March  29,  00. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER,, 
Secent  Weatber  In  Iiondon. — The  weather  in  the  metropolis 
during  the  past  few  days  has  been  characterised  by  intensely  cold 
winds.  On  Sunday,  Monday,  and  Tuesday  there  were  occasional  snow 
showers.  On  Wednesday,  at  the  moment  of  going  to  press,  it  was  dull 
and  rather  cold. 
Weatber  In  fbe  Nortb. — From  the  20th  to  the  22nd  cold,  dull, 
drizzly  weather  prevailed,  since  which  the  days  have  been  brighter 
and  dry,  with  cold  easterly  and  latterly  northerly  wind.  On  Monday 
morning  6°  frost  were  recorded,  the  third  occurrence  of  frost  during  the 
week. — B.  D.,  S,  Perthshire. 
Presentation  to  IMCr.  C.  E.  Wilkins. — Owing  to  the  continued 
ill-health  of  his  wife  Mr.  Wilkins  has  been  compelled  to  leave  Swanleyj 
of  whose  local  society  he  has  long  been  the  honorary  secretary.  At 
the  meeting  held  a  short  time  back  Mr.  J.  Lonsdale,  chairman  of  the 
society,  presented  Mr.  Wilkins,  on  behalf  of  the  members,  with  a  hand¬ 
some  barometer  in  oak  case,  bearing  a  suitable  inscription.  Mr. 
Lonsdale,  in  making  the  presentation,  testified  to  the  ability  with  which 
Mr.  Wilkins  had  performed  the  secretarial  duties.  Mr.  Wilkins 
acknowledged  the  presentation  in  fitting  terms. 
National  Carnation  and  Plcotee  Society. — Mr.  T.  E.  Henwood^ 
the  honorary  secretary  of  the  southern  section  of  this  excellent 
society,  favours  us  with  a  copy  of  the  schedule  of  the  show  to  be  held 
at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  Wednesday,  July  25th.  As  evidence  of  the 
flourishing  state  of  the  society  it  may  be  mentioned  that  upwards  of 
£300,  and  silver  cups  are  offered  in  the  fifty  classes  embodied  in  the 
schedule.  The  exhibition  is  usually  a  most  interesting  one,  and  the 
coming  event  should  not  prove  any  exception  to  this  rule.  Classes  are 
provided  for  dressed  and  undressed  blooms ;  while  growers  of  a  com¬ 
paratively  small  number  of  plants  will  find  that  their  convenience  has 
been  studied.  Entries  must  reach  Mr.  G.  Caselton,  garden  super¬ 
intendent,  Crystal  Palace,  Sydenham,  at  least  four  clear  days  prior  to 
the  date  of  the  show. 
Blrmlngbam  hardeners’  Association.  —  An  essay  on  the 
Carnation  was  delivered  at  the  last  fortnightly  meeting  by  Mr.  A.  W. 
Jones,  of  Handsworth,  Birmingham,  the  well-known  and  successful 
exhibitor  of  the  Carnation  and  Picotee.  After  prefacing  his  subject 
with  a  few  references  to  the  history,  popularity,  and  general  usefulness 
of  the  Carnation,  the  essayist  gave  a  thoroughly  practical  exposition  of 
his  own  mode  of  culture,  and  particularly  emphasised  the  importance 
of  very  firmly  potting  the  plants  as  a  means  of  inducing  a  substantial 
growth,  and  insuring  a  more  uniform  state  of  moisture  about  the  roots. 
Prior  to  the  delivery  of  the  lecture  an  interesting  discussion  took  place 
as  to  the  identity  of  the  real  Shamrock,  the  concensus  of  opinion  being 
that  while  the  Trefoils  (Trifoliums  minus  and  repens)  are  the  more 
popular  emblem,  the  Wood  Sorrel  (Oxalis  acetosella)  is  the  original 
one. 
bXeatb  Agricultural  Society. — The  first  annual  meeting  of  the 
Co.  Meath  Agricultural  Society  was  held  in  the  Court  House  at 
Navan  last  week.  The  chair  was  occupied  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Everard;  afier,  the  minutes  were  read  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Cullen,  hon.  sec., 
and  signed.  The  financial  report,  which  was  submitted  by  Messrs. 
