Angnst 23, 18«8. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
169 
have lost the stunted starved appearance they had before. This has 
been the most prolific season for grubs and insect pests I have known, 
both above and under - ground. Cauliflowers, Savoys, and Brussels 
Sprouts we have planted and filled up several times, and still they go. 
We have lost nearly all our Lilium candidum and Stocks from the 
same cause. 1’hloxes, Delphiniums. Larkspurs, Sweet Williams, Iris, 
Daffodils, Narcissus, and Carnations have done very well, though late. 
Our annuals generally have not done well, Asters, Tagetes, and Ever¬ 
lasting Flowers are not in bloom yet. Of bedding plants, Lobelias 
and Calceolarias havedone well, and of Pelargoniums, such strong-growing 
varieties as Henry Jacoby have been satisfactory and are now flowering 
freely. The variegated Pelargoniums have made but little progress ; 
Iresine has always done well till this season. Coleus Verschaffelti has 
lost all its leaves, and the stems decayed. Last year we were gathering 
Tomatoes out of doors by the bushel at this time. We have the same 
varieties in the same position (against a south warm wall) this year 
growing furiously, but scarcely in bloom. 
Temperature and rainfall in June 1888.—Lowest night temperature, 
41°; highest day temperature, 80°; lowest mean night temperature, 48°; 
highest mean day temperature, 66°; rainfall, P75 inch ; highest baro¬ 
meter reading, 29'87 ; lowest barometer reading, 29’20. The rainfall for 
the past half year to June 30tli is as follows :—January, 1 08 ; February, 
044 ; March, P95 ; April, P53 ; May, 0 44 ; June, P73 ; total, 719. 
Temperature and rainfall in July 1888.—Lowest night temperature, 39° ; 
highest day temperature, 70°; lowest mean night temperature, 51°; 
highest mean day temperature, 65°; rainfall, 6 06 inches : highest 
barometer reading, 29‘72 ; lowest barometer reading, 29 08. — 
17. Bennett, Itangemore Gardens, Iturton-on-Trent. 
The months of June and July have been in this district remarkable 
for an average low temperature, aud from the 20th June until the 6th 
August inclusive we had rain, frequently accompanied by thunder and 
lightning, almost every day. On the 4th July the thunderstorm was 
terrific, and there was also a heavy storm of hail which considerably 
dama ed the foliage of trees and of flowering plants. 
Kitchen garden crops are good, and the weather does not appear to 
have had any other effect than to cause them to be a few days later than 
usual in one or two instances—Kidney Beans for example. Considerable 
difficulty was experienced in gathering the Raspberry crop owing to the 
frequency of the thunderstorms. Where the ground has been deeply 
cultivated the crops have never looked back ; but on ground that only 
had its surface tickled ” they looked cold and unhappy ; but as there 
is very little land about here cultivated in that style the general crops 
are, as I have previously stated, very good. 
All fruit is swelling to a good size. Apples, riums, Peaches, and 
small fruits are very good crops; Pears and Damsons half crops ; 
Apricots a failure comparatively; Walnuts are abundant; Cob Nuts 
scarce. 
Amongst annuals the most satisfactory have been Ten-week Stocks, 
Phlox Drummondi, Mignonette, Bartonia aurea, Nemophilas of variety, 
Convolvulus minor, Salpiglossis, Godetias, Clarkias, Sweet Sultan, and 
Yellow Sultan (Amberboa mosebata and odorata), Collinsias, Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, Linums. Campanula Lorei, Silene pendula compacts, Schizanthus 
of sorts, and Whitlavia grandiflora ; (Enotheras and Esclischoltzias, and 
Candytuft. 
Of perennials the following have withstood the weather very well : — 
P.Tonies, Spiraeas, Veronicas, Dictamnus Fraxinella, Campanulas, 
Pyrethrums, Violas, Chrysanthemum maximum, Anemone japonica 
Honorine Jobert, Delphiniums, Antirrhinums, Lupins, herbaceous Phlox, 
Phlox setacea, Hemerocallis, Lychnis Flos-Cuculi, Aquilegias, Irises, 
Lilium candidum, Lathyrus latifolius, Clematis flammula, Lysimachia 
thyrsiflora, Hesperis matronalis flore pleno, Boceonia cordata, white 
Pinks. Ibens, &c. 
