Jtme 8, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
459 
- Summary of Meteorologhcal Observations at Hodsock 
Priory, Worksop, Notts. — Mean temperature of month, St"*. 
Maximum on the 4th, 74‘6°; minimum on the 6th, 29°. Maximum in 
the sun on the 14th, 127-9° ; minimum on the grass on the 7th, 22°. 
Mean temperature of air at 9 A.M., 57°. Mean temperature of soil 
1 foot deep, 54-2°. Number of nights below 32°, in shade two, on grass 
seven. Total duration of sunshine 182 hours, or 37 per cent, of possible 
duration. We had two sunless days. Total rainfall 1-56 inch, rain fell 
on ten days. Average velocity of wind 7-2 miles per hour, did not 
€zceed 400 miles on any day, and fell short of 100 miles on four days. 
Approximate averages for May :—Mean temperature, 51-1°; sunshine, 
175 hours ; rainfall, 2-11 inches. Another warm and fine month. The 
drought which set in in the middle of March lasted up to the 17th, 
when only 0 60 of rain had fallen in sixty-one days. The mean tempera¬ 
ture is higher than in recent years except 1889.— Joseph Mallender_ 
- Cabbaoe Competition. —Notwithstanding the severe winter 
and prolonged drought Messrs. Stuart & Mein’s annual competition for 
early Cabbages, which took place on the 27th ult., proved as great a 
success as in former years. The £5 premium which they offer for the 
heaviest specimen of Mein’s No. 1 Cabbage is open to the United 
Kingdom, the only condition being that the seed should be procured 
direct from the firm. Mr. J. H. Luxmore, Beeralston, Devonshire, 
proved to be the winner with a Cabbage weighing 12 lbs 12 ozs. ; Mr. 
C. Jacobs, Niton, Isle of Wight, being a close second with one 
12 lbs. 8 ozs. The returns of the weights from the various counties were 
extremely interesting, as showing with what varied success the early 
Cabbage crop has been cultivated throughout the country. Taking the 
heaviest single specimen grown in each county the result was as 
follows :—Devonshire (Beeralston), 12 lbs. 12 ozs. ; Hampshire (Niton), 
12 lbs. 8 ozs. ; Pembrokeshire (Merlin’s Bridge), 10 lbs. 2 ozs.; Eut- 
landshire (Uppingham), 10 lbs. ; Glamorganshire (Aberavon), 
lbs. 11 ozs. ; Cornwall (Hayle), 9 lbs. 5 ozs.; Essex (Billericay), 
9 lbs.; Sussex, 8 lbs. 12 ozs. ; Ayrshire, Flintshire, and Monmouthshire, 
8 lbs. each; Lincolnshire, 7 lbs. 11 ozs.; Somersetshire and County Ros¬ 
common, 7 lbs. 8 ozs. each; Kent, 7 lbs. 4|- ozs.; County Sligo,7 lbs. 4 ozs.; 
Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Merionethshire, and Staffordshire, 7 lbs. 
each ; Brecknockshire and Cambridgeshire, 6 lbs. 8 ozs. each; Oxford¬ 
shire, 6 lbs. 4 ozs.; Derbyshire, 6 lbs.; Norfolkshire and County Armagh, 
5 lbs. 15 ozs. each ; Isle of Man, 5 lbs. 12 ozs. ; Dorsetshire, 6 lbs. ; 
County Durham, Surrey, and Bedfordshire, 4 lbs. 15 ozs. each ; Lanca¬ 
shire, 4 lbs. 14 ozs.; Nottinghamshire, 4 lbs. 12 ozs. ; Linlithgowshire, 
3 lbs. 15^ ozs. ; the remainder being from 2 to 3 lbs. each. The two 
heaviest specimens from one county came from Hampshire, 
12 lbs. 8 ozs. and 9 lbs. 6 ozs. ; Devonshire being second with 
12 lbs. 12 ozs. and 8 lbs. 15 ozs .—QKelso Chronicle^ 'Z 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
June 6th. 
There was a fair display of flowers at the Drill Hall on Tuesday 
last. Orchids were not so extensively staged as usual, neither were 
greenhouse and stove plants, but hardy flowers formed the bulk of the 
exhibits ; Melons, Strawberries and Peas were also well represented. In 
conjunction with this meeting the first Exhibition of the London 
Pansy and Violet Society was held, and a report of this appears 
elsewhere. 
