808 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 18, 1860. 
so we get a dreary round of invective and of 
what is called argument, but not the least 
chance of unanimity. Now we are not at all 
concerned to point out what in our estimation 
may be the best one, two, or twenty Apples. 
We may have our own opinion, but, on the 
other hand, plenty of as able judges as our¬ 
selves are enabled to aver that they differ from 
us because their experience of other Apples 
leads to a contrary opinion. 
It is easy to argue with one writer in The 
Times, to the effect that Newtown Pippins 
grown in this country have no comparison for 
quality with those of American growth, and it 
is equally possible to hold with another that 
the King of Pippins, one of our most popular 
of sorts, is, as Apples go in England, one of the 
very best of dessert kinds. We also hold that 
Blenheim Pippin, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and 
Ribston Pippin, adding for ourselves the 
famous Cockle Pippin, are among the finest- 
flavouied Apples produced, and when well 
grown, unbeatable for flavour ; and yet we do 
not see that a row in The Times paper is an 
absolute necessity of these admissions. Those 
behind the scenes can, however, very easily 
understand the inspiring motives. 
0 |arket Apples. Amidst the conflict of 
opinion respecting Apples to which we 
have referred, it is strange to note that none of 
the controversialists seem to have suggested a 
means of learning something as to the prospects 
of Apple production some few years hence. 
We have of late had a sort of upheaval of 
public opinion in regard to the wider and 
better culture of hardy fruits, Apples especially. 
Now we would like to learn—and from none 
could the information come with greater force 
than from our leading nurserymen, who cater 
for the market-growing trade—first, as to 
whether there has been any appreciable increase 
in the demand for Apple trees; and secondly, 
what particular sorts are most in request. 
We do not at all hold that the market 
grower gives the best line to follow in all cases, 
but he, far more than any other grower, has the 
fullest opportunity to feel the pulse of the 
public in relation to fruit ; ahcl we may take it 
for granted that generally he plants kinds 
which are productive and favoured by con¬ 
sumers. How can we induce our great market 
growers of trees—the Bunyards of Maidstone 
and Ashford, Cheals of Crawley, Smiths of 
Worcester, Veitch of Chelsea, Rivers of 
Sawbridgeworth, Lanes of Berkhamsted, 
Dicksons of Chester, Spooner of Hounslow, 
Pauls of Cheshunt and Waltham Cross, and 
others, to give some rough return or outline of 
the nature of the general demand for Apples 1 
Does it increase, and what sorts are most gener¬ 
ally called for 1 Such information would be 
of the greatest value if given bond fide, and 
it would in no case be a publication of trade 
or firm secrets, as it is only general informa¬ 
tion that is asked for. 
We should very specially like to know how 
far the newer sorts have been asked for. Any 
intelligent trader who does a large business 
with Apple trees should be able to tell at once 
how, in relation to these, the cat jumps, and, 
therefore, what is the nature of the Apple 
prospects some twelve to twenty years hence. 
Then it would be interesting to learn how far 
standards were favoured, and also how far 
bush and pyramid trees on the Paradise stock 
were popular. To get such information 
wordd, indeed, he worth much more than is 
likely to come out of a controversy in which 
bias on both sides renders unanimity im¬ 
possible. 
© id-winter Chrysanthemums. —The show 
of Chrysanthemum flowers at the Royal 
Aquarium last week not only served to de¬ 
monstrate the feasibility of having plenty 
of them in January, but emphasised the query 
put by Mr. Kipling in the admirable paper 
he read at the evening meeting, entitled “Are 
Chrysanthemums desirable at Mid-winter?” 
Naturally, the reading of the paper answered 
the query in the affirmative, as, indeed, did 
everyone present at the meeting, and the 
chief anxiety seemed to be to learn, in the 
most minule way, how Mr. Kipling became 
so successful. 
Not only the paper—short, terse, and practical, 
and in this respect so different from the -word- 
spinning, platitudinarian yarns spun by some 
readers of papers—read on the evening of the 
8th, but also the excellent paper read at the 
corresponding show of last year by the same 
grower, should be read and studied by all 
who may desire to emulate Mr. Kipling, Mr. 
Taylor, Mr. Owen, and some few (far too few) 
others, and have good collections of Chrysan¬ 
themum flowers to cut next January. So 
far as size of bloom is concerned, of course, 
the best of those shown last week, good as 
they were for the season, were but ghosts 
of their former November compeers. But 
then, in November, literally everybody has 
Chrysanthemums, and they are sold for a mere 
song. In January, however, the case is 
altered, the flowers are scarce, and they are 
dear, being then, because of the comparative 
scarcity of all other flowers, in great demand. 
Mr. Kipling has very plainly demonstrated 
the ease with which the mid-winter season 
can be furnished with Chrysanthemum bloom, 
and myriads of gardeners may now go and 
do likewise. There are no special elements 
favouring the production of late flowers at 
Knebworth, beyond the skill of the gardeners 
therefore the course is fully open to all who 
may care to rvin. 
yclamens at the Aquarium. —Whilst the 
National Chrysanthemum Society is to be 
congratulated, oddly enough, upon the fine lot 
of Cyclamens exhibited at the mid-winter show 
the other day, it is to be deplored that the 
judging in the large class should have given so 
much dissatisfaction, that quite a chorus of 
complaint was made. We are not going to 
find fault, as the judges, doubtless, can give 
excellent reasons for their decision. What is to 
be deplored in the matter, especially, is that 
during the day the light was so bad, 
because of the soot-shaded roofing of the Royal 
Aquarium, that colours were terribly killed; 
whilst at night, the building being lit up with gas, 
the effect on the coloured flowers was most 
marked ; indeed, the reds, roses, and the blood- 
crimsons glowed with beautiful effect. 
