October 18,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
361 
Events op the Week. —Apart from the meeting of the Eoyal 
Horticultural Society, which takes place at the Drill Hall, James Street 
Westminster, on Tuesday, the 23rd inst., but few events of special 
interest to horticulturists will occur in the metropolis during the 
ensuing week. As announced in another paragraph, the Rev. G. 
Henslow will lecture on an interesting subject at the afternoon meeting 
on the 23rd inst. Most of the exhibitions of Chrysanthemums in the 
public parks and gardens of London are now open, and are worth 
inspecting. 
- The Weathek in London. —Damp mists prevailed in the 
metropolitan districts towards the end of last weak, and rain fell 
occasionally. Sunday was fine and rather cold ; Monday and Tuesday 
proving less favourable, showers being of frequent occurrence. 
Wednesday opened bright in some neighbourhoods, but foggy in others, 
and slightly frosty, though vegetation does not appear to have suffered 
in some localities to any perceivable extent. 
- Royal Horticultural Society. —The next meeting of the 
above Society will take place in the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria 
Street, Westminster, on Tuesday, October 23rd. Besides the usual 
display of flowers, large collections of fruit are anticipated. At 3 P.M. 
the Rev. Professor George Henslow, M.A., F.L.S., &c., will lecture on 
the “ Origin of Common Vegetables and their Value as Food.” 
- The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. — The 
annual meeting and election of pensioners will take place on a date to 
be announced in January next. Intending applicants should at once 
apply for the necessary “ form of application,” which must be sent in to 
the Secretary on or before November 10th, 1895.— George J. Ingram, 
Secretary, 50, Parliament Street, London, 5. IF. 
- The Dean of Rochester (Rev. S. Reynolds Hole) 
having accepted invitations to give addresses in the principal cities of 
the United States, with the hope of promoting on his return the further 
restoration of his Cathedral, was to have left Liverpool for New York 
by the “Majestic” on the 17th inst. It is expected that Dean Hole 
will be absent from England about three months. 
- Trop^olum speciosum. —This charming plant is frequently 
to be seen in the English Lake district. On the high road between 
Windermere and Grasmere numerous plants, vigorous in growth and 
profusely flowered and rich in colouring, are to be met with, soma 
climbing on old cottages, whilst others ramble amongst the trees. At 
Derwentwater and many other parts of Westmoreland it grows with the 
greatest of freedom. I was more than astonished to find it flourishing 
in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, but at Ardenholm, Maghull, in 
Mr. McMillan’s charming garden, to which I paid a recent visit, it was to 
be seen growing abundantly in various positions.—R. P. R. 
- Death of Mr. H. W. Lewin. —We much regret to record 
the decease on the 9th inst. of Mr. H. W. Lewin, who for about forty 
years managed with the greatest success the extensive gardens of Sir 
David Carrick Buchanan, of Drumpellier, Coatbridge, N.B. A cor¬ 
respondent writes :—“ Mr. Lewin was a man of sterling ability, great 
energy, and refined taste ; nothing would satisfy him unless it attained 
the highest excellence, consequently it was always to the horticulturist 
a great pleasure to visit Drumpellier Gardens. For some thirteen years 
in succession he scored first for Cyclamens at the Glasgow and West of 
Scotland Horticultural Society’s shows ; and in table decoration he was 
also pre-eminent. Mr. Lewin’s earlier years were spent at Kew ; Mares- 
field Park, Sussex ; and Lonsdale House ; from whence he removed to 
Drumpellier, bringing with him, though a very young man, those marks 
of brilliant ability which were so well displayed in after years. He is 
survived by his wife and one son. The funeral was largely attended, 
and among those present were Sir John Floyd, Bart., Sir David and 
Lady Buchanan, who referred to Mr. Lewin as their old and valued 
friend. Mr. Lewin had been in failing health for several months, yet 
within a very few days of his death continued giving directions in the 
management of the gardens. He was sixty-two years of age.” 
- A Remarkable Strawberry. — According to a western 
contemporary, Mr. Randall, The Poplars, Hook Norton, recently picked 
a very fine Strawberry, weighing over 1.J oz , and was of perfect flavour, 
shape, and colour. 
