470 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 26, 1898. 
spersed amongst Hyacinths and Tulips, we 
have Myosotis, Arabis, Wallflowers, 
Daisies, Phloxes, and other subjects which 
link late spring with early summer and its 
own particular phase of bedding. 
■ » - 
Leven and District Horticultural Society.—Tbe 
annual display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables held 
by this soc'ety is fixed for August 20th. Prizes are 
offered in 169 classes for garden produce and wild 
flowers in addition to the industrial classes, which 
are to be made a special feature. Mr. John Lister 
is the Secretary, and he is assisted by a capable 
committee. 
Revue de L’Horticulture Beige.— The publication of 
the number of this monthly journal for the 1st April 
next, is to be delayed till the 16th April, in order 
that its pages may contain a report of the forth¬ 
coming international and quinquennial horticultural 
exhibition. The number for the 1st May will also 
deal with the great show, and contain historical 
information upon the origin of the society which 
organised the quinquennial. 
The Shamrock.—St. Patrick's Day was duly cele¬ 
brated in London and the suburbs by the wearing of 
bits of Clover. On former occasions we have had 
Medicago lupulina from Dublin as the true Sham¬ 
rock. On the 17th inst. we had the so-called true 
Shamrock from two different sources, one of them, 
reputedly at least, being from Cork. Both these 
pieces were Trifolium minus, of Smith. Another 
species being sold for Shamrock was Trifolium 
repens, which certainly had the merit of being 
larger and more easily seen. Which is the true 
Snamrock ? 
Early Spring Bulbs at Reading.—Some time ago we 
had the pleasure of inspecting a border filled with 
spring bulbs in the Portland Road Nursery of 
Messrs. Sution & Sons, Reading. Such things as 
Galanthus Elwesii, and the beautifully striped 
Crocus versicolor and Crocus biflorus Cloth of 
Silver put in their appearance in the earliest days of 
February and continued to develop for weeks after¬ 
wards, The variable character of Galanthus 
Elwesii was very apparent, some having long and 
others globular flowers, while some had almost green 
foliage far removed from the ordinary glaucous hue. 
G. E. unguiculatus was notable for its long and 
clawed segments while the green markings were 
smaller than in the type. The beautiful new G. 
Ikariae has found its way here in some quantity, its 
large snowy-white flowers being very conspicuous. 
The Houble G. nivalis fl. pi. was only then showing a 
few stray flowers, as the variety usually brings up 
the rear of the Snowdrops. Amongst the large and 
improved varieties of Crocus vernus, C. v. Inimitable 
Blue was handsome and showy. Many others are 
yet in full bloom. 
The History of a Chrysanthemum.—Under this 
title Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, Redhill, 
Surrey, gives the eventful history of a yellow sport 
from Chrysanthemum Madame Carnot which he 
first exhibited on November i8tb, 1896, at a meeting 
of the N C.S. ; again, at the R.H.S. on the 24th of 
that same month, and, subsequently, under the name 
of G. J. Warren. This name appeared to be 
accepted with full complacency till the mid-winter 
exhibition of the N.C.S., when flowers were put up 
under the rival name of Mrs. F. A. Bevan, which 
was supplanted by that of Yellow Madame Carnot 
later on. Apparently, the sportive nature of 
Madame Carnot was responsible for a similar con¬ 
dition amoDgst its admirers, but, of course, we do 
not profess to see through this particular phase of 
plant life. In any case, it seems to be admitted that 
all three are equal to the same thing and therefore 
equal to one another. Amongst fruits and flowers, 
the best varieties are generally encumbered with a 
lengthy synonymy. Piper Findlater, lately so 
prominently before the eyes of the world, has been 
claimed by most nations of the Old World as their 
countrymen. We regard these as instances of intense 
popularity, arising from a desire to acknowledge the 
worth of a good thing or a hero. It will be interest¬ 
ing to know by what name the N.C.S. will register 
the variety, when the next supplement to the Cata¬ 
logue is published. 
