January 21, 18D2. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
fore, the scrutineers later in the afternoon announced the result of the 
poll it was found that the number of votes were as follows, those with 
an asterisk prefixed being elected. 
*Henry Bartholomew, 1892 ; John Butler, 914 ; *Louisa Jennings, 
1876 ; Jane Eliza Nichols, 675; William Coleman, 718; *Mary 
Elizabeth Gray, 2523 ; *Henry Martin, 1968 ; *Elizabeth May, 1224 ; 
*George Medland, 1799; James Munro, 468 ; Harriet Woolford, 1193; 
*Lydia Bostock, 1586; T. H. Bowler, 699 ; Henry Bridden, 861 ; Clara 
Elizabeth Brown, 272 ; John Collier, 93 ; *Roderick Elphinstone, 1400 ; 
Henry Fielder, 208 ; *Jane James, 1839 ; Emma Kendall, 576 ; Thomas 
Lane, 894 ; George McIntosh, 1127 ; Ann Nixon, 153 ; James Ricks, 
549 ; Thomas Thomas, 12 ; Samuel Tisdale, 659 ; *Jemima Grace Truran, 
1534 ; George Woodgate, 914 ; Francis Woodhams, 413. 
The annual lark pudding dinner was held in the same hotel at 6 p.m., 
the Rev. W. Wilks presiding, and there was a representative gathering of 
horticultural friends of the Institution, notwithstanding that several vacant 
seats were caused by the too prevalent illness. In proposing the first toast, 
“ The Queen and the Royal Family,” the Chairman referred to the 
death of the Duke of Clarence, and the toast was drunk in silence. The 
next duty of the Chairman was to propose the toast of the evening. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution,” and, in the course of a 
brief but effective speech, he referred to the satisfactory progress made 
in the past year, and emphasised the fact that though so much had been 
accomplished the expenditure had been less. He pointed out the 
benefits conferred by the Institution, and advised gardeners to give 
every possible help in so good a cause. Mr. H. J. Adams responded, 
mentioning that he had been connected with this Institution for over 
thirty years, which he had been induced to join by the late Secretary, 
Mr. E. R. Cutler, whose death he deplored, but he was glad they had 
secured so good a successor. “ Kindred Institutions” were proposed by 
Mr. Sherwood in appropriate terms, the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund 
and the United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society being 
specially mentioned as performing excellent work in their own par¬ 
ticular departments. In the absence of Mr. Barron, this was re¬ 
sponded to by Mr. B. Wynne. 
An important toast had been omitted from the list, and the Chairman 
supplied the omission by proposing the health of the Secretary, Mr. 
G. J. Ingram,which was received with acclamation. Mr. Wilks pointed 
out that Mr. Ingram had had many difficulties to encounter in following 
the late Secretary, but he had overcome them most satisfactorily, and 
all felt satisfied they had secured the right man. Mr. Ingram 
responded, thanking the members for their kindly expressions of good 
will, and assuring them that he should devote his best attention to 
promote the interests of the Institution. The nursery and seed trade 
were proposed by Mr. Arnold Moss and responded to by Mr. W. J. 
Nutting and Mr. H. Williams respectively, and the toast list was con¬ 
cluded with the health of the Chairman, proposed by Mr. Veitch. An 
admirable musical programme was carried out during the evening, and 
added greatly to the enjoyment of the gathering. 
HERBACEOUS BORDERS AND THEIR OCCUPANTS. 
However herbaceous borders may vary in size or neatness, there is 
at all times something in them to interest or please. The phrase of 
“ recurring taste for herbaceous plants,” which is by no means confined 
to gardening periodicals, has almost become hackneyed in its familiarity, 
yet it is still used as freely as it was years ago, as if the “ taste ” has not 
yet raised them to their original level; and yet if the case was thoroughly 
examined it is more than probable that the number of so-called 
herbaceous plants at present grown greatly exceeds those at any 
former period. This naturally brings with it the counterbalancing 
difificulty with which plenty is commonly accredited, and as every 
individual has his own ideas of arrangement and colour, which the best 
teachers can only modify, confusion and harmony combine frequently. 
In the bedding-out style of flower gardening two shades of scarlet in 
conjunction are an unpardonable sin, but the herbaceous border is a 
city of refuge for all such combinations if the plants only bear the 
charmed name. 
In the botanist’s garden, where each plant stands solely on its own 
merits, arrangement is not generally considered, except it to be to assist 
the well-being of the plants; but if a system of massing for effect, where 
materials are so plentiful, were adopted in herbaceous gardens, it would 
doubtless tend greatly to increase the popularity of this class of plants. 
This massing system possesses a twofold advantage ; not only is the 
effect more pleasing to the eye, but it is also better for the plants. 
Many genera are vastly different constitutionally, and many also of the 
species will not bear with impunity the treatment through which their 
hardier neighbours exist. If all are grown in a crowded border it is 
impossible to give each plant the treatment best for its welfare, for the 
motto of “ Might is right,” is surely, if silently, carried out in the 
herbaceous border, and the weakest will soon be overmastered by the 
strongest if not well guarded. Where as many plants as possible are 
grown in a confined border, their characteristic effects are rarely brought 
out fully, owing to the formality of their surroundings, and because a 
general system of training is commonly adopted for the sake of uni¬ 
formity. It is grotesquely painful to see a Lathyrus tied stiffly upright 
as if it was a Hollyhock, and when the same method is adopted with a 
Galega the resemblance to a wheatsheaf is decidedly too marked to be 
pleasing. It is this variability of habit, which ought to be their greatest 
charm, that causes them frequently to get into disrepute, as plants 
similarly habited to those I have named are considered to spoil the 
regularity of the border in which they grow. Besides, a modern her¬ 
baceous border is expected to be always trim and neat, although flowers 
are required in their season. 
