Jiliie  iiS,  18i)6. 
JOURNAL  OR  PtORTlGULTPRE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
frince  Arthur,  Susanne  Marie  Rodocanachi,  and  A.  K.  Williams.  Messrs. 
G.  &  W.  H.  Burch,  Peterborough,  were  second  with  smaller  blooms ;  and 
Mr.  F.  Cant,  Colchester,  third.  The  exhibits  in  the  class  for  twelve 
trebles  were  five  in  number,  and  some  splendid  flowers  were  noticeable. 
For  twelve  H.P.’s  Messrs  D.  Prior  &  Son  were  first  with  Ulrich  Brunner  ; 
Messrs.  G.  &  W.  H.  Burch  second  with  Her  Majesty  ;  and  Mr.  F.  Cant 
third  with  Comtesse  de  Ludre.  For  twelve  Teas,  Messrs  D.  Prior  and 
Son  were  again  first  with  The  Bride  ;  Messrs.  F.  Cant  and  G.  &  W.  H. 
Burch  being  second  and  third  as  named. 
In  the  classes  for  twelve  and  twenty-four,  distinct,  Mr.  R.  E.  West, 
Reigate,  was  the  only  exhibitor,  and  secured  the  premier  award  in  each 
case.  The  blooms  were  neat,  clear  in  colour,  and  mostly  fresh.  There 
were  only  two  exhibitors  in  the  class  for  forty-eight  distinct  trebles,  these 
being  Messrs.  D.  Prior  &  Son  and  Mr.  F.  Cant,  who  took  the  prizes*  in 
the  order  named. 
Specimen  plants,  both  in  and  out  of  flower,  were  numerous,  and  many 
of  them  were  splendid  examples  of  good  culture.  Caladiums,  too,  were 
finely  staged,  Mr.  J.  Allsop,  gardener  to  W.  Cunard,  Esq.,  Twickenham, 
being  a  grand  first,  Mr.  J.  McLeod  a  good  second,  and  Mr.  C.  Want, 
gardener  to  Sir  F.  Wigan,  East  Sheen,  third.  Ferns,  too,  were  largely 
shown,  and  throughout  were  clean  and  of  fine  quality.  Hardy  flowers 
made  a  really  imposing  display,  but  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  judging 
and  the  limited  time  at  our  disposal  prior  to  going  to  press,  it  was  impos¬ 
sible  to  get  any  particulars  as  to  prizewinners. 
There  were  five  entries  in  the  class  for  a  collection  of  six  distinct 
dishes  of  fruit,  Mr.  G.  H.  Sage,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Dysart,  Ham 
House,  Richmond,  securing  first  place.  The  exhibit  comprised  Black 
Hamburgh  and  Foster’s  Seedling  Grapes,  Lord  Napier  Nectarine,  Brown 
Turkey  Fig,  Hero  of  Lockinge  Melon,  and  a  dish  of  fine  Strawberries. 
Mr.  W.  Tidy,  gardener  to  W.  K.  D’Arcy,  Esq.,  Stanmore,  Middlesex, 
was  a  capital  second  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Osman,  Chertsey,  a  fair  third.  Mr. 
H.  W.  Blake,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Onslow,  Guildford,  was  first  for 
three  bunches  of  black  Grapes  ;  Mr.  W.  Ford,  gardener  to  W.  H.  Ellis, 
Esq.,  Hounslow,  second  ;  and  Mr.  T.  Osman  third.  Messrs.  Tidy, 
T.  Osman,  and  T.  Turton  were  the  prizewinners  in  the  class  for  three 
bunches  of  white  Grapes.  Melons,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Straw¬ 
berries  in  the  single  dish  classes  were  good,  as  also  were  the  miscel¬ 
laneous  exhibits  of  fruit. 
Five  collections  were  staged  in  the  vegetable  class  for  a  collection  of 
twelve  distinct  vegetables,  Mr.  C.  J.  Waite,  Esher,  securing  the  chief 
award.  This  exhibitor  staged  Ashtop  Fluke  Potatoes,  Telegraph  Peas, 
White  Tripoli  Onions,  Crimson  Ball  Beet,  Giant  Asparagus,  Duke  of 
York  Tomato,  Giant  Green  Globe  Artichokes,  Extra  Early  Autumn 
Mammoth  Cauliflower,  Summer  Favourite  Carrots,  Model  Cucumber, 
Dong  White  Marrow,  and  Leviathan  Beans,  Mr.  J.  Gibson,  gardener  to 
E.  H.  Watts,  Esq.,  Chiswick,  was  a  capital  second,  whose  exhibit  would  have 
been  improved  had  the  products  been  named,  and  Mr.  J.  Smith,  gardener 
to  W.  H.  Odium,  Isleworth,  a  fair  third. 
