JUUllNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  ANB  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
March  26,  1903. 
27  G 
The  Winter  Moth. 
Wo  draw  attention  to  this  pest  in  tlie  liope  that  wlicre  its 
depredations  liave  caused  loss  in  a  previous  sea.son,  growers  may 
be  on  the  watcli  for  the  caterpillars  of  the  moth  wliich  the  very 
mild  and  balmy  weather  have  begun  to  entice  forth.  So  soon  as 
there  are  leaves  to  devour,  the  larvse  (that  is,  the  caterpillars) 
emerge,  and  the  only  means  of  contesting  their  advance  appears 
to  be  to  spray  them  and  the  trees  or  bushes  they  infest,  with  a 
solution  containing  the  poisonous  Paris-green.  This,  material 
was  found  to  be  the  most  efficacious  of  a  number  that  were  tried 
bv  a  competent  body  of  growers  and  scientists  against  the  cater¬ 
pillars  of  the  Winter  Moth  some  years  ago  in  the  Evesham 
district.  The  proportions  they  found  they  could  recommend  were 
as  follows:  “Paris-green  paste  in  the  proportion  of  one  ounce  to 
eight  or  ten  gallons  of  water  for  Plums,  and  one  ounce  to  twenty 
gallons  of  water  for  Apples  and  Pears.”  For  Currants  the 
strength  found  .safe  was  as  for  Plums,  but  as  the  foliage  grew 
stronger,  one  ounce  to  eight  gallons  of  water  was  found  not  too 
strong.  These  prnporiions  shmdd  nnt  he  exceeded. 
The  females  are  wingless,  so  that  they  have  to  crawl  up  the 
trees  in  the  crevices  of  the  bark  of  which  they  lay  their  eggs  in 
or  similar  place, s,  and  the  means  of  checking  their  progress 
to  the  branches  is  the  same  as  was  recommended  for  the  Codlin 
moth,  viz.,  grease-bandine  the  trees.  This  should  be  done  before 
the  females  are  matured  in  mid-October.  The  males  are  .stated 
to  appear  a  few  days  before  the  females,  and  they  are  winged,  as 
seen  in  our  illustration.  The  moths  are  mo.st  active  from  sunset, 
or  rather  before  it,  till  late  in  the  evening.  In  bad  cases  of  cater¬ 
pillar  attack,  everything  eatable  is  taken  by  them — buds,  flowers, 
leaves,  or  growing  fruit.  “When  full-fed”  (which  may  be  from 
the  middle  to  the  end  of  May,  and  sometimes  as  late  as  June) 
“  they  leave  the  trees  by  letting  themselves  down  by  their 
threads,  and  enter  the  ground,  where  they  turn  to  chrysalids 
(pupse)  near  the  surface,  froui  which  most  of  the  moths  come  up 
in  autumn.  Some  of  the  moths,  however,  remain  in  the  chrysalis 
state  during  the  winter,  and  tlie  broods  from  these  give  young 
caterpillars  at  a  time  differing  from  the  ordinary.”  The  winter 
moth  (Cheimatobia  brumata.  Linn.)  is  the  most  injurious  of  all 
our  orchard  insects.  The  “  Handbook  of  Orchard  and  Bush  Fruit 
Insects,”  by  F.  A.  Ormerod,  contains  much  matter  relative  to 
this  pest. 
- 4.#o - 
Exhibition  Schedules. 
The  fifteenth  great  annual  show,  known  as  the  Wolver¬ 
hampton  Floral  Fete,  will  be  held  on  July  7,  8,  and  9,  and 
the  schedules  are  now  issued.  For  a  group  of  plants  in  class  1, 
the  premier  prize  is  £25  ;  in  the  next,  for  sixteen  stove  and  green¬ 
house  plants,  the  first  is  £20 ;  for  the  leading  award  is  £10  for  a 
collection  of  Orchids.  The  sum  of  £42  in  four  prizes  is  offered  for 
seventy-two  varieties  of  Boses  in  class  10,  and  for  a  display  of 
plants  or  floral  arrangements  (class  29),  the  first  prize  is  a  Silver 
Cup,  vahie  £5  5s.,  and  £20  in  cash,  the  sum  total  for  three  prizes 
being  £40  5s.  For  a  decorated  dinner  table  the  chances  are  £5, 
£3,  and  £2  in  prizes.  Goodly  sums  are  to.  be  awarded  in  the 
Grape  and  general  fruit  classes,  and  for  collections  of  the  .same  ; 
while  the  numerous  special  nurserymen’s  prizes  in  the  vegetable 
section  ought  to  .satisfy  the  culinary  gardeners.  Altogether, 
there  are  114  classes.  The  .secretary  is  Mr.  IV.  F.  Barnett,  of  Snow 
Hill,  Wolverhampton.  *  *  The  .schedule  of  prizes  for  the 
great  Shrew.sbury  show  in  August  (19  and  20)  has  also  come  to 
liand.  The  secretaries  inform  us  that  the  chief  alterations  are  in 
iiumbers  1  and  2  ;  17  is  a  new  class  ;  the  cut  flower  classes.  Nos.  27 
to  44,  are  entirely  rearranged;  and  lastly,  the  pointing  in  the 
champion  Grape  class  has  been  altered.  Perhaps  our  readers  will 
note  these  alterations.  The  cash  prizes  amount  to  £1,100.  with 
Silver  Challenge  Vase  for  Grapes  (value  fifty  guineas?)  ;  Silver 
Cups,  &c. ,  and  Gold  and  Silver  Medals,  with  other  valuable  prizes. 
