108 Obituary. 



early part of this month, broccolis have suffered materially, so that a short 

 supply may be expected during the spring. Coleworts and savoys are getting 

 scarce, and will necessarily command good prices. We have had considerable 

 quantities of drumhead cabbages brought from Essex, which have proved 

 acceptable to the dealers during the prevailing scarcity of the finer and better 

 varieties. Turnips are still furnished in moderate quantities ; so that the 

 prices, as yet, have not offered a sufficient inducement to the far-off growers 

 to send supplies, which might be obtained readily by water, did not the absurd 

 objection still prevail against having this valuable vegetable sent in baskets or 

 sacks, with the green part cut off. Carrots are still moderately plentiful, and in 

 good demand. Little doubt can exist but that all the varieties of vegetable 

 will become scarcer and dearer during the next two months. 



It has been from time to time reported, that, in consequence of the long 

 prevailing drought during the preceding summer, all kinds of vegetables are so 

 scarce and dear in the London markets, as to induce a considerable importation 

 of the more general articles, such as turnips, cabbages, &c., from Holland, by 

 steam. I have made some enquiry on the subject, and can safel}' say, that 

 nothing of the sort has taken place as regards this market, not an article of the 

 sort having as yet been introduced. That, in cases of shortness of crop in future, 

 we shall be amply supplied from more distant parts of the country by steam 

 communication, I have not the least doubt ; but, except carrots and onions 

 from Bedfordshire, we have as yet but little furnished beyond the distance of 

 twelve or fifteen miles ; and that for heavy articles, such as turnips, &c., is a 

 material addition to the expenses of preparing and bringing to market. 



The supply of apples continues to be good, although partially interrupted by 

 frost, which at all times prevents the grower's sending any quantities. It is 

 generally understood that the stock on hand is considerable, and will be sent 

 steadily to market as soon as the weather is settled and steady. Of pears we 

 have at present but few varieties offered, and those in very inconsiderable 

 quantities. The gardeners about London have, for some time past, turned 

 their attention to the culture of the new and improved varieties ; so that we 

 may, in a few years, expect a much better and more general supply. Oranges 

 are abundant, and at very moderate prices. Foreign nuts are not so plentiful 

 as usual. We have still a considerable quantity of last year's crop of filberts, 

 and some walnuts, on hand, which are now out of season, and comparatively 

 unsaleable. — G. C. January 23. 1836. 



Art. VI. Obituary. 



DiKD on December 3L 1835, in St. Clement's, Oxford, in the 87th year 

 of his age, Charles Williamson, for more than forty years one of the under- 

 gardeners in the Botanic Garden in that university. He was a native of 

 Aberdeen, in Scotland ; in which country he served his apprenticeship to a gar- 

 dener. Shortly after he was out of his time he came to England ; and, on his 

 first arrival in this country, he worked in some of the nursery gardens near 

 London. He was afterwards gardener to Admiral Bowyer, at his seat near 

 Harley Green, Oxfordshire ; and, on his leaving there, he was employed in the 

 Royal Gardens at Windsor. He afterwards went to Oxford, where, after work- 

 ing for some time for Mr. John Madox, gardener, at Christ Church, he 

 got into the Botanic Garden, sometime about 1790, where he continued till 

 within about three years of his death. — W. B. Bot. Gard., Oxford, January 

 18. 1836. 



