482 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jane 18,1891. 
although late, done very well. A. fulgens has not been so good, 
and its double form has not flowered at all. The white 
A. stellata alba has proved a great disappointment to me. It 
has been an instance of a much-lauded plant proving of but 
little value. I am perhaps singular in my opinion, but the 
varieties of A. stellata are not much appreciated in my garden. 
Regarding A. coronalia, I have, after some considerable expe¬ 
rience, found that the most satisfactory results will be obtained 
by raising plants from seed occasionally and discarding the old 
tubers. 
There are now so many plants in flower that my further notes 
must be brief, and far from exhaustive of all worthy of note. On 
the rockery the beautiful Onosma taurica, the “ Golden Drop,” is 
well in flower, its singular and beautiful yellow blooms having an 
added charm in the perfume, which has a distinct approach to that 
of bitter almonds. This is by no means a difficult plant to manage 
here. I have it in three positions, and in none of these did it 
receive any c svering or protection. Had we had a wet February I 
would have placed a piece of glass over the plants to preserve the 
hirsute foliage from the rain. Hypericum reptans has not yet 
come into flower, but has pulled through the winter without any 
protection; It has been badly cut up in some gardens. I grow it 
over a patch of a Mossy Saxifrage, and this seems to suit it well. 
Some of the Helianthemums are now in flower, and are as welcome 
as ever. It is a pity the pretty “crinkled” flowers are so fugitive, 
and while a sunny position should be chosen it should be as much 
sheltered from the wind as possible, or a few hours will be the 
limit of the bloom for the day. 
A bed of some forty plants of Rev. A. Rawson’s Columbines 
are finely in flower. These Aquilegias were raised from seed and 
planted with the intention of selecting the best forms and 
discarding the inferior and the duplicates. All are, however, so 
beautiful that I cannot think to reduce their numbers. The 
bed, as it is, is much admired, and will most likely be allowed to 
remain. 
The beautiful little Andromeda (Cassiope) tetragona is almost 
out of flower. This exquisite little shrub requires a shady posi¬ 
tion, and a peaty or sandy moist soil. Thus treated it will display 
its white Lily of the Valley-like little flowers, and more than 
gratify all who observe it. The blue Camassia esculenta is just 
coming into flower, and several other bulbous plants are about to 
follow suit. The white flowered Allium triquetrum with pretty 
umbels of drooping flowers, is in full bloom ; while a congener 
named A. hierosolymse is still in flower. This seems a rare and 
little known species. The flowers are small, white, and produced 
on a flat erect umbel, while the leaves are profusely covered with 
hairy-looking filaments. The Trolliuses or Globe-flowers, are well 
in flower, and I think upon the whole there is none finer than the 
native T. europ®us, the “ Lucken Gowan” or “Witches’ Gowan” of 
the Scots. Thus, the first week of June yields its tribute to 
Flora with ungrudging hand.—S. Aknott. 
THE GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
Proposed Floral Fete and Rose Fair at the Crystal 
Palace, Wednesday, July 15th, 1891. 
When the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund was established in 1887 it 
was not apprehended that such a charity was so urgently needed 
as experience has proved to be the case. The necessities of the 
needy—the widows of gardeners struggling with adversity in seeking 
maintenance for young families, and the humble guardians of 
orphans who have lost both parents—have come as a surprise, and 
urged the Committee to make special efforts to alleviate existing 
distress. ^ They thankfully acknowledge the generous response of 
many friends^ and helpers in various parts of the country, and 
rejoice in having been thereby able to provide means of support 
for thirty-nine children at an annual outlay of upwards of five 
hundred pounds ; but in view of present obligations, and further 
well founded claims for help, the Committee are impelled to appeal 
once again to a sympathising and large-hearted public who engage 
or delight in gardening, convinced that the appeal will not be in 
vain. 