A Tyburn Snuff-box. —A curio, in the shape of a 
snuff-box made from the last century Tyburn 
triple gallows, painted by Hogarth, in his picture en¬ 
titled " Execution of the Idle Apprentice,” was sold 
recently in a North London auction room for 15s. 
The gallows was taken down in 1783, and part of 
the timber used for making snuff-boxes. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion. —On the 17th inst., Mr. James Hudson, of 
Gunnersburv Park Gardens, read a paper on “ Alpine 
Strawberries.” He said that this race of Straw¬ 
berries was little known in many gardens, but owing 
to their continuous fruiting character, the produce, 
weight for weight, would equal the well known 
garden varieties. The subject was dealt with in a 
very practical mariner, Mr. Hudson giving the 
details of his own practice. They might be propa¬ 
gated by runners or seed, the latter method having 
come into vogue during the last few years, and seeds 
are now catalogued by some of the more enterprising 
seedsmen. Alpine Strawberries like a light soil and 
partial shade, such as they would get beneath 
standard Apple trees. Two of the best varieties 
were Royal Amelioreand Sutton’s Large Red Alpine, 
the latter being of handsome shape and colour, 
though smaller than the former. There was a fair 
amount of discussion, the subject being new to many 
of the members. 
Scottish Horticultural Association.—With tbe confi¬ 
dence born of continued success the Scottish Horti¬ 
cultural Association has again issued a large and 
comprehensive schedule of prizes to be given ■ for 
Chrysanthemums, miscellaneous plants, fruit, and 
vegetables at the huge exhibition, to be held on 
November 17th, 18th, and 19th, at the Waverley 
Market, Edinburgh. There are 113 classes in all, of 
which 55 are devoted to Chrysanthemums. The 
premier class is for 20 vases of 3 blooms each, the 
first prize, known as the City of Edinburgh prize, 
being a piece of plate, value £-10, presented by the 
Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council. We 
notice from the list of judges given that the two 
gentlemen who will decide upon the relative merits 
of the cut Chrysanthemums both hail from the south 
of Britain, whilst all the rest are northerners. We 
have no doubt that the exhibition will prove as great 
a success as in previous years, and may say that the 
Scottish Horticultural has deserved it all, for the 
services it has rendered north of the Tweed in 
popularising the Autumn Queen have been immense. 
Mr. Robert Laird is still in his post of secretary 
where may he long remain. 
The Cactus Journal.—This, the latest addition to the 
horticultural press of this country, is a monthly six¬ 
penny publication devoted exclusively to succulent 
plants. In the circular accompanying the issue of 
No. 1 the aims of the paper are set forth. After 
dealing with the fact that Cacti and succulent plants 
generally have become favourites with amateur plant 
growers, which is further supplemented in the 
journal itself by an article from the editorial pen, it 
it stated that it is proposed to give the publication 
as much of an international character as possible, 
and articles are promised from the principal authori¬ 
ties all over the world. Correspondence is invited 
from all. An exhaustive list of all succulents is in pro¬ 
cess of preparation and will appear in instalments in 
the paper. New and rare plants will be described, 
and, with good specimens of well known plants, 
illustrated. The first number, which was issued in 
February, contains articles from Mr. W. Watson, of 
Kew ; Professor Luis Murillo, the Rev. C. Spencer 
Budd, and other authorties. Full page illustrations 
are given of groupsof “rare Opuntias,” and “ beauti¬ 
ful Mammillarias.” The general get-up of the 
paper is good, but the number of typographical 
errors is regrettable, and the systematic misspelling 
of such words as Mesembryanthemum a grave fault, 
This is particularly marked in the first instalment of 
the Botanical List before referred to, where, more¬ 
over, specific names have been given capital letters 
indiscriminately. We welcome the Cactus Journal, 
and trust that it will accomplish good work, but if 
it is to come up to the standard it has set for itself it 
must be more carefully edited, otherwise its value 
will be seriously discounted. The publisher is Mr. 
E. W. AlleD, 4, Ave Maria Lane, Paternoster Row, 
E.C. 
The Most Impudent of Fruit Trees.—The " Medlar.” 
—Sniggs. 
