THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 4, 1899. 
422 
varieties and natural hybrids amongst 
importations of cool Odontoglossums con¬ 
tinue to be fairly numerous and to keep up 
the intense interest attaching to rare and 
beautiful “ finds.” Daffodils are by no 
means played out, for superb new creations 
continue to be made, and must surely com¬ 
pel the weeding out of the older sorts as 
new ones increase in numbers sufficient to 
supply their places. The Amaryllis or 
Hippeastrum keeps finding new admirers or 
cultivators, some of whom can maintain a 
supply of flowers for decorative purposes all 
the year round. The lumpy and crowded, 
composite-looking flo wers of double Begonias 
of past years are being displaced by more 
refined flowers, with a greater breadth of 
petal, and of more erect habit. The semi¬ 
double Delphiniums of modern development 
have completely displaced the double sorts 
of twenty years ago, and which were notable 
chiefly for the small size of their flowers, 
overcrowded with small and poorly coloured 
petals. A similar evolution has taken place 
amongst zonal and Ivy-leaved Pelar¬ 
goniums. Though of complex mechanism 
as to structure, the flowers of Sweet Peas 
are the acme of grace and simplicity, while 
the colours are practically innumerable. 
This happy consummation has been brought 
about by selection of the most refined and 
pleasing types, coupled with increase of size. 
Within the last few years Water Lilies as a 
class have been greatly enriched by the 
acquisition of a number of superb varieties 
and hybrid types. They have many 
admirers and continue to find fresh cultiva¬ 
tors. There are few gardens, we imagine 
that could not furnish a tank or small pond 
for the outdoor cultivation of a few of these 
magnificent aquatics. After the original 
cost of a reservoir for water, if not already 
existent in gardens, the cost of cultivation 
is reduced to a minimum, the only laoour 
required practically being to keep the water 
clear of weeds in summer, and that is easy 
as a rule. Hardy herbaceous plants suit¬ 
able for borders and rockeries receive 
additions from time to time. Their interest 
is perennial and durable ; and it affords 
much cause for satisfaction that the old 
borders, depleted of their occupants by the 
bedding craze, are gradually being restored 
to their original importance in the outdoor 
garden. The variety in flowers they may 
be made to supply is practically illimitable. 
An evident desire for simplicity in flowers 
now and again makes itself unmistakably 
felt. Single Dahlias rapidly acquired a 
reputation, and new additions to their 
numbers are annually made, but their rapid 
rise to popularity was undoubtedly checked 
by the perishable nature of the flowers after 
being cut. Single Daffodils and all the 
types of the genus are by far more numerous, 
and grown in greater quantities than the 
doubles. Single Chrysanthemums now 
include many charming varieties, almost as 
durable as the doubles : and they, as well as 
Marguerites, continue to find fresh cultiva¬ 
tors. The elegance and grace of the Star 
Primulas belonging to the Chinese race 
already find a large number of cultivators 
and more admirers. The old single Chinese 
Aster now makes a bid for popular favour. 
— ■ <* &**••• ■» .3^- 
Park Place, Henley-on-Thames.—The annual re¬ 
union of past and present employes, at Park Place, 
has been fixed for August 24th. In place of the 
“ Past and Present ” Cricket Match, which has been 
the feature in former years, an Athletic Sports Com¬ 
petition is to be held, in order to commemorate the 
twenty-first anniversary of the establishment of the 
cricket and football clubs. The competitions will 
be for prizes, for which Mrs Noble and Mr. Leonard 
Noble have generously made themselves responsible. 
It is proposed to end the sports at 11 am, and to end 
the day with a smoking concert. 
Erratum.—In recording the death of Mr. Frederick 
Howcroft, the sole proprietor of the firm of Messrs. 
Howcroft & Watkins, by a regrettable error at p. 
407 we are made to say Frederick Watkins, instead 
of Frederick Howcroft. Our correspondent merely 
made a slip in writing the name. 
