November  30,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
479 
For  the  handsome  silver  cup  presented  by  T.  Huddlestone,  Esq.,  for 
twenty-four  J apanese,  Mr.  C.  Osborne,  gardener  to  Henry  Tate,  jun.,  Esq., 
Allerton  Beeches,  was  the  only  competitor,  but  his  blooms  were  of  a  high 
standard  and  the  prize  well  merited,  success  again  attending  Mr.  Osborne’s 
efforts  in  classes  for  eighteen  incurved  and  twelve  Japanese  and  six 
incurved.  Mr.  McColl,  gardener  to  J.  W.  Hughes,  Esq.,  had  a  capital 
eighteen  Japanese,  and  Mr.  Vaughan,  gardener  to  T.  Brocklebank,  Eeq., 
The  Hollies,  accounted  handsomely  for  twelve  incurved,  and  for  the 
prize  presented  by  Mr.  T.  Driver  for  six  Japanese,  six  incurved  and  six 
incurved  Japanese. 
Mr.  J.  Stoney,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Jellicoe  at  Camp  Hill,  Woolton, 
the  residence  of  F.  H.  Gossage,  Esq ,  had  a  most  effective  table 
decoration,  also  splendid  Roman  Hyacinths. 
The  Chrysanthemum  plants  from  Mr.  W.  Wilson,  gardener  to 
H.  Cunningham,  Esq.,  Gorsey  Cop,  Gateacre,  were  models  of  good 
culture.  Foliage  plants  and  table  plants  were  well  set  up  by  Mr.  T. 
Carling,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Cope,  Dove  Park,  Woolton,  and  Mr.  Jones. 
Fruit  was  fine,  the  successful  exhibitors  being  Col.  Blackburn,  Hale 
Hall  ;  Mr.  J.  McColl,  Mr.  T.  Carling,  and  Mr.  W.  Wilson.  Roots  and 
tubers  were  also  included,  Col.  Blackburn,  Mr.  J.  Sumner,  and  Mr. 
Carling  winning.  A  fine  collection  of  vegetables  was  sent  from  Woolton 
Hall  by  P.  McGuffie,  Esq.  Perhaps  nothing  in  the  show  exceeded  the 
beauty  of  the  brilliant  Begonias  Gloire  de  Lorraine  staged  by  Mr,  Barber, 
gardener  to  Walter  Holland,  Esq.,  Carnatic  Hall,  Mossley  Hill. 
Mr.  Jno.  Cowan  being  near  to  home  staged  a  beautiful  collection  of 
Orchids  in  many  choice  varieties.  Mr.  Waterman  and  Mr.  Wilson  took 
no  small  pains  with  the  staging,  and  Mr.  Learoyd’s  secretarial  duties 
were  in  every  way  satisfactory, 
PROVINCIAL  NOTES. 
YORK. 
This  year’s  show  has  been  one  of  the  most  successful  ever  held  by  the 
Ancient  Society  of  York  Florists,  as  was  noted  on  page  456.  A  few 
more  particulars,  however,  may  be  of  interest  to  some  readers.  The  total 
amount  awarded  in  prizes  was  as  follows  Cash,  £245  8s.  6d.  ;  plate, 
£30jl89.  ;  two  challenge  vases,  £30  ;  making  the  grand  total  of  £306  6s.  6d. 
The  total  in  1898  was  £232  4s  6d.  The  receipts  at  the  door  were 
£325  Os.  3d.,  which  was  £11  15s  9d.  above  any  pre;eding  year.  A  dense 
fog  prevailed  on  Friday  ;  during  the  evening  cabs  were  stopped,  which 
would  no  doubt  prevent  many  from  visiting  the  show.  There  were  more 
entries  for  groups  of  Chrysanthemums  than  there  has  been  for  some  time. 
In  the  larger  groups,  interspersed  with  foliage  plants,  arranged  for 
effect,  substantial  prizes  were  offered,  the  Lord  Mayor  and  the  Sheriff  for 
the  past  year  (Alderman  Border  and  Mr.  J.  J.  Hunt)  presenting  a  cup 
value  £15  15s.,  in  addition  to  £8  8s.  by  the  Society  for  the  first  prize.  A 
cup  was  also  given  by  Alderman  E.  W.  Turned,  value  £5  5s.,  and  £7  7s. 
by  the  Society  for  the  second  prize.  No  doubt  this  had  a  great  deal  to  do 
with  bringing  tbe  increased  competition. 
As  its  title  implies,  this  is  a  very  old  Society,  but  we  cannot  say  how 
old.  On  the  face  of  the  Schedule,  however,  we  find,  Ancient  Society  of 
York  Florists  (time  immemorial),  re-established  1760.  The  payment  of 
5  guineas  constitutes  a  life  member,  and  an  annual  subscription  of 
5s.  and  upwards  constitutes  a  member,  who  may  exhibit  free,  and 
is  entitled  to  one  non-transferable  pass  ticket  and  two  complimentary 
tickets.  This  year  732  members  have  paid  their  subscriptions,  amounting 
to  £184  17s.  6d.,  which  is  £10  5s.  6d.  in  excess  of  any  preceding  year. 
