629 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
t June 26 , 1890. 
- Death of Me. W. H. Baxter. —Many who were familiar 
with the Oxford Botanic Garden in its old days will hear with deep re¬ 
gret that the veteran exhibitor, Mr. W. H. Baxter, is dead, and it might 
be said that part of the historical interest of that old garden has 
departed with him. Mr. Baxter until recently had charge of the 
garden, also of the University parks, but he relinquished the former 
responsibility a year or two since, and was then accorded a pension in 
recognition of his services. He continued, however, to act as Superin¬ 
tendent of the parks until six months ago, when his health began to 
fail, and after many weeks of severe prostration he died on June 19th 
last aged seventy-four years. Mr. Baxter was an amiable man with a 
wide and critical knowledge of plants, and was greatly respected in the 
city of Oxford. In early life he was engaged with Mr. J. C. Loudon, 
whom he assisted greatly in the preparation of some of his works. Mr. 
Baxter succeeded his father as Curator at Oxford, which office he held 
for a number of years. 
- Early Strawberries.—I think it will now be generally 
admitted that Noble is not adapted for forcing purposes in this district. 
The verdict is against it. The plants set good crops, but the less said 
about the flavour the better, but as an early outdoor fruit it is unsur¬ 
passed. The crops here are very heavy, and the individual fruits 
excellent. I have heard doubts expressed as to its travelling properties, 
but I have not had the chance of testing it in this way. So much depends 
on this quality for a good market fruit that it would be very interesting 
to hear whether it is a good packing Strawberry. King of the Earlies is 
a capital variety here ; it has excellent crops, particularly on the young 
plants. The flavour is a little too acidy for some palates, but I deem it 
a first-class variety. The Captain did not get very favourably received 
here last season. It came such an ugly shape and the crop was poor, 
some growers discarded nearly all their plants, only keeping a few for 
further trial. This season it has practically redeemed itself, for it came 
very early, and the fruits arc a splendid size, but in comparison with 
other varieties the crop is light.— James B. Biding, Ware. 
- Another Electric Pea. —Messrs. James Carter & Co. desire 
us to announce that they intend adding to the varieties Telegraph and 
Telephon a new Pea to be called Phonograph, which they consider will 
electrify the vegetable world, but they do not say when they will touch 
the button for starting the talk of, or about, the new comer. 
-A Bose fair in aid of the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund will 
be held in connection with the Croydon Horticultural Society’s Show 
on Wednesday next in the grounds of Brickwood House, Addiscombe 
Eoad, Croydon. Contributions of Boses or other cut flowers for sale 
will be thankfully received by the Honorary local Secretary, Mr. 
G-. W. Cummins, The Grange, Wallington, Surrey. 
- Gloxinias.— I am enclosing two or three Gloxinia blooms for 
inspection, also a leaf from one of the plants. I have grown them on a 
shelf near the glass in a temperature from 70° to 75°. The tubers were 
raised from leaves last year. Each plant has from eighteen to twenty- 
four blooms expanded. I should be pleased to hear your opinion of the 
same.—A. Curry. —[The leaf is 8 inches long by 6 inches wide, and of 
great substance. The flowers are 3i inches in diameter, and the 
examples represent good cultivation.] 
- Propagators—Infringement of Patent. —Mr. Charles 
Toope, Stepney, desires us to state that the suit instituted against him 
by Mr. T. G. Pascall for infringement of his patent pipe propagator was 
dismissed with costs by Mr. Justice Fry on the 19th inst., on the ground 
that the principle embodied in the propagator had been in common use 
for twenty or thirty years. The case was heard in February of the 
present year, when several witnesses were examined. Judgment was 
deferred, and owing to the illness of Mr. Justice Kay was not delivered 
till the date above named. 
- Embryo Growth in Lemons.— I notice in your report of the 
meeting of the Eoyal Horticultural Society on June 10th, that Mr. 
Henslow showed specimens of embryos which had begun to germinate 
within the fruit of Lemons. This was a very common occurrence that 
came under my observation when in the island of Madeira a few years 
ago. I also frequently found the tree carrying ripe fruit in one 
direction, with half-ripe fruit and blossoms in another, indirectly show¬ 
ing that there was no long period of rest for this plant in that climate.— 
H. S HARMAN. 
- Ware and District Horticultural Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Society. —The first monthly meeting of this Society was held on 
the 17th inst. in the school room, Church Street, the Bev. A. E. W 
Lofts presiding. The attendance was very satisfactory. Decorative 
Pelargoniums, Peas, Cabbages, Turnips, Lettuces, and Boses were staged 
by Messrs. Fulford, Biding, and Osborne. A paper entitled “ Vegetable 
Gardening in June” was read by Mr. W. Pavey, which proved very 
interesting and evoked a discussion by the following members Messrs. 
