206 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. i March it,isst. 
Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden, Chiswick, is ap¬ 
pointed Secretary pro tem., and communications can be 
addressed either to him or Mr. Penny. The following 
list of those who have already subscribed, or promised 
to do so, sufficiently indicates the importance attached to 
the suggestion, and how willing horticulturists are to 
support it. There is, we think, little doubt that imme¬ 
diately the plan to be adopted has been decided upon sub¬ 
scriptions will flow in readily. In the meantime the pio- 
moters would be probably assisted by suggestions from 
those who have had experience in the modes of conducting 
and the costs of managing such institutions, several of 
which have proved very satisfactory. 
Messrs. Veitcli & Sons, Royal Nurseries, Chelsea. 
Mr. W. Whitaker, The Gardens, Crewe Hall. 
Mr. B. Wadds, „ Birdsall. 
Mr. A. Watson, „ Primley Hill. 
Mr. C. Williams, „ Lower Eaton. 
Mr. T. Wilkins, „ Inwood House. 
Mr. J. Wallis, „ Keele Hall. 
Mr. B. S. Williams, The Nurseries, Holloway, N. 
Mr. W. Williams, The Gardens, Strathern House. 
Mr. Willard, „ Holly Lodge. 
Mr. Wildsmith, „ Heckfield Place. 
Mr, Webber, foreman, Lowther Castle Gardens. 
Mr. Whitehurst, The Gardens, Oak Hill. 
Mr. Whiteley, „ New Lodge, Hawkhurst. 
Mr. Wakeley, „ Ponsandane. 
Mr, Craig, „ Hamersknott, Darlington. 
Mr. J. Roberts, „ Gunnersbury. 
Mr. Roberts, „ Highfield Park. 
Promises have been received by mr. penny from the 
FOLLOWING GENTLEMEN WHO WILL SUBSCRIBE. 
Mr. D. T. Fish, „ Hardwicke. 
Mr. D. Thomson, Drumlanrig. 
Mr. G. R. Allis, The Gardens, Old Warden Park. 
Mr. G. Aslett, „ Warren Wood. 
Mr. Adams, „ Lyme Park. 
Mr. Allen, and Two Men, The Gardens, Ashwicken Rectory. 
Mr. Allen, The Gardens,! Sleaford. 
Mr. Adams, „ Bank Hall. 
Mr, Allen, „ Burnley. 
Mr. Adams, „ Brookhill. 
Mr. G. J. Beale, Messrs. Carter A Co., Holborn. 
Mr. W. Bull, New Plant Merchant, Chelsea. 
Mr. A. F. Barron, Chiswick. 
Mr. W. L. Bird, The Gardens, Morton Ha'll 
Mr. G. J. Barnes, „ Stoodleigh Court. 
Mr. G. Bolas, „ Hopton. 
Mr. A. J. Baliliatchet, „ Fulham Palace. 
Mr. J. Blears, „ Creaton. 
Mr. Bailey, „ Lupiath Park. 
Mr. Bissett, The Gardens, Conholt Park. 
Mr. G. J. Bolt, The Gardens, Betting House. 
Mr. F. Brownell, The Gardens, Fryscroft. 
Mr. E. Burton, „ Linsfield. 
Mr. E. Bigg, „ Fromewitfield. 
Mr. J. Bird, The Nurseries, Downham. 
Mr. W. Coleman, The Gardens, Eastnor. 
Mr. J. Coombe, 
Mr. A. Cromond, 
Mr. G. Claydon, 
Mr. H. Carter, 
Mr. G. Cook, 
Mr. G. A. Colthorpe, 
Mr. J. Clarke, 
Mr. J. F. Coombes 
Hendre. 
Knoyle House. 
Woodbury Hall. 
Dom hill. 
Quorndon. 
Summerville. 
Ribbleton Hall. 
Englefield. 
Mr. Cummins, The Grange Gardens, Wallington. 
Mr. G. H. Copp, The Gardens, Holnest Park. 
Mr. H. Cannell, Home for Flowers, Swauley, Kent. 
Mr. F. Dranlield. The Gardens Valentine*. 
Mr. Douglas 
Mr. Howell, 
Mr. C. Dull, 
Mr. G. Lawrence, 
Mr. J. Lambert, 
Mr. R. Lye, 
Mr. A. Lancaster. 
Mr. Letts, 
Barkingside, Ilford. 
Headington Hill. 
Headington. 
Bellshanger. 
And Men, Onslow Hall. 
Sydmonton Court, 
Holkham. 
Aske Hall. 
Mr. T. Low, The Nurseries, Clapton. 
Mr. McAdam, The Gardens, Auchen. 
Mr. W. Miller, „ Coombe Abbey. 
Mr. J. Muir, „ Margam Park. 
Mr. D. McDonald, „ Totteridge. 
Dr. Masters, Gardeners Chronicle. 
Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, Chilwell. 
Mr. W. Richards, Gardeners C hronicle. 
