396 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 19, 1887. 
to the crest, and having other characteristics of the 
labellum. This attempt at regularity is constant, as 
exhibited annually by the plant in Major Lendy’s 
collection. 
Lselia albida, orange-tinted variety.— 
The most remarkable form of L. albida we have yet 
seen is now in flower at Mr. J. E. Bonny’s, Hextable 
Nursery, Swanley, Kent. In shape it is a fine form of 
L. albida, but in colour it is just what L. albida would 
be if it were possible to cross it with Epidendrum 
vitellinum, the whole of the flower being suffused with 
an orange tint, which gives it a glowing appearance. 
It is a most beautiful form of a very pretty and 
fragrant plant, and it came out of Mr. Fred. Horsman’s 
importations. 
Orchids from Howick House, Preston. 
—Some noble spikes of Dendrobium bigibbum, bearing 
seven or eight flowers each, have reached us from Mr. 
Wrigley’s gardener, Mr. W. Swan. The intense rosy 
purple of the sepals and petals on two of the spikes was 
a notable feature of the flowers ; but this was much 
exceeded by that of the labellum. Their great size 
exceeds any that we have seen, and recalls those of the 
allied D. Phalsenopsis. The flowers of the distinct D. 
Goldiei were rncst welcome, and of a deep claret-purple 
colour. This is much intensified on the labellum, which 
is further characterised by three curiously-fringed 
lamellte. The sepals are conspicuously margined with 
white. The flowers of the superb Leelia harpophylla 
and L. cinnabarina resemble each other in general 
appearance, but are easily distinguishable. Those of 
the last-named are darker in colour, the labellum is 
beautifully striped internally, and the long lateral 
lobes are crisped ; while there are no stripes on L. 
harpophylla, the lateral lobes of the labellum are 
shorter and plain, and the middle lobe has a broad 
white margin. 
Odontoglossum Rossii majus rubes- 
cens. —In reply to Mr. Cypher’s query, at p. 379, on 
this Orchid’s scent, I can affirm it also. My plant, 
now carrying one spike with four, and three with three 
flowers, is like a bunch of Violets in the house.— 
Be B. Crawshay. 
-- 
THE UNITED HORTICULTURAL 
BENEFIT AND PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
The twenty-first annual meeting of this society was 
held on Monday evening last at the “Caledonian 
Hotel,” Adelphi, London, Mr. Richard Dean presiding. 
The meeting was the largest ever held by the society, 
the room not being large enough for the accommodation 
of the members. After the election of ten new 
members and the nomination of several others, Mr. 
James Hudson, the treasurer, who since Mr. McElroy’s 
death has discharged the duties of the secretary, read 
the annual report for 1886, which was as follows 
“ The officers of the society have much pleasure in 
again presenting to the members (and for the infor¬ 
mation of the profession in general) the report and 
balance-sheet of the year ending January 10th, 1887. 
They are glad to say that the number of members con¬ 
tinues to increase steadily, and there is constant inquiry 
being made by gardeners throughout the country for 
the rules and regulations governing the society. They 
appeal to each member for assistance in furthering the 
interests of the society by making its benefits and 
advantages known whenever they have the opportunity 
to do so. Everyone can thus aid in a considerable 
measure towards making it a still greater success, 
remembering, as we do, that our motto is “Union is 
Strength,” which, with “unity” in regard to our 
interests, must result in making us a far stronger body 
than we are at present. 
“We have now reached our twenty-first annual meeting, 
and, in revising the work of the past twenty-one years, 
there is reason for congratulation that the objects had 
in view by those of our number who aided in forming 
the society have been verified to a considerable extent. 
“ We have assisted those who have been laid aside by 
sickness ; have aided those children who were bereft 
of both parents ; and last, but not least, we have been 
able in many cases to hand over a good sum of money 
to the widows of our late members, the thankfulness 
with which the latter sums have been received being 
testified to in many instances. 
“We have to deplore the loss of our indefatigable and 
hardworking secretary, the late Mr. John F. McElroy, 
who had the interests of our society so thoroughly at 
heart for the entire period of his service in that capacity 
—viz., fourteen years. The letters that have been 
received by the treasurer whilst acting as secretary pro 
tem. have with one accord borne the highest testimony 
to his earnest endeavours on their behalf ; whilst the 
punctuality of his communications, the kind advice given 
to those who reside at a distance, and the opinions 
formed by several who had never seen him, but framed 
the value of his labours by the character of the man as 
shown in his letters to them, could hardly have been 
exceeded had they had the pleasure of his personal 
acquaintance, which so many of us have derived benefit 
from during the long period which he served us.” 
The benefit fund accounts show that the income 
during the year was £346 8s. 10(7., this including the 
contributions of 177 members, and the interest amount¬ 
ing to £63 6s. 4cl. accruing from invested funds. The 
disbursements, including a payment of £19 9s. 7 \d. to 
the widow of a deceased member, were £46 8s. 4 \d., 
and the balance in hand on January 10th was £2,482 
5s. 10§(7. The benevolent fund, from which no grants 
have been called for during the year, has increased from 
£1,018 2s. 11(7. to £1,092 Os. 1 \d. during the year—- 
a gain of £73 17s. 2 \d. The management fund showed 
a balance in favour of the society of £5 16s. 6(7., and 
this sum the chairman was instructed to send to Mrs. 
