546 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 16,1886. 
roots descend in the fertile soil below, while the soil from the base 
becomes pulverised by exposure. This practice, with manure applied 
to the surface yerrly, slowly but effectually improves the land without 
any immediate injurious results. 
The deeper light soils can be rendered the more retentive of moisture 
they become, and the more fertile. Manure should be given more freely, 
and differ from that used on heavy land. Cow manure, not in a decom¬ 
posed condition, is the best for light land. If manure is added to enrich 
the lower soil a good supply must also be applied to the surface before 
sowing or planting. Light soils can be rendered wonderfully fertile by 
liming and spreading on the surface in autumn a good dressing of clay 
for a few years, to be pulverised by exposure to the atmosphere. It will 
fall to pieces, and add to the soil absorptive and retentive powers which 
it previously lacked, except it were rich in humus. Soils that can be 
deepened from 6 inches to 18 inches or 2 feet will provide a root run in 
which the majority of plants and crops will flourish. Passing to fruit 
trees, those to which Mr. Iggulden alludes have long fibreless roots 
because they have been left alone, negligence in root-pruning, and pro¬ 
bably driven down by drought in summer. This is the result of “ severely 
letting them alone,” and similar results will follow such circumstances on 
whatever soil fruit trees are grown. If Mr. Iggulden believes in a 
shallow root run why does he go to the trouble of raising mounds on 
which to plant his trees ? These miniature hills cannot be raised without 
providing a deeper root run for the trees than if they were planted on the 
surface. I do not condemn mounds wholesale, for I have raised them in 
the fens of Lincolnshire, or the roots of trees would have stood in water 
all winter. Trees on mounds are, as a rule, more liable to go down into 
the clay than they would if provided with the same depth of fertile soil 
and planted on the level. The edges of the mounds become dry and the 
roots strike downwards, but with a good root run they extend horizontally, 
and thus secure the requisite food without having to descend for it. 
Mulching would not be tolerated in all gardens, so that no hard-and- 
fast lines on that head can be adhered to. It certainly excludes frost in 
winter, arrests evaporation in summer, but it prevents the heat of the sun 
from penetrating the soil in spring. I have no doubt that Beans, Lettuce, 
and the other things referred to do better on ridges than on the level, 
first because they have a greater depth of fertile soil, and secondly because 
they are warmer than they would be planted on the shall iw surface with 
a bed of cold clay just beneath them. 
No comparison can be drawn between timber trees in forests and fruit 
trees in gardens, in which the ground is dug and cropped. The roots of 
the former extend near the surface because they are not disturbed, and 
Nature is continually providing fresh food for them by the action of 
the atmosphere and the decay of vegetation. Fruit trees are subjected 
to artificial treatment. Plant a tree in the park and leave it alone, it 
will take possession of the rich surface soil, but garden trees must 
usually be confined to a very limited space. A few inches of shallow 
soil means in a few years a stunted tree that produces cracked flavour¬ 
less fruit through its roots descending into sour or ungenial subsoil. 
Provide a sufficient depth of fertile soil, and give the requisite food 
periodically when digging a trench round the trees, and the roots will 
remain “ at home,” and healthy fruitful growth will be the natural 
corollory. 
If trees are lifted and planted at the proper season they give but little 
trouble in watering the following season, especially if planted on the 
level, but when raised above the surface of the ground they are neces¬ 
sarily more exposed to drying influences. 
I do not doubt they bear drought as well on ridges as on the flat 
when the land is worked on the one-opit system, for they have then no 
depth of root run, and are subjected to the withering and drying con¬ 
ditions of the atmosphere.—A Looker-on. 
THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY’S ANNUAL 
DINNER.— December 13th. 
The annual dinner of the National Chrysanthemum Society was held at 
the Old Four Swans, Bishopsgate Street, on Monday evening last at 6 r.M., 
when there was a large attendance of members, 111 being present. The 
occasion was a memorable one, as it was selected as fitting opportunity to 
present to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. William Holmes, a testimonial of' the 
esteem in which he is held, and as a recognition of the valuable services he 
has rendered the Society. In addition also to the presentation of the prizes 
won at the recent Exhibition, a second testimonial was provided for Mr. C. 
Gibson, as a consolation prize for the loss he sustained by a slight over¬ 
sight in the class for forty-eight cut blooms at the November Show. So 
many important events being thus crowded into the business of the evening 
no doubt induced many more members to attend than would have other¬ 
wise been the case, but so large a gathering was a good indication of the 
Society’s strength and the enthusiasm which prevails in all matters con¬ 
nected with the Chrysanthemum. 
The chair was taken by the President of the Society, E. C. Sanderson, 
Esq., shortly after 6 P.M., being supported by Messrs. E. C. Jukes and N. 
Davis, the Vice-President, E. Ballantine, Esq , taking the vice-chair. After 
some time had teen devoted to the consumption of the substantial repast 
provided, the usual loyal toasts were proposed and honoured. The medals 
awarded at the November Show and subsequent meetings were then pre¬ 
sented to the winners with a few appropriate remarks from the Chairman 
Mr. W. Holmes reading the amounts of money prizes gained by the 
exhibitors, the total being £223 4s. 6d. The testimonial to Mr. C. Gibson, 
gardener to J. Wormald, Esq., Morden Park, was next presented, the sub¬ 
scriptions obtained for the purpose having been expended in the purchase 
of a handsome silver cup bearing a suitable inscription. Mr. Jukes, in pre¬ 
senting it to Mr. Gibson, remarked that the majority who saw the admirable 
stand of forty-eight cut blooms exhibited at the Royal Aquarium deeply 
regretted the unfortunate oversight which deprived the grower of the prize 
he had otherwise so well deserved. They were a great credit to the 
exhibitor and equally so to the Society, and he was happy in having taken 
part in procuring this recognition of Mr. Gibson’s skill as a cultivator. These 
remarks were loudly applauded, as was also the recipient’s brief and hearty 
expression of thanks. 
