234 
March  n,  189!>; 
■iOliniVA  fj 
OF 
no  It  T I (JU L  TUlin  A  ND  CO  TT A  (JF  (!  A  til) FNER. 
Kkcknt  Wkatiier  in  London.  —  The  wrnther  in  T.ondon  on 
Latunluy,  Sunday,  and  Monday  was  brilliantly  fine  as  a  whole,  though 
on  tho  morning  of  the  first  named  day  there  was  a  brief  ^pelI  of  seini- 
rlurkness.  The  wind  on  each  day  has  been  cold,  but  the  air  it  dry  and 
bracing.  Snow  fell  at  intervals  on  Monday  afternoon,  and  again  very 
heavily  on  Tuesday.  Thirteen  degrees  of  frost  was  r-  gisteredon  Sunday 
night.  Frost  was  again  ssvcrc  on  Tuesday  night,  but  Wednesday  opened 
bright  and  \vurna*r, 
“  ^\EA^IIhR  IN  'I  HR  XouTH. — A  marked  and  rapid  change  took 
place  in  the  weather  of  the  past  week.  Up  to  the  Kith  tho  days  were 
pleasant  if  rather  dull;  Thursday  and  Friday  were  exceedingly  bright 
and  warm  for  the  season  ;  by  Saturday  morning  the  wind  had  set  into 
tho  north,  and  winter  resumed  sway.  On  the  mornings  of  Sunday  and 
Monday  (U  frost  were  registered,  and  keen  northerly  winds  prevailed  up 
to  the  evening  of  the  20th.— B.  I).,  S.  Perthshire. 
-  M ADiiEsriEt.D  Court  Grape. — At  East  Thorpe,  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Allred  I’almer,  Reading,  there  is  in  a  somewhat  narrow  vinery 
the  shortest  rods  on  a  Madresfield  Court  Grupo  1  have  seen.  Tho 
border  is  4  feet  wide  and  18  inches  deep.  It  is  also  raised  so  us 
to  bring  the  Vines  near  tho  glass.  The  rods  are  only  4  feet  long,  and  have 
less  than  that  length,  for  cropping  ;  yet  in  spite  of  being  thus  hard 
shortened,  and  also  very  close  pruned,  they  fruit  remarkably  well- 
There  are  six  rod®,  two  coming  direct  from  the  main  stem  and  four 
from  a  side  rod  layered  into  the  border.  The  house  is  21  feet  long, 
and  contains  also  three  similar  rods  of  Black  Hamburgh.  The  Vines 
have  been  planted  eleven  years.  They  seem  to  do  wonderfully  well  so 
restricted,  and  bear  liberal  feeding, 
■  Manettia  iucoeor.— a  charming  and  not  at  all  uncommon 
greenhouse  climber  is  this.  The  foliage  resembles  that  of  Tlumhago 
Larpentae,  and  the  flowers  those  of  a  Cnphea,  or  the  old  Mitraria  coccinea, 
being  tubular,  pendent,  and  scarlet  with  the  points  bright  yellow.  This 
is  much  liked  by  Mr.  Woolford,  the  gardener  at  East  Thorpe,  where  in  a 
large  pot  it  thrives  well,  and  seems  to  be  always  in  flower.  It  is  easily 
propagated  by  cuttings.  Here,  too,  are  great  bushes  of  the  old  yellow 
Coronilla,  old  and  young  Streptocarpuses,  a  choice  collection  of  Orchids,  and 
•spring  flowering  plants  in  great  viiriety.  In  a  small  Fern  grotto 
Ccjelogynes  planted  in  numerous  pockets  in  the  rockwork  thrive  wonder¬ 
fully  and  bloom  profusely.  Begonia  falcifolia,  too,  as  a  basket  plant 
makes  a  very  effective  display. — Wanderer. 
