July 6, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD; 
709 
of the Society, and threw himself with great energy 
and heartiness into all the arrangements, the Mayor¬ 
ess also doing her utmost to assist the promoters of 
the Show to bring it to a successful issue. 
S:ottish Pansy and Viola Association.—The second 
meeting of above Society was held on the 26th ult. in 
the Religious Institution Rooms. There was a good 
attendance of members, and the quality of the 
exhibits was excellent. List of awards :—First-class 
Certificate (72 points) to fancy Pansy Mrs. William 
Steele ; Certificates of Merit to fancy Pansies Maggie 
Goodlet and John Maggie, show Pansy Busby 
White, Violas Jessie Pretswell and Nellie, all 
exhibited by John Smellie, Pansy Gardens, Busby; 
Certificates of Merit to fancy Pansies Mrs. R. 
Stewart, John Jackson No. 15, and Lord Salisbury, 
all exhibited by M. Campbell, Nurseryman, Blan- 
tyre. First-class Certificate to fancy Pansy Sir 
John Watson (65 points) ; Certificates of Merit to 
fancy Pansies A. Struthers and Willie Park, all 
exhibited by G. M'Pherson, Avondale. First-class 
Certificate to fancy Pansy Colonel M. R. G. 
Buchanan (65 points) ; Certificates of Merit to fancy 
Pansies Alexander Lister, and Jessie Gillespie, 
exhibited by Alexander Lister, Nurseryman, 
Rothesay; Certificates of Merit to fancy Pansy Mrs. 
R. G. Moir, show Pansies Leviathan, Colonel 
Stirling, Mrs. D. M'Neil, and Ag. Kay, exhibited by 
C. Kay, Gargunnock ; Certificate of Merit to Viola 
Mrs. Wm. Haig, exhibited by John Duncan, Fife; 
Certificate of Merit to Violas Nos. 22 and 18, 
exhibited by John F'orbes, Nurseryman, Hawick; 
Certificate of Merit to Viola A. J. Rowberry, 
exhibited by George M'Leod, Chingford, Essex. 
First-class Certificate to Viola Fortunata, exhibited 
by John Baxter, Daldowie ; Certificates of Merit to 
Violas Amy Barr and Garryowen, exhibited by J. D. 
Stuart, Belfast; Certificate of Merit to Viola No. 1 
exhibited by Captain King, Lennoxtown ; Certificate 
of Merit to Viola No. 236, exhibited by And. Irvine, 
Nurseryman, Tighnabruaich. 
Ryde Rose Show.—The annual Rose show, which 
is such an interesting feature of the season's pro¬ 
gramme arranged by the Ryde Exhibitions and 
Horticultural Association, took place on Thursday, 
June 20th, in the beautiful grounds of Appley Towers, 
very kindly thrown open to the public by Mr. George 
Hutt. The opportunity of strolling through Mr. 
Hutt's charming demesne was evidently widely 
appreciated, and we are pleased to record 
that there was a fairly good and fashionable atten¬ 
dance. The Roses were set out in a large tent erected 
on the lawn in front of the house, and shortly after 
half-past two o'clock there was a fairly representative 
gathering. The Mayor of Ryde said he wished, on 
behalf of the committee and inhabitants generally, 
to thank Mr. Hutt very heartily for his great kind¬ 
ness in throwing open his splendid grounds on that 
occasion, and he had very great pleasure in asking 
that gentlemen if he would open the show for them. 
Mr. Hutt (who was warmly received) thanked the 
committee very heartily for the compliment they had 
paid him in asking him to open the show, and he 
had much pleasure in complying with the request. 
He thought they would agree with him that they 
were all very much indebted to the donors of prizes, 
exhibitors, and subscribers, who had jointly assisted 
in bringing about a show which he understood was 
considerably better than had been held for many 
years. To prove the extent of the increase in the 
number of exhibits he was informed by the secretary 
that last year the number of exhibits in classes from 
1 to 18 was 33£ dozen, while this year the number 
was 80J dozen—an increase of 47 dozen—while the 
other classes had increased in proportion. 
Hampstead Heath Extension. —Mr. Samuel 
Hoare, M.P., received at his town residence, 
Hereford Gardens, Hyde Park, on the morning 
of the 19th ult., a deputation from the Free 
and Open Spaces Committee of the Hampstead 
Vestry on the subject of the proposed preserva¬ 
tion as an open space of a piece of freehold 
land on Hampstead Heath, locally known as 
" Hoare's Paddock,” about an acre and a quarter in 
extent, and studded with some very fine trees. 
