iOtIRNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
fiecembeif  17,1896. 
588 
iindei  its  wing,  wbere  thousands  could  not  have  failed  to  see  “  the  noble 
trbet  ”  in  all  it's  glory. 
Apart  from  the  comprehensive  display  of  all  kinds  of  the  Potato 
worth  growing,  and  probably  some  that  are  not,  tbe  lectures  delivered 
by  experts  upon  the  snbiecl  incladed  all  that  cosld  be  said  for  it  as  well 
as  what  could  be  said  against  it.  On  the  latter  part  of  the  question  His 
Fxcelloncy  struck  a  note  of  no  uncertain  sound  by  saying,  “I  wish  to 
express  the  hope,  which  I  trust  all  of  you  share,  that  Ireland  will  not 
continue  to  rely  upon  one  staple  product  for  her  food  ...  so  that,  to 
a  certain  extent,  we  may  be  freed  from  that  dependence  on  the  Potato 
crop  which  must  at  all  times  cause  anxiety.”  Although  it  is  known,  of 
coarse,  that  there  was  literally  not  a  bad  Potato  in  the  show,  there  was 
sufficient  evidence  in  the  numerous  appliances  and  scientific  demonstra¬ 
tions  to  impress  the  fact  that  this  Tercentenary  celebration  was  born  of 
far  more  serious  motives  thar  the  sole  glorification  of  Raleigh’s  intro¬ 
duction.  One  table  was  particularly  interestiug.  On  this  the  authorities 
of  the  Science  and  Art  Musenm  showed  up  under  the  microscope  all 
those  evildoers — famine- mongers,  which  are  better  known  by  their 
works  than  by  their  personality.  In  connection  with  this  further 
revelations  were  made  in  the  lectures  given  by  Professor  Johnson  and 
Mr.  G,  H.  Carpenter.  Again,  whole  batteries  of  polished  engines  of 
war  were  ranged  by  various  firms,  including  the  Stott  Company  of 
England,  Powder  and  shot  was  provided  by  the  Cork  Chemical  and 
Drug  Company’s  stand  of  specialities  for  blight  prevention,  consisting 
chiefly  of  Harrington’s  Potato  blight  powder.  Bordeaux  mixture,  with 
exhibits  of  the  raw  materials  used  in  these  preparations.  Tubers  from 
various  districts  were  also  shown  which  had  been  grown  inder  the 
treatment  of  these  specifics,  and  the  same  firm  displayed  a  bottle  of 
“  Potato  spirit,”  a  clear,  colourless  liquid  ;  but  failing  an  invitation  to 
sample  it,  its  character  is  unknown. 
After  this  brief  review  of  the  exhibition— its  tubers,  their  friends  and 
enemies,  not  forgetting  the  bottle  of  spirit  which,  by-the-by,  was  thin, 
sour-looking  stuff,  a  few  excerpts  may  be  given  from  the  expressions  of 
those  whose  statements  bore  the  weight  of  experience  on  the  subject,  or 
of  sympathy  with,  the  object.  Mr.  A.  C.  Watkins  as  M.O.  commenced 
the  proceedings  by  ably  setting  forth  the  right  of  being  of  “  The  Irish 
Gardeners’  Association,”  of  which  he  is  tbe  President,  and  under  whose 
auspices  this  Tercentenary  exhibition  was  held.  Hopes  were  also 
expressed  that  the  proceeds  of  it  would  be  sufficient  to  initiate  the 
formation  of  “A  Gardeners’  Benevolent  Fund  for  Ireland.”  Lord 
Powerscourt’s  masterly  address  which  followed  fell  nothing  short  of 
what  might  be  expected  from  a  nobleman  who  has  taken  such  practical 
Interest  in  Ireland  as  an  agricultural  country.  Tribute  was  also  paid  by 
him  to  the  memory  of  Sir  Walter  in  the  mentioning  of  another  intro¬ 
duction  accredited  to  that  hero — viz.,  “  Ye  fragrant  herb,  Tobacco,  with 
the  adaptability  of  some  of  the  coarser  varieties  to  Irish  culture.”  Hii 
Lordship  also  said,  "  I  am  old  enough  to  remember  the  time  of  the 
famine  in  1847-48,  when,  as  a  child,  I  recollect  being  told  that  we  were 
not  to  eat  Potatoes,  but  to  keep  them  and  give  them  to  the  poor.  .  .  . 
