Oct6be-‘  29,  1898. 
journal  op  EORflCULTURP  APtt>  OOTTAOP  GARDENER, 
41^1 
CHRYSANTHEMUM  SHOW. 
KENT  COUNTY.— OCTOBEK  28th  and  29Th. 
This  show  was  opened  in  the  Rink,  Blackheath,  on  Wednesday,  and 
was  the  first  of  the  several  metropolitan  exhibitions.  Taken  as  a  whole 
the  show  was  a  very  good  one,  especially  in  the  cut  bloom  section,  but 
groups  were  not  qaite  up  to  the  mark.  The  amateurs  staged  largely  and 
well,  but  space  forbids  oar  giving  particulars  of  these  classes.  Fruits 
and  vegetables  were  shown  in  fair  numbers.  We  append  a  list  of  prize¬ 
winners  in  the  chief  classes. 
There  were  five  competitors  in  the  class  for  thirty-six  blooms,  eighteen 
incurved  and  eighteen  Japanese,  distinct,  Mr.  T.  Robinson,  gardener  to 
W.  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Hollingboarne,  being  a  splendid  first.  The  Japanese 
comprised  Madame  Carnot,  Edwin  Molynenx,  Madame  C.  Capitant, 
Mons.  H.  J.  Jones,  Silver  King,  Sunflower,  Viviand  Morel,  Mons.  Georges 
Biron,  Eda  Brass.  C.  Davis,  Beauty  of  Teignmoath,  Mons.  Ch.  Molin, 
J.  Myers,  W.  G.  Newitt,  Col.  W.  B.  Smith,  Mrs.  Harman  Payne,  Reine 
de  I’Angleterre,  and  Marquise  de  Paris.  The  incurved  were  Lord  Wolseley, 
Empress  of  India,  Lucy  Kendall,  C.  Curtis,  Ami  Hoste,  Mr.  J.  Kearne, 
Camille  Flammarion,  Lord  Alcester,  Madame  Barrier,  Triomphe  d’Bve, 
Globe  d’Of,  Mrs.  Heale,  Lady  Slade,  Jeanne  d’Arc,  Madame  Mistral, 
Misa  M.  A.  Haggas,  Brookleigh  Gem,  and  D.  B.  Crane.  The  second 
position  was  taken  by  Mr.  Leadbetter,  gardener  to  A.  G.  Hubbuck,  Esq,, 
Chislehurst,  with  a  good  stand.  Mr.  E.  Payne,  gardener  to  C.  J.  Whit¬ 
tington,  Esq,,  Elmhurst,  Bickley,  was  third. 
For  twenty-four  Japanese,  distinct,  Mr.  J.  Blackburn  was  first  with 
a  rather  packed  stand.  Amongst  the  best  were  Hairy  Wonder,  Chas. 
Davis,  Primrose  League,  Viviand  Morel,  E.  G.  Hill,  Sunflower,  and 
Beauty  of  Teignmouth.  The  second  and  third  prizes  went  to  Messrs. 
E.  Payne  and  P.  Waterer,  Esq.,  Fawkham,  in  the  order  of  their  names. 
For  a  group  of  Chrysanthemums  Mr.  T.  Dobson,  Lee,  was  first  ;  Mr. 
Holland,  Lee  Park  Nurseries,  second  ;  and  Mr.  C.  Birch,  Lee,  third. 
Mr.  J.  Blackburne,  gardener  to  J,  Scott,  Esq.,  jun.,  Chislehurst, 
secured  the  premier  prize  for  twelve  distinct  Japanese  with  a  good  even 
stand  of  well  coloured  blooms.  The  varieties  were  Chas.  Davis,  Prim¬ 
rose  League,  Viviand  Morel,  Mons.  Grayer,  G.  C.  Schwabe,  Phoebus, 
Dorothy  Shea,  International,  E.  G.  Hill,  Mutual  Friend,  Van  den  Heede, 
and  Colonel  W.  B.  Smith.  Mr.  A.  J.  Dodd,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Campion, 
Red  Hill,  was  a  capital  second  ;  and  Mr.  H.  Hurst,  gardener  to  W.  F. 