Mr.  Gibson  was  first  in  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons’  class  for  six  vegetables 
with  good  Cauliflowers,  Tomatoes,  Peas,  French  Beans,  and  Carrots. 
Mr.  C.  J.  Waite  was  second,  and  Mr.  T.  Wilkins,  Henstridge,  third. 
The  last  named  secured  the  first  of  Messrs.  J.  Carter  &  Co.’s  prizes,  Mr. 
C.  J.  Waite  being  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Gibson  third.  Cottagers’  exhibits 
of  vegetables  were  highly  creditable,  and  proved  by  their  condition  that 
much  labour  had  been  expended  on  their  culture. 
WQKK.mitheWEEK.. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Early  Forced  Trees . — Very  early  and 
continuous  forcing  to  have  the  fruit  ripe  in  May  and  early  in  June 
taxes  the  energies  of  the  tree  severely.  The  house,  after  the  fruit  is  all 
gathered,  Bhould  be  ventilated  to  the  fullest  extent,  and  when  the  wood 
is  sufficiently  firm  remove  the  roof  lights  entirely.  If  the  weather  be  hot 
and  the  growths  are  sufficiently  matured,  the  roof  may  be  removed  at  the 
close  of  the  present  month  or  even  earlier.  In  other  cases  ventilate  to 
the  fullest  extent,  and  duly  attend  to  watering  the  borders.  Keep  the 
foliage  clean  by  occasional  syringing,  and  if  necessary  apply  an  insecti¬ 
cide.  Laterals  must  be  stopped,  but  a  little  growth  insures  steady  root 
action,  and  prevents  the  buds  and  foliage  maturing  too  early.  All  shoots 
that  have  supported  fruit  and  are  no  longer  required  should  be  removed 
to  let  air  and  light  freely  to  the  growths,  and  if  there  is  too  much 
crowding  of  the  shoots  for  next  year’s  bearing  thin  them  judiciously. 
Houses  with  Fruit  Ripening.  —  On  cold  nights  and  during  dull 
weather  gentle  warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes  will  be  necessary  to  main¬ 
tain  steady  progress  and  insure  complete  swelling,  finishing,  and  high 
quality.  A  temperature  of  60°  to  65°  at  night  and  70°  to  75°  by  day, 
with  10°  to  15°  more  from  sun  heat,  is  sufficient,  with  the  admission  of  a 
little  air  constantly.  Afford  moderate  air  moisture  for  the  benefit  of  the 
foliage,  and  water  the  borders  as  required,  while  a  mulching  of  lumpy 
material  will  keep  the  surface  in  a  condition  favourable  to  the  activity 
of  the  roots.  If  the  weather  be  very  bright  some  netting  spread  over 
the  roof  lights  will  be  an  advantage  n  keeping  the  delicate-skinned 
varieties,  such  as  Noblesse,  from  unduly  heating  by  the  sun’s  rays, 
causing  the  fruit  to  ripen  at  the  apex  greatly  in  advance  of  the  lower  part. 
Young  Trees. — Disbudding  is  an  essential  in  the  early  stages  of 
growth.  The  principal  branches,  or  shoots  to  form  them,  should  be 
12  to  15  inches  apart,  and  the  shoots  for  bearing  disposed  about 
15  inches  asunder  along  last  year’s  wood,  stopping  them  if  necessary  at 
that  extent  of  growth,  and  the  laterals  to  one  joint  as  produced.  The 
extension,  or  main  shoots,  should  be  trained  in  their  full  length, 
provided  they  are  evenly  balanced.  Any  gross  shoots  may  be  stopped, 
as  they  are  a  great  inducement  to  gumming.  Ventilate  early  in  the 
day,  increase  it  with  the  advancing  temperature,  leaving  on  a  little  air 
constantly.  Essential  growths  must  be  trained  so  that  sun  and  air  have 
free  access  to  them. 
Tigs.— Second  Crops. — The  fruits  on  early  forced  trees  have  now 
swelled  to  a  good  size,  and  to  insure  a  number  of  fine  Figs  they  must  not 
be  overcropped,  the  foliage  kept  free  from  insects,  and  the  feeding 
liberal.  Early  forced  planted  out  trees  should  have  the  young  wood 
ripened  and  be  resting  by  the  middle  of  October.  Borders  that  have 
become  dry  must  be  watered  to  bring  them  into  a  moist  condition  down 
to  the  drainage.  Liquid  manure  will  be  required  by  trees  having  the 
roots  in  borders  of  limited  extent.  Mulch  lightly  and  keep  damped 
when  it  becomes  dry,  so  as  to  encourage  surface  roots.  Syringe  daily, 
except  in  dull  weather,  when  morniDg  or  early  afternoon  syringing  will 
be  sufficient,  and  always  early  enougn  to  allow  of  the  foliage  getting 
dry  before  night.  Judicious  and  forcible  syringings  are  usually 
sufficient  to  keep  down  red  spider,  but  if  it  gets  a  hold  dislodge  by 
means  of  an  insecticide.  Maintain  a  night  temperature  of  60°  to  65°, 
and  70°  to  75°  by  day.  Ventilate  early,  especially  on  bright  mornings. 
