August  17,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
151 
W.  J.  Villar,  Taunton.  In  the  amateurs’  classes  the  most  successful 
exhibitors  of  cut  flowers  were  Messrs.  F.  II.  Fox,  S.  Tottle,  W.  Thomas, 
S.  Cooper,  E.  Dunster,  W.  James  (gardener  to  Mrs.  MacAlister),  E.  13. 
Smith,  T.  Hobbs,  Bristol ;  C.  Cooper,  and  J.  Burgess. 
Classes  were  provided  and  a  tent  set  apart  for  table  decorations,  vases, 
and  bouquets.  Mr.  J.  Cypher  was  the  most  successful  exhibitor,  his  table 
easily  surpassing  the  other  five.  Mr.  T.  Wilkins,  gardener  to  Lady 
Theodora  Guest,  was  second  ;  and  Messrs.  E.  S.  Cole  &  Son,  Bath, 
third. 
In  the  fruit  section  Taunton  is  once  more  gaining  a  well-deserved 
reputation  for  superiority  of  produce.  The  best  of  three  collections  of 
eight  dishes  was  shown  by  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to  Col.  Vivian, 
Rood  Ashton,  Trowbridge,  who  had  well-ripened  clusters  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  a  fine  Royal  Jubilee  Melon, 
particularly  good  Humboldt  Nectarines,  poor.JSea  Eagle  Peaches,  Bruns¬ 
wick  Figs,  Governor  Wood  Cherries,  and  Moorpark  Apricots.  Mr.  J. 
Lloyd,  gardener  to  V.  Stuckey,  Esq.,  Langport,  was  a  close  second.  Mr. 
S.  Kidley  was  third.  With  four  dishes  the  competition  was  very  keen. 
The  first  prize  went  to  Mr.  Mitchell,  gardener  to  J.  W.  Fleming,  Esq., 
Romsey,  who  staged  perfect  clusters  of  Madresfield  Court  Grapes,  a  large 
Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  and  fine  fruits  of  Sea  Eagle  Peach  and  Lord 
Napier  Nectarine.  Second,  Mr.  S.  Kidley  ;  third,  Mr.  J.  Lloyd. 
There  were  several  good  stands  of  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes,  Mr.  Mitchell  being  first  with  well  finished  bunches  ;  second,  Mr. 
S.  Kidley  ;  third,  Mr.  T.  Wilkinson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Talbot  Greaves, 
Clifton.  In  the  any  other  black  class,  Mr.  Mitchell  was  first  for  perfect 
bunches  of  Madresfield  Court  ;  second,  the  Frome  Flower  and  Fruit  Co., 
with  the  same  variety  ;  third,  Mr.  Cooper.  For  a  stand  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  Mr.  T.  Wilkinson  was  first,  Mr.  Mitchell  second,  and  Mr.  J. 
Lloyd  third,  all  showing  large,  well  coloured  clusters.  In  the  any  other 
white  class,  Mr.  Sutton,  gardener  to  W.  A.  Todd,  Esq.,  Clifton,  was  firRt 
for  well  ripened  Buckland  Sweetwater  ;  second,  Mr.  Wilkinson,  with 
Foster’s  Seedling  ;  and  third,  Mr.  Webber,  gardener  to  G.  F.  Luttrell,  Esq., 
Dunster.  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Melons,  Apricots,  and  various  other  fruits 
in  season,  made  an  attractive  display. 
Apparently  the  long  spell  of  hot  dry  weather  has  not  greatly 
interfered  with  the  production  of  vegetables  in  the  West  of  England,  as 
they  were  as  plentiful  and  good  as  ever  in  the  open  to  all  section,  while 
the  cottagers  quite  filled  a  large  tent  with  exceptionally  fine  produce. 
Messrs.  T.  Wilkins,  T.  Harrison,  gardener  to  Major  Aldworth,  Yeovil  ; 
J.  Blackmore,  gardener  to  Sir  T.  I).  Ackland  ;  S.  Kidley,  Webber,  J. 
Smith,  and  Wylde  were  the  most  successful  competitors. 
Messrs.  It.  Veitch  &Son,  Exeter  ;  J.  Kelway  &  Sons,  Langport ;  B.  It. 
Davis,  Yeovil  ;  Jarman  k  Co.,  Chard,  and  It.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  all 
exhibited  various  specialities  in  their  well-known  excellent  manner. 
llAItBORNE  GOOSEBERRY. — AUGUST  12TH,  13th,  and  14tii. 
