740 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 26, 1890. 
introduction of the single forms had materially 
helped to popularise the Dahlia in every 
direction, as probably far more of doubles of the 
respective sections now are grown than at any¬ 
time previously. 
The Cactus and Bouquet or Pompon sections 
have become immense favourites for ordinary 
decorative uses, and the show doubles have 
had beauties discovered in them, of which the 
bulk of the public were ignorant. The result 
of the introduction of single Dahlias may well 
prove a useful lesson to those who object 
to the popularisation of other than recognised 
florists’ sections in flowers ; we must cater for 
the tastes of the decorative, as well as for the 
Florists’, and the former are in the majority. 
Whether due to season or sportive faculties, we 
have this season seen single Dahlia flowers, the 
petals of which have split at the edges, and the 
rounded outlines have assumed a very pretty 
feathered appearance. The effect may have 
been purely accidental, but it would be most 
acceptable if both made permanent and 
developed, as is seen in the feathered Tulip. 
Little as the single Dahlia is formal, the 
endeavour to make the flowers finely rotund 
has helped to induce in them some formality, 
which is not always desirable. A feathered- 
edged strain, of dwarf free-blooming habit, and 
allied to pleasing colours, would soon become 
exceedingly popular. We may ere long find 
other developments in a beautiful autumn 
flower, if we continue to select and encourage 
pleasing variations in the blooms. 
?^he .National Chrysanthemum Society.—- 
^ The reports of the proceedings of this 
body, furnished from time to time, show that 
even when the floral season of the Chrysan¬ 
themum is out, the society is active within. 
Indeed, such is the energy displayed in regard 
to its work that it seems to be always in 
session, and, as was shown at the recent 
meeting of the committee, is exceedingly 
independent. Not a few bodies would have 
rejoiced at the opportunity offered to become 
affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, 
and have gathered a little of the lustre which 
flashes around this distinguished body. Hot so 
the N. C. S. It is very democratic and very 
independent, and desires no affiliation with any 
other society, except it be of its own order, 
and even then it invites affiliation to itself 
rather than the reverse. 
We respect the Chrysanthemum folks for 
this independence of spirit. They have 
cut out their own line, and so far with 
remarkable success; indeed, the R. H. S. is 
not in it with the N. C. S. in the admirable 
success which has attended this latter society’s 
existence. Even now the energetic secretary 
we note has worked out tire annual summer 
outing of the members and friends, which 
takes place on Holiday next, and has for its 
destination the beautiful gardens of Park 
Place, Henley-on-Thames, taking Reading and 
the upper reaches of the river Thames on the 
way. We cordially hope the members may 
have a fine day, and an enjoyable outing, 
especially that the ultimate aim is so appro¬ 
priately horticultural. 
Even if the society, were less active, and we 
may add aggressive, the Chrysanthemum itself 
would not allow us to forget it in the summer 
months. Already the early varieties are bloom¬ 
ing, and the floral season thus started will not 
close until after the year has ended. The 
celebration of the centenary of the introduc¬ 
tion of the Chrysanthemum into England 
next November, promoted by the National 
Society, gives additional interest to the 
society’s proceedings. 
-*=>$<-- 
Gardening in the North. — We learn from Mr. 
Downie that crops of all kinds in the north are looking 
uncommonly well this season, and in some parts, 
Caithness in particular, never were more promising, 
thanks to the bounteous rains. The Noble Strawberry 
was ripe at Dunrobin ten days before any other 
variety, and there were fine crops of it on the west 
coast. Our correspondent found Apples and Pears 
much more plentiful in the north than about Edin¬ 
burgh. 
Gardening Engagement. — Mr. John McLennan, 
late of Killarney House, as gardener and estate 
manager to Captain Hatchell, Fort Field House, 
Terenure, co. Dublin. 
