March 9, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
199 
- Botany in Heligoland. —The German Government has 
established a biological Institute on the island of Heligoland, and has 
appointed Dr. Kuckuck its Botanical Director. 
- Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association.—A t a recent 
meeting of this Association Mr. William Andrews, gardener to Mrs. 
Bidden, Duryard, read an interesting paper on “ Kitchen Gardening.” 
Mr. Andrews opened his subject with a warning to young men just 
launching into the gardening world against the neglect of outdoor work. 
- The moss herbarium of Dr. Rehmann and Hepaticfe 
herbarium of Dr. Gottsche have passed into the possession of the 
Botanical Museum of Berlin ; the Botanical Museum of the University 
of Vienna has acquired the moss herbarium of Hoppe; and the 
Botanical Institute of the German University at Prague the greater 
part of the valuable library of Prof. Wilkomm. 
- Royal Meteorological Society.—A t the ordinary meeting 
of the Society, to be held at 25, Great George Street, Westminster, on 
Wednesday, the 15th instant, at 7 p.m., a lecture will be given by 
Mr. Shelford Bidwell, F.R.S., on “ Some Meteorological Problems,’’ 
which will be illustrated by experiments. Fellows may introduce 
visitors.— William Marriott, Assistant Secretary. 
- Gardening Appointments. —Mr. A. Drewitt, for three years 
foreman at Ketton Hall Gardens, near Stamford, has been appointed 
gardener to Mrs. Creyke, Holbrook Park, Horsham, Sussex. Mr. 
C. Elliott, for the past three years foreman in The Gardens, Underley 
Hall, and formerly at Drumlanrig, has been appointed head gardener 
to Mrs. Wilson, Luneville, Torquay. Mr. J. Wyke, late gardener and 
steward to E. P. Westby, Esq., Roebuck Castle, Dundrum, Co. Dublim 
has been appointed gardener to the Earl of Clonmel, Bishop’s Court* 
Straffan, Co. Kildare. 
- Johnson’s Gardeners’ Dictionary.—A s announced in a 
previous issue, a revised edition of this useful book is being published 
in eight monthly parts by Messrs. G. Bell & Son, York Street, Covent 
Garden, and the first instalment to hand shows that the work has 
been well accomplished. This part comprises 128 pages, and although 
the arrangement hitherto adopted has been adhered to, several im¬ 
portant additions and alterations are noticeable. Many of the cultural 
directions have been re-written and brought up to date, whilst refer¬ 
ences as to where illustrations of many of the plants described may be 
found are also given. 
- Wakefield Paxton Society. —At the recent meeting of this 
Society the Secretary, Mr. G. W. Fallas, gave the fourth of the series of 
papers on “ Elementary Botany,” describing the growth of plants and 
the materials of which they are composed. He explained how the 
leaves breathe in from the atmosphere and the roots absorb from the 
soil the necessary elements, and how these meet and are transformed in 
the cellular structures of the stem into the nutrition which is thus dis¬ 
tributed throughout the plant. Mr. Fallas very lucidly set forth these 
intricate processes, accompanying his exposition with sketches on a 
blackboard. 
- The Birmingham Gardeners’ Association.—A t the last 
meeting Mr. G. A. Bishop, gardener to S. T. Mander, Esq., Wolver¬ 
hampton, and whose silver medal essay is appearing in instalments 
in our pages, read an exhaustive paper on “Chemistry as Applied to 
Gardening,” and with the aid of chemical experiments, afforded much 
valuable information to a large number present. He especial'y empha¬ 
sised the necessity for acquiring a knowledge of the chemical ingredients 
of soils, and answered a number of questions put to him. A very hearty 
vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Bishop for the paper. 
- A Handsome Legacy. — Mr. Hughes, the Hon. Secretary, 
announced at the above meeting a handsome legacy of £300, through 
him, to be devoted to the As-:ociation, and he is handing it over to the 
trustees (of which he is one) of the valuable library and other property 
of the Society, to be dealt with as they think best. Mr. Hughes 
exhibited at the same meeting a very fine well bloomed specimen of 
Dendrobium Pierardi, with a profusion of closely flowered strong 
growths. Messrs. Hewitt & Co. of the Nurseries, Solihull, exhibited 
several examples of Barbe du Capucin or Chicory, fit for use, and it 
was a surprise to many, as they were so fine. The seed was sown early 
last spring, and the young plants transplanted, and grown as Seakale 
is. The roots were lifted early in the winter and forced like Seakale, 
the crowns showing great strength of growth. As a winter salad it is 
invaluable, and so easily grown.—W. D. 
