270 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



April 



2 3, 189ft 



Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. 



£LS % 8?** of the horticultural 



and 



the first thirty years of its existence. With regard to an Sf* 1 * ? k did 

 and contributions, he held that very much might he donp h ! ITf • subsc nptio5 



A very large and influential gathering was present at the annual festival dinner, 

 held at the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole, on the evening of Wednesday, 

 April 20. Charles E. Keyser, Esq., presided, and was supported by Sir Trevor 

 Lawrence, Bart., Messrs. N. N. Sherwood, Martin J. Sutton, Leonard Sutton, 



J. Laing, II. B. May, H. Turner, G. Wythes, G. Gordon, S. Segar, R. Dean, concerts, cxiiiuiuuns, <xt.., m^ui w instituted tor the benefit of th "T T 

 A. H. Weeks, G. Reynolds, R. Cannell, W. Marshall, A. F. Barron, G. Monro, this source alone he thought that not less than ^500 a year oupht vl Frc 

 J. Smith, II. J. Jones, J. G. Veitch, G. Nicholson, Assbee, T. Rochford, P. The function concluded shortly after ten o'clock, and was Jt° 



Kay, and others. The dinner was served in the usual elegant and admirable enjoyable one. The tables were prettily decorated umk a m < 



style that characterises the functions held at this fashionable resort. At the con- 

 clusion of the repast the Chairman submitted the usual loyal toasts in felicitous 

 terms, and these were well received, as is ever the case with a company of 



associations 

 enterprise 



From 



Britishers. 



The toast of the evening, " Continued Prosperity to the Gardeners' Orphan 

 Fund," was proposed by the Chairman, who said he felt the toast was rather a 

 large order for him, and he felt diffident, especially coming after such noblemen 

 and gentlemen who had previously filled the post of chairman at festival dinners. 

 He knew, however, that the cause which brought them together was a first- 

 rate one, and he was glad to announce that it had about ^10,000 invested funds. 

 The orphans under its care numbered nearly seventy, and in providing for these 

 they were dealing with the children of those who had been connected with horti- 

 culture and had fallen by the way. The committee, he said, were sorry they 

 could not afford more assistance, and he hoped he might persuade those present 

 to unload their pockets for the sake of the orphan and the fatherless. He 

 appealed to those who had been blessed with comfortable circumstances to 

 aid the fund, as by so doing they were often helping in a very material 

 manner the widow who also has been left unprovided for. The 

 Chairman said he felt quite proud to preside over such a large attendance, and he 

 felt sure that as so many had returned from Ghent to attend the dinner they had a 

 very great and hearty interest in the charity, and would do alj they could to make 

 the contribution list of the evening a very large one. In conclusion, he eulogised 

 the services of their treasurer, N. N. Sherwood, Esq., who for so long had held 

 his present position and done so much for the fund. With the toast he coupled 

 the name of Mr. Sherwood. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm and followed 

 by rounds of cheering. In response, Mr. Sherwood returned thanks for his 

 hearty reception, and thanked the chairman in a most hearty manner for his 

 presence at their annual dinner. He then briefly referred to the posi- 

 tion of the fund, its usefulness, and. its need. He reminded the meet 

 ing that last year the subscriptions fell cfT a little, and that regular 

 annual subscriptions were greatly needed, so that an assured income 

 might be obtained. He hoped to see the time when all the orphans who 

 were needy would be put on the fund as each annual election-day came round. 

 He also suggested that gardeners should bring the matter before their employers, 

 and as one way of helping the fund, suggested that owners of large horticultural 

 establishments should contribute thirteen guineas per year, and so maintain one 

 orphan, and this subscription might be on the' name of the mansion, a favourite 

 child, or otherwise be a memorial. He always did all he could for the society, 

 and it was a great pleasure and recompense to read some of the thankful letters 

 received from widows who had children on the fund. Such letters went to his 

 heart, and would do to those of others could they but read them. Such letters 

 showed what a grand institution they were assisting. Mr. Sherwood's brief but 

 able speech was well received by the company. 



The next item was the reading of the subscription list, and as various familiar 

 names and the amounts pron.ised were made known, the applause grew louder 

 and the company very enthusiastic. The following is the list as read : Mr. C. E. 

 J^yser, £ Il6 l6s# . Mr> A ssbee, £6$ 6s.; Mr. N. N. Sherwood, ^58 14s.; 

 Mr. Revnolds, £32 18s. ; Mr. N. M. Rothschild, £26 5s.; Mr. M. J. 

 Sutton, £ 25 ; Mr. L. Sutton, £25 ; Mr. A. de Rothschild, £10 10s. ; Mr. S. M. 

