JOURNAL  ■  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
HfMioh  ?0,  l^99. 
l>IBTSOROI.OGZCiVI.  OBSERVATZOIO’S  BT  CHZSWZCK. 
— Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens— height  above 
sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Direction  of 
IVind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Rain. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
Lowest 
Temperature  i 
on  Grass. 
1899. 
March. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
tn 
-4^ 
1 
Sunday  .  .19 
Monday.  .20 
Tue.sday  21 
Wed'.sday  22 
Thursday  23 
Friday  .'.24 
Saturday  25 
N. 
N.W. 
N.N.  W. 
N.W. 
N.N.  \V. 
W.N.W. 
s.  w. 
deg. 
35- 8 
34-3 
32-6 
34-0 
30T 
36- 6 
41-9 
deg. 
33-2 
32-0 
30-5 
29-4 
27-9 
32-0 
35*6 
deg. 
40- 8 
39- 7 
37-2 
41- 2 
37  T 
40- 6 
48  T 
deg. 
28-8 
27-8 
19- 5 
23-5 
23- 8 
24- 9 
20- 6 
ins. 
0-03 
0T7 
deg. 
38-9 
38-4 
37-5 
36-6 
36-4 
35-6 
35-5 
deg. 
41-7 
41-5 
41-1 
40-5 
40-2 
39-7 
39-3 
deg. 
43-8 
43-8 
43-8 
43-8 
43-5 
43-4 
43T 
deg. 
19-4 
22-3 
11-7 
16-4 
15- 5 
16- 3 
11-6 
Means  .. 
35-0 
31-5 
40-7 
24-1 
Total 
0-20 
37-0 
40-6 
43-6 
16-2 
The  week  has  been  very  cold,  with  strong  north-westerly  winds  ;  snow 
fell  on  the  21st,  and  rain  on  the  25th. 
-  Severe  Frost  at  Woburn  Fruit  Farm. — At  the  lowest  part 
of  the  farm  we  registered  an  extremely  low  temperature  this  morning 
{March  22nd),  which  is  fortunately  a  rare  experience  at  this  time  of  year. 
A  severe  frost  yesterday  was  followed  by  a  snowstorm  of  about  two  hours’ 
duration,  and  the  temperature  began  falling  rapidly  shortly  afterwards. 
The  air  was  very  still  and  clear,  and  this  morning  a  tested  radiation 
thermometer  on  the  ground  registered,  minus  2’8°  Fahr.,  nearly  3°  below 
zero.  The  buds  of  Gooseberries  are  very  advanced,  and  are  likely  to 
suffer.  Pear  flower  buds  are  also  forward,  but  not  open,  and  the  same 
remark  applies  to  Plums,  while  Apples  are  in  a  quite  safe  condition.  The 
elevation  above  sea  level  is  about  260  feet,  and  the  position  of  the 
thermometer  is  near  a  running  brook. — R.  L.  Castle,  Woburn  Experi¬ 
mental  Fruit  Farm,  Beds. 
-  The  Weather  and  Fruit  Prospects. — During  the  past 
week  the  weather  has  been  of  a  very  winterly  character.  On  several 
nights  the  temperature  has  been  very  low.  On  the  21st  19°  of  frost  were 
registered.  In  the  afternoon  a  heavy  snowstorm  passed  over,  and  in  the 
short  space  of  an  hour  upwards  of  4  inches  fell,  followed  by  19°  of  frost. 
The  trees  and  shrubs  were  wreathed  with  snow,  and  the  landscape  had 
more  the  appearance  of  midwinter  than  spring.  Under  thecircumstances  the 
snow  was  beneficial  as  a  protector  of  the  crops,  but  fears  are  entertained 
that  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Apricots  on  unprotected  walls  have  suffered 
a  good  deal,  though  most  kinds  of  hardy  fruit  blossom  is  in  a  backward 
state,  except  a  few  Pears.  Large  breadths  o'  Potatoes  have  been  planted 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sandy.  For  several  nights  the  frost  has  been  so 
severe  that  for  a  time  most  kinds  of  outdoor  gardening  was  at  a  standstill. 
— G.  R.  Allis,  Old  Warden  Park,  Beds. 
