390 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 20, 1897. 
far cry. That experimenter crossed the 
Field Pea with the Blue Prussian, a well- 
known variety of the Garden Pea, with the 
result that he got a fertile progeny of 
greatly increased vigour. Some botanists 
would argue from this fact that the two are 
only forms of one species. Be that, as it 
may, Andrew Knight continued his experi¬ 
ments, and succeeded in raising wrinkled or 
marrowfat Peas, from which all the modern 
varieties of that type have descended. 
From that time till the present, improve¬ 
ments have been carried on amongst Peas, 
with greater or less ardour. It would 
appear that the raising of something 
strikingly distinct and meritorious, at 
intervals of some years, fires the enthusiasm 
of gardeners and experimenters, with the 
result that we get an overwhelming number 
of varieties. This pressure is, of course, 
relieved by the disappearance, from time to 
time of the less valuable sorts. The 
periods at which numerous good varieties 
come on the scene, coincide with the names 
of certain raisers, so that after all, it really 
means the “hour and the man,” especially 
the latter, as our friends across the Atlantic 
would say. The Royal Horticultural 
Society has made periodical trials of Peas 
from 1845 downwards ; but according to 
the latest published list of Plants Certifi¬ 
cated by the society, that body does not 
seem to have granted certificates for Peas 
before 1872. In that year twelve First- 
class Certificates were accorded to Peas, a 
large number of which are still fairly exten¬ 
sively cultivated. We do not observe that 
any certificate has been granted to Veitch's 
Perfection, still one of the most popular 
marrowfat varieties for general culture, and 
which was raised in Messrs. R. Veitch & 
Sons Nursery, at Exeter, nearly forty years 
ago. 
The durability of varieties of Peas is a 
matter of great interest. As long ago as 
1799, Andrew Knight had observed that 
Peas kept true to character, because they 
are not crossed by insects. They are, of 
course, self-fertilising. Darwin in trying to 
prove the truth about the constancy of Peas 
or otherwise, was informed by Mr. Masters, 
of Canterbury, that some varieties keep 
true to character for a great many years, 
while many others are short lived. The 
causes to which the latter owe their short 
life, are, doubtless, many ; but we have no 
doubt some of them are put into commerce 
before their character has been properly 
fixed by roguing out those that sport or 
revert. Other cultivators are more careful 
in this respect, and grow their new varieties 
for a number of years before sending them 
out. The work done amongst new Peas 
by such men as Mr. Andrew Knight, Mr. 
Cormack, Dr. Me Lean, Mr. Thomas 
Laxton, and Mr. Wm. Culverwell, will be 
remembered and recorded long after their 
varieties are superceded or disappear from 
cultivation. 
The great nutritive value of Peas as 
human food has long been recognised—in a 
certain sense, since the bronze age at least. 
We refer, however, to their relative value 
as compared with other vegetable foods. In 
comparatively recent times, the various 
members of the Pea family have been 
brought into prominence, as compared with 
all other cultivated plants, on account of 
their unique method of fixing the free 
nitrogen of the atmosphere through the 
agency of various species of bacteria to 
which the collective name of nitragin has 
been given recently. A crop of Peas taken 
off the ground leaves the latter richer in 
nitrogen than it was previous to the sowing 
of the Peas. Gardeners might well take 
advantage of this in arranging their crops 
to secure a proper rotation. In some parts 
of America, Peas are grown to restore the 
fertility of exhausted soils. The idea is 
very old, however, for we find that Virgil 
says:— 1 
“ At least where vetches, pulse, and tares, have stood 
And stalks of Lupins grew (a stubborn wood), 
The ensuing season, in return, may bear 
The bearded product of the golden year.” 
-- 
Bill of Fare. —Peas and plenty, Peas with haulm 
(ham), Marrowfat Peas, Peas with honours, and 
Sweets—Pois sans parchemin or Sugar Peas. 
