January  2l,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
53> 
-  Death  op  Mrs.  Jones. — Numbers  of  friends  of  Mr.  T.  Jones, 
who  was  for  many  years  Her  Majesty’s  chief  gardener  at  Frogmore,  will 
mourn  with  him  on  the  death  of  his  much-loved  wife.  Mrs.  Jones,  we 
are  informed,  died  at  Pattingham,  near  Wolverhampton,  after  a  long 
and  painful  illness.  She  will  be  well  remembered  by  many  old  friends 
of  Mr.  Jones  for  her  quiet,  happy  way  in  making  them  at  home  during 
occasional  visits,  and  by  the  unostentatious  yet  genuine  manner  in 
which  she  dispensed  hospitality.  Mrs.  Jones  was  in  all  respects  a  most 
excellent  gardener’s  wife,  and  we  are  not  surprised  to  learn  that 
Mr.  Jones  feels  his  bereavement  most  keenly. 
-  Jadoo  Fibre, — The  introduction  of  Jadoo  fibre  by  Col.  Halford 
Thompson  a  few  years  ago  was  not  regarded  by  many  persons  with  much 
favour.  Events  have  proved  the  merit  of  the  material,  and  the  company 
that  was  promoted  some  time  back  now  finds  itself  hampered  by  lack  of 
funds,  the  business  having  increased  to  such  a  surprising  extent. 
Such  being  the  case,  it  has  now  been  decided  to  increase  the  capital  to 
£50,000  sterling,  which  will  allow  the  Directors  the  needed  scope  for 
extension.  Col.  Thompson  is  the  Chairman  of  the  Board,  of  which 
P.  C.  M.  Yeitch,  Esq.,  is  a  member.  For  other  particulars,  see  our 
advertisement  columns. 
-  Potatoes  for  Exhibition. — This  is  what  I  read  in  one  of 
our  great  weekly  newspapers  the  other  day,  under  the  name  of  a  reputed 
leading  horticulturist.  I  could  but  fancy  that  our  old  friend  has  been 
playing  Bip  Yan  Winkle  : — “  Best  six  varieties  for  exhibition — Snow¬ 
flake,  Schoolmaster,  Garibaldi,  Red  Emperor,  International,  Kidney, 
and  Ashtop  Fluke.  Best  two  white  rounds — Porter’s  Excelsior  and 
Schoolmaster.  Best  two  coloured  rounds — Red  Emperor  and  Beauty  of 
Kent,  or  Grampian.”  Just  so,  twenty  years  ago  ;  but  now  of  all  the 
varieties  mentioned  hardly  more  than  two  are  found  in  commerce.  Not 
one  of  the  fine  Potatoes  of  to-day  gets  mention.  Clearly  it  is  a  case  of 
twenty  years’  somnolence. — Solanum. 
-  Single  Dahlias. — It  is  curious  to  watch  the  changes  of 
fashion  in  regard  to  popularity  in  flowers.  A  few  years  ago  there  was 
a  great  rush  for  single  Dahlias,  and  they  were  really  beautiful  ;  of  late 
years,  however,  they  are  rarely  seen.  The  misfortune  with  the  old 
Dahlias  frequently  iB  they  bloom  rather  late  in  our  climate,  and  are  no 
sooner  in  full  force  than  the  frost  is  ready  to  dispute  possession  with  us. 
In  the  Old  World  the  Dahlia  is  yet  popular.  In  France  they  have 
succeeded  in  getting  varieties  of  Dahlias  with  new  double  disc  flowers. 
Usually,  where  the  Dahlia  is  improved,  the  disc  florets  become  strap- 
shaped. — (“  Meehan’s  Monthly.”) 
-  Berlin  Grand  Exhibition.  —  The  oldest  horticultural 
Society  in  Germany — the  Verein  zur  Beforderung  des  Gartenbaues  in 
den  preussischen  Staaten — will  celebrate  its  seventy-fifth  anniversary 
by  a  grand  general  exhibition,  in  which  foreigners  can  partake.  The 
programme  and  its  first  supplement  include  many  high  prizes,  in 
total  50,000  marks  (£2500),  and  many  prizes  of  honour,  amongst 
which  is  a  very  high  prize  of  the  Emperor.  It  would  be  of  the  greatest 
interest,  also  from  the  commercial  point  of  view,  if  English  growers 
would  exhibit  there,  especially  Orchids,  but  also  Chinese  Primulas 
and  Cyclamen,  to  see  if  the  English  are  better  than  the  German. 
The  term  for  inscriptions  expires  at  the  1st  March.  Address  to  the 
Secretary  General,  Berlin  N.,  Invalidenstrasse  42. 
