524 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December IS, 188 
been ascertained. Under those circumstances, thrifty able willing 
workers have obtained good appointments and positions ; but, on 
the other hand, not a few who have made the venture without such 
provision have found themselves like lost sheep in a wilderness, and 
have had to endure privations which they never anticipated, and 
which would not have been exceeded, if equalled, at home. 
In respect to skilled gardeners who have served private 
families and desire similar appointments abroad which they cannot 
find at home, one of them asked of me this question, “ What do 
you think my chance would be if I went to America ?” My reply 
was, “ Ask a nurseryman of repute who knows you to give you a 
recommendation to write to a transatlantic firm of good standing 
which he may obligingly name ; write to the firm, enclosing copies 
of testimonials, stating also your age and desire, and await a reply.” 
Employment has been obtained in that way at once, and eventually 
good positions secured. I once asked a widely known American 
horticulturist to give me an idea of the demand for British gar¬ 
deners in his “ great country.” His reply was significant. “ Well, 
you know,” he said, “ you have plenty of men we don’t want ; 
they may be good gardeners and good workers, but insufficiently 
educated. We are ahead of you in that. Thoroughly competent, 
well trained, and well educated gardeners—in a word, workers, but 
gentlemen in speech and action, are the men we want, and there is 
a demand for such in America ; but remember, we are overdone 
with mediocrities, and a man has small chance of getting a good 
place with us who cannot write a good letter.” I do not comment 
on those remarks at present, but think it better to leave them for 
the reflection of those to whom they may be of interest. They 
are too serious t) be disregarded.—J. Wright. 
JOTTINGS. 
Tiie publication of a voluminous part of the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society’s Journal reminds us that the exceedingly full and 
varied programme placed before the Fellows early in the year has 
been carried out in a manner which must be regarded as creditable 
to all concerned in the management. The outline of next year’s 
proceedings has also been issued, and presents many features of 
interest, quite sufficient to ensure Fellows a substantial return for 
their subscriptions. The energy and enterprise of the Secretary, 
the Rev. W. Wilks, is evident in every department, and the in¬ 
creased popularity of the Society is undoubtedly largely due to his 
efforts. It is perhaps a long time since a secretary of the Royal 
Horticultural Society has adopted so broad a policy, and he wisely 
sees the desirability of recognising in a generous manner the exis¬ 
tence and work of special societies. He was present at the annual 
meeting of the National Rose Society, of which he is a member, 
as he also is of the National Chrysanthemum Society, and he is an¬ 
nounced as likely to be one of the visitors and speakers at the last- 
named Society’s annual dinner on Thursday. Nothing will 
strengthen the Royal Horticultural Society so much as a pacific 
policy and friendly recognition of kindred organisations that are 
sharing in the work and doing it well. Virulent antagonism is 
profitable neither to societies nor individuals, but quite the reverse 
in the end, as the sympathies of all reasonable men are alienated by 
persistent, unfounded, or jealous opposition. It would be well if 
some hypercritical individuals would consider this in their own 
interest, fora man who assumes to be a universal critic is not only 
a public pest, but he commonly defeats his object. Generous, 
friendly criticism is most desirable for the common good, but a 
system of endeavouring to crush every project that does not 
emanate from a particular source can result only from exceedingly 
narrow views, an envious disposition, or private enmity. 
The series of shows to be held during 1890 at the Royal 
Aquarium under the superintendence of Mr. W. Holmes has given 
rise to some discussion, and questions have been repeatedly asked 
respecting their connection with the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, and their material effects on the R.H.S. I can answer one 
of these questions positively—namely, that the National Society 
has no official connection with the shows which have been projected 
by the directors of the Royal Aquarium, who are providing the 
funds. The National shows in January, September, and November 
will of course form part of the series, and at the October show 
prizes will be offered for Chrysanthemums ; beyond this the N.C.S. 
will neither gain nor lose by their success or failure. For my own 
part I think it probable that if the dates of the R.H.S. meeting? 
and Aquarium shows are conveniently arranged that both are 
likely to profit by the scheme. The two places are so near together 
that exhibits can be removed from one to the other in a short time 
and at a trivial cost, and if an exhibitor at the R.H.S. can see a. 
prospect of recovering a portion of his expenses at the Aquarium 
he will not be slow to take advantage of it. The R.H.S. have' 
adopted a consistent policy of offering no money prize3 at any 
meeting or show. They have no doubt carefully considered the 
matter, and it is probably a right decision, as their funds will not; 
admit of a lavish expenditure in prize money, and rightly applied 
they can be rendered more beneficial to horticulture in other ways. 