Holland,  Esq.,  Bexley,  a  fair  third.  There  were  ten  competitors  in  this 
class. 
The  first  prize  for  six  white  Japanese  went  to  Mr.  J.  Blackburne 
with  charming  examples  of  W.  G.  Newitt ;  the  second  to  Mr.  E.  Russell, 
gardener  to  T.  Pimm,  Esq.,  Crayford,  with  Pride  of  Maidenhead  ;  and 
the  third  to  Mr.  J.  Knapp,  gardener  to  F.  W;  Amsden,  Esq.,  Croydon, 
with  Marie  Hoste.  For  six  coloured  Japs  Mr.  C.  Twinn,  gardener  to 
G.  W.  Bird,  Esq.,  West  Wickham,  was  first  with  Chas.  Davis  in  fine 
form;  P.  Waterer,  Esq,  second  with  good  Col.  B.  Smith;  and  Mr. 
M.  North,  Catford,  third  with  Viviand  Morel. 
The  amateurs’  class  for  twelve,  distinct,  Japanese  went  to  W.  Weeks, 
Esq.,  Windmore  Road,  Bromley,  with  very  creditable  flowers.  R.  J. 
Worthington,  Esq ,  Plumstead  Common,  was  second,  and  H.  A.  Eliot, 
Esq  ,  Lee,  third.  Mr.  A.  J.  Dodd  was  first  for  six  Japanese,  distinct, 
Mr.  W.  Harvey,  Chislehurst,  being  second,  and  W.  Laurence,  Esq., 
third. 
For  six  incurved,  distinct,  Mr.  A.  J.  Dodd  was  first  with  Mrs.  R.  C. 
Kingston,  Mons,  R.  Bahuant,  Madame  Dirrier,  Prince  Alfred,  Queen  of 
England,  and  Baron  Hirsch.  Mr.  W.  Harvey  was  second,  and  Mr, 
T.  Robinson  third.  There  were  classes  set  apart  for  Pompons,  Anemones, 
and  refiexed  flowers,  and  some  good  specimens  were  noticed.  Amongst 
the  winners  were  Messrs.  Leadbetter,  E.  Russell,  F,  Moore,  J.  Knapp, 
and  T.  Couldrey.  ' 
There  were  apparently  only  two  competitors  in  the  class  for 
twelve  incurved,  distinct.  Mr.  J.  Lyne,  gardener  to  H.  F.  Tiarks, 
Esq.,  Foxbury,  Chislehurst,  was  an  easy  first  with  Alfred  Salter,  Globe 
d’Or,  Jeanne  d’Atc,  John  Lambert,  Baron  Hirsch,  Mrs.  J,  Murray,  Lord 
Wolseley,  Brookleigh  Gem,  Madame  Darrier,  Empress  of  India,  Charles 
H.  Curtis,  and  Refulgens.  Mr.  T.  0.-!man,  gardener  to  L.  J.  Baker,  Esq , 
Ottershaw  Park,  Chertsey,  was  the  second  prizetaker. 
Mr.  Leadbetter  was  the  winner  of  the  prize  offered  by  H.  F.  Tiarks, 
Esq.,  the  President  of  the  Society,  for  twenty-four  blooms,  distinct,  eight 
of  each — Japanese,  incurved,  and  reflexed.  The  Japs  were  C.  Davis, 
Mutual  Friend,  Beauty  of  Teignmouth,  Violetta,  Mons.  G.  Biron,  Mdlle. 
Marie  Hoste,  Colonel  W.  B.  Smith,  and  Graphic.  The  incurved  com¬ 
prised  Lori  Alcester,  Prince  Alfred,  M.  P.  Martignac,  Mrs.  R.  C, 
Kingston,  Madame  Barrier,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Globe  d’Or,  and  Empress  of 
India.  Reflexed  represented  were  Dorothy  Gibson,  Mdlle.  Teizer,  R.  S. 
Smith,  Cloth  of  Gold,  King  of  Crimsons,  Marquise  de  Clappiers,  Aurore, 
and  Amy  Furze.  Mr.  F.  Moore  was  second,  and  Mr.  J.  Lyne  third. 
Miscellaneous  exhibits,  though  not  numerous,  were  of  good'  quality. 
