March 10, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
181 
- Croydon Horticultural Society. —The report and state¬ 
ment of accounts of this Society came to hand, and it is satisfactory to 
see a balance, if not a large one, on the right side. The annual Show is 
fixed for Wednesday, July 6th. Mr. A. C. Roffey is the able Secretary. 
- The International Fruit Show. — A Sub-Committee 
appointed to prepare a schedule of prizes sat for several hours last week, 
and made considerable progress. The business was resumed on 
Wednesday the 9th inst., and a good advance made in the completion of 
the work, which will be very comprehensive. 
- United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society, —The annual meeting of this Society will take place at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Robert Street, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, on Monday 
evening next, March 14th, at eight o’clock. Mr. Robert Cannell will 
preside. 
- Slug Traps.—A much more simple and effectual way of 
dealing with these pests than the one suggested by “ H. W.” is to lay 
pieces of rotten boarding about upon the soil wherever slugs abound. 
The decaying wood attracts them, and they adhere to its under side in 
quantities. These traps should be frequently looked over, and the slugs 
despatched^as convenient.—B. D. K. 
- Tasmanian Fruit. —The Peninsular and Oriental Steamship 
Company have arranged that their stearuers shall make twelve visits to 
Hobart, Tasmania, for the purpose of bringing to England-e consignment 
of 240,000 bushels of Apples. The first lot has been despatched, and 
will arrive in London towards the end of the present month. The fruit 
is packed in cool chambers during the voyage. 
- The Leeds Paxton Society. —The sixth annual dinner of 
the members of this Society took place on Thursday evening, March 3rd, 
at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, the Mayor of Leeds presiding. The Secretary, 
Mr. Geo. Cooper, read the annual report, which compared favourably 
with those of previous years. There were about eighty members 
present. Delegates from Sheffield, Rotherham, Batley, Dewsbury, 
Bradford, Wakefield, Morley, Barnsley, and Rotherwell attended on 
the occasion. 
- The Quality op Apples.—H aving testedl over fifty varieties 
of Apples for quality during November, December and January, I 
have given Bismarck * * * as being one of the best Apples for quality in 
cultivation. I am delighted to see Apple notes by Mr. Rivers, more 
particularly the cooking test results, and hope to see a continuation of 
notes on quality from so competent a judge and grower. Would other 
growers and judges contribute their experience for the benefit of all 
who are interested in our national fruit, particularly from the quality 
standpoint ? If time permits I may do so.—W. S. 
- Exhibition in the Isle of Man.—A n international 
exhibition of industry, science, and art is to be held at Belle Vue, 
Douglas, Isle of Man, this year, opening on the 4th of July and closing 
in September. There are sections for horticulture and agriculture, the 
former comprising ornamental trees and flowers, hothouses, con¬ 
servatories, vineries, garden implements, flower-pots, borders, seats, 
chairs, statuary, fountains, rustic houses, arbours, and bridges. Par¬ 
ticulars can be obtained of the General Manager, Mr. Henry Pearson, 
Exhibition Buildings, Belle Vue, Douglas, Isle of Man. 
_ American Fruit for British Markets.—I n the week 
ending February 13th the shipments of fruit were said to comprise 
from Boston to Liverpool 6890 barrels, to London 1337 barrels, to 
Glasgow 1973 barrels ; a total of 9200 barrels. From New York to 
Liverpool 6200, to London 2100, to Glasgow 2100; a total of 10,400 
barrels. From Portland to Liverpool 13,713 barrels, making the total 
shipments 33,313 barrels, of which 25,803 went to Liverpool, 3437 to 
London, and 4073 to Glasgow. Shipments from Halifax not reported. 
This brings the amount of shipments up to that date to 1,239,652 barrels, 
being 790,385 to Liverpool, 170,727 to London, 255,693 to Glasgow, and 
22,847 to other ports. 
- Lettuce Golden Queen. —This is a decided acquisition 
and should be grown by all who can appreciate a quick growing, crisp, 
and tender Cabbage Lettuce. It forces readily, requires no more 
room than the now well-known Early Paris Market, and is very early 
when planted on warm borders. We had some of it in use nearly all 
last season, the quality being greatly admired by all. When growing 
the leaves are of a golden colour, while the heart is moderately large, 
remarkably close, and very superior in every way. Golden Queen is a 
good early companion for Messrs. Veitch & Sons’ other excellent and 
distinct Cabbage Lettuce Perfect Gem.— I. 
- The Weather in Ireland. —The thermometer on Sunday 
night, the 6th, registered 13° of frost. Frost still continues and snow 
falls at intervals.— Samuel Scott, Rnthmore, near Belfast. 
