692 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 2, 1898. 
command De Candolle, in 1831, reckoned 
the Fortingall Yew to be 2,500 to 2,600 
years old in 1770. Even if this is admitted 
to be true the Brabourne Yew in Kent is 
reckoned to be some centuries the senior of 
thispatriarch. Neverthless both trees may 
enjoy the benefit of the doubt until proof of 
their age is forthcoming. The writer from 
whom we quote is satisfied, however, amidst 
all the local antiquities that the Yew is the 
oldest object the eye can see at Fortingall, 
“ next to the everlasting hills themselves.” 
He thinks this tree was a sturdy sapling 
when Solomon was building his temple, and 
the ancient druids may have worshipped 
under its shadow. The tree stands in the 
graveyard at Fortingall, and Pennant men¬ 
tions having seen it in 1761, when it was 
56 ft. in circumference. At one time the 
village boys used to kindle their Beltane 
fires at its roots. Curio hunters, until they 
were deterred from interfering with it, used 
to cut down branches and make them into 
cups and boxes &c., for sale. The huge 
trunk is now a mere hollow shell from which 
three great trunks appearing like separate 
trees arise. There is a younger but large 
tree just outside the graveyard, probably a 
seedling from the patriarch, and unless the 
chronicler is careful, the daughter tree 
may in the future be recorded as the parent. 
Such things have happened before now, as 
in the case of King Charles’ Oak. 
Guttapercha was introduced to Europe from Malaga 
in 1852. The annual consumption now tots up to 
<{,000,000 lbs. per annum. 
A Sad Accident to Mr. T. Humphreys.—We are 
exceedingly sorry to learn that a sad accident has 
befallen Mr. T. Humphreys, Mr. S T. Wright's 
able lieutenant at Chiswick. Whilst playing cricket 
at Turnham Green last week a ball struck him on 
the head. Hemorrhage of the brain has set in, and 
he lies in a critical condition 
Tom-tits in a Letter Box.—I saw in your number 
for the 14th of May last that a pair of tom-tits have 
built their nest in a letter box, and the hen was sit¬ 
ting on her eggs. Here is something in the same 
way just opposite my nursery, on the leading way 
from Ghent to Antwerp (Chaussee d’Anvers 406). 
A pair of tom-tits have built their nest in a letter 
box as well, and have )oung now for the second 
time. As soon as the gentleman saw that those 
birds had built their nest their he told the postman 
to ring the bell, and to give the correspondence into 
his or his servant's hands.— E. Coppitters. 
Chiswick Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—There were 100 students present to hear the 
lecture on “ The Origin of Common Garden Vegeta¬ 
bles,” by the Rev. Prof.George Henslow.at Chiswick, 
on the 22nd ult. These included young gardeners from 
Chiswick, Kew and Ealing. The lecture that was to 
be delivered on the 29th ult. was postponed till July 
6th, owing to the coincidence of the Richmond Show 
on the 29th last. The lecture on the 6th is to be on 
" The Origin of Common Garden Flowers.” The 
lecture on the 13th will be on " The Origin of Species 
and how Variations may be induced under Cultiva¬ 
tion.” 
Vegetable Products of the Philippine Islands.—The 
area of these islands is reckoned at 150,000 square 
miles, and the population at eight to ten millions. 
The soil is fertile and productive, requiring only 
intelligent cultivation. Manilla Hemp is one of the 
chief sources of wealth. Sugar plantations give less 
satisfaction owing to the ignorance of the cultivators. 
Tobacco culture, as most people may imagine, is 
one of the leading industries. The Coffee has a fine 
aroma, though not equal to that of Mocha or 
Bourbon. Indigo produced here is notable for its 
fine qualities. Cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao) grow 
in abundance. During the ten years ending in 1897, 
9:14,055 tons of Manilla Hemp were exported from 
the Philippines ; and 1,582,904 tons of sugar in the 
same period 
A Lemon Bath is almost a daily luxury in the West 
Indies ; and a pleasant sense of freshness and clean¬ 
liness is imparted to the skin by its use. The 
method is to slice three or four limes or lemons and 
let them lie for half an hour in the water, so that 
the juice may be extracted. 
