September  6,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
221 
Recent  Weather  In  Xondon. — The  weather  of  late  has  been 
characterised  principally  by  the  cold  misty  nights  and  mornings.  This 
has  cleared  during  the  day,  and  the  sun  has  shone  genially,  but  it  has 
seldom  been  really  warm. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next  Fruit  and  Flower  Show 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  be  held  on  Tuesday, 
September  llth,  in  the  Drill  Hall,  James  Street,  Westminster, 
1  to  5  P  M.  A  lecture  on  “  Garden  Manures  ”  will  be  given  by  Mr.  F.  J. 
Baker  at  three  o’clock.  Those  intending  to  exhibit  at  the  Crystal 
Palace  Fruit  Show  should  note  that  entries  close  on  September  20th. 
Death  of  Mr.  William  Dodds. — This  well-known  Dahlia  raiser 
died  on  August  17th,  at  Bristol,  at  the  age  of  ninety-one.  He  came 
south  from  Scotland  in  ISl?,  and  entered  the  service  of  Col.  Baker, 
Fisherton,  Salisbury,  as  under  and  subsequently  became  head  gardener. 
Col.  B^ker  was  an  enthusiast  in  Dahlias,  and  Mr.  Dodds  soon  made 
himself  famous  as  a  raiser  of  new  varieties.  Mr.  Dodds,  on  the  death 
of  Col.  Baker,  went  as  gardener  to  Sir  G.  Smythe,  Bart.,  Ashton  Court, 
Bristol,  but  retired  several  years  back. 
Alexandra  Palace. — The  purchase  of  the  Alexandra  Palace  and 
Park  may  now  be  considered  as  accomplished,  at  the  third  attempt, 
and  the  public  will  reap  the  benefit  of  the  efforts  of  an  energetic  and 
public-spirited  committee.  The  sum  required  was  finally  fixed  at 
£150,0C0,  which  is  regarded  as  a  very  low  price.  Of  this  £144,500 
has  been  promised,  chiefly  by  various  public  bodies,  and  the  L.C.C. 
Open  Spaces  Committee  now  recommend  a  grant  of  £7000.  The 
surplus  of  £1500  will  probably  be  disposed  of  by  a  re-arrangement  of 
grants.  The  grounds  will  be  maintained  as  before. 
Death  of  Sir  John  Bennett  Dawes. — Through  the  passing  of 
Sir  John  Bennett  Lawes,  who  died  at  St.  Albans,  on  Friday,  Slst  ult.. 
agriculture  loses  one  of  its  greatest  ornaments  and  the  farmer  loses 
a  staunch  friend.  Agriculture  was  what  the  dead  baronet  lived  for,  and 
ever  since  he  left  Oxford  in  1834  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  devoted  himself 
to  laboratory  research  in  the  interests  of  agriculture,  and  to  practical 
experiments  in  the  field.  What  he  did  for  the  scientific  side  of 
agriculture  is  part  of  the  history  of  our  greatest  industry.  His  best 
monument  is  every  field  where  his  principles  have  been  followed.  He 
providently,  however,  insured  that  his  memory  should  be  kept  green  by 
placing  £100,000  in  trust  so  that  his  work  might  be  carried  on  after 
he  slept  beneath  the  turf  he  loved  so  well.  The  deceased  baronet  was 
the  first  to  impress  upon  cultivators  the  value  of  superphosphate  as  a 
food  plant,  and  from  which  growers  cf  all  kinds  of  plants  have  since 
derived  such  an  immense  amount  of  benefit. 
