THE GARDENING WORLD 
331 
January 23, 1897. 
institution by the late Mr. James Webber during the 
many years he was associated with the institution ; 
but he recommended his hearers not to regret the 
absence of their departed friend too much, but strive 
to follow his example. Mr. Veitch next spoke of the 
large sums that certain of the pensioners had drawn 
from the funds of the institution compared with the 
small original outlay that secured such a benefit. 
The result of the polling revealed that there were 82 
unsigned, and therefore wasted papers, making a 
loss of 890 votes, and desired the voters to be more 
careful. He then drew marked attention to the 
“ Victorian Era Fund ” (particulars of which will be 
found in another column), and said that each sub¬ 
scriber to the institution, while waiting for election, 
would receive assistance in proportion to the amount 
he should have subscribed. Before resuming his 
seat he thanked all for past support, and appealed to 
them to do what they could in the future. 
Mr. H. B. May proposed “ The Committee,” and 
spoke in highly complimentary terms to the excellent 
manner in which the members of it had accomplished 
their duties ; and coupled with the toast the names 
of Messrs. S. M. Segar and James Hudson. Mr. 
Segar, in replying, said he was pleased to hear that 
the labours of the committee had been appreciated. 
Half of the working day was was occupied by every 
meeting attended, but the work was a labour of love, 
and they would continue to do their duty. Mr. 
Hudson appealed to gardeners and others to 
increase the receipts of the institution, for the 
deserving applicants were still far too numerous to get 
elected to the benefits of the pensionshitherto provided- 
Mr. George Monro proposed "The Honorary 
Secretaries of Auxiliaries, and Country Friends,” and 
spoke of various sums that had been collected by 
these useful provincial auxiliaries of the institution, 
referring to the /T64 15s. collected by the Worcester 
Auxiliary during the first period of its existence. He 
coupled with the toast the name of Mr. J. H. White, 
of Worcester. The latter replied that they would 
do all they could at Worcester to support the in¬ 
stitution, and hoped to get something for the 
" Victorian Era Fnnd.” Mr. Drewett said that as a 
country member he had been accorded much atten¬ 
tion and many kindnesses by various men of the 
gardening craft, for which he felt grateful. He was 
pleased that country members should have been 
represented through him on that occasion. 
Mr. N. N. Sherwood proposed 11 Our Chairman,” 
and said that he deserved their thanks for the way in 
which he had honoured them that evening. The 
chairman replied, and before resuming his seat said 
that the best thanks of the members of the institu¬ 
tion were due to Mr. George J. Ingram for duties 
faithfully performed. Mr. Ingram suitably replied. 
Mr. Harry J. Veitch proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. 
Cathay, the managing director of “ Simpson’s, Ltd.," 
for the admirable way in which he had served them 
that evening. 
Numerous songs and musical pieces on the piano 
and concertino were interspersed between the 
speeches during the evening, which passed off in a 
very enjoyable manner. 
-- 
FLORAL ART AT MESSRS. PERKINS 
& SONS, COVENTRY. 
The demand for floral decorations is increasing daily, 
and this world-renowed firm is keeping pace with 
the times, for their floral work is well known through¬ 
out the United Kingdom. At all our leading shows 
they are well represented, and when in competitions 
are always to the fore ; for they have received during 
their business career upwards of 1,200 medals and 
first prizes. 
Their nursery at Coventry is devoted to the 
culture of flowers and foliage suitable for their 
enormous requirements. Even the seventy houses 
there erected and specially designed for this purpose 
are hardly half sufficient to grow what they require. 
Here are houses of Orchids, including Dendrobiums, 
Coelogynes, Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Cattleyas, 
and Laelias in great variety. Other houses are 
devoted to Eucharis, Pancratiums (probably the 
finest lot in the country, grown by the hundred). 
Stephanotis, Gardenias, Bouvardias, Tea Roses, 
double Primulas, Hoyas, Dipladenias, Lapagerias, 
and Azaleas, all of which are grown by the thousand. 
Foliage plants, such as various Crotons, Smilax, 
Caladiums, Asparagus tenuissimus and A. plumosus, 
Maidenhair Fern, and others suitable for decorative 
purposes are grown in enormous quantities. Upwards 
of io.ooo Chrysanthemums of various sorts most 
suitable, are also grown ; in addition also are many 
acres of Roses of all the leading kinds. Their 
Carters’ Stringless French Bean (See p. 329). 
success, also, in Rose culture is proved by the many 
leading prizes they take yearly. In addition to these, 
thousands of Lily of the Valley, Roman Hyacinths, 
Tuberoses, Liliums in various species, Tulips, and 
other Dutch bulbs are forced for winter work. 