Class  1  is  for  fifteen  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  (not  less  than 
ten  in  bloom)  with  prizes  of  £20,  £14,  and  £8.  For  six  ditto,  the 
awards  are  £8,  £0,  and  £4.  For  a  miscellaneous  group  (300 
square  feet)  the  prizes  are  £25,  £20,  and  £15,  and  like  amounts 
are  to  be  awarded  for  a  group  of  ornamental  foliage  plants. 
There  are  207  classes  in  all.  The  hon.  secretaries  are  Messrs. 
H.  W.  Adnitt  and  W.  W”.  Naunton,  who.s©  address  isi  The  Sciuare, 
Shrew, sbury.  *  *  We  recently  received  the  report  and  state¬ 
ment  of  accounts  for  1902,  including  the  syllables  and  list  of 
special  prizes  for  1903,  of  the  National  Amateur  Gardeners’ 
As.sociation,j  Thirty  new  members  enrolled  during  the  year, 
which  is  sufficient  to  maintain  the  membership  at  its  recent 
strength.  The  year’s  balance  sheet  unfortunately  shows  a 
deficit,  but  the  association  is  energetic,  and  Avill  work  its  way  to 
success.  The  monthly  meetings,  the  lectures,  the  exhibitions 
and  social  functions  have  all  been  well  sustained,  and  the  com¬ 
mittee  are  satisfied  with  the  year’s  working.  The  president  is 
Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders,  F.L.S.  ;  the  hon.  financial  secretary,  Mr.  T. 
Wright  ;  and  the  hon.  general  secretary,  Mr.  F.  Finch,  117. 
Fmbleton  Road,  Lewisham,  S.E.  *  *  The  Birmingham  and 
Midland  Counties  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  As.sociation 
has  arranged  a  bright  .syllabus  of  lectures  till  April  20.  The 
secretary  is  Mr.  W.  L.  Deedman,  Hawthorn  Road,  Chad  Valley. 
Fdgbaston.  *  *  The  .schedule  of  the  Brighton  and  Sussex 
Horticultural  Society  has  come  to  hand,  containing  lists  of  the 
prizes  to  be  competed  for  at  the  April,  Augmst,  and  November 
shows.  Antecedently  we  may.  .state  that  the  year’s  Avorking 
shows  a  profit  of  £134  19s.  7d.,  and  a  balance  in  the  hands  of  the 
society’s  bankers  of  £106  Is.  6d.  In  C'las.si  1  at  the  April  show,  so 
much  as  £4  is  offered  as  a  first  for  a  group  of  plants.  For  a  collec¬ 
tion  of  Orchids  the  amount  is  the  same.  At  the  August  show  the 
leading  prize  in  Class  1  is  £5  and  a  handsome  silver  bowl.  In 
Class  2,  for  a  group  of  Ferns,  60s.  and  the  Corporation  Challenge 
Cup  are  offered  for  first.  The  leading  prizes  in  a  large  number  of 
the  classes  are  all  good,  and  will  repay  those  Avho  really  make  an 
effort  to  win  the  honours.  Neither  fruit  or  vegetables  are  neg¬ 
lected.  At  the  Chrysanthemum  show  there  are  sixty-five  cla.sses, 
aud  some  large  prizes,  including  “  specials,”  are  being  offered. 
The  .syllabus  of  “  Discussions”  for  the  year  is  rmried.  The  secre¬ 
tary  is  Mr.  John  Thorpe,  53.  Ship  Street,  Brighton. 
Societies. 
R.H.S.,  Scientific  Committes,  March  10. 
Present:  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair)  ;  Messrs. Worsley,  Ddoll 
Veitch,  Nicholson,  Shea,  Brown,  Saunders,  Massee,  Douglas,  Michael, 
Bowles,  and  Elwes  ;  Dr.  Bendle  ;  Revs.  W.  Wilks  and  G.  Henslow. 
hon.  sec.  Visitor,  IMr.  de  Barri  Crawshay. 
Pelaygonium  Disease. — Dr.  Cooke  reported  as  folloAvs  upon  the 
leases  sent  by  Mr.  IMeredith,  Tibberton,  Newport,  Salop  :  “  Tavo  leaves 
of  I’elargonium  submitted  Avere  spotted  indistinctly,  and  in  one 
instance  Avith  an  appeai'ance  of  rotting,  as  caused  by  the  rot  moulds. 
