36 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 19, 1896. 
acquainted with the old system of waiting 
till standards on the Crab should come into 
bearing. 
The firm of Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & 
Company, is best known to our readers for 
its pre-eminence in fruit culture ; but Roses 
are also cultivated to a considerable extent 
at the Allington Nurseries, there being 
something like 30,000 saleable plants at 
present. There is also some nursery ground 
at Boxley, where Strawberries are the lead¬ 
ing feature. Mr. Bunyard also carries out 
a great many experiments, and in the 
matter of Strawberries alone, he has tried 
about 170 varieties with the result that no 
varieties have been weeded out, leaving 60 
of the best sorts in cultivation. Various 
seeds are also grown on the farms at 
Boxley, and enjoy a considerable reputa¬ 
tion. The old or original nurseries near 
the South-Eastern Railway Station were 
cut up by the formation of new streets 
and the building of houses ; but the 
remainder of the ground exists in the 
form of about a dozen isolated nurseries, 
all within a short distance of each other, 
and readily accessible. Here a retail 
florist’s business is carried on. Altogether 
there are about fifty-five glasshouses, in 
which stove and greenhouse plants of 
various kinds, Ferns, Carnations, Chrysan¬ 
themums, vines, etc., are grown. Peaches, 
Figs, Tomatos, and other fruits are grown 
in the houses at the Allington Nurseries. 
Herbaceous plants are also cultivated to 
some extent, including some interesting 
subjects. Fruit trees, however, constitute 
the leading speciality of the firm. The 
retail trade is carried on at the premises in 
West Borough, and at High Street, Maid¬ 
stone. Altogether, there are over 300 acres 
of land under cultivation to supply the 
wants of the establishment. During the 
long career of this old firm, many changes 
of fashion amongst flowers have taken 
place ; and amongst the evidences of this 
are some old catalogues which speak of the 
reputation enjoyed by the Dahlia in its 
palmy days when prices, ranging from 
7s. 6d. to 10s. 6d., were obtainable for a 
single plant. Needless to say, the extent 
of the modern business entails a great 
amount of labour. Five foremen take 
charge of the various nurseries, and at 
Allington there is a manager. These with 
their subordinates count more than 100 
men regularly employed, while the number 
is augmented during the busy season. 
Mr. George Bunyard has been on the 
Council of the Royal Horticultural Society 
since 1892, and was made a Vice President 
during the early part of the present year. 
As far as we remember, he is the only one 
in the trade who has been admitted to that 
distinction. Another important success 
scored by the firm was that, by Royal 
Warrant, dated August 17th, 1895, Messrs. 
George Bunyard & Co. received the appoint¬ 
ment of “ Fruit Tree Nurserymen ” to Her 
Majesty the Queen at Windsor. More 
recently the firm was honoured with a 
similar appointment from H. R. H. the Prince 
of W ales, during the month of February last. 
These appointments explain the change of 
title from The Old Nurseries, to The Royal 
Nurseries, Maidstone. For the details of 
the centenary show see p. 41. 
-- 
Newtownards Flower Show.—The forty-first annual 
show of the Newtownards Horticultural Society was 
held in the grounds of Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons on 
the 4th inst. Lord Dunleath, the Marquis of Lon¬ 
donderry, Major Crawford, and Sir S. Black were 
the principal prize winners in the classes for those 
who keep a gardener. Amongst amateurs, Dr. 
Henry, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. M. Murray were the 
most successful. Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons took 
the lead amongst nurserymen. The above were in 
the section for pot plants. In the fruit classes, Lord 
Macnaghten, the Marquis of Londonderry, Lord 
O’Neill, and the Marquis of Downshire took the 
leading prizes. 
The Countess of Dundonald has purchased an estate 
of 360 acres of agricultural land in North Wales for 
£9,900. 
Oranges are being sent from three different 
sources to this country, at an earlier period than 
usual. They are coming from Palermo, Naples, and 
Adelaide. 
