51G 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
t December 17, 1891. 
much admired b 3 th year and this year j hence we decided to send it 
to the last meeting. The plant sent had been in rather a warmer house 
than I like, but wi'h care it may be had at its best about Christmas.” 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Meetings in 1892.—The 
following are the dates of the Committee Meetings and Shows for 
the coming year: — January 12th. February 9th, annual general 
meeting. March 8th and 22nd, April 12th and 19th (Auriculas and 
Primulas). May 3rd, 17th, 23th, and 26th (Temple Show). June 7th 
and 21st (Rose Show). July 12th and 2Gth (Carnation Show). August 
9th, 23rd, and 24th, Conference and Exhibition at Chiswick, Begonias, 
Apricots, and Plums. September 6th and 20th. October 4th and 18th, 
November 1st and 15th. December 13th. The titles of lectures, &c., 
will be published in the arrangements, to which a list of Fellows will 
be added. 
- The Midland Counties Carnation and Picotee Society 
has just issued a report of their proceedings for the current year, giving 
a full list of the winners, together with the names of the flowers each 
exhibited at the August Show in the Botanical Gardens, Birmingham. 
The report is admirably printed, and is a neat useful little book for 
amateurs. We are informed that the Committee have already met to 
prepare the new schedule for 1892, which will shortly be issued. 
- Horticultural Club. —The usual monthly meeting was held 
at the Club rooms, Hotel Windsor, on the 8th inst., when there was a 
good attendance of members. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Lee, 
and there were present the Rev. W. Wilks, the Rev. F. H. Gall, Messrs. 
Soper, H. J. Pearson, C, E. Pearson, A. A. Pearson, Cousens, Druery, 
Cheal, &c. The discussion was opened by the Rev. W. Wilks, who gave 
a most interesting lecture on fruit trees in pots, and in order to illus¬ 
trate it gave a description of what he had done himself. He first 
described the house which he had built for the purpose ; he then 
described the soil which he used ; and also the manner in which the 
potting was done, how the trees were treated during the growing, 
blooming, and fruiting season, and how they were treated afterwards. 
In fact, it was thoroughly practical. There was not a point 
connected with their culture that was not explained; and in the interest¬ 
ing discussion that followed it was more than once stated that it would 
be impossible for anyone following these instructions to fail. It was 
also most regretted that owing to its having been delivered from notes 
it was impossible to give a report of it. 
- Scottish Primula and Auricula Society. —The annual 
general meeting of the Scottish Primula and Auricula Society was held 
recently at 18, Reform Street, Dundee, Mr. J. D. Iver, Douglasfield, in 
the chair. After the election of office bearers and a Show Committee 
the Hon. Secretary read the Committee’s report on the Exhibition which 
took place in May last. The report stated that, notwithstanding the 
inclemency of the weather in spring, the quality of the exhibits 
forward was quite equal to that of former Exhibitions, and that, taking 
the Show as a whole, it was perhaps the best the Society has yet held. 
The Treasurer then read his report, which, although the attendance at 
the Exhibition and the subscriptions were somewhat les3 than in 1890, 
showed a good balance at the credit of the Society. After some 
conversation Mr. W. Straton, Annfield, Broughty Ferry, agreed to 
continue to act as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer for another year. 
Hearty votes of thanks were passed to private and nurserymen 
exhibitors, and to the Chairman. The date of next Show was fixed for 
May 6th and 7th, 1892, to be held in Dundee. 
- The Birmingham Gardeners’ Association.—A t a meeting 
on the 2nd inst., Mr. Charles Bick, gardener to Walter Chamberlain, Esq., 
read a paper on Evergreen Trees and Shrubs for Town Gardens, speaking 
of the kinds he had from his long experience of Birmingham found to 
do best ; and on the 9th inst. Mr. John Bluck, gardener at The 
Ilenburys, Birmingham, read a paper on the Camellia, its varieties and 
cultivation, and described his treatment for several years of the famous 
specimen Double White under his care ; giving also a list of a few 
select varieties, and the cultivation of Camellias generally. 
