188 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  22,  1895. 
and  a  small  Gymnogramma  sulphurea.  Messrs.  Brooks  and 
Son  were  second;  and  Mr.  B.  Hall,  Bath,  third.  With  eight 
Adiantums  Mr.  C.  Holland  was  first,  showing,  among  other  varieties, 
good  specimens  of  A.  trapeziforme  and  A.  farleyense.  Mr.  E.  Hall  was 
second  ;  and  Messrs.  Brooks  &  Son  third.  Hardy  Ferns  were  finely 
shown  by  Mr.  E.  Hall,  who  had  Athyrium  plumosum,  Osraunda  regalis, 
Polystichnm  lonchitis,  Scolopendrium  vulgare  var,  crispum.  Polypodium 
vulgare  cambricum,  Polystichum  angulare  proliferum,  Scolopendrium 
vulgare  Coolingi,  Osmunda  regalis  cristata,  and  other  crested  Scolo- 
pendriums.  Messrs.  Brooks  &  Son  were  second. 
Double  Zonal  Pelargoniums  were  well  shown  by  Messrs.  W.  Summer- 
hayes,  E.  Hall,  and  C.  Holland  ;  and  single  flowering  varieties  by  Messrs. 
Summerhayes,  C.  Holland,  and  Brooks  &  Son,  who  took  the  prizes  in  the 
order  named.  Messrs.  Brooks  &  Son  had  a  first  for  Ivy-leaf,  and  Mr. 
W.  DafEurn,  gardener  to  Donald  Cox,  Esq.,  for  other  Pelargoniums. 
Messrs.  Brooks  &  Son  showed  good  Petunias,  and  were  first ;  Mr.  C.  Hol¬ 
land  being  second.  Messrs.  W.  Daffurn,  Brooks  &  Son,  and  W.  Summer¬ 
hayes  were  the  most  successful  exhibitors  of  Tuberous  Begonias  ;  Messrs. 
Brooks  and  Rowland  had  the  best  Liliums  ;  and  Mr.  Holland  the  best 
Fuchsias  and  Coleuses. 
Table  plants  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Coles,  Clifton  ;  and  Mr. 
G.  W.  Shelton,  gardener  to  W.  K,  Waite,  Esq.,  Clifton;  and  others. 
For  a  new  or  rare  plant  Mr.  Cypher  was  first,  showing  the  very  effective 
and  distinct  Croton  Reidi ;  Mr.  Appleton  being  second  with  Cypripedium 
Charlesworthi.  The  last-named  was  first  for  Orchids,  Laelia  crispa  and 
Oncidium  Sanderianum  being  his  best.  Mr.  Cypher  was  a  very  close 
second,  Brassia  caudata  being  his  most  noteworthy  plant. 
Cut  flowers  were  numerously  and  well  shown,  the  sides  of  one  large 
tent  being  wholly  given  up  to  these.  For  twenty-four  varieties  of 
Roses,  two  blooms  of  each,  Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester, 
were  first  with  a  fine  stand,  which  comprised  extra  good  blooms  of  Lady 
Sheffield,  Ulrich  Brunner,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  Victor  Verdier.  Marie 
Baumann,  Benoit  Comte,  Dr.  Andry,  and  The  Bride.  Mr.  F.  Ley, 
gardener  to  Dr.  Budd,  Bath,  was  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Mattock,  Oxford, 
third.  In  Messrs.  Townsend  &  Son’s  first  prize  stand  of  twelve  Roses 
were  fine  blooms  of  Her  Majesty,  La  France,  Mrs.  John  Laing,  Alfred 
Colomb,  and  Mrs.  Harry  Turner.  Mr.  Ley  was  again  second,  and  Mr. 
Mattock  third.  The  last  named  was  well  first  with  twelve  Teas,  showing 
good  blooms  of  Adam,  Innocente  Pirola,  Fran9ii8  Michelon,  Souvenir  de 
S.  A.  Prince,  Mar^chal  Niel,  and  C.  Mermet.  Mr.  Ley  was  second,  and 
Messrs.  Townsend  and  Sons  third. 
