Match :3ff, 1893.)] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE‘AND ^GOTTAGE GARDENER. 
‘,265 
- Gardening- Appointment. —Mr. John Southwell, late under 
gardener at Berkswell Hall, hast been appointed head gardener to 
C. W. Digby, Esq., Meriden Hall, near Coventry. 
- Death op Mr. Henry Deverill.—W e regret to hear of 
the death of Mr. Henry Deverill, the well-known seedsman, who died 
on the 16th inst. at his residence, Grimsbury, Banbury. Mr. Deverill, 
who had a wide reputation for his “ pedigree ” Onions, was in his 
fifty-second year, and leaves a widow. 
- Senecio sagittifolius. —This new species, which was intro¬ 
duced from TJraguay, is now flowering in the succulent house at Kew 
for the first time in England. The flowers are white with yellow disc, 
and are produced in heads on spikes several feet in length. The leaves 
are dark green and attain a length of nearly 3 feet. 
- Wakefield Paxton Society. — At a meeting of the 
members of the above Society Mr. A. Batty of Rothwell read a paper 
on “ Legends Respecting Trees and Plants.” The essayist gave much 
information with regard to a large number of trees and plants, and 
some curious and amusing legends connected with them. 
- Lee, Blackheath, and Lewisham Horticultural 
Society. —The subject of a paper by Mr. J. Laing was “Begonias and 
their Culture,” read before a good attendance last Friday evening. A 
first-class certificate was awarded to Mr, Judge, gardener to J. C. 
Geiselbrecht, Esq., Lee, for a seedling Clivia of two trusses, containing 
seventy-six blooms of a deep orange colour. 
- Death of Mr. W. Treseder. —We regret to announce the death 
I of Mr. Wm. Treseder. the well-known florist and nurseryman of Cardiff, 
which occurred somewhat suddenly at his residence in Cowbridge Road 
^ on Wednesday, 22nd. Mr. Treseder was in his sixty-fourth year, and had 
- not only the establishment in Cowbridge Road, but he had also established 
a large nursery at Llandaff, and extensive gardens at Whitchurch. Mr. 
; Treseder was a member of the Canton Local Board, and when that 
; district became merged in the Cardiff Corporation he was twice elected 
* to the Council for the Canton Ward. The business will be carried on 
by Mrs. Treseder and the sons. The funeral took place on Monday at 
Llandaff Cathedral. 
- Spraying Fruit Trees.—A law has been enacted in 
Ontario, Canada, forbidding the spraying or sprinkling of fruit trees 
while they are in bloom with any mixture containing Paris green or 
other substances poisonous or injurious to bees. The object of the 
legislation is to protect the bees from harm, the honey from possible 
taint of poisoning, and to avoid obstacles to the complete fertilisation of 
the fruit. 
- Exportations of Potatoes.—I t may seem curious to the 
ordinary public to note that while salesmen are importing thousands of 
bushels of Potatoes into this country from France, Germany, and else¬ 
where, home growers are exporting tubers to America. A transatlantic 
contemporary to hand states that on one day early in the current month 
no less than 31,883 sacks of Potatoes were received from Dundee, 175 
sacks from Liverpool, and 1736 sacks from London. 
- Birds and Fruit Buds.—M r. Jamei Hiam, Astwood Bank^ 
writes :—“ Readers will see on page 223 that ‘ W. T.’ and I do not agree 
about poor ‘ Chit-a-dee-dee,’ a local name for the tits. It may not be 
the first time we have had a good humoured ‘ peck ’ on another 
matter, and if so we are quite as likely to retain our own opinions in 
this question. Unless ‘ W. T.’ can suggest a better plan than mine 
—viz., to carefully watch every movement of these birds for forty or 
fifty years, and then shoot one when feeding on fruit trees among the 
buds to clear up a disputed point, open its craw and gizzard, turn out 
the contents, and save it for future contradictions should they arise, and 
find nothing but injurious insect pests instead of buds ; why, I must 
leave the matter as it stands.” 
- Allotments at Hampton Wick. —The Board of Works 
having, after much trouble, finally permitted the Local Board of 
Hampton Wick to have possession of six acres of meadow land lying 
between the Thames and the Home Park, near Kingston Bridge, the 
ground was marked out in 10 rod and 20 rod plots, and balloted for last 
week, and possession taken by the allotment holders on Saturday last. 
The soil is of dark free nature surfaced by a rich pasture, and should with 
due cultivation make fine garden ground. The first efforts at breaking 
up were not encouraging, as many of the holders seemed to have poor 
notion of digging, and did their work in an indifferent and laborious 
way. The ground was originally priced at Is. per rod, but the applicants 
rebelling the Local Board reduced it to 6d. per rod. 
