August 15, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
795 
EARLY WHITE ROMAN HYACINTHS, 
Early Snowflake and Paper-white Narcissus, 
JAMES YEITCH & SONS, 
Beg to announce the arrival of, in exceptionally -fine condition , 
The above valuable Bulbs for Early Forcing, 
And will be pleased to receive Orders for immediate delivery. 
Bulb Catalogue for 1896 now ready, and may be bad on application. 
ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, KING’S ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W. 
Better the Seeds 
Better the Crop! 
AU Seeds for present sowing, new, owngroivn, and of 
the highest excellence. 
H. CANNELL & SONS 
Would be much pleased to send lists and full particulars. 
It should be remembered that our 
Defiance Cabbage 
Is certainly the best, and should be in every garden. Won 
numerous first prizes. 
SWANLEY, KENT. 
For Index to Contents see page 806. 
11 Gardening Is the pnrest of human pleasures, and the greatest 
refreshment to the spirit of roaD.” — Bacon. 
ifr fit'll!, 
Edited by J. FRASER F.L.S. 
SATURDAY , AUGUST 15 th, 1896. 
NEXT WEEK'S ENGAGEMENTS. 
Monday, August 17th. — Felling Flower Show (two days). 
Special trade sale of Bulbs by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris. 
Wednesday, August 19th.—Shrewsbury Floral Fete (two 
days). 
Shows at Eastbourne, Trowbridge, and Worthing. 
Thursday, August 20th.—Jersey Show. 
Special trade sale of Bulbs by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris. 
Friday, August 21st.—Devon and Exeter Society's Show. 
National Cc-operative Society’s Show at the Crystal Palace 
(two days). 
Aberdeen Show (two days). 
Saturday, August 22nd.—South Manchester & District Flower 
Show. 
Keighley Show. _ 
Wruit Prospects.— From year to year, 
— the fruit crop is regarded as of increas¬ 
ing importance; and a widely prevalent 
custom is to forecast the likely harvest 
from the display of bloom in spring. Even 
then it is altogether uncertain, because a 
single night’s frost at that critical period 
may entirely falsify the promise. Later on, 
a continuation of drought may reduce the 
total weight of crop, by causing a portion 
of it to drop, and limiting the free swelling 
and proper development of the rest. All 
this is entirely outside the question of 
manuring and the natural fertility of the 
land, showing how entirely our hardy fruit 
crops are at the mercy of the weather and 
much, but often unduly maligned British 
climate. Even now, though we are wont 
to speak of the prospects of the fruit harvest 
with a considerable assumption of certainty, 
it is quite a moot point as to what weight 
of crop will be fit for the dessert and kitchen 
tables, or to store in the fruit room. A 
certain amount will undoubtedly yet fall as 
a result of heavy cropping in a dry season, 
as the effect of injury by the Codlin Moth, 
and possibly the equinoctial gales to be 
expected in September or October will have 
to be held responsible for another portion of 
loss. Under the circumstances it would be 
impossible even at this late period of the 
season, to do more thari guess at the actual 
weight that will be harvested in good con¬ 
dition. 
There is most certainty about those crops 
that have been harvested, weighed and 
consumed, or sold. From various sources 
we learn that Strawberries have been an 
average crop, sometimes over and occasion¬ 
ally under. No doubt the dry season must 
be held responsible for limiting the size of 
the fruit in many cases, and thereby 
diminishing the total bulk and weight. 
Amongst small fruits this is an important 
crop, whether we take into consideration its 
use for dessert, for home-made jam, or that 
of the factory. It may be regarded as a 
precarious crop at the mercy of late spring 
frosts, and summer drought, as well as a 
possible rainy season. Small fruits, such 
as Gooseberries, Raspberries, Red, Black 
and White Currants, are amongst the most 
certain crops we have, and this year leave 
little for fault finding, except that Rasp¬ 
berries have been small in exposed positions 
owing to the exceptional drought. The 
long period over which Gooseberries may 
be had for use, either in the green or ripe 
stage, renders them a crop of considerable 
importance to the community at large. 
This period embraces the months from 
May till August inclusive, for they are still 
in the height of their season in the north of 
Scotland. 
Stone fruits generally give a good 
account of themselves, particularly Peaches, 
Nectarines, and Apricots, while Plums 
leave little to grumble about. Commercially, 
the Plums are the most important because 
hardiest, require the least care in packing 
for carriage, least perishable, and continue 
in season for a longer period. They all 
flower early and run the risk of being 
destroyed by late frosts, particularly ttie 
Peaches and Nectarines. For that reason 
little dependence is placed upon them for 
home consumption, and less for market, 
except in the more favoured parts of the 
country. The success of those fruits as 
well as Apricots is quite phenomenal for 
this year, and may help to extend their 
cultivation. The stone fruits are largely 
dependent upon a long continuance of warm 
weather to ripen them properly. Plums 
even upon walls in cold upland, inland, or 
northern districts usually give a poor account 
of themselves, except in the case of the 
very earliest varieties. Even in average 
seasons the Victoria Plum, though it fruits 
heavily, fails to ripen properly on a south 
aspect wall in Aberdeenshire. Peaches and 
