54S 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  11,  1896. 
is  fed.  It  is  a  common  feeling  amongst  growers  that  the  greatest  share 
of  the  profits  goes  to  the  middleman.  Whether  such  is  the  case  I  cannot 
say  ;  but  the  costermonger  is  a  middleman,  and  we  fully  agreed  that 
whatever  his  share  may  be  he  fully  earns  it. 
On  the  River. 
A  peep  at  the  ancient  in  the  shape  of  the  famous  old  Tower,  and  at 
the  modern  in  the  no  less  famous  bridge  of  that  name,  preceded  the 
embarkation  on  a  steamer  for  a  trip  up  the  great  silent  highway  — 
Father  Thames.  How  varied  were  the  aspects  as  we  sped  along.  First 
the  muddy  waters,  snorting  steam  tugs,  grim  looking  barges,  moving 
and  stationary,  loading  and  unloading,  on  by  the  Embankment  buildings, 
and  the  gaily  coloured  bunting  of  the  marquees  in  the  Temple  Gardens, 
on  still  by  the  stately  Parliament  Houses,  till  at  length  the  water  got 
clear  and  limpid,  and  the  surroundings  more  congenial — to  gardeners. 
The  river  is  beyond  dispute  one  of  London’s  chief  features,  and  one  that 
no  visitor  should  miss. 
Slowly  we  steamed  on  past  tastefully  arranged  gardens  sloping  down 
to  the  water’s  edge  ;  pretty  villas  almost  hidden  in  a  bower  of  foliage, 
and  walls  bright  with  Clematises,  Wistarias  and  Roses.  Graceful 
Willows  and  golden  Laburnums  drooped  over  as  if  to  kiss  the  stream, 
and  here  and  there  we  confronted  a  blaze  of  crimson  Hawthorn.  How 
bright  and  pleasant  in  the  morning  sunshine  looked  the  highly  decorated 
house-boats  with  their  miniature  gardens,  the  little  islands  and  riverside 
inns  all  gay  with  flowers,  and  a  score  other  features,  which  made  us 
undecided  if  this  was  in  truth  the  Thames — the  river  so  smiling,  it 
seemed  a  thing  impossible  that  its  waters  could  have  closed  over  and 
hidden  so  many  dark  deeds.  At  Chiswick  we  talked  of  the  Royal  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society,  its  varied  fortunes,  and  its  present  conditions  (as 
hundreds  of  others  have  been  doing  lately).  At  Kew  the  subject  changed 
to  the  Royal  Gardens,  worthy  of  a  visit  we  knew,  but  time  again  said 
no.  When  passing  Syon  House  Mr.  Wythes’  fine  exhibit  at  the  Temple 
became  the  subject  of  conversation,  and  on  arriving  at  Richmond  dinner 
was  the  one  theme.  This  disposed  of  in  true  gardener’s  style,  thoughts 
and  steps  again  turned  towards  London,  with  the  satisfaction  that  our 
day  on  the  river  was  one  of  the  most  pleasant  of  the  holiday. 
The  Great  Wheel. 
On  the  morrow  we  were  going  home  and  had  not  seen  the  great 
wheel,  so  partly  through  a  natural  desire  to  see  it,  and  partly  through  a 
fear  of  being  laughed  at  if  we  returned  home  without  seeing  it,  we 
decided  to  spend  our  last  evening  at  Earl’s  Court ;  could  we  have  fore¬ 
seen  the  future  that  evening  would  have  been  spent  elsewhere.  Everyone 
has,  of  course,  read  of  that  night  of  suspensions.  Members  of  Parliament 
were  suspended,  voyagers  through  the  air  were  suspended,  and  amongst 
them  two  gardeners  ;  it  is  needless  to  add  who  they  were.  For  a  time 
we  sailed  well  and  enjoyed  the  sensation,  then  we  stopped  to  learn  later 
that  the  great  wheel  had  “  stuck.”  It  was  not  the  first  time  we  had 
been  stuck  fast,  as  gardeners  in  these  days  often  find  themselves  in 
awkward  predicaments,  but  of  all  the  incidents  of  sticking  none  equals 
that  of  being  poised  between  heaven  and  earth  on  a  wheel,  as  in  such 
means  of  extrication  are  reduced  to  a  minimum.  So  far  as  novelty  was 
concerned  the  case  was  without  precedent,  for  never  before  was  a 
gardener  so  cobwebbed  in  the  air.  A  fruit  grower  in  the  Far  West,  or 
an  Orchid  grower  in  Mexico,  expects  to  meet  with  adventures,  but  here 
were  two  commonplace  country  gardeners  on  a  commonplace  visit  to 
London  cut  off  from  friends  and  fatherland  with  nothing  to  prevent 
reunion  but  empty  space.  Gardeners  have  oftentimes  been  suspended 
from  duty  from  various  causes,  but  never  in  mid  air.  We  thought  of 
our  Potatoes,  Beans,  Dahlias,  and  such  like,  on  this  frosty  night  up 
there,  and  wished  for  something  to  cover  us,  if  it  were  only  a  mat.  We 
thought  of  everything  in  fact,  but  chiefly  home,  and  longed  to  be  there. 