The  best  twenty-four  Dahlias  were  shown  by  Mr,  G.  Humphries, 
Chippenham  ;  Mr.  F.  Harris,  Bristol,  being  second  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Hobbs, 
Bristol,  third.  With  Cactus  Dahlias,  Mr.  S.  Tottle,  Taunton,  was  first  ; 
and  Mr.  F.  Harris  second ;  and  the  best  single  Dahlias  were  shown  by 
Mr.  J.  Truckle,  Twerton.  Hollyhocks,  though  not  numerous,  were 
extra  good,  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Kingswood,  was  first  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Hobbs 
second.  Mr.  A.  A.  Walter.®,  Bath,  was  first  for  a  fine  collection  of 
hardy  perennials  ;  and  Mr.  Garraway  had  the  best  annuals. 
Begonias  in  two  classes  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  J.  B.  Blackmore, 
Twerton,  who  had  two  first  prizes.  Mr.  G,  Humphries  made  a  fine 
display  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  and  was  first ;  while  the  best  Asters 
were  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Jones,  A.  A.  Walters,  and  G.  Garraway. 
Mr.  S.  Bird,  gardener  to  F.  H.  Fox,  Esq.,  had  a  first  prize  for  some 
grand  Gladioli  ;  S.  Tottle  also  showing  good  spikes.  Messrs.  Brooks 
and  Son  were  most  successful  with  hand  bouquets  and  such  like ; 
and  Mr.  J,  Attwell,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Brain,  Esq,,  Clifton,  was  a 
good  first  with  a  vase  of  fruit  and  flowers.  The  first  prize  collec¬ 
tion  of  wild  flowers,  by  Miss  Smith,  Kingswood,  was  worthy  of  special 
mention. 
The  display  of  fruit  was  fairly  extensive,  and  the  greater  part  of  it 
was  in  admirable  condition  for  the  table.  The  first  prize  for  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  eight  dishes  went  to  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of 
Radnor,  Longford  Castle,  Salisbury,  who  had  a  good  Smooth  Cayenne 
Pine  Apple,  well  ripened  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Madresfield  Court 
Grapes,  a  fine  Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  highly  coloured  Prince  of  Wales 
Peach,  Moor  Park  Apricot,  Brunswick  Fig,  and  Pineapple  Nectarine. 
Mr.  J.  Lloyd,  gardener  to  Vincent  Stuckey,  Esq.,  was  a  good  second,  his 
fruit  of  Pineapple  Nectarine,  Bellegarde  Peach,  and  Hero  of  Lockinge 
Melon  being  very  superior.  Mr.  A,  Crossman,  gardener  to  J.  Brutton, 
Esq.,  Yeovil,  was  third.  The  last  named  succeeded  in  beating  five  other 
competitors  with  four  dishes,  showing  well  finished  Black  Hamburgh,  a 
fine  Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  and  handsome  Pineapple  Nectarine  and 
Dymond  Peach.  Mr.  Lloyd  was  second,  and  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward  third. 
Mr.  Ward  was  first  with  a  Pine  Apple. 
Four  classes  were  provided  for  Grapes.  With  Black  Hamburgh,  Mr. 
J.  Marshall,  gardener  to  J.  Dole,  Esq.,  Clifton,  was  first,  the  bunches 
and  berries  being  large,  and  the  latter  fairly  well  coloured.  Mr.  J.  C. 
Godwin,  Stoke  Bishop,  was  second.  In  the  any  other  black  class,  Mr. 