- Death of Dr. Karl Prantl.— The “ Botanisches Central- 
blatt” announces the death of Dr. Karl Prantl, Professor of Botany 
in the University of Breslau, and Director of the Botanic Garden there. 
For some years past Dr. Prantl has edited “ Hedwigia,” a journal 
devoted to cryptogamic botany ; but it was chiefly as a teacher that he 
was known. 
-New Plants for 1892.—A list of the new plants for 1892 has 
been published as an appendix to the A'ejo Bulletin. The list, however, 
not only includes new plants, but those that were re-introduced last 
year after being for some time lost to cultivation. Brief descriptions 
of the plants are given, as also are references where they have been fully 
described or figured. 
- Sulphate of Ammonia for Forced Straw‘berrie3. — It 
may not be generally known that sulphate of ammonia is an excellent 
stimulant for Strawberries in pots. Given once a week at the rate of 
half an ounce to 1 gallon of clear water is a safe plan of using this 
powerful stimulant, and does not interfere with the regular supplies of 
liquid manure usually employed for this purpose.—S. 
- The Hertford Horticultural Mutual Improvement 
Society. —This Society, which has been in existence only fifteen 
months, is in a most flourishing condition, and has a membership of 
240. Exhibitions amongst members are held fortnightly, certificates of 
merit being awarded to the professional gardeners, amateurs, and 
cottagers’ sections for the best exhibits of fruit, flowers, or vegetables. 
The Chrysanthemum Show in connection with the Society is fixed for 
November 2nd and 3rd, 1893. 
- We have received several parts of the French edition of 
Nicholson’s “ Illustrated Dictionary of Gardening,” which is appearing 
under the title, “ Dictionnaire Pratique d’Horticulture et de Jardinage.” 
It is under the editorship of M. S. Mottet, assisted by MM. Vilmorin 
Andrieux et Cie., G. Alluard, E. Andre, G. Bellair, and G. Legros. With 
such a staff at his command M. Mottet may well undertake such a task, 
and with the examples before us we look forward to the production of 
such a work as will be of great value when completed. 
- Destroying Insects.— In his paper on Plant Culture and 
Insect Pests, read at a meeting of the Liverpool Horticultural Associa¬ 
tion, Mr. Hugh Ranger recommended for mealy bug either Fir tree oil 
or petroleum, the latter being used at the rate of a wineglassful to three 
gallons of water. For thrips he had not found anything better than 
tobacco smoke. For aphis or green fly quassia chips and softsoap. For 
red spider he recommended a moist atmosphere, by having the hot- 
water pipes coated thickly with sulphur, taking care to put plenty in 
the troughs as well, then heating the pipes to nearly boiling point and 
keeping the house closed for a few hours. 
- Moseley Botanic Gardens, Birmingham. — We have 
received a schedule of prizes offered at the exhibitions to be held at the 
above gardens during the ensuing summer. On May 10th and 11th an 
exhibition of floral designs, bouquets and similar decorations will be held, 
while on June 7th and 8th there is to be a special display of Pelar¬ 
goniums, Orchids, Pansies, and stove and greenhouse plants. A great 
Rose show will be held on July 19th and 20th, and on August 29th, 30th, 
and 31st there is to be an exhibition of Dahlias and other flowers, fruits, 
and vegetables. Mr. W. Dean, Dolphin Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, is 
the manager of the exhibitions. 
- Proposed Testimonial to Mr. M’Hattie. —The removal 
of Mr. J. W. M’Hattie from the gardens at Newbattle Abbey to an 
important position in the south of England has been considered by a 
number of his brother horticulturists and personal friends a fitting 
opportunity to express in a tangible form the high esteem in which he 
is held. Mr. M’Hattie has ocjupied the position of gardener to the 
Most Noble the Marquis of Lothian at Newbattle Abbey for the period 
of eight years, and by his rectitude of character, intelligence, courtesy, 
and kindliness of manner, has endeared himself to all with whom he 
has come in contact, whilst his success as a cultivator in many depart¬ 
ments of horticulture, notably as an exhibitor of fruit and Chrys¬ 
anthemums, as well as his valuable contributions to horticultural 
literature, entitle him to a prominent place in the front rank of Scottish 
gardeners. A Committee has been formed to receive subscriptions for 
the purpose of presenting Mr. M’Hattie with a testimonial previous to 
his leaving Scotland, and the time available being very limited, all who 
■wish to subscribe are invited to intimate their contributions to any 
member of Committee, or direct to the Secretary or Treasurer, not later 
than Saturday the Ist of April. — Malcolm Dunn, Chairman of 
Committee, The Palace Gardens, Dalheith, 
