74 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jamaary 24, 1889. 
had done his best to execute this part of his functions. He did not 
know what the cutlers’ feast in Sheffield was like, he knew very well 
what “ Cutler’s” feast in London was. The third duty was to fulfil the 
expectations of those gentlemen who had done him the honour to elect 
him to the office of chairman. In judging this portion of his duty he 
was sure the benevolence of those present would overpower their 
criticism, and he hoped they would be pleased with what he said, as 
he would endeavour to express their thoughts. However, be that as it 
may, he was there, and he would do his best, and propose the first toast 
of the evening, “ Her Majesty the Queen.” 
The next toast was that of “ The Prince and Princess of Wales, and 
other members of the Royal Family,” also proposed by the Chairman in 
felicitious terms, fo'lowed by that of “ The Army and Navy,” which was 
coupled with the name of “ Midshipman Cutler,” who responded 
briefly. 
The Chairman said he felt great happiness in proposing the toast 
of the evening, “ Prosperity to the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Insti¬ 
tution.” It was impossible to give the number of those worn and 
weary and weak with work which this Institution had relieved. It had 
performed a most valuable service, and he was quite certain it would go 
on and prosper. He strongly urged gardeners themselves to support 
it more generally and generously. It was important for a gardener to 
feel when he gets in years there was something to provide for days 
that must come upon all. He hoped all would strive to induce gardeners 
to join the Institution. He had tried to persuade gentlemen when 
engaging gardeners to stipulate that they should set aside from their 
salary or honorarium (he was afraid to call it wages), a sum of a guinea 
a year for the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. In referring to 
the condition of the Society, he said an ounce of facts was worth a ton 
of elocution, so he gave a few comparisons between the financial 
resources of the Society now and seveuteen years ago, when he presided 
at a meeting of the Institution, which showed an astonishing advance 
and most satisfactory state of affairs at the present time. He hoped 
with all his heart this advance would continue, an opinion which was 
enthusiastically endorsed by all present. 
Mr. Sherwood next proposed the health of the Chairman, and he said 
he remembered when as the Rev. Reynolds Hole he presided at the 
meeting seventeen years ago in the Old London Tavern. He had never 
then heard a more witty or humorous speaker, and he thought if time 
had dealt well with the Institution with which they were connected it 
had also dealt well with their Chairman, for he was enjoying good 
health and was as witty as ever. He had passed from Reverend to 
Canon Hole, and now they had the pleasure of congratulating him as 
Dean of Rochester. 
In responding, Dean Hole said those present owed him no thanks, it 
was a pleasure for him to assist in any worthy cause connected with 
horticulture. Gardening had been the darling of his manhood, and it 
was the great consolation of his age. True gardeners with a genuine 
love of their calling and of plants were rather scarce ; but when one is 
found make him your friend, for he had always observed a true love of 
Mature associated with superior qualities of heart and mind. He was 
never more attached to gardeners and gardening than at the present 
time, and as insignia he wears a “ Rose in his hat” and the gardener’s 
uniform, “an apron.” He thought and hoped his name would be long 
associated with horticulture, for his son was engaged to marry the 
grand-daughter of Sir Joseph Paxton. 
The Chairman then left, and one of the Vice-Presidents, Herbert J. 
Adams, Esq., was elected to preside. “ The Health of the President and 
Vice-President” was proposed by Mr. Webber, and acknowledged by Mr. 
Adams. This was followed by “ The Health of the Treasurer,” proposed 
by Mr. Adams, was responded to in a few appropriate terms by Mr. 
H. J. Veitch, in which he traced the working of the Institution, and gave 
some particulars respecting the funds. 
The Chairman proposed “ The Prosperity of the Kindred Societies,” 
coupling with the toast the names of Mr. G. Deal, as representing the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, and of Mr. Hudson, as Treasurer of the 
United Horticultural Benefit Society, both of whom responded, and ably 
pointed out the respective merits of their Societies in performing dis¬ 
tinct services from those rendered by the Institution. The Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund provides for the children, the United Horticultural Benefit 
Association affords assistance in illness, and the Gardeners’ Royal Bene¬ 
volent Institution helps the aged and infirm. 
Mr. Adams paid a deserved compliment to Mr. E. R. Cutler in pro¬ 
posing the health of the Secretary, and remarked that it was almost 
unnecessary to remind them how well he had worked for the Institution 
during the forty-seven years he performed the duties of Secretary. The 
toast was received with prolonged cheers, and Mr. Cutler in reply 
thanked the Chairman and members very earnestly for the kind remarks 
and good wishes, and hoped he would see his fiftieth year of service. 
Mr. Veitch proposed “ The Committee,” coupled with the name of Mr. 
John Laing of Forest Hill, who replied, and this brought the toast list 
to a conclusion. 
An admirable musical programme, with recitations, was carried out 
under the direction of Miss Marie Belval, and added considerably to the 
pleasure of the evening. 
GARDENERS. 
