February il, 189§. 
the gardening WoRLfi 
375 
Spinach has long been known to possess emollient 
and laxative properties, owing probably to the salts 
of potash it contains. 
The Annual Catalogue of Farm Seeds issued by 
Messrs. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, is irt 
our hands. It is a handsomely got up production, 
with covers of a dark shade of art green, heavily 
lettered with gold. There are in all fifty-four pages 
of text, with many illustrations of various sizes, and 
treating of various subjects. Several of these illus¬ 
trations, particularly those representing rural 
scenes, are real works of art. Grasses, both special 
and in mixture for certain soils and situations, are a 
prominent feature, and there is a wealth of variety 
offered in roots and cereals of all kinds. The name 
and fame of the Wordsley firm is sufficient guaran¬ 
tee of the purity and genuineness of all stocks offered. 
An interesting inset Is a large twice-folded page of 
views of glimpses at the offices, packing sheds, and 
seed farms, from which so many tons of seed are 
annually despatched to all parts of the known world. 
Antipodean Fruit Growers—The Fruit-growers, 
Union, of New Zealand, has lately been in conference 
at Auckland, and judging from the reports of the pro¬ 
ceedings, the ordinary routine of business was 
enlivened by a good deal of dry humour, which 
circulated as the various questions were discussed. 
Captain Brown gave a very interesting paper on 
beetles, in the course of which he pointed out some of 
the beetles that were friends, and others that were foes 
to the gardener. The discussion brought out the 
fact that some members of the Union were 
accustomed to kill all beetles on sight, thinking that 
all of them were noxious. In this respect, at least, 
Antipodean fruit growers are not alone, for in the old 
country, bugs and beetles are indiscriminately held 
in detestation by many gardeners. The common or 
garden cat came in for a full share of abuse. The 
old-fashioned remedy of the brick-bat was suggested, 
but that is very much like spraying the codlin moth 
—no use unless you hit it. One jocular member 
suggested that the captain should breed a race 
of friendly beetles that should be able to tackle the 
cats, but this, at least, is in the womb of obscurity. 
Ealing and District Gardeners’ Society.—A very 
well attended meeting of this society was held on the 
31st ult., in the Municipal Buildings, Ealing, when 
Mr. W. B. Gingell (Superintendent of Ravenscourt 
Park, Hammersmith) gave an interesting and much 
appreciated paper on " Summer Flower Gardening." 
Mr. Geo. Cannon occupied the chair. Mr. Gingell 
spioke at some length on the necessity of observing 
natural effects in relation to planting, as he con¬ 
sidered that flower gardening in many cases was 
considerably overdone. Flowers that were bright in 
colour and showy in character—Pelargoniums for 
instance—should not be planted too near the man¬ 
sion, this position being reserved for colours of a 
more sober hue. As a matter of fact, the brighter 
and more definite the colours were, the greater the 
necessity for that softening down which verdure 
gives. He, therefore, recommended that this class 
of plants should be set out in association with 
foliage, for although great masses of colour were not 
to be despised in certain situations, the tendency 
was to produce an effect without reference to sur¬ 
roundings. If two-thirds of the flower beds were 
turfed over or planted with permanent shrubs, and 
the remaining ones devoted to the best plants only, 
a great advantage would be secured. Gardeners 
would thus have more time at their disposal, and 
the results, he believed, would be much more satis¬ 
factory. It was not so much quantity as quality that 
was wanted. Mr. Gingell advocated bold bedding 
and large masses of herbaceous plants, but always 
in association with trees or shrubs. In the public 
parks they had to produce glaring effects, but in pri¬ 
vate gardens they could work on different lines. 
But whatever system was adopted they could not 
hope to attain their end without "intense" culture. 
Cannas, Aralias, Fuchsias, Begonias, Funkias, 
Violas, etc., besides the ordinary bedding plants, 
were recommended. Many combinations of plants 
were also given, such as Fuchsias with a groundwork 
of Violas, it being considered desirable to have a 
carpet of vegetation beneath the taller plants. The 
subiect proved a very interesting one, and found 
much favour among the various speakers, who 
appeared to be quite in accord with the lecturer’s 
views. 
The Musk Melons of Russia, Turkestan. Bokhara, 
and Khiva, are said to be so good that an attempt is 
to be made to grow them in the United States. Seed 
has been procured and distributed to various centres. 
Flowers from the Scilly Islands —Huge importa¬ 
tions of flowers are now being daily n ceived from 
the Scilly Isles. It is estimated that the annual out¬ 
put of flowers from these islands represents a value 
°f ^25,000. Ten years ago there was scarcely a 
flower to be seen there, but Mr. Dorrien-Smith spent 
a good deal of money in the purchase of bulbs suit¬ 
able to the climate, and the result is to be seen to-day 
in an important industry. 
Sun Blinds and Shadings.—For some years past 
Messrs. Wood & Son, Ltd., Wood Green, have 
made a speciality of these, and we are reminded of 
this fact, 2s well as of the approach ot the season, 
when shadings of seme sort will be warned, by the 
receipt of a handsome book of samples of blinds of 
various textures from the Wood Green firm. For 
ordinary purposes there is nothing to beat the *• A 
White," which may be had in two qualities. The 
rot proof scrim is also a favourite for shading Orchid 
houses, and a very strong and durable material it is. 