Bedding out has not been a successful type of gardening this year, 
because the beds are only just looking anything like gay ; but the old 
varieties of plants used for that purpose have held their ground this 
season. The best of the Pelargoniums, flowering or foliage, are Henry 
Jacoby (crimson), Mrs. Turner (pink), Vesuvius (scarlet), White Clipper 
(White). Mrs. Pollock, Bijou, Crystal Palace Gem, Flower of Spring, 
Manglesii, and Duke of Edinburgh ; Lobelia Blue Stone, and Emperor 
William ; Verbena Melindris splendens and V. venosa; Ageratum 
Imperial Dwarf. 
The best foliage plants, either for mixtures or carpet bedding, have 
been Polemonium cteruleum variegatum. Pyrethrum ‘aureum, Kleinia 
repens, Centaurea candidissima, Sedum deltoideum variegatum, Anten- 
naria tomentosa, Iresine Lindeni, Salvia argentea, Herniaria glabra, 
Zea japonica variegata, Ricinus Gibsoni, Mesembryanthemum cordi- 
folium variegatum and 51. glabrum, and Achillea tomentosa. Alter- 
nantheras are a failure.—J. Udale, Elford Hall Gardens, Tamworth. 
SURREY. 
The rainfall here in June amounted to 3 80 inches, and there were 
only six days on which rain did not fall. In July we had 4-94 inches 
with two fine days. The total rainfall for the year up to the end of 
July has been 2P54 inches, but the season has not been so bad for vege¬ 
tation here as was 1879, when the rainfall in June was 5’66 with five 
tine days, and in July 548 with two fine days. The total rainfall then 
up to the end of July was 29 inches. 
Our early Peas this year were an excellent crop, but the second crops 
do not fib well. Early Potatoes are much diseased, and the late varie¬ 
ties are affected. Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Turnips, Onions, and Carrots 
are all good. Scarlet Runners, Dwarf and Broad Beans are late, 
and not good. Pears are a good crop; Apples and Plums partial ; 
Strawberries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, and Currants are abundant, 
though wanting in flavour. 
Roses have been very inferior ; Hollyhocks much diseased. Coleu es, 
Alternantheras, and other sub-tropical plants are less effective than when 
planted out. Liliums, Dahlias, Carnations, Verbenas, &c., seem to be 
enjoying the weather. There is a decided improvement all round 
owing to the last few days’ sunshine.— Edward J. Dayman, Holmbunj 
Gardens, Duelling. 
The months of June and July have been remarkable for an un¬ 
usually large quantity of rain and a very low temperature. Generally 
this has been against the fruit crops, causing much stone fruit to fall, 
and affecting small fruit as regards quality. Shrubs have enjoyed the 
cool moist weather, and newly planted ones have done well almost with¬ 
out exception. Early Potatoes have yielded well, but are now showing 
disease. Late ones have plenty of tubers, but I fear from the present 
appearance of the haulm disease is likely to follow. 
