20 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 11, 1897. 
NOTICE OF BOOK. 
Fruit Growing. By B. Wells, F.R H.S., R.A.S.E., 
the Fruit Nurseries, Crawley. Price is. 
Mr. Wells, the well-known fruit grower of Crawley, 
fearlessly runs the gauntlet of the critics again with 
a second edition of his book on "Fruit Growing." 
The Gardening World was somewhat freely 
lectured last year for making some remarks on his 
punctuation and style. He now admits that the 
criticisms were deserved ; and thanks his reviewers 
for everything they said. As the work is in stereo¬ 
type he has not attempted to revise the mistakes, 
especially as the subject matter is still quite up to 
date, and no special discovery has been made since 
last year, when the first edition was sent out. 
The practical details of his book constitute its 
most valuable feature. He dwells at greatest length 
upon the Apple, which is, indeed, the "king" of 
British hardy fruits, as the Strawberry may be 
termed the " queen.” Where Oaks or Elms grow 
well, there the Apple may be relied upon to give 
satisfaction. In the matter of stocks he is a great 
believer in the Crab for orchard trees; but being 
unable to get the true Crab in sufficient quantities 
he took to raising his own stocks from the pips of 
the wild Crab. It would be interesting to know 
where he can get pips of the wild Crab in sufficient 
quantity to meet his requirements; but no doubt 
that is his own secret. The produce of a single old 
patriarch would, however, give a great number of 
seeds annually if in a position to develop to the best 
advantage. We have seen isolated specimens in 
Kent and Berks considered to be the wild Crab, but 
nobody seemed to consider them of value except boys. 
The pips of cider Apples, now so much in use for 
the purpose of raising stocks, Mr. Wells terms the 
free stock, and we agree with him that they must 
vary greatly in character, and therefore must to 
some extent be unreliable. The same might be said 
of the free stocks of the Plum and Pear, which can¬ 
not be otherwise than a mixed lot. 
The author is not very favourable on the whole to 
mixed orchards, except in the case of the more tem¬ 
porary subjects to form an undergrowth till the per¬ 
manent trees profitably occupy the ground. He 
agrees with some other writers that of trees alone 
the Apple would be the most profitable ; and of mix¬ 
tures, the Apple and Black Currants would pay best, 
the latter to be removed after a time. Pears, he says, 
are very valuable when scarce, but otherwise when 
plentiful, and that is practically his opinion concern¬ 
ing Plums. Good crops of Plums are not worth 
gathering, unless the grower can bottle them—an ex¬ 
pensive operation in the case of tons. We consider, 
however, that there should be special provision for 
the preservation of these and all other soft fruits, in 
districts where such are grown in quantity, so that 
bottling and jam-making could be carried on upon a 
large scale by efficient machinery and skilled labour. 
The fruit grower should not be expected to under¬ 
take this work. He gives less countenance to the 
culture of Cherries. Morellos are liable to destruc¬ 
tion by late spring frost, and the Bigarreau Cherries 
are so devoured by birds as to be worthless. 
Nevertheless he favours the preservation of birds, 
and surely it would be possible to preserve the 
Cherries for a few weeks during the ripening period 
by means of boys. 
-. 3 - 
SOCIETIES. 
AYR HORTICULTURAL .—August 26th. 
The Artillery Hall, Ayr, was the scene of this annual 
fixture. A large schedule, containing upwards of 
170 classes, had been drawn up, so that both 
gardeners and amateurs were well provided for. 
In the open classes Mr. H. Stewart, gardener to 
R Goudie, Esq., Alloway Place, was placed first for 
six stove and greenhouse plants. Mr. A. H. Scott, 
gardener to Mrs. Baird, Cambusdoon, was second. 
A collection of six dishes of fruit was best shown by 
Mr. D. Murray, Culzean Castle, Maybole. Mr. John 
Walters, Carbieston, took a similar position for a 
collection of vegetables. 
Amateurs competed briskly, and showed some 
capital pot plants and cut flowers, including Dahlias 
and Gladioli. 
SANDY AND DISTRICT FLORAL AND HORTI¬ 
CULTURAL .—August 26 th. 
The twenty-ninth annual exhibition held at Sandy 
was a conspicuous success, the entries being equal in 
number to those of last year. The attendance was 
larger than at any time since the formation of the 
society, the takings at the gate being £342 as against 
£311 13s. 4d. last year. In the open division Mr. J. 
