JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
3(39 
April  23,  1903. 
raised  on  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Barron  from  Chiswick  in  1896, 
there  was  a  happy  ending  when,  at  a  great  meeting  of  his  life-long 
friends  and  acquaintances,  Dr.  Maxwell  T.  Masters  (who  suc¬ 
ceeded  Dr.  Lindley  on  the  “  Gardeners’  Chronicle  ”),  as  chairman 
of  the  Barron  Testimonial  Committee,  on  April  21,  1890,  handed 
our  late,  dearly-respected  friend  a  cheque  for  £500  “  in  recogni¬ 
tion  of  his  services  to  horticulture  and  his  integrity  over  a  long 
series  of  years.”  The  hon.  treasurer  of  the  committee  tvas  Mr. 
Harry  J.  Veitch,  while  the  hon.  secretaries  were  Mr.  W.  Marshall, 
present  chairman  of  the  Floral  Committee,  and  Mr.  Brian 
A'ynne,  who  is  the  much  respected  secretary  of  the  Boyal  Gar¬ 
deners’  Orphan  Fund.  The  presentation  was  made  at  a  luncheon 
in  the  Hotel  Windsor,  at  Westminster.  But  Mr.  Barron  had 
been  formally  honoured  by  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  a  few 
years  before,  when  the  president,  at  a  Temple  show,  publicly 
handed  him  the  first  large  silver  Veitch  Memorial  medal  ever 
offered  to  any  individual  in  recognition  of  services  rendered  in 
horticulture.  And,  again,  on  the  institution  of  the  Victorian 
Medal  of  Honour  in  1897,  the  late  superintendent  was  one  of  the 
earliest  to  receive  this  highest  professional  honour  a  British  gar¬ 
dener  can  possess. 
Though  not  a  very  old  man,  Mr.  Barron  had  worked  hard  and 
con.stantly,  and,  as  we  have  said  in  the  opening  lines  of  this  brief 
and  insufficient  memoir,  he  had  at  la.st  become  exceedingly  frail, 
indeed,  to  helplessne.ss ;  and  though  we  deeply  mourn  the  los.s  of 
a  dear  friend  and  irreproachable  gardener,  yet  do'  we  console  the 
feelings  of  grief  with  the  knowleclge  that  his  good  life’s  work  was 
done,  and  that  now  he  rests. 
His  assistance  to  Dr.  Robert  Hogg  in  the  preparation  of  the 
fifth  edition  of  the  “  Fruit  Manual  ”  was  fully  appreciated,  we 
believe,  by  the  late  conductor  of  this  paper,  to  whom  he  was  a 
well-tried  friend  over  many  years,  and  which  friendship  was  as 
warmly  reciprocated.  Our  engraving  of  Mr.  Barron’s  portrait 
was  made  fully  ten  years  ago,  but  he  happily  changed  little  in 
external  appearance.  To  Mr.  Brian  Wynne  our  acknowledg¬ 
ments  are  due  for  having  courteously  furnished  us  with  Pynaert’s 
French  translation  of  Mr.  Barron’s  book  on  the  Vine,  and  which 
contains  a  brief  biography  of  the  author.  Mr.  Wynne,  and  many 
of  the  late  gentleman’s  friends,  were  absent  at  the  Ghent  Quin¬ 
quennial  Show,  when  the  funeral  took  place.  On  hearing  of  his 
death  they  at  once  despatched  a  message  of  condolence  to  Mrs. 
Barron  at  Chiswick,  and  deeply  regretted  their  inability  to  pay 
their  last  respects  on  Saturday. 
The  funeral  took  place  at  four  o’clock  on  Saturday  afternoon 
in  the  Chiswick  Parish  Churchyard.  Amongst  those  present  were 
Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  Messrs.  H.'B.  May,  S.  T.  Wright,  E.  T.  Cook, 
G.  Wythes,  W.  P.  Thomson,  A.  Dean,  T.  Humphreys,  Mr.  Cox 
(for  Sutton  and  Sons),  J.  Fraser,  T.  W.  Turner,  H.  Turner,  and 
J.  Harrison  Dick.  Wreaths  were  sent,  among  others,  from  H.  J. 
Veitch,  E.sq.,  Sutton  and  Sons,  E.  T.  Cook.  W.  Marshall,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  W.  P.  Thomson,  and  from  Messrs.  S.  T.  Wright,  Thos. 
Humphreys,  and  Turner,  who  contributed  a  beautiful  wreath  on 
behalf  of  the  Chi«wick .Garden. 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain.* 
An  Insight  to  Bothydom. 
