February 11, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
109 
we do not see it so frequently as might be expected, though its merits 
entitle it to a place in every greenhouse where it is desired to have some 
covering for the roof rafters. It grows quickly, its slender stems 
extending to a great length, and bears its flowers from nearly every axil, 
and they remain attached to the plant for a very long time. The most 
conspicuous part of the flower is the calyx, which is saucer-like, over 
1 inch in diameter, and of a bright rosy colour, which continues fresh 
while the globular fruits that assume the same tint are ripening. The 
corolla is of a dark purplish hue and tubular, falling off after the fruits 
are set. At the present time this Rhodochiton is very attractive trained 
along the roof of a oool house, and has both flowers and fruits in various 
Mages at the same time. A main stem is taken lengthways, and then 
from this hang a number of secondary growths which are like wreaths of 
rosy flowers. 
- Mb. Joseph Mallender sends the following Summary of 
Meteorological Observations at Hodsock Priory, Worksop, 
Notts, for January, 1886 :—Mean temperature of month 34'4°. Maximum 
on the 1st, 51-3° ; minimum on the 19th, 16'6°. Maximum in sun on the 
31st, 90'9° ; minimum on the grass on the 25th, 109°. Warmest day the 
1st, mean temperature 48-7°. Coldest day the 19th, mean temperature 
21-3°. Mean temperature of the air at 9 A.M., 33-7°. Mean temperature 
of the so l 1 foot deep 36'2°. Nights below 32° in shade twenty-one, on 
the grass twenty-seven. Sunshine, total duration in month forty-four 
hours, or eighteen per cent, of possible; the brightest day the 8th. We 
had ten sunless days. Rainfall, total amount in the month 3 24 inches. 
Maximum fall in twenty-four hours on the 10th 0 41 inch. Rain fell on 
twenty-three days. Wind, average velocity 11-7 miles per hour; 
exceeded 400 miles on eight days, and fell short of 100 miles on 
three days. Temperature below the average throughout, but the frost 
more remarkable for its lasting than for its severity and for the number of 
alternations of frost and thaw. The total rainfall (of which a large part 
was snow) and the number of rainy days more than in any of the previous 
ten years. Sunshine more than in four out of the five last years. 
-At a recent meeting of the Linnean Society, an extensive series 
of Fossil Plants from the Island of Mull was exhibited by Mr. 
J. Starkie Gardner, who gave remarks concerning inferences to be drawn 
from the well-preserved leaves. He mentioned that this fossil Mull flora 
comprises but oneF ern undistinguishable from living Onoclea sensibilis of 
Western America and Eastern Asia. There is an Equisetum. The Conifer® 
are abundant; a Ginkgo resembles existing species, along with numerous 
Firs and Larches, a few of these latter being similar to those of Japan. 
Monocotyledons are represented by one having a sword-shaped leaf. There 
are at least twenty species of dicotyledons. A Platanus obtains, differing 
somewhat from the recent form, and with resemblances to what is known 
as Credneria and Protophyllum of Cretaceous age. This Mull flora, though 
possessing few novelties, is interesting as supplying fresh confirmation of 
the view first propounded by Asa Gray—that formerly the entire northern 
temperate regions possessed a very uniform flora. 
On the same occasion Dr. M. T. Masters read a paper on the His¬ 
tory of some Conifers, which was illustrated by living plants from Mr. 
Harry J.Veitch, of Abies Fortunei, A. nobilis, A. grandis, and A. amabilis : 
also of Pseudolarix Ehempferi, Picea Omorika, Arthrotaxis selaginoides 
with others. Dr. Masters’remarks comprised the result of observa'ions 
on the mode of growth and structure of various species of Conifer®, con¬ 
cerning which much difference of opinion had previously existed owing to 
he imperfection of our knowledge. Of late years many of these species 
had been introduced into cultivation, ani some of them had produced 
male flowers and cones, thus affording an opportunity for diagnosing the 
species and ascertaining their limitations. The study of the cultivated 
plants had likewise shown the natural range of variation in a species or 
individual plant under comparatively uniform conditions. Our knowledge 
of their geographical distribution has also been extended, altogether thus 
enabling a fresh revision to be attempted. 
