382 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 19, 1892. 
paid for clerical work all the administration of the Fund was purely 
voluntary. (Cheers.) There were no office expenses, because the Royal 
Horticultural Society had kindly given the Fund a home at Chiswick, 
and they had nominated Mr. Barron, the garden Superintendent, to be 
Hon. Secretary of the Fund. Mr. Barron performed his duties with 
great judgment, zeal, and efficiency, and he showed an enthusiasm for 
the cause which had a great deal to do with its success. (Hear, hear.) 
During the first year of its existence the Fund took eleven children 
under its charge. The following year the number swelled to nineteen, 
and subsequently to thirty-nine, and now there were fifty recipients of 
its charities. If the result of that dinner was satisfactory they would be 
able to still further increase the number to sixty or sixty-five. At the 
present time there were a very large number of cases with which the 
Committee were unable to deal, but not one of them was undeserving of 
help. He was informed on good authority that the Committee could 
dispense ten times the amount had they it in their coffers. There 
were many reasons why the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund deserved support. 
One was that it was supported principally by gardeners, for whose 
orphans the organisation had been instituted. He had noticed that the 
subscriptions far exceeded the donations, which was very creditable to the 
gardeners of this country. He thought, therefore, that gardeners who 
helped themselves and endeavoured to lay by provision for their children 
worthily deserved to be assisted by the rich. He knew that all could 
not participate in this Fund ; but if well supported, the Institution would 
be able to render aid to many poor orphans, and to increase the immense 
service and usefulness which it has already accomplished. (Cheers.) 
H. J. Veitch, Esq., responded in a few well chosen words, and said 
that although Treasurer of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution 
he took a deep interest in the welfare of the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. 
It was felt by some that there was a rivalry between the two Institu¬ 
tions, but this he was in a position to disclaim. (Cheers.) There was 
not, and must not be, any clashing. The Gardeners’ Orphan Fund was 
instituted for the benefit of the poor widows and orphans, while the 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent, as was well known, assisted those who are 
disabled through age and infirmities to follow their profession. There 
was ample room for both Institutions, and all should work together. If 
there was anything which demanded general sympathy more than any 
other, however, it was the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. He felt sure that 
there was not another charitable institution which would come nearer 
the heart of the Queen than the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund if Her 
Majesty knew about it. (Cheers ) It was true that the help given was 
small, but many present could perhaps scarcely imagine how grateful 
the poor widows and orphans were for the little assistance rendered. In 
some cases he knew the late employers assisted the fatherless (cheers), 
but in many instances they did not. He did hope, therefore, that every¬ 
one who eould would put their hands deep in their pockets in order to 
forward this good cause, for in the best of all books it was stated that 
the most sincere form of religion was to help the poor widows and 
orphans. (Cheers.) 
Responding to “ The Chairman,” Sir James Whitehead said that no 
one felt the importance of horticulture more than himself. (Cheers.) 
He was happy to know that the efforts made by the Mansion House 
three years ago, during his period of mayoralty, had been attended with 
considerable success, having resulted in more than 27,000 acres of land 
being recently put under fruit culture in this country. (Cheers.) He 
was confident that everyone who judiciously planted fruit trees would 
not only be remunerated for their labour, but would derive considerable 
advantage therefrom. (Hear, hear.) Every farmer and cottager in the 
country should be encouraged to plant fruit trees. 
Sir Trevor Lawrence proposed “ Success to Horticulture,” and in rising 
to do so remarked no one could derive greater pleasure from horticul¬ 
ture than he did. The pleasure, too, he was happy to say, had extended 
over a long period. He could recollect considerable matters eonnected 
with horticulture for over half a century, and therefore nothing gave 
him greater pleasure than helping forward any movement connected 
with it. In horticulture we had a pure and unalloyed pleasure, as well 
as a respectable calling. He was well aware of the difficulties with 
which gardeners had to contend. They had, among other things, to 
make plants of all parts of the world denizens of this country, and to 
grow tropical fruits even better than they were cultivated in their 
native habitats. He was sure that there was no better fruit produced 
anywhere than in this country (hear, hear), which afforded evidence of 
the skill of our gardeners. Euglish gardens in general, according to 
his experience, compared favoura'dy with any that could be seen on the 
continent. Regarding the movement now being made in connection 
with horticulture by various county councils, he thought that some 
central authority ought to deal with the matter. Mr. H. R. Williams 
and Mr. J. Laing responded in appropriate terms. 
Mr. Brian Wynne at this point announced the resrrlt of the evening’s 
subscription, and said that the list far exceeded the Executive’s most 
sanguine expeetation. Amidst great cheering and enthusiasm it was 
stated that the subscriptions had been numerously and generously given, 
reaching just over £1000. Sir James VVhitehead, Bart., the Chairman, 
had most liberally headed the list with £100, and Lady Whitehead had 
also contributed £5 5s. The President of the Fund, Sir Julian Goldsmid, 
Bart., had given £50, and amongst those mentioned were A. W Weeks, 
Esq., £39 10s.; Baron Schroder, £20 ; G. M. Segar, Esq , £21 ; Mr. 
G. Paul, £17 4s.; Mr. W. W. Protheroe, £12 11s. ; Mr. H. B. May, £12 ; 
Mr. W. Bull, £10 10s. ; N. Sherwood, Esq., £10 10s.; Messrs. Veitch 
and Sons, £10 lOs. ; Thames Bank Iron Co., £10 10s. ; Colonel Davies, 
£10 10s. ; H. G. Bell, Esq., £10 10s.; Messrs. Sutton & Sons, £5 5s. ; 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, £5 Ss. ; Messrs. W. Paul & Son, £5 5s. ; 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, £5 5s. ; and H. R. Williams, Esq., £5 5s. 
