May  16,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
413 
Variorum. — Lord  Gainsborough’s  head  gardener  has  killed  in  | 
Exton  Park,  near  Oakham,  a  fine  grass  snake,  which  measured  3  feet 
8  inches  long,  and  4£  inches  round  its  body.  *  *  The  highest  point 
an  Oak  will  grow  at  is  3350  feet.  *  *  At  the  annual  exhibition  of 
spring  flowers  at  Wisbech,  the  medal  for  the  best  Daffodil  in  the  show 
was  awarded  to  Weardale  Perfection,  one  of  the  largest  and  grandest 
of  all  Daffodils. 
Evesham  Flower  Show. — Some  large  prizes  are  being  offered 
for  competition  at  the  horticultural  and  floral  exhibition  held  in 
conjunction  with  the  Hereford  and  Worcestershire  Agricultural  Society’s 
Show  on  June  11th,  12th,  and  13th.  The  full  list  of  prizes  has  now 
been  published,  and  for  these  application  may  be  made  to  the  hon. 
secretary,  Mr.  Frank  Idiens.  Further  details  of  the  show  will  be 
found  on  our  second  advertisement  page. 
Temple  Flower  Show. —  Judging  from  the  large  number  of 
entries  received,  the  Temple  Show  promises  to  be  quite  up  to  its 
usual  standard  of  excellence.  The  following  well-known  amateurs 
are  among  the  names  of  intending  exhibitors  : — Lord  Aldenham, 
vegetables ;  Lord  Hillingdon,  Carnations ;  Lord  Rothschild,  Moss 
Roses ;  Lord  Wantage,  Y.C.,  K.C.B.,  fruit ;  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence^ 
Bart.,  Orchids ;  Sir  Joseph  Pease,  Bart.,  fruit ;  Sir  Fredk.  Wigan, 
Bart.,  Orchids;  Capt.  Holford,  C.I.E.,  Hippeastrums ;  Leopold  de 
Rothschild,  Orchids  (Vanda  teres)  ;  Alex.  Henderson,  M.P.,  fruit  and 
vegetables;  John  Rutherford,  M.P.,  Orchids;  Ludwig  Mond,  F.R.S., 
Orchids ;  R.  I.  Measures,  insectivorous  plants ;  Henry  Little,  new 
Orchids;  de  Barri  Crawshay,  new  Orchids;  A.  Meyers,  Calceolarias; 
P.  Purnell,  Alpines  and  Sempervivums ;  Mrs.  Hart,  Japanese  trees. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society. — The 
monthly  committee  meeting  of  this  Society  was  held  at  the  Caledonian 
Hotel,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  on  Monday  evening  last.  The  chair 
was  taken  at  eight  o’clock  by  Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis.  The  minutes  of  the 
last  meeting  were  read  and  confirmed.  Messrs.  Pollett’s  tender  for 
printing  agenda  forms  was  accepted ;  ten  new  members  were  elected, 
and  three  others  nominated.  The  secretary  reported  the  death  Of  Mr. 
Michael  Davis,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  amount  standing  to  his 
credit  in  the  books  of  the  Society — viz.,  £55  Os.  8d.,  be  paid  to  Mrs. 
Davis,  and  that  a  vote  of  condolence  be  also  sent  her.  The  sum  of  7s. 
per  week  from  the  Benevolent  Fund  was  granted  to  Mr.  H.  Saunders 
(No.  14)  until  his  case  demands  further  consideration.  Mr.  G.  Clinging 
was  granted  10s.  per  week  for  three  weeks  from  the  Convalescent 
Fund,  for  a  change  of  air,  in  addition  to  his  sick  pay.  It  was  resolved 
that  1000  copies  of  the  rules  be  estimated  for,  and  submitted  to  the 
committee  at  the  next  meeting. 
