June  2,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
469 
the  right  man  in  the  right  place,  and  his  unfailing  courtesy,  coupled 
with  that  of  Mr.  Paul,  his  assistant,  render  the  Manchester  Shows  most 
enjoyable.  The  gardens  are  in  splendid  condition,  but  more  of  these 
anon. 
BATH  AND  WEST  OF  ENGLAND.— May  25th  to  30th. 
This  Society,  under  the  presidency  of  the  Right  Hon.  the  Lord 
Windsor,  held  its  annual  show  in  the  Cathays  Park  at  Cardiff,  in  ideal 
weather,  and  proved  in  every  particular  a  magnificent  exhibition.  The 
metropolis  of  Wales  is  singularly  fortunate  in  having  such  an  admirable 
site  as  the  Cathays  Park  for  this  purpose,  for  being  in  the  centre 
of  the  town  it  enjoys  the  facilities  of  close  proximity  to  railways  and 
hotels,  while  its  sixty  odd  acres  possess  the  sylvan  and  rural  beauty  so 
essential  to  a  happy  display  of  things  pertaining  to  agriculture.  Though 
an  agricultural  show,  it  was  that  and  something  more,  for  its  horticultural 
section  was  an  attraction  in  itself,  and  well  worth  a  visit. 
Undoubtedly  from  a  point  of  effect  of  arrangement  the  pavilion  devoted 
to  floral  and  plant  exhibits  was  the  prettiest  that  has  been  seen  in  Wales 
for  years,  eclipsing  in  many  ways  the  shows  of  the  Cardiff  Horticultural 
"Society.  In  accordance  with  the  usual  custom  of  this  Society  no  prizes 
or  certificates  were  given  to  horticultural  exhibits,  thus  causing  it  to  be 
solely  supported — with  the  exception  of  Mr.  A.  Pettigrew,  gardener  to 
the  Marquis  of  Bute — by  nurserymen  and  florists  in  the  trade.  Though 
exhibits  one  and  all  were  admirable  and  tastefully  arranged,  yet  without 
a  doubt  the  finest  and  most  attractive  display  was  an  arrangement  of 
Carnations  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Son,  London.  It  occupied 
a  place  of  prominence  at  the  extremity  of  the  pavilion,  and  being  designed 
on  the  ground  level,  was  seen  to  its  very  best  advantage.  As  a  background. 
Palms,  Bamboos,  and  Crimson  Rambler  Roses  were  arranged,  while 
Cocos  Weddeliana  and  Adiantums  were  tastefully  interspersed.  The 
Princess  of  Wales  and  Old  Blush  Malmaisons  were  very  striking  and  in 
perfect  form,  while  Germania  and  La  Villette  were  irresistibly  attractive. 
A  well-flowered  plant  of  the  new  Malmaison  Madame  Adeline  Patti 
elicited  unbounded  admiration  from  Carnation  enthusiasts  who  had  the 
-opportunity  of  inspecting  it. 
Another  very  attractive  and  interesting  exhibit  was  that  staged 
by  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt  ;  the  cut  flowers  of  their  sweet- 
-scented  unnamed  Rhododendrons,  and  their  named  novelties  of  double 
and  single  Lilacs,  were  the  feature  of  the  stand.  The  former,  offered  for 
sale  for  the  first  time  at  this  show,  are  really  very  fine,  and  cannot  fail  to 
commend  themselves  in  every  way  to  lovers  of  Rhododendrons,  for  in 
delicacy  of  colour  and  form  and  in  fragrance  their  flowers  are  delightful. 
The  Lilacs,  especially  the  white  alba  grandiflora  and  the  Centranthus 
Tubra-like  flowers  of  Madame  Kreutes,  Philemon,  and  Souvenir  de  L. 
