November  20,  1902.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
483 
position  for  the  Edinburgh  “  Blue  Riband.”  Mr.  Lunt  was  not 
so  clearly  ahead  of  his  rivals  as  he  was  last  year,  but  the  even¬ 
ness,  freshness,  and  high  quality  of  his  blooms  carried  him 
through.  The  most  prominent  varieties  were  Princess  de  Bran- 
eova  (one  of  which  was  awarded  the  medal  as  the  finest  bloom  in 
the  show,  and  said  by  Mr.  Molyneux  to  be  the  finest  Japanese 
bloom  seen  this  season),  Loveliness,  Mrs.  S.  Fryett,  Edith 
Shrimper,  Mrs.  E.  Hummell,  C.  Jarvis,  Mrs.  G.  Mileham,  J.  R. 
I  pton,  M.  Louis  Remy,  Miss  Elsie  Fulton,  Mrs.  H.  Weeks,  Lady 
Ridgway,  &c.  Mr.  Kenyon,  Woodford,  Essex,  was  placed 
second  with  a  very  imposing  display,  which  many  thought, 
previous  to  the  judging,  might  lower  Mr.  Lunt’s  colours.  The 
blooms  were  very  large,  but  wanted  the  fresh  colour  of  the  first 
prize  blooms,  and  in  several  instances  the  third  bloom  of  some 
of  the  varieties  was  very  weak ;  close  scrutiny  amply  justified 
the  decision.  In  this  stand  Bessie  Godfrey  and  W.  R.  Church 
Avere  very  prominent.  Mr.  Nicol,  Rossie,  Forgandenny,  a  very 
clever  Scotch  grower,  Avas  third,  also  with  beautiful  floAvers,  a 
very  prominent  variety  being  Florence  Molyneux.  Mr.  Beisant, 
Castle  Huntly,  was  fourth  with  good  blooms,  a  very  prominent 
variety  being  Madame  Paolo  Radaelli;  Mr.  Janies  Martin,  Corn- 
dean  Hall,  Avas  fifth  with  creditable  blooms.  The  two  outclassed 
lots  Avere  from  Mr.  Mackinlay,  Wrest  Park,  Ampthill,  and  Mr. 
Johnston,  Shann  Castle,  Ireland.  The  Irish  blooms  might  have 
had  a  different  fate  but  for  being  slightly  injured  by  the  journey. 
The  Arranging  Committee  deserved  great  credit  for  the  manner 
in  which  this  class  Avas  exhibited.  It  was  probably  the  most 
effective  table  of  “  Mums  ”  ever  seen,  arranged  in  three  tiers  on 
a  crescent-shaped  table,  and  backed  up  behind  Avith  foliaged 
plants  such  as  Bamboos,  Palms,  &c.  The  effect  was  most  im¬ 
posing,  while  a  special  installation  of  electric  lights,  suspended 
over  the  blooms,  in  the  evening  gave  a  brilliance  to  the  exhibit 
Avhich  Avords  can  hardly  fully  describe. 
Next  in  importance  Avas  the  competition  for  the  Scottish 
Challenge  Cup  and  a  first  of  £10,  confined  to  Scottish  groAvers, 
competitors  for  the  previous  class  being  debarred.  The  prize  Avas 
for  twelve  vases  of  three  blooms  each,  in  twelve  varieties.  This 
was  cleverly  won  by  Mr.  Cumming,  gardener,  Grandtully,  Aber- 
feldy,  and  showed  that  even  in  sight  of  the  Grampian  Hills,  and 
in  a  cold,  sunless  season,  skill  and  attention  overcomes  difficulties. 
His  varieties  were  Mrs.  H.  Weeks,  Mrs.  Barkley,  Mons.  Chenon 
de  Leche,  W.  R.  Church,  Mrs.  J.  Lewis,  Mrs.  G.  Mileham, 
Madame  Gustave  Henri,  M.  Louis  Remy,  Australie,  Lady  Ridg¬ 
way,  and  Nellie  Pockett.  Mr.  L.  McLean,  Greenfield,  Alloa, 
Avas  a  good  second  in  this  class ;  Mr.  Nicholson,  Strathallan  Castle, 
third ;  Mr.  Kidd,  Carberry  Tower,  fourth ;  and  Mr.  McKay, 
LassAvade,  fifth.  There  were  ten  competitors. 
There  Avere  numerous  other  classes  for  Japanese  blooms  in, 
vases,  and  the  competition  Avas  very  keen.  The  principal  class 
Avas  for  four  vases,  with  six  blooms  in  each ;  for  this  there  Avera 
fifteen  competitors.  Mr.  Lunt  was  again  victorious  with  very 
handsome  blooms,  Mr.  Kidd  second,  Mr.  McLean  third,  and  Mr. 
