February '^i, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
163 
_ Shirley and District Gardeners’ and Amateurs’ 
Mutual Improvement Association. —An extra meeting was held 
at the School Room, Highfield, Southampton. Mr. E. Molyneux, 
■Swanmore Park Gardens, gave a lecture on “ The Salient Points in 
Vegetable Culture,” more particularly addressed to the owners of 
allotments and cottage gardens. ” The salient points,” he said, “ were 
proper preparation of the soil, manuring in abundance, thin sowing of 
seeds, and regular attention during the period of the growth of crops.” 
He laid stress on the fact that the Potato, which is after all the main¬ 
stay of the cottager, should receive more attention than is sometimes 
given it. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer at the 
close of his remarks. 
- The Weather in Guernsey.—A fter three weeks of as fierce 
■a north-easter as could be wished for, with a share of King Frost, but 
no great weight of snow, a welcome change has come about since 
Saturday, the wind having abated and changed its quarter, but the 
nights are still more or less frosty. The full extent of the damage to 
outside crops can hardly be estimated till the frost is thoroughly out of 
the soil. This much, however, is certain, that all the early Radishes are 
spoiled, and the same to a great extent may be said of the Broccoli, 
though a portion of the most backward of this may recover. It is hoped 
Daffodils have not taken much harm, though the frost, having 
penetrated the soil to a depth of 4 inches or more, it is causing some 
anxiety. Those growers who have been raising Potatoes in cold houses 
have also had their crops much damaged. Tomato planting is now in 
full swing, and if we are spared any further checks may yet, though 
necessarily late, have a bountiful season. I should say that everything 
out of doors will be quite three weeks late.—X., Guernsey. 
- Tomato Chemin Rouge.— On page 144 Mr. Jas. B. Riding 
expresses surprise at my having omitted all mention of Tomato Chemin 
Rouge in my article on the Tomato Supply (page 88), and further 
adds that this, according to his experience, is the most popular 
market variety. Why it was not mentioned is because with us it 
does not succeed so well as the others recommended. I was 
one of the first to grow Chemin Rouge in this country, Messrs. 
Vilmorin & Co., Paris, kindly forwarding the variety for trial. It 
proved to be a really good variety, and I was one of the consenting 
parties to its receiving special mention at the great Chiswick Vegetable 
Conference. At the same time, it is not very distinct from Ham 
Green, and for two seasons in succession it did not do so well as 
either that variety, A1 (Sutton’s), or Challenger. It was not a case of 
growing a few score, but several hundred plants were tried each time, 
and we found that the plants of Chemin were more liable to disease and 
the fruit more given to crack than in the case of the other varieties 
named ; hence the reason of its being ignored this season; If I am 
rightly informed, very large growers near London find the Chemin 
Rouge less addicted to disease than other popular market varieties, hut 
hearsay is doubtful evidence, and Mr. Riding, I feel certain, would 
rather have my own experience, whether it agrees with his or not.— 
W. Igguldbn. 
- The Orphan Fund Election. —Now that out of the thirteen 
candidates nominated, six are elected on the Fund, seven remaining over, 
it may be as well to take stock of the claims of the seven before new 
ones are added, or promises to vote be asked for. There are of the 
non-elected candidates three that many subscribers to the Fund will 
agree with me in thinking should be withdrawn, as it is too improper 
to ask of poor gardeners to subscribe to a fund to assist in such cases. 
To me it is a marvel that such cases should have been nominated or 
selected by the Committee. The first, a child eight years of age, in a family 
of seven, has six brothers and sisters of the ages now from fourteen to 
twenty-five, and will next year range from fifteen to twenty-six years. 
What are aU these doing that they cannot support the other one next 
year, nine years of age? Can anyone conscientiously say that is a fit 
case for the Fund? Next comes a child three years of age, thirteen in 
family, of whom eight range in age now from thirteen to twenty-eight 
years, and all next year will be older. What are all these now 
comparatively able-bodied persons doing that they cannot help the 
younger to the extent of a few shillings a week ? Surely so many 
could provide for all the rest well. There is still another case of a 
candidate eight years of age, twelve children, ages ranging from eight 
to twenty-six years; that means, though not shown, oddly enough, 
that at least eight of the number must be of working age, and well 
able to contribute largely towards the younger children’s maintenance. 
