March 6,1890, J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
197 
- The Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. — The usual monthly 
meeting of the Committee took place at the “ Caledonian Hotel,” 
Adelphi, on Friday, the 28th inst., Mr. George Deal presiding, there 
being a good attendance of members. The minutes of ths last meeting 
having been read, a letter from Mrs. Wildsmith of Heckfield, thank- 
ng the Committee for their vote of condolence with her on the death 
of her husband, was also read. Among the special donations handed 
in was one for £15 from Mr. William Eobinson, and from Mr. J. Hughes, 
the active local Secretary at Birmingham, came the sum of £11 lid., 
and Mr. J. Hussey, Haines Hill, Twyford, local Secretary for that 
district, sent £2 16s. The matter of the annual Floral Fete was then 
considered, and a letter was read from Mr. J. Bourne announcing the 
willingness of the Duke of Bedford that the Floral Hall be again used 
for the purpose. It was unanimousely resolved that a meeting of 
standholders and growers be called at the “ Hummums Hotel,” Covent 
Garden Market, on Friday, the 15th inst., at 9 P.M., to solicit their 
co-operation, and appoint a Committee from their body to work in con¬ 
junction with the Committee of the Fund. It was also resolved that, 
agreeable to the convenience of the President and the engagement of 
the Hall for the purpose, the annual meeting of subscribers, the election 
of children to the Fund, and the annual dinner take place at the Cannon 
Street Hotel on Friday, July 18th. The Hon Secretary having brought 
up a statement as to the probable income of the Fund for the current 
year, and the sum available for allowances to children after funding the 
donations, &c., as prescribed by the rules, it was unanimously resolved 
that ten children be placed upon the Fund at the annual election in 
July next. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the 
proceedings. 
- Manchester Field Naturalists and Archaeologists’ 
Society. —A Committee of the members of the above Society has been 
appointed for the purpose of promoting the planting of trees and shrubs 
in Manchester and its immediate suburbs, especially in available “ open 
spaces.” The idea is approved by the Corporation, and we understand 
that in addition to the good work already accomplished under their 
influence in the public parks, &c., evergreen shrubs, planted in boxes or 
tubs, will before long be placed in some of the principal squares. Every 
one who cares for the improvement of the town by means of tree plant¬ 
ing will gladly support the Corporation and the Field Naturalists’ Com¬ 
mittee above mentioned. The opinions of experienced practical men 
are earnestly desired ; will you therefore be so kind as to co-operate in 
regard to the excellent design in hand by supplying information? 
Information is particularly desired in reference to the different districts 
of the town. What is best for the north side ? what for the south ? and 
so forth. When all possible information has been obtained it is 
intended to publish it in pamphlet form as a general guide for tree 
planting and culture, so that every encouragement may be given to 
those interested in the improvement of the appearance of our city. A 
form is sent with the following questions :—“ What trees would you 
recommend for open spaces ? ” “ What kind of shrubs, especially such 
as would succeed in tubs or boxes ? ” “ What suggestions can you offer 
as to soil, treatment, and upon any important point relating to tree 
culture in towns ? ” Answers to these queries should be addressed to 
Mr. C. J. Oglesby, 16, Kennedy Street, Albert Square, Manchester. 
- Planting and Pruning Fruit Trees. —I have been plant¬ 
ing some fruit trees to-day which have been laid-in during the winter. 
Of course it is very late. for such operations now, but we often have to 
do things from force of circumstances. If any amateur has neglected to 
plant his trees 1 advise him to set about it at once, for I find root action 
has commenced freely, and the white feeding fibres are bristling from 
the thick roots. In such cases as this the trees should be moved as 
speedily as possible, for half an hour will parch the tender roots. If 
they do get dry, take care to damp them before putting them in the 
soil. Plant firmly, and do not forget to mulch the surface with long 
manure, for this will be very beneficial to the roots. Do not be afraid of 
cutting-in the head or branches of the tree, for the roots have been cur¬ 
tailed in digging the tree up and in its removal also. An argument was 
raised early last year by some of our authorities on this subject, some 
advising to prune back severely, while others said, Leave the head intact. 
Now I am an advocate of the old adage, “ The proof of the pudding is in 
the eating,” so, after reading the various opinions on the subject, I 
formed my own, but determined to test the matter in a practical way. 
