372 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  3,  1900. 
Death  of  Mrs.  Ceorg’e  Abbey. — We  learn  with  deep  regret  of 
the  death  on  April  27th  of  the  wife  of  Mr.  George  Abbey,  who  must 
be  numbered  amongst  the  oldest  contributors  to  the  Journal  of  Horti¬ 
culture.  Many  readers  will  unite  with  ns  in  tendering  sincere  sympathy 
to  Mr.  Abbey  in  his  bereavement.  The  funeral  takes  place  to-day 
Thursday)  at  St.  Alban’s  cemetery. 
ITottlaghamshlre  Horticultural  Society. — The  schedule  of  the 
exhibition  of  the  Nottinghamshire  Horticultural  and  Botanical  Society, 
which  is  fixed  for  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  June  6th  and  7th,  has 
reached  us  from  the  honorary  secretary,  Mr.  C.  J.  Mee,  29,  Long  Row, 
Nottingham.  It  embodies  about  fifty  classes  for  flowers,  plants,  fruits, 
and  vegetables,  in  several  of  which  really  generous  prizes  are  offered. 
One  of  the  chief  classes  is  that  for  a  200  feet  group  of  miscellaneous 
plants,  with  a  first  prize  of  £15  and  a  10-guinea  silver  cup,  and  other 
awards  of  £15,  £10,  and  £5  respectively.  This  should  bring  forth 
some  handsome  exhibits.  All  necessary  information  as  well  as  schedules 
will  be  provided  by  the  Secretary  at  the  address  given  above. 
Zrlsb  Gardeners’  Association.  —  On  Thursday  evening, 
April  26tb,  the  Gardeners’  Association  of  Ireland  held  its  usual 
meeting  at  D’Olier  Street,  Dublin,  Mr.  O’Kelly  in  the  chair.  The 
attendance  of  members  was  sparse.  After  the  usual  routine  business 
had  been  transacted  Mr.  J.  Shaw  contributed  a  highly  instructive 
paper  on  “  The  Daffodil,”  covering  the  historical  part  and  the  labours 
of  our  modern  hybridists.  He  laid  special  stress  on  the  work  of 
Mr.  Leeds  of  Manchester.  In  covering  the  ground  for  classification 
he  quoted  several  extracts  to  reveal  how  Parkinson  had  first  started 
it,  and  how  we  had  had  to  wait  until  Mr.  Baker  of  Kew  undertook 
the  task.  In  conclusion  Mr.  Shaw  dwelt  on  the  most  suitable  sites 
to  grow  Daffodils ;  he  preferred  the  moist  banks  of  the  river,  where 
the  nodding  blooms  contrast  well  with  the  limpid  waters'  below ;  also 
in  grass  and  woods.  When  dealing  with  the  culture,  he  preferred  to 
top-dress  the  beds  with  leaf  mould,  and,  whilst  the  soil  should  be  rich, 
his  experience  would  lead  him  to  say  that  heavy  manuring  is  highly 
deleterious  to  the  Daffodil. 
Chester  Paxton  Society. — In  conjunction  with  the  botanical 
section  of  the  Chester  Society  of  Natural  Science,  Literature,  and  Art, 
the  Paxton  Society  got  together  last  Thursday  an  excellent  exhibition 
of  spring  flowers.  One  of  the  large  rooms  in  the  Grosvenor  Museum 
was  given  up  for  this,  and  the  attendance  far  exceeded  that  of  any 
previous  year.  The  largest  collection  was  that  from  Eaton  Gardens, 
per  Mr.  N.  P.  Barnes,  who  staged  excellent  examples  of  culture. 
