804 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 23, 1890. 
is said. Would that the authorities could 
introduce, not only better methods of cul¬ 
tivation, but could give the unfortunate 
peasants and small farmers more ground, by 
which they could more frequently change 
the Potato areas and secure more varied 
cropping. 
Evidently the soil seems to need drainage ; 
then the introduction of thousands of tons 
of good English or Scotch seed rvould be 
productive of great benefit, especially of those 
varieties which have been found to display 
so much excellence and robustness here. 
Potato culture in Ireland suffers greatly from 
the proximity of the sea, and the generally 
moist condition of the atmosphere. These 
are ineradicable defects which cannot be 
removed. Good sorts of Potatos, good 
well-drained soil, and good culture are the 
chief remedies. 
7k he Williams Memorial. —Those of our 
readers who may be interested in the 
proposal to institute a memorial to so admir¬ 
able a horticulturist as the late Mr. B. S. 
Williams, will not fail to have noted with 
satisfaction the fact that the promoters of the 
memorial have resolved that it shall first 
take a practical and benevolent turn, before 
it assumes one of a purely prize-giving nature. 
There can be no doubt whatever but that 
the institution of a memorial in association 
with the Gardeners’ Orphan Fund to a 
deceased gardener, thus giving to memorials 
at once a kindly-intentioned as well as 
terminable character, has done much to divert 
the stream of human sympathy for the dead 
into wiser and more useful channels. 
The old notion of establishing a series of 
annual awards in the form of prizes or medals 
to be given to certain successful exhibitors 
can never be resuscitated. Probably had this 
proposed memorial taken that form now, it 
Avoulcl have proved a failure. Ho one cares 
for posthumous fame; and to force upon 
generations unborn, evidence of a long since 
dead man’s reputation, is absurd when such 
reputation has long since been forgotten. 
With the memory of our old friend Mr. 
AYilliams should die his memorial, for each 
generation has enough to do to provide for 
its own. The promoters of the memorial 
will doubtless be amply satisfied if they can 
place a few or more orphans on the Fund—a 
most desirable object. Good men’s memories 
should ever be perpetuated by good and 
useful memorials. 
TArying Fruit by Evaporation. —It was 
unfortunate that Mr. A. W. Badger, of 
Birmingham, should have sent a paper on 
the above subject, to be read before the 
Royal Horticultural Society, and should not 
have been present in person to reply to 
offered criticism. Some time since an inde¬ 
fatigable agitator, in the interests of home 
produce, Air. D. Tallerman, presented samples 
of dried fruits of various kinds before the 
Royal Horticultural Society, but their tendency 
was rather to repel than please. If drying by 
evaporation, which after all seems to be a 
sort of baking, produces nothing more pleasing 
or palatable than those samples of Mr. 
Tallerman’s, there is not much in it to invite 
popularity. Naturally the conversion of fruit 
so largely into jams and preserves is not 
calculated to promote hardy fruit culture to 
the extent desired. The inferior and coarser 
fruits are found as useful and far cheaper 
than are the superior fruits for that purpose. 
Besides, jams may at some time become a 
drug in the market, and if pleasant to the 
palate are not always wholesome or digestive. 
Our needs rather lie in the direction of 
preserving fruits in a pure, wholesome state, 
by bottling or canning; and the canning 
process, as carried out by the Americans, 
seems to be far more meritorious and pre¬ 
servative of the real flavour and qualities of 
fruits than do any form of jam making or of 
drying. Drying, however conducted, does 
largely destroy flavour, because the process 
absorbs the juices, and these are the deposit¬ 
aries of flavour. With us, so uncertain are 
our fruit products and so considerable our 
demand for good fruit in a ripe state, that 
any probable attempt at systematic fruit 
drying seems of dubious value. If only that 
superior fruits or samples were dried, then 
the product would be such as to destroy all 
chances of the popularity of the enterprise. 
-- 
Gardening Engagements.—Air. Malcolm McLean, 
formerly of Vinter’s Park, Maidstone, Kent, as 
gardener to John Fletcher, Esq., Salton Hall, East 
Lothian. Mr. Silas Cole, late foreman at Curraghmore, 
Portlaw, Ireland, as gardener to Viscount Falmouth, 
Tregothnan, Probus, Cornwall. Air. G. J. Cloke has 
removed with Sir Wm. Rose, Bart., from Bulmershe 
Court, near Reading, to Aloor Park, Farnham. 
