2G2 
JOURNAL  Of  horticulture  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
March  24,  1904. 
A  discussion  took  place  on  the  question  of  preferential  rates, 
which  was  raised  by  an  instruction  to  the  committee  in  the  House 
of  Commons  on  the  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire  Railway  (Steam 
Vessels)  Bill,  to  be' moved  by  Sir  W.  Tomlinson  on  Thunsday  next 
after  the  second  reading.  The  instruction  reads  as  follows:  — 
'•  That  it  be  an  instruction  to  the  committee  that  they  insert 
ju’ovisions  in  the  Bill  requiring  the  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire 
Railway  Company,  in  respect  of  any  through  rates  for  the  car¬ 
riage  of  merchandise  between  foreign  countries  and  places  in  the 
United  Kingdom  which  the  company  make  or  charge,  or  to  which 
they  are  party,  to  set  out  in  their  public  rate-books  at  the  ports 
of  Goole  and  Hull,  and  any  ports  which  may  be  hereafter  estab¬ 
lished  between  those  places,  how  much  of  each  such  rate  is  .iustly 
and  reasonably  appropriated  by  them,  or  is  paid,  payable,  or 
agreed  to  be  paid  to  or  by  them  for  (i)  land  carriage  abroad; 
(ii)  dock,  harbour,  and  shipping  charges  abroad;  (iii)  conveyance 
by  sea;  (iv)  dock,  harbour,  and  shipping  charges  at  tho  British 
port  :  (v)  and  conveyance  by  railway,  either  by  goods  or  pass^enger 
trains,  including  any  terminal  and  cartage  chai’ges  in  the  United 
Kingdom.”  ^ 
The  council  passed  a  resolution  fully  approving  of  this 
instruction,  and  calling  on  all  members  of  the  House  of  Commons 
who  are  members  of  the  Federation  to  support  it.  The  next 
meeting  of  the  council  was  fixed  for  Monday,  April  18,  and  the 
annual  general  meeting  for  May  9. 
Croydon :  Insectivorouo  Plants. 
Tlie  lecture  arranged  in  the  Croydon  and  District  Horticul¬ 
tural  Mutual  Improvement  Society’s  syllabus  for  March  15,  was 
one  on  Fungi,”  but  owing  to  a  bad  attack  of  influenza  the 
lecturer  (Mr._  G. 
IM  a  .s  s'  e  e ,  K  e  w 
Gardens)  was 
unable  to  attend. 
However,  through 
the  kindness  of 
Dr.  Brook  Ridley, 
Croydon,  the  mem¬ 
bers  were  well 
entertained  Avith 
a  talk  on  “  Insecti¬ 
vorous  Plants.” 
The  lecturer  re¬ 
marked  on  the 
indebtedness  to 
Darwin  for  the 
great  researches 
made  by  him  in 
this  class  of  plant, 
for  until  this  great 
scientist  took  up 
the  study,  nothing  much  Avas 
known  of  their  life  history,  ex¬ 
cepting  that  such  plants  existed. 
There  is,  hoAvever,  much  to  learn 
about  them,  and  the  subject  is 
one  of  immense  interest  to  the 
present-day  botanist.  The  num¬ 
ber  of  species  knoAvn  is  about 
500.  When  we  search  into  the 
habits  of  these  plants,  Avhereby 
they  catch  their  food,  afterwards 
digesting  it  Avith  the  aid  of 
acids  .similar  to  those  pertaining 
to  the  human  frame,  it  is  indeed 
a  Avonderful  study,  and  clearly 
shoAA's  again  how  Nature  endows 
her  subjects  Avith  the  necessary 
functions  to  live  and  thrive. 
Mo.st  of  this  class  of  plant  are 
natiA^es  of  the  tropics,  but  some 
are  to  be  found  groAving  Avild  in 
this  country  in  a  A’ery  luxuriant 
manner,  and  in  the  exotic  houses 
of  good  establishments  a  place  is 
sure  to  be  found  for  them,  as 
they  are  beautiful  in  form  and 
floAA-er.  and  ahvays  attract  atten¬ 
tion  Avith  their  peculiar  habits. 
Some  of  the  species  illustrated 
Mere  the  BladderAvort,  Avhich  is  rootless,  and  lives  suspended 
m  watm’,  ISeiAenthes,  or  Pitcher  Plants,  Sarracenias,  Darling- 
tonia,  Drqsera,  or  SundeAA’s,  and  Dionsea  or  Venus’s  Flytrap.  A 
leAv  questions  Avere  asked  the  lecturer  relativ'e  to  his  subject, 
to  which  he  gaA’e  lucid  replies.  The  proposition  of  a  very  hearty 
vote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  Ridley  received  unanimous  .support  from 
Ir  to  this  he  replied  in  suitable  terms.  Mr. 
I  -1  h  pils,  Coombe  House  Gardens,  displaved  an  interesting 
exhibit  of  A-arious  “Fungi.”  ;  i  . 
“  Grass  of  Parnassus." 
See  page  253. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden. 
GRAFTING. — Apples  needing  this  operation  may  noAv  be 
taken  in  hand,  except  in  the  case  of  backAvard  localities  M’here 
the  Avork  may  be  deferred  for  a  Aveek  or  tAVO  longer.  Pears,  as 
a  rule,  are  the  earliest  to  commence  groAvth,  and  should  be  dealt 
Avith  first.  By  grafting,  many  trees  noAv  producing  usele.s.s 
varieties  may  quicki.v  be  converted  into  profitable  bearers.  Make 
sure  that  there  is  a  proper  junction  betAveen  stock  and  scion,  and 
support  each  graft  Avith  a  stick,  or  they  are  liable  to  be  bloAvn  out 
after  making  a  little  groAvth.  We  never  use  anything  for  coA'er- 
ing  but  L’Homme  Lefort  Mastic,  this  being  so  cleanly  and  handy 
for  use. 
