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JOURNAL  OF  TTORTTCULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
Augnst  6^  1898, 
a  sport  from  The  Bride,  the  exterior  petals  being  flesh  coloured  instead 
of  white.  I  see  that  a  writer  in  a  contemporary  objects  to  it  as  not 
being  aufiiciently  distinct  from  The  Bride,  bat  the  blooms  exhibited 
were  certainly  quite  distinct,  as  was  that  shown  by  Mr.  Lindsell  at  the 
Crystal  Palace,  Others  have  objected  to  it  because  it  was  a  sport,  and 
say  there  is  no  certainty  about  its  continuing  true. 
The  medal  is  offered  for  seedlings  or  sports,  and  has  been  awarded 
twice  before,  one  for  Sir  Rowland  Hill  and  another  for  Souvenir  de  S.  A. 
Prince ;  the  former  was  certainly  a  failure,  for  it  so  often  retarns  to  the 
flower  which  it  sported  from,  Charles  Lefebvre,  that  few  amateurs  care 
to  grow,  and  it  is  very  rarely  exhibited  ;  but  Souvenir  de  S.  A.  Prince  has 
proved  very  constant,  and  is  one  of  the  most  useful  white  Teas  that  we 
have.  Messrs.  Dickson  had  also  another  new  seedling  Rose  of  which  we 
may  hear  more  by-and-by ;  it  is  called  Edith  Lindsell,  and  seems  to  be 
a  bright  pink  flower  of  the  Francois  Michelon  type. 
Garden  Roses  were  well  represented.  Mr.  H.  V.  Machin’s  stand 
displayed  his  usual  good  taste,  the  flowers  being  effectively  arranged. 
As  might  have  been  expected,  there  were  no  single  Roses  amongst  them, 
as  in  this  forward  season  they  were  all  over.  Mr.  Mattock  also  exhibited 
well  in  this  class,  as  also  in  the  decorative  group.  In  the  nurserymen’s 
class  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  had  a  nice  collection,  and  in  Mr.  Machin’s  the 
Polyantha  Roses  figured  largely,  and  are  certainly  very  effective  for 
such  purposes ;  the  smaller  and  non-exhibition  Teas  also  added  greatly 
to  the  effectiveness  of  the  stand. 
One  great  element  of  success  in  our  provincial  shows  is  the  energy 
and  warmheartedness  of  those  who  undertake  the  arrangements.  There 
was  very  little  doubt  upon  these  points  at  Ulverston,  Mr.  6.  Mackraith 
had  taken  every  pains  to  secure  the  comfort  of  exhibitors  and  of  the 
judges,  and  he  was  ably  seconded  by  his  Committee,  and  everything 
went  on  smoothly  ;  and  we  think  that  both  the  N.R.S.  and  the  North 
Lonsdale  Rose  Society  may  be  congratulated  on  the  success  of  their 
venture.— D.,  Deal, 
VIOLETS  FOR  MARKET. 
Sweet  Violets  are  much  appreciated  by  all.  As  buttonholes  they 
meet  a  ready  sale  in  cities,  towns,  and  populous  districts,  bringing  fairly 
remunerative  returns  to  the  grower.  Little  knots  of  flowers  arranged  so 
that  the  blooms  face  one  way,  shaped  like  an  inverted  heart  slightly 
raised  in  the  centre,  and  backed  by  their  own  leaves  or  those  of  the  Ivy. 
Bouquets  do  not  find  much  favour  with  townspeople,  and  the  returns 
from  them  are  not  nearly  so  encouraging  as  those  from  the  buttonholes, 
which  are  readily  disposable  by  the  dozen  bunches  wholesale,  with  a  few 
bunches  thrown  in  in  favour  of  the  retailer. 
The  position  should  be  open,  as  the  plants  have  the  full  benefit 
of  sun,  air,  rain,  and  dew,  and  they  cannot  be  too  sturdy  or  the 
growth  too  well  solidified  if  large  blooms  are  to  be  forthcoming,  as 
their  presence  depends  greatly,  if  not  entirely,  on  the  hardiness  of  the 
plant.  The  intervening  spaces  between  rows  of  fruit  trees  may  be 
utilised  with  rows  or  beds  of  Violets,  and  vacant  ground  under  young 
standard  trees  may  be  requisitioned,  but  these  are  not  nearly  so  good  as 
open  spaces. 
