318 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 26,1894. 
said to demonstrate the versatility of the species and its capacity for 
justifying our heading of Decorative British Ferns to the full. Here, 
again, our little islands have yielded hundreds of pretty sports, while 
all the rest of the world, though the identical species is widely spread, 
has managed to send us the magnificent contribution of one. — 
C. T. Dbueby, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. 
(To be continued.) 
ROYAL GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
We are glad to publish the following first subscription list in con¬ 
nection with the annual dinner on May 10th. 
£ s. d. 
Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bart., M.P. 25 0 0 
Sir Henry Peek, Bart.: 
Hon. Mrs. Peek... 
Miss Peek 
Miss Violet E. Peek 
Miss Gwendolen Peek 
£10 10 0 
10 10 0 
10 10 0 
10 10 0 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons 
Baron Schroder 
J. W. Prince (per G 
Leopold de Rothschi 
G. C. Raphael 
H. Herbst 
A. W. Sutton... 
H. J. Cutbush 
Philip Crowley 
Sir Hugh Low 
A. Dean 
J. Clayton 
W. Thomson ... 
John Lee 
J. Walter & Co. 
W. Cummins) 
42 0 0 
10 10 0 
10 10 0 
10 0 0 
10 10 0 
5 5 0 
5 5 0 
5 0 0 
4 4 0 
2 2 0 
10 0 
110 
1 1 0 
1 1 0 
110 
1 1 0 
THE BECKENHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Lectube on Pbimulas. 
This is one of the very few local horticultural societies of the 
kingdom that seems to realise there are other and higher duties for it 
to discharge than is found in the mere holding of flower shows. It has 
an excellent inspiring spirit in the person of its Secretary, Mr. Thornton 
of Beckenham, who annually arranges a series of lecture meetings held 
in the public hall. The concluding one of the winter season was given 
in that place on Thursday of last week by Mr. A. Dean of Kingston-on- 
Thames, who discoursed to a large and greatly interested audience for 
an hour and a quarter concerning the “ Hardy Primrose and its Allies.” 
The Vicar of Beckenham presided, and in introducing the lecturer 
referred to the singular coincidence that it was Primrose Day, but stated 
that the fact had no political significance. This was confirmed by Mr. 
Dean, who said that the date was fixed for his convenience, and he had 
to admit with due humiliation that he had no knowledge as to the 
nature of the day until that morning. He pointed out that florists had 
not the least of concern in the Primrose as a political emblem, except 
there was the belief that for them there was no money in it. Botanists 
did strongly object, on the ground that the employment of the flower in 
that way might ultimately lead to its extinction as a wild plant. That 
was, however, a matter in which botanists were not to be held blameless, 
for they, or at least sham imitators, were rapidly clearing the country 
of many rare hardy plants, and thus all lovers of natural beauty 
sufiEered. 
Mr. Dean then dealt with numerous British and imported species 
that are easiest to grow, described their characteristics, dwelling 
es^cially on those that were esteemed the originators of the garden 
Primrose, Polyanthus, and Auricula ; also upon the beautiful floriferous 
forms of floribunda, obconica, and Sieboldi, all so valuable as greenhouse 
plants. 
Then turning to garden varieties, the show forms of the Auricula 
were described, especially the points of edged and self flowers, also 
Alpines, laced, fancy, double, and border sections; these latter were 
strongly commended, not only for their remarkable hardiness, growing 
freely in any soil, but also for their great variety and spring beauty. 
Then came the gold laced Polyanthuses, the different forms of red and 
black grounds, the proper markings of lacing as needed by the florists, 
and some of the best illustrative kinds were described. Next came that 
wondrously beautiful section the border or fancy varieties, with all their 
varied forms and colours, including the finest forms of flowers. The 
Hose-in-Hose, Jack-in-the-Green, double, and other sections, their proper 
culture being fully detailed. Mr. Dean very strongly advised all 
present who had gardens, large or small, to grow some of these charming 
hardy spring flowers. 
Finally the true forms of Primrose, both single and double, were dealt 
with. The origin of the fine Bed font strain of singles was mentioned, 
and their nature and properties. It was specially emphasised that the 
true Primrose strain was not to be confounded, as is so commonly the 
CMC, with the Polyanthus. It was true that constant breeding from seed 
did create forms of both sections that had some of the features of both, 
but careful selection could keep both strains fairly true. The Primrose 
would, if well done, not only bloom nearly all the winter if open, but 
were always fully a month earlier to profusely bloom than were the 
Polyanthuses. 
