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THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 8, 1899. 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 
The 6oth anniversary festival of this institution took 
place in the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole, 
LondoD, on the 28th ult., under the presidency of 
the Earl of Derby, K.G., G.C.B. About 140 sat 
down to dinner, including representatives from every 
branch of gardening and its connections. Some of 
those present were Sir John Whittaker Ellis, Messrs. 
Harry J. Veitch, N. N. Sherwood, A. G. Weeks, W. 
Atkinson, Owen Thomas, H. W. Nutting, J, G- 
Veitch, James H. Veitch, P. Rudolph Barr, J. 
Assbee, H. 'B. May, J. H. Laing, G. Norman, W. 
Denning, Arnold Moss, W. W. Nutting, J. O'Brien, 
W. Y. Baker, A. T. Baker, W. J. James, Geo. Monro, 
G. Wythes, H. Turner, W. J. Brewer, J. McKerchar, 
Glendinning, John Russell, G. H. Cuthbert, G. 
Cuthbert, A. Outram, C. E. Shea, W. Cobb, 
Ingamells, J. Hudson, H. J. Cutbush, Ranger John¬ 
son, J. Willard, J. McLeod, Peter Kay, W. Poupart, 
J. Poupart, W. Iceton, J. Douglas, J. Rochford, T. 
Rochford, J. T. Dickson, W. A. Bilney, F. Moore, 
G. Gordon, Cove, H. J. Wright, A. S. Galt, B. 
Wynne, G. J. Ingram, E. T. Cook, J. Fraser, &c. 
After a well-served dinner the Chairman proposed 
the usual loyal toasts which were well received. He 
afterwards proposed " Continued success to the 
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution." In his 
opening remarks he related a number of humorous 
incidents ; but said that he could lay no claim to an 
acquaintance with practical horticulture, for the 
simple reason that he had spent many years in the 
army and in military service, so that he had much 
diffidence in accepting the duty as chairman 
that evening when asked by Mr. H. J. Veitch and 
Mr. Ingram. Army life was in no way favourable to 
the development of a love for gardening, nor the 
practical study of the same. It was late in life 
before he came into direct touch with gardeners and 
gardening, but he could appreciate the work of 
others in this particular vocation. He could also 
sympathise with those who had spent all their life 
and energy in ministering to the pleasure of others, 
and who through no fault of their own were at 
length, on account of age or accident, obliged to 
appeal to such a charity as the Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution. His duty that evening was 
to plead for the objects of the institution, and he 
fully sympathised with the cause of the profession, 
and the concern of those assembled round the 
table. The assistance proffered by the institution 
enabled old and disabled gardeners or their widows 
to pass the remainder of their days in comparative 
comfort, and thereby to prolong life. Of the 174 
pensioners on the list, about 130 had passed the 
alloted span of life. The absence of anxiety, owing 
to the assured means of subsistence held forth by 
the institution, was no doubt the reason for the 
extreme old age reached by many of the pensioners, 
notwithstanding the fact that gardening was usually 
considered a healthy occupation. The Chairman 
also quoted statistics from the report of the institu¬ 
tion to show the utility of the same, and good cause 
why gardeners and all connected with horticulture 
should support so worthy a cause, and enable it 
to extend its beneficent influence. The energy and 
ability of the secretary, Mr. G. J. Ingram, in the 
carrying out of his duties, were also mentioned by 
the Chairman, who called upon Mr. Ingram to read 
a letter from the Rev. Dean Hole, describing the 
benefits his old gardener had derived from the 
institution. The Chairman also alluded to the dona¬ 
tions from the charitably disposed; but said that 
many small subscriptions were desirable as a means 
of extending the interest in the institution. He 
coupled with the toast the name of Mr. Harry J. 
Veitch. 
Mr. Veitch was warmly applauded as he rose to 
respond. He thanked the Earl of Derby for his 
invaluable services in presiding that evening, and 
practically corroborated what the Earl had said 
about the prolongation of life through the aid given 
to old gardeners and their widows by the institution. 
