July  4,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
An  excellent  discussion  followed,  and  Mr.  Lee  was  warmly  congratulated 
on  his  success.  Prizes  were  awarded  as  follows  : — Dish  of  Straw¬ 
berries. — First,  N.  C.  Dobson,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thioday)  ;  second, 
Lady  Cave  (gardener,  Mr.  Poole,  F.R.H.S.).  Orchid  in  bloom. — First, 
Bruce  Cole,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Lee)  ;  second,  G.  Howes,  Esq. 
(gardener,  Mr.  White).  Six  Tea  or  Noisette  RoseB. — First,  N.  C. 
Dobson,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Thoday);  second,  A.  Baker,  Esq.  (gardener, 
Mr.  Orchard).  A  certificate  of  merit  went  to  Lady  Cave  (gardener, 
Mr.  Poole,  F.R.H.8.)  for  twelve  Cauliflowers. 
Royal  Meteorological. 
The  closing  meeting  of  this  society  for  the  present  session  was  held 
on  Wednesday  afternoon,  the  19th  inst.,  at  70,  Viotoria  Street,  West 
minster,  Mr.  W.  H.  Dines,  B  A.,  president,  in  the  chair.  A  paper  by 
Mr.  H.  Helm  Clayton  of  the  Bine  Hill  Observatory,  U.S.A.,  on  “  The 
Eclipse  Cyclone,  the  Diurnal  Cyclones,  and  the  Cyclones  and  Anti¬ 
cyclones  of  Temperate  Latitudes,”  was  read  by  the  secretary.  The 
author  has  discussed  the  meteorological  observations  made  along  the 
path  of  the  total  solar  eclipse  in  the  United  States  on  May  28th,  1900, 
and  also  those  made  during  three  previous  eclipses.  He  finds  that  a 
oyclone  follows  in  the  wake  of  the  eclipse,  though  the  changes  are  very 
minute  and  feeble,  the  fall  of  temperature  developing  a  cold-air  cyclone 
in  an  astonishingly  short  time,  with  all  the  peculiar  circulation  of 
winds  and  distribution  of  pressure  which  constitute  suoh  a  cyclone. 
A  paper  by  Mr.  F.  Napier  Denison  of  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  on 
“The  Seismograph  as  a  Sensitive  Barometer,”  was  also  read  by  the 
secretary.  A  Milne  seismograph  was  installed  in  1898  at  the  Meteoro¬ 
logical  Office,  Victoria,  B.C.,  and  the  author  has  since  that  time 
compared  its  movements  with  the  changes  of  atmospheric  pressure 
recorded  by  his  aerograph.  He  finds  that  when  the  barometric 
pressure  is  high  over  the  Pacific  slope  from  British  Columbia  southward 
to  California,  while  off  the  Pacific  coast  the  barometer  is  comparatively 
low,  the  horizontal  pendulum  of  the  seismograph  tends  to  move  towards 
the  eastward.  This  movement  appears  to  be  due  to  a  distortion  of  the 
earth’s  surface,  caused  by  the  heavier  air  over  the  Pacific  slope 
depressing  the  underlying  land  surface  below  its  normal  position,  while 
on  the  other  hand  the  comparatively  light  air  over  the  adjacent  ocean 
tends  to  allow  the  sea  and  earth  beneath  to  rise  above  its  normal  level. 
It  has  been  found  that  when  an  extensive  storm  area  is  approaching 
from  the  westward,  and  often  eighteen  to  twenty-four  hours  before  the 
local  barometer  begins  to  fall,  the  pendulum  of  the  seismograph  swings 
steadily  to  the  eastward,  completely  masking  any  diurnal  fluctuations 
that  might  have  existed,  as  the  storm  area  approaches,  and  in  the  event 
of  it  being  followed  by  an  important  high  area,  the  pendulum  will  begin 
to  swing  towards  the  westward  before  it  is  possible  to  ascertain  this 
area’s  position  on  the  current  weather  charts. 
Rhododendrons  at  Glasgow  Exhibition. 
