December 1, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
483 
- The Weather in Kirkcudbrightshire.—H eavy rain fell 
on Sunday morning, and again at night, continuing until about 9 a.m. 
on Monday, 28th ult. At the time of writing the weather is dry, 
but stormy looking. No frost was registered during the week.— 
"S. Arnott. 
- National Amateur Gardeners’Association.—T he annual 
-dinner of this Association will take place at the Holborn Restaurant, on 
Tuesday evening, December 13th, at seven o’clock. The medals, certifi¬ 
cates, and other awards won during the year, will be presented to the 
respective winners on this occasion. 
- Daffodils Destroyed by Fire.— According to the local 
papers Mr. W. B. Hartland of Cork, lost, through fire, a large number 
of White Trumpet Daffodils on the 17th ult. It is stated that a number 
of Colleen Bawn, comprising 600 bulbs, were totally destroyed. We 
■sympathise with Mr. Hartland in his loss. 
- Cephalotus follicularis, — We have rarely seen this 
beautiful plant in such fine condition as it is in Messrs. Low & Son’s 
-nursery. It is full of pitchers, and presents a most effective appearance 
Lovers of Pitcher plants should procure this little gem. There is no 
doubt that it is often kept too warm. 
- DavAllia ASSAMICA. —This rare Fern may be seen in the fine 
■collection of Messrs. Low & Son at Clapton. The plant is claimed to be 
the only one in commerce, and on this account possesses exceptional 
interest. It is a graceful species, with both barren and fertile fronds, 
•of which the latter are the most pleasing in appearance. 
- Carnation Winter Cheer.—A t Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’ 
^Chelsea Nursery last week, I saw a bed of this dwarf-growing Carnation 
with a few of its bright crimson flowers still showing. There were also 
numbers of buds, which, if the present mild weather continues, will 
doubtless open. It is possible that, given a fairly mild winter and a 
protection of matting or similar material during sharp frosts, this variety 
may be had in flower most of the winter. For late and continuous 
flowering this variety is unexcelled.—J. W. J. 
-- Academical Appointment. —Mr. Francis Darwin, at present 
Reader in Botany at Cambridge, has, on the nomination of Professor 
Babington, been appointed Deputy Professor for the current academical 
year. Mr. Darwin, who is a son of the great naturalist, is the joint 
author of “ The Power of Movement in Plants.” He has written 
various papers on physiological botany, and was editor of “ The Life 
and Letters of Charles Darwin,” which appeared some five years ago. 
He has also prepared the “ short autobiography ” of his father just 
published by Mr. Murray. 
Heavy DoyennA du Comice Pears. —Some remarkably 
fine fruit of this grand Pear were grown on a young tree in Marston 
Gardens, Frome. The crop was rather light, all the flowers that first 
opened, and many of the buds as well, being destroyed by frosts. 
When gathered several of the fruits weighed about 20 ozs., and none 
lighter than 14 ozs. They were well formed, and clear in skin; but 
did not carry much colour. Some of these Pears were shown at the 
Bristol Chrysanthemum and Fruit Show, and were generally supposed 
to be equal to the best samples sent to the mainland from Jersey and 
elsewhere. It should be added that the tree is on the Quince stock, 
fan shaped ; and, thanks to the strong clayey loam in which it is 
planted, is full of vigour. It occupies a rather warm corner near to a 
junction of south-east with a south-west wall.—R. H. 
- A Lucky Showman. — Surely the north of England T is 
becoming famous for express Grape growing. Not long ago a gardener 
at Sunderland detailed his practice, as reported in the Journal , by which 
he produced ripe Grapes in ninety days ; but this is now excelled by 
the gardener who secured the first prize at the South Shields and 
Northern Counties Show, November 9th and 10th, for the best dish of 
black Grapes, to which was also awarded a silver medal in recognition 
of superior cultural skill. Seeing that the gardener in question did not 
enter on his duties until August 15th of the present year, his success is 
1 ighly creditable, and I have no doubt some notes on how to produce 
finely finished black Alicante bunches” in eighty-six days would 
be greatly appreciated by many readers. Seriously, I would ask if 
it is fair and right for one man to thus reap the reward of another 
man s labour and cultural skill. I saw those same Alicantes only a 
fortnight before the present gardener took charge, and they were 
almost finished then. I think honour should be given to whom it is 
due. What say others?— Chas. Portsmouth. 
