December 16, 1830. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
549 
the expenses without detracting from the interest of the schedules. 
After some discussion it was decided to leave any necessary altera¬ 
tions to the Executive Committee. The Rev. A. Cheales then sug¬ 
gested that a small gold instead of the silver-gilt medal should be 
offered to the affiliated Societies, as he believed it would be much 
more highly valued. This was seconded by T. B. Haywood, Esq., 
and it was finally determined to offer a gold medal at cost price to 
such of the affiliated Societies who desired it. The annexed list of 
officers and Committee was accepted, and the meeting concluded with 
votes of thanks to the Chairman, the Honorary Secretaries, and the 
Treasurer. 
List of Committee and Officers for 1881. —President: The 
Rev. Canon Hole. Vice-Presidents : George Baker, the Hon. and 
Rev. J. T. Boscawen, James McIntosh, the Worshipful the Mayor of 
Sheffield. Committee : H. Appleby, J. H. Arkwright, R. N. G. Baker, 
Rev. H. B. Biron, *W. Brockbank, Rev. C. H. Bulmer, T. E. Burnaby 
Atkins, Rev. J. B. M. Camm, B. R. Cant, R. B. Cater, Rev. A. Cheales, 
Captain Christy, J. Cranston, J. L. Curtis, H. Curtis, J. Cutbush, 
C. Davies, Rev. J. M. Fuller. Rev. F. H. Gall, T. Graveley, G. P. Haw- 
trey, *T. B. Haywood, C. F. Hore, R. Hogg, LL.D., T. Jowitt, L. 
A. Killiek, J. Laing, M. T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S., H. K. Mayor, 
J. Mitchell, G. Paul, W. Paul, J. D. Pawle, *Rev. J. H. Pemberton, 
Rev. E. N. Pochin, G. Prince, T. F. Rivers, W. Robinson, A. G. 
Soames, *W. G. Sharp, J. T. Strange, J. Tinsley, C. Turner, H. J. 
Veitch, and *F. T. Wollaston. Hon. Secretaries : the Rev. H. Hony- 
wood D’Ombrain and Edward Mawley. Hon. Treasurer : W. Scott. 
Those names preceded by an asterisk are the newly elected Mem¬ 
bers of the Committee. 
FRUITS FOR COLD DISTRICTS. 
Again it is necessary to remind your correspondents that with¬ 
out naming the county wherein happened any particular success 
referred to their communications are of little value. This espe¬ 
cially is necessary in the matter of ripening Grapes without fire 
heat. Regarding the planting of Apples and Pears, were I again 
to plant, I would have whole rows of Lord Suffields and Ecklin- 
ville Seedlings, and of Pears rows of Marie Louise d’Uccle, and 
only slight sprinklings of other varieties. That is for market 
purposes where we want quantity first. I have had no early 
dessert Apples for three years ; and, for the same purpose, here 
to grow late ones in the face of the American supply is not likely 
to be profitable. The Apple growers’ chance is to defeat the 
foreigners, and this Lord Suffield accomplishes. 
We lately had the history of Lord Suffield, and I think it would 
be interesting to have that of Ecklinville Seedling. I am the 
more desirous of the latter, as hereabouts we have an Apple, also 
hardy, and as like it as possible—that is, as it is grown in the 
north. My attention was first particularly drawn to it by the 
very large and handsome unnamed specimens exhibited by Her 
Majesty at the Carlisle International Exhibition, and it was then 
I determined to give it a trial to test its hardiness, which has 
proved so satisfactory. It has many times impressed me that it 
would be appropriate to give it the name of “ Queen’s Prize.” 
What says its raiser, or, lacking him, those in authority ? A 
Strawberry, too, I have grown these last two seasons proved to 
be quite regardless of wet, and, of course, I shall in future plant 
only that one variety, and a further description of which I will 
give at some other time.— Joseph Witherspoon, Red Rose 
Vineries, Cliester-le-Strect, Co. Durham. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUM WEST BRIGHTON GEM. 
Sports from the old and valuable variety Vesuvius are now 
numerous, which is the more singular since no other Zonal appears 
to possess the same property of producing growths differing in 
such a marked manner from the original. Some of the forms so 
produced are of great merit, notably the white variety distributed 
by Mr. Cannell, whose salmon-coloured form is also very free and 
attractive ; and the striped variety, “ New Life,” is as singular 
as its name implies. There are also sports of various colours 
that have originated in different places, but as a rule they have 
not obtained more than local fame. The variety in question, 
however, West Brighton Gem, will prove—indeed has proved—of 
real and general usefulness ; it has been frequently exhibited 
during the past three years, and has proved its worth for both 
winter-flowering or bedding purposes. 
