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journal  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
May  28,  1896. 
Spirasas,  Hydrangeas,  Azaleas,  and  the  Lilium  Harrisi.  The  Ferns  from 
Mr.  W.  Howe,  gardener  to  H.  Tate,  Esq.,  Streatham,  were  magnificently 
grown,  aa  also  were  the  Crotons  and  Dracaenas  from  the  same  source. 
The  foliage  in  each  case  was  clean  and  of  good  colour.  Mr.  G.  Mount, 
Canterbury,  staged  some  magnificent  Roses  in  variety. 
Ferns  and  Selaginellas  from  Mr.  H.  B.  May,  Upper  Edmonton,  were 
staged  in  extensive  variety  From  the  Ichthemic  Guano  Co.,  Colchester, 
came  plants  such  as  Pelargoniums  and  Petunias,  as  grown  with  the  aid 
of  this  well-known  fertiliser.  The  exhibit  from  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Hither 
Grepn,  Lewisham,  was  very  imposing.  It  occupied  a  considerable 
amount  of  space,  and  was  arranged  with  excellent  judgment  and  taste. 
There  was  a  central  group  of  Pelargoniums  in  pots  (handsomely  flowered 
plants),  with  a  few  tuberous-rooted  Begonias  of  the  first  quality,  and 
superb  Petunias  to  afford  variety.  In  addition  to  this  there  were  at. 
each  end  of  the  group  collections  of  decorative,  Zonal,  and  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums  in  a  cut  state.  With  clearness  and  richness  in  colour  each 
of  the  far  too  numerous  varieties  to  mention  here  had  size  and  substance 
of  pip  to  a  remarkable  degree.  Hardy  flowers  weie  capitally  staged 
and  shown  by  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons,  Crawley.  Poppies,  Irises, 
Rhododendrons,  Thorns,  double  and'  single  Pyrethrums,  Lupins,  and 
some  charming  Violas  were  the  most  conspicuous.  The  same  firm  also 
set  out  a  well-planned  miniature  rockery. 
Once  again  in  this  building  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  King  Street,  Covent 
Garden,  showed  to  advantage.  They  exhibited  splendid  German  Irises, 
double  Pyrethrums,  richly  coloured  Pasonies,  showy  Papavers,  with 
Gladioli,  Liliums,  Lupins,  Iceland  Poppies,  and  several  others.  Messrs. 
Kelway  &  Son,  Langport,  s'aged  a  large  collection  of  double  and  single 
Pseonies,  Delphiniums,  and  a  few  others. 
Of  choice  flowers,  such  as  Odontoglossums,  Olivias,  Cattleyas, 
Begonias,  Cypripediums,  Phyllocactuses,  Gloxinias,  Statice  profusa, 
Ericas,  Spijfeas,  Malmaison  Carnations,  Lilium  Harrisi  amongst  flower¬ 
ing  plants,  with  Ferns,  Palms,  Caladiums,  Crotons,  Dracmnas,  and  others 
conspicuous  for  their  leafage,  Messrs-  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill, 
made  a  superb  gToup.  From  every  aspect  it  was  light,  graceful,  and 
beautiful,  while  good  culture  was  equally  conspicuous.  Quality  was 
in  evidence  in  the  large  exhibit  of  hardy  flowers  from  this  firm.  There 
were  great  masses  of  Pyrethrums,  Ixias,  Papavers,  LupiDS,  Paeonies, 
Irises,  and  others.  A  few  other  choice  plants  also  came  from  Forest 
Hill,  as  did  an  interesting  group  of  Conifers.  Messrs.  R.  Smith  and 
Sons,  Worcester,  sent  trained  Clematises  in  their  usual  splendid  style  ; 
while  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  was  conspicuous  by  reason  of  his  Azaleas 
and  Crimson  Rambler  Roses. 
Orchids  from  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Clapton,  were  excellent,  and  a 
welcome  change  from  the  other  exhibits.  Quantity  was  combined  with 
quality.  The  collection  of  Cannas  from  the  same  source  was  strikingly 
effective.  Mr.  P.  McArthur,  Maida  Vale,  sent  Orchids  arranged  with 
Ferns  and  Palms.  Mr.  W.  Cragg,  gardener  to  W.  C.  Walker,  Esq., 
Winchmore  Hill,  arranged  a  small  but  charming  group  of  Orchids. 
Foliage  plants  and  Orchids  from  Messrs.  B,  S.  Williams  &  Son, 
Upper  Hollowav,  made  a  fairly  effective  exhibit,  somewhat  marred  by 
the  immense  Palm  with  which  it  was  overshadowed.  Mr.  C.  Turner 
formed  a  circular  group  of  show  and  decorative  Pelargoniums.  Mr. 
Anthony  Waterer,  Woking,  sent  splendidly  flowered  plants  of  hardy 
Azaleas,  and  also  three  boxes  of  trusses  of  Rhododendrons.  Mr.  W. 
Meads,  Farringdon,  showed  a  collection  of  Melons. 
WAKEFIELD  AMATEUR  TULIP  SHOW. 