How  we  got  down  matters  not,  but  never  did  a  storm-tossed  mariner 
exult  more  when  he  felt  his  feet  touch  old  England  ;  but  after  it  was 
all  over  we  felt  rather  heroic,  and  in  a  short  time  two  portmanteaux 
were  packed  and  two  men  stepped  into  the  northern  mail  at  St.  Pancras 
en  route  for  the  old  home  and  the  old  garden,  and  one  of  them  here 
signs  himself — A  Country  Gardener. 
HORTICULTURE  AT  THE  BATH  AND  WEST  SHOW, 
ST.  ALBANS. 
Unquestionably  the  floral  tent  at  the  above  show  held  last  week 
was  one  of  the  chief  attractions,  this  being  crowded  with  visitors  during 
the  whole  time  the  exhibition  was  open.  The  Society  offered  no  prizes, 
but  made  substantial  grants  to  each  exhibitor,  according  to  the  quantity 
and  quality  of  the  exhibits,  a  plan  which  appeared  to  work  admirably, 
judging  by  the  large  number  of  exhibitors  both  trade  and  private. 
The  steward  and  manager  of  this  department  was  Mr.  W.  Herbert 
Fowler  of  Taunton,  well  known  to  the  horticultural  world,  more  especi¬ 
ally  among  lovers  of  Roses  and  Chrysanthemums.  He  took  the  keenest 
interest  in  the  show,  every  little  detail  being  carefully  studied,  and  the 
arrangements  were  perfect. 
The  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales,  the  Princesses,  the  Prime  Minister, 
and  a  host  of  fashionable  friends  from  Hatfield,  visited  the  tent  on 
Friday,  the  general  public  being  excluded  while  the  Royal  party 
inspected  the  exhibits,  in  which  they  seemed  deeply  interested. 
Immediately  on  entering  the  tent  one  was  struck  with  a  remarkably 
fine  bank  of  Carnations,  principally  Malmaison,  of  which  some  hundreds 
of  plants  in  splendid  condition  were  arranged,  backed  up  by  large 
Palms.  At  the  far  end  of  the  tent  the  whole  space  was  occupied  by 
Lord  Aldenham,  Aldenham  House,  Elstree  (Mr.  E.  Beckett,  gardener), 
covering  a  space  of  about  540  square  feet,  the  end  being  covered  with 
virgin  cork,  and  arranged  with  suitable  plants,  such  as  Bamboos,  Palms, 
Ferns,  Asparagus  ;  the  bottom  being  arranged  with  large  towering 
Palms,  Crotons,  Dracmnas,  Orchids  and  choice  flowering  plants.  This 
group  was  much  admired,  especially  so  by  the  Princess  of  Wales. 
Messrs.  Sander  &  Co.  of  St.  Albans  staged  a  large  collection  of 
Orchids  and  new  and  rare  plants — a  very  fine  exhibit.  Messrs.  Sutton 
and  Sons,  Reading,  also  sent  a  very  fine  display  of  Gloxinias  and  other 
flowering  and  foliage  plants ;  also  a  large  collection  of  Tomatoes  well 
fruited  in  pots. 
Large  banks  of  pot  Roses  were  exhibited  in  fine  condition  by  Messrs. 
William  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross  ;  and  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  Ches- 
hunt,  arranged  on  each  side  of  the  centre  stage  with  quantities  of  cut 
flowers  arranged  in  front.  Sir  Blundell  Maple,  Childwiekbury,  St. 
Albans  (Mr.  Nutting,  gardener),  occupied  one  end  of  the  centre  stage 
with  a  choice  collection  of  foliage  and  flowering  plants,  some  fine 
specimens  of  Azaleas  being  very  noticeable. 
