480 
JOURNXL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 28. 1891. 
- Maxchester Show. —Among other chief exhibitors and classes 
not mentioned in our report last week were Messrs. Cypher, Heath and 
Son, and Mould, who secured the prizes with plants in the nurserymen’s 
classes—stove and greenhouse. Orchids, Heaths, &c. For eight Azaleas 
Mr. C. Turner, Slough, was well to the front with finely flowered 
plants ; second Mr. Mould. Mr. Turner was the only exhibitor for 
eight Show Pelargoniums in flower and eight Fancy Pelargoniums. 
Roses were admirably shown and very fresh, Messrs. Paul & Son, 
Cheshunt, coming in first with the group, and also for twenty Roses in 
l>ots. For twelve distinct Dracaenas first Mr. B. S. Williams, London ; 
■second, Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Aigburth Nursery, Liverpool; third, 
Mr. J. F. Mould. In the group of miscellaneous plants, occupying a 
space not exceeding 300 square feet, Messrs. Ker had a splendid arrange¬ 
ment, and bright in colour ; second, Mr. A. J. Bruce, Chorlton-cum- 
Hardy. Primula Sieboldi from Ryder & Sons, Manchester, attracted 
many admirers. Messrs. B. S. Williams & Sons, Liverpool Horti¬ 
cultural Co.; Messrs. Dickson, Chester; and Shuttleworth, Carder, 
and Co, Bradford, are represented by many fine things. Fruit was 
well shown considering the season, the following being the prize¬ 
winners :—Sir J. W. Pease, Bart., M.P., Guisbro’ ; Duke of St. Albans, 
Duke of Sutherland, R. H. C. Neville, Esq., Mr. J. Thorpe. 
- Phexological Phexomexa. —A Committee of the British 
Association was apepointed at York in 1844 for the purpose of reporting 
on the registration of periodical phenomena of animals and vegetables 
and in the following year presented a report which consisted mainly of 
a series of “ Instructions for the Observation of Periodical Natural 
Phenomena.” In 1875 the question was taken up by the Meteorological 
Society, which then issued a list of plants, insects, and birds recom¬ 
mended to be observed, with a code of instructions to observers. The 
list was slightly enlarged in 1883, but has now been greatly reduced, 
and, commencing with the year 1891, records of only twenty-four 
pibenomena, relating to twenty-three species, are required. Forms on 
which to record observations, with a list of the species to be observed 
and instructions to observers, are supplied gratis by the Royal Meteoro¬ 
logical Society, 30, Great George Street, London, S.W., and should be 
returned quarterly to Mr. E. Mawley, F.R.Met.Soc., Berkhamsted, 
Herts. We are requested to dr iw the attention of our readers to this 
investigation, as there may be many amongst them who would be 
willing to join the staff of observers, and under Mr. Mawley’s super¬ 
vision as recorder for the Society the system of observation has been 
greatly simplified. 
- Widcombe (Bath) Ixstitute Horticultural Club.— 
An interesting meeting in connection with this Club was held at the 
Institute, Widcombe Hill, recently, to hear and adjudicate upon the 
essays written by msmbers on the “ Cultivation of the Potato.” There 
was a fairly numerous attendance, presided over by Mr. W. Pumpihrey 
(President). The essays were not to exceed 1700 words, so as not to 
take more than ten minutes in delivery, and altogether five were sent in 
for competition and read by the Chairman. Taken collectively the 
opinions expressed in the papers were extremely practical, interesting, 
and chatty. Some of the essays dealt with the introduction of the 
Potato into this country, and generally speaking the essayists, from their 
own experience in the cultivation of the almost indispensable vegetable, 
alluded to the most favourable time for and the best methods of plant, 
ing the various species, the different modes in vogue as regards space, 
&c., earthing and manuring the soil, and other matters incidental to 
producing a crop. Each also referred to the Potato disease, and sug¬ 
gested various means to protect crops to a certain extent against its 
ravages. On a vote being taken it was found that there were twelve 
each recorded in favour of essays Nos. 1 and 4, and on another ballot 
there was a majority of two in favour of No. 1, under the 7iom de jilume 
of “Jack Tar,” and written by Mr. Trimby, No. 3, Regent’s Terrace^ 
who accordingly took the first prize. On account of the close voting it 
was resolved to give an extra prize to essay 4, “ Practical,” and sent 
i 'l by Mr. J. Doe of Crow Hall Gardens.— {Bath Argus.') 
- The usual monthly meeting of the Royal Meteorological 
Society was held on Wednesday evening, the 20th inst, at the 
Institution of Civil Engineers, 25, Great George Street, Westminster) 
Mr. Baldwin Latham, M.Inst.C.E., F.G.S., President, in the chair. 
