March 25, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
47? 
The idea that science and practice were antagonistic 
to each other was a fallacy that had been dispelled 
of late years. The mere theoriser, or armchair 
philosopher, was a being of the past, and there was 
no scientific man nowadays who did not base his 
theories on practice. Once facts were established 
theories might come in to help, and, indeed, theories 
were only the co-ordination of facts. A good theory 
linked together the facts that had been proved, aad 
the best result? were obtained when science an I 
practice worked hand in hand. 
Each plant had an individuality of its own, and 
when to this was added the innumerable sets of con¬ 
ditions that were to be found it was imperative that 
in order to arrive at a fair and just conclusion that 
experiments should be conducted on a very large 
scale. There was a special difficulty in experiment¬ 
ing with trees, in that they took up a great deal of 
space. A quarter-acre plot of Wheat would contain 
about 300,000 distinct plants, and by taking the mean 
results obtained from an experiment on these a pretty 
correct conclusion might be drawn. To experiment 
to the same extent with fruit trees an area of about 
700 acres would be needed and this was obviously 
out of the question. Then there was the great 
length of life possessed by the tree as contrasted 
with the Wheat plant. Other difficulties were the 
differences of soil, climate, and seasons. The last- 
named might be got over by extending the experi¬ 
ments over a series of years, and all the difficulties 
combined were not sufficient to warrant the experi¬ 
ments being discontinued. 
It was necessary in all experimental plots that 
they should differ from each other in one condition 
only, as it was only in this way that the exact 
cause of any difference in results could be definitely 
pointed out. Thus, for instance, in one experiment 
connected with dwarf Apples sixty plots were laid 
out, the trees being of the same age, upon the 
Paradise stock, and as similar to each other as 
possible. Various systems of manuring and pruning 
were tried, and normal plots were laid out for com¬ 
parison. Another series of experiments was carried 
out with Apples on the Crab stock. 
The question of manuring, continued the lecturer, 
gave rise to many possible variations. It had been 
argued that to manure the whole of the ground 
which was allowed for the mature tree while it was 
yet small would be overdoing the thing. Therefore 
part of the ground had been manured at the time, 
and additions had been made yearly. This brought 
in the other question of to what extent had the 
manure from the manured soil been washed into the 
surrounding undressed soil ? The necessity for 
continuing these experiments over a series of years 
was evidenced by the fact that in some seasons no 
appreciable results would be obtained. 
The ultimate standard by which the success or 
otherwise of a tree could be determined was the 
amount of fruit it produced, not in one year or 
several years, but in its lifetime. This meant a con¬ 
siderable lapse of time, and the data were not as yet 
completed. At Woburn the weight of fruit borne 
by each tree was recorded, and in the case of bush 
fruits both weight and volume were taken, for the 
value of a crop depended, as usual, upon the size of 
the individual fruits as upon their aggregate volume. 
With regard to Apples, he recommended getting 
over the difficulty by grading the fruit into firsts, 
seconds, and thirds, the value of each being four, 
two, and one respectively. 
As the health of a tree could be gauged by its 
growth of leaf and stem some attempts bad been 
made to elaborate a system of testing the results of 
various methods of treatment by estimating the 
growth of leaf and wood during one year. In somei 
cases the total leaf area of the tree was taken, but as 
this was a work of some length it could not be 
carried out to any great extent. For some time past 
they had been taking a certain number of leaves 
from each tree under comparison (the sixth leaf from 
the apex of the shoot always being chosen), and dry¬ 
ing and weighing these. The substance and texture 
of the leaves were also taken into consideration. It 
was not at all apparent that these tests would prove 
satisfactory, but the results obtained in this way had 
been compared with the values obtained from calcu¬ 
lation of wood growth and leaf area, and had been 
found to very nearly agree with them; in fact, the 
error was within 5 per cent, of the whole value. 
One class of experiments had been purposely 
avoided so far, and that was the testing of varieties 
against each other. It was true that such experi¬ 
ments would be of value, and that he who could re¬ 
duce the present list, say, of Apples to from 5 to ro 
percent, of their present number, would be a public 
benefactor, but no one man could do this. At 
Woburn there were over 100 varieties of the reputed 
best sorts of Apples, and these were being subjected 
to various systems of pruning, and different stocks 
were employed. There were also 100 varieties of 
Strawberries, and a new plot of each of these varie¬ 
ties was put in each year, so that they had plots vary-: 
inginage from one to five years. From theseparticu- 
lars were being collected with a view to establish 
some idea of the relative fruitiDg powers of the 
Strawberry during each year of its existence. Other 
small fruits were so arranged that if need be each 
plantation could be divided into six similar seg¬ 
ments. 
