6 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



than either the forgotten Aphis vastator or the fungoid growths which the 

 sulphur is intended to act upon. But the fact of the myceleum of fungi 

 being present in almost all forms of the potatoe murrain, adds a priori 

 weight to the experimental results attained by the Rev. Mr. Berkeley ; 

 and the more we enquire into the nature of diseases observed in other 

 plants, and especially in the decay, and what is called the wearing out of 

 many of our tree fruits, the more we shall find that the Mycelium of fungi 

 is the agency chargeable with the mischief ; and the practical lesson to be 

 learnt from this fact is, never to plant trees or shrubs on spots where 

 others have perished, without first grubbing up the roots, removing the 

 soil, and supplying its place with earth of a suitable nature, in which 

 neither shrub nor tree has had root before. 



The season opened with the grand debate on roses and rose catalogues, 

 and it closes with a debate on another question of great importance to 

 florists — namely, whether we are to break the chrysanthemum in autumn 

 or in spring. With all the glory of the Stoke Newington, Colchester, and 

 other shows of this noble flower, it seems we are to be beaten by a grower 

 who saves four months of anxious labour, by starting in March instead of 

 November. Mr. Scutt has broached this question in the Chronicle, and 

 its issue will be attentively watched by all who take an interest in the 

 finest exhibition subject in the whole queendom of Flora. Mr. Scutt's Drin 

 Drin carried 179G blooms, though put in as a cutting in the beginning of 

 March — a result not easily obtained on the orthodox London method, 

 even with old stools. This is a point Avorthy of attention. 



A hundred other matters suggest themselves for remark, but space 

 forbids. Let us rejoice that the Horticultural Society, many as have been 

 its sins and failings, is once more acquiring strength and popularity. In 

 the hands of Mr. McEwen, the garden has already changed its face, and 

 the earnest labours of the council have met with a warm response from 

 the lovers of horticulture everywhere. May it go on and prosper ; and 

 may all jealousies, bickerings, personal quibbles, and animosities, speedily 

 be extinguished out of the whole " Floral World," which draws its life 

 from the most beautiful and useful objects in creation, is the sincere 

 wish of 



An Old Gardener. 



NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



When the Council of the Horticultural Society issued the late circular, in- 

 viting the co-operation of the lovers of horticulture in the endeavour to re- 

 establish the Society on a healthy basis, so sudden and great an influx of fellows 

 could not have been anticipated by the most sanguine of its members. In that 

 address, the Council stated that above 20,000/. bad been distributed by it in 

 prizes alone, at its several exhibitions ; 40,0O0Z. had been laid out on the gar- 

 den at Chiswick, which was commenced in 1822 ; and, in its recent difficulties, 

 no less than 3,000Z. have been subscribed by fellows and their friends to keep 

 the Society on its feet. Since September, 1856, 197 new fellows have been 

 elected, and instead of the former entrance fee of 6/. 6s., and annual subscription 

 of 41. 4s., the entrance fee has been abolished, and an additional class of sub- 

 scribers created, at 21. 2s. per annum, to whom fewer privileges are awarded. 