Highgate and District Chrysanthemum Society.— 
A committee meeting was held on Thursday the 17 th 
inst, when the dates of the Floral Committee meetings 
for this year were settled, viz., October 31st, Novem¬ 
ber 8th, and 14th. The Floral Committee was then 
elected, viz., Mr. T. Bevan, Mr. J. Brooks, Mr. J. 
Brooks, Jun., Mr. Burt, Mr. Mathews, and Mr. Turk, 
with the president, the treasurer (Mr. J. McKercbar), 
and the secretary (Mr. W. E. Boyce) as ex-officio 
members. 
Juno Cycles.—These well-known machines are now 
found in the new 11 Juno ” show rooms on Piccadilly 
Circus, and we are sure this will be found highly 
convenient to numerous West End cyclists and 
would-be cylists to whom the name Juno is a house¬ 
hold word, and synonymous of all that a cycle 
should be. The 1898 Junos are up-to-date in all 
points, and perhaps there is no machine on the road 
to-day so often met with as a Juno. It is known for 
honest sterling workmanship and great elegance of 
finish. 
Horticultural Education in Fife.—Whilst county 
councils in this country have generally taken up the 
cause of horticultural education, this has not been 
the case north of the Tweed. Consequently, we are 
pleased to learn that the county of Fife appears to 
have taken a conspicuous lead in this direction. 
Acting on the initiative of the Leven Horticultural 
Society, through its able and energetic secre¬ 
tary, Mr. John Lister, a meeting to discuss the 
question of horticultural lectures was recently held 
at Ladybank. Representatives were present from 
various parts of the country, and there was a goodly 
muster of secretaries of horticultural societies, and 
upwards of 1,500 members were present. The Rev. 
Mr. Brunton was called to the chair. Mr. Mitchell, 
organising secretary of the county council, spoke at 
some length upon the subject at issue, and it was 
evident to all that it would not be his fault if the 
council failed to take the matter up. He expressed 
himself to be greatly in favour of educating the 
working classes in the cultivation of fruits, flowers, 
and vegetables, and suggested that a petition should 
be sent to his committee stating how many lectures 
they desired to have, and how they were to be dis¬ 
tributed. The following gentlemen were appointed 
to frame the petition :—Provost Anderson, New¬ 
burgh : Rev. J. Brunton, Monimail; Mr. D. M. 
Dingwall, North Fife; and Mr. Lister, Leven. The 
last named gentleman acts as secretary. 
Ware and District Horticultural Society.—Mr. Ful- 
ford, gardener to R. Walters, Esq., presided at the 
fortnightly meeting of this society on Tuesday, 15th 
March, when Mr. Challen, nurseryman, Stanstead, 
gave a very interesting account of the construction 
of the" Hot Water Apparatus," wherein he described 
a system of heating adopted by him, minimising the 
cost of fixing boilers, and placing the pipes to ensure 
efficient circulation, in those districts adjacent to 
streams and subject to floods. In such places, in 
the ordinary way, the stoke-holes frequently get sub¬ 
merged with water, rendering the stoking and keep¬ 
ing up the necessary heat matters of no little 
difficulty snd discomfort, apart from the detrimental 
effects of dampness acting on the boiler. Mr. 
Challen had occasion to fix a boiler in a place where 
it would be altogether impossible to get a dry stoke¬ 
hole by sinking the boiler some distance below the 
level of the ground, unless he went to the expense of 
having the sides and bottom cemented so as to make 
the hole water-tight; and even then he would have 
been rather doubtful of its keeping out the water, as 
the cement would be liable to crack with the action 
of the heat under the boiler. He determined to fix 
his boiler on the ground level (the ashpit only being 
dug out); he then connected tne flow pipe to the top 
of the boiler, but instead of taking the pipes on the 
rise to the extreme end of the houses, he fixed them 
so as there would be a gradual fall, graduating it 
right round the houses and back to the boiler, con¬ 
necting the return pipe to the boiler at the ordinary 
place. He had used this boiler for two winters and 
found it answer very well, the heat being distributed 
evenly over the houses. After some discussion, a 
vote of thanks to the lecturer and chairman termi¬ 
nated the meeting.— A. IV. 