Tarporley  riower  Show.  —  The  tenth  annual  show  of  the 
Tarporley  and  District  Horticultural  Society  was  held  recently  in 
Arderne  Park.  The  weather  was  most  unpropitious.  The  entries 
numbered  nearly  1000,  a  slight  increase  on  last  year.  The  table 
decorations  were  one  of  the  features  of  the  show.  There  were  nine 
entries.  The  judges  had  difficulty  in  making  the  awards,  but  ultimately 
gave  premier  honours  to  Mrs.  Hughes  for  a  dainty  arrangement  of 
Sweet  Peas,  Maidenhair  Fern,  and  Gypsophila  paniculata.  In  this 
section  was  an  exhibit  by  Mrs.  Gordon  Houghton,  not  for  competition, 
but  which  was  highly  commended.  In  the  open  section  Mr.  Charles 
Threlfall  took  first  place  for  a  remarkably  fine  exhibit  of  stove  and 
greenhouse  plants,  which  included  some  magnificent  specimens  of 
Crotons  and  Allamandas.  The  second  prize  was  won  by  Mr.  Gordon 
Houghton,  in  whose  exhibit  were  some  fine  Caladiums  and  Palms. 
One  of  the  finest  displays  was  the  group  of  plants  arranged  for  effect 
belonging  to  Mr.  Charles  Threlfall.  This  was  the  only  exhibit  in  this 
class,  but  well  merited  the  prize.  In  the  class  for  twelve  distinct  cut 
flowers  the  quality  was  uniformly  good.  The  first  prize  was  won  by 
Mr.  James  Tomkinson,  second  (equal)^  by  Mr.  C.  Threlfall  and  Mr.  R. 
Brocklebank.  Mr.  James  Tomkinson  carried  off  first  honours  for  the 
collection  of  fruit,  eight  varieties,  his  being  an  excellent  Melon, 
Apricots,  and  Nectarines.  The  second  was  won  by  Mr.  R.  Brocklebank. 
Sir  Philip  Grey  Egerton  exhibited  a  very  fine  collection  of  fruit,  not 
for  competition,  including  some  Peaches  which  were  exceptionally 
large. 
CardenlDg-  Appointment. — Mr.  J.  W.  McHattie,  for  some  years 
gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  Strathfieldsaye,  has  been  appointed 
gardener  to  Whitaker  Wright,  Esq.,  Lea  Park,  near  Godaiming.  Mr. 
McHattie  will  take  over  the  charge  at  Lea  Park  in  October. 
The  Robert  Fenn  Testimonial, — Mr.  A.  Dean  asks  leave  to 
mention  that  he  has  received  through  the  Journal  of  Horticulture 
subscriptions  to  the  above  testimonial,  other  than  those  previously 
mentioned,  from  Mr.  G.  Shayler  and  Mr.  H.  Dunkin,  for  which  he  is  very 
grateful. 
Royal  Aquarium  Dahlia  Show. — This  exhibition,  which  will 
be  held  on  September  18tb,  19th,  and  20th,  is  promoted  for  the 
purpose  of  continuing  the  display  of  Dahlias  held  for  several  years 
by  the^National  Chrysanthemum  Society.  Gladioli  will  form  one  of 
the  features  of  this  show.  Schedules  of  prizes  can  be  had  of  Mr 
Richard  Dean,  V.M.H.,  Superintendent,  42,  Ranelagh  Road,  Ealing,  W. 
1 1  Bccles  and  Patrlcroft  jAutumng  Show.— On  Thursday  and 
Friday,  November  8ih  and  9th,  the  Eccles,  Patricroft,  Pendleton  and 
District  Chrysanthemum  Society  will  hold  its  fourteenth  annual 
exhibition  in  the  Town  Hall,  Eccles.  There  are  forty-seven  classes 
particularised,  some  of  which  are  open  to  all  comers,  while  others  are 
governed  by  certain  well-defined  rules.  Three  silver  challenge  cups  are 
offered  for  competition,  as  well  as  medals  of  the  National  Chrys¬ 
anthemum  Society  and  handsome  money  prizes.  Schedules  and  full 
particulars  may  be  had  from  the  honorary  secretary,  Mr.  J.  H.  Bryan, 
134,  New  Lane,  Peel  Green,  near  Mancfiester. 