 Srg:ir f /19119s. ; Mr. A. W. Weeks, £16 5s. ; Mr. J. McLeod, £10 16s. 6d. ; 

 Mr. W. Robinson, £10 10s. ; Mr. A. W. Sutton, £$ ; Mr. H. J. Adams, £$ 5s. ; 

 Mr. J. P>. Stevenson, £6 ; Messrs. Dicksons, Chester, ^5. These, with further 

 smaller amounts, made up a grand total of a little more than £515. 



The toast of 4 -Gardeners and Gardening" was proposed by Mr. Martin J. 

 button, who said he came to fill the place that should have been occupied by his 

 brother, Mr. A. W. Sutton, who had been detained by the illness of one of his 

 children. He observed that he was not a gardener, and that, strange as it might 

 seem, he had no garden ; he was an agriculturist, and as such he could not but 

 admire the intelligence and spirit of gardeners as a body. He felt perfectly sure 

 t i.U one of the methods by which agricultural prosperity might be restored was 

 that the farmer should become a great deal more of the gardener. He referred to 

 the remarkable advance made in horticulture, and concluded by expressing the 

 opinion that gardeners were a splendid set of men. Mr. A. H. Weeks responded, 

 and thanked Mr. Sutton for his eulogistic remarks anent the horticultural pro- 

 fession and horticulturists. The latter were always among the most trusted of AU 1U1I 

 servants, and they often took far more care of their employer's property than of and cc 

 their own. One had only to become acquainted with horticulturists to fully usual 

 appreciate them. H 7 \lnis 



" T^'u^'i £ rarshaI1 > the chairman of the Executive Committee, ably proposed effect. 



Ihe Health of the Chairman," stating that whatever other claim he had upon be spa 

 their notice, Mr. Keyser claimed their attention for the admirable way he had to det 

 presided, and the handsome manner in which he had helped the fund financially. f re qu e 

 lie was glad to say that the fund was now becoming widely known and British in blo< 

 gardeners were understanding that it had been instituted and was being kept eighte. 



were accorded all the foregoing firms. The musical arrangements' 

 were in the hands of Mr. Herbert Schartau, who, as usual, provided 

 entertainment. 



stes of thanks 

 ){ the evening 

 an admirable 



Landscape Gardening. 



Design. 



rules can be insisted on 



with regard to design, but a few general principles may be laid down Sites srik 

 and environment largely dominate our landscapes. In fact some one has truly saS 

 that gardens should grow out of rather than be imposed upon their surrounding 

 Simply to copy another place or design is to invite failure. Geological formation 

 surface features, extent, climate, aspect, near and distant properties and prospects' 

 powerfully affect our gardens. In the pictures created by landscape gardening the 

 view is always changing— we see the picture on all sides; colours change an 

 plants grow, so that in a few years a mere complementary effect may have 1m nil d 

 to a tall tree and may be wholly marring the original effect in the landscape. In 

 forming the surface of the ground into lines of grace and beauty we can hardly do 

 better than follow pretty closely on the heels and example of Nature. ' In 

 Nature, as already observed, straight lines are seldom found. Straight 

 lines are the production of art, sd the terrace, being artificial, may 

 be treated more formally. Beyond the line of the terrace wall, slope or walk, the 

 design of the garden may be naturally treated and freedom allowed to assist. 

 Uneven ground, curved lines, and planting, are the chief means employed to bridge 

 the barrier between the formal and the natural. Groups should not only be, but 

 always appear to be posted in the right place. By the use of different heights of 

 trees and shrubs great variety is obtained. Keep the prominent points high and 

 the intervening bays low ; avoid monotony and uniformity. Special subjects of 

 interest such as roseries, rivulets, rockeries, groups of sh rubs, and herbaceous 

 plants increase the freshness, variety and beauty of landscapes. 



Lawns express repose, and should be more than a grassy expanse shut in 

 between woods— they should lose themselves as natural openings or glassy glades 

 in a wood. Nothing should, however, block up or decrease the expression of 

 expanse and repose, nor must it be forgotten in respect to distant prospects that 

 the eye involuntarily travels down hollow? ; that trees and shrubs form the richest 

 fringe to lawns, and that the rise and fall from one level to another on Jauns should 

 not be made by one railway-like embankment drop, but by means of the ogee or 

 double curve. Neither should the extent of the whole garden or 4awn ever be 

 visible at a glance. The unfolding as well as the growth should be gradual— there 

 should also be a difference between the furnishingiof the gardens proper and park.— 

 Exotic, more rare, and smaller trees should prevail in the gardens, while in the 

 park big single trees or plantations should appear. In the garden we group the 

 plants in regard to form, colour, size. We plant the hills and bare the vales, 

 but this only expresses half a truth— for Nature plants on every side, not alone 00 

 the hills. The great point is to shun uniformity or monotony of size, form, and 

 colour. 