Besides  the  Chrysanthemum  Show,  the  Society  holds  five  minor  shows, 
at  which  members  only  are  allowed  to  exhibit. — J.  S.  Upex. 
LEEDS. 
Mr.  Grix,  The  Gardens,  Gledhow  Hall,  Leeds,  writes  : — “  I  see  on 
page  459,  in  your  report  of  Leeds  Show,  that  I  was  placed  second  in  the 
miscellaneous  group  of  plants.  I  beg  to  state  the  Judges  awarded  the 
two  groups  equal  first.  When  a  local  contemporary,  from  which  your 
report  was  taken,  states  that  it  was  lumpy,  the  reporters  can  have  little 
idea  of  floral  arrangement.  It  was  acknowledged  by  many  persons  who 
visited  the  show  that  it  was  the  lightest  and  prettiest  group  of  plants 
that  has  ever  been  seen  in  the  Leeds  Town  Hall.” 
EDINBURGH. 
There  is  a  mistake  in  the  report  of  Edinburgh  Show  on  page  458. 
In  class  No.  7,  six  Japs  any  one  variety,  I  took  first  prize  with  six  Oceana. 
I  have  received  the  prize  money,  and  have  the  prize  ticket  by  me.  I  also 
gained  Wells’  gold  medal  for  the  best  exhibit  of  Chrysanthemums  in  the 
show,  which  was  awarded  to  my  exhibit  of  twenty  vases,  three  blooms  of 
each  variety. — T.  Lunt,  The  Gardens ,  Keir,  Dunblane. 
MANCHESTER. 
In  my  report  of  the  fine  show  opened  on  the  16th  inst.  iD  the  Royal 
Botanical  Gardens  I  omitted  to  mention  the  excellent  group  of  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  staged  by  the  garden  authorities, which  not  only  covered  an  enormous 
space,  but  proved  also  a  great  source  of  attraction.  The  majority  of  the 
plants  were  not  disbudded,  and  being  grown  for  massing  effect  it  only 
went  to  show  how  valuable  the  autumn  queen  is  in  every  respect.  The 
plants  were  well  grown,  and  reflected  much  credit  on  Mr.  Weathers  and 
his  assistants.  In  the  Orchid  houses  there  were  many  pretty  flowers  open, 
and  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  healthier  stock  of  Cattleya  labiata. 
A  special  tribute  is  also  due  to  Mr.  E.  Ashworth’s  gardener  of 
Wilmslow  for  the  magnificent  plant  of  Vanda  coerulea  which  he  staged. 
Growing  in  a  basket,  a  more  interesting  picture  could  not  well  have  been 
seen,  and  judging  from  the  many  on*lookers  who  inspected  this  beautifully 
coloured  Orchid,  carrying  its  twenty-five  large  flowers,  Mr.  Ashworth  was 
more  than  repaid  for  his  kindness  in  sending  it  not  for  competition. — R.P.R. 
VIOLET  CULTURE. 
I  take  much  pleasure  in  responding  to  the  editorial  suggestion  on 
page  381,  to  describe  the  mode  of  procedure  adopted  in  these  gardens, 
and  which  has  proved  so  successful  during  the  past  five  years.  In  the 
first  place  I  choose  a  situation  bordered  by  trees  on  the  south-west, 
having  my  beds  facing  north-east.  The  natural  soil  is  of  a  light  sandy 
nature,  and  to  this  I  add  a  dressing  of  half-decayed  horse  manure.  I 
then  look  round  to  one  of  the  neglected  portions  of  many  gardens  (the 
rubbish  heath),  gather  all  the  rough  wood  and  anything  likely  to  lay  a 
foundation  for  fire,  adding  as  required  all  the  refuse  to  he  found  at 
such  places,  which  will  smoulder  slowly  and  eventually  produce  cart¬ 
loads  of  good  material  for  digging  in  with  the  above-mentioned  manure. 
Deep  digging  is  the  order  of  the  day,  as  Violets  are  deep  rooting,  and 
I  have. found  abundance  of  roots  1  foot  below  the  surface  adhering 
tenaciously  to  the  burnt  hearth  and  wood  ashes,  which  constant 
observation  has  taught  me  to  be  the  best  fertiliser  for  Violets. 
I  might  here  suggest  to  those  who  have  heavy  soils  and  are 
required  to  produce  a  quantity  of  Violets  for  decorative  purposes, 
to  try  the  experiment  of  digging  in  a  fair  amount  of  sand  or  road 
grit,  not  forgetting  the  rubbish  heap,  and  detail  the  results  in  some 
future  number  of  the  Journal,  which  would  be  gladiy  received  and 
appreciated  by  many  readers. 
