February 7, 1889. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
113 
when of such strength. T often syringe the Eucharis and other plants 
with a little of this soot water, and it is a great deterrent to all insects. 
Of course, it must be used much weaker, say 1 gallon of soot water 
to 5 gallons of clear water. 
NOTTS HORTICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL 
SOCIETY’S ANNUAL DINNER. 
The sixth annual dinner in connection with the above Society was 
held at the Arboretum Rooms, Nottingham, on Wednesday evening, 
January 30tb, when upwards of 100 members and friends of the 
Society sat down to the excellent repast. The tables and room were 
decorated with plants and flowers, the room presenting a very attractive 
appearance. Very noticeable near the Chairman were a beautiful 
arrangement of cut Orchids from the Wollaton Hall collection. In the 
unavoidable absence of the President of the Society, Alderman William 
Lambert, J.P., the chair was taken by W. H. Farmer, Esq., the Chair¬ 
man of Committee, and amongst others present were Alderman Gold¬ 
smith. J.P., Alfred Page, Esq., James Booth, Esq., J. H. Haywood, Esq.; 
and Messrs. A. H. Pearson, C. E. Pearson (Chilwell), J. Wright (Journal 
of Horticulture ), William Ingram (Belvoir Castle Gardens), C. Atkin¬ 
son (Fisher, Son, & Sibray, (Sheffield), Samuel Thacker, J. W. Wood¬ 
ward, R. Storer, W. Bardill (Stapleford), C. J. Mee (Wollaton Hall 
Gardens), R. Sanlcey (Bulwell Potteries), G. Wilson (Aspley Hall Gar¬ 
dens), N. H. Pownall (Lenton Hall Gardens), J. H. Walker (Hardwick 
House Gardens), J. Swanwick (Sherwood Lodge Gardens), and E. 
Steward, Secretary. Letters of apology had been received from the 
Mayor, Sir John Turney, Lord Newark, and others, each regretting the 
inability to be present, and wishing the Society success. The Chairman 
proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toast, which was most heartily 
responded to. Mr. Richard Storer (Midland station master) gave “The 
Town and Trade of Nottingham.” He spoke of the many signs already 
manifested of the return of good trade to the town. Mr. Alderman 
Goldsmith responded, and alluded to the many improvements which 
had been made in Nottingham during the past thirty years, and as 
regards the horticulture of the town they had leason to be proud of it. 
Mr. W. Ingram, Belvoir Castle Gardens, proposed “ Prosperity to the 
Society,” and in doing so asked all the members to co-operate as far as 
they could in promoting success to the Society, which was working its 
way steadily and efficiently. It was not depending on one great show 
for its existence, like so many similar societies; but by establishing 
monthly meetings, and in a variety of ways spreading a taste for horti¬ 
culture, much good had been done. It had now reached its seventh 
year, and he hoped it would go on and prosper. He always admired 
Nottingham for its taste in horticulture and floriculture. 
Mr. J. Booth in responding said the monthly meetings formed one 
of.the most satisfactory features of the Society, but that could not be 
said of their annual shows ; but whether their shows were successful or 
not, they would not stop their gardening operations and their monthly 
meetings. Seme of the papers read at these meetings displayed con¬ 
siderable literary ability on the part of the authors, and would do 
credit to any Society. 
Mr. A. H. Pearson gave “ The Health of the Officers of the Society.” 
Mr. Alfred Page (Treasurer) responded, and said the monthly meetings 
had been a great success, and had done great service to the Society. 
The Chairman proposed “ The Health of the Secretary,” to which Mr. 
Steward replied. Mr. R. Sankey proposed “ The Visitors,” for which Mr. 
J. H. Haywood ably responded, directing attention to the extraordinary 
number of gardens in the vicinity of the towm, and the pleasure derived 
from them by the occupants. Mr. J. H. Walker propose 1 - The Horti¬ 
cultural Press,” for which Mr. J. Wright replied. The proceedings 
were enlivened by the singing of several sones by the members, and a 
very pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent. 
MUSHROOM CULTURE. 
Having been fairly successful in the culture of Mushrooms on a 
small scale, I venture to send you our mode of procedure as nearly as 
possible, thinking you may probably find room for the same in your 
valuable paper. Our Mushroom house proper, a small structure without 
artificial heat, 9 feet by 5 feet 6 inches, and sufficiently high for two 
tiers of beds, we began to utilise on October 20th, the first bed 6 feet by 
3 feet and 18 inches deep, being made up on that date ; spawned the 
24th October, cased in November 1st, and we commenced cutting 
December 3rd. Bed No. 2 of the same dimensions, or nearly so, was 
made up on November 5th, spawned November 16th, and cased in at the 
same time, and we commenced cutting December 27th ; and, with per¬ 
mission, I send you a portion of our most recent gathering. 
