884 
tME GARDENING WORE!). 
February 7, 1891, 
Oyrtanthus lutescens. 
This species is closely allied to C. Mackenii, but while 
the latter has pure white flowers; 0. lutescens has clear 
yellow ones. The leaves are linear, and generally well 
developed while the plant is yet in flower. The blooms 
are tubular and slightly curved, with six short, some¬ 
what spreading segments. An umbel of these is 
developed at the apex of a peduncle about 1 ft. long. 
On the whole the flowers are smaller than those of C. 
Mackenii, but from the fact that they are produced in 
winter in a comparatively low temperature, we might 
argue that the plant merits some attention at the hand 
of the cultivator. 
The Fragrant Winter Flower. 
The weather is evidently not severe alike everywhere 
throughout the country, for a correspondent in the 
south sends us a richly-flowered spray of Chimonanthus 
fragrans grandiflorus. Short shoots, 2 ins. to 3 ins. in 
length, bore each from six to ten buds and fully ex¬ 
panded flowers, as richly scented as if the weather had 
been comparatively mild and favourable to plant life. 
Chimonanthus comes from cheimon, winter, and anthos, 
a flower, the first derivative being equivalent to the 
Latin heims, winter. The plant is a very close ally to 
the Allspice (Calycanthus), of which there are several 
very closely allied species or forms. The latter all 
flower in summer, and therefore do not compete with 
Chimonanthus fragrans for the esteem of the horticul¬ 
turist. The difficulty of propagating this plant is no 
doubt the reason why it is not more generally culti¬ 
vated. Except in favoured localities it produces no 
seed, otherwise the difficulty would be immediately 
overcome. Root grafting might be tried with reason¬ 
able hope of success. 
The Nicotina Fumigator. 
I have given the “Nicotina Fumigator” a thorough trial 
in a house full of Cyclamens that were infested with 
green-fly and thrip, and it completely destroyed them 
without hurting the blooms in the least. I have also 
tried it in pits and frames with the same result, and 
can with confidence recommend it.— J. TVoodhousc, 
Spring Grove, Sunningdale. 
This new and valuable fumigator cannot fail to be 
extensively used when it becomes known, not only for 
its cheapness, which is one consideration, but for the 
effectual way in which it does all that is required with¬ 
out the slightest injury to the most tender flower or 
foliage. This will be a great saving in labour to a good 
many gardeners, who, having certain tender plants in 
the house requiring to be fumigated, had to remove 
them before using the old material. This new substance 
is very easily set light to, “and when once started 
requires no further attention, it being allowed to burn 
itself out. As I have given it several trials I am 
pleased to say it has proved most effectual on Thrips, 
black, green and white-fly. I have used it both on 
stove and greenhouse plants, also Chrysanthemums in 
bloom without the slightest injury to any of them, at 
the same time proving itself fatal to each of the insects 
above named. I found three packets quite sufficient 
for a house of 9,600 cubic feet. I consider it the best 
fumigating material that has yet come under my 
notice.— J. Vert, Audley End Gardens. 
I am in a position to endorse the remarks made by Mr. 
Glen, Worth Park Garden, respecting the merits of the 
“NicotinaFumigator.” I had two packets sent me for 
trial, and which were used in a Cucumber house con¬ 
taining a miscellaneous collection of plants, including 
Tomatos infested with the white-fly. These it destroyed 
effectually without the slightest injury to the more 
choice and delicate plants that I had placed in the 
house.— TV. Parr, Patshull, 
Pear, Louise Bonne de Printemp. 
Laie Pears are more a desideratum than a reality. 
There are numerous Apples from which to select both 
early and late varieties, and the early Pears are moder¬ 
ately numerous, but late ones are few. The above 
variety, which comes into season in April, is oblong in 
outline, somewhat after the style of Marie Louise, but 
apparently is naturally a smaller fruit. The skin is of 
a deep russety colour and by no means attractive, but 
if of good quality when it comes into season its appear¬ 
ance will be overlooked. Last year at Chiswick in the 
gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society it bore a 
fair average crop ; but as the tree gains in size and 
favourable seasons suit it, the results may raise it in 
the esteem of cultivators. 
A Good Late Culinary Pear. 
