Jnne 21, 1888. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
511 
and Mulberries are reared to a degree of perfection to which they have 
attained nowhere else in the East. In their fresh and dried state the 
Afghan fruits are carried all over Hindostan, and in value exceed the 
trade in horses and sheep’s wool, which form the other considerable 
portions of the foreign commerce of Afghanistan. In return for their 
fruits, wool, and horses, the Lohani merchants take back indigo, muslins, 
chintz, broad-cloths, sugar, spices, medicines, salt, silk, and cotton 
fabrics, musk, and other British and Indian manufactures and products. 
But of manufactures proper the Afghans have few or none. They are 
a nation of warriors and shepherds, not of art-workmen, miners, or 
handicraftsmen. They make coarse cloth for their own use, turbans, 
felts, “ postins,” or sheepskin coats, and camels-hair cloaks, or “ chogas,’’ 
the three latter articles being extensively exported to the Peshawur 
frontier, and the adjoining portion of the Punjab, where they are 
valued—especially the postins—by the British Indian army, as a part 
of their winter clothing .—{The Countries of the World.') 
- Weather Depredations at Midsummer.—M r. J. H. 
Goodacre, Elvaston Castle Gardens, Derby, writes:—“Fickle as the 
English climate is known to be, few would credit the serious damage 
from frost at this late date, that we often suffer in this locality, as 
samples of Potato tops, illustrate, herewith enclosed ; but the mischief 
does not end here, as Beans, Marrows, and other tender vegetables were 
damaged by frost on the 15th of this month, also some kinds of Straw¬ 
berries, such as British Queen, President, and those erect sorts that 
throw their bloom above the foliage. Some of the Apples are casting 
their fruit seriously, the bloom of which I never saw so fine before. Some 
of the white-flowered sorts were objects of great beauty. I measured 
some Gravenstein flowers fully 4 inches in diameter, and petals of great 
substance ; the trees resembled massive plants of Fielder’s White Azaleas 
than anything else. Pears, where exposed, are also casting the fruit.” 
The Potato haulm showed unmistakeable signs of injury, and we have 
heard of similar cases near London. 
- Another winter has proved the value of the Caucasian 
Laurel. It is much superior to the common variety. In strong 
retentive soil it retains its colour much better, being a dense dark 
green, while the common one assumes in some instances during the 
winter a delicate sickly hue.* If pruned somewhat closely for a year 
or two after the cuttings arc struck the Caucasian variety will make 
a dense bush in a shorter time than the other. This year the Caucasian 
variety has been covered with flowers, and they brighten otherwise dull 
spots in the shrubberies early in the season before many other shrubs 
are in blossom. 
- A LIBERAL schedule of prizes is provided for the summer show 
of the Kichmond (Surrey) Horticultural Society, which will be 
held in the Old Deer Park, on Wednesday, July 4th. We are reminded 
that entries close on June 27th. The Secretary is Mr. J. PI. Ford, 
22, George Street. 
- A COLOURED illustration of Begonia Lubbersi is given in 
Le Moniteur d'Horticulture oj the 10th inst., with an account of the 
plant by M. Lucien Chaur6. The plant was shown at the recent Ghent 
Quinquennial Show by M. E. Pynaert Van Geert, and it has been 
described both by M.E. Andr^andM.le Comte Kerchove de Denterghem. 
The leaves are 2 inches broad at the widest part, tapering, and 5 to 
6 inches long, red on the under surface, the upper surface dark green, 
with numerous silvery spots of irregular shape and size. The flowers 
are pure white, with two broad rounded petals and two small ones, and 
it is said they are freely produced. The Begonia was introduced by 
chance from Brazil to the Brussels Botanic Gardens in 1880 by M. Pedro 
Bruot of Petropolis, and was observed by M. Lubbers at the base of a 
Tree Fern stem ; it was removed and potted, and flowered for the first 
time in October 1881. Botanically Begonia Lubbersi is referred to the 
section Gaertia of Klotsch, and is related to B. maculata (B. argy- 
rostigma). 
