520 
THE GARDENERY 
CHRONICLE. 
[Juny. 29, 
markets looked crippled, the blossoms neither opened 
freely nor emitted their usual odour; Strawberries and 
Raspberries are without flavour, and later crops present 
unfavourable appearances ; a bad season is certain. The 
primary cause of all this is, no doubt, the severe weather 
which visited us in the middle of April, when for three 
successive nights the thermometer stood at 24°, 22°, and 
26°, of Fahr.; this destroyed all the young Vines, just 
then coming into full leaf, as well as most of the Peaches, 
Apricots, Nectarines, Almonds, Walnuts, and Pears; and 
the subsequent cold and rain have completed the disaster. 
Even so late as the 30th of June a white frost was per- 
ceptible in many places round Paris. All this will be 
severely felt in a country like France, where the Vineyards 
are one of the chief sources of wealth, and fruit (together 
with bread) almost the sole subsistence of the labouring 
classes during the summer and autumn. On the 13th 
July, 1842, I cut ripe Grapes from a south wall, to send 
to a friend in England ; on the same day this year they 
were just coming into blossom. The bunches are large 
and numerous, but the greater part of the buds are evi- 
dently chilled, and fall off upon the least touch. The 
open ground Vines in this neighbourhood are not even in 
bloom, and anything like a crop from one or the other is 
quite out of the question, except we should be favoured 
with a long and hot autumn. The poor fruit-growers of 
Montreuil, Bagnolet, Charonne, and the neighbouring 
hamlets, will be nearly ruined; there is not sufficient 
fruit to pay the expense of training, You may walk along 
entire walls without seeing scarcely a Peach or Nectarine ; 
unfortunately, there is not only a season’s fruit lost, but 
the trees are everywhere in an unhealthy condition, the 
branches covered with gum, and appearing as if struck by 
lightning. Apricots, Plums, and Pears have not suffered 
to the same extent, but there is nothing like an average 
crop, and in exposed situations you see no fruit at all. 
Walnuts will be very scarce. Cherries are selling at from 
3d. to 6d. per lb.; English Blackhearts and Montmo- 
rencies readily fetch this, or even more; last year they 
were from 2d. to 4d. The Cider crop has also suffered. 
I have examined whole rows of trees without seeing a 
single Apple; I speak of those near and within 16 or 2 
miles of Paris; but I understand the same may be said 
both of Normandy and Picardy. As to Agricultural 
prospects, I cannot pretend to give an opinion: but I 
would remark, en passant, that the corn-fields looked in 
good condition last month. During the last fortnight, 
however, the Wheat has been much laid by the heavy 
rains. Haymaking is not yet finished. Most black 
clouds have, however, a silver border; and so, in this 
instance, there is a small contra-balance in the unusual 
abundance of all kinds of vegetables. New Potatoes 
have never been known so fine, nor Peas so cheap ; 40 to 50 
sous (1s. 6d. to 2s.) a sack has been the market price, and 
this cannot pay the expense of gathering. The retail price 
of fine young Marlies (a kind of marrowfat) shelled, is at 
this time only threehalfpence a litre, or English quart ; 
Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Artichokes, and, in fact, all Vege- 
tables, are equally abundant. I may almost say the same 
of Currants. I now turn to Floriculture, and while still 
upon the bright side, would remark that the Roses have 
been splendid. I have resided in, or been in the habit of 
visiting, France for the last fifteen years, but never remem- 
ber to have seen the blooms so large or perfect before. 
In ordinary seasons the petals are either burnt or drop in 
aday ortwo. It has not been so this year; they have 
had full time to expand ; and Gallicas, Centfeuilles, Moss, 
&c., with their hybrids, have been literally covered with 
flowers for two months. The China, Bourbon, and 
Hybrids, are also now in great perfection, and remind me 
of the noble blooms I have so often admired in England, 
when visiting the collections of Messrs. Rivers, Hooker, 
Wood, Lane, or Paul ; for however fragrant the Rose may 
be in France, and more southern districts, it is in eight 
seasons out of ten larger and more perfect to the eye in 
England, Holland, and Belgium. Greenhouse plants have 
not done well; the cold nights in May and June (fre- 
quently as low as 42 and 44 deg. Fahr.) seriously checked 
the Pelargoniums, which have not been more than two- 
thirds of their usual size; moreover, oftentimes ill-formed 
and quite out of character. A kind of thrips has also com- 
mitted almost as great havoc as the green-fly ; it has also 
attacked Calceolarias and many other plants. Annuals 
have been a decided failure, no doubt from the torrents of 
rain. The sudden changes have been no less extraor- 
dinary ; yesterday the thermometer was at 82 deg, Fahr. 
