210 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  30,  1900. 
There  were  two  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect,  and  Mr.  Alfred 
"Cryer,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Kenriok,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  displayed  one  of 
his  locally  well-known  artistic  compositions,  while  the  gardener  to 
W.  F.  Varnore,  Esq.,  Smethwick,  contributed  a  creditable  second.  The 
Fuchsias,  “Geraniums,”  and  Coleuses,  also  the  exotic  Ferns  of 
Mr.  Cryer,  were  prominent  features.  Mr.  A.  W.  Hulse’s  stand  of  Roses 
worthily  won  the  premier  prize.  Cactus  Dahlias  were  commendably 
■exhibited  by  Messrs.  F.  Nobbs,  S.  Campbell,  and  E.  Poulton,  and  the 
•collections  of  Sweet  Peas  were  tastefully  arranged  by  Messrs.  A. 
Campbell,  J.  Vicklin,  and  C.  H.  Thomas.  A  shower  bouquet  by 
Mr.  S.  Gibbs,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Manley,  Esq.,  was  an  object  of  much 
attraction ;  the  same  exhibitor  also  staged  a  very  good  collection  of 
exotic  and  hardy  fruits. 
Vegetables  were  a  leading  feature,  and  no  less  than  forty-eight 
collections  by  gentlemen’s  gardeners,  amateurs,  and  cottagers,  were  in 
the  majority  remarkable  for  general  excellence  both  in  quality  and 
arrangement.  The  competition  was  also  keen  and  strodg  in  the  single 
dish  classes,  and  the  quality  really  left  nothing  to  be  desired,  eliciting, 
as  it  did,  the  high  eulogiums  of  the  judges.  In  addition  to  the  horti¬ 
cultural  exhibits,  there  were  a  series  of  gymnastic  performances, 
a  water  polo,  and  other  aquatic  exercises  in  the  large  pool  adjacent,  and 
a  finale  of  fireworks. 
Worsley,  August  25th. 
The  Worsley  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Show  was  held  last 
Saturday  in  the  grounds  of  the  Earl  of  Ellesmere.  In  the  horticultural 
section  it  was  at  once  apparent  that  the  show  was  one  of  splendid 
quality.  The  two  grand  groups  of  plants  arranged  for  effect  by  Mr. 
W.  Elkin,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Agnew,  Fairhope,  Pendleton,  and  Mr. 
Upjohn,  were  undoubtedly  the  feature  of  the  show,  denoting  skill  and 
an  eye  for  natural  effect  to  a  great  degree.  Mr.  Elkin  received  the 
premier  position,  every  plant  being  of  quality,  and  no  undue  crowding. 
Mr.  Upjohn  had  not  quite  the  same  material  to  work  upon,  but  every¬ 
thing  was  placed  to  produce  the  excellent  effect  he  gained.  The  smaller 
class  group  from  Mr.  J.  Burrows,  gardener  to  W.  L.  Bourke,  Esq.,  J.P., 
was  full  of  rich  colour  and  much  admired. 
To  attempt  to  enter  into  a  description  of  the  very  liberal  classes, 
to  the  number  of  113  would  be  quite  out  of  place,  but  there  were 
several  that  could  not  possibly  be  missed.  The  exotic  Perns  from  Mr. 
Elkin  were  quite  of  the  finest,  and  none  the  less  so  the  British  Ferns 
from  Mr.  W.  Tyldesley,  Hazlehurst,  Swinton,  which  were  quite  a 
revelation  for  size  and  beauty  of  frond.  The  pots  of  Liliums  lanci- 
folium  Kraotzeri  and  Melpomene  from  Mr.  Elkin  contained  hundreds  of 
flowers  quite  superbly  grown,  and  in  many  other  classes  did  the  same 
•exhibitor  show  good  judgment.  The  out  flowers  made  a  fine  feature, 
particularly  the  double.  Cactus,  Pompon,  and  single  Dahlias  from 
Messrs.  C.  Alldred,  T.  Doncaster,  J.  Pilling,  and  S.  Mort.  Mr.  J. 
Burrows  and  Mr.  Upjohn  figured  very  largely  in  the  plant  classes. 
Fruit  was  extensively  shown,  a  most  decided  hit  being  made  by  Mr. 