It is a very distinct and fixed sport from Vesuvius, perhaps a 
shade lighter scarlet than its parent, but it chiefly differs from 
that variety in having transparent growths and flower stems. The 
plants are very dwarf and compact, barely exceeding 6 inches in 
height, producing without topping from eight to twelve shoots on 
a plant in a 5-inch pot. It is a rapid grower although the shoots 
are short and slender, and no sooner is a cutting struck than it 
commences branching, so that the surface of the soil is quickly 
covered with several shoots which grow in an oblique direction, 
thereby very soon forming a dwarf and compact plant, but the 
flower trusses are upright. As a bedding plant its very flori- 
ferous character and dwarf habit will cause it to be extensively 
used, and that it is a free winter-flowering variety was abundantly 
evident from the gorgeous mass of bloom I saw on a batch of a 
thousand plants a few days since at the West Brighton Nursery. 
But lest it be thought that I am overpraising this variety I may 
add that its value has been twice acknowledged by the Floral 
Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, for last winter a 
cultural commendation, and in May last a first-class certificate, 
were awarded for it; while at Brighton, the Crystal Palace, and 
other places where it has been exhibited high commendations 
have been granted. The peculiar characteristic of its pale flower 
stems, similar to those of the old Cerise Unique, renders it a 
favourite for cutting. The leafstalks are also of a transparent 
hue, and the centre of the leaves are peculiarly marked with the 
pale green like the variety just mentioned. It is this singular 
feature and its dense dwarf habit that render it distinct. 
This plant originated at the West Brighton Nursery ; and 
Mr. Miles, the proprietor, after proving its value, obtained a very 
large stock, with the object, I presume, of offering plants at a 
price that will bring it at once within the reach of everyone.— 
Medallist. 
FOREIGN SUPPLIES AND HOME PRODUCTION. 
We are entering upon a great change of circumstances in 
relation to the produce of our country. Foreign competition, 
although as yet only in its infancy, has reduced the value of our 
products, and British agriculturists feel its effects in reduced 
returns. Instead of repining over those inevitable changes it 
would be more desirable if we energetically endeavoured to face 
them. There are large tracts of land in this country that might 
be brought into cultivation, and much that is already in occu¬ 
pation that could be greatly improved so as to yield increased 
produce. In many cases the rent of the land might be realised 
with a small additional outlay by planting fruit trees, if only 
in the hedgerows. Tall standards of Apples, Mussle and 
Bullace Plums, Damsons, Kentish Cherries, Filberts, and Cob 
Nuts, all will do well and make a good return. The grass lands 
may be planted with Pear trees a good distance apart. In wet 
positions plant Quinces ; and in every available spot plant Walnut 
trees, as they are valuable both for their fruit and wood. In 
swamps plant Willows, which are as profitable as any crop that 
can be grown in such positions. Some of the fruits mentioned 
are sent to this country in large quantities ; but English produce, 
being of better quality, always commands higher prices, which 
should be sufficient to encourage our growers. The importers 
deserve praise for their energy, but they set us an example which 
we neglect to follow. 
The following are some of the fruits, vegetables, and plants 
that are imported in large quantities, all of which could be grown 
here and of better quality. From Holland we have large quantities 
of bulbs, Lily of the Valley, Spiraeas, Walnuts, Horseradish, and 
Potatoes. Belgium sends Azaleas and Camellias, which could be 
grown in the west of England almost without protection. Ham¬ 
burg sends Grapes, which a few ground vineries would produce 
in better condition. France supplies early Lettuces, small salads, 
Endive, Radishes, Carrots, Asparagus, and early fruits, and later 
on Apples, Pears, Tomatoes, Artichokes, &c. Our own little 
Channel Islands contribute excellent green Figs, Grapes, and 
Pears ; while Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the islands of the Medi¬ 
terranean stock our markets with fruits which our own climate 
cannot produce. America sends great quantities of Apples, but 
they are of inferior quality and will not bear comparison with 
home-grown fruit. There is consequently every encouragement 
for the increased cultivation here of many fruits which other 
nations now supply us with to their own profit.—R. C. 
PRUNING LUXURIANT VINES. 
I MUST beg to differ from “R. P. B.,” especially in the latter 
part of his notes on “ Pruning Luxuriant Roses and Vines ” (page 
452). I cannot see why hard pruning back young Vines should 
cause a weakly growth the following season, especially if the 
Vines have made abundance of roots; and judging from “ R. P. B.’s ” 
remarks his Vines must have grown vigorously and strongly, and 
the main stems must have strengthened considerably, or the main 
leaves would not have been thrown off—a sufficient indication 
that abundance of roots were working well. Seldom, if ever, 
are the main leaves thrown off the Vine when root-action is only 
moderate ; and in proportion to root-action, if confined to a main 
stem the rod naturally swells. If hard cutting back in all kinds 
of fruit trees (root-action being good) is productive to luxuriant 
