120 
JOUUNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  6,  189'e, 
as  they  had  appeared,  beginning  with  “  The  Great  Herbal  ”  in 
1516,  and  the  works  of  Gerarde  in  1597,  Lord  Bacon  in  1625,  John 
Parkinson  in  1629,  John  Evelyn  in  1658,  Curtis,  who  commenced  the 
magazine  which  bears  his  name,  in  1787,  Lindley  who  wrote  the  “  Vege¬ 
table  Kingdom  ”  in  1820,  Dean  Herbert  who  wrote  on  hybridisation  in 
1821,  to  Paxton  in  1831,  Moore  in  1854,  and  Charles  Darwin  in  1859.  In 
the  course  of  his  paper  Mr.  Burbidge  remarked  that  garden  literature  never 
made  much  headway  till  after  the  invention  of  printing,  when  it  at  once 
made  strides  which  have  ever  since  been  continued.  There  had,  however, 
been  a  great  many  gardening  books  written  which  were  but  a  repetition 
of  what  had  gone  before,  and  the  horticultural  world  was  little  or  no 
better  for  their  existence.  The  works,  however,  of  the  great  writers 
shone  out  conspicuously,  and  even  amongst  the  oldest  were  to  be  found 
many  of  the  most  useful.  Mr.  Burbidge’s  paper  was  full  of  interesting 
information  regarding  the  literature  of  the  craft,  and  at  its  close  the 
applause  showed  the  interest  that  had  been  taken  in  it.  A  hearty  vote 
of  thanks  to  the  Mayor  for  presiding  brought  the  proceedings  to  a  close. 
THE  SHOW. 
This  (Wednesday)  morning  the  first  show  of  the  Chester  Horticul¬ 
tural  Show  and  F§te  Society  was  opened  in  the  Roodee  of  that  ancient 
city,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  in  the  intensts  of  horticulture,  that  it  will 
be  only  the  precursor  of  many  others  of  equal  or  superior  merit.  As 
was  anticipated,  the  entries  are  very  numerous  (2000),  and  floricul- 
turally,  at  any  rate,  the  exhibition  is  an  unqualified  success.  So 
assiduous  have  been  the  labours  of  the  promoters  and  the  Executive 
Committee,  that  the  large  majority  of  the  best  exhibitors  in  the  country 
who  could  possibly  manage  it,  staged  examples  of  their  cultural  skill, 
and  in  combination  built  up  a  superb  spectacle,  for  the  reception  of  which 
eight  tents,  representing  a  space  of  ground  of  25,600  square  feet,  were 
necessary.  It  is  not  easy  to  say  which  section  is  really  the  best,  but 
perhaps  the  vegetables  and  fruit  must  be  given  the  place  of  honour.  This 
initial  show  at  Chester  must  be  remembered,  too,  as  the  second  place 
(the  first  was  York)  for  a  visit  of  a  deputation  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  this  would  tend  to  increase  the  exhibits ;  and,  moreover, 
insures  the  Society  some  considerable  status  in  the  gardening  world.  As 
only  a  few  hours  elapsed  between  the  opening  of  the  show  and  the  time 
for  these  pages  to  go  to  press,  it  was  impossible  to  secure  a  full  report  for 
this  issue  ■,  but  our  representative,  besides  wiring  the  above  particulars, 
sends  the  names  of  the  prizewinners  in  the  principal  classes.  We  hope 
to  publish,  with  portraits  of  others  besides  those  given  herewith,  a  com¬ 
plete  report  in  our  next  issue.  The  weather  on  the  first  day  was  very 
beautiful. 
Four  prizes  were  offered  in  the  chief  open  class,  which  was  for  a 
group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  in  or  out  of  bloom,  not  to  occupy 
a  space  of  more  than  300  square  feet.  They  were  respectively  £25, 
£15,  £10,  and  £5,  and  the  exhibits  were  excellent  examples  of  cultural 
skill  in  growing  the  plants  and  refined  taste  in  their  arrange¬ 
ment.  The  premier  prize  went  to  Mr.  Edmonds,  the  second  to  Mr.  J. 
MacIntyre. 
Generous  again  were  the  awards  in  the  class  for  a  group  of  Orchids 
in  bloom  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  not  exceeding  150  square  feet.  To 
aid  exhibitors  tVe  schedule  permitted  the  inclusion  of  Ferns  and  other 
foliage  plants,  by  whose  aid  the  general  effect  was  much  improved. 
