376 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  28,  1898 
from  the  cold  of  winter  and  the  heat  of  summer.  The  aperture  in  the 
wall  or  other  material  must  be  considerably  larger  than  the  cane,  even 
the  rod  having  room  for  allo'wing  some  stopping  material  all  round,  so  as 
to  allow  of  unrestricted  swelling. 
In  a  greenhouse  the  Vines  will  come  forward  with  the  advancing 
temperature,  they  not  being  given  any  extra  inducement  to  growth 
beyond  sprinkling  occasionally.  Where  the  Vines  are  the  chief  or  sole 
consideration  the  canes  may  be  sprinkled  twice  a  day,  but  avoid  a  close 
and  forcing  atmosphere.  A  temperature  of  55°  at  night,  65°  by  day 
artificially,  and  70°  to  75°  from  sun  heat,  will  bring  the  Vines  on  fast 
enough.  If  the  weather  be  bright  and  the  panes  of  glass  large,  shade 
from  10  A.M,  to  2  p.m.,  when  the  house  should  be  closed,  damping  the 
floor,  border,  &c.  If  the  temperature  rise  to  85°  or  more  it  will  be  an 
advantage.  When  the  Vines  have  started  into  growth  give  every 
encouragement,  increasing  the  temperature  to  60°  to  65°  at  night,  70°  to 
75°  by  day,  and  80°  to  85°  from  sun  heat.  Admit  a  little  air  at  70°,  as 
there  is  nothing  like  well- developed  and  thick  leathery  leaves  for  assimi¬ 
lating  matter,  and  the  stouter  foundation  a  Vine  has  laid  the  better  will 
be  its  health  in  after  years,  other  conditions  being  favourable. — 
Peactitioner. 
BALURY’S  SCARLET  DEFIANCE  RHUBARB. 
As  it  is  still  true  that  the  proof  of  the  pudding  is  in  the  eating, 
perhaps  the  Editor  will  kindly  give  his  opinion  (after  trial)  of  the  sample 
of  Rhubarb  sent  herewith.  Several  years  ago  the  Committee  of  the 
R.H.S.  invited  specimens  of  the  different  varieties  to  be  shown  before 
them  in  a  cooked  state.  We  forget  how  many  varieties  were  exhibited, 
but  well  remember  the  Committee  were  unanimous  in  awarding  first 
honours  to  Baldry’s  Scarlet  Defiance.  We  have  grown  many  sorts,  but 
find  none  anything  at  all  equal  to  the  above  named  variety.  Is  it  grown 
under  some  other  name,  as  it  seems  impossible  that  such  an  excellent 
Rhubarb  can  be  so  little  known  ?  Among  all  the  nurserymen’s  catalogues 
received  it  is  not  named  in  one  of  them. — N.  N. 
[We  suspect  this  superior  variety  of  Rhubarb  is  somewhat  scarce.  It 
is,  without  doubt,  the  best  in  colour  and  quality  we  have  proved  this  year. 
In  some  soils  it  does  not  seem  to  flourish,  but  judging  by  the  stalks  sent, 
the  variety  appears  to  be  as  happy  with  our  correspondent  as  he  is  happy 
in  its  possession.  In  1891  we  published  a  description  of  the  varieties  grown 
at  Chiswick.  Baldry’s  Defiance  is  not  included  among  them.  Four 
varieties  were  cooked  for  comparison — Early  Red,  Paragon,  Hawke’s 
Champagne,  and  a  small  scarlet  Rhubarb  from  a  Lincolnshire  rector.  Of 
the  Chiswick  varieties,  Hawkes’  was  the  best  ;  but  for  colour  and  sweet¬ 
ness  far  outdistanced  by  the  Rector’s.  The  samples  from  “  N.  N.” 
resemble  this,  but  the  stalks  are  larger.  We  do  not  think  Baldry’s 
Defiance  is  offered  under  another  name  in  catalogues  generally.  The 
Lincolnshire  Rhubarb  above  mentioned  declined  to  flourish  at  Chiswick. 
If  this  double  “  N.”  could  send  a  few  stalks  to  a  single  “N." — Mr.  N. 
Pownall — perhaps  he  might  favour  with  another  disquisition  on  Rhubarbs. 
He  studies  them  as  closely,  tests  them  as  carefully,  and  writes  on  them  as 
lovingly  and  agreeably  as  any  gardener  we  know.] 
HAVERINU  PARK. 