Kean  &  Co.,  showed  the  satisfactory  condition  the  finances  were, 
considering  the  extra  heavy  expenditure  they  had  incurred.  The 
chairman,  in  presenting  the  statement  of  accounts,  pointed  out  that 
their  scheme  not  only  included  farm  produce  in  its  widest  application, 
but  also  flower  displays,  and,  in  order  to  insure  the  success  of  their 
venture,  the  committee  have  decided  to  add  some  counter  attractions, 
which  would  consist  of  athletic  functions.  Sir  John  Dillon,  Bart., 
moved  the  re-election  of  the  present  committee  for  the  ensuing  year, 
and  was  seconded  by  Colonel  Persteman,  and  was  adopted  unanimously 
The  trustees  for  the  current  year  will  be  Simon  Morgan,  Esq.,  H.M.L. 
Lord  Longford,  and  the  Hon.  H.  Bourke.  On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Dove^ 
seconded  by  Mr.  E.  Sclater,  that  J.  L.  Naper,  Esq,,  be  re-elected 
president,  and  was  carried  without  demur.  Mr.  J.  Davis,  was  appointed 
assistant  secretary,  whilst  Mr.  H.  J.  Cullen  was  returned  unopposed  as 
secretary. 
26.> 
Hessle  Gardeners’  Society. — At  the  above  Society’s  meeting  on 
March  20th,  Mr.  Lambert  cf  Burton  Constable,  delivered  an  able 
paper  on  the  “  Bose,  its  Cultivation  and  Progress  during  the  Past  Half 
Century.”  Some  excellent  blooms  of  Fortune’s  Yellow  Rose  were  con- 
tributed  by  Mr.  Lawton  of  Welton  House,  who  with  others  vigorously 
discussed  the  subject.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the  essayist  ter¬ 
minated  a  highly  instructive  evening. — J.  S.  K.,  Tories 
National  Auricula  and  Primula  Society. — The  annual  report 
of  the  southern  section  of  this  society  has  now  been  published,  together 
with  the  schedule  of  prizes  for  the  show,  to  be  held  in  conjunction  with 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at  the  Drill  Hall  on  April  24th.  From 
the  committee’s  report  and  the  balance  sheet  it  may  be  gathered  that 
the  society’s  affairs  are  quite  satisfactory.  The  schedule  embodies 
thirty  classes,  and  every  endeavour  has  apparently  been  made  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  all  classes  of  cultivators.  The  hon.  secretary  is 
Mr.  T.  E.  Henwood,  Auricula  Villa,  Hamilton  Road,  Reading,  from 
whom  schedules  and  all  necessary  particulars  may  be  had. 
Cheater  Paxton  Society. — The  annual  exhibition  of  this  excel¬ 
lent  society,  which  by  its  periodical  meetings  is  doing  such  thoroughly 
good  work  in  increasing  the  interest  in  horticulture,  is  announced  for 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  November  13th  and  14th,  in  the  Town  Hall. 
The  schedule  includes  about  six  dozen  classes,  of  which  upwards  of 
fifty  are  devoted  to  fruits  and  the  remainder  to  Chrysanthemums. 
There  are  sections  divided  by  certain  rules,  which,  with  the  instructions 
to  exhibitors,  are  given  in  clear,  concise  language  that  practically  pre¬ 
cludes  the  possibility  of  errors.  The  honorary  secretary  is  Mr.  G.  P. 
Miln,  Grosvenor  Museum,  Chester,  who  will  furnish  all  requisite 
information. 
