May  13,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
411 
April  Weather  at  Hodsock  Priory,  Worksop. — Mean 
temperature,  44'5°.  Maximum  in  the  screen,  67-6°  on  the  29th  ; 
minimum  in  the  screen,  25'3°  on  the  5th.  Minimum  on  the  grass,  14  6° 
on  the  5th.  Number  of  frosts,  in  the  shade  nine  ;  on  the  grass  nineteen. 
Sunshine  136  hoars,  or  33  per  cent,  of  the  possible  duration.  Rainfall, 
1  31  inch.  Rain  fell  on  seventeen  days.  Rather  showery,  with  some 
sharp  frosts  at  the  commencement.  Mean  temperature  the  same  as  in 
March,  and  the  nights  colder.  Vegetation  late. — J.  Mallender. 
The  Weather  Last  Month. — April  was  changeable,  but 
severe  frosts  only  occurred  on  two  mornings.  The  prevailing  direction 
of  the  wind  was  N.  on  fifteen  days.  Total  rainfall,  l-52  inch,  which 
fell  on  s’xteen  days,  this  being  0'28  inch  below  the  average  for  the 
month.  The  greatest  daily  fall  was  O' 32  inch  on  the  6th.  Barometer 
(corrected  and  reduced),  highest  reading  30  285  inches  at  9  p.m.  on  the 
10th,  lowest  29  122  inches  at  9  AM.  on  the  1st.  Thermometers,  highest 
in  the  shade,  66°  on  the  29th  ;  lowest,  25°  on  the  11th;  Mean  daily 
maxima,  51 '46°.  Mean  daily  minima,  37  06°.  Mean  temperature  of 
the  month,  44-26°.  Lowest  on  the  grass,  16°  on  the  11th  ;  highest  in 
the  sun,  12/°  on  the  15th.  Mean  of  the  earth  at  3  feet,  44  10°.  Total 
sunshine,  146  hours  40  minutes.  We  had  four  sunless  days.  — 
W.  H.  Divers,  Belvoir/  Cast  e  Gardens,  Grantham. 
— —  Royal  Meteorological  Society.  —  The  Council  has 
occasionally  been  urged  to  hold  the  meetings  of  the  Society  in  the  after¬ 
noon  instead  of  in  the  evening,  and  is  desirous  of  consulting  the 
convenience  of  the  Fellows  in  this  matter.  It  has  therefore  thonght 
that  as  the  next  two  meetings  cannot  be  held  at  the  Institution  of  Civil 
Engineers  afternoon  meetings  might  be  tried  on  these  occasions.  The 
meeting  on  May  1 9ch  will  be  held  in  the  rooms  of  the  Royal  Astronomical 
Society,  in  the  quadrangle  of  Burlington  House,  Piccadilly,  W.,  at 
4  30  P.M.,  when  the  following  papers  will  be  read  : — “The  Rainfall  of 
Dominica,  West  Indies,”  by  C.  V.  Bellamy,  F.R.Met.Soc.,  Associate 
M.Inst.C.E.  ;  “  On  the  Mean  M  >nthly  Temperatures  of  the  British  Isles, 
1871-95,”  by  R.  H.  Scott,  F.R.S.,  and  F.  Gaster,  F.R.Met.Soc. 
- -  Richmond  Horticultural  Society. — Ninety-eight  classes 
are  enumerated  in  the  schedule  of  this  Society,  whose  show  will  be  held 
in  the  Old  Deer  Park  on  Wednesday,  June  23rd.  As  usual  there  are 
open  and  restricted  classes,  together  with  Society’s  and  special  prizes. 
For  a  group  of  plants  £14  is  offered  in  four  prizes,  while  to  competitors 
who  show  in  this  class  and  do  not  gain  a  prize  a  premium  of  £1  will  be 
given.  Six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  take  £5,  £4,  and  £3  as  the 
respective  prizes.  For  Rosea,  twenty-four  trebles,  £6  is  scheduled  ; 
other  prizes  for  plants,  cut  flowers,  fruiis,  and  vegetables  being  equally 
eood.  Schedules  may  be  obtained  from  the  Hon.  Secretary,  Mr.  A.  A. 
Chancellor,  Old  Palace  Place,  Richmond. 
