January 18, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
317 
Forest fires have destroyed 250,000 bushels of grain 
and 1,000,000 tons of hay in Minnesota, North and 
South Dakato, and Manitoba 
Rain-makers and growing crops — For some years 
past experiments have been made in America for the 
purpose of producing rain. With this object in view, 
a company has been established in New York for the 
manufacture of small bombs, with which farmers 
and other cultivators may bring down showers of 
rain by exploding the bombs in clouds that may be 
passing over their lands. 
At the Penzance Natural History Society’s monthly 
meeting ou Friday night, the 10th iust., a very 
interesting and important paper on the Mosses 
found in West Cornwall, specimens of which were 
forwarded, was read by Dr. Montgomery, a digest of 
which we hope to give in a future number. A des¬ 
cription of two specimens of fungus was also des¬ 
cribed by Mr. A H. Teague. 
Botanical donkeys —In a certain district frequented 
by tourists, a job master announces that he can 
supply guides and donkeys who know every inch of 
the road amongst the mountains, even where no 
pathway exists, and can point out the places where 
the rarest and prettiest wild plants grow. The 
donkeys should be sent to Kew to complete their 
botanical studies.— Sttaqgs. 
Reading Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—The fortnightly meeting of this association was 
held at the " British Workman ” on the 30th ult., and 
was well attended. Mr. J. Woolford presided. Mr. 
Alexander Dean, of Kingston-on-Thames, delivered 
a lecture on “ Horticultural Work under the Surrey 
County Council.” He gave a lucid description of 
the admirable work that is being done by the 
Technical Education Committee of the Surrey 
County Council, to which the members listened wiih 
great attention. A discussion followed, at the close 
of which Mr. Dean was warmly thanked. 
Apple Culture in Cornwall—There is now a decided 
step in the right direction towards utilising much of 
the waste lands in the West of England for growing 
fruit trees. The cultivation of Apples on a large 
scale, for the purposes of cider making, has long been 
in vogue in Devonshire, and now it is apparent that 
much in the same direction will shortly be done in 
Cornwall During the last few weeks the system has 
been largely advocated and discussed at agricultural 
and other meetings; and it is thought that the 
County Council, ever ready to improve local indus¬ 
tries, and to foster new ones in place of those rapidly 
declining, will at once take the initiative. 
Presentation to Mr. William Coomber.—A m eting 
of exhibitors, judges, &c., at the exhibitions of the 
Royal Botanic Society took place at the Albeit 
Hotel, Victoria Street, S.W., cn the 14th iast., 
among those present being Messrs. H. J. Veitch, J. 
Laing, G. Paul, H. Williams, H. J. Cutbusb, R. 
Dean, J. O'Brien, H. Appleby, J. Hudson, J. 
Jaques, Gee. Wythes, G. Reynolds, G. H. Richards, 
T. W. Sanders, &c. A preliminary statement was 
made by Mr. Jesse Willard, the convener of the 
meeting to the effect that the council had dismissed 
Mr. Coomber from the post of superintendent of 
the Royal Botanic Society’s Gardens, after filling the 
position for a period of twenty years, on the ground 
that the straitened circumstances in which thesccie^r 
finds itself placed necessitated the cutting down of 
expenses, and though the council had treated Mr. 
Coomber with consideration they were unable to 
give him a pension or make him any retiring allow¬ 
ance. He thought the circumstances of the case 
justified him in calling together a few of Mr. 
Coomber’s friends to take the matter into considera¬ 
tion, and he desired to thank those present for re¬ 
sponding to his application. It was resolved that a 
fund be opened for making a suitable presentation 
to Mr. Coomber; that it should take the form of a 
purse of money; that those present should form a 
committee; that Mr. J. Willard, The Gardens, 
Holly Lodge, Highgate, be secretary, and Mr. H. J. 
Veitch, chairman and treasurer; and that a circular 
be prepared and sent to the fellows of the society 
and others. The sum of ^36 10s. was subscribed in 
the room, and regarded as a very satisfactory com¬ 
mencement. A hearty vote of thanks was passed 
to Mr. Willard for convening the meeting, and to 
Mr. H J. Veitch for presiding, 
Royal Botanic Society of London.—A Daffodil 
conference and show, also an exhibition of other 
spring flowers, will be held at the Gardens, Regent's 
Park, London, in the month of April. The exact 
date of the conference will be given as soon as it can 
be ascertained when the Daffodils will be at their 
best. Those interested in the conference and 
Daffodil show can ascertain the date by sending a 
post-card to the secretary at the end of March. Mr. 