The  Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland. — At  a  recent  meeting 
of  the  members  of  the  above  society,  held  in  their  offices  at  61,  Dawson 
Street,  there  was  a  large  attendance  of  members  present.  After  the 
usual  preliminary  business  was  transacted,  Mr.  F.  W.  Moore  proposed 
the  following  motion  : — “  That  a  list  of  meetings  attended  by  each 
member  during  the  coming  year  should  be  printed,”  a  motion  which 
gave  rise  to  a  warm  discussion;  ultimately,  however,  Mr.  Moore,  by 
his  wonted  energy,  carried  his  motion  safely  through.  There  was  also 
a  discussion  relative  to  presenting  an  address  to  her  Most  Gracious 
Majesty  the  Queen  ;  also  the  allocation  of  funds  for  especial  decoration 
of  their  first  floral  display  for  1900  jf  needed.  Both  these  motions  were 
agreed  to  without  any  voice  of  dissent.  After  the  final  preparations 
for  the  spring  show,  to  be  held  on  the  11th  of  April  in  the  spacious 
buildings  at  Earlsfort  Terrace — namely,  the  Royal  University  Build¬ 
ings — were  arranged,  the  business  of  the  council  was  brought  to  a 
conclusion.  Mr.  W.  H.  Hillyard,  secretary,  was  in  attendance. 
Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Society. — The  programme  of 
this  excellent  association  includes  : — April  4th,  Town  Hall,  Cowes, 
“  Bees  and  Bee-keeping,”  by  Mr.  F.  Midlane ;  7th,  The  Institute, 
Shanklin,  “  Notes  on  Grape-growing,”  by  Mr.  J.  G.  Walker ;  and 
the  Guildhall,  Newport,  “  The  Value  of  Gardening  as  a  Means  of 
Education,”  by  Mr.  T.  G.  Roper,  M.A.,  H.M.T.S.  ;  19th,  Town  Hall, 
Ryde,  Daffodil  and  Spring  Show,  in  conjunction  with  the  Ryde 
Horticultural  Society.  May  5th,  St.  George’s  Hall,  Sandown, 
“  Flowering  and  Ornamental  Foliage  Creepers  for  the  Embellishment 
of  House  and  Garden,”  by  Mr.  Cor.  Orchard,  F.R.H.S. ;  19th,  The 
Mission  Room,  Brading,  “  Bees  and  Bee-keeping,”  by  Mr.  J.  Newnham; 
24th  and  25th,  Inner  Temple  Gardens,  London,  Excursion  to  the 
Great  Temple  Show.  June  2nd,  Warburton’s  Hotel,  Newport, 
“  Tomatoes,  Inside  and  Out,”  by  Mr.  H.  Sickelmore;  16tb,  School¬ 
room,  Wroxall,  ‘‘  Bees  and  Bee-keeping,”  by  Mr.  T.  Collister. 
July  7th,  Warburton’s  Hotel,  Newport,  “  Plant  Foods,”  with  chemical 
experiments,  by  Mr.  A.  Key,  M.A.,  H.M.I.S. ;  20th  and  21st,  Crystal 
Palace,  London,  excursion  to  the  Great  Sweet  Pea  Show — the  bi¬ 
centenary  of  the  Sweet  Pea ;  14th,  Literary  Institute,  Ventnor, 
“  Bees  and  Bee-keeping,”  by  Mr.  F.  Midlane.  August  4th,  Warbur¬ 
ton’s  Hotel,  Newport,  “  Cultivation  of  Bulbs,”  by  Mr.  J.  Hygate ; 
18th,  Schoolroom.,  Yarmouth,  “  Bees  and  Bee-keeping,”  by  Mr.  F.  D. 
Hills.  September  1st,  Town  Hall,  Ryde,  “  Australian  Fruit  Culture,” 
by  Mr.  G.  J.  Grapes ;  15th,  Mission  Room,  Freshwater,  “  Bees  and 
Bee-keeping,”  by  Rev.  R.  L.  Morris,  M.A.  October  4th,  Medina 
Hall,  Newport,  Fruit  and  Honey  Exhibition.  November  3rd,  The 
Literary  Institute,  Ventnor,  “  Chemical  Manures,”  by  Mr.  F.  W. 
Shrivell.  December  1st,  Warburton’s  Hotel,  Newport,  “  Bedding 
Arrangements,”  by  Mr.  W.  Tribbick. 