- The Midland Counties Pansy Society.— With a small 
balance in hand from the first Exhibition, held in June last, the 
Committee have decided upon issuing the schedule very early in the 
new year, with more open classes added, and a goodly list of extra 
prizes offered by friends. The Society appears to be established on a 
strong footing, and Mr. W. Dean, Sparkhill, Birmingham, is again the 
Hon. Secretary. 
- A Hint to Contributors.—I have previously stated how 
desirable it is that correspondents should name the district to which 
their remarks apply. I was much pleased with the article on Roses by 
(i D. W. C.” on page 479 until I came to the end of it. He says “ here ,r 
Roses are cherished, &c. What I am often at a loss for is “ where ” the 
“ here ” is. If only the county were named it would greatly add to the 
value of such communications. I trust you will be able to give this 
hint to your able correspondents.—A. M. Stanley, Hull. [We often 
supply the omission in question, but failed to add Midlands to the 
communication referred to.) 
- Rainfall Returns. —I am just preparing to send blank 
forms to all persons that are known to me as keeping a regular and 
accurate return of the fall of rain. I know that there are some readers 
of the Journal of Horticulture who do not yet help me. I know it 
because sometimes they mention the depth of rain, and yet give vague 
addresses and sign only with initials, and of course it is impossible for 
me to communicate without a full address. We are just finishing an 
exceptional year. I should like my account of it to be as nearly 
perfect as possible, and therefore I shall be glad if every reader of this 
paragraph who has a rain gauge and attends to it will send me his name 
and address, so that I may send him suitable forms.—G. J. Symons, 
62, Camden Square, London, N. W. 
- Helianthus decapetalus is without a doubt the most free 
flowering of the whole family, commencing in July and continuing till 
the end of September. No plant that I know in the whole catalogue of 
hardy plants increases as fast as this variety of Helianthus, or, as some 
call it, Heliopsis laevis. It grows about 6 feet high and the stems are 
particularly wiry and much branched at che top. The pale yellow 
flower heads with dark centres are cupped in form, which is perhaps 
the only reason why they are not so valuable in a cut state, being 
more difficult to arrange than those which have recurving florets.—E. 
- To Preserve Flowers.—T o preserve delicate flowers take 
very fine sand, wash it perfectly clean, and when dry sift it through a 
fine sieve into a pan. When the pan is deep enough to hold the flowers 
in an upright position take some more sifted sand and carefully cover 
them. A spoon is a good thing to use for this, as it fills in every chink 
and cranny without breaking or binding the leaves. When the pan is 
filled solidly leave the flowers to dry for several days. It is a good plan 
to warm the sand in the oven before using it, as the flowers will then 
dry more thoroughly. Pansies preserved in this way will keep their 
shape and brilliancy of colour all the winter. Ferns when preserved in 
this way have a more natural look than when pressed, and the Maiden¬ 
hair Fern looks almost as well as when it is freshly gathered.— {Inter¬ 
national Journal of Microscopy and Natural Science.') 
- Japanese Pinks (Dianthus Heddewigi) are not cultivated 
nearly so much as they ought to be. They provide an extensive range 
of colouring, from pure white to intensely dark shades of crimson. 
Those who are fond of flaked and striped flowers may have them to 
their heart’s content if they cultivate approved forms of Dianthus. The 
plants are dwarf, from 9 inches to 1 foot high, are well suited for 
massing ; in fact, that is about the best style of arrangement. If anyone 
objects to the level compact mass when so grown in a bed by themselves 
this is easily obviated by planting two or three Acacia lophantha, 
Grevillea robusta, or Sonchus laciniata to give relief. Single or double 
flowers can be had at will, therefore there is no reason why those who 
prefer one kind to another may not have their choice. To my mind the 
single forms are much the be3t, and are more laciniated than the double 
variety. Where many persons make a mistake in cultivating these 
Pinks is in the spriDg, giving them too much heat; the plants are liable 
in that way to be weakened, and do not give the same satisfaction as 
when sown in a cold frame about the middle of March, pricked off into 
rich sandy soil, grown sturdily, and planted out towards the end of May 
with a good ball of soil attached to their roots. In this manner the 
plants receive no check, but start freely into growth, and with a 
reasonable amount of sun heat they commence flowering early, and 
continue well into the autumn.—E. M. 
