566 
JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  17,  1903 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present:  G.  Buiiyard,  P?sq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Messrs.  J. 
Cheal,  H.  Esling,  A.  Dean,  E.  Beckett,  H.  J.  Wright,  J.  Jaques, 
G.  Keey,  J.  Willard,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  G.  Reynolds,  F.  Q.  Lane, 
W.  H.  Divers,  G.  Wythes,  G.  Norman,  A.  H.  .  Pearson,  J. 
Mclndoe,  W.  Ponpart,  and  H.  Somers  Rivers. 
The  chief  exhibit  in  tliis  section  came  from  Mr.  C.  Bayer 
(W.  Taylor,  gr,),  Forest  Hili,  who  staged  a  nice  collection  of 
fruit.  d'he  25  bunches  of  Grapes  which  made  the  background 
were  especially  good.  Black  Alicante,  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
and  Gros  Colman  being  excellent.  These  were  relieved  by 
coloured  Vine  leaves  and  Sinilax  trails.  A  Pine  and  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  Apples  completed  the  display. 
Mr.  PI.  Beckett,  Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree,  staged  a 
fine  exhibit  of  Onions.  Mr.  C.  Dixon,  gr.  to  the  Plarl  of 
Ilchester,  Holland  House,  .sent  a  dish  of  Pear  Glou  Morceau  in 
good  condition,  also  a  large  dish  of  Beurre  Ranee.  Mr.  Chas. 
Ro.ss,  gr.  to  Col.  A.  Houblon,  Welford  Park,  Newbury,  .staged  a 
seedling  Pear  called  R.  D.  Blackmore,  but  many  of  the  fruits 
were  pa.st  their  best. 
Mr.  A.  D.  Hall,  Harpenden,  sent  6  dishes  of  .salad  Potatoes, 
which  were  undoubtedly  curio.sities.  Mr.  C.  Beilis,  gr.  to  Mrs. 
G.  M.  Faulkner,  Fonthill  Lodge,  Fore.st  Hill,  sent  a  fine  basket 
of  Seville  Oranges. 
Medal  Awards. 
Flor.4.l  Committee. — Gold  to  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  Feltham  ; 
Silver-gilt  Floras  to  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Clielsea,  and  Lord 
Aldenham  ;  Silver-gilt  Banksian  to  Messrs.  Cutbush  &  Sons  ;  Silver 
Flora  to  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons,  and  Messrs.  Bull  &  Sons,  Chelsea  ; 
Silver  Banksians  to  Messrs.  T.  Roebford  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  and  Messrs. 
W.  Wells  A  Co. 
Fruit  Committee. — Silver-gilt  Knightian  to  Mr.  C.  Bayer,  and 
Silver  Banksian  to  Lord  Aldenham. 
Orchid  Committee. — Silver-gilt  Floras  to  Mr.  J.  Colman,  Baron 
Schroder,  Mr.  N.  C.  Cookson,  and  Mr.  G.  F.  Moore  ;  Silver  Floras 
to  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Mr.  O.  O.  Wrigley,  Hugh  Low  &  Co.,  and  Mr. 
W.  E.  Budgett;  Silver  Banksians  to  Mr.  H.  Whateley,  B.  S.  Williams 
and  Son,  and  J.  Cypher  &  Son, 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Chrysanthemnm,  Allman's  Yellow  (Thos.  Allman). — A  decorative 
market  variety  described  in  these  pages  last  week,  A.M. 
Crolon  Turnfordensis  (T.  Rochford  A  Sons). — A  grand  variety 
with  broad  leaves,  of  a  rich  yellow,  edged  green.  Stems  yellow,  habit 
good,  will  make  a  popular  plant.  A.M. 
Cypripedium  insigne  Sandera,  Oahivood  I'eedling  (N.  C.  Cook- 
son). — A  lighter  yellow  form  than  the  type,  with  a  few  spots  on  the 
dorsal  sepal.  A.M. 
Cypripedium  Leeanum  Clinkerberryahum  (Baron  Schroder  and 
O.  O.  Wrigley). — A  grand  variety,  having  a  broad  dorsal  sepal,  white, 
spotted  towards  the  centre,  and  green  at  the  base.  A.M. 
Odontogjosstim  crisptim  Marue  (N.  C.  Cookson). — A  beautiful  form, 
the  ground  suffused  with  rose,  jwhile  each  petal  is  clearly  marked 
with  chocolate.  A.M. 
Odo)itoglossim  Harryo-crispum  Bidens  (M.  Chas.  Vuylsteke). — A 
flower  of  large  size,  heavily  barred  with  chocolate,  the  lower  half  of 
the  lip  being  pure  white.  A.M. 
