436 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  16,  1899. 
Duchess  of  Fife,  and  Perle  Dauphinoise.  Mr.  J.  Davies,  gardener  to 
E.  Ellis,  Esq ,  Heswall,  was  a  capital  third  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Whittle,  gardener 
to  R.  G  Allan,  Esq.,  Rosemont,  Aigburth,  a  good  fourth. 
Four  staged  eighteen  incurved,  and  a  good  class  they  were,  the  winner 
being  Mr.  P.  Greene,  gardener  to  Thos.  Gee,  Esq.,  Greenhill,  Allerton, 
with  splendidly  finished  blooms  of  Lady  Isobel,  Lord  Alcester,  Chrys- 
antbemiste  Bruant,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Dorothy  Foster,  Mrs.  N.  Molyneux, 
Topaze  Orientale,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Egan,  Ma  Perfection,  Perle  Dauphinoise, 
James  Agate,  Mons.  Desblanc,  Miss  Annie  Hills,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Mrs. 
R.  C.  Kingston,  W.  Tunnington,  Queen  of  England,  Ernest  Cannell. 
The  second,  a  pretty  stand,  went  to  Mr.  C.  Osborne,  gardener  to 
H.  Tate,  jun.,  Esq.,  Allerton  Beeches,  Lady  Isobel,  C.  H.  Curtis  and 
Leonard  Payne  being  specially  fine.  Mr.  J.  Davies,  gardener  to  Lord 
Trevor,  Brynkinalt,  Chirk,  was  a  fair  third. 
In  the  corresponding  class  for  Japanese  Mr.  Osborne  never  staged 
better,  having  choice  well  finished  flowers  of  Graphic,  Phoebus,  Mrs.  C.  H. 
Payne,  Pride  of  Exmouth,  W.  H.  Palmer,  Madame  Gustave  Henry,  Lady 
Hanham,  Master  H.  Tucker,  Nellie  Pockett,  Madame  Rosette,  Amiral 
Avellan,  Mons.  H.  J.  Jones,  Australie,  Mrs.  H.  Weeks,  Mons.  Pauckoucke, 
Mons.  Chenon  de  Lechfi,  Mons.  Hoste,  Madame  G.  Debrie.  Mr.  J.  Davies 
was  a  fair  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Young,  gardener  to  T.  G.  Williamson,  Esq., 
Otterspool  House,  third.  There  were  four  competitors. 
For  twelve  Japanese  Mr.  Geo.  Osborne,  gardener  to  Dr.  Duffus,  West 
Derby,  took  first  honours  with  Phoebus,  Madame  G.  Debrie,  and  Henry 
Weeks  in  capital  form,  a  grand  second  being  found  in  Mr.  E.  Bache, 
gardener  to  A.  H.  Bencke,  Esq.,  Oliva,  West  Derby.  Eight  competed. 
Mr.  Jno.  Watson,  gardener  to  Thos.  Edwards,  Esq.,  Litherland,  won 
with  six,  also  for  six  incurved,  the  class  for  twelve  incurved  being 
worthily  won  by  Mr.  W.  Neisb,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Ismay,  Esq.,  Caldy  Manor, 
Cheshire,  out  of  some  six  competitors  ;  Mr.  Caunce,  gardener  to  E. 
Winsor,  Esq.,  Balrath,  Liverpool,  being  second.  Anemones  and  reflexed 
were  in  beautiful  form,  Mr.  C.  Osborne  winning  both  classes.  Pompons 
are  certain  to  have  their  day  again,  the  four  twelves  in  bunches  of  three 
making  a  charming  display,  Mr.  Caunce  winning.  The  competitors 
numbered  five  in  the  class  for  those  who  have  not  hitherto  won  a  prize, 
the  post  of  honour  falling  to  Mr.  Barber,  gardener  to  Walter  Holland, 
Esq.,  Carnatic  Hall,  Mossley  Hill.  Amateurs  keep  increasing,  Mr.  W. 
Crosby,  Halewood,  Liverpool,  winning  both  classes. 
