204 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 17, 1892. 
Mr. Pidsley, ia supporting the resolution, remarked that he could 
not get enough sunshine. He could only give his plants four or five 
hours’ sunshine a day, sometimes less. He had been troubled with 
damping, but he attributed it to the atmosphere more than to the 
feeding and growing. Mr. Redmill and Mr. Hannah also supported the 
resolution, and it was carried unanimously. 
Mr. Jones, in reply, said nothing delighted Mr. Shea more than to 
find that what he did in the Chrysanthemum world was appreciated. He 
(Mr. Jones) was delighted with his visit to Sheffield. In reply to Mr. 
Pidsley, Mr. Jones said he recommended in situations where little sun 
could be obtained, the growing of more incurved varieties, and he ad¬ 
vised all cultivators during a cool, sunless season to take special note 
of the varieties which did the best, both Japanese and incurved, and 
grow those only in the future. After a vote of thanks had been passed 
to Mr. Broomhead for introducing Mr. Shea to Sheffield, the thanks of 
the meeting were accorded to Mr. Harrow for presiding, and the meeting 
terminated. 
PEAS FOR EARLY USE. 
Lest the severe weather should prove disastrous to any portion of 
the crop in the open we have sown approved varieties in shallow 
cutting boxes, using a light rich soil over a layer of short manure, 
inserting five or six peas 3 inches apart, placing the boxes in a forcing 
house. As soon as the plants appear they will be transferred to a colder 
house, and being duly hardened they will be transplanted on the first 
favourable occasion. Should any blank be then observed in the existing 
rows—which look somewhat sad at present—they will be made good, 
and the remainder be transplanted in rows by themselves, thereby 
securing our early gatherings and a good succession of Green Peas about 
the usual time, notwithstanding any mishap that may have previously 
occurred. The bunches of Peas will be transplanted with manure and 
soil adhering to the roots, and shelter afforded. The exercise of timely 
forethought in the direction indicated in a great measure enables the 
cultivator, whose aim it is to send gatherings of Green Peas to table as 
early in the season as possible, not to be entirely thwarted in his object 
by sudden and adverse climatic conditions.—H. VV. Ward. 
ROTATION OF CROPS. 
The object and study of everybody in possession of a garden and 
allotment should be how to render the same as productive and profitable 
as possible. This can only be accomplished by dressing the ground 
liberally with the best manure at command, good cultivation, and by 
giving due consideration to the requirements of and the conditions under 
which each and every kind of crop cultivated succeeds best, noting at 
the same time the particular plots of ground which yield the best 
results, together with the special requirements and character of the 
crops immediately preceding and following it. Therefore the cultivator 
must have a plan of operation in his mind’s eye to go by, as chance 
preparation of the soil for a haphazard crop is a modiis operandi not to 
be depended upon. On the contrary, in trenching a piece of ground he 
should make up his mind as to the kind of vegetables he intends growing 
in it the four following years. Thus, first year. Cabbage, Brussels 
Sprouts, and Cauliflower (with rows of Peas and Beans between the 
latter) ; second year, early and second early varieties of Potatoes (simply 
rernoving the stumps and digging the ground without manuring it) 
which will be taken up in time to admit of a crop of Spinach, Turnips, 
Lettuce, and such-like quick-growing, surface-rooting crops being taken 
off the same ground that year ; third year (digging a good dresssing of 
short manure well into the ground beforehand), Parsnips, Carrots, 
Beetroot, and Celery ; fourth year. Broccoli, Winter Greens, Savoys (with 
rows of Peas and Beans between). Leeks and Onions, the latter crop 
being sown in a plot previously cropped with Celery. Plantations of 
Rhubarb, Asparagus, Seakale, and Strawberries, which remain on the 
same piece of ground for three or more years, should be made in liberally 
manured and deeply trenched ground which had been previously 
cropped with any of the above mentioned vegetables.—H. W. W. 
LANGLEYBURY. 
LANaLEYBHRY, the Hertfordshire seat of E. H. Lloyd, Esq., is 
situated about four miles from Watford, in the postal district of King’s 
Langley. The extensive and well-kept grounds, rich in Conifers and 
rare shrubs, surround the mansion, a massive brick building with stone 
facings extending from the frontage along the brow of a gently 
undulating hill to the high road and village of Huntonbridge. 
Among the many fine trees in the grounds we noticed a twin Cedar, 
covering a large amount of ground, though half was torn away during a 
gale a few years since. Under the remaining portion of this tree a party 
of twenty or thirty persons could picnic with comfort. Close by, and 
fitting companion to this venerable, but maimed, giant, are a number of 
white Robinias, also of large proportions, their branches trained over a 
walk, and kept up by wooden supports on the opposite side. These 
trees form a canopy of delicate green foliage and cool promenade during 
the hot days of summer. At the time of our last visit, the middle of 
February, their bare stems glistening in the feeble rays of the sun 
almost vied with the snow in whiteness, and had a peculiar beauty 
all their own. 
