January 14, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
311 
growth, a heavy cropper, and a first-rate keeper.— 
Edward Webb <b Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
Freedom —A new and desirable exhibition variety. 
The best of the purple kidneys. —James Carter <k Co., 
237 and 238, High Ilolborn, W.C. 
Kolborn Abundance.—A cross between White 
Elephant and Snowflake, and retains the merit of each 
of these popular kinds.— James Carter <£• Co., Holborn, 
King of the Russets.*—A great advance upon all 
other russetv varieties .—James Carter <£• Co., Holborn. 
Main Crop Kidney* {W. TV. Johnson & Son ).—A 
white kidney, with a clean rough skin, white flesh, 
shallow eyes, mealy, and of excellent flavour when 
cooked.— Hurst <L Son, 152, Houndsditch, London. 
Masterpiece.—A splendid new main crop Potato, 
the result of hybridisation between Magnum Bonum 
and White Elephant ; haulm strong, tubers very large, 
kidney-shaped, and for exhibition purposes and cooking 
qualities all that can he desired. —Edward Webb <fc 
Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
Reading Giant.—This new variety is handsome, 
kidney-shaped, first introduced in 1885. The tubers, 
though large, are not in any way coarse but firm, and 
cook remarkably white and mealy, while the flavour 
is unsurpassed.— Watkins & Simpson, Exeter Street, 
Strand. 
Reward.—A very late white round seedling between 
Scotch Champion and Magnum Bonum, with shallow 
eyes. Quality first-rate ; keeps quite up to the following 
June.— Thomas Laxton, Bedford. 
Stourbridge Glory.—A seedling from Woodstock 
Kidney, of fine quality, and great productiveness ; haulm 
strong and branching, tubers long, but somewhat 
inclined to be oval in shape, of very handsome appear¬ 
ance. Flesh pure white, firm and floury when cooked, 
and of unequalled quality.— Edward Webb & Sons, 
Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
Surprise.*—A cross between Myatt’s Ashleaf and 
Magnum Bonum.— James Carter <£■ Co., London. 
RADISH. 
Scarlet Turnip, Ne Plus Ultra—Described by 
the raiser as the earliest forcing Radish extant. It 
grows very rapidly, and is fit for use in three weeks 
from time of sowing. The root is round, bright scarlet 
in colour, with tender flesh, and of a particularly 
delicate flavour. — Hurst <L- Son, 152, Houndsditch, 
London. 
SPINACH. 
Webbs’ New Prolific. —A valuable summer variety, 
which stands dry weather well, and produces an abun¬ 
dance of large thick leaves, which continue fit for use 
longer than any other kind.— Edward Webb .<£• Sons, 
Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
SQUASH. 
New Tripoli.—This Gourd or Squash has qualities 
which distinguish it from all others. The plant is 
compact, does not climb, and begins to produce its 
long yellow fruits about a month after sowing—so rapid 
is its development. Cut in slices and roasted, besides 
its use as a salad, it is a delicious accompaniment to 
cheese, Tomatos, &c.— Hooper & Co., Covent Garden. 
TOMATOS. 
Blenheim Orange.—The most distinct Tomato of 
modern introduction. The colour approaches that of 
the Apricot, and the flavour is equally remarkable.—- 
James Carter <k Co., 237 <£ 238, High Holborn, W.C. 
Model.—A very handsome new variety of perfect 
shape and quality, colour of a rich deep red ; a first- 
class exhibition variety.— W. Cutbush <& Son, High- 
gate, N. 
Sandwich Island. —A thick-skinned variety, which 
must become popular with market-growers, as it travels 
so well. —James Carter A- Co., Holborn, W.C. 
CUCUMBERS. 
Covent Garden Model.—This superb Cucumber is 
a perpetual bearer, and a most profitable sort, either for 
the market or private grower. It averages about 16 ins. 
in length, is perfect in form, sweet, tender, seedless, 
and delicious.— Hooper <£• Co., Covent Garden, W.C. 
Excel All.—This new Cucumber is a cross between 
Telephone and Carter’s Champion, white spine, beautiful 
dark green colour, well up at shoulder, length 18 ins. 
Its uniform size, splendid colour and flavour mark it 
out as an acquisition to Cucumber growers, for table 
and exhibition purposes.— Dickson, Brown, cfc Tait, 
Corporation Street, Manchester. 
