JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  19,  1900. 
and  Co.,  St.  Albans,  had  a  handsome  stand.  Odontoglossum  elegans 
St.  Albans  var.  received  a  first-class  certificate  ;  the  silver  medal  accom¬ 
panied  this.  Mr.  W.  Stevens,  gardener  to  W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Walton 
Grange,  Stone,  Staffs,  sent  a  wonderful  collection  of  Odontoglossums. 
The  background  was  composed  of  splendid  plants  of  Oncidium  sarcodes. 
A  silver-gilt  medal  was  awarded  by  the  North  of  England  Orchid 
Society  for  Odontoglossum  crispum  The  Earl,  and  first-class  certificates 
for  O.  excellens  luteum,  O.  crispum  Victoria  Regina,  and  0.  Ander- 
soniannm  album  maculosnm.  Not  only  was  the  gold  medal  of  the 
society  awarded,  but  the  Orchid  Society  awarded  their  silver  medal. 
A  gold  medal,  also  the  Orchid  Society’s  silver  medal,  were  accorded  to 
Jno.  Leeman,  Esq.,  West.  Bank  House,  Heaton  Mersey.  The  silver 
medal  was  unanimously  awarded  for  Dendrobium  Venus.  Awards  of 
merit  were  also  granted  for  many  beautiful  and  rare  types, 
pi  t  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons  of  Aigburth  had  a  collection  of  Amaryllis 
and  received  the  gold  medal.  Mr.  John  Robson’s  silver  medal  for  a 
collection  of  Orchids  was  well  deserved.  Mr.  James  Cypher  of  Chel¬ 
tenham  was  in  fine  form.  Not  only  was  the  exhibit  extensive,  but 
every  plant  was  of  notable  quality.  Awards  of  merit  were  unanimously 
granted  for  Sophronitis  grandiflora  giganteum  and  Dendrobium  rubens 
magnifica.  Messrs.  Charlesworth  &  Co.  were  remarkably  good, 
especially  noticeable  being  Odontoglossum  crispum  Duke  of  Connaught. 
An  award  of  merit  was  adjudged  for  Cattleya  Schroderae  Prince 
Patrick.  The  gold  medal  of  the  Society  was  deservedly  awarded,  and 
a  silver  one  by  the  Orchid  Society.  A  charming  exhibit,  brought  from 
Worsley  Hall  by  Mr.  Upjohn,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Ellesmere,  was 
much  admired.  A  bank  of  seedling  Olivias,  handsomely  grown,  came 
from  0.  H.  Wrigley,  Esq.,  winning  the  silver  medal  in  a  most  decisive 
manner.  —  Duckworth,  Esq.,  had  a  splendid  collection  of  cut  Orchids. 
Charming,  too,  was  the  somewhat  extensive  collection  of  spring  flowers 
sent  by  Joseph  Broome,  Esq.,  Llandudno.  The  Edwardian  ware,  much 
of  which  contained  cut  fl  wers  and  plants,  formed  a  very  pleasing 
feature  at  the  entrance  of  the  show. 
Dublin,  April  11th. 
Royal  visitors,  wretched  weather,  and  a  fine  display  of  flowers  that 
bloom  in  the  spring  characterised  this  exhibition  of  the  Royal  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Hillyard,  the  courteous  secretary, 
supported  by  a  strong  executive,  augmented  for  this  special  occasion, 
planned  all  admirably,  save  the  weather;  and  one  could  not  but  feel 
thankful  that  in  spite  of  the  flag-fever  now  raging  in  Dublin  which, 
with  the  exception  of  some  tastefully  disposed  trophies,  they  had 
contented  themselves  with  gracefully  entwining  the  bulky  pillars  in  the 
entrance  hall  of  the  Koyal  University  with  a  soft  drapery  of  red,  white, 
and  blue.  Severely  simple  as  the  decoration  was,  it  was  highly  effec¬ 
tive  ;  and,  moreover,  the  exhibits  being  practically  confined  to  the 
spacious  rooms  on  each  side  of  the  hall,  ample  space  was  afforded  for 
suitably  receiving  the  distinguished  visitors,  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of 
Connaught,  the  Princess  Christian,  and  the  Viceregal  party,  who 
honoured  the  show  by  a  visit. 
