February  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
157 
Recent  Weatlier  In  Iiondon. — A  considerable  amount  of  rain 
has  fallen  in  London  during  the  past  few  days,  as  heavy  showers 
have  been  of  frequent  occurrence.  On  Sunday  afternoon  it  was  dry 
and  pleasant,  but  after  that  there  was  no  permanent  clearance  until 
Tuesday  night.  It  then  turned  colder,  and  on  Wednesday  'morning  at 
the  time  of  going  to  press  it  was  bright  and  frosty. 
Weather  In  the  N'orth. — The  frost  became  gradually  less  severe 
from  the  11th  to  the  14th,  when  12°  were  registered.  A  partial  thaw 
set  in  on  the  15th,  followed  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  by  a  violent 
gale  and  snowstorm  from  the  S.E.  Roads  and  railways  were  that 
night  blocked  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  Much  damage  has 
been  done  to  trees  by  the  weight  of  the  damp  snow.  Since  Friday 
to  Monday  an  imperfect  thaw  has  been  going  on,  but  much  snow 
still  lies,  even  on  the  low  grounds. — R.  D.,  8.  Pertht^hire. 
Kidderminster  and  District  Horticultural  Society. — This 
Society  held  its  monthly  meeting  on  February  14th  last.  Mr.  A.  B. 
Whitehouse  gave  a  lecture,  illustrated  with  limelight  views,  upon  the 
“  Fertilisation  and  Hybridisation  of  Flowers.”  The  lecturer  explained 
some  of  the  wonderful  methods  of  Nature  for  the  reproduction  of 
species,  and  the  methods  employed  for  raising  new  varieties 
also  examples  of  wind  and  insect  fertilisation.  Mr.  Whitehouse 
was  accorded  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks,  one  member  especially 
remarking  that  the  fertilisation  of  the  Fig  had  always  been  a 
mystery  to  him.  Mr.  Whitehouse  kindly  offered  his  assistance  at 
any  time,  either  by  letter  or  appointment,  to  any  member  requiring 
information  upon  the  subject  of  his  lecture,  an  offer  which  was 
keenly  appreciated  by  the  members.  This  Society  is  now  issuing  its 
schedule  of  prizes  for  the  flower  show  to  be  held  on  August  7th 
next,  copies  of  which  may  be  obtained  from  the  Hon.  Secs.,  Messrs. 
Rogers  and  Whacker,  Brookfield,  Blakebrook,  Kidderminster. — F.  W. 
Salvia  splendens  grandlflora. — At  one  time  the  well-known 
Salvia  splendens  was  in  demand  as  a  winter-flowering  plant,  and  few 
good  gardeners  were  without  a  supply  of  it,  its  bright  scarlet  flowers 
showing  out  prominently  in  the  dull  months  of  the  year.  Other 
varieties  came,  but  the  general  public  has  not  taken  too  kindly  to 
them.  But  the  advent  of  Salvia  splendens  grandiflora  has  altered 
opinions,  and  the  old  type  will  soon  be  looked  upon  as  a  thing  of  the 
past,  as  neither  for  profusion  of  flower  nor  habit  will  it  for  a  moment 
stand  against  grandiflora,  with  its  brilliant  scarlet  flowers.  The  habit 
is  dwarfer  and  more  compact.  Cuttings  taken  now  can  be  grown  in 
sandy  soil  in  a  steady  temperature,  potted  singly  when  rooted.  When 
Ranger  of  frost  is  over  the  plants  may  be  stood  outdoors,  and  treated 
exactly  as  a  Chrysanthemum.  It  is  not  wise  to  leave  the  plants  too 
long  outdoors  in  the  autumn,  the  second  week  in  September  being 
<juite  late  enough.  If  given  a  little  warmth  the  plants  readily  respond, 
■and  furnish  scarlet  flowers  in  abundance  for  all  kinds  of  decoration. 
— R.  P.  R. 
Hessle  Gardeners’  Society. — This  Society  held  its  fortnightly 
meeting  in  the  parish  schoolroom.  Mr.  J.  Stow  delivered  a  lecture 
on  “  Coal  and  Its  Relation  to  the  Vegetable  World.”  There  was  a 
good  attendance,  over  which  Mr.  Mason  presided.  The  lecturer,  who 
was  heartily  welcomed  by  the  members,  asked  them  to  carry  their 
minds  back  to  an  age  when  the  world  was  not  inhabited,  to  a  time 
when  one  lot  of  vegetation  grew  upon  the  graves  of  its  predecessors. 
That  vegetation  was  covered  by  water  and  other  deposits,  and  pressed 
until  at  the  present  time  they  have  that  great  steam  producer  coal. 
As  an  instance  of  how  much  pressure  the  vegetable  matters  must  have 
been  subjected  to,  the  lecturer  pointed  out  that  the  peat  bed  now  at 
Thorne,  which  was  9  feet  thick,  if  converted  into  coal  would  only 
produce  a  seam  of  a  few  inches.  He  also  dwelt  on  the  bye  products 
of  coal,  such  as  tar,  aniline,  carbolic  acid,  and  saccharine,  specimens  of 
which  he  produced.  Mr.  Stow  also  showed  samples  of  various  coal 
from  different  mining  districts,  in  some  of  which  impressions  of  Ferns 
were  to  be  seen.  Votes  of  thanks  to  the  essayist  and  Chairman 
ter  minated  a  thoroughlyinteresting  eyening. — J.  F.  D.,  Yorhs. 
