September  17,  1893. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
281 
“  Both  report  and  balance  sheet  were  adopted  on  the  motion  of 
Archdeacon  Willis,  seconded  by  Mr,  Dyer.  Mr,  Wells  said  the  Society 
had  now  completed  its  fifth  year,  and  had  increased  both  in  numbers 
and  financially,  a  most  gratifying  result,” 
We  feel  sure  that  our  readers  will  join  with  us  in  offering  congratula¬ 
tions  to  our  brothers  of  the  Antipodes,  who  are  doing  so  much  to 
popularise  our  popular  flower  on  the  other  side  of  the  globe. 
THE  FLORAL  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  AUTUMN. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque  of  the  seasons,  and  yet  it  has  aspects 
and  suggestions  of  sadness  which  instinctively  remind  us  that  winter 
is  not  very  far  away.  With  the  exception  of  the  robin  and  the  ringdove 
all  other  musical  sounds  are  silent  in  the  groves  ;  there  is  a  perceptible 
transformation  of  colour  in  the  leaves  of  the  trees,  many  of  which  are 
already  touched  with  decay.  Notwithstanding  the  frequent  strong 
gleams  of  warm  sunlight  there  is  a  difference  in  the  atmosphere,  which, 
beneath  all  its  outward  brightness,  cannot  fail  to  be  observed.  Most  of 
the  wild  flowers  of  the  waysides  and  woodlands,  with  the  exception  of 
the  almost  perpetual  Campion  and  a  few  others  of  less  prominence,  have 
already  disappeared  ;  an  occasional  smile  of  the  fragrant  Honeysuckle 
is  shining  through  the  darkness  of  our  Scottish  glens  like  a  rapidly 
fading  memory  of  the  glory  of  July.  Even  the  flowers  of  the  Heather 
and  wild  Heath  on  those  western  rocks  that  tower  above  the  Atlantic 
are  fast  fading  away. 
Nevertheless,  the  “Garden  that  I  Love”  is  marvellously  bright  and 
attractive  at  this  period  of  the  year.  Of  the  many  fair  pictures  it 
presents,  those  of  Tropaeolum  speciosum  are  assuredly  the  most  impres¬ 
sive.  On  several  old  trees  and  high  Hawthorn  hedges  it  has  reachtd 
an  elevation  of  15  feet,  at  which  height  it  is  throwing  out  in  lavish  pro¬ 
fusion  its  dazzlingly  brilliant  vermilion  flowers.  “  Ah  1  that  lovely 
Tropseolum  1  ”  says  the  Dean  of  Eochester  in  one  of  his  many  letters  to 
myself,  “  which  will  not  bloom  in  England,  but  clothes  your  cottage 
walls  in  Scotland  with  such  abundant  glory.  I  plant  and  plant,  and 
receive  much  encouragement,  and  then — farewell.”  The  Tropmolum  is 
a  plant  that  loves  coolness  and  moisture,  and  this,  perhaps,  is  the  reason 
why  in  sultry  southern  England  it  does  not  succeed.  The  Rev.  H.  H. 
D’Ombrain  informs  me  in  a  recent  communication  that  he  has  frequently 
attempted  its  cultivation,  like  the  Dean,  without  success. 
Another  flower  which  is  very  beautiful  in  my  garden  at  present  is 
Ipomaea  purpurea,  also  called  Convolvulus  major,  a  native  of  tropical 
America,  which  nevertheless  succeeds,  and  flowers  luxuriantly  here  on  a 
warm  western  wall.  Though  termed  purpurea  its  blooms  are  of  varied 
colours,  ranging  from  deep  rose  and  dark  purple  to  pure  white.  Every 
morning,  like  Tigridia  pavonia,  it  is  seen  in  the  full  freshness  of  its 
graceful  beauty,  but  unless  the  day  prove  cool  and  shadowy  it  has 
entirely  faded  by  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  Since  I  wrote  my 
contribution  entitled  “  The  Promise  of  Autumn,”  Tigridia  graudiflora 
alba  has  come  into  bloom.  It  is  doubtless  a  beautiful  flower,  but  I 
regard  it  as  much  less  artistic  in  aspect  than  T.  pavonia,  its  more  highly 
endowed  sister,  which  for  superbly  effective  colour  could  not  easily  be 
surpassed.  I  am  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  the  evanescence  of  the 
flowers  of  the  Tigridia  is  entirely  attributable  to  their  remarkable 
perpetuality,  each  stem  continuing  to  produce  new  blooms  almost  daily 
tor  nearly  two  months.  Even  from  this  point  of  view  its  nature  is 
unique.  Associated  with  the  Tigridias  in  my  garden  are  the 
contemporary  (Enotheras,  highly  fragrant,  and  like  Nicotiana  affinis, 
which  adorns  the  same  border,  moth-fertilised. 
