July  20,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
59 
NOTES  FROM  DUBLIN* 
The  Weather. 
Meteorological  conditions  are  seemingly  strange,  for  ever  welcome 
July  has  brought  a  thunderstorm  that  wakened  our  farmers  to  the  ever¬ 
present  danger  of  that  unwelcome  visitor,  blight.  Then  we  had  those  fine 
drizzling,  but  drenching,  showers,  combined  with  a  prevailing  warmth, 
producing  anything  but  favourable  weather,  whilst  gardeners  in  and 
around  the  city  are  bemoaning  the  lack  of  sultry  days.  A  brief  spell  ot 
dryness  would  enable  the  plants  to  dower  their  plots  with  ample 
blossoms,  wherewith  to  fascinate  the  on-looker  and  perfume  the  air. 
Royal  Horticultural  society. 
The  Council  members  of  the  above  Society  held  their  usual  monthly 
meeting  on  Tuesday,  July  11th,  at  their  offices,  61,  Dawson  Street,  in 
the  afternoon.  The  meeting  was  meagre,  due  to  a  very  unpleasant  day. 
Hamilton  Drummond,  Esq.,  J.P.,  was  in  the  chair.  The  following 
members  of  the  Council  were  present — Captain  Rial],  D.L.,  Edmund 
D’Olier,  Esq.,  J.  Hume  Dudgeon,  Esq.,  and  W.  J.  Mitchison,  Esq.  After 
the  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  duly  signed,  the  expense 
of  the  summer  Rose  show,  which  amounted  to  £125,  including  prizes, 
was  before  them  Tor  settlement.  After  a  short  discussion  it  was  decided 
to  hold  the  autumn  show  on  Tuesday,  August  22nd,  instead  of  the  pre¬ 
arranged  date,  the  25th.  The  Judges  for  the  ensuing  show  were  nomi¬ 
nated,  which  brought  to  a  close  the  business  of  the  Society. . 
Flower  Show. 
A  very  pleasing  feature  in  connection  with  the  brewery  of  world-wide 
fame,  Guinness  &  Co.,  is  an  annual  show  for  their  employes,  this  being 
the  fifth  ;  its  success  is  in  a  great  measure  due  to  the  liberality  of  Lord 
Iveagh.  The  respective  groups  of  plants  and  flowers  that  were  staged  on 
a  raised  dais  at  the  end  of  the  workmen’s  rooms  formed  an  effective 
exhibit,  apart  from  the  added  charm  its  many-hued  blossoms  lent  to  the 
sombre  surroundings.  In  order  to  encourage  the  staff  to  better  work  in 
the  future,  the  following  gentlemen  give  special  money  prizes  :  Messrs. 
Hopkins,  J.  Greene,  Montgomery  and  H.  G.  Ward.  The  band  of  St. 
James’s  Gate,  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  J.  Whelan,  discoursed  an 
interesting  variety  of  selections,  in  one  of  the  open  spaces  adjoining  the 
rooms.  The  list  of  entries  shows  a  substantial  increase,  sixty-three  new 
members  have  joined  the  ranks  of  the  exhibitors.  The  entries  totalled  171, 
which  is  rather  roughly  subdivided  into  fifteen  classes.  Mr.  William 
Dick  (Phoenix-park,  Dublin)  kindly  judged.  Unfortunately,  we  are 
unable  to  give  the  prize  list  as  our  space  is  limited. — A.  O.  N. 
GROWING  PINES. 
As  houses  become  vacant  cleanse  them  thoroughly  before  being 
re-occupied  with  plants.  The  first  thing  to  be  seen  to  is  the  bed.  If  bottom 
heat  be  afforded  by  hot-water  pipes,  the  materials  forming  the  bed, 
whether  of  tan  or  leases,  should  be  removed  at  least  once  a  year,  or 
woodlice  and  other  predatory  pests  rapidly  increase,  and  are  harboured 
by  the  old  material.  Syringe  every  part  of  the  house  with  not-water, 
thoroughly  cleansing  the  wood  and  ironwork  with  soap  and  water,  using 
a  brush,  and  keeping  the  soapy  water  from  the  glass,  which  must  be 
cleaned  inside  and  outside  with  water  only.  Scald  all  brickwork,  and 
brush  with  hot  limewash,  reaching  into  the  holes  and  crevices.  Paint 
the  wood  and  ironwork,  and  make  the  roof  as  watertight  as  possible,  as 
much  damage  is  done  by  water  dripping  on  the  foliage. 
Chambered  beds  heated  with  hot-water  pipes  are  much  in  advance  of 
those  surrounded  or  passing  through  beds  of  rubble.  Those  composed  of 
the  latter  should  be  turned  over,  and  any  dirt  or  small  parts  removed  to 
allow  the  heat  given  off  to  penetrate  through  the  whole  uniformly  to  the 
bed.  Fresh  tan  ought  to  be  provided  in  other  cases.  If  wet,  turn  it  occa¬ 
sionally  on  fine  days.  With  hot-water  pipes  beneath  about  3  feet  depth 
is  ample,  more  will  be  needed  where  such  aid  is  not  provided.  In  most  ' 
cases  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  mix  new  tan  with  the  least  reduced 
portion  of  the  old,  this  being  sifted  and  the  fine  rejected. 
