January 27, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
S43 
or conservatory is the best place for it, and when it 
gets too large to be conveniently accommodated, it 
may be cut down; in fact annual pruning may be 
given with this object in view. 
AZALEA CALYCIFLORA. 
There is some similarity between this and A. amoena, 
and both are merely forms of A. indica, more 
correctly termed Rhododendron indicum. The 
leaves are spathulate, dark green, leathery, and inter¬ 
mediate in size between Amoena and the type. The 
calyx is enlarged, petaloid, and very similar to the 
corolla in all respects, including the colour, which is 
rosy-red. The flowers cannot match the fine 
varieties of the type for size, but compensation is 
given in the much greater number produced even 
upon quite small plants. The plant is no doubt 
as readily amenable to forcing as Amoena, for it has 
been flowering very profusely for some time past in 
the greenhouse at Kew. 
ALOE KIRKII. 
Notwithstanding the numerous species of this 
genus already known to science, others continue to 
be added from time to time. That under notice was 
sent to Kew in i88i by Sir John Kirk, of Zanzibar, 
and has just flowered for the first time, proving it to 
be a new species. The plant is of dwarf habit, being 
now only about a foot high as far as the stem and 
leaves are concerned. The latter are spreading, 
6 in. to 12 in. long, rigid, subulate, spiny-serrate, 
green with exception of the spiny teeth, which are 
pink, and densely covering the plant from top to 
bottom. The flower scape reaches 2 ft. higher, and 
bears two side branches, which, like the main axis, 
terminate in raceme of flowers. The latter are 
drooping, cylindrical, orange-red, and end in green 
tips, which are darkest and most conspicuous in the 
unexpanded stage. After expansion the short seg¬ 
ments become much paler, but more particularly so 
at the edges. The plant may be seen in the succu¬ 
lent house at Kew. 
JASMINUM GRANDIFLORUM. 
On casual inspection this species closely resembles 
J. officinale, the popular and well-known common 
White Jasmine. The three terminal leaflets are, 
however, joined together, and the uppermost one is 
scarcely larger than the rest. This serves to dis¬ 
tinguish it at once from the better known species. 
The flowers also are larger, pure white, and 
deliciously fragrant. It is a native of the Himalayas 
at elevations of 2,000 ft. to 5,000 ft., and in this 
country requires a greenhouse temperature to give 
satisfaction. The stems do not grow rampantly, so 
that the plant is easily accommodated, and may be 
tied to stakes or grown against the pillars of the 
house. Flowers make their appearance in June and 
continue to do so till the end of autumn, or even in 
winter, as may be seen at Kew in the greenhouse. 
CALLISTEMON SALIGNUS. 
This plant is familiar to many under the name of 
Metrosideros floribunda, and is a frequent inmate of 
the greenhouse. So nearly hardy is it that it may 
be wintered in the open air against a wall, but more 
particularly in the southern, and more favoured 
parts of the country. Under these conditions it has 
flowered fairly well, even in the suburbs of London ; 
but the greenhouse is certainly its most proper place, 
as in the case of other hard-wooded New Holland 
plants. The leaves are linear, leathery in character, 
and remain upon the plants for many years, so that 
the bush is well-clothed when kept in healthy condi¬ 
tion. A large and bushy specimen about a yard 
high, and as far through, may be seen in the green¬ 
house at Kew, where it has been laden with blossom 
for some time past. The numerous stems and 
branches terminate in a dense spike of blossom 
having less of the Bottle-brush appearance than 
several other species with which gardeners are 
familiar, but something however in that way. The 
flowers are not so closely arranged,and the projecting, 
crimson-red style and stamens are shorter than usual. 
The whole plant is so well flowered, however, that it 
presents a gay appearance, and is worthy of its 
houseroom, for the sake of the variation it affords in 
a collection where bulbs and other forced subjects 
largely predominate at the present time. A sheltered 
place in the open would be the best position for if 
during the summer months, but more particularly 
after its young growth has been partly developed. 
TOMATO DISEASE. 