. As to preparation of the manure, only the very longest of the straw was 
rejected as it came from the stables, the remainder was thrown together, 
turned and well mixed every three days for a fortnight. The beds when 
made up were beaten as solid as possible, so that there was no fear from 
overheating, and cased in with a good top spit, covered with a good coat 
of hay, which is turned occasionally, and, if wet. replaced with dry, and 
supplemented with a mat or two according to the weather. I may also 
add that as soon as we perceived the small Mushrooms, sufficient warm 
water (with a handful of salt) was given to moisten the soil. As 
a rule we pull the Mushrooms, but I had ocular proof of the excep¬ 
tion to the rule last season. A fine Mushroom had three small ones about 
the size of Peas at the base of the stalk. We cut the original, and the 
three developed into fine specimens, weighing in the agggegate 1J lb.*, 
the largest weighing f lb.— Thos. Crosswell, Eden Park, Beckenham. 
[The specimens sent by our correspondent were referred to on pager 
96 last week.] 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
A meeting of the General Committee of the above Society was helcS 
in Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, at 5.30 P.M., on Thursday, January 31st, 
when there was a good attendance of members, Mr. R. Ballantine iru 
the chair. The chief business of the evening was to receive the report 
and financial statement for the past year, and the report of the Sub- 
Committee appointed at a previous meeting to consider the reconstitutiom 
of the Society. Mr. Holmes read the report and financial statement, 
which were approved and adopted for recommendation to the annual 
general meeting. Mr. Ballantine then referred to the resolution, 
previously passed requesting him to accept the office of President which 
Mr. E. Sanderson had resigned. He greatly appreciated the honour that 
had been paid to him, but in view of the proposed alterations he thought 
the interests of the Society would be better served by someone else ; he 
therefore gratefully declined the honour. With a view to the further- 
consideration of this matter, he then requested that the report and new 
rule3 prepared by Messrs. E. C. Jukes, Lewis Castle, and B. Wynne, Re¬ 
submitted to the meeting. 
Mr. B. Wynne read the report, which stated that in accordance with 
the resolution the members of the Sub-Committee had held several 
meetings in which they had devoted careful consideration to the greatly 
improved condition of the Society, as it had now become of national 
importance, and the rules consequently required some extension and! 
modification to meet the altered circumstances. A series had therefore 
been prepared embodying the spirit, and in many cases the wording of 
the previous rules, with such additions or alterations as had been deemed 
advisable. Several gentlemen had been nominated to be communicated 
with respecting the office of President, but owing to the short time at" 
their disposal they had not yet received a reply, and therefore suggested 
that the annual general meeting should be adjourned until they were 
prepired to recommend a gentleman who was willing to accept the office. 
The altered rules were then read, and after their reception had been 
duly proposed and agreed to, the adoption for recommendation to the 
annual general meeting was also proposed and seconded. They were, 
exhaustively discussed, a few slight emendations were suggested and 
carried, and they were then formally adopted as given below. Mr. W. 
Holmes moved a hearty vote of thanks to the members of the Sub- 
Committee for their labours, which was carried unanimously, and Mr; 
Castle, in responding, said the members' sole desire had been to improve- 
the rules in the interest of the Society, they had given their best atten¬ 
tion to the matter, and if the Committee considered their object had 
been accomplished they were well satisfied. 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. 
The annual general meeting was held at 7 P.M. the same evening, 
Mr. R. Ballantine in the chair, and between sixty and seventy members 
were present. Mr. Holmes read the minutes of the last general meeting;, 
the following report, and financial statement, which were adopted. 
Report for 188S. 
The past twelve months has been a period of unexampled activity 
in the history of the National Chrysanthemum Society. Several fresh, 
features have been introduced with very considerable success, and 
altogether a highly successful year's work has been accomplished. 
Specially should be mentioned the new catalogue issued early in the 
season. It has become a recognised work of reference in the Chrysan¬ 
themum world, and has already attained a circulation, extending not 
only throughout the British Isles, but also to France, Germany, Belgium, 
Turkey, America, and even Australia. 
The first Society competition was held on the occasion of the grand 
November Fete, and brought entries of excellent stands of blooms, re>- 
presentative of die several districts, and resulted in a win for the Weald 
of Kent Society. 
The provincial Show at Sheffield brought together one of the largest 
assemblages of growers ever yet held in the north, and the Conference 
in connection therewith proved in every respect a successful and highly- 
interesting occasion. 
The Conference held more recently at Westminster was equally a 
success, and remarkably well attended ; the general interests in the 
proceedings indicates very clearly the desirability of both maintaining: 
and extending this phase of the Society’s work. 
The November show at the Aquarium fully maintained its reputa¬ 
tion both for quantity and quality of the exhibits, and the attendance; 
was even larger than the previous year. 
Although the expenses of the Society have been very largely 
augmented by these new departures, it is gratifying to report that the 
