February 27, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
405 
Mr. T. W. Saunders.—We were deeply sorry to 
hear a telegram read to the meeting of the N.C.S on 
Monday last, containing information that the genial 
Editor of Amateuv Gardening had met with a serious 
accident, and was under hospital treatment. 
Derivation of Sc. Malo — It may possibly interest 
some of my Scotch friends to learn that St. Malo, a 
sea-port town of Brittany, is intimately connected 
with a well-known Scottish name, at least so I 
gathered recently from a learned work on Brittany. 
It seems then, that " in the 6th century a hermit 
named Aaron built a chapel on the summit of a rock 
near a place called Aleth. Among the discipleswho 
flocked round Aaron for instruction was a young 
Scotchman, by name McLeod." Now this harsh 
word to Breton ears became, in course of time, 
" Maclou," which, later still, was further softened 
to “ Malo." The youDg Scot prospered—as young 
Scots will — he became a bishop, and founded a 
monastery, round which sprang up a town. At his 
death he was counted a saint—hence the modern 
term, St. Malo.— C. B. G., Acton, W. 
Fishponds—The committee of the West Glou¬ 
cestershire and District Carnation, Picotee, and 
Pansy Society, whose title we hope is sufficiently 
long, held the first meeting of the season at the Full 
Moon Hotel, Fishponds, Mr. G. Rennie Powell 
presiding. Mr. Robert Field, of Lloyd's Bank, was 
elected treasurer in place of Mr. Joseph Loveder, 
resigned. A lengthy discussion then took place with 
regard to the prize schedule Upon the recommen¬ 
dation of Mr. E. Poole, F.R.H.S., a class for 
ornamental foliage plants was added. On the 
motion of Mr. T. Elliott, Easton, a class of Roses 
for jobbing gardeners was also carried, Mr. E. 
iPoole, who seconded, generously offering to furnish 
the prize. It was also resolved that prizes for hand 
ibouquets of cut garden flowers, exhibited without a 
paper collar, should be offered. A vote of thanks to 
the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. 
Growth of the Soilly Islands Trade.—A number of 
•years ago Mr. Augustus Smith, the proprietor of 
the Islands, suggested the cultivation and marketing 
of flowers as a remunerative industry. He was led to 
do this owing to the decline in the prices obtained 
for Potatos, which up to that time had been the 
staple product. The first results of the new depar¬ 
ture were not encouraging, as only.^i was obtained 
for the first consignment. He persevered, however, 
and with what success is amply evidenced by the 
present extensive trade in flowers done by the 
Islands, and to which we have referred from time to 
time in our columns. Twenty-five years ago Mr. 
Augustus Smith died, and the Islands passed to Mr. 
G. A. Smith-Dorrien, who has enthusiastically 
carried out the plans of his uncle. He is a zealous 
cultiva'or of Narcissi, and is very largely identified 
with the show of Truro, proposed to be held during 
the coming Spring. There is also another link 
between him and Truro, for his uncle, Mr. Augustus 
Smith, at one time represented that city in 
parliament. 
Early Primroses. — Owing to the mildness of the 
weather the " Pale Primrose " is pretty forward in 
asserting itself. Clusters of them are to be seen in 
a few of the most sheltered nooks in the grounds at 
the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, whilst as early as 
the second week in February they have been flower¬ 
ing away in several parts of Norfolk. In one locality 
particularly, numbers of clumps were in evidence 
upon a north-west bank, where only the late after¬ 
noon sun could catch them, and this is a very 
uncertain quantity in a Ftbruary day. Primroses 
have already made their appearance in London, 
having been sent from Cornwall. They will be 
found in increasing numbers as the spring wears on 
and Primrose Day approaches. At one time London 
used to draw supplies of Primroses from Sussex, but 
the wholesale grubbing up of the roots that was for 
ever being protested against, but was never stopped, 
has practically exterminated them in a wild state in 
that county. As Primroses are not cultivated to any 
extent for market, it is to the wild plants that we 
look for supplies, and good Tories for the where¬ 
withal to furnish the outward and visible sign of 
their reverence for their old leader. No amount of 
sentiment, however, can possibly justify the hunting- 
out and grubbing-up of Primrose roots that is 
being practiced, and before long, unless prohibitive 
measures are taken, the Primroses of other counties 
will be like those of Sussex—gone ! 
Chrysanthemum leaves fried in batter are a 
favourite dish of the Japanese, according to Mr. 
