806 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 8,1891. 
stands for Dahlias and Chrysanthemums at the summer and autumn 
shows. At summer shows the Grape boards are most irregular in their 
dimensions ; in fact, it often happens that no two among a large number 
of competitors have boards alike. 
Exhibitors seldom have any guide in the matter of Grape stands, 
and thus are at a disadvantage compared to the Dahlia or Chrysanthe¬ 
mum competitors who have their national societies to regulate the 
sizes permissible for stipulated numbers of cut blooms of either flower. 
Provincial societies, following the rule set forth by the National, com¬ 
mand uniformity throughout their display, which adds very materially 
to the general appearance, and at the same time places every one on 
equal terms. If some such rule as this were adopted in the stands for 
Grapes there would be, as a natural consequence, greater evenness and 
smartness than is often presented as the matter now stands. 
Of course such a rule ought not to be rigidly enforced, because it is 
not everyone who, like Mr. Taylor, can make a new set of stands for any 
one particular exhibition for various reasons ; but if rules were made 
most exhibitors will endeavour, tomeet the demands of societies in that 
matter, the same as is now observed in connection with the flowers just 
named. 
The Edinburgh standard of measurement certainly would not appear 
satisfactory, the boards not being deep enough for any but medium-sized 
bunches, and the angle allowed much too flat. Although deep stands 
necessarily require large boxes there is some advantage in having them, 
because the bunches arc displayed much better than when crowded on 
shallow boards ; but this argument will be met, no doubt, by the addi¬ 
tional cost incurred in the material and labour required. 
Regardless of cost, I am of opinion that the more simple the stands 
are made the better their appearance on the table, providing they are 
neatly padded with cotton wool, and covered with clean tissue paper of 
a white or pink colour, according to the variety of Grape to be exhibited. 
Moveable rather than fixed supports are preferable, because then an 
angle most suited to their p:sition on the table can be determined on 
the spot, whereas when the stand is a fixture this cannot be done. 
Light wooden supports, fixed in the same manner as that common to 
Chrysanthemum boards, are most convenient, or they may be fastened 
at the back with light hinges. The first named would perhaps be best, 
because with a tight screw the supports would remain at any angle to 
which they may be placed without danger of slipping.—W. S. 
Events of the Week. — To-day (Thursday) the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s Exhibition of Conifers at Chiswick is continued, and 
the Conference will also be resumed at 2 p.m., and the programme will 
be found on page 300. The Exhibition of hardy fruit opens to-day at 
the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, and will be continued until Saturday. 
On Monday, October 12th, the United Horticultural Benefit and Provi¬ 
dent Society’s Committee will meet in the Caledonian Hotel at 8 p.m. 
The usual monthly dinner and conversazione of the Horticultural Club 
•will take place on Tuesday, October 13th, at G p.m. The subject for 
discussion will be “ Choice Dessert Plums,” to be opened by Mr. George 
Bunyanl. The National Chrysanthemum Society’s Floral Committee 
will meet at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, 
October 14th ; and on Thursday, October 15th, the United Horticul¬ 
tural Benefit and Provident Society’s annual dinner takes place at the 
Cannon Street Hotel. The sales comprise a further consignment of 
Messrs. Sanders’ Cattleyas at Stevens’s Rooms to-day (Thursday) ; a 
large sale of Orchids at Messrs. Protheroes’ on Friday, October 9th, 
again cn October 13th, and on October lGth the Elephant Moth 
Orchid, advertised in another column, will be sold. 
- As marking their recognition of Dr. Robert Hogg’s long 
and useful services to horticulture and botany, the Council of Adminis¬ 
tration of the Dutch Horticultural and Botanical Society have nomi¬ 
nated him an Honorary Member of the Society. 
- National Auricula and Primula Society (Southern 
Section) and National Carnation and Picotee Society 
(Southern Section). —Mr. J. Douglas advises us that the annual 
general meeting of the above Societies will be held in the Horticultural 
Club rooms at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, at 4.30 p.m. on 
Tuesday, October 27th. The business of the meeting will be the election 
of office-bearers and Committee for the ensuing year, receiving the 
reports of Treasurer and Secretary, to arrange for the Exhibition of 
1892, and any other business that may be deemed necessary. 
