January 23, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
333 
AOHIMENES. 
For spring and summer flowering the numerous 
varieties of Acliimenes are extremely useful, and though, 
essentially stove plants, they can be employed in green¬ 
houses and conservatories with admirable effect, in 
fact, it is for the decoration of these houses that they 
are principally grown. Whether in pots or baskets, they 
are charming when in flower, and it is so easy to ensure 
a long succession by starting the plants at different 
periods early in the year, that they can be had in 
beauty until late summer and autumn. For the stages 
and shelves in conservatories those in pots are the 
most suitable, but when a number of baskets are sus¬ 
pended from the roof they are specially pleasing, 
though few can hope to have them in such perfection 
as they used to be seen at Chatsworth. 
The Achimenes have been great favourites with me 
for many years, and I have now a good stock of them, 
some of which will soon be started to afford the earliest 
flowers. We have three systems, each of which has its 
advantages, and I will briefly detail our practice for the 
benefit of younger gardeners, for, although Achimenes 
are not difficult to grow, they are none the worse for a 
share of careful treatment. The simplest method, or, 
at least, that which gives the least trouble, is to place 
the tubers at once into the pots and pans they are 
intended to flower in, when it is only necessary to 
arrange the curious little roots, with the strongest in 
the centre and the smaller ones round them, the former 
about 2 in. apart and the latter an inch asunder, if a 
full specimen is required. Another way is to start the 
tubers in pans and transplant them when the groups 
are an inch or two high into other pans, arranging them 
in a suitable manner to form an even head. The third 
way, and one which I can strongly recommend, is to start 
the tubers as advised in the second case, placing them 
closely together, and then taking off the shoots when 
about 3 in. long, and inserting them as cuttings in the 
pans they are to occupy for the season ; they strike 
readily, and though rather later in flowering, they 
make stronger, more even, and more lasting specimens 
than those grown direct from the tubers, they also 
furnish a useful late succession to the main stock. 
Either or all of these means can be practised and will 
give satisfaction. 
The soil for starting the tubers in should be a light 
loam, but as a permanent compost a mixture of similar 
loam with peat or leaf soil; some old manure and sand 
must be employed, while if the loam be rather inclined 
to be heavy or tenacious a few pieces of charcoal will be 
beneficial. Provide a good drainage, as water must be 
freely supplied when the plants are flowering, before, 
however, the tubers are placed in the soil this should 
be well moistened and allowed to stand for an hour or so, 
and then it will not be advisable to give any water 
until growth is advancing. In preparing baskets for the 
reception of Achimenes a good layer of moss must be 
first placed in filling up with the drainage and compost 
as for the pans. When the flowers are beginning to 
expand weak liquid manure may be given with advan¬ 
tage, as it is not well to starve the plants in this 
stage, or the flowers will soon fall and the time of their 
usefulness be greatly shortened. 
In starting the tubers a temperature of about 60°, or 
a few degrees higher will be suitable, and this will also 
suit the cuttings, but these should be shaded for a few 
days and kept moderately close until rooted. After¬ 
wards to forward the plants a slightly higher tempera¬ 
ture is advisable, such as that of an ordinary stove, but 
as the flowers show the plants must be carefully har¬ 
dened, as their after success in the cooler houses depends, 
to a considerable extent, upon this. First, place them 
in a cooler part of the stove, then transfer them to a 
vinery or house with an intermediate temperature pre¬ 
paratory to their removal to the conservatory. 
A succession can be maintained by starting a batch 
of tubers every month, from February to May, accord¬ 
ing to the demand and the stock at command to work 
with. The following varieties 1 have found to give 
general satisfaction :—Ambroise Verschaffelt, pale lilac, 
very free; Dazzle, bright scarlet, free, dwarf, and 
charming, something like an improved form of the old 
coccinea ; Grandis, deep violet; Longiflora major, blue, 
flowers large, and plant strong in habit; Alba, is a 
white counterpart of this; Mauve Queen, purplish 
mauve with a dark centre, very handsome ; Pink Per¬ 
fection, bright rosy pink, a lovely variety ; Purpurea 
elegans, rich crimson-purple, very distinct; Rose Queen, 
rosy crimson ; Stella, magenta ; and Scarlet Perfection, 
rich scarlet, large and effective. Those who may in¬ 
tend commencing the culture of these plants can procure 
the tubers now and start them in succession as recom¬ 
mended, keeping the others in a dry cool position, 
either in sand or in paper bags.— It. T. 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL 
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
The annual general meeting of the subscribers to this 
institution was held on the 15th inst. at Simpson’s” 
in the Strand, the treasurer, Mr. Edward Tidswell, 
being in the chair. Among the subscribers present we 
noticed Mr. John Lee, Mr. Sherwood (of Messrs. Hurst 
& Son), Mr. J. F. Meston, Mr. R. S. Williams, Mr. 