Terrace and Flower Gardens. 



Coming nearer to the mansion, and with a general reference to a house of the 

 nineteenth century, Mr. Milner proceeded to give much information as to tM 

 formation of parterres and terraces as features' of garden landscape. He st* 1 * * 

 an axiom that the treatment of the ground next the house should be artistically 

 formal, with regular lines of turf, slopes, walks, or beds, all displaying hannonjr, 

 so far as may be, with the architectural character of the building. As aire** 

 shown the foundation of this is laid in gravel or other walks of sufficient width, wan 

 stretches of grass on either side, turf banks and steps leading from higher to Io« 

 levels, and frequently, if sufficient space on the level of the terrace allows a, 

 formal flower garden, either on the same level as the house, or sunk 1 

 foot to a yard below it. Much information was given as to the size and enr- • 

 of terrace gardens. Their general characteristics should be greater Icngu ^ 

 width. Such gardens may be laid out on grass or gravel, and wiw «J 



yew, or other dwarf shrub*. Tn fnmUKirttr these terrace gardens it should dc ^ 



in a panel 1 



«.o U ua, yew, reunosporas, nonies, cuuuyuiw^ 

 As gardens posted so near to the house are always in sig 

 ?d to preserve them always in full freshness and beauty. 



zuccas, haves go* 



:„u, „„ n*ins shorn 



through 



! pu ~ ,y ,. f0T their sakes and that of the children of any who fell in the battle 



^"in,.,Jr,*- t ysei > res P° n ded suitably, saying that he felt he took as great Mr MilnVr 7h ZZZ*"*™* 5 » uu "f 1 



Srfe v'lT u lCU , T, as anyof the noblemen who bad filled the chair in effects 'of SS^S 8 T° i™™' 



Mr \ y (" t \ t H vM alIuded V is * P«ieners-Mr. Gleeson at Stanmore and distance A^T*^™®?™ 



«r. A. Gait at Aldermas on tourt-and said that he honed in future to aflhrd « S 1 2 "? e .- * £ rand a venue &ou\d have 



Much »tt«>w* 

 t, and the 

 :y should be m 

 best when »«* 

 ; ns, when** 

 with the ham- 



to the impo«*l 



[trees* 0 * 1 



*J?£. forty ?°, m *&*5»J**, thelwst tree* being elm, ash, oa M°^ mp le of » 



them ™nl,> nn^T" ,; r 7 iV"""-^ said that he hoped in future to afford 

 provinSuhowTff y of ^P^B their ability at forthcoming London and 

 he felt he oughTto show whaf hU We " t ,he tradesmen exhibited, and as an amateur 



and vegetables. He mcXl^ then followed. " w -op* 



said that he exnecteH f„,»n7 y allu r ded to his share of the subscription list, and With som- r^,,, i u , . * e rwrks md cemeteries, P»»P*J 



have a further ^TJ*^?"™ f ' om «ends abroad, and hoped hefore long to f or gg:*^«> ^ out J&i* to each student * 



and lime, 

 fine avenue 

 then followed. 



■egards estimat*| 



have a further Tcce'srion of /en™ ? OTD l" ends abroad » and ho P« d before lon g to 

 •-ong so many well-known « • an ama teur he was proud to be found 



onerous response to the >l?J Per ? t,Ve § ardeners . and ht; thanked them all for their 



The toastof « The vlZ % ° l ° tKe toast of his healt h- 

 to the value of the dailv D re« Z*? pro P°, sed b y Mr. R. Dean, who alluded briefly 

 to the horticultural press m,;„1?„„ 0 . re J u "y to the S reat indebtedness of the fund 

 editor of the GardfnerV \f» Wllh the toast the name of Mr. G. Gordon, 



Mr Cord q . m 4 **'* 1, azine« 



thetoait.' AU n hOTiSiSSl SSltt-?T Dy ( or their heart y res P°nse to the 

 could for the gardening char£ if * the,r P ,easure ™ d dut y to do a11 they 



~* « inues. He considered that the speedy rise of the 



rough sketch to be enlarged and improved before the exam.nj- 

 concluded a series of lectures that have excited much interest ana s I 

 thought on a branch of our science and art that is far too generally 



.hoc** ^A.,r» m 



Bp** 



Balfour at the close conveyed the he any displl ^d 

 r the ^rasn nf subiect and ability that ne ' Iflcr , 



ing to Mr Mzlner for the grasp of subiect — 



the amount of information he had given them. . 



be prevailed upon to publish the lectures in extenso. 1 

 1 open to the general public, ladies as well as gentleme 



and 



He hoped also 



e tectr 

 being 



were 



welcoi 



quite 



D.T.r 



