428 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  25,  1899. 
1VIBTEOROI.OGXCAI.  OBSURVATZOirS  AT  CHZSWZCK. 
— Taken  in  the  Rayal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens— height  above 
sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Direction  of 
Wind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
®  g 
lao 
1-^2  = 
^  0 
H 
1 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Xigbt 
C 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
.'J 
X 
Q) 
rC 
iC 
S 
-iA 
t/i 
o 
Sund.-iy  .  .14 
Mond.ay.  .15 
Tuesday  16 
Wed’sday  17 
Thursday  18 
Friday  ..19 
Saturday  t:0 
5.5.  W. 
W.S.W. 
W.S.W. 
W.S.W. 
S..S.W. 
5.5. W. 
W.S.W. 
1 
detr. 
56-8 
48-9 
54-7 
5-2-8 
58-9 
.55-4 
56-9 
deg. 
52-7 
47-9 
47-8 
47-2 
54-0 
51-5 
54-8 
deg. 
60-7 
60-4 
.59-5 
59-9 
64-0 
62-2 
62-7 
deg. 
48-5 
47-5 
47- 3 
48- 6 
47-9 
46-9 
53-5 
ins. 
0-44 
0-02 
C-34 
0-06 
0-18 
deg. 
55- 9 
54-5 
54-5 
54-4 
.54-9 
56- 3 
56-5 
deg. 
52-6 
62-8 
52-9 
52- 9 
531 
53- 5 
53-9 
deg. 
49- 8 
50- 1 
,50-3 
60-3 
50 '5 
50-8 
50-S 
deg. 
42- 6 
46- 5 
41-9 
43- 9 
31-2 
39-9 
47- 9 
Means  .. 
54-9 
50-8 
61-3 
48-6 
Tot.al 
1-04 
55-3 
53-1 
50-4 
43-1 
The  weather  during  the  week  has  been  very  unsettled  and  dull,  with  a 
thunderstorm  on  the  16th.  Eain  fell  on  five  days,  the  heaviest  quantity 
being  on  the  14th,  which  was  the  greatest  fall  for  any  one  day  this  year. 
-  Genista  hispanica. — Though  with  all  the  characteristics  cf 
the  Gorse  tribe,  to  which  it  belongs,  this  is  far  more  refined  in  appearance 
than  the  typo.  Its  habit  commends  it  for  culture  to  those  who  Lve  the 
cheerful  golden  blooms  of  the  wildling,  yet  consider  its  nature  too 
aggressive  for  planting  in  or  about  shrubberies,  or  such  places  where 
the  Spanish  variety  would  be  welcomed. 
-  Euphokbia  mellifera. — Hither  a  striking  plant  now  in 
bloom  is  Euphorbia  mellifera.  Ai  seen  recently  in  the  College  Gardens, 
Dublin,  it  is  a  shrubby  plint  well  wmrth  having,  more,  perhaps,  from 
its  shapely  habit  of  growth  and  modest  toned  blossoms,  than  from  any 
claims  to  garishness,  which  it  does  not  possess.  Farther  inland  it 
might  not  possibly  prove  to  be  hardy.— K. 
-  Darseey-leavei)  Blackbep.ry. — I  was  pleased  with  the 
appreciative  note  by  Mr.  Pearson  anent  this  useful  fruit  which,  as  he 
points  out,  is  far  ahead  of  my  of  the  American  berries  that  have  b;en 
introduced  here  from  time  to  time.  This  is  doubtless  in  part  due  to  cli.matic 
conditions — not  necessarily  cold.  Eat  the  Parsley-leaved  Bramble  is 
quite  a  different  tiling,  and  I  w  as  reminded  cf  this  recently  when  looking 
through  a  small  garden  at  Ipswich  where  this  plant  is  trained  over  an 
arch  extending  for  20  3'QrJs  or  so  over  a  gravel  walk.  The  owner  takes 
a  great  rpjantity  of  delicious  fruit  from  this  annually. — C.  H. 
-  Too  Much  Rain. — The  cry,  We  are  getting  too  much  rain, 
comes  from  the  trader,  the  cricketer,  the  lover  of  pleasure,  and  Whitsun 
holiday  maker  naturally.  I  do  not  think  many  gardeners  will  agree  with 
the  cry,  or  farmers  either,  except  those  who  cultivate  very'  clayey'  soil. 
It  is  not  that  we  are  getting  a  drop  too  much  of  moisture,  for  we  know 
but  too  well  how  rapidly  under  the  influence  of  w  arm  sunshine  moisture 
disappears.  But  what  we  want  more  is  rather  sunshine  and  warmth,  as 
because  of  the  lack  of  it  vegetation  is  late,  and  moves  slowly.  But  the 
rains  should  do  the  fruit  trees  great  good.  They  badly  needed  cleansing, 
and  the  roots  will  benefit  by  the  moisture.  These  showers  should  prove  a 
long  way  more  effective  than  insecticides  in  cleaning  the  young  leafage, 
and  at  no  cost.  There  is  plenty  of  time  yet  for  sunshine,  and  soon  wo 
may  be  wishing  for  some  more  of  these  refreshing  showers. 
