June  14,  1900 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
505 
Recent  Weatber  In  Zondon. — Both  Saturday  and  Sunday  were 
brilliantly  fine,  and  though  gardeners  would  appreciate  some  steady, 
warm  rains,  farmers  round  London  hope  for  continuous  warm  weather, 
as  such  will  favour  the  newly  mown  hay.  On  Monday  the  heat  was 
intense,  the  maximum  shade  temperature  reaching  88’.  On  Tuesday 
morning  there  was  a  heavy  rainstorm  with  some  thunder,  but  it 
continued  very  close  afterwards.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  slight 
return  of  thunder  with  rain  ;  Wednesday  opened  cooler. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next  fruit  and  flower  show 
of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday,  June  19th, 
in  the  Drill  Hall,  James  Street,  Westminster,  1  to  5  p.m.  A  lecture  on 
“  Aquatic  Plants,”  by  Prof.  G.  S,  Boulger,  will  be  given  at  three  o’clock. 
Fruit  Crowing-  In  England. — In  spite  of  the  increased  facilities 
enjoyed  by  the  foreigner  in  the  shipment  of  fresh  fruits*  to  the  markets 
of  the  United  Kingdom  every  year,  it  is  satisfactory  to  see  that  the 
English  fruit  grower  more  than  holds  his  own  against  all  comers. 
From  the  Government  returns,  it  appears  that  the  acreage  devoted  to 
fruit  in  Great  Britain  now  exceeds  229,000  acres,  and  the  extension 
bids  fair  to  assume  large  proportions  in  the  near  future.  Kent  and 
Worcester  at  present  take  the  lead  as  regards  recent  developments  in 
this  home  industry.  The  output  of  Cherries,  Apples,  and  Strawberries, 
particularly  from  Kent,  is  now  enormous.  The  great  increase  in 
Worcester  relates  to  Plums,  Strawberries,  and  Gooseberries, 
Crystal  Palace  Fruit  Sbow. — The  schedule  of  this  the  principal 
exhibition  of  British  grown  fruit,  held  annually  in  the  United  King¬ 
dom,  is  before  us,  and  remains  substantially  the  same  as  in  former 
years.  The  dates  chosen  are  September  27th,  28th,  and  29th,  and  it 
is  hoped  that  the  show  will  prove  as  signal  a  success  in  all  respects  as 
its  predecessors  have  done.  There  are  classes  for  practically  all  kinds 
of  fruits  that  can  be  produced  in  the  British  Islands  at  that  period  of 
the  year,  and  as  in  former  schedules  the  small  grower  has  abundance 
of  opportunity  to  annex  prizes  in  some  of  the  smaller  classes.  There 
are  sections  in  which  of  course  only  the  large  grower  can  show,  but 
this  does  not  necessarily  exclude  others  entirely.  Entries  close  on 
Thursday,  September  27th,  and  intending  exhibitors  may  secure 
schedules  and  other  necessary  information  from  the  Secretary  Royal 
Horticultural  Society,  II7,  Victoria  Street,  London,  S.W. 
Tbe  Death  ot  the  Earl  of  Radnor. — By  the  death  of  the  Earl 
of  Radnor,  which  occurred  on  the  3rd  inst.,  horticulture  generally,  and 
in  the  south-west  in  particular,  has  lost  one  of  its  staunchest  supporters 
and  most  noble  patrons.  His  lordship  and  the  Countess  of  Radnor 
were  ever  ready  to  promote  and  help  forward  in  every  possible  way 
any  scheme  for  the  advancement  of  horticulture,  especially  so  amongst 
the  cottagers  and  poor  in  their  immediate  neighbourhood.  The  beautiful 
demesne  at  Longford  Castle  affords  abundant  evidence  of  their  devoted 
love  of  horticulture,  and  of  the  exquisite  taste  displayed  in  effecting 
the  numerous  improvements  made  there  recently.  The  deepest 
sympathy  is  felt  by  everyone  connected  with  horticulture  towards  the 
bereaved  countess  and  the  family  in  their  sudden  and  severe  affliotion, 
intensified,  as  it  now  is,  by  the  serious  illness  of  the  present  earl,  who 
so  nobly  left  his  home  at  the  call  of  duty  to  fight  for  the  empire. — T.  C. 
