1872.] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
71 
felt misgivings as to whether they were the very best that coulcl be named.” It is then 
suggested that our readers should be invited to send in the names of varieties be3t suited for 
cottagers’ gardens, of the following kinds of fruits, namely—best 2 Peaches, 2 Nectarines, 2 
Apricots, 3 Cherries, 6 Plums, (good Plums are very scarce in cottage gardens, and yet this is 
one of the most profitable fruits to grow, as it nearly always finds a ready sale), 6 Pears, 6 
Apples, (those preferred that are alike good for eating and cooking), 2 Red Currants, 1 Black 
Currant, 2 Raspberries, 3 Strawberries, 4 Gooseberries, 4 ditto., for size. These smaller fruits 
are wonderfully neglected in cottage gardens, and in very few are the best vai’ieties found. 
Now a good variety takes no more care nor room than a bad one, and it is a sheer loss, to 
those who can ill afford it, to continue growing such. Then longer lists might be given for 
larger gardens—the best 6 Peaches, 6 Nectarines, 6 Apricots, 6 Plums, 6 Cherries, 12 Apples, 
12 Pears, 12 Gooseberries, 6 Raspberries, 6 Strawberries, &c.; and yet another, of 9 Peaches, 
9 Nectarines, 9 Plums, 6 Apricots, 9 Cherries, 24 Apples, (6 to be kitchen sorts), and 28 
Pears, (4 being the veiy choicest stewing sorts). If a good many correspondents would 
respond to this suggestion, some useful information would assuredly be gained, and a good 
deal of trouble in answering inquiries might be saved. We shall be happy to condense the 
substance of any such returns that may be sent to us. 
- Es regards the Weather in 1872, and the Prospects of the Fruit Crops , 
Mr. Tillery writes from Welbeck as follows:— u Seldom has such a wet and open 
beginning of the year been observed as the present, for up to this date (February), 
rain more or less has fallen on nearly every day. After the severe frost in the last week of 
the year 1860, the January and February were open and mild months, but keen frosts in 
March and April injured vegetation and the fruit-tree blossoms severely. In 1869, the winter 
months were likewise open and mild, and free from any severe frosts, but the spring months 
following were ungenial, and the fruit crops in this locality were very partial. Weather in 
season is therefore always the best for our climate, and, from present appearances, should the 
coming spring be severe, fruit-trees now fast coming into bud will suffer. The Pear trees on 
quince stocks seem the most active at present, for many varieties are showing the flower-buds 
in an advanced state. Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines on the walls are likewise fast coming 
into bloom ; and where the retarding system can be carried out, it will be very desirable this 
spring to do so. The Apricot trees, on account of their ripening heavy crops last year, are 
not showing so well as usual for blossom-buds; and Peaches and Nectarines have not ripened 
their wood well, owing to the wet and cold summer and autumn. Materials for protection 
will therefore be required to be got ready sooner than usual for these varieties of wall fruit. 
Bush-fruit, such as Gooseberries and Currants, are beginning to show their foliage, and if they 
do not get a check soon they will be in great danger, at flowering time, of the crop being 
injured. All strong soils are so saturated with moisture, that nothing can be done in the way 
of preparing them for early spring crops. Altogether, the season is a very peculiar one, and 
gardeners will have to bring extra foresight and energy into practice for saving or forwarding 
their vegetable and fruit crops.” 
- JFeom the report presented at the annual meeting of the Poyal Horti¬ 
cultural Society , it appears that the Society’s connection with the International 
Exhibition resulted in a net balance of over £5,000 being handed over to the 
Society; while the Notingham Show also resulted in profit (£774), which is encouraging as 
regards the Birmingham meeting of this year. The Society has appointed Mr. Thiselton Dyer 
as Professor of Botany, in aid of the Botanical Director, the Rev. M. J. Berkeley. The 
general duties of the new professor will be to conduct the scientific business of the Society. 
- Jesses. Dick Eadcliffe and Co. call our attention to the new Umbelli- 
fer, Callisace dahurica, as an ornamental-foliage plant of enormous dimensions, 
much larger than any of the species of Heracleum. The leaves grow to a 
length of six feet and a width of four feet. The flower-stalk is nearly eight feet high, and 
five inches in diameter at the base. The plant is a native of Siberia and the Island of 
Saghalin, and was for a long time known only in herbaria. It will, no doubt, be a most interest¬ 
ing subject for our gardens, on account of its large size, its noble form, and its hardiness. 
- Sender the name of Salix elegantissima , Professor Koch describes a 
new Weeping Willow from Japan, with branches even more markedly pendulous 
than those of S. babylonica. The latter name, it is shown, is a misnomer, the 
