December 19, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
243 
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RICHARD SMITH & CO., WORCESTER 
" Gardening Is tbe purest of human pleasures, and the greatf st 
refreshment to the spirit of man.”— Bacon. 
Edited by J. FRASER F.L.S. 
SATURDAY , DECEMBER igth, 1896. 
Kome of Horticulture.—The need of a 
suitable building in a convenient and 
central place in London has long been felt. 
A scheme for the accomplishment of this 
was inaugurated some years ago by the 
Royal Horticultural Society under the able 
guidance of Baron Schroder, but owing to 
financial collapse and commercial depression 
at the time, the plan had perforce to be 
abandoned indefinitely. A bold scheme 
has now been brought forward by Mr. 
James L. Wood, F. R. H. S., of Oakleigh 
Park, Whetstone, the details of which will 
be found in another column. The various 
issues at stake have been carefully worked 
out, and numerous suggestions made which, 
if acted upon, could hardly fail to be carried 
to a successful issue. We read or hear from 
time to time of various cities and towns, 
both at home and abroad, having provided 
themselves with a horticultural hall, yet 
London still waits for such a convenience, 
which on all hands is admitted to be a 
desideratum and a real want. London, with 
its immense wealth and teeming population, 
is well able to build a horticultural hall, or 
home of horticulture, and all that it wants 
is combination amongst the numerous 
important societies to whom a sufficiently 
large and suitable building, in which to 
arrange their several annual exhibitions, 
would be an advantage of the first impor¬ 
tance. The scheme promulgated by Mr. 
Wood makes provision for assistance being 
rendered by the provinces. In connection 
with new plants, fruits and flowers, a 
decision from London is highly appreciated, 
independently of the competitive and non¬ 
competitive exhibits sent up fr&aj the 
provinces. All this is evidence that those 
at a distance would benefit by the establish¬ 
ment of a home of horticulture in London, 
so that help can reasonably be expected 
from the provinces and no doubt cheerfully 
given by those who are alive to their own 
interest. The combined influence of the 
London societies is, however, the primary 
desideratum. 
Irish Gardeners’ Association. —At the 
great Tercentenary Exhibition and Con¬ 
ference, held at Dublin last week to com¬ 
memorate the introduction of the Potato to 
Europe, Mr. A. O. Watkins, the president 
of the association, made a few preliminary 
remarks concerning the work and object of 
this young society before calling upon Lord 
Powerscourt to preside at the Conference. 
The Gardeners’ Association felt proud of 
having inaugurated that meeting, and an 
exhibition of Potatos such as had never 
before been seen in Ireland, probably not 
in the world. Over and above the mere 
fact of celebrating the introduction of the 
Potato and commemorating the name of Sir 
Walter Raleigh, it was their earnest hope 
that their people of the future would be 
benefited by it. By improved cultivation 
and the raising of new varieties of a disease- 
resisting nature, they hoped to be able 
to stamp out the dreaded disease. As the 
historical and economical uses and diseases 
of the Potato would be fully dealt with by 
lecturers and readers of papers, the speaker 
would not occupy the time concerning that, 
but explain the objects of the association 
itself. 
The association was established as 
recently as the spring of 1895, and had 
prospered ever since, the members number¬ 
ing between 200 and 300. It was created 
to constitute a bond of union between all 
those who follow the profession of gardening 
in Ireland ; and by means of lectures, 
papers and discussions on any or every 
horticultural subject to foster mutual im¬ 
provement and extend the knowledge and 
love for horticulture in a wide sense. As 
such associations usually are, it was strictly 
of a non-political character, and not intended 
to promulgate the views of any particular 
sect. Nor was it intended to encourage 
trades unionism in any way, and had no 
sympathy with the causing of difficulties to 
arise between employers and employed. 
On the other hand they aimed at the en¬ 
couragement of anything or everything 
which tended to elevate the dignity of the 
gardening profession, and give employers 
confidence in the ability of their gardeners, 
thereby promoting good feeling and harmony 
between the respective parties. At present 
the numerous members of the association 
were all working harmoniously together 
with the fullest intention of carrying out 
these principles to the best of their ability. 
Encouraged by the successful results of 
their united efforts hitherto, they felt pre¬ 
pared to go a step further by establishing 
a Gardeners’ Benevolent Fund for Ireland, 
as a memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh and 
to commemorate the tercentenary of his 
introduction of the Potato. 
The proceeds of the Conference are to be 
devoted to the purpose of forming a nucleus 
to this fund, which they hoped the generosity 
of the public would help them to augment. 
