74 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 24,'1896. 
- The Hessle Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society. 
—-At a meeting of the above Society held on January 15th an essay 
entitled “ The Reason Why,” was given by a blind member—Mr. Lyon. 
On commencing his essay Mr. Lyon produced a common red flower pot, 
and most ably explained “ The reason why ” a pot of that kind is used 
in preference to an ornamental glazed one ; also, why a red pot is more 
beneficial to the growth of plants than one of any other colour. Red, 
he said, was the emblem of strength, energy, and growth. Mr. Lyon 
was unfortunately deprived of his sight a few years ago, but he still takes 
a great interest in horticultural matters. His essay was based on scientific 
principles.—F. L. T. 
- Essex Oaks. —Mr. J, C. Shenstone has taken a census of 
remarkable Oak trees in Essex, and he gives, in the “ Essex Naturalist,” 
descriptions and illustrations of noteworthy specimens found by him, 
together with notes on a few Oak trees outside the county. The five 
trees with the largest trunks in Great Britain, stated in “ Loudon’s 
Arboretum,” are Cowthorpe Oak, Yorkshire, 78 feet; Merton Oak, 
Norfolk, 63 feet; Hempstead Oak, Essex, 53 feet; Grimstone Oak, 
Surrey, 48 feet ; Salsey Oak, Northampton, 46 feet. Among trees 
having the widest stretch of boughs, are the Worksop Oak, 180 feet; 
and the Oakley Oak, 110 feet. All these trees are not, however, stand¬ 
ing at the present time. The Hempstead Oak fell about twenty-five 
years ago, and a mutilated and decayed trunk is all that remains of this 
forest giant. A fine tree, 31 feet in circumference, exists in the park 
at Danbury Palace. The inside of the bole was completely burnt out 
more than sixty years ago, but the tree has continued to grow, and 
will probably yet survive many years. Several of the trees mentioned 
are said to be from 500 to 1000 years old, but there is not sufficient 
evidence to decide the point at all accurately. 
- Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland.—A t the 
last meeting of the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society of 
Ireland, held at 15, Lower Sackville Street, Dublin. Present: Charles 
Strong King, Esq. (in the chair); also Messrs. F. W. Moore, Henry 
Vincent Jackson, Captain Lewis Riall, Hugh Crawford, John Camming, 
F. W. Burbidge, Hamilton Drummond, George Carson, and George 
M. Ross, Secretary. Arrangements were made for the annual general 
meeting of the Society, which is to be held on Thursday, 17th inst., at 
the Central Lecture Hall, 12, Westmoreland Street, at one o’clock. 
Auditors were appointed to audit the accounts for 1894. Mr. Joseph 
Sweeny, The Gardens, Leopardstown, and Mr. George Sayers, The 
Gardens, Obelisk Park, Blackrock, were admitted practical members of 
the Society. The dates for the Society’s shows for 1895 were pro¬ 
visionally fixed. Prizes have been presented by the Right Hon. Ion 
Trant Hamilton, Mr. John Gumming, and by the Council. Extra 
prizes for Tomatoes, open to nurserymen, were added to the list. 
- The Royal Horticultural Society.—T he meetings of this 
Society for the present year are fixed as follows; the subject of the 
afternoon lecture at the Drill Hall is given in each case. The Temple 
Show opens on May 2l8t, and the Crystal Palace Show on Sept. 26th. 
February 12th.—Show in the Drill Hall, and annual general meeting, 
at 117, Victoria Street, S.W., at 3 p.m. March 12th.—“ The Diseases of 
Tomatoes and Vines,” by Mr. Collenette. March 26th.—“ Lifting Large 
Trees and Shrubs,” by Mr. T. H. Grasp. April 9th.—“Campanulas 
from a Garden Point of View,” by Mr. J. Wood. April 23rd.—Primula 
and Auricula Conference. “New Primulas,” by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S. 
“ Culture and Classification of Primulas,” by Mr. H. Self e-Leonard. 
“ The Auricula,” by Mr. James Douglas. Special Show of Auriculas, 
Primulas, and Narcissi. May 14th.—“ Plants and Gardens of the 
Canary Islands,” by Dr. Morris. May 21st, 22nd, 23rd.—Great Flower 
Show in the Inner Temple Gardens, Thames Embankment. June 11th. 
—“ Rose Culture under Glass,” by Mr. Frank Cant. June 25tb._“ The 
Uses and Organisation of National Botanical and Horticultural Gardens,” 
by Mr. W. T. Thiselton Dyer, C.M.G., F.R.S. Special Show of Hardy 
Perennials and Cactaceous Plants. July 9th.—“ The Effect of Darkness 
on the Form of Plants,” by Mr. Francis Darwin. Great Show of Roses. 
July 23rd.—“The Carnation in Scotland,” by Mr. R. P. Brotherston. 
August 13th.—“Hardy Bamboos,” by Mr. A. B. Freeman-Mitford. 
August 27th.—“ Crotons and Dracaenas,” by Mr. C. F. Bause. 
