April 16, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
523 
the month for mid-season and late supplies; but 
where the ground is in good tilth the sowing may be 
deferred a little longer, as it is far better to wait for 
the plants than that the plants should wait for the 
ground to be got ready for them, as in the latter case 
they become drawn and are of little value. In many 
gardens Broccoli has to succeed some other crop, and 
when the plants are allowed to stand crowded in the 
seed bed until the previous crop is gathered satis¬ 
factory results seldom follow. 
Peas, to keep up a succession, must be sown as 
soon as the previous lot appears through the soil. 
Here let me again caution the cultivator of the error 
of sowing too thickly, as this is one of the chief 
causes of mildew later on when the soil becomes hot 
and dry. See that ample space is aflorded between 
the stakes for the haulm and foliage to develop 
themselves. Those who are desirous of obtaining 
fine pods for exhibition purposes should select some 
of the most promising when they are small and pinch 
the points out of the plants to throw the sap into 
the pods. Whenever the weather Is suitable the 
hoe should be run between the rows of Onions,Carrots, 
Parsnips, etc., which will by this have appeared well 
through the soil. Make further sowings of Lettuce 
and plant out the plants from former sowings as soon 
as they are large enough. Salads will now be in 
great demand, therefore strict attention must be paid 
to keeping up a continuous supply. 
Forced Vegetables— As the frames and pits 
become cleared of these they should again be 
planted with Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, and 
other tender subjects, as Capsicums, or the beds may 
be used for pricking out Celery and tender bedding 
plants. In the former case it will be necessary to 
put a new lining round them to generate a little 
more heat. Plants fruiting must be kept pinched 
and have the growths regulated so as to admit the 
light and air amongst the foliage. Do not allow the 
fruit to get too large before removing it as this has 
a tendency to exhaust the plants. As the roots make 
their appearance through the soil give a top-dressing 
to keep the plants vigorous —Kitchen Gardener. 
CROCUSES UNDER DECIDUOUS 
TREES. 
Where Oak, Beech, Lime, and similar deciduous 
trees are fairly closely planted, either on lawns or 
along the sides of drives, there is always a difficulty 
of getting grass to grow. In such cases the plant¬ 
ing of Ivy is often resorted to, with the result of 
furnishing the ground with a perennially sombre 
carpet. Certainly this is better than absolutely bare 
ground, but a much brighter and more interesting 
effect is produced by plantibg Crocuses, Daffodils, 
Anemones, Doronicums, Corydalis, or other spring- 
floweriDg subjects which complete their annual 
growth before the ground gets too thickly overhung 
by a thick canopy of foliage that obstructs the light 
and prevents the further development of green 
verdure, always so refreshing to the eye. 
The accompanying illustration represents a thick 
carpet of Crocuses under tall deciduous trees, and 
bordering the two sides of a winding walk in the 
grounds of Potternewton House, Leeds, the residence 
of J. Rhodes, Esq. The photograph was taken on 
the 22nd March, when the Crocuses were in full 
bloom. Mr. Robert Mason informs us that a great 
number of varieties is grown, all mixed together, but 
that the yellow and blue colours print black, so that 
only the white varieties come out prominently. 
When seen in reality, however, they have an effective 
and most natural appearance that cannot be gain¬ 
said, and furnish proof positive that they are admir¬ 
ably adapted for this kind of work. On a bright 
morning, says our informant, they act as a tonic to 
the eye and heart of the beholder, far surpassing any 
which the physician could administer. As to their 
ornamental effect there can be no doubt, and their 
hardiness even much further north than the latitude 
of Leeds is a strong recommendation for planting 
them extensively. 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
“ YICTORIAN ERA FUND ” 
Your readers will doubtless remember that this 
fund was established last year to commemorate the 
completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's 
beneficent reign. They will also recollect that its 
object is to temporarily assist unsuccessful candi¬ 
dates whilst awaiting election who have been (or 
their husbands) subscribers to, or life members of, 
the institution. The total amount received up to 
December 31st last has been invested, and the com¬ 
mittee are glad to be able to announce that the 
income derivable therefrom this year enables them 
to distribute the sum of £106 ros., the first half of 
which was sent on April 1st last to eighteen unsuccess¬ 
ful candidates as follows, and has been divided at 
the rate of 15s. for each year they (or their husbands) 
had subscribed :— 
Bryan, Andrew 
Years self, 
or husband, 
subscribed. 
13 
Amount sent 
April r, '98. 
£ s. d. 
4 17 6 
Nixon, Francis 
13 
4 17 
6 
Plevy, fames 
.. 12 
4 10 
0 
Staples, George 
. . 11 
4 2 
6 
Wood, Caroline 
.. 11 
4 2 
6 
Gibbons, John 
10 
3 £5 
0 
Watt, James 
.. 10 
3 15 
0 
Hackxell, Elizabeth 
.. 9 
3 7 
6 
Wilts, George 
9 
3 7 
6 
Barnfield, Alfred .. 
