64 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September'2 9, 1888. 
frames, all insisted that I kept them too 
moist, and that they would all die. I 
knew better, having grown and wintered 
them with success. However, soon after, 
I left there and went back to Weeks’ 
nursery, Mr. Gruneberg, a German, being 
then the manager. One day, in the follow¬ 
ing winter, Mr. Simpson came across and 
asked to see my stock of Lobelias. I 
showed them to him, and turned a root 
out to show how full of life it was. He 
asked to take the root over to Cremorne, 
Avhere curiously enough, I had been suc¬ 
ceeded by Mr. Robinson, one of the men 
who had criticised my way of wintering 
the roots, and who had that season 
adopted the dry method. In return, Mr. 
Simpson brought over one of his dry ones, 
which I turned out, rubbed down before 
his face, and showed him that not a 
vestige of life was left in the roots.” So 
much for the diverse systems of keeping 
Lobelia cardinalis roots through the winter. 
Gas and Plants. —Our old friend related 
another incident, which has its moral even 
to-day. He said that “ at Cremorne a 
large lean-to house devoted to the growth 
of large - flowered and fancy Pelargoniums, 
abutted on to the King’s Road, and at one 
time it was found that at certain periods 
—especially when cold east winds prevailed 
and the house had to be close shut, that 
the foliage of the plants suffered severely, 
indeed, almost killed the plants. All sorts 
of conjectures were made as to the cause, 
some attributing it to the flues, some to 
various causes, but without success at first. 
Eventually it was thought that there was an 
escape of gas from the main in the adjoining- 
road, and that it percolated through the soil 
under the wall, and up to the house. 
“ That it did no harm as long as ventilation 
was afforded was natural, but as soon as the 
house was closed for the night only, the 
leaves were seen to curl, and after one or 
two nights more, to fall, so that the plants 
were valueless. A similar experience was 
found when I returned to Weeks’ nursery, 
for there a roomy span house abutting on to 
Gunter’s Grove was selected and prepared 
as a show house for large-flowered Pelar¬ 
goniums, and filled. The very first night, 
however, showed me that the soil of the 
floor was also saturated with gas, as at 
Cremorne, and I had the plants removed 
back to their old quarters the very next 
day.” These ancient facts serve to show how 
dangerous to plant life coal-gas is, and very 
likely since then many good plants have 
gone wrong through that evil influence, with¬ 
out the cause being suspected. 
The Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —Some of 
the young gardeners of Chiswick, members 
of the Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Society, which has its head - quarters at 
Chiswick Gardens, with others of the 
locality, are about to show a lead in relation 
to the above fund, which we hope to see 
widely followed elsewhere. Desirous of lend¬ 
ing in their modest way a helping hand, 
they propose to hold a soiree or social 
gathering of gardeners and other friends 
(ladies especially), at the roomy Chiswick 
Vestry Hall, on the 17th of next month, 
when all profits arising will be given to 
the Orphan Fund. That these can be large 
is impossible, as the charge for tickets is 
limited to one shilling each ; but on the 
other hand, the expenditure may not be 
great, and if friends will lend needful 
assistance to the promoters in helping to 
furnish entertainment, so much the better. 
The cheapness of the entertainment it is 
hoped may not be found its sole attraction; 
whilst not least, being held on the second 
day of the Apple and Pear Conference, it 
is hoped that it may become a real gar¬ 
deners’ gathering; whilst really social and 
pleasant intercourse may be abundantly 
found. One enthusiastic supporter has 
suggested that a good tiling for the Fund 
may result from the making and selling of 
button-hole bouquets, and has promised to 
send flowers. If more will do the same, 
or will help in the desired decorations, or 
in furnishing objects of interest and of 
amusement, a great success may eventually 
be recorded. 
-- 
A New Seed House in Dublin.—We understand 
that Mr. Spencer M. Hamilton, who for the last twenty 
years has been manager to Messrs. Drummond k Sons, 
of Dawson Street, Dublin, is about to establish himself 
in business in Henry Street. Mr. Hamilton is so well 
known and so much respected throughout the nursery 
and seed trade in Ireland, that a prosperous career in 
business should be assured to him. That he will have 
the hearty good wishes of his many friends may be 
taken for granted. 
