June rs, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
517 
and still Orchids are packed in older lean-to houses, and there are 
further Orchids in frames. Their number is bewildering, their condition 
excellent, and value great. Some of the span-roof houses alluded to are 
filled with stove and greenhouse plants; one was a floriferous mass of 
decorative Pelargoniums, and another filled with Malmaison Carnations ; 
soon there will be a blaze of Begonias, then in due time sheets of 
Primulas, Cvclamens, and others in due season, and all in imposing 
numbers. When the electric light is turned on through the corridor 
and houses the promenade, which from the mansion to the Eose houses 
can be little short of 200 yards, must be very delightful, not to say 
entrancing ; still there are thousands of persons who would nob travel 
half so far to see it as they would to hear one of its talented owner’s 
fascinating speeches. 
There are other houses—lean-to’s of an ancient date—which no 
doubt Mr. Chamberlain “found there,” with excellent crops of Peaches 
in some and Vines in evident process of rejuvenation in others; also 
numerous frames for raising plants, and all full. Every inch of space 
seems occupied everywhere, and there is something to tell us at every 
turn that we are in a cherished garden. May it afford pleasure and 
•satisfaction to the right honourable gentleman as a patron of horti- 
•culture for many years to come, and afford him healthful repose in such 
intervals of leisure as he may find from the resnonsible public duties 
which are incident to his commanding position. He is cordially thanked 
for the facilities afforded for a glance over his garden, and for the 
urbanity extended to a— Casual Caller. 
Events op the Week. —The great horticultural event of the week 
is the Floral F^te at York that opens on Wednesday, June 19th. This 
promises to be as great a success as ever. On Thursday, 20th inst., the 
Colchester Society will hold its annual show. These are appirently 
the only two shows of particular interest, but with the end of the 
month the Roses will be in full force, and growers and exhibitors will 
be at their busiest. 
- Weather in London. — Glorious weather has prevailed in 
London during the past week, but the continued absence of rain or even 
atmospheric moisture is commencing to be felt seriously. On Tuesday 
evening a shower fell, but was not enough to penetrate the ground. In 
at least one of the London parks the grass is as brown, or more so, 
than it was in 1893 at about the same date. Twenty-four hours’ good, 
steady rain would materially benefit both London and country gardeners 
and farmers. 
- Weather in the North, —For the last two weeks preceding 
the 11th a great drought has prevailed. Many of the days have been 
intensely warm, and a high parching wind has continued since the close 
of last week. Rain is very much wanted.—B. D., S. PertliHliire, 
- Orobus vernus. —Plants with pea-shaped flowers are rare at 
this season, and this fact alone, says an American contemporary, would 
give a value to this Orobus. It is an excellent hardy perennial, and 
would deserve attention at any season. The plant grows about a foot 
high, and nearly as soon as the growths are out of the ground the 
flowers begin to appear. At first they are a mixture of green, red, 
purple, and blue, but when they get a little older they turn almost blue. 
This is a good border plant when it has rich soil. 
- Insects on Fruit Trees—the Poultry Remedy. —After 
years of careful experiments with insecticides for the destruction of the 
larvte of the winter moth and Apple-blossom weevil, 1 have yet to see a 
really effective remedy for the two pests named. The difficulty about all 
these insecticides is bringing them into direct contact with the enemy, 
as the caterpillar quickly surrounds itself with a cover of foliage, and 
the Apple-blossom weevil is practically safe in the unopened flower 
buds. There can be no question as to the value of the arsenical com¬ 
pounds mentioned by “ R. M.” (page 498), as immense numbers of 
caterpillars can be killed thereby ; but our experience at Glewston 
Court is that poultry are the best insect destroyers. I think no one can 
justly estimate the enormous quantity they devour. Up to a recent 
date we have had all our dwarf fruit trees shaken iaily, and the fowls 
have followed the shaker, eagerly feeding on the caterpillars and Psylla 
weevils that fell down. When the gi'eat service rendered by fowls to 
the fruit grower becomes more recognised, I feel sure that they will be 
looked on as a necessary part of the business.—S. T. Wright. 
- United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society. —The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of this 
Society was held at the Caledonian Hotel on Monday evening last. 
Mr. Nathan Cole presided. Four new members were elected. It has 
been decided by the Committee that the increase of sick pay from 
10s. 6i. to 12s., and from 16s. to 18s. per week in the two classes 
respectively, shall commence from the half year (July 8th). The 
Treasurer reported that he had invested £200 in West Bromwich Three 
Per Cent. Stock. 