Princess Beatrice.—One of the handsomest 
Cucumbers ever introduced ; dark in colour, slightly 
spiued, and extremely productive.— W. Cutbush & Son, 
Highgate, N. 
Stourbridge Gem. —The result of hybridisation 
between Telegraph and Prince of Wales. A remarkably 
free setter, and very prolific, producing handsomely- 
shaped fruit, from IS ins. to 24 ins. in length, with 
beautifully white flesh ; very delicate in flavour.— 
Edward Webb <L- Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge. 
Laxton’s Open-Air.—From a cross between Bedford¬ 
shire Prize and Telegraph. Fruits 18 ins. long, and 
intermediate between the frame and ridge varieties. 
Suitable for outdoor growth in favourable situations.— 
Thomas Laxton, Bedford. 
MELONS. 
Grampian.—A magnificent scarlet-fleshed Melon, 
raised by Mr. Peebles, Kniglitshayes Court, Devonshire. 
The fruit is large, of fine form, and the flesh of a 
delicious flavour.— John Downie, 144, Princes Street, 
Edinburgh. 
Hamstead Park Seedling. •— A cross between 
Golden Perfection and Yictory of Bristol. A first-rate 
setter and very strong grower, and never shows any 
sign of canker at the collar ; round in shape, very 
handsome, and beautifully netted ; flesh pale scarlet, 
about 3 ins. in depth, with very delicious flavour. The 
fruit weighs from 4 lbs. to 6 lbs. each.— B. S. Williams, 
Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Lpper Holloway ; 
Hurst <k Son, 152, Houndsditch, Bondon. 
Templenewsam Hybrid. — A handsome oval¬ 
shaped Melon, with a rich golden yellow skin, beauti¬ 
fully netted ; flesh white, deep, rich, and melting to 
the rind ; flavour all that can he desired; quickly 
comes to maturity, free in growth, and an excellent 
setter.— Dickson d Robinson, Old Mitigate, Manchester. 
-- 
otes from Scotland. 
North of Scotland Horticultural Asso¬ 
ciation. —The first meeting of this association for the 
year was held in the Music Hall Buildings, Aberdeen, 
on Friday evening, the 6th inst. There was a good 
attendance, and Mr. Peter Harper, Duthie Public 
Park, in the absence of the president, occupied the 
chair. The first paper was read by Mr. Ogg, Morkeu, 
on “The Fuchsia.” He introduced his subject by 
remarking that the Fuchsia was a plant of the rich and 
poor, a circumstance which was no doubt owing to its 
easy cultivation. He described the best methods 
suited to bring it to a high degree of perfection, the 
kind of soil to be selected, the manure to he used, the 
time and mode of pruning, whether the plant was 
intended for ordinary decoration or for exhibition. He 
also gave a list of the best varieties for these purposes. 
The paper was very well received and favourably com¬ 
mented upon. The next paper was read by Mr. 
Simpson, Dalhousie Nurseries, Broughty Ferry, on 
“ Shrubs and Shrubberies.” He dealt with this sub¬ 
ject very exhaustively, fully describing the most 
suitable kinds for cultivation in the north of Scot¬ 
land, how to lay out shrubberies, and renovate those 
which were overgrown. It very often happened, he 
said, that shrubberies, by being unskilfully laid out, 
though they might look well enough for a time, yet in 
the course of twenty or thirty years lost their attractive¬ 
ness. An animated discussion followed, in which 
various opinions on the subject were given. Both 
gentlemen were heartily thanked for their papers, and a 
vote of thanks to Mr. Harper for presiding brought the 
meeting to a close. 
Potatos. — I am able to endorse what Mr. Dean states 
regarding the excellence of that handsome Potato, The 
Dean, havingreceived a sample to prove them after proper 
culinary manipulation. There is a deal in the cooking 
of the tubers ; and very bad samples of the culinary 
art may sometimes he seen in gentlemen’s kitchens, 
where the preparation of Potatos and other common 
vegetables are left in charge of underlings. Messrs. 