H.  W.  Ward  led  with  beautifully  coloured  Madresfield  Court,  the 
second  prize  going  to  Mr.  W.  Daffurn  for  good  buches  of  the  same 
variety.  Mr.  W.  Pollard,  gardener  to  C,  Hill,  Esq.,  Clevedon,  was  first 
for  fine  clusters  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Mr.  Ward  having  a  second 
prize  for  superior  bunches.  In  the  any  other  white  class  Mr.  G.  Shelton 
was  first  for  extra  fine,  well-ripened  bunches  of  Buckland  Sweetwater, 
the  second  prize  going  to  Mr.  W.  Summerhayes  for  Canon  Hall  Muscat 
in  excellent  condition.  Peaches  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  Ward, 
Nectarines  by  Mr.  Crossman,  Figs  by  Mr.  Ward,  Cherries  by  Mr.  Lloyd, 
Plums  by  Mr.  Crossman,  Apples  by  Mr.  Virgo,  Clevedon,  and  Tomatoes 
by  the  Frome  Flower  and  Fruit  Company,  first  prizes  being  awarded  in 
each  instance.  The  competition  was  also  good  in  the  various  classes 
provided  for  vegetables. 
WOKK.foutheWEEK., 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Vines. — Early  Forced  in  Pots. — The  Vines  intended  for  starting  by 
the  beginning  of  November  must  be  strong,  short-jointed,  brown,  and 
hard  in  the  wood,  with  round,  plump,  well  formed  buds.  Although  the 
leaves  may  not  be  off  the  '^ines  will  now  be  at  rest,  for  when  the  wood 
is  properly  ripened,  and  water  not  supplied  oftener  than  necessary  to 
keep  the  soil  from  becoming  dust  dry,  and  the  house  or  place  where 
they  are  is  kept  cool  and  dry,  there  is  no  danger  of  starting  the  cane 
buds,  even  when  the  Vines  have  the  laterals  closely  pruned  and  the 
shortening  effected  to  about  G  feet,  more  or  less,  according  to  the 
situation  of  the  promising  buds  on  thoroughly  sound  wood.  The  prin¬ 
cipal  leaves  will  still  possess  some  elaborative  power,  and  the  nutriment 
assimilated  be  stored  in  the  wood  and  buds.  This  makes  all  the  difference 
between  Vines  starting  strongly  and  weakly  when  subjected  to  the 
requisite  heat  and  moisture.  Vines  that  mature  with  clean  healthy 
foliage  are  the  only  ones  giving  satisfactory  results  when  early  forced, 
but  this  is  conditional  on  their  being  stored  with  concentrated  food  for 
utilisation  in  the  early  stages  of  their  growth  under  forcing  treatment. 
When  the  Vines  have  to  be  bought  orders  should  now  be  placed,  or  even 
the  canes  selected  and  marked  for  delivery  at  an  early  date.  All  points 
considered,  there  are  no  varieties  equal  to  Black  Hamburgh  and  Foster’s 
Seedling  for  very  early  forcing.  White  Frontignan  forces  splendidly, 
but  the  clusters  and  berries  are  too  small  for  marketing.  Madresfield 
Court  is  one  of  the  best  for  early  work,  and  when  well  done  commands 
good  prices  by  its  taking  appearance  and  high  quality. 