Spathe  were  very  striking.  These  novelties,  whilst  possessing  a  marked 
richness  of  colouring,  appear  to  retain  the  habit  and  peculiar  gracefulness 
of  the  old  Lilacs.  Besides  Rhododendrons  and  Lilacs,  Paul  &  Son 
exhibited  a  very'  fine  collection  of  cut  perennial  flowers,  and  also  a 
lovely  specimen  of  the  new  Polyantha  Rose  “  Pschye,”  its  light  pink 
flowers  delighting  and  captivating  everyone. 
Messrs,  R.  Veitch  &  Son  of  Exeter,  in  an  exceedingly  interesting 
collection,  exhibited  some  very  fine  Bamboos,  amongst  which  Phyllo- 
stachys  castillonis  was  conspicuous  with  its  polished  green  and 
yellow  zigzagged  stem.  Messrs.  Garaway  &  Co.,  Bristol,  exhibited  in  a 
collection  of  miscellaneous  plants  two  good  examples  of  Acalypha 
Sanderi — quite  a  novelty,  at  least  in  South  Wales — the  red  drooping 
spikes  of  flowers,  resembling  those  of  Love-lies-bleeding,  standing  out  well 
against  the  dark  green  foliage,  making  them  prominent  objects  in  the 
floral  tent.  A  new  white  Carnation,  George  Brooks,  in  this  stand,  gave 
■every  promise  of  becoming  an  acquisition. 
An  intensely  pretty  arrangement  was  that  staged  by  Messrs.  G.  Cooling 
and  Sons,  Bath.  Their  boxes  of  cut  Roses  were  particularly  nice. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey  of  Exmouth  staged  a  gorgeous  display  of  Pelargoniums, 
and  Messrs,  Laing  &  Sons  of  Forest  Hill  a  fine  collection  of  stove  plants, 
and  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son  alpine  plants  and  herbaceous  flowers.  Amongst 
local  exhibitors  Mr.  William  Treseder,  Cardiff,  was  in  evidence  with  his 
stands  of  cut  flowers,  the  bouquets,  wreaths,  and  crosses  being  magnificent 
expositions  of  tasteful  art.  Mr.  Ralph  Crossling,  Penarth  Nurseries, 
showed  a  collection  of  well  grown  foliage  plants,  with  Cannas  in  flower 
happily  intermixed  to  lighten  it  up. 
As  previously  noted,  Mr.  A.  Pettigrew,  Cardiff  Castle  Gardens,  for 
■the  Marquis  of  Bute,  was  the  sole  one  outside  the  trade  who  contributed 
to  the  success  of  the  horticultural  section.  The  group  occupying  the 
most  prominent  central  position  of  the  Pavilion  was  admirably  arranged, 
giving  a  most  desirable  light  and  airy  effect.  The  centrepiece  was  a 
splendid  specimen  of  Areca  lutescens,  while  around  were  arranged  graceful 
Palms,  well  coloured  Crotons,  Dracmnas,  and  Pandanus,  with  a  variety  of 
flowering  plants,  amongst  which  Arthropodium  cirrhatum  was  conspicuous 
with  its  graceful  pendulous  orange-like  blossoms  appearing  to  impart  its 
lightness  to  the  entire  group.  Adiantum  cuneatum,  Isolepis  gracilis,  and 
Panicum  affi>rded  a  suitable  and  agreeable  finish  to  the  whole. 
W.  Herbert  Fowler,  Esq.,  the  Secretary  of  the  horticultural  department 
of  the  Bath  and  West  of  England,  is  to  be  complimented  upon  the  success 
of  the  show,  which  will  be  long  remembered  by  horticulturists  and  lovers 
of  Dowers  in  the  principality. 
Messrs.  Webb  k  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge,  have  a  display  which 
fully  sustains  their  reputation  for  the  superiority  of  their  seeds,  seed 
corn,  and  special  manures.  Among  the  many  exhibits  are  fine  Mangolds 
of  last  year’s  growth,  Webb’s  Imperial  Swede,  Grasses  and  Clovers  in 
growth,  and  also  dried  specimens,  cereals  in  the  ear,  and  samples  of 
grain  of  fine  quality,  comprising  all  the  firm’s  Wheats,  Barleys,  and  Oats. 