The mixed herbaceous border is an ancient institution, and I can 
picture one now which used to delight me above measure; but because 
there are so many plants—each possessing a beauty of its own, which 
is frequently lessened at least by unsuitable companionship—there is 
no law of Nature which compels them to be huddled incongruously 
together, as they often are, but rather the opposite.—M. D. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
January 12th. 
Scientific Committee. —D. Morris, Esq., in the chair. Present: 
Messrs. Michael, Blandford, Professors Green, F. Oliver, Church, 
Drs. Bonavia, Mliller, and Masters. 
Thelepliora laeiniata .—In reference to this fungus, specimens of 
which attacking Rhododendrons were sent to a previous meeting by 
Dr. Hugo Miiller, the following note was submitted by Mr. Massee :— 
“ Thelephora laeiniata, Pers., is a very common species as a saprophyte, 
overrunning twigs and heaps of leaves lying on the ground, at the same 
time it readily passes on to living branches and superficial roots, 
especially if the surface has been abraded, and then becomes parasitic 
in its nature. As a parasite, it has been noted on the living roots and 
prostrate branches of Ericaceous plants, Vaccinium, Erica, Calluna, in 
Hungary by Kalchbrenner, also in England. It has also been observed 
as a parasite on living Conifers in Germany by Klotzch.” 
Beetle in Dendrohium. —Mr. Blandford reported that the beetle 
referred to at a previous meeting was a Scolytid beetle, probably 
undescribed. 
Diseased Gooseberry. —Mr. Burbidge sent specimens of Gooseberry 
branches, showing globular spongy outgrowths from the bark, of the size 
of large Cherries, and cracked on the surface. Mr. Burbidge stated that 
these swellings produce roots with great freedom if treated as ordinary 
cuttings. Dr. Masters called attention to the similarity in appearance 
to the growth frequently seen in Marfichal Niel Roses, and also on Vines 
and Passion Flowers. In some of these cases the presence of a slime 
fungus (Myxomycete) had been detected. Gooseberry growers attributed 
the formation to water accumulating on the branches, and promoting 
the formation of roots. The specimens were referred to Mr. Arthur 
Lister. 
Black Knot. —Dr. Masters showed specimens of this disease received 
from the United States. The disease occurs in Plum trees, and is due 
to a fungus, Plowrightia morbosa, which produces a black nodulated 
outgrowth—spongy within on the surface of the branch. The tissues 
affected seem to be the inner layers of the bark and the cambium layer, 
the cells of which are disintegrated and broken up into a spongy mass. 
The disease has been described by Professor Farlow, andis very common 
in America, but happily it is scarcely, if at all, known here. Destruc¬ 
tion by fire of the affected branches is the only remedy that can be 
suggested, though probably spraying with sulphate of copper in an early 
stage would be effective. 
Eucalyptus. —Dr. Masters exhibited a branch of Eucalyptus globulus, 
in which the usually smooth surface of the bark was broken up into an 
irregularly lobef, corky mass. The branch had been received from 
Professor McOwan, of Cape Town, and it was considered by him that 
the disease might be due to the presence of bacteria. A specimen had 
been previously sent to Professor Marshall Ward, who has promised to 
report upon it. 
YNYS Y-MAENGWYN. 
The name and fame of Impney Hall, its gardens and successful 
gardener, are already well known to Journal readers. It may not be so 
well known, though, that the esteemed owner of “ Impney,” J. Corbett, 
Esq., M.P., has another and no less beautiful seat in Merionethshire, 
namely, the above. Let me here warn any daring Saxon who inay be 
reckless enough to attempt the pronunciation of the name to refrain, lest 
he hazard the risk of a permanent dislocation of his too inelastic ]aw. 
The seat is one of the most ancient in North Wales, was burnt to the 
ground during the Parliamentary war to prevent its affording shelter to 
the Parliamentary forces, and was last rebuilt about the middle of the 
eighteenth century by one “ Anne Owen ; ” the architecture is con¬ 
siderably mixed, in part Elizabethan and in part more modern styles. 
The mansion is highly picturesque, and with its surroundings impress the 
visitor with its antiquity. By a coincidence the present family pur¬ 
chased the estate from thelate owners, whowereof the samename though 
not at all connected. It should be said, too, that they have succeeded 
to the good name that both families have richly merited, both in their 
turn having served the town and district of Towyn most bountifully. 
The present Mr. Corbett has recently, at an enormous cost, erected a sea 
wall and promenade that are bound to ensure the success of Towyn in 
future as a watering place. It is indeed already popular, and deservedly 
so, with its miles of sandy beach, unsurpa-sable for bathing, its splendid 
sea and river boating, its stretch of verdant plains, (which is almost an 
unknown thing on the North Wales coast) and the magnificent grandeur 
cf the towering heights in the distant background ; besides which it can 