Suckers  started  in  June  will  soon  fill  their  pots  with  roots,  and  must 
be  placed  into  the  fruiting  pots  before  the  roots  become  closely  matted 
together.  Queens,  Envilles,  and  moderate-growing  varieties  generally 
succeed  well  in  9  or  10-inch  pots  ;  those  of  stronger  growth  should  have 
11-inch.  Water  immediately  after  potting  if  the  soil  be  dry,  not  other¬ 
wise,  and  plunge  in  a  bottom  heat  of  90°  to  95°.  Crowding  young  plants 
is  a  great  mistake,  as  they  become  drawn  and  weakly  instead  of  forming 
a  sturdy  growth,  a  condition  that  should  always  be  aimed  at. 
Attend  to  the  bottom  heat  of  beds  that  have  recently  been  disturbed 
by  renewal  and  replacing  of  plants,  not  allowing  the  heat  at  the  base  of 
the  pots  to  exceed  95°  without  immediately  raising  them,  as  too  much 
bottom  heat  will  disastrously  affect  plants  having  the  pots  filled  with  roots 
or  those  with  fruit.  Examine  the  plants  for  water  about  twice  a  week, 
supplying  it  to  those  only  in  need,  then  thoroughly,  and  always  with  a 
little  nourishing  food,  such  as  guano,  1  lb.  to  20  gallons  of  water.  Main¬ 
tain  a  moist,  genial,  and  well-ventilated  atmosphere.  The  weather,  or 
climatic  conditions,  is  usually  favourable  to  progress  at  this  season,  so  that 
Fine  plants  grow  luxuriantly  ;  therefore  discontinue  any  shading,  such  as 
may  have  been  employed  for  an  hour  or  two  at  midday,  when  the  sun  was 
powerful,  through  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July,  the  plants  being 
given  all  the  light  possible,  admitting  air  early,  especially  after  dull 
periods,  and  plentifully  when  the  temperature  ranges  from  85°  to  95°. 
Afford  fruiting  plants  a  night  temperature  of  70°  to  75°,  65°  to  70° 
sufficing  for  successional  plants.  Some  suckers  must  be  reserved  on 
the  s tools  for  starting  in  September  ;  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  become 
too  large,  detaching  and  potting  them  if  necessary. — GROWER. 
SHOWS. 
WOLVERHAMPTON.— July  11th,  12th,  and  13th. 
This  progressive  Society  is  nearly  approaching  the  teens,  having  held 
its  eleventh  annual  horticultural  show  and  fete  on  the  above  dates,  as 
usual  in  the  beautiful  and  capacious  public  West  Park,  than  which  there 
could  not  well  be  a  more  suitable  venue,  and  this,  combined  with  the 
typical  auspicious  weather  and  an  increased  prize  list,  resulted  in  a 
record  gate  receipt,  auguring  as  it  does  continued  success  to  the  Society. 
A  pleasing  feature  relative  to  the  stimulating  influence  that  the  bringing 
together  from  all  parts  of  the  country  the  best  of  horticultural  products,, 
was  the  remarkable  increase  both  in  the  numbers  and  improved  quality 
of  the  exhibits  in  the  amateur  and  cottagers’  classes.  An  additional  factor 
also  to  be  observed  in  the  continued  success  of  the  Society  is  evidently 
the  unanimity  and  zeal  exercised  by  the  members  of  the  Committee. 
Groups  and  Specimen  Plants  Arranged  for  Effect. 
Commencing  with  the  international  classes  according  to  the  schedule. 
The  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect  were  four  in  number,  and 
occupying  the  whole  central  portion  of  one  of  the  large  marquees,  were 
doubtless  a  marked  advance  upon  any  previous  occasion,  and  Mr. 
Cypher’s  group  proved  the  piece  de  resistance ,  and  was  the  best  of  the 
noted  firm’s  decorative  efforts  ever  seen  at  Wolverhampton.  As  had 
been  adopted  of  late  years  by  the  firm,  four  cork-bark  bridges  extend¬ 
ing  from  the  centrepiece  to  the  four  corners  of  the  square  area  con¬ 
stituted  the  chief  feature  of  the  basis.  The  bridges  were  draped  with  a 
profusion  of  elegant  Orchids  and  other  suitable  plants  and  Ferns,  whilst 
a  graceful  Humea  elegans  sprang  upwards  from  the  centre  of  each  arch. 
The  centrepiece  was  surmounted  by  an  elegant  plant  of  Kentia 
Belmoreana,  while  Bamboos  and  slender  Humeas  with  other  suitable 
plants  environed  the  base.  The  mounds,  situated  at  the  sides  of  the 
parterre,  were  topped  with  a  graceful  Palm  and  Bamboo  in  pairs,  whilst  in 
intermediate  positions  highly  coloured  and  elegant  Crotons,  Caladiums, 
Ixoras,  Aralias,  white  Liliums,  Orchids,  and  Ferns,  and  with  patches  of 
the  pretty  little  Nertera  depressa  with  its  coral  coloured  berries  served  to 
complete  a  floral  picture  of  unsurpassable  beauty.  The  second  prize  was 
accorded  to  another  notable  exhibitor,  Mr.  W.  Vause,  for  a  meritorious 
composition,  and  adopting  the  “  Cypherian  ”  bridges  elegantly  dressed  with 
suitable  flowering  and  other  plants,  remarkably  fine  tall  Crotons,  Humeas,. 
