48 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
mencing on May 2nd; Mr. Anthony Waterer’s show of Ehododendrons and 
American plants, commencing on June 1 ; and Messrs. Carter and Co.’s show of Flowering 
and Fine-foliage Plants, extending from June 27 to July 12. 
- 3It is well known that in some old garden soils Carrots cannot be grown 
successfully, on account of the presence of the wireworm. The Gardener mentions 
a case of this sort, in which part of the land was watered before sowing with 
diluted paraffin oil—two wine-glasses full of the oil to four gallons of water—and on this 
portion a luxuriant crop of carrots was secured, whilst those sown on the unwatered portion 
failed as usual. This hint may be turned to account before cropping time. 
- ^HE Belgians have raised a new white double-flowered variety of the 
Sweet Violet, called Alha fragrantissima plena^ which is described as excelling 
all previously raised varieties of the double class, since the flowers are pure white, 
very double, and equally fragrant with those of the common sweet violet, and the plant 
blooms profusely, and forces well. It was raised from seed a few years ago in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Ghent. 
- S^HEN the Coolcing of Beet-root is unskilfully done, it often happens 
that the colour is lost or spoiled, and this is generally thought to be due to the 
roots having been either cut or bruised before they are put into the water. This? 
however, is not so, for if the roots are dropped into boiling water, all their beautiful colour 
will be retained, whether the skin be broken or not. This fact has been abundantly proved, 
and is one which housewives should make a note of. 
- 0F the now well-known Horticultural Directory (171 Fleet Street), 
the edition for 1877 has recently been issued. The utility of such a desk-book, 
when kept fairly posted-up, as this is, is indisputable. 
— jr. G. Wilkins, Esq., of the Poplars, Leyton, died on December 9, aged 
39 years, after having been in ill-health since August last. He was a great sup¬ 
porter of flower-shows, by reason of his love for plants, as his contributions to and 
prize-taking at all the leading Metropolitan exhibitions during the last ten years give evi¬ 
dence. His collection of plants, which ultimately became so famous under the experienced 
management of Mr. Ward, was begun some thirteen years since. 
- James Andrews, the well-known floral artist, died on December 17, 
aged 75 years. For many years, commencing in 1849, Mr. Andrews’s talents as 
an artist were successfully engaged in the illustration of the Florist. 
- |Hr. Peter Stewart, gardener at the Glen, Peeblesshire, died at Lugton, 
near Dalkeith, on December 22, at the early age of 33, leaving a widow and 
young family. He was a native of Dalkeith, and served in the Duke of 
Buccleuch’s gardens there for about twelve years. His career has been a comparatively 
short one, but few young gardeners have displayed more energy and ability, or been more 
successful, for under his able management the gardens at the Glen have become one of the 
most noteworthy places in the south of Scotland. 
- Alfred Smee, Esq., F.E.S., died on January 11. He was a keen 
horticulturist, and his garden at Wallington was a perfect epitome of all depart¬ 
ments, useful and ornamental; his collection of hardy fruit-trees was one of the 
largest of any private collector in this country ; and his garden experience was manifested 
in his richly illustrated work, entitled “ My Garden ”—a treasure-house of infoimation for 
amateur gardeners. Mr. Smee was for some time chairman of the Fruit Committee of thq 
Royal Horticultural Society, and also a member of Council. 
