December  9,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
559 
represented  were  Madame  Carnot,  E.  D.  Smith,  Golden  Gate,  Col.  T.  C. 
Bourne,  Nivens,  Beauty  of  Castlewood,  C.  W.  Richardson,  Graphic, 
Mutual  Friend,  Rose  Wynne,  Silver  Kinpf,  Mdlle.  M.  A.  de  Galbert,  Miss 
M.  Blenkiron,  Simplicity,  Etoile  de  Lyon,  G.  C.  Schwabe,  and  Inline. 
Mr.  W,  Slogrove,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Crawford,  Gatton  Cottage,  Reigate, 
was  a  creditable  second,  and  Mr,  N.  Davis,  Framfield,  third. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  incurved,  Mr.  W.  Neville,  gardener  to 
F.  W.  Flight,  Esq,,  Twyford,  was  a  very  decided  first,  his  blooms 
being  beautifully  finished,  and  of  fair  average  size.  The  varieties  were 
Ma  Perfection,  Miss  Dorothy  Foster,  Bonnie  Dundee,  The  Egyptian, 
Major  Bonnaffon,  R.  C.  Kingston,  and  John  Fulford.  Mr.  T.  Robinson, 
gardener  to  W.  Laurence,  Esq.,  Hollingbourne,  Kent,  coming  second; 
and  Mr.  A.  Sturt;  gardener  to  N.  L.  Cohen,  Esq.,  Englefield  Green, 
third.  There  were  four  exhibitors  in  the  class,  but  the  competition  was  not 
very  keen.  Messrs.  R,  Bassil,  gardener  to  D.  H.  Evans,  Esq.,  Pang- 
bourne  ;  W.  Neville,  and  T.  Robinson  took  the  prizes  in  the  order  named 
for  six  incurved,  distinct. 
For  twelve  Japanese,  distinct,  Mr.W.  Messenger  went  to  the  front  with 
a  very  even  stand  of  capital  flowers.  ‘  The  varieties  were  practically  the 
same  as  in  this  exhibitor  s  stand  of  twenty-four.  Mr.  R.  Kenjmn, 
gardener  to  A.  F.  Hills,  Esq.,  Woodford,  was  second,  and  Mr.  W. 
Slogrove  third.  For  six  .Japanese,  distinct,  Mr.  C.  Cox,  gardener  to  J. 
Trotter,  Esq.,  Hertford,  was  first,  Mr.  R.  Kenyon  second,  and  Mr.  A. 
Sturt  third.  Mr.  F.  Bush,  gardener  to  W.  T.  Lister,  Esq.,  Totteridge, 
secured  the  first  prize,  offered  by  C,  W.  Richardson,  Esq.,  for  twelve 
.Japanese,  distinct,  and  was  the  only  exhibitor. 
Bunches  of  both  large  and  small  flowered  single  Chrysanthemums 
were  staged  in  a  few  classes,  and  several  blooms  of  very  good  quality 
were  observed.  The  prizewinners  included  Messrs.  G.  W.  Forbes,  gar¬ 
dener  to  Madame  Nicols,  Surbiton  ;  A.  Felgate,  gardener  to  Elizabeth, 
Duchess  of  Wellington,  Walton-on-Thames  ;  W.  C.  Pagram,  gardener 
to  ,J.  Courtenay,  Esq.,  Weybridge  ;  and  A.  Felgate,  jun.,  Walton-on- 
Thames. 
Of  the  four  competitors  who  staged  in  the  class  for  six  bunches  of 
.Japanese,  distinct  varieties,  Mr.  N.  Davis  was  placed  first,  Mr.  W.  Slo¬ 
grove  second,  and  Mr.  R.  Bassil  third.  Mr.  W.  Howe,  gardener  to 
H.  Tate,  Esq.,  Streatham,  was  first  for  twelve  bunches  of  Japanese  with 
a  charming  exhibit.  The  second  position  was  accorded  to  Mr. 
N.  Davis.  The  last  named  was  the  only  exhibitor  of  twenty-four  bunches 
of  Japanese,  and  was  adjudged  the  premier  award. 
Mr.  A.  Newell,  gardener  to  Sir  Edwin  Saunders,  Fairlawn, 
Wimbledon  Common,  received  the  first  prize  for  a  basket  of  autumn 
berries  and  foliage  with  a  handsome  arrangement.  Miss  C.  B.  Cole, 
Feltham,  was  second ;  and  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  gardener  to  C.  Bayer,  Esq., 
Forest  Hill,  third.  So  strong 
was  this  class  that  extra  prizes 
were  awarded  to  Miss  Easter- 
brook,  Fawkham ;  Mr.  ,J. 
Mansey,  Islington ;  and  Miss 
R.  Debenham,  St.  Albans.  Mr. 
D.  B.  Crane,  Highgate,  was  the 
only  exhibitor  of  one  large  vase 
of  Chrysanthemums,  and  took 
the  first  prize. 
In  addition  to  the  classes  for 
Chrysanthemums  there  were 
others  for  Cyclamens.  Primulas, 
table  of  miscellaneous  plants 
and  floral  decorations.  In  each 
of  these  there  were  one  or  more 
exhibits,  and  some  ti  ne  specimens 
of  culture  were  noticed  here  and 
there,  Mr,  W.  Mease’s  double 
Primulas  being  magnificent. 