The conservatory, a narrow but_ well lighted structure, occupies a 
large portion of one side of the mansion. Flowering plants seem to like 
their quarters here, receiving, as they do, plenty of light, and staged 
within a few feet of the glass. Among the good things in this house 
were a number of plants of Coelogyne cristata, superbly flowered. Primula 
obconica was conspicuous. This Primula is a perpetual bloomer at 
Langleybury, and the large number of its delicately tinted flowers at 
this dull time of the year renders it one of the most useful and economical 
of flowering plants. Azaleas, Primulas, Cinerarias, and a host of mis¬ 
cellaneous flowering plants, together with Ferns, Palms, and other fine- 
foliage plants, made up a gay and withal effective arrangement. Leaving 
the conservatory on the left we came to a small lawn hemmed in by 
masonry. Here is a fine healthy specimen of Pinus nobilis, but sadly 
misplaced owing to the small dimensions of the site ; but we must state 
in justice to Mr. Smith, the able gardener, that this tree was planted 
before he took charge. 
In the la'e vinery Grapes were still hanging, a cane or two of 
Golden Queen, a good midseason Grape, being included. Though the 
crop on the Queen rods finished well, the berries were quite shrivelled, 
and the bunches on a rod of Alicante grafted on the Queen stock were 
in much the same state. It would appear that the Golden Queen has 
not sufficient stamina to support a crop for so long a period. This 
variety is to be replaced. The first and second early vineries were 
heavily stocked wi h bedding and other plants — a necessary 
evil. In one of the houses were a few Tomato plants carrying 
ripe fruit. Mr. Smith raises all his Tomato plants from cuttings, and 
depends largely upon the reliable variety, the Old Large Red. Fortu¬ 
nately for him, the disease has not yet made its appearance among his 
stock. In one of the vineries we noticed a number of the white 
Ageratum Purity, which will shortly yield a quantity of flowers. 
The Peaches were promising. Royal George and Condor—in separate 
houses—being the varieties thought most of. In a mixed house were 
some good Orange bushes laden with ripe fruit, while the roof, once 
occupied by the renowned Marechal Niel, from which were cut upwards 
of 2000 buds in a month, but now on the decline, is shared by the 
yellow Banksian and others. 
Orchids are represented by Coelogynes, Cattleyas, and Cypripediums ; 
Coelogyne cristata, Chatsworth var., and C. fuscescens being in quantity 
and covered with flowers, the pendulous racemes of the latter species 
being upwards of a foot in length. In the stove we noticed a grand 
example of Dipladenia hybrida, the original plant, raised some twenty 
years ago by Mr. Smith from D. amabilis, itself a hybrid, fertilised with 
the pollen of D. superba. A number of Acalypha musaica were being 
prepared for bedding out, to which purpose they are said to be admirably 
suited. They are employed much the same way as Coleus Verschaffelti, 
of the improved form of which there is also a large stock. 
The Mushroom house—a boon when green vegetables are scarce— 
contained a large bed in full bearing, part of the alley being occupied 
by Seakale. The snow prevented more than a cursory glance being 
taken of the kitchen garden, which appeared to be in keeping with the 
rest of the establishment, and highly creditable to the management. 
Mr. Smith, who is in charge of the extensive estate as well as the 
garden and home farm, has served upwards of twenty years at Langley¬ 
bury, and bas during that time, with the encouragement of a generous 
and well-satisfied employer, materially improved the estate.—W. R. W. 
UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT AND PROVIDENT 
SOCIETY. 
The annual meeting of this excellent Society was held in the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi, on March 14th, when Mr. Robert Cannell 
presided, and the attendance of members was the largest and most 
enthusiastic yet seen. Messrs. Arthur Veitch and G. J. Ingram 
(Secretary) were also present. 
The following report for 1891 w^as duly presented and adopted. 
The Committee have very great pleasure in presenting the annual report 
and balance-sheet for 1891, A great addition has been made to the list 
of benefit members, making a total of 413 who paid subscriptions last 
year. We have again had a great deal of sickness, owing, in a large 
measure, to the influenza epidemic, the amount pajd to sick members 
being £119 10s. 6d. This sum is covered by deductions of 7s. 6d. 
and 4s. lid. from the two classes of members respectively. Three 
deaths have occurred dffring the year, and the amounts standing 
to the credit of the deceased members have been paid to their 
nominees. We are pleased, however, to say that the Benefit Fund 
has ir creased by about £600. The Benevolent Fund is also in a 
very satisfactory condition, showing an increase of nearly £140. 
Three honorary members died during the past year, but others have 
joined us, the increase in numbers being three. The management fund 
shows a balance of £31 Is. 9Jd. The Treasurer’s account is also very 
satisfactory, and the best thanks of the members are due to him for his 
valuable services. The annual dinner was again a success, being pre¬ 
sided over by H. J. Veitch, Esq., in the unavoidable absence of 
Geo. A. Dickson, Esq., who kindly sent £10 lOs. towards expenses. 
Mr. Veitch very generously gave £25 towards the voluntary con¬ 
valescent fund, and Mr. Sherwood promised £3 3s. per year for his 
three children towards the same fund. Mr. Baker and Mr. Ingram also 
gave £1 Is. each. The best thanks of the Society are due to Messrs. 
B. S. Williams, J. Laing, Chard, and Cannell for plants and flowers 
for the decoration of the ball and dinner tables, Mr. Chard’s tasteful 
arrangements being much admired. A hearty vote of thanks is also due 
to the Trustees and Auditors for their valuable services. 
The following members of Committee retired by rotation, but being 
