568 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  December  19,  1901. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present:  George  Bunyard,  Esq.,  in  the  chair;  with  Messrs. 
Jos.  Cheal,  J.  W.  Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  Alex.  Dean,  J.  Jaques, 
E.  Q.  Lane,  W.  Poupart,  Geo.  Keif,  and  H.  Markham. 
Messrs.  Froome  and  Son,  High  Road,  E.  Finchley,  sent  a 
seedling  Apple  named  Finchley  Pippin,  which  was  firm  and 
attractive. 
An  Award  of  Merit  was  given  to  Captain  Carstairs  for  a  new 
seedling  Pear  named  General  Wauchope.  Other  Apples  came 
from  Messrs.  Harrison  and  Sons,  Leicester,  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Hay¬ 
ward,  Bowden,  Cheshire. 
Mr.  Harrison,  The  Gardens,  Frinland  Lodge,  Woodstock, 
Oxon,  showed  the  new  box  for  containing  Grapes  for  transport. 
We  described  the  box  in  our  report  of  the  N.C.S.  winter  show. 
A  Silver  Banksian  Medall  was  awarded  to  R.  P.  Cooper,  Esq. 
(gardener,  Mr.  A.  B.  Higgins),  Ashlyne,  Berkhamstead,  for 
eleven  bunches  of  Grapes.  Five  of  these  were  good  and  well- 
finished  bunches  of  Lady  Hutt  Muscat,  the  others  were  splendid 
Alicantes. 
Messrs.  Peed  and  Son,  West  Norwood,  London,  S.E.,  staged 
a  large  collection  of  the  leading  varieties  of  Pears  and  Apples. 
Medals  of  the  Floral  Committee. 
Silver-gilt  Flora  for  group  of  winter  flowering  Begonias  to  Messrs. 
J.  Veitch  A  Sons,  Chelsea.  Silver-gilt  Banksian  for  group  of  cut  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  to  Messrs.  Canned  &  Sons.  Swanley.  Silver  Banksian 
for  group  of  Chrysanthemums  to  Messrs.  Wells  &  Co.,  Ltd..  Redhill, 
Surrey  ;  for  group  of  Poinsettias  to  Mr.  J.  Colman,  Gatton  Park, 
Reigate ;  for  group  of  Cyclamen  to  W.  Seward,  Esq.,  Hanwell, 
Middlesex. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit 
Begonia  Agatha  (Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.). — Very  much 
like  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  but  is  far  more  Soniferous  ;  the  inflorescence 
form  a  dense,  though  graceful  mass  of  bloom  over  the  foliage,  which  is 
large  and  robust.  The  parentage  was  B.  socotrana  x  with  B.  Moon¬ 
light.  the  latter  itself  a  hybrid. 
Chrysanthemum  Golden  Princess  Victoria  (Messrs.  Wells  &  Co., 
Earlswood.  Redhill). — A  dwarf,  brilliant  golden-yellow  Jap  from  the 
white  Princess  Victoria  (Award  of  Merit). 
Cyprvpedium  x  Troilus  (J.  Gurney  Fowler,  Esq.). — A  handsome 
variety  from  C.  Sallieri  hyeanum  and  C.  insigne  Sanderi ;  the  dorsal 
sepal  is  large  and  bold,  incurving  round  the  edges,  with  a  broad  white 
margin  and  green  centre. ;  the  central  rib  is  chocolate ;  the  wavy  petals 
come  forward,  and  are  tinged  brownish  over  a  greenish  ground  ;  tne 
lip  is  brown  (Award  of  Merit). 
Lycaste  Tunstilli  (R.  Tunstill,  Esq.). — A  flower  as  large  as 
L.  Skinneri.  and  same  .form,  but  of  a  dull,  faint  purplish  colour  on 
sepals  and  petals  :  deeper  hued  lip  (Award  of  Merit). 
Pear  General  Wauchope  (Captain  Carstairs). — A  good  dessert  Pear 
taking  after  Duehesse  d’Angouleme  form.  This  with  Ne  Plus  Meuris 
were  the  parents.  The  skin  is  greenish  yellow.  We  hope  to  figure 
this  variety  (Award  of  Merit). 
Potato  Bobbie's  Improved  Kidney  (Dobbie  &  Co.). — Nice  even 
Potatoes,  with  comparatively  smooth  skin  (Award  of  Merit). 
Potato  Ker's  B.  (Mr.  W.  Ker,  Dumfries.  N.B.). — A  roundish,  even 
Potato  with  shallow  eyes  (Award  of  Merit). 
