Kiy 30, 138». ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
431 
T HE month of May, now approaching its close, will long be 
remembered for its remarkable salubrity. True, there were 
•cold days at the beginning, and vegetation was then unusually late, 
f>ut a marked increase in temperature followed, and this, with 
-slight variations, was maintained in a manner quite unusual to the 
iperiod. The growth of trees and shrubs has been remarkable, and 
under the favourable conditions many of them are not behind, but 
Tather in advance of, their ordinary period of flowering. Chestnuts 
=and Lilacs are fading in the south, and pink and white Hawthorns, 
Laburnums, and Weigelas are in full beauty. Fruit blossom has 
been over for some days, and the drenching rain of Saturday and 
^Sunday night last cleared it away ; fortunately it appears also to 
have washed the caterpillars from trees in gardens that were sub¬ 
jected to the downpour. The rain coming with the heat, and this 
-so far continuing, is forcing growth with great rapidity in flowers, 
vegetables, and weeds. Fields are full of grass, and grain crops in 
-clean well-tilled land full of vigour. 
The heat last week was at times almost oppressive. A truly 
summer night was that of the Floral Fete in Covent Garden on 
Wednesday, and cool corners were sought for by ladies and gentle¬ 
men in evening dress, though the large building was the reverse of 
close. Great expectations were incited in the minds of visitors in 
respect to this Exhibition, and they were fully realised. Both 
an magnitude, quality, variety, and arrangement the display was 
unique, such a3, taking it all in all, has not been seen before, and 
will not be on view again till the market is once more opened in 
“the cause of charity, and the able growers of plants co-operate in 
furnishing it in the best manner of which they are capable. The 
skill of the growers of plants for the million has not, perhaps, had 
fhe recognition it deserves in the gardening press. Cleanliness, 
vigour, and floriferousness are the characteristics of their plants ; 
and for getting the most and the best out of the smallest pots the 
growers of plants for Covent Garden Market have few, if any, 
rivals. Whether masses of Palms and other ornamental-foliaged 
plants and Ferns were examined, or banks, tier above tier, of 
Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, Heliotropes, Marguerites, 
Rhodanthes, Mignonette, or any others were inspected, they each 
•and all bore the stamp of high culture, and as they were boldly 
yet tastefully commingled in market fashion, forming in some 
cases stacks of flowers, and in others chaste combinations of Orchids 
-and Palms, a floral spectacle was produced worthy of the position 
it occupied, of the men who provided it, and of the object imme¬ 
diately in view. 
The distinguished visitors who attended the Fete did not pass 
through in a perfunctory manner, but the collection was closely in¬ 
spected by the Duke and Duchess of Bedford and the Baroness 
iBurdett Coutts, who, after opening the Exhibition and replying in 
graceful terms to the address of the Chairman, lingered for two 
hours admiring what was so well displayed in the floral avenues ; as 
■did Sir Julian and Lady Goldsmid, Sir Francis and Lady Truscott, 
.and others, only one opinion being heard from all, that of boundless 
satisfaction, not with the plants alone, but the splendid assortment 
of cut flowers, from the wildlings of the fields and woods to the 
best and most costly productions of stoves and greenhouses. It 
was a great show with a good object, and it is pleasurable to learn 
that, after defraying the necessary expenses, a sum of about £200 
No. 4GG. —You XVIII., Thikd Series, 
will be added to the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, which is almost 
certain to be increased by further contributions. It has also been 
assisted by a private show of Orchids opened to the public at 
Blenheim to the amount of £73 ; and as time goes on there can 
scarcely be a doubt that gardens in different parts of the country 
will be similarly opened periodically, a treat being thus afforded 
to visitors and a charitable undertaking supported. 
On the day of publication of this issue of the Journal another 
great Show will be opened—that of the Royal Horticultural 
Society in the historic Temple Gardens on the Thames Embank¬ 
ment. It is a model site, and we have reason to expect the Exhi¬ 
bition will be very extensive, rich, and varied. It will be miscel¬ 
laneous rather than competitive, though honours are provided and 
will no doubt be adjudged to the meritorious collections. The 
display of Orchids will be a commanding feature, since the follow¬ 
ing famed growers will be represented, some of them having 
engaged lengths of more than 100 feet of staging. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., M.P., Baron Schroder, C. F. Partington, Esq., 
A. H. Smee, Esq., F. G. Tautz, Esq., F. Wigan, Esq., with Messrs. 
Sander & Co., G. T. White, B. S. Williams, A. Evans, and doubt¬ 
less others whose names we have not ascertained. We find that 
miscellaneous collections of plants are being arranged by Messrs. 
J. Laing & Sons, J. Peed & Sons, A. Waterer, W. Paul & Son, 
C. Turner, H. Cannell & Sons, J. Carter & Co., W. & J. Birkenhead, 
H. B. May, J. Cheal & Sons, G. Bunyard & Co., T. S. Ware, 
Barr & Son, Collins & Gabriel, and J. Veitch & Sons—sufficient 
evidence that the Exhibition will be of a highly meritorious and 
diversified character. 
Among other things we find encouragement is given to florists' 
Tulips in the form of Turner Memorial prizes, and learn there are 
some entries. But for the great heat of last week there would have 
been many more. The Rev. F. D. Horner’s blooms are quite over, 
as are those of other growers who would have exhibited, and only 
good examples can be expected from the north. It will be inter¬ 
esting to learn the character of the National Tulip Show on so 
late a date as June 7th at Manchester. The florists’ Tulip is 
essentially a May flower and a beautiful one. 
Only flue weather is needed to ensure for the Temple Show a 
brilliant company and a great success. It remains open for two 
days, and all who desire to see the best and choicest plants and 
flowers, and who are able to carry out their wishes, will, we think, 
be satisfied by a visit to what is sure to be a splendid exhibition, 
worthy of the patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who 
are expected to attend on the opening day. 
ROTATION OF CROPS. 
Occasionally one kind of crop is grown on the same ground 
for several consecutive years with a fair measure of success ; 
but such instances are not relevant to an inquiry into the success¬ 
ful cultivation of the soil. The practice ultimately results in the 
land refusing to produce the crop so treated with certainty and 
profit, hence the necessity of an alternation or change. Many 
ideas have been formed respecting a successional system of cropping 
which it is not necessary to discuss, as undoubtedly the chief cause 
is exhaustion of the soil by the current crop of substances which it 
requires largely. By exhaustion is not meant how long the plant 
will live, but the time it can be profitably grown on the same 
ground. When any crop ceases to produce satisfactorily it is cer¬ 
tain the land has had too much of it. The soil is, so far as that 
crop is concerned, exhausted. Surface dressings of manure from the 
incentive given to surface roots have a tendency to a continuation of 
the same kind of crop on the same ground for a much longer 
period than where means having that effect are not employed. 
Experience points to the most successful practice as attendant on 
a judicious rotation of crops rather than as reliant on any system 
of manuring without alternation of cropping, for it cannot be 
No. 2122 .—Yol. LXXX., Old Series. 
