June  25,  1903. 
JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTVRE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
561 
(Aloeasia  Lowi),  one  stove  plant  (Antliurium  Andreanum),  and 
three -Ferns  (Davallias  Mooreana  and  fijiensis  and  Nephrolei^isi 
davallioides  furcans),  Messrs.  Haines  and  Cookson  following. 
James  Birch,  Esq.,  C.C.,  Edge  House,  Sefton  gained  a  first  with 
grand  specimen  double  and  single  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Coleus,  and 
a  brace  of  Cucumbers.  Mr.  John  Lee  staged  fine  varieties  of 
tuberous  Begonias,  and  Mr.  George  Longley  very  fair  Fuchsias. 
The  first  and  second  prize  Orchids  were  Oncidinm  varicosum 
Roger.si  from  Mr.  Bracegirdle,  and  a  nice  piece  of  Vanda  suavis 
from  Air.  S.  Bell,  gardener  to  J.  N.  Hodgson,  Esq.,  Higher 
Bebington  Hall.  Hand  bouquets,  sprays,  and  buttonholes  Avere 
well  shown,  the  Avinners  being  Alessi-s.  J.  'Williams,  H.  Ogden, 
Smith  and  MattheAvs,  and  S.  Bell,  the  latter  having  Airs.  E. 
AlaAvley,  Kaiserin  Augusta  A''ictoria,  and  Perle  des  Jardins  as 
the  better  blooms  among  the  cut  Roses. 
The  cut  flower  classes  made  a  bright  effect,  especially  the 
tAvelv-e  bunches  groAvn  indoors  from  Air.  Ogden,  Avhich  consisted 
of  Gloxinias,  Lilium  testaceum,  Amaryllis,  Allamandas,  Crinum 
Aloorei,  Bougainvillea  Sanderiana,  Ixora  Pilgrimi,  BouAmrdias, 
Clerqdendron,  Stephanotis,  and  Roses.  T.  Brockbank,  Esq., 
won  in  the  outdoor  elass. 
Tavo  fairly  good  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  and  Buckland 
SAveetAvater  Avere  sent  by  Air.  J.  Jackson,  gardener  to  R.  T. 
Richardson,  E^q.  Peaches  from  Air.  J.  Lee  Avere  insignificant. 
A  splendid  Dickson’s  Exqui.site  and  a  similarly  fine  scarlet  Alelon 
won  for  Air.  Bracegirdle.  The  A^egetable  classes  call  for  little 
comment  owing  to  the  season.  Alessrs.  Williams,  Brocklebank, 
and  AVeston  Avere  the  principal  exhibitors. 
The  trade  had  unu.sually  good  stands  of  cereals,  and  rarely 
haA'e  I  met  cleaner,  heavier,  or  more  perfect  samples.  Alessrs. 
Dicksons,  Limited,  Chester,  had  Abundance  and  Black  Tartarian 
Oats,  selected  Giant  Winter  Rye,  square-headed  Red  AVheat 
(extra),  and  white  Potato  Oats,  and  a  splendid  collection  of  named 
Irises  Avhich  found  many  admirers. 
The  stand  of  AIes,srs.  AA"ebb  and  Sons,  Stourbridge,  AA’as  noted 
for  quality  also,  their  pedigree  Wheats  Alont  Blanc,  AVhite 
Queen,  and  NeAvmarket  (very  heawAA.  Stable  King  and  Winter 
Black  Oats,  and  Burton  malting  Barley  and  the  capital  strain 
of  Excelsior  Gloxinias. 
Alessrs.  Gartons,  of  Warrington,  had  fine  examples  of  NeAA» 
Era  AVheat,  Colossal  (a  new  yelloAv,  heaA-y  cropping  (Jat),  Eclipse 
Barley  (perfect  for  malt.sters),  and  several  other  telling  varieties. 
Air.  H.  Aliddlehurst,  of  Live^ool,  had  a  pretty  selection  of 
pot  plants  of  A'erbena  Aliss  AA'illmott,  Alignonette,  Pseonies, 
Petunias,  Lilium  Harrisi,  Cannas,  and  some  interesting  cut 
floAvers,  besides  other  good  articles. 
