116 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 24, 1896. 
and keep in reserve for the second. Those 
who have grown very large collections for 
the express purpose of exhibition, will, 
however, find the Jubilee Celebration but a 
small tax upon their resources, except in so 
far that the two shows come so closely upon 
the heels of one another that a later set of 
flowers have no time to get fully developed 
before they are required. This means that 
however many blooms or plants may be 
required, they must be equally advanced on 
the first day, or nearly so. 
That the blooms will be large and 
unusually fine, we think there is little reason 
to doubt ; for those plants or collections we 
have already seen and the buds borne by 
them are full of promise. The cultivators 
themselves are confident of the quality of 
their plants, and such close observers are 
not easily deceived in this respect. The 
judges will no doubt have some difficult 
work in determining which exhibits are the 
most meritorious. 
otato Tercentenary Celebration.— 
Three hundred years have gone by 
since the Potato was first introduced to 
British soil, and it seems most appropriate 
that the celebration ol this event should 
take place in Ireland, where for many years 
the Potato has assumed the character 
almost of a nationnl plant, and is certainly 
of national importance to the “ sister isle.” 
Nevertheless the Potato is of great and 
growing importance both in England and 
Scotland, where broad acres are grown in 
order to supply the large and growing cities 
and towns into which the people of the land 
continue to crowd. 
The celebration in Ireland is to take place 
in Dublin on December gth and ioth next, 
and is to be carried out under the auspices 
ol the Irish Gardeners’ Association. The 
programme of the celebration states that 
the introduction of the Potato in Ireland is 
associated with the name of Sir Walter 
Raleigh, and in celebrating its tercentenary 
the association is about to do so as a 
befitting memorial to Sir Walter, as well as 
“ to place on record the exceptional and 
remarkable progress that has been made in 
its subsequent cultivation.” The associa¬ 
tion wishes also “ to attract the notice and 
command the special attention of all those 
interested in the cultivation and preserva¬ 
tion of this the most important of our 
national foods.” The soil and climate of 
Ireland are well adapted for the cultivation 
of the Potato in all respects, perhaps, with 
the exception of the humid nature of the 
atmosphere, which in unusually moist 
seasons fosters the spread of the dreaded 
Potato disease, and on such occasions 
reduces the poorer inhabitants to the verge 
of famine. In view of such occurrences it 
•would be well to encourage the cultivation 
of some other crop not liable to disease, so 
as to be in a measure prepared for any 
failure of the Potato harvest. In view of 
such occurrences it is possible that the 
noble tuber, as an article of diet, may be too 
popular. The crop has again been abun¬ 
dant, and we are not surprised that a plant 
which so readily responds to the cultivator’s 
art should meet with a great amount of 
popular flavour. In view of this celebration 
the abundant Potato harvest will enable 
the growers to make a thoroughly repre¬ 
sentative display at Dublin, and at the 
same time afford an excellent opportunity 
for comparing the respective merits of the 
hundreds of varieties in cultivation. It is 
also proposed to make the Congress 
instructive and educational as well as 
interesting. 
There will be no competition as at an 
ordinary exhibition, and no prizes awarded. 
In order to make the exhibition as complete 
as possible, every grower of Potatos is 
invited to send collections or specimens. 
It is also desired that every collection 
should be accompanied with the fullest 
information possible with regard to the 
character of the soil, exposure, and the 
physical conditions of the localities in 
which such collections may have been 
grown. The committee of the Irish Gar¬ 
deners’ Association invite exhibitors to 
make the collections from each district as 
complete as possible in order that all 
the varieties cultivated may be brought 
together for comparison, accompanied with 
their names and synonyms, local and other¬ 
wise. 
Exhibitors must give notice of their 
intentions, stating the number of varieties 
to be brought forward and the amount of 
space required, not later than December ist 
to the secretary, Mr. Thomas Shaw, Potato 
Conference, Rotunda Rooms, Dublin. The 
committee trust, however, that applications 
for space be sent as soon as possible to 
prevent any disappointment that may arise 
through lack of space or otherwise. Those 
who stage their own exhibits may do so on 
the morning of December gth, so as to be 
ready for the inspection of the committee 
by 12 noon. All boxes or packages for¬ 
warded must be addressed to the secretary, 
at the address above given, on or before 
December 8th. The Congress is expected 
to attract the attention of Potato growers 
and all concerned in various parts of the 
world. 
Six thousand people passed through the Chrysan¬ 
themum house at Battersea Park on Sunday last 
(the opening day to the public), in order to inspect 
the flowers. 
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. —The com¬ 
mittee of the Sandringham Horticultural Society, 
through Mr. A. MacKellar, have sent a donation of 
£5 5s. in aid of the funds of this institution. 
Mr. William Miller, for the last three years fore¬ 
man in the gardens, Auchterarder House, Auch- 
terarder, Perthshire, has been appointed head 
gardener to Colonel Halley, Ruthven Towers, Auch¬ 
terarder. 
Royal Horticultural Society.—The next fruit and 
floral meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society will 
be held on Tuesday, October 27th in the Drill Hall, 
James Street, Westminster, one to four p.m. A paper 
on “ Chrysanthemums ” by Mr. W. H. Lees will be 
read at three o'clock. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —The funds of this 
charitable institution were augmented last week by 
the receipt of logs, from the proceeds of the Canter¬ 
bury hospital and charity fete; 5gs. from the 
proceeds of the Sandringham Horticultural Society ; 
and 5gs. from Baron Sontellinho (A. Tate) of 
Portugal. 