I had planted several young trees, so I went over half of them and 
pruned them pretty hard, while the others I left to take care of them¬ 
selves. At the present time I do not require any further proof as to the 
best method. To confess the truth, I have just lost a year with the trees 
I left unpruned. There is nothing like learning by experience. I have 
now pruned the whole of them. If any amateur would like to dive into 
this subject, he cannot do better than study “ Profitable Fruit Growing.” 
I do not care how wise he may be on the subject, he will be wiser still 
after its perusal.—E xcelsior. 
- The Weather in February. —The past month here has been 
noted for the small amount of rain which fell compared with that of 
February, 1889. The total amount for last month being 0'71 inch, 
being 1-36 inch less than fell February, 1889. Kain fell upon five days, 
the maximum in twenty-four hours being 0'33 inch on the 15th, mini¬ 
mum being 0-03 ineh on the evening of the 5th. We registered some 
frosts nearly every morning, but nothing very severe except on the 
28th, when 10° were registered.—E. Wallis, Hamels Park Garden, 
Buntingford, 
- The usual fortnightly meeting of the Beading Gardeners’ 
Improvement Association was held on Monday evening last, a large 
number of members being present. E. D. Catchpool, Esq., presided, 
and Mr. J. P. Jones gave a lecture on “ The Use of Flowers.” He said 
gardeners should be the most punctual, patient, persevering, and happy 
men. He described the use of flowers in various ways, showed illus¬ 
trations of table decorations as used recently in Japan, and referred to 
the culture of flowers in the south of France for perfumes. The fer¬ 
tilising of flowers by the different insects was also dwelt upon, as well 
as its importance in continuing the various races of flowers. A vote of 
thanks was unanimously accorded. 
-Too Successful Exhibitors.—N o doubt the above subject 
is one that all who have to take part in the management of cottagers’ 
shows have to contend with, and to explain reasons to disappointed 
exhibitors and their friends and sympathisers. My experience of 
cottagers’ shows and the inspection of cottagers’ gardens is that the 
most industrious and painstaking men get the most prizes, and so they 
ought, for to grow a good collection of useful vegetables of good size 
and quality in the spare time a man may have after his regular day’s 
work is done, or before it begins in the morning, means a good deal of 
hard work, and many hours profitably spent. Of course there are in. 
most communities a few schemers who try to get at the same result in 
a different way, but as a rule they are soon found out. We have found 
it necessary in our case in some of the competitions to make classes for 
those engaged in garden work, as well as classes for ordinary cottagers, 
farm labourers, &c., as it is found that men employed in gardens show 
greater aptitude than ordinary labourers. I quite agree with your 
correspondent Mr. Eaillem, page 119, that at the time the prizes are 
distributed one of the judges, or someone competent to speak, should 
give a few words of encouragement to the unsuccessful exhibitors, telling 
the means to use to win next year, or in some way fairly (to use a racing 
term) to handicap the winners ; but with fair play and no favour the 
best man should always win, and anything that interferes with that 
principle would not be to the advantage of any society or community. 
With regard to improved Blackberries, in “ Notes and Gleanings,” 
recently, I am made to say that a Bramble in 1889 made a shoot 3 feet 
long ; it should have been 30feet long.—E. Maher, Yattendon Court. 
-Nicotiana affinis in the Conservatory.—I cannot say 
whether my experience with this is peculiar, but certainly I am in a 
position to very warmly commend it, as can be gathered from the 
following details. A London firm sent me a few seedlings, with other 
plants, about this time last year, telling me they thought the strain more 
dwarf and sweet-scented, and almost perpetual flowering, asking me to 
give them a trial. A 12-inch seed-pan was the next to hand in the 
potting shed, and into it they went. The pan was shallow, with com¬ 
paratively much drainage and little soil, and possibly intended for some¬ 
thing else. I determined if the three plants did well I would feed them 
with liquid manure. This may possibly account for their coming into 
bloom in about a month, and flowering continuously since up to the 
present with this treatment. The first blooming was over in the autumn, 
but the old plants sehmed healthy. I removed two and left the centre 
one, cutting it down to within 3 inches of the soil, as 1 saw some eyes 
further down. I commenced gradually feeding with a concentrated 
liquid manure of soapsuds, fowl manure, soot, &c., mixed according to 
the stage of growth and time of the season, with warm water from the 
conservatory cistern as growth and flowering progressed. Almost im¬ 
mediately growth, shoots, and flowers showed, and during the whole 
winter it was delightful to sniff the delicious scent every evening 1 
strolled into my conservatory. Should you think it possible the strain 
is better than that usually grown, I can send you a flowering spray to 