Wolverhampton Gardeners'Association.—The third 
annual show of Chrysanthemums, organised by this 
association, will be held on November 19th and 20th, 
in the Agricultural Hall, Wolverhampton. 
The National Conference on Apples and Pears at 
Cliiswick.—Intending exhibitors and fruit growers 
interested in this important meeting, may be usefully 
reminded that the dates fixed for holding the same are 
October 16th to 20th, which will soon be here. The 
late fine weather has so wonderfully improved the fruit 
crops, that we may look forward to an exhibition of far 
greater excellence than could have been anticipated a 
few weeks ago. Arrangements are being made for the 
conference, which promises to be of a thoroughly 
practical character. Those intending to take part in 
the same should at once communicate with Mr. Barron, 
the secretary to the committee, at Chiswick. 
The United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society.—The annual dinner of this society is announced 
for October 11th at the Cannon Street Hotel; Dr. 
Hogg, F.L.S., in the chair, and Mr. H. J. Veitch in 
the vice-chair. At a meeting of the committee held at 
the Caledonian Hotel on Monday special sub-committees 
were appointed to provide and arrange fruit, flowers, &c., 
and it was stated that several nurserymen had promised 
plants for the decoration of the hall, and that the 
musical arrangements would be under the supervision of 
Miss Mary Belval. The committee of this useful 
society are desirous of being well supported upon this 
occasion. The dinner will take place at 5.30 p.m. 
Flowers for the Sick.—“Urbanus” writes:— “ I was 
lately pleased to see that the Liverpool Flower Mission 
have adopted a plan for collecting flowers for the 
hospitals which might easily be carried out at other 
places. They have large baskets placed iD conspicuous 
positions at the various railway stations, and which are 
used for the reception of flowers on certain days that 
are well known to the contributors. The flowers are 
regularly distributed amongst the various hospitals, 
and help to brighten up the surroundings of many a 
suffering fellow creature. It is a noble idea, and I am 
sure that were a similar plan adopted in London, there 
are hundreds of gentlemen coming into town every day 
who would feel a pleasure in contributing flowers for 
such an object.” 
The York Gala.—The name of Mr. John Wilson in 
connection with the York Gala is familiar to many, 
as he became its secretary thirty years since. He has 
just resigned the position, as he intends leaving York 
to reside near London, but he will be remembered 
with most kindly feelings by the exhibitors, judges, 
and others. He was always a true friend to the Gala, 
anxious to maintain its prestige, and on the look-out 
for extra prizes, by which to add to its attractions ; he 
collected about £550 in this way, in addition to 
generous donations from his own pocket. Mr. Charles 
Simmonds succeeds him, and will retain the old 
offices of the society, 13, Hew Street. The com¬ 
mittee have voted a handsome piece of plate to Mr. 
Wilson, as a token of their appreciation of his valuable 
services for thirty years. We also hear that several 
of the exhibitors and others who have been connected 
with the Gala purpose subscribing towards a presenta¬ 
tion to him as an expression of their regard and esteem. 
Agricultural Lectures.—The annual course of 
lectures on agriculture will be given at the City of 
London College, Moorfields, on Tuesday evenings, at 
7 p.m., beginning on October 2nd, by Mr. Bernard 
Dyer, B.Sc., F.C.S., F.L.S., consulting chemist to 
the Essex, Leicester, and Devon Agricultural Societies. 
The lectures will treat of soils, plant life, manures, 
tillage operations, live-stock, dairying, food, &c. The 
course will be in connection with the Government 
Science and Art Department, and will end in May. 
In addition to the College and other prizes, the Saddlers’ 
Guild offers, as in former years, a prize of £5 5s. to the 
student who passes the best examination in chemistry 
and agriculture. 
L'Orchidienne. — Under this name a society of 
Orchid amateurs was founded at Brussels on September 
23rd. Its objects are to promote a taste for the 
culture of Orchids by means of meetings or monthly 
shows, frequent conferences and annual exhibitions. 
