112 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  11,  1897. 
HINTS  ON  FORCING. 
( Concluded  from,  page  93.) 
Roses  are  at  all  times  highly  prized  by  flower  lovers,  and  during  the 
early  spring  months  they  are  especially  valued,  for  then  they  have  a 
freshness  and  delicacy  which  fully  compensates  for  the  lack  of  size  and 
substance  the  blooms  show.  Roses  are,  indeed,  the  floral  queens  of 
spring  as  well  as  of  summertime.  It  is  not  a  particularly  difficult 
matter  to  obtain  a  few  blooms  throughout  the  winter,  but  flowers 
produced  during  December  and  January  do  not  last  long  when  cut 
owing  to  the  sharp  forcing  the  plants  have  to  be  subjected  to,  and  for 
the  same  reason  the  crop  per  plant  is  not  a  large  one.  For  these  reasons 
the  majority  of  cultivators  do  not  begin  forcing  till  the  end  of 
January  or  early  in  February.  The  plants  then  make  rapid  headway 
with  the  help  of  a  little  fire  heat. 
Tea  Roses  in  pots  were  at  one  time  left  in  the  open  air  till  wanted 
for  forcing.  The  plan  adopted  was  to  plunge  the  pots  over  their  rims  in 
ashes  early  in  the  autumn,  and  on  the  appearance  of  severe  weather 
straw  or  bracken  was  scattered  over  the  shoots  to  afford  some  protection. 
A  much  better  plan,  however,  is  to  place  the  plants  under  glass  in 
October  ;  any  structure  from  which  frost  is  excluded  answers  very  well. 
With  this  treatment  the  wood  is  preserved  in  good  condition,  and  the 
buds  plump  up  ready  for  an  early  start.  The  pruning  should  be  done 
some  time  during  January,  but  it  ought  not  to  be  a  severe  one.  I  have 
tried  various  practices,  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that,  except 
in  a  few  instances,  the  best  results  are  obtained  when  the  knife  is  but 
sparingly  used.  I  usually  thin  out  such  weak  shoots  as  are  not  likely  to 
flower,  remove  those  branches  which  show  signs  of  decay,  and  cut  away 
the  unripened  points  of  very  strong  ones. 
Some  varieties  of  Teas  send  up  strong  suckers  which  grow  to  a  great 
length.  A  good  way  to  deal  with  these  is  to  insert  a  few  stakes  round 
the  sides  of  the  pot,  and  coil  such  shoots  around  them.  This,  of  course, 
changes  their  position  from  an  upright  to  a  horizontal  one,  and 
therefore  somewhat  checks  the  flow  of  sap,  which  has  the  effect  of 
converting  a  “robber”  into  a  useful  member  of  the  plant  that  pro¬ 
duces  it,  as  these  strong  shoots  when  so  treated  often  eventually  bear 
very  fine  blooms. 
After  the  pruning  is  completed  it  is  a  good  plan  to  syringe  the  plants 
with  a  solution  of  one  of  the  many  good  insecticides  now  in  commerce. 
The  surface  soil  ought  tden  to  be  removed,  and  a  top-dressing  given. 
A  suitable  compost  for  this  purpose  is  one  formed  of  good  fibrous  loam, 
inclined  to  be  heavy  rather  than  light,  with  a  tenth  of  bonemeal  added. 
Some  cultivators  pot  at  this  stage  any  plants  that  are  in  comparatively 
small  pots.  I  do  not  favour  the  practice,  because  I  find  with  so  many 
good  artificial  manures  in  the  market  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  feed 
liberally  enough  to  enable  the  plants,  without  undue  strain,  to  perfect  a 
crop  of  flowers  ;  by  that  time  the  roots  are  active,  and  the  plant  in  the 
right  condition  for  potting.  With  all  Roses  in  pots  I  like  to  do  the 
potting  when  they  are  in  the  open  air  during  the  summer  months. 
When  the  plants  have  been  top-dressed  a  good  method  of  procedure 
is  to  place  half  the  number  in  a  forcing  house  or  vinery  where  a  night 
temperature  of  from  55°  to  60°  is  maintained,  with  a  rise  of  10°  during 
the  day,  the  other  half  being  transferred  to  a  cool  greenhouse.  By  these 
means  a  good  succession  of  flowers  is  maintained.  The  plants  in  heat 
will  require  copious  sy  ringings  occasionally  when  the  weather  is  bright,  and 
fumigating  whenever  green  aphides  make  their  appearance.  As  soon  as 
the  growths  are  about  an  inch  in  length  the  weaker  ones  should  be 
removed,  aa  such  never  produce  creditable  flowers,  and  are  therefore  not 
wanted. 
When  pruning  Hybrid  Perpetuals  totally  different  tactics  must  be 
followed,  as  in  their  case  a  free  use  of  the  knife  is  essential  to  success. 
