858 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ May 4, 1893. 
- The Thorns,—T hese hardy trees are in bloom everywhere, 
and in rich profusion. Generally they are fully a fortnight earlier than 
usual, for it is quite unusual to have them in full bloom in April, 
although at the end of it. It is not merely the Thorns, however, for we 
have Laburnums, Mountain Ash, Lilacs, and myriads of similar trees 
in full bloom. Also in April, and by the Ist of May, not only Apple 
but Crab bloom in all directions about London will be past its best. If 
the tree-flowering season is an early one it has been because of the flne 
weather a very beautiful one. Still, because of the dry state of the 
soil and the atmosphere, a brief one. All the same it bids fair to leave 
behind a good profusion of fruit.—D. 
- Hazel-bud Gall Mite.—I have read the article on page 
320-1 with much interest, and it is very singular that Mr. Gibbon of 
Seaford Grange, Pershore—vrho has paid great attention to the Black 
Currant gall mite—and I were chatting about this subject on our 
return from the Toddington gathering, and he was under the impression 
that they were the same as the Nut phytoptus. Having never met with 
the Hazel Nut phytoptus in this locality, it was no less strange that as 1 
was returning home, examining fruit trees right and left on the way, I 
came across some bushes badly infested. I obtained specimens, but 
unfortunately lost them, I intend getting other specimens for investi¬ 
gation under the microscope. I am very much interested to see the 
reference to Mr. Harrison Weir and myself, and our ideas as regards 
canker in Apple and Pear trees being caused by Phytoptus mali and 
P. pyri, and if Mr. G. Abbey can help me in fathoming these matters I 
shall be only too pleased to send specimens in illustration. There is 
immense damage done to Apple and Pear trees in this locality which 
might be cleared up. I feel sure from long observation and much 
writing—as readers know too well, probably—that the damage, or 
canker, is not attributable to the soil or the roots, as I get rid of canker 
on different lines and ideas, and no amount of writing can upset facts. 
—J. Hiam, Reclditch , 
-The Application of Water to Newly Potted Plants.— 
There is no period in the growth of a plant that requires such especial 
care as to the application of water as when newly potted. In the case 
of hardwooded plants it is very necessary to be certain that the ball of 
soil is in a proper condition as to moisture before repotting. No amount 
of water given after will penetrate the old ball if it was dry at the time 
of repotting. If the soil in which the plant has been potted was 
moderately moist I do not consider it advisable to apply water until the 
plants have somewhat recovered the slight check necessarily caused by 
the operation of potting, free watering not being essential until perfect 
vitality is restored. A free watering would only cause the soil to 
become sour, and consequently unfitted to the wants of the plants. If 
the plants are sprinkled lightly and the pots kept moistened until the 
roots are in a more active state this will be found a safe method 
for the cultivator to adopt. When he is satisfied that the roots 
are becoming thoroughly active, let a good watering be given to moisten 
the new compost. When this has been done carefully observe the 
gradual progress the plant is making, and increase the supply as it 
becomes necessary. I want to impress particularly upon all young 
gardeners who have an earnest desire to become good practical men 
how very important it is to study carefully the watering of plants.— 
B. Cromwell 
- Horticultural Club. —A special dinner and conversazione 
was held at the rooms of the Club, Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, 
Westminster, on Tuesday, when the chair was taken by Sir John T. D. 
Llewelyn, Bart., the Chairman of the Club. The special was to enter¬ 
tain M. Henri Correvon of Geneva, who had delivered a lecture on 
Alpine plants at the Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting at the Drill 
Hall in the afternoon, but in addition several other gentlemen from 
abroad were present as guests—Mons. Froebel of Zurich and the 
Messrs. Seidel of Dresden. There were also present of members and 
their friends the Rev. W. Wilks, Dr. Power, Messrs. Philip Crowley, 
Henry Letholm, H. J. Pearson, Harry Turner, Edward Crichett, 
Harrison Weir, H. Selfe Leonard, J. Morten Smith, A. L. Wheeler, 
J. S. Cousens, and others. The tables were beautifully decorated with 
some grand masses of hybrid Rhododendrons, which the Chairman had 
most kindly had sent from South Wales, and which arrived in great 
frishness, rvhile Mr. Webber of Covent Garden sent some specimens of 
Tasmanian Apples and also a dish of Ribston Pippins (English grown) to 
compare with the Tasmanians. It was generally conceded that, although 
the foreigners looked well, in point of flavour they were greatly inferior. 
