436 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  25,  1899. 
“Georgina,”  very  large  ■white  flower  wiih  brown  spots,  F  c.c.  Oilontc- 
glossiim  harvingtense,  a  natural  hybrid  between  crispum  and  Iriumphans, 
the  latter  preponderating,  was  especially  interesting  in  every  way,  F.c.c. 
?»rr.  John  Cowan,  of  Gateacre,  Liverpool,  had  a  choice  and  varied  bai.k, 
1ho  varieties  being  of  the  nsual  type  for  which  the  firm  has  become  so 
noted.  The  gold  medal  was  richly  deserved.  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co. 
•fiad  distinct  quality  to  recommend  them,  Odontoglossum  Andersnnianum 
gigantoum,  some  5  inches  in  length;  also  Catileya  intermeda  alia, 
being  singled  out  of  many  good  things  for  F.C.C.  Silver  medal.  A  silver 
medal  was  also  granted  to  Messrs.  .T.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  for  a  stand 
that  fully  maintained  the  reputation  of  the  firm. 
Mr.  Jno.  Waterer,  Bagshot,  had  the  finest  exhibit  of  Rhododendrons 
overseen  at  Manchester,  the  award  to  the  handsome  “Pink  Pearl”  being 
fully  justified.  Mr.  Cypher  gained  a  F.c.c.  for  Cattleya  Mendeli 
Princess,  a  great  beauty.  Mr.  Duncan  Gilraour,  Sheffield,  helped 
materially  to  swell  up  the  exhibition,  the  Cattleyas  being  very  fine.  An 
A  M.  was  given  to  Cattleya  Mendeli  Ajax  (silver  medal).  Messrs. 
Clibran  &  Sons  of  Altrincham  had  a  select  bank  of  handsome  flowering 
and  foliage  plants,  a  new  Pelargonium  Oldfield  Defiance,  of  almost  a  blue 
shade,  and  their  dwarf  strain  of  Salvia  splendens,  looking  excellent. 
Messrs.  Dicksons,  Ltd.,  showed  their  yellow  Tree  Carnation  Duchess 
Consuelo.  It  is  a  true  yellow  self,  and  very  free.  Auriculas  and 
Polymnlhu®,  loved  by  all  Manchester  workmen,  were  also  to  be  seen. 
Messrs.  Webb  &  Sons  of  Stourbridge  had  a  choice  strain  of  Calceolarias, 
and  the  Misses  Hopkins  of  Knutsford  catered  for  lovers  of  herbaceous 
plants. 
neath,  thus  providing  a  deep,  rich,  rooting  medium  in  which  the  plants  will 
grow  and  withstand  drought  better  then  would  be  the  case  with  shallow 
trenches.  Make  the  surface  even,  and  put  back  a  little  of  the  soil  that 
was  taken  out,  and  the  trench  will  then  be  ready  for  the  young  stock, 
which  may  bo  planted  when  ready  or  as  soon  as  the  weather  permits, 
choosing,  if  possible,  dull  damp  weather  for  the  operation. 
Subsequent  treatment  will  consist  in  removing  weeds,  and  keeping 
the  plants  free  from  suckers,  and  in  watering,  tying,  and  earthing.  On 
light  soils  more  water  will  be  required  than  on  soils  of  a  heavier  nature ; 
but  one  learns  from  experience  that  much  mere  water  is  often  rccom- 
mended  and  given  that  is  nercssary,  with  the  result  that  the  tissue  is 
soft,  and  the  stalks  hollow,  while  it  docs  not  withstand  the  effects  of  winter 
so  well  as  when  it  is  in  that  firm  and  crisp  condition  which  is  so  essential 
to  good,  well  grown  produce.  When  the  trenches  arc  well  manured,  there 
is  always  a  steady  and  continued  supply  of  moisture,  and  this,  on  some 
soils,  ami  in  ordinary  seasons,  will  be  almost  sufficient. 
The  summer  of  1898  was  o-xceptionally  dry,  and  our  Celery  got  very 
little  water,  for  the  simple  reason  that  it  was  very  tcarce;  yet  it  grew 
well,  was  crisp  and  tender,  and  is  still  being  sent  in  for  use  (May  13th), 
having  p.isseii  the  winter  w  ith  only  a  small  percentage  of  decayed  heads. 
'J'he  soil  is  of  a  heavy  nature  resting  on  a  blue  clay.  The  earthing 
should  commence  early  for  the  early  crops,  and  proceed  by  degrees,  or 
if  it  is  required  Lr  exhib'tiou  it  may  be  wrapped  round  with  stout 
paper  so  as  to  exclulo  the  light,  and  in  about  six  weeks  after  the  final 
w  rapping  or  earthing  it  will  be  ready  for  use. — S.  I*. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Caerots. 
