54 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  17,  1901. 
Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution.  —  A  committee 
meeting  of  this  society  will  be  held  at  175,  Victoria  Street,  S.W.,  on 
Friday  next,  the  18th,  at  half-past  five  in  the  afternoon,  when  the 
fixing  of  the  date  of  the  next  festival  dinner  and  other  matters  will  be 
considered. 
Tlie  Edinburgh  Market  Gardeners. — It  is  reported  that  at  a 
recent  meeting  the  Edinburgh  market  gardeners  decided  to  bring  their 
practice  in  selling  into  a  line  with  that  which  obtains  in  other  markets. 
Hitherto  they  have  counted  fourteen  to  the  dozen,  but  at  the  meeting 
in  question  it  was  decided  to  sell  only  by  the  even  dozen.  This  sounds 
sensible,  and  cannot  be  other  than  beneficial  to  all  parties. 
Brighton  and  Sussex  Horticultural  Society. — In  submitting 
the  balance-sheet  for  the  past  year,  the  committee  regretted  to  report 
a  serious  decrease  in  the  subscribers  and  hon.  members’  subscriptions. 
The  receipts  for  the  spring  show  were,  however,  much  better  than 
usual ;  the  expenditure  generally  was  less,  and  the  committee  were 
able  to  present  a  balance-sheet  showing  a  profit  on  the  year’s  working 
of  £13  10s.  Id.,  and  a  balance  in  the  hands  of  their  bankers  of 
£122  19s.  2d.  The  thanks  of  the  society  were  given  to  the  president 
(G.  W.  Willett,  Esq.)  for  his  generosity  in  defraying  the  cost  of  the 
judges’  and  committee’s  luncheon  at  the  Chrysanthemum  Show; 
and  it  was  decided  that  the  spring  show,  originally  fixed  for 
March  26th  and  27th  next,  should  be  postponed  to  April  16th  and 
17th  of  this  year. 
Bristol  Gardeners  Association. — The  usual  fortnightly  meeting 
of  this  society  was  held  at  St.  John’s  Parish  Room,  Redland,  on 
Thursday,  the  10th  inst.,  Mr.  G.  Brook  presiding.  The  subject  for  the 
evening  was,  “  Six  Good  Vegetables  and  Their  Cultivation,”  opened  by 
Mr.  W.  J.  Hockey,  of  Yatton.  The  vegetables  under  consideration 
were  Beans,  Cauliflower,  Celery,  Onions,  Peas  and  Potatoes,  the 
subject  being  dealt  with  in  the  able  manner  to  be  expected  from  such 
an  expert  as  the  lecturer.  He  gave  clear  directions  as  to  preparation 
of  ground,  times  of  sowing  seed,  method  of  planting,  and  after  treat¬ 
ment  in  each  case,  urging  the  frequent  use  of  the  hoe  amongst  the 
crops,  and  careful  attention  to  insect  pests.  Mr.  Hockey  also  advised 
the  judicious  use  of  chemical  manures  in  the  culture  of  nearly  all 
vegetables,  giving  details  as  to  kinds  and  quantities.  A  short  but 
interesting  discussion  followed  the  lecture,  and  the  lecturer  was 
cordially  thanked  for  his  attendance.  Prizes  for  six  crowns  of  Seakale 
were  awarded  Messrs.  Binfield,  Gardner,  and  Shaddick.  Certificates  of 
merit  went  to  Mr.  Frampton  for  a  Cymbidium  giganteum,  and  Mr. 
A.  Murrell  for  an  exhibit  of  Cypripedium  Leeanum  blooms. 
Grand  Y orksbire  Gala. — The  annual  meeting  of  the  guarantors  and 
life  members  of  the  Grand  Yorkshire  Gala  was  held  in  Harker’s  Hotel. 
