May 4, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
563 
pollen grains being at different times. Gooseberries are 
entirely dependent upon bees for fertilisation. Cross¬ 
fertilisation is proved to be more valuable to the 
products of the seed-vessels than self-fertilisation. 
Dependence on each other to a large extent for 
sustenance and existence, is a feature we observe 
throughout all nature. We are told that the number 
of bees in a district depends to a great extent upon the 
number of field mice, which destroy the combs and 
nests ; and the number of mice will be largely depend¬ 
ent on the number of cats to be found in the neighbour¬ 
hood ; then the fertilisation of flowers is really modified 
by the domestication of the cat. Ants, which are so 
destructive and unsightly, have their use. “Fred” 
watched a nest of these ants, and he found they cleared 
the plants of dead insects and other noxious subjects to 
the extent of about twenty-eight per minute. These 
little insects work in warm weather during the night 
as well as the day ; this being so, they will clear away 
an incalculable number of small insects from the plants 
during a season. Of the many uses of insects there is 
perhaps not one so important as that of clearing away 
accumulated decaying matter. Each one has its 
functions and uses to perform, however small they may 
appear to us. 
Stimulation to Cleanliness. 
If for nothing else, insects are serviceable to us as 
stimulants to activity and cleanliness. A clean, strong, 
healthy plant is free from disease, an immunity obtained 
only by continued diligence and perseverance in 
keeping down the insects, and otherwise maintaining 
the vigour of the plant. Knowing their voracious and 
destructive habits, our desire is to exterminate them 
as far as lays in our power, a desire which cannot be 
entirely fulfilled. 
-- 
NOTES ON VEGETABLES. 
Read’s New Hearting Borecole or Kale. 
Those of your readers requiring a really good late Kale 
who have not yet grown this variety would do well to 
give it a trial, for it has proved itself here to be very 
hardy, and without that tendency to bolt which makes 
some late Kales of so little use. We have used it now 
for three seasons, and this year it is better than ever. 
Though Purple-sprouting Broccoli has been half killed, 
we have not lost a plant of Read’s Kale. It produces 
compact heads, which are of first-rate flavour, and after 
these are cut the stems sprout out for a long time before 
going to seed.— W. P. 
--*$«.- 
GardeningNotes fromIreland. 
Spring Show of the Royal Horticultural 
Society. 
The spring show of this society was held on the 25th 
ult. in the Royal University Buildings, Earlsfort 
Terrace, Dublin, and on the whole was a most successful 
exhibition. Financially, I believe, it has been the 
best show held for some years past, and although some 
of the classes showed a falling off in competition, there 
were others which lacked none of that element. The 
falling off was most noticeable in pot Roses, and of 
Pelargoniums there was one lot of six exhibited. The 
latter exhibit was sent in by Mr. Richard Pim, of 
Stradbrooke Hall, and proved to be a well-grown and 
finely-bloomed lot. In the classes for 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants, 
Mr. Flynn, gardener to L. G. Watson, Esq., Newstead, 
Blackrock, and Mr. Coughlan, gardener to Richard 
Pim, Esq., Stradbrooke Hall, staged some fine lots, and 
for the special prize offered for a mixed group of nine 
foliage and flowering plants Mr. Flynn was first and 
Mr. Coughlan second. The latter also got first prize 
for six stove and greenhouse plants in flower. For 
the Lord Lieutenant’s Cup, which was offered for 
six Azaleas, Mr. Watson was the only exhibitor, 
but the group was flowered and brought out in a 
style that left nothing to be desired. In another class 
for six Azaleas Mr. McMasters obtained the first prize 
with a small lot of plants, but which were profusely 
bloomed. The competition for a single exotic in 
flower was of a very poor kind, but a first prize was 
secured by Mr. Phelan, gardener to Miss Millner, 
Cherbury, Booterstown. Specimen Orchids in flower 
were shown by Mr. Watson and the Marchioness of 
Headfort, who were first and second in the order 
named. In the class for six plants Mr. Tandy was 
first, the second falling to Mr. Mahony, gardener to 
Mrs. Jury, Greenfield, Donnybrook, for a very excellent 
lot. 
Narcissus. 
