406 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  30,  1896, 
in  the  carboniferous  age.  Of  these  there  are  over  3000  species  in 
this  country,  “  or  nearly  ODe-fourth  of  our  total  insect  fauna.”  All, 
however,  are  not  destructive  of  vegetation,  for  some  are  carnivorous  and 
do  much  good,  but  the  wireworms  and  grubs  make  up  for  that,  yet  even 
these  have  their  parasites.  So  the  work  goes  on  through  the  remainder 
of  the  orders,  all  charmingly  treated,  historically,  descriptively  and 
characteristically,  a  great  feature  of  the  book ;  the  good  noted,  the 
evil  marked  for  destruction.  Even  the  Aptera  or  wingless  insects  come 
in  for  a  share  of  attention,  including  the  jumpers  (Thysaneura  and 
Collembola  groups)  and  called  “  primative  insects.” 
Lastly,  insecticides  are  briefly  discoursed  on,  and  we  are  told  that 
“  one  of  the  chief  objects  in  destroying  insects  ia  to  kill  them  before  they 
have  increased  sufficiently  to  have  done  much  harm.”  In  this  respect 
the  work  is  meagre,  there  being  little  about  either  insecticides  or  their 
modes  of  application.  Those,  however,  desirous  of  becoming  acquainted 
with  insect  life  will  find  it  very  plainly  set  forth  in  this  book,  and  as 
entertaining  as  the  matter  is  instructive  and  suggestive. — G.  A. 
AURICULA  SHOW— NORTHERN  SECTION. 
The  annual  show  of  the  National  Auricula  Society,  Northern 
Division,  was  held  on  Saturday  at  the  Royal  Botanical  Gardens,  Old 
Trafford.  The  mild  winter  and  spring  have  been  favourable  to  the 
growth  of  the  hardy  flowers,  which  the  Society  takes  into  its  spedial 
favour.  Further  there  has  been  of  late  an  accession  in  this  district  of 
very  high-class  seedlings,  together  with  an  increase  in  the  number  of 
enthusiastic  cultivators.  These  circumstances  all  combined  to  make  an 
exceptionally  important  show,  one,  in  fact,  which  alike  for  extent, 
variety,  and  quality  was  declared  to  be  superior  to  the  show  of  the 
southern  sister  society  held  in  London  on  the  21st  inst.,  and  equal  to, 
possibly  slightly  ahead  of,  anything  yet  accomplished  by  the  northern 
association.  The  premier  Auricula  was  an  unusually  fine  example  of 
George  Lightbody,  sent  by  Mr.  T.  Lord  of  Todmorden,  who  is  a 
comparatively  new  cultivator  of  Auriculas,  and  in  several  other  instances 
fresh  names  of  grower*  came  honourably  to  the  front  by  the  decisions  of 
the  Judges.  The  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  who  has  usually  taken  the  premier 
prize  in  the  chief  department,  was  again  an  exhibitor,  and  was  represented 
by  admirable  plants.  His  group  of  six  dissimilar  was  so  good  as  to  make 
the  task  of  deciding  between  that  and  Mr.  Lord’s  an  exceedingly 
difficult  matter.  In  the  long  run  Mr.  Lord  came  off  conqueror.  The 
remarkable  improvement  of  late  years  in  Alpines  was  further  emphasised. 
Mr.  John  Beswick  of  Middleton  stood  out  prominently  as  a  raiser  and 
an  exhibitor. 
Although  it  was  feared  that  Polyanthuses  might  prove  to  be  over, 
they  were  present  in  force  and  in  very  good  condition.  Mostly  they 
came  from  the  Middleton  district.  The  cultivators  of  that  locality  may 
properly  be  thanked  for  the  preservation  of  the  gold-laced  Polyanthus, 
of  which  several  good  specimens  were  on  view.  The  Society’s  certificate 
of  honourable  mention  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Dickson,  of  Chester  ;  and 
the  Misses  Hopkins,  of  Knutsford,  for  exhibits  not  for  competition. 
Those  sent  by  the  ladies  were  fancy  Primroses  in  great  variety.  Mr. 
Henry  Brownhill  of  Sale,  staged  an  extensive  collection  of  plants  and 
flowers,  and  was  awarded  the  Botanical  Society’s  silver  medal,  chiefly 
for  his  specimens  of  Clematis  and  Primula  Sieboldi. 
For  six  dissimilar  Auriculas,  Alpines  excluded  : — First,  Mr.  T.  Lord, 
Todmorden  ;  second,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  Burton-in-Lonsdale  ;  third, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Midgley,  Halifax  ;  fourth,  Mr.  B.  Simonite,  Sheffield  ;  fifth, 
Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley,  Stakehill  ;  sixth,  Mr.  J.  Clements,  Harborne, 
Birmingham  ;  seventh,  Mr.  J.  Stokes,  Harborne.  Four  dissimilar  : — First, 
Rev.  F.  D.  Horner;  second,  Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  third,  Mr.  W.  H.  Midgley. 
