616 
TQVRNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  2<,  1898. 
catalognes,  and  even  Apple  and  Pear  congress  reports,  do  nothing  to 
settle  the  matter,  because  all  these  authorities  are  of  individual  product, 
and  not  of  that  of  any  authorised  body.  That  the  Council  of  the  R.H.S. 
would  act  wisely  in  inviting  the  Fruit  Committee  to  deal  with  the 
matter  there  can  be  no  doubt.  This  could  be  easily  accomplished  by 
requesting  each  member  to  send  in  a  list  not  only  of  all  varieties  that 
may  be  regarded  as  of  duplicate  merit,  but  to  have  no  doubt  whatever 
surrounding  any  varieties,  also  to  classify  what  are  by  them  regarded 
of  cooking  value  only,  and  what  are  to  be  classed  as  dessert  only. 
Assuming  such  lists  were  sent  in,  a  small  sub-committee  could  lick 
them  into  shape,  placing  disputed  ones  into  lists  according  to  the  majoity 
of  times  selected  for  such  lists,  and  then  we  may  be  assured  that 
henceforth  such  classification  stamped  with  the  authority  of  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  would  be  universally  accepted  as  binding  on 
Committee,  Judges,  and  exhibitors  at  shows.  It  will  be  a  grave  mis¬ 
fortune  if  the  Royal  does  not  seize  upon  the  suggestion  with  avidity, 
to  undertake  this  small  task  as  it  has  been  so  freely  invited  to  do,  seeing 
that  the  Society  would  have  everything  to  gain  in  the  estimation  of  the 
provincial  horticulturists  In  doing  so. — ^A.  D. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
The  Tomato. 
The  Tomato  should  have  plenty  of  light  and  air,  but  very  little 
moisture  in  the  atmosphere,  a  span-roof  house  suiting  it  remarkably  well. 
For  the  first  crop  seed  may  be  sown  early  in  January,  either  in  6  inch 
pots,  boxes,  or  pans.  The  soil  ought  to  be  of  a  light  nature,  say  loam,  one- 
third  each  of  leaf  mould  and  sand,  finely  sifted.  Let  the  seed  be  sown 
very  thinly,  covered  lightly  with  soil,  and  placed  in  a  temperature  of 
60°  to  70°,  have  the  pot  or  pans  immersed  in  water,  being  careful  not 
to  allow  any  to  pass  over  the  rim.  The  pots  should  then  be  covered 
with  a  sheet  of  glass,  to  be  lifted  off,  wiped  dry,  and  returned  every 
morning.  As  soon  as  the  seeds  are  seen  to  lift  up  the  soil  in  the  least, 
place  the  pots  on  a  shelf  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  so  as  to  have  young 
sturdy  plants  in  their  first  stage. 
Do  not  allow  the  seedlings  to  become  crowded  before  potting  or  trans¬ 
planting,  as  if  the  roots  become  matted  they  are  liable  to  get  broken 
when  moved,  hence  the  loss  of  two  or  three  weeks  in  growth.  Two  or 
three  days  after  they  have  matured  their  first  leaf  they  ought  to  be  placed 
in  small  thumbs  and  kept  near  the  glass  in  the  same  temperature. 
When  the  roots  are  seen  pushing  through  the  soil  the  plants  may  be 
transferred  to  3-inch  pots,  using  a  little  less  leaf  soil  and  more  fibrous 
loam.  From  3-mch  remove  to  5  or  6-icch  pots,  using  a  compost  of 
four  parts  loam,  one  part  lime  rabble,  and  one  part  burnt  garden  refuse  ; 
leaf  soil  is  best  dispensed  with,  as,  if  the  soil  be  too  loose,  the  plants 
make  soft  growth  at  the  expense  of  fruitfulness-  In  all  stages,  when 
potting  provide  ample  drainage,  protected  with  turf  or  old  Mushroom 
bed  refuse. 
If  the  plants  are  to  be  fruited  in  pots,  their  size  may  be  10  or 
12  inches.  In  potting  or  planting  only  fill  two-thirds  of  the  space 
with  soil,  as  one-third  should  be  left  for  top-dressings,  and  pot  firmly. 
The  borders  for  those  planted  out  may  be  1  foot  wide  and  18  inches 
deep ;  the  plants  are  best  trained  to  single  stems  15  or  18  inches  apart, 
and  all  laterals  cat  off  as  soon  as  they  appear. 
Watering  requires  to  be  done  carefully,  an  over-supply  to  newly 
planted  Tomatoes  being  ruinous,  whilst  too  little  may  cause  the  leaves 
to  curl  and  turn  brown.  Air  must  be  admitted  on  all  favourable 
occasions,  and  when  flowering  commences  leave  a  chink  for  air  all 
night,  firing  accordingly,  and  keeping  the  house  as  dry  as  possible. 
