September 9, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
29 
confined force is seen in the increased size of leaf 
and fruit growth. 
Some trees, too, like the Poplar, are much bene- 
fitted from being " pollarded." The leading shoots 
are reduced, and the main branches pruned back 
The result of this is seen in the speedy increase of 
stem growth and succeeding vigour. With Portugal 
Laurel and Yew one should assume and keep the 
lead. Though in some phases of forestry the ex¬ 
clusion of light among the lower reaches of growth 
(branch growth) is one of the principles of pruning ; 
yet it is found that in all or nearly all phases of 
gardening light should freely enter to the centres of 
the trees. In the case of diseased fruit and other 
trees, root pruning has a beneficial effect. One may 
stay the effects of canker by cleanly pruning out the 
diseased part, and at the same time to root prune. 
Root pruning, too, has the effect of restricting 
vitality, and so tends to the production of fruit buds. 
The root-pruning of young trees should be systema¬ 
tically carried out biennially, indeed, till the ninth 
year or so. Rhododendrons, Roses, Vines, &c., are 
invigorated by close pruning. Eut this rule does not at 
all apply to Peach or Nectarine trees. Dead or dying 
wood should be cut back to sound wood. The 
question of laying the foundation of trained trees 
was also gone into. 
He preferred to leave the cordons unpruned for a 
few years at the start, then they may'_be taken in hand 
and spurred. The development of other forms of 
fruit trees should not be too eagerly hastened, a prac¬ 
tice one might be liable to err in. 
Young Vines are an instance of plants which break 
best when early pruned. Roses are also examples, 
but we have to leave them often till late that we 
might save the shoots from harm by frost. And the 
force which early pruning gives is also evidenced in 
the greater brightness which variegated shrubs attain 
when spring pruned, as against autumn pruning. 
Mr. Brotherstone had experienced the benefit of 
pruning certain things at times peculiarly their own, 
as, for instance, the taking away of old wood and 
weak shoots from Spireae bella in the month of 
July; climbing Ayrshire Roses in July and August, 
leaving the current year’s shoots; Lonicera Stan- 
dishii in April, and so on. 
It is found that deciduous trees grow more rapidly 
after being pruned. On the other hand, prune 
evergreens just before the season’s growth is pro¬ 
perly hardened, and next year the lessened amount 
made may be noticeable, according to circumstances. 
Dr. Masters said a few words upon the subject, 
remarking that the whole tbiDg depends upon cir¬ 
cumstances. Mr Bunyard also was called upon to 
give an opinion. The secret of the Kent system of 
fruit production was alluded to as lying in the fact of 
hard pruning before taking fruit from young trees. 
Unless they did this, he said, they never would get a 
plant fit to sell. The same rule applied to evergreen 
shrubs. These, in all our market gardens nowa¬ 
days, are trimmed into some shape or other according 
to desires, during their first half dozen years. After 
this, of course, they had become balanced and "set" 
as it were. In root-pruning he treated his young 
Plums thus, every two years till a proper system of 
roots had been secured. With cordons to be spurred, 
he gave it as a rule that they should be led straight 
up until they reached the top of the wall, after which 
they could be put at the angle fixed upon for their 
permanent growth; and from that time the spur 
pruning should commence. Most kinds of fruit 
trees can be root-pruned just before the leaves fall, 
which time is best. Pears, however, should be left 
as long as possible, that is, the leaves should be 
entirely off and growth quiescent. 
Mr. A. Dean followed upon Mr. Bunyard, and 
proved his individuality by saying that the pruner 
was more or less like a boy with a new knife. He 
wants something to cut and cut he does. Rules are 
laid down, and we follow them. But neither Mr. 
Brotherstone nor anyone else had, so far as he knew, 
given any clue upon making barren trees fruitful by 
any system of pruning. It was a subject well worth 
experimenting with, and one heshmld like to under¬ 
stand upon its successful solution. He cited the 
case where a number of Blenheim Orange Apple 
trees were known to have existed fruitless and 
untouched for years and years. Nettles grew 4 ft. 
deep below them. These were at length cut down 
and the land around the tree dug. Every young 
shoot all around the trees was shortened back, and 
some thirty loads of timber taken in the shape of 
prunings from the centres of the trees, and ihe top 
branches. The year following there was a crop ; 
after years brought more than could be used. 
SOCIETIES. 
LANARKSHIRE PANSY SOCIETY, &c. 
