326 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 23, 1892. 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL 
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
The annual meeting of the supporters of this 
Institution was held at “ Simpson’s,” Strand, on 
the 15th inst., Mr. H. J. Veitch presiding. On taking 
the chair Mr. Veitch referred in appropriate terms 
to the National loss which had been sustained by the 
death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and at 
his suggestion it was unanimously resolved that a 
sympathetic expression of condolence with the 
Royal Family be sent to H.R.H. the Prince of 
Wales, the Patron of the Institution. The usual 
preliminary business being concluded, Mr. G. J. 
Ingram, secretary, read the following report of the 
committee:— 
“ In presenting the 53rd report of the Gardeners' 
Royal Benevolent Institution, the committee are 
glad to be able to state that the benevolent objects 
for which the charity was founded — now more than 
half a century ago—have been carried out during 
the year 1891, and they would congratulate the 
members and subscribers on the continued and in¬ 
creasing usefulness of the institution towards a 
deserving class of the community. 
"The committee desire to draw attention to the 
successful anniversary festival in July last, which was 
in a great measure due to the kindness of the Right 
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain in presiding, and to whom 
the committee would express their sincere thanks for 
the eloquent manner in which he pleaded the cause 
of the institution on that occasion. The committee 
are also anxious to express their grateful acknow¬ 
ledgments to those gentlemen who acted as stewards, 
and to those friends who so kindly sent flowers and 
fruit, which so materially helped in making the fes¬ 
tival a success. 
“ The committee deplore the loss of many friends 
during the past year, amongst whom were His Grace 
the Duke of Devonshire (a vice-president of the 
institution), Mr. W. Richards (a member of the com¬ 
mittee), Mr. Joseph F. Meston (also a member of the 
committee and formerly one of the auditors). All 
these gentlemen were warm friends of the institution, 
and will be much missed. 
" The committee have also to record the loss they 
have sustained by the death of Mr. E. Roger Cutler. 
He had held the office of Secretary to the institution 
for fifty years, and was untiring in his energies and 
indefatigable in his zeal on its behalf, and the com¬ 
mittee gratefully recognize~his efforts and take this 
opportunity of expressing their deep regret at his 
decease. 
“ During the year now closed sixteen pensioners 
have passed away, three of them leaving widows; 
and these, after full investigations being found 
eligible, have been placed on the pension list in 
succession to their late husbands in accordance with 
Rifle 7. One of them, however, was not destined 
to enjoy the pension for long, for she died before the 
year closed, thus surviving her late husband only a 
few months. 
"In consequence of representations made to the 
committee they approached the son of a pensioner 
with a view to his foregoing the pension hitherto 
awarded to his mother. They are glad to announce 
that he met the committee in a kindly spirit and 
acceded to their requests, thus relieving the com¬ 
mittee from any further payments on account of this 
pension. 
" The committee desire to draw special attention 
to the fact that they ha-ve been enabled during the 
past year to expend in pensions and gratuities the 
argest amount on record, viz., ^2,739 16s. 8d. This 
they consider is a matter for much congratulation. 
" They have also determined to increase the 
number of pensions now on the book by thirteen, to 
be elected this day—six of them are recommended 
to be placed on the list without the trouble and 
expense of an election under Rule 7, the remaining 
seven to be elected in the usual manner. In thus 
increasing their liabilities the committee would con¬ 
fidently appeal to the many generous supporters of 
the institution to strengthen their hands by making 
its needs and the benefits it dispenses more widely 
known, so that the funds • may receive a larger 
measure of support, 
“ Mention should also be made of the death of 
James Wells at the age of 103. He had been a 
pensioner for 31 years, and during that time had 
received no less a sum than /521 from the funds. 
" In conclusion the committee would point out that 
this is the only society for granting pensions to 
gardeners and those engaged in horticultural 
pursuits in their old age. During the time the 
institution has been in existence they are pleased to 
remind their friends that upwards of ^55,000 has 
been distributed in pensions and gratuities to aged 
and infirm gardeners and others. They would there¬ 
fore earnestly appeal for continued and increased 
support to enable them to add to the number of 
pensioners and to carry on the good work in future.” 
