476 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
June  8,  1899. 
must  be  used  freely  and  not  p:inf»erly.  First  line  the  boxes  with  sheets 
of  packing  paper,  and  then  place  a  firm  layer  of  moss,  not  less  than 
1  inch  thick,  in  the  bottom.  Wrap  each  fruit  in  a  square  of  tissue  paper, 
bringing  the  points  of  the  latter  well  up  together  over  the  nipple  ot  the 
fruit,  and  then  place  in  the  box  and  eomp'etely  surround  by  moss,  enough 
of  the  latter  being  used  to  well  divide  the  fruit.  The  base  of  each  fruit 
ought  always  to  rest  on  the  bed  of  moss  in  the  bottom  of  the  box,  and 
only  the  tips  of  the  paper  protrude  above  the  same  material  when  finishing 
off.  The  lid  shoul  1  press  down  rather  tightly  on  the  paper  and  moss, 
the  packing  being  so  firmly  done  as  to  prevent  any  movement  inside  the 
boxes  when  these  are  tested  by  shaking  rather  violently.  If  the  packing 
will  not  bear  this  test  at  the  outset,  what  state  will  the  fruit  be  in  after 
a  certain  and  inevitable  amount  of  shrinkage  accompanied  with  some 
rough  handling  has  taken  place? 
Taper  shavings  are  sometimes  recommended  as  a  sube*'*  n-  tor  moss, 
but  according  to  my  experience  they  do  not  answer  wc;.,  n  Deing  a  very 
difficult  matter  to  prevent  the  fruit  shilling  in  them,  and  bruising 
accordingly.  Bran  is  even  worse,  while  the  coarser  kind  of  wood  wool 
or  shavings  is  too  harsh,  too  springy,  and  too  strongly  scented  to  be 
suitable  for  packing  Peaches  and  Nectarines  in.  More  recently  a 
superior  kind  of  wood  wool  has  been  introduced,  this  being  much  softer, 
and  if  well  opened  out  and  cleared  of  dust  a  few  hours  prior  to  using 
there  is  no  smell  perceptible.  This  I  am  now  using  for  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  instead  of  cotton  wool  as  formerly,  and  have  had  no  com¬ 
plaint  either  uf  the  fruit  travelling  badly  or  of  being  tainted  in 
flavour.  I  have  hitherto  found  Peaches  and  Nectarines  travel  better  in 
cotton  wool  than  any  other  material,  always  provided  each  fruit  is  care¬ 
fully  enclosed  in  soft  paper,  and  then  bound  round  with  folded  strips  of 
the  wool  of  sufficient  width  snd  in  such  a  manner  that  the  latter  shall 
prevent  the  fruits  touching  each  other  or  the  box.  Cotton  wool  ought 
always  to  be  folded  skin  side  outwards,  and  even  then  should  never  come 
in  contact  with  fruit.  When  returned  it  must  be  dried  prior  to  being 
used  afresh,  as  it  is  apt  to  become  moist,  also  heating  slightly,  and 
smelling  strongly'. 
I  now  use  the  improved  wood  avooI.  The  boxes  are  thickly  and  firmly 
padded  with  it,  and  after  the  fruit  have  been  enclosed  in  squares  of 
tissue  paper  each  has  a  bandage  of  wood  wool  wound  round  it,  all  being 
gradually  packed  closely  and  neatly  together.  The  box  lids  closing 
down  tightly  on  the  points  of  paper  and  upper  part  of  bandage,  there  is 
no  shifting  of  the  fruit  afterwards.  This  plan  of  bandaging  the  fruit  will  be 
found  to  answer  better  than  burying  them  in  nesfs  formed  in  a  well-filled 
box  of  wood  wool,  as  in  the  latter  case  the  elasticity  of  material  is  apt  to 
gradually  reverse  the  position  of  the  fruit.  The  fewer  nails  used  in 
fastening  down  the  better,  but  the  boxes  may  well  be  stringed  together, 
and  very  plainly  labelled  “Fruit,  with  care.” — Market  Grower. 
ISLE  OF  WIGHT. 
The  monthly  meeting  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement 
Association  was  held  at  Newport  on  Saturday  last.  Hr.  J.  Groves,  B.A., 
J.P.,  presided  over  a  good  attendance  of  members.  An  excellent  paper 
by  Mr.  ,1.  llygate.  The  Briary,  Cowes,  on  the  “Cultivation  of  Dahlias” 
evoked  an  interesting  and  profitable  discussion,  which  was  taken  part  in 
by  the  Chairman  and  Messrs.  W.  Cook,  T.  Collister,  S.  Banks,  G.  Verdon, 
J.  B.  Spencer,  and  S.  Heaton.  Mr.  T.  Collister,  gardener,  Steyne,  Bem- 
bridge,  staged  a  collection  of  Aquilegias  (Veitch’s  hybrids;,  and  Messrs. 
