170 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
t Maroh 8, 1887. 
in September for the'purpose of flowering after the centre crown is past. 
They should be lifted in April, and planted on a north border, and treated 
in a similar manner to that advised by “ J. L. B.” until September, 
when plants that are required for pot culture should be lifted and placed 
in 7-inch pots. Those that are required for the frames should also be 
lifted and planted in their places at the same time, both receiving the 
same treatment as regards temperature. Those that are in pots should 
be plunged in ashes or soil in frames, and kept there until commencing 
to bloom, when they will be required for decorating or for the green¬ 
house. But in my opinion they scarcely need so much protection from 
the frost as “ J. L. B.” advises, for several years ago I had charge of a 
large number of them growing in cold pits, and during very severe 
weather, when the thermometer registered 33° of frost, they had no 
protection whatever, with the exception of mats thrown over the lights, 
and as soon as the severe weather was past they began to flower again. 
In cases where they are suffering from damping some charcoal pounded 
into powder and sprinkled into the crowns of the plants will quickly 
check it.— C. Collins. 
liOSft SHOWS IN 1887. 
I AM pleased to be able thus early in the year to give so full a list of 
Bose show fixtures for the coming season. In future lists I shall be 
happy to insert the dates of any other Rose shows not included in 
the present list, also those of any horticultural exhibitions where Roses 
are made a special feature of the show. 
* Ryde, Isle of Wight, Thursday, June 23rd. 
* Bagshot, Tuesday, June 28th. 
* Croydon, Wednesday, June 29th. 
* Canterbury, Thursday, June 30th. 
* Moreton-in-Marsh (East Glos. Rose Soc.), Thursday, June 30th. 
* Norwich, Thursday, June 30th. 
Crystal Palace, Saturday, July 2nd. 
* South Kensington (N.R.S.), Tuesday, July 5th. 
* Ealing, Wednesday, July 6th. 
* Sutton, Wednesday, July 6th. 
* Bath, Thursday, July 7th. 
* Farningham, Thursday, July 7th. 
* Ipswich, Thursday, July 7th. 
* Diss, Tuesday, July 12th. 
* Edinburgh (N.R.S.), Wednesday, July 13th. 
* Helensburgh (West of Scotland Rose Soc.), Friday, July 15th. 
* Ulverstone (North Lonsdale Rose Soc.), Friday, July 15th. 
Hull, Friday and Saturday, July 15th and 16th. 
* Birkenhead (Wirral Rose Soc.), Wednesday, July 20th. 
Those exhibitions which are held by the National Rose Society or by 
Societies affiliated with it are distinguished by an asterisk.— Edwd. 
Mawley, Eosebanlt , BerJtJiampsted, Herts. 
The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society have de¬ 
finitely arranged with the Commissioners of the 1851 Exhibition for the 
occupation of the conservatory at South Kensington for the Society’s 
meetings and shows, pending negotiations with the Royal Albert Hall 
Corporation. The entrance to the conservatory will be by the north¬ 
east orchard house in the Exhibition Road, and exhibitors’ entrance on 
the east side of the Royal Albert Hall. Fellows of the Society will be 
admitted at 12 noon on presentation of their last year’s tickets, and the 
public at 1 o’clock on payment at the door. Until further notice the 
price of admission to the public will be Is. to the ordinary meetings and 
2s. 6d. to the larger shows. 
- From the Cambridge Botanic Garden a List of Seeds has 
justr been issued under the title of “ Delectus Seminum quae Hortus 
Botanicus Universitatis Cantabrigiensis pro mutua commutatione offert.” 
It comprises fifteen closely printed pages of names arranged under the 
natural orders. About 1500 species and varieties are enumerated. The 
list has been prepared by the Curator, Mr. R. I. Lynch, and a list of 
plants which it is desired to add to the Cambridge collection is in¬ 
cluded. 
\ Royal W arrants. —We are requested to state that “ Messrs. 
Little and Ballantyne, Carlisle, who on the 25th July, 1884, were 
appointed by Royal warrant nurserymen and seedsmen to Her Majesty 
the Queen, have just received a similar warrant appointing them seed 
merchants and nurserymen to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, 
dated Marlborough House, February 1st, 1887, 
- Tobacco Culture. —We are informed that “ the Queen has 
been graciously pleased to command Mr. Beale of the firm of James 
Carter & Co., to dedicate his book on Messrs. Carter’s experiments re¬ 
lating to Tobacco culture to Her Majesty.” 
