Noyember  26,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
523 
-I - 
■are  wanted,  and  as  the  pfardenera’  subscription  Is  only  28,  6d,  per 
4innum  the  Society  only  needs  to  be  known  In  order  to  be  put  on  a  firm 
financial  and  useful  basis. — bbdfordiexsxs. 
E  THE  JUDGING  AT  YORK  SHOW. 
P  It  is  with  some  diffidence  that  I  solicit  space  in  your  valuable  paper 
to  bring  before  the  readers  of  the  Journal  of  Horiicxdture  the  erratic 
,  actions  of  the  Judges  at  the  show  held  at  York  on  the  18th,  ]9bh,  and 
1,1  20th  inst.,  in  connection  with  the  fruit  classes.  Throughout  these  classes 
the  decision  of  the  Judges  was  severely  criticised.  The  most  peculiar 
action,  which  amounts  to  injustice,  was  in  the  class  for  six  kinds  of 
i!  dessert  fruits,  including  two  varieties  each  of  Grapes,  Pears,  and  Apples, 
r  In  this  class  exhibitor  No.  2  showed  Emperor  Alexander  Apple  as  one 
of  his  dishes,  and,  to  his  consternation,  the  Judges  disqualified  him  for 
doing  so,  as  they  seemed  to  think  it  a  cooking  variety  only.  The  variety 
in  question  is  "tender,  crisp,  juicy,  and  sugary,  and  has  a  pleasant  and 
slightly  aromatic  flavour  ”  {vide  Dr.  Hogg’s  “  Fruit  Manual  ”).  It  is 
classed  in  all  the  principal  nurserymen’s  catalogues  as  suitable  for  either 
i  cooking  or  dessert, 
;  When  exhibitors  are  treated  in  this  manner  is  there  any  wonder 
^  that  dissatisfaction  finds  its  way  to  the  pages  of  the  horticultural 
1,  periodicals?  In  this  case  I  apprehend  there  can  be  no  reason 
^  why  the  exhibitor  should  not  claim  compensation  for  the  damage 
sustained  by  his  summary  exclusion.  I  conclude  the  Society  is 
;/  responsible  for  the  work  of  those  it  appoints  to  determine  the  merits 
fc  '  of  the  various  exhibits.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  above  case, 
Mr.  Editor  ? — J.  Riddeli,,  Castle  Howard. 
[If  we  had  been  judging  we  should  have  given  the  Apples  the  points 
F,  to  which  we  thought  them  entitled,  but  not  so  many  as  to  first-class 
K.  samples  of  Cox’s  Orange  or  Ribston  Pippin.] 
I'  -  THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
I  L'seful  Plants  for  Table  Decoration. 
{Continued  from  page  500.) 
Aralias. — Like  the  Lilies  of  the  field,  we  might  say  of  Aralias, 
“  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these.”  How 
I'  graceful  they  arel  Aralia  gracillima,  A.  elegantissima,  A.  Yeitchi, 
A.  Regina,  and  A.  Kerchoveana  are  conspicuous  plants  for  table 
embellishment.  If  provided  with  a  compost  of  sandy  loam  and  leaf 
mould,  a  day  temperature  of  65°  to  68°  or  70°,  followed  by  about  60°  at 
;v  night,  and  adequate  moisture,  we  may  expect  good  plants,  and  others 
imay  be  raised  from  cuttings.  Slight  shading  is  necessary  for  their 
;■  welfare.  Cultural  details  are  concise  no  doubt,  but  the  writer  expects 
the  necessary  adjuncts  of  plant  cleaning,  airing,  and  general  sweetness 
I  of  surrounding  elements  to  be  classed  in  the  ordinary  routine  of  plant 
^  cultivation. 
