July  10,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
33 
Cornish  Gooseberries. 
Gooseberries  are  being  sent  away  from  Cornwall  in  large 
quantities  at  the  rate  of  ten  guineas  per  ton,  which  is  the  highest 
price  recorded  for  a  decade. 
Death  of  M.  Simon  Delaux. 
We  regret  to  learn  of  the  death  of  this  notable  French  horti¬ 
culturist,  who  was  particularly  distinguished  in  the  culture  of 
Chrysanthemums,  and  to  him  is  due  a  great  number  of  the  best 
French  varieties.  He  died  on  the  8th  ult.,  at  Toulouse. 
Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden  Staff. 
Following  the  retirement  of  the  late  head  gardener,  Mr. 
Richardson,  in  reference  to  which  we  furnish  a  separate  para¬ 
graph,  the  work  of  cultivation  has  been  divided  into  three 
sections,  each  with  a  foreman,  thus: — Glass  department,  Mr.  L. 
Stewart ;  herbaceous  and  Alpine,  Mr.  D.  S.  Fish  ;  and  garden  trees 
and  shrubs,  Mr.  W.  Smith.  Mr.  Harrow  succeeds  Mr.  Richardson 
as  head  gardener. 
June  Weather  at  Temple  House  Gardens,  Great  Marlow. 
There  was  a  heavy  thunder  and  hail  storm  on  the  7th  and 
thunder  again  oil  the  16th.  The  maximum  temperature  for  the 
month  was  84deg  on  the  28th  and  the  minimum  36deg  on  the 
9th.  The  maximum  temperature  for  June,  1901,  was  81deg  on 
the  9th  and  the  minimum  36deg  on  the  18th.  The  rainfall  for 
June,  1901,  was  1.36. — George  Groves. 
Odours  and  Colours  in  Plants. 
What  is  probably  true  of  odour  in  plants  is  equally  probable 
(suggests  the  “  Morning  Post  ”)  as  regards  colour.  Blossoms  of 
flowers  are,  as  a  rule,  avoided  by  animals.  Therefore  we  find 
the  leaves  of  plants  often  imitating  the  colours  of  flowers,  as  in 
the  case  of  Geranium  leaves,  the  leaves  of  the  Begonia,  and 
Indian  Nettles.  Resembling  odours  are  not  very  common  among 
the  flowering  class  of  plants ;  they  are  found  more  often  in  the 
fungi. 
Gordonia  lasianthus. 
The  question  has  been  asked  of  me  (says  Joseph  Meehan) 
whether  Gordonia  lasianthus  is  not  the  equal  of  the  G.  pubes¬ 
cent,  and  whether  it  is  hardy  at  the  North,  to  which  I  would 
answer,  No,  in  both  cases.  This  species  has  been  under  my  care 
twice  for  trial.  The  plants  on  both  occasions  struggled  along 
fol’  two  or  three  years,  getting  partly  killed  every  winter,  and, 
finally,  dying  outright.  Probably  at  Washington,  D.C.,  and 
vicinity  it  might  prove  hardy.  The  flowers  are  very  pretty,  but 
are  smaller  and  less  conspicuously  beautiful  than  those  of  G. 
pubescens.  As  a  tub  plant  it  is  very  fine,  and  blooms  freely 
every  summer. 
Sussex  Weather. 
The  total  rainfall  at  Abbot’s  Leigh,  Haywards  Heath,  for  the 
past  month  was  3.53in,  being  1.52in  above  the  average.  The 
meanest  fall  was  0.56in  on  the  7th.  Rain  fell  on  sixteen  days. 
Total  for  the  six  months,  11.34in,  which  is  0.83in  below  the 
average.  The  maximum  temperature  was  83deg  on  the  28th, 
the  minimum  41deg  on  the  10th  and  11th.  Mean  maximum 
69deg,  mean  minimum  48.29deg;  mean  temperature  58.64deg, 
1.52deg  below  the  average  for  the  month.  A  decided  improve¬ 
ment  in  the  weather  took  place  after  the  20th.  The  ten  days’ 
brilliant  weather  culminated  in  a  heavy  thunderstorm  on  the 
evening  of  the  30th,  with  some  rain.  Thunder  has  hung  about 
to-day  (the  1st),  but  the  barometer  is  well  up  and  is  rising.  A 
continuance  of  bright  weather  would  be  most  welcome. — R.  G. 
June  Weather  at  Belvoir  Castle,  1902. 
The  prevailing  direction  of  the  wind  was  south;  total,  twelve 
days.  The  total  rainfall  was  2.05  inches,  this  fell  on  seventeen 
days,  and  is  0.07in  below  the  average  for  the  month  ;-  the  greatest 
daily  fall  was  O.ooin  on  the  12th.  Barometer  (corrected  and 
reduced),  highest  reading  30.270in  on  the  24th  and  25th  at  9  a.m.  ; 
lowest,  29.420in  on  the  13th  at  9  a.m.  Thermometers : — Highest 
in  the  shade,  82deg  on  the  28th;  lowest,  36deg  on  the  10th; 
mean  of  daily  maxima,  64.60deg  ;  mean  of  daily  minima,  47.73deg  ; 
mean  temperature  of  the  month,  56.16deg;  lowest  on  the  grass, 
32deg  on  the  10th ;  highest  in  the  sun,  141deg  on  the  30th ;  mean 
temperature  of  the  earth  at  3ft  52.53deg.  Total  sunshine, 
183hr  30min,  -which  is  2hr  lOmin  above  the  average  for  the  month  ; 
there  were  four  sunless  days.  The  temperature  has  again  been 
very  much  below  the  average. — W.  H.  Divers. 