The  above  sixty-first  show  of  the  Wakefield  Amateur  Tulip  Society 
was  held  at  the  Brunswick  Hotel  on  Monday  and  Tuesday  last.  The 
two  months,  April  and  May,  covering  the  most  important  period  of 
development  of  bud  and  flower  have  this  year  been  marked  by  their 
usual  climatic  vicissitudes,  with  their  consequent  influences  on  the 
properties  of  a  plant  so  erratic  in  conforming  to  the  florist’s  ideal,  as  the 
Tulip  had  previous  to  the  show  left  a  wide  margin  of  uncertainty  for 
speculation  as  to  the  position  the  different  growers  were  likely  to  occupy 
in  the  prize  list.  The  beginning  of  May  was  characterised  by  hot 
forcing  weather,  anything  but  congenial  to  a  flower  so  easily  influenced 
by  even  moderate  sunshine  as  the  Tulip.  The  heat  and  drought  this 
year  forced  on  the  blooms  at  an  exceedingly  rapid  rate,  which  marked  the 
date  of  the  show  as  being  at  least  one  week  too  late  in  the  season. 
Unfortunately,  just  when  the  blooms  had  reached  the  zenith  of  their 
beauty  and  development,  the  locality  coming  within  the  sphere  of  the 
last  week’s  storm  of  wind,  which  made  wreck  of  shade  and  shelter,  thus 
exposing  the  blooms  to  rainstorms,  following  in  the  wake  of  the  gale, 
thus  making  havoc  of  many  of  the  best  flowers.  The  show,  notwith¬ 
standing,  was  exceedingly  good,  one  quite  equal  to  the  average  of  past 
years,  and  the  competition  in  the  classes  was  close  and  keen. 
Mr.  Wm.  Mellcr  secured  first  honours  for  six  rectified  blooms  with 
Talisman,  flamed  byblcemen ;  Mrs.  Mellor,  feathered  bybloemen ; 
Paxton,  flamed  bizarre  ;  Lord  F.  Cavendish,  feathered  bizarre  ;  Lizzie 
Heath,  rose;  Annie  Macgregor,  flamed  rose.  Mr.  Alfred  Moorhouse  was 
second  with  Paxton,  feathered ;  Paxton,  flamed  bizarre  ;  Conisbro’ 
Castle,  fine  feathered  bybloemen  ;  Queen  of  the  May,  flamed  byb’cpmen  ; 
Mary  Jackson,  feathered  rose ;  Madame  S.  Arnaud,  flamed  rose  ; 
Mr.  Ed.  L’8ter  was  third,  The  prizes  ran  nine  deep, 
For  six  breeders  Mr.  Moorhouse  was  first  with  Paxton,  Dr.  DaltoD, 
Rose  Hale,  Mrs.  Barlow,  Hepworth,  and  one  unknown,  Mr.  Wm.  Calvert 
was  second  with  Paxton,  Willison’s  King,  Hepworth’s  Annie  Macgregor, 
Mrs.  Barlow.  Mr.  H.  Gill  third.  Mr.  W.  Calvert  secured  first  place  for 
three  breeders  with  Mrs,  Barlow,  Hepworth,  and  Paxton.  Mr.  H.  Gill 
was  second  with  Paxton,  Geo.  Hardwick,  Miss  B.  Coutts.  The  third 
prize  went  to  Mr.  E.  Lister. 
For  feathered  bizarres,  first  and  third  prize  Mr.  Lister  with  Paxton. 
Second  prize,  Mr.  Calvert  with  Paxton.  Feathered  bybloemens. — First 
and  second,  Mr.  Moorhouse  with  Bessie  and  Mrs.  Hepworth.  Third 
prize,  Mr.  Mellor.  Flamed  bybloemens.  —  First,  Mr.  Brown  with 
Talisman.  Second,  Mr.  Moorhouse  with  Talisman.  Third,  Mr  Calvert 
with  Queen  of  the  May.  Feathered  Roses. — First  and  third,  Mr.  Mellor 
with  Mrs.  Atkins  and  Aglaia.  Second,  Mr.  Moorhouse  with  Annie 
McGregor.  Flamed  roses. — First  and  second,  Mr.  Mellor  with  Mabel. 
Third,  Mr.  Calvert  with  Mabel. 
Bizarre  breeders. — First,  Mr.  J.  Hardwick  with  Sulphur.  Second, 
Mr.  Mellor  with  Lord  F.  Cavendish.  Third.  Mr.  Moorhouse  with  John 
Brook.  Byb’oemen  breeders. — First,  Mr.  Hardwick  with  Hepworth. 
Second  and  third,  Mr.  Geo.  Gill  with  Geo.  Hardwick.  Rose  breeders. — 
First  and  second,  Mr.  Geo.  Gill  with  Apollo  and  Mrs.  Longbottom. 
Third,  Mr.  H.  Gill.  Premier  flamed. — Mr,  Calvert  with  Paxton.  Premier 
feathered. — Mr.  Geo.  Freeman  with  Paxton,  a  remarkably  fine  flower, 
causing  much  comment.  Premier  breeder. — Mr.  W.  Calvert  with  Paxton. 
