238 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 22, 1888. 
however, strongly emphasise the value of L. Nelsoni above all others I 
know. Its fine robust habit, deep green leaves, and free-fiowering 
qualities, added to its easy culture and freedom from insects, make it 
most invaluable. The strongest bulbs throw several spikes of bloom 
simultaneously. I have had as many as nine from one very strong bulb ; 
each spike bears from nine to twenty-four bells. I have flowered 
L. aurea and L. quadricolor, and although very pretty in their way they 
seem to require more nursing with much less returns than L. Nelsoni. 
I have grown for several years the following varieties -L. stoloni- 
fera, L. pustulata, and L. rubida, but had not been able to flower them. 
I find the last named to be quite hardy. Having turned out a pot of 
bulbs last summer on a north border I see they have already pushed up 
about 2 inches, and that in spite of snow and frost. I have had pendula 
stand for one or two years under a south wall, and although it will live 
it will not thrive. I should think your correspondent, “ T. H.,” or any 
one who may have successfully flowered the varieties I have failed with, 
if they would kindly detail their method of culture in these columns 
I feel sure it would be of great interest to many besides — 
T. WlNKWORTH. 
Events of the Week. —Although the weather is not very sug¬ 
gestive of spring, the shows have commenced, and during the week from 
the 22nd to the 28th inst. four will be held. There is one at Shrewsbury 
to-day (Thursday), at the Crystal Palaee on Saturday, and7at Glasgow 
on Wednesday. The Koyal Horticultural -Society will hold their first 
meeting at the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Street, on ^Tuesday, 
the 27th inst., which, it may be added, is readily reached from Victoria 
or St. James’ Park Stations on the District Railwry, or by ’bus from the 
city. The ^Society’s supporters should make a special effort to render 
the meeting an attractive one. 
- The WEiTHEE IN London. —The day of our previous issue— 
Thursday the 15th inst.—was mild and spring-like f but since then a 
biting north-easterly wind has prevailed, with drizzling snow on most 
days, but not sufficient to cover the ground until Monday night, and 
there was a depth of about ‘A inches on Tuesday morning. 
- The Weather in the North. —“ B. D.” writes:—“The 
country from Aberdeen southwards was in the middle of last week 
visited by a snowstorm of great severity. Nowhere was the general 
depth very great, from (1 inches to a foot, but the drifting was unusually 
heavy. Everywhere country roads were, and in many places still are, 
blocked up, schools closed, and communication generally suspended. 
6° frost occurred last night (18th), 12° and 17° on the two preceding. 
The present storm, except that the frost is not so intense, bears in its 
cbaracter and progress so far a great likeness to that which we had four 
days earlier last year.’’ 
- The usual monthly dinner of the Hoeticdltdeal Club took 
place on Tuesday the liith inst. There was a large attendance of 
members, Mr. John Lee in the chair. Amongst those present were 
Dr. Hogg, the Rev. E. H. Gall, Messr.s. Llewelyn, Crowley, Harry J. 
Vcitch, Ball, 11. J. Pearson, A. H. Pearson, J. L. Cousens, Geo. Paul, &c. 
The discussion was opened by Mr. T. D. T. Llewelyn, who gave an 
interesting account of Sikkim Rhododendrons in South Wales, and 
detailed many of the experiments which he is carrying out. As this 
was given from notes we are sorry to be unable to reproduce his most 
interesting remarks. A discussion took place afterwards, which was 
joined in !>y Dr. Hogg, Messrs. Paul, Veitch, Ball, and others. 
- We have received the report and balance-sheet "of the United 
Horticultural and Benefit Society, and gladly record the ex¬ 
pression of our belief that th''s excellent institution is in a safe, sound, 
and flourishing .state. ^Members and funds are increasing, and the 
amount now invested in consols is £4000. Mr. W. Collins, 5, Martinhoe 
Terrace, Martindale Road, Balham, London, S.W., is the Secretary of 
the Society. 
-A sub-committee of the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, con¬ 
sisting of Messrs. Deal (chairman), Barron, Dean, Herbst, Richards, 
Roupell, Wright, and Wynne, was held on Friday night last for making 
arrangements for the first election of candidates and anniversary dinner ' 
on July 13th, and their recommendations will be considered by the 
General Committee on Friday night, the 23rd inst. Applications of 
candidates for the benefit of the Fund should reach the Secretary on or 
before April 23rd. 
