ive.ulxr 5, is*8. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
445 
lay their eggs, which will hatch out in the spring. No time should be lost 
in dressing trees to prevent the moths running up. In addition to the 
caterpillar plague we have had to contend with a ravenous host of ear¬ 
wigs. On one occasion only I killed, as nearly as I could tell without 
actually counting every one, 2750 in going round my garden and a small 
orchard. Against this as a set-off we have not had a wasp of any of the 
species which eat fruit and rob bees, and during the whole summer in 
all my walks I have only met with two solitary worker wasps. It will 
be curious to see if the race is actually extinct. It must take years to 
produce or establish these insects again if there are any left in other 
districts. Another curious fact is that there are no daddy long-legs this 
year, although there were grubs in the summer, as I know the starlings 
brought them for their young in the nests ; yet in the fields and gardens 
no insects appear to have been hatched out. One other injurious insect 
(in the grub state) has been very scarce, the cockchafer or locusts as 
they are usually called. I cannot remember seeing half a dozen during 
the summer.” 
- Lord Palmerston Pelargonium. — This old Nosegay 
variety has flowered more freely with me than any other during the past 
summer, wet and cold as it has been. The colour is rosy red. Vesuvius 
has scarcely flowered at all; West Brighton Gem, Henry Jacoby and 
others have grown very strongly, but have produced few flowers.—G. C. 
- Mr. F. Geeson of Midhurst writes:—“Mr. A. Pettigrew, on 
page 429 , speaks of petroleum for Pear scale. As we have a 
great quantity of the pest, I would be glad to know at what strength 
it should be applied. I tried last winter 1 oz. to the gallon of 
water, and there are as many pests this winter as last. If Mr. 
Pettigrew would state the proportion of oil to the gallon he finds 
effectual and safe, I shall be glad.” 
- We are informed that the Teddington Chrysanthemum 
Show was highly successful in all respects, the cut blooms being excel¬ 
lent and numerous. Mr. G. A. Bishop, The Grove Gardens, Teddington, 
won the principal prize, a silver cup, W. Furze, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
Coombs) with Messrs. Munro, Bates, Allen, and Davies also exhibiting 
well. Mr. D. Anderson, the Hon. Secretary, has worked hard in the 
interest of the Society. 
- We regret to hear that Alderman Thomas Gray, of Mor¬ 
peth, died on the 13th inst. The deceased gentleman was an ardent 
supporter of horticulture in the North of England, and took an especial 
interest in the Newcastle-on-Tyne Society, of which he was Treasurer 
for some time. He was widely known, and much respected by all who 
had the pleasure of knowing him, and a correspondent writes that he 
was “ an enthusiast in gardening, a most genial friend, and an excellent 
business man.” 
- A gardener recently staying at Southport in Lancashire 
sends the three following notes—“ The small gardens about Southport 
are much better kept than is the case in the neighbourhood of many 
seaside towns. Evidently great taste and care have been exercised in 
planting them. Too often carelessness is the rule in such gardens, dead 
aud dying trees and shrubs telling too plainly of the mistakes that have 
been made ; but here evergreen Privet, Hollies, Euonymus, Aucubas, 
and isuch seaside plants have been planted and flourish amazingly. 
Poplars and Elms have been freely planted, and are doing well.” 
- “ The foreshore has been greatly improved during the past few 
years. A large portion of the beach has been converted into delightful 
grounds with walks freely interspersed amongst the grass, which is in 
capital condition. This is made cheerful during the summer by the 
introduction of flower beds of the ordinary bedding type, with annuals 
and perennials planted in the borders. The sea is a long way from the 
town, and to obviate this a large lake has been formed in front of these 
grounds. To carry out the same arrangements on the other side of the 
pier would be money well spent, and would undoubtedly prove profitable 
to the town.” 
- “ The Botanic Garden at Churchtown has been beauti¬ 
fully laid out, and has been gay with annuals and hardy flowering plants in 
the past season. Very few of the ordinary tender bedding plants are 
employed, and if this were done it would be impossible to have produced 
with them such a diversified and charming effect as has been the case. 
The grounds are well kept and varied with cool shady walks, Rose beds, 
and borders, water-loving plants and Ferns. Every bed and border 
where sun and light can reach is gay with flowers during the summer, 
for there has been ample room left at the front of all the shrubs for 
this purpose.” 
