1875. ] 
THE EFFECTS OF THE LATE STORM. 
43 
Amongst Melons we had many claimants, and size actually carried the day, for 
the biggest Melon we have ever seen was the most remarkable, and was certainly 
not the worst in quality. To Mr. Groom, of Stradbroke Hall, Suffolk, we are 
indebted for this monster melon, which was no less than 18 in. in length. It is 
stated to be of African origin, and is worthy of preservation for hybridising 
purposes. For another novelty in the fruit line, the Musa Champa , a variety of 
M. paradisiaca , from Trinidad, we have to thank Mr. Woodbridge, of Syon House ; 
this is a very free-fruiting sort, considered of superior flavour to M. Cavendishii. 
Lastly, we come to by far the most important introductions of the year, 
Grapes ; and again we have to thank Mr. Pearson—now for his splendid new Grape, 
Mrs. Pearson , a delicious novelty which is of the same origin as Golden Queen, 
noticed last year ; it is a seedling from the Alicante, crossed with Ferdinand de 
Lesseps, and partakes a good deal of the peculiar Strawberry-like flavour of that 
variety. The bunches are large ; berries of medium size, roundish-oval, of a fine 
amber colour; the flesh firm, juicy, and exceedingly rich. This may be noted as 
one of the finest white Grapes yet introduced. It has not only been awarded a 
First-class Certificate, but received Mr. Smee’s prize as the best new fruit of the 
year. Another newish Grape of considerable excellence, which, although it has 
been already noticed, we again advert to as coming this season more especially 
before the public, is Venns Seedling Black Muscat. This is of the character of 
, the well-known Muscat Hamburgh, and is stated to inherit all its good qualities 
without any of its defects.— Abridged from the Gardeners' Chronicle. 
THE EFFECTS OF THE LATE STOEM. 
t OUBTLESS many of your readers will know by this time what injury lias 
been sustained, in consequence of the late frost, by the more tender things 
in frames and cold pits. Many of ours were covered up for more than 
Y three weeks, and yet, with the exception of a few broken pots amongst 
the Strawberries , there seems little injury done. Carnations , Mignonette , Calceo¬ 
larias , and such like things, look as fresh as before the storm. Of course they 
were allowed to thaw thoroughly before the covering was taken off. Fortunately 
we had a good covering of snow (about eight inches or nine inches deep in this 
part), one of the best protectors from frost. I fear the injury amongst hardier 
subjects will be less perceptible at present. The cold weather, from November 
10, had completely brought vegetation to a stand-still, and prepared it in 
some measure to withstand such a frost. The lowest reading of the thermometer 
at Studley was 3° on the night of December the 31st, it was as low as 4° on 
the night of the 28th, while only a few miles from here—namely, at Azerley Hall 
and Newby Hall—I hear it fell to 4° below zero. There may, however, be a 
difference in the position and exposure, as well as variation in the instruments. 
Mine was fully exposed at about three feet from the ground, but might derive a 
little protection from buildings on the north side. I have generally found 28° 
or 30° of frost kill, or greatly injure, our Pampas Grass', but of late years, on the 
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