in the shade, to-day it is at 50 deg.; and last week the 
fluctuations were even greater: in fact, we might almost 
suppose ourselves to be in the month of September rather 
than July. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
been very aie. to me, and this j is ni 
bring it into notice. I do so now in consequence of havin, Ae read 
the report of the spe ea ag f the Council of the 21st of June, 
in which it is stated that Mr. nant the rts aate Sem 
sioner from the United ea, Hellen 
Silk- cotton, as C 
upon the estate oF ae Earl Manvers, at Edwinstowe. With the 
fam ce 
inclined to think it a pure specimen of the one described by M 
Colman. I regret I did not attend to it sooner, as I then meni 
have been enabled to procure some Cotton in a better state, as 
well as finer foot-stalks, with the capsules more perfect. The 
seed is about twice the size of the germen in Wheat; some will 
be found amongst the wool; I think they are emitted immediately 
on the opening of the capsules, It is desirable that an effort 
should be made to grow Cotton in this country, if only for the 
purpose of making down pillows.’’? Mr. Cherry’s paper on prizes 
for horses was referred, with several others, to the Journal Com- 
mittee. rquess of Downshire presented a specimen of 
Irish Flax of the growth of 1843, from a field, averaging 33 feet in 
height. Mr. Dean submitted plans prepared by his son, Mr. Alex, 
Dean (civil engineer to the Haarlem Drainage Commissioners), of 
his proposed drainage ¢f the Metropolis. Mr. Shaw exhibited 
paintings of a boar and nd ES BEDE to Mr. Nutt, of f York; and 
r. Easton transmitted 1 specimen of an unknown plant, which 
had yielded him a Tuxentine ‘Op. 
July 10.—At a Coutieilbeldte at Derby, the Bua Richmond in 
sen tteen vere elected Mem 
9. ess of Downshire in ale ‘chair, 20 gentle- 
men were eleceeuutcuiee Ss. Mr. Denison, M.P., stated the great 
disappointment he had experienced in atte 
were, nevertheless, well-grown specimens of Achimenes longi- 
flora, several Gloxinias, Statice mucronata, sinuata, and pseudo- 
arméria. The second prize in this class (large Silver Medal) was. 
awarded to Mr. Halley, who Bastia ee plants of Fuchsia 
Iveryana, Cormackii eRe ay Statice 
arborea, blooming freely ; ximia and tricolor elegans, 
peautifolly flowered ; and Lilium eximium. In Mr. Fairbairn’s 
collection, which received the mide lle Silver Medal, were pretty 
br 
of L. Thunbergton um, For Heaths the large Silver Medal was 
awarded to Mr. Jackson, for an extremely mie specimen of 
Erica jubata, and well- grown ae of E. allicea major, 
iflo: flesh- erate Scene} Jack- 
soni, tricolor élegans, v asinine iaibs, and a seed- 
ling from Sei of Clapham, received the 
Meeting, at not finding on the Implements exhibitedi in ute show- 
yard, such information as would lead the the public 
at large to profit by the decision of the Judges, and be enabled 
o draw just conclusions on the comparative merits of imple~ 
stated that he had 
gone to the meeting wita tw of his anes) and an imple- 
ment-maker of the village, the great object of the party being 
to select such implements as appeared best suited to their land, 
They found ce splendid tow of implements, but hardly any 
assistance from the Judges to guide them in their purposed se- 
lection ; and even in eases where prizes were awarded no expla- 
nation was given of the grounds of the award; and thus the 
journey of the party, as far as its main object was concerned, 
proved entirely fruitless, Mr. Denison then applied to parties 
whom a thought most capable of giving him advice in the 
choice of two or three of the most important implements he 
ee % purchase, but he found to his forte r perplexity iat 
different i nsider ng that i 
actory to é 
aj ust decision, 
and that while the Society invites competition ead expends its 
money in awarding prizes, the ep Bale provide that money 
have a right to be put in possession of the results, carefully 
examined and deliberately judged, he iiought ita great reproach 
to the Society that the omission had occurred. He would venture 
to suggest that a much larger number of Judges should be ap- 
pointed, that their labours should We Auden ortesee of them 
for ploughs, another for drills, another for threshing-machines 
and chaff-cutters, and so on. thought that in this way 
something really useful might be done, and decisions of some 
value obtained. The noble chairman thanked Mr. Denison for 
the statement ; and so desirous were the Council to remove every 
just cause of complaint, that he would himself second any motion 
which Mr, Denison would propose. The latter gentleman then 
gave notice that he would move, at the next monthly council, 
“That at uae country meetings, on or before the morning on 
which the show of implements is opened to the public, the award 
of the aie vatoaldl be known, with all necessary information 
to pence the public in the selection and purchase of implements.” 
