268 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 28, 1895. 
When we come to consider the classes of 
plants grown, and which interest the average 
cultivator, it is remarkable how closely they 
correspond with those held in high estima¬ 
tion in our northern latitude. Popular and 
standard florist varieties are practically 
identical rvith ours in the case of Dahlias 
and many others. We learn the same facts 
with regard to many greenhouse flowers 
Avhich are sent over here from time to time 
in a frozen state. Chrysanthemums to a 
considerable extent differ from ours owing 
to climatic differences and their effects upon 
the growth of those comparatively soft- 
wooded subjects. Generally, however, we 
feel surprised that the native plants at 
the Antipodes should be comparatively 
neglected and preference given to those 
that are the prevailing favourites in the 
northern country. Naturally, old associa¬ 
tions and usages are largely responsible for 
this result, and the showiest and most useful 
flowers will be cultivated all over the world 
Avhere the climate will permit of it. At the 
same time we should like to see our 
kinsmen making an attempt to improve the 
native floAvers just as has been done in 
Europe in the case of Roses, Pinks, Carna¬ 
tions, Pansies, Violas, Daisies, Annual 
Chrysanthemums, and others. At the 
same time it must be admitted that Ave 
have a predilection for exotic flowers of the 
far East and far West. 
When Ave turn to hardy fruits, such as 
they are understood here, it is obvious 
that the same species are cultivated in 
Victoria as in Britain, but the varieties 
are largely different. New ones have been 
raised in the former country that are 
tetter adapted for the climatic conditions, 
which play a more important part than 
soil. Apples are of leading importance, 
but Pears, Plums, Cherries, and, in some 
cases, Peaches, do remarkably well. 
The Apricot does not succeed well in the 
valley of the River Yarra nor in Gipps- 
land ; but in Avarmer and more northern 
districts it is one of the most prolific fruits 
in cultivation. 
--**-- 
Coffee Plantations occupy 2,000,000 acres of 
Brazil. 
The Welsh Onion is not a native of Wales, but of 
Siberia. 
Wild Celery is known in some districts under the 
name of Smallage. 
The Shallot is unknown in a Avild state, and is 
believed, on good authority, to be a modification of 
the Onion. 
Protection of wild birds useful to agriculture was 
the object of an international conference held in 
Paris about the end of June last. 
Berlin Industrial Exhibition, 1896.—The Prince of 
Wales has been gracious enough to accede to a 
request made by the Exhibition Committee and has 
promised to lend his valuable prizes won in the 
yacht races at Cowes, also those presented to him 
and to the Royal Yacht Squadron Club by the 
Emperor Wilhelm. These magnificent presents will 
later on be handed to the London representative of 
the Exhibition to be forwarded to Germany. 
Bristol Amateur Horticultural Society.—The annual 
meeting of this society took place on the nth inst. at 
the Colston Hall, and there was a good attendance. 
Mr. J. Walls (the president) opened the meeting 
with a few congratulatory remarks, and called on 
Mr. W. E. Turner (secretary) to read the annual 
report, which congratulated the society on the dis¬ 
tinct progress which had been made in all directions 
during the past year. The treasurer, Mr. E. G. 
Machon, presented the financial statement, which 
showed a small balance to the credit of the society. 
The report xvas adopted, and the election of officers 
for the ensuing year then took place. 
Logwood weighs 57.07 pounds per cubic foot. 
White Plume Celery is largely grown for seed in 
England to supply the American market. 
New Zealand Spinach is a native of New Zealand, 
Tasmania, and the south and west of Australia. It 
may have been introduced to Japan and Chili where 
it now grows wild. 
Evergreen and deciduous. —Ludus : '* O, my twin 
brother it is so difficult to teach you anything, that I 
regard you as an evergreen.’’ Jocus: "Then am I 
to look upon you as deciduous?’’ 
Mount Vesuvius is in eruption. At the Atrio del 
Cavallo, three distinct torrents of burning lava are 
descending in ever-increasing volume, and burning 
the Chestnut groves in their passage. 
A correspondent writing to one of our American 
contemporaries, says that there is no fun in 
fungicides, and growing Carnations with a squirt- 
gun (referring to the syringe) is weary work. 
