244 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  22,  1900. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  Rev,  W.  Wilks  writes  :  “  On 
behalf  of  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and  in  order 
to  allay  the  anxiety  that  may  be  felt  by  the  Fellows,  I  shall  be  obliged 
if  you  will  publish  the  following  statement  ; — The  general  meeting  of  the 
Society,  held  on  the  13th  ult.,  having  unanimously  adopted  the  proposal 
of  the  Council  to  celebrate  the  centenary  of  the  Society  by  the  removal 
of  the  Society’s  Gardens  from  Chiswick  to  some  spot  where  the  atmo¬ 
sphere  is  less  charged  with  smoke,  the  Council  have  inspected  several 
proposed  sites,  and  have  at  least  one  still  left  to  investigate.  The  business 
is  not  one  which  can  be  hurriedly  done.  As  soon  as  all  the  suggested 
sites  have  been  properly  considered  by  the  Council,  a  definite  proposal 
will  be  duly  submitted  to  the  Fellows.” 
Horticultural  Club. — The  usual  monthly  dinner  and  conversazione 
took  place  on  Tuesday  last,  the  13th  inst.  The  chair  was  occupied  by 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  and  amongst  'those  present  were  Messrs.  Gofton, 
H.  Salmond,  George  Bunyard,  Alfred  Rivers,  Pinches,  Selfe  Leonard, 
and  George  Paul.  The  paper  after  dinner  was  on  the  hardiness  of  Tea 
Roses;  it  was  read  by  Mr.  Geo.  Paul,  V.M.H.,  whose  long  experience 
in  the  growing  of  this  beiutiful  section  enables  him  to  speak  with  a 
good  deal  of  authority.  An  interesting  discussion  (in  which  many  of 
the  members  joined)  followed  the  reading  of  the  paper,  and  a  cordial 
vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  Mr.  Paul.  The  question  has  been  a  good 
deal  before  the  public  lately,  and  it  is  hoped  that  Mr.  Paul’s  paper  will 
appear  in  the  “  Rosarian’s  Year  Book  ”  for  1901. 
'Wolverhampton  Horticultural  Club. — At  the  recent  monthly 
meeting,  Mr.  J.  F.  Simpson  in  the  chair,  Mr.  W.  Gardiner,  Harborne, 
Birmingham,  read  before  a  large  attendance  of  members  letters  from 
South  Africa,  descriptive  of  the  geography  of  that  colony,  with  interest¬ 
ing  details  of  the  ornamental  trees,  shrubs,  and  flowers.  Mr.  Gardiner 
prefaced  the  reading  with  a  brief  allusion  to  the  chief  genera  of  the 
flora,  especially  of  Cape  Colony,  and  to  which  we  are  so  much  indebted 
for  the  embellishment  of  our  greenhouses  and  gardens. 
Royal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society. — Amongst  Scottish 
societies  this  occupies  a  very  prominent  position,  and  its  shows  in  the 
Waverley  Market  are  looked  forward  to  by  exhibitors  and  others  both 
north  and  south  bf  the  Tweed.  This  year  the  spring  show  will  take 
place  on  April  4th  and  5th,  and  the  autumn  meeting  on  September  12th 
and  13th.  These  are  the  two  principal  events,  but  two  smaller  shows 
come  in  May  and  July.  The  September  exhibition  is  the  more 
important,  and  includes  classes  to  the  number  of  about  260  for  prac¬ 
tically  every  conceivable  crop;  at  the  spring  show  there  are  136 
classes.  The  secretary  is  Mr.  P.  Murray  Thomson,  5,  York  Place, 
Edinburgh,  from  whom  particulars  and  schedules  may  he  obtained. 
