44 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  11,  1895. 
the  point  from  which  I  wanted  them  to  start  into  their  permanent 
growths.  These  were  rigid  and  upright,  having  prominent  buds  like 
Peas,  and  when  turned  out  of  their  pots,  it  appeared  as  if  they  had  used 
every  particle  of  soil,  and  when  washed  free  from  it  lodked  like  mops. 
They  started  into  growth  rapidly  and  with  vigour.  The  permanent 
Vines  were  planted  12  feet  apart,  and  brought  away  with  three  canes 
each.  A  good  many  temporary  Vines  were  planted  and  restricted  to 
one  cane  that  was  prepared  for  fruiting  the  following  year,  when  they 
were  cropped  to  11  feet  of  their  length.  All  who  saw  this  house  of 
Vines  agreed  that  they  were  wonderful  young  canes.  The  permanent 
Vines  were  allowed  to  hold  a  few  bunches  to  each  limb,  and  the  supers 
fourteen  bunches  of  no  mean  proportions  each,  and  which  they  brought 
to  fine  maturity.  The  sorts  were  chiefly  Black  Hamburghs,  with  a  few 
Gros  Colman.  After  that  season  the  supers  were  removed,  all  but  one 
Black  Hamburgh  ;  this  bore  splendidly  the  following  year,  it  continues 
to  do  so  still,  and  to  show  clearly  where  it  was  cut  back  to  the  first 
year. 
In  recommending  this  departure  from  the  old  stereotyped  practice  of 
preparing  Vines  in  large  pots  with  rich  soil  and  useless  lengths  of  growth 
for  planting,  I  am  doing  so  because  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  of  its 
being  more  convenient,  less  laborious,  and  productive  of  far  finer  Vines 
for  the  purpose  they  are  intended. 
I  send  you  with  this  a  sample  of  a  Vine  washed  out  of  a  6-inch  pot, 
and  leave  you  to  judge  of  the  correctness  of  what  I  am  recommending 
from  the  sample,  which,  as  compared  to  a  number  of  Vines  I  saw  turned 
out  of  11-inch  pots  last  week,  has  six  times  as  many  rootlets.  There  is 
no  greater  mistake  nor  delusion  than  the  big  pot  and  long  rod  system 
for  planting  Vines ;  what  we  should  seek  for  are  a  multitude  of  roots 
and  concentrated  growth. — D.  Thomson,  Drumlanrig. 
[We  have  pleasure  in  acceding  to  the  request  of  our  correspondent, 
and  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  article  will  prove  useful.] 
PANSY  AND  VIOLET  SOCIETY. 
July  6th. 
The  third  annual  exhibition  of  this  Society  was  held  at  the  Palace 
on  the  6th  inst.,  and  proved  superior  to  its  predecessors  in  almost  every 
respect.  But  it  would  be  well  in  future  for  the  Executive  of  the  Pansy 
Society  to  secure  sufficient  space  for  their  exhibits  to  be  staged  properly. 
The  present  show  was  crowded  and  cramped,  so  that  justice  was  not 
done  either  to  the  blooms  or  their  exhibitors.  Neither  could  the  public 
appreciate  the  show  as  they  would  have  done  had  the  classes  been  more 
clearly  defined. 
The  open  classes  were  all  well  filled,  and  the  competition  keen.  Mr. 
S.  Pye,  Garstang,  secured  the  gold  medal  for  the  best  collection  of 
Pansies  and  Violas.  A  very  meritorious  exhibit  in  every  respect. 
Florizet,  Blush  Queen,  Iona,  Waterloo,  Tara,  Lemon  Queen,  Charmer, 
Cristiana,  and  Queen  of  the  Year  were  very  conspicuous  in  the  Violas. 
The  Pansies  in  both  types  were  largely  shown,  and  well  represented  by 
large,  well  coloured  flowers,  the  Show  varieties  making  a  pleasing 
change. 
In  the  class  for  forty-eight  Fancy  Pansies,  distinct,  Mr.  John  Suther¬ 
land,  Lenzie,  was  placed  first,  his  stands  being  very  fresh  throughout 
and  the  blooms  of  first-rate  quality.  The  best  flowers  were  John  Miller, 
Princess  May,  Geo.  Stewart  (a  grand  flower),  Tamworth  Yellow,  Mar- 
mion,  and  Jeannie  Sutherland.  Mr.  M.  Campbell,  Blantyre,  secured 
second  honours.  The  best  blooms  were  Agnes  Mabel,  Mrs.  D.  Johnstone, 
Mrs.  W.  Watson,  and  Betsy  Kelly.  The  third  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
J.  Smellie,  Busby,  whose  flowers  were  rather  smaller.  Lieut.  W.  Isaac, 
Mrs.  J.  Smellie,  David  Russell,  and  John  Taylor  were  most  noticeable. 
