December 8, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
229 
was, for the first time for some years, held at the 
Crystal Palace, which, in the opinion of the Committee, 
is, all things considered, the most suitable building in 
or near London for the purpose. Although not quite 
as accessible as some other places that might be selected, 
it, on the other hand, possesses many special con¬ 
veniences for holding an extensive display of Rose 
blooms, such as the liberal schedules issued by the 
society invariably brings together. Notwithstanding 
all the drawbacks of an untoward season, it was a grand 
show, and under the experienced supervision of the 
garden superintendent, Mr. W. G. Head, all the neces¬ 
sary arrangements were carried out with exceptional 
completeness. The provincial exhibition at Darlington, 
although somewhat marred by the unpropitious cha¬ 
racter of the weather, was undoubtedly one of the best 
Rose shows of the year, and great credit is due to Mr. 
E. R. Whitwell for the ad¬ 
mirable way in which every¬ 
thing connected with it was 
managed. 
During the past year a 
supplement to the society’s 
catalogue, containing a 
specially-selected list of the 
varieties which have been 
sent out since the catalogue 
itself was published four 
years ago, has been issued 
free to members. Copies of 
both catalogue and supple¬ 
ment are now on sale, and 
can be obtained on appli¬ 
cation to either of the 
honorary secretaries. 
After the annual general 
meeting last year, a meeting 
of the secretaries of societies 
affiliated to the National 
Rose Society was held, 
which, considering it was the 
first gathering of the kind, 
was well attended. The 
object of this meeting was 
to arrange, as far as possible, 
a list of Rose shows for 
the ensuing year. It is 
sincerely to be hoped that 
at a similar meeting, which 
will take place at the same 
time this year, some more 
definite arrangement may 
be come to by which the 
suicidal clashing of Rose 
show fixtures might next 
season be prevented. 
Taking into consideration 
the unusually large amount 
expended during the past 
year in prizes, and the cost 
of publishing the supplement 
to the catalogue, the financial 
position of the society re¬ 
mains very satisfactory. 
The arrangements made 
by the committee for 1889 
are as follows :—The Metro¬ 
politan Exhibition will again 
be held at the Crystal 
Palace, the date fixed being 
Saturday, July 6th ; while 
it has been decided to hold 
the Provincial, or Northern Exhibition, in the 
Sheffield Botanical Gardens on Thursday, July 18th. 
The society has already held two Rose shows at 
Sheffield., the first time in 1881 and again in 1883, and 
on both occasions has received a warm welcome and 
generous support. The committee of the Sheffield 
Botanical Society have entered so heartily into the idea 
of a third exhibition being held there, that there is 
every prospect of it proving an unusually successful 
one. Moreover, the locality selected for next year’s 
Provincial Show is centrally situated and easily reached 
by rail from most parts of the kingdom. 
During the course of next summer, the Council of 
the Royal Horticultural Society propose holding a Rose 
Conference in their gardens at Chiswick, and has in¬ 
vited the co-operation of the National Rose Society. 
It is as yet too early to state anything very definite 
respecting this gathering of Rosariaus, but it has been 
understood that it will follow somewhat on the lines of 
the recent Apple and Pear Conference. Should this be 
the case, Roses, will, no doubt, be largely exhibited 
for the purpose of classification, while papers will be 
read and discussions held. The committee cannot but 
regard a Conference on Roses, such as that suggested 
by the Royal Horticultural Society, as a step in a 
direction much needed, and as likely to lead to valuable 
results, which could not well be secured in any other 
way. They have accordingly appointed a sub-com¬ 
mittee to co-operate with the Royal Horticultural 
Society in this matter. 
As in former years, subscribers of £1 are entitled to 
two private view tickets, and four transferable tickets 
admitting at the same time as the general public ; 
while subscribers of 105. are entitled to one private 
view and two transferable tickets. New members will 
each receive a copy of the society’s illustrated catalogue 
of Exhibition and Garden Roses, together with a copy 
of the supplement issued during the past year. 