Groups  of  Chrysanthemums  were  an  improvement.  Mr.  J.  Brace¬ 
girdle,  gardener  to  W.  H  Watts,  Esq.,  Elm  Hall,  Wavertree,  taking  first 
position,  also  for  the  one  with  foliage  interspersed.  Trained  plants  are 
getting  back  to  their  Liverpool  form,  and  a  bright  array  they  made.  Messrs. 
W.  Wilson,  gardener  to  H.  Cunningham,  Esq.,  Gorsey  Cop,  Gateacre  ; 
J.  Rose,  gardener  to  J.  G.  Kitchen,  Esq.,  Huyton.  A  beautiful  display 
was  made  by  the  plants  grown  in  5-inch  pots  ;  Mr.  Wharton,  gardener 
to  John  Findlay,  Esq  ,  Mavis  Court,  Sefton  Park,  scoring  somewhat 
easily.  A  bright  fresh  six  untrained  plants  won  Mr.  W.  Bustard, 
gardener  to  T.  McLelland,  Esq.,  Aigburth,  a  well-merited  prize. 
Charming  indeed  were  the  3-feet  baskets  of  miscellaneous  plants, 
and  Mr.  F.  Keighley,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Duncan,  Prizett,  led  the  way, 
being  closely  followed  by  Mr.  J.  George,  gardener  to  F.  W.  Mayor,  Esq., 
Roby.  Baskets  of  Chrysanthemum  blooms  arranged  for  effect  are  rapidly 
advancing  in  number  ;  Mr.  McFall,  gardener  to  E.  C.  Leventon,  Esq., 
Oakfield,  Roby,  came  to  the  front. 
Orchids  are  always  a  splendid  feature  here,  this  show  being  no 
exception,  and  a  word  of  praise  is  certainly  due  to  Mr.  E.  R  Finch, 
gardener  to  Joseph  Smith,  Esq.,  Newstead,  Wavertree,  for  grand  plants 
of  Ansellia  airicana,  Cattleyas  gigas  and  labiata  for  three,  whilst  a  lovely 
plant  of  Odontoglossum  grande,  carrying  twenty-four  magnificent  flowers, 
won  the  single  class  for  Mr.  T.  Gowen,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Bartlett,  Esq., 
Mossley  Hill,  Mr.  Bracegirdle  winning  with  a  Cypripedium.  Mr.  T. 
Wilson,  gardener  to  C  H.  Williams,  Esq.,  staged  Oncidiums  varicosum 
Rogersi,  and  Forbesi  in  splendid  condition. 
Fruit  form3  almost  as  important  a  feature  as  the  cut  blooms,  the 
brilliant  colour  and  splendid  proportions  exciting  the  greatest  possible 
interest.  As  usual,  the  noted  Hereford  grower,  Mr.  J.  Davies,  gardener  to 
W.  E.  King-King,  Esq.,  Bodenham,  secured  the  leading  classes  for  culinary 
and  dessert  varieties  of  Apples,  also  for  stewing  Pears.  Local  Apple 
classes  were  well  represented,  whilst  Mr.  Hannegan,  gardener  to 
T.  Comber,  Esq ,  had  a  good  look  in  with  Pears.  A  good  collection  of 
Apples  came  from  Mr.  Doe,  gardener  to  Lord  Derby,  Knowsley  Hall,  and 
were  deservedly  granted  a  C.C. 
There  were  three  collections  of  fruit  staged,  Mr.  J.  Stitt,  gardener  to 
H.  A.  Bright,  Esq.,  Ashfield,  Knotty  Ash,  winning,  Grapes  being  fine. 
Grapes  were  extremely  good,  and  a  better  pair  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
has  never  been  seen  in  the  hall  than  those  staged  by  Mr.  Nield, 
Horticultural  School,  Holmes  Chapel.  Mr.  McCole,  gardener  to  J.  W. 
Hughes,  Esq.,  Allerton,  won  for  Alicantes,  Mr.  Reed,  gardener  to  D. 