The  miscellaneous  exhibits,  shown  “  not  for  competition,  ’  were 
diversified,  numerous,  and  of  very  good  quality.  Mr.  W.  Wells,  Earls- 
wood,  had  a  large  bank  of  Chrysanthemums,  in  the  front  of  which  was  an 
arrangement  of  cork,  with  Ferns  and  water.  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons, 
Swanley,  sent  some  magnificent  vegetables,  comprising  Onions  Cannell  s 
Ailsa  Craig,  Cranston’s  Excelsior,  and  Reading  Improved,  with  Cannell  s 
Defiance  Cabbage  and  splendid  White  Model  Turnip,  as  well  as  Zonal 
Pelargoniums.  Mr.  .1.  R.  Tranter,  Henley-on-Thames,  sent  a  dozen 
blooms  of  Chrysanthemum  Mrs.  J.  R.  Tranter. 
Mr.  R.  Bassil  exhibited  a  capital  collection  of  salads,  such  as  Lettuces, 
Tomatoes,  Onions,  Endive,  Radishes,  C elery,  and  others.  Mr.  W.  Taylor 
sent  a  grand  collection  of  Grapes,  including  handsome  bunches  of  Lady 
Downe’s,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Gros  Colman,  Alicante,  and  Trebbiano. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Godfrey,  Exmouth,  staged  an  extensive  collection  of  cut  blooms, 
mainly  consisting  of  varieties  suitable  for  early  December  and  (  hristmas 
cutting.  Amongst  the  best  may  be  named  Queen  of  Pinks,  Augustus, 
W.  S.  Davis,  H.  W.  Reiman,  Mrs.  H.  Robinson,  Jeannie  Falconer,  and 
Georgina  Pitcher. 
Mr.  W.  Robinson  sent  a  good  collection  of  yellow  varieties,  while  Mr. 
Neville  exhibited  some  charming  incurved  in  variety.  Mr.  J.  R.  Chard, 
Stoke  Newington,  sent  a  table  of  decorations  in  which  (  hrysanthemums 
were  most  conspicuous.  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Lewisham,  made  an  imposing 
display  with  cut  blooms  on  boards  and  in  vases.  Though  the  flowers 
were  not  large  a  charming  effect  was  secured  by  careful  arrangement. 
Mr.  R.  Owen,  Maidenhead,  was  represented  by  a  collection  of  cut  blooms, 
amongst  which  were  many  seedlings  of  good  promise,  as  well  as  several 
of  the  standard  varieties. 
LAYERINa  VINES. 
A  CORRESPONDENT  having  sought  further  information  on  the 
layering  of  Vines  as  practised  by  Mr.  W.  Miller,  at  Combe  Abbey, 
and  especially  on  the  object  of  covering  the  layered  parts  with  moss, 
we  have  pleasure  in  supplying  it,  on  the  best  authority,  as  follows: — 
The  first  time  I  adopted  this  “  dodge  was  in  1878  under  a  pressure 
ot  circumstances,  which  I  need  not  here  explain.  To  this  end  a  young 
cane  is  grown  the  previous  year.  If  it  is  in  a  vertical  position  it  must  be 
brought  down  and  placed  in  a  true  horizontal  position  prior  to  layering. 
JVhen  about  ready  to  layer  the  young  shoots  will  have  grown  out  from 
the  parent  cane,  say  about  6  inches.  The  pots  are  filled  with  soil,  and  as 
the  rod  cannot  be  buried  to  any  depth  in  the  pot  it  is  necessary  to  heap 
some  earth  over  the  parent  rod,  which,  of  course,  will  also  cover 
2  inches  or  so  of  the  young  shoot.  This  done  and  a  neat  stake  put  to  each 
shoot,  a  little  fresh  moss  is  put  over  the  surface  of  each  pot  to  prevent 
the  sun  and  air  drying  the  surface.  This  practically  finishes  the 
operation. 
The  moss  is  kept  frequently  moistened,  but  the  moisture  at  this  stage 
need  only  reach  so  far  as  the  horizontal  rod  ;  this  induces  the  emission 
of  young  roots,  which  generally  appear  in  about  eight  days  from  the 
time  the  layering  process  has  been  performed.  The  roots  issue  the  more 
freely  from  the  upper  side  of  the  stem,  and  as  they  descend  into  the  pots 
more  water  must  be  administered,  following  up  with  liquid  manure  as  the 
roots  grow  stronger. 
At  this  stage  the  young  growths  or  upright  shoots  make  rapid  progress, 
for  now,  be  it  observed,  they  are  fed  from  two  sources— namely,  from  the 
parent  Vine  and  from  the  freshly  emitted  roots.  I  cannot  describe  the 
growth  of  these  Vines  at  this  stage  better  than  by  saying  it  is  “  like 
magic.’ 
When  first  I  experimented  on  Vines  in  this  way,  nineteen  years  ago, 
they  were  severed  from  the  parent  Vine  exactly  thirty  days  after  the 
cane  was  layered.  These  young  Vines  were  then  planted  in  a  well 
made  border,  and  reached  the  top  of  the  house  the  same  season. 
In  the  process  of  raising  Vines  in  this  wa}^  it  is  quite  unnecessary  to 
make  any  incision  on  the  rod  with  the  idea  of  assisting  the  emission 
of  roots.  This  I  have  tried,  but  I  found  it  quite  unnecessary  ;  the  roots 
seem  to  please  themselves  where  they  come  out.  I  have  been  pursuing 
this  practice  more  or  less  -  and  always  successfully— ever  since  my  first 
experiment  in  1878. 
The  fijure  which  accompanied  Mr.  Dnnkln’s  notes  in  his  very 
interesting  description  of  Combe  Abbey  Gardens,  which  appeared  in  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture,  October  21st  (page  393),  was  a  reproduction  of 
the  one  which  accompanied  notes  by  Mr.  James  Smith,  of  Mentmore, 