Potato  Ellington  Prolific  (W.  Ellington,  West  Row  Gardens, 
Mildenhall).  —Over  medium  size,  somewhat  pronounced  eyes,  smooth 
and  even  (Award  of  Merit). 
Pota  o  Fylde  Wonder  (W.  Troughton,  Preston)* — Round,  even, 
comparatively  smooth  and  shallow  eyes  (Award  of  Merit). 
Bristol  and  District  Gardeners'. 
The  fortnightly  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  at  St.  John’s 
Rooms  on  Thursday  evening,  December  12th.  Mr.  Hancock  presiding 
over  a.  moderate  attendance.  The  essay  for  the  evening  was  on 
Stove  Plants,  by  Mr.  J.  T.  Curtis,  gardener  to  Alderman  W.  Howell 
Davis,  J.P.,  which  was  in  every  respect  a  most  practical  one.  and  one 
which  reflects  great  credit  not  only  on'  the  essayist,  but  also  on  the 
association  itself.  Mr.  Curtis  divided  his  subject  into  three  parts — 
stove  climbers,  flowering  and  foliage  plants,  dealing  with  details  in  a 
clear  and  masterly  way.  He  gave  an  excellent  selection  of  all  three 
varieties  of  stove  plants,  their  mode  of  culture  and  treatment,  their 
usefulness  for  decorative  purposes,  and  the  insects  which  infest  them, 
and  best  means  of  prevention  and  eradication. 
At  the  outset  he  remarked  he  was  giving  his  own  practical 
experience,  which  showed  he  was  a  successful  cultivator  of  no  mean 
standing.  Where  the  gardener  has  no  proper  stove  house,  Mr.  Curtis 
gave  directions  as  to  the  arrangement  of  the  different  varieties,  so  as 
not  to  overcrowd  and  yet  be  able  to  grow  them  with  success.  The 
compost  for  each  plant  was  carefully  gone  into,  the  lecturer  imparting 
his  knowledge  to  his  audience  in  a  clear  way.  from  which  they  were 
able  to  obtain  many  valuable  hints.  The  culture  of  such  plants  as 
the  Gardenia,  Pancratium,  and  Eucharis  he  minutely  described, 
giving  clear  and  concise  details  for  their  successful  cultivation.  The 
Croton  being  one  of  the  favourites  for  table  decoration,  Mr.  Curtis 
described  his  mode  of  growing  them,  the  compost  they  thrive  best  in, 
and  the  best  methods  for  feeding. 
Concluding  his  paper,  the  essayist  laid  great  emphasis  on  the  good 
work  this  society  is  doing,  remarking  that  not  only  were  gardeners 
themselves  obtaining  valuable  information  by  attending  the  lectures, 
but  that  their  employers  were  undoubtedly  also  reaping  the  benefit 
by  having  better  gardeners  in  consequence.  His  paper  was  much 
appreciated,  and  it  was  hoped  that  at  some  future  date  Mr.  Curtis 
would  continue  his  paper,  which  had  been  so  instructive  and  interest¬ 
ing.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  terminated  a  most  enjoyable  evening. 
Prizes  for  two  foliage  plants  suitable  for  table  decoration  were 
awarded  as  follows : — The  lecturer  gaining  first  for  Alderman  W. 
Howell-Davis,  J.P. ;  second.  Mr.  Francis  Taggart.  F.L.S.,  J.P. 
(gardener,  Mr.  Binfield) ;  and  equal  third  to  Mr.  J.  B.  Brain  (gardener, 
Mr.  Atwell)  and  Mr.  Price.  Certificates  of  merit  went  to  Alderman 
W.  Howell-Davis,  J.P.  (gardener.  Mr.  Curtis),  and  to  Mr.  Alfred 
Hall  (gardener,  Mr.  Ware)  for  Zygopetalum  Mackayi.  A  special 
certificate  of  merit  was  recommended  for  Mr.  Arthur  Baker,  J.P. 
(gardener,  Mr.  Orchard),  for  a  beautiful  Lachenalia  rubrum. — H.  K. 
Dulwich  Chrysanthemum. 
The  eighth  annual  dinner  and  distribution  of  prizes  of  the  Dulwich 
Chrysanthemum  Society  took  place  on  Wednesday  last  at  the  Mont¬ 
pelier.  Choumert  Road,  and  was  attended  by  about  seventy  members 
and  friends  of  the  society.  The  proceedings  throughout  were  of  a 
most  enthusiastic  character,  and  under  the  chairmanship  of  C.  Bayer, 
Esq.,  a  very  enjoyable  evening  was  spent.  Amongst  those  present 
were  many  who  are  well  known  in  the  Chrysanthemum  world,  Mr. 