August 25 tli. 
The 17th annual show of the Middle Ward of Lan¬ 
arkshire Pansy Society and Floral Association was 
held in the Town Hall, Motherwell, on Friday, 25th 
ult. Owing to the unfavourable season the entries 
were considerably down. The exceedingly hot 
weather told heavily against the turn out of 
Pansies. 
In Classes XC , XCI., & XCII., Mr. Alex. Kemp 
was first with fresh blooms of good substance and 
medium size. In Classes XXI. and XXII. Mr. 
Kemp was the unopposed winner.and the same grower 
had also two first prizes in the Rose classes. 
In the herbaceous and border cut flower 
classes, Mr. Jas. Hilton gained the principal prizes, 
his herbaceous double Sunflowers, Gaillardias, and 
Lobelia cardinalis being prominent. In his cut 
flower stand some of his sprays, particularly the 
pompon Dahlias were too crowded to be consistent 
with good taste. 
James Smith was the only competitor, an unusual 
thing, for the miniature flower garden, but it was a 
model of neatness and good taste, the design and 
colour arrangement being very perfect. For table 
bouquets Mr. James Kemp was first, and Mr. David 
Main, second; both bouquets were well built, and 
showed a cultivated taste. Mrs. Jas. Kemp and Mrs. D. 
Main were first and second for baskests of flowers 
artistically arranged with beautiful flowers and 
foliage. Ten-week Stocks made a good show. 
Mr. James Weir gained first honours with an ex¬ 
cellent stand of Carnations, which included a new 
seedling, " Dalziell Pink," for which bloom he also 
received first for the most meritorious cut flower in 
the hall (confined section). This Carnation is of a 
lovely deep pink shade. Pentstemons were good. 
For the new, wide-open, Gloxinia-like type Mr. 
Wm. Faulds was first. Besides the above there 
were many other good exhibits which want of space 
prevents us referring to in detail. 
In the nurserymen’s classes Messrs. D. & W. 
Croll, of Dundee, won first honours for Roses. Mr. 
Smellie, Busby, was first for show and fancy 
Pansies and Dahlias, the latter being a most 
meritorious stand of twenty-four show and fancy 
blooms, John Walker, Mrs. Fisher, Nugget, and 
Cheftain being extra good blooms. 
In the herbaceous competition Mr. Michael 
Cuthbertson, nurseryman, Rothesay, was awarded 
first prize for twenty-four very fine bunches, the 
most striking specimens being Lilium tigrinum 
splendens, Montbretias, double Sunflowers, scarlet 
Martagon Lily, Scabiosa gigantea, double Rud- 
beckia “ Golden Glow," and Gladiolus formosissi- 
mus, the latter being very beautiful. 
Of the exhibits not for competition the principal 
one came from Dalziell gardens, where Mr. Angus is 
gardener. This exhibit was arranged on the plat¬ 
form and made an imposing display, and was un¬ 
doubtedly the feature of the show. In the centre was 
an immense fan-trained Hydrangea, " Dr. Hogg," 
7 ft. high and the same across, with no trusses of 
beautiful blooms. At the back of this was a splendid 
specimen of Araucaria excelsa, about 15 ft. high. 
Right and left were six huge trees of well grown and 
finely coloured Coleus, cut bunches of Sweet Peas, 
Zinnias, Sutton's new chamois Poppies, Dianthus 
superbus, &c., with suitable table plants all com¬ 
bined to make up a beautiful and brilliant display. 
For far less we have often seen gold medals awarded. 
Messrs. Davidson & Co. had a table of fruit of 
high class quality tastefully decorated, among which 
were fine bunches of Grapes, Pineapples. Tomatos, 
&c., for which he received a First-class Certificate of 
Merit. Mr. Prentice, Carluke, had over 100 finely 
coloured specimens of Austin's Eclipse Tomato, for 
which he also received a Certificate. Mr. Cuthbert¬ 
son, in addition to his competition stand, had a col¬ 
lection of herbaceous plants, Dahlias, Sweet Peas, 
&c., which made a fine show and for which it was 
contemplated awarding him a handsome Silver 
Medal. 
Perhaps we might be permitted to suggest that the 
competitions might be thrown open to a wider area. 
It is almost certain the result would be an increassd 
number of competitors, which a casual observer 
could see was needed to make the show a complete 
success. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL OF PERTH. 
August 25th and 26 th. 
