20  S 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  7,  1899. 
EXHIBITING  GRAPES— A  DISQUALIFICATION. 
I  herewith  enclose  copy  of  the  schedule  of  the  Great  Malvern 
Show,  which  was  held  on  the  31st  ult.  The  Society  offered  prizes  for 
decorated  dessert  tables,  each  table  to  contain  six  dishes,  distinct  kinds 
of  fruit.  I  exhibited  in  this  class,  and  the  Judges  awarded  my  table  the 
first  prize,  but  their  attention  was  called  to  the  alleged  fact  that  only  five 
distinct  dishes  were  exhibited,  and  the  table  was  disqualified,  because  it 
was  maintained  that  black  and  white  Grapes  were  not  distinct.  I  append 
a  list  ot  the  fruit — namely,  one  dish  each  of  Gros  Maroc  Grapes  (two 
bunches),  Muscat  of  Alexandria  (two  bunches),  Melon,  Peaches,  Figs, 
and  Nectarines. 
I  have  always  understood  until  this  instance  that  black  and  white 
Grapes  were  recognised  as  distinct  kinds  of  fruit.  Will  you,  through  the 
medium  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  give  your  opinion  as  to  whether 
the  Judges  were  justified  in  disqualifying  the  table,  or  not  ? — J.  JONES. 
[We  observe  that  in  setting  forth  the  conditions  of  the  class  in 
question  the  compilers  of  the  Malvern  schedule  substantially  followed  the 
terms  of  the  decorative  dessert  table  class  in  the  Shrewsbury  schedule, 
but  omitted  what  is  there  made  clear  on  the  point  in  dispute.  Black  and 
white  Grapes  are  there  regarded  as  distinct,  and  in  judging,  points  were 
given  for  them  accordingly.  In  the  “collections  of  fruit”  it  is  precisely 
stated  that  “black  and  white  Grapes  will  be  distinct  kinds.’’  This  is  also 
specifically  allowed  in  the  R.H.S.  “Rules  for  Judging.”  par.  3,  page  6, 
of  which  a  copy  can  be  had  for  Is.  6d.  from  the  Secretary,  117,  Victoria 
Street,  W estminster.  Moreover,  it  is  so  nearly  the  universal  custom  to 
admit  black  and  white  Grapes  as  distinct  kinds  of  fruit  for  the  purpose  of 
exhibiting,  that  we  should  so  regard  them  at  any  show,  unless  the 
schedule  contained  a  special  note  to  the  contrary.  We  see  no  such  note 
in  the  Malvern  schedule,  and  we  should  not  have  disqualified  any  collec¬ 
tion  on  the  grounds  stated  had  we  officiated  in  the  class,  nor  would  many 
widely  experienced  judges.  Rule  8  of  the  Malvern  schedule  states,  “The 
awards  of  the  judges  shall  in  all  cases  be  final  and  conclusive  as  regards 
merit.  If  our  correspondent  makes  no  mistake  the  judges  awarded  him 
the  first  prize.  In  this  case  W'as  it  not  awarded  because  they  considered 
his  table  the  most  meritorious  ?  There  are  two  sides  to  most  questions 
in  dispute,  and  we  should  rather  like  to  “hear  the  other  side”  in 
this  case.] 
LIVERPOOL  NOTES. 
Eryngium  Oliverianum. 
Of  all  the  beautiful  flowering  plants  in  the  herbaceous  border  none 
has  been  more  admired  or  more  useful  in  a  cut  state  than  this  charming 
‘  Sea  Holly.  It  is  one  ot  those  good  things  too  seldom  met  with  ; 
consequently  when  it  appears  in  such  splendid  condition  as  seen  this 
year  the  list  of  devotees  becomes  rapidly  greater.  Not  only  is  it  large 
in  the  flower,  but  the  intense  blue  ot  the  heads  and  spines  of  silvery 
variegation  make  it  most  interesting.  In  trying  to  grow  it  successfully 
one  must  prepare  a  good  basis  in  the  first  instance  and  sufficient  drainage, 
as  it  objects  to  stagnation.  After  this  is  done  some  good  loam,  leaf 
mould,  and  silver  sand  cannot  be  improved  upon  as  a  compost. 
Allamanda  Williamsi. 