This leaves the shows practically to the nurserymen and such few 
amateurs as are willing to incur the cost of sending plants or other 
exhibits from a long distance. If only a portion of expenses could be 
paid it would greatly increase the number of amateur exhibitors,, 
for after all we cannot ignore the £ s. d. side of the question in 
horticulture or in other trades. It is true that amateurs are often, 
impelled by their enthusiasm to do even more than a tradesman, 
who simply regards the matter commercially, but it is more in the 
way of personal exertion and work, and few amateurs in these 
times are prepared to dip very deeply into their pockets in providing' 
exhibitions for the advantage of others. 
An impression seems to prevail that competitors at exhibitions' 
gain enormous returns, and after a few years are literally rolling in 
wealth. This may have been correct at one time, when large 
money prizes were offered and there were a few exhibitors who 
enjoyed a monopoly at the leading shows throughout the kingdom, 
but it is not so now. Some specialists no doubt secure fairly good 
returns, but the utmost the average exhibitor can expect is to dear- 
expenses. Any man who places the results of his skill before the 
public, whether he be amateur or gardener, may fairly require to 
see a prospect of recovering his outlay. 
Some have said, Does the National Chrysanthemum Society 
intend to develope into a larger and more general organisation ? 
If there were the need no doubt it could and would, but if the- 
R.H.S. maintains and strengthens its position, such a course would 
be unwise and unsafe. An Orchid Society has been talked about, 
and substantial pecuniary support promised ; but if the Orchid 
Committee of the R.H.S. is well and impartially organised, and 
performs its work satisfactorily, there will scarcely be room for a 
special society, as it might divide the interest, and a want of general 
support would be fatal to entire success. If the Committee 
had not been formed it is probable such a Society would have come 
into existence, and the R.H.S. might have even gained from the 
support of a strong young ally, in the same way as it could from 
the National Rose and Chrysanthemum Societies. 
Several handsome Anthuriums have been shown from the Burford 
Lodge collection, and tint named A. burfordense, exhibited at the. 
recent meeting in the Drill Hall, was a worthy companion for those 
previously honoured. It had large rich scarlet shining spathes,. 
broad and rounded, supported on stout stems well above the bold 
foliage. Quite a large group of Anthurium varieties and hybrids 
of this class can now be formed, and their decorative value is. 
considerable.—L. Castle. 
FRUIT CULTURE ON HEAVY LAND. 
The time has arrived for planting fruit trees, and as many 
readers may be engaged in this interesting operation for the first 
time, a few practical hints on the subject may be Useful. It is very 
easy to dig a hole and bury the roots of a tree, but those who wish 
for immediate success must exercise forethought, consult practical 
experience, and if dealing with a heavy cold clay make some 
preliminary preparation, which may involve unthought-of expense. 
Better, however, plant fifty trees well than 500 badly. The former 
must bring profit and pleasure, the latter loss and disappointment. 
It is not necessary to plant a tenth part of the varieties offered 
for sale ; at the same time we believe there are few varieties in 
commerce but what may be profitably grown providing their 
peculiarities are studied and provided for. A variety, for instance, 
known to be a free strong grower at the expense of fruit should be 
planted in a shallow quick-draining border, containing a calcareous 
soil, not too rich—in fact, there are in plants as well as in animals 
constitutional peculiarities, which will often pay for finding out 
and providing for. In Nature it seems to be a rule, with very few 
exceptions, that the best thing requires the greatest amount of 
skill to produce it. 
The advice so often given to keep the branches and shoots well 
thinned out is good, but we must not forget that the wood will not 
ripen if the roots are working at a great depth in a cold clay; there- 
