224 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 16, 1893. 
description know to be practically correct, is yet termed scientifically 
incorrect. It is not the first time in which science and practice have been 
found out of harmony, and it would in this case seem to be all the 
worse for the science, or what is termed scientific teaching. Whilst 
indulging in this piece of destructive criticism, would it not have been 
better to have gone a little further and found out where it was that 
scientific theory did not sustain what is always regarded as physiological 
practice? To have done that would have been constructive criticism. 
Then, further, it is said that the author of the Primer is not correct in 
stating that a Crab tree may be changed into an App-le tree by budding 
or grafting. Scientifically that may be an inexact expression, but 
practically it is right, and in such a book as is referred to it is a proper- 
expression, because it carries conviction to the unlearned. Of course, 
in budding, the Crab stem and root remain Crab as long as the stock 
endures, but the head—and that is the only part of the tree that produces 
fruit—is just as much an Apple tree as if on its own roots. After all, the 
public have more regard to simple, practical truths than for scientific 
refinements.— Observer. 
[I have received other letters to the same effect, but it is scarcely 
worth while to dwell on methods of criticism. The reviewer was, of 
course, scientifically correct, and had the contexts anel explanations 
been published, with the qualifying terms of sentences, he would perhaps 
have recognised their influence. In severe excisions for press, 
the matter retained often suffers in explicitness. The Surrey horti¬ 
cultural lecturers really do know that the stocks of trees retain their 
characteristics when distinct varieties are established on thim, and so 
explain ; they also know enough about propagating to teach the 
inexperienced how they may succeed and why they may fail. That is 
the substance of the matter, and the object in view. The lectures are 
for workers, not scientists. It is a reviewer’s duty to point out what he 
conceives to be errors, and authors should endeavour to profit by whole¬ 
some criticism.—J. WRIGHT.] 
UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT AND 
PKOVIDBNT SOCIETY. 
The annual general meeting of the members of the United Horti¬ 
cultural Benefit and Provident Society was held at the Caledonian 
Hotel, Adelphi, W.C., on Monday, March 13th. There was a large 
attendance, and Mr. G. J. Ingram presided. Having read the minutes 
for the previous meeting, the Secretary (Mr. W. Collins) proceeded to 
read the annual report and financial statement, which were ultimately 
unanimously adopted. 
According to the report the Society, we are glad to note, is in a most 
flourishing condition, which is a matter for congratulation. There has 
been an accession of fifty members during the past year, and conse¬ 
quently an increase of funds. Three death claims have been paid, and 
the sum of £88 12s. 8d. distributed to sick members ; this being £30 less 
than during the previous year. The Benefit Fund has a balance upwards 
of £5486, an increase of £700 accruing last year. From the Benevolent 
Fund there is also a balance in hand of over £1857, whilst that of the 
Management Fund amounts to £37 6s. 4Jd. The Voluntary Convales¬ 
cent Fund has a balance of £172 lOs. 7d., including £100 from Mr. H. J. 
and Mrs. Veitch in commemoration of their silver wedding, and to 
whom the members tender their best thanks. Three members derived 
benefit during the year from this Fund, which is steadily increasing, 
there being only a balance of £41 in 1892. The annual dinner was a 
success, and left a small balance. The Treasurer stated that £1000 had 
been invested during the past year in Three Per Cent. Stocks, this being 
the largest sum ever put by in twelve months. The substantial sum of 
£7700 was now invested in English corporations, the money being laid 
out as follows :—Nottingham Corporation, £5500 at 3 per cent.; Man¬ 
chester Corporation, £1200 at 3 per cent.; and West Bromwich, £1000 
at 3 per cent. 
Mr. G. J. Ingram, in moving the adoption of the report, said that in 
looking hastily over the rules of the Society that morning it had 
occurred to him that the advantages derived from being a member of 
the Society were far before those offered by any other benefit society in 
the United Kingdom. By becoming a member a gardener was not only 
making provision in case of sickness, but practically was investing his 
money in a savings bank. Besides the Benefit Fund there was the 
Benevolent Fund, which, in his opinion, was a distinct advantage. This 
enables the Committee to assist distressed members and their widows in 
deserving cases. In addition to this there was the Convalescent Fund. 