Destruction of Plants.—Mr. Arthur Smith, 31, 
living at Willow Cottage, Spring Lane, Clapton, 
who had been gardener to Captain David 
Gibbs, as mentioned in our last issue, was, on the 
13th inst., at the North London Police Court, 
charged, on remand, before Mr. Paul Taylor, with 
the wholesale destruction of the plants in seven large 
greenhouses, doing damage to the amount of £150. 
The prisoner was found guilty, and Mr. Paul Taylor 
sentenced him to a month's hard labour for stealing 
a coat, and to three months’ hard labour for 
damaging the plants—four months in all. 
Horticulture at the Berlin Exhibition. —One of the 
special features of this gigantic Exhibition is to be 
an interesting and instructive department of horti¬ 
culture. On one of the best situated positions, near 
the main building, and between the recreation 
ground and Marine Panorama, will be opened five 
hectars for the sole purpose of the horticultural 
section. This portion of the exhibition, which is 
already partly completed, is being carried ont under 
the direction of the Economy Councillor, Herr L. 
Spath, an acknowledged authority on horticulture, 
and owner of the largest tree gardens in Europe. 
The Bruce Potato.—Our attention has been called 
to the report of the exhibits at the recent Smithfield 
Club Show, on p. 238, where mention is made of 
Carter's Bruce Potato, which our correspondent says 
is a mistake, as Mr. A. Findlay, of Markincb, xvas 
the “ original raiser and vendor ” of this now cele¬ 
brated tuber. On reference to Messrs. Carter's new 
catalogue we notice that the firm does not lay claim 
to the particular variety, so we are prepared to let 
Mr. Findlay have the honour due to him, and beg to 
express regret for the error evidently made by our 
representative, though the well-known fogs of Cattle 
Show week may well plead as his justification. 
Chrysanthemum and Fruit Show in Carlisle. —On 
the 9th inst. a numerously-attended meeting of 
gardeners and others interested was held in the 
coffee room of the Bush Hotel, Carlisle, for the 
purpose of discussing the desirability of promoting 
a Chrysanthemum flower show in Carlisle next year. 
Mr. C. Lonsdale, Rosehill, was voted to the chair ; 
and amongst others present were Mr. Watt, Jun., 
Knowefield ; Mr. Potter, Whitehall; Mr. Fairbairn, 
Botcherby ; Mr. Cairns, Stanwix; Mr. Blackstock, 
of the Orchard Company ; Mr. Sale, Botcherby ; 
Mr. Thompson, of Messrs. Little & Ballantyne's; 
Mr. Hay, Houghton Hall; Mr. Lowe, Murrell Hill ; 
Mr. Wilton, Corby Castle ; Mr. Roberson, Knells ; 
Mr. Hetherington, Brunstock, and others whose 
names are given below. After some discussion it 
was decided to form a society to be called the 
Carlisle and Cumberland Horticultural Society, and 
to hold a Chrysanthemum and fruit show under its 
auspices next autumn and possibly a floAver show 
earlier in the season. Mr. Sale, of Botcherby, was 
appointed secretary pro tem., and the committee then 
proceeded to appoint office-bearers. The Mayor of 
Carlisle was appointed president; a large number of 
gentlemen residing in the district were appointed 
vice-presidents , and Mr. Watt, Jun , KnoAvefield, Avas 
elected treasurer. A large Avorking committee was 
formed with power to add to its number. Another 
meeting, it was decided, should be held in the same 
place next month, for the purpose of drawing up 
rules, lists of premiums, &c. The use of the room 
was granted free of charge by Mr. Carr, the lessee 
of the Hotel. 
Argon, the recently discovered gas, caD only be 
obtained in very small and inappreciable quantity 
from vegetable and animal tissues as experiments 
have proved. 
Near the Lammermuir Hills forming the southern 
boundary of Haddington, long lines of Beech trees 
may be seen all leaning one Avay. This is due to the 
prevailing Avinds blowing from the west during the 
period of growth. 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners' Association. —Arrange¬ 
ments have been made for the annual dinner of this 
association to be held at Martin s Castle Hotel, 
Castle Street, Exeter, at 7 p m. on Friday January 3rd, 
1896. The committee hope that all who can will be 
present, as it affords the members an opportunity 
for pleasant intercourse and the cultivation of social 
friendship. 
