January 19, 1895. 
THfi GARDENING WORLD. 
331 
its vegetative energy, it flowers very freely. 
Experience with it shows that it is perfectly hardy, 
and the locality from which it comes would also 
tend to suggest that property. A moist soil is very 
conducive to its well-being, and plenty of space in 
a position fully exposed to light is necessary to 
favour its best development, 
TOMATO CHEMIN. 
This is, undoubtedly, one of the finest Tomatos now 
in cultivation. Having grown it for four seasons, I 
have found that in point of quality it is unsurpassed. 
It is of vigorous growth and marvellously productive, 
producing grand clusters of from ten to fifteen large 
fruits, which are round and perfectly smooth, extra 
deep red in colour and very solid. In appearance it 
is very handsome ; it was raised by M. Chemin, the 
famous French market gardener, from whom it takes 
its name. Messrs. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., of 
Philadelphia, Pa., purchased the entire stock from 
the raiser and sent it out. It was from this firm that 
I obtained seed direct. During the past season, 
which has been very unfavourable for the successful 
cultivation of the Tomato, this variety has produced 
splendid crops, both under glass and in the open air, 
while being comparatively free from disease. Seed 
is now offered by most of our leading seedsmen, and 
growers who may be desirous of obtaining a really 
good all-round Tomato, would do well in giving this 
variety a trial. The flavour is quite distinct from 
that of any other sort I have grown.— Jas. Barkham, 
F.R.H.S., The Gardens, Longford House, Haven Street, 
Isle of Wight. 
THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE. 
I could not help being amused at Mr. Stogdon’s 
correcting the Scriptural shortcomings of the most 
excellent “ Z," (page 316) and I could "in my mind’s 
eye, Horatio," fancy the jocose critic penning the 
lines, (■* with a naughty little twinke in his eye,’’) 
_ quotations from the Scriptures should at all times be 
accurate." So, indeed, they should. But is Mr. 
Stodgon’s own quotation accurate ? He gives it 
" Now learn a parable of the Fig tree, when her 
branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye 
know that summer is near." The italics are mine. 
Now, referring to the publican saint, from whose 
writings Mr. Stogdon quotes, I find in the Teacher's 
Edition of the Bible, that the Fig tree is given as 
masculine, for it says—“ his branch," and it also 
gives "summer is nigh." “Under which king, 
Bezonian ’’ am I to sit ? It is said that a certain 
gentleman whose initial is " D,” can quote Scripture 
for his own ends. I do not suggest the writer whose 
well-known initial is familiar to your readers; but 
one who had a say before the Fig leaves were first 
used to adorn the first gardener and his wife. Jere¬ 
miah writes of “very naughty figs," but perhaps 
that is a mere figure of speech. I wish Mr. Stogdon 
would give us some more of his discursive botanical 
epistles, which I for one, much appreciated.— 
Devoniensis. 
BORDER AURICULAS. 
These are very easily grown and almost all who see 
them admire them for their beauty of colour and 
sweet fragrance. The most common colours are 
shades of maroon, claret, violet, and blue; and a 
stock can readily be obtained from seed sown in 
February, but it ought to be procured from a good 
strain with large flowers, carried on stiff stems well 
above the foliage, and the colours should be well 
defined. The seedlings should be grown in a reserve 
bed and be flowered once, so that all of inferior merit 
may be discarded before making permanent planta¬ 
tion. Sow in rows filled with light soil in a cold 
greenhouse or frame, and plant out in a shady moist 
spot in April or May. These are so beautiful and 
flower almost as well as ordinary Primroses, and 
being so hardy that no ordinary frost will affect them, 
that it seems strange more care is not taken to get 
together better and more varied strains than are 
generally met with.— W.B G. 
ANDROPOGON SCHOENANTHUS. 
This well-known plant is almost unique among the 
rest of stove subjects, which are grown either for 
their variegated or coloured foliage, or for their 
flowering qualities. The strong and yet most agree¬ 
able smell that is so characteristic of it, and which 
is readily emitted when the leaves are cut or bruised, 
has caused the name of the Lemon Grass to be 
applied to it. But apart from this fragrant quali¬ 
fication the plant is an exceedingly useful decorative 
subject, and certainly deserves to be widely grown. 