Earliest  Forced  Planted-out  Vines. — There  is  seldom  any  question  as 
to  the  ripeness  of  the  wood  in  the  case  of  early  forced  Vines.  It  is 
different  with  those  not  previously  subjected  to  early  forcing,  but  those 
intended  for  starting  in  November  or  early  in  December  should  now 
haye  the  wood  ripe,  and  some  foliage,  perhaps,  falling  ;  but  there  must 
not  be  any  attempt  at  removing  it,  nor  to  cut  the  laterals  close  in,  as 
that  may  cause  the  principal  buds  to  start,  therefore  remove  the  laterals 
by  degrees,  and  shorten  some  of  the  long  shoots,  preserving,  however, 
some  growth,  especially  when  the  basal  leaves  are  down,  the  final 
priming  being  deferred  until  the  early  part  of  next  month.  In  the  case 
of  such  Vines  it  is  desirable  to  remove  the  old  surface  soil  from  amongst 
the  roots  carefully  with  a  fork,  taking  this  advantage  to  raise  any  that 
are  deep,  laying  them  in  fresh  material  near  the  surface.  Good 
calcareous  loam  is  the  most  suitable,  with  an  admixture  of  crushed  bones 
and  other  enriching  substances.  If  the  soil  be  light  add  a  si-xth  of 
clayey  marl  dried  and  pounded,  or,  if  stiff,  a  similar  proportion  of 
calcareous  gravel  or  old  mortar  rubbish.  * 
The  thing  is  is  to  secure  a  healthy  rooting  medium,  such  as  will  induce 
fibrous  root  formation  and  keep  the  roots  in  a  healthy  state.  This  can 
only  be  effected  with  sound  materials  and  thorough  drainage.  Give  a 
moderate  watering,  and  the  roots  will  push  from  near  the  collar  into  the 
s'oil  at  once,  thus  the  Vines  will  be  in  capital  condition  for  starting  when 
the  proper  time  comes  round.  When  lifting  or  renovating  the  border  is 
deferred  until  the  leaves  fall  the  starting  of  the  Vines  is  not  nearly  so 
Satisfactory. 
Midseason  Houses. — The  Vines  this  season  have  on  the  whole  done 
well,  being  satisfactory  in  the  colour  and  quality  of  the  Grapes.  The 
season  has  been  an  abnormal  one,  and  favoured  red  spider,  thrips,  and 
other  pests  of  Vines.  It  has  also  been  prolific  of  scorched  leaves  and 
scalded  Grapes,  both  of  which  are  avoidable  by  early  ventilation,  especi¬ 
ally  after  a  few  days  of  dull  weather  and  a  return  to  bright.  Mildew 
has  also  been  rampant  in  some  localities,  and  appears  to  thrive  in 
droughty  weather  with  moisture  sufficient  for  germinating  purposes. 
Mealy  bug  likewise  has  had  a  fine  season,  and  is  not  by  any  means  a 
stranger  in  vineries.  All  these  pests  and  many  others  are  sure  to  take 
advantage  of  their  opportunities,  therefore  the  only  safe  course  is  to 
pursue  sound  cultural  management  and  keep  a  sharp  look  out  for  the 
enemy,  which,  in  one  form  or  other,  ever  attends  the  cultivation  of 
Vines. 
Midseason  Vines  delight  in  a  good  spread  of  foliage,  every  principal 
leaf  having  full  exposure  to  light  and  air,  and  with  these  formed  under 
well  ventilated  conditions,  the  wo;d  is  then  stout  and  short-jointed,  the 
leaves  thick,  leathery,  and  deep  green  in  colour,  the  Grapes  well  nourished,, 
colouring  and  finishing  well,  while  the  wood  ripens  kindly,  being  brown 
and  hard,  and  the  buds  plump  and  promising  for  next  season’s  work  and 
cropping.  Copious  supplies  of  water  and  top-dressings  of  fertilisera 
have  done  wonders  this  season.  Mulching  light  soils  has  materially 
aided  results  where  water  has  been  scarce.  Even  sewage  water  has  been 
requisitioned  in  some  places  with  advantage,  but  this  must  not  be  over¬ 
done,  for  an  overstrong  dose  and  needless  waterings  are  the  precursors  of 
shanking,  which  has  been  no  sinecure  this  season  so  far  as  regards  giving 
employment  to  scissors  in  removing  such  berries. 
Sustaining  rather  than  stimulating  food  is  desirable  for  Vines  ripen¬ 
ing  their  crops.  Moderate  nitrogen  supplies  aid  the  Vines  immensely 
in  the  late  stages  of  the  Grapes  swelling,  but  that  from  bone  and  blood 
manures  and  good  all-round  fertilisers  is  better  than  nitrates.  Fire  heat 
