JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
August  2,  1900. 
il4 
Horticultural  Shows. 
Beckentiam,  July  25tli. 
The  ninth  annual  summer  show,  arranged  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Beckenham  Horticultural  Society,  was  held  at  the  Croydon  Road  Recre¬ 
ation  Ground,  and  taking  into  consideration  the  position  of  horticulturists 
at  the  present  time,  this  exhibition  can  be  written  down  a  thorough 
success.  The  phenomenally  warm  weather  prevailing  at  the  present  time, 
though  in  a  measure  favourable  to  horticulture,  presents  to  the  would-be 
successful  gardener  many  difficulties,  which  are  increased  by  the 
continuance  of  the  days  of  tropical  heat  and  sunshine.  The  marquees 
were  enlarged,  thanks  to  the  forethought  of  the  hon.  secretary,  Mr. 
G.  R.  Stilwell,  F.R.H.S.,  and  that  this  precaution  was  necessary  i^ 
shown  by  the  fact  that,  although  not  overcrowded,  all  the  exhibition 
tents  were  comfortably  filled.  The  exhibits  themselves  were  of  excellent 
quality  throughout,  and  more  than  repaid  a  visit  to  the  show.  The 
competition  in  nearly  all  the  classes  was  keen,  and  the  classes  in  which 
there  were  no  entries  were  exceedingly  few.  The  table  decoration 
competitions,  which  nearly  filled  the  whole  of  one  marquee,  brought 
out  quite  a  number  of  competitors,  and  the  first  prize  went  to  Miss 
Woolley.  This  table  was  obviously  most  skilfully  arranged  with  very 
unpretentious  materia],  but  there  was  much  more  decoration  crowded 
into  the  space  allotted  than  would  be  judicious  for  practical  purposes. 
In  section  III  for  decorative  work,  which  included  the  above  class.  Miss 
E.  Still  was  most  successful,  carrying  off  four  first  prizes  and  one  third. 
In  t^e  open  classes  the  awards,  says  a  local  contemporary,  were  fairly 
evenly  distributed,  but  the  names  of  Messrs.  M.  Webster  (gardener 
to  Mr.  E.  Preston,  Beckenham),  R.  Robertson,  H.  Cooper,  W.  Turle 
(gardener  to  Mr.  A.  Baker,  Beckenham),  and  H.  Cole  appeared  very 
frequently. 
Group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect. — First,  Mr.  E.  Hawkins;  second, 
Mr.  R.  Robertson ;  third,  Mr.  M.  Webster ;  fourth,  Mr.  E.  Dove.  Six 
plants  for  table  decoration. — First,  Mr.  M.  Webster;  second,  Mr.  E. 
Dove ;  third,  Mr.  R.  Robertson.  Three  plants  for  table  decoration.— 
First,  Mr.  D.  White  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Draper ;  third,  Mr.  P.  Smith.  Three 
flowering  stove  or  greenhouse  plants. — First,  Mr.  G.  E.  Day.  Three 
foliage  stove  or  greenhouse  plants. — First,  Mr.  M.  Webster ;  second, 
Mr.  H.  Cole ;  third,  Mr.  W.  Turle.  Four  plants,  two  ornamental  foliage 
and  two  flowering.--Firat,  Mr.  H.  Cole;  second,  Mr.  H.  Cooper;  third, 
Mr.  J.  Causebrook.  Six  miscellaneous  plants. — First,  Mr.  F.  W.  Price ; 
second,  Mr.  M.  Webster;  third,  Mr.  W.  Turle.  Twelve  bunches  flowers. 
— First,  Mr.  G.  Prebble  ;  second,  Mr.  A.  Lewis ;  third,  Mr.  H.  E. 
Anderson ;  fourth,  Mrs.  G.  Stillwell.  Forty-eight  Roses. — First, 
Mr.  Prior,  Colchester.  Twelve  Roses. — First,  Mr.  F.  Jefferies ;  third, 
Mr.  H.  E.  Anderson.  Six  Roses. — First,  Mr.  P.  Jefferies ;  second, 
Mr.  M.  Manser ;  third,  Mr.  H.  E.  Anderson.  Six  Dahlias,  Cactus. — 
First,  Mr.  W.  Davis;  second,  Mr.  M.  Webster. 
Prescot,  July  26tli, 
A  LOVELIER  day,  or  a  more  charming  situation  than  the  portion  of 
Knowsley  Park  set  aside  by  the  Earl  of  Derby,  K.G.,  no  society  could 
have  wished  for  than  Thursday,  July  26th,  when  this  show  was  held. 