Birmingham  Gardeners’ Association. — At  a  recent  fortnightly 
meeting,  Mr.  H.  A.  Burberry  (late  orchidist  to  the  Right  Hon.  Joseph 
Chamberlain,  Highbury),  in  the  presence  of  a  good  attendance  of  the 
members,  read  an  excellent  paper  on  the  history  and  culture  of  Odonto- 
glossum  crispum  and  its  varieties.  An  animated  discussion  followed, 
in  which  there  was  a  certain  degree  of  opposition  to  the  theory  and 
practice  advocated.  Mr.  W.  B.  Latham  (curator  of  the  Botanical 
Gardens,  Edgbaston),  the  chairman,  in  adverting  to  the  hygrometrical 
conditions  pertaining  to  the  culture  of  Orchids  in  general,  advocated  "a 
very  spare  use  of  the  syringe  over  the  foliage  of  the  plants,  preferring 
the  requisite  moisture  to  be  afforded  atmospherically  by  syringing  the 
walls  and  paths.  The  ailment  commonly  known  as  “  the  spot,”  was 
discussed,  and  was  attributed  to  a  low  and  over-moist  temperature. 
Chester  Paxton  Society. — One  of  the  best  attended  meetings  of 
the  session  was  held  in  the  Grosvenor  Museum  on  Saturday,  when  Mr. 
D.  A.  Cowan  of  Gateacre  Nurseries,  Liverpool,  delivered  a  lecture 
entitled,  “  Reminiscences  of  my  Travels  Collecting  Orchids  in  South 
America,”  which  was  illustrated  by  a  collection  of  South  American 
snakes,  butterflies,  as  well  as  several  birds  of  exquisite  plumage.  In 
addition  to  these,  added  interest  was  given  to  the  lecture  by  a  collection 
of  implements  and  dresses  essential  for  the  use  of  the  explorer  in 
search  of  orchidaceous  plants  in  foreign  countries.  An  interesting 
discussion  followed,  in  which  the  chairman  (Mr.  John  Taylor),  Mr. 
Newstead,  and  Mr.  Miln  took  part.  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes,  in  proposing  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  lecturer,  mentioned  that  Mr.  Cowan  and  those 
associated  with  him  in  his  business  had  perhaps  done  more  to  popularise 
the  cultivation  of  Orchids  in  this  country  than  anyone  else.  This  was 
seconded  by  Mr.  Robert  Wakefleld,  president  of  the  society,  who 
expressed  a  hope  that  the  Paxtonians  might  at  some  future  time  have 
the  pleasure  of  another  lecture  from  Mr.  Cowan. 
Hatlonal  Dahlia  Society. — The  annual  report  for  1899,  list  of 
members,  and  the  schedule  for  the  forthcoming  show  (all  under  one 
ODver),  to  be  held  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  September  7th  and  8th, 
have  reached  us  from  the  hon.  secretary,  Mr.  J.  F.  Hudson,  M.A.,  The 
Gardens,  Gunnersbury  House,  Acton.  There  are  many  classes  that 
come  year  after  year  in  the  same  form  ;  but  a  few  fresh  ones  have  been 
embodied,  which  it  is  hoped  will  increase  the  interest  and  beauty  of 
the  exhibition.  Several  of  these  stipulate  for  the  addition  of  Dahlia 
foliage,  while  in  another  case  a  silver  cup  is  offered  for  nine  Dahlias, 
distinct  varieties,  in  pots  not  exceeding  10  inches  in  diameter.  This 
prize  is  offered  by  F.  W.  Fellowes,  Eeq.  Then  we  find  the  sum  of  £6 
allocated  to  a  class  for  Cactus  Dahlias,  twelve  varieties,  six  blooms  of 
each,  to  be  arranged  with  any  suitable  foliage  in  vases,  which  will  be 
provided  by  the  society.  The  stems  may  be  stiffened  with  wires, 
hut  no  wire  frames  may  be  used.  The  quality  of  the  blooms  will  be 
the  first  consideration  with  the  judges.  In  addition  to  the  classes 
scheduled,  a  new  one  has  to  be  formed  for  Fancy  Dahlias,  for  which 
2  guineas  are  offered  by  the  Duchees  of  Sutherland,  who  is  a  patroness 
of  the  Society. 
