September  12, 1895 
JOURNAL  Or  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
259 
been  marketed.  Everything  inside  and  outside  was  of  the  neatest.  I 
specially  noted  the  great  care  taken  to  have  the  insides  as  clean  as  could 
well  be.  Mr.  Smith  knows  his  work  thoroughly  without  doubt,  and 
Mr.  Bennett  is  to  be  congratulated  on  having  the  services  of  so  excellent 
a'grower. — A.  D, 
PEACH  GROWING  IN  BELGIUM. 
Peaches  form  a  large  proportion  of  the  exports  of  fruits  from 
Belgium,  and  the  system  of  Peach  cultivation  in  that  country  has  been 
reported  on  in  some  detail  by  the  United  States  Consul  at  Lidge. 
Before  planting  Peach  trees  it  is,  it  appears,  the  practice  of  the 
Belgian  grower  to  thoroughly  fertilise  the  soil  with  guano  or  chicken 
manure.  After  the  tree  is  planted  a  peck  of  lime  is  added  to  every  cubic 
yard  of  earth,  placing  it  near  the  surface.  As  it  is  necessary  to  loosen 
the  earth  for  at  least  6  feet  square  and  3  feet  deep,  this  quantity — a 
bushel  to  the  tree — may  seem  large,  but  the  authorities  are  said  to  be 
all  agreed  that  more  rather  than  less  would  be  better. 
As  the  standard  tree  too  often  failed  to  be  profitable  in  Belgium 
experiments  were  made  with  espaliers  (wooden  railings),  but  these  were 
found  to  be  so  open  and  exposed  that  the  young  trees  fared  very  little 
better  on  them  than  in  the  orchard.  The  wall  was  then  tried,  not,  it  is 
observed,  as  in  England,  where  mural  enclosures  are  built  at  great 
expense  for  the  special  protection  of  delicate  fruit,  but  the  sunny  sides 
of  the  houses,  and  the  system  met  with  such  astonishing  success  that 
there  are  few  houses  to-day  in  some  parts  of  Belgium  upon  whose 
southern  exposures  trees  are  not  trained. 
At  the  time  of  flowering  various  methods  are  adopted  to  shield  the 
buds  from  the  action  of  frost.  Experience  has  shown  that  the  best 
method  is  to  place  branches  cut  from  other  trees  among  the  upper 
boughs  of  the  Peach  trees.  This  plan  is  said  to  have  been  attended  by 
good  results,  though  great  caution  is  needed  in  its  application,  as  too 
much  shade  is  apt  to  stifle  the  buds  by  excluding  the  rays  of  the  sun. 
Another  method,  until  recently  very  much  in  vogue,  and  stated  to  be 
always  effective,  is  the  employment  of  mosquito  netting  or  other  cheap 
material,  with  meshes  large  enough  to  admit  the  free  passage  of  light 
and  air.  The  old  custom  of  using  closely  woven  cloth,  like  table  or  bed 
linen,  at  night  and  removing  it  in  the  morning,  is  said  to  be  more 
dangerous  than  the  frost  itself,  as  the  trees  at  this  season  cannot  be 
deprived  of  air  without  serious  injury  ;  besides,  this  artificial  heat  at 
night,  succeeded  by  the  warmth  of  the  sun,  hastens  their  blowing,  when 
the  object  is  to  delay  it  as  long  as  possible.  Shading  at  noon  is,  it  seems, 
sometimes  as  essential  as  covering  at  night.  Small  growers  are  said  to 
succeed  very  well  in  protecting  their  fruit  by  placing  a  number  of 
horizontal  poles  about  18  inches  apart,  and  from  4  to  6  inches  from  the 
trees,  and  covering  them  with  light  wisps  of  straw,  but  this  device  is 
unsightly  and  makes  much  litter. 
