August  2,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
103 
The  Strawberry  for  Gout. — Gout  is  one  of  the  most  esteemed 
and  fashionable  diseases  of  the  day.  It  was  always  rather  favoured  by 
young  men,  not  undesirous  of  its  being  known  that  among  their  pro¬ 
genitors  were  some  rare  old  portwine-drinking  squires  ;  and  now  nearly 
every  twinge  and  ailment  is  set  down  to  goutiness.  Why  do  not  the 
fashionable  gout  doctors  try  a  very  old  and  simple  cure  for  gout — 
namely,  Strawberries,  which  are  so  plentiful  at  the  moment.  It  would 
be  a  hugely  popular  one,  no  doubt,  as  much  liked  as  champagne  and 
oysters  for  influenza.  The  great  Linnaeus  declared  that  he  was  cured 
of  his  gout  by  liberal  doses  of  fresh  gathered  Strawberries. 
Plant  Mythology. — The  Greeks  and  Eomans  of  ancient  times 
are  not  the  only  people  who  have  curious  mythological  stories  about  the 
origin  of  flowers.  Scandinavian  literature  abounds  with  these  pretty 
tales.  Even  the  “  red  ”  Indians  had  their  say,  in  like  manner,  about 
these  things.  Among  some  of  the  Canadian  Aborigines,  Pines  and 
Cedars  originated  from  strong  men  who  were  planted  by  their  feet  in  the 
ground,  and  branches  grew  out  from  their  bodies,  in  response  to  wishes 
to  live  for  ever.  It  is  singular  that  similar  stories  about  the  origin  of 
evergreens  have  prevailed  among  ancient  man  in  many  isolated  points. 
The  “  tree  of  life  ”  in  Babylonian  history  was  undoubtedly  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon ;  and  the  Deodar  Cedar,  a  close  relation  of  the  Lebanon 
Cedar,  is  the  “  tree  of  life  ”  of  the  ancient  Hindoos. 
Newton  Mearns  Rose  Sbow. — The  fourth  annual  exhibition  of 
Roses  in  connection  with  this  society  was  held  in  the  Public  School 
Rooms  on  July  20th.  The  entries  were  in  excess  of  any  past  year,  and 
the  quality  of  exhibits  was  quite  up  to  the  average.  The  nursery, 
men’s  section,  the  principal  feature  of  the  show,  consisted  of  several  large 
classes,  and  made  a  brilliant  display.  It  was  observed,  however,  that 
some  of  the  blooms  were  bruised  and  bleached  by  the  weather.  Messrs. 
Alex.  Dickson  &  Sons’  silver  medal  Susanne  Marie  Rodocanachie  was 
exhibited  freely.  The  same  firm’s  new  Rose  Robert  Scott,  which 
received  a  certificate  of  merit,  was  perfect,  and  it  will  become  one  of 
the  first  Roses  in  the  future.  Messrs.  D.  &  W.  Croll,  Dundee,  also  showed 
well.  In  the  gardeners’  section  Mr.  Melville,  of  Hazelden,  carried  the 
challenge  trophy  for  twenty-four  splendid  blooms  (H.P.’s  and  H.T.’s). 
In  the  amateurs,  opeu,  Mr.  J.  Fyfe  was  the  principal  prizetaker,  having 
in  most  instances  magnificent  blooms. 
Walsall  Florists’  Society. — Under  most  favourable  auspices 
“  the  coming  of  age  ”  annual  exhibition  of  this  flourishing  society  took 
place  as  usual  in  the  Public  Arboretum  on  July  23rd.  The  groups 
arranged  by  Messrs.  W.  V.  Macdonald,  Edgbaston,  W.  Vause,  Lea¬ 
mington,  and  William  Finch,  Coventry,  were  superb.  Specimen  plants 
were  well  shown.  Roses  were  beautiful,  especially  those  from  Messrs. 
Townsend  &  Sons,  Worcester.  Sweet  Peas  were  sparsely  shown,  but 
hardy  herbaceous  cut  flowers  formed  a  pleasing  feature.  Carnations 
were  pleasingly  exhibited,  Mr.  G.  Faulkner  winning  with  very  good 
blooms.  Pansies,  considering  the  tropical  heat  that  had  lately  prevailed, 
were  freshly  shown ;  the  prizetakers  were  Mr.  W.  Pemberton  and 
Messrs.  J.  Townsend  &  Sons.  Tomatoes  were  capitally  shown.  For 
Messrs.  Webb’s  offer  for  the  best  collection  of  six  distinct  kinds  of 
vegetables  Messrs.  W.  Pemberton  &  Sons  were  awarded  the  first  prize. 