Carrots  form  one  of  the  most  important  root  crops.  They  do  not 
require  a  soil  that  is  specially  manured  for  them,  but  one  that  has  been 
■thoroughly  prepared  mechanically,  and  of  course  which  contains  ample 
nourishment.  In  order  to  maintain  a  supp’y  of  young  tender  roots  it  is 
•necessary  to  sow  frequently.  We  commence  with  the  first  sow'ings  on 
hotbeds  during  January  or  February.  This  crop  is  subject  to  depreda¬ 
tions  from  mice  and  slugs,  and  proper  precautions  must  be  taken.  As 
soon  as  the  plants  are  largo  enough  to  handle  with  safety  they  must  be 
thinned  to  2  or  3  inches  each  wav,  reducing  in  nutnher  a  few  weeks  later. 
Early  Trench  Horn  and  Early  Nantes  are  suitable  for  frame  culture,  they 
also  are  of  excellent  quality.  Sowings  of  these  two  varieties  can  be  made 
on  a  south  border  in  February.,  and  where  the  soil  is  light  and  w'arm 
serviceable  roots  can  be  obtained  early  in  May. 
Main  crop  sowing  commerces  in  the  open  quarter)  in  IMarch,  and 
frpquent  successions  of  the  short  or  stump-rooted  varieties  are  made. 
These  I  think  are  the  best,  as  they  give  a  quicker  return  than  the  imer- 
rnediate  and  longer  sorts.  No  more  seed  should  bo  sown  than  will  give  a 
supply  for  from  three  to  five  weeks,  as  the  roots  are  liable  to  become 
■coarse  if  overgrown.  Carrot?  grown  in  this  way  do  not  require  much 
space  ;  5  to  6  inches  between  each  row  is  ample,  and  one  ojreration  of 
thinning  is  sufficient  until  they  attain  a  size  fit  for  table.  A  few  of  tie 
best  varieties  for  sowing  in  the  open  ground  are  Champion  Horn,  Model, 
and  Scarlet  Horn. 
Although  Carrots  are  preferred  drawn  from  the  open  ground,  it  would 
be  a  mistake  if  a  reserve  were  not  stored  for  winter  use.  This  necessi¬ 
tates  a  main  crop  of  the  intermediate  t3  pe.  The  seeds  should  be  sow-n  in 
drills  12  inches  apart,  the  time  depending  largely  on  the  locality  and  the 
soil.  I  have  seen  first-rate  Carrots  obtained  from  seed  sown  in  May,  but 
soils  differ  so  much  that  each  cultivator  must  use  his  own  discretion  as  to 
the  time  of  sowing. 
A  valuable  crop  I  consider  is  that  which  is  from  seels  svwn  at  the 
latter  end  of  Julv,  as  if  protected  during  severe  weather  with  thatched 
hurdles  or  straw  litter  it  affords  a  supply  of  young  crisp  roots  for  winter 
use.  The  varieties  mentioned  for  early  work  are  well  adapted  for  late 
uso.-F.  W.  G. 
Celery. 
Amongst  the  many  comestibles  at  present  grown,  Celery  holds  a  very 
prominent  place,  it  being  one  of  the  most  valuable  that  the  vegetable 
garden  lays  claim  to.  It  is  ever  in  request,  h  th  enrlv  and  late,  and  the 
demand  for  it  is  increased  by  the  variety  of  ways  in  which  it  can  bo  used  ; 
and  it  is  the  object  of  every  gardener  to  supply  the  requirement  over  as 
long  a  period  of  time  as  possible. 
To  have  it  ready  in  August  (jt  September  the  seed  sliould  be  sown 
early  in  February,  and  in  March  and  April  for  succession.  Sow  in  pans 
of  light  soil,  and  place  them  in  a  temperature  of  70°,  keeping  the  surface 
■moist  until  the  young  plants  apj  car.  When  large  enough  to  handle 
transplant  them  2  or  3  inches  apart  m  boxes  fil'ed  with  a  rich 
compost,  having  first  placed  a  lajer  of  well-dccaved  manure  in  the 
bottom  of  the  box.  Put  in  moist  gentle  heat  until  the  plants  become 
established,  when  they  may  be  gradually  hardened,  but  care  should  be 
taken  not  to  give  them  any  severe  check,  or  failure  may  be  tlie  result  by 
the  plants  starting  prematurel)’  to  seed.  Plants  from  later  sowing  may 
bo  transplanted  into  frames,  or  on  warm  sheltered  borders. 
Soil  that  is  naturally  moist  and  inclined  to  be  heavy  is  best  suited  for 
the  cultivation  of  Celerv,  and  a  piece  of  ground  answering  to  that 
description  should  he  chosen  if  possible.  If  it  is  clear  of  othci  crops  it 
will  be  benefited  by  being  roughly  dug  over  during  winter.  About  the 
first  week  in  May  Iho  trenches  may  be  prepared,  allowing  a  space  of 
fl  feet  from  centre  to  centre,  making  them  18  inches  wide  and  9  inches 
deep.  Break  up  the  bottom  with  a  fork,  put  in  a  layer  of  6  or  8  inches 
■of  well  decayed  manure,  dig  it  over  again  to  mi.x  it  with  the  soil  under- 
WORV^foiitheWEEK^ 
HARDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Stratvherries. — A  liberal  niulehing  of  fresh  m.nnuro,  or  half  short  and 
half  long  material,  must  bo  applied  to  Strawberry  quarters  where  the 
plants  are  promising  well  for  jiroducing  a  crop  of  fruit.  Feeding  the 
plants  may  with  groit  advantage  he  practised  now.  Soot  is  a  good 
slimul.aiJ,  and  may  he  dusted  (reply  round  the  crowns  and  watered  in. 
