56G 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December S3, 1386. 
in perpetual shade by the dense beads of foliage is so highly coloured as 
to afford a striking contrast to the green foliage, and the effect of the red 
stems is singularly picturesque. We have Cedars of Lebanon in con¬ 
siderable numbers, amounting to several hundreds, growing in the deep 
loam with such freedom that they have an imposing effect in the course 
of a few years. What a noble tree it is ! so massive, so stately, so refined. 
What depth of shade is there among its flat spreading branches; and yet 
how bright is the effect of their sun-lit edges ! One admires a noble 
specimen whose spreading branches sweep the turf, but one revels in a 
grove of them with clear stems like so many massive columns with wide 
spreading branches high overhead.— Edward Luckhurst. 
In connection with the recent investment of the Prince of 
Wales with the Japanese Order of the Chrysanthemum, his Royal 
Highness has been pleased to accept a copy of Mr. Molyneux’s popular 
work, “ Chrysanthemums and their Culture,” the second edition of which 
is now in the press. 
- The Frost in the early part of the present week was very 
severe, varying in the neighbourhood < f London from 12° to 21° on Mon¬ 
day. Low temperatures are also recorded from the north, 24° of frost 
haviDg been registered in South Perthshire on the 21st and 22nd inst- 
Near the metropolis the temperature became somewhat higher on Tuesday 
a dense fog prevailing, and on Wednesday there was a partial thaw. 
- Gardening Appointment.—M r. W. Brittain, late of the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Gardens, South Kensington, has been appointed 
head gardener to Lady Pollock, Hatton Park, Feltham, Middlesex. 
-We are desired to state that the Chiswick Horticultural 
Society’s summer show will be held on July 14th, and the autumn show 
on November 17th, 1887. 
- Messrs, J. Weeks & Co. have sent us a copy of their “ Horti¬ 
cultural Pocket-Book and Diary for 1887.” It is a neat, substantial, and 
useful article that will meet with ready acceptance by gardeners to whom 
it is presented. 
- A limited liability company has been formed to purchase the 
Business of Messrs. Hooper & Co. tf Covent Garden and Twickenham, 
and it is stated that negotiations are proceeding with the object of 
effecting an amalgamation with Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, Pine, 
Apple Nursery, Maida Yale. 
- Mr. Benjamin Field, Swan Place, Old Kent Road, London 
8.E., sends us samples of the Jubilee Flower Cups f r setting up cut 
blcoms for competition, but especially adapted for Chrysanthemums. 
The cup to held the bloom is made to fit the water tube in a telescopic 
manner, no springs being employed, and the cup fits so closely that it can 
be readily raised to any required height, and yet is firm enough to a oid 
all danger of slipping. These tubes rank among the best we have seen. 
-Seed Catalogues.—B efore the year closes the catalogues of 
all the principal seedsmen are widely distributed. Most of them are 
tasteful productions containing much useful matter, in addition to the 
numerous illustrations and coloured plates which are now appaiently con¬ 
sidered indispensable in publications of this kind. As examples of the 
catalogue literature we may mention those just to hand from Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chtlsea ; Sutton & Sons, Reading; and Webb & S ns, 
Stourbridge, and that from Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Hollorn, noted 
last week. 
- Christmas Flowers. —Flowers of many kinds have been very 
abundant in Covent Garden Market this week, especially the Paper 
White Narcissus, Violets, and Roses. Of the last named large quantities 
have been imported from the Continent and sold by auction at exce- 
sively low prices, boxes of four dozen buds of Safrano and other 
varieties having been sold at Is. 5d., or 4£d. per dozen, an extraordinary 
price for Roses at Christmas. The other flowers brought proportionately 
low prices, leaving little chance for the home growers to obta'n a profit¬ 
able sale. Some hundreds of crates of Mistletoe have been sold in a 
similar way, the lowest price per crate being about 6s., not one-fourth of 
what was paid a few years ago for a similar quantity. The supply is 
chiefly derived from Normandy and other parts of the Continent, while a 
considerable number of crates, both from there and from this country; 
have been shipped to the United States of America. 
- Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, have ju9t issued their 
Pocket Garden Calendar for 1887, which, in addition to information 
usually found in almanacks, contains concise directions for garden 
operations in every month of the year. It is neatly printed, and is 
bound in tasteful covers. 
- Winter Chrysanthemum Show. —We may remind our 
readers that there is yet another Chrysanthemum Show to be held this 
season—namely, the National Society’s Exhibition at the Westminster 
Aquarium, January 12th and 13tb, 1887. Prizes ranging from £3 to 5s. 
are offered in seven classes for collections of cut blooms and bouquets of 
Chrysanthemums. In addition to these, prizes are contributed by the Royal 
Aquarium Company in nine classes, for Cyclamens, Primulas, Solanums 
Hollies, and Conifers in pots. It is hoped that a good exhibition will be 
obtained, as the chief object is to encourage the culture of late 
Chrysanthemums. 
- Mr. E. Molyneux writes:—“ Mr. Orchard’s description cf 
Chrysanthemum White Ceres, both in form and manner of growth, 
is exactly in accordance with my own ideas of i f . I think highly of it, 
more particularly as it comes in just at a time when the general varieties 
are fading, and being pure white it is of the utmost value for decorative 
purposes ; and I should strongly advise those who have not grown this 
variety to procure it at once, grow it well, aDd gratification is sure to 
follow.” 
-Mr. S. Castle has sent us samples of the leaves of Gros 
Colman Vine grown at the West Lynn Vineyard. They are very fine 
indeed, the largest, from a Vine grafted on the Black Hamburgh, measuring 
15 inches across, the other from a Vine on its own roots being 12 inches in 
diameter ; this leaf is still quite fresh and green, while the other is 
brightened with autumnal tints. The leaves are remarkable for their great 
substance, being in this respect “like leather.” Such Vines, not too 
heavily cropped, ought to produce first-class fruit. 
- Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, are sending out a coloured 
plate of their Jubilee Begonias, representing a dozen double varieties 
selected from their numerous beautiful seedlings. They range in hue 
from pure white, yellow, and pale rose through darker and richer shades 
to the most intense crimson. The flowers are beautiful, in some cases 
almost as symmetrical as Camellias. Double Begonias are becoming 
great favourites with many, as the flowers are very lasting. 
- “ A Northern Amateur ” observes : —“ It seems that some 
southern growers have a variety styled Auricula Campbell’S Green 
Edge. Assuming this to be Mr. Campbell of Falkirk, the raiser of so 
many well-known sorts, those who have a variety under that name may 
accept a correction based on the bast authority. No such plant ever left 
his hands. It is in all likelihood Cunningham’s unnamed flower.” 
- The same correspondent, referring to the proposed Auricula 
Show for Scotland, remarks :—“ I was glad to see the communication 
of Mr. Straton on this subject in la9t week’s Journal. The suggestion 
could not come from a better quarter, whether we regard the man or the 
district. While a few veterans have been taken away of late years the 
ranks of Auricula-growers north of the Tweed have been far more than 
recruited ; and, as a florist of note wrote me this spring, it is a reproach 
that Scotland shouli have no exhibition of a flower for which she has 
done so much. What must be first sought, I should fancy, is an ap¬ 
proximation at least to the number of those likely to forward plants, and 
Mr. Straton may pardon the suggi stion that he hold a muster-roll of volun¬ 
teers who send to him with their own names such others as they may be 
authorised to transmit. One coull thus canvass a district, and a suffi¬ 
ciently reliable estimate be secured. For tuch an object the movement 
must be a national one ; local attempts have dwindled and died. I have 
little doubt that with the heavy gun9 of the Tayside contingent, the Fife 
horse, and the Border rifles, supported by the minor crops of the centre 
and west, such a review could be obtained in the jubilee year as would 
insure a permanent institution. 1 ask, What is the strength of the army ? 
How is it to be ascertained ?” 
