846 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
October 22, 1904. 
of the Netherlands, Queen Victoria, Cottage Maid, Rose Gris- 
delin and Rosamundi. Yellow Tulipsi and the commoni ribbon 
grass goi well together, the grass being well pulled to pieces 
for planting. Tulips such as Golden Crown, Goldfinch, Canary 
Bird and Chrysolora have lovely yellow flowers which get 
mixed up. with the grass, making a. charming bed. Soilla 
sibirica, can be used with the more brilliant Tulips; their in¬ 
tense blue flowers will be over- before the Tulips get far ad¬ 
vanced, leaving a groundwork of bright green foliage for them. 
White Tulips and Anemone apennina, make a very pretty bed. 
Darwin Tulips should be 1 grouped in, the borders, where their 
grand, stately flowers will make a good display. 
Narcissi look very graceful indeed when planted among 
dwarf Wallflowers, over which they wave their beautiful 
flowers. Some pretty beds can, be made with Narcissi if not 
planted too thickly, say about, 8 in,, or 9 in. apart, and the 
bed carpeted over with white Arabia or purple Aubrietia, thus 
making a charming bed not generally seen in spring gardening. 
The culture of bulb® is simple, as they do well in any garden 
soil, hut where possible have the beds deeply worked, digging 
in some well-rotted manure, or if the' soil be rich a little fresh 
lime may be added. The planting of bulbs is work that should 
be' well carried out. Crocuses and Snowdrops should, be 3 in. 
under the soil, Hyacinths 1 and Tulips 4 in. ; Narcissi should 
be quite 5 in. under. Where soil isi inclined to be wet and 
stiff, a basket of ashes should be by the side of the. planter so 
that lie can: drop 1 a small handful in with each bulb' lie plants'. 
This prevents slugs from damaging the bulbs through the 
winter months, and keeps them from rotting with the wet. 
H. W. 
Roden. 
Almost every gardener knows Shrewsbury, and thousands 
have annually attended its gigantic floral fete, but very few 
•indeed as they stroll round the well-filled tents in the Quarry 
grounds know that they are within easy walking distance of 
another great horticultural exhibition,—the huge establishment 
belonging to the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Of the pros 
and 1 cons of “ co-operation ” I have nothing toi say here, as I 
took all my note® from a, horticulturist’s' point of view. The 
ranges of glass are very extensive, and built on the most up- 
to-date plans'. The word extensive, perhaps, conveys little to 
those who' are used 1 to tliei ranges of Waltham or Worthing, 
but when. I say there are nine acres under glass there, some idea 
may be obtained of the general appearance. Mr. J. W. 
Newell, the genial manager of the whole business, conducted 
me round the 125 acres of well-kept ground and gave me a 
most interesting afternoon. 
Figures are usually dry reading, and I therefore took few 
notes of itihle amount of the various things produced. Ini the 
ranges last vein three thousand dozens of Cucumbers were cut 
and sent away, and over 120 tons of Tomato®. The Black 
Currant mite is giving some trouble, hut with this exception, 
the whole establishment is free from pests and diseases—a 
state of affairs which Mr. Nowell is justly proud of. I thought 
he must have some special method of thus keeping free from 
the terrible scourges that have devastated many largei nur¬ 
series of late, but inquiries in this direction only elicited the 
modest reply to the effect that he just used all the care he 
could and had everything done thoroughly. It will surprise 
many to know that of this produce turned out in. hundreds, of 
tons very little finds its way to the consumer through the 
ordinary channels of the open market,, for the greater part of 
it is absorbed by the many co-operative societies of the 
country. Fruit is grown here to supply the society’s own pre¬ 
serve factories, and huge quantities of material are grown for 
pickling. Firty-six acres of fruit trees have just been planted, 
including four acres of Apples in, twenty varieties. The West 
usually grows good Apple®, and if this: trial is a, success, the 
orchards' will be considerably extended. Many acres a,re de¬ 
voted to Black Currants and Gooselberrie:', and these are con¬ 
tinually being added to. Gardener® interested in the projected 
association will be pleased to know that this is one of the few 
places where the employers realise what gardening really is, 
and what a, good gardener should know, and endeavour to pay 
him accordingly. Owing to the low market value of the pro¬ 
duce, the wages are not so high as they would like them to 
be, but, the men appear well satisfied with the consideration 
shown for them. A fine institute and library is provided for 
them, and eveny facility for spending the long winter evenings, 
both profitably and pleasantly. Everywhere is fitted with 
electric light, and is characterised by great cleanliness and 
order. Everything is carried out systematically and every¬ 
thing consequently works smoothly and in perfect harmony. 
Recreation grounds are provided and well kept. The employers 
are well housed, and everything that can be done is done for 
their comfort and welfare. 
Ini the fruit-picking season, the army of pickers is not. left 
out of this careful consideration, for comfortable shelters are 
provided for them, and they are not left to camp as they best 
can in, woods and barns. A veiy up-to-date engine ha,uls the 
produce to the station, and thus saves a lot of disagreeable and 
profit-absorbing carting. The driver gave me an interesting 
demonstration of the powers of his wonderful machine. I 
know very little indeed about the good and bad points of haul¬ 
ing engines, but the ability to steer the monster with the little 
finger is an improvement that the driver must greatly appre¬ 
ciate. All lie has to do to set, his steering tackle in motion is 
to press a tiny lever, which at once sets a somewhat com¬ 
plicated hydraulic apparatus at work which moves the wheels 
in any direction the driver may wish. Those who annually 
attend the: Shrewsbury show should not. fail to find time to run 
out to see this nursery. It is certain that interest will be 
found, and I doi not, doubt, but that the best, may find something 
to learn in connection with plant,si or the treatment of men in 
charge of them. Past Kewite. 
Ripening of the Wood of Fruit Trees. 
From various causes connected with the soil, temperature 
and training, the ripening of the wood of fruit, trees may be 
hastened or retarded. 
It is a. well-known fact that the character of the soil greatly 
affects the maturation of the wood and fruit.. From practical 
experience it is found that sandy, light, or shallow soils are 
always the warmest, and consequently more productive of early 
crops, than heavy soils of a deep, loamy nature. 
The knowledge of this fact may be made good use of in the 
formation of borders. As a rule it may be stated the heavier 
the soil, the shallower and better drained the borders should 
be, and the more ameliorated by the addition of such material 
as charcoal, brickbat®, etc. 
It is often found that all kinds of stone fruits thrive at least 
as well, if not better 1 , in, firm borders as in those which are loose 
gi open. For the Apple and Pear nothing suits, them as well 
as a border of good fibrous loam and of the firmest texture. 
A depth of 3 ft., however, should be sufficient, for all classes 
of fruit, trees, but if the soil be of a heavy clayey nature the 
lighter and shallower should the border be. Under these con¬ 
ditions the trees' will produce healthy, fibrous roots, and the 
growth of the tree will correspond, the shoots being less gross 
and shorter-jointed than when planted in a deep, retentive soil. 
In order to' complete fruitful growths, trees must of necessity 
enjoy a certain amount of heat, but with the hardy kinds of 
■fruit trees the cultivator can do little in this direction except 
with the' careful formation of the borders, choice of situation 
and strict, attention to pruning and training. With trees under 
glass a great deal may be' accomplished, whether the soil be 
inferior or the climate unfavourable, by the careful husband¬ 
ing of the solar heat, and, providing a. little forethought is used, 
a slight aid of fireheat will be found to have a most beneficial 
effect upon, the ripening of the wood. F. S. T. 
