688 
THE GAEDENING WOELD 
June 29, 1889. 
what may be said with respect to our climate, 
it is inferior to that of North America for 
the production of fine colour and finish in 
Apples, and very probably because of its more 
regular character gives more certain crops. 
We see this year at home a magnificent 
bloom on Apple trees—one of the very finest 
blooms ever seen. Now, we find as the pro¬ 
duct in some gardens a fair crop of fruit, in 
others a very thin one, in others literally 
none at all. 
It is of no use to rail at or hector home 
growers because of their methods if we cannot 
secure crops of fruit. Why, we see this year 
the best Apple crop on the early varieties, such 
as Early Julien, Manks’ Codlin, Lord Suffield, 
King of the Pippins, &c., none of which will 
answer for packing, or for competing with 
American Apples, and yet they are the most 
profitable varieties for the market growers. 
Clearly there is little hope of our being able 
to compete with the Canadian grower until 
we can ensure for Apples a Canadian summer. 
^herries. —One of the most wholesome of 
all fruits for the masses is the Cherry, 
and with them it is one of the most popular. 
Rarely in fruit consumption can a few pence 
be more wisely expended than in the purchase 
of a pound or two of ripe Cherries. But 
whilst the bulk of the crop with us must of 
necessity be produced upon standard trees 
and in orchards, the sweet fruits unhappily 
have no greater enemies than common birds, 
which will swoop down in flocks upon the 
orchards and do infinite mischief in a few 
hours. Trees widely disposed have little 
chance in such cases of being protected, 
therefore it is wise to have them in solid 
masses, so that a keeper with a gun may 
have thorough command over a considerable 
body of trees. We wonder whether Cherry 
growers for market work have ever adopted 
the plan of having a feiv trees of some 
common kinds, growing rather remote from 
their Cherry orchard, which may be left to 
the birds freely, that would at least serve to 
attract the enemy from preying upon the 
best sorts. 
But Cherries to be done thoroughly well 
need walls and houses, the latter light, airy 
structures, affording ample light, warmth, and 
the needful protection from birds. Such a 
house, though not costing much, will in a few 
years almost repay for the original outlay in 
the superb, richly flavoured fruits resulting. 
On walls Cherries are worried by aphis and 
birds, but all may be washed off, and the 
other be prevented by netting, as we all know 
the grandest crop of Morellos are thus pro¬ 
duced. Ordinarily the Morello and the 
Kentish Cherries do well as standard trees, 
cropping freely, and being little harmed by 
birds ; but this year the crop, which at first 
set well, is now being thinned rapidly, the 
fruits being much blighted, and sweet Cherries 
in orchards are very thin also. The Cherry 
crop this year will not prove a specially 
profitable one, although the bloom was very 
profuse, and wondrously beautiful in its season. 
- »x - < -- 
Gardening Engagement—Mr. Adam Elphinstone, 
for the past six years general foreman at Nevill Court, 
Tunbridge Wells, as gardener to the Earl of Aylesford, 
Paekington Hall, Coventry. 
The Crewe Horticultural Society’s annual exhibi¬ 
tion will be held on Saturday, July 27th. 
Garden Hose.—At the Hastings Health Exhibition 
and Congress, Messrs. Merryweather & Sons have been 
awarded the highest prize, a Gold Medal, for their 
exhibits, one of the principal items being their Non- 
Kinkable Red-Grey Watering Hose. This is a first-class 
piping, of superior quality, which is supplied either 
plain or sphincter gripped, with a galvanised steel coil; 
but we understand that many users prefer it without 
the armour, as it is much lighter to handle, and can be 
coiled into a smaller space, being more flexible. It 
also does not tear up the gravel or earth when being 
pulled across paths or beds. 
The Glasgow Botanic Garden.—We are glad to 
learn that by the terms of a temporary arrangement 
between the directors and the City Corporation, this 
beautiful garden was opened to the public again on the 
17th inst. The arrangement, we understand, will 
continue in operation until Whit Sunday next, by 
which time it is hoped the Glasgow Boundaries Bill 
will have passed through Parliament. It is just two 
years since the gardens were closed, but they have not 
been neglected in the meantime ; indeed, under Mr. 
