526 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 15, 1899 
Amptb.il, Beds., for seedling Apple Earl Cowper. 
This Apple was not raised by him, but is grown 
extensively in his district; also to Barr & Sons for 
Narcissus Duke of Bedford (N. Apricot was Highly 
Commended) ; and to Mr. McMillan for the green¬ 
house Rhododendron Mrs. Currie, a First-class 
Certificate. 
Plants.— For two Lilacs there was a number of 
entries. First, Mr. D. Whitelaw, Eskhill, Inveresk, 
with white flowered varieties ; second, Mr. Bennett, 
Gogar; third, W. Galloway. For two Viburnums, 
Mr. McIntyre, first; J. Cowan, Edinburgh, second. 
One Dielytra spectabilis, first, J. Pearson ; second, 
G. Dougal; 3rd, A. Dickson, Innerleithen. For two 
ditto, Mr. Galloway, Liberton, first; Mr. Cossar, 
Dunbar, second. There were fourteen large 
Dielytras in all, and they formed a pleasant feature 
of the show. The stages of Spiraeas were another 
great aid to the effect, as were the stages of Primula 
obconica and P. sinensis. In both sections there 
was a large entry. 
Cut Flowers.— Mr. Manson’s two first-prize 
stands of Roses, the class for twenty-four and 
twelve, were really fine, the best varieties being 
Marechal Niel, La France, Niphetos, The Queen, 
and Duke of Edinburgh. All the entries for Roses 
were creditable. 
The exhibition formed by bouquets, sprays, and 
buttonholes was large, and drew many admirers. 
Nearly every entry was well set up. 
Vegetables. 
It gives us pleasure to be able to speak well for the 
section devoted to strictly utilitarian subjects as re¬ 
presented by vegetables. Considering the late inclem¬ 
ent weather, coming suddenly, as it did, after 
much mildness, we judge the quality and quantity as 
very fair. 
For the collection there were three entries, Mr. C. 
Cameron, gardener to W. L. Boase, Esq., Binrock, 
Dundee, being awarded first prize. His lot consisted 
of very fair Leeks, variety International, Dobbie’s 
Beet, Intermediate Carrot, June King Broccoli, 
Canadian Wonder French Beans, with Onions, 
Cabbage, Seakale, Asparagus, and Conference 
Tomatos. 
Mr. Harper, gardener to J. Ramsay Richardson, 
Esq., Tullibelton, Perth, was second, with a well- 
arranged and very fine collection, including Turnips, 
Brussels Spouts, young Potatos, Rhubarb, &c. The 
third prize fell to Mr. D. Kidd, gardener to Lord 
Elphinstone.Carberry Tower, Musselburgh, who also 
had a high-class array. His lot included Cucum¬ 
bers, young Potatos, and Mushrooms. These three 
lots were on the whole a very even and creditable 
display. 
In the collection of salads competition, Mr. James 
Joss, gardener to Lord Provost McGrady, Dundee, 
won the premier position. His collection consisted 
of Tomatos, Mustard and Cress, Sorrel, Radishes, 
Cives, Chicory, Lamb’s Lettuce and Cos and Cab¬ 
bage Lettuces, Sea Kale, Rhubarb and Horse 
Raddish. 
The second prize also went to Dundee, the honour 
of taking it there going to Mr. A. C. Cameron, 
gardener to W. L. Boase, Esq. Mr. Kidd, Car- 
berry Tower, won in the entry for a brace of 
Cucumbers. Second, Mr. Waldie, gardener to W. 
H. Dobie, Esq., Dollarbeg, Dollar. 
For 25 heads of Asparagus, Mr. Geo. McKinley, 
Wrest Park, Ampthill, Beds., led with a good dish. 
Mr. James Cossar, Spott House, Dunbar, was a close 
second. 
For 50 pods of French Beans, first, Mr. R. Stuart 
Thirlestane Castle Gardens, with even and tender 
pods. Second, James Graham, Coltness, Wishaw, 
with a fair lot. Then for 6 heads of Sea Kale Mr. 
Geo. McKinley again took the first prize away south, 
while Mr. Harper gained second place. 
The 6 heaviest j stalks of Rhubarb were very fine. 
Mr. Daniel Brown, 5, Graham Street, Leith, came 
first, Wm. Douglas, East Duddingston, second. 
The first prize for 12 Early Potatos was won with 
a very fine dishful of comparatively large tubers, and 
clearly the best, Mr. John Hood, Dryburgb, 
House, St. Boswell’s, being the winner. 
Mr. Alex. Lander, Goshen, Musselburgh, was first 
for the 3 Broccoli, with heads of a good size and as 
beautiful as one might expect at this time. Mr. 
James Cossar, second 
Cabbages we reckoned a poor lot. Mr. James 
Shearer, Summershill, Annan, was first, and Mr. 