The  grounds  surrounding  the  Exhibition  at  any  time  are  sufficiently 
attractive  to  call  the  attention  of  gardeners  and  citizens  alike,  the 
conformation  and  richness  of  natural  beauty  attracting  to  this 
particular  spot  of  the  famous  Kelviu  Valley  attracts  thousands  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year.  Kelvin  Grove,  so  sweetly  sung  by  the  poets,  is 
even  yet  replete  with  many  a  charm  of  its  former  self.  Not  so  many 
years  ago  the  scene  of  this  comparatively  well  populated  district  was 
a  country  resort  for  the  Glasgowegians,  where  many  a  pleasant  stroll 
was  enjoyed  by  love-sick  swain  and  hoary  sire  alike.  From  what 
remains  of  the  original  character  of  the  woody  grove  it  needs  no  great 
stretch  of  imagination  to  clothe  it  in  the  garb  of  the  poet.  The  river 
is  beautifully  winding  in  its  course  almost  from  itB  source  till  it  falls 
into  the  great  mother  Clyde.  But  its  course  through  the  Botanic 
Gardens  and  Kelvin  Grove  Park  is  very  specially  marked  with  all  its 
inherent  beauty,  and  great  praise  is  due  to  the  citizens  and  rulers  of 
a  go-ahead  city  like  Glasgow  for  the  meritorious  act  of  preservation. 
The  already  well  arranged  grounds  enclosing  the  exhibition 
buildings  have  been  very  considerably  brightened  up  by  the  aid  of 
exhibits  from  various  nurserymen.  We  noticed  very  specially  a 
magnificent  display  of  Rhododendrons,  before  the  grand  restaurants  of 
Mr.  MaoKillop  and  Mr.  MacKenzie  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  from 
Mr.  D.  W.  Thomson,  Edinburgh.  Perhaps  the  grounds  would  be 
considerably  improved  did  all  the  exhibitors  contribute  more  flowering 
shrubs,  and  less  of  the  ornamental  foliage  types.  A  flowering  plant 
always  commands  the  attention  of  everyone,  while  the  beauties  of  a 
foliage  plant  may  only  appeal  to  the  tastes  of  a  few.  Mr.  Thomson’s 
Rhododendrons  have  certainly  added  a  luxurious  beauty  to  the  part  of 
the  grounds  in  which  they  are  placed.  They  are  arranged  in  two  lots, 
one  of  which  is  comprised  of  medium-sized  plants,  and  the  other  of 
specimen.  The  latter  lot  evidently  is  a  valuable  one,  judging  from  the 
size  of  plants  and  the  extra  fine  types.  Almost  every  shade  of  colour 
common  to  the  species  is  represented,  and  both  flowers  and  trusses  are 
very  large  and  profuse.  If  some  think  the  Orchid  the  queen  of  flowers 
in  the  indoor  department  of  gardening,  we  think  the  finer  types  of 
Rhododendrons  assuredly  merit  the  same  title  for  the  out-of-door 
department.  At  all  events  they  have  an  orchidaceous  appearance  in 
Kelvin  Grove  amid  so  many  green  shrubs  and  trees,  and  picturesque 
buildings.  In  conclusion  we  may  be  permitted  to  say  that  Mr.  Thomson 
has  had  for  many  years  great  fame  for  the  quality  and  quantity  of  his 
Rhododendrons,  and  the  exhibit  at  Kelvin  Grove  is  no  small  credit  to  his 
already  well-earned  merit. — Peanta. 
19- 
Fruit  Forcing. 
Vines  .—Early  Forced  Houses. — After  the  Grapes  have  been  cut  the 
Vines  should  be  thoroughly  syringed  to  cleanse  them  of  dust  and  insects. 
The  worst  of  these  pests  is  the  mite  known  as  red  spider,  which  in  its 
countless  numbers  so  impoverishes  the  leaves  that  they  fall  prematurely, 
and  the  buds  are  so  ill-formed  that  the  growths  from  them  the  follow¬ 
ing  year  are  poor,  and  the  fruit  scanty  or  indifferent.  Where  red 
spider  has  disfigured  the  foliage  and  caused  some  of  the  leaves  to  fall, 
which  is  not  uncommon  in  early  and  hard  forcing,  laterals  should  be 
encouraged  from  the  upper  part  of  the  bearing  shoots,  so  as  to  excite 
root  action  and  prevent  the  pruning  buds  starting  into  growth.  These 
buds,  though  the  leaves  may  have  fallen,  will  not  start  provided  there 
is  growth  above  them  to  appropriate  the  sap,  and  they  will  usually 
pei feet  the  embryonic  growth  and  crop  formation  of  the  coming  season. 
Where  the  basal  and  main  leaves  are  fresh,  a  moderate  extension  of  the 
laterals,  especially  in  the  case  of  weakly  Vines  and  those  long  subjected 
to  early  forcing,  should  be  encouraged  from  the  extremities,  or  above 
the  pruning  buds  only,  and  in  any  case  they  must  not  be  allowed  to 
interfere  with  the  principal  leaves.  The  Vines  must  not  be  allowed  to 
go  to  rest,  or  they  will  make  a  second  growth  late  in  the  summer. 
