200 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE 
weather  and  when  forcing  the  i^ide  ventilators  cannot  be  safely 
opened.  Nothing  could  sxirpass  the  healthiness  of  the  trees  in 
a  large  house  (from  which  Peaches  were  being  sent  to  market 
early  in  May)  in  Avhich  this  underground  system  of  ventilation 
Avas  mainly  relied  on  for  keeping  the  air  sAvcet  to  the  ground. 
The  trees  referred  to  were  in  pots.  Pyramid  and  standard  trees 
occupy  the  central  border  in  the  larger  hou.ses. 
- o#** - 
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Societies. 
R.H.S.  Scientific  Committee,  August  18th. 
Present:  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke  (in  the  chair);  Messrs.  Holmes,  Odell, 
Gordon,  Michael,  Saunders,  BoAvles,  Douglas,  Worsley,  and  Dr. 
Masters. 
Orites  excelsa. — Mr.  Holmes  showed  a  specimen  of  the  bark  of  this 
Australian  Protead,  remarkable  for  containing  aluminium  succinate. 
Tlie  nearly  allied  Grevillea  contains  no  aluminium. 
Ruhtis  roscBfolius. — Mr.  Odell  showed  flowers  and  fruit  of  this 
Rubus,  which  has  pinnate  foliage  of  a  light  green  colour,  white 
flowers,  and  scarlet  fruit. 
Pi'oliferous  Cucumber. — Dr.  Masters  showed  a  remarkable  speci¬ 
men,  in  Avhich  from  the  axil  of  the  remains  of  the  sepals  on  the  top  of 
one  fruit  a  second  one  had  sprung,  longer  than  the  parent.  This  Avas 
from  a  specimen  probably  akin  to  those  shoAving  remarkable  out¬ 
growths  of  floAvers  from  the  axial  part  of  the  fruit,  exhibited  cn  a 
former  occasion. 
Hymenocnllis  Harrisiana. — Mr.  Bliss  sent  bulbiform  seeds  of  this 
plant  in  process  of  germination,  Avhich  Avere  referred  to  Dr.  Rendle  for 
examination  and  report. 
Viola  disease. — Specimens  sent  by  Mr.  Bacon  Avere  referred  to  Dr. 
Cooke  for  examination  and  repoi’t. 
Apple  tree  scorched. — A  further  letter  was  read  from  Mr.  DoAvson 
relating  to  Apple  bi'anches  shoAvn  at  the  last  meeting.  The  dead  bark 
does  not  peel  off  on  the  south  side  only,  as  it  Avould  do  from  sun- 
scorch,  to  which  the  mischief  has  been  attributed,  but  on  the  north 
side  also.  Lightning  was  suggested  as  the  probable  source  of  injury, 
as  no  fungus  could  be  detected. 
Vine  leaves  discoloured. — licaves  Avere  sent  from  Worthing  affected 
with  red  spider.  There  were  traces  of  honeydew  and  of  smut  fungus 
(Capnodium). 
Cuctimber  scale. — Dr.  Cooke  showed  further  specimens  of  Cucum¬ 
ber  affected  with  Cladosporiurn  scabies,  which  Avill  shortly  be  illustrated 
in  the  “  Gardeners’  Chronicle.”  A  close  atmosphere  is  favourable  to 
the  spread  of  these  fungi,  whilst  a  current  of  air  is  prejudicial  to 
them.  This  has  been  observed  by  growers  in  the  case  of  Tomatoes 
affected  with  Cladosporiurn. 
Peas. — Mr.  Worsley  showed  specimens  of  late  Peas  rotting  near  the 
base,  Avhilst  the  foliage  above  turns  brown  and  shrivels.  This  con¬ 
dition  is  very  common  this  autumn,  and  is  probably  due  to  excessive 
moisture  at  the  root. 
Saltley,  near  Birmingham. 
This  society  has  survived  tw^enty-six  annual  floral  fetes,  and 
on  the  17th  inst.  made  a  success  of  the  tAventy-seveiith  of  the 
.series.  The  energetic  secretary  (Mr.  R.  T.  Willmott)  remarked 
that  so  far  as  his  own  recollection  was  concerned,  the  shoAv  had 
never  been  finer. 
Specimen  Plants. — In  the  first  prize  collection,  staged  by  Mr. 
Oliver  Brasier,  gardener  to  E.  Martineau,  Esq.,  Edgbaston,  all 
were  excellent.  Mr.  C.  E.  Gwyther,  for  second,  had  fine 
examples.  Me.ssrs.  Perkins  and  Sons,  Coventry,  as  might  be  ex¬ 
pected,  Avere  to  the  fore  Avith  a  very  good  set  of  tAventy-four 
Roses. 
