March 25, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
225 
25 
Th 
Royal Sooiety at 4.30 p.m. 
26 
P 
Spring Show at the Crystal Palace (two days). 
27 
S 
Royal Botanic Sooiety at 3.45 p.m. 
28 
SUN 
3rd Sunday in Lent. 
29 
M 
SO 
TU 
Spring Show at Westminster Aquarium (two clays). 
31 
W 
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
PROVINCIAL SHOW. 
E are glad to learn that arrangements have been 
made on an equitable basis between this 
Society and the Liverpool Horticultural Asso¬ 
ciation for concerted action, with the object of 
producing an exhibition of the greatest magni¬ 
tude in the Botanic Gardens and Wavertree 
Park of the famous maritime city. That this 
arrangement will be mutually advantageous 
there can scarcely be a doubt, for to divide the 
local resources, great as they are, between two shows within 
a month of each other would inevitably weaken both. The 
date may possibly be fully too early for staging in the best 
condition much garden produce of the Liverpool district, but 
it is to be remembered that the show is to be regarded as 
representing the horticulture of the nation, not of a locality. 
That the skilled cultivators of the neighbourhood will hold 
their own in many of the classes there is not a doubt; but 
be that as it may, it is evident a sufficient breadth and liberality 
of mind exists to welcome the best produce from wheresoever 
it may come. The Liverpool gardeners show their strength 
in the decision lately arrived at, and the status of their 
Society will not suffer by this alliance with the Royal in pro¬ 
moting high culture in British gardens. 
We have before us a report of a special general meeting 
of the Liverpool Horticultural Association, convened by the 
requisition of thirty members, to consider the advisability of 
the amalgamation in question, in order to render the exhibi¬ 
tion to be held towards the end of June a great success. The 
meeting was held in the Nisi Prius Court, St. George’s Hall, 
at eight o’clock on the evening of the 18th inst., Mr. White, 
Vice-President of the Association, presiding. The Court was 
crowded, probably 150 to 200 members being present. It 
may be well to state that the Committee of the Association 
had decided by a majority of two not to accept the terms of 
the Royal Horticultural Society, but to hold their Show a3 
usual in Sefton Park or elsewhere towards the end of July. 
The terms of amalgamation, as stipulated by the Royal, were 
£250 for 8500 tickets—namely, 1500 for the first or second 
day, and 2000 for any other day. Mr. White, after reading 
the circular and explaining the objects for which the mem¬ 
bers were called together, called upon Mr. E. Bridge, the 
Secretary, to read the correspondence that had passed 
between the officials of the Royal and those of. the Associa¬ 
tion. Mr. W. Bardney then submitted a resolution to the 
meeting to the effect that the Committee accept tJie terms of 
the Royal Horticultural Society to pay the sum of £250 for 
3500 tickets, admitting the subscribers on the first and second 
day, the Association not being held responsible or liable in 
any way for any further amount than that specified for the 
tickets. “The feeling,” continues the report, “was some¬ 
what strong against the idea of the ordinary members, which 
are nearly all gardeners, not having admission till after the 
second day. Mr. Bardney stated that he thought the 
officials of the Royal would not treat them less advantage- 
No. 300. -Vol. XII., Third Series, 
ously than the Manchester Society, who always make pro¬ 
vision for the admission of gardeners on the first day for 
a small sum. He believed they would grant the tickets for 
the sum named, even if they did not admit the ordinary 
subscribers towards evening on the opening day, which he 
and several of his supporters believed would be the case, 
on the ground that it could make very little difference to 
the Royal what day they admit them, for there is plenty of 
room ; and if announced that they would admit them on the 
first day the Royal would secure the united efforts of all 
members of the Association.” 
Mr. R. G. Waterman seconded Mr. Bardney’s resolution, 
which was ably supported in speeches by Messrs. R. W. Ker, 
J. Cowan, and J. Gore. An amendment was submitted to 
the contrary ; but, though most ably advocated, it only secured 
thirty-nine votes, Mr. Bardney’s resolution being carried by 
an overwhelming majority. The meeting occupied nearly 
two hours, and the clapping and cheering was most enthu¬ 
siastic when it was perceived the proposition had bsen so 
favourably received. 
We have received a letter from a member of the Liverpool 
Association, who appears to regret the decision arrived at on 
the grounds that each member ought to have received notice 
of the meeting; that a later fixture would have been more 
seasonable, and that the admission of members on the “third 
and fourth days ” of the show is not an arrangement that can 
be regarded a3 satisfactory. 
It is only necessary to deal with the last objection, and this 
we shall do in the expression of a hope that the members of 
the Liverpool Association will be treated in the most liberal 
manner that is practicable. We venture to suggest that as 
there will be more or less of confusion on tie first day, that 
though honorary members might be admitted then, early in 
the morning of the second would be the best time for gar¬ 
deners to enjoy the show—say from seven to ten o’clock, if 
such an arrangement could be made, or some other by which 
they could have a “ quiet look round ” before the admission 
of the general public—a plan which has answered well and 
given much satisfaction at great exhibitions we have seen in 
Scotland, but as the judging was completed by about eight 
o’clock in the morning, early admission was granted to gar¬ 
deners on the first day, which obviously cannot be done at 
Liverpool. We have no doubt, however, that everything 
that can be done will be done both in the interests of the 
honorary and ordinary members of the Liverpool Association, 
and as conducive to the success of the great undertaking. 
HINTS ON FIRING. 
Severs and prolonged cold weather has exercised all the 
ability of growers to protect their plants and secure an 
atmosphere best calculated to enable them to resist the 
debilitating influence of the increased fire heat. The tem¬ 
peratures required in the various houses are a source of 
much anxiety to the gardener at all times, as so much of 
successful practice depends upon their maintenance, especially 
at night. The duty of stoking falls in most private places 
to the young gardeners, and very advisedly, as no man will 
ever be competent to take charge of a collection of plants, or 
have charge of structures in which forcing operations 
are carried on, unless he thoroughly understands and 
has practical experience of the duties of stoker. In this 
respect the nurseryman has a great advantage over the 
private grower. The former has such an extent of glass that 
he finds it suits his purpose best to employ a professional 
stoker. These experts not only maintain the exact tempera¬ 
tures ordered by the grower, but so regulate the fires by the 
variations of the external temperatures that they in the course 
of a season save much fuel. 
Respecting night temperatures the stoker almost always 
errs on the high side—that is, if we are forcing Yines, and the 
order is to keep the temperature at 60° on cold nights, or 
No. 1956.— Vol. LXXIY., Old Series. 
