400 



GA RDENERS MA GA ZINE 



same characteristics. Here in P. Mayi the only selection was the 



Guide to Kew Gardens.— The remarkabl 



bitine luaraiiciiouia* ncic »*j *• tuc umy acic^uuu waa v»m««w ■ remarkable success V * 



picking out of the young plants from the rest of the batch when its Goldney's work on the poetical aspects of the Royal Gardens IC* by Mlt 

 merits became obvious. Nature at one " iumo n having achieved a Derfect that accomplished lady to edit an illustrated puMp ^ hJT! \ has in ducd 



merits became obvious, Nature at one "jump" having achieved a perfect 

 form, and left the grower nothing to do but rear his prize with the tender adapted 



care it merits. 



DINNER TABLE DECORATIONS. 



that accomplished lady to edit an illustrated guide to the ' a' induco 

 adapted to the requirements of those who are hardly in a poshi^^ cspedan l 

 the more learned guide books issued by the authorities " As ^ ? " appreciat * 

 preface, " AmoDg the thousands who visit the Royal' Gardens Stated in 4e 

 _ _ , , are many who look upon them as pleasure grounds and nothin^ ^ 



In its relation to the decoration of the dinner table with flowers, public f mire and dc u Hgh , t ? ^ ^t uty ; they er W the magnified? ^ 

 taste has undergone many changes during the thirty or forty years that Zt }!SLS^L ^ ?* interest 



have elapsed since arrangements of cut flowers first obtained recognition 

 at horticultural exhibitions, and within proper limits, a continuous change 



in methods of arrangement is desirable. No one could wish to sit down ^hT^ta'nce'rf &*ReV7s .^GoMnZuT wh^w 1™ ^ 1 



tn a tahlp rlailv that <; from nnc end of the vear tn the. r>tW A^m^A :~ , > *- j ........ . V . A -\ wno na S long been 



science, is no greater than their knowledge of it," and for^te^, , M 1 

 section of the visitors the guide, which is admirable in every 2 k J* 

 compiled. In the preparation of the guide Mrs. Goldney has h*\ thl T 



to a table daily that is from one end of the year to the other decorated in 

 precisely the same way as far as the flowers available in the respective 

 seasons will permit, and therefore changes become a necessity ; but to 

 comply with the canons of taste the modifications must be kept within 

 certain limits and consequently be free from extravagances, both in the 

 matter of quantities and the selection of colours. Unfortunately for the 

 peace of mind of those who are imbued with sufficient artistic perception 

 to be able to fully appreciate taste when displayed in the arrangement of 

 cut flowers, the limits within which changes and modifications may be 

 successfully made are not .'generally observed. Fashion is proverbially 



an 



a residen 



Kew, and devoted special attention to the historical aspects of the villas 

 world-renowned gardens, and the sketch he has written of the histo 

 gardens is of special interest. The guide is illustrated by about forty T 

 reproductions chiefly of the more picturesque aspects of the gardens an^hT 

 alone are well worth the shilling charged. The publishers are Messrs. Da W 

 and Ward, 6, Farringdon Avenue, E.C. ' W 



The Production of Grapes in Almeria decreased from 1893 toi8o6 



at the rate of about 100,000 barrels per year, and from the 800,000 to 900 000 

 barrels produced for market during the years 1890-1-2-3 the quantity was reduced 

 to 562,000 barrels in 1896. In a recent report Vice-Consul Lindsay states that 



COD 



fickle, and nothing without being extravagant ; consequently the eye is when the season of lS 97 commenced it was feared that the decrease would 

 frequently offended by unpleasant contrasts, or by a superabundance or a tinue > not onI y on account of the ravages of the phylloxera, but also because duri£ 

 poverty of flowers. At one time we see the table so crowded with flowers ^ e months of Ma Y and J une a quantity of the fruit was lost through hailstorm* 

 as to suggest that it existed simply for the purpose of displaying the " 

 largest possible number of cut flowers, and to greatly interfere with 

 the comfort of the guests. At another time the table is so sparingly 

 furnished with flowers as to render it somewhat difficult to appreciate the 

 fact that an attempt had been made to decorate it. Some of the most 



remarkable tables of the latter type that have yet come under our notice 1 j « . . , . - 



were contributed to the exhibitL of the Colchester HoXultural ST * ex |^ d ^ 



SiW.v ** ™h\rh !L* ♦ ui , cncblc : n °racuituraj thus providing work for a large number of hands, as quantities of blasting powder 



a S CS ° ther fl ° ral ^ ^d in demolishing the banks of stone which cover the soil. Exportation to 



