801 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 19, 1899. 
into commerce since 1889. The desire for 
new things must be greater in France than 
in this country ; and in all probability the 
idea is not a new one when we remember 
the vast number of new, but particularly 
hybrid and cross-bred plants bearing French 
names, which annually reach this country. 
Surely it would be worth while to give 
hybridists and raisers the same encourage¬ 
ment in this country ; for fruits particularly, 
raised in this country could not but be 
better adapted to our climate, than those 
raised upon the Continent with an appreci¬ 
ably different climate. 
Surely the French fruit season must be a 
very prolonged one, for we find them 
expecting the hardy fruits above-mentioned 
on June 26th; and again on the occasion of 
the special shows of August 21st, and 
September nth, the same kinds of fruit, 
gathered in the open, are still asked for, 
namely, Apricots, Almonds, Cherries, Cur¬ 
rants, Raspberries, Pears, Apples, Peaches, 
and Nectarines. To things in bloom at 
previous shows, others are added on Aug¬ 
ust 21st, including such as Dahlias of all 
sorts, hardy Lobelias, Pentstemons, Zinnias, 
Asters (China, we presume) and Tritomas. 
August is also the time for Nymphaeas, 
being asked for at both shows in that month. 
Japanese Chrysanthemums, and Japanese 
Anemones make their debut on September 
nth. That is also practically the occasion 
ofa second Orchid show for Odontoglossums, 
Cattleyas, &c. ; also for Crotons, Nep¬ 
enthes, fine foliage plants, indoor aquatic 
plants, Cactuses, &c. Apples and Pears 
should be in strong force on September 
25th ; and amongst flowers, additions are 
made in the shape of Michaelmas Daisies. 
Certain sets of flowers are desired at eleven 
out of the twelve special shows to be held. 
These are “ new flowering and ornamental 
foliage plants, flowering shrubs, Rose trees 
in pots, cut Roses, annuals, biennials and 
perennials, as well as decorations with 
natural flowers. October 9th makes 
another bid for Orchids ; and on the 23rd 
of the same month Chrysanthemums, pom¬ 
pons, cut blooms of Chrysanthemums, and 
natural flower decoration with Chrysanth¬ 
emums only', will be a leading feature. 
Collectionsof autumn and winter table fruit, 
and root crops,such as Carrots, Parsnips, &c., 
will make their appearance at the last special 
show, about twelve days previous to the 
close of the exhibition. 
The dates of the periodical shows are 
April 17th, May 8th and 22nd, June 12th 
and 26th, July 17th, August 7th and 21st, 
September nth and 25th, and October 9th 
and 23rd. If all these special shows are 
carried out with spirit, horticulture will 
certainly receive the attention it deserves. 
Further details and particulars for exhibitors 
can be obtained on application at the offices 
of the Royal Commission Paris Exhibition, 
1900, St. Stephen’s House, Westminster, 
London, S.W. 
- - - 
Vegetarians go to great lengths in propagating 
their beliefs ; but why do they go so far as to con¬ 
demn the use of animal manures in the growth of 
crops ? They do not all advocate this, but some do, 
and those " some ” would and do substitute ground- 
down rock instead of natural animal manure ! 
Sefton Park, Liverpool. — The annual show of 
Begonias and Cannas is now open to the public near 
the superintendent’s house. The centre stage of a 
100 ft house is fully occupied with Cannas, which 
show off with telling effect amongst the strong foliage 
of the plants. Austria, large yellow, and Italia, 
pale yellow, with light mahogany lip, are fine intro¬ 
ductions. Godfrey de St. Hillaire is noticeable for 
its dark foliage and scarlet blcoms. Florence 
Vaughan, an older kind, still holds its own as an 
excellent variety. In the large Palm house a group 
of Lilium auratum, well flowered, adds to the general 
interest of the visitor. 
Rain Needed.—The need for rain in the South and 
along the East Coast of Scotland is very evident. 
We hear that the Turnip crop, which all know stands 
a good deal of drought, is practically doomed this 
year. 