This enclosed paddock forms part of a valuable free¬ 
hold estate, which has, including the paddock, been 
in possession of the Hoare family since 1807, the 
paddock having before then been granted as " waste 
of the manor ” to a previous owner not connected 
with that family. Mr. Samuel Hoare, whose father, 
the late Mr. John Gurney Hoare, was one of the 
doughtiest champions of the preservation of Hamp¬ 
stead Heath for the public, is now the owner of 
the property, which, including the family mansions, 
was advertised for sale by auction. In reply 
to the representations of the deputation, Mr. 
Hoare said he had no desire to put up the land for 
building, and therefore had arranged for it to be 
included in one lot with the house, hoping that, as 
his family had kept the space open for ninety years, 
someone else would follow their example. To keep 
the space open must entail a heavy loss on someone, 
and after full consideration he had determined to 
undertake that loss himself. He had withdrawn the 
paddock from the sale, and should retain it in his 
own hands, and he trusted that many boys would in 
the future enjoy cricket there as much as he had in 
the past, and should any altered circumstances arise 
he would at once communicate with the Hampstead 
Vestry. The deputation warmly thanked Mr. Hoare 
for his action. 
■-- » «» —— 
MESSRS. VEITCH & SONS’ 
STRAWBERRIES. 
That the Strawberry holds a high position in the 
favour of the general public as a wholesome, delicious, 
and what is more, easily cultivated fruit receives 
additional proof in the fact that Messrs. James 
Veitch & Sons devote more than three acres of 
ground in their nurseries at Slough to the cultivation 
of a large and comprehensive collection of the most 
valuable amongst the older varieties as well as to the 
trial of the new ones which are each year being 
brought before us. The various sorts are planted 
together in batches of from two to six rows each, 
according to the value of the variety. No pretence 
whatever is made at obtaining large quantities of 
fine fruit, for many of the flower trusses are removed, 
the major part of the plants being needed to supply 
material to meet the large demand for stuff for 
forcing, some fifty thousand or so of plants are 
yearly disposed of for this purpose alone. At the 
present time the Strawberry beds present a particu¬ 
larly business-like appearance for the strong, healthy, 
layers are arranged in double lines on either side of 
the rows of stock plants, the pots being sunk to the 
rims in trenches dug for them. 
The exceptional dryness of April, May and June 
of the present year has not only caused considerable 
diminution in the size of the fruit but the plants 
themselves are likewise much dwarfer in character. 
A season like the present is, however, not without its 
redeeming features, for it is exceedingly instructive 
to note how far the cropping qualities of standard 
varieties which during more favourable seasons are 
all that could be desired are affected or impaired by 
such abnormal climatic conditions as they have been 
called upon to undergo this season. As close upon 
a hundred varieties are grown it is manifest that 
space will not allow us to go into detail with regard 
to many of them. We shall therefore enumerate a 
few of those which have this year acquitted them¬ 
selves satisfactorily. 
Among the older varieties which Messrs. Veitch 
can confidently recommend as being trustworthy and 
reliable are Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier, 
Keen’s Seedling, President, Vicomtesse Hericart de 
Thury, La Grosse Sucree and Dr. Hogg. The 
reputation and appearance of these is so well-known 
that further description would be superfluous and 
unnecessary. Laxton’s No. 1 has the enviable dis¬ 
tinction of being the earliest Strawberry of all in 
Messrs. Veitchs’ list, coming in before King of the 
Earlies and Noble. It is from this last mentioned 
variety, fertilised by May Queen, that it was obtained. 
The fruit is bright crimson-scarlet in colour, of 
medium size, and with firm flesh, likewise a prolific 
and sure cropper. Royal Sovereign, although not 
quite so early at Slough as it appears to have been 
in some other localities, has proved itself to be a fine 
dry weather Strawberry. Empress of India carries 
an abundance of Obtusely conical, bright scarlet 
fruit, very closely resembling British Queen in 
flavour. Unlike this latter variety, however, the 
fruit ripens right to the apex, and is thus all the more 
valuable for dessert purposes on this account. It 
obtained a First-class Certificate from the Royal 
Horticultural Society on May 17th, 1892. Several 
other Certificates of Merit have also been awarded 
it at various shows throughout the country subse¬ 
quent to that date. Gunton Park is another variety 
of sterling merit, certificated by the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society in July, 1891. It is of strong 
vigorous habit, a heavy cropper, and with fruit 
rather above ordinary size, rich dark crimson-scarlet 
in colour, but varying in shape from cockscomb-like 
to conical. The flavour is all that could be desired. 