"^f^S? T^L ^T^^^ T° daSSeS ■ ^ PrOVided ** Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Bristol, and Hamburg has increased; on the other 



han^ New York, Hull, St. Petersburg, and Christiania have been less favoured, 

 doubtless due to the bad condition of the fruit, which in general was wanting in 

 firmness. The early fruit ("uva de Casto ") was sold at fair prices, and 



Fortunately, in spite of these calamities, the production increased by 96,429 

 barrels over 1896, and it now appears as if the 100,000 barrels lost yearly during 

 the period of diminution will be gained, as vines planted then are now beginni^ 

 to bear fruity In the grounds attacked by the phylloxera, the Riperia in its 

 several varieties is producing very good results, and a considerable number of 

 American vines, grafted on the native stock, are yielding fruit. Largr 



We 



dinner tables, and as each one contained a considerable number of 

 entries the tables should have produced a tasteful display, but, arranged 



on either side of the tent, they appeared to the visitor on entering to be , , r , 



little beyond a spread of white tablecloth. On a close inspection being varieties, such as Rosadas and Imperiales, have fetched from' 'i6s.'to £\ per 

 made, it could be seen that they had flowers upon them, but, with few b f- rrel (55 lbs.), prices hitherto unheard of for this class of fruil. The true ship- 

 exceptions, they were so few as to almost reach the vanishing point. ping 2 ra P e uva de embarque ") did not fetch more than from ios. to £i 55. a 



a general rule. There were a few sales at New York at fabulous rates, as much u 



table into a parterre, and we have times out of number protested against 14 do1 * ( U,S - A - currency) having been paid per barrel. The season of 1898 ii 



the use of large receptacles, and excessive crowding in any form. On ex P ec f ed to be a g°od one, as the meteorological conditions have changed, »od 



the other hand, we are strongly of the opinion that sufficient flowers therC iS CVCry reaSon t0 expect an abundant and well-conditioned harvest. 



Cytisus Adaml.— Mr. Herbert E. Brooks sent specimens of the curious 

 Cytisus Adami to the meeting of R.H.S. Scientific Committee, which originated 

 as a " graft hybrid," obtained by Mr. Adams as the result of budding C. purpurem 

 on C. Laburnum in 1825. The purple and yellow flowers are those of the two 

 species, but the brick-red is the hybrid. It was described in the Gardcntri 

 Chronicle, 1841, p. 325, 336 ; 1842, p. 397, and often subsequently. The fullest 

 account is in Braun's "Rejuvenescence," 1851 (English translation, l> ■ '■ 



should be used on dress occasions to produce a somewhat rich as well as 

 a decidedly tasteful effect. To strip the garden of flowers each time the 

 table is decorated is as unnecessary as it is undesirable ; but something 

 more than a small handful of flowers and foliage is required to justify an 

 eight feet table being regarded as " tastefully arranged." 



The Rose Number of the Gardeners' Magazine will be published on 



July 9, and be rich in matters of interest to rosarians. In its preparation we have 

 been fortunate in obtaining the co-operation of the Rev. J. H. Pemberton, Mr. E. 

 Mawley, Dr. Shackleton, Mr. A. W. Paul, the Rev. G. E. J eans, Mr. W. F. 

 Cooling, Mr. C. J. Grahame, Mr. G. L. Paul, Mr. J. T. Simpson, Mr. G. Mount, 

 Mr. W. J. Tutcher, Mr. G. H. Mackereth, and other rosarians. The issue will 

 be fully illustrated in black and white, and with it will be presented a finely- 

 executed coloured plate of the beautiful new China rose r>ueen Mab. As in pre- 

 vious years, there will be no increase in the price of our Rose Number, and those of 

 our readers who desire extra copies should, to avoid disappointment, advise their 

 newsagents well in advance of the date of publication. 



