356 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 6, 1897. 
these thirteen orphans on the Fund by the 
simple resolution of the subscribers. 
There are just thirteen applicants for 
relief on the notice paper distributed last 
week—one being a third application and all 
the rest a first application. Whether a 
greater number has applied, does not 
appear ; but in any case, we presume the 
most needy, and therefore deserving, appli¬ 
cants have had the preference. In twelve 
out of the thirteen cases scheduled, the 
father, a gardener, has died leaving no pro¬ 
vision for his family, and probably the 
other case is similarly situated, though not 
actually stated. The mother of the child 
lives with her own mother, a widow and an 
invalid aged 77, so that there can be no 
doubt of the necessity of assistance in this, 
as in all the other cases. The need for such 
an institution, or charity as the Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund, would be a pressing necessity, 
if only thirteen orphans annually required 
help; but it really implies that thirteen 
families have been reduced to want through 
the death of the bread-winner. The total 
number of children in these thirteen families 
left destitute is 55, or slightly over an 
average of four to each, and this does not 
take the mothers into account, though 
many of them must of a necessity be pre¬ 
vented from going out in order to earn a 
competence. True, some of the older 
children are earning something for them¬ 
selves, but unless living at home, it will 
seldom be within their power to render 
much assistance to the bereaved home. 
There is all the more need, therefore, that 
institutions should be supported by the 
many for the urgent needs of the few in the 
time of their helplessness. 
Wrench Beans for Forcing.— Amongst 
' trials proposed to be conducted by the 
Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick 
this year, we note that French Beans for 
forcing holds a place. We hope that the 
appeal for seeds has received an ample 
response, for this culture is becoming more 
and more important to gardeners who have 
to conduct them. For many years past a 
few varieties have been held up to the 
public as the very best for forcing purposes, 
including Ne Plus Ultra and Osborn’s 
Early Forcing, some cultivators preferring 
the one, and some the other. Both are 
dwarf and prolific, and in that respect 
suitable for pot culture. It may be the 
case, however, that some of the newer 
varieties recommended to the public are 
equally, if not more, prolific under the same 
conditions. One of the greatest difficulties 
with which gardeners have to contend in 
the winter is the lack of sunshine ; and cul¬ 
tures in the neighbourhood of large and 
smoky towns are particularly risky. The 
advent of a few days of fog in the early 
part of the year means the destruction of 
the plants in the neighbourhood of London ; 
but fog alone in the absence of smoke is 
highly prejudicial to thin-leaved plants like 
French Beans, even in rural districts. The 
mere absence of sunlight has a disastrous 
effect when of any duration. 
There may be varieties better adapted 
for forcing than those highly recommended, 
by reason of greater firmness of foliage, or 
greater vitality that would enable them to 
come through the ordeal of a trying winter. 
Until recently the comparatively mild 
nature of the winter might be held up as 
favourable to the gardener’s interest ; and 
while it may be admitted that such was the 
case in some respects, we are aware that 
such mild weather was attended by a long- 
continued lack of sunshine. The primary 
necessities of vegetation, particularly in an 
actively growing condition, are light, heat, 
air, and moisture. Under artificial condi¬ 
tions all these may be applied in unstinted 
measure, with the single exception of light, 
the absence of which is sufficient to nullify 
the advantages of all the rest. Electric 
light may to a certain extent supply the 
deficiency of sunlight in the near or 
distant future ; but at present there is scant 
activity in the making of experiments in 
that direction, at least in this country. It 
nevertheless remains for us to make ample 
trials of the varieties of Dwarf or French 
Beans already in existence, in order to 
determine which are the most suitable for 
forcing under the prevailing influences of 
our foggy and misty winter atmosphere. 
The raising of new varieties with better 
staying power should also be encouraged. 
In the meantime let us hope that the 
Chiswick trials of this class of vegetables 
will afford some useful hints that may be 
turned to practical account by gardeners in 
succeeding years. Chiswick is so closely 
situated to London that the trials are placed 
under as unfavourable conditions as most 
gardeners in the kingdom would experience 
in the matter of light, so that the test 
should be a very fair one to all concerned. 
The question of different soils, under pot 
culture, is to a great extent eliminated. 
--- 
Henry L. Sunderbruch, of Cincinati, Ohio, U.S.A , 
after whom the well-known Chrysanthemum H. L. 
Sunderbruch is named, was carried off on January 
6th by Bright’s disease. 
Nymphaea zanzibarensis is very popular in many of 
the States. Seeds are sown early in the year, and 
the plants placed in the open ponds in May. It is 
calculated that well-grown plants should bloom in 
120 days from the date at which the seed was so Am. 
Gunpowder as Manure.—From Texas comes the 
story of a man who got hold of 5 tons of gunpowder 
which had been spoilt by wet and was about to be 
thrown away, and, knowing that it was rich in 
potash, applied it as manure to four acres of Cab¬ 
bage It is said that record crops were the result, 
heads of 15 lbs. weight having been cut. Melons 
treated with this forcible manure were similady 
benefited. Truly this is one way whereby the arts 
of war are made to benefit the products of peace. 
A Presentation of Sixty Vines (one for each year 
of the Queen's reign) has been arranged by an 
anonymous donor to be made to sixty of the cottage 
residents of Hextable, Swanley, Kent, as a mode 
ol celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The 
donor has received a letter from the private secretary 
to the Prince of Wales informing him that His Royal 
Highness desires to thank the donor for informing 
him of the manner in which it is proposed to celebrate 
the sixtieth anniversary of the Queen’s reign in the 
donor’s parish. H R H. thinks the idea an excellent 
one, and thinks it cannot fail to be appreciated by 
the inhabitants. 
