490 
JOURNAL  OR  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  26,  1886 
-  The  National  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association. — The 
Secretary  of  this  Association,  Mr.  Leonard  Brown,  sends  us  a  copy  of 
the  monthly  “  Record  ”  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Association,  which  is 
to  be  sent  free  to  members;  charge  to  non-members,  3d.  It  contains 
articles  on  the  genesis  and  prospects  of  the  Association,  a  paper  by  Mr. 
R.  Dean  on  “  Primulas,”  and  other  cognate  matter. 
-  Scottish  Pansy  and  Viola  Association. — Mr.  John 
Busby,  Secretary  of  the  above  Society,  has  favoured  us  with  a  copy  of 
the  rales,  by  which  we  learn  that  the  special  object  of  the  Association 
is  to  examine  and  compare  any  new  varieties  of  Pansies  and  Violas  not 
in  commerce,  and  to  award  certificates  according  to  merit,  thereby 
giving  purchasers  of  new  varieties  some  guarantee  of  their  true  value. 
The  subscription  of  Is.  per  year  gives  the  member  the  right  to  attend 
the  meetings  held  by  the  Society.  These  number  four,  and  are  held  on 
Jane  2nd  and  23rd,  July  14th,  and  August  11th,  at  200,  Buchanan  Street, 
Glasgow.  The  Secretary  will  forward  any  desired  information. 
-  A  Floriferous  Stephanotis. — Recently  calling  on  Mr. 
^  Picksley,  gardener  to  A.  Leslie  Melville,  Esq.,  D’Isney  Place, 
Lincoln,  I  observed  there  a  very  fine  specimen  of  Stephanotis 
floribunda,  trained  on  eight  wires,  16  feet  long  each,  on  the  lower  part 
of  a  lean-to  plant  stove*  The  roof  appeared  as  if  wreathed  with  white 
flowers  from  end  to  end  set  in  beautiful  green  foliage,  and  to  me  a  sight 
never  to  be  forgotten.  I  was  told  that  300  trusses  of  blooms  had  been 
cut  from  the  plant,  1 00  of  them  the  previous  night  with  from  eight  to  twelve 
pips  on  a  truss.  I  should  like  to  know  if  there  are  two  distinct  varieties 
of  this  plant,  or  whether  it  is  the  different  treatment  which  the  plant 
receives  under  different  men  that  produces  such  diverse  results. 
Mr.  Melville’s  plant  has  been  in  the  same  12-inch  pot  for  two  years.  I 
shall  be  pleased  to  learn  what  gardeners  have  to  say  on  this  subject. — 
A  Visitor. 
-  A  Plague  of  Caterpillars. — A  plague  of  caterpillars  is, 
says  the  “  Daily  News,”  one  of  the  troubles  of  the  dry  season,  especially 
in  Surrey.  Many  trees  are  practically  divested  of  their  foliage  by  these 
larvre.  The  Oak  trees,  in  particular,  on  the  road  from  Leith  Hill  to 
Holmwood  present  a  remarkable  appearance.  From  the  now  almost 
leafless  branches  of  many  of  them  hang  thick  curtains  of  caterpillar 
threads,  on  which  the  grubs  are  descending  one  after  another  to  the 
ground  in  order  to  make  their  way  to  some  fresh  pasturage.  Their 
numbers  are  remarkable,  and  evoke  incessant  exclamations  from  the 
pedestrians.  These  are  not  always  exclamations  of  wonder.  It  is  a 
decided  drawback  to  the  pleasures  of  a  country  walk  to  find  youiself 
suddenly  breaking  through  a  miniature  forest  of  thin-spun  viscous 
threads,  which  bring  down  upon  you  a  shower  of  creeping  things.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  a  deluge  of  rain  will  soon  free  the  country  of  this 
plague,  which  is  playing  havoc  with  the  orchard  trees  as  well  as  with 
the  Surrey  Oaks.  The  caterpillars  referred  to  are,  no  doubt,  tbe  larvfe 
of  the  winter  moth,  Cheimatobia  brumata,  against  which  Paris  green 
has  been  resorted  to  in  fruit  plantations. 
