B22 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
Januarj' 20, 1894. , 
been selected from it for dwarf habit and closely 
arranged, fleshy leaves. Sutton’s Pearl was origin¬ 
ally raised in 1878, and the fact of its having stood 
the test of time for so many years should speak 
volumes in its favour. The large flowers are white 
and beautifully fringed. Ruby King originated 
the same year and was first exhibited in 1879. The 
rich ruby flowers are characterised by a crimson 
zone round the eye, suggesting the name Auriculae- 
flora which some would apply to it on account of this 
marked feauture. More important however is the 
remarkably dwarf and compact habit of the plant with 
the flowers just surmounting the neat tuft of leaves. 
It still has a future before it, for we noticed a batch 
of plants beside it having all the character of the 
parent, but with darker and more brilliant flowers, 
whose colour catches the eye at once. The great 
size and substance of the flowers of Giant White 
need only to be seen to be appreciated. They are 
well borne above the foliage. It has an excellent 
companion in Giant Crimson, whose glowing red 
flowers are most effective. Being a late-flowering 
variety it was not at its best when we inspected the 
collection. Reading Pink and Rosy Queen we should 
bracket together on account of their delicacy, not 
because they are difficult to distinguish, for their 
distinctness is self evident. Reading Pink is the 
darker of the two and of a soft uniform pink, of a 
shade that will always be in requisition. It flowers 
profusely and early. The foliage of the other how¬ 
ever relegates it to the fern-leaved section. The 
flowers of Brilliant Rose are beautiful as they 
expand, but they deepen to a very rich tint of rose 
as they get fully developed, becoming more charm¬ 
ing, as it were, with age. The flowers and leaves of 
Alba Magnifica are much curled, fimbriated and 
handsome. 
Fern-leaved Single Varieties. 
The fern-leaved type is well represented by varieties 
of special merit, as the perfection of the flowers is 
as much an aim as handsome foliage. The compact 
trusses of flowers of Sutton’s Blue stand well above 
the red-stalked and fern-like foliage, this latter 
character being the chief distinguishing feature be¬ 
tween it and Reading Blue. Both are indispensable 
to the proper representation of the beauty and 
variety existing in the Chinese Primula. Giant 
White fern-leaved bears a similar relation to the 
plain-leaved Giant White. The foliage reminds one of 
some species of Geum, such as G. montanum. As it is 
a slow but robust grower, it must be sown in April 
if required to flower, say, for instance, in November. 
It is grand, however, when in its prime condition, 
with large flowers of the purest white. The dark 
red petioles of the leaves of Purity contrast beauti¬ 
fully with the pure white flowers which have an 
angled orange eye. The association of pure white 
flowers with dark foliage is even more remarkably 
brought out in Gipsy Queen. The metallic hue of 
the leaves would seem at variance with the snowy 
purity of the flowers, and yet in the strong contrast 
‘here is no clashing of the harmony with which 
Nature has endowed the plant. The petioles are so 
dark red as to appear almost black, and the mid-rib 
and underside of the leaf communicate a tinge to 
the whole surface. 
Snowdrift is a mass of bloom, and is notable from 
the fact that while the earliest to come into flower, 
it is the last to get played out. The narrow tube of 
the corolla, and the large stigma act in keeping the 
flower in position till it often withers upon the plant 
through sheer old age. The plants may therefore be 
carried about or used for decorative purposes in a 
variety of ways without danger of their being 
rendered flowerless through careless handling. Rosy 
Queen already mentioned has rosy-pink flowers of 
a most delicate hue, with a greater admixture of 
white than in the case of Reading Pink, but scarcely 
less choice, while the fern-like leaves add much to its 
beauty. It secures a large number of admirers. 
Fern-leaved White has large flowers of great purity 
and beautiful foliage. 