Floods  in  tUe  Tbames  Valley. — We  learn  fiom  a  Maidenhead 
correspondent  that  during  Saturday  night  there  was  a  rise  in  the 
Thames  in  that  district  of  over  a  foot,  and  on  Sunday  morning  hundreds 
of  acres  of  land  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  river  were  submerged, 
and  several  riverside  residences  and  hotels  were  flooded. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next  Fruit  and  Flower 
Show  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday, 
February  27th,  in  the  Drill  Hall,  James  Street,  Westminster,  1  to  4  p.m. 
A  lecture  on  “  Some  of  the  Plants  Exhibited  ”  will  be  given  at 
three  o’clock,  by  Rev.  Prof.  G.  Henslow,  M.A.,  V.M.H. 
Blrmlngbam  Gardeners’  Association. — The  annual  tea  and 
social  entertainment  took  place  on  the  14th  inst.  at  the  Colonnade 
Hotel,  presided  over  as  usual  by  Mr,  W.  B.  Latham.  There  was  an 
average  attendance  of  members  and  lady  friends,  notwithstanding  the 
unpropitious  weather,  and  an  excellent  programme  of  music  and  song 
rendered  the  evening  thoroughly  enjoyable.  The  toast  of  “  The  Asso¬ 
ciation  ”  was  appropriately  rendered  by  Mr.  Robert  Sydenham. 
Todeas. — Though  Todeas  are  not  numerous,  there  are  a  few  whose 
sharacteristics  stand  out  conspicuously,  notably  superba,  whose  graceful 
fronds  are  always  admired.  To  produce  the  best  results  one  only 
requires  to  follow  a  similar  line  of  treatment  as  for  Trichomanes 
radicans,  popularly  known  as  the  Killarney  Pern — namely,  a  dark 
place  with  plenty  of  moisture.  In  the  gardens  of  George  Rinahan, 
Esq.,  Roebuck  Park,  Dundrum,  Dublin,  are  some  exceptionally  line 
plants  ;  the  fernery  is  not  very  dark,  but  the  light  is  much  subdued. 
Unlike  the  Killarney  Pern  Todeas  can  be  cultivated  where  light  has  an 
ingress,  but  instead  of  the  delicate  softness  of  frond,  one  gets  a  much 
hardier  and  less  attractive  plant. — A.  O’N. 
^rational  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association. — The  annual 
meeting  of  the  Liverpool  branch  was  held  on  February  14th,  in  the 
Common  Hall,  Hackins  Hey,  Mr.  W.  Histed  presiding  over  a  capital 
attendance  of  members.  A  long  discussion  ensued  as  to  the  best 
means  of  increasing  the  membership,  and  other  ways  likely  to  be  of 
benefit  to  members  generally,  the  unanimous  opinion  being  that  the 
branch  was  doing  an  excellent  work,  and  that  there  must  be  no 
looking  backward.  Much  regret  was  expressed  when  Mr.  J.  M. 
Smyth,  who  had  been  Secretary  for  the  past  eight  years,  announced 
his  intention  of  resigning,  owing  to  pressure  of  business.  A  feeling 
of  satisfaction  was  experienced  when  Mr.  Smyth  gave  his  promise  to 
attend  and  help  forward  the  work  of  the  Society  in  the  capacity  of 
Vice-President.  Mr.  A.  W.  Ardran  was  elected  President,  and  Mr. 
McGregor,  Secretary.  The  usual  votes  closed  the  meeting. — R.  P.  R. 
Erica  medlterranea  bybrlda. — This  is  one  of  the  best  of  the 
winter-flowering  Heaths,  being  bright  in  colour,  and  lasting  a  con¬ 
siderable  time  in  flower.  It  commences  to  bloom  in  December,  and 
continues  till  the  end  of  April,  and  is  bright  and  charming  at  any 
time  during  that  period.  The  flowers  are  of  a  pale  mauve  when  first 
expanded,  but  deepen  in  colour  with  age,  and  are  produced  in  great 
abundance  along  the  whole  length  of  the  previous  season’s  growth. 
It  grows  freely  in  almost  any  soil,  provided  it  does  not  contaiu  lime, 
and  soon  makes  a  strong,  robust  plant,  which  shows  to  advantage  in 
any  situation.  For  preference  it  should  have  a  warm,  sheltered 
position,  and  be  so  placed  that  it  may  receive  the  full  benefit  of  all 
the  sunshine  obtainable  during  the  winter  months,  which  will  make 
a  great  difference  to  the  size  and  colour  of  the  flowers.  It  is  easily 
propagated  by  cuttings,  which  root  readily  and  soon  form  good 
plants. — C. 
Huts  as  a  Food  Staple. — The  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture  has  of  late  been  giving  especial  attention  to  the  cultiva- 
tion  of  Nuts,  and  it  has  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  Nut  trees  of 
the  world  would  feed  from  two  to  three  times  the  present  number  of 
inhabitants.  Especially  interesting  are  the  facts  furnished  by  the 
Nut  specialists.  There  is  no  product  that  requires  so  little  cultivation 
as  the  Nut,  and  none  is  more  whclesome  as  a  food  staple.  An  orchard 
of  2000  trees  in  California  yields  every  year  over  24,000  lbs.  of  shelled 
Nuts.  The  American  Government  is  making  a  special  point  of 
recommending  Nut  culture.  In  New  England  the  abandoned  farms 
are  being  planted  with  Nut  trees,  and  the  worked-out  ground  is  found 
to  furnish  nourishment  enough  to  cause  the  Walnut,  Butternut,  and 
Chestnut  to  flourish  abundantly.  Farmers  in  nearly  every  north¬ 
eastern  State  are,  says  a  contemporary,  planting  Nut  trees  with  their 
Peaches  and  Pears,  and  are  utilising  the  hillsides,  where  nothing  else 
will  grow  for  Nut  orchards. 