F. W. Burbidge and Mr. W. Robinson have both 
promised to read papers, to be followed by others by 
eminent specialists and growers. There is no doubt 
the conference will prove both interesting and 
instructive, and will do much to promote the culture 
of this beautiful flower. 
Barwell Horticultural Society.—On Friday, the 3rd 
inst., the annual dinner of the committee of manage¬ 
ment of this society was held at the Three Crowns 
Inn. Amongst those present were the following :— 
Mr. W. Smith (president), Mr. J. Powers (treasurer), 
Messrs. J. W. Garrett and A. Herbert (secretaries), 
and several others. After ample justice had been 
done to the good things provided, the balance sheet 
was presented, which showed that last year the 
society's exhibition was a decided success. At the 
commencement of 1895 the balance in hand was 
/q8 15s. id., while at the present time the balance 
to the credit of the society and invested in 
the Co-operative Society stands at £56 13s. 6d. The 
report was accepted, and the remainder of the even¬ 
ing was spent in a convivial manner. 
The Seed Trade in Edinburgh.—For some time past 
there has been a considerable feeling that there 
should be an annual gathering amongst the many 
assistants engaged in the Edinburgh seed trade, and, 
thanks to the energy of one or two moving spirits, a 
" first annual ” was most successfully organised and 
carried out on Friday evening last In itself a new 
departure, it proved a very popular and enjoyable 
function affording opportunity of social intercourse 
which might with advantage be adopted at other 
large centres. The gathering took place at 
Aitcheson’s rooms, Queen Street, and a very excellent 
menu was well put on. Mr. Henry Erskine presided, 
and in the large company present, the leading Edin¬ 
burgh houses were strongly represented. After the 
removal of the cloth, the evening was devoted to 
song and sentiment, from which it was evident that 
an excellent feeling and much goodwill exists 
between the many engaged in the departmental work 
of the seed trade in the northern capital. 
Royal Agricultural and Botanical Society of Ghent. 
—The 162nd horticultural exhibition of the above 
society will be held from the 15th to the 17th of 
November next; and the competition will be open to 
members of the society as well as foreigners upon the 
conditions set forth in the programme. Gold, Silver 
Gilt, and Silver Medals are offered for competition in 
132 classes for Chrysanthemums, ornamental plants, 
and Orchids. Both flowering and fine-foliaged 
subjects are included under the heading of orna¬ 
mental plants, separate classes being reserved for 
Chinese Primulas, Cyclamens, Streptocarpus, 
Azaleas, Camellias, Conifers, Citrus, Dracaenas, 
and many others of a diversified character. The 
secretary is M. E. Fierens. 
-—*-- 
CHINESE PRIMULAS. 
These, now and onwards for the next few months, 
will make a pleasing display in the conservatory or 
greenhouse. They are also admirably adapted for 
indoor decoration ; while the double varieties are 
available for cutting purposes. They are a class of 
plants that have wonderfully improved during the 
last quarter of a century, and if anyone cultivates a 
bad strain nowadays it is their own fault, seeing 
there are so many beautiful varieties in the market. 
We have a fine batch of Carter’s " Holborn 11 
Primulas, and I may be allowed to say that they are 
the best strain that I have had to do with during a 
period of over twenty years that I have been a 
cultivator. The varieties comprise Holborn Queen, 
Carter’s Scarlet, Elaine, Holborn Salmon, Double 
Snowflake, Holborn Blue, and Double Lilac Queen ; 
they are all first-class and thoroughly distinct. 
Cultivation brings out the merits of a good strain, 
but it will never make a bad strain perfect. The 
grower should also take into consideration the time 
he will require his Primulas to bloom. The seed 
should be sown in March, if they are required to 
associate with the Chrysanthemums ; again in May 
to come in at the present time, and June for the 
latest batch. It is certainly preferable to sow at 
intervals rather than the whole at one time—say 
March—as by so doing it becomes necessary to pinch 
out the blooms by way of keeping them back; but 
in my humble opinion it thoroughly spoils Primulas 
if they are shorn of the centre whorl of bloom, and 
it should not be practised. 
The seed should be sown in well-drained pots, 
filled with light, rich, and sandy soil; water the soil 
in the pots before sowing and cover the seed slightly 
with fine soil or sand. Place them in gentle heat, 