The doubles were briefly described, the lecturer stating that there 
were at least a dozen distinct forms in cultivation, but they preferred 
a moist climate best. Of these it was said that many had been in 
existence for generations, that they were probably originated by the 
Dutch or Flemings, and that they could only have come from good single 
forms. On the motion of the vicar a hearty vote of thanks was awarded 
to the lecturer. The Rev. Mr. Arnott was also thanked for his kindness 
in presiding. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Co. exhibited a basket of charming border 
Polyanthuses, double crimson Primroses, Primula Sieboldi, marvellous 
trusses of Zonal Pelargoniums, very fine flowers of Carnation Miss 
Cannell, a truss of Canna Queen Charlotte, and some samples of 
Broccoli Latest of All. Mr. Webster, Helsby Park Gardens, showed 
a beautiful bouquet of Polyanthuses and foliage, and Mr. Boatwright, 
Langley Court Gardens, showed good plants of Primroses and 
Polyanthuses. 
LIVERPOOL NOTES. 
Bkoccoli. 
In noting the remarks on Broccoli in your two last issues I may say 
that I have never had for many years such a supply as the present. 
Although registering 30° of frost at one time during the winter the 
plants stood the test well, and I only lost about 3 per cent, out of a 
plantation consisting of some 500 plants. The seed was sown the first 
week in April, 1893, and when the early Potatoes were lifted the ground 
was levelled and made ready for the Broccoli. Some plants had become 
tall, and were too much to put in with a dibble, so a spade was used. 
The plants soon made progress, and have scarcely ever suffered from 
the frost. I attribute the success to planting them in a slanting posi¬ 
tion, for there is not then the same facility for winter rains and frost to 
lodge at the base of the leaves. 
The succession, too, has been very good, commencing with Michael¬ 
mas White. Then followed Snow’s, afterwards Vanguard, a good hardy 
sort. Of Model I never lost a plant; Safeguard followed, and I 
was cutting fine heads in March. Last year and this I have tried two 
sorts for April cutting—viz., April Queen and Mammoth. The former 
is rather tall, but gives fine heads of snowy whiteness, whilst the latter 
is the dwarfest and hardiest of all Broccoli, and was the only variety 
that stood the winter of 1892. Leamington is just turning in, and with 
Late Queen I finish the Broccoli season. 
Livebpool Hokticultuhal Association. 
The last meeting of the session was held in the Wm. Brown Street 
Museum, Liverpool, when a paper, on “ Hyacinths and Tulips for 
Exhibition,” was read by Mr. J. V. Thompson, gardener to J. C. 
Sinclair, Esq., Sefton Park. The essay was brief and to the point; the 
soil, potting, treatment during winter, and preparing them for exhibi¬ 
tion being ably dealt with. At the close a discussion ensued, being 
taken part in by Messrs. Pinnington, Sargent, Bennett, Massey, Stoney, 
and Agnew, the Chairman (Mr. White) adding much to the pleasure of 
the evening by his eloquent remarks. Owing to ill health, Mr. Edwd. 
Bridge, who was appointed Secretary at the annual meeting, has been 
obliged to resign, the post being again taken by Mr. W, Dickson, the 
late Secretary. The summer Show will be held on August the 4th and 
6th, in Sefton Park. 
Pyrus japonic a. 
With me this season the above beautiful flowering plant has been 
especially fine, the low walls glowing with masses of scarlet 
whilst it has been in bloom. A large old plant, which is planted on 
some rockwork and overhanging a portion of our lake, has been very 
effective. It receives no pruning, and always blooms freely ; but where 
a plant is trained to a wall a judicious use of the knife is very necessary 
to keep the shoots well furnished with good growth.—R. P. R. 
R.H.S. EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE, MAY 1st. 
CENTRES. 
1, London (R.H.S. Offices, 117, Vic¬ 
toria Street, S.W.). 
2, Aldenham, Herts (Technical In¬ 
stitute). 
3, Watford (Public Library). 
4, Royston, Herts. 
5, Broxbourne, Herts. 
6, Batley (District School). 
7, Cambridge. 
8, Barrowmore, Cheshire. 
9, Plymouth. 
10, Gloucester (School of Science). 
11, Hawkhurst, Kent. 
12, Deal, Kent. 
13, Swanley College, Kent. 
14, Dereham, Norlolk. 
15, York. 
16, Preston, Lancashire. 
17, Stafford (Public Hall). 
18, Southampton. 
19, Penrith, Cumberland. 
20, Wolverhampton (Free Library). 
21, Bsdworth (Central Schools). 
22, Leicester (Old Town Hall). 
23, Milvern, Worcestershire. 
24, Addlestone, Surrey (St. Paul’s 
Schools). 
25, Hook, Surrey (National School). 
26, Faruhatn. 
il, Banff, N.B. 
28, Dundee (Technical Institute). 
i9, Edinburgh (Heriot Watt College) 
SO, Peebles. 
The above are the centres, so far, at which the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Examination in Horticulture will be held on May Ist, from 
7 to 9.30 P.M. It will be seen that an examination will be held in 
London at the Society’s Offices, 117, Victoria Street, S.W., so that 
gardeners in and around London may have an opportunity of sitting 
by paying the usual fee of 33. 
