August  28,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
199 
Death  of  the  late  Edinburgh  City  Gardener. 
Mr.  Angus  M‘Leod,  the  late  superintendent  of  Edinburgh 
public  parks  and  gardens,  died  at  his  residence,  Sylvan  Place, 
on  the  20th  inst.  Mr.  M'Leod,  who  retired  in  November,  1900, 
held  the  position  of  city  gardener  for  about  twenty-five  years, 
his  previous  appointments  being  gardener  at  the  seat  cf  Sir 
W.  P.  Galloway,  Thirkleby  Park,  near  Thirsk  ;  at  Burghley  Park, 
the  seat  of  the  Marquis  cf  Exeter;  at  Milton  and  Wentworth 
House,  the  seat  of  Earl  Fitzwilliam  ;  and  at  Newbattle,  the  seat 
cf  the  Marquis  of  Lothian.  During  his  occupancy  of  the' city 
gardenership  he  did  much  to  beautify  the  city,  and  when ‘he 
retired  in  1900,  members  of  the  Council  spoke  in  high  praise 
of  the  work  he  had  done.  It  was  while  he  was  superintendent 
that  the  Blackford  Hill,  the  Braid  Hills,  Inverleith,  and  other 
parks  and  gardens  were  acquired. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  hold  a  special  exhibition 
of  Dahlias  on  September  2  and  3  in  conjunction  with  the  National 
Dahlia  Society,  in  the  Drill  Hall,  Buckingham  Gate,  S.W.  At 
this  meeting  only  Dahlias  can  be  shown,  with  the  exception  of 
flowers,  fruits,  &c.,  for  certificate.  All  Dahlias,  including  those 
shown  for  certificate,  must  be  left  on  exhibition  until  5  p.m. 
on  the  second  day,  but  other  plants  may  be  removed  as  usual. 
Fcr  schedule  of  prizes,  see  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  ‘‘Book 
of  Arrangements  for  1902,”  pages  91  to  93  ;  or  separate  schedules 
can  be  obtained  on  application  to  either  Mr.  J.  F.  Hudson,  M.A., 
Gunnersbury  House  Gardens,  Acton,  or  to  Mr.  C.  E.  Wilkins, 
19,  .Lyndhurst  Road,  S.E.,  joint  secretaries  to  the  National 
Dahlia  Society.  A  lecture  on  “  Hardy  Fruits  in  Yorkshire  ”  will  be 
delivered  by  Mr.  A.  Gaut  at  three  o’clock.  *  *  At  a  general 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  held  on  Tuesday, 
August  19,  fifteen  new  Fellows  were  elected,  amongst  them 
being  Lily,  Dowager  Duchess  of  Marlborough,  and  Sir  Clinton 
E.  Dawkins,  K.C.B.,  making  a  total  of  885  elected  since  the 
beginning  of  the  present  year.  *  *  Intending  exhibitors  at 
the  Crystal  Palace  Fruit  Show,  on  September  18,  19,  and  20, 
can  obtain  an  official  entry  form,  together  with  schedule,  on 
application  to  the  secretary,  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  117, 
Victoria  Street,  S.W.  (a  penny  stamp  should  be  enclosed). 
Entries  for  this  show  close  on  September  11. 
The  Fruit  Crop  in  Fifeshire. 
Of  recent  years  considerable  progress  has  been  made  in  the 
ancient  “Kingdom”  with  small  fruit  culture,  particularly  the 
cultivation  of  Strawberries,  Rasps,  and  Gooseberries,  ancl  seldom 
has  such  difficulty  been  experienced  in  making  an  approximate 
estimate  of  the  season’s  crop.  With  a  late,  cold  spring,  leaf  and 
fruit  buds  were  both  much  belated,  and  this,  followed  by  exces¬ 
sive  frosts  and  strong  gales  in  May  and  June,  proved  exceed¬ 
ingly  prejudicial,  both  to  the  set  fruit  and  later  Apples  just  in 
bloom.  Plums  have  come  much  into  favour  in  some  parts  of  the 
country,  but  all  over  the  crop  is  one  of  the  lightest  for  years. 
