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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  2,  1900, 
Recent  Weather  In  london. — Since  the  thunderstorm  that 
passed  over  the  metropolis  on  Saturday  the  weather  has  been  very 
much  cooler  and  pleasanter.  On  Sunday  there  was  heavy  rain  at 
intervals,  but  Monday  and  Tuesday  were  brilliantly  fine;  the  sun  shone 
with  much  power,  but  the  fresh  breeze  was  delightfully  invigorating. 
Wednesday  opened  dull  and  wet. 
A  Plalstow  Garden. — The  Mayor  of  West  Ham  (Alderman 
G.  H.  Bethell)  recently  opened  St.  Mary’s  Churchyard,  Plaistow,  as  a 
])ublic  garden  for  one  of  the  most  densely  populated  districts  in  the 
East-end  of  London.  Sir  William  Vincent  (chairman  of  the  Metro¬ 
politan  Public  Gardens  Association)  said  the  ground  bad  cost  £450  to 
lay  out.  Since  the  formation  of  the  association,  sixteen  years  ago, 
104  gardens,  comprising  130  acres,  had  been  opened,  at  a  cost  of  over 
£43,000.  They  had  also  in  contemplation  a  new  lung  at  Stratford 
(St.  John’s  Churchyard),  and  the  old  Boleyn  Castle  (Anne  Boleyn’s 
residence),  at  Upton,  with  its  acres  of  land,  as  a  public  pleasure  ground. 
Regent’s  Park  Floral  Fete. — The  floral  fete  in  aid  of  the 
Widows’  and  Orphans’  War  Fund,  held  at  the  Royal  Botanic  Society’s 
Gardens,  Regent’s  Park,  on  Thursday  proved  highly  successful.  It  was 
organised  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  borough  of  Marylebone,  and  among 
its  principal  promoters  were  Mr.  Brocke-Hitchings,  chairman  of  the 
Marylebone  Vestry,  and  Mr.  Mitchell,  who  gave  several  valuable  prizes 
for  the  best  decorated  carriages  and  bicycles.  The  first  ladies’  prize 
was  secured  by  a  bicycle  elaborately  decorated  with  fruit  and  flowers. 
The  first  carriage  prize  was  given  to  a  dainty  little  vehicle  adorned  with 
pink  “  Geraniums.”  Prizes  were  also  awarded  for  a  carriage  beautifully 
decorated  with  fruit  and  flowers,  and  for  a  car  dressed  so  as  to  repre¬ 
sent  a  sulphur  butterfly.  There  were  concerts  and  entertainments,  and 
at  dusk  the  grounds  were  illuminated  with  charming  effect. 
Plantain  Flour  In  Bowel  Complaints. — Dr.  Reginald  Ashe,  the 
superintendent  of  the  gaol  at  Mymensingh,  has  lately  used  with  much 
success  in  the  treatment  of  diarrhoea  and  dysentery,  flour  made  from 
the  Plantain.  He  informs  an  Indian  daily  paper  that  any  variety  of 
Plantain  will  do,  but  the  kutch  kela  (Musa  sapientum)  from  its  size  is 
the  best  to  use.  The  Plantains  are  cut  just  before  ripening ;  they  are 
skinned  with  a  sharp  wooden  knife,  so  as  to  avoid  blackening,  then 
cut  into  thin  slices,  sun  dried,  pounded  in  a  mortar,  and  sifted  through 
muslin.  The  fine  powder  or  flour  should  be  stored  in  air-tight  glass 
bottles.  The  dose  is  2  ozs.  for  each  meal,  cooked  in  a  brass  vessel  with 
a  little  water.  Dahi  or  buttermilk  can  afterwards  be  added.  The 
taste  of  the  Plantain  powder  is  slightly  astringent,  but  fruity  and 
palatable.  There  is  no  doubt  of  the  high  nutritive  value  of  the  Plantain. 
The  flour  is  said  to  be  easily  digested.  It  is  well  worth  trying  for 
patients  with  chronic  bowel  complaint  who  cannot  digest  milk.  A 
reference  to  Watt’s  “Economic  Dictionary,”  Vol.  V.,  298,  will  show 
that  the  Plant aiq  in  many  . forms  has  been  used  in  bowel  complaints. 
