280 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 14, 1892. 
and Lobelias made this border one of the prettiest effects imagin¬ 
able. The division of the circle was the range of houses described, to the 
front of which beds of Roses, Phloxes, and miscellaneous plants were 
blooming freely. Two large oval beds were carpeted in chaste 
designs, the whole being skirted by a continuous herbaceous border which 
contained many plants which must be left unnoticed. Eomneya 
Coulteri, however, must be named as of more than ordinary interest, 
Mr. Ballard having been more fortunate with this than many of his 
brother gardeners. We must take leave of our kind friend Mr, Ballard, 
having already partaken of the bountiful hospitality of the very popular 
and much-beloved Lady Bailey.— Bradwen. 
WAKEFIELD PAXTON SOCIETY. 
The fifteenth annual dinner of the members of the oldest of the 
Paxton Societies and flourishing Horticultural Improvement Association 
was held on the 5th inst. About seventy sat down to an admirable 
repast provided by Mr. Lupton. Delegates attended from the Bradford, 
Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield, Morley, Batley, Dewsbury, Barnsley, and 
Rothwell Societies. The room was tastefully decorated with plants, 
flowers, and draperies by Messrs. Hall and Armitage, some specimens 
of Dielytra spectabilis in baskets suspended from the ceiling being 
much admired. Mr. Aid. Milnes, the senior Vice-President, occupied the 
chair in the absence of Major Taylor, the President of the Society, 
through indisposition. Supporting the Chairman at the principal table 
were the Mayor of Wakefield (Councillor W. Nicholson, J.P.), W. H. 
Stewart, Esq., J.P., Mr. G. Webster, President of the Wakefield Trades¬ 
men’s Association; Mr. Henry Hardman, President of the Wakefield 
Tradesmen’s Benevolent Institution ; Mr. J. R. W. Eldridge, also Messrs. 
B. Whiteley, H. S. Goodyear, and W. Pye, three of the Vice-Presidents. 
All the arrangements had been admirably conducted by the courteous 
Secretaries, Messrs. Thos. Garnett and G. W. Fallas, who were present. 
After the tables were cleared the usual loyal toasts were proposed by the 
Chairman, and heartily welcomed. The “ City and Trade of Wakefield” 
was then proposed by Mr. W. R. Thompson, President of the Dewsbury 
Society, to which the Mayor, Mr. G. Webster, and Mr. H. Hardman 
suitably responded. The Mayor referred to the rapid spread of the love 
of horticulture among all classes, and the pleasures attending upon it, 
also to the great work done by the Society among the rising generation 
of the city by the annual Window Gardening Show and Wild Flower 
Exhibition. 
W. H. Stewart, Esq., J.P., proposed the toast of the evening, “ The 
Paxton Society,” in a happy, polished, humorous, and eloquent speech. 
He spoke of gardening as a useful and beautiful art. It was useful 
because it produced a very great variety of food. In this country we 
■were far too much in the way of making a too free use of animal food. 
The human constitution required food in variety, which could only be 
procured through the vegetable kingdom, and produced in its finest form 
through the art of gardening. To cultivate the imagination and to 
purify the mind there was nothing more beautiful than a well-kept 
garden ; to the man who could wander through such a garden unmoved 
he did not wish to be introduced. Flowers were emblematic of many 
phases of our lives, which he illustrated by eloquent references to the 
periods of joy and sorrow in the lives of all. 
Continuing, he said the Wakefield Society had not only turned its 
attention to cultivated plants and flowers, but had endeavoured to 
inculcate in the minds of the children of the neighbourhood a love for 
the natural productions of the country in the wild flowers. There were, 
however, some people in their enthusiasm for wild flowers given to 
depreciate the art of gardening. He pointed out that the gardener 
did not control, but simply guided Nature. He also referred to the 
action of the Society in procuring the Recreation Grounds for the 
inhabitants of the city, who owed to them a debt of gratitude. 
Alderman Milnes, in responding, stated that the last year had been 
the most successful the Society had experienced. The Library was in a 
flourishing condition, and was managed by an admirable Librarian in 
Mr. Ramsden. The Society was also fortunate in having two such 
excellent Secretaries as Messrs. Garnett and Fallas. He also gave a due 
meed of praise to the Committee for their regular attendance, seeing 
that many of them lived a considerable distance away. In conclusion, 
he referred to the delegates’ meeting that evening, which was most 
unanimous, and he was glad to find that other societies looked upon the 
Journal of Horticulture prize medal scheme like the Wakefield 
Society did, as one of those educational agencies which might prove to 
be very beneficial, and probably lead to annual contests in the literature 
of gardening. 
The next toast was that of “The Kindred Societies and Visitors” 
proposed by H. S. Goodyear, Esq., and responded to by Mr. Martin of 
Rothwell, who gave an admirable description of the work of and the 
enthusiasm prevailing in his Society, a comparatively new one which 
had been established with the aid and advice of the Wakefield friends. 
Mr. Pettier (Leeds), Mr. Armitage (Morley), and Mr. Simmonds (Shef¬ 
field) also responded. “ The Essayists ” was next proposed by J. R. W. 
