March 28,1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
277 
bodies are composed are set free ; that these elements are again recon¬ 
structed into other compounds soluble in water, and in that form are 
taken up by the roots ; that these changes of matter in the soil are pro¬ 
moted by the presence of atmospheric air and heat; that the roots take 
up these compounds held in solution in the water, and by means of the 
stem and branches they are conveyed up to the leaves, where by the 
action of carbonic acid and heat they are once again decomposed, and 
reconstructed into the forms we see them, as wood, leaves, buds, and 
fruit; that it is in the leaves alone which determines the specific 
character of the matter passing through them ; that the bud is the 
storehouse of that characterised matter, the transmitter of unchangeable 
vitality from one generation of leaves to another, and the starting point 
of a new life. 
Now we come to the practical application of all this. First, we 
should ever be on the alert to improve our soil by working it, draining 
or liming it as its nature may require, to bring it into a sweet open 
condition, so that the atmospheric air and sun heat may freely enter, 
and nitrification be thus promoted, for there will be various other processes 
in which oxygen is entering into chemical combination with other 
elements required in the sap, promoted also. Manure abundantly yet 
judiciously with artificial manures as specially required, but do not 
forget that animal manures with decayed vegetable matter, such as we 
find in farmyards, is Nature’s own fertiliser, her richest and her 
best. Secondly, do not forget the most important time to feed—when the 
fruit is swelling, when the leaves are healthy and green, under the 
direct influence of the sun ; when the soil is warm and the millions of 
gaping mouths of the rootlets are ready to take up all you can give 
them. Then is the time for your rich liquid manure to help to swell 
the Pears and other fruit growing on warm sunny borders and in 
forcing houses ; while the application of such food at any other time, 
especially in the winter after the leaves have fallen, is wasteful if not 
dangerous, for there are no root feeders then to take it up, and thus not 
only is a great proportion of the manure wasted but the soil is soddened, 
the temperature lowered, and an unhealthy state engendered without 
any redeeming advantage. 
In conclusion, while I know that all I have said that is true and 
orthodox, has been better explained before, and if anything is conceived 
to be erroneous, and leads to closer attention and research for the dis¬ 
covery of errors, the result will be what is so desirable for us all—more 
knowledge. There is much for all to learn if we would reach perfection 
in our craft. To our young men I would say. Press on, seek for truth, 
and “ Falter not, but, onwards, upwards, till the goal you win.”— 
H. Elliott. 
PRESENTATION TO MR. W. G. HEAD. 
We have pleasure in stating that, for the purpose of presenting a 
testimonial to Mr. W. G. Head, the able Superintendent of the Crystal 
Palace gardens, a party of enthusiastic horticulturists met at a social 
dinner held in the Restaurant at Victoria Station, W.C., on Friday 
evening last. Sixteen friends sat down, and in the unavoidable 
absence of Mr. W. Marshall the chair was taken by Mr. Richard Dean, 
who, it is needless to say, fulfilled his duties in a highly creditable 
manner; After an excellent repast had been disposed of the Chairman 
read letters from several gentlemen regretting their inability to 
attend. 
The usual toast for Her Majesty having been given, Mr. Dean 
proposed the one of the evening, that of Mr. Head, and in the course of 
his remarks said they had invited Mr. Head to join them that evening 
and accept the small tribute, which took the form of a purse of 
sovereigns, as a mark of their esteem and regard. They were thoroughly 
satisfied that he highly deserved it, and it was with the knowledge of 
the good he had done in the world of horticulture that a small number 
of friends had amalgamated their efforts and got up the testimonial, 
which they hoped Mr. Head would receive with the hearty good wishes 
of all concerned. As a manager of flower shows, all who were in the 
habit of visiting those held at the Crystal Palace could vouch for his 
ability, and also for the efficient manner in which he carried out the 
many duties connected with his responsible charge at the Crystal 
Palace. 
In hastily glancing at the record of a life of usefulness he said that 
Mr. Head was the son of a small nurseryman, and appeared to have 
imbibed the parental taste for gardening, as in 1853 he went to Arundel 
Castle under Mr. McEwen, who afterwards became Superintendent of 
the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick. In 1856 he 
went to Shrubland Park, Ipswich, and in the following year to Drum- 
lanrig, N.B., under Mr. McIntosh, where he remained four years. He 
then became gardener at Castle Dykes, Dumfries, but on account of 
failing health returned to the south of England in 1863. After again 
returning to Arundel Castle as foreman he, in 1857, became one of the 
staff at Chiswick, and on leaving there took charge of the flower and 
general decorative department at Kew. 
In 1872 he was sent out to Calcutta, and while there formed a new 
garden and nursery for the Agri-Horticultural Society of India. He 
remained six years, returning to England in 1878, and soon after 
succeeded Mr. G. Thompson as Superintendent of the grounds and 
gardens at the Crystal Palace. In closing his remarks the Chairman 
said that Mr. Head for his ability as a gardener and kindly disposition 
as a man, was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and it was 
with the knowledge of this that had prompted them to make this 
testimonial. 
