92 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  2,  1899. 
the  plants  and  get  them  well  established  in  the  fruiting  quarters  before 
the  first  blooms  are  set. 
That  is  the  crux  of  raising  Tomato  plants  from  seed.  Never 
over-water  or  allow  the  plants  to  become  dry  at  the  roots  as  to  cause 
flagging.  Room  is  another  great  point,  for  the  plants  will  grow  up  if  they 
cannot  spread  out  laterally  ;  therefore  get  stamina  into  the  seedlings 
from  the  moment  they  appear  above  ground,  and  remember  they  vvant 
as  much  air  and  as  much  light  to  he  able  to  bear  fruit  as  the 
Potato  does  to  produce  mealy  tubers. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continued.) 
SOWING  BROAD  BEANS. 
Where  Broad  Beans  are  in  demand  advantage  should  be  taken  of  the 
earliest  opportunity  to  make  a  sowing  of  Early  Longpod  or  other  variety 
of  this  class,  as  they  are  the  hardiest  and  earliest  in  coming  into  hearing. 
Windsor  Beans  are  not  so  early,  but  superior  in  quality,  and  may  be  sown 
as  a  main  crop  variety  at  the  end  of  February  or  early  in  March. 
Broad  Beans  require  good,  rich,  substantial  soil,  but  the  situation  for 
early  sowings  may  be  warm  and  sheltered.  Where  the  soil  is  light  in 
character  deep  culture  and  liberal  manuring  are  highly  appreciated  by 
this  crop,  because  the  plants  make  strong  growth,  and  are  consequently 
gross  feeding.  Sow  the  Beans  in  double  rows  and  2  inches  deep,  the  rows 
being  2  feet  apart  for  the  early,  and  3  feet  for  the  main  crop.  The  two 
lines  of  the  double  row  may  be  8  or  9  inches  apart. 
After  the  seed  commences  to  germinate  and  come  through  the  soil 
the  surface  may  be  frequently  hoed  over  in  dry  weather.  This  will 
promote  the  growth  better  than  any  other  attention,  inasmuch  as  it 
admits  air  and  warmth  into  the  soil  while  preventing  the  escape  of 
moisture  and  keeping  the  ground  clear  of  weeds.  This  will  keep  them 
growing  well  and  bring  them  into  flower  as  soon  as  desirable.  When 
the  flowers  have  set  nip  out  the  points  of  shoots,  as  it  almost  invariably 
happens  that  black  fly  attacks  the  plants  if  this  is  not  done.  Even  if 
there  should  not  be  any  fly  the  practice  of  stopping  the  topi  is  desirable, 
as  it  helps  the  pods  to  swell. — S. 
NOTES  ON  FIGS. 
At  wide  intervals  during  the  past  year  I  have  sent  to  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture  brief  seasonable  notes  on  Fig  culture  under  glass.  This  I 
propose  doing  again,  as  though  houses  of  Figs  are  not  found  in  every 
establishment  their  cultivation  is  sufficiently  extensive  to  make  the  obser¬ 
vations  of  value.  Obviously  general  details  cannot  be  afforded  unless  a 
series  of  articles  be  given,  and  those  might  not  have  the  same  value  as 
concentrated  hints. 
Earliest  Trees  in  Pots. 
The  trees  being  now  in  full  growth  the  points  of  the  shoots  must  be 
pinched  out  when  they  have  made  about  five  leaves.  A  temperature  of 
55“  to  60°  at  night,  65°  by  day.  advancing  to  70°  with  sun  heat,  closing 
early,  and  allowing  an  advance  to  80°  or  85,  is  suitable  for  the  present. 
When  the  weather  is  dull  afford  a  slight  increase  of  heat  in  the  early  part 
of  the  day,  so  as  to  admit  of  a  little  ventilation,  if  only  for  an  hour  or 
two,  to  effect  a  change  of  atmosphere  and  induce  sturdy  growths.  The 
bottom  heat  should  be  kept  steady  at  70°  to  75°,  introducing  fresh 
sweetened  leaves  and  litter  as  necessary.  Syringe  frequently  to  keep  the 
trees  free  from  red  spider,  and  always  sufficiently  early  to  allow  the  loliage 
to  become  dry  before  night. 
,  Early"  Trees  in  Borders. 