Wilson,  Esq.,  Claughton,  with  a  pretty  pair  of  Barbarossa.  For  four 
bunches,  Mr.  J.  Wright,  gardener  to  E.  Lord,  Esq.,  was  first  with  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  and  Black  Alicante.  Mr.  J.  Stitt  staged  perfect  bunches 
of  Golden  Queen  for  any  other  white. 
Not  a  little  of  the  success  must  be  placed  to  credit  of  the  hardworking 
stagers,  Mr.  Foster  and  Mr.  Sadler.  Miscellaneous  plants  were  capitally 
staged  by  well  known  growers. 
Cressington  Show. — The  very  handsome  challenge  cup,  presented 
by  A.  L.  Jones,  Esq.,  Oaklands,  Aigburth,  for  twelve  incurved  and  twelve 
Japanese,  has  been  wen  for  the  third  and  last  time  by  Mr.  J.  Heaton, 
gardener  to  R.  P.  Houston.,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Aigburth. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Cucumbers. — Add  a  little  warm  soil  to  the  sides  of  the  hillocks  or 
ridges  as  the  roots  of  the  winter  fruiting  plants  show,  continuing  this 
with  late  plantings  at  short  intervals,  which  is  better  than  supplying  a 
quantity  of  soil  at  once.  Complete  the  earthing  ot  the  autumn  plants, 
and  then  feed  with  short  sweetened  stable  manure  at  the  surface,  which 
will  encourage  the  roots  there,  and  promote  steady  growth  by  the 
nutrition  supplied.  The  ammonia  evolved,  if  not  too  strong,  greatly 
benefits  the  foliage.  On  fine  days  it  is  better  to  turn  off  the  heat  at  top 
than  have  recourse  to  excessive  ventilation,  as  sun  heat  has  a  wonderful 
effect  on  the  foliage,  and  the  greater  the  development  of  the  chlorophyll 
in  that  the  better  the  plants  will  thrive  in  sunless  weather.  Heat  radiated 
at  a  high  temperature  is  not  good  for  the  foliage,  therefore  blinds  to  draw 
down  at  night  will  lessen  the  need  of  fire  heat  and  save  fuel.  They 
must  be  used  to  interfere  with  light  as  little  as  possible. 
Melons. — Where  the  latest  fruit  is  beginning  to  net,  and  will  be  rip« 
some  time  next  month,  the  plants  need  a  genial  atmosphere  to  secure  the 
swelling  of  the  fruit.  Damp  the  paths  in  the  morning  and  early  afternoon, 
admitting  a  little  air  in  the  early  part  of  the  forenoon  to  insure  the 
dissipation  of  moisture,  and  induce  evaporation  from  the  foliage  and  fruit. 
Keep  the  growths  thin,  yet  allow  a  fair  amount  of  foliage.  Maintain  the 
night  temperature  at  65°,  70°,  to  75°  by  day,  advancing  as  much  as  possible 
by  closing  at  midday  from  sun  heat.  Afford  liquid  manure  about  twice  a 
week.  The  plants  that  set  their  fruit  early  in  September,  from  the  July 
sowings,  should  have  all  the  air  possible  while  maintaining  a  tempera¬ 
ture  of  70°  to  75°,  yet  husbanding  the  sun  heat  without  closing  the 
house,  withholding  moisture  from  the  atmosphere  and  water  from  the 
roots. 
Pines. — Young  plants  need  liberal  ventilation  at  this  time  of  year  to 
prevent  a  soft  attenuated  growth  ;  therefore  afford  fresh  air  whenever 
the  weather  is  favourable,  and  avoid  damping,  as  keeping  the  houses 
saturated  is  more  injurious  than  beneficial.  Water  will  be  little  required, 
yet  the  plants  should  be  examined  about  every  ten  days,  affording  a 
supply  to  such  as  need  it  and  those  only,  yet  extreme  dryness  is  injurious, 
for  any  limpness  is  bad  at  the  expense  of  the  tissues,  the  cells  being  more 
or  less  impaired  for  growing  activity  on  a  recurrence  of  favourable  con¬ 
ditions  for  development. 