It may be propagated easily enough by division of 
the roots in the spring. A rich soil, and a brisk 
heat will be necessary in order that good specimens 
may be obtained ; but above all an abundance of 
water at all times is very essential. It was intro¬ 
duced from India about the year 1786. 
CHILDREN'S GARDENS. 
Although to the professional these may and do 
sometimes become an eyesore, I still think there is 
much to be said in their favour. Many a patron of 
the Gardener's art has had his love and enthusiasm 
for horticulture first kindled in the tiny plots they 
have loved as children to call their own Most 
children are naturally fond of flowers, and their 
gardens afford them both healthy exercise and 
amusement, and the attention given to them has its 
educational advantages, the mcst valuable of which is 
possibly the art of observing and studying the various 
processes of Nature among both flowers, insects, 
birds, rain, dew, wind and sunshine.—IF. B. G. 
HERBACEOUS SPIRAEAS. 
In his article on the above shrubs in your last issue, 
“ Experience ” omits to mention, in my opinion, one 
of the best varieties, viz., S. japonica multiflora com- 
pacta. This is a splendid acquisition and although 
of comparatively recent introduction, it is rapidly 
finding favour with market growers and others for 
forcing purposes. It forms a handsome plant with 
pure white flowers in large branching panicles, and 
compared with the type the individual flowers are 
much more numerous, and the flower spikes are 
larger, produced in greater abundance and are more 
compact.— C.H., Sandiway. 
A NEW AMERICAN ASPARAGUS. 
In reply to Mr. J. Hamilton's inquiry on p. 316, as 
to the above we think the variety meant is ‘Palmetto.’ 
It is a strong grower and of excellent quality. This 
variety is grown well by an eminent gardener in 
Fife.— R. B. Laird &■ Sons, Edinburgh. 
• I - - 
ANCIENT SOCIETY OF 
YORK FLORISTS. 
The annual general meeting of the Ancient Society 
of York Florists was held in the Agricultural Club 
Chambers, York, on January 8th. Mr. A. Simpson 
presided, and there was a large attendance of members. 
The minutes of the last annual general meeting were 
read and confirmed. The Secretary, Mr. J Lazenby, 
read the committee's annual report for the year 
1894, of which the following is an extract.—"The 
year has been exceptionally propitious as regards 
the operations of the society. Through the kind 
efforts of the society’s chaplain, the Rev. H. 
Vyvyan, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and 
Duchess of York have graciously done us the honour 
of becoming patrons, as also the Archbishop of 
York. There is a considerable increase of subscribing 
members, the number being 642, as against 600 last 
year, and about 50 new members for ensuing year. 
The receipts for the year amounted to £555 7s. ud., 
and the expenditure having been £519 5s. 6d., there 
was a surplus on the year’s working of £36 2s. 5d., 
which, added to last year's balance, made a total 
balance of /199 2s. od., and a total income of £718 
7s. 6d. The usual six shows have been held during the 
year with very encouraging results. The Chrysan¬ 
themum show exceeded all previous records in 
number of exhibitors and in excellence of exhibits, 
and the total amount paid for admission at the doors 
was £285 33. sd.” Mr. Pannett moved, and Mr. T. 
Abbey seconded, that the report be adopted. The 
proposition was unanimously carried. Mr. W. R. 
Robinson, in moving the adoption of the balance 
sheet, said that the committee had worked most 
assiduously for the good of the society. The remark 
was endorsed by Mr. W. Bean, who seconded, and 
the balance sheet was unanimously adopted. The 
Chairman moved that Alderman Sir Joseph Terry 
be re-elected President of the Society. Sir Joseph 
had been their president for some years, and he was 
sure that if they searched all Yorkshire they could 
not find a gentleman more fitted for the position. 
(Applause.). Mr. J. Key seconded, and the proposi¬ 
tion was unanimously carried. The Rev. H. Vyvyan 
was unanimously re-elected Chaplain. On the pro¬ 
position of Mr. Lamb, which was seconded by Mr. 
J. Dawe, the Lord Mayor of York (Alderman W. 
McKay), the City Sheriff (Dr. Tempest Anderson, 
J.P.), and Mr. Robinson were elected Vice-Pre¬ 
sidents for the year. Mr. J. Pilmoor, Mr J. 