Alderman  Border  presided  over  a  large  attendance.  The  chairman  said 
that  they  were  met  together  to  inaugurate  the  gala  for  the  ensuing 
year  on  June  12th,  13th,  and  14th.  Personally  he  knew  of  nothing  this 
year  which  was  at  all  likely  to  detract  from  the  influence  of  the  gala 
like  that  which  was  unfortunately  the  case  last  year.  The  Royal 
Agricultural  Show  was  held  immediately  after  the  gala.  They  never 
had  a  better  display  of  fruit,  flowers,  and  horticultural  products  than 
last  year,  but  circumstances  were  against  them,  and  they  left  off  with  a 
deficit.  He  felt  that  it  was  the  wish  of  all  that  the  first  gala  of  the 
present  century  should  be  an  unqualified  suocess,  and  he  was  sure  that 
all  present  would  do  their  utmost  to  maintain  its  prestige  and  help 
to  continue  the  good  work  which  the  society  had  done  in  York  for 
forty-three  years.  He  proposed  that  the  Lord  Mayor  (Alderman  E.  W. 
Purnell)  be  elected  president  for  the  ensuing  year.  Mr.  J.  J.  Hunt 
seconded  the  proposition,  which  was  unanimously  carried.  The 
chairman  moved  that  Sir  Christopher  Milward  be  re-elected  chairman, 
which  was  seoonded  by  Mr.  M.  Cooper,  and  oarried.  On  the  motion  of 
Alderman  Foster,  seconded  by  Councillor  A.  Jones,  Alderman  Border 
was  unanimously  re-elected  vice-chairman.  Mr.  Potter-Kirby  moved, 
and  Councillor  A.  Jones  seconded,  the  re-election  of  Alderman  Sir 
J.  Sykes  Rymer  as  treasurer,  which  was  agreed  to.  Alderman  MoKay, 
in  complimentary  terms,  proposed  the  re-election  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Simmons 
as  secretary,  whioh  was  seoonded  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Craven,  and  carried  by 
acclamation.  Messrs.  Pearson  and  Taylor  were  re-elected  auditors. 
The  council  was  unanimously  re-elected,  with  the  addition  of  Mr. 
E.  Bushell.  The  following  sums  were  allocated  for  the  forthcoming 
gala  : — £650  for  the  floral  fete,  £230  for  the  musical  arrangements, 
£120  for  fireworks,  £65  for  balloon  expenses,  and  £175  for  amusements. 
The  various  committees  were  then  appointed. 
“  Tbe  Orchid  Review.” — We  are  informed  that  after  January 
1st,  1901,  the  price  for  the  monthly  issue  of  “  The  Orchid  Review  ” 
will  be  reduced  from  Is.  to  6d.  This  publication  is  recognised  as  one 
of  the  best  authorities  on  Orchids,  and  the  reduction  in  price  should 
extend  its  popularity,  and  thus  enhance  its  utility. 
Hessle  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  Society. — At  the 
fortnightly  meeting  of  the  above  society,  held  at  the  Parish  Schoolroom, 
January  7th,  1901,  there  was  a  record  attendance,  over  which  Mr. 
Leadbetter,  Tranby  Croft,  presided.  A  lecture  on  chemical  manures 
and  their  use  in  connection  with  different  soils  was  very  ably  given  by 
Mr.  Dobbs  of  Elloughton,  whereupon  a  good  discussion  followed.  The 
society  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  secure  the  services  of  Mr.  Gant, 
lecturer  to  the  Yorkshire  County  College,  Leeds,  who  will  deliver  a 
course  of  four  lectures  on  horticulture  on  the  following  dates  : — January 
15th,  22nd,  29th,  and  February  5th. — J.  F.  D.,  Yorks. 
The  London  Parks. — In  the  course  of  a  lecture  on  Saturday 
evening  on  “  The  Work  of  the  London  County  Council,”  Mr.  Sydney 
Webb,  L.C.C.,  made  the  following  reference  to  the  parks  and  open 
spaces  of  the  metropolis  : — Twelve  years  ago  there  were  only 
twenty-seven  open  spaces  in  London  for  recreation.  Now  there  were 
about  200.  Wherever  possible  the  London  County  Council  had 
snatched  little  oases  of  green  from  the  tide  of  bricks  and  mortar. 
Out  of  London’s  twenty  square  miles  something  like  nine  square  miles 
were  made  up  of  parks  and  open  spaces,  managed  partly  by  the 
Government  and  mainly  by  the  Council.  A  remarkable  change  had 
come  over  the  administration  of  the  parks  in  the  past  twelve  yearB. 
