November 7, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
147 
He proceeded to describe in detail the work carried 
on at Madresfield. The kinds of trees they generally 
tried to raise were those with fairly vigorous shoots, 
sleek bark on stems, foundation branches thinly and 
evenly radiating outwards, furnished with fruit spurs 
from base to summit, and last, but not least, an 
abundance of fibrous roots that had been obtained 
without a severe mutilation of original tap roots of 
the stock, and which, when evenly spread out hori¬ 
zontally, would retain the tree self-supporting in a 
perpendicular position. For general purposes they 
preferred the free Crab seedlings sown thinly, and 
raised from well-ripened pippins of some high-co¬ 
loured fruit, such as best cider was manufactured 
from. A good method of raising stocks was by root 
cuttings—that was, pieces of Crab stock roots half- 
an-inch or so in diameter, and cut into pieces three 
or four inches in length, planted shallow in firm soil 
and transplanted in the same way. He considered 
August the best month for budding. His object had 
been to improve the flavour, size, colour, habit, good 
bearing, and long keeping qualities of the Apple ; 
and the experiments of which he had spoken were in 
no way hostile to the general nurseryman, who so 
worthily catered for the public wants. 
Orchard House Culture. 
This was the title of a paper read by Mr. T. F. 
Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, in which he gave the 
result of a series of experiments in cultivating 
Peaches, Nectarines, Pears, Apples, and other fruits 
under glass. He did not pretend to say that the 
method was less expensive than the old fashion of 
growing such fruits, but he claimed* that the extra 
expense was compensated for by the increased yield 
of the trees, and the added comfort of a dry 
atmosphere throughout winter and spring. Grown 
under glass Pear trees amply repaid their cultivation 
in such form, and the crop was rendered a certainty. 
Grafted on to the Quince stock the trees became very 
fruitful and easy to cultivate. On the other hand 
Apples grown under glass attained a flavour rarely 
equalled out of doors. Cox’s Orange Pippin, when 
kept entirely under glass, became full of juice, and 
possessed the fleshy texture of the Pineapple. 
On the second day after Sir James Whitehead, 
Bart., had delivered his opening address, Mr. Luck- 
hurst, of Romford, called attention to the impor¬ 
tance of 
Early Planting and Shelter in Fruit Culture. 
Mr. Luckhurst said that the importance of early 
planting could not be over-estimated, while the 
importance of shelter was so self-evident that one 
would suppose it would have at least equal care 
with the planting of the trees. The due provision of 
shelter was a very simple matter. With the planting 
of an orchard there should be shelter belts made by 
the planting of trees, such as the Lombardy Poplar, 
which by its erect habit and the rapidity of its 
growth was well adapted for that purpose. A double 
row of it, or rather two rows so planted that each 
tree formed a triangle with the two nearest to it in 
the other row, made a tolerably efficient barrier, 
calculated to break the force of high winds sufficiently 
to prevent damage to the fruit. But when space 
could be had a belt of three or four rows of Austrian 
Pines outside the Poplars was most desirable for 
sheltering the orchard from the cold cutting winds of 
spring. Conjointly with the provision of shelter 
belts, attention should be given to the selection of 
fruit trees easy to shelter. The best of all forms for 
general purposes in fruit farming was undoubtedly 
the half-standard, with its stem of about four feet in 
height. The branches were elevated just sufficiently 
to render them most accessible for all purposes of 
cultivation, they were open to the full action of light 
and air, and the fruit was easily thinned, easily 
gathered, and easily sheltered from high winds. 
The Condition, Preparation, and After-treat¬ 
ment of the Soil for Fruit Culture, 
was the subject of the next paper, by Mr. Joseph 
Cheal, of Crawley. He said the treatment of fruit 
trees might be divided into two parts—the one above 
ground and the other below it. Important as was 
the subject of selecting the right varieties to plant, 
and the pruning and general treatment of the tree 
above ground, the first subject to claim attention 
should be the condition and treatment of the soil. 
