538 
Juiie  li,  ls§8 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Events  OF  the  Week. — There  is  only  one  event  of  wide  import¬ 
ance  during  the  forthcoming  week,  and  that  is  the  Great  York  Gala. 
This  will  be  even  more  important  this  year  than  in  the  past,  as  it  is  to 
receive  a  deputation  from  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  The  show 
opens  on  Wednesday,  June  17th,  and  continues  open  for  the  two  following 
days. 
-  Weather  in  London.  —  Never  was  rain  more  welcomed  in 
metropolitan  districts  than  the  heavy  showers  which  fell  on  the  evenings 
of  Sunday  and  Monday,  and  very  rapidly  was  the  moisture  absorbed  by 
the  parched  soil.  A  steady  downpour  again  commenced  on  Tuesday 
evening,  and  rain  is  still  falling  this  morning  (Wednesday),  with  the 
sky  dull  and  leaden,  showing  signs  of  continuation. 
-  Weather  in  the  North. — From  the  2nd  inat.  till  Tuesday 
morning  rain  has  fallen  abundantly.  The  night  of  Thursday  was 
extremely  wet,  as  well  aB  the  following  day.  But  more  or  less  has 
fallen  daily,  and  there  was  every  appearance  on  Tuesday  of  its  con¬ 
tinuance. — B.  D.,  S.  Perthshire. 
-  National  Viola  Society. — A  meeting  of  the  Committee, 
presided  over  by  Dr.  Shackleton  of  Sydenham,  was  held  in  the  Museum 
of  the  Royal  Botanic  Society,  Regent’s  Park,  N.W.,  on  the  8th  inst. 
The  Hod.  Secretary,  Mr.  A.  J.  Rowberry,  reported  a  rapid  development 
of  the  Society,  nearly  100  members  having  been  enrolled  during  the 
past  two  months.  Final  arrangements  were  made  for  the  show,  which 
will  be  held  in  the  Botanic  Gardens  on  Saturday,  the  20th  inst.,  when  it 
is  anticipated  that  a  very  fine  display  will  be  made,  the  recent  rain 
having  come  at  the  right  time  for  the  growth  of  exhibition  blooms. 
-  Gardeners’  RoyaD  Benevolent  InstiLutioN. — It  is  pro^ 
posed  to  hold  a  meeting  of  all  persons  interested  in  horticulture  in  the 
gala  field  at  the  forthcoming  York  6how  on  the  17th  in9t.  The  Com¬ 
mittee  has  kindly  granted  the  use  of  their  Committee  tent  for  the 
purpose  at  4  pm.  The  object  of  the  meeting  is  to  bring  before  gardeners 
and  others,  face  to  face,  the  claims  of  the  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent 
Institution  on  their  help  and  sympathy.  It  is  expected  that  the  Right 
Hon.  the  Lord  Mayor  of  York  will  take  the  chair  at  the  meeting.  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart,,  Mr.  H.  J.  Yeitch  (Treasurer  to  the  Institution), 
Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram  (Secretary),  along  with  others,  are  to  address  the 
meeting.  Even  yet  there  is  much  misconception  as  to  the  aims  and 
objects  of  the  Institution  in  question,  which  a  little  plain  talking  may 
do  something  to  remove,  and  so  enable  not  only  the  Institution  to 
benefit  somewhat  now,  but  may  possibly  do  something  to  benefit  in  the 
dim  and  distant  future  which  lies  before  all  of  us,  those  who  may 
be  led  to  become  either  life  members  or  subscribers  to  its  funds. 
Mr.  McIntosh  of  Clifton,  York,  joins  me  heartily  as  Hon.  Local  Secretary. 
All  that  we  wish  for  is  a  good  company  at  the  meeting,  whether  sub¬ 
scribers  or  non-subscribers. — H.  J.  Clayton. 
-  Potatoes  and  Frost. — In  his  note  on  the  result  of  the  frost 
which  occurred  on  M9y  21st  “  R.”  refers  to  the  varying  effects  it  had 
on  Potatoes,  some  being,  he  says,  quite  shrivelled,  others  escaped  unhurt. 
