September  23,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
295 
rcH 
Xatioxal  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
The  General  Committee  of  this  Society  held  a  meeting  on  Monday 
last  at  Anderton’s  Hotel,  Fleet  Street,  IMr.  T.  W.  Sanders  occupying  the 
chair.  After  the  usual  preliminary  business  had  been  disposed  of  the 
Secretary  read  a  list  of  awards  of  silver-gilt,  silver,  and  bronze  medals 
that  were  awarded  at  the  recent  exhibition  at  the  Koyal  Aquarium.  He 
then  submitted  a  rough  draft  financial  statement  up  to  date,  which  was 
considered  satisfactory  in  every  respect.  The  place  and  date  of  the 
annual  dinner  were  next  discussed,  and  a  Sub-Committee,  consisting  of 
Messrs.  Bevan,  Ballantine,  and  Berridge,  was  appointed  to  carry  out  the 
details  incident  thereto. 
Some  new  members  were  then  elected,  and  the  North  Canterbiu’y 
Chrysanthemum  Club  of  New  Zealand  was  admitted  in  affiliation.  Mr. 
Gordon  reported  for  the  benefit  of  those  interested  in  early  flowering 
varieties  that  a  collection  worthy  of  a  visit  was  at  present  in  flower  at 
the  Chiswick  Gardens  of  the  E..H.S.,  and  would  be  worth  seeing  any 
time  during  a  fortnight. 
In  the  foreign  department  Mr.  Harman  Payne  called  attention  to  the 
forthcoming  show  and  conference  at  Oi'leans  under  the  auspices  of  the 
French  National  Society,  the  executive  of  which  had  expressed  a  wish 
to  see  some  representatives  of  the  English  Society  present.  Mr.  Payne 
j)romised  to  give  all  further  information  necessary  if  it  was  ultimately 
arranged  for  such  an  interchange  of  good  feeling  between  the  sister 
societies  to  take  place.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman  brought  the 
proceedings  to  a  close. 
Feeding  Chrysanthemums. 
Now  that  the  time  has  arrived  for  supplying  the  wants  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  in  the  shape  of  manures  and  other  stimulants,  I  venture  to 
pen  a  few  methods  by  which  the  plants  may  be  invigorated.  In  the  first 
place,  no  plants  should  receive  artificial  or  liquid  manures  until  the  pots 
are  well  filled  with  roots,  as  this  kind  of  feeding  is  not  intended  to  make, 
nor  will  it  ever  succeed  in  making,  rootless  plants  strong.  Feeding  such 
examples  mostly  has  the  opposite  effect  of  killing  the  plants  outright. 
Even  when  in  good  health  some  kinds  will  not  succeed  under  the 
periodical  use  of  artificial  manures,  which  can  be  administered  to  strong 
growers  without  danger  when  properly  applied.  The  weak  rooters  may 
be  easily  discerned  by  watching  the  plants  when  watering.  IMany  kinds 
will  be  still  quite  moist  when  the  strong  feeders  are  quite  ready  for 
water. 
Those  enthusiasts  who  pot  early  in  order  to  get  strong  plants,  thinking 
of  defeating  their  neighbours  (though  this  early  potting  is  not  always  the 
safest),  will  reijuire  to  use  weak  stimulants  by  the  beginning  of  August. 
A  butt  or  barrel  of  some  kind  should  be  in  readiness.  Nothing  is  better 
at  that  time  than  fresh  cow  manure  and  soot.  The  former  should  be 
placed  in  a  wicker  hamper  with  a  lid,  so  that  it  may  be  tied  down  to  keep 
all  litter  from  floating  about  the  receptacle.  The  soot  should  be  put  into 
a  bag  and  tied  loosely  ;  about  a  peck  is  sufficient  for  a  paraffin  cask  full 
of  water,  also  the  same  quantity  of  cow  manure,  which  should  be  taken 
out  and  replaced  with  fresh  every  week  or  so,  according  to  the  quantity 
of  water  used.  The  soot  will  last  a  fortnight,  and  will  then  recjuire  to 
be  replaced  by  a  fresh  supply.  I  mention  paraffin  casks,  as  these  are 
frequently  used  for  the  purpose,  after  being  burned  out  to  cleanse  them. 
Soft  water  should  be  used  in  all  cases  if  pi'ocurable.  When  watering 
dilute  the  liquid  to  the  colour  of  pale  brandy,  using  it  twice  a  week  at  the 
commencement.  After  three  weeks  the  plants  will  benefit  if  they  are 
watered  alternately  with  the  mixture.  I  have  used  horse  manure  with 
marked  success  in  the  same  way,  but  it  is  best  not  to  begin  with  it  till 
September  has  arrived,  not  using  it  more  than  twice  a  week.  Many  of 
the  Incurved  kinds  thrive  immensely  when  fed  judiciously  with  horse 
manure,  especially  the  Queens  and  the  Tecks. 