Eldridge, Esq. He characterised the action of the Journal of Horticul¬ 
ture in offering a silver medal for competition as noble and generous, as 
was also the determination of the Wakefield Society to advise the 
throwing open of the competition to all the neighbouring societies. In 
order to signify his high regard for the benefits which accrue from the 
reading of essays he decided to offer a book prize, value one guinea, 
for the best essay on some subject to be confined to the Wakefield 
Society only. The toast was responded to bv Mr. Pye and Mr. 
Chapman. Mr. Whiteley proposed the “ Patrons and Donors,” which 
was responded to by Mr. Stewart. The musical friends acquitted them¬ 
selves well, and a most enjoyable evening was spent, 
EDUCATION IN GARDENING. 
A MEETING of delegates from the various West Riding societies of 
Yorkshire was held at the Paxton Society’s room at 5 p.m. previous to 
the above dinner. Representatives were present from Dewsbury, Leeds, 
Sheffield, Rotherham, Bradford, Barnsley, Batley, Morley, and Roth¬ 
well. 
Aid, Milnes of Wakefield occupied the chair, and introduced the sub¬ 
ject of the silver medal essay kindly offered for competition to the whole 
of the Yorkshire West Riding societies by the Journal of Horticultu,re. 
The Chairman explained that the medal had been allckcated in the first 
instance to the Wakefield Society alone, but it had been thought 
desirable by the Committee of the Wakefield Paxton Society that the 
competition should be thrown open to the whole of the societies exist¬ 
ing in the West Riding. In order to discuss the matter, and to 
ascertain the opinions of the several societies, the present meeting of 
delegates was called. He expressed his satisfaction that so many 
societies had responded and welcomed them to Wakefield. 
Mr. Garnett, one of the Secretaries of the Wakefield Society, read 
over the conditions of the competitions, which were handed to each of 
the delegates. The Chairman then invited opinions and suggestions 
from the delegates present. 
One of the Bradford delegates thought all had a kindly feeling 
towards the movement, and remarked that it would be a boon to young 
gardeners by offering an incentive to them tending to induce them to 
search more for horticultural knowledge than they otherwise would do. 
It would be a great honour whoever won the medal, and he was glad to 
say that his Society was entering into the matter heart and soul. 
Mr. Batley, from Barnsley, said since the communication had been 
received they had not had a general meeting of the members, but 
the Committee of the Society had received the matter very favourably, 
and no doubt many of their members would try their best to win the 
medal. 
Mr. Ballinger (Barnsley) remarked that any subject written upon 
dealing with horticultural matters would be education in gardening. 
He wished to ask if the training of a young mind in gardening matters 
from the first commencement, or the taking up of one subject only, was 
meant. On this he sought a definite opinion. 
A Dewsbury delegate thanked the Wakefield Society for extending 
the competition to other societies. Some of their members thought 
that any gardening subject would be sufiicient, but from the conditions 
read hj found that competitors must devote the whole of their paper 
to the subject stated, “ Education in Gardening.” He thought some of 
their members would compete. 
Mr. Pettier (Leeds) said the matter there had been taken up 
generously and warmly. Several would be glad to compete, and the 
members generally were pleased that the Editor of the Journal had set 
afoot this competition. 
The delegate from Morley stated the matter had been well received 
there, and several members hoped to compete. 
Delegates from Rotherham and Sheffield intimated that the matter 
had not yet received the attention the subject demanded, but they had 
not the slightest doubt the matter would be received favourably. 
Batley expressed itself favourably through its delegates, who stated 
that there was a feeling that this competition was a step in the right 
direction, and the outcome would probably be the bringing forward of 
some talent now hidden. The delegate from Rothwell reflected the 
opinion of his Society as also favourable. 
Mr, Garnett then gave his views upon the subject of the essay as set 
out as follows by the Editor. 
Subject of Essay. 
EDUCATION IN GARDENING. 
(a) Subjects to Study. (c) Books to Consult. 
(J) Methods to Pursue. (<f) General Advantages. 
Taking the first part of the subject, section a, he thought it 
should take into consideration matter pertaining to practical and 
theoretical gardening, and should b ing to the surface the best 
knowledge the essayist was capable of producia;. It might bring 
forth latent talent from many who see things from a fresh and 
original standpoint. 
Section 5, “ Methods to Pursue ” referred to the different ways of 
acquiring knowledge, in the case of the young garde ler not only from 
opportunities during bothy life, but by taking adyan,;age of everything 
coming within his reach. 
In section c, “ Books to Consult,” it would simply mean what the 
essayist would recommend as authorities to study to follow out the 
methods laid down in section a. 
With regard to section d, it would be easy to understand what the 
effects of a better education would be to every gardener. He had no 
doubt that the essayists would be able to show most conclusively- the 
general advantages accruing from such education. 
Mr. Garnett proposed that the 1st of June be the latest time for 
sending in the names of competitors, and the 1st of August for forward¬ 
ing the essays to the Journal of Horticulture. This was seconded by 
one of the delegates, and carried unanimously.—B. D. S, 
[We desire to express our appreciation of the generosity of the 
Committee of the Wakefield Paxton Society in inviting the members of 