Alfred Parsons. 
Colours and Vegetation.—The influence of the 
various colours of the prism is always a favourite 
theme with scientific investigators. M Camille 
Flammarion has been giving the results of his 
experiments conducted at the observatory of Juvisy. 
Fruits of plants, notably those of sensitive plants, 
exposed to blue rays, remain in an arrested condition 
for months without a shade of modification. On the 
contrary, when exposed to red rays, the fruits ripened 
with astonishing rapidity ; and the stems attained 
four times the height of those exposed to white light. 
The Hastings and St. Leonard’s Natural History 
Society had another very successful gathering at the 
last fortnightly meeting, when Dr. Gray, J.P., gave 
a lecture upon " Alpiue Flowers." Dr. Gray regarded 
an Alpine flower as one found above the glaciers, but 
below the snow line. He spoke of the general 
characteristics of this class of flowers, and of their 
adaptation to environments. The lecture was illus¬ 
trated throughout by numerous lantern-slides, illus¬ 
trating the differences to be observed in the Alpine 
floras of various countries. Thus the barrenness of 
the slopes of the Rocky Mountains was contrasted 
with the richly-clothed slopes of the Alps. Dr. Gray 
went into considerable detail concerning various 
genera and specits to be found in the Alps, reference 
being made to the number of species of Gentian, 
their various forms, and the profusion with which 
they are distributed. Various species of Ranunculus, 
Anemone, Primula, and Crocus, together with the 
Thornless Rose and the Alpine Cress, were also 
referred to. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.—At 
the monthly meeting of the Sjndical Chamber of 
Belgian Horticulturists and Royal Agricultural and 
and Botanical Society of Ghent, in the Casino, 
Ghent, on the 7th inst., the following Certificates of 
Merit were awarded : — To Cypripedium insigne, 
Sanderae, Baron Schroder, Laeliocattleya Pallas, 
Lycaste Poelmani, Lae'.ia ancepsalba.Odontoglossum 
Uro-Skinneri, a lot of seedling Cypripediums, 
Dendrobium kechianum, Odontoglossum cappaer- 
tianum, Dendrobium nobile, D. n. nobilius, and 
Cymbidium eburneum giganteum, all presented by 
M. Jules Hye; to Pteris Boultoni, presented by M. 
Ed. Pynaert-Vau Geert ; to Cattleya Trianaei 
Imperator,~presented by M. M. Linden & Cie ; to 
Clivia Mdlle Aline Capitaine, and Clivia M. Capi- 
taine, both presented by M. Capitaine ; and to 
Cyclamen Bush Hdl Pioneer, presented by Messrs. 
Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, London. Various other 
certificates were awarded for flowering and culture, 
also one botanical certificate and several honourable 
mentions. 
Woolton Mutual Improvement Society.—The usual 
fortnightly meeting was held at the Mechanics’ Insti¬ 
tute, Mr. Thomas D. Smith, of Birkenhead, presiding 
over a goodly attendance. The subject for considera¬ 
tion was "The Peach and Nectarine under glass," 
which was introduced by Mr. W. H. B. Yeo, of 
Claughton, in a telling manner, opening his case 
with a short and concise history of the Peach, giving 
some details as to the temperature and atmosphere, 
whilst the plants were in flower, and thus drawing a 
comparison as to the culture at this juncture in our 
own country. The case for stocks was also given. 
The cultural details were closely allied to those that 
are generally followed by the majority of growers ; 
good drainage, and soil fairly retentive, but if un¬ 
duly close should have the assis’ance of broken 
bricks and lime rubble ; half inch bones should be 
added. In an excellent discussion that followed, the 
essayist was taken to task as to fumigating, feeding 
with manure water, and the position the fruits shoul I 
occupy on the shoot. The critics included Messrs. 
