December  28,  1899. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER , 
5  71 
NEPENTHES. 
These  are  most  interesting  and  curious  plants.  To  the  average 
gardener,  perhaps,  they  do  not  appear  attractive  beyond  that  of 
ordinary  plants  ;  but,  when  a  house  is  devoted  to  them,  even  if  this  be 
only  a  small  one,  they  arrest  an  immediate  interest,  and  create  an  im¬ 
pression  more  or  less  lasting.  Such  is  the  experience  of  many  persons  ; 
and  I  must  confess  that  Nepenthes,  as  I  have  generally  met  with  them  in 
private  gardens,  made  only  a  slight  impression  on  my  mind. 
No  collection  that  I  have  ever  seen  in  a  private  garden  was  so  rich  in 
variety,  so  well  displayed,  or  so  well  cultivated,  taken  collectively,  as 
that  which  occupies  one  of  the  many  houses  in  the  Syon  Gardens.  Here 
one  division  is  almost  exclusively  set  apart  for  them,  suspended  from  the 
roof,  and  the  wealth  of  “  pitchers  ”  was  such  that  no  one  could  fail  to  be 
converted  by  their  varied  characters  and  healthy  growth.  Quite  an 
exhaustive  list  of  kinds  are  here.  A  bed  of  Ferns  beneath  these  sus¬ 
pended  basket-grown  Nepenthes  presents  a  cool  aspect,  and  the  most 
natural  foil  that  artificial  surroundings  can  furnish. 
There  aie  at  Syon  no  less  than  twenty-six  different  named  sorts,  the 
best  of  which  are  perhaps  Mastersiana  and  Yeitchi.  Other  kinds  that 
might  be  mentioned  are  amabilis,  Burkei,  B.  excellens,  cincta,  coccinea, 
Courti,  Curtisi  superba,  Dicksoniana,  distiilatoria,  Dominiana,  Excelsior, 
Findleyana,  Hookeriana,  H.  elongata,  hybrids,  !  intermedia,  lsevis, 
Lawrenceana,  Morganiss,  Northiana,  Ratcliffeana  and  sanguines.  The 
enumeration  of  these  makes  it  clear  that  the  collection  is  not  only  exten¬ 
sive  but  of  some  considerable  value,  for  they  are  not  tiny  samples  but 
good  sized  and  vigorous  specimens. 
The  house,  a  lean-to,  if  my  memory  serves  me  rightly;  has  a  shady 
aspect  with  a  sunk  floor,  so  that  the  conditions  for  maintaining  a  natural 
humidity  and  equable  temperature  are  afforded  without  any  undue  effort. 
Mr.  Wythes  deserves  much  credit  for  the  excellence  of  the  collection  as 
a  whole,  and  particularly  for  the  success  which  has  attended  his  labours 
as  a  hybridist. — W.  S.,  Rood  Ashton. 
THE  ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF 
IRELAND. 
The  usual  annual  meeting  of  the  above  Society  took  place  on 
Tuesday,  December  20th.  The  chair  was  occupied  by  Lord  Ardilaun, 
President.  The  meeting  was  not  too  well  attended.  The  Secretary, 
Mr.  W.  II.  Hillyard,  read  the  usual  report,  wherein  he  stated  that  the 
number  and  the  quality  of  the  exhibits  had  been  well  maintained,  still 
the  receipts  showed  a  falling  off  from  those  of  previous  years.  The 
spring  display  especially  suffered.  The  membership  shows  a  slow  but 
steady  increase,  and  the  necessity  for  redoubling  the  efforts  to  increase 
it  was  spoken  of.  During  the  present  year  four  of  the  challenge  cups 
have  been  won  outright.  The  thanks  of  the  Council  are  heartily  given 
to  the  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Countess  Cadogan  for  their  kindness  in 
attending  and  opening  their  shows,  also  to  Lords  Iveagh  and  Ardilaun  and 
several  private  donors  for  their  generous  gifts  of  money  prizes.  The 
statement  of  accounts  was  read,  which  showed  a  falling  off  of  £52  8s.  lid. 
Mr.  Bewley  desired  to  move  that  a  new  class  for  Roses,  the  class  being 
for  “Teas”  and  “Noisettes,”  a  stand  of  eighteen  blooms,  and  not  more 
than  two  of  any  variety,  and  the  cup  to  be  for  the  best,  with  money 
prizes  added  by  the  Society  to  be  formed.  A  discussion  ensued  as  to  the 
advisability  of  starting  such  a  class.  The  meeting,  however,  ultimately 
agreed  to  recommend  to  the  Council  the  following  motion,  “  That  the 
class  as  stated  in  the  resolution  be  formed.” 
