80 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 6, 1888. 
in association with. them. On this occasion 
the literary work promises to be consider¬ 
able, as of the five days over which the 
conference will extend, two of them will be 
devoted to the reading of papers and 
discussions. Of papers, some considerable 
number—embracing various topics relating to 
Apples and Pears—have already been promised; 
and although it is admittedly hard to say 
much that is fresh in relation to hardy fruit 
culture, yet it is very probable that some of 
the papers may prove to be of particular 
interest. 
Specially so will any which bear upon the 
broad question of national fruit culture as an 
industry and for essentially national purposes. 
These are topics needing broad dealing. We 
are pleased to note that the executive com¬ 
mittee which has charge of the arrangements 
of the conference have declined to accept 
proposals to give to the various collections of 
fruits staged at Chiswick any form of dis¬ 
tinction. The press and the public can do 
that for themselves. Only in the case of 
new varieties of special merit will certificates 
be granted, whilst further, in the case of 
very meritorious examples of older kinds, 
special commendation will be given to such, 
but not to the entire collection or to the 
exhibitor. The limitation of the number of 
sorts shown by exhibitors in the respective 
classes, whilst materially reducing the gross 
total of dishes as compared with previous 
exhibitions, should also materially raise the 
average quality of the display—indeed, the 
good kinds should be as prominent as the 
bad ones should be as conspicuously absent. 
It is hoped that every effort will be made to 
have all samples staged early on the 16th, 
and certainly none will be removed until the 
evening of the 21st. The week of the con¬ 
ference promises to be an exceptionally busy 
one, and we hope that the attendance will 
be large also. 
Kew Gardens.— “A North London Yicar,” 
a few days ago, made the odd suggestion in 
The Standard that Kew Gardens offered 
great attractions for parochial gatherings and 
mothers’ meetings. The spectacle of a clergy¬ 
man conducting a large body of poor women 
through the various Kew collections, and 
expounding to them the modern ideas which 
exist in relation to development and evo¬ 
lution—dipping now into botany, now into 
Genesis, and now into Lubbock or Darwin, 
would indeed be a sight for the gods, and 
to which we could hardly object under any 
circumstances, however inconvenient it may 
be. 
But whilst clerical information is rarely 
of the practical or scientific order, it is ex¬ 
ceedingly doubtful whether any object higher 
than securing at a cheap rate a sort of 
happy hunting ground for parochial gather¬ 
ings animates the breast of the worthy 
clergyman of North London. There is a 
peculiar touch of human nature—indeed, 
very human nature, over the display of 
which the Kew authorities may well utter 
a groan of horror—in this clergyman’s sug¬ 
gestion that the new refreshment chalet is 
too inconveniently placed. Ahsions of mothers’ 
meetings held in this refreshment depart¬ 
ment, the chief elements of which are cake, 
tea, and parochial gossip, are bad enough; 
but if the idea be carried a little farther, 
and Kew be made the playground of the 
London schoolboy on the occasion of his 
annual outing, then indeed may we expect 
these grand gardens converted into a satur¬ 
nalia of boyish riotousness, and a wilderness 
of wanton mischief. 
Whatever may be our private views in 
relation to some Kew matters, at least we 
are very jealous for its reputation, and desire 
to see it maintained as a grand garden 
having world-wide fame. To associate such 
noble objects with mothers’ meetings and 
parochial gatherings does indeed indicate a 
fall from the sublime to the ridiculous. 
We are as anxious as any that all classes 
of the community should have full access 
to Kew; but let us at least draw the line 
at clerically-conducted mothers’ meetings and 
parochial societies. 
The Chrysanthemum Season.— In spite of 
the fact that Chrysanthemums begin to bloom 
in August, and may be found in abundant 
flower in September and October, it is 
evident that these precocious bloomers create 
but trifling interest in the minds of the 
average grower, whose thoughts are more 
largely centred upon those which make such 
grand displays from the beginning of November 
onwards. Already anxious inquiries are being 
made as to the probable nature of the season’s 
product of flowers, and we believe so far the 
reports are favourable. A cold wet summer 
has not badly affected a plant which naturally 
revels in a cold temperature, but the chief 
fear was lest the wood which was to produce 
exhibition blooms should not be fully matured. 
