468 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
o these being put in for growing-on bedding-out plants, and are 
planted out immediately the latter are removed to the flower beds. 
I do not like a rich soil, a medium in which a sturdy robust 
growth is of preference to a soil which forces on the plants to 
make a coarse growth. The Bouvardias and Eupatoriums are 
frequently pinched to ensure a thoroughly bushy growth, and 
water is given as required. The other plants named are grown 
in the kitchen garden. In our case no special preparation of the 
soil is made, as we find that a soil which produces good vege¬ 
tables is equally well fitted to produce healthy flowering plants. 
The time we plant out is about the beginning of June, the 
second week generally. The plants have all been inured to stand 
the weather by a three-weeks exposure in a warm position out of 
doors. The Richardia is divided before planting, two strong 
growths being left on each piece divided ; as the plants are put 
out the foliage is secured to a strong stick. Astilbes are also 
divided before planting out. Deutzias, Solanums, Pelargoniums, 
Primulas, and Cinerarias (both of the latter old plants) are merely 
turned out of their pots. Chrysanthemums are plants which are 
struck in April and grown in the cutting pots, from whence they 
are turned out into the garden. During the summer these are 
supported by tying the plants to lines of string fastened to strong 
sticks set a few yards apart in each row. I invariably obtain the 
latest supply of bloom from Chrysanthemums treated as above. 
If planted in dry weather each receives a sufficient quantity of 
water to give it a start. The plants are lifted about the end of 
September, and are half lifted about ten days earlier in order to 
check growth. Callas are grown in 9 and 10-inch pots, the same 
plants producing flowers from November till they are divided the 
following spring. Chrysanthemums are lifted and again plauted 
in a cool house. Astilbe and Deutzias are as a rule left until 
shortly before they are required for forcing. All the others are, 
after being potted, kept in a cool corner out of doors until slightly 
established in pots, which are invariably small for the size of 
plants, and are then drafted to houses without any injury by 
fagging.—B. 
“ X., Northl York," writes :—“ It has been announced that 
95,000 persons visited the Royal Gardens, Kew, last Whit- 
Monday—an astonishing number, and I should like to know what 
system of computation or registration is adopted, for it appears 
almost incredible. I have heard many doubts expressed concern¬ 
ing the rather alarming statements in the annual totals of visitors 
which appear in the Kew reports.” 
- A beautiful Gentianaceous plant is Exacum macran- 
thum, which is still rarely seen, though it has now been in culti¬ 
vation about thirty years. It has fine rich purplish blue flowers, 
somewhat resembling some of the Solanums, but especially E. ama- 
zonicum. It has* long yellow anthers, and ribbed bright green 
opposite leaves, its general appearance being rather suggestive of 
the Melastomads. It is found at elevations of 6000 feet in the 
mountains of Ceylon, and seeds were first sent to this country 
about 1852. It thrives well in a stove or intermediate house. 
- The Antwerp Rose Society proposes holding an Inter¬ 
national Congress of Rosarians on the 13th of August. Sub¬ 
jects akin to the following will be discussed (a) The best mode 
of organising Rose exhibitions ; ( b ) Rose synonyms in catalogues ; 
(c) The possibility of checking the introduction of Roses of in¬ 
ferior merit; ( d ) The formation of an International Rose Society. 
These subjects have an international importance, and it is to be 
hoped that some of the members of the Committee of the National 
Rose Society will respond to the invitation of the Antwerp Pre¬ 
sident (M. Lenaerts), and represent Great Britain at this friendly 
gathering. Visitors will see not only an International Exhibition 
of Roses, but also the fetes connected with the development of 
the magnificent line of quays at Antwerp. 
- We have received the schedule of the South Shields 
Chrysanthemum and Winter Flower Show, in which good 
prizes are offered in thirty classes. It would appear from the 
prospectus that Chrysanthemums are not by any means so largely 
grown i the north as in the south, and a strenuous endeavour 
is being made to extend and improve their culture in Durham. 
Influential patrons have been secured, and a practical committee 
formed for attaining the above object, and we trust their efforts 
will be successful. The first Show is to be held at South Shields 
on November 29th and 30th, Mr. Bernard Cowan being the 
Honorary Secretary. 
- We are informed that Mr. John Fletcher, florist, of 
Millcat Hill, North Brierley, near Bradford, died on the 
21th ult., aged sixty-nine years. He was an ardent florist for 
upwards of fifty years, and grew in succession Tulips, Auriculas, 
Polyanthuses, and Dahlias. Of late years he has confined himself 
principally to Roses, Pinks, Carnations, and Picotees. Of the latter 
he has left a good collection. He was well known as the raiser of 
several varieties of Carnations and Picotees, notably Mr. Fawcett, 
S.B. ; Lord Derby, p.f. ; Clipper, S.F. Mary Ann, R.F., &cc. His 
death makes the third which has occurred amongst Lancashire 
and Yorkshire florists during the months of April and May, and 
florists generally have to deplore the loss of [Mr. Woodhead of 
Shibden Head ; Mr. Thomas Mellor, [Ashton-under-Lyne ; and 
now of Mr. John Fletcher, who will long be missed at the National 
meetings at Manchester. For the present we understand it is 
Mrs. Fletcher’s intention to grow the plants, assisted by her sons, 
who during their father’s long illness, aided by kind neighbours, 
have paid good attention to the plants. Descended from an old 
florist stock, Mr. Fletcher w ; as esteemed by everyone who knew 
him, and it can be safely said of him that he never made an enemy 
or lost a friend. 
- A. Society has been formed in Cincinnati to promote the 
planting of trees in the United States. From the repor 
of this organisation it appears that, owing to the marvellous de¬ 
velopment of the country, the woods and forests are disappearing 
at an alarming rate, the demand for timber being greatly in ex¬ 
cess of the natural supply. As a remarkable fact in connection 
with the timber denudation, it was stated that 390,000 cubic feet 
of pine were consumed annually in the manufacture of lucifer 
matches alone. 
- Gardening Appointments.— Mr. William Dumble, fore¬ 
man, Rangemore Gardens, has been appointed gardener to C. 
Corbet, Esq., Adderly Hall, Salop. Mr. John Rudd, foreman, 
Rangemore Gardens, has been appointtd Superintendent of the 
Burton-on-Trent Recreation and Cemetery Grounds ; and Mr. J. 
Sew’ard, late of Tooting, has been appointed head gardener to J. S. 
Clay, Esq., Ford Manor, Lingfield, Surrey. 
- The Nuneaton Floral and Horticultural Society 
will hold an Exhibition of flowers, fruits, and vegetables in that 
town on Wednesday, July 5th. In addition to the Society’s prizes 
in sixty classes several special prizes will be offered by Messrs. 
R. Smith k Co., Worcester; James Carter k Co., London; and 
Evans k Son, Oswestry. 
- All who have an opportunity of duing so should visit 
Mr. Bull’s exhibition of Orchids in his nursery at Chelsea. 
The plants are arranged in a span-roofed house about 60 feet long, 
the central stage and the side stages being completely occupied by 
Orchids in flower, relieved by a few small Ferns and Palms. The 
effect of such an assemblage of plants in the finest condition and 
in choice variety is rich in the extreme. After passing through 
the avenue of Cycads and Tree Ferns in the winter garden the 
effect on entering the Orchid house is almost startling. The eye 
at first rests on a dense mass of Odontoglossum vexillarium, com- 