The Royal Horticultural Society has decided to 
hold a great exhibition of jams, bottled, preserved and 
dried fruits of all kinds, in the Drill Hall, James 
Street, Victoria Street, Westminster, on the 14th, 15th 
and 16th of October next. The chief object of the 
exhibition will be to show the public the great advance 
which has been made during the last quarter of a 
century in the methods and processes of preserving and 
drying edible fruits for consumption. Meritorious 
awards will be made to exhibitors whose preserves 
may be considered worthy of the same by competent 
judges. A schedule is being prepared, and will be 
circulated in due course. In the meantime all par¬ 
ticulars and information regarding the proposed 
exhibition may be had on application to the secretary 
of the society, 117, Victoria Street, S.W. 
B. S. Williams Memorial.—At a meeting of friends 
of the late Mr. B. S. Williams, held at 50, Parliament 
Street, S.W., on Monday afternoon, Mr. Shirley 
Hibberd presiding, it was decided to organise a 
memorial to the memory of our late friend, in the 
form of a fund for providing at horticultural exhibitions 
money prizes and certificates for the encouragement of 
the cultivation of stove and greenhouse plants and 
Orchids ; and it is hoped that the amount raised will 
be sufficient to provide for a certificate possessing 
genuine artistic merit, and calculated to serve as a 
model of what such documents should be, to be worthy 
of recognition by horticulturists. With this object in 
view it was resolved that an appeal to the public for 
subscriptions should be made at once ; and that those 
present form themselves into a general committee, with 
power to add to their number, and with Mr. Shirley 
Hibberd as chairman ; Mr. H. J. Veitch as treasurer ; 
and Mr. Alfred Outram, 7, Moor Park Road, Fulham, 
S.W., and Mr. John A. Laing, Stanstead Park, 
Forest Hill, S.E., as honorary secretaries. Further 
particulars will shortly be announced. 
Spiraea bullata.—The slender wiry stems of this pretty 
Japanese species grow to a height of 12 ins. or 18 ins., 
and are densely clothed with their curious dark green, 
bullate, or rugose leaves. The latter are ovate, doubly 
crenate, and of small size. The flowers are borne in 
great abundance in dense terminal corymbs, just sur¬ 
mounting the foliage of the dwarf, dense bush, and are 
dark rose-red. The plant is also known in gardens as 
S. crispifolia. When in flower it constitutes a beautiful 
object on account of its dwarf habit and dark-coloured 
flowers. A specimen may be seen on the rockery at 
Kew. 
York Florists’ Annual Floral Service.—The pretty 
little church of Osbaldwick, near York, was tastefully 
decorated on a recent Sunday, when the annual service 
held in connection with the Ancient Society of York 
Florists took place. As might be anticipated, the floral 
decorations were a feature of the occasion. The decora¬ 
tions throughout were very chaste, but the point which 
the greatest pains seemed to be bestowed upon was over 
the altar table. From a bank of dark and purple 
Roses forming the base arose a charming arrangement 
of flowers and foliage, conspicuous among which were 
cut blooms of various Lilies, Marguerites, Roses, 
Dahlias, &c., interspersed with Palms, Grevilleas, 
Ficus, &c. A very pleasing feature also was the lamps 
suspended from the roof, being for the occasion trans¬ 
formed into hanging baskets of flowers. In the window 
recesses were tasteful clusters of wild grasses and 
flowers, and rising on each side from these were bamboo 
canes prettily decorated with rosettes of flowers and 
foliage. There was a crowded congregation, and the 
service was suitable to the occasion. The anthem, 
“ Lord, I call upon Thee,” by Sir F. G. Gore Ouseley, 
M. A., was sweetly sung by a special choir. The sermon 
was preached by the Rev. F. Umpleby, the chaplain of 
the society, and he took for his text Isaiah lxi., 11. 
In concluding his discourse, the preacher said that the 
object of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, 
forwhich the collection thatafternoon was to be devoted, 
was for the relief and assistance of old and deserving 
horticulturists and their widows. It was founded in 
1839, and had upon its funds 154 pensioners, at an 
annual cost of over £2,300. The good work which it 
was doing spoke for itself, and he could confidently 
commend it to them, as its affairs were managed in a 
most economical yet efficient manner. He hoped they 
would do all they could to promote the interests of that 
important charity. 
THE POTATO DISEASE. 