If one may judge by the number of visitors who 
lingered around the beautiful stands of the flowers set 
up by J. T. Poe, Esq., of Riverston, Nenagh, there is 
no appearance as yet of the Narcissus losing its well- 
deserved popularity. As in the case of Hyacinths it is 
a great trial on the skill of the grower to be able to 
keep back these flowers so late, and as a matter of fact 
the public do not see the best of them on the show 
stages ; all the best blooms are gone when the showing 
time arrives. However, notwithstanding such draw¬ 
backs, I must say that Mr. Downes, Mr. Poe’s gardener, 
put up in all the classes in which he exhibited a rare 
lot of remarkably fresh blooms. In the class for 
twenty-four blooms, not less tlian twelve varieties, 
three of each, and which is the annual prize offered by 
Messrs. Drummond & Son, seedsmen, Dawson Street, 
Mr. Poe’s lot was first; Major Hall, Narrow Water, 
Warrenpoint, co. Down, being second. In another 
class Mr. W. Baylor Hartland, seed merchant, Cork, 
offered a special prize. This was for a stand of twenty- 
four distinct varieties, and to include not less than 
eighteen Grand Trumpet sorts. For this prize Mr. 
Poe was again to the front with a lot showing the least 
blemish. For a stand of twelve varieties, three of each, 
a prize was offered by the society, and was awarded to 
Laurence McCormick, Esq., Rowlestown House, 
Killsallaghan ; Mr. Poe being second. One fine box of 
Emperor was shown by Mr. Poe, but as there was no 
competition, no prize was awarded. In Mr. Poe’s 
collections there were fine blooms of Bicolor grandis, 
Emperor, Dean Herbert, J. B. M. Camm, Sulphur 
Phoenix, Cernuus, Maximus, Horsefieldii, Mrs. Camm, 
and Golden Spur. In the nurserymen’s classes, the 
Messrs. Henderson, Fortfield Nurseries, Templeogue, 
exhibited in pots two nice lots of six and nine, for 
which they were awarded two first prizes. The plants 
were very fresh in growth, and the blooms well 
coloured and dwarf. 
Roses. 
Numerous lots of cut blooms were staged, but they were 
much below in point of merit those exhibited at former 
shows. Marechal Niel, for which there is always a 
special class open, was in very poor condition, and in 
the class for twenty-four there was no entry. For 
twelve Marechal Niel’s, first and second prizes were 
awarded to Mr. E. D’Olier and Mrs. Jury respectively. 
A mixed box of twenty-four obtained first prize for Mr. 
Pim, Stradbrooke Hall ; they were a nice lot, but 
there was no competition. For a class of twelve, 
Captain Cusack was first, and Mrs. Millner, second. 
Tea Roses were fairly good, a stand of twelve blooms 
obtaining first for Mr. Langlois Lefroy ; Mr. George 
McMasters coming second. 
Hyacinths in Pots. 
The competition with these was both strong and keen. 
Shapland M. Tandy, Esq., Clarinda Park, Kingstown, 
came in a good first for nine plants ; Mr. James 
Jameson, Airfield, Donnybrook, securing the second 
prize. Notwithstanding the extreme lateness of the 
season for showing Hyacinths, it was very remarkable 
how fresh and stout Mr. Tandy’s lots looked; and 
seeing that even out of doors they have long since been 
on the wane, I think that very great credit is due to 
that gentleman’s excellent gardener, Mr. McGuinness. 
There was a special prize offered for twelve Hyacinths, 
and here again Mr. Tandy was first, Mr. George 
McMaster coming second with a very good lot indeed. 
Auriculas, &c. 
The groups of Auriculas staged were very good, and 
much admired by visitors. As usual in these classes, 
Mr. Short, gardener to F. W. Leland, Esq., Beltich- 
burne, Drogheda, outdistanced all competitors. Mr. 
Short is a veteran in the art of growing all kinds of 
florists’ flowers, and it would be hard to say in which 
he excels most; be this as it may, his nine Auriculas on 
this occasion were fine specimens of their class, and for 
which he was awarded first prize. Mr. D’Olier, 
Knocklin, Bray, was second with a good lot, and 
James Jameson, Esq., Airfield, Donnybrook, received a 
Commendation for a third group of very good plants. 
The class of six brought out two beautiful lots, and in 
which Mr. Leland was again first; Mr. Jameson 
obtaining second prize. Alpine Auriculas were also 
good, Mr. Jameson and Mr. Langlois Lefroy being first 
and second as named. The exhibits in hardy Primulas 
and gold-laced Polyanthus were very numerous and 
well grown, Captain Cusack, W. F. Leland, Esq., 
J. Jameson, Esq., and the Rev. F. C. Hayes being the 
chief competitors. Two prizes were awarded for spring 
Tulips, each stand consisting of twenty-four blooms ; 
the first prize fell to Mr. Leland, and the second to 
Mr. McCormick. In this class Mr. Poe exhibited a 
very good box of fresh blooms. 
Fruits and Vegetables. 
