Novemt e, :e 18'9. j 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
403 
see how far it is entitled to the high character given of it many 
years ago. 
Maclura aurantiaca, or Osage Orange. 
Adeciduous shrub of rather formidable appearance in consequence 
of the prickles with which it is armed, neither is it deficient in habit 
nor in hardiness for the purpose of making a fence capable of with¬ 
standing cattle ; butsomehowit has notfound its way into general use, 
neither am I acquainted with any extent of hedge formed of this 
plant—in fact, 1 am not certain that I have seen it used at all in 
this capacity for some years, when a hedge of it was pointed out 
some years ago in Kent that was fully exposed on one side at least 
to the tender mercies of sheep and cattle, and it seemed to 
answer pretty well, was well clothed with foliage, and in other 
respects was a formidable closely trimmed fence. It was clipped 
at about the usual height for Thorn hedges, and when I saw it 
(Septembei) it was a good rival to the Quickset. My impression 
at the time, confirmed by what I have noticed of some single 
plants here, was that the later growths of the season do not ripen, 
even in hot dry summers. Growth continues so late that the tips 
rarely harden suffic ently, and, like the Fuchsia, always die off, 
more or less, during the autumn or winter. 
The plant seems to be well furnished with branches, and an 
abundance of very formidable thorns, much more so than Quickset 
—in fact, when growing amongst other shrubs, I do not know of 
anything more likely to keep out intruders. The foliage also is 
bright, shining, and on the whole attractive, and the growth of the 
plant in all the cases I have met with is as rapid as need be wished 
for in a hedge plant. I have been told that in some parts of the 
Canadian Dominion it is used for hedges where the climate is too 
severe for the Quickset : so that we may fairly place it amongst 
the hardiest of plants. Yet there may be a difference between an 
English and a Canadian summer that may enable the Maclura to 
endure the winter of Canada better than that of this country ; for 
in all probability the fine sunny autumns of North Ameiica ripen 
the tips as well as the Hawthorn ripens with us.—J. 
Events of the Week. —The National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
General Committee will meet at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, on 
Dec. 2nd, at 7 P.M., the Centenary Sub-committee having a meeting at 
6.30 p.m. on the same evening. On Wednesday, December 4th, the 
National Rose Society’s annual meeting will beheld in the Horticultural 
Club Rooms, Hotel Windsor, at 3 P.M., and the annual dinner will 
take place the same evening. The usual sales by Messrs. Protheroe and 
Morris and Stevens will be held during the week. 
- A landscape gardener, who had gained no mean degree of 
fame in this country, Mr. Robert Maknock, died in London on 
November 15th last, in his ninetieth year. Mr. Marnock was early 
associated with the Sheffield Botanic Gardens, which he designed; 
subsequently he also laid out the Regent’s Park Botanic Gardens, one 
of his principal works, which added greatly to his reputation. He 
was afterwards, for a number of years, engaged in laying out gardens 
in various parts of the kingdom, all of which showed considerable taste 
in design. 
-The Weather. — A change from a long period of mildness 
has occurred in the north. On Sunday night a storm is reported to 
have done considerable injury in some of the London market gardens. 
The temperature is now much lower, frost occurring on Tuesday 
morning, and snow falling freely in the afternoon in London. 
- Mr. Blackmore’s Pears.—A fortnight ago we referred to 
this case of Pear stealing, in which a gardener pleaded guilty and was 
imprisoned, the greengrocer who received the fruit being remanded. 
He surrendered to his bail at the Middlesex sessions on Monday, and 
was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour. 
- Gardening Appointment. — Mr. H. Charles, late head 
gardener at Whitminster House, Stonehouse, Gloucester, has been 
appointed head gardener to Col. H. Davies Evans, of Ilighmead, 
Llanybyther, South Wales. 
- Cypripedium Spicerianum, —In our notice of this plant, 
page 422, it should have been stated that all the plants at the Botanical 
Gardens, Birmingham, are growing in pans hanging from the roof, and 
in this manner the beauty of the flowers are best seen. 