PFACHES  ON  Vv’ALLS. — In  most  districts  these  are  later  in 
floAvering  this  season,  but  in  favoured  positions  groAvtli  Avill  be 
starting,  and  a  sharp  Avatch  must  bo  maintained  for  aphides. 
Should  these  appear  on  the  young  shoots  Avhilc  the  trees  are 
blossoming  the  latter  should  be  dusted  Avith  tobacco  poAvder ; 
this  Avill  keep  the  insects  in  check  until  the  floAvers  fade,  and 
stronger  measures  can  be  taken.  Cherries  on  Avarm  Avails  in 
favoured  positions  AAill  be  early  in  floAver,  and  unless  protection 
i.s  ju’ovided  night  frosts  are  almost  certain  to  play  havoc  Avith  the 
blossoms.  Fi.sh  netting,  either  double  or  single,  hung  over  the 
trees  Avill  usually  prove  efficient  for  Avarding  off  the  frost. 
PLANTING  FRUIT  TREE  BORDERS.— It  is  almost  impos¬ 
sible  for  gardeners  to  avoid  cropping  the  borders  in  Avhich  fruit 
trees  are  planted.  An  effort  should  be  made  to  utilise  them  for 
small,  quick  groAA  ing  crops  that  do  not  obtain  a  deep  hold  of  the 
.soil ;  as  such  positions  are  usually  tho  best  to  be  found  in  gardens 
for  earl,y  supplies  of  Peas  and  Potatoes,  the  practice  of  thus 
planting  them  can  but  seldom  be  avoided.  If  care  is  taken  in 
digging,  and  the  roots  of  the  trees  have  generously  judicious 
treatment,  A’ery  little  injury  Avill  result. 
BUSH  FRUITS. — The  cleaning  of  the  ground  amongst  these 
must  be  concluded  Avithout  further  delay.  There  is  still  time  to 
dress  Gooseberries  and  Currants  Avith  manure,  but  this  ought  to 
be.turncd  under  the  soil  to  prevent  the  Avinds  from  drying  it,  and 
depriving  it  of  its  fertilising  properties.  The  Avork  of  turning 
the  soil  should  be  carefullj^  done,  as  roots  are  noAv  beginning  to  be 
actiA'e.  Raspberries  may  receive  a  mulching  of  Avell-rottcd 
manure  if  they  haA’e  not  yet  receiv'ed  attention.  They  Avell  repay 
liberal  treatment  in  this  respect,  but  avoid  digging  amongst  the 
roots;  to  this  erroneous  practice  may  be  attributed  many  failure.s 
in  their  culture. 
THE  FRUIT  ROOM. — It  is  to  be  feared  that  but  a  very  small 
(juantity  of  fruit  noAv  remains  in  store.  Such  as  there  is  .should 
be  carefulh'  husbanded.  Take  an  early  opportunity  of  having 
the  shelves  and  room  generally  thoroughly  cleansed,  throAA'ing 
open  doors  and  ventilators,  so  that  a  thorough  .SAveetening  maj' 
take  place  in  readiness  for  the  future. — J.  W.,  NeAvent,  Glos. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES:  EARLIEST  HOUSES.— Colouring  will  shortly  be 
proceeding  in  the  very  early  started  houses.  To  insure  Avell- 
developed  berries  afford  a  thorough  supply  of  tepid  lir|uid  manure, 
and  mulch  the  border  at  once  with  an  inch  or  two  of  partially 
decayed  manure,  preferably  rather  lumpy.  Stable  litter,  having 
the  straAvy  portioirs  shaken  out,  throAvn  into  a  heap,  and  AAhen 
commencing  to  heat  turned  OA'er  tAvice  at  intervals  of  about  four 
days  betAveen,  forms  excellent  mulching  material.  This  aauU  gh'e 
a  stimulus  to  the  roots  and  secure  healthy  foliage,  while  the 
moisture  aa  III  be  sufficient,  in  most  cases,  for  the  Vines  until  the 
Grapes  are  cut ;  but  they  must  not  lack  Avater  at  the  roots,  as 
this  Avill  cause  the  premature  ripening  of  the  Avood  and  the  loss  of 
the  principal  leaves,  Avhich  may  induce  fresh  groAA'th  Avhen  the 
Vinos  should  be  going  to  rest.  Damping  the  housei  must  be 
continued  until  the  berries  are  Avell  advanced  in  colouring,  after 
Avhich  reduce  the  moisture  gradually,  and  insure  a  circulation  of 
Avarm  air  day  and  night  by  regulating  the  ventilation  judiciomsly. 
The  temperature  should  be  maintained  at  70deg  to  Todeg  in  the 
daytime,  Avith  a  rise  of  lOdeg  to  lodeg  from  sun  heat,  alloAving 
the  temperature)  to  fall  during  the  night  to  Godeg,  or  even  GOdeg. 
VINES  IN  FLOWER. — Afford  a  circulation  of  Avarm,  rather 
dry  air,  and  a  temperature  of  Godeg  to  70deg  at  night  for  Black 
Hamburghs  and  similar  A'arieties,  and  70deg  to  75deg  for  Muscats. 
The  extra  Avarmth  draAvs  out  the  bunches,  aids  the  deveilopment  of 
the  floAvers,  and  the  potency  of  the  pollen.  Muscats  and  other 
shy-setting  A’arieties  .should  be  brushed  OA’er  Avith  a  camel’s-hair 
'brush  about  the  time  the  blossom  is  fully  expanded,  so  as  to  rid 