The object now sought is hearty co-operation over the widest 
possible field in a great united endeavour to make the above; 
project a success. The necessity for this effort has mainly arisem 
through the loss sustained by the discontinuance of the Floral Fete- 
in Covent Garden Market, which was equal to an annual income of' 
£200. The great popularity of this Fete led to such an inrush of 
persons on the opening of the Market on the following morning, as- 
to so impede the transaction of business that the friends who- 
provided the unparalleled displays became material sufferers- 
through their generosity. 
Amongst other means resolved on under the circumstances to- 
strengthen the Fund is the holding of a Floral Fete and Rose Fair- 
at the great national place of public resort—the famous Palace cf’ 
Sydenham. This project is in its nature both speculative and 
costly ; but the Committee desire to make it clearly understood 
that under no circumstances can the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund itself 
lose one penny. A private guarantee fund has been provided to- 
make good any possible loss that may occur through unforeseen- 
contingencies, such as (1) inclement weather, and (2) a lack of 
public sympathy. The weather is beyond control, but there is not 
one other place in the kingdom where thousands of visitors could 
to anything like the same extent find enjoyment, even on a rainy 
day, as at the Crystal Palace. In respect to the other possible 
cause of failure, the Committee are convinced that nurserymen, 
florists, gardeners, and friends of the fatherless children will not,, 
so far as in them lies, permit it to occur. 
The arrangements with the Crystal Palace authorities are made 
on an equitable basis, and the greater the number of admissions to' 
the Palace on the Fete day the greater will be the benefit accruing, 
and especially if tickets are purchased, at the ordinary rate, through 
the officials of the Fund. 'The Committee would, therefore, first 
ask all who are desirous of attending the great Rose Fair to not 
only make an effort to do so, but also make the project widely 
known in the districts in which they reside, in order that a great 
multitude will assemble, and thus give their countenance and 
support towards a truly noble object—helping the helpless children 
of gardeners who now rest in the earth that they endeavoured to- 
make fruitful and beautiful by their labour and skill. 
It is hoped the members of those mutual improvement and 
horticultural societies who have not yet made arrangements for 
their annual “ outing ” will give the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund 
favourable consideration, and if possible let the Crystal Palace be 
their rendezvous on the 15th of July. They will find much to 
interest, instruct, and amuse, and will have the satisfaction of 
feeling that they have shared in an object than which none is more 
worthy in the horticultural world. 
Many gardeners, nurserymen, and florists who are unable to> 
attend on the occasion in question can give substantial help to the 
project and the Fund. It is to be observed that the great source 
of attraction is to be not only a floral fete, but a Rose fair. This 
implies, and is in fact intended to be, a sale of flowers, notably 
Roses, to the visitors. Fruit also will be sold for the benefit of tke 
Fund. Already the Committee have received generous offers of 
both, and hope to receive many more. The desire is to have 
sufficient Roses and other flowers promised to enable such a display 
being made as will attract a large attendance of London visitors, 
who invariably attend Rose shows freely, and clamour for the 
flowers 'that are not on sale. The “fair” then, where they can 
buy after a certain hour, it is expected will prove distinctly 
popular, and draw many persons to the Palace who would not 
otherwise attend. 
The direct railway connection with the Crystal Palace from all 
parts of the kingdom for the conveyance of substantial packages, 
and the parcels’ post for smaller quantities of produce, such as 
nosegays, coat and dress bouquets, &c., afford adequate means for 
transmitting whatever the generously disposed who have the power 
will be willing to place at the disposal of the Committee for the 
charitable object, with which all who grow and love flowers must 
desire to help. 
Apart from cut flowers it is hoped it will be convenient for 
several nurserymen to send representative groups or collections of 
plants for sale or otherwise, as they may determine, and thus con¬ 
tribute materially to the general display. This it is expected will 
be both extensive and unique, and that by the cordial co operation 
of many friends it is thought much good may be done to the 
charity at a minimum amount of inconvenience to donors and 
helpers. 
The Palace authorities undertake to provide the usual attrac¬ 
tions, make the event widely known, and to give all available 
assistance and facilities towards making the enterprise a great 
success. 
Gardeners and others, especially perhaps young gardeners and 
