March 33, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
236 
- British Fruit Growers’ Association.—A general meeting 
of this Association will be held at the Hotel Windsor on Wednesday, 
March 28th, at 2.30 P.M. It is hoped that as many members as possible 
will attend. 
- Death of Mons. JEAN-EuukNB ChaurIc. —We have received 
a notification of the death of this gentleman, who was chief editor of 
the Moniteur de VHorticulture. M. Chaur4 died on the 1st inst. at Parc 
Saint-Maar (Seine), France, at the age of seventy-two, and his loss is 
mourned by many friends. 
- Flowers in the Scilly Isles. —According to Mr. T. Dorrien- 
Smith the flower industry in the Scilly Isles was anything but remunera¬ 
tive twelve years ago. Last year, however, 330 tons were sent away for 
sale, and this year Mr. Dorrien-Smith estimates the quantity will reach 
quite 400 tons. During the month of February 182 tons were 
despatched. 
- Extreme Weather in Wilts. —On the 18th inst. cold 
piercing north-east winds were followed with a sharp frost, the 
thermometer falling to 21°. The 19th inst. was fine with less wind, the 
thermometer rising to 62° outside. Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines 
are now opening their blooms freely, but the fine dry weather so far is 
greatly in their favour for the outside trees.—G. F,,.Trafalgar. 
- The Value of Toads. —Our respected transatlantic contem¬ 
porary, the Garden and Forest^ says: “In England toads are valued as 
destroyers of insects, and are offered for sale for Is. apiece, it is said) 
in the London markets, being bought by market gardeners.” It is 
questionable whether any market gardener in this country would give 
Is. for a toad. If such were the case a new industry would quickly 
arise. 
- Cytisus Scoparius Andreanus. —This is a very distinct 
and beautiful plant, and lovers of hardy flowering shrubs should not 
fail to add it to their collections. The upper portion of the flower is a 
clear canary yellow, the inside petals rich velvety chestnut red with 
yellow reverse, forming a pleasing and effective contrast ; and the 
upright habit of growth shows the flower to the best advantage. It 
originated as a sport in a field of wild Broom, and is obtainable 
from the best nurseries.—H. Richards, Roche Court. 
- Botany in America. —In no country of Europe, not even in 
Germany, are the results of scientific research more eagerly seized upon 
for application to the industries than in the United States. This is 
especially true as regarded the natural sciences and the industries of 
agriculture and horticulture. As now reported, the State Governments 
maintain no fewer than thirty-two botanical stations. Systematic 
botany and the physiology of plants are studied more or less at all these 
stations ; and at every one of them particular attention is given to the 
diseases of plants and the disease-causing fungi. 
- Sunny Devon. — Apropos of Mr. J. Moorman’s remarks 
(page 217), the following cutting from a recent issue of the “ Western 
Daily Mercury ” might be worthy of insertion in the Journal : — 
“ Summer is come—one would think so—at least, at Torquay. The 
winter has been exceedingly mild, if wet, and beautiful spring weather 
has been experienced for some weeks. During February there were 
twenty-two days of bright sunshine out of twenty-eight. This lovely 
mildness has continued during the present month. Flowers in abund¬ 
ance fill the public gardens. Violets are as common as Daisies in 
summer. The Torbay Road and Rock Walk is a veritable Garden of 
Eden, and its floral display reflects much credit on the gardener (Mr. 
Dyer) and his assistant (Mr. Greek).”— Devonian. 
- Flowers and Their Relation to Insects. —This was 
the title of a lecture given by Professor Denny at Sheffield recently. 
Pollen, it was pointed out, was an essential element in the reproduction 
of plants, and in order to secure its free distribution Nature had 
developed all sorts of marvellous contrivances. In some cases wind- 
borne germs were carsied from one country to another. Insects 
were the principal agents in bringing about cross fertilisation. Bees 
and flies, flitting hither and thither, carry pollen from flower to flower, 
and thus secure the most vigorous development in the floral descendants. 
In order to utilise these little unconscious fertilisers to the best advan¬ 
tage, Dame Nature availed herself in the shape of the most dainty 
devices of such contrivances as miniature decoys, platforms, springs, 
trap-doors, levers, and drawbridges. The gay colours and sweet scents 
of plants, their nectaries and honey glands were simply so many baits to 
attract insect visitors. 
- Crystal Palace Summer Show. —Her Majesty the Queen 
having fixed May 10th for opening the Imperial Institute, the dates of 
Crystal Palace grand summer Flower Show are altered to Thursday and 
Friday, May 11th and 12th. 
