420 
THE GARDENING WjORLD. 
March 4, 1893. 
FLORICULTURE. 
Auriculas.—Heat. 
I understand that, for himself and some others, 
“ R. D." expresses the desire that there were, and a 
regret that there are not, classes in the London 
Auricula Show for “ plants that have been grown 
without artificial heat.” 
Now here, we cannot ripen Apricots on our cold 
stone walls. Am I, therefore, justified in agitating 
for a class for Apricots, grown where they won’t 
ripen; and may we not on this novel principle, 
demand a section for sour Grapes ? Are there not 
many amateurs who could do Grapes and Apricots to 
this modest extent, and why are not their humble 
efforts to be represented at our great fruit shows ? 
Such fruit cannot possibly compete with highly 
finished examples ; and it is a great shame that those 
who possess the advantages of sunny brick walls, 
and proper vineries, with all the attendant expenses, 
should have the run of the prizes at our fruit exhibi¬ 
tions. 
It may be said that they would adulterate a show 
with inferior produce, thereby lowering its tone and 
interest. That the public expect to see everything 
as good as it can be grown, and care little how 
it has been grown. That the very object 
of sho ws is to demonstrate the height of quality and 
cultivation and to encourage the production of new 
varieties surpassing the excellencies of the old. 
I do not say that I have myself proposed classes 
for my wooden Apricots, and green Grapes, "but 
they are not forthcoming, which perhaps is not to be 
wondered at,” any more than in the case of the 
Auricula grown without the careful and guarded 
treatment which it ought to have, to be seen at its 
best. 
Now the Auricula does not require, heat, nay, is 
better without, all that might be easily, and but natur¬ 
ally, inferred from " R. D.’s” remarks. He says, “ It is 
all very well in the case of those who have an Auri¬ 
cula house, or frame heated with hot water or a flue ; 
but what of those who have not?” "Those who 
have not ? ” Well! I am one of those who have not. 
I have often said so, by word and pen, and “ R. D.” 
must have forgotten. I have neither pipe nor flue 
in my Auricula house, nor have had these many 
years. I never have had, but for experiment’s sake, 
and that experiment of pipe heat (so coveted by 
" R. D.”) I discarded as a positive temptation and no 
help. It spoilt a good deal, and saved nothing. 
I have shown at the London Auricula shows, and 
more rarely I have not. But whether I did or did 
not, I owe no successes to artificial heat, though I 
know I may have spoilt some chances with it. For, 
I do not call sunshine-warmth under glass' artificial 
heat exactly, nor do I consider keeping out the cold 
by external coverings, artificial heat. Neither do the 
Auriculas so regard it, or they would not thrive and 
flower properly. If my Auriculas are not out in 
time for the London show, with such simple and 
helpful protection as their cold glass houses, and non¬ 
conducting outside covers afford, I merely blame the 
season for being late, or the southern show too early 
for northern flowers, and think very little more 
about it. 
This leads me to say that I think the use of the 
term " heat,” as it has been frequently employed by 
southern writers and critics on Auriculas, is mis¬ 
leading. Of course the common acceptation of the 
words “ grown in heat ” is that pipe or flue heat is 
used to keep up temperature. If. this be the kind of 
heat suggested, then I say it need not, and ought not 
to be, and is not depended upon by any one I know 
in the north, though like myself, some may have 
tried the experiment with the Auricula, which proves 
itself particularly impatient under it. 
We do not grow our Auriculas as stove or green¬ 
house plants. Our houses are only cold frames on a 
larger, more convenient, and more beneficent scale. 
“ R- D.” and “ D. Deal ” could not condemn flue and 
pipe heat for Auriculas more than I do, and it is 
misleading for them to infer, or take for granted, 
that northern successes are due to such kind of heat. 
Time and time again, I have detected this phantom 
of artificial heat for Auriculas dancing before their 
mental vision, and appearing in criticisms of 
Auricula shows. If a plant has been " drawn ” for 
lack of air or light, it is attributed to the use of arti¬ 
ficial heat. If it is in first-rate condition of bloom it 
has been only done by " heat.” If the flowers are 
poor in size, texture, and colour, and the stem can¬ 
not carry itself unsupported (sometimes a constitu¬ 
tional fault) it is all put down to " heat.” “ Heat ” 
blows hot and cold—heat is credited and blamed for 
all results—and experiments are taken for usual 
practice! 