Don & Sons, of Falkirk, have assured the writer that 
the cropping proclivities of The Dean are excellent, and 
they intend greatly extending its cultivation. The 
handsome appearance will always commend this kind ; 
and it will be valued all the more if one of its important 
qualities is of a disease-resisting nature. It is true that 
climatic influence has a decided effect on Potatos — 
indeed, on most esculents, hut so has also soil—light 
and sharp land having a very opposite effect to heavy 
clay soils. We have both within a few hundred yards 
of each other. Altitude has also great power in 
changing the character of vegetation, affecting the 
climate, of course, and none are more amenable than 
Potatos to the influence of position. The uplands are 
generally preferred by the extensive cultivators of 
Potatos. Fields of many acres each may he seen along 
the fronts of hills, and high earthing-up receiving due 
attention. Though much more of our cultural ex¬ 
perience has been in the south than in the north, we 
have had exceptional opportunities of noting pro' 
ductions in the northern part of the kingdom. A^ 
horticultural and agricultural exhibitions Potatos are 
prominent features, and the exhibition of cooked tubers 
adds much to the interest of the display. In the north 
the Potatos are frequently cooked in their “jackets,” 
and except early in the season, and very late, the 
system answers admirably. Potatos are often in fair 
condition till August in some localities. P>,everting to 
latitudes, we were much struck, wdien travelling from 
Londonthrough the West of England, then northward to 
Inverness, Nairn, and other northern counties, how the 
Potato crop varied considerably, along the side of 
Moray Firth, their appearance eclipsing those in any 
other district. Fruits, too, were earlier than in some 
parts hundreds of miles southwards.— Codedonia.n. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden, 
Watering in Winter.— There is no subject more 
fertile of doubts aud difficulties amongst amateurs at 
this season of the year than that of watering. How 
and when to do it in summer is another question, 
especially during the warm months when everything is 
growing rapidly, and great evaporation is caused by the 
sun. Watering may then he done almost indiscrimi¬ 
nately, and with infinitely less risk than at the present 
time. 
The question at this early period of the year will 
depend greatly on the amount of fire-heat used. If 
the intention is merely to keep out frost and maintain 
the plants alive, comparatively little water will he 
required by anything, except when frost is severe. 
Under these conditions many of my fellow amateurs 
are under the impression that because the temperature 
is merely kept up to the ordinary figure, and because 
the weather is cold and stormy outside, watering 
under the circumstances would bo mere folly, if not 
madness, and this is where the mistake lies. A great 
amount of evaporation is going on, which is caused by 
the circulation of dry air from the flues or pipes, and 
owing to the dry state of the atmosphere it is necessary 
to maintain in a cool house of this kind many fine 
plants have been ruined before the mistake has been 
detected. More careful watching is necessary during 
the employment of fire-heat than when the weather 
Is mild and the plants are inclined to grow through 
its influence. 
Ferns. —A very good instance came under my 
notice in the case of a neighbouring amateur who had 
a fine collection of British and other hardy Ferns, the 
greater part of which were evergreen. They were 
wintered in a house that was entirely unheated, and 
acting on the belief that watering would be injurious 
or even death to them, water was entirely withheld. 
The result was that by spring the whole of them were 
either dead or mostly past recovery. Ferns, especially 
evergreen species, must not be allowed to become dry 
even in winter. 
Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Chinese Primulas, 
Calceolarias, and other soft-wooded things that are 
kept in a growing condition at this season must not be 
neglected in the matter of water, but looked over care¬ 
fully every morning to see the condition of the soil. 
A little careful attention on the part of the amateur 
will soon give him that experience which will enable 
him to detect what plants require water, and what 
do not. If Cinerarias especially are allowed to get 
very dry, even for once, they may be injured past 
recovery of their former vigour. By watering in the 
morning all superfluous moisture has time to become 
dried up before night. 
Succulents, such as Aloes, Agaves, Mesembryan- 
themums, Cacti, aud similar fleshy-stemmed and leaved 
plants will require little or no watering for weeks 
together in winter. Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, tuberous- 
rooted Begonias, and similar things kept in a resting 
condition will scarcely require any water in a cool 
house, and the last-mentioned none at all. Bedding 
Calceolarias, Lobelias, Phloxes, and other things of 
this nature must not he allowed to go dust dry.— 
FiliX. _ T »,- _ 
Antwerp Rose Society. —There will be a grand inter¬ 
national Rose show held by this society at the end 
of June, 1888. Amateurs and nurserymen of all 
nationalities are invited to exhibit. The schedule may 
be obtained of M. J. B. Lenaerts, Antwerp. 
