244 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 17,1887. 
The discussion, except in one or two notable 
instances, wandered off into all sorts of bye 
issues, and, beyond the appointment of the 
committee, nothing was accomplished. The 
outlook still seems anything but hopeful. 
-->*<-- 
Canon Hole.—The Queen has been pleased to approve 
the appointment of the Rev. Canon Hole, chaplain to 
the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be Dean of Rochester, 
in the place of Dean Scott, recently deceased. 
Death of Mr. George Eyles. —We regret to hear 
of the somewhat sudden death, at Kew, on the 9th 
inst., of this well-known horticulturist. In early life 
Mr. Eyles was a pupil of Sir Joseph Paxton at Chats- 
wortli, and afterwards assisted him in laying out the 
grounds of the Crystal Palace, at Sydenham. His next 
engagement -was under Nesfield, whose designs he 
carried out in the construction of the garden of the 
Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington, 
which was opened in June, 1861. He, subsequently, 
became superintendent of the gardens at South Ken¬ 
sington and Chiswick; but from 1866 to 1875, when he 
retired, he had charge of the Kensington Gardens 
only, Mr. Barron being installed at Chiswick. Mr. 
Eyles, who was seventy-two years of age, was buried 
at West Brompton on Tuesday last. 
A New Vegetable—Choro-Gi.—At the last meet¬ 
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society, specimens of 
what is described as a new vegetable from Japan were 
exhibited for the first time in this country by Mr. A. G. 
Hookings, gardener to Sir Henry Thompson, Hurstside, 
West Moulsey. New things exhibited for the first 
time in this way never seem to take the public fancy, 
while in some cases they encounter a great deal of 
opposition, especially should they happen to belong 
to a suspicious order, that is, one containing poisonous 
plants. The Potato itself was an instance of this 
kind. In the present case the vegetable consists of 
the underground tubers, produced by Stachys affinis, 
a member of the family to which Sage, Mint, Thyme, 
and other well-known kitchen herbs belong, so that 
its near relations, at least, do not rouse any suspicion 
as to its injurious properties. The tubers produced 
by a single plant are exceedingly numerous, but not 
very large, judging from the specimens exhibited, which 
may improve, however, on further trial. Its greatest 
recommendation seems to be as a subject for pickling, 
as described in The Gardening World, vol. iii., 
p. 117, -where an exact illustration of the plant and its 
tubers is given. Our native S. palustris proves itself a 
pest to the husbandman where it occurs plentifully in 
cultivated ground, on account of the numerous under¬ 
ground, fleshy, and fusiform or spindle-shaped stems it 
produces. Has it never occurred to any to utilise our 
native wilding in the same way as this Japanese species 
is done by others ? Someare of opinion that S. affinis 
was originally introduced to this country about twenty 
years ago. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associ¬ 
ation.—Mrs. S. A. Lee, Gunnersbury, with the object 
of encouraging original observation and research 
amongst the members of this association, has offered 
the sum of £10 to be distributed in four prizes for 
essays on horticultural subjects. Two of the prizes are 
to be awarded for the best essays on any subject relating 
to horticulture, which the writer may select for himself. 
The remaining prizes are offered for the best essays on 
“Water, its Use and Abuse in the Cultivation of 
Plants.” 
The Culture of Vegetables.—At a meeting of the 
same association, held on Wednesday last, a paper was 
read by Mr. Bones on the Culture of Vegetables, which 
was wholly of a practical character, and the speaker 
said that less care was necessary in lifting Beet than 
was usually believed to be the case, and that if the 
base and apex of the root were cut off before boiling, 
its proper colour would be preserved, as was shown by 
the boiled specimens exhibited. He also showed Cauli¬ 
flower that had been buried in soil for several weeks, 
with the view of retarding its development and pre¬ 
serving the heads for use ; they are so treated after 
attaining the size of the fist. The perennial character 
of the Scarlet Runner was referred to, and its propaga¬ 
tion by means of tuberous or fleshy roots. This plant 
is generally believed to be an annual, but by a covering 
of ashes to exclude frost, the tuberous roots may be 
preserved in the open ground, and will recommence 
growth when the temperature is suitable in spring. 
He mentioned a root that had been grown in this 
manner for seven years, and in the discussion that 
followed, another member referred to the same thing. 