A Curious Prize.—At the Ipswich Waterside Works 
Horticultural Show, a certain Mr. Sparrow was 
awarded as a prize for his superior Cabbage 
Lettuces—" hair cutting and shaving, free, for three 
months,” What if he's bald and wears a beard ? 
Botanising on Hills—We read only the other 
morning of a young lady who lost her life while on a 
mild hill side botanising ramble in Switzerland. She 
had not taken, or did not understand the necessity 
for having spiked boots, and on the treacherous and 
dangerous grassy slopes, which are steep and long, 
had met with a fatal accident. Already two or three 
lives have been lost this year under like circum¬ 
stances. 
A New Potato Disease—There is said to be a new 
disease abroad among Potatos similar to the “ white 
root rot " of New Zealand. The worst of it, says 
the Irish Farming World, is that it is not con¬ 
fined to the “ noble tuber ” only, but may attack 
Apples, Pears, Cabbages, &c., in the same manner 
as the " white root rot.” It is thought to be the 
same unnamed disease which Prof. Marshall Ward 
described last year. It has been observed in Con¬ 
naught, Waterford, and elsewhere, and begins in the 
form of mycelium, which penetrates the substance of 
the roots and base of the stem ; yellow spots are on 
the leaves, and these afterwards develop into white 
cottony growths. As the disease increases, ex¬ 
tremely small black bodies appear possessing the 
characteristics of sclerotia, and it is also stated that 
spraying has no effect. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.—At 
the meeting of this body on the 6th inst., in con¬ 
junction with the Royal Agricultural and Botanical 
Society in the Casino, Ghent, Awards of Merit for 
novelty were accorded to an exhibit of cut flowers 
of Gloxinia var. Comte J. de Heraptinne, presented 
by M. le Comte J. de Hemptinne (by acclammation 
and the congratulations of the jury); to a collection 
of fifteen double seedling Begonias, exhibited by M. 
Pierre Parre (by acclamation); and to Begonia 
Enfent de Paris, presented by M. L. De Smet- 
Duvivier (with unanimity). A Certificate of Merit 
for culture was granted to a lot of seedling Coleus, 
hybrids between C. Salamandre and C. Le Progres, 
exhibited by M. L. Pat. Certificates of Merit for 
culture and flowering were granted to Ixora princeps 
and Acalypha Sanderi, both presented by M. L De 
Smet-Duvivier. A Certificate of Merit was accorded 
to a lot of cut flowers of single Queen Marguerites, 
presented by M. Fred. Burvenich Pere. The jury 
wished to see, at a later meeting, a variety of 
Latania borbonica, presented by M. Louis De Smet. 
Phenological Observations for August, 1898 . — 
Edward Mawley, F.R H.S. continues his work in 
this direction, and it may be interesting to compare 
this season with last year’s results. From East 
Molesey it comes that Limes began to lose their 
leaves, and very few wasps were about. The report 
from Marlborough states it would have been an 
exceptionally bad year for Cabbage, &c. From 
seventy plants of Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts 
2,400 larvae of the large and small White Cabbage 
Butterfly were got. Wasps were excessively abun¬ 
dant in the Farnborough district; numerous at 
Cheltenham; and comparatively scarce at Harpenden. 
The returns in the Ripley district were very favour¬ 
able to farmers,but the opposite for gardeners—which 
is peculiar. August 4th —At this date the first 
wasp, the insect being very scarce, was seen at 
Antrim. On the 17th and 18th there were severe 
storms round Alternon ; and wasps were numerous at 
St. Arvans. Vegetables were reported scarce at 
Bembridge, while at Havant the caterpillars of the 
Privet Hawkmoth were very plentiful. At Chisel- 
hurst the leaves and fruits were falling from the 
Apple trees. The last Swift was seen at Chirnside 
on the 20th, and two days later at Newmill. Black¬ 
berries were already ripe on the 24th around Mawnan. 
The Red Admiral Butterfly was seen on the 25th. 
On the last day of the month, the Birch trees at 
Coneyhurst had dropped many of their leaves, 
owing to drought. Hazel nuts were good, and 
Heather beautiful at Churt, at the same date. 