W.  H.  Rogers  <fc  Son.  Red  Lodge  Nurseries,  Bassett,  exhibited  a  magni¬ 
ficent  collection  of  Rhododendrons,  which  afforded  much  pleasure  and 
interest  fo  the  members,  who  carefully  examined  the  huge  trusses  of 
blooms  of  varying  forms  and  colours.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded 
these  gentlemen,  and  also  the  lecturer,  for  their  services  in  helping  forward 
the  objects  of  the  Association.  The  meeting  was  brought  to  a  close  after 
the  election  of  forty-nine  new  members,  which  brings  the  number  on  the 
register  to  about  400. 
On  the  Saturday  previous  100  members  availed  themselves  of  an 
invitation  from  the  Rev.  R.  L.  Morris  to  visit  Brook  Rectory,  with  the 
primary  object  of  witnessing  a  bee  demonstration  by  the  rector,  who  is 
an  expert  apiarist.  On  the  arrival  of  the  party  they  were  met  by  the  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Morris,  who  had  prepared  light  refreshments,  which  were  much 
appreciated  after  a  drive  of  ten  miles  o’er  hill  and  dale  under  a  scorching 
sun.  The  bee  members,  accompanied  by  the  rector,  then  wended  their 
way  to  the  apiary,  where  a  practical  bee  lecture  of  great  interest  and 
edification  was  given  ;  whilst  the  horticultural  members  inspected  the 
gardens  and  greenhouses,  which  reflected  great  credit  to  the  able  gardener, 
Mr.  E.  Hendy.  Previous  to  their  departure  for  Brook  House,  the  residence 
of  the  President  of  the  Association  (Sir  Chas.  Seely,  Bart.,  J.P.),  the 
party  was  photographed  on  the  lawn,  after  which  a  vote  of  thanks,  with 
rounds  of  applause,  was  given  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris  for  their  kind 
invitation,  and  the  hospitable  manner  in  which  they  had  entertained  the 
visitors. 
On  the  arrival  of  the  party  at  Brook  House,  which  is  in  close 
proximity  to  Brook  Rectory,  the  members  were  met  by  Sir  Chas.  Seely  and 
Major  Chas.  Hilton  Seely,  M.P.  for  Lincoln,  who  conducted  them  to  the 
or.’hard  house,  which  is  of  \ery  large  dimensions,  where  an  excellent  repast 
was  in  waiting,  and  which  received  full  justice  from  all.  After  tea,  voles 
of  thanks  were  given  the  President  and  members  of  his  family  for  the 
interest  taken  in  the  visit  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement 
Association,  and  also  for  their  hospitality.  The  party  inspected  the 
pictures  which  adorn  the  walls  of  this  palatial  residence,  also  the  gardens, 
stoves,  and  vineries  attached  to  Brook  House,  which  are  ably  managed  by 
the  genial  and  energetic  gardener,  Mr.  W.  Tribbick,  F.R.H.S.  The 
members  were  again  lined  up  for  photographic  operation.  Previous  to 
the  depanure  ot  the  party  for  various  parts  of  the  Island,  a  meeting  was 
held  at  Broi  k  Reading  Room,  where  the  Rev.  R.  L.  Morris  gave  a  short 
aldte-s  on  bees  and  bee-keeping. 
As  the  party  left  cheers  were  given  for  the  rector  and  the  President. 
The  drive  through  the  well-AVooded  country  lanes  of  the  Garden  Isle  in 
the  cool  of  the  evening  was  exceedingly  pleasant.  On  Thursday,  June  1st, 
a  large  number  of  the  members  availed  themselves  of  an  excursion  to  the 
metropolis  with  the  object  of  visiting  the  great  Temple  Show.  They 
were  highly  pleased  with  what  they  saw,  and  many  of  the  wrinkles 
gleaned  will  assume  practical  form  at  the  forthcoming  Island  shows. 
— S.  H. 
THE  PROSPECTS  OF  A  FRUIT  CROP. 
At  an  earlier  period  of  the  spring  the  prospects  of  a  good  fruit  crop 
were  very  assuring,  every  kind  vieing,  as  it  were,  one  with  the  other  for 
supremacy.  The  blossom  both  on  Apples,  Pears,  Cherries,  and  Plums 
were  never  finer  than  this  year,  and  taking  into  account  the  extreme 
drought  of  last  summer,  the  flowers  were  unusually  strong.  As  is  usual 
Pears  which  were  the  densest  in  flower  are  now  the  thinnest  in  fruit, 
Pitmaston  Duchess,  Beurrd  Clairgeau,  and  Winter  Nelis  illustrating  this 
in  a  very  striking  manner.  _ 
Generally  speaking  the  Pear  crop  according  to  present  appearances 
is,  or  should  be,  a  very  good  one,  yet  it  would  be  an  uncertain  venture 
to  describe  it  as  an  absolutely  safe  one  ;  frost  coming  as  late  as  this  date — 
the  end  of  May — has  been  known  to  change  the  aspect  of  plenty  into  that 
of  extreme  scarcity  in  one  single  night,  in  addition  to  the  varieties  just 
named  there  are  others  very  thin  in  crop,  both  in  the  open  as  bush  or 
pyramid  trees,  and  on  walls.  On  the  whole,  however,  there  should  not 
be  any  serious  break  in  the  autumn  and  winter  supply  unless  unforeseen 
troubles  intervene  to  change  the  prospect. 