The above by no means includes all that may be 
seen at their best at Reading, even at the present 
time ; for a large number of kinds are being grown 
on trial, while others of a high order of merit, and 
designed to appear before the public at no distant 
date, are being grown with the view of increasing 
the stock so as to obtain sufl&cient seed to put into 
commerce. Some of the grandest forms produce 
seeds very sparingly, so that a little patience is re¬ 
quired of them till a stock cap be worked up. Be¬ 
sides valuable sorts there are others which may be 
classed amongst curiosities on account of the remark¬ 
able forms of their leaves, including that known as 
the Ivy-leaved, or other names. The improvement 
that has been affected in the moss-curled kinds, both 
in the leaves and flowers, should act as an incentive 
to continue the march of progress, a work which 
cannot be allowed to flag at Reading. 
--5-- 
AGANISIA LEPIDA. 
The species of Aganisia are pretty; but although 
several of them have been introduced into gardens 
from time to time, they are fated to disappear before 
long. A greater knowledge of their requirements 
may, however, enable the cultivator to grapple with 
the difficulties of keeping them in health that have 
hitherto been experienced. Two, narrowly lanceo¬ 
late, almost grass-likd leaves are produced by each 
pseudo-bulb. The flowers are relatively large, 
circular and pure white with the exception of a 
yellow blotch on the lip, a violet blotch on the base 
of the column and yellow keels to the sepals. They 
are produced in racemes of about 10, and are very 
choice in their way. The species is a native of Rio 
Negro, in Brazil, and was originally discovered there 
by Wallis who sent specimens to Messrs. Linden, at 
Brussels, with whom they flowered for the first time 
in 1865. The plant has recently been reintroduced 
and flowered with Messrs. Linden in August last. A 
beautiful illustration of it is given in Lindenia, pi. 
400. 
- -*• - 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL 
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION, 
Annual Meeting. 
The annual general meeting of the subscribers 
to this Institution was held at "Simpsons,” loi. 
Strand, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. H. J. Veitch 
presiding. In accordance with the notice previously 
given, John Jobson, of Alton, Hants ; John Webb, of 
Kensington ; and Lydia Balman, of Great Yarmouth ; 
were unanimously elected to the benefits of the 
Institution without the trouble or expense of an 
election. The twelve successful candidates at the 
election were: — James Burt, Walthamstow, 3,227 ; 
Thomas Gooch, Wymondham, 3,051 ; John Comber, 
Horley, 2,992 ; Margaret Tindall, Doncaster, 2,934 1 
William Pamplin, Walthamstow, 2,655 i Emma 
Kendall, Wood Green, 2,620; Sarah Buckharn, 
Battersea Rise, 2,615 ; John Mackay, Exeter, 2,498 ; 
Jane Nichols, Launceston, 2,346; Ann Harding, 
Amesbury, 2,321 ; Richard King, Highgate, 2,300 ; 
and Francis Woodhams, Romford, 2,209. 
The following is the report of the Committee and 
Statement of Accounts : — 
For the fifty-fifth time the Committee of the Gar¬ 
deners’ Royal Benevolent Institution have the great 
satisfaction of presenting to their supporters a report 
which shows that the Institution is still in a 
prosperous condition, and continues to carry on with 
success the good work for which it was founded—a 
work which has proved of incalculable benefit to 
those whom it is its especial office to aid, and by 
whom it is highly valued and appreciated. 
It is a great pleasure for the Committee to be able 
to state that the anniversary festival held in June 
last was entirely successful, and they desire to record 
their heartiest thanks to Baron Schroder, who so 
kindly and ably presided on that occasion, and whose 
liberality and advocacy of the claims of the Institu¬ 
tion contributed in a very great degree towards 
making the festival a financial success. The Com¬ 
mittee would also gratefully acknov/ledge their 
indebtedness to all those who, either by acting as 
stewards, or by sending gifts of flowers and fruit, 
assisted them in their efforts to bring about such a 
satisfactory result. 
