May  25,  U99. 
427 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Recent  Weather  in  London.— AVe  'have  not  had  weather  that 
•would  meet  with  the  general  appreciation  of  holiday  makers  during  the 
ipast  few  days.  On  Bank  Holiday  rain  fell  in  torrents  during  the 
morning  and  evening,  though  there  was  a  gleam  of  sunshine  in  the 
•afternoon.  Tuesday  was  much  the  same,  but  the  showers  were  not  so 
dieavy%  On  Wednesday  morning  it  was  dull  and  colder. 
We.ither  in  the  North. — The  past  week  has  been  marked 
liy  bitterly  cold  easterly  winds,  excessive  rainfall,  and  an  almost  total 
want  of  sunshine.  Thursday  and  Saturday  were  days  of  continuous  and 
heavy  rain  till  well  on  in  the  afternoon.  Sunday  and  Monday  were 
fair,  but  very  dull  and  unseasonably  cold,  the  N.E.  wind  making  it  more 
«ike  March  than  May.— B.  D.,  S.  Perthshire. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. — Scientific  Committee. 
Present  :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair),  Dr.  Muller,  Rev.  W.  AYilks, 
Mr.  E.  F.  Im  Thurn,  and  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  Sec.  Diseased 
Hemerocallis,  &c. — A  leaf  was  received  bearing  decayed  spots,  apparently 
-due  to  fungoid  growth.  This,  together  with  a  Peach  diseased  by  a  form 
of  mildew,  and  Apple  twigs  with  knots,  were  forwarded  to  Dr.  W.  G. 
Smith  for  examination.  Podisoma  on  Savin. — Dr.  Masters  exhibited 
specimens  of  this  fungus,  which  gives  rise  to  Roeslelia  cancellata  on 
Pear  trees.  .Ecidium  grossularim.-He  also  brought  specimens  of  the 
“Gooseberry  cluster  cups.”  It  occurs  on  leaves  and  fruit  of  the 
•Gooseberry  and  Currant.  In  some  seasons  it  is  of  frequent  occurrence. 
Morel.— Dr.  Masters  also  showed  a  small  Morel,  found— as  is  somewhat 
rarely  the  case— growing  singly.  He  recorded  the  fact  that  after  two 
Poplars  had  been  blown  down  in  Mr.  Masters’  garden  at  Canterbury 
in  18.37,  Morels  grew  every  other  year  round  the  stumps.  Jfr.  Im  Thurn 
observed  that  the  Morel  was  a  co.mmen  fungus  on  the  Wiltshire  moors 
among  Beeches. 
Horticultural  Club. — The  usual  monthly  dinner  and  con¬ 
versazione  took  place  on  Tuesday  last  at  the  rooms  of  the  Club,  Hotel 
Windsor  ;  there  was  a  good  attendance  both  of  members  and  their 
friends.  The  chair  was  occupied  by  the  Rev.  W.  AA'ilks  in  the  unavoid- 
^ble  absence  of  Sir  J.  D,  T.  Llewelyn,  Bart.  There  were  present  besides 
Dr.  Maxwell  T.  Masters,  Sir  John  Farley  ;  Messrs.  J.  H.  Tritton,  C.  E. 
Shea,  R.  Gofton  Salmond,  George  Monro,  Peter  Kay,  H.  A.  A. 
D’Ombrain,  H.  Somers  Rivers,  C.  Mason,  Philip  Crowley,  and  others.  A 
very  interesting  paper  was  read  by  Mr.  Gofton  Salmond  on  the  pre- 
seiwing  of  vegetables  by  evaporation,  and  a  number  of  specimens  of 
vegetables  so  prepared  were  exhibited.  An  intereMing'discussioiTfol- 
lowed,  in  which  most  of  those  present  took  part,  and  the  feeling  among  all 
present  was  that  the  process  would  be  invaluable  for  the  army  and  navy, 
•and  for  all  expeditions  where  the  obtaining  of  fresh  vegetables  would  be 
a  matter  of  great  difficulty.  A  cordial  vote  of  thanks  was  proposed  and 
carried  to  Mr.  Salmond  for  his  excellent  paper,  which  appears  on 
.page  430. 