Such a fund was very much needed, and 
he appealed for subscriptions and donations 
to ensure its establishment. The gardener 
was subject to the same ills and accidents 
of life as other people ; and his risk was 
great owing to his having to pursue his 
vocation through long hours, exposed to all 
weathers and extremes of temperature. 
What was worst of all, the emoluments 
attached to his services were generally very 
slender; while on the other hand he often 
had a large family to support, and was 
consequently unable to lay by a reserve 
against the proverbial rainy day, or in other 
words old age and the accidents of life. 
Whatever sum might be forthcoming, they 
intended to invest it in reliable securities, 
and utilise the interest only for the purpose 
they had in hand. The first use would be 
to advance relief to members during 
sickness. The second use was to provide 
for the funeral expenses on the death of a 
member, or of his wife. Thirdly, they 
would grant relief to members in distressed 
circumstances. The fourth object was to 
provide a pension for old age. 
In all these arrangements, and transactions 
of the Irish Gardeners’ Association, we note 
a life of activity and vigour that is 
characteristic of many of the thriving 
mutual improvement associations that have 
sprung into existence during the last few 
years. The Scottish Horticultural Associa¬ 
tion is another instance of this activity in 
the Scottish capital. 
The Eastbourne Horticultural Society are congratu¬ 
lating themselves on a very successful season, both 
financially and otherwise. In view of this a more 
liberal programme is expected for next year 
Old leaves on Yuccas.—Judging from the behaviour 
of Yucca treculeana in the United States, the oldand 
dead leaves are meant by Nature to protect the 
stems. A plant, which had the old leaves pulled off, 
died, while another, not treated in that way, lived 
through the same severe winter. 
Royalty at the Cattle Show.—H.R.H. Prince 
Christian honoured Messrs. Carter & Co., the 
Queen's Seedsmen, with a prolonged inspection of 
their large stand. H.R.H. appeared to be greatly 
interested in the marvellous roots, and the very fine 
samples of Wheat, Oats, and Barley exhibited by 
Messrs. Carter. It is some years since the galleries 
have been honoured with the presence of royalty, 
and it must be gratifying to Messrs. Carter that they 
should have been so specially favoured. 
Distinguished Lady Gardener —In consideration of 
the services rendered to horticulture by the Hon. 
Alicia Tyssen-Amherst, by her book “ The History of 
Gardening in England,” that lady has had conferred 
upon her the freedom of the Worshipful Company of 
Gardeners. The ceremony took place at the Grafton 
Galleries in the presence of the master, Mr. N. N. 
Sherwood, the Wardens, and Court. It is not the 
first occasion on which the “ gardeners ” have had a 
lady’s name upon the rolls, as Miss Dobell, in 1818, 
and Mrs. Fry, in 1822 were both admitted, although 
there are no records extant as to the exact reasons. 
Mr. P. Weathers, of Islewortb, has been successful 
in securing the important post of curator of 
the Manchester Botanical Gardens. The appoint¬ 
ment was in the hands of the Corporation of the 
City, and there were many applicants for the post. 
Mr. P. Weathers commenced his gardening career in 
the Royal Gardens, Kew. From Kew he went to 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, where he got 
much insight into quite a new line of work, thereby 
greatly extending his experience. He afterwards 
occupied an important position with Messrs. Lewis 
& Co., of Southgate. Then he became the repre¬ 
sentative of Messrs. Linden, Brussels, in this 
country. For some time past he has been carrying 
on a nursery at Isleworth and leaves that place for 
Manchester at the New Year. 
Sherborne Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society. 
The programme and rules for 1896-7, of this society, 
show us that at the monthly meetings, exhibitions 
of fruits, flowers, and vegetables are held in addition 
to an annual show on a much larger scale. The last 
show held in September was a very successful one. 
One and sometimes two papers are read at ten of the 
annual meetings, followed by a discussion. These 
papers cover a wide range of subjects. Mr. J. Crook, 
gardener to W. H. Evans, Esq., Forde Abbey, 
Chard, will read a paper entitled " Can a garden be 
made effective with Hardy Plants and Annuals only.’’ 
Mr. Stacey, the Royal Nurseries, Merriott, will deal 
with •' Hardy Shrubs.” Mr. G. H. Copp, gardener to 
Erie Drax, Esq , will take the " The Strawberry” as 
his subject. “ Maidenhair Fern and White Flowers 
the year Round ” will be read by Mr. H. Baker, 
gardener to Messrs. E Foot & Son, in January 
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