This  charming  residence  is  owned  by  Mrs.  C.  McIntosh.  The  lodge 
gates  of  the  jwincipal  entrance  open  into  the  delightful  village  of 
Havering,  on  the  green  of  which  are  to  be  seen  in  good  preservation 
the  old-fashioned  stocks,  some  of  the  men  still  employed  on  the  estate 
well  remembering  them  being  in  use.  Close  by  a  remarkable  old  Elm, 
which  I  have  often  seen  quoted  by  cyclists  and  others,  arrests  atten¬ 
tion,  and  though  every  care  is  taken  to  preserve  it,  it  is  fast  going  to 
decay.  The  distance  of  Havering  Park  from  London  is  only  twelve 
miles,  whilst  it  is  five  from  Romford.  The  extensive  park  is  naturally 
finely  undulated  and  well  wooded,  and  is  the  home  of  the  splendid  herd 
of  Jerseys  for  which  Mrs.  McIntosh  is  famous,  her  name  appearing  very 
prominently  at  most  of  the  leading  shows.  The  absence  of  water  prevents 
the  completion  of  the  picture,  but  one  or  other  of  the  valleys  would  lend 
itself  admirably  for  an  artificial  stream  or  lake. 
The  mansion  is  an  extensive  structure,  which  was  largely  added  to  by 
the  late  Mr.  McIntosh  twenty-seven  years  ago.  On  the  terrace  from  the 
south  side  a  fine  view  presents  itself,  as  on  a  clear  day  the  boats  may  be 
seen  passing  to  and  fro  on  the  Thames.  On  the  north  side  is  a 
commanding  view  of  Epping  Forest  and  Shooters  Hill,  The  pleasure 
grounds  are  noted  for  a  fine  collection  of  American  and  other  choice 
flowering  shrubs,  effectively  grouped  and  in  splendid  health.  There  are 
large  beds  of  Rhododendrons,  Kalmias,  Andromedas,  and  Azaleas,  which 
a  little  later  on  will  have  a  charming  effect.  Conifers  have  been  largely 
planted,  and  many  of  them  are  doing  well,  but  in  some  instances  a  judicious 
thinning  would  prevent  many  fine  specimens  from  becoming  crippled  and 
spoiled.  Wellingtonias  by  the  hundred  were  observed,  and  several  ar® 
grand  specimens.  Leading  from  the  pleasure  grounds  in  all  directions 
are  winding  woodland  walks  which  have  been  cleverly  treated,  and  the 
margins  planted  with  suitable  bulbs  and  plants.  Here  and  there  on  the 
outskirts  are  bold  masses  of  Gorse,  Broom,  Berberis  aquifolia,  and  others, 
while  fine  specimens  of  the  Silver  Birch  are  noticeable  for  their  splendid 
clear  stems. 
The  kitchen  garden  is  not  extensive,  but  it  is  in  excellent  condition. 
Wall  and  other  fruit  trees  are  well  grown  and  give  promise  of  good 
returns.  Cordon  Pears  were  particularly  conspicuous.  The  houses  are 
extensive,  and  are  well  cared  for.  Adjoining  the  mansion  is  a  well 
built  conservator}',  which  contained  some  splendid  Palms,  Kentias  being: 
very  fine.  Clivias  and  all  kinds  of  forced  plants  were  in  highly  creditable 
form. 
Vines  are  largely  and  well  grown.  The  earliest  house  is  chiedy 
planted  with  Hamburghs,  which  are  in  the  best  of  health,  carrying  a 
heavy  crop  of  shapely  bunches.  The  Muscat  house  has  been  this  season 
completely  renovated,  the  old  border  Itaken  out  and  the  drainage 
thoroughly  attended  to.  Half  the  house  is  planted  with  young  canes,  the 
other  half  being  left,  the  whole  of  which  are  breaking  strong  and  evenly. 
Two  other  houses  are  devoted  to  Grapes,  one  being  planted  with 
Alicantes,  and  the  other  with  Hamburghs.  The  fruit  in  the  early  Peach 
house  is  sv^elling  well,  and  the  trees  are  heavily  laden.  A  long  range  is 
devoted  to  late  Peach  and  Nectarine  culture,  all  the  trees  being  very 
promising.  About  700  Strawberries  are  forced  in  pots.  The  principal 
varieties  grown  are  Royal  Sovereign  and  La  Grosse  Suertie,  which,  in 
various  stages,  are  in  excellent -condition. 
Two  houses  are  devoted  to  Rose  culture,  and  there  is  a  wealth  of  fine 
flowers.  The  stove,  greenhouse.  Orchid,  Cucumber  and  Melon  houses 
are.  well  managed.  Pits  and  frames  are  stocked  with  Chrysanthemums, 
of  which  the  large  collection  was  in  fine  condition.  The  able  gardener, 
Mr.  King,  scored  well  at  the  Aquarium  last  season,  also  carried  all  before 
him  at  Romford,  and  judging  from  the  plants  in  their  present  stage  he 
means  business  next  season.  All  the  departments  of  this  well-kept 
garden  reflect  the  greatest  credit  on  the  gardener.  My  visit  was  brought 
to  a  close  after  inspecting  the  model  farm,  the  clean  and  comfortable  home 
of  the  Jerseys,  and  the  care  with  which  they  are  tended  is  in  keeping 
with  the  rest  of  this  fine  estate. — E.  B. 
