June 18, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
489 
■ - Pyrus japonica makes a capital hedge with a little attention 
to tying the branches into shape if good-sized plants arc employed, 
which are generally of an all-round spreading habit provided they are 
not interfered with. We have this shrub growing on each side of a 
gravel path at one of the entrances to the kitchen garden on the east 
side, and right well it succeeds. When planted two years ago some 
stout stakes and a cross rail or two were fixed to secure the main 
branches to in the form of hedge required. On both sides the young 
shoots grew, and which are annually cut close in to the main stems to 
preserve neatness. A full crop of flowers is now passing away. The 
leaves have a cheery appearance at the present time when tinged with 
red, as they are in a young sttae.—E. 
■ - Fruit and Flower Protectors.—W e have received from 
Mr. J. Taylor, a Cheshire gardener of ability and repute, a sample of his 
appliance for accelerating the ripening of fruits and advancing and 
protecting dowsers for exhibition or otherwise. This appliance consists 
of a pair of articles in glass, somewhat resembling a Melon cut in two 
irarts and hollowed ; or two basins placed face to face, and kept there 
with a wire spring, the wire also acting as a suspender. We are asked 
to give an opinion of this protector. Our opinion is that it is one of 
those things the merits or otherwise of which can only be determined 
by actual practice, and we think it is for the inventor to have it tried 
by unprejudiced persons, with the view of determining its usefulness, 
and after he has done this to place it before the public in the ordinary 
business way. We have had no opportunity of trying the protector, and 
our duty is done by announcing its existence. 
- Peach Leaves Blistered.—I have a wall 12 feet high, and 
there are six Peach trees on the south side. Last year one tree had a 
great many leaves blistered, but all the others were free. This year the 
same tree is very badly blistered, scarcely any of the first leaves were 
free from it, and the other trees nearest to it have several leaves blistered. 
The trees were well covered with scrim as soon as the first flowers 
opened. It was fastened under the coping and brought out about a foot 
from the trees, and it was left on until the fruit was swelling, when it 
was taken off, as the leaves were blistered while under this warm protec¬ 
tion. I cannot see how the weather could cause it, especially as they 
were all protected alike. Would it be caused by some insect ?— Alma.— 
[It is caused by a fungus, but it is probable that the sap of the trees was 
in a morbid state, predisposing the tree to the attack of the enemy.] 
- The National Dahlia Society.—W e are desired to call 
attention to the fact that the annual report, list of members, and 
schedule of prizes have been issued by the above Society, and can be 
obtained on application to the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, T. W. Girdle- 
stone, M.A., F.L.S., Sunningdale, Berks. The annual Exhibition, to be 
held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, is announced for Friday and 
Saturday, September Ith and 5th next, when substantial prizes -will be 
competed for in all the sections, thirty-two classes being provided for 
nurserymen, amateurs, and open. The Society is in a very satisfactory 
condition, as the accounts for last year show a favourable balance of 
£31 17s. 7d. Besides the ordinary schedule particulars a valuable 
Dahlia Analysis by Mr. E. Mawley is included, extending from the year 
1883 to 1890. 
- Early Planted Potatoes.—O n page 406 mention is made 
of the faet that large breadths of early planted Potatoes having been 
destroyed by the harp frosts experienced in March last, and as I hap¬ 
pened to have planted the bulk of ours, also advising others to act 
similarly, I was naturally somewhat startled at the statement alluded 
to. As may be imagined, it was not long before I paid a visit to the 
Potato ground, but soon discovered there was no cause to be alarmed. 
The ground was in such admirable condition, and the weather so favour¬ 
able for planting in February, that I could not resist the temptation to 
get in all our late Potatoes, and although, as it turns out, it was a risky 
proceeding, I still think we acted rightly in planting when wc did. In 
spite of the 17° or more of frost which we had to endure during the 
early part of March there are no losses, not a single set apparently 
having missed starting. All arc pushing up shaws strongly and are well 
rooted, none being forward enough to be injured by the May frosts. I 
have also paid a visit to another large breadth of Potatoes that I advised 
should be planted in February, and these again are in admirable; condi¬ 
tion. In February the ground was in perfect working order, and that, 
too, to a good depth ; but the March snows and frosts left it in a cold, 
tough condition, and I am fully convinced that we shall be great 
gainers rather than losers by pkanting thus early. Ours being heavy 
ground comparatively shallow planting answers best, and it is some¬ 
what inexplicable how it was our sets escaped injury. The varieties 
are hardy certainly, these being Magnum Bonum, Laxton’s Reward, and 
Champion.—W. I. 
