68 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 4, 1890. 
Lave indeed rejoiced to see such a grand lot 
of show and fancy flowers displayed so late in 
the season as the end of September. No such 
show would have been possible last year. The 
promoters of the Dahlia exhibition were there¬ 
fore specially favoured by the season, which, 
so far as September tvas concerned, has rarely 
been equalled for warmth and beauty at any 
time previous. 
Although the attendance on the Dahlia day 
was seriously affected by the weather, which 
just then was adverse, yet there was a large 
and most interested audience gathered to learn 
what had to'be said about Dahlias by the 
various readers of papers. Probably no other 
living man could have dealt with the history 
of the flower so admirably and briefly as did 
Air. Shirley Hibberd ; and although he sub¬ 
mitted some proposals which might well be 
contested, yet his address was both masterly 
and full of interest. Perhaps when discussion 
is to follow, the man who scruples not to lay 
down bold and unorthodox propositions proves 
in the end to be the best advocate of the truth, 
because he leads to Controversy, and out of 
differences come the truth. 
We are in complete accord with Mr. Hibberd 
in his estimate of the remarkable variability of 
the Dahlia. In that respect it is unique 
amongst garden flowers. To that fact we owe 
much of its present popularity, for the public 
delight in variety when associated, as in the 
case of the Dahlia, with so much beauty. 
Long may the Dahlia flourish in our gardens ! 
I^he Grape Conference. — There were two 
^ features specially marking the literary 
portion of the recent Grape Conference at 
Chiswick which merit special notice. The 
first was the large and deeply interested 
audience of gardeners present, and second the 
unquestioned enjoyment with which they 
heard the papers read by Mr. R. D. Elackmore 
and Mr. W. Thomson. Mr. Blackmore’s was 
perhaps the most artistic paper ever read 
at an R. H. S. Conference. It dealt with 
a dull, dry subject, but the author of Lorna 
Doone literally made it brilliant and humorous 
with his delightful word - picturing and 
pleasant literary style. The paper was an 
undoubted treat and showed how possible it 
is for genuine artists of "the pen to give life 
and beauty even to dry bones. Mr. Black- 
more’s charming style was so heartily appre¬ 
ciated that he received, at the close of his 
paper, an unwonted burst of applause. 
The same good feeling on the part of the 
audience was freely extended to Mr. W. 
Thomson, of Clovenfords, whose paper was 
looked for with much expectation, because he 
is without question a present giant amongst 
cultivators of the Grape. It is cynically said 
of the Scotch that they are dull and prosy. Mr. 
Thomson showed that he was neither, but 
whilst practical he was interesting and exceed¬ 
ingly brief, a most commendable virtue with 
all paper readers, but too seldom exercised. 
Mr. Thomson, however, knew how to say 
all he had to say without verbosity, and he 
too received a very warm acknowledgement 
at the close. It is indeed pleasant to find 
such kindly recognition given to those from 
a distance, whose faces are too seldom seen 
at the R. H. S. gatherings. 
"Whilst tbe show of Grapes made on the first 
day was disappointing, it was materially 
helped on the second day by tbe splendid 
market exhibits in baskets sent by Mr. 
Munro, and probably tbe display of packed 
Grapes generally proved more instructive in 
relation to packing for transit than would 
have been the paper on the subject, 
which was not read. A finer or more fitting 
place to hold the show and conference in 
could hardly be found anywhere, as the crop 
of Grapes in the big Vinery this year is 
one of the finest ever cut out of the huge 
house, and it is expected may reach the 
large quantity of three tons. 
arvest Festivals —Readers of local news¬ 
papers are just now being reminded by 
numerous paragraphs which appear in them 
from week to week, that we are right into the 
thick of the Harvest Festival season, churches 
and chapels in all directions holding these 
semi-religious gatherings, which now prove in 
one direction or another to be so profitable. 
We should be pleased enough could we feel 
that these festivals are promoted in a pure 
spirit of thankfulness. When we have really good 
harvests, whether of corn, vegetables, or fruits, 
and there is general prosperity in agriculture 
and horticulture, there may be some reasonable 
excuse for professing gratitude. When the 
seasons are of a distressing nature, and bring 
only failure and loss, then it is little better 
than hypocrisy to profess to be thankful. 
It may be that some associated with these 
festivals do really hold that a sacred duty is 
imposed upon them in relation to the annual 
produce of the soil. In too many cases, 
however, it is feared that the chief inspiring 
motive is found in the opportunity furnished 
for once in making in the place of worship 
a fine decorative show of the products of the 
soil, into which flowers very largely enter; 
and also in utilising the gatherings for the 
purpose of obtaining important additions to 
the resources of the respective church or 
chapel funds. 
Xone the less we are not displeased to see 
the abolition of the old drunken debauch 
called “ Harvest Home,” which formerly 
marked the close of the crop-housing season. 
But these admitted of so much improvement 
in a social way, that when the old abuses were 
replaced by higher and better elements, even 
Social Harvest Homes have been delightful 
re-unions, in which employer and employed 
could join with downright freedom and satis¬ 
faction. We prefer that sort of Harvest 
Festival very much to the present method of 
professing a thankfulness which is problem¬ 
atical. Churches and chapels for the time 
converted into greengrocers’ shops are not at 
all pleasing objects, or calculated to inspire 
sentiments of reverence. Were the products 
shown, the special music, and the pecuniary 
associations abolished, Harvest Festivals, as 
expressions of thankfulness, would soon die 
out. 
-«^<c»- 
Sandringham.—We understand that Mr. Archibald 
McKellar, gardener to the Duke of Roxburghe, at 
Floors Castle, Kelso, has been engaged to succeed Mr. 