Asparagus  plumosus  nanus,  when  grown  properly,  is  very  pleasing, 
,  and  if  taken  when  in  6-inch  or  6-inch  pots,  and  trained  rather  negli- 
gently  to  stakes,  it  has  a  charming  effect.  Sandy  loam  and  leaf  mould 
I  with  perfect  drainage  are  essential,  but  avoid  syringing.  Such  treat- 
f  meat,  though  simple,  will  produce  just  what  we  desire.  Only  a 
r,  moderate  supply  of  water  is  necessary.  Asparagus  can  be  propagated 
Ft'  by  means  of  se^  sown  in  spring.  Place  the  pans  or  pots  in  the  propa- 
\  gating  pit ;  pot  as  need  requires.  The  practice  of  propagation  by  division 
!  can  also  be  adopted. 
Iv  Another  wee  gem  is  Panax  Victoria.  Two  parts  of  peat  to  one  of 
loam  with  a  little  silver  sand,  answer  for  potting  compost.  Slight 
■  shading  in  summer  and  syringing  the  foliage,  tend  to  promote  health 
J"  and  beauty. 
/  Pandanus  Yeitchi  and  P.  omatus  are  indispensable.  Pot  firmly  in 
‘  good  sandy  loam  and  water  freely.  Cuttings  arc  taken  in  spring  from 
the  side  shoots  of  older  plants. 
^  ’  Ananassa  sativa  variegata  is  perhaps  rather  stiff,  but  when  in  a  young 
!’■’  state  any  fault  inclining  in  that  way  is  compensated  for  by  the  richness 
i  of  colour  in  the  leaves.  Use  genprous  loam,  adding  a  small  quantity  of 
r  vegetable  mould  and  pot  very  firmly.  A  strong  bottom  heat  greatly 
ft  deepens  the  colour.  A  high  temperature  is  necessary  for  raising  plants 
I  from  seed. 
Coleuses  are  frequently  used  as  centrepieces.  Minstrel  Boy,  Sensa¬ 
tion,  Sunbeam,  and  Phoebus  are  good  old  varieties.  Cutting  or  seed, 
and  these  inserted  almost  any  time,  though  best  in  October,  potting  and 
^  pinching  as  the  plants  advance  in  growth.  Loam  and  peat  with  a  little 
R  sand  form  a  suitable  compost. 
In  Bambnsa  gracilis  we  have  a  very  fine  Grass,  not  often  used,  but 
still  good.  It  luxuriates  in  sandy  loam  and  vegetable  mould,  with  an 
abundant  supply  of  water.  Raise  from  seeds  in  a  temperature  of  66°. 
Ferns  !  What  should  we  do  without  Ferns  ?  Gymnogrammas 
Laucheans  and  chrysophylla,  grown  in  good  fibrous  peat,  loam,  leaf 
mould,  and  sand  are  effective,  and  will  stand  fairly  strong  sunshine; 
Nephrolepis  compacts,  loam,  leaf  mould,  sand,  and  a  double  quantity  of 
peat,  used  lumpy  ;  Lastrea  lepida,  leaf  mould,  peat,  and  sand,  equal ; 
Pteris  cristata  gracilis  and  Nephrolepis  hirta  cristate  are  serviceable  when 
It  young.  Of  the  Adiantnms,  A.  gracillimum,  farleyense,  Williarasi,  and 
It  the  native  capillus-Veueris  may  all  be  employed.  Heat,  shade,  and 
V  moisture  are  three  essentials  in  growing  these  Ferns. 
-  From  the  greenhouse  section  we  select  Grevillea  robusta.  Sow  in 
fairly  rich  soil  at  any  time  of  the  year.  The  seeds  are  long  in  germinat- 
!■>  ing,  and  ought  to  be  carefully  watered.  Sow  in  a  4-inch  pot,  placing 
on  the  surface  of  the  soil,  and  raise  the  plants  in  a  close  frame  or  pit 
Their  culture  is  simple.  Small  Fuchsias  when  in  full  bloom  add  a 
charm  to  the  dinner  table. 