FRUIT  FORCING.  ' 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Early  Forced  Houses.—  The  fruit  of 
the  very  early  varieties  is  gathered  where  the  trees  were  started  in 
late  December  or  at  the  new  year.  The  wood  on  which  the  fruit  has 
Veen  borne  should  be  cut  out,  and  if  all  superfluous  growths  are  removed 
light  and  air  will  be  admitted  to  the  shoots  which  are  to  produce  fruit 
next  year.  Thoroughly  cleanse  the  trees  by  washing  them  forcibly  with 
water  from  the  syringe  or  engine,  and  if  they  have  become  infested 
with  red  spider  or  thrips  add  2  ozs.  of  softsoap  to  each  gallon  of  water. 
Scale  also  often  appears  on  forced  trees,  weakening  the  growths  by 
extracting  their  juices,  and  impairing  their  health  by  the  filthy  excreta. 
In  that  case  dissolve  lb.  of  softsoap  in  a  gallon  of  water  by  boiling, 
and  when  boiling-hot  add  three  wineglassfuls  of  petroleum,  stirring 
briskly  till  thoroughly  amalgamated,  then  dilute  to  10  gallons,  and 
apply  at  a  temperature  of  90°  to  100°  by  means  of  a  syringe,  or  prefer¬ 
ably,  for  economy,  a  spraying  machine,  directing  the  spray  upwards,  so 
as  to  reach  che  pests  that  are  fastened  on  the  midribs  of  the  leaves,  as 
well  as  those  on  the  young  wood .  Maintain  the  border  in  a  thoroughly 
moist  state.  Admit  air  freely,  and  keep  the  house  as  cool  as  possible, 
but  not  allowing  the  temperature  to  fall  to  an  unsafe  point  at  night, 
as  this  tends  to  premature  ripening  of  the  foliage.  The  roof  lights 
should  not  be  removed  nor  trees  in  pots  placed  outdoors  until  the 
weather  becomes  settled,  which  does  not  usually  occur  till  the  middle 
of  June. 
Second  Early  Varieties — These  are  ripening  in  the  house  started  at 
the  new  year,  Hale’s  Early  holding  first  place  as  a  handsome  and  good 
quality  fruit,  but  it  has  not  the  size  of  A  Bee  or  the  colour  of  Crimson 
Galande,  while  this  has  not  the  qualities  of  Dr.  Hogg,  which  forces  well. 
Stirling  Castle  has  plenty  of  colour,  but  is  rather  smaller  than  Royal 
George,  yet  it  possesses  its  good  qualities  and  is  sure  forcer.  Dymoud 
may  be  found  the  finest  of  all  forced  Peaches  for  ripening  during  the 
London  season,  as  it  combines  size,  high  colour,  and  quality  in  the 
fruit,  with  a  healthy  free-bearing  habit,  and  forces  quite  as  well  as 
Royal  George.  The  New  Cardinal  is  the  first  Nectarine  to  ripen,  but 
Early  Rivers  and  Stanwiok  Elruge  will  long  retain  favour  for  early 
forcing.  Ripening  may  be  retarded  by  a  slight  shade  from  powerful  sun. 
Artificial  heat  will  still  be  necessary,  especially  in  dull  and  cold  weather, 
to  permit  a  free  circulation  of  air. 
Succession  Houses. — Lack  of  moisture  at  the  roots  prejudices  the 
swelling  of  the  fruit.  In  all  cases  before  watering  make  an  examination 
of  the  border,  and  when  the  soil  is  becoming  rather  dry,  not  before, 
afford  a  thorough  supply.  Overcropping  is  a  frequent  cause  of 
premature  ripening  and  lack  of  quality,  as  well  as  size  in  the  fruit. 
Thin,  therefore,  in  the  early  stages  of  swelling  gradually,  and  always 
have  regard  to  the  position  of  the  fruit  for  receiving  light,  exposing 
them  from  the  first  as  much  as  possible  to  the  sun.  Above  all  things 
attend  to  cleanliness,  for  it  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  perfection  of 
the  current  crop  and  the  due  provision  of  buds  and  stored  matter  for 
next  year’s  fruiting. 
Late  House. — Thinning  the  fruit  prior  to  stoning  must  be  attended 
to,  also  disbudding  and  tyiDg  in  the  shoots.  Do  not  overcrowd  the 
growths,  for  light  is  the  essence  of  fertility.  Ventilate  early  and  freely 
on  all  favourable  occasions, _  Close  early  in  the  afternoon,  so  as  to  induce 
the  fruit  to  swell  kindly,  and  ayringe  in  the  morning  and  afternoon 
when  the  weather  is  bright.  Aphides  are  very  troublesome  this  season. 
Fumigate  or  vaporise  moderately,  having  the  foliage  dry,  and  deliver 
t  he  smoke  cool.  Mildew  and  even  “  blister  "  are  not  absent  this  year 
from  trees  in  cool  houses,  Probably  they  are  too  cold  and  moist  at  times, 
or  so  variable  in  atmospheric  conditions  as  to  favour  the  parasites, 
Sulphur  makes  an  end  of  the  mildew,  but  both  it  and  “  blister  ”  are  more 
