April  20,  1899. 
JOURXAIj  of  liOLlTICULTUllE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
327 
Table  decorations,  G  feet  by  3  feet,  arranged  with  any  varieties  of  cut 
1  (aifodils  and  foliage,  formed  a  very  attractive  feature.  The  first  prize 
was  easily  taken  by  Messrs.  Pope  &  Sons  with  an  elegant  arrangement, 
and  the  second  and  third  prizes  to  Mr.  K.  J.  Mustin  and  Miss  K.  C. 
Swindon,  Edgliaston.  For  a  grou])  of  cut  Daffodils  or  Tulips  arranged 
on  a  round  table,  suitable  for  a  hall  or  drawing-room,  Miss  Swdnden  was 
the  first,  Mr,  Sceany  the  second,  and  Mr.  E.  .1.  Mustin  the  third  prize 
winners.  For  a  bowl  of  cut  Daffodils  Mr.  K.  Sydendam  and  Mr.  A.  Cryer 
were  the  first  and  second  winner.i,  while  Miss  Swindeu  secured  the  third 
prize.^  Bouquets  of  Daffodils  were  tastefully  arranged,  and  Messrs.  Pope 
and  Sons  were  to  the  fore  with  a  most  graceful  example,  the  second  prize 
going  to  Mr.  ,1.  Cooke,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  A.  W.  Hulse. 
IIONOUAHY  Awauds. — Silver-gilt  medal  :  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sons, 
Coyent  Garden,  for  collection  of  Daffodils.  Silver  medals  :  R.  H.  Bath 
(Limited),  Wisbech,  collection  of  Daffodiis  ;  Messr.'^.  Hogg  &  Robertson, 
Jtublin,  Daffodils  and  Tuli])s  ;  T.  S.  Ware  (Limited),  Tottenham, 
l.)affodils  ;  Hewitt  &  (Jo.,  Solihull,  floral  decorations.  First-class  certifi¬ 
cates  ;  J):ck«ons  (I.imited),  Cheater,  for  Golden-leaved  Holly  Golden 
King  ;  Rev.  G.  H.  Engleheart,  Appleshaw,  Andover,  for  seedling 
Daffodils  Incognita,  Firebrand,  Edmonds’  White  ;  Pope  &  Sons,  King’s 
Xorton,  for  Primula  oliconica  Snowflake;  Richard  Dean,  Ealing, 
(/Umpanula  Balchiniana  :  Pope  &  Sons  for  Daffodil  “  Pope’s  King.” 
Bronze  medal  :  Simpson  ^  Sons,  Birmingham,  collection  of  bulbous  plants, 
grown  in  Jadoo  fibre  ;  Dicksons  (Limited),  for  collection  of  Daffodils  ; 
R.  Sydenham,  collection  of  bulbous  plants,  grown  in  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse 
and  shell  without  drainage. 
AUKICULA  AND  PRIMULA  SHOW. 
APRlii  18th. 
The  exhibition  of  the  National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society  was 
held  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  April  18th,  and  proved  a  good  show  in  every 
respect — m  fact,  it  was  much  better  than  was  expected  by  the  exhibitors 
themselves. 
In  the  class  for  twelve  plants  dissimilar,  Mr.  ,fas.  Douglas,  Great 
Bookham,  Surrey,  was  jilaced  first  with  a  very  even  exhibit.  The  varieties 
were  Mrs.  Potts,  Highflier,  Dinham,  George  Rudd,  J.  Hannatord,  Acme, 
G.  Lightbody,  Teresias.  Lady  Churchill,  Cleopatra,  Venus,  and  Rachel. 
Mr.  C.  Phillips,  Bracknell,  gained  the  second  jiositioii  with  a  good 
display  ot  greys,  which  included  Black  Bess,  Acme,  Rachel.  Geo.  Rudd, 
Miss  Barnett,  and  Marmion.  Nlr.  W.  Smith,  Bishops  Storthird,  was 
placed  thirrl  with  good  plant.s  of  Lord  Lome,  Heatherbell,  Mrs.  Dod- 
well,  and  Shirley  Ilibberd.  Mr.  P.  Purnell,  Streatliam  Hill,  was  fourth 
and  Mr.  P.  Worsley,  Clifton,  fifth. 
