October 16, 189?. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
103 
appearance. The dark carmine flowers of Edith 
Syratt are also very handsome and the darkest of the 
collection sent us. 
In the open ground the plants are allowed to grow 
naturally, without any disbudding whatever; and 
they form bushy masses laden with flowers of various 
sizes and colours, but all handsome and useful for 
cut flower purposes. Most of the above vere repre¬ 
sented by sprays, bearing practically a handful of 
flowers in various stages o f development, but each 
the complement of the other and forming a harmo¬ 
nious whole. The durability of these flowers when 
cut and placed in water is well known and a strong 
recommendation in their favour. 
i | i ■ 
LIVERPOOL FARMERS’ CLUB. 
The eighth annual exhibition of the above was held 
on the gth inst. in the North Haymarket, Liverpool, 
under most favourable auspices, The exhibits were 
fully up to the usual high standard and proved of 
considerable interest to the gardener, thePotatos being 
always of wide scope, including numerous varieties 
and garnered from many kinds of soil. Cauliflowers 
were of immense size and consisted of thirty-seven 
entries. Carrots were a most important feature, the 
roots being symmetrical and of large size. Owing 
to the extent of the schedule only first prize-winners 
can be given. 
In the class for early white kidney Potatos, Mr. 
G. Ashley, Manchester, scored with nice clean tubers 
of Duke of York. For Sutton’s Early Regents, Mr. 
J. R. Newton, Warrington, led the way. For an early 
round sort, Sir Patrick Talbot, Esher, Surrey, 
secured first and a special award with fine specimens 
of Windsor Castle. For second early kidneys, Mr. 
G. Ashley won with International. In the class for 
second early round Potatos, Mr. Peter Davies, 
Warrington, led with Royal Standard. For a second 
early of any other shape, Mr. John Halsall, Burs- 
cough, won with Go.ldfinder. Mr. Owen Roberts, 
Tarporley, Cheshire, had the best exhibit of Snow¬ 
drop kidney. Mr. J. R. Newton was first with a fine 
lot of Reading Giant. For Sutton’s Abundance, Mr. 
Jas. Johnson, Scarisbrick, was first. Mr. Edwin 
Clarke, Warrington, was to the fore for Up-to-Date, 
amongst a grand lot. Mr. Robert Blezard, Ruthin, 
led the way with pretty pear-shaped samples of Late 
Drone. Mr. John Halsall was the winner out of 
eighteen entries of Maincrop. First prizes were 
taken for Late Bruce by Mr. J. Johnson; and 
Fidler’s Colossal by Mr. G. Ashley, large and of good 
form. For any other late kidney, Mr. J. R. Newton 
took first honours and special with large tubers of 
Reliance. 
For a late round, any variety, Mr. P. Davies 
scored with Saxon. For a late sort of any other 
shape except kidney or round, Mr. R. Blezard was 
first with Mainstay. For an early or second early 
coloured kidney or any other shape, except round, 
Mr. P. Davies won with Peerless Rose. For an early 
or second early round, Mr. B. Berwen, Ludlow, 
won with Pink Perfection. For a red or coloured 
kidney, late, Mr. J. Johnson scored with Leda. 
For a red or coloured round, Mr. P. Davies 
led with The Dean. For the heaviest old 
or new, Mr. James Smith, Birkenhead was first. For 
early or second early new varieties of any colour, Mr. 
James Johnson took the first place with Queen of the 
North. For a late kidney, Mr. W. Daine, Huyton, 
Liverpool, scored with Langworthy. Mr. J. Read, 
Burton-on-Trent, had the best late round with well 
shaped Carter’s Snowball. 
Special prizes were offered by Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons, Reading, and for three dishes Mr. J. Johnson 
took the first place with Satisfaction, Abundance, 
and Windsor Castle. For nine tubers (prizes offered 
by Messrs. Sutton) Mr. B. R. Raymond. Ludlow, won 
with large smooth tubers, unnamed. For six kidneys 
(prizes offered by Mr. W. L. Hutton, Ormskirk) 
Canon Blundell, Halsall, was first and special with 
Kerr’s Hough Giant. For six round sorts (Mr. W. 
L. Hutton) Mr. T. Wilkins, Blandford, won with 
Snowball. For six tubers of Kerr’s General 
Roberts (Mr. W. Kerr, Dumfries) Mr. J. Johnson 
took the first place. 
