July 12, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
31 
be found upon the plants, which evidently appreciated the abundant 
moisture. I think it would be an excellent plan for all large growers 
to plant a number of young plants in the open air each year for the 
purpose of affording healthy stock. 
Although the discussion under this and somewhat similar headings 
has brought out many conflicting opinions, I feel sure it has resulted 
in setting many to work in a more determined manner to try if possible 
to overcome the various diseases which attack these popular flowers, for 
in too many instances affected plants have been consigned to the 
rubbish heap when they might have been restored to health instead.— 
H. Dunkin. 
Events op the Week. —The events of horticultural interest which 
will occur during the ensuing week include the Newcastle-on-Tyne 
exhibition. This opens on Wednesday, July 18th, and will continue 
the two following days. On July 19th the northern exhibition of the 
National Rose Society will be held at Halifax, and on the 2l8t inst. a 
Rose show will be held at the Manchester Botanical Gardens. The 
northern section of the National Pink Society holds an exhibition on 
that day at the same place. A list of other Rose shows is published on 
another page. 
- The Weather in London.— Showery weather has prevailed 
in the metropolis since publishing our last issue. On Sunday rain fell 
in the evening, the same occurring on Monday. Tuesday was fine, but 
much rain fell during the night. Wednesday opened dull, but it cleared 
as the day advanced. 
- Royal Horticultural Society, —At the Drill Hall on 
Tuesday last it was announced that a special general meeting of the 
Fellows of this Society will be held at 2.30 P.M. on July 24th, at the 
offices, 117, Victoria Street, S.W. The meeting is convened for the 
purpose of adopting and confirming (or otherwise) a new by-law on the 
subject of life composition in lieu of annual subscription. 
-Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —At the Croydon show 
on Wednesday, July 3rd, there was held a Rose Fair, at which flowers 
were sold for the benefit of the above fund. We are glad to know that, 
under the kind superintendence of Mrs. Gunner, the amount taken was 
£9 12s. 5d., only a few shillings of which would have to be deducted 
for expenses. Many of the leading amateur and professional growers 
were kind enough to contribute Roses, some of which realised 3d. each. 
The Croydon Society sets an excellent example in this matter, and it is 
hoped others will take it up, and do what they can for this deserving 
fund, 
-United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society. 
—The quarterly meeting of this Society was held at the Caledonian 
Hotel on Monday evening last, Mr. G. W. Cummins in the chair. 
Forty-five new members have been elected this year. Three members 
have died, and there are two members on the sick fund at the present 
time. The Treasurer reported that he had purchased £200 worth of 
South Indian Railway 3J per cent. Stock, guaranteed by the Indian 
Government, The usual business of the Society was transacted, and a 
cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman ended the meeting. 
- The Proposed Cactus Society. —About twenty persons 
interested in the culture of Cactaceous plants met at the Hotel Windsor, 
Victoria Street, S.W., at the iivitation of Mr. H. Cannell of Swanley, 
on Tuesday afternoon last, to consider the advisability of forming a 
Cactus Society. After lunch Mr. Cannell dwelt at some length on the 
subject, remarking that if a Society of the kind mentioned could be 
formed greater interest would be taken in the cultivation of Cactuses in 
this country. Other gentlemen concurred, but Mr. W. Watson of Kew, 
whilst expressing his sympathy with the movement, suggested that the 
better plan would be to solicit the assistance of the Royal Horticultural 
Society rather than inaugurate an independent and necessarily weak 
association. Further discussion took place, and subsequently Mr. 
Watson moved the following proposition :—“ This meeting of Cactus 
specialists request the Royal Horticultural Society to arrange for an 
annual exhibition of Cactuses, and if possible to offer medals for them. 
Also that they be asked to form a sub-Committee specially for Cactuses, 
the members of which could be selected from those interested in these 
plants.” This motion was seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on beingjput 
to the meeting was carried unanimously. 