Thank  God,  those  days  can  never  return.”  The  value  of  spraying  was 
exemplified  in  the  remark,  “  I  had  my  Potatoes  sprayed  this  year,  and 
there  was,  practically,  no  disease  amongst  them.”  Stress  was  also  laid 
upon  the  benefits  of  lifting  as  soon  as  ripe,  instead  of  the  too  common 
practice  of  raising  only  sufficient  for  daily  consumption  (far  into  tbe 
winter). 
On  the  second  day  zest  was  given  to  the  proceedings  by  the  Lord 
Lieutenant’s  visit,  who  made  a  minute  inspection  of  every  stand,  and 
asked  many  questions  of  bis  guides.  Her  Excellency  the  Countess 
Oadogan  also  showed  practical  interest  in  the  matter  by  ever  and  anon 
handling  some  shapely  tuber  to  gauge  its  points.  Following  on  the  tour 
of  inspection  a  move  was  made  for  the  platform.,  where  Mr.  Thomas 
8baw,  the  Secretary  of  the  Irish  Gardeners’  Association,  read  the  address 
presented  by  him  on  behalf  of  that  body.  The  address,  after  the  usual 
loyal  and  patriotic  preamble,  went  straight  to  the  root  of  tbe  matter — 
the  Potato — by  calling  “  His  Excellency’s  attention  to  the  lamentable 
deterioration  of  the  variety  known  as  ‘  The  Champion,’  which  is  almost 
exclusively  cultivated  at  the  present  time,  and  suggest  ....  the 
advisability  of  Her  Msjesty’s  Government  introducing  without  delay 
experimental  stations  throughout  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  culti¬ 
vating  and  comparing  the  principal  round  varieties  of  recent  introduction, 
with  a  view  of  selecting  the  most  suitable  for  general  use,  and  thus  avert 
a  possible  recurrence  of  a  Potato  famiae.”  Emphasis  was  then  placed 
upon  the  inadequacy  of  the  existing  Government  measures  as  means  to 
the  end,  and  the  address  concluded  by  saying  a  practical  report  upon  the 
subject,  at  the  close  of  the  Conference,  would  be  submitted  thrjugh  His 
Excellency  for  the  consideration  of  Her  Majesty’s  Government. 
The  Viceroy,  on  the  presentation  of  the  address,  said  .  .  .  of  all 
the  addresses  which  have  been  presented  to  me  I  should  be  inclined  to 
think  that  in  some  respects  this  is  perhaps  the  most  practical,  and  that 
it  deals  more  thoroughly  with  the  subject  it  is  intended  to  promote.” 
The  remarks  following  show  that  the  Queen’s  representative  is  quite 
ah  courant  with  the  subject  as  affecting  Ireland,  although  his  views  on 
the  general  aspect  pertaining  to  this  season  were  not  pessimistic,  as  he 
said  ”  If  my  information  is  reliable  I  think  I  may  say,  oh  the  whole,  that 
it  (the  Potato  crop)  has  not  fallen  far  short  of  the  average.”  Then 
follows  the  statement  which  furnished  our  press  with  big  type  headings 
the  next  morning — viz.,  “  Important  Official  Statement.”  “  Board  of 
Agriculture  for  Ireland.”  His  Excellency  said,  "I  have  been  asked 
whether  it  is  possible  to  institute  an  inquiry  at  once  into  this  subject, 
and  to  carry  out  in  some  districts  experiments  with  the  view  of  ascertain¬ 
ing  what  is  the  best  type  of  Potato  to  replace  that  which  is  failing. 
