May 12, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
589 
give more room in the houses for other subjects now 
growing rapidly. _ 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —The surplus bunches maybe removed from 
the Muscats as soon as it is seen which will be the best 
formed. Grape thinning will now demand a great 
amount of time and attention, and it is always the best 
economy to thin early and so keep ahead of the times. 
The earliest started vineries are now far advanced, and 
a lower temperature will be conducive to the thorough 
maturing, and to the flavour and bloom of the Grapes 
themselves. From 60° to 65° by night will be quite 
sufficient, with a small chink of air on all night. Shut 
up the late houses early in the afternoon, so as to 
harvest sun-heat. Tie down the shoots of Lady Downes 
in the late houses, and stop them at two or three leaves 
beyond the bunch. It is good policy to allow as much 
growth as there is sufficient room to properly expose to 
light and no more. Every leaf should be thoroughly 
exposed to light, so as to be of service to the plant ; 
overcrowding is bad in every respect. 
Peach Houses. —Every method should be employed 
to expose the Peaches in the early houses to as much 
light as possible, as sunshine has been rather a variable 
commodity during almost the whole period of their 
growth. The fruits may ripen in the shade, but they 
never assume that depth of colouring which they do in 
full sunshine, and which is characteristic of Peaches 
ripened later on ; but especially those that have been 
ripened in the open air. Tie in all straggling and 
loose shoots, turn aside leaves that interfere with the 
incident light, and labels or small pieces of wood may 
be used to raise the fruit above the foliage, so that 
it may be fully exposed. Give abundant supplies of 
water at the roots, and syringe during the morning 
and afternoon ; this maintains a moist-growing atmo¬ 
sphere, and prevents the attacks of red-spider, which 
are apt to play havoc in a dry atmosphere. Of course, 
the syringing must be discontinued when the fruit 
approaches maturity, and begins to get coloured. 
Close early in the afternoon. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Sowing. —The first sowing of Beet, notwith¬ 
standing the cold nature of the weather, is now well 
through the soil. The main crop should now be 
sown, and as it will be considerably later than that 
now up there will be less time for it to get large, coarse, 
and unfit for table. This is a serious consideration, as 
immoderately large-sized Beet is inferior in quality to 
small or medium-sized roots. Carrots may still be 
sown in good soil if the sowings have not been 
completed. Sow Scarlet Runners and Kidney Beans ; 
we may reasonably expect that by the time they 
germinate all danger of severe frost will be over. Make 
successional sowings of Peas and Beans. Stake all 
Peas that are well up ; it helps to keep away birds that 
prove particularly annoying in some districts. Late 
kinds of Broccoli, Savoys, Curled Greens or Kale, 
Cottagers’ Kale, Asparagus Kale, otherwise known as 
Buda Kale, and similar fancy kinds should be sown 
without delay, if not already done. 
Sea Kale. —The beds of these that were covered 
with Sea Kale pots may now be trimmed up for the 
season, removing the flowering stems, making up 
blanks and otherwise putting the lines in order. 
Some well-rotted manure spread on the ground and 
dug in will be of great assistance. 
-- 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES, 
Royal Horticultural.— May 8 th. 
The meeting on this occasion brought a much 
smaller number of visitors than to the National 
Auricula Society’s show, and the exhibition itself was 
smaller, as might be expected ; but on the whole it 
was of an attractive and interesting kind. The two 
side tables were entirely occupied by tw'o extensive 
groups of Daffodils, which in themselves created a fine 
display. The centre table was filled with an extensive 
series of small exhibits, affording variety for lovers of 
all classes of flowers. Orchids were very sparingly 
represented, although it was originally meant to be an 
Orchid meeting. 
A Silver-gilt .Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. 
T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, for a 
splendid collection of Narcissi, including varieties of 
the yellow type, although shown less numerously than 
on previous occasions ; N. bicolor Horsfieldi, with its 
numerous train of forms, and likewise that of N. 
incomparabilis, grand varieties of the Poet’s Narcissus, 
including the magnificent N. poeticus poetarum, all 
of which are now in season. The smaller kinds, 
such as N. juncifolius, N. triandrus, N. odorus, and 
hybrids such as N. Nelsoni minor and N. Leedsi Gem 
were not wanting. Hardy herbaceous, Alpine, and 
bulbous plants were represented by Dielytra spectabilis, 
Anemone apennina alba, Gentiana verna, Iris iberica, 
Aquilegia Stuarti, Silene virginica, S. pennsylvanica, 
Thalictrum anemonoides, Polemonium confertum (new), 
Tulipa Greigi, Fritillaria impeiialis, F. i. lutea, F. 
Moggridgei, F. meleagris, F. m. alba, and F. oranensis. 
