382 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  23,  1896. 
Rev.  F.  D.  Horner  second  with  Bean  blossom,  Mr.  Meakin  third  with  Acme, 
Mr.  Patterson  fourth,  and  Mr.  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe  fifth,  both  with  same 
variety  ;  Mr.  Douglas  baingsixth  with  Venus.  For  a  single  self-coloured 
specimen  Mr.  Patterson  was  first  with  Heroine,  Mr.  Worsley  second  aud 
third,  Mr.  A.  J.  Saunders  fourth,  and  Mr,  Hennell  fifth,  the  last  four 
exhibitors  all  showing  Mrs.  A.  Potts. 
For  fifty  Auriculas  of  not  less  than  twenty  varieties,  the  Guildford 
Hardy  Plant  Nursery  claimed  the  highest  honours  with  an  exhibit  in 
many  ways  superb.  Amongst  others  noticed  were  fine  flowers  of  Acme, 
Dr.  Horner,  Black  B  >ss,  Mrs.  A.  Potts,  Confidence,  Lancashire  Hero, 
Buttercup,  Beauty,  Negro,  Ringleader,  Glow-w  >rm,  and  otheis.  Mr. 
J.  Douglas  was  a  good  second,  his  exhibit  containing  fine  flowers  of 
Buttercup,  Ajax,  Fanny  Glass,  Geo.  Rudd,  Dr.  Kidd,  Venus,  Black  Bess, 
Elaine,  Dr.  Hardy,  and  others.  The  third  prize  went  to  Mr.  A.  J. 
Sanders,  who  also  showed  superior  flowers. 
Mr.  J.  Douglas  was  an  undoubted  first  with  twelve  Alpine  Auriculas, 
showing  fine  examples  of  Dean  Hole,  Ariel,  Ganymede,  Admiral,  Captain, 
Orelia,  Echo,  Edith  Lodge,  Alexander,  Mrs.  P.  Campbell,  Trilby,  and 
Iza.  Mr.  A.  J.  Sanders  was  a  good  second,  showing  amongst  others  fine 
examples  of  Mercury,  Countesa,  Nellie  Hibberd,  Maggie  Sanders,  and 
John  Gilbert.  Mr.  Charles  Phillips  followed  with  the  third,  and  Mr. 
R.  Patterson  fourth. 
Mr.  Chas.  Phillips  took  the  highest  award  for  six  Alpines  with  Mrs. 
Martin  Smith,  Pluto,  and  several  prettily  marked  seedlings.  Mr.  Jas. 
DouglaB  was  second,  his  flowers  of  Florence.  Firefly,  and  Bella  Ainslev 
being  very  good.  Mr.  A.  J.  Sanders  third  ;  Mr.  J.  T.  Bennett-Poe 
fourth  ;  and  Mr.  J.  J.  Keen,  Southampton,  fifth.  The  last  named 
exhibitor  was  first,  with  four  Alpines,  showing  Thelma,  Cordelia,  and 
two  seedlings.  Mr.  W.  S.  Walker  was  second  ;  Mr.  A.  Fisk  third  ;  Rev. 
L.  Flood  fourth  ;  and  Mr.  J.  F.  Kew,  Southend-on-Sea,  fifth. 
Mr.  Patterson  was  first  with  a  single  specimen  of  gold-centred 
Alpine  Auricula,  showing  Gertrude  Jane.  Mr.  A.  Fisk  was  first  with  a 
cream-centred  Alpine,  staging  Mrs.  H.  Turner,  Mr.  T.  Gill  second  with 
Victor,  Mr.  J.  F.  Kew  .third  with  Theseus,  and  Mr.  Patterson  fourth  with 
Alpine  Countess. 
The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  was  to  the  front  with  Fancy 
Auriculas,  showing  good  flowers  of  Twilight,  Mrs.  H.  Selfe-Leonard, 
Bronze,  Belle,  Rosetta,  Khartoum,  Innocence,  Old  Gold,  and  several 
pretty  seedlings  ;  the  second  prize  in  this  class  went  to  Mr.  Douglas, 
and  the  third  to  Mr.  R.  Dean,  Ealing. 
For  twelve  mixed  Fancy  Polyanthuses  Mr.  James  Douglas  was  a  good 
first  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Sanders  second  ;  Mr.  Douglas  was  also  first  with 
twelve  single  Polyanthuses,  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Sanders  second.  In  the  class 
for  six  Primroses  Mr.  Douglas  was  again  first  and  Mr.  R.  Dean  second, 
Mr.  Douglas  also  taking  the  highest  award  with  twelve  hardy  Primulas, 
the  exhibit  containing  a  fine  pan  of  P.  vertieillata. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt,  took  the  premier  award  for  six  hardy 
Primulas.  Mr.  Douglas  was  first  with  a  group  of  Primulas  and  Auriculas, 
his  exhibit  showing  some  taste  in  arrangement,  the  second  prize  went  to 
the  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  ;  Mr.  Douglas  was  also  first  for  a 
seedling  Auricula,  showing  Vesta,  white  edged  ;  the  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner 
being  second  with  Snowflake. 