Here  and  there  the  harvest  is  a  complete  failure,  which  is  more 
to  be  regretted  as  in  recent  years  many  of  the  growers  have 
been  increasing  the  breadth  of  this  crop,  replacing  some  of  the 
more  unprofitable  varieties  cf  Pears  with  the  finer  kind  of 
Plums.  Pears,  which  have  always  been  a  staple  production  of 
the  north-western  districts,  are  in  every  case  much  below  the 
average.  Early  varieties  were  blasted  with  frost,  and  the 
finest  classes  have  been  getting  far  too  little  sunshine  for  them 
to  have  either  weight  or  flavour.  The  same  remark  applies  to 
the  Apple  crop.  Their  lateness  also  will  depreciate  value,  ancl 
it  is  computed  that  the  shortage  in  returns  of  this  year’s  harvest 
cf  Apples,  Pears  and  Plums,  will  amount  to  a  few  hundred 
pounds,  compared  with  last  season,  which  was  only  an  average 
one.  Cherries  are  far  short  of  the  estimate  made  some  months 
ago,  although  ripe  samples  were  received  pretty  early.  Rasps 
and  Strawberries  are  much  later  than  last  year,  the  stormy- 
weather  of  June  having  retarded  their  progress.  Prices  ranged 
from  Is.  to  Is.  3d.  per  pint.  Gooseberries  are  more  prolific 
than  was  at  one  time  expected,  but  caterpillar,  fly,  and  other 
pests  have  wrought  sad  havoc,  and  the  crop  is  short.  The  green- 
crop  pulling  commenced  in  the  end  of  June,  and  commanded  only 
a  hardened  price,  10s.  6d.  per  cwt.  being  the  quotation  for 
them.  Notwithstanding  the  very  backward  weather,  Currants 
have  turned  out  a  good  crop  on  the  whole.  With  a  few  growers 
the  Black  Currant  harvest,  however,  is  almost  a  failure  on 
account  cf  the  ravages  of  the  gall  mite. 
English  Hops. 
The  first  pocket  of  new  English  Hops  this  year  has  been 
produced  by  a  Worcestershire  grower,  Mr.  R.  Bagshaw,  Plum 
Leigh,  Sinton,  near  Worcester.  Considering  the  unfavourable 
season  the  quality  is  very  good,  and  perfectly  free  from  disease. 
The  hops,  however,  are  small,  showing  the  extreme  lateness  of 
the  season. 
Paris  Chrysanthemum  Show. 
The  programme  of  the  general  autumn  exhibition  of  the 
National  Horticultural  Society  of  France  (Chrysanthemums, 
fruits,  fruit  trees,  and  Legumes  in  season)  has  been  published.  This 
exhibition  will  be  held  from  Wednesday  November  12  to  Wed¬ 
nesday,  November  19,  in  the  conservatories  of  the  Cours-la- 
Reine.  Enquiries  should  be  directed  to  the  President  of  the 
Society,  84,  Rue  cle  Grenelle,  Paris. 
Show  at  Alton,  Hants 
The  Alton  Horticultural  Society  held  their  first  fruit,  flower, 
and  plant  show  on  Wednesday  week  in  the  beautiful  grounds 
of  Anstey  Manor  Park,  by  kind  permission  of  Gerald  Hall,  Esq. 
Entries  came  in  slowly  at  first,  but  by-  dint  of  some,  hard  work 
on  the  part  of  the  president,  the  hon.  secretary,  and  some  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  committee,  a  very  creditable  number  was  got  together, 
and  all  the  available  space  in  three  large  marquees  was  filled. 
It  is  twenty-six  years  since  a  show  was  last  held  in  Alton. 
