260 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 24, 1887. 
Horticultural Society as unstable and con¬ 
temptible. Happily, and despite the patronage 
which the world of fashion would bestow upon 
the flower trade, the love for flowers seems 
to be so deeply impressed in the human heart 
that fashionable mutations sway it not; and 
we may believe that as long as Christmas 
stands as a British festival—and that will be 
probably as long as the British nation endures— 
the love for flowers, and especially Christmas 
flowers, will endure also. 
But how much richer in winter flowers are 
we now than were our progenitors ! for which 
we have to thank our glass-houses, which are 
tempered so nicely to suit the requirements 
of the flowers, and also the introduction of 
numerous and beautiful Chrysanthemums, of 
Chinese Primulas, Cyclamens, Hellebores, 
Orchids, and, indeed, almost of things in¬ 
numerable, which administer to our love for 
flowers so abundantly at Christmas-tide. Such, 
indeed, has been the revolution wrought in 
flower culture through the aid of glass-houses, 
the improvement in modes of heating, and 
the introduction of suitable plants, that it is 
almost safe to aver that at Christmas, 1887, 
we are almost as wealthy in flowers as our 
fathers were in their gardens at midsummer, 
1837. With the growth of flowers also has 
grown fruits and vegetables, so that, hi the 
ordinary course of things, there is abundance; 
and what we fail to produce at home the whole 
world, which literally lies at our feet, is only 
too ready and able to provide for us. 
Amidst our pleasures, our social reunions, 
our domestic enjoyments, and our seasonable 
gratifications, may we not forget that some 
greater zest is given to these things, when it is 
felt that we have helped some less favoured than 
ourselves to share hi the Christmas associations. 
In scores of ivays there come opportunities 
for so much or so little of good, and selfish 
indeed must be the human heart which feels 
no generous sentiment at this season. To our 
numerous readers, as, indeed, to gardeners of 
all classes everywhere, we wish a very cordial 
and joyous Christmas, and speedily to follow a 
happy and prosperous new year. We trust that 
The Gardening World has proved to many an 
acceptable mentor and friend through the year 
that is passing away, and that in the year to 
come it may be able to record great prosperity 
and success in all the branches of horticulture. 
—-—- 
The Illegal Meeting.—It was an unpleasant surprise 
to the Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society 
attending the recent meeting, to learn that the council 
had for the second time this year failed to follow the 
rules laid down for their guidance in the bye-laws of 
the society. At the annual meeting, it will be 
remembered, no election of members to serve on the 
council could take place owing to the ballot papers not 
having been issued at the proper time. On the last 
occasion, we understand that the meeting of the 
council, at which it was decided to call the meeting of 
the Fellows, was irregular, so that at the latter 
meeting, whatever was agreed upon could have no 
force until a regular meeting was called to confirm it. 
Somehow mishaps of this kind seem to follow the 
society everywhere, and deprive the governing body 
of that sympathy and confidence to which it should be 
entitled. We say emphatically, trivial as the matter 
may seem, that not only should such a mischance not 
have been permitted, but that it did occur, tended at 
the outset to give an air of unreality to the after 
proceedings which could not be shaken off. What 
wonder Gan there be if the opposing or dissentient 
Fellows laugh at the appointment of the hybrid 
committee ? 
Trial Fees at Chiswick.— Although there is such 
great need of some financial help in the maintenance of 
the Eoyal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, 
it seems very doubtful whether the proposal made in 
all due seriousness at the recent meeting of the 
Fellows by Mr. Shirley Hibberd is either the best of 
its kind or is indeed desirable. Mr. Hibberd rightly 
held that the Chiswick Gardens were too literally 
employed by certain persons as a sort of free trial 
ground for much that turns out to be rubbish ; and 
suggested that were fees imposed upon all who sent 
subjects for trial, a considerable sum might thus be 
raised, whilst it would tend to restrict the number of 
seedlings, &c., sent for trial. With respect to the 
latter matter, it seems to us that the council has had 
ample power already to restrict the number of subjects 
any one raiser or firm should be permitted to send to 
the gardens for trial annually ; and whilst no fees were 
paid, such restrictions could be imposed with a good 
grace. On the other hand, there is danger that pay¬ 
ment may lead to the inference that any number of 
things so paid for would be grown. A rigid rule with 
respect to numbers would soon settle the rubbish 
difficulty. We fear, however, that if fees are exacted 
as suggested, a feeling may arise that the most liberal 
donor of fees would look for the largest number of 
awards ; and even may lead to a system of attempted 
bribery to that end, which would be deplorable. We 
think the present free system, checked by some sharp 
restrictions as to numbers of subjects tested, is best 
after all. A hard and fast rule—that nothing should 
be grown for trial that has not received a name, would 
keep back much that it is undesirable any of 
the society’s too slender resources should be wasted 
over. 
