JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 12, 1882. ] 
- At a meeting of gentlemen held at the George Hotel, 
Hull, on the 14th inst., to consider the raising of a fund as a 
testimonial to the late Mr. J. C. Niven, the following resolution 
was carried unanimously, viz.—“ ThatTin recognition of the long 
and valued services of the late Mr. James Craig Niven as the 
Curator of the Old Botanic Gardens and the Manager of the 
present Botanic Garden Company, extending over a period of 
twenty-eight years, and of his eminent contributions to the cause 
of botanical science, and as a remembrance of his public worth 
and many gratuitous labours for the'town of Hull, and of the 
sincere respect in which he was held by all who knew him, a 
fund be raised as a testimonial, to be applied for the benefit of 
his widow and children.” At the same meeting a large and 
influential Committee was formed for the purpose of carrying 
out the resolution. Subscriptions to the amount of about £130 
have already been promised, and contributions can be paid to the 
Treasurer, Charles Copland, Esq., The Park, Hull ; or to Messrs. 
Pease & Sons, Bankers, Hull, to the credit of the Niven Testimonial 
Fund. 
- We learn that Mr. James Dickson of Arkleton, the 
renowned Grape-grower, has, by the advice and on the recom¬ 
mendation of his appreciative employer, been appointed gardener 
to Robert Jardine, Esq., M.P., of Castlemilk, a much larger 
garden than the one that he has managed with such great success 
for a number of years. The following is a brief record of Mr. 
Dickson’s success as a cultivator of Grapes—In the year 1869, at 
the Edinburgh International Exhibition, the first prize was 
awarded to him for a bunch weighing 16^- lbs. ; in 1870 his first- 
prize bunch at the Royal Caledonian’s Society Show^ weighed 
19 lbs. 5 ozs. ; in 1871 his first-prize bunch at the same Society’s 
Show weighed 18 lbs. 7 ozs. ; in 1872 his first-prize bunch at 
Glasgow weighed 19 lbs. 6 ozs. ; in 1873 at Manchester his prize 
bunch weighed 1G lb?. 1 oz.; and in the same year another bunch 
at Glasgow weighed 16 lbs. 10 ozs. ; then came the bunch ex¬ 
hibited at Edinburgh in 1875, weighing (by the Judges) 
25 lbs. 15 ozs. 
- Few trees, and certainly no other Conifer, form singly 
such a magnificent feature in the landscape as the Cedar of 
Lebanon ; but it seems to have been considerably neglected by 
the planter in recent times, as comparatively few are to be 
observed in the plantations and ornamental grounds formed 
within the past thirty or forty years. This may be partially 
attributed to the great influx of exotic Conifers of an orna¬ 
mental character which has taken place during that period, and 
partly to the slow progress made by the Cedar in its early stages. 
When once it is fairly established in its permanent site, which 
it often takes ten or fifteen years to accomplish, it grows with 
great vigour, and often reaches a large size before it is a century 
old, especially if planted in a good soil and sheltered situation. 
It thrives best in a deep rich loam, and an open or well-drained 
subsoil; but it is by no means fastidious, and will thrive in 
almost any soil which is neither stiff clay or waterlogged. Planted 
as a forest tree the Cedar makes a straight clean stem, towering 
to a height of 80 feet or more, and having much resemblance in 
the bark and hole to a gigantic Larch crowned with an evergreen 
top. Such a grand tree deserves to be much more extensively 
planted than ever it has been in this country, and planters will 
do well to bear it in mind when arranging for future operations. 
—(Journal of lorestry.') 
- The “Colonies and India” has the following remarks 
upon the fruit trade of Jamaica— “ Exports of Oranges and 
Bananas to the United States is advancing with remarkably 
rapid strides; though, in comparison with the resources of the 
country, it has barely begun. The quantity of fruit sent into the 
market of late has far exceeded the capacity of the steamers and 
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sailing vessels engaged in the traffic, to the loss of the growers 
in several instances. One steamer shut out three thousand barrels 
of Oranges beyond her cargo ; and it is probably not an over¬ 
estimate to rate the total losses for lack of water conveyance at 
eight to ten thousand barrels of Oranges from Kingston alone. 
The quality of the fruit is fully recognised upon the American 
market. The Jamaican Banana is preferred before that of Cuba, 
and we are now supplying the latter island with ‘ suckers ’ of 
better kinds. Considering that the Cubans have been much 
longer in the field of fruit cultivation, this is further cause for 
congratulation. Over two shiploads of suckers have been ex¬ 
ported. The botanic department branch of the Government 
service is also doing energetic work in all matters connected 
with agriculture and horticulture. A hundred thousand young 
plants of timber, fruit, and ornamental trees, shrubs, See., are 
advertised as ready for delivery to the public. An analysis of 
certain Chinchona barks, made by Mr. J. E. Howard, F.R.S., and 
recently published, gives the best results in respect of their 
quality. The experiment of Chinchona cultivation, begun some 
fifteen years ago, has now been carried to a successful issue in 
every respect. All the best varieties can be grown, and there is 
plenty of land suitable for plantations. The quality of the barks 
not only does not deteriorate, but realises the highest prices in 
the world’s market. It only remains, therefore, for capital to 
be invested, and careful management secured, for the handsomest 
profits to result.” 
CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE—EFFECTS OF 
GRAFTING. 
Of the increasing popularity of the Chrysanthemum there can 
be no doubt. This is probably owing to the stimulating effects of 
the many excellent exhibitions which are yearly held. As a 
result of these bright displays in a dull season many are induced 
to try their skill in the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum, and it 
is for these the following remarks are intended, and which have 
reference to the practice generally adopted about Liverpool. 
The present is a good time for inserting cuttings. Strong suckers 
about 3 inches in length should be selected. These may be placed 
singly in 3-inch pots, or several in 5-inch pots. We adopt the 
latter practice, i advocate using good soil in all stages. That 
employed for the cuttings is composed of two parts loam and 
one part each of well-decomposed manure and leaf soil, with a 
good dash of sand. When well rooted they are potted-off singly 
in 4-inch pots in the same compost as before. The plants must 
not be pinched but grown erect with single stems; and should 
green fly appear fumigate with tobacco, or dip the plants in a 
solution of Gishurst compound. They should have a light airy 
position either in a greenhouse or frame from which frost can 
be excluded. When the plants have well advanced shift them 
into pots 6 inches in diameter, using similar soil but rougher, 
potting rather firmly. The plants will then be growing fast 
and will require 'securing to stakes. The first or second week 
in May, should the weather prove favourable, they may be re¬ 
moved to their summer quarters outdoors, which should be a level 
sheltered position, though fully exposed to the sun. Under no 
circumstances must the plants be crowded. Ours are placed in 
single rows, running north and south, 3 feet apart. By the first 
week in June the pots will again be filled with roots, and the 
plants will require shifting into pots 9^ or 10 inches in diameter, 
but not larger. The compost for this potting may be the same as 
before, with the addition of bonemeal at the rate of half a peck to 
three barrowloads of soil. The pots must be carefully drained, 
and the plants potted firmly. 
When from 2 to 3 feet high the plants will naturally break into 
three or more branches ; if more the weakest must be removed, 
the others must be retained. All side shoots must be removed. 
As the plants progress in growth care must be taken to prevent 
injury by strong winds. Long stout stakes painted green are 
best, but when hundreds are required these are not always at 
command. A simple substitute is to place strong stakes at 
intervals, suspending from these lines of strong tar cord after the 
manner of an espalier fence. The shoots are easily secured to 
these. 
When the pots are filled with roots the application of liquid 
manure may be commenced. This must be well diluted ; in fact 