RoilAl  AIeteorological  Society,  —  O wing  to  the  public 
improvements  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Parliament  Street,  the  Royaj 
Meteorological  Society  has  been  obliged  to  vacate  its  offices  in  Great 
George  Street  and  find  accommodation  elsewhere.  The  Council  ulti¬ 
mately  took  rooms  at  Prince’s  Mansions,  70,  Victoria  Street,  which  have 
been  fitted  up  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  Society.  On  Tuesday 
evening,  the  IGth  inst.,  the  President,  Mr.  F.  C.  Bayard,  L  L.M.,  held 
an  “at  home”  in  these  new  rooms,  which  was  largely  attended  by  the 
Fellows,  among  whom  were  the  following  :-^Mr.  AV.  B.  Bryan,  Mr. 
Baldwin  Latham,  Professor  J.  K.  Laughton,  Admiral  Maclear,  Dr.  H.  R. 
Mill,  Dr.  R.  A.  Scott,  F.R.S.,  Mr.  G.  J.  Symons,  F.R.S.,  Dr.  C.  Theodore 
Williams,  Mr.  E.  AVoods,  and  others.  An  interesting  exhibition  of 
instruments  and  photographs  was  arranged,  and  there  were  also  several 
demonstrations  by  the  optical  lantern.  At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the 
Society,  held  on  Wednesday  afternoon  in  the  above  rooms,  Mr.  H.  N. 
Dickson,  F.R  S.E  ,  read  a  paper,  entitled  “The  Mean  Temperature  of  the 
Surface  AA'aters  of  the  Sea  round  the  British  Isles,  and  its  Relation  to  that 
of  the  Air.”  A  paper  by  Major-General  Schaw,  C.B.,  on  “  Some 
Phenomena  connected  with  the  Vertical  Circulation  of  the  Atmosphere  ” 
was  also  read. 
-  Gardening  Appointment. — Mr.  R.  W.  Eastwood,  for  the  last 
ten  years  foreman  at  AVorsley  Hall,  Manchester,  has  been  appointed  head 
gardener  at  the  County  Asylum,  AVhittingham,  Preston,  Lancashire. 
-  The  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution. — A 
most  successful  meeting  was  held  at  Reading  on  Tuesday,  ^lay  16th, 
over  250  persons  being  present  to  discuss  the  desirability  of  forming  a 
branch  of  this  admirable  institution  at  Reading.  From  the  tone  that 
prevailed  it  is  hoped  that  the  branch  will  be  a  very  successful  one. 
-  Royal  Botanic  Society. — At  the  show  on  the  17th  inst.  the 
follow  irg  medals  were  awarded  :  Silver-gilt  medal  to  Messrs.  J.  PoM  &  Sons 
for  Caladiums  ;  large  silver  medals  to  Messrs.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill, 
for  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  ;  \V.  Paul  &  Son,  AA'altham  Cross,  for 
group  of  Roses  ;  Barr  &  Sons,  for  Tulips  and  other  f  owers  ;  and  Rivers 
and  Sons,  Sawbridgeworth,  for  Nectarines  ;  s  lver  medals  to  Messrs. 
R.  &  G,  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  for  new  hardy  Azaleas,  and  to 
AA’^ra.  Rumsey,  Joynings  Nurseries,  W’altham  Cross,  for  Roses  ;  small 
silver  medals  to  Messrs.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  for  Carnations  ;  Kelway 
and  Sons,  Langport,  lor  tree  Pmonies  ;  L.  H.  Calcutt,  for  fioral  exhibit  ; 
and  to  AA'’^.  H.  !Moss,  for  floral  table  decorations  ;  large  bronze  medals  to 
Messrs,  .1.  Prewitt,  Rayleigh,  lor  table  decorations  ;  and  A.  Smith,  for 
Roses  and  Pansies. 
