1872. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
167 
bright colours, from Messrs. Kelway and Son, Langport ; and still more 
numerously did they crowd about a large collection of brilliant-coloured spikes 
of Ixias, Sparaxis, Babianas, Tritonias, &c., from the bulb-grounds in the 
Channel Islands, and which were staged by Messrs. Hooper and Co., Covent 
Garden. If we could only grow these glorious plants in our gardens, under 
ordinary treatment, as they can be grown in Guernsey, what a revolution would 
be worked in our gardens !—B. D. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
N reference to the state of the Crops in North Nottinghamshire , Mr. Tillery 
writes:—“Up to this date (June 12) vegetation is very backward, 
for dull, wet, and breezy weather has prevailed for the last two weeks. 
The frosts on the 19th and 20tli of May thinned the hardy fruit crops to a 
serious extent, and in low, exposed situations all tender vegetables above ground were cut 
down. The Gooseberries, Currants, and Raspberries showed their young fruit quite blackened 
on the tops of the bushes, and only half a crop escaped, where covered by the foliage. The 
Apples were in full flower at the time, and seldom have the trees being seen fuller of blossoms, 
but now it has mostly dropped off, and this invaluable fruit is again a failure. The Plum 
crop, both on walls and on standards in the open borders, is likewise a failure, and the trees 
are covered with legions of aphis and grubs, the dull, cold weather favouring these pests in 
their ravages. A fair sprinkling of Pears , both on bushes and pyramids, have been uninjured 
where protected by the foliage; and on the walls with a south aspect, where the trees flowered 
early, there are excellent crops of Maria Louise, Louise Bonne, Glou Morceau, Winter Nelis, 
and Beurre Superfin. Apricots are a very thin crop, even where protected with glass, but there 
was only a small show of weakly blossoms on the trees, which never promised to set well in 
the dull, cold weather in March and April; the trees bore a heavy crop last year, and the 
wet, cold summer never ripened the wood properly, so that their failure this year is easily 
accounted for. Having a long range of heated glass-covered wall here, I am independent of 
the weather in growing Peaches , Nectarines, Cherries, and Plums in it, both in the borders and 
pots, and this year I have better crops of these kind of fruits than usual. Of late years the 
prevalence of spring frosts has made out-door fruit-growing quite a lottery, for we can only 
depend upon one out of three years to be a good fruit one. In all large gardens, therefore,' 
where a supply of dessert fruit is indispensable, a resort to glass-covered erections, whether 
heated or unheated, must be made in order to be safe in seasons like the present.” 
- ££he Whitsun Exhibition of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural 
t 
Societg has proved to be one of the most successful of the series now for several 
years held in the gardens at Old Trafford, between 50,000 and 60,000 persons 
having visited it during the week, and the receipts having reached to £2,000. The premier 
plant of the whole exhibition—for which Mr. Mendel offered a special prize—was adjudged to 
be the Ixora Colei, shown by Messrs. Cole and Sons, of Withington ; as a valuable exhibition 
plant, this new variety goes on increasing in popular favour from year to year, and the very 
fine example staged on this occasion was too meritorious to be passed over. Mr. Baines’ large 
variety of Sarracenia flava was voted the second place, and was a marvel of excellence. 
-- ££he Royal National Tidip Show was held in the Botanical Gardens, 
Manchester, on May 25. Between 60 and 70 members entered, and the compe¬ 
tition was very close for almost every prize. The season has been about the 
worst for the Tulip that any of the growers can recollect, and heavy losses from mildew have 
occurred throughout the country. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the show was a surprise 
to everybody, some 2,500 blooms having been staged. Mr. D. Barber, who won the champion 
cup, had the advantage of a more genial climate, and consequently bis flowers were more fully 
grown and better developed than those of Mr. Barlow, of Stakehill, who was awarded second 
honours, and whose flowers seemed to require another week’s growth. At a meeting held at 
the Dog and Partridge Hotel, it was resolved that next year the exhibition be held at Birming¬ 
ham. The following kinds were the best flowers shown in their respective classes :— Bizarres: 
