544 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  21,  1899. 
Recent  Weather  in  London. — The  frost  and  snow  which  was 
with  us  last  week,  and  raised  the  hopes  of  many  for  a  skating  Christmas, 
passed  away  on  Sunday.  Beween  the  hours  of  five  or  six  of  the  afternoon 
of  that  day  rain  commenced  to  fall,  and  continued  throughout  the 
evening.  Monday  opened  dull  and  dark,  with  a  damp  mist  falling,  while 
on  Tuesday  it  was  dull  and  foggy,  but  dry.  At  the  time  of  going  to 
press  on  Wednesday  it  was  very  mild. 
-  Weather  in  the  North. — During  the  greater  part  of  the 
week  ending  the  18th  inst,  the  weather  has  been  exceptionally  severe. 
A  heavy  snowfall  took  place  on  the  night  of  the  11th,  and  lay  on  the 
following  morning  to  the  depth  of  nearly  7  inches.  The  frost  increased 
from  10°  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  to  22°  on  the  15th,  when  thaw  set  in 
n  the  afternoon,  and  cleared  off  the  most  of  the  snow.  On  Sunday  5° 
frost  were  registered,  and  3°  on  Monday  morning,  the  latter  day  being 
gloomy  in  the  extreme.— B.  D.,  8.  Perthshire. 
-  Trade  Appointments.— We  learn  that  Mr,  James  Deans 
(formerly  with  Messrs.  P.  Barr  &  Sons),  for  the  last  eight  years  manager 
of  Messrs.  John  Pope  &  Son’s  seed  and  plant  establishment,  Market  Hall, 
Birmingham,  has  recently  been  appointed  manager  to  Messrs.  Cutbush’s 
business,  Bishopsgate  Street,  London.  Mr.  Deans  is  succeeded  by 
Mr.  James  Balden,  lately  with  Messrs.  Sumners  Bros.,  Birmingham,  and 
formerly  for  fifteen  years  with  Messrs.  Little  &  Ballantyne,  Carlisle.  The 
Birmingham  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  Association  lose  an  esteemed 
and  useful  member  by  the  removal  of  Mr.  Deans. 
-  The  W inter  Moths  — I  hardly  know  whether  I  shall  be 
admitted  to  make  a  remark  or  two  on  this  subject  without  giving 
offence  $  I  hope  so.  Some  years  ago  the  point  was  discussed  as  to 
whether  the  male  moth  was  able  to  fly  with  his  companion  the  female 
over  the  grease-bands — a  very  important  point,  or  I  should  not  refer  to 
it.  I  contended,  from  very  close  observation,  that  it  could  not,  and 
others  felt  equally  certain  they  did.  I  have  again  watched  them  this 
autumn,  and  am  more  convinced  that  they  cannot,  and  drop  like  lead 
in  every  attempt,  and  I  have  no  doubt  I  have  taken  a  thousand  pairs,  and 
am  still  taking  for  experimenting  on  mild  nights. — J.  H. 
-  Violets  for  Exhibition. — In  reference  to  the  note  on 
page  521,  I  may  inform  “A.  J.  L.”  that  Violets  in  pots  are  well 
shown,  especially  at  Windsor.  At  Torquay  I  have  seen  them  grandly 
represented,  and  in  many  varieties  too.  I  know  of  no  society  that 
encourages  Violets  in  a  cut  state  by  the  offering  of  a  prize.  Nursery¬ 
men  exhibit  the  single-flowered  varieties,  such  as  Princess  of  Wales  and 
California.  It  cannot  be  said,  though,  that  they  have  a  very  striking 
decorative  effect.  A  prize  for  twelve  bunches  in  three  varieties,  as 
suggested,  might,  if  tastefully  arranged  in  vases  with  their  own  foliage, 
add  interest  to  some  autumn  exhibitions,  where  variety  is  much  needed. — 
E.  M.  [We  think  prizes  have  been  offered  and  competed  for  with 
bunches  of  Violets  at  one  show,  if  not  more,  at  which  “E.  M.”  has 
officiated.  Perhaps  his  eyes  were  dazzled  by  scrutinising  about  a  thousand 
blooms  of  Chrysanthemums.’! 