What wonder that just now, looking at the weather 
surroundings and the critical time of the year, all 
thoughts sho'uld be turned to the Potato crop and its 
contingent enemy, the Peronospora fungus. If nature 
had worked its hardest in the interests of the disease, 
it would seem as if it could hardly have done more 
than it has of late. It is doubtful whether at any time 
in the summer, even in the coldest and wettest of 
seasons, the soil, with the Potato crops standing on it, 
was ever wetter or more thoroughly saturated with 
moisture than now. Over myriads of acres of Potatos 
the water has been lying in the furrows, even to the 
depth of several inches, whilst all the earthing in the 
world has been incapable of keeping the young tubers 
from contact with the moisture, and if, as is asserted, 
the rain washes the Peronospora spores from the 
foliage into the soil, then must the tubers of late have 
been existing in a bath of spores. 
If such excessive moisture should have the unlooked- 
for effect of neutralising the spores, all may be well, 
but that is too much to hope for. When the water has 
to some extent subsided, it will be days before the soil 
is fairly dry, and during that interval the most fearful 
of mischief may be worked, especially if the nights be 
warm and the plants be suffused in a bath of warm 
vapour. 
If we do not this year find one of the worst 
disease attacks known for many seasons, it will be 
indeed cause for wonder. Never before have the 
disease-resisting properties of various sorts been so 
severely tested as this July. This is just now the 
critical period with the crop. The fungus is in evidence 
in some districts. It will spread rapidly without 
doubt; those having dry, well-drained, and relatively 
poor soils are best off. In the meantime, Potatos are 
so cheap already that it is difficult to sell at all.— A. D. 
I notice that in your leading article of last week you 
mention the appearance of the Potato disease in 
England. I regret to say it has made its appearance 
in my garden in a virulent form. Three weeks ago I 
noticed a black spot make its appearance on the leaves 
and stems of my early Potatos, and since then has 
come the well-known smell. I find in taking them up 
one-third diseased and not usable. The kinds are 
Carter’s First and Best, Sutton’s Ringleader, and 
Veitch’s Early Ash-leaved Kidney. My second earlies 
are just showing on leaf, stem, and tuber slightly ; 
kind, Covent Garden Perfection. My late kinds— 
lmperator, Paterson’s Victoria, and Magnum Bonum— 
are looking healthy and well. In this part of York¬ 
shire it is not to excessive rain-fall that we can 
attribute the cause of the Potato disease, our rainfall 
in June being 1 ‘97, in July up to the 21st, 2 01, but 
to dull, sunless, cold weather. June 28th the ther¬ 
mometer was down to 34°; July 4th, 36°; July 20th, 
38 a ; and frequently during the two months the ther¬ 
mometer ranged near 40° ; the highest temperature 
we had during that time being 72° in the shade .—Robert 
C. Kingston, Brantinghamthorpe, East Yorkshire. 
— —->:c<-- 
ROMAN HYACINTHS. 
The early importations of these useful and popular 
subjects are already to hand, and those who intend 
forcing for flowering in November cannot too soon get 
a supply, in order that they may be potted at once to 
encourage root growth before forcing is commenced. 
The best bulbs come from the south of France and 
Italy. 
The Roman Hyacinths of the bulb merchants 
are varieties of Hyacinthus orientalis—namely, H. o. 
albulus and H. o. prtecox, the former being the true 
Roman Hyacinth, with pure white flowers, and is a 
native of the south of France. It is an early form of 
the Oriental Hyacinth, and its native home, having a 
climate more suitable to its welfare, is better adapted 
than Holland for ripening off the bulbs early. Hence 
the supply of bulbs for early work may always be 
expected from the south. 
Next in earliness to the above comes the double 
white Italian, which has pale rosy flowers, borne in 
greater numbers upon a scape than in the case of the 
Roman Hyacinth. They vary slightly in tint, some¬ 
times fading to a pale cream colour, and never exhibit 
the purity of the Roman variety. It has never attained 
the popularity of the latter, and is not likely to do so 
while the taste for white flowers continues as it has for 
some years past, particularly for forcing purposes. Its 
chief recommendation is for the sake of variety. 
