December 22, 1888.J 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



741 



Chrysanthemums. The first bud on the grafted 

 plant did not show till June 5 ; then I knew which 

 bud I had to look forward to for the crown bud, 

 which bud I have not been able to save on the self- 

 grown varieties, as it forms too early. The variety 

 was Mrs. W. Shipman,, a shy grower — but still it 

 forms buds freely. I topped some of the plants of 

 this variety on March 12, and I got the crown bud 

 on August 20, which made a passable flower, but 

 nothing like in size those obtained from the grafted 

 plants, which in measurement stood 3.} inches in 

 depth, and 11 inches round — I think that a good 

 flower for the past season. John Salter was another 

 improvement. It had good petals ; and I have sent 

 the whole stool to let you see for yourself how strong 

 it was. Lady Carey was very fine, though it did not 

 have quite the same kind of treatment as the above 

 varieties ; and it was also broken off by the wind in 

 May, which saved me the trouble of pickiug it, 

 which I should have had to do as it was growing 

 away too fast. Two other varieties, J. Deleaux and 

 Criterion, I have also grafted the last two seasons, as 

 on their own roots they did not make enough roots 

 to please me. I should like to hear the opinions of 

 others on this method. W. G. Adams. [The stool 

 sent of John Salter on Elaine was strong and well- 

 rooted. Ed.1 



ECHEVERIA RETUSA.— We have here upwards of 

 one hundred plants of the above in full bloom, 

 making a fine show, with their glaucous foliage and 

 bright coloured flowers, and which will continue in 

 good condition for a length of time. Considering 

 the ease with which Echeverias can be grown it is 

 surprising they are not more common. I find that 

 in a cool house they would not have flowered until 

 much later, but by being placed in a warm greenhouse 

 about October they come in nicely for brightening 

 up the conservatory at Christmas, and as the flowers, 

 when cut, last a long time in perfection it makes 

 them doubly valuable. H. Sexstone. 



EARLY RHUBARB.— Your correpondent, Mr. H. 

 Sewell, is evidently a person who declines to 

 submit to the rules which have to govern ordinary 

 people. He objects to his Rhubarb being treated 

 at Chiswick as other Rhubarbs are, ignoring the 

 fact that all things sent there for trial have to be 

 tested under ordinary garden cultivation only, 

 as the object in view in sending such things to 

 Chiswick is to ascertain first, whether they are 

 diverse or otherwise from similar things, and also 

 how far, if diverse, improved features may be shown. 

 It is impossible for that work of comparison to be 

 carried out with fairness and usefulness if some 

 special form of treatment or of cultivation be given 

 to any one plant, let it be what it may, that is 

 not given to all others. Now, as Mr. Sewell 

 seems to be, in relation to the cultivation of Rhubarb, 

 the depositary of an important discovery, especially in 

 promoting very early and healthy growth, and as this 

 discovery does not at his own showing apply specially 

 to some new sort of Rhubarb, but to ordinary Rhu- 

 barbs, why does he not unselfishly publish the nature 

 of his particular knowledge, so that gardeners uni- 

 versally might put it into practice ? Why, with all 

 the rivalry, the Rhubarb grower for a judge, " submit 

 to the insults of the prejudiced and the trade 

 biassed " Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticul- 

 tural Society? Of course, in expecting such a 

 course to be taken I am aware that gardeners are a 

 rather sceptical race, and they have found ample 

 reason in relation to horticultural discoveries to be 

 so: still, they are not prejudiced people, and will 

 readily accept any improvement in the art of cultiva- 

 tion come from whence it may. It is interesting to 

 find that forced Rhubarb contains oxalic acid. I sup- 

 pose it is just because it contains something nanghty 

 that we eat it so greedily. The world has not yet 

 become so nervous as to be frightened from its early 

 forced Rhubarb because it contains this terrible in- 

 gredient. A. D. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM MRS. COBAY.— I note that 

 your correspondent, " R. D.," on p. 703 of your last 

 issue, makes mention of Mrs. Cobay, a variety with 

 which I am unacquainted, and I, therefore, should be 

 much obliged if he will describe the characteristics 

 of the flower, as I am always interested in the intro- 

 duction of new varieties. E. M. 