In conclusion, the committee desire to present their 
best thanks to their local secretaries, and especially 
to those who by their zeal and energy have contributed 
so much towards advancing the society’s interests. 
-- 
PARAFFIN AND ITS USE IN 
THE GARDEN. 
Since it was discovered that paraffin was an effectual 
insecticide and remedy against many of our garden 
pests, its use has largely extended, and is ever 
increasing. Although it may be somewhat dangerous 
in the hands of the inexperienced, yet if used with 
care and applied as directed, its use will not only be 
found effectual, but safe. Appended are a few among 
the many uses to which it may be applied, and good 
results obtained. 
It has now proved to be one of the best remedies in 
preserving seeds sown in the open ground against the 
ravages of birds and mice. If Peas are soaked in it a 
minute or two before sowing, it will prevent mice— 
which are a great nuisance in some gardens—from 
interfering with them ; and even when the Peas are 
through the ground, the sparrows seem to have an 
aversion to the young leaves, and generally leave them 
alone. Radishes, and all members of the Brassica 
tribe, may with safety be steeped a few minutes in it 
before sowing. This will effectually keep away 
chaffinches and other birds that are so fond of this kind 
of seed when sown without dressing. This, I have 
found, prevents the ravages of the common house 
sparrow, which of all the feathered pests is certainly 
the worst to deal with. 
Then, again, those who cannot grow spring-sown 
Onions on account of the ravages of the grub of the 
Onion-fly, may easily do so by steeping the seeds a 
minute or two before sowing, and after they are 
through the ground watering them overhead with a 
mixture of paraffin oil and 
water. Add a 60-sized pot 
of paraffin to a four-gallon 
can of water, with the 
addition of a little soft 
soap to cause the oil to 
mix. Be sure that it is 
thoroughly well mixed 
before applying it. The 
same treatment will also 
hold good with regard to 
Carrots. Most gardeners 
know what a trouble they 
are to grow in some soils, 
and those who are so situated 
I can strongly advise to try 
the paraffin. By giving 
about three applications of 
the mixture during the 
growing season they will 
have little trouble with 
Carrots or Onions. 
The oil applied with 
water, as here recommended, 
not only acts as an insecticide 
but as a fertiliser as well. 
At a flower show where some 
good Carrots were shown, an 
enthusiastic and successful 
amateur, who was examining 
the roots, observed, “Ah! 
he has been using paraffin, 
they are cleaner than ever 
he has had them before.” I 
asked if he used it in grow¬ 
ing his. “ Yes, I use it for 
all my vegetables, it gives 
them such a clean appearance 
on the exhibition table.” 
Here was an amateur using 
it—not only for his Carrots 
and Onions, but also, as 
he told me, for his Potatos 
as well. Could any of your 
readers who have tried it on 
Potatos say if it is of any 
use for keeping off the 
Potato fungus ? Next year 
I shall certainly try it on 
some Potatos, to see if it 
makes any difference. 
Where Apple or Pear trees 
are infested with scale, a 
mixture of paraffin and 
water should be made double 
the strength recommended for Onions, and the trees 
well syringed in the autumn after the leaves have 
fallen. This will be found to be one of the best means 
of cleaning them. For the destruction of American 
blight, perhaps the best way to apply the oil is by 
means of a stiff brush, using but little, and rubbing it 
well into the crevices of the bark where the blight has 
affected the trees. In the neighbourhood of London, 
and, I believe, all large towns, sparrows are very fond 
of the buds of Gooseberries and Currants. I have pre¬ 
vented their attacks by the use of two 60-sized pots of 
paraffin to a four-gallon can of water, adding a half¬ 
peck of soot and the same quantity of freshly-slacked 
lime, mixing the whole together, and applying with a 
syringe (using the jet) to the bushes. Before trying 
this mixture, all prominent buds used to be devoured, 
and there was little fruit to gather in consequence ; 
but since using it, I have not been troubled by the 
birds attacking the buds. 
In using it as an insecticide for soft-wooded stove or 
greenhouse plants, it is well to caution beginners 
Specimen Double-flowered Ivy-leaved Pelargonium. 
