August IS, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
135 
-Gardening Appointment. —Mr. William Parks, who has 
been gardener at Fernside, Bickley, for seven years, has been appointed 
gardener to William Parker, Esq., Whittington Hall, Chesterfield. 
-- Ancient Society of York Florists.—U nder the auspices 
of this Society services were held in the church of St. Michael-le-Belfrey, 
York, on Sunday last, £10 being collected in aid of the county hospital 
and dispensary, making a total sum of £30 which the Society has 
obtained for charitable purposes within the last three years. 
- Ware and District Horticultural Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Society. —A meeting was held by this Society on theMth inst., 
when a paper was read by Mr. E. Wallis, The Gardens, Hamels Park, 
■on “ Tuberous Begonias.” The subject was ably treated, and a long 
discussion followed. Some good Melons were shown by Mr. Smith, 
Presdales, and Mr. King, and Begonias by Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith. A 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Wallis for his paper. 
-Fruit at Court Hey, Liverpool.—A pples of many jkinds 
are good. The most reliable dessert varieties are Cox’s Orange and 
Ribston Pippins, Irish Peach and King of Pippins. These seldom 
fail. Kitchen varieties are Keswick Codlin, Lord Suffield, Ecklinvillej 
■Cellini, Hawthornden, Lady Henniker, and Alfriston. Pears are a good 
crop, the best being Beurrd Diel, Jargonelle, Marie Louise, Williams’ 
Bon Chretien, and Louise Bonne of Jersey. Cherries are a fine crop as 
regards dessert varieties. Black Eagle, Bigarreau, May Duke, White 
Heart, and Waterloo are all good, and have fine fruits. Morel!o3 are 
only moderate, the same remark applying to Strawberries and all bush 
fruits with the exception of Red Currants, which are extremely fine 
Peaches and Nectarines Mr. Elsworthy does not grow outside.—P. 
- Mr. Major’s Cactaceous Plants.—A s has been previously 
stated, probably the finest private collection of Cactuses and succulent 
plants in the kingdom is to be found at Cromwell House, Croydon. 
■Grotesquely interesting are many of the plants, while others are remark¬ 
able for the beauty of their flowers. Blooms of different forms of the 
Night-flowering Cereus have been plentiful, causing Mr. Major, his 
family, and friends to sit up “late o’ nights” to admire them, the 
owner further being up with the lark to photograph them as soon 
daylight appeared. There are numbers of seedling Phyllocacti, many 
having flowered, and are charming in colour. These are mainly the 
result of crossing by a late gardener at Cromwell House—Mr. W. Wright, 
now of Talygarn, South Wales. Among the many curious plants is an 
Opuntia with a rugged spiny stem some 6 feet high, and an extra¬ 
ordinarily contorted head. It is flowering freely, but is not satisfied 
to do so in the ordinary way. Last year it flowered and formed seed 
pods, and now directly from the ends of these pods, which are still 
green, two or three flowers are produced. In this garden there is a 
great deal that is interesting in a small space, and Mr. Frost, who 
was previously foreman in the gardens of Mr. Smee at Hack bridge, 
discharges his duties well, and is treated well in turn by a good and 
appreciative master. 
- The employes, numbering eighty, of the firm of Messrs. 
John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, had their annual beanfeast on 
Friday, August 7th. Journeying from Forest Hill Station they reached 
Eastbourne shortly after 10 A.M., when each one amused himself accord¬ 
ing to his own fancy until one o’clock, when all assembled at the 
■“ Lamb Hotel,” where an excellent dinner was provided. After dinner, 
the usual loyal toasts being honoured, Mr. Sykes in a few chosen words 
proposed the health of the firm, which was heartily received, the toast 
-being responded to by Mr. Laing. All again went their own way, 
meeting at Eastbourne Station at 8.30 p.m. for the return journey) 
reaching Forest Hill about 10 P.M., all being thoroughly satisfied with 
the day’s outing. 
- All readers of the Journal who are interested in Rose-growing 
will be pleased to hear that the well-known and most successful amateur, 
Mr. W. J. Grant, has obtained a position for which he is eminently 
■qualified. The County Council of Monmouthshire have created a 
Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry, with other 
technical education, and have placed him at the head of it. His man¬ 
agement of the large estate at Hope End, Ledbury, with its many 
branches of farming and stock-keeping, his knowledge of horticulture 
in its various branches, and his business education have, no doubt, led 
to this appointment, and it will be the earnest wish of his many friends 
that he may long be spared to carry out the duties of his important and 
responsible position. 
