November 29, 1894, 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULI URE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
495 
Events op the Week. —The events of special interest to horti¬ 
culturists to take place during the ensuing week will include an 
exhibition of Chrysanthemums, Cyclamens, Primulas, and other plants, 
held at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, under the auspices of the 
National Chrysanthemum Society, on December 4th, 5th, and 6th, The 
annual general meeting and dinner of the National Rose Society will be 
held at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, S.W., on December 6th. 
-The Weather in London.—A welcome change in the weather 
has taken place since publishing our last issue. Towards the end of 
the week it became colder yet dry, and similar weather has prevailed 
since. On Monday there were indications of snow, and it is reported 
that a few flakes fell in the metropolis, though not to any perceivable 
extent. 
- The Weather in the North.—W ith one or two exceptions 
the weather has been dull and cold, with east wind and drizzling rain 
during the past fortnight. On the morning of Saturday last, and again 
on Tuesday, there were 5° of frost, and the hoar frost was dense, with 
every appearance of continuing cold weather.—B. D., S. Perthshire. 
- A Code of Rules for Judging.—W e are informed that it is 
the intention of the Royal Horticultural Society to form a strong com¬ 
mittee to consider the whole question of judging flowers (in various 
sections), fruit, and vegetables at horticultural shows, with the view to 
formulating a distinct code for the guidance of exhibitors ; the code to be 
circulated with the authority of the Royal Horticultural Society. This 
is a timely announcement, as something of the kind is undoubtedly 
needed. We trust that concise and definite lines will be laid down that 
will be helpful alike to cultivators, framers of schedules, and adjudi¬ 
cators. It is no light undertaking, and if we may make a suggestion on 
the subject, it will be in the form of a reminder of the adage of “ too 
many cooks spoiling the broth.” 
- The National Auricula and Primula Society (Southern 
Section).—The annual general meeting of the above Society was held 
in the rooms of the Horticultural Club, Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, 
Westminster, on Saturday, November 24th, by kind permission of the 
members. Edward Charrington, Esq., presided. The President, Vice- 
Presidents, and ofiice bearers were re-elected. The members of the 
Committee were also re-elected with the exception of Mr. Lakin, who 
has withdrawn from the Society, Mr. Martin Rowan being elected in 
his place. Mr. G. W. Wheelwright was appointed one of the 
auditors. The financial statement by the Treasurer showed a balance 
of £20 9s, 4d, in hand. 
- The National Carnation and Picotee Society (Southern 
Section) also held an annual meeting in the same place on the 24th inst. 
Edmund Charrington, Esq., presided in the unavoidable absence of the 
President. The President, Vice-Presidents, and office bearers were re¬ 
elected with the exception of D. Bogue, Esq., Vice-President, J, S. 
Hedley, Esq., being elected in his stead. Mr. J. Lakin and Mr. H. 
Headland having withdrawn from the Committee, Mr. Aubery Spurling 
and Mr, Ben Simonite were elected in their places. The financial 
statement by the Treasurer was eminently satisfactory, the amount of 
£107 being paid in prizes, and,the balance in favour of the Society is 
£159 3s. 7d. 
- Royal Botanical Society. —The following exhibitions, 
lectures, and meetings held under the auspices of the Royal Botanical 
Society will take place in 1895 :—Floral exhibitions.—Spring, March 
20th, April 24nh ; summer, May 15th ; gates open at two o’clock. 
Special floral Ifite, Wednesday, June 12th, gates open at two o’clock. 
Evening fSce, Wednesday, July 10th, 8 to 12 P.M. Chrysanthemums will 
be in flower during November. Musical Promenades on Wednesdays 
from May 22Qd to August 7th, exhibition and f&te days excepted. 
Lectures, Fridays in May and June at four o’clock. General meetings 
for election of new Fellows and of scientific discussions, Saturdays at 
3.45 P.M., January 12th, 26th ; February 9th, 23rd ; March 9th, 23rd ; 
April 6th, 27ch ; May 11th, 25th; June 15th, 29th; July 13th, 27th ; 
November 9th, 23rd ; December 14th. 
- Gardening Appointment. — We are informed that Mr. 
J. Deacon, gardener to Herbert Harris, Esq., Bowden Hill House, 
Chippenham, has been appointed to take charge of Highbury Gardens, 
Birmingham, and enters on his duties December 18tb. 