haw gave notice that he should move, ‘ That a committee 
of three persons, to consist of one member of the council, one 
practical farmer of the district, and one implement manufac! turer, 
be appointed to take land, get it prepared, and make the neces- 
sary pe eerens for the trial of implements at the Sonth. 
ampton meeting: That the trial of implements shall take place 
in the week heen the meeting, and that an exhibition of 
implements at work, and not a trial of their merits, shall take 
place on some day during the meetin that the number 
of Judges of implements be increased, and that there be 
or more practical farmers among them: That it be 
imperative on every exhibitor of an implement for a prize, 
to state to the best of his ability the name of the inventor 
(if known), the time when invented, the particular points of 
or improvement (if the claim be a improvement), and in 
what district it has been and is used.”” . Owen having been 
informed ae the Council were desirous of transmitting to the 
Royal Aca y of Sciences at Munich, replies to various inqui- 
ries made By tat learned body on the subject of the Alpaca, 
undertook ee obtain the reqnised information ; in the meantime 
he inclosed 5) e four varieties of wool, of the value 
of which ro Had long Seah apres with a favourable opinion. 
He feared that the humidity of our mountain districts would pre- 
vent the pers of wool of the same beautiful quality as that 
developed in the Andes, if even the Alpacas could stand the 
climate; but he thought the experiment would be worth the 
trial. Mr. Beman communicated the mode of his trial of different 
varieties of Wheat; Mr. Bennett, his remarks on the advantages 
of the Tweeddale tile machine; the Rev. T. J. Powell, his mode 
of registering (as an Honorary Distributor), the distribution of 
the Society’s Journal; and Mr. Baker, a communication on 
aia! tio aly whieh were referred to the Journal Com- 
ittee, Mr. Pusey, M.P., transmitted specimens of pipe-tiles a 
draining tools; and Messrs. Robertson, specimens of their n 
grated pipes for drains. A e collection of specimens “Of 
plants and minerals was received from Dr. Daubeny, from Spain, 
and was ordered to be reserved for the Monthly Council. 
ROYAL SOUTH LONDON FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 25,—The fourth meeting for the present season was held 
in the Surrey Zoological Gardens. The weather was favourable 
for the occasion, and the exhibition, so far as flowers were con- 
cerned, surpassed anything of the kind which we have hitherto 
een in this place. The miscellaneous collections of plants 
exhibited by amateurs were deficient; but those brought by 
gentlemen’s gardeners and nurserymen were highly creditable. 
In the Spee ae the first ea alarge Silver Medal, was 
awarded t wiley, whose collection comprised Hoya car- 
a, figwerine 1 great luxuriance; a fair specimen of Thun- 
bérgia alata ; Clethra arborea, with neat white bell-shaped flowers, 
particularly fine; Jasminum gracile, and Lantana soul eae, Inthe 
collection of Mr. Cox, of Stockwell, there was also a fine plant 
of Clethra arborea ; the delicate Campanula pimila ibe a fair 
specimen n of Achimenes longiflora; a well-bloomed Calceolaria, 
like Standishii, and Colimige splendens : for these a Middle 
Sues Medal was awarded. Amongst gentlemen’s gardeners, 
. Bruce, gr. to By Miller, Esq., obtained the Gold Medal; his 
toileoncns contained particularly’ handsome specimens of Achi- 
menes résea and longiflora ; Leschenatltia formosa, quite 
cealing the pot, and Toaded ‘with bloom ; a small plant of S e 
rea ; Aphelexis hrina crista 
galli, very vigorous: Eri mpullicea, beautifully bloomed ; 
a good plant of Phymatanthus toot, with several pretty Ericas. 
collection were ‘Tflium Thun’ 
Mirbélia undulata, with prickly leaves and light purple BAR 
Achimenes longifiora, blooming free! 
