276 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 3, 1891. 
to life in swaddling clothes of snowy 
whiteness. Strange hut true it] is that 1 the 
shroud of the corpse is the birth-rohe of the 
new-born babe. May this latter emblem 
prove auspicious for the New Year ! AYe have 
often seen the New Year born in almost 
spring-like weather, but the product has not 
been beneficial for horticulture generally. 
Perhaps the recent severe weather may lead to 
brighter realisations later on, and then, indeed, 
shall we have cause to rejoice that what was 
sown in tears is reaped in joy. Could we 
always realise what the New Year would bring 
to us we should better comprehend our feelings 
towards the stranger. At present we have 
to take every new year on trust; but still we 
take the trust in a hopeful mood. 
Judging by the past we look for horticul¬ 
tural advance during the year, slowly and 
possibly of a prosaic order, but still real 
tangible advance. In that progress we trust 
all our friends will share, and not unnaturally 
we hope that The Gardening World may 
share somewhat in that advancement also. 
Starting the New Year in this mood we conclude 
as we began, by again wishing to all a very 
happy and prosperous time during 1891. 
he Royal Horticultural Society.— One 
product of the indomitable energy of the 
honorary secretary of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, the Rev. AY. Wilks, is the putting 
forth thus early of the programme of the 
society's work for the year 1891—published 
by us last week. It is not often found 
possible to so far antedate the labours of a 
society of this sort; but Mr. Wilks overcomes 
many difficulties, and he has proved himself 
to be such a model official that we look in 
A'ain anywhere for a gentleman fitted to take 
his place ; indeed, if Mr. Wilks has a fault 
at all, it is that his splendid capacity for work 
has made the selection of a successor exceed¬ 
ingly difficult, and one so able almost 
impossible. 
For this reason we hope to learn in Feb¬ 
ruary that the reverend gentleman has resolved 
to forego his intention to resign the office 
he so admirably fills, and to continue 
to discharge the duties of secretary for some 
time longer at least. With regard to the 
society’s programme for-the year, it includes 
the usual papers or lectures to be given at the 
ordinary meetings at the James Street Drill 
Hall. The Temple Flower Show is, of course, 
the chief exhibitive event of the year in the 
society’s operations; and we may well hope 
to see a brilliant show, and an equally 
brilliant company. The royal countenance 
bestowed last year on the show did materially 
help to create interest, but beyond that nothing 
useful for the society resulted. An injunction 
of the Psalmist naturally occurs to mind in 
connection with that event, and perhaps the 
Council will take it to heart. We note with 
satisfaction that the society has arranged for 
two conferences at Chiswick, as these gather¬ 
ings invariably prove to be the most practical 
and pleasant of the year’s meetings. The 
subjects are hardly exciting it is true, but we 
cannot be for ever dining on strongly seasoned 
foods. 
ardy Fruit Culture. —In spite of the 
snow and the fact that we are in mid¬ 
winter, the subject of hardy fruit culture is still 
in the air, and as evidence of the fact we have 
lying before us an address, published in 
pamphlet form, delivered to the students of the 
Aspatria Agricultural College so recently as 
the 19th ultimo by Sir James Whitehead, 
Bart., the Master of the Fruiterers Company. 
Whilst exhibiting unwonted interest in the 
subject of fruit culture during his Mayoralty 
of the City of London, Sir James became 
better known to horticulturists generally whilst 
aciiiK' as chairman of the committee which 
promoted the recent great show of fruit at the 
Guildhall; and whilst it is but too evident that 
the worthy Master of the Fruiterers Company 
has derived his knowledge of the subject 
chiefly from books or hearsay, none the less is 
his warm interest in fruit culture undoubted. 
It is at once curious and interesting to note 
in the pamphlet before us how readily ideas 
have been gathered, amongst other practical 
publications, from Our Hardy Fruits specially, 
a little work which only requires to be widely 
known to be at once as widely read and 
utilised for practical work. The themes of Sir 
James’s address are development of poultry and 
egg production, of butter making, and specially 
of fruit production by farmers. To this latter 
end especially various statistics are quoted, and 
some authorities—reliable and otherwise—of 
the merits of whom and of which practical men 
are better able to judge[than is even Sir James 
AYhitehead himself, much less the agricultural 
students of Aspatria. The great thing to show 
in the promotion of hardy fruit culture is that 
profit can be derived from it. It is not enough 
that it should be shown that the nation needs 
more fruit, and that such culture is at least 
patriotic. 
AA r e may not even be too assured as to the 
success attending the efforts of others hitherto. 
AYe want to know the dark side as well as the 
bright side of fruit culture, and that side of 
the question is too little told. Perhaps it may 
be added that it is not our place to show the 
dark side of the looking-glass—that those 
who embark in fruit culture will soon enough 
find out all about the losing, as well as the 
profit side of the business. AYell, we do not 
much care about that, as such doubt exists in 
every vocation; and probably those most 
likely to avoid failure and find success are 
those who exhibit the greatest energy and 
determination to succeed. It is, however, 
with a view to lead novices in hardy fruit 
culture up to ultimate success rather than 
failure that we have always advised progres¬ 
sion step by step, specially beginning with 
culture for the home circle, as offering a test 
of capacity of soil, of ability and of climate. 
In this country, in hardy fruit culture, 
we are more in the hands of climate, perhaps, 
than is the case in any other country in the 
world. 