Qharles Penny, as gardener to the Prince of Wales at 
Sandringham. Mr. McKellar is known to be one of 
the best practical gardeners in the country, and is 
heartily to be congratulated on his appointment. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Association. —We understand 
that the committee of this Improvement Association is 
organising a concert in aid of the Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund, to take place on October 29th next, in the 
Yestry Hall, Chiswick. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society. 
— The fourth anniversary dinner of this society will 
take place on October 23rd at 5.30 p.m. at the Cannon 
Street Hotel, when Mr. E. R. Cutler will be the 
chairman of the day. Early application should be 
made for tickets to the secretary, Mr. Collins, 9, 
Martindale Road, Balliam, S.W. 
The Guildhall Fruit Show.—This show of fruit 
which is being carried out by the Fruiterers’ Company, 
assisted by some of our leadingautlioiities on fruit culture 
promises to be on an extensive scale ; and in addition 
to the whole space of the Guildhall being required for 
staging purposes, the old Council Chamber and several 
of the lobbies will also be utilized. For competitive 
purposes, the counties have been grouped into three 
zones—the Northern, South Western, and South 
Eastern, and so Apples from the north will not compete 
with those from the south, and vice versa. We 
understand that a large number of entries have already 
been received, and the contributions from cottagers and 
tenant farmers from the different zones, will be looked 
forward to with some interest. As no charge can be 
made for admission, invitation tickets will be issued, 
which can be had from the clerk of the companv, Mr. 0. 
C. T. Eagleton, 46, Chancery Lane, W.C. The Lord 
Mayor and Sheriffs will open the exhibition on Monday 
next the 6th inst., at 3 p.m., after the work of judging 
is completed. The arrangements of the show have been 
placed in the hands of Mr. R. Dean, Filing, W. 
Great Sale of Nursery Stock in the North.—The 
closing days of last week, Thursday, Friday, and 
Saturday, witnessed the dispersion of the greater 
portion of the nursery stock at the Forbesfield Nursery, 
near Aberdeen, belonging to Messrs. Morrison Brothers. 
The sale— one of the most important and extensive ever 
held in the north —was necessitated on account of a 
great portion of the nursery ground being required for 
building purposes. During the three days over 3,000 
lots were disposed of, and extensive purchases were 
made for Fyvie Castle, Uduig Castle, Esslemont 
House, Aberlour House, Fasque House, &c., while the 
local nurserymen, and others from a great distance, 
both north and south, made large purchases, as also 
did a number of local gentlemen. The Roses, com¬ 
prising 20,000, were eagerly bought up by a large 
number of local ladies and gentlemen. The prices 
from start to finish were considered very satisfactory, 
and the sale, on the whole, a success. Mr. Farquhar, 
Old Echt, was the auctioneer. 
Tfie Flower of the Axe. — I notice a reference 
in the “Questions and Answers” column of last week 
to the “Flower of the Axe.” It may perhaps 
interest j ou to know that Lobelia urens is probably 
the plant in question. In a little book, The Ferns 
of the Axe, by the Rev. Z. J.' Edwards, M. A., 
published in 1S66, there is a short appendix relating to 
this rare British plant, entitled “The Flower of the 
Axe.” It used to be so called in answer to enquiring 
botanists by the country folk in the immediate vicinity 
of its habitat, near Axminster, Devon, who, from such 
questions being frequent, came to .know it well. I have 
gathered it there in flower in former years, but it was 
even then becoming scarce, and has probably ere now 
vanished off the face of the land.—I?. L. Davidson, 
Wernolen, Ammanford, S. Wales. [Many thanks.— 
Ed.] 
-—- 
THE LATE MR. WILLIAM 
HOLMES. 
At a largely attended meeting of the General Committee 
of the National Chrysanthemum Society, held at 
Anderton’s Hotel on Monday evening, it was unani- 
miously resolved on the motion of the chairman, Mr. 
Ballantine, seconded by the vice-chairman, Mr. E. C. 
Jukes, that the following address of sympathy be sent 
to Mrs. Holmes :— 
Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, Sept. 29th, 1890. 
Dear Madam, —On behalf of the General Committee 
of the National Chrysanthemum Society, we desire to 
assure you and the family of the late Mr. William 
Holmes, that we sympathise with you most-profoundly 
in the terrible trial which has befallen you. To you 
the loss must be irreparable. We, as individuals, 
mourn over the early death of one who had endeared 
himself to us by his many high personal qualities, and 
as members of the above Committee, desire to place on 
record .our sense of the sore loss sustained by the 
Society through his removal. Mr. Holmes has ever 
been its life and soul, and its success is mainly due to 
his earnest, able, and self-sacrificing labours on its 
behalf. 
As long as the National Chrysanthemum Society 
endures, the name of William Holmes will be held in 
loving and honoured remembrance. 
We are. Dear Madam, Yours very truly, 
(Signed) R. Ballantine, Chairman of Committees ; 
E. C. Jukes, Vice-Chairman of Committees ; J. R. 
Starling, Treasurer; C. Harman Payne, Honorary 
Foreign Corresponding Secretary, and by the forty-two 
members of the Committee who were present. 
At a meeting of the Committee of the Ancient Society 
of York Florists, held on the 26 th ult., the following 
resolution was unanimously a lopted : — “ This Com¬ 
mittee learns with extreme regret of tho death of Mr. 
William Holmes, Honorary Secretary of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society, and records its sense of the 
loss of his earnest and iuvaluable services in this branch 
of horticulture. It also expresses deep sympathy with 
the widow and family, thus bereaved. ’’ 
At a meeting of the Committee of the Birmingham 
and Midland Counties Chrysanthemum Society held on 
the 27th ult., a vote of sympathy and condolence with 