On the motion of Dr. Masters, F.R.S., the report 
and statement of accounts for the past year (pub¬ 
lished in our last issue) were adopted nan. con. On 
the motion of Mr. James Webber, Mr. Veitch was 
again unanimously elected treasurer, and most cor¬ 
dially thanked for his services during the past year. 
Mr. A. Outram moved that Mr. H. Williams, Mr. H. 
J. Cutbush, Mr. W. Y. Baker, Mr. Osborn, and Mr. 
James Hudson be elected members of the committee, 
and this resolution was also carried without dissent. 
Mr. George Munro moved that Messrs. John Lee, 
James Webber, and Jesse Willard be re-ap- 
pointed auditors, and this also was agreed 
to, as also was a resolution, moved by 
Mr. H. Williams, that Baron Schroder and 
Messrs. Baker, Cathay, Webber, and G- Munro 
be appointed arbitrators for the ensuing year. Mr. 
John Lee then proposed the election of Mr. G. J. 
Ingram as secretary, and in so doing alluded in feel¬ 
ing terms to the death of his old friend, Mr. Cutler. 
They had, however, succeeded in securing in Mr. 
Ingram a most able successor to him, and who had 
already given abundant promise of ability to carry 
out the duties of his office in a manner that would 
give satisfaction to all. The motion was seconded 
by Mr. Wythes, supported by Mr. Veitch, and carried 
unanimously. On the motion of Mr. W. Denning, 
John Alvey, Ellen S. Child,* Charlotte S. Cornwell, 
John Mundy, Simon Ross, and James Smith 
were placed on the pension list without the 
trouble of an election; and on the motion 
of Mr. B. Wynne it was resolved that as 
three pensioners had died since the issuing of the 
voting papers, the three next highest on the list after 
the seven for which the election took place, be 
placed on the pension list that day. Messrs. H. 
Williams, Arthur J. Veitch, and B. Wynne were 
elected scrutineers, and at the close of the poll the 
following were declared to be duly elected:—Mary 
Elizabeth Gray, Reigate (2523), Henry Martin, 
Redland, Bristol (1968), Henry Bartholomew, 
Hornsey (1892), Louisa Jennings, Huyton Quarry, 
Liverpool (1876), Jane James, Honiton (1839), 
George Medland, Exeter (1799), Lydia Bostock, 
Bootle (1586), Jemima Grace Truran, Launceston 
(1534), R. Elphinstone, Norwich (1400), and 
Elizabeth May, Bagshot (1224). The figures 
indicate the number of votes polled by the candi¬ 
dates. 
In the evening about 100 members and friends 
dined together under the presidency of the Rev. W. 
Wilks. 
-- 
NEW 4 ww Pliflpg. 
The undermentioned subjects were exhibited at the 
last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on 
the 12th inst., and received Awards of Merit. The 
Orchids that were honoured with Certificates are 
mentioned under Orchid Notes and Gleanings. 
Primula sinensis Pink Queen.— The leaves of 
this beautiful variety of Chinese Primrose are inter¬ 
mediate, as it were, between those of the ordinary 
cordate type and the fern-leaved, and the variety 
might without much impropriety be included in the 
latter group. The whole plant is very vigorous, with 
short, broadly-oblong, shallowly-lobed leaves, all 
parts of which are of a light green. _The flowers 
are very large, much undulated, or wavy, with broad 
overlapping segments, and are of a warm pink, with 
an orange eye tinted with green. 
Primula sinensis Peach Blossom.— All parts 
of the leaves in this case are of a light green, but 
the plant is very vigorous. The flowers are large, 
flat, or only slightly wavy, with broad overlapping 
segments of a deep peach-pink. The eye is five- 
lobed, or nearly circular, orange coloured tinted with 
green, and surrounded by a narrow white line. The 
leaves are of the ordinary cordate and lobed type. 
