454 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ Noremoer 28, 18M. 
several representatives, as well as the classes for eighteen distinct (six 
Japanese, six incurved, and six Anemone), and for twenty-four distinct 
(eight Japanese, eight incurved, and eight reflexed), and brought a very 
keen competition, which was much admired. The maiden classes were 
a'so well filled, as were indeed all the special classes, and Kingston has 
once more held its own amongst the foremost exhibitions of 1891. 
- The Corridor at Cleveley, Allerton. —A beautiful 
display of Chrysanthemums has been recently provided at the above 
place. A bank was arranged running the whole length of the 
corridor, 120 feet. Of Japanese Etoile de Lyon, Gloire de Rocher ( 
G. Daniels, Madame Laing, A. H. Neve, Belle Paule, Sunflower, Condor, 
W. W. Coles, and many others were represented in the best possible 
manner. In the incurved the Princess of Wale3 types were very fine. 
On a stage at the opposite side were scores of plants of Salvia splendens, 
carrying abundance of flowers, and affording a fine contrast to the 
Chrysanthemums. To view the whole from either end was delightful. 
On the back wall beautiful trusses of Plumbago capensis and alba were 
still showing, and the waning flowers of the Bougainvillea showed 
bright in several places. This corridor is one of the many places I 
enjoy when visiting Cleveley, and Mr. Cromwel 1 , the gardener, seems to 
make it an ever-changing scene. 
- Double Mignonette.— Whilst visiting the nursery of Mr. 
W. Treseder, Cardiff, a few days ago, I was shown what was termed a 
“ White Mignonette.” Its whiteness I found was due to the fact of its 
being double and having all the stamens suppressed. The variety is 
consequently sterile, and can only be propagated by cuttings. The 
best of the plants had nearly finished flowering at the time of my visit, 
but even then the perfume from the few remaining flowers was delight¬ 
ful. Mr. Treseder informed me that it was a splendid variety for winter 
and spring work. He said that a single cutting would develop into as 
compact and bushy a plant as could be desired. One peculiar and 
valuable character of this double Mignonette is, that from the empty 
capsules, fresh racemes spring forth, giving the inflorescence the appear¬ 
ance of a compound raceme. The variety was discovered two years ago 
in a large bed of ordinary Mignonette, and although there was but one 
plant of it, the density of its racemes attracted attention, and when 
found that it did not bear seed, cuttings were at once taken, and a good 
stock gradually worked up.— W. W. Pettigrew. 
- Some time ago the Department of Agriculture in New South 
Wales included in its list of economic plants suitable for cultivation in 
the north-eastern portion of the colony the “ Avocado ” or “ Alligator 
Lear ’ (Persea gratissima, Gcertn.'). Several inquiries about it having 
since been made, Mr. F. Turner provides an account of the p'ant, with 
an illustration, in the August number of the Agricultural Gazette of 
New South Wales. Unless it is grown in very sheltered situations, 
the climate of Sydney is too cold for its successful cultivation as a 
commercial crop ; but Mr. Turner thinks that on the northern rivers 
of New South Wales it should bear fruit as prolifically as it does in 
Southern Queensland. Some years ago, in the Brisbane Botanic 
Gardens, a fine Alligator Pear tree bore annual crops of very fine fruit, 
and it may do so still. When Sir W. W. Cairns was Governor of 
Queensland, he often asked Mr. Turner for some of the fruit when it 
was in season, and Mr. Turner kept him well supplied, for at that time 
no one seemed to care much for it. His Excellency told Mr. Turner 
he was very fond of the fruit for breakfast, and he used to eat it spread 
on bread and butter, with pepper and salt added to give it zest, and in 
various other ways. Mr. Turner did not care for the fruit at first, but 
afterwards became as fond of it as his tutor. So we are not unlikely 
to hear of the Alligator Pear by-and-by a3 a popular Australian 
product. 
- The Royal Meteorological Society.— The first meeting 
of the present session was held ou Wednesday evening, the 18th inst., 
kv nie institution of Civil Engineers, Mr. Baldwin Latham, M.lDst.C.E. 
(President), in the chair. Eleven new Fellows were elected. Mr. R. H. 
Scott, F.R.S., gave an account of the proceedings of the International 
Meteorological Conference, which was held at Munich from August 
26th to September 2nd. The following papers were also read :— 
1, “ Account of an Electric Self-recording Rain Gauge,” by Mr. W. J. E. 
Bihnie, B.A. This is a very ingenious instrument, and has been 
constructed on the assumption that all drops falling from an orifice or 
tube are identical in weight, as loDg as the dimensions of the orifice are 
not varied.” 2, “On Wet and Dry Bulb Formulae,” by Prof. J. D. 
Everett, F.R.S. This is a criticism of the methods investigated some 
y r ears ago by Mons. August and Dr. Apjohn for determining by calcula¬ 
tion the maximum vapour tension for the dew point from the tempera¬ 
tures of the dry and wet bulb. Prof. Everett also criticises the values 
adopted by Regnault, and says that in presence of the uncertainty as to 
a rational formula he thinks that Mr. Glaishcr did wisely in construct¬ 
ing his table of factors, which give the dew point approximately by the 
most direct calculation which is almissible. The inherent difficulties 
of hygrometric observation and deduction are great, and have not yet 
been fully overcome. 3, “ Results of Meteorological Observations made 
at Akassa, Niger Territories, May, 1889, to December, 1890,” by Mr. 