Odontoglossum  Vuylstekei  Vivicans  (Baron  Schroder). — A  grand 
form,  heavily  blotched  wfith  brown,  the  lip  edged  white.  F.C.C. 
Beckenham;  Beautifying  Waste  Spaces. 
On  Friday,  December  4,  Mr.  Lovett,  F.R.H.S.,  of  Addiscombe, 
gave  a  lecture  on.  “The  Beautifying  and  Utilising  of  Waste 
Spaces,  Railway  Embankments,  &c.”  This  proved  to  be  highly 
in.structive  and  interesting,  and  certainly  worthy  of  a  far  . larger 
audience  than  assembled.  Mr.  Lovett  is  of  opinion  that  in  our 
country,  where  too  frequently  leaden  skies  prevail,  colours  more 
pleasing  to  the  eye  might  be  n.sed  than  is  generally  the  case.  P’or 
instance,  railway  bridges  painted  the  nsual  purple  or  reddish 
brown,  would  be  more  pleasing  if  of  a  yellowish  or  sage  green, 
with  Ivy  planted  at  the  bases  of  the  arches.  In  the  same  way  the 
lecturer  brought  his  remarks  to  deal  with  unsightly  objects  in  the 
garden  landscape,  Ac.  At  the  clo.se  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was 
accorded  Mr.  Lovett  and  a  like  comnliment  to  the  chairihan. — 
T.  C. 
Cardiff:  Seed-saving, 
The  fifth  meeting  of  the  session  took  place  at  the  Grand  Hotel 
on  Tuesday,  December  1,  Mr.  H.  R.  Farmer  iii  the  chair.  Mr. 
H.  Kitley  (seedsman  to  Messrs.  Garaway  and  Co.,  and  repre¬ 
sentative  of  the  Bristol  Gardeners’  Association)  delivered  an 
excellent  lecture  on  “  Seed  Testing  and  Saving,”  exiilaining  to 
the  minutest  particulars  the  best  means  to  adopt  in  testing 
seeds,  and  best  forms  of  fruits  and  flowers  to  select  seed  from. 
The  lecturer  contended  most  emphatically  that  deterioration  in 
constitution  to  a  great  extent  was  due  to  lack  of  attention  in 
selecting  seeds  from  the  best  sources.  A  good  lesson  wa*.s  given 
on  seed  testing  and  best  times  to  sow  seed  in  this  our  changeable 
climate.  The  be.st  thanks  of  the  meeting  were  accorded  Mr. 
Kitley  for  his  excellent  lecture. — J.  Julian. 
Sheffield:  Onion  Culture. 
At  the  monthly  meeting  there  was  a  good  attendance  of 
members  to  li.sten  to  an  essay  by  Mr.  T.  J.  Nelson,  of  A.shgate 
Gardens,  Chesterfield,  on  “The  Cultivation  of  the  Onion,”  which 
proved  to  be  an  interesting  one.  Mr.  Nelson  is  well  known  as  a 
succe.ssful  plant,  flower,  and  vegetable  grower,  as  well  as  an 
exhibitor,  and  has  grown  some  large  Onions,  having  produced 
some  this  season  weighing  2Ubs  each.  He  described  hi's  method 
of  treatment,  and  exhibited  some  very  shapely  and  weighty 
specimens  of  AiLsa  Craig,  to  which  a  certificate  was  awarded.  An 
excellent  exhibit  of  Onions'was  also  shown  by  Air.  H.  Deverill, 
of  Banbury,  some  Aristocrats  measuring  17in  in  circumference. 
“  Cocoa-nut  ”  was  very  fine  and  weighty,  as  also  was  “  Ailsa 
Craig.”  A  red  variety,  “  Cliallenge,”  attracted  particular  atten¬ 
tion,  being  good  in  colour  and  shape,  and  very  sound  and  solid: 
Certificateis  were  awarded.  “  Northern  Star  ”  Potato  was 
exhibited  by  tbe  Secretary,  and  came  in  for  much  attention  and 
criticism.  The  1904  schedule  has  been  arranged,  and  should 
attract  exhibits.  Prizes  of  £16,  £10,  and  £6  are  offered  for  a 
group ;  £5,  £3,  and  £2  for  36  Roses,  in  addition  to  four  other 
classes;  £2,  25s.,  and  10s.,  for  bouquets ;  30s.,  25s.,  20s.,  and 
l5s.,  for  tray  of  6  vegetables;  all  being  open.  As  the  show  will 
be  held  in  the  beautiful  grounds  of  “  Holly  Court,”  on  August  13, 
it  is  hoped  the  society  will  be  placed  well  upon  its  legs. 
Ipswich:  Judging. 
