February 5, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
359 
Woking Horticultural Society.—Mr. J. O. Law 
presided at the fourth annual meeting of this body 
which took place at the Railway Hotel, Woking, on 
the 19th ult. The report of the committee, pre- 
sented by Mr. Jones, stated that the Diamond 
Jubilee Year had been a very trying one for them, 
and that they had reason to congratulate themselves 
that the deficit on the year’s working, which they 
had to report, was no larger. The statement of 
accounts showed total receipts of £244 ns. id., and 
an expenditure of £239 15s. iod., thus leaving a 
balance in hand of £4 15s. 3d., as against last year’s 
balance of £g is. id. The balance sheet was 
adopted on the motion of Mr. Neal, seconded by 
Mr. Jones. At the election of officers, which 
followed, Mr. J. O. Law was requested to keep the 
post of president, and Mr. Taylor, Mr. Robinson, 
and Mr. Neal were re-elected treasurer, secretary, and 
chairman of the committee respectively. 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association.—At the 
meeting held on the 26th ult., Mr. George Lee gave 
a lecture on “ Orchid Growing," especially dealing 
with Cattleyas. In his opening remarks he alluded 
to the discovery of C. labiata by Mr. William 
Swainson in Brazil, and its introduction to this 
country. Proceeding to cultural details, he said 
that in order to grow Cattleyas properly the structure 
must be suitable, for Cattleyas were difficult to 
manage if their requirements were not closely looked 
after. Mr. Lee advised care in potting, and warned 
his hearers against potting too frequently. All 
Cattleyas in their growing season required an 
abundant supply of water at the roots and in the 
atmosphere, but sometimes damage was done to late 
growing forms by water lodging and causing the 
young growths to rot. Mr. Lee gave a list of the 
most useful species of Orchids for the grower to 
invest in. 
An Association of Working Men Gardeners.—The 
efforts of the East Suffolk County Council to encou- 
rage the cultivation of fruit and vegetables are bear¬ 
ing good fruit. The lectures given by the teachers 
employed by the council in various local centres 
have been much appreciated, and the cultivation of 
garden produce generally has been much improved 
and stimulated thereby. At one of these centres, 
where an especially enthusiastic class has been 
drawn together, the idea of forming an associstion of 
working men gardeners has been evolved. The 
objects of this association are mutual assistance in 
the way of still further improvements, the purchase 
of the best seeds and manures at the most reasonable 
prices, and the disposal of surplus produce to the 
greatest advantage. These working men gardeners 
have been greatly impressed by the necessity of 
obtaining good seeds and manures, both from the 
lips of the lecturers and from practical experience 
gained in their own garden plots. However much 
criticism people may be disposed to bring to bear 
upon the working of county councils, it is satisfactory 
to find that, in some directions at least, their efforts 
to procure a more enlightened state of affairs have 
not been in vain. 
Colchester Rose and Horticultural Society.— The 
third annual general meeting of this society took 
place at the Town Hall, Colchester, on the evening 
of Wednesday, 19th ult. Mr. Claude E. Egerton- 
Green presided. The report for 1897 was presented 
by Mr. P. R. Green, and stated that the year lately 
closed had been one of steady progress, and the only 
drawback to a successful year was the fearful storm 
on June 24th, the day of their summer show. The 
balance sheet showed receipts amounting to £m8 
14s. nd., and an expenditure of £311 2s. 9d. A 
balance of £7 12s. 2d. remains with the secretary. 
The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report 
and balance sheet, apologised for the absence through 
illness of their president. Mr. C. E. Cant seconded,and 
the motion was duly carried. At the election of officers 
Mr. P. R. Green announced that Mr. Jas. Paxman, 
the present Mayor of Colchester, had signified his 
willingness to accept the office of president. The 
following officers were then chosen :—Hon.Treasurer, 
Mr. C. R. Gurney Hoare; Hon. Secretaries, Mr. 
Claude E. Egerton-Green and Mr. O. G. Orpen; 
Auditors, Mr. C. H. T. Marshall and Mr. C. e! 
White. The members of the old committee were 
asked to serve for the ensuing year, and Mr. J. T. 
Bailey was added to their number. Some conver¬ 
sation arose anent the visit of the National Rose 
Society to Colchester during the coming summer. It 
was hoped that Colchester would give the "National " 
a good reception, and that the town would reap con¬ 
siderable advantage from the visit. 
Lady-crofters. — The Countess of Warwick proposes 
to establish a training college for lady-ctofters 
wherein they shall be taught dairying, pig and 
poultry keeping, horticulture, etc. The crofts are to 
range in size from one to four acres, and each croft 
is to be occupied by two lady-crofters—who may be 
either joint tenants, or head and subordinate—all to 
be under the control of a lady warden. The objects 
of Lady Warwick’s practical scheme are (1) to open 
up a new field of work for women ; (2) to check the 
depopulation of rural districts : and (3)' to keep at 
home some of the money annually sent abroad for 
poultry, dairy, and horticultural produce. Only 
these ladies who have taken the course at the college, 
and who, moreover, possess incomes of from £20 to 
£lo per annum will be recognised as lady-crofters. 
The woman’s movement, inaugurated by the Swanley 
Horticultural College, seems to be finding zealous 
supporters, and if this new development proves 
successful, other undertakings of a similar nature 
will doubtless be heard of ere long. 
CARNATION VEITCH’S EARLY 
PERPETUAL. 
Under this name I obtained a packet of seed of this 
type of Carnation. They were sown in March in a 
warm frame. When strong enough the seedlings were 
pricked out into shallow boxes and returned to the 
frame again. When established they were removed 
to a cold frame, the lights being drawn off during 
the day. 
