368 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  28,  1898. 
Weather  in  London. — The  second  half  of  last  week  was  much 
colder  than  the  first  portion.  On  each  day  the  wind  was  somewhat 
searching,  and  occasionally  a  little  wet  could  be  felt  in  the  air.  There 
was  a  very  heavy  dew  on  Saturday  night,  and  on  Sunday  the  sun  shone 
brilliantly,  but  it  became  cool  again  towards  evening.  On  Monday  it  was 
cloudy  and  cold,  but  no  rain  fell,  but  on  Tuesday  the  conditions  were 
changed,  and  a  welcome  shower  fell  in’  the  evening.  On  Wednesday  it 
was  dull  and  warm,  but  no  rain  fell  up  to  midday. 
-  Weather  in  the  North. — Seasonable,  and  occasionally  very 
fine  weather  has  marked  the  whole  of  the  week  ending  on  Tuesday 
morning.  The  21st,  and  the  former  part  of  Sunday  were  delightfully 
pleasant.  Showers  have  occurrea  throughout ;  the  moist  atmosphere  and 
hazy  sunshine  have  given  a  great  impetus  to  vegetation,  and  the  country 
has  the  appearance  of  mid  May.  The  cuckoo  and  the  swallow  are 
reported  from  W.  Perthshire.— B.  D.,  S.  Perthshire. 
-  Pruit  Trees  in  S.W.  Scotland.— In  this  district  of  Scot- 
land  there  is  at  present  a  splendid  display  of  blossom  on  Plum,  Cherry, 
Almond,  and  Pear  trees  ;  and  some  of  the  Apple  trees  are  already 
exhibiting  their  beautiful  flowers.  Among  Plums,  The  Czar,  the  Early 
Rivers,  and  Denniston’s  Green  Gage  are  especially  impressive.  It  is 
evident  that  fruit  trees  have  much  benefited  by  their  rest  of  last  year, 
which  was  well  earned  after  their  memorable  effort  of  the  previous 
season.  They  W'ere  also  greatly  favoured  by  the  comparative  mildness 
of  the  winter  and  spring.  At  present  atmospheric  influences  are 
extremely  favourable  to  the  development  of  the  blossom  into  the  fruit, 
brilliant  sunshine  alternating  with  soft  and  genial  showers.  —  David 
R.  Williamson. 
-  Death  op  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Jebb. — We  regret  to  announce 
the  death  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Gladwyn  Jebb,  of  Firbeck  Hall,  which 
occurred  at  SheSield  on  the  19th  inst.  For  several  years  Mr.  Jebb 
suffered  much  from  his  eyes,  and  had  undergone  operations  with  benefit. 
He  came  to  Sheffield  on  the  13th  inst.  for  further  treatment,  but  unfortu¬ 
nately  he  had  already  contracted  influenza,  and  succumbed  as  stated. 
Mr.  Jebb  was  born  in  1826,  and  was  privately  educated  at  Stamford. 
He  proceeded  to  St.  .John’s  College,  Cambridge,  of  which  he  was  an 
exhibitioner.  He  graduated  B.A.  in  1851,  and  M.A.  in  1872.  He  was 
also  F.S.A.  Being  an  ardent  student  the  deceased  became  acquainted 
with  many  distinguished  men,  and  his  travels  abroad  extended  materially 
his  sphere  of  knowledge.  On  several  occasions  learned  societies  have 
enjoyed  his  hospitality,  and  have  been  privileged  to  view  some  of  the 
many  treasures  he  was  able  to  show.  He  was  a  man  of  high  literary 
attainments,  with  a  wonderfully  retentive  memory’,  and  his  knowledge  of 
Shakespeare  was  remarkable.  He  was  much  interested  in  horticultural 
matters,  especially  Roses,  as  is  Miss  Jebb,  who  is  a  member  of  the 
National  Rose  Society.  He  leaves  a  widow,  one  son,  and  two  daughters. 
His  son  is  Mr.  H.  .J.  Jebb,  J.P.  The  funeral  took  place  at  Firbeck  on 
Friday. 
