366 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ M 17 1, 1S31. 
soil is light and friable it was just suited to set them off if so inclined. 
I therefore began to doubo very much whether there is so much of it 
as stated. 
I was asked by a large grower of Roses for sale whether I had ever 
tried pruning them in the autumn when planted, as it was his opinion 
that was the proper time for pruning. It was needless for me to protest, 
but if we get a severe frost will they noi be killed ? and so I have tried 
a few in this way, giving them an equal chance with those treated in 
the ordinary method. The result of this experiment will be a matter 
for next year’s account if I am spared to give it. 
Altogether, then, the season to me was, as in most places, a dis¬ 
appointing one, and the “ manners and customs ” of my Roses were of 
neither a settled, nor on the whole, a respectable character.—D., Beal. 
Rose Show Fixtures, 1890. 
June 19th.—Ryde. 
„ 24th.—Drill Hall, Westminster (H.R.S.). 
„ 25th.—Richmond (Surrey). 
„ 27th.—Royal Aquarium. 
„ 28th.—Eltham, Reigate. 
July 1st.—Canterbury, Hereford, Sutton. 
„ 2nd.—Brockham, Croydon. Dursley, Hitchin. 
„ 3rd.—Bath, Farningham, Norwich. 
„ 6th.—Crystal Palace (N.R.S.). 
„ 8th.—Gloucester, Ipswich, ’’’Winchester. 
„ 9th.—’’’Brighton, Diss, Ealing, Tunbridge Wells. 
„ 10th.—Birkenhead, Worksop. 
„ 12th.—New Brighton. 
„ 17th.—Birmingham (N.R.S.), Helensburgh. 
„ 22nd.—Tibshelf. 
’"In the case of Brighton and Winchester, where the Shows extend 
over more than one day, the date of the first day’s Show only is given.— 
Edward Mawley, Rosebank, Bevkliamsted, Herts, 
DEATH OF DR. GEORGE THURBER. 
The death of Dr. George Thurber ends the career of the most 
accomplished horticultural writer America has produced. Dr. Thurber 
was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1821, and early became 
interested in botany in connection with pharmaceutical studies, which 
he took up in preparation for his business as an apothecary, which he 
conducted in his native city. His love of plants, however, was strong, 
and brought him into relations with Dr. John Torrey, of this city, then 
the leader among American botanists, and a man whose influence was 
widely felt. It changed entirely Thurber’s career, and secured for him 
in 1850 the position of naturalist, to which were added the duties of 
quartermaster and commissary, of the United States and Mexican 
Boundary Survey. He was attached to the headquarter’s party under 
command of Mr. John Russell Bartlett, the principal commissioner for 
the United States, and was aetively engaged during four years in explor¬ 
ing the natural products of the country between the Gulf of Mexico and 
the Pacific Ocean. These journeys extended to nearly 5000 miles, and 
carried the party into regions which were at that time entirely unknown, 
scientifically. Thurber “ was indefatigable,” to use Mr. Bartlett’s 
words, “ in his exertions to make thorough examinations and complete 
collections of everything belonging to his department.” He discovered 
many new plants within the limits of the United States and in northern 
Mexico, where the party made several long and exceedingly arduous 
journeys. The most interesting of his new plants were published by 
Asa Gray (“ Plantas Novse Thurberianae) in 1864, the name of the 
discoverer being there commemorated in the new Hibiscus-like plant, 
Thurberia thespesioides, which he had found in Sonora in 1851. 
Dr. Thurber, the duties of the Commission being completed, returned 
to this city and accepted a position in the Assay office, from which he 
resigned on account of political differences with the authorities, and 
devoted himself to chemical and botanical studies, lecturing on these 
subjects at the Cooper Union and before the New York College of 
Pharmacy. In 1859 he was chosen to the Professorship of botany and 
horticulture in the Agricultural College of Michigan, a position which 
he held until 1863, when he became editor of the American Agricul¬ 
turist, of this city. This place he filled with singular success for 
twenty-two years, when he was eompelled by failing health to relinquish 
the active control of the paper, although he continued to contribute to 
its columns, and give it the benefit of his counsel until within a few 
months of his death. Dr. Thurber’s influence as editor of a widely read 
popular journal was great. His writing was characterised always by 
sound common sense based on exact knowledge of many subjects, and 
they did more in his time to elevate the standing of the agricultural 
and horticultural press of the country than the writings of any other 
man. He possessed a charming style and a rare facility for exnlaining 
the most complex subjects in clear and simple language. This gift 
made the “ Doctor’s Talks,” which he contributed during many years to 
the American Agriculturist, and which were intended to instruct young 
people upon scientific subjects, models of their kind. Of horticultural 
matters he wrote out of a full knowledge, as his garden at Passaic, New 
Jersey, an experimental garden in the true sense of the word, was one 
of the most interesting in this country. In this garden he found the 
pleasures of his later years, and these pleasures he shared with the public 
through his “ Notes from the Pines.” 
Dr. Thurber’s editorial work was not confined to the columns of the 
American Agriculturist. The publishers of that journal were large 
publishers also of books relating to country life, and most of these passed 
under Dr. Thurber’s critical eye, or, in some cases, were entirely rewritten 
by his hand. He published, in 1859, “ American Weeds and Useful 
Plants,” an enlarged and greatly improved edition of Darlington’s‘‘Agri¬ 
cultural Botany,” which is still the standard work on the subject, and 
he contributed the articles upcn botanical subjects to “ Appleton’s 
Cyclopaedia.” Dr. Thurber’s predilections in botany were for what may 
be called agricultural botany. This led him co make a systematic study 
of Grasses, and his knowledge of these plants was unequalled for many 
years in the United States. It was his intention to prepare a monograph 
of American Grasses, but editorial duties and failing health, undermined 
by the hardships of the Mexican boundary, compelled him to abandon 
this undertaking, for which he was otherwise admirably equipped ; and 
of late years he has been able to do little beyond occasional contributions 
to the Press. 