The  supply  of  refreshments  and  the  provision  of  music  had  been 
regulated.  When  there  was  ice  a  staff  of  men  was  kept  to  sweep  the 
ice  and  preserve  order,  so  that  what  was  once  pandemonium  was  now 
enjoyment  for  all.  It  was  not  generally  known,  perhaps,  that  any  body 
of  youths  could,  for  the  asking,  have  a  special  piece  of  ground  reserved 
for  their  use  to  play  cricket  on  on  any  day  in  one  of  the  parks.  In 
this  way  they  tried  to  make  the  parks  of  London  as  valuable  to  the 
poor  boys  as  a  private  ground  was  to  a  wealthy  club.  The  improve¬ 
ment  and  extension  of  London’s  open  spaces  had  only  cost  Jd.  in  the 
pound  on  the  rates.  It  was  reckoned  that  the  ratepayers  of  London 
paid  4d.  a  year  per  head  for  playgrounds  for  their  children,  for  free 
music,  and  for  a  piece  of  ground  where  quiet  could  be  enjoyed. 
Summary  of  Meteorological  Observations  taken  at 
Belvolr  Castle  In  1900. — The  prevailing  direction  of  the  wind 
was  westerly  on  a  total  of  110  days.  The  total  rainfall  was  27'H 
inches  ;  this  fell  on  210  days,  and  is  0’25  inch  above  the  average  for 
the  year ;  the  greatest  daily  fall  was  2-20  inches  on  December  30th. 
Barometer  (corrected  and  reduced)  :  highest  reading  30'665  inches  on 
March  13th  at  9  p.m.  ;  lowest  reading  28-460  inches  on  February  19th 
at  9  p.m.  Thermometer  :  highest  in  the  shade  87con  July  19th  ;  lowest 
10°  on  February  8th.  Mean  of  daily  maxima  55'46°;  mean  of  daily 
minima  40'97°  ;  mean  temperature  of  the  year  48‘21°;  lowest  on  the 
grass  8°  on  February  8th,  12th,  and  13th ;  highest  in  the  sun  1383  on 
June  11th;  mdan  temperature  of  the  earth  at  3  feet  48’27°.  Total 
sunshine  1497  hours  55  minutes,  which  is  3  hours  18  minutes  below  the 
average  for  the  year;  there  were  sixty-six  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. 
Lowest 
imperature 
>n  Grass. 
1900. 
rection 
Wind. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
Rain. 
At 
At 
At 
January. 
s 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
Highest 
Lowest. 
1-ft. 
deep. 
2-ft. 
deep. 
4-ft. 
deep. 
EH 
Sunday  ..  6 
E.N.E. 
deg. 
31-0 
deg. 
29-8 
deg. 
31-5 
deg. 
27-2 
ins. 
0*07 
deg. 
38-9 
deg. 
43-8 
deg. 
47-5 
deg. 
24-5 
Monday..  7 
E.N.E. 
29-7 
29 '0 
30'5 
27-5 
0-07 
37-7 
43-0 
47-4 
26'3 
Tuesday  8 
E.S.E. 
30  0 
29-2 
35  0 
26  5 
0  12 
37-3 
42-5 
46-9 
21-1 
Wed’sday  9 
E.N.E. 
31-2 
30  0 
430 
27'4 
— 
37'3 
42-0 
46’7 
24-7 
Thursday  10 
E.S.E. 
39-2 
38-7 
50-3 
•31*2 
— 
33-1 
41-8 
46-5 
28  T 
Friday  . .  11 
E.S.E. 
41-4 
40  6 
46-3 
39  5 
007 
391 
42-0 
46-2 
29-2 
Saturday  12 
E.N.E. 
38-4 
381 
43  1 
38  T 
— 
40-6 
42-3 
46-2 
36-2 
Means  .. 
34-4 
33;6 
40  0 
31 T 
Total 
0-33 
38-4 
42-5 
46'8 
27-2 
- 
Snow  fell  during  the  first  part  of  the  week  to  the  depth  of  2%  inches, 
which  soon  disappeared  as  the  weather  became  milder.  The  latter  part 
of  the  week  was  remarkable  for  black  smoky  fog. 