The statement is sometimes made that it is unnecessary 
to grow varieties of Pears expressly for culinary purposes 
when dessert kinds may be turned to account in that 
way if so desired. It must be remembered, however, 
that the bulk of Pears which may be used for dessert 
purposes, keep but a comparatively short time, in fact, 
the ranks are greatly thinned by Christmas. Now, 
Catillac comes into use in December, and keeps good 
till April. The fruit is of such a size that few are 
required at one time. The tree also bears well, is 
hardy, and of robust constitution, so that it has 
qualities sufficiently numerous to recommend it to the 
attention of those about to plant. The broader top¬ 
shaped form of the fruit is one of its peculiar features 
and distinctive marks. The skin is pale green, some¬ 
times tinted with brownish red next the sun ; and the 
flesh is hard, crisp but gritty, white, and cooks well. 
From its size it is also known as the Pound Pear ; but 
there is another which shares that synonym, namely, 
Black Worcester, which is the type of the so-called 
Warden Pears. The tree should be grown as an 
espalier or bush, unless the situation is sheltered from 
high winds, as the large fruits are liable to be blown 
down. 
--— 
SOCIETIES. 
Manchester Royal Botanical and Horticultural. 
—The sixty-third annual general meeting of this 
society was held on the 28th ult., in one of the 
committee rooms of the Town Hall. The Mayor (Mr. 
Alderman Mark) presided. In moving the adoption of 
the report and financial statement the Mayor said that 
upon the whole they might be considered satisfactory, 
though not so much so as one might desire, for a society 
which had for its object the instruction and pleasure of 
this great community. It endeavoured to give both 
instruction and pleasure without any pecuniary benefit 
to individuals, and that was an object particularly 
worthy of public support. The Council had in a most 
praiseworthy manner provided attractions and enter¬ 
tainments for the ensuing year, which it was to be hoped 
would result in pecuniary success. With regard to the 
exhibitions the Mayor suggested that keener compe¬ 
tition would be created amongst growers of flowers, &c., 
if the prize list was so arranged that the same persons 
exhibiting the same plants should not secure the prizes 
year after year. Under the existing arrangements he 
thought people were discouraged from showing because 
they knew that certain exhibitors would carry all before 
them. Mr. Joseph Broome seconded the resolution, 
and drew attention to the various exhibitions that the 
society organised at various periods of the year, and 
which, he said, demanded, as they deserved, a wider 
support at the hands of the public. He advocated the 
establishment, in connection with the Botanical Society, 
of technical schools for gardeners, provided the necessary 
funds could be obtained. The resolution was passed. 
Mr. W. Slatter proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring 
Council. He suggested that efforts should be made to 
induce one or other of the railway companies to provide 
a station in close proximity to the gardens. Mr. W. 
Fogg seconded the resolution, which was adopted. 
Upon the motion of Mr. W. Nall, seconded by Mr. 
Pollitt, the Council for the ensuing year was appointed, 
with the Earl of Derby as president. Mr. S. Barlow 
proposed and Mr. Grimshaw seconded a vote of thanks 
to the Mayor for presiding. In putting the resolution 
Mr. J. Broome said he desired to add to it that the 
Mayor and Mrs. Mark be added to the list of patrons 
of the society. The resolution was passed, and the 
Mayor having acknowledged the compliment paid to 
himself and the Mayoress, the meeting terminated. 
Eccles, Patricroft, Pendleton and District Chry¬ 
santhemum.—The annual general meeting of this 
society wa3 held on Friday, the 30th ult., John T. 
Lewis, Esq., presiding. The annual report was pre¬ 
sented by the hon. secretary, Mr. H. Huber, and 
approved by the meeting ; it was considered a very 
satisfactory and encouraging one, and showed a con¬ 
tinuous advancement of the society in the number and 
quality of the exhibits, attendance, and financial posi¬ 
tion. The hon. treasurer, Mr. J. Hooper, read a 
statement of accounts showing a balance of £60 10s. 9 d. 
to the credit of the society. Captain Andrew proposed 
that the district of the society should also include the 
townships of Urmston, Flixton, Davyhulme, lrlam, 
Cadishead, Pendlebury, Swinton, Clifton, Worsley, 
Walkden and Boothstown, which was seconded by Mr. 
A. B. Wimpary, and carried unanimously. The 
following officers and members were elected on the 
committee of management for the present year :— 
Chairman, Mr. L. H. Larmuth; vice-chairmen, Mr. 
Wm. Elkin and Mr. James Derbyshire; hon. treasurer, 
Mr. John Hooper; hon. secretary, Mr. H. Huber. 
