Jnne 9, 1887. ] 
467 
JOURNAL of horticulture and cottage gardener. 
till next Friday. Intimations of support of an encouraging nature have 
been received, and it is expected that an organisation fraught with much 
benefit will start under favourable auspices. 
-- Messes. Wm. Paul Sc Son, of the Waltham Cross Nurseries, 
send for our inspection some blooms of Lilac Maeie Lequay, a 
french variety recently introduced to this country. It appears to us to 
be the finest of the White Lilacs, both as regards size of pip and the trusses 
of blooms. The variety alba grandiflora, which we have hitherto 
considered a very superior white Lilac, sutlers considerably by com¬ 
parison. 
- A Coexish correspondent sends us flowers of the handsome and 
delicate Abutilon vitifolium. and remarks that he has “a specimen 
14 feet high and 32 feet in circumference, fi feet from the ground, grow¬ 
ing out of doors, in a position sheltered from the north, east and west.” 
This fine Chilian shrub is occasionally seen in collections of rare plants 
in cool houses or conservatories, and we remember seeing a good example 
in one of the late Mr. Joad's houses at Wimbledon. Except in such 
climates as that in the extreme west of England it would not be safe out 
of doors. The flowers arc large and open, with broad ovate petals of a 
delicate purplish mauve tint, and are produced in great freedom. 
- We arc requested to state that the Hebefoed and West of 
England Rose Show, advertised in our columns to take place on 
Tuesday, July 8th, has been unavoidably postponed to Friday July 15th. 
All communications are to be addressed to the Hon. Sec., H. P. Bnlmer, 
Esq., Credenhill Rectory, Hereford. 
- The Calceolahias at Bedfobd Hill House, Balham, as 
grown by Mr. W. Rapley, have been a feature of interest during the 
past eight or nine years, and this year, though the plants are not so large 
as usual, the effect produced is as rich and the varieties as fine as ever. 
It is the last display of its kind that will be seen there, as the ever- 
invading army of London builders have reached the fine old residential 
estate, and will soon overrun it. Mr. Rapley is consequently in search 
of another charge, and it is hoped it may be such as to enable him to 
continue improving and growing so well his excellent strain of Cal¬ 
ceolarias. 
- Manchester Show. —Messrs: Wm. Wood A Son write, “May we 
beg the favour of the correct notice in the ilext issue of your paper of 
the award of our silver medal “ for the best dish of Strawberries ” at 
the Manchester Show last week to Mr. Chuck, gardener to P. Thelluson, 
Esq., Bradsworth, near Doncaster. This was overlooked in the Show 
report, and some of the papers have the name of another exhibitor as 
the recipient of our medal, which is misleading.” 
- Me. J. Hiam, writing respecting Fruit Prospects in Wor¬ 
cestershire, observes :—“ I never remember seeing the Apple trees 
looking so promising as at .the present time. The trees look like monster 
bouquets ; the bloom is evenly distributed to the centre of the trees in 
large orchard trees. Plums are well set for a moderate crop ; Peas are 
setting well for a heavy crop ; Apricots are a good crop ; and bush 
fruit very promising.” 
- Me. A. Harding writes from Orton Longueville :—“ Many 
curious places have been noted where Robins Build their Nests. 
Two or three years ago I found a nest with eggs in a large plant of 
the Elk’s Horn Fern (Platycerium alcicorne) then growing in a vinery 
here. A few days ago I found another robin’s nest in a plant of 
Adiantum farleyense growing in a 12-inch pot. The plant is in a warm 
greenhouse with small Palms, Ac., used for indoor decorations, and one 
of the top lights is nearly always open a few inches. That is the only 
place I can find where the bird comes in and goes out. To-day, 
June 2nd, I looked at it, and found there six eggs in it. Care will be 
taken of it.” 
- A Kentish correspondent writes on Rain v. Insects :—“The 
recent rains may have done some harm, but they have also been bene¬ 
ficial. I find in some of the orchards the destruction of young 
caterpillars in consequence ha3 been very notable, and the continued 
moisture must have been prejudicial to all the aphis tribes.” 
- Mr. F. Gifford writes that “Chrysanthemum Exquisite, 
a pure white single variety, sent out by Mr. T. S. Ware this spring, is 
really fragrant and much sweeter than any Chrysanthemum I know.” 