-  March  Frosts. — Everyone  interested  in  fruit  culture  will  look 
forward  with  deep  anxiety  to  hear  ot  what  effect,  if  any,  of  a  disastrous 
kind  has  been  exercised  on  fruit  buds  and  tbe  all  too  early  blos^om  by 
the  recent  severe,  and,  for  March  generally,  intense  frosts.  Were  we  to 
judge  of  what  the  effect  has  been  by  what  is  seen  on  the  expanded  blossom 
of  Almond,  we  should  assume  that  the  harm  done  has  been  great.  But 
there  is  wide  distinction  between  what  is  seen  on  expanded  blossom  and 
on  that  which  is  yet  so  far  she'tered  by  bud  scales  and  undeveloped. 
But  whilst  the  intense  frosts  have  been  for  us  in  March  somewhat  unusual 
visitations,  we  may  be  assured  that  they  are  far  from  being  such  in  North 
America  ;  and  if  there  the  blossom  eventually  opens  quite  unharmed,  why 
not  ours  here  also  ?  There  has  been,  too,  in  our  favour  unwonted  dryness, 
both  of  air  and  of  soil  ;  indeed,  in  reference  to  the  former,  we  seem  to 
have  had  conditions  very  much  resembling  those  of  North  America,  and 
dryness  of  the  air  does  very  much  to  mitigate  the  effects  of  the  frost. 
Then,  in  spite  of  the  saturation  the  soil  received  through  the  earlier  part 
of  the  winter,  it  is  now  generally  very  dry.  That,  again,  is  an  important 
factor  in  the  matter,  and  it  has  much  to  do  in  creating  so  dry  an 
atmosphere.  No  doubt  the  organs  of  fertility  in  fruit,  the  flowers,  so 
sheltered  in  the  undeveloped  buds  will  endure  much  frost,  because,  as  we 
all  knew,  the  chief  harm  is  done  when  pollen  grains,  pistil,  and  ovary  are 
in  expanded  flowers  first  exposed  to  moisture  and  then  to  sharp  frosts. 
If  any  bloom  has  suffered,  probably  it  will  have  been  the  expanded  flowers 
on  precocious  wall  trees,  but  even  with  these  it  often  happens,  that  whilst 
open  blossom  is  killed,  unopened  flowers  escape.  So  far,  however,  all  is 
conjecture  ;  well  may  we  hope  that  any  harm  done  may  be  of  the 
smallest. — Alex.  Dean. 
. -  The  Raiser  of  Ericas  Willmorei  and  hyemalis.— Mr 
Willmore’s  gardener,  the  late  Mr.  Williams,  Harborne  Road,  Edgbaston, 
instead  of,  as  stated  on  page  214,  Miss  Willmore’s  gardener  at  Straw¬ 
berry  Vale,  was  the  reputed  raiser  of  tbe  Heaths  in  question  — 
escepting,  however,  that  there  appears  to  be  a  doubt  as  to  the  real  origin 
of  E.  hyemalis. — W.  G.. 
-  Reading  Gardeners’  Association. — At  the  fortnightly 
meeting  of  this  Association  on  Monday  evening  last  “The  Arrange¬ 
ments  of  Hardy  Plants  in  the  Garden  ’’  was  the  subject  of  a  lecture 
given  by  Mr.  A.  Wright  of  Falkland  Park,  South  Norwood,  when  Mr. 
C.  B.  Stevens  presided  over  a  good  attendance  of  members.  In  intro¬ 
ducing  the  subject,  Mr.  Wright  pointed  out  that  no  branch  of  gardening 
was  BO  important  as  that  of  the  arrangements  of  plants  in  gardens* 
Many  practical  hints  were  given.  An  animated  discussion  followed. 
A  vote  of  thanks  was  proposed  and  carried  unanimously. 
-  Bournemouth  Gardeners’  Association.  —  A  lecture  on 
the  Primula  (Chinese  Primrose),  illustrated  by  lantern  views,  was  given 
on  Tuesday  evening  before  a  large  attendance  of  members  by  Mr.  James 
Martin,  from  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons,  Reading.  Mr.  Martint 
in  the  course  of  his  lecture,  referred  to  the  progress  made  in  the  cultiva- 
ot  this  useful  winter-flowering  plant  since  its  introduction  in  1819,  and 
by  the  aid  of  the  lantern  (manipulated  by  Mr.  Cox)  forcibly  demonstrated 
tt  e  great  improvements  made  by  cross-fertilisation,  resulting  in  a  great 
variety  of  colour,  from  the  purest  white  to  the  deepest  crimson,  as  seen 
in  the  New  Crimson  King,  introduced  for  the  first  time  this  season.  He 
also  drew  attention  to  the  star  or  stellata  form  of  this  flower  ;  a  reversion 
to  the  ori.inal  type,  but  which,  on  account  of  its  graceful  habits,  is  now 
becoming  a  favourite  variety.  He  regretted  to  say  that  many  gardeners 
were  neglecting  the  Primula  and  other  winter-flowering  plants  in  favour 
of  the  Chrysanthemiim,  and  which  he  thought  was  being  overdone  to  the 
exclusion  of  other  useful  flowers.  Mr.  Martin,  who  is  a  most  able  and 
entertaining  lecturer,  concluded  with  some  practical  remarks  on  cultiva¬ 
tion.  A  cordial  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Cox,  and 
Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  for  the  interesting  and  instructive  lecture. 
