648 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 13, 1891. 
are associated with gardening will feel a special 
impulse to aid in the efficient maintenance of a 
fund which appeals to their professional 
sympathies so strongly as does the Orphan 
Fund, and thus make the newly established 
Saturday collection a great success. The fund 
pays annually for the maintenance of thirty- 
nine fatherless children no less a sum than 
£ 507, and there are other little ones now 
eligible and waiting anxiously for help in their 
hour of need. The fund also is most 
efficiently and economically administered. 
There are no costly offices, no official expenses 
other than those which are absolutely needful; 
indeed, it would be difficult to find any kind 
of philanthropic fund which is more generously 
administered, or where the needful expenditure 
for management is relatively so small. 
The government of the fund also is in 
admirable hands, a body that is at once 
thoroughly representative and practical, 
exercising over the finances a very scrupulous 
control. It cannot he too strongly urged in 
favour of the management of the fund that 
orphans deriving benefit are all treated alike, 
and one and all are no longer eligible to receive 
pecuniary help after reaching the age of 
fourteen years. This is an age when the State 
itself admits that children are fit for employ¬ 
ment, and therefore it would he wrong that 
they should longer receive the fund’s benefits. 
We may point out, however, that the committee 
have power to expend a sum not exceeding 
£10 in either apprenticing a child to some 
vocation or in otherwise helping it to start in 
life, and that, it must be admitted, is indeed a 
beneficent object, as thus something practical 
is done to complete the work of due provision 
for the orphan. 
But we need hardly now write a pathetic 
appeal on behalf of the fund. To all who 
garden and love their gardens long ere now 
should the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund have 
become familiar in their mouths as household 
words, therefore we with some confidence look 
for a sensible pecuniary result from the newly 
promoted collection. As a more cheerful 
subject we may remind our readers that it is 
also proposed to hold a grand Floral Fete and 
Rose Fair at the Crystal Palace on July 15th, 
in aid of the fund, when much that is bright, 
joyous and beautiful will be associated with an 
intensely pathetic object. 
*19 oy Gardening. — We may bo said to have 
lighted upon the age of technical educa¬ 
tion, that is, if talk is education. Hot so long 
since it will be remembered that a huge sum 
of money was allocated by the Imperial 
Exchequer to the County Councils to enable 
those bodies to carry out technical education in 
their respective areas, but so far little has been 
accomplished. We hear, too, of colleges, and 
of similar institutions in which what is called 
technical education is jiresumably given even 
in horticulture and agriculture. But amidst 
all the excitement created over the various 
proposals as to education made especially in 
relation to gardening, it seems largely 
to have been overlooked that already in our 
reformatories, industrial schools, and various 
charitable institutions very much in the way 
of practical instruction has long been given, 
and of a most useful kind. 
We have in mind just now one of these 
institutions, which thoroughly deserves the 
support of the benevolently disposed — which 
is designated as “ The School of Handicraft 
for Destitute Boys,” and which is situate at 
Chertsey, Surrey, where one department, that 
of horticulture and agriculture, is under the 
charge of Mr. A. J. Brown, whose warm 
sympathy with the objects of the institution, 
and large experience give ' ample promise of 
success. It is very instructive to learn that 
prior to Mr. Brown’s advent at the institution 
the boys nearly all favoured the carpenter’s 
shop for trade instruction, but under the 
admirable teaching of the gardener and bailiff, 
gardening and farming have become with the 
lads’ favourite vocations, and well are they 
trained in their outdoor occupations. 
There may not be much of the theory of 
either subject taught, but we have long had 
ample evidence that for success in either 
gardening or farming nothing excels hard well- 
grounded practice. That is given at Chertsey, 
as indeed we have no doubt whatever it is 
given at many similar institutions. One good 
thing at this institution is that every effort is 
made to make it self-supporting. That 
experience is valuable instruction, because it 
teaches lads to be economical. We should 
be pleased did the opportunity offer for us to 
inspect the work of the boys in this case 
during the ensuing summer. The sort of work 
they turn out will give the best evidence of 
what sort of workmen eventually the boys will 
make. Doubtless much is being done at 
institutions of this sort to help solve the 
pressing problems of technical education and 
providing for the destitute. 