He mentioned several almost fabulous sums that had 
been received by pensioners who lived to a green old 
age The Victorian Era Fund had now been com¬ 
pleted by the rounding up of £5,000, and the com¬ 
mittee has now commenced a Samaritan fund for the 
benefit of those who have never been subscribers, yet 
require aid. This was to be raised to £2,000. He 
gave a due meed of praise to the help lent by the 
auxiliary branches of the institution, and stated the 
intention of gardeners and others in the Scottish 
capital to establish a new branch in Edinburgh. 
Sir John Whittaker Ellis, Bart., proposed “ Horti¬ 
culture, and all its branches." He made many humor¬ 
ous comments on gardeners and gardening, with whom 
and which he had had much experience. He could 
say he had at least met one good gardener. He had 
therefore much sympathy with these who assidu¬ 
ously and honestly follow up their calling all their 
life. There was no higher science than that of 
gardening, and it was well to remember those who 
had contributed to their enjoyment.—Mr. William 
Atkinson, of the Royal Handsworth Nurseries, 
Sheffield, replied, pleading the case of the gardener, 
mentioning what he is required to do, what he is 
expected to have a knowledge of, his long hours and 
short pay, &c. 
W. A. Bilney, Esq., Fir Grange, Weybridge 
Heath, proposed " Our Country Friends," and spoke 
of those who had come from all parts of the country 
to be present that evening, not for their own benefit 
but for that of others. He coupled with the toast 
the name of R. Piper, Esq., Worthing, who said that 
the funds of the institution were disposed in such a 
way as to benefit those who were most deserving. 
The institution has been remembered by gardeners 
of this generation, and will be by many of the next. 
N. N. Sherwood, Esq., proposed "The Chair¬ 
man," speaking in high terms of the work done by 
his lordship in connection with the army, and his 
noble ancestry. He concluded by asking the Earl 
of Derby to become a vice-president, with which his 
lordship agreed. 
The secretary read out a list of donations, includ¬ 
ing 200 gs. from Lord Derby ; Messrs, de Rothschild, 
100 gs.; Worcester, 100 gs.; Dickson (Chester), 
50 gs.; H. J. Veitch, 50 gs. ; Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, 
20 gs.; N. N. Sherwood, Esq., £25 ; Thames Bank 
Iron Co., 10 gs.; &c. Altogether a sum of £2,500 
was declared, a record truly. 
EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE. 
(Concluded, from p. 699 .) 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE. 
April ixth. 
Two and a half hours are allowed for [this Paper, but 
Eight Questions only may be answered; four from 
Divisiou A, and four from Division B. 
Each Candidate must write his name and address very 
legibly on the first sheet of his answers, and must 
securely fasten all the sheets together in their right 
order. 
DIVISION A. 
Elementary Principles. 
1. Compare the structure of a Bean with that of 
an Onion Seed. How do they differ in germination 
Describe the peculiar movements which germinating 
seeds exhibit. 
2. What differences exist between the manner and 
places where rootlets arise from roots, and branches 
from stems ? Of what use are branches, and what 
trees have none ? 
3. What hinders the proper functions of leaves, 
and what should a cultivator attend to, in order to 
enable them to exercise their complete action ? 
4. Give any instances of failures, and state your 
opinion as to their causes, in crossing distinct 
species. What are the general characteristics of 
hybrids. 
5. What is meant by " fixing " a new race, and 
how is it to be effected, if possible ? 
5. Describe the flower of the Pea, of a Primrosei 
of a Salvia, and of an Orchid, and explain how they 
are adapted to insect pollination. 
7. What are the injurious effects of (i) too much 
water ; of (ii) too great a heat; and of (iii) excessive 
drought, upon plants ? 
8. To what natural orders do the following plants 
belong, and why—Clematis, Malope, Geum, Gun- 
nera, Fuchsia, Scabiosa, Cobaea, Amaranthus, Ixia, 
and Ruscus ? 
DVISION B. 
Horticultural Practice. 
9. What is generally understood in this country by 
an “ American Garden?" Give the names of the 
most suitable plants for it, and the best kind of 
soil. 
