106 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  29,  1887. 
for  second  position.  Mr.  Oldham  won  easily  with  very  fine  Muscat,  a 
little  short  in  colour,  and  with  small,  but  nicely  finished  Madresfield 
Court,  Mr.  James  Rose  following  in  each  class.  Mr.  R.  Pinnington 
secured  first  prizes  for  Peaches  with  Rivers’  Early  York,  Nectarines  with 
Violette  H§;tive.  Melon  with  The  Countess,  and  Cherries  with  Governor 
Wood  ;  the  prizewinners  for  Black  and  Red  Currants  were  Messrs. 
Oldham  and  Rose ;  White  Currants,  Raspberries,  Strawberries,  and 
Gooseberries,  Messrs.  Rose,  J.  Brown,  and  H.  McFall. 
In  the  vegetable  classes  the  competition  was  good  throughout. 
Particular  mention  must  be  made  of  the  collection  of  twelve  varieties, 
all  staged  by  cottagers,  Mr.  J.  Rainford  winning  with  excellent 
Sutton’s  Autumn  Mammoth  Cauliflower,  Snowball  Turnip,  Prizetaker 
Leek,  Moore’s  Cream  Marrow,  Perfection  Tomato,  Yates’  Cucumber, 
Veitch’s  Model  Carrot,  International  Potato,  Canadian  Wonder  Bean, 
Stratagem  Pea,  Wright’s  White  Celery  and  Ailsa  Craig  Onion.  Mr.  J. 
Pownall  was  a  very  close  second,  bis  exhibit  being  worthy  of  all  praise. 
For  collections  of  Potatoes,  Peas,  Broad  and  French  Beans,  Cauliflowers, 
Onions,  Turnips,  and  Carrots,  the  prizewinners  were  Messrs.  McFall, 
W,  Oldham,  W.  Lyon,  J,  Appleton,  and  J.  Rainford.  The  cottagers’ 
section  was  marked  by  the  usual  high  standard  of  excellence  aimed  at 
in  former  years,  and  formed  not  the  least  attraction  of  the  Show. 
TRENTHAM.— July  22nd. 
This  the  ninth  exhibition  of  the  Trentham  and  Hanford  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society  was  held  on  Thursday  last  in  the  grounds  of  Trentham. 
These  gardens  have  many  attractions,  and  a  more  beautiful  spot  for 
holding  a  flower  show  could  not  be  found.  Of  late  years  extensive 
improvements  have  been  made,  and  all  round  gardening  is  carried  out  in 
a  thoroughly  practical  manner  by  Mr,  Peter  Blair,  who  has  had  the 
responsible  charge  here  for  some  years.  The  weather  was  gloriously  fine 
and  the  show  was  well  arranged.  The  quality  of  the  exhibits  was  first 
class,  and  a  very  large  company  visited  the  show.  Messrs.  Alford  and 
Jones,  the  Hon.  Secs.,  are  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  business-like 
arrangement  so  well  carried  out  by  them  and  the  Committee.  The  show 
was  opened  by  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  accompanied  by  Lady 
Eosslyn,  Marquis  of  Stafford,  Lord  H.  Grosvenor,  the  Austrian  Ambas¬ 
sador,  and  the  great  rosarian,  tUe  Dean  of  Rochester. 
The  principal  features  of  the  show — as  is  the  case  now  almost  every¬ 
where — were  the  groups  arranged  for  effect  in  a  space  of  300  square  feet. 
There  were  six  competitors,  and  the  first  prize  was  worthily  awarded  to 
Mr.  C.  J .  Mee,  of  Nottingham  ;  second,  Messrs.  Jenkinson  &  Son,  New¬ 
castle,  Staffs;  third,  Duke  of  St.  Albans,  Bestwood,  Notts;  and  fourth. 
Sir  Oswald  Mosely,  Bart.  The  prizes  offered  for  the  four  leading  ones 
amounted  to  £70  10s.,  but  so  good  were  the  others  that  the  Judges  felt 
in  duty  bound  to  make  two  extra  awards  of  £5  and  £3. 
Roses  were  excellent,  and  amongst  the  best  we  have  seen  this  season. 
For  forty-eight  distinct : — First,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Son ;  second, 
Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Son  ;  and  third,  Mr.  B.  R  Cant.  In  the  class  for 
thirty-six  distinct,  Messrs.  Harkness  &  Son,  A.  Dickson  &  Son,  and 
Townsend  &  Co.  were  the  successful  competitors.  For  twenty-four 
varieties,  trebles,  Messrs,  A.  Dickson  &  Son  were  first,  Mr,  B.  Cant 
second,  and  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons,  Coventry,  third.  Twelve  Teas  : — 
First,  Mr.  B.  Cant  ;  second,  Messrs.  A.  Dickson  &  Sons  ;  and  third,  Mr. 
H.  Merry  weather.  The  Rev.  Pemberton  took  first  for  twenty- four  H.P. 
and  twelve  hardy  border  flowers.  The  chief  prizes  for  bouquets,  bridal, 
ballroom,  buttonhole,  all  went  to  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Sons  of  Coventry. 