-The Proposed Agricultural College for Kent, Surrey, 
and Sussex. —At the Sessions House, Newington, a meeting convened 
by the Technical Education Committee of the Surrey County Council 
was held recently for a Conference of representatives of the County 
Councils of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex as to the advisability of the three 
counties uniting to establish a central college of agriculture for the said 
counties. Amongstthose present were Sir John Bassett Leonard (Chairman 
of the Kent County Council), Captain the Hon. T. Brand, and E. Eager 
(East Sussex), W. Arnold (Kent), Messrs. J. Coope, H. Yool, W. Rennie, 
A. E. Ellis, and B. Bray (Surrey), Mr. R. II. Kew (Secretary to the 
Central Chamber of Agriculture), Mr. J. Halsey, Chairman of Technical 
Instruction Committee (Surrey), and Mr. II. Macan, M.A., F.C.S., 
Secretary of the Technical Instruction Committee of the Surrey County 
Council. Mr. Ilalsey presided, and after considerable discussion it was- 
decided on the motion of Sir J. Leonard, seconded by the Hon. Captain 
Brand, “ That it is the opinion of this meeting that the three counties 
of Surrey, Kent, and Sussex can with benefit to themselves unite in a 
scheme for joint technical instruction in agriculture and horticulture 
by means of a joint college.” Upon the motion of the Chairman the- 
meeting adjourned until Monday, October 2Gth. 
- Grafting Grapes. —I shall be pleased if you will inform me, 
through the medium of your paper, as to whether any of your numerous 
correspondents have had experience with grafting or inarching late 
varieties of Grapes on Muscat of Alexandria, and if so with what result? 
—George Craig, Richmond , Yorlis. 
- The Total Rainfall at Cuckfield, Sussex, for September 
was 1*53 inch, being 1’60 inch below the average. The total for the nine 
months is 19'G6, 0 - 61 inch below the average. The heaviest fall was 
0'36 inch on the 21st ; rain fell on fifteen days. Maximum temperature 
7G° on 11th and 13th ; minimum temperature 39° on 28th. Mean maxi¬ 
mum G4 2° ; mean minimum 48 2°; mean temperature 56-2°, Partial 
shade readings 2° above the average.—R. I. 
- The Weather Last Month. — September was remarkable 
for the warm period of nine days, from 6th to 15th, which was the 
finest and hottest weather we have had during the year. The wind was 
in a westerly direction twenty-two days. Barometer, highest 30‘32, at 
9 a.m., on lGth ; lowest 29 38, at 9 a.m., on l3t. Total rainfall was 
D25 inch, which fell ;on ten days, the greatest fall being 0‘49, on 21st. 
Highest shade temperature 85°, on the 10th ; lowest 37°, on 24th ; 
lowest on grass 31°, on 3rd. The garden spring ran 12 gallons per 
minute on the 30th.—W. H. Divers, Kctton Ilall Gardens, Stamford. 
- The Weather during September, 1891.—The weather- 
here during September was a great deal better than during the 
month previous, not nearly so much rain having fallen, and we- 
have had much more sunshine; eleven days during the past 
month were grand summer days. Rain fell upon twelve days 
maximum in any twenty-four hours being 0 - 34 on the 14th \ 
minimum in any twenty-four hours being 0 01 on the 2nd. Total 
for the month, 140 against 0 39 of 1890. — E. Wallis, The Gardens r 
Hamels Park, Biintingfonl, Herts. 
- Clematis Lady Caroline Neville. —Those who arc partial 
to Clematises Bbould try this one, it is a gem for autumn as well as for 
giving flowers early in the summer. This is the advantage in growing 
the Lanuginosa type, the flowering season extends over a long period.. 
We grow this variety on a south-west wall, allowing the shoots to inter¬ 
mingle with Jasminum officinale. The green foliage of the latter gives 
a capital base for the Clematis blooms, which vary from bluish white to 
deep mauve in their various stages of development. Three colours of 
flowers can be had at the same time on one plant. Abundance of water 
Clematis enjoy during growth. All the care in pruning this plant 
receives is that of having all current year’s growth cut in close at the 
time the Jasmine is clipped with the shears. We usually cut this to> 
within an eye or so for appearance sake. 
- Miniature Sunflowers are well worthy a place in the flower 
garden. Under good culture the plants grow on an average 4 feet high, 
and give abundance of flowers, which are very useful for cutting, and 
much more appreciated than many outdoor flowers at this time of the 
year. We plant a good number in vacant places in the herbaceous- 
borders, and right' well do they repay us for the small amount of labour 
expended on them at any time. The rich orange yellow of the outer 
florets contrasts well with the almost black disc. Stout plants are almost 
self-supporting, but for safety we place one stake to each, giving the 
