152 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 23,1888. 
There are a number of other Roses, Hybrid Teas, Polyantha, 
Bourbon, &c., but we have been year after year supplied with plenty 
of these, and with little good results, so I leave them on one side. 
There is one Rose for which we shall look with interest—a product 
of Rosa rugosa—Madame C. Bruant, raised by Bruant from 
rugosa fertilised with Sombreuil—it may indicate a new break. In 
looking through the list that I have given, there does not seem 
much to excite our curiosity. It is remarkable how many of the 
Teas are high-coloured—suggesting perhaps that they are not alto¬ 
gether pure—and, indeed, with the exception of the two sent out 
by Lacharme and Guillot fils, there does not seem to be anything 
tempting. Amongst Hybrid Perpetuals nothing strikes me as being 
novel or out of the ordinary run—but it is all a lottery ; descriptions 
avail but litde, raisers’ names more ; and it is most probable that 
amongst those sent out by the Widow Schwartz, Liabaud, C. Verdier, 
and Margottin we shall find the gems we are seeking for, but 1 
shall be very much surprised if we do not find, after all, that the 
gems are nearer home, and that in such flowers as Earl of Dufferin, 
and Sir Rowdand Hill, we shall find flowers that exceed in beauty 
and novelty those of our French friends.—D., Deal. 
ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
The monthly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday 
evening, the 15th instant, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, 25, 
Great George Street, Westminster, Dr. W. Marcet, F.R.S., President, in 
the chair. 
Mr. T. S. Ainge, Mr. J. C. Bell, F.R.G.S., Mr. C. A. Markham, 
Surgeon-Major S. Smith, Mr. J. T. Tibbies, and Dr. J. Walther were 
elected Fellows of the Society. 
The following papers were read :— 
1, “ Electrical and Meteorological Observations on the Peak of 
TenerifEe,” by the Hon. Ralph Abercromby, F.R.Met.Soc. The author 
made a trip to the Island of, TenerifEe in October, 1887, for the purpose 
of making some electrical and meteorological observations, and now 
gives some of the results which he obtained, which may be summarised 
as follows :—The electrical condition of the Peak of TenerifEe was found 
to be the same as in every other part of the world. The potential was 
moderately positive from 100 to 150 volts at 5 feet 5 inches from the 
ground, even at considerable altitudes ; but the tension rose to 549 volts 
on the summit of the peak, 12,200 feet; and to 247 volts on the top of 
the rock of Gayga, 7100 feet. A large number of halos were seen 
associated with local showers and cloud masses. The necessarj’- ice-dust 
appeared to be formed by rising currents. The shadow of the peak was 
seen projected against the sky at sunset. The idea of a south-west 
current flowing directly over the north-east trade was found to be 
erroneous. There was always a regular vertical succession of air currents 
in intermediate directions at different levels from the surface upwards, 
so that the. air was always circulating on a complicated screw system. 
2, “ Rainfall of South Africa, 1842-86,” by Mr. W. B. Tripp, 
M.Inst.C.E., F.R.Met.Soc. The author gives the rainfall statistics from 
all those stations situated in South Africa which possess records of ten 
complete years and upward.s. He remarks upon the chronological suc¬ 
cession of wet and dry years, and the consecutive years above and below 
the mean ; and also describes the seasonal distribution of monthly 
maxima, and the extent over which monthlj'- rains prevail. He concludes 
by comparing the curves of rainfall with those of sunspot energy. 
3, “Some Methods of Cloud Measurements,” bj' Mr. Nils Ekholm. 
As exact cloud measurements afford almost the only easily available 
means of determining motions in the upper regions of the atmosphere, 
the author describes some methods which seem to him likely to give the 
best results. He also details the plans adopted at the Swedish Polar 
Station, Cap Thorsden, in Spitzbergen, and at the Upsala Observatory, 
for determining the direction and angular velocity of the clouds, and for 
making direct measurements of the height and absolute motions of the 
clouds. 
THE BULB MITE. 
Our good Journal is so full of the best advice upon all subjects 
pertaining to horticulture, that it is only upon a chance occasion that 
one like myself, with something less than an ordinary complement of 
talent, can venture to pen a few observations. For the present, how¬ 
ever, my thoughts are fixed upon the Eucharis mite, so called, but 
whether or not it has any legitimate right to its title I have yet to learn. 
I prefer to call it the bulb mite, as it is certainly found among nearly 
all bulbous plants, more particularly Liliums, Pancratiums, Amaryllises, 
Yallotas, Hyacinths, &c. 
Very much indeed has been written respecting the mite for several 
years past, -with the result that the cry is more general than ever, 
“ What can we do to get rid of it ?” This was the subject of a lively 
discussion held by the members of the Preston and Fulwood Horticul¬ 
tural Society on Saturday evening, February 4th ; and the latest remedy 
1 have heard, and possibly the only one open to us, is to get rid of it in 
the best way we can, and the sooner done the better. Good advice no 
<loubt, but the most serviceable information is still wanting to carry out 
the above remedy. At the meeting referred to we had ample evidence 
of the existence of the mite, and no sane man would or could doubt it. 
