416 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 3, 1894 
at the Chiswick Conference in the autumn. 
We hope the gentlemen who have engaged 
to furnish the papers will find large 
audiences, but it must be admitted that 
many good papers have been read to com¬ 
paratively poor audiences in the past. 
Still farther, the discords of speech and 
motion that so often arise from the open 
portion of the Drill Hall, are not at all 
pleasant, and need considerable correction. 
It is a case in which the comfort of the 
readers should have great consideration. 
Without wishing for one moment to dis¬ 
parage the papers of those not mentioned, 
for without doubt each one will in their 
way be very able and valuable, there are 
just a few, half a dozen, in fact, that seem 
to stand out, because of their themes or 
of the readers, as likely to create the greater 
interest. First comes I\Ir. J. H. Veitch’s 
paper on “ The Deciduous Trees and 
Shrubs of Japan,” which should be treated 
b}" so recent a visitor to Japan with 
unusual capacity. Mr. Veitch has enjoyed 
great privileges in being enabled to see in 
Japan much that previously was not so 
readily accessible to Europeans. Still 
further, he went there with alread}^ an 
almost unique knowledge for so young a 
man of what we had here in Great 
Britain, not only of Japan, but of other 
countries’ trees and shrubs, hence his 
remarks should be of a nature full of 
interesting information. 
Perhaps next in interest will be the 
paper on Orchids by Sir Trevor Lawrence. 
Not that we have not had every phase of 
Orchid cultivation and variation already 
pretty well presented. We are familiar 
enough with Orchids from the growers’ and 
the purely traders’ aspects. The president 
of the R.H.S., however, belongs to that 
comparatively limited section who grow 
Orchids more for love or pleasure, than for 
profit or for mere display ; and we should 
like to hear from one of these their views 
in relation to Orchids from their own 
standpoint. It is possible, having regard 
to the well-travelled ground Orchid culture 
covers, that Sir Trevor may furnish some¬ 
thing that is new, and, therefore, all the 
more interesting. 
• IMr. G. Nicholson’s paper on “Flower¬ 
ing Trees and Shrubs” should prove full of 
interest, for few men have greater opportu¬ 
nities in the acquiring of information con¬ 
cerning these beautiful denizens of our 
gardens. It is fixed, too, at a time when 
illustrative material should be very abun¬ 
dant. Then comes, at the end of August, 
all the way from Dalkeith, our most esti- 
rnable friend, Mr. M. Dunn, to give his 
views on “ The Relations between Gar¬ 
deners and Employers.” This is a theme 
which will doubtless attract gardeners 
largely, and it is in excellent hands. Mr. 
Dunn may, however, because he has long 
been so happily placed, be disposed to take 
a very roseate view of the matter. His 
good fortune is unhappily a long way from 
being the lot of hundreds of good men. 
Mr. Pettigrew proposes to tell us some¬ 
thing about the Castle Coch Vine3'ards of 
which little has been heard of late, and 
respecting which we have very open 
minds. Finally, Mr. Douglas is to 
enlighten us on “ Principles of Judging at 
Flower Shows,’’respecting which there may 
be considerable room for discussion. The 
subject is one that requires broad-minded 
and liberal treatment. 
OPULAR Cut Flowers.— It is not so 
much in the nurseries of the great 
growers, or in the public markets or 
shops, but rather in the streets, on baskets 
and barrows, that the best opportu¬ 
nities are offered for stock taking as 
to what are popular cut flowers. Natu¬ 
rally we look for a large appreciation of 
beautiful flowers in the homes of the rich 
and educated. If flowers be not found there, 
then indeed must taste in their cases be sadly 
deteriorating. After all, it is in regard to 
what may be called the common or popular 
demand that most interest is created, 
because it is in this direction such vast 
quantities of flowers find a market. What 
of hope for better things is there not in a 
population that loves, and somehow will 
amidst their privations and poverty have, a 
few flowers ? 
Now, that the many forced forms of the 
Daffodil family are abundant, we see them 
in all directions in immense quantities. 
Still it is not so much the immensity of the 
supply as the question as to how far, selling 
eventually so cheaply, the grower can 
find his produce profitable. We hope he 
does, and think he must do, or otherwise 
the supply must presently cease. What a 
revolution the Daffodil has wrought in our 
flower trade during the past twenty }'ears ! 
Literally an3'body can have Daffodils now, 
and because they force so admirabl3' for 
fully four months of the spring. 
The lowly Violet is still as much in 
demand as ever ; indeed humble old-world 
flowers are ever popular, not only with the 
masses, but with all. The sweetl3'^ per¬ 
fumed Pink is essentially a popular flower, 
and those who are so warmly seeking to 
promote its wider culture may well be en¬ 
couraged with that knowledge. It is indeed 
one of the great charms of our flower 
trade that no new introductions seem to 
displace old favourites, for new and old 
equally seem to find universal favour. 
HE National Chrysanthemum Society. 