Mr. James Laird, of Dundee, senior partner of the 
well-known firm of Laird & Sinclair, nurserymen of 
that place, is now on his annual visit to London and 
the neighbourhood. 
New York Hailstorm—Recently the districts 
twenty-five miles out from New York were visited 
by a severe hailstorm, some hailstones weighing 
3 ozs., and measuring 5 in. in circumference. 
Lady Gardeners and the Spade.—There is no truth 
ia the rumour that lady gardeners are to revoke 
Adam’s original charter. The fact is they do not 
know what to do with the spade. In the meantime 
it may be regarded as settled that they will do as little 
with it as possible . — Knight of the Spade. 
The Champion at Monquhitter Flower Show.—A 
Silver Medal was presented by Messrs. Dobbie & 
Co., Rothesay, to the Monquhitter Floral and Hor¬ 
ticultural Society, to be awarded the most successful 
competitor at their annual flower show. Mr. George 
Oliphant, the secretary, secured the medal, having 
gained 79 prizes, including 24 firsts, 21 seconds, 16 
thirds, and 18 special prizes. Surely this takes the 
" bannock” for success at a local flower show. 
To Have Clean Plants—For scale on Palms and 
other foliage plants, which are infested probably 
when a demand comes for the use of these plants, a 
plan of riddance is to get a suitable vessel, and 
nearly fill it with warm water, after adding Fir-tree 
oil at the rate of half a pint per ten gallons of water, 
and dip the plants into it. Large plants may also 
have to be slightly sponged. If in a few days there 
are still live scales dip the plants in a double 
strength solution, and afterwards syringe them with 
clean cold water. It will then be found, says a con¬ 
temporary, that very few of the scales will remain, 
and the plants will at all events be presentable. 
New Viola Walter Welsh.—We are in receipt of a 
large, made up spray of a new tufted Pansy or Viola, 
Walter Welsh, from Messrs. Dicksons & Co., 1, 
Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. It has already received 
a First-class Certificate from the Scottish Horti¬ 
cultural Association. The flowers are large, nearly 
circular, and of a rich Buttercup yellow on the two 
upper petals, which give to the bloom its great size. 
The three lower petals are of a deep, golden yellow, 
marked with brown rays, but without any semblance 
of a blotch. As will be seen it does not belong to 
the rayless section, but with the exception of the 
rays the new Viola may be regarded as one of the 
darkest of the golden-yellow varieties. The well- 
formed petals neatly overlap one another, so that 
they constitute a bold, handsome and meritorious 
flower. The plant is of fine, free-flowering habit, 
and is sure to find admirers for bedding purposes. 
The flowers add to their other recommendations 
that of being particularly sweetly scented. The 
Messrs Dicksons have been noted for the raising of 
Violas for a great number of years, and the name 
given to the present one would indicate that they 
think very highly of it. 
Manurial Experiments.—If all the data on such ex¬ 
periments were collected over a few years from all 
parts, we should then surely find tables of enough 
statistical value to direct us correctly in future. 
Mr. F. W. E. Shrivell, F.L.S., at Golden Green, 
Hadlow, Tonbridge, has been trying the effects of 
various amounts of artificial manures on the growth 
of Hops, vegetables, and bush fruits. It is pretty 
generally conceded now, that the best plan in 
manuring land is to give smaller quantities of natural 
manure at the time of tilling or digging it, but to 
make up for this by certain dressings of artificial 
manures during growth. From the Irish Farming 
World we glean that in manuring market vegetables, 
for phosphate, superphosphate and basic slag are 
used in alternate years. Six plots are each year 
devoted to each experimental crop, the dressing be¬ 
ing heavy dung, light dung, light dung with phos¬ 
phates, and varying quantities qf nitrate of soda, and 
lastly, chemical fertilisers without dung. One half 
of each chemically manured plot is also treated with 
potash salts, producing results which are in many 
cases very interesting. The best results among 
Strawberries came from plots receiving a moderate 
dressing of dung with phosphates and 2 cwt. of 
nitrate of soda per acre. Less nitrate than this does 
not suffice to give a full crop, and larger quantities 
produce less satisfactory results. 
