334 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  11,  1900, 
Secretaries  of  All  Gardening:  Mutual  Improvement 
Societies  are  reqnested  to  send  address  and  title  of  their  organisations 
to  the  Editor  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  at  12,  Mitre  Couit 
Chambers,  Fleet  Street,  London,  for  insertion  in  the  coming  edition  of 
the  “  Horticultural  Directory,”  which  is  published  at  the  beginning  of 
December. 
Reading:  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement 
Association.  —  The  winter  session  of  this  society  comprises  six 
meetings,  and  extends  from  October  8t,h  to  December  l7th,  presenting 
in  all  an  attractive  programme.  The  subjects  for  discussion,  with 
names  of  their  introducers,  are  “  Annuals,”  by  Mr.  G.  Stanton  ;  “  Fruit 
Trees  in  Pots,”  Mr.  J.  Hudson  ;  “  Ferns,”  by  Mr.  C.  P.  Cretchley  ; 
“  Wall  Fruit  Trees,”  by  Mr.  T.  Turton  ;  and  “  Vegetable  Culture,”  by 
Mr.  J.  Gibson.  On  December  3rd  the  evening  will  be  devoted  to 
impromptu  speaking  upon  decidedly  popular  topics.  An  even  moie 
attractive  spring  session  is  promised,  of  which  we  trust  to  speak  later 
at  the  New  Tear.  In  thus  creating  a  centre  of  horticultural  light  and 
leading,  Reading  is  doing  good  work  for  the  country,  for  only  upon 
energetic  local  effort  can  a  really  prosperous  national  life  be  founded. 
Xlverpool  Amateur  Gardeners. — At  the  last  meeting  of  this 
society  the  display  of  exhibits  in  flowers,  fruit,  and  vegetables  was  an 
advance  upon  its  predecessors.  The  president’s  prize  for  cut  flowers 
was  won  by  Mrs.  Morris,  and  for  the  same  gentleman’s  prize  for  a  plant 
in  bloom  Mr.  Dodd  came  out  victorious  with  a  handsome  plant  of 
Oncidium  varicosum  Rogers!,  a  certificate  being  also  awarded.  For  cut 
blooms  of  Chrysanthemums  Mr.  Dale  was  well  in  front,  Mr.  Robins 
staged  the  best  table  plant.  The  number  of  plants  and  out  flowers 
shown  for  points  was  greatly  in  advance.  A  whole  table  was 
requisitioned  for  the  fruit,  and  splendid  samples  were  brought,  the 
competition  for  six  dishes  of  culinary  Apples  bringing  out  nine 
exhibits.  The  first  and  second  prizes  were  equally  divided  between 
Messrs.  Dobson  and  Hoskyn  for  AVarner’s  King.  Mr.  D.  W.  Cangley 
was  a  good  second.  For  six  dessert  Apples  Miss  Francis  headed  the 
list,  Mr.  Tinsley  following,  and  excellent  Ribston  Pippins  from  Mr. 
R.  Muir  won  the  class  for  three  dessert.  Fears,  any  variety,  were 
beautifully  shown  by  Mr.  A.  W.  Ardran,  who  staged  Louise  Bonne  de 
Jersey;  and  Miss  Francis,  Williams’  Bon  Chretien.  A  certificate  was 
worthily  granted  to  Mr.  Muir  of  the  Hatton  Street  Fire  Station  for 
three  choice  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  grown  in  the  heart  of 
the  city. 
