March ig, 1898. 



GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE 



191 



the secretary would not be by any means overpaid. Mr. Burge proposed, and 

 Mr. Cole seconded, that after the words " lower scale " in Rule 14^ the words 

 "with the privilege of increasing this to," should be added. This rule has 

 reference to the two scales of payment in vogue. The addition was agreed upon 

 after it had been pointed out that the conjunction "and" following "lower 

 scale " in the old rule would have to be deleted. A proposition to strike out the 

 word "successive" after "twenty-six" in Rule 14, relating to the amount of 

 full sick pay any member is entitled to receive, was moved by Mr. Thomson and 

 seconded by Mr. Winter, both of whom showed that it was necessary to omit the 

 word u successive " to prevent any imposition upon the society. The old rule 

 •would allow a member to have, say, twenty-five weeks' full sick pay, and then 

 another similar period after an interval of perhaps a fortnight or so. The idea of 

 the movers was to prevent any one member from having more than an aggregate of 

 twenty-six weeks' full sick pay during any period of fifty-two weeks. An indepen- 

 dent listener to the discussion would have inferred that the society had been 

 imposed upon or had barely escaped imposition, but this was shown not to have 

 been the case. It was eventually decided to omit the word " successive 99 in the 

 rule under notice. 



Mr. Cole moved that the Convalescent Fund be now incorporated into the 

 society's affairs by rule, and that a new rule, to be called Rule i8a, should be 

 added to those already drawn up. Mr. Marshall seconded the motion, and it was 

 unanimously agreed to adopt the new rule, which reads thus : " Voluntary 

 Convalescent Fund. — The object of this fund is to give members a change of air 

 during convalescence. The Committee of Management to have power to relieve 

 members of this society from this voluntary fund as they may deem advisable. All 

 cases must be recommended by a duly qualified medical practitioner." 



A further vote of thanks to Mr. G. Wythes for continuing as chairman con- 

 cluded the proceedings. 



ISLE OF WIGHT HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



The monthly meeting of the Isle'of Wight Horticultural Improvement Associa- 

 tion was held at Newport a few days since. Dr. J. Groves, B.A., J.P., presided 

 over a large attendance of members. Mr. J. H. Larkin, Los Altos, Sandown, 

 .prepared a paper on " The Cultivation of Asparagus," of which the following is 

 an abstract : Asparagus, said Mr. Larkin, thrives best in a deep, sandy, well- 

 manured soil. When I have a new bed made I select a nice open piece of 

 land, and have it deeply trenched and well manured. I prefer beds about four 

 feet six inches wide, and planted with three rows of plants at about sixteen inches 

 from row to row, and the plants nine inches apart. I generally procure good one- 

 year old plants. The best time I consider for planting is from the middle of April 

 to the middle of May, Of course planting can be done earlier, but I believe it to 

 be a mistake to plant asparagus too soon, as if it should be a cold spring the roots 

 are so liable to decay. Watering assists growth in dry weather, and liquid manure 

 is very beneficial to poor soil, also a little salt occasionally during early growth. I 

 believe in clearing off the grass early in the autumn before the seed berries fall, as 

 it is a mistake to leave them to ripen and fall on to the beds, as, in consequence, a 

 considerable number of seedlings come up and cover the bed, which are quite as 

 troublesome as weeds, and should be pulled up. After the beds have been cleared 

 of weeds and grass I generally give a good dressing of rotten manure and seaweed, 

 and let it lay till March ; and if the weather is inclined to be fine, we simply take 

 a wooden rake and draw off the rough material on the surface. It is important 

 not to exhaust the crowns by cutting too late in the season, unless we have a very 

 late spring. I do not cut after the third week in June, and am careful not to allow 

 an inexperienced person to cut the heads, as they so often injure those just pushing 

 from the crowns, and reduce supplies. I have had nothing to do with forcing 

 asparagus of late years, but when occupying a position where early supplies were 

 required, we used to endeavour to send to the kitchen at Christmas forced rhubarb, 

 seakale, and asparagus. We used to use ordinary brick melon pits, filled in with 

 prepared stable manure and leaves well trodden down to within one foot of the 

 glass. ^ Two days afterwards this was covered with a layer of mellow soil about 

 three inches thick. As soon as the fermenting material had arrived to a safe tem- 

 perature, from 70 to 80 degrees, strong roots were carefully lifted and placed 

 •closely together on the warm soil and then covered with some more prepared soil. 

 The manure should be well trodden to prevent too much sinking and to keep in 

 the heat. In fact, you want the bed to be prepared in much the same manner as 

 for mushrooms— that is, firm and solid. The only attention required afterwards is 

 to cover up the frames from frost and to give an occasional watering, a little salt 

 being dissolved in the water. A little ventilation will be required in mild weather. 

