well-trenched quarter of land and close by were several rows that were sown on land that had not been trenched for some years. The cifference in height of the haulm of the same varieties on the two pieces of ground was nearly 2 feet, and the amount of Peas gathered from the trenched ground was nearly double that of the other, besides lasting much longer in bearing. This demonstrates that it is far better and more profitable to cultivate a limited space really well than a large area indifferently.

Turnips.-The recent rains have caused the seeds of autumn-sown Turnips to germinate well. Before the seedlings become too large they should be thinned to about 9 inches apart in the TOWS. It is a mistake to delay thinning, as leggy seedlings never form satisfactory roots. Afford the plants plenty of water in dry weather, otherwise there will not be time to mature the crop before the hard weather arrives. Early crops that have reached their full size should be pulled up and the roots be laid in a shady border in moist soil, so that they may retain their best qualities.

Beet. Many roots of this vegetable have now reached their full size, and if they are left longer in the ground loss of colour and quality will result. It will be quite safe to go over the crop and pull all that are in condition and "heel" them in a shady spot with their rootlets and leaves intact, until the general crop is ready for storing, when they can all be stored together. I have never known this early-lifting to injure the quality of the roots when the work has been done, as it should be, in a careful

manner.

Winter Vegetables.-Keep the ground about these crops clear of weeds, and well stir the soil between the rows to encourage the best possible growth. Any blank spaces may still be filled, but the plants must be transplanted with good "balls," for this is essential at this late date.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. By W. A. Cook, Gardener to Sir EDMUND G. LODER, Bart., Leonardslee, Sussex. Peaches and Nectarines.-These fruits should be gathered as soon as they will part readily from the tree, for if they are allowed to remain until they are over-ripe they will not keep in good condition long. It is also a mistake to allow the fruits to tumble off into nets, for they are worthless the second day after falling owing to bruises and marks. That excellent variety Grosse Mignonne is generally at its best after the first week of September, and is followed by Bellegarde in order of ripening. Princess of Wales and Sea Eagle should receive copious supplies of liquid and heavy syringings to enable them to finish up their fruits. The leaves should be drawn away from the fruits to allow the sun's rays to reach them. If red spider has been kept under it will not be troublesome after this date. All trees from which the fruits have been gathered should receive attention in the matters of watering and syringing in order to keep them in good condition. Trees that have been condemned should be rooted up, and the ground be prepared for the reception of other trees. Early varieties that have almost ripened their wood can be transplanted now if desired, especially if the trees have been prepared for shifting by trenching around their roots. When lifting it is necessary to unfasten the branches so that the tree can be lifted entirely. After transplanting it will be necessary, should bright sunshine prevail, to hang a mat or some other shading material in front of the tree for about a week or ten days in order to prevent the leaves from flagging. The foliage should be syringed twice daily.

Pears now ripening should be watched, or they will soon be over-ripe and useless. Early varieties should be gathered as soon as they will part readily from the tree. Williams' Bon Chretien is always of better flavour when the fruits are gathered before becoming dead ripe. Clapps' Favourite is a Pear of good appearance and of very fair quality. This variety should be sent to table soon after gathering. Jargonelle is best ripened a few at a time, for this delicious Pear will not keep in good condition long. The best examples of this Pear are those grown on walls, and preferably upon fan-trained trees. Marguerite Marillat is a handsome fruit, and requires good cultivation to bring it to perfection. It is large, juicy, and sweet, and one of the best of its

season. All cordon-trained trees would derive benefit from good soakings of water and applications of liquid manure. Keep the laterals away from the fruits of later varieties to allow the sunshine to reach the latter and promote flavour and colour.

Apples. These fruits should be gathered and stored as soon as they are ready. Wasps are attacking the early fruits to a great extent. Apples, I fear, will be small this season on account of the large crops and the dry weather. Beauty of Bath, Irish Peach, Quarrenden, Lady Sudeley, and Red Astrachan are all ripening.