Kalamazoo Celery.—It is estimated, says a corre¬ 
spondent of the American Gardener's Monthly, that 
2,000 acres are under Celery cultivation at Kalamazoo, 
Michigan, from which, nearly all, two crops are taken, 
and occasionally three crops in one season. About 
1,800 persons, including men and members of their 
families, are engaged in the cultivation of this vegetable; 
and 3,500 people get their living either directly or in¬ 
directly from Celery. Twenty and thirty and not 
infrequently fifty tons are shipped daily during the 
shipping season, which commences July 1st, and 
continues until the Celery is all disposed of, which is 
usually before January 1st. The lumber for the boxes 
used in packing the vegetable alone cost S20,000 last 
season. Land which formerly would have been 
considered dear at S30 per acre, is now held at §200 to 
§800 per acre, according to location. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association. —On Saturday 
evening last a new departure in the operations of this 
society was most successfully inaugurated. Putting 
the excitement of competition aside, and for the nonce 
abandoning criticism, the members dined together, to 
the number of about 120, at the “Bear’s Paw,” Liver¬ 
pool. The chair was occupied by the treasurer, 
Fletcher Rogers, Esq., and the vice-chairs by Messrs. 
A. R. Cox and J. Powell. There were also present 
Mr. Richardson, Curator of the Liverpool Parks and 
Gardens ; Mr. Thomas White, chairman of the com¬ 
mittee ; Mr. G. Blackraore, sub-treasurer ; Mr. E. 
Bridge, secretary, and others. Cut flowers, table 
plants, and fruits for the dessert, contributed by 
members and friends, greatly added to the success of 
the spread, which was all that could be desired. The 
principal toasts of the evening—viz., “The Liverpool 
Horticultural Association,” “The Horticultural Trade,” 
“The Honorary Treasurer,” “The Press,” and “The 
Stewards, and those who so ably assisted them ”—were 
all most cordially received and responded to ; and not 
the least pleasant feature of the evening were the songs, 
recitations and instrumental music contributed by 
Messrs. C. and A. Ross, W. Blomilly, A. G. Davies, R. G. 
Waterman, R. Pinnington, G. Eaton, and J. Lewis. 
Acclimatisation of Plants.—At a meeting of the 
Fellows of the Royal Botanic Society, held last 
Saturday, it is stated that some interesting ex¬ 
amples of the hardening of the constitution of 
plants by exposure were exhibited, suggesting the 
inference that plants, like animals, are capable of 
being acclimatised. We should like to see those 
“interesting examples,” and discover what inferences 
of the kind named are thus deducible. If it is assumed 
that plants will become acclimatised as animals will, 
we ask, What animals, and what evidence is there to 
show that any exotic animals really have become 
acclimatised ? But whilst it may be possible in some 
way, using an ancient simile, “to temper the wind to 
the shorn lamb ” by giving introduced animals some 
protection during cold weather, we have found, so 
far, little evidence that animals from warm climates 
have become, in any appreciable degree, acclimatised. 
In the case of plants, we venture to think no 
evidence of such hardening of the constitution can be 
found. The tender plants of 100 years ago in our 
gardens remain tender still. Half-hardy plants remain 
half-hardy still, and many assumed really hardy things 
succumb when our winters are rather harder than 
usual. It may amuse the promoters of this theory of 
acclimatisation, and possibly satisfy the Fellows of the 
Royal Botanic Society ; but we ask for proof—strong 
and complete proof—of this process of hardening, and 
not mere assertion. Indeed, we go so far as to say that 
many plants once esteemed quite hardy are now difficult 
to retain, as complaints of the disappearance of many 
old garden favourites show. Such things, for instance, 
as double Wallflowers and winter Stocks are scarcer in 
England to-day than they were fifty years ago, solely 
because winters more readily kill them. 
-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM FLOWER 
CLASSES. 