- A Gold Medal Herbarium. —According to the Chemist 
and Druggist Dr. Justus Karl Hasskarl has been awarded a gold medal 
by the Dutch Government in acknowledgment of the gift of his 
herbarium to Leyden University. The herbarium consists of over 
20,000 botanical specimens, mostly collected by the donor, and arranged 
by him. 
- A Tea Garden at the Crystal Palace. —A handbook 
of the arrangements for 1893 has been issued by the Crystal Palace 
Company, and in addition to the flower shows to be held there, w« 
observe that a model of a Tea garden in Assam has been arranged in a 
building on the north lawns. Indian Tea plants may there be seen in 
a healthy state of growth, and the preparation of the Tea is carried on 
in all its stages of withering, fermenting, rolling, and drying by natives 
of India. The model has been arranged by Mr. Patrick Macgregor, an 
old Tea planter of Assam. 
- Kingston and Surbiton Gardeners’ Association.—T’ ne 
first ordinary meeting of this new Society was held on the loth, when 
Mr. T. Cushon, of Norbiton Park Gardens, read a very practical paper 
on the Amaryllis, for which he received very hearty thanks. Several 
gentlemen were elected Vice-Presidents, and others became honorary and 
ordinary members. Mr. Cushon’s contribution of several well-flowered 
Amaryllis was much appreciated. Mr. J. Walker, of Ham, having kindly 
consented to allow the members to inspect his extensive breadths of 
Narcissi at an early date, it was agreed to visit Ham about the 10 th of 
April. 
- Beckenham Horticultural Society. —The Committee of 
this flourishing suburban Society having arranged for a course of 
lectures to the members, the first of the series was given at the Public 
Hall by Mr. A. Dean of Kingston on Friday evening last. The subject 
of the lecture was “ The Potato.” This was treated very exhaustively, 
dealing with its origin, gradual development, cultivation, exhibition 
aspects, diseases, and antidotes. The lecture was aided by some very 
fine samples, illustrating sections and varieties. The Rector of 
Beckenham presided, and there was a large attendance of members, one 
of whom exhibited a well-bloomed Cattleya Trianae, and some very fine 
Seakale and Mushrooms. Mr. Dean will lecture on the Tomato on 
Friday next. 
- Royal Trees. —On Friday last Her Majesty the Queen, also 
the Empress Frederick, and Princess Beatrice, visited Major the 
Honourable H. C. Legge at his residence. The Gardens, Fulmer, Slough. 
After having tea with the Honourable Mrs. Legge each of the Royal 
personages planted a tree on the new lawn, Mr. W. Mowbray, the 
gardener, assisting in the work. When the ceremony was over the 
Major kindly presented the trowel that had been used to his gardener 
with an appropriate inscription engraved thereon as a memento of the 
occasion. After serving at Fulmer faithfully and well first the late 
Earl of Leven and Melville for twenty years, and subsequently the 
present proprietor for two years, Mr. Mowbray is retiring for a well 
earned rest, his son, Mr. John Mowbray, who has proved his ability ai 
a gardener, succeeding to the charge. 
- The Birmingham Gardeners’ Association.—A t the last 
meeting of the Association, which was numerously attended, Mr. 
C. E. Pearson of Chilwell Nurseries, Nottingham, gave a lecture on 
“ The Insect Friends and Foes of the Garden,” illustrated by lantern 
slides, dealing in a very able manner with the history and life economy 
of each subject from the egg and larval state up to the developed moth, 
butterfly, or other congener ; also the vegetable or animal foods 
required for their subsistence. Advice was also given as to the modes 
and antidotes commonly adopted for the extirpation of these pests, not 
that all of which should be regarded as pests, inasmuch as there are 
certain species of grubs and insects that prey on each other, thus 
assisting to preserve a balance in nature, which their extraordinary 
procreation attribute tend to overbalance. Gardeners were earnestly 
advised to cultivate an acquaintance with entomology, not only as a 
means for the readier detection and dealing with injurious insects, but 
also as an interesting recreation for the mind. Specimens of Anastatica 
hierochuntica, the “ Rose of Jericho,” were exhibited by Mr, Deans 
(Messrs. Pope & Sons), also dried specimens were contributed by him of 
some Resurrection Mosses or Selaginellas, all forming a most interesting 
exhibit. Mr. Walter Jones also exhibited very fine Cineraria blooms. 
