226 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER  September  4,  1902. 
An  Observer’s  Notes. 
I  have  for  many  years  noted  that  very  rarely  do  we  see  the 
swift  after  about  August  10,  11,  or  12.  I  saw  one  as  late  as  the 
25th  this  year,  which,  I  think,  is  unusual. — A.  Baker. 
Appointment. 
Mr.  Alexander  McMillan,  till  recently,  and  for  four  years, 
the  successful  Chrysanthemum  and  Rhododendron  grower  at  the 
Camphill  Houses,  Queen’s  Park,  Glasgow,  as  superintendent  of 
the  Christie  Park,  Alexandria,  N.B.  His  many  friends  will 
wish  him  success  in  his  new  charge. 
Decrease  in  Hop  Cultivation. 
According  to  a  return  just  issued  by  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
the  acreage  under  Hops  this  year  in  England  is  only  48,024  acres, 
as  compared  with  51,127  and  51,308  acres  in  1901  and  1900  re¬ 
spectively.  Of  the  nine  counties  specified  Suffolk  stands  at  the 
bottom  of  the  list  with  4  acres  only,  the  same  as  in  the  past  two 
years ;  Gloucester  has  46  acres,  the'  same  as  last  year,  and  1  acre 
less  than  in  1900;  while  in  Kent  alone  the  falling  off  amounts 
to  about  1,400  acres. 
Mearns  Horticultural  Soc'ety. 
The  forty-third  annual  show  of  the  Mearns  Horticultural 
Society  was  held  recently  at  the  Public  Hall,  Newton  Mearns, 
and  again  proved  a  distinct  success.  This  old  established  show 
still  holds  it  place  as  one  of  the  foremost  in  Scotland.  The  pro¬ 
minent  feature  of  the  show  this  year  was  a  magnificent  show  of 
Roses  by  Mr.  Hugh  Dickson,  Royal  Nurseries,  Belfast,  consist¬ 
ing  of  over  150  splendid  blooms,  and  was  deservedly  awarded  the 
gold  medal  of  thb  society  by  the  judges,  who  expressed  their 
unqualified  admiration  of  this  splendid  exhibit. 
Torquay  District  Flower  Show. 
The  Committee  of  the  Torquay  District  Gardeners’  Association 
regret  that,  owing  to  lack  of  funds,  they  are  compelled  to  cancel 
the  schedule  for  the  annual  Chrysanthemum  show  fixed  for 
November  5,  with  the  exception  of  the  special  prizes,  classes 
29 — 33.  It  is,  however,  intended  to  hold  a  show  on  the  same 
day  for  honorary  exhibits/and  it  is  hoped  that  the  friends  and 
supporters  will  endeavour  to  send  as  many  exhibits  as  possible 
in  order  to  make  the  show  a  success.  For  any  further  informa¬ 
tion  apply  to  Geo.  Lee,  Hon.  Assist.  Sec.,  The  Lodge,  Upton 
Leigh,  Torquay.— R.  P.  Ivitson,  Hon.  Secretary. 
Death  of  Mr.  James  Percival. 
Many  readers  of  the  Journal  will  learn  with  regret,  more 
especially  those  residing  in  the  border  counties  of  Lancashire, 
Yorkshire,  Derbyshire,  and  Cheshire,  of  the  death  of  Mr.  James 
Percival,  who  up  to  the  time  of  his  decease  was  one  of  the  most 
impressive  figures  to  be  found  at  the  various  gatherings  of 
botanists  held  in  the  above  counties.  For  a  great  number  of  years 
he  was  president  of  the  Manchester  Botanists’  Association,  and  a 
useful  and  highly  respected  member  of  the  United  Field 
Naturalists  and  kindred  societies.  Mr.  Percival  belonged  to  a 
family  embued  with  a  strong  love  of  Nature,  and  possessing,  one 
may  say,  an  instinctive  desire  to  understand  thoroughly  the  forms 
of  life  by  which  each  was  surrounded,  his  grandfather  being  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  the  scientific  study  of  botany  in  Lancashire, 
and  from  him  Mr.  Percival  inherited  his  strong  desire  for  the 
complete  study  of  plant  life.  He  possessed  a  most  remarkable 
memory  ;  a  plant  once  seen  by  him  was  never  forgotten.  He  was 
a  modest,  but  a  most  ardent  botanist,  delighted  and  ever  ready 
to  impart  to  learners,  with  fluency  and  accuracy,  both  the  English 
and  Latin  terms  for  the  species,  genus,  and  order  of  each  floral 
specimen,  the  origin  of  its  common  name,  habitat,  medicinal 
qualities,  or  some  hoary  superstition  that  may  be  attached  to  it. 
He  travelled  in  his  spare  time  over  the  greater  part  of  the  British 
Isles  in  search  of  plants,  and  cultivated  in  his  garden  at  Smithy 
Bridge,  near  Rochdale,  many  of  the  rarities  he  had  gathered  in 
his  rambles.  He  was  laid  to  rest  at  Prestwich,  at  the  ripe  age 
of  seventy-four,  in  the  presence  of  many  friends  and  fellow 
botanists,  on  the  21st  ultimo.  “  He  had  no  favourite  flower,  but 
loved  them  all.”- — J.  N.  M. 
Our  Bulb  Number. 
