792 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 10, 1889. 
yellow ; the claws of the petals and lip were white, 
and the column bright yellow in the lower part, with 
pale lilac wings. Those interested in structure will 
also observe the curious lateral auricles near the base 
of the claws of the sepals, while those of the upper 
sepals are large enough to clasp round the sides of the 
column. 
-— >X - <«" 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
-- 
THE STOVE. 
GARDENIAS. —Better results are obtained when Gar¬ 
denias are grown by themselves, where special treatment 
can be given them, than if mixed up with other stove 
plants or winter-flowering stuff. They are so liable to 
insect pests—particularly mealy-bug—that they must 
receive frequent heavy syringings to keep them clean. 
During the present and next few weeks the best place 
for them is a pit, where the pots should be plunged. 
The lights may be taken off at nights, and this will 
greatly assist in the thorough ripening of the wood, 
and enable them to flower freely in due time. 
Ferns. —Those Ferns that throw up one set of leaves 
only in a season should now be sufficiently far advanced 
to receive more light and ventilation, in order to harden 
them against the winter. A close moist atmosphere 
encourages the production of large fronds, but the 
texture of the latter does not correspond with the extent 
in area, being thin, soft, and unable to endure a dry 
atmosphere for any length of time. Such rapidly- 
grown and flabby leaves soon lose their delicate green 
tints, and become more or less browned and disfigured 
long before the winter is over. This is more particu¬ 
larly apparent in the species of Adiantum, perhaps, 
than in any other. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Azaleas, Heaths, &c. —In the case of plants that 
have made their growth under glass up till now, they 
had better be placed out of doors during the rest of this 
month at least in order to thoroughly ripen their wood 
and enable them to flower more freely than they other¬ 
wise would. This applies more especially to those that 
are intended for forcing early, as in the case of Azaleas. 
Epacris and hard-wooded subjects will also be all the 
better for a browning in the late summer sun. New 
Holland plants generally must be included in the same 
category. Care must be exercised, however, during the 
prevalence of bright weather not to expose the plants 
to the full force of the sun for a few days until the 
foliage gets sufficiently hardened to escape being 
scorched or otherwise crippled. After this, however, 
they will easily endure the brightest days of our northern 
latitude. 
Pelargoniums. —Both the show and fancy kinds 
may now be cut back and placed in a closed frame to 
induce them to start afresh. Little water will be 
required in the initial stages, but an increasing quantity 
may be allowed as growth proceeds. As soon as the 
buds have well started, turn the plants out of their 
pots and reduce the root system so that they may be 
conveniently accommodated in a size or two smaller. 
This allows of a shift later on into the same sized pots 
as those from which they are taken, or into a size larger 
if necessary. This system of potting them twice gives 
more satisfactory results in the end, than if the plants 
are put into their flowering pots at once. The soil 
should consist of good fibrous loam, with enough 
silver-sand to render the soil sufficiently porous. No 
watering will be required for a week, provided the soil 
is in the requisite condition at potting time. This will 
enable the roots to take to the fresh soil before it 
becomes sour. The advantage of potting this class of 
plants very firmly must not be overlooked, because 
where so done the stems will be sturdy, firm, and short- 
jointed. 
Zonal Pelargoniums. —Plants intended for winter 
flowering should be placed out of doors from now till 
there is actual danger from frost. The better filled the 
pots are with roots the finer will be the display of 
bloom. By being fully exposed to the sun and air the 
stems will become sturdy, short-jointed, and firm, all 
of which are necessary to enable the plants to flower 
freely during the dull and sunless weather of winter. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Cucumbers. —For winter culture make a sowing of 
Telegraph now and another one towards the end of the 
month. Notwithstanding the numerous reputed new 
varieties that have been raised from time to time, none 
of them are better than—if, indeed, any of them equals— 
the Telegraph for the purpose. Sow the seeds in 60- 
sized pots, and plunge the latter in the bed of a forcing 
pit or other house at work. The best soil is a rather 
light loam. As the seedlings fill the pots with roots 
give a shift into larger ones until the beds are ready 
for planting them out, unless they are to be fruited in 
pots or baskets, when, of course, all that is necessary 
is simply to shift them on. Good cultivators find the 
best compost to consist of three parts rather light loam 
and one of peat, with a dash of silver-sand for pot 
culture. Solid manure need not be given, as the plants 
will be healthier, and can always be stimulated with 
liquid manure when necessary. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Gooseberries and Currants on Walls. —The 
crops on bushes on the open ground are pretty well all 
used up, and dependence must soon be placed upon a 
supply from north-aspect walls. This, of course, 
applies more especially to the southern and warmer 
parts of the country. As this becomes the case birds 
will soon become active on wall trees, which should 
therefore be securely netted, to preserve the crops as 
long as possible. Before doing so clear away all decay¬ 
ing leaves, fruits and cobwebs that would be likely to 
injure the sound ones. 