Very carefully and patiently Mr. Simonite and 
myself tried and noted the effects of truly artificial 
heat upon the Auricula. The Newcastle men also 
tried it, and I am bold to say that they found the 
mischief it did to both plants and flowers. If by 
"heat” for Auriculas, " R. D." and “ D. Deal” 
should mean the aid of glass and outside coverings, 
then I maintain that the edged Auricula must have 
this kind of warmth. But my friends should, in 
common fairness, call it by its right name, which is 
not " heat,” but protection. If this simple aid cannot 
be given, it would be kinder not to grow the plant at 
all, and more kind still not to advocate classes at our 
shows for Auriculas in distress. 
Further mischief, possibly through speaking 
loosely or carelessly of " heat ” for Auriculas, is that 
some who would like to grow them might be deterred 
by the idea given that they could only succeed by 
the aid of pipe or flue heat. The Auricula does not 
need difficulties, but facilities putting in its way, 
and we have only to go back in memory to the days 
of our fathers to find that Auriculas were well done 
before ever either houses or pipes were thought of 
for them. 
I am sure they would gladly have acknowledged 
the advantages of a house, and probably have been 
too wise to even thinkjof experimenting with artificial 
heat.— F. D. Homey, Burton-in-Lonsdale. 
It seems strange to read, as your able contributor 
" R. D.” tells us, of the Auricula—an alpine plant— 
being regularly forced for exhibition like early Peas 
or Rhubarb for market We can understand that 
people will have the latter on their tables, and that 
in their impatience they are content to sacrifice 
quality to novelty. But what is the hurry with the 
Auricula ? Does the warm atmosphere of the hot 
water pipes or the flue of which " R. D.” speaks, 
produce more refined quality in the flowers that the 
system of forcing seems so generally resorted to ? 
And if this is so must it not be obtained at the ex¬ 
pense of the vigour of the plants ? Is it a necessity 
that the exhibition should be held so early that it is 
only available to exhibitors who can “ put the steam 
on ” in the above way ? —If. 
The Gold-Laced Polyanthus. 
The growers of the show varieties of Gold-laced 
Polyanthuses being at the present time so few, and 
the varieties in cultivation so limited, one scarcely 
feels justified in attempting to encroach upon the 
space of any floral periodical by referring to it ! It 
is, however, gratifying to know that out of the 
" few ” there exists some true lovers of this grand 
old florists’ flower who are always ready to say a 
kind word in its favour, and when necessary, afford 
it abundant support ; and to such my remarks, which 
will be of a twofold nature, may specially apply. 
They will both bear a very gloomy tint, but one 
much more so than the other. 
The first is to announce the recent death, at the 
age of sixty-five, of the old veteran grower of 
Lancer, Abner Bullock, who was the son of the 
raiser of Lancer. 
Abner, and his late brother Charles, have been 
known for nearly half a century as the great Rose, 
Polyanthus, and Pansy growers, and "Working 
men’s florists” of the "Black Country,” South 
Staffordshire. These brothers belonged to the old 
school of florists, and were as honest and straight¬ 
forward in their dealings as they were successful, 
as cultivators, in the hobby they pursued ! 
I know from the most reliable source that these 
men are entitled to the credit of having caused scores 
of their comrades to become cultivators of flowers, 
who formerly devoted the bulk of their spare time in 
public houses, and by such means many miserable 
homes have been changed into happy ones! 
The Bullocks were not only patronised by working 
men, but by such noted florists as Samuel Barlow, 
Esq., and others too numerous to mention. Abner 
leaves an enterprising grown-up son, whose fondness 
of florists’ flowers excels, if possible, that of his late 
much-respected father, and I am glad to learn that 
he will keep on the old garden at Wolverhampton, 
and continue the cultivation of those varieties of 
florists’ flowers which his late parent and uncle so 
much admired and loved. 