The  amateurs  were  represented  by  creditable  exhibits  in  nearly  all  of 
the  classes  in  the  section,  and  the  cottagers’  classes  were  open  to  the 
same  remark. 
Weybrldge  Horticultural  Society. — The  second  summer  exhibi¬ 
tion  was  held  on  July  9th  in  the  grounds  of  The  Hollies,  Weybridge, 
and  was  a  distinct  success.  Mr.  Baynes,  secretary,  had  all  the  arrange¬ 
ments  well  in  hand.  For  six  specimen  plants  in  flower  Mr.  J.  Lock, 
gardener  to  J.  Swinfen  Eady,  Esq.,  Oatlands  Lodge,  Weybridge,  won 
with  well  flowered  examples.  Mr.  W.  Jinks,  gardener  to  E.  Bruce,  Esq., 
The  Beeches,  Walton,  was  first  for  six  foliage  plants.  Exotic  Ferns 
were  well  represented.  Miscellaneous  groups  in  oval  form  were  effective. 
Ill  the  leading  class  Mr.  Lock  was  an  easy  first,  while  Mr.  W.  C.  Pagram, 
gardener  to  —  Courtney,  Esq.,  Weybridge,  won  pride  of  place  in  a 
smaller  class.  Cut  flowers  were  staged  in  quantity,  making  an  imposing 
display.  Sweet  Peas  were  quite  a  feature.  Fruit  was  plentiful  and 
good.  For  a  collection  of  eight  dishes  Mr.  Lock  won  with  good 
produce.  Black  and  white  Grapes  were  well  shown  by  Mr.  Lock,  as 
also  were  Nectarines.  Dr.  Hogg  was  the  best  Peach  staged,  and  secured 
the  first  place  for  Mr.  Watford.  Vegetables  were  thoroughly  repre. 
sented.  Prom  Messrs.  W.  Cutbush  &  Sons,  Highgate  Nuseries,  came  a 
charming  exhibit  of  Carnations,  and  from  Messrs.  W.  Tayler,  Hampton, 
Spooner  &  Son,  Hounslow,  and  G.  Jackman  &  Sons,  Woking,  Roses. 
Hlgbgate  Horticultural  Society.  —  This’society  [held  its  six¬ 
teenth  annual  exhibition  on  the  28th  nit.  It  was  the  best  show  of 
vegetables  yet  exhibited,  the  choicest  examples  being  Potatoes,  Broad 
Beans,  and  Marrows.  Mr.  C.  Parling,  an  old  member,  sent  up  a 
splendid  basket  of  garden  produce.  In  flowers  Carnations,  Pansies,  and 
Musk  were  excellent,  many  of  the  blooms  possessing  exceptional  beauty. 
Soutb  Atrlcan  Vineyards. — In  a  country  so  large  as,  and  with 
the  varied  climates  of.  South  Africa  there  are  naturally  entirely 
different  conditions  governing  the  growth  of  the  fruit.  There  is  the 
mild  and  equably  watered  zone  extending  100  miles  from  Cape  Town. 
Frosts  are  seldom  severe  here,  and  the  rainfall,  though  mostly  in 
winter,  is  suflBcient  to  cause  moisture  all  the  year  round.  This  is  where 
the  finest  varieties  of  all  temperate  and  many  sub-tropical  fruits 
flourish.  Of  these  the  principal  is  the  Grape,  large  quantities  of  which 
are  sent  to  the  markets  of  the  interior.  Since  the  appearance  of  that 
Vine  scourge  the  phylloxera  in  1886,  and  the  consequent  destruction  of 
many  vineyards,  it  has  been  found  necessary  to  graft  the  European 
Vines  on  to  American  stocks,  and  by  this  means  the  production  has 
been  much  increased.  This  has  not  been  carried  out  without  much 
outlay,  and  many  of  the  former  wine  farmers  have  disposed  of  their 
farms  to  more  enterprising  men — newcomers  for  the  most  part.  The 
new  proprietors  have  been  very  energetic  in  introducing  choice  varieties 
of  fruit  trees  from  other  countries,  and  the  change  can  certainly  be  said 
to  have  been  of  immense  benefit  to  the  colony.  In  this  part  the  farms 
are  much  smaller  and  the  population  denser  than  further  inland,  and  it 
is  to  bo  expected  that  soon  light  lines  of  railway  will  branch  out  in  all 
directions. 