Woolton Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society,— 
The usual fortnightly meeting of this society 
was held on Thursday of last week at the 
Mechanic's Institute, Mr. Jellicoe presiding. Mr. 
J. Glover, Gateacre Grange, read an excellent paper 
on "Cottage Gardens.” The essayist by long 
experience has proved himself fully qualified to deal 
with this and kindred subjects, having been secretary 
and prime mover of the Gateacre Cottage Gardening 
Society for twenty-five years, with the result that the 
cottage gardens have reached a high position whether 
judged from beauty or utility. The essayist advised 
a quarter of an acre as suitable for size, the land 
to be well drained, the locality being composed of 
a heavy soil. Double digging was recommended in 
preference to trenching for the first time ; the under 
portion being brought to the surface on subsequent 
seasons. Fruits, flowers, and vegetables should be 
grown in proportion of one of the two first named 
to three of vegetables. In treating of the latter, 
plenty of space was advised, which would result 
in heavier and finer crops. The draining should 
be done by the owner which could be treated properly 
in large areas. A discussion followed in which 
Messrs. Lawrence, Todd, and Waterman took part. 
Votes of thanks to the essayist and chairman con¬ 
cluded the proceedings. 
The American Institute Fair which has just now 
come to a close has been held at the Madison Square 
Garden, New York, and has lasted for three weeks. 
Chrysanthemums have been the special feature of 
the display from October 19th. 
A terriffic thunderstorm swept over Beccles, 
Suffolk, on Wednesday morning the 14th iost. 
There was a deluge of rain, and it is stated that hail 
bigger than Walnuts fell. A flour mill at Weston 
was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. 
Grape Vine in Old Kent Road.—In the heart of this 
crowded thoroughfare and near the Old Kent Road 
Station, 124 fine bunches of excellent Grapes were 
gathered from an old vine a few weeks ago. The 
vine branches out from a main stem, and the 
Grapes were brought to maturity in the natural way. 
Lord Rothschild has consented to preside at the 58th 
Anniversary Festival of the Gardeners' Royal 
Benevolent Institution, which will take place on a 
date to be fixed by his Lordship in June, 1897. We 
trust that the festival in aid of the funds of such an 
excellent charity to be held during the month in 
which the Queen, who is the Patroness of the Institu¬ 
tion, if spared, celebrates the 60th year of her reign, 
will be most successful. 
Canterbury Hospital and Charity Fete. — Great 
success attended the variety of entertainments 
organised at Canterbury recently in aid of the local 
and other charities. The proceeds have just been 
allocated, and distributed to the recipients by the 
honorary treasurer, Mr. C. W. Greenwood, 48. St. 
George’s Street. The Canterbury Hospital received 
/60 ; the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, 
iogs.; the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, logs.; 
and other charities have been the recipients of 
similar amounts. 
Distribution of Worm-eating Slugs. —The editor of 
the “ Journal of Malacology ” is still desirous of 
obtaining living specimens of worm-eating slugs 
{Testacellae ), so as to add to the records he has of the 
distribution of these animals in the British Isles, and 
which he hopes to be soon in a position to publish. 
He takes this opportunity of thanking his corres¬ 
pondents for the trouble they have taken in procuring 
him examples of slugs, and of expressing his gratitude 
to those editors who so kindly made known his wants 
last year. All communications must be addressed to 
Wilfred Mark Webb, “ Ellerie,” Crescent Road, 
Brentwood, Essex. 
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland —A meet¬ 
ing of the council of this society was held at 61, 
Dawson Street on the 12th inst. Final arrangements 
were made for the Chrysanthemum and fruit show 
to be held at Ballsbridge on November 4th and 5th. 
There will be an exhibition of photographs of flowers 
and garden scenes, shown by means of a powerful 
limelight lantern during the evening of the first day. 
Letters were read from Lord Edward Pelham 
Clinton, K.C.B., intimating that Her Majesty The 
Queen would be graciously pleased to send a collec¬ 
tion of fruit to the show. 
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners. —The 
members of the Court of the Worshipful Company 
of Gardeners, with a few personal friends, were 
entertained by the Master, Mr. N. N. Sherwood, at 
a Banquet at the Trocadero on Wednesday evening. 
Among those present were Gen. Sir William 
Olpherts, Mr. E. F. Fitch, C.C. (Upper Warden) 
Sir William Farmer (Renter Warden), Rev. W. 
Wilks (Past Master), Lt.-Col. George Lambert 
(Past Master), and Mr. R. Gofton-Salmond, Clerk. 
The loyal toasts baviDg been given from the Chair, 
Mr. Warden Fitch proposed the "Army, Navy, and 
Reserve Forces,” which was responded to by Gen. Sir 
William Olpherts and Col. T. Davies Sewell. The 
toast of the Company, coupled with the health of the 
Master, was proposed by Mr. Harry J. Veitch, and 
was received with much enthusiasm, as was also the 
health of the Clerk, proposed by Col. Lambert. The 
dinner was excellent and well served. The health of 
Mr. Lyons (a Member of the Court), and " Success 
to the Trocadero ” was proposed by the Chairman 
and duly responded to. A pleasing selection of 
music by Miss Grainger Kerr, Mr. Trefelyn David, 
Mr. George Schneider, and Mr. C. Russell enlivened 
the proceedings. At a Court Meeting held previous 
to the banquet, it was decided to offer the freedom of 
the company to the Hon. Alicia Amherst, in 
recognition of her work entitled " The History of 
Gardening in England.” 