The Chairman gave the toasts of “ The Queen ” and “ The Visitors,” to 
which Messrs. Seidel, Correvon, Power, and Letholm responded. Mr 
H. J. Veitch gave the toast of “ The Club” and of its “ Secretary,” who 
proposed that of the “ Chairman,” and a vote of thanks to him for his 
great kindness in sending the flowers. 
-The Home Park, Hampton Court. — The Chief Com¬ 
missioner of Works has announced that the truly splendid park, 
which has a frontage of some two or more of miles to the Thames 
opposite Kingston and Thames Ditton, and extends from Kingston 
Bridge to Hampton Court Palace, is to be opened to the public on 
and from Whit-Monday next. That is a great concession, and the 
gain, not merely to the local residents, but also to the metropolitan 
millions, will be enormous. The area of the park is some 800 acres. 
It contains grand avenues of Lime trees, and, so far, is entirely devoid 
of all formal aspects in the shape of roads or pathways. Kingston, 
which has the finest river frontage for pleasure purposes on the Thames, 
thus becomes the centre of such magnificent open spaces as Richmond 
Great Park, the Home Park, and Bushey Park, in addition to the 
beautiful gardens at Hampton Court. The famous Chestnut avenue in 
Bushey Park is just now in exceeding beauty.—A. D. 
STROBILANTHES DYERTANUS. 
When exhibited at the Drill Hall on Tuesday, April 25th, by 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, this new 
plant attracted much attention, and the Floral Committee of the 
Royal Horticultural Society awarded a first-class certificate for it. 
The plants exhibited, and from a sketch of one of which our illus¬ 
tration (fig. 66) has been prepared, were rather small, but sufficiently 
large to discern their usefulness for decorative purposes. 
Strobilanthes Dyerianus will undoubtedly form a valuable addition 
to the list of stove plants. In general appearance it resembles some of 
the Bertolonias so far as the colouring of the foliage is concerned. The 
leaves on the plants shown were from .3 to 4 inches in length, and an 
idea as to their shape may be gathered by referring to the engraving. 
The upper surface is covered with papillm, from which rise very minute 
hairs, the colour being rosy lilac with prominent dark green veins. 
NOTES BY THE WAY. 
The history of a notebook is too often the history of good resolutions 
made and broken. A line on this page indicates an intention to de 
justice to a noteworthy trade exhibit, and on that to call attention to 
some point in private practice which merits recognition ; but neither 
has been fulfilled. Matters of pressing moment cause them to be 
passed over for the time being, others crop up in succession, and so the 
fierce light of publicity never beats upon them, unless, perchance, an 
editorial ultimatum should chance to arrive, causing a resort to be made 
to the forgotten pages. Nothing, perhaps, could tell us so eloquently 
how much M'e are the creatures of the hour as a notebook. It is a record 
of impressions which pass away as rapidly as they come, leaving behind 
them nothing but a memory. The revolutions of the social wheel 
become more and more rapid, and in its ceaseless whirl there is little 
opportunity for pausing to pick up the threads that have once been 
allowed to fall. 
We do not, perhaps, feel the rush of affairs so much in gardening as 
in some other circles. It affects ua to a certain extent, but we jog along 
a little more comfortably than, for example, the money men, the lives of 
many of whom are a misery to themselves and to everybody connected 
with them. After all we display better taste in worshipping a floral 
goddess than a golden calf. But there is less food for comment at the 
service of the writer. Should there be the slightest symptom of a lull 
in finance, behold it is destroyed by some fresh crash or more than 
usually brazen and colossal swindle. The financial writer has rarely to 
cast about for subjects, with or without the notebook. He generally 
has an extensive collection from which to choose, affording free scope 
for his talents, and often of painful interest to a large section of the 
public. The gardening scribbler fishes in calmer waters and hooks more 
gentle prey. His notes are quiet instead of exciting, and awaken at 
the most a mild interest. His subjects do not involve the prosperity of 
his readers. In short, he writes peacefully (save on certain occasions) 
on a peaceful art, and it is good indeed that it should be so. 
Duke of Buccleuch is a noble Grape, but it is not so often seen in 
good condition as to make an example of strikingly successful practice 
unworthy of mention ; on the contrary, its character is sufficiently well 
known to render instances of success particularly interesting. The 
Duke is aristocratic by name, and is generally held to be decidedly 
aristocratic by nature, requiring special treatment to bring out its good 
qualities, but that it is not always so exclusive in its tastes is proved 
by the manner in which it flourishes and fruits at The Grove, Great 
Baddow, Essex, the charming residence of Robert Miller, Esq., under 