Bristol  Gardeners’  Association. — The  monthly  meeting  of  the 
association  was  held  at  St.  John’s  Parish  Room,  Redland,  on  Thursday, 
July  26th.  A  large  attendance  was  presided  over  by  Mr.  A.  J.  Hancock. 
The  subject  for  the  evening  was  “  Sweet  Peas,”  by  Mr.  J.  C.  House  of 
Coombe  Nurseries,  Westbury-on-Trym,  who  is  a  recognised  authority 
on  the  subject.  In  opening  the  subject  he  paid  an  eloquent  tribute  to 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  H.  Eckford  of  Wem,  who  has  done  more  than  ary 
other  man  to  bring  the  popular  flower  to  the  high  level  of  culture  and 
beauty  we  have  in  it  to-day.  Mr.  House  claimed  for  Sweet  Peas  an 
attractiveness  and  usefulness  for  all  forms  of  floral  decoration  to  be 
found  in  hardly  any  other  flower,  and  gave  very  clear  details  as  to  the 
methods  of  culture  likely  to  secure  the  best  possible  results,  urging 
the  need  of  planting  thinly,  firmly,  and  in  well-manured  ground.  He 
also  gave  many  useful  hints  as  to  sticking,  watering,  and  shading, 
closing  with  a  list  of  the  varieties  he  thought  the  best  for  ordinary 
and  exhibition  culture.  Mr.  House’s  lecture  was  much  appreciated 
and  a  vote  of  thanks  to  him  for  his  attendance  was  carried  by 
acclamation.  Prizes  for  six  bunches  of  Sweet  Peas  attracted  keen 
competition,  the  awards  being  Mr.  Curtis  first,  Mr.  Maidment  second 
Mr.  Harford  third.  Prizes  for  six  Carnation  blooms  went  to  Mr. 
Harford  and  Mr.  Staddon. 
The  Alexandra  Palace. — Alexandra  Palace  is  not  yet  secured 
for  the  public.  A  sum  of  £144,500  has  been  voted  towards  the 
£150,000  required.  The  Southgate  District  Council  on  the  evening  of 
the  25th  nit.  refused  to  contribute.  Surely  this  body  may  be  induced 
to  rescind  this  resolution. 
Gardening  Appointment. — Mr.  Wm.  Munt  has  been  appointed 
head  gardener  to  Bailey  Hawkins,  Esq.,  Stagenhoe  Park,  Welwyn, 
Herts.  Mr.  Munt  has  held  the  position  of  foreman  at  Aldenham 
House,  under  Mr.  E.  Beckett,  during  the  past  four  years,  and  takes 
over  his  new  duties  on  the  13th  August. 
The  Horticultural  College,  Swanley. — The  annual  distribution 
of  the  prizes  and  certificates  won  by  the  students  of  the  Horticultural 
College,  Swanley,  including  the  college  silver  salver,  and  the  silver-gilt 
medal,  and  certificates  awarded  to  students  of  this  college  in  connection 
with  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  examination,  took  place  in  the 
lecture  saloon  of  the  College  recently.  Mr.  P.  W.  Cornwallis,  M.P.- 
(Maidstone),  presided  over  the  function,  which  was  graced  also  by  the 
presence  of  Mrs.  Cornwallis,  who  handed  the  prizes  to  the  successful 
students.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  T.  Waring,  Principal  M.  Eason  Wilkinson,. 
B.A.  (Cantab),  and  Miss  Cons  were  also  upon  the  platform.  Prior  to 
and  after  the  prize  distribution  the  visitors  inspected  the  college 
grounds  and  glass  houses,  the  table  decorations,  preserved  fruits,  and 
other  college  produce  which  had  been  brought  together  within  the 
building  with  the  view  of  showing  those  ladies  and  gentlemen 
interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  institution  how  things  are  done  at 
Swanley. 
