262 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  30,  1899. 
Worthinp;,  third.  In  the  smaller  class  for  gardeners  and  amateurs  the 
successful  exhibitors  were  Messrs,  A.  .L  Blake,  E.  Anderson,}  and 
L.  Wickens  respectively. 
Hyacinths  made  a  [rood  display.  P''or  twelve  plants,  not  less  than  six 
varieties,  Mr.  A.  E,  Goldmg,  gardener  to  Mr.  II.  St.  George  Voules, 
Brighton,  was  first  with  Charles  Dickens  fpink)  (2),  Alba  Siiperbissima 
(2),  La  Grandesse  (2),  Queen  of  the  Blues  (2),  Grand  Lilas,  Lord 
Macaulay,  Baron  Van  Tuyll,  and  King  of  the  Blues  ;  second,  Mr.  J. 
Harper,  gardener  to  E.  A.  Tucker,  Estp,  Preston  ;  third,  Mr.  W,  Goodlifi'e, 
For  six  distinct,  first,  Mr.  B.  Lister  ;  second,  Mr.  F.  Rapley. 
Tulips,  twelve  pots. — First,  Mr.  W.  E,  Anderson,  with  .loost  Van 
Vondel.  Thomas  Moore,  Duchesse  de  Parme  (2),  Keizers  Kroon,  Cottage 
Maid.  White  Pottebakker  (2),  Proserpine,  Van  der  Neer  (2),  and  Bronze 
King  ;  second,  Mr.  ,1.  Harper  ;  third,  Mr.  J,  Hill.  For  six  pots, — First, 
Mr,  E.  Meachen  ;  second,  L.  Wickens. 
Narcissus  were  good.  For  twelve  pots,  not  to  include  Polyanthus 
varieties. — First,  Mr.  J.  Harper,  with  Horsefieldi  (2),  Figaro,  Sir  Watkin 
(2),  Emperor  (2),  Frank  Miles,  lOmpress  (2),  Cynosure,  and  Barri 
Conspicnus  ;  second,  Mr.  C.  Smith,  nurseryman.  For  twelve  pots  of 
Polj  anthus  varieties  Mr.  J.  Harper  was  again  first,  Mr.  A.  E.  Golding 
second.  For  six  pots  any  varieties. — First,  Mr.  W.  E.  Anderson  ;  second, 
Mr,  B.  Lister. 
Cinerarias. — Mr.  .las.  Pearl,  gardener  toR  Y.  Bevan,Esq.,Withdeane, 
was  first  for  twelve  with  plants  scarcely  at  their  best ;  second,  Mr,  E. 
Meachen.  Mr.  G.  Simms  was  first  for  six  plants,  the  best  in  the  show, 
and  Mr.  ,1.  Hill  second.  Lily  of  the  Valley  and  Spiraeas  were  well  shown. 
With  the  former  Messrs.  W.  Miles  &  Co.  secured  the  first  prize  in  the 
open  class,  and  Mr.  E.  Meachen  in  the  class  for  gardeners  ;  in  the  latter 
the  Brighton  Florist  Stores  were  first  in  the  open  division,  and  Mr,  B. 
Lister  in  the  gardeners’  section.  Callas  made  a  fine  display  at  the  end 
of  the  Corn  Exchange,  Mr.  Anderson  taking  first  for  six  with  remarkably 
fine  well  bloomed  plants  in  10-inch  pots;  second,  Mr.  B.  Lister  ;  third, 
Mr.  J.  Harper.  Mr.  E.  Meachen  was  first  for  nine  Azaleas,  distinct,  also 
for  six  well  flowered  Deutzia  gracilis,  and  six  pots  of  S'domon’s  Seal. 
Mr.  C.  Murrell,  gardener  to  Mrs.  .Jenkins,  Franklands,  was  first  for  twelve 
Cyclamens,  really  grand  plants,  and  Mr.  H.  Head,  nurseryman,  first  for 
twelve  Genistas,  well  grown  plants,  in  8-inch  pots. 