On Sunday, the wife of Mr. W. P. Laird, of Moni- 
feith, presented her husband with a son and heir. 
We tender him our sincere congratulations, and are 
happy to hear that both mother and babe are doing 
well. 
Marriage of Mr. Henry Cannell Junr.—We have 
pleasure in recording that the eldest son of the 
founder of the famous Swanley Nurseries, was 
married at Inverurie on the 9th inst. to Miss 
Christine Robertson of Inverurie. We understand 
that the honeymoon is being spent in the Highlands. 
Mr. John Richardson, for many years Curator ot the 
Liverpool Botanic Gardens, has recently resigned 
that position on a superanuation of £150 per annum, 
from the Liverpool Town Council. Mr. Richardson 
by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing in his 
important position, has made a host of friends, who 
wish him many years of health and strength to 
enjoy his deserved leisure and retirement. 
Mr. Henry Knight, Director of Parks and Gardens 
to the King of the Belgians, died quite recently at 
Laeken, Belgium. The deceased was at one time 
employed at Dalkeith Palace Gardens, N.B., and was 
afterwards head gardener to the Duke of Roxburgh, 
at Kelso. The late Mr. W. H. Smith, Henley, chose 
him as his head gardener, from which situation he 
was appointed by the King of the Belgians. 
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution.—-At the 
recent show of the Devon and Exeter Horticultural 
Society, a fruit and flower stall was provided in one 
of the tents. This was presided over by Madame 
Bryce, of Bystock, East Devon, assisted by several 
of her lady friends. The result of the sale was a 
sum of £16, which goes to the fund of the Devon and 
Exeter Auxiliary of the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent 
Institution. 
Omission.—Our reporter the other week omitted 
to notice the really excellent seedling Begonias 
shown in the exhibit by the Ichthemic Guano Co , 
at the Royal Aquarium. These plants were of un¬ 
usual size and compact habit, and considering they 
were February seedlings in 6o's, it reflects credit on 
the cultivator, Mr. H. J. Jones, as also on the 
properties of the Ichthemic Guano upon which the 
plants were raised. 
Crystal Palace Fruit Show.—On Thursday October 
1st, and the two following days, the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s great show of British fruit will be 
held at the Crystal Palace, and promises to be quite 
up to the usual standard of excellence. Entries for 
competition will be received up to Saturday, 
September 26th, and schedules of prizes may in the 
meantime be obtained from the R.H.S. office, 117, 
Victoria Street. A lecture will be given each day on 
the following subjects: — October 1st, "The 
Importance of British Fruit Growing from a food 
point of View,’’ by Mr. Edmund J. Baillie, F.L.S. 
October 2nd, “ The Cider and Perry industry," by 
Mr. C. W. Radcliffe Cooke, M.P., October 3rd, 
"Gathering, Storing, and Profitable Utilisation of 
Apples and Pears," by Mr. Jobn Watkins F.R.H.S. 
It is hoped that practical fruit growers who attend 
the conference each day will make up their minds to 
join in the discussion. 
Ramsay Challenge Cup.—Councillor Wm.Blackbird, 
of Swalwell has won the Ramsay Challenge Cup, 
two years in succession at the Swalwell flower show. 
The recent show was the seventh that has been held, 
and during that time Councillor Wm. Blackbird has 
been first on four occasions, and second on the other 
three. A large number of friends assembled at the 
Highlander Hotel, Swalwell, the other week, to 
congratulate him on his being again successful. On 
September 1st, 1895, he exhibited the largest and 
finest Leeks ever seen in the North, at such an early 
date. One of them was 12 in. long, 2^ in. thick, and 
had the appearance of having been turned in a lathe, 
so smooth and uniform was it in shape. About 
eight years ago he won four Leek shows held at 
Gateshead, and also the great Derby, held at the 
Cannon Inn, Low Fell. 
Hyacinths from Holland are said to be exceptionally 
fine this season, as a result of the fine weather they 
enjoyed during the period of maturily. 
