CXXX PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



LONDON CHILDREN'S GARDEN AND RECREATION FUND. 



Report. — Messrs. W. A. Bilney and Jas. Hudson, upon the nomination of 

 the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, inspected the following gardens, 

 under the guidance of Mrs. Lyons, on Friday, July nth, and submit report as 

 follows : — 



Euston Crescent Garden. — This was the first garden to be inspected; it lies 

 near to Euston Station. The ground is not at all favourably situated, being 

 surrounded by dwelling-houses, with the drawbacks consequent thereto in re- 

 spect to cultivation. Each plot was well cared for, the crops were healthy 

 aad the ground was clean. Vegetables were the principal crops, the best 

 being Turnips, Carrots, Onions, and some Kale recently planted. Mar- 

 ginal borders of flowers were arranged around the whole ground ; this added 

 to the effect and afforded the children an opportunity of gaining some useful 

 information therefrom. 



Equity Gardens. — This ground has similar drawbacks as to its surroundings, 

 whilst the soil is relatively poorer. Here we noted Turnips, Onions, Carrots, 

 French Beans, and some hardy flowering herbaceous plants. The access to 

 this garden is somewhat difficult and steps have to be traversed, hence to get 

 in manure is not at all easy. We noticed, with pleasure, the cleanliness of the 

 small dwelling-houses and their forecourts, with several healthy window plants. 

 A beneficial effect has, beyond doubt, been brought about by this garden in 

 their midst. 



Eastnor Gardens. — This plot has only recently been secured, but it bids 

 fair to be a good site. Sufficient time has not elapsed in which to show any 

 return for this season. Seeds have been sown, and a fair start has been made. 

 Good results should follow here another year as the site is a fairly open one. 



Stepney Gardens. — Here we noticed with pleasure the very healthy state of 

 the crops. Not a large crop of any kind of vegetable was noted, the aim having 

 been to afford variety, the object no doubt being to inculcate into the minds 

 and memories of the children the advantages of cultivation, which was most 

 distinctly good. The best were Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Scarlet Runners, 

 and French Beans, with a few Marrows. More successional crops were also seen. 



RatclifJ Gardens. — These gardens (contiguous to Ratcliff Highway) bid fair 

 to become most interesting and highly instructive. Much actual spade work 

 has been put into this plot of ground. When first taken over it was covered 

 with the debris of brick-bats and other refuse from old buildings. The wreckage 

 caused by the enemy air-raids was also painfully manifest in the surrounding 

 buildings. This refuse, valuable in itself for road-making and now available 

 therefor, had to be collected, and is now stacked in odd corners of the plot in 

 cart-loads by the dozen. By dint of unstinted labour the ground is now in 

 good condition. The soil had first to be sifted, but a great deal of mortar rubble 

 passed through the sieves, and has proved invaluable in rendering the ground 

 more porous and in sweetening the soil. During the progress of the work, at a 

 depth of about three feet, it was found that in years past a butcher's slaughter-house 

 had existed on the spot, traces of horns, hoofs, &c, being found. The mistress 

 in charge — Miss Mercer — with the aid of Messrs. Walsh and Daley, two of the 

 masters, has shown great energy in overcoming the difficulties of the surround- 

 ings. Crops of the following vegetables were really of excellent quality, and 

 the scholars (both boys and girls) who were present displayed great zeal and 

 showed an intelligent interest in the cultivation of the varied products. More 

 variety was apparent here than in any other garden we had so far visited. Tomatos 

 were first-rate in a warm sunny position, as also were Carrots, Potatos, Lettuce, 

 French Beans, Turnips, Beetroot, Spinach, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Parsley 

 — all very healthy. Some flourishing stools of Rhubarb were also in evidence. 

 Flowers, too, were here a very noteworthy feature. One beautiful standard of 

 Lady Gay Rose was in profuse bloom. Michaelmas Daisies were very healthy, 

 so also were Bearded Irises, Veronicas, Montbretias, Mignonette, Ten-week Stocks 

 and other Annuals, as well as Lilacs and Buddleias, &c. On one side where the 

 ground was sloping, Miss Mercer had made a start with rockwork, and some 

 healthy plants were noted ; this evidently gave great delight to the scholars. 

 Another season should see this rockwork w^ll covered. No tender plants were 