On  that  point  I  can  only  say  that  I  look  for  this,  as  for  many  other 
benefits,  to  the  creation  of  a  Board  of  Agriculture  which  will  take  all 
these  subjects  under  consideration  .  .  .  but  you  will  probably  remind 
me  that  this  time  last  year  I  said,  and  with  the  greatest  possible 
confidence  too,  that  a  Board  of  Agriculture  would  be  promoted  during 
the  last  session  of  Parliament.  Well,  I  grieve  to  say  that  such  wsw  not 
the  case  ;  but  1  may  be  permitted  now  to  utter  a  more  sanguine 
prediction,  and  having  returned  from  London  early  this  morning,  where 
I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  consulting  with  my  colleagues,  I  think  I 
am  entitled  to  say  that  in  all  human  probability  ...  a  Board  of 
Agriculture  will  be  created  during  the  ensuing  session  of  Parliament.” 
At  the  conclusion  of  this  statement,  which  was  received  with  deep 
attention,  the  proverbial  pin-drop  silence  was  broken  by  applause  which 
made  the  "  round  room  ”  and  all  that  was  therein,  including  the  Potatoes, 
shake  in  response. 
Now  there  was  one  thing  about  this  exhibition  which  had  struck  me 
as  being  the  one  thing  wanting,  therefore  before  the  conclusion  of  His' 
Excellency’s  speech  the  inclusion  of  some  pertinent  remarks  endorsed 
my  unexpressed  opinion.  Certainly  this  nobleman  has  had  more 
practical,  if  unhappy  experience,  than  might  have  been  expected  when 
he  said,  “  There  is  one  more  subject  connected  with  the  Potato  to  which 
I  would  like  to  call  attention  and  do  so  in  the  character  of  an  English¬ 
man.  You  may  grow  your  Potato  ,  .  .  and  you  may  bring  it  in 
triumph  into  your  house,  but  if  you  don’t  know  how  to  cook  it,  it  is 
impossible  to  appreciate  it  at  its  full  value.  I  rather  wish  that  the 
gentlemen  who  have  promoted  this  exhibition  had  one  section  in  which 
to  show  us  how  to  cook  our  Potatoes.  Englishmen  are  absolutely  hope¬ 
less  in  this  line  of  business,  and  I  can  only  say  for  myself — I  say  so  with 
all  due  respect  to  Lady  Cadogan — that  I  never  see  a  Potato  properly 
cooked  in  ray  own  house.  Since  I  have  been  in  Ireland  a  large  number 
of  my  friends  have  broken  bread  in  my  house,  but  it  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  not  one  of  them  could  have  broken  the  Potatoes  there.  Mine 
are  waxy,  hard,  and  thoroughly  indigestible,  and  if  any  lady  would 
kindly  allow  my  cook  to  come  down  and  see  how  Potatoes  are  cooked 
in  Ireland  my  presence  here  will  have  a  result  which  will  be  a  blessing 
for  the  remainder  of  my  life.  This  is  the  only  criticism  I  have  to  pass 
on  the  proceedings  of  this  day.” — K,,  Dublvi, 
WINTER  PRUNING. 
(  Continued  from  page  567.) 