West of England Chrysanthemum Society —The 
annual meeting of this well-known society came off 
at 10, Seaton Terrace, Plymouth, on January 20th, 
the chair being taken by Mr. G. Soltan-Symons. 
Mr. Wilson, the secretary, brought forward the 
report, which stated that the last year had been a 
record one for them. From a financial point of view 
they had nothing to complain of. The balance-sheet 
presented by the treasurer, Mr. Groombridge, showed 
a total income of £272 8s. 2d., and an expenditure 
of £207 18s. iod., thus leaving a balance in hand of 
£64 gs. 46,, as against 19s. 2d. of last year. They 
also had a deposit at the Naval Bank of £29. On 
moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet 
the chairman congratulated the members on the con¬ 
tinued success of the society. The exhibits at their 
last show had shown a slight falling off with regard 
to members, but the quality of the blooms was 
superior to anything that had previously been 
attained in the west of England. Mr. Godfrey, of 
Exmouth, who was a grower of great experience, 
told him that he had attended many exhibitions, but 
had seen nothing that surpassed the Plymouth 
Show. Amongst other business that followed was 
the election of a long list of vice-presidents. Mr. W. 
Damarell presided at the dinner which followed. 
This was served in the Globe Hotel. 
The Union Yew is a patriarchal tree which has 
several of its branches growing together. It is one 
of an avenue of old Yews near the Vartry River in 
Ireland. . 
A Cask of Apples was recently seized by a sanitary 
inspector of Whitechapel, who, in applying for an 
order condemning the Apples, said that the amount 
of bad fruit and food sold amongst the Jewish poor 
in the east-end of London was a continual source of 
public danger. 
Seagrave Horticultural Society held a general com¬ 
mittee meeting recently at the Grange Farm, Mr. J. 
D. Browning presiding. It was decided to hold a 
show at Seagrave on July 28th. The schedule of 
prizes for last year was revised, and additions made, 
chiefly in the cottagers’ section, which is open to 
Seagrave and Simbury parishes only. It was also 
resolved to apply to the Bedfordshire County Council 
for a series of lectures on Horticulture. 
Chevalier du Merite Agricole.”—With reference 
to our remarks in last issue (p. 339) concerning 
“ Honours for an Englishman,” it has come to our 
knowledge that Mr. C. Harman Payne is not 
the only one who has been decorated with L'Ordre 
Chevalier du Merite Agricole. The honour was 
bestowed upon Mr. E. J. Beale, J.P., managing 
partner of the firm of Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High 
Holborn, London, for services rendered by him 
in connection with the Agri-Horticultural Section 
of the Paris Exhibition of 1878. 
Successful Rose-budding.—A jobbing gardener of 
Kent, well-known to be partial to good stout, was 
called in one day by the owner of a garden to bud the 
Roses, and told that, if he did the job well he would 
get an allowance from the house. During the day he 
called for his allowance oftener than was expected. 
The mistress expostulated, and asked what made him 
so dry? "Well, you see, mem,” he explained, "I 
have to spit in the hole to make the bud take. It 
makes me dry, but the Roses must have something 
strong or the buds would fail.” He got his allow¬ 
ance. 
Shirley Gardeners —At the last monthly meeting 
of this society there was a large audience, Mr. B. 
Ladham, F.R.H.S., presiding in the absence of the 
president, Mr. W. F. G. Spranger Mr. Edgar 
Eady gave a most interesting lecture on " the habits 
of climbing plants.” Mr. Eady said that the move¬ 
ments of climbing plants were so perceptible that 
the old theory of one difference between plants and 
animals being that there was movement in the latter 
and none in the former might be at once discarded. He 
then proceeded to c'assify the climbers, according 
to the particular means by which they climbed, into 
twiners, like the Hop ; leaf climbers, such as the 
Clematis ; tendril climbers,of which the Vine afforded 
an apt illustration ; hook climbers, represented by 
the Bramble; and root climbers, of which the Ivy 
afforded a striking example. The lecturer gave a 
good deal of detailed information, and his remarks 
were illustrated by diagrams. 
Brighton Horticulturists.—The annual meeting of 
the Brighton and Sussex Horticultural Society was 
held on the evening of January 21st, at the Imperial 
Hotel, Brighton. Mr. T. P. Harker, one of the 
vice-presidents, filled the chair. The balance-sheet 
was presented, and showed the substantial balance 
of £219 19s. 4d., including £100 on the reserve 
account, and a balance at the bank of £104 17s. yd. 
The total receipts, including the balance of 
£iSg 8s. 56. from the previous year were found to 
have been £1,267 IIS - After the passing of the 
accounts some alterations were made with regard to 
the post of secretary, which has hitherto been des¬ 
cribed as honorary. The new secretary is to receive 
an honorarium of £25 per annum, this being the 
salary formerly paid to the assistant secretary. At 
the election of officers which followed, Mr. J. M. 
Kidd was re-elected president, and Mr. W. Balchin, 
jun., as chairman. The choice of the meeting for 
the office of secretary fell upon Mr. J. Lewis, who 
was duly elected. The committee recommended 
that arrangements should be concluded with the 
Oddfellows' Hall Committee for the use of the large 
hall fcr the monthly lectures and shows, also a small 
room as offices and committee room at a yearly 
rental of £15. This proposal was very favourably 
received, aud it was decided to carry it out. 
