June 2, 1837. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
449 
large vase in a room last autumn for five weeks, and they never appear 
to greater advantage than when associated with their own foliage.— 
J. Muir, Mar gam . 
ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
The usual monthly meeting of this Society was held on Wednesday, 
the 18th ult., at the Institution of Civil Engineers, 25, Great George 
Street, Mr. W. Ellis,F.R.A.S., President, in thechair. Mr. A. S. Marriott and 
Capt. Paul Mordovin were balloted for and duly elected Fellows of the 
Society. 
J^fcThe following papers were read :—1, “ Brocken Spectres and the 
Bows that often Accompany them.” by Mr. H. Sharpe. The author has 
collected all the original descriptions of the brockcn spectre, which is 
really the shadow of the observer cast by the sun upon clouds. In some 
cases the shadow is surrounded by a bow, which the author shows is 
like the rainbow in colour and in the order of colours. The head of a 
shadow is sometimes surrounded by another sort of phenomenon touch¬ 
ing the head, and which the author names the “ glory.” 
2, “ Results of Thermometrical Observations made at 4 feet, 170 feet, 
and 260 feet above the ground at Boston, Lincolnshire, 1882-8G,” by 
Mr. W. Marriott, F.R.Met.Soc. These observations were made on Boston 
Church Tower, which rises quite free from any obstructions, in a very 
fiat country, to the height of 273 feet. A Stevenson screen, with a full 
set of thermometers, was placed 4 feet above the ground in the church¬ 
yard, a similar screen and thermometers was fixed above the belfry at 
170 feet above the ground, while a Siemens’ electrical thermometer was 
placed near the top of the tower, the cable being brought down inside 
and attached to a galvanometer on the floor of the church, where the 
indications were read off. The results showed that the mean maximum 
temperature at 4 feet exceeds that at 170 feet in every month of the 
year, the difference in the summer months amounting to 3°, while the 
mean minimum temperature at 4 feet differs but little from that at 
170 feet, the tendency, however, being for the former to be slightly 
higher in the winter and lower in the summer than the latter. As the 
electrical thermometer was read usually in the daytime the results 
naturally showed that the temperature at 4 feet during the day hours 
was considerably warmer than at 260 feet. The author, however, de¬ 
tailed several sets of readings which had been made during the night as 
well as the day, the results from which were of a very interesting 
character. 
3, “ Snowstorm of March 14th and 15th, 1887, at Shirenewton Hall, 
near Chepstow,” by Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. 
During the evening the President made a presentation to Dr. J. W. 
Tripe of a silver tea and coffee service, which had been subscribed for 
by the Fellows in acknowledgment of the many services which he had 
rendered to the Society during a period of over thirty years. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
The following are the principal Shows to be held in June of which 
we have received particulars, and we shall be glad to have 
schedules of any Societies not included. Mr. E. Mawley has promised 
us a revised list of Rose Shows, that will shortly be published. 
June 9th. South Essex, Leytonstone. 
June 14th. Royal Horticultural Society. Committee Meeting. 
June 15th. Royal Botanic Society, Regent’s Park. Second Summer 
Show. 
June 21st to 24th. Leeds. 
June 23rd and 24th. Bury St. Edmunds. 
June 28th. Royal Horticultural Society. Committee Meeting. 
June 29th. Richmond and Croydon. 
June 30th. East Gloucestershire (Roses). 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The Season and Vegetables. —We are now in June, and many 
will be looking for ample returns from their vegetable garden, but good 
young vegetables are by no means plentiful. The present season is one 
of the most backward we have ever had to contend with in the vegetable 
garden. No crops, however, are actually killed, and they are all in a 
promising condition, only very late. Many will therefore have to be 
satisfied with a small supply of vegetables as yet, as no cultivation can 
overcome weather difficulties. Most of our first sown Turnips have 
flowered without “ bulbing,” but the second sowing is now furnishing 
useful little roots. The first of the early Potatoes were dug from a 
south border on the Saturday previous to Whit Sunday. They are good 
in size, plentiful, but not very well matured. Ringleader Pea, sown in 
the same quarter in December last, is well covered with pods, but they 
are not sufficiently filled to be sent to the kitchen. All early Peas will 
now be benefited by a thorough supply of guano water. 
Open air Tomatoes.—A ll who intend growing Tomatoes in the 
open air this season should plant' them out now. They should have a 
rich soil, and occupy a sunny position. In small gardens they may be 
planted against the dwelling house, and in large gardens there arc 
always vacant corners which might very profitably be filled with 
Tomato plants. Walls at the base and in front of glass houses are 
capital places for Tomatoes, and where they cannot be trained upwards 
they may be placed at an angle. Spaces between fruit trees and 
vacancies on buildings of all kinds may be filled with them. Wc are 
often surprised that farmers, who have so many walls, do not try to 
utilise them with this valuable crop. Put the plants in very firmly, and 
water freely until growth is luxuriant. Keep the main stems free from 
side growths, and early and heavy crops will be the result. 