Mr. Andrew Mackenzie.—The death is recorded of 
Mr. Andrew Mackenzie, who was for thirty-five years 
the superintendent of the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. 
He was much respected by a large circle of friends. In 
his early life he was a gardener, and forty years ago 
was a most prolific writer on horticultural subjects. 
Deceased was eighty-two years of age, and was engaged 
in his duties up to within a few hours of his death. 
Destructive Thunderstorm in the Midlands.—On 
the 11th inst., about two o’clock, a dreadful thunder¬ 
storm broke over Heanor, in Derbyshire. Five persons 
were standing under a tree on the ground where 
the Heanor Floral and Horticultural Society was 
holding its annual show, and all were struck down 
with the lightning, two being killed on the spot. The 
Oak tree under which the unfortunate men were when 
the fatality happened was shattered from top to 
bottom. 
The Northern Florists’ Societies.—“ J. C. ” writes : 
Your remarks about the Manchester show at p. 792 are 
correct. These shows are held too early. AVhen the 
Pink show was held I had none in bloom, while on the 
9 th inst. I had only one Carnation out, and that was 
potted last November, and was in a cool frame in mid¬ 
winter. Aline will not be iu full bloom for three or 
four days yet but, subscriptions are looked for all the 
same.— August 18th. 
Funeral of the late Mr. James.—The interment of 
our deceased friend, Air. James, in the elevated and 
very charming churchyard surrounding the parish 
church of Farnham Royal, took place on Wednesday 
afternoon of last week. The spot selected for the 
grave, beneath a lofty Elm, also afforded lovely views 
into Berkshire, including Eton College and AVindsor 
Castle, whilst in the foreground spread out a pleasing 
view of a fertile portion of Bucks. The funeral cortege, 
which included a modern glass-covered car containing 
the coffin of plain varnished oak, covered with beautiful 
wreaths and crosses, reached the churchyard at 3.15. 
The mourners included the family of the deceased and 
numerous friends, and of gardeners and others present 
were Air. Atter, representing Alessrs. Sutton & Sons, of 
Reading ; Air. Arthur Turner, Slough ; Air. Herbst, 
Richmond; Air. A. Dean and Air. W. Carpenter, 
Bedfont; Air. Herrin, Dropmore ; Air. Alaher, Stoke 
Court; Air. Forbes, Burnham Beeches ; Air. Norbury, 
Brentford, &c. The funeral service was conducted by 
the vicar, an old friend of the late Air. James. Thus 
closed the life of one who had played no insignificant 
part in horticulture, and who was truly mourned by a 
large circle of friends. 
Birmingham Gardeners Association.—An “ ex¬ 
hibition” meeting took place on the evening of the 12th 
inst. at the Alidland Institute, and proved to be very in¬ 
teresting to members, as there was a good attendance. Air. 
Thomas S. Ware sent a collection of fine Cactus and 
single Dahlias, and herbaceous plants, &c. ; Alessrs. 
Dicksons, Chester, a collection of cut hardy border 
Carnations and Picotees; Alessrs. Hewitt & Co., 
Solihull, Carnation Purple Prince (self), very fine, and 
a fine bright rose sport self from Beauty of Stapleford ; 
new Sweet Peas, such as Butterfly, Grand Blue, Apple 
Blossom, and Princess Beatrice, all very pretty kinds ; 
a collection of Cactus Dahlia blooms, and fine double 
and single Begonias. Alessrs. Pope & Sons sent some 
fine Dahlias, including highly finished blooms of Airs. 
Gladstone and T. West; Alessrs. Thomson, Sparkhill, 
blooms of their fine new seedling Carnations 
and fine blooms of Picotees. Air. W. B. Child, 
Acocks Green, sent an excellent display of cut her¬ 
baceous plants. Cactus Dahlias, Gaillardias, &c.; Air. 
R. H. Yertigans, a collection of Phloxes and herbaceous 
plants, border Carnations, and the two old favourites, 
the Irish Heath, Alenziesia polifolia, both pink and 
white varieties. A good discussion followed, Mr. W. 
Spinks leading it. 
The Cheadle Flower Show.—We regret to learn that 
on the 15th inst., the finest show which the local 
horticultural society has organised was completely 
demolished by a gale. All the plants, flowers, and 
fruit had been staged, and the judges were about to 
begin their duties when the wind seized first one tent 
and then another, and tore the canvas from the poles. 
