238 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 11,1895, 
desirable there should be any material increase, for whatever surplus 
that may be available could probably be utilised to advantage in part 
to making the Society more widely known, and in part to increasing 
the remuneration of the Secretary. The total of the several balances 
was £9835 14s. GJd., and it was of importance to know that this amount 
—which largely exceeds the liabilities of the Society—is invested in 
perfectly safe securities, and is a guarantee that every claim will be 
met in accordance with the rules. 
It would not be necessary for him to discuss in detail either the 
report or balance-sheet; but there were a few points to which he would 
like to direct attention. It was of interest to know that there had been 
a substantial increase in the roll of both classes of members, and that 
the number of benefit members had increased during the financial year 
from 487 to 547, or a net gain of 69. It was still more interesting to 
learn that the contributions of the members to the Benefit Fund 
amounted to £821 IGs. 3i., because that sum, taken in connection with 
some other figures that are given, brings out in strong relief the 
distinctive character of the Society, and the remarkable advantages it 
offers. The contributions to the Benefit Fund, as so well known to 
members, are applied as far as may be necessary in providing the weekly 
allowances to members during sickness, and the remainder is added in 
given proportions, according to the scale, to the deposits of the members 
standing in the books of the Society, which remain at interest until the 
members attain their seventieth year. Last year the total amount dis¬ 
bursed in sick pay was £117 7s. 8 d., therefore of the total of £821 there 
was a sum of £704 83 . 7d. available for adding to the deposit account. 
There is nothing unusual in so small a proportion of the contributions 
to the Benefit Fund being distributed in sick pay, and in 1893 it was 
relatively smaller. The annual surplus has invariably been large, as 
proved by the fact that during the twenty-nine years the Society has 
been in existence the members’ deposits have amounted, after the pay¬ 
ment of the amounts belonging to deceased members, to £7224 Is. 6 d., 
the balance of the Benefit Fund at the present time. The interest on 
the balance of this fund was last year £178 lls. lid., and as this was 
£61 4s. 3d. more than was required for sick pay it follows that every 
penny contributed by members to the Benefit Fund has been an 
investment for old age. 
If the members had belonged to one of the best of the general benefit 
societies the only advantage that would have been derived from this 
annual surplus would be the payment of £10, £12, or £15 to their 
representatives at their death. As illustrating the practical effect of 
this difference he stated that he was well acquainted with a gardener 
who joined the Order of Foresters three years before the United 
Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society was founded, and from that 
time to this he had paid contributions equal to their lower scale— 
namely, 6 d. per week ; and the benefits to which he is entitled are lOs. 
per week during illness, and £10 at death. On the other hand, a 
member of the United who joined on the lower scale when the Society 
was first formed had not only been entitled to 10 s. 6 d. per week in 
sickness, and would have a claim on the Benevolent Fund on his 
reaching his seventieth year, but has now standing to his credit the sum 
of £51 193. Id., or actually £7 lls. 7d. more than the whole of his 
contributions to the Benefit, Benevolent, and Management Funds. On 
the higher scale the sum placed to the credit of a member of similar 
standing would be considerably higher, and as a matter of fact a 
member has the sum of £78 lls. 3^d., or about £14 more than the whole 
of his contributions to the Society, the difference in both cases being 
due to the reproductive power of money when judiciously invested. 
Members should impress facts of this kind on the attention of 
friends who are eligible ; they should also point out that should a 
member be unable to continue his subscriptions he does not lose his 
deposit, but the amount to his credit is retained until he reaches his 
sixtieth year, when it is handed over to him. To show how important 
is this feature it was mentioned that at the present the substantial 
sum of £702 was standing to the credit of lapsed members. In conclu¬ 
sion the Chairman urged on the members the necBssity of availing 
themselves of every opportunity for making the Society known to their 
friends, so that a much greater proportion of those engaged in horti¬ 
cultural pursuits might derive advantage from the great and highly 
beneficent work in which it is engaged. 
Mr. W. Marshall seconded the proposition, which was carried amidst 
applause. Mr. E. G. Wheeler moved that 3000 copies of the report 
should be printed and circulated, which was agreed to. A proposal was 
made that in future the balance-sheet should be circulated before the 
annual meeting, which was left for the consideration of the Committee. 
Then followed the election of members of the Committee in place of 
those retiring, and on show of hands the result was as follows :—Mr. 
E. G. Wheeler, thirty-six votes ; Mr. Wood, thirty-one; Mr. Boram, 
thirty; and Mr. T. Thompson, twenty-three. The Chairman declared 
these gentlemen duly elected. 
Mr. J. Hudson moved that Mr. Collins should be re-elected as 
Secretary, and in addition to his usual stipend a bonus of £5 should be 
presented to him ; this was seconded by Mr. Wheeler, and carried 
unanimously. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Cole to the 
Trustees for their services, and duly carried. 
Mr. Heals then moved that a hearty vote of thanks should be 
accorded to the Treasurer, Mr. J. Hudson; this was carried, and that 
gentleman replied in a few appropriate words. 