This  useful  Allamunda  was  sent  out  with  a  great  flourish,  and  I  am 
not  quite  sure  that  the  introducers  were  not  fully  justified.  It  does  not 
meet  with  the  greatest  number  of  points  from  the  judges  at  our  exhi¬ 
bitions,  but  it  holds  a  firm  place  in  establishments  where  the  larger- 
growing  kinds  cannot  have  the  attention  or  accommodation  essential  to 
the  greatest  excellence.  Also  in  decoration  are  its  many  qualities  notice¬ 
able,  shoots  containing  a  large  number  of  flowers  being  suitable  and 
lasting  for  many  purposes  where  larger-flowered  sorts  could  not  well  be 
employed.  For  these  reasons  this  Allamunda  will  always  meet  with  a 
great  share  of  support. 
V 
A  Pretty  Border. 
One  is  rather  shy  at  singing  one’s  own  praises,  but  a  border  which 
seems  to  have  defied  the  great  drought  through  which  we  have  just 
passed,  has  not  only  pleased  myself,  but  many  others  who  have  seen  it, 
as  it  has  proved  useful  as  well  as  ornamental.  The  background  is  com- 
posed  of  Rhododendrons  and  Hollies,  and  the  space  ot  soil  sloping  down 
to  the  walk  is  sufficient  to  hold  some  half  dozen  rows  of  plants.  Next  to 
the  lawn  the  front  row  starts  with  Tropseolum  Lobbianum  Firefly, 
down ;  the  second  row  is  composed  of  Matricaria  eximea,  clear 
primrose  colour,  and  with  a  great  future  before  it  when  better  known  ; 
seedling  Pentstemons  form  the  third  row  and  take  away  all  stiffness  ;  the 
fourth  row  being  varieties  of  Pompon  Duhlias,  the  two  remaining  rows 
being  of  Cactus  and  double  Duhlias. 
Rosa  Wichuriana. 
It  was  a  positive  pleasure  to  me  to  read  the  excellent  description 
of  this  fascinating  Japanese  Rose  by  “C.,”  on  page  186,  in  your  last 
issue.  Small  in  leaf,  your  correspondent  hits  the  right  nail  when  he  savs 
it  must  not  lack  moisture,  or  all  its  beauty  is  too  fleeting.  I  have  not 
seen  it  used  in  the  way  mentioned,  having  only  made  its  acquaintance 
when  at  the  Royal  Nurseries.  Newtownards,  last  season.  There  I  saw 
it  in  the  early  September  days  a  perfect  picture  of  loveliness,  the  sheet  of 
white  flowers  telling  extremely  well  against  the  shin}’  dark  green  foliage. 
!>ut  these  were  budded  on  half-standards  and  standards,  the  long  weeping 
shoots  almost  touching  the  ground,  and  being  just  the  one  thing  needful 
if  used  as  isolated  specimens. — R.  P.  R. 
Plants  in  Pots. 
( Concluded '■  from  page  186.) 
As  soon  as  the  buds  appear  well  above  the  foliage  the  plants  should 
be  trained  into  a  somewhat  flattened  bush-liko  form,  which  enables 
the  grower  to  make  a -better  display  of  his  flowers,  besides  encouraging 
a  more  even  habit  of  growth,  taking  care  to  distribute  the  flower  buds 
regularly  all  over  the  plants.  For  this  purpose  neat  sticks,  such  as 
small  osiers  used  in  the  making  of  baskets,  are  suitable,  choosing  those 
that  have  been  cut  and  laid  by  for  some  time,  these  being  the  most 
durable,  and  there  is  no  fear  of  their  taking  root  and  growing  in  the 
pots.  Place  some  of  these  sticks  in  a  slanting  position  resting  on  the 
rim  of  the  pot,  and  bring  the  lower  and  more  forward  shoots  down  to 
the  sticks,  securing  them  neatly  (the  foliage  from  these  when  fully 
developed  will  completely  cover  the  rim  of  the  pot),  carefully  cutting 
away  all  the  ties  made  when  the  plants  were  first  pruned.  Secure 
each  of  the  growing  shoots  to  the  sticks,  placing  them  equally  over 
the  p'ant  until  the  desired  shape  is  attained. 
This  training  requires  both  judgment,  taste,  and  neatness ;  it  also 
regulates  or  balances  the  sap  throughout  the  whole  plant,  and  the 
result  is  a  number  of  blooms  opening  at  the  same  time,  which  should 
be  every  exhibitor’s  aim,  and  which  result  could  not  be  obtained  were 
the  plants  allowed  to  take  their  course;  the  stronger  shoots  would 
outgrow  and  rob  the  weaker,  and  consequently  bloom  first. 
