244 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December, 18, 1897 
dry than'in’dulFweather, so that cultivators 
should act accordingly. 
In the case under notice, liquid manure 
was first applied on the 19th February 
when the fruits were well set, and twice a 
week afterwards till the berries were fully 
developed, that is, full size. The fruit 
stalks of the variety grown would appear to 
be uncommonly short, for it was found 
necessary to do something to keep the 
berries off the soil to maintain them in a 
clean condition. The tops of the pots were 
first covered with sphagnum, but that soon 
caused damping. Cork dust proved much 
more satisfactory ; but a better plan was 
hit upon by the use of pieces of fine wire 
screen which kept the berries clear of the 
soil and dry at the same time. Forked 
sticks were sometimes utilised. As a rule 
the fruit stalks of President, Royal 
Sovereign, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, 
&c., are long enough to carry the fruits a 
considerable way over the edges of the pots. 
The plants of the first batch of Beder Wood 
carried an average of six uniformly good 
sized fruits; although the plants set from 
eight to twelve, about half of them were too 
small to be of use and were removed. The 
experimenters think that with larger 
runners next year and the benefit of last 
year’s experience they could raise the 
average of large berries to eight on each 
plant. They also consider it possible to 
obtain a heavier yield from any given space 
under glass than in the open air. Eight to 
twelve pots, occupying two to three square 
feet of space, would furnish a quart of 
berries. Even after allowing for walks and 
other space unavoidably wasted, they 
reckon that this would furnish fully 400 
bushels to the acre. Other points they 
urge the cultivators to attend are not to 
allow the plants to become pot-bound till 
in their fruiting pots; to choose early 
varieties for early forcing ; to devote an 
entire house to a crop, that is, to one batch; 
and to grow the plants as close to the glass 
as possible. 
~ ~— - 
Mr. James Colville, Botanical Gardens, Glasgow, 
has been appointed head gardener to H. A. 
Hamilton, Esq., Hampton Hall, Balbriggan, Co. 
Dublin.— G. 
Mr. Peter Matheson, Botanical Gardens, Glasgow, 
has received the appointment of head gardener to 
Thomas Reid, Esq., Kdmardenny, near Glasgow. 
Mr. Matheson is an ardent cultivator of the Chrys¬ 
anthemum, which be bas for many years grown 
with success — G. 
Mr. W. Elton, Glasgow Botanical Gardens, has been 
recently appointed as head gardener to Mrs. Reid, 
Sandyhill House, Shettleston. Mr. Ellon has been 
for the last three years the Chrysanthemum grower 
for the gardens. His skill, enthusiasm, and success 
in that department is widely known, and requires no 
praise from us.—G. 
Ealing Gardeners' Society.—“How I manage a 
small Kitchen garden” was the subject that Mr. E. 
Slade, of Hanwel), an amateur gardener of a vigor¬ 
ous type, set himself to discuss before this society, 
on the 30th ult. The paper was an excellent com¬ 
pound of theory and practice, of success attained 
and of difficulties overcome, one of these difficulties 
—to a busy man—being a want of adequate time to 
attend to growing crops at the right season. To one 
who often has to leave home by 7 a m., and not re¬ 
turn till ro p.m., this drawback it will be admitted, 
is bad for the garden as well as the gardener. Mr 
Slade, however, vigorous though he be, is not devoid 
of humour, and when he described how all but the 
very best of garden tools bent or broke before his 
“push,” the meeting realised his ardour and 
enthusiasm; for “ words are women; deeds are 
men.” But much useful and instructive matter was 
also adduced, which was generously recognised by 
his professional confreres, who accorded him a very 
hearty vote cf thanks. Mr. C. B. Green pre¬ 
sided. 
Mr. Leopold Marquard, C.M G., whose death is re¬ 
ported from the Cape was a prominent figure in the 
colony where he filled the post of Surveyor General. 
He spent his life in the Cape Civil Service, but in 
his spare moments was an enthusiastic collector of 
Ferns. He had grouped together a number of these 
charming plants in a famous fernery in the garden of 
his residence, Fern Villa, Orange Street, Cape Town. 
