740 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 21, 1888. 
portant industry.” A committee, consisting of about 
sixty of the principal fruit growers in the United 
Kingdom, has heen formed, and the first meeting of 
the executive committee was held at the Crystal 
Palace a few days since, Mr. T. Francis Pavers, of 
Sawbridgeworth, occupying the chair. The committee 
decided after some discussion that the conference 
should extend over two days, and that on each day the 
meeting should commence at 3 p.m. It was also 
decided that the influence of land tenure on fruit 
culture, the most profitable fruits for market, and the 
packing of fruits and transit rates should be discussed 
on the first day, and the value of fruit as food, the 
evaporating and drying of fruit, and bottling and 
preserving fruit on the second day. To afford time 
for full discussion, it is proposed to limit each paper 
to a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. 
-- 
TRIAL OP CABBAGES AT 
CHISWICK. 
A large piece of ground that used to he occupied by 
Apple trees was planted with Cabbages last autumn, 
with a view to test their hardiness, earliness, and 
usefulness for general purposes. The whole of the 
soil was of that rich alluvial character, inclined to be 
clayey, which prevails generally throughout the garden, 
and therefore for a comparative trial, it may he said 
that all the varieties planted were placed on an equal 
footing. Notwithstanding the cold and unfavourable 
nature of last winter, there have been comparatively 
few deaths amongst the plants, so that, on the whole, 
the crop may be described as a heavy one. The 
different habits of growth assumed by the various kinds 
on trial is well shown by contrast, so that cultivators 
could, if so minded, form a good idea of the distances 
at which the different sorts ought to be planted, and 
what is of more importance, the kinds that are suitable 
for private use or for market respectively. 
The Fruit Committee met at Chiswick on Monday, 
the 9th inst., and after an examination of the varieties 
on trial, two of them were honoured with First Class 
Certificates. These were Ellam’s Early (Veitch) and 
Express (Vilmorin); the former is a well known variety 
that continues to hold its own for earliness, with the 
exception of Improved Rainham, which comes in about 
the same time. Ellam’s Early is a good sort for private 
use, because under any condition it is a small Cabbage 
suitable for table, and comes to the rescue when the 
supply of vegetables is falling short in spring. The 
head is conical, and surrounded by a few outer leaves 
of moderate size, therefore the plants can be placed 
closely, and still attain the desirable dimensions for 
table use. They are very even in the row, and their 
earliness may be judged from the fact that nearly all 
are now split beyond use. Of course, this applies more 
or less to a great number of those on trial—a condition 
that has no doubt been hastened by the heavy and 
frequent rain. Express, the other variety certificated, 
is dwarf, with deeply glaucous leaves and medium or 
large-sized conical heads, which in their prime were 
very firm and good. It is slightly later than Ellam’s 
Early, but much larger, and the trial showed it to be 
very even and true. The variety is a selection from 
Early Etampes. Improved Rainham, already men¬ 
tioned, produces light green conical heads surrounded 
by deep green outer leaves. A very useful Cabbage for 
spring use is Early Etampes, on account of its hardiness 
and good quality. It is of medium earliness, and 
produces large, conical, firm, and slightly-wrinkled 
pale green heads. For market purposes it is very 
serviceable, on account of its size and quality. The 
same might be said of Myatt’s Early Market. 
Although not specially noticed by the committee, 
there were several other good and useful Cabbages, 
amongst which we noticed a sort named The Pigmy or 
New Dwarf. The latter name is very appropriate, as 
the outer leaves squat on the ground, while from the 
centre rises huge conical heads of a glaucous-green 
colour, and very firm. A distinct-looking kind is 
Bunyard’s Earliest of All (T. Bunyard), having dark 
green outer leaves, and large conical heads of a paler 
colour. It is also dwarf, but a second early, though 
even and serviceable. Denning’s Early has conical 
slightly wrinkled heads, with a great development of 
the large outer leaves, which are deep green, not 
glaucous. Compared with most of those above- 
mentioned it is not early, being at the time this 
appears still in prime condition, andjshowing no signs 
of splitting. Being rather a tall-growing variety it 
might not be suitable for exposed positions, although, 
judging from present appearances, it is quite hard}'.’ 