A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Cole to the Press for the 
hearty and cordial manner in which they had assisted the Society. 
This was seconded by Mr, Marshall and carried, and Mr. G. Gordon 
replied on behalf of the Press. Mr. W. Marshall, in conclusion, moved 
that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. G, Gordon for the able 
manner in which he had conducted the meeting, a proposition which 
was carried with approbation. 
At a special general meeting held afterwards a proposal was 
presented by Mr. Hudson, signed by several others, to increase the 
sick pay from 10 s. 6 d. to 129. per week to members who subscribed at 
the rate of 6 d. per week, and from I 63 . to 18s. to those who subscribed 
9 d. per week, a week to consist of six days instead of seven, as hereto¬ 
fore. Mr. Marshall strongly objected to this proposition on the ground 
that it would not be feasible unless the subscriptions were raised. An 
animated discussion followed, and upon a show of hands the proposal 
was carried by twenty-seven votes to seven, amidst great applause. As 
no other business was before the meeting this ended the proceedings. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Vines. — Early Forced in PoU. —Sufficient water or liquid manure 
must be afforded at the roots to prevent check through dryness, surfacing 
the soil with rich material, and if the roots extend beyond the pots feed 
them there as well. Supply atmospheric moisture by damping the 
paths and walls in the morning and early afternoon, also before nightfall, 
keeping the night temperature at 60° to 65°, day 70° to 75°, and 
80° to 85° with sun heat, closing early to keep it at 85° or 90° while 
there is abundance of light. When the Grapes begin colouring still 
maintain the atmospheric moisture, and feed liberally, as the fruit 
swells considerably then, but cease the use of stimulants when coloured 
all over, and to enhance the quality still secure the temperature named 
with sufficient ventilation constantly to insure a circulation of air, and 
only give water at the roots to keep the foliage in good condition. 
Early Forced Planted-out Vines. —In the houses started early in 
December the fruit is thinned and swelling freely, where top-dressings 
of the advertised chemical fertilisers have been used, and due moisture 
maintained in the borders. Steady progress is desirable during the 
stoning process, and phosphatic and potassic manures more advisable 
than nitrogenic, yet sufficient of the latter must be provided to secure 
steady growth, four parts bone superphosphate, two parts muriate of 
potash, and one part sulphate of ammonia forming a good mixture for 
siliceous soils, but where calcareous nitrate of soda should be used 
instead of the sulphate of ammonia. Four ounces of this mixture per 
square yard, every three or four weeks, will help weakly Vines wonder¬ 
fully, supplying the top-dressing after properly moistening the soil with 
water and lightly washing the top-dressing into the border. This will 
need extra attention near the hot-water pipes for watering, always sup¬ 
plying the liquid at the mean temperature of the house, and if liquid 
manure is used it is preferable to supply it after the soil has been duly 
moistened, a watering canful then goes as far as half a dozen when the 
soil is dry. If the roots are near the surface a light mulching of 
sweetened short stable manure will be useful in respect of soil moisture, 
attracting the roots, supplying nourishing food and humus, the latter 
not being had from chemical fertilisers. Maintain a genial condition of 
the atmosphere by damping in the morning and at closing time, or early 
in the afternoon. Ventilate early, but not before 75° is reached, securing 
with sun heat and moderately increased ventilation a temperature of 
80° to 85°, at which keep through the day under favouring external con¬ 
ditions, closing in time to secure a long day’s work from sun heat, but 
not to raise the temperature over 90°, a temperature of 60° to 65° at 
night, and 70° to 75° by day artificially is suitable. 
Houses Started at the New Year. —The Vines are in flower or 
advanced to the thinning, and rt quire a night temperature of 65° to 70°, 
5° more for Muscats, 70° to 75° by day artificially, and 80° to 85° or 90^ 
with sun heat. This may be lowered about 5° after the Grapes are set, 
but whilst in flower the rather warmer atmosphere, kept moderately 
dry by a little ventilation constantly, is desirable. Shy-setting varieties 
should be carefully fertilised. Early Vines, with the roots to a great 
extent in outside borders, even where protected so as to exclude frost, 
are somewhat backward, and the prospect in some cases not of the best. 
A slight increase of temperature and a reduced supply of moisture for 
a short time is usually beneficial in such cases. Daring bright sunny 
days with sharp winds great care is required in ventilating, so as to 
avoid cold currents and sudden changes of temperature, this being 
effected by admitting air in small quantities at a time ; reduce the 
ventilation in a similar gradual manner. 
Houses Started Early in February. —The Vines breaking into growth 
freely require earlier attention in disbudding and regulating than those 
less free in starting, which is not always a bad sign, as fruitful growths 
are more tardy in pushing than the free, fruitless wood growths, 
and in any case it is always advisable to defer disbudding until the 
best breaks and shows for fruit can be readily discerned, then proceed 
gradually, and reduce the growths to such number and in such place 
as can have exposure to light when fully developed, and insure an even 
balance of growth. Likewise in stopping, too great a hurry may 