The  bulb  number,  of  which  particulars  are  published  on  one 
of  the  advertisement  pages  in  the  present  number,  will  appear 
on  September  18,  and  not  in  conjunction  with  the  report  of  the 
fruit  show  held  at  the  Crystal  Palace.  The  alteration  will  allow 
greater  space  for  our  illustrations  of  bulbous  plants  and  flowers, 
and  the  articles  of  a  special  nature  in  connection  with  them.  It 
will  allow  free  cur  pages  for  the  fuller  reporting  of  the  Palace 
show,  and  matters  pertaining  to  fruit  culture. 
Crystal  Palace  Fruit  Show. 
The  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  great  show7  of  British 
Grown  Fruit  takes  place  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  Thursday, 
September  18,  and  the  two  follotving  days.  Copies  of  the  prize 
schedule  with  entry  form  can  be  obtained  on  application  to  the 
secretary,  R.H.S.,  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster.  Intend¬ 
ing  exhibitors  must  give  notice  in  writing  not  later  than  Thurs¬ 
day,  September  11,  of  the  class  or  classes  in  which  they  propose 
to  exhibit,  and  the  amount  of  space  required.  On  each  day  of 
the  show  after  10  a.m.  Fellow’s  of  the  Society  on  showing  their 
tickets  at  the  turnstile  wil  1  be  admitted  to  the  Palace  free. 
Temple  House  Gardens,  Great  Marlow,  Bucks. 
The  register  of  rainfall  here  for  August,  1902,  was  3.65in  ;  the 
highest  maximum  was  78deg  on  the  28th,  and  the  lowest  minimum 
43deg  on  the  1st.  The  highest  maximum  for  August,  1901,  w7as 
83deg  on  the  10th,  and  the  lowest  minimums  were  44deg  on  the 
10th,  21st,  and  28th.  The  rainfall  for  August,  1901  was  2.35in. 
There  was  thunder  on  the  19th,  heavy  showers  on  the  6th,  7tli, 
and  26th,  a  foggy  morning  on  the  26th,  and  a  very  dense  fog  on 
the  27th.  We  are  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Thames,  and 
105ft  9in  above  sea  level. — George  Groves,  Temple  House 
Gai'dens,  Great  Marlow,  Bucks. 
Sussex  Weather. 
The  total  rainfall  at  Abbots  Leigh,  Haywards  Heath,  for  the 
past  month  was  4.18in,  being  1.77in  above  the  average,  the 
heaviest  fall  was  1.15in  on  the  18th ;  rain  fell  on  twenty-one  days. 
This  record  was  exceeded  in  August,  1891,  when  5.83in  fell  on 
twenty-five  days,  with  a  very  much  lower  mean  temperature  than 
wTe  have  had  this  year — viz.,  57deg,  and  again  in  August, 1881, with 
a  fall  of  4.63in.  The  maximum  temperature  was  80deg  on  the 
16th ;  the  minimum  42deg  on  the  2nd.  Mean  maximum, 
70.22deg ;  mean  minimum,  52.27deg;  mean  temperature, 
61.24deg;  which  is  0.19deg  below  the  average.  The  rainfall  this 
month  has  been  more  remarkable  for  its  persistent  small  quanti¬ 
ties  than  for  the  amount  as  a  whole.  It  has  been  favourable  for 
the  growth  of  green  crops,  and  that  is  about  all.  Harvest  has 
been  in  slow  progress  for  some  weeks,  very  little  yet  carried,  and 
I  fear  much  of  the  corn  will  be  only  fit  for  feeding  purposes. 
— R.  I. 
Croydon  Gardeners’  Outing. 
The  annual  outing  of  the  Croydon  Gardeners’  Society  took 
place  on  August  27,  the  places  selected  being  Paddockhurst  and 
Worth  Park,  Sussex.  The  members  left  Croydon  at  8  a.m.  by 
brakes,  and  after  a  delightful  drive  of  twenty-three  miles,  arrived 
at  Paddockhurst,  where  they  were  met  by  Mr.  Wadds,  gardener 
to  Sir  Weetman  and  Lady  Pearson.  Mr.  Wadds  escorted  the 
party  through  the  beautiful  gardens  and  grounds  under  his 
charge.  Note  was  made  of  many  objects  seen  about.  Before 
leaving,  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  Sir  W.  and  Lady  Pearson 
for  their  kindness  in  permitting  the  members  to  visit  their 
charming  place  ;  also  to  Mr.  Wadds  for  his  courtesy  to  all  present. 
An  adjournment  was  made  to  the  Red  Lion,  Turner’s  Hill,  where 
a  capital  luncheon  was  served.  Here  the  health  of  Sir  W.  and 
Lady  Pearson,  and  Mrs.  Montefiore,  of  Worth  Park,  was  drunk 
with  musical  honours.  Luncheon  over,  a  pleasant  drive  brought 
the  party  to  Worth  Park,  where  Mr.  Allen,  Mrs.  Montefiore’s 
gardener,  received  the  members  and  piloted  them  through  the 
beautiful  garden  and  grounds  under  his  charge.  Many  most 
interesting  notes  were  made  for  future  use  at  the  Society’s 
meetings.  Befox-e  leaving  Worth  Park,  three  ringing  cheers  were 
also  given  to  Mrs.  Montefiore  and  to  her  courteous  gardener.  A 
drive  to  Hoidey  brought  the  party  to  the  Chequers  Hotel,  where 
an  excellent  tea  was  served  on  the  lawn.  After  a  l'est  here,  the 
horses  were  put  to,  and  a  good  drive  homeward  brought  a  most 
enjoyable  outing  to  a  close.  The  weather  was  all  that  could  be 
desired. — J.  G. 
