60 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ July 17, 1884. 
purpose in question that has come under our notice, and it will doubtless 
be used by many exhibitors of the Rose. 
MELONS CANKERING. 
There is no doubt that cankering is caused through insufficient air 
being given and looseness of soil. A great point in Melon culture is to 
make the soil as firm as possible over the whole surface, whether in a 
house or frame, and the soil should be of a very strong texture of fibry 
loam with a little sharp sand or old mortar rubbish added. The plants 
when turned out must not be planted deeply, but the collar should be 
quite above the surface. The bed should he covered with rough shingle 
or gravel, which prevents evaporation and the necessity for frequent 
waterings; it also keeps the fruit clean if in frames. I have found with 
this practice that water can be withheld three weeks at least before the 
fruit is fit for use, consequently there is no splitting. The fruit also is 
much better flavoured than when too much water is used.—J. Pithees, 
S^immerhill, 
In consequence of the great pressure on our space by reports of 
-shows the publication of the Index to the volume of this Journal, 
ending June 30th, has been unavoidably postponed until the present 
issue. 
- The Crystal Palace Rose Show. —A little correction is 
needed in our report of this Show, our reporter in transcribing his notes 
having accidentally inserted the names of some Hybrid Perpetuals in the 
first prize for twelve Teas, three blooms of each, which was won by 
Rev. F. Page Roberts with a superior stand. 
- We are informed that the Carnations and Picotees in the 
Royal Nurseries, Slough, are in splendid condition, and that Mr. Charles 
Turner invites an inspection of the flowers. The collection consists of 
about 8000 plants, which will remain in great beauty till the end of the 
month. 
- Dr. Paterson, Fernfield, Bridge of Allan, N.B., sends us a 
dlower of a handsome variety of Odontoglossdm Alexandr^e. It 
exceeded 4 inches in diameter, the petals and sepals well proportioned, 
but not quite so broad as they are sometimes seen in smaller flowers. 
A remarkable example of a “ Hen and Chickens ” Marigold was also 
■sent by the same correspondent, in which a number of smaller flower- 
heads were produced around the central one, like the peculiarly formed 
Daisy which bears the title given above. This is rarely seen, and we 
shall refer to it again in another issue. 
- “ A. 0. W.” writes that a HEAVY THUNDERSTORM passed over 
the neighbourhood of Biggleswade on the 9th inst. The lightning was 
unusually vivid, the peals of thunder very loud, and almost continuous 
for three or four hours. The rain came down in torrents. In a short 
space of time upwards of 1^ inch fell, and the total rainfall during the 
week ending July 12th waS nearly 2J inches. Most kinds of crop^ had 
suffered much from the intense heat and long drought of June and begin¬ 
ning of July, but now root crops are rapidly improving. A good deal of 
Turnip seed has been cut in the district, and bright and dry weather is 
now anxiously looked for to harvest it in good condition. A good breadth 
•of Wheat and Barley is badly laid through the heavy downpour. 
—— We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Ewing of Golden Grove, 
Chester, and for nearly twenty years gardener at Bodorgan. He had 
retired from the superintendence of Bodorgan Gardens for nearly twenty 
years, and had since lived at Chester, where be took an active part in all 
matters likely to benefit the town. He was for some time Chairman of 
the Hoole Local Board, and was one of the first churchwardens of All 
Saints’ Church, in the building of which he interested himself so much. 
He was also one of the Ragged School Committee, and one of the River 
Dee Commissioners. We understand it was entirely through Mr. Ewing’s 
influence that Lord Kilmorey gave the ground for building the new 
vicarage of Christ Church, Chester. In his sermon at All Saints’, on 
Sunday, the Rev. F. Anderson, in the course of a feeling allusion which 
le made to the subject, said that “ Not only was the deceased gentleman 
one of their fir»t churchwardens, which office he held for five years, but 
that he was mainly instrumental in raising a sum of £800 to clear the 
church from debt.” At the age of 67 he has passed away, up to the time 
of this attack apparently in full possession of the health and vigour 
which he had enjoyed during the whole of his life. We understand 
that the cause of death was failure of the heart’s action. While at 
Bodorgan he proved himself to be one of the most intelligent, shrewd, 
and successful of gardeners. 