NEAL'S NE PLUS ULTRA RUNNER BEAN. — There 

 is no mistake in this being very far ahead of any 

 other runner Bean that has come under my notice. 

 I have grown it for the last two seasons side by side 

 with other varieties, but it surpasses them all for 



cropping, as also for exhibition. With me the bine 

 and foliage are distinct, growing to some 12 or 14 feet, 

 producing masses or clusters of splendid Beans, 10, 

 12, and 13 inches long, and as straight as possible. 

 I would strongly advise gardeners to give it a trial, 

 taking every care to procure the true stock. Those 

 staged by Mr. Richards, of Somerley Gardens, at the 

 Aquarium, last September, and by Mr. Waite, of 

 Glenhurst Gardens, at Southampton, were simply 

 perfection. J. Huf/hes, Eydon Hall Gardens. 



Societies. 



YORK FLORISTS'. 



This body held its annual dinner at the "Old 

 George Inn, York, on the evening of Friday, Decem- 

 ber 14, the City Sheriff, Councillor Matthews, pre- 

 siding. After the usual loyal toasts were given and 

 duly responded to the Chairman announced that he 

 had received several letters from gentlemen unable ot 

 attend the meeting, and also a congratulatory 

 telegram from the National Chrysanthemum Society, 

 with which the York society is affiliated. 



The Chairman then i proposed the toast of the 

 evening, " Success to the Ancient Society of York 

 Florists and all lovers of a garden." He believed 

 the Society was first established in 1720, and he 

 need not tell them that it had had a somewhat 

 chequered career. If it had not been for a few 

 enthusiastic lovers of flowers it would not have been 

 in existence. The establishment of the Chrysanthe- 

 mum show, nine years ago, had contributed greatly 

 to its strength. Its minor shows, by the kindness of 

 successive Lord Mayors, held in the Guildhall, had 

 been of such excellence that they had been tho- 

 roughly enjoyed and looked forward to with pleasure 

 by the citizens generally. These shows, to which 

 the public were admitted free of charge, were 

 undoubtedly a great boon, Not long ago special 

 prizes began to be offered by prominent citizens; 

 and, though they had not the presence of the Lord 

 Mayor, his lordship had generously intimated his 

 intention to follow the example of his predecessors 

 in this respect. The Society was never in a better 

 condition. It numbered upwards of 400. It had 

 made rapid strides in the last few years, and he hoped 

 it would go on prosperously. He should have 

 pleasure in giving the usual Sheriff's prize at the 

 next exhibition. 



Mr. Fielding, Treasurer of the Society, informed 

 the meeting that the Society was in a good financial 

 position, and possessed at the termination of the last 

 year a balance of £150 ; while the annual income 

 by donations, &c, had been £120. From causes 

 known the money from the Chrysanthemum show 

 had not been solarge as last season ; but they had no 

 great cause of complaint. The amount received was 

 £140 ; and they would be able to pay their way, with 

 possibly a £10 or £20 to add to the balance. 



Alderman Sir Joseph Terry, in the course of his 

 remarks, said, that they had been affiliated to the 

 National Society, and the latter Society, had their 

 provincial show, but neither the Vice-President 

 (Mr. Cowper) nor himself thought it equal to their 

 own. They hoped to have this show in York next 

 year. Abstract from the " Yorkshire Chronicle," 

 December 15. 



BOTANY FOR GARDENERS. 



The last of a series of ten lectures on elementary 

 botany and the principles of gardening, by Professor 

 R. J. Harvey Gibson, M.A., F.R.S.Ed., was delivered 

 on the 13th inst. in the Mechanics'] Institute, 

 Woolton. Mr. Holbrook Gaskell presided, and there 

 was a crowded attendance of the working gardeners 

 of the district. The lectures have been well attended, 

 and appreciated by the hearers, the language em- 

 ployed being as free as possible from technical 

 phraseology. The leading points of the lectures 

 have been illustrated by artistic photographs cast on 

 a screen by means of the oxyhydrogen light. 