Fruit Committee. —Present : P. Crowley, Esq. (in the chair), 
with Rev. W. Wilks, and Messrs. John Lee, T. F. Rivers, Harrison Weir, 
G. W. Cummins, J. Cheal, G. Taber, T. J. Saltmarsh, W. Warren, 
A. Dean, H. Balderson, F. Q. Lane, C. Ross, and J. Wright. 
A good portion of the time of the Committee was occupied in tasting 
Melons, ten new varieties having been sent in the hope of their obtaining 
some mark of recognition, but only one was honoured with an award of 
merit, though two or three others might have found favour if they had 
been in their best condition. Very great care was taken in the 
examination of the fruits, each member of the Committee recording his 
judgment individually. The result of this was an unanimity of opinion 
that decidedly the best Melon was sent by Mr. Owen Thomas from the 
Royal Gardens, Frogmore, and hence the award above mentioned. It 
was the result of a cross between High Cross Hybrid and an unnamed 
seedling. Fruit of good medium size with a yellow rind, slightly 
netted; flesh greenish white, thick, melting, and remarkably juicy, 
sweet and refreshing. This new variety was named Frogmore Seedling. 
Among other varieties of promise, and which the Committee desired 
to see again in better condition, were a handi-ome and well netted green 
flesh from Mr. J. Hunt, The Gardens, Ashstead Park ; a large, closely 
netted pale green fleshed fruit from Mr. C. Ross, gardener to Colonel 
Archer Houblon, Welford Park, Newbury ; Reigate Ruby, a distinct 
deep scarlet flesh Melon, rich but over-ripe, from Mr. C. Ritchings, 
gardener to Dr. Frankland, Redhill; and a scarlet flesh from Mr. A. 
Bishop,’gardener to R. Burrell, Esq., Westley Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, 
rich, but with a peculiar flavour that may have been the result of over¬ 
ripeness. Melons will not always ripen just when they are wanted, and 
Mr. Ritchings’ seedling appears to ripen, very awkwardly for him, 
between the meetings, but may be expected to come right some day. As 
other varieties were passed without special comment it is scarcely 
necessary to particularise them. Quality is the first consideration in 
Melons, but they should also be good in appearance as well. Some were 
handsome but not good, others were neither good nor good-looking, and 
it is noticeable that far more fruits are placed on the table in an over¬ 
ripe, than unripe condition. Mr. W. J. Myatt, Hextable, Swanley, sent 
six beautiful fruits of the Conqueror, such as he grows for market, no 
doubt selling readdy, and a vote of thanks was accorded. 
Mr. J. Collis, Rolls Lane, Acton, sent a dish of his new Strawberry 
May Queen, fruits of which were ripe in the open ground on May 20th. 
while those of Noble were green. The fruits were about the size of Sir 
Joseph Paxton, firm, and briskly flavoured. The Committee recom¬ 
mended that the variety be grown at Chiswick, for comparing its 
earliness with other varieties there. Ifour baskets of splendid fruits of 
Noble, La Grosse Sucr^e, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Sharpless were sent 
from Frogmore. They were greatly admired, and a vote of thanks was 
recorded from them. The large fruits of the American variety Sharp¬ 
less were tasted, but a good deal of sugar and cream would be needed 
to make them enjoyable. Mr. Tudway, Lower Berkley Street, sent 
pale, unshapely fruits of Auguste Nicaise, the heaviest weighing 2|- ozs. 
They were of fa’'r quality, and a vote of thanks was passed for them. Mr. 
