July  16,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
to-wnards  and  Dublin,  took  first  prize  and  many  others.  Messrs. 
Ramsay  had  some  charming  plants  and  hardy  annuals.  Hogg 
and  Robertson  had  their  usual  fine  show  of  Irises  and  other 
bulbous  plants  that  take  up  the  running  at  Rush  when  the  Tulips 
are  things  of  the  past.  Lord  Plunket  again  sent  a  splendid  show 
of  herbaceous  plants,  which  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  form  one 
of  the  delights  of  the  Old  Connaught  Gardens. 
Co-operative  Flower  Show,  Crystal  Palace,  Jaly  llih. 
The  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Association  having  in  1902 
abandoned  the  large  flower  show  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
holding  at  the  Crystal  Palace  for  several  years  in  connection  with 
the  festival  of  the  National  Co-operative  Society,  the  organisers 
of  the  fe.stival  arranged  one  on  quite  a  .small  .scale  last  year;  and 
this  year  they  considerably  extended  it,  and  three  of  the  Egyptian 
courts  were  filled  with  exhibits  generally  of  a  highly  sati.sfactory 
character.  Mr.  Henry  Vivian  was  the  chairman,  and  Mr.  George 
Morriss  the  secretary;  and  a  bod5^  of  assistants^  with  Mr.  George 
Castleton  at  their  head,  arranged  the  exhibits  in  due  order. 
Judging  was  got  through  early,  and  the  flower  show  courts  were 
visited  by  thousands  of  interested  co-operators  from  all  parts  of 
the  country.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  promoters  to  extend  this 
exhibition  in  the  future,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  in  the 
course  of  two  or  three  years  it  will  attain  to  former  dimensions. 
The  schedule  of  prizes  of  sixty-two  classes  was  divided  into 
three  sections;  the  first  section  open  to  all  comers;  the  second 
to  professional  gardeners  and  members  of  co-operative  societies; 
and  the  third  section  also  to  members  not  professional  gardeners. 
While  there  was  nothing  particularly  striking,  the  general  average 
was  decidedly  good.  Among  plants.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  (double 
and  single),  Fueh.sias,  Petunias,  Coleus,  Musk — repre.sented  by 
finely  grown  and  flowered  plants  of  Harrison’s,  and  annuals  were 
all  creditable;  in  the  case  of  the  latter,  Calliopsis  coronata,  the 
lavender-blue  Convolvulus  minor,  dwarf  Schizanthus,  and 
Mignonette  were  among  the  best. 
Cut  flowers  included  Sweet  Peas,  which  were  numerously  and 
in  some  instances  finely  shown.  Roses,  some  decidedly  good  ; 
annuals  and  hardy  flowers  in  bunches,  and  various  floral  decora¬ 
tions.  Fruit  was  shown  by  professional  gardeners  ;  there  were 
good  Strawberries  and  Currants ;  while  vegetables  were  .shown 
in  collections  and  dishes,  some  of  them  particularly  good.  Special 
prizes  were  offered  for  flowers  and  vegetables  by  various  branch 
co-operative  societies. 
A  large  collection  of  flowers,  Ac.,  was  shown  by  Messrs. 
J.  Cheal  and  Sons,  nurserymen,  Crawley,  and  from  Smith’s  Nur¬ 
series,  Crown  Hill,  Upper  Norwood,  to  both  of  which  a 
Co-operative  Feistival  certificate  of  merit  was  awarded.  Mr.  W.  J. 
Unwin,  florist,  Heston,  Cambs,  exhibited  a  number  of  sprays  of  his 
new  Sweet  Pea  Gladys  Unwin,  a  flower  of  excellent  parts,  which 
may  be  popularly  described  as  a  pink  Miss  Willmott.  It  was 
awarded  a  certificate  of  merit  for  its  undoubted  good  qualities. 
S.ottisli  Horticaltural. 
The  monthly  meeting  of  this  association  was  held  in  Dowell’s 
Rooms  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the  7th  inst.,  Mr.  McHattie, 
president,  in  the  chair.  There  were  a  large  number  of  members 
present ;  a  number  of  new  members  were  elected.  Mr.  Dick, 
Champfleurim  furnished  a  paper,  which  was  read  by  the  secre¬ 
tary,  on  “My  Favourite  Flow’ers,  and  Soils  that  Suit  Them.” 