Cactus  Dahlias  vied  AvitJi  the  Roses,  and  Messrs.  Perkins  Avere 
to  the  fore  with  Ibis,  J.  Weir  Fife,  Lottie  Deans,  Cornucopia, 
H.  F.  Robertson,  Florodora,  and  Ruby  :  the  second  and  third 
prizes  fell  respectively  to  Messrs.  H.  J.  Horne  and  R.  Summers. 
For  Phloxes,  Me.ssrs.  H.  .1.  Horne,  J.  M.  CleAver,  and  E.  J. 
Byrne  were  the  re.spective  winners.  For  tAvelve  herbaceous  cut 
flowers,  Mr.  H.  J.  Horne  led  Avith  a  very  good  assortment. 
Mes.srs.  R.  S.  Austin  and  Co.,  second.  Stocks  Avere  exceedingly 
well  .staged  by  Messrs.  H.  J.  Horne,  G.  J.  Byrne,  and  ToAvnson 
Bros. ;  Gladioli  by  Mr.  R.  Summers  and  Messrs.  Austin  and  Co. ; 
Carnations  were  AA’ell  .staged  by  Mr.  White,  Mr.  J.  W.  Smart., 
and  Mr.  G.  J.  Byrne. 
Vegetables  Avere  numerously  and  well  exhibited  throughout 
the  Avhole  classes,  the  competition  being  keen  both  in  the  collec¬ 
tions  and  single  dish  classes.  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley, 
Messrs.  Sutton  and  Sons,  Reading,  Messrs.  Yates  and  Co.,  Bir¬ 
mingham  ,  Me.ssrs.  Austin  and  Co.,  Gravelly  Hill,  and  Messrs. 
J.  G.  Je.ster  and  Son  offered  prizes  for  collections. — G. 
AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  August  27,  1903 
Shirley,  Millhrook,  and  Freemantle. 
This  horticultural  society  held  its  thii’ty-eighth  annual  show 
at  WhithedAvood  Park  on  August  19.  The  show  generally  was  a 
distinct  advance  on  last  year,  but  more  particularly  in  the 
plant  tent.  Specimen  plants  Avere  better  than  for  some  years, 
the  best  six  being  shoAvn  by  Mr.  E.  Wills.  Miss  Todd  (gar¬ 
dener,  W.  Peel  came  second.  For  four  plants  (confined  to  the 
district)  General  Nisbett  took  first. 
Groups  Avere  much  better  than  last  year.  In  the  open  class 
Miss  Todd  secured  first  with  a  very  tastefully  arranged  lot  of 
suitable  plants,  Mr.  Wills  being  a  close  second,  and  B.  Ladhams, 
Ltd.,  third.  There  Avere  a  good  number  of  entries,  but  they 
were  mostly  in  the  groups  confined  to  the  district.  General 
Nisbett,  Avho  took  fir.st,  was  a  long  way  the  best. 
PelargoniAims  were  largely  shown,  but  Ave  have  seen  better 
at  these  shoAvs.  The  best  lot  of  doubles  came  from  Mr.  R.  C. 
Bassett  ;  and  the  first  for  singles  Avent  to  Mr.  H.  Jupe. 
Fuchsias  were  also  poorly  shown,  those  exhibited  by  Col.  Sin- 
kins  (gardener,  Mr.  E.  Wilcox)  being  a  long  Avay  in  front  of  any 
of  the  others.  Ferns  Avere  a  very  good  class  considering  the  cash 
amount  of  the  prizes,  the  first  for  six  going  to  A.  Maple,  and  for 
four  to  Mr.  Nelson  Ward.  Coleus  and  Begonias  Avere  also  largely 
shown.  For  the  first-named  Mr.  Nelson  Ward  took  first,  and  for 
the  latter  Mr.  J.  W.  Fleming  was  first. 
Cut  floAvers  Avere  the  feature  of  the  shoAv ;  Ave  do  not  re¬ 
member  seeing  a  better  collection  at  any  previous  shoAv  of  this 
society.  As  might  be  expected  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
Shirley  Nurseries,  herbacfous  flowers  Avere  much  in  evidence. 
SAveet  Peas  were  also  .shoAvn  largely  and  Avell,  and  the  same 
applies  to  Dahlias,  the  Cactus  varieties  being  especially  bright 
and  attractive.  The  first  prize  in  each  of  the  above  was  secured 
as  follows:  hardy  garden  flowers,  B.  Ladhams,  Ltd.;  Sw’eet 
Peas,  Mr.  A.  Searle,  beating  Mr.  Breadmore ;  Fancy  or  Show 
Dahlias,  Mr.  Cozens;  Cactus  do.,  in  bunches,  E.  EdAA'ards. 