Cypher of Cheltenham was an easy winner of the 
prize for ten stove and greenhouse plants in fullflower. 
Mr. W. J, Empson, gardener to Mrs. Wingfield, 
Ampthill, was the most successful exhibitor in the 
whole of the show. He took first in a brisk competi¬ 
tion for a group of plants arranged for effect, the 
glory of his collection being some capital Orchids, 
Crotons, and Pancratiums. Mr. Empson had no 
fewer than 53 entries and took many firsts. 
Dahlias were splendidly shown by Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co., Salisbury; Mr. S. Mortimer, Farn- 
ham ; and Mr. j. Walker, Thame. Cut Gladioli and 
China Asters, as in previous years, were bright and 
good. 
Coming to the fruit classes Mr. Empson had 
matters nearly all his own way and was easily first 
for, black, white, and Muscat Grapes, as well as a 
fine collection of eight kinds of fruit. Mr. C. R. 
Allis, Old Warden, showed admirable Grapes and 
other fruit, and Mr. T. Stone, Mr. C. Moore, and 
Mrs. Foster, also figured prominently in the list of 
prize winners. 
SWANSEA .—August 26 th. 
A very successful show was held in the new 
covered market at Swansea on Thursday, August 
26th, and resulted in about £172 being taken at the 
gates. With subscriptions yet to come in in addition 
to the gate money the energetic secretary, Mr. A. R. 
Drummond, expects to have a surplus of £30 to £40 
to hand over to the local charities. The fact of this 
being the first show of this society to yield such a 
result must be very gratifying to the committee, and 
it is to be hoped the society will now be constituted 
on a permanent basis and showslheld yearly. 
Messrs. Kelway, of Langport, made an exhibit of 
Gladioli which was very much admired and attracted 
a great deal of attention. 
Messrs. Clibran & Son, of Manchester, and Messrs. 
Dicksons, Ltd., Chester, had choice collections of 
hardy herbaceous and bulbous flowers. Mr. W. 
Tresider, Cardiff, had a fine and varied collection of 
Dahlias, among which some of the Cactus varieties 
were particularly attractive. Mr. Taplin, Newton 
Abbot, showed a miscellaneous collection of cut 
blooms, comprising Carnations, Dahlias, and hardy 
herbaceous flowers. Mr. J. Harris, Bracypill, 
Swansea, had a fine collection of fruit trees in pots, 
and Messrs. Parsons & Co., of Swansea, a collection 
of Potatos. 
FALKIRK HORTICULTURAL —August 26 th. 
The autumn flower and fruit show promoted by the 
Falkirk Horticultural Society took place on this 
date in the Town Hall, Falkirk. Although the 
entries were fewer than those of last year the 
interest showed no sign of abatement, although the 
competition in the various classes fluctuated con¬ 
siderably. 
Mr. John McLaren, Millfield, Polmont; Mr. John 
Ogilvie, Broomage Park, Larbert ; Mr. Robert 
Starrat, gardener, Wallside; and Mr. W. Robertson, 
Bainsford, were some of the most successful 
exhibitors of pot plants. 
A collection of fruit, composed of six distinct 
varieties, sent by Mr. John McLaren, was adjudged 
the first, and the same cultivator scored fora Melon, 
and a dish of Peaches. 
Mr. John Ogilvie, and Mr. Matthew Karrigan, 
Gargunock, were each awarded a first for a 
collection of six varieties of vegetables. Mr. John 
Ogilvie was likewise credited with the first awards 
for Leeks, Vegetable Marrow, Parsnips, and Celery. 
Amateurs also showed strongly. 
Mr. John Downie, Princes Street, Edinburgh, had 
;a tastefully arranged table of pot plants, and cut 
flowers, the latter including double tuberous 
Begonias, and Dahlias. Mr. Dow had a stand of 
Ichthemic Guano, and there was also an attractive 
bee and honey exhibit. 
Great praise is due to Mr. Fleming, the secretary, 
for the manner in which he has carried out the 
arrangements. 
BLAIRGOWRIE AND RATTRAY 
HORTICULTURAL. 
This old-standing society lately held its twentieth 
annual exhibition in the Public School, Blairgowrie. 
In opening the exhibition Mr. Allan Proctor remarked 
the fact that Scotch gardeners had for centuries 
been celebrated all over the world. 