In  good  situations,  penthouses  (sheds  of  wood,  thatch,  or  straw  pro¬ 
jecting  18  or  20  inches  from  the  wall  and  covering  the  tops  of  the  trees) 
have  sometimes  been  found  sufficient  to  protect  the  fruit,  and  are 
reported  to  be  extremely  useful  in  checking  the  flow  of  the  sap.  An 
addition  to  this  method,  which  was  introduced  in  1876  and  found  to 
afford  increased  protection,  consists  in  providing  a  curtain  made  of  un¬ 
thrashed  Rye  straw.  This  is  made  by  tying  the  cut  ends  of  the  straw 
stalks  together  with  twine  or  garden  cord,  six  or  eight  in  a  loop,  with 
spaces  of  about  3  inches  between  the  wisps,  and  attaching  them  to  a 
pole  which  is  suspended  under  the  eaves  of  the  penthouse  in  front  of 
the  trees.  The  texture,  being  open,  does  not  prevent  the  light  and  air 
reaching  the  buds.  It  might  be  supposed  that  this  method  would  hurry 
the  blooms,  but  it  has,  in  fact,  the  very  opposite  effect.  The  brilliant 
surface  of  the  straw,  by  reflecting  the  sun’s  rays,  keeps  the  temperature 
inside  lower  than  that  outside.  These  shields  are  usually  placed  in 
position  about  the  Ist  of  March,  and  are  not  removed,  except  in  cloudy 
weather,  until  all  danger  from  frost  has  passed. — (Journal  of  the  Board 
of  Agriculture.)  _ 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
BIRKENHEAD  AND  WIRRAL  SHOW. — Sept.  4th  and  5th. 
It  is  a  matter  for  much  congratulation  that  the  Committee  and 
Stewards  of  the  above  show  should  have  succeeded  in  providing  such 
an  excellent  display  of  garden  produce  as  an  adjunct  to  the  Agricultural 
exhibition.  Many  thousands  of  people  highly  appreciated  the  splendid 
flowers,  fruits,  and  vegetables.  There  were  940  entries,  and  the  quality 
of  the  exhibits  was  most  commendable.  This  was  especially  noticeable 
in  indoor  and  outdoor  fruit  and  cut  flowers.  It  was  regretable  to  find 
such  an  antiquated  system  in  arranging  exhibits,  and  it  is  to  be  earnestly 
hoped  that  at  another  ^show  we  shall  see  an  improvement.  The 
confusion  which  existed  on  Wednesday  last  will  not  need  repeating. 
In  the  class  for  five  foliage  and  five  flowering  plants,  Mr.  A.  Brown, 
gardener  to  Geo.  Webster,  Esq.,  was  a  good  first,  his  Franciscea  eximea, 
Statice  profusa,  and  a  charming  Bouvardia  were  most  conspicuous. 
Mr.  S.  Haines,  gardener  to  E.  K.  Laird,  Esq.,  second.  Mr.  Tottey, 
gardener  to  W.  Laird,  Esq.,  third.  For  a  group  arranged  for  effect  Mr. 
S.  Haines  was  first ;  Mr.  E.  Bradshaw  second.  Messrs.  Brown  and 
Haines  were  first  and  second  for  three  stove  or  greenhouse  flowering 
plants,  the  former  showing  Ixora  coccinea.  Vinca  alba,  and  another 
charming  Bouvardia  ;  Mr.  Haines’  Vinca  alba  being  also  good.  Mr. 
W.  Ewbank,  gardener  to  Joseph  Heap,  Esq.,  Claughton,  won  for  three 
foliage  plants.  Mr.  A.  Brown  won  with  Statice  profusa  as  a. single 
greenhouse  plant,  and  with  a  magnificent  Eucharis  amazonica,  superbly 
flowering,  as  a  single  stove  plant  in  flower.  Mr.  Haines  was  successful 
with  three  Ferns,  having  very  fresh  Davallia  Mooreana  and  Lomaria 
gibba,  good  ;  also  with  thres  charmingly  coloured  Coleus.  Tuberous 
Begonias  and  Pelargoniums  were  admirable,  Mr.  A.  Brown  showing  his 
superiority  in  both  classes. 
The  cut-flower  section  was  a  powerful  feature,  this  referring  to 
indoor  and  outdoor  cut  flowers.  Dahlias  were  grand,  also  Asters  ; 
whilst  sprays  were  altogether  lighter  and  more  elegant  than  last  year. 
