July  20,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
53 
that  the  decaying  woody  material  in  the  litter  caused  the  fungus  to 
develop. 
In  reference  to  Asparagus  the  results  were  very  different.  The 
peat  moss  refuse  formed  a  splendid  mulch  and  good  manure,  owing  to 
frequent  slight  dressings  of  salt  during  the  growing  season,  the  salt 
apparently  preventing  the  growth  of  the  mycelium  of  the  injurious 
fungus,  and  fine  heads  of  Asparagus  were  cut. 
What  I  found  a  useful  remedy  to  clear  out  the  parasitical  enemy 
and  sweeten  the  land  was  a  good  dressing  of  hot  lime.  I  procured 
some  fresblv  burnt  lime,  had  it  broken  up  very  small  and  forked  into 
the  land,  allowing  the  soil  moisture  tofslake  it;  this  accelerated  the 
decay  of  the  litter,  and  burnt  up  any  fungus  that  was  about.  I  think 
if  “  W.  M.”  will  try  the  same  remedy  he  will  soon  gt-t  his  garden 
back  to  its  usual  fertility,  but  I  advise  him  to  stop  using  the  peat  moss 
litter  as  manure. — S.  D. 
LIVERPOOL  NOTES. 
Visitors  from  Leeds. 
A  party  of  members  of  (he  Leeds  and  Horsforth  Paxton  Society,  in 
all  sixty-eight  persons,  recently  left  Leeds  at  eight  o’clock,  and  amved 
in  Liverpool  at  about  hal'-past  ten.  Messrs.  R.  P.  Ker  &  Sons,  of 
the  Aigburth  Nursery,  provided  conveyances  to  convey  the  company  to 
piaces  of  interest  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  accompanied  by  Mr.  A.  W. 
Ker,  Mr.  B.  W.  Ker,  and  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  a  start  was  made  for  the 
new  Palm  house  in  Sefton  Park. 
Here  the  handsome  structure,  given  by  Mr.  Yates  Thompson,  and  so 
admirably  constructed  by  Messrs.  Mackenzie  &  Moncur,  the  celebrated 
builders  of  London  and  Edinburgh,  was  at  Mr.  Herbert’s  invitation  open 
for  inspection,  and  the  party  welcomed  by  Mr.  White,  who  i9  in  charge. 
The  gigantic  Tree  Ferns,  excellent  Palms,  and  fine  frontage  of  Gloxinias, 
Hydrangea  paniculata,  and  other  flowering  plants,  rising  from  a  ground¬ 
work  of  small  Ferns,  were  much  admired.  So  also  were  the  baskets  of 
Asparagus  Sprengeri  models  of  good  cultivation,  and  almost  everyone 
ascended  the  fine  spiral  staircase,  to  get  a  “top”  view  of  so  rich  a  scene. 
A  walk  round  the  large  lake,  and  theuco  on  to  the  Aigburth  Hotel, 
where  a  capital  luncheon  was  done  full  justice  to.  Luncheon  over,  Mr. 
Bussey,  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  thanked  Messrs.  Ker  for  their 
gTeat  kindness  in  entertaining  them,  and  this  was  heartily  supported  by 
Mr.  Edwards  (Secretary)  and  Mr.  Bailey,  of  the  Horsforth  Society. 
Mr.  Ranger  and  Mr.  B.  W.  Ker,  on  behalf  of  the  firm,  spoke  of  the 
pleasure  afforded  in  entertaining  them. 
Tho  Aigburth  Nursery  was  the  next  calling  place,  the  visitors  express¬ 
ing  themselves  more  than  pleased  with  the  houses  of  Crotons,  grand 
Palms  and  Cyclamens  (all  famous  here  ;  the  latter  seeming  to  be  special 
favourites  with  the  Yorkshiremen),  and  other  choice  stock  too  numerous 
to  particu  arise. 
To  Cleveley,  Allerton,  was  the  next  order  given,  and  a  drive  through 
the  old-fashioned  lanes,  with  agriculture  on  all  sides  seen  in  its  best 
phases,  was  much  enjoyed.  At  the  entrance  gates  to  Mr.  T.  Sutton 
Ttmmis’  imposing  residence,  Mr.  Cromwell,  the  respected  head  gardener, 
w  as  in  readiness  for  a  walk  round  the  well-kept  grounds.  The  splendid 
specimen  Hollies  claimed  attention,  and  the  houses  were  rich  in  floral 
beauty  and  culture.  A  telephone  message  informed  us  that  Mr.  Holbrook 
Gaskell,  J.P.,  of  Woolton  Wood,  wished  all  to  go  to  the  front  of  his 
charming  residence,  and  after  another  beautiful  drive  Wo  dton  Wood  was 
reached,  the  party  encountering  its  well-known  owner  on  the  drive,  and 
after  a  courteous  reception  Mr.  Todd,  the  genial  head  gardener,  took 
charge.  The  greenhouses,  stove,  and  Orchid  houses,  the  latter  containing 
many  valuable  species,  were  examined.  The  truly  natural  fernery  with 
its  splendid  Tree  Ferns  and  lovely  Todeas  all  lent  additional  eh  irm.  The 
famous  picture  gallery,  containing  the  choicest  examples,  was  generously 
opened  for  inspection  and  much  appreciated.  A  drive  of  some  seven 
miles  into  the  city,  a  short  time  for  light  refreshment,  a  hearty  send-off 
from  Lime  Street  Sation,  and  the  Messrs.  Ker  with  Mr.  Cromwell 
and  myself  went  our  several  ways  feeling  convinced  that  our  Yorkshire 
friends  (judging  from  their  remarks)  had  spent  a  most  profitable  and 
pleasant  day. 