8 
3 0 
0 
Hatch, Annie 
8 
3 0 
0 
Mitchell, Lucy 
7 
2 12 
6 
Sbearn, Joseph 
7 
2 12 
6 
Lee, Alexander 
5 
1 17 
6 
Evans, Thomas 
.. 4 
1 10 
0 
Gould, William 
.. 2 
0 15 
0 
Thomas, William 
.. 2 
0 15 
0 
Woodward, Emma 
.. 1 
0 7 
6 
From the above it will be seen that the aggregate 
number of years of subscription is 142, which at t5s. 
for each year gives a total of £106 10s., the first 
instalment of which, as already stated, was sent on 
April 1st last, and the remainder will be sent on 
October 1st next. The comAittee are very anxious to 
bring up the total amount of this fund to £5,000, to 
do which they require a sum of £925, and I should 
like to draw attention to the generous offer made by 
N. N. Sherwood, Esq., Trustee, to contribute £50 
provided the amount required be raised, in response 
to which the following gentlemen have each kindly 
promised a similar sum : — 
Arthur W. Sutton, Esq , Reading ; 
Leonard Sutton, Esq., Reading ; 
Harry J. Veitch, Esq., Treasurer; 
and several smaller contributions have been already 
received. The committee sincerely hope before the 
close of the year they may be able to announce that 
the balance necessary to make up £5,000 has been 
received. They trust, therefore, that every well- 
wisher of the Institution will note that the “Vic¬ 
torian Era Fund ” is still open, and that donations to 
it will be most gratefully received. The committee 
also desire again to emphasise the notice which has 
already appeared in your columns and elsewhere, that 
this fund is intended for the benefit of those only 
who have subscribed to the institution .—George ]. 
Ingram , Secretary. 
-4.-- 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
Floricultural Certificates of merit were awarded 
to the following subjects at the spring show of the 
Royal Botanic Society held in the society’s gardens 
at Regent's Park, on March 30th. 
Hyacinth Ball of Gold.— This is a bright 
yellow variety of considerable merit, with a larger 
and more massive spike than is generally seen in the 
yellow flowered forms. The individual flowers are 
of good size and substance. Messrs. William Paul & 
Son, Waltham Cross, Herts. 
Hyacinth Cineraria.— There is a number of 
blues representing a wide range to be found amongst 
the Hyacinths, but this variety will be a welcome 
addition, as it exhibits a distinct shade of rich 
Gentian blue, with purple-blue tips to the segments. 
The spike is of medium size, full, and well formed. 
Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son. 
Camellia Pride of Waltham. —This is one of 
the finest Camellias ever shown by Messrs. Wm. 
Paul & Son, whose reputation for Camellias is so 
great. The flower is large, full, and of perfect form 
and great substance. The colour is flesh pink, the 
edges of the broad, massive petals being prettily 
tipped with silver. 
Camellia Boadicea.— This is a much looser 
flower than the preceding variety. The colour is 
bright pink with silver tips to the petals. The latter 
are also prettily veined with deeper pink. Messrs. 
Wm. Paul & Son. 
Clivia Mrs. A. Sykes. —In this new variety we 
have all the characteristics of a first-class Clivia. 
The umbel is of immense size, and the scape sup¬ 
porting it of more than ordinary thickness and 
strength. The flowers are large, deep orange in hue, 
with a yellow throat. Messrs. John Laing & Sons, 
Forest Hill, S.E. 
Clivia O. C. Wrigley. —Here we have another 
exemplification of the immense size of truss and 
flower that is to be found in our modern Clivias. 
The colour is rich scarlet-orange, with an orange- 
yellow throat. The form is good, and the substance 
of the flowers amazing. Messrs. B. S. Williams Sc 
Son, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper 
Holloway, N. 
Botanical C ertificates were awarded to the under¬ 
mentioned — 
Asflenium Mayi.—A very handsome plant is 
this, and as distinct as handsome. The deep 
green fronds are of medium size, and pinnate, 
but the central pinna is much produced. The mar¬ 
gins of all the pinnae are much laciniated. The 
stipes are purple-brown in colour. Mr. H. B. May, 
Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Edmonton. 
Pteris gracilis multiceps. —Crested Ferns seem 
to be increasing in favour, and in this case we have 
a plant that can scarcely fail to become very 
popular. The pinnae are very narrow, and light 
green in colour, and have their tips many times 
divided to form tassels of medium size. The stipes 
are slender, and brown in hue. The whole plant is 
a model of elegance and gracefulness. Mr. H. B. 
May. 
Asplenium Hilli. —At first sight this Asplenium 
Crocuses at Potternewton House. 
