August  19,  1897i 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
171 
with  the  world,  and  that  the  right  progress  is  being  made  in  exactly  the 
right  way.  A  few  years  ago  one  of  our  induential  dailies  published  a 
series  of  sensational  articles  on  the  state  of  the  navy.  Did  people 
believe  that  what  that  journal  said  was  true  7  Not  at  all.  They  took 
refuge  in  that  optimism  which  is  at  once  so  cheap  and  so  simple,  and 
pooh-poohed  the  whole  matter.  But  little  by  little  it  leaked  out  that  all 
these  damaging  assertions  were  correct,  and  that  if  the  moment  swiftly 
came  when  we  should  have  to  fight  for  our  national  existence  we  should 
have  neither  ships  nor  men  to  do  it  with.  Away  with  all  this  mutual 
back-scratching  and  childish  vanity.  Whether  in  regard  to  ships  or 
gardens  it  is  dangerous.  Let  us  have  a  little  wholesome  truth-speaking. 
There  never  was  a  moment  when  light  was  worse  wanted  than  it  is  to-day. 
Our  old  gardeners  were  plain  men,  but  they  did  noble  work  for 
Britain.  Tears  ago,  when  I  had  not  yet  got  out  of  my  teens,  my  father 
was  wont  to  take  me  to  the  leading  shows,  perchance  with  a  view  to 
sowing  the  first  seeds  of  a  sound  garden  training.  It  is  well  within  my 
recollection  that  at  a  northern  show  many  years  ago,  just  how  many  I 
hardly  care  to  recall,  a  great  gardener  near  the  Scottish  border  exhibited 
a  bunch  of  Hamburghs  that  weighed  close  upon  20  lbs.  No  such 
bunches  do  we  see  now.  Whether  or  not  the  skill  that  produced  them  is 
wanting  amongst  the  gardeners  of  the  rising  generation,  the  fact  remains 
that  they  are  things  of  the  past.  I  make  no  apology  for  thus  reverting 
to  the  Grape.  It  is  the  king  of  fruits  in  the  estimation  of  most 
gardeners.  The  times  are  surely  not  yet  past  when  the  condition  of 
the  vinery  is  an  index  to  the  gardener’s  skill.  We  hear  much  in  these 
days  about  express  Grape  growing,  and  makers  of  Vine  manures. give  us 
startling  details  of  the  marvellous  results  which  they  (and  the  manures) 
have  achieved  ;  but  claims,  however  honestly  made,  are  one  thing  and 
public  exhibitions  quite  another.  Turning  to  the  examples  of  Grape 
growing  that  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  great  market  establishments,  I 
ask  if  any  cultivator  will  give  the  same  credit  to  them  as  to  the  splendid 
examples  to  which  I  have  referred.  You  may  grow  Grapes  by  the  acre, 
just  as  you  may  tarn  out  sausages  by  the  million,  but  in  neither  case  is 
there  the  skill  required  that  is  needed  to  produce  the  very  finest 
examples.  It  is  as  easy  to  grow  a  square  acre  of  Grapes  of  a  medium 
quality  as  it  is  to  grow  a  square  rod,  provided  the  glass  and  other 
requirements  are  there ;  but  neither  glass  nor  money,  be  they  ever  so 
abundant,  can  turn  out  the  noble  bunches  that  we  used  to  see. 
I  am  venturing  into  dangerous  quarters  when  I  step  into  the  Eose 
garden.  Our  rosarians  may  not  be  as  great  as  their  predecessors  were  in 
cultivation,  but  as  writers  they  are  far  more  formidable.  Perhaps  we 
got  the  better  Boses  in  the  old  days  from  this  very  fact.  Eose  growers 
who  display  a  consuming  anxiety  to  trip  each  other  up  on  controversial 
points  have  the  less  time  to  spare  for  their  gardens.  All  accounts  agree 
that  the  latest  show  of  the  National  Society  in  London  was  the  best  ever 
held.  But  on  what  grounds  1  With  scarcely  an  exception  it  was 
quantity  that  had  impressed  the  critics.  It  is  a  sign  of  the  times.  E  ver 
bulk  and  numbers  instead  of  high  excellence.  No  one  wishes  to  say  that 
the  show  was  a  bad  one.  It  was  a  good  show,  and  one  that  gave  those 
who  saw  it  pleasure  :  but  if  anyone  wishes  to  claim  that  it  was  the  equal 
of  some  shows  which  have  preceded  it,  then  in  the  light  that  shines 
reflected  in  my  memory  from  the  days  of  Baker,  Jowatt,  and  Grant  I 
raise  the  flag  of  opposition.  I  do  not  think  that  the  quality  of  Boses  as 
grown  by  amateurs  is  better  than  it  used  to  be  years  ago  ;  I  do  not  think 
it  is  so  good.  In  spite  of  all  the  books  that  have  been  written  of  recent 
years  there  is,  to  my  mind,  a  decline,  and  I  attribute  it  to  the  absence  of 
that  thoroughness  which  distinguished  the  older  generation  of  growers. 