In  the  class  for  pairs,  Miss  Woodhead,  Halifax,  was  first ;  Mr.  R.  Gorton, 
Eccles,  second  ;  and  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  third. 
Single  plants,  green  edges  : — First,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner  ;  second, 
Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  third  and  fourth,  Mr.  B.  Simonite.  Grey  edges  : — First, 
Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  H.  Midgley  ;  third,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner. 
White  edges  : — First,  fifth  and  sixth,  Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  second  and  fourth, 
Mr.  W.  H.  Midgley;  third,  Mr.  R.  Gorton.  Selfs: — First  and  eighth, 
Mr.  T.  Lord  ;  second  and  sixth,  Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley  ;  third,  fourth,  fifth 
and  seventh,  Mr.  B.  Simonite. 
In  the  Alpine  section  for  six  dissimilar  Mr.  J.  Beswick,  Middleton, 
was  first,  Mr.  R.  Gorton  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Stokes  third.  Four  dis¬ 
similar  : — First,  Mr.  J.  Beswick  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  Bentley  ;  third,  Mr.  R. 
Gorton.  Pairs,  dissimilar  : — First,  Mr.  J.  Stelfox  ;  second,  Mr.  T.  Lord  ; 
third,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown.  Single  plants,  yellow  centres  : — First,  fifth, 
and  Bixth,  Mr.  R.  Gorton  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Stokes ;  third,  Mr.  J.  Beswick. 
White  centres  : — First,  Mr.  R.  Gorton  ;  second,  third,  and  fourth,  Mr.  J. 
Beswick.  Premier  Alpine  : — Mr.  T.  Buckley,  with  Brighteyes. 
The  charming  weather  of  the  early  afternoon,  with  a  temperature 
more  suggestive  of  summer  than  of  spring,  drew  a  large  attendance. 
Among  the  visitors  were  a  party  of  members  and  friends  of  the 
Manchester  Field  Naturalists’  Society.  In  the  evening  there  were 
clouds  and  rain  by  way  of  contrast,  yet  although  the  gathering  was  not 
what  had  been  anticipated  for  the  band  promenade  and  indoor  concert 
which  bad  been  announced,  there  was  a  distinct  augmentation  of  the 
company  patronising  the  gardens  after  sundown. — (“  Manchester 
Courier.”) 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
T.  S.  Ware,  Tottenham. — Dahlias  and  other  Plants. 
H.  'W.  Weguelin,  Shaldon,  Teignmouth,  Devon. —  Carnations  and 
Picotees. 
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FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines.  —  Earliest  Forced  Bouse.  —  On  early 
varieties  the  ripening  fruit  must  be  kept  dry,  but  the  border  should  be 
properly  moist.  As  the  fruit  of  the  other  varieties  will  not  be  ripe  for 
some  time,  keep  the  atmosphere  moigt  by  frequently  sprinkling  the  floor 
during  the  day,  or  where  practicable  syringe  in  the  morning  and  again 
at  closing  the  house.  The  night  temperature  will  be  perfectly  safe  at 
65°  to  70°. 
Fruit  Stoninq. — When  the  fruit  is  undergoing  this  process  it  must  not 
be  hurried  ;  60°  to  65°  at  night  is  ample,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day,  avoiding 
high  night  temperatures  and  sudden  fluctuations.  A  little  ventilation  at 
night  will  prevent  the  deposition  of  moisture  through  the  night  to  any 
serious  extent,  and  by  enlarging  the  openings  when  the  sun  acts  on  the 
house,  yet  without  lowering  the  temperature,  scorching  will  be  avoided. 
The  temperature  should  advance  with  the  power  of  the  sun  and  a  corre¬ 
sponding  increase  of  ventilation.  Avoid  anything  calculated  to  dry  the 
atmosphere.  E&rly  closing  ia  tc  some  extent  an  advantage,  but  it  must 
not  be  continued  too  long,  as  pent  up  heat  and  moisture  have  a  more  or 
less  weakening  tendency.  It  is  also  advisable  to  allow  a  little  extra 
latitude  to  the  growth,  but  on  no  account  permit  foliage  to  be  made 
which  must  afterwards  be  removed  in  quantity.  Keep  the  border  well 
supplied  with  water,  avoiding  undue  excitement  by  stimulating  the 
coots  with  nitrogenous  substances.  Judicious  feeding,  however,  is  a 
great  aid  to  trees  when  stoning,  but  let  it  be  of  a  phosphatic  nature, 
such  as  dissolved  bones,  these  supplying  sufficient  ammonia  for  steady 
progress  ;  also  potash  in  readily  available  form,  with  a  little  magnesia, 
and  if  the  foliage  be  pale  a  minute  amount  of  iron  sulphate.  The 
surface  may  be  lightly  mulched  to  keep  it  moist  and  attract  the  roots. 