More than twenty young ladies are engaged in 
their establishment in the art of making floral designs ; 
and the nimble way in which they handle and 
prepare the flowers for making up proves they are 
no novices at the work. Here are to be seen these 
cheerful young ladies engaged in the artistic work ; 
some, as I say, begin preparing the flowers, whilst 
the more expert ones make up the floral designs, 
which are sent all over the United Kingdom. There 
are first the buttonholes and sprays, which average 
over 1.500 per week ; bouquets average over 100 per 
week ; and wreaths and crosses over 200 per week. 
In addition to these they do an immense trade in 
cut flowers for table decorations, also for house and 
church work. Besides their Coventry establishment, 
they have an immense stall in the centre arcade of 
the Birmingham Market Hall, which is always 
attractive. It is here where the youths and maidens 
wend their way to adorn themselves with these 
floral embellishments. Buttonholes, sprays, 
wreaths, and crosses find a ready sale here. In 
addition to this stall, they have a grand shop in the 
North Western Arcade, which is always attractive 
with floral designs and plants suitable for decorative 
purposes. At our leading flower shows they 
often exhibit, not for competition, making 
some of the finest display in floral art ever 
seen. Many a country lady and gentleman 
has undoubtedly learnt a lesson from their exhibits, 
which, for artistic work, cannot be beaten.— A. 0 . 
-«*■- 
GARDEN FOES. 
(Concluded from p.315.) 
Time will not allow for more than a passingcomment, 
so we must pass on to the next order, Orthoptera 
(straight winged) to which such insects as the cock¬ 
roach, grasshopper, mole cricket, etc. belong. Ear¬ 
wigs were also formerly placed in this order, but 
they were made a separate one by Westwood and 
named Euplexoptera or tight-folded winged, and by 
Kirby into Dermoptera or skin-winged. Earwigs, 
as most people know, are very destructive, but how 
few of us are acquainted with their habits. How 
many know that they possess wings during their later 
stages of existence, which enable them to fly with 
advantage ? These wings are folded up, so as to be 
scarcely preceptible, but when expanded they repre¬ 
sent a fan. Forficula auricularia, the scientific name 
of these destructive little creatures is not taken as 
some ignorant people would have us believe on 
account of their getting into the ear, but from the tail 
being furnished with an instrument that much 
resembles those formerly used as ear-piercers. 
Earwigs, like all others of this class, avoid the light, 
therefore their habits are not so well known as some 
others. The female watches over her eggs with 
maternal solicitude, and carries them away elsewhere 
if they are touched ; she also protects the larvae till 
strong enough to look after themselves. They may 
easily be trapped by the hollow stems of the Bean, 
or by moss placed in an inverted flower pot, as these 
form a good harbour for them to creep into away 
from the light after their nocturnal rambles. Un¬ 
fortunately they can use their wiDgs, and so travel in 
that way to fresh fields and pastures new. 
The cockroach is a loathsome creature, which not 
only infests our houses, feeding on sweets and every¬ 
thing within its reach, but being omnivorous, 
plants and fruits of various kinds are a favourite food 
of it. Cockroaches may, however, be easily poisoned 
if followed up with perseverance. Crickets may also 
be got rid of in the same way. We next come to the 
order, Hymenoptera or membrane-wiDged, and in 
this the gardener will find some of his greatest 
friends as well as his most destructive foes. It is to 
this order that the bee, wasp, ant, and saw-fly 
belong. Most of this group live in companies and 
build houses. Of the bee we have little to say, 
except that it is and has been a friend to many. 
The next, as every one knows, are a set of 
dangerous brigands, and exist, it would seem, only 
to do harm ; but even in these there is something to 
be learned if we would only take a pattern by them. 
They are, however, like the generality of working 
men, and take no thought for the morrow ; and when 
unable to find food they perish by hundreds. They 
are most indefatigable in their labours, working 
from early dawn till night fall, but lay up no 
store for the winter months, or when the lime comes 
that they cannot work. We have two or three 
British species, and there seems to be several 