Messrs.  G.  Bunyard  &  Co,,  Maidstone,  staged  a  fine  collection  of  Pears 
and  Apples  ;  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  flowering  and  foliage  plants  with 
fruit;  and  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Lewisham,  a  splendid  group  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums. 
EXTKACT  FHOM  A  LEOTUBK  ON  “FOODS,”  BV  Da.  ANDBEW  WILSON.— “The 
conBumption  of  cocoa  happily  Increases  year  by  jear  I  say ‘happily,’ because,  as  tea 
and  coffee  are  noc  foods,  while  cocoa  is  a  true  food,  any  increase  in  the  national 
nutrition  means  an  increase  in  the  national  prosperity.  Winter,  besides,  is  close  upon 
us,  and  I  advise  those  who  are  susceptible  to  colds  to  fortify  themselves  against  chill 
by  attention  to  their  food.  The  easiest  way  of  effecting  this  end  for  manv  is  to 
substitute  cocoa  (Epps's  being  the  most  nutritious)  for  tea  and  coffee,”— [Ad vt.] 
THE  TORCH  THISTLE. 
It  has  occurred  to  me  that  the  appended  list  of  plants  grown  in  a 
Pine  stove  in  1762,  as  written  on  the  flyleaf  of  a  copy  of  Philip  Miller’s 
“  Gardeners’  Dictionary  ”  now  in  my  possession,  may  be  interesting  to 
some  of  your  readers.  Unfortunately  there  is  neither  the  writer’s 
signature  nor  the  name  of  the  place  where  the  garden  was  situated.  I 
give  it  verbatim.  “List  of  what  are  grown  in  the  Pine  stove,  1762  : — 
Pine  Plants,  Sensible  Plant,  Humble  Plant,  Sweet-scented  Geranium, 
Indian  Pepper,  Barbadoes  Parsley,  Ice  Plant,  Capsicum,  Indian  Peas, 
Perdmon  Tree,  Tupelo  Tree,  Balsams,  white,  red,  and  varicated ; 
Amaranthus,  Coxcomb  and  Tricolor ;  Jacobine  Tulips,  Eight-.sided 
Ficoides,  Creeping  Cereus,  Serpentine  or  Serpent’s  Toung  Aloes,  Aloes, 
Eaphorbinm  or  Torch  Thistle,  2  Cocos  Nutt  Trees.  Septr.  ye  20fch,  1752, 
Hura  or  Sandbox  Tree  seeds.  Octobr.  ye  - ,  1752.”  (Date  wanting. 
— W.  G.)  Evidently  the  writer  intended  a  Cereus  instead  of  Euphor- 
bium  for  Torch  Thistle.  Miller  remarks  in  his  graphic  and  interesting 
description  of  a  dozen  species  of  Cereus  :  “  It  is  called  Cereus  because 
it  is,  as  it  were,  a  kind  of  taper  or  torch,  which  the  servants  carry  on 
nights  before  their  masters.  Not  that  it  is  called  so  from  its  resemblance 
to  a  torch,  but  because  when  these  plants  have  been  cat  down  and  dried 
upon  the  ground  they  dip  them  into  oil,  and  burn  them  as  torches,  for 
which  purpose  they  serve  very  well.”  Ajyropo.f  of  this,  however, 
Johnson’s  "  Gardeners’  Dictionary  ”  has  the  following  version  “  From 
Cereus,  waxy  ;  referring  to  the  fact  that  some  of  the  species  are  as 
pliant  as  soft  wax,  while  others  are  as  brittle  as  wax  tapers.” — W ILDIAM 
Gardiner,  Harborne,  Birmingham. 
WORKfo^theWEEK.. 