-  Pruntjs  nana. — Some  plants  of  this  pretty  little  Prunus  are  at 
present  in  flower  in  the  conservatory  at  Kew.  Although  very  attractive, 
whether  grown  outside  (when  it  flowers  in  early  spring)  or  forced  for 
greenhouse  decoration  in  winter,  this  delightful  plant  is  very  rarely  met 
with,  doubtless  on  account  of  its  not  being  better  known.  It  belongs  to 
the  dwarf  section  of  the  genus,  and  at  Kew  when  mature  forms  twiggy 
bushes  3J  feet  in  height  by  the  same  in  diameter.  The  flowers  resemble 
in  colour  and  shape  those  of  the  common  Almond,  but  are  only  about 
half  the  size.  They  are,  however,  very  freely  produced  on  all  parts  of 
the  previous  year’s  growth.  To  succeed  well  with  this  plant  it  is 
advisable  to  propagate  a  few  each  year,  as  young  plants  make  better 
growths  and  flower  more  profusely  than  older  ones.  It  is  a  native  of 
South  Russia,  and  used  to  be  known  as  Amygdalus  nana. — W. 
-  Liverpool  Horticultural  Association.— On  Saturday 
evening  the  annual  dinner  to  members  and  friends  was  held,  the 
attendance  being  quite  up  to  the  average.  The  tables  presented  a 
charming  appearance  with  their  pleasing  decorations,  which  had  been 
done  by  members  of  the  Committee.  Dinner  over,  the  chair  was 
occupied  by  W.  F.  Rogers,  Esq.,  the  Hon.  Treasurer,  who  was  supported 
by  Messrs.  R.W.  Ker,  J.  Kellitt,  C.C.,J. White  (Chairman  of  the  Associa¬ 
tion),  T.  Foster  (Vice-Chairman),  and  Mr.  W.  Dickson  (Secretary).  The 
usual  loyal  toasts  were  proposed,  and  heartily  responded  to  by  those 
present  with  musical  honours.  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons  gave  hand¬ 
somely  by  providing  punch  and  cigars  for  all  present  ;  and  Messrs. 
T.  Davies  &  Co.  presented  each  person  with  a  box  of  cigarettes.  Votes 
of  thanks  to  the  Chairman,  and  a  splendid  musical  programme  was 
much  enjoyed. — R.  P.  R. 
HINTS  ON  FORCING. 
The  next  few  weeks  are  anxious  times  for  those  who  have  to  keep  up 
a  constant  supply  of  cut  flowers  and  flowering  plants.  Balls  and  parties 
are  continually  taking  place,  and  these  make  a  largely  increased  demand 
for  flowers.  The  bulk  of  Chrysanthemums  are  over,  so  we  have  to 
depend  almost  entirely  upon  forced  flowers  for  our  supply.  Camellias  may, 
of  course,  be  had  in  quantity  where  they  have  been  gradually  induced 
to  flower  early  by  giving  them  extra  heat  during  the  growing  season. 
These,  however,  are  not  so  favourably  regarded  for  decorative  work  as 
formerly,  being  somewhat  too  stiff  to  be  used  in  quantity.  Among  plants 
that  can  be  flowered  in  cool  houses  in  January,  Epacris  must  take  high 
rank,  as  they  supply  flowers  in  beautiful  shades  of  colour,  and  of  the 
right  style  to  give  the  necessary  touch  of  lightness  to  both  plant  and 
cut  flower  arrangements.  These  are  qualities  found  wanting  in  many 
January  flowers,  and  therefore  constitute  a  strong  plea  for  the  more 
extended  culture  of  the  Epacris. 
Seeing,  then,  how  much  we  depend  upon  forced  flowers,  it  is 
important  to  avoid,  as  far  as  possible,  errors  in  their  management,  as  a 
mistake  usually  means  a  blank  in  our  chain  of  supply.  I  propose,  there¬ 
fore,  to  offer  a  few  remarks  about  forcing,  which  I  trust  will  be  of  service 
to  some.  Tulips  are,  I  think,  amongst  the  most  easily  managed  and  useful 
winter  and  spring  flowers  we  have.  They  last  a  long  time  when  cut, 
and  if  used  with  the  bulbs  attached,  and  surrounded  with  damp  moss, 
they  are  suitable  for  arranging  in  an  infinite  variety  of  ways,  and  last 
quite  as  long  as  if  left  undisturbed  in  the  pots  or  boxes  in  which  they 
are  grown.  For  early  work  I  consider  there  is  nothing  better  than  the 
scarlet  Due  Van  Thol.  It  can  be  obtained  very  cheaply,  and  the 
colour  is  a  bright  and  attractive  one,  so  much  needed  to  brighten  up  the 
dreariness  of  the  dull  season.  Each  year  I  become  the  more  convinced 
of  the  importance  of  potting  the  bulbs  early,  so  as  to  secure  plenty  of 
active  roots  before  the  bulbs  are  placed  in  heat.  If  this  is  done  they 
will  bear  very  hard  forcing  with  impunity,  and  throw  the  flowers  well 
above  the  foliage. 