EXPERIMENTS  WITH  TOMATOES. 
In  your  notice  of  my  paper  on  the  above  subject  published  in  the 
Journal  of  the  R.H.S. ,  you  direct  attention  to  a  statement  in  reference 
to  the  value  of  potassic  manures  for  Tomatoes.  My  intention  was  to 
state  that  potash  was  of  little  or  no  use  for  Tomatoes  unless  applied 
along  with  nitrogen  and  phosphates.  Originally  the  sentence  read, 
“  Potassic  manure  is  of  little  or  no  use  for  Tomatoes  applied  alone,”  but 
as  nitrate  of  potash  is  considered  a  nitrogenous  manure,  and  it  was  one  of 
those  that  did  not  produce  a  good  result,  the  word  “alone”  was  erased  in 
order  to  prevent  any  misunderstanding  about  the  character  of  the 
manures. 
In  my  report  of  the  1896  experiments  it  is  definitely  stated  that  when 
muriate  of  potash  was  applied  by  itself  it  proved  to  be  a  failure.  The 
succeeding  experiments  were  carried  out  with  a  view  to  proving  whether 
potash  manures  applied  separately  and  alone  were  beneficial  to  the  growth 
of  Tomatoes,  and  I  may  say  that  the  results  so  far  have  conclusively 
proved  to  us  that  potassic  manures  without  the  addition  of  nitrogen  and 
phosphates  are  simply  valueless. — W.  Neild,  Cheshire  Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  School. 
[Quite  so  ;  and  the  principle  applies  to  other  crops  beside  Tomatoes. 
Apart  from  the  probability  of  the  “heavy  adhesive  soil  from  a  pasture 
field”  containing  potash,  a  few  remarks  of  Mr.  Cousins  in  his  primer 
on  the  “Chemistry  of  the  Garden”  are  apposite:  “The  ‘Golden 
Tripod’  is  the  name  given  to  the  presence  of  the  three  plant  foods — 
potash,  phosphate,  and  nitrate.  If  any  one  of  these  three  substances 
be  wanting  no  excess  of  the  other  two  will  make  good  the  deficiency. 
Remove  a  leg  from  the  tripod  and  over  it  falls.  Planted  firmly  on  its 
three  legs,  a  slender  tripod  is  capable  of  supporting  a  great  weight.” 
Nitrate  of  (potash  contains  potash,  and  so  does  liquid  manure  from  stables,, 
and  because  of  that,  in  combination  of  other  essentials,  the  Tomatoes 
were  benefited.  Mr.  Neild  has  done  good  service  in  making  the  experi¬ 
ments  and  publishing  the  results.] 
SPRING  SHOWS. 
NEWCASTLE. — April  20th  and  21st. 
The  Durham,  Northumberland,  and  Newcastle  Incorporated  Botanical 
and  Horticultural  Society  has  had  a  somewhat  chequered  history.  Fixtures 
in  the  past  have  been  almost  invariably  accompanied  by  wet  weather  and 
consequent  failure  when  the  shows  have  been  held  under  canvas.  Indeed, 
the  disasters  have  been  so  numerous  that,  but  for  the  energy  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  and  the  readiness  with  which  outside  aid  has  been  accorded,  this 
Society — the  oldest  of  its  kind  in  England — must  have  collapsed  long 
since.  However,  for  the  spring  display  at  least,  there  seems  to  be  a 
brighter  prospect.  It  has  hitherto  been  held  in  the  Town  Hall  and  Corn 
Exchange,  but  the  former  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  decorators,  so 
Olympia  has  been  taken,  and  the  show  was  opened  on  Wednesday.  The 
change  of  site  is,  says  the  “  Newcastle  Daily  Leader,”  in  every  way  an 
advantage,  for  Olympia  lends  itself  better  to  an  exhibition  of  this  kind, 
and  then  there  is  the  advantage  of  having  the  whole  of  the  plants  and 
flowers  staged  in  one  building. 
The  arrangement  in  the  present  case  was  admirable  in  every  way. 
The  “groups”  fronted  the  platform  at  the  top.  Running  down  the  centre 
was  a  table  with  magnificent  epergnes,  hand  and  bridal  bouquets,  baskets 
of  flowers,  and  sprays  ;  flanking  these  on  each  side  were  others  with  cut 
flowers  and  planb  ;  and  round  the  sides  were  the  miscellaneous  decorative 
exhibits.  The  bottom  of  the  hall  was  occupied  by  a  row  of  superb 
Azaleas  loaded  with  red  and  white  blossom,  and  behind  these,  under  the 
balcony,  was  a  splendid  collection  of  giant  Palms,  sent  by  Mrs.  J ennings 
of  Newcastle.  Experts  agreed  that  in  every  respect  the  show  was  the 
