January 29, 189§. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
Wi 
Double Sweet Peas.—Mr. A. P. Wyman, who 
writes the notes on the trial of Sweet Peas conducted 
at the Cornell University Experiment Station, in 
delivering himself upon the status of double varieties 
says, “ doubles are generally strong strains and give 
a profusion of large bloom, most of which, fortu¬ 
nately, is single.” Evidently he does not believe 
that any alteration from the natural single towards 
the double form of the Sweet Pea would be an im¬ 
provement. 
Robbery in mid-air.—In the January number of 
Knowledge, Mr. F. G. Aflalo speaks of sparrows 
pursuing pigeons in mid-air,white ones for preference, 
and snatching feathers from their breasts and sides 
with which to line their nests. They had com¬ 
menced operations about the end of the year, 
though the writer had never previously seen them 
start their depredations till the regular nesting time in 
March. This circumstance he regards as an interest¬ 
ing sign of the abnormal condition of the weather. 
The Essex Field Experiments. —A meeting to con¬ 
sider the results of the field experiments carried out 
for the Technical Instruction Committee of the 
Essex County Council during 1896 and 1897, was 
held at the County Technical Laboratories, 78, 
Duke Street, Chelmsford, on the afternoon of 
Tuesday the 25th inst. James Round, Esq., M.P. 
occupied the chair. Mr. T. S. Dymond, F.I.C. 
gave the results to the meeting. The experiments 
comprised (1) manurial trials on Beans, followed by 
wheat; (2) manurial trials on permanent pastures ; 
and (3) experiments on laying down land to grass. 
The meeting was then thrown open to discussion. 
Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Sooiety. — 
Mr. J. Williams, F.R.H.S., Bowgrave, Garstang, 
read a most interesting paper before this society, 
on The culture of Flowering Roots and Bulbs. 
This class of plants, said the essayist, to anyone with 
limited means or accommodation, make a special 
appeal, not only because of their first small initial 
cost, but because they have such a wide range of 
adaptation. Mr. Williams then gave details, both 
cultural and descriptive, of many valuable roots and 
bulbs that appealed strongly to the amateur as well 
as to the professional cultivator. A brisk discussion 
took place subsequent to the reading of the paper, in 
which a number of prominent members took part. 
Chesterfield and District Chrysanthemum Society.— 
The annual meeting came off on January 14th at the 
Station Hotel, Chesterfield, Mr. J. E. Clayton 
occupying the chair. Mr. W. G. T. Burr read the 
balance-sheet, which declared a total revenue for the 
year of £106 12s. gd. The expenses amounted to 
£92 17s. 8d., leaving a balance of £13 5s. id. This 
was a smaller balance than that of the previous year, 
but it was owing to the fact that the spring show had 
not been so successful. At the election of officers 
Colonel Allen, of Wingerworth, was chosen as presi¬ 
dent, and Mr. Burr treasurer. Mr. Nelson was re¬ 
elected secretary, and it was decided that he should 
have an assistant to relieve him of some of the work. 
An interesting feature was the presentation to Mr. 
Burr of a handsome oak tobacco cabinet, in recogni¬ 
tion of his past services to the society. The presenta¬ 
tion was made by the chairman on behalf of the 
meeting. Mr. Burr made a suitable reply. 
The Catalogue of Messrs. Daniels Bros.—” The 
Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners ” sent out 
by Messrs. Daniels Bros., Norwich, is more than up 
to its usual standard, being printed in clear type on 
good paper, and well executed generally. It is of 
large size, runs to 144 pages, and is profusely 
illustrated with coloured plates, wood-cuts, and 
photographs of various garden flowers, varieties of 
Nasturtiums adorning the covers. There are also 
two well executed chromoliths of various garden 
flowers in the body of the work. There are good 
photographic illustrations of Peas, Potatos and other 
vegetables. Flowers do not respond so readily to 
the photographer’s art as the more solid vegetables, 
their colours interfering with the work of the camera, 
or rather they elude its powers. They are well 
represented, however, by pictures of various kinds. 
The lists of flowers, fruits, and vegetables are 
descriptive, and at the head of most of the genera 
short articles deal with the cultural treatment for the 
benefit of amateurs, and which will prove serviceable 
as reminders to many others, thus justifying the 
title of the guide. 