- The Weather in the North. —Following the heavy snow¬ 
fall of the 21st ult., and the immediate thaw, we have had a fort¬ 
night of dull cold weather, enlivened by one or two days of bright 
sunshine. Some days were bitterly cold, with easterly or northerly 
winds. The last week has been frosty throughout, 5° frost being recorded 
on the night of the 3rd inst., 11°, 9°, 9° on the three following. 
Farmers report a capital “ tid” for getting in the Bean crop in the 
heavy clay land.—B. D., S. Perthshire. 
- The Weather at Ripley, Yorks, during February.— 
With the exception of the 11th, 12th, and 13th February was a very 
cold and trying month, being in strong contrast to February, 1891. 
During the third week the cold was very severe, the mean temperature 
for that week being 25'8°. Rain and snow fell upon twenty-two days, 
the greatest daily fall being 0 80 of an inch on the 14th, total for the 
month 2‘39 inches. Highest maximum temperature, 57° on the 12th ; 
lowest minimum temperature, 5° on 19th. Frost was registered upon 
twenty-six days. Mean reading of barometer, 29 87 ; mean maximum 
temperature, 42 4°; mean minimum temperature, 27'1°; mean tem¬ 
perature, 34-8°. —J. Tunnington, Ripley Castle Gardens. 
- Report of Weather During February, 1892, from 
Observations taken at Hamels Park. —February has not been so 
congenial a month for gardening as the corresponding one of 1891 ; 
there was not one clear bright day during the whole month, whilst last 
year during February we had eleven beautiful bright days. The tem¬ 
perature during the past month has been for the most part very low 
during the daytime, and followed by exceptionally sharp frost during the 
night. The most frost registered has been 23° on the morning of the 
19th. Rain fell upon fourteen days during the month. The maximum 
in any twenty-four hours was 0'60 on the 16th ; minimum, 0‘02 on the 
6th. Total during the month,l'83 ; against O'll of 1891.—E. WALLIS, 
The Gardens, Hamels Parh, Buntingford, Herts. 
■ - February Weather in Lincolnshire. — February was 
remarkable for a deep snow on the 16th, when 8 inches = 0-70 inch 
rain, fell in five hours, and 0 04 inch melted as it fell. It w’as also 
remarkable for severe frost on the 17th and 19th, when the minimum 
temperature was 0°. The wind was in an easterly direction thirteen 
days. We had five bright days, some of which were partially clear. 
The total rainfall was 2 4 4 inches, which fell on nineteen days, the 
greatest daily fall being 0 85, which fell as snow on the 15th. The 
barometer was highest, 30'51 at 9 A.M. on the 13th; lowest, 29’04 at 
9 p.M, on the 2nd. The highest shade temperature was 66° on the 7th, 
the lowest, 0° on 17th and 19th. The lowest on the grass was 4° on 
the 17th. Mean of daily maxima, 43-38° ; mean of daily minima, 29-83° ; 
mean temperature of the month, 36-60° The garden spring ran thirty- 
four gallons per minute on the 29th. Vegetation is very backward at 
present.—W. H. Divers, Ketton Hall Gardens, Stamford. 
_Weather in Notts —The following summary of meteor¬ 
ological observations during February at Hodsock Priory, Worksop, is 
sent by Mr. Joseph Mallender Mean temperature of the month, 37-6°. 
Maximum on the 7th, 64-7°; minimum on the 19th, 14'7°. Maximum in 
the sun on the 23rd, 99-7°; minimum on the grass on the 17th, 9-3*. 
Mean temperature of ; the air at 9 A.M., 36-4° ; mean temperature of the 
soil 1 foot deep, 37-6°. Nights below 32° : in shade, eleven ; on grass- 
twenty-one. Total sunshine in the month, sixty-three hours, or 23 per 
cent, of possible duration; we had eleven sunless days. Total rainfall, 
1-95 inch ; rain fell on seventeen days. Wind : Average velocity, 10-5 
miles per hour ; velocity exceeded 400 miles on four days, and fell short 
of 100 miles on three days. Approximate average for February Mean 
temperature, 39-6°; sunshine, fifty-six hours ; rainfall, 1-68 inch. A 
cold and rather wet but fairly sunny month. Snow showers fell on 
several days, but it was never more than about half an inch deep on 
the ground. The minimum temperature in the shade is lower than in 
any of the last sixteen Februarys. 
_Weather Reports. —I, as one of the weather correspondents, 
admit the justice of Mr. G. J. Symons’ rebuke to us. The weather with 
him, if I mistake not, is a speciality, and of course the omission of our 
localities from the reports renders them valueless to one so interested in 
the matter. We are situated in the north-western part of Staffordshire, 
about four miles north-east of Stafford on the north-western side of the 
Trent Valley, the gardens being on the rising ground.—A. V. M., 
Sandon Hall Gardens, Stone, Staffs. 