- Mr. C. Orchard, Bembridge, I.W., has been invited by the 
Isle of Wight Horticultural Improvement Association to deliver a 
lecture on the Chrysanthemum at the Literary and Scientific Institution, 
Ventnor, on Saturday evening next, December Ist, at seven o’clock. 
- Death of Mr. W. Chitty.—W e regret to hear that on the 
15th inst. Mr. William Chitty, nurseryman, of Stamford Hill, N., died 
suddenly. Mr. Chitty, who was eighty years of age, was a botanist of 
considerable attainments. Many years ago he was a successful exhibitor 
of Ferns and flowers, showing, amongst other places, at the Crystal 
Palace. 
- Apple Devonshire Quarrenden. — Considering that this 
is perhaps one of the best money-making Apples we have, it seems 
strange that it is not planted more extensively. No difficulty is ever 
experienced in obtaining 8s. per bushel for early samples. When 
established it is undoubtedly a free bearer. Upon a branch 3 feet long 
I last year counted 115 Apples, all moderate in size. This Apple thrives 
better where the soil is somewhat sandy. In heavy land it is liable to 
canker. As a standard it appears to succeed well.—M. 
-Hessle Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society.— 
At a meeting of the above Society held on November 20th, a paper was 
read on “ Hardy Fruits ” by Mr. Allsop, gardener to Lord Hotham, 
Dalton Holme, Beverley. Dealing principally with Apples and Pears, 
Mr. Allsop advised the planting of well prepared trees in good soil, on 
mounds rather than deep holes. He also gave some useful hints on 
pruning, and advocated the thinning of the fruit, which should be done 
early, leaving only what they can well finish. Mr. Allsop’s success as a 
fruit grower is well known, and the paper described his mode of culture. 
—F. L. T. 
- Death of Mr. James Cocker, jun.—W ith regret we learn 
of the death of Mr. James Cocker, jun., of Messrs. James Cocker and 
Sons, Rose growers and nurserymen, which took place on the 21st inst. 
at his residence, 91, Leslie Terrace, Aberdeen. The cause of death was 
erysipelas. The deceased gentleman was thirty-nine years of age. After 
serving his apprenticeship to a seedsman, he entered the employment of 
Messrs. Hurst & Co., London, for the purpose of gaining further expe¬ 
rience in his business. Returning to his native city in 1878, he joined 
the firm, and undertook the management of the seeds department. A 
well-known figure at local horticultural shows, at which, as well as in 
the ordinary course of business, he came in contact with many members 
of the trade and of the general public, by all of whom he was highly 
respected and esteemed alike on account of his personal qualities and 
business abilities. Mr. Cocker leaves a widow and a family of five 
young children. 
- Royal Meteorological Society.—T he opening meeting of 
the session was held on Wednesday evening, the 21st instant, at the 
Institution of Civil Engineers, Westminster, Mr. R. Inwards, F.R.A.S., 
President, in the chair. Dr. H. B. Guppy read a paper on “ Suggestions 
as to the Methods of Determining the Influence of Springs on the 
Temperature of a River as Illustrated by the Thames and its Tributaries.” 
The methods suggested were : 1, Comparison of the curves of the 
monthly means of the temperatures of the air and of the water for the 
river under observation with those of a river beyond the controlling 
influence of springs; 2, Comparison of the monthly means of the 
temperature of the river under Investigation with that of a river beyond 
the control of the springs. 3, Comparison of the range of the monthly 
means of the river temperature with that of the air in the shade. 4, 
Comparison of the daily range of water temperature at different stations 
along a river’s course, 5, Comparison of sunrise observations made at 
different stations along a river’s course. 6, Comparison of observations 
made at different stations along a river’s course at the hour of maximum 
temperature. 7, Comparison of the results obtained from a single 
series of observations made in one day along the whole course of a small 
tributary like the Wandle, or along the upper course of a larger 
tributary as the Kennet. 8, Determination of the distance from its 
sources at which the river begins to freeze. Mr, Eric S. Bruce, 
F.R.Met.Soc., exhibited and described some lantern slides, showing the 
disastrous effects of the great gale of November 17th and 18th, 1893, 
upon trees in Perthshire, Scotland. Mr. Alfred B. Wollaston gave an 
account of the formation of some waterspouts which he had observed in 
the Bay of Bengal. 
