January 17, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
47 
- Thk Weather in East Yorkshire. —Mr. G. Picker informs 
us that on the 10th inst. the thermometer registered 24° of frost, and 
on the following morning 25°. 
- The Soci(5t<i Nationale d’Acclimatation de France has, we 
understand, conferred its medal of the first class (Medaille de Premiere 
Classe) on Mr. J. Simpson, The Gardens, Wortley Hall, for his hook 
entitled “The Wild Eabhit in a New Aspect,” published by Messrs. 
Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh, some time back. 
- Rainfall in Cambridgeshire.—M r. Arthur Bull, Bernard 
House, Cottenham, informs us that the rainfall there for the last six 
months was as follows:—July, 2 29 inches; August, 2’42; Sept. 1-99; 
October, 2 18 ; November, 3 94 ; and December, 1‘48 inches, making a 
total for the year 1894 of 23 05 inches. This is light in comparison 
with the quantities recorded in many districts last year. 
- At a recent meeting of the Williams’ Memorial Trustees, 
Dr. Masters in the chair, it was decided to offer large silver medals at 
the following shows to be held during 1895 :—Newcastle-on-Tyne, for 
the most meritorious specimen flowering plant ; Richmond, for the best 
collection of vegetables : Crystal Palace Autumn Fruit show, for the 
most meritorious collection of fruit; Trentham, for the most meritorious 
collection of fruit. A sum of 2 guineas was also voted to the fund being 
raised for the benefit of the Bindley Library. 
- The Hessle Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society 
—At a meeting of the above Society held on January 8th a paper was 
read on “ Insect Pests and their Eradication,” by Mr. F. Mason, gar¬ 
dener to A. Smith, Esq , Woodleigh. Mr. Mason described their mode 
of existence, and the injuries they do to fruit trees and plants. Their 
attacks on plants, he said, are at times excessive, and can be met with 
successfully only when means are used that are based on a knowledge 
of the habits of the injurious species.—F. L. T. 
-The East Anglian Horticultural Club. — Five years 
since this Club was instituted for the express purpose of furthering 
horticultural intercourse amongst its members, and it is now purposed 
increasing its usefulness by the formation of a lending and reference 
library. The Club numbers 100 members, and the addition of a library 
will, it is felt, advance the interests of the Club and add to its member¬ 
ship. Mr. F. Upstone, Exchange Street, Norwich, is working hard 
to develop this feature by means of gifts, donations, and purchases. 
- Royal Botanic Society. —At a well-attended meeting of 
the Society, held on Saturday afternoon, a suggestion by Mr. Rubenstein 
was considered as to the admission of the public to the Gardens on 
payment. Although out of order as a motion, the suggestion was enter¬ 
tained by the meeting at the instance of the Chairman, Mr. W. Bell 
Sedgwick, in order that the matter might be discussed, and at the 
conclusion of the proceedings the suggestion was put to the vote, and 
lost by a large majority, Three new Fellows were elected, and the 
nominations of six others read for ballot at the next meeting. 
- “ Old Subscriber” writes :—“Apropos of the paragraph on 
page 30 on ‘A Giant Oak,’ where is ‘ Pillkallen ? ’ And may I also 
ask, in reference to another paragraph on ‘ December Weather at 
Broughty Ferry ’ (page 32), where is this latter place ? because in 
statistics of the weather it is desirable to know where they emanate 
from.” [Pillkallen is a German town, situated almost on the Baltic 
borders of Russia. It is only a short distance from Tilsit, on the river 
Memel, a town renowned for Buonapartic associations. Broughty 
Ferry is on the Frith of Tay, near Dundee, about fifty miles north of 
Edinburgh. The Inchcape Rook, on which is built the lighthouse of 
that name, is adjacent to Broughty Ferry.] 
- Precocious Vegetation. —The frost came in good time to 
check exuberant and unseasonable growth on the part of trees and 
shrubs, but especially Roses. These hardy plants are always amongst the 
first to break prematurely, hence they perhaps most often come in for a 
sharp pinch. However, when vegetation is particularly active in one 
direction it soon becomes so in other things, and much harm may be 
done through having mild growing weather in midwinter and severe 
frost in the spring. Now that we have had a spell of frost in midwinter 
there is reason to hope that undue developments will not again give 
trouble, although the present wave of cold may be of short duration 
and soon be followed by one of exceeding mildness. At any rate, 
without being unduly severe around London, the recent frost was very 
seasonable, and, therefore, productive of much good. A disaster always 
follows upon precocious vegetation, whilst winter restfulness is equally 
productive of safety.—D. 