Vegetable  and  flower  seeds  were  well  represented  by  examples  of  Cabbage, 
Broccoli,  Radish,  Lettuce,  and  a  collection  of  Calceolarias.  A  largo 
number  of  dishes  of  Potatoes  was  also  staged,  and  included  such  as 
Stourbridge  Glory  and  New  Motor.  Webbs’  special  manures  for  all 
crops  were  shown,  as  also  were  samples  of  the  raw  materials  from  which 
they  are  made. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Ik  the  Kitchen  Garden. 
Much  is  required  to  be  done  in  the  kitchen  garden,  especially  after 
the  late  genial  showers  of  rain.  Bush  fruits.  Gooseberries,  and  Currants, 
Strawberries,  Figs  on  walls,  and  all  stone  fruits,  give  promise  of  excellent 
crops  — except  Apricots.  These  will  be  a  failure  in  some  gardens,  in  spite 
of  the  covering  afforded  them,  owing  to  the  severe  weather  experienced 
while  the  trees  were  in  bloom.  Wall  trees  will  be  benefited  by  a  mulching 
of  good  farmyard  manure,  the  nourishing  properties  of  which  will  be 
washed  down  to  the  roots  by  the  rain.  Should  the  season  prove  dry, 
give  thorough  soakings  of  liquid  manure  or  clear  water  through  the 
mulching,  which  may  be  renewed  once  or  more  during  the  season,  as  it 
becomes  exhausted.  Let  the  removal  of  the  old  material  and  the  applica¬ 
tion  of  the  new  be  done  at  the  same  time,  otherwise  many  valuable  roots, 
which  have  been  enticed  to  the  surface,  will  perish,  and  may  result  in  the 
loss  of  a  crop  of  fruit. 
Asparagus,  Veitch’s  Model  Broccoli,  Ellam’s  Early  Cabbage,  summer 
Spinach,  forced  Carrots,  Potatoes,  Turnips,  and  Vegetable  Marrows,  are 
the  chief  vegetables  for  present  use,  and  these  will  carry  us  on  until  Peas, 
Broad  Beans,  Early  Erfurt,  and  Early  London  Cauliflowers  come  in. 
Veitch’s  Early  Peas  are  in  full  bloom,  with  Chelsea  Gem  to  follow. 
Broad  Beans  of  the  Windsor  type  are  well  advanced,  and  with  favour¬ 
able  weather  will  soon  be  in  full  bloom.  Parsnips  have  received  their 
final  thinning  to  9  inches  apart.  Carrots  are  partially  thinned,  the  final 
thinning  being  deferred  until  the  young  roots  are  fit  for  use,  when  they 
form  an  excellent  dish.  The  continued  use  of  the  hoe  between  small 
crops  greatly  assists  them  to  grow,  by  allowing  the  air  to  pass  down  to 
the  roots  ;  moreover,  the  maintenance  of  a  loose  surface  tends  to  keep  the 
soil  moi^t  during  dry  weather.  The  apparently  simple  operation  of 
hoeing  is  acknowledged  by  the  best  gardeners  and  market  growers  to  be 
work  of  first  importance. 
