p 



174 



GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE. 



Maich i 2| ^ 



SCOTTISH 



1. 



This robust and thriving society, which attains its majority this month, and seems 

 to be advancing in numbers and in usefulness by leaps and bounds, held a very 

 tuccessful meeting on the above date. The meeting was held in Dowell s Rooms, 

 Edinburgh, under the presidency of Matthew Todd, Esq., the genial president. 

 After the usual minutes were passed and new members admitted, Mr. Todd called 

 on Mr. Ireland, of Broughty Ferry, to give his lecture on " Orchids. The lecture 

 was profusely illustrated by some fifty lantern slides photographed by the grower 

 and lecturer— Mr. Ireland, so that we nad the grower, the artist, the naturalist, 

 and botanist all in one, and consequently one of the most pleasant and profitable 

 evenings arranged by this useful society for its rapidly increasing members. It 

 was only in the present century, Mr. Ireland pointed out, that orchids had excited 

 absorbing interest or commanded much attention. They were, until a compara- 

 tively few years since, grown merely by the wealthy few, but of late years the 

 number of collectors in all parts of the world had greatly increased, and we hear 

 of 10,000 or 20,000 orchids in different centres of wealth and population. Mr. 

 Ireland proceeded to ask and answer the question of what was an orchid in a lucid 

 and interesting manner, as well as the equally difficult one of the cross-breeding 

 of orchids, which had had such valuable practical results, as carried out by nursery- 

 men and amateurs on the principles of Darwin. He then proceeded with most 

 interesting historical and cultural notes on some of the more popular and beautiful 

 genera, species, and varieties, such as lady's slippers, cattleyas, ccelogynes, 

 belias, lycastes, odontogiossums, oncidiums, dendrobiums, and vandas. On the 

 motion of Mr. Dunn, supported by the President, a hearty vote of thanks was 

 awarded to Mr. Ireland for his most interesting and instructive lecture. — D. T. F. 



READING AND DISTRICT GARDENERS' MUTUAL 



IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. 



One of the largest atttendances of members during the present season 

 assembled on Monday evening last in the Club Room, under the presidency of 

 Mr. C. B. Stevens, to hear a paper on " The Cultivation of a Few Useful 

 Flowering Plants for Stove and Warm Greenhouse," by Mr. Townsend, gardener 

 to Sir William Farrer, Sandhurst. The large attendance fully testified to the 

 esteem in which Mr. Townsend is held, and appreciation of the services rendered 

 by him in adding to the interest of the society's meetings by continued exhibits of 

 interesting flowering plants, &c. The lecturer, in introducing his subject, said 

 that in taking up the subject for the evening, he would treat with those plants 

 which, with proper treatment, are easily managed, and are for the most part in- 

 expensive to buy, and are prettier than houses of chrysanthemums which are 

 grown in far too large a quantity in most private gardens, to the detriment of 

 many beautiful flowering plants. The following subjects were touched upon, and 

 short but ample cultural instructions were given of each : — Achimenes, Begonia 

 manicata, B. Ingrami, B. fuchsioides, B. insignis, B. corallina, Justicia speciosa, 

 J. flavacoma, 1 Ieterocentrum roseum, Centradenia rosea, Centropogon Lucianus, 

 Clerodendron splendens, C. Balfouri, Scutellaria mocciniana, S. pulcherra, Eran- 

 themum pulchellum, Thrysacanthus rutilans, Dendrobium nobile, Anthurium 

 Scherzerianum, Phaius grandifolius, Zygopetalum Mackeyi, Libonia floribunda, 

 Ilahrotharamis Newelli, Streptosolon Jamesoni, Salvia Pitcheri, Diplacus hybridus 

 splendens, Torenia Fournieri, Exacum affinis. A lengthy discussion took place, 

 which drifted chiefly to the advantage or disadvantage of pruning Dendrobium 

 nobile. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Townsend for his unique and 

 practical paper. 



An interesting collection of cut blooms was exhibited by the lecturer, the 

 most noticeable being Centradenia rosea, Clerodendron Balfouri, Phaius grandi- 

 folius, Zygopetalum Mackeyi, Habrothamnus Newelli, Streptosolon Jamesoni, and 

 the various begonias named above. Mr. Bound, Bill Hill Gardens, showed some 

 blooms of a good type of Dendrobium Finleyanum, and Odontoglossum Rossi 

 major. ' !* 



Markets. 



Covent Garden. 



Owing to the short supply and keen demand for good fruit, prices are high. Oranges 

 are mod* rately cheap. Vegetables fairly plentiful, but prices are rising. Potato trade 

 slightly better than of late. Cut flower trade good. 



Fruit. — English grapes, 2s. to 3s. per lb.; Almeria, 12s. to 20s. per ban-el; 

 American and Nova Scotian apples, 12s. to 28s. per barrel ; bananas, 5s. to 10s. per 

 bunch ; pineapples, 2s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. each ; lemons, 8s. to 15s. per case; French pears, 

 6s. to 8s. 6d. per crate; Valencia oranges, 8s. to 16s. per case ; Jaffa, 8s. to 12s. per 

 box. 