10. What is meant by a " Sub-Tropical Garden " ? 
Describe the best position for such a Garden; also 
the most suitable plants, and how to cultivate 
them. 
11. What is the right width for garden paths and 
carriage drives ? Describe their formation, and the 
best materials to use. 
12. Is it possible to obtain a supply of Roses all 
the year round from an English garden ? Describe 
their propagation and culture under glass and in the 
open ground. 
13. What are the most useful Fruit Trees* to grow 
under glass ? Describe the best form of glass 
structure for the purpose, and the method of 
culture. 
14. How would you proceed to obtain a succession 
of Garden Peas and Dwarf Kidney Beans ? Can 
they be obtained all the year round ? If so, how ? 
15. What plants are generally grown for Salads in 
British Gardens ? How may a supply be obtained 
all the year round ? 
16. What is the best aspect for a Flower Garden ? 
How would you proceed to lay it out and stock it ? 
SCHOLARSHIPS. 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., President of the Society, 
and Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, 
very kindly offered a scholarship of £25 a year for 
two years, to be awarded after the examination of 
the Royal Horticultural Society in 1894, to the 
student who should pass highest, if he were willing 
to accept the conditions attaching thereto. The 
main outline of these conditions is that the holder 
must be of the male sex, and between the ages of 18 
and 22 years, and that he will study gardening for 
one year at least at the Royal Horticultural Society's 
Gardens at Chiswick, conforming to the general rules 
laid down.there for students. In the second year of 
the scholarship he may, if he likes, continue his 
studies at some other place at home or abroad which 
shall be approved by the Master of the Worshipful 
Company of Gardeners, and by the Council of the 
Royal Horticultural Society. 
A similar scholarship was presented by Baron 
Schroder, V.M.H., after the 1895 examination. 
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners continued 
this scholarship to the end of 1896. 
Another similar scholarship was given after the 
1897 examination by N. N. Sherwood, Esq., V.M.H., 
Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. 
Another was given for 1898-9 by G. W. Burrows, 
Esq., a Member of the Court of the same Worshipful 
Company of Gardeners. 
Another is promised for 1899-1900 by the Right 
Hon. the Lord Amherst,who presents it also through 
the Gardeners' Company. 
And yet another for 1900, by Henry Wood, Esq., 
which will be continued in 1901 by F. G. Ivey, Esq., 
both gentlemen being Members of the Court of the 
Worshipful Company. 
scholars:— 
1894— 5—6 
1895— 6—7 
1897— 8—g 
1898— 9 
Mr. W. N. Sands. 
Mr. G. F. Tinley. 
Mr. H. S. Langford. 
(Not awarded). 
If the student who is at the head of the examin¬ 
ation is for any reason unable or unwilling to accept 
the scholarship, it is then offered to the next highest 
on the list, and so on throughout the first class. 
* 
SOCIETIES. 
RICHMOND HORTICULTURAL .—June iSth.. 
Favoured by splendid weather this society held its 
annual show on the above date, in the Old Deer 
Park, Richmond. The entries were well up to the 
record of former years, though fruit and vegetables 
were not so numerous as previously. The band and 
pipers of Her Majesty’s Scots Guards and the band 
of H.M. 3rd East Surrey Regiment played almost 
continuously during the day. The Duchess of York 
visited the show in the afternoon. 
Plants. —For six stove and greenhouse plants in 
flower, William Vause, Esq., Leamington Spa, was 
first with exceedingly creditable plants. His Erica 
ventricosa grandiflora, Aphlexis macrantha Barnesii, 
Bougainvillea Cypherae, and Anthurium speciosum 
were the picture of high-class culture. 
The first prize for six Pelargoniums, show aud 
decorative, went to Mr. Charles Turner, The Royal 
Nurseries, Slough, with very highly flowered plants, 
nearly a couple of yards through. Gold Mine, 
Achievement, The Admiral, Miss L. Coombes, and 
Marguerite were very fine. The same exhibitor was 
* The word is Intended to exclude Vines. 