English visitors were always made specially welcome 
by Mr Marquard, who by the way was one of the 
best chess players in the colony. It is suggested by 
some of the Cape papers that the collection of Ferns 
should be acquired by the public. 
Death of Mr. James Casey—We sincerely regret 
having to announce the death of this well-known and 
faithful servant of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clap¬ 
ton, with whom he has served for the last thirty-five 
years. He had been travelling for the firm in the 
west of England, and caught a severe cold, and being 
unable to continue his work returned to Upper 
Clapton, where he died on the 8th inst. His remains 
were interred on Tuesday last. He was never a 
strong man, but always stuck manfully to his duty, 
and his untimely death is regretted by a large circle 
of friends. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists—At 
the ordinary meeting of this society on the 5th inst , 
Certificates of Merit were awarded to Oncidium 
crispum, and Cypripedium leeanum giganteum, both 
presented by M. le Comte Joseph de Hemptinne; to 
Kentia belmoreana, exhibited by M. Van Wassen- 
hove; and to Vriesia makoyana, Stenorhynchus 
speciosus maculatus, Nepenthes coccinea, and 
Nepenthes atrosanguinea, all exhibited by M. A. 
Rigouts. The award to Vriesia was given with 
unanimity; and to the three last-named subjects 
with acclamation. Certificates for culture and 
flowering were given to Ataccia cristata, shown by 
M. A. Rigouts ; and to Philica ericoides, staged by 
M. E. Bedinghaus, with acclamation. Cococypselum 
repens, shown by M. A. Rigouts, received a Botanical 
Certificate. A variety of Cypripedium shown by M, 
A. Toeffaert received honourable mention. 
Bingley Horticultural Society.—The annual meet¬ 
ing of the members of this society took place in the 
Excelsior Rooms, Bingley, on the evening of Decem¬ 
ber 1st. The chair was filled by Mr. R. Corner. 
The balance sheet was presented by the secretary, 
Mr. F. Bentley, from which it appeared that the 
receipts for the year totalled £88 us. 6d., including 
a balance from last year of £g 13s. 8£d. The ex¬ 
penses were £83 2s. sjd., thus leaving a balance of 
£l 9s. id. It transpired that there had been a loss 
on the year’s working, but this was due to the 
fact that the committee had spent more in order to 
increase the attractions of the show. The balance 
sheet was passed on the motion of Mr. G. Manfield, 
seconded by Mr. W. Watts. At the election of 
officers which ensued, Mr. R. Corner was chosen as 
chairman, with Mr. W. Watts as vice-chairman, 
Mr F. Bentley still continues to discharge the 
secretarial duties, and Mr. H. Whitaker is the 
treasurer. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—A meeting of 
the Floral Committee of this society was held on 
Monday, December 13th, at the Royal Aquarium. 
No blocms were submitted. A patent Chrysanthe¬ 
mum pot was submitted by Mr. A. R. Knight, of 
Ashford, Kent, but it did not find favour with the 
committee. After a good deal of discussion concern¬ 
ing the fixtures for the meetings of the Floral Com¬ 
mittee for next year, it was finally settled that a 
recommendation should be made to the general com¬ 
mittee that the last meetings in December and tbe 
last meeting in November should be abandoned. 
Other recommendations to the general committee 
were moved and carried. One of the most impor¬ 
tant of these was one made by Mr. D. B. Crane to 
the effect “ that no variety be certificated as a market 
variety except a plant be produced to show the habit 
and freedom of bloom.” Mr. W. Mease seconded. 
Mr. R. Dean proposed, and it was unanimously 
accepted, “ that the Aquarium authorities be asked 
not to allow the organ to play between 1 and 3 pm. 
on committee days.” A vote of thanks to Mr. 
Bevan for presiding, which was moved by Mr. Geo. 
Gordon, and seconded by Mr. J. H. Witty, brought 
the gathering to a close. 