Flowers.— Arums, 2s. to 3s.; carnations, is. to 3s.; eucharis, 3s. to 4s.; 

 gardenias, 6s. to 9s. ; Lilium Harrisi, 2s. to 4s. ; tea roses, 6d. to is. ; pink roses, 

 4s. to 8s. ; cattleyas, 6s. to 9s. ; Odontoglossum crispum, is. 6d. to 4s, ; tulips, 6d. to 

 is. 3d. ; and tuberoses, is. to is. 6d. per dozen blooms ; Adiantura cuneatum, 4s. to 8s.; 

 marguerites, 2s. to 4s.; narciss, various, is. 6d. to 3s.; Roman hyacinth, 4s. to 63. ; 

 daffodils 4s. to 6s ; mignonette, 2s. to 4s.; pelargoniums (scarlet), 4s. to 6s.; 

 wallflowers, 4s. to 6s. ; and violets, 9d. to 3s. 6d. per dozen bunches ; azaleas, 4d. to 

 6dj ; stephanotis, 4s. to 6s. ; lily of the valley, 6d. to is. 6d. ; and pelargoniums, 

 6d. to 9d per dozen sprays : bouvardias. 6d. to 8d. ; white lilac, 3s. to 4s. per bunch. 

 Vegetables.- Canary tomatos, iod. to is. 6d. per tray, 3s. 6d to 4s. 6d. per 

 ; celery, 6s. to 12s. per dozen bunches ; seakale, 12s. to 18s. per dozen punnets; 

 eichallots, 2s. to 2$. 6d. ; mushrooms, 6s. to 8s. per 12 lb. ; English onions, 5s. 6d. 

 to 7s. perewt. ; Valencia, 6s. 6d to 95. per case ; Brussels sprouts, 2s. to 3s. ; spinach, 

 2s. to 2s. 6d. per bushel ; savoys and cabbages, 3s. 6d. to 59, 6d. beetroot, 2s. to 3s. 

 per tally ; Italian cauliflowers, 2s. 9d. to 4s. per basket; Cornish broccoli, 6s. to 85. 

 per crate; cucumbers, 4s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. ; French lettuce, 9d. to is. 3d. ; endive, 

 is. 3d. to is. 9d. per dozen ; rhubarb, is. to is. 6d. per dozen bundles ; carrots, 

 2s. 6d to 3s. 6d ; green mint, 4s. to 5s. per dozen bunches ; asparagus, 2s. to 83, per 

 bundle; new Canary potatos, 10s. to 15s.; Malta, 16s. to 18s. per cwt. 



Borough Potato Market. 



steady qU change m price is reported; supplies are large, and the demand is 



MaSS^* 5 ' l X f'Jt° ; Hebrons ' 8 Ss. to ioos. ; Snowdrops, 80s. to 90s. ; Bruce 

 Mamcrop and button's Regents, 80s. to 85s. ; Reading Giants and Saxons, 80s. per 

 ton ; Belgians, 3s. to 3 s. 6d. ; Germans, ai M ™>r h** P 



Exa ™ p ' es W ?rthy of Imitation. -One of the most pleasing features of 

 innlTLi mhcm r s f how of the Scotch Horticultural AssocLion is the 



*Stl t ST* * C " fo ' the ^ Gardeners' Orphan Fund, -this realised 

 tSh \fcAi C tf - C "A ******* under the management of the president, Mr. 



Z 1 ') I i ; ssesTodd - Mr; H.J. Jones, of Lewisham, also adopt the 



total of Sal 1 7a Z aa- ? athered last year £14 3^ id.— the two making a 

 and To likewise. — LX TVF* L " " to * that man y morc societies *® g° 



Editorial 



Editor will be glad to receive photographs of gardens, plants flo^ 

 fruits, &c, for reproduction in the Gardeners' Magazine HeTm F* 1 



rtrAotiv nhliorpd hv corresDondents spnHino- Mrin inf; — , . 1 ^ wobr 



interesting lot 



events relating 



staining matta 

 :sied to dfeacth 



fruits 



the Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, 

 Surrey, and as early in the week as possible 

 prepaid. 



Secretaries ot horticultural societies are invited to send early notification of fart 

 coming exhibitions and meetings, and are requested to advise us conceit 

 change of dates ^ 



Four-Stemmed Hyacinth Spike.— S. C., Crouch Hill: Thesp-da* 



sent was a curious example of fasciation, the four spikes being so tightly presed 

 together at the base as to become joined. If all the force of the bulb had beet 

 concentrated in the first instance on one good spike the result would have beta 

 better. It would appear that as soon as the four spikes proved too much for the 

 bulb it endeavoured to bind them ; too late, however. 