The  Reading  Gardeners’  Association. — The  annual  outing  of 
the  above  association  was  held  on  July  24th,  and  proved  a  great  success , 
although  the  heat  was  exceedingly  trying.  The  outing  took  the  form 
of  a  river  trip  to  Henley,  when,  by  the  kind  permission  of  F.  C. 
Crisp,  Esq.,  and  Mrs.  Noble,  visits  were  made  to  Friar  Park  and  Park 
Place.  The  party  included  the  president,  C.  B.  Stevens,  Esq. ;  Messrs. 
Pry,  Hinton;  Neve,  Sindlesham;  Barnes,  Bearwood;  Pope,  Wargrave ; 
Baird,  Henley  Park  ;  Townsend  &  Ritchings,  Wellington  College ;  Wise, 
Blaokwater ;  Moyse  &  Pontin,  Wokingham  ;  Pigg  &  Butler,  Maidenhead  ; 
Fisher,  Brimpton ;  Cox  &  Bowie,  Calcot  ;  Martin,  Sonning ;  Lees, 
Earley;  Alexander,  Turner,  Bailey,  and  Smith,  Reading.  Arriving 
at  Friar  Park  the  party  was  conducted  through  the  gardens  and 
grounds  by  Mr.  Rnowles,  and  although  everything  was  of  the  first 
order,  yet  without  doubt  most  interest  was  centred  in  the  magnificent 
rockery  and  the  wonderful  caves.  After  a  two  hours’  ramble  the 
visitors  proceeded  to  Park  Place,  where,  under  the  shadow  of  the  Old 
Archway,  built  by  material  brought  from  the  Reading  Abbey  some 
120  years  ago,  luncheon  was  partaken  of.  Afterwards,  under  the 
guidance  of  Mr.  Stanton,  an  inspection  of  this  place  was  attempted. 
The  Sweet  Peas,  Carnations,  and  the  enormous  crops  of  fruit  claimed 
attention.  A  special  privilege,  which  was  greatly  appreciated,  was  the 
opportunity  of  inspecting  Mrs.  Noble’s  wonderful  collection  of  foreign 
birds.  The  ramble  ended,  and  tea  partaken  of,  the  boat  started  for 
Reading,  which  was  reached  about  9  p.m.  The  arrangements  made  by  the 
hon.  sec.  left  nothing  to  be  desired. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Ctalswlck. — Taken  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens — height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
O 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil.  ^ 
At  9  A.M.  j 
a> 
u 
itoo. 
o'd 
i3.S 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
Bain. 
At 
1 
i 
At 
At 
SgS 
^  |_g 
July. 
u 
*5 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
Highest 
Lowest. 
i-ft. 
deep. 
2-ft. I 
deep. ' 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Sunday..  22 
w.s.w. 
deg. 
69-6 
deg. 
62-8 
deg. 
79-5 
deg. 
5S'6 
ins. 
deg. 
70-8 
deg. 
65-9 
deg. 
69-9 
deg. 
58  3 
Monday.  .23 
VV.N.W. 
72-4 
66*0 
84-0 
67-3 
— 
71-5 
65-9 
60-1 
65-5 
Tuesday  21 
W.S.W. 
78-0 
69-5 
87-2 
69  8 
— 
72-3 
66-3 
60-3 
62-7 
Wed’sd'ay  25 
s.s.w. 
SO'O 
68-6 
91-7 
58-4 
72-7 
66 -7 
60-5 
61  0 
Thursday  26 
W.N.W. 
731 
62.5 
79-8 
69-2 
— 
73-5 
67-2 
60*7 
58-0 
Friday  . .  27 
E.S.E. 
73-7 
62-3 
77-8 
61-3 
0.53 
72-5 
67-3 
61-0 
62-3 
Saturday  28 
s.s.w. 
65-7 
631 
76-3 
60-8 
— 
!  69-5 
66-9 
61-2 
68‘2 
Means  .. 
73-2 
65-0 
82-3 
60-8 
Total 
0.53 
1  71-8 
j  66-6 
60-5 
56-6 
The  first  part  of  the  week  was  very  hot,  which  culminated  in  a 
heavy  thunderstorm  on  the  27th,  when  about  half  an  inch  of  rain  fell. 
It  has  been  much  cooler  since  that  date. 