With  the  exception  of  the  groups  and  plant  classes,  the  remainder  was 
fully  up  to  the  high  standard  of  former  years  ;  the  vegetables,  especially 
those  grown  by  the  cottagers,  being  worthy  of  all  admiration.  In  the 
class  for  a  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  Mr.  J.  Bracegirdle, gardener 
to  W.  H.  Watts,  Esq.,  Elm  Hall,  Wavertree,  secured  the  prize;  and  was 
followed  by  Mr.  H.  Ogden,  of  West  Derby.  Mr.  Bracegirdle  was  also 
first  for  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants.  Mr.  John  George,  gardener 
to  F.  W.  Mayor,  Esq.,  Whitefield  House,  Roby,  was  second.  The  prizes 
for  four  greenhouse  plants,  six  Begonias,  six  Cockscombs,  and  three 
Orchids  were  annexed  by  Mr.  W.  Lyon,  gardener  to  A.  Mackenzie 
Smith,  Esq.,  Bolton  Hey,  Roby,  who  was  in  great  form.  Some  well- 
grown  Coleus  came  from  Mr.  J.  Pairclougb.  Mr.  Bracegirdle  staged 
the  best  four  Perns,  one  greenhouse  plant  in  flower,  one  foliage  plant, 
and  a  good  Fuchsia.  Mr.  George  had  little  difficulty  in  winning  both 
classes  for  Caladinms ;  Mr.  T.  Eaton,  gardener  to  J.  Farrington,  Esq., 
Roby  Mount,  Roby,  following.  Gloxinias,  Fuchsias,  and  Begonias  were 
handsomely  exhibited  by  Mr.  W.  S.  Barnes,  gardener  to  J.  C.  Gamble, 
Esq.,  Haiesfinch,  St.  Helens ;  and  table  plants  by  Mr.  Ogden. 
Cut  flowers  were  shown  in  great  profusion.  Mr.  P.  Greene,  gardener 
to  Lieut.  Colonel  Gee,  winning  the  classes  for  eighteen,  twelve,  and 
six  Roses.  The  great  feature  in  this  section,  however,  was  made  by  the 
herbaceous  flowers,  and  we  never  remember  <a  handsomer  stand  as 
regards  arrangement,  brightness,  and  quality  than  that  staged  by  Mr. 
George. 
The  fruit  was  of  good  quality,  with  the  exception  of  Grapes.  For 
four  dishes  Mr.  W.  Oldham,  gardener  to  Joseph  Beecham,  Esq.,  Ewan- 
ville,  Huyton,  gained  the  honours  with  fine  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes, 
Violette  Hative  Nectarines,  Middlesex  Hero  Melon,  and  a  Pine  Apple ; 
Mr.  Eaton  was  an  excellent  second ;  Mr.  T.  Carling,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
Cope,  Dove  Park,  Woolcon,  was  a  good  third.  Mr.  Oldham  won  the 
classes  for  Black  Hamburgh,  Buckland  Sweetwater,  and  Madresfield 
Court  Grapes,  also  for  Peaches,  with  Grosse  Mignonne.  Mr.  Eaton  with 
gprandly  coloured  Elruge  Nectarines.  Hardy  fruit  was  splendid,  and  the 
same  may  be  said  of  the  vegetables. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden. 
Strawberries. — Early  Planting. — The  advantage  of  trasferring  young 
newly  rooted  stock  to  permanent  positions  as  soon  as  possible  now  is 
that  an  excellent  crop  of  fruit  may  bs  obtained  the  first  season  The 
plants  for  this  purpose  ought  to  have  been  specially  rooted  in  pots  or 
on  turves,  so  that  when  placed  in  their  permanent  positions  they 
experience  no  check  from  having  a  weak  hold  of  the  rooting  medium. 
The  soil  must  be  deeply  dug,  and  if  possible  trenched,  adding  manure 
liberally  to  the  lower  spits,  especially  if  the  ground  is  poor.  In 
trenching,  however,  avoid  bringing  a  hungry  subsoil  to  the  surface 
and  planting  in  that.  The  object  of  trenching  should  not  be  so  much 
the  reversal  of  the  layers  of  soil  as  the  deepening  of  the  root  run, 
and  its  consequent  ability  to  provide  sources  of  food  and  moisture  over 
a  longer  period  than  would  be  the  case  with  a  shallow  soil.  In  the 
selection  of  a  position  for  planting,  preference  should  be  given  to  an 
open  plot  not  recently  occupied  with  the  same  fruit.  Ground  trenched 
or  deeply  dug  last  winter  or  spring,  liberally  manured,  and  since 
occupied  only  with  a  summer  crop,  such  as  early  Potatoes,  Lettuce, 
Spinach,  or  Cauliflowers,  will  now  be  vacant  and  admirably  adapted 
for  occupying  with  a  first  lot  of  Strawberries.  Make  the  soil 
firm  by  treading  when  dry,  especially  if  of  a  light  character.  It  is 
best  to  plant  when  the  ground  is  moist,  not  wet,  and  in  dull  weather. 
