260 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 22, 1894. 
latter must benefit largely by the destruction 
of the caterpillars of the Winter Moth and 
others that must inevitably weaken them 
by destroying the foliage. The increase of 
good fruits insured by the action of spray¬ 
ing cannot be ignored when making an 
estimate of the value of spraying. 
-»*—- 
Mr. Alfred Outram, who for the last twenty- 
three years has represented Messrs. B. S. Williams 
Sc Son as traveller, has, we understand, relinquished 
his engagement with the firm, and seeks another en¬ 
gagement. 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Victoria and Paradise 
Nurseries, Upper Holloway, N., have just opened a 
commodious and handsomely appointed West End 
establishment at 169, Piccadilly, W., to meet the 
requirements of the floral and decorative branch of 
their business. 
A Colossal Oak.—One of the largest and oldest 
trees that exist in Germany is an Oak found near 
Brandenburg at Dahlen, not far from Berlin. The 
trunk measures 26 yards in circumference. The 
tree was planted about 1436. 
The Devon and Exeter Horticultural Society’s Shows 
for 1895 are announced as follows :—Rose Show and 
General Summer Flower Show, June 28th; Fruit 
and Chrysanthemum Show, November 7th and 8th. 
The Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association 
Hyacinth and Spring Flower Show will be held on 
Wednesday, March 20th. 
The Manchester Botanical Society's Exhibitions in 
1895 have been arranged to be held as follows:— 
Spring Show in the Town Hall on March 15th and 
16th, and in the Gardens at Old Trafford, on April 
27th. The Annual Whitsuntide Show will be 
opened on May 31st. A Rose Show will he held on 
July 20th, and a Chrysanthemum Show in the Town 
Hall on November 22nd and 23rd. 
A Large Plane.—There is a large specimen of a 
Plane in the Botanic Garden at Liege, Belgium, and 
the Bulletino della R. Societd Toscana di Qrticultura 
speaks of it under the name of Platanus occidentalis, 
but we think it more likely to be P. orientalis 
acerifolia, which is known on this side of the North 
Sea as the London Plane. The girth of the tree in 
question near the ground is about 16 ft., or slightly 
over. 
Helianthus lenticularis.—Considering the favour 
with which Sunflowers are received at present, that 
under notice should prove an acquisition. It was 
introduced from North America iu 1893 by MM. 
Vilmorin Andrieux et Cie, of Paris. When planted 
out in a good position the plant will attain a height 
of 12 ft. in a season, forming a perfect pyramid, 
adorned from the base to the summit with flowers 
of medium size and of a brilliant yellow. The 
Bulletino della R. Societd Toscana di Orticultura says 
it is of inestimable value for the adornment of large 
parks. 
Nepenthes bicalcarata in Flower.—At the last meet¬ 
ing of the Scientific Committee, Dr. Masters showed 
specimens of the flowers of this plant, which has not 
been known to blossom in this country before. The 
inflorescence is an umbel, and not an elongated 
raceme, as in other species. It was received from 
the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. 
Royal Botanic Society.—At the annual Meeting in 
August last a resolution was carried recommending 
the Council to consider the expediency of opening 
the gardens to the public on week days on payment 
at the doors. The Council has since decided to so 
open the gardens on Whit Monday in next year, 
Many of the Fellows, however, deem this concession 
wholly inadequate. Mr. J. S. Rubinstein, for many 
years an hon. auditor, and by whom the original 
resolution was brought forward, has accordingly 
given notice that at the general meeting on Saturday, 
January 12th next, he will move that after the 
1st March the gardens be opened on Monday, 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in each week on 
payment of 6d. on Mondays, and is. on the other 
days. 
Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of 
Ghent.—The programme of the 161st exhibition of 
this society is now published, and indicates that the 
show in question will take place on the 21st, 22nd, 
and 23rd of April, 1895. Prizes are offered in 217 
classes for exhibits of the most varied kind, includ¬ 
ing Orchids, new plants, stove and greenhouse 
plants, palms, Cycads, ferns, ornamental subjects of 
large size, flowering plants such as Clivias 
Amaryllis, Lilies, Cyclamen, Gloxinias, tuberous 
Begonias, Pelargoninms, Irises, Carnations, &c. 