The Channel Islands Revisited. —The first of a 
series of articles by our special correspondent 
appears in the present issue, and will be followed 
by other contributions, week by week. 
Overheard in a suburban garden. — Mrs. A - : 
"Why do my Sunflowers all look into your garden ?” 
Mrs. B-: “ They are ashamed of the low company 
they have in yours" Mrs. A - , with a black 
scowl on her face: “ What low company ?” Mrs. 
B- : Groundsel, Chickweed, grass and such like. 
—Sitaggs: 
Soil for large Onions — Skilled gardeners can raise 
Onions of very respectable size in soil of a varied 
description, by plenty of feeding and good tillage. 
The soil of Bedfordshire is sandy, light and very 
fertile. The black warp land of Lincolnshire is also 
very suitable for Onions. By sowing the seed in 
autumn and transplanting the Onions in spring, bulbs 
of great size and as mild as those from Spain, can be 
produced. 
Paper on Gladioli.— At a meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society on the 8th inst., Mr. G. Bun¬ 
yard in the chair, a paper on this subject by Mr. J. 
Burrell, Howe House Nurseries, Cambridge, was 
read by Mr. John Weathers, the assistant secretary. 
The paper dealt with the opinions of growers as to 
the most suitable soils and fertilisers for the cultiva¬ 
tion of Gladioli, and was listened to with great 
attention by a large audience. 
Flax in Kent.-An experiment in Flax (Linum 
usitatissimum) culture has been conducted this 
season in the Isle of Thanet, Kent, and the results 
are stated to be very successful. In April last qu¬ 
aeres were sown, and a very luxuriant growth was 
made. The experiment is to be repeated on a larger 
scale next year. We fail to see why any experi¬ 
ments are necessary, seeing that Flax culture in this 
country is a very ancient industry. Flax was exten¬ 
sively grown in Scotland from the south as far north 
probably as the Moray Firth, more than a hundred 
years ago, and only died out within our memory, but 
has recently been revived in various parts. The 
question is whether such a crop would give a profit 
after pajing for rent, labour, and dressing in this 
country ; if so culture is easy. 
Flower Show at Greenock.— The annual flower 
show of the Royal West Renfrew Horticultural 
Society was held in the Town Hall, Greenock, on the 
3rd and 4th inst. In all the divisions there was an 
increased number of entries and competitors over 
that of former years. The entries numbered 1,170, 
being 196 more than those of last year. Mr M. 
Campbell, Blantyre, took the leading award for 
eighteen varieties of Dahlias, which were in splendid 
condition. He likewise took the lead in the classes 
for forty-eight fancy Pansies and twelve Carnations 
or Picotees. Henry Thomson, Esq., was also a very 
successful exhibitor in the section for pot plants, 
taking first prizes for six table plants, six corridor 
plants, six variegated plants, and various other 
subjects. Pot plants made a fine display. 
The fertilisation of Plants.—This was the subject 
of a lecture delivered by Mr. W. J. Pollard, at the 
monthly meeting of the Bristol Amateur Horti¬ 
cultural Society the other week. A large audience 
assembled to hear the speaker, who described the 
sexual organs of plants, and illustrated his descrip¬ 
tions by means of photo-microscopic slides, shown 
by the oxyhydrogen lantern. He gave pictorial 
descriptions of self-fertilised flowers as well as those 
fertilised by insects and the wind. Those plants 
and flowers, which required the aid of insect life, 
were clothed in gorgeous raiment, and had sweet 
nectar concealed wherewith to attract visitors. He 
passed on to the Orchids, the most highly developed 
forms of plant life, and finished with a series of 
slides showing the method of fertilising a Carnation 
flower, artificially. Then he shewed his audience 
how to label the seed with an account of its 
parentage for reference. The series of summer 
excursions carried out by the society was brought to 
a close by a visit to Ashton Court, where Mr. Noble, 
the new gardener, met the party and acted as guide, 
philosopher, and friend. Many questions were 
asked by the visitors and answered by Mr. Noble. 