Palms,  and  Bamboos  were  also  en  evidence  in  this  beautiful  though  com¬ 
paratively  heavy  arrangement.  The  third  prize  was  secured  by  Mr. 
J.  V.  Macdonald,  gardener  to  G.  H.  Kenrick,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,. 
Birmingham,  and  who  closely  ran  the  last  named  exhibitor  with  an 
artistic  arrangement  in  which  were  choice  Orchids,  Crotons,  the  beautiful 
and  graceful  Fuchsia  triphylla,  and  fine  tall  and  richly  coloured 
specimens  of  Acalypha  Macfeeana.  The  fourth  position  was  given  to 
Mr.  J.  E.  Knight,  Wolverhampton,  for  a  creditable  and  brightly  coloured 
arrangement. 
Once  again  Mr.  J.  Cypher  demonstrated  his  skill  as  a  specimen 
plant  exhibitor,  with  even  superior  examples  to  those  brought  to  the 
front  on  the  last  occasion  here,  more  especially  with  regard  to  the 
freshness  and  colouration.  The  collection  comprised  a  finely  flowered 
Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  a  richly  coloured  plant  of  B.  Cypheri,  Ixora 
salicifoha,  Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  Allamanda  Hendersoni,  Statice 
profusa  (very  fine),  S.  intermedia  (fine),  Erica  Irbyana  (fresh  and  bright),. 
Allamanda  nobilis,  Croton  mortefontainensis,  C.  Chelsom,  and  four  large 
Palms  in  variety.  The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Vause,  and' 
the  third  to  Mr.  W.  Finch,  Coventry. 
For  six  plants  in  flower,  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  again  first  with  finely 
bloomed  specimens  of  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  B.  glabra,  Ixora  salicifoliar 
Statice  profusa,  Erica  ampullacea  Barnesi,  and  a  fine  piece  of  Anthurium 
Scherzerianum  ;  Mr.  Vause,  the  only  other  exhibitor,  took  the  second 
prize.  For  six  Palms,  Messrs.  Cypher,  J.  V.  Macdonald,  and  W.  Vause 
were  the  prizetakers,  in  the  order  named,  with  fine  specimens.  Orchids 
were  unusually  good,  and  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  to  the  fore  with  finely 
flowered  examples  of  eight  kinds,  distinct,  comprising  CattleyaGaskelliana, 
C.  Sanderiana,  Odontoglossum  Pescatorei,  Epidendrum  vitellinum  majus, 
Oncidium  macranthum,  Dendrobium  filiforme,  Epidendrum  prismato- 
carpum,  and  Cattleya  gigas.  The  second  fell  to  Mr.  J.  V.  Macdonald, 
with  excellent  specimens,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  J.  P.  Mansell,  Dudley. 
For  six  fine-foliaged  plants  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J* 
Cypher  with  three  Palms  and  fine  examples  of  Crotons  Sunset,  Flam¬ 
beau,  and  elegans  Chelscni  ;  Mr.  W.  Vause  was  second,  and  Mr. 
Lewis  Fewkes,  gardener  to  Thomas  Clayton,  Esq.,  Castle  Bromwich, 
third.  Exotic  Ferns  were  a  feature,  and  for  six  specimens  Mr.  J.  V. 
Macdonald  claimed  first  honours,  Mr.  R.  Sharpe,  gardener  to  Henry 
Lovatt,  Esq.,  the  second,  and  Mr.  Lewis  Fewkes  the  third  prizes. 
Roses. 
Roses  were  represented  by  the  finest  total  collection  yet  exhibited 
here,  over  2000  blooms  being  staged  for  competition  ;  the  quality  generally 
was  remarkably  good.  There  were  four  exhibits  of  seventy-two  blooms, 
distinct,  and  Mr.  B.  R.  Cant,  Colchester,  again  distinguished  himself  by 
securing  the  premier  prize.  The  principal  blooms  were  Madame  Cadeau 
Ramey,  Maman  Cochet,  Her  Majesty,  Ellen  Drew,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Grant, 
Mrs.  Walker,  Ivaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  Madame  de  Watteville,  Duke 
of  Teck,  Souvenir  d’Elise  Vardon,  Muriel  Grahame,  Marie  Baumann, 
Innocente  Pirola,  and  Souvenir  de  S.  A.  Prince.  The  second  prize  was 
awarded  to  Messrs.  Prior  &  Son,  Colchester,  for  an  excellent  exhibit,  the 
third  to  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Son,  Bedale,  aud  the  fourth  prize  to  Messrs. 
A.  Dickson  &;  Sons,  Newtownards, 