A  fine  floral  circular  shield,  furnished  by  the  Messrs.  Henderson  of 
Oakley  Park  Nurseries,  which  faced  the  visitors  on  entering,  could  not 
pass  unnoticed,  but  space  precludes  more  than  a  brief  sketch  of  what 
was  an  excellent  show.  In  the  room  on  the  right  the  Daffodil,  in  rare 
beauty  and  apparently  endless  variety,  reigned  supreme.  Most  con¬ 
spicuous  was  a  superb  stand  of  ninety  varieties,  over  which  Miss 
Fanny  Curry  lingered  with  many  a  loving  touch,  and  kindly  pointed 
out  the  pet  of  her  collection,  Lismore,  a  chastely  beautiful  green  tinted 
trumpet  of  her  own  raising.  Here,  too,  with  trumpets  blowing  all 
around  it,  was  the  Bariian  cup  won  by  Miss  Curry  at  the  Drill  Hall, 
London,  on  the  prev  ous  day.  Each  variety  in  this  stand  was  represented 
by  about  a  score  of  fine  blooms.  In  the  same  room  the  masses  of 
yellow  were  relieved  by  240  Rose  blooms,  staged  by  Messrs.  A.  Dickson 
and  Sons  of  Newtownards,  among  which  twenty-four  faultless  flowers  of 
Catherine  Mermet  were  very  noticeable.  Four  boxes  of  these  Roses 
were  everUualL  commandeered  by  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Lieutenant 
for  the  delectation  of  our  Queen,  who  from  obvious  reasons  was  unable 
to  gratify  loyal  hearts  and  true  by  her  presence  at  the  show. 
The  special  prize  presented  by  Messrs.  Hogg  &  Robertson,  who  put 
up  a  representative  ttand  of  blooms  from  their  bulb  farm  at  Rush,  for 
a  collection  of  Narcissus,  was  awarded  to  Lord  Cloncurry,  who  also 
took  the  Dtumniond  prize  for  a  stand  of  twenty-four  bunches  in  twelve 
varieties,  and  the  society’s  prize  for  a  stand  of  double  Narcissus.  In 
the  popular  class  for  twelve  bunches,  distinct  varieties,  (iompetition  was 
very  keen,  C.  S.  Spear,  Esq.,  taking  premier  honours,  being  closely 
followed  by  Mr.  Carnll  of  Dornden,  whose  superb  blooms  of  maximus 
were  very  telling.  To  Dornden,  too,  went  first  honours  for  six  pots  of 
Tulips,  exhibits  of  spring  Cabbage,  Broccoli,  Lettuce,  and  a  tray  of  six 
kinds  of  vegetables,  the  latter  winning  the  bronze  medal  offered  bv 
Messrs.  Toogood  of  Southampton.  The  same  firm’s  silver  medal  for 
ten  kinds  of  vegetables  going  to  Lord  Ashtown  for  a  tray  of  high 
merit.  Hyacinths  were  in  good  form,  George  Drimraie,  Esq.,  Lord 
Ashtown,  and  Miss  Martin  leading  in  different  classes,  the  best  Tulips 
being  saged  by  Lord  Cloncurry;  Edmund  D’Olier,  Esq.,  leading  in 
class  thirty-five  for  Roses.  Strawberries  were  remarkable  for  size  and 
colour.  Lady  Caledon,  Lady  Bury,  and  the  Hon.  C.  F.  Crichton  setting 
up  fine  dishes  of  Royal  Sovereign,  and  taking  prizes  in  order  named. 
In  the  large  concert  room  devoted  to  plants  Mrs.  Goodbody’s  table 
of  Amaryllis  formed  a  dazzling  bit  of  colour.  Nine  good  pot 
Roses,  staged  by  Mr.  Crawford,  well  merited  the  challenge  cup. 
Huge  pots  of  Arum  Lillies  were  splendidly  shown  by  Mr.  Coghlan, 
gardener  to  the  Rt.  Hon.  I.  M.  Meade,  and  Deutzias,  Spiraeas,  and 
other  spring  flowers  were  largely  in  evidence,  although  Azaleas, 
except  some  bright  specimens  of  mollis  from  John  Miller,  Esq.,  staged 
in  quantity  were  poorly  flowered.  Messrs.  Drummond,  Ltd.,  and 
Messrs.  Henderson  &  Sons  contributed  to  the  general  embellishment  of 
the  Royal  University  with  plant  groups;  the  Glasnevin  selection  of 
exotics  proving,  as  it  always  does,  very  attractive ;  F.  W.  Moore,  Esq., 
ably  assisting,  as  usual,  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland, 
which,  unfortunately,  does  not  receive  that  support  from  the  general 
public  it  so  well  deserves.  Perhaps  the  society  is  a  little  too  con¬ 
servative  ;  perhaps  not.  However  that  may  be,  all  connected  with  this 
spring  show  was  admirably  carried  out,  even  to  a  substantial  luncheon 
for  the  judges,  for  which  thanks  are  returned  by — One  of  Them. 
- - 
WKK.^o^™WEEK.. 