-  Shirley'  Gardeners’  Association. — A  monthly  meeting  of 
above  Society  was  held  at  the  Parish  Room,  Shirley,  the  15th  inst.,  there 
being  a  large  attendance  of  the  members  presided  over  by  Mr.  B.  Ladhams. 
Mr.  A.  Angel),  Pb.U  ,  F.S.I.,  public  analyst  for  the  county  of  Hants,  gave 
a  most  interesting  and  useful  lecture  on  “Sexuality  in  Plants,”  illustrated 
w'ith  lantern  slides,  for  many  of  which  the  lecturer  was  indebted  to  the 
kindness  of  Messrs.  Sutton  tk  Sons  of  Reading.  A  discussion  ensued,  and 
several  questions  wore  put  to  the  lecturer  and  answered  satisfactorily'. 
A  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  Mr.  Angell,  who,  in  responding,  pro¬ 
posed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  exhibitois  who  had  brightened  the  room 
with  a  largo  display  that  evening.  Amongst  the  exhibits  were  a  group 
of  New' Holland  flow  ering  plants  of  special  interest  exhibited  by  Messrs. 
M  .  II.  Rogers  &  Son,  Limited,  Red  Lodge  Nursery',  and  a  group  of 
miscellaneous  plants,  including  five  new  Spiraeas,  which  latter  were 
accorded  a  first-class  certificate  ;  staged  by  Mr.  B.  Ladhams,  Shirley.  A 
plant  of  Medinilla  magnifica  was  shown  by  Mr.  W.  Risbridger,  and  a 
very  fine  plant  of  Acalypha  hispida  (Sandcri)  by  Mr.  E.  J.  Wilcox, 
both  of  which  were  awarded  certificates. 
-  In  a  Rented  Garden. — How  often  do  we  hear  the  remark, 
“  What  is  the  good  of  my  doing  any  gardening  hero  ;  I  only  rent  this 
place  ?  ”  That  may  be  so,  but  while  rented  the  place  is  the  home  of  the 
occupant,  and  surely  there  is  no  good  reason  why  the  exterior  and  the 
surroundings  of  a  home  should  not  bo  made  beautiful,  just  as  much  as 
is  the  interior.  The  inside  walls  are  ornamented  with  pictures,  why'  not 
the  outside  walls  with  plants,  of  which  a  host  stands  available  ?  The 
cost  of  such  a  thing  is  (rifling  ;  a  few  hardy  shrubs  can  be  purchased  for 
a  few  shillings,  and  the  pleasure  to  be  derived  therefrom  cannot  be 
measured  by  the  original  cost. — (“American  Gardening.”) 
ABOUT  MELONS. 
The  earliest  plants  arc  often  quite  healthy  when  the  first  crop  is  cuf, 
and  by  timely  attention  to  encouraging  laterals,  successional  fruits  will 
set  whilst  the  house  is  kept  drier  for  the  ripening.  Such  will  produce 
cxrellent  Melons  in  a  short  time,  and  though  smaller  than  the  first  crop, 
they  are  frequently  higher  ia  quality.  In  other  cases  it  may  be  advisable 
to  shorten  the  old  stem  to  a  strong  shoot  near  its  base,  removing  as  much 
of  the  old  soil  as  can  be  picked  from  amongst  the  roots  without  injuring 
them,  supply  ing  rather  strong  lumpy  loam  pressed  well  down,  and  giving 
a  good  watering.  A  moist  atmosphere  being  maintained,  and  the  plants 
syringed  in  the  morning  and  about  4  P.M.,  they  will  start  freely,  showing 
fruit  in  much  less  time  than  by  planting  afresh.  If,  however,  the  plants 
are  affected  with  canker,  or  from  carrying  too  heavy  a  first  crop,  deficiency 
of  water,  or  attacks  of  insects,  are  much  enfeebled,  it  is  better  to  removo 
them.  Thoroughly  cleanse  the  house  after  removing  the  old  soil  and 
place  fresh  sweet  compost  in  ridges  or  hillocks,  planting  strong  plants 
when  it  has  warmed  through. 