Federation  of  Rural  Educationalists. — The  friends  and 
supporters  of  the  various  agricultural  and  horticultural  societies, 
colleges,  classes,  experimental  stations,  and  other  institutions  engaged 
in  the  development  of  rural  education,  according  to  the  “Standard,” 
are  invited  to  associate  themselves  in  a  federation  for  organising  an 
annual  reunion  in  combination  with  an  exhibition  of  flowers,  fruit, 
vegetables,  and  other  produce  grown  by  students  and  associates.  The 
movement  for  affording  a  scientific,  technical,  and  practical  training 
to  boys  and  girls,  men  and  women,  connected  with  rural  pursuits,  is 
daily  gaining  strength  and  importance.  But  the  various  institutions 
have  no  federal  ties,  and  the  friends  who  support  and  govern  them 
have  no  adequate  opportunities  of  conferring  together  and  comparing 
notes,  exchanging  suggestions  and  experiences.  It  is  proposed  to  hold 
a  first  gathering  on  August  16th  and  17th  next,  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  in 
connection  with  the  National  Co-operative  Festival,  “  One  and  All  ” 
Industrial  Flower  Show.  The  show  will  be  opened  on  Friday, 
August  16th,  and  the  evening  devoted  to  a  social  meeting  and 
conference.  At  this  first  conference  meeting  it  is  proposed  to  elect 
a  council  and  permanent  officials  for  carrying  on  the  movement  in 
future  years.  Suggestions  for  the  constitution  of  a  permanent 
federation  or  association  will  be  submitted.  Meanwhile,  the  Countess 
of  Warwick  has  promised  to  act  as  first  president,  and  will  attend  the 
August  gathering,  at  which  she  will  offer  a  trophy  to  be  competed  for 
by  the  students  and  associates  of  the  various  institutions.  The  trophy 
will  become  the  property  of  the  educational  institution  whose  students 
head  the  list  of  awards  three  years  successively.  The  object  aimed  at 
in  offering  the  trophy  is  the  development  of  esprit  de  corps  and 
co-operative  pride  in  their  institutions  by  the  students.  The  sum  of 
£200  will  be  required  for  a  prize  fund  and  the  initial  working  expenses, 
of  which  amount  £73  13s.  has  already  been  promised.  Those  desiring 
to  help  the  movement  are  invited  to  communicate  with  the  hon.  seo., 
Miss  Edith  Bradley,  Lady  Warwick  Hostel,  Reading. 
The  King  at  Kew. — On  Sunday  afternoon  the  King  drove, 
without  escort  or  formality  of  any  kind,  through  Kew  Gardens  on  his 
way  to  Kew  Cottage.  The  brilliant  weather  drew  au  immense 
concourse  of  visitors  to  the  gardens,  and  his  Majesty  was  the  subject 
of  a  great  popular  demonstration,  the  crowd  being  so  great  and  its 
enthusiasm  so  embarrassing,  that  near  the  great  Palm  house  the 
King’s  carriage  was  brought  to  a  standstill,  while  “  God  Save  the 
King”  was  sung  with  extraordinary  enthusiasm.  As  his  Majesty 
departed  through  the  Queen’s  Gate  the  loyal  outburst  was  repeated, 
and  was  again  graciously  acknowledged  by  the  King. 
Gardens  at  Railway  Stations. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Nottingham 
Horticultural  Society  on  the  7th,  it  was  unanimously  deoided  to 
recognise  the  efforts  made  by  various  railway  officials  to  beautify  our 
railway  stations  by  the  cultivation  of  flowers,  &c.,  in  the  small  gardens 
under  their  immediate  control.  Prizes  and  certificates  of  merit  will 
be  awarded  by  the  above  Society  to  those  producing  the  best  results) 
to  be  judged  about  the  middle  of  August  next.  The  radius  will  be 
within  twenty  miles  of  Nottingham  within  the  county.  Many  season 
ticket -holders  and  large  firms  have  already  expressed  a  desire  to 
contribute  towards  the  prize  fund,  as  a  graceful  return  for  the  many 
courtesies  they  have  received  from  the  officials  of  the  various  railway 
companies  in  the  district.  For  this  purpose  a  subscription  list  will 
be  opened  for  a  short  time  at  the  Hon.  Secretary’s,  29,  Long  Row, 
Nottingham.  We  hope  other  horticultural  societies  may  follow  the  lead 
of  the  Nottingham  gardeners. 
