JULY. 
137 
BOHEMIAN BLACK BIGARREAU. 
WITH AN ILLUSTKATION. 
The illustration we this month present to our readers is one in which Mrs. 
Dix has faithfully represented one of the largest and finest of our Black Heart 
class of Cherries. It is a variety that was introduced by Mr. Rivers, of Saw- 
bridge worth, under the name of Bigarreau Radowesnitzer, a name the correct 
pronunciation of which must in no small degree prove a stumblingblock to 
English gardeners; and we have therefore rendered it into English by calling 
it Bohemian Black Bigarreau, in allusion to the country whence it is said to 
have its origin. Whether we regard this variety as to its size, flavour, or 
earliness, it is equally valuable. It ripens early in July, and is of the largest 
size, of a rouudish heart-shape, very even and regular in its outline ; skin 
shining, and jet black. The characteristically short stalk is very stout, and 
dark green. Flesh quite black, firm, but not so firm and crackling as Bigar- 
reaux generally are, but juicy, richly flavoured, and delicious. 
We would recommend this to be grown in every collection. 
BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA. 
What a glorious climber this Bignonia is where plenty of head room is 
allowed; it forms a most gorgeous object when in bloom. A plant in the con¬ 
servatory at this place, and reaching the top of the house (about 20 feet), was 
this season one mass of bloom from the floor to the roof. It is planted out per¬ 
manently in one corner, contiguous to the hot-water pipes, and in this position 
it luxuriates amazingly. It requires but a small amount of attention. After 
blooming there should be a partial thinning out of the weak and unsightly 
growths ; we never tie it, but allow the shoots to hang gracefully down. An 
occasional liberal watering and a good syringing is the only treatment which 
it receives. 
Wrotham Park. John Edlington. 
STATE OF THE FRUIT CROPS IN NORTH NOTTS 
IN JUNE, 1866 . 
May has been the most disastrous month to the fruit crops that I ever re¬ 
member here. With the exception of Apricots, temporarily covered here with 
glass lights, all wall fruit was much injured by the frost on the morning of the 
30th of April. In the first week of May the frosty mornings again damaged 
the blossoms of hardy fruit trees, especially small bush fruit where not protected, 
and the crops are very thinly set. In orchards, where the fruit trees are large, 
the foliage protected the blossoms more from the dry east winds and frost, and 
better crops may be found ; but they are everywhere partial, especially Apples, 
Plums, and Cherries. Small hardy fruits, such as Currants, Gooseberries, and 
Raspberries, are abundant, and where Strawberries were well watered in the 
dry weather last summer, they promise to produce abundantly this year, the 
rain just coming in time to swell them off. The show of blossoms this spring 
in gardens and orchards was finer than usual, owing to the warm autumn of 
last year ripening the wood so well; but now the effects of the ungenial May 
are apparent everywhere, except where the trees were well sheltered. 
All gardeners who had stiff* soils to manage found it impossible to get seeds 
to vegetate this May, for such soils were saturated before the dry weather set 
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