Old  and  enfeebled  shoots  should  first  be  cut  away,  weak  side  shoots 
removed,  and  the  remainder  shortened  back  to  from  oDe  to  three  eyes 
of  their  base — i.e .,  the  point  from  which  they  started  last  year,  the 
strongest  of  course  being  allowed  to  retain  the  maximum  number  of 
eyes.  When  blanks  occur  through  the  removal  of  old  shoots,  young 
ones  near  may  be  left  9  inches  in  length  to  fill  up  the  vacancy.  Regular 
attention  to  such  matters  will  result  in  shapely  well-balanced  plants, 
which  when  in  flower  have  a  much  better  appearance  than  ill-shaped 
ones,  and  are  moreover  likely  to  produce  a  greater  percentage  of  fine 
blooms. 
As  soon  as  the  flower  buds  are  visible  feeding  becomes  an  important 
detail  of  culture.  Liquid  manure  obtained  from  cesspools  into  which 
the  drainage  from  stables  and  cowsheds  is  conducted  is  excellent  for 
the  purpose,  if  given  in  a  greatly  diluted  state,  about  the  colour  of 
brown  brandy.  If  this  is  applied  two  or  three  times  weekly,  and  a  dose 
of  soot  water  given  as  well,  the  plants  will  be  kept  in  good  health. 
Artificial  manure,  if  applied  to  the  surface  of  the  soil  when  the  flower 
buds  are  swelling,  is  also  a  practice  productive  of  fine  results ;  indeed, 
where  there  is  any  difficulty  in  obtaining  natural  liquid  manure,  the 
artificial  fertilisers  may  be  depended  upon  entirely.  The  following 
varieties  are  some  of  the  best  for  growing  in  pots. 
Tea-scented. — Adam,  Anna  Ollivier,  Catherine  Mermet,  Comtesse 
de  Nadaillac,  Grace  Darling,  Hon.  Edith  Gifford,  Homere,  Isabella 
Sprunt,  Madame  Lambard,  Madame  de  Watteville,  Ma  Capacine, 
Niphetos,  Perle  de  Lyon,  Safrano,  The  Bride,  and  Madame  Falcot. 
Hybrid  Perpetuals. — Beauty  of  Waltham,  Fisher  Holmes,  Gdn^ral 
Jacqueminot,  John  Hopper,  La  France,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  Pride  of  Waltham, 
Mane  Yerdier,  and  Marie  Baumann. — Plantsman. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY 
Drill  Hall,  February  9th. 
The  meeting  of  the  various  Committees  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  the 
above  date  was  large  both  as  regards  attendance  and  the  number  of 
exhibita.  The  display  waB  bright,  varied,  and  extremely  interesting, 
each  division — Fruit,  Floral,  and  Orchid — being  well  represented. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Messrs.  T.  F.  Rivers.  G.  Bunyard,  J.  Cheal, 
J.  H.  Veitcb,  A.  F.  Barron,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  G.  W.  Cummins,  A.  H. 
Pearson,  T.  Fife,  G.  Norman,  J.  Smith,  J.  Willard,  H.  Balderson,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  G.  Sage,  G.  Reynolds,  W.  Bates,  T.  Farr,  C.  Herrin,  W.  Pope, 
A.  Dean,  and  J.  Wright. 
As  will  be  seen,  there  was  a  large  attendance  of  members  ;  but  the 
products  submitted  for  examination  were  limited. 
Major  Thornhill,  Stanton  Hall,  Bakewell  (Mr.  G.  Harvey,  gardener), 
sent  a  plate  of  very  fine  Lemons,  grown  on  the  back  wall  of  a  house.  A 
cultural  commendation  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Messrs.  Rivers  &  Son  sent  fine  specimens  of  an  Apple  named 
Carmenal — a  flattish  striped  Apple,  especially  near  the  base  ;  also  fruits 
of  Prince  Edward  Apple,  soft  and  sweet,  juicy,  and  pleasant;  in 
appearance  intermediate  between  Cox’s  Pomona  and  Cellini  (award  of 
merit).  Messrs.  Rivers  also  sent  specimens  of  St.  Martin’s  Apple.  An 
award  of  merit  was  granted  for  this  variety  in  the  autumn,  and  the 
dark  conical  fruits  were  still  in  good  condition. 
Messrs.  Rivers  &  Son  had  a  very  good  table  of  frHit,  consisting  of 
thirty  dishes  of  Apples  and  Oranges,  and  a  silver  Knightian  medal  was 
unanimously  awarded. 
Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons  arranged  sixty  dishes  of  Apples  and  Pears, 
several  very  fine,  and  the  exhibit  highly  creditable.  A  silver-gilt  medal 
was  awarded  without  a  dissentient  vote. 
Veitchian  Prizes  for  Dessert  Fruit.— Pears.— First,  R.  Leigh, 
Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Woodward)  with  Passe  Crasanne  ;  second,  Mr.  Owen 
Thomas,  with  Ne  Plus  Meuris.  Apples. — First,  Mr.  W.  H.  Divers, 
Belvoir  Castle,  with  Blenheim  Orange  ;  second,  Mr.  James  Hudson, 
Gunnersbury,  with  Scarlet  Nonpareil. 
