308 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 13, 1900. 
suggested that he should tie up the remain¬ 
der with pieces of calico, which he did, and 
was greatly surprised to find that the 
Apples had increased from ii in. to 13 in. 
in circumference during the fortnight. The 
intention was merely to hold up the Apples 
and prevent them from falling and getting 
bruised till the morning of the show. Mr. 
Dobbie also noted the enormous size 
attained by a fruit of a Jargonelle Pear tree, 
which rested upon the upper side of a 
branch. It also came to his knowledge 
that the fruits of an Apple tree trained 
over the tiled roof of a house attained great 
size, as well as the fruits of certain trees 
trained over the top of a stone wall. The 
Apples that were resting on the tiles as 
well as on the top of the wall were much 
larger than those suspended on their own 
stalks. 
He then proceeded to make experiments 
and found that all sorts of fruit increased 
in size about one-third more than they 
otherwise would have done, merely by 
being supported. The work was accom¬ 
plished after the fruit had attained some 
size, the object being to release the stalk 
of the weight and strain of the fruit, 
provided always the raising of it did not 
bend or twist the stalk, as that had the 
effect of diminishing the flow of nutrient 
material upon which the growth of the fruit 
entirely depended. This, then, was the 
result of the experiments, that by relieving 
the stalks of the strain caused by the 
weight of the fruits and the bending or 
twisting often brought about by the same 
agency, the stalks were able to convey a 
greater supply of nourishment to the fruits, 
thereby increasing their size. The fixing 
up of the fruit also had the effect of pre¬ 
venting them from falling and getting 
damaged as well. He considers that even 
after the lapse of as many years the record¬ 
ing of his observations at the time had 
not produced the desiied effect. He 
admits, however, that the operation of tying 
up fruits could not be carried out by market 
gardeners on practical, that is, paying lines, 
although it could be done for exhibition pur¬ 
poses. We may say that a great amount of 
tying up of Apples and Pears for exhibition 
purposes is effected. It is done more or 
less to prevent birds from damaging valu¬ 
able fruits and also to prevent them from 
dropping. The operation is applied chiefly 
to large and heavy samples which are the 
most liable to drop when trees are shaken 
by the wind. Peaches are also to a very 
great extent tied up, especially under glass, 
to prevent them from dropping and getting 
injured. Our observations have not, how¬ 
ever, enabled us to discern that the growers 
tie them up to encourage size, though we 
think that by mulching and watering fruit 
trees during July and August, and by 
supporting the fruits as above indicated, 
larger samples might be obtained. We 
know that size is greatly increased by tak¬ 
ing means to insure a proper supply of 
moisture and nourishment at the period 
when fruits are accomplishing their last 
swelling. The covering up of the fruits 
would prevent their proper colouration ; and 
even netting leaves its marks ; but experi¬ 
ments might be made with the view of 
supporting the fruits, yet leaving them 
properly exposed to light and air at the 
same time. Melons are often supported by 
means of small flat pieces of wood. Why 
might not valuable Apples and Pears be 
supported in small, slightly concave saucers, 
even if those saucers are made of stiff paper 
for the purpose and suspended from a 
branch above by means of three pieces of 
slender twine ? The propriety of sheltering 
orchards by means of lines or belts of trees 
is well understood by some, but not very 
often put into practice. On the other 
hand we know that some gardens are too 
much sheltered by bringing the plantations 
of trees too near the garden walls. This 
often has the effect of greatly increasing 
fungoid and insect pests, by preventing a 
free circulation of air. Belts of trees and 
shrubs should be just sufficient to break 
the force of gales of wind. A dead calm 
is an unnecessary evil. 
The author has also increased the size of 
flowers, particularly Dahlias, by supporting 
them. We do not think that mere size 
increases the beauty of that class of flowers. 
Opinions may, however, differ in Scotland 
where Dahlias seen at shows are often 
much larger than those grown in the south 
of England. Staking is, however, abso¬ 
lutely essential to the safety of a great 
variety of outdoor flowers if they would 
be seen in perfection, and to guard against 
their destruction by high and boisterous 
winds. In speaking of the “ advantages of 
shelter,” the author says that agriculturists 
will have observed that crops are heavier in 
the sheltered parts of fields than in the more 
exposed positions. He says that the evil 
effects of this is not due to the shelter so 
much as the fact that farmers manure every 
portion of the field alike, whereas well- 
sheltered places require only half the 
amount of manure necessary in the more 
exposed positions. This is an observation 
that certainly merits attention. If the 
manure applied is farmyard dung it would 
have the effect of retaining a great amount 
of moisture in sheltered parts of fields 
where a little less moisture, especially in 
wet seasons, would be an advantage. The 
extra retentiveness of the soil, and the 
absence of the drying effects of exposure, 
coupled with a dressing of stable manure, 
would cause a rank and sappy growth that 
thunder showers would be liable to pro¬ 
strate, even in the absence of heavy gales 
of wind, though both very often come to¬ 
gether. The author also deals with the 
protection of Pansies from slugs, new 
methods of blanching Leeks and growing 
Onions, the growing and preserving of 
Carrots and Parsnips, the shelteringof Peas, 
Beans, and many other subjects which gar¬ 
deners would do well to study. 
Mr. A. F. Barron, of Chiswick, we are sorry to 
learn, has had a bad attack of influenza. 
Oranges and Lemons to the extent of 100,000,000 
were sent into the United Kingdom during December 
last, according to the statistics of the Fruitgrower. 
«& 
The Apple Crop of the United States of America 
during 1899 is tabulated at 35,100,000 barrels. 
Great as this seems it is yet a long way behind the 
yield for 1896, which amounted to 67,570,000 
barrels. 