Mr.  Dick’s  paper  was  well  written,  though  rather  discursive  in 
its  nature.  Mr.  Dick  dealt  shortly  but  lucidly  on  a  great 
variety  of  flowers  and  plants,  .such  as  the  Rose,  Lily,  Rhodo¬ 
dendron,  Cyclamen,  Eucharis,  Lilac,  Crataegus,  Ac.,  making  short 
cultural  remarks  on  each.  An  interesting  discussion  follow'ed, 
and  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Dick. 
The  exhibition  table  was  gay  with  a  large  number  of  in¬ 
teresting  subjects.  Messrs.  Dickson  and  Co.  sent  a  number 
of  nice  plants  of  Kalanchoe  flammea,  for  which  a  certificate  of 
merit  was  awarded.  Mr.  John  Downie,  Beech  Hill  Nurseries, 
exhibited  a  handsome  vase  of  double  white!  Rocket  in  fine 
robust  form.  Messrs.  Todd  and  Co.,  Shandwick  Place,  .sent  a 
beautiful  vase  of  perpetual  blooming  Carnations,  among  them 
being  Cambridge  White,  Royalty,  Dazzler,  and  Madame  Melba, 
a  beautiful  pink.  These  were  remarkable  for  decorative  value 
and  splendid  long  .stems.  Mr.  Kidd,  The  Gardens,  Carberry 
Tower,  exhibited  a  splendid  vase  of  pink  Malmaison  Carnations, 
the  rich  scarlet  Mrs.  E.  Hambro’,  and  crimson  Uriah  Pike. 
These  were  really  very  fine  specimens  of  high  cultivation,  and 
were  deservedly  awarded  a  cultural  certificate.  Messrs.  Grieve 
and  Sons,  Redbrae.s  Nurseries,  had  a  nice  exhibit  of  fancy 
Pansies  and  bronze  shaded  Violas ;  also  a  number  of  beautiful 
hardy  flowers.  Nice  blooms  of  Brugmansia,  were  sent  bj'  Mr. 
Comfort,  Broomfield  Gardens.  A  pair  of  well  grown  Gloxinias 
were  sent  from  Mr.  Waldie  Lamont,  Colinton  Road,  which  were 
awarded  a  cultural  certificate. 
On  the  motion  of  the  president  it  was  agreed  to  send  a 
formal  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Stewart  Clark,  of  Dundas  Castle, 
for  his  great  kindness  and  hospitality  on  the  occasion  of  their 
visit  to  his  beautiful  gardens  and  grounds. 
(15 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES :  IN  POTS  FOR  EARLY  FORCING.— The  canes  for 
starting  the  first  week  in  November,  to  ripen  the  fruit  in  March 
or  early  in  April,  should  by  this  time  have  completed  their 
growth,  and  must  not  have  any  more  water  than  will  prevent 
the  foliage  from  becoming  limp.  Expose  fully  to  light  and  air, 
so  as  to  thoroughly  ripen  the  wood  and  the  buds.  If  the  laterals 
have  been  allowed  to  extend  with  a  view  to  thickening  the  cane, 
they  must  be  brought  back  gradually  by  cutting  away  part  at  a 
time,  reducing  each  by  degrees  to  one  leaf.  The  Vines  should  be 
kept  free  from  insects,  syringing  occasionally  if  red  spider  appear, 
for  it  is  important  that  the  leaves  perform  their  functions.  When 
the  wood  becomes  brown  and  hard,  place  the  Vines  on  a  board  or 
slates  in  front  of  a  south  wall,  securing  the  canes  to  the  surface 
to  prevent  the  foliage  being  damaged  by  wind.  Afford  water  only 
to  prevent  the  leaves  flagging,  cut  away  the  laterals  close  to  the 
cane,  and  in  a  few  days  shorten  the  cane  to  the  length  required. 
The  principal  leaves  must  not  be  injured,  but  left  to  die  off 
naturally.  The  best  varieties  for  early  forcing  are  White  Fron- 
tignan,  Foster’s  Seedling,  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Madresfield 
Court. 
Later  Vines  in  pots  should  be  encouraged  to  make  a  good 
growth  and  perfect  it,  also  exposed  to  all  the  light  and  air 
possible.  They  must  not  be  over-watered,  nor  neglected  for  due 
supplies  of  water  or  liquid  manure.  Cut-backs  are  much  the  best 
for  early  forcing,  as  the  Vines  make  an  earlier  and  sturdier  growth 
and  perfect  it  sooner  than  those  raised  from  eyes  in  the  early 
spring.  This  is  important,  for  the  Vines  have  more  rest,  more 
stored  matter,  and  start  with  greater  regularity. 