Strawberries. —-Fresh plantations should now be 
made, or at the earliest date possible, so that the plants 
may get thoroughly established before winter, and be 
able to produce a crop next summer. Manure the 
ground heavily and trench 2 ft. deep, keeping the 
manure within a reasonable distance of the surface. 
Before planting tread the ground rather firmly, unless 
it is naturally very heavy. 
-->X-o-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.— 
August 3rd and 5th. 
The tenth annual exhibition of this society was held 
in the grounds of the City Police Athletic Society, 
Fairfield, instead of, as in previous years, Sefton Park. 
For some reason or other the public did not patronise 
the shows held in the Park as they deserved, hence 
the removal to the grounds mentioned, which are easy 
of access from the city and surrounding districts. It 
is a pity they were compelled to abandon the Park, as 
the surroundings there were lovely—quite the opposite, 
in fact, to the new place. However, the society, with 
its energetic secretary, assisted by a hard-working 
committee, thought that, by holding the show nearer 
to the town, they would gain the support of the 
public, and we trust their efforts will meet with the 
success they so richly deserve. The show was 
splendidly arranged in one of the finest tents we have 
ever seen, and was one of the best the society has had. 
The various classes were well filled, and the quality of 
the exhibits of great merit. Good, clean, well-flowered 
specimen stove and greenhouse plants were shown in 
great numbers; Ferns were well represented; zonal 
and Ivy-leaf Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Begonias and 
Cockscombs were also well done. Orchids were very 
poorly represented ; considering the fine collections 
grown in the neighbourhood, one expected more. Of 
groups, we have seen much better, and it is to be 
regretted that the exhibitors do not get out of the bad 
habit of overcrowding, which spoils their work. They 
have an excellent example set them by Messrs. Kerr 
& Son, who put up a grand collection, elegantly 
arranged. W. H. Watts, Esq., had the best in the 
amateurs’ division. 
For twelve stove and greenhouse plants, Mr. James 
Cypher, Cheltenham, was first with a very fine lot, 
consisting of Cycas circinalis, Kentia Forsteriana, 
Dasylirion acrotrichum, Latania borbonica, Crotons 
Queen Victoria and Sunset, Bougainvillea glabra 
(grandly flowered), Erica Irbyana, E. ovata purpurea, 
Ixora Williamsii, I. Regina, and Clerodendron Balfour- 
ianum. Mr. Finch, gardener to W. Marriott, Esq., 
Coventry, who was second, had of flowering plants, 
Ixora Duffii (with very fine trusses of bloom), Allamanda 
Hendersoni, Lapageria rosea, Statice profusa, Dipladenia 
amabilis, and Erica Shannoni. Mr. Roberts, gardener 
to A. Nicholson, Esq., came in third, his finest example 
being a magnificently-flowered specimen of Ixora 
Williamsii. Mr. B. Cromwell, gardener to Thomas G. 
Timmis, Esq., had the best six and four stove and 
greenhouse plants; Mr. A. R. Cox and Mr. J. R. 
Jellicoe being second and third in the former class. 
The cut flowers were excellent, the Roses being fresh 
and bright, and the herbaceous collections much 
better represented than we have seen for some time—an 
imposing and interesting feature. The bouquets were 
but fair, but the epergnes were good, so also were the 
cut stove and greenhouse plants. The display of fruit 
was very meritorious, the Grapes being especially good, 
the bunches large and well coloured. The prizes 
offered for collections brought out spirited competitions 
in both classes. For eight dishes, Mr. Edmunds, 
gardener to the Duke of St. Albans, Bestwood, was 
first, with good Muscat and Madresfield Court Grapes, 
Pine, Grosse Mignonne Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, 
Brown Turkey Figs, a Melon, and a good dish of 
Plums. Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston, was second with 
good Black Hamburgh and Buekland Sweetwater 
Grapes, a good Pine and Melon, Strawberries, Peaches, 
Nectarines, and Figs. Mr. Dawes, gardener to the 
Hon. Mrs. Ingram, came in third. For six dishes, Mr. 
