JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
94 
is essential to the berries assuming their fine amber colour and 
acquiring their peculiarly rich vinous flavour. Mulching must 
be kept moist so as to keep the roots near the surface, which is 
essential to the well-being both of the fruiting and young Vines. 
- The usefulness and beauty of Oestrum aurantiacum 
for covering pillars in conservatories or similar cool houses is well 
indicated by the handsome specimen now flowering in the green¬ 
house at Kew. This plant is bearing its dense trusses of orange 
or yellow-coloured tubular blooms in great profusion, and as it is 
similar in habit to the well-known Habrothamnus fascicularis the 
effect produced by such a display of brightly coloured blooms 
is most agreeable. For the latter plant it would form an ad¬ 
mirable companion. 
- We have received two volumes of Weale’s Rudimentary 
Series, published by Messrs. Crosby Lockwood & Co., London, 
entitled respectively the Tree Pruner [and the Tree Planter. 
These books, though containing some good practical instruction, 
are remarkable for including under the above titles notes on 
“the Geranium,” “Thyme,” “ Sage and Savory,” “the Wallflower 
and Antirrhinum,” “ Thrift and London Pride,” “ Coleuses,” 
“Cinerarias,” and “Achimenes,” among many other similar 
plants—a peculiar instance of “ book making.” 
-We have received parts 5 and 6 of Messrs. Letts & Co.’s 
Popular Atlas, which contains six carefully executed maps of 
Switzerland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Western 
Hemisphere. The chief physical features of the countries are 
indicated, and the populations of the most important towns. 
- A correspondent informs us that he recently saw at 
South Pierremont, Darlington, a fruit of the Duke of Edinburgh 
Melon of the extraordinary weight of 16 lbs. 11 ozs. The plant 
that produced it was placed in the bed on the 25th of April last. 
-In September, 1881, the Manchester Royal Botanical 
and Horticultural Society propose holding an unusually 
large exhibition of fruits, plants, and vegetables, to celebrate, the 
fiftieth anniversary of the Society. We understand that every 
care will be taken [to render the Exhibition as complete and 
extensive as possible, and that fuller particulars of the prospective 
arrangements will shortly be announced. 
- At the Alexandra Palace on Friday and Saturday last 
Messrs. Cranston & Co., Hereford, had an exhibition op cut 
Roses, comprising in the two days nearly twelve thousand blooms, 
representing more than 160 varieties. The blooms were fresh 
and bright,[and tastefully arranged in the central hall on a bank 
of moss, small Palms and similar plants being placed amongst 
them. 
- A correspondent, alluding to the accidental omission 
of the name of Mr. Scott from the names of the winners in Rose 
classes at the Wimbledon Show, states that this gentleman 
was awarded two first prizes, and his Roses excited the admiration 
of all visitors, possessing good substance, brilliancy of colour, and 
symmetry. He had a magnificent stand of Roses not for com¬ 
petition, the competitors in the cup class being limited to growers 
of not more than five hundred plants, while Mr. Scott has about 
a thousand. But this painstaking amateur Rose-grower, who is 
also Hon. Treasurer of the National Rose Society, cut all the 
blooms he could, and contributed greatly to the success of the 
Show. 
- A correspondent,' “ G. W.,” wishes Mushrooms to grow 
in his meadows, and asks what process he is to pursue to attain 
the object desired. We shall be glad if those who have success¬ 
fully established Mushrooms in meadows will communicate their 
experience on the subject. 
[ July 29, 1880. 
- A correspondent writes—“The Swedes appear to have 
found a new and effective way of making the Colorado Beetle 
known to all.” He enclosed a portion of a match box of Swedish 
manufacture, upon which is delineated the above-named “ beetle ” 
busily engaged in destroying a leaf. The figure is fairly correct 
in colour and markings. 
-After a term of labour extending over thirty-three years 
Mr. Peter Grieve, the accomplished gardener at Cuiford Hall, 
Bury St. Edmunds, has retired from his charge, and seeks the 
repose he so well merits. By his skill and devotion to his duties 
and his affable and genial deportment he enjoyed in a remark¬ 
able manner the confidence and esteem of his employer, the Rev. 
E. R. Benyon, whose service he only relinquishes in consequence 
of failing health. Mr. Grieve has done excellent work in the 
cause of horticulture. As a cultivator he occupied a high position, 
and he was the originator of the tricolor section of Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums of the Mrs. Pollock type, and was the writer of a prize 
essay on these plants that was widely distributed. But that Mr. 
Grieve did not by any means exclusively devote his attention to 
Pelargonium raising may be seen by a descriptive article on 
Cuiford Gardens in our issue of February 25th, 1875, wherein an 
excellent judge and cultivator, Mr. Douglas, speaks highly of the 
work in every department. We trust that Mr. Grieve’s health 
will be speedily restored, and that he will long enjoy the esteem 
of his many friends. He will be succeeded in his charge by 
Mr. John Smith of Gunthorpe Hall, East Dereham, Norfolk, who 
enters on his duties about the middle of August. 
-Referring to the Crops near Chippenham, “Wilt¬ 
shire Rector” writes :—“Fruit, save bush fruit, is very poor in 
crop. As yet Potatoes are splendid, but I greatly fear that yester¬ 
day’s (July 22nd) heavy storm and to-day’s sultriness will bring on 
the disease.” 
- We have received the Proceedings of the Liverpool 
Naturalists’ Field Club for the year 1879-80, which, in addi¬ 
tion to particulars of the numerous excursions made by the Club, 
gives a most interesting lecture on “ Floral Defences,” by the 
President, the Rev. Henry H. Higgins, M.A., and an address by 
the same gentleman entitled “ Biographical Sketches in Zoology 
from its Origin to its Union with Botany in the Science of Biology.” 
- In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian 
independence a large Horticultural Exhibition was ap¬ 
propriately included in the great fete at Brussels. The Show was 
very fittingly solely national, not international, in its scope, and 
in consequence a detailed report of it would not possess special 
interest for our readers. That it was a great and a good Show 
none can doubt when such world-famed horticulturists as M. M. Yan 
Houtte, Linden, Van Geert, Dalliire, Jacob-Makoy, De Smet, 
Massange, Ghellinck de Walle, Vander Wouer, and other cele¬ 
brities put forth their strength ; and that English visitors who 
attended the Exhibition and Congress were most hospitably re¬ 
ceived is what our frank and generous Belgian friends had by 
many previous instances of hearty welcome extended led them to 
expect. The time of year is not opportune for such exhibitors 
as those named to make a brilliant display, and Palms and fine- 
foliaged plants predominated at the Exhibition, which was opened 
by the King on the 21st inst. 
-Messrs. James Carter & Co. have sent us pods of 
Telephone Pea. They are extremely large and fine, and 
similar to many we have seen in first-prize collections at various 
exhibitions this year. Experience has proved that this distinct 
Pea is one of the finest in cultivation, and is very valuable as a 
second early variety. 
- In reference to the class for Suburban Roses at 
the National Show, we have received letters complaining that a 