Rodwell, and Mr. Councillor Purnell were nominated 
for the office of Junior Steward. The result of the 
show of hands was that Mr. Pilmoor was elected. 
Mr. G. Lamb, Treasurer, and Mr. J. Lazenby, 
Secretary, were unanimously re-elected to their 
office. Mr. A. Farnborough and Mr. J. H. Barron 
were nominated for the office of Junior Auditor. A 
show of hands was taken, with the result that Mr. 
Farnborough was elected. 
A vote of thanks being proposed to donors of 
special prizes, who had afforded liberal help, was 
unanimously carried, the Secretary stating that 
most of these had renewed their offers, thus evincing 
their confidence in the Society. Mr. Bean proposed 
that £70 for prizes be granted to the five minor 
shows, and Mr. B. Pannett seconded. Mr S. Hard- 
castle proposed as an amendment, and Mr. W. N. 
Cruickshanks supported, that the sum be £80, as 
for the last two years the sum had been £70. Mr. 
McIntosh said that it was not desirable to increase 
the grant, one reason being that the minor shows 
gave no pecuniary return. Mr. Bean's proposition 
was carried by a large majority. Mr. McIntosh 
moved that the prize money for the Chrysanthemum 
show to be held November 20th, 21st, and 22nd 
next be £150, exclusive of specials. Mr. J. Rodwell 
seconded, and the grant was unanimously made. 
The following gentlemen were elected to form the 
committee for the present year:—Messrs. A. 
Simpson, R. McIntosh, T. E. Abbey, E. Staines, 
W. Clues, W. L. Appleton, W. Bean, G. Hudson, 
J. Key, E. Everard, W. Clarke, W. Todd, G. 
Cowper, J. Rodwell, J. Dawe, J. C. Milburn, W. C. 
Milburn, and T. Smith. Mr. Councillor Challenger 
informed the meeting that the death of Miss Steward, 
of Bishopthorpe, had recently taken place. Miss 
Steward was a member of the Society, in which 
she had taken a great interest, and he was sure the 
members of the Society would much regret her 
death. He proposed a vote of condolence to Miss 
Steward's relatives. Mr. W. C. Milburn seconded, 
and endorsed Mr. Challenger's remarks. The 
Chairman also expressed his sorrow, and the vote 
was unanimously carried. It was also agreed that 
a number of members should attend the funeral as 
representing the Society. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural, Jan 15th .—The first meeting of 
the year, and which took place on Tuesday last, was 
a small one, notwithstanding the great change to 
milder weather. The exhibits were neither large 
nor numerous. Orchids took a prominent place. 
Chinese Primulas and Cyclamens were also well 
represented by a group, in which there were several 
new kinds. Some fruit also occupied one of the 
side tables. A group of Orchids was exhibited by 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans. Amongst 
others they had a fine piece of the hybrid Cymbidium 
Winnianum with three spikes of bloom, also Laelia 
anceps Baroness Schroder and other varieties, 
Cattleya Trianae alba, Maxillaria ochroleuca, 
Odontoglossummirandum.Phaio-CalantheArnoldiae, 
very fine and distinct, Cypripedium J. H. Berry, 
and C. Mrs. Fred Hardy, the two latter being very 
distinct, but C. Mrs. Fred Hardy was particularly 
beautiful. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (grower, 
Mr. W. H. White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, also 
exhibited an interesting group of Orchids, consisting 
largely of Dendrobiums, including D, W’attianum, 
D. chrysodiscus, and D. xanthocentrum, Masde- 
vallia Courtaldiana, Phalaenopsis leucorhoda, and 
P. intermedia Portei were fine, and Epidendrum 
polybulbon was pretty and interesting. Cattleya 
Percivaliana alba was exhibited by C. L. N. 
Ingram, Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. Bond), Elstead 
House, Godaiming. Cypripedium Boxalii Cobbii 
was shown by Walter Cobb, Esq., Dulcote, 1 un¬ 
bridge Wells. He also had a fine plant of C. nitens 
superbum. 
Cut flowers of Cattleya Pallas superba, Cypripe¬ 
dium Swinburnei magnificum, and pot plants of 
Odontoglossum nebulosum candidissimum and some 
Cypripediums were shown by Fred Hardy, Esq., 
Tyntesfield, Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire. Cypri- 