Gunnera scabra. —In thenotice(of my paper in your 
issue last week, the locality for this plant was in¬ 
correctly stated as Jersey, whereas it should have 
been Guernsey.— A . Sewell. 
Kew Guild. —The annual general meeting of the 
Kew Guild will be held in the Lecture Room of the 
Royal Gardens, Kew (entrance by Melon Yard 
Gate), on Thursday evening, February 25th, at half¬ 
past seven. 
National Chrysanthemum Society. — We are 
informed that the annual general n eeting of the 
members of the above society will take place at 
Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, E.C., on Monday 
next, February 22nd at 7 o'clock —To receive the 
annual report and statement of accounts, and to 
transact any business pertaining to the annual 
general meeting of members. 
The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland held a 
meeting at 61, Dawson Street, Dublin, on the 8th 
inst., George W. Carson, Esq., in the chair. Judges 
were then nominated for the Daffodil show to be 
held at the Royal Uuiversity Buildings on April 1st. 
It was decided to call a special meeting to decide 
upon the new rule regarding uniformity in the size 
of show boxes. The Council gratefully accepted the 
offer made by Mr. J. Hume Dudgeon to present a 
cup, value 5 gs., to be competed for at the society’s 
shows this season. Mr. Cumming also handed in a 
list of subscribers to the "gardeners’ cup.” 
A Grand Oncidium Papilio.—Lively interest was 
created by a magnificent variety of this Oncid, which 
turned up at the Sale Rooms of Messrs. Protheroe 
and Morris, Cheapside, on the 13th inst. The lip 
was of huge size, while the upper sepal and the 
petals, known as the antennae of the Butterfly 
Orchid, were about 4 in. long. The colours were 
also very rich, and those who saw the variety 
declared that a better had never appeared at the 
Sale Rooms, since they were opened about four 
years ago. It was knocked dovn to Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., Burford Lodge, Dorking, for 
£7 17s 6d. It was sold in the Sale Rooms, as an 
imported piece, last year, for the matter of a few 
shillings, possibly not more than 4s. or 5s. 
Death of the Worksop Rose Society.—At the last 
meeting of this society it was found that notwith¬ 
standing the exertions of the president and com¬ 
mittee, and the valuable assistance of friends, that 
there had been a loss on each year’s work. It was, 
therefore, decided to wind up ,as there was no pro¬ 
spect of betterment. For two or three years the 
Rose Show has had to be supplemented by a Chrys¬ 
anthemum Show in order to make up deficiencies 
incurred over the summer exhibition. The /13 
which was found to be in hand was held over to be 
given to assist any horticultural society started in the 
neighbourhood within three years. Failing this the 
amount will be paid over to the funds of the 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. 
Juno Cycles and The Juno Cycling School. —The 
house, whence these well-known machines emanate 
in Bishopsgate, has added to its many attractions 
in the shape of a large and commodious riding school 
—no small boon to that ever-increasing number of 
beginners who wish to learn the gentle art of 
cycling. And, from the point of view of the 
good of the many, no more convenient spot could 
be chosen than the neighbourhood of the City 
Railway Stations, Liverpool Street and Broad 
Street. The Juno new models for 1897 more than 
maintain the reputation of the Metropolitan 
Machinists’ Co. for sound workmanship and excel¬ 
lence of finish. The Juno safeties for the "fair 
riders” are particularly neat and pretty; they are 
light and very free running; and, thanks to the 
pneumatic tyre, ladies who may live ten miles apart 
or more become near neighbours. The cycle is at 
once a promoter of social feeling and of vigorous 
health of mind and body. 
Useful Even in Decay.—A poultice made of rotten 
Apples is a cure for weak eyes, in the opinion of the 
rustics of Lincolnshire. 
Ower the gairden wa'.— Jeems : " What Pea is that 
ye’re stakin’ ? ” Geordie : “ Mac Thunder’s Giant.” 
