64 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 28, 1892. 
Turning to the ordinary business of the year members may be 
reminded that four Conferences were held, all of which excited much 
interest in the respective districts. The first took place on August ith, 
at Carshalton, in conjunction with the local Horticultural Society. 
Sir James Whitehead, Bart., presided, and addresses were delivered by 
Mr. J. Wright, Mr. J. Cheal, Mr. A. Bath, and Mr. G. Hammond. The 
meeting was well attended, notwithstanding the extremely unfavourable 
weather which prevailed all the afternoon. 
The next was held at Cardiff on August 12th in conjunction with the 
local Horticultural Societies’ Exhibition in the Sophia Gardens. A large 
tent was devoted to the Conference, which was well attended, the 
Marquess of Bute presiding, and being supported by the Rev. G. A. 
Jones, Alderman Lewis (Deputy Mayor), Mr. T. F. Rivers, and others. 
After a few words from the Chairman Mr. Gordon gave a review of the 
work of the Association and the extension of fruit culture. Mr. 
A. Pettigrew then read an excellent paper on “ Hardy Fruits for South 
Wales,” and Mr. B. J. Baillie followed with an address on “ Fruit 
Culture as an Industry.” Some discussion took place, in which several 
prominent local horticulturists took part, including Mr. W. J. Grant; 
and the business of a very successful meeting concluded with a hearty 
vote of thanks to the Marquess of Bute for presiding, proposed by 
Mr. Rivers and seconded by Alderman Lewis. 
The Conference at the Crystal Palace on September 4th was most 
satisfactory. A large audience of well-known gardeners, nurserymen, 
and amateurs assembled in the Garden Hall to listen to the addresses 
by Mr. G. Hammond on “ Gathering, Paeking, and Marketing Fruit,” 
and by Mr. J. Wright on “ Pruning.” Mr. T. F. Rivers presided, and 
introduced the subject in a brief but appropriate speech, and the papers 
were followed by considerable discussion, that on ” Pruning,” which 
was illustrated by diagrams, evoking much interest. 
Several members of the Association attended the Edinburgh Inter¬ 
national Show on September 10th and lltb. At the dinner of the 
Royal Caledonian Society, held in the Waterloo Hotel on Sept. 10th, 
special reference was made to the work of the British Fruit Growers’ 
Association by Mr. William Thomson of Clovenfords, who commended 
most highly the methods adopted and the work performed. On 
September 10th, at 3.30, the British Fruit Growers’ Association held a 
conference on “ Fruit Culture,” in conjunction with members of the 
Royal Caledonian Society, in the Waterloo Hotel, when Councillor 
Colston took the chair, and there was a representative gathering of 
northern horticulturists. The Chairman, in a few well chosen words, 
explained the objects and work of the Association, and Mr. G. Gordon 
followed with some observations on the “ Present Condition and 
Prospects of Fruit Culture for Profit; ” Mr. Dunn of Dalkeith gave 
an interesting address upon “ Fruit Culture for Profit in Scotland,” 
which was followed by a discussion, in which Mr. Dickson of Belfast 
joined. Mr. Sinclair of East Linton discoursed on the “ Culture of 
Strawberries for Market ” in an excellent and practical manner ; Mr. 
Carmichael and Mr. Machattie taking part in the discussion. Mr. 
Joseph Cheal then read an admirable paper on “ Gathering, Packing, 
and Storing Fruits,” and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the 
Association and the Chairman. 
Following the example of the Association, an interesting and 
important conference on fruit culture was held at Manchester 
during the past year under the management of Mr. Bruce Findlay, at 
which several of our members contributed papers. Lord Derby pre¬ 
siding on the first day, and Sir James Whitehead, Bart., one of the 
Vice-Presidents, took the chair on the second day. 
Arrangements are being made for holding an International Fruit 
Show in London during the autumn of the present year, and a repre¬ 
sentative of the Association has been appointed as a member of the 
Provisional Committee entrusted with the preparation of a scheme for 
what is likely to prove one of the most important horticultural events of 
the year. 
The Committee meetings have been well attended, and during the 
season two short papers on fruit culture have been read after the con¬ 
clusion of the business, and it is desired to increase the interest of the 
meetings in this way as far as possible. Special thanks are due to all 
the members who have so readily given their assistance at the different 
meetings, both in making the arrangements and reading papers. 
It is satisfactory to announce that the number of members has 
doubled within the past year ; but, owing to the low rate of subscrip¬ 
tion, the funds at the disposal of the Association are not yet adequate 
for the work required to be performed. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 
January 1st to December 31st. 1891. 
Receipts. 
£ s. d. 