Plants and Snakes.—There is a plant in India, says 
a native paper, which so closely resembles the cobra 
that it can only be distinguished from that deadly 
snake by close inspection. It has a sort of ex¬ 
panded hood similar in size, shape, colour, and other 
respects to that of the cobra. The juice of the plant 
is also said to be highly poisonous, thus completing 
the resemblance to the cobra. 
A Patriarchal Chestnut Tree.—At Tortwortb, in the 
county of Gloucester, there is a remarkable tree of 
the Sweet or Spanish Chestnut (Castanea vesca, or 
C. sativa) which was known as far back as 1:135. 
More recently in 1766 the trunk measured about 17 
yards in circumference, at a yard and a half above 
the ground. About a century later it had added 
another yard to its circumference, and must now be 
a very venerable patriarch of its kind. 
The Pip of a Scottish Peach.—A rather rugged 
Scotch laird, about 1,800, was dining at Hamilton 
Palace for the first time, and after dinner he pointed 
to a dish of Peaches, and said to his hostess, 
" What kind of Apple is yon ” ? She told him they 
were Peaches, and he said he would just take one to 
taste it. He took one and stuck half of it in his 
mouth, and bit hard into it, so that the juice ran out 
of the corners of his mouth. Then spake, or 
rather sputtered that guileless Gael, “ Oh, it's a gran’ 
Apple, but sic a pip as it’s got! ”— Scraps. 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms.—The natural hybrid 
Odontoglossum crispum-harryanum made its appear¬ 
ance at the Sale Rooms of Messrs. Protheroe & 
Morris, Cheapside, on Friday, the 24th ult., when 
some lively bidding run it up to 38 guineas, but the 
lucky owner declined to part with it at that sum. 
There were several very pretty Cattleyas amongst 
the flowering plants including a charming, light- 
coloured variety of C. Mossiae, with blush sepals 
and petaF, and a large, lively and conspicuous purple 
blotch on the otherwise pale lip. This went for £5. 
The present is a grand time to get Orchids at reason¬ 
able prices. 
The Destruction of Charlock.—For many years, 
possibly for centuries, there has been a desire to find 
out some ready method by which Charlock or Field 
Mustard (Brassica arvensis) might be destroyed in 
fields of corn without at the same time destroying 
the latter. The French tried the plan of spraying 
with a solution of sulphate of copper. The Essex 
County Council made some experiments last year 
with the same object in view, but it was too late in 
the season before operations were commenced. 
Further trials were commenced about the middle of 
last April, and the results so far have been given in a 
report signed by Mr. Reginald W. Christy, and Mr. 
Thos, S. Dymond, of the County Technical Labora¬ 
tories, Chelmsford. By means of a strawsonizer, 
several strips of a field of barley infested with Char¬ 
lock were sprayed with 1, 2, 4, and 6 per cent, solu¬ 
tions of sulphate of copper, applied in quantities 
varying between 10 and 100 gallons per acre. A 1 
per cent, solution was too weak to kill the Charlock ; 
and a 6 per cent, solution was too strong for the 
barley. Ten gallons per acre did not afford sufficient 
to wet all the Charlock. The best results were 
obtained by using a 2 per cent, solution at the rate of 
25 to 50 gallons per acre, during dry weather in the 
earlier stages of growth. The experiment was 
“ completely successful ” in the words of the report. 
The sprayed strips were perfectly free from Charlock 
when the report was written, while the unsprayed 
portions were yellow with it. The barley was 
stronger and of better colour in the sprayed strips. 
Other crops showed that sulphate of copper might 
be used to advantage, except in the case of Turnips 
and Swedes, which belong to the same genus as 
Charlock, and are burnt in the same way as the latter. 
The best time to perform the operation is a still, dry 
day, when the Charlock first appears. Later on it is 
partly protected by the crop ; nevertheless, if sprayed 
while in flower, the Charlock is prevented from seed¬ 
ing. Surely this will not be allowed to pass into 
oblivion without a full and decisive trial by those 
concerned. 