The many and intricate problems connected with 
diseases and insect pests had not yet been tackled 
with one exception—that of the Currant Mite. Trials 
of different insecticides at various strengths had been 
made, in order to see if it was possible to kill the 
mite by external application of such dressings. This 
department of gardening showed, perhaps, more 
plainly than any other, the necessity that there was 
of linking science with practice. 
In his closing remarks the lecturer pressed home 
the fact that conclusions to be valid must not be 
hastily drawn, and that no results could be accepted 
as satisfactory unless they were the product of 
several years’ experiences. Such work as was being 
carried on at Woburn could not be hurried if it was 
to be done properly, and if it were not done properly 
then it were better that it should not be done at all. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
PRESTON AND FULWOOD HORTICULTURAL. 
March 15 ih and 16tli. 
The annual spring show of the above was held in 
the large Public Hall and fully sustained the position 
of its predecessors. The arrangements were of a 
tasteful and well furnished form, the orchestra being 
the selected position for the large Palms and other 
foliage plants with the margin of a double line of 
specimen Azalea iudica, which was a most effective 
bank. The schedule is a most comprehensive one 
including nurserymen, gardeners, amateurs, and 
cottagers, with classes for plants, cut blooms, fruits, 
and vegetables. 
Nurserymen. —For the most tastefully arranged 
g:oup not exceeding 100 sq. ft., Mr. Edward Payne, 
Fulwood Park Nurseries, and Messrs. Morley & Co., 
of Fulwood Park, were placed in the order named, 
using in each case Palms, Azaleas, Lily of the 
Valley, bulbs, &c., on a bed of moss. 
For twenty-four Hyacinths, Mr. E. Payne staged 
the premier collection, La Grandeur, Von Schiller, 
and Queen of Blues being the best. Mr. W. Wood, 
Preston, was second. The same exhibitor scored for 
the twenty-four doubles, followed by Messrs. Morley 
& Co. 
For six Roses in pots, Mr. E. Payne was again to 
the fore including a well-flowered plant of Niphetos. 
The same exhibitor led the way with six Azaleas. 
For the bride's bouquet, Mr. W. Wood won with 
a good example, containing many fine spikes of 
Odontoglossum Alexandrae. For the hand bouquet, 
Mr. W. Wood won. For a group of Orchids of not 
less than 75 sq. ft , Mr. W. Winwood, Ashton-on- 
Ribble, secured first honours with a mixture of 
Coelogynes, Cypripediums, Cattleyas, Odonto- 
glossums, &c., arranged with Ferns and moss. Mr. 
Payne followed with a good lot. 
Gardeners and Amateurs. —For twenty-four 
Hyacinths, single, Mr. J. B. Dixon won with finer 
spikes than those of the nurserymen. Mr. R. 
Smith (C. Lamb, gardener), was second ; for twelve 
bulbs the positions were reversed. For twenty-four 
doubles, Mr. R. Smith won with a good lot. In the 
twelves and sixes, Mr. J. B. Dixon was to the fore. 
For twenty pots of bulbs, corms, tubers, or rhizomes, 
Mr. J. B. Dixon won with a good variety, including 
Liliums, Callas, Gloxinias, Crown Imperial, Crocus, 
&c. 
For single Tulips, Van Thol, six and three, Mr. 
R. Smith was placed first with good pots. For six, 
various, Mr. J. B. Dixon won with Keizer KrooD, 
Rose of Holland, Rose Luisante, White Joost Van 
Vondei, Joost Van Vondel, and Mons. Tesor. The 
same exhibitor was also to the fore with three pots, 
single, and six and three pots, double, the best in the 
latter being Torreador, Velvet Gem, and Turban. 
The same exhibitor won for Polyanthus Narcissus in 
immense pots. For six single Narcissi Mr. Smith 
scored with good flowers. 
For six Azalea indica Mr. W. Charnley (gardener, 
W. Smith) won, perhaps with the finest feature of 
the show, staging large plants well flowered. This 
exhibitor scored for the three plants, and the single 
for the latter, showing a plant 6 ft. in height and 4 ft. 
in diameter. For three hardy Azaleas Mr. J. B. 
