340 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 28, 1899. 
exists purely and simply for the benefit of 
gardeners for whom the lines have not 
fallen in pleasant places during the after¬ 
noon of their journey through life. Thanks 
to the existence of this institution the latter 
day of those who are fortunate to get 
elected to a share of its benefits does not 
set in darkness and gloom. In the words 
of Mr. Harry J. Veitch, the chairman on 
this occasion, there were so few deaths 
amongst the pensioners that life must have 
been prolonged through the timely aid of 
thisinstitution, which helped them, perhaps, 
to some of its comforts. As usual, there 
were many more eligible applicants for 
relief thancouldpossiblybesupportedby the 
funds at command ; and hope had again to 
be deferred in the case of thirty out of 
forty-seven. Five of these having in every 
way complied with the rules and regula¬ 
tions were placed on the pension list with¬ 
out the trouble or expense of an election. 
We note that all of them have been sub¬ 
scribers to the funds of the institution for 
more or less lengthy periods ; and as it has 
turned out they have practically effected an 
insurance for the natural period of their 
life. Twelve more have been elected by 
ballot, of whom eight had been subscribers 
to the funds of the institution, and four had 
never subscribed. A glance at the list of 
the forty-seven candidates shows us that 
only twenty-eight had ever subscribed, the 
remaining nineteen having not done so. 
The two lists were given separately on the 
list, for the first time under this arrange¬ 
ment. 
Many of the candidates have made 
applications for periods varying from three 
to seven years, and some that have waited 
for the longer periods are once more 
amongst the unsuccessful. For those who 
have been subscribers to the institution 
the Victorian Era Fund now comes to their 
help, having come into operation during 
the past year. Of the £5,000 that was 
required to establish this particular fund in 
1897, something over £4,000 was secured 
during that year ; and during 1898 and up 
to the evening of the election we are 
gratified to learn that the remaining sum 
required to complete the £5,000 has been 
reduced to £180. It is, therefore, within a 
measurable distance of completion. The 
fifteen unsuccessful candidates, who have 
not contributed to the general fund of the 
institution, can expect no help from the 
Victorian Era Fund, although several of 
them have been disappointed for the sixth, 
seventh, and eighth time. Mr. Harry J. 
Veitch, who instituted the latter fund, and 
who is ever in the van of philanthropic and 
charitable work, now comes forward to. 
institute or establish a special fund in 
behoof of those who have never been sub¬ 
scribers. The relief given out of the 
interest accruing from such funds can only 
be meagre and of the most temporary 
character; yet those who have received 
help during the past year return thanks from 
the fulness of their heart for the timely aid. 
Mr. Harry J. Veitch, and Mr. George 
Monro, who presided at the annual friendly 
supper during the evening are princes of 
men amongst their fellows whose lot it is to 
labour in the field of horticulture, and who 
have fallen in the heat of the day through 
no fault of their own ; and our hope is that 
the lives of those princes may long be 
spared to carry out their self-imposed tasks 
of philanthropy. In another column we 
give a fuller report of the proceedings of 
the 19th inst., and counsel gardeners to 
help themselves, providing for the pro¬ 
verbial rainy day, whether it comes or not, 
by helping the funds of the institution, 
while their health and strength enable 
them to do so.« 
f AN a Seed Germinate Twice ?—Many 
gardeners would, no doubt, unhesitat¬ 
ingly answer this in the negative, and, 
perhaps, add that many seeds never ger¬ 
minate at all. The latter failure may or 
may not be the fault of the seed; for many 
things have to be taken into consideration 
when speculating whether the germ in a 
seed may ever grow into an herb, bush or 
tree. But without going into the details of 
the misfortunes and mischances that lie in 
wait upon seeds generally, and their con¬ 
tained embryos, we may state that it is 
quite possible for a perfect seed with a 
healthy germ to germinate twice, and the 
seedling to develop to maturity. Given 
the requisite amount of heat, air and 
moisture, the embryo plant will recommence 
growth that became arrested at the maturity 
of the seed. The tender radicle pushes its 
way through the micropyle of the seed, but 
if moisture should fail before the rootlet has 
established itself in the soil, the radicle 
will lose its moisture and perish. A 
familiar instance is that of the malting of 
barley. Heat and moisture encourage the 
embryo to grow and push out the radicle. 
The barley is then dried at a certain stage 
of germination and growth is checked. 
Supposing the heat applied was only suffi¬ 
cient to kill the radicle without injuring the 
remainder of the germ within, the seed 
may be kept for some time, and will ger¬ 
minate again on the application of heat 
and moisture. 
The process occurs more often, perhaps, 
amongst grasses and other monocotyledons 
than amongst dicotyledons. The life of 
the former does not under natural conditions 
depend very much upon the primary root' 
for its continued existence, for a greater or 
less number of adventitious roots are pushed 
out and soon supplant the primary one. 
This is what takes place on the second 
germination of a seed. Amongst dicoty¬ 
ledons a second germination may be attended 
with more risk, but the difficulty is soon 
got over, under favourable conditions; 
for adventitious roots are soon developed, 
and these becoming established in the soil, 
the plant grows away as if nothing serious 
had happened. Some parasitic plants have 
no true root system at all, but their success 
depends upon the finding of a host plant 
before the reserve stored up in the seed is 
exhausted, otherwise they would perish. 