-  Potato  Up-to-Date. — That  this  remarkably  fine  and  pro¬ 
ductive  variety  has  disappointed  some  of  its  growers  when  cooked  there 
can  be  no  doubt.  It  has  white  granulated  flesh,  that  cooks 
quickly,  usually  much  quicker  than  is  generally  anticipated,  and  when 
regarded  as  done  is  much  to  pieces.  The  best  corrective  is  found  in 
pouring  off  the  water  from  the  saucepan  just  before  the  tubers  soften,  then 
finishing  them  gently  in  a  dry  condition.  But  no  doubt  this  Potato 
would  greatly  benefit  could  it  have  infused  into  it  some  of  the  yellowness 
and  greater  consistency  of  flesh  found  in  the  Bruce  or  similar  more  solid 
fleshed  varieties.  Raisers  should  take  a  note  of  that,  and  endeavour  to 
secure  this  desideratum.  Up-to-Date  furnishes  not  only  grand  crops  but 
the  tubers  are  handsome,  and  worthy  a  high  place  at  exhibitions, 
Probably  it  is  yet  the  heaviest  cropper  in  cultivation. — D. 
-  Death  of  Mr.  James  Kelway. — AA^e  observe  with  regret  an 
announcement  of  the  death  of  Mr.  James  Kelway,  the  founder  of  the  well 
known  firm  ot  florists  of  Langport.  The  venerable  head  of  this  firm  died 
at  Huish  Episcopi,  Somerset,  on  the  17th  inst.,  in  his  eighty-fourth  year. 
The  deceased  gentleman  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  urbanity  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  w  as  one  of  the  most  trusted  of  men  in  the  town,  which  ho 
served  so  well  in  his  public  capacity  in  municipal  offices,  including  that  of 
Mayor,  to  which  he  was  eventually  and  unanimously  elected.  Mr.  Kelway 
was  a  kind  hearted,  clear  headed,  business  man,  upright  and  honourable 
in  all  his  actions,  and  his  genial  presence  will  be  greatly  missed  by  all 
who  had  the  pleasure  of  associating  with  him.  He  was  not  often  seen  at 
the  London  shows  where,  on  so  many  occasions,  the  floral  riches  of 
Langport  have  been  honoured.  The  exhibits  of  Gladiob,  in  nine  cases 
out  of  ten,  out-distanced  those  of  all  competitors,  and  scarcely  less  striking 
were  the  groups  of  Delphiniums,  Preories,  and  Pyrethrums,  so  effectively 
displayed  by  his  son,  who  has,  no  doubt,  of  late  years,  had  the  practical 
management  of  the  flourishing  business  that  is  so  well  known  in  the 
hcr.icultural  world. 
-  Spraying  Fruit  Trees  in  Nova  Scotia  Compared  with 
IN  England. — Pe  Mr.  Jno.  Miles’  article  in  the  last  Journal  I  ought 
perhaps  to  have  added  that  snow  is  on  the  ground  most  of  April  in 
Canada,  and  that  Apple  foliage  and  blossoms  only  open  about  the  last 
week  of  ^lay  or  the  beginning  of  June,  after  which  the  growth  of  plants 
is  very  rapid.  I  am  very  sorry  that  any  of  my  remarks  should  have  been 
misuiiderstooi  by  Mr,  Miles,  and  that  his  trees  should  have  had  to 
consequently  suffer.  The  potash  solution,  |  to  1  lb,  caustic  potash  to 
1  gallon  of  water,  should  only  be  sprayed  whilst  the  tree  is  perfectly 
dormant,  or  used  to  paint  the  trunk  during  summer.  For  some  chemical 
reason  I  imagine  combined  caustic  potash  and  soda  appears  to  have  a 
more  burning  action  than  potash  alone.  The  foliage  in  England  will  not 
stand  quite  as  strong  a  solution  of  Paris  green  as  in  America.  I  think 
that  Plum  foliage  is  less  tender  than  Apple  here  and  the  reverse  over 
there,  and  that  the  foliage  of  young  Apple  trees  is  more  tender  than  that 
nf  old  trees,  and  of  course  young  leaves  are  more  tender  than  old.  I 
hope  on  Thursday,  May  24th,  at  three  o’clock,  weather  permitting,  to 
have  a  demonstration  of  work  of  the  “Pomona”  spray  pump  on  my  farm 
at  Highlands,  Swanley,  Kent,  spraying  fruit  trees  with  Paris  green  and 
Bordeaux  mixture,  and  an  Oat  field  with  copper  sulphate  to  destroy 
charlock.  If  any  readers  of  the  .Journal  will  favour  mo  by  attending  I 
shall  be  most  pleased.  Highlands  is  one  mile  from  Swanley  Junction 
and  eighteen  miles  from  London  on  L  C.D.  Railway. — Cecil  H.  Hooper. 