Bullen’s care, they have been much improved in many 
respects, and it is admitted by visitors that the grounds 
never looked better than at present. 
The National Rose Show at the Crystal Palace.— 
We are requested by the secretaries of the National 
Rose Society to state that in consequence of His 
Majesty the Shah of Persia (who will be accompanied 
by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of 
Wales) having intimated his wish to visit the metro¬ 
politan show of the society on Saturday, July 6th, at 
the Crystal Palace, the exhibition will be held in a tent 
adjoining the north end of the Palace, from which it 
will be entered. As His Majesty cannot arrive at the 
Palace before half-past six it is hoped that exhibitors 
will consent to allow their boxes to remain for the 
inspection of the Royal party. Some inconvenience 
having been experienced as to private view tickets, 
they will on this occasion have a piece torn off them at 
the turnstiles, and the remainder to be given up at the 
entrance of the tent. 
Vegetable Conference Committee.— In view of the 
great Vegetable Conference to be held at Chiswick on 
September 24th, 25th, and 26th, a meeting of the 
committee appointed to make the necessary arrange¬ 
ments was held in the Council room. Present: H. J. 
Veitch, Esq., in the chair, with the Rev. W. Wilks, 
secretary; N. Sherwood, Esq., and Messrs. A. Dean, 
J. Smith, W. Bates, H. Herbst, and J. Wright, 
letters of inability to attend being received from Mr. 
Shirley Hibberd and other members. The draft 
schedule prepared at a previous meeting was consid¬ 
ered, and will be printed and circulated with as little 
delay as possible. The subject of papers to be read at 
the Conference was also considered, and out of a con¬ 
siderable number proposed the following were selected : 
“Asparagus in Heavy Soils and its Production in 
October,” by Mr. Shirley Hibberd; “The Food of 
Vegetables,” by Mr. J. Wright; “Improvement in 
Potatos During the Past Twenty-five Years,” by Mr. 
A. Dean, Bedfont; “Improvement in Peas During 
the Last Twenty-five Years,” by Mr. T. Laxton, 
Bedford; “Winter Salads,” by Mr. G. Norman, 
Hatfield; “Vegetables All the Year Round,” indi¬ 
cating the period of use of the different kinds, by 
Mr. J. Smith, Mentmore.. The subjects of the 
papers rather than their exact titles are here mentioned, 
and some of the nominated readers have yet to inti¬ 
mate their acceptance of the propositions. 
Mr. James Hudson.—-Many of our readers, we feel 
sure, will regret to learn that the long and honourable 
connection this estimable gardener has had with Gun- 
nersbury House Gardens, Acton, is about to cease, the 
place having passed from the hands of Mr. Atkinson, 
M.P., into those of the Messrs. Rothschild, and the 
beautiful gardens now become an integral part of the 
Gunnersbury Park domain. Among metropolitan 
suburban gardeners Mr. Hudson has long been known 
and highly esteemed as a first-class plantsman and fruit 
grower, an exceedingly tasteful floral decorator—a man 
of great intelligence and high moral character. His 
removal from Acton will be a distinct loss to the 
district, horticulturally ; but we trust he will soon find 
another sphere of usefulness for the display of his 
undoubted abilities. 
-- 
SPRINGFIELD, CHELMSFORD. 
Messrs. Hurst & Sons’ Seed Trial Grounds. 
What a well-ordered and well-stocked nursery is to the 
gardener—a place where he can see much that is new 
and striking; indeed, the best of everything, well 
grown and presented to view in their best form—so is 
the seedsman’s trial ground, in which the best stocks of 
seeds are tested in the most complete and systematic 
manner, so as to bring out fully to view their good 
qualities to the young seedsman. It is sometimes said, 
to the reproach of the young men in our seed trade, 
that they are careless about learning something of the 
qualities and characteristics of the seeds they sell. It 
can be said truly of many young men in our large seed 
warehouses, that they have little opportunity of learning 
much about the seeds they deal with so largely, because 
they are not grown where they are sold. In this 
respect they are at a great disadvantage, as compared 
with the young men in a well-managed private garden, 
or a nursery. But as every seed house of any pre¬ 
tensions has a trial ground in which the growth of 
seeds is not only tested, but the quality of the stock 
also, there is here good opportunities for learning, and 
I am afraid many of the young men in the seed shops 
do not avail themselves of the information to be picked 
up here that they might. 