Another allied case is that of Streptocarpus, 
for amongst the several wonders of the 
germination and after life of the different 
species, is that they have no radicle. The 
downward end of the germinating embryo 
terminates in a blunt knob, which soon 
becomesfurnishedwitha mass of root hairs, 
and these support the plant, till adventi¬ 
tious roots are developed. In a state of 
Nature, alternating periods of heat and 
drought may often cause seeds to germinate 
twice; but although Nature is prodigal in 
the production of seed, she also gives their 
contained embryo two chances of establish¬ 
ing an independent existence. 
■ — —a *— — 
Messrs. W. P. Laird & Sinclair have removed from 
73, Nethergate, Dundee, to the more commodious 
premises at 20 & 21, High Street, in the same town. 
Special attention is to be paid to cut flowers and 
plants, of which a large collection will always be on 
view at the new address. 
Carnation Mrs. Lawson.—According to accounts to 
hand the enormous price of $30,000 has been paid 
by Mr. Thomas Lawson, a wealthy resident of 
Boston, U.S.A., to a florist of that city for the 
stock of the new Carnation, named Mrs. Lawson in 
honour of the purchaser’s wife. The sole rights of 
the variety are also included in the purchase. If 
this piece of news is true, this is the greatest price 
ever paid for a Carnation and both the high priced 
Tulip and the high-priced Orchid are beaten. 
Orchards in Tasmania.—Holders of orchards in 
Tasmania are subject to a fine if they neglect to 
bandage their fruit trees, to keep down the codlin 
moth. 
Royal Horticultural Society.—The next fruit and 
floral meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society 
will be held on Tuesday, January 31st, in the Drill 
Hall, James Street, Westminster, 1—4 p m. This 
will be the last meeting of the 1898-9 committees, the 
new ones coming into office on February 14th. A 
lecture on “ Twelve months among the Orchards of 
Nova Scotia," will be given by Mr. Cecil H. 
Hooper, F.R.H.S., at three o’clock. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.—The annual 
dinner of this society was held on Saturday, 21st inst., 
at the Bear's Paw, Liverpool,when over 100 members 
and -friends were present. W. Fletcher Rogers, Esq., 
presided. The dinner was served in first-rate style, 
and proved a thorough success, whilst the musical 
portion that followed was most enjoyable and re¬ 
fined. The tables were decorated with choice plants 
and flowers, through the kindness of members. The 
arrangements reflect the highest credit upon the 
chairman, Mr. T Foster, and the sub-committee, 
who had charge of the general arrangements. 
Drummonds’ Garden Seed Catalogue.—The annual 
seed catalogue issued by Messrs. Drummond & 
Sons, Ltd., Dublin, is a bulky and substantial pro¬ 
duction. Full lists of seeds of all the best and most 
up-to-date varieties of flowers and vegetables are to 
be found in it, with numerous illustrations. A 
special feature is a scale of prices for seeds of 
Stocks, Wallflowers, Mignonette, Sweet Peas, Nas¬ 
turtiums, and other popular flowers, by weight. 
There is also a list of selected hybrid Gladioli, up¬ 
wards of seventy of the best named varieties being 
offered. Horticulture is evidently well looked after, 
from the supply point of view, in the Emerald Isle 
by the Messrs. Drummond. 
Woolton Chrysanthemum Society.—At a public 
meeting, held at the Mechanics Institute, Woolton, 
Liverpool, on the 19th inst., James Marsh, Esq., 
presided over a good attendance of gardeners' and 
amateurs. After a considerable discussion upon the 
advantages of a Chrysanthemum society with fruits 
and vegetables it was unani mously resolved, on the 
motion of the chairman, that this meeting considers 
it desirable and expedient to form a society in this 
district. Messrs J. Ellis, R. Todd, J. Stoney, G 
Haigb, J. Rae, J. Heaton, G. Liversage, R. G. 
Waterman, J. Wilson and the chairman addressed 
the meeting and the tone in every way was most 
encouraging. The district abounding in high-class 
productions, no doubt was entertained but that the 
support would be liberal. A provisional committee 
with Mr. R. G. Waterman, Secretary pro. tern, was 
elected to draw up suitable rules, to make inquiries 
as to the financial aid that might be expected and to 
report at a meeting, to be held on the 1st prox. 
Mr. Marsh .promised £5 5s. towards a com¬ 
mencement. A cordial vote of thanks tendered to 
the chairman concluded the proceedings. 
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs for Town and Villa 
Gardens.—No one can speak with more authority 
upon the subject of ornamental trees than Mr. 
David P. Laird, of Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons, 
Ltd., of Edinburgh, and, therefore, anything he may 
have to say about trees and shrubs carries weight. 
On the 18th inst. the members of the Broughty 
Ferry Horticultural Association had Mr. Laird 
amongst them, and they listened to some sound 
advice from his lips as to what they should 
plant in town gardens, how they should plant, 
and how they were to take care of the trees 
after they were planted. He also gave useful, 
practical information concerning the methods of 
propagation adopted for various subjects. Speaking 
of the general planting of villa gardens, he strongly 
deprecated the apathy of architects in not allowing 
in their estimates the necessary outlays for garden¬ 
ing purposes. Such niggardliness, he said, was detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of architecture, and 
often meant the utter spoiling of the appearance of 
a fine house, for very many good houses were to be 
seen surrounded with scraggy, badly laid out garden 
plots. Mr. Laird was especially interesting in his 
descriptions of public parks and private gardens, 
such as Powerscourt and the Phoenix Park, where 
money was spent for the proper upkeep of the parks. 
A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. 
Laird for his instructive and interesting lecture. 
