286 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 5, 1E8?. 
power of lightning conductors and their construction, Dr. Marcet ex¬ 
plained the formation of hail and of waterspouts, and exhibited an 
instrument by Prof. Colladoii of Geneva for showing the formation of 
■waterspouts. He concluded his address with a few remarks on the 
aurora borealis and australis, the formation of which was illustrated by 
De la Kive’s experiment, which consisted of successive discharges of 
electric sparks through a partial vacuum while under the influence of a 
powerful magnet ; electric sheets of light were seen assuming the form 
of bands and possessed of a certain rotating motion. 
Mr. G. J. Symons, F.ll.S., read a short communication on “ The Non¬ 
existence of Thunderbolts,” briefly described the history of several 
so-called thunderbolts, the specimens obtained being of an amusing 
character, thus clearly showing that they were of a terrestrial and not a 
celestial nature. 
In connection with this meeting a most interesting exhibition of 
instruments was arranged in the rooms of the Institution of Civil 
Engineers. The Exhibition was devoted chiefly to instruments con¬ 
nected with atmospheric electricity. There are various forms of electro¬ 
meters, including those formerly in use at the Greenwich and Kew 
Observatories. Numerous patterns of lightning conductors were exhi¬ 
bited, together with models of churches, houses, chimney-shafts, and 
ships, showing the various methods of protection. The Postal Department 
showed a number of lightning protectors used for telegraph purposes. 
Many objects damaged by lightning were exhibited, including lightning 
conductors, telegraph apparatus, portions of rafters, trees, &c., also the 
clothes of a man torn off his body by lightning. An interesting collection 
of meteorites and some alleged thunderbolts were shown, the latter 
being of an amusing character. ■ There were also several new meteoro¬ 
logical instruments exhibited, which had been brought out during the 
past twelve months. 
One of the special features of the Exhibition was a most valuable 
and interesting collection of over fifty photographs of lightning flashes. 
Many of these were taken during the great thunderstorm which occurred 
in London on August 17th last year, while others were taken in various 
parts of the world. The Exhibition also included a large number of 
photographs of damage by lightning, and photographs of clouds and / 
meteorological instruments, as well as records of atmospheric elec¬ 
tricity. 
CHRYS-^NrHEMUM; BELLE PAULE. 
I "WAS much struck upon entering a conservatory on March 27th to 
find plants of this variety bearing flowers. They were, of cour.se, pale in 
colour as well as being small, but still they were useful, and I was told 
some that had been cut a short time previously were much better. The 
jflants had been both late struck and pinched late as well, thereby 
making late growth. This is only another instance showing what an 
adaptable plant is the Chrysanthemum.—S. 
NATIONAL SOGIETT’S EXHIBITIONS. 
I STRONGLY advise the National Society to issue their schedule of 
prizes with the least possible delay, so that intending exhibitors will 
Enow what to prepare. I noted some time since in the Journal a list of 
the sections which was intended to be included in the Society’s official 
catalogue. It is proposed to define and make a class for Japanese re¬ 
flexed varieties. This being so, it is but natural to suppose the inten¬ 
tion is to encourage that section by offering prizes for them at the 
metropolitan and provincial shows. I trust the" leaders of the Society 
will take this gentle reminder that there are many persons who are 
anxious to know the programme for the coming season, so that proper 
arrangements may be made conducive to the welfare of the Society as 
well as simplifying the work of exhibitors generally.—A Pos.sible 
E.XHIBITOE. 
FERTILISATION OF EARLY PEACHES. 
I MUST agree with your correspondent, Mr. James B. Riding, th.at it 
is not a safe plan to trust altogether to the tapping system in the case of 
early forced Reaches. We do not commence forcing here until Feb¬ 
ruary, and then we use a camel-hair brush. AYc have a splendid set of 
both Reaches and Nectarines in our first house by the above means, and 
later ones promise well. 
I should like to hear from any of your correspondents who practice 
the syringing .system mentionel by “ S. T. C.” I am not venturesome 
enough to try it myself. AVith reference to tapping the trees I fail to 
see how it can answer, except in the case of trees on the back wall and 
trees grown on wires near to the glass. To practise tai)|)ing trees grown 
as ours are—viz., on the half-moon trellis, would result in the pollen 
dropping on the ground. Taking everything into consideration, I think 
the camel-hair brush the best and safest method to be adopted — 
G. Hilton. 
WQKK.FQ^™:WEEK.. 