Fruit  was  excellent;  The  class  for  a  decorated  table  brought 
forth  some  spirited  competition.  First,  Mr.  Mclndoe;  second, 
Mr,  J.  H.  Goodacre,  Elvaston  ;  third,  Mr.  Edmund,  Bestwood  ;  and 
fourth,  Mr.  Harris,  Leibury.  For  a  collection  of  six  kinds  of  fruit  Mr. 
Mclndoe  was  first  ;  Mr.  Harris  second;  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Goodacre  third. 
Grapes  were  good,  but  the  Muscats  lacked  finish.  The  principal  prizes 
went  to  fine  examples  grown  by  Mr.  Reynolds,  Gunnersbury  House,  who 
was  first  for  four  bunches,  distinct ;  three  bunches  black,  any  variety  ; 
three  Muscats  of  Alexandria ;  three  white,  any  other  kind  ;  two 
bunches  black,  one  white,  the  other  prizes  going  to  W.  D.  Drury  Lowe, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  Mclndoe.  Peaches,  Pines,  Melons  well  shown. 
Vegetables  were  splendid.  We  are  doubtful  if  a  finer  lot  at 
this  season  of  the  year  has  been  seen,  especially  those  shown  for  the 
valuable  prizes  offered  by  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  the  successful  exhibitor 
being  Mr.  Wilkins,  gardener  to  Lady  Theodore  Guest,  who  also  took 
Carter’s  special  prize. 
BROOKFIELD. — July  24th. 
The  thirteenth  annual  exhibition  of  the  Brookfield  Horticultural 
Society  took  place  at  South  Higbgate,  in  a  field  kindly  lent  for  the 
occasion  by  W.  Burdett-Coutts,  Eeq.,  M.P,  The  object  of  the  Society 
is  to  encourage  the  growth  of  fruit,  flowers  and  vegetables  in  the  Brook¬ 
field  Allotment  Gardens,  and  in  the  cottage  gardens  of  the  working 
classes  resident  within  the  district  of  the  Society. 
The  show  was  a  decided  improvement  on  former  years,  the  number 
of  entries  reaching  nearly  800,  being  fifty  in  excess  of  the  average. 
Prizes  to  the  value  of  35  guineas  were  offered  for  cottage  gardens,  window 
gardens,  plants  and  cut  flowers,  and  other  garden  produce.  All  the 
classes  in  the  schedule  were  well  filled,  the  exhibits  being  remarkably 
good,  comparing  well  with  the  produce  from  a  gentleman’s  garden. 
For  the  allotments,  of  which  there  are  upwards  of  fifty  plots,  each 
averaging  about  10  poles,  and  each  having  a  strip  of  flower  border  on 
the  frontage,  twelve  prizes  are  given  by  the  Baroness  Burdett-Coutts  for 
the  vegetable  gardens,  and  the  same  number  by  B.  G.  Elliott,  Esq.,  Hon. 
Sec.,  for  the  flower  borders  ;  other  special  prizes  are  given  by  the 
residents.  The  plots  are  kept  and  cropped  in  a  manner  much  above 
what  is  usually  seen  in  allotment  gardens.  In  one  of  the  first-prize 
plots  I  noticed  all  the  following  kinds  grown — viz  ,  Potatoes.  Carrots, 
Parsnips,  Beet,  Turnips,  Onions,  Leeks,  Shallots,  Radishes,  Tomatoes, 
Lettuce,  Cabbage,  Cauliflower,  Peas,  Broad  Beans,  French  Beans,  Scarlet 
Runners,  Vegetable  Marrows,  Broccoli,  Curled  Kale,  Brussels  Sprouts, 
Herbs,  Currant  and  Gooseberry  trees,  and  Rhubarb.  Most  of  the 
holders  have  a  8mH.ll  greenhouse  or  frame  for  Cucumbers  and  plants. 
The  flower  borders  contain  Roses,  Carnations,  Stocks,  Pansies,  Sweet 
Peas,  Dahlias,  Fuchsias,  Geraniums,  Lobelias,  Verbenas,  and  many  good 
kinds  of  hardy  herbaceous  plants.  Bee-keeping  is  also  encouraged. 
The  allotments  have  been  established  twenty-one  years,  and  are 
situated  on  the  property  of  the  Baroness  Burdett-Coutts,  whose  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  working  classes  is  well  known. — William 
COOMBER,  106,  Huddleston  Road,  lufnell  Park,  N. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Melons  in  Pots  and  Fraaies. 
For  an  early  crop  Melons  are  the  best  grown  in  pots.  The  plants 
should  be  transferred  from  the  small  pots  into  5-inch,  and  afterwards 
into  the  11  or  12-inch  size,  leaving  ample  space  for  top-dressing.  Plunge 
the  pots  up  to  the  rims  in  the  hotbed,  and  give  the  plants  the  same 
treatment  as  described  on  page  83  for  those  planted  in  beds. 