Having read “ D.’s ” remarks respecting the above, 
on p. 229, I must say that I cannot agree with the 
suggestions he puts forth for an alteration in the 
existing schedule arrangements. In the first place, 
Chrysanthemum shows, I take it, exist for a twofold 
purpose : first, to stimulate and encourage the growing 
of Chrysanthemums, by bringing together the best and 
most meritorious productions ; secondly, to interest 
and please the public, without whose support and 
patronage no society could exist for any lengthened 
space of time. That both these objects are being ful¬ 
filled at the present time is abundantly clear from the 
popularity of the shows, and the quality of the exhibits 
they bring together ; but would this be the case if 
“D.’s” suggestions were carried out? I fear not, as 
the classes for cut blooms would not be so attractive by 
a long way. Your correspondent doubts the wisdom 
of a class for forty-eight cut blooms, and fails to see 
what good purpose they serve. To this I would reply, 
they attract far more attention from visitors to the 
show than the smaller classes do ; further, they are a 
much more severe test of a grower's abilities, for, to 
use a homely phrase, “ a forty-eight class wants a lot of 
doing, ” and if ‘' D. ’’ were an exhibitor he would become 
fully aware of that fact long before he could win a first 
prize. His principal objection, however, to these large 
classes seems to rest in duplicates being allowed ; but 
this is quite necessary if the standard of excellence 
met with at shows is to be maintained. Let us take 
the incurved section for instance: forty-eight really 
good distinct blooms of these are not only beyond the 
reach of average growers, but they are beyond the 
■ reach of the most expert, notwithstanding the fact of 
there being about 100 varieties in cultivation. I freely 
admit that this duplicate system is the means of driving 
worthless varieties out of cultivation ; but then, this is 
as things should be if we are to advance. There can 
. be no doubt that this system is answerable for driving 
off the exhibition boards a few varieties which are far 
from being worthless, and this I imagine is the principal 
object of “D.’s’’ communication on the subject. 
Within the past three or four years blooms of the 
“ Rundle ” family have been quite “knocked out of 
time.’’ Why is this? They are very pretty—exceed¬ 
ingly so, I may say. The reason is they are too small 
now-a-days, and their former positions on the stands 
have been taken by larger varieties ; for, be it remem¬ 
bered, it is just the same with a Chrysanthemum as it 
is with a bunch of Grapes, and almost everything else, 
viz., “ a good big one will beat a good little one.” The 
larger the flower, provided it possesses all the other 
requisite properties, the better, is what the judges and 
practical men will tell you. Regarding the Japanese 
section the case is somewhat different, forty-eight good 
and distinct varieties of these being easily found ; 
but let it be noted that what are known amongst 
growers as the large variety classes, are generally the 
worst represented, and least attractive at our shows. 
Taking all the circumstances of the case into consider¬ 
ation, I think the existing arrangement of classes much 
the better one, and far preferable to the change your 
correspondent suggests.— J. Horsefield, Heytcsbury. 
--- 
THE HISTORY OF THE APPLE* 
In his book on Fruits and Fruit Trees, Mr. Leo. H. 
Grindon remarks: — “ Foremost among fruits interesting 
to an Englishman is the Apple. The Apple is of more 
use and benefit to the people of England in general 
than all the other fruits put together. It remains 
longest in season, and can be used in the greatest 
variety of ways. No one ever objects to Apples. 
Newly gathered from the tree, they are the most brisk 
and refreshing of all the common fruits of temperate 
climes. For culinary purposes they are unexcelled. 
Even when dried, as in ‘ Normandy Pippins,’ their 
merit remains, and we must not forget that the most 
genuinely English beverage is cider. No one ever tires 
of the Apple. It is to fruits in general what good 
wheaten bread is to other accustomed food—while it 
satisfies it never cloys. There is no time of life, either, 
when the Apple becomes a superfluity, or is no longer 
suitable as aliment. As for boys and girls in fair 
health, for them the Apple would almost seem to have 
been primarily created. There is a period in the life 
of children when they are hungry all over—voracious 
at every pore. Eat they must and will, flying to cakes 
and mischievous sweets, candies, and confections unless 
judiciously supplied with what is really wholesome. 
Bread is deficient in savour. Fruit, fully ripened and 
of simple kinds, is the happy medium, and in no shape 
is it better for them than that of the Apple. 
“The tree itself is recommended by its hardiness, for 
it thrives wherever the Oak will flourish ; by the ease 
with which it accommodates itself to every diversity of 
soil and situation our island affords—for very good 
Apples are ripened in the Orkneys, and even in 
Shetland ; and by the comparatively late season of the 
bloom ; so that a fair crop can always be calculated 
upon. In Britain no fruit can be brought to so high a 
degree of excellence with so little trouble ; though 
pains taken in Apple culture never go without plentiful 
reward. The fruit is infinitely varied in flavour, and 
* A paper read by Mr. R. Dean, at the Harpenden Apple and 
Pear Congress, December 7tli. 