Anderson, Biding, King, and Osborne. A hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded Mr. Pavey for his paper, and a similar compliment to the 
Chairman ended a very successful meeting.— James B. Biding, 
Hon, Sec. 
-Early Potatoes in Ireland.—I have been interested in 
your notes on the Potato crop in the island of Jersey, and cannot but 
think with Mr. Hartland, Cork, and others, that the south coast of 
Ireland could be utilised as a formidable competitor to the Channel 
Island culture of this welcome vegetable if some enterprising com¬ 
mercial philanthropist could see his way to start the system. For 
years, though considerably inland, and without any effort, I always 
have fine Potatoes the first week in June. Mr. Weller, head gardener 
to Sir Croker Barrington, tells me to-day he has been digging them out 
in the open for table use every day at Glenstal Castle, Limerick, since 
the 15th May. I fancy an expert with the earlier varieties could have 
them fit to send to Covent Garden Market the first week in May planted 
along the warm southern slopes of the south coast.—W. J. Murphy, 
CloTiviel. 
- Mr. Joseph Mallender sends the following summary of 
Meteorological Observations at Hodsock Priory, Worksop, 
Notts, for May: —56 feet above mean sea level. Mean temperature 
of month, 52'4°. Maximum on the 24th, 73°; minimum on the 1st, 29'1°. 
Maximum in sun on the 22nd, 127'4°; minimum on the grass on the 1st, 
23'3°. Mean temperature of the air at 9 A.M., 54 7°; mean temperature 
soil 1 foot deep, 52-9°, Nights below 32° in shade two, and on grass 
eleven. Sunshine, total duration in month 198 hours, or 41 per cent, of 
possible duration. We had three sunless days. Total rainfall, 3T5 inches. 
Bain fell on twelve days. Wind, average velocity 8'4 miles per 
hour ; lielocity 400 miles on one day, and fell short of 100 miles on 
three days. Approximate averages for May:—Mean temperature 50‘6°. 
Sunshine, 175 hours. Bainfall, 1'93 inch. A fine mild month, with a 
few sharp ground frosts at the beginning, and a week of thundery 
and showery weather from 5th to the 12th, which did a great deal 
of good. 
- The Essex Field Club.—A joint meeting of the Club and 
the Gilbert Club at Colchester will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 
1890. “ The principal object of the meeting is to afford to members of 
the Gilbert Club and the Essex Field Club and any ladies and gentle¬ 
men interested in the history of science, and the parts filled by English¬ 
men in its inception and progress, an opportunity of visiting the birth¬ 
place, death-place, and last resting-place of the founder of the science 
of electricity, one of the first men in our history who caught hold of 
and pursued the true methods of questioning Nature, and an Essex 
worthy, entitled to take rank with Bay among the great pioneers of true 
knowledge. The party leave Liverpool Street Station by the 10 A.M. 
(express) train, arriving at Colchester at 11.9. [There is an earlier 
train at 9.3, which stops at most stations. Local members are requested 
to consult the July time tables for fitting train service]. Assemble at 
the Castle and Museum at 11.30, where the Hon. Curator, the Bev, C. L. 
Acland, will point out objects of interest. The party will then visit, 
under the direction of Dr. Henry Laver, F.S.A., Gilberd’s House 
(anciently known as “ Tymperleys,” or “ Tympornell’s ”), by kind per¬ 
mission of the owner, and Holy Trinity Church, where is Gilberd’s 
monument, erected by Ambrose and William Gilberd, ‘ in token of 
brotherly love.’ The Abbey Gate, St. Botolph’s Priory, the Boman 
Walls, and other objects of interest may also be visited under Dr. Laver’s 
and Bev. C. L. Acland’s guidance. Luncheon will be served at the 
Bed Lion Hotel, High Street, at 1.30 p.m. The chair will be taken by 
the Bight Hon. Lord Bayleigh, M.A., D.C.L., LL.D., Sec. B.S., &;c., Vice- 
President of the Essex Field Club and the Gilbert Club. Conveyances 
will be at the Town Hall at 2.30 to drive the party to the vale of 
Dedham on the Stour, “ Constable’s Country,” which inspired him with 
a love for simple nature, and he pourtrayed its scenery in many of his 
paintings. ‘ I love,’ he said, ‘ every stile and stump and lane in the 
village. As long as I am able to hold a brush I shall never cease to 
paint them.’ Walk by the river’s side to Flatford, where he was born 