Planting  may  be  done  during  dry  and  hot  weather,  but  special  pre¬ 
cautions  must  be  taken  that  the  balls  of  soil  and  roots  are  moist 
throughout.  Not  only  so,  but  after  insertion  the  surrounding  soil 
should  be  well  watered,  making  provision  for  future  watering  by  leaving 
a  shallow  depression  round  each  plant.  This,  of  course  is  to  be  filled  up 
when  the  plants  are  established. 
Treatment  and.  Planting  Purchased  Stoch. — It  is  often  necessary  to 
buy  varieties  for  early  planting  for  various  reasons.  Good  varieties 
should  be  obtained  from  reliable  firms.  Immediately  on  arrival  unpack 
the  plants  and  ascertain  their  condition  as  regards  moisture.  If  in 
small  pots  and  the  soil  is  dry  immerse  them  in  water,  afterwards 
standing  them  in  a  shady  position  for  a  few  days,  after  which  plant  in 
the  same  manner  as  detailed  for  home-raised  examples.  Rooted 
runners  are  obtainable  not  established  in  pots,  and  these  will  need  very 
careful  treatment.  Thoroughly  moistening  the  roots  is  first  necessary. 
Then  lay  in  the  plants  temporarily  in  light,  moist  soil  in  a  shady 
position,  keeping  them  well  supplied  with  water  until  the  leaves  are 
plumped  up.  In  inserting  these  it  will  be  best  to  do  so  temporarily  in 
a  bed  for  a  few  weeks,  placing  them  6  inches  apart.  Spread  out  the 
roots  on  little  mounds,  covering  the  fibres  with  fine  soil,  pressing  firmly. 
Shade  at  first,  and  give  water  daily.  When  well  established  so  that 
each  plant  can  be  lifted  with  a  ball  of  soil  and  roots,  transfer  to 
permanent  positions. 
Best  Varieties. — Royal  Sovereign  is  one  ot  the  best  and  earliest 
Strawberries  of  good  quality.  Vioomtesse  Hericart  de  Thury  is 
excellent  both  in  flavour  and  productiveness.  The  fruit  is  small  but 
early.  The  most  generally  reliable  midseason  varieties  include  James 
Veitch,  President,  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton.  Late  varieties  should  be 
represented  by  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  Latest  of  All,  Elton  Pine,  and 
Waterloo. 
Distances  to  Plant. — A  convenient  distance  between  the  rows  is 
2^  feet,  and  the  plants  18  inches  asunder  in  the  rows.  The  smaller  , 
varieties  may  be  planted  in  rows  2  feet  apart,  the  plants  15  inches 
asunder.  The  strongest  growers  ought  to  have  more  space,  3  feet 
between  the  rows  is  not  too  much.  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and  Noble  are 
strong  growers. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — It  is  important  where  there  is  a  good  crop 
to  encourage  its  steady  development  by  shortening  or  removing  all 
superfluous  wood,  and  keeping  the  succession  shoots  carefully  laid  in. 
This  will  permit  of  plenty  of  light  and  abundant  air  reaching  the  fruit, 
both  of  which  are  necessary  for  encouraging  colour,  size,  flavour,  and 
quality.  Other  essentials  are  a  regularly  moist  condition  of  the  soil 
about  the  roots,  together  with  an  adequate  supply  of  suitable  food.  Up 
to  the  period  when  the  fruit  commences  to  colour  frequent  syringing 
tends  to  maintain  the  foliage  clean  and  healthy.  Liquid  manure  may 
be  given  to  comparatively  moist  soil,  and  a  good  mulching  should  lay 
upon  the  soil  as  a  means  of  keeping  the  roots  cool  and  moist. 
Protecting  Ripe  Fruit. — Apricots,  Plums,  Cherries,  Currants,  and 
Gooseberries  grown  on  walls  should,  when  the  fruit  is  ripe,  have 
protection  from  birds.  Hexagon  netting  is  suitable  protecting  material. 
Before  fixing  the  netting  shorten  the  foreright  shoots,  and  nail  in  the 
young  growths  which  are  to  be  retained.  This  permits  of  the  protection 
being  arranged  more  effectively.  The  ends  should  be  fixed  closely  to 
the  wall,  so  that  there  are  few  spaces  through  which  birds  may  find  an 
entrance. 
Early  Apples  and  Pears. — The  early  varieties,  such  as  Citron  des 
Carmes  Pears  and  Devonshire  Quarrenden  Apples,  should  be  gathered 