The  eighty-fifth  annual  Show  was  held  on  the  above  dates.  The 
heaviest  berry  recorded  in  the  annals  of  the  Society  was  exhibited  by 
Mr.  William  Barton  (a  noted  grower)  from  the  Waterloo  Gardens  in 
1875,  named  “  Bobby,”  weighing  .'14  dwts.  20  grs.,  and  which  variety  has 
held  a  prominent  position  up  to  the  present  time.  The  published  manual 
of  the  Society  is  not  at  hand  to  collect  a  selection  of  the  heaviest  berries 
from  the  inception  of  the  Society.  The  blackbirds  and  thrushes  have 
been  so  persistent  in  their  attacks  that  there  was  a  falling  ofl  as  compared 
with  the  number  of  berries  last  year,  though  the  crop  generally  in 
the  district  was  not  under  average.  In  connection  with  the  show  of 
Gooseberries  other  exhibits  are  invited  as  an  additional  attraction,  and 
on  the  recent  occasion  Mr.  George  Cash  contributed  an  uncommon  example 
of  Apple  fruition,  being  a  small  branch  of  Lord  Sufiield  laden  with  a 
dozen  fine  fruits,  closely  packed,  insomuch  that  they  were  in  touch  with 
each  other.  This  example  was  also  grown  in  one  of  the  Waterloo 
Gardens.  Appended  is  the  list  of  exhibits  : — 
Premier  Prize  for  the  Heaviest  Single  Berry. 
dwts.  grs. 
1st,  Mr.  E.  Withers’  Ringer  . 
Messrs.  J.  Waldron  and  E.  Boraston  equal 
with  Bobby  and  Thatcher  . 
•  •• 
24 
0 
second 
each 
21 
5 
Maiden  Prize. 
Mr.  George  Stacey’s  British  Oak,  twin  berries 
... 
12 
‘  6 
Twin  Berries. 
Mr.  E.  Withers’  Plunder  . 
28 
18 
Mr.  W.  Jones’  Stockwell  . 
20 
0 
Mr.  J.  Wuldron’s  Bobby  . 
... 
26 
IK 
Red  Berries. 
Mr.  E.  Withers*  Bobby . 
... 
21 
13 
Mr.  Hill’s  London  . 
... 
21 
0 
Mr.  A.  Wise’s  Blucber . 
... 
19 
19 
Mr.  G.  Cash’s  Dan’s  Mistake  ...  . 
... 
18 
IK 
Mr.  G.  Gibbs’  Dr.  Woolley  . 
17 
0 
Mr.  W.  James’  Lord  Derby  . 
... 
10 
11 
Yellow  Berkikh. 
Mr.  E.  Withers’  Ringer . 
... 
21 
0 
Mr.  W.  James*  Leveller... 
... 
20 
18 
Mr.  E.  Boraston’s  Thatcher 
•  •• 
18 
0 
Mr.  Hobday’s  Mount  I’leusant  ... 
... 
10 
0 
Mr.  IlioliardH’  Lady  Popham  ...  ...  . ... 
... 
16 
0 
Mr.  0.  Cush’s  Unknown . 
i  ... 
12 
0 
Green  Berries. 
Mr.  W.  James’  Surprise . 
Mr.  Hill’s  Stockwell  ...  . 
Mr.  E.  Withers’  Bobby . 
Mr.  Waldron’s  Shiner  . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston’s  Matchless 
Mr.  G.  Cash’s  Plunder . 
White  Berries. 
Mr.  Hill’s  Transparent  . 
Mr.  E.  Withers’  Faithful . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston’s  Antagonist  . 
Mr.  Waldron’s  Fascination  . 
Mr.  W.  James’  Careless  .  . 
Mr.  Parson’s  Postman  .  . 
Tw  E  EVE  B  Elt  R I  EH—  1 1 E I ). 
Mr.  Withers,  with  Bobby  . 
Mr.  Waldron,  with  Bobby  . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston,  with  Bobby . 
Twelve  Berries— Yellow. 
Mr.  E.  Withers,  with  Leveller . 
Mr.  W.  James,  with  Leveller . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston,  with  Leveller...  . 
Twelve  Berries— Green. 
Mr.  W.  James,  with  Surprise . 
Mr.  E.  Withers,  with  British  0*k  . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston,  with  British  Oak  . 
T  W  EL  V  E  B  ERR  I  ES— W  I II T  E. 
Mr.  E.  Withers,  with  Faithful ...  . 
Mr.  T.  Richards,  with  Transparent  . 
Mr.  E.  Boraston,  with  Faithful . 