It  would  be  difflcult  to  overestimate  the  value  of  the  Sweet  Peas, 
especially  at  this  season,  for  garden  ornamentation.  Here,  like  the 
various  forms  of  Tropasolum,  they  grow  up  through  the  branches  of 
venerable  trees,  and  flower  profusely  at  a  commanding  height.  The 
great  Nasturtium,  when  grown  in  a  similarly  picturesque  manner,  is 
equally  decorative,  but  it  has  not  that  fragrance  which  is  one  of  its 
rival’s  most  delightful  characteristics; 
Many  of  my  Roses  are  at  present  very  fine,  especially  those  varieties 
such  as  A.  K.  Williams,  Marie  Baumann,  Medea,  Madame  Hoste,  Madame 
Pernet  Ducher,  Marie  Van  Houite,  La  France,  and  Caroline  Testout, 
which  are  especially  distinguished  as  splendid  autumnal  bloomers. 
Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  perhaps  the  finest  of  all  Teutonic  Roses,  has 
proved  itself  of  late  a  very  great  acquisition.  Its  colour  is  most 
fascinating — almost  white,  deepening  to  palest  yellow  in  the  centre. 
Its  form  is  nearly  perfect,  and  it  is  remarkably  full.  Another  Rose  of 
recent  introduction,  of  somewhat  softer  and  more  satiny  texture, 
Marjorie,  is  a  most  interesting  addition  to  the  race  of  Hybrid  Teas.  It 
is  likely  to  prove  a  universal  favourite  by  reason  of  the  attributes  to 
which  I  have  referred.  If  its  petals  are  not  so  firm  or  compact  as  those 
of  the  Kaiserin,  they  have  much  more  delicacy,  and  their  snowy  white 
hue,  faintly  flushed  with  rose,  is  of  exquisite  suggestiveness. 
Liliums  auiatum  and  virginale,  longiflorum,  Harrisi,  and  tigrinum 
splendens  are  at  present  in  glorious  bloom,  and  the  widely  varied 
varieties  of  that  sweetest  of  Lilies,  L.  speciosum,  which  cannot  be  too 
extensively  cultivated  in  our  gardens,  are  rapidly  approaching  their 
full  floral  development.  Of  these  the  finest  and  most  strongly  con¬ 
trasted  in  colour  are  Kraetzeri  and  Melpomene,  which,  if  only  for 
this  special  reason,  should  be  included  by  cultivators  of  Oriental 
Lilies  and  their  hybrids  in  every  collection  that  is  worthy  of  the 
name.  Their  culture  is  not  exacting,  and  their  artistic  influence  is 
supreme.— David  R.  Williamsoh. 
LIVERPOOL  NOTES. 
.Liveepool  Amateue  Gabdenees’  association. 
The  usual  monthly  meeting  was  held  in  the  Common  Hall,  Hackins 
Hey,  Liverpool,  on  Thursday  last,  the  President,  Mr.  E.  J.  Butcher,  in 
the  chair.  The  paper  for  the  evening  was  read  by  Mr.  J.  Hathaway, 
late  of  Lathom  House  and  now  Superintendent  of  Heskett  Paik, 
Southport,  the  title  being  the  “  Cultivation  of  Hardy  Fruit.”  At  the 
outset  he  spoke  of  the  knowledge  amateurs  should  possess  before  being 
able  to  grow  fiuit  successfully,  and  said  at  the  present  that  they  had 
not  sufficient  to  grow  fruit  profitably.  Soil,  manure,  drainage,  planting, 
and  pruning  were  all  treated  on  in  a  thorough  practical  way. 
In  pruning  always  cut  upward  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  cut  off  close 
to  a  bud.  He  strongly  impressed  the  necessity  of  fruit  trees  not  being 
crowded.  Summer  pruning  was  of  great  importance,  beginning  with 
the  upper  part  of  the  tree  first,  then  leave  for  two  or  three  wee&  and 
finish  the  lower  half.  If  trees  are  too  robust  and  produce  no  fruit  root- 
pruning  should  be  resorted  to  after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  replacing  the 
old  soil  in  preference  to  new  after  the  operation  is  completed.  Goose¬ 
berries  should  be  protected  from  sparrows  by  placing  two  uprights  on 
each  side  of  the  trees  and  stretching  black  cotton  across.  He  believed 
that  the  Black  Currant  mite  could  not  be  eradicated  when  once 
infesting  the  trees.  The  best  means  to  prevent  the  fly  depositing  its  eggs 
was  to  syringe  the  bushes  with  quassia  chips  and  softsoap  at  the  end 
of  July  or  beginning  of  August. 
Interesting  questions  were  asked  by  Messrs.  Butcher,  Yates,  Langley 
and  Drake,  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  being  proposed  and  seconded  by 
Messrs.  Langley  and  Ardran.  A  pleasing  feature  of  the  meeting  was 
that  the  exhibits  were  sent  to  the  Children’s  Infirmary,  Myrtle  Street, 
Liverpool,  a  custom  which  is  to  be  heartily  commended  to  all  similar 
societies,  bringing,  as  it  does,  joy  and  pleasure  to  little  sufferers  from 
the  town,  and  pleasing  memories  to  those  who  have  been  removed  from 
their  country  home,  with  all  its  beautiful  surroundings,  to  the  din  and 
bustle  of  our  busy  city. 