Blr.  Peter  Barr  in  Iffew  Zealand. — Some  New  Zealand  papers 
to  hand  show  that  in  April  of  the  present  year  Mr.  Barr,  after  his 
peregrinations  in  China  and  Japan,  was  enjoying  himself  among  his 
kith  and  kin  in  the  far  away  antipodes.  He  appears  to  have  been 
lionised  by  the  municipal  authorities  of  Christchurch  and  Dunedin, 
and  largely  engaged  in  teaching  them  how  to  improve  their  public 
parks  by  way  of  making  them  more  beautiful  and  enjoyable,  after  the 
manner,  in  some  respects,  of  the  parks  of  London.  He  seems  to  have 
been  shocked  by  the  prevalence  of  Lombardy  Poplars,  for  he  says  : — 
“All  over  the  place  you  have  abominable  Poplar  trees,  and  they 
should  be  ruthlessly  slaughtered.  On  the  other  hand  you  have  the 
beautiful  Weeping  Willow,  which  is  in  itself  a  charm.  Alongside  a 
river  it  is  the  loveliest  tree  in  creation.  I  refer  to  the  Babylonica. 
It  makes  a  beautifijl  landscape.  These  Weeping  Willows  are  one  of 
the  great  beauties  ji  Christchurch.” 
Horticultural  Club. — The  usual  monthly  dinner  and  conver¬ 
sazione  of  this  Society  will  take  place  on  Tuesday,  June  19th  at  6  p.m. 
The  subject  -which  has  been  put  down  for  discussion  is  the  “  Clematis,” 
and  it  will  be  opened  by  a  paper  of  Mr.  A.  G.  Jackman. 
Inner  Temple  Cardens. — We  learn  that  by  permission  of  the 
Benchers  the  Inner  Temple  gardens  were  opened  on  IMonday  last,  and 
will  be  open  each  week-day  during  the  summer  months  from  6  p.m. 
till  dusk,  for  the  benefit  of  the  children  in  the  district.  This  is  a 
privilege  that  will  be  immensely  appreciated. 
Bsta  and  Box  from  iilbanla.— It  is  stated  that  these  trees  are 
now  being  raised  in  a  regular  manner  in  Albanian  nurseries.  Until 
recent  years  these  have  been  used  solely  as  fuel,  and  never  exported 
as  building  wood,  for  which  purposes  Ash  timber  especially  has  con¬ 
siderable  value  for  use  in  the  interior  of  buildings.  Boxwood,  of  large 
size,  for  the  use  of  the  engraver,  is  always  a  marketable  commodity 
in  Europe,  and  a  new  source  of  supply  will  be  heartily  welcomed. 
Rhododendron  Sunday. — Last  Sunday  is  known  as  “Rhodo¬ 
dendron  Sunday,”  and  the  public  were  admitted  to  view  the  wonderful 
collection  of  these  beautiful  plants  in  Earl  Darnley’s  Park  at  Cobha.m, 
near  Rochester.  Cobham  is  within  an  easy  walk  of  Rochester  and 
Gravesend,  and  both  park  and  village  are  ideals  for  the  artist,  the 
admirer  of  the  picturesque,  and  the  thousands  of  lovers  of  the  creations 
of  the  late  Charles  Dickens.  The  “  Old  Leather  Bott^l”  has  become  a 
veritable  Mecca  for  our  cousins  from  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic, 
and  its  visitors’  book  contains  a  wonderful  collection  of  distinguished 
names. 