Strawberries to the extent of 1,000 tons are 
annually sent from the Clyde Valley to the markets 
of Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and 
other populous centres. 
Battersea Park—A committee of the London 
County Council has under consideration a scheme for 
making this an educational centre for horticulturists 
and botanists. It is proposed to utilise special portions 
of the park for this purpose. Practical work will be 
done under the supervision of Mr. Coppin, the park 
superintendent. Demonstrations in scientific horti¬ 
culture and in landscape gardening would also be 
given. 
Messrs Cockers’ Spring Catalogue.—The seed and 
plant catalogue issued by Messrs. James Cocker & 
Sons, 130, Union Street, Aberdeen, and intended to 
supply the wants of the garden in spring, contains 
many novelties in the way of Peas, Beans, Potatos, 
and other vegetables. Flowers are equally well 
represented by the newest as well as more recent 
introductions, including many things that will be 
appreciated, both hardy and tender. A red Rose 
adorns the front cover, on a golden ground, and is 
appropriate to this well-known northern firm of 
Rose growers. 
Tha People's Palace, Glasgow Green, which was 
opened by Lord Roseberry on the 22nd inst., is the 
latest addition to the public buildings of Glasgow. 
It comprises a large winter garden in which the 
opening ceremony tcok place, a museum, a picture 
gallery, and a music hall—an entirely original de¬ 
parture, for no other municipal body than that of 
Glasgow has attempted this combination under what 
is practically one roof. Prior to declaring the 
People's Palace open to the people for ever and ever 
Lord Roseberry made a lengthy, but interesting 
speech in which he pointed out the necessity of such 
buildings as they were now in for the education and 
recreation of the people, and that he considered the 
action taken by the Glasgow municipal body as a 
sign and token of its duty and its responsibility to 
all classes of the great community over which it was 
privileged to rule. 
Woolton Mutual Improvement Society.—The annual 
meeting of this society was held at the Mechanic’s 
Institute, on the 20th, inst., the Rev. R. E. Roberts 
presiding. From the report, the position of the 
society shows a decided improvement in point of 
number of members and subscriptions. The papers 
have been excellent, and a greater interest has been 
infused into the discussions. The microscope has 
been used at each gathering with pleasing results. 
The income amounts to £21 16s. rod., including the 
balance from last year of £6 15s. 8d. The expendi¬ 
ture is £14 ns. 8d., leaving a balance of £y 5s. 2d. 
A donation of £10 17s. 8d. has been sent to the 
Victorian Era Fund. Mr. R. G. Waterman was re¬ 
elected Treasurer and Secretary. Seven microscopes 
with various slides were on the table for the use of 
the members. Mr. R. Todd contributed forty-four 
varieties of cut Orchids which were greatly appreci¬ 
ated. 
Decorations at the New Club Ball, Cheltenham.— 
This ball is regarded at Cheltenham as one of the 
special features of the social season. This year it 
proved a huge success, thanks, in a great measure, 
to the splendid way in which the floral decorations 
were carried out by Mr. James Cypher. One of Mr. 
Cypher’s triumphs was an Eastern grotto set up in 
the recess of a window. On a groundwork of virgin 
cork many choice plants and flowers, including 
Palms, Dracaenas, Eucalyptuses, Acacias, Aurau- 
carias, Cinerarias, Tulips, and Grevilleas were 
displayed. Scarlet drapery was freely employed in 
the balconies, and here again flowers were tastefully 
used. The large supper table was a triumph of 
floral art. The centrepiece was a large Palm placed 
on a tall pedestal from which four arches dressed 
with greenery and flowers radiated to the four 
corners. Smaller vases were failed with many 
beautiful Orchids, including Cattleyas, Odonto- 
glossums and Cypripediums in variety, as well as 
forced flowers, such as Tulips and Lilies of the 
Valley. Other and smaller tables also prettily 
dressed filled the corners of the room. In the second 
upper room there was another series of supper tables 
which Mr. Cypher’s skill and taste had gaily dressed 
with the products of his nurseries. 