The soil being the principal medium through which 
the building up of the tree and the formation of fruit 
took place, it should receive careful study as to its 
suitability for the purpose, and it should be borne in 
mind that it served, not only as a basis upon which 
the tree fixed itself and maintained its position, but 
it was the medium through which it drew its food 
supply, as well as that wherein many of the chemical 
changes took place in the preparation of the various 
elements of plant food. Before determining what 
preparation might be required it would be needful to 
ascertain the present condition of the soil. A 
chemical analysis was the only means of ascertaining 
this accurately, so that where deficiencies existed 
they might be supplied artificially and the line of 
culture determined upon. The first point in culture 
to note was that of drainage, and secondly deep 
cultivation. The latter was utterly useless unless the 
drainage was good. It was impossible to secure 
healthy growth of fruit trees.in land that was close 
and water-logged. If the soil and subsoil were so 
close that water did not readily escape, let the first 
operation be to thoroughly drain the land. There 
need be no apprehension of making it too dry by 
draining, it being a fact that land which was sodden 
with water in winter would in dry weather shrink 
and crack and become far more parched than when 
it was well drained ; and again land that was properly 
drained, and through which water readily percolated, 
always retained a higher temperature, the warmth 
of the sun being absorbed and retained by a porous 
soil, but largely thrown off in evaporation by a 
close and wet one. On the other hand, if the 
land be a rich light sand, and of a porous 
and dry nature, it would not require draining, 
but might be greatly improved by the addition of a 
small quantity, of clay or chalk. As to the condition 
of land best suited for planting, probably that 
from which a root crop had been taken, after 
having been well manured for the roots, might 
be the best of all. But if the planting was to follow 
a corn crop, it would be naturally more exhausted, 
and would require the application of more manure 
at the time of planting. 
Fruit Growing for Profit. 
On this subject, Mr. S. T. Wright, Glewston Court 
Gardens, Hereford, said that in probably no calling 
or profession were there so many difficulties to con¬ 
tend with as in that of the fruit grower's. Success 
depended not alone on the competency of the 
grower,- but on a favourable combination of circum¬ 
stances, any one of which being wanting might im¬ 
peril the success of the whole. For a full measure 
of success they required suitable varieties of fruit 
for the district, a favourable climate and position, 
good soil, well drained, intelligent management, and 
careful and honest packing. Over these matters they 
might have some control, but there were other ele¬ 
ments not under their command, such as bad seasons, 
insect pests, heavy railway rates, etc. Fie assured 
them that there was no royal road to fruit culture, 
and first-class results could only be obtained by first- 
class surroundings. As to the choice of trees to 
plant, he preferred to plant Apples. The crop 
was not so risky as either Pears or Plums, and 
there was less liability to damage on the way 
to the market. Plums must be sold, but Apples 
in the case of a glut could be held back a day 
or two. A pamphlet had been issued by the Royal 
Horticultural Society which embodied the opi¬ 
nions of forty able authorities on all points 
of fruit growing. He would only demur to two 
of their recommendations. It recommended 
the planting of the Blenheim Orange, 
to which he said “ Don't.” Life was not 
long enough and it gave too many sorts. A little 
time would be well spent in finding out those which 
suited the soil and climate, and then let the intend¬ 
ing grower resist the inclination to buy more than 
half a dozen varieties. Their supply should come in 
before the American and Canadian shipments inter¬ 
fered with them, and after the best of them had gone 
into consumption ; avoiding also competition with 
the Tasmanian imports, some of which were excellent. 
There was less expense with the early sorts, as they 
went directly into consumption. Foreigners had not 
only established a large trade with this country, but 
they were straining every nerve to increase their 
production. Still, in spite of them, there was a fu¬ 
ture for fruit-growing in England. There was a good 
deal to be said, however, against putting all their 
eggs in one basket, because with soft fruits they pos¬ 
sessed a great advantage over their continental rivals, 
as they could not put such goods on the English 
markets in a presentable condition. Then by grow¬ 
ing a variety of crops it must indeed be a wretched 
season if all failed. 