Having  read  the  letter  by  “  Gradus  ”  in  the  “  Young  Gar- 
dener.s’  Domain,”  I  would  like  to  know  what  reasons  he  has  for 
saying  that  the  average  bothy  hand  does  his  best  to  drag  the 
young  beginner  on  the  downward  path ;  or,  in  other  words,  does 
his  best  to  lead  him  astray.  As  for  myself,  I  have  spent  several 
years  in  bothies,  and  have  associated  with  a  good  many  of  what 
may  be  termed  average  bothy  hands  ;  but  I  have  found  them  on 
the  whole  a  .sociable  and  intelligent  lot,  anxious  to  get  on  in  the 
profession.  I  do  not  say  but  what  there  are  a  few  black  sheep 
among  young  gardeners,  the  same  as  there  is  amongst  those  who 
follow  other  profe-ssions.  But  I  do  say  this  :  that  the  average 
bothy  hand  is  not  at  all  the  kind  of  fellow  who  would  lead  his 
younger  brethren  a.stray  as  “  Gradus  ”  would  have  us  believe. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  young  gardener  is  just  the  one  to  do 
another  a  good  turn  if  possible.  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  (“  Gra¬ 
dus  ”)  has  run  across  one  or  two  bad  ones,  and  jumped  to  the  con¬ 
clusion  that  all  are  alike.  ‘‘Gradus”  also  describes  bothydom 
as  a  black  spot  of  gardening  which  sooner  or  later  mirst  be  re¬ 
moved.  Perhaps  he  will  state  why,  as  I  am  of  opinion,  and  I 
believe  a  good  many  more  share  my  opinion,  that  bothies  arc 
almost  indispensable  to  the  journeymen  who  take  duty.  If 
bothies  were  done  away  with,  I  presume  we  should  have  to  go  in 
lodgings,  which  very  likely  would  be  a  mile  or  more  from  the 
gardens.  What  a  lively  trudge  we  should  have  then  after  a  day’s 
Avork  to  do  up  the  fires  and  go  our  rounds  about  every  two  hours ! 
To  say  nothing  of  disturbing  the  landlady  by  coming  in  late 
at  night,  or  in  the  small  hours  of  the  morning  Avhen  a  sharp  frost 
is  on.  Let  me  remind  “  Gradus  ”  that  bothies  are  a  boon  to 
journeymen,  and  not  a  drawback  to  them,  as  he  (“  Gradus  ”) 
thinks  they  are. — H.  P. 
*  The  editor  invites  young  gardeners  who  are  readeis  to  contribute  to  the 
Domain,  and  he  will  at  all  times  endeavour  to  ensure  the  public.ation  of  their 
1  Jttera. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
MELONS  :  E.VRLY  PLANTS.^  When  the  fruit  commenc.'.s 
ripening,  as  it  is  the  plants  raised  at  the  new  year  and  grown 
under  the  most  advantageous  circumstances  of  a  tvell-heated  bed 
and  house,  the  supply  of  tvater  should  be  lessened  at  the  roots, 
but  not  so  as  to  di.stiirb  the  plants,  for  if  the  foliage  has  been 
kept  clean  and  the  roots  are  in  good  condition,  a  second  crop 
may  be  had.  Withhold  atmospheric  moisture,  and  provide  a 
circulation  of  Avarm  air,  increasing  the  temperature  to  70deg  or 
75deg  artificially,  and  80deg  to  90deg  Avith  sun  heat.  If  any 
fruits  .shoAv  a  tendency  to  crack,  cut  the  shoots  about  half  Avay 
through  Avith  a  sharp  knife  a  feAv  inches  beloAv  the  fruit,  diminish¬ 
ing  the  supply  of  Avater  at  the  roots  and  in  the  atmosphere, 
leaving  a  little  extra  A'entilation  constantly  to  prevent  moisture 
condensing  on  the  fruit. 
SFCC’ESSION  PLANTS. — When  the  plants  are  coming  into 
fioAver,  keep  tiie  atmosphere  rather  drier  and  Avarmer,  ventilating 
early,  and  lea\dng  a  little  constantly  to  prevent  the  blossoms 
becoming  too  damp.  Fertilise  the  fioAvers  Avhen  fully  expanded, 
stopping  the  shoots  at  the  same  time  one  or  tAvo  joints  beyond 
the  fruit.  Earth  the  plant.s  Avith  rather  .strong  and  rich  loam 
after  the  fruits  begin  .swelling,  ramming  it  firmly.  Plant.s  SAvell- 
in^  their  fruits  may  be  .syringed  in  hot  Aveather  about  3p.m., 
damping  the  floor  several  times  a  day,  and  occasionally  in  the 
evening  Avitli  Aveak  liquid  manure.  Shade  only  to  preA^ent  flag¬ 
ging,  ventilate  freely  in  faAmurable  Aveather,  commencing  from 
75deg  to  80deg,  increasing  during  the  day  as  uAay  be  necessary, 
maintaining  a  day  temperature  of  80deg  tO'  85deg  or  90deg  Avith 
sun  heat,  closing  betAveen  80deg  and  85deg,  and  if  an  advance 
is  made  after  closing  to  90deg  or  95deg  or  even  lOOdeg,  it  Avill 
materially  assist  the  fruit  .SAvelling;  but  it  must  be  accompanied 
bj"  plenty  of  atmospheric  moisture. 