- Gladioli Notes. —Messrs. Stuart & Mein write In reply 
to Mr. Kelway’s inquiry as to where our successes in Gladioli exhibiting 
took place, we beg to say w'e were first at the International Shoiv in 
Edinburgh in 188G and 1887. In 1869 we took the first prize at Edin¬ 
burgh, and in the following year at the Crystal Palace, as the following 
extract from the Kelso Mail of September 10th, 1870, will show :— 
‘ Crystal Palace Autumn Show.—At this great Exhibition of flowers, 
held at the Crystal Palace, London, this week, wc are glad to observe 
that Messrs. Stuart & Mein, nursery and seedsmen, Kelso, have carried 
off the first prize for the best twenty-four spikes of Gladioli against all 
England. There were fifteen collections exhibited.’ ” 
- The Koyal Botanic Society’s Evening Fete will be held 
on AVednesday, July 4th next, in the Eegent’s Park Gardens, when an 
Exhibition of floral decorations, &c., will be provided as usual. The 
following are the principal classes :—Division 1.—Natural flowers and 
fruit: Floral decorations arranged for a dinner-table, 10 by 5. In this 
class no objects are allowed on the tablecloth except such as contain 
or are accessory to the holding of flowers. Floral decorations, dressed 
ready for dessert. These tables should be completely dressed for dessert 
for ten persons. The prizes will be awarded for general effect, without 
reference to the actual value of the plants and articles employed. 
Foliage and flowers, suitable for a sideboard ; small group of growing 
plants, suitable for table ; group of plants, arranged for the decoration 
of a recess in a room, for an alcove, or a fireplace ; standing basket or 
vase, furnished with plants suitable for growing in a living-room ; hang¬ 
ing basket, of any material, with growing plants ; window box of plants. 
Bridal bouquet; ball-room bouquet. The Judges will be requested to 
ascertain that the bouquets are firmly made, by removing them from 
their stands and turning them over ; excessive and disproportionate 
weight, or thickness of handle— i.e., more than IJ inch across, will be 
regarded as disqualifying. Glass shades or other covers will not be 
allowed. Group of flowers, stalks in water, and neither tied nor wired ; 
flowers (either cut or on the plant) which expand only at night; arrange¬ 
ments of flowers and leaves, for personal adornment, such as wreaths, 
chaplets, and the like, and also for use in dress-trimming and ornament. 
Miscellaneous—Objects for purposes similar to the above, but not com¬ 
ing strictly into any class. Division 2.—AVorks of art in any material. 
—Accuracy of reproduction will be the qualification chiefly considered 
in these classes. Paintings, drawings, and carvings, of trees, plants, or 
flowers ; groups of artificial flowers and foliage, arranged for the decora¬ 
tion of rooms ; groups of artificial flowers and foliage, for table and side¬ 
board ; single plants or flowers, for table and sideboard ; flowers or 
foliage for personal adornment. The prizes in division 1 range from 
£5 to 10s., and in division 2 they may consist of medals, plate, or money 
at the discretion of the Judges. 
-The Trade in French Vegetables in England.—T he 
British Consul at Brest, in a report on the agriculture of his district, 
refers to the great eagerness shown by small farmers to find markets for 
their garden and other produce in this country. From Koscoff alone 
twenty-six different companies, composed of 400 members, visit a large 
number of towns along the English, Bristol, and St. George’s Channels, 
the ports on the German Ocean being supplied from Belgium, Normandy, 
Picardy, and the Artois, and extend their operations from these towns in 
all directions—those for instance, trading to Newport going sometimes 
as much as 100 miles inland by rail, returning to Newport every Satur¬ 
day night. In 1885 the exports of vegetables from Eoscoff alone were 
11,107 tons Potatoes, 4060 tons Onions, 4000 tons Cauliflowers, and 
1800 tons Artichokes. Of Cauliflowers the northern part of Finistere 
furnishes the AVestern Eailway Company with a million tons per annum, 
while large quantities are sent by steamer from Morlaix. Three hun¬ 
dred tons of Cabbages, several thousand tons of winter and summer red 
Onions, and enormous quantities of preserved Peas, Kidney Beans, and 
Shallots were exported from Morlaix last year to this country. The 
same port alone also sends seven million eggs, worth £16,000, and, owing 
to the establishment of a line of steamers to Bristol, this number is in¬ 
creasing rapidly. 
- The AA^akefield Paxton Society. — Mr. T. E. Preston 
of St. John’s Nursery was announced to read a paper before the 
members on the 21st of April, but owing to his indisposition the 
fixture was altered to the present month. In the meantime Mr. Preston 
had almost recovered from a severe illness, and had prepared an exceed, 
ingly useful and interesting paper on “ Plants Suitable for Entrance 
Hall and Eoom Decoration.” The essayist’s practical experience, com¬ 
bined with his evident good taste, enabled him to convey to his hearers 
many valuable hints on grouping for effect, and the general manage¬ 
ment of plants during the time they are subjected to the extreme and 
varied unnatural conditions surrounding them when used for decorative 
purposes within doors. The paper w.as attentively listened to, and the 
essayist, who had evidently prepared it with great care, was warmly 