Dr. M. G. Foster, M A., and Mr. J. Robinson, J.P., were elected Fellows 
of the Society. The following papers were read :—1, “ On the Vertical 
Circulation of the Atmosphere in Relation to the Formation of Storms,” 
by Mr. W. H. Dines, B.A., F.R.Met.Soc. After giving an outline of 
the circulation of the atmosphere, the author refers to the two theories 
which have been suggested to account for the formation of storms—viz., 
(1) the convection theory, which is that the central air rises in con¬ 
sequence of its greater relative warmth, this warmth being produced by 
the latent heat set free by condensation ; and (2) the theory that the 
storms are circular eddies produced by the general motion of the 
atmosphere as a whole, just as sma’l water eddies are formed in a 
flowing stream of water. The author is of opinion that the convection 
theory is the more probable of the two, but more information about the 
temperature of the upper air is greatly needed. 2, “ On Brocken 
Spectres in a London Fog,” by Mr. A. W. Clayden, M.A., F.R.Met.Soc., 
F.G.S. During the dense fogs in February last the author made a 
number of experiments with the view of raising his own “ spectre.” 
This he ultimately succeeded in accomplishing by placing a steady 
limelight a few feet behind his head, when his shadow was projected on 
the fog. He then made some careful measurements of the size and 
distance of the spectre, and also succeeded in taking some photographs 
of the phenomenon. 3; “ An Account of the ‘ Leste,’ or Hot Wind of 
Madeira,” by Dr. H. Coupland Taylor, F.R.Met.Soc. The “Leste” is a 
very dry and parching wind, sometimes veiy hot, blowing over the 
island from the E.N.E. or E S.E., and corresponds to the sirocco of 
Algeria, or the hot north wdnds from the deserts of the interior, 
experienced in southern Australia. During its prevalence a thin haze 
extends over the land, and gradually thickens out at sea until the 
horizon is completely hidden. It is most frequent during the months 
of July, August, and September, and usually lasts for about three 
days. Mr. Shelford Bidwell, M.A., F.R.S., exhibited an experiment 
showing the effect of an electrical discharge upon the condensation of 
steam. The shadow of a small jet of steam cast upon a white wall is, 
under ordinary conditions, of feeble intensity and of a neutral tint. 
But if the steam is electrified the density of the shadow is at once 
greatly increased, and it assumes a peculiar orange-brown hue. The 
electrical discharge appears to promote eoalescence of the exceedingly 
minute particles of water contained in the jet, thus forming drops large 
enough to obstruct the more refiangible rajs of light. It is suggested 
that this experiment may help to explain the intense darkness, 
often tempered by a lurid yellow glow, which is characteristic of 
thunderclouds. 
THE SENSATIONAL WEATHER — THE FRUIT 
PROSPECTS. 
The enclosed photograph, taken by myself at a quarter pa:t four on 
Monday morning. May 18th, will give you an idea of a memorable storm. 
The Friday preceding was very stormy. On Saturday we had bright 
sun. Snow fell about 4 p.m., and covered the ground. Later in the 
evening the ground and shrubs were covered thickly. Sunday was very 
stormy, hail, rain, and snow fell frequently during the day; at noon 
heavy thunder, with vivid flashes of lightning prevailed. During the 
evening snow again fell very heavily, and continued during the whole 
night and until about G A.M. on Monday morning (Whit Monday). 
Trees, shrubs, and fruit trees, the latter in full bloom, were laid flat 
upon the ground with their burden of snow, tall trees in leaf had 
branches broken off. Hyacinths and Tulips were broken down, but 
Violas were none the worse for the covering. Damsons that were in 
full bloom are casting off their blossom. We have a row of fine clumps 
of Pseonies 140 yards long, with from fifty to seventy buds upon 
each clump, which suffered the worst wdth the weight of snow.— 
J. Gregory, Ilaselbech Hall, Korthanqdm. 
I sexd a few branches of Spruce and Larch Fir, Ash and Beech, to 
show the damage done by the frost of Sunday, May 17th. In the valleys 
the Larch, from 1 foot high to 8 feet, lave the appearance of early 
autumn, when the trees are changing colour previous to shedding their 
leaves or needles. Where the situation is more elevated no injury has 
been done. The Ash shoots are the tops of young trees planted two 
years since, many of them being virtually dead at the point. The Beech 
branches are from the undergrowth in the woods, trees of this escaping 
uninjured.—E. Molyxeux. 
[The examples sent show the damage to have been ve/y great. The 
Larch has esirecially suffered.] 
Severe frosts on three successive mornings have put a very different 
complexion upon our fruit prospects, though it is by no means certain 
that so much damage has been done as at first imagined. On the 
morning of May 17th there were about 5° of frost, but on the following 
Tuesday morning the thermometer registered 8°, and this was when 
most damage was done throughout this dittrict. Many of the Apples 
were in full blcom, hut I am inclined to think were more injured by 
hail than ly frests, and apparently there are plenty of flowers uninjured. 