Early'  Melons  are  coming  in  and  are  of  excellent  flavour,  through  the 
day's  being  bright,  and  the  average  of  temperature  considerable.  Plants 
swelling  their  fruit  require  a  good  heat — a  night  temperature  of  70°, 
though  65°  or  even  60°  will  do  no  harm  when  the  nights  are  unusually 
cold  and  the  day  s  bright,  70°  to  75°  by  day  being  artificially'  secured, 
admitting  a  little  air  above  the  latter,  allowing  an  advance  to  85°  or  90°, 
closing  at  80°  to  85°,  but  so  early  as  to  raise  the  temperature  to  90°,  95°, 
or  100°.  Abundant  moisture  is  needed  in  houses  containing  young  grow¬ 
ing  plants,  also  feeding  liberally  those  having  their  fruits  swelling,  not 
allowing  them  to  suffer  through  deficient  supplies  of  water  or  of  weak 
liquid  manure.  Gently  damping  the  foliage,  walls,  floors,  and  closing  atj 
about  3.30  P.M.,  or  as  early  as  safe,  will  insure  the  swelling  of  the  fruits 
to  a  good  size. 
Where  the  plants  are  showing  blossom  fertilise  the  flowers  daily  to 
set  the  fruit,  insuring  a  dry  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  and  admitting  a 
little  air  constantly,  especially  in  moist  weather,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
deposition  of  moisture  on  the  blossoms.  It  is  also  not  advisable  to  use. 
the  knife  more  than  can  be  helped  during  the  setting  period,  but  pinch 
out  the  points  of  the  shoots  one  or  two  joints  beyond  the  fruit.  Earth 
the  plants  when  the  fruit  is  set  and  swelling,  and  examine  them  fre¬ 
quently  for  the  removal  of  superfluous  growths,  not  allowing  them,  to 
interfere  with  the  principal  foliage.  A  slight  shade  from  powerful  sun  is 
very  beneficial,  but  it  should  only  be  had  recourse  to  for  preventing 
flagging  and  scorching. 
I  think,  though  it  may  be  prejudice,  the  best  flavoured  IMelons  are 
those  produced  in  pits  and  frames.  The  plants  appear  to  be  supplied  with- 
a  steadier  temperature  and  more  uniform  moisture  at  the  roots,  with  the 
constant,  though  imperceptible,  evolving  of  ammonia  and  nourishment. 
Fruits  cn  the  earliest  plants  should  be  -w'ell  exposed  to  the  light,  but  it  is 
not  advisable  to  do  so  suddenly,  as  they  may  be  scorched  and  hardened  in 
the  rind,  thus  spoiled  in  appearance  or  made  liable  to  crack.  The  fruits 
may  be  raised  on  inverted  flower  pots,  with  a  piece  of  slate  for  the  fruit 
to  rest  on,  as  the  moisture  arising  from  beneath  will  cause  it  to  decay. 
Admit  air  freely,  and  water  only  to  prevent  the  foliage  flagging. 
As  a  rule  early  plants  in  pits  and  frames  will  give  a  second  crop  of  fruit 
of  just  the  right  size  for  breakfast  and  luncheon.  To  secure  them  encou¬ 
rage  four  shoots  from  the  base  of  each  plant,  so  that  when  the  fruit  is- 
cut  the  old  growths  may  be  removed  and  the  young  shoots  substituted. 
These  will  show  fruit  freely  on  the  first  laterals,  every  alternate  lateral 
being  rubbed  off  to  prevent  overcrowding,  and  stopping  the  leaders  about 
1  foot  from  the  sides  of  the  frame.  If  a  top-dressing  of  fresh  compost  be 
given,  supplemented  with  a  judicious  supply  of  moderately  weak  liquid- 
manure  at  90°,  the  plants  will  be  assisted  to  make  a  vigorous  second 
growth. 
I  find  late  Melons  from,  fiames  much  appreciated,  and  useful  crops 
may  be  obtained  by  making  up  beds  now  of  any  spent  material,  which 
from  mixing  and  turning  will  generate  a  gentle  warmth,  placing- 
frames  over  it  that  may  have  been  used  for  Potatoes  and  bedding  plants. 
Put  in  each  light  a  barrowload  of  rather  strong  loam,  mixed  with  a. 
fifth  part  of  old  mortar  rubbish  or  road  scrapings  if  deficient  of  grit,  and 
press  it  down  firmly.  Into  this  when  warmed  turn  out  a  strong  healthy 
plant,  making  the  soil  compact  about  the  roots,  and  giving  a  good’ 
watering.  It  the  weather  be  biight  shade  for  a  few  days.  There  is  yet 
time  to  raise  plants  from  seed  for  planting  in  frames  at  present  occupied, 
by  tender  bedding  or  other  plants,  but  the  Melons  should  be  placed  into 
their  fruiting  quarters  with  as  little  delay  as  possible.  Plants  put  in  the- 
beds  early  in  June  usually  do  well,  as  they  set  the  fruit  in  about  six: 
weeks,  and  in  a  fimilar  period  perfect  the  crop  of  luscious  fruits. — 
Grower. 