-The Royal Horticultural SociETiL—A schedule of the 
Conferences and Exhibitions to be held at Chiswick Gardens this year 
has just been issued, and gives full particulars. Conferences will bo 
held Tuesday, July 7th, on Hardy Summer Perennial Plants ; Wed¬ 
nesday, July 8th, on Strawberries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Currants, 
and other Small Fruits ; Tuesday, October 6th, on Perennial Sunflowers 
and Michaelmas Daisies ; and Wednesday, October 7th, and Thursday, 
October 8th, on Conifers. The Exhibitions on corresponding dates arc— 
July 7th and 8th, 1891, of Hardy Summer Perennials, and of Straw¬ 
berries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Currants, and other Small Fruits ; 
October 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1891, of Perennial Sunflowers, Michaelmas 
Daisies, &c., and of Conifers. Medals and prizes for amateurs are 
offered at these meetings. 
- Orchids by Special Train.—A striking proof is given of 
the great progress which the love for Orchids is making in this country 
by the fact that the Liverpool Horticultural Company have recently 
removed a collection of Orchids which they have just purchased from 
the executors of a gentleman who resided at Falkirk, N.B., by special 
train. Liverpool is evidently not behind other parts of the country in 
its appreciation of this lovely plant. The very high prices at which 
these plants have often been purchased has no doubt tended to frighten 
all but the wealthy from indvdging in their cultivation, but it is under¬ 
stood that the large importations which are constantly pouring into the 
country from all parts of the world have so greatly reduced the prices 
that Orchids are now within the reach of all who can afford to keep a 
garden and a small greenhouse. There are still plants of special kinds 
for which high prices have to be paid, but the cheaper and more 
plentiful kinds are equally as beautiful as the more rare and expensive 
kinds .—(^Liverjjool Courier.') 
-Reports on Horticultural Subjects in the daily papers 
rarely make grave pretensions to accuracy, but five mistakes in as 
many lines, including a serious confusion of persons, rather exceeds 
the latitude allowable. The Daily Telcyvapli recently, in noticing the 
Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting at the Drill Hall, concludes a 
paragraph in this way. “ The Marquis of Salisbury sent a magnificent 
collection—of Strawberries especially. Mr. W. H. Smith showed speci¬ 
mens of the same luscious fruit, for which he received the thanks of the 
Society. The Duke of Northumberland was strong in Melons, and Lord 
Rothschild in Nectarines.” From Hatfield very fine Strawberries were 
certainly shown. Mr. W. H. Smith, however, did not favour the 
meeting with an exhibit of any kind, though Mr. J. Smith, gardener 
to the Earl of Rosebery, Mentmore, had several dishes of Strawberries,, 
and it would perhaps rather surprise him to be mistaken for so dis¬ 
tinguished a political personage. From Sion House only one Melon was 
shown, and Lord Rothschild had no Nectarines there, but Messrs. 
Rothschild of Gunnersbury exhibited some very fine samples.—R. M. 
-Botany of the Burmese Frontier.—T he Eastern papers 
report that an expedition has, by order of the Straits Government, 
commenced work on the frontier between Burmah and the Malay 
Peninsula. Its opcations will be chiefly confined to Pahang. It is 
placed under the charge of Mr. Ridley, Director of Gardens and 
Forests in the Straits Settlements, accompanied by Mr. William 
Davison, Curator of the Raflles Library, Singapore, and Lieutenant 
Kelsall, R.A. The funds available for the expedition are 2000 dollars 
voted from the Straits Treasury. The object is to ascend the highest 
mountain in Pahang, incidentally noting all that can be learned 
about the physical features and the flora and fauna of the country. 
The expedition was to go by steamer to Pekan ; thence up stream 
to Kuala Lipis ; thence northerly up the Tembelinis and Sat rivers. 
Having ascended the latter river so far as it may be navigable for 
small canoes, the expedition will strike through forest and jungle, 
estimated to extend for sixty miles, till they emerge at Gunong Tahan, 
which is said to be about 8000 feet high. Ascending this mountain, 
and crossing what is called Cameron’s plateau, they will then ascend 
Gunong Siam, a mountain the height of which has been estimated to 
be as much as 14,000 feet. Having completed this ascent, they will 
return by the same route, the estimated period of absence from Singapore 
being between two and three months. The party were to take with 
them three Tamil hunters and collectors attached to Mr. Davison’s 
Museum staff, and three Malays of the Gardens and Forests Department 
— (^Nature.) 
