130 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
f Fibrnary 14, 1889. 
“ An Atmospheric Sketch,” by F. A. Velscliow, F.R.Met.Soc.; “ The 
Drought in New South Wales in 1883-4, ami Rainfall at Corolla, 1879-88,” 
by the Yen. Archdeacon Wynne, F.U.Met.Soc. 
- Insect Eggs on Tomato Plants.—I was pleased to read 
Mr. S. T. Wright’s answer to the query (page 34) on the above subject, 
and am sure the most effectual remedy has been stated on page 46. The 
white fly is the worst enemy to the Tomato grower. I have the manage¬ 
ment of two large houses of these plants. I always make it a practice to 
syringe my plants when small, and until the first truss of flower shows- 
and then syringe only once or twice a week. I shake my plants at times, 
and the flies rise to the glass. I then wash the glass and woodwork with 
softsoap. This I have found to destroy all insects, as hot water is used. 
I believe all that your correspondent has said on the page cited. I have 
found by experience that the carbolic softsoap puts an end to the white 
fly.—H. Weight, Foreman, Garendon Park Gardens. 
- I CAN quite corroborate what your correspondent “ E.” says, at 
p. 106, on Cotoneasteb Simmonsi, about the beauty of this plant. 
We have a good sample of it on a south exposure, up the sides of my 
house door, forming an arch overhead, and it is quite full of berries. 
Certainly they are not the same as the Crataegus pyracantha, not being 
in such clusters, but nevertheless all the little twigs as well as the 
larger shoots are full of red berries, and those who call quite admire the 
fine covering the plant and berries give to the entrance. 1 may, how¬ 
ever, say that there are more berries on this winter than I have seen 
before for a number of years ; perhaps that may be owing to the mild¬ 
ness of the season, as the birds keep off them. It grows rapidly, as several 
self-sown seedlings that came up here soon developed and berried freely. 
As a wall plant, on a buttress, or as above described, this Cotoneaster is 
certainly a good one.—R. M. 
- The Colour and Flavour of Grapes. —Mr. J. Bury 
seems to think that Mr. Taylor's Grapes exhibited at the Crystal Palace 
were grown under too much shade. Not having had the pleasure of 
seeing them growing, 1 cannot say if he is correct or not; but I think 
his theory is wrong. There was, in my opinion, no better finished 
Grapes in the show than Mr. Taylor’s Alnwick Seedling. Certainly, his 
Alicantes were not quite up to the .standard of colour as usually exhibited 
by him, but I believe Mr. Chaffin told me they were not ripe, thus 
accounting for lack of colour. The first prize Alicantes, exhibited by 
Mr Hollingworth, were superbly finished, yet all the Grapes grown at 
Woodseat are heavily shaded by massive leathery foliage, and there can 
be no question as to the finish of Mr. Ilollingworth’s Grapes. I have 
seen Mr. Taylor's Grapes exhibited now for several years, and I believe 
that, as a rule, no better finished fruit is put on the exhibition table. 
Last year was very much against Grape growers, causing more deficiency 
than perfection in colour, an item not to be lost sight of, and which had 
a very marked effect on the fruit exhibited at the September show at 
the Palace.— S. T. W. 
- At the monthly meeting of (he Sheffield Floral and Horticul¬ 
tural Society, held on February 6th, 1889, in the Lower Room, Mont¬ 
gomery Hall, New Surrey Street, Sheffield, a paper was rea l by Mr; 
,T. W. Ellis on ‘-Different Methods of Heating Greenhouses.’ 
There was a cood attendance of members, and the chair was occupied 
by Mr. H. Tranter, gardener to Sir Frelerick Thorpe Mappin, M.P., 
Thornbury, Sheffield. Mr. Eilis at the outset alluded to the early and 
primitive methods of heating adopted by the Dutch and others. He 
referred to a method which was used by the gardener at the Botanic 
Gardens at Oxford some fifty years ago, which consisted of a small iron 
waggon on wheels, and heated by charcoal. This waggon was drawn 
backwards and forwards through the glass houses in severe weather- 
Brick flues was the next step towards an improved mode of heating- 
Heating by hot air stoves was next much experimented Upon. Heating 
by steam was first applied in 1788, but never much brought into prac¬ 
tice. He then referred to the present method of heating by hot-water 
pipes, which he considered was undoubtedly the best and most whole¬ 
some method yet adopted. On the conclusion of the paper a very 
instructive discussion took place between a number of the members and 
the reader of the paper, in the course of which the merits of different 
kinds of boilers were discussed ; the relative cost of heating by gas and 
coke was pointed out; the best kind of fuel to use, which the lecturer 
said was a mixture of gas-coke and coal, and for small boilers for small 
houses coke alone, broken up fine ; and an opinion was expressed that 
the best fuel was also the cheapest, if properly managed. The wrong 
setting of flues was also commented upon as a great source of incon¬ 
venience in the proper working of heating apparatus, and it was 
recommended that this important work should only be done under the 
gardener's or other properly qualified superintendence. At the close a 
vote of thanks was given to Mr. Ellis for his paper and satisfactory 
replies to questions, and a similar compliment was paid to the 
Chairman. 
