66 
[ January 23, 1866. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
beautifully mounted and named botanical specimens wbicb he collected 
and mounted seventeen years ago, and they were much admired. At a 
subsequent meeting, Mr. T. Garnett, gardener to Miss Mackie, St. 
John’s, gave “ An Essay on the Potatoe Disease.” The lecture was an 
admirable one throughout, giving the whole history of this destructible 
disease. The Fuogi was shown in its various stages by the aid of three 
powerful microscopes, and Mr. Garnett had prepared a number of 
diagrams also showing the development of the “Peronospora ” very much 
enlarged. After a lengthy discussion having special reference to the way 
of destroying the spores and otherwise checking the ravages, the usual 
vote of thanks was heartily passed to Mr. Garnett. 
- We welcome a new contemporary which has just appeared under 
the captivating title of Fishing. As its name implies, its pages are 
devoted to papers on angling and information on all angling matters. 
The papers are admirably written and are most entertaining, not to 
anglers only but to others who relish literary leisure. The first number 
is illustrated by an excellent chromolithograph of a Thames barbel, and 
also with various other illustrations interspersed in the letterpress. It is 
issued from the office of Land, and Water, and we wish it success. 
- The following prizes “ open to all England ” will be competed 
for at the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society’s Shows 
for the current year :—June 29th, nine stove or greenhouse plants (in 
flower), £10, £8, £5 ; six Cape Heaths, £4, £3, £2 ; twelve Pelargo¬ 
niums (not Fancies), £4, £3 ; twelve ditto (Fancies), £4, £3 ; twenty-four 
Roses, distinct (single trusses), £2, £1 10s., £1; twenty-four ditto (in 
triplets), £3, £2, £1 : Webb & Sons’ Special Prizes—Six dishes of vege¬ 
tables, distinct £3 3s., £2 2s., £1 Is., and 10s. 61. July 29th, Sutton 
and Sons’ Special Prizes—Six dishes of vegetables, distinct, £3 3s., 
£2 2s., £1 Is., and 10s. 6d. 
- A correspondent writes :—“ At one of the meetings of the 
National Society of Horticulture of France last year M. George Chemin, 
market gardener of Issy, was awarded a prize for his exhibit of Tomatoes 
of a large red variety, of which eighteen weighed a trifle over 17 lbs. The 
variety is commonly cultivated by Parisian gardeners, but it is by ex¬ 
ceptional carefulness of cultivation that these were brought to such rare 
beauty, and not only on exceptional plants but uniformly. One part of 
the treatment deserves mention ; it consisted in wetting them thoroughly 
every morning to prevent their cracking with the first rain, and the result 
was seen to be most satisfactory.” 
-We learn with regret that Francis Erskine Laing, aged 
twenty-two, the youngest son of Mr. John Laing, died at Stanstead Park, 
Forest Hill, after a painful and protracted illness. 
- At the annual meeting of the Putney and District Chrys¬ 
anthemum Society, held on the evening of the 21st inst., the 
Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. Moore, was surprised by the presentation by 
Mr. Pitt of a handsome walnut stationery cabinet completely furnished ; 
also with an address from the members, thanking him for his services to 
the Society. All who know Mr. Moore will acknowledge his unfailing 
courtesy, also his disposition to do well whatever he undertakes, and this 
recognition of his services is well merited. The next show of the Society 
is fixed for November 16th and 17th. 
- A correspondent, “ A. B. C.,” desires information on 
Gardening in Australia. He wishes to know, “ What prospects are 
there for gardeners emigrating and finding situations similar to those in 
England ? also for market gardeners and nurserymen ?” We will readily 
publish information on this subject that any of our readers may be able to 
supply. ,.i) 
- The National Chrysanthemum Society held their annual 
general meeting on Monday, the 25th inst., at the Old Four Swans, 
Bishopsgate Street. The principal business was the election of officers 
and General Committee for the ensuing year. The officers of the past 
year were re-elected—namely, President, Mr. E. Sanderson ; Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, Mr. R. ^allantine ; Treasurer, Mr. J. Starling, and Hon. Sec., Mr. 
W. Holmes. Several members were added to the General Committee 
comprising Messrs. G. S. Addison, N. Davis, H. Cannell, G. Gordon’ 
L. Castle, G. Stevens, E. C. Jukes, J. W. Springbett, and C. Harman 
Payne. The balance sheet showed that the finances are in a satisfactory 
condition, and it is proposed to hold a September Show for the early- 
flowering varieties of Chrysanthemums. Mr. W. H. Cullingford has 
liberally contributed ten guineas towards another ilate exhibition in 
January. The election of members to form the Floral Committee was 
referred to the first meeting of the General Committee. 
- The annual meeting of the Huddersfield Chrysanthemum 
Society was held on Saturday evening last, at the Queen Hotel, under 
the presidency of Mr. G. Jarmain. It was stated that they commenced 
last year with a balance in hand from the previous show of £63 10s. 10d. 
