240 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 15, 1888. 
medals on the exhibition table. Some adven¬ 
turous Rosarian may perhaps propound the 
question as to whether in favouring the culture 
of one or two sections of Roses only, admittedly 
very beautiful ones, exhibitions have not 
rather checked the wider cultivation of many 
beautiful kinds, which, all the same, lack 
exhibition qualities. 
The Druit Conference recently held had in 
view economical aspects, which can barely be 
found in association with Roses, and the fact 
that fruit is not only focd, but is also an 
important element of trade, must always serve 
to give interest to fruit discussions. Perhaps 
the chief mercantile element in connection 
with Roses is found in their nursery sale ; 
but there is some useful room for discussion 
in relation to the production of more flowers 
for ordinary market purposes. It may be, 
indeed, that in the discussion of such a topic 
the most practical results of the conference 
will be found. We are pleased to find that 
Chiswick to be the scene of the conference, and 
also that it is to be held in the middle of 
the Rose season. It is just then a busy time 
with rosarians certainly, but to attend an 
important conference some little sacrifice may 
be looked for, and a few small shows and 
prizes foregone. A goodly show of these flowers 
of every form and colour would prove a 
powerful aid in getting attendance at the 
conference. 
-- 
Royal Botanic Society.—At a meeting of this society 
held on Saturday last, Mr. J. P. Gassiot, vice-president, 
in the chair, there was shown specimens of no fewer 
than twenty-four different kinds of spring-flowering 
plants which had bloomed in the open air in the gardens 
of this society, and gathered on December 8th. 
Mr. William Spinks, an old Chiswick man, who has 
for some years been manager of Mr. Hans Niemand’s 
nursery at Harborne, Birmingham, has lately accepted 
a similar engagement with the Messrs. Hewitt, at 
Solihull, near Birmingham. 
Tulips at the Paris Exhibition, 1889.—We under¬ 
stand that in the last week of November Messrs. E. H. 
Krelage & Son, of Haarlem, planted in the horticultural 
portion of the Paris exhibition six beds, each of an 
area of 225 sq. ft., with late Tulips, of which bulbs of 
more than seven hundred varieties were put in the 
ground. The Tulips have received a place d'honneur; 
the beds selected for planting being on the large grass- 
plot surrounding the fountain, in front of the Palace of 
the Trocadero. These Tulips, flowering usually about 
the middle of May, are expected to be ready at the 
opening of the exhibition, or shortly afterwards. 
Shell Dust.—At the Drill Hall meeting on Tuesday, 
Mr. A. Dean, Bedfont, exhibited a sample, under this 
name, of an article we should like to know something 
more about. It was the product of sea shells, gathered 
and calcined in a small kiln, in his leisure hours, by a 
Kentish pilot, who states that in his light soil it proves 
to be an excellent manure, being a compound of phos¬ 
phates, pearlash and alkali. It is applied to ordinary 
garden or field crops at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre, and 
can be produced at 7s. 6 d. per cwt. Owing to the 
calcining process the manure is much more active than 
if the shells were merely crushed, and some of the 
growers present thought it would be a valuable 
ingredient for mixing with the compost for such things 
as Primulas, which are notoriously fond of pounded 
shells. 
The. Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen.— 
The acting directors of this society held a 
meeting in the secretary’s office, Bridge Street, 
Aberdeen, on the 6th inst. Mr. Alex. Robson, vice- 
chairman, presided, and there was a good attendance. 
A list of donations and special prizes was submitted 
and considered eminently satisfactory. The best 
thanks of the society were ordered to be conveyed to 
the Town Council of Aberdeen, the Earl of Aberdeen, 
Sir W. Cunliffe Brooks, Bart., M.P., Lord Provost 
Henderson, Dr. Campbell, M.P., Councillor Lyon, 
James Murray Garden, Thomas Ogilvie, Andrew 
Murray, Junr., and others who have so liberally 
contributed to the prize fund. On the motion of the 
secretary, Mr. A. M. Byres, a cordial vote of thanks 
was accorded Mr. Robson, vice-chairman of the acting 
directors, for his efforts in connection with the prize 
fund. The prizes were then allocated over the different 
classes in the schedule, and the schedule ordered to be 
printed. The annual dinner will be held in the 
Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday evening, the 21st 
inst. Mr. James Murray Garden, chairman of the 
acting directors, will take the chair, and Ex-Dean of 
Guild Walker and Mr. Thomas Ogilvie will act as 
croupiers. 