- Liliums in Partial Shade. —Liliums unquestionably like 
partial shade. When fully exposed to the sun they gradually dwindle 
away, but in the shade, or where they are protected from direct sun¬ 
shine, they increase in numbers and st rength. We have a good number 
of Lilium tigrinum superbum, and those shaded by trees were the 
strongest, and have produced the greatest number of flowers on each 
spike. Although the trees are growing close to them, they did not 
appear to suffer last year by drought. Several other Liliums have also 
behaved in the same way.—W. B. L. 
- The Fig Harvest.— The Fig harvest this year has been good, 
while last year it was very much below the average. The whole crop, 
that practically supplies Europe and America and a great part of Asi t 
is gathered from a strangely limited acreage. The average yield is 
about 25,000,000 lbs. The yield of 1887 was much less. This year it 
will be a little over average. America is largely increasing her 
demands, and the London consumption grows more and more im¬ 
portant every year. It is the “ Lacoum ” Figs that are sent in greatest 
quantity across the Atlantic. The whole Fig crop is gathered off ■tfery 
classic ground. The gardens lie along the valley of the Meander, and 
especially round the ruins of Ephesus. Turks and Christians work side 
by side, and in perfect amity .—(Daily Paper'). 
-Writing about Phloxes, a northern correspondent says 
“ These have been beautiful during the past season ; the wet weatherap- 
peared to suit them, for they have never been healthier or produced larger 
trusses with us. Virgo Marie is a splendid pure white variety, and just 
coming into flower. Enfant du Rhone is very distinct, with its 
large amaranth reddish scarlet flowers. It is a grand companion to the 
one named above for late flowering. The last will flower freely until 
the end of October if planted in different aspects. Few plants are 
more effective planted in small groups about the pleasure grounds ; if 
they are dashed by heavy rains, the flowers open so quickly that a few 
hours of bright sunshine renders them highly attractive.” 
——- The same correspondent remarks that “ RudbeckiaNewmanni 
is not very attractive when planted on the dotted system in mixed her¬ 
baceous borders, but it is one of the most attractive plants in the 
garden when planted in moderate large masses. When six or twel\ e 
plants are planted about a foot apart and allowed to spread until they 
are well established, they are conspicuous either at the front of shrubs 
or surrounded with annuals or other flowering plants. 
_ Gros Colman Grape in Pot.— When recently visiting 
Mr. Butts at Leigham Court Gardens, Streatham, I was much impressed 
with the value of this fine-looking Grape as a pot Vine. Mr. Butts 
had a Vine that had been in a very large pot two seasons; this- 
season when I saw it, the Vine had eight good-sized bunches. It wa* 
growing in a Black Hamburgh house. The bunches were well filled, as 
black as jet, and from 1 lb. to 1^ lb. in weight. It is the improved 
flavour that I wish to note. Mr. Butts gave me a few berries to taste, 
and in comparison with some that were growing on a Vine planted out 
here it was much superior. In fact, I do not remember ever to ia\e 
tasted it so good before at this season. It may be worth asking those w o 
havemot the accommodation to grow it planted out, but would like to 
have a few bunches, to grow a few Vines of it in a pot in a house t at 
may be wanted for other purposes during the winter. When those were 
ripe they could be lifted into a warm dry Muscat or other similar house 
till wanted. While speaking of Leigham Court I may remark that 1 
also noted good bunches of Muscats, the most useful West’s St. Peter s 
and many others still hanging.— Wanderep. 
NARROW VINE BORDERS. 
This subject has been receiving some attention lately, but no more 
lan it deserves, for if less expensive borders will give equally good 
isults with those of the usual description, the fact cannot be too widely 
nown. When individual cases are cited as instances of success or failuie, 
rroneous notions are apt to be drawn from them which were nevei in- 
rnded by the writer. It is well that success under difficulties should 
e recorded, whether it is the production of good Grapes in ordinaly 
arden soil, or in borders much within the usual limits, or any other 
?.sult which shows that the grower’s heart was in his work._ This acts 
s a stimulus to others. In like manner the chronicling or a failuie 
omes as a warning. No gardener of experience can doubt that good 
;rapes can be grown well for a few years in comparatively narrow 
orders, but where the doubt will arise is respecting the length of 
eriod in which they will continue satisfactory. That this is generally 
lelieved in is shown by the manner that borders are usually made, 
nlv soil enough for a few years being placed in first, and other soil 
dded as the roots show they require it. It would be interesting to 