Dr. Thurber was a man of great knowledge and of the broadest 
sympathies ; kind, faithful and true, generous to a fault, simple in the- 
ways of the world, and always more interested in the welfare of others- 
than in advancing his own interests. His death removes an interesting- 
and picturesque figure, and a man who wi.l never be forgotten by his 
friends.— (^American Garden and Forest.') 
ROYAL AQUARIUM, WESTMINSTER. 
April 29th axd 30th. 
A BRIGHT, varied, and attractive Exhibition was opened at the- 
Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on Tuesday last, as the second of the 
series for the present year. Auriculas and Primroses constituted the 
leading features, but the Daffodils, the Olivias, the Pteonies, the 
Rhododendrons, and the miscellaneous groups were strongly an<J 
admirably represented. The Superintendent, Mr. W. Holmes, arranged 
the exhibits in an effective manner, and all concerned in the manage¬ 
ment had ample reason to be satisfied with the results of their efforts. 
Some of the most experienced florists did not hesitate to say that the- 
show of these plants was equal in merit to that of the National Society 
held in the previous week ; indeed, in some respects there was an 
obvious improvement, and the Alpine varieties constituted an exhibition 
in themselves. A class was provided for a collection of Auriculas, in 
which there were three competitors, the premier award being secured by 
Mr. James Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourne, Great Gearies,. 
Ilford, who had about fifty excellent plants, chiefly of the show edged 
and self varieties. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, was second, Alpines and seifs 
predominating, all well grown plants. Mr. R. Patterson, Ashburne 
Gardens, Sunderland, was a close third, his plants being slightly smaller, 
but good, and the varieties chiefly seifs and edged forms. 
The competition was also good in the class for twelve show Auriculas, 
the first honours being secured by Mr. G. Wheelwright, Oxford Road, 
Reading, who had the following varieties—Mrs. A. Potts, Col. Taylor, 
C. J. Perry, Rev. F. D. Horner, Heather Bell, Lancashire Hero, Black 
Bess, Prince of Greens, Acme, Dr. Kidd, Richard Headly, and George 
Lightbody. Mr. J. Douglas was a close second. Mr. R. Patterson was 
third, a plant of Heroine being very notable ; and Mr. C. Adams, Swal- 
well, was fourth. Only two collections of six show Auriculas were 
entered, Mr. Henwood leading with good plants of Mrs.'Potts, Dr. Kidd, 
George Lightbody, Rev. F. D. Horner, Black Bess, and Mrs. Dodwell. 
The second prize went to Mr. Phillips, Reading, a few points behind 
the first, but with good flowers. Of the six competitors with four show 
Aurieu'as, Messrs. Henwood, Wheelwright, Douglas, and Patterson were 
suceessful in taking the prizes in the order named. 
Several classes were devoted to single specimen Auriculas, and a. 
much better system of affixing the prize tickets was adopted than at 
the National Show. For green-edged, Mr. J. Douglas was first, second, 
and fourth with the Rev. F. D. Horner, and Mr. Henwood was third 
with the same variety. The best grey-edged was Mr. Henwood’s George 
Lightbody. Mr. Douglas being second and third for the same variety, 
and Mr. Philips fourth for Lancashire Hero. In the white-edged class- 
Mr. J. Douglas led with Horner’s Elaine, he also took the fourth prize 
with that variety, Mr. Henwood being second and third with Smiling 
Beauty and Acme. Black Bess was the leading variety in the self 
class, and secured Mr. Henwood first and third prizes, Mr. Wheelwright 
taking the second place with the same, and Mr. Douglas was fourth 
with Tiresias. 
As already remarked the Alpine classes were well filled, and the 
exhibits of a generally superior character. For instance, there were- 
nine competitors with twelve varieties, and the plants with which Mr. 
J. Douglas secured the first prize were of quite an exceptional character, 
vigorous without being coarse, the flowers large, clean, and bright. The 
varieties were Diadem, Mrs. Blackburn, Ada Hardwidge, Miss Moon, 
Sensation, Toujours Gai (certificated). Hotspur, Nellie Hibberd (certifi*- 
cated). Love Bird (certificated), and some unnamed seedlings. Mr. C. 
Turner followed closely for the second place, Mr. Wheelwright was third, 
and Mr. W. C. Walker fourth. Mr. Henwood had the premier six 
Alpines—namely. Defiance, Mr. Martin, Homer, Mary Francis, Hotspur, 
and Lovebird, all excellent plants. Mr. C. Phillips, Reading, Mr. Ik 
Dean, and Mr. A. J. Weston, Balham, were second, third, and fourth 
respectively. Nine also competed with four Alpines, Messrs. Douglas, 
Henwood, Wheelwright, and Patterson being the prizewinners. In the 
single specimen classes the prizewinners were as follows :—Yellow 
grounds.—First, second, and fourth, Mr. Douglas, with Miss Moon and 
seedlings. Third, Mr. C. Turner, with Mr. Gibson. White or cream 
grounds.—First, Mr. Douglas, with Phidias. Second and third, Mx.. 