The Chairman, who was very cordially received, 

 said that a very interesting, instructive, and brilliant 

 course of lectures was now, he was sorry to say, 

 concluded. He was quite sure that all of them 

 must feel very much indebted to Mr. Harvey Gibson 

 for his kindness in coming out to Woolton to give 

 them such masterly addresses on a subject which so 



deeply touched them. In the old days botany was 

 not treated in the way in which it was at the present 

 day by such men as Mr. Gibson. The naming and 

 classification of the various vegetable productions of 

 the globe constituted a large part of the science, and 

 it certainly was a dry affair. But now they had it 

 explained in a most attractive manner ; indeed, to 

 listen to Mr. Gibson was as enjoyable as reading a 

 romance. 



It may be mentioned here that Mr. H. Gaskell has 

 given £5000 towards the endowment of a Chair of 

 Botany at the University College. 



Mr. Gaskell, in conclusion, proposed a vote of 

 thanks to the Rev. George Beaumont and the com- 

 mittee of the Mechanics' Institute for their kindness 

 and liberality in letting them the hall gratuitously 

 for these lectures. 



The Rev. G. Beaumont, after returning thanks, 

 suggested, as a practical outcome of the lectures, 

 the formationjof a Gardeners' Association in connec- 

 tion with the Woolton Mechanics' Institute. They 

 were surrounded by gardens and gardeners, and if 

 such a society was formed, to embrace all the gar- 

 deners of Liverpool and the district, with the object 

 of studying botany and gardening, as well as for 

 mutual help, he would say, on behalf of the Me- 

 chanics' Institute, that they would be delighted to 

 give them fire, light, and room. But if the gar- 

 deners did not see their way to do that, he hoped 

 that they would engage Professor Gibson to form 

 a class for the study of some particular branch of 

 the profession which would be of practical import- 

 ance to gardeners in their work. 



The Chairman thought that the suggestion of 

 the Rev. Mr. Beaumont was an excellent one, and 

 all he could say was that if the project was taken up 

 and they stood in need of any financial assistance 

 he should be very pleased to come to their aid. 



Colonial and Foreign. 



NOVA SCOTIA FRUIT CROPS: APPLE 

 ORCHARDS, PEARS. 



Fhuit culture is extending throughont'the pro- 

 vince, but principally in the two counties of Anna- 

 polis and Kings, which have long been known for 

 their established orchards. The most successful 

 orchard Apple this year is the Gravenstein, making 

 an all round crop of 120 per cent, in Annapolis 

 County, and 121 per cent, in King's, the average 

 quality in the former being 103, and in the latter 

 112. The poorest cropper in King's County is the 

 Blue Pearmain, and in Annapolis the Nonpareil. 

 The Apple of poorest quality in Annapolis is the 

 Flushing Spitzenburg, 60 ; in King's County the 

 once famous Bishop Pippin also 60. The Baldwin is 

 low in quality as well as in quantitythis year. Other 

 leading varieties give full or fair crops. Land- 

 owners throughout the whole province ought to feel 

 encouraged to plant orchards, as at once a source of 

 revenue and a means of increasing the value of their 

 lands. A correspondent at Round Hill writes : — 

 " Lands favourably situated where orchards have 

 been planted have increased in value within a few 

 years nearly 100 per cent." In Annapolis County a 

 correspondent writes : — " We are raising a quantity 

 of Pears : Bartlett, Clapp's Favourite, Louise Bonne 

 de Jersey, Winter Nelis, the principal kinds. The 

 crop this year was good in quantity and quality." 

 From the " Provincial Government Crop Report," 

 November. 



Natal. 



Considering that Alberta magna (E. May) is one of 

 the finest flowering shrubs native to Natal, it is strange 

 that hitherto, so far as my knowledge goes, it has not 

 been cultivated in Europe or elsewhere. One of the 

 Rubiacese, and placed in the Flora Capensis halfway 

 between Gardenia and Pavetta, it will probably 

 strike freely from cuttings, and being found along 

 with Greyia Sutherlandi at elevations from 4000 to 

 5000 feet, in places where snow falls nearly every 

 winter, it may prove half-hardy in the South of 