Upjohn  in  the  class  for  twelve.  The  dishes  consisted  of  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  and  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  Albert  Victor  and  Pineapple 
Nectarines,  Princess  of  Wales  and  Bellegarde  Peaches,  Violette  Sepor 
Pig,  Warrington  Gooseberry,  White  Astrachan  and  Glaastone  Apples, 
Beurre  d’Amanlis  Pear,  Cherries,  and  a  grand  Melon.  Mr.  Elkin  was 
placed  second,  also  winning  with  fine  Tomatoes.  White  Grapes  were 
not  finished.  Muscats  in  all  cases  being  shown,  the  prize  falling  to  Mr. 
H.  Shone,  gardeier  to  J.  W.  Makant,  Esq.,  Gilnow  Lodge,  Bolton,  who 
won  also  for  blacks  with  two  good  Madresfield  Court,  Mr.  Upjohn 
following  with  flue  Appley  Towers.  The  latter  was  well  ahead  with 
twelve  varieties  of  vegetables. 
Vegetables  were  capital.  Herbaceous  flowers  and  the  wonderful 
colours  of  the  pooular  Gladiolus  Childsi,  were  handsomely  staged  by 
Messrs.  Dickson  &  Robinson,  and  Messrs.  Dickson,  Brown  &  Tait,  both 
of  Manchester,  A  large  stand  of  Allamandas  beautifully  arranged  with 
Ferns  came  from  Mr.  Quinn,  gardener  to  Slater  Boddington,  Esq. 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech. — Bulbs,  Plants,  and  Trees. 
W.  Clibran  &  Son,  Altrincham. — Bulbs,  Florists’  Flowers,  and  Straw¬ 
berries. 
J.  Cocker  &  Sons,  Aberdeen. — Bulbs. 
F.  Dicks  &  Co.,  66,  Deansgate,  Manchester. — Bulbs. 
Dicksons,  Ltd.,  Chester. — Bulbs  and  Roses, 
E.  P.  Dixon  &  Sons,  Hull. — Bulbs. 
S.  Dobie  &  Son,  Heathfield  Gardens,  Chester — Winter  and  Spring  Flowers, 
Fisher,  Son,  &  Sibray,  Ltd.,  Handsworth. — Bulbs  and  Flower  Roots. 
Kent  &  Brydon,  Darlington.- -RwJ6s  and  Trees. 
■J.  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood. — Bulbs, 
A.  Roozen  &  Son,  Overveen,  Haarlem. — Dutch  and  Cape  Bulbs. 
L.  Spath,  Baumschule,  Baumscbulenweg,  bei  Berlin. — Plants, 
A.  F.  Upstone,  Rotherham. — Bulbs. 
WOKK,fou.theWEEK,. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden, 
The  Fruit  Boom. — Prior  to  storing  any  quantity  of  fruit  a  thorough 
cleansing  should  be  given  the  store  room.  Any  defects  in  the  shelves 
or  floor  ought  to  be  at  once  remedied,  and  the  whole  of  the  inside 
structure  swept  out.  After  this  limewash  the  walls  with  fresh  lime, 
and  scour  the  shelves  and  floor.  Free  ventilation  must  be  left  on  for 
several  days  for  the  structure  to  dry. 
Gathering  Fruit. — The  varieties  of  Apples  which  should  be  fre¬ 
quently  examined  in  order  to  gather  the  fruits  before  being  fully  ripe 
are  Red  Astrachan,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Mr.  Gladstone,  Devonshire 
Quarrenden,  Keswick  Codlin,  and  Lord  Suffield.  Many  fruits  of 
Williams’  Bon  Chrfitien,  Citron  des  Carmes,  Beurre  Giffard,  Souvenir 
du  Congres,  and  Jargonelle  Pears  will  be  found  advanced  enough 
for  gathering.  By  picking  them  when  they  show  the  first  indications 
of  yellow,  and  storing  carefully  in  a  cool  room,  the  season  of  ripe  and 
delicious  fruit  is  prolonged. 
Protecting  Ripe  Fruit. — Morello  Cherries  will  hang  on  the  wall 
trees  and  keep  well  a  considerable  time  if  carefully  protected  with  nets 
to  ward  off  birds  and  baffle  wasps  and  flies.  Plums  and  Peaches  are 
very  tempting  to  the  winged  insects,  hence  if  required  to  hang  long 
they  must  be  protected.  Preserve  bunches  of  Currants  on  the  bushes 
by  enclosing  the  latter  in  nets.  Late  Red  Currants  are  best  grown  on 
north  walls  where  nets  can  be  hung  in  front  of  the  trees. 