Having read with great care the paper read by Mr. Barry at the 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Association, which appears in 
your issue of Dec. 27th, page 587,1 beg by your permission to make a few 
remarks on the same. In the first place, I believe there is great truth in 
the statement as to there being an overstock of gardeners at the present 
time, and also that the over-supply is not composed of thoroughly prac¬ 
tical all-round gardeners, but consists of what one would term Cabbage 
growers, with a knowledge of cows, pigs, and poultry. I am not 
going to find fault with these men, as there are plenty of places 
suitable for them ; but what I complain of is they are so often recom¬ 
mended by nurserymen and others to fill important situations for which 
they are not fitted, but their low wages have been a great inducement for 
gentlemen to engage them. I am not sure if this inducement has proved 
at all a saving of expenses, taking things all round, for such a man 
would not be up to the requirements of a good establishment. I am 
acquainted with several of these so-called gardeners, who are filling 
some of the best places at low wages, but their garden expenses are much 
higher than a practical gardener’s would be. For instance, there is a 
much larger consumption of fuel, &c., and less returns, and all insecii- 
cides, which an experienced man ought to make himself, have to be bought. 
Therefore, taking things all round, I am at a loss to see where the saving 
is effected. I am one of those who do not draw such a gloomy picture 
of the future, as I think we shall soon find a level, as there are so many 
places now where foreman and journeymen are dispensed with, conse¬ 
quently this will reduce the supply of gardeners. 
There is one more remark I should like to endorse—viz., the want of 
a National School of Horticulture for the thorough training of young- 
gardeners. I also think something ought to be done for the present 
generation of practical gardeners, and I ask if you would kindly open 
your paper for the opinion of your numerous readers on the subject. 
My impression is the school mentioned above should be so constituted 
as to give certificates of merit in three classes—first, second, and third. 
By this practice each man would be known by his abilities. This could 
be done by a competent judge from the School of Horticulture visiting 
each gentleman’s gardens and giving his certificate in accordance with 
the manner the place is conducted, &c.— Alfred Bishop, The Gardens. 
Westley Hall, Bury St. Edmunds. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
January 15th. 
Scientific Committee. —Present — Mr. Pascoe, in the chair: 
Messrs. Morris, Maclachlan, Oliver, Wilson, Michael, Mfiller, Dr. M. T. 
Masters, and the Rev. G. Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Orchid Bulbs Attached, by Insects. —Mr. Morris drew attention to 
an insect found to attack Orchids at the Botanical Gardens, Trinidad. 
The injury is done chiefly at night. This Orchid “ bug” is considered 
by Mr. Distant to be an undescribed species of Eccritotarsus, who pur¬ 
poses describing it in a forthcoming number of the “Entomological 
Monthly Magazine ” as E. exitiosus. Mr. Mclachlan suggests that a.ny 
remedies found effective in the case of “ mealy bug ” would be effective 
in this case as well. In America he says they prefer Paris green, a 
cheap form of arsenic, for the treatment of insect pests. 
leery a Purchasi (Maskett), Plate of. —Mr. Morris also exhibited a 
plate of this insect, shortly to appear in the “ Kew Bulletin,” illus¬ 
trating its characters and life history. It is known as the “ Cottony 
Cushion Scale,” and is one of the most destructive pests. It attacks 
equally the Acacia, Orange, and other plants, and has caused great 
damage to the Orange groves of California and Florida. It is fully 
described in the report of the “Entomologist,” U.S. Dep. of Agrie., 
1886, page 474, seq. ; also by Maskett in his account of the scale insects 
of New Zealand, pi. xix., page 104. The insect does not appear to have 
been introduced into plant houses in this country as yet. It is, however, 
a pest that English horticulturists would do well to look out for, and 
to treat at once should it make its appearance. Mr. Maclachlan observed 
that it had been thought by some to be identical with the old Sugar¬ 
cane pest, T. sacchari. 
Limn with Contorted Branches. — With reference to the tree sent 
to the last meeting by Mr. Swailes of Beverley, he writes in addition— 
“ I have to-day looked over the growth of a few scions I took off the 
tree in the spring and grafted, and find that they all show the same 
peculiar contorted growth, which I should imagine would be per¬ 
manent.” 
Fraxinus monophylla fasciated. —Mr. Swailes also sent a fine 
specimen of a fasciated branch from this tree. The Ash, as is well 
known, is peculiarly liable to this affection. It was remarked by 
Mr. O’Brien that in the last season the common Ox-eye Daisy was fre¬ 
quently fasciated. With regard to this affection becoming permanent, 
Mr. Muller, said that it has been repeated for two years in Weigelia. 
Dr. Masters had noted the constancy of it in Lilium speciosum, Mr. 
Oliver in Larkspurs at Kew ; lastly Mr. Henslow reminded the Com¬ 
mittee of the fact that the synanthic condition of the flowers of 
Tomato was a species of fasciation perpetuated by seed. The actual, 
cause appears to be somewhat obscure, though the somewhat vague 
expression of hypertrophy might partially account for it. 
Disa lacern Tubers withstanding Frost. — Mr. O’Brien exhibited 
several tubers of this South African Orchid, which appeared to be per¬ 
fectly sound, having been twice hard frozen in soil which formed a 
hard mass for two winters. 
Winter Moth, Capture of. —Mr. G. F. Wilson exhibited a method, 
of catching this moth, which was most effective. He observed that the 
Agricultural Gazette of October 15th, 1888, recommended that in neigh¬ 
bourhoods where the winter moth was abundant, a ring of cart grease 
and Stockholm tar, or of cart grease alone, should be daubed round the 