- A Large Chestnut Tree.— The following are the dimen¬ 
sions of a famous Chestnut tree growing in the pleasure grounds at 
Bestwood House, Stourbridge—namely, circumference 7 feet from the 
ground, 34 feet ; spread of branches from north to south, 121 feet; 
from east to west, 100 feet.—F. Roberts. 
- The recent concert arranged by the members of the Chiswick 
Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association in aid of the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund was held in the Vestry Hall, Turnham Green, 
and proved exceptionally successful, and resulted in a sum of £12 being 
presented to the Fund named. Mr. G. Gordon, the Chairman, took a 
prominent part in the preparation of the programme and the disposal 
of tickets, being assisted by several members, notably by Mr. J. Barry, 
who, having sold the requisite number of tickets, secures a life member¬ 
ship in the Orphan Fund. 
- The Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society 
have issued a series of questions on the subject of The Effects of 
London Fogs on Cultivated Plants. In order to render the 
information as practical and as accurate as possible, it is desired that the 
experience of the current season only be utilised. Fresh specimens of 
plants showing injury caused by fog to either flowers or leaves may be sent 
for examination, accompanied by full particulars, to Dr. D. H. Scott, 
F.L.S.,Normal Schoolof Science,South Kensington, S.W.,ortoDr. Francis 
Oliver, F.L.S., Royal Gardens, Kew. It is desired that the returns be 
made up to the end of March, 1890, and then returned to the Secretary, 
Royal Horticultural Society, 117, Victoria Street, S.W. 
- Queen Wasps.—A correspondent recently remarked that his 
prediction as to the wasp abundance was fully realised during the past 
summer, and advised a sharp outlook for queen wasps this autumn. 
Since the appearance of the advice given I have found quite three 
dozen at different times concealed or that had intended to conceal them¬ 
selves in spaces between the wall and windowframe of our fruit room. 
They evidently found their way through the stone roof, which is 
unsealed, as no other means were open to them whereby admittance 
could be gained. It would be interesting to know if your correspondent 
or other readers have secured any in a similar manner. The low buzzing 
sound produced from slow wing movement was the first indication for 
research.—W. Strugnell. 
- Eucharis Disease.—M y experience coincides with “ M. D.,” 
page 349, with reference to the Eucharis disease or mite. A few years 
ago I had charge of several fine healthy plan s of Eucharis grandiflora 
in pots. Unfortunately the boiler, a plain saddle, was underneath the 
house, and a flue from the boiler the whole length of the house. One 
cold night in February the flue burst. The effect of the smoke and 
sulphur can be imagined. The Eucharis leaves laid over the pot sides 
as though affected by severe frost. After that for about two years they 
never seemed to do any good. The bulbs were repotted several times, 
always getting less in size until they were at last thrown away. I may 
mention that the Eucharis cannot bear strong sunshine. Give it all the 
light possible without the burning rays of the sun coming in contact 
with the leaves, which causes them to flag and the edges to turn browr. 
If the plants are overwatered when the sun is on them they will soon he 
out of health.—Dis. 
- Pruning Shrubs. —Your correspondent “ P.” drew attention 
to this subject recently. My experience, though not so extensive, is of 
some years’ standing, i think the best time to do this very necessary 
work is during August and September, especially where the object is to 
keep “ shrubs within bounds.” In pruning for this end, the long 
strong shoots have to be cut well back, leaving the more numerous but 
shorter shoots to form the plant. If this is done in November, these 
shorter shoots, from the fact that they have been surrounded and shaded 
by these stronger shoots, are not likely to be so well matured as those 
cut away, and therefore will be less prepared to stand a severe winter 
as they would be had the same thinning been done earlier. Anothir 
advantage is that it can be done with much more comfort, as it is not a 
very pleasant job getting amongst evergreens in the dull damp days of 
winter, when they are oftener wet than dry.— R. Inglis. 
- Birmingham Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Asso¬ 
ciation. —The fortnightly meeting was held on November 12th, when 
Mr. J. Udale read an instructive paper on “ Select Annuals for the 
Stove and Greenhouse,” confining h : s list to twelve kinds only. These 