But  perhaps  the  most  marked  deterioration  is  noticeable  when  we 
look  into  general  outdoor  fruit  culture.  The  market  man  may  be 
improving  his  methods  under  the  effects  of  a  great  deal  of  outside 
pressure,  but  the  gardener  is  assuredly  not  doing  so.  I  see  proofs  of 
this  almost  every  day;  indeed,  garden  visiting,  which  used  to  be  one  of 
the  greatest  sources  of  enjoyment  to  every  gardener,  is  shorn  of  much  of 
its  pleasure  because  of  this  falling  off  in  the  standard  of  outdoor  fruit 
growing.  From  what  unfortunate  cause  does  it  arise  7  Is  it  because 
indoor  work  alone  is  thought  worthy  of  attention  7  It  is  the  exception, 
and  not  the  rule,  to  meet  with  perfectly  trained  trees.  Gardeners 
either  cannot  or  will  not  give  the  attention  to  this  department  that  they 
used  to  do,  and  unless  a  determined  effort  is  made  to  improve  matters 
the  time  will  speedily  come  when  the  condition  of  our  garden  fruits 
will  be  as  disastrous  as  the  state  of  the  navy  was  a  few  years  ago. 
Specimen  plants,  we  are  told,  have  had  their  day;  I  am  sorry  for  it. 
They  may  have  been  open  to  criticism  as  garden  ornaments,  but  they 
were  conducive  to  those  habits  of  skill,  patience,  and  continued  interest 
that  are  so  praiseworthy.  I  doubt  if  modern  gardeners  ever  get  to  feel 
the  affectiop  for  the  small  here-to-day-and-gone-to-morrow  style  of 
material  which  they  had  for  their  fine  specimens.  And  if  affection  goes 
it  will  be  a  bad  day  for  gardening. 
Much  more  remains  to  be  said  on  the  decadence  of  gardening,  but 
for  the  present  I  leave  the  subject. — A  Traveller. 
[Our  correspondent  may  “leave  the  subject,”  as  he  says,  “for  the 
present,”  but  we  shall  be  a  little  surprised  if  hie  views  are  accepted  as 
beyond  the  pale  of  controversion  by  others  not  less  capable  of  judging 
than  himself.  All  the  same  he  is  entitled  to  express  them  since  he  has 
not  sought  to  do  >0  in  an  unpleasant  way.  He  has  no  doubt  seen  a 
great  deal  in  his  “  rounds,”  and  it  is  rather  to  be  hoped  that  his  last  one 
would  take  him  to  Shrewsbury.] 
Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
The  members  held  their  monthly  meeting  on  Wednesday,  the 
11th  inst.,  in  the  Society’s  rooms.  Mr.  John  G.  Newsham  was  elected 
to  the  chair.  ^  Mr.  C.  Scott  then  read  the  third  and  final  paper  on  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  culture. 
The  essayist  commenced  his  concluding  section  cf  the  subject  by 
giving  instructions  for  taking  the  bud  for  general  and  exhibition  pur¬ 
poses,  referring  to  those  varieties  that  in  this  district  are. either  too  early 
or  too  late  for  the  exhibition  held  in  November.  Watering,  stimulating 
with  liquid  manure,  protecting,  and  every  matter  necessary  for  the 
perfect  development  of  the  flowers,  were  successively  dwelt  upon,  until, 
after  instructions  about  dressing  the  blooms,  they  were  finally  deposited 
on  the  show  boards  for  exhibition  and  competition.  Like  the  previous 
sections  of  the  essay,  the  final  one  was  full  of  good  practical  advice  and 
instruction,  and  gave  very  great  satisfaction.  Mr.  C.  Scott  has  been  an 
exhibitor  at  the  Society’s  annual  show  for  eight  years,  and  during  that 
period  has  gained  over  100  prizes,  about  seventy  of  them  being  firsts. 
The  exhibits  for  the  evening  were  Tomatoes  and  Pompon  Dahlias  for 
professional  and  amateur  members  respectively.  Messrs.  W.  Artindale  and 
Son  of  the  Sharrow  Vale  and  Nether  Green  Nurseries  exhibited  a  fine 
collection  of  Carnations,  Picotees,  and  double  and  single  Begonias  ;  alsn 
'  a  number  of  well  grown  herbaceous  blooms.  They  were  awarded  the 
Society’s  certificate  of  merit,  which  they  well  deserved. 