-- 
Scottish Pansy Society.—Southern growers who 
may be anxious to try a tilt with their Scottish confreres 
may be usefully reminded that the annual exhibition of 
the Scottish Pansy Society takes place on Friday next, 
the 19th inst. 
Orchids by Special Train.—The collection of 
Orchids formed by the late Mr. John Gair, at Falkirk, 
which has been purchased by the Liverpool Horti¬ 
cultural Co. (John Cowan), Limited, was removed by 
special train to Garston on the 4th inst. 
A Botanic Garden for New York.—We learn from 
American exchanges that the movement for the estab¬ 
lishment of a Botanic Garden for New York is making 
substantial progress, plans having been discussed and 
influential committees formed to further the project. 
Veitch’s Manual of Orchidaceous Plants. — Part 
VII. of this exceedingly useful publication has just 
been issued, and is devoted to Phalsenopsis, Aerides, 
Vanda, Angreecum, Arachnanthe, Renanthera, Rhyn- 
ehostylis, Saccolabium, Stauropsis, &c. 
Improvements at Sandringham.—We understand 
that the Prince of Wales is at present having con¬ 
siderable improvements effected in the glass-houses and 
gardens at Sandringham. These include the erection 
of a large hothouse, which, together with the intro¬ 
duction of new heating apparatus, has been entrusted to 
Messrs. Mackenzie & Moncur, Edinburgh. 
Proposed Great Flower Show in New York.— 
What is expected to be “ the greatest floral exhibition 
ever held in America ” is announced to be held in 
Madison Square Gardens, New York, in November 
next. The exhibition will be open from the 2nd to 
the 8th. 
Tea Roses will form the subject of a lecture to be 
delivered at the afternoon meeting of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society on the 23rd inst., by Mr. T. W. 
Girdlestone, of Sunningdale. As the National Rose 
Society’s exhibition of Tea Roses will take place on the 
same day, Mr. Girdlestone should have a large and 
appreciative audience. 
Gardening Appointments.—Mr. David McBride, 
foreman from The,Gardens, Dupplin Castle, Perth, has 
succeeded Mr. Masters (who retires on a pension) as 
gardener at High Legh Hall, Cheshire; Mr. A. 
Blanchett, from Penllergare Gardens, Swansea, as 
gardener to the Earl of Dunraven, Dunraven Castle, 
Glamorganshire. 
Meehan's 3Ionthly.—We have received the first 
number of this new American monthly periodical, 
which is to be devoted to general gardening and wild 
flowers, and edited by Mr. Thomas Meehan, of German¬ 
town, Philadelphia. In style and appearance it follows 
pretty much the lines of the old American Gardeners’ 
Monthly, which Mr. Meehan edited for so many years 
with conspicuous ability. 
Proposed Winter Garden for Edinburgh.—At a 
recent meeting of the Edinburgh Town Council the 
Lord Provost’s Committee submitted sketch plans of a 
proposed winter garden in West Princes Street Gardens. 
Questions were raised as to the cost of the building and 
the suitability of a site mentioned at the western 
extremity of the gardens. Further discussion of tho 
matter was delayed until next meeting, when probable 
estimates and other information sought would be 
forthcoming. 
The Manchester Rose Show.—A schedule of quizes 
has just been issued for the Rose Show to be held in 
the Botanical Gardens at Old Trafford on July 18th. 
There are eight classes for nurserymen, seven for 
amateurs, and four open only to residents within 
twenty miles of Manchester, and special prizes will be 
awarded for Ranunculuses, Pinks, Pansies, and hardy- 
grown Herbaceous flowers. Nurserymen are invited to 
compete with three bouquets of Roses, which are to 
become the property of the Council, who will send 
them to the sick wards at the Royal Infirmary. 
Floral Decorations at Chertsey.—On the occasion 
of the ceremony of opening the new house at the 
School of Handicrafts, Chertsey, on Saturday last, by 
the Duchess of Albany, the floral decorations were 
most tastefully carried out by the gardener, Mr. A. J. 
