24G 



THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



March 23, 1912 



that tliey still had many good friends. They 

 had received donations amounting to £90 5s., 

 and since the accounts were issued the secre- 

 tary had received a further donation of ^£10. 

 Their creditors had aleo come forward in a 

 most generous manner, and had not only 

 -agreed to allow the balance of their accounts 

 to htaud over until funds are in hand, but 

 were willing to co-operate to enable them to 

 hold the summer show as usual this year. 

 Other friends, through Mr, Cyril Millican, 

 had promised to give an entertainment to 

 assist the funds, and they hoped to receive 

 .MKH) from that source. It had been sug- 

 gested that they did not cater in any way for 

 amateurs. That was hardly correct. Some 

 years ago they provided numerous classes 

 in the amateurs' division, but the entries 

 wei'e so poor that the council decided to 

 allot more prize money to trade exhibi- 

 tors, nurs-erymen, and gardeners who moved 

 with the titncs. In last year's schedule they 

 gave six chi^^ses for amateurs, tliree for rnt>os> 

 and one each for carnations, vwcct and 

 grapes. Having simplified tht^c classo.^ in 

 accordiuice with tin* wishos of local ama- 

 teurs, tlu- ontrii's im 1 and they were 

 ■now hoping to add t in t her ehiHses. It must 

 not l>e forgotten, however, that in the past 

 few years numerous country sliows Jiad come 

 into existence, where amateurs predominate. 

 For such an important show as theirs, it was 

 essential to encourage the trade and profes- 

 sional exhibitors, and he could only mention 

 sut'h .sltowc-i a«> Shrew^sbury and York Gala, 

 wlio at tribute<l their success entirely to 

 1 lir }nu :^uance of that policy. It was 

 t iie t lade exhibitors, who, compelled to 

 move with the times, gave the shows 

 educational value. The society held the 

 record of having held shows annually 

 .^iiu e 1S24 without a break. The honour 

 ni maintaining that record was fully 

 recognised hj the council, but they must 

 at the same time receive the support 

 n{>t only of their members, but the citizen^* 

 uf N(*w( a>tl<' and the residents of the north. 

 1 iu-y all liked good value for their money, 

 and he certainly thought their members at 

 least obtained a good return for theirs. 



The motion was seconded by Mr. Campbell, 

 and carried unanimously. Various votes of 

 thanks were accorded to the officers for their 

 ^rvices during the past year, and it was 

 resolved that the show should be held on 

 July 3, 4, and 5. 



Dundee 



A 



Horticuitu 

 iation. 



ral 



llicre was a record attendance of members 

 at the ordinary monthly meeting on the 14tli 

 inst. llie lecturer was Mr, John Machar, 

 Fothringliam Gardens, who selected for his 

 subject Sweet Peas." In glowing languaa^e 

 Mr. Marhar ininntely described every detail 

 in (MiiiuiH t ion with up-to-date metliods ot 

 cultivation. In doing so, he drew largely 

 on his own practical observations, tests, and 

 experiments carried out in tlie gardens under 

 his charge. Autumn sowing and autumn 

 preparation of the ground he considered of 

 far-reaching importance. Indeed, the latter 

 was imperative even for spring sowing. 

 Trenches seven feet wide, worked three feet 

 ■deep, with farmyard manure well incorpo- 

 rated, also :^cwt. of basic slag to 80ft., wuth 

 kainit, formed his chief aiitumn preparation. 

 In spring an additional dressing of super- 

 phosphate of lime, applied at the rate of 1410. 

 to 60ft. run of trench was given. In plant- 

 ing the sweet peas were shaken out of the pots 

 and planted singly in a double row one foot 

 apart each way. Tliree >iioots were allowed 

 to come .away from liear the l^a^<^ these }>eing 

 trained to branches or other supports, and 

 all lateral shoots removed. In the earlier 

 stages of growth he kept the surface of the 

 soil black with soot for two reasons — one 

 to protect the plants from the ravages of 

 sluiiv, ^nails. etc., and the otlier to m-ake 

 tile M>i! alfsurh and retain as much warmth 

 fr(Hn the suns lays as possible. 