- Death of Professor Pringsheim.—I t has been announced 
that this well-known German botanist died recently at the age of 
seventy-one. From 1861 to 1868 Professor Pringsheim was at Jena, 
where he founded the first institute for vegetable physiology, and this 
example was soon followed in other parts of Germany. 
- WOOLTON Show.—T he show held at Woolton, reported on 
page 349 of your issue of October 11th, was never intended to be a com¬ 
petitive one. We were merely asked to make a small exhibit for a 
charitable purpose, and I think your correspondent has not carried out 
the spirit of the Committee in classifying us in his report.— 
W. Tunnington. [Our correspondent was not aware of the fact when 
he sent his report.] 
- Messrs. Dobbie & Co.—We are requested to publish the 
following notification :—Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Seedsmen and Florists 
to the Queen, Rothesay, have just arranged for a lease of the Chelsfield 
Estate Farm, Orpington, Kent. This farm is finely situated thirteen 
miles south of London, and is intersected by the main line of the South 
Eastern Railway. It is about 60 acres in extent, and will be used by 
Messrs. Dobbie entirely for seed-growing purposes. 
- Beckenham Horticultural Society. — The first of a 
series of lectures for the season was given in the Public Hall on Friday 
evening in last week, the Rev. Henry Arnott, the President of the 
Society, in the chair. The essay was the “ Persian Cyclamen,” by 
Mr. Jas, Martin of Messrs. Sutton & Sons, and it need hardly be said 
that he dealt with his matter in a masterly manner. Mr. Webster, 
gardener, Kelsey Cottage, had on view a collection of hardy fruit 
artistically arranged, which was greatly admired. On the 19th inst. a 
lecture will be given by Mr. H. J. Jones on “ Pelargoniums and How 
to Grow Them.”—T. C. 
- Birmingham Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion. —The first autumn meeting of this Association was held last week, 
when Mr. John Pope read a paper on the “ Dahlia,” with special 
reference to its new development. Mr. Pope gave a brief description 
of the origin of the name, and then a very interesting account of the 
rise and progress of this grand autumn plant. Incidentally he men¬ 
tioned an interesting fact—that one of the first Pompon Dahlias, a 
variety called “Little Wonder,” was raised at Handsworth about thirty- 
five years ago by a Birmingham button maker named Smith, who was a 
great enthusiast in growing all florists’ flowers. 
- Blendworth Perfection Cucumber. — We received on 
16th inst. a notification of a clerical error which occurred in the 
report of the Royal Horticultural Society, published in our issue for 
September 27th. Mr. J. Busby, Blendworth Lodge, Horndean, says the 
Cucumber to which a certificate was granted, and mentioned on page 303, 
was named Blendworth Perfection, and not “ Buxley’s Seedling,” as 
printed. Further, he remarks that his name was erroneously given as 
Mr. “ Buxley.” This is but a case in point of the many mistakes that 
are liable to occur through the names and address of the exhibitors at 
the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society being, as they frequently 
are, so illegibly written. 
- Horticultural Club. —The first dinner and conversazione 
for the season of 1894-95 took place at the Hotel Windsor, on Tuesday 
evening in last week, and there was a good attendance of members. The 
chair was occupied by Sir Alex. Arbuthnot, and there were present 
Messrs. Assbee, H. C. Seebohm, C. E. Pearson, Alfred H. Pearson, 
T. Francis Rivers, J. Webber, Rivers, jun., George Bunyard, Cockett and 
the Secretary. The subject for discussion was the abnormal Pear crop for 
1894, which was opened by Mr. George Bunyard in a very interesting 
paper, which is printed on page 367. The essay led to a most animated 
discussion, in which all those present took part, and many curious facts 
were elicited. A cordial vote of thanks was proposed by the Chairman 
to Mr. Bunyard for his excellent paper. The thanks of the meeting 
were given also to Mr. T. Francis Rivers for the sumptuous dessert which 
he gave to the members, consisting of dishes of Muscat of Alexandria 
and Madresfield Court Grapes, Doyennd du Comice, Beurrd Hardy, Louis 
Bonne of Jersey Pears, and two dishes of splendid Cox’s Orange Pippin 
Apples. Mr. Cockett also brought before the meeting a piece of a 
branch of Ne Plus Meuris Pear, showing the enormous crop produced so 
near to London as Wanstead. He had also a fine specimen of Pitmaston 
Duchess from the same locality. 
