Pebruary 18, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
127 
- A COBBESPONDES^T states that “ the second annual dinner 
of the Baltimobe Cactus Society was held at the residence of 
a member, in Baltimore, on January 21st. The menu was very 
elaborate, the dishes being represented on the card by humorous 
adaptations of the names of Cacti and other plants. This Society is 
composed of ladies and gentlemen whom the Secretary facetiously 
designates as Cacto-maniacs, and is in a very flourishing condition. It 
probably is the only existing society devoted entirely to the interests 
of the Cactus.” 
- The “Botanical Magazine ” for February contains coloured 
plates of the undermentioned plants :—Primula imperialis, which was 
figured in the Journal of Horticulture, page 3, July 2nd, 1891, though 
this reference is not included with the others given under the descrip¬ 
tion. Hydnophytum Forbesi, a peculiar epiphytic member of Rubiacese 
from New Guinea ; Begonia glaucophylla, a useful, free, pink flowered 
species or hybrid ; Vicia narbonensis (see page 130), and Neoben- 
thamia gracilis, a slender creamy flowered Orchid from Eastern tropical 
Africa, belonging to the Vanda tribe. 
- A Sebviceable Late CHBYSAitTHEMUM. —We are still 
cutting blooms from large conservatory plants of Goldflnder, a beautiful 
pale yellow sport of the Japanese Mrs. S. Carey. The plants were raised 
and treated much the same as those of other varieties intended for 
producing specimen blooms, with this difference, they were allowed to 
form as many branches as they would, and to flower naturally. As a 
consequence they branched freely, and though not particularly showy at 
any time we have been enabled to secure a capital supply of flowers, all 
having long stems, and not much fault could be found with the quality, 
Goldflnder not showing so much of an eye as Mrs. Carey.—W. 1. 
- Midland Cabnation Society. —The second Show of this 
flourishing Society, which was referred to last week, is to be held in the 
Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Saturday, August 6th. 
The schedule is a very comprehensive one, embracing various classes for 
florists’ blooms and also others for border flowers, sprays, bouquets, and 
plants in pots. Copies with all particulars can be obtained of Mr 
Sydenham, Tenby Street, Birmingham, or of Mr. W. Dean, Dolphin 
Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham. The prize list and medals amount in 
value to about £100, and it is announced that if there should be a good 
surplus the Committee will give liberal donations to the Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund and the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, so that 
the Society should have every encouragement. 
- Peae Peince Coxsobt. —Though late in the season, kindly 
allow me space to recommend this reaUy valuable Pear, as one which 
may be planted in Lancashire with a certainty—if cultural conditions 
are satisfactory—of getting a good return from it each season. We 
have here a tree of this variety trained as an espalier, which has never 
failed to carry an excellent crop for the past fourteen years. The fruit 
is of large size, pyriform, pale green, covered with spots of russet, and 
tinged with red on the sunny side. It is remarkable for the length of 
time it keeps its flavour. In fact, it is one of the flrst in this respect. 
From gatherings at three different times, our flrst dish was sent in 
November llth and the last January 29th. It is a melting Pear with a 
most refreshing flavour. 
- The Wintee Moth. —The males of this fruit-growers’ enemy 
are about in unusual numbers at the present time (February 15th). As 
a rule, only a few may be seen so late as this, but during the past week 
they have been on view by hundreds. The March moth is also beginning 
to put in an appearance. Some of our entomological friends prophesied 
that we should not be so much troubled by the above pest, as last year 
was unfavourable to them. Present appearances are that there will he a 
full crop of caterpillars, particularly in orchards where nothing has been 
done to prevent their increase. A few days ago I was requested to go 
and examine a gentleman’s orchard of several hundred trees ; every tree. 
Apples, Pears, Plums and Cherries was more or less covered with the eggs 
of the winter moth, much to the gentleman’s astonishment when pointed 
out to him. Some two years ago this gentleman had some old trees 
grease-banded. The bark being very thick it was not thought necessary 
to put paper under the grease ; the consequence is that the old trees 
are most of them dead or dying, proving conclusively that grease is 
fatal to old trees, as well as to young ones, when applied in direct con¬ 
tact with the bark. It is a question if it would not pay for County 
Councils in fruit-growing counties to adopt some effectual mode of com¬ 
pelling occupiers to destroy such pests on their fruit trees, as they are a 
continual source of danger to those who do their utmost to keep such 
enemies under. The best method of dealing with them has been re¬ 
peatedly described in this Journal. That the caterpillar plague may be 
conquered is certain, as proved here. This year we have very few eggs 
on our trees, which gave us good crops of Apples last season and are full 
of promise now. I believe poultry do an immense amount of good by 
eating insects. The quantity of caterpillars they devour is enormous— 
not only so, but they are useful fertilisers, and they pay their way by 
sale of eggs. The actual profit, if any, is small, but the amount of good 
they do is untold.—S. T. "Weight, Glewdon Court Gardens. 