- Trollope’s Victoria Strawberry. —In reference to the 
disparaging statements of “ W. I.” in your last issue (page 88), we have 
known this variety for thirty years, and (with all due respect to the 
experience of “W. I.”) it has always proved a favourite in this 
locality ; and in enclosed gardens is the only one that succeeds. It has 
given great satisfaction to our customers, coming invariably good even 
in wet years, such as the present, and in dry seasons is quite first-rate, 
and we should think the true variety has not been grown by “ W. I.” 
It is a soft fruit, and should be gathered into the dish, but for home 
consumption is invaluable, and we must adhere to the description in our 
catalogue.— George Bunyard & Co., Maidstone. 
- Peach Waterloo. —Those who have trees of this variety in a 
bearing state will perhaps agree with me that it is of the greatest value 
not only for house culture but also for planting against sunny open 
walls. It ripens very early under glass, even if not forced, and in the 
open we commenced gathering ripe fruit on August 1st. The tree is of 
free yet not rank growth, the fruit sets well, and attains a moderately 
large size. The colour is a rich red, and the quality of the fruit, if not 
kept too long, decidedly good. Under precisely the same treatment 
Hale’s Early is fully a fortnight later, but there is not much difference 
in the time of ripening between Waterloo and that other valuable 
early variety Early Alexander.—W. I. 
- Waddon House Gardens. —The gardens of P. Crowley, Esq., 
near Croydon, have long been famed for specimen and other plants, 
which are well grown by Mr. King, the gardener. Within the past two 
or three years great additions have been made to the hardy fruit depart¬ 
ment, and the collection is now both choice and extensive. A feature 
under glass is a fine Citron growing against the back wall of a lean-to 
house and informally trained down the roof, the large fruits being like 
a heavy crop of Melons, some of them weighing 6 lbs. to 7 lbs. each. 
They are preserved, both green and ripe, by Mrs. Crowley, and are very 
delicious. The popular Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the 
R.H.S. might appropriately and usefully place examples of the fruit 
thus prepared, with hints on the method of preparation, before his col¬ 
leagues, as probably few of them or the public are aware that Citrons 
can be made to form such an agreeable table delicacy. Mr. Crowley 
provides every requisite for the successful management of his garden, 
and his gardener proves himself worthy of the encouragement he 
receives. Mr. Crowley’s collections of insects and birds' eggs are 
amongst the richest in the kingdom, specimens having been obtained 
from all parts of the world. 
- Daniels & Bros.’ Outing. —The employes of this firm in the 
seed department, offices, and farm at Norwich, to the number of sixty, 
held their annual outing on Monday, July 27th, when, although the 
weather was rather unfavourable, the success was assured. As the 
hands in the nursery department had a fortnight previous taken their 
leave of absence, selecting the Crystal Palace as their rendezvous, they 
did not accompany the party. The partners, Messrs. George and 
Charles Daniels, were present, and greatly conduced to the success of 
the day. Starting from the retail establishment in Exchange Street, 
Norwich, they journeyed in three waggonettes to Cromer, via Coltishall, 
where they breakfasted, thence proceeding to North Walsham, where 
another stop was made, eventually arriving at Cromer at 12.30 p.m. 
Here they were met by several gardeners in the neighbourhood, who 
partook of dinner with the company at the “ Red Lion Hotel.” A 
section then proceeded to Cromer Hall, others journeyed to Cliff House, 
the residence of S. Hoare, Esq., M.P., whilst some were content with a 
stroll along the beach or cliffs. A start was made for the return 
journey at 4.45, and on arriving at Aylsham a substantial tea was in 
readiness, after which the health of the firm was proposed, thanks were 
returned to them for a generous release from business, and eventually 
Norwich Market Place was reached at 11.30 P.M. 
- Summary of Meteorological Observations at Hodsock 
Priory, Worksop, Notts, for July, 1891—Mean temperature of 
month, 591°. Maximum on the lGth, 77 8°; minimum on the 5th, 42'4°. 
Maximum in sun on 21st, 128 3°. Minimum on grass on 5th and 25th, 
3G-1 0 . Mean temperature of air at 9 A M , 60-5°. Mean temperature of 
soil 1 foot deep, 59 7°. Sunshine, total duration in month, 139 hours, or 
28 per cent, of possible duration. We had one sunless day. Total rain¬ 
fall, 2-42 inches. Rain fell on fifteen days. Wind, average velocity, 8-5 
miles per hour ; did not exceed 400 miles on any day, and fell short of 
100 miles on three days. Approximate averages for July.—Mean tem¬ 
perature, G1 2° ; sunshine, 160 hours ; rainfall, 2-3G inches. A dull and 
cool month wdthout any warm summer weather.—J. Mallender. 