For  the  best  hand  bouquet,  three  sprays  for  ladies,  three  buttonholes 
for  gentlemen,  six  Roses,  and  three  Roses,  the  winners  were  Messrs. 
J.  Bounds,  gardener  to  A.  L,  Jones,  Esq.,  Oaklands,  Aigburth ;  J.  Williams, 
gardener  to  C.  J.  Proctor,  Esq.,  Boscobel,  Noctorum ;  J.  Saxon,  G.  H. 
Clarke,  and  C.  Terry.  For  twelve  Cactus  Dahlias  and  twelve  doubles  Mr. 
A.  J.  Stanley,  Sefton,  bad  blooms  in  perfection  ;  and  for  six  of  each 
Messrs.  J.  Benson  and  J.  Lee  won  the  prizes,  the  latter  coming  in  first 
for  twelve  Asters,  distinct.  Hollyhocks  and  Gladioli  were  fine,  Messrs. 
T.  Winkworth,  gardener  to  T.  B'-ocklebank,  Esq.,  Heswall  ;  and  Mr. 
R.  Pinnnington,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Banner,  Blacklow  House,  Roby,  being 
successful.  For  twelve  indoor  cut  fiowers  Mr.  J.  Jellicoe,  gardener  to 
F.  H.  Gossage,  Esq.,  Camp  Hill,  Woolton  ;  and  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  were 
first  and  second  with  excellent  stands.  Mr.  J.  Bounds  had  a  capital  six, 
Mr.  Jellicoe  winning  with  three.  Mr.  Bounds  won  with  a  well-arranged 
twelve  outdoor  flowers,  Messrs.  Jellicoe  and  Lee  winning  for  six  and 
three. 
Fruit  in  nearly  every  class  was  of  splendid  quality.  In  the  class  for 
six  different  kinds  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  was  a  good  first,  staging  Madrea- 
field  Court  (fine),  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Pineapple  Nectarines,  and 
Prince^  of  Wales  Peaches  (very  good),  Eastnor  Castle  Melon,  and 
Kirke’s  Plums.  Mr.  T.  Ferguson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Paterson,  Rock 
Ferry,  was  second  with  good  Hamburghs  and  fine  Sea  Eagle  Peaches  ; 
and  Mr.  W.  Roberts,  gardener  to  W.  R.  Wynne,  Esq.,  Peniarth,  Towyn, 
an  excellent  third,  his  Nectarines  and  Melons  being  capital.  For  six 
dishes  of  hardy  fruits  Mr.  C.  Worker,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Blomfield,  Molling- 
ton,  Chester,  was  distinctly  ahead.  Grapes  were  a  strong  feature,  Mr. 
Ferguson  winning  with  two  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh ;  second,  Mr. 
J.  Downham,  gardener  to  E.  H.  Harrison,  Esq.  Two  black,  any  other 
variety,  Mr.  Jellicoe  with  Madresfield  Court,  W.  Pritchard  with  Alicante, 
and  J.  Barker,  gardener  to  J.  W.  Raynes,  Esq.,  Rock  Ferry,  third  with 
Madresfield  Court.  Two  bunches  Muscat  of  Alexandria. — First,  Mr.  R. 
Brownbill,  gardener  to  G.  A.  Fowler,  Esq.  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  Pritchard  ; 
third,  Mr.  W.  Roberts,  all  staging  handsome  bunches.  Mr.  R.  Pinnington 
won  for  any  other  white  variety  with  Buckland  Sweetwater,  also  with 
well-coloured  Pineapple  Nectarines,  the  prize  for  Peaches  being  taken 
by  J.  H.  Ismay,  Esq.  Mr.  Brownbill  took  first  for  Apricots  and 
Jargonelle  Pears,  Mr.  J.  Williams  with  green  flesh  Melons.  Mr.  A. 