J. Elsworthy, gardener to A. R. Gladstone, Esq., came 
in first, and Sir Thomas Erie, Bart., second. 
We question if a finer lot of vegetables has been seen 
anywhere this season than was staged here. They were 
superb all round, the entries numerous in all classes, 
and the competitions very keen. Mr. Lambert, 
gardener to Colonel Wingfield, Onslow, Shrewsbury, 
secured the leading award for a collection of twelve 
varieties, beating Mr. Forder, gardener to Colonel 
Cornwallis West, M.P., Sir Thomas Erie, and Mr. 
Shephard, gardener to W. Eckersley, Esq. With 
eight varieties Sir Thomas Erie secured the premier 
prize ; and Mr. Forder secured Messrs. Sutton & Sons 
first prize for a collection. The single dish classes 
were all excellent. 
The miscellaneous class included a good collection of 
stove and greenhouse plants from Dicksons, Limited, 
Chester ; a group of pot Vines and Croton Aigburth 
Gem, one of the best Crotons ever introduced, a fine 
table plant, from Messrs. Ker & Son ; a capital group 
of Tea Roses, Vines, and miscellaneous stove and green¬ 
house plants from the Liverpool Horticultural Co.; cut 
flowers of Pinks, Hollyhocks, and a new Carnation, R. 
H. Elliott, from Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso; 
Pinks, Picotees, and Hollyhocks from Mr. T. Tynan, 
&e. 
Hounslow Horticultural. — July 31st. 
In very delightful weather the fourth of this local 
society’s shows was held in Whitton Park, the residence 
of Colonel Gostling Murray, on the above date. The 
park is admirably situate near Hounslow, and is not 
far from the famous Kneller Hall School of Music for 
the army. The show evidenced a remarkable increase 
upon preceding ones, especially in the matter of plant 
groups, for here, as elsewhere, not many of the old 
style of plant specimen are to be found. One of the 
striking features was the charming collection of hardy 
ornamental shrubs and trees, which Messrs. C. Lee & 
Sons, whose Isleworth Nurseries are not far off, 
kindly furnish to the local exhibitions. This group 
indicates in a most effective way the great wealth of 
variety and beauty found in hardy shrubs and trees. 
Amongst the other honorary exhibitors, Mr. 
Micklewright, gardener to the chairman of the com¬ 
mittee (Andrew Pears, Esq., of Spring Grove), put up 
two collections, one representing short tree Fern 
stems clothed with parasitic plants, the other a beau¬ 
tiful group of flowering and foliage subjects, amongst 
the latter of which were some finely-coloured Acalyphas. 
Mr. J. Chambers, of Hounslow, had a nice group of 
plants, amongst which Snowflake Viola showed up 
effectively. The only competitors in the trade group 
class were Messrs. Fromow & Sons, of Turnham Green, 
whose collection was a very beautiful one, arranged 
with their usual pleasing taste, and presenting to local 
gardeners an admirable copy for them at future shows. 
In the gardeners’ classes, Mr. Ford, gardener to 
W. H. Ellis, Esq., Clovelly, Hounslow, had the 
prettiest arrangement, Mr. Smith, gardener to J. 
Cobb, Esq., coming second. The others were poor, 
lacking colour and effective arrangement. Messrs. 
Hawkins & Bennett, of Twickenham, made a very 
good effect by setting up a big batch of their grand 
new double zonal Pelargonium, Duke of Fife, intense 
rich crimson-scarlet, a seedling from F. V. Raspail, in 
the midst of some Maidenhair Ferns. This fine 
variety received a Certificate of Merit. There were 
numerous small classes for plants all well filled. Some 
fine bush Fuchsias in tubs, grown right in London 
and sent down, attracted considerable attention. 
Mr. Thompson, gardener to Messrs. W. & E. Wells, 
of Hounslow, was the chief exhibitor in the trade 
classes for fruits, having in the collection fine Black 