When  Tulips  are  prepared  in  this  way  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
frequently  they  do  not  receive  such  copious  supplies  of  water  as  they 
need  after  they  have  been  placed  in  heat  about  a  week.  I  make  a 
practice  of  turning  a  few  out  of  the  pots  to  examine  the  roots,  and  I 
invariably  find  these  are  closely  packed  round  the  sides  of  the  pot. 
When  such  is  the  case  the  whole  batch  is  watered  several  times  so  as  to 
thoroughly  moisten  every  particle  of  soil  and  root.  In  many  instances 
I  have  noticed  that  this  copious  watering  has  a  wonderful  effect  upon 
the  progress  of  the  plants,  as  they  seem  to  grow  very  quickly  ;  and  if 
kept  near  the  glass  the  flowers  show  a  substance  of  petal  which  forced 
Tulips  often  lack.  Let  the  conditions  under  which  this  copious 
watering  is  advocated  be  clearly  grasped,  or  the  results  will  be  dis¬ 
appointing.  These  are — that  the  bulbs  must  first  have  plenty  of  roots, 
and  be  grown  in  a  strong  heat.  Chrysolora  is  a  capital  yellow  variety  for 
early  forcing,  and  L’lmmacula  and  La  Candeur  are  good  whites.  1  find 
it  is  an  excellent  plan  to  syringe  Tulips  freely  till  the  flowers  begin  to 
show  colour,  as  it  keeps  green  fly  in  check,  and  the  young  leaves  appear 
to  revel  in  the  treatment. 
Roman  Hyacinths  are  always  of  great  service,  and  it  is  a  good  plan 
to  make  their  season  as  long  as  possible.  The  latest  bulbs  I  leave 
plunged  in  ashes  in  the  open  air  till  the  flowers  begin  to  open.  The 
bulbs  do  not  make  roots  quite  so  freely  as  Tulips,  and  if  they  are  over¬ 
watered  the  young  roots  quickly  decay,  and  some  of  the  flower  bells 
turn  yellow.  When,  however,  the  soil  in  which  they  are  growing 
becomes  fairly  dry  copious  supplies  of  water  should  be  given.  When 
the  flowers  are  expanding  I  find  a  rather  dry  position  suits  them. 
Retarded  Lily  of  the  Valley  crowns  are  of  immense  service  up  till 
the  middle  or  end  of  the  present  month ;  from  that  time  onward 
ordinary  crowns  start  freely  enough.  These  should  be  given  a  bottom 
heat  of  from  80°  to  85°,  be  covered  with  moss  or  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  and 
kept  constantly  moist.  When  a  bed  with  bottom  heat  is  not  at  command 
good  results  may  be  obtained  by  plunging  the  pots  in  boxes  placed  over 
the  hot-water  pipes,  and  from  the  middle  of  February  they  succeed 
admirably  if  placed  on  shelves  or  beds  without  bottom  heat. 
The  value  of  Daffodils  for  growing  in  pots  is  now  largely  recog¬ 
nised,  and  they  ought  to  be  grown  in  quantity  by  all.  Many  of  them  do 
not  force  well  early  in  the  season,  but  from  the  present  time  they  may 
be  brought  on  gradually  in  a  little  heat.  The  old  double  yellow 
variety,  the  Tenby  Daffodil,  and  Butter  and  Eggs,  are  suitable  for  early 
forcing.  The  second  named  I  this  season  had  in  flower  by  the  second 
week  in  December,  every  bulb  flowering.  Close  observation  has  con¬ 
vinced  me  that  it  is  not  sharp  forcing  alone  that  sends  many  of  the 
flowers  blind,  as  it  is  often  brought  about  by  a  sudden  lowering  of 
tbe  temperature  around  them  when  the  atmosphere  is  ladened  with 
moisture.  By  removing  pots  from  a  damp  to  a  somewhat  dry  position 
I  have  frequently  noticed  a  marked  improvement  take  place  quickly. 
Sir  Watkin,  rightly  called  the  King  of  Daffodils,  is  so  good  that  it  is  a 
pity  to  risk  chance  of  failure  by  forcing  early,  but  if  taken  into  an 
intermediate  house  about  the  middle  of  January  it  succeeds  admirably. 
The  main  batch  should,  however,  be  allowed  to  advance  in  an  ordinary 
greenhouse  temperature.  — Pl antsman . 
(To  be  continued.) 