Covent  Garden. — Covent  Garden  dealers  who  buy  and  sell  fruit 
in  the  Floral  Hall  are  complaining  of  the  lack  of  consideration  shown 
to  them  by  the  Bedford  Estate.  During  these  hot  days  the  sun  has- 
poured  its  rays  through  the  glass  roof,  spoiling  tons  of  good  fruit- 
Awnings  under  the  roof  and  big  ventilating  fans  at  either  end  would 
have  saved  the  dealers  hundreds  of  pounds.  “  Considering  that  we 
sell  £50,(00  worth  of  fruit  a  week  in  this  hail,  and  pay  the  Duke  of 
Bedford  £10,000  a  year  in  rent  and  tolls,  I  think  he  might  do  something 
to  keep  the  fruit  cool,”  said  one  dealer.  “  The  real  truth  of  the  matter 
is  that  the  whole  of  the  markets  require  reconstruction,  with  proper 
cellars  and  refrigerating  rooms.  Covent  Garden  Theatre  and  the 
Tavistock  Hotel  ought  to  be  pulled  down  and  a  great  central  fruit  and- 
vegetable  market  erected.  We  may  see  it  done  when  the  Borough  of 
Westminster  gets  into  working  order.  The  County  Council  is  too  busy 
to  attend  to  it.  In  the  meanwhile  fiuit  spoils  in  the  hall  for  the  want 
of  two  fans  and  a  few  pounds’  worth  of  light  avning.”  Asked  why  the 
fruit  is  allowed  to  spoil  for  the  sake  of  an  awning,  one  of  the  officials- 
of  the  market  stated  that  it  was  usual  to  put  an  awning  under  the  dome 
of  the  Pltral  Hall  in  the  summer,  and  pointed  out  two  rolls  of  canvas 
waiting  to  be  hoisted  into  place.  “  You’re  rather  late  in  putting  it  up  ’’ 
suggested  a  representative  of  the  “  Daily  Express.”  “  Why,”  said  one- 
of  the  men,  “the  summer’s  hardly  begun  yet.” 
The  Xloyd  Park.  — Amid  scenes  betokening  enthusiasm  and 
appreciation  the  beautiful  park  adjoining  The  Winns,  Forest  Road,. 
Walthamstow,  which  has  been  given  to  the  people  of  Walthamstow  by 
the  family  of  the  late  Mr.  Edward  Lloyd,  was  formally  opened  on 
Saturday  afternoon  by  Mr.  Sam  Woods,  M.P.  The  residents  in  this 
rising  suburb  have  now  been  placed  in  possession  of  one  of  the  most 
picturesque  breathing  spaces  in  the  metropolis.  In  the  old  manor 
which  adjoins  the  park — also  now  the  property  of  the  people — Mr. 
William  Morris  was  born,  and  here  also  Mr.  Edward  Lloyd  and  his 
family  lived  for  many  years.  Covering  an  area  of  Quaeres,  the  grounds 
retain  their  beautiful  rural  appearance,  and  the  visitor  may  find  many 
lovely  features — tall  spreading  Oak  trees,  with  rustic  shelters  standing 
invitingly  beneath  them,  an  ornamental  lake  boasting  punts,  swans,, 
and  waterfowl  on  its  surface,  which  has  been  made  uniformly  deep  by 
the  District  Council  ;  and  countless  shady  nooks  and  foliaged  walks. 
Situated  in  a  fine  annexe,  purchased  by  the  town,  there  is  a  cricket 
ground,  a  pavilion  in  course  of  erection,  and  a  children’s  playing  ground,. 
fitted  with  a  gymnasium.  The  house  itself,  says  “Lloyd’s,”  is  an  old 
mansion,  built  about  1760,  and  it  is  proposed  to  eventually  convert  it 
into  a  technical  institute  or  museum  ;  for  the  present  it  will  be  entirely 
repaired,  a  verandah  constructed  at  the  back,  and  the  largest  chambers 
will  be  variously  converted  into  a  refreshment  room,  a  branch  library, 
and  a  reading  room.  For  the  additional  property,  supplementing  the 
Lloyd  bequest,  the  Council  have  given  £4000,  and  another  £7000  is- 
being  spent  in  the  various  alterations  and  additions. 
