162 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 14, 1891. 
tion that a medal be struck that would be suitable 
for all societies. I think it would pay a medalist to 
prepare a die and offer medals to societies at a rea¬ 
sonable cost, and thus meet the suggestion made in 
the circular under notice. 
I may state that my practice at the exhibition held 
at the Royal Aquarium by the Royal Aquarium 
Society has been, to distribute all monies saved in 
the schedule among the miscellaneous exhibits. 
According to the estimate formed of them by the 
judges, I placed upon the exhibits a Silver Medal, 
Bronze Medal, or highly commended on the distinct 
understanding these awards were honorary, though 
fairly illustrative of the value of the exhibit, and I 
allotted the spare money in the miscellaneous class 
pro rata, as a contribution towards carriage. This 
has given satisfaction to all who at the Royal 
Aquarium exhibitions showed groups, etc., not for 
competition. The subject is one well worthy of a 
little discussion. — R. Dean. 
THE APPLE AND HOW 
TO GROW IT.* 
(Concluded from p. 150.J 
Pruning. 
This is a very important operation, for it is by the 
judicious use of the knife or secateur that the tree 
is shaped and induced to become fruitful. The 
pruning the first season after planting should be 
done in February. In the young state of the tree 
the pruning should be performed with the object of 
laying a good foundation, so as to produce the re¬ 
quisite number of branches, and to equalise their 
distribution. In the case of pyramids and bush 
trees, the branches should radiate from the stem 
without crossing each other, and as they extend to 
allow them to branch, keeping the prevention of 
crowding always in view. After the first pruning, 
I strongly advise summer pruning, which should be 
performed about the last week in July or early in 
September, reducing the leading shoots to about 9 in. 
more or less, according to the size of the tree and 
the position of the shoots, and shortening the side 
shoots to 1 1 in. or 2 in. If done earlier in the season 
many of the buds left will be forced into growth, 
which again must be cut back at the winter pruning. 
But if done at the time advised, the buds are forced 
into existence, but only to lay the foundation of 
fruit spurs. Great attention should be paid always, 
in pruning, to the prevention of overcrowding of the 
branches, for by exposing the branches and foliage 
to the full action of the sunlight and air, the wood and 
buds become thoroughly ripened, an essential to all 
fruit trees for the production of perfect flowers and 
fruit. If summer pruning has been executed in a 
proper manner, very little will be left for winter, 
which may be performed any time after the fall of 
the leaf. Of course, when destitute of foliage, it can 
readily be seen where any branches or shoots were 
overlooked in the summer, bearing in mind the same 
principles of pruning throughout. Some kinds of 
Apples—like the Cornish Gillyflower,Irish Peach, and 
Ross’sNonpariel—often bear on the tips of shoots made 
the preceding year. Some growers recommend that 
these shoots should be allowed to remain, but I 
have treated those trees to the pruning I have 
recommended as for other varieties, and with suc¬ 
cessful results. 
Root Pruning. 
It is often found necessary to supplement these 
periodical prunings by pruning also at the root, or 
lifting, which is only required when trees are grow¬ 
ing too vigorous and not producing flower buds. 
Early in September is tbe best time to do this, by 
taking out a trench, 2 ft. deep, all round the tree, at 
from 3 ft. to 4 ft. from the stem ; then burrow beneath 
the ball with a- fork or pick, to enable any root 
striking downwards to be cut away. One-half should 
be done at a time, replacing the soil by ramming it 
firmly before commencing the second half. When 
the whole of the roots have been examined, the 
whole of the soil should be returned and made quite 
solid. This operation checks the vigorous growth, 
and conduces to the production of flowering buds 
the following season. It is needful sometimes to re¬ 
peat this to some subjects ; but generally when a tree 
becomes fruitful it remains so. 
Fruiting. 