Norman,  Alloa  House,  fourth.  A  strong  class  was  for  two  vases 
of  six  blooms  each.  For  this  there  were  no  fewer  than  eighteen 
competitors,  the  premier  ticket  being  awarded  to  Mr.  Baird,  Arn- 
brae,  Cambus;  second,  Mr.  R.  Whannel  Drum,  Greenend  ;  third, 
Mr.  W.  Lumley,  Broomhall,  Dunfermline.  Other  classes  of 
Japanese  blooms  in  vases  Avere  keenly  competed  for.  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  on  the  old-fashioned  boards  are  not  much  in  evidence 
at  Edinburgh,  but  the  prize  for  twelve  blooms  brought  ten  lots 
together,  mostly  of  splendid  quality.  Here  Mr.  Kenyon  defeated 
Mr.  Lunt,  with  a  stand  of  very  fine  blooms.  Mr.  Lunt  Avas  a 
A’ery  good  second,  and  Mr.  Martin  a  fair  third.  Incurved  varieties 
were  a  small  sIioav,  Mr.  Martin  being  allowed  a  walk  over  for 
twelve  blooms.  For  six  blooms  Mr.  Martin  was  again  first,  and 
Mr.  Wood,  Larbert,  second.  For  three  vases,  singles,  Mr.  D. 
Kidd  was  first,  and  Mr.  Boucher,  Cathcart,  second.  For  the 
class  of  three  vases  decorative  sorts,  not  disbudded,  there  Avere 
only  eight  competitors  this  season,  instead  of  thirty  last  year, 
blooms  from  the  terminals  not  being  yet  ready  in  Scotland.  The 
first  Avas  aAvarded  to  Mr.  James  Middleton,  St.  Catherine’s, 
Liberton. 
Chrysanthemum  plants  were  a  fair  show  for  the  season,  but 
not  so  good  as  usual,  yet  in  all  nearly  150  plants  were  entered. 
The  chief  class  was  for  six  plants,  and  with  very  fair  specimens 
Mr.  Michie,  Boroughfield,  Edinburgh,  Avas  first,  and  Mr.  Pull¬ 
man  (last  year’s  Avinner)  second. 
In  the  art  department  of  Chrysanthemums  thei  display  Avas 
smaller  than  usual,  and  some  things  notably  bouquets,  not  up  to 
the  usual  Edinburgh  standard.  The  bouquets  Avere,  however, 
much  superior  to  those  competed  with  at  the  National,  thus  justi¬ 
fying  the  criticisms  of  an  “  Edinburgh  Florist  ”  at  the  Aquarium. 
Miss  Geddes,  Murray  field,  was  first;  and  Mr.  FairAVeather,  West 
Ferry,  second.  For  basket  of  coloured  foliage  and  berries  Miss 
Geddes  was  also'  first,  and  Mr.  Knight  second.  The  competition 
in  this  class  has  fallen  off  since  Croton  and  other  variegated  leaves 
have  been  allowed,  instead  of  coloured  autumn  foliage,  as  was 
originally  intended.  The  amateur  classes  for  Chrysanthemums 
Avere  not  Avell  filled,  Mr.  SteAvart,  Woodend,  Alloa,  and  Mr.  Adam 
Brydon,  Innerleithen,  dividing  most  of  the  prizes. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES :  EARLY  FORCED  VINES  IN  POTS.— The  earliest 
started  Vines — those  set  to  work  at  the  beginning  of  the  month 
to  afford  ripei  Grapes  in  March — will  now  be  showing  signs  of 
groAvth,  so  that  the  temperature  may  be  slightly  increased, 
maintaining  55deg  and  65deg  maximum  by  fire  heat,  advancing 
to  75deg  or  more  from  sun  heat,  proportionately  increasing  the 
atmospheric  moisture.  The  ventilation  Avill  require  to  be 
moderate,  and  what  is  given  should  be  at  the  top  of  the  house. 
If  side  ventilation  be  employed  the  cold  air  must  be  made  to 
pass  over  the  heated  surface,  so  as  to  become  Avarmed,  for  cold 
currents  of  air  are  extremely  pernicious. 
Stout,  well  ripened  canes,  with  plump  buds,  and  given  a 
short  rest,  may  be  started  now  for  ripening  their  crops  of 
Grapes  fit  for  table  in  April.  The  Vines  require  a  light,  airy, 
efficiently  heated  structure,  such  as  a  lean-to  or  three-quarter 
span-roof,  and  if  hot-Avater  pipes  are  at  the  front  or  side  the 
Vines  may  be  stood  over  them,  on  tiles  or  slates.  These  become 
heated  and  transmit  some  warmth  to  the  pots,  Avhich  are  kept 
more  or  less  warm  at  the  base,  and  the  roots  are  not  prejudiced 
by  the  heat.  Besides,  the  tiles  or  slates  throAv  off  much  of  the 
Avater  or  liquid  manure  supplied  to  and  escaping  from  the  pots, 
so  that  there  is  no  risk  of  a  surfeit  of  steam,  and  the  water 
running  on  the  floor  keeps  up  a  genial  moisture  as  well  as  sup¬ 
plying  ammonia  to  the  atmosphere  when  liquid  manure  is  used. 