Isle  of  VTlght. — The  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Improvement 
Association  held  its  seventh  annual  exhibition  of  fruit  and  honey 
on  Thursday  last  in  the  Medina  Hall,  Newport.  The  opening  ceremony 
was  performed  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly  by  Miss  Seely, 
daughter  of  the  president  (Sir  Chas.  Seely,  Bart.,  J.P.).  Dr.  J.  Groves, 
B.A.,  J.P.,  chairman  of  the  association,  introduced  Miss  Seely  to  the 
audience.  The  standard  of  excellence  of  the  show  was  scarcely  so  high 
as  last  year,  but  the  entries  were  more  mrmerous  and  the  competition 
keener.  For  the  largest  and  best  collection  of  open  air  fruit  in  distinct 
varieties  there  were  nine  entries;  the  trophy,  the  association  silver-gilt 
medal,  was  won  by  Mr.  W.  Taylor,  gardener  to  Admiral  Denison,  Wood- 
side,  Wootton,  with  a  collection  of  ninety  dishes  of  fruit,  and  in  the 
class  of  twenty-four  dishes  of  fruit  in  eighteen  varieties  the  Cheal  silver 
medal  went  to  Mr.  John  Hygate,  gardener  to  8.  P.  Mumford,  Esq.,  The 
Briary,  Cowes.  For  twelve  dishes  of  fruit  in  nine  varieties,  open  to 
amateurs  only,  Mr.  George  Williams  of  Gatcombe  took  the  Cheal  silver 
medal.  The  Toogood  bronze  medal  for  six  dishes  of  fruit,  open  to 
cottagers  only,  was  won  by  Mr.  Fred  Midlane,  Newport ;  while  the 
Toogood  silver  medal  for  the  best  dish  of  fruit  in  the  show  went  to 
T.  Gibbs,  Esq.,  C.A.,  a  member  of  the  Technical  Education  Committee 
of  the  County  Council,  and  an  ardent  horticulturist  and  educationalist, 
the  exhibit  being  a  splendid  dish  of  Emperor  Alexander  Apple,  highly 
coloured.  The  association’s  silver  medal  for  the  best  honey  exhibit 
was  won  by  Mr.  Edgar  Marsh  of  Shide.  Amongst  the  non-competitive 
exhibits  Mr.  T.  Brown  was  awarded  a  F.C.C.  for  four  bunches  of  Grapes ; 
Mr.  W.  Matthews  was  awarded  a  cultural  certificate  for  a  dish  of  Pears 
Grosse  Calabasse.  Mr.  I.  W.  Pitman  was  also  awarded  a  cultural 
certificate  for  a  dish  of  Apples  Warner’s  King.  The  Rev.  R.  L.  Morris 
of  Brook  was  awarded  an  association  certificate  for  an  exhibit  of  honey^ 
and  Mr.  F.  D.  Hills  received  a  similar  award  for  an  exhibit  of  bee 
appliances.  The  plants  which  adorned  the  tables  and  platform  were 
lent  by  Mr.  R.  R.  Pittis,  J.P.  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  E.  Wickens),and  Mr.  H. 
Webber.  Messrs.  J.  Cheal  &  Sons  of  Crawley  received  a  F.C.C.  for  a 
magnificent  collection  of  fruit.  The  fruit  was  judged  by  Mr.  A.  Wallis, 
fruit  foreman  to  Messrs.  Cheal,  and  the  honey  by  the  Rev.  R.  L.  Morris- 
Wallasey  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association. — The  monthly 
meeting  was  held  in  the  Concert  Hall  on  Wednesday  evening,  and 
the  exhibits  were  m  st  satisfactory.  Messrs.  Dale  and  Jowett  won  in 
classes  for  Chrysanthemums  and  Michaelmas  Daisies,  and  each  prize¬ 
winner  made  a  short  impromptu  speech  on  the  methods  of  culture 
adopted.  Mr.  Burston  gave  useful  advice  respecting  Chrysanthemums, 
preferring  a  cold  frame  in  which  to  root  them,  as  they  resented 
coddling.  The  president  warmly  thanked  Mr.  Burston  for  his  timely 
remarks,  and  said  that  although  they  had  no  financial  gain  from 
their  Chrysanthemum  show,  they  felt  that  it  was  doing  a  good  work 
amongst  gardeners  and  others  in  the  district.  Mr.  Burston  then 
dealt  with  Calceolaria  culture  in  a  capital  manner. 
Sussex  Weather. — The  total  rainfall  at  Abbot’s  Leigh,  Haywards 
Heath,  for  September  was  0'97  inch,  being  1’08  inch  below  the  average. 
The  heaviest  fall  was  0‘47  inch  on  the  27th ;  rain  fell  on  seven  days. 
Total  rainfall  for  the  nine  months  18  09  inches,  which  is  2T8  inches 
below  the  average.  The  maximum  temperature  was  73’  on  the  7th,  the 
minimum  39°  on  the  22nd ;  mean  maximum  68'28°,  mean  minimum 
46  02°  ;  mean  temperature  57  15°,  a  little  above  the  average.  Since  the 
26th  we  have  had  some  much  needed  rain. — R.  I. 
