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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  February  7,  idol 
Apple  Claygate  Pearmain. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  held  on  the 
29th  ult.,  Mr.  W.  Strugnell,  gardener  to  Col.  Vivian,  Rood  Ashton  Park, 
Trowbridge,  exhibited  a  dish  of  this  excellent  Apple,  to  which  the  Fruit 
and  Vegetable  Committee  recommended  an  award  of  merit.  Dr.  Hogg, 
in  the  “  Fruit  Manual,”  describes  this  variety  as  follows:' — “Fruit, 
medium  size  ;  Pearmain-shaped.  Skin,  dull  yellow  mixed  with  green, 
and  a  thin  coating  of  russet  and  numerous  dots  on  the  shaded  side,  but 
marked  with  broken  stripes  of  dark  red  on  the  side  exposed  to  the  sun. 
After  being  kept  the  ground  colour  beoomes  golden  yellow,  and  the 
streaks  bright  crimson.  Eye,  large  and  open,  with  long  segments  set 
in  a  deep  basin.  Stamens,  median  ;  tube,  short,  funnel-shaped.  Stalk, 
an  inch  long,  inserted  in  a  smooth  and  rather  deep  cavity.  Flesh, 
yellowish,  crisp,  juicy,  rich,  and  sugary,  partaking  of  the  flavour  of 
the  Ribston  Pippin.  Cells,  obovate  or  elliptical;  axile.  A  valuable  and 
highly  esteemed  dessert  Apple  of  the  first  quality  ;  it  comes  into  use  in 
November,  and  will  continue  till  March.  The  tree,  though  not  a  strong 
or  vigorous  grower,  is  hardy  and  healthy,  attains  the  middle  size,  and  is 
an  abundant  bearer.  It  succeeds  well  grafted  on  the  Paradise  stock, 
and  grown  as  an  espalier  or  an  open 
dwarf.  Its  shoots  are  slender  and 
drooping.  This  excellent  variety  was 
discovered  by  John  Braddick,  Esq., 
growing  in  a  hedge  near  his  residence 
parish  of 
at  Claygate,  a  hamlet  in  the 
Thames  Ditton,  in  Surrey.” 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain 
Look  at  Your  Book. 
I  am  sorry  to  notice  so  many  young 
gardeners  exhibit  their  indifference 
towards  mental  development  and  the 
storing  of  the  mind  with  the  theories 
upon  which  practical  gardening  is  based, 
by  the  way  they  refer  to  R.H.S.  certifi¬ 
cates  and  book  gardeners.  Everyone 
is  entitled  to  their  own  opinion,  and 
doubtless  that  opinion  is  formed  accord¬ 
ing  to  individual  circumstances.  In  an 
enlightened  age,  such  as  we  are  favoured 
to  enjoy,  it  is  inevitable  that  different 
people  should  hold  different  opinions, 
and  be  it  desirable  or  otherwise,  such 
is  the  case.  Majorities  and  minorities 
may  sway  the  public  mind,  yet  a 
majority  does  not  always  represent 
wisdom  and  prudence,  therefore  I  venture  to  offer  a  word 
of  theory  and  book  study  as  an  aid  to  practical  training 
produce  ideal  gardeners. 
I  am  not  going  to  state  that  theory  is  more  important  than  practical 
knowledge,  or  that  it  should  take  its  place,  any  more  than  I  should  say 
that  a  knowledge  of  chemistry  and  anatomy  are  more  essential  to  a 
medical  student’s  training  than  his  experience  gained  in  the  hospital 
wards.  What  I  do  say  is  that  a  practical  gardener  who  has  never  given 
any  attention  to  scientific  study,  and  the  one  who  has  given  attention  to 
both,  bear  the  same  relation  to  each  other  as  a  “  quack  ”  and  a  doctor 
qualified  by  taking  his  M.D.  in  the  ordinary  way.  Present-day 
requirements  in  horticulture  call  for  men  of  a  higher  order  than  did  the 
requirements  and  conditions  of  a  generation  ago.  The  aim  is  the 
same — viz.,  best  possible  fruit,  flowers,  and  vegetables,  but  the  standard 
of  comparison  is  much  nearer  perfection.  The  means  at  a  gardener’s 
command  as  to  manqres  are  more  varied,  and  from  their  nature  a 
knowledge  of  chemistry  and  botany  at  least  are  of  considerable 
advantage  to  a  present-day  gardener. 
Again,  what  is  the  point  where  women  gardeners  show  themselves 
to  advantage  ?  It  cannot  be  in  muscular  strength  nor  powers  of 
endurance  either  of  extremes  of  temperature  or  bodily  strain.  It  is 
superior  mental  ability.  Therefore,  to  be  in  a  position  to  hold  their 
own  against  the  weaker  or  opposite  sex  (call  it  which  you  like),  the 
men  gardeners  have  one  natural  advantage — viz.,  superior  physical 
abilities,  and  the  means  to  equal  them  in  mental  qualifications  are 
within  the  reach  of  all  young  gardeners  who  are  not  content  to  do 
merely  what  they  are  told  as  they  are  told,  but  are  determined  to 
know  why  they  do  certain  things  in  special  ways  to  produce  certain 
results,  or  why  certain  causes  produce  certain  effects.  To  combat 
women  gardeners  in  a  fair  way  like  this  would  be  far  more  effective 
than  exposing  them  to  scorn  and  ridicule. 