When  September  has  arrived  feeding  in  e<arnest  must  begin  to  get  the 
best  results.  We  are  now  using  the  drainings  of  the  stables,  piggeries, 
and  cowhouses,  diluted  to  the  strength  mentioned  above,  or  about  a 
2-gallon  watering-can  of  the  liquid  to  30  gallons  of  clear  water.  We 
water  alternately  with  this  and  clear  water,  giving  a  change  once  a 
week  of  Clay’s  or  Pearson’s  chemical  manure,  using  a  pint  to  30  gallons  of 
water.  This  change,  I  should  mention,  is  in  the  place  of  clear  water,  not 
interfering  with  the  other  feeding.  Blood  is  often  used,  which  can  be 
readily  obtained  in  towns  or  large  villages  by  applying  to  a  butcher. 
This  should  be  placed  in  a  tub,  as  before  recommended,  the  soot  bag 
being  also  added.  One  pint  of  this  added  to  2  gallons  of  water  is  suffi¬ 
cient,  using  it  twice  a  week.  I  am  afraid  to  recommend  this  to  growers 
who  have  their  plants  close  to  the  dwelling,  as  the  scent  from  this 
fertiliser  is  not  all  that  could  be  desired.  Nevertheless,  the  finest  foliage 
I  have  ever  seen  on  the  Chr3'santhemum  was  on  plants  fed  with  bullock  s 
blood  and  soot. 
Where  the  cow  manure  is  used  throughout  the  season  some  other 
stimulant  will  be  required  after  the  middle  of  September.  We  change 
the  diet  by  giving  a  dose  of  guano,  one  week  Clay’s,  the  next  a  change 
with  Pearson’s.  Ours  is  mixed  in  the  water  at  the  same  rate  as  before 
mentioned.  I  may  here  say  that  Pearson’s  manure  is  grand  for  keepinsj 
colour  in  the  foliage,  which  is  essential  in  all  cases. 
For  small  collections  grown  by  amateurs  these  manures  may  be 
applied  dry  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  ;  a  dessert-spoonful  to  a  9  or  10- 
iiich  pot  will  l)e  ample.  Where  large  bushes  are  grown  for  cutting  in 
large  ]iots  they  will  need  more  support  than  a  plant  that  has  three  or 
four  blooms  to  open.  Much  may  be  done  to  benefit  the  plants  by  tojt- 
dressings.  These  are  especially  recommended  where  it  may  be  difficult 
to  obtain  the  ingredients  recommended  above.  Those  who  keep  a  fowl 
run  would  find  the  manure  from  the  roost  a  good  fertiliser.  Before 
being  used  it  should  be  thoroughly  dried,  in  order  that  it  may  be  broken 
into  powder,  and  be  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the  soil,  using  about 
a  peck  and  a  half  to  a  moderate  sized  wheelbarrow  load.  If  this  cannot 
be  had,  where  rabbits  are  kept  in  hutches  the  manure  may  be  saved  from 
them,  and  it  will  answer  a  similar  purpose,  using  the  same  quantity  as 
of  fowl  manure.  Sheep  manure  may  be  also  employed  in  the  same  form. 
Clay’s  fertiliser  is  also  recommendable,  using  a  G-inch  ])Otful  to  a  bushel 
of  soil.  The  pots  should  be  filled  not  later  than  the  1st  of  September. 
In  all  cases  a  little  soot  should  be  used  in  the  mixture— say  half  a  6-inch 
potful  to  a  bushel  of  soil.  Watering  should  bo  done  with  a  rose  for  ten 
days  at  least  after  the  top-dressing. 
We  practise  this  system,  using  liquids  as  before  stated,  but  only  with 
plants  grown  to  produce  specimen  or  exhibition  blooms.  Where  large 
[lots  are  used  the  jdants  will  not  require  so  much  artificial  manuring. 
When  potting  a  knowledge  of  the  kinds  is  necessary  with  regard  to  their 
constitution,  always  giving  the  strongest  growers  the  largest  pots,  as 
some  kinds  will  produce  as  good  flowers  in  an  8-inch  pot  as  others  in 
10  or  11-inch  pots.  Feeding  should  cease  when  the  flowers  are  half 
expanded. — An  Old  Groaver. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — September  21st,  1897. 
The  Hall  on  Tuesday  presented  a  singularly  gay  appearance,  almostthe 
whole  of  the  tables  being  quite  full ;  indeed  there  was  packing  observed 
occasionally.  The  vast  majority  of  the  exhibits  were  for  tbe  inspection 
of  the  Floral  Committee,  Dahlias  being  in  very  great  force.  Orchids 
were  not  at  all  numerous,  and  fruit  and  vegetables  were  very  little 
staged.  Frobably  the  exhibitors  of  fruit  are  reserving  themselves  for  the 
Crystal  Palace  next  week. 