For  a  table  of  Orchids  arranged  with  Ferns  Mr.  Goodliffe  was  placed 
first  with  a  tastef.iliy  arranged  display,  consisting  of  Dendrobium 
fimbriatum  oculatum,  D.  nobilis.  Cattleya  Trianae,  Odontoglossums, 
Cypripndiiiras,  and  others  ;  second,  Mr.  H.  Garnett,  gardener  to  R. 
Flet  her.  Esq.,  Mount  Harry,  Brighton,  whose  collection  included  fine 
plants  of  Cattleya  Trianie,  Odontoglossum  crispum,  O.  Ander-onianum, 
Cypripedium  Box  alii,  and  Dendrobium  nobilis  ;  third,  Mr.  ,J.  Harper. 
Cut  flowers  were  not  numerous.  For  twelve  varieties  Mr.  H.  Garnett 
was  first,  consisting  principally  of  Orchids.  Second,  Mr.  J.  Harper,  who 
also  took  first  for  cut  Narcissus.  Miss  M.  Baldock  was  first  for  table 
decorations  with  a  light  arrangement  of  Miss  Jollifle  Carnations,  Lily  of 
the  Valley,  and  Narcissus  poeticus  ornatus,  with  Ferns  and  Caladium 
argyrites.  Second,  Mr.  E.  Meadien  ;  third,  Mr.  F.  Rapley. 
Silver-gilt  medals  were  granted  to  Messrs.  Balchin  &  Son  and  Messrs. 
Boldock  and  Cr  iysdel  for  valuable  non-com]ietitive  exhibits,  and  silver 
medals  to  Messrs. Webb  &  Sons,  Stourbridge,  for  a  collection  of  Cinerarias, 
well  bloomed  plants  of  a  good  .strain,  and  a  large  collection  of  Hyacinths  ; 
to  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons.  Highgate  :  Mr.  W.  Goodliffe,  Worthing  ; 
and  Mr.  A.  Kemp.  Coolhurst,  Horsham,  for  a  fine  collection  of  Alicante 
Grapes,  twenty-five  dishes  of  remarkably  well  kept  Apples,  also  twenty- 
five  varieties  of  Potatoes,  clean  and  even  tubers. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
.  Seakale. 
Aeter  reading  Mr.  D.  Thomson’s  remarks  on  page  202,1  must  confess 
that  we  young  gardeners  have  “almost  entirely  ignored”  the  kitchen 
garden  department.  I  am  therefore  sending  a  few  remarks  on  the  culti¬ 
vation  of  Seakale,  which  I  think  I  may  safely  say  is  one  of  the  most 
highly  appreciated  winter  vegetables.  It  is  of  extremely  easy  culture,  as 
given  strong  land,  well  manured  and  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  satisfactory 
results  may  be  expected. 
The  best  time  to  plant  Seakale  is  during  the  month  of  March,  in 
ground  that  has  been  trenched  two  spits  deep,  and  has  had  a  layer  of 
manure  placed  between  the  spits.  As  strong  plants,  when  in  full  growth, 
take  up  a  considerable  amount  of  space,  they  should  be  planted  from  2  to 
2J  feet  asunder  in  rows  1  foot  9  inches  to  2  feet  apart.  The  crowns  must 
be  buried  about  2  inches  below  the  surface.  When  the  roots  are  growing, 
care  should  be  taken  to  remove  all  flowering  shoots,  as  these,  if  allowed 
to  remain,  will  prejudice  the  crop  of  the  following  season.  The  growth 
may  be  materially  helped  by  the  use  o'  liquid  manure,  or  good  mulchings 
of  manure  during  the  growing  season.  In  the  autumn  when  the  leaves 
decay  they  must  be  removed  at  once,  and  the  plot  be  kept  free  from  weeds 
and  rubbish.  Later  the  crowns  ought  to  be  covered  with  a  ridge  of  leaves 
weighted  with  a  sprinkling  of  soil,  to  prevent  them  being  blown  away  by 
the  wind. 