These were not so good as might have been expected, 
the show of fruit being very meagre indeed. There -was 
one good dish of Strawberries, put up by the Marchioness 
of Headfort, which was given a first prize, those in pots 
not being deemed worthy of a prize. Mr. Cassells, 
Harolds Cross, was awarded a prize for baking Pears, 
and for which he put in a nice lot of Uvedale’s St. 
Germain. Dessert and baking Apples were shown by 
J. T. Poe, Esq., Miss Millner, and others, Mr. Poti 
getting first prize for a nice dish of Ribston Pippins, 
and for baking Apples Miss Millner was first. For a 
brace of Cucumbers, Mr. Poe was also awarded a first 
prize, and the Marchioness of Headfort a second prize. 
Only a few collections of vegetables were shown, but 
Mr. Mahony, gardener to Mrs. Jury, showed a good 
box of ten varieties, for which he got first place. 
Nurserymen’s Collections. 
The Messrs. Henderson & Son, of Templeogue Nur¬ 
series, exhibited a large and varied collection of 
beautifully-flowered, well-grown plants. It was a 
wonder to visitors who surrounded this stand all day, 
how such small plants could be made to flower profusely, 
and at the same time to show such health and robust 
growth. 
From Mr. T. Smith’s nursery, Daisy Hill, Newry, 
came a large mixed collection of cut flowers and hardy 
plants. This collection was also very attractive to 
visitors during the day, and from the interest taken in 
Mr. Smith’s beautiful specimens of various Primulas, 
Polygalas, Gentians, &c., we are glad to know he 
succeeded in securing a large amount of patronage. 
Not for Competition. 
A very fine collection of Palms, Orchids in flower, as 
well as other stove and greenhouse ornamental plants 
were sent in from the gardens of the Royal Dublin 
Society, at Glasnevin, and contributed in a great 
measure to beautify the three large halls in which the 
display took place. Another beautiful collection of 
plants came from the gardens of J. H. Nutting, Esq., 
Gortmore, Dundrum, and contained some rare and very 
handsome specimens of Caladiums. These were much 
admired, and Mr. Knowldin, the experienced gardener, 
may well be congratulated on the effect they produced. 
—Cor. 
-- 
IfoTES from Scotland. 
-- 
Daffodils at Vallyfleld, Penicuick.— Admirers 
of this now popular family had a great treat provided 
for them last Saturday afternoon. Mr. C. W. Cowan 
(himself an enthusiast) issued an invitation to horti¬ 
culturists in and around Edinburgh to “come and see ” 
his fine collection. Our party leaving Waverley at 
1.25, were hospitably received at Penicuick Station by 
Mr. Cowan, and a personally-conducted tour was at 
once entered upon, and, note-books in hand, a busy and 
profitable two hours were spent. It is not our in¬ 
tention to enumerate the endless varieties (Mr. Cowan 
grows between 200 and 300), suffice it to say that to 
one and all the sight was extremely interesting, and an 
opportunity was offered to Scotch growers of noting 
varieties suitable to our climate, as also the conditions 
under which they thrive best—for example, some 
varieties refused to grow in the border, while on the 
grassy bank adjoining they were growing and flowering 
in robust health. For others, again, Mr. Cowan had 
a specially-constructed deep frame, with abundant 
drainage. Before separating, Mr. Hugh Fraser, Leith 
Walk Nursery, in a few well-chosen remarks, conveyed 
to Mr. Cowan the hearty thanks of all present for the 
pleasant afternoon’s outing so kindly provided —D P 
April 29th, 1889. 
HlmlDcirb. There has been a good deal of corre¬ 
spondence during the past season respecting early 
Rhubarb. I have for many years past made a practice 
of turning this useful esculent to the best account, by 
having abundant supplies from kinds of well-known 
excellence — beginning at first with Prince Albert 
during the first fortnight of November. Even were 
there no other kinds in existence than this well- 
known variety, one might calculate on having an 
abundance throughout the season, as well as the best 
quality. Sorts which have been sent to me to prove 
have been discarded, and were I to grow for sale (I 
hope I never shall in a private establishment again), 
Prince Albert would form a large portion of my stock. 
From experience gained in market establishments, the 
earliest produce of all kinds is the most profitable to 
grow. We got Prince Albert Rhubarb in the ordinary 
garden ground this season early in March, by covering 
with pots alone during January, and unprotected 
crowns came in for use about the end of the month. 
Victoria (still an old favourite) is about three weeks 
later. What we have had given us for trial as 
Martins has always turned out to be the true Prince 
Albert.— M., Stirlingshire. 