^  ^  inf 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Cucumbers. — To  keep  the  plants  in  a  healthy,  fruitful  condition 
the  night  temperature  should  be  maintained  at  66°,  6°  more  in  mild 
weather,  and  5°  less  in  the  morning  when  sharp  frosty  nights  occur  ; 
70°  to  75°  in  the  daytime  by  artificial  means,  advancing  to  80°  and  85° 
or  more  from  sun  heat.  Whenever  the  weather  is  favourable  a  little 
air  may  be  admitted  at  the  top  of  the  house,  being  careful  not  to  lower 
the  temperature  or  admit  a  current  of  cold  air,  as  that  cripples  the 
foliage,  it  being  better  when  the  weather  is  cold  to  shut  off  the  top  heat 
for  an  hour  or  two  when  the  sun  is  powerful  than  to  admit  air  when  the 
winds  are  sharp.  Some  growers,  especially  those  producing  fruit  for 
market,  dispense  with  ventilation  altogether,  thus  securing  a  somewhat 
high  temperature  when  the  days  are  bright,  and  the  plants  put  on  plenty 
of  substance,  especially  in  the  fruit.  Ventilation  tends  more  to  solidi¬ 
fication  of  growths  than  to  increase  of  parts,  and  for  this  reason,  also 
making  the  most  of  sun  heat,  ventilation  is  little  practised  by  growers 
for  market,  as  the  quicker  the  produce  comes  in  and  the  more  of  it  the 
better  from  a  paying  point  of  view.  The  paths  and  walls  will  need 
damping  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  of  fine  days ;  but  the  syringe 
mast  not  be  used  to  the  foliage  unless  the  days  are  exceptionally  bright, 
and  then  soon  after  midday.  The  water  or  liquid  manure  given  to  the 
roots  must  be  of  the  same  temperature  as  the  house,  as  also  must  the  soil 
given  to  the  beds.  It  is  advisable  to  keep  the  plants  somewhat  drier  at 
the  roots  than  during  the  bright  and  hot  days  of  summer,  being  careful 
not  to  overwater,  as  when  the  soil  becomes  sodden  the  plants  seldom  do 
any  good. 
Autumn-fruiting  plants  are  now  in  full  bearing,  and  the  fruits  in 
much  request  for  shooting  parties.  The  plants  having  plenty  of  stamina 
in  them  and  not  being  overcroppel,  will  continue  to  bear  fruit  a  con¬ 
siderable  time  longer.  It  is  also  necessary  to  remove  the  fruit  as  soon  as 
it  becomes  a  useable  size,  and  all  deformed  fruit  when  seen,  as  these 
needlessly  weaken  the  plants.  Attend  to  the  plants  once  or  twice  a 
week  for  the  removal  of  bad  leaves,  stopping  irregular  and  cutting  out 
superfluous  growths.  If  mildew  appear  dust  the  affected  parts  with 
flowers  of  sulphur  on  its  first  appearance,  as  nothing  will  restore  crippled 
foliage  after  it  has  made  such  by  attacks  of  the  parasite.  The  fungicides 
in  powder  are  very  effectual  against  this  pest,  and  a  less  amount  suffices 
than  of  sulphur  ;  or  form  the  sulphur  into  a  paste  with  skim  milk  and 
brush  a  little  on  the  hot-water  pipes,  it  acts  well  against  mildew,  red 
spider,  and  “  white  fly,”  being  a  means  of  keeping  the  whole  three  in 
subjection.  Aphides  should  be  subdued  by  fumigation  with  tobacco 
smoke,  good  tobacco  paper  or  rag  answering  well,  also  the  advertised 
self-acting  articles,  and  vapourisation  with  nicotine,  the  latter  killing 
bug  and  even  scale,  only  in  the  latter  case  the  fumes  operate  before  the 
young  scale  has  become  “  fixed,” 
Winter-fruiting  plants  are  by  far  the  most  diffionlt  to  manage.  The 
great  thing  is  to  get  them  well  established  and  furnished  with  sturdy 
growths  and  thick  leathery  leaves,  letting  the  shoots  advance  well  up 
the  trellis  before  stopping  them,  training  the  side  growths  evenly,  and 
not  more  closely  than  to  allow  of  the  foliage  being  well  exposed  to  light. 
Stop  the  side  growths  after  a  few  good  leaves  are  made,  and  the 
growths  Issuing  from  the  wood  left  will  show  plenty  of  fruits,  and  each 
may  be  stopped  one  or  two  joints  beyond  it.  This  will  secure  foliage 
for  accelerating  root  action  and  the  proper  nourishment  of  the  fruit. 
