March 14,1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
446 
Flower show at Craigo—The annual show of the 
Marykirk and Logie-Pert Horticultural and Indus¬ 
trial Society is arranged to be held on August 22nd 
next. 
A gardener with an eye to eradicate every weed on 
the walks kept the boy constantly on the job. Not 
being afraid of work the boy often went to sleep 
beside it. The gardener oneday seeing him nodding, 
shouted, “ Pull up the weeds a little faster.” Boy : 
■<Wi—isht ! I see a fine one coming, and you’ll 
frighten it back.” 
Lectures at Shaldon.—Mr. C. Berry, F.R.H.S., 
instructor in horticulture under the Devon County 
Council, has just concluded a series of lectures in the 
Shaldon Board School. The average attendance has 
been about twenty out of twenty-six who joined the 
class. The course has given great satisfaction and 
the lecturer was heartily thanked. 
The Orchards of Brittany are very different from 
those of England, being mostly on arable land instead 
of on grass. The arable land is deeply cultivated, 
and carries a rotation of crops, special attention 
being given to the manuring of the land. One of the 
manures recommended for Apple trees is a mixture 
of nitrate of soda, sulphate of iron, and basic slag. 
The trees in the orchards are planted in rows running 
north and south, at considerable distance apart, and 
they are most carefully kept, it being quite an 
exception to see an ill-kept or decaying tree. 
Handelingen der Vast Commissien.—This is the 
title of a brochure recording the awards which have 
been made to fruits, flowers, and plants during the 
past year, by the permanent committees of the 
Dutch Horticultural and Botanical Society. Amongst 
other things. First-class Certificates were accorded 
to Anemone japonica Coupe d’Argent, Chionodoxa 
Luciliae roseo-alba, Vriesia suringariana, Incarvillea 
Delavayi, Abies concolor argentea, numerous Cactus 
Dahlias (most of which are of British origin) and 
other subjects. Some Second-class Certificates, 
Botanical Certificates, and Certificates of Merit were 
also accorded. Only one Apple and a variety of Pea 
represent fruit and vegetables which bave been 
certificated. 
The Gardeners of Dunoon and District dined on 
Friday evening, 6th inst., to the number of about 
forty, in the George Hotel, ” mine host ” of which 
being, until lately, a “knight of the spade.” 
Commissioner D. Miller occupied the chair, and Mr. 
R. Cameron acted as croupier. After an excellent 
repast, the customary loyal and patriotic toasts were 
put from the chair and duly honoured. The croupier 
in a felicitous speech proposed the toast of the gather¬ 
ing, “Dunoon and District Gardeners,” to which 
the chairman replied. “ The Town and Trade of 
Dunoon,” proposed by Mr. Currie, was acknowledged 
by the chairman. Mr. S. Martin proposed “ The 
Dunoon Commissioners "in a humorous speech, 
Commissioner Miller acknowledging the sentiment. 
Other toasts followed. The vocal and instrumental 
selections were numerous and excellent, being taken 
part in by Messrs. Dewar, Robertson, Taylor, 
Nugent, Cameron, Spiers, &c. After pledging 
“ The Host and Hostess,” and before singing 
“ Auld Lang Syne,” the hope was expressed that 
the gathering would become a “ hardy annual.” 
Woolton Mutual Improvement Society.—The usual 
fortnightly meeting was held on Thursday of last 
week at the Mechanics Institute, Mr. Hogan in the 
chair. The subject for consideration was “ The 
Culture of the Carnation,” by Mr. Charles Young, 
of West Derby, who confined himself strictly 
to the practical details of growing this 
fashionable flower. Distinct directions were 
given for the Malmaison section, in which 
the requirements were not quite the same as 
for other varieties usually grown in pots. The most 
suitable composts for layering, cuttings, pots, and 
borders were submitted, soot, lime rubble, and sea 
sand being strongly recommended. Insect pests and 
their eradication were gone into with the most 
approved means of prevention and cure. The 
special work of the exhibitor was considered as to 
the number of flowers, with proper attention whilst 
on the plant, and the most approved mode of 
dressing and staging. A discussion followed, in 
which several members took part, and at the 
conclusion an unanimous vote of thanks was tendered 
to the lecturer for his practical and comphrehensive 
paper. 
