June 28, 1994. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
513 
religious worship has had its share in contributing to a general demand 
for flowers. 
And how has this gradually increasing trade been provided for ? In 
1848 it was found that the flower-stands, section H, was totally inade¬ 
quate for the then trade. It had already begun to be patent to a few 
pioneer growers that a public want required to be met, ard a rapid 
increase developed itself. No longer was it possible for the church porch 
and the piazzas round the market square to give shelter to the improving 
and increasing supply of plants. 
Then arose the question of a flower market pure and simple. It 
happened that the leases of certain houses at the south-east corner of 
the market fell in at this time, and after an experiment the first flower 
market was built. 
This increased facility for the trade soon had the effect of still 
further stimulating the public demand. As plants and flowers became 
better grown and better known, they became better appreciated, and 
the market gave still further signs of want of space. In fact, it was 
like a growing youth whose limbs had outgrown his clothes. Like a 
good father. His Grace resolved to buy the lad a new suit, and in 188(5 
the present market was completed. I may say the young man still 
continues to grow, and additional provision for his pressing wants will 
have some day to be made. At present, a portion of the overflow 
market, consisting of bedding-out plants for gardens and window boxes, 
finds accommodation in the enclosed area between Tavistock Street and 
the market south side.—J. Assbee, Covent Garden. 
(To be continued.) 
A Black Chbysakthemum. 
Last year the eminent American Chrysanthemum specialist Mr 
T. H. Spaulding announced the distribution of a variety called Black 
Gem, but it does not seem to have found its way yet into European 
collections, although most of our leading importers are in the habit of 
dealing with him. Black Gem is described as a rare variety imported 
from Japan. Colour almost black when opening ; when expanded it is of 
the deepest crimson. This year the same grower offers for sale a variety 
named Spaulding’s Black Diamond. It is stated to be the very best 
crimson (almost black) variety in cultivation for decorative purposes, 
rich, dark, self-coloured flower without shadings of any other colour. 
It would be interesting to know if these are really darker than some of 
the deep crimsons in cultivation over here. 
American and En(jlish Chrysanthemums. 
Mr. J. N. May, in a discourse delivered at the opening of the Chrys¬ 
anthemum Show at New York last November, laid stress on the fact 
that American florists were sending out finer varieties of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums than the florists of the older countries had ever raised. There 
are, undoubtedly, many excellent flowers in our collections that have 
come from the States, but we shall now be more interested in watching 
the progress of the 1894 varieties than before. The interesting election 
which appeared in the Journal of 25th January, taken in conjunction 
with Mr. Mawley’s analysis, scarcely warrants Mr. May’s assumption. 
In the list for twenty-four Japanese, out of those flowers which 
obtained ten or more votes—and there are thirty-two—eleven only are 
introductions from America. With the exception of Col. W. B. Smith, 
none of the American varieties obtain thirty votes, or stated otherwise 
out of the best twelve there is only one variety of American origin. 
Going further down the list, and taking the twenty-five that received 
the highest number of votes, it will be found that only six of these are 
American, six others are French, and then, what we might least have 
expected, the thirteen varieties remaining are of English origin. I am 
giving the American growers credit for W. H. Lincoln and W. Tricker, 
which I ought not strictly to do, because they originally came from 
Japan, but reached us via America. The total votes for these six 
amount to 162, and those for the six French amount to 196. Kesults 
like these are deserving of some reflection, and American raisers will 
be able to judge by such statistics of the value of not only their own 
productions but also of those of their greatest competitors.—C. H. P. 
Messrs. W. & G. Drover and Exhibiting. 
During the last few years Messrs. W. & G. Drover of the Fareham 
Nurseries have been among the most successful exhibitors of cut blooms 
of Chrysanthemums. I have no hesitation in saying that the examples 
of the various members of the “ Queen ” family exhibited by this firm 
at the Centenary Show of the National Chrysanthemum Society were 
the finest ever seen on the exhibition table. Not only were they of 
immense size, but they possessed all the other qualities that go to make 
the blooms what they were—perfection. My object in penning this note, 
however, is to acquaint exhibitors generally that this firm have at last 
decided to retire from the exhibition arena, which they have done so 
much to sustain. In addition to the authority for this statement the 
present appearance of their plants justifies such a note. Owing to the 
pressure of the other part of their trade they are unable to continue 
longer as exhibitors. Managers of autumn exhibitions will no doubt 
regret this step, but exhibitors themselves will, I doubt not, rejoice.— 
E. Molyneux. 
American System of Judging Chrysanthemums. 
In your issue of May 24th, I notice on page 412 under ‘'•Judging 
Chrysanthemums” “ P.” makes a mistake in the scale of points for 
group of plants arranged for effect, limited to 150 square feet. The 
scale given by him should apply to single specimens and not to groups.— 
A. H. Fewkes, Chairman Committee on Flowers, Massachusetts 
Horticultural Society. 