Nuttin" Mr. AVatkins (Messrs. Watkins & Simpson), 
Mr. P. Barr, Mr. Lynch White and Mr. W. Y. Baker, 
Mr. G. Head, Crystal Palace ; Mr. Pilcher, Wandsworth; 
Mr. G. Munro and Mr. Webber, Covent Garden ; Mr. 
John Fraser, Mr. John Kennard, Mr. B. Wynne, Mr. 
W. Richards, Mr. Gough, Harefield Grove ; and Mr. C. 
E. Marshall, Woodford. The minutes of the previous 
meeting being read and confirmed, the report of the 
committee and statement of accounts (which we give 
below) were read by the secretary. 
From the annual report we gathered that sixteen 
pensioners died during the year, five of whom left 
widows, who, having proved to the satisfaction of the 
committee that they were deserving of the charity, 
were placed on the pension list in accordance with Rule 
VII. With reference to the augmentation fund which 
was closed on February 28th, the amount collected, 
including the £500 generously given by the un¬ 
known donor, and the interest on investments was 
stated to be £4,987 4 s. 6t7., and this sum had been 
placed to the general account. The committee, con¬ 
sidering the success which attended the distribution of 
the collecting cards for the augmentation fund, caused 
similar cards to be issued last August, with the result 
that a clear gain of £143 Is. accrued to the institution ; 
and the committee have determined to carry out the 
collection yearly. During the year the institution has 
been benefitted by legacies amounting to £450 from 
Mrs. Dodson, of Blackburn, and £100 from J. S. Law, 
Esq., Southgate. 
The forty-second anniversary festival held under the 
presidency of the treasurer, Mr. Tidswell, was a great 
success, thanks to his earnest and able advocacy of the 
claims of the institution. Taking the financial affairs 
of the institution into consideration, the committee 
decided to purchase £5,150 consols, making the total 
amount of the reserve fund £21,100, from which an 
annual income of £1633 will be derived. This amount 
is a sure guarantee that the claims of all those who 
have subscribed under Rule VI can be met. The 
committee are of opinion that for all practical purposes 
this sum of £21,100 is sufficient, and that except under 
special circumstances, such as legacies, &c., no more 
permanent investments should be made and that 
the whole amount of the annual income should now 
be applied to the general purposes of the charity. 
The committee were also of opinion that in order to keep 
pace with the improved resources of the institution, 
several of the rules should be revised, and certain new 
rules made ; and this was done at a special general 
meeting of the subscribers held in March last, the 
principal alteration being that relating to the increase 
of the pensions. 
The question of obtaining suitable offices had also 
been considered, and a warm friend of the Institution 
having offered a share of his offices on very advantageous 
terms, his otter was accepted, and the permanent offices 
of the Institution are now at 50, Parliament Street, 
Westminster, S.W. The report also stated that the 
forty-third anniversary festival will take place on 
Friday, July 2nd, when N. Sherwood, Esq., of the firm 
of Messrs. Hurst & Son, Seed Merchants, Houndsditch, 
will preside ; and with reference to the election of the 
pensioners that day, the Committee had reason to 
believe that the course they suggested, as to putting 
the applicants on the list without the trouble of an 
election, had given great satisfacti»n to the subscribers. 
In conclusion, the committee desired to tender their 
thanks to those friends of the Institution who so kindly 
assisted with the loan of flowers and plants, he ., for 
the decoration of the banqueting room, on the occasion 
of the annual festival. 
The adoption of the report and balance-sheet was 
carried unanimously, and the election by the committee 
of Baron Schroder as a vice-president was confirmed. 