Trees and the Tides.—Ajcontemporary has dis¬ 
covered a story coming from Italy and reviving an old 
theory that the sap of living trees ebbs and flows in 
sympathy with the tides of the ocean. A vine grower 
in Italy,who is also a chemist,has been experimenting 
in this direction with his vines, and after fourteen 
years’ experience has come to the conclusion that 
trees should only be lopped and pruned during the 
hours of ebb tide. He always acts upon this con¬ 
clusion, with the result that his fruit trees and Vines 
have developed splendid foliage and crops, while 
they are free from the attacks of insects which 
devastate the trees belonging to other people. 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms —On the 10th inst. a 
small piece of the true Lycaste Skinneri alba, bear¬ 
ing a solitary flower, changed hands for 3J gs. at the 
Central Sale Rooms of Messrs. Protheroe & Morris, 
Cheapside. Cattleya Schroderae alba was knocked 
down at 6J gs., while Laelia elegans alba reached 
4 gs. at the fall of the hammer. The two last-named 
came out of the collection of Mr. P. McArthur, 
4, Maida Vale, W. A very handsome variety of 
Cattleya Trianaei was bought for 37s. by Mr. G. 
E. Day, gardener to H. J. Simonds, Esq., Park 
Place, Leyton, Essex. It was well worth the money 
and must form a fine addition to this growing collec¬ 
tion. The petals are remarkably broad and crisped 
at the edges, though pale in colour. The lip has a 
broad, rounded, much crisped, and rich crimson 
lamina, constituting the dominating feature of an 
attractive flower. 
Edinburgh Seed Trade —The assistants held their 
third annual dinner on the evening of Thursday, 9th 
inst., in the West End Cafe, when a company of 
about one hundred gentlemen sat down, presided 
over by Mr. W. Mackinnon (Mr. Downie’s). After 
the tables were cleared, an excellent programme was 
carried through, several professional gentlemen con¬ 
tributing songs in fine style. The employers were 
strongly represented, and helped in no small measure 
to make the meeting a great success by taking part 
in the toast list. The menu and toast list were 
smartly got up and rather unique in their way, inas¬ 
much as each course to be brought to the table was 
preceded on the menu card by some appropriate 
motto. Sucreries (sweets) had for their motto 
“Mysteries of Science,” which they generally are. 
The same plan was followed with the toast list, 
“The Committee” being described as “A noble 
band of Martyrs.” The curtain to a pleasant even¬ 
ing fell on the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne." 
Arbroath Chrysanthemum Society—The annual 
show of this society was held in the Public Hall, 
Arbroath on Saturday, the 4th inst. There was a 
large attendance at the opening ceremony, which was 
performed with much grace by the Countess of 
Northesk. Her ladyship was supported on the plat¬ 
form by Mrs. Lindsay Carnegie, Kinblethmont, and 
Mrs. Grant. The arrangement of the exhibits was 
on the same lines as in former yeais, the plants 
occupied the centre of the hall, and the cut blooms 
were staged on either side. In the open classes for 
cut blooms Mr. John Bell, of Forfar asserted his 
superiority for 24 Japanese. He had amongst a grand 
lot of flowers exceptionally fine samples of Madame 
Carnot, Sunflower, Modesto,and Miss Rita Schroeter. 
Mr. Geo. Black, of Kinblethmont was second. Mr. 
John Ednie, of Carnoustie House, staged the win¬ 
ning stand of 12 blooms. Mr. J. Ednie was also 
first for six Japanese. Mr. A. Scott, Roseley, was an 
easy first for twelve incurves. In the amateurs 
classes Mr. E. Dohnert, Monifieth was very success¬ 
ful. Competition was wonderfully keen in the classes 
for pot plants. Mr. Geo. Black was awarded 
premier honours in both sections allotted to plants 
of Japanese varieties, staging some handsome and 
well-grown plants. There were some capital collec¬ 
tions of fruit staged, the first award going to Mr. A. 
Scott, with Mr. Geo. Black, and Mr. A. Donaldson 
as second and third respectively. Amongst the non¬ 
competitive exhibits appeared 3 grand stands of cut 
Chrysanthemums from Mr. Norman Davis, the 
Vineries, Framfield, Sussex. Messrs. Laird and 
Sinclair, Netbergate, Dundee had a pretty table 
of flowering and foliage plants in tasteful array. 
Messrs. Storrie & Storrie, Castle Street, Dundee, had 
a large assortment of Palms, Heaths, Ferns, and 
hardy plants. 