-  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement  Associ¬ 
ation. — It  is  very  pleasing  to  record  a  steadily  increasing  interest  in 
the  work  of  the  above  Association  ;  new  members  are  being  continually 
enrolled,  and  there  are  very  few  of  the  principal  gardeners  in  the  island 
now  who  have  not  joined  the  ranks,  and  it  cannot  fail  to  do  good  work 
in  the  advancement  of  horticulture  generally  in  this  favoured  spot.  It 
is  fortunate  in  having  a  very  popular  President  in  Dr.  J.  Groves,  B.A., 
F .G.S.,  who  throws  a  deal  of  energy  into  the  work,  and  a  capital 
Hon.  Secretary  in  Mr.  S.  Heaton,  F.R.H.S.,  who  seems  to  have  the  knack 
of  drawing  gardeners  together,  not  always  an  easy  task.  On  Saturday 
last,  May  8th,  the  President,  the  Hon.  Secretary,  and  about  fifty  other 
members  responded  to  the  invitation  of  the  Rev.  H.  Ewbank,  F.R.H.S., 
to  visit  his  garden  at  St.  John’s,  Ryde.  The  weather  was  delightfully 
fine,  and  the  members  found  therein  much  to  interest  them,  the  garden 
being  noted  for  the  very  choice  collection  of  rare  alpine  and  other  plants 
of  quaint  or  botanical  curiosities.  Many  of  the  Irises  were  over,  but 
I.  iberica  was  at  its  best,  and  other  varieties  coming  on.  A  fine  clump 
of  Paeonia  tenuifolia,  with  crimson  flowers  and  finely  cut  foliage,  was 
conspicuous  among  other  choice  and  interesting  plants.  Tea  was 
provided  on  the  lawn  and  heartily  enjoyed,  Mrs.  Ewbank  and  others 
being  assiduous  in  assisting  and  attending  to  the  wants  of  the  members. 
After  the  tea  the  President  proposed  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Ewbank  for  their  Kind  invite  and  hospitality,  which  was 
seconded  by  Mr.  C.  Orchard,  and  heartily  responded  to.  The  members 
afterwards  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  look  over  the 
adjacent  grounds  of  Appley  Towers  by  the  kind  permission  of  George 
Hutt,  Eeq.,  when  they  had  the  opportunity  of  Beeing  some  fine  specimens 
of  flowering  shrubs  in  full  beauty,  one  plant  of  Choisya  ternata, 
measuring  at  least  12  feet  through,  being  a  perfect  picture.  In  the 
evening  the  President  read  a  paper  at  the  Town  Hall,  Ryde,  on  "  The 
Influence  of  Microbic  Life  in  the  Nutrition  of  Plants,”  which  was  well 
attended  and  listened  to  with  much  interest.  A  good  collection  of 
Orchids  was  exhibited,  and  Mr.  J.  Barkham,  Longford,  was  awarded  a 
first-class  certificate  for  a  dozen  fine  fruits  of  Cucumber  Longford  Hall. 
The  Orchids  exhibited  were  awarded  a  cultural  certificate. — C.  Orchard, 
-  Robinson  v.  Ward,  Lock,  &  Co.  (Ltd.).— The  plaintiff  in 
the  above  action,  on  the  2nd  day  of  April,  obtained  from  His  Lordship, 
Mr.  Justice  Kekewich,  in  the  Chief  Division  of  the  High  Court  of 
Justice,  an  order  perpetually  restraining  the  defendants  from  printing, 
publishing,  gelling,  or  disposing  of,  and  from  advertising,  offering,  or 
exposing  for  sale  any  newspaper,  periodical,  or  publication  by  the  name 
of  1  “  Gardening  Illustrated,”  or  by  any  other  name  so  similar  to 
"  Gardening  Illustrated  ”  as  to  induce  the  public  to  believe  that  such 
newspaper,  periodical,  or  publication  is  the  paper  published  by  the 
plaintiff. 
-  The  Cricket  Season. — In  a  few  days  the  cricket  season  will 
be  in  full  swing,  and  matches  will  be  played  from  one  end  of  the  country 
to  the  other.  The  employes  of"  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading,  are, 
like  their  employers,  up  to  date,  for  they  have  sent  us  the  match  card  of 
Buttons’ Cricket  Club,  with  the  fixtures  on  it  for  the  current  season. 
There  are  three  teams — namely,  A,  B,  and  junior — and  amongst  them 
they  will  play,  circumstances  permitting,  forty  matches  at  home  and 
away.  The  opening  game  will  be  on  May  19th,  and  the  closing  one  on 
August  28th,  We  wish  the  willow  wielders  and  the  leather  trundlers 
every  success. 