-“ E. J.” sends us a few flowers of Narcissus pallidus prjecox 
to show the variation in size and colour. Some are as small as the minor 
variety of N. pseudo-Narcissus, while others approach the major forms 
in size. The colour ranges from nearly white to a clear yellow, the 
crown being much darker than the perianth in some cases. All are 
pretty, delicate, and valuable so early in the season. 
- On March 13th Mr. T. F. Rivers delivered a lecture on the 
Orchard House to the Birmingham 'and Blidland Counties 
Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association. A large audience was 
assembled, and the lecturer was warmly thanked at the close of his 
address. We shall publish the lecture referred to in an early issue. 
- We learn that Messrs. W. Paul & Son have a fine display of 
Camellias in Flower at Waltham Cross this season, and they 
will be at their best in a few days. 
- Special displays of PIyacinths, Tulips, and Floral 
Plants arc also provided by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, Cutbush 
and Son, Highgate, and by Mr. B. S. Williams at Upper Holloway. 
- Presentation to Me. John Lazenby.—A correspondent 
sends the following paragraph—“ At a meeting of the Ancient Society 
of York Florists, held at the “ Golden Lion Hotel,” Church Street, last 
week, Mr. John Lazenby, the Secretary, was the recipient of a very pleasing 
token of esteem and good will. Mr. G, Cowper, who presided, made 
the presentation in felicitous terms. He reviewed the long history 
of the Society, and alluded to the great services which Mr. Lazenby had 
rendered when its usefulness was very great. Mr. J. Robinson, Mr. G. 
Manton, Mr. J. Hume, Mr. Kirk, Mr. J. E. Wilkinson, and others 
added complimentary expressions to those uttered by the Chairman, 
after which the testimonial, consisting of a puree of gold, was handed 
to Mr. Lazenby, who suitably acknowledged this kindly recognition of 
his services. A vote of thanks to Mr. Rodwell and Mr. Burton, the Hon- 
Secretaries, and the presentation Committee, terminated a very gratify¬ 
ing incident.” 
-Accompanying the schedule of the National Auricula 
AND Primula and National Carnation and Picotee Societies 
(Southern Sections), we have received from Mr. J. Douglas the 
note appended : —“ It has again been decided to hold the exhibitions in 
connection ivith the Royal Horticultural Society ; owing, however, to 
the transition state of that Society, the Council .are unable to vote the 
usual grant of £15 to each Society as heretofore. Under these altered 
conditions, the Committee trust that members and friends will try to 
make good this amount. By the kindness of a few friends an extra sum 
was collected last year as a Jubilee gift. It was under consideration to 
expend this sum in preparing cards for certificates on a new and 
original design, a sketch for which has been prepared by Mr. Alfred 
Slocombe ; under the altered financial conditions, however, it has been 
decided to postpone the preparation of certificate cards. The Committee 
suggest that if each member of either Society would obtain another by 
personal solicitation, a great success for the ensuing year would be 
assured.” The National Auricula Show will be held in the Drill Hall, 
James Street, Victoria Street, on April 24th ; and the National Carna¬ 
tion Show on July 24th, in the same place. 
- Mr. C. Page, The Gardens, Fern Lodge, Bracknell, Berks, 
writes respecting German Irises foe Forcing, as follows :—“ I 
doubt if many readers of the Journal are aware that these force readily. 
When calling on Mr. Lane, gardener to Miss J. D. Smith, King’s Ride, 
Ascot, a short time ago, I w<as very much ^rprised to see several fine 
clumps in flower ; also small pieces in 48 and 32-size po^s, carrying four 
and five flowers. Mr. Lane informed me that they were lifted from the 
open ground about a month previous, potted at once, and stood in an 
early vinery. T do not think there are many flowers to equal them for 
specimen glasses, as their quaint shape and beautiful colours are then 
shown to advantage. I wonder they have not found favour with market 
growers.” 
- The second exhibition of the Bolton Chrysanthemum 
Society will be held in the Albert Hall, Bolton, on November 23rd and 
24th this year. The result of the first show Last year is a balance of 