Imitation Coffee Berries have recently been manu¬ 
factured abroad. Examination showed that they 
were made of ash-gum, dextrine, and other materials. 
Put on more air.— Gardener : Come now, Mike 
my boy, run into the vinery and see how high the 
temperature stands.” Mike (after being in the 
vinery): “ Sure, and it is higher than the three-foct 
rule.”— Snaggs. 
A Bounty for Tree Planting.—In Minnesota there 
is, says Gardening (American), a law to encourage 
tree planting. A bounty of $250 (10s.) an acre is 
offered, and a full acre must be planted. No person 
can collect the bounty for more than 10 acres in a 
year, or for more than six years. Any tree but 
the black Locust may be planted. Last year bounty 
was paid on 9,524 acres. The law has been in force 
for sixteen years, during which time upwards of 
100,000 acres have been planted. 
The Widow of the Late Dr. Woodman.—I am more 
than glad to inform you that I have just heard from 
the widow of my old master and dear departed friend, 
Dr. W. R. Woodman, saying she has been elected a 
pensioner of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institu¬ 
tion. Mrs. Woodman writes : “ I am thankful to 
say that I am elected to the pension, and thank all 
who assisted me, especially yourself.” The public 
notice of this deserving case, kindly given recently 
in your popular and influential journal, arrested 
considerable attention in all parts, and did much 
good for the cause. On Mrs Woodman’s behalf, I 
am grateful and thankful to you.— William Napper, 
June 2 yd, 1898. 
A Royal Visit to Messrs. Lucien Linden & Cie’s 
Establishment at Moortebeek.—On Thursday, June 
23rd last, the King of the Belgians paid a visit to this 
well known Orchid establishment, situated in the 
neighbourhood of Brussels. Under the guidance of 
Mr. Lucien Linden, the King inspected for several 
hours the various houses and their treasures, and 
expressed his high admiration of the admirable 
arrangement and perfect condition of everything he 
saw. At every point he showed the deep interest he 
takes in horticulture, which plays such an important 
part in Belgium. On taking leave he very highly 
complimented Mr. Lucien Linden, on the model 
establishment he has created, and maintains in such 
a highly efficient manner. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—The Annual 
Picnic and Outing will take place on Monday, 
July 25th next. This will take the form of a trip to 
Harwich by Great Eastern Rail, a water trip from 
Harwich along the picturesque Orwell to Ipswich 
and back, returning from Harwich by rail in the 
evening. The General Manager of the Great 
Eastern IJailway Hotel, Liverpool Street, has 
entered into a contract to convey the company 
throughout the entire journey by rail and water, 
providing dinner and tea at the Great Eastern Rail¬ 
way Hotel.Harwich. The charge for the day.including 
rail,boat, dinner and tea will be 10s. 6d. to members, 
and ns. to non-members. A special train of saloon 
carriages, and one of the splendid saloon steamships 
of the Great Eastern Railway Company will be 
placed at the service of the party, provided a 
guarantee can be given for 250 persons. The exclu¬ 
sive use of these modes of conveyance would greatly 
promote the comfort and convenience of the com¬ 
pany. As one or two of our affiliated societies are 
desirous of taking part in the trip, this preliminary 
circular is issued in the hope that by the participa¬ 
tion in the trip of affiliated societies, and by 
members exerting themselves to dispose of tickets, 
the number stated above may be secured. Bona fide 
members of affiliated Societies will be charged for 
the trip at the same rate as members of the N.C.S. 
It is certain that the catering will be most satis¬ 
factory,and should the weather proved unfavourable, 
the protection on the steamship will be found ample. 
Should the required number of 250 not be obtained, 
the party will have to travel by ordinary trains and 
steamboats. A complete programme of the day's 
arrangements, together with menus for dinner and 
tea, is in course of preparation, and a copy will be 
furnished to every person taking part in the trip. 
As it is most important some idea of the probable 
number forming the party should be known by 
July 1st, I shall be glad to hear from you by that 
date. All communications relating to the trip to be 
addressed to— Richard Dean, General Secretary, Ealing, 
London, IF. 