- Mr. C. D. Rudd his sent the first shipment of fruit (by the 
latest Cape mail steamer) for the season. It consists solely of Apricots, 
which were landed in splendid condition. 
- Gardening Appointments. — Mr. Moxham has succeeded 
Mr, S. Castle as grower of Grapes and other produce to Messrs. A. & J. 
Quertier, Ashford Vineries, Fordingbridge, and Mr. Macdonald has 
succeeded Mr. Moxham as gardener to Admiral Foley at Packham, 
Fordingbridge. Mr. John Hayes, who has been for some time foreman 
in Castle Ashby Gardens, has been appointed by the Marquis of North¬ 
ampton, K.G., to succeed the late Mr. Henry Birch as head gardener. 
- Chislehurst Gardeners’ Association. — On Tuesday 
evening, January 8th, the members of the Chislehurst Gardeners’ 
Association had a most enjoyable meeting, when Mr. McKercher, Hol¬ 
loway, delivered a very instructive and interesting lecture on “ In¬ 
sectivorous Plants,” illustrated with diagrams and specimens of Sarra- 
cenias. Nepenthes and Droseras. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded 
Mr. McKercher, and a hope expressed that they might hear him again 
at some future time.—R, F, 
- The Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association. —The 
programme of this Society for the spring of 1S95 is now complete. 
Papers are to be read on “ Stove and Greenhouse Flowering Plants,” by 
Mr. G. Lock, Crediton; “Melons and Cucumbers and Their Culture,” 
by Mr. Edwards, VVhipton ; “ Cultivation of Early Vegetables,” by 
Mr. E. Sparks, Pynes Gardens ; and “Foliage Plants and Their Culture,” 
by Mr. G. Camp, Culver Gardens. One evening is devoted to short 
essays by the younger members of the Association, and on March 2i)th 
the Society holds its Hyacinth and spring flower show. The last meeting 
of the session is reserved for a review of the papers read. 
- The Birkenhead and District Gardeners’ Associa¬ 
tion. —The second annual soirbe was held on Tuesday, 8th inst., in aid 
of the funds of the newly formed Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association. There were over 300 gardeners and friends present, and 
a most enjoyable evening was spent. The first item of the evening’s 
entertainment was a good dinner, at which His Worship the Mayor 
(Alderman Thomas Shaw) presided, supported by Mr. James Smith (of 
the Palm Grove Nurseries) as M.C. The evening’s entertainment was a 
great success, and will result in over £10 being handed over to the 
funds of the new Association. 
- Torquay District Gardeners’ Association.—T he above 
Society held its third annual dinner on Wednesday, January 9th, at the 
Exeter Hotel, Torquay. Over ninety were present, and the President 
(Dr. R. Hamilton Ramsay) occupied the chair. The Hon. Secretary 
(Mr. F. C. Smale) stated, in reply to the toast of the Society, that it 
had never been in a more flourishing condition than at present, 
140 members had joined since the commencement, and the meetings this 
session were much more numerously attended than formerly. There 
would be a substantial balance in hand at the end of the session. The 
evening was a great success, the attendance being much larger than oe 
the two previous similar occasions.—F. C. S. 
- Dundee Horticultural Association. —The first meeting 
for the session was held on Tuesday, January 8th, in the Technical 
Institute. An address was given by the President, Mr. James Simpson, 
Dalhousie Nurseries, Broughty Ferry, on the “ Propagation of Plants.” 
In dealing with this subject, Mr. Simpson considered that this depart¬ 
ment of horticulture was by far the most important and responsible 
of the gardener’s work. Patience and method were specially required, 
as well as careful observation in the smallest details, and thoughtful 
execution of even the simplest operations were most essential to success. 
Everything should be clean and sweet. Plunging material in the 
propagating cases should be often changed frequently and kept 
fresh. The germination of seeds was dealt with, and propagation by 
cuttings was fully discussel, many important hints to growers being 
given. The subject of grafting was carefully described, with the best 
methods to adopt for a successful issue. At the close Mr. Simpson was 
cordially thanked for his adlress. The meeting was well attended, and 
a considerable number of new members were proposed for election. 
Through the kindness of J. Martin White, Esq., of Balruddery, Patron 
of the Association, the use of a room has been granted, free of charge, 
in the Technical Institute for the purpose of holding the meetings of 
the Association, Mr. White gave a number of handsome volumes on 
horticulture and other allied subjects as a donation to the Association’s 
library, which is also to be placed in the reading room of the Technical 
Institute, where any member may spend a quiet hour’s reading if he 
feels inclined,—J. M. C. 