"Useful Plants of Japan ” is the name of a book 
edited by the Agricultural Society of Japan, and 
sold by R. Kishimoto, Oimatsucho Sanchome, 
Kitaku, Osaka, Japan. It consists of three volumes 
containing 1,015 coloured plates of plants named in 
Japanese, Chinese, and Latin ; also one volume with 
descriptions in English ; and one volume consti¬ 
tuting an index of Japanese and Latin names, by 
either of which the plants may be found in the book. 
Veitch Memorial Medals and Prizes. —At a meeting 
of the trustees held on the 26th inst. it Avas resolved 
to present the Veitch Silver Medal to the folloAving 
gentlemen in recognition of their eminent services 
to scientific horticulture, forestry and arboriculture, 
viz.:—M. Henri Vilmorin, of Paris; Professor 
Sargent, Director of the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, 
U.S.A. ; Mr. F. W. Burbidge, M.A., Curator of 
Trinity College Botanic Garden, Dublin; and Mr. 
Malcolm Dunn, of the Palace Gardens, Dalkeith. It 
was also resolved to place at the disposal of the 
National Rose Society two medals and tAvo prizes of 
£5 each, one to be competed for at the metropolitan 
show held at the Crystal Palace, and the other at 
the northern show to be held at Ulverston. Also, 
there will be at the disposal of the National 
Chrysanthemum Society two medals and two 
prizes of £5 each, to be competed for at the 
jubilee exhibition of the society ; and one medal and 
one prize of £5 to each of the following provincial 
horticultural societies :—Ulster, Dundee, and Derby¬ 
shire. All communications respecting the Veitch 
prizes must be sent to the Secretary, A. H. Kent, 40, 
Doria Road, Fulham, and not to the Chelsea firm. 
National Amateur Gardeners’ Association. —On the 
evening of Wednesday, the 18th inst., the above 
association gave its fifth annual dinner at the 
Guildhall Tavern, Gresham Street, E.C. The 
president, Mr. T. W. Sanders, F.N. A.G. A., F.R.H.S., 
occupied the chair. The gathering was a large one, 
consisting as it did of the members of the associa¬ 
tion, Avith their wives in many cases, and friends, so 
that the large hall was filled. After justice had been 
done to an ample repast, the chairman proceeded to 
carry out the programme of the evening, commencing 
with the usual loyal toast, and aftenvards proceeding 
with the toast of the evening—"The National 
Amateur Gardeners' Association." In a concise 
speech he related the aim and objects of this body ( 
its membership, the affiliation Avith it of other 
societies of a similar kind, its progress since its 
inauguration, its monthly meetings for the reading 
of papers and the mutual improvement of the mem¬ 
bers, the exhibitions of fruits, flowers, and vege¬ 
tables, and the awarding of medals and certificates 
for meritorious exhibits. The dinner constituted a 
reunion once a year for encouraging and cementing 
social friendship. The presentation of medals, 
certificates, and prizes follotved soon after, and in 
this the chairman and the secretary, Mr. D. B. 
Crane, officiated. Mr. C. T. Green, in a humorous 
speech, gave the toast, " The President and Officers 
of the Association," to which the former responded. 
Other speakers were Mr. W. Cuthbertson (Dobbie& 
Co.), Rothesay; Mr. James Martin (one of the 
departmental foremen of Sutton & Sons), Reading; 
Mr. R. Dean, Ealing; Mr. J. Wright (Journal of 
Horticulture), who responded for "The Press’’; and 
Mr.Wooderson, who was one of the donors of special 
prizes. The following were amongst the prize- 
Avinners :—Mr. Dipper, Mr. Leonard BroAvn, Mr. A. 
J. Rowberry, Mr E. Smith, Mr. LeAvis, Mr. C. T. 
Green, and Miss Harman. A pleasant and enjoyable 
evening was spent. 