Looking at all these advantages, the only surprising thing to him was the 
comparatively few members on the books, and yet the numerical 
strength is something the Society can be congratulated upon. In 1882 
there were 104 members, in 1892, 448, and at present 474. That was a 
decided increase, but it was not so large as it ought to have been. 
As to the income in 1882, there were £243 6s. 8d., in 1891 
£1037 53. 6d., and last year £1228 73. 7d. Of moneys invested in 
1882 there were £2485, in 1891 £6700, and, as the Treasurer had 
stated, at present £7700, thus showing an increase of £1000 invested 
in one year. If a special effort were made pointing out these facts to 
gardeners, he thought there would be a still further large accession of 
members. In his opinion, the only weak link in an otherwise strong 
chain was the Management Fund. These are days of progress, and if 
each member were to contribute, say Is. a year extra the Management 
Fund might be augmented. Every advantage should be taken to let 
gardeners know of the existence of the Society. He would conclude by 
asking those present to obtain new members, and so make the Society 
worthy of its name the “ United Horcicultural.” It was a Society they 
could with confidence recommend to gardeners. (Applause). 
The election of the officers for the ensuing year followed at this 
juncture. The retiring members of the Committee were re-elected, with 
the exception of Mr. Dickens, who retired. On the proposition of Mr. 
Hudson, Mr. Hemsley was elected in his place. Mr. W, Collins was 
unanimously re-elected as Secretary, and a cheque of £28 183. 6d. was 
handed him for his services during the year ; this amount included £5 
for special attention to the Convalescent Fund for the past three years. 
Mr. Hudson was also re-elected Treasurer. It was stated that eleven 
new members had been elected that evening, and the Committee were 
considering the advisability of having an emblem for the Society. 
Votes of thanks to Mr. H. J. Veitch and Mrs. Veitch for their 
generosity in subscribing £100 to the Convalescent Fund, also to the 
Trustees, Auditors, and the Chairman, were accorded. 
LIVERPOOL SPRING SHOW.— March 10th. 
The annual spring Show was held in St. George's Hall on the above 
date, and although the room was not quite so well filled as in former 
years, the Exhibition was of a bright and diversified character. 
Hyacinths and Tnlips were excellent, and the Orchids weie of remarkable 
quality, particularly OJontoglossum Edwardsi, shown by Mr. J. Jellicoe, 
gardener to F. H. Gossage, Esq., Camp Hill, Woolton ; and Cypripedium 
Rothschildianum, shown, “not for competition,” by Mr. J. Edwards, 
gardener to Henry Tate, Esq., jun., Allerton Beeches. A first-class 
cultural certificate was awarded for the latter plant. 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Aigburth Nursery, staged a bank of seedling 
Imantophyllums in 6-inch pots. The forms were decidedly superior to 
any hitherto seen in Liverpool, fine massive trusses, and flowers of great 
substance and perfect form being their chief characteristics. A first- 
class certificate was unanimously awarded. A similar award was made 
to Messrs. Dicksons, Limited, Chester, for a grand display of Daffodils 
arranged in sprays and edged with pots of Scillas. Messrs. T. Davies 
and Co., Wavertree Nursery, exhibited a collection of spring flowering 
plants, and secured a certificate. Messrs. Fishlock Bros., St. John’s 
Market, were also granted a similar honour for a charming display of 
wreaths and crosses. 