It was next moved, seconded, and carried unanimously 
that Mr. Tidswell be re-elected treasurer, and that the 
thanks of the meeting be accorded to him for his 
kindness in taking the chair at the annual festival, 
and for the great interest which he takes in the affairs 
of the institution. Mr. John Lee, Mr. J. F. Meston, 
andMr. Willard (Holly Lodge), were re-elected auditors ; 
and in the place of the six gentlemen retiring from the 
committee in rotation, the following subscribers were 
elected to serve :—Mr. James Webber (Covent Garden), 
Mr. Sweet (Leyton), Mr. W. Y. Baker (Thames Bank 
Iron Co.), Mr. AVatkins (Messrs. AFatkins & Simpson), 
Mr. S. Osborne (gardener to the Earl of Fife, East 
Sheen), and Mr. J. F. Meston (Beckenham). Then 
came the election of secretary, and Sir. E. R. Cutler 
was re-elected by acclammation for the 45th year in suc¬ 
cession. Finally came the question of the pensioners, 
and the recommendation of the committee that the 
whole of the applicants, with one exception, be put on 
the list without the trouble and cost of an election, was 
adopted ncm. con. 
Subsequently many of the subscribers present, and a 
number of others who could not attend the business 
meeting, sat down to a “friendly dinner,” with Sir. 
Tidswell again in the chair. After the usual loyal and 
patriotic toasts had been given, and received in a very 
hearty manner, the chairman, in very happy terms, 
proposed “ The continued success and prosperity of the 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution,’’coupling with 
the toast the name of Sir. John Lee, the father of the 
Institution who, in replying, expressed the great pleasure 
he felt in the pensions being raised, and in their being 
able that day to put twenty-five persons on the pension 
list without the trouble and cost of an election. Sir. Lee 
then proposed the health of the committee, to which 
Sir. AVebber replied. Sir. John Fraser next proposed 
the health of the chairman, Mr. Tidswell, who responded 
in happy and felicitious terms, and this toast was fol¬ 
lowed by that of Sir. Sherwood, the chairman at the 
next annual festival, who, Sir. Nutting remarked, de¬ 
served the hearty support of the trade on the occasion, 
and he sincerely hoped he would get it. Sir. Sherwood, 
in reply, said that he should go forward heart and soul 
with the determination to make the next festival as 
great a success as any of its predecessors. The health 
of the secretary was proposed by Sir. B. S. AVilliams, 
who commented upon the enthusiastic and most admir¬ 
able manner in which Sir. Cutler carried out the duties 
of his office. Mr. Cutler briefly replied ; and with the 
STATEMENT of the RECEIPTS and PA\ T S1ENTS of the GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION, for the Year ending December 31st, 1885. 
Dr. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
To Balance from 18S4 .... 
,, Annual Subscriptions.. 
1,204 
13 
0 
,, Donations at and in 
consequence of An- 
nual Dinner . 
771 
3 
6 
,, Advertisements . 
56 
0 
6 
., Amount of Collecting 
Cards . 
143 
7 
0 
,, Dividends on Stock .. 
549 
15 
0 
,, Interest on Deposits .. 
2 
10 
3 
,, Legacy from Mrs. Dodson 
450 
0 
0 
„ ,, ,, J.S. Law, Esq. 
100 
0 
0 
s. d. 
1,975 16 6 
199 7 6 
Augmentation Fund Ac¬ 
count . 
Stock, £21,100 £3 per cent. Consols. 
£ s. d. 
3S6 8 10 
552 5 
2,727 9 
550 0 
4.9S7 4 
3 
3 
0 
6 
- 8,264 13 9 
£8,651 2 7 
Cr. 
£ s. d. 
By Pensions. 1,655 1 4 
,, Secretary's Salary . 160 0 0 
,, Printing. 117 4 3 
,, Furniture for Office . 40 19 6 
,, Hire of Committee Room. 5 17 0 
,, Stationery. 17 16 4 
,, Books of Cheques . 3 9 2 
,, Advertising . ^6 1 6 
,, Expense of Annual Dinner . 78 5 3 
„ Postages, Travelling Expenses, and sundry petty 
Expenses . 84 6 9 
„ Solicitor’s Bill. 2 2 0 
,, Purchase of £5,150 £3 per cent. 
Consols .;.£4,992 13 9 
,, Amount placed on Deposit. 1,100 0 0 
2,171 3 1 
6,092 13 9 
Balances, viz.:— 
With Treasurer at Bankers.... 37119 9 
With the Secretary . 15 6 0 
- 3S7 5 9 
£8,651 2 7 
( JOHN LEE. 
Audited 11th January, 1886 j JOSEPH F. MESTON 
( JESSE WILLARD. ' 