Despite  the  fact  that  Orchids  in  flower  cannot  be  termed  abundant  just 
now,  the  exhibits  were  highly  creditable  to  all  concerned  in  their  pro¬ 
duction.  The  first  prize  of  £20  was  adjudged  to  Mr.  J,  Cypher,  Chelten¬ 
ham,  who  exhibited  a  group  in  which  some  splendid  Orchids  were 
conspicuous.  This  exhibitor  took  a  similar  position  in  the  class  for 
twelve  specimen  plants,  showing  in  his  usual  superb  style. 
The  chief  class  in  the  fruit  section  was  for  a  display  of  eighteen  dishes 
of  ripe  fruit,  for  which  tables  8  feet  by  4  feet  were  provided.  Each 
exhibitor  had  to  provide  his  own  dishes  for  the  fruit  and  glasses  for  the 
cut  flowers,  which  were  admissible  for  embellishment.  All  table  linen, 
glass,  and  cutlery  were  prohibited,  the  object  being  to  encourage  the 
tasteful  arrangement  of  fruits  as  for  dessert.  The  results  achieved  by 
Messrs.  J.  Goodacre  and  Mclndoe  cannot  be  deemed  anything  short  of 
excellent. 
Another  fruit  class  that  secured  a  considerable  amount  of  attention 
was  that  for  six  distinct  kinds  of  fruit,  Pines  excluded,  and  some  magnifi¬ 
cent  fruits  were  shown.  The  first  prize  exhibit  of  Mr,  Harris  was  almost 
perfect. 
Mr.  J.  Mclndoe  was  a  splendid  first  in  the  class  for  a  collection 
of  twelve  dishes  of  hardy  fruits,  Mr.  Severn  being  a  creditable 
second.  For  six  bunches  of  Grapes,  three  black  and  a  similar  number 
of  white,  the  competition  was  exceptionally  keen,  and  some  bunches 
of  perfectly  finished  berries  were  staged.  Mr,  Crisp  was  first  with 
Black  Alicante  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  in  grand  form.  Mr.  Goodacre 
was  second. 
The  principal  vegetable  class  was  for  a  collection  of  twelve  kinds  of 
vegetables,  to  be  staged  in  trays  4  feet  6  inches  by  3  feet,  and  the 
produce  shown  was  superb.  Mr.  Pope  was  first  and  Mr.  Wilkins  second. 
There  were  seventeen  competitors. 
A  class  that  caused  much  speculation  as  to  what  it  would  bring  forth 
was  defined  in  the  schedule  as  being  for  a  “  display  of  cut  flowers 
arranged  in  any  conceivable  design,  or  combination  of  designs,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  exhibitor,  in  a  space  of  12  feet  by  5  feet.  A  few  small 
foliage  plants  may  be  used.  ’  The  results  were  extremely  beautiful,  tbe 
recipients  of  the  prizes  of  £10  and  £7  being  as  follows  ; — First,  Mr. 
Jones  ;  second,  Mr.  Jenkinson.  The  latter  exhibitor  was  first  for  a  ball 
or  bridal  bouquet. 
The  Judges  awarded  gold  medals  to  Messrs.  Dicksons,  Limited, 
Fisher,  Son  &  Sibray,  Sander  &  Co.,  and  T.  S.  Ware.  Silver  medals  to 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Broomhill,  Kerr  &  Co,,  B.  Hart- 
land,  Cowan,  and  Birkenhead.  Bronze  medals  to  Messrs.  Eckford, 
H.  Low  &  Co.,  Laing  &  Mather,  W,  Cntbush  &  Sons,  and  J,  Forbes.  The 
awards  made  by  the  deputation  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
were  not  complete  when  the  telegram  was  despatched, 
LONGFORD  REVISITED. 
’Tis  pleasant— -after  a  lapse  of  years — to  visit  the  scene  of  former 
labours,  especially  if  one  can  find  the  respected  chief  comfortably  placed, 
and  secure  to  perform  his  duties  as  long  as  strength  shall  last. 
Unfortunately,  however,  this  picture  of  the  “  olden  times"  is  so  seldom 
met  with,  that  even  now  we  may  almost  look  upon  it  as  only  a  memory 
of  the  past,  for  when  the  zenith  of  life  is  reached,  the  fashion  of  the 
day  seems  to  be  for  the  “  old  band  ”  to  find  it  necessary  to  resign  his 
life’s  work  to  another.  These  thoughts  passed  through  my  mind  during 
a  recent  visit  to  Longford  Castle  Gardens,  paid  with  the  object  of  seeing 
once  more  the  respected  chief  in  the  gardens  he  hag  made  famous,  tbe 
charge  of  which  he  has  felt  it  necessary  to  resign,  after  a  service  of 
twenty-five  years. 