For a group of miscellaneous plants arranged for effect, and 
occupying about 60 square feet, Mr. J. Jellicoe was first with a pleasing 
arrangement, having a centre Palm, Crotons at the corners, a ground¬ 
work of Maidenhair Fern, from which peeped some charming pots of 
Lachenalias, Orchids, and Daffodils, the edging being of Panicum varie- 
gatum. Mr. T. Mcorhouse, gardener to R. Brocklehurst, Esq., Sandford 
Park, West Derby, was the other exhibitor. For ten pots of hardy 
herbaceous bulbous plants, Mr. J. Bounds, gardener to A. L. Jones, 
Esq., Oaklands, Aigburth, was an easy first. Mr. J. Harrison, gardener 
to Mrs. W. G. Bateson, Elmhurst, Aigburth, was second ; and Mr. T. 
Hitchman, gardener to Arthur Earle, Esq., J.P.. Child wall, third. For 
six forced hardy plants (Azalea amoena excluded) the same exhibitor 
was first, having a splendidly flowered Deutzia gracilis and Azalea 
mollis. Mr. T. Winkworth, gardener to R. Brocklebank, Esq., Child- 
wall Hall, was second. For bouquets, Mr. T. Carling was first in both 
classes ; also in a very strong competition with six pots of Lily of the 
Valley, wonderfully well flowered. 
For eighteen Hyacinths, distinct, Mr. T. Wilson, gardener to 0. H. 
Williams, Esq., Fulwood Park, Aigburth, was first with La Delul, 
Captain IBoyton, Lady Palmerston, La Grandesse, Marquis of Hartington, 
Koh-i-Noor, Mont Blanc, Obelisque, Lord Macaulay, Charles Dickens, 
Orange Broom, Ida, Gigantea, Schotel, Von Schiller, King of the Blues, 
Czar Peter, and Florence Nightingale. Mr. W. Peers, gardener to C. E. 
Terry, Esq., Woolton, was second, and Mr. J. Kelly, gardener to R. Single- 
hurst, Enfield House, Aigburth, third. Mr. J. V. Thompson, gardener 
to W. P. Sinclair, Esq., Prince’s Road, staged an admirable collection of 
twelve Hyacinths, securing the first prize ; Mr. T. W. Wilson was second. 
For six Hyacinths, Mr. F. Salisbury, gardener to W. Poulson, Esq., 
Breeze Hill, Bootle, was first. For the special prizes offered by Messrs. T. 
Davies & Co., Wavertree Nursery, for six pots Hyacinths, three bulbs in 
each pot, there was strong competition. Mr. T. Wilson was first, and 
Mr. H. M. Coates, gardener to J. Smith, Esq., Newstead, Wavertree, 
second. Mr. T. Hitchman gained the prize for six pots of Polyanthus 
Narcissus. 
For twelve pots of single Tulips Mr. W. Kneale, gardener to Major 
Gaskell, Roseleigh, Woolton, was first, having fine Keizer Kroon, 
Duchess of Parma, Proserpine, Ophir d’Or, red and white Joost Van 
Vondel as his best. Mr. H. Holford, gardener to Chas. Mclver, Esq., 
Beechwood, Heswell, Cheshire, was second; and Mr. J. Kelly third. 
Mr. Coates was first for six pots of single Tulips, the prize for six pots 
of double Tulips going to Mr. H. Holford. Mr. J. Jellicoe secured the 
first prize for six pots of Daffodils. 
For two Amaryllis Mr. J. J. Craven, gardener to J. G. Grant 
Morris, Esq., Allerton Priory, staged Imperial, a grand dark variety; 
and Virgin Queen, a white flower striped with crimson. Mr. C. Osborne, 
gardener to H. J. Robinson, Esq., Aymestry Court, Woolton, was 
second. For six stove and greenhouse plants only Mr. J. Jellicoe 
exhibited. Mr. T. Moorhouse staged a superb Clerodendron Balfouri 
in bloom, the prize in the corresponding class for a greenhouse plant 
being taken by Mr. T. Winkworth with a fine Imantophyllum rruniatum. 
Mr. Winkworth was also first with two trained Mignonette, three Callas, 
and two bunches black Grapes, showing Black Alicante. 
Three Orchids in flower were shown by Mr. Jellicoe, first ; Mr. J. 