Time was when nearly every wholesale seed house in 
London had its trial grounds near to its place of 
business—at least, within a few miles, and easily 
reached. The advance of the builder from the centre to 
the circumference has driven the seedsman further 
afield, and Messrs. Hurst & Son, the wholesale seed 
merchants, of 152, Houndsditch, have betaken them¬ 
selves to Springfield, Chelmsford, where they have a 
trial ground of some seven acres in extent, which is 
mainly employed to test the growth and quality of the 
seeds which in such enormous quantities are turned 
over annually by this spirited firm. To imagine for a 
moment that seeds can be saved to any extent on this 
trial ground is to suppose that the nutriment required 
for a three months baby would supply the needs of Gog 
and Magog. It is utilised to secure a few seeds of some 
extra choice stocks. These are then handed over to 
careful growers, sown, and constantly inspected by 
experts of the firm during the season, and thus is laid 
the foundations of some of those exceptionally fine 
stocks and strains, for which this house is so de¬ 
servedly famous. All the trials are carried out at 
Chelmsford in the most systematic and thorough 
manner, under the supervision of Mr. A. Newby, and 
at no period of the year scarcely can anyone interested 
in the matter visit these grounds without gleaning 
some facts of an extremely interesting and instructive 
character. 
Just now, and for another fortnight or so, the 
Pea trials are complete and perfect. There are some¬ 
thing like 550 samples of Peas, all sown upon the 23rd 
March, and all in lines about 4 yards or so in length. 
It must not be supposed there are 550 varieties of Peas, 
as there are several rows of one variety, but they 
represent every stock or bulk grown by or for the firm, 
or purchased from various sources. Supposing that an 
advice note of, say 20 quarters of 'William the First, or 
Yeitch’s Perfection Pea is received by the firm, a 
small paper bag is written, setting forth the quantity, 
name of variety, and sender of the same, with date of 
receipt, and as soon as the hulk comes to hand, five or 
six of the sacks are opened, and a number of Peas 
taken from each, so as to make up a sample—about a 
pint or so. 
All seeds, of whatever kind, received in this 
way are sampled, and this important duty—a very 
important duty indeed in relation to the internal 
economy of a large seed warehouse is entrusted to one 
man, who is responsible for the proper execution of the 
task. By-and-bye these samples are sown, and their 
growth and quality tested. I should state that it is 
always a practice in connection with the large whole¬ 
sale seed warehouses, in executing orders, to mark each 
with the particular bulk from which the goods ordered 
are drawn, and if any complaint arises as to the 
genuineness or quality of the stock, reference is made 
to the sample growing in the trial grounds. It also 
falls to the lot of the person in charge of the seed- 
grounds, to go through every growing sample, and 
note its characteristics, good, bad, or indifferent, a 
work requiring great care and discrimination, but 
obviously of the very highest importance. This 
record, therefore, has a great value, and references are 
constantly being made to it by the heads of the various 
departments. 
Trials of Long-pod, Broad, Runner and French 
Beans, Broeollis, Cabbages, Kales, Lettuces, Cauli¬ 
flowers, Onions, Carrots, &c., together with flower 
seeds, are carried out in the same manner, and with 
the same attention to details. Just now early and 
second early Peas, Long-pod and Broad Beans, Cabbage 
and Cos Lettuces, some autumn-sown Cabbages and 
Onions, &c., cat*. It* seen in good condition, together 
with many hardy annuals, and as the season advances 
many others will come in. 
Among first early round Peas can be seen excellent 
stocks of Improved Sangster’s, a very fine selection 
indeed; Eclipse, an excellent Pea for market 
gardeners ; and Improved William I., one of the very 
best early garden Peas in cultivation. All the Peas 
raised by Mr. Thomas Laxton require to be very care¬ 
fully and rigidly selected every year ; and it is the 
practice of Messrs. Hurst & Son to grow one acre of 