©flattings front !(;r IPurlit 
nf Stance. 
Plant Growth by Night. —Some lowly organised 
plants can grow only at night, and that after having 
been exposed to sunlight during the day. The work 
of assimilation in such cases has to be done under 
the influence of daylight, while the student who 
would like to see any addition of growth and cell 
division must burn the midnight oil, in order to 
witness the accomplishment of such growth. Plants 
with which the gardener has to deal do make the 
greatest amount of increase by night, by building up 
into tissue what material has been elaborated during 
the day ; but they do also grow to a certain extent 
by day. Some authorities state that this division of 
labour is due to the plants having adapted them¬ 
selves to the alternation of day and night, and that 
during the latter period they use up the food in 
growth, while the process of assimilation has per¬ 
force ceased. There is however a more potent reason 
for the two kinds of work being performed at different 
times. The loss of water during bright sunlight is 
so great that the cells, of which the plant is com¬ 
posed, are so limp that they are not in a condition 
to elongate, or, in other words, to grow. This loss 
of moisture is checked by the cessation of transpira¬ 
tion in darkness, so that the turgid condition of the 
cells necessary for growth is restored. A familiar 
example may be given in the case of the young 
shoots of a vine. There is a danger of breaking 
them if an attempt is made to tie them down early 
in the morning, whereas about midday, under the 
influence of sunshine, they may be bent down easily 
without danger of snapping. 
Bouillie Bondeiaise and Sulphosteatite.-The 
first-named fungicide is stated to contain from 30 to 
40 per cent, of sulphate of copper, while the second 
consists of 9 to 10 per cent, of sulphate of copper 
with 90 per cent, of silicate of magnesia. The latter 
is applied to plants in the form of a powder, and 
labourers, enshrouded with clouds of the dust all 
day while applying it, suffer no injury to health. 
Now, if sulphosteatite is as efficacious a fungicide 
as it is stated to be, the purposes to which it could 
be put in combating fungi of various kinds are 
endless. 
The Origin of English Cucumbers. —As long 
ago as 1651 a Cucumber was described and figured 
under the name of Cucumis longus by Bauhin, and 
which equalled in size those of the best types at the 
present day. The modern race has, however, been 
evolved during the present century from the short 
and spiny kinds known as ridge Cucumbers. More 
than a century ago great attention was given to the 
forcing of Cucumbers under glass owing to the vari¬ 
able and uncertain nature of our climate. Varieties 
began to be selected for their size, absence of spines, 
and fine appearance, independently of their hardi¬ 
ness and earliness. The improvements must have 
proceeded apace on those lines, for we find that in 
1820 Patrick Flanagan, gardener to Sir Thomas 
Hare, sent some Cucumbers to the London Horti¬ 
cultural Society, as recorded in the fourth volume 
of the Transactions of that body. A green one, fit 
for use, measured 17 in. in length and n| in. in 
circumference. About nine years previous to that, 
however, he had grown one which measured 31 in. 
in length, and which must have been no mean ex¬ 
ample of horticultural skill in those days. 
Curious variation of a Gentian. —When on a 
botanical trip to the Auckland Islands Mr. Thomas 
Kirk, of New Zealand (as recorded in the Journal of 
the Linncean Society), discovered some singular cases 
of variation of the flowers, leaves, and stems of a 
Gentian allied to Gentiana concinna occurring on 
Antipodes Island. It was abundant, and formed 
dense masses, 1 ft. to 2 ft. in diameter, of nearly pro¬ 
cumbent barren stems, from which flowering shoots 
arose perpendicularly to a height of 6 in. or 12 in. 
The stems and leaves in some cases were yellow, 
with the flowers white ; in other cases the white 
flowers were streaked with red, while the stems and 
leaves were red. The plants had to be examined 
somewhat closely before the flowers became notice¬ 
able. The island in question is of small size and 
merely the crater of an extinct volcano. The ques¬ 
tions arise whether the peculiarity is constant, and 
whether or not the nature of the soil has had any¬ 
thing to do with the variation. 