Where  there  are  pits  of  about  3ft  or  4ft  depth,  these  should 
be  utilised  for  supplying  bottom  heat  by  means  of  Oak  or  Beech 
leaves,  the  Vines  being  stood  on  pedestals  of  loose  bricks,  so  as 
to  raise  the  pots  to  the  required  height,  then  placing  on  the 
leaves,  which  produce  a  genial  warmth  and  regular  moisture  in 
the  early  stages,  and  rich  stimulating  food  when  the  demands 
of  the  Vines  are  greatest.  The  canes  should  be  kept  horizon¬ 
tally,  or  have  the  ends  depressed  if  necessary,  to  insure  their 
breaking  evenly  from  the  base  upwards.  The  heat  at  the  base 
of  the  potsi  must,  not  exceed  70deg  to  75deg,  top  heat  55 deg, 
sprinkling  the  canes  lightly  twice  a  day,  and  keeping  the  soil 
moist,  not  Avet.  Black  Hamburgh  and  Foster’s  Seedling  are 
most  suitable  for  early  work.  White  Frontignan  fares  well, 
but  the  fruit  is  small,  though  the  quality  is  excellent,  and 
Madresfield  Court  is  one  of  the  best  forcing  varieties  and  first- 
rate  in  both  appearance  and  quality. 
EARLY  FORCED  PLANTED-OUT  VINES.— To  have  ripe 
fruit  in  May  with  certainty  the  house  must  iioav  be  closed.  This 
more  particularly  applies  to  young  and  Adgorous  Vines,  that  do 
not,  as  a  rule,  start  into  growth  so  quickly  as  those  that  have 
been  forced  before.  To  produce  a  humid  atmosphere  and  to 
economise  fuel  a  good  ridge  of  fermenting  materials  may  be 
placed  on  the  floor  or  inside  border,  and  be  turned  at  intervals, 
additions  being  made  as  the  heat  declines.  Old  Vines  will  not 
need  depressing,  but  it  is  a  good  practice  to  lower  them  until 
the  buds  break  before  securing  to  the  trellis.  In  the  case  of 
young  Vines  the  canes  or  rods  will  need  to  be  brought  into  a 
horizontal  position,  depressing  the  points,  and  syringing  tAvo 
or  three  times  a  day  with  water,  slightly  in  advance  of  the 
temperature  of  the  house.  The  temperature  of  the  house  may 
range  50deg  at  night,  55deg  by  day,  and  65deg  on  bright  days. 
The  outside  border  must  be  protected  from  Avet-  and  frost  by 
a  covering  of  leaves  and  lights,  or  by  other  approAred  means. 
HOUSES  OF  THIN-SKINNED  GRAPES.— These,  for  table 
purposes,  are  most  esteemed  as  long  as  they  can  be  had  in  good 
condition.  Black  Hamburgh  never  surfeits,  Buckland  SAveet- 
water,  and  Foster’s  Seedling  seldom  come  wrongly,  Madresfield 
Court  is  always  appreciated,  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  with 
Canon  Hall,  by  universal  acclaim,  are  held  superior  to  all 
Grapes.  The  somewhat  heavy  and  continued  recent  rains  have 
saturated  the  soil  and  atmosphere.  Air  is  the  great  secret  in 
keeping  thin-skinned  Grapes,  for  a  moderate  amount  of  air 
moisture  is  necessary  to  avoid  undue  eAraporation  and  consequent 
shrinking  of  the  Grapes,  it  not  being  so  much  air  moisture  as  a 
stagnant  atmosphere,  this  causing  the  deposition  of  moisture 
on  the  berries,  that  is  fatal  to  the  keeping  of  Grapes.  Slight 
warmth  will  be  required  in  the  pipes  almost  constantly  to  main¬ 
tain  an  equable  temperature,  but  this  must  not  be  high,  or 
it  will  cause  the  berries  to  shrivel  prematurely,  50deg  not  being 
exceeded  by  artificial  means,  or  5deg  more  for  Muscat  of  Alex¬ 
andria,  ventilating  freely  and  early  in  bright  Aveather,  so  as 
to  prevent  moisture  being  condensed  on  the  berries.  The  out¬ 
side  border  will  have  been  covered  with  some  material  to  throAv 
off  the  rains,  glazed  lights  being  the  best,  and  the  inside  borders 