September  Weather  at  Dowlals. — Rainfall  1'90  inch,  which 
fell  on  eight  days.  Greatest  fall  0'60  inch  on  the  26th.  For  the  same 
period  1899  3’82  inches  on  twenty  days.  Temperatures  :  Mean  in  the 
sun  77 ’5“;  highest  reading  106“  on  the  12th  ;  mean  maximum  61‘56°; 
highest  reading  70°  on  the  8th ;  mean  minimum  42'4°  ;  lowest  reading 
31°  on  the  30th  ;  frost  on  two  occasions.  There  were  five  sunless  days. 
A  very  favourable  month  for  outdoor  operations.  October  has  started 
very  wet,  as  we  have  had  rain  every  day,  with  2  00  inches  on  the  4th 
and  1‘25  inch  on  the  5th. — Wm.  Mabbott. 
September  Weather  at  Hodstoch.  Priory,  Worksop. — 
Mean  temperature,  56'2° ;  maximum  in  the  screen,  72’6  on  the  12th  ; 
minimum  in  the  screen,  36'6  on  the  20th  ;  minimum  on  the  grass, 
28'2  on  the  25th.  Two  slight  frosts  on  the  grass.  Sunshine  119  hours, 
or  32  per  cent,  of  possible  duration,  which  is  about  the  average  for 
September.  Rainfall,  1‘28  inch.  Difference  from  average  —  0’66. 
Rain  fell  on  ten  days ;  maximum  fall,  0  95  on  the  16th.  Rain  from 
January  1st,  19‘55  inches.  Difference  from  average  -f  1‘24.  A  mild 
month,  with  very  little  rain  except  a  heavy  thunderstorm  on  the  16th. 
— J.  Mallendee. 
September  Weather  at  Belvolr  Castle,  Grantham. — The  wind 
was  in  a  westerly  direction  twenty -two  days.  The  total  rainfall  was 
0  48  inch,  this  fell  on  seven  days,  and  is  1‘84  inch  below  the  average  for 
the  month.  The  greatest  daily  fall  was  0'20inch  on  the  30th.  Barometer 
(corrected  and  reduced)  :  highest  reading,  30  536  inches  on  the  12th,  at 
9  A.M. ;  lowest  reading,  29519  inches  on  the  27ih,  at  9  p.m. 
Thermometers  :  highest  in  the  shade,  71°  on  the  12  th  and  22  ad  ;  lowest, 
35°  on  the  20th.  Mean  of  daily  maxima,  65’13°;  mean  of  daily  minima, 
47  53°.  Mean  temperature  of  the  month,  56  33°  ;  lowest  on  the  grass, 
33°  on  the  20th  ;  highest  in  the  sun,  124°  on  the  5th.  Mean  temperature 
of  the  earth  at  3  feet,  56'20°.  Total  sunshine  169  hours  35  minutes  ; 
this  is  15  hours  5  minutes  above  the  average  for  the  month.  There 
were  no  sunless  days. — W.  H.  Divers. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Cblswlck. — 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. 
IfcOO. 
0*^3 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
*5 
' 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
09  3 
®  2  c8 
o 
i-j  a  s 
September 
and 
October. 
3 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
00 
ja 
s 
-*3 
00 
o 
v  o 
H 
Sunday . .  30 
s.s.w. 
deg. 
60-4 
deg. 
63-8 
deg. 
61-9 
deg. 
41-3 
ins. 
0*14 
deg. 
65-7 
deg. 
67-9 
deg. 
67-9 
deg. 
31-4 
Monday..  1 
vv.s.  w. 
64-4 
60-5 
62-0 
38-8 
65-3 
67-6 
67-8 
30-9 
Tuesday  2 
w.s.  \v. 
68-9 
64  *6 
84 '3 
45  8 
65-1 
67-2 
57-6 
35-8 
Wed’sday  3 
W.N.W. 
49-6 
47-8 
58  3 
42 '5 
_ 
64-6 
66-9 
67-6 
30"6 
Thursday  4 
E.b.E. 
66-6 
62  3 
61-9 
34-5 
0-34 
62-6 
66-5 
67-3 
25-0 
Friday  ..  6 
•S.S.W. 
57-4 
62  0 
60-7 
49-2 
0-08 
63-3 
66-0 
57-2 
40-5 
Saturday  6 
s.s.w. 
60-8 
56-0 
65-4 
63-0 
64-0 
66-8 
67-0 
45-6 
Means  .. 
56-9 
62-4 
62-1 
43T 
Total 
0-66 
54-3 
66-8 
67-5 
34-2 
A  week  of  rather  dull  weather,  with  cold  wind  and  rain  on  three 
days.  The  grass  thermometer  registered  7°  of  frost  on  the  3rdinst. 
