468 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 6i 1890, 
will not make light of what will prove, if it spread, the greatest impedi¬ 
ment to fruit culture in this country.—J. Weight, 
Me. J. Higgies’ letter quoted on page 443 is rather amusing to those 
troubled with caterpillars. Had he had a serious attack of the pest he 
would have found it a “ ferious and costly ” thing not to use Paris 
green or London purple. Complaints of trees being killed outright are 
becoming by no means uncommon in this neighbourhood. An orchard 
of young standards that I saw yesterday is completely ruined. Long 
branches are dead to the main stem, and the trees have now only a few 
leaves on, and those riddled by the enemy. Much nonsense has been 
circulated about birds. They are of little service so far as caterpillars 
are concerned, starlings and cuckoos excepted, which do an immense 
amount of good by feeding on caterpillars from early till late. Sparrows 
and other small birds I have not seen touching the pests at all. As to 
Paris green “ settling ” birds, I should want strong proof to believe it. 
Birds of nearly all sorts are plentiful with us owing to woods being 
near our fruit plantation, and fowls have a free run among the fruit 
trees, and though the trees have been sprayed ten times this season with 
Paris green, I have not observed the least injury to birds or fowls, I 
have, perhaps, as much trust in Providence as Mr. Higgins, but at the same 
time I feel convinced that if it had not been for the aid of Paris green 
we should have lost some thousands of trees. “ Heaven helps those who 
help themselves,” and I am thankful to state that our trees are most of 
them looking well in the foliage, and several are promising a fair crop 
of fruit. Last year we did not use Paris green, and at this time twelve 
months ago our trees had not a vestige of green on them. I am sorry 
to record another enemy to Apple trees, viz., psylla, which has, I believe, 
proved injurious in America. At present my knowledge of this is very 
limited. Its appearance is very much like the green aphis to the naked 
eye, but seen through a magnifying glass its body is differently formed. 
Perhaps I may be able to write more fully on the new pest at some 
future date.—S. T. Weight, Glemton Court Gardens. 
I AM highly pleased with the results of my experiments with Paris 
green on fruit trees and Eoses. I am sorry I have been over-cautious 
on account of its poisonous character, and can now see the mistake, but 
as we usually have to pay for experience, I hope for greater results 
another season.—J. Hiam, Astwood Bank, Worcestershire. 
A GEETLEMAX informs us that caterpillars have taken possession of 
the hedges on his estate, and fears an attack on his fruit trees. On this 
subject Mr. Wm. F. Gibbon writes to the Worcestershire Herald :—“ In 
Worcestershire we have much land planted in corn, and hedges are kept so 
dipt that in time insectivorous birds can with difficulty enter them. Cater¬ 
pillars consequently get the upper hand, and last year our hedges in June 
were to be seen in many places as bare as at midwinter. Some may ask. 
How do these insects wander and traverse spaces from the hedges to 
orchards and plantations ? It is accounted for, that in our hedges Apple, 
Pear, Oak, Elm, and other trees are permitted to grow, and the caterpillars 
ascending these trees spin out a web and allow themselves to be wafted 
by every breeze until alighting on pastures new to them. In my rather 
extensive plantation of 160 acres, I found last year by grease banding 
my trees in October I had no show of caterpillar ravages, except in two 
small areas in proximity to close dipt hedges. Hedges, of course, must 
at times be curtailed and kept within bounds, but the operation ought 
to be deferred till the end of December, or between the New Year and 
early part of March, so as to permit of the eggs of insects being 
deposited and removing them before being hatched.” 
The suggestion of deferring the elipping of hedges till after the eggs 
of the winter moth are deposited is good ; iDut the moths, not the cater¬ 
pillars, “ traverse spaces ” from hedges to orchards, the winged males 
conveying the wingless females to the trees.—J. W, 
GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND FEDERATION. 