Percy  Waterer,  Mr.  J.  H.  Witty,  Mr.  Moorman.  Mr.  Norman  Davis, 
Mr.  C.  W.  Tagg,  all  testifying  by  their  presence  the  interest  taken  in 
the  society,  and  they  were  eloquent  in  their  praises  of  the  manage¬ 
ment  and  of  the  high  character  of  the  recent  exhibition.  When  it  is 
noted  that  the  secretary  was  able  to  report  an  increase  of  twenty-six 
members  during  the  year,  making  a  total  membership  of  158,  and 
anticipated  a  balance  in  hand  of  about  £40.  it  is  easily  realised  how 
well  deserved  were  the  eulogies  so  readily  bestowed.  Many  valuable 
special  prizes  were  promised  during  the  evening,  including  a  gold 
medal  by  Mr.  Norman  Davis. 
Insect  Enemies  of  the  Strawberry. 
In  consequence  of  its  mode  of  growth  the  Strawberry  is  a 
plant  peculiarly  exposed  to  the  a’ tacks  of  insects  that  are 
accustomed  to  secrete  themselves,  when  not  feeding,  beneath 
the  soil  or  under  the  shelter  of  chance  objects.  Much  injury 
may  be  done,  and  the  cause  escape  detection,  if  the  rows  are 
not  examined  both  by  day  and  night.  Washing  and  syringing 
cannot  always  be  carried  out,  even  if  this  were  of  proved 
utility  in  the  case  of  some  insect  pest,  nor  can  the  plants  be 
beaten  or  shaken  wirh  advantage,  and  searching  for  small 
species  is  tedious  work,  yielding  unsatisfactory  results.  Some¬ 
thing  may  be  done  in  the  way  of  trapping  certain  insects 
whose  habits  are  known,  bur  the  destroyers  at  the  roots  are 
apt  to  escape  notice  until  the  injuries  are  well-nigh  fatal  to 
the  plant.  We  have  an  advantage  over  these  subterranean 
species  with  those  crops  that  can  be  shifted  from  place  to  place 
in  a  way  that  is  not  possible  with  the  Strawberry.  It  is  one 
of  those  p  ants  occasionally  attacked  by  the  grub  of  the  crane 
fly  (Tipula  sp.) 
We  proceed  to  notice  the  beetles  that  are  hurtful  to  the 
Strawberry  in  va»mus  stages  of  its  growth,  and  begin  with 
those  species  that  are  decidedly  mischievous  to  the  ripe,  or 
unripe  fruit.  Both  in  Brii  ain  and  in  America  observations  in 
several  localities  prove  that  more  than  one  species  belonging 
to  the  family  of  the  Carabidte,  carnivorous  by  habit,  and 
reputed  formerly  to  be  friends  and  not  foes,  will  destroy 
qualities  <  f  Strawberries.  One  of  the  conspicuous  species 
has  been  identified  as  Harpalus  ruticomis  (see  figure),  and  it 
is  most  probable  that  some  others  in  that  genus  act  similarly 
when  they  have  opportunity.  The  beetles  of  the  genus  are 
variable  in  size  and  colour  even  in  the  same 
species,  and  are  therefore  difficult  to  classify. 
The  “  tarsi”  or  feet  of  the  males  have  the  basal 
joints  dilated,  and  the  wing-cases  are  generally 
dotted  over  with  numerous  punctures.  During 
the  day  they  hide  under  any  convenient  obj-  ct, 
or,  should  the  weather  and  soil  be  dry,  they 
will  get  into  cracks  of  the  earth.  After  dark 
tfiey  come  forth,  perhaps  by  hundreds,  where 
they  have  established  a  colony  in  a  Strawberry  Harpalus  ruticomis. 
bed,  and  feast  upon  the  fruit  much  to  its 
damage.  Why  they  should  devour  this  instead  of.  or  in 
addition  t*>,  t.h-  ir  natural  food  is  at  present  unexplainable,  the 
chief  point  with  the  gardener  is  to  put  a  stop  to  their  proceed¬ 
ings.  Trapping  them  has  answered  well.  At  first  putting 
down  pieces  of  boards  and  slates  was  tried  ;  the  beetles  con- 
cea'ed  themselve-*  under  these,  but  their  agility  enabled  them 
to  escape  frequently  when  they  were  turned  over.  It  was 
found  an  improvement  to  lay  in  suitable  spots  drain  pipes 