The  last  ten  days  have  been  favourable  to  the  planting  of  Lettuces, 
Cabbages,  and  other  plants  from  frames  and  hotbeds.  Celery  trenches 
may  with  advantage  be  formed  and  prepared  at  once  by  forking  iu  them  a 
liberal  dressing  of  rich  farmyard  manure.  In  deeply  worked  ground  the 
surface  of  the  trenches  when  ready  for  planting  may  be  6  inches  below  the 
general  level  ;  if  the  land  is  shallow  2  inches  suffice.  For  large-growing 
varieties  the  rows  may  be  from  4^  to  5  feet  apart,  according  to  the  depth 
of  the  trenches  ;  for  dwarf  varieties  3  feet.  The  spaces  between  may  be 
used  for  Lettuces,  Radishes,  or  any  crop  which  can  be  cleared  off  before 
the  soil  is  required  for  earthing  the  Celery.  Successional  sowings  of  Peas 
at  fortnightly  intervals,  or  as  soon  as  the  plants  from  the  previous  sowing 
appear  through  the  ground,  maintain  a  regular  supply. 
Asparagus  beds  will  be  found  to  yield  better  produce  if  an  application 
of  2  or  3  ozs.  of  salt,  or  half  the  quantity  of  nitrate  of  soda  to  the  square 
yard  be  given  them,  to  be  washed-in  naturally  or  artificially.  _  It  ia 
desirable  to  cut  all  the  heads  that  are  large  enough  daily,  and  if  not 
required  for  immediate  use  tie  in  bundles  of  twenty-five,  and  place  the 
ends  in  saucers  of  water  in  any  convenient  place.  If  the  heads  are 
allowed  to  extend  and  mature  early  in  the  season  the  period  of  cutting  is 
shortened,  whereas  in  most  gardens  it  is  desired  to  prolong  the  supply  as 
far  as  possible.  The  bedding  of  Strawberries  is  often  deferred  till  the 
fruit  changes.  The  litter  can  be  much  more  quickly  spread  between  the 
rows  before  the  fruit  trusses  bend  over,  and  it  also  conserves  moisture, 
which  is  important  when  dry  weather  sets  in  early  in  June. — T.  P, 
Clean  rersas  Dirty  Pots. 
I  have  waited  some  time  in  the  hope  that  some  gardener  older 
and  abler  than  myself  would  notice  a  remark  made  by  Mr.  Buchanan 
in  his  article  on  “  Profitable  Fruit  Growing,”  page  364.  It  is  as 
follows:  “Clean  pots  are  not  necessary  for  healthy  growth.”  Oh! 
shade  of  the  dear  old  gardener  with  whom  I  was  apprenticed  ;  well  is 
it  for  thee  that  thou  did’st  not  live  to  see  the  day  when  such  practices 
were  recommended  in  thy  beloved  Journal ! 
Mr.  Buchanan  goes  on  to  say  that  he  has  “  never  seen  any  incon¬ 
venience  arise  from  the  use  of  dirty  pots.”  I  am  but  a  young  man, 
and  it  may  seem  somewhat  presumptuous  in  me  to  differ  from  one  who 
is  probably  old  enough  to  De  my  father,  but  I  must  say  that  my 
experience  is  utterly  opposed  to  his.  On  the  day  just  closed  I  have 
been  transferring  Cinerarias  from  small  into  larger  pots.  I  noticed 
that  where  the  pots  had  not  been  thoroughly  cleaned  there  was  great 
difficulty  in  knocking  out  the  ball  of  soil  with  roots  intact  ;  and  from 
all  that  I  have  ever  read  or  heard  from  gardeners  of  good  standing, 
this  is  the  general  experience. 
Speaking  personally,  I  would  as  soon  don  a  dirty  shirt  after  a  bath  as 
put  a  healthy  plant  in  a  dirty  pot.  Perhaps  this  is  owing  to  my  youth, 
and  I  may  see  fit  to  alter  my  opinion  on  this  subject  as  I  grow  older,  but 
with  all  humility  1  trust  I  may  never  forget  the  good  old  adage, 
“  Cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness,” 
If  Mr.  Buchanan's  dictum  be  true,  it  makes  one  blush  to  think  of  the 
weary  waste  of  time  going  on  daily  in  thousands  of  gardens  throughout 
the  kingdom  ;  and  I  add,  had  the  various  gardeners  under  whom  I  served 