Plant Diseases.— At the recent meeting of R.H.S. Scientific Committee, 

 Mr. Worthington G. Smith reported as follows on the specimens that had been 

 submitted to him : From a further specimen of palania disease I have confirmed 

 my previous opinion. The latest specimen sent bore the fructification of a fungus 

 which I hope to have identified. The diseased tissues contain abundant mycelium, 

 and the starting point for attack was from last year's old wood. I shall be glad 

 to communicate further results later. From the material sent by Mr. Caddy it 

 was dimcult to say really what was the cause of the begonia disease. One or 

 more fungi were easily developed on the withering leaves, but whether these were 

 saprophytic on the dying tissue or were the cause of trouble, it is not safe to say. 

 Kegomas of this class are so liable to wither at the margins (from draughts, &c ) 

 and are so unsuitable for transit to a distance, that accurate observation can only 



ozcur m A*Ar,„ Th -- re f taioz *ia funerea, Desm., a fungus well known to 



lecture 



At th* c««^ ^T^i " ~ The life-histoiy is, however, im Derfect 



disease is known to be verv mmm™ on 



Professor Morren's paper in the Belgiqtte Hortuok, 1871 ; and a su 

 the whole subject is given in Darwin's " Variation of Animals and Plants, vol. U 

 2 (1875), P- 413. 



Destruction of Crops near Railways.— At the recent annual meeoo| 



of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture an animated discuss* 

 took place upon the question of crop destruction by sparks from railway engines- 

 Mr. Lipscombe, of Yorkshire, pointed out that formerly a farmer whose crops were 

 injured by sparks from railway engines had a claim against the railway company 5 

 now, however, even if all his crops were spoiled by this means he could claim no 

 compensation unless negligence on the part of thelengine drivers could be prov fc 

 It was decided that the matter should be brought under consideration at the nen 

 business meeting. 



The Rev. Professor G. Henslow, M.A., - . M 



at the Drill Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday, June 28, in connexion witn "« 

 usual fortnightly R.H.S. meeting. The lecture will be rather in ****** * 

 demonstration, and Professor Henslow will deal with some of the most intere* . 1 

 plants exhibited. We may again remind our readers that the R.H.S. R°- c * 

 which was to have been held on June 28, has been postponed until July 12. 



A Botanical Station in Mexico would prove most valuable : ^ 

 botanists and horticulturists. Such a station Professor J. W. H arsht *' pr ' Ik 

 Philadelphia, is doing his best to persuade the authorities to institute, 

 suggests Las Canoas as a good locality, for it is 3.500 feet above • 

 situated in a beautiful valley, plentifully supplied with pure water, ^ dsu "^ 

 by a luxuriant tropical flora that is as varied as it is beautiful. It jj **** 

 that the establishment of such a station would incur no great expense, 

 adjacent virgin forest would supply abundant material for botanical work 



sugg 



IB 



to come. 



■ Plants, the silvery appearance 

 underlying tissue. Tht 



National Chrysanthemum Society.-The annual excursion 



■ 



- « ~. prooaouuy aUrib , , 6 « very fatal, both indoors and out, and 



which has not yet Wen ascert a ^ growth of a fun g us » ^ nature of 

 from the effect of the <u„ Some a PP le Ieaves in jured by frost or scald 



5n,mn S °n a damp surface were also sent. 



program* 



~ ~-"/~«i<.iicmuni society win ratce piatc uu j — / --" . u ^ ±t 



so far as arranged comprises a visit to Harwich, travelling there and m ^ 

 Great Eastern Railway, and a water trip from Harwich along tn s P« ^ 

 river Orwell to Ipswich and back. Arrangements have been made wi ^ 

 way company for the conveyance of the members of the party by rau ^ 

 and for providing dinner and tea at the company's hotel at Harwicn « 