There  were  four  competitors  for  six  plants,  dissimilar,  Mr.  C,  Phillips 
securing  first  position  with  good  plants  of  Mrs.  Henwood,  Black  Bess, 
(L  Rudd,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  Mrs.  Phillips,  and  Acme.  Mr.  J,  Sargent, 
Cobham,  was  a  very  close  second  with  Ruby,  Acme,  and  Rachel,  good. 
Mr.  \V  .  Smith  was  third,  and  Mr.  P.  Purnell  fourth.  In  the  class  for  four 
dissimilar  plants,  Mr.  Euston,  gardener  to  Mrs.  F.  Whitboiirn,  Ilford, 
was  fdaced  first  with  four  good  plants.  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  Birmingham, 
came  second,  and  J.  T.  Bennett-Poii,  Cheshunt,  third.  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown 
was  placed  first  for  tw-o  plants,  distinct,  Mr.  Euston  taking  second 
place  ;  Mr.  Bennett-Poe  third,  and  Mr.  R.  Holding  brought  up  the  rear. 
The  single  plants,  green  etlged,  brought  out  six  competitors,  and  Mr. 
P.  J.  Worsley  was  placed  first  with  the  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  Mr.  J. 
Sargent  second  with  Abbd*  Listz,  Mr.  A.  P.  Brown  third  wiih  a  fine 
plant  of  Mars,  Mr.  W.  Smith  fourth  with  a  good  seedling.  The  com¬ 
petition  in  the  grey  edges  was  marked  by  a  better  display.  Air.  W.  Smith 
being  first  with  a  good  plant  of  Rachel,  the  same  exhibitor  second  with 
Geo.  Rudd,  Mr.  Sargent  third  with  Rachel.  There  were  eight  compe¬ 
titors  for  the  wnite  edges.  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown  was  placed  first  with  Acme, 
Mr.  I.  Sargent  second  with  Heatherbell,  Mr.  W.  Smith  third  with 
Mrs.  Dodwell. 
The  self  class  appeared  to  be  very  popular,  no  less  than  fifteen  plants 
^ing  staged.  Mr.  P.  Hemmell  was  placed  first  with  a  good  specimen  of 
Heroine,  Mr.  Chas.  Phillips  came  second  with  Airs.  Phillips,  Mr.  P. 
1  urnell  third  with  Mrs.  Botts.  For  fifty  Auriculas,  not  less  than  twenty 
varieties.  Air.  Jas.  Douglas  was  placed  first  with  a  capital  exhibit;  the 
chief  varieties  employed  were  Airs.  Potts,  Rachel,  Phyllis,  Black  Bess, 
Ruby,  Venus,  and  (jeo.  Kudd,  Mr.  C.  Phillips  was  second  with  an 
even  exhibit,  with  good  specimens  of  Yellow  Log,  Airs.  Potts,  Cecil 
Rhodes,  Black  Bess,  Alyra,  and  Richard  Headley.  The  Hardy  Plant 
Nursery,  Guildford,  was  third  with  a  very  neat  exhibit. 
lor  twelve  Alpines  Air.  C.  Phillips  was  ahead  with  a  beautiful 
exhibit.  Airs.  G.  F,  Barnett,  Saturn,  Gladys,  Lady  Clementina  Walsh, 
and  Airs.  Alartin  Smith  appeared  the  best  specimens.  The  Guildford 
Hardy  Plant  Nursery  was  second  with  well  developed  plants  of  Dean 
Hole,  A.  Alaxwell,  J.  Gilbert,  and  Ganymede.  For  six  Alpines,  dis¬ 
similar,  Air.  C.  Phillips  was  first  with  Topsy,  Myra,  and  Perfeciion.  Air, 
Euston  came  second  with  good  bright  colours,  and  Air.  .las.  Douglas 
third,  ior  four  plants,  dissimilar,  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown  secured  first  position. 
Air.  P.  Purnell  came  second,  and  Mr.  R.  Holding  third. 