Dr.  Mules,  of  the  Old  Parsonage,  Gresford,  sent  an  interesting  and 
valuable  collection.  Exceedingly  effective  was  a  vase  containing  a 
dozen  blooms  of  Narcissus  Madame  de  Graaff.  Close  by  in  another 
vase  was  the  same  number  of  blooms  of  N.  Virgin  Mary,  the  whole 
stock  of  which,  we  believe,  is  in  the  hands  of  the  doctor.  This  is  a 
variety  quite  worthy  of  extensive  cultivation,  and  doubtless  more  will 
be  heard  of  it  in  time  to  come.  Miss  Humberston,  Newton  Hall,  per 
Mr.  R.  Wakefield,  also  sent  an  interesting  collection  of  well  grown 
plants  and  flowers.  Other  exhibitors  included  Mr.  John  Wynne^ 
Waverton;  Mr.  J.  Gibson,  Gian  Aber  Park;  and  Messrs.  Dickson,  Ltd., 
whose  collection  of  Narcissus  blooms  was  much  admired.  Considering 
the  exhibition  was  a  non-competitive  one  the  society  has  every  reason 
to  be  satisfied  at  its  success. 
Bristol  Gardeners’  Society. — The  second  annual  meeting  was 
held  at  St.  John’s  Parish  Room  on  Thursday,  26th  ult.  Mr.  G.  Brook 
presided  over  a  large  attendance.  The  report  presented  showed  that 
the  society  is  progressing,  the  present  total  membership  being  127, 
with  an  average  attendance  of  about  sixty.  The  financial  statement 
also  proved  successful,  the  balance  in  hand,  after  all  expenses  were 
paid,  being  £5  2s.  3d.  A  letter  of  apology  for  non-attendance  was 
read  from  the  president,  H.  Cary  Batten,  Esq.,  who  consented  to 
continue  in  that  office.  The  other  officers  elected  were  : — Chairman, 
Mr.  G.  Brook;  vice-chairmen,  Messrs.  Hancock  and  Binfield;  hon.  sec. 
and  treasurer,  Mr.  W.  Ellis  Groves;  assistant  secretary,  Mr.  W. 
Haddon;  and  a  committee  of  fifteen  members.  During  the  evening 
Mr.  W.  Ellis  Groves,  the  hon.  sec.  and  treasurer,  was  presented  with  a 
handsome  barometer.  Mr.  G.  Brook  made  the  presentation  on  behalf 
of  the  members,  and  in  a  brief  speech  spoke  of  the  untiring  energy 
which  Mr.  Groves  had  displayed  for  the  benefit  of  the  society  and  the 
able  way  in  which  he  had  carried  out  the  duties  connected  with  the 
position,  and  expressed  a  hope  that  he  would  continue  to  act  for  them. 
Prizes  for  foliage  plants  were  secured  by  Messrs.  Shaddick,  McCulloch, 
and  Sutton,  and  a  prize  for  two  flowering  plants  by  Mr.  Shaddick. 
Beckenham  Horticultural  Society. — Mr.  A.  Dean  delivered  an 
address  on  “  Edible  Stem  Plants  ”  before  the  members  of  the  above 
society  at  the  Beckenham  Public  Hall,  on  Friday,  April  27th. 
Introducing  his  subject,  Mr.  Dean  alluded  to  the  fact  that  the  majority 
of  young  men  despised  work  in  the  kitchen  garden,  considering  it  to  be 
of  a  menial  character.  The  great  desire  was  to  get  in  the  houses, 
entirely  neglecting  what  older  and  more  experienced  gardeners  found 
to  be  all-important — viz.,  the  cultivation  of  vegetables  in  sufficient 
quantity  and  of  the  best  quality.  Asparagus,  Seakale,  and  Rhubarb  were 
considered  to  be  the  most  important  of  the  edible  stem  plants,  on  account 
of  the  long  season  each  might  be  had  in  good  condition — where  the 
soil  was  suitable — and  some  valuable  hints  were  given  on  their  culture 
A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  the  lecturer. — M.  W. 
Blrmlngtaam  Gardeners’  Association. — At  a  recent  meeting  of 
this  society,  Mr.  W.  B.  Latham  in  the  chair,  Mr.  William  Spinks  read 
an  interesting  and  instructive  paper  entitled  “  The  Aquatic  Garden.” 