F. Russell, F.R.G.S, This is in continuation of a former communication 
respecting the same place. After detailing the results of the various 
observations the author says this period was very unhealthy, and the 
year 1890 especially so. Tne weather was exceptionally dry, with small 
pox and phthisis amongst the native population. The west coast 
reports generally were also unfavourable in reference to the condition 
of resident Europeans, and at the principal ports quarantine regulations 
were put in force consequent upon an outbreak of yellow fever in 
places situated to the south-west. At Bonny ten deaths occurred from 
November to February out of a population of some sixteen Europeans. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
(Continuid from page 452.) 
SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION’S SHOW AT 
EDINBURGH. 
This large Show was held in the Waverley Market on the 19th, 20th, 
and 21st inst. The Managing Committee, encouraged by the great 
success of the two previous exhibitions, had again procured the services 
of the Grenadier band, under the leadership of Mr. Dan Godfrey, and in 
addition to the heavy item of bringing this celebrated band over 400 
miles, they this year introduced the electric light for the three evenings 
of the Exhibition. The bareness of the huge building was somewhat 
covered by means of coloured drapery and a free use of evergreens, and 
the pillars being wreathed with these and studded with incandescent 
lamps, a pleasing effect was produced at night. 
As a Chrysanthemum Show this was undoubtedly the best yet held 
by the Association, the cut bloom division being well filled, and in the 
Japanese section the blooms were of exceptionally fine quality. In the 
incurved section were also some notable examples of high class culture, 
but these as a rule were wanting in size. In the division for plants the 
improvement was mo3t marked, many extremely well grown examples 
being staged. The few groups that were arranged formed one of the 
poorest sections, though the large group of Messrs. Methven & Sons was 
undoubtedly one of the leading features of the Show. 
The blue ribbon of the several classes was the £20 cup offered by 
the Corporation of Edinburgh for forty-eight blooms, Japanese, in 
thirty-six varieties, the Association adding several substantial prizes 
to the less successful. The struggle for this coveted prize was engaged 
in by twelve competitors, several of whom had capital stands. Mr. 
Parker, Impney, and Mr. Machattie, Newbattle Abbey, had a close fight 
for the cup, but notwithstanding the massive proportions of the Staf¬ 
fordshire blooms, the fresher and younger flowers from Newbattle gained 
the day, and to Mr. Machattie, gardener, the cup was awarded for the 
second time. The blooms were remarkably even, and just at the right 
stage, neither too young nor too old. Extra fine were the following :— 
Viviand Morel, Condor. Boule d’Or, Etoile de Lyon, Elaine (two grand 
blooms), Gloriosum, Lilian Bird, M. Bernard, Avalanche, Mdme. Audi- 
guier, Puritan, George Atkinson, Coronet, and W. H. Lincoln. Mr. 
Parker, as indicated, was second; and Mr. Macher, gardener to 
R. Mudie, Esq., Broughty Ferry, with a very fresh but somewhat uneven 
lot, obtained third place. Fourth, Mr. Carruthers, gardener to Mrs. 
Fleming, Hillwood, Corstorphine, a grand bloom of Viviand Morel in 
this stand being selected as the best Japanese bloom in the Show. 
Fifth, Mr. A. Milne, gardener to Thos. Balmain, Esq , Hardington House, 
Lamington. 
For the Scottish challenge cup, open to gardeners in Scotland only, 
for twenty-four blooms, incurved, the competition was not exciting, 
M. A. Wall, Blackhouses, Skelmorlie, secured the cup with blooms a little 
rough ; second, Mr. Mathieson, Dhaling Mohr, Kirn ; third, Mr. J. Clark, 
gardener to Mr. Roberts, Bannerfield, Selkirk. The stand included 
a good Empress of India, which was awarded the prize as the best 
incurved bloom in the Show. 
The following were open to all gardeners and amateurs. Twenty- 
four blooms, twelve, incurved, and twelve Japanese : first, Mr. Parker, 
Impney Hall, Droitwich, for a very fine lot—Robert Cacnell, Miss 
Haggas, Princess of Wales, and Lord Alcester being particularly fine 
in the one section, and Florence Davis, W. H. Lincoln, Etoile de Lyon, 
and Triomphe de la rue des Chalets in the other ; second, Mr. Foster, 
gardener to Mrs, Roberts, Wellwcod Park,Selkirk,and third Mr.Burlen, 
gardener to G. Cockburn, Esq., Lingdale Lodge, Birkenhead. Twelve 
competitors. For twenty-four Japanese there were ten competitors : 
Mr. Kyles, gardener to Lady Q. Foulis, Corstorphine, was first with very 
fresh and bright blooms ; second, Mr. Machattie ; third, Mr. J. Beisant, 
Castle Huntley, Longforgan. For twenty-four incurved Mr. Jellicoe, 
gardener to F. H. Gossage, Esq., Camp Hill, Woolton, Liverpool, 
was first with a very good stand, Golden Empress being extra fine ; also 
noteworthy were the blooms of Princess of Wales, Miss M. A. Haggas, 
Prince Alfred, Lady Dorothy, and Princess of Teck; second, 