Re Coomber Testimonial.—The committee have 
resolved to close the fund being raised for the above 
purpose on March 31st. The amount subscribed up 
to the present is £113 4s. 6d. Those friends who 
have promised subscriptions are asked to forward 
without delay to Mr. H. J. Veitch, the treasurer ; or 
to Mr. Willard, the secretary. 
An Early Rose.—On Sunday, March 1st, I was 
surprised to find a large fine Rose in my flower 
garden. No shelter whatever had been given it and 
yet it had withstood the cold winds without sustain¬ 
ing injury. — Sniggs. P.S.—I forgot to say that it was 
the rose of a watering-can. — S. 
Asparagus Sprengeri is a species that will evidently 
push its way in the near future as a greenhouse 
plant. The plant is of elegant drooping habit when 
grown in a pot or basket and the branches allowed 
to assume their natural habit. Gardening (American) 
has a figure of it in the number for February 15th. 
The English Illustrated Magazine.—This well-known 
magazine has several interesting articles in the 
March number, and the illustrations are both 
numerous and well executed, including admirable 
illustrations of the Queen and various members of 
the Royal Family, at different ages. “ Minor 
Memories of Lord Leighton,” by Wilfred Meynell 
will doubtless interest a great many. " The New 
Light,” the discovery of Professor Roentgen, adds 
another impetus to the progress and value of 
photography. There is also an appreciative notice 
of Mr. Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate, and known to 
our readers as the author of the book, " The Garden 
that I Love.” 
Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill and Clapton 
Chrysanthemum Society.—Mr. L. H. Calcutt, who has 
for some time performed the duties of honorary 
secretary for this society, has, owing to pressure of 
business, retired from office. Mr. S. Calcutt has 
also resigned the post of treasurer. At a recent 
meeting of the committee Mr. G. Prickett, St. Ann's 
Road Floral Nurseries, was elected treasurer, and 
Mr. R. Johnson, gardener at No. 73, Stamford Hill, 
was chosen to act as secretary pro tem. The dates of 
the exhibition to celebrate the jubilee of the first 
chrysanthemum society in Stoke Newington, are 
fixed for November nth and 12th. 
A Good Landlord and Author.—'The half-yearly 
rent audit for the Petherton Park Estates, belonging 
to Mr. W. H. C. Nation, was held here recently, 
when a very liberal abatement from the rents was 
made to the tenants to meet the present depressed 
state of agriculture. Mr. Nation, who is a generous 
landlord, is better known as an author, whose latest 
work, " Prickly Pear Blossoms,” containing several 
descriptions of rustic scenes, extracts from which 
have appeared in such agricultural journals as Bell's 
Messenger, Farmer, Farming World, Garden, The 
Gardening World, Poultry, Fowls, and Farm, Field, 
and Fireside, was not long since favourably reviewed 
in the Somerset County -Gazette. 
Vegetable Garden on Board Ship.—The ship Mohan, 
on leaving Belfast for Portland, U.S.A., recently, 
took about 2,000 tons of soil on board by way of 
ballast. During the passage the seamen levelled the 
soil and sowed various seeds of vegetables upon it. 
While the ship was in the tropics the vegetables 
grew rapidly, and came to perfection as the weather 
became colder during the passage towards Cape 
Horn. They were utilised by the crew, and greatly 
enjoyed by men who seldom can get fresh vegetables 
on a voyage. The garden was replanted as the ship 
rounded the Horn, and by the time the equator was 
reached it was again in bearing, and furnished a supply 
till the Mohan was about to enter the Columbia, 
when the last pig was killed and served up with 
green vegetables. 
