506 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  7,  1899. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — December  5th. 
The  exhibition  held  on  Tuesday  last  at  the  Drill  Hall  was  com¬ 
paratively  small,  as  might  be  expected  at  this  period  of  the  year. 
The  bulk  of  the  exhibits  came  within  the  Floral  Committee’s  section. 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  forming  a  large  proportion  of  the  display. 
Chrysanthemums  would  probably  have  been  more  numerous  but  for  the 
confliction  with  the  last  show  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
Orchids  and  fruit  were  not  particularly  numerous. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  5  with 
the  Rev.  W.  Wilks  and  Messrs.  W.  Poupart,  J.  H.  Yeitch,  W.  Pope, 
A.  Dean,  S.  Mortimer,  W.  Bates,  C.  Herrin,  G.  Wythes,  F.  Q.  Lane, 
J.  Smith,  G.  Reynolds,  J.  Willard,  H.  Balderson,  and  J.  Cheal. 
There  were  only  about  half  a  dozen  exhibits  submitted  to  the  Fruit 
Committee,  and  amongst  these  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons’  small  display  of 
Tomato  Winter  Beauty  was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  The  fruits, 
shown  in  three  boxes,  were  of  splendid  colour,  medium  size,  and  good 
shape.  A  plant  was  also  contributed  showing  the  cropping  properties, 
which  for  the  time  of  the  year  are  excellent.  Messrs.  Watkins  and 
Simpson,  Exeter  Street,  Strand,  sent  examples  of  the  common  Salsafy, 
and  also  of  a  variety  named  Mammoth.  Mr.  J.  Ryder,  gardener  to  the 
Countess  of  Limerick,  Hawkswick,  St.  Albans,  exhibited  three  varieties 
of  Grapes,  including  Gros  Colman,  Mrs.  Pearson,  and  Black  Alicante. 
The  bunches  were  all  of  good  shape  and  the  berries  well  finished  (silver 
Banksian  medal).  Mr  R.  C.  Notcutt  sent  from  Ipswich  Winter  Orange 
stewing  Pear,  while  Mr.  F.  Bradley  sent  from  Peterborough  Apple  King 
of  the  Hollow. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  E.  Molyneux,  J.  Hudson, 
J.  Jennings,  T.  Peed,  C.  J.  Salter,  J.  D.  Pawle,  C.  E.  Pearson,  N.  F. 
Barnes,  G.  Gordon,  C.  E.  Shea,  H.  J.  Jones,  E.  II.  Jenkins,  E.  Beckett, 
G.  Paul,  and  C.  Jeffries. 
Messrs.  W.  Clibrau  &  Son,  Altrincham,  were  represented  by  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  single  Chrysanthemums.  Considering  the  decorative  value  of  this 
type  of  flower  they  are  far  too  seldom  seen,  and  the  stand  shown  received 
particular  attention  from  the  not  too  numerous  visitors.  Practically  all 
colours  were  included,  and  amongst  the  best  were  Lord  Methuen,  Miss  B. 
Moffatt,  Miss  Norah,  Nora  Davis,  Oldfield  Surprise,  Amy  Fletcher  and 
Oldfield  Gem  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Messrs.  W.  Wells  &  Co., 
Ltd.,  Red  Hill,  staged  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums,  in  which  singles 
and  others  were  employed,  Mrs.  C.  Bown,  May  Jeal,  Earlswood  Beauty, 
Admiral  Sir  T.  Symonds  and  Cheveux  d’Or  were  particularly  attractive 
(silver  Banksian  medal). 
Messrs  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Norwood,  arranged  a  group  of  small  plants 
of  Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine  interspersed  with  Ferns.  Messrs.  B.  S. 
Williams  &  Son,  Upper  Holloway,  also  staged  B.  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  but 
the  plants  were  larger  than  the  foregoing,  and  carried  a  greater  number 
of  flowers.  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co ,  Bush  Hill  Park,  sent  a  collection  of 
Cyclamens  in  which  the  well-grown  plants  were  carrying  splendid  flowers 
and  foliage.  Practically  all  colours  were  included  in  the  stand  (silver 
Flora  medal).  Messrs.  T.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells,  showed  a  group 
of  well  flowered  Bouvardias,  but  the  day  was  so  dull  that  their  proper 
beauty  could  scarcely  be  appreciated  (bronze  Banksian  medal). 
Mr.  D.  Allan,  gardener  to  Lady  Ashburton,  Alresford,  Hant3,  sent  a 
collection  of  Violets  Marie  Louise.  The  flowers  were  large  and 
delightfully  fragrant.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons.  Chelsea,  showed  a 
box  of  flowers  of  their  hybrid  Rhododendrons.  Mr.  J.  Russell,  Richmond, 
occupied  the  centre  of  the  hall  with  a  splendid  collection  of  Conifers.  The 
same  firm  contributed  also  a  fine  group  of  Yuccas  (silver-gilt  Flora  medal). 