A Flower Picture. — We have, in one of the 
coloured illustrations which accompany the Christmas 
number of the Illustrated London News, an excellent 
example of the way in which otherwise most excellent 
artists make daubs of flowers. The human figure is 
very admirably drawn, but she is represented as hold¬ 
ing one of those abominable blue vases, so common in 
{esthetic circles, in which is assumed to be a bunch of 
Chrysanthemums, but which may be anything for 
what actual representation is found of genuine flowers. 
It was an absurd idea to add the flowers at all, but it is 
more absurd still when artists, who can no more depict a 
flower than we can a Madonna, should fancy that any¬ 
thing will pass muster for flowers with the public. 
There is, then, seen in the vase the odd companionship 
of Chrysanthemums, so called, and a few flowers of 
yellow Jonquil or Polyanthus narcissus. Had Christ¬ 
mas Eoses been added to the Chrysanthemums, much 
might have been forgiven. It is hard to understand 
why so many floral drawings, in which flowers are really 
well depicted, should include the inevitable blue vase 
or jar. The thing is seldom graceful, and the colour 
even inharmonious. Vases of faint neutral tints are 
always best for such purposes, and nothing should be 
suggestive of obstructing attention from the flowers to 
the utensil which contains them. We fervently hope 
that the last has been seen of the blue aesthetic pot, 
and of wretchedly drawn flowers. There are plenty of 
artists who can draw flowers, and they do wisely in 
sticking to their speciality. 
Rose-growing'.— A small book of some eighty-six 
pages, and entitled “Rose-growing,” is submitted to 
the public by Mr. Duncan Gilmour, Junr., F.R.H.S., 
of Sheffield. It is intended as a guide for amateurs in 
the propagation, cultural, and other matters concerning 
Eoses ; and is also meant to encourage others, as the 
writer has been himself, to surround their homes with 
them. The type is small and close, so that a great 
amount of information of a practical kind is given for 
the charge made, namely, a shilling. Advice given as 
to how and when to buy, to plant, and to prune ; and 
a list for beginners will no doubt serve its purpose as a 
guide to those who have as yet no acquaintance with 
the subject. It will, no doubt, prove a boon to those 
for whom it is intended, and is, on the whole, pleasant 
reading. It is published by the author himself, and 
Mr. W. Cate, Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, E.C. 
Flower-land.—This is the title of a small book on 
botany for beginners, by the Rev. Robert Fisher, Vicar 
of Sewerby, Hull; and published by Mr. John Heywood, 
of Manchester. The various parts of the flower, root, 
stem, and leaf are treated of in an easy and popular 
way, the intention being to put into the hands of 
teachers an easy method of giving instruction to child¬ 
ren in the rudiments of the science. Living plants, 
not pictures, are recommended to be used ; and these 
should be collected and brought in for each lesson, or, 
what is better, the children should be taken to the 
fields, and the lesson made a practical one. English 
names only are used, and at the end of the book in¬ 
structions are given for collecting aud preserving 
specimens on paper. Its object and aim will have 
been gained if it teaches the young to observe and 
think of what the}' see. 
The Faversham Chrysanthemum Association.— 
The annual meeting and first distribution of prizes of 
this association was held on Friday last. The Mayor 
occupied the chair, and amongst those present were 
Mr. Alderman Johnson, Mr. Alderman Stidolph, Mr. 
E. Bryant, Mr. C. Lyddon, Mr. C. Stidolph (hon. 
sec.), Mr. Lewis Jackson (treasurer), &c., &c. The 
Mayor distributed the prizes, and expressed the pleasure 
he felt at being present, complimenting the association 
on the success of their first Chrvsanthemum exhibition. 