-  Fruit  Prospects  at  Liverpool.— Judging  from  present 
appearances  we  ought  to  have  an  abundant  crop  of  fruit  of  all  kinds 
this  season,  provided  the  weather  keeps  favourable  for  the  next  fortnight 
or  so.  Pears,  Plums,  and  Cherries  are  in  full  bloom,  and  the  pink  of  the 
Apple  blossom  now  slowly'  unfolding  is  charming  to  look  upon.  We  want 
warm  showers,  as  the  rainfall  has  not  been  over-abundant  since  the  year 
came  in.  Fortunate  are  those  who  have  been  able  to  give  some  of  their 
trees  a  copious  supply  of  liquid  manure  previous  to  their  coming  into 
blossom,  as  this  system  only  needs  to  be  tried  to  see  the  beneficial  results 
in  the  setting  of  a  crop  of  fruit.  Whilst  making  a  journey  through  a 
portion  of  Cheshire  a  little  more  than  a  week  ago  I  was  much  struck  by 
the  wonderful  promise  for  Damsons.  Along  the  hedgerows  by  the  way- 
side  and  at  the  farmhouses  the  trees  were  literally  laden  With  sheets  of 
white  such  as  is  seldom  seen,  and  as  the  Damson  crop  last  year  was 
almost  the  worst  on  record,  it  will  be  little  short  of  a  calamity  if  the 
supply  of  this  delicious  fruit  should  again  be  cut  short  by  a  spell  of  bad 
weather.  Of  course  it  is  too  early  as  yet  to  know  the  extent  of  the  crop 
of  various  kinds  of  fruit,  but  I  hope  to  be  able  to  send  a  report  later  on 
— R.  P.  R. 
-  Florilegium  haarlemense. — The  excellence  of  this  ornate 
work  is  splendidly  maintained  in  the  sixth  number,  which  has  just  come 
to  hand.  The  plates  are  beautifully  executed,  while  the  letterpress  (in 
four  languages)  is  clear  and  sound.  The  illustrations  comprise  Hyacinth 
King  of  the  Blues  ;  Tulips  La  Reine,  Yellow  Prince,  and  Silver  Standard  ; 
and  Chionodoxa  Lucilias  and  C.  sardensis,  with  ScUla  sibirica. 
-  Death  op  Mr.  J.  S.  Robinson. — We  regret  to  record  the 
death,  on  the  21st  inst.,  of  the  above  gentleman,  who  was  so  well  known 
in  Worksop  and  the  neighbourhood.  The  deceased  was  only  thirty  years 
of  age,  and  he  will  be  much  missed,  not  only  as  a  sportsman,  but  for  the 
keen  interest  he  manifested  in  horticultural  matters.  One  of  the  finest 
shows  that  has  been  held  in  Worksop  was  in  grounds  that  Mr.  Robinson 
lent,  while  he  was  also  a  believer  in  allotments,  and  let  much  of  his 
ground  for  this  purpose,  both  at  Worksop  and  Nottingham. 
-  A  “  Load  ’*  op  Potatoes. — In  some  districts  Potatoes  are 
sold  by  the  load.  Will  you  or  any  of  your  readers  kindly  give  in  your 
next  issue  what  number  of  pounds  there  are  in  a  load  ?  and  greatly 
oblige — E.  C.  K.  [For  anything  we  know  to  the  contrary,  a  “load” 
may  vary  in  weight  in  different  counties,  as  a  peck  loes  ;  and  if  so,  local 
custom  must  be  adhered  to.  Ten  sacks,  of  2  cwt.  each,  represent  a  load 
in  some  districts,  or  2240  lbs.  Perhaps  some  of  our  readers  may  be  able 
to  supply  information  on  the  subject  differing  from  that  we  have  given. 
We  know  of  Potatoes  being  sold  at  14  lbs.  to  the  peck,  16  lbs.,  and  21  lbs. 
respectively.] 