Orchid  Committee. — Present  :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  Barri  Crawshay,  H.  Little,  A.  H. 
Smee,  W.  H.  White,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H.  Young,  E.  Hill,  J.  Jaques, 
T.  W.  Bond,  C.  Winn,  J.  G.  Fowler,  and  T.  B.  Haywood. 
Mr.  W.  H.  White,  Orchid  grower  to  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart., 
Burford  Lodge,  Dorking,  had  a  very  fine  collection  of  Calanthes.  The 
plants  were  carrying  splendid  spikes  of  beautifully  coloured  flowers. 
C.  Veitchi  splendens,  Victoria  Regina,  burfordiense,  Veitchi  lactea,  bella, 
versicolor,  Bryan,  revertens,  nivea,  wylamense,  and  amabilis  were  noticed. 
Mr.  White  showed  also  a  number  of  other  Orchids  in  which  Cypripediums 
formed  the  most  conspicuous  feature  (silver  Flora  medal).  Messrs.  F. 
Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  contributed  a  small  collection  of  Orchids. 
Mr.  H.  Downing,  gardener  to  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Albert  Brassey,  Hey- 
thrope  Park,  Chipping  Norton,  showed  Calanthes  carrying  superb  spikes 
of  flowers.  Mons.  L.  Linden  showed  a  small  group  of  Orchids  mainly 
comprising  Odontoglossums  and  Oncidiums.  There  were  several  other 
exhibitors  of  one  or  two  Orchids,  including  the  Right  Hon.  Joseph 
Chamberlain,  Birmingham,  Lord  Rothschild,  and  Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Cypripedium  Hera  var,  Euryades. — This  is  a  most  handsome  flower. 
The  varnished  petals  are  green  profusely  spotted  with  brown,  which 
colour  practically  obscures  the  ground  on  the  upper  portion.  The  pouch 
is  of  medium  size  and  claret  in  colour.  The  dorsal  sepal  is  superb.  The 
basal  colour  is  white,  suffused  with  green  at  the  base,  and  with  rose  at  the 
upper  margins.  It  has  numerous  large  and  small  brown  spots  (first-class 
certificate). 
Cattleya  Maggie  Raphael  (H.  S.  Leon). — This  is  a  hybrid  from  C.  aurea 
and  C.  Trianm.  It  is  a  superb  flower.  The  sepals  are  deep  yellow,  as 
are  the  broad  petals,  but  the  latter  are  atti actively  veined  and  flushed 
with  orange  crimson.  The  lip  is  very  deep,  velvety  crimson,  slightly 
paler  on  the  front  lobe  and  at  the  margins  (first-class  certificate). 
Chrysanthemum.  Madame  R.  Cadbury  (H.  Weeks). — A  creamy  white 
Japanese  with  flat,  very  long,  broad  florets  (award  of  merit). 
Chrysanthemum  Oscar  (W.  Clibran  &  Son)  — A  single  variety  of  no 
particular  merit  ;  the  colour  is  reddish  terra-cotta  (award  of  merit). 
Cymbidium  longifolium  (J.  S.  Moss). — A  comparatively  well  known 
plant,  producing  flowers  with  brown  and  green  striped  sepals  and  petals, 
and  a  pure  white  lip  occasionally  touched  with  blood  red.  The  side  lobes 
are  striped  with  brown  (award  of  merit). 
Oncidium  Forbesi  moortebeekiense  (L.  Linden). — A  superb  variety.  The 
immense  lip  is  shining  brown  with  a  yellow  fringe,  this  being  also  the 
colour  of  the  petals  (award  of  merit). 
Oncidium  varicosum  Lindeni  (L.  Linden). — An  attractive  form.  The 
very  large  lip  is  of  a  peculiarly  rich  shade  of  yellow  (award  of  merit). 