The Electrical drying of Fruit.—There would appear 
to be a good opening for the use of electric heating in 
connection with the fruit trade. It is well known 
that fresh-gathered fruit must be dried before being 
packed. This process, although an apparently 
simple one, necessitates great care, and the tempera¬ 
ture must be well regulated, otherwise there is 
danger of the fruit being damaged. Large drying 
rooms are in use in some cases, heated by means of 
steam, and although this system may be cheap to 
work on a large scale, it is not always so satisfactory 
on a small one. Fuel, moreover, is often expensive, 
and water power, in parts where the fruit trade 
flourishes, is usually abundant. In such situations 
electric heating could be used with advantage. The 
perfect regulation allows of any temperature being 
obtained, and, what is of great consequence in such 
an installation, practically no attention would be 
required. The electrical plant, too, could be used 
for lighting, and a few motors to aid the packing 
could easily be laid down. Uses such as this offer a 
fine field for development, and the gain made by 
bringing in cargoes of sound fruit would far more 
than cover the cost of running the necessary 
machinery. The above remarks have special refer¬ 
ence to the storing, packing, and shipment of fruit 
to the English market; but the same treatment as to 
drying might well be adopted in connection with our 
English fruit gardens, and it is quite possible that 
some such process might materially assist in making 
our orchards more profitable, and lead to extensions 
so much to be desired.— The Electrician, Feb. 28th. 
Professor Marshall Ward on “ Modern Botany.”—In 
the first lecture of his course on “ Some Aspects of 
Modern Botany” (RoyalInstitution, February 13th), 
Professor Marshall Ward mentioned that mediaeval 
botany consisted in the collection of native plants, 
and the attempted identification of these with 
medicinal and economic plants, described by the 
ancients, or known from distant countries. 
Difficulties in identification led to discovery of the 
fact that different countries had different plants, and 
thus was laid the foundation of the science of 
geographical distribution. The careful study of large 
numbers of specimens led to the evolution of the 
idea of natural affinities. Efforts at classification 
were at first vague ; men had to learn what parts 
were comparable. For a time they were like 
children, distinguishing an Oak from a Buttercup by 
the acorn and the flower. Their belief in the 
existence of sharp lines, which could be brought out 
if plants were repeatedly and elaborately described, 
contrasted somewhat with the exaggerated im¬ 
portance which is to-day ascribed to points of 
resemblance as opposed to points of difference. 
Systematists have not yet reached the end of all 
things. The broader divisions of plant classification 
may be settled ; it may be possible for an expert to 
indicate, almost at a glance, the exact position of a 
new species ; but the work will not be complete till 
the list includes all existing and fossil species from 
all parts of the world. Then the ultimate aim may 
be achieved—namely, the construction of a genea¬ 
logical tree showing the true affinities of all known 
plants. The lecturer went on to emphasise the value 
of a good Flora, instancing the " Flora of British 
India,” “ which, we are all so glad to know, is now 
nearly complete.” It is not merelj a list of the 
plants growing in a certain country, but it tells much 
about character and localities, range in altitude, and 
distribution in o.her parts of the world. The 
remainder of the lecture was occupied by discussion 
of some questions of variation and adaptation.— 
Natural Science. 
Majority of Mr. E. G. Monro.—On Saturday, 
February 29th, Mr. G. Monro, the well-known 
salesman of Covent Garden Market, entertained the 
whole of his staff, together with the members of his 
family, and the leading senders and customers with 
whom he has business connections, and a few 
friends, at a dinner, at Simpson's Divan, to cele¬ 
brate the majority of his eldest son—Mr. Edwin 
George Monro. It is rarely seen that the head of an 
important commission salesman’s business, with his 
working staff of all grades, meet at the same social 
board, together with the capitalists who produce the 
gcods, and the large tradesmen who purchased them. 
Still rarer is it to find both producer or sender and 
buyer vieing with each other in evident sincerity in 
paying tribute to the middleman, whose integrity 
and business capacity they unite in^praisiDg, and 
whose difficult and delicate position they fully 
appreciate. No nobler tribute could be paid to any 
man's character for honest dealing and business 
ability than these high eulogiums paid to Mr. Monro 
after a twenty-five years’ business acquaintance. 
This notable appreciation and real good-will found 
expression in various presentations, and in the good 
wishes to the son. First the growers, represented by 
Messrs. Sweet and Kay, gave a handsome and 
massive gold albert chain and a ruby and diamond 
pin and stud ; next, the buyers, represented by 
Messrs. Brooks and Webber, gave a useful case of 
table cutlery, evidently with an eye to the near 
future. Then the staff, ably represented by Messrs. 
North and Phillips, gave a dining-room timepiece, 
together with a handsomely-framed illuminated 