- The Committee of the Sheffield and West Riding Chrys¬ 
anthemum Society have determined to increase the value of the 
second and third prizes in the chief class for forty-eight blooms in 
thirty-six varieties, the amounts now standing as follows :—First prize* 
a silver cup value 15 guineas, with 4110 in cash ; second £10 ; third £5— 
total £40 15s. in one class. This ought to encourage superior cultiva¬ 
tion, and result in great competition at Sheffield on November 18th. 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. G. King, recently gardener 
at IV olsey G range, Esher, has been appointed gardener at Glenchess 
(not Glenhurst as recently given), Loudwater, llickmansworth, Herts. 
- Mr. J. Main has sent us samples of Mushrooms from a bed 
that was spawned in November and recently commenced bearing. Finer 
specimens no one could desire to see. They varied from 4.J to 6 inches- 
in diameter, yet possessed all the freshness of youth and were in the 
best condition for use. Each had been carefully cut and wrapped ins 
tissue paper, hence they were quite free from grit. We have received 
many from time to time that were rendered useless through want of" 
care in packing. 
- Photographs of Lightning.— The Council of the Royal 
Meteorological Society are desirous of obtaining photographs of flashes 
of lightning, as they believe that a great deal of research on this subject 
can only be pursued by means of the camera. The Council will be- 
glad to receive any assistance in the form of copies of any photographs 
of flashes of lightning sent to the Secretary, 30, Great George Street, 
Westminster, S.W. It may perhaps be well to mention that the photo¬ 
graphy of lightning does not present any particular difficulties. If a 
rapid plate and an ordinary rapid doublet with full aperture be left 
uncovered at night during a thunderstorm for a short time, flashes of 
lightning will after development be found in some cases to have im¬ 
pressed themselves upon the plate. The only difficulty is the uncertainty- 
whether any particular flash will happen to have been in the field of 
view. The Council hope that now the thunderstorm season is approach¬ 
ing, many photographers may be found willing to take up this interesting 
branch of their art. 
- At the ordinary meeting of the Royal Meteorological, 
Society, to be held at 25, Great George Street, Westminster, on Wed¬ 
nesday, the 15th instant, at 7 P.M., the following papers will be read :—• 
“ Amount and Distribution of Monsoon Rainfall in Ceylon generally, 
with remarks upon the Rainfall in Dimbula,” by Francis J. Waring, 
M.Inst.C.E. “Note on a Display of Globular Lightning at Ringstead! 
Bay, Dorset, on August 17th, 1876,” by H. S. Eaton, M.A., F.R.Met.Soc.. 
“Ball Lightning Seen during a Thunderstorm on July 11th, 1874,” by 
John W. Tripe, M.D., F.R.Met.Soc. “ Appearance of Air Bubbles at 
Remenham, Berkshire, January, 1871,” by Prof. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S. 
- Chrysanthemum Exhibiting.—I n regard to the controversy- 
j ust closed between Messrs. Garnett and Moly neux, the “Yorkshire grower,’”’ 
referred to wishes to state that, “ having competed successfully at two 
of the leading Chrysanthemum exhibitions in the kingdom, and defeated 
—amongst other noted growers—one who has taken a total of 105 prizes 
for Chrysanthemums, he thinks he may fairly lay claim to having: 
met and defeated some of the best men in England at the leading 
shows ; and Mr. Molyneux’s suggestion to the contrary on page 419 is 
misleading.” 
- An Ornamental Mound. —In the Forbury Garden, Reading, 
is a mound at the juncture of two paths that is rendered charming bjr 
a simple combination of plants. The centre is occupied by blue German 
Irises, intermixed with the variegated Phalaris arundinacea, apd the 
rather steep sides of rocks are clothed with irregular clumps of Iberia 
sempervirens, flowering freely. The white flowers of the latter, the blue 
flowers of the Iris, and the white-striped leaves of the Phalaris harmonise 
most pleasingly and effectively. 
- The June number of the Kew Bulletin is devoted to a 
review of the “ Botanical Stations in the West Indies,” their produc¬ 
tions and resources. Much reliable information is given on these 
matters, and a kind of federation for botanical and economic purposes 
is proposed. The report concludes as follows :—“ Considerable interest is- 
being taken at Kew in this attempt to group scattered colonies, and 
place them in a position to help each other in the development of local 
industries. The discussion of this scheme has already suggested the 
possibility of forming botanical stations in the several West African 
Settlements which are making an effort to turn to good account their 