Although  we  did  not  experience  such  a  low  temperature  as  that  given  by 
your  correspondent  on  page  489,  it  was  sufficient  to  cut  the  tops  of 
Ringleader  Potatoes  on  sheltered  borders,  while  growing  alongside  the 
old  Asbleaf  did  not  lose  a  leaf,  nor  seemed  any  the  worse  after  the  frost 
had  passed  off,  and  its  effects  was  as  very  clearly  apparent  in  the  size  and 
early  maturity  of  the  tubers.  The  Ashleafs  are  all  cleared,  and  the  Ring¬ 
leaders  was  destined  for  immediate  use,  but  on  lifting  two  or  three  roots  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  allow  them  to  stand  Borne  time  longer.  The 
blackening  of  their  tops  naturally  set  up  a  secondary  growth  in  the  stalks, 
and  the  tubers  must  have  been  stationary  for  some  days  after  the  frost. 
The  leaf  of  the  Asbleaf  is  erect,  while  those  of  the  popular  Ringleader 
are  of  a  spreading  and  drooping  character,  hence  a  greater  surface  was 
exposed  to  the  foe.  They  are  varying  in  texture,  no  doubt  the  one  being 
of  a  sof  t  nature,  the  other  more  bard  and  strong.  I  do  not  remember  ever 
noticing  the  influence  of  frost  so  variable  on  one  bed  of  Potatoes  before,  as 
affecting  varieties,  although  it  is  common  knowledge  in  the  case  of 
late  spring  frosts  to  see  one  stalk  badly  cut  and  itB  near  neighbour 
escape.  This  happened  in  the  bed  of  Ringleaders  under  notice. — W.  S. 
-  Presentation  of  Veitch  Memorial  Medals. — At  the 
last  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  the  President,  Sir 
Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  presented  four  Veitch  Memorial  medals  for 
services  rendered  to  horticulture.  Two  of  the  recipients,  Messrs.  F.  W. 
Burbidge,  Trinity  College  Botanic  Garden,  Dublin,  and  Malcolm  Duud, 
The  Palace  Gardens,  Dalkeith,  attended  in  person,  and  received  the 
medals  at  the  hands  of  the  President,  who  spoke  of  the  career  of  the 
two  recipients  and  of  the  services  rendered  by  Mr.  Burbidge  in 
scientific  and  practical  horticulture,  and  by  Mr.  Dunn  in  horticulture 
and  arboriculture.  Sir  Trevor  regretted  the  absence  of  the  other  two 
recipients,  Messrs.  M.  Henri  L.  de  Vilmorin,  Paris,  and  Professor 
Sargent,  Boston,  U.S.A.,  but  dwelt  briefly  on  the  services  rendered 
by  these  gentlemen,  as  a  recognition  of  which  the  medals  were 
awarded. 
-  Scottish  Pansy  and  VioLa  Association. — At  a  meeting  of 
this  Society,  held  on  June  2ad,  the  following  awards  were  made  to 
various  flowers  ;  —  Kate  Robb,  30  points  ;  A.  H.  Greenwood,  33  ; 
Geo.  Virtue*  25  ;  Coin  Pye,  29;  Mr.  Owen,  25;  Maggie  Craik,  32; 
Wm.  Smith,  27  ;  Jas.  Ferguson,  25  ;  May  Pye,  27  ;  Mrs.  Greenwood,  29  ; 
Dr.  Jameson,  28  ;  J.  Crann,  35  ;  Duchess  of  York,  44  ;  Valkyrin,  39  ; 
Trilby,  33  ;  Nellie  Smellie,  30  ;  Lizzie  Paul,  26;  Bella,  26;  Althea,  29  ; 
Blanche,  24  ;  Planet,  30  ;  Rival,  26  ;  Alpha,  35  ;  Florence  Pearson,  26  ; 
Crown  Jewel,  38  ;  No.  1,  25  ;  No.  2,  24  ;  No.  3,  29  ;  to  Fancy  Pansy 
Mr.  Jas.  Warnock,  34,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Arthur  Warnock,  Carmunnock. 
The  highest  possible  48  points,  those  receiving  three-fourths  of  total 
(36  and  upwards)  get  first-class  certificate,  and  from  half  of  total  (24) 
to  36  get  certificate  of  merit. 