 If blanched asparagus is required, that can readily be obtained by excluding the 

 hght. Though, as I have said, I have myself cut asparagus on a Christmas 

 morning I do not recommend forcing asparagus quite so early, as by commencing 

 to force in February much better results are obtained, the flavour being more 

 highly appreciated. The variety I prefer is Connover's Colossal, but there are 

 several other varieties in cultivation of much merit. 



Mr. R. Pai sons obtained the association certificate for cultural merit for a collec- 

 **° n °f cyclamen. After some discussion the forms of certificates to forthcoming 

 Island shows, and the question of printing the monthly proceedings, were adjourned 

 •to another meeting. 



V WaS decided *? hold the A P ril meeting at Shanklin, and that it should take 

 the form of an exhibition of spring flowers. The arrangements of excursions were 

 Jelt in the hands of the secretary. Twelve new members were elected. 



on 



THE SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION'S 



MAJORITY. 



This society, which is now between six and seven hundred strong, celebrated 

 its sturdy majority by a supper, under the chairmanship of its president, Mr. Todd, 

 Wednesday, March 9, in the Bemrose Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh, 

 x iiere was a good gathering of representative horticulturists, the croupiers being 

 Messrs. Dunn and R. W. E. Murray. The Corporation of Edinburgh were 

 ably represented by Bailies Hay and Mackenzie ; visitors by Messrs. 

 Kobertson (Glasgow), and W. P. Melville (Dundee). Among other members 

 and friends were: Messrs. Dunn, Janes, Grieve, Loney, D. T. Fort, W. 

 McKmnon, A. Mell, W. Carmichael, Byron, D. P. Laird, R. Laird (the 

 energetic secretary), and many others. The usual loyal toasts were given by the 

 president in patriotic and enthusiastic terms. In the absence of Mr. R. W. E. 

 Murray^ the Secretary (Mr. R. Laird) proposed " The Army, Navy, and Reserve 

 t\r C ?f' Mr. Mackenzie then proposed 14 The Lord Provost and Magistrates of 

 i^am burgh," gracefully acknowledging the assistance received from the Corpora- 

 f carr y in 8 thr °ugh their great shows. For many generations it had been the 

 gooa fortune of Edinburgh to be ruled by a body of intelligent, patriotic, and far- 

 peeing men. He could look back to 1851, and was simply astonished at the pro- 

 gress they had made in various directions, especially in the sanitation and adorn- 

 ment [of their fair city. Bailie Hay responded in an eloquent and able speech. 



As great educators, it afforded them much pleasure to foster the love and culture of 

 flowers, and to know that their services in these directions, amid their ardous duties, 

 were appreciated by the members of this association and kindred societies. Bailie 

 Hay subsequently, m proposing the toast of the evening, " The Scottish Horticul- 

 tural Association," dwelt on the small beginnings of their society in the Bible 



They had been ^ded together for the noble art of horticulture, 

 and had now reached a strong and healthy majority. They had been most sue- 

 cessful, and he was sure the citizens of Edinburgh owed them a deep debt of 

 gratitude for the privilege of visiting their chrysanthemum show, which was the 

 admiration of all classes of people and second to none in the world. He hoped 

 the corporation would always be in touch with them, and would never stint their 

 donations to this and other kindred institutions. He gave place to no one in his 

 love and admiration for their association, which had done so much good in the 

 past and was capable of doing even more good in the future. The toast was 

 most cordially received, and responded to in able and eloquent terms by the 

 President (Mr. Todd). He said they had done what they could to deserve success. 

 The public had backed up their efforts, and ample success had followed. They 

 had had no ebbtide, and their success had gone on year after year. They had 

 added to their numbers and increased their usefulness. Since the chrysanthemum 

 shows were established they had gone on with unvarying success. They were 

 most grateful for all the help rendered by the corporation. The public had come 

 to look upon their show as one of the most attractive entertainments ot the year 

 in their city. With every fresh success they had attempted to strengthen and 

 widen their attempts at bringing together the very best in the way of chrysanthe- 

 mum and other floral products, and those certainly culminated in their last show. 

 They had also, he thought, done wisely and well in devoting part of their income 

 to charity. Mr. J. P. Laird proposed " Gardeners and Gardening," to which 

 Mr. Dunn replied ; Mr. A. J. Johnstone " The Nursery and Seed Trade," to 

 which Mr. Milne replied ; Mr. Bailie Mackenzie " Kindred Societies," replied to 

 by Mr. W. P. Melville ; " The Founders 99 by Mr. D. Mitchell, replied to by 

 Mr. Robertson Munro ; " Commercial Horticulture " by Mr. Long, replied to 

 by Mr. Scarlett ; " The Secretary and Treasurer 99 by Mr. McKinnon ; and " The 

 Chairman, President Tcdd," by Mr. D. T. Fish. At the conclusion of a very 

 full programme of speeches, songs, &c, which made the evening pass speedily 

 and pleasantly, the President, in his own name and that of all the preceding 

 presidents, presented the association with a handsome album containing all their 

 photographs, which will prove of very considerable horticultural and historical 

 interest later on. D. T. F m 



Obituary. 