Numerous  references  were  made  by  the  members  present  to  the  death 
of  Mr.  W.  K.  Woodcock  of  the  Victoria  Nursery,  Humberstone,  who 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  this  Society,  and  for  many  years  Honorary 
Secretary  until  his  removal  from  Sheffield.  After  that  period  he  frequently 
officiated  as  judge  at  the  shows,  and  always  took  great  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  Society  for  which  he  worked  so  hard  during  its  early 
years.  He  was  very  highly  spoken  of,  and  his  death  greatly  regretted. 
After  the  admission  of  new  members  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  essayist 
and  one  to  the  Chairman  were  passed. 
POTTING  ROMAN  HYACINTHS. 
Early  bulbs  of  Eoman  Hyacinths  may  now  be  placed  in  4^  or  6-inch 
pots.  Good  firm  bulbs  should  be  selected,  and  as  many  arranged  in 
the  pots  as  each  will  conveniently  hold.  Prepare  pots,  crocks,  and 
the  compost  before  commencing.  The  ingredients  forming  the  compost 
may  consist  of  loam  two  parts,  leaf  soil  one  part,  decomposed  manure 
half. a  part,  crushed  charcoal  and  silver  sand  quarter  part.  Mix  the 
whole  thoroughly,  and  use  moist. 
The  pots  and  crocks  must  be  clean  and  dry.  One  large  crock  oyer 
the  centre  hole  and  a  few  smaller  scattered  over  will  be  ample,  making 
secure  against  soil  washing  in  by  a  layer  of  moss  or  rough  fibres 
from  the  compost.  Fill  in  the  compost  about  half  the  depth  of  the  pot, 
gently  shaking  it  down.  On  this  place  the  bulbs  closely  together,  four 
or  five  usually  being  the  number  which  can  be  accommodated.  Do  not 
press  them  down  hard,  but  fill  in  the  compost  over  them,  merely 
allowing  the  tips  of  the  bulbs  to  be  visible.  When  the  potting  is  con¬ 
cluded  stand  the  pots  together  on  a  surface  impervious  to  worms.  Coal 
ashes  form  a  good  base.  Give  the  soil  a  good  watering  with  a  fine- 
roied  can .  .  ,  - •  r. 
After  the  pots  have  drained  cover  them  over  to  the  depth  of  6  inches 
with  leaf  soil  passed  through  a  riddle,  or  with  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse. 
No  further  attention  will  be  required  until  growth  appears  and  advances 
an  inch,  when  the  pots  must  be  removed  from  the  plunging  material. 
Place  in  a  frame  and  shade  from  direct  light,  gradually  inuring  to  the 
full  light  as  the  chlorophyll,  or  green  colouring  matter,  becomes  developed 
in  the  growth. 
A  cool  very  light  position  near  the  glass  in  a  frame  suits  tnem 
admirably  until  the  time  when  it  is  necessary  to  introduce  them  to  a 
little  heat  and  moisture  for  forcing  into  flower.  After  being  taken  out 
of  the  plunging  material  and  exposed  daily  to  light  and  air,  watering 
must  be  duly  attended  to.  The  drying  of  the  surface  soil  will  indicate 
when  water  should  be  afforded.  Admit  air  daily  in  favourable  weather  ; 
this  will  keep  the  plants  sturdy,  and  prevent  any  lengthening  of  the 
foliage.  The  roots,  however,  having  well  developed  during  the  time  the 
pots  were  covered  in  the  plunging  material,  now  increase  rapidly. 
This' is  a  great  advantage  in  order  for  the  flowers  to  develop  early  and 
freely  when  the  plants  are  given  the  stimulus  of  increased  temperature 
and  a  moist  atmosphere  to  bring  them  into  bloom. 
Bulbs  potted  in  August  or  early  September  may  be  had  in  flower  in 
November,  but  when  required  for  any  given  date  it  is  best  to  allow 
plenty  of  time.  Use  firm  sound  bulbs,  whether  they  are  the  largest 
or  only  of  medium  size.  .  ,  j  j 
The  season  for  having  Boman  Hyacinths  in  flower  may  be  extended 
by  potting  at  intervals  until  October.  September  pottings  will  give 
plenty  of  time  to  have  the  plants  in  bloom  at  Christmas,  or  even  earlier, 
and  they  may  be  retarded  later.  A  temperature  of  50®  to  55°  for  about 
three  weeks  will  bring  them  well  into  flower. — S. 