They thought they were entitled to offer some good prizes, so as to induce 
some of the best growers in the country to compete, and accordingly 
prizes to the value of £105 were offered. The season, however, turned 
out very unfavourable for the Chrysanthemum in that part of the country. 
A hot summer was succeeded by a cold August, and the blooms were not 
in such a good state as could be desired. Nevertheless, the exhibits were 
excellent, and the Judges, who were experienced men, said they were as 
fine as they had seen anywhere, north or south. Although the balance is 
not so large this year as last, it was readily accounted for by the fact that 
the previous year being the first year a special effort was made, and some 
people subscribed larger than they meant to continue. The total income, 
including a balance of £63 10s. 10d., came to £244 17s. 6d., and the total 
expenditure to £167 12s. 8d., leaving a balance in hand of £77 4s. lOd. 
It was decided to hold the third annual show on Friday and Saturday, 
November 12th and 13th next. The Mayor (Alderman J.Varley) is to be 
requested to act as President of the Society during the year, the Vice-Presi¬ 
dents being increased by the addition of the names of Mr. S. Learoyd, 
Mr. J. Hey, and Mr. G. E. Elliott. Mr. George Jarmain was re-elected 
Chairman of the Committee of Management, Mr. G. W. Rhodes being 
appointed Vice-Chairman, and the following Committee was elected : — 
Messrs. W. Daniels, H. Hillman, M. Chambers, F. Stokes, F. Carter, W. 
Tindale, G. Barr, C. Smedley, J. Nettleton, J. W. Thornton, F. Hutch, J. 
Burns, T. Baxendale, J. Smith, George Hey, J. Sykes, W. Matthewman, 
E. Newsome, W. Swindlehurst, T. Stephenson, W. Heywood, J. Beaumont, 
J. Bulb, B. Micklethwaite, G. Pownoy, and W. Ferguson. Mr. W. B. Hill 
was re-elected Treasurer, and Mr. John Bell Hon. Secretary of the 
Society. 
- Kingston and Surbiton Chrysanthemum Society. —The 
Committee met on Tuesday evening to draw up the schedule of prizes for 
1886. It was unanimously resolved to offer another twenty-five-guinea 
challenge cup on the same conditions, and with money prizes as before— 
viz., first prize, cup and £5 ; second, £4 ; third, £3 ; and fourth, £2, for 
forty-eight cut blooms distinct, twenty-four incurved, and twenty-four 
Japanese ; and, in addition to other extra-monied and special prizes, there 
is offered for the first time a silver cup valued £5 for the best group of 
Chrysanthemums 50 feet, and second, third, and fourth prizes of 70s., 
50s., and 30s. respectively. There is also offered a local cup for twenty- 
four cut blooms, twelve incurved and twelve Japanese, of the value of 
£5, with a second prize of £3, and a third of £2, open to all subscribers 
within the Kingston Poor Law district. Mr. F. A. Davis having resigned 
the Presidency, Mr. Alderman G. C. Sherrard has been unanimously 
elected President of the Society. 
- “Slough” writes:—“Can ‘Thinker’ or any other corre¬ 
spondent suggest a remedy for the 1 CLUB,’ with whioh our Broccoli have 
been affected every year ? The soil is gravelly loam resting on gravel. I 
have tried without success puddling the roots in clay, planting in undug 
ground, and in ground into which had been mixed 1 bushel of lime to 1 perch, 
also both early and late planting. Last year the disease was worse than 
ever. Would coal ashes be conducive to the spread of the disease ? ” 
GROS COLMAN VINE. 
I do not wonder that the “ potash theory ” advanced by Mr. Taylor 
on page 576 of the Journal for Dec. 31st in reference to this Vine has 
arrested the attention of Grape growers. It is a subject of vital import¬ 
ance, and I trust it shall receive from the hands of our scientific horticul¬ 
turists the attention it deserves. I believe the absence, or at least an 
insufficient supply of something in the soil, has more to do with the 
tenderness of the foliage of this variety than most people imagine. What 
that is I am not prepared to say ; that I will leave our scientific friends 
to discover. 
Last October, while visiting the gardens of a gentleman in this 
neighbourhood, a remarkable circumstance was brought under my notice, 
which has a forcible bearing on the subject at issue. In a small vinery 
Lady Downe’s, Alicante, and Gros Colman, growing side by side, and re¬ 
ceiving exactly the same treatment, displayed the most unusual diversity 
of foliage. The Lady Downe’s had certainly nothing peculiar about 
it, but much like what we usually see in the month of October. The 
leaves were just beginning to take on their autumn tints, but the Alicante 
—there was but one rod—presented a truly remarkable and magnificent 
appearance, every leaf being of a bright crimson colour, not blotched or 