Some  persons  fertiliS3  the  blooms  as  they  expand,  but  a  sharp  tap  of  the 
plants  will  cause  the  pollen  to  be  distributed  almost  equally  well. 
When  full  crops  of  fruit  are  swelling,  top-dressings  may  be  given 
with  advantage  of  sound  rich  compost,  and  when  the  roots  permeate  it 
some  good  fertiliser  will  assist  the  plants  ;  a  little  and  often  being  safe 
practice,  or  weak  liquid  manure,  at  first  used  carefully,  and  gradually 
increased.  Such  varieties  as  Ham  Green  Qa  good  all-round  Tomato), 
Polegate  (free  cropping  and  good  shape),  Frogmore  Selected,  Challenger, 
Conference,  amongst  a  host  of  others,  are  suitable  for  affording  crops 
of  acceptable  fruit, —A  Young  Reaotitioneb. 
Staging  Plants  for  Effect, 
In  my  opinion  this  ie  a  subject  of  importance.  We  often  see 
groups  of  beautiful  plants  spoiled  through  want  of  judgment  in  their 
arrangement. 
In  staging  three  things  should  be  carefully  avoided — viz.,  flatness, 
formality,  and  overcrowding.  The  first  evil  is  one  into  which  we  are 
all  apt  to  fall.  It  can  be  overcome  by  making  a  mass  of  plants  rise 
boldly  above  their  fellows  at  intervals  along  the  back  of  the  group,  so 
as  to  form  a  series  of  hills  and  dells,  whilst  a  few  dot  plants  may  with 
advantage  be  placed  over  the  entire  surface  of  the  arrangement,  thus 
relieving  it  of  any  tendency  to  flatness. 
By  formality  I  mean  the  habH  of  placing  any  particular  plants  at 
regular  intervals,  and  thus  making  every  part  of  the  house  look  the 
same.  Lastly  comes  the  common  error  of  overcrowding.  This  not  only 
spoils  the  appearance  of  the  arrangement,  but  entails  the  use  of  a  much 
greater  number  of  p’ants,  a  point  of  no  small  importance  at  this  season 
of  the  year.  A  groundwork  of  moss  or  clean  shells  on  the  stages,  and 
the  plants  placed  thereon  in  such  a  position  that  each  one  may  stand 
independent  of  its  neighbour,  adds  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  ar.range- 
ment.— Youngster. 
R.H.S.  Examinations. 
“  What's  your  verdict  now,  George !  ’’  “  Oh,  I’m  in  the  first  or 
B3Cond  class  certain !  ”  exclaimed  the  questioned  in  a  decided  voice. 
Such  was  the  question  asked  of  a  foreman  by  a  foreman  on  the  evening 
of  a  past  R.H.S.  examination.  The  latter  no  doubt  bad  strong  reasons 
to  suppose  himself  well  placed,  seeing  he  had  been  prominent  in  a  few 
preceding  examinations,  following  a  course  of  scientific  and  practical 
lectures  which  both  had  attended.  But,  “  The  first  shall  be  last,  and  the 
last  shall  be  first.”  When  the  long-wished-for  results  were  published 
George’s  name  could  not  be  found.  His  companion  was  in  the  third 
class. 
This  man,  then,  evidently  had  struck  the  wrong  key.  I  am  pleased 
to  say  that  I  hold  a  third-class  certificate,  which  i  obtained  when  only 
sixteen  years  old,  being  second  youngest  on  the  list  of  successfula.  This 
has  been  the  only  R.H.S.  exam,  which  I  have  tried.  Even  at  that  time 
(previously  I  had  two  years’  practical  work  with  my  father)  1  can  truly 
say  the  questions  seemed  simple.  Toe  fact  that  I  spent  from  twenty  to 
thirty  minutes  describing  the  Potato,  its  growth  and  culture,  shows  that 
if  I  had  answered  pointedly  my  chances  would  have  been  raised  ;  as  it 
was,  I  had  to  leave  many  important  questions  untouched.  “What 
preparation  had  I  ?  ” 
A  course  of  six  lectures  on  chemistry,  at  the  close  of  which  I  could 
not  have  explained  the  difference  between  an  “atom”  and  a  “molecule,” 
Three  lectures  on  “  The  Physics  of  Plants  ”  and  three  on  “  The  Physics 
of  the  Soil.”  Then  followed  a  course  of  “  Practical”  lectures.  I  learned 
what  I  could  extract  from  the  lecture  notes  and  did  some  reading, 
nothing  more.  Two  minutes’  consideration  of  the  questions,  I  believe, 
might  often  save  twenty-two  minutes’  writing. — A  Young  Scot. 
On  page  569  “  Young  Gardener”  not  unreasonably  asks  for  opinions 
from  others  who  have  sat  for  the  R.H.S.  examinations.  As  I  have  done 
so,  without  and  with  success,  I  feel  justified  in  offering  mine.  Now 
going  throBgh  the  drill  of  a  single-handed  place,  with  various  duties 
outside  the  garden,  I  can  fully  sympathise  with  my  struggling  brethren. 
