804 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 17, 1884. 
them on that point; but I do not observe them advising their readers 
to be careful in taking all out when done with. Decayed sticks, leaves, 
and Beech nuts are very liable to introduce fungus when buried in the 
soil. In two vineries here it was a practice to bring in leaves for heating 
material, but for some cause or other the gardener then in charge, 
instead of clearing them all out again, spread them on the border and 
covered them with 9 inches depth of fresh loam. The result was when I 
examined the borders last December I found the layer of leaves a mass 
of fungus, and we had to open all the ventilators to let the foul air 
out, as it was unbearable to breathe, so that I should strongly advise 
persons never to dig leaves in Vine borders.— Geo. Murray, The Gardens, 
West Ashly Manor. 
International Health Exhibition, London, 1884. — His 
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., has consented to open 
this Exhibition on behalf of the President, His Royal Highness the 
Prince of Wales, on Thursday, the 8th of May, at noon. 
- As an example of the rapidly increasing demand for Daffodils 
and their relatives, it may be noted that one grower has within a few 
days lately sent to market no less a number of the Poet’s Narciss 
than one hundred dozen bunches, each of which contained twelve 
flowers, or a total of 14,400 flowers. The variety ornatus is most in 
demand, and at the conclusion of the recent Crystal Palace Show 
comparatively small bunches were eagerly purchased at 9 d. or Is. each, 
- Mr. J. Douglas informs us that in one of Mr. Sweet’s 
vineries at Leyton is a remarkable example of the manner in which 
scions sometimes affect stocks in the case of a Geos Colman Vine 
grafted on A Black Hamburgh. The scion has made good 
growth, but about a foot below the union a strong shoot appeared, 
which Mr. Douglas states is indubitably of the Gros Colman character. 
- A striking proof of the force of the gales in December and 
January last was afforded at the annual sale of timber on the 
Clumber Park and Worksop Manor estates of the Duke of Newcastle. 
The catalogue included 2613 trees which had been uprooted in Clumber 
Park, and 673 trees and 159 poles blown down in Woiksop Manor. 
Among these were between COO and 700 Oaks, many of noble dimen¬ 
sions. No previous storm has ever proved so destructive in the district. 
- By some mistake a passage was inserted in Mr. Mangles’ 
description of Rhododendron Fortunei at page 270 for which he is not 
responsible. It is stated that the flower of this species is superior to 
that of R. Griffithianum, whereas his opinion is exactly the reverse. 
- Mr. W. W. Brown, late head gardener to Frederick Priest- 
man, Esq., Elleron Lodge, Pickering, has become the tenant of the 
old-established nurseries at Whitby, Yorkshire, lately occupied by 
Mr. H. K. Williamson, and which will be carried on under the 
style or firm of “ W. W. Brown & Cc., Nurserymen and Seedsmen.’’ 
- The Lambeth Amateur Chrysanthemum Society will 
hold their tenth annual Exhibition in the Hawkstone Hall, West¬ 
minster Road, on November 11th and 12th of the present year. The 
schedule enumerates similar classes to those of previous years, and 
all exhibits except those from honorary members must be grown within 
a radius of a mile and a half of the Elephant and Castle. 
- The Gardeners' Magazine remarks that they have been 
“honoured with an official invitation to a meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society at the Linnean Society’s rooms on Tuesday, 
May the 8tb,” but that the subject of discussion and year when the 
meeting is to take place are not named. This is certainly a little 
mysterious, as we are not aware that any such meetings have been 
projected by the Royal Horticultural Society this year. 
- A Kentish correspondent writes :—“ As an instance of the 
PAST mild winter we have a Camellia in bloom out of doors. I do 
not know the variety ; the bloom is white striped with red. It is 
growing in a sheltered niche against the west side of the mansion. 
Strawberries are in bloom, and also a large plant of Souvenir de la 
Malmaison Rose growing on the same aspect as the Camellia. 