Mr. William R. Greenway, gardener to Sir Lionell 
Darel, Fretherne Court, Gloucester, we are pleased 
to learn, is so far convalescent that he was able to 
leave the hospital and be taken home after being laid 
up for five weeks. Our readers may remember that, 
owing to the result of an unfortunate gun accident, 
he had a leg amputated above the knee. 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society.—We note 
from the schedule of this society, now to hand, that 
£272 is offered as prizes in 128 classes at the 
spring show, 6th and 7th April, next. At the 
autumn show 14th and 15th September, £364 is 
offered as prizes in 263 classes. At the" latter 
show £~j, £5, and £3 respectively are offered for the 
most tastefully decorated table of dessert fruit; £$, 
£l, and £2 are offered for a circular table of plants ; 
and similar amounts for the best and most artistically 
arranged table of cut flowers of hardy plants grown 
in the open air, besides valuable prizes in other 
important classes. 
Birmingham and District Amateur Gardeners’ Asso¬ 
ciation.—The fifth annual report of this enterprising 
body is before us, together with the balance sheet. 
It is printed in a handy pamphlet form, which con¬ 
tains the list of members and the programme of 
events for 1898. The year just closed seems to have 
been a fairly prosperous one with the society, and 
the average attendance at the meetings compares 
favourably with that of former years. Last year 83 
prizes were offered, as against 50 in 1896. The 
summer exhibition attracted a large number of 
visitors, and was a great success. The results of the 
Chrysanthemum show were also satisfactory, and 
the committee proposes to give additional prizes 
this year. The annual excursion was not so well 
supported as it might have been. This was probably 
owing to the fact that many of the members wer 
away on holiday on the date fixed—August 14th 
The statement of accounts shows a total income of 
£40 14s. gd , which includes last year’s surplus of 
£& 14s. gd. The expenses for the year have been 
£35 I 7 S - 2d., thus leaving a balance of £4 17s. 7d. 
with the treasurer. The arrangements for the first 
half of 1898 include papers by Mr. W. Walker, on 
" The Culture of the Tomato " ; Mr. J, S. Cornwall, 
on " Chrysanthemums ” ; Mr. J. W. Oliver, who 
treats upon "How Plants Feed”; Mr. W. B. 
Griffith, who tackles "Judging”; Mr. C. H. 
Herbert, who will talk about " The Cultivation of 
some useful Flowering Plants for the Conservatory ” ; 
and Mr. W. B. Child, who will have something to 
say on “ Exhibiting Plants and Flowers.” The 
sixth annual excursion will take place on June 25th, 
Ulster Horticultural Society. —The Lord Mayor of 
Belfast (Mr. James Henderson, J.P.) presided at the 
annual general meeting held at the Windsor Hotel, 
Donegal Place, Belfast, on the 13th inst., and 
favoured the meeting with a speech, in which he 
spoke of the society as one of the most important 
associations in Ulster, and deserving of the best 
support of all lovers of fruit and flowers in the pro¬ 
vince. The annual report and statement of accounts 
was then submitted by Mr. Paul, the hon. secretary. 
The report showed that in spite of the severe weather 
last year’s Chrysanthemum show was better attended 
than on any previous occasion. Special interest was 
evoked by the Victoria Jubilee Championship. The 
best thanks of the society were due to the City 
Council for the use of tha St. George's covered 
market, and also to the gentlemen who had gene¬ 
rously given special prizes. The receipts from all 
sources totalled £659 17s. 2d., and the expenditure 
£642 14s. 2d, leaving a balance of/17 3s., which 
added to the balance brought forward showed a total 
of £72 is. 5d. in hand. Out of this it was proposed 
to devote £10 to the Victoria Jubilee Hospital 
scheme, which would leave a sum of £42 is. sd.with 
the treasurer. Mr. M. Lees moved the adoption of 
the report, and in so doing spoke of the gratifying 
successes of local exhibitors. He thought that the 
society was particularly indebted to Mr. Hugh 
Dickson and Mr. Pollock. Mr. Hugh Dickson 
seconded the adoption of the report. The new com¬ 
mittee for the year was then elected, the list of 
gentlemen proposed by Mr. Thomas H. Dickson, 
supported by Mr. McLaren, being unanimously 
passed. Mr. H. M. Pollock asked for a vote of 
thanks to the Lord Mayor, and this was carried with 
acclamaticn. His Lordship suitably responded. 