For  twelve  Fancy  Auriculas  the  Hardy  Plant  Co.  secured  first  place 
with  good  representatives  of  Old  Gold,  Russet,  Innocence,  Belle,  and  a 
few  seedlings.  Air.  Jas.  Douglas  was  second  with  some  good  yellows,  such 
as  Satrano,  Golden  Oriole,  Buttercup,  and  New  Guinea.  Air.  Euston  third. 
For  a  single  specimen  of  Alpines,  gold  centre,  Air,  Chas.  Phillips  was  first 
with  Evelyn  Phillips.  The  same  exhibitoi  was  second  with  the  same  variety, 
Mr.  P.  Purnell  third  with  Dean  Hole.  In  the  class  for  single  specimens, 
with  a  white  or  cream  centre,  Mr.  C.  Phillips  was  first  with  Perfection, 
Mr.  Phillips  second  with  the  same  variety,  Air.  J.  W.  Euston  third  with 
Echo. 
For  twelve  Polyanthuses,  Air.  Jas.  Douglas  was  placed  first  with  a 
bright  and  varied  collection.  The  same  exhibitor  was  again  successful  in 
the  class  for  twelve  Primroses  with  some  very  distinct  colours.  Air.  P. 
Purnell  was  first  for  twelve  Primula  species,  distinct,  which  comprised 
obconica,  Sicboldi,  denticulata  alba,  venicillata,  and  rosea.  Air.  Jas. 
Douglas  was  first  in  the  class  lor  six  species. 
For  a  basket  of  Primroses,  Aliss  Jekyl!,  Godaiming,  was  placed  first 
with  a  beautiful  exhibit,  composed  of  yellows  and  whites  in  varying  shades. 
Air.  Jas.  Douglas  was  third  with  a  very  good  basket.  For  a  group  ot 
Primulas  or  Auriculas,  Air.  P.  Purnell  was  well  ahead  with  an  exceedingly 
bright  and  varied  exhibit.  The  Guildford  Hardy  Plant  Nursery  Co.  were 
second,  relying  solely  on  Fancy  Auriculas,  in  a  good  variety  of  colours. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
A  Word  to  the  Wise. 
Ix  reading  the  articles  in  the  “AYiung  Gardeners’  Domain”  week  by 
week  one  realises  how  lew  of  the  writers  attempt  to  give  the  results  of 
experience  or  discuss  the  various  phases  of  vegetable  production.  I 
have  more  than  cnce  heard  young  men  declare  that  all  kitchen  garden 
work  can  be  “picked  up”  from  such  and  such  a  publication.  This,  of 
course,  can  only  emanate  from  those  who  have  never  given  more  than  a 
passing  thought  to  one  of  the  most  important  aspects  of  the  gardener's 
work.  Remonstrance  is  often  useless,  but  there  surely  comes  a  time 
when  they  wish  their  youth  had  not  all  been  divided  between  the  glass 
department  and  the  pursuit  of  pleasure  in  leisure  moments. 
We  must  remember  that,  as  a  rule,  the  vegetable  garden  embraces 
a  number  of  fruit  trees,  bush  fruits,  as  well  as  Strawberries,  besides  which 
the  greater  part  of  the  supply  of  cut  flowers  is  expected  to  be  obtained 
from  this  source  during  the  summer  months.  In  some  instances  this  may 
not  be  so,  I  am  aware,  but  the  rule  obtains,  and  happy  is  the  man  who  is 
prepared  for  all  emergencies.  I  will  go  further  than  this,  and  say  that 
after  making  due  allowance  for  the  beauty  and  interest  attaching  to  the 
ownership  and  cultivation  of  a  good  collection  of  Orchids,  or  splendid 
decorative  plants,  hothouse  fruits,  and  the  usual  adjuncts  of  the  modern 
glass  establishments,  the  backbone  of  most  places  is  the  kitchen  garden. 
See  in  the  spring  how  everything,  where  the  department  is  well  kept, 
teems  with  life,  and  what  may  be  described  as  a  *■  forward  movement.” 