September 26th, 27th, 28th.—Great Show of British-grown Fruit at 
the Crystal Palace. October 15th.—“Nut Culture in England,” by 
Mr. S. Omer Cooper. Special Show of Vegetables. October 29th.— 
“Potatoes,” by Mr. A. W. Sutton. November 12th.—“ Substitutes for 
Larch,” by Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S. November 26th.— 
“Asparagus Culture,” by Mr. James Mason. December 17th.—Show 
in the Drill HhU, and meeting for the election of Fellows. 
-The Feeding Value op the Leaves op Trees. — This, 
says a contemporary, was the subject of considerable inquiry in 1893, 
more particularly on the Continent, where the drought was as severely 
felt as in this country. Mons. Courmouls-Houles, of Faillade, Tarn, 
France, was the first to attempt the ensilage of leaves and twigs of trees 
on an extensive scale, and in his report he states that the ensiled shoots 
of the Beech were eaten with avidity by his cows. The animals received 
from 9 lbs. to 17 lbs. each daily, and the value of the fodder per acre of 
plantation was found very great, and notwithstanding the drought the 
cattle were provided with plenty of food, and did well. Mons. Grandeau, 
as the result of his analysis of the silage, estimates the nutritive 
elements of the ensilaged Beech twigs to be equal to those of good hay. 
These facts are of interest, but we do not regard them of much practical 
importance, or, indeed, in the light of a new discovery. We have long 
had proof in parks and enclosures that cattle will eat the tender twigs 
of various timber trees, more particularly when there is a deficiency in 
the herbage, and we certainly do not share in Mons. Courmouls-Houlfes’ 
views that our woodlands should be utilised for feeding stock. 
-A New Enemy of the Black Currant.—M r. Cecil 
Warburton, Zoologist to the Royal Agricultural Society, reports on a 
new Black Currant enemy. Early in May specimens were sent to him 
of a weevil which was said to be doing considerable damage to Black 
Currant bushes near Bewdley. They proved to be Phyllobius calcaratus, 
a species closely allied to the handsome green weevil P. Alneti, which is 
so commonly to be seen on Nettles. The life history of this species is as 
yet unknown, but it is probable that it lives in the larval and pupal 
condition at the roots of the Currant bushes. If this should be found 
to be the case, the chance of the pest recurring would be materially 
lessened by the removal of the surface soil during the winter, and either 
burying it to a depth of not less than 12 inches or mixing with it a 
liberal proportion of quicklime. Possibly forking in a good dressing of 
quicklime during the winter season would prove useful. It is suggested 
that when the bushes are attacked the weevils may be caught by shaking 
the branches over cloths or boards smeared with tar, this operation being 
most successful early in the morning and on dull days. It is possible 
that no great importance is to be attached to the occasional occurrence 
of this pest, but it is sufficiently destructive to justify strenuous efforts 
in waging war against it when it makes its appearance. 
- Brighton and Sussex “ New ” Horticultural and 
Mutual Improvement Society. —The large number who attended 
the annual general meeting of the above Society on the evening of the 
17th inst. is sufficient proof that the new life infused into horticultural 
matters by its establishment does not wane, but gathers strength as the 
years roll on. G. M, Kidd, Esq., President of the Society, presided on 
the occasion. Mr. T. Billing, Hon. Treasurer, presented the balance 
sheet, which was of a most satisfactory character. From the statement 
of accounts it was seen that the Society paid prizes to the amount of 
£372, for music £165, and to the Brighton Corporation close on £78 for the 
use of the Dome and Corn Exchange for their three shows. The total 
receipts for the year, including £91 193. balance from the previous year, 
was £1158 17s. 5d.,the total expenditure £996 163.7d., leaving a balance 
in hand of £162 Os. lOd. Mr. Billing proposed that £100 of this sum 
be invested. The Chairman remarked that it was in a great measure 
due to the success of their shows that they were able to add £70 to 
their balance this year. This is borne out by the fact that £706 19s. 
was taken at the doors. The balance sheet having been adopted, Mr. 
Balchin, jun., submitted some alteration of rules, namely, that the 
word “ New ’’ should in future be omitted from the title of the Society, 
not now being necessary ; that ladies be admitted as members, and that 
instead of a “ Secretary ” there be an Hon. Secretary and an Assistant 
Secretary. He took that opportunity of stating, with regret, that Mr* 
Longhiirst had, owing to the demands on his time, resigned the position 
as Secretary. Mr. Longhurst had been the pioneer of the Society, and 
they owed him very hearty thanks for all he had done for it. In putting 
the vote of thanks to the meeting it was suggested by the Chairman and 
carried unanimously, that Mr. Longhurst be made an hon. member. The 
latter gentleman in returning thanks expressed his gratification at being 
able to leave the Society in so prosperous a position. Though unable to 
continue as Secretary he hoped to be with them as much as ever. After 
some good humoured remarks about the admission of lady members, the 
motion was carried. Mr. Kidd was re-elected President, Mr. Balchin, 
jun.. Chairman of the Committee : Mr. Cheal, Vice-Chairman ; Mr. 
Billing, Treasurer; Mr. Johnson, Hon. Secretary; and Mr. Rupert 
Miller, Assistant Secretary. Mr. Longhurst was elected on the Com¬ 
mittee in the room of Mr. Miller. Votes of thanks terminated an 
enthusiastic meeting.—R. I. 