- Potatoes in Ireland.—U nder the auspices of the Royal 
Dublin Society a series of experiments in Potato culture were carried 
out during the past season. Among the varieties grown The Farmer 
proved the most productive, following which came The Bruce, Antrim, 
Scotch Champion, and The Colonel. The best quality varieties, how¬ 
ever, were Antrim, Scotch Champion, and The Bruce. 
- Chicago Exhibition.— We understand that Mr. J. Mclndoe, 
gardener to Sir J. W. Pease, Bart., M.P., Hutton Hall, has accepted a 
special invitation from the Executive of the above Exhibition (depart¬ 
ment of horticulture) to exhibit at their great Show next autumn a 
collection of fruit similar to the one that he staged at the International 
Horticultural Exhibition held at Earl’s Court, London, last August. 
- Calla Little Gem. —During a brief visit to Messrs. Cutbush 
and Sons, Highgate, a few days ago, I noticed a span-roof house full of 
this dwarf Calla. The plants were chiefly young stock, but judging by 
the appearance of those in flower, I have no doubt that the variety, 
owing to its compact habit, will prove useful for small structures. There 
will doubtless be a good demand for it when better known.—J. W. J. 
- The Darwin Medal.—A mong other awards made by the 
Royal Society the Darwin medal has been awarded to Sir Joseph Dalton 
Hooker, F.R.S., on account of his important contributions to the 
progress of systematic botany, as evidenced by the “ Genera Plantarum,” 
and the “ Flora Indica,” but more especially on account of his intimate 
association with Mr. Darwin in the studies preliminary to the “ Origin 
of Species.” 
- Allotments in Lincolnshire. — The Spalding Rural Sani¬ 
tary Authority have taken a farm of 43 acres to let out in allotments to the 
labourers of Pinchbeck West. The land is being allotted in acre plots, 
and the rent charged is to be 45s. an acre, including all outgoings. The 
farm is well situated, and this is regarded as one of the most promising 
efforts for the extension of the allotments system in South 
Lincolnshire. 
- The Trade in Olives and Olive Oil.—T he last crop of 
Olives was a medium one, according to the consular report from Malaga. 
The production of Olive oil in Spain is stated to be nearly two million 
litres of oil, or about half of that of the European countries producing 
Olives. Italy takes the second place, and France the third ; but the 
latter is small in extent of its output to the two former. The culti¬ 
vation of the Olive seems to yield very unequal results, so that it is 
possible that it may be to that fact that the limited cultivation is due. 
- London Pansy Society. —The formation meeting of this 
Society was held at the Guildhall Tavern on November 24th. A number 
of gentlemen interested in the subject attended, and the Society 
being formed, rules, &c., were drawn up, which will be submitted to a 
general meeting to be held early in January, 1893. The Hon. Treasurer 
is Mr. Ranger Johnson, 14, Faunce Street, Kennington Park, S.E. ; 
Hon. Secretary, Mr. Geo. McLeod, Chingford, from whom information 
can be obtained regarding the objects of the Society and rules of 
membership. 
- Well Grown Eucharis Plants.—A s a regular reader of the 
Journal of Horticulture I have from time to time noticed references to 
the culture of the Eucharis, but it is seldom that the size of the pots in 
which the plants are grown is mentioned. The Eucharis plants here are 
grown in 10 and 12-inch pots, and a dozen of them are now in full bloom. 
On the average there are about twelve or thirteen spikes on each plant 
each spike carrying four and five and six blooms, thus making an average 
of sixty flowers to a plant. On the largest plant, in a 12-inch pot, there 
j are sixty-nine blooms, and of that number between fifty and sixty are 
fully expanded. I might mention that the same plants flowered about 
nine weeks ago.—J. Ashton, Foreman, Kilwortk House Gardens, 
Rugby. 
- The Margaret Carnations and Pinks.—I am sure we 
are greatly indebted to Mr. Dean for having given and elicited so 
much information and opinion regarding the Margaret Carnations and 
Pinks. On reading the notes on page 391,1 examined my few plants, 
and am disposed to agree with Dr. Hogg as to their probable parent¬ 
age. The notes alluded to also reminded me of one notable character¬ 
istic of these “ Carnations,” which I noticed on first seeing them some 
three years ago—viz., the narrowness of the foliage. This had escaped 
my memory until then. It is highly desirable that at this stage we 
should have, if possible, precise knowledge of the parentage of these 
flowers. I hope to obtain this, and shall be glad to acquaint Mr. Dean 
of anything further I may hear on the subject.—S. Arnott. 