NOTES  ON  MELONS. 
The  earliest  plants  from  a  sowing  made  at  the  beginning  of  January, 
planted  out  at  the  beginning  of  February,  and  duly  attended  to  in  a  light 
well  heated  structure,  have  the  fruits  set  or  setting  on  the  first  laterals. 
A  rather  drier  atmosphere,  and  no  more  water  than  to  prevent  flagging, 
with  an  increase  of  temperature  of  about  5°,  and  a  circulation  of  warm 
air,  are  desirable  during  the  setting  period.  The  (lowers  should  be 
fertilised  every  day  when  fully  expanded  ;  pinch  out  the  points  of  the 
shoots  one  or  two  joints  beyond  the  fruit.  When  the  fruits  are  set,  and 
about  the  size  of  a  Walnut,  give  the  bed  a  thorough  watering,  and  in  a 
day  or  two  add  soil  to  the  sides  of  the  ridges  or  hillocks,  pressing  it 
firmly,  and  again  supply  water.  Both  the  soil  and  the  water  should  be 
of  the  same  temperature  as  the  bed.  Stop  the  subsequent  growths  to  one 
or  two  joints,  and  prevent  overcrowding  by  rubbing  off  shoots  from  which 
there  is  not  room  for  the  foliage  to  have  full  exposure  to  light. 
If  the  bottom  heat  be  kept  steady  at  85°  the  fruits  will  swell  all  the 
better.  Do  not  overcrop  the  plants,  but  leave  the  fruits  proportionate  to 
the  vigour — two  on  weakly,  three  or  four  on  vigorous,  and  very  strong 
plants  may  carry  six  fruits.  The  night  temperature  may  he  65°  to  70°, 
75°  by  day,  ventilating  from  that  point,  increasing  to  85°  or  90°,  closing 
between  those  heats,  and  sutBciontly  early  to  increase  to  90°,  or  95°,  or 
100°.  Damp  the  house  in  the  morning,  syringe  moderately  by  or  before 
three  o’clock  on  bright  warm  atternoons,  damping  the  paths  and  walls  in 
the  evening.  Keep  the  evaporation  troughs  filled  with  liquid  manure. 
Plants  in  narrow  beds  will  require  plenty  of  liquid  nourishment,  always 
an  advance  of  the  mean  temperature  of  the  house,  and  top-dressing  of  rich 
material. 
The  growths  on  successional  plants  should  be  trained  regularly, 
removing  every  alternate  lateral,  rubbing  them  off  directly  they  are 
perceived,  the  remainder  being  trained  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  main 
stem.  Pinch  out  the  points  of  primary  growths  alter  they  have  extended 
two-thirds  of  the  required  distance.  Increase  the  supply  of  moisture 
both  at  the  roots  and  in  the  atmosphere  as  the  days  lengthen,  but  avoid 
making  the  soil  sodden  or  the  atmosphere  saturated  constantly  with 
moisture. 
Pot  seedlings  directly  they  show  the  first  rough  leaf,  shading  until 
re-established.  Stop  plants  for  pits  and  frames  at  the  second  rough  leaf ; 
those  for  trelliswork  should  have  a  small  stick  placed  to  each,  securing 
loosely,  and  rubblni|f  off  ihe  laterals  while  small  up  to  height  of  the 
trellis.  Transfer  to  larger  pots  as  required,  not  allowing  them  to  become 
rootbound,  but  plant  out  as  soon  as  the  roots  are  well  hold  of  the  soil 
and  showing  round  the  sides  of  the  pot.  Sow  more  seeds  to  afford  plants 
according  to  the  demand.  Plants  from  seed  town  now  will  give  excellent 
results  grown  in  frames  after  clearing  them  from  forced  Radishes, 
Potatoes,  &c.  In  pits  and  frames  a  bottom  heat  of  80°  should  be  secured 
to  plants  that  are  growing  freely,  renewing  the  linings  as  required.  In 
newly  made  beds  Ae  bottom  heat  should  be  about  90°. — Grower. 
