.January 31, 1880. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
93 
of the last meeting by the Secretary, the following contributions were 
announced as having been received during the month—Mr. W. H. 
Divers. £4 7s. 8d., including £2 7s. 8d. paid by visitors to Ketton Hall 
Gardens, which were kindly opened to the public by Mr. Hopwood for 
the benefit of the Fund ; from Mr. Fulbrook, Streatham Hill, £1 8s. Gd.; 
Mr. Crawford, Coddington, £1 12s. ; Mr. Rose, Lockinge, £5 5s., the 
proceeds of an entertainment ; Mr. G. Deal, £5 5s. ; Mr. A. F. Barron, 
£5 5s.; Mr. Macmillan, £5 ; Mr. Herbst, £1 ; and Mr. Hughes, the 
proceeds of several boxes at the Birmingham autumn Show, £7 Gs. 10d. 
The total amount received during the half-year is £549 3s. 9d., which 
compares favourably with the corresponding period of last year, and 
there has also at the same time been a reduction in the expenses. It 
was announced that a stall for the sale of flowers on behalf of the 
Fund is proposed to be held at the Exhibition of the Richmond Hor¬ 
ticultural Society ; that a Rose fair and sale of blooms will be held at 
Croydon on July 3rd j that tickets for the Princess’s Theatre, sold at 
the usual rate by the Secretary and members of the Committee, for any 
of the following dates, February 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th, will benefit the 
Charity ; and that application will be made co the Duke of Bedford for 
permission to hold an evening fete in the flower market, Covent 
Garden, on behalf of the Fund. The co-operation of all who in various 
ways obtain contributions is much appreciated by the Committee, and 
it is not doubted that methods will suggest themselves by which 
gardeners and others in sympathy with the object may share in its 
accomplishment. It may be added that the theatrical performances 
on the dates named include “ Hamlet ” and “ The Lady of Lyons.” 
- The Crystal Palace Company, Sydenham, have just com¬ 
pleted their fixtures for the 1889 Flower and Fruit Shows. The 
Spring Exhibition of Plants and Flowers will be held on the 23rd March; 
the great Summer Exhibition on May 11th ; the National Rose Society's 
Grand Exhibition of Roses on July 6th ; the Fruit Exhibition and 
Grand National Dahlia Show on 6th and 7th September ; the great 
Autumn Fruit Show on 10th, 11th, and 12th October; and the 
Chrysanthemum Exhibition on the 8th and 9th November. 
- Active preparations are being made by Messrs. J. Laing and 
‘Sons, Forest Hill Nursery, for the great Annual Exhibition of 
Tuberous Begonias. A house is devoted to recently sown seed and 
young seedlings, which will in a short time give abundance of labour in 
pricking off and repotting. A large space of ground near the road has 
been prepared for those which are planted out, and it is evident the 
interest in Begonias is still increasing. 
CORNISH MARKET GARDENS. 
As misleading statements have been published on Cornish market 
gardens and the profits derivable therefrom allow me to give some facts. 
Broccoli-growing in the district of Penzance certainly does not pay. 
How can it, when at the present time crates containing five to six dozens 
are selling in Covent Garden from 3s. to 5s. a crate, which, after 
deducting expenses, including carriage 2s. 8d. per crate, the grower is 
often brought in debt, as has been the case many a time this season ; and 
this is the state of things with which the grower is expected to meet 
rents, rates,and tithes. 
The only argument that is advanced to show that Broccoli culture 
pays in Cornwall is that the acrea?e during the last twenty years has 
greatly increased ; but, coming nearer, take the last five years, and I 
emphatically say the acreage has decreased. And I would ask, If it 
pays so well as is represented, why is it that many of the growers are 
unable to pay their rents at the present time ? I will also enlighten the 
public on another fact—namely, that Cherbourg Broccoli are brought to 
Covent Garden in equally as good condition as those from Cornwall, the 
difference in time of transit being very little indeed, and they certainly 
meet a better demand in the market, thereby realising much higher prices 
than Cornish goods. 
In conclusion, I would advise sensational writers before supplying 
paragraphs on “Cornish Market Gardens” to first study the subject, 
ascertain facts, and not draw on their imaginations, as such paragraphs 
only to practical men and Cornish growers betray entire ignorance on 
the subject, yet they mislead the inexperienced, and raise expectations 
that cannot be fulfilled.—M. R. A. S. 
[Our correspondent’s remarks have no reference to anything that 
has appeared in this Journal, but they are called for, and the “ facts ” 
mentioned are important and authentic.] 
CAMPANULA ABIETINA. 
Many of the Campanulas are favourites on rockeries and in borders, 
the taller, stronger species being best fitted for the latter position, the 
small-growing Bellflowers having little nooks allotted to them in the 
I rock garden. One of these which looks well in either position, provided 
it be not overgrown or crowded by stronger plants, is Campanula 
bietina, represented in fig. 16. It is very dwarf and compact in 
habit, but throws up its tall, slender, graceful flower stems to the height 
of 6 inches, as shown in the illustration. The flowers are relatively 
large, of a deep purplish crimson colour, distinct from the majority of the 
species, and they are produced freely during the summer months. The 
plant is easily grown, requiring only well-drained soil, not too heavy, 
and it can be increased by seed. 