E. D. Whitehouse, Pelham Lodge, Chester Road, Kidderminster, sent 
fruits of a new Strawberry, Whitehouse’s Seedling. They were large, 
but in a measure spoiled by cotton wool adhering to them. Recom¬ 
mended to be grown at Chiswick, 
Mr. James Hudson sent from The Gardens, Gunnersbury Park, a box 
of very fine and well coloured fruits of Lord Napier Nectarine. They 
were gathered from a tree spreading 26 feet by 13 feet, bearing 
250 fruits. A cultural commendation was unanimously awarded. Mr, 
G. Wythes, Syon House Gardens, sent seven dishes of ripe Cherries, 
grown on trees against walls without protection, the varieties being 
Early Rivers, Black Eagle, Waterloo, Tartarian, Frogmore Bigarreau, 
Belle d’Orleans, and Governor Wood. They well indicated the earliness 
of the season—the purpose for which they were sent. Mr. Wythes also 
sent Potatoes and Peas from the open ground, the dish of Duke of 
Albany Peas being very fine, and a cultural commepdation was awarded 
for them, with a vote of thanks for the collection. 
Messrs. Cooper, Taber & Co., Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, sent a dish 
of Duxe of York Peas from a sowing in the open on February 10th. 
This variety was granted *** in the Chiswick trials last year, and an 
award of merit was passed by the Committee. Messrs. M Hattie & Co., 
Chester, sent samples of M'Hattie’s Hardy Winter Lettuce, large, but 
somewhat coarse, and no award was made. Mr. H. C. Princep, The 
Gardens, Hogg House, Buxted, Uckfield, sent twelve dishes of Peas in 
good varieties, admirably grown, and a cultural commendation was 
unanimously awarded. 
Floral Committee, —W. Marshall, Esq. (in the chair) ; Messrs. J. 
Laing, R. Dean, H. B. May, J. Jennings, H. Turner, W. Bennett-Pde, C. B. 
Shea, C. Noble, G, Paul, E. Mawley, J. D. Pawle, P. Barr, H. Herbst, 
G. Gordon, R. Owen, and Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain. 
Messrs. P. Barr & Son, Long Ditton, sent a large collection of hardy 
flowers. The best of these included some good Delphiniums, Iceland 
Poppies, double and single Paeonies, Irises, Liliums and hardy Geraniums. 
The Spanish Irises were specially good (silver Banksian medal). Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, had a small collection of hardy flowers, com¬ 
prising Paeonies, Aquilegias, Pyrethrums, Campanulas, and Papaver 
nudicaule in variety. Three boxes of Viola blooms were also sent by 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons. The flowers were fresh and bright, the best 
being Trentham Purple, Archibald Grant, Duchess of Sutherland, and 
Bloomer (bronze medal). Messrs. G. Paul & Sons, The Old Nurseries, 
Cheshunt, had some charming double Pseonies, which made a bright 
display. The most conspicuous varieties in this collection were Arethusa, 
Madame Loise, Lady Lenora Bramwell, Duchesse de Nemours, Prince 
Imperial, Mons Boucharlet, Jeanne d’Arc, and Marie Lemoine. 
Awards of merit were adjudged the three last named, which are described 
elsewhere. The same firm sent three boxes of cut Rose blooms, including 
the comparatively new Bourbon variety, Mrs. Paul (silver Flora medal). 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons sent a plant of Abies orientalis aurea, for 
which a first-class certificate was awarded. This Conifer is described 
elsewhere. A basket of Cleome pungens was also sent by Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons. Lord Penzance, Bashing Park, Godaiming (gardener, 
Mr. Baskett), sent a beautiful collection of hybrid Sweet Briars. The 
best of the varieties shown included Flora Macivor, Diana Vernon, 
Effie Deans, Clara Mowbray, Minna, and Matilda Marchment. These 
fine plants are sure to become popular when sent out to the public. 
Awards of merit were adjudged for the two last named varieties. Messrs. 
Hubert & Mauger, Doyle Road Nurseries, Guernsey, were accorded an 
award of merit for Gladiolus delicatissima superbissima, a pretty variety. 
G. F. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge, sent some Calochortus blooms cut 
from the open border (vote of thanks). Messrs. W. Paul & Sons, 
Waltham Cross, had a box of cut Roses, including the recently intro¬ 
duced Lorua Doone. This is a Bourbon variety, of an attractive appear¬ 
ance and very free flowering. The Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley Vicarage, 
staged blooms of a Poppy supposed to be a hybrid from P. orientale and 
P. rupifragum, but no award was made. Mr. C. J. Van Tubergen, 
Haarlem, Holland, sent blooms of Iris Lorteti and 1. hispanica Mongolian, 
a showy yellow variety. For the first named Iris a first-class certificate 