- Testimonial to Mr. Wm. Dean.—W e are desired to say 
that at the request of the Midland section of the Committee interested 
in this testimonial the presentation has been delayed till August. The 
Hon. Treasurer, however, sent on Monday in last week a substantial 
instalment of the amount collected to Mr. Dean, it being the occasion 
of his seventieth birthday. The original intention was to make the 
presentation on that day. Any further subscriptions, however small, 
will be gladly received and acknowledged by Mr. George McLeod, 46 
Cannon Street, London, E.C., or Mr. William Cuthbertson, Springfield, 
Rothesay. 
-“ The Natural History op Plants.”—W e have received from 
Messrs. Blackie & Son the third instalment of this excellent work. The 
present volume deals chiefly with the physiology and functions of the 
leaves and the reciprocal action of plants and soils. As in the case of 
the last volume the illustrations preserve a high average of merit. 
Prefixed to the whole is a coloured plate of Tropical Epiphytes in 
Ceylon, and the diagrams plentifully distributed throughout the body 
are peculiarly distinguished by the definiteness of their execution. The 
matter is, perhaps, rather more abstruse than that contained iu the 
previous number; but it is nevertheless most interesting to peruse. 
Those of our readers who take a pride in their libraries should not allow 
this publication to pass unobserved, 
- The Royal Botanic Society’s Evening F£te. — Fair 
weather prevailing on the occasion, the Evening Fete at the Royal 
Botanic Society, held in the gardens at Regent’s Park on the 4th inst., 
was a success. In the large tent was the usual display of flowers, but 
so strong was the temptation to sit out on the lawn or saunter along 
the gravel paths that they did not attract the attention their merits 
deserved. The Duck and Duchess of Teck were present, being received 
at the entrance by the Marquis of Bristol and other members of the 
Council. There was no cessation of music from eight o’clock till mid¬ 
night. The Ladies Pompadour Band performed in the conservatory, 
the band of the 1st Life Guards on the lawn, and the band of the 
2nd Life Guards near the lake, which was beautifully illuminated. 
Among those who took prizes for floral displays were Mr. W. C. Buster, 
Messrs. F. & C. Osier, Mr. H. 0. Garford, Miss N. Erleboch, Mr. R. Scott, 
Mr. W. Elliott, Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Mr, John Russell, Mrs. Garford, 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son of Waltham Cross, and Messrs. Barr A Son. 
It was estimated that between 8000 and 9000 persons visited the 
gardens. 
- Violas at Chiswick. — When I saw the extensive collection 
of bedding Violas being grown at Chiswick the weather was hot and 
dry. Still I could not help thinking of these hardy flowers that they 
seemed very unhappy in our hot southern clime. The majority of them 
are of Scotch origin, notably Dr. Stuart’s rayless varieties, and were the 
Chiswick form to be regarded as correct southern form not one in twenty 
is worth growing. Utterly valueless for decorative purposes is the 
great bulk, especially the parti-coloured forms, that look so pretty on 
wired frames at shows, but are so ineffective for gardens. Violas specially 
need a cool atmosphere, ample moisture, and plenty of room. Even 
then we need only half a dozen sorts of decided colours that can be 
utilised to intermingle with tender plants in the summer, or will make 
good effect of themselves. Of the Chiswick Violas there is exceeding 
sameness and poverty of colour effect. I have seen many a long 
way better than are there now. Will anyone tell readers of the very 
best six self-coloured Violas in existence, free and enduring 1 Those 
would satisfy all requirements. 
- Sweet Peas at Chiswick. —A very interesting collection of 
these hardy annuals is growing there also, but like the Violas there are 
too many having ineffective or washy tints that are of little value either 
for garden decoration or when cut. So far as I could make a selection 
when recently in the gardens, I found the best to be Queen of England? 
white; Ovid, rosy pink; Lady Penzance, rich carmine ; Mrs. Eckford, 
primrose ; Her Majesty, rosy red ; Ignea, crimson ; Standard, rosy red 
wings ; Firefly, crimson scarlet; Duke of Clarence, violet purple ; and 
Stanley, maroon. Those who may prefer more pale hues may add the 
new white Emily Henderson, Princess Beatrice, and Mrs. Gladstone, 
both soft tints, and they will have a good dozen for all sorts of purposes. 
There is yet ample room beyond what has been done to improve the 
substance and form of Sweet Pea flowers that presents more useful alms 
than in multiplying useless varieties,—A. D, 