The schedule included classes for pot plants, cut 
flowers, fruit and vegetables, the greater part of the 
produce being contributed by the industrial section 
of the population. 
Non-competitive exhibits came from Messrs. D. & 
W. Croll, Dundee, who showed cut Roses ; and from 
Messrs. J. Russell, Coupar Angus, and J. J. Gellatly, 
Blairgowrie, who had groups of plants. 
DUNDEE .—September 2nd, 3 rd, and 4 th. 
The annual show of the Dundee Horticultural 
Society was held on Magdalen Green on the above 
dates. The horticultural exhibits were arranged in 
three large marquees, while there were several side 
shows or accessories. Plants occupied one, cut 
flowers another, and vegetables a third. The show 
on the whole was much finer than last year, the 
plants in the nurserymen's classes being in grand 
form. The tables arranged for effect were as good 
as at mostly any show in the county, particularly 
the three first ones. The American Consul made an 
excellent speech at the opening ceremony on the 
first day. The first day was rather wet, but the 
second was very fine. During the three days over 
£500 was taken at the gate. 
The premier award for six stove and greenhouse 
plants was taken by Mr. Peter Marshall, Balmore, 
Newport. He had a magnificent specimen of 
Coprosma baueriana variegata about 10 ft. to 12 ft. 
high, specimens of Croton and Asparagus plumosus 
scarcely dwarfer, and flowering plants represented 
byAnthurium andreanum, Clerodendron Balfouri, 
and Lapageria alba. The second prize was taken 
by Mr. Thos Butchart, gardener to Jno. Robertson, 
Esq., Elmslea, with much dwarfer plants. He had 
a neat plant of Elaeodendron orientale, 6 ft. high. 
Mr. R. W. Saunders, Lismore, Broughty Ferry, was 
third. There were five tables (10 ft. by 6 ft.) in the 
competitive list, and the first award was taken by 
Mr. George Masson, St. Fort Gardens, Newport. 
Lilies, Crotons, Palms, Dracaenas, Celosias, and 
Maidenhair Ferns made a graceful arrangement. 
Mr. Geo. Ruckbie, Linfield, West Ferry, was a good 
second, but with a slightly heavier arrangement. 
Mr. Thos. Butchart was third. 
Mr. Peter Marshall had the best four fine foliage 
plants, with grand specimens of Cycas revoluta, 
Phormium tenex variegata, &c. Mr. J. Baird, Kin- 
craig, West Ferry, was second, and Mr. E. Cameron, 
Binrock, Dundee, was third. Mr. Geo. Masson had 
the best three Crotons. Mr. R. W. Saunders had 
the best two Liliums; he also had the best three 
Dracaenas. Mr. P. Marshall was first for Lilium 
auratum. Mr. Jas. Bethel, Westwood, Newport, 
had the best Vallota purpurea. 
Mr. Peter Marshall again came to the front for 
six stove and greenhouse plants in another class. 
His plant of Statice brassicaefolia was fine. Mr. Jas. 
Bethel had the best Coleus. The leading award for 
a Palm was taken by Mr. W. R. P. Saunders, Tay 
Park, Broughty Ferry, with a magnificent specimen. 
Mr. J. Baird exhibited the best tree Fern. Mr. A. 
Cameron showed the best six exotic Ferns, in large 
well-furnished specimens grown in tubs, pans, and 
baskets. Mr. Alex. Duncan, gardener to Captain G. 
D. Clayhills, Invergowrie, took the lead in the class 
for six British Ferns with well-grown specimens. 
Nurserymen and Florists.— The leading award 
for twelve plants for table decoration was taken by 
Messrs. Laird & Sinclair, Dundee, who had dwarf 
and very graceful specimens. Mr. R. Grossart, 
Clarendon Park Nurseries, Dundee, took the second 
place. In the cut flower section the first prize for 
twenty-four Roses, distinct, was taken by Messrs. D. 
& W. Croll, Dundee. They had fine "blooms of 
Madame de Bonnaire, Her Majesty, Mrs. John 
Laing, and La France. They also led the way for 
Tea or Noisette Roses, and were followed by Messrs, 
Adam & Craigmyle, Aberdeen, who were a very 
good second. Messrs. Laird & Sinclair took the lead 
for twenty-four Dahlias, which were beautifully 
fresh. Messrs. D. & W. Croll, were second. Messrs. 
Laird & Sinclair were the only exhibitors in the 
competitive class for herbaceous cut flowers and 
