376 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



Rhubarb and Seakale. — Those who have not begun to force should do so now, 

 either in the open ground or by potting. As a very mild heat suffices, this season's 

 leaves and litter, if plentiful in bulk, will do as well to make up a bed for the 

 purpose as dung. If the latttr is used, it should be turned three times before 

 making the bed, or the heat will be too fierce and too transient. 



Roses require protecting, and hitherto neglected, must have attention at once, 

 as we are now approaching the season of real winter. Plantations of Roses should 

 now be mulched with half-rotten dung, the looseness of which will protect the roots 

 from frost. Roses to be planted should be got in without delay while there is yet 

 a chance of fair weather, as if neglected now it will be better to defer planting till 

 the end of February. 



HORTICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 



jjHE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION, on the 

 10th and 11th ultimo, was remarkably good, so far as the fruit was 

 concernt-d, but the chrysanthemums were exceedingly poor, for the 

 plants and cut blooms were alike few in number, and not fiist-class in 

 quality. The display of fruit was very large, and of a magnificent 

 character. The grapes and pine-apples were plentiful and good, and of apples and 

 pears there were nearly two thousand dishes. One of the most remarkible con- 

 tributions to the gathering was a collection of about thirty Dracaenas raised from 

 seed in the nurseries of Mr. John Wills, at Anerley. A gold medal was awarded 

 to tlie collection, and this, we understand, has been presented by Mr. Wills to his 

 talented rannager, Mr. Bause, wlio, it may he remembered, raised the remarkable 

 series of Coleus introduced to public notice a few years since. 



BououGH OF Hackney (l.^te Stoke Newington) Chrysanthemum Society 

 held its annual exhitiition on November the 16th and 17th, and, as usual, it was 

 remarkably successful, the display of cut blooms being very large and fine. Avery 

 interesting feature of the sliovir was an exliibition of watercresses by Mr. Shirley 

 Hihberd, illustrative of his system of pot-culture, as explained on another page. 



Me. and Mrs SniRLEv Hibberd celebrated their silver wedding at their resi- 

 dence. Bridge House, Stoke Newinjiton, on Tuesday, November 2nd, when a large 

 party of relatives and friends assembled to honour the occasion. 



A Testimonial to Mr. Alexander McKenzie, the horticultural superintendent 

 of the Alexandra Palace and Pars, is in process of organization. It will have our 

 hearty support, and we hope very many of our friends will go with us, for it is high 

 time Mr. McKenzie's devr)tian to the public good met with wider and deeper recog- 

 nition than the ordiniry course of business insures. The honorary secretiiry is 

 J. Bertram, Esq., of the firm of Bertram and Roberts, Alexandra Palace, Muswell 

 Hill. 



Mr. W. B. Helmsley, the author of the " Handbook of Hardy Trees, Shrubs, 

 and Herbaceous Plants," has been appointed to the office of Librarian to the Lindley 

 Library at the Royal Horticultural Society. Mr. Helmsley will attend in the library 

 on Wednesdays in each week. 



Miss Hassard has written a charming book entitled, " Floral Decorations for 

 the Dwelling House," which will be published shortly by Messrs. Macmillan, 

 price 5s. 



Mr. George Gordon was on the 3id ultimo entertained at a public dinner by 

 the East Tower Hamlets Horticultural Society, and presented with a valuable pin, 

 in recognition of the services rendered to the society by officiating as judge at its 

 exhibitions held during the past eight years. 



"Historia Filicum " is the title of an admirable " exposition of the nature, 

 number, and organography of ferns," by Mr. John Smith, ex-curator of the Royal 

 Oardens, Kew. 



" Timber and Timber Trees " is the title of a work by Mr. H. T. Laslett, 

 announced as nearly ready by Messrs. Macmillan. 



A National Horticultural Society. — At the meeting of the Lindley Club on 

 Wednesday the 10th ultimo, Mr. D. T. Fish, of Hardwicke Hall, read a paper 

 embodying a series of proposals for the formation of a National Society. 