21 
0 
20 
0 
18 
0 
16 
18 
16 
13 
14 
10 
22  0 
19 
13 
17 
0 
10 
0 
14 
0 
13 
23 
224 
6 
194 
0 
100 
6 
216 
11 
211 
0 
201 
1 
196 
IK 
191 
0 
187 
0 
202 
10 
178 
0 
107 
0 
Numerous  other  exhibits  of  berries  in  twelves,  twins,  and  single  classes 
were  awarded  prizes  of  4s.  each,  the  exhibits  in  the  Show  amounting 
altogether  to  upwards  of  sixty. 
THE  YOUN(il  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Layering  Carnations. 
Tiie  propagation  of  Carnations  by  layering  the  growth  is  a  simple 
operation  when  once  learnt,  and  as  some  hundreds  of  thousands  of  plantH 
are  operated  on  yearly  1  thought  a  few  practical  hints  would  be  helpful 
to  many  young  readers  who  have  not  yet  had  the  opportunity  to  do  this 
interesting  work.  When  making  a  start  the  first  thing  to  do  is  to  prepare 
the  soil.  It  may  consist  of  equal  parts  of  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  Mushroom 
refuse,  and  a  good  quantity  of  sand  ;  road  drift  will  answer  equally  as 
well.  If  the  loam  is  light  and  sandy  of  course  less  leaf  soil  and  manure 
should  be  used.  Peg*  will  be  necessary  to  fix  the  layer  in  position. 
These  may  be  made  from  old  birch  brooms,  or  if  some  small  stifl 
galvanised  wire  is  at  hand,  suitable  pegs  muy  bo  made  of  this,  and  will 
last  years.  Cut  up  a  quantity  into  5  inch  lengths  ;  one  end  of  the  wires 
should  be  bent  over  to  form  a  hook  1  j  inch  long,  these,  when  inserted  in 
the  ground  with  the  hooked  part  over  the  top  of  the  layer,  will  hold  it 
secure  until  rooted. 
The  husal  leaves  of  the  shoots  should  be  removed,  and  the  shoot  must 
be  cut  half  through  below  a  joint,  bringing  the  cut  in  an  upward 
direction  through  the  joint,  forming  a  sort  of  tongue  I  inch  long.  1  his 
tongue  must  he  kept  open  by  pegging  it  down  into  the  prepared  soil, 
which  should  be  placed  2  or  !!  inches  thick  under  the  growths,  that  are 
to  he  layered.  When  a  plant  is  finished  thus,  put  more  fresh  soil  to  the 
depth  of  I  .j  inch  over  the  top  of  the  pegs  and  the  depressed  partol  shoot. 
Water  must  be  giver,  each  alternoon  when  the  weather  has  been  hot.  and 
dry,  using  a  fine  rosed  watering  pot.  When  the  layers  are  rooted  well 
they  should  he  severed  from  the  parent  plants,  and  either  plucod  in  .Cinch 
pots  and  wintered  in  cold  frames  ready  lor  pluntmg  outside  in  spring,  or 
in  their  permanent  quarters. 
Narrow  borders  are  most  suitable.  The  plants  may  ho  placed  at  not 
less  than  15  inches  nsunder,  anil  if  a  space  of  2  feet  is  allowed  alter  every 
fourth  row  it  will  lie  an  advantage,  as  this  allows  ample  room  for  gather¬ 
ing  the  hlosHOms  and  layering  the  plunts  the  succeeding  year.  II  beds  ol 
Carnations  are  lorrned  in  the  pleasure  grounds  they  should  be  carpeted 
with  some  low-growing  plant,  which  blooms  before  and  after  the  (  srna- 
tions.  Mimulus  Harrisoni  is  very  effective  when  used  as  a  carpeting  for 
the  old  Clove  Carnation.  Violas  and  Mignonette  are  ulso  useful  for  this 
purpose. 
I’ink*  may  be  increased  by  pipings  taken  oil  old  plants,  and  If  cut 
below  a  joint,  and  dibbled  In  sandy  soil  under  hand-lights  in  a  shady 
position,  no  difficulty  will  be  experienced  in  rooting  them.  Division  of 
the  plants  may  also  he  resorted  to.  I  he  divided  parts  must  be  planted 
deeply,  preferably  on  a  north  border  in  September.  The  resulting  stock 
should  be  allowed  to  remain  a  year  without  disturbance,  after  which 
they  may  be  planted  where  they  can  flower  without  molestation  for  at 
least  two  years,  especially  so  when  they  are  required  to  ramble  over 
and  hide  defective  stone  edgings  to  walks  and  borders. 
Malmaison  Carnations  are  best  layered  in  a  frame  having  a  good 
depth  of  soil.  These  must  be  layered  when  flowering  is  finished. 
They  should  be  turned  out  of  their  pots,  and  the  ball  of  soil  sunk  to  the 
required  depth  in  the  frame,  with  plenty  of  fresh  compost  round  it, 