The  sum  of  £41  -5s.  6d.  was  given  in  prizes,  and  over  £35  was 
taken  at  the  gate.  The  show  itself  was  an  excellent  one.  The 
outstanding  features  were  undoubtedly  the  groups  of  plants  in 
the  open  section,  and  the  table  decorations  in  section  6.  In 
beth  of  these  divisions  the  exhibitors  displayed  exceptional  taste. 
Potatoes  also  made  a  splendid  show,  while  the  vegetables 
generally  were  considered  very  good.  The  first  prize  for  groups 
of  plants,  arranged  for  effect,  was  taken  by  a  splendid  collection 
sent  from  the  Manor  House  by-  Mrs.  Hall  (A.  H.  Campin, 
gardener). 
Isle  of  Wight  Gardeners'  Excursion. 
A  fair  proportion  of  members  of  this  new  association,  includ¬ 
ing  the  chairman,  Dr.  J.  Groves,  J.P.,  and  the  hon.  secs., 
W.  Tribbick  and  A.  W.  Rime,  visited  Ventnor  on  August  21. 
This  picturesque  town,  with  its  magnificent  views  of  land  and 
sea  was  seen  at  its  best.  The  association  are  much  indebted  to 
those  who  opened  their  establishments.  The  well-kept  and 
extensive  nurseries  cf  Messrs.  Drover  and  Son  were  first  visited, 
and  proved  a  great  attraction.  Large  quantities  of  Grapes, 
Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Tomatoes  are  cultivated,  the  latter, 
despite  the -season,  bearing  exceptionally  heavy  crops.  Under- 
mount  (H.  Mitchell,  Esq.),  was  next  inspected.  Undoubtedly 
it  is  cne  of  the  finest  and  best  kept  gardens  in  the  island,  reflect¬ 
ing  infinite  credit  on  the  owner,  and  on  the  gardener  (Mr. Cheat) 
alike,  and  with  which  our  members  were  enchanted.  Plants  of 
every  description  are  largely  cultivated.  A  special  feature  was 
the  spacious  and  ornate  conservatory  furnished  with  huge  Palms 
and  choice  climbers,  growing  luxuriantly  and  eliciting  the 
admiration  of  all.  In  one  of  the  fruit  houses  we  noted  a  fine 
tree  of  Stanwick  Elruge  Nectarine,  carrying  a  good  crop  of 
huge  fruit,  whilst  on  wall  in  the  open,  heavy  crops  of  Plums 
were  fast  ripening.  Large  batches  of  Azaleas  and  Chrys¬ 
anthemums  were  looking  extremely  well.  Mr.  Cheal  piloted 
the  party  with  genial  courtesy,  and  was  highly  complimented 
on  the  cultural  skill  displayed  in  his  charge.  Macrooarpa  (Miss 
Mitchell)  is  also  worthy  a  visit  at  any  time  from  horticulturists. 
Begonias  (tuberous)  are  a  speciality ;  Mr.  W.  Sheath,  the  able 
gardener  here,  being  unquestionably  an  adept  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  showy  subjects,  as  was  so  clearly  demonstrated  by  the 
perfect  specimens  in  pots  and  in  the  beds  and  borders  in  the 
open.  Eucharis,  Pancratium's,  Ixoras,  Clerodcndrons,  Calanthe, 
Ac.,  were  in  robust  health,  as  also  were  the  Chrysanthemums, 
and  free  from  the  dreaded  rust.  In  the  fruit  garden, clean 
growing  Pears  were  plentiful.  The  condition  of  the  place 
generally  spoke  eloquently -of  the  gardener’s  cultural  skill,  and 
the  keen  interest  of  his  employer.  Tea  being  partaken  of.  gene- 
rously  provided  by  Miss  Mitchell,  a  walk  cn  the  esplanade,  and 
public  park  terminated  a  most  enjoyable  outing. 