Mr. Thos. Jackson, Lydiate, was first for two Red 
Cabbages, with heavy specimens. Sir Patrick 
Talbot had the best Brussels Sprouts. For two 
Cauliflowers, Mr. J. Walker was first with a grand 
pair, securing also the special prize of Mr. J. 
Gertrey, Liverpool. Mr. J. Johnson was first for 
White Celery ; and Mr. T. Smith for Red. Mr. 
Thos. Shepherd, Rossett, N. Wales, took first for six 
long Carrots. Mr. J. R. Carter, Chester, took the 
lead for Intermediate Carrots. For Beet, Mr. B 
Ashton, Lathom, Ormskirk, was to the fore with 
Hathaway’s Prize. Mr. J. R. Carter was first for 
Parsnips. Sir Patrick Talbot had the best six 
Onions, with splendid bulbs. Mr. E. Alty, Lathom, 
had the best Leeks. For two Cucumbers, Mr. A. 
Bruckshaw, Tarporley, was first. For six Tomatos, 
Mr. G. Garraway, Bath, led with fine fruit. For 
any other root or vegetable, Mr. B. Ashton won 
with good Peas. 
Canon Blundell showed the best culinary Apples, 
in very fine Warner’s King. For six dessert Apples, 
Sir Patrick Talbot led with Blenheim Orange. Mr. 
G. Garraway had the best culinary Pears. For six 
dessert Pears, first and special prizes were won by 
Mr. G. Colin, Ludlow, with Pitmaston Duchess. 
For any other variety of fruit Mr. B. Ashton was 
first with Muscat of Alexandria Grapes; Mr. J. 
Stephenson, Woolton, was second with Alicante 
Grapes. In this class good lots of Red Currants, 
Plums, Melons, and Peaches were staged. Exhibi¬ 
tors should be pressed to name their specimens ; for 
with the exception of Potatos the exhibits were 
nearly all unnamed. 
The following exhibits were staged not for com¬ 
petition :—Messrs. Dickson & Robinson, Manchester, 
Potatos and Kohl Rabi; Mr. G. Garraway, Bath, cut 
Roses, superbly coloured Apples, Pears, and 
Tomatos; Messrs. W. Ker & Co, Liverpool, 
vegetables in variety; Messrs. W. Clibran & Son, 
Altrincham, Apples and Pears; Messrs. Dicksons, 
Chester, Potatos, Apples, &c. 
* 
Just now the greater part of the fruit houses is occu¬ 
pied with the Chrysanthemums, and it is a matter 
of some difficulty to see to the trees properly on that 
account. In every case it is advisable to stand the 
’Mums on boards or trellises rather than on the bor¬ 
der, and trampling on the border should be avoided 
as far as possible. All Peach houses should now be 
thrown widely open during favourable weather to 
facilitate the ripening process. Houses that are not 
filled with Chrysanthemums, Salvias, Richardias, or 
other winter-flowering stuff may be shut up at night 
if the weather turns out frosty, but will not require 
any artificial heating. 
The Earliest Peach House. —The time of the 
year will soon be here for this to be started again, 
and the usual cleansing will soon have to be given. 
Meanwhile the house should be cleared of any plants 
that may be in it, with a view to cleaning the house 
and pruning the trees some time before the end of 
the month. There are very few leaves left on the 
trees now, and another week or two should see the 
last of them. 
Late Vines. —In vineries in which the Grapes 
have been grown with very little artificial heat the 
Vines will need a little fire heat now to ripen the 
wood off properly. Keep a good circulation of air 
by day, and the bottom ventilators may be left open 
all night, while the top ones should only be quite 
closed in case of frost. 
Pot Fruit Trees. —These have all bean divested 
of their fruit, and may with the exception of the Figs 
be left out-of-doors for the present. The Figs should 
be kept in a cool house, and allowed to drop their 
leaves gradually. A frost would not permit them to 
do this. 