Culinary Apples.-The trees should receive water if they are suffering from drought, or the fruits will be of inferior quality. Early varieties such as Lord Grosvenor, Lord Suffield, Frogmore, and Domino should be gathered and used as soon as ready. Gather them carefully and store in the fruit room, which should be kept cool and well ventilated.

Strawberries.-The fruits of Alpine varieties must be protected from birds and wasps, and this is best accomplished by means of waspproof netting or gauze. Water young plants thoroughly in order to keep them growing and to protect them from attacks of red spider.

Strawberry plants for forcing should be potted by this date, and placed in full sunshine on a hard bottom-preferably ashes-and stood in batches conveniently arranged for watering. These will be improved by occasional syringings on bright afternoons. Keep the soil free from weeds and the plants free from runners.

Figs. If wasps are at all troublesome, place the fruits in small muslin bags. On south walls it will be necessary to give the trees a good soaking of water.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. WHITE, Orchid Grower to Sir TREVOR LAWRENCE, Bart.. Burford, Surrey. Masdevallias.-The month of September is a suitable time at which to re-pot or replace the surface material of the receptacles in which these plants are growing, but if more convenient these operations may be delayed until February. I usually attend to these matters at the present time, because during the next two months the plants make the greater number of their new roots, and, further, the cool, moist air during the autumn is favourable to their recovery after disturbance. Strong healthy specimens may need additional rooting space, but if they are intended for exhibition next spring they should not be unnecessarily disturbed now, for they might then fail to bloom satisfactorily when required. If a plant has overgrown its receptacle, the pot or pan should be carefully broken, and the plant be placed into another of suitable size without the least disturbance of the roots. Extra large plants which have lost their centre leaves may be divided and made up anew, or they may be made up into several neat, compact specimens. A few days previous to re-potting it is advisable to allow the plants to become moderately dry, for the drier the roots are the less liable are they to receive injury. All Masdevallias of the M. coccinea or Harryana section, M. Veitchiana, M. Lindeni, M. ignea, M. maciura, M. peristeria, M. coriacea, M. ephippium, M. Gargantua, M. elephanticeps, &c., are of robust growth, and are vigorous rooting plants; consequently they require plenty of space in which their roots may ramify. Dwarf, compact-growing varieties as M. Estrada, M. caudata Shuttleworthii, M. Wageneriana, M. ionocharis, M. hieroglyphica, M. picturata, M. O'Brieniana, M. tridactylites, M. muscosa, M. xipheres, &c., succeed best in as small a receptacle as they can conveniently be placed. The same remarks are applicable respectively to hybrids which have been raised from either section. Masdevallias require plenty of drainage in their pots, and should have them filled two-thirds with crocks or well-dried pieces of Fern rhizome, and over this should be placed a thin layer of rough sphagnum-moss. When re-potting keep the base of the leaves on a level with the rim of the pot, and for a compost use fibrous peat and sphagnum-moss in equal proportions, mixing with it a suitable quantity of broken crocks and some coarse silversand. Make the compost moderately firm about the roots, especially around the centres of the plants, but do not ram the potting medium to such an extent that water cannot pass freely away, or the soil will soon become sour. Water should, for several weeks, be afforded very care.

fully, for excess of moisture during that time would cause the loss of many leaves and roots. When new roots are seen pushing through the soil, the supply of water should be gradually increased. A slight spraying overhead on bright days will help the plants considerably, but it i must not be afforded in sufficient quantity that it runs down the leaves into the compost. When no separate house is available for these plants, a suitable position can easily be found them among the cool Odontoglossums.