The  trees  started  at  the  new  year  have  commenced  growth  and  the 
temperature  slightly  raised.  A  warmth  ot  55°  will  be  suitable  at  night  and 
60°  to  65°  by  day,  with  a  rise  to  70°  or  75°from8un  heat,  and  a  free  circula¬ 
tion  of  air,  as  a  drawn  and  weakly  growth  cannot  afterwards  be  rectified, 
and  must  be  avoided  by  free  ventilation  on  all  favourable  occasions,  striving 
to  secure  a  sturdy  short-jointed  wood  from  the  commencement.  Syringe 
the  trees  twice  a  day  on  fine  days,  but  when  dull  morning  syringing  will 
be  sufficient.  The  border  will  require  copious  supplies  of  tepid 
liquid  manure,  or  watering  through  a  mulch  of  manure  in  a  lump^’ 
state,  so  as  to  allow  the  roots  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  air.  Avoid, 
however,  making  the  trees  exuberant,  as  that  is  fatal  to  fruitfulness.  In 
order  to  secure  the  free  and  certain  swelling  of  the  first  crop  of  fruit  keep 
the  growths  somewhat  closely  pinched,  say  at  the  fifth  leaf,  and  rub  off 
side  growths  not  required  to  occupy  vacant  space  or  to  form  the  so-called 
spurs. 
Second  Early  Border  Trees. 
The  house  to  afford  fruit  at  the  end  of  June  or  early  in  July  may 
now  be  started.  The  trees  will  afford  a  second  crop  of  fruit  in  September 
which  will  be  very  acceptable.  If  the  trees  have  not  had  the  old  bare 
growths  cut  out,  so  as  to  leave  the  successional  wood  with  its  terminals 
for  furnishing  the  first  crop,  and  been  dressed  with  an  insecticide,  these 
matters  must  have  immediate  attention.  The  border  should  be  brought 
into  a  thoroughly  moist  state  by  repeated  watering  if  necessary  with 
tepid  water,  or  where  the  borders  are  small  and  the  trees  large  liquid 
manure  may  be  supplied.  Syringe  the  trees  twice  a  day  in  bright  weather, 
occasionally  only  when  dull,  but  damp  the  floors  and  borders  so  as  to 
secure  a  genial  atmosphere.  A  temperature  of  50°  at  night,  and  55°  by 
day  artificially,  is  sufficient  to  commence  with,  advancing  to  65°  from  sun 
heat,  with  a  free  circulation  of  air.— Grower. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — January  31st,  1899. 
The  display'  of  flowers  in  the  Drill  Hall  on  Tuesday  was  very  much 
more  interesting  than  might  have  been  expected.  Orchids  and  Primulas 
were  handsome,  as  were  the  Apples  from  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son. 
Each  Committee  had  exhibits  to  aticnd  to,  but  the  Orchid  was,  perhaps, 
the  busiest  section. 
Fruit  Committee.— Present ;  P.  Crowley,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  A.  F.  Barron,  W.  Poiipart,  A.  Dean,  J.  W.  Bates,  F.  Q. 
Lane,  G.  Reynolds,  J.  Willard,  and  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks. 
^Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son,  Sawbridgeworth,  staged  an  excellent  exhibit 
of  Apples  and  Oranges.  The  former  were  very  fine  indeed,  and  comprised 
splendid  examples  of  Gloria  Mundi,  Gascoyne’s  Scarlet,  Buckingham, 
King  of  Tompkins  County,  Belle  Dubois  Melon,  Lord  Derby,  Bailey’s 
Sweet,  Wadhurst  Pippin.  Lewis’  Incomparable,  Emperor  Alexander,  and 
Bijou.  The  Oranges  comprised  well  grown  varieties  of  St.  Michael’s. 
Mr.  W.  Roupell,  Roupell  Park,  exhibited  a  basket  of  Apples,  con¬ 
sisting  of  Newton  Wonder,  Smart’s  Prince  Arthur,  and  Annie  Elizabeth  : 
the  specimens  were  well  preserved  and  presented  an  attractive  appearance. 
Mr.  Francis  Calvers,  Ludlow,  exhibited  a  seedling  Apple  named  “Collin 
Cal  vers,”  but  the  fruits  were  evidently  past  their  best.  The  same  exhibitor 
also  staged  a  dish  of  Pear  St.  Julien. 
Floral  Committee. — Present  :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  O.  Thomas,  H,  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  W.  Howe,  C.  Jeffries, 
J.  Fraser  (Kew),  E.  T.  Cook,  J.  Hudson.  J.  Jennings,  T.  Peed,  R.  B. 
Lowe,  C  E.  Pearson,  W.  Bain,  J.  D.  Pawle.  R.  W.  Ker.  J,  Walker, 
C.  E.  Shea,  J.  W.  Barr,  H,  J.  Jones,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  C,  Blick,  and  G. 
Paul. 
Messrs.  .T.  Hill  &  Son,  Lower  Edmonton,  exhibited  a  choice  collec¬ 
tion  of  Ferns,  comprising  good  specimens  i.J  Gymnogramma  calome- 
lanos,  Asplenium  Colensoi,  Davallia  hirta  cristata,  Nephrolepis  davalli- 
oidcs  furcans,  and  many  others  (silver  Flora  medal).  Messrs.  H.  Cannell 
and  Sons,  Swanley,  contributed  a  fine  collection  ot  Primulas.  The  plants 
were  grown  in  6-inch  pots,  with  very  healthy  foliage  and  an  abundance  of 
bloom  trusses.  Cannell  s  Pink,  White  Perfeetion,  Duchess  of  Fife,  Beacon, 
Snowdrift,  Mrs.  R.  W.  Cannell,  The  Sirdar.  Cannell’s  White,  Red  Rover, 
and  Kentish  Queen  were  the  most  noteworthy  of  the  single  forms,  while 
the  double  forms  were  well  represented  by  Princess  of  Wales.  King  of 
Purples,  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  Earl  Beaconsfield  and  Annie  Hillier  ;  the 
plants  of  the  latter  were  all  beautifully  flowered  (silver  Flora  medal). 
