilkinson had the best 
specimen plant of any description, and was followed 
by Mr. W. Driver. Cut flowers attracted some con¬ 
siderable attention, and table decoration was admitted 
to be very effective. The best bouquet was that shown 
by Mr. C. Mayo, who was followed by Mrs. Falconer 
and Mr. G. Bastin. Mr. J. E. Burton, gardener to 
E. J. D. Paul, Esq., showed the best stand of twelve 
varieties of Roses, and Mr. Driver had the best six. 
The best trusses of stove or greenhouse plants came 
from Mr. W. Smith. Mr. G. Bastin and Mr. W. 
Driver had the best exhibits in two classes for twelve 
trusses of Pelargoniums. Mr. C. Uphill, gardener 
to Lord C. Clinton, took the first prize for twel\ e 
Carnation blooms ; Mr. W. Blackwell had the 
best specimens of herbaceous plants ; and Mr. Driver 
had the best stand of annual or half-hardy garden 
flowers. 
Some excellent fruit was exhibited, and Grapes were 
considered exceptionally fine. Mr. G. Bastin took the 
first prize for a collection of fruit for dessert, and was 
succeeded by Mr. W. Smith. In a class for four- 
varieties Mr. C. Mayo was first; and Mr. G. Bastin 
came in second. Mr. J. F. Wilkinson secured the first 
prize for four varieties of Grapes ; and Mr. G. Bastin 
was second. Mr. W. Driver and Mr. W. Smith had 
the best white and black Grapes respectively. The 
best-flavoured Melon was exhibited by Mr. C. Mayo. 
Mr. W. Driver had the best dishes of Currants and 
Plums. The best exhibit of red Gooseberries came 
from Mr. Preston, gardener to J. E. Falconer, Esq.; 
and the best yellow ones were those shown by Mr. T. 
Floyd, gardener to — Baynes, Esq. Mr. W. Smith had 