AA’hilst we cannot too strongly deprecate the 
setting before the unlearned of flattering 
descriptions and exaggerated estimates, Are 
equally favour the telling of plain cultural 
truths to learners, that they may fully realise 
the difficulties before them, and the best 
methods of obtaining success. AA T hen Sir 
, James AYhitehead told the Aspatrian students 
of the huge Peasgood’s Nonsuch Apples and 
giant Pitmaston Duchess Pears shoAvn at the 
Guildhall, probably he hoped to arouse their 
curiosity and perhaps their energies to strive to 
emulate Avliat had been accomplished. Fruits 
of that sort are, however, cultural phenomena, 
and cannot enter into practical fruit culture 
for profit. Those Avhose aims are humble 
and yet practical, are the most likely to 
succeed. 
-- 
Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society.— 
AYe learn from Mr. Bruce Findlay that this society’s 
exhibitions next year will he held as follows :—Spring 
Shows, at the Town Hall, March 17th and April 2Sth ; 
Great AYhitsuntide Show, at The Gardens, opens on 
May 15th ; Rose Show, at The Gardens, on July 
18th ; and exhibition of Hardy Fruits, at the Town 
Hall, on October 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. It is not 
improbable that in connection with the Hardy Fruit 
Show a congress will be held, at which papers will be 
read and discussions take place, in order to give the 
meeting an educational character. 
Mr. S. Summers, who has been foreman at the 
Pi. H. S. Gardens, Chiswick, for several years, was on 
Tuesday last presented by the garden staff with a 
handsome writing case, accompanied by an address, 
expressive of esteem and goodwill on his leaving 
shortly to enter another sphere of labour. 
The National Chrysanthemum Society.—The mid¬ 
winter exhibition of this society is announced to take 
place at the Royal Aquarium, AYestminster, on January 
7th and Stb. How far the wintry weather has operated 
in keeping, or otherwise, late-blooming Chrysan¬ 
themums will be demonstrated on this occasion, and 
it is to be earnestly desired that all growers of the 
flower will co-operate to make this exhibition as 
successful as possible. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution.—AYe 
may remind those subscribers and friends who intend 
to be present at the annual “ Lark Pudding ” dinner, at 
Simpson’s, 101, Strand, on Thursday, the 15th inst., at 
six o’clock (after the annual meeting), when Mr. N. N. 
Sherwood will preside, and presentations will be made 
to Mr. H. J. Yeitch, treasurer, and Mr. E. Roger 
Cutler, secretary, that the stewards, Messrs. AYebber, 
Monro, Dickson and Baker have arranged that no 
tickets shall be issued after Monday, the 12th inst. 
Application for tickets should therefore be made as 
early as possible to Mr. E. Roger Cutler, 50, Parliament 
Street, S.AY. 
The Nursery and Seed Trade Association, Limited. 
—AYe regret to learn that it is Mr. F. C. Goodchild’s 
intention to tender his resignation as secretary of this 
association to the committee, at their meeting to be 
held on the 6th inst. Mr. Goodchild was appointed 
secretary in 1885, at a time when the affairs of the 
association were in anything but a rosy condition. He 
took over the duties when the membership was only 
forty-eight, and leaves the number at 151, besides by 
his tact and energy having largely contributed to the 
restoration of confidence in the association on the part 
of the trade, and made the association something more 
than a mere debt-collecting machine. 
The Severe Weather.—Tuesday in the metropolis 
was generally thought to be the coldest day we have 
had this winter, but this was owing to the rather cold 
north-east wind than to excessive lowness of tempera¬ 
ture as recorded by the thermometer. The Daily 
News says :—“ The records for the month of December 
show that the mean temperature in London has been 
the lowest recorded during the past fifty years. In 
the course of the month the thermometer in the 
metropolis has never risen above 45°, and this in 
common with the mean value is the lowest absolute 
December maximum on record. In the course of the 
past fifty years there have been only four Decembers 
in which the thermometer in London has failed to 
reach 50°, while in thirty out of the fifty it has either 
reached or exceeded 55°. ” A Northamptonshire corres¬ 
pondent states that at Sedgebrook on the 21st ult., 
and at Brampton House, about a mile away on the 
opposite side of the Nene, 30° of frost were recorded 
by reliable thermometers. 
Yeitch Memorial Prizes.—The trustees have voted 
the following medals and prizes for 1891 :—To the 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, one medal and 
£5 for the most meritorious dish of fruit in the 
exhibition. One medal and £5 for the most meritorious 
Orchid or stove or greenhouse plant in flower in the 
exhibition. One medal and £5 for the most meritorious 
and interesting hybrid fruit or plant ia flower in the 
exhibition. (In this class the word “hybrid” means a 
cross between two distinct species). In every case the 
subject is to be selected from the exhibits of amateurs 
or their gardeners competing in any of the classes. To 
the Grand Yorkshire Gala, one medal and £5 for the 
most meritorious Orchid or stove or greenhouse plant in 
flower, to be selected from the exhibits of the amateurs 
or their gardeners competing in any of the classes. To 
the Crystal Palace Autumn Show, one medal and £5 
for the best collection of twelve distinct kinds of 
vegetables. To the Royal Horticultural Society, one 
medal and £5 for the most meritorious collection 
of fresh cones with foliage, of hardy Conifers grown in 
Great Britain. To be competed for at one of the 
autumn meetings. 
Turner Memorial Prizes for JS9I.—At a meeting 
of the trustees of the Turner Memorial Fund, held on 
December 9 th, it was resolved that the sum of £30 be 
distributed in prizes this year, as follows It having 
been decided to hold an exhibition of Carnations and 
Picotees in July next, in the gardens of the Botanical 
Society of Birmingham, under similar conditions to 
those governing the northern and southern sections of 
the National Society, but for the benefit of the midland 
growers, the trustees have voted £10 to the prize-list. 
They also give £10 for the purchase of a Silver Cup as a 
special extra prize for the collection of fruit at the Edin¬ 
burgh International Exhibition on September 9ch, lQth 
and 11th, which in the opinion of the judges may be 