A  Grape  Phenomenon. — The  weekly  “  Notes  and  Glean¬ 
ings  ”  are  to  me  a  source  of  interest,  being  brief,  practical,  instructive, 
and  occasionally  pithy,  which  breaks  up  the  stern  countenance  of  the 
hard-headed  practical  readers,  so  making  recreation  for  the  mind,  as 
well  as  affording  food  for  reflection.  “  Phenomenons  ”  are  always 
worthy  of  investigation.  How  deliciously  simple  to  a  “  Sussex  mind,” 
which  is  proverbially  of  a  somewhat  simple  nature,  judging  from  the 
designation  or  appellation  passed  upon  the  county.  '*  Silly  Sussex  ”  is 
the  poser  which  “  J.  S.”  has  put  forward  on  page  444.  After  describ¬ 
ing  the  eccentricity  of  the  Vine  under  notice,  the  following  simple 
question  is  put  to  your  readers: — “Is  this  an  usual  occurrence?” 
What  a  grand  field  is  thus  opened  unto  those  whose  inclinations  tend 
towards  a  scientific  investigation.  We  of  the  practical  community 
would,  of  all  men,  welcome  the  explanation,  provided  words  can  be 
found  suitable  and  sufficiently  simple  to  enable  us  to  grasp  the  intricacy 
of  the  mystery;  Professor  Rontgen  might,  by  the  aid  of  the  all- 
powerful  “X  rays,”  be  able  to  “  throw  light  on  the  subject,”  and 
explain  to  “J.S.”  the  course  which  guides  the  sapor  nutritive  power 
of  the  Vine  in  question  to  transform  the  whole  system,  and  bring  about 
the  wonderful  change  recorded — viz  ,  of  turning  a  “  Black  Hamburgh  ” 
into  a  “  Muscat  Hamburgh  ”  without  severing  the  branch  from  its 
original  stock.  I  must,  for  my  own  part,  confess  to  having  formed  an 
opinion,  which  I  make  bold  to  think  is  shared  by  many  others  of  the 
craft,  that  this  is,  on  the  part  of  “  J.  S.”  or  his  informant,  a  clear  case 
of  mistaken  identity.  If  not,  then  truly  my  vision  is  obscured  by  one 
of  the  “dangerous  fogs,”  which  “  H.  D.”  so  kindly  wishes  me  to  guard 
against* — F.  Dunn,  Oakleigh, 
-  A  New  Recreation  Ground. — The  latest  open  space  acquired 
by  the  London  County  Council — the  Hilly  Fields  at  Brockley — haB  been 
formally  dedicated  to  the  public  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Council,  Sir 
Arthur  Arnold.  Tbe  Hilly  Fields  occupy  a  commanding  position  in  the 
south-east  of  London,  and  afford  a  bright  and  breezy  prospect  which  is 
almost  unique  in  that  part  of  the  metropolis.  The  new  recreation  ground, 
which  has  now  been  laid  out  by  the  County  Council  and  taken  over  by 
them  in  perpetuity  for  the  public,  extends  to  45£  acres  on  the  borders  of 
the  parish  of  Lewisham,  and  is  near  to  the  crowded  parish  of  Deptford. 
- Spindle  Trees  at  Worthing. —  Notable  features  amongst 
the  vegetation  of  Worthing  is  the  profusion  of  the  Japanese  Spindle 
Trees  (Euonymus  japonicus  arid  variegatuB),  of  which  there  must  be 
miles  of  hedges  attached  to  numerous  residences  and  for  other  garden 
ornamentation.  Mention  may  also  be  made  of  the  numerous  fine 
specimens  of  the  double  and  single-flowered  scarlet  and  pink  Haw¬ 
thorns,  as  they  are  at  the  present  time  a  most  striking  feature  of 
the  place,  more  especially  in  one  instance  where  there  are  upwards  of 
a  dozen  fine  specimens  growing  in  a  line  in  front  of  a  large  old 
villa,  and  forming  as  they  do  a  “  May  ”  garland  of  infinite  beauty. 
Unfortunately,  however,  it  is  rumoured  that  they  may  have  to  be 
destroyed  ere  long  as  the  room  is  required  for  building. — W.  G. 