A  select  list  of  some  of  the  best  and  hardiest  hybrid  Water  Lilies  was 
given,  as  well  as  of  other  suitable  water  and  waterside  plants.  In  the 
ensuing  discussion  Mr.  W.  Gardiner  alluded  to  the  essayist’s  successful 
arrangement  and  the  planting  of  the  superb  rock  and  water  garden  at 
The  Uplands,  Sellyhill,  near  Birmingham,  and  of  which  illustrations 
were  so  admirably  shown  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  July  20th, 
August  24th,  and  September  21st  last  year.  The  meeting  was  further 
enhanced  by  several  exhibits,  including  examples  of  hybrid  Cinerarias 
and  Ccelogyne  Sanderiana.  A  certificate  of  merit  was  awarded  to  a 
finely  flowered  specimen  of  Dendrobinm  Brymerianum  of  superior  form, 
and  Mr.  W.  Gardiner  exhibited  specimens  of  well-kept  English, 
Tasmanian,  Canadian,  and  Californian  Apples  illustrative  of  varieties 
from  various  quarters  of  the  world. 
Frost  and  the  Jersey  Fotato  Crop. — It  is  reported  that  owing  to 
hard  frost  on  Saturday  night  the  Jersey  new  Potato  crop  has  suffered 
severely.  Hundreds  of  acres  which  on  Saturday  were  looking 
remarkably  well  have  been  blackened.  It  is  not  possible  to  estimate 
the  loss,  but  it  means  ruin  to  many  farmers.  Much  damage  has  also 
been  done  to  the  early  crops  in  East  Kent  by  the  extremely  cold 
weather  following  the  recent  few  summer-like  days.  Nevertheless  the 
fruit  prospects  are  more  promising  than  for  several  years.  Where 
early  Potatoes  are  up,  the  haulm  has  been  destroyed  by  the  night  frosts. 
Frost  Injuries  In  Bedfordshire.— On  Thursday  last,  Apiil  26th, 
a  disastrous  frost  was  registered  here,  the  thermometer  on  the  ground 
recording  18’8°  Fahr.,  or  over  13°  of  frost.  The  result  is  severe  injury 
to  flowers  and  plants.  Plums  and  Damsons  have  a  most  abundant 
display  of  blossom  this  season,  and  all  the  flowers  expanded  at  the  time 
were  destroyed.  Some  of  the  later  varieties  and  trees  still,  however, 
afford  the  prospect  of  a  crop.  Early  flowering  Peq,rs  are  also  severely 
cut.  Gooseberries  have  suffered  slightly,  Red  Currants  considerably,  and 
in  some  places  the  early  Strawberries  have  their*  leaves  and  flowers 
blackened,  though  the  latter  are  still  in  the  bud  stage.  Quantities  of 
Asparagus  have  been  cut  down,  early  Rhubarb  is  somewhat  damaged, 
and  Cabbages  have  all  their  fully  developed  leaves  browned.  In  one 
low-lying  district  acres  of  Cabbages  have  been  greatly  injured,  while 
seedling  vegetables  like  Brussels  Sprouts  have  been  generally  destroyed. 
— R.  Lewis  Castle,  Ridgmont. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Cblswlck. — 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. 
1800. 
April. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
00 
<D 
60 
5 
9i 
D 
& 
o 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
ins. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Sunday. .  22 
s.s.  w. 
60-1 
52-8 
73  4 
41-2 
_ 
61-6 
49-1 
46-5 
32-7 
Monday .  .23 
N.N.E. 
49  0 
46-1 
62-3 
45-3 
_ 
53-2 
49-8 
46-9 
44-8 
Tuesday  24 
E.S.E. 
61-6 
46-8 
61-3 
39 '5 
0-07 
52-6 
50  3 
47  1 
31-6 
Wed’sdaj  26 
E.  N.E. 
45  1 
44-4 
47-1 
48-3 
61-9 
50 -3 
47-5 
34-9 
Thursday  26 
E.X.E. 
42-8 
37 ‘5 
61  9 
29-2 
_ 
47-6 
49-7 
47-8 
17-6 
Friday  . .  27 
W.N.W. 
47-1 
43-4 
60-7 
31-3 
_ 
46-6 
48-7 
47-8 
2'2T 
Saturday  28 
E.N.E. 
42-1 
37*5 
52-5 
40  2 
— 
47-2 
48-1 
47-8 
34-8 
Total 
Means  .. 
48-3 
44'1 
67 -0 
38-6 
0-07 
501 
49-4 
47 -3 
31-2 
The  weather  for  the  past  week  has  been  fine  but  very  dull,  with 
cold  wind. 