-  The  Late  Mr.  James  Martin  and  the  Gardeners’ 
Orphan  Fund. — For  perpetuating  the  memory  of  the  late  Mr.  James 
Martin  of  Reading,  the  indefatigable  and  successful  raiser  of  so  many 
popular  flowers,  a  movement  is  started,  which  we  strongly  hope  will  be 
successful,  whereby  the  above  charity  may  be  provided  with  means  for 
the  support  of  a  child,  to  be  known  as  “The  James  Martin  Memorial 
Orphan.”  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  have  generously  contributed  £50. 
Mr.  Martin  was  so  widely  known  and  highly  respected,  beyond  the  scene 
of  his  labours,  that  many  scattered  friends  will  be  glad  to  contribute  their 
mites  towards  so  worthy  an  object.  A  committee  is  formed  by  the 
Reading  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  Association  for  carrying  out 
the  project.  Arthur  W.  Sutton,  Esq.,  and  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq ,  are 
Honorary  Treasurers.  Mr.  J.  Woolford,  East  Thorpe,  Reading,  with 
Mr.  H.  C.  Cox,  Fernlea,  Junction  Road,  Reading,  Honorary  Secretaries 
of  the  “  James  Martin  Memorial  Fund.”  They  will  be  glad  to  receive 
subscriptions  from  all  who  may  like  to  share  in  perpetuating  the  memory 
in  such  an  excellent  way,  of  the  departed  worker,  who,  as  is  truly  said, 
“  was  ever  ready  with  his  advice  and  help  to  all  interested  in 
horticulture.” 
-  Canker  in  Fruit  Trees. —  l  am  pleased  to  see  this  subject 
revived,  and  have  read  the  remarks  on  the  subject  in  the  Journal  with 
much  interest.  My  Ribston  Pippin  tree,  on  which  I  experimented  some 
twenty  years  ago,  is  as  free  from  canker,  from  my  method  of  prevention, 
as  any  tree  in  England,  and  it  might,  I  consider,  be  grown  to  any 
extent  by  dressing  the  grafts  of  stocks  with  insecticides  or  fungicides. 
— J.  Hiam. 
- Presentation  to  Mr.  J.  T.  Mcleod. — Mr.  McLeod,  of  the 
Dover  House  Gardens,  Roehampton,  has  for  several  years  past  been  the 
secretary  of  the  Putney  Chrysanthemum  Society.  In  consequence  of  the 
pressure  upon  his  time  he  has  found  it  necessary  to  retire,  and  to  show 
their  appreciation  of  his  services  the  members  presented  him  with  a  hand¬ 
some  testimonial  at  the  Society’s  annual  dinner.  Much  regret  was  expressed 
at  Mr.  McLeod’s  retirement. 
-  Mr.  J.  McIndoe  and  the  Royal  Caledonian  Horti¬ 
cultural  Society.  —  I  am  delighted  to  learn,  through  the  note 
published  in  last  week’s  Journal  from  Mr.  McIndoe,  that  he  has  no 
quarrel  with  the  Royal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society.  Others 
besides  myself  have  been  misled  by  his  remarks  on  page  378,  which 
were  to  the  effect  that  this  Society  was  not  fit,  under  its  present  rules 
and  conditions,  to  have  anything  to  do  with  the  Grape  trophy.  Peace 
and  harmony  is  what  we  should  all  aim  at,  for  without  which  there  can  be 
n®  success. — D.  Buchanan. 
-  Gardening  Appointments. — Mr.  Charles  Russell,  late  head 
gardener  to  J.  K.  Bradbury,  Esq.,  Clayton  West,  Huddersfield,  has  been 
appointed,  and  has  taken  up  his  duties  as  gardener  and  steward  to  R.  H. 
