January 9, 1690. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
27 
- We have received from L’Horticulture Internationale Soci6t6 
Anonyme, Parc Leopold, Brussels, a flower and growth of a new winter¬ 
flowering Carnation, Madame Aethur Wakocqu^, obtained from a 
sport of the well-known Souvenir de la Malmaison. The plant is of a 
sturdy dwarf-growing habit, does not exceed 12 inches in height. The 
flowers are large, well shaped, and of a brilliant red colour. They are 
produced very freely ; flve or six are open at one time. It is named 
after Madame Arthur Warocque, a lady whose zeal and love for horti¬ 
culture is well known in Belgium. 
-The Wolverhampton Horticultural Show and 
Floral Fete is flxed for 15th, 16th, and 17th July next in the 
Public Park. 
- Tomato Culture was the title of a |paper read by Mr. J. B. 
Riding before the members of the Ware and District Horticultural 
Mutual Improvement Society on Tuesday the 31st inst. 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. Henry Stride, late gardener 
do James Allen, Esq., Highfield House, Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, 
'has been appointed head gardener to L. J. Baines, Esq., Bawtry Hall, 
Yorkshire. 
- Me. Edgar Newton, glazing reformer of Hitchin, sends us 
a copy of his combined sheet almanack and memoranda form. It is, 
however, in twelve sheets, one for each month, and will be handy and 
useful in gardeners’ offices and cottages. 
- Many will probably have learnt from the daily papers that 
the King of the Belgians’ Palace at Laeken, near Brussels, 
has been recently destroyed by fire. Fortunately, however, the 
handsome conservatory and collection of specimen Orange trees were 
saved. 
- We are requested to state that the date of the Rugby 
Chrysanthemum Show for 1890 has been altered from Novem¬ 
ber 12th and 13th already announcedito November 19th and 20tb, to 
avoid clashing with the Show of the Birmingham Society fixed for 
the first-mentioned dates. 
- I find that Luculia geatissima lasts longer in a cut state if 
the leaves and stems are put into a large pan of tepid water about a 
couple of hours before they are wanted, care being taken that the 
flowers are not immersed, as they quickly become discoloured.— 
J. Smith, nenhury Hill. 
- Fruit Culture. —The Drapers’ Company of the City of 
London have sent to the Fruiterers’ Company a donation of £105 
towards the fund initiated by Sir James Whitehead, Bart., the late 
Lord Mayor, who is the Master of the Guild, for the promotion of fruit 
culture in our homesteads and cottage gardens. 
- On page 561 of the Journal of Horticulture for 26th inst. is a 
paragraph on Bullfinches by “ T. A. C.,” wherein is given a recipe 
for a winter dressing for small fruit trees. It would be a great benefit 
to your readers if “ T. A. C.” would kindly give the proportions of each 
ingredient used in the dressing.— Geo. Ware. 
- Upon December 31st last. Messes. Kelway & Son of 
Langport, entertained the whole of their employes at dinner. The 
chair was taken by Mr. W. Kelway, and a very pleasant evening was 
spent. Several appropriate speeches graced the occasion, songs, recita¬ 
tions, and instrumental music being also provided. 
- The Rainfall at Cuckfield, Mid-Sussex, for December 
was Ifllincb, being 1'23 inch under the average. The heaviest fall was 
•0'37 inch on the 22nd, rain falling on sixteen days. Total fall for the 
year 28'42 inches, 2•49 inches’under the average of the past nine years. 
Highest temperature, 53° on the 22nd ; lowest ditto, 20° on 12th ; mean 
-day temperature 43° ; mean night ditto 39° ; mean temperature 41°, 
being 2° above the average of seven years.—R. Inglis. 
- The annual meeting of the Reading and District Gar¬ 
deners’ Mutual Improvement Association was held at the 
“ British Workman ” on Monday, January 6th, when a large number 
of members attended. Letters apologising for absence were read from 
the President (W. J. Palmer, Esq., J.P.) and Mr. Jas.Legg. Mr. Wm. Lees 
occupied the chair. The report of the Committee for the past year was 
read by the Hon. Sec., Mr. Jas. Pound, jun., and also a financial state¬ 
ment, which was highly satisfactory, there being a balance in hand of 
£17 12s. The officers were re-elected, and a committee appointed for 
the ensuing season. It is proposed to establish a library of works of 
horticulture for the use of the members. 
- Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, Bart.—A ll horticulturists, and 
many besides, will rejoice in the honour that has been conferred on this 
gentleman. As a country squire none could be held in higher esteem 
than he, where he is known best—in South Wales. A flying visit to his 
beautifully situated residence at Penllergare, impressed us with his 
devotion to his garden—his Orchids, Primulas, Auriculas, seedling Indian 
Rhododendrons in thousands, all being objects of his fostering care. The 
specimen Conifers, Rhododendrons, and other shrubs in the pleasure 
grounds, the wild Fern-clad banks, the kitchen garden sheltered with 
divisional hedges, all linger in the memory, and not less so the delightful 
reception the owner accorded his visitors. All friends whom we met, 
regardless of creed or political colour, had a good word to say for Mr. 
Llewelyn, and we offer to the new baronet our sincere congratulations. 
- The Annual Friendly Dinner of the Members of the Gar¬ 
deners’ Roy'Al Benevolent Institution and their friends will 
take place, as usual, at Simpson’s, 101, Strand, on Thursday, the 16th 
inst., after the annual meeting, when Edmund Yates, Esq. {The World') 
will preside. In order to ensure the comfort and pleasure of the com¬ 
pany, the Stewards, Messrs. W'ebber, Monro, Dickson and Baker, have 
arranged that no tickets be issued after Monday, the 13th inst. The 
musical arrangements will be under the management of Miss Mary 
Belval. 
- Some remarkable examples of home-grown Liliums have been 
brought under our notice by Messrs. Coliins Bros. & Gabriel. From 
single bulbs planted less than two years ago large clumps of six or more 
well developed bulbs have been produced. The Liliums were grown in 
the nursery of the firm at Hampton, the soil being a loam of medium 
quality, but a dressing of fresh cow manure was placed 6 inches below 
the bulbs prior to planting, and it is to this that their great vigour and 
unusual development is attributed. The variety is speciosum (lanci- 
folium) rubrum cruentum. 
- Stealing Grapes.— Mr. H. Balderson, Corner Hall, Hemel 
Hempstead, a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit 
Committee, recently had about 50 lbs. of Grapes stolen from his 
vinery, and two men charged with the offence have been sentenced to 
six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. The members of the 
Fruit Committee seem to be much troub’ed with regard to their garden 
products, for it is only a snort time since Mr. Blackmore prosecuted a 
man for stealing Pears. 
- On Monday, December 30th, the employes of Messes. J. R, 
Pearson & Sons, Chilwell Nurseries and the Seed Warehouse, Not¬ 
tingham, held their first annual social tea party and concert, when 
over one hundred sat down and enjoyed the repast provided by Mrs, 
A. H. Pearson, and who also accompanied the various performers 
during the evening. Songs, recitations, and several appropriate speeches 
quickly passed the time away, and the utmost cordiality prevailed. 
Votes of thanks were passed to the Messrs. Pearson for the kind 
interest they have always taken in any steps for the mutual improve¬ 
ment of their workmen. Mr. C. E. Pearson in reply said that it 
gave great pleasure to meet so many there, and anything his partner 
or he could do for them would not only be a duty but a pleasure. 
He hoped that there would always be the same good feeling existing 
between them, and in conclusion wished all a happy and prosperous 
new year. 
- We learn with regret that Me. William IT. Baxter, who 
succeeded his father, and who for more than forty years has been 
associated with the Oxford Botanic Garden and the University Parks, 
is now incapacitated by infirmity for the performance of his duties. 
We understand that for some time past Mr. Baxter’s impaired vision has 
occasioned considerable concern to his family and friends, and our 
readers will fully share with us the sympathy we feel for him in his 
affliction after being for so long a period so honourably connected with 
horticulture. We are glad to announce that the University authorities 
have marked their appreciation of his long and faithful services by a 
decree of Convocation, authorising the curators of the University chest 
to pay him annually the sum of £60, and this is supplemented by 
equal sums of £20, contributed by the curators of the Botanic 
Garden and those of the Parks. We cordially trust that Mr. Baxter 
may live to enjoy for many years his well-earned pension. 
POTATOES. 
Perhaps a few words on last season’s experience with Potatoes may 
not come amiss to some of your readers, especially just now when 
catalogues are being distributed from nursery and seed establishments. 