Fringed Primula.— R. T., Tunbridge Wells: The primula sent isavew 

 pretty one, but the flowers are scarcely large enough for modern growers. Tae 

 flowers, however, are beautifully frilled and fringed, while the colouring is mog 

 attractive. The foliage is also distinct. If the habit is good and fljters are 

 freely produced in large trusses it would be worth while to increase the stock 001 

 that the variety is fixed. You might submit a specimen to some nurserjnm « 

 seedsman who makes a speciality of primulas, just to test its value. 



Currant Bud Gall Mite on Filberts.— E. H., Hailsham \ Web* 



never seen filberts infested with the bud gall mite previously, although the birch is 

 sometimes badly attacked. Whether the same species (Phytoptusribs)dSiA 

 all three, or whether there are several species, has not yet been ascertained. 

 often the commencement of bud gall mite attack passes unnoticed, and so the 

 bushes are infested before one is aware of the fact. Now that black currants ait 

 being so badly attacked it becomes the duty of every grower to carefully wild 

 his bushes and remove swelled buds directly they are noticed. 



Properties of a Good Primrose and Polyanthus.— A good pi* 



rose should have large flowers borne on stout stalks, so as to bring it atoe 

 the foliage. The bloom must be regular in outline, clear in colour, fUttish, tad 

 with the tube well filled with anthers. The properties of a good primroaciR 

 not so exacting as with the case of auriculas and polyanthuses. In the latter th« 

 must be a stout peduncle not too tall, carrying a large and full t russ of flowosw 

 "pips." Each flower must be regular, flat, and of a bright colour ; the cent* 

 tube should be well filled with anthers. In the case of gold -laced vantto 

 the lobes must be evenly edged with yellow, and the edging must cut throup» 



brown, red, or black of the lobe, and meet the central golden area, ititwm 

 should be full and rounded, instead of loose and flat ; disbudding is treqMBJ 

 necessary to ensure a good truss of finely- developed flowers. 



Fungus on Chrysanthemums.- T. W. B, Sheffield : : Your young pjji 



are suffering from an attack of the Chrysanthemum Leaf Kust \ in ^T 

 [Uredo] Chrysanthemi), a fungus not unlike the Carnation Rust m ™ an >£j2 

 and one that has done a large amount of damage in recent years. ; our D ^T| 

 will be to cut away and barn all affected foliage, and dip the : plants in a sww 

 of sulphide of potassium, using half an ounce of this to one gallon ot water. ^ 

 the a' tack is very light it may not be necessary to remove the foliage, ou i 

 gently rub the fungus spots while dipping the plants. Where the stock ^ 

 to be affected it is a good plan to dip the plan's at frequent intc ™^ 

 sulphide of potassium mixture until all signs of the fungus haw j™JWJ fc 

 Over propagation and a close and moist atmosphere have prooaoiy v 

 young plants in a position to court attack. _ ^ H u 



pillars, » * 



member of the genus Agrotis, and closely allied to the Heart aria j «> ^ m 

 mild weather has persuaded it to leave its winter quarters and tee a V ^ # 

 succulent of the herbaceous plants ; later on, if not destroyed, tn e • jf- 

 turn to brown chrysalids, and a month after that the moth will *?y . . . 

 lay eggs from which another generation of caterpillars n«cn ^4 

 Feeding is generally done at night. The best means ot » a ™"*> ^hef* 

 these pests is to lightly fork the surface and pick out the c ** er P ^00* 

 turned up, as they seldom go lower than three inches after tney ^ ^ ^ ^ 



Caterpillars Attacking: Herbaceous Plants 



. _ searching. 



dvisabilky oMp 



ii^uiijg. x icau gas llllic Will (jUlCKiy rviii Liiv- --j 



there are growing plants, as it would kill them. If, after cai 

 still troubled with the pests it will be well to consider the aav 

 the plants to another site next autumn, gas liming the oia 

 months before any other crop is inserted. mcaD5 bf 



Crickets in Vineries.-T. W. Sheffield: T here "'S f**^ 

 which crickets may be prevented from over-running vineries ^ r( .. 5teoce of * 



doe* 



every 



, much aepencis u H u " . ; h ^ rern edy — ^ 

 operator as the means employed. The great failing is that it tn o(aJS e^ ** 

 effect its purpose at once to consider it worthless. Mix an o of 

 half a pint of honey and place portions of the mixture on P 1 ^" 6 lenti f u l 

 earthenware ; stand these about the house where the crickets .a i^k^ chi id«t" 

 evening, and remove them in the morning. < >n no accou ^ ya. 2 

 domestic animals to the Iwkmmc where such poisonous j ten , ts» 



i3 ive nights provided n v***^ Kf* 

 to tempt crickets and codaoa ^ 



_ w . w . M sides and top, and ed ^ tbe holesJJ 



oatmeal mixed with dry salt, will also prove an attractive rap- ^ IbS k* 

 the crickets frequent can be found, pour some carbolic acwi" ^ cricke ts 

 keeping to the honey and arsenic it will be advisable to terny 



sized box with holes 



ie too dry 

 bored in 



