184 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
March 8, 1894. 
- Trentham Horticultural Society.—A meeting of the 
Committee of this Society was held last week, over which Mr. W. A. 
Peake presided. The principal business of the meeting was to receive 
the resignation of the Hon. Secretary, Mr. John Taylor. After many 
expressions of regret Mr. Taylor’s resignation was accepted, and the 
best thanks of the Committee accorded to him for his valuable services 
during the past five years. There is a large sum to the credit of the 
Society, the business of which has undoubtedly been ably managed. 
-National Amateur Gardeners’ Association.—T he report 
of the proceedings of the Liverpool branch of this Association has just 
been issued by the local Committee. The Committee believe that 
membership in this Association had been productive of good and healthy 
results. The influence of the Association was becoming apparent, the 
Liverpool Horticultural Association, at their summer and November 
shows, having formed classes for amateurs as defined by the Amateur 
Gardeners’ Association. The membership of the branch had increased 
from 109 in 1892-93 to 150 in 1893-94, and the receipts from £12 
to £16. 
- Poisonous Apples.—A correspondent sends us cuttings from 
a Liverpool daily paper wherein mention is made of three children 
having been poisoned in consequence of having eaten a large red- 
coloured Apple ; one of the children died. Another correspondent states 
that he was made seriously ill after having eaten a “ nice rosy Apple.” 
Arsenic is suspected to have caused the mischief, but this is not yet 
proved. Another inference is, that the arsenic is the result of 
“ spraying,” but it must be remembered that spraying with arsenites is 
done only in the young stage of the flower, and that all trace of the 
poison has disappeared before the fruit ripens. 
- The “Cornhill Magazine” has some interesting remarks 
upon the Furze (Ulex) and the Whin (Genista) as affording 
evidence of evolution. It is contended by the writer that the Furze is 
a developed Whin, and that its spinous character is the result of a pro¬ 
cess of selection. The presence of Furze is most marked upon open 
commons where cattle and sheep browse, while the Whin grows more in 
sheltered spots to which animals have not free access. In its early 
stages of development the Furze closely resembles the almost spineless 
Whin. The conclusion, therefore, is that owing to the elimination prac¬ 
tised by grazing animals avoiding the more spiny specimens of Whin 
there has in the course of generations developed upon commons and 
open spaces a new plant, the Ulex or Furze, which is in reality only a 
species of Genista and not a separate species of Leguminous plant.—M. 
— Seed Germination. —In spite of wide knowledge of the fact 
that seeds germinate more freely in darkness than in bright light, yet it 
is very common practice in the case of very choice and expensive seeds 
to sow them and stand them in the fullest light possible. In the 
economy of nature seeds naturally sown always germinate freely in 
shade, and often in deep shade, and, in the case of much of our garden 
seed, if either buried fairly deep if the seed be large, or if small well 
covered with some litter or shading, germination is quicker and more 
complete. But in sowing such fine seeds as Calceolaria, Cineraria, 
Begonia, Gloxinia, Lobelia, and many others, it is always best to either 
shade with thin paper during the day, or else cover the pots or pans 
closely with clouded glass. I have with great success used for such 
covering clear glass on which some fine sand is sprinkled, and this can 
be fined or thinned down as germination proceeds until the plants 
receive full light.—D. 
-Birmingham Amateur Gardeners’ Association. — By 
the kind invitation of the President (Alderman Wm. White, J.P.), the 
members and friends of the above Association assembled at Severn Street 
School, on Wednesday, to hear a lecture from him on “ Wanderings in 
Swiss Mountains and Valleys.” The lecturer fully described the 
various points of interest to be seen in Switzerland, and by the aid 
of a limelight lantern gave views of some of the highest peaks, the most 
treacherous and picturesque passe*, and the best known and most 
beautiful valleys, also glaciers viewed from different aspects. He 
enumerated the plants to be found in the snowy regions of the Alps, 
and spoke of the vast expanse of colour to be seen in July and 
August when the Rhododendrons and Gentianas were in full bloom. 
A very hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the President 
for his very able and instructive address. Messrs. T. P. Cope, C. Daniell, 
C. F. Franklin, W. B. Griffin, A. Groves, Herbert Smith, and W. H. 
Wilks exhibited plants and flowers, some of which showed excellent 
cultivation, and the usual awards were made. 