In  consequence,  no  doubt,  of  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
there  was  but  a  small  attendance  of  members  at  tbe  meeting  of 
the  Ipswich  Gardeners’  Society,  held  on  December  3.  The 
president  (Mr.  R.  C.  Notcutt)  occupied  the  chair,  and  the  essayist 
was  Air.  W.  Alessenger,  Woolverstone  Park  Gardens,  his  subject 
being  “The  Judging  of  Horticultural  Exhibits.”  All  gardeners 
(said  the  es.sayist)  were  more  or  less  interested  in  shows,  and 
everyone  concerned  was  anxious  that  the  judging  should  be  carried 
out  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  In  the  first  place,  it  was  necessary 
that  the  .schedules  should  be  accurately  worded.  Great  improve¬ 
ment  liad  been  effected  in  this  direction  in  recent  years,  due  in 
a  large  measure  to  the  excellent  code  of  rules  issued  by  the 
R.H.S.,  a  work  that  shoiuld  be  carefully  studied  by  both  exhibi¬ 
tors  and  judges.  Exhibitors  should  be  most  careful  to  grasp 
the  correct  meaning  of  the  wording  of  the  schedule,  as  dis¬ 
qualification  was  a  bitter  pill  to  swallow.  With  regard  to  judges, 
Mr.  Messenger  said  that  in  his  experience  it  was  the  conscientious 
desire  of  every  judge  to  award  the  prizes  to  what,  in  his  opinion, 
were  the  best  exhibits.  To  facilitate  this,  it  was  essential  that 
their  duties  should  be  commenced  punctually  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  they  should  not  be  expected  to  undertake  too  much. 
Point  Judging 
should  be  resorted  to  in  all  large  classes.  In  close  competition 
he  personally  should  like  to  see  the  number  of  points  awarded 
displayed  publicly.  Many  amusing  anecdotes  of  the  essayist’s 
experience  as  an  exhibitor  and  judge  were  interspersed,  and 
added  to  the  interest  of  a  well-thought-out  paper.  A  brisk  dis.- 
cussion  wa.s  initiated  by  Mr.  J.  Alorgan,  and  sustained  by  Messrs. 
Cotton,  Whittel,  A.  Creek,  Barker,  C.  Creek,  Kedgeley,  Adcock, 
Ac.,  the  proceedings  closing  with  a  cordial  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
reader  of  the  paper. — E.  C. 
Liverpool:  Cut-flower  Supply. 
The  meetings  of  the  above  association  are  becoming  more 
popular,  and  the  attendance  is  all  that  could  be  hoped,  for. 
Especially  are  the  younger  members  of  the  craft  in  this  district 
attending  well,  and  ivlio  came  forward  in  large  numbers  on  the 
5th  to  hear  Air.  Horne.  Dawpool,  Cheshire,  give  a  discourse  on 
“  How  to  obtain  a  continuous  supply  of  indoor  cut  flowers  for 
home  use,  with  cultural  details.”  The  subject  being  of  such  a 
wide  and  varied  character.  Air.  Horne  could  only  touch  slightly 
on  the  cultural  points.  A  few  of  the  principal  .subjects  men¬ 
tioned  were  as  follows:  Azaleas,  Amaryllis,  Begonias,  bulbs  in 
variety,  forced  in  boxes;  Celosias,  Cyclamens.  Chrysanthemums, 
Carnations,  Euchari.s,  Forced  Lilac,  Gladioli,  Lily  of  the  Valley, 
Liliums,  Orchids,  Poinsettias,  Rhododendrons,  Richardias,  Roses, 
and  Spanish  Irises.  A  very  instructive  discussion  followed  on 
how  best  to  succeed  in  forcing  Lily  of  the  A'alley,  Air.  Horne 
advocating  the  use  of  good  soil  for  this  purpo,se,  and  systematic 
feeding  with  liquid  cow  manure.  Several  members  disagreed  on 
this  point,  preferring  tO‘  plant  the  crowns  in  cocoanut-fibre,  and 
have  no  feeding.  Mr.  Horne  also  succeeds  well  ivith  Iris 
hispanica,  forcing  over  one  thousand  plants  annually,  ninety  per 
cent,  of  which  produce  good  spikes.  His  method  of  procedure  is 
to  pot  the  bulbs  on  arrival  and  plunge  out  of  doors  in  ashes  until 
the  pots  are  well  filled  with  roots.  About  Christmas  they  are 
in  this  condition,  and  are  then  removed  into  a  cold  frame,  and 
sub.sequently  given  a  little  heat.  He  attributes  his  success  in  a 
great  measure  to  securing  well-ripened  bulbs  and  allowing  them 
to  progress  slowly.  He  secures  flowers  in  March  and  April.  A 
lioint  raised  afterwards  was  the  watering  of  plants,  two  members 
