492 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ NoTember 30, 18»3. 
- Cedrela australis. —The most valuable tree produced in New 
South Wales is the so-called Red Cedar, Cedrela australis, which owes 
its common name to the sweet smell of its wood. It is much lighter in 
weight than mahogany, although it bears considerable resemblance to that 
wood and is used for the same purposes, that is, for cabinet work and 
furniture in general, and for the fittings of buildings, where the cost is 
not too great. Where it is kept dry it is, says a colonial contemporary, 
very durable. Naturally of a pleasing red, it turns to a deeper and 
richer colour with age, and some trees have a beautiful grain. It is 
stated that extensive plantations of young Cedar are being made every 
year and are flourishing finely. 
- Death op Mr. Isaac Dixox. — We regret to learn of the 
death and burial of this well-known manager at Feltham, Middlesex, to 
Messrs. C. Lee & Sons, the old nursery firm. The deceased had been in 
the firm’s service as manager some twenty-five years, and also undertook 
business journeys, so that he was very widely known. He was endowed 
with great energy, and no doubt proved a valuable servant. We learn 
that his very unexpected death is attributed to his having slept in a 
damp bed at Ashford in Kent recently, as he returned home very weak, 
and afilicted with great pain. The cause of death seems to have been 
intermittent fever and ague. His death occurred on November 18th, 
and his funeral on the 25th. This took place amidst great demonstra¬ 
tions of respect, a large number of Freemasons, of which body he was an 
active member, also attending. 
- The Royal Horticultural Society and South 
Kensington. —In consequence of a leakage from the Council of the 
Royal Horticultural Society a rumour was circulated about a fortnight 
ago of a proposal that the Society should emigrate to the old region of 
South Kensington, but under the circumstances we did not think it 
appropriate to make public reference to the subject. As the proposal 
was, however, freely spoken about in the Westminster Drill Hall last 
Tuesday there are no grounds for refraining from stating that it is 
understood that the question for making the Imperial Institute the head¬ 
quarters of the Society is under consideration. It would perhaps be con¬ 
sidered premature to discuss the matter in the absence of authoritative 
information ; but it may be remarked that in the opinion of many 
persons the Society has of late become more consolidated, and what 
may be termed a settling down policy has been adopted with a gratifying 
measure of success. In consequence of this there are not wanting 
among its supporters those who look with a good deal of concern to any¬ 
thing of a disturbing nature occurring through a project of a speculative 
character. Is not the Imperial Institute itself essentially speculative ? 
Is it sufficiently consolidated to justify a move in the direction in¬ 
dicated ? and will it be safe to place the Society under the wing of a 
body of South Kensingtonian speculators ? These questions are mooted 
as needing, what we may expect they will receive, the gravest considera¬ 
tion before any change that may be of a momentous character is finally 
decided upon. It is tolerably well known that the often dingy Drill 
Hall has no special charms for us, but we are bound to say that 
horticulturists have adapted themselves to it almost better than we 
could have anticipated, and there are several we suspect who at the 
present moment think it safer in this reference to “ endure the ills we 
have than fly to others that we know not of,” Possibly the Council 
of the Royal Horticultural Society in view of the disquieting rumours 
may think it desirable to make an official statement on the important 
subject, and show that if a change is intended there are reasons in its 
favour so strong as to be practically irresistible. N.B.—Since the 
foregoing was in type we are informed on the best authority that pro¬ 
posals emanating from the authorities of the Imperial Institute have 
been made to the Council with a view to the removal of the head¬ 
quarters of the Society to South Kensington ; a proposal which we have 
the satisfaction of announcing was not considered desirable in the 
interests of the Society. 
NOTHING PAYS—A WAIL. 
We often read glowing accounts of the profits and benefits to be 
derived from fruit growing and market gardening. Personally I believe 
there are some, but not to so large an extent as some persons may 
imagine. A market grower from the west of England called here at 
the early part of this week. He gave an exceedingly doleful account 
o the work. His Apples and Pears were not worth gathering, price 
emg so low, and bushels were spoiling; the same with Plums and 
bush fruits. He is of opinion that London is one of the worst markets 
we have. I note a few wholesale prices in a western town. Peaches, 
large ones, lOd. per dozen ; Grapes, 8d. per pound on the 18th November 
(Gros Colman) ; Tomatoes, 3d. per pound ; Cabbages, 3d. per dozen ; 
Celery, 6d. per dozen. 