Subscriptions and donations ,. 56 17 0 
Balance from 1890 . 1 15 10 
£58 12 10 
Expenditure. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
Conferences. 
14 
0 
0 
Report and rules. 
Circulars, cards, and 
pro- 
8 
10 
0 
grammes .. . 
3 
5 
0 
stationery, books, &c. 
* • • 
5 
10 
0 
Committee meetings .. . 
• • • 
3 
10 
0 
Postage and clerical assistance 
15 
10 
6 
Miscellaneous travelling 
ex- 
penses and sundries.. . 
6 
0 
0 
Balance. 
2 
7 
4 
Total. 
£58 12 10 
Examined with vouchers and found correct. 
(Signed) John Alexander Laing. 
George H. Richards. 
Events of the Week. —The annual dinner of the Fruiterers’ Com¬ 
pany, which was to have taken place last Monday at the Hotel Mfitro- 
pole, has been deferred a month in consequence of the death of the 
Duke of Clarence. On Monday, February 1st, the Provisional Com¬ 
mittee of the London International Fruit Show will meet at Anderton’s 
Hotel, Fleet Street, at 2.30 p.m. The sales advertised for this week 
by Messrs. Protheroe & Morris include Lilies and other bulbs on 
Thursday (to-day). Orchids on Friday, and miscellaneous roots and 
plants on Monday and Wednesday, 
- The Weather in the Metropolis has been variable during 
the past week, sharp frosts alternating with dull, moist, close weather. 
One day was exceptionally fine for the time of year—namely, Monday, 
January 25th, the sky being cloudless, the sun bright, and the whole 
aspect quite spring-like. 
- Memorial Wreath. —We are requested to state that on the 
day of the funeral of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons of Reading sent a magnificent wreath of Lilies of the 
Valley and Violets, which had been prepared by them by Royal permis¬ 
sion, and that it was personally presented at Windsor with an expression 
of their respectful esteem and loyal regard for the late Duke of Clarence 
and Avondale by the members of the firm, Martin J. Sutton, Herbert 
Sutton, Arthur W. Sutton, and L. G. Sutton. 
- Me. F. C. Pawle writing from Northcote, Reigate, says :— 
“ Will you kindly notify in your next issue that the Reigate Rose 
Show is fixed for Saturday, 9th July ? ” 
- The Rev. H. H. D’Ombrain wishes to state that the article 
in the “Rosarian’s Year Book” on Roses Near Big Cities was contributed 
by Mr. James Bateman, Rose Vale, Archway Road, Highgate. 
- Extraordinary Rainfall in Queensland. —A Reuter’s 
telegram of the 25th inst. says an extraordinary rainfall, measuring 
19J inches in twenty-four hours, has fallen at Townsville, the most 
important town in Northern Queensland. The whole district is under 
water. Several buildings have been carried away by the floods resulting 
from the heavy rain, and all railway traffic is suspended. 
- Gardening Appointments. —We learn that Mr. W. J. 
Ireland, who for the past four years has been head gardener to Sir 
H. Hussey Vivian, Bart., M.P,, Singleton, Swansea, is appointed head 
gardener to Jacob Wakefield, Esq., Sedgwick House, near Kendal, 
Westmoreland, the gardens of which are very fine and in high keeping. 
Mr. Frank Surman, late foreman in Singleton Gardens, has been 
appointed gardener to F. D. Mears, Esq., Claremont, Swansea. 
- Preserved Fruits are now eaten on so large a scale that 
caution should be used, says the Hospital, in their consumption. 
Though glass and porcelain vessels are used much more frequently now 
than was the case a few years ago, tins are still used to a very consider¬ 
able extent. In most cases tinned fruits should be avoided, for there 
will often be found to exist in the fruits so preserved metallic impurities 
which are likely to endanger the health. No fruits containing acid 
juices should be preserved in anything but glass or earthenware, as has 
been pointed out by the Medical Officers of Health for Marylebone ; 
and if people are offered such fruit in tins they will be wise to decline 
them. 
-Hardiness of Seakale.—T he old or purple tipped variety 
is perfectly haidy, at any rate curs has never yet been injured by frosts, 
but I cannot say as much in favour of the newer form known as the 
Lily White. Very many of the crowns of the latter that unfortunately 
were not either moulded over or got up ready for forcing prior to 
midwinter are now of no service, being completely blackened through 
by frosts. It is, however, so much superior in both appearance and 
quality to the old form that its being somewhat tender will not 
prevent me from growing it much the most extensively for lifting 
and forcing. A ridge of soil or a little strawy litter is sufficient to 
protect the crowns from frost, a covering of snow answering equally 
as well as a temporary protection.—M. H. 