Liverpool  Still  Advances. 
Three  great  works  of  the  utmost  benefit  to  the  public  of  Liverpool 
were  recently  completed  and  finally  passed  over  for  the  enjoyment  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  city — viz.,  the  opening  of  the  Ivirkdale  Recreation 
Ground,  the  Newsham  Park  boulevard,  and  ihe  new  aviary  in  Stanley 
Park.  From  the  smallest  beginnings  these  beneficial  resorts  now  number 
about  forty,  the  acreage  being  nearly  800,  and  others  are  already  in  con¬ 
templation. 
The  Parks  and  Gardens  Committee,  under  the  charge  of  Alderman 
Ball,  the  Chairman,  proceeded  to  Kirkdale,  where,  on  the  site  of  the 
famous  gaol,  some  33,000  square  yards  have  been  transformed  into  “  a 
thing  of  beauty  and  a  joy  for  c-ver,”  luxuriant  trees  and  shrubs,  with 
charming  flowering  plants  being  well  established.  Alderman  Ball,  address¬ 
ing  the  large  number  present,  spoke  of  the  desire  of  the  people  for  many 
years  for  such  a  ground,  and  of  the  increasing  number  of  working-ciass 
dwellings,  amid  which  brea'hing  spaces  were  a  necessity.  The  C  >rpora- 
tion,  backed  by  public  opinion,  had  purchased  the  site  from  the  Govern¬ 
ment  at  the  price  of  £2000  an  acre,  iu  all  £20,000,  The  cost  was  high, 
but  it  was  justified  by  its  utility  and  necessity,  and  the  site  once  used  for 
the  incarceration  of  criminals  was  in  the  future  to  be  devoted  to  honest 
and  thoughtful  recreation  and  the  advantage  of  the  children  of  the  densely 
populated  area. 
Proceeding  to  Stanley  Park  another  surprise  was  in  store,  the  old  lake 
having  been  filled  up,  and  the  splendid  ornamental  grounds,  in  the  centre 
of  which  stands  the  handsome  new  aviary  presented  by  Councillor  J.  R. 
Grant,  now  occupy  the  ground.  The  Chairman  said  the  cost  of  laying 
out  the  ground  had  been  £2185,  which  he  felt  sure  all  would  agree  was 
money  well  spent.  He  had  asked  the  Council  to  set  aside  a  modest  sum 
wherewith  to  build  the  aviary,  but  it  was  rejected,  and  they  had  to  thank 
Councillor  Grant  for  so  great  a  gift,  also  Mr.  William  Cross,  the  cele¬ 
brated  naturalist,  for  the  splendid  collection  of  birds.  Mr.  Grant  and 
Mr.  Cross  briefly  replied.  Whilst  here  the  visitors  had  the  opportunity 
of  inspecting  the  new  Palm  house  (the  gift  of  Mr.  Yates  Thompson), 
which  the  builders  expect  to  complete  by  October  next. 
The  boulevard,  covering  16|  acres,  and  which  has  cost  for  work, 
exclusive  of  purchase,  £8000.  was  next  opened.  Alderman  Ball  and  the 
L  >rd  Mayor  let  fall  some  pirtineut  remarks,  the  former  stating  that  until 
the  last  three  years  the  district,  had  been  neglected,  owing  mainly  to  the 
apathy  of  the  inhabitants.  Parks  and  gardens  could  not  be  maintained 
without  expense,  and  if  the  people  who  enjoyed  their  privileges  declined 
to  bear  any  shave  of  the  burden  they  were  bound  to  take  the  consequences. 
The  boulevard  extends  from  Prescot  Road  to  Sheil  Road.  He  desired 
to  thank  Mr.  T.  May  Smith  for  his  co-opsration.  The  Lord  Mayor  said 
there  was  not  a  city  in  the  kingdom  which  had  exhibited  a  more 
-  lightened  and  generous  sentiment  in  this  respect  than  Liverpool,  and 
he  hoped  they  would  continue  to  apply  themselves  diligently  to  this  great 
department  of  municipal  work.  Trie  Botanic  Gardens,  Wavertree,  and 
Sefton  Park  were  inspected,  and  Mr.  Herbert,  the  chief,  and  Mr.  Guttridge, 
next  in  command,  are  to  be  congratulated  on  their  excellent  work. 
-R.  P.  R. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES  AS  STANDARDS. 