The time is fast approaching when we shall pro¬ 
bably again have to deal with this destructive 
fungus, and I am convinced that a few words in time 
would be a great help to many. The great idea 
which is prevalent seems to bejto get as many plants 
into a house as possible. Now this is a fatal mistake. 
There are very few plants that pay better than 
Tomatos when well grown, but this cannot be if 
space is not afforded them for proper development. 
A yard apart is little enough, for closer planting is 
in my opinion a greater friend to the disease than to 
the grower. Promote a steady and firm growth by 
judicious firing and good management of ventilators. 
— J. G. Pettinger, Strawberry Dale Nursery, Harrogate. 
-- 
Ija/jejieff’ Ipipfokpieiit jlppociatiopp. 
Birmingham and District Amateurs.— The first 
annual meeting of the Birmingham and District 
Amateur Gardeners’ Association was held in their 
rooms, 116, Colmore Row, on Wednesday last, 
Alderman Wm. White, J.P. (President), in the chair. 
There was a good number of members and friends 
present. The chairman in proposing the adoption of 
the report and balance sheet, congratulated the 
members on the progress the Association had made 
since its inauguration, and expressed the opinion that 
there was no occupation more favourable to physical 
culture than the pursuit of gardening. Councillor 
Martineau.in seconding, commended the members on 
the very satisfactory results of the first year’s work, 
observing that there were already 152 members. 
The report having been adopted, Alderman 
Wm. White was re-elected President, and in reply 
to a vote of thanks passed to him on the resolution 
of Mr. Ed. Clark, said he would be pleased to give 
a lecture on “ Travels among the Alps ” (illustrated 
by lime-light views) at a suitable date in February. 
The following gentlemen were elected: Vice- 
presidents, The Rt. Hon. Jesse Codings, M.P.; 
Councillors R. F. Martineau, Hy. Bisseker, John St. 
S. Wilders, J.P., Wm. Bown, Esq., Leonard Brierley, 
Esq., J.P., R. Cadbury, Esq , J.P., J. C. Holder, 
Esq., J.P., C.C., A. B. Holinsworth, Esq., E. M. 
Sharp, Esq. Mr. R. F. Rees was re-elected 
treasurer, and Mr. W. B. Griffin, hon. secretary. 
The following were elected on the committee: 
Messrs. Geo. Pressly, W. H. Wilks, Arthur Roe, 
Chas. Shattan, Arthur Groves, W. H. Twist. C. F. 
Franklin, Ernest D. Clark, W. Wood, T. Gosling, 
T. P. Cope, and J. Downing. Councillor Martineau, 
in the absence of the president, who was compelled 
to leave early, then distributed the prizes and 
certificates to the successful exhibitors of plants and 
flowers during the past year. They were as follows : 
—Messrs. T. Gosling (Silver Medal), W. B. Griffin 
(Bronze Medal), E. D. Clark, R. F. Rees, W. H. 
Wilks, Herbert Smith, C. F. Franklin, and Miss 
Martineau (Certificates). Mr. F. T. Poulson 
(Stafford) was awarded a Special Certificate for an 
excellent exhibit of alpine and show Auriculas in 
April last. Fourteen new members were elected. 
Sunderland. —The third annual dinner of this 
Society took place on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at 
the Palatine Hotel. Alderman Shadforth, J.P. 
(president of the Society), occupied the chair, and 
was supported by several influential gentlemen. 
Ample justice having been done to an excellent 
repast, letters of apology for inability to attend were 
stated to have been received from several of the vice- 
presidents, who wished the Society every success. 
The loyal toasts were duly honoured, after which 
Mr. Bolam, F.R.H.S., proposed the " Health of the 
President and Vice-Presidents of the Society.” The 
Chairman, in response, said that as their first presi¬ 
dent he was pleased to know that the Society had 
been so successful. Though not fully conversant 
with the art of horticulture, he appreciated it highly. 
He was glad that other gentlemen in the town were 
alive to the importance of such a Society. Although 
the area was a limited one there was a membership 
of sixty, exclusive of those of a honorary character. 