Woolton Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion. —The annual meeting of the above society was 
held on the 4th inst., at the Mechanics’ Institute, 
Woolton, Liverpool, Mr. J. Stoney in the chair. The 
secretary read the report which states that the work 
of the past year has been highly satisfactory, the 
meetings having been well attended and the papers 
of a highly creditable character. The library has 
been well utilised, eight new books having been 
added during the year, bringing the total up to over 
80. It was announced that a class had been formed 
for preparation for the examination of the Royal 
Horticultual Society. The statement of accounts is 
satisfactory, a balance of £ 2 os. 1 id. being carried for¬ 
ward to next year. Votes of thanks were accorded to 
Mr. J. Rae, librarian, and to Mr. H. Corlett for his 
services in connection with the microscope. A like 
vote was carried for the secretary and treasurer, 
with the addition of an honorarium for his valuable 
services for the past eleven years. Mr. R. G. Water¬ 
man was re-elected treasurer and secretary. A vote 
of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceed¬ 
ings. 
Commercial Fertilizers —These, according to Prof. 
Vanslyke, are much more satisfactory when used in 
conjunction with humus, than when used alone. 
Weil's Chrysanthemum Calendar, 1900 .—At the 
time of sending out their Chrysanthemum catalogue, 
Messrs. W. Wells & Co., Ltd., Eailswood, Redhill, 
Surrey, also issued a year’s calendar. The novelties 
from the previous season being sent out by them are 
figured thereon, as many as eleven photos appear¬ 
ing this year. The most important introduction 
would appear to be the variety Etoile de Feu (Fiery 
Star). This is represented in a well finished coloured 
plate of natural-sized blooms. It is one of the 
brightest bush or decorative Chrysanthemums ever 
seen, a lovely fiery red. The cultural hints for each 
month of the year are so handy and valuable that 
growers of these plants ought to find a corner where 
to hang the Wellsian Calendar. 
Odontoglossum harryano-crispum at the Sale 
Rooms—On Friday, the5thinst., two varietiesof this 
supposed natural hybrid turned up at the sale rooms 
of Messrs. Protheroe and Morris, Cheapside, and 
were sold for 70 gs. and £50 respectively. The 
longer priced one was a very fine form. The sepals 
were banded and margined with dark and rich 
purple-brown ; while the petals had a yellow band 
running round the central masses of blotches, and 
were also margined with the dark colour. The lip 
was clear yellow spotted with purple and purple- 
brown on the lower half. The ether variety had a 
much paler yellow ground, but was otherwise fine. 
Fine varieties of Odontoglossum crispum in bloom 
sold from 20s. to 30s., and 63s. apiece. A 
magnificent piece of Coelogyne cristata, hamper and 
all, sold for £1. The complaint is that such large 
pieces take up too much valuable space in the Orchid 
house. 
“ The Garden.”—The first issue of the new series 
of The Garden, under the new ownership and manage¬ 
ment, has made its appearance. It was founded by 
Mr. William Robinson, author of "The English 
Flower Garden,” in 1871, so (hit it has now run a 
course of twenty-eight years. The first number of 
the new series contains a coloured plate of Rose 
Marquise de Salisbury, and several photographic 
illustrations of Kew Gardens, and of the garden of 
G. F. Wilson, Esq., at Wisley. Paper and printing 
are good. In the way of contributions the Poet 
Laureate leads off with a sonnet, followed by the 
address of the joint editors, Miss Jekyll and Mr. E. 
T. Cook, to their readers. The Dean of Rochester, 
Mr. William Robinson, the Hon. Vicary Gibbs, 
M P., the Rev. W. Wilks, secretary of the R.H.S., 
Mr. Edward Mawley, secretary of the National Rose 
Society, Mr. W. Watson, assistant curator. Royal 
Gardens, Kew, and Mr. W. J Bean, of the Arbore¬ 
tum, Kew. also contribute. The new office is 20, 
Tavistock Street, London, W.C. 
Rainfall in 1899 at Bicton Gardens, Devon.—During 
the past year the rainfall in January was 4 35 in.; 
February, 4 05 in.; March, 0 31 in. ; April, 2 8t in. ; 
May, 187 in.; June, no in.; July, 079 in. ; August, 
3 - i8 in.; September, 173 in.; October, 202 in.; 
November, 3 38 in. ; and December, 4'n. Accord 
ing to the record, January, December, Februaryj 
and November were the wettest months at Bicton, 
in the order given. August comes next in the order 
with 3-18 in. March and July were the driest 
months. The greatest rainfall in twenty-four hours 
occurred on August 7th, and this accounts for the 
heavy fall of the month, and apparently must have 
been due to a thunderstorm. On January 1st the 
rainfall was o 80 in. ; February 5th, o 69 in. ; 
March 8th, 016 in. ; April 13th, 0 57 in. ; May 19th, 
040 in.; June 19th, 043 in.; July 22nd, 065 in.; 
August 7th, 214 in.; September 30th, 0 62 in. ; 
October 27th, o 85 in.; November 9th, 0 98 in.; 
and December 28th, 104 in. The last figure was 
only excelled by the fall on August 7th. The num¬ 
ber of days on which o 01 in. or more fell were in 
January, 20; February, 13; March, 4; April, 16; 
May, 12 ; June, 5 ; July, 5 ; August, 7 ; September, 
14; October, 8 ; November, 10; and December, 19. 
The first and last months were, therefore, the raini¬ 
est in all respects. The total rainfall at Bicton was 
29 70 in , which is higher than 23 65 in. in 1898. 
Both years were dry for Devon. Bicton is 90 ft. 
above sea level. All the observations are made and 
the records kept by Mr. J. Mayne, the gardener. 