Brown. Among the special features were a very fine 
lot of Rhododendrons and Azaleas lent by the Messrs. 
Fletcher, of the well-known Ottershaw Nursery, and 
which formed pleasing groups on either side of the 
entrance. The committee were also greatly indebted 
for a most liberal supply of cut blooms of Rhododen¬ 
drons from the Messrs. Jackman, of Woking, and for 
loans of plants from J. L. Baker, Esq. (Mr. Osborn, 
gardener), C. Boye, Esq. (Mr. Woodger, gardener), 
and — Otter, Esq. (Mr. Stuart, gardener). 
Floral Fetes on the Thames.—During the last yea^ 
or two, illuminated river fetes have been held at various 
times during the summer months on the Thames at 
Richmond. This year the fetes will be held on the 
evenings of June 12th, July 15tb, and August 12th. 
A new feature is to be added to the usual attractions, 
and processions of boats decorated with flowers will be 
held on the afternoons of June 27th and August 22nd. 
A committee will award a challenge cup to the most 
prettily and tastefully decorated boat. Should the 
weather be fine there will no doubt be a large concourse 
of spectators on each occasion, as has generally been the 
case before : and when such amusements come to be 
anticipated annually, a larger multitude of people get 
drawn together. 
The Royai Horticultural Society’s Dinner.—We 
understand that the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
dinner at the Hotel Metropole, on Tuesday, June 23rd, 
promises to be a great success. Amongst the invited 
guests of the society who have already accepted the 
invitation of the Council, we may mention the 
American Minister, the Greek Minister, the Right 
Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. the Earl of 
Rosse, the Right Hon. Sir Lyon Playfair, Bart., M.P. ; 
the Lord Justice Fry, Sir James Paget, Bart. ; Sir 
Joseph Lister, Bart. ; Sir James Whitehead, Bart., 
F.R.H.S. ; Sir Henry Thompson, Mr. Sheriff Farmer, 
F.R.H.S. ; Mr. Brymer, M.P., F.R.H.S.; Dr. 
Farquharson, M.P. ; General H. P. Donnelly, Norman 
Locker, Esq., S. B. Bristowe, Esq., Q.C. ; Dr. Aitchison, 
The Mayor of Croydon, Dr. Herman Weber, H. W. 
Lawrence, Esq., F.R.H.S., &c., &c. 
Chrysanthemum Show in Tasmania.—The annual 
Chrysanthemum Show of the Northern Horticultural 
Society of Tasmania was held at Launceston on April 
23rd, and from papers to hand we learn that it was of 
a very satisfactory character. Mrs. Thrower was 
welcomed home after her trip to Europe, and thanked 
- by the committee for the admirable way in which she 
had represented the society at the Centenary Cele¬ 
bration at the Royal Aquarium in November last. 
Prominence was given at the exhibition to the 
photographs of the late Mr. William Holmes, general 
secretary of the National Chrysanthemum Society, and 
his successor in office, Mr. Richard Dean. The photos 
were in separate frames and placed on view on the 
tables, while a framed copy of the address presented to 
Mrs. Thrower by the parent society was also exhibited. 
The Royal Horticultural Society of Perthshire. 
—The monthly meeting of the members of the literary 
branch of this society was held on the 3rd inst., Mr. 
Galloway, Ballendrick, presiding. A paper was read 
by Mr. McKenzie, gardener, BallechiD, Ballenling, on 
“Modes of Gardening in this and other Countries,” a 
subject from which he drew some very interesting 
accounts of gardening as it is both at home and abroad. 
The paper throughout was most instructive, and 
listened to with great attention by the members of the 
society. An interesting discussion followed. Some very 
fine fruits of the Hackwood Park Tomato were 
exhibited by Mr. Sharpe, gardener, Freeland, which 
were much admired for their colour and fine quality. 
A vote of thanks having been awarded Mr. McKenzie, 
the meeting was adjourned until 2nd July, when a 
paper will be read by Mr. Kieller, Errol Park, on “ The 
History of Plants.” 
