288 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 28, 1893. 
care is exercised. The bulbs being dry the old soil was removed with a 
well worn hat brush, six being placed in an 8-inch and eight in a 10-inch 
pot. A little of the compost was then put in between the bulbs, and 
the pots stood on a boarded stage, the temperature of the house ranging 
from 65° to 70°, rising with sun heat. A watering was given at a tem¬ 
perature of 90°, and an occasional damping about the pots was all the 
moisture applied until growth had commenced, after which copious sup¬ 
plies were given. The freezing occurred at the end of February. Now 
the plants have massive leaves 6 and 7 inches across, pots full of thick 
white roots, and have produced an abundance of flowers during the past 
six weeks. 
Tomatoes in Shallow Boxes. 
Is a deep soil necessary for the growth of the Tomato ? was a 
question which occurred to me after leaving the Eucharis referred to 
above. In the early Peach house I noticed some grand well fruited plants, 
growing in ordinary cutting boxes 1^ and 2 inches deep and 18 inches 
long, placed on the narrow stage at the front of the house. The plants 
were trained to upright stakes, and there were two in each box. Good 
loam had been used in planting, with a top-dressing of horse manure 
given, and Sutton’s Al, Hackwood Park, Carter’s Traveller (a beautiful 
free setting, large and solid red fruits), and Golden Sunrise (the now 
well known yellow) were carrying heavy crops. They were some sur¬ 
plus plants which had been planted in the shallow boxes with the object 
of getting a few fruits from them. The lesson learnt is that good 
Tomatoes can be well grown in very little soil, provided the plants are 
properly watered.—K. P. R. 
Events of the Week. —But few events of horticultural interes 
will take place during the ensuing week. The special Show of fruit 
and vegetables which opened at the Gardening and Forestry Exhibition, 
Earl’s Court, on Wednesday will remain open to-day (Thursday) and 
to-morrow. Several sales of garden produce, particulars of which have 
been advertised, will be held in the various auction rooms in the 
metropolis. 
- The Weather in London. —Since publishing our last issue 
the weather in the Metropolis has been of a variable character. Until 
Friday it was warm and summer-like, but on the day mentioned it 
became cold, as also was Saturday, when showers occurred. Sunday 
opened bright and comparatively warm, Monday proving colder, with 
occasional showers. Tuesday was mild, and early on Wednesday 
morning it rained heavily. At the time of going to press, however, it is 
fine. Slight frosts have occurred at night, but at the time of writing 
no damage has been done to tender plants. 
- Death op Mrs. Latham.—W e deeply regret to announce the 
death of Mrs. Latham of the Edgbaston Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, 
which took] place on the morning of the 24:th inst. somewhat sud¬ 
denly, ]after a' long and dangerous illness, from which it was hoped 
she was recovering. A very large circle of friends sincerely sympathize 
with Mr. Latham in his bereavement. 
-Testimonial to Mr. Thomas Manning.—W e have pleasure 
in announcing that the Committee of Gardeners formed for the purpose 
of offering to Mr. Manning some mark of respect on his retirement from 
active duty, have had gratifying support in the form of contributions 
towards carrying out the object in view. A large number of gardeners 
and others at once sent subscriptions, which are limited to lOs. 6d., to 
Mr. George Wythes, Syon House Gardens, Brentford, Treasurer of the 
Fund; or Mr. James Hudson, Gunnersbury House Gardens, Acton^ 
London, W., Honorary Secretary. The subscription list closes on 
October 7 th. 
- Gardening Appointments. — We learn that Mr. James 
Gibson, recently of The Oaks, Carshalton, a first-class vegetable grower 
and exhibitor, as well as an all-round horticulturist, is about to enter 
the service of A. H. Watts, Esq., Devonhurst, Chiswick, as head gardener, 
where it is hoped he may find ample scope for his abilities, Mr. A. 
Aitkins, for the past two years foreman under Mr. Lewin at Drumpellier, 
N.B., has been appointed gardener to Colonel King-Harman, Newcastle, 
Ballymahon, Ireland. Mr. W. Adams has been appointed head gardener 
to Mrs. Walker, Rydinghurst, Cranleigh, Surrey. Mr. G. Phillips, late 
gardener to W, Banon, Esq., Taplow House, Maidenhead, is appointed 
head gardener to the Rev. G. W. Corbit, Sundorne Castle, Shrewsbury. 
- It is with unfeigned regret that we announce the death of 
Miss Sarah Lloyd, daughter of the late well-known florist, Mr. 