Stirling  Flower  Show. — This  society,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest 
in  Scotland,  held  its  annual  exhibition  on  the  30th  ult.  The  entries 
were  more  numerous  than  last  year,  but  when  they  came  to  be  staged 
there  wag  a  shrinkage  in  the  vegetable  section.  The  show,  however, 
was  a  good  one,  as  a  whole  fully  equal  to  that  of  1899.  Mr.  Lunt  of 
Keir,  as  usual,  came  well  to  the  front,  carrying  off  the  leading  Grape 
prizes  and  plants.  In  every  class  his  exhibits  were  first-rate.  Mr. 
Ritchie  of  Polmaise  was  strong,  as  usual,  with  hardy  fruit.  Horticulture 
in  the  Stirling  district  is  as  well  represented  as  in  any  part  of  Scotland. 
The  enthusiasm  of  the  public,  who  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  matter, 
is  as  strong  as  that  of  the  exhibitors.  Messrs.  Drummond  and  Craig, 
nurserymen,  were  strong  in  exhibition  of  table  plants. 
The  Potato  Disease. — The  Potato  disease  has  manifested  itself 
in  Ireland,  and  the  newly  appointed  Board  of  Agriculture  in  that 
country  has  issued  a  set  of  instructions  for  observance  in  dealing  with 
the  disease  which  are  eminently  useful.  It  is  stated  that  on  no  account 
should  the  Potatoes,  when  raised,  be  covered  with  the  Potato  tops 
(haulms)  either  directly  on  the  Potatoes  under  the  earth  or  on  the  top 
of  the  earth  covering,  as  is  sometimes  done  with  a  view  to  holding  the 
top  layer  of  earth  on  the  pit.  The  Potato  tops  are  full  of  disease- 
producing  germs,  and  when  they  are  put  on  the  Potatoes  or  on  the  pits 
these  germs  are  washed  through  the  earth  upon  the  good  Potatoes 
inside.  When  the  haulms  cannot  be  conveniently  burned,  they  should 
be  put  in  a  heap  in  an  out-of-the-way  place  and,  if  practicable,  mixed 
with  quicklime. 
Death  of  nir.  John  IVXenzles. — “At  Carnoustie,  on  the  29th  ult., 
John  Menzies  of  Bankhead,  Duns  ;  aged  seventy-one.”  This  announce¬ 
ment  came  as  a  surprise  even  to  those  who  knew  that  for  a  considerable 
time  the  health  of  Mr.  Menzies  had  been  shaken  by  a  succession  of 
ailments.  The  primary  cause  of  death  was  blood  poisoning.  The 
deceased  wns  formerly  widely  known  as  an  eminent  agriculturist  in 
Clackmannanshire.  Since  his  removal  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Duns 
his  services  as  a  land  surveyor  and  measurer  were  in  general  request 
in  his  own  and  the  neighbouring  counties,  as  well  as  across  the  border. 
Hither  also  he  transferred  his  love  of  flowers,  and  he  continued  the 
cultivation  of  various  sorts,  making  a  specialty  of  the  Auricula,  and 
his  collection  was  long  the  most  extensive  in  Scotland.  He  was  one 
of  the  leading  promoters  of  the  short-lived  Scottish  Primula  and 
Auricula  Society.  His  name  will  be  familiar  to  many  in  all  parts  of 
the  country  who  may  read  these  lines  through  transactions  in  this,  his 
favourite  flower.  Of  fine  personal  appearance,  genial  manner,  wide 
intelligence,  and  strictest  integrity,  he  impressed  everyone  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact  as  one  much  above  the  ordinary  average  of  men,  and 
those  who,  like  the  writer,  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  his  more  intimate 
acquaintance,  deplore  the  loss  of  a  friend  highly  esteemed,  to  whom  we 
can  now  only  pay  the  tribute  of  a  sorrowing  and  affectionate 
remembrance. — A  Noethkrn  Amateur. 