Numerous other gentlemen also contributed towards the Fund with 
great liberality, but want of space forbids a fuller list. 
Following the announcement of the subscription list came other 
toasts, which included “ Kindred Institutions,” proposed by A. W. G. 
Weeks, Esq., and responded to by N. Sherwood, Esq.; and “ The 
Visitors ” by Mr. R. Dean, to which the Mayor of Richmond, and 
Alderman Samuel responded. An excellent musical entertainment, 
under the direction of Mr. J. T. Musgrove, enlivened the proceedings 
considerably, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
May 17th. 
Rarely has the Drill Hall been so bare as it was on this occasion. 
The exhibits, if arranged together, would barely have sufficed to fill the 
central table, and all the Committees had an easy task. The explanation 
is, no doubt, the near proximity of the Temple Show, for which exhi¬ 
bitors are probably reserving themselves. 
Fruit Committee. —Present : Phillip Crowley, Esq. (in the chair), 
Messrs. John Lee, A. Moss, R. D. Blackmore, Harrison Weir, J. Cheal, 
A. W. Sutton, G. Taber, T. J. Saltmarsh, G. Bunyard, A. Dean, W. Bates, 
G. H. Sage, G. W. Cummins, G. Wythes, J. Hudson, F. Q. Lane, 
H. Balderson, and J. Smith. 
The exhibits brought to the notice of this Committee were few in 
number. A box of well-grown Brown Turkey Figs came from the Duke 
of Northumberland, Syon House, Brentford (gardener, Mr. G. Wythes), 
and a cultural commendation was awarded. Branches of Ficus elastica 
bearing small fruits were also shown by Mr. Wythes. Samples of a 
Fig named Pingo de Mel were shown by the Earl of Dysart, Ham 
House, Richmond (gardener, Mr. G. H. Sage), and a first-class certificate 
was awarded. The fruits apparently disappeared, however, in the pro¬ 
cess of testing, and we are unable to give a description of them. The 
same must be said of a dish of Empress of India Strawberry, also cer¬ 
tificated, shown by Lord Suffield, Gunton Park Gardens, Norwich 
(gardener, Mr. W. Allan). Mr. Allan exhibited other seedling Straw¬ 
berries and several Melons. One of the latter, named Gunton Orange, 
a medium-sized red-fleshed fruit of good colour and quality, was 
awarded a first-class certificate. A seedling Melon named Westley 
Surprise was shown by R. Burrell, Esq., Westley Hall, Bury St. 
Edmunds (gardener, Mr. A. Bishop), but it did not receive any award. 
A box of Tomatoes came from F. Ridout, Esq., Bure Homage, Christ- 
ehurch (gardener, Mr. T. Bootes) ; and seeds and a seed pod of the 
Mahogany Tree were shown by Messrs. Wrench & Sons. Mr. R. Orlebar, 
Hinwick House, Wellingborough, sent a dish of Strawberry John 
Ruskin, for which a vote of thanks was accorded. These fruits also 
disappeared somewhat prematurely. 
Floral Committee. —Mr. George Paul (in the chair), Messrs. 
H. Herbst, R. Dean, H. B. May, Norman Davis, C. J. Salter, C. Jefferies, 
T. W. Girdlestone, E. Mawley, T. Baines, C. Noble, J. Fraser, W. Watson, 
G. Gordon, G. Phippen, and R. Owen. 
The most showy contribution that came before this Committee was a 
group of Calceolarias from T. Northard, Esq., York House, Lower 
Sydenham (gardener, Mr. J. Slater). These plants were of a good size 
and exceptionally well flowered, deserving the vote of thanks which 
was accorded. Messrs. H. Lane & Son, Berkhampstead, sent a hamper 
of Anna Marie de Montravel Rose, the plants being dwarf and covered 
with bloom. Several other Polyantha Roses in pots were likewise 
shown by Messrs. Lane, to whom a vote of thanks was accorded. A 
small but choice group of Roses came from Messrs. W. Paul & Son, 
Waltham Cross. These included plants of a charming Hybrid Tea 
named Lady Henry Grosvenor. This beautiful variety received an 
award of merit, and is more fully described below. A box of cut blooms 
and a plant of a new hardy climbing Tea Rose named Pink Rover were 
also included in Messrs. Paul’s collection, but this variety was not 
specially noticed by the Committee. The flowers are of a good shape, 
bright pink in the centre, the outer petals being nearly white, and the 
plant appears to possess a vigorous habit. Six fine standards of a Moss 
Rose named Zenobia were likewise conspicuous in this group, the plants 
being remarkably vigorous in growth and well flowered. The blooms 
are of a magenta crimson colour, and are produced in clusters on stout 
stems. When half expanded the buds are most beautiful, although not 
so well mossed as some varieties. The recently introduced Tea Rose 
Medea (a fine pale yellow) and Princess May (pink) were conspicuous 
amongst other varieties. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, sent two hampers of Fancy 
Pelargoniums. One named Arete, a most brilliant variety, received an 
award of merit, and is referred to below. The other, Florence Edith, 
was a little taller in growth, but exceedingly well flowered, the blooms 
being white with just a faint tinge of magenta in some of the petals. 
Blooms of Paeonia \Vittmaniana and a fine plant of Pandanus pacificus 
were also exhibited by Messrs. Veitch. The Pandanus was awarded a 
first-class certificate, and is described below. Flowering branches of 
various trees and shrubs were likewise shown by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, 
and noticeable among them were raeemes of Wistaria sinensis alba. 
This was awarded a first-class certificate, and is referred to elsewhere. 
Cerasus serrulata, a magnificent double Cherry, was shown in good 
form, this being decidedly better than Cerasus avium multiplex, also 
