April  3,  1902, 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
205 
Societies. 
Royal  Meteorological. 
Tlie  monthly  meeting  of  this  Society  was  held  on  Wednesday 
evening,  the  19th  ult.,  at  the  Institution  of  Civil  Enginef'rs. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Dines,  pre.sident,  in  the  chair.  Mr.  W.  N.  Shaw, 
F.R.S.,  read  a  paper  on  “  La  Lune  Mange  le.s  Nuages,”  which  was 
really  a  note  on  the  thermal  relations  of  floating  clouds.  He  also 
exhibited  an  arrangement  of  apparatus  whereby  the  conditions 
applicable  in  the  case  of  a  floating  cloud  can  be  experimentally 
realised.  Mr.  F.  J.  Brodie  read  a  paper  on  “  The  Prevalence  of 
Gales  on  the  Coasts  of  the  British  Islands  during  the  Thirty 
Years — 1871-1900.”  The  total  number  of  gales  of  all  kinds  dealt 
with  during  the  period  was  1,455,  the  yearly  average  being  48.5, 
of  which  106  were  severe.  The  worst  year  was  1883,  while  the 
quietest  was  1889.  The  .stormiest  month  was  January,  1890.  At 
all  .sea.sons  of  the  year  excepting  the  .summer  the  prevalence  of 
gales  from  south-v'e.st  is  greater  than  from  any  other  quarter. 
The  minimum  of  such  gales  is  reached  in  the  .spring,  when  rather 
less  than  20  per  cent,  are  from  south-west,  more  than  half  the 
storms  being,  however,  from  points  between  .south-west  and 
north-west.  The  prevalence  of  gales  from  Polar  directions  is  then 
at  its  maximum,  more  than  21  per  cent,  blowing  from  points 
between  north  and  east ;  in  the  spring  of  1883,  out  of  a  total 
of  eleven  gales,  no  fewer  than  seven  were  from  these  quarters, 
the  proportion  being  about  three  times  the  average.  The  highest 
velocities  recorded  were  those  at  Fleetwood  during  the  westerly 
gales  on  December  22,  1894,  and  on  January  12,  1899.  On  the 
former  occasion  for  nine  hours,  from  7  a.m.  to  3  p.m.,  the  mean 
velocity  was  64  miles  per  hour,  and  at  9  a.m.  it  reached  a 
maximum  of  78  miles.  It  appears  that  on  the  average  43  per 
cent,  of  the  storm  systems  which  visit  our  coasts  advance  from 
some  point  of  the  compass  lying  between  south  and  south-we.st, 
and  travel  towards  .some  point  lying  between  north  and  north¬ 
east.  39  per  cent,  have  an  easterly  motion,  while  less  than 
1  per  cent,  move  westwards.  A  mean  of  264  cases  shows  that 
the  deep  cyclonic  .systems  which  visit  our  islands  travel  on  an 
average  at  the  rate  of  24.1  miles  per  hour ;  in  some  cases,  how¬ 
ever,  the  rate  was  not  more  than  8  or  10  miles,  while  in  others 
it  amounted  to  40.50,  and  even  60  miles,  per  hour.  The  author 
concluded  his  paper  by  exhibiting  a  series  of  weather  maps 
showing  the  progress  of  some  of  the  most  notable  gales  during 
the  period  covertni  by  the  di.scn.ssion. 
Birmingliam  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement. 
Terse  and  versatile  was  the  dissertation  afforded  by  Mr. 
R.  I.  Hamill,  manager.  The  Vineries,  Acocks  Green,  to  the  mem¬ 
bers  of  this  association  on  the  24th  ult.  Considering  Mr.  Hamill’s 
recent  election  as  a  member  of  the  society,  and  the  relative  nature 
of  the  subject  in  question,  con.siderable  anticipation  had  been 
evinced  by  the  members,  and  of  whom,  unfortunately,  there  was 
but  a  sparse  attendance,  chiefly  owing  to  the  untoward  state  of 
the  weather.  In  his  preliminary  remarks  the  lecturer  alluded  to 
his  long  connection  with  horticultural  associations  and  exhibi¬ 
tions.  and  the  interest  he  had  taken  in  them  at  least  justified  him 
in  presuming  to  expound  his  own  views  thereon,  and  deplored  the 
fact  that  there  existed  a  certain  lack  of  interest  evinced  in  attend¬ 
ing  the  meetings,  more  especially  by  the  younger  members  of  the 
fraternity,  and  for  whose  benefit  the  mutual  improvement  asso¬ 
ciations  were  principally  convened.  He  was  afraid  that  the 
attractions  and  amusements  of  large  towns  were  mainly  respon¬ 
sible  for  the  defections  indicated  ;  but  it  was  observed  that  where 
those  who  had  devoted  their  spare  time  to  the  improvement  of 
their  education  in  horticultural  literature  and  science  they 
rapidly  obtained  a  position  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  profession. 
