June 13, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
649 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — The usual 
monthly meeting of this association was held on the 
2nd inst., Mr. W. M. Welsh, the president, in the 
chair. Several gentlemen were admitted as members, 
and others nominated for membership. Mr. Hugh 
Fraser, Leith Walk Nurseries, read a paper by Mr. 
Alex. Hutton, Dundee, on “The Leaf.” When, it 
was stated, we looked casually at the green leaf, we 
were apt to forget the important offices it performed in 
nature. Humble as its appearance was, without the 
leaf our world would be a desert. It was the great 
purifier of the atmosphere ; it was, in fact, the source of 
all life of the world. By its agency inorganic elements 
were changed into organic matter, and the whole 
circle of life kept in healthy action. The paper went 
on to deal in detail on the functions of the leaf, it 
being suggested that were it not for these functions the 
conditions of the world would not he compatible with 
the existence of animal life. At the close a short dis¬ 
cussion ensued, and it was cordially agreed that the 
thanks of the association be conveyed to Mr.'Hutton. 
Among the exhibits on the table were some Hydrangeas, 
carrying magnificent blooms, from Westerlea. 
Plants Certificated.—The Horticultural and Botan¬ 
ical Society of Holland have published in the form of a 
pamphlet the awards which have been made to plants 
during the years 1889 and 1890, by the society. 
Considering the various degrees of merit assigned to 
different plants, the list would be considered unneces¬ 
sarily long in this country from the fact that not only 
are first and second class certificates given, but that 
plants of “honourable mention” and those receiving 
votes of thanks are also recorded. The date of their 
exhibition and the exhibitors are tabulated, but what 
seems of greatest importance, and which is greatly 
neglected in this country, the motive for giving each 
award is recorded. The plant may be newly imported, 
newly raised from seed, insufficiently known, of 
superior culture or importance. If such distinction 
were always carefully made and recorded in this 
country, it would be an advantage to the general public. 
Collections of plants have also received awards, and 
some which are desired to be shown again are recorded. 
All the above awards were made by the Committee of 
Floriculture and Arboriculture. The Fruit and 
Vegetable Committee also made awards, but to a more 
limited extent. 
Window Gardening in London. —An authority upon 
horticulture, says the Daily (Graphic, has been finding 
fault with the limited choice of flowers used for the 
balcony and window-boxes of the London streets. 
Marguerites, Pelargoniums, Genista, and Calceolaria 
are practically the only idea3 which the florist, paid so 
much a month to keep the boxes in order, can find, 
says this critic, and scores of beautiful blossoms, quite 
as decorative and suitable, are passed over. It is evident 
that the pretty fashion is an increasing one, as, indeed, 
may be judged from a cursory glance upwards in any 
of the well-to-do districts, or else there would not be 
occasion for this advocate of Nasturtiums and Lobelias, 
Mimulus, and Poppy to dread yet another form of 
monotony to the dull grey of metropolitan bricks 
and mortar. It is, however, in the gloomy back 
streets that such little points of colour and fragrance 
are most wanted ; but there is certainly room to hope 
now that the fashion of keeping a few flowers outside 
will gradually reach all classes in time. Those who 
encourage it are to be commended, even if their range 
of flowers be limited; for any movement to brighten 
the dreary colourlessness to town views deserves the 
hearty support of all. 
The Discoverer of Laelia purpurata and L. elegans. 
—As recorded in the Revue de VHorticulture Beige for 
June, the Royal Agricultural and Botanical Society of 
Ghent, on the occasion of its annual exhibition on the 
10th of May last, entertained M. Framjois de Vos, one 
of the oldest gardeners in Ghent. Forty years ago, in 
March, 1852, the society awarded a gold medal to that 
gardener for having introduced several new plants from 
Brazil, amongst which Laelia purpurata shone in the 
first rank. That Orchid was very popular in Belgium 
then as it is now, and a group of fifty well-flowered 
plants was exhibited by MM. Vervaet & Cie, in honour 
of their confrere. At a banquet offered by the society 
to the judges of the exhibition, a place of honour was 
reserved for the old gardener, who replied in charming 
terms to the toast proposed by the Count Kerchove de 
Denterghem, the president of the society. All the 
guests were happy to hear the valiant gardener relate 
how he had discovered and successfully introduced L. 