Strawberries. —Very soon the pot Strawberries 
should be got under cover. Some cultivators plunge 
their plants in the open, but it is preferable to put 
them under a shelter of some kind that will protect 
them at least from rain or snow. Frost will not matter 
if the pots are plunged well to the rims. But little 
water will be needed now, for most of the plants are 
wet enough. Any plants that have gone blind should 
be singled out and thrown away, since it would be 
only waste of time to force them. The question of 
what variety to employ for forcing need not cause 
much trouble, for while Vicomtesse, President, Sir 
Joseph Paxton, and Laxton's Noble are all valuable, 
Royal Sovereign is the best of them all for general 
purposes.— A. S. G. 
TIE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Up to the present time the month of October has 
been all that could be desired, for the weather has 
been very good to us indeed. An open and dry 
autumn is of considerable importance to the gardener, 
for there is always a pressure of work on hand ; work 
that can be better attended to now than at any other 
time. 
Planting Evergreens. —With the soil in a work¬ 
able condition the opportunity should be seized of 
getting at least some of the shifting or planting of 
evergreens done. In gardens where evergreens are 
fairly well represented there is always some shifting to 
be done, for in making shrubberies it is necessary to 
plant pretty thickly, and subsequent growth calls for 
the removal of some of the plants, often for a more or 
less complete readjustment. Lift the plants with 
good balls of earth attached, and water them after 
they are properly fi xed in their new quarters. 
Housing Tender Plants. —In comparatively few 
years does it happen that the tender plants have had 
their stay out of doors lengthened to such an extent 
as they have this season. Now, however, prudence 
says that the limits of time consistent with safety 
have been reached and the dictates of prudence must 
be obeyed. Of late years the practice of utilising 
Palms, Ferns, Dracaenas, and other stove subjects 
for the decoration of the outdoor garden has been 
growing in favour. We see it adopted to a consider¬ 
able extent in our public parks, and private establish¬ 
ments have not been slow to strike out in the same 
direction. The removal of heavy plants of those 
emp’oyed (they have to be large and heavy to be 
effective) is a serious item, and needs time, plenty of 
help, and, above all, daylight to perform properly. 
Accordingly, it is not advisable to put off getting the 
plants under cover until a severe frost threatens 
some night. 
The beauty of the flower beds will not be disturbed 
until the last moment, for. as the stock of most of 
them is under cover already, in the way of cuttings, 
the old plants are but of comparatively little value. 
As soon as frost has blackened and spoilt them, the 
work of demolition must be begun ; the beds cleared, 
and the winter occupants shifted in. 
Tuberous Begonias. —The few slight frosts we 
have had, and the wild weather at the end of 
September have put a veto on these for the season. 
As soon as the old stems have fallen off, the tubers 
should be dug up and transferred to the storehouse. 
We have found them to keep best if laid in layers in 
boxes and covered with sand. Seedlings which have 
flowered for the first time this year and have been 
marked according to their colour will have to be dug 
up carefully, as the tubers are rather small and.may 
easily escape observation. These small tubers should 
be stored by themselves. 
The Herbaceous Border will need constant 
attention. There is much cutting down of oli plants, 
and removal of rubbish to be seen to. Clumps of 
Colchicum autumnale, and the autumn flowering 
Crocuses, chief of which is C. speciosus, have been 
doing much of late to enliven matters. Seeds of 
anything that it is desired to save, should be picked 
without delay, if ripe. Sprays of Physalis Fran- 
chetti, and P. Alkekengi should be gathered for 
winter decoration before they are too weatherworn. 
Wallflowers. —The advantage of sowing early 
will now be fully manifest, for where this practice 
has been followed, good sturdy plants are the resu't. 
The wet of September did not suit them well, as it 
conduced to too rank and sappy growth, but matters 
have improved during the last fortnight. It will be 
well to transfer the plants to their flowering quarters 
soon (within the next week if possible), for the soil is 
in capital condition and we know not how long it will 
remain so. See that good balls of earth are attached 
to the plants, and if the nursery beds are far from 
the proposed flowering quarters, use the handbarrow 
as the means of transit, rather than the wheelbarrow, 
for the jolting of the latter will shake the balls to 
pieces. With the larger plants, a spade will be found 
to be necessary for planting expeditiously, although 
the trowel may serve for the smaller ones. Wall¬ 
flowers have this advantage over bulbous subjects 
that they give the beds a furnished appearance with 
their lively green foliage, a point that is worth 
consideration when deciding where and to what 
extent they shall be employed.— A. S. G. 