PITS  AND  FRAMES. — Train  cut  the  groAvths,  still  main¬ 
taining  a  good  bottom  heat  by  linings,  and  employing  night 
coverings  over  the  lights.  Earth  up  the  roots  as  they  protrude 
themselves  through  the  sides  of  the  mounds.  Do  not  alloAv  young 
plants  to  become  root-boAind  before  placing  them  in  large  pots 
or  placing  them  out,  as  they  rarely  make  free  groAvth  afterAvards. 
Any  plants  that  are  likely  to  get  into  that  state  should  be 
shifted  into  pots  a  size  or  tAvo  larger  than  those  they  are  in  at 
present,  in  order  to  keep  them  in  steady  progressive  groAvth.  Soav 
seeds  for  raising  plants  for  pits  and  frauAes  as  they  beconie  cleared 
of  bedding  plants,  potting  the  young  plants  as  required,  and 
.stopping  at  the'  second  rough  leaf. 
CHERRY  HOI*SE. — Where  the  trees  Avere  started  at  the 
neAv  year  and  have  been  brought  foinvard  steadily,  the  fruit  Avill 
have  .stoned  and  commenced  colouring,  and  be  SAvelling  rapidly 
for  ripening.  The  teuAperature  may  iaoav  be  raised,  but  it  must 
not  exceed  65deg  by  artificial  means,  aiAd  55deg  to  GOdeg  at 
night,  Avith  a  little  ventilation,  increasing  it  at  70deg.  Subject 
to  the  leaving  of  a  little  air  constantly  at  the  top  of  the  house, 
clo.se  at  70deg ;  but  the  temperature'  Auust  not  be  alloAved  to 
exceed  that  degree  in  the  early  part  of  the  day  AvithoAAt  full  venti- 
latioiA.  From  the  coiAAenceinent  of  colouring,  uiAtil  the  trees 
are  cleared  of  their  fruits,  .syringing  Auu.st  cea.se,  or  the  fruits 
Avill  crack,  but  huiAAidity  should  be  uAaiiAtained  in  the  house  by  keep¬ 
ing  the  surface  of  the  border  moisteiAed  as  it  becomes  dry.  or  if 
the  trc;e.s  are  in  pots,  which  is  a  very  desirable  method  of  groAv- 
ing  this  very  acceptable  fruit,  daAuping  the  fioor  tAvo  or  thi-ee 
times  a  day,  avoiding.  hoAvever.  a  stagnant  atmosphere. 
Apliides,  Avhich  are  apt  to  .settle  on  the  points  of  the  young  shoots, 
must  be  kept  UAAder  by  vaporisation  Avith  lAicotine,  or  fuiAAiga- 
tion  Avith  good  tobacco  paper  or  rag,  as  it  does  not  answer  to 
apply  an  insecticide  in  liquid  or  poAvder  form  after  the  fruit  coiaa- 
niences  ripening.  The  border  must  not  lack  moisture,  and  trees 
in  pots  must  be  properly  attended  to  as  required  in  Avatering. 
Place  some  netting  over  the  veAAtilators  to  prevent  birds  attack¬ 
ing  the  (I’hei-rics.  Stop  the  extending  growths  of  trees  in  pots  at 
the  fifth  leaf.  aiAd  laterals  to  one  joiiAt  as  lAAade.  Trellis-trained 
trees  should  liave  the  shoots  tied  on  as  they  lengthen,  and  those 
not  required  for  training  on  lAiay  be  stripped  at  about  the  fifth 
^^FIGS:  EARLIEST  FORCED  TREES  IN  POTS.-  The  fruits 
of  the  very  early  small  varieties.  Early  Violet  and  St.  John’s,  are 
ripe,  the  trees  having  beeiA  started  eai’ly  in  December,  and  the 
large  pointed  White  jMarseilles  and  BroAA  ii  lurkey  are  AAcaily  so, 
heiAce  tlie  supply  of  Avater  at  the  roots  Auust  be  diiuinislied.  dis- 
continuiiAg  syringiiAg.  aiAd  affording  a  free  circAihition  of  AAarm 
all’,  leaving  a  little  top  v’cntilation  at  night.  Although  Aiatering 
is  advised'^to  be  le.ssened  during  the  ripening  of  the  fruit,  the. 
soil  must  be  kept  moi.st,  and  a  moderate  moisture  in  the  atiiio- 