A similar award was made to Messrs. Barr & Son, 
Covent Garden, for a similarly fine group of Narcissi, 
in which the finer forms of old and well-known kinds 
were exhibited in grand form, together with new kinds, 
such as N. tridymus, A. Rawsoni, N. incomparabilis, 
Gloria Mundi, Eliza Turck, N. Barri, Dorothy Wemys, 
N. bicolor Mrs. J. B. M. Camm, Katherine Spurred, 
and others. Hardy bulbs also were prominent, such 
as Fritillaria imperialis, F. i. lutea, F. meleagris, 
Muscari moschatum, M. Argpei, M. botryoides album, 
Tulipa sylvatica, Allium triquetrum, Anemone fulgens, 
and varieties of A. coronaria. A Silver Banksian 
Medal was awarded to Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria 
& Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, for a group of 
Orchids, in which Cypripediums were predominant, 
such as C. Argus, C. Druryi, C. selligerum majus, C. 
Swanianum, C. grande, C. Boxallii aureum, and C. 
selligerum, for the latter of which a vote of thanks 
was granted, as well as to a fine variety of Odonto- 
glossum Andersonianum, and also for Olivia miniata, 
Ambroise Verschaffelt, Lycaste cochleata, and Onci- 
dium sarcodes-superbum, which were also fine. Five 
boxes of Roses were exhibited by Mr. Henry Bennett, 
Shepperton, Middlesex, four of which consisted of Lady 
Mary Fitzwilliam, a blush-coloured Tea Rose of great 
beauty ; Princess Beatrice was also fine, and Little Dot, 
a Polyantha Rose, was simply a gem. A Silver Bank¬ 
sian Medal was awarded. A similar award was made 
to Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, for a large boxful of 
Tea Rose, Niphetos, and another of Marechal Niel, 
the blooms of which were characterised by their great 
size and fine colour. Mr. William Rumsey, Joyning’s 
Nurseries, Waltham Cross, had four boxes of Roses, 
including fine examples of Niphetos, Madame de Watte- 
ville, Marechal Niel, Souvenir de Paul Neron, Marie 
Van Houtte, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Comtesse de 
Nadaillac and others. A Silver Banksian Medal was 
awarded for the exhibit. 
The other exhibits were small, but numerous and in¬ 
teresting. A Cultural Commendation was awarded to 
Mr. G. W. Cummins, gardener to A. H. Smee, Esq., 
The Grange, Wallington, for a finely-flowered, veil- 
grown Odontoglossum Marriottianum. It had been 
grown in the open during last summer. He also showed 
O. crinitum sapphiratum. A vote of thanks was 
awarded to Captain Maxwell,'/Terregles, Dumfries, for a 
fine variety of Odontoglossum Andersonianum lobatum, 
spotted with red. B. D. Knox, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
Lawrence), 12, Gloucester Place, Portman Square, 
exhibited Odontoglossum Ruckerianum and 0. curtum 
Gardnerianum, for which a vote of thanks was awarded. 
Dendrobium densiflorum was shown by G. C. Doux, 
Esq., East Moulsey, for which a vote of thanks was 
given. A similar award was given to Mr. P. Blair, 
Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, for Odontoglossum 
cirrhosum (Trentham var.), a finely spotted one. The 
rare orange-scarlet-flowered Odontoglossum retusum 
was shown by Mr. J. E. Bonny, Hextable, Swanley, 
Kent. H. J. Buchan, Esq., was awarded a vote of 
thanks for Cattleya Lawrenceana delicata, rosy purple, 
with a white throat. A considerable number of Alpine 
Auriculas were exhibited by Mr. Charles Turner, 
Slough, and some of them were certificated. A vote 
of thanks was given for the collection. Mrs. Ball, 
Harlequin, Colonel Scott, President, and many of 
the seedlings, were also very fine. He also showed a 
basket of Azaleas, including Theodore Riemers, 
Pharaiede Mathilde, and Vervaeneana, which was cer¬ 
tificated. Two boxes of Myosotis dissitiflora grandiflora 
and one of Virgo’s Blue Perfection were shown by Mr. 