Mr. Roberts, The Gardens, East Cliff Lodge. 
Mr. F. Russel, „ Woodlands, Chobham. 
Mr. Robinson, „ Ramsberk. 
Mr. Roberts, „ Highfield Hall. 
Mr. C. H. Sharman, Messrs. Carter & Co., London. 
Mr. Sutton, The Gardens, Pains Hill. 
Mr. Smytlie, and men, Basing Park. 
Mr. Simson, New Somerby. 
Mr. Salcombe, The Vineyard, Ticehurst. 
Mr. Throssell, The Gardens, Chilwell Hall. 
Mr. O. Thomas and friends, Chatsworth. 
Mr. Thomson, Garvald House, Peebles. 
Mr. Thoms, West Grinstead Park. 
Mr. Temple, Carron House. 
Mr. A. Turner, The Nurseries, Slough. 
Mr. Upjohn, Worsley Hall. 
Mr. Young, The Gardens, Abberley Hall. 
Mr. Vine, „ Oak Park. 
I AM desired to state that as soon as arrangements can be made, a 
meeting of gardeners and others who have signified their interest and 
approval of the proposition to establish a Gardeners’ Orphanage or fund 
for the orphan children of gardeners, will be held in London to discuss 
the matter generally, and to take what steps may seem necessary in 
furtherance of the object in view. 
In the meantime it would facilitate matters greatly if those who are 
disposed to support the proposition would kindly send in their names 
with any suggestions on the subject they may be pleased to submit 
either to Mr. C. Penny, The Gardens, Sandringham, King's Lynn, or to 
me as under.— A. F. Barron, Royal Horticultural Society, Chisivich, 
Secretary pro tem. 
Various proposals have been made in the Journal of Horticulture 
and other horticultural papers for commemorating the fiftieth year’s 
reign of Her Gracious Majesty, but I consider the proposals inadequate 
to the occasion. No more fitting commemoration of the Jubilee of the 
Sovereign could be found than in the restoration of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society by the Commissioners to its rights and privileges at 
South Kensington. The Society, to its own prejudice, has fulfilled its 
part well, and deserves sympathy and liberation from a most disastrous 
connection. 
The proposed Orphanage is the only original idea of the many 
schemes. Mr. Penny will excuse my suggesting that it be attached 
to the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. How many of the 
gardeners of Great Britain and Ireland have their names enrolled as 
subscribers to the funds of the institution established for the benefit of 
the aged and infirm ? A tenth 1 or is it not nearer 1 per cent, of the 
gardeners whose names appear in the “ Horticultural Directory ? ” 
Would it not be better to consolidate what we have than to tempt by 
novelty the benevolent from cases of real distress l At the last election 
of pensioners of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution many 
deserving cases had to be passed for lack of funds. Such a state of 
things is not creditable to gardeners. Great generosity is shown by the 
patrons of horticulture and the trade generally to our institution. The 
apathy of gardeners is surprising. An institution under the patronage 
of Her Gracious Majesty the Queen and Heir Apparent, a ducal Presi¬ 
dent, and an array of Vice-Presidents, afford an ample guarantee of the 
judicious management of its funds, and surely is a fitting object of 
commemorating the Jubilee year. If an orphanage be needed, by all 
means have it, but attach it, if possible, to the Gardeners’ Royal Bene¬ 
volent Institution. A slight addition to the annual subscription would 
be sufficient to meet the requirements of the “ bairns,” and they could 
be placed on the list by ballot similar to the pensioners. I cannot, 
however, but observe, that considering the special provision made by 
the State for rearing and establishing in life orphan children, that 
the aged and infirm have a priority of claim on the benevolent.— 
G. Abbey. 
1 should have hesitated to write upon this subject, but as one of 
your correspondents has appealed to me I cannot but answer the call, 
although l very much fear not in the way he would himself like. My 
own feelings and my professional instincts would lead me to look with a 
very favouring eye upon any scheme of benevolence which was intended 
to benefit the members of a calling which has added so much to the 
happiness of one’s life, and were imagination a strong point in my mental 
constitution, which it is not, I might picture to myself a flourishing 
institution amidst the Surrey Hills—happy groups of boys and girls 
inhaling the pure atmosphere, or letting off their superabundant spirits 
in athletic games ; but 1 am hopelessly practical, and so in this matter I 
must look at things as they are and as they are likely to be, not what we 
might wish them to be. 
Has any one of your correspondents who advocates the Orphanage 
counted the cost ? and yet this must be looked at. I suppose that it 
would not be considered large enough if it did not make provision for at 
least 100 orphans, fifty boys and fifty girls. The building of an Orphan¬ 
age of that size, with all the necessary requirements, could not be calcu¬ 
lated at less than from £15,000 to £20,000 (exclusive of site), and indeed 
I feel that I am putting it at a very low figure. Well, this is something 
difficult to obtain in these days ; nor do I think that the cost of main- 