Heating System.-Everything connected with the heating apparatus should be overhauled annually, and the present is a suitable time to do this overhauling. Ascertain if everything is in good working order, so that during the coming winter the proper temperatures may be maintained without difficulty. When cleaning out the boilers, hot water pipes, &c., it is advisable to make use of all the sun-heat to maintain the necessary temperatures in the warmer divisions. While the work is being undertaken use less water when damping the houses, and afford smaller quantities of water to the roots, it being safer to keep them somewhat dry than too wet. The work will not affect the plants in the cooler divisions if it be done at once.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By B. CROMWELL, Gardener to T. SUTTON TIMMIS, Esq., Cleveley, Allerton, Liverpool. Violets. These should now be lifted from the open ground and be transplanted into pits or frames. The border should, if at all dry, receive a soaking of water the day before they are taken up, so that much soil may adhere to the roots. In planting, pack them close together, in order to get as many plants in the frame as is possible. Place them within about 6 inches of the glass, for the more light they receive the better will be the colour and substance of the flowers. Immediately after planting they should receive a good watering in order to settle the soil about their roots, after which the lights should be placed on the frames and the plants be kept shaded until they have recovered from the effects of moving. When established, and providing the weather continues warm, the lights may be left off the frame both during the day and night time, and this condition may be maintained until frost makes its appearance. A syringing at intervals of a few weeks with clear soot water will be a safeguard against an attack of red spider.

Housing Plants.-Preparations should be made for the housing of hard-wooded plants, that undue exposure to heavy rains which will cause an excess of water at the roots may be avoided. Ericas and Azaleas are amongst the first subjects to suffer from a superabundance of water at their roots, and especially does this apply to plants newly potted. After returning the plants indoors do not fail to give an abundance of ventilation both during the night and the day, for this will mature the wood and harden up the flower buds which, in Azaleas, are now becoming plump. Should the weather continue warm throughout the present month afford a gentle syringing overhead once a day, as this will be equivalent to the night dews which the plants have been subjected to outside. Keep a sharp look out for the small white scale insect on Acacias. These pests can be eradicated by spraying the plants with XL insecticide. Previous to bringing the plants indoors the interior of the houses should be thoroughly syringed with a mixture of soft soap and a wineglassful of insecticide in four gallons of water. This will clear the woodwork and the walls of red spider and other insects which have established themselves in the crevices. The dry, arid conditions in the plant houses during hot weather favours the increase of these pests which, if left undisturbed, will prove very troublesome in the early months of the new year. The drainage in the pots of all plants that have been standing outside should be examined, and if found defective be at once made perfect.

Bulbs for forcing.-The first batches of these should now be planted. If very early flowers are desired it is much better to plant the bulbs early than to subject them to hard forcing, which, in many cases, causes the flowers to go "blind." Flowers from plants that have not been forced too quickly will have more substance, and will also last much longer when cut. If grown specially for producing flowers for cutting, the best receptacles are boxes about 6 inches deep, but if they are needed as plants for decorative purposes pots are better for the purpose.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB. LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, W.C. Letters for Publication as well as specimens and plants for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London. Communications should be WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE ONLY OF THE PAPER, Sent as early in the week as possible, and duly signet by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith. Special Notice to Correspondents.-The Editor does not undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents. Illustrations.-The Editor will be glad to receive and to select photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c., but he cannot be responsible for loss or injury. Newspapers.-Correspondents sending newspapers should be careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editor to see. Local News.-Correspondents will greatly oblige by sending to the Editor early intelligence of local events likely to be of interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable to bring under the notice of horticulturists,

Leaders in Science.

Dutch Bulbs in large variety at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 10.30.

It is with no ordinary feeling of Two regret that we have to announce the death on the 26th ult. at Torquay, of Dr. Marshall Ward, in his 52nd year. Since 1895 he had acted as Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, having previously acted in that capacity at Coopers' Hill This is no place wherein to do more than allude to his original researches, as brilliant as they were solid, into the history and nature of bacterial and other fungal diseases-researches which won for him the Royal Medal" from the Royal Society. We are more concerned here with

his labours in applied science. Marshall Ward was indeed pre-eminent among modern botanists, who have known how to turn to practical account the researches of modern science. His services to the Coffee planters of Ceylon, in the matter of the Hemileia are well-known to those interested in tropical cultures. To home cultivators he is known by his numerous treatises on disease in plants generally, and in timber trees in particular, and among his latest publications are those on Grasses and on Trees, the latter intended to supply students of forest-botany with a guide to the study of trees and shrubs from the point of view of the out-door naturalist, at the same time to interest them in methods of laboratory work, and in those biological researches too much neglected in former days, but which now, by the sway of the pendulum in the opposite direction, interfere too greatly with the study of plants in the field, and with those details of structure and classification which are so essential to medical students, to cultivators, and to all who have to apply a knowledge of botany to every-day use. Marshall Ward, however, seemed always to have in mind the requirements of the practical