Floral  Committee. — Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq,  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  H.  B.  May,  C.  T.  Druery,  R.  Dean,  J.  H.  Fitt,  R.  Owen, 
G.  Stevens.  J.  F.  McLeod,  R.  B.  Lowe,  C.  J.  Salter,  J.  JenniDgs,  H.  J. 
Jones.  H.  J.  Cutbush,  J.  Peed,  C.  Jeffries,  R.  M.  Hogg,  W.  Bain,  J.  D. 
Pawle.  C.  E.  Pearson.  C.  E.  Shea,  C.  Blick,  H.  Turner,  G.  Paul,  J.  W. 
Barr.  E.  Beckett,  J.  Fraser,  and  J.  Laing. 
Miscellaneous  flowering  and  foliage  plants  in  excellent  condition 
and  considerable  variety  came  from  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons.  Norwood 
Road.  Amongst  them  were  Roman  Hyacinths,  Lily  of  the  Valley, 
Cyclamens,  Begonias,  Prunue,  Crotons,  and  Palms.  The  stand  arranged 
by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  was  largely  composed  of  Palms, 
Ferns,  Dracaenas,  and  Isolepis,  the  whole  making  a  good  display.  Mr. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham, staged  hardy  bulbous  flowers.  Sprays  of  Lily  of 
the  Valley,  arranged  with  their  own  foliage,  came  from  Messrs.  Young 
and  Co.,  Stevenage. 
A  collection  of  hardy  forced  shrubs  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  G.  Wythes, 
gardener  to  Earl  Percy,  Syon  House,  Brentford,  which  demonstrated 
the  utility  of  this  class  of  plants.  Specimens  of  Staphylea  colchica 
were  carrying  hundreds  of  flowers,  while  the  branches  of  double  white 
Prunus  were  wreathed  with  blooms.  The  group  was  edged  with  Roman 
Hyacinths  and  Narcissi,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Tulips,  and  Ferns.  Mr.  J. 
Willard,  Holly  Lodge,  Highgate,  sent  six  immense  plants  of  Begonia 
Gloire  de  Sceaux,  in  which  beauty  had  partially  given  way  to 
coarseness. 
S.  Parnell,  E«q.,  Woodlands,  Streatham,  sent  a  small  group  of  Narcissi 
in  variety.  Plants  of-  Cyclamens  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  H.  Low  and 
Co.,  Clapton.  Mr.  Chas.  Turner,  Slough,  staged  finely  flowered  Cyclamens. 
The  colours  were  varied  and  good.  Hardy  flowers,  including  Scillas, 
Narcissi,  Snowdrops,  Iris  histrioides  (fig.  27,  page  111),  Were  shown  by 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden.  Messrs.  Cannell 
and  Sons,  Swanley,  sent  a  magnificent  collection  of  Primulas,  comprising 
pyramidalis  rotuudiflora  alba,  Mary  Georee.  Eynsford  White,  Future 
Queen,  Eynsford  Red,  Swanley  Blue,  White  Perfection,  Glowworm, 
White  Swan,  Swanley  Giant,  Cannell’s  White,  Csnnell’s  Pink,  and 
many  others.  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  staged 
plants  of  Azalea  mollis  in  variety. 
Messrs.  J  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  sent  specimens  of  Rhododendron 
hybrids,  Rhodora  canadensis,  and  Spirasa  confusa. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present :  S.  Courtauld,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  De  B.  Crawshay,  J.  O’Brien,  H.  M.  Pollett,  H.  Ballantine, 
N.  C.  Cookson,  E.  Ashworth,  J.  T.  Gabriel,  H.  Williams,  F.  J.  Thorne, 
H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H.  Young,  T.  W.  Bond,  C.  Winn,  J.  Dauglas, 
J.  Jacques,  E.  Hill,  J.  G.  Fowler,  and  T.  B.  Haywood. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  Chelsea,  staged 
a  superb  exhibit  of  Orchids.  These  were  Laelio-Cattleya  Pallas,  Cypri- 
redium  Harrisianum  superbum  Oreson,  Selligerum  Mrs.  Canham  and 
Euryades,  Coelogyne  cristata,  Denbrobiums  euosmum  roseum,  euosmum 
virginale,  Cordelia  flavescens  and  Domini,  with  many  others. 
Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  also  sent  Orchids,  in  which 
Cattleyas,  Cypripediums,  Lycaste,  and  Odontoglossums  were  noticeable. 
Messrs.  H,  Low  &  Co.’s  exhibit  was  composed  mainly  of  Dendrobiums, 
and  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son’s  of  Cypripediums.  Mr.  W.  H.  Young, 
Orchid  grower  to  Sir  F.  Wigan,  East  Sheen,  sent  flowers  of  Phalsenopsis. 