THE GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
Annual Dinner. 
The supporters of this excellent charitable Institution held their 
fifty-fifth anniversary festival dinner at the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel 
Mbtropole, London, on the 2l8t inst., under the presidency of Sir Julian 
Goldsmid, Bart., M.P. The Chairman was supported by a large 
company, about 120 gentlemen being present, these comprising well- 
known patrons of horticulture, with nurserymen, seedsmen, gardeners, 
and others. Amongst those present we noticed Messrs. N. N. Sherwood, 
H. .J. Veitch, P. Crowley, R. M. Hogg, W. J. Nutting, James II. Veitch, 
T. F. Peacock (honorary solicitor to the Institution), J. Sebag Monte- 
fiore, N. L. Cohen, W. Iceton, W. Y. Barker, G. Bunyard, G. W. Ryder, 
E. W. Cathie, G. A. Dickson, J. Laing, W. Fremlin, W. Jefferies, 
J. Webber, G. Monro, A. Watkins, H. Cutbush, W. Hutchens, G. Gordon, 
J. A. Dickson, A. W. G. Weeks, H. B. May, H. Turner, A, Turner, and 
R. Cannell. The floral decorations were better than those usually seen on 
such occasions, the tables being tastefully embellished with plants and 
cut flowers. Nepenthes, Odontoglossums, and Miltonia vexillaria were 
amongst the former, whilst che latter included Anthuriums, Cattleyas, 
Roses, Carnations, and Odontoglossums. Buttonhole bouquets of dark 
red and pink Carnations were provided for the visitors. Messrs. 
W. Cutbush & Sons, J. Laing & Sons, W. Paul & Sons (Waltham Cross), 
Paul & Son (Cheshunt), F. Sander & Co., C. Turner, J. Veitch & Sons, 
and B. S. Williams & Son, with others, kindly supplied the flowers. 
Excellent fruit was also forthcoming in abundance as dessert, and the 
arrangements being, as usual, admirably carried out by Mr. G. J. 
Ingram, assisted by the Stewards, a pleasant evening was spent. 
The Chairman, after the customary patriotic toasts had been duly 
honoured, gave the toast of the evening—“ Success to the Institution.” 
In submitting this, he briefly alluded to the inauguration of the Insti¬ 
tution in 1838, remarking upon the good which had been done by the 
supporters since that time, and how much was due to gardeners. He 
reminded those present that a cultivated taste, whether it was in art or 
literature, was most valuable, could not be too largely sought, and 
should receive the utmost appreciation. In the same degree those who 
studied and brought to perfection the beauties of Nature were equally 
deserving of recognition (hear, hear). Some may have viewed the 
magnificent landscapes of Switzerland and America, whilst others have 
seen the softer views of Naples and similar places ; but nowhere was 
the work of Nature more apparent than in the beautiful flowers and 
splendid fruit which was laid before them. He believed that those who 
cultivated flowers and fruit—yea, even the more humble vegetables, 
were serving a most usf'ful purpose. The work of the gardener, how¬ 
ever, was often accomplished under the most trying circumstances, frost, 
cold, rains, and hail frequently destroying his labours, he being powerless 
against the forces of Nature. All interested in gardening, he said, 
should visit the establishments of celebrated nurserymen, and where 
efforts were made to improve upon the ordinary work of Nature by 
placing plants in the most favourable conditions under which they 
could arrive at and attain the greatest beauty. Referring more directly 
to the Institution the Chairman said he had been through the rules and 
noticed that special privileges were given to those who had subscribed 
for a number of years. Such advantages were thoroughly deserved, and 
all who were able should assist those who made an effort to help them¬ 
selves. Gardeners, like other persons, were subject to the vicissitudes 
of life, for he knew of several persons who formerly occupied good 
positions, but were now reduced to the lowest ebb in life. To gardeners, 
therefore, the Institution appealed in the strongest possible sense. At 
the present time 157 pensioners, seventy-one men and eighty-six women, 
were receiving permanent aid, while during the existence of the Institu¬ 
tion pensions and gratuities had been paid amounting to £60,000. The 
cost of the Institution per annum was £2800, while the reliable income 
was £2100, leaving £700 a year to be gathered in from outside sources. 
Much distress had prevailed amongst the gardening class during the 
past few years, and he therefore appealed with confidence on behalf of 
such an admirably managed Institution (applause). 
Mr. H. J. Veitch, in responding, said he should like to emphasise 
the remarks of the Chairman, and refer to the climatic difficulties with 
which gardeners had to contend. He would go no farther back than 
1893, when a severe drought was experienced throughout the country. 
This year opened favourably and with prospects of the brightest kind. 