The North of Scotland Horticultural Association.— 
The monthly meeting of this association was 
held in the Christian Institute, Aberdeen, on the 
7th inst., Mr. D. M. Smith (vice-president) in the 
chair. Mr. Wyllie (of Messrs. Smith k Sons, Aberdeen) 
read a number of papers on “New Plants, Fruits, 
Flowers, and Vegetables of the Season.” The papers, 
which were contributed by Mr. Fraser, Kew Green, 
Surrey; Mr. R. Lindsay, Royal Botanical Gardens, 
Edinburgh, and several local gardeners, treated the 
subjects they dealt with in a most interesting and 
exhaustive manner, and an entertaining discussion 
followed. At the close Mr. Wyllie was heartily 
thanked for reading the papers, and a special vote of 
thanks was awarded the contributors. 
Gooseberries in Flower.—As an indication of the 
mildness of the weather about Bannockburn, we had 
some cuttings of Gooseberries sent us, on the 5th inst., 
by Mr. James McDonald, View Vale Gardens, Bannock¬ 
burn. No leaves, certainly, were borne by them, but 
the fruit buds had burst, bearing each one or two fully- 
expanded flowers. We hope, however, that this is not 
a general indication of the state of the Gooseberry 
bushes throughout the country, otherwise all chance of 
a good crop next year will be blighted before spring. 
Mr. McDonald says that the plantation is fully exposed 
to the north, so that precocious flowering is not due to 
a warm sheltered situation. We may reasonably expect 
the Glastonbury Thorn (Crataegus oxycantha prcecox) to 
be in flower on Christmas Day this year. Another 
correspondent—namely, Mr. M. Brodie, of Skibo 
Castle Gardens, Sutherland—says that the weather is 
equally mild there, and that many of the Gooseberry 
hushes and Apple trees have the flowers well advanced 
or even open. During the last cold summer we also 
learned that various garden crops in those northern 
districts were in advance of those in more southern 
counties. 
Carters’ Provident Sick Fund.—The third annual 
meeting of the subscribers to this fund was recently 
held in the warehouses of Messrs. James Carter & Co., 
High Holborn. The chair was occupied by Mr. C. H. 
Sharman, the general manager, who, in a few well- 
chosen remarks, pointed out the principal features of 
usefulness to which the society had aspired. The 
number of subscribers during the year had been 289, 
and fortunately there was no case of death among the 
members to be recorded ; but fifty-three members had 
become chargeable to the funds by reason of sickness 
during the year, and the payments on that head were 
one and a half times in excess of the previous year. 
Nevertheless it was found possible to add a further 
sum of £25 to the reserve fund, to make a donation of 
£10 to the Hospital Saturday Fund, and to distribute 
a bonus at Christmas, which should represent rather 
more than half the year’s subscription of every 
participating member. After providing for these a 
comfortable working balance would still be held in 
hand. Such a satisfactory state of affairs is very 
creditable to the management of the fund, and the 
confidence of the members in their executive officers 
was shown in a marked manner by the unanimity and 
enthusiasm with which they were re-elected. A very 
pleasant meeting terminated with the usual vote of 
thanks to the chairman. 
-- 
RENOVATION OP OLD AND 
FORMATION OF NEW ORCHARDS. 
(Concluded from p. 231.) 
Ax orchard open to the east or south-east is almost sure 
to suffer after an attack of spring frost when in full 
flower or setting, whereas one with a western aspect, 
which does not receive the sun until the temperature 
has risen and dispelled the frost, often sets and carries 
full crops to maturity. Hardly a year passes in which 
the gardener does not find early crops of all kinds are 
safer and finer upon west borders than upon others. 