How  necessary  is  it  for  a  man  to  be  alert  and  ready  !  This  is  not  the 
time  for  reference  to  books.  To  know  and  to  do  must  be  the  order  of  the 
day  if  work  is  not  to  lag  behind.  In  dry  weather  the  hoe  will  be  kept 
going,  seeds  will  be  sown,  whilst  in  a  showery  time  advantage  will  be 
taken  for  planting  out  and  thinning  growing  crops.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  year  provision  will  have  been  made  for  each  successive  occupant  of 
the  land — so  much  room  for  this,  and  so  much  ground  for  that.  In 
summer  and  autumn  comes  the  harvest,  the  ingathering  of  crops  and  the 
storing  for  use  during  the  dark  days  of  the  year.  AYhat  shall  we  say 
of  winter?  the  time  ot  all  others  when  to  the  casual  observer  all  seems 
flat  and  uninteresting.  To  the  enthusiastic  gardener  it  is  nothing  of 
the  kind.  Then  is  made  one  of  the  great  efforts  of  all,  for  the  days  are 
short,  time  is  precious.  The  weather,  too,  at  that  season  often  retards 
progress  and  causes  work  to  be  delayed.  It  is  the  season  too,  when  the 
gardener  seeks  to  put  in  order  that  “  pantry”  of  plant  life  Aloiher  Earth, 
by  cultivation  and  the  filling  with  all  good  things  necessary  for  subsequent 
growth.  The  winter  rain,  the  frost  and  snow,  will  aid  ;  but  the  man 
•  must  do  his  part,  with  the  spade,  with  manure,  and,  let  it  not  be  forgotten, 
his  brains. 
“  Take  no  thought  for  to-morrow,”  would  certainly  be  poor  advice  for 
the  kitchen  gardener.  He  must  prepare  for  this  year  and  the  next,  and 
have,  if  possible  a  glance  left  for  a  look  into  another  beyond  that  even. 
He  learns  according  to  the  locality  in  which  he  may  reside  to  make  a 
rough  calculation  as  to  the  weather.  It  may  be  far  from  correct,  but  it 
will  often  serve  for  a  guide,  whilst  those  who  are  less  observant  are 
caught.  The  really  earnest  man  becomes  so-mewhat  of  a  chemist,  and 
learns  to  know  the  action  of  different  manures,  both  natural  and  artificial, 
and  will  find  out  what  kinds  suit  his  ground  the  best.  Then  there  are  the 
hundred  and  one  pests,  both  feathered  and  insect,  that  infest  gardens,  and 
it  will  be  wise  to  become  acquainted  with  the  best  methods  of  preventing 
their  attacks,  and  the  surest  remedial  measures  to  be  taken  after  the 
preventive  stage  has  been  passed.  All  this,  and  a  great  deal  more,  must 
ihe  kitchen  gardener  be  cognisant  of  ere  he  is  worthy  the  name  of  such. 
Yet  some  of  our  young  men  tell  us  they  can  learn  it  all  Irom  books,  and 
that  easily. 
Let  none,  however,  misunderstand  me.  I  do  not  decry  the  use  of 
good  works  on  gardening,  quite  the  contrary.  Happy  is  the  man  who  has 
access  to  standard  books  on  any  given  subject,  and  also  to  the  periodicals 
which  are  published  every  week,  and  increase  in  numbers  year  by 
year.  In  this  way  a  man  keeps  up  to  dite,  his  ideas  broaden  and 
strengthen,  or  should  do  so,  and  thrice  blessed  is  he  who  not  only  reads 
but  can  retain  and  assimilate.  These  few  remarks  on  reading  apply  not 
only  to  work  outside  ;  in  every  branch  of  horticulture  is  it  necessary  to 
keep  abreast  of  the  times,  and  I  care  not  who  the  man  may  be,  if  he 
observes  nothing  but  what  goes  on  inside  his  own  garden  walls,  sooner  or 
later  he  falls  behind. 
Of  course,  as  there  are  different  kinds  of  gardens,  so  there  are  all 
sorts  of  men  in  them.  We  see  a  man  armed  at  all  points,  who,  should  a 
difficulty  arise,  will  fairly  stamp  and  trample  the  trouble  out  of  existence. 
Such  men  know  how  important  it  is  to  be  prepared  for  contingencies. 
If  late  spring  frosts  threaten  breadths  of  early  Potatoes,  some  means  of 