In  your  issue  for  .Tune  8th.  page  472,  “  II.  R.”  directs  attention  to  the 
growth  of  P<  aches  and  Nectarines  as  standards,  and  is  ot  the  opinion 
that  more  fruit  can  b>  grown  in  this  manner  than  from  training  in  the 
usual  way  under  the  glass.  I  have  long  hel  I  a  smilar  opinion,  and  if  I 
were  ereetirg  a  house — without  the  restrictions  as  to  cost  which  are  so 
often  brought  to  bear  upon  the  building  of  Iruit  houses — I  should  provide 
for  th°  growth  of  dwarf  standards,  at  anv  rate  in  the  central  portion. 
What  is  required  for  this  system  of  Peach  growing  is  romewhat  lofty 
structures,  that  will  accommodate  the  trees  without  the  summer  growth 
pressing  against  the  glass,  and  having  a  good  width,  say  from  28  to 
30  feet.  In  Sreyd  Park  Gardens,  near  Bristol,  the  late  Mr.  James 
Derham  h  id  a  fii  e  Peach  house  erected  some  years  ago,  which  had  a 
curvilinear  roof,  with  the  glass  less  than  3  feet  Irom  the  grouni  surface. 
It  measured  100  feet  in  bngth  by  30  feet  in  width,  and  was  planted  with 
a  large  c  dlection  of  the  bic.  Peaches  and  Nectarines.  Trees  were  trained 
to  strained  wires  on  the  sides  ut  the  house  to  a  height  of  5  or  6  feet,  the 
central  bed  having  standards  in  three  rows  a'  a  suitable  distance  apart. 
Tho  middle  row  was  worked  on  taller  stems  than  the  outside  trees, 
which  served  to  fill  the  space  more  easily'  and  quickly,  and  gave,  too,  a 
larger  surface  of  fruit-bearing  wo  id.  Planted  diagonally  light  reached 
cverv  tree,  the  house  being  span-roofed,  and  running  east  and  west. 
Heavy  crops  were  taken  from  these  trees,  and  in  point  of  numbers  I 
am  sure  they’  were  greater  than  could  be  obtained  from  any  system  of 
training  arranged  to  fill  the  same  space,  and,  what  is  interesting  to  the 
private  grower,  a  much  greater  number  of  varieties  can  be  planted  in  this 
way.  unless  cordon  training  is  adopted. 
In  the  spring,  when  the  trees  were  in  full  bloom,  this  house  presented 
an  extremely  pretty  picture,  and  having  no  sub-divisions  the  whole  of 
the  interior  could  be  viewed  from  almost  any  point  ;  while  during  the 
ripening  period  there  was  ample  opportunity  lor  those  interested  to 
compare  one  variety  with  another.  I  will  not  say  that  the  same  perfect 
colour  can  le  had  from  standard  trees  as  from  those  trained,  and  the 
fruits  exposed  on  the  surface  of  the  trellis.  It  would  be  scarcely 
reasonable  to  expect  such  a  thing,  because  the  conditions  are  at  variance 
somewhat  one  with  tne  other.  Fine  fruits,  however,  were  grown,  and 
some  sorts  developed  a  very’  ntco  colour,  sufficient,  at  any’  rate,  to 
satisfy  everyday  requirements  ;  the  finer  and  brighter  coloured  fruits 
from  the  side  trellises  provided  for  special  purposes. 
As  “  H.  R,”  points  out.  standard  trees  require  some  care  in  the  choice 
and  manipulation  of  the  shoots  that  are  to  form  mam  branches  and  future 
bearing  wood.  Disbudding  must  be  carefully  done,  and  the  aftergrowth 
regulated  according  to  its  strength  and  purpose.  Generally  speaking  I 
am  of  the  opinion  that  less  labour  is  involved  in  standard  training  than 
on  trellises,  as  both  summer  and  winter  tying  are  obviated. 
As  before  stated,  however,  lofty,  wide  structures  are  necessary  for 
carrying  on  this  mode  of  Peach  growing  with  pleasure  and  profit,  for 
when  crowded  much  trouble  is  given  in  the  daily  attendance,  which  is  not 
returned  in  the  ultimate  results.  A  border  of  suitable  depth,  and  from 
10  feet  to  12  feet  in  width,  wouli  afford  a  large  root  run  for  young  trees 
that  is  Certain  to  promote  an  exuberant  growth  for  a  time.  Careful 
root-pruning  would  be  necessary  to  suppress  this,  otherwise  the  trees 
would  become  a  thicket  and  produce  scanty  crops  of  poorly  coloured 
fruits.  Not  only  is  this  so,  but  the  labour  expended  on  pinching  off 
waste  lateral  growth  would  be  considerable. 
All  trees  and  varieties  do  not  grow  alike,  so  thst  it  does  not  follow 
that  root-pruning  need  be  carried  out  on  every  tree.  Those  that  show 
signs  of  becoming  too  strong  in  summer  growth  are  better  marked  while 
in  leaf,  and  operated  on  either  in  late  autumn  or  early  winter.  Root- 
pruning  in  such  trees  has  a  wonderful  influence  on  the  futuro  growth,  and 
once  well  checked  by  encouraging  fibrous  roots,  it  is  usually  a  long  time 
before  they  give  any  further  trouble. — W.  S.,  Wilts. 