fine ; Manréndya Barclay: as 
ar horizontal trellis ; Siphocampylus 
petulefdlius, in asteilent health; with Lilium eximium, Erica 
Boweiana, &c. Sie third mie (middle Silver Medal) was awarded 
to Mr. Wilson, gr. to — Gilliat, Esq., of Clapham Park, whose 
collection eoraten a Teele plant of Allamanda cathdrtica, 
not more than two feet high, yet having eight branches, 
each bearing at the tip several of its gorgeous trumpet- 
shaped flowers; Erica reflexa and’ Massoni, well blo omed, 
but slightly on the decline; a pr specimen of E. Savil- 
leana; one marked M‘Nab’s seedling, and EB. Aitoniana, in 
fine health, but not fully in bloom, Mr. Hamp, gr. to Jas. 
Thorne, Esq., South Renter ‘yeceived the fourth prize 
(small Silver Medal); he exhibited Campanula fragilis, trained 
ona smal upright ‘eli and having a pretty effect; a fine spe- 
cimen of Gesnera splendens; a small plant of Besléria eve 
and aeveral good Fuchsias. Small collections, from Mr. Bra 
and Mr. Beurades, were also recommended for a prize. Mi P 
Jackson, of ton, amongst nurserymen, obtained the Gold 
gs 
Medal, the principal plants in his collection being Heaths; there 
Medal for small but ve ry. compac ft and well- bloomed 
plants of Tries Savilleana, empul ana, Hartnelli, 
obbata umbellata, eximia, ont, ampullécea sabes jasmini- 
flora alba, and several varieties of tricolor. Mr. Catleugh, of 
Chelsea, exhibited the only Gouleaeiors of Pelargoninms; they 
were exceedingly well ne and obtained the large Silver 
Medal; consisting of Bea 
Priory Queen, Selina, Nene rat 
Madonna, Lord Mayor, and Victory. A 
scarlet Palargoniani compactum was brought by Mr. Baile, of 
Hammersmith. ; Uraee received the middle Silver Medal for 
a collection of Facts jas; amongst them were fine plants of the 
old formosa élegans and globosa major. Mr. Cotlen es canst F. 
arbérea, Lanei, splendens, Stewartii, sanguinea, Dalstor or: 
Devonia, insignis, magnifica, Una, and ackii, beautifully 
bloomed; but a prize was not awarded in this « bert Mr. Gaines 
also senta good collection, containing Loudoni,magnifica, grandis, 
Gem, aurantia, ful rens, multiflora, ilicifélia (v een enus: 
victrix, Couperi, Meteor, pay fulgens globosa, Iveryana, 
Salter’s splendens, Lanei, The iste Silver Medal 
was awarded to Mr. Cc only of Acre-lane, Brixton, for a fozen 
dwarf and well-grown Cockscombs. Mr. Doran, gr. 
exhibited another creditable collectior pron the 
0 12 healthy Balsams, for which the 
Iver Medal was even, Messrs, Paul & Son, of Cheshunt, 
oiieel the large Silver Medal for a very beautiful collection of 
cut Roses. Of the prizes given to gentlemen’s Gardeners for 
collections of Rose-blooms, ee middle Silver Medal was awarded 
to Mr. Parsons, of Enfiel 1d, nd the small Silver to Mr. Mason, 
Of the extra pr ee given ie ‘Mr. BEA; for the best 12 single 
pais of Rose-blooms, the firs 
A. Mathews, for Heureuse Surp 
ace de Flore, Coupe d’Hebe, Boula Nae oNantondy Queen of 
the Bourbons, William Jesse, Common Moss, pacing Hardy, 
La Séduisante, Great BaD and Due de Bassano—and the 
second to Mr. Young. jongst miscellaneo 
cimens, Mr. Cox oll the large and middle Silver Medals 
for Oncidium bifélium, and Cyenoches chlorochilum. The 
smali Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. Jackson, for a beau- 
tifully-bloomed plant of Erica Savilleana. Of Amateurs, Mr- 
Bragg received the middle Silver, and Mr, Cox the small Silver 
Medal for cut Flowers. A small Silver was likewise awarded to 
Mr. Townley, for the same. Mr. Bruce and Mr. Parsons obtained 
the first and second prizes, amongst gentlemen’s Gardeners ; and 
Messrs. Fairbairn and R. J. Chapman, the first and second 
amongst Nurserymen, for col ut Flowers. Extra 
prizes were given to W. T. Fliff, yt air Mr. Bragg, for the 
same. Mr. Garty, of CAINE likewise received a middle 
Silver Medal for Cut Flo The first sais one Pansies was 
awarded to Mr. Edmonds, ahd the rls to oung. Mr- 
Henbrey also obtained a prize for t tes re good collection. 