Mr.  Chas.  Phillips  was  first  for  Alpines  with  gold  centres  and  also 
for  blooms  with  cream  centre,  Mr.  Douglas  being  second  in  the  former 
instance,  and  Mr.  Chas.  Phillips  in  the  latter.  The  prize  offered  for  the 
premier  Auricula  in  the  exhibition  was  awarded  to  Mr.  T.  E.  Hen  wood 
for  a  plant  of  Mrs.  Henwood.  Mr.  J.  T.  Bennet-Poe  was  first  with  a 
basket  of  Primrose  and  Polyanthus  plants,  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  obtaining 
the  second  prize. 
HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Disbudding'  Wall  Trees.— Apricots — It  is  essential  that  trees, 
whether  old  or  young,  have  regular  attention  given  in  removing  super¬ 
fluous  growths  so  as  not  to  overburden  them  with  shoots  that  will  be 
of  no  practical  use.  Apricots,  when  well  managed,  bear  freely  on  spur 
growths  as  well  as  young  well-ripened  annual  wood.  It  is  seldom  neces¬ 
sary  to  confine  trees  solely  to  either  method,  a  combination  of  both 
being  perhaps  the  most  effective.  Apricots  produce  a  number  of  natural 
spurs  which  should  be  encouraged  and  retained,  if  suitably  placed,  rather 
than  artificial  spurs. 
The  V'mng  annual  shoots,  having  been  laid  in  at  proper  distances, 
will  rf quire  a  number  of  the  young  growths  removing  at  intervals, 
retaining  one  at  tbe  base  and  one  at  the  apex.  The  latter  is  required 
to  draw  sap  to  the  fruit,  aod  when  three  good  leaves  have  been  developed 
it  may  be  pinched  at  that  point,  and  the  further  growth  resulting  at  one 
leaf.  The  growth  at  the  base  of  the  annual  shoot  is  retained  to  provide 
a  successional  to  those  cut  out  after  fruiting.  Where,  however,  a  shoot 
can  remain  permanently  disbudding  need  not  be  so  freely  carried  out,  a 
selection  of  the  foreright,  shoots  on  these  being  pinched  at  the  second 
pair  of  leaves  to  form  spurs. 
Apricot  maggots  are  frequently  troublesome  at  this  period,  They  are 
found  curled  up  in  the  young  leaves.  The  only  remedy  is  crushing,  as 
insecticides  cannot  reach  them. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — The  main  difference  in  the  treatment 
of  these  from  that  accorded  to  Apricots  lies  in  the  fact  that  a  larger 
proportion  of  young  shoots  are  annually  reserved,  fewer  natural  spurs 
being  produced,  or  those  of  artificial  origination  encouraged.  In  order 
to  disbud  effectively  this  point  must  be  understood,  so  that  the  super¬ 
fluous  shoots  may  only  be  removed. 
In  commencing  to  disbud  begin  where  the  growths  are  most  vigorous, 
which  usually  occurs  in  the  upper  parts.  Rub  off  the  ill-placed, 
consisting  of  those  facing  the  wall  and  pointing  downwards.  After¬ 
wards  rub  off  tbe  foreright  shocrs,  reserving  the  best  basal  growths  on 
the  upper  sides  pointing  in  the  proper  direction  for  training.  All  this 
must  be  done  gradually,  which  will  avoid  checks.  The  leading  growths 
of  fruit-bearing  parts  may  be  stopped  at  the  third  leaf.  Strong  sappy 
growths  should  be  rubbed  off  early  unless  such  are  wanted  for  furnishing 
vacant  places.  There  is  a  difference,  however,  in  these  strong  growths, 
some  being  more  gross  than  others,  owing  to  the  rapid  development  of 
their  cell  formation.  Those  that  are  strong  yet  of  slower  growth  are 
better  for  furnishing  new  branches,  and  if  shoots  of  this  character  can 
be  secured  they  ought  to  be  encouraged  rather  than  those  of  a  grosser 
character.  The  latter  often  start  from  dormant  bud*,  and  may  almost 
invariably  be  dispensed  with. 
Plums  and  Cherries. — When  the  supply  of  fruit  is  relied  on 
chiefly  by  spur  growths  established  on  permanent  branches  disbudding 
is  effected  mainly  as  a  means  of  reducing  crowded  growths,  or  rather 
what  would  be  crowded  if  allowed  to  remain,  and  removing  others  not 
well  placed.  On  tbe  whole  Plums  and  sweet  Cherries  may  be  treated 
similarly  to  Apricots,  disbudding  only  the  shoots  behind  and  below  the 
branches.  Reserve  a  fair  proportion  on  the  upper  sides  if  there  is  likely 
to  be  sufficient  room  to  train  them  in.  Where  there  is  not  space  to 
admit  more  furnish  the  branch  with  spurs  by  leaving  the  foreright 
shoots,  shortening  them  at  the  third  or  fourth  leaf,  according  as  they 
are  weak  or  strong. 