The  skill  and  unceasing  energy  of  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward  has  made  the 
gardens  at  Longford  Castle  famous  in  the  horticultural  world,  and  he 
will,  I  am  sure,  find  some  consolation  in  the  knowledge  that  he  will 
carry  with  him  the  heartiest  good  wishes  of  hosts  of  friends.  No 
gardener  could  be  more  energetic  in  doing  all  in  his  power  to  advance 
the  interests  of  those  who  have  served  under  him.  In  the  midst  of  an 
extremely  busy  life  he  would  never  miss  an  opportunity  of  using  his 
influence  on  their  behalf,  and  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  them 
is  shown  by  the  shoals  of  sympathetic  letters  he  has  lately  received  from 
old  hands.”  The  Wilts  Horticultural  Society  will  lose  a  prominent 
member,  and  an  exhibitor  who  has  worthily  upheld  the  honour  of 
Salisbury,  by  proving  on  so  many  occasions  the  victor  in  the  fight  for  the 
principal  prizes  offered  in  the  fruit  classes.  Exhibitors  at  the  cottagers’ 
show,  annually  held  on  the  Longford  estate,  will  fully  realise  that 
they  have  lost  a  firm  friend,  who  was  mainly  instrumental  in  managing 
and  keeping  the  show  going. 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  say  much  about  the  gardens  now,  except 
that  they  are  thoroughly  up  to  date,  and  in  the  best  possible  condition, 
but  in  the  near  future  I  hope  to  deal  comprehensively  with  the  great 
improvements  wrought  in  them  by  Mr.  Ward  during  the  quarter  of  a 
century  he  has  had  charge  of  them. — Old  Lojtofoedian. 
A  Large  American  Oak.  —  One  of  the  largest  Oak  trees  in 
America,  says  “  Meehans’  Monthly,’’  is  a  Red  Oak  in  a  forest  of 
Pemiscot  County,  Missouri.  The  straight  trunk  of  this  tree,  recently 
measured,  has  a  circumference  of  27  feet  near  the  ground,  and  19  feet 
8  feet  above,  and  is  clear  for  60  feet  to  the  first  limb. 
Celery  in  Florida.  —  In  a  late  issue  of  the  “  Florida  Agri¬ 
culturist”  is  an  interesting  account  of  the  cultivation  of  Celery  in 
that  State.  Seed  -  sowing  is  begun  in  August  and  continued  until 
November,  the  later  sowings  insuring  the  largest  number  of  plants. 
When  the  plants  are  about  6  inches  high  they  are  transplanted  on  ridges 
4  feet  wide,  two  rows  on  each  ridge,  the  plants  being  set  from  5  to 
6  inches  apart  in  the  rows.  The  Celery  is  blanched  when  it  is  mature, 
which  is  told  by  the  colour  of  the  tops.  Boards  1  by  12,  16  feet  long, 
are  used,  stood  up  on  each  side  of  the  rows.  The  blanching  is  said  to  be 
the  most  important  cultural  detail,  and  must  be  learned  by  experience; 
if  continued  too  long  the  Celery  will  not  keep,  and  if  not  long  enough  it 
will  not  be  in  good  marketable  condition.  The  time  required  for 
blanching  is  influenced  by  the  weather.  It  takes  about  six  months  to 
raise  and  blanch  a  crop  from  the  sowing  of  the  seed.  There  is  a 
thorough  system  of  irrigation  from  artesian  wells,  and  the  water  is  run 
between  the  rows  in  dry  weather.  Irrigation  is  considered  a  necessity 
for  this  crop  in  Florida.  Commercial  fertilisers  have  been  used  exclu¬ 
sively  for  the  past  eight  years,  about  3  tons  to  the  acre,  at  a  cost  of 
75  dols.  an  acre  each  year,  and  the  ground  is  very  fertile.  The  sales 
on  one  farm  for  the  last  five  years  have  averaged  1000  dols.  to  the  acre, 
the  crops,  besides  Celery,  being  Potatoes,  Cabbage,  Lettuce,  Spinach, 
Beets,  Carrots,  Radishes,  and  some  Squashes,  Cucumbers,  and  Tomatoes, 
but  the  soil  is  too  rich  for  tbe  latter  crop.  On  8  acres  of  Celery,  com¬ 
prising  last  year’s  sowing,  1500  dols.  was  netted ;  the  expenses  were 
about  600  dols.  an  acre.  This  success  has  only  been  achieved  after 
experiments  and  losses,  and  6  acres  of  the  variety  Giant  Pascal 
planted  three  years  ago  proved  an  entire  failure.  The  Golden  Self¬ 
blanching  variety  is  the  only  kind  now  grown.  It  is  intended,  how¬ 
ever,  to  try  several  other  varieties  this  year,  as  it  is  difficult  to 
grow  plants  of  Golden  Self-blanching  in  the  hot  weather  of  summer 
and  autumn. 
