April 4th, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
493 
flowers, it is not so necessary to put in the division 
sticks. Proceed to arrange the second layer in a 
similar manner, and over the top place another sheet 
of tissue paper, which should be damped to make it 
soft, so that it will not injure the most delicate 
flowers. A very thin layer of cotton wadding, or, 
better still, soft moss, over this will make it fit for the 
lid, and the whole will be complete and safe after 
being tied round with a cord and labelled. 
Where a quantity of flowers, such as Rhododendrons, 
Kalmias, Azaleas of the Mollis type, Delphiniums, 
Digitalis or Foxgloves, Arum Lilies, &c., have to be 
packed, larger boxes have to be used, and in the 
summer time we have made it a practice to immerse 
the box looked out for conveying the flowers in a tub 
or tank of water, and there let it remain until the 
flowers are collected, when it is taken out to drain. 
In addition to paper for lining the bottom and sides 
of the boxes, we frequently use Rhubarb and Cabbage 
leaves, after first removing the strong mid-ribs of the 
leaves. The choosing of the box and the arranging 
and securing the layers is performed after the same 
manner as that for the smaller boxes, and, like them, 
never more than two layers are admitted. Such 
flowers as Marechal Niel and other Roses are each 
placed either in a separate piece of tissue paper, or in 
a leaf of Spinach, which is wonderfully cool and soft. 
For all the commoner kinds of flowers, what is 
called kitchen paper is used instead of tissue paper. 
No flowers are ever damped when packing, but the 
paper over and about them is generally damped, 
which seems to seal it down and make it almost air¬ 
tight. Care is necessary to have the box filled, but 
not so as to crush the flowers in placing on the lid. 
A half sheet of wadding over the top of the flowers, if 
there is any space left, will be of good service in 
keeping the whole from moving ; owing to its elastic 
nature, tender flowers may be pressed against it 
slightly without injury. 
For conveying bouquets, or I should say a hand 
bouquet, a box of the form of a cube about 15 ins. 
square, inside measure, will be found the most suitable 
for an ordinary-sized bouquet. This box should have 
a partition in it about halfway up the sides, and a 
circular hole cut in the middle about 4 ins. in 
diameter, to take the stem and lower part of the cup 
of the bouquet. Two small holes should now be made 
through the bottom of the box 6 ins. apart, that is, 
3 ins. on either side of the centre. When the 
bouquet is complete, tie a piece of string on the stem, 
leaving two long ends, and these pass through the 
holes in the bottom of the box, one through each, and 
then tie them tight on the outside bottom of the box. 
The bouquet is thus secured in such a way that it 
cannot move one way or the other, and provided the 
string does not come untied, it would ride as well 
upside down as any other way. Put a piece or two of 
tissue paper over it, damp slightly, and the whole will 
go safe. Place on the lid, and secure with a piece 
of cord, as nailing down flower-box lids only knocks 
the box to pieces, and is unnecessary. 
In these days of floral offerings, it is not uncommon 
for gardeners to be called upon to make either a 
wreath or cross of flowers, to send as a tribute of 
respect to some departed relative or friend, and here 
again a suitable box for the purpose is of great 
importance. For a wreath 15 ins. to 18 ins. across, 
the box should be a few inches more, to prevent the 
outer fringe of flowers and fern from becoming 
damaged. Three inches deep, inside measure, is 
generally sufficient. Two holes at opposite corners 
should be made. When the wreath is complete, a 
sheet of paper should be laid in the bottom of the 
box on which to place it; a long piece of string should 
then be taken, having a noose at one end. Pass the 
string with a packing needle through the hole in 
one corner from the underside of the box, pass it 
carefully under the flowers—but over the wreath 
or wire on which it is made up, over the other 
side of the wire in the same manner, and down 
through the hole in the other corner. Pass the 
needle through the noose and draw and tie tight, so 
that the wreath is perfectly secure on the bottom. 
Cover the wreath of flowers with a sheet of tissue 
paper and lightly sprinkle the same with a little water; 
cover with the lid, and all will be safe for a long or a 
short journey. If the weather is frosty, a sheet of 
wadding placed over the damp paper will secure them 
against cold, but I do not consider it otherwise neces¬ 
sary. A box of a similar depth is also the most 
suitable for conveying a floral cross—viz., three inches. 