Lloyd of Sheet, near Petersfield. Mr. Lloyd’s specialty was the Tulip, 
of which he possessed a very choice collection, and which his daughter 
has carefully tended since his death in December last. Miss Lloyd 
was also an ardent florist. She died, after a short illness, at her 
residence at Sheet on the evening of the 25th inst., deeply regretted. 
- The Grape Crop in America.—G rapes in the Lake Erie 
region, according to an American exchange, are looking fine. From- 
Dunkirk, in Chautauqua County, to Cleveland, Ohio, the crop has more 
than a usually promising appearance. The vineyardists of that section 
have long recognised the importance of exterminating weeds and of 
cultivating the Vines as carefully as other crops are cultivated. Some 
of their vineyards, containing from 25 to 50 acres, and laid out with 
extreme regularity, are indeed a beautiful sight. 
- The Currant Crop in Greece.—W hile most countries have 
suffered from poor crops this year, Greece has been exceptionally 
favoured. The Currant crop amounts to 160,000 tons, while last year 
it was only 112,000 tons. Again, the crop of Olives is reported to be 
three times as large as it was in 1892, and the Wheat crop is also said 
to be good. The agricultural population, therefore, of Greece, ought, one 
would think, to be prosperous. There is, of course a grievance, on 
account of the low price of Currants. The new crop is selling at 
8s. a cwt. to London or Liverpool, which is a sad falling off from last 
year, when there were buyers on the same terms at 198. a cwt. 
- Single Cactus Dahlias.—M essrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay^ 
N.B., send us blooms of a new type of single Cactus Dahlias that has 
been distributed by them this season. The flowers are of medium size, 
with reflexed florets of various colours. For decorative purposes these 
Dahlias are undoubtedly useful, but they will not find favour with every¬ 
one, no more than the single Chrysanthemums do. The flowers sent, 
however, are fresh, and among the named varieties Highland Mary, rich 
scarlet ; Meg Merrilies, lemon yellow; Guy Mannering, blush; and 
Robert Burns, purplish magenta, are specially good. Blooms of some 
unnamed seedlings of merit are also noticeable in the same collection. 
- Shrivelled Potatoes. —The case to which “ Middledale 
(page 266) refers of Potatoes being found in a flabby or soft condition is 
not at all novel. I have often met with tubers in a similar condition, and 
have always attributed it to scald from occasional very hot sunshine. 
It is usually found where the tubers are very thinly covered with soil, 
or has sometimes occurred where through some accident the plant stem 
has been injured, and soil partially removed from the tubers, thus 
exposing them to undue heat. Of course it is a case that seldom occurs, 
and for that reason it is of little importance. Still, whenever oddities 
in any garden product are found it is but natural that anyone should 
wish to know the why and the wherefore.—A. D. 
- The Sirex gigas. —I was surprised to read on page 279 that 
this beautiful insect “ has been taken in England but very rarely.” 
I have at odd times taken a few insects, and retained them as objects 
of interest, and now have some fine specimens. They do not appear 
rare in our neighbourhood near Bath. I take it that this insect 
has not an actual sting in the ordinary sense of the word. I have 
handled them when alive, but have never been stung ; this, of course, 
does not go for much. The very wonderful tail that the female has, 
often more than half an inch long, is not a sting, though it is quite 
possible it might inflict injury on the skin ; but its use is to pierce the 
wood in order to lay its eggs therein, and the Pine forests in some 
countries are often much injured by this gigantic sawfly. Wood calls 
this instrument a gimlet.—Y. B. A. Z. 
- The Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.—W e learn that a 
large committee of gardeners of Kingston, Surbiton, and district, 
including the leading members of the fraternity in that locality, with 
Mr. T. Cushon, Norbiton Hall Gardens, as Chairman, Mr. E. Bennett, 
Hampton Court, Vice-Chairman, Mr. W. Furze, Roselands, Teddington, 
and Mr. A. Dean, Kingston, Secretary, has been formed for the purpose 
of promoting a grand concert in aid of the above Fund, at the 
Surbiton Assembly Rooms, on the evening of October 25th. A strong 
effort is being made with considerable success to secure an influential 
list of patrons. The concert is being furnished by Mr. W. Furze, who is 
himself an excellent amateur vocalist, and who promises a first-class 
programme. The effort is a somewhat ambitious one, but it is hoped 
that with some active canvassers in the district tickets will be largely 
sold and a great success achieved. 