IlEssi.E  Gardeners'  Society. — At  a  meeting  of  the  above 
Society,  held  on  March  14th  inst.,  Mr.  G.  Wilson,  Swanland  Manor,  pre¬ 
siding,  Mr.  II.  ,1.  Clayton,  of  Grimston  Park  Gardens,  Tadcaster,  read  a 
highly  instructive  paper  on  winter  flowering  stove  plants,  his  remarks 
on  the  culture  of  Calanthes  and  Poinsettias  being  very  valuable.  The 
discussion  which  followed  was  of  a  practical  nature.  There  also  was 
held  a  decorative  competition  for  under  gardeners  for  a  vase  of  spring 
flowers,  and  the  Judges  appointed  were  Messrs.  W.  Picker  and  F.  Mason, 
who  awarded  the  prizes  as  follows  Mr.  O’Don.  ghue  and  Mr.  Flowers, 
both  of  Traidiy  Croft,  first  and  second  respectively,  and  Mr.  Skinner, 
Bishop  Burton  Hall,  third.  The  exhibits  were  of  average  merit.  The 
usual  vote  of  thanks  brought  an  enjoyable  meeting  to  a  close. — ,1.  T.  B, 
-  The  REA[)tN(i  Gardeners’  A.SSOCIATION.— This  most  ener¬ 
getic  and  intelligent  Society,  whic.h  has  since  its  birth  been  instrumental 
in  Going  much  in  the  interest  of  gaidening  in  the  Reading  district,  having 
recently  through  his  removal  from  Maiden  Krleigh  to  Sherborne  Castle 
lost  the  alued  .services  of  Mr.  'Turton  as  Chairman,  is  now  in  danger  of 
losing  the  services  of  its  e.\cellent  Secretary,  Mr.  John  Pound.  ”  This 
admirable  gardener,  who  has  been  for  many  years  as  such  to  the  lute  Mr. 
Alfred  Sutton,  and  since  h  s  Imnented  death  to  his  widow,  who  has  also 
recently  died,  is  experiencing  that  sort  of  ill  fortune  which  so  often  occurs 
to  the  best  of  men  alter  long  and  faithful  service,  in  having  to  quit  his 
old  situation  because  death  has  taken  away  his  employers.  There  are 
few  vocalions  that  liring  such  sad  changes  to  men  as  gardening  thus 
.suffers  from.  It  will  bo  a  joy  for  the  members  of  the  Gurdene.s’  Asso¬ 
ciation  if  Mr.  Pound  can  find  another  wor  hy  place  in  or  about 
Reading. —  1). 
-  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  —  The  next  Fruit  and’ 
Floral  meeting  of  tho  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  ou 
Tuesday,  March  28th,  in  ihe  Drill  Hall,  James  Street,  Westminster, 
1  to.')  I’.M.  A  lecture  on  “Some  of  the  Plants  Exhibited”  will  be  given 
by  the  Rev.  I’rof.  G.  Henslow,  M.A.,  at  three  o'clock. 
-  German  Scabious.— These  are  very  showy  when  in  bloom, 
and  most  useful  for  cutting.  Dense  heads  of  flowers  arc  produced  on 
slender  stems.  Sow  tho  seed  now  in  pots  and  transplant  to  a  cold  frame  or 
boxes.  Sturd}',  well  rooted  plants  will  then  be  secured  for  planting  at  the 
end  of  May.  Fertile  ground  enriched  with  decayed  manure  and  well  dug 
suits  them  fpiite  well.— E. 
-  Annual  Ghrysanthe.mums.— There  are  sothe  good  varieties 
among  these  suitable  for  growing  in  beds  or  borders,  to  produce  flowers 
for  cutting.  In  a  mi.xed  selection  of  varieties  doubleswill  be  included, 
Dunnetti  being  one  of  the  best.  Atro-coccineum  and  Burridgeanum  are 
good  singles  of  attractive  colours.  Sow  and  treat  as  hardy  annuals,  well 
thinning-out  the  plants. —  D. 
-  Dividinu  and  Rerlantinu  Rhubarb. — Large  old  roots  of 
Rhubarb  which  have  not  been  disturbed  for  years  might  with  advantage 
be  lifted,  divided,  and  replmited.  Secure  several  good  crowns  to  each 
division,  or  divide  a  large  clumi>  into  four.  The  spot  selected  for 
planting  them  must  be  well  dug  and  heavily  liressed  with  rich  farmyard 
manure.  Give  a  space  of  3  feet  between  each  division.  Alsu  mulch  tho 
surlace  with  manure. — S. 