Therefore,  syringe  every  evening  until  they  are  freed  of  dust  and  red 
spider,  or,  if  other  pests,  apply  an  insecticide,  and  then  syringe  occa¬ 
sionally  so  as  to  preserve  the  foliage  as  long  as  possible  in  health. 
Ventilate  to  the  fullest  extent  day  and  night,  and  if  there  are  movable 
lights  they  may  be  taken  off  in  mild  weather.  Where,  however,  it  is 
intended  to  lift  the  Vines  and  lay  the  roots  in  fresh  compost  near  the 
surface,  the  roof-lights  must  only  be  moved  on  condition  that  they  are 
held  in  readiness  to  place  over  the  Vines  in  oase  of  heavy  rains,  as  a 
wet  soil  is  not  favourable  to  lifting.  There  is  no  cleanser  equal  to  rain 
from  the  clouds,  and  a  judicious  withdrawal  of  the  roof-lights  frees  the 
upper  side  of  the  leaves  of  mealy  bug,  red  spider,  and  thrips,  where 
they  are  quite  safe  from  insecticides  applied  from  beneath. 
Grapes  Colouring. — Nourishment  applied  at  this  stage  may  not 
materially  benefit  the  ripening  fruit,  but  it  certainly  prevents  exhaustion 
of  the  Vines  where  the  crops  are  heavy.  It  should  be  of  a  sustaining 
rather  than  stimulating  nature,  such  as  dissolved  bones,  three  parts; 
sulphate  of  potash,  one  and  a  half  part;  and  sulphate  of  magnesia,  half 
part,  mixed,  applying  4  oz3.  of  the  mixture  per  square  yard,  and  just 
pointing  over  the  surface  of  the  border,  afterwards  watering  moderately. 
Thorough  supplies  of  water  are  needed  for  the  perfection  of  the  crop, 
but  excessive  soil  moisture  tends  to  undue  shanking,  indifferent 
colouring,  and  is  not  favourable  to  the  formation  of  the  buds  and 
ripening  of  the  wood.  A  light  mulch  of  spent  material  will  promote 
uniform  moisture  and  surface  rooting.  Outside  borders  may  not  be 
neglected  where  they  have  not  been  sufficiently  moistened  by  the  recent 
rains.  Moderate  air  moisture  is  still  required  for  the  foliage,  damping 
down  the  house  in  the  morning  and  afternoon,  but  there  must  not  be  a 
close  atmosphere. 
He  Kitclien  Garden. 
Broccoli. — This  important  crop  ought  now  to  be  finally  planted, 
selecting  ground  that  is  in  good  heart  but  firm.  There  may  be  some 
difficulty  in  inserting  the  plants,  but  holes  can  be  made  with  a  crowbar 
of  sufficient  depth  to  admit  the  roots  straight  down.  Plant  in  rows  not 
less  than  2  feet  apart,  the  plants  being  18  inches  asunder.  Osborn’s 
Winter  White,  Leamington,  Cattell’s  Eolipse,  and  Late  Queen  form  a 
good  succession. 
Borecole. — A  quantity  of  these  also  may  be  planted  out  on  any  good, 
vacant  ground.  Water  well  at  time  of  planting,  and  cover  with  dry 
soil.  The  Tall,  and  Dwarf  Green  Curled  and  Asparagus  Kale  are  hardy 
and  useful. 
Savoys. — Dwarf,  sturdy  plants  of  Savoys  should  be  accorded  a  good 
position  in  rich  soil.  Plant  in  quantity  according  to  the  demand.  The 
Early  Dwarf  Ulm  comes  in  useful  if  wanted  in  early  autumn. 
Drumhead  is  a  suitable  main  orop  variety. 
Peas. — Clear  off  exhausted  haulm  of  early  varieties,  and  place  sticka 
to  the  latest  rows.  Those  in  bearing  support  with  water,  liquid  manure, 
and  mulch  the  surface  alongside  the  rows  with  grass  or  manure. 
Beans. — Scarlet  Runner  Beans,  if  grown  on  the  dwarfing  system, 
must  be  frequently  stopped.  Even  when  the  points  reach  the  tops  of 
tall  stakes  they  may  be  nipped  off;  this  favours  the  setting  of  pods. 
Water  copiously,  and  lay  down  a  mulching  of  manure  on  each  side  the 
rows. 
8pinach. — Early  rows  now  run  to  seed  clear  off  or  dig  in,  occupying 
spaoe  with  Celery,  Winter  Greens,  Coleworts  or  Cabbage.  Viotoria 
Spinach,  which  produces  large  leaves,  is  a  good  variety  to  cultivate. 
Perpetual  Spinaoh  may  also  be  sown  now  to  stand  the  winter  for  spring 
use. 
