184 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
February 28, 1895. 
- In the most recent part of the “ Kecords of the Botanical 
Survey of India,” the Indian Government publishes a report of a 
botanical tour in Kashmir, by Mr. J. F. Duthie, Director of the Botanical 
Department of Northern India, accompanied by a map. 
- Water Lilies and the Frost. — Mons. Latour-Marliac 
■writes, saying that although they have not been spared the severity of 
this winter they have not to regret the loss of any plants through it, 
and his beautiful collection of Water Lilies is awaiting the end of all 
the tempests to open their leaves and buds to the sun. 
- Tadcaster Paxton Society. —At a well-attended meeting 
of this Society, held recently, a paper was read by Mr. McIntosh of 
York on the “ Cultivation of Chrysanthemums.” The paper dealt at 
some length on the pinching-back system, as applied to plants intended 
to be used in masses together and groups. Much interest was taken by 
the audience in the subject-matter, from the fact that the author is a 
well-known Chrysanthemum grower and exhibitor in York. 
- Examinations in Horticulture.—A llow me through the 
medium of your valuable Journal to draw attention to a subject which 
I think is now engaging the thoughts of many young gardeners—viz., 
the examinations in horticulture, announced to be held by the Royal 
Horticultural Society next May. These examinations are indeed a 
great encouragement to young men who are striving to become com¬ 
petent gardeners, and to this end spend their leisure time in reading 
and studying works pertaining to horticultural matters. Surprise has 
been expressed that more of such men do not present themselves as 
candidates for examination each succeeding year. There is one point 
which naturally defers many from doing so—viz., candidates are not 
limited to age, and as everyone knows experience teaches, we young 
gardeners have little chance of success, but must inevitably get 
“plucked” when our chiefs grasp the pen. I shall be obliged by your 
inserting this in the Journal of Uorticulture .— A Young Gardener. 
- Wakefield Paxton Society.—A t the weekly meeting of 
the Paxton Society, held Saturday the 16th inst., Mr. B. Whiteley 
presided, and Mr. Brown was in the vice-chair. A long, very able, and 
most interesting paper on “ Microbes : Their Life History and Work,” 
had been prepared by Mr. G. C. Eamsden, who has acted as the Society’s 
Honorary Librarian for many years, and it was read on his behalf by Mr. 
G. W. Fallas, the senior Honorary Secretary. The paper contained a vast 
amount of interesting information ; it clearly showed that Mr. Ramsden 
must have devoted considerable time to its preparation, and that he is 
thoroughly acquainted with the subject with which he dealt. Dr. Clark 
of the Yorkshire College, Leeds, opened a discussion on the paper by 
some lengthy and appropriate observations. He alluded to Mr. Rams- 
den’s paper in very eulogistic terms, saying that it was impossible to 
say too much as to the accuracy of the statements it contained, and it 
was quite astonishing to find anyone living in a provincial town, and not 
having access to such libraries as were to be found in the metropolis, 
who could give so much information on such a subject. 
- Leeds Paxton Society.— The ninth annual dinner of this 
Society was held on Wednesday evening last week at the Nag’s Head 
Hotel, Upper Head Row, Leeds, Mr. H. Foster (President) in the chair, 
when about seventy sat down to a most excellent repast. Delegates 
from Leeds, Bradford, and Sheffield Chrysanthemum Societies were 
present. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly 
honoured, the Secretary read the annual report and balance sheet, from 
which the Society appears to be steadily gaining in numbers, and also 
financially, having now some 113 members, and a balance of £3 10s. lOd, 
in the bank, in addition to which the sum of £3 la. Gd. had been 
handed to the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. The addition of 
exhibits, as well as essays at the meetings, had proved a greater 
inducement in the attendance of members, and the Committee look 
forward to a successful season. The balance sheet and report of the 
Chrysanthemum show was in the same satisfactory condition, and both 
were unanimously adopted. Mr. Housley, of Sheffield, in proposing 
“ Success to the Leeds Paxton Society,” suggested that a greater amount 
of interest would be centered in the meetings of all horticultural 
societies if the secretaries of each would correspond with each other 
and cause an interchange of essayists ; it would be eminently beneficial 
in showing probably the different treatment of plants and crops grown 
under different climatic and other conditions. The other toasts which 
were duly honoured were “ City and Trade of Leeds,” proposed by 
W. Holbrook, Esq. ; “The Leeds Chrysanthemum Show,” “Kindred 
Societies,” and “ Essayists,” and harmony being intersnersed with the 
toasts caused a most pleasant evening to come to a close all too soon. 