of Verbenas was exhibited by vith Gallene h, ann several 
Ericas by Mr. Dawson, of Brixton Hill. The Gold Medal was 
awarded to Mr. Newhall, amongst Amateurs, for his collection 
of Carnations, consisting of Willmer’s Conquering Buea Brook’s 
Flora’ ‘Ss Saale Franklin ‘Ss wae Brault Puxley’s 
Headley’ S. “winlan 
i=] 
ele spe- 
tender, Mansley’s Beeety: fot Wood use, and Don John, Mr. 
Dowler receives at the second, and Mr. Wild 
the same. For the Deer eerie ground Picotees, the Gold Medal 
was awarded to Mr. , who exhibited beautiful blooms of 
Orson’s Ad elaide, “Antealeg?s Sanspareil, Wain’s Victoria, 
Musson’s Charlotte, Wilson’s Prince Royal, Barraud’s Bride, 
eee Superb, Miss Desborough, Purple Perfection, Nulli 
mdus, Barraud’s Borderer, and Brinkler’s Hope New: 
hall received the large Silver Medal for Willmer’s ‘Miss Brown, 
Brook’s Miss B isa), ah ee eri cel Garret’s Lady 
ue 
23 
ES 
g 
2 
ae 
aes 
uy 
a 
Cilsk's rathees Victoria, 
Burrup, and the fourth to Mr. Alleway. 
(middle Silver Medal) given by J. S. 
white-ground Picotees, was won by G. E 
Jessup’s Sir W. Middleton, Wain’s Victc 
Sharpe’s Jnvincible, Barraud’s Bride, 
Barrand’s Borderer, Willm 
Purple Perfection, Nulli ae 
Rilve r Cup, value 5 guineas, Cree Be Mi 
mateurs, for ae ed Nat TroUM Yood’s Mr: 
the Rey ith MeaitieOtele »s Gynth ia Wao eee 
Veksey “Mathews’s Tealipees Dickson's Trip to en's SHB TED 
love’s Favonriie, Giddens’s Vespasian, eeuaes 
Peel, Brinkler’s Lady Althorpe, a 
Brinkler’s Lady Chesterfield, 
Prince Albert. The first prize amongst & 
il 
a os nfasverbiede; John’s 
entlemen’s Gardeners 
ar. h 
pe ‘obta med, by Welsh, 
{cen ites proud tea ae Dickson's Trip to Cambridge, 
a i G5, dy Flower, Sharp 
Wain’s Victoria, Woollet’s Prince, 
Invincible, Orson’s Adelaide, § Sylph, Sir Re 
secundus, Heath’s Superb, Gidden’s Sit i; Ace. 
Perfection. ‘The 2nd prize was gained by Mr. Smith. ‘hy ar. 
ns wel A “4 
a asl sabes Ries or hapa ‘ongst Nurserymen, Mr. Norman 
; ‘ abe 
i st prize for white-ground Picotee: h Barnard’s 
Ledeibacte cree Ob for Victoria, Twitchett? osamond, 
Musson’s Charlotte, Sharpe's Invincible, Willmer’s Agnes, 
Beatle iiss Jane, Fellowes’s Purpurea clegans, Garret’s 
Lady. Dacre, Biinkler's Fordetenbiedel ad 's Prince Albert, and 
Habe aeier i warded to Mr. Franklin, 
of the City Road, gene the srd to Mr. PHuphes, Mr. Norman also 
stood first 
Lord Milton, Jones's Brilliant, P cue 
Bie ber' Mansley’s Beauty of nouse, Headley 
ieee Bly's John, Wright, Twitehett’s Don Jon, 
ig Rainbow, Ely’s Lady Ely, and Duke of Bedford. 
seedling Carnations, ‘single bloom, 4h to 
e rize was awarded to Mr, 
the second to Mr. Franklin, and the third ie ie Senoder 
for a seedling white | bea Picotee, 
and 
*Clar 
on 
Beye Robert Bui s of ‘ies same 
Barnard, Esq., fe “tHe nA ab BME and heavy-¢ 
won, the former by Mr. Eran and the latter Poy 
with Sharp's Wellington. The Silver, Medal. offered by Wont: 
Bi, Esq. Plants, W: 
awarded to Mr. Ride. 