McElroy with a letter of sympathy expressive of the 
feelings of the members. The balance from this fund 
is the only emolument the late secretary accepted, 
though the rules empower the payment of £20 a year 
to the secretary. It is desirable that means be devised 
for increasing this fund, and suggestions were made 
with that object ; as at present it is quite inadequate 
for providing the secretary’s salary, apart from further¬ 
ing the interests of the society and extending its useful¬ 
ness. The additions of honorary members include C. 
M. Major, Esq., Cromwell House, Croydon; Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons, Reading; and Mr. John Laing, Forest 
Hill. The payments to sick members during the year 
amounted to £17 7s., this being met by deducting 
Is. 8(7. from each member’s contributions, the remainder, 
or £1 4s. 4(7. out of £1 6s., being added to his deposit 
account. In the case of some of the older members the 
interest arising from their accumulated deposit now 
equals their annual contributions. The sum of £352 
17s. 6(7. has been invested in Consols during the year, 
and the total amount now invested in the same is 
£3,650. 
The report being adopted, the meeting proceeded to 
elect four members of committee in the place of an equal 
number retiring by rotation, and the following were 
consequently elected :—Messrs. E. Berry, H. Heims, 
E. Wheeler and W. Wright. There were three ap¬ 
plicants for the secretarial vacancy, and Mr. W. Collins, 
gardener, Chivos House, Poynders Road, Claphanr 
Park, London, S.W., was elected almost unanimously. 
Mr. W. Foreman was elected in his place on the com¬ 
mittee A suggestion made by the chairman to the 
effect that the society having attained its majority in 
the Jubilee year of Her Majesty’s reign, the occasion 
would be appropriate for a commemorative gathering 
of the members, met with general approval, and the 
subject will be considered at a future meeting. In 
respect to the death of Mr. McElroy, it was desired 
that the following expression of the meeting be recorded 
on the minutes: “ The members of this society in annual 
general meeting assembled desire earnestly and unani¬ 
mously to record their deep sense of the loss the society 
has sustained by the death of Mr. J. F. McElroy, who, 
for a period of fourteen years, was the indefatigable 
secretary of the society, during which time he won not 
only the confidence, but the affection of the members.” 
A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman terminated 
the proceedings. 
->X<-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
National Chrysanthemum. —The general 
committee of this society held their first meeting of 
the season at the Old Four Swans, Bishopsgate Street, 
on Monday last; there was an excellent attendance of 
both members of the committee and representatives of 
affiliated societies. At the last general meeting a sub¬ 
committee was appointed to prepare the draft schedule 
for the current year, and the principal business on 
Monday was to receive the report of this sub-committee. 
Before proceeding with the draft schedule it was 
decided that the Floral Committee should as heretofore 
consist of sixteen members ; there were twenty-two 
nominations for this committee, and ultimately the 
choice fell to the following members:—Messrs. T. 
Bevan, H. Cannell, R. Dean, N. Davis, G. Gilbv, 
G. Gordon, G. Gibson. J. P. Kendall, H. Mardlin, 
G. Stevens, R. Swift, J. Wright, R. Owen, L. Castle, 
G. Langdon and E. Kemp. The following gentlemen 
were then elected stewards for the exhibitions :—Messrs. 
G. S. Addison, W. E. Boyce, W. Blake, T. Bevan, 
H. Crane, R. Dean, G. Drain, H. Figgues, E. F. Kemp, 
G. Langdon, F. J. Long and PI. Payne. Several new 
members were duly proposed and elected, and J’he 
Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Chrysanthemum Society’s 
proposal for affiliation was accepted. The dates of the 
three exhibitions to be held at the Royal Aquarium 
were fixed as follows. Septemberl4thandl5th, November 
9th and 10th, and January 11th and 12th. The Floral 
Committee will hold meetings at the same place on 
September 14th, October 12th and 26th, November 
9th and 23rd, and December 7th. 
A lengthy discussion took place upon the question, 
so often being asked, “What is the proper definition of 
an amateur?” and it was ultimately decided that in the 
new schedule a note should appear as a suggestion for 
the guidance of affiliated societies in defining persons 
entitled to exhibit in the amateur classes—“That an 
amateur is a person who does not at any time employ 
skilled labour or derive any pecuniary benefit.” 
Several more alterations were made in the rules, and 
amongst the special prizes offered at the November 
exhibition are a silver cup by Messrs. Wood & Son, 
and several prizes, amounting in all to £20, by Messrs. 
Cannell & Son, for the best stands of their new varieties 
of Chrysanthemums sent out this season. The six 
Veitch Memorial medals will also be a great attraction. 
Manchester Horticultural Improvement. 