J. H. Hugo, Florist, Walton-in-Gordano, Bristol. The 
flowers were large, and a vote of thanks was awarded 
for the exhibit. Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, 
Somerset, exhibited a collection of Amaryllis blooms, 
including Empress of Germany, Prince Christian, 
and Prince of Wales ; for which a vote of thanks 
was accorded. They also showed a large-flowered 
Carnation named James Kelway. A boxful of blooms 
of Magnolia conspicua, cut from a tree in the open air, 
was exhibited by Mr. James Hudson, Gunnersbury 
House, Acton. The pure white and clean-looking 
appearance of the blooms elicited much comment. An 
Alpine Auricula and a Polyanthus w'ere exhibited by 
Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing, both being 
certificated. He also showed Primula Sieboldi Snow¬ 
flake, and a basket of dwarf yellow' large-flowered 
Wallflowers. Callistemon salignus, with creamy white 
conspicuous stamens, and Cantua dependens, with rosy 
carmine flowers and an orange tube, were exhibited by 
Mr. F. Ross, Pendell Court, Bletchingley. A basket 
of Olearia Gunnii, consisting of plants about 18 ins. 
high, with branching stems and white Aster-like 
flowers, was exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea. Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, showed 
Rhododendron exoniensis, and tree Pieony Elizabeth, a 
large rosy pink flower, for which a vote of thanks was 
given, as well as for Rose Red Pet, Prunus Pissardi, 
Rose Lady Alice, flowering for the second time, and 
Phillyrea decora Vilmoriniana. Messrs. G. Bunyard & 
Co., Maidstone, exhibited a tall plant of Deutzia Pride 
of Rochester, a double white variety of D. crenata. 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Sons, Waltham Cross, showed 
Roses, Madame Hoste, Gloire de Margottin and Madame 
George Bruant, a semi-double white form of Rosa 
rugosa. Rob Roy, a white, and Mrs. G. F. Wilson, a 
salmon and scarlet Carnation, were shown by Mr. J. 
Knight, The Oaks, Epsom. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Son, Swanley, Kent, staged 
two large plants of Calceolaria Souvenir, with large 
yellow flowers and stems about 18 ins. high. Mr. W. 
Seaman, gardener to J. Biggs, Esq., Westbury, Brent¬ 
wood, showed a basket of Coleus George Biggs. A 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. C. Smith, Brighton, 
for some Mignonette. Some Irises were exhibited by 
Professor M. Foster, F.R.S.,Shelford, Cambs., including 
I. lineata and a variety of it, with I. Sari, var. 
Nazarena. Mr. J. Doughty, The Gardens, Angley 
Park, Cranbrook, Kent, showed a scarlet Carnation, 
Pride of Angley Park, for which a vote of thanks was 
given. A similar award was made to Mr. W. Thompson, 
Tavern Street, Ipswich, for some seedling Primulas. 
G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., Heatherbank, Weybridge, 
exhibited a number of interesting varieties of Gentiana 
acaulis, in several shades of blue, red, and violet- 
purple. One form showed very curious excrescences 
on the outer face of the corolla. 
At-a meeting of the Fruit Committee, a Cultural 
Commendation was awarded to W. F. Hulme Dick, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. Palmer), Thames Ditton House, 
Thames Ditton, for a bundle of Asparagus, and also 
for Sutton’s Improved Telegraph Cucumber. H. H. 
Gibbs, Esq. (Mr. E. Beckitt, gardener), Aldenham 
House, Elstree, Herts, forwarded a dish of President 
Strawberry, and a basket of Lady Downes’ Seedling 
Grape cut on January 2nd of this year. Barron’s A1 
Seedling Apple was exhibited by Messrs. W. Barron & 
Son, Elvaston Nursery, Borrowash, Derby. Some 
Rhubarb was exhibited by Mr. T. Laxton, Bedford, 
including Harrison’s, Victoria, and a seedling of his 
own raising. Hawke’s Champagne, the best coloured 
and best flavoured of the Rhubarbs, Linnreus and 
Paragon, two other fine kinds, were brought up from 
the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick. 
-•>*<->- 
g)£nfucm?. 
With deep regret we have to record the sudden death, 
on the 4th inst., 'of Mr. John Chalmers Morton, 
editor of The Agricultural Gazette, aged sixty-seven 
year?. Since 1844, when the paper of which he was 
until his demise the guiding spirit, was established in 
conjunction with The Gardeners Chronicle, which had 
then been in existence three years, no man has worked 
harder or rendered more brilliant and substantial 
service to the cause of agricultural progress than John 
Chalmers Morton, and certainly of contemporaneous 
agricultural worthies none were more highly esteemed 
than he for the possession of all those good qualities 
which so eminently characterise the “fine old 
English gentleman ” that he was. To know Mr. 
Morton personally was to respect him beyond ordinary 
measure, so courteous and genial, yet dignified was 
his bearing, so rich was he in that glorious possession 
—a heart full of kindness and good will, and an 
amiability of disposition that seemed to know no 
change. Personally, we have lost a friend who was 
one of the first to give us a cheery word of encourage- 
men when we started The Gardening World, and 
who subsequently took almost a paternal interest in its 
welfare. Most truly of Mr. Mortou may it be said 
that he was one of Nature’s noblemen, and we shall 
never know his like again. 