Fruit  Forcing, 
vines. — Early  Forced  House. — Red  spider  is  the  great  enemy  of 
Vines  subjected  to  forcing,  and  is  best  kept  in  check  by  a  timely 
sponging  of  the  leaves.  Syringing,  even  between  the  bunches,  with 
the  clearest  water,  militates  against  the  appearance  of  the  Grapes,  and 
employing  sulphur  on  the  hot-water  pipes  is  somet.imes  attended  with 
serious  discolouration  in  white  Grapes.  Inside  borders,  if  needing  a 
supply  of  water,  should  be  attended  to  early  in  the  day,  so  that  surplus 
moisture  may  pass  off  before  closing  time.  A  light  mulching  of  dry 
material  will  prevent  moisture  rising  prejudicial  to  the  Grapes,  and 
may  mitigate  the  tendency  to  cracking  in  certain  varieties.  Early 
Grapes  do  not  always  colour  well,  the  defect  chiefly  arising  from  over¬ 
cropping,  or  continued  hard  forcing  with  attacks  of  red  spider  ;  it  is 
only  avoided  by  moderate  cropping,  rational  treatment,  and  cleanly 
culture.  A  constant  supply  of  rather  dry,  warm  air,  and  a  low  night 
temperature  will  do  much  to  assist  heavily  cropped  Vines  in  colouring 
the  Grapes. 
Succession  Houses. — The  stopping  and  tying  of  the  shoots  must  have 
attention.  Where  the  space  is  restricted  stop  the  shoots  two  joints 
beyond  the  fruit,  and  as  foliage  is  necessary  to  sustain  root  activity 
as  well  as  elaborate  the  juices,  leave  the  laterals  on  the  shoot  both 
above  and  below  the  bunch,  or  at  least  those  from  the  two  lowermost 
eyes,  and  those  level  with  and  above  the  bunch.  Pinch  these  at  the 
first  joint,  especially  those  from  the  basal  leaves,  also  those  above, 
unless  there  is  space  for  extending  the  laterals,  when  they  may  be 
allowed  to  make  two  or  three  leaves,  but  no  more  growth  must  be 
encouraged  than  can  have  full  exposure  to  air  and  light.  Afoer  the 
space  is  fairly  furnished  keep  the  growths  closely  pinched  to  one  joint 
as  made.  The  great  evil  in  Grape  growing  is  overcrowding,  which 
deprives  the  foliage  of  light  and  aii ;  and  restricting  the  growth  is 
intended  to  avoid  that,  and  secure  thoroughly  solidified  wood  as  it 
is  made. 
Tying  Down. — It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  the  rods  somewhat  lower 
than  the  trellis,  so  that  the  side  shoots  have  a  slight  incline  upwards. 
In  tying  these  in  their  places  where  they  are  to  remain  during  the 
summer  it  is  a  common  practice  to  begin  to  tie  them  down  as  soon  as 
they  are  long  enough  to  bend.  This  is  not  advisable  unless  as  a 
precaution  against  injury  from  frost,  as  the  shoots  at  this  stage  are 
so  tender  that  the  slightest  twist  the  wrong  way  breaks  them.  It  is 
a  good  method  to  defer  tying  down  until  the  shoots  are  less  sappy, 
which  may  be  when  the  bunches  are  showing  clear  of  the  leaves. 
SuflScient  space  should  be  left  in  the  ligatures  for  the  swelling  of  the 
shoots.  Stopping  ought  to  commence  when  the  leaf  at  the  joint  or 
place  of  pinching  is  the  size  of  a  halfpenny. 
Vines  in  Flower.— A&ord  Muscats  a  free  circulation  of  rather  dry 
air  and  a  temperature  of  80°  to  85°  or  90°  by  day  from  sun  heat,  70°  to 
75°  artificially,  and  70°  at  night,  falling  5°  on  cold  nights.  Raise  the 
points  of  the  bunches  to  the  light,  and  liberate  the  pollen  at  midday 
by  gently  rapping  the  footstalks  of  the  bunches,  or  go  over  the  bunches 
carefully  with  a  large-sized  camel’s-hair  brush,  and  afterwards  dust 
them  with  another  charged  with  Alicante  poUen,  or  that  of  some 
different  and  free  setting  variety.  Hamburghs  set  freely  in  a  lower 
temperature,  but  they  are  better  for  a  little  assistance  from  fire  heat, 
and  other  varieties  are  similarly  aided  during  the  flowering  period. 
Thinning  Bunches  and  Berries. — It  is  advisable  to  make  a  selection 
of  the  best  bunches,  and  leave  only  those  required  for  the  crop  before 
they  come  into  flower.  This  concentrates  the  forces  on  those  retained, 
and  by  proper  attention  to  fertilising  the  flowers  a  good  set  and  finer 
bunches  and  berries  are  secured.  Thinning  the  berries  should  com¬ 
mence  as  soon  as  they  are  set,  especially  in  the  case  of  the  free-setting 
varieties,  and  where  fine  specimens  are  required  for  exhibition  it  should 