1  cannot  but  speak  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  way  in  which  the 
examination  is  conducted,  except  perhaps  in  the  matter  of  time  allowed  r 
but  even  hero  I  do  not  feel  capable  to  pass  an  opinion,  feeling  sure  chat 
the  R.H.S,  have  given  the  matter  due  consideration,  and  I  am  well 
content  to  abide  by  their  decision.  I  have  never  sat  for  the  mere  sake 
of  gaining  distinction  or  certificates,  but  rather  to  test  my  own  powers, 
then  to  profit  by  the  experience  gained.  If  I  have  had  cause  to  grumble 
at  the  q  aestions  set,  it  has  been  because  of  my  own  ignorance  and  inability 
to  furnish  satisfactory  replies.  Elementary  principles  are,  as  everyone 
knows,  “  or  ought  to  know,”  the  essence  of  gardening.  Without  these 
principles  to  illumine  our  way  the  gardener’s  path  would  be  very  dark 
indeed.  I  have  no  complaint  to  make  about  our  testing  our  powers  side 
by  side  with  college  students  ;  in  fact,  1  rather  like  the  idea,  and  the 
only  regret  I  have  is  that  I  am  not  one  of  such  students  mvself. 
I  have  been  prompted  to  send  this  reply  to  “  Young  Gardener  ”  for 
fear  some  of  my  brothers  of  the  craft  might  feel  discouraged.  “  1  study 
daily,”  often  nnder  adverse  circumstances,  but  the  pleasure  derived  from 
knowledge  gained  is  doubly  recompensed  for  time  bestowed. 
We  have  received  much  encouragement  from  the  old  boys  of  late,  and 
valuable  space  of  the  Journal  given  on  our  behalf  ;  but  may  I  venture  to 
ask  the  Editor  if  he  will  kindly  allow  space  for  one  of  the  old  boys  to 
answer  last  year’s  questions  by  way  of  coaching  us?  Will  not  some 
one  volunteer  ? 
As  this  is  my  first  appearance,  may  I  be  allowed  to  thank  all  helpers 
for  their  kind  advice,  and  in  a  note  before  me  (from  one  who  signs  her¬ 
self  “  A  Town  Dweller”)  I  am  earnestly  pressed  to  convey  her  thanks  to 
the  “Missus”  whose  soul-speaking  contributions  often  adorn  these 
pages.— Nil  Dehpebandum. 
[We  hope  to  give  some  replies  to  examination  questions  shortly,  if 
not  by  an  “  Old  Boy  ”  from  a  premising  young  one,  but  they  must  speak 
for  themselves.] 
Hybrid  Chrysanthemums. 
I  HAVE  not  observed  any  of  the  master  mmds  directing  attention  to 
the  remarkable  beauty  of  the  above  sent  out  a  few  years  since,  and  they 
are  possibly  not  known  as  they  deserve.  I  have  had  plants  under  my 
eye  during  the  vast  season  which  have  been  a  picture  in  all  weathers.  In 
habit  the  plants  much  resemble  the  annual  variety,  and  range  in  height 
from  2  to  3  feet.  The  flowers  are  almost  as  large  as  single  Dahlias  on 
long  footstalks,  rays  regular,  and  not  easily  spoiled  by  rain.  They 
last  for  seven  days  in  water  when  young  blooms  are  cut.  Ladies  admire 
them  greatly  arranged  in  flower  gla-ses,  and  the  plants  form  a  pleasing 
background  to  a  border.  The  following  varieties  are  good  : — Elegans, 
white,  y.llow  zone,  round  bronzy  disc,  3  feet.  Golden  Gem,  a  bed  of 
this,  “one  burnished  sheet  of  living  gold,”  by  far  t^  best  yellow,  3  feet. 
Chieftain,  delicate  lemon,  with  dense  chocolate  disc,  making  an  exquisite 
con'rast.  Unfortunately,  Chieftain  has  not  the  vigour  he  ought  to  have, 
2  feet  6  inches.  Duke  of  York,  orange  yellow  self,  dwarf,  18  inches  ; 
useful.  I  have  neither  pen  nor  ink  at  band,  so  trust  my  pencilling  will 
do.— Hamilton. 
[Yes,  for  once  ;  but  pens  and  ink  are  to  be  found  in  most  civilised 
countries,  and  “  Hamilton  ”  must  try  to  find  those  essentials  when  he 
writes  again.  If  he  were  a  London  compositor  on  a  foggy  day  he  would 
not  think  that  a  pale  pencilling  would  “  do  ”  very  well.  It  is  for  raisers 
of  effective  plants  to  make  them  known,  unless  they  desire  to  keep  them 
to  themselves,  ] 