It  is  reported  that  the  disease  appears  on  this  A'ariety  only  like 
blisters  on  the  young  stem  and  cracks  on  the  older  Avood  ;  the  leaves  are 
attacked  by  these  spots,  which  soon  cause  them  to  Avither.  The  leaves 
sent  Avere  closely  crushed  and  compressed,  so  that  all  trace  of  any  delicate 
mould,  if  present,  Avould  have  been  destroyed.  Examination  of  the 
spots  under  the  microscope  exhibited  no  trace  of  mycelium,  or  spores  ; 
stems  not  seen.  From  the  specimens  sent  no  evidence  can  be  found 
of  fungus  pai’asite,  otherAvise  the  appearance  Avould  suggest  the 
attacks  of  a  Peronospora.  of  Avhieh  one  species  is  knoAvn  in  Germany 
and  Belgium  to  attack  Avild  species  of  Geranium.  Possibly  it  might 
prove  to  be  the  early  stage  of  one  of  the  Avhite  moulds,  such  as 
Ramularia,  but  it  has  not  the  appearance  of  Ramularia  Gerani.  At 
any  rate,  the  leaves  scut  afford  no  evidence  from  Avhieh  to  determine 
the  disease.” 
Copper  in  .S'oB.-  With  regard  to  the  specimens  of  soil  sent  by 
Mr.  A.  Gaut,  Yorkshire  Col.,  Leeds,  in  Avhich  some  fruit  trees  grcAv, 
“  the  leaA'es  of  Avhich  Avere  annually  of  a  golden  colour,”  Dr.  Voeleker 
reported  as  folloAvs :  “  Both  the  fop  and  sub-soil  contain  distinctly 
material  amounts  of  copper  ;  the  top-soil  '046,  and  the  sub-soil  -265 
per  cent  of  copper  oxide  (CuO).  Further,  I  ascertained  that  the 
copper  is  in  the  insoluble  condition.  There  is  no  copper  removable  in 
a  Avater  solution  in  the  ordinary  Avay.” 
Calanthes  and  Mendel's  Laio. — Mr.  Chapman  foiuvarded  the  folloAv- 
ing  reply  to  Capt.  Hurst’s  obserA^ations  reported  at  the  last  meeting: 
“  1  am  not  at  all  surprised  to  find  Captain  Hurst  claiming  the  fact  of 
C.  OalvAvood  Ruby  aud  C.  Sibyl  having  been  derived  from  the  same 
seed  pod,  and  bearing  directly  on  the  action  of  Mendel’s  laAv.  Had 
the  rose  or  rose- carmine  characteristics  been  maintained.  Captain 
Hurst  might  haAm  been  sure  of  my  support  of  the  principles  of  AA'hich  he 
is  such  an  able  adA'oeate.  Let  us  see  what  has  really  taken  place.  The 
first  cross  producing  C.  Veitehi,  from  C.  vestita  and  C.  (Limatodes) 
rosea  ;  the  second  cross  Avas  betAveen  C.  X  Veitehi  and  C.  vestita 
rubro-oculata  (giving  a  second  cross  with  C.  vestita)  producing 
C.  Cooksoni,  Avith  a  yelloAv  eye  or  disk,  also  C.  Alexander!.  Here  the 
first  change  takes  place.  The  deep  ruby  eye  as  seen  in  C.  vestita 
rubro-oculata  is  removed  to  the  front  lobe  of  the  lip  and  each  of 
the  petals,  the  sepals  only  being  Avhite,  in  some  cases  slightly  tinted 
Avith  the  colour  of  the  petals.  It  is  remarkable  to  note  that  the  rose 
or  rose-carmine  colours  have  disappeared.  I  cannot  get  at  the  exact 
parent  that  AA-as  used  in  the  next  generation,  but  from  fhe  information 
I  can  gather,  the  darkest  A'arieties  Avere  selected  and  crossed  with  each 
other,  until  the  remarkable  A^ariation  betAveen  C.  Sibyl  and  C.  OakAvood 
Ruby  Avas  produced.  In  the  latter  case  the  fioAver  of  C.  vestita  rubro- 
oculata  had  been  turned  inside  out.  I  cannot  trace  any  of  the  rose 
or  rose-carmine  of  C.  Veitehi  or  the  shape  of  Limatodes  in  the  floAver 
as  seen  in  C.  Veitehi,  but  in  the  bulb  the  shape  and  general  structure 
resembles  C.  (Limatodes)  rosea.  I  cannot  see  Avhat  advantage  can  be 
procured  by  intercrossing  C.  OakAvood  Ruby  Avith  C.  OakAvood  Ruby. 
I  cannot  expect  to  gain  more  from  this  than  I  ])roeured  nearly  six 
years  ago  Avhen  crossing  C.  Veitehi  AA-ith  its  OAvn  pollen,  and  the  result 
Avas  that  it  reproduced  ifself  from  seed.  I  might  add  fo  this  another 