Lose  no  opportunity  in  the  fruiting  department  of  closing  the  house 
at  85°,  keeping  the  night  temperature  at  70°,  or  a  few  degrees  less  in 
severe  weather.  Remove  all  superfluous  suckers,  retaining  one  only,  or 
at  most  two,  if  stock  be  required,  on  a  plant,  selecting  the  most  promising 
for  retention.  Suckers  that  appear  on  successional  plants  before  the 
fruit  is  visible  should  be  removed ;  exceptions  are  when  stock  is  required, 
and  then  the  fruit  is  more  or  less  sacrificed  in  its  favour.  Such  stock, 
however,  is  not  desirable,  for  the  plants  are  liable  to  have  the  same 
proclivities  as  the  parent  ones. 
At  this  time  of  year  it  is  usual  to  make  new  beds  of  fermenting 
material  for  the  young  plants.  Tan  is  the  best.  In  most  country  places 
Oak  or  Beech  leaves  can  be  had  for  the  collecting,  and  this  being  done 
whilst  they  are  fairly  dry,  they  form  an  excellent  substitute.  Those 
intended  for  use  later  on  cannot  be  too  dry,  placing  them  in  stacks, 
forming  a  span-roof  and  thatching  roughly  with  any  coarse  material,  as 
bracken,  reeds,  coarse  hay  or  straw.  In  forming  beds  of  leaves  they 
must  be  put  together  as  firmly  as  possible,  treading  well  after  placing  in 
a  layer  of  leaves  evenly  shaken  out  and  so  on.  Thrown  in  any  way  the 
material  settles  very  unevenly,  and  gives  far  more  trouble  afterwards 
than  needed  to  do  the  work  properly  at  first. 
Vines. — Earliest  Forced  in  Pots. — The  canes  started  early  in  the  month 
respond  promptly  to  the  warmth  at  the  roots  and  the  moist  genial 
atmosphere,  and  will  soon  be  showing  signs  of  growth,  when  the 
temperature  should  be  increased  to  55°  minimum  and  65°  maximum  from 
fire  heat,  with  10°  more  from  sun  heat,  proportionately  increasing  the 
atmospheric  moisture  and  keeping  the  soil  healthfully  moist.  Ventilation 
will  only  be  required  moderately,  affording  what  is  needed  at  the  top  of 
tne  house,  or,  if  side  air  be  admitted,  it  should  be  made  to  pass  over  the 
hot-water  pipes  so  as  to  become  warmed,  for  cold  currents  of  air  are  very 
pernicious. 
Houses  of  Thin  shinned  Grapes. — November  weather  is  very  trying  to 
hanging  Grapes,  often  causing  them  to  damp  considerably.  Well  ripened 
Grapes  have  the  skins  thicker  and  the  flesh  firmer  than  indifferently 
finished,  whilst  the  juices  are  richer  and  more  sugary.  Vines  ripening 
their  crops  in  September  are  still  in  foliage,  and  will  bear  more  moisture 
at  the  roots  and  in  the  atmosphere  than  those  that  had  the  Grapes  ripe 
in  August.  Slight  heat  in  the  pipes  will  be  required  almost  constantly  to 
maintain  an  equable  temperature,  but  this  must  not  be  too  high  or  it  will 
cause  the  berries  to  shrivel,  ventilating  freely  and  early  in  bright  weather 
so  as  to  prevent  moisture  being  condensed  on  the  berries.  The  outside 
borders  are  best  protected  from  heavy  rains,  as  excessively  moist  borders 
affect  the  Grapes  prejudicially,  and  inside  borders  should  have  sufficient 
moisture  to  prevent  the  soil  cracking  ;  and  if  covered  with  a  little  clean 
sweet  straw  the  Grapes  will  keep  better.  Covering  the  border  prevents 
its  cracking,  and  keeps  down  moisture  likely  to  arise  and  prove  injurious 
to  the  Grapes. 