Fruit  Co^i^httee- — Present:  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  ^Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  G.  W.  Cummins,  W.  Iggulden, 
J.  Willard,  J.  H.  Veitch,  G.  Norman,  R.  Fife,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  T.  Miles, 
G.  Reynolds,  W.  J.  Empson,  G.  Woodward,  W.  Bates,  W.  Farr,  A.  Dean, 
J.  Smith,  G.  Willard,  and  ,J.  Wright. 
Mr.  W.  A.  Bishop,  The  Gardens,  Westley  Hall,  sent  again  some  of 
his  seedling  Melons — namely,  Westley  Defiance,  over-ripe;  Dr.  Lionel 
Burrell,  soft  in  the  centre,  hard  at  the  rind;  and  Westley  Hybrid,  not  of 
high  quality,  and  passed. 
Peach  Late  Devonian  was  sent  by  IMessrs.  Veitch  &  Son,  Exeter. 
This  variety  was  certificated  in  1894.  The  tree  is  pronounced  very  hardy 
and  a  good  bearer  ;  flavour  of  the  fruit  is  good,  and  the  certificate  was- 
confirmed. 
!Mr.  G.  Bloxham  sent  from  Brickhill  Manor  a  fine  bunch  of  Bloxham 
Seedling  Grai)e,  cut  from  a  Vine  in  a  pot.  It  is  a  greenish  white  Grajie, 
with  rather  small  roundish  berries,  having  a  very  tous:h  skin  ;  flesh 
rather  firm,  juicy,  sweet,  with  a  pleasant  flavour.  If  the  berries  will 
keep  till  March  the  variety  may  prove  useful. 
iMr.  G.  Woodward  sent  from  Barham  Court  two  dishes  of  Beurrd 
IMortillet  Pear,  one  from  a  tree  established  on  Williams’  Bon  Chretien, 
the  other  on  Doyennfi  du  Comice.  The  latter  were  decidedly  the  larger 
and  better.  This  is  a  promising  early  market  Pear,  and  is  said  to  be 
better  from  trees  in  the  open  than  against  walls.  A  cultural  com¬ 
mendation  was  granted  for  these  fine  fruits. 
Mr.  Empson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Wingfield,  arranged  quite  a  trophy  of 
Onions  in  upwards  of  a  dozen  admirably  grown  varieties,  of  ^  which 
Excelsior  and  Ailsa  Craig  appeared  to  be  the  finest  (silver  Knightian 
medal).  Mr.  W.  Kemp,  The  Gunyah,  Barnes,  sent  a  collection  of 
Melons  and  Cucumbers,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded. 
The  Veitchian  Fruit  Prizes  for  Flavour. — There  was  excel¬ 
lent  competition  with  the  following  results  :  —  First,  Mr.  G. 
Wythes,  Syon,  with  Ribston  Pippin.  Second,  Col.  Coleman,  Reigate 
(Mr.  King,  gardener),  with  Worcester  Pearmain.  Pears. — First,  Mr.  C. 
Herrin,  Dropmore,  with  Souvenir  du  Congres.  Second,  Mr.  Wythes, 
with  Autumn  Nelis. 
Floral  Committee. — Present  :  W.  IMarshall,  Esq.,  (in  the  chair) 
with  Messrs.  II.  B.  May,  C.  T,  Druerv,  R.  Dean,  .1.  H.  Fitt,  G.  Stevens, 
J.  F.  McLeod,  J.  Jennings,  T.  Peed,  It.  B.  Lowe,  C.  Jeffries,  J.  D.  Pawle, 
D.  B.  Crane,  E.  Beckett,  G.  Paul,  J.  W.  Barr,  and  J.  Fraser. 
A  charming  display  of  Roses  was  made  by  IMessrs.  W.  Paul  &  Son, 
Waltham  Cross.  The  flowers  were  of  very  good  form,  and  served  as  an 
illustration  of  the  varieties  particularly  adapted  to  an  autumn  display. 
Especially  conspicuous  were  (,)ueen  IMab,  Coriuna,  Camoens,  Madame 
Pierre  Cochet,  Marie  Van  Houtte,  Enchantress,  Mrs.  .lohn  Laing,  and 
Empress  Alexandra  of  Russia,  each  of  w'hich  was  shown  in  considerable 
quantities.  ;Miscellaneous  foliage  ])lants  were  splendidly  staged  by 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill.  The  group  comprised  Crotons,. 
Palms,  and  Dracaenas,  all  well  grown,  and  in  excellent  colour.  Messrs.. 
.1.  Peed  &  Son,  Norwood,  had  a  stand  of  a  very  similar  nature. 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  arranged  a  stand  of  her¬ 
baceous  plants,  in  which  large  bunches  of  Michaelmas  Daisies  were 