SOWING WRINKLED PEAS EARLY. 
“ Kitchener,” in referring to the advice of Mr. Marriott to sow 
some each of the best Peas at the present time, repeats, in my opinion, 
an error in Pea culture. High-priced varieties are, I know, disliked by 
some employers, but with those, however, who buy and grow for their 
own consumption this erroneous idea is fast dying out. It should be con¬ 
sidered that a more robust constitution has been introduced along with 
improved flavour. Much doubt as to the safety of early sowing is removed, 
seeing that one half-pint of several new or recent introductions produces an 
equal crop to a quart or more of some fairly good varieties, while in point 
of size and quality for exhibition or profit, and I may add for a gentleman’s 
table, comparison would go against the cheaper sorts. I have found even 
in the north of England in dry ground, the following may with advan¬ 
tage be sown in favourable weather during January and February : — 
Criterion, Telephone, Sutton’s Giant Emerald Marrow, Duke of Albany, 
and Lord Bacon. Emerald Marrow I consider to be one of the best- 
flavoured Peas in cultivation, but not suitable for exhibition. It is a 
white Pea, very distinct and heavy cropper.— Lathyrus. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
February 9th. 
The members of the committees and the visitors were agreeably sur¬ 
prised to see such a bright and extensive gathering of plants, flowers, and 
Apples as that presented on Tuesday la9t. Very seldom do the February 
meetings bring such effective displays, and still less could it have been 
expectf d in such severe weather; yet delicate Orchids were brought in 
sufficient numbers to form several beautiful groups, hardy plants were 
represented by several choic2 selections, and the display of Apples was a 
remarka le one for the time of year. 
Fruit Committee. —Present: Harry J. Veitch and Messrs. T. B Hay¬ 
wood, R. D. Blackmore, James Smith, John Woodbridge, W. Denning, J. 
Willard, G. T. W. Miles, Harrison Weir, Philip Crowley, John Burnett, Wm. 
Paul, George Bunyard, and Dr. Robert Hogg. Mr. J.Wells, Fern Hill, Windsor 
Forest, sent two small bunches of Cooper’s Black Grape to show its keeping 
qualities ; they were cut on the previous night from a Vine grafted on 
Trentham Black. The berries were fairly plump, bearing a thick bloom and 
were of good flavour. The same exhibitor had two dishes of Catillac, the 
fruits in one having been grown on light soil and the others on clay. The 
former were found to be much the better, but the Committee desired to 
have further information respecting the stocks upon which they are worked. 
Good samples of Pear Bergamotte d’Esperen also came from Mr. Wells. 
Messrs. C. <fc J. W. Townsend, Fordham, Cambs., sent four samples of a 
seedling Apple, which was passed; as also were other seedling Apples from 
Messrs. Elsdon & Co., Melton ; Mr. G. Collins, Stourport; and Mr. J. 
Corderoy, Didcot. Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, showed fruits of 
Apples Smart’s Prince Arthur, Jacob’s Apple; Mr. Corderoy sent a dish 
of Golden Drop Apples, and Mr. R. Dean had some samples of Hambledon 
Deux Ans, very sound and good. Mr. Draper, Seaham Hall, Sutherland, 
showed a Green Kale called Draper’s Seedling, which is to be tried at 
Cbiswick. 
Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, were awarded a silver Banksian 
medal for a collection of seventy-five dishes of Apples, remarkably well 
kept, the fruits of good size and well coloured. The principal varieties 
were Blenheim Pippin, Gloria Mundi, Golden Noble, Hoary Morning, 
Winter Queening, Worcester Pearmain, Frogmore Prolific, Loddington, 
Annie Elizabeth, Reinette du Canada, Hollandbury, Alfriston, New Haw- 
thornden, Cox’s Pomona, Kerry Pippin, English Codlin, Mere de Menage, 
Egremont Russet, a Sussex Apple of good quality, and Warner’s King. All 
were handsome samples of their respective varieties. Messrs. T. Rivers 
and Son, Sawbridgeworth, were awarded a medal of equal value for 200 
dishes of Apples, comprising most of the varieties already mentioned, and 
specimens of the following were also notable:—Cox’s Pomona, Buckingham, 
Barclay’s Sweet, Dumelow’s Seedling, Melon, Reinette du Canada, British 
Fillbasket, Mere de Menage, King of Tomkin’s County, Reinette Noire. 
Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, were also awarded a silver Banksian 
medal for a collection of 100 dish's of Apples in admirable condition, the 
fruits of considerable size and well kept. Especially good were Cox’s 
Pomona, Lord Derby, Stone’s Apple, Hoary Morning, Warner’s King, Peas- 
good’s Nonesuch, Duchess’s Favourite, Golden Noble, Emperor Alexander, 
Cox’s Pomona, Lord Derby, Alfriston, King of the Pippins, Melon, Alfriston, 
Hoary Morning, New Hawthornden. 
Floral Committee. —Present—G. F. Wilson, Esq., in the chair. Dr. 
W. H. Lowe, and Messrs. J. Douglas, W. B. Kellock, E. Hill, J. O’Brien, H. M. 
Pollett, John Dominy, H. Ballantine, A. Lendy, Richard Dean, W. Holmes, 
H. Herbst, W. Wilks, G. Duffield, H. Bennett, John Laing, James Walke r , 
G. Paul, Thomas Baines, Harry Turner, and H. Cannell. 
A cultural commendation was awarded to G. F. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge 
(gardener, Mr. Chamberlain) for a raceme of Phaius tuberculoaus with a 
dozen of its beautiful flowers, the white sepals and petals contrasting 
admirably with the bronzy red mottled lip, white in the centre with a yellow 
ridge and pink margin. H. M. Pollett, Esq., Bickley, sent spikes of Odonto- 
glossum Schillerianum, somewhat like O odoratum, yellow barred with red, 
and a beautiful variety of C. Trian®. A good plant of Cattleya Measures- 
iana was also shown with four flowers, the sepals and petals greenish brown, 
and the lip crimson. Mr. Haywood, Woodhatch Lodge, had several pretty 
varieties of Cattleya Trian®, and a good variety of OJontoglossum Rossi 
called ornatum, spotted with deep crimson brown. R. J. Measures, Esq., 
Camberwell, showed a plant of Cypripedium Measuresianum, a new species 
from Borneo, with a green dorsal sepal and purplish petals. A cultural 
commendation was awarded to Mr. J. Douglas, The Gardens, Great Gearies, 
Ilford, for a large panicle of Odontoglossum cirrhosum, a distinct crimson 
spotted variety. A cultural commendation was awarded to Mr. Ballantine, 
The Dell Gardens, Egham, for a grand plant of Cattleya Trian® Russelli- 
ana, bearing thirteen large flowers, the sepals and petals blush, the latter 
very broad, and the lip exceedingly rich crimson. Dr. Duke, Lewisham, 
sent a plant of Cattleya Trian® Dukeana and C. Laurenciana. 
C. Scrase Dickins, Esq., Coolhurst, Horsham, was adjudged a bronze 
Banksian medal for a most beautiful and tastefully arranged collection of 
Camellia flowers, chiefly single and semi-double, crimson, pink, white, and 
white striped with crimson. They were arranged upon mo-s with their own 
foliage. Mr. F. Ross, garden; r to Sir G. Macleay, K.C.M.G., Pendell Court, 
Bletchingley, was also awarded a vote of thanks for a large plant of Bromelia 
macrodosa, with large drooping spikes, the flowers greenish, and long ellip¬ 
tical bright red bracts. Votes of thanks were accorded to G. Nevile Wyatt, 
Esq., Lake House, Cheltenham, for a plant of Cattleya Percivaliana, with a 
broad expanded bright crimson lip ; to Messrs. H. Cannell it Sons, Swanley, 