In July they were potted, three into 4 in. or 5 in. 
pots. When the pots were full of roots the plants 
were potted into 6 in. and 7 in. pots, without dis¬ 
turbing the roots, and placed again in the cold 
frame. We find it advisable to keep all winter¬ 
flowering Carnations under glass in stormy weather, 
as our situation is low and damp, and this so soon 
engenders spot on the foliage. When the autumn 
advanced they were removed to a high shelf in a cool, 
airy Peach house till the end of October, when they 
were removed into a house with a night temperature 
of about 50’’ and 55 0 to 6o° by day. 
They commenced blooming in October, and have 
given a good lot of bloom through the dark days of 
winter. Evidently they will continue all through 
the spring. By potting three plants in a pot it gives 
a chance of not having a pot without some doubles 
in it. Being seedlings, there are sure to be some 
single ones amongst them, but the percentage is very 
small, and the blooms are of all shades, many sweet- 
scented ones being amongst them. I am well pleased 
with them.— J. C., Chari. 
-- 
SCOTTISH NOTES. 
Vegetables, Flowers and the Weather. 
The chief topic in our district in the middle of 
January, is the weather. Seldom have we had a 
January so mild, but sunless and foggy. A tempera¬ 
ture of 45 0 to 50° is generally indicated, but often 
higher in the shade at mid-day. December will be 
remembered for fogs. The foghorns on the River 
Forth gave out their gruesome sounds almost con¬ 
tinually, and the heavy rains have saturated the land. 
Vegetables have been very abundant and good— 
both roots and green crops. Celery planted on the 
surface of the soil is the best we have had for some 
years. Trenches formed deeply in this low-lying 
locality are unsuitable for this, popular vegetable. 
Broccolis are very firm and compact. They were 
planted by means of a crowbar into very solid 
ground, as planting in loose, rich soil means failure, 
especially if weather is severe from frost or damp. 
One of the most useful winter vegetables is Rosette 
Colewort. When planted during July] and August 
(first and second crops), a good supply may be bad 
throughout autumn and winter. Veitch’s Earliest 
Cabbage has been of much value during the mild 
weather—so mild that mowing of lawns has had to 
be done in January. Pansy Bullion has bloomed 
throughout the season, and, though in a damp 
undrained position, it continues to bloom. This is 
the most useful yellow we have tried for bedding. 
What a useful shrub is Garrya elliptica, which is one 
of the hardiest which we know. During the terribly 
severe winter of three years ago this shrub was 
uninjured. In a position where water cannot be 
drained off, it is loaded with Catkins, and in another 
dry position on gravelly soil the plants in pyramidal 
form are attractive. I do not understand why so 
many writers in the South report it as being tender. 
— M. Temple, Carron, N.B. 
' ■ »$»■ 
LAWTON’S PATENT POT SUSPENDER. 
Patent No. 2658. 
This simple, valuable and unique invention will be 
found useful to the horticulturist, in a variety of 
ways, amongst which may be specialised the suspen¬ 
sion of plants in pots for conservatory or other 
decorations, either against a wall or from the roof. 
Pot with 
Suspenders 
Fixed. 
Suspender. 
To the Orchid grower it is invaluable, as by its 
use a few moments only are required to make any 
pot or pan ready for suspension, without any of the 
usual difficulties and unsightliness caused by the 
binding round of string, wire, etc. 
The suspenders can with equal facility be used for 
suspending cut flowers in vases, &c. (it may even be 
used for an ordinary tumbler), thus getting over one 
of the greatest difficulties in floral decorations for 
walls. 
It also makes an excellent substitute for the wire 
holdfasts used for holding plates, plaque, &c., when 
wanted to hang against a wall, and has the advan¬ 
tage of being considerably less in cost. 
The inventor has had these clips in use for some 
considerable time and can guarantee their efficacy 
and durability .—Sole Agent, J. George, Horticultural 
Sundriesman, U, Redgrave Road, Putney, SAV. 
-» » « --- ■- 
SEASONABLE NOTES. 
Fruit Forcing. —Peaches and Strawberries I class 
together, as more often than not these two fruits are 
brought on in the same house, and the temperature 
given the former suits the latter in every respect. 
The past month has been very much against these 
early fruits. Houses which were closed about the 
second week in December will be in full bloom by 
this time, especially the Peach. The sun seems to 
have disappeared from our shores for a time, and I 
do not think I remember such a sunless month for 
January. A spell of frosty weather would be accept¬ 
able as it generally gives us bright sunny days, 
which are almost necessary for the free setting of the 
above named fruits. 
In lieu of this we have been obliged to make use of 
more fire heat than is usually required. A tempera¬ 
ture of about 50° at night with an advance of 8° or 
io° through the day is necessary to dry the pollen 
(not too plentiful I find), and a little chink of air 
should be kept on day and night at the apex of the 
house. The flowers should be gone over about mid¬ 
day with a camel-hair brush, lightly touching each 
bloom which will help to distribute what pollen 
there is. This applies to both fruits, though the 
Strawberries on shelves in this house will scarcely be 
open yet; at least mine are not; but I have 5} dozen 
plants on a shelf in the early vinery fast coming into 
flower, the variety being Royal Sovereign, which are 
looking most promising. The Peach house is given 
a thorough damping with the syringe each morning 
at 9 a.m. over the border, walks, and stems of the 
trees, making sure no water reaches the flowers. 
This suffices for the day during this dull weather. A 
sharp look out must be kept for green and black fly, 
and the pest at once dusted with tobacco powder if 
found.— Practical. 
