AusrtKt  6,  1898. 
133 
JOVRiXAL  OF  hoirrj(Ru/ruRF 
CotjRT  Hey,  Broad  Green,  j 
the  fruit  crop  with  Mr.  Blsworthy  ii  rather  light.  la  Apples,  1 
Codlins,  Betty  Geeson,  Alfristons,  Bibstons,  and  King  of  Pippins  are  a 
good  average  crop,  others  being  much  below.  Of  Pears,  Jargonelle, 
Williams,  and  Marie  Louise  are  fairly  good,  all  others  being  scantily 
cropped.  Strawberries  were  grand,  but  all  bush  fruits  much  below  the 
average. 
Blacklov.  House,  Robt. 
In  nearly  every  case  the  Apple  crop  is  excellent,  both  early  and  | 
late  sorts,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  trees  have  carried 
heavy  crops  for  several  seasons.  Of  Pears  Williams,  Citron  de 
AM)  COTTACF  OAtlhFXm.  M 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY’S 
EXAMINATIONS, 
In  your  issue  of  the  80th  ult.,  the  reasons  given  by  “A.  D.”  for 
suggesting  the  publication  of  candidates’  answers  differ  considerably 
from  those  he  gave  on  the  16th  July.  Careful  perusal  of  the  conditions 
of  the  test  would  lead  candidates  to  infer  that  equal  marks  are  given 
for  both  practical  and  scientific  sets  of  questions. 
If  “  A,  D.”  could  be  induced  to  follow  the  most  excellent  example 
set  by  “  E.  D.  S.”  in  your  columns  of  June,  1896,  and  give  your  readers 
a  set  of  model  answers  to  the  questions  of  last  May  he  would  confer  a 
great  boon  on  us  all,  and  provide  most  valuable  help  and  encouragement 
Fitt.  28.— CARNATIONS  AT  EATON, 
Carmes,  Fondante  d’Automne,  Prince  Consort,  Chasmontel,  Beurr^s 
Capianmont,  Bose,  and  Diel  are  all  heavily  laden.  I  fnlly  believe  that 
our  Pear  crop  woald  have  been  good  thronghout  had  it  not  been  for  the 
merciless  hailstorm,  which  tore  so  mnch  blossom  from  the  trees.  Bush 
fruits  have  been  the  greatest  crop  on  record  with  as  ;  Black  Currants 
and  Gooseberries  especially  so.  The  local  Halewood  and  Victoria  Plums 
are  all  we  grow  outdoors,  whilst  Cherries  are  poor.  Strawberries  have 
been  good  also , 
If  I  should  give  my  real  opinion  as  to  success  with  old  trees,  I 
should  say  that  they  get  liberally  treated  at  the  roots,  studying  root- 
praning.  When  time  can  be  spared  we  give  a  soaking  of  sewage  water 
before  the  trees  come  into  bloom,  and  when  the  fruit  is  swelling.  Bush 
fruits  are  watered  and  mulched  early  in  April,  as  I  believe  far  greater 
results  are  gained  in  that  way  than  by  any  systematic  lifting  of  the 
trees.  Raspberries  and  Gooseberries  planted  more  than  a  dozen  years, 
and  with  simply  preparing  and  trenching  the  ground  in  the  first  instance, 
and  then  mulching  and  watering,  avoiding  digging,  have  never  failed  to 
carry  grand  crops.— R.  P.  R. 
to  many  a  gardener  now  hesitating  about  presenting  himself  for 
examination.  Except  in  the  case  of  one  obtaining  full  marks  for  his 
answers,  the  publication  of  a  candidate’s  set  of  papers  would  serve  no 
good  practical  purpose.— Practice  with  Science. 
I  THINK  it  would  be  a  good  thing  if  sets  of  answers  to  the  questions 
could  be  published  each  year,  after  the  style  of  “  Guides  to  Science 
Examinations,”  by  Messrs.  Blackie.  These  would  prove  to  be  of  great 
use  to  students,  especially  those  who  have  no  chance  to  attend  lectures 
or  clashes.  Gardeners  generally  are  so  scattered  about  that  they  have  no 
opportunity  to  hear  lectures  or  attend  a  class,  and  are  thus  at  a 
disadvantage  compared  wii  li  those  who  are  better  situated. 
Given  a  class  of  fairly  intelligent  pupils,  a  competent  instructor  can 
work  them  up  (or  cram  them,  if  you  like)  to  such  a  pitch  as  to  secure  a 
good  percentage  of  passes.  But  where  a  candidate  has  to  work  up  the 
subject  himself  it  is  much  more  difficult  for  iiim ,  as  he  does  not  work  so 
willingly  and  has  no  “healthy  rivalry”  to  “spur  him  on.”  As  an 
instance  of  this  in  the  winter  of  1894-;  I  had  the  pleasure  of  sitting 