- Saxifra-GA peltata. —At the edge of a small pond this 
largest of the Saxifrages is throwing up its vigorous flower stems. 
These stems, which rise from a stout, fleshy, creeping root-stock, are 
from 18 inches to 2 feet high and three-fourths of an inch thick at the 
base. The flowers are in large clusters and rose-coloured. At this time, 
when the plant is in bloom, the leaves are about 10 inches high and 
6 inches across. Later on the umbrella-shaped leaves increase in every 
way until they are about a yard high and as much across, and are very 
bold and handsome. It is a moisture-loving plant, and requires to be 
planted near a pond or running stream ; in such a place it very soon 
increases.—R. C. 
-A Century of Progress in Floriculture.—T his subject 
was discussed by Professor Henslow in his lecture to the Fellows of the 
Royal Botanic Society and visitors at the Gardens, Regent’s Park, on 
the Slst. ult. The lecturer showed specimens of the original wild plants 
from which some of our most admirable garden flowers have arisen, and 
illustrated with numerous diagrams the various stages in the way of 
cultivation and hybridisation they have passed before reaching the 
perfection of to-day. Wnile the changes from the, in many cases, 
insignificant wild flower had been little short of marvellous, there was 
a limit beyond which they could not go ; and he was afraid that, with 
some few of our florists’ flowers, that limit had already been reached. 
- Spring Lettuce.—A t page 493 meation is mad,e of the 
scarcity of spring Lettuce. This is not mv experience, as from a sowing 
made on a south border on the 14th of August last of Hicks’ Hardy 
White Cos, Brown Cos, and All the Year Round Cabbage Lettuce, 
the two former wintered well, but quite half the crop of the latter 
succumbed. Hicks' Hardy White Cos has been in perfection during the 
past three weeks. The heads of this variety averaged over 2 lbs. each 
and being perfectly blanched, fetched top price in the market. This 
variety should be extensively grown for the purpose. I consider the 
Brown Cos when well blanched is equally good in flavour, but it does 
not sell so well as the former, a fact that should be made a note of 
when preparing for the supply another year.—S., Yorhs. 
- Strawberry Royal Sovereign. — Another season’s ex¬ 
perience with this Strawberry has proved it to be an excellent variety. 
Under ordinary treatment in a cool Peach house I had excellent fruits 
from pot plants at the latter end of May. For continuing the succession 
from the second early sorts until fruit ripens out of doors this Straw¬ 
berry should take a high position. Not only does it set freely, but the 
fruit swells to a large size, puts on a fine colour, while the flavour is very 
good indeed. On plants growing in ordinary 32-sized pots I gathered 
many fruit weighing IJ oz., as many as half a dozen such as these 
coming from one plant. Under some of the pots I placed a newly cut 
turf, grass side downwards, first well soaking the turf in liquid made 
from dissolved bones. Into the turf the roots quickly found their way, 
thus lessening the necessity for supplying water. The promise of fruit 
from plants growing in the open of this Strawberry is all that could be 
desired.—E. M. 
- Wakefield Paxton Society.—T he programme of meetings 
for the second quarter—Session 1895—of this Society is as follows : — 
June 15th, “A Journey to Holland,” Mr. H. Chapman. June 22nd. 
“ Preparation for, and Bedding Out in Yorkshire Compared with the 
South,” Mr. L. Twigge. June 29th, “ The Strawberry,” Mr. John 
Hepworth, Batley. July 6th, The Rose exhibition; essay by Mr. G. 
Bott. July 13tb, Life Boat Demonstration ; (no meeting). July 20th, 
Visit to Cannon Hall by permission ; (arrangements will be announced). 
July 27th, Wild Flower exhibition. August 3rd, The Pelargonium 
exhibition ; essay by Mr. W. Hudson. August 10th, “ A Chat on Alpine 
Flowers,” Mr. J. Wood, Kirkstall. August 17th, “ The Pea and* 
Kidney Bean ” (exhibition of specimens), Mr. J. G. Brown. August 21tb, 
(subject to be announced), Mr. J. Campbell. Friday, 30th, “ The 
Carnation and Picotee as Florists’ Flowers,” Rev. F. D. Horner, Kirkby 
Lonsdale. Each meeting will commence at eight o’clock for business; 
and the lecture at 8.15 prompt. 
