48 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
J;m lary 17, 1895. 
- The Annual Dinner op Messrs. Wills & Seqar’s 
Employes was held at the Chelsea Town Hall, on January 5th, when 
upwards of seventy were present. Mr. Wills, in replying to the toast 
of the firm, said he saw a number of faces who had been w'orking for 
them since the firm was in its infancy, and who had helped to secure 
what success had been made. 
-Birmingham Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion. —On the 7th inst. the annual meeting of this Association was held 
finder the presidency of Mr. W. B. Latham. Mr. A. W. Wills was 
unanimously re-elected President, and Professor Hillhouse was appointed 
Vice-President. The whole of the retiring Committee were re-elected 
with the exception of Mr. W. Earp (late head gardener to Mr. Joseph 
Chamberlain), the vacancy being filled by Mr. J. Haynes. Mr. W. 
Gardiner was elected Assistant Librarian, and Mr. W. Eades, the 
Assistant Secretary, was appointed a member of the Committee. 
-Sherborne Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society.— 
The usual monthly meeting of this Society was held on the 9 th inst., when 
there was a good attendance, presided over by Mr. J. H. Dal wood. 
Mr. J. Pooley read an interesting and instructive paper on “ Soils,” 
explaining the different kinds of soil which existed in various parts 
of the kingdom. Mr. Adam Stewart characterised the paper as a really 
good one, it dealing with the fundamental principles of the subject, and 
he hoped the papers which were given in connection with that Society 
would act as a stimulant in the subjects in which they were so deeply 
interested. 
- SociETE Francaise d’Horticulture de Londres. —On 
Saturday last the sixth annual dinner of this Society was held at 
4, Old Compton Street, Soho. Mr. J. H. Laing presided, being 
supported by Mr. Geo. Schneider, Mr. Geo. Nicholson of Kew, 
Mr. T. W. Sanders, Mr. C. Harman Payne, and a much larger 
attendance of members than usual. After the Chairman’s address, 
in which he congratulated the Society on its continued prosperity, 
Mr. Schneider replied, pointing out the valuable services 
rendered to the Society by the genial Chairman, who had introduced 
a large number of members and made contributions to the Society’s 
library for which they all felt grateful. Mr. Schneider also expressed 
pleasure at the appreciation of the Society’s work, which the visitors 
testified by their presence on that occasion, and their health was 
proposed and very cordially received. Mr. G. Nicholson and Mr. Har¬ 
man Payne replied in French, expressing their great interest in all that 
concerned the Society and French horticulture generally, and Mr. T. W. 
Sanders also bore testimony to the good work the Society had done. It 
may be useful to mention that the Soci4t6 Francaise d’Horticulture de 
Londrts was established to assist young French gardeners in obtaining 
situations in England, and to do the same for young English gardeners 
in France, so that they may each gain a wider knowledge of their 
profession and improve themselves in the two languages. The Society 
has an excellent library of horticultural works, and its members occupy 
important positions in all parts of the world. 
-Liverpool Horticultural Association. — On Saturday 
evening last the seventh annual dinner of members of the above Associa¬ 
tion was held at the Adelphi Hotel, under the presidency of the Hon. 
Treasurer, W. Fletcher Rogers, Esq., who was supported by Mr. T. White, 
Chairman of the Association, and Mr. R. W. Ker. There was a large 
.attendance, including about 120 of the leading gardeners of the district. 
After the usual loyal toasts Mr. R. W. Ker proposed that of the Liver¬ 
pool Horticultural Association. In an excellent speech he spoke of the 
necessity of more vigour being infused into the working, urging the 
members to seek for more support from the Council, and instead of 
holding the summer show in Sefton Park to try and secure the enclosed 
portion near the Botanical Gardens, also to get up a guarantee fund, to 
which he promised his support, to enable them to bring down one of 
the Guards’ ban(l,°, which would give a stimulus to the Association such 
as it had never before seen. Mr. Ker’s remarks met with the greatest 
approval. Mr. Fletcher Rogers, in dealing with the finances, said he was 
sure all would be pleased to hear that the funds were in a better position 
than last season, this he attributed to the fact that there was no spring 
show. He hoped that all three shows would be held this year, and that 
they would be prosperous. He also mentioned the beautiful show of 
Chrysanthemums which were open to the public in Sefton Park, also 
of Mr. Yates Thompson’s munificent gift of a new conservatory, for 
which he felt all interested in gardening ought to be thankful. After 
Mr. Ivor’s speech there was a decided tone of enthusiasm displayed 
amongst all present for the welfare of the Association.—R. P. R. 
■-Axminster and District Gardeners’ Mutual Associa. 