Trees  Swelling  their  Fruit.—  The  fruit  swells  most  at  two  stages  ; 
one  after  setting  until  the  commencement  of  the  stoning  process,  during 
which  there  is  a  gradual  development,  and  after  stoning  the  progress  is 
rapid.  The  first  swelling  is  materially  influenced  by  the  previous 
storing  of  matter  in  the  trees  and  the  available  food  in  the  soil  ;  but  a 
genial  condition  of  the  atmosphere  accelerates  the  swelling  of  the  fruits, 
this  being  still  further  promoted  by  a  good  root  action,  which  is  greatly 
facilitated  by  a  judicious  and  gradual  regulation  of  the  growths  by 
disbudding  and  affording  proper  space  for  them.  The  more  vigorous  the 
tree  the  greater  is  the  danger  of  the  fruit  being  cast  in  stoning,  and  the 
evil  is  further  increased  by  severe  disbudding,  also  by  a  close  and  moist 
atmosphere.  In  the  last  swelling  after  stoning  tie  the  shoots  down,  so 
that  the  fruit  may  be  fully  exposed  to  the  light ;  but  moderate  exten¬ 
sion  will  assist  the  swelling,  care  being  taken  that  the  principal  foliage 
be  not  interfered  with.  Supply  water  to  inside  borders  as  required,  and 
afford  top-dressings  or  liquid  nourishment  to  weakly  trees. 
Melons. — Early  Plants.— -W hen  the  fruit  commences  ripening 
lessen  the  supply  of  water  at  the  roots,  but  not  so  as  to  distress  the 
plants,  for  if  the  foliage  has  been  kept  clean  and  the  roots  are  in  good 
condition  a  second  crop  may  be  had.  Withhold  atmospheric  moisture, 
and  provide  a  circulation  of  warm  air,  increasing  the  temperature  to 
70°  or  75°  artificially,  and  80°  to  90°  with  sun  heat.  If  any  fruits  show 
a  tendency  to  crack  cut  the  shoots  about  half  way  through  with  a  sharp 
knife  a  few  inches  below  the  fruit,  diminishing  the  supply  of  water  at 
the  roots  and  in  the  atmosphere,  leaving  a  little  extra  ventilation 
constantly  to  prevent  moisture  condensing  on  the  fruit. 
Succession  Plants. — When  the  plants  are  coming  into  flower  keep  the 
atmosphere  rather  drier  and  warmer,  ventilating  early,  and  leaving  a 
little  constantly  to  prevent  the  blossoms  becoming  too  damp.  Fertilise 
the  flowers  when  fully  expanded,  stopping  the  shoots  at  the  Bame 
time  one  or  two  joints  beyond  the  fruit.  Earth  the  plants  with  some 
rather  strong  and  rich  loam  after  the  fruits  begin  swelling,  ramming  it 
firmly.  Plants  swelling  their  fruits  may  be  syringed  in  hot  weather 
about  3  p.m  ,  damping  the  floor  several  times  a  day,  and  occasionally  in 
the  evening  with  weak  liquid  manure.  Shade  only  to  prevent  flagging, 
ventilate  freely  in  favourable  weather,  commencing  from  75°  to  80°, 
increasing  during  the  day  as  may  be  necessary,  maintaining  a  day 
temperature  of  80°  to  85°  or  90°  with  sun  heat,  closing  between  80°  and 
85°,  and  if  an  advance  is  made  after  closing  to  90°  or  95°  it  will 
materially  assist  the  fruit  swelling,  but  it  must  be  accompanied  by 
plenty  of  atmospheric  moisture. 
Train  out  the  growths  in  pits  and  frames,  still  maintaining  a  good 
bottom  heat  by  linings,  and  employing  night  covering  over  the  lights. 
Earth  up  the  roots  as  they  protrude  through  the  sides  of  the  mounds. 
Do  not  allow  young  plants  to  become  root-bound  before  placing  them 
out,  as  they  rarely  make  free  growth  afterwards.  Any  plants  that  are 
likely  to  get  into  that  state  should  be  shifted  into  pots  a  size  or  two 
larger  than  those  they  are  at  present  in,  in  order  to  keep  them  in  steady 
progressive  growth.  Sow  seeds  for  raising  plants  for  pits  and  frames 
as  they  become  cleared  of  bedding  plants,  potting  the  young  plants  as 
required. 
Cucumbers. — Plants  in  houses  must  be  syringed  twice  a  day,  so 
that  every  part  may  receive  a  thorough  washing  without  injuring  the 
foliage,  as  without  such  attention  the  plants  are  liable  to  be  infested 
’  with  red  Bpider,  which  soon  spoils  the  plants.  Those  growing  in  frames 
