Bece'm' er 2?, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
549 
- A Vine Disease. —Dr. B. Pasquale has undertaken a study 
of the phenomena and causes of the very destructive disease of the 
Vine known as “ mal nero,” his observations having been made chiefly 
;in Sicily. The disease makes its appearance in the form of black spots 
and streaks on the leaves. Dr. Pasquale finds it to be always accom¬ 
panied by a Schizomycete, which he believes also to be its cause, and 
which i 3 parasitic, especially on the tissues rich in protoplasm and in 
other plastic substances, such as the cambium, the medullary rays, the 
-cortical parenchyma, and the soft bast of the axile organs. 
- The Midland Counties Carnation and Picotee Society. 
—The second annual report of this Society just issued is of a very satis¬ 
factory character, showing an income for the year, including a balance 
irom last year, of £188. With an expenditure of £90 in prizes, and 
donations of £5 each to the Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution and the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, there is still a balance in hand of £32. The 
report is comprehensive, and contains much information of a useful 
character to amateurs, as full lists of flowers exhibited in the winning 
-stands are given, together with a reliable list of each class of the best 
varieties for cultivation, comprised from lists sent in by several of the 
leading cultivators in the Midlands. 
- Effects of the Electric Light on Plant Growth.— 
The “Botanical Gazette” states that, in a report to the Cornell 
University, Prof. L. H. Bailey firmly establishes the commercial value 
•of the electric light for certain winter crops, especially for Lettuce. 
Certain kinds of plants, which are injured by the direct rays of the 
light, are not injured, but may even be benefited, when the light passes 
through a clear glass globe or through a glass roof. Auxanometric 
records appear to show that the light accelerates growth, but does not 
change its normal periodicity. This is in harmony with the observa¬ 
tions of Prof. G. Bonnier, recorded in the “ Comptes rendus,” who finds 
that the electric light promotes the formation of chlorophyll in all kinds 
of plants, both woody and herbaceous. 
- Cardiff Horticultural Society.— The annual general 
meeting of the above Society was held on Wednesday, the 14th inst., 
and there was a good attendance. In the absence of Mr. A. Pettigrew 
of the Castle Gardens, Mr. John Morgan took the chair, and in his 
opening remarks stated that the Society had this year been able to pay 
off a good sum of the existing debt due from last year. There was an 
increase of subscriptions, but a large falling off in gate receipts, due to 
the rain on the second day of the Show. The entries exceeded by 200 
those of last year, and were in every department of much greater 
merit, and there was no doubt the Society had now established a 
reputation. The Mayor of Cardiff was elected President, Mr. J. D. 
Morgan Chairman of Committee, with Mr. Stephen Treseder of the 
Pwllcoch Nurseries, Vice-Chairman. Mr. H. Gillett was re-elected 
Secretary. The next Show was fixed for the 15th and 16th August. 
-Liverpool Horticultural Association. — The second 
lecture of the fourteenth series of winter readings was held in the Free 
Library on Saturday evening last. Mr. White presided over a well- 
attended meeting, and introduced the lecturer, Mr. Harrison, gardener 
to Lord Derby, Knowsley Hall, as a well-known authority on the 
subject he had chosen—viz., “ Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.” Mr. 
Harrison treated his subject thoroughly, comprehensively, and admirably. 
A discussion followed. Mr. Ranger advised all young gardeners to let 
their first aim be to gain a thorough knowledge of trees and shrubs, and 
when making a plantation to plant carefully all those required for a 
permanency, and all delicate ones to be protected with other trees until 
well established, afterwards to be cut away. Mr. Ker pointed out how 
easy it was to stock a conservatory and make it ornamental; but in 
planting a shrubbery it required great foresight, as it would take many 
years to see if the work had been well done. Votes of thanks to Mr. 
Harrison and the Chairman terminated the proceedings.—R. P. R. 
- Boy Gardeners. —Amongst the various incidents that have 
cropped up in connection with the courses of horticultural lectures in 
the county of Surrey, I have met with none more interesting than is 
found in the regular attendance at one place of a number of strong, 
hearty, bright, intelligent lads from the Gordon Boys’ Home. These 
form capital material for the making of future garden labourers, and in 
time something much better. They are not gutter lads, but of a much 
superior kind ; and that intensely sharp, precociously cunning look 
which characterises lads in a reformatory school is altogether wanting 
happily so. These lads come to the lectures under the charge of the 
gardener and bailiff to the Home, Mr. Hale, a most intelligent man ) 
3nd who it is certain will do his best to make these lads capable 
and useful. He would be only too pleased to obtain for them from 
time to time situations in gardens, and I should regard them as trained 
so far to make capital helpers.—A. D. 