Valuable plants were destroyed and damaged. A 
similar fate threatened the remaining tents, one of 
which was only saved by the weight of a hundred men, 
who clung to the ropes until part of the canvas was 
removed. Exhibitors rescued from the wreck what they 
could, and carted their goods from the ground. The 
show was abandoned, but a good many visitors entered 
the grounds, and passed the time listening to the 
performances of the bands engaged. 
Sevenoaks Flower Show.—The twenty-third annual 
exhibition of this society was held on the 13th inst. in 
the magnificent park of Knole, and the weather being 
favourable, success crowned the efforts of the committee. 
The show was an exceedingly good one, all kinds of 
garden produce being well represented, and much credit 
is due to the secretary, Air. A. Fenner, for the admir¬ 
able arrangements that were made for their disposition. 
The leading exhibitors of plants were Air. A. Gibson, 
Halstead Place ; Air. Goodman, Bradbourne Hall ; 
Air. A. Hatton, The Quarry ; Air. E. Hughes, Eden- 
hurst; Air. G. Fennell, Fairlawn ; Air. T. Cook, 
Rosefield ; and Air. A. Bolton, Alontreal. Of Roses : 
Air. G. Rumsey, Wrotham ; Alessrs. G. Bunyard & Co., 
Alaidstone; Air. T. Blundell, AVesterham, and Airs. 
Seale. Of fruits : Air. T. Osman, Chertsey ; and Air. 
C. Sutton, Chevening. Other cut flowers, fruits and 
vegetables of all kinds were capitally represented. 
Amongst the miscellaneous contributions were Dahlias, 
Roses, &c., from Airs. Seale and Air. A. Jeffkins, 
Darenth ; Groups of plants came from Alessrs. John 
Laing & Sons, Alessrs. AY. Cutbush & Son, Alessrs. B. S. 
AYilliams & Son, and others. 
Clay Cross Flower Show.—The district of Clay 
Cross is famous in every part of the country as the 
centre of the Derbyshire coal field. It is known far 
and wide as the centre for one of the largest, probably 
the largest annual flower show in the midland counties. 
For thirty-three years the Floral and Horticultural 
Society at Clay Cross has held a pre-eminent position 
amongst organisations of its kind. No less a sum than 
£600 is spent yearly upon the show, and there was at 
the commencement of the year a balance of £218 in 
hand. The show of the present season was held on the 
12th inst. in the grounds surrounding Clay Cross Hall. 
Early in the day the weather prospects, which are so 
potent a consideration at these outdoor functions, were 
not of the brightest, but mid-day brought more cheerful 
climatic conditions, and eventually the sun shone out 
brightly, and then the visitors began to flock in 
literally by thousands. The exhibits were staged in 
three huge tents placed in a triangular shape. In the 
open air enclosure farm produce was displayed. Alto¬ 
gether a sum of £237 was expended in prizes. Locally 
great interest was taken in the competition for gardens. 
The prizes were given by the president, to be competed 
for by tenants of the Clay Cross Company. Amongst 
the cottagers there was, as usual, a keen competition 
for the various prizes. The fruits and the vegetables 
were very fine, bearing in mind the inclemency of the 
season. The amateurs’ class was notable for the excel¬ 
lence of the flowering plants and the largeness of the 
vegetables. The chief importance was, of necessity, 
attached to the exhibits of the professional gardeners, 
whose exhibits occupied one large tent. For the prizes 
for a group of miscellaneous plants, in or out of bloom, 
arranged for effect, and occupying a space not exceeding 
300 ft., there was a fair number of entries, including 
the best gardenors in the midland counties. The 
judges unanimously and without hesitation adjudged 
the group arranged by Air. J. AVard, gardener to T. H. 
Oakes, Esq., J.P., Riddings House, Alfreton, to be the 
best. Air. AYard has this year been more than usually 
successful, he having gained the first prize for a group 
of plants at every show where he has exhibited. The 
second prize winner was Air. A. AYebb, gardener to 
J. Id. Alanners-Sutton, Esq , Ivelham Hall, whose group 
was of a very high class character indeed. Air. P. 
Blair, gardener to the Duke of Sutherland, at Trentham, 
Staffordshire, was awarded the third prize for a collec¬ 
tion which included some very pretty Orchids. The 
fourth prize went to Air. Haslam, nurseryman, of 
Harstoft. 