Apple  Claygate  Peabmain, 
in  defence 
in  order  to 
I  must  differ  from  “Working  Gardener”  (on  page  33),  as  common 
sense  as  well  as  my  owp  observation  fayourthe  conclusion  that  a  well- 
infdrmed  gardener  is  in  a  better  position  to  make1  h  favourable 
impression  upon  an  intending  employer’s  mind  than  one  with  the 
minimum  of  the  three  R.’s  to  produce  a  gardener,  and  it  does  nob 
take  a  very  philosophic  mind  to  detect  between  an  intelligent  person 
and  one  devoid  of  mental  culture  ;  and  moreover  obtaining  an  appoint¬ 
ment  as  head  gardener  is  one  thing,  and  giving  satisfaction  and 
retaining  that  position  is  quite  another. .  When  a  gardener  obtains  an 
appointment  ifc  is  possible  that  soil  and  prevailing  climatic  influences 
may  be  different  to  what  he  has  previously  been  used  to.  Nothing 
under  such  conditions  is  calculated  to  enable  him  to  adapt  himself  to 
circumstances  so  readily  and  with  such  certainty  as  reliable  scientific 
knowledge,  science  being  the  result  of  what  practice  has  substantiated. 
Mental  culture  need  nob  make  a  young  gardener  “  conceited/’  or 
“  inclined  to  show  off,”  it  may  make  him  self-reliant  instead  of 
dependent  on  local  information,  which  is  not  always  reliable,  some¬ 
times  none  too  plentiful,  and  occasionally  coloured  with  self-interest. 
— H.  C.  H. 
Poinsettlas. 
Where  the  demand  for  flowers  during  the  winter  is  large  these 
plants  should  certainly  be  cultivated  in  some  quantity.  Two  or  three 
placed  in  a  room  impart  a  very  bright  appearance,  being  far  more 
noticeable  than  half  a  dozen  plants  of  a  quieter  colour.  When  well 
grown  the  bracts  attain  a  diameter  of  18  or  20  inches,  lasting  several 
weeks.  Presuming  the  old  stools  are 
good  cut  down  to  about  9  inches  from 
the  pot  and  start  the  beginning  of  May 
in  a  warm  house.  Take  the  cuttings 
when  2^  or  3  inches  in  length,  dipping 
the  heels  in  sand  or  powdered  charcoal 
to  prevent  any  bleeding.  Insert  singly 
in  thumbs,  and  plunge  in  a  brisk 
bottom  heat.  When  well  rooted  pot 
into  small  sized  60’s,  using  a  compost 
of  two  parts  loam,  one  of  peat,  and  one 
of  leaf  soil,  with  a  good  sprinkling  of 
sand.  The  plaints  should  then  be  placed 
on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  warm 
house,  using  the  syringe  twice  daily. 
The  final  shift  into  48’s  ere  long  will 
be  found  necessary.  For  this  potting 
use  a  compost  composed  of  two  parts 
good  turfy  loam,  one  part  peat,  one 
part  well-decayed  cow  manure,  a  little 
soot,  and  enough  silver  sand  to  keep 
the  whole  porous.  Press  the  soil  fairly 
firm,  using  well -drained  pots.  The 
plants  may  then  be  placed  in  their 
old  quarters  for  a  few  days,  eventually 
moving  them  to  a  frame  outside.  Then 
shade  slightly  for  a  few  days,  and 
syringe  and  close  the  frame  early. 
Gradually  increase  the  ventilation, 
giving  full  sun,  and  keep  the  plants 
as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  thereby 
insuring  a  sturdy  growth. 
When  the  plants  are  thoroughly  well  rooted  into  the  new  compost, 
afford  weak  liquid  cow  manure  twice  a  week.  A  little  Clay’s  fertiliser 
will  also  be  found  beneficial.  With  the  advance  of  cold  nights, 
remove  the  plants  to  a  house  having  a  night  temperature  of  60°  and 
continue  the  feeding,  keeping  the  plants  close  to  the  glass.  After  the 
bracts  are  fully  developed  the  temperature  may  be  lowered  to  55°  at 
night,  and  on  bright  days  afford  a  little  air  to  dispel  any  damp,  this 
being  most  injurious  at  this  stage.  When  the  bracts  have  fallen,  the 
plants  may  be  removed  to  a  cooler  house,  where  they  should  be  given 
little  water,  and  this,  after  a  time,  may  be  withheld  altogether. 
If  dwarf  plants  are  required  outtings  may  be  inserted  the  end  of  June. 
Repot  when  ready  into  60’s,  which  will  be  found  large  enough.  They 
may  then  be  treated  with  the  larger  batch. — H.  C.  D.,  Stanmore. 
Seneclo  Petasites. — Several  plants  of  this  distinct  Mexican  species 
are  in  flower  in  the  temperate  house  at  Kew,  where  they  make  a  showy 
effeot  among  the  surrounding  greenery.  The  flowers  are  bright  yellow 
in  colour,  and  borne  in  large,  branching,  terminal  panicles  from  last 
year’s  shoots.  It  may  either  be  grown  as  a  pot  or  border  plant, 
developing  to  its  full  size  best  under  the  latter  treatment.  Grown  as  a 
pot  plant  cuttings  should  be  rooted  in  spring,  and  the  young  plants 
potted  in  rich  loamy  soil  and  stood  in  a  cool  greenhouse  until  the  end 
of  May.  At  this  time  they  may  be  plunged  out  of  doors  and  fed 
liberally  throughout  the  summer.  If  the  points  are  pinched  once  or 
twice  when  the  plants  are  youna:  a  bushy  habit  is  induced.  When 
housed  in  September  for  the  winter  a  cool  house  or  frame  affords 
sufficient  protection  until  flowers  appear.  S.  grandifolius  is  also  in 
flower  in  the  Ke,?  collection. — W.  D. 