Rennes Earley (Vilmorin) is a dwarf variety, and 
very noticeable amongst the others on account of the 
decidedly blue tints of the coarse outer leaves. The 
heads are of a paler hue, large and conical. A Cabbage 
that bids fair to be of some service is an unnamed 
variety, No. 21 of Carter. The heads are very large 
and roundish, slightly pointed, and of a pale green 
colour, and when in prime condition were very firm ; 
but being early should all have been cut by this time. 
Similar in its pale green colour is Medium Oxheart, 
which has broadly conical or heart-shaped heads of 
great size. Old and well-known varieties are Wheeler’s 
Imperial and Wheeler’s Cocoanut. The former has long 
conical heads, of medium firmness, and light green in 
colour, while the medium-sized, firm, and neatly 
conical heads of the latter are well known to most 
gardeners. The outer leaves of the head are of a dark 
green colour, and have the principal ribs more or less 
tinted with red, a character more strongly developed in 
dry seasons, with more abundant sunshine. Winning- 
stadt we mention on account of the enormous develop¬ 
ment of the coarse outer leaves it makes, and the tall 
stems growing to the height of 2 ft. or more. It is 
very late, producing a hard conical head, and might be 
of service to those who grow such things in the field 
for stock-feeding purposes. In good soil with plenty 
of space between the plants the produce in leaves would 
be considerable. 
-*->!-<-- 
THE GARDENERS’ ORPHAN 
FUND. 
When at the first annual dinner of the Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund, Dr. Masters stated that its establish¬ 
ment had succeeded in bringing about the union of 
gardeners, he uttered a truth that found a ready 
response in the heart of every one present. It was one 
of the best of many generous sentiments that were 
uttered during the evening. Mr. D. T. Fish, in the 
genial and touching speech he delivered with such 
happy effect, said the establishment of the fund had 
also secured the unity of the horticultural press. It 
has done so, for with a unanimity of sympathy that 
scarcely finds a parallel in the present day, the horti¬ 
cultural press has aided the movement to an extent 
which has told powerfully for the success of the fund, 
and greatly assisted the work of the organisers of the 
same. The union of gardeners was seen in the large 
number of practical horticulturists who came from all 
parts of the country to show their warm interest in the 
fund, and the heartiness with which they support it. 
The union of the horticultural press was also seen in 
the presence of the editors and sub-editors of the 
leading gardening papers, and all the representatives 
of the press who took part in the after-dinner proceed¬ 
ings gave expression to sound practical common sense 
of a most encouraging kind. 
There was a thorough heartiness in all the proceedings 
of the day. The sub-committees told off to decorate 
the dining hall, prepare the dessert, superintend the 
business arrangements, and direct the election, were 
early at work, and went about it in a thorough business¬ 
like manner. The annual general meeting at two 
o’clock was well attended, and every face seemed to 
glow with the consciousness of satisfactory progress. 
The election proceeded briskly, and the scrutineers had 
a busy two hours previous to the declaration of the poll, 
but amid all this earnest business capacity there appeared 
to be going up in the minds of the members of the 
committee a desire that in consideration of the success 
which had attended the establishment of the fund, the 
four unsuccessful candidates should also be placed on 
the fund. A meeting of the executive committee was 
called at the close of the declaration of the poll, when 
it was unanimously resolved that this desire should be 
carried out, and when the chairman of the dinner, the 
president. Sir Julian Goldsmid, declared this resolve, a 
very hearty and prolonged burst of applause evidenced 
the satisfaction felt by everyone present. We 
do not under-rate the responsibility the committee 
have undertaken in thus placing all the candidates 
upon the fund. The step was taken in the full 
assurance that the workers on behalf of the fund 
will not in any way relax their exertions. It 
means a yearly charge upon the fund of £130, but it 
is also an incentive to even heartier labours. We are 
certain that every local secretary—a body of helpers of 
whom it is impossible to speak in too high praise—will 
feel that he shares this responsibility, and will make 
every effort to place the fund on such a satisfactory 
basis as that it will admit of an equal number of pen¬ 
sioners being placed on the fund a year hence. We 
look with confidence to the results of the coming year. 