Many  small  bulbs  may  also  be  used.  Miniature  and  Roman 
Hyacinths,  Anemones,  and  various  Lilies.  Pot  and  grow  in  the  usual 
manner,  and  when  these  are  in  bloom  remove  them  from  the  pots  and 
lessen  the  root  balls.  Arrange  them  tastefully  in  vases  and  basins 
with  moss  and  small  Maidenhair  Perns  interspersed,  and  a  pleasing 
effect  will  be  produced. — A  YoUNa  Scot. 
E.\ch  for  All— The  Path  of  Duty. 
I  CANNOT  concur  with  J.  Wiggins  in  his  remarks  on  “  Bothy  Life,” 
page  4.54,  where  he  maintains  that  the  comforts  of  young  gardeners 
chiefly  depend  on  the  foreman.  I  admit  the  foreman  should  set  a  good 
example ;  but  even  though  he  be  in  possession  of  sterling  qualities,  is 
he  always  imitated  ?  I  fail  to  see  how  we  can  be  made  to  feel  comfort¬ 
able  unless  one  and  all  contribute  towards  that  comfort.  We  should 
endeavour  to  act  on  the  maxim  “  each  for  all ;  ”  for  when  each  seeks 
the  good  of  all  in  a  society,  the  happiness  of  each  is  increased  by  all  in 
the  society.  Again,  I  think  that  head  gardeners  as  a  rule  discriminate 
wisely  in  the  selection  of  their  foreman,  knowing  with  what  responsi- 
FIG.  90.— CTPRIPEDIUM  CHARLESWORTHI.  (Seepage  m.) 
bility  he  will  become  invested  ;  although  perhaps  they  are  not  always 
fortunate  enough  in  obtaining  a  pattern  of  excellence,  they  generally 
satisfy  themselves  with  regard  to  his  character. 
Passing  on  to  the  latter  part  of  J,  Wiggins’  note,  one  seems  to  read 
along  the  lines  a  few  touches  of  despair,  as  if  he  were  peering  into  a 
hazy  future.  But  why  be  disheartened,  even  if  we  must  necessarily 
content  ourselves  with  a  single-handed  place  ?  The  article  that  appeared 
in  these  columns  recently,  from  the  pen  of  “A  Single-handed  Gardener,” 
confirms  the  fact  that  happiness  is  to  be  found  there. 
We  must  not  be  too  fastidious,  but  cultivate  patience,  and  all  will 
be  well  with  us.  Whatever  the  vocation,  we  should  strive  to  apply  our 
energy  assiduously.  Ignore  the  theatre  and  the  billiard  table,  and  get 
hold  of  the  right  “  cue  ”  for  work.  Be  assured  that  he  who  acquits 
himself  creditably  is  most  likely  to  emerge  from  the  obscure  ;  and  even 
if  we  do  sometimes  feel  that  our  efforts  are  met  with  a  cooling 
acknowledgement,  we  may  have  pleasure  in  looking  back  on  time  well 
spent  and  work  well  done. — A.  H.,  Staffs. 
Notes  in  Season. 
I  CONSIDER  the  privilege  set  before  us  in  the  “  Young  Gardeners’ 
Domain  ”  ought  to  be  utilis^,  and  I  think  the  time  has  now  come  when 
we  should  try  and  show  our  seniors  that  we  are  capable  of  writing 
sensible  notes,  and  making  our  page  interesting  even  to  them,  as  I  am 
certain  they  would  appreciate  our  first  attempts  at  literature,  and  be 
pleased  to  see  good  use  being  made  of  the  space  allotted  to  us. 
Autumn  has  passed  away  with  the  tinted  grandeur  of  the  falling 
leaf,  leaving  the  attractive  Cratsegns  and  Holly  berries  behind  to  tell 
the  tale  of  the  past  summer.  The  beds  and  borders  that  were  but  a 
short  while  ago  a  mass  of  verdant  growth  and  flowers  are  now  laid  bare 
for  the  reception  of  Winter’s  share  of  work.  Some  sharp  frosts  have 
already  occurred  daring  the  last  few  weeks  that  have  reminded  us  of 
its  approach. 