Jeems: " The stakes are ower short, man.” Geordie: 
" The length 0’ the stake mak's nae odds. A' my 
Piz gang to the tap, an’ syne come doon, syne up 
again, wi’ ilka ither shooer that fa’s.” Jeems : " Nae 
want o’ growth in your gairden, Geordie ! ” — Snaggs. 
Orkney Horticultural Society—Sheriff Armour pre¬ 
sided at the annual meeting of this Society, which 
was held in the Municipal Buildings, Kirkwall. 
The statement of accounts submitted by the hon. 
treasurer, Mr. C. H. Liddle, showed a loss sustained 
on last year’s operations of £5, due mainly to the 
decrease in the receipts for admission to the show, 
for which the bad weather at the time was respon¬ 
sible. There still remains, however, a balance of 
£20 4s. 6d. to the good. Mr. A. A. Wallace resigned 
the secretaryship, and it was agreed to make an 
entry in the minutes testifying to the value of his 
services. It was also decided to hold the show this 
year in the Town Hall, Kirkwall, on the last two 
days of the Lammas Market. Mr. G. M. Louthit, is 
the new secretary. 
Decorations at the Mistress Cutlers’ Ball, Sheffield. 
—On the occssion of this annual function on the 3rd 
inst., the work connected with the decoration of 
the Cutlers’ Hall and the various apartments was 
entrusted to Mr. J. Keeling, of Mount View 
Nurseries, Glossop Road, Sheffield, who, in con¬ 
junction with Mr. Manuel, is to be congratulated 
upon the very beautiful and pleasing effect produced. 
The drawing-room where the guests were presented 
to their host and hostess was most daintily and taste¬ 
fully draped in art muslin of various hues of yellow, 
from the deep orange to the pale shade, and the 
globes of the electric light were similarly covered, 
thus softening the light and producing an exceedingly 
pretty effect. The mantelpieces were covered with 
Daffodils and other flowers, and here it should be 
said that the floral decorations throughout the whole 
suite of rooms were selected and arranged with very 
good taste and effect, so much so that in future balls 
at the Cutlers’ Hall it will be exceedingly difficult to 
surpass or even to emulate the decorations which 
supplemented the architectural beauties of the rooms. 
The ball-room, known officially as " the banqueting 
hall,” presented a striking appearance as one passed 
through the tastefully-decorated corridor to the main 
entrance door. The raised dais at the top of the 
room was very nicely arranged. A warm, red 
carpet covered the floor and steps, luxuriant couches 
were placed amid stately Palms and beautiful 
flowers. The large portrait of the Queen, which 
is such a well-known feature of the Cutlers’ 
Hall embellishments, hung as usual in the centre, 
and on either side were groups of flowers surrounding, 
exceptionally fine Palms, some 15 ft. high. A festcon 
of red flowers—Tulips, etc.,—ran around the ledge, 
and mirrors in the angle were draped with orange 
and lemon, with variegated Indiarubber Plants on 
each side. The flowers used at the base of the Palms, 
between the couches, and in other parts of this raised 
portion of the room, were a very choice selection of 
Orchids, Arum Lilies, and other beautiful exotics. 
The corridors and vestibule were not less taste¬ 
fully decorated than the ball-room ; the former were 
festooned with Cyclamen and other flowers, the 
windows being also covered with Ivy. In the 
vestibule little alcoves were formed by the aid of tall 
Kentia Palms—on one of which was arranged a 
beautiful Monstera deliciosa in bloom, with a 
magnificent Orchid of sixty blooms springing from 
the stem. At the base of the Palms were Arum 
Lilies and other flowers, Orchids in bloom were 
arranged over the fireplace, festoons hung round the 
walls, a huge Mistleto bough was suspended in the 
centre, and the decorations as a whole had converted 
this part of the building into a charming resting 
place. The main entrance and the stairs were also 
prettily decorated, and in the centre of the grand mirror 
was a beautiful floral pyramid. In speaking of the 
plants and flowers, too, mention should be made of a 
magnificent Palm in the ball-room above, which is 
probably one of the finest plants of its kind in the 
country. 