man. An illustration of this occurs to us as we write. The Professor had been lecturing in the great vinery at Chiswick on the diseases of timber trees. Among his auditory were a number of students from one of our colleges, and, after the Professor's lucid and thorough explanations, the comment was made in our hearing-"How different this is from the 'gardeners' gas' we so frequently experience." The allusion had reference to certain county council lectures given by teachers imperfectly equipped for their task. A further illustration may be found in the Professor's recent inaugural address to the students at Wye College, which is alluded to in another column. Indeed, while no research seemed too recondite or too abstruse for him, no detail which was or might be of practical importance was overlooked by him.

Marshall Ward was a member of the Scientific Committee of the R.H.S., and his contributions to the journal of the society are, if not numerous, at least among the most valuable of the many that have appeared in late years. His loss will be severely felt not only in Cambridge but wherever botanical science is pursued.

The news of the death, on the 25th ult., of CHARLES BARON CLARKE will be read with the greatest concern by his numerous friends and associates. Mr. CLARKE graduated M.A. at Cambridge, and was for many years in the civil service of India. He travelled widely in the north-west districts of that country, where he collected largely. He acted for some years as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Calcutta, and on his return to England established himself at Kew and devoted himself to systematic botany, writing numerous monographs and contributing to various "Floras." He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was for some time President of the Linnean Society. Although specially devoting himself to systematic botany, Mr. CLARKE was a singularly well-informed man, versed in classics, mathematics, music, farming, and we know not what besides. His knowledge of the geography and natural history of India was profound. His willingness to assist his fellow-workers was proverbial, and, like many others, we have often had occasion to avail ourselves of his vast and varied stores of learning, and to profit by his critical judgment on points of

"In your remarks on the present condition of the Royal Botanic Society you are a little in error. Certainly the gardens ought not to have been called botanic, as they have never received any encouragement from the Govern

ment

to pursue scientific botany, have no Government grant, and have only been indebted to the Government for increased rent and the obligation to open the gardens twice a week to the public. It is really since the exclusive policy was abandoned that the Fellows have, to a certain degree, fallen off. Now it is extremely easy on any day to get an order to enter. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are public days. During this summer 70,000 people have been admitted at really nominal payment. The gardens were originally formed as a 'rus in urbe '—a garden in the midst of Lon. don, with as much of wild nature as is pos sible maintained. And to keep up this character the Council are striving. The great use of a garden of this character is to show what plants and trees will grow in London naturally and simply. The Botanical Gardens are for this purpose very remarkable, and the Economic House, as well as the Victoria House, show many plants not generally seen; but these parts are generally utterly neglected by the visitors. There is also a school of gardening, and a ladies' class, with a kitchen garden, that surprises me by its success. The report of the leading gardeners, whom we asked to visit the gar dens, will tell you of the excellent condition of the stock. But a garden of this character is of little pleasure to those living a long way off. It must be principally supported by persons living near, who want a place of quiet recrea tion. It is a bad place for sales, and, naturally, leading nurserymen prefer Vincent Square. I agree with you that the Society has relied too much on garden parties, &c.; but this is an important source of revenue. The real diffi culty is the success of a minority, who call them selves a reform committee, to prevent the rais. ing of the subscription. If this had been granted, as the majority accepted, our position would be now without difficulty. We are quite unable to keep up or pay the gardeners properly with the present income, and have to cut down many suggestions of our head gardener, Hawes, than whom there is no more capable London gardening superintendent.

The principal 'debt' is the debentures, which are only troublesome when the executors of deceased owners require immediate payment. The Horticultural Society suffered from this, and annulled their own; at least, I lost mine without any compensation. We proposed, with an increased subscription, to create a sinking fund to meet this. The 'reformers,' in reality, seem to wish to wreck the Society as it is, and turn it to some other purpose, destroying one of the most remarkable bits of natural scenery any town possesses. They laugh at a place for `rest and meditation." C. Brinsley Marlay, St. Katherine's Lodge, Regent's Park, August 21.