The annual show in connection with this society 
was held at North Inch, Perth, on Friday and 
Saturday, the 25th and 26th of August. The show 
proved to be a record one with a very keen compet¬ 
ition throughout the classes. The committee, 
recognising the fact that flower shows.no matter how 
good they be, are not equal to drawing cro wds of 
visitors, devised a number of extraneous attractions. 
Music of course is always provided and on this 
occasion the services of the Fechney School Band 
were secured. All the more important work lies 
naturally enough to the credit of Mr. Brown, the 
hoc. secretary and treasurer, who also received the 
helpful co-operation of the society's officials. 
Messrs. Harley & Sons, of Perth,had a wonderfully 
fine array of floral designs and decorations, and just 
at the entrance to the large marquee the designs of 
model flower gardens give cne the first tasty bit in 
sight seeing. They were awarded first prize for 
their floral entry. They also were awarded the 
premier prize for a group of early Chrysanthemums. 
Messrs. D. & W. Croll, Dundee, were strong 
exhibitors of Roses, &c. ; and Mr. Farquharson, 
Comely Bank Nurseries, was also well represented. 
Mr. J. Leslie, of Pitcullen, Perth, had a very nice 
group of plants neatly set o 8 by Maidenhair Fern. 
Mr. T. Dobbin, of Balhousie Castle, was the winner 
with another table of plants. In the classes for fine 
foliage plants, Mr. E. R. Bush, of Woodlands, had 
the chief amount of prizes. For Orchids Mr. F. 
Nicols, of Craigclowan, Perth, was the only 
exhibitor. 
Begonias presented a really good show. Ferns 
have seldom been seen in better form or in greater 
variety than at this year’s show. Then in the classes 
for cut flowers the competition was very keen. 
Pansies were well shown by Mr. J. McFarlane, 
Kilgraston, and Mr. J. Bisset, of Hillyland, both 
professionals. Mr. Harris had a splendid collection 
of Sweet Peas in quite a host of beautiful colours. 
Fruit, even though frosts and, latterly, drought, 
have been against its development, made a very 
fair show. Vegetables are always well shown and 
there was no exception to the rule on this occasion. 
Prizes in a few of the leading entries were awarded 
as briefly follows :—For a model flower garden, the 
first prize went to Mr. A. Sharp, Ballendrick, and 
the second to Mr. J. McFarlane, Kilgraston. For 
twelve bunches or trusses of stove and greenhouse 
plants, Mr. J. Leslie, of Rjtcullen, stood first; Mr. 
Albert S. Cole, Moncriefl, second; and Mr. T. Dob¬ 
bin, Balhousie Castle, third. For thirty-six Roses, 
distinct, first, Messrs. D. & W. Croll, Dundee; they 
also were first for the two dozen Roses. The col¬ 
lection of herbaceous blooms, in not less than twelve 
varieties, went to Mr. W. Farquharson, and second 
prize to Mr. A. S. Cole. Mr. Harris won first for 
Carnations, and Mr J. McFarlane second. This 
latter gentleman was first for twelve Pansies; Mr. 
A. Barclay, of Lochty, next him, and the third prize 
to Mr. John Bissett, of Hillyland. For twelve fancy 
Pansies, distinct, Mr. Bissett was first winner. 
Mr. John Leslie won the chief award for a collection 
of eight kinds of fruit. For white Grapes, he was 
also fortunate in being thus awarded. Mr. Dobbin 
won the first award for black Grapes. The order 
for one Melon was, first, Mr. J. Lowe, Glencarse; 
second, Mr. J. Robertson, of Springland ; and third, 
Mr. J. Leslie. The principal winners in other of the 
fruit classes were, Messrs. Harper, A. Brown, Ed. 
Joss, and of course the names of those already men¬ 
tioned. 
For a collection of ten sorts of vegetables, the first 
honour went to Mr. Harper, the second to Mr. Joss, 
and the third to Mr. McFarlane. The names of 
Messrs. Btowd, McFarlane, Harper, Robertson, 
Marshall, Harris, and J. Lowe, were continually 
attached to prize cards in vegetable entries. 
Trade Exhibits. —The Messrs. Alexander & 
Brown, New Scott Street, had a large stand of 30 ft. 
in length, chiefly of specimen exhibition plants and 
cut flowers, among which were some of their own 
Sweet Pea Seedlings, &c. 
Messrs. Dickson & Turnbull had also a large col¬ 
lection of cut flowers, which were very creditable. 
