1869.] MONTHLY CHRONICLE. 215 



flowers, both from Mr. Gr. Smith, Islington ; and Gustave de Rotlischild, a dark 

 pink nosegay variety, from Mr. Tirebuck, of Luton, a variety of some promise as 

 a bedder. The same award was made to a very fine zonal variety, named 

 Coleshill, with bright scarlet flowers of fine quality, shown by Mr. Eckford, 

 gardener to Earl Radnor, Coleshill. A First-Class Certificate was also awarded 

 to Messrs. Bell and Thorpe, Stratford-on-Avon, for single Petunia Beauty, the 

 flowers of a pale lilac ground colour, with the throat, radiating bars, and veins 

 purple. The flower is of good form. E. D. 



MONTHLY CHRONICLE. 



''ROM the tabulated returns as to the state of the Fruit Crops obtained from 



various parts of the country, and recently published in the Gardeners 



Chronicle, we learn that as a whole there is a considerable deficiency, 



caused by the long-continued cold winds which prevailed during the 



blooming season, and the remarkably hot weather which supervened for a short period, and led to 

 over-excitement of the trees. The general results indicated by the returns in question are these : 

 — Apricots much below average ; some of the best crops in Scotland and the north. Apples 

 under average everywhere, except in Lancashire and Cheshire, and in some parts of Wales. 

 Pears everywhere over average, except in the western counties. Plums generally below 

 average; Damsons very plentiful in some of the northern and midland counties. Strawberries 

 variable, but generally deficient, except in the north. Cherries, a fair crop everywhere, 

 except in Kent, Morellos being plentiful and good. Peaches and Nectarines below average 

 almost everywhere, some good crops being, however, reported from Lincolnshire, Nottingham- 

 shire, and Yorkshire. Figs in some places good, e.g., Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, 

 Worcestershire, Suffolk, Herts, but generally below average. Small fruits abundant almost 

 everywhere. Nuts extraordinarily plentiful in most places, but Walnuts a light crop. 



&he Council of the Royal Horticultural Society has announced its 



intention of modifying the meetings and exhibitions of next season, by strength- 

 ening the fortnightly meetings, and abandoning separate shows, not, however, 



abandoning the shows themselves, but by this compression reducing the number of meetings. 

 The meeting day is to be Wednesday instead of Tuesday, as being a better day for securing 

 an attendance of visitors. All the meeting days are to be show days of a major or minor 

 order, but no separate shows except the provincial show will be held. The days fixed are 

 the third Wednesday in January and February, the first and third Wednesdays in each month 

 from March to September inclusive, and the first Wednesday in October, November, and 

 December. At each meeting or show some characteristic flower or fruit in season will be 

 selected as the special feature and the subject of special prizes, while other seasonable objects 

 will be grouped around it sufficient in quantity to make up a larger or a smaller exhibi- 

 tion. These arrangements are intended to fit in with the scheme of International Exhibitions 

 which has been announced by Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1S51. 



3£he Seed Adulteration Bill has become law, and will come into opera- 

 tion on May 1, 1870. This Bill has been promoted and carried to a successful 

 issue by the Seed Trade itself, the members of which are now organizing an 

 Association the more effectually to carry out its provisions. 



■ 5The collection of Grapes, from Dalkeith, illustrating the effects of 



the application of Bottom-heat to the roots of the vines, was one of the most 

 interesting exhibitions at the recent Manchester Show. The collection consisted 

 of White Frontignan, Grizzly Frontignan, Muscat of Alexandria, Reeves' Muscadine, Rivers' 

 Muscadine, Chasselas Napoleon, Black Alicante, and Royal Muscadine. They had all been 