Gaedexees’ associations have so increased in numbers, and are 
playing such an important part in the education of young gardeners, 
that I have often thought that possibly some scheme may be devised 
whereby their sphere of usefulness may be extended. It is very 
gratifying to note that in some instances handsome libraries have been 
established, and the best of talent procured in the production of papers 
on some of the most interesting and important subjects, with the result 
that a vast amount of useful work is done in the dissemination of know¬ 
ledge among the younger members of the profession, But, great as are the 
advantages of this local co-operation, it has occurred to me that possibly 
still greater advantages may be gained by a federation of the various 
associations throughout the country. Unity is strength; for this 
reason, therefore, I would humbly suggest that a meeting of delegates 
as representatives of the various associations be held for the purpose of 
considering in what way they can co-operate so as to facilitate the 
teaching of practical and scientific horticulture. I believe if we can 
only create a unity of purpose by persuading gardeners to unite in their 
efforts to advance the educational interests of their profession great 
good would result. For my part I see no reason why we should not, 
like other less important societies, hold an annual conference of 
members from the federated societies at which all important business 
in connection therewith may be considered, and in addition to this 
arrangements may be made for both practical and scientific examina¬ 
tions for young gardeners, the successful candidates to receive certifi¬ 
cates setting forth the various subjects in which they may have passed. 
These they would find intensely valuable in after life, when seeking an 
appointment as head gardener. Arrangements may likewise be made 
at these conferences for an exchange of papers, which would be a matter 
of convenience, and would ofttimes relieve secretaries of much anxiety. 
We English gardeners are, I believe, somewhat behind in the matter of 
education. Let us, therefore, awake from our slumbers and manfully 
try t6 formulate some scheme that will best supply educational oppor¬ 
tunities to those among us who are most willing and anxious to help- 
ourselves. Only let us remove the brake of sloth and indifference from 
the wheels of progress and rather push forward than impede, and 1 
believe we shall at once secure the sympathy and support of every 
employer worthy of the name. “ Forward ” should be our motto, and if 
a move is made it should be on the principle of equality, no one society 
dominating over another, but all should be animated by the same desire 
to elevate by every possible means the educational position of the 
British gardener. However, as this is a wide and important subject, I 
hope it will be taken up and discussed by men of a higher position and 
more able to handle the subject than myself. My only desire is to try 
and weld together the intentions and aspirations of these various 
associations into one common object, and if jwssible to forward a work 
the}' have so well begun, and which, I believe with our united efforts, 
may become a most powerful agent in the progress of both practical and 
scientific horticulture, and thereby be the means of adding to the 
FIG. 73,—stamexs axd styles of apple blossoms desteoyed by 
laevh: and an oidium, 
pleasures and comfort of the whole gardening community. Having- 
made this humble effort to raise a discussion upon an important 
question, I shall anxiously await the opinion of others ; at the same 
time I hope something may be done in the way of federation, and 
however humble the beginning it shall have my earnest support.-— 
J. Hughes, Birmingham. 
AN AMATEUR’S GARDEN. 
A mile or two from Beckenham Station, on the L.C.D.R., is a- 
beautiful district of the true Kentish character, which is appropriately 
named Eden Park, and visiting it on a bright day in May, with th& 
abundant trees in their freshest attractions, it seemed to be a veritable 
Eden. Villa gardens are seen there in something better than the 
conventional suburban style. The gardens are mostly of moderate 
extent, but they are diversified in aspect and truly gardenesque in 
design. One of the best of these villas is Homewood, the residence 
of W. Bullivant, Esq., the garden attached to which is a model as regards 
condition, good culture, and of its occupant’s interest. 
The glass houses are not numerous, but they are well stocked, and 
there is abundant evidence throughout of the close attention accorded to- 
whatever is grown. Vines are vigorous and promising substantial 
bunches, ancient Camellias are well furnished with growth and foliage, 
and have yielded a bountiful harvest of flowers. Then in the stove we- 
find Gloxinias of an excellent strain with handsome flowers of varied 
colours, and with luxuriant foliage, proclaiming the satisfactory 
character of the treatment they receive. Eucharises are another of the 
specialties at Homewood, and better plants could not be desired, yet 
they have been rescued from the virulent attacks of that dreadful pest 
“ the mite.” It is to be hoped that Mr. Crosswell, the attentive and 
thoroughly practical gardener in charge, will give the readers of the- 
Journal of Horticulture a full description of the method he has adopted 
with so much success. The presence of the “ mite ” some time since was 
a demonstrated fact, the condition of the plants indicating only toe 
surely, and the microscope as certainly proving, the presence and work 
of what some still consider a mythical enemy. Yet there are the plants, 