At  the  proper  time  place  Seakale  pots  or  boxes  over  the  crowns,  and 
cover  these  with  leaves  or  straw  to  encourage  an  early  start.  The  plants 
must  be  kept  perfectly  dark,  or  the  Seakale  will  be  improperly  blanched. 
Under  this  system  when  ready  for  use  it  will  be  found  far  better  than  if 
the  plants  had  been  lifted  and  forced,  inside.  When  all  the  growth  has 
been  cut  from  a  crown,  remove  the  pot  or  box,  and  apply  a  covering  of 
leaves  or  straw  for  protection. 
If  Seakale  mu.st  be  forced  quicklj-,  lift^a  number  of  roots,  and  put 
them  in  pots  in  soil  or  leaves  in  a  temperature  of  from  55°  to  60°,  keeping 
perlec.ly  dark.  After  the  roots  have  been  forced  inside  they  will  be  of 
little  further  use,  and  should  be  thrown  away.  I  may  state  that  in  the 
Seakale  plantation  the  spaces  between  the  rows  can  be  used  to  advantage 
for  Jjettuce,  Radish,  or  some  such  quick  growing,  crops. —  One  of  the. 
Young  School. 
French  Beans. 
French  Beans  constitute  one  of  the  most  valuable  vegetables  in 
cultivation  if  obtained  early,  and  they  are  well  worthy  of  a  few  cultural 
notes.  For  the  earliest  crops  seeds  must  be  sown  in  8-inch  pots,  but  later 
in  the  year  they  can  be  grown  in  beds  in  heated  frames  until  it  is  safe  to 
sow  out  of  doors.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  the  earliest  should  be 
sown  in  clean  and  well-drained  pots,  with  a  little  soot  spread  on  the 
crocks  to  prevent  the  ingress  of  worms. 
Place  from  ten  to  twelve  beans  in  each  pot,  using  a  compost  of  three 
parts  loam  cut  up  roughly,  and  one  part  sweet  horse  droppings,  with  a 
little  old  mortar  rubble  and  woob  ashes  incorporated,  making  it  firm  in 
the  pots  with  a  rammer,  covering  the  seeds  about  half  an  inch.  Give  a 
good  watering,  and  afford  them  a  temperature  of  60°  to  65°  at  night,  65° 
to  70°  by  day,  keeping  the  pots  as  near  the  glass  as  possible.  Very  little 
water  will  be  required  until  the  Beans  appear  above  the  surface,  and  then 
it  should  be  carefully  afforded.  Syringe  the  plants  in  the  morning  and 
at  midday  when  the  weather  is  bright,  and  it  will  be  found  beneficial  to 
them  if  some  weak  liquid  manure  is  syringed  between  the  pots  two  or 
three  times  daily.  A  little  thinning  will  be  required,  leaving  about  eight 
plants  in  each  pot,  as  abundance  of  air  is  essential  to  success.  It  will  be 
necessary  to  stake  the  plants  to  prevent  them  falling  down  over  the  pots, 
and  pieces  of  old  birch  broom  will  be  found  suitable  for  the  purpose. 
When  the  plants  come  into  bl>  om  keep  the  house  somewhat  drier,  and 
give  the  pots  a  little  shake  about  midday.  Apply  weak  liquid  manure 
when  the  Beans  are  set,  increasing  its  strength  gradually.  Treating 
them  in  this  manner  they  can  be  obtained  fit  for  use  from  seven  to  eight 
weeks  from  the  time  of  insertion,  and  fortnightly  sowings  can  be  made  for 
succession. 
As  the  days  get  longer  and  the  sun  gains  power  the  seeds  may  be 
sown  in  heated  frames  in  rows  18  inches  asunder  and  an  inch  in  depth. 
