February fl, 1808. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
105 
hekl at 25, Great Georga Street, Westminster, on Wednesday, the 15th 
instant, at 7 p.M., when the following papers will be read :—“Electrical 
and Meteorological Observations on the Peak of TeneriHe,” by the Hon. 
Ralph Abercromby, F.lt.Mct.Soc.: “ Rainfall of South Africa, 1842- 
1886,” by W. B. Tripp, M.Inst.O.E., Fr.Met.Soc.; “Some Methods of 
Cloud Measurements,” by Nila Ekholm. The Council this Society have 
also arranged to hold at the same place on March 20th to 23rd next, an 
exhibition of apparatus connected with atmospheric electricity, in¬ 
cluding lightning conductors, photographs of lightning and damaged 
objects. The Committee will also be glad to show any new meteorologi¬ 
cal instruments or apparatus invented or first constructed since last 
March, as well as photographs and drawings possessing meteorological 
interest. 
- The schedules of the Royal Botanic Society’s Shows, 
Regent’s Park, in the present year are now issued, and contain liberal 
provision for plant exhibits. The Spring Shows will be held on March 
21st and April 18th, the prizes ranging from £3 to 10s. for bulbs and 
for.ied plants, eighteen classes being devoted to the first Show and fifteen 
to the second. The Summer Shows are fixed for May 16th and June 30th, 
thirty classes being enumerated for the former and fifty-eight for the 
latter, which besides plant classes includes twelve for cut flowers and 
sixteen for fruit. At the June Show some alterations have been made 
in the classes for Orchids ; thus, there are now two for twelve exotic 
Orchids from nurserymen and amateurs, two in the same way for collec¬ 
tions of Dendrobiums and Cypripedinms, and one open class for a col¬ 
lection of Masdevallias. These may be expected to form very interesting 
features. At the May Show there are also classes for Cattleyas and 
Lajlias, and at each Summer Show a class is devoted to greenhouse 
Rhododendrons. 
- Callicarpa purpurea. —“ J. H. L.” writes : “ Mr. Miller, 
gardener to Lord Foley, has this useful though rarely seen berried plant 
in profusion in the well-kept greenhouses at Ruxley Lodge. He recom¬ 
mends the following mode of culture :—Cuttings should be struck of 
the old cut-back plants in the spring and treated the same as a Fuchsia. 
Pot in a compost of loam and peat and a little sharp sand. Place the 
young plants in house or pit at a temperature of 70°. They should be 
constantly pinched back, and no shoots forgotten, until the beginning of 
August. Give them plenty of air, but more especially when they are in 
flower.” _ 
GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
For the information of your correspondents who evince so warm an 
interest in this fund, and to whom I feel deeply grateful, I shall feel 
obliged if you will kindly allow me to state that the question of money 
boxes was considered at the last meeting of the Executive Committee, 
with the result that sample boxes are to be presented at the next meet¬ 
ing for approval. A number of boxes of the approved pattern will then 
be ordered for distribution among such of our friends as will kindly un¬ 
dertake the charge of i them.— Geo. Deal, Chairman,, 
At the annual meeting of our Chrysanthemum Society, held on 
Friday night last, it was resolved to arrange for a concert to be hekl on 
April 6th in aid of the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. If the committees of 
other societies in the country should think of assisting in the matter, I 
shall be glad if they will communicate with me on the subject.—A. J. 
Brown, Lindfield, Sussex, 
[VVe are glad to observe the Lindfield Society is in a sound financial 
state, and to learn that it will be well supported. We also readily pub¬ 
lish the above resolution formulated by our correspondent.] 
A LITTLE CHANGE. 
Having been engaged in trade for several years, and by, I trust, 
fair dealing and fair advertising, established what is re^rded as a good 
business, I can afford to allude to »hat are known in the circle as 
“ puffing pars.” The public form a true estimate of “ news ” which they 
see clearly enough is “ supplied.” These “ little pars ” were novelties 
once, but the market has been overstocked and the game is played out. 
But even yet they are “ sent round ” now and then, and one creeps into 
print here and there—a mere flash in the pan—for it is clear enough 
the shot has been withdrawn, because the flashes are not alike in all the 
jrapers that let them off, and does this not betray the hollowness of the 
whole thing 2 
AVhen I see these “little items” I am always reminded of Bob 
Sawyer’s method of advertising as described in “ Pickwick.” “ Don’t 
you see,” said Bob, “he goes up to the house, rings the area bell, pokes 
a packet of medicine without a direction into the servant’s hand, and 
walks off. Servant takes it into the dining ])arlour; master opens it 
and reads the label—tlraught to be taken at bedtime—pills as lefore— 
the powder. From Sawyer’s, late Nockemoff’s. Physicians’ prescrip¬ 
tions carefully prepared, .and all the rest of it. Shows it to bis wife— 
she reads the label ; it goes down to the servants —thcij read the label. 
Next day the boy calls. Very sorry—his mistake—immense business— 
great many parcels to deliver—Mr. Sawyer’s compliments—late Nock- 
emoff. The name gets known, and that's the thing, my boy ; bless your 
heart we have one four-ounce bottle that's been to half the houses in 
Bristol and hasn’t done yet.” Dare you insert this, Mr. Editor?— 
Provincial. 
[Certainly; why not? You evidently think it as interesting aa 
some other paragraphs, and if it pleases y'ou it may please others whO' 
like “ a little change ” in literary fare.] 
ERICA ODORATA. 
One of the pretty spring-flowering Heaths that are now too sckloiu 
seen in gi-eenhouses is Erica odorata reprcscnteil in fig. 16, The- 
FU-. 16.—Erica odorata. 
flowers arc bell-shaixid pure, white, gracefully suppoitcd on slender foot¬ 
stalks, and possessing a delightful fragrance which has been compared' 
to “a compound of Roses and Honeysuckle.” It is an old inhabitant of 
English ganlcns, having been introduced in 1784 by Mr. John Wedge- 
wood, but though usually found tvhere collections of hardwooil plants- 
are prized it is now comparatively scarce. It is, however, well worth.' 
the attention of cultivators. 
IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
In devoting a few moments’ consideration to some points recently 
advanced in the Journal, I do so in response to wishes that have been 
expressed, and in this instance my subjects h.ave been chosen for me. 
The first on which observations are requested is that of noble and other 
owners of private gardens competing with market g.ardeners in catering 
for the multitude of consumers of produce, which both class of traders, 
grow for sale. I will tty to look at the matter calmly and without 
prejudice, but at the same time shall be obliged to call a spade a spade 
whosoever may be its user, and in doing so shall have to admit myself a 