Dixon led the way. For one Dielytra spectabilis 
Mr. R. Smith won with a good specimen. 
For three Spiraeas and a single plant Mr. Dixon 
took the lead with pretty plants. For three pans 
and one pan of Lily of the Valley Mr. J. B. Dixon 
was to the fere with a well-flowered lot. 
For one Mignonette Mr. J. Smhh (gardener, P. 
Rigby) won with a plant carrying fine spikes. For 
six and three Cyclamen Mr. M. B. Copland led with 
a good strain of flowers. 
For six Primulas Mr. W. Charnley staged the lead¬ 
ing lot with large plants and plenty of bloom. The 
same exhibitor scored with six and three Cinerarias. 
Mr. R. Smith led the way for three exotic Ferns 
with a good Davallia mooreana and two varieties of 
Adiantums. For six foliage plants Mr. J. B. Dixon 
had the premier lot, including Kentia belmcreana,- 
Phoenix rupicola, Latania borbonica, and Cycas 
tevoluta. In addition to the first prize this collection 
gained the Silver Banksian Medal for the best exhibit 
in the show, Azalea indica excluded. 
For a group of plants staged for effect, not exceed- 
100 sq. ft., Mr. J. B. Dixon was first with a fresh and 
bright combination, having a ground work of 
Adiantum cuneatum. For six miscellaneous plants, 
not less than three in bloom, Mr. J. B. Dixon scored 
with Kentia fosteriana, Phoenix rupicola, Imanto- 
phyllums, Rhododendron Veitchii, &c. 
For six Roses Mr. J. Smith won with clean plants, 
and was allotted the same position for three and the 
single plant. For three and the single Deutzias Mr. 
M. B. Copland took the lead. For five table plants 
the Earl of Lathom, K.G. (gardener, B. Ashton), had 
the finest, Mr. Charnley scoring for those over 2 ft. 
in height. For a tree Fern Mr. J. Whittaker (gar¬ 
dener, John Parkinson), took the lead. The Earl of 
Lathom won with three Dracaenas. 
For three Orchids Mr. H. Curwen (gardener, J. 
Holmes) won with Oncidium sarcodes, Cymbidium 
lowianum and Cattleya Trianaei; Mr. M. B. Copland 
won with Coelogyne cristata for the single speci¬ 
men. The Earl of Lathom won with a tastefully 
arranged Epergne. Mr. Copland for a basket of 
flowers. Mr. R. Smith scored in the class for the 
bride’s bouquet. Mr. J. Smith won for twelve cut 
Roses and again for six. 
Mr. J. Smith won for six varieties of vegetables 
with Leeks, Asparagus, Seakale, Broccoli, Brussels 
Sprouts, and Potatos. Mr. W. Charnley was to the 
fore with three varieties; the Earl of Lathom for 
Mushrooms ; and Mr. W. Charnley for Rhubarb. 
Mrs. E. Eastham had the best culinary Apples; 
Mr. J. Smith the best dessert varieties; and Mr. R. 
Smith the finest Pears. Mr. John Atherton, Cadley, 
received a special prize for a good collection of Cacti 
and succulents. 
The arrangements were carried out in an able 
manner under the superintendence of the efficient 
secretary, Mr. Charles Parker. The judges were Mr. 
P. Weathers, Botanic Gardens, Manchester; and 
Mr. J. Stoney, Camp Hill, Woolton. 
GRASSENDALE AND AIGBURTH SPRING 
SHOW .—March iS th. 
This society had a splendid show on the 18th inst., 
held in the Parish Rooms. Several of the classes 
were filled with specimens of unusual merit. This 
especially applies to the Amaryllis, Cinerarias, Lily 
of the Valley, and Cyclamen, which certainly fully 
held their own in comparison to anything yet seen 
ia the neighbourhood of Liverpool. 
The bulbs were hardly up to the usual form. For 
twelve distinct varieties, prizes presented by Ant. 
Roozen & Son, Haarlem, Mr. F. Field, gardener to 
J. H. Wilson, Esq., took the lead, his best being Von 
Schiller, Mdme. Van der Hook, Pineman, Moreno, 
Queen of the Blues, Grandesse, &c. Mr. F. Keight- 
ley, gardener to Mrs. Duncan, was second. For six 
Hyacinths, distinct, the first prize given by Thos. 
Davies & Co , Wavertree, was won by Mr. J. Made- 