Tunnington, Todd, Hogan, Stoney, Harrison 
Waterman, Disky, and others, who entered into the 
matter most heartily. Mr. Yeo, in his reply, 
thanked the numerous speakers, in which he stated 
that although some were contentious in various 
points, he was supported by others ; and thus it was 
proved that if his practice was not all that could be 
desired by those present, they were sufficiently close 
to induce various methods on certain details, which 
must prove of some value to most growers. Votes 
of thanks were accorded to Mr. Yeo for his lecture, 
and to Mr. Smith for presiding. 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms —Some interesting 
Orchids turned up at the rooms of Messrs. Protheroe 
& Morris on Friday the 19th inst. A piece of 
Dendrobium splendidissimum grandiflorum was 
secured for/2 7s. 6d. An unnamed hybrid between 
D. schaeilerianum and D. aureum brought 4^ gs. 
The sepals and petals were creamy-white, tipped 
with rosy purple. The lip was similar, but mostly 
occupied with a large crimson blotch, rayed at its 
margins like that of D. aureum. Altogether it is a 
pretty hybrid. A fine Catileya Trianaei fetched 
£1 15s. 6d. A good variety of Odontoglossum 
crispum was knocked down for 5 gs. A beautiful 
variety of Masderallia Sbuttleworthii, bearing 30 
flowers, was secured by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, 
Tring Park, Tring, for 26s. 
The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution —Our 
readers are aware that a performance of the comedy 
opera "Dorothy," given by the members of the 
Westminster Operatic and Dramatic Society, was to 
take place in St. George’s Hall, Langham Place, W., 
on the evening of February 18th, in aid of the 
Victorian Era Fund. Judging from the way in 
which the hall was filled on that date the movement 
was crowned with abundant success, an enjoyable 
evening being spent. The costumes, which were 
furnished by Clarkson,.were rich and in excellent 
taste, and after the first act, which was a little tame, 
the players fell into their respective roles very well. 
Mrs. Henry Stringer, as Phyllis Tuppit, evoked 
considerable applause, and Mr. Llewelyn Powell, as 
Lurcher, brought down the house by his quaint wit 
and laughable antics. Not a little merriment was 
excited by Miss Edith Wheeler, who gave a good 
representation of the lovelorn and four-times- 
widowed Mrs. Privet. Mr. F. Charles Giddy acted 
the hospitable squire, all of the olden time,admirably. 
Dunoon and District Gardeners.—On Friday, igih 
inst., the second annual dinner of the Gardeners of 
Dunoon and District was held in the George Hotel, 
Dunoon. Mr. G. H. Clark (of Messrs. Smith and 
Simons) occupied the chair, while Mr. T. Dagg (of 
Messrs. Austin and McAslan), acted as croupier. 
After dinner, purveyed by Mr. Smith in first-class 
style, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were pro¬ 
posed and duly honoured, Sergt. McTavisb, a line 
veteran, responding for the “Navy, Army, and 
Volunteers." The toast of "The Dunoon Com¬ 
missioners ’’ was proposed by Mr. John Keir. Com¬ 
missioner Millar, who replied, referred to the large 
number of improvements the commissioners had on 
hand, and predicted a great measure of prosperity 
for the future of Dunoon. “The Nursery and Seed 
Trade” was given by’Mr. Fraser in a few choice 
remarks. Mr. Tait (of Mr. Downie, Edinburgh), 
replied. He did not know any trade wherein a 
better feeling prevailed than that which existed 
between the seed and gardening fraternity. “Dunoon 
and District Gardeners " was given from the chair, 
Mr. Clark saying that while it was a very nice thing 
to meet in a social capacity, he would have been 
better pleased had a flower show also been held in 
the course of the summer. A midsummer show, he 
had no doubt, would turn out a great success, and he 
hoped the gardeners would yet see their way clear to 
adopt his suggestion. Mr. Peter Mathieson and 
Mr. Fraser acknowledged the sentiment, the latter 
pointing out that an unsuccessful attempt was made 
last year to organise a flower show, but it fell 
through owing to lack of exhibits. "The Press" 
was proposed by Mr. Millar, and humorously 
acknowledged by Mr. Simon Martin, formerly secre¬ 
tary of the Horticultural Society. *• The Visitors," 
“ The Ladies," &c., were afterwards pledged, the 
company not forgetting " The Host and Hostess." 
Excellent singing was sustained by Messrs. Dewar, 
Macgregor, Reid, Stirling, Bell, Dagg, Spiers, 
Stewart, DicksoD, Tait, &c. Bagpipe selections 
were also played by Pipe Maj or Taylor. The pro¬ 
ceedings were most enjoyable throughout, and the 
second gathering was in no respect behind the one 
which preceded it. 
-- 
EPACRISES. 
At one time, plants of this character were all the 
rage, but popularity is proverbially an evanescent 
commodity; and the Epacrises, beautiful as they 
are, have been relegated to a back seat for some 
reason or other. If there be any other reason than 
the fickleness of fashion, certainly the fault does not 
lie with the plants. For conservatory decoration 