OUR SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATION (CAMPANULA LACINIATA). The fairest Campanula in all Greece" is the description given of this plant by TOURNEFORT, who found it on the rocky island of Pholegandros, in the Grecian Archipelago, in the year 1700. It is figured in his Voyage in the Levant, and he there describes the plant as growing two feet high, forming a round, compact bush, with basal leaves (see fig. 66) 8 inches long by 24 inches broad, deeply laciniate, and light, shining green in colour. The cauline leaves are smaller, being 2 to 3 inches long, diminishing in size on the upper part of the stem, which is woody, and as thick as a man's thumb, much branched, and laden with flowers at the extremities of the branches. The bell-shaped flowers are about 2 inches wide at the mouth, rather over 1 inch deep, and pale blue in colour. C. laciniata belongs to a section of this popular genus, which is composed exclusively of biennials. and includes C. lyrata, C. lanata, and C. tomentosa. It is said to have been introduced into British gardens in the year 1790, but the figure under this name in ANDREW's Botanist's Repository, VI., f. 385, published in 1804, represents Campanula tomentosa, as dces also the figure of C. laciniata in NICHOLSON'S Dictionary of Gardening. In habit and in the shape of its flowers, as well as colour, this plant approaches the Caucasian C. mirabilis, but is more robust and erect, as well as being slightly pubescent all over the stems and leaves. C. laciniata is probably only hardy in the more southern and warmer parts of this country, and being a biennial, seeds will have to be relied upon as the means of propagation. For the specimen from which our illustration was taken we are indebted to Mr. BEAMISH, of Cork.

THE SHREWSBURY SHOW.-The receipts at the recent show of the Shropshire Horticultural Society, of which a full report was published in our last issue, were as follow: Cheap tickets sold before the Show took place, £552, against £539 18s. 2d. in 1905; receipts at the gates, first day, £1,107 3s. 8d., against £813 75. 4d. in 1905; second day, £2,210 7s. 3d., against £2,229 18s. 3d.; total, £3,869 10s. 11d., as against £3,583 3s. 9d. last year, being an increase of £286 7s. 2d. These particulars refer only to receipts at the gates and for purchased tickets, and do not include the value of tickets issued to subscribers, whose subscriptions amount to over £500, and for which subscribers are entitled to eight tickets for every guinea subscribed and four tickets for every half-guinea. By a misprint in our report last week, the sum given by Messrs. SUTTON & SONS as prizes for vegetables was stated to be £8 17s., instead of £17. SCIENTIFIC Committee. We are requested to announce that there will be no meeting of this Committee on September 11, but that the meetings will be resumed on September 25.

"EVENING NEWS" CHRYSANTHEMUM LEAGUE. The following extracts from a letter addressed to us by the Secretary will be read with interest by lovers of the Chrysanthemum:"May I ask you to bring under the notice of your readers the forthcoming show of the Evening News Chrysanthemum League, which is to be held at the R.H.S. Hall, Vincent Square, on September 20, 21, and 22? Our Committee and Judges include Mr. T. BEVAN, Chairman N.C.S., Mr. WITTY, Vice-Chairman N.C.S., Mr. D. B. CRANE, Chairman Floral Committee N.C.S., and the following Fellows of the R.H.S.-W. A. CULL, W. HARRISON, R. F. FELTON, H. EVANS, D. INGAMELLS, C. H. CURTIS, G. WOODSTOCK, E. F. HAWES, and F. W. JONES. Last year we held our first show, when many thousands of visitors failed to get admission. We shall be offering gold, silvergilt, silver, and bronze medals for the most mentorious trade exhibits, besides nearly 200

other prizes to members of the League who show their plants. Special instructions are given to the League members from time to time in the Evening News which assist them in the cultiva. tion and keep their interest in the Chrysanthe mums. Trade exhibits promise to be large in number, and a special section of the Hall will be given up to horticultural sundries. Early notification of intention to exhibit will be necessary, as there is already a marked desire on the part of professional growers to be represented, and the space reserved is very limited. There is also a limited amount of wall space, suitable for business announcements, &c., still unallotted. The success of this year's show is al ready assured, for in June nearly 7,000 plants,

Gardchrom

was

FIG. 66.-LEAF OF CAMPANULA LACINIATA (REDUCED).