Any  good  loam  will  grow  Violets  well.  Medium-textured  loam  is 
the  best  mould  that  can  be  had  for  Violet  cultivation.  Ground  that  has 
been  some  time  under  a  rotation  of  vegetable  crops  and  duly  cultivated 
will  answer,  and  if  in  good  heart  no  manure  need  be  given,  reserving  it 
for  mulching  after  the  plants  become  established.  If  following  an 
exhausting  crop  afford  a  liberal  dressing  of  manure,  leaf  soil,  or  the 
dehrit  of  the  rubbish  heap,  rejecting  the  woody  portions  or  charring 
them  before  application.  Avoid  using  a  large  quantity  of  wood  ashes, 
as  much  potash  causes  a  luxuriance  that  does  not  favour  floriferousness. 
A  bushel  of  lime,  soot,  wood  ashes,  and  half  a  bushel  of  salt,  all  dry  and 
mixed,  form  a  good  dressing  for  ground  to  be  planted  with  Violets, 
applying  at  the  rate  of  a  peck  per  rod.  It  should  be  spread  evenly,  and 
only  just  pointed  in.  The  manure  need  only  be  mixed  with  the  top 
6  or  9  inches  of  the  surface  soil,  Violets  will  follow  most  crops  in  a 
kitchen  garden  except  Strawberries.  They  do  well  in  newly  broken 
ground,  and  on  the  site  of  a  previous  wood  or  orchard. 
Choose  runners  or  suckers  from  plants  that  have  been  grown  in  the 
open  ground,  sturdy  and  well  rooted.  Plant  the  strong  growers  in  rows 
18  inches  apart  and  15  inches  asnnder  in  the  rows ;  medium  growers 
15  inches  apart  and  12  inches  asunder  in  the  rows.  For  facility  of 
cultivation  every  fourth  or  fifth  row  may  be  omitted.  The  small  growers 
are  not  profitable.  Choose  a  moist  time  for  planting  with  a  view  to 
saving  labour  in  watering,  but  it  is  not  well  to  defer  planting  later  than 
the  early  part  of  May.  In  dry  weather  supply  water  until  established . 
In  the  summer  hoe  frequently,  alike  to  keep  down  weeds  and  insure 
a  loose  surface  up  to  midsummer.  Tread  the  ground  then  if  light,  and 
mulch  before  or  by  J uly  with  partially  decayed  manure,  or  spent  Mushroom 
beds,  or  partially  decayed  leaves.  Lawn  mowings  or  other  loose  material 
of  a  decaying  nature  and  not  generating  weeds  are  useful,  replenishing 
from  time  to  time,  but  never  having  a  greater  thickness  than  a  couple  of 
inches.  Water  over  the  foliage  in  the  evening  of  hot  days,  and  give  a 
good  soaking  once  a  week  between  the  rows  if  the  rainfall  is  less  than 
an  inch  in  any  fortnight  to  June  to  September  inclusive,  Liquid 
manure  may  be  given  in  lieu  of  the  water  if  the  plants  need  invigorat¬ 
ing,  Hand-weed  after  the  mulching  is  placed  on,  and  remove  all 
runners.  Dust  with  soot  if  red  spider  appear,  and  as  much  as  possible  on 
the  under  side  of  the  leaves.  Syringings  in  the  evenings  of  hot  days  are 
also  useful  against  red  spider.  It  is  poverty  and  lack  of  moisture,  how¬ 
ever,  that  cause  attacks  of  red  spider. 
In  October  trim  the  plants  by  removing  any  bad  or  decayed  leaves, 
but  do  not  strip  off  any  green  leaves.  Turn  the  mulch  in  with  a  fork 
lightly,  not  damaging  the  surface  roots,  and  being  careful  not  to  place 
any  soil  on  the  leaves  or  flower  buds.  Varieties  that  flower  at  that 
season  will  need  to  be  very  carefully  handled.  Mulch  again  before 
sharp  weather  or  by  the  middle  of  November  with  some  half-decayed 
manure  or  litter,  and  place  it  neatly  about  the  plants  and  not  so  as 
to  huddle  the  leaves  together.  The  mulching  will  retain  the  earth’s 
heat  or  prevent  its  loss,  and  with  the  roots  safe  from  frost  the  tops  will 
endure  many  more  degrees  of  cold  without  injury  than  when  the  soil  is 
bare  and  frozen  through.  Avoid  working  amongst  the  plants  in  wet 
weather,  as  the  soil  is  then  made  very  close  at  the  surface,  and  water  is 
prevented  percolating  freely  through  it  and  currying  down  air.  Remove 
all  spent  blooms,  and  do  not  allow  seed  to  form. 