- Weather  and  Prospects  in  Guernsey.— Since  the  notable 
storm  we  had  on  March  24th  and  25th,  Dame  Nature  has  been  on  her 
best  behaviour.  After  a  steady  downpour  of  rain,  followed  by  sunny 
days,  everything  both  indoors  and  out  has  made  wonderful  progress.  A 
few  parcels  of  Tomatoes  have  been  sent  away,  and  by  the  first  week  in 
May  the  crops  will  be  ripening  freely.  Melons,  Figs,  and  Grapes  are 
also  being  shipped,  and  so  far  realising  fair  prices.  Broccoli  paid  very 
well  till  the  large  consignments  from  Cornwall  forced  down  the  price  in 
nearly  every  market.  French  Beans  have  paid  well.  Flowers  also  have 
been  in  good  demand.  Pear  and  Plum  trees  are  in  full  bloom  and 
promise  a  heavy  crop.  Grass  is  abundant,  and  the  prospects  of  the  season 
seems  to  be  fairly  satisfactory. — X. 
-  Gardening  Appointment. — Mr.  Alfred  Bishop,  gardener  to 
Robert  Burrell,  Esq.,  Westley  Hall  Gardens,  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  has  been 
engaged  as  gardener  to  Sir  Humphrey  de  Trafford,  Bart.,  Hill  Crest, 
Market  Harborough.  It  may  be  stated  that  Mr.  G.  A.  Bishop  received 
the  notification  of  his  acceptance  for  the  position  and  of  the  Government 
appointment  at  Bermuda,  as  announced  last  week,  at  practically  the  same 
time,  choosing  the  latter.  His  brother  is  accepted  for  Hill  Crest  in  his 
stead.  Some  gardeners  have  difficulty  in  finding  one  situation,  while  Mr. 
Bishop,  after  long  waiting,  had  the  chance  of  two  good  ones  at  the  same 
time.  Really  good  men  need  not  despair,  though  we  know  of  some  who 
find  it  weary  waiting  for  positions  which  they  could  most  creditably  fill. 
-  International  Horticulture. — I  have  been  looking  over 
the  long  and  somewhat  monotonous  reports  printed  in  the  gardening 
press  of  the  recent  great  horticultural  show  in  Ghent.  I  do  not  say 
reading  them,  because  to  me,  as  to  nine-tenths  of  readers,  the  reports 
have  little  special  interest.  Still  enough  was  seen  to  show  that  whilst  a 
grand  International  Show  was  held,  yet  there  seemed  to  be  in  association 
with  it  very  little  of  international  courtesy  of  an  official  kind.  Of  course 
the  British  gentlemen  who  attended  were  most  kindly  welcomed  and 
hospitably  treated  ;  that  would  be  assured,  but  I  could  not  gather  that 
anyone  of  these  were  present  as  a  representative  of  our  Royal  Horti¬ 
cultural  or  any  other  important  horticultural  society.  Possibly  no  one 
was  so  invited.  I  do  not  know.  Still  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  an  expression 
of  regret  that  such  a  gathering  of  continental  horticulturists  as  was 
seen  at  Ghent  had  not  been  added  to  by  some  two  or  three  official 
representatives  of  British  horticulture.  I  notice  that  the  President  of 
the  National  Horticultural  Society  of  Paris,  so  described  at  least,  was 
present,  although  the  title  is  rather  a  misnomer,  and  possibly  it 
should  have  been  of  “France,”  to  make  the  society  national.  In  any 
case  France  was  thus  officially  represented,  and  Great  Britain  was  not. 
That  seems  to  be  matter  for  regret.  It  is  not  less  matter  for  regret  that 
great  international  horticultural  shows  seem  to  be  held  now  only  on  the 
Continent,  and  not  in  Great  Britain.  Is  it  not  possible  for  us  to  hold 
one  in  London  at  least  once  in  ten  years  1  Surely  so  long  as  there  is  the 
Crystal  Palace,  and  its  splendid  area  and  grounds,  there  is  a  place 
unequalled  for  such  a  show  in  the  whole  world.  Whilst  there  is  yet  time 
why  not  set  about  organising  a  grand  international  horticultural 
exhibition  here,  to  inaugurate  in  l90l  the  commencement  of  what  may 
be,  we  trust,  for  horticulture  the  glorious  twentieth  century  ? — A.  D. 
