S86 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 18, 1893. 
A combination of Nut bushes and of 
Hollies is at this time of the year very 
pleasing and merits general attention. 
eaches Dropping their Buds.— How 
many very able growers of Peaches 
are there who have been from time to time 
greatly puzzled to understand the why and 
the wherefore of the dropping of flower 
buds on Peach trees, when early forced. 
We hear on good authority that the trouble 
is limited to certain sorts; that may be 
more or less true ; but chiefly less we sus¬ 
pect, because it is the rule to force certain 
varieties more largely than others. The 
remarkable feature of this bud dropping is 
that it does not occur in connection with 
any sorts out-of-doors on walls, hence the 
inference naturally is that forcing, and not 
inherent defect, is the cause of this trouble. 
We may very well understand that forcing 
is in no sense natural culture, and cannot 
be applied to everything with impunity. 
The Peach forces very well, but then it 
has to be forced with some reason. What 
is needed in the case of those forced early, 
for then liberal driving seems to be essen¬ 
tial to the securing of early blooms, is that 
the driving shall be rational. The Whip 
who in handling a team of horses puts them 
to the gallop at the start very soon winds 
his cattle, and they readily tire. If, on the 
other hand they be allowed to do the first 
mile or so at a steady trot, so as to become 
gradually warmed to their work, they then 
complete the journey fresh and sound. It 
is pretty much the same very often with 
Peach forcing. The house is shut up close, 
although it is yet but February, the full 
force of heat is applied at once, and the 
utmost pressure is put on the trees to ex¬ 
pand bloom. 
What wonder if in such a case the roots 
are unable to meet this sudden forced de¬ 
mand upon them, the sap supply is defici¬ 
ent and the fine plump buds fail and drop. 
The obvious wise course is to apply 
warmth very gently and gradually, so as 
to bring root and branch action into har¬ 
mony. That is what Nature does out-of- 
doors, and her course should be followed 
under glass. Nature is as a rule also 
very free with moisture during the winter, 
and that is rarely the case in Peach 
houses. 
-■*-- 
Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — We have much pleasure 
in announcing that Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, 
AI P , has kindly consented to preside at the annual 
dinner, on Wednesday, March 22nd, at St. James’ 
Hall, Regent Street, W. 
London Parks. — The Parks and Open Spaces 
Committee reported to the London County Council, 
on Tuesday, that the expenditure on maintenance 
account for the financial year ended March 31st 
last was £69,002, being £3,974 less than the 
estimate. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
The monthly meeting of this society was held at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, on 
Monday evening last, the chair being taken by Mr. 
W. P. Thomson. Seven new members were elected 
and one other nominated, and it was announced that 
two members only were on the sick fund. The 
annual meeting will take place at the above Hotel, 
on Monday evening, March 13th, at 8 o'clock, when 
Mr. Arthur Veitch will preside. 
The Forthcoming Great Orchid and Artistic Plant 
Group Exhibition at Manchester. — We are asked to 
state that schedules for this event will be issued in 
the course of a few days. A number of special 
valuable prizes will be given in the shape of silver 
cups, medals, and money. It is expected that the 
Orchid display will be the finest ever seen in the 
country. 
Mr. Fergusson has been engaged as gardener to 
John Stirling, Esq., Fairbairn, Muir of Ord, Ross- 
shire. 
Captain Cook’s Tree, on Clapham Common, midway 
between the " Plough ’’ and the church, was blown 
down on Saturday. The fallen trunk—18 ft. in 
diameter, and much decayed—has been an object of 
much interest since. During the last few years, 
owing to the necessary lopping of dangerous 
branches, the tree had become little more than a 
trunk. Its outward appearance was so venerable 
that it was difficult to believe that Captain Cook 
was its planter. 
Area of European Forests. —According to an official 
statistic, recorded by L‘Illustration Horticole, European 
forests occupy an area of 717,500,000 acres. Turkey, 
Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Herzegovina are not included 
in that computation. Russia alone possesses 
500,000,000 acres of forest, and France possesses 
only 24,720,000 acres. 