Keep  the  house  through  the  day  at  80°  to  85°  with  sun  heat,  and  close 
sufficiently  early  to  run  up  to  85°  or  90°  or  even  95°,  providing  plenty 
of  atmospheric  moisture. 
Succession  Hottses. — Where  the  fruit  changes  colour  afford  more  air, 
insuring  a  circulation  constantly.  Reduce  the  moisture  gradually,  keep¬ 
ing  it  from  the  fruit,  which  expose  as  much  as  possible  to  light  and  air. 
Lessened  supplies  of  water  at  the  roots  tell  in  favour  of  quality,  yet 
they  must  not  be  allowed  to  suffer.  Trees  swelling  their  crops  will  be 
benefited  by  a  light  mulching  of  short  material  over  the  roots,  and 
through  this  supply  liquid  manure  in  the  case  of  trees  carrying  heavy 
crops.  In  fine  weather  syringe  twice  a  day,  always  in  good  time,  and 
close  so  as  to  run  up  to  90°,  95°,  or  100°.  As  the  fruit  approaches 
ripening  provide  a  little  ventilation  before  nightfall,  and  let  it  remain, 
increasing  it  early. 
HE  BEE-KEEPER. 
[.  /  - 1  ■ , .  t t -  i  -  r-T- 1 .  .  i  -  r - 1 .  r-  i^i .  t  - 1 .1  ■  i  - 1~.  i 
QUEEN  REARING. 
“An  English  Bee-keeper  ”  on  page  550  recommends  rearing 
young  queens.  Will  he  kindly  give  full  particulars  as  early  as 
possible  how  to  carry  this  out  ?  I  have  about  fifty  stocks  to  look 
after,  and  many  have  apparently  old  queens,  as  they  have  not 
swarmed  for  many  years.  I  took  out  a  frame  the  other  day  with 
six  queen  cells  formed  and  one  sealed  over.  I  presume  that  would 
have  been  a  good  start  for  raising  a  stock  of  young  queens,  but  I 
have  had  no  experience  on  this  particular  subject. — J.  H. 
[I  have  found  it  of  great  advantage  to  have  a  system,  and  as 
far  as  it  is  practicable  work  up  to  it,  in  connection  with  bee-keeping. 
All  hives  should  be  numbered,  and  entered  in  a  small  book  that 
may  be  carried  in  one’s  pocket,  or  be  placed  in  a  convenient  spot, 
such  as  the  top  of  one  of  the  hives,  for  reference.  In  this  should 
be  marked  the  age  of  the  queens,  the  date  when  introduced,  and 
other  items  of  interest,  as  it  is  then  a  very  easy  matter  to  know  the 
age  of  every  individual  queen  in  the  apiary,  and  be  able  to  form  a 
fairly  correct  opinion  as  to  the  most  favourable  season  for  rearing 
queens,  also  under  what  conditions  they  invariably  come  best.  It 
is  really  a  Bimple  matter,  and  in  practice  is  not  nearly  as  formidable 
as  it  appears  on  paper. 
Under  this  system  I  have  managed  successfully  a  large  apiary 
for  many  years  past.  I  can  tell  at  a  glance  the  age  of  all  the 
queens  in  my  apiary,  their  history,  how  they  were  bred,  whether 
in  strong  colonies  or  in  nucleus,  their  failings,  and  which  have 
turned  out  the  best  honey  producers.  All  this  may  appear 
unnecessary  to  the  casual  observer,  but  to  those  who  are  ever 
trying  to  excel  it  may  act  as  a  reminder  of  something  that  has 
been  left  undone. 
Although  the  stocks  mentioned  by  “  J.  II.”  may  not  have 
swarmed  for  many  years,  some  of  them  have  in  all  probability 
reared  young  queens  unknown  to  their  owner.  The  stock  con¬ 
taining  the  frame  with  six  queen  cells  formed  was  evidently  queen¬ 
less,  or  intended  swarming  at  an  early  date,  and  if  a  strong  colony 
that  has  done  well  in  previous  years,  would  doubtless  have  made 
a  good  stock  for  commencing  queen  rearing.  Although  they  may 
be  lost  it  is  not  a  serious  matter,  as  any  time  during  the  present 
month  will  be  suitable  for  commencing  the  all-important  operation 
of  “  queen  rearing.” 
As  the  proper  time  to  commence  queen  raising  is  at  their 
