June 30, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
533 
Baron Schroder seconded this proposal, and said that the importance of a 
central situation for the shows and mett'ngs was fully recognised, and he 
was certain that it would leal to a great increase of Fellows, and inpart 
new life to the Society. Mr. Johnson suggest.d that the two resolutions 
he combined, and when put to the meeting they were carried rrnanimously. 
The proceedings terminated by a hearty vote of thanks te the President. 
A Strawberry Fete is announced to be held in the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s gardens at Chiswick on July 9th, for Fellows of 
the Society and their friends. 
- The Biennial Exhibition of Agriculture and Ento¬ 
mology in Paris will take place from August 27th next to September 
29th, at the Orangerie, one of the terraces of the Tuileries Gardens. 
The French Minister of Public Works is the President of the Society 
which organises the display. 
- A correspondent, “ Pomona,” writes to us from India as 
follows on Preserved Fruit :—“ I see it stated in the Times of India 
that fruit is preserved in a fresh state in Australia by being exposed to 
the fumes of sulphurous acid, and then packed in air-tight cases. Could 
you or any of your correspondents kindly linform me if this has been 
tried in England, and whether common sulphur should be used, or 
sulphuric acid in a liquid state, and how should the fumes of the acid 
be applied 1" We do not know that the method is practised in England, 
but will readily publish any information that may be sent to us on the 
subject. 
- Royal Floral Decorations. —Messrs. Charles Turner and 
Sons of the Royal Nurseries, Slough, had a busy day on the 23rd inst., 
when Her Majesty returned from Paddington to Slough and Windsor. 
The departure platform of Paddington station was representative of a 
flower show, which extended outside, large Conifers in tubs flanking the 
approach. Specimen Palms, Roses, Pelargoniums, Rhododendrons, and 
Ivies were effectively disposed, and groups formed of smaller plants, 
such as Gloxinias, Fuchsias, Marguerites, Ferns, Lobelias, Isolepis, and 
others, while hanging baskets admirably furnished contributed mate¬ 
rially to the display. The Slough and Windsor stations were similarly 
embellished, and being smaller the effect was the more pleasing, the 
arrival platform at Slough representing a well-furnished conservatory, 
and countless flags and banners rendered the scene singularly gay. 
- Outside the station at Slough a wonderfully fine Triumphal 
Arch was erected, Mr. Arthur Turner and a score of men having been 
employed on it for three days. It was 45 feet high, with a central span 
30 feet wide, and two side spans of 10 feet, with four flanking columns 8 feet 
wide ; the sectional width or thickness of the structure was also 8 feet. 
It was entirely covered with flowering sprays of lilac Rhododendrons 
and scarlet Poppies, large circles of white Rhododendrons being formed 
above the central arch, flanked with the letters V. R. 6 feet high wdtli 
the same kind of flowers. The shoulders of the arch were furnished 
with Palms and Tree Ferns, and the base of the structure with Conifers 
and Euonymus. Both as regards magnitude and finish this fine 
Jubilee arch merits recognition. A beautiful bouquet made by Mr. 
Turner and presented to Her Majesty was composed mainly of Cattleyas, 
Odontoglossums, and Marshal Niel Roses. 
The Jubilee Celebration in Reading. —The establishment of 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons of Reading was decorated and illumined in a 
manner worthy of the specially appointed seedsmen to Her Majesty and 
the Prince of Wales. As usual the royal standard floated over the 
market place frontage, and in addition to this a scarlet banner with the 
name of the firm in white lettering extending out over the roadway. 
Running the whole width of the building was a handsome design in 
festooned drapery of imperial purple with fringe of purple and gold. 
Below this, fitting in between the windows on the second floor, the royal 
initials, Y.R., with the dates 1837-1887 on each side, were tastefully 
shown in gilt lettering on a ground of purple, matching the design 
above. It should be mentioned that the dates representing the period 
of fifty years over which the Queen’s reign has extended refer also to the 
fact that Messrs. Sutton are this year celebrating the fiftieth anniversary 
of their removal from King Street to their premises in the market place, 
an event co-incident with Her Majesty’s accession to the throne ; hence 
they had a special interest in the jubilee rejoicings. The illuminations 
at Messrs. Sutton’s establishment were very fine. They consisted of a 
magnificent design iu crystal, occupying the centre of the building on. 
the first floor, surmounted by a crown, and having the royal arms for a. 
centrepiece, with the words “ God Save the Queen and the Prince ” as a 
border. On each side was an immense star and garter, also in crystal - r 
each of these, together with the central designs, being backed by a trophy 
of flags. When lighted up the effect of these illuminations and deco¬ 
rations was truly charming. It should be further stated that the firm 
provided a substantial repast for 2000 aged persons of Reading, who- 
partook of it in the great ware-rooms of the establishment that are. 
devoted to grass and farm seeds during their season of storage. 