Alessrs.  T.  Davies  and  Co.,  AA^avertree,  staged  an  extensive 
collection  of  tAventy-four  A-arieties  of  Irises,  Aletrosideros,  Lily  of 
the  A^alley,  Lilium  Harrisi,  Ericas,  and  Carnations,  Avhich  helped 
the  show  very  much.— R.  P.  R. 
Trade  Note. 
The  “Tala”  Sprayer. 
ImproA^ed  sprayers  for  garden  purposes  continue  to  be  laid 
before  the  public,  and  the  latest  of  these  is  the  one  Ave  name, 
a  strong,  Avell  finished  article.  The  engravdng  shoAvs  its  form, 
Avhich  is  that  of  an  ordinary  syringe,  plus  a  funnel,  and  a  small 
cask  at  the  nozzle  end.  This  “cask"  contains  the  insecticide; 
the  long,  pointed  “  funnel  ’’  conducts  the  air  from  the  syringe 
to  an  aperture  in  the  cask,  through  Avhich  the  fine,  deAvy  spray 
is  forced,  and  the  front  funnel  is  simply  added  to  insure  an 
even  spread.  The  insecticide  employed  must  be  perfectly 
fluid,  and  Avithout  solid  matter,  in  order  to  prevent  clogging, 
and  Bitter-oil  insecticide  is  therefore  recommended  by  the  Hull 
Chemical  Works,  Ltd.,  Hull,  Avho  are  the  manufacturers  of  the 
“  Tala  ’’  sprayer.  But  not  alone  for  garden  puiqjoses  can  this 
instrument  be  employed.  It  is  also  immluable  for  the  soft 
dewing  of  cut  floAvers.  and  a  large  quantity  can  be  gently 
damped  in  the  shortest  possible  time.  And  for  hospitals  and 
sick  roonrs  it  is  a  perfect  disinfector.  By  filling  the  “cask”  or 
drum  with  carbolic  or  other  disinfecting  fluid,  rooms,  blankets, 
clothes,  tVc.,’  can  be  quickly  and  thoroughly  disinfected.  The 
makers  also  commend  the  “Tala”  sprayer  for  use  in  poultiw 
liouses,  and  eA^en  live  stock  have  been  disinfected  by  means  of 
this  strong  and  serviceable  instrument. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden, 
STRAAA^BERRIES. — AA^here  the  StraAvbeiry  crop  is  likely  to 
be  a  satisfactoi-y  one,  efforts  must  bC'  made  to  jjerfect  the  fruit 
in  the  best  ciondition,,  proA-iding  the  AA'eather  permits.  The 
fruit,  as  it  advances  to  colouring,  needs  some  suitable  material 
on  Avhich  it  can  rest,  in  order  that  it  may  be  kept  clean  and 
free  from  gritty  matter  and  the  attacks  of  small  slugs.  Nothing 
seems  better  than  straAvy  material,  and  if  it  has  been  laid  doAvn 
for  some  time  it  AA’ill  be  in  excellent  condition  ;  but  rather  than 
fruit  should  be  spoiled,  lay  some  doAvn  cA-en  at  the'  last  moment, 
for  should  a  heavy  shoAver  occur,  grit  Avill  most  certainly  be 
splashetl  on  thei  fimit.  Overhead  protection  is  also 
necessary,  birds  being  very  prone  to  attack  the  ripe 
fruit,  AA’hich,  if  they  do  not  Avholly  destroy,  they  much 
disfigure  and  spoil.  Netting  of  sufficiently  close  tex¬ 
ture  ought  therefore  to  be  stretched  oA-er  the  quarters, 
.supporting  it  with  long  lengths  of  laths  or  stout  wire 
stretched  horizontally  and  fastened  at  each  end  to 
stout  stakes.  The!  netting  should  lay  clear  of  the.  plants.  If 
the  Avidths  of  netting  are  not.  too.  Avide.  they  AAill  be-  found  more 
cqnA'enient  to  draAv  on  cne  side  to  admit  of  gathering  the  fruit. 
Fish  netting  is  best  adapted  for  the  purpose.  It  is  cheap, 
strong,  and  pliable,  and  obtainable  in  useful  Avidths  of  2yds  to 
Sj-ds,  and  of  Amrious  lengths. 
