2 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 3, 1896. 
Those special Societies which are connected with the metropolis 
and are not entirely dependent upon their own resources have 
fared fairly well. The Chrysanthemum, Rose, Carnation, and 
Dahlia Societies came out of the ordeal unharmed ; but throughout 
the country many are in an enfeebled state, and of these not a 
few will probably succumb. The general taste for and love of 
plants have, however, in no way diminished, and the enormous 
supply of cut flowers to Covent Garden Market, which was so 
well shown in the able paper read by Mr. Assbee before the 
Horticultural Club, evidences an ever-increasing demand and a 
consequently ever-increasing supply ; and this, not as some people 
imagine, from abroad, but from our own islands. And though it 
is to be hoped that we shall never equal the extravagance of the 
old Romans in these matters, and although perhaps in the case 
■ef flowers for funerals the practice has run rather wild, we may 
all hail with satisfaction the continuance of the custom so 
beautiful and tasteful as that of the use of cut flowers. 
A season in greater contrast to that of 1893 it was impossible 
to conceive. It disappointed the hopes both of the agriculturist 
and the horticulturist. The hopes of the former were frustrated 
by the heavy rains of July, August, and September, and of the 
latter by the sharp frosts of May. The rosarians had to tell their 
sad tale of loss and disappointment, and the continued wet follow¬ 
ing the drought of 1893 revealed to us many a gap in our gardens. 
Alpines and many herbaceous plants suffered extensively ; many 
plants were out of character and flowered at the wrong time, and 
I think we may safely say that any which withstood these two 
consecutive seasons may be fairly considered as hardy, especially 
if by hardiness we understand not merely the power of resisting 
frost, but those many atmospheric changes to which our variable 
climate treats us. We have learned some of our best lessons in 
combating these difficulties, for in horticulture, as in other things, 
“ sweet are the uses of adversity,” and yet there are some con¬ 
tingencies which we find it almost impossible to provide against. 
Suppose, for instance, that we had known that frost of the 
20th of May was sure to come, what could the Rose grower 
have done to save his plants from its destructive power ? and 
perhaps it as well that we should also learn that lesson of our 
impotence. 
Horticultural literature still maintains its high position, and 
I think the venerable chief of the Journal of Horticulture may bo 
congratulated on the continuance of its position, not only as a 
gardener s friend, but especially as the organ of the amateur. 
There has been no addition to the number of horticultural 
journals ; indeed, there are now more than the most greedy reader 
can possibly get through week by week; but, then, as their 
contents are so varied each lover of his garden will be sure to find 
something suited to his wants. It may possibly be said that the 
“ Index Kewensis ” can hardly be regarded as pertaining to horti¬ 
culture ; but I think this is a mistake, for Kew has been the means 
of introducing amongst us many beautiful products from various 
quarters of the earth, and we do like to know from whence they 
■came and when first brought under notice. The third volume has 
been published during the past year, and is a monument of pains¬ 
taking industry of which the Editor and the Royal Gardens may 
both alike be proud. “ The Book of the Rose,” which has recently 
been given to the world by the Rev. A. Foster-Melliar, is a most 
valuable monograph which will be widely read and much appre¬ 
ciated, and may justly claim the title which it proudly assumes of 
being The” book of the Rose. Nor can I omit noticing a 
charming little volume issued during the past year by my neigh¬ 
bour Mr. Alfred Austin, entitled, “ The Garden Which I Love.” 
Its delightful style and poetic fancy are calculated to entice many 
a person who has a garden to take example from the author in his 
love for and cultivation of hardy herbaceous plants. There is 
nothing in the position and surroundings of the garden of the old 
Manor House of Swinford which may not be found in many a 
country house, and which only requires the love and tender care 
which have been bestowed upon this garden to make them a source 
of pleasure and happiness to their possessors. 
To all who are interested in the welfare of the gardener, it is 
satisfactory to look back on the success of the two institutions 
which have been established for his benefit. The old and favourite 
institution of the Gardeners’ Benevolent and its younger sister 
the Gardeners' Orphan Fund have both had a satisfactory year, 
and this is the more so because all our benevolent and philanthropic 
institutions are deploring the falling oflE of their funds. The only 
regretable point in connection with these gardeners’ societies ia 
that a larger number of gardeners do not belong to them. If more 
of them joined they would help the societies, and the sympathy of 
others would be more called out. 
And now one comes to the most melancholy part of the review 
of the past year, and calling over the death roll. Early in the 
year horticulturists were startled by the announcement of the 
deaths of two men very different in their age and position, but 
both keen horticulturists and both valued for their social qualities. 
William Ingram of Belvoir, and Walter Williams of Salisbury, the 
former the accomplished head gardener of Belvoii Castle, whose 
gardens he made famous by his keen sense of artistic beauty, and 
more especially by what he called his spring bedding, for which he 
became famous everywhere. He had spent a long life in the 
intelligent pursuit of his calling which he so much loved. Many 
had seen Mr. Williams only a few days before his death, full of the 
energy and hopefulness which characterised him, and could hardly 
believe the sad news that this vigorous young life was extinguished. 
During the year the deaths among prominent horticulturists have 
not been many, but some well known names are amongst them, 
such as Joseph Rust the sturdy old gardener of Lord Abergavenny, 
Mr. Sibray of the firm of Fisher, Holmes & Co., Sheffield, 
and Mr. W. H. Gower whom all Orchid and Fern lovers will 
mourn for, for he was continually giving the results of his 
experience in the gardening papers. Then followed Mr. Wither¬ 
spoon, a successful self-taught gardener in Durham ; and last on 
the roll with startling suddenness, the gentle spirit of Mr. Charles 
Collins of the Journal of Horticulture passed away. 
And thus, in looking over the past, the year closes around us 
with its chequered stories of joy and grief, gladness and dis¬ 
appointment, and we have now to look forward for another year, 
happily not knowing what may befall us in it. But I think this 
I may say, that as amongst those things that have combined to 
lighten the burden we are all called upon to bear, gardening is with 
all its pleasures, has been amongst the most potent elements ; I 
may, from my own experience, encourage all who love the same 
pursuits to go on in any branch of it in which their fancy 
may lead them. To the younger members of our craft I would 
especially say a word of encouragement. It is well I believe for 
all men, and especially young men, to have a hobby, and what 
hobby is more delightful or more elevating than the garden ? 
There are so many fields in which you can bring your energies 
to bear, and whether it be fruits or flowers there is scope for 
originality and new successes. But let all be done in a reverent 
spirit. Do not, as the heathens did, deify Nature, and make gods 
and goddesses of tree and flower, but let all lead you up through 
Nature to Nature’s God, and many of you will find when worried 
with the affairs of life your flowers have a lesson to teach you, 
and so using the words of one of the contributors of the Journal 
in a pleasant little volume which he (the Rev. D. R. Williamson) 
has lately published. 
“ Oh, Thou, that with the joyful dost rejoice, 
And sorrowest with the sorrowing—not in vain, 
Be Thou my consolation, till God's voice 
Shall call my spirit to its home again.” 
And so now the old fogey bids you all farewell, it is not unlikely 
that this is the last time he may be able to address you, and so he 
wishes you all to carry away with you the expression of his sincere 
good will. He has many friends amongst you and many corre- 