In regard to watering during tlie growing 

 season, Mr. Machar thought it was generallv 

 too lavishly performed, and advised as prefer- 

 able frequent stirring of the soil and mulch- 



ing with short grass, stable manure, leaveis, 

 etc., as being far more beneficial. Sufficient 

 stimulant was given by two or three subse- 

 quent dressings of superphosphate, sulphate 

 of ammonia, and nitrate or sulphate of 

 potash; the latter two — ammonia and potash 

 — might be given in solution with water or 

 spread on the surface during rainy weather. 



After giving a list of the best dozen in- 

 expensive varieties, Mr. Machar gave the 

 names of another dozen choice exh ibition 

 varieties, supplementing these with twelve 

 of the best novelties up to date. 



Many helpful hints regai^ding cutting and 

 staging for exhibition were gleaned also from 

 the lecture as well as in the subsequent dis- 

 cussion. 



On the call of Mr. James Slater, the lec- 

 turer was cordially thanked for his lecture. 

 A like compliment to the president, Mr. W. 

 Christison, closed the meeting. 



Dundee Chrysanthemum 



Society. 



Wood's Eooms, Commercial Street, Dun- 

 dee, was the' scene of a social smoking con- 

 cert on the 15th inst., when upwards of 100 

 members assembled to honour their late 

 secretary, Mr. W, P. Laird, who retired in 

 Deceml^er last, after holding office for 21 

 years, llie popular President, W. S. Mel- 

 ville, Esq., J. P., presided, and during the 

 course of an enjoyable evening handed over 

 to Mr. Laird a beautiful carriage clock, sil- 

 ver cigarette case, and silver match-box, 

 l>earing suitable inscriptions. In making the 

 presentation the Bailie warmly commended 

 the gentlemanly qualities ol Mr. Laird, his 

 keen business foresight and powers of orga- 

 nisation, and his genial, courteous demea- 

 nour. In all his relations, hig word was as 

 good as his bond; but, as their honorary 

 secretary for the long period of 21 years, he 

 had excelled and endeai^d himself to everv 

 member of the society, and doubly so to the 

 members of the several committees which 

 were associated with him in the work. As 

 head of the firm of Laird and Sinclair in 

 Dundee, they wished him every success life 

 could afford. 



In returning thanks, Mr. Laird gave a 

 short, concise resume of the "ups and 

 downs" of the society,' and deplored the fact 

 that it had never gone past the struggling 

 stage, but it was these struggles which 

 brought about a greater bond of unity. Tlie 

 work to him was a real pleasure, and his 

 association witli the various members of com- 

 mittees was always most harmonious. With 

 the exception of tv/o or three members of 

 their first committee (21 years ago), who 

 liad "passed away," all the others were yet 

 " hale and hearty,'' some of them round the 

 table lof)kiiig as youthful as he felt him- 



ing Gardeners' 

 Association. 



The fortnightly meeting took place at the 

 Abbey Hall, Reading (by kind permission of 

 Messrs. Sutton and Sons), on Mondav, March 

 4, the President occupying the chair. Tlie 

 stormy weather had a somewhat prejudicial 

 effect on the attendance, but there was a 

 fair gathering to greet Mr. T. Tunbridge, of 

 Tlie Garden.s, Three Elms, Henley-on- 

 Tliames, who wa> the lecturer for the even- 

 ing, and who, owing to indi^posit^ion, had 

 been unable to attend the previous meetings 

 during the present year. 



The paper was entitled "Tlie Pruning of 

 Groups of Eoses," and Mr. Tunbridge, in hie 

 opening remarks, stated that the subject was 

 far too wide to be covered in any one even- 

 ing, and he, therefore, proposed to speak on 

 the treatment of the climbing groups only, 

 namely, the Multifloras, Wichuraianas, and 

 Chinas, thus leaving untouched the teas, 

 hybrid teas, and hybrid perpetual^, except 

 Gloire de Dijon, Marie Van Houtte, and 

 some of the climbing noisettes. Mr. Tun- 

 bridge once more gave proof of his versa- 

 tility in the profession, giving most valuable 

 information as to the proper and varied 

 treatment of these different groups of the 



national flower. The benefit of his experi- 

 ence with regard to the management of 

 climbers ueed for covering arches, pergolas, 

 pillars, walk, stumps, etc., was also given 

 to the members. His method of regulating 

 growth and other details necessary to the 

 successful and artistic clothing of these sup. 

 ports being clearly explained. Mr. Tunbridge 

 brought a number of specimens with him, 

 and gave a practical demonstration as to the 

 particular pruning, severe or otherwise, re- 

 quired by many of the varieties referred to 

 in the course of his paper. 