Horticultural  exhibitions  were  also  commented  upon  by  the 
essayist,  and  he  strongly  advocated  the  necessity  of  introducing 
as  much  novelty  as  possible  in  the  several  classes,  with  the  view 
of  continuing  the  interest  of  the  visiters  to  the  exhibitions. 
Reverting  to  gardepers  as  a  class,  he  regretted  to  have  to  acknow¬ 
ledge  tliat,  so  far  as  his  own  experience  went,  they  were  selfish  in 
the  way  of  imparting  their  profe.ssional  knowledge  and  secrets  to 
othors— an  opinion  which  was  .strongly  re.sented  by  the  chairman, 
Mr.  Walter  Jones,  and  who  had  had  a  long  life  experience  to  the 
contrary,  and  in.stanced  the  fact  that,  for  instance,  artisans  were 
as  a  rule  vei-y  reticent  in  imparting  their  knowledge  or  disclo,sing 
the  secrets  of  their  handicraft  to  outsiders, whereas  gardeners,  as  a 
rule,  willingly  diffused,  either  amongst  their  confraternity  or 
others,  any  knowledge  connected  with  their  profession,  and  felt 
a  pleasure  in  so  doing.  The  lecturer,  however,  intimated  that, 
“though  convinced  against  his  will,  was  of  the  same  opinion 
still,”  “what  he  had  said,  he  had  said,”  “and  had  nothing  to  re¬ 
tract”  from  his  ipse  dixit,  concerning  this  or  other  controversial 
cognate  matter  pertaining  to  his  address.  Mr.  Hamill  also 
remarked  unon  the  rapidly  increasing  love  of  horticulture  evinced 
by  the  public,  and  of  the  great  interest  taken  in  amateur  gar¬ 
deners’  associations.  An  intere.sting  discussion  followed,  in  which 
several  of  the  members  took  part,  and  Mr.  Hamill,  in  response  to 
a  heart.v  vote  of  thanks,  .said  that  he  felt  it  a  great  privilege  to- 
become  a  member  of  the  Birmingham  Gardeners’  Association. 
Mr.  G.  Bretherick,  gardener  at  Stanley  House,  Perry  Barr,  near 
Birmingham,  was  awarded  a  certificate  of  merit  for  a  small  but 
interesting  collection  of  winter  flowering  Begonias. 
Chiswick  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement. 
The  members  of  the  above  association  were  entertained  on 
March  20  by  a  very  pleasant  retrospect  of  English  Horticulture 
in  a  paper  entitled  “Gardening,  Past  and  Present,”  by  Mr.  J. 
Harrison  Dick  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture.  Mr.  Harrison 
Dick  traced  the  craft  from  the  time  of  the  Roman  Invasion, 
through  its  various  vicissitudes  in  the  country’s  troublous  times, 
to  the  time  of  the  Tudors,  on  through  Elizabeth’s  time  to  the  true 
era  of  formal  gardens  and  statuary,  and  to  the  gardens  of  the 
present  day.  Mention  was  made  of  the  fruits  in  use  at  various 
periods,  e.g..  Apples,  Chestnuts,  Cherries,  and  Peaches,  Ac.,  in 
tlie  early  part  of  the  fourteenth  century,  and  the  impulse  horti¬ 
culture  received  during  the  I’eigns  of  Henry  VIII.  and  Elizabeth, 
calling  attention  to  Cardinal  Wolsey’s  great  garden  at  Hamp¬ 
ton  Court.  Tribute  was  paid  to  such  names  as  Tusser,  Gerarde, 
Ge.sner,  the  Swi.ss  botanist,  the  Tradescants,  Parkinson,  Evelyn, 
and  others.  A  resume  of  the  exploration  of  other  lands  as  they 
have  become  accessible  was  given,  and  the  firms  of  London  and 
Wise,  Lee  and,  Kennedy  of  Hammersmith;  Russell  of  Lewisham, 
John  xVbercrombie  of  Hackney,  &c.,  were  not  omitted.  A  brief 
sketch  of  the  life  history  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  was 
given,  and  attention  called  to  the  plants  imported  by  the  Society 
by  means  of  their  travellers  early  in  la.st  century.  After  this 
very  instructive  paper,  of  such  general  interest,  a  discussion  was 
opened  by  Mr.  Humphreys,  and  sustained  by  Me.ssrs.  Dawe, 
Gammel,  Sillitoe,  and  others.  The  meeting  closed  with  a  very 
heart,y  vote  of  thanks- to  Mr.  Harrison  Dick. — C.  H.  Buck. 
Grassendale  and  Aigburth  Horticultural. 