Mr. E. Dean proposed the health of the President, observing that such 
a large assembly of members marked not only the success of the Society 
as an institution, but indicated conclusively the success of the administra¬ 
tion of which Mr. Sanderson had so long presided. He referred in compli¬ 
mentary terms to his services as a supporter of the old Stoke Newington 
Society, as a contributor to the floricultural Press in past years, as a culti¬ 
vator and exhibitor of the Chrysanthemum, and to the genial social 
manner which distinguished him as a Chairman. In replying, Mr. Sander¬ 
son stated that from the earliest days of the Society he had earnestly 
striven to forward its interest, because his heart was in the work, and be¬ 
cause he loved the Chrysanthemum. His rule in life had been to accept a 
merited defeat uncomplainingly, but only that it might act as a stimulus to 
greater efforts on other occasions, and he wished exhibitors generally 
would display more of the same feeling. The health of the Vice-President, 
Mr. R. Ballantine, was proposed by Mr. Jukes, and responded to in a brief 
but graceful speech; Mr. Kemp proposing the health of the Treasurer, 
J. Starling, Esq , but in the absence of the latter gentleman the President 
made a few remarks in reply. 
The principal event of the evening, the presentation of the testimonial 
to Mr. W. Holmes, then followed. Mr. Sanderson said that no event of his 
life had afforded him so much pleasure as presenting a testimonial to his 
friend Mr. Holmes, whom he characterised as “ the Prince of Secretaries.” 
It was not necessary for him to dilate upon the services he had so willingly 
rendered to the Society ; the results were apparent to all in their prosperity, 
the great advance in the number of their members, the increasing import¬ 
ance of their shows, and the useful work performed by their Committee. 
Mr. Holmes had gained the respect of all with whom he had to deal by his 
uniform courtesy and business tact, and he hoped the Society might long 
enjoy the advantages of his guidance. 
The testimonial consisted of three silver epergnes, a handsome centre¬ 
piece for the table with two side tazzas, stems of Palms or Tree Ferns sup¬ 
porting with their fronds glass dishes for flowers or fruit. The inscription 
on the centre epergne was as follows :—“ Presented to Mr. William Holmes 
by upwards of 100 members and friends of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, December, 1886.” A beautifully illuminated address accompanied 
the above as follows :—“ This address, with three epergnes, is presented to 
Mr. W. Holmes by upwards of 100 members and friends of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society, as a slight mark of regard and esteem. They 
desire thus to place on record their sense of the inestimable value of the 
services which he has rendered to the Society as Honorary Secretary, as 
well as the immense stimulus which his labours in the cause of Chrysan¬ 
themum culture have afforded to growers of that flower throughout the 
country. They feel that the great success and high position bo rapidly 
achieved by the Society are chiefly due to his constant and unwearied 
efforts on its behalf, and they most heartily wish him a long life and much 
happiness.” This was signed by Messrs. Sanderson, R. Ballantine, and N. 
Davis, the latter having acted ar secretary to the Testimonial Committee. 
In acknowledging the testimonial and complimentary remarks which 
had been made respecting him, Mr. Holmes (who was greeted with much 
cheering) expressed his sincere thanks and hearty appreciation of the 
honour paid to him. He then briefly and lucidly reviewed the history of 
the Society, and his own or his father’s connection with it from the time 
when it was formed in 1847, when its first Show, consisting of three stands 
of blooms, was held in the Rochester Castle Inn, until the Show held last 
November, when 3722 blooms were exhibited. He traced the progress and 
vicissitudes of the Society until in 1873 it became the Borough of Hackney 
Society. Some time afterwards it was held that matters were not quite so 
satisfactory as was desirable, and application was made to the Alexandra 
Palace, Crystal Palace, and Royal Aquarium Companies as to the possi¬ 
bility of arrangements being effected with regard to the annual exhibitions. 
The best terms were offered at Westminster, and upon Mr. Holmes 
becoming Secretary in 1877 the first exhibition was held in the Royal 
Aquarium that year. Several years’ substantial progress was made, and in 
1884 the title of the National Chrysanthemum Society was assumed. As 
an example of the continued advance it was noted that last year there were 
283 members, but this year the total was 399, and at the next meeting pro¬ 
bably twenty-five more would be elected. 
Several other toasts were proposed and honoured, the evening being 
enlivened by songs and musical performances, a very successful meeting 
terminating at a late hour with the customary votes of thanks. 
WEEKS’S FIREPLACE BOILER. 
This week wo have the pleasure to present our readers with drawings 
of Messrs. J. Weeks & Co.’s fireplace boiler, which we consider an admir¬ 
able invention, capable of answering many useful purposes in situations 
and amid surroundings where it is almost impossible to use any of the 
usual forms of furnace hot-water boilers. 
It frequently happens that a small conservatory is attached to a house 
where no provision has been made for a furnace and flue for warming the 
same, and where one could not be constructed without greatly disfiguring 
the appearance of the house. In such a case as this, Weeks’s fireplace 
boiler would be found of the utmost value. It could be fixed in the 
fireplace of the hall or some adjacent room, where it would warm the 
apartment by means of an open fire, and could be connected with a coil of 
pipes in the conservatory, and so warm that structure at the same time ; 
or it could be fixed in any of the rooms and connected with coils in the 
hall and staircase, so as to keep the whole house comfortably warm and 
dry. It will be seen, on reference to the drawing-*, that the boiler presents 
the appearance of aa ordinary register stove, and possesses all the advan- 