purpurata and L. elegans into cultivation. 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.—At a meeting of the execu¬ 
tive committee, held on the 5th inst., Mr. Wright presi¬ 
ding, the honorary secretary announced the receipt of the 
sum of ten guineas from Mr. John Wills, as a birthday 
offering, and Mr. Wills was most cordially thanked for 
his generous gift. The committee learnt with much 
pleasure that the directors of the Royal Aquarium 
have given Mr. Richard Dean permission to hold a 
Rose Fair at the Aquarium in aid of the Fund, on 
the occasion of their Rose Show on the 24th and 
25th inst. Mr. Dean will be pleased to hear from 
any one willing to give of their abundance of Rose 
blooms for a good cause. Reports were submitted 
with reference to the General National Collection to be 
made this day (Saturday), and the Grand Floral Fete 
and Rose Fair to be held at the Crystal Palace on July 
15th. It may also be stated for the information of the 
young cricketers among our readers, that one of the attrac¬ 
tions of the Crystal Palace Fete will be a cricket match— 
Gardeners v. The Seed Trade. Mr. Molyneux, The 
Gardens, Swanmore Park, Bishop’s AValtham, has 
kindly undertaken to captain the team of Gardeners, 
and Mr. C. H. Sharman, Houston Road, Forest Hill, 
S.E., that of the Seedsmen. Both these gentlemen will 
be glad to hoar from good players willing to give their 
services on the occasion. 
Manure for Orchids. —A Kew correspondent of The 
American Garden states that the most striking 
demonstration of the effects of fish manure on 
Orchids has been furnished from a garden in 
Herefordshire. — “A Mr. Spencer, an enthusiastic 
cultivator of Orchids, has lately sent to Kew a 
spike of Cypripedium Spicerianum bearing three 
flowers. This is the only instance on record of a three- 
flowered spike of this Cypripedium, twin-flowered ones 
being by no means common ; yet the plant from which 
it was cut bore altogether seventeen spikes, no less 
than thirteen of which were double-flowered, three only 
being single. Now this plant was bought six years 
ago, and at that time was accommodated in a 4-in. pot. 
It has been systematically treated with fish manure, 
and there can be no doubt that to this, combined with 
careful attention, its extraordinary vigour is due.” 
-—>3?o- 
THE PERSIAN RANUNCULUS. 
The name Persian is applied to a particular race of 
the garden varieties raised from Ranunculus asiaticus. 
The characteristics of this race are that the flowers are 
perfectly double, compact and even, with regularly 
overlapping petals. The colour varies considerably in 
different forms or varieties of the race, but the general 
characteristics as above given are well shown in the 
accompanying illustration. The race known as the 
Turban form is much coarser in habit and in the form 
of the flowers, but possesses the additional recom¬ 
mendation of being hardier, and more adapted for 
bedding-out purposes. The tuberous rootstock reminds 
us of what is seen in our British wilding, Ranunculus 
Ficaria. These roots as obtained from the growers 
appear in a half dried condition, and should not be 
planted till spring, or at least till all danger of 
prolonged severe or wet weather is past. Speaking 
generally, the end of February or the beginning of 
March would be a suitable time to plant for the warmer 
parts of Britain ; but towards the north of Scotland the 
operation should be deferred some weeks later, according 
to the nature of the season. All the kinds will grow 
in any rich but light and friable soil ; but in order to 
succeed with the more tender and finer kinds, beds 
should be specially prepared for their reception. 
Remove the natural soil to a depth of 2 ft., and see that 
the drainage is perfect. Then fill it up with a prepared 
compost of loam, two parts, peat and cow-dung, one 
part, and a liberal amount of sharp sand. This should 
be prepared, and the beds filled with it some time 
previous to planting. 