-At a meeting of the Royal Botanic Society, held last 
Saturday, the Hon. H. M. Best in the chair, a communication from Mr. 
H. M. Edwards was read respecting the “ White Cushion Scale Insects,” 
lately so destructive to the Orange groves in California and other 
countries, and the means and appliances used for their extermination. 
This peculiar coccus—Icerya Purchasi—which also attacks other crops, 
is supposed to have been introduced from Australia, and appears to be 
extending itself over the warmer parts of the globe. 
- A Giant Primula—P. imperialis— is now attracting the 
attention of those who admire the numerous beautiful forms in that 
genus. Young plants are under cultivation at Kew. At a recent 
meeting of the Linnean Society dried specimens were shown to give an 
idea of its character. It is said to exceed 3 feet in height in Java, where 
it is found. 
- “ C. P.” states that he has grown Tomatoes under Glass 
successfully and quite free from disease by employing wood ashes with 
bonedust as manure in a sandy turfy loam. He considers unsuitable 
manures or excessive supplies the chief causes of disease. 
- The annual meetingofthe Ditherington and St. Michael’s 
Cottage Garden Society (Shrewsbury) was held last week, when it 
was stated that the result of the season’s shows was a balance of over 
£20 in the Society’s favour. A presentation was also made to Mr. 
Milner, who has been a judge at the shows since 1881. 
- Mr. William Paul suggests, writes “ Duckwing,” “ that the 
cause of the Hollyhock Disease may be the railroad pace in which it 
is grown into flowering condition. Hardly so. We find or found the 
same disease on other and uncultivated Malvaceae (vide ‘ J. H ,’ May 28th, 
1874, and July 24th, 1873). I have seen the common Mallow so affected 
as to look like orange-coloured patches on the grass, but not of late 
years, so I hope it may have worn itself out.” 
- We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. James Vair, 
who was for upwards of thirty years the highly respected and well- 
known gardener of Lady Dorothy Nevill at Dangstein, and more 
recently at Stillyans Tower, Sussex. For some time past Mr. Yair’s 
health has been much impaired, and his suffering has lately increased 
very considerably, the cause being cancer in the bowels. He died at 
Stillyans Tower, Heathfield, on the 24th ult., aged sixty-two. We believe 
that Mr. Vair was born at Faldonside, near Melrose, where his father 
was gardener. He was also some time in the garden of Sir Walter Scott 
at Abbotsford, and Mr. Vair’s grand uncle was the famous Tam Purdie, 
the witty factotum of the great novelist. Mr. Vair may be said to have 
died at his post, for he was taken ill when engaged in cutting Raspberry 
canes, was carried into the house, and died shortly after. 
- Messrs. Arthur Booty & Co., Harrogate, have sent us samples 
of Patent Fern Tiles, which are successfully used for affixing to walls 
for “ facing ” them with Ferns. The tiles,which vary in size and lengthy 
somewhat resemble sections of water-spouting that is affixed to the base 
of roofs. These tiles, attached to firm walls and Ferns planted in them 
will undoubtedly answer the purpose for which they are intended, and a 
photograph of a Fern-furnished wall shows they answer it well. The 
tiles are practically imperishable and inexpensive. 
- We are informed that some changes have been recently made 
in the Management of the London Parks. Mr. Gibson, formerly 
of Hyde Park, and "recently in charge of Regent’s Park, has been 
appointed superintendent of Victoria Park, Mr. Jordan, who has held 
that position in the latter park, now taking charge at Regent’s Park, 
with which Greenwich Park is also associated. 
- “ X.” writes, “ A few of our hardiest Border Flowers are 
now beginning to enliven the garden, the recent warm sunny days 
having helped them forward greatly. Winter Aconites are charming 
now, their golden flowers contrasting with pure white Snowdrops and 
the Spring Snowflake. A few Primulas, especially Harbinger, have 
some flowers expanding, with some of the early small-flowered 
Daffodils, and clumps of the various Hellebores are masses of flowers. 
Small handlights placed over these protect them frost and rain, and 