Amongst flowering plants hardy perennials have been decidedly the 
best. The following have been or are still good :—Erigeron speciosum, 
Lilium candidum, Spirteas, Campanula persicifolia, Achillea Ptarmiea 
plena, Sweet Williams, Violas, Pansies, Funkias, Echinops ruthenicus, 
Papaver oricntale (fine), P. nudicaule, Centaurea montana, Harpalium 
rigidum, Lychnis chalcedonica, L. coronaria, Lilium umbellatum, and 
L. croceum. Anemone japonica will flower later on. Many annuals 
are doing well. The following are some of the best :—Stocks, Asters, 
Lupinus nanus, Clarkias, Godetias, Viscaria cardinalis, Collinsia 
bicolor, Nemophila insignis, Candytufts, Bartonia aurea. Ordinary 
bedding plants have done badly. Tender foliage plants have made but 
little growth. Pelargoniums are beginning to flower a little now, but 
may be regarded as almost a failure. Our best beds are those filled with 
Verbenas, Stocks, Asters, and Salpiglossis. Our worst, Zinnias and 
Portulaca. All green vegetables have done well. Peas in particular.— 
E. Butts, Leigliam Court Gardens, Streatham Hill, S. W. 
As I did not see Surrey represented in the interesting report from the 
counties, I venture, though late, to supply a return from 51id-Surrey. 
Rainfall, 158 above sea. June, 1887, 0'71 inch; June, 1888, 391 
inches ; July, 1887, P01 inch ; July, 1888, 540 inches. Wet days :—- 
June, 1887, (2) ; June, 1888,(16) ; July, 1.887, (8) ; July, 1888. (21). 
June, 1887, maximum temperature, 83°, 15th; June, 1888, maximum 
temperature, 82°, 25th ; July, 1887, maximum temperature, 86°, 4th ; 
July, 1888. maximum temperature, 70°, 13th, 14th, and 19th. I observe 
in seven instances, amid very close observing of other things, the rain¬ 
fall is not given, and probably do rain gauge is kept. The cost of this 
now is so trifling, and the value of its record (especially to 5Ir. Symons) 
so considerable, that it is to be hoped they will be more generally adopted. 
The added interest to a rainy day or a thunderstorm is then very con¬ 
siderable.—A. C. 
YORKSHIRE. 
The weather in this district during June and July has been highly 
detrimental to all garden crops. Peas have grown far beyond their 
ordinary height, with few and badly filled pods. In this respect all 
varieties are alike. The varieties which have done best with us are 
Lightning, X. L. All, Gladiator, and Prodigy. Broad Beans, Scarlet 
Runners, and Kidney Beans are almost a total failure. Vegetable Mar¬ 
rows present a stunted and starved appearance, with little prospect of 
many fruits coming to maturity. Potatoes have grown more to top than 
tubers, which are small, very late, and watery. The best are the old 
Ash-leaf, Veitch’s Improved Ash-leaf, and Myatt’s Prolific. Cauli¬ 
flowers, though late, have done fairly well, Veitch’s Extra Early and 
Walcheren are the best. Autumn and spring-sown Onions have done 
badly, by far the best of the former is Early White Naples ; the others 
are not sufficiently advanced to form an opinion. 
Bedding plants have made little progress. Pelargoniums in par¬ 
ticular present a miserable appearance. Calceolarias, Lobelias, and 
Violas are doing well. Most perennials have made good growth and 
flowered satisfactorily. Very few annuals are grown here, and owing 
to the long continued cold weather they are making slow progress. 
During June rain fell nineteen days, making a total of P98 inch. 
In July it rained twenty-one days, measuring 6'08 inches.—J. McIndoe, 
Hutton Hall Gardens, Guisboro ’. 
The weather in this neighbourhood during the months of June anil 
July has been very cold, sunless, and wet. We have not kept a register 
of the rainfall, and therefore cannot speak as to the quantity which has 
fallen, but can safely say that it is considerably more than that of the 
same two months of any of the five preceding years. Under such un- 
genial influences few things in the fruit garden have done what may be 
termed well, except all varieties of Currants, Raspberries, Gooseberries, 
Cherries, and Filberts, which have borne, or are bearing, very fine crops. 
Apples, Pears, Apricots, Plums, and Strawberries are, with very few ex¬ 
ceptions, a failure. Peaches, Nectarines, and early Grapes have yielded 
a splendid crop and finished well ; but late Grapes have failed to take 
on the bloom they have formerly done with us. Some bunches of Black 
Hamburgh are almost green, and the flavour is not what we have 
usually had in them. 
Cabbages, Celery, Globe Artichokes, and Turnips are the most satis¬ 
factory among vegetables, and Carrots, Beet, and Parsnips are fairly 