F.  A.  Bevan,  Esq.,  Trent  Park,  Barnet  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  H.  Lees), 
filled  the  other  end  with  a  fine  assortment,  Orchids  of  splendid  quality 
predominating.  Mr.  Gleeson,  gardener  to  C.  Keyser,  Esq.,  Warren 
House,  Stanmore,  staged  a  fine  bank  of  well-grown  Gloxinias,  large 
quantities  of  cut  hardy  flowers,  and  table  decorations.  Altogether  it 
was  a  most  interesting  exh.bition,  and  Mr.  Fowler  is  to  be  congratulated 
on  the  great  success  attending  it. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Earliest  House. — When  all  the  fruit 
is  gathered  from  individual  trees,  the  wood  on  which  it  has  been  pro¬ 
duced  should  be  cut  away  to  the  shoot  at  its  base,  which  is  to  afford  the 
bearing  wood  for  next  season,  except  if  the  fruit  has  been  produced  on 
wood  that  is  necessary  to  retain  for  the  extension  of  the  trees.  All 
growths  not  absolutely  necessary  for  bearing  next  season,  or  for  the 
extension  of  the  trees,  must  be  cut  away,  as  it  is  important  the  foliage 
be  fully  exposed  to  light  and  air,  and  it  is  also  essential  that  it  die 
naturally,  not  prematurely  through  attacks  of  red  spider  or  lack  of 
moisture  at  the  roots.  Employ  the  Byringe  or  engine  freely.  Keep  the 
inside  borders  properly  moist  by  duly  watering,  not  neglecting  the 
outside  ones  if  the  weather  be  dry.  Admit  all  the  air  possible,  and 
when  the  buds  are  plump  and  the  wood  firm,  the  roof  lights,  where 
moveable,  as  they  should  be  in  all  early  forced  houses,  may  be  taken  off. 
Trees  Ripening  their  Fruit. — Ventilate  freely,  admitting  a  little  air 
constantly,  and  to  insure  the  preservation  of  the  foliage  in  health 
sprinkle  the  paths  and  borders  with  water  in  the  morning  and  afternoon, 
not  allowing  the  soil  to  become  dry,  but  giving  water  as  required.  A 
mulching  of  short  spent  material  is  very  useful  in  preventing  the  surface 
cracking,  lessening  evaporation,  insuring  uniform  moisture,  and  pre¬ 
venting  the  roots  going  down  in  quest  of  liquid  nourishment. 
Syringing  must  cease  directly  the  fruit  commences  to  soften  for 
ripening,  or  the  moisture  will  cause  the  skin  to  crack,  mould  following 
and  imparting  an  unpleasant  musty  flavour,  as  well  as  spoiling  its 
appearance. 
Id.  gathering  the  fruit  great  care  is  necessary,  as  slight  pressure  is 
sufficient  to  spoil  the  appearance  of  the  specimen.  Gather  fruit  for 
packing  before  it  is  quite  ripe.  Some  netting  suspended  beneath  the 
trees  is  useful  to  prevent  falling  fruits  being  bruised,  but  let  the  netting 
be  “  pocketed  ”  so  as  to  prevent  the  fruits  clashing  againBt  each  other. 
Trees  with  Fruit  Taking  the  Last  Swelling. — Give  every  attention  to 
watering,  feeding,  and  mulching.  Any  extra  nourishment  will  not  do 
any  harm  provided  it  is  of  a  substantial  nature,  such  as  superphosphate 
and  muriate  of  potash,  with  a  moderate  amount  of  nitrate  of  soda. 
About  five  parts  superphosphate  (mineral),  three  parts  muriate  of 
potash,  and  two  parts  nitrate  of  soda  form  a  suitable  mixture.  The 
borders  both  inside  and  outside  should  be  brought  into  a  proper  state  of 
moisture  by  watering,  then  supply  4  ozs.  of  the  mixture  per  square  yard 
and  wash  in  moderately. 
Allow  the  shoots  to  extend,  not  pinching  in  the  laterals  too  cloBely, 
but  they  must  be  prevented  shading  the  fruit,  which  ought  to  be  raised 
with  its  apex  to  the  fullest  light.  This  can  be  effected  by  placing  laths 
across  the  trellis,  securing  them  to  the  wires.  Continue  forcible 
syringings  morning  and  afternoon  until  the  fruit  begins  ripening,  then 
cease,  but  do  not  allow  the  border  and  other  surfaces  to  become 
parchingly  dry,  as  moderate  moisture,  provided  the  ventilation  is  liberal, 
will  not  injure  the  fruit,  and  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  benefit  of 
the  foliage. 
Trees  Stoning  the  Fruit. — The  trees  started  in  February  or  even  in 
March  have  the  fruit  of  good  size  and  the  stoning  process  in  various 
stages  of  advancement.  To  continue  tlrs  in  steady  progress  and  insure 
its  stoning  satisfactorily  there  must  be  no  deficiency  of  moisture  at 
the  roots ;  the  foliage  must  be  kept  clean  by  daily  syringings,  and,  if 
necessary,  by  the  prompt  application  of  an  insecticide.  Continue  the 