- A Hospital Fete at the Health Exhibition. —With the 
object of increasing the funds of the London hospitals, the Executive 
Council of the International Health Exhibition, at the instigation of the 
Prince of Wales, their President, have decided to bold a grand evening 
fete on Wednesday, the 23rd inst., the proceeds arising from which wiU he 
handed to the Lord Mayor, to be distributed among the various metro¬ 
politan hospitals by the organisations of the Saturday and Sunday Hospital 
funds. This fete will be under the special patronage of their Royal High¬ 
nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have announced their inten¬ 
tion to he present. The wishes of their Royal Plighnesses, to whom 
the initiative of the fund is due, have been readily acceded to by a large 
number of exhibitors, many of whom have consented to place their stalls 
and refreshments at the service of the fund. Presents, to consist of fruit 
and flowers only, to be sold by ladies in aid of the fund, will be grate¬ 
fully accepted, and should be sent in so as to be received on the morning 
of the 23rd. The Council believe that they have only to make this 
known to secure such presents from the large class who take a special 
intere t in one of the most popular and useful of charities. All consign¬ 
ments of this nature should be addressed to the Marquis of Hamilton, 
Chairman of the Hospital Fete Committee, International Health Exhi¬ 
bition, South Kensington. The grounds will he illuminated by 20,000 
variegated lamps, and special effects will be introduced in connection with 
the illuminated fountains. The doors will he open at 7.30, thus enabling 
visitors to dine at the Exhibition. The fete ^\ill commence at eight 
o’clock. Evening dress will be worn. The ordinary admission will he 
suspended at 5.30 p.m., and the Exhibition will be closed at 6 p.m. A 
special rate of IO 5 . will be charged for admission to the fHe, 
- Roses at Diss.—At the recent Show of the Diss Horticultural 
Socie'y Roses were a special feature of the Exhibition, the prizes offered 
by the Society being of greater value than those awarded at the county 
shows. The liberality of the Committee was supplemented by valuable 
gifts from several members, the most sub stantial being a silver cup of 
the value of ten guineas presented by Francis Taylor, Esq., to the ex¬ 
hibitor who twice wins the first prize for thirty-six Roses. Miss Taylor 
gave the first prize for twenty-four Roses, and the Rev. H. T. Frere 
(Burston), the prizes for the best Hybrid Perpetual and Tea in any col¬ 
lection. Mr. B. R. Cant, Colchester, and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, 
also gave special prizes for excellence in this department. APogether the 
show of Roses was a grand display, despite the unfavourable season, and 
would have done credit to a much larger and more influential society. 
The greatest interest in the competition was centred in Class 1, especially 
when it became known that the Rev. H. A. Berners of Harkstead Rectory, 
Ipswich, who won the silver challenge cup for the first time last year, was 
again a competitor. Owing to the large number of Roses to be shown in 
this class there were only three exhibitions; such was the special merit 
of each that the Judges had considerable hesitation in making their award, 
and it was only after the most minute examination and careful compari¬ 
son of each bloom that they could an-ive at a decision, the result of which 
was that the Rev. H. A. Berners was again awarded the first prize, and 
having won it twice, the cup now becomes his absolute property. A splen¬ 
did collection of thirty-six Roses from Drinkstone Park, which appa¬ 
rently were not inferior to Mr. Berners’ show, secured the second prize to 
Mr. Palmer, and the third was given for a choice lot from Bun-ton Rectory. 
There were more entries and greater competition in the other classes, and 
for the best collection of twenty-four the Judges were compelled to give 
equal firsts for those exhibited by the Rev. J. Foster-Melliar, Tostock, 
and the Rev. C. J. Fellowes, Beighton, the third prize going to the Rev. 
P. H. Davis, Hingham, who made a most effective display. The best 
exhibition of the queen of English flowers was that of the Rev. F. Page 
Roberts in the class for twelve Teas or Noisettes, in which he secured 
the first prize ; this collection included a beautiful specimen of Alba Rosea, 
and was simply superb. With blooms of this quality it is no marvel 
that the indefatigable Hon. Secretary of the Society is so successful at 
the large shows, exceUing, as he has done during the past week, many 
noted growers at the Crystal Palace Exhibition. Near this collection was 