The  berry  quarters  being  cleared  of  the  debris  after  pruning,  moss 
and  lichen  on  the  bushes  is  easily  got  rid  of  by  dusting  them  whilst 
damp  with  quicklime — that  is,  freshly  burned,  slaked,  and  applied  at 
once.  The  bushes  should  receive  an  even  coat  all  over,  and  it 
will  bring  off  all  overgrowths,  addle  eggs  of  insects,  and  scorch 
hibernating  pests.  Some  of  these,  as  red  spider  and  sawfly  pupte, 
may  harbour  in  the  soil  at  the  base,  by  taking  out  the  soil  down 
to  tbe  roots,  say  2  or  3  inches  around  Red  and  White  Currants, 
also  Gooseberry  bushes,  but  not  Black  Currants,  from  the  stem  out¬ 
wards  to  the  extent  of  the  spread  of  the  branches,  placing  in  the 
opening  the  manure  usually  applied— -say  an  inch  thickness  of  stable 
or  farmyard  manure,  and  covering  this  with  fresh  weedless  soil  from 
between  the  rows  a  couple  of  inches  thick,  something  will  be  done 
towards  the  betterment  of  the  next  year’s  crop.  If  the  removed  soil  be 
then  put  in  the  trench  to  the  depth  of  a  foot  and  pressed  with  the  feet 
very  few  pests  so  buried  will  come  out,  but  be  converted  into  manure, 
which  will  diffuse  through  the  soil  and  profit  the  bushes  during  growth. 
After  that  it  is  merely  necessary  to  turn  the  weeds  under,  extracting  the 
perennial  ones,  and  all  is  right  for  another  year. 
Black  Currants  should  have  the  manure  placed  on  the  top  or  only 
removing  any  loose  soil,  covering  it  lightly  with  soil  from  the  open 
spaces  between  the  rows.  In  both  cases  the  bushes  have  the  advantage 
of  fresh  soil  as  well  as  the  manure,  and  with  the  first  flush  of  spring  the 
roots  will  put  forth  a  network  of  hair-like  fibres  into  the  fresh  material, 
rendering  it  quite  white  with  their  ramifications,  and  this  implies  a  well 
sustained  growth  of  fruit  from  the  start— that  is,  early  berries  and 
large. 
In  some  cases  stable  or  farmyard  manure  may  not  be  forthcoming.  It, 
however,  is  best  for  all  berries  ;  at  least,  this  is  my  experience,  giving 
the  best  results  in  the  long  run,  and  it  is  hardly  possible  to  get  on  success¬ 
fully  without  it.  Chemical  manures,  or  very  few  of  them,  supply 
humus,  and  this  tells  greatly  in  favour  of  berries  in  a  droughty  seasoii, 
therefore  it  is  advisable  to  use  animal  manure  occasionally.  For 
berries  dissolved  bones  and  kainit  in  equal  parts  may  be  used  in  the 
autumn  at  the  rate  of  7  lbs.  per  rod,  10  cwt,  per  acre,  pointing  in  lightly, 
and  in  the  early  spring  when  the  buds  commence  swelling  a  peck  of  soot 
per  rod,  40  bushels  per  acre,  be  given.  This  will  nsually  supply,  along 
with  the  dissolved  bones,  sufficient  ammonlacal  matter.  If  soot  is 
not  at  hand,  nitrate  of  soda,  1.]  to  2  lbs.  per  rod,  2  cwt,  to  2'|  cwt. 
(rather  more  in  both  cases)  per  acre,  may  be  used  instead  on  light  and 
calcareous  soils  ;  or  1  to  1 J  ib  sulphate  of  ammonia  per  rod,  1 J  to  2  cwt, 
1  st,  (rather  more  in  both  cases)  per  acre  on  strong  land. 
As  regards  the  birds  tbe  only  things  I  have  found  easily  applied  and 
effective  are  (1).  tbreaoing  the  bushes  with  black  thread  from  branch  to 
branch,  forming  a  sort  of  netting  with  irregular  mesh  of  about.  4  inches. 
This  is  easily  done  with  the  "Patent  Webber '*  manufactured  by  the 
“  Stott”  Fertiliser  and  Insecticide  Company,  Manchester,  (2),  Forming 
a  limewash  of  freshly  burned  lime  and  syringing  it  on  tbe  trees. 
Ordinary  limewash  is  no  use,  for  unless  hot  limewash  be  used  it  will  not 