Daniel Brown, second 
For 12 Onions, Mr. John Laiog, Craighall, Blair¬ 
gowrie, was foremost with handsome bulbs, large, 
shapely, clear skinned and firm. Mr. John Ramage, 
Blackwood, Lanarkshire, closely followed. There 
were five entries. 
Beet, six roots, made a good display. The first 
prize lot was very nice, and fell to Mr. Henry 
DuDsmore, Thorn Hill Cottage, Polmont. The 
second lot was also good, and was from Mr. John 
Waldie, Dollarbeg. 
For six Leeks, Mr. John McKinnie, Raendelwood, 
Crieff, won, but though nice in appearance, his 
Leeks were not so firm as one could desire. Second, 
Mr. D. Kidd, Carberry Tower. 
In the section for six Carrots there were three 
entries only. Mr. John Waldie, first; Mr. Harper, 
second, both with good batches. 
For six Swedish Turnips, first, Mr. Thomson, 
Cherrytrees, Kelso; second, Mr. R. Cossar, Esk- 
grove, Inveresk. 
Miscellaneous exhibits came from Messrs. Gor¬ 
don & Sons, Coltbridge Nurseries, Murrayfield, who 
showed alpine plants. We noted a very deep blue 
Primrose in the collection. It is said to be the best 
blue Primrose ever shown. Primula cashmeriana 
and P. c. alba, a variegated form which received a 
First-class Certificate ; P. frondosa from the Balkan 
Mountains, and the 11 Snowy Primrose," P. viscosa 
nivalis, which has suffered so much from disease 
lately ; and Saxifragas, in many varieties,were shown. 
S. oppositifolia splendens and S. o. alba were very 
good things, the former of a deep heather hue. The 
group was highly commended. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Covent Garden, London,set 
up atable 24 ft. long and rising back to four stages, ift. 
each in breadth, of Narcissi from their Long Ditton 
Nurseries, Surrey. The group included exceedingly 
fine blooms of Mdme. de Graaff, Glory of Leiden, 
Mrs. Moreland-Crosfield, Emperor, Empress, and 
P. R. Barr, of the trumpet section ; Sir Watkin, 
Goliath, James Bateman and Mabel Cowan, of the 
incomparabilis section. Barrii conspicuus and 
Leedsii and Duchess of Westminster were very 
beautiful and made fine pot plants. N. poeticus 
praecox grandiflorus is a fine Daffodil for house 
decoration. We noted their new First-class Certifi¬ 
cate variety Duke of Bedford. It is a bi-coloured 
type,with large and broad perianth segments slightly 
and prettily twisted. The trumpet is of deep prim¬ 
rose-yellow. The Highly Commended trumpet 
variety Apricot (the colour of the trumpet giving the 
name) has segments pure white. Saxifraga burser- 
iana major and Anemone Pulsatilla were very fine ; 
also the varieties of Chionodoxa and Primula 
denticulata alba which they showed. Messrs. Barr 
were awarded a Silver Medal. 
Shanks’ exhibit, as previously mentioned, made an 
interesting corner to many. We hear from Mr. 
Soutar, their agent, that this firm is working night 
and day to overtake orders. 
Messrs. John Ford & Co., of Princes Street, had a 
stand of great beauty both in the colour and form 
of their vases and glasses. 
The Hitchocke's Mechanical Safety Lamp Co. had 
a stall and exhibited their patents. 
All the leading Edinburgh nurserymen, as already 
stated, had groups or tables of plants. There were 
very few points to draw between any of them. 
QUG3CI0D3 MD ADSUIGRg. 
Will our friends who send us newspapers be so good 
as to mark the paragraphs or articles they wish us to see. 
We shall be greatly obliged by their so doing. 
[ Correspondents , please note that we cannot undertake to 
name florists' flowers such as Carnations, Pelargoniumt. 
Chrysanthemums, Roses, nor such as are mere garden 
varieties, differing only in the colour of the flower. 
Florists' flowers, as a rule, can only be named by those who 
grow collections of them.] 
Rusty Spots on Vine Leaves.— Vine Leaves : The 
leaves you sent us are badly affected with warts; but 
we have seen worse specimens without any great harm 
resulting from the same. You will notice that the 
warts are mostly green, and that some spots of the 
leaves are dying, giving the same a rusty appearance. 
These condiiions are merely the result of too stag¬ 
nant and moist an atmosphere, arising from your 
giving the Vines the usual amount of syringing, but 
insufficient ventilation. No doubt you have been 
keeping the house close to maintain the required 
temperature without extra firing during the present 
inc ement and comparatively cloudy weather. Or it 
may be that you want to hurry on the Vines, and, 
therefore, keep the house close. The Vine foliage 
must be allowed to get thoroughly dry fora time dur¬ 
ing each twenty-four hours ; and the middle of the 
day is the best time for it This is done by ventila¬ 
tion. The leaves would also acquire more substance 
by the process, much to the advantage of the Vines. 