TION. —The first annual dinner under the new rules took place on 
Thursday, 10th inst., the Rev. Mr. Newman occupying the chair, with the 
Secretary (Mr. Chappie) in the vice-chair. After the loyal toasts were 
honoured, Mr. Hales gave the toast of the evening, “ Success to the 
Society,” and referred to the benefits derived from it. He was pleased 
to hear that the number of members were steadily growing, and hoped 
that the season coming would be a successful one. 
- Half-Holidays for Gardeners. — These are certainly 
becoming more and more popular, and in many large private horti¬ 
cultural establishments all the emplo} 6?, save those on duty for the 
time being, are allowed a half-holiday on Saturdays. In public 
establishments the parks, under the London County Council, have 
taken a lead in this matter, and now we are informed that the Kew 
authorities have made a similar departure. There are at present on the 
Kew staff some forty-four young gardeners employed in various depart¬ 
ments—not all in the houses as formerly—and of these eleven will enjoy a 
Saturday afternoon’s relaxation each week, so that each has one 
afternoon off every four weeks. The half-holidays commenced on 
Saturday, January 6th, 1895, and are sure to be much appreciated. 
_ Fruiting of an Allamanda. —I see on page 30 a letter from 
Mr. Ireland, who sends you a fruit of Allamanda, and asks If it is 
usual for this plant to fruit. If the fruit had been left on the 
branch till the spring, when the pod was commencing to crack, 
then the seed sown, I have no doubt there would have been a 
number of seedlings in the summer. Ten years since I had a plant of 
A. Wardleyana fruited, from which I raised the free flowering and 
scented Williamsi. 1 had thirty seeds, and every one germinated. I 
potted one for myself and another plant was sent to a friend in West¬ 
morland, from whom Mr. Williams procured it. The remaining plants 
I threw away for want of room. The plant I have fruited four years in 
succession. Every year I raised one seedling per pod, but no variety is 
BO free as Williamsi. The leaves of the seedlings vary, some being very 
narrow, others broad.—W. Whitehead. 
_Ancient Society of York Florists. —The annual general 
meeting of the Ancient Society of York Florists was held in the 
Agricultural Club Chambers, York, on the 8lh inst, Mr. A. Simpson 
presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The minutes of 
the last annual general meeting were read and confirmed. The 
Secretary, Mr. J. Lazenby, read the Committee’s annual report for the 
year 1894, of which the following is an extract:—“The year has been 
exceptionally propitious as regards the operations of the Society. 
Through the kind efforts of the Society’s Chaplain, the Rev. H. Vyvyan, 
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York have graciously 
done us the honour of becoming patrons, as also has the Archbishop of 
York. There is a considerable increase of subscribing members, the 
number being 642, and about fifty new names for the coming year, as 
against 600 last year. The receipts for the year amounted to 
£555 79. lid., and the expenditure having been £519 58. 6d., there was 
a surplus on the year’s working of £36 2s. 5d., which, added to last 
year’s balance, made a total balance of £199 29., and a total income of 
£718 78. 6d. The usual six shows have been held during the year with 
very encouraging results. The Chrysanthemum show exceeded all 
previous records in number of exhibitors and in excellence of exhibits.” 
The report and balance sheet were adopted. Alderman Sir Joseph 
Terry was re-elected President of the Society. The Rev. H. Vyvyan 
was unanimously re-elected Chaplain. Lord Mayor of York (Alderman 
W. McKay), the City Sheriff (Dr. Tempest Anderson, J.P.), and Mr. 
Robinson were elected Vice-Presidents for the year. Mr. J. Pillmoor 
was nominated for the office of Junior Steward, and elected. Mr. 
G. Lamb, Treasurer, and Mr. J. Lazenby, Secretary, were unanimously 
re-elected to their office. A vote of thanks was proposed to donors of 
special prizes who had thus afforded liberal aid, which was unanimously 
carried, it being mentioned that most had renewed their offers, and so 
evincing their confidence in the management; £70 was voted for prizes 
be granted to the five minor shows. It was decided that the 
prize money for the Chrysanthemum show to be held 20th, 21st, 
and 22ad of November be £150 exclusive of specials. The following 
gentlemen were elected to form the Committee for the present year :— 
Messrs. A. Simpson, R. Mrintosh, T. E. Abbey, E. Staines, W, Clues, 
W. L. Appleton, W. Bean, G. Hudson, J. Key, E. Everard, W. Clarke, 
W. Todd, G. Cowper, J. Rodwell, J. Dawe, J. C. Milburn, W. C. Milburn, 
and T. Smith. The meeting concluded after a vote of thanks had been 
accorded to the Chairman. 