Groups of ten to forty plants of Rhododendrons 
and Azaleas in flower will also be a feature as well 
as flowering shrubs, and various specified classes of 
plants. The prizes will consist wholly of gold, 
silver-gilt, and silver medals of various values, 
according to the exhibits. 
Shirley Gardeners’ and Amateurs’ Improvement 
Association. —The monthly meeting was held at 
Shirley, Southampton, on the 17th inst. Mr. B. 
Ladhams, F.R.H.S., presiding over a fair attendance 
of members. A paper was contributed by Mr. Jesse 
Jones, The Gardens, Terrace House, Southampton, 
on the “ Cultivation of the Eucharis,” illustrated by 
some excellent, photographs of a group and 
specimens from plants under his care. The soil, 
potting, temperature, watering and stimulants were 
each considered, and too frequent potting com- 
demned. His specimen, which was in the best of 
health, had not been repotted for seven years. 
Directions were also given for the treatment of bulbs, 
which had become diseased. The “ Eucharis Mite ” 
as a first cause of damage to plants has no 
place in Mr. Jones’ belief, but rather that bulbs 
which have been allowed to get into a state of decay 
from improper treatment will develop insect life is a 
certainty. A number of interesting questions were 
put to Mr. Jones and answered satisfactorily, and a 
very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him for 
his exhaustive paper. 
Bristol Amateur Horticultural Society. —The first 
annual general meeting of this Society was recently 
held at the Colston Hall, the chair being taken by 
the president, Councillor J. Walls. The secretary 
and treasurer presented their reports, which showed 
that the Society had made a very successful start, 
and had much increased in membership; their 
finances being also in a satisfactory state. An 
interesting address on the aims and objects of the 
Society was given by the president, and the prizes 
won at the recent Chrysanthemum Show, as also at 
the smaller monthly friendly exhibits of the Society, 
were distributed by Mrs. Walls. The resignation of 
the chairman of committee, Mr. Leonard M. Day, 
due to the pressure of other engagements, was 
received with regret, and he was awarded a hearty 
vote of thanks for past services. Messrs. W. E. 
Turner and Ernest G. Machon were re-appointed as 
secretary and treasurer respectively for the ensuing 
year. An excellent programme for the monthly 
meetings was submitted, and included lectures from 
many gentlemen well known as distinguished horti¬ 
culturists. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund Concert at 
Altrincham.—The Annual Concert, organised by the 
Altrincham Gardeners’ Improvement Society, in aid 
of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, was held 
at the Literary Institute, Altrincham, on Wednesday 
evening, the 5th instant. For such an eminently 
charitable purpose it was only to be expected that 
the public would signify their sympathy in a 
practical manner, and the result was that the large 
hall was packed to its utmost capacity. Several 
ladies and gentlemen, well known in the musical 
world, and the splendid band of the Altrincham 
Orchestral Society, kindly came to the assistance of 
the Committee, and their efforts met with hearty 
approval. From a musical point of view the concert 
was a grand success, and financially it exceeded all 
expectations, as, after paying all expenses, there was 
a balance of £50 103., which sum has been forwarded 
to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. A. F. Barron. This is 
our third annual concert. Two years ago we raised 
£20, last year £35, and this year the handsome sum 
named above. The Committee worked hard to 
achieve this splendid result, and they are highly 
gratified with the success which has attended their 
endeavours. If other Gardeners' Improvement 
Societies organised entertainments on similar lines 
the funds of this most deserving charity would be 
considerably enlarged.— Chas. Hewitt, Hon. Sec. and 
Treasurer. 
The Original Discovery of Insectivorous Plants. 