The other part of my subject refers to a mishap 
which has befallen myself, and it may possibly be 
interesting to some to learn what has happened, and 
call to their minds the old proverb, “ Experience 
makes fools wise." Well,I will explain all as briefly as 
I can. Last autumn I was fortunate in having a fine 
stock of Polyanthus plants, consisting of “ Cheshire 
Favourite,” " George the Fourth,” "Lancer,” and 
" Prince Regent,” and it having previously been my 
practice to separate the old roots at that period of 
the year, and before replanting to place them for 
about half-an-hour in a vessel of soap-suds, so as to 
wash off or destroy any green-fly which might be 
upon them, and which process, I may say, had 
always before proved most efficacious ! The green¬ 
fly upon my plants last autumn was, unfortunately, 
more plentiful than usual, and 1 was recommended 
by a friend to use, in producing the “ soap-suds,” a 
little " petroleum dry soap powder ” instead of the 
usual " soft soap and never being too proud to be 
taught something good, I acquiesced in my friend's 
suggestion with the result that within a month from 
the time of planting all the foliage had become 
brown and withered, following which, the crowns of 
the plants and roots rotted away. To the best of 
my recollection I used about an ounce of the powder 
to an ordinary bucket full of water. I have never 
thanked my friend for his recipe, but have made a 
vow that the experiment shall never be repeated by 
James Thurstan, Cardiff. 
Pinks. 
Plants of these in the open ground appear to have 
come through the winter very well indeed. It is 
true my plants are seedlings only of good blood, but 
they have done remarkably well. The soil has been 
drawn away from them, and fresh added, containing 
a good deal of fine decomposed manure. No one 
can expect to have good laced flowers unless the 
plants were put out in their beds in September or 
October last, or else wintered in pots, and planted 
out with good balls of soil full of roots. But there 
is nothing like autumn planting. 
The usual practice with growers is to top dress 
their Pink-beds at the end of March or early in 
April, regard being had to the character of the 
weather, and the forwardness or otherwise of the 
plants. Top dressing is very beneficial just when 
the plants are beginning to put forth fresh growth. 
It is then the root fibres are becoming active, and 
ready to assimilate the fertilizing properties con¬ 
tained in the top dressing. The surface of the bed 
should be kept clear of weeds and any noxious in¬ 
sects, and especially grubs sought for and extermin¬ 
ated. With such attentions, provided the sorts are 
good, and the plants strong and healthy, there should 
be no difficulty in securing fine blooms.— R. D. 
--T-- 
PEACHES DROPPING 
THEIR BUDS. 
In your leader of February 18, p. 386, you are rather 
severe upon gardeners generally in this matter. You 
say " the house is shut up close, although it is yet 
but February, the full force of heat is applied at 
once, and the utmost pressure is put on the trees to 
expand bloom,” hence the wonderment why the 
plump buds fail and drop off. Now as I am one of 
the delinquents in this matter, but with one kind 
only, Alexander, I resent this unjustifiable summing 
up and verdict, and consequently take up the cudgels 
on the defensive, by saying this irrational treatment 
is not general, indeed, questionable, in any practical 
gardener’s (please don’t omit the adjective) curricu¬ 
lum. In my case, for instance, the artificial heat 
was not applied for three weeks after closing the 
house, and the solar heat from the 1st of December 
onwards could not be considered excessive; never¬ 
theless all the best-formed buds on this one kind, 
Alexander, dropped off, whilst scarcely a bud 
dropped off other older kinds, such as Hale’s 
Early, Stirling Castle, etc., growing alongside in 
same border. Under such treatment, I can scarcely 
consider Nature to be seriously outraged, that is, 
beyond ordinary forcing proceedings. Therefore I 
venture to assume there is something constitutional 
in Alexander to account for such strange behaviour, 
and I should be glad to learn other Peach forcers’ 
opinions of this particular kind. I am fully aware 
that gardeners, like other mortals, are loth to record 
failures ; nevertheless there is often better experi¬ 
ence gained by failures than by the intoxication of 
public successes.— (V. Crump, Madresfield. 