New Plants Certificated in Ghent.—At the meeting of 
the Ghent Floral Committee held on the 9th inst., 
Certificates of Merit were awarded to M. Jules Hye 
for Odontoglossum crispum formosum, Od. Presi¬ 
dent Zaldua, Od. Wilckeanum sulphureum, Od. 
macrospilium, and Cypripedium Albertianum var. ; 
to M. J. Moens for Cypripedium hybrid (vernixium 
x Spicerianum) ; and to M. P. De Schryver for a 
seedling Azalea, named A. Schryveriana. 
The Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. — As 
an instance of what local societies are able to do in 
aiding the gardening charieties, we are asked to 
mention that the Reigate and District Chrysan¬ 
themum Society has remitted to the Gardeners’ 
Royal Benevolent Institution, no less a sum than 
£136 105 . during the four years it has been estab¬ 
lished, and thus been the means of nominating 
thirteen of its members as life members of the 
Institution. Mr. James Brown, the indefatigable 
honorary secretary of the Reigate Society, expresses 
a hope that kindred societies, if able, may be in¬ 
duced to do likewise, and thus not only add to the 
funds of an excellent charity, but also benefit their 
own members by conferring upon them, as funds 
permit, the privilege of life membership of the 
Institution. 
The New Park for Aberdeen.—The scheme for the 
proposed park at Hilton, Woodside—the large and 
thriving district lately taken into Aberdeen under the 
City of Aberdeen Extension Act — has been drawn 
up by Mr. Dyack, Burgh Surveyor of Aberdeen. It 
will be a little over thirteen acres in extent, situated 
on a commanding position. It consists of a central 
area of four acres, laid out in grass with ornamen¬ 
tal grounds, the whole being surrounded with trees 
and shrubs. The Taylor play-ground will occupy 
the north side, where also will be flower beds, with 
numerous little winding walks, all leading to a centre 
in which a fountain is to stand. The quarry holes 
on the south side of the park that have hitherto 
borne a bad character for danger to children are to 
be filled up to within 18 in. or two feet of the surface, 
and the rough irregular ground adjoining, with its 
whins and furzes and wild grasses, is to be laid out 
in an ornamental manner. The estimated cost is 
£3.200. 
Nottingham Horticultural Society. — The annual 
dinner of this society took place on the 9th inst., 
when members and friends to the number of 120 sat 
down to an excellent repast at the Arboretum 
Refreshment Rooms, Mr. James Booth presiding in 
the absence of the Sheriff of Nottingham, unavoid¬ 
ably absent. The chairman, an old friend of the 
society, was supported by several gentlemen of the 
town and neighbourhood who take a deep interest in 
matters horticultural, including Mr. W. H. Haywood 
and Mr Samuel Thacker, who are always to the front 
with their counsel and support to the garden holders 
of Nottingham. One of the features of the evening 
so far as it concerns gardeners was the presentation 
of Medals and Certificates to the mest successful ex¬ 
hibitors during the past year. Mr. C. J. Mee, 
nurseryman, who rents the extensive gardens at 
Wollaton Hall, gained the highest number of points, 
and was awarded a Gold Medal each for exotic and 
hardy exhibits. Framed Certificates were awarded 
Mr. L. Brown, of the Coppice Asylum, for outdoor, 
and Mr. J Meadows, of Rockhouse Gardens, Bas- 
ford, for indoor exhibits, as being second in points; 
and in the same order Mr. J. Baker, Basford, and 
Mr. Butler, Asply Hall Gardens, were given Third- 
class Certificates. 