Asters  Avere  very  good,  both  the  Comet  and  Victoria  kinds, 
the  first  prizes  being  taken  by  C.  W.  Breadmore  and  A.  Maple 
respectively.  For  bouquets,  both  hall  and  bridal.  Miss  Wills 
was  an  easy  first. 
Fruit  AA’as  sparingly  shoAvn,  but  the  Grapes,  Peaches,  and  col¬ 
lection  of  fruit  shown  by  Mr.  J.  W”.  Fleming,  of  Chilworth 
Manor  (gardener,  W.  Mitchell),  were  good  enough  for  any  show, 
and  secured  easy  firsts  in  every  class.  Mr.  H.  E.  Sugden,  of  the 
same  neighbourhood  (gardener,  E.  Valentine),  Avas  second  in  each 
class. 
Vegetables  are  always  largely  shoAvn  at  Shirley.  We  have 
seen  the  open  class  for  collection  of  six  dishes  better  filled,  but 
Mr.  Mitchell’s  first  prize  lot  Avould  have  taken  a  lot  of  beating 
anyAvhere.  For  each  of  the  single  dishes  there  Avere,  Ave  should 
think,  a  record  entry.  Cottagers  also  came  out  very  strong, 
their  exhibits  of  plants,  cut  flowers,  and  vegetables  being  not 
only  numerous,  but  most  creditable  in  quality.  The  show  was 
materially  assisted  by  a  number  of  trade  exhibits,  the  principal 
being  that  of  W.  H.  Rogers  and  Son,  Ltd.,  with  Roses,  Dahlias, 
&c.  C.  W.  Breadmore,  Winchester,  had  a  fine  collection  of 
Sweet  Peas,  and  B.  Ladhams,  Ltd.,  occupied  some  200  square 
feet  at  the  end  of  the  tent.  Their  exhibit  comprised  hardy 
hybrids.  Lobelias,  a  series  of  varieties  obtained  by  crossing  and 
selection  from  L.  sypliilitica ;  Percy  Ladhams  is  rosy  carmine 
Avith  green  leaves,  and  Magnificent  is  crimson.  These  are  the 
best  of  eighteen  varieties.  Coreopsis  Eldorado  (grand  flowers, 
4in  across),  Chry.santhemum  maximum  Monarch,  faultless  flowers 
of  immense  size  and  great  purity ;  Pink  Mrs.  Mouland,  of  the 
pe^rpetual  race ;  Heliopsis  B.  Ladhams.  a  great  advance  on 
Major ;  Gaillardias  (a  very  fine  bank  of  Oculata  varieties''  were 
amongst  the  subjects  included.  At  the  time  of  leaving  the 
shoAV  (four  o’clock)  a  .large  number  of  visitors  Avere  coming  in. 
— F. 
Trowbridge,  August  19tli. 
For  fifty-four  consecutive  years  TroAvbridge  has  supported  its 
annual  floAver  shoAV,  and  the  popularity  of  the  fixture  may  be 
fairly  gauged  by  the  extent  of  patronage  afforded,  and  the  largo 
number  of  entries  in  the  several  sections  of  the  shoAv.  It  is  com¬ 
puted  that  over  12,000  persons  attended  the  show’  during  the 
afternoon,  and  that  5,000  of  that  number  passed  the  gates  in  a 
space  of  fift5^  minutes.  The  extent  and  quality  of  the  exhibition 
as  a  Avhole  Avas  unanimously  pronounced  excellent,  and  provided 
for  many  an  agreeable  surprise,  when  the  adverse  nature  of  the 
summer  has  been  remembered.  FloAvers,  vegetables,  and  fruit 
seemed  to  sIioav  no  ill  effects  of  the  froAyning  elements. 
Trained  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  four  classes  Avere  W’cll 
contested  by  local  competitors,  Mr.  H.  MattheAvs,  gardener  to 
W.  J.  Marin,  Esq.,  Highfield,  TroAvbridge,  winning  easily  in 
three  out  of  the  four  classes  which  require  nine,  six,  three,  and 
a  single  specimen  respectiA’ely.  Iir  the  first,  exceptionally 
finely  groAvn  and  freely  floAvered  jDlants  of  Clerodendron  Bal- 
fourianum,  BougaiiiA’iHea  glabra,  Ixora  Pilgrimi,  Allamanda 
irobilis,  Ixora  amabilis,  and  a  huge  Rondeletia  speciosa  major 
w^ere  staged.  Other  conspicuous  plants  in  other  classes  Avere  Ixora 
coccinea,  Erica  EAveriana  elegans,  E.  antonia  turbinalis,  E. 