The Hexagon Wasp Proof shading is another very 
valuable aid to those who are plagued with wasps 
during the summer time. A few yards of this would 
probably save more than its value of fruit in one 
season. The samples also comprise various samples 
of tiffany, canvas, and frigidoma. The striped 
sticks for sun-blinds may te had in special oriental 
designs to suit the taste of the customer. 
The Midland Carnation and Picotee Society.—The, 
annual report and balance sheet for 1898, and the 
schedule of prizes for 1899, together with the rules 
and list of subscribers to this influential Midland 
society, have just been issued. This is the eighth 
annual report, so that the society is not quite a 
young one. The report reviews at some length the 
work accomplished during the past year, and the 
names of winners of prizes, together with the varie¬ 
ties shown by them, are all given. These are in¬ 
teresting, and should prove a guide for the younger 
exhibitors. The income for the year amounts to 
^279 7s. 4d., which includes a balance from last year 
of £48 13s. 4d. The disbursements include £111 19s, 
distributed as prizes, and there is a balance in the 
hands of the treasurer of ^46 4s. 7d. The schedule 
of prizes for the coming season makes arrangements 
for the distribution of about £200 in prizes, so that 
the society is not standing still. We wish it all 
success. The secretary is Mr. Herbert Smith, 
Tenby Street, Birmingham, and our friend, Mr. 
Robert Sydenham, is a pillar of the institution. 
»■ » 
PEOPLE WE HAVE MET- 
Mr. Alexander McDonald. 
The subject of the accompanying photograph was 
born in 1863, in "Thrums," but sometime before J. 
M. Barrie wrote about the famous window in that 
place. Mr. A. McDonald’s parents, however, re¬ 
moved to Broughty Ferry, Dundee, while he was 
yet quite youDg, and his father is still head gardener 
at a place in the Ferry, while an elder brother has 
charge of a garden at Taypcrt, cn the opposite side 
of the Firth of Tay. The father is still very enthusi¬ 
astic in the various concerns and phases of the 
profession ; but although gardening has changed 
considerably in his day, he has followed the changes 
in so far as the modern favourites required in the 
garden under his charge are concerned, and will 
scarcely admit that his sons are better cultivators 
than himself. 
When Mr. A. McDonald came of age, and selected 
gardening as his profession he was apprenticed in 
the gardens of Dunbarnie House, Bridge of Earn, 
Perthshire. From thence he went to Fingask in the 
same county as journeyman. Soon after leaving 
this place he set his face southward until he reached 
East Dene, Ventnor, popularly known as the English 
Madeira. Here he had an entirely different experi¬ 
ence in the matter of climate and its effect upon 
horticulture. The garden was situated on the steep 
slopes of the hillside there, and the glasshouses in 
which various kinds of fruit were grown had to be 
tempered to the rays of a broiling sun during the 
day. 
After serving for some time at East Dene, he 
found his way to Aldenbam Abbey, Hertfordshire, 
where he served for some time as general foreman, 
then as head gardener there to J. McGregor, Esq., 
who kept up a fine establishment. The latter wished 
to carry out great improvements on the place, but 
being only a tenant, he was denied the facilities for 
effecting the desired improvements to his own liking, 
and at length reluctantly gave up the place. In the 
meantime Mr. had met Mrs. McDonald, so that he 
had to look out fer a new home, sett ng his back on 
the old, where he had many pleasing associations and 
Mr. Alexander McDonald. 
a fine collection of plants, and fruit on which to 
lavish his energies. We next find him turning up at 
Canterbury House, Gravesend, where he engaged as 
gardener to G. H. Edmunds, Esq the mayor of that 
town. Here he was allowed to exhibit at the local 
show, and here he contracted an attachment for the 
Chrysanthemum which he has ever since been unable 
to shake off. He soon proved a very successful 
competitor at the shows of the local society of which 
body he was chairman. 
From Gravesend, after sojourning there for a 
time, he went to Pen-y-Garth, N. Wales, but that 
place neither agreed with him nor his family, and he 
returned to Broughty Ferry, and engaged as gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Stephens, Helenslea A fine range of 
glass had been put up, giving accommodation for a 
great variety of plants, including the Chrysanth¬ 
emum which finds a large number of admirers in the 
district. Grapes, Peaches, and other fruits also 
afforded scope for his energies; and being an all¬ 
round man he found great interest in the outdoor 
garden, where fruit and vegetables were the speciali¬ 
ties. For various reasons, however, the garden was 
at that time in bad order, but beiDg accustomed to 
rough work, he laboured hard to get everything in 
trim to his satisfaction, for he had contracted a deep 
interest in every department of the place. 
In the meantime, he was happy in other respects, 
and was a successful competitor at the Dundee and 
Broughty Ferry shows, at which he took many 
prizes for Chrysanthemums, hardy fruit, Tomato?, 
&c. For thirty-six blooms of Chrysanthemums he 
won the Silver Cup at Dundee one year, and in other 
classes took a deal of beating. At Broughty Ferry 
he also took an active part in the management of the 
energetic horticultural society, at the monthly 
meetings of which horticulture, in all its branches, 
was, and is well discussed. 
Feeling dissatisfied at the changes in the working 
of the place over which he had no control, he again 
crossed the border, and we found him in Devon, 
where he now has charge of the gardens of Harold 
St. Maur, Esq., Stover Park, Newton Abbot. As 
we recently gave an account of this fine old estate, 
it need only be stated that Mr. McDonald is per¬ 
fectly happy in his new home, in spite of the hard 
work incident upon the renovation of this very old 
Devonshire garden, which, with the mansion, is sur¬ 
rounded by its tall ancestral trees. 