Mr.  Alex.  Lister,  Rothesay,  was  in  the  fourth  place, 
A  very  strong  team  of  exhibitors  competed  for  twenty-four  blooms, 
distinct.  Here  Mr.  Lister  reversed  the  order  of  the  day  by  securing 
first  honours  with  a  well  diversified  stand.  Celtic  Gem,  Mrs.  W.  Watson, 
Mrs,  D.  Johnstone,  and  Jessie  Gillespie  were  excellent.  Mr.  John 
Smellie  carried  off  the  second  honours.  W.  H.  Clarke,  Mrs.  W.  Steel, 
and  Marmion  were  the  best  flowers.  The  third  prize  fell  to  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Co.,  Bridge  of  Weir. 
Twelve  Fancy  Pansies  brought  out  a  very  strong  team  of  exhibitors, 
but  Mr.  J.  Smellie  proved  the  victor  with  a  very  heavy  dozen  ;  Tamworth 
Yellow,  Mrs.  Stirling,  and  Mrs.  W.  Watson  were  grand.  Mr.  Alex. 
Lister  took  second  place  by  a  point  or  two,  while  third  position  was 
secured  by  Mr.  M.  Campbell.  In  the  class  for  twelve  blooms,  one 
variety,  Mr.  J.  Smellie  was  placed  first  with  a  fine  stand  of  Marmion  ; 
second,  Mr.  Alex.  Lister  with  Colonel  M.  R,  G.  Buchanan  ;  third,  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Co.  with  Geo.  Stewart.  For  twelve  unnamed  seedlings 
Mr.  Lister  was  easily  first,  followed  by  Messrs.  Smellie  and  Paul  &  Co. 
in  the  order  named.  Only  one  class  was  provided  for  Show  Pansies, 
which  brought  out  some  good  quality  blooms,  Mr.  Smellie  secured 
first  place,  his  J.  T.  Howard,  Mrs.  J.  Wilson,  Mrs.  Jas.  Hunter,  and 
Mrs.  Brown  were  best,  Mr.  Lister  was  a  close  second,  while  Mr. 
Campbell  was  third  with  weaker  flowers. 
The  competition  in  the  Viola  classes  was  exceptionally  keen,  and 
must  have  given  the  Judges  considerable  trouble.  In  the  class  for 
twenty-four  sprays,  six  blooms  each,  eight  competitors  faced  the  Judges. 
Mr.  Smellie  was  placed  first  with  a  well-arranged  stand.  Lemon  Queen, 
Border  Witch,  and  White  Duchess  were  excellent.  Messrs.  Cheal  and 
Sons,  Crawley,  Sussex,  secured  second  honours,  their  stand  being  well 
arranged.  Lemon  Queen,  Goldfinch,  Countess  of  Kintore,  and  W.  Neil 
were  excellent.  Mr.  J.  Nicholdson,  Sewardstone,  just  lost  to  Messrs. 
Cheal  by  a  single  point.  This  exhibitor’s  spraying  was  a  little  weak. 
Fourth,  Mr.  S.  Pye. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  sprays  Messrs.  Paul  &  Co.  were  first  with  a 
capital  display.  Countess  of  Hopetown,  Edina,  Mrs.  C.  F.  Gordon,  and 
Iona  being  most  conspicuous.  Messrs.  Cheal  &  Sons  were  again  close 
up  to  the  northerner  for  second  place.  Mr.  Smellie  third.  For  six 
sprays  of  rayless  Violas  Mr.  A.  J.  Rowberry,  Woodford,  was  easily  ahead, 
his  flowers  being  fresh,  and  splendidly  arranged.  Mr.  Baxter,  Woking, 
was  placed  second  wit’n  a  very  creditable  stand,  while  third  honours 
fell  to  Mr.  Pye. 
In  the  class  for  six  sprays  of  the  miniature  type  Mr.  A.  J.  Rowberry 
led  off  easily,  Mr.  J.  Nicholdson  second,  Mr.  Bruce  Cook,  Chingford, 
third.  Six  sprays  Viola  seedlings  brought  out  a  strong  team,  Mr. 
Rowberry  being  clearly  ahead,  followed  by  Messrs.  Smellie  and  Pye  in 
the  order  named. 
Class  13,  a  basket  of  rayless  Violas  growing,  only  called  out  three 
entries,  Mr.  Pye  securing  the  first  honours  with  a  fine  fresh  basket, 
Messrs.  Cheal  &  Sons  were  second  with  a  smaller  basket,  while  Mr. 
Bruce  Cook  came  third  with  a  much  weaker  arrangement.  The  amateurs’ 
classes  were  well  filled,  and  the  lists  show  a  large  increase  in  the  number 
of  exhibitors,  while  the  quality  of  the  Violas  was  decidedly  superior  to 
those  exhibited  in  the  open  classes. 