Our  Liverpool  amateurs  do  not  go  half-hearted  about  their  work,  for 
large  collections  of  fruit,  flowers,  honey.  Tomatoes,  Lavender  scent 
bags  for  linen,  and  many  other  useful  things  too  numerous  to  mention 
were  willingly  brought.  What  a  feast  on  the  morrow  for  the  little  ones 
to  loik  upon  would  these  kind  gifts  create,  and  how  much  more  might 
be  done  in  this  direction  if  one  would  only  stop  to  think.  The  prize 
offered  by  Mrs,  Isaac  C.  Glover,  wife  of  one  of  the  Joint  Hon.  Secretaries 
of  the  Society,  for  the  best  exhibit  suitable  as  an  offering  for  the 
Hospital,  was  divided  between  Miss  Edwards  and  Mr.  A.  W.  Ardran. 
The  monthly  prizes  awarded  were  as  follows  : — Aster  blooms,  Mr. 
Robins.  Tomatoes— very  fine — first  and  certificate,  Mr.  A.  W.  Ardran 
second,  Mr.  Dale.  Three  bunches  of  cut  flowers.  Miss  Edwards.  Cactus 
Dahlias,  Mr.  Morris,  first,  Mr.  Ardran,  second.  Single  Dahlias,  Mr.. 
J.  C.  Langley.  Mr.  Caddick  winning  first  and  certificate  with  handsome 
Lilium  blooms. — R.  I’.  R. 
ALNWICK  SEEDLING  GRAPE. 
Refeeeing  to  Mr.  Abbey’s  remarks  and  the  accompanying  woodcutv 
page  232  of  the  Jourtal,  I  am  venturing  to  forward  you  a  sample 
bunch  of  the  above  named  Grape.  The  bunch  sent  is  one  of  eighty - 
seven  growing  on  one  Vine.  I  ought  to  explain,  though,  that  while  it  is 
in  reality  one  Vine  it  has  several  sets  of  roots.  Some  seventeen  years 
since,  when  replanting  a  vinery,  we  put  one  Vine  of  Alnwick  at  the  end 
of  a  row  of  supernumeraries  along  the  centre  of  the  inside  border, 
intending  if  it  did  not  succeed  to  cut  it  out  with  the  rest  when  the 
permanent  Vines  planted  along  the  front  came  into  bearing. 
From  the  first  the  Grape  in  question  did  well,  setting  practically  as 
well  as  a  Hamburgh.  We  took  up  one  exti  a  rod  after  the  first  year,  thus 
making  two  fruiting  rods.  We  then  cut  out  the  ones  intended  as 
permanent,  allowing  the  Alnwick  to  take  their  place.  After  a  few  years, 
finding  it  to  continue  producing  fine  fruit,  we  took  one  of  the  rods  and 
“  layered  ”  it  all  along  the  front  of  the  border,  and  cut  out  all  the 
intended  permanent  Vines,  and  took  up  seven  rods  from  the  layered  stem 
3  feet  apart,  thus  filling  the  vinery  for  26  feet  of  its  length  with  this 
variety.  We  did  not  sever  the  rod  from  the  parent  stem.  The  one  not 
layered  is  still  fruiting  all  the  length  of  the  rafter. 
The  crop  this  year  is  about  an  average  one,  though  the  berries  are 
perhaps  larger  than  usual  in  consequence,  as  I  think,  of  our  adding 
a  yard  wide  of  outdoor  border  two  years  ago,  the  roots  from  the  layered 
stem  having  gone  into  the  new  border  I  know.  The  house  it  is  growing 
in  is  a  roomy  three-quarter  span  one.  The  only  special  treatment  w'e 
give  to  Alnwick  Seedling  is  being  careful  to  draw  the  hand  down  the 
bunches  when  in  flower  so  as  to  disperse  the  exudation  of  syrupy  matter 
on  the  stigma  of  each  flower.  When  doing  this  at  noon  each  day  we 
frequently  do  the  same  to  a  Vine  of  Alicante  growing  in  the  same  1  ouse. 
We  find  Alicante  to  flower  at  the  same  time  as  Alnwick.  We  h»ve  tried 
syringing  them  with  tepid  water,  but  in  our  case  it  did  not  answer  i  o 
well  as  drawing  the  hand  gently  down  each  bunch.  I  think  you  will  find 
some  of  the  berries  are  3^  inches  round. — H.  J.  Clayton,  Grimston 
Tadeaster, 
P.S. — Mr.  Colebrook  of  Grimsby  was  here  the  other  day,  and  was 
surprised  at  our  Alnwicks.  He  said  there  was  money  in  this  Grape  if 
it  could  be  grown  in  the  same  way  in  quantity  for  market  use.  I  know 
of  no  Grape  that  takes  the  eye  more  effectually  when  put  into  a  box  or 
basket.  Last  October  my  employers  gave  a  basket  to  a  bazaar  in  York. 
When  I  took  them  up  to  the  lady  at  the  fruit  stall  the  customers  -very 