-  Fine  Mushrooms. — I  herewith  send  you  a  small  box  of  Mush¬ 
rooms  for  your  breakfast,  if  you  will  kindly  accept  them.  They  are 
grown  from  instructions  in  “  Mushrooms  for  the  Million.”  If  you 
think  they  are  worth  it,  you  can  acknowledge  them  in  your  next  issue 
of  the  Journal.  I  have  splendid  crops,  plenty  of  specimens  weighing 
over  £  lb.,  some  over  1  lb.  each,  quite  as  freBh  as  those  sent. — 
W.  F.  Smith,  The  Church  Close  Nursery,  Clent,  Stourbridge.  [The 
specimens  are  accepted  with  thanks.  They  are  certainly  worthy  of 
public  acknowledgment,  as  finer  and  fresher  examples  we  have  not 
seen,  and  scarcely  expect  to  see  this  year.  Mr.  Smith  is  to  be  congra¬ 
tulated  on  his  successful  cultivation  of  the  delicious  esculent.] 
- “  Amateur  World  of  Horticulture.” — Such  is  the  title  of 
a  book  of  twenty-six  pages  that  is  published  by  the  National  Amateur 
Gardeners’  Association  for  gratuitous  distribution  amongst  its  members, 
also  those  of  the  National  Cactus  and  National  Viola  Societies. 
Besides  a  few  editorial  notes  papers  are  given  on  Cactuses  by  Mr. 
Lewis  Castle,  and  on  Violas  by  Mr.  W.  Baxter,  both  of  which  contain 
sound  information  of  a  useful  character.  Much  other  matter  is  given, 
including  reports  of  the  shows  held  by  the  Association  during  January, 
February,  and  March,  particulars  relative  to  affiliated  societies,  and  the 
excursion  arrangements  for  the  season.  Mr.  Leonard  Brown,  Brentwood, 
Essex,  is  the  Secretary  of  the  Association,  and  to  him  all  communica¬ 
tions  must  be  addressed. 
-  Liverpool  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association. — That  the 
Liverpool  amateurs  are  determined  to  keep  up  their  reputation  was 
evidenced  by  the  largely  increased  number  present  at  the  Common 
Hall,  Hackins  Hey,  Liverpool,  on  Thursday  last.  Prior  to  a  paper  on 
“  Azaleas,”  by  Mr.  R.  Pinnington  of  Roby,  letters  of  regret  were  read 
by  Mr.  Cooper  from  the  President,  Mr.  Isaac  C.  Glover,  and  Mr. 
J.  M.  Smyth,  Secretary,  both  of  whom  were  on  the  sick  list.  Mr. 
Pinnington  said  Azaleas  were  much  liked  and  very  useful,  but  many 
amateurs  did  not  succeed  with  them.  Good  fibrous  peat  and  sand,  also 
careful  drainage,  were  needed  when  repotting,  the  best  time  being  just 
as  the  plants  commence  to  grow.  Large  shifts  were  not  beneficial,  the 
soil  being  apt  to  get  soured.  Careful  attention  to  watering,  frequent 
syringings,  and  a  moist  growing  temperature  from  45°  to  55°  would  get 
them  into  condition  for  setting  their  buds,  the  plants  being  benefited 
by  a  shady  position  outdoors  during  the  later  summer  months.  Syringing 
occasionally  with  softsoap  and  warm  water  would  tend  to  keep  thrips 
at  bay.  House  at  the  end  of  September,  seeing  that  the  pots  are  free 
from  worms,  and  do  not  overwater.  A  list  of  twenty-four  amongst  the* 
best  varieties  was  written  and  presente  i  to  the  members,  Deutche  Perle- 
being  recommended  as  an  early  white,  and  Souvenir  du  Francois- 
Vervaene,  one  of  the  most  handsome  whites  in  cultivation,  for  late 
work.  The  members  had  some  interesting  exhibits,  Mr.  Baddeley 
winning  with  Azaleas,  Mr.  Langley  with  Deutzia  gracilis  and  one  Fern, 
Mr.  Redfern  greenhouse  flowers,  Mr.  Ardran  handsome  Roses.  Mr. 
Drake  had  a  pretty  Cattleya  citrina,  and  was  awarded  certificate  for 
Cactus,  the  special  prizes  going  to  Messrs.  Langley  and  Hoskyn.  Several 
new  members  were  proposed.  Votes  of  thanks  closed  the  meeting. 