It is to the collection of small sums that our local 
secretaries should look. Money-boxes have been pro¬ 
vided for the offerings of those who are not in a position 
to become annual subscribers of 5s. They can be found 
in nurseries and flower shows, and their employment 
admits of a yet wider extension. A system of collection- 
cards would, we think, be found very useful, and 
hundreds of gardeners about the country would be 
willing to take one. The work o’f maintenance must 
not fall behind that of institution in heartiness, and so 
confident are we of the interest awakened in the fund, 
that we believe the time is not far distant when fifty 
pensioners shall be found enjoying its benefits. 
The festive proceedings of the evening were not a 
whit unsatisfactory. There was a company of some 
200 persons ; the hall was charmingly decorated with 
plants and flowers, and thanks to many friends a 
beautiful dessert succeeded to an admirably served 
dinner. The musical arrangements were perfect and 
thoroughly enjoyable, and the presentation of bouquets 
to Miss Mary Belval and her friends was a fitting tribute 
to her kindness of heart and genuine sympathy. The 
chairman opened the proceedings with the usual loyal 
toasts, and then in a genial address proposed the toast 
of the evening; in doing so he with simple but moving 
eloquence touched a chord which found a response in 
every heart. There was a moral grandeur in the moving 
sentiments which set forth the scope of the fund, and 
the great necessity which exists for its support. Pride 
in the institution and a determination to support it 
found expression in the sentiments uttered by succeed¬ 
ing speakers. 
We felt we had much reason to be proud of the 
oratorical successes of the gardeners who spoke to and 
on behalf of their fellows. The interest in the pro¬ 
ceedings was sustained to the very last. Men came 
from distant parts, strangers to each other, only to be 
made to feel that interest in the Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund was the one touch of nature that makes all hearts 
akin. The hall in which they had gathered had been 
the scene of many appeals to patriotism, public senti¬ 
ment, party passion, and other moving instincts in our 
human nature ; but never before had the claims of any 
institution of more deserving character than the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund been heard within its walls. 
It was a call to remember the widow and the fatherless 
in their affliction, and the call will not be made in 
vain. 
‘ * Who drieth up a single tear hath more 
Of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.” 
—E. W. 
-- 
HARDY PLANTS IN FLOWER. 
Lychnis Haageana. 
A clump of this plant is just now a very conspicuous 
object in the herbaceous border. The flowers are fully 
2 ins. across, with the edges of the petals deeply 
incised. The colour is an intense fiery scarlet, and 
with two or three flowers fully expanded, the effect is 
very telling. The calyx is like many others in 
Caryophyllese, inflated ; leaves lanceolate and hairy. 
Like L. Sieboldi, the difficulty is to get good established 
plants, young ones in our soil having no chance owing 
to the preference that slugs give to the latter over the 
former. Our plan is to grow the plants in a cold 
frame for the first twelve months ; after this age they 
may be safely put out. A light sandy border is the 
best position. 
Buphthalmum salicifolium. 
The numerous yellow Composites now in cultivation 
renders it a matter of difficulty to choose only the best of 
those adapted for border cultivation, for manj' have really 
good flowers, but are so weedy in appearance and 
growth that they have to be consigned to the wild 
garden or to the rubbish heap. The Willow-leaved 
Buphthalmum is an exception to the weedy-growing 
members of the great Composite family, not attaining 
more than 18 ins. to 2 ft. in height, forming a neat 
symmetrical bush of a very free-flowering character. 
The floweis are a clear golden yellow colour, with ray- 
florets about 1 in. long and g in. broad. The narrow 
spreading florets give the flowers, a very neat and 
distinct character, rendering them very useful for 
cutting purposes. 
Pentstemon barbatus Torreyi. 
This variety of the bearded Pentstemon is very fine 
just now, the stems being nearly 5 ft. in height, with 
loose panicles of brilliant scarlet flowers. Its light 
graceful appearance renders it a very desirable plant 