Itea  virglnica. 
Now  that  the  greater  number  of  spring  flowering  shrubs  arc 
over,  it  is  a  pleasure  to  have  in  bloom  Itea  virginica.  This 
native  shrub  is  not  in  general  collections,  though  very  worthy  of 
being.  Besides  being  covered  just  now  with  its  finger-like  spikes 
of  white  flowers,  in  autumn  it  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  foliage 
shrubs,  its  leaves  changing  to  a  most  brilliant,  intense  red.  It 
should  be  noted  to  be  set  out  next  autumn  by  those  looking  for 
shrubs  having  brilliant  coloured  leaves. 
Pancratium  illyricum. 
A  Roxburghshire  correspondent  recently  sent  a  flower  scape 
of  this  handsome  Amaryllid,  native  of  the  South  Mediterranean 
regions,  for  identification.  With  a  lady  friend  of  his,  he  says 
it  grows  out  of  doors  on  a  vinery  border,  and  blooms  most  pro¬ 
fusely,  setting  large  quantities  of  seeds  every  year.  The  seeds 
are  hard  and  green,  and  in  size  as  large  as  Broad  Beans.  The 
flowers  are  borne  in  scapes  in  clusters  of  from  six  to  twelve. 
Ihey  are  6in  long  at  least  and  pure  white,  t lie  foliage  being 
Hin  broad  and  some  feet  in  length.  It  is  a  good  border  plant. 
Mr.  Geo.  Wythes  and  Alnwick  Castle  Gardens. 
Mr.  G.  Wythes  is,  we  hear,  giving  up  charge  of  Alnwick 
Castle  Gardens.  Of  late  Mr.  Wythes’  health  has  not  been  very 
good,  and  the  charge  of  two  such  large  gardens  so  far  apart  is 
not  advised. 
Australian  Cricketers  at  Highbury. 
On  Tuesday,  July  8,  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Chamberlain, 
the  Australian  team  of  cricketers  now  touring  in  this  country 
paid  a  visit  to  the  gardens  and  plant  houses  at  Highbury,  with 
which  they  wrnre  much  delighted. 
£3000  Worth  of  Flowers. 
This  is  the  reported  sum  computed  to  have  been  spent  on 
flowers  for  the  decoration  of  the  rooms  and  banqueting  hall  on 
the  occasion  of  the  reception  of  the  Indian  princes  now  in  London, 
by  the  India  Office,  on  Saturday,  July  5. 
The  late  M.  Marc  Micheli. 
The  death  of  this  distinguished  Geneva  botanist  recently  is 
announced.  He  will  be  remembered  as  being  one  of  the  first  to 
graft  Clianthus  Dampieri  on  to>  young  plants  of  Colutea,  by  which 
means  the  beautiful  “  Glory  Pea”  has  become  far  more  common 
and  easier  to  cultivate.  He  also  introduced  the  newly  certificated 
Fritillaria  askabadensis,  the  flora  of  Western  Asia  being  a 
particular  study  of  his. 
Fish  which  Bike  Cherries. 
What  is  known  among  anglers  as  the  “Cherry  season”  has 
opened  on  the  Thames.  Chub  are  very  fond  of  this  fruit,  and  the 
, angler,  placing  a  single  cherry  on  the  hook,  allows  it  to1  float  down 
the  stream  at  spots  likely  to  harbour  chub.  The  fish  dart  cut 
from  their  haunts  and  seize  the  cherry,  only  to  findl  that  it  is 
scarcely  the  kind  of  dessert  they  bargained  for.  As  much  as  701bs 
of  chub  have  been  taken  in  the  Thames  with  Cherries  in  one  day  s 
fishing.  Chub  are  sometimes  caught  with  Strawberries  in  the 
Thames. 
Mr.  A.  D.  Richardson,  Edinburgh. 
We  take  the  following  from  our  contemporary,  the  “  North 
British  Agriculturist”:  “Last  month,  Mr.  A.  D.  Richardson 
retired  from  the  post  he  had  so  long  held  at  the  Royal  Botanic 
Garden,  Edinburgh,  in  order  to  set  up  in  business  as  a  landscape 
gardener  and  consulting  forester.  Many  of  his  former  pupils 
and  numerous  friends  throughout  the  country  are  desirous  of 
expressing  in  some  tangible  form  their  appreciation  of  his  ser¬ 
vices  in  the  cause  of  horticulture,  forestry,  and  botany ;  and 
especially  of  recognising  the  valuable  help  he  has  long  given  so 
ungrudgingly  to  young  men  less  favourably  situated  than  himselt 
for  acquiring  a  comprehensive  and  scientific  knowledge  of  plant 
life.  Messrs.  D.  F.  Mackenzie,  factor,  Morton  Hall,  Liberton ; 
Donald  Robertson,  Dunrobin,  Golspie;  D.  Young,  Editor,  ‘  N.B. 
Agriculturist’;  Alex.  Pitcaitldey,  Jeannie  Bank,  Scone;  George 
P.  Berry,  lecturer  on  horticulture,  Cockle  Park  Farm,  North¬ 
umberland;  George  Leven,  Auchencruive,  Ayr;  William  David¬ 
son,  Margam,  N.  Wales;  with  J.  F.  Annand,  Haystoun,  Peebles, 
as  lion,  secretary  and  treasurer,  have  agreed  to  act  as  a  com¬ 
mittee  to  carry  through  the  necessary  arrangements.  A  meeting 
of  subscribers  will  be  called-at  an  early  date  to  decide  "hat  form 
the  presentation  should  take. ' 