From  the  time  the  buds  first  appear  liquid  manure  may  be  given 
freely,  for  when  well  established  the  Rose  is  able  to  absorb  strong 
stimulants.  Cow  manure  steeped  in  water  in  which  a  little  soot  is 
mixed  is  as  good  as  anything.  I  have  relied  more  on  cow  dung  and 
soot  this  season  than  on  any  other  manure.  I  have  also  successfully 
used  a  mixture  of  cow,  horse,  and  sheep  manure,  a  basketful 
of  each  to  about  a  peck  of  soot,  and  a  6-inch  potful  of  guano,  the 
whole  being  put  in  a  large  tub  and  well  stirred ;  when  settled  it  is  fit 
for  use.  If  thought  too  strong  dilute  with  water.  My  plants  have 
always  thriven  well,  and  carried  rich  foliage  and  well-formed  flowers*. 
I  do  not  advocate  a  large  quantity  of  guano ;  it  will,  in  my  opinion, 
produce  foliage  to  the  detriment  of  ripe  wood  and  less  blooms  the 
following  season. 
When  the  plants  have  done  blooming  and  the  weather  has  become 
warmer,  say  by  the  middle  of  May,  plunge  them  out  of  doors  in  a  bed 
of  coal  ashes  or  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  cut  off  all  dead  flowers,  and  give 
copious  supplies  of  liquid  manure,  or  a  mulching  of  decayed  manure 
around  them  will  answer  the  same  purpose,  for  the  watering  and  rains 
will  waidi  the  virtues  in.  It  is  on  the  summer  growth  that  success 
mainly  depends,  and  attention  must  therefore  be  given  to  produce  k. 
Watering  and  frequent  dampings  over  the  foliage  after  a  hot  day  will 
help  to  keep  the  plants  fresh  and  healthy. 
Most  of  the  plants  if  they  have  made  good  growths  will  require  a 
shift.  This  operation  is  best  done  from  June  to  September — the 
earlier  the  better,  as  it  gives  a  longer  time  for  fresh  roots  to  be  made, 
and  the  more  a  plant  has  filled  its  pot  with  roots  the  better  will  it  be 
able  to  stand  forcing  and  stimulants.  If  it  is  required  to  have  flowers 
earlier  in  the  season  it  will  be  necessary  to  prune  the  plants  sooner 
than  already  stated,  also  to  introduce  them  into  a  genial  temperature 
of  45°  or  50°,  and  if  convenient  a  slight  bottom  heat  of  10°  more  will 
materially  assist.  As  the  plants  gain  strength,  if  thought  desirable 
they  may  be  subjected  to  a  temperature  of  60° ;  but  hard  forcing 
should  be  avoided  at  all  times,  for  it  will  be  found  detrimental  to  good 
blooms. 
There  are  other  enemies  to  the  Rose  besides  the  Rose  maggot,  green 
fly,  and  mildew  spoken  of.  The  black  mildew  sometimes  makes  its 
appearance  and  sadly  disfigures  the  foliage,  causing  some  which  is 
badly  affected  to  drop  off.  For  this  I  know  no  remedy ;  but  as  for 
the  orange  fungus  more  air  and  less  moisture  will,  I  think,  prevent 
its  spreading. 
At  the  commencement  of  these  notes  I  suggested  that  the  quickest 
method  of  procuring  a  collection  is  to  purchase  established  plants  in 
pots  ;  but  plants  obtained  as  follows,  although  not  fit  for  early  blooming 
the  first  year,  still  may  carry  a  fair  supply  of  blooms  and  become 
thoroughly  established  the  following  year.  Tne  first  step  is  to  take- 
up  from  the  garden  some  dwarf  Roses  and  put  them  into  6  or  8-inch 
pots,  taking  care  to  well  drain  them.  Plunge  the  pots  to  the  rim  in  a 
partly  spent  hotbed,  and  keep  them  close  for  a  few  days,  giving  one- 
good  soaking  of  clear  water,  and  dew  them  over  with  a  syringe  on 
fine  days,  and  in  the  course  of  a  fortnight  they  can  have  air  and  be 
treated  as  for  the  established  plants,  only  these  require  to  be  pruned 
hard  back,  and  take  longer  in  making  good  plants. — Rosarian. 