Several others present also spoke in praise of Mr. Head, who in reply 
said that he was extremely proud that be had so many friends about 
him, to whom he wished to express his heartfelt thanks for their great 
kindness. He felt highly honoured by the friendship of all who had 
exercised their generosity on his behalf, and he trusted that the same 
good fellowship would stand for many years to come. 
Several other toasts having been given, such as “ Horticulture,” the 
“ Press,” and “ Gardeners of England,” the health of the Chairman was 
drunk, coupled with a hearty vote of thanks for the able manner in which 
he had performed the duties of the chair, Mr. Dean replied briefly, and 
the company dispersed, a most enjoyable evening having been spent. 
Eakly Flowering Border Chrysanthemums. 
Now that more attention is being paid to improvement in the colour 
of early flowering Chrysanthemums, we get a much better display in the 
open border than hitherto. Not only do the plants make that part of 
the garden gay, but they provide so much material for decorating, 
when hardy flowers are not numerous, with the exception of Michael¬ 
mas Daisies. These charming varieties then come in at a time when most 
useful, and if the improvement in colour continues I predict a long run 
of popularity for this section. 
Let it be understood, though, that I do notallude to those, for instance, 
which open their flowers during August, I mean particularly such as 
bloom during September and October, provided, of course, frost does not 
injure the flowers prior to the latter date. 
Below 1 give a select list of varieties that I know from experience 
are suitable for the object in view, I having proved the bulk of them 
personally, and with such satisfactory results, that I have no hesitation 
whatever in recommending them to others as producers of blooms in 
quantity, and with but a minimum of labour expended in culture. 
The cuttings should be inserted either singly in small pots or three 
in a 3-inch pot. By grow ing the plants as near to the glass as possible 
in a cool house or frame they keep stocky. Pots 5 inches in diameter 
provide ample space for the roots until the plants can safely be put in 
the open ground where they are to flower. All that is necessary in the 
matter of attention after they are planted is to place a stout stake to 
each, for the support of its branches, which require no manipulating 
whatever in the matter of pinching. I find it is better to allow the 
plants to make free and uninterrupted growth from the time the 
cuttings are rooted to the flowering period. If the branches are not 
kept neatly tied to the stake but allowed to hang loosely, they are not 
only broken but grow crooked, which renders them unsuitable for vase 
decoration. Chrysanthemums, of this class especially, make a much 
better display when cut with long stems and clusters of flowers than 
do short-stemmed single blooms. 
To Ryecroft Glory must be given the pride of place, as without any 
pinching whatever single plants will grow in one season from 3 to 4 feet 
high and nearly 3 feet in diameter, each carrying 200 blooms and 
unopened buds. The colour of the reflexed flowers is yellow, heavily 
suffused with bronze. Comtesse Foucher de Cariel is, out of doors, 
what Source d’Or is under glass—one of the best of bronze-coloured 
Chrysanthemums; it grows 3 feet high and 2 feet in diameter, and is a 
profuse flowering variety. Mrs. Gifford is a Japanese of rather tall 
growth ; with me it grows over 4 feet high. The silvery pink blossoms 
are freely borne on long stalks, rendering it most useful for filling tall 
vases. The centre of the flower is deeply flushed with rose, which 
shades to silvery pink as the florets develop. 
Montague.—This belongs to the true Japanese section, and flowers 
most profusely in the open. The colour is rich purple-crimson when 
the flowers are opened under glass, but a trifle less brilliant when 
expanded out of doors. The peduncles in this case are both erect 
and stiff, rendering it very useful. In height it grows 4 feet. General 
Hawkes is one of the best of the bright-coloured section of early 
flowering varieties. The rich crimson-claret petals are reversed with 
silver ; as they are long and inclined to droop this trait adds to its 
character. 
Roi des Prficoces is perhaps the finest of all the dark-coloured 
varieties flowering in the open, not only for its profusion, but for the 
time the blooms last in good condition. The habit of growth, too, is all 
that could be desired. Harvest Home is one of Mr. Owen’s latest 
introductions in this section. The narrow crimson petals are tipped 
with gold at the point, which renders it a striking object, growing 
3 feet high. Crimson Queen is a fitting companion to Roi des Precoces 
in point of colour, being more a velvety crimson perhaps. It is a showy 
and desirable variety growing but 2 feet high. California has larger 
blooms than the majority of ordinary early flowering kinds. The ground 
colour, crimson, is heavily suffused with orange-yellow. From 3 to 4 feet 
it grows. 
Carrie Denny is an incurved Japanese variety. Tne ground colour 
(orange amber) is flushed with crimson on the surfac3, but paler on 
the reverse of the florets ; 3 feet. October Yellow reminds one very 