For  cultivation  in  frames  make  a  hotbed  of  litter  and  leaves  about 
3  feet  deep,  and  at  least  1  foot  wider  each  way  than  the  frame.  Tread 
firmly,  and  then  place  on  the  frame,  with  a  southern  aspect.  Sprinkle 
a  small  quantity  of  soil  over  the  bed  inside  the  frame,  and  place  a 
narrow  ridge  across  the  centre.  When  the  steam  from  the  bed  is 
exhausted  the  plants  may  be  inserted  about  2  feet  apart.  Stop  them  at 
the  fourth  joint,  and  allow  three  growths  to  extend,  training  them  equi- 
distantly  over  the  bed.  When  the  growths  have  nearly  reached  the  side 
of  the  frame  they  must  be  topped,  also  all  side  shoots  at  the  second 
pistillate  or  fruit-bearing  flower. 
When  the  fruits  have  set,  thin  out  those  which  are  not  required, 
allowing  each  plant  to  carry  three  Melons.  Remove  all  sub-laterals,  and 
never  allow  the  foliage  to  become  crowded.  Place  a  piece  of  board  or 
slate  under  the  fruit  to  prevent  its  being  disfigured  by  coming  in  contact 
with  the  soil. 
Enemies, — Red  spider,  with  green  and  black  fly  are  partial  to  Melons. 
The  former  is  far  the  worst,  and  a  constant  search  should  be  made  for 
the  pests.  As  soon  as  they  put  in  an  appearance  ^the  leaves  should  be 
sponged  with  a  weak  insecticide.  I  do  not  know  whether  nicotine 
vapour  will  kill  red  spider  on  Melons  without  injuring  the  leaves.  For 
black  and  green  fly  syringe  the  plants  with  a  weak  solution  of  quassia, 
or  fumigate. 
Diseases. — Canker,  one  of  the  most  common,  and  is  caused  by 
keeping  the  bed  too  wet,  especially  near  the  stems  of  the  plants,  and 
having  an  over-moist  atmosphere.  The  decay  may  be  stopped,  if  not 
gone  too  far,  by  rubbing  the  infected  parts  with  a  mixture  of  powdered 
charcoal  and  lime. 
Anthraonose. — This  is  by  far  the  worst  disease.  It  affects  the 
fruit  when  commencing  to  ripen.  Two  years  ago  I  was  in  charge  of  a 
large  house  that  was  attacked  with  this  disease.  It  was  observed  by 
two  of  the  fruit  turning  a  paler  yellow  than  was  desirable.  Upon 
examination  a  dark  spot,  about  the  size  of  a  sixpence,  was  found  upon 
the  under  side,  and  inside  fermentation  had  commenced,  A  day  or 
two  afterwards,  two  or  three  more  began  to  go,  and  upon  examining  the 
crop  we  found  the  majority  infected,  some  of  them  on  the  top  side.  At 
first  we  thought  it  was  a  bacterial  disease,  but  afterwards  ascertained 
that  it  was  anthracnose,  a  disease  caused  by  the  fungus  Glceosporium.* 
Several  remedies  were  tried,  but  all  proved  failures.  One  of  them  was 
rubbing  the  infected  parts  with  lime.  This  prevented  the  dark  spot 
from  spreading,  but  not  the  inside  from  fermenting.  Out  of  180  Melons 
in  the  house  only  about  eighty  were  available  for  dessert.  The  house 
was  given  a  thorough  cleansing,  and  a  fresh  start  made  with  new  seed, 
and  no  trace  of  the  affection  appeared  again.  Since  then  I  have  eagerly 
scanned  the  horticultural  papers  to  see  if  any  remedy  was  given,  but  as 
yet  nothing  has  appeared,  nor  any  reference  to  the  subject.  Perhaps 
Mr,  Abbey  may  afford  us  information.— Elveden. 
Means  and  Modes  op  Propagating-  Plants. 
{Continued  from  page  83.) 
Sometimes  the  underground  portion  of  a  plant  assumes  the  form 
and  functions  of  a  stem  to  a  certain  extent,  running  sometimes  above 
ground  and  partly  below  ground,  but  generally  the  latter,  and  sending 
up  shoots  into  the  air  from  the  upper  surface  and  roots  into  the  ground 
from  the  surface  below. 
When  the  stem  assumes  this  root-like  form,  as  it  does  in  Ginger 
(Zinziber  officinale)  and  Solomon’s  Seal  (Polygonatum),  it  is  called  a 
rhizome,  which  means  “  that  which  has  taken  root.”  The  Primrose  and 
kindred  plants  afford  examples  of  natural  propagation  by  rhizomes,  for 
the  stem  of  the  Primrose  instead  of  being  upright  and  ascending,  as  in 
the  great  majority  of  plants,  and  attached  to  the  roots  below  ground  by 
a  collar,  is  an  underground  stem,  or  nearly  so,  thrust  forth  laterally 
from  the  plant,  and  from  this  the  leaves  and  blossoms  immediately  grow, 
and  the  roots  issue,  taking  a  downward  course  into  the  earth, 
*  Our  correspondent  does  not  say  by  whom  the  precise  nature  of  the  disease 
was  “  ascertained.”  The  “ferment”  in  the  diseased  parts  of  some  Melons  has 
been  found  to  “  swarm  with  bacteria.” 