— -Rhododendrons  at  Earnock,  Hamilton,  N.B.  —  The 
estate  of  Earnock  is  one  of  the  best  kept  in  the  west  of  Scotland.  It 
is  situated  within  a  mile  of  Hamilton  Town,  but  once  within  the 
gates  of  this  noble  establishment  one  can  hardly  imagine  they  are  so 
near  the  town  of  Hamilton  and  the  city  of  Glasgow.  The  luxuriant 
growth  of  the  trees  and  shrubs  is  what  one  only  expects  to  find  in 
districts  far  away  from  cities  and  towns.  The  popular  and  much- 
esteemed  owner,  Sir  John  Wat90D,  Bart.,  has  spared  no  expense  to 
make  his  estate  beautiful.  This  he  has  succeeded  beyond  doubt.  He 
has  planted  within  the  last  twenty  years  many  thousands  of  trees 
and  shrubs,  paying  great  attention  to  those  most  suitable  for  the 
district,  and  it  must  be  very  gratifying  to  him  to  find  the  labour  and 
expense  have  not  been  in  vain.  The  beautiful  undulated  grounds  are  now 
in  perfection  ;  the  noble  Chestnuts,  the  lovely  Copper  Beeches,  the  bright 
yellow  Laburnums,  the  double  scarlet  Thorns,  and  the  huge  clumps  of 
Rhododendrons  of  all  the  very  best  named  ,  varieties,  with  specimen 
Conifeim  and  bright  beds  of  Azaleas  dotted  here  and  there,  produces  one 
of  the  most  charming  sights  at  the  present  time  possible  to  behold. 
The  views  from  the  windows  of  the  princely  mansion  are  most  charming 
and  varied  ;  one  cannot  fully  describe  the  beauty  of  the  various  pictures 
of  Nature  as  seen  here.  Should  any  persons  interested  in  gardens  be 
in  the  district  they  should  visit  this  well  kept  place,  where  all-round 
gardening  receives  the  support  of  its  noble  owner,  and  is  well  carried 
out  by  the  practical  abilities  of  his  head  gardener,  Mr.  James  Moir. — 
A.  Outram,  F.R.H.S. 
-  Drying  Fruit  by  Electricity.— It  is  well  known  that 
many  fresh  gathered  fruits  must  be  dried  somewhat  before  being  packed. 
This  process,  although  an  apparently  simple  one,  necessitates  great  carp, 
and  the  temperature  must  be  well  regulated,  otherwise  there  is  danger 
of  the  fruit  beiDg  damaged.  Large  drying  rooms  are  in  use  in  some 
cases,  heated  by  means  of  steam,  and  although  this  system  may  be  cheap 
to  work  on  a  large  scale  it  is  not  always  so  satisfactory  on  a  small  onei 
Fuel,  moreover,  is  often  expensive,  and  water  power,  in  parts  where  the 
fruit  trade  flourishes,  is  usually  abundant.  In  such  situations  it  is 
suggested  that  electric  heating  could  be  used  with  advantage.  Tte 
perfect  regulation  allows  of  any  temperature  being  obtained,  and,  what 
is  of  great  consequence  in  such  an  installation,  practically  no  attention 
would  be  required.  The  electrical  plant,  too,  could  be  ustd  for  lighting, 
and  a  few  motors  to  aid  the  packing  could  easily  be  laid  down.  Uses 
such  as  this  offer  a  fine  field  for  development,  and  the  gain  made  by 
bringing  in  cargoes  of  sound  fruit  would  far  more  than  cover  the  cost  of 
running  the  necessary  machinery.  The  above  remarks,  says  a  contem¬ 
porary,  have  special  reference  to  the  storing,  packing,  and  shipment  of 
fruit  to  the  English  market ;  but  the  same  treatment  as  to  drying  might 
well  be  adopted  in  connection  with  our  English  fruit  gardens,  and  it  is 
quite  possible  that  some  such  process  might  materially  assist  in  making 
our  orchards  more  profitable,  and  lead  to  those  extensions  so  much  to 
be  desired. 