Sophro-  Cattleya  Chamberlainianum  triumphans  (J.  Smith).  —  This 
bigener  is  from  a  cross  between  Cattleya  Harrisonire  and  Sophronitis 
grandiflora.  The  flower  is  a  very  rich  crimson  red,  with  slightly  deeper 
venations.  The  maroon  lip  is  crimson  on  the  front  lobe,  and  yellow 
within  (award  of  merit). 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Cucumbers. — Air  must  be  admitted  very  carefully,  affording  a  little, 
however,  when  a  favourable  opportunity  offers.  In  bright  weather,  and 
the  air  is  sharp,  turn  the  top  heat  off  when  the  sun  is  powerful  and  likely 
to  raise  the  temperature  above  80°.  In  such  weather  damp  the  house  in 
the  morning  and  afternoon,  closing  about  midday,  or  1  P.M.,  but  do  not 
wet  the  fruit.  Water  will  be  required  at  the  roots  once  or  twice  a  week, 
and  it  should  be  equal  in  temperature  to  the  mean  of  the  house.  A 
temperature  of  60°  to  65°  at  night  and  70°  to  7-5°  by  day  artificially  is 
suitable.  The  winter  fruiting  plants  from  the  August  sowing  and  planted 
out  in  September,  have  grown  to  nearly  the  extent  of  the  trellis,  and  are 
showing  plenty  of  fruit.  Only  a  few  for  Christmas  and  the  new  year 
should  be  allowed  to  remain,  and  that  on  vigorous  plants.  Attend 
frequently  to  stopping  and  thinning,  also  tying  the  shoots,  avoiding  over¬ 
crowding  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  evils.  Remove  bad  or  decayed  leaves. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Earliest  Houses. — The  house  having  been 
closed  about  the  middle  of  last  month  fire  heat  should  now  be  applied. 
The  house  ought  to  be  freely  ventilated  even  at  night  in  mild  weather, 
only  using  fire  heat  to  exclude  frost  until  the  buds  commence  swelling, 
then  40°  to  45°  is  quite  high  enough  at  night,  turning  on  the  heat  in  the 
morning  so  as  to  raise  and  maintain  to  50°  by  day,  with  free  ventilation 
between  50°  and  55°,  and  full  at  and  above  the  latter  temperature,  rising 
on  bright  days  to  65°.  Reduce  the  ventilation  gradually  and  close 
between  50°  and  55°,  leaving  a  little  air  on  at  the  top  of  the  house. 
Syringe  the  trees  and  every  other  surface  morning  and  afternoon  until 
the  blossoms  are  showing  colour.  When  the  anthers  show  in  the  flowers 
cease  syringing  the  trees,  but  afford  moderate  moisture  by  damping  the 
paths  in  the  morning  and  early  afternoon.  Avoid  a  moist,  close 
atmosphere,  with  a  high  temperature  at  night.  Make  sure  that  there  is 
no  deficiency  of  moisture  in  the  inside  borders.  If  necessary,  supply 
water  or  liquid  manure  at  the  mean  temperature  of  the  house. 
Second  Early  Forced  House. — This  structure  is  started  at  the  new  year, 
from  which  a  supply  of  fruit  is  to  be  gathered  in  May  and  early  in  June. 
Fruit  can  be  had  earlier  when  the  varieties  consist  of  Alexandra, 
Waterloo  and  other  very  early  Peaches,  but  these  have  not  the  quality, 
or  even  the  appearance  of  such  varieties  as  Hale’s  Early,  Stirling  Castle, 
Royal  George  and  Dymond  Peaches,  while  Early  Rivers,  Lord  Napier 
and  Stanwick  Elruge  leave  nothing  to  be  desired  as  regards  early 
Nectarines.  The  house  should  be  closed  about  the  middle  of  this  month  ; 
fire  heat  is  only  employed  to  exclude  frost,  the  trees  being  sprinkled 
in  the  morning  and  afternoon,  allowing  them  to  become  fairly  dry  before 
night.  Keeping  the  trees  constantly  dripping  with  moisture,  especially 
at  night,  has  an  enfeebling  tendency,  and  promotes  wood  bud  rather  than 
blossom  bud  development  The  temperature  should  not  be  allowed  to 
exceed  50°  without  full  ventilation.  Thoroughly  moisten  inside  borders 
down  to  the  drainage,  protect  the  outside  ones  with  dry  leaves  or  bracken 
and  a  little  litter  on  the  top. 
Succession  Houses. — Push  forward  the  pruning  of  the  trees,  dressing 
them  and  cleansing  the  house.  If  the  houses  have  fixed  roof-lights,  venti¬ 
late  to  the  fullest  extent  in  all  but  very  severe  weather.  When  movable 
it  is  much  the  better  plan  to  remove  them  and  expose  the  trees  to  the 
elements  for  the  winter.  The  frosts  make  an  end  of  brown  scale,  and  the 
trees  are  not  alternately  excited  and  retarded  as  they  are  under  fixed 
roofs.  Even  the  latest  and  unheated  houses  should  be  treated  in  that 
way. 
Strawberries  In  Pots. — Introduce  a  number  of  the  earliest  plants — 
those  with  well  developed  crowns,  and  having  been  rested  some  time. 
These  should  be  of  the  earliest  varieties,  such  as  La  Grosse  Sucr6e, 
Royal  Sovereign,  and  Vicomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury.  They  ought  to  be 
given  a  position  close  to  the  glass  in  a  light,  airy,  well-heated  house, 
lacing  the  south.  The  old  dead  leaves  only  should  be  removed,  the  sur¬ 
face  of  the  soil  freed  from  moss  and  other  matter,  the  drainage  seen  to 