Brown  won  with  dessert  Apples,  Mr.  W.  Roberts  with  handsome  Peas- 
good’s  Nonesuch  for  six  culinary  fruits,  the  prizes  for  Lord  Suffield  and 
six  Pears  (dessert)  being  taken  by  Mr.  J.  Stephenson,  gardener  to 
Executors  of  F.  R.  Leyland,  Woolton  Hall.  The  latter  showed  splendid 
Tomatoes,  which  gained  him  flrst  honours  for  twelve  and  six. 
Vegetables  were  in  grand  condition,  the  two  classes  for  eight 
varieties  being  won  by  Messrs.  J.  Williams  and  G.  Taylor,  Potatoes  by 
Messrs.  G.  H.  Clarke,  J.  Winkworth,  and  J.  Cheers ;  all  other  kinds 
were  well  represented. 
Messrs.  Dickson,  Limited,  Chester,  had  an  attractive  stand  of 
miscellaneous  plants,  cut  Roses,  Carnations,  and  Dahlias.  Messrs. 
Dickson  &  Robinson,  Manchester,  a  handsome  collection  of  Potatoes 
and  seeds.  Parham  &  Sons,  Norwich,  and  Webster,  Wavertree,  had  each 
a  grand  show  of  greenhouses,  the  letter  gaining  a  silver  medal.  To 
Mr.  Edwardson,  the  courteous  Secretary,  nothing  but  the  highest  praise 
can  be  given  for  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties  on  the 
occasion. — R.  P.  R. 
CRVSTAL  PALACE. — September  6th  and  7th. 
On  the  above  dates  the  National  Dahlia  Society  held  its  annual 
exhibition,  and  the  central  transept — the  scene  of  many  flower  shows  of 
all  descriptions — was  rendered  attractive  by  the  bright  display  of  flowers 
Classes  were,  as  usual,  provided  for  Show,  Fancy,  Pompons,  and  single 
Dahlias,  and  many  excellent  blooms  vied  with  each  other  for  the  coveted 
awards.  The  competition,  especially  in  the  amateur  classes,  was  not  so 
keen  as  last  year,  there  being  fewer  entries,  though  the  quality  on  the 
whole  was  good  throughout.  Many  of  the  well-known  varieties  were 
conspicuous  in  the  majority  of  exhibits,  though  new  additions  were  also 
noticed,  several  of  which  received  certificates  of  merit. 
Nurserymen. — The  class  for  sixty  distinct  blooms  was  the  premier 
one  in  the  show,  and  the  highest  honours  were  taken  by  Mr.  Chas. 
Turner,  Slough,  who  showed  in  excellent  form  Harry  Keith,  Gloire  de 
Lyon,  Penelope,  Chieftain,  Arthur  Ocock,  Mrs.  -Langtry,  George 
Rawlings,  John  Hickling,  Rosamond,  Herbert  Turner,  John  Standish, 
Harrison  Weir,  Sunbeam,  Wm.  Powell,  Henry  Walton,  Warrior,  Florence, 
Rebecca,  A.  Rawlings,  Mrs.  Gladstone,  Glowworm,  Goldfinder,  Purple 
Prince,  Willie  Garrett,  Colonist,  Mrs.  Morgan,  Duchess  of  York,  Grand 
Sultan,  Seedling,  J.  T.  West,  Hope,  Constance,  David  Saunders,  Mabel 
Stanton,  Wm.  Jackson,  Crimson  King,  Earl  of  Ravensworth,  Pleasance, 
Imperial,  Mrs.  Saunders,  Prince  Bismarck,  Matthew  Campbell,  Alice 
Emily,  Burgundy,  Marjorie,  Clara,  Dante,  Miss  Cannell,  William  Keith, 
Maud  Fellowes,  Jas.  Cocker,  Statesman,  R.  T.  Rawlings,  Diadem, 
Shirley  Hibberd,  John  Walker,  and  Dorothy.  The  second  prize  went  to 
Mr.  John  Walker,  Thame,  Oxon.  in  whose  stand  were  also  many  excellent 
blooms;  the  third  to  Messrs.  Keynes,  Williams  &  Co.,  Salisbury;  and 
the  fourth  to  Mr.  S.  Mortimer,  Farnham,  Surrey. 