- Primula Blooms.— A collection of Primula blooms have 
recently been sent to us from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons of Swanley, 
Kent. The pips are very fine, and of rich colour, the collection con¬ 
taining a great diversity of delicate tints in colouring, and plainly 
indicate from their excellent form and substance that a high standard 
of cultivation has been attained. 
- Weather at Liverpool. —After nearly two months of 
unusually severe frost a change occurred last Friday, and on Sunday 
morning we had a heavy fall of rain, but frost has again returned. The 
three highest night temperatures in February, 26°, 34°, and 27° respec¬ 
tively ; the lowest, 26°, 28°, and 25° of frost. Ice on a sheltered fish¬ 
pond in the garden has been from 10 to 12 inches in thickness. The 
damage done to green vegetables and spring bedding appears to be very 
extensive; but until a general thaw takes place it is difficnlt to speak 
with certainty.—R. P. R. 
- Herefordshire Cider. —A daily paper says :—“ Mr. Justice 
Grantham has made a discovery which is nothing less than the origin of 
evil. He told the Grand Jury at Hereford on Monday that he had 
heard for some time that so far as that county was concerned it owed 
its comparative immunity from physical disorders to the fact that 
Herefordshire was a great cider-drinking county. He had come to the 
conclusion that cider had the same effect on the moral as on the 
physical man, and that they owed their great freedom from crime, if he 
might say so, to the fact that Herefordshire people drank cider. If that 
was the case, he hoped other counties would follow the example.” 
- Scottish Pansy and Viola Association. —This Association 
has been formed in Glasgow, to meet monthly during the summer, to 
consider new varieties of Pansies and Violas, and to award certificates for 
those deemed worthy. The following seven gentlemen have been appointed 
judges :—Messrs. J. Baxter, Daldowie; W. Cuthbertson, Rothesay; 
M. Gray, Glasgow ; M. Campbell, Blantyre ; J. Stuart, Lennoxtown ; 
W. Maxwell, Glasgow; and H. Hamilton, Lochwinnoch. The judges 
are to give their verdict by ballot. Varieties which receive three-fourths 
of the total number of points shall receive a first-class certificate, and 
those receiving one-half or more of the total number a certificate of 
merit. Another feature will be the granting of special certificates for 
constancy to varieties which obtain a first-class certificate at three 
meetings. Such certificates and decisions, it is hoped, will prove valuable 
guides to the public, and tend to set up a standard for new varieties. 
The membership of the new Association is open to all on the payment 
of a nominal subscription of Is., and provision is made for the reception 
of flowers by post, which shall be as carefully handled and adjudicated 
as if they were personally staged by the exhibitors. The following are 
the office bearers, any of whom will be glad to send a copy of consti¬ 
tution and rules of the new Association to interested parties :—Presi¬ 
dent, Mr. W. Cuthbertson, Springfield, Rothesay ; Vice-Preiident, Mr. 
Jno. Baxter, Daldowie ; Treasurer, Mr. Jas. Robertson, Turnerfield, 
Crow Road, Partick ; Secretary, Mr. Jno. Smellie, Pansy Gardens, 
Busby. 
- Royal Meteorological Society. — At the last monthly 
meeting of this Society Mr. W. Marriott gave an account of the 
thunderstorm and squall which burst over London so suddenly on the 
morning of January 23rd. It appears that this storm passed across 
England in a south-south-easterly direction, at the rate of about forty- 
seven miles an hour, being over Northumberland at 4 A.M., and reach¬ 
ing the English Channel by 11 A M. Thunder was first heard in the 
vicinity of Leeds, and accompanied the storm in its progress across the 
country. One of the most remarkable features of the storm was the 
sudden increase in the force of the wind, for in London it rose almost 
at one bound from nearly a calm to a velocity of thirty-six miles an 
hour. This sudden increase of wind caused considerable damage, and 
at Bramley, near Guildford, twenty-eight trees were blown down along 
a track 1860 yards in length. Mr. B. Mawley presented his report on 
the phenological observations for 1894. Between the third week in 
March and the third week in May plants generally came into blossom 
in advance of their usual time, and towards the end of ipril the dates 
of first flowering differed but little from those recorded at the same 
period in the very forward spring of 1893. The cuckoo made its 
appearance even earlier than in the previous year. The year 1894 was 
a very productive one, and both the hay and corn crops proved un¬ 
usually heavy, but much of the latter was harvested under very trying 
conditions as regards weather. The frosts of May 21st and 22nd entirely 
destroyed the previous prospect of a glorious fruit season; indeed, the 
only really good crop was that of Pears, which were singularly abundant 
throughout nearly the whole of England. 