NETTING  CHERRIES. — Ripe  Cherries  on  wall  trees  and 
.small  bush  trees  are  readily  protected  from  the  ravages  of  birds 
by  fish  netting.  For  Avails  secure  the  netsi  at  the  top  and 
bottom,  and  to  keep  them  cilear  of  the  trees  prop  out  w-ith 
forked  sticks.  A  light  framework  of  wood  should  be  erected 
ever  bush  trees  on  Avhich  the  netting  can  rest. 
SUMMER  PRUNING  TRAINED  GOOSEBERRIES  AND 
CURRANTS. — On  Avails  and  fences, and  as  trained  bushes,  the 
principal  branches  are  so  clothed  Avith  rank  side  growths  that  it 
IS  imperative  to  thin  out  and  shorten  to  a  considerable  extent. 
The  immediate  effect  of  summer  pruning  is  to  more  readily 
admit  light  and  air  to  the  fruit.  At  the  same  time,  other 
objects  are  attained,  the  lArincipal  being  the  concentration  of 
A'igour  in  the  basal  buds,  Avhich  Avith  this  treatment  will  be 
fruitful  spurs  the  next  season.  The  majority  of  the  .side  growths 
may  be  shortened  to  three  pairs  of  leaves.  Any  it  is  intended 
to  remoA'e  should  be  cut  out  entirely.  Red  and  AA^hite  Currants 
are  here  referred  to.  Black  Currants  having  different  treatment 
similar  to  Avhat  is  accorded  bush  Gooseberries  Avhen  these  are  not 
groAvn  on  the  re.stricted  principle.  The  oldest  groAvths  are  re- 
moAmd,  and  young  encouraged. 
THINNING  FRUIT. — L^nfortunately,  this  year  fruit  will  be 
so  scaroe  on  many  trees  that  thinning  Avill  not  be  rendered 
necessary  ;  but  still  there  may  be  choice  varieties  groAving  on 
Avails  or  as  bushes  Avhere  the  crop  is  fairly  prolific.  In  such 
cases  it  is  desirable  to  examine  the  crop  and  remove  deformed 
and  croAvded  fruits,  so  that  the  best  and  most  promising  niay 
have  a  good  chance  of  SAvelling  freely  and  attaining  to  the  size, 
appearance,  and  quality  characteristic  of  the  variety.  A  limited 
number  of  large,  fine  fruits  are  better  than  a  plethora  of  small, 
Avhicli  never  attain  substance  or  flavour.  Thinning  the  fruit 
also  helps  to  equalise  the  groAvth  of  Avood,  and  does  much  to 
maintain  a  steady,  progi-essiAm  growth  from  year  to  year.  The 
large.st  sized  Apples  and  Pears  may  be  thinned  to  single  speci¬ 
mens  on  a  spur.  Reduce  the  number  in  bunches  of  smaller 
A-arieties,  as  Avell  as  in  Plums,  the  choicer  sorts  recemng  the 
most  attention. 
DESTROYING  APHIS  AND  RED  SPIDER. ^Colonies  of 
black  and  blue  aphides  attack  Client  and  Plum  trees  in  the 
open  and  on  Avails.  It  is  usually  the  points  of  young  shoots 
Avhich  suffer  the  most,  especially  Avhen  the  insects  are  so  thickly 
placed  that  they  coA'er  everj-thing  a  foot  or  more  doAvnwards 
from  the  groAving  point.  A  vigorous  syringing  Avill  clear  aAvay 
a  number,  but  to  effect  a  clean  job  an  insecticide  should  be 
used.  This  may  consist  of  some  of  the  numerous'  preparations 
offered  for  this  purpose.  If  used  according  to  the  directions  they 
proA-e  to  be  effectual.  Home  inade  solutions  are  also  good.  An 
excdllent  one  may  be  made  Avith  dissolA-ing  4oz  of  softsoap  in  a 
gallon  of  AA’ater.  Into  tliis  mix  half  a  pint  of  tobacco  water. 
Dip  the  infested  .shoots  into  the  mixture,  or  spray  it  carefully 
upon  them.  For  red  spider  add  a  handful  of  floAA'ers  of  sulphur, 
first  mixing  it  into  a  paste  with  water.  Spray  it  upon  the 
shoots  and  coA’er  the  leav-es  both  sides. 
PROPAGATING  STRAAA’BERRIES  FOR  EARLY  PLANT¬ 
ING. — ConA-eniently  placed  runners  should  be  .selected  from 