All  the  winter  bloomers  require  protection  against  frost.  Rain  does 
not  injure  Violet  blooms  unless  it  is  very  prolonged,  but  frost  damages 
the  buds  and  flowers.  Frames  afford  the  best  protection,  as  the  lights 
can  be  withdrawn  in  fine  warm  weather.  Mats  or  other  covering  should 
be  available  for  placing  over  the  frames  in  frosty  weather.  Straw  mats 
supported  on  lattice  frames  above  the  plants,  and  sloping  so  as  to  throw 
off  wet,  are  useful,  only  care  is  taken  to  remove  them  in  mild  weather. 
Old  lights  supported  on  bricks  and  so  as  to  throw  off  rain  are  preferable. 
Spruce  and  other  evergreen  branches  stuck  in  the  ground  and  leaning 
over  the  plants  during  the  prevalence  of  cold  cutting  winds  and  sharp 
frosts  in  spring  will  often  save  the  flowers,  and  make  all  the  difference 
between  the  profitableness  or  unprofitableness  of  Violets.  Do  not  give 
protection  until  it  is  necessary,  but  always  have  it  in  readiness  for 
application  in  case  of  emergency.  It  is  more  particularly  necessary  in 
sharp  weather  succeeding  a  period  of  mild  weather,  particularly  in  a 
cold  spring  after  a  mild  winter,  a  few  hours’  sharp  frost  spoiling  the 
anticipated  harvest  of  bloom,  if  indeed  there  is  not  a  great  loss  of  plants. 
Never  gather  the  flowers  until  they  are  at  least  three  parts  expanded. 
Some  gather  them  in  the  bud.  It  is  a  great  waste  of  substance,  for 
though  the  buds  will  expand  somewhat  after  gathering  they  never  attain 
to  the  size  they  do  on  the  plant,  supported  by  it  until  of  full  size,  and 
the  bud  and  over-blown  Violet  have  not  the  scent  of  the  Violet  when 
approaching  full  expansion.  Full-blown,  or  very  nearly  so,  is  the  proper 
condition  to  gather  a  Violet.  Allowing  it  to  remain  after  it  becomes 
fully  expanded  only  weakens  the  plants,  and  is  a  loss  to  the  possessor 
from  lessened  fragrance  and  endurance.  Just  before  attaining  full 
expansion  and  until  fructification  is  effected,  the  Violet  has  most  per¬ 
fume  and  is  always  sweetest  in  the  morning,  and  their  endurance  is 
greater  than  when  gathered  limp  in  midday  or  afterwards. — V. 
Events  op  the  Week. — As  will  be  seen  from  a  paragraph  below, 
there  will  be  a  meeting  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  next,  this  being 
the  only  event  of  importance  in  London  daring  the  coming  week.  In 
the  country  the  chief  shows  are  those  of  Weston-super-Mare  on  Tuesday, 
and  Cardiff  on  Wednesday. 
-  Wbatheb  in  London. — The  closing  days  of  last  week  were 
characterised  by  warm  seasonable  weather,  rain,  however,  falling  heavily 
during  the  night  of  Thursday.  From  then  until  Sunday  no  more  fell, 
but  there  were  heavy  showers  on  Sunday  night  and  a  wet  Bank  Holiday 
was  anticipated.  However,  Monday  was  fine  until  the  evening,  when 
several  showers  fell  at  intervals.  Tuesday  was  clear  and  bright,  as  also 
was  Wednesday. 
- Royal  Hostichltubal  Society. — The  next  Fruit  and  Floral 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday, 
Aug.  11th,  iu  the  Drill  Hall,  Westminster,  1  to  5  p.m.  At  three  o’clock  a 
lecture  will  be  given  by  Mr.  C  T.  Druery,  F.L.S.,on  “Fern  Generation, 
Normal  and  Abnormal.’’ 
-  Pepeboma  besedaiploba.— Very  pretty  plants  of  this 
interesting  variety  were  exhibited  the  other  day  at  the  South  Park  show 
by  Mr.  Wood,  gardener  to  St.  Barbe  Sladen,  Esq.  They  were  about 
18  inches  in  height  and  in  48-sized  pots.  Each  were  well  foliaged  and 
earned  profusely  spikes  of  Mignonette  form  of  pure  white  flowers.  The 
plants  have  cool  treatment.  They  are  propagated  in  the  autumn  by 
division  after  the  flower  stems  have  been  removed.  Some  foliage  is 
always  retained.  For  the  decoration  of  greenhouses  or  plant  groups 
this  Peperoma  is  most  useful  and  pleasing.  It  merits  general  cultivation. 
The  same  gardener  had  plants  of  Begonia  fuohsioides  in  capital  flower, 
the  rich  scarlet  pendent  clusters  of  bloom  glittering  like  coral.  Also 
he  had  fine  plants  of  Campanula  pyramidalis,  both  white  and  blue, 
so  effective  in  many  ways. — A. 