Its  presence  will  n(it  only  be  henclicia!  to  the  plants,  hut  inimical  to  slugs, 
which  may  he  troublesome  w ht  n  the  I'ruit  begins  to  ripen  and  in  damp 
weather.  One  oun"C  to  the  square  yard  of  niir.ito  of  soda  assists  heavy 
crops  TO  swell  off  satisfactorily.  Liquid  manure  may  ho  utilised  if 
available  for  all  Straw  berry  plants  except  tlio  youngest  and  most  vigorous. 
'Lo  obtain  fruit  of  large  size  and  good  quality  the  trusses  of  flowers  should 
be  thinned,  and  the  small  and  deformed  fruits  cut  out. 
rianlinq  Out  Forced  Strawberries.  —  These  -when  worth  retaining 
ought  to  bo  now  planted  ouL  The  soil  and  roots  must  be  thoroughly 
ir.cist  before  planting  them  out  in  rich  firm  soil  Mulch  well  with  short 
manure,  and  water  freely  until  established.  These  plants  throw  out  good 
runners,  which  are  useful  for  early  propagation. 
Younq  Plants. — If  the  plants  placed  out  early  last  season  have  done 
well  excellent  crops  ought  now  to  bo  promising.  Later  planted  beds 
may  bear,  but  not  so  heavily,  while  those  plartcd  out  la‘er  still,  and 
during  the  spring,  though  showing  a  tendency  to  bear  by  the  pro¬ 
duction  of  flowers,  ought  not  to  ho  allowed  to  do  so.  as  the  perfecting 
of  a  crop  of  fruit  w  ill  hinder  tho  vigorous  grow  th  of  the  plants,  there¬ 
fore  nip  out  the  flower  trasses  this  season,  and  the  benefits  will  be 
derived  next  season. 
Outdoor  Vines.— Where  the  growths  from  the  spurs  are  too  numerous 
di.'ibud  or  cut  out  the  least  necessary  and  unsuitable.  The  shoots 
retained  must  bo  fruitful  or  well  placed  as  succcssional  growths.  Stop 
tho  fruitless  shoots  at  the  sixth  or  eighth  leaf,  and  the  others  one  or  two 
joints  beyond  the  bunch.  Tie  out  the  shoots  in  a  regular  manner  with¬ 
out  any  crowding.  Well  situated  growths  m.ay  be  trained-in  to  occupy 
vacancies,  or  to  eventually  lake  the  place  of  worn  out  spurs  or  rods. 
The  growths  selected  for  this  purpose  ought  to  be  vigorous.  Let  them 
originate  as  near  the  base  ns  possible.  When  they  have  extended  to  a 
length  of  4  feet  stop  them  at  a  joint  near  that  point.  This  will  plump  up 
the  buds  by  concentrating  tie  sap  for  a  time,  the  surplus  eveniually 
finding  an  outlet  in  extending  a  fresh  leader,  which  may  be  allowed 
to  encourage  growl h.  One  effect  of  the  stopping  is  to  enlarge  the 
principal  lea\es,  which  if  receiving  plenty  of  light  perform  more  and 
better  work.  Laterals  may  start  from  tho  axils,  but  these  can  be 
stopped  at  tho  fir^t  loaf.  No  more  shoots  should  be  laid  in  than  room 
can  he  found  for.  Growth  is  new  r.apid,  and  overcrowding  quickly 
becomes  evident,  necessitating  the  removal  of  shoots  more  severely  than 
desirable,  which  gives  a  check. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Disbudding  or  rubbing  off  shoots  must  now 
be  discontinued,  as  the  growths  are  becoming  too  long  and  woody  to  be 
oasilv  rubbed  off.  The  new  growths  retained  should  be  fastened  in  or 
temporarily  laid  in  in  the  direction  intended  for  them  to  grow.  They  are 
pliable  and  readily  disposed  in  a  right  direction,  but  later,  when  they  are 
stiffened,  thej'  w  ill  not  bend.  Do  not  tie  or  nail  in  tightly,  as  room  must 
be  left  for  the  shoots  to  swell.  Keep  nails  away  from  fruit  swelling, 
whether  the  iron  is  old  or  new. 
Every  endeavour  must  be  made  to  maintain  the  trees  in  a  healthy  con¬ 
dition.  In  order  to  do  this  tho  foliage  must  bo  frequently  syringed 