The  Chairman  (Lord  Ardilaun)  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report, 
said  the  Horticultural  Society  to  his  mind  seemed  satisfactory.  He 
trusted  the  members  would  do  all  they  could  to  increase  the  member¬ 
ship,  and  thereby  extend  the  horizon  of  general  interest  in  the  ancient, 
interesting,  and  engrossing  employment  of  gardening.  Mr.  Ramsay 
seconded  the  motion,  which  was  adopted  without  demur.  The  retiring 
members  of  the  Council  were  re-elected  without  opposition. — A.  O’Neill. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Vines. — Earliest  Forced  in  Pots. — The  Vines  started  early  in 
November  in  bottom  heat  are  making  rapid  progress,  growth  having 
been  made  and  root  action  free  in  consequence  of  the  leaf  development, 
which  should  be  encouraged  by  top-dressings  of  artificial  manures  and 
supplies  of  water  not  less  in  temperature  than  that  of  the  bed.  The 
fermenting  materials  must  not  be  allowed  to  decline  in  heat  at  this  critical 
stage,  augmenting  them  as  required  to  maintain  a  temperature  of  70°  to 
75°  about  the  pots.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  keep  a  heap  of  leaves  and  stable 
litter  in  reserve,  from  which  supplies  may  be  drawn  as  required. 
Particular  attention  must  be  given  to  the  ventilation,  avoiding  chills, 
such  as  those  resulting  from  cold  currents  of  air  and  supplying  the. Vines 
with  cold  water.  Disbud  and  tie  down  before  the  shoots  touch  the  glass, 
not  being  in  too  great  a  hurry  in  stopping  or  restricting  to  a  certain 
number  of  joints  beyond  the  bunch  where  there  is  room.  Avoid  over¬ 
crowding  the  foliage  and  overcropping  by  removing  superfluous  bunches 
as  soon  as  choice  can  be  made  of  the  best.  Maintain  a  night  temperature 
of  60°  to  65°,  70°  to  7o°  by  day  artificially,  so  as  to  secure  steady  progress, 
and  as  the  flowers  open  keep  a  rather  drier  atmosphere.  Otherwise  damp 
the  paths  two  or  three  times  a  day,  and  where  fermenting  materials  are 
not  employed,  sprinkle  the  floors  occasionally  with  liquid  manure. 
Pla?ited-out  Vines  Started  Early  in  December. — Where  the  house  was 
closed  at  the  beginning  of  this  month  the  Vines  will  have  started  to 
grow.  The  temperature  should  be  gradually  raised  so  as  to  have  it  60° 
to  65°  at  night  when  they  come  into  leaf,  70°  to  75°  by  day  tn  mild 
weather,  but  65°  is  more  suitable  when  the  weather  is  dull  and  cold.  Air 
should  be  given  judiciously,  as  cold  currents  cripple  the  foliage  irre¬ 
parably,  yet  moderate  ventilation  is  essential  to  sturdy  growth  and  well- 
developed  leaves.  As  the  foliage  enlarges  root  action  will  be  promoted, 
and  it  should  be  accelerated  by  supplying  top-dressings  of  phosphatio 
and  potassic  manures.  Defer  disbudding  until  the  bunches  show  in  the 
points  of  the  shoots,  and  allow  these  to  grow  up  towards  the  glass.  The 
growths  also  should  be  allowed  to  make  two  joints  at  least  beyond 
the  fruit  before  stopping,  pinching  off  the  points  when  the  leaves 
at  the  stopping  point  are  about  the  size  of  a  halfpenny,  removing  laterals 
at  the  same  time.  Supply  water  when  needed  to  the  inside  border  at  a 
temperature  not  less  than  the  mean  of  the  house. 
If  the  roots  are  partly  outside,  the  border  must  be  effectively  pro¬ 
tected  from  frost,  and  where  they  are  entirely  outside  fermenting  materials 
will  materially  assist  root  acuon  and  a  steady  supply  of  nutrition,  but  once 
used  they  must  be  added  to  from  time  to  time  to  maintain  the  heat 
uniform  at  a  temperature  of  70°  to  75°  at  the  surface  of  the  soil.  This 
may  be  ascertained  by  plunging  a  thermometer  with  the  bulb  level  with  the 
base  of  the  fermenting  material.  Damp  the  paths  and  borders  two  or 
three  times  a  day,  sprinkling  the  Vines  occasionally,  but  avoid  excessive 
syringing  or  a  confined  moist  atmosphere,  as  it  only  favours  aerial  roots 
from  the  rods  to  the  prejudice  of  proper  root  activity. 