In these grand hues, roses and cerises es¬ 
pecially, Mr. May, -whose collection was placed 
second, was very rich. Mr. Clarke, who -was 
first, had superb plants if a less number, and 
had only whites and crimsons, the latter about 
one-third of the whole, and under the dull day¬ 
light the -white dominating hue did serve to 
give considerable life to the collection, whilst 
the preponderance of coloured forms in Mr. 
May’s collection caused his to suffer. When 
artificial light was turned on, the change was 
most marked. What the one had in quality of 
culture, the other had in variety and size of 
bloom. Indeed, both lots Avere first-class, and 
they did but serve to emphasise a fact noiv 
pretty generally understood, that the best 
grown market Cyclamens invariably come from 
West Middlesex, and Messrs. Clarke, of 
Hounslow, and Mr. May, of Twickenham, rank 
amongst the best growers. 
-- >x< -- 
Royal Horticultural Society.—At the general meet¬ 
ing on Tuesday last, forty-seven Fellows and one 
Associate were added to the roll. 
Gardening Engagement.—Mr. H. Rayner, for six 
years foreman ivith Mr. C. J. Salter at Selborne, 
Streatham, as gardener to J. Batten, Esq., Highfield, 
Bickley. 
Birmingham Nurseries in the Market.—A local 
correspondent informs us that when The Chad Valley 
and Hans Niemand’s Nurseries were put up for sale the 
other evening, neither found a purchaser, 
The Railway Rates Question.—From an advertise¬ 
ment in another column it will be seen that a meeting 
of the trade will be held on Monday next, at 5.30 p.m., 
at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, S.W., to 
receive a report from the Nursery and Seed Trade 
Association as to the present position of this inquiry, 
and to consider what evidence shall be given at the 
inquiry on behalf of the nursery and seed trades. 
The Mereworth Cottage Gardeners’ Mutual Im¬ 
provement Society. — The annual supper of this 
useful local society took place on the 8 th inst. at the 
Queen’s Head Inn, Mereworth, Augustus Leney, Esq., 
presiding, and Mr. Woollett, senr. occupying the viee- 
chaii. A number of toasts were given and responded to, 
and Mr. G. E. Bowman, the secretary, in responding 
for the officers, gave an account of the society’s work 
during the past year. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Proiident 
Society.—The usual quarterly meeting of this society 
was held on Monday evening last, Mr. Riley Scott in 
the chair. Four new members were elected, making a 
total of forty-two during the past year. The annual 
meeting was fixed ti take place on Monday evening, 
February 10th, at the Caledonian Hotel. 
The Bromley District Chrysanthemum Society.—The 
annual meeting of this society was held on Thursday, 
January 9 th, when it was decided to hold the next 
exhibition on November 12th and 13th. The society is 
in a healthy condition, the balance in hand being 
£32 10s. 6d. 
Birmingham Chrysanthemum Society.—The total 
income of this society for 1889 was £500, and, with an 
expenditure of £420, the goodly balance of £80 is 
added to the bank account, giving a total reserve fund 
of £277. The committee feel that the great prizes 
offered for forty-eight blooms in- November last was 
one element of success, and it is probable that these 
prizes may be offered again. 
A Neiv Nursery.—The nursery grounds at Tooting, 
so long in the possession of Messrs. Barr & Son, and so 
familiar to most lovers of hardy, bulbous, and herba¬ 
ceous plants, having been given up, this enterprising 
firm has established a new nursery at Long Ditton, 
some five minutes walk from the Surbiton Station on 
the main line of the London and South Western Rail¬ 
way Company, and here have been planted some two 
millions of Daffodils in 500 varieties, which lovers of 
these grand spring flowers are invited to inspect during 
the months of March, April and May. 
The Influenza Epidemic, “Prevention Better than 
Cure.’’—We understand that as all the greatest 
authorities on influenza advise the taking of quinine 
twice a day as a precautionary measure, and as the 
epidemic is spreading so rapidly from London in all 
directions, the Messrs. Sutton, of Reading, lost no 
time in adopting the suggestion. They at once ordered 
between 500 and 600 doses of quinine to be delivered 
for daily distribution amongst their employes. This 
action has been greatly appreciated by their hands, and 
has had a most successful result so far. 
Garden Pots.—We understand that Messrs. R. 
Sankey & Son, Bulwell Potteries, Nottingham, whose 
wares, both plain and ornamental, have long enjoyed 
such a high reputation in the market, finding their 
present plant too small to meet the demands of their 
ever increasing business, have just bought upwards of 
fifty acres of the finest clay land in the Bulwell 
district, upon which to erect a new pottery. 
A Nursery Dinner.—In these days of troubled times 
betwixt employers and the employed, it is pleasant to 
read of the enjoyable gatherings in our horticultural 
establishments, and of the good feeling existing between 
masters and men. Mr. John Pope, the proprietor of 
Messrs. Pope & Sons’ extensive business, recently gave a 
dinner to the leading employes, at his private residence 
at King’s Norton, and invited a few gardening friends 
to join the party. Mrs. Pope is a most genial hostess, 
and makes everyone feel thoroughly at home ; and their 
health, as well as that of Mr. Henry Pope, the father, 
and founder of the firm, was proposed by Mr. Brown, 
Elmdom Hall Gardens, and was warmly received. It 
was a very enjoyable evening, for true hospitality was 
evinced. Mr. Henry Pope, now eighty years of age, 
was hearty and genial as usual, and master and men 
were on the best of terms. 
The York Gala.—The annual meeting of the com¬ 
mittee of the Yorkshire Gala was held on Monday 
evening (January 13th), at Harker’s Hotel, York, under 
the presidency of Sir Joseph Terry. The chairman said 
that this is the thirty-second year of the Gala's 
existence, and it must be gratifying indeed to the 