Bournemouth  Pleasure  Grounds. — Mr.  Robert  B.  C.  Scarlett, 
owner  of  the  Shelley  estate  and  the  cliff  frontage  to  the  east  of 
Boscombe  Pier,  on  Wednesday,  presented  to  the  Mayor  of  Bournemouth 
for  the  town  in  perpetuity  new  pleasure  grounds  on  the  cliff  front. 
The  gift  was  originally  made  by  the  late  Lady  Shelley,  but  since  her 
death  Mr.  Scarlett,  her  successor,  has  added  to  it  by  spending  £1600  in 
laying  out  the  site,  and  the  Bournemouth  Corporation  spent  a  similar 
sum  in  providing  shelters  and  seats,  and  other  conveniences  for  the 
public.  The  grounds  cover  nearly  4  acres,  and  command  magnificent 
views  of  Bournemouth  Bay,  the  English  Channel,  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
and  the  Purbeck  Hills. 
Amateur  Bose  Culture. — In  the  last  issue  of  the  “  Eosarian’s 
Year  Book,”  Mr.  R,  E.  West,  the  well-known  and  successful  Reigate 
amateur,  contributed  an  admirable  article  under  the  above  title.  This 
has  now  been  issued  in  pamphlet  form  by  the  Surrey  Seed  Co.,  Ltd., 
Redhill,  and  having  in  view  the  fact  that  the  whole  of  the  information 
has  been  previously  published,  we  are  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
price,  Is.,  is  too  high.  Had  the  pamphlet  been  offered  at  6d.  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  it  would  have  had  a  vastly  increased  sale.  Needless 
to  say  the  information  is  most  reliable,  as  it  is  the  result  of  many  years’ 
practical  experience  in  the  production  of  the  Queen  of  Flowers,  both 
for  exhibition  and  home  adornment. 
Gardening  Appointments. — Mr.  Robert  Anderson,  for  the  past 
fourteen  years  head  gardener  and  manager  on  the  estate  of  Capt.  the 
Hon.  A.  E.  Harris-Temple,  Waterston,  Athlone,  and  previously  foreman 
in  the  gardens  of  his  Grace  the  of  Duke  Buccleuch  at  Dalkeith  Palace, 
and  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Rosebery  at  Mentmore,  has  been 
selected  from  upwards  of  200  candidates  to  fill  the  responsible  position 
of  bailiff  of  Phoenix  Park,  Dublin,  in  succession  to  Mr.  Wm.  Dick,  who 
retires  after  twenty-three  years’  service.  Mr.  James  Tivendale,  lately 
head  gardener  to  Colonel  Cosby,  D.L.,  Stradbally  Hall,  Queen’s  Co., 
succeeds  Mr.  Anderson  as  head  gardener  to  Capt.  the  Hon.  A.  E. 
Harris-Temple,  Waterston,  Athlone. 
The  late  IVTr.  R.  D.  Blackmore’s  Pear  Garden.— The  fame 
of  this  fruit  garden,  near  Teddington  Station,  failed  to  secure 
purchasers  when  offered  in  moderate  sized  lots  for  building  purposes 
last  week  by  those  able  auctioneers,  Messrs.  Chancellor  &  Sons.  Only 
a  few  low  bids  were  made,  but  not  a  single  lot  changed  hands.  That 
may  seem  remarkable,  considering  that  the  ground  is  so  admirably 
situated,  being  near  the  railway,  and  very  close  to  Bushey  and  Hampton 
Court  Parks,  and  the  River  Thames,  and  only  about  twelve  miles  from 
London.  But  the  sale  seems  to  have  been  hedged  by  conditions  of 
so  restrictive  a  kind  that  no  one  would  make  adequate  offers.  Most 
of  the  land  has  been  planted  a  few  years  with  Pear  trees,  and  of 
the  very  best  varieties,  the  trees  being  almost,  if  not  wholly,  of  the 
pyramidal  form.  The  plots  had  the  advantage  also  of  facing  several 
well-made  established  roads. 