It should be of length and breadth according to 
requirements, and four holes bored in the bottom of 
the box, one on either side, a little distance from the 
top and the same towards the bottom. Two pieces 
of string should be brought through similarly to 
those for the wreath, over the wood of the cross and 
under the flowers ; tie securely both top and bottom, 
and cover the same as for the wreath. Proper boxes 
for packing purposes are half the battle, so that those 
who have that kind of work to do should keep an eye 
in that direction, and it is well to look up all empties 
of such as are used for the conveyance of bouquets, 
wreaths, and crosses, as they cannot be had without 
trouble and expense.— C. Warden. 
— g-^T —• 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
The National Chrysanthemum.— Prosperity 
still smiles upon this useful Society, for at a meeting 
of the General Committee held on Monday evening 
last, E. Sanderson, Esq., President, in the chair, 
twelve new members were elected, bringing the total 
up to 271, and the following Societies were received 
into affiliation :—Bristol Chrysanthemum and Spring 
Show, Yeovil Chrysanthemum, Ancient Society of 
York Florists, Chelmsford and Essex Horticultural, 
Canterbury Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement, Dorset 
County Branch of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society, Lincoln Chrysanthemum, Sheffield and West 
Riding Chrysanthemum, Brighton and Hove Chrysan¬ 
themum, Weald of Kent Gardeners’ and Cottagers’ 
Mutual Improvement, Highgate, Finchley, and 
Hornsey Chrysanthemum, Scarborough Floral and 
Horticultural, the Ascot, Sunninghill, and District 
Horticultural, the Bath Floral Fete, Lincoln Chrysan¬ 
themum, and Ealing, Acton, and Hanwell Horti¬ 
cultural. Unlike the National Rose Society, the 
National Chrysanthemum in no way interferes with 
local and provincial Societies as to the duration of 
their Shows, stipulating only that their medals shall 
be offered for worthy objects. The scheme of 
affiliation is altogether on broader lines than that 
of the sister Society. One excellent feature is the 
privilege accorded to affiliated Societies of nominating 
a representative on the General Committee of the 
National Society so long as the affiliation holds good. 
This is found to bear excellent fruit, in that it brings 
provincial Societies into closer touch with the head 
quarters in London, and enables useful suggestions to 
be made in person. 
As it has been decided that the Special Exhibition 
of Winter Flowering Chrysanthemums shall take 
place on January 13th, 1886, and in the Royal 
Aquarium at Westminster, growers should exercise 
some forethought if they would prepare themselves 
for the contest, which it is fully expected will be a 
very interesting one. 
Bath. Spring Show, March 25th and 26th .—The 
late Bulb Show at Bath was one of the most successful 
that the management have been favoured with, the 
display of plants being excellent in every respect and 
the attendance of visitors large on both days. The 
display of Hyacinths grown in the locality, a very 
good one, was augmented by a group of a dozen 
plants of the best Highgate quality, sent by Messrs. 
William Cutbush & Son. The most successful 
exhibitor with these charming flowers of spring was 
S. P. Budd, Esq. (Mr. Taylor, gardener), who secured 
first honours for eighteen, twelve, and six varieties 
respectively ; while the first prize in the largest class 
for Tulips went to M. Dunlop, Esq., Mr. Budd again 
coming to the front with four pots of doubles. Messrs. 
Cooling & Son had the best examples of Lily of the 
Valley and forced Rhododendrons and Azalea Mollis, 
and came in second to Mr. W. Thomas with Poly¬ 
anthus Narcissus. 
The best Indian Azaleas were contributed by C. J. 
Bryant, Esq., and T. Jolly, Esq., and the finest pot 
Roses from General Doherty. For three Orchids, 
distinct, Mr. James Cypher, of Cheltenham, was 
invincible with first-class specimens of Cypripedium 
villosum, Cattleya Trianai, and Dendrobium Wardia- 
num. Mr. Cypher’s specimen of Cypripedium 
villosum, with seventeen flowers, was also the best in 
its class; and Colonel Landon was second in both. 