- Arcadia.—A scheme is being developed by Mr. Harry Ether- 
ington to convert the Agricultural Hall at Islington into a holiday 
retreat under the above title, which will be open from July 9th to 
September 24th this year. It is said that the Hall has been transformed 
into a garden with bedsjof flowering and foliage plants, with walks, rustic 
bridges, ferneries, fountains, &c. A series of flower shows will be held 
at which cups, gold and silver medals, will be given as prizes, musical 
and other attractions being provided. 
- An Amateur’s Orchids.—T he term amateur has a wide 
bearing, but in this instance it refers to a gentleman who practically 
grows his own plants, having only occasional assistance, and has raised 
many. Mr. John Harrison of Claremont House, St. John’s Grove, 
Leeds, has perhaps some of the largest groups of Orchids in tubs to be 
found in a garden and house so small—Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, 
Coelogynes, Dendrobiums, &c., 3 feet or more in diameter, and established 
in a remarkably short period, and if they continue to flourish will soon> 
make splendid masses. Smaller plants of Cattleyas are also represented 
in good varieties, the chief being C. Mossias Harrisoni, that was certifi¬ 
cated at York on the 17th inst. It is a fine variety with a beautifully 
fringed lip 14 inch across, the crimson markings being remarkably 
rich and relieved with light feathery streaks, the flowers being 7 inches 
across. We understand it is one of Mr. Bruce Findlay’s importations, 
from Venezuela. Mr. Harrison’s Zonal Pelargoniums, Princess Ida and 
Princess Alice, that were also certificated at York, were flowering. They 
are good in habit, form of flowers and truss, and of a “ crushed straw¬ 
berry ” colour. Our peep into Mr. Harrison’s little greenhouses was at 
an unfortunate moment, for the earnest and successful amateur was not 
'at home. 
- During the Jubilee week and on the occasion of the Royal 
Counties Agricultural Society’s Show held at Reading, MESSRS- 
Oakshott & Millard decorated their- premises very tastefully. On 
the upper part of the exterior were large letters, “ V. R.,” with mottoes- 
on either side, “ Success to Agriculture,” and “ The Profit of the Earth 
is for all.” Underneath these were the words, “ God Save the Queen.’' 
Immediately over the facia flags were placed along the whole length, 
with the royal arms in the centre surmounted with small sheaves of 
corn, while a large sheaf of Wheat was placed over the entrance. The 
interior of the premises was also tastefully arranged. 
_A party of the Wakefield Paxtonian Society recently 
paid a visit to Studley Royal, the seat of the Marquis of Ripon. The 
visitors left Westgate station at 1.3 P.M., and on reaching Ripon drove to- 
Studley Park. The extensive domain with its fine avenue of splendid 
trees, the gardens, the house, and the extensive collection of curiosities- 
brought from India by the Marquis and Marchioness were all much, 
admired, and the grand old ruins of Fountains Abbey were inspected 
with interest. The ornamental grounds and the lake were also sources 
of great attraction. 
- Mr. J. Mallender sends the following summary of Mete¬ 
orological Observations at Hodsock Priory, Worksop, Notts, 
for May, 1887 :—“ Mean temperature of month, 48-7°. Maximum on. 
the 17th, 67-0°. Minimum on the 1st, 26-2°. Maximum in the sun on. 
the 17th, 128-0°. Minimum on the grass on the 1st, 17'8°. Mean, 
temperature of air at 9 A.M., 49-6°. Mean temperature of soil 1 foot 
deep, 49-7°. Nights below 32°—in shade, two ; on grass, seven. Total 
duration of sunshine in month, 109 hours, or 22 per cent, of possible 