The  position  having  been  chosen  for  the  beds  and  the  soil  pre¬ 
pared,  I  will  describe  the  right  and  wrong  cuttings  to  be  inserted  at  the 
time  of  planting,  which  should  not  be  later  than  the  first  week  in 
April,  as  they  will  then  benefit  by  the  warm  April  showers,  and  a 
substantial  foundation  is  laid  for  the  autumn  and  winter  crop.  I 
feel  sure  many  failures  could  be  traced  to  late  planting.  In  lifting  the 
old  plants  three  distinct  types  of  cuttings  are  found — 1,  those  pro¬ 
duced  from  runners  of  various  lengths,  which  should  at  once  be  dis¬ 
carded  ;  2,  the  growths  nestled  round  the  old  crown  of  last  year’s 
planting,  and  these  are  tbe  ones  on  which  experience  has  proved  one 
may  rely,  and,  3,  the  one  planted  la«t  yeaT,  and  which  has  done 
duty  by  giving  a  wealth  of  flowers  and  cuttings  for  a  future  crop  ; 
this,  of  course,  must  be  discarded. 
The  cuttings  having  been  prepared,  drills  are  drawn  an  inch  deep, 
the  distance  asunder  being  governed  by  tbe  varieties  to  be  planted. 
Generally  speaking,  we  can  say,  doubles,  1  foot  each  way,  the  old 
Czar  the  same  distance;  but  Princess  of  Wales  produces  runners  more 
freely  than  any  variety  1  know,  and,  on  account  of  its  long  leafstalks 
surmounted  with  large  foliage,  should  be  planted  at  least  18  inches 
apart..  Great  care  is  necessary  in  inserting  the  cuttings  that  every  one 
is  made  quite  firm. 
Immediately  this  operation  is  completed  give  a  thorough  soaking 
with  water  through  a  rose  can,  up  and  down  the  drills  mentioned, 
which  will  insure  a  good  start ;  the  warm  genial  rains  which  are 
almost  sure  to  follow  wifi  do  the  rest,  and  water  will  only  be  required 
during  dry  periods  of  the  summer.  Our  plants,  between  four  and  five 
thousand  in  number,  were  not  once  assisted  by  artificial  watering  durir  g 
the  trying  summer  just  passed. 
fi’owards  the  middle  of  July  and  August  runners  will  be  produced 
rather  freely,  which  must  in  most  cases  be  removed,  care  being  taken 
to  pull  them  out  at  the  base.  With  Princtssof  Wales  I  make  an 
exception,  as  the  runners  then  produced  flower  freely  during  the 
spring  months.  Surface  hoeing  should  be  attended  to  at  intervals 
during  the  growing  season,  to  keep  down  small  weeds,  which  are  sure 
to  make  their  appearance,  while  at  the  same  time  it  tends  to  keep  the 
soil  sweet  and  healthy. 
About  the  middle  of  September  frames  a>e  fixed  on  a  border  facing 
south,  with  a  wall  7  fret  high  at  the  back.  The  soil  within  is  levelled 
and  well  trodden,  and  the  compost  for  planting  is  put  in  a  heap  close 
at  hand.  'This  consists  of  ordinary  garden  soil,  with  a  little  leaf 
mould  and  Mushroom  bed  refuse  thoroughly  incorporated.  Everything 
is  then  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  plants.  Great  care  is  taken  in 
lifting  the  plants,  not  to  shake  the  ball  more  than  is  necessary,  fi’hese 
are  stood  on  the  hard  bottom  of  the  frames,  no  holes  being  dug,  and 
the  foliage  of  one  plant  touches  that  of  its  neighbour.  The  prepan  d 
soil  is  then  placed  round  the  plants  and  made  firm  by  hand  pressing. 
The  next  row  is  then  stood  down,  the  soil  made  up,  and  so  on  until 
the  frame  is  full,  beeping  the  soil  level  with  the  crowns  as  the  work 
proceeds.  Plants  lifted  and  place!  in  frames  in  this  manner  with  a 
good  watering  to  settle  the  soil  about  them,  will  never  suffer  from  the 
shift,  and  will  look  the  next  day  as  if  they  had  never  been  touched. 
Early  frame  planting  is  as  beneficial  as  early  outdoor  planting;  it 
allows  the  lights  to  be  kept  off  and  time  for  the  sun  to  well  ripen  the 
crowns  and  foliage  before  the  dull  days  of  November  creep  in.  At  all 
times  when  the  weather  will  permit  have  a  good  circulation  of  air,  the 
lights  being  n moved  on  favourable  opportunities.  Violets  dislike  a 
damp  and  stuffy  atmosphere.  Constant  attentionis  needed  during  the 
winter  months  to  amove  decayed  leaves  and  lateral  growth. 
Violets  may  be  grown  successfully  by  placing  a  few  plants  in  pots 
and  boxes,  standing  these  on  shelves  in  fruit  houses  where  a  good 
circulation  of  air  can  be  maintained.  Treated  thus  they  will  be  found 