Houses  to  Afford  Ripe  Grapes  in  June. — The  Vines  that  are  to  supply 
these  should  be  planted  at  once.  If  the  Vines  are  planted  inside  the  out¬ 
side  borders  should  be  protected  with  a  thickness  of  leaves  sufficient  to 
exclude  frost,  but  the  Vines  being  planted  outside  the  border  will  be 
advantageously  covered  with  fermenting  materials,  twrn  parts  leaves  and 
one  part  stable  manure,  both  as  fresh  as  possible,  mixed,  and  put  on  so  as 
to  maintain  a  temperature  at  their  base  of  60°  to  65°,  and  70°  to  75° 
when  the  Vines  start  into  growth.  Supply  the  inside  border  with  water 
at  a  temperature  of  60°  to  65°,  bringing  it  into  an  evenly  moist  but  not 
saturated  condition.  Fuel  may  be  economised  by  the  free  use  of  fermenting 
materials  placed  inside  the  house,  turning  a  portion  of  them  daily,  and 
adding  fresh  as  needed,  so  as  to  maintain  a  genial  warmth,  and  the 
giving  off  of  amrr oma-charged  moisture.  This  will  aLo  lessen  the  neces¬ 
sity  for  damping,  otherwise  damp  the  house  and  Vines  two  or  three  times 
a  day  when  the  weather  is  bright.  In  dull  weather  sprinkling  the  floor 
once  or  twice  a  day  will  be  ample.  The  temperature  should  be  50°  to  55° 
by  artificial  means,  and  65°  from  sun  heat.  Young  Vines  or  canes  will 
need  depressing  to  the  horizontal  line  or  lower,  to  insure  their  breaking 
regularly  to  the  base. 
Houses  from  which  Ripe  Grapes  Have  been  Cut. — The  Vines  should  be 
pruned  as  soon  as  possible,  as  when  this  is  deferred  beyond  the  turn  of 
the  days  bleeding  is  more  or  less  likely  to  follow  ;  cut  to  a  plump  bud 
or  eye  as  near  the  main  stem  as  possible,  consistent  with  a  prospect  of  a 
good  show  for  fruit.  Vines  in  good  condition  will  give  fruit  enough 
when  pruned  to  one  bud,  but  where  this  has  not  been  the  case,  or  the 
bunches  were  too  small  in  previous  years,  the  bearing  shoots  (called 
laterals)  may  be  pruned  to  two  buds,  or  left  longer  if  those  are  not  sound 
and  plump.  This  will  cause  the  spurs  to  become  long  in  course  of  time, 
but  it  is  easy  lo  encourage  growth  from  the  base  and  cut  the  old  spurs 
away,  or  train  up  young  canes  for  the  displacement  of  the  old  rods.  All 
loose  bark  should  be  stripped  off,  especially  on  the  spurs,  no  attempt  at 
scraping  being  made,  and  the  Vines  washed  with  tepid  softsoap  and  water 
(3  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of  water).  This  is  all  that  is  necessary  if  the  Vines  are 
clean,  otherwise  follow  with  an  approved  insecticide.  Cleanse  the  house 
thoroughly,  j 
THE  KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Manuring  the  Ground. — Directly  the  ground  is  frozen  hard  the  oppor¬ 
tunity  should  be  taken  of  wheeling  on  the  manure.  The  more  decayed 
manure,  and  also  that  obtained  from  farmyard*,  is  best  for  the  hotter  or 
lighter  soils,  while  for  heavy  soils  comparatively  fresh  strawy  horse 
manure  ought  to  be  preferred.  Manure  that  is  either  too  fresh  or  cannot 
yet  be  wheeled  on  to  the  ground  should  be  placed  in  a  heap.  IV  aste  of 
some  portion  of  its  fertilising  properties  will  be  prevented,  and  an  increase 
in  the  bulk  be  brought  about,  by  forming  a  bed  of  garden  soil  or  loam 
1  foot  deep,  on  this  shaking  out  and  disposing  the  manure.  After  the 
heap  is  formed  cover  the  upper  surface  with  6  inches  of  soil,  and  in  this 
way  the  drainings  will  be  absorbed  by  the  under  soil,  and  the  ammonia 
given  off  by  the  manure  absorbed  by  the  covering  of  soil.  VV  hen  wanted 
for  use,  all  should  be  mixed  by  completely  turning  the  heap. 
Vegetable  Refuse. — Large  accumulations  of  refuse  from  the  kitchen 
garden  can  always  be  turned  to  good  account.  When  not  frosted  the 
whole  heap  should  bp  overhauled,  separating  sticks,  stones,  and  other 
rubbish  that  either  decays  slowly,  or  not  at  all,  from  the  rest.  I  he 
reserved  heap  should  b»  re-turned,  mixing  vith  it  slaked  lime  at  the  rate 
of  one  cartload  to  about  five  cartloads  of  the  refuse.  When  frost  prevails 
wheel  or  cart  this  heap  on  to  the  ground  ready  for  spreading  and  digging 
in  later.  The  woody  refuse  should  be  reduced  to  ashes,  a  slow  lire  or- 
“ garden  smother”  accomplishing  this  with  the  least  waste. 