Sheffield Chrysanthemum Society.—The annual 
dinner of the Sheffield, Hallamshire, and West 
Riding Chrysanthemum Society took place on the 
8th inst. There was a large attendance and the 
chair was occupied by Air. J. Haigh (chairman of 
the society), who, in acknowledging the toast of 
" Success to the Society,’’ said that as a society they 
were doing all they could to advance the cultivation 
of the Chrysanthemum. They desired that their 
show should be a credit to the city, and they also 
wished to encourage and instruct those who took an 
interest in the growth and cultivation of flowers. It 
seemed to him as if there was no end to the advance¬ 
ment in Chrysanthemums. The kinds were being 
continually added to, while existing sorts were each 
year brought nearer to a state of perfection. Season 
after season they found something new and in¬ 
teresting to occupy their attention. The public 
appeared to appreciate the efforts of the society, and 
as long as they did so long would the members of ihe 
society be willing to do all they could to hater for 
those who were lovers of flowers. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — The first 
meeting for the session of this association was held 
on the 7th inst., Councillor Mackenzie, the newly- 
elected president, occupying the chair. Councils r 
Mackenzie, in the course of his opening address j 
said he trusted that members would bear with h's 
defects, and he would promise to do what he could 
to carry on the affairs of the association so far as 
these pertained to the office which he held. The 
association was really a technical school, where one 
member taught his neighbour, each profiting by the 
other’s experience. In some technical schools an 
attempt was made to teach trades, but this was use¬ 
less labour, and could be better done in the work¬ 
shop. The real technical knowledge required was 
to find out the reasons which underlay their ordinary 
practice, and from this knowledge to go on to 
increased knowledge and more scientific practice. 
Nowhere were there greater opportunities for this 
than in the study of horticulture. Each member 
should see it to be his duty to himself and to his 
country to devote a large portion of his leisure time 
to the acquiring of technical details in con¬ 
nection with his business, which would not only 
benefit himself, but would benefit the whole com¬ 
munity. Referring to the work of the association, 
he said they might have papers allied to horticulture, 
such as building and construction of hothouses, the 
theory of circulation of water, and so on. He also 
advised young men to study mensuration, land sur¬ 
veying, and elementary geometry, all of which would 
be found most useful. On the motion of Mr. Dunn, 
seconded by Air. D. P. Laird, a vote of thanks was 
awarded to the president for his address. A fine 
vase of Chrysanthemums was exhibited by Air. 
M’Millan, Trinity. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—The last 
meeting of the committee previous to the annual 
meeting of the society on Alonday evening next was 
held on the 13th inst., Air. R. Ballantine presiding. 
The business was merely of a routine character, and 
had reference mainly to the annual report and state¬ 
ment of accounts, both of which we shall commit no 
breach of confidence in stating will be of a most 
satisfactory character. Four Fellow’s and eleven 
members were elec ei, and the following societies 
admitted into affiliation :—The Dalkey, Killiney and 
Glenagery Chrysanthemum Society, the East London 
Amateur Chrysanthemum and Floricultural Society, 
and the Rugby Chrysanthemum Society. Air. 
Ballantine and Mr. Dean were most cordially 
thanked for the valuable services rendered by them 
to the society during the past year. 
-- 
PRESENTATION TO MR. W. YOUNG 
On Wednesday’ afternoon of last week, as we w’ere 
going to press, horticulturists from all parts of Scot¬ 
land were assembling at the Waterloo Hotel, Edin¬ 
burgh, in honour of Air. William A'oung, the inde¬ 
fatigable Assistant Secretary of the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society. Air. Young for a period of 
over fifty years has been a man of mark in Scottish 
Horticulture. For over thirty years he has ably filled 
his present office, and previous to his connection with 
the “Caledonian” he was an active worker in a 
similar capacity in connection with similar societies. 
It was in order to recognise, in some measure, the 
good work done in the cause of Scottish horticulture 
by Air. Young, that his friends met together to pre¬ 
sent him with a testimonial, which took the form of a 
silver salver and a purse of one hundred sovereigns. 
Air. David AV. Thomson presided over the social 
gathering and gave an interesting sketch of Air. 
Young's career from his birth at Haddington to the 
present time, and which included references to Air. 
\ r oung’s triumphs, in years long gone by, as an 
amateur cultivator of Auriculas, Carnations, and 
Hyacinths. Air. AVilliam Thomson, of Clovenfords, 
made the presentation, after giving an interesting 
account of the progress of the society, much of the 
success of which in later years he attributed to the 
labours of Air. Young. 