—Concerning this discovery some correspondents 
have been contributing notes to the Revue de VHorti¬ 
culture Beige. More than a century ago M. Diderot 
wrote in the Elements de Physiologie that the " Dionea 
of Carolina (Venus Fly-trap) has leaves spread 
upon the ground, and has hinges; these leaves are 
covered with papillae ; if a fly places itself upon a 
leaf, that leaf and its companion close like an oyster, 
feel and guard their prey, suck it and only reject it 
when exhausted of juice; here is a plant almost 
carnivorous.” According to the opinion of another 
writer the phrase “ carnivorous plant ” belongs to 
Diderot; he was the first to find it, but it was an 
English naturalist named Ellis who in 1765 related 
to Linnaeus the special mode of nutrition of the 
leaves of the Dionaea, and who supposed that the 
plant nourished itself, perhaps, with the insects 
imprisoned between the lobes of the leaf. The great 
Swedish botanist believed him that the leaf released 
the insect when it no longer struggled. The observa¬ 
tion of Ellis and the phrase of Diderot were con¬ 
firmed by Curtis in 1834 ; by Cauby, the American 
botanist, in 1868; by Dr. Burdon-Sanderson in 
1873 ; and, at last in 1875, the illustrious Darwin 
demonstrated in a defined manner how the capture of 
insects is effected, as well as the digestion and absorp¬ 
tion of their bodies. 
Agathea coelestis.—Any plant that possesses a fairly 
robust constitution, and will flower freely through¬ 
out the whole of autumn and winter’s short dark 
days, is worthy the special attention of every gardener. 
More particularly is this the case when the flowers 
boast of such a lovely azure hue as do those of 
Agathea coelestis. The ranks of winter flowering 
subjects have it is true been considerably augmented 
of late years, further additions are constantly being 
made. Still there is even now a decided lack of blue 
flowers. As to the probable reason for this we will 
not at present venture an opinion, the fact, however, 
remains that it is so. While the plant may be had in 
bloom all the year round, it is as a winter flowering 
subject that it is of the greatest service, for during 
summer there are many showier plants to take its 
place. If a batch of cuttings are put in during spring, 
fine sturdy plants of bushy habit ranging from 
a foot to eighteen inches in height may be 
obtained that will bloom away as if they really liked 
it, no maiter what the weather may be. While it is 
desirable to strike the cuttings in a gentle heat, once 
they are rooted an ordinary greenhouse temperature 
will amply suffice; indeed, they may be grown out 
of doors ali the summer with the best results, 
although they must be housed before the advent of 
frost endangers their existence. A mixture of loam 
and leaf soil, with sufficient sand to keep the soil 
open, will suit them very well, for in this as in other 
matters relating to their culture, they are by no 
means difficult to please. They need abundance of 
water, and when the pots are filled with roots a few 
doses of manure water will be found to be very 
beneficial. 
-- 
NATIONAL AMATEUR GARDENERS’ 
ASSOCIATION. 
The fourth annual dinner of the members and 
friends of this Association took place on Wednesday 
evening of last week at the Guildhall Tavern, E.C., 
when a large company of ladies and gentlemen sat 
down under the presidency of Mr. T. W. Sanders, 
and a very pleasant social evening was spent by all 
present. The usual loyal toasts having been duly 
honoured, the toast of “ The National Amateur 
Gardeners’ Association” was proposed by the 
President, who congratulated the members on the 
steady progress the Society was making and the 
good work it was doing in promoting a knowledge 
of the principles and practice of horticulture amongst 
a class which received but scant consideration at the 
hands of more pretentious horticultural societies. 
During the past year they had, as before, lost some 
members from various causes, but those losses have 
been fully compensated for by the accession of new 
members. They had, moreover, increased their 
stock of experience and greatly extended the 
measure of enjoyment which the members obtained 
from the subjects exhibited and the papers read at 
the monthly meetings. In addition to their 
individual membership roll, there were seven other 
societies affiliated with them, and they had branches 
also in Liverpool and New Zealand, but still they 
could do with more, and he hoped every member 
would do his or her best towards strengthening the 
Association by bringing in new members. Their 
monthly meetings during the year had been well in 