’mLm 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Figs. —In the south and south-western counties Figs frequently 
produce profitable crojis, and many more trees might be grown with 
advantage. A hot sunny corner, formed by the junction of a south 
with a west wall, will be found the best position for the trees, but many 
a high sunny end wall of outhouses, and indeed various blank spaces on 
south walls, might well be utilised for Fig culture. A rich soil is alto¬ 
gether unsuitable, this causing a rank unfruitful growth, and which is 
far from being hardy. Th'i site should be well drained, and, if it can 
be spared, replace the ordinary soil with turfy loam and old moitar 
rubbish, the latter, for which chalk is a good substitute, being added at 
the rate of one bushel to three bushels of loam. A wide border is not 
to be recommended, the most prolific trees being those planted in a 
comparatively narrow border with a hard pathway or carriage road in 
front of it. The roots invariably find their way into the hard roads, and 
this poorness and firmness of root run induces the requisite short-jointed 
growth. Brown Turkey and AA''hite Marseilles are the most prolific on 
the open walls. Brunswick is quite as hardy as these, and a fine variety, 
but as a rule is a shy be.arer. Rreference should be given to trees grown 
with a clear stem, and as these are generally supplied in pots, planting 
ought always to be deferred till all danger of severe frosts is past. The 
branches should be laid in fan-shaped, no shortening back being re¬ 
sorted to unless more branches are needed for laying the foundation of 
the tree. The leading branches being trained thinly laterals will start 
freely from these, and which, if well thinned out, those reserved being 
laid in right and left, will ripen properly and fruit the following season. 
A'oung trees ought not to be very freely pruned, as plenty of young 
branches are usually forthcoming for laying in wherever there is space 
to be filled, these being of a more fruitful character than those obtained 
by pruning. 
Reuning Est.lblished Fig Trees —In most districts it is necessary 
to protect the trees, and more especially the points of the young wood, 
this being done either with Russian mats, thatched hurdles, or branches 
of Spruce Fir. Last March exceptionally severe frosts were experienced 
in some of the southern counties, and those trees uncovered and pruned 
early were much injured in consequence. The first week in April is 
quite soon enough to uncover the trees. As before stated, a too free use 
of the knife is unwise, and on the other hand, unless some pruning is 
annually done the centre of the trees soon becomes bare, the outside 
branches or points only being fruitful. Supposing the main branches 
are thinly trained and well furnished with lateral growth, one-half of 
these ought to be cut back to near their starting point, this inducing the 
formation of several young growths. One of these beinr laid in and the 
remainder early removed, a considerable number of short fruitful 
branches will be obtained. The following spring the remainder of the 
old laterals may be similarly shortened back. In this manner half the 
lateral growth will be pruned every season, and a constant supply of 
fruitful wood maintained. As a ride Fig trees are informally trained, 
and where this is the case all the pruning necessary consists of thinning- 
out the wood, those long branches that have reached the limit being sawn 
or cut back to near the main stem. A few being thus cut back every 
year, young bearing wood will be always well distributed about the 
tree. This trairiing ought always to be practised, and on no account 
should the short-jointed young growths be shortened, as these pro¬ 
duce the fruit. 
Reotecting Rear Trees. —Those on walls especially, and which 
are remarkably well set with buds, fullv repay for any trouble taken 
with them in the way of temporary protection. It is unwise to wait 
till the flowers are open before the protection is given, as a severe frost 
will cripple those in a bud state. Many Rears are of such value as to 
merit wooden coping, boards, rods, and curtains, these being so contrived 
as to be easily opened or closed. The next best coverings are doubled 
or trebled fish nets, these being fastened to the top of the wall and kept 
clear of the trees with the aid of long poles let into the ground 2 feet 
from the wall, and fastened to staples or spike nails near the coping. 
If the nets are hung over the trees early they will moderate the effects of 
sharp frosts, and al.^o preserve the buds from the birds. A''ery large 
pyramids are not easily protected, but those on the Quince stock or 
miniature trees are not so difficult to cover. About five long and strong 
poles are needed for each tree, these being let into the ground at equal 
distances apart, and made to meet over the centre of the tree. They 
ought to be quite clear of the principal nortion of the branches, and 
securely fastened at the top. The protecting material may be either 
doubled or trebled fish netting, cotton netting, frigi domo, or garden 
mats. The three first-named may frequently be left over the trees for 
seveial days, or during the prevalence of cold frosty winds, but the mats 
are tiJO heavy, and if left on in the daytime will weaken the bloom. 
Cordons trained near garden walks are easily protected. All that is 
necessary in this case is to fix a single line of rods or stakes directly over 
and about 12 inches clear of the tree.s, the protecting material being 
thrown over this and fastened to pegs in the ground on each side. 