The pest was exhibited by thousands upon Eucharises both in pots and 
out of pots, also upon Pancratiums ; and although much useful infor¬ 
mation was brought as to the best means of destroying it, I must confess 
we had to close the discussion feeling that the mite has the best of it.^ 
I purpose asking one or two questions which I hope^ will receive 
the careful thought and consideration this important subject deserves, 
for very recently I have learned that many gardeners are^ almost at 
their wit’s end through their fruitless endeavours to rid their plants of 
the mite. Some have thought their bulbs cured, when twelve months 
later they are affected as bad as before. 
First, Does the mite come in the compost in which the bulbs fue 
potted ? or is it the result of some check given to the plants, either by 
resting them in too low temperatures, or a few doses of cold water at 
the roots ? 
Secondly, Is it possible that by a judicious system of culture we may 
not only arrest but entirely stamp out the mite ? 
These are the points upon which I would like the opinion of some 
of my more enlightened brethren, and I venture to think that some 
good may result from a few plain inquiries. 1 will willingly give _my 
thoughts upon the above question in a future note provided the subject 
is taken up in the right spirit.— Observer. 
WINTER NOTES AT SYON HOUSE GARDENS. 
Tiious.vnps of persons who during the summer months travel 
up and down the Thames between Kew and Richmond are familiar 
with the plain substantial quadangular building on the Middlesex 
side near Isleworth known as Syon House, one of the most famed 
of the Duke of Northumberland’s residences in the south of 
England. The gigantic figure of a lion 'which stands out boldly 
on the top of the mansion is pointed to as an almost historical 
object that so long surmounted Northumberland House at Charing 
Cross, the verdant lawns and dense shrubberies are adrnired, and 
there the general interest terminates. For horticulturists, how¬ 
ever, Syon House, its gardens and pleasure grounds, possess many 
attractions, and though May or June would be preferably chosen 
for a visit, yet it is surprising how much can be found that is worth 
noting even on a bleak and snowy day in February. 
It often happens that establishments near at hand receive less 
frequent notices than those at a distance, and Syon is an example 
of what might be almost termed a species of neglect. The work 
there is carried out in such an unpretentious manner that it is only 
occasionally when some wanderer penetrates the mysterious wdlds 
of Brentford, that we hear anything of the ducal garden, although 
in historical interest and for good all-round practice it is second to 
none in the metropo itan district. No at e npt can now be made 
to relate its history, but for the benefit of some far away readers it 
may be as well to state a few facts connected with it. First, then, 
it may be said that when our energetic monarch, Henry VIII., 
demolished the monasteries, there was one such institution upon 
the ground now occupied by Syon which shared the same fate. 
After the estate had been bestowed upon several persons in suc¬ 
cession, including one of the Dukes of Northumberland, it reverted 
to the Crown, and in Queen Mary’s reign wois partially restored to 
its former use. Early in the seventeenth century, however, it was 
conferred by James I. upon the ninth Earl of Northumberland, 
and in this family it has now remained ever since. ^ At different 
times extensive improvements have been effected in the estate, 
which comprises over 200 acres, about sixty being laid out as 
gardens and pleasure grounds, but its horticultural interest com¬ 
menced soon after the middle of the eighteenth century, at the 
time it was in the possession of Sir Hugh Smithson. The grounds 
are said to have lieen laid out and planted from designs furnished 
by “ Capability ” Brown, most of the larger specimens dating from 
that period, though considerable additions have been made_ since 
amongst the shrubs and choicer trees. Very rich indeed is the 
collection of trees and shrubs, and to some of these a few notes 
may be devoted. 
THE PLEASURE GROUNDS 
Though the grounds are naturally level, rising in a gentle slope 
from the river, yet the most has been made of them by judicious 
planting and varying the surface as much as possible. The 
shrubbery walks furnish some delightful shady retreats in the 
summer ; and after spending half an hour or so in traversing these 
an idea would be formed that the grounds are much more extensive 
than is really the case. Some beautiful vistas of the river and the 
Royal gardens, with the great Palm house on the opposite side, are 
also obtained, the effect being heightened by clumps planted at 
irregular intervals near the banks, which seen at a distance seem to 
connect the Middlesex and Surrey shores, especially when the tide 
is low. Emerging on the open expanse in front of the mansion a 
beautiful prospect is afforded in the direction of Richmond, with 
the high ground towards the terrace, from ivhich rises the elegant 
spire of St. Matthias’ Church in the background, the Kew shrub¬ 
beries, the old Deer Park, and the Thames in the foreground. 
When the trees are clothed in all the freshness of early summer 
foliage and glistening under an unclouded sun this is a delightful 