- In many gardens the profusely flowering Magnolia consficua 
is now in handsome condition, but some of the best specimens we have seen- 
this season are at Leigham Court, Streatham. They are growing against 
a wall with a southerly aspect, and the branches have been crowded with 
snowy flowers for some time. For early spring flowering this tree is 
unequalled, and it might be advantageously planted much more exten¬ 
sively anywhere in the south of England. 
- In the same garden is an extremely pretty COOL FERNERY,.. 
which for naturalness of arrangement and the healthy appearance of the- 
plants could not be surpassed. It is of moderate size, span-roofed, with 
a northern aspect, the walls being 8 or 9 feet high, and the length 
perhaps 50 or 60 feet. No attempt is made at elaborate rockwork 
design, but a few large blocks of tufa or sandstone are employed, the 
path rising by a few steps to the centre, where there is a small pooh- 
crossed by a stone bridge, a waterfall at the back imparting a pleasing 
diversity to the scene. The walls are covered with a. dense growth of 
Ficus repens, the lower stones being overgrown with Selaginellas, larger 
specimens of Adiantums, Aspleniums, Dicksonias, &c. Occupying suit¬ 
able nooks or prominent positions Dicksonia squarrosa is particularly 
handsome, its rich green fronds being very strong ; while on the back 
wall Begonias of the Rex type and Nephrolepis succeed most satisfactorily. 
All indeed are in admirable condition, and, like every other department 
of this establishment, afford the best evidence of the attention they 
receive from the experienced and energetic gardener Mr. E. Butts. 
- The value of Gardenia Florida is widely recognised in 
gardens, but we have never seen a better example of what excellent 
results can be obtained in a comparatively small space than that afforded 
by a house under the charge of Mr. Howe at Park Hill, Streatham 
Common. There, a division of a range.of span-roof pits, about 12 feet 
square, with a central path, and a bed on each side, is devoted to 
Gardenias, which are planted out, and evidently succeed as well as could 
be wished. Flowers were cut the first week in March, and the supply 
will be continued through the greater part of the summer ; at the present 
time the compact sturdy bushes are loaded with buds and flowers of 
inestimable value. The chief aim is to have a succession of young plants,, 
as the old specimens are found to be less satisfactory than more youthful 
vigorous plants, as with liberal supplies of water and a good temperature 
no difflculty is experienced in obtaining abundance of well-formed 
exquisitely fragrant blooms. 
- The Bath and West of England Society announce that 
their meeting for the present year will take place at Maidstone on 
June 2nd, when the following prizes will be given for horticultural pro¬ 
ductions. Two silver cups will be given for Orchids—viz., a £10 cup or 
money for the best group, and a £5 cup or money for the best specimen. 
Two cups or money will also be given for vegetables and fruit—viz., a 
£5 cup or money for the best collection of vegetables, and a similar- 
prize for the best collection of fruits. This portion of the Exhibition i» 
as usual under the superintendence of the Steward, the Hon. and Rev. 
J. T. Boscawen, Lamorran, Probus, Cornwall. 
- With much regret we have to announce the death of Mr 
James Aticins of Painswick on the 2nd inst. at the good old age of 82. 
Forty years ago Mr. Atkins was a prosperous nurseryman at Northamp¬ 
ton, and retired to Painswick in Gloucestershire, where in private life 
he cultivated for pleasure the plants which he most loved. These were 
principally what are called herbaceous plants and alpines. His name 
will be perpetuated by the pretty little Cyclamen Atkinsi, which he- 
raised from seed. 
- Mr. William PAUL has sent us from his Waltham Cross 
nursery a box of blooms of the Cloth of Gold Rose. Anything more 
charmingly beautiful than such flowers as these, relieved by the dark 
green foliage that this Rose produces, it is difficult to imagine. Though 
lacking the rich golden colour of the Mar6chal Niel they are not less 
attractive, the primrose deepening to yellow having a most pleasing 
effect, while the expanding blooms are faultless in form. 
- Much surprise was expressed at Kensington last week that 
the Floral Committee omitted to certificate the beautiful Amaryllis 
Adelina Patti shown by Messrs. J. Veitch. This is undoubtedly one- 
of the most distinct in colouring that has yet been obtained, and at 
the present time the only scope for Amaryllis improvers is in increasing 