Do  not  sow  too  thickly,  and  give  a  thorough  watering,  treating  in  the 
same  manner  as  stated  for  pot  work.  For  outdoor  crops  the  ground 
should  be  well  manured  and  deeply  dug  at  the  beginning  of  winter,  so 
that  the  frost  can  get  well  into  it.  The  end  of  April  or  the  beginning  of 
May  is  a  safe  time  for  sowing.  Have  the  rows  2  feet  apart,  and  cover  the 
seeds  about  an  inch.  After  the  plants  appear  above  the  surface  and  the 
rows  can  be  distinctly  seen,  hoe  between  them  to  destroy  any  weeds  that 
are  coming  up,  and  loosen  the  surface  soil.  If  the  wea'her  become  very 
hot  an  occasional  watering  will  be  of  material  benefit  to  the  plants. 
Gather  the  pods  as  they  become  large  enough,  as  if  the  seeds  swell  in 
them  flowering  will  cease — P.  R. 
Decorative  Chrysanthemums. 
Much  time  and  interest  are  centred  on  Chrysanthemums  for  exhi¬ 
bition  purposes,  but  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  decorative  section 
renders  invaluable  service  throughout  the  winter  months.  The  plants  are 
indispensable  for  the  supply  of  cut  bloom,  and  provide  unsurpassed 
brightness  in  the  conservatory.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  give  a  list  of 
varieties,  as  this  would  be  a  difficult  task  considering  all  those  now  in 
cultivation,  while  tastes  differ  so  much  that  individual  selection  is  the 
most  satisfactory. 
To  obtain  the  best  results  the  cultural  conditions  must  be  strictly 
regarded.  Propagation  by  this  time  being  completed,  we  may  assume 
that  the  plants  are  rooting  well  in  small  pots,  and  as  it  is  requisite  to- 
have  plants  of  bushy  form,  it  is  advisable  to  stop  them  without  delay, 
thus  allowing  sufficient  lime  to  overcome  this  check  before  being  placed 
in  6-inch  pots.  Pinching  must  be  completed  in  three  operations,  ihe  last 
being  in  the  second  week  of  June,  but  for  later  display  a  liitle  pos  pone- 
ment  beyond  that  date  will  be  advantageous. 
After  the  plants  are  placed  in  32-pot8  there  must  be  ample  ventilation 
in  the  frames,  removing  the  lights  on  favourable  occasions,  so  as  to  induce 
sturdiness  and  insure  sufficient  hardening  to  place  the  stocks  in  a  sheltered 
position  out  of  doors  about  tbe  middle  of  April,  where  they  may  remain 
until  the  final  potting.  A  substantial  compost  must  be  employed  at  this 
stage,  consisting  of  three  parts  of  fibrous  loam,  one  part  each  of  leaf  mould 
and  partly  spent  horse-droppings,  with  half  a  part  each  of  wood  ashes  and 
old  mortar  rubble,  good  road  grit  or  silver  sand  completing  the  mixture,, 
though  a  48-potfuI  of  half  inch  bones  or  boneineal  to  a  wheelbarrow  of 
soil  is  often  added.  After  the  final  potting  a  more  open  situation  is 
needed,  exposing  them  to  full  sunshine,  as  well-ripened  wood  is  essential. 
Attention  must  be  paid  to  staking  and  tying. 
With  the  abundance  of  growth,  coupled  with  vigorous  root  action, 
feeding  is  absolutely  necessary.  Liquid  manure  from  the  farmyard  and 
soot  water  are  the  safest  at  the  outset,  varying  the  foods  according  to 
convenience  as  progress  is  made.  A  good  plan  is  to  apply,  when  there  ia 
evidence  of  a  steady  rain,  a  dusting  of  soot  over  the  surtace  of  the  soil,  or 
a  top-dressing  of  a  well  recommended  artificial  manure,  as  such  will  prove . 
of  great  benefit. 
Insect  pests  are  at  all  times  troublesome,  the  tobacco  puff  being  of 
immense  service  fiir  the  destruction  of  green  or  black  fly  infesting  the 
points,  and  occasionally  syringing  with  quassia  will  frustrate  their 
ravages  to  a  large  extent.  Flowers  of  sulphur  must  be  used  if  mildew 
appear,  dusting  freely  into  the  middle  of  the  plants.  Remove  all  decaying 
leaves  to  arrest,  the  spread  of  this  enemy. — F.  \V  .  G. 