Ridge Cucumbers.— Small garden owners are rarely in possession 
of appliances to grow frame or house Cucumbers of the Telegraph type, 
but as Cucumbers of some kind are valued in all gardens, the ridge 
varieties are the best to grow. They are as hardy as a Vegetable Marrow, 
and do not require any more skill or means to grow them to perfection. 
They will succeed everywhere if put into rich soil in a sunny position. 
They are often planted on mounds of soil or manure, but they do 
equally well on any level border. They should be planted out at once, 
and they may be shaded and sheltered a little from sun and wind until 
growth begins. Peg the shoots down to the surface as soon as tliey 
begin growing, and never allow them to become crowded. The flavour 
of these Cucumbers is exceedingly good as a rule, and although some 
might object to them for a nobleman’s table, they may be grown in 
quantity in large gardens for pickling purposes. 
Brussels Sprouts. —Many fail with these because they are too late 
in the season in being planted. They do not form sprouts freely after 
November, and they should be planted in time to admit of the sprouts 
swelling well before that time. The present is an excellent time to 
plant, and all who have plants ready and vacant ground should give 
them attention at once. Where planting cannot be done until early 
Potatoes or some other crops are cleared off, do not allow the plants to 
be spoiled in the meantime by crowding, but thin them, and replant at 
a distance of 3 or 4 inches. This will make the plants very sturdy, and 
much superior to closely grown ones. A strong well-manured soil is the 
best for Brussels Sprouts, and they should be planted from 2 to 3 feet 
apart each way. 
Young Asparagus Plants. —Those which were planted some 
weeks ago should now be pushing up freely, but if they are not doing 
so from drought or any other cause, supply them thoroughly with water 
heated to 85°. This may entail a little labour, but it is better to do it 
and secure a free growth and good plants, than allow half of them to 
die. As soon as the shoots are well above ground, spread a little short 
manure round each plant, and this will make a wonderful improvement 
on the roots before the end of the season. 
Celery. —Place out large quantities as quickly as the plants become 
ready. Always use plenty of manui e with them. Do not crowd too 
much in the trenches ; allow 8 or 10 inches between the plants. Plants 
that have been out for some time are now beginning to grow freely; 
but none of them will bear drought, and every one of them ought 
to be well watered until growth is considerably advanced. Where 
attention is given to this premature flowering will be unknown. Sow a 
little more seed to produce later plants. If glass is not available in 
the form of a handlight or frame sow in a warm spot in the open. 
Parsnips. —These should be thinned now. Excellent roots will be 
produced if grown at a distance of 1 foot or 15 inches apart. Blanks 
may be filled or new plantations formed by dibbling in those which are 
drawn out. They may be transplanted very successfully, especially if 
this operation is performed in damp weather. Hoe between the rows as 
soon as thinned. 
Beet. —It is not too late yet to sow seed, and early plants may 
be transplanted like the Parsnips. Where dark-leaved Beet is used in 
flower beds or borders, as it often is with good effect, the plants may 
be taken from the kitchen garden and planted in the ornamental 
quarters. 
Herbs.— Plant Sweet Basil in a cold frame at a distance of 6 inches 
apart. It delights in shelter and a rich soil. Keep young seedling 
herbs now coming up free from weeds. Sage always grows freely from 
seed, but Thyme is not so certain, and where the seed has failed take a 
quantity of cuttings from the old plants and put them into sandy soil 
to root under a handlight. Mint is apt to become weedy, and it is a 
mistake to allow this, as if the weeds go to seed in this quarter they are 
sure to be blown elsewhere. In fact, a “ dirty corner ” often stocks a 
garden with weeds. All herbs may be cut freely now, as they will soon 
break into new growth again and become more bushy. Cut Chervil as 
soon as it flowers, and let it spring up from the base. We have not 
sown any seed of this herb for ten years, as it always reproduces 
itself. 
Onions. —About half of our autumn-sown plants are showing flower. 
Many of them invariably do this after a severe winter, and all plants 
should be drawn for immediate use or as they are required, as they will 
never form profitable bulbs. Where large bulbs of this class are desired 
for exhibition begin to supply them liberally with liquid manure, and 
stir the surface frequently. When we want large bulbs for exhibition 
we always thin them well, but for kitchen use, and above all for keep¬ 
ing, we allow the bulbs to become crowded in the rows. They do not 
become so large in this way, but are much firmer and sounder than the 
large ones. We know a gamekeej)er who is a capital Onion grower, 
and his secret is to sprinkle a little of Clay’s fertiliser along each side 
of the rows when it rains during June and July. 