- How Weeds are Disposed of in South Australia.— A 
recent notice in the “ Government Gazette ” read as follows : “ Weeds 
simply cut and left to be blown about will not be considered to be 
properly destroyed. If owners neglect to eradicate and destroy all 
noxious weeds on their lands, the Council may complete any such work 
left undone or unfinished, and may charge owners with the cost.” 
- Vanilla in Reunion. —In a Consular Report recently pub¬ 
lished, Reunion is stated to be the largest Vanilla-producing country, 
nearly 96 tons, valued at £115,200, having been exported in 1892. Its 
quality is much appreciated in Europe, that from Mexico alone fetching 
a higher figure. The Seychelles Vanilla is recognised as much inferior. 
It is exported mainly by the Messageries Maritimes steamers to 
Marseilles and Havre at a freight of nearly £10 a ton. 
- Horticultural Congress op Paris. —The National Horti¬ 
cultural Society of France will hold its tenth Congress in the month of 
May next, at the same time as its annual horticultural Exhibition. The 
“ Bulletin d’Arboriculture ” says the Society has put at the disposal of 
the organising Commission gold, silver-gilt, silver, and bronze medals 
for essays on the following subjects :—I, Chlorophyll, considered in its 
relations to the vigour and hardiness of cultivated plants ; 2, capillarity 
in its relations with the preparation of the soil; 3, means of hastening 
the nitrification of substances containing nitrogen, and as a consequence, 
to render them more promptly assimilable; 4, a study upon the best 
methods of forcing flowering plants (Lily of the Valley, Lilac, and 
Roses) ; 5, the economy of forcing fruits (Strawberries, Grapes, 
and Peaches) ; 6,kitchen garden culture bf the leading subjects (French 
Beans and Asparagus) ; 7, on the utility of a unity of comparison for 
estimating the divers systems of heating with hot water. For all 
instructions address the Secretary of the Society, 84, Rue de Grenelle, 
Paris. 
- Bougainvillea glabra as a Greenhouse Climber.— 
This beautiful summer-flowering plant is more often found growing in a 
higher temperature than that usually maintained in greenhouses. 
Anyone observing the colour of the flowers when in a stove, and also 
in a greenhouse, will perceive how much richer are those on plants in 
the lower temperature. Trained under the roof, and treated as a Vine 
would be as regards pruning, is the best way of growing the plant in a 
greenhouse. It should be planted out in a wide, well-drained border. 
The growth will be vigorous, and if not shaded will be well ripened each 
season. If the young shoots be too close together the weaker may be 
cut away early in the season, the others allowed to grow unchecked, and 
to hang down ; they will flower profusely for nearly four months. 
When planted in a large house, and intermixed with Plumbago capensis, 
P. capensis alba and Heliotrope, the effect is charming. A mixture 
of good loam and leaf mould, with a little peat and charcoal added, will 
answer well. During the summer abundance of water may be given, and 
when the plants are at rest the border must not be allowed to get too 
dry.— G. Garner. 
- Red Spider on Gooseberry Bushes. —Admitted that last 
year, because so exceptionally hot and dry, greatly favoured red spider 
on Gooseberry bushes, yet, so far as a wide experience of market gardens 
is concerned, I have seldom found this pest giving trouble in this way. 
Hence, whilst it is advisable to warn growers against possible dangers, 
I fear that, as in Mr. Hiam’s case (page 169), there sometimes gets to be 
a possibility of such a complaint as insects on the brain, and the 
community may be led to believe that not only Gooseberries, but other 
products, can only be grown when extraordinary precautions are taken 
to check insect development. In the matter of the washing remedy 
mentioned by Mr. Hiam, I entirely failed to see why cloths should be 
employed, unless it be to catch the spider when washed from out of the 
bushes. As the hard syringing is pretty certain to wash out the insects 
without the use of towels, would it not suffice to destroy them on the 
ground if the soil beneath each bush be turned over with a fork at once t 
That would save much trouble from cloth washing and assist the 
bushes. If, too, before the forking was done, a liberal dusting of soot 
was given to the soil, the spider would soon be destroyed. After all 
there are few “ insecticides,” if one may so employ the term, like ample 
thinning and liberal cultivation. It is good cultivation for everything, 
with ample light and air, we have to advise learners. These are the 
best of preventives for insect and fungoid attacks. Drought and 
poverty of soil creates numerous ills, whilst good culture renders them 
incapable of harm. Even the soakings of water resulting from the 
washings will often do more permanent good than the temporary 
washing, the effects of which so soon disappear.—A. D. 