It is a mistake with all fruit trees to allow them to 
A paper read by Mr. D. C. Poweli., Powderham Castle 
Gardens, at the first meeting of the Devon and Lxeter Gar¬ 
deners Assoc.ation. 
bear heavy crops during their young state. If 
allowed to do so, the trees become stunted in growth 
and never develop into large trees. The thinning 
of the crop should commence early, removing any 
that are deformed fruit—of all, leaving the most 
promising until the crop is reduced to what is con¬ 
sidered sufficient for the tree to carry consistent 
with its size and health. At the end of July the 
thinnings of culinary varieties may be made use of 
for tarts, etc. The keeping qualities of fruits are, 
no doubt, much enhanced by the methods adopted 
for pruning ; for certain, where fruit has been tho¬ 
roughly exposed to the sunlight and air, it becomes 
thoroughly matured and consequently lasts much 
longer in good condition. Colour—so great an ac¬ 
quisition to all fruit, and a good sign of perfection— 
is put on when fully exposed, even should it not 
have all its surface exposed to the sun, a free circula¬ 
tion of air will effect it. 
Gathering and Storing. 
As the Apple matures and readily separates from the 
tree it should be gathered,selecting always, ifpossible, 
dry weather for that purpose. Late kinds benefit 
by allowing them to hang on the trees as late as 
possible, consistent with their safety from high winds 
and severe frosts. Especially has it been the case 
this year. Fruit left on the trees swelled up and 
attained a much larger size than that picked the 
last week in September. 
Fruit Room. 
This should have a dry atmosphere and cool tem¬ 
perature, and should be kept near about one tem¬ 
perature, say from 40° to 50°. Ventilate only when 
the temperature outside corresponds with that inside 
and when dry, otherwise it will cause a moisture to 
settle on the fruit. There is no doubt fruit keeps 
longer and more plump if stored in bulk than when 
laid out on shelves in single layers. It stored in 
barrels or large boxes or in heaps the fruit is not so 
easily exposed to fluctuations of temperature, the 
greatest drawback being that decaying fruit are not 
so easily detected. I should here impress upon all 
the great necessity of exercising the greatest possible 
care when gathering and storing fruit. They should 
be handled very carefully at every stage to prevent 
bruising or scratching, and examined for damage 
from birds, none being stored that are the least in¬ 
jured, otherwise immediate decay ensues, to the loss 
also of those in contact with them. 
Mr. Powell then enumerated the varieties he re¬ 
commended both for culinary and dessert purposes, 
and concluded by saying that by pursuing the direc¬ 
tions given as to pruning the roots and branches, 
and by prevention of excessive drought or moisture, 
many of the causes of canker—so fatal to good crops 
on the Apple tree—is avoided, but there are others, 
such as the accumulation of moss or lichen, which 
can easily be removed by dusting the trees well with 
slaked lime in the winter when the trees are damp. 
The American blight frequently becomes the pre¬ 
cursor of canker, and where trees are infected an 
application, applied either with the syringe or brush, 
should be made of petroleum diluted with water. 
PLANTS BY PARCEL POST. 
The Postal authorities at St. Martin’s-le-Grand 
having obseved that in the autumn and spring sea¬ 
sons free use is made of the Parcel Post for the 
cheap, rapid, and punctual conveyance between 
distant parts of the country of young plants of 
various sorts, choice young Currant and other fruit 
trees, young shrubs, dwarf and other Roses, &c. 
Accordingly, a useful public notice has been issued 
suggesting the following methods of packing as likely 
to ensure the safe transmission of such parcels : 
Shrubs and dwarf trees should have the roots en¬ 
cased in bass matting, and the branches and twigs 
tied together with bass or string. Dwarf standard 
Rose trees should have bands of hay, or of bass 
matting, wound round their entire length, so as to 
prevent all risk of injury to the young shoots. 
Wooden boxes should be used for flowers and soft or 
tender plants. I he address label attached to such 
parcels should bear the words, ‘ By Parcel Post. 
Plants — Perishable.’ And every care will be taken 
that parcels so marked are packed with the view of 
avoiding, as far as possible, pressure of any kind. 
The limits of size are—greatest length, 3 ft. 6 in. ; 
or length and girth combined, 6ft. ; and the rates of 
postage are — for the first pound, 3d.; for every 
additional pound up to 11 lb. (maximum weight 
allowed), ijd. Compensation for loss of, or damage 
to, an ordinary inland parcel is given up to £2, 
Parcels may be registered " 
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SHOWS. 
Exhibitions of Chrysanthemums come thick and 
fast, and it is impossible to report them in detail. 