Messrs.  Jas.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  staged  a  box  of  hybrid  Rhodo¬ 
dendrons,  comprising  many  beautiful  forms.  The  trusses  of  Conqueror, 
Princess  Beatrice,  Ceres,  Purity,  Minerva,  Brilliant,  and  the  double  form, 
balsaminaeflorum  album,  were  very  attractive.  Mr.  R.  Owen,  Maiden¬ 
head,  also  contributed  a  capital  display  of  Primulas.  The  plants  were  well 
grown  and  the  flowers  varied  in  colour,  from  white  to  pink,  heliotrope, 
blue,  red,  crimson  and  purple,  with  many  intermediate  shades.  The 
strain  is  undoubtedly  a  good  one  (bronze  Flora  medal). 
Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill,  staged  a  tasteful  group  of 
foliage  and  flowering  plants.  The  Crotons  were  well  coloured,  while  the 
Palms,  Dracaenas,  and  Ferns  were  enlightened  with  splendid  plants  of 
Bfgonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine,  CypripeHiums,  and  Oranges  in  pots.  Mr.  F. 
Miller,  110,  Fulham  Road,  South  Kensington,  exhibited  an  extensive 
display  of  floral  decorations.  The  spring  flowers  employed  consisted  of 
Acacia  dealbata.  Snowdrops,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Tulips,  Narcissi.  Spiraea, 
white  Lilac,  common  Primroses,  and  Freesias,  The  display  did  much 
to  enhance  the  attractions  of  the  hall  (silver  Banksian  medal).  Messrs. 
F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St.  Albans,  exhibited  excellent  plants  of  Acalypha  hispida 
(Sanderi),  again  demonstrating  its  value  tor  winter-flowering.  Good 
specimens  of  Dracaena  Godseffiana  and  Sanderiana  were  also  staged, 
with  plants  of  Acalypha  Godseffiana,  a  variegated  plant  of  much  beauty. 
Messrs.  Collins  Bros.,  Hampton-on-Tharaes,  exhibited  a  number  of 
Narcissi,  comprising  a  good  display  of  N.  telamonius  plenus,  N.  spurius, 
N.  poeticus  ornatus,  and  N.  princeps.  The  blooms  were  displayed  in 
vases,  also  in  boxes,  as  packed  for  market.  The  bulbs  were  all  grown  at 
Hampton,  and  have  certainly  given  good  results  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons,  Covent  Garden,  staged  a  very  pretty  display  of 
spring-flowering  plants,  comprising  pots  of  Narcissus  minimus,  Chiono- 
doxa  sardensis.  Iris  reticulata  var.  Histria,  and  Cyclamen  ibericum 
rubrum,  C.  i.  roseum,  C.  Atkinsi,  and  Veltheimia  viridiflora.  Sir  Trevor 
Lawrence,  Bart.,  Dorking,  exhibited  some  fine  clumps  of  Helleborus 
Stephen  Olbrich,  and  Frau  Sophie  Froebel,  both  forms  of  a  purplish  rose 
colour  ;  also  a  seedling  of  the  same  colour,  heavily  spotted  with  purple. 
From  this  source  came  a  beautiful  variety  of  Lapageria  rosea.  Knoll 
variety,  a  remarkably  fine  form,  the  flowers  and  foliage  being  quite 
distinct  from  the  Nash  Court  form. 
Messrs.  T.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge  Wells  Nurseries,  exhibited  a  group 
of  Rogeria  cordata.  The  plants  ranged  between  4  or  5  feet  in  height, 
and  produced  the  flowers  in  numerous  terminal  trusses  of  pinkish  colour. 
The  foliage  was  bright  green.  Mr.  H.  Guyett,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Gabriel, 
Elmstead,  Streatham,  exhibited  bunches  of  a  Rhododendron  gathered 
from  the  open  air. 
Orchid  Committee.— Present  :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair); 
with  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien.  H.  M.  Pollett,  11.  Ballantine,  H.  Little,  J. 
daque-j,  J.  T.  Gabriel,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H.  Young,  F.  J.  Thorne, 
E.  Hill,  C.  Winn,  T.  W.  Bond,  E.  Ashworth,  J.  Douglas,  F.  Mason, 
S.  Courtauld,  and  de  Barri  Crawshay. 