No great injury will arise frcm the presence of the 
warts on the leaves; but it is an evidence of weakness 
iD the foliage as the result of an excessively moist at¬ 
mosphere. You can yet partly remedy this evil by 
ventilating regularly ; and remember to begin doing 
so at an earlier period next year. 
All Round Manure for Fruit Trees.— Omega : We 
do not consider that muriatic acid and superphos¬ 
phate would make a good all round manure for fruit 
trees nor anything else, because they leave out one 
of the most important elements, namely nitrogen. 
Muriatic acid is an old name for hydrochloric acid, 
which in itself would furnish no actually necessary 
plant food. Muriate of potash, which is the com¬ 
mercial name for chloride of potassium, would furnish 
the useful element, potassium. Superphosphate 
would furnish the element phosphorus. Then you 
want nitrate of soda or some allied compound to 
give you the necessary nitrogen. Then supposing 
you were to mix 2 lbs. or 3 lbs. of muriate of potash, 
with 2 lbs. or 3 lbs. of superphosphate, and apply 
the mixture at that rate per perch of ground at once 
it would serve for a start. Nitrate of soda is more 
readily soluble and washed away in the drainage, 
therefore you should not apply it all at once, but 
give it in two or three applications at intervals of a 
fortnight or three weeks. All three of these ingredients 
would constitute an all round manure. Two or 
three pounds of each will be quite heavy enough 
per perch, that is, 6 lbs. or 9 lbs. of the mixture, 
according as you resolve to manure moderately or 
more heavily. 
Prepotency in Cross-breeding or Hybridising — 
G. L. : The meaning of the term prepotency, in 
speaking of cross-breeding or hybridising, is that one 
or other of the parents may have the greater effect 
on the progeny. In other words, when a cross has 
been made between two varieties, the progeny or 
seedlings resulting may resemble one parent more 
than the other. That parent would be considered 
the more prepotent, or powerful, of the two. The 
reason for this prepo.tency is that the stronger parent 
has that power, presumably, from having been less 
altered by previous crossing than the less powerful 
parent. Its characters are less liable to vary, and 
being more stable than those of long cultivated and 
frequently crossed plants the resulting seedlings 
most resemble this plant. The same view would 
apply to species, only in this case some species are 
less liable to vary than others ; but as a rule good 
species that are hybridised give progeny more or 
less decidedly intermediate. 
Basic Slag. —R. M.\ This is a waste product 
obtained by the smelting of iron, when the phos¬ 
phorus is removed from the same by a certain process. 
It is ground to a fine powder when intended for use 
as a manure, and owes its value to the phosphates 
it contains. Good basic slag should contain from 
14 to 18 per cent, of phosphoric acid. The more 
finely it is ground the more readily does it become 
soluble and fit for plant food. 
Which is the Mint of Gardens ?— T. Herd : 
There are at least two species grown in gardens for 
kitchen use, independently of Penny Royal, which 
is also a Mint. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is 
very frequently used both for market garden use and 
in private establishments ; but Spear Mint (Mentha 
viridis) would seem to be preferred by others; while 
a third party would seem to be indifferent as to which 
is used, as long as it is Mint. 
The Blue Amaryllis.— Aloe : Attempts were made 
several years ago to obtain a cross between the blue 
Amaryllis, Hippeastrum procerum, and some of 
the florists’ varieties, but all those attempts failed, 
and we have not heard that any more recent trials 
have been successful. There will be no hiding the 
matter in a corner, however, once the thing is done, 
no matter whether the results are satisfactory or 
not. 
Names of Plants.— Y. : Anemone coronaria, 
Rose de Nice.— Omega: 1, Narcissus incomparabilis 
plenus, Butter and Eggs; 2. Narcissusincomparabilis 
plenus, Eggs and Bacon (Syn. Sulphur Phoenix).—■ 
B. M.: 1, Ribes sanguineum ; 2, Daphne Laureola ; 
3, Berberis stenophylla; 4, Cotoneaster microphylla. 
— R. W. : 1, Dendrobium findlayanum ; 2, Lycaste 
Skinneri var.; 3, Odontoglossum wilckeanum ; 4, 
Odontoglossum crispum andersonianum.—S. H.: 1, 
Boronia heterophylla; 2, Primula denticulata; 3, 
Primula verticillata ; 4, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum; 
5, Aubrietia deltoidea var.; 6, Saxifraga oppositifolia. 
— J. C. S : Genista pilosa.— W. M. : 1, Pteris Wim- 
settii.— Chemist: 1, Cbrysosplenium oppositifolium ; 
2, Cardamine hirsuta ; concerning the mosses, see 
next week’s issue. 
Communications Received.—George Crabbe — 
Gamma.—W. L—Wm. Carmichael.—Barr & Sons. 
—M. Cotton.— E. R. J.—R. W. Hodder.—J. L. — A. 
H. —H. C.—Bath.—Sims.—J. J.—Ward.—A. Rob¬ 
son. — Try Again. 