On the 3rd inst., the Ipswich and East of England 
Horticultural Society held their show in the 
public rooms, and a very good one it was. There 
were fine and effective groups of Mums, as also of 
miscellaneous plants. Blooms were numerous and 
very fine, and fruit and vegetables very good. The 
best group came from Mr. G. Jordan, gardener to 
the Rev. H. A. Berners, the Hon. Secretary of the 
Society, admirably grown and bloomed, and finely 
staged. On the whole plants were good, but not a 
trained specimen to be seen. The leading cut flower 
class for twenty-four blooms, twelve incurved and 
twelve Japs, brought a very fine lot from Mr. W. H. 
Lees, gardener to the Duchess of Montrose, Sefton 
Lodge, Newmarket, admirably grown and staged. 
Messrs. Saltmarsh & Sons, Chelmsford, who are 
good growers, were second Mr. Lees was success¬ 
ful in other classes, and given the requisite conveni¬ 
ence there is a great future for this young grower as 
an exhibitor. Some very fine Japs were shown by 
Mr. W. Dance, gardener to Mr. Lowe, Gosfield Hall, 
Halstead ; and he took the first prize in another class 
for twenty-four blooms, twelve incurved and twelve 
Japs, the Rev. H. A. Berners being a close second. 
Mr. William Colchester, of Ipswich, offered a Silver 
Cup for twenty-four Japs grown with his “Ichthemic 
Guano,” and it was awarded to Mr. W. Boyles, gar¬ 
dener to B.B. Cabbell, Esq., Cromer House, Cromer, 
with a very fine lot of blooms indeed. The two 
premier blooms were Avalanche, Jap, and John 
Lambert, incurved, the Certificate of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society being awarded to each. 
On the 4th, the Ascot, Sunninghill, &c., Horti¬ 
cultural Society held their annual Chrysanthemum 
show in the spacious premises of the Jockey Club, 
at the back of the grand stand. Some magnificent 
groups were staged, and cut blooms both of incurved 
and Japs were very fine. It was an admirable show, 
one growing rapidly in importance. Having to 
leave early in order to get to the West of England, we 
were unable to take any notes, but simply give our 
estimate of the show, and the admirable arrange¬ 
ments of the Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. F, J. Patton 
and A. G. Lacy. 
On the 5th, the Stroud Chrysanthemum So¬ 
ciety (Glos.) held its annual exhibition. Here groups 
were very fine, the best coming from Mr. F. J Wil¬ 
kinson, gardener to Miss Frith, who has won this 
prize three years in succession, There were soma 
very good small specimen plants; and such things 
as Bouvardias, Primulas, Cyclamens, etc., were a 
good feature. We were particularly struck with some 
excellent Mignonette from Mr. A. J. Driver, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Davies. Bridgend. Mr. Wilkinson 
had the best group of stove and greenhouse plants, 
a very effective one indeed. The best forty-eight 
blooms, twenty-four incurved and twenty-four Japs, 
a very fine lot, indeed, came from Mr. A, J. Driver, 
and he had the best twelve, six incurved and six Japs. 
The best twenty-four, twelve incurved and twelve Japs, 
came from Mr. C. Mayo, gardener 'to A. Apperley, 
Esq. ; he also had the best twenty-four incurved in 
eighteen varieties. In the minor classes the blooms 
were very good throughout. Baskets of Chrysan¬ 
themums were a very good features also. The 
premier incurved Mum was a grand bloom of Miss 
M. A. Haggas, shown by Mr. A. J. Driver; and 
the premier Jap, Etoile de Lyon, from Mr. C. Mayo. 
Fruit was generally good, and vegetables remark¬ 
ably fine. We have reason to believe the attendance 
was good, and the financial results highly satisfac¬ 
tory. 
The seventeenth annual exhibition of the Lambeth 
Amateur Chrysanthemum Society was held at the 
Horns, Kennington, on November 3, 4, and 3, when 
a very nice display was made, although trained plants 
were not so numerous as we have noticed on former 
occasions. Some nice groups were set up, Mr. Hole 
taking the first prize for a group occupying not more 
than 40 square feet. As is customary at this society 
the special prizes were exhibited on a table in the 
room, and the patrons of the society are never want¬ 
ing in their generosity. Cut blooms were staged in 
the usual style, Mr. Sharps taking the lead in the 
class for twelve dissimilar Japanese. Mr. Davison 
came second, followed by Mr. Parker. In the class 
for six Japanese dissimilar Mr. Sharps was again to 