Professor Kirk, F.L.S., the distinguished botanist and arboriculturist, who for 

 a long period occupied an important position in the Department of Woods and 

 Forests of New Zealand, died a short time since in that colony. Professor Kirk, 

 who was of Scotch extraction, spent the greater part of a long life in New Zea- 

 land, and rendered valuable service on behalf of the arboricultural features of 

 the islands. He was a distinguished botanist, and his " Forest Flora of New 

 Zealand 99 is the standard work upon the forest growths native to the islands. 

 Since the production of his principal work he has continued, from time to time, 

 to publish interesting monographs upon New Zealand timbers. A very valuable 

 report on the trees suitable for forest cultivation in the colony was issued by him 

 in 1886, at which time he held the position of Conservator of State Forests in 

 New Zealand, and he is understood to have been engaged up to^ the moment of 

 his death upon a great work devoted to the botany of Australasia. 



Coming Events. 



Ascot and Sunningdale Chrysanthemum Society, November 16 and 17, 

 Falkirk Summer Show, August 27. 

 Falkirk Spring Show, March 31. 



Huddersfield Chrysanthemum Show, November 11 and 12. 



Liverpool Spring Show, March 30. 



Newton Stewart Floral Fete, August 17. 



R.H.S. of Ireland Spring Show, April 1. 



Stirling Horticultural Society, September 1 and 2. 



MARKETS. 



Covent Garde 



There is a moderate supply of fruit on offer, but prices are high and trade generally 

 is quiet Oranges meet a fair demand. Green vegetables are in request, and there is 

 a moderate potato trade. Cut flower trade fairly brisk, t „ 



Fruit —American and Nova Scotian apples, 15s. to 25s. per barrel ; Kngiish 

 CTarjes as to 3s.: Belgian, is. 6d. to is. gd. pe: lb.; pineapples, 2s. to 6s. each; 

 CaDe peaches 6s. to 10s. per box; bananas, 4s. to 10s. per bunch; dates, 10s. to 

 Tss 6d ner cwt : Valencia oranges, 8s. to 15s. per case ; JafU, 8s. 6d. to 12s. per 

 box ; Canary toiiiatos, iod. to is. 6d. per tray, 3 s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. per case; lemons, 



8S ' FlowkS r ^iins, 2s. to 3- ; carnations, rs. to 3s. ; eucharis. 3s. to 4s. ; 

 nrdenZ A to^s^ Lilium Harrisi, 2s. to 4s.; tea roses. 6d. to is.; pink roses, 

 5fS^' ittlev A 6s to qs. ; Odontoglossum crispum, is. 6d. to 4s. \ tulips, 4 d. to 

 1 a \^r^it io il 6d. per dozen blooms ; Adiantum cuneatum, 4s. to 8s.; 

 9d * l^tlfZ ' n^Sss, various, rs. 6d. to 3 s. J Roman hyacinth, 4s. to 6s. ; 



marguentes 2s. to 4*- , ' itet 2 ' s . 4s. ; pelargoniums (scarlet), 4s. to 6s.; 



daffodils, 2s. 6d - t ^^»£ 1 r Ses i od to rs. ; and Violets, gd. to 3 s. 6d. per dozen 

 wallflowers, 4s. to 6s. , J* ™ v ?f£ ' to ^ . Uly Q f the valley, 6d. to is. 6d. ; 



S13&SS.£ -I* SfSSw. i «. .0 8d. ; white .iUc, 



3s. to 4s. per bunch. „ n ijfl owe rs. qs. to 4s. per basket; celery, 6s. to 15s. per 

 VEGETABL^-It^an ^g^J^ ^es&ots, is. 6d. to «. ; mushrooms, 

 dozen rolls ; spinach, 2S^c 2 s. F= f mintj ^ to 



6s. to 8s. per 12 lb- Bros seis sp ^ rhubarbi ^ 



?"\^F&h to5i£ 9 d. toTs. ;'cos ditfo. to 2s. 6d.; cucumbers 3 s. to 



^^l^T^oT', MaE, rounds, g xos. 4 I4 s. per «*.] French, 

 a|d. to 3d. per lb. . 



2 Borough Potato Market* 



Cordis are lieht and prices unaltered, save for an upward tendency for the best 

 stocSf a t?nd^c?that woSd be accentuated if the weather turned cold* for a week 



° r rL.w. M t-oc • Scotch Magnums, 100s. to 110s. ; Hebrons, 100s. ; Snowdrops, 

 oos^SruS* Scroplnd Suuon's Regents, 90s. to 95*. i Reading Giants and 

 Sons, 8^. to 9os. P per ton; Belgians. 3s. 3 d. to 3s. 9 d. ; Germans, 3 s. 6d. to 4s. 



per bag. 



