GARDEN NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10662, 24 May 1895, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES.

At the Intercolonial Fruit Conference at Hobart an Australasian Federated Fruitgrowers’ Association was formed, to secure the advantages of intercolonial opinion and experience, for disseminating information, convening congresses, dealing authoritatively with nomenclature, and watching legislation affecting horticulture and local government regulations, and also for the development of the markets, Nominations, one delegate from each colony, will be made at the next conference, which will be held in Wellington, New Zealand, in March, 1896, Messrs E. Manuel (Otago), J. H. Williams (Hawke’s Bay) and W. S. Hampson (Auckland) are tha New Zealand representatives on tho first council of the Association. Mr flampson being secretary for New Zealand. A resolution exoressing the opinion that all the Australian fruit tariffs should ho removed was carried at the conference. Tha celebrated chrysanthemum grower, Mr E. Molyneux, with the assistance of seventy other growers, dives the following in the Journal of Horticulture as the best thirty-six Japanese varieties:— Viviand Morel, Ch’arles Davis, Mdlle. Thereae Eey, E. Molyneux, Colonel W. B. Smith, Mrs C. Harman Payne, G. C. Schwabs, Sunflower, Mdlle. Mario Hosts, President Bore], Etoile de Lyon, Florence Davis, Miss Dorothy Shea, Stansted White, W. H. Lincoln, Louise, Duka of York, William Seward, Viscountess Hambleton, Avalanche, Niveus,WilliamTricker, Robert Owen, Mrs Falconer Jamieson, Lord Brooke, Primrose League, Ada Prass, Charles Blick, Waban, Mrs E. W. Clark, Mons Panokoucke, Princess May, Madame C. Molin, Boule d’Or, G. W, Childe, Commandant Blussett. We believe we ara correct in stating that all these varieties are to be found in Mr T. Abbott’s fine collection, at Exeter Nurseries, Christchurch.

During the month of February in 1894 and 1895 the imports of fruits into Britain were as follows ; —Apples, 311,062 bushols, us compared with 186,333 bushels in February, 1894; pears 2529 bushels, as compared with 2609 bushels in February, 1894; grapes; 383 bushels, as compared with 499 bushels ia February, 1894.

A German gardener is said to have succeeded in producing a black rose, though the shade sometimes varies from black to darkest crimson. The leaves of the tree are variegated—green, yellow and sometimes white tones prevailing. It will be brought into the trade this year.

The Tasmanians are in earnest in their determination to establish a reputation for their fruit on the London market. A recent meeting of the Council of Agriculture at Hobart made an example of one of its own members who had placed small fruit amongst large when packing apples for the London market. The offender admitted doing so, and declared practically that he had paid for the space, and had a right to ship what he pleased, adding that he used the small apples to fill interstices in the cases—a practice strongly reprehended by the Council and by the London salesmen. He also asserted that small apples sold better than large. The mooting resolved that his explanation was unsatisfactory, and that he be asked to resign, it being considered that such conduct was incompatible with membership of a body whose efforts were being directed to the establishment of the fruit export trade. It must be said that the fruit in question was rejected by the inspector. Mr T. F. Elvers, the eminent English fruit-grower, in a letter to the Field , urges that the Eoyal Horticultural Society would benefit the fruit growing community of Great Britain if it would reduce the number of sorts of apples which are now offered by nurserymen to the public, and establish on an authoritative basis those which are most likely to bo remunerative to the plantar. This is not difficult, as the members of the Fruit Committee assemble from various parts of the country. Supposing that the best part of the sale period for apples lasts . fropi July to the end of March, a period of ■ nine months, three sorts of apples per month, or even less, 'would be quite sufficient; but in any case the number of apples may be reduced to thirtysix, allowing a surplus for the prejudices and possibly the practical experience of planters in many localities, who are certain to adhere to the knowledge gained from experience; It would not be difficult for the Fruit Committee to select those kinds which can be honestly recommended to, the public. It does not seem to be generally known that all apples of good quality will make good cider. It is nob at all necessary to plant the so-called cider apples. Probably these were originally chosen because they will bear any amount of rough 1 usage. The apple known as Eymor is a first-rate cider-making apple j it is usually grown as a kitchen fruit. Many other kitchen apples are equally good, and if these are mixed with dessert sorts, such as Cox’s Orange, Mother, and other kinds, a very superior drink can be made, thus giving two chances of employing an abundant crop. The Ampelopsia (Virginian creeper) is now placed with the vines, but we (Field) retain the more familiar name. They are hardy and vigorous climbers, from China, Japan and America, and of much value for covering walls, banks and the like. The old Virginia creeper (A. hederacea) is very fine in its autumn colours, though it is so free and hardy everywhere that there is no need to put it on walls with a good aspect, for which there are so many choice climbers. Many forms of the common kind occur, some less rampant than others. A. Veitchi, from Japan, is more planted than any, because useful for walls, especially in large towns. It clings closely by the foot-like appendages of the tendrils, and does not need to be nailed in position. It is rather slow growing at first, but when once established grows very quickly. Two distinct types of foliage occur on the same plant, one consisting of large three-lobed leaves, which seem to have nothing in common with the small heart-shaped foliage that adheres so closely to the wall. There is a good form of it called rauralis, which is less close in growth, although clinging as tightly to the wall. Virginian creepers are easily increased by cuttings, those of A. Veitohi requiring most care. They should be put in a frame during the growing season, and kept .there until the following spring. Young shoots layered will soon root and form good plants the first season.