At the close of the lecture a prolonged and 

 instructive debate took place, followed by a 

 hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Tunbridge. 



A beautiful exhibit of cyclamen, Sutton's 

 Giant White,' rich salmon-pink, and Giant 

 Rose-Pink, was put up by Mr. H. C. Loader, 

 The Gardens, Erlegh Park, the lovely shades 

 of pink brightened by the effect of artificial 

 light being seen in charming contrast with 

 the white variety. Mr. F. Town&end brought 

 from the gardens at Hillside a group of 

 primulas and a collection of narcissi, and 

 Knfli rf^vhibits were preatlv admired. 



Dumfriesshire and Galloway 



Horticultural Society. 



It appears that a private meeting of tlie 

 directors of this society was held the other 

 evening, when the secretary and treasurer, 

 Mr. K. G. Mann, presented a statement of 

 the accounts, which had been audited by one 

 of the directors. It was to the effect that at 

 the meeting, held after the last show, whicli 

 was held in 1910, there was a deficiency ot 

 upwards of £76, but that this had been re- 

 duced by contributions made by the four 

 largest trade creditors, amounting to up- 

 wards of and special .subscriptions totai- 

 linp- upwards of ^30, The last of the trade 

 creditors had been paid about three weeks 

 ago, and all that was now outstandmg was 

 the prize money of the show, which amounted 

 to about ^39. All the special prizes had 

 })oen ])aid but one, as to which some diibiety 

 existed respecting who was entitled to it, 

 owing to two names appearing in the prize 

 book, and no claim according to the rale, 

 had been made for it. Tlie income accoun 

 showed receipts amounting to a little a Don 

 .£125, while the expenditure was a tew smi- 

 lings more than that sum, showing Us. 

 due to the secretary, and the prize money 

 owing to the winners. About halt oi tni^ 

 amount is due to some of the directors, 

 statement was considered satisfactory " 

 those present. On account of the hnanciai 

 position, it was resolved to hold no sno^v 

 this year. 



North of England Horticultural 



Society. 



The following awards were made bj 

 Floral and Plant and Orchid Conimittees oi 

 this society at the spring show, held at- 



ford on March 14 : , _ r, v 



Large Silver-gilt M<^dal.-To Messis li- 

 Ker and Son, Liverpool, for amary l.b, 

 Mr. C. Engelmann, Saffron ^\ aldeu, toi 

 nations; to J. Hill, Esq. (gardener 

 Dunmore), Chellow Dene, for buio^ 



Large Silver Medal.-To J. H. Craven i^J 

 (gardener, Mr. F. W. Corney), f ^'^^Vf:;tiev, 

 \V. Shackleton, Bradford, and J- f|' for 

 Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. Coupe), Morie. , 



orchids. „ irtindale 



ver Medal.— To Messrs. \V . ^ica 

 and Sons, Shetfield, for Primula od 



gigantea; to Mr. J. Bo^^oii 

 bulbs and lilacs; to Mr. J. ^^'giioffay. 



Spa, for rock plants; -Trebling an*} 



Esq., Bradford, Messrs. A. J- if and 



Sons, Bradford, and Messrs. Manse 

 Hatcher, Rawdon, for orchids. 

 Lar!?<^ Bronze Medal.-To 



Lini., for rock plants; to Wie.; 



Coil- 



way 



Broadhead and 



,ck Plan^^^ field. f<^'' 



JDXoauneuu iuiu Son. Hudders 'g^.^j. 



rockery; to Mes.rs. S. Dean and -o^' 



ford, for bulbs; to Mr. F- ^P^'^l^^^^t "'da ^b^^ 

 First-Class Diplomas.— lo •j?'^*"^ peii- 

 raicum, from J. H. Craven. I'.^q-'^^ Q„in- 

 drobium Cvbele alba, from \N • ' 