During the past year thirteen pensioners have 
died, three leaving widows, whose claims to be 
placed on the pension list in succession to their late 
husbands have been carefully considered, and having 
been found satisfactory they have all been placed 
on the funds in accordance with Rule HI., 13. 
The Committee have much satisfaction in stating 
that they have decided to increase the number of 
pensioners now on the books by fifteen, to be elected 
this day. Three of these, in accordance with 
Rule HI., section 5, are recommended for a pension 
without the trouble and expense of an election, thus 
leaving twelve to be elected in the usual manner. 
The Committee regret that they are unable to place 
a larger number of candidates on the funds ; but 
they would point out that the proposed addition 
necessitates an increased expenditure, and they 
therefore earnestly appeal to the supporters of the 
Institution to aid them by their liberality in meeting 
the additional liabilities thereby incurred. 
It is very gratifying for the Committee to be able 
to announce that an auxiliary has been formed at 
Bristol, for Bristol, Bath, and neighbourhood, with 
the view of making the objects and claims of the 
Institution better known in that district. Their 
thanks are specially due to Mr. J. H. Vallance (Hon. 
Sec.) and to those gentlemen through whose efforts 
this new departure has been made. It bids fair to 
create a greater interest in the work, and the 
Committee trust that this example may be followed 
by other friends of the Institution in different parts 
of the country. 
In conclusion, it is with feelings of deep regret 
that the Committee have to refer to the loss by 
death of many valued supporters during the past 
year, amongst whom were the Earl of Derby and 
Lord Ebury, both Vice-Presidents and warm friends 
of the Institution. These losses combined with the 
great need of extending the work compel the Com¬ 
mittee to urge all those who have the well-being of 
the Institution at heart to use their utmost 
endeavours to promote its interests. 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
Statement of Accsunts for the Year 1893. 
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. 
To Balance. ... 935 n 
„ Annual Subscriptions ... 1,287 g o 
,, Donations at and in 
consequence of An¬ 
nual Festival Dinner 1,4.67 2 6 
„ Collecting Cards. 17H 2 4 
„ Retuin of Income Tax 4 18 2 
-1,650 3 o 
„ Advertisements . ... 47 6 6 
„ Dividends on Invest¬ 
ments and Interest on 
Deposits. ••• 796 14 6 
-3.781 13 
d. 
7 
o 
Invested Funds of the Institution;— 
23 per cent. Consolidated Stock, £25,000. 
3 per cent. India Stock, £2,664 19s. rod. 
‘‘ Silver Wedding Thank-offering Fund.” 
Midland Railway 3 per cent. Debenture 
Stock, £479 los. 4d. 
On Deposit with Bankers, £1.300. 
By Pensions and Gratuities ... 
„ Secretary's Salary . 
„ Rent of Offices . 
,, Office Assistance . 
,, Cost of Presentation to 
Hon. Solicitor. 
„ Printing,(including Annual 
Report and List of Sub¬ 
scribers) . 
,, Stationery . 
„ Expenses of Annual Meet¬ 
ing and Election of 
Pensioners . 
„ Expenses of Annual Fes¬ 
tival Dinner. 
,, Less Tickets sold. 
,, Cost of Appeals. 
„ Collecting Boxes . 
„ Postages, Travelling, and 
Incidental Expenses_ 
,, Placed on Deposit with 
Bankers . 
,, Balances, viz.:— 
With Treasurer at 
Bankers . 
With Secretary. 
£ s. d. £ s. 
Cr. 
d. £ s. 
2,687 II 
200 0 0 
65 12 6 
26 o o 
d. 
8 
20 10 9 
137 0 0 
2r r 4 
15 17 6 
176 16 6 
89 5 o 
87 ir 6 
29 2 7 
676 
83 r2 II 
- 692 16 7 
400 o o 
93+ 13 I 
233 
- 936 16 4 
£4,717 4 7 
£4.717 4 7 