- Death of Mr. William Pratt.—I t is with much regret that 
we record the death of Mr. William Pratt, lately head gardener to the 
Marquis of Bath, Longleat, Warminster, which took place on the 
12th inst. at Southgate Hotel, Southgate Street, Bath, where the 
deceased had been carrying on the business of wine and spirit merchant 
for three or four months. During the nine or ten years that the late 
Mr. Pratt was at Longleat he distinguished himself a most successful 
Grape grower and a thoroughly good all-round practical gardener. Mr. 
Pratt was forty-two years of age at the time of his death, and he leaves 
a wife and young family to mourn his loss. Previous to taking charge of 
Longleat Gardens the deceased was several years gardener to Lord Hill t 
Hawkstone, Shrewsbury, where he distinguished himself in the culture 
of plants and other things. 
- East Anglian Horticultural Club.—A pleasing feature 
in the proceedings of the annual general meeting of this Club, held at 
their headquarters, the City Arms, Norwich, on Wednesday, December 
14th, was the presentation of an enlarged framed photograph of himself 
to Mr. F. Morris, The Gardens, Witton House, than whom no member is 
more justly appreciated in every way. Mr. Morris was again elected 
President, for the fourth year in succession; Mr. H. N. Bartlett, The 
Gardens, Earlham Hall, was elected Vice-Chairman in place of Mr. 
Barnes, while the latter gentleman and Mr. Bracey of Thorpe were 
appointed his deputies for the ensuing year. Mr. Charles Daniels was 
chosen as Hon. Treasurer in lieu of his brother Mr. George Daniels, who 
has resigned, to the regret of all the members. Mr. A. F. Upstone, of 
Messrs. Daniels Bros., was for the third time asked to undertake the 
onerous duties of Hon. Secretary. The Committee were almost to a 
man re-appointed. About sixty members were present. 
- General Rules of the Club. —We publish the following 
rules of the above Club, passed at general meeting, January 13th, 1892, 
as they contain good points, and may be suggestive. 1, That this Club 
be called “ The East Anglian Horticultural Club.” 2, That the Club 
shall be for the advancement of horticulture, and for promoting a 
friendly and social intercourse amongst its members and their friends, 
and that political and religious subjects shall not be discussed at any of 
the meetings. 3, That there shall be a President, two or more Vice- 
Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and a Committee of eighteen members, 
seven of whom shall form a quorum. 4, That the President, Vice- 
Presidents, and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members of Committee, and 
shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election. 5, That six 
of the Committee shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re- 
election. 6, That the Club shall consist of two classes of members, 
honorary and ordinary ; that the annual subscription for the former be 
not less than 10s., and for the latter 5s., and for under gardeners 2s. 6d. 
Ordinary members’ subscriptions shall become due on the 1st cf 
January, and if not paid by the second Wednesday in July the 
defaulter shall cease to be a member, and forfeit all privileges of the 
Club. 7, That all persons wishing to become members must be pro¬ 
posed on forms or nomination papers, provided by the Club, and elected 
at the next meeting ; the proposer to pay a fee of Is. at the time, such 
sum to go towards the general expenses. 8, That a portion of any 
surplus money at the end of each year may be used for benevolent pur¬ 
poses, to be administered as the majority of the Committee may deem 
advisable, and whose decision in all matters relating thereto shall be 
final. 9, That a free register of gardeners out of employment, or in 
want of situations, shall be kept, so that members desirous of assisting 
their brother gardeners to obtain situations may find a valuable aid 
therein. All members are therefore requested to co-operate in this, by 
making known to the Secretary their wants ; also to give information of 
any situation which they know is vacant or likely to become so. 10, That 
members may introduce friends at any of the meetings, and that a 
visitor’s book shall be kept, which must be signed by both visitor and 
member on the evening of introduction. 11, That meetings be held 
monthly, at 6.30 P.M., on the second Wednesday in each month. 
12, That a banquet be held each year, on the first day of the Norfolk 
and Norwich Chrysanthemum Show, each member paying for his own 
ticket. It is thought by adopting this plan there will be a surplus for 
benevolent purposes and for other objects the Society have in prospective. 
13, That these rules shall remain in force till the end of the year, and 
no alterations be made except at the annual meeting. One month’s 
notice must be given in writing to the Secretary of any proposed 
alterations. 