WOKK.fouthe  WEEK..  S 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Pines. — Starting  Sucliers  from  the  Early  Summer  Fruiters, — As 
the  suckers  will  soon  be  ready  to  take  from  the  plants,  the  necessary 
provision  for  starting  them  must  be  made  at  once,  so  that  plants  may 
have  the  benefit  of  the  undiminished  solar  heat  in  developing  growth 
for  as  long  a  period  as  possible.  Suitable  means  are  a  fermenting  bed 
in  a  low  house  or  pit,  the  heat  being  steady  at  about  90°  six  inches  from 
the  surface,  but  a  few  degrees  higher  may  be  allowed  at  the  start.  The 
suckers  should  be  taken  from  the  parent  plants,  and  then  directly  placed 
into  5  or  7-inch  pots,  according  to  the  size  of  the  suckers,  supplying 
water  to  settle  the  soil  about  them.  Good  fibrous  loam  torn  up  by 
hand  is  the  most  suitable,  which  should  be  firmly  embedded  in  the  pot 
and  about  the  suckers,  and  will  tend  to  cause  speedier  root  action  and 
sturdier  growth.  For  a  week  or  ten  days  keep  the  house  or  pit  rather 
moist  and  close,  shading  effectually,  and  admit  but  little  air,  sprinkling 
through  a  fine  rose  once  or  twice  a  day,  according  to  external  influences. 
As  soon  as  growth  takes  place  more  ventilation  with  less  shade  is  desir¬ 
able,  which  must  be  proceeded  with  gradually  until  growth  is  well 
decided,  and  the  plants  are  inured  to  the  sun,  when  ordinary  treatment 
should  be  given. 
Treatment  after  Rooting. — Once  the  plants  are  started  they  must  not 
be  allowed  to  become  root-bound,  but  the  growth  accelerated  as  far  as  is 
consistent  with  sturdiness,  consequently  there  must  not  be  any  delay  in 
shifting  into  larger  pots  immediately  the  roots  have  taken  to  the  soil, 
and  before  they  become  matted  together  at  the  sides  of  the  pots.  The 
size  of  the  pots  should  be  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the 
plants.  For  Queens  and  Black  Jamaicas  10-inch  pots  are  suitable,  and 
for  other  sorts  11  or  12-inch  pots,  using  fibrous  loam,  but  more  lumpy 
than  for  suckers,  adding  a  sprinkling  of  bonemeal,  and  to  prevent 
worms  entering  the  pots  a  little  soot  or  wood  ashes  may  be  sprinkled 
over  the  drainage. 
Strawberries  In  Pots. — Early  runners  for  layering  in  pots  are 
best  furnished  by  early  planted  runners  of  last  year.  The  plants  will 
afford  the  strongest,  best  runners  for  layering  that  are  not  overcropped 
and  well  supplied  with  water.  The  plants  should  have  shown  blossoms, 
because  runners  from  fruitful  plants  always  turn  out  better  than  those 
from  fruitless,  strong-growing  plants.  The  runners  may  be  layered  into 
small  pots,  turves,  or  into  the  fruiting  pots.  All  three  plans  are  good. 
In  any  case  it  is  essential  that  the  first  runners,  which  give  the  best 
plantlets,  should  be  selected,  and  that  they  be  induced  by  free  watering 
to  emit  roots  speedily,  so  that  they  may  by  judicious  after  attention 
develop  into  sturdy  plants  and  form  good  crowns.  If  layered  into  the 
largest  pots  they  need  not  be  detached  until  thoroughly  established. 
Runners  layered  in  3-inch  pots  or  turves  should,  as  soon  as  rooted  well, 
be  detached  and  stood  in  a  shady  place  for  a  few  days  preparatory  to 
shifting  them  into  the  fruiting  pots.  These  may  be  5-inch  for  very 
early  forcing,  6-inch  for  succession,  and  7-inch  for  late  work  or  strong¬ 
growing  sorts. 
For  very  early  forcing  Stevens’  Wonder  has  proved  of  great 
excellence,  and  Royal  Sovereign  first-class  for  setting,  swelling,  good 
size,  and  high  quality.  Of  the  older  sorts  La  Grosse  Sucr^e  and 
Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury  are  good  all  round,  setting,  swelling,  and 
finishing  fine  glossy  fruit.  Noble  sets  well  and  finishes  off  a  heavy  crop 
of  somewhat  dull-looking  fruit ;  it  and  Auguste  Nicaiso,  a  brighter- 
looking  fruit  than  Noble,  and  of  even  larger  size,  are  good  for  second 
early  forcing.  President  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  are  still  amongst  the 
best.  Lucas,  Gunton  Park,  British  Queen,  and  Dr.  Hogg  give 
successional  and  late  fruit  unsurpassed  for  size,  crop,  and  quality. 