The secretary read a financial statement, showing a 
total income of £70 16s. 6 d., and after paying all 
prizes and expenses, a balance of £29 8s. 2d. is left in 
hand towards the expenses of next year. He also 
informed the meeting that Dr. Lyddon and Mr. C. 
Lyddon had offered a Silver Challenge Cup, to be com¬ 
peted for at a future exhibition. Mr. Fred Hart, in 
speaking of the work of the committee, referred to the 
excellence of their show, and stated that it was their 
intention to introduce some additional classes in their 
schedule for next year. It was decided at the meeting 
to affiliate the association with the National Chry¬ 
santhemum Society, and avail themselves of the 
advantages to be derived from the connection. Some 
excellent cut blooms of Chrysanthemums and other 
floral decorations upon the tables at the meeting were 
supplied by Mr. Fred T. Hart, of Ospringe Road 
Nursery, Faversham. 
The Edinburgh Market Gardeners.—On Monday 
last, the annual general meeting of the Edinburgh 
market gardeners was held at 5, St. Andrew’s Square, 
the president, Mr. James Gourlay, Musselburgh, in the 
chair. In the evening the annual dinner was held in 
the “Ship” Hotel, when about sixty members were 
present. Mr. IV. Douglas, Trinity, in proposing “The 
Edinburgh Market Gardeners,” said that he thought 
from all past history they did not need any commenda¬ 
tion of his, either with regard to their position in their 
own business, or with regard to their position in any 
stand they took in public or private interests. The 
Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council, to whom 
reference had already been made, were gentlemen high 
in power, and they deserved their respect ; but even 
the market gardeners of Edinburgh could bring them 
to their senses, in showing that the market gardeners 
demanded nothing more than their right. He hoped 
they would get support from the public to maintain 
their interests. The community were very much 
dependent on the market gardeners—both Edinburgh 
and Glasgow were indebted to the market gardeners of 
the district. He only wished that they could yet better 
remuneration for their hard work, care, anxiety, and 
perseverance, but there seemed to be better times 
looming in the distance, if they were to believe the 
market reports from distant cities. The chairman, 
Mr. Gourlay, briefly acknowledged the toast. 
Wild Flowers.—In Jung, 18S6, Messrs. Cassell &. Co. 
offered ten prizes ranging from £25 to £1, and amount¬ 
ing in all to £50, for the best collection of wild flowers, 
consisting of specimens of the flowers figured in the 
first volume of Familiar Wild Flowers. The col¬ 
lections were sent in prior to October 31st, and the 
prizes have just been awarded as follows, by Mr. IF. 
Carruthers, F.R.S., Natural History Museum, South 
KensingtonFirst, £25, IVilliam Paul Quelch, 
8, Eccleston Road, Ealing Dean, IV.; second, £10, 
H. Fisher, 26, Stodman Street, Newark ; third, £5, 
Annie Baker, St. Mary Street, Bridgewater, Somerset; 
fourth, £3, Millicent Martin, 60, London Road, 
Grantham ; fifth, £2, John F. Hopkins, 13, Richmond 
Terrace, Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol. Prizes 
of £1 each were awarded to Ella H. Friend, IVoolet 
Hall, North Cray, Kent; Henry Preston, Hawthornden 
Villa, Grantham ; Alfred Brown, Bellwood Lodge, 
Kinnoul, Perth ; Ernest Poland, Elliot Vale House, 
Blackheath, S.E. ; Marian Pendlebury, Methven 
Terrace, Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire. 
St. Peter’s, Hammersmith, Horticultural Society.— 
By way of cementing friendship, establishing unity, 
and promoting the welfare of the society generally, the 
members sat down to dinner on Thursday, the 15th 
inst., in St. Peter’s School, Hammersmith. Mr. Davey, 
the schoolmaster and chairman of the society, occupied 
the chair, and a pleasant evening was spent. 
New Plants Certificated in Ghent,—At the usual 
monthly meeting of Belgian horticulturists, held in 
Ghent on the 12th inst., Certificates of Merit were 
awarded for Cattleya velutina and Cattleya superba 
from Mr. L. Desmet-Duvivier; Cypripedium Amesi- 
anum, from Mr. James Bray ; Oncidium species, from 
Messrs. Vervaet & Co. ; Cypripedium Lawrenceanum, 
from Mr. Grenier; C. Crossianum superbum, C. insigne, 
and C. prastans, from Mr. J. Hye. 