The Society was full of promise, and if the honorary 
members supported them as well in the future as 
they had done in the past there was nothing to fear. 
” Success to the Society ” was submitted by Mr. C. 
Errington, who considered the Society was a boon 
not only to the members, but their employers, and it 
was particularly beneficial to those whose effort it 
was to gain proficiency in the art of horticulture. 
Musical honours were accorded to the toast,to which 
Mr. James Watson responded. He said there was 
no fear of the Society proving unsuccessful if only 
the honorary members supported them as they had 
done in the past. The local climate, he explained, 
was the worst in the North, and it was fortunate 
they had such an organisation in order that they 
might learn from each other how to cultivate under 
such conditions. The toasts of the honorary 
members, "The Press,” "The Visitors,” and "Our 
next Merry Meeting,” were also honoured, the pro¬ 
ceedings (during which some excellent songs and 
instrumental solos were rendered), which were most 
enjoyable throughout, ending with " Auld Lang 
Syne.”—V. 
Woolton. —The annual meeting of this Associa¬ 
tion was held on the i8th inst., Mr. D. Johns pre¬ 
siding over a large meeting. Mr. W. Disley, secre¬ 
tary, read the report of the committee, which 
showed that there had been a fair attendance 
throughout the year; that the papers read at the 
meetings had been of a good practical character, 
and that the discussions which followed had been 
instructive and interesting. The Librarian reported 
an increase in the number of members making use 
of the valuable set of books which the Society now 
owned. The Treasurer’s account also showed a 
healthy condition of affairs in regard to the finances. 
Messrs. R. G. Waterman, as treasurer, W. Disley, 
as secretary, and T. R. Burrows, as librarian, were 
again unanimously re-elected. It was announced 
that the prize essays would be read as follows 
"The Selection and Cultivation of Fruits suitable 
for the District,” by Mr. Waterman, on February 
1st; and " The Cultivation of Plants suitable for 
House Decoration,” by Mr. W. Disley, on February 
15th. 
SOCIETIES. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.—The usual 
monthly meeting of the members of this Association 
was held in the Free Library, William Brown Street, 
on Saturday evening, January 20th, Mr. Thomas 
White presiding. Mr. R. G. Waterman read a 
paper on " Horticultural Societies, their Aims and 
Objects,” dividing the subject into three parts, 
which were respectively devoted to gardening 
charities, practical gardening, and the theory of 
gardening. With regard to the first, the essayist 
strongly advocated the claims of these valuable 
institutions upon the support of all gardeners, and 
expressed his regret that Liverpool had done so 
little on their behalf. He urged his hearers to make 
a strong and united effort to remove the reproach, 
and to do something worthy of the gardeners of the 
district. There was no scarcity of material nor any 
want of ability to carry out a monster gathering of 
some form by which the charities might largely 
benefit. In the practical gardening section the 
Liverpool exhibitions were brought under review, 
their shortcomings criticised, and suggestions for 
improvement in various directions pointed out. 
Judges and judging was another topic touched upon, 
especially with regard to the Chrysanthemum. 
The theory of horticulture, Mr. Waterman 
considered, embraced instruction given under 
the auspices of County Councils, horticultural 
teaching in the elementary schools, and the 
operations of mutual improvement societies, both 
for amateurs and professional gardeners. The 
work of the Liverpool Horticultural Association was 
specially commented upon with reference to its want 
of "go” in only holding six monthly meetings 
during the winter. Mr. Waterman urged that the 
Executive should have pressed the claims of the 
Association upon the County Council for a grant, 
which would have enabled them to appoint com¬ 
petent teachers to visit the surrounding districts and 
give Instruction. 
A discussion followed, which mostly centred round 
the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, con¬ 
cerning the work of which many questions were 
asked and information sought, which suggested to 
one member the advisability of getting some cir¬ 
culars from the Secretary for distributioa. Most of 
the speakers supported the essayist in his criticisms 
of the management of the Association, Mr. J. Storey 
alone taking up the cudgels in defence of the Com¬ 
mittee. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Waterman 
and the Chairman concluded the meeting. 