A good early variety Gunton Park is also an 
admirable forcer. Not less noteworthy is Lord 
Suffield, which has extra large, dark crimson 
coloured and splendidly flavoured fruit. This, 
likewise, can boast of a First-class Certificate from 
the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society. James Veitch has large handsome fruits, 
bright vermilion in colour, with firm flesh that 
travels exceedingly well. It is a grand sort for 
forcing purposes, whilst when grown outside the 
plant is hardy, of vigorous growth, and an exception¬ 
ally free fruiter. 
The large, roundish, almost cockscomb-shaped 
fruits of Waterloo are very distinct from their 
exceedingly dark crimson hue that gives them such 
a wonderfully rich appearance when dished up upon 
the dessert table. Nor is the flavour less noteworthy 
than the colour. McMahon, whilst very hardy, and 
a free bearer in most localities, is rather particular 
as to the situation accorded it. The fruit is above 
medium size, of a vermilion-red shade, and with 
very solid flesh. Grove End Scarlet, although a 
variety of a good many years standing is still a good 
one. The fruit is bright scarlet in colour and has a 
brisk and pleasant acidity. One of the very best 
main crop sorts is Lucas, the fruit of which is large 
and conical shaped with very firm and solid flesh, 
and possessing an excellent flavour. The fruit of 
President De la Cour is heart-shaped, of mediumsize, 
and bright orange-scarlet in hue, the flavour, more¬ 
over, being all that could be desired. As a white 
variety Bicton Pine has yet to be beaten. Messrs. 
Veitch find it to be, very hardy, a prolific bearer, 
and in flavour beyond reproach. Its appearance on 
the dessert table forms a striking and agreeable con¬ 
trast to the scarlet and crimson fruited varieties 
Kitleys’ Goliath has very much the appearance of a 
large coarse President, although we were agreeably 
surprised to find the fruit by no means lacking in 
flavour, a rather rare quality amongst the very large 
fruited sorts. The Alpine appears to be but little 
more than a slightly glorified wild Strawberry, the 
fruit having a rather flat and insipid taste after the 
foregoing fine varieties. Its chief recommendation 
appears to be the extraordinary length of time it 
continues in bearing. The Royal Hautbois does not 
meet with much attention the fruit being small and 
comparatively valueless, although its flavour is very 
distinct and agreeable, 
Of later varieties, as well as of the early and mid¬ 
season ones which have been mentioned some good 
examples were forthcoming. Laxton's Latest ot All 
is well worthy of its name to judge from the examples 
of it that were on view, for the plants are just swell¬ 
ing splendid crops of fine large fruits, which in 
appearance somewhat resemble those of Loxford 
Hall Seedling. Samuel Bradley bears large 
roundish fruit of bright red colour, and is a hardy 
and prolific variety. Unser Fritz, another good late 
sort, is also well adapted for forcing purposes, the 
fruit being of a handsome appearance, medium size, 
bright crimson in colour, and brisk and full flavoured. 
Of the Pine section Elton and its closely allied sort, 
Frogmore Late Pine, are good examples of what late 
Strawberries should be. The last mentioned variety, 
particularly, is one of the very best varieties that 
can be grown for supplying late fruit of superior 
quality. Coming in rather later than Frogmore and 
producing fruit very much like it in appearance, but 
rather larger in size, is Helene Gloede a variety of 
sterling merit. 
Messrs. James Veitch’s collection of Strawberries 
is, in fact, a most comprehensive one, and although 
the number of sorts upon the list, as has been 
previously intimated, are fairly numerous, they are 
all distinct enough from each other ; for where two 
varieties are found to resemble each other so closely 
as to make it difficult to distinguish between them 
one alone is kept in stock, and thus while the list of 
names is not unduly large, all types of this favourite 
fruit are well represented. 
Chrysanthemums and their Culture. By Edwin 
Molyneux. Eighth Edition. By far the best practical work yet 
■written on this subject. Price, is.; post free, is. 2d Publisher, 
Gardening World, i, Clement's Inn, Strand,London, W.C. 