The warm dry weather of the past month, 
with some trifling breaks, has done growers 
great service, and now hopes run high that 
a really fine season of bloom is before us. 
-- 
Death of Mr. F. A. Dickson.—As we go to press 
we regret to hear of the death of Mr. Francis Arthur 
Dickson, for many years senior partner of the firm of 
Francis and Arthur Dickson & Sons, of Chester, now 
merged into Dicksons Limited. 
Gardening Engagement.—Mr. Charles Beranek, 
of the Imperial Botanic Garden, St. Petersburgh, as 
head gardener at Gorbanevka, Poltava, Russia. 
Clay Cross Horticultural Society.—Exhibitors and 
judges who have been in the habit of attending the 
very successful flower shows, held at Clay Cross, will 
regret to hear that Mr. J. Stollard, who for twenty-six 
years has been the secretary of the society, has found 
it necessary to resign the office into younger hands. 
Mr. Stollard has been unwearied in his attention to the 
duties of his office, and his uniform courtesy gained for 
him the goodwill and respect of all who had business 
with him. May he long enjoy his well-earned repose. 
Early Frosts: Severe Weather in the North.— 
Very severe weather for the season has been experienced 
in the early part of the week, and the glories of the 
garden have departed for this year. In Aberdeenshire 
the roads were covered with hail, and a friend coming 
south on Tuesday reported the Cumberland hills as 
being covered with snow. In the midland counties 
snow also fell heavily in many parts where the corn 
was still standing. A Burnley correspondent writes :— 
On Sunday morning we had 6° of frost, on Monday 10°, 
and on Tuesday morning 16°. All tender plants out¬ 
side are completely ruined, a disaster all the more 
annoying inasmuch as many things were only just 
coming to their best form after the cold wet summer. 
Monday morning’s frost was succeeded by a snowstorm 
of four hours duration, the general appearance of the 
country on Monday afternoon being that of December 
more than the 1st of October. On Wednesday 
morning in London the frost was very severe, com¬ 
pletely settling the bedding plants. 
National Apple and Pear Conference at Chiswick. 
—A meeting of the executive committee was held in 
the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, 
on September 27th. Papers to be read at the conference 
were promised by Messrs. G. Bunyard, J. Cheal, 
J. Douglas, E. Tonks, S. Hibberd, J. Fraser, W. Wild- 
smith, E. J. Baillie, M. Dunn, McDonald, Tallerman, 
T. F. Rivers, Saunders, Bear, and W. Paul. Great 
interest was manifested in the proceedings, promises of 
support being received from the leading growers. It 
was agreed that the conference be held in the con¬ 
servatory on Wednesday and Thursday, October 17th 
and 18th, the first day (October 16th) being devoted to 
the examination of the fruit, the general committee 
meeting at 3 p.m. for the formal opening of the 
proceedings. It was agreed that no prizes be awarded, 
but cards of commendation for special merit will be 
given by the committee. It was decided that the 
various papers be put in type, previous to the con¬ 
ference, for the more convenient use of the committee 
and press. The gardens will be opened to the public 
at 1 p.m. on October 16th. Notices of intention to 
exhibit should be sent to Mr. A. F. Barron, Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Gardens, Chiswick, not later 
than Wednesday, October 10th. 
The Society of American Florists have elected as 
their fourth president Mr. John N. May, the son of a 
Middlesex gardener. Mr. May is a descendant of an 
old Yorkshire family, who for several generations have 
been nurserymen and florists in that county. At the 
age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to the late 
J. B. Whiting, of The Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey, who 
was at that time well known as one of the best practical 
gardeners in England. After serving his time there he 
was employed in several large places, principally in the 
north of England, in various capacities—as journeyman, 
foreman, and head gardener, till in 1869 he landed in 
America. After working in various places in Canada 
and Vermont he finally located in Madison, N.J., 
where he shortly took charge of the Rose-growing 
establishment of the late E. V. Haughwont, and where 
he remained till April, 1880, when he started in 
business for himself at Summit, N. J. Mr. May is a 
very busy man, attending personally to the details of 
his large Rose-growing establishment at Summit, and 
has often remarked to his friends that he has never 
been idle or out of employment a single day since he 
was fourteen years of age. The unceasing care and 
attention to his business is undoubtedly what has. 
brought him success .—American Florist. 