(See page 165 and Supplementary Illustration.)

in 37 decorative Japanese varieties and 16 varieties of pompones, were applied for by members of the Chrysanthemum League, and, judging by the letters already to hand, &c., a very large number of members will compete for the many prizes offered. All communications on the subject should be addressed to the Secretary, Evening News Chrysanthemum League, Carmelite House, E.C.

THE NATIONAL DAHLIA SHOW, we may remind our readers, will be held on Thursday and Friday next, September 6 & 7, at the Crystal Palace. Mr. BROUSSON, the hon. secretary, informs us that it is expected the show will be a very good one.

BRITISH GARDENERS ASSOCIATION.-The Right Hon. the Earl of PLYMOUTH has consented to become President of the British Gardeners' Association. From the first his lordship has expressed sympathy with its aims and objects. He is a large employer of professional gardeners, and owns the fine old Castle of St. Fagans, near Cardiff, as well as Hewell Grange, in Worcestershire, &c.

MEETING AT EDINBURGH.-On the occasion of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society's forthcoming Show at Edinburgh an address on the British Gardeners' Association will be given by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. WEATHERS. The meeting will be held in the Bible Society's rooms, 5, St. Andrew's Square, Edinburgh, on Wednesday, September 12, at 7 p.m. The chair will be taken by Mr. J. W. MCHATTIE, city gardener, and it is hoped that all gardeners present in Edinburgh at the time will make an effort to be present.

WYE COLLEGE. We have before us the July number of the Journal of the South Eastern Agricultural College as Wye, Kent, which is an interesting production as showing the determined efforts that are now being made to shake off that stagnation in the application of scientific method to cultural proceedings which in former years we have had so deeply to deplore. Wye is taking a high place in the education of agriculturists, the number of pupils is increasing (there are now over a hundred), and former students in all parts of the world are creating a reputation for themselves and for their college. A Council of Agricultural Research which will concern itself solely with original research into matters bearing on agricultural and rural economy is proposed, and no doubt Wye College and its staff are particularly well adapted to carry out such proposals. The appointment of Mr. E. G. SALMON for the purpose of carrying on research into the nature and history of the fungous pests attacking cultivated plants is a matter for deep satisfaction. The work of such an expert can but be beneficial to the students, the neighbouring farmers, and to science generally. Details are given in the Report concerning the practical operations on the farm and the insects and other animal pests injurious to the cultivator. In this section Mr. THEOBALD states with reference to the Currant bud-mite that there is nothing satisfactory to report, but that the variety known as Boskoop Giant seems to resist attack more than any other variety, owing to its strong growth. Red and White Currants growing between the Black were found to be affected with mite, especially the white variety. The remaining notes on insects, by Mr. THEOBALD, are too numerous to allude to at length, but they are of great interest and value to the cultivator. The whole report, indeed, is full of useful information and valuable suggestions. We can only find space in conclusion to direct attention to the inaugural address of Prof. MARSHALL WARD on the relations between botany and agriculture. This lecture should be read in connection with the latter part of Prof. F. W. OLIVER'S address to the British Association at York, from which we hope to give extracts later on.

THE HOME LIBRARY.-We have received from Messrs. Wм. COLLINS, SONS & Co., Herriot Hill Works, Glasgow, four volumes of their "Home" library. Here we have, for the sum of one shilling each, such classics as "Kenilworth," "The Cloister and the Hearth," "Pickwick Papers," and "Scottish Chiefs." Each volume is clearly printed, illustrated, and neatly bound in red cloth. Other popular books will from time to time be added to the series, leaving less excuse than ever for neglect of standard tales and novels. To brighten a long journey or any other tedious time the fare here offered is as cheap and far more wholesome than some of the modern rubbish so freely offered for this same purpose.