NOVEMBER. 
237 
especially the latter part, the Tagetes has withstood the drip, and looks admir¬ 
able when all its associates are on the wane. As a yellow bedding annual it 
is yet without its equal. Its habit is good. It grows freely even in poor 
soils, and blooms until frost puts an end to its existence ; and all we require to 
make it perfect is a neat double flower. Then, indeed, we shall- have the b^st 
annual of the day. 
Wroiham Park , Barnet. John Eddington, 
THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND AUTUMN OF 1866. 
The year 1866 will be long remembered for the vicissitudes of the weather 
and the injuries done to the cereal crops, fruits, and bedding plants by the 
continual rain in August and September. 
The severe frosts in May did much injury to the crops of Plums, Cherries, 
Pears, and Apples, both on walls and standards, and the only situations in which 
they escaped were those where the trees were well sheltered or protected. 
June was a very favourable month, with plenty of moisture and in the last 
week hot forcing weather. July was likewise a fine month, for although breezy, 
cold, and wet at the beginning, an almost tropical heat prevailed from the 10th 
to the 27th, which forced on the growing crops wonderfully; but very heavy 
rains fell when the month ended. August and September were characterised 
by rain falling nearly every day, with some strong breezy periods at intervals. 
The following was the fall of rain here for the above months-June, 3.40 inches ; 
Julv, 3.04 inches; August, 3.24 inches; September, 3.83 inches. Total, 
13.51 inches, or about 5% inches above the average. It was not, however, the 
great amount of rain, but the daily soaking in August and September and the 
want of sun that did so much injury. I have seen 6 inches of rain fall in 
August in five or six days, and not do so much injury as the smaller amount in 
^this year. 
The following observations on the effects of the season, as regards the 
fruit crops and bedding plants at this place, may be of some interest to the 
readers of the Florist and Pomologist. 
As regards Strawberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Gooseberries, the 
crops were abundant and of good quality. Pears and Plums on south walls 
failed ; 'but on east and west aspects such varieties as Winter Nelis, Marie 
Louise, Beurre d’Amanlis, Beurre Superfin,'Zephirin Gregoire, Forelle, and 
Surpasse Crasanne, bore good crops. Apricots oh a wall temporarily covered 
with glass lights were an average crop; but all that were not effectually pro¬ 
tected failed. Peaches and Nectarines on the open walls likewise failed, for 
last autumn the trees were covered with aphides; and all the leaves dropped 
before the flower-buds were perfected or the wood well ripened. In a glass- 
cased wall, 800 feet long, the crops of Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and 
Cherries, were abundant; but in flavour the Peaches and Nectarines were not 
so good as usual, the only exceptions being the Noblesse and Malta, a most 
delicious little Peach, and amongst Nectarines the Downton, Orange, and Elruge. 
The new Victoria Nectarine did not ripen nor colour well, and being allied to 
the Stan wick, it may require a warm summer to show its true character. A 
row of three hundred varieties of Pears, Plums, and Cherries in pots were 
fruited in this structure, and bore excellent crops, especially the Plums and 
Cherries. Amongst dessert Apples on standards, the Margil, Cox’s Orange 
Pippin, Early Harvest, Summer Golden Pippin, and Sturmer Pippin bore the 
best crops ; and the best kitchen Apples were the Keswick and Manx Codlins, 
New Hawthornden, Lord Suffield, Alfriston,-and Northern Greening. 