Gardeners’ Reunion at Preston.—On Saturday 
evening last a very interesting gathering was held at 
the Old Legs of Man Hotel, Preston, under the auspices 
of the Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Society— 
namely, the annual reunion of the gardeners of the 
district. There was a good attendance ; Mr. Roberts 
was voted to be chairman, and he was supported by 
Alderman Galloway, J.P. (the ex-president), A. Tullis, 
Esq, (the newly elected president), J. Sellers, Esq., 
J.P., J. Foster, Esq., Mr. J. Atherton (secretary), 
Mr. Wm. Troughton, Mr. Ed. Paine, Mr. Blench 
(gardener to Lieut.-Gen. Fieldeh, M.P., Witton Park, 
Blackburn), Mr. Winn (Brindle Lodge), and Mr. Burns 
(gardener to Sir Henry de Hoghton, Bart., Hoghton 
Tower). After an excellently served dinner a number 
of toasts were honoured, and in submitting those of a 
loyal and patriotic character, Mr. Roberts spoke of 
the pleasure he experienced in finding so many 
gardeners present from the district. He also alluded 
to the perfect unanimity that prevailed among the 
members of the society under whose auspices they 
were assembled, and remarked upon the benefits 
arising from their social gatherings held each month. 
Alderman Galloway gave 11 Success to the Preston and 
Fulwood Horticultural Society, ” and coupled with the 
toast the name of Mr. Alex. Tullis, their chosen presi¬ 
dent for the ensuing year. Mr. Tullis acknowledged 
the compliment. Mr. Foster, in a few appropriate 
remarks, gave “ The Honourable Profession of Gar¬ 
dening.” Mr. Brindle proposed “ The Town and 
Trade of Preston,” and Mr. Swan submitted “Success 
to the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund and Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution.” “Our Employers” having 
been drank, Mr. Atherton gave 1 * The Press ” in 
eulogistic terms. 
- -«<- - 
NOTES ON THE LILY SEASON. 
As the Lily season is now drawing to a close, I send 
you a note of what it has been with us. The early- 
blooming Lilies were very good, we never before had such 
fine Lilium Brownii and L. Hansoni. L. Szovitzianum, 
L. tenuifolium, and some L. longiflorum bloomed well. 
L. candidum simplex in a few situations were good, but 
in most the leaves were attacked, became brown, and 
made no growth. L. Humboldti in sheltered situations 
were fine, but exposed on the hill went off quite 
suddenly in a few cold wet days, and all the buds 
became brown and spoilt. L. pardalinum and L. 
californicum where moderately sheltered were fine, L. 
auratum in exposed situations in full sun were good, 
and much less affected by the wet weather than most of 
those which were sheltered from wind. It seems that 
with our two largest beds of these, the one exposed on 
the hill-side is finest in cold damp years, and the large 
beds sheltered in the wood in dry hot years. 
The varieties, L. rubro-vittatum platypetalum or 
platyphyllum and L. macranthum had some very fine 
flowers, but most had one or two damaged by the drip, 
or bruised by the unusually heavy rain to which they 
were exposed. The finest growths we had were in beds 
in a wood at V7eybridge ; here the ordinary L. auratum 
had several stems from 9 ft. to 10J ft. high, and perfect 
blooms, which showed finely among the trees ; but even 
here, where bad weather has not till this year injured 
them, a good many were damaged. L. martagon 
dalmaticum in most situations were good ; L. tigrinum 
splendens flore pleno and L. Fortunei bloomed well, 