Therefore, I think few will deny that his experience is 
of great value to the planter. The site, I may say, 
should be above the line of fog, and it should not be 
too near or on a level with water. If naturally drained, 
much time and expense will be saved, otherwise this 
operation must be well carried out as a preliminary to 
preparation. This may be performed in two ways— 
viz., by trenching two spits deep for pyramids or 
bushes, or by taking out large circular stations on grass 
or arable land for standards. If trenching is decided 
upon, the bottom spit, if heavy and inferior, should not 
be brought to the surface, but it may be ameliorated by 
the addition of burnt clay from the drains, by road 
scrapings, or any other fresh friable material short of 
rich animal manure. This, unless the staple be very 
poor, I would keep back for use as a mulch after the 
trees are planted. On all ordinary loams young trees 
grow fast enough at first ; but the time comes when 
they must be fed, otherwise they cannot be expected to 
yield year after year fruit of the finest quality. 
In the preparation of stations for standards on grass 
or tillage ground, I would throw off the top spit 9 ft. 
in diameter, break up the bottom, and throw out clay 
or bad material to be carted away or burned. If cold 
and at all unfavourable to root growth, exposure of the 
soil for a few weeks or months would greatly improve 
its quality. Otherwise, after correcting the bottom 
spit, that thrown off first, turf included with anything 
in the way of road scrapings or old lime rubble added, 
may be chopped in until the hole is quite full, or a 
little above the general ground level. A stout stake 
should then be driven down to the solid bottom as a 
support for the tree when planted. 
Planting may be performed at any time from the 
beginning of October up to the end of ApriL Autumn, 
however, is best, as the roots at once take to the soil 
and the trees make a fair growth the following summer. 
October and November undoubtedly are the best 
months, that is provided the land is in perfect con¬ 
dition and the weather favourable ; but so important 
is getting the trees into the ground when it is fairly 
warm and dry, that I would rather defer planting until 
April than risk placing the roots in a pasty medium. 
Trees of home growth—that is, from one’s own nursery, 
which every fruit grower should have—may be planted 
much earlier than others brought in direct from a 
distance. All trees should be carefully divested of 
faulty or injured roots by a clean cut with a sharp 
knife ; they should never be allowed to become dry, 
and each root and fibre should be spread out in a hori¬ 
zontal position, lightly covered, and watered home. 
In the arrangement of trees the rows, if convenient, 
should run from north to south or north-east to south¬ 
west, as three out of four sides then receive an equal 
share of sun and light. The old fault of planting them 
too close should be carefully guarded against, as good 
fruit cannot be expected when the heads grow into 
each other and the roots are constantly shaded. 
Standards of upright-growing varieties may be placed 
30 ft. apart each way, whilst 40 ft. will not be found 
too much for spreading trees like Flanders Pippin and 
Blenheim Orange. Trees, again, of one variety, or a 
similar habit of growth, and which ripen their fruit at 
the same time, should be kept together, or in rows, 
alternating with others of a spreading or upright 
character. By observing this rule at the outset the 
general and orderly appearance of the nursery will be 
greatly improved, and much time and labour will be 
saved when gathering the fruit. The same rule applies 
also to pyramids and bushes, which, by the way, should 
have plenty of room for extension in every direction, 
as no extensive planter can afford to prune close home 
upon villa garden principles, especially when the best 
of the fruit is cut away by the process. Thinning the 
shoots and branches annually, of course, is necessary, 
but beyond this, and maintaining the balance by 
tipping a gross shoot, I should let each tree go. 
- *>$<-. - 
UtoTES ON JrUITS. 
The Devonshire Quarrendex Apple. 
The writer (“ F ”) of the short but interesting letter in 
your last week’s issue (p. 227) is amused that this 
Apple should be called the English “ Quarantine.” I 
may tell him that I have frequently felt amused by it 
being mis-called “ Quarrenden,” as I have often heard 
my father say that one of his ancestors (who was a 
nurseryman) introduced it into this country, having 
purchased some trees at a Custom House sale, and hence 
gave it the name “ Quarantine.” My grandfather tried 
to re-name it “ Queen of England,” but as he was not 
in the trade, its new name did not reach much beyond 
his own family. The Apple has very much degenerated. 
I remember a tree in my father’s garden the fruit on 
which was 4 ins. and upwards in diameter. My father 
has told me that the fruit used to sell in Covent Garden 
Market at id. and 6 d. each.— S. [Dr. Hogg, in the 
last edition of the Fruit Manual, says:—“This is 