-— Feb. 10th. —At this meeting, over which Mr. Robert 
Tait presided, Mr. Forrester, gardener, Beechwood, 
Rochdale, read a paper on some of our common insects, 
and the importance of their destruction—a subject 
which is, he said, of value to horticulturists. The 
casual observer would agree that plants or animals 
infested with parasites are neither so pleasing or in¬ 
viting as those without them. The beauty and value 
of plants depend on their being clean and healthy, or 
infested and sickly. Insects, if allowed to go unchecked, 
not only rob plants of their beauty, but the effects are 
often fatal. The insignificance of insects seems balanced 
by their number ; for, according to some authors, they 
furnish four-fifths to the number of existing species 
of the animal kingdom. After naming some of the 
common insects to be found in plants and fruits, Mr. 
Forrester gave some excellent hints as to how they 
might be destroyed. As prevention was better than 
cure, efforts should be put forth to keep plants, trees, 
and fruits free from insects. If that failed, then some 
remedial measures must be resorted to. It was an 
admitted fact that sickly plants are more subject to 
the depredations of insects than healthy ones. The 
main cause of great numbers of insects infesting plants 
in glass structures is the want of sufficient moisture at 
the roots and in the air. We often see plants perched 
on dry shelves and stages, which facilitates the develop¬ 
ment of insects. The best stages for the majority of 
plants are those made of slate or stone, and covered 
with some fine gravel or other substance which will 
absorb moisture, and give it out when required. The 
syringe must be freely used in hot weather, or where 
artificial heat is kept up ; and instead of a mere dewing 
over, a thorough drenching is often required. He 
might add that painting yearly the woodwork and 
walls of plant houses is an excellent means of clearing 
away insects. If this cannot be done, the houses 
should be washed down with paraffin oil, which will 
bring about similar results so far as insects are con¬ 
cerned. 
The chairman, Messrs. Plant, Upjohn, and Birken¬ 
head took part in the discussion which followed the 
reading of the paper. 
-- 
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS. 
Lilium Krameri. —How should I treat Lilium Krameri ? I 
find my bulbs deteriorate and go off altogether.— J. B. [You do 
not state the treatment you give your bulbs, or whether they 
are grown indoors or outside. All the forms of L. japonicum, 
of which Krameri is one, are liable to die out in our climate 
when planted in the open ground. When so treated, however, 
they flower freely for a year or two if the bulbs are strong. If 
weak, it would be safer to treat the Lilium in question as a 
greenhouse plant, by potting it in good fibrous loam with which 
some peat or leaf soil and a good sprinkling of sand is incorpo¬ 
rated. As the bulbs get strong they require plenty of root room 
to flower well, and must not be overwatered either when starting 
into growth or ripening off. ] 
Horticultural Democratic Union.— H . G . A . has not com¬ 
plied with our rules, by sending his name and address. 
Hot-beds. —Will anything else do to mix with manure for a 
hot-bed where neither leaves nor tan are obtainable ?—IF. II'. 
[You can add sawdust, but why not use the manure alone ?] 
Lycaste Skinneri. —Could I grow Lycaste Skinneri and 
Oncidium cucullatum in a greenhouse ? I may say that I 
manage to bloom Odontoglossum Alexandra.— J. B. [The 
Orchids you mention are cool-house subjects, and may un¬ 
doubtedly be grown in a greenhouse, as they have been by other 
amateurs possessing only such conveniences. Cypripedium 
insigne, C. venustum, Odontoglossum Rossii and many others 
will succeed if the atmosphere is kept as moist as possible 
during growth.] 
Sulphate of Ammonia. —Will you oblige me with directions 
how to use Sulphate of Ammonia; i it to be applied mixed 
with water for outside crops, and in what proportion, or 
sprinkled on the surface of the soil and forked in ? — H. J. 0. 
[Use it with water at the rate of 4-oz. to a gallon, and be careful 
not to touch the foliage.] 
Raspberry.— Which is the best and largest red Raspberry for 
general crop?— H. J. 0. [We should give the preference to 
Baumforth's Seedling.] 
Preserving Fungi. — I shall feel obliged if you can tell me 
how to preserve Fungi.— C. B. [To two pints of sulphuric acid 
add four quarts of water and one pint of creosote, mixing the 
whole well together ; bottle the Fungi in this and cork tightly. 
Perhaps some of our readers can tell “C. B.” of an easier method.] 
Herbaceous Calceolarias.— Can any of your readers inform 
me how large were the biggest herbaceous Calceolarias that have 
been exhibited? I believe at Brighton, some thirty years ago, 
they were shown measuring over live feet, but I should like to 
know for a fact . — An Improver. 
Names of Plants. — Levenshulme .- 1, Odontoglossum Oerstedii; 
2, what is the habit of this? Can you send us a bit of old 
growth? 3,Oncidium reflexum. IF. Robinson: Ccelogyne flaccida. 
Con.: Zygopetalum intermedium. 
Communications Received. —W. G.—J W. (many thanks)— 
R. D.—R. O.—B. L.—Wales—M. T.—D. Chisholm—Con.—C. G. 
W. K.—W. E. G.—J. M. H.—R. H. M.-R. E. F. 