-- 
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 
I HAVE just read with much interest your corre¬ 
spondent’s remarks on the Begonias at the Temple 
Show. When I hear that Mr. Laing and Mr. Cannell 
divided the honours between them, I can well under¬ 
stand that the exhibition must have been something 
to remember ; but while agreeing with much which 
falls from the writer in regard to the subject generally 
—especially as to the pitch of excellence already 
reached by the single varieties—I must venture, with 
all respect, to differ from him when he seems to suggest 
that the field of improvement is almost exhausted for 
the doubles also. 
The intending grower might imagine that, this 
being so, he has only to buy a packet of seed of the 
highest quality, grow a few thousand seedlings, and so 
possess himself of a first rate collection of double¬ 
flowering Begonias. But would the event justify the 
expectation? When every single plant of say 5,000 
seedlings had been bloomed and selected, would he be 
able, in the months of August or September, to point 
to two dozen of them, and claim that in each case he 
had a first rate double variety which was scarcely 
susceptible of improvement ; plants with rich 
leathery foliage and thick short growth ; flowers of 
glowing colours on stout stems, carried (without 
artificial support) just above the leafage, camellia¬ 
shaped, with large round petals of good substance, and 
centres neither over-crowded nor uncovered ? 
Why, it is hardly too much to say that in the bright 
scarlet, pure white, and golden yellow varieties there 
is not one such specimen to be found, though the 
talent, both English and Continental, has been working 
in these directions for years ! We have done well with 
the singles, and have made great strides with the 
double varieties ; but in the case of the latter, many 
difficulties remain to be overcome, so that one may 
venture to prophesy that it will be many years yet 
before even the amateur hybridiser may give up hoping 
to produce annually a few novelties, which the largest 
and most experienced grower may desire to possess. 
—Somersetshire Rector. 
-- 
THE CLAY-COLOURED WEEVIL. 
A paragraph is going the rounds of the newspapers 
concerning a “New Terror for Fruit Growers.” The 
terror in question is the Clay-coloured Weevil 
(Otiorhynchus picipes), a very old enemy to the fruit 
grower, gardener and market gardener, and which has 
devastated gardens, vineries and market grounds in 
different parts of the country for many years past. 
Like many other insects, it is more plentiful in some 
seasons, and in some districts than others, and although 
naturalists cannot say definitely what controls or encou¬ 
rages their increase at stated times, yet there can be no 
doubt that the amount of available food has much to do 
with it. Judging from its doings at various times, 
the Clay-coloured Weevil may almost be described as an 
omnivorous feeder. The plants it will attackand destroy 
in its different stages are certainly very numerous. 
Many years ago Kirby related the destruction of 
hundreds of newly-grafted Apple trees in a single night 
in the nurseries around London by Curculio vastator, 
otherwise Otiorhynchus notatus, both old names applied 
to the weevil under notice. Other names applied 
rightly or wrongly to the same pest are Curculio Yitis 
and Otiorhynchus vastator. The latter specific name 
was given in relation to its destructive propensities. 
Curtis relates having received specimens of the weevil 
from the vicinity of Kettering, in Northamptonshire, in 
1847, where they were destroying Peas, Beans, Turnips, 
Savoys, Kale, Broccoli, and other winter greens. In 
1879 the enemy was reported from Cornwall as doing 
great injury to the Raspberry canes. Last year Mr. 
R. D. Blackmore, of Teddington, related his unfortu¬ 
nate experience with the pest in his vineries. Fruit 
trees of various kinds on walls suffer serious injury 
from the weevil ; and this year the cry comes from the 
gardens of Kent, where the pest is decimating the 
Raspberry, Gooseberry, and Currant plantations. 
The larvfe are fleshy, flat, white, legless maggots 
with a hazel-coloured head, and feed upon the roots of 
various plants and trees from about August till the 
following spring, when they pass into the pupae state 
and emerge as perfect weevils in comparatively a few 
days. Numerous specimens sent us the other day from 