The  twelfth  annual  show  of  the  above  society  was  held  in  the 
Parish  Room  on  Wedne.sday,  the  I9th  ult.  There  was  a  beautiful 
display  of  bulbs  and  hardy  forced  plants,  which  reflected  great 
credit  upon  the  exhibitors  of  this  district,  and,  generally 
speaking,  the  exhibits  were  quite  equal  to  tho.se  of  previous 
years.  Keen  competition  was  shown  in  the  Hyacinth  classes, 
inasmuch  the  judges  decided  to  award  a  special  prize  in  the  class 
for  six  pots  of  this  favourite  flower.  Double  Tulips  were  shown 
in  a  creditable  manner;  the  .single  varieties  were  much  below 
the  average.  Narcissus,  Amaryllis,  Cinerarias,  and  Cyclamen 
were  all  features  of  this  show,  and,  although  few  in  number,  they 
showed  the  highest  cultural  skill.  The  sub-committee  are  to 
be  congratulated  on  the  effectiveness  shown  in  the  general 
arrangement  of  the  .show,  and  considering  the  room  at  their  dis¬ 
posal,  the  general  view  was  pleasing  to  look  upon.  The  following 
is  the  li.st  of  prizes Twelve  Hyacinths  (distinct):  First,  R.  P. 
Homston,  Esq.,  M.P.,  The  Lawn,  Aigburth  (gardener,  J. 
Heaton);  second,  W.  C.  Atkinson,  Esq.,  St.  Anne’s  Road, 
Aigburth  (gardener,  J.  Madeley) ;  third,  Mrs.  Duncan.  Six 
Hyacinths  (di.stinct) :  First,  W.  G.  Davey,  E.sq.,  Homeleigh, 
Grassendale  (gardener,  G.  Leadbeater) ;  second,  R.  P.  Houston, 
Esq.  ;  third,  W.  C.  Atkinson,  Esq.  Six  pots  Hyacinth-s,  three 
bulbs  in  a  pot,  .not  less  than  three  var.':  First,  W.  G.  Davey, 
E.sq.  ;  second,  H.  A.  Sander.son,  Esq.,  Holmfield-  House, 
Mo.ssley  Hill  (gardener,  R.  Dickinson);  third,  W.  B.  Bowring, 
Esq.,  lieechwood  Road,  Grassendale  (gardener,  T.  Anker.s) ;  extra 
prize,  W.  C.  Atkinson,  Esq.  Three  pots  of  Hyacinths,  three 
bulbs  in  a  pot,  any  variety:  First,  W.  G.  Davey,  E.sq.;  second, 
H.  A.  Sanderson,  E.^.  ;  third,  Mrs.  Truesdale  (gardener,  T. 
Latham).  Six  pots  Narcissus,  not  less  than  three  var.,  not  to 
exceed  8in  pots:  First,  Mrs.  Duncan,  Prizett,  South  Bank  Road 
(gardener,  F.  Keightley) ;  .second,  Mrs.  Gilbert  Moss,  The 
iJeach,  Aigburth  (gardener,  T.  Johnson);  third,  W.  G.  Davey, 
E.sq.  Six  pots  single  Tulips:  First,  Mrs.  Lockett  (gardener, 
W.  Evans);  second,  R.  P.  Houston;  third  W.  B.  Bowring.  Six 
pots  Double  Tulips:  First,  Mrs.  Duncan;  second,  W.  G.  Davey, 
E.sq.  ;  third,  H.  A.  Sanderson,  E.sq.  Four  pots  Amaiyllis :  First, 
Mrs.  G.  Moss;  second,  W.  B.  Bowring,  Esq.  ;  third,  Mrs.  Duncan. 
One  stove  plant:  First,  Mrs.  Lockett;  second,  T.  McClelland, 
Esq.  (gardener,  W.  Bustard).  One  greenhouse  plant  in  flower: 
First,  A.  Garnett,  Esq.  (gardener,  H.  Clark);  second,  W.  C. 
Atkin.son,  Esq.;  third,  Mrs.  Dunca,n.  Two  Orchids:  First,  Mrs. 
Duncan;  second,  W.  G.  Davey,  Esq.;  third,  W.  C.  Atkinson, 
E.sq.  One  Orchid:  First,  W.  C.  Atkinson,  Esq.;  second,  W..  G. 
Davey,  E.sq.  ;  third,  Mrs.  Duncan.  One  Fern :  First,  Mrs. 
Lockett ;  second,  Mrs.  Truesdale ;  third,  T.  M'Clelland,  Esq. 
One  Azalea:  First.  Mrs.  Duncan;  .second,  Mrs.  Lockett;  third, 
T.  M‘C4elland,  Esq.  Three  Azaleas  (distinct)  :  First,  W.  G. 
Davey,  Esq.;  second,  Mrs.  Duncan;  third,  Mrs.  Lockett.  One 
hardy  Rhododendron:  First,  W.  G.  Davey,  E.stj.  ;  second,  Mrs. 
Lockett ;  third,  T.  M'Clelland,  Esq.  One  greenhouse  Rhodo¬ 
dendron :  First.  Mrs.  Lockett.  One  Rose,  in  pot:  First. 
T.  McClelland,  Esq.,  St.  James’  Mount,  Aigburth.  Three  forced 