• We regret to state that Mrs. Cjiild died the same day, 
Both this and the previous variety were exhibited by 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent, and were 
certainly fine sorts. 
Canna Alphonse Bouvier.— Cut stems bearing 
leaves and flowers of this fine Canna were exhibited 
by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. The leaves are 
lanceolate-elliptic, and of a deep glaucous hue. The 
flowers are very large for a Canna, and of a brilliant 
crimson-scarlet ; the segments are also broad, re¬ 
sembling those of C. iridiflora Ehemanni. The 
variety should be valuable if it can be regularly 
flowered in winter. 
MAGIC AND FLOWERS. 
My first thought was tricks with flowers, but I finally 
concluded to treat the subject differently. As far 
back as history will carry us there have been magi¬ 
cians, wonder workers, men who were supposed to 
be possessed of supernatural powers, giving them a 
place high among the rulers of the nation. At the 
same time mention is made of the lavish use of 
flowers at the entertainments and feasts of the 
ancients, so that these subjects may be said to be 
linked together in history. 
At the beginning of the world we learn of the beauti¬ 
ful garden of Eden, commonly supposed to contain all 
the varieties of flowers on earth. Adam has been called 
the first gardener, as he was placed there to enjoy 
the enchanting spot and keep out all intruders. Then 
the gardener was counted among the "upper ten,” 
as Adam was married to the first lady in the land. 
It is the enchantment, the magical effect that 
flowers convey with them that in a great measure 
makes our business. If it were not for the beautiful 
sentiments they arouse and are used to voice we fear 
that many a flower would bloom to " blush unseen 
that is now the object of admiration. 
“ Bring flowers to crown the cup and lute ; 
Bring flowers—the bride is near ; 
Bring flowers to soothe the captive’s cell ; 
Bring flowers to strew the bier.” 
“ Flowers so blue and golden, 
Stars that in earth’s firmament do shine. ” 
" In the cottage of the rudest peasant, 
In ancestral homes where crumbling towers, 
Speaking of the past unto the present, 
Tell us of the ancient games of flowers,” 
" And with childlike, credulous affection 
We behold their tender buds expand, 
Emblems of our own great resurrection, 
Emblems of a bright and better land.” 
We might continue to’quote volumes of poetry and 
prose, for flowers have been the favourite theme of 
poets in all ages. 
How often we hear the expression, " yours is a 
lovely occupation, surrounded continually by such 
beauty. If I had to choose a business I should 
certainly be a florist.” 
" All the praise that has been sung 
Is justly due the flower, 
But have we not some claim against 
Some part in nature’s dower ? ” 
There is no doubt about flowers being beautiful; 
perfectly grown they compel admiration, they make 
a place for themselves, and it is our business to keep 
that place filled. Herein lies the magic in the busi¬ 
ness. To change flowers into money—Ah! that's 
the trick. We are all magicians, performing our 
tricks with more or less success, and on the measure 
of our success depends our reward. 
The loving swain’s first attentions find expression 
in the cluster of flowers, blushingly ordered ; the 
effect produced is cause for another and still an¬ 
other, until the best that nature yields is hardly good 
enough ; finally comes the bouquet ; presto 1 what a 
wonderful change the flowers have wrought, the 
lovely girl becomes a bride, and presto ! another 
change, the swain disappears, we see him no more; 
there must be something wrong about the construc¬ 
tion of a great many bridal bouquets. 
" Oft has the poet’s magic tongue 
The Rose's fair luxuriance sung.” 
The magicians of Her Majesty, the queen of 
flowers, are perhaps the most numerous. Theirs is 
a grand calling, waiting on the queen (and what a 
wait some of them do have), looking for her to come, 
this way and that, because some one has told them 
or perhaps they have read about her journeyings in 
some book or paper. Finally, after many disappoint¬ 
ments and almost without hope, they set out them¬ 
selves to find her, carefully noting the surroundings 
as they go; they are after a while in the right path 
and soon their majesty’s treasure box is open to 