EARLY  FORCED  PLANTED-OUT  VINES.— It  is  not 
advisable  to  force  Vines  year  after  year  to  ripen  their  crops  before 
May  or  June,  and  houses  which  are  started  in  December  or  at 
the  new  year  to  afford  Grapes  at  the  time  mentioned  for  table 
or  marketing  respectively  are  best  planted  with  varieties  that 
ripen  together,  the  structure  being  only  of  sufficient  size  to  admit 
of  a  supplv  of  ripe  fruit  for  a  period  of  not  more  than  six  to  eight 
weeks.  This  is  as  long  as  black  Grapes  will  hang  under  a  May, 
June,  and  July  sun  without  turning  red,  or  white  Grapes  from 
becoming  brown  on  the  exposed  side  of  the  bunches,  even  when 
a  slight  shade  is  afforded  from  sun.  Such  arrangement  admits 
of  the  foliage  being  cleansed  with  water  from  a  syringe  or  engine, 
but  when  there  are  late  as  well  as  early  varieties  in  the  same 
house  the  dry  atmosphere  that  must  be  maintained  on  their 
account  when  the  Grapes  are  ripening  causes  red  spider  to 
increase  on  the  foliage,  and  this  is  very  disastrous  to  present  and 
future  crops  of  Grapes. 
Early  Vines  that  ripened  their  crops  in  May  or  early  in  June 
will  soon  be  cleared  of  Grapes.  They  should  be  thoroughly 
cleansed,  employing  an  in.secticide  if  necessary,  and  the  foliage 
be  preserved  in  health  as  long  as  possible  by  occasional  syringing, 
full  ventilation  constantly,  and  due  supplies  of  water  or  liquid 
manure  at  the  roots. 
MUSCATS  RIPENING.— Unless  the  season  is  exceptionally 
fine,  and  the  Vines  started  early.  Muscats  require  fire  heat  to 
ensure  their  perfect  maturation,  even  when  ripening  at  the 
hottest  part  of  the  year.  Ihe  time  taken  by  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
to  ripen  is  not  less  than  six  to  eight  weeks  fi'om  commencing  to 
colour,  especially  when  the  Vines  are  in  vigorous  health.  Perfect 
finish  in  extra  fine  Grapes  is  not  had  for  some  time  longer  ;  they 
require  time,  with  assistance  from  fire  heat,  so  as  to  secure  a 
night  temperature  of  Godeg  to  70deg,  75deg  to  85deg  by  day  up 
to  90deg  or  more,  with  abundance  of  air.  A  rather  dry  atmo¬ 
sphere  is  essential  to  attaining  that  golden  hue  characteristic  of 
rich  and  full  Muscat  flavour.  This  is  secured  by  free  ventilation, 
a  little  constantly,  but  the  atmosphere  must  not  become  arid, 
damping  down  occasionally.  In  large  houses  the  moisture  arising 
from  the  border  is  enough  except  in  hot  weather,  then  the  paths 
and  borders  .should  be  damped  daily.  Too  much  moisture  is 
fatal  to  Muscats  when  ripening,  causing  them  to  “spot,”  there¬ 
fore  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  gentle  warmth  in  the  hot  water 
pipes,  and  a  little  air  constantly  to  prevent  the  deposition  of 
moisture  on  the  berries.  Abundant  supplies  of  water  must  be 
o-iven  to  the  roots,  for  when  there  is  a  deficiency  of  moisture  the 
Grapes  shrivel.  On  the  other  hand,  excessive  supplies,  so  as  to 
make  the  soil  .sodden  and  sour,  re.sults  in  shanking  of  the  berries. 
Needless  waterings,  therefore,  should  be  avoide<l,  also  driblets, 
mere  wetting  of  the  surface,  very  ineffective,  doing  quite  as  much 
harm  as  good,  besides  being  deceptive  of  the  right  indication 
of  the  .soil  beneath  as  regards  moisture. 
YOUNG  VINES. — C’anes  planted  this  season  should,  provided 
they  are  to  be  cut  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  trellis,  leaving 