-  The  Law  on  Mushrooms  in  Fields. — Mr.  James  Hunt, 
12,  Hampton  Park,  Bristol,  manager  of  the  “  National  Trespass  Agency,” 
in  a  prospectus  just  issued,  reminds  all  whom  it  may  concern  that 
“  Taking  Mushrooms  without  permission,  spawn  having  been  planted 
about  the  fields,  is  larceny  (24  and  25  Vic.  cap.  97,  sec.  24),  and 
offenders  can  be  given  into  custody.”  It  is  therefore  suggested  that 
owners  or  occupants  of  land  should  plant  Mushroom  spawn  in  the  fields 
so  as  to  be  able  to  insist  upon  permission  being  obtained  before  Mush¬ 
rooms  can  be  gathered  by  strangers.  It  is  further  stated  that  a  member 
of  the  Society  alluded  to  sold  £55  worth  of  Mushrooms  off  his  open 
pasture  fields  in  1895,  though  living  near  a  large  city.  Before  having 
the  protection  of  the  Society  he  had  to  employ  men  day  and  night  to 
protect  his  crop. 
- New  Open  Space  in  Bermondsey. — The  disused  Friend*’ 
Burial  Ground  in  Long  Lane,  Bermondsey,  was  recently  opened  to 
the  public  as  a  recreation  ground  by  Mr.  Ambrose  Pomeroy,  J.P., 
Chairman  of  the  Bermondsey  Vestry.  Those  present  included  Lord 
Teynham,  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  Metropolitan  Public  Gardens 
Association,  and  Mr.  W.  H.  C.  Payne,  L.C.C.,  and  a  large  number 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen  connected  with  the  Vestry.  The  Burial 
Ground,  which  is  about  half  an  acre  in  extent,  has  been  concreted  all 
over  except  a  narrow  strip  along  the  eas'ern  side,  which  has  been 
planted  with  shrubs.  There  is  also  a  large  fountain,  which  has  been 
erected  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Pomeroy.  The  Metropolitan  Public 
Gardens  Association  secured  the  transfer  of  the  ground  to  the  Vestry 
from  tbe  Society  of  Friends,  and  contributed  £150  towards  the  expense 
of  laying  it  out,  providing  also  the  seats. 
-  The  Royal  Gardens,  Kew. — Particularly  attractive  at  the 
present  season  is  this  notable  old  national  establishment,  and  rendered 
additionally  so  by  at  least  two  or  three  denizens  of  the  aquatic  house 
in  particular,  such  as  a  grand  specimen  of  Solanum  WeDdlandi  with  its 
numerous  bright  green-leaved  long  shoots  clothed  with  long  terminal 
cymes  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  or  more  flowers  each,  which  vary  from 
1J  to  2\  inches  across,  of  a  light  purplish  blue,  and  with  a  club-like 
cluster  of  yellow  stameD*,  trained  over  a  portion  of  the  aquarium.  In 
association  with  this  showy  plant  is  one  of  its  congeners,  Solanum 
Seaforthianum,  a  comparatively  new  species  much  resembling 
S.  jasminoides  in  habit  and  growth,  but  quite  distinct  in  colour  of 
blooms.  These  are  large  and  borne  in  panicles,  each  consisting  of  about 
forty  fragrant  flowers  of  a  lilac  blue  colour  with  golden  anthers,  similar 
to  Wistaria  sinensis  in  effect.  Then  there  is  a  plant  of  the  yellow 
coloured  Bignonia  Tweediana,  vigorous  plants  of  Ipomoeas  digitata  and 
Hardingi  with  their  individual  shades  of  pinkish  purple  flowers,  whilst  a 
fine  mass  of  the  tall-growing  Cyperus  papyrus  (Paper  Reed)  growing  in 
a  luxuriant  mass  of  Pontederia  cordata,  or  the  Bladder  plant,  assists 
to  create  a  very  striking  effect.  But  more  attractive  than  all  is  a 
profusely  flowered  specimen  of  Bougainvillea  glabra  (Sanders’  var.) 
hanging  in  stately  array  from  the  roof  of  the  Bmall  stone  entrance  to  the 
aquarium,  reminding  one  of  the  gaudy  train  of  a  lady’s  dress.  It  wa*  a 
happy  thought  that  led  to  the  chief  portion  of  the  plant  being  allowed, 
when  in  flower,  to  depend  from  roof  of  the  house  to  the  floor.  As 
may  be  readily  conjectured  that  in  addition  to  the  foregoing  there  were 
several  other  plants  of  a  similar  character  equally  interesting,  especially 
after  an  absence  of  upwards  of  thirty  years  to — A  Visitor. 