What conclusion can anyone come to after reading the prices realised 
with those given in horticultural papers, and those charged by the 
retailer ? Is it the middleman or excessive railway rates that prevent 
the better distribution of vegetables and fruits about the country ? The 
grower above referred to called at some London retail shops, offering 
to send to them direct, but they preferred going to the market. There 
is no doubt that the prices published from time to time are misleading. 
We need some re-arrangement, so that we can get something more 
authentic. I cannot but think that if the working classes and others 
would spend^more on vegetables and fruits, and less in other question¬ 
able ways, they and the country would be better for it. I may add 
that this west of England grower does not find Mushrooms a paying 
crop. I send his wail to the Journal of HorticulUire .—A. J. Brown, 
School of Handicraft, Chertsey. 
[The west of England grower is either in an unsuitable locality, has 
unfavourable soil, or in some way is lacking in the requisites which 
enable so many growers of vegetables and fruit to pay £5 an acre for 
the land and live, through their good judgment and effective work, in 
comfortable if not affluent circumstances. . Some men are so satisfied 
with growing first-class garden produce for sale that they are, as far as 
is practicable, extending their operations. We are intimately acquainted 
with one market gardener who has been working 100 acres of land at a 
rent of £5 an acre, who has just taken twice the extent of land ; also, 
we are in touch with a working man who commenced with less than an 
acre, who is now seizing all the vacant plots in his district at Is. a rod, 
or £8 an acre. He does not trouble himself about published prices, 
but grows the best “stuff” he possibly can, has it ready as early as 
others (a little earlier if possible), and sells only first-class samples, 
taking his chance about prices. There are thousands of tons of garden 
produce for which there are no prices, and it cannot therefore pay for 
growing and sending to market.] 
CROTON RUSSELLI. 
As will be seen by referring to the accompanying illustration 
(fig. 71), this is a distinct Croton, and one that will probably be 
included in most collections. The plant from which the engraving 
has been prepared was exhibited by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, 
at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on November 14tb, 
a first-class certificate being awarded for it. When well developed 
the leaves are large and the upper surface is bronzy green, richly spotted 
and veined with yellow and red. The under surface is bronzy red. The 
plant appears to be of a dwarf habit, and will be useful for decorative 
purposes. 
PRIZES AT THE FORESTRY EXHIBITION. 
Allow me as one of the “ unfortunate ” prizewinners at the late 
Earl’s Court Exhibition, to add a few remarks to “ Exhibitor’s ” note, 
page 444. I wrote some two months ago to Mr. H. Milner, asking that 
the prize money due to me should be paid, and a few days later received 
a reply that my letter should be attended to in due course, and although 
in the schedule it stated that all prizes would be paid within a month of 
the Exhibition I have up to this date received neither money nor other 
reply. Like “ Exhibitor” I thought such names as Mr. H. Turner and 
Mr. Milner were sufficient guarantee of proper civility and respect being 
shown to everyone. I know of one exhibitor whose expenses were con¬ 
siderably over £10, and who has all along looked forward to about as 
much prize money to repay him for expenses incurred. No reply what¬ 
ever has been received by him to his application for the amount which 
he won. 
As “ Exhibitor ” states, if anyone has received prize money it would 
be as well to at once say so, if not I think all should fall in with his 
suggestion and take the matter to court. I will willingly give my mite 
towards the cost, for I feel confident that exhibitors are fully entitled 
to the prize money due to them. 
I was painfully surprised to learn from “ Exhibitor’s ” letter that the 
donations promised to the gardeners’ charities have not yet been paid, 
and I am sure it will come as a like surprise to a great many more, as I, 
with many friends, had often spoken of it as a most benevolent action 
and one deserving of the warmest praise. 
Surely Mr. H. Turner, as the head of a most respected firm, and 
whose name has often adorned the pages of the Journal, will give us 
some explanation. If the Exhibition has been a failure, what have the 
officials to lose by at once saying so ? If, on the other hand, they really 
intend paying, why not at once state the cause of the delay, and so settle 