Young  Tree — Young  trees  in  the  course  of  being  trained  into  shape 
require  careful  attention  to  disbudding,  so  as  to  secure  well-placed 
growths  for  forming  the  main  as  well  as  subsidiary  branches.  This,  of 
course,  must  be  the  first  object,  afterwards  laying  in  growths  between, 
training  at  regular  distances  and  in  a  proper  direction.  If  possible 
secure  all  from  the  upper  sides,  removing  those  below,  opposite  the  wall, 
and  to  a  large  extent  those  on  the  front.  Carry  out  the  removals 
gradually  until  the  superfluous  growths  have  been  discarded.  Tbe 
foreright  Bhoots,  or  those  growing  at  right  angles  from  the  main 
branches,  are  not  well  placed  for  training  in,  but  they  are  eligible  for 
spurs,  and  may  be  shortened  at  the  second  pair  of  leaves. 
Apples  and  Pears. — Old  established  trees  on  wall*  are  consider¬ 
ably  benefited  by  a  little  judicious  disbudding,  to  relieve  the  spurs  of  a 
number  of  crowded  shoots.  Other*  develop  in  unsuitable  positions  and 
eventually  require  removing.  A  gradual  system  of  disbudding  or  the 
clean  removal  with  a  sharp  knife  of  all  weakly,  ill-placed,  and  crowded 
parts  is  essential.  Material  benefit  will  accrue  to  every  group  of  spurs 
thus  exposed  to  the  light,  and  the  general  fruitfulness  of  the  trees 
promoted.  The  balance  of  growth  in  young  trees  needs  to  be  kept  as 
true  as  possible,  by  affording  the  shoots  or  parts  of  shoots  retained  full 
exposure  to  light  and  air,  in  order  that  the  leaves  may  perform  their 
functions  properly. 
Outdoor  Vines. — As  soon  as  the  buds  have  pushed  sufficiently  to  see 
whether  the  growths  will  be  fruitful  or  not,  those  that  are  furthest  away 
from  the  branch  may  be  rubbed  off — that  is,  if  more  than  one  bud  was 
left  when  pruning.  In  some  cases,  however,  it  is  desirable  to  retain  two 
growths,  one  to  hear  fruit  this  season  and  the  other  as  a  successional. 
This  should  emanate  from  a  lower  bud.  By  this  means  the  spurs  are 
kept  close  at  home,  because  the  successional  shoot  must  be  pruned  to 
one  or  two  buds  next  season.  The  above  refers  to  spur-pruned  branches. 
Vines  on  walls,  however,  may  be  frequently  treated  so  as  to  produce 
canes  annually.  Therefore,  when  this  method  is  adopted  tbe  buds 
must  be  selected  early,  and  in  suitable  positions  for  extension,  rubbing 
off  others,  except  those  required  for  the  current  year’s  fruiting. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Vines. — Early  Forced  Vines. — The  Vines  with  Grapes  colouring 
must  be  afforded  a  due  but  not  excessive  supply  of  water,  lightly 
mulching  the  inside  border  afterwards.  This  refers  to  the  earliest  Vines, 
which,  as  a  rule,  do  not  require  nearly  so  much  water  as  later  ones. 
Where  Grapes  are  fully  ripe  a  reduction  in  temperature  is  advisable,  yet 
moderate  moisture  and  heat  must  be  maintained  for  the  benefit  of  the 
foliage.  The  moisture  will  not  do  the  Grapes  any  barm  provided  the  air 
is  changed  by  free  ventilation.  A  night  temperature  of  60°  is  suitable. 
Succession  Houses — Attend  to  stopping  and  tying  the  shoots.  Where 
the  space  is  restricted  stop  them  two  joints  beyond  the  fruit,  and  as 
foliage  is  necessary  leave  the  laterals  both  above  and  below  the  bunch, 
at  least  three  from  the  two  lowest  eyes  and  those  level  with  or  above  the 
bunch.  Pinch  these  at  the  first  leaf,  especially  the  basal  ones,  also 
above  unless  there  is  space  for  extending  the  laterals,  when  they  may 
be  allowed  to  make  two  or  three  leaves.  After  the  area  is  furnished 
keep  the  growths  closely  pinched  to  one  joint  as  made.  The  great  evil 
is  overcrowding,  which  deprives  the  foliage  of  the  essential  light  and  air, 
and  restricting  the  growths  is  intended  to  prevent  that. 
Tying  — Tie  the  shoots  into  the  places  where  they  are  to  remain 
during  the  summer,  this  being  an  operation  which  demands  careful 
attention.  It  is  a  common  practice  to  commence  tying  down  tbe  shoot* 
■  as  soon  ae  they  are  long  enough  tp  bend.  This  is  not  advisable  except 