- Chasselas Napoleon Grape. —Under this name a London 
firm is advertising a Grape said to be a new white seedling, but no 
parentage is given. I have known a Grape of this name—exactly corre¬ 
sponding with the description given—for more than thirty years, and to 
the best of my recollection it formed one of a collection sent to a 
continental exhibition by my brother from Dalkeith well on for thirty 
years since.—D. Thomson, Drumlanrig. 
- The York Gala. —This is always one of the horticultural 
features of the year, and that to be held on June 14th, 15th, and 16th, 
promises to be no exception to the rule. A most liberal schedule of 
prizes has been provided, £58 being set apart in one class for groups 
alone. A sum of £42, divided into three prizes, is also offered for a 
group of ten stove and greenhouse plants (including Orchids) in bloom, 
and six ornamental foliage plants. 
- Is Soot a Good Manure? — Having heard a lecture on 
manure, I was surprised to hear the lecturer say that soot was of 
very little use, not worth fetching from your neighbours as a manure. 
I think that wrong, as I have seen many good changes for the better 
made on crops in the garden, also with pot plants ; in my estimation 
it has a tendency to make plants grow a dark green healthy colour, and 
more than that it is very useful in assisting to keep down the larvae of 
destructive insects. I should much like to hear some reader’s opinion 
of the manurial power of soot.—W. C. 
- Death of an Italian Botanist. —We hear with regret 
of the death of Cav. Giuseppe Antonio Pasquale, for many years 
Professor of Botany in the University of Naples, and Director of the 
Botanic Garden. Prof. Pasquale was the author of numerous articles 
on botany and cognate subjects. His earliest works of which we have 
cognisance were on the flora of Capri (1840), and the flora of Vesuvius 
(1842). In 1869 he published a more complete edition. He appears 
to have been appointed to the post of Director of the Naples Botanic 
Garden in 1866, and the following year he published a catalogue 
of the plants cultivated there, together with a brief history of the 
garden. 
- Late Planting of Potatoes.— Your correspondent “S.,” 
p. 152, has misunderstood my remarks anent the late planting of Potatoes- 
What I meant was that if the sets were properly prepared it would be 
much better to defer the planting in gardens of any but a few for early 
use till about the date he mentions—the middle of April. “S.” must 
be aware, however, that in many gardens nearly all the main crop is in 
the ground early in March, doubtless to save the young shoots which 
would otherwise be destroyed when the sets are kept in pits. That they 
run a greater risk from frost and other causes than if they were kept 
safely under cover for other six weeks is obvious. A standard authority, 
Thomson’s “ Gardeners’ Assistant,” advocates the planting of Potatoes 
as early in spring as possible, and not later than the beginning of March. 
—0. C. 
- The Owls and the Voles.—A correspondent writing from 
Borthwickbrae, Selkirkshire, says :—“ Doubtless many of your readers 
will be interested to know that the mice pest has greatly diminished) 
if not entirely disappeared, during the last two months. The great 
abundance of owls, coupled with the very severe weather, has no doubt 
given them a check. During the severe storm last month the owls, 
unfortunately, suffered also. The keeper of Alemoor Loch counted over 
thirty of the short-eared or heather owl, and eight kestrel hawks—some 
lying dead, others able to fly a few yards only, while several sat until 
lifted in the hands. Perhaps the alternate snow, thaw, and fresh might 
freeze up and perish off the mice also. These short-eared owls did not 
go to the woods to roost, which were close to the Loch, but were in the 
Willows and Reeds along the edge of the Loch.” 
-Leyton and District Horticultural Society,—A well 
attended meeting was held on Thursday evening last (2nd inst.) at The 
Star Coffee Tavern, Broadway, Leyton, for the purpose of forming the 
above Society. Mr. Fleming of Beckford Villa, Capworth Street^ 
Leyton, took the chair, and over thirty persons enrolled themselves 
members. The Society consists of amateur and professional gardeners. 
The following gentlemen were elected as members of the Committee :— 
Messrs. Cornish Flatman, P. Grugeon, Cox (Secretary to the late 
Society), Lusby, Linnell, Sanderson, Cummings, Fells, Bull, Lane; 
Haywood, Miles (Treasurer of Hazlewood, Lea Bridge Road). The 
next monthly meeting takes place on Thursday evening at eight o’clock, 
April 13th. Mr. Barnes, 1, Hope Villas, Capworth Street, Leyton, is the 
Secretary. 