With a collection of plants arranged for effect, Messrs. 
Cooling & Son beat Mr. W. C. Drummond, and, with a 
group of smaller dimensions, E. E. Bryant, Esq., came 
in first, as he did also with ornamental-foliaged plants, 
exotic ferns, and flowering stove or greenhouse plants. 
The best collection of twenty hardy herbaceous 
plants in bloom also came from the Messrs. Cooling’s 
nursery. 
Mr. Cypher contributed a very effectively-arranged 
group of plants, containing above eighty examples 
of well-grown specimen Orchids, including Cattleya 
Triame, C. Percivaliana, Lycaste Skinneri, Dendrobium 
speciosum, D. Wardianum, D. primulinum, and D. 
Ainsworthii, &c. Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son also 
sent a large group of plants, including the fragrant 
Boronia megastigma, Azaleas, Palms, Ferns, Acacias, 
Aralias, &c. In the fruit classes, Mr. W. Cooper took 
the first prize for a bunch of Grapes ; while the best 
dishes of Apples were of Ribston Pippin, shown by 
F. J. Walker, Esq., and Blenheim Orange, from J. 
Butler, Esq.; while Beurre Ranee was the best Pear. 
Mr.G. Garraway had the best Seakale and Cucumbers, 
and Mr. Stuckey the finest Mushrooms. 
- g—. ■—p —- 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Snow and Snow-guards.— Snow comes down so 
seldom in the neighbourhood of London as it 
came dowm on the 22nd ult., that we are afraid it 
must have caught many a one napping. We hear 
of much damage to glass from snow shooting off 
the roofs of houses, and we have before suggested 
that the snow would some day or other do a lot of 
damage where snow-guards had not been erected. 
Properly made, ornamental or plain guards are very 
inexpensive, and are soon fixed by using a few hold¬ 
fasts. Where the tenant does not wish to go to the 
expense, he may, however, protect his glass by fixing 
over it a length of ^-in. or 1-in. mesh wire netting to 
catch the snow that shoots off the house-top. The 
netting should be attached to a few hooks driven in 
to the back wall and then drawn down to others 
below, and it should be far enough above the glass 
to save the rebound. 
It is probable that we shall hear of damage having 
been caused to shrubs by the weight of the snow 
lying on the branches and leaves. Where there is a 
likelihood of broken branches, it is a good plan to 
shake the snow off as soon as possible, and in doing 
this to be careful how it is done. Over-weighted 
branches should be propped a little by using a 
forked stick or a hay-fork, till the greatest weight 
of snow has been removed, and then they may be 
shaken clear. Snow is productive of real advantages 
in the economy of nature, and in the instance of the 
last fall it came very opportunely to moisten the dried 
surface of the ground, which was very much needed 
for small seeds, &c .--Abel. 
Clay’s Fertilizer.— I am pleased to see Mr. J. King, 
in his interesting Mignonette note at p. 475, doing 
justice to this excellent gardener’s assistant. I have 
had a long exprience with it, and I have found it 
unfailing in the remarkably good results obtained on 
plants of all sorts by using it. I am convinced that if 
our suburban and other small gardeners were to spend 
one-half of the money on Clay’s Fertilizer which they 
now do on that strange and abominable mixture of 
rotten straw, weed-seeds, worms and insect germs of 
all descriptions, called dung, or manure, their gardening 
would be much easier and more pleasant. This 
fertilizer not only does not introduce weeds, slugs, &c., 
but it is a certain check to all noxious insects. For 
window boxes too it is marvellous. We have some 
boxes in our windows filled with the most beautiful 
bushes of Euonymus, both green and variegated, which 
have had no other fresh soil for nearly four years, 
except the surface waste being replaced spring and 
autumn by turfy loam three parts and Clay’s Fer¬ 
tilizer one part. Thus the present soil is fertilized 
better than fresh soil, and some of the boxes, although 
only 5 ins. deep and 5 ins. across inside, have lovely 
healthy bushes 2 ft. 6 ins. in height in them, and can 
so be continued for an indefinite period.— J. 