Apples,  perhaps  the  most  important  of  all  English  fruits,  flowered  with 
the  same  regularity  and  abundance,  and  a  casual  survey  would  seem  to 
allay  present  anxieties.  The  weather,  which  for  some  time  has  been  any¬ 
thing  but  genial,  does  not  improve  much  at  the  time  of  writing,  cold  easf; 
and  north-east  winds  prevailing  continually,  and  slight  frosts  experienced 
on  several  mornings  recently.  The  generality  of  trees  are  now  past  the 
critical  period,  though  one  or  two  sorts,  including  Court  Pendu  Plat, 
showed  doubtful  wisdom  in  the  choice  of  a  late  period  this  season  for 
flowering.  The  chances  are  in  favour  ot  the  early  sorts  this  time  ;  late 
ones  have  their  opportunity  in  some  years,  but  their  present  appearance 
raises  a  doubtful  thought  for  full  measured  crops  for  next  winter.  As 
with  Pears,  so  with  Apples,  no  certainty  of  crop  remains  until  a  later  date, 
but  there  is  every  indication  that  from  among  the  wealth  of  blossom 
there  remain  sufficient  apparently  swelling  to  justify  the  hope  of  a  crop. 
Plums,  which  constitute  a  moat  important  summer  and  autumn  crop, 
fared  badly  while  in  bloom,  and  a;>parently  also  in  a  bud  state.  On  many 
trees  on  which  the  first  burst  of  blossom  had  been  made,  sharp  frosts 
occurred  which  it  could  be  seen  without  very  close  examination  inflicted 
irreparable  injury  to  those  fully  expanded  ;  but  this,  or  some  other  cause, 
rendered  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  others  abortive.  On  emerging 
from  the  flowering  stage  there  seemed  to  be  a  large  set,  but  time,  which 
works  many  changes,  has  proved  very  unkind  in  dealing  with  Plums, 
On  some  trees  and  sorts  there  are  a  quantity  about  the  size  of  half-grown 
Peas,  and  in  this  state  they  remain,  while  those  perfectly  set  have  swollen 
to  the  size  of  thrushes’  eggs.  Many  trees  are  without  fruit,  and  others 
have  very  few.  The  Gages,  Coe’s  Golden  Drop,  Kirke’s,  and  Washington, 
which  flowered  more  freely  than  u«ual,  have  only  a  few  scattered  fruits 
remaining  ;  Grand  Duke,  Prince  Engelbert,  Victoria,  Blue  Gage,  Pond’s 
Seedling,  and  Jefferson’s  are  those  bearing  the  most  freely. 
Cherries  flowered  as  freely  as  ever,  both  dessert  and  Morellos,  ana 
what  is  equally  satisfactory,  they  have  set  enough  and  to  spare,  both  04 
east,  west,  and  north  aspects.  Here  they'  are  neither  grown  in  bush  nor 
standard  form,  but  only  on  walls.  There  were  no  frosts,  however,  during 
the  lime  they  were  in  flower  ;  so  in  the  south  and  west,  at  any  rate,  there 
should  he  plenty  of  Cherries.  _ 
Gooseberries  met  with  the  same  fate  as  Plums,  though  necessarily  at 
an  early  date,  sharp  frosts  occurring  at  the  time  when  their  growth  and 
flowers  were  tender.  Some  sorts,  the  smaller  ones  in  particular,  have  set 
very  w'ell  ;  others,  of  the  Lancashire  type,  are  thinly  scattered  over  the 
trees.  Whinham’s  have  less  than  half  a  crop,  and  the  same  thing  happened 
last  year,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  trees,  being  comparatively  young,  are 
extra  vigorous  in  their  lateral  grow  th.  So  far  we  have  been  spared  any 
attack  from  caterpillars,  an  immunity'  we  ow'e  to  the  early  visits  from  the 
cuckoo.  Red  and  Black  Currants  are  full  of  promise  ;  Raspberries,  a 
portion  of  the  crop  growing  on  heavy  land,  show  signs  of  the  frost’s  action 
on  the  fruiting  canes.  The  young  suckers,  too,  had  their  tips  browned  by 
the  same  frosts.  A  younger  plantation  on  lighter  soil  does  not  ^ow  the 
same  effects  wrought  by  the  cold. 
Peaches  on  the  open  walls  flowered  finely,  and  vrere  overtaken  by  a 
very  severe  frost,  which  gave  the  open  flowers  the  appearance  of  being 
totally  destroyed.  There  remained,  however,  a  sullicient  number  to 
provide  a  lull  crop — an  agreeable  surprise.  With  coping  and  a  double 