—The somewhat full report of the 
proceedings of the recent annual meeting 
of this really national society must have 
been read by the hundreds of members 
distributed over the Kingdom, and unable 
to attend the meeting, with exceeding 
interest. The financial position after the 
past year’s 'working must be regarded as 
eminently satisfactory, and certainly shows 
that in spite of the prevalent financial 
depression the Society has well held its 
own. The new members elected to the 
Committee must bring to it strength and 
respect; and it must be evident to all that 
members resident very remote from London 
can seldom attend Committee meetings, 
and aMiough there is every desire now to 
give to the Society a truly national aspect, 
■yet it is inevitable that members resident 
near or in the centre of operations should 
be regarded as most eligible for office, as 
they can and do give to the business of the 
Society close application. Nothing has in 
any way transpired to offer the Society 
a more central or better home than the 
Royal Aquarium, the directors of which 
endeavour to treat the National with ex¬ 
ceeding liberality. Then the inclusion of 
those admirable critical papers read at 
some of the meetings from Mr. Pearson 
and Mr. Shea into the schedule will serv'e 
to show those members who desire varia¬ 
tions in the method of exhibiting Chrysan¬ 
themums that their wishes are receiving 
impartial consideration ; whilst, further, 
they will find in the schedule that some 
classes tending to gratify their desires have 
been arrranged for the November exhibi¬ 
tion. 
The present position of the Society shows 
now how fully its development into the 
National Chrysanthemum Society is being 
justified. Originally a local body, it has 
long since emancipated itself from purely 
local surroundings, and is the recognised 
national Society for the promotion of the 
cultivation of the Chrysanthemum. It has 
during the past few 3’ears secured much 
public confidence, and having passed 
through some occasional fires, has come 
out of the ordeal elevated and purified. 
We can look for a long life for the National 
with entire confidence. 
--t-- 
The Devon and Exeter Horticultural Society's Shows 
will be held on August 17th and November gth, the 
last being the 180th held by the Society. 
Manure for Plants in Drawing-rooms.— Le 
Jardin recommends the following formula for this 
purpose :—Carbonate of potassium about 15J grains, 
troy ; phosphate of potassium 15J grains; carbonate 
of magnesia 15J grains ; silicate of soda 15J grains ; 
nitrate of potassium 31 grains ; and sulphate of iron 
46J grains. Those materials should be mixed in 
the proportions given and dissolved in 3J pints of 
water. Table and window plants should be watered 
with this once a week. 
A Giant Beech Tree. — In the forest of St. 
Michel not far from Nassogne, in the province of 
Luxembourg, Fuance, is a Beech of remaikable size, 
the dimensions of which are given by Le Journal 
des Villages. About 4 ft. from the ground, the circum¬ 
ference of the tree is somewhat over ii ft., and the 
total height is 85 ft. The contents of the tree is 
calculated at 12 cubic metres, or rather over that 
number of cubic yards, of wood, fit for timber, and 
10 steres of material for firewood. 
The Fruit and Floral Committee Trials, 1894. —We 
are asked to state that the Council of the Royal 
Horticultural Society has decided to make trials 
this season of the lollowing subjects in the gardens 
at Chiswick, (i) By the Floral Committee:— 
Cannas, Clematis, Bedding Begonias, Tree (Perpetual 
or Winter dowering) Carnations, Zonal Pelargoniums 
for pots. Campanulas and Sweet Peas. (2) By the 
P'ruit and Vegetable Committee Strawberries all 
sorts. Cauliflowers, and new varieties of Tomatos, 
Potatos and Peas. Growers and others interested in 
these plants, seeds, &c., are invited to contribute 
examples for the purpose of the trials, and to be 
good enough to forward the same to Mr. Barron, 
Superintendent, R.H.S. Gardens, Chiswick, as early 
as may be convenient. 
Sale of a Great Auk's Egg. —A large company 
gathered at Mr. J. C. Stevens’ Rooms, Covent 
Garden, on the afternoon of the 22nd ult., attracted 
by the sale of an egg of the Great Auk, which Mr. 
Stevens said w'as formerly in the possession of Mr. 
Yarrell, author of the " History of British Birds.” 
At the sale of Mr. Yarrel's collection of eggs, it 
passed into the hands of Mr. Bond, and next of 
Baron d'Hamonville. It is not quite perfect, but it 
is beautifully marked. It was originally purchased 
for a few francs of a French fisherman, near 
Boulogne, after he had arrived home from a whaling 
expedition, so that its history can be traced almost 
from the day it was laid. Five years ago, only 
sixty-seven specimens were known to be in existence, 
but after that another was found in a loft, making 
sixty-eight altogether. Of that number, sixty-six are 
in Europe and two in America. The last one was 
sold a year ago for £22^, and Mr. Stevens remarked 
he had heard that the purchaser made a very fine 
profit out of the transaction. Bidding commenced 
at £100, and the lot finally fell to the bid of 300 
guineas, made by the agent of Sir V. H. Crewe, 
Bart. 
The Devon and Exeter Gardeners' Association.—At 
the meeting of this Association, held on the 21st ult., 
Sir Dudley Ducksworth-King, Bart., presiding, Mr. 
George, formerly gardener to Lady Rolle at Picton, 
and now a lecturer under the Devon County Council, 
related his experience as a lecturer, and referred to 
the good which he believed would result from 
the lectures on horticulture. He exhibited a number 
of diagrams of trees, insects, etc., and showed the 
difference between good and bad pruning of fruit 
trees. He also had present a number of specimens 
to show the best mode of grafting. The Canadians 
were sending as many as 70,000 barrels of Apples 
per week to this country. In Devonshire valleys 
they could grow Apples far better than they could 
in Canada. But the farmers grew a useless sort— 
cider Apples. They should grow a proper sort of 
Apple, and pick and pack properly. They also 
neglected pruning and proper planting. He found 
in one orchard seventy trees recently planted; 