I cannot see that the Orphan Fund is intended to help such cases as 
these.— Alex. Dean, 
- The History of the Viola.— The Rev. David R. William¬ 
son writes “ Like your Chingford correspondent, Mr. J. B. Riding 
(page 124), I read with much pleasure Mr. William Dean’s recent con¬ 
tribution to the Journal of Horticulture (page 98). His history of the 
Viola, which was admirably condensed, was to me uniquely interesting, 
for there are few Violas of any conspicuous merit that I have not, for 
the most part successfully, cultivated in my garden. Yet I cling 
strenuously to certain of my favourite varieties, such as Violetta, 
Countess of Wharncliffe, Duchess of Fife, Ardwell Gem, Ravenswood, 
H. M. Stanley, Edina, True Blue, Blue Gown, Countess of Hopetoun, 
and Countess of Kintore in preference to many more recent introduc¬ 
tions (White Duchess, Iona, and Olivetta being excepted, as pre¬ 
eminently attractive) for the creation of artistic effects. I am glad to 
find that Mr. Dean appreciates so highly the productions of such raisers 
as Dr. Stuart, Mr. William Cuthbertson, Mr. Baxter, and Mr. James 
Grieve. I think it is possible that the last mentioned horticulturist, 
who has been especially successful as a Viola cultivator, has not by the 
majority of writers on this subject been adequately recognised. Many 
earnest cultivators, I doubt not, are perfectly familiar with Mr. Grieve’s 
creations who have never heard his name.” 
- The Effects of the Frost.—I t is perfectly correct to say 
that vegetation in the south may have been found to suffer more 
largely than in the north, because with us the snow cover has been 
so thin just recently. When over in the Middlesex market garden 
districts I heard the most lamentable accounts of the complete drying 
or wilting up of all vegetable greenery, the leafage and stems being 
frosted beyond possible recovery. Not only is there nothing worth 
marketing, but because of the water famine, dealers will not buy, 
neither will consumers. Even such small kinds as Primroses, Violets, 
Daisies, amongst hardy and close-growing plants, the mischief done is 
excessive, and the hardy plant growers who supply the dealers 
will find it hard to meet the demand till late in the spring, when 
the season for sale is practically over. Amongst shrubs and Roses the 
frost seems to have, even so far as appearances go, worked havoc. 
The real extent of the harm in this direction cannot yet be fully 
estimated. Tender plants in greenhouses and frames have been killed 
wholesale where heating powers were moderate, and there will be a large 
demand for bedding plants in the spring. From many directions I 
hear of Potatoes largely frosted in pits, so frosted that they are 
irrevocably destroyed. Clearly to make good deficiencies, seeds will 
have to be largely sown in many directions, and a busy time seems in 
store for seedsmen.—A. D. 
- Scottish Horticultural Association.—T he first meeting 
of the session of the Scottish Horticultural Association was held in 
Edinburgh last week, the new President, Mr. R. W. E, Murray, 
presiding. Mr. Murray, in his opening address, dealt with the 
professional and amateur aspects of horticulture, and the advantages 
which young men now possessed as compared with those offered fifty 
years ago. As an amateur gardener, he said the class of horticulturists 
to which he belonged did not meet with the consideration they deserved 
at the hands of the general body of horticultural societies, but that 
charge of neglect could not be laid at the door of their Association, 
which provided classes for amateurs at its great exhibitions. One 
reason for the success of the amateur was that he was generally a 
specialist, devoting his energies to very few varieties of plants, and 
another was his great love for what he cultivated. When a man was 
drawn into the cultivation of flowers his life became better, purer, and 
worthier, for there was no pursuit more fascinating and no more 
elevating taste than the love of flowers. He advised young men 
desirous of ’oecoming professional gardeners to be sure that it was the 
line of business for which they weie best suited, and having once 
entered on that path of life to be prepared by eneruy and determination 
to overcome all difficulties, and not to give way before disappointments. 
On the motion of Mr. D. P. Laird, Mr. Murray was cordially thanked 
for his address. 
THE CHARLES COLLINS’ FUND. 
We have pleasure in announcing the following subscriptions received 
during the past week, and sent to the Treasurer, towards this very 
deserving case : — 
Amount previously 
knowledged ... 
H. W. Adnitt 
J. 8., Barnet 
H. Dunkin. 
A Friend . 
£ 8. d. 
ac- 
... 52 2 0 
...0 6 0 
...0 2 0 
... 0 10 0 
...0 2 0 
H. Foster. 
J. T. Watson 
H. Cannell & Sons 
H. W. Percy 
Miss Harman 
£ 8. d. 
...010 
...0 2 6 
... 0 10 0 
... 0 10 0 
...0 2 6 