Narcissus  Conference  at  Dundee.— The  Dundee  Horticultural 
Society  has  arranged  to  hold  minor  conferences  to  consider  garden 
subjects  at  periods  throughout  the  coming  session.  On  Tuesday,  the 
7th  inst.,  they  discussed  the  genus  Narcissus,  Mr.  D.  Croll  being 
chairman.  A  practical  paper  prepared  by  Mr.  Richard  Cairns, 
Balruddery,  was  read  by  the  secretary.  This  essay  contained  various 
points  of  practical  interest  regarding  such  methods  of  cultivating  the 
flower  as  were  likely  to  lead  to  success.  The  question  of  the 
necessity  to  shade  Narcissus  during  the  noonday  sun,  created  some 
discussion.  A  member  remarked  that  the  heat  of  the  midday  sun  in 
the  month  of  February  was  not,  as  a  rule,  such  as  to  do  muoh  harm  to 
any  plant.  Views  in  support  of  Mr.  Cairns’  opinion,  however,  were  also 
put  forward,  and  all  appeared  to  be  at  one  with  him  in  the  view  that 
the  Narcissus  showed  to  best  advantage  when  grown  among  grass,  and 
that  it  was  advisable  to  avoid  fresh  manure  in  the  cultivation  of  this 
particular  flower.  Few  or  no  places  are  better  than  Scotland  in  which 
to  grow  Narcissi,  not  even  the  south  of  Ireland;  and,  referring  to  the 
commercial  side  of  the  question,  the  same  gentleman  said  there  was  an 
increasing  demand  for  the  flower  from  London,  and  some  orders  also 
came  from  Paris.  A  lucid  description  of  different  species  and  varieties 
was  furnished  by  Mr.  Storrie  (of  Storrie  &  Storrie),  whose  remarks 
were  illustrated  by  specimen  blooms.  He  explained  that,  while  in 
florists’  shops  Narcissi  were  often  ticketed  as  Lilies,  the  Narcissus  was 
not  a  Lily,  nor  did  it  even  belong  to  the  Lily  family.  In  the  Lily  the 
seed  vessel  lies  in  the  petals,  while  in  the  Narcissus  it  is  beneath  them. 
Several  very  fine  exhibits  of  spring  flowers  were  on  the  table,  and 
these  were  described  in  succession  by  the  respective  exhibiting  members? 
much  to  the  enjoyment  and  edification  of  the  audience. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. — Taken  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens — height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Direction  of 
Wind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Bain. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
Lowest 
Temperature 
on  Grass. 
1901. 
May. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
-id 
00 
9 
43 
fefl 
5 
-4d 
OB 
9 
* 
O 
Sunday ..  6 
Monday . .  6 
Tuesday  7 
Wed’sday  8 
Thursday  9 
Friday  . .  10 
Saturday  11 
N.E. 
W.N.W. 
W.N.W. 
W.S.W. 
W.N.W. 
N. 
W.S.W. 
deg. 
47-9 
47- 2 
47  9 
42-9 
49-4 
48- 1 
65-1 
deg. 
44-2 
44-8 
43  0 
40-5 
47-0 
45'4 
50  2 
deg. 
59-4 
62-9 
65-6 
63  4 
56-3 
56-3 
61-8 
deg. 
40- 9 
38-9 
41*6 
41- 0 
41-6 
439 
38-5 
Ins. 
0'04 
0-05 
0  03 
0-21 
deg. 
53-2 
62  9 
61-5 
61-3 
50-9 
61-0 
60-8 
deg. 
61-3 
61-6 
61-3 
61-1 
61*1 
51-0 
61-0 
deg. 
49-0 
49-2 
49-3 
49-6 
49-6 
49-6 
49-6 
deg. 
30-8 
31  0 
34-6 
38-5 
37- 6 
38- 0 
32-6 
Means  .. 
48-4 
45-0 
56-4 
40-9 
Total 
0-33 
61-7 
61-2 
49-4 
34-7 
A  week  of  oold  dull  weather  with  small  quantities  of  rain  on  four 
days. 
