330 THE GARDENER. [July 



past, when all at once we have a very forcible reminder that it is not 

 safe to whistle till we get through the wood, or rather out of it. 

 Potatoes cut down, a fine lot of French Beans soon to be in flower 

 rendered useless, Dahlias blackened, and most probably killed, are a 

 few of the results. I observed some time ago an article in the ' Globe ' 

 anent the late winter, and quoting from the ' Journal of Forestry ' 

 some remarks of a correspondent of that journal, writing from Murthly 

 Castle, giving accounts of sad havoc there — " the Araucaria imbricata 

 being frosted down like a Geranium," — the article goes on to say that, 

 with one or two more such seasons, the " Rhododendron would become 

 comparatively scarce with us." This I think erroneous, as I have 

 always hitherto found the Rhododendron one of our hardiest ever- 

 greens — much more so than any of the Laurels — and would, in making 

 new shrubberies, give a more decided preference to the Rhododendron. 

 Here, while we have had Laurels killed down to the ground, that 

 plant has stood quite uninjured, and at present clumps of it are in 

 full bloom. But on the whole, has the proverbial oldest inhabitant, 

 or any man living, any recollection of such a prolonged and severe 

 winter '? I am inclined to believe not, and that the late Mr M'Nab's 

 theories in regard to the climatal changes in this country are likely to 

 be borne out. Robert Stevens. 



Paston, Northumberland. 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



June 14th. 



New plants, Pyrethrum blooms, with several miscellaneous groups of Orchids 

 and other plants, constituted the chief features of this meeting, and visitors 

 found sufficient to interest them both in the Council-room and conservatory. 



Fruit Committee — Harry Veitch, Esq., in the chair. Exhibits in this 

 department were not very numerous. Mr R. Gilbert, The Gardens, Burghley, 

 sent a Melon named Burghley Pet, a green -flesh fruit, of moderate size and 

 well netted. It was considered by the Committee a very promising variety, 

 and they expressed a desire to see it again. Fruits of a large Tomato named 

 Conservative Chief from the same exhibitor were admired, and it was recom- 

 mended to be tried at Chiswick. Some fine clusters of Gilbert's Criterion 

 Tomato were also shown, |said to be a seedling from Jackson's Favourite crossed 

 with Vick's Criterion. The fruits were small but very abundant. Mr Wood- 

 bridge, The Gardens, Syon House, Brentford, was awarded a cultural com- 

 mendation for a dish of well-ripened British Queen Strawberries. Mr Z. 

 Stevens, The Gardens, Trentham, again sent examples of Trentham Early 

 Fillbasket Tomato, and the Committee confirmed the opinion they previously 

 expressed concerning it. Messrs T. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, sent fruits 

 of an early Cherry named Guigne d'Annonay, which somewhat resembled 

 Frogmore Early. The tree was said to have been grown in an unheated 

 orchard-house. It was shown with May Duke for comparison, and a first- 