The society starts with seventy members, and its 
prospects are good, as will be warranted by the following 
cast of officers and members. Honorary Presidents : 
MM. le Baron de Bleichroder, Consul-General of Her 
Britannic Majesty at Berlin, for Germany ; J. Linden, 
for Belgium ; Comte du Buysson, author of L'Orchid- 
ophile, for France ; and de Lansberge, for Holland, 
four other honorary presidents for other countries 
being named for the next general meeting. The acting 
committee consists of three members, unanimously 
elected for four years. President; G. Warocque, 
member of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium. 
Secretary: Lucien Linden, editor of the Lindenia. 
Treasurer: J. du Trieu de Terdonek. Monthly 
meetings committee : F. Kegeljan, D. Massange de 
Louvrex, J. Yan Yolxem, E. Rodigas, G. Miteau, 
L. Lubbers, J. Moens, A. van Imschoot, E. Wallaert, 
A. Lallemand, A. de Meulenaere, Comte A. de 
Bousies. The first monthly meeting will take place 
on the 14th October next, in the great show house 
of l’Hortieulture Internationale, 79, Rue Wiertz, 
Brussels. Among The founding members we find the 
following well-known names :—Ernest Bergman, J. E. 
de Puydt, Max Kolb, Maxime Cornu, A. de Warelles, 
Chevalier L. Modigliani, Dr. Franz Muller, de la 
Devansaye, Comte de Villeneuve, Pierre Mestchersky, 
Baron de Bethune, H. Grusen de Magdebourg, de 
Franciosi, F. de Cannaert d’Hamale, &c. Next spring 
it is intended to hold a grand exhibition of Orchids in 
connection with the society. 
-- 
NOTES FROM CARNARVON. 
At Treboth Park, Bangor, Yines and Peaches are 
splendidly grown. The Muscat of Alexandria has the 
largest and best finished bunches I have ever seen, and I 
feel sure that were Mr. Fitzpatric to enter them for 
exhibition he would gain many first honours at the 
leading shows. They are well worth going 100 miles 
to see. I also saw there some grand Alicantes well 
finished, and large bunches. The Peaches were nearly 
over, but still there were some fine fruits of Lord 
Palmerston and Late Admirable in the late house. 
Bronhendra, Carnarvon, is the residence of C. A. 
Jones, Esq., who takes no small delight in his garden, 
as can be seen by the great improvements that have 
been carried out by him during the last twelve months. 
If other gentlemen around Carnarvon would follow suit 
horticulture would soon look up. The useful borders 
made on the banks above the L. & N. W. Railway have 
yielded good crops of Strawberries. In the plant house 
he has a very nice lot of Begonias flowering very freely. 
Hoya carnosa, Madame Thibaut Ivy leaved Pelargo¬ 
nium, and an old plant of Vesuvius, which is carrying 
over 100 trusses of bloom, are well worth looking at. 
There is also a splendid plant of Asparagus plumosa 
nana, which took the first prize at Anglesea last week. 
Bronhendra has been well known for beautiful Ferns ; 
no doubt they are the best plants to be seen around 
this part, and always bring home the first prize. 
Glanbuna, near Carnarvon, is the seat of F. W. 
Foster, Esq., who has been in possession for about two 
years, and here, too, gardening is improving very much. 
Meeting Mr. Doddings, the gardener, he led me to one 
of the best ranges of glasshouses in North Wales, 
which was built by Messrs. Richardson & Co., of 
Darlington. Such houses as these are not seen every 
day in this county—they are up to the mark in every 
respect. The first is a vinery, in which the canes have 
made rapid progress ; the second division is devoted to 
plants, flowering and fine foliaged, and the third to 
forcing, and the culture of stove plants. Here was a fine 
batch of Gardenias and other winter-flowering plants 
growing on. Passing on we came to a long Peach 
house containing a very fine crop of handsome fruits. 
Great credit is due to Mr. Doddings for the many 
improvements carried out here in so short a time.— 
G. Tyler. 