Reade,  Esq,  Wilmont,  Dunmurry,  Belfast.  Mr.  D.  Brough,  gardener  to 
Sir  A.  Edmonstone,  Dunbeath  Castle,  has  been  appointed  in  a  similar 
capacity  to  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  Coollattin  Park,  Shillelagh,  in  succession  to 
Mr.  J.  Whytock.  Mr.  Chas.  Thomas,  for  the  past  four  years  plant  fore¬ 
man  and  decorator  at  Sandringham,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener 
Panmure  Gordon,  Esq.,  Loudwater  House,  Rickmansworth,  Herts. 
Mr.  Patrick  Hynes,  gardener  to  Colonel  Daly,  Raford,  Athenry,  co. 
Galway,  has  been  appointed  gardener  to  Mrs.  Smithwick,  Kilcreene 
Lodge,  Kilkenny. 
-  Chester  Paxton  Society. — The  annual  general  meeting  of 
this  Society  was  held  in  the  Grosvenor  Museum  on  Saturday,  December 
9th,  under  the  presidency  of  Mr.  John  Wynne.  The  Hon.  Secretary, 
Mr.  G.  P.  Miln,  in  submitting  his  annual  statement,  reported  that  the 
membership  had  increased  from  183  to  230,  and  this,  together  with  the 
subscribers  to  the  prize  fund,  give  a  total  of  420  names  on  the  Society’s 
books.  The  finances  of  the  Society  were  also  reported  to  be  in  a  very 
satisfactory  condition,  the  sum  of  £35  3s.  being  carried  forward  to  next 
year’s  transactions.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  the 
retiring  President,  Mr.  Wynne,  for  his  offices  during  the  year, 
and  Mr.  Robert  Wakefield,  Newton  Hall  Gardens,  was  unanimously 
elected  President  in  his  stead.  The  re-election  of  Mr.  G.  P.  Miln  as 
Hon.  Secretary  and  Treasurer  was  proposed  by  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes, 
Eaton,  and  carried  unanimously.  The  balloting  for  members  of  the 
Committee  for  the  ensuing  year  was  then  proceeded  with,  the  result 
being  as  follows — Messrs.  N.  F.  Barnes,  John  Wynne,  John  Taylor, 
Edwin  Stubbs,  J.  D.  Siddall,  Thomas  Weaver,  William  Pringle, 
A.  Ellams,  John  Dutton,  John  Weaver,  Stephen  May,  John  Jackson, 
and  S.  Garner. 
-  Bristol  Gardeners’  Association. — The  fortnightly  meeting 
was  held  at  St.  John’s  Parish  Rooms,  Redlands,  on  Thursday  last. 
A  large  attendance  was  presided  over  by  Mr.  G.  Brooks.  Mr.  J.  H. 
Davis,  of  Redlands,  was  responsible  for  the  paper,  which  was  on  the 
cultivation  of  the  Bouvardia,  Geranium,  Begonia,  Primula  and 
Cineraria.  He  urged  the  cultivation  of  flowering  plants  as  one  of 
the  most  important  branches  of  the  gardener’s  work,  and  claimed 
that  some  one  or  other  of  the  plants  forming  the  subject  of  his 
paper  could  be  had  in  bloom  all  the  year  round.  In  a  very  careful 
manner  he  dealt  with  the  culture  of  each,  giving  his  opinion  as  to  the 
time  suitable  for  sowing  seeds  or  rooting  cuttings  in  soil  in  which  they 
were  likely  to  succeed,  and  hints  as  to  potting,  watering  and  ventilating. 
Concluding  a  paper  which  was  much  appreciated  he  said  that  this,  as 
well  as  all  branches  of  horticulture,  could  only  be  excelled  in  by  earnest 
effort ;  and  whilst  gardening  was  a  great  teacher,  the  gardener  should 
never  say  “  I  know,”  but  by  ever  aiming  at  the  highest  point  in  his 
profession,  achieve  the  success  which  patience  and  trust  alone  can  secure, 
A  good  discussion  followed.  Prizes  for  four  sticks  of  Celery  were 
awarded — First  Mr.  Benfield,  second  Mr.  Ross,  and  a  certificate  of  merit 
to  Mr.  Thoday  for  a  Primula  sinensis. 