Shropshire  Horticultural  Society. — There  is  no  provincial 
society  in  the  country  whose  schedule  is  more  eagerly  anticipated  than 
that  of  the  Shrewsbury  Floral  Fete,  which  will  this  year  take  place 
on  August  22nd  and  23rd.  The  committee  has  made  a  reputation  for 
inaugurating  new  classes,  each  of  which  is  in  its  way  an  advance  on 
its  predecessors,  and  we  need  not  remind  our  readers  of  the  climax 
that  was  attained  to  last  year,  when  £100  were  offered  in  one  class  for 
Grapes.  This  does  not  appear  this  season.  We  have,  however,  the 
gold  medal  of  the  society  and  £25  as  the  premier  award  for  twenty -four 
dishes  of  British  grown  fruits,  the  remaining  three  prizes  being  of  the 
respective  values  of  £20,  £15,  and  £10.  This  will  be  judged  by  points, 
the  standard  values  being  given,  as  also  are  the  fruits  that  may  be 
chosen.  Exhibitors  are  informed  that  the  “  highest  cultural  merit  is 
sought,  and  that  each  dish  will  be  judged  by  this  standard.”  Special 
awards  of  £3,  £2,  and  £1  are  offered  for  decorative  arrangements, 
irrespective  of  fruit.  The  prizes  offered  for  fruits  will  be  awarded 
strictly  for  fruit  only.  This  should  make  a  splendid  class.  To  refer 
to  all  the  others  would  be  an  impossibility,  and  intending  exhibitors 
will  do  well  to  make  early  application  to  Messrs.  Adnitt  and  Naunton, 
Shrewsbury,  who  fortunately  continue  to  hold  the  post  of  honorary- 
secretaries. 
'Weather  In  Dublin. — The  advent  of  March  has  brought  blessings 
in  the  form  of  days  suitable  for  outdoor  work,  as  the  weather  has  been, 
on  the  whole,  dry  with  occasional  keen  winds.  The  season  will,  how¬ 
ever,  be  rather  late  owicg  to  the  exceptionally  sevei-e  weather  we  have 
experienced.  In  many  places  the  Potato  planting  has  only  just  begun, 
and  similarly  with  other  vegetables. 
Sunderland  Weather — Your  correspondent  “S.  E.,”  on  page  212, 
says  ”  the  winter  has  not  perhaps  been  typical;  frosts  have  not  been 
frequent  and  severe.”  Such,  however,  has  not  been  our  experience. 
From  November  1st  to  March  1st  inclusive  we  have  had  seventy-six 
nights  on  which  the  thermometer  has  fallen  to  32°  or  under,  the  lowest 
reading  being  10°,  while  yesterday  morning,  March  28th,  the  minimum 
register  was  7°.— C.  Portsmouth,  Herrington  Hall,  Sunderland. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. — Taken  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens — height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Direction  of 
Wind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Rain. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
Lowest 
Temperature 
on  Grass. 
IfcOO. 
March. 
At  9  A.vi. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Yet 
Bulb. 
OQ 
O) 
A 
.SP 
5 
-ti 
93 
& 
o 
iJ 
Sunday . .  11 
Monday . .  12 
Tuesday  13 
Wed’sday  14 
Thursday  15 
Friday  . .  IG 
Saturday  17 
E.N.E. 
N.N.W. 
N.N.W. 
N.N.W. 
W. 
W.N.W. 
W.N.W. 
deg. 
42-8 
39  -8 
45- 9 
44-3 
46- 3 
38-9 
33-8 
d^. 
408 
372 
428 
41-7 
425 
36-) 
305 
deg. 
62-2 
56-8 
46-5 
52-4 
49-3 
43-6 
40-9 
deg. 
37-6 
32-9 
36-6 
31-9 
42  2 
36-7 
25-6 
ins. 
0-06 
deg. 
41-3 
41- 3 
42- 1 
40-7 
42-4 
42-6 
40-6 
deg. 
42-2 
42-4 
42-8 
42- 6 
43- 1 
43-1 
43-1 
deg. 
43-9 
43-9 
43-9 
43-9 
43-9 
43-9 
43-9 
deg. 
29-2 
23-5 
20 -5 
22-3 
38-5 
33-9 
16-5 
Means  .. 
41-7 
38  •! 
48-8 
34*8 
Total 
0-06 
41-6 
42-8 
43-9 
27-2 
A  dull  cold  week,  with  br;ef  intervals  of  bright  sunshine. 
