96 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ June, 
best adapted for its purpose ’—‘ tlie one best calcu¬ 
lated to please the eye of man.’ If it be the opinion 
of the writer that this was not so, will he show what 
other form he would choose, and paint the ideal 
more pleasing to himself ? I heartily agree with 
him that ‘ Nature’s resources are illimitable; she 
knows nothing of hard-and-fast lines; her forms are 
the highest types of beauty, and they are so because 
they are the manifestations of intelligence, adapta¬ 
tion, and purposebut where does he find his war¬ 
rant for calling upon the florist, as he does in his 
succeeding sentence, ‘to show that the rules he lays 
down are an improvement upon those in accordance 
with which Nature herself works ’ ?—intimating 
until that be done, he cannot look with respect upon 
his ‘ points,’ or assent so fully to them as the 
specialists do. Never was so paradoxical a re¬ 
quirement made from man. If the writer had 
given any study to any one florist’s flower, he 
would know the florist succeeds odIj, and knows 
he succeeds only, when he strictly follows Nature. 
He asks only that by patient, watchful, intelligent 
direction, he may be allowed to wait upon his mis¬ 
tress, and that in return for an intelligent interpre¬ 
tation of her purposes, she will from time to time 
reward him with new beauty from her rich and 
illimitable storehouses. ‘ Be as much like Nature 
to them as you can,’ said Mi*. Horner, in his instruc¬ 
tions for growing seedlings, and in this direction 
you have embodied the very germ of a florist’s 
creed.” 
— “ Horticultural Buildings,” by F. A. 
Fawkes (London : Batsford, 52 High Holborn), 
is tbe title of a book wbicb bas recently been 
published, and which we look upon as a valuable 
contribution to horticultural literature—all the more 
valuable, in that the subject is one upon which, im¬ 
portant though it be to those who are engaged in 
horticultural pursuits, no handy book of reference 
existed. The book treats of the construction, heating, 
and interior fittings of the buildings, and comprises 
also remarks on some of the principles involved, and 
the methods of applying them. The subject is 
thoroughly, fairly, and competently handled, so that 
the book will be likely to occupy a useful place in 
the garden library. There are numerous illustra¬ 
tions distributed through its pages. The advice to 
amateurs will be especially useful in assisting them 
to arrive at sound conclusions when dealing with this 
subject of building glass houses. 
— 5The beautifully and distinctly variegated 
West African Dracaena Goldieana, introduced 
in 1872, and wliicb passed from tbe Glasgow 
Botanic Garden into the hands of Mr. Bull, of Chel¬ 
sea, flowered in February last at Marseilles, in 
the garden of Mr. Renouard. Its claim to be a true 
Dracaena was long disputed, though Mr. Baker, in 
his revision of the Liliacese, did not hesitate to place 
it near to D. elliptica and densiflora. An engraving 
and detailed description are promised in the Belgique 
Horticole. 
— £The new Eiiododendron Daviesii, 
recently exhibited at tbe spring flower-sbow of 
tbe Manchester Royal Botanical and Horticul¬ 
tural Society, and awarded a First-class Certificate 
of Merit, w T as raised by Mr. Isaac Davies, Brook 
Lane Nursery, Ormskirk. The colour of the flowers 
is a bright orange-scarlet, exactly the colour of 
glowing fire. Mr. Davies is well known as the 
originator of many valuable varieties of Rhododen¬ 
drons and Azaleas, having devoted his attention for 
many years past to the hybridising of this showy 
and interesting family. 
— En tbe Pelargonium named Hender’s 
Crimson Vesuvius, we have another “ eruption” 
or evolution from tbe old sportive Vesuvius, 
which already includes a scarlet, a salmon, a white, 
and a striped form. This novelty has the flowers 
of a crimson-scarlet, many shades deeper in colour 
than the original, and the plant is stated to be of an 
equally good habit. The colour is very rich and 
bright, as the samples which were sent to us fully 
testified. The owners, Messrs. Hender and Sons, 
of Plymouth, regard it as the best bedding zonal 
which has ever been sent out. 
— 2The Journal des Hoses gives two 
receipts for destroying tbe Mildew of Rose- 
trees. Tbe first is from M. Verdier. It 
recommends to boil for ten minutes 500 grammes 
(about 17i oz.) of flowers of sulphur and an equal 
quantity of lime, in 6 litres (about 5i quarts) of 
water, often shaking the mixture. This solution 
is allowed to settle, and afterwards put into well- 
corked bottles. When required for use, 1 litre 
(about If pint) of this composition is put into 100 
litres (about 2I| gallons) of water, and the rose 
plants are syringed with the mixture. The second 
is that of the Comte de Buisson, and is of the most 
simple character; 2 or 3 grammes (about ly or If 
drachm) of sea-salt is dissolved in 10 litres (about 
2 t 3 s - gallons) of water, and the foliage of the rose 
plants on both the upper and under sides is syringed 
with this solution. 
3m iflentoriaw. 
— $flR. Robert Benbow, manager during 
tbe last six years of tbe seed department at 
Mr. B. S. Williams’, Victoria Nursery, Upper 
Holloway, died on May 5th, at the age of 41 years. 
Mr. Benbow had acquired a thorough knowledge of 
his business in the establishments of Messrs. Old- 
rovd, Sutton and Sons, and Waite Burnell and 
Co.; and was gifted with an amiable disposition, 
and an unassuming gentleness of demeanour. He 
has left a widow and three children. 
— JHr. Andrew Toward, of Amberst 
Villa, Newport, Isle of Wight, died on May 7tb, 
at tbe ripe age of 85 years. He was scarcely 
known to the present generation of gardeners, but in 
his younger days held the prominent position of 
gardener to the late Duke and Duchess of Glou¬ 
cester, at Bagshot Park, Surrey. At that time, 
Bagsbot Park was a well-known centre of good 
gardening, and Mr. Toward was recognised as 
a successful practitioner of the art. Amongst 
the old-fashioned Pelargoniums, one called Bag- 
shot Park Seedling, a cut-leaved sort, with 
pretty, but small, bright pink flowers, was raised 
by him. Mr. Toward’s services were subsequently 
transferred to the Royal residence at Osborne, 
where for thirty-nine years he held the position 
of land stew*ard to the Queen and the late 
Prince Consort, by whom his long and faithful ser¬ 
vices were highly valued. He had, under the direc¬ 
tion of the Prince Consort, executed the entire 
laying-out of the grounds, gardens, roads, and 
plantations at Osborne. Sir John Cowell, by com¬ 
mand of the Queen, attended his funeral, which 
took place at Whippingham Church. Mr. Toward 
was of Scotch lineage, and was, during his long life, 
held in the highest respect and esteem by all who 
knew him. 