-  Birmingham  (Gardeners’  Association. — Mr.  James  Dean 
(manager  to  Messrs.  Pope  &  Son,  leed  department)  entertaimd  the 
meinhers  at  the  last  meeting  with  an  interesting  lecture  on  “Nuture’.-t 
Seed  Sowing,”  and  particulaily  alluded  to  various  seeds  and  seed  vessels 
tarnished  with  appendages,  remarkable  for  the  distribution  towards 
Huitab'e  (piarters.  The  Maple,  Elm,  and  Sycamoie  were  cited  as- 
iiiteresting  e.xainples  of  tree  seeds  furnishe  I  with  fan-bke  adjuneis  for 
their  dispersion  by  the  wind  ;  and  of  tho  sensitive  seed  vesse  s,  such  as 
the  (iorse.  (Gaper  S[)urge,  Balsam,  were  familiar  examples.  Those 
furnished  with  burrs,  spines,  and  liooked  appendages  were  no  doubt 
intended  as  provisions  for  the  disiicrsion  of  seels  by  the  agency  ot  the 
woolly  or  hairy  skins  of  animsls  ;  the  Rtir  principal  agents  being 
animals,  birds,  wind,  and  water.  Mr.  Dean  exiiib.ted  several  kinds  ot 
seeds  and  seed  vessels  in  illustration  of  his  subject,  an  interesting  one 
being  a  jilaiit  of  the  Rose  of  Jericho  (Anastatica  hicrochuntica).  In  the 
discussicii  following,  and  in  which  Messrs. \V.  B.  Lutliam  (the  Chairman), 
C.  R.  Bick,  Walter  Jones,  C.  H.  Herbert,  \V.  Spinks,  and  W.  Gardiner 
took  the  cliief  part,  reference  was  particularly  made  to  vitality  ot  seeds 
preserved  under  certain  ubnormul  conditions.  Instances  were  also 
adduced  of  the  reproduction  of  seeds  after  being  buried  deeply  in  tfie 
soil  for  many  years.  'The  ‘‘Orchid  Review.”  in  two  vols ;  also  tlio 
“  Iconegiapby  of  Oichids,”  in  six  vols.,  splendidly  illustrated  and  bound, 
have  been  added  to  the  valuable  library  ot  Itie  Birmingham  Gardeneis 
Mutual  Improvement  Association. 
-  Death  oe  Mr.  William  Murray,  Parkiiall  Gardens. — 
We  regret  to  record  the  death  of  Mr.  William  Murray,  which  toole 
])lace  on  Saturday,  1 1th  March.  On  the  Sunday  previous  Mr.  Murray 
(according  to  his  wont)  was  addressing  an  Evangelistic  meeting  when  ho 
was  taken  suddenly  ill.  He  was  driven  home,  and  gradually  sunk  into 
an  unconscious  state  and  expired  as  indicated.  Medical  skill  could  render 
no  assistance.  The  deceased  was  sixty  years  of  age,  and  for  thirty-three 
years  acted  as  gardener  to  Mr  Livingstone  Ijearmonth.  Few  men  in 
Scotland  have  attained  such  success  as  a  Grape  and  Tomato  grower  us 
has  Mr.  Murray  during  the  past  twenty  years.  His  exhibits,  ot  Grapes 
especially,  have  held  leading  positions  at  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  Shows 
for  many  years.  His  fame  as  a  cultivator  at  I’arkhall  was  widely  known, 
where  many  admiring  visitors  went  frequently  to  see  the  crops  or 
remarkably  handsome  bunches  of  Grapes.  Last  year  was  equal  to  any 
previou-i  sea'on  in  crop  and  quality  of  the  fruit.  The  Vines,  too,  by  linn 
wood  and  large  glossy  foliage,  testified  to  tho  skill  of  a  master  hand. 
Mr.  Murray’s  talents  and  zeal  for  tho  good  of  his  fellows  were  widely 
recognised.  Among  local  institutions,  he  was  a  member  of  School  Board 
at  Muiravon  Side,  where  his  remains  wore  interred  on  Wednesdaj’, 
15th  March,  and  much  good  has  been  accomplished  by  his  able  assistance 
and  force  of  character.  He  leaves  a  widow  and  one  eon.  The  latter  new 
represents  the  firm  of  Win.  Murray  &  Son,  which  was  formed  two  years 
ago  by  renting  a  largo  portion  of  the  extensive  ranges  of  glass  at  Park- 
hull  and  a  number  of  acres  of  land  for  market  purjioses.  Mr.  Murra}’d 
portrait  was  given  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  for  December  22ik1,  1898 
page  473. — ML  Temi’LE,  Carron. 