Outdoor  Vines. — The  main  rods  or  extensions  on  outdoor  Vines 
must  be  kept  well  secured  to  the  wall  or  trellis.  The  bunches  of  fruit 
require  full  exposure  to  light,  and  with  the  growths  well  tied  in  they 
receive  it,  likewise  plenty  of  air.  When  black  Grapes  commence 
to  colour  it  is  no  detriment  to  the  ripening  if  the  bunches  are  shaded  a 
little  by  the  principal  leaves,  but  white  Grapes  colour  best  in  the  sun. 
If  the  soil  is  thoroughly  moist  give  liquid  manure  freely,  but  to  dry 
soil  clear  water  only  in  the  first  place,  and  afterwards  liquid  manure 
or  top-dressings  of  a  general  artificial  fertiliser.  Lateral  growth  should 
be  kept  in  bounds,  as  it  is  important  that  side  shoots  or  young  canes 
be  well  ripened. 
Assisting  Fruit  Trees. — The  heavy  crops  of  fruit  now  being  carried 
by  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees  demand  that  adequate  nourishment  be 
forthcoming  in  the  soil  for  the  roots.  Both  Apples  and  Pears  of  mid¬ 
season  and  late  varieties  are  still  developing,  and  a  little  extra  help 
with  rich  food  will  prove  advantageous  in  improving  the  size  and 
quality  of  the  fruit  still  remaining  to  swell.  As  regards  Plums  little 
assistance  can  be  derived  from  the  soil  for  the  present  crop  of  fruit, 
but  the  nourishment  given  will  be  immensely  useful  in  building  up 
the  fruit  buds.  It  will  also  assist  the  buds  of  Apples  and  Pears, 
proving  beneficial  should  they  be  receiving  short  supplies  owing  to  the 
heavy  crop  of  fruit.  The  drainings  from  stables  and  farmyards  or  the 
contents  of  sewage  tanks  can  be  employed  if  diluted  with  water  to  a 
safe  strength.  Pour  it  on  the  soil  as  far  as  the  roots  extend.  This  is 
indicated  by  the  spread  of  the  branches.  The  liquid  can  be  distributed 
better  if  applied  over  a  slight  mulching  of  manure.  Failing  to  obtain 
farmyard  liquid  or  sewage,  dry  artificial  manure  4  ozs.  to  the  square 
yard,  washed  in  with  water,  or  solutions  of  guano  1  lb.  to  20  gallons  of 
water  are  excellent  fertilisers.  Young  and  vigorous  trees  making 
plenty  of  wood  and  not  bearing  heavy  crops  should  not  be  given  such 
fertilisers. 
Strawberry  Planting. — Strong  well-rooted  young  plants  can  be 
obtained  from  most  plantations,  but  preference  should  be  given  to  those 
from  established  and  fruitful  beds,  as  only  these  prove  reliable.  The 
ground  is  moist  now,  so  plants  lift  well,  and  are  freely  furnished  with 
fibrous  roots.  A  plot  of  ground  should  be  selected  that  is  open  to  the 
Buii,  and  if  possible  has  been  dug  and  manured  for  a  previous  crop, 
which  has  been  removed.  In  many  cases  the  ground  has  to  be  prepared 
just  previous  to  planting,  but  if  this  is  necessary  trench  or  dig  deeply 
and  manure  liberally.  Light  soil  should  be  made  firm  by  treading  well 
previous  to  planting.  Lift  the  young  plants  direct  from  the  spaces 
between  the  old  plants,  and  transfer  to  lines  on  the  newly  prepared 
ground.  The  distance  between  the  rows  ought  not  to  be  less  than 
2  feet.  Rows  2^  feet  apart  are  better,  the  plants  being  18  inches 
asunder.  President,  James  Veitch,  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  are  vigorous 
growers.  Royal  Sovereign  is  a  moderately  strong  growing  variety,  and 
adapted  for  general  culture  on  a  variety  of  soils.  Vicomtesse  Herioart 
de  Thury  is  an  old  but  prolific  and  reliable  variety,  and  may  be  planted 
in  rows  2  feet  apart.  Some  of  the  newer  and  recently  introduced  \ 
varieties  should  be  tried  in  limited  quantity  at  first,  so  as  to  ascertain 
their  adaptability  for  the  soil.  Good  varieties  in  one  plice  are  not 
always  so  in  another. 
Strawberry  Runners. — The  clearance  of  runners  from  the  old  beds 
of  Strawberries  c  airns  attention  at  this  time,  as  the  sooner  they  are 
removed  now  the  better.  When  detaching  them  from  the  old  plants 