- Native Guano. —We have received a pamphlet from the 
Native Guano Company, 29, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, comprising 
flfty-six pages, devoted entirely to testimonials from cultivators who 
have employed this manure for farm and garden crops. The districts 
represented include all the chief counties of England, with Wales» 
Ireland, and even the Channel Islands, and the results recorded are very 
satisfactory. 
- Weathee at Liveepool. —All last week we had what might 
be termed a very mild spell of weather, and outside work was pushed 
along very rapidly. On Sunday it rained the greater portion of the 
day, and the wind was very cold. On Monday morning sleet and 
snow, accompanied by a biting N.E. wind, came down freely, as a 
reminder that we have not yet flnished with winter. The night tem¬ 
peratures have been on the 9th, 32°; 10th, 39°; 11th, 38°; 12th, 34° ; 
13th, 29° ; 14th, 26°, and 15th, 27°.—R. P. R. 
- Sheewsbuey Hoeticultueal Society. —At the annual 
meeting on the 11th inst., the Mayor presiding, a statement of accounts 
for the past year was presented, showing the income to have been 
£3334 lOs., as compared with £2963 in 1890, and the greatest amount 
ever received in one year by the Society. The subscriptions for the 
year amounted to £423 7s., and the receipts at the Exhibition in August 
last were £2796. The amount of prize money paid was £428 7s. 6d. ; 
amusements and fireworks, £421 ; bands, £253, and the profits on the 
year’s exhibition was £970. A sum of £500 has been added to the in¬ 
vested capital, which now amounts to £3500. Since the Society started 
the annual balances have been expended in the improvement of the 
public grounds in the Quarry, the Free Library, and other charitable in¬ 
stitutions of the town, and last year £753 was so expended. The 
balance in the banker’s hands is £747. 
- London Paeks Supeeintendent. — The London County 
Council held a meeting on February 16th, when amongst other business 
the General Purposes Committee reported that, under the resolution of 
the Council of November 3rd last, an advertisement was issued inviting 
applications for the post of Superintendent of the Council’s parks and 
open spaces, at a salary of £700 a year. The applications were in the 
first instance considered by the Parks Committee, who at their request 
submitted to them the names of the three candidates whom they con¬ 
sidered the most suitable for the appointment. Having seen the three 
selected candidates, and weighed their respective merits and qualifica¬ 
tions, the General Purposes Committee recommended that Colonel 
Walker be appointed Superintendent of parks and open spaces, at a 
salary of £700 a year, upon the following conditions :—That he hold 
his office during the pleasure of the Council; that he be required to 
give his whole time to the duties of his office, and on retirement shall 
not make any claim to superannuation or pension. Mr. Corbett, as an 
amendment to the adoption of the Report, moved that, as it was stated 
in the advertisement that the age of the candidates must not in any case 
exceed fifty years, and as two of the selected candidates exceeded that 
age, the question should be referred back to the Committee for further 
consideration. Dr. Grigsby seconded the amendment. A long discus, 
sion followed, several members maintaining that it was not necessary 
to make any appointment, others that the matter should be delayed, 
and a third section that the best man had not been nominated. The 
Earl of Rosebery said he would generally be in favour of supporting the 
recommendations of the Committee, being convinced that they had been 
arrived at after careful and impartial consideration, but if compelled to 
vote on their present recommendation he could not vote in favour of 
it. Whatever its enemies might say of it the Council had preserved, 
without the possibility of question, its character for absolute immuni^ 
from anything like jobbery. It was most important that nothing in 
the nature of jobbery should attach to this appointment, and although 
he did not make the least imputation he remembered that they had 
acute and not very friendly critics outside. The advertisement stated 
that in no case must the age exceed fifty years, and it was not denied 
that the age of the gentleman now recommended did exceed fifty. In 