Mistleto at Kinnoull Hill.—In your issue of to¬ 
day's date (p. 409), it is reported that the Mistleto 
grows on the north side of Kinnoull Hill. I have 
only heard of one plant in this neighbourhood, which 
was grafted on an Apple tree in the garden of this 
institution, by J. Gowanlock, our late gardener, some 
forty or fifty years ago. He told me that he had 
great difficulty in accomplishing this, but the plant 
has been remarkably vigorous, and has afforded us 
plentiful cuttings at Christmastide yearly. I have not 
observed any considerable change in the plaDt or the 
tree for nineteen years, and there has never been a 
berry upon it. I hear that there is Mistleto in the 
grounds of Rossie Priory (Lord Kinnaird), on the 
slopes of the Carse of Gowrie. The climate of 
Morayshire (Elgin and Gordon Castle) is much 
milder than Perth.— A. R. Urquhart. 
Brighton and Sussex Horticultural Society and 
Mutual Improvement Association.—As the title indi¬ 
cates this institution combines the working of a 
horticultural society for the holding of shows and a 
mutual improvement association, so that its range 
is a wide and comprehensive one. The card of 
fixtures for the year 1899 is before us, and from it 
we learn that shows are to be held on March 21st 
and 22nd, August 22nd and 23rd, and November 7th 
and 8th. The meetings of the mutual improvement 
branch are on March 16th, when Mr. T. W. Sanders 
will deal with " The Scientific and Practical Aspect 
of Plant Propagation;” April i6tb, when Mr. H. J. 
Jones will deal with 11 Begonias and Pelargoniums;" 
May 18th, which brings Mr. R. Dean with " Aromatic 
Herbs and the Herb Garden;" September 21st, when 
"Fungoid Diseases of Plants" will be talked about 
by Mr. T. W. Sanders, the lecture being illustrated 
by lantern slides ; October igtb, with Mr. G. Bunyard 
as lecturer upon "The Garden as a School of Educa¬ 
tion”; November 16th, which will find Mr. Geo. 
Gordon ready to speak about "The Progress in 
Chrysanthemum Culture ;” and February 15th, 1900, 
when Mr. E. Beckett is going to give some of his 
experiences in the culture of "Exhibition Vegetables.” 
Small competitions for plants, flowers, fruits and 
vegetables form a part of the business of each of 
these meetings. The programme is thus a full and 
interesting one, and reflects great credit upon the 
energetic secretary, Mr. J. Thorpe. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association.—A large number of^members met on 
Thursday evening, the 23rd uj&y t,o hear a lecture by 
Mr. W. W. Pettigrew, of Roath Park, Cardiff. The 
subject was " An Evening with our Native Plants,” 
illustrated with limelight views of photographs taken 
by the lecturer. Dealing with the subject in a very 
able and interesting manner, Mr. Pettigrew grouped 
the British plants in the following way :—1, rock 
plants; 2, marsh plants; 3, plants that love shade; 
4, sylvestral plants; 5, riparian plants; and 6, 
gregarious plants ; detailing the natural order, genus, 
etc., of the several groups that go to make up the 
British flora. Comparing our flora with that of 
other countries he showed the detrimental influence 
of cold upon the flora of our country. France was 
able to boast of 4,700 species, whilst the larger area 
of Norway and Sweden only had 1,857 species. 
Spitzbsrgen had 107 species, whilst we could number 
1,832. He also grouped the flora according to the 
different parts of the world in which the same 
species ■ may be found, suggesting the human 
agencies whereby their presence here may be 
accounted for, but finding a final solution in geology, 
which proves that Britain was not originally in the 
" splendid isolation ” she at present enjoys, but was 
a part of the European continent. Mr. Pettigrew 
concluded his lecture by urging the younger mem¬ 
bers of the association to study the flora of their 
own country, and to take up more than they did the 
study of botany generally. A vote of thanks to the 
lecturer was carried by acclamation on the motion 
of the chairman, Mr. W. A. Garaway. Prizes for 
specimen Orchids were awarded Messrs. Bannister 
and Pidgeon, and for six Hyacinths to Messrs. 
Pidgeon and Price. 
A Mammoth Grape Vine —One of the largest vines in 
the world is to be seen in the Carpenteria valley, Santa 
Barbara County, California. It was planted in 1842 by 
a Spanish woman. The trunk is 7 ft. 8 in. in circum¬ 
ference, whilst the spread of its branches is such that 
800 people can stand under it. Eight tons of Grapes 
were picked from this collosus in 1893. 
The Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund —At a meeting 
of the executive committee held on February 24th., 
Mr. William Marshall was unanimously elected 
chairman for the ensuing year. The following 
special receipts were announced, and a cordial vote 
of thanks was accorded to the donors :—Mr. Matthew 
Todd, Maitland Street, Edinburgh, £33; Mr. H. J. 
ones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, S.E. /15 4s. 6d.; 
proceeds of a concert organised by the Chislehurst 
Gardeners' Improvement Association, per Mr. J. 
Lyne, £17 10s. ; J. Colebrook, Esq.,Lowndes Square, 
S.W. £10 10s. ; W. Roupell, Esq., Roupell Park, 
S-W. £5 5s. ; Leeds Paxton Society, £3 5s.; Messrs. 
J. Moss & Son, Kelvedon, £1 is.; Messrs. Wm. 
Thompson & Sons Ltd., Clovenfords (collecting box) 
£2 12s. 3d.; Anderton’s Hotel (collecting box) 10s.; 
Mr. Wm. Howe, Park Hill Gardens, Streatham, £1 ; 
and Mr. Wm. Whitaker, Bridgewater, 10s. An intima¬ 
tion having been received of the death, prior to the 
annual meeting, of one of the orphans on the elected 
list, the committee unanimously resolved to place 
Arthur George Wood, the next highest (but unsuc¬ 
cessful) candidate at the late election on the Fund as 
from February 17th. It is specially requested that 
all communications relating to the business of the 
Fund may now be addressed to the secretary, Mr. 
B. Wynne, 8, Danes Inn, Strand, London, W.C. 
Maidenhead Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Socitiy. 
—Mr. Roberts, the courteous hon. secretary of the 
Ealing and District G.M.I.S.,addressed the members 
on Thursday evening,23rd ult.,his subject being "Chat 
on Exhibitions.” A gardener’s life was always an 
anxious one, and even in his dreams a thousand and 
one thoughts forced themselves upon him—such 
night-mares as, have my Tomato plants the dread 
disease ? will my first crop of Peas be ready for the 
dinner party on Thursday ? and how ar? the Grapes 
finishing ? Employers of course were often ignorant 
of these sleepless nights, and yet, as business men, 
did recognise them and treated their employees with 
great kindness and consideration by allowing them 
one of the pleasures and profits of the gardener’s 
occupation in exhibiting. In condemning exhibiting it 
was often stated that the fruit, flowers, and vegetables 
not grown for competition were neglected, but such 
was not the case, as the competent gardener's motto 
is " best for show is best for everything.” It was also 
stated that stuff taken to show was broken and fruit 
bruised, but a gardener who understood how to pack 
exhibits to pass the critical eyes of judges and the 
public surely could get it home again witho. t 
damage. There were of course awkward gardeners 
who even with plants at home were not delicate in 
their handling of them, and there were often incom¬ 
petent gardeners who would make any excuse to 
avoid competition and put into employers’ minds 
wrong impressions. The lecturer thought in many 
cases, more kindly feeling was needed between 
employer and emplyee on this point of exhibiting, 
but that when an employer was decidedly averse to 
exhibitions his gardener was bound to respect such 
decision. He considered that a gardener allowed to 
compete had first a better class of plants, and often 
obtained from his brother gardener plants or 
cuttings which he could not ask his employer to buy 
—that by attending and exhibiting at shows he did 
not get rusty and took more interest in his work, 
and though of course the prize money was not to te 
ignored it was the emulation which was of most 
benefit to him. He had noticed a vast deal of good, 
both materially and morally, devolve amongst the 
cottagers and allotment holders, who now exhibited 
and who devoted a vast amount of spare time to 
cultivation and competition rather than to the tap- 
room and its surroundings. In conclusion he spoke 
of the work exhibiting had done for the Royal 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund and Gardeners' Royal 
Benevolent Institution. Over £100 had been sent 
from Ealing from exhibitions in aid of these useful 
charities. A very hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded to the reader of the paper and the hope was 
expressed that the kindly and courteous . Ealing 
secretary would again visit them in the hear future. 