- The Birmingham and Midland Counties Gardeners’ 
Mutual Improvement Association issue the following particulars 
respecting prizes offered for essays or plans “ Intending competitors to 
send in their contributions to the Secretary by post only, not later than 
March 18th, such papers or plans to bear a private mark or motto only; 
in no case must they bear the name of the competitor, nor occupy more 
than ten minutes in reading. One person will be appointed to read the 
whole of the papers before the Committee prior to the general meeting 
on March 26th, when the successful papers will be read, the whole of 
the plans exhibited, and the prizes awarded. The ten most suitable 
plants for gas-lighted rooms, with notes on their cultivation, treatment 
whilst in the room, and after removal. First prize 7s. 6d., and second 
prize 5s. (open to all members). For the best plan for kitchen and 
flower garden ; intending competitors (under gardeners only) to give 
notice in writing to the Secretary not later than January 29th, the 
ground plan and particulars as to scale will be supplied on and after 
February 12th, the design and drawing must be the work of the com¬ 
petitor only, any assistance received will be a disqualification. First 
prize 10s., second prize 5s., third prize 2s. 6d. Certificates will be 
awarded at general meeting upon the recommendation of the members 
of Committee present (five to form a quorum) to plants or flowers of 
exceptional merit. Exhibitors to give in their names and particulars of 
exhibits in writing to the Secretary in order that they may be recorded 
in the transactions of the Society. Members are requested to note 
that in consequence of the Institute Conversazione commencing on 
Tuesday, January 15th, only one week will intervene between the two 
first meetings, after which they will run fortnightly as usual.” The 
following are some of the lectures to be given at the Society’s room- 
Midland Institute, Birmingham, at 7‘30 o’clock on Tuesday evenings. 
February 26th, “ Notes on a Tour across North America,” by \V. P. 
Marshall, Esq., Augustus Road, Edgbaston. March 12th, “ The Culti¬ 
vation of the Amaryllis,” discussion to follow, by Mr. E Cooper. 
March 26tli, Reading of prize essays, exhibition of plans and award 
ing of prizes. 
UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT AND 
PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
The annual meeting of the above Society was held in the Caledonian 
Hotel, Robert Street, Adelphi, Strand, on Monday, February 11th, when 
about tbirtv members were present. The chair was taken shortly after 
8 p.m. by Mr. R. Dean, and the business was commenced by the Secretary, 
Mr. \V. Collins, reading the minutes of the last annual meeting. The 
Chairman then read the following report for the past year, which shows 
that most satisfactory progress has been made. 
Report of the Committee for 1888. 
The annual report and balance sheet of the Committee for the past 
year are undoubtedly of the most satisfactory character, and perhaps 
the most gratifying ever presented at an annual general meeting. It 
proclaims the welcome intelligence that the Society is progressing and 
prosperous. There are now r upon the books 276 members, fifty-three 
having joined, during the past year. The publicity given to this 
Society’s work is certainly awakening an interest in it among the young 
gardeners, a class it is most desirable should be associated with it. If 
this rate of progress can be maintained there is no reason why the 
number of members should not during the next ten years be increased 
to 1000, as there must be many gardeners -willing to avail themselves of 
the advantages it offers. Of the fifty-three who joined during 1888 five 
of this number have not as yet paid subscriptions, but it is to be hoped 
they are not altogether lost to the Society. 
The amount of sick pay during the year was £35 12s. 8d., a trifle 
over one-half of the sum paid in the previous year; this amount was 
divided between fifteen members. These payments are covered by 
deductions of 3s. 6.jd. and 2s. 4^d. each from the two classes of members. 
At the present time there is only one sick member upon the fund. No 
death has occurred among the members during the past year, nor has 
there been any payment made from the benevolent fund during that 
period. The balance in favour of the benevolent fund a year ago was 
£1183 11s. 3Id. ; it is now £1299 19s. ljd., so that it has increased 
during the past twelve months by £81 17s. 5d., mainly from subscriptions 
by members, and by £34 10s. 5d. received as interest. 
The balance in favour of the benefit fund at the same period was 
£2677 7s. 6fd., it is now £3058 3s. lfd, showing an increase of nearly 
£400. On the expenditure side interest has been credited to members 
to the amount of £69 3s. 3d., which is more than covered by the interest 
received on the balance at the commencement of 1888—namely, 
£78 Is. 2d. 