Committee : Mr. Joseph Banson, Mr. John Bayley, 
Mr. James Bradley, Mr. John Briddon, Mr. Thomas 
Buckley, Mr. John Clarke, Mr. John Hesketh, Mr. 
Richard Johnson, Mr. John Parr, Mr. James Ramsdale, 
Mr. John Roberts, Mr. James Smethurst, Mr. John 
Turner, Mr. W. B. Upjohn, Mr. W. Pownall, Mr. J. 
Blears, Air. William Smethurst, Mr. Thomas Morton, 
Mr. George Lee, Mr. J. Waterworth. The date for 
holding this year’s Chrysanthemum exhibition was 
fixed lor the 13ch and 14th November. 
The Croydon Gardeners’ and Amateurs’ Mutual 
Improvement. — The first annual general meeting 
of the members of this society, which has for 
its object the promotion and advancement of the 
science and practice of horticulture, was held at the 
County Hotel, West Croydon, on Tuesday last, the 
27th inst. The president, Sir Thomas R. Edridge, J. P., 
occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of 
members. The report of the proceedings for the past 
season was considered highly satisfactory. Several of 
the leading lights in the horticultural world had 
delivered most instructive lectures to the members at 
their meetings, and the members themselves had added 
interest to the meetings by bringing specimens of their 
skill in gardening ; for these latter, marks were given in 
accordance with the degree of cultural excellence 
displayed. The most successful exhibitor was Mr. C. 
Ritchings, gardener to C. Lindsay, Esq., The Brandries, 
Beddington, who gained the first prize with a total 
score of 141 out of a possible 144. The chairman 
expressed his gratification at seeing so large an atten¬ 
dance of members, and was pleased to find how 
prosperous the society was; he trusted it would 
continue to fulfil its objects as successfully in the future 
as it had done in the past. A hearty vote of thanks to 
thechairman for his kindness in being present concluded 
the meeting. 
Mereworth Cottage Gardeners’ Mutual Improve¬ 
ment.—The annual supper organised by the members 
of this society was held on Wednesday evening, 
the 28th ult.., and was in every way a success. Mr. 
Augustus Levey occupied the chair, and there was a 
large number present, including the president of the 
society (Rev. E. H. Stapleton), Mr. S. Lee Smith, Mr. 
W. M. Fearon, Mr. F. Reeves, Jun., Mr. S. H. Good¬ 
win, Messrs. J. Featherstone, W. Wells, Titus, W. J. 
Hawes, G. Rose, T. Cruttenden, J. Cruttenden, C. Bow, 
H. Dann, W. Cook, H. Markham, R. Chappel, &c. 
After justice had been done to an excellent repast, the 
chairman gave the usual loyal toasts, which was followed 
by “The Cottage Gardeners Society,”acknowledged by 
Mr. Woollet, Sen. ; “The Honorary Members,” acknow¬ 
ledged by Mr. W. M. Fearon ; “The Visitors,” acknow¬ 
ledged by Mr. S. LeeSmith ; ‘-The Trade oftheDistrict,” 
acknowledged by Mr. John Featherstone. Other toasts 
followed, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. 
Birmingham Gardeners’ Association.—At a meeting 
held on January 2nd, Professor Hillhouse, of Mason's 
College, gave a very able lecture on “Smatterings” of 
knowledge, abounding in good advice to young men in 
studying any subject. Messrs. Pope & Son contributed 
a fine specimen in full bloom of the Sacred Lily of 
China, Narcissus tazetta chiriensis. It was grown in a 
jar of water, and any other Polyanthus Narcissus can 
be grown in this way. Mr. Cooper, gardener to the 
Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., brought cut 
branches of various evergreens to show the damage 
done to them by the severe winter. Golden Hollies 
especially are injured. The Japanese Euonymus are 
cut down very much, and Laurustinus, Aucubas, and 
other things are greatly browned. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.—The twelfth 
annual meeting of this society was held on the 
31st ult., Mr. Thomas White presiding. In opening 
the business the chairman briefly referred to the 
great loss which horticulture had sustained in the 
neighbourhood by the deaths of Sir Thomas Moss, Bt., 
and Mr. Enoch Harvey, who had for a considerable 
number of years been warm supporters of the association 
and of horticulture generally. The report, which was 
read by Mr. E. Bridge, secretary, was a pleasant record 
of a satisfactory year's work, which resulted in a 
balance larger in value than has been obtained since 
