February 27, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
411 
be inclement, and the plants do not like to be cooped 
up in their confined quarters for too long, especially 
when those quarters consist of sixty pots. 
There are several ideas as to the best receptacles 
to use. We have always found large sixty pots the 
handiest and best, placing these in a gentle heat to 
assist germination. Another plan is to construct 
rough troughs of boards, fill them with soil, and sow 
in these. Still better is the “sowing on turf’ 1 system. 
A number of strips of turf about 5 in. in width are 
laid closely together with the grassy side downwards 
in a frame. The seed is sown on these in January, 
and covered with soil. In planting out, all that is 
necessary to do is to cut a trench, lay the strips of 
turf end to end, fill in the sides with soil, and the 
row is complete without the plants being disturbed 
at all. Sowing in boxes and dibbling the plants out 
is an old-fashioned dodge that we do not at all 
recommend. To commence with, it takes more time 
than either the turves or pots, and the dibbling is a 
sad check to the little plants. 
The soil should consist of good loam chopped up 
finely with a spade, and the rougher parts of it will 
come in handy for drainage in the bottoms of the 
pots. A capital place for the seed pots is a shelf in 
a vinery started with the new year. No water will 
be needed, except in very exceptional cases, the 
moisture in the soil being usually sufficient until the 
seedlings are through the soil. Too much water 
would be sure to cause the seed to rot. 
It is very important that the young plants should 
not be left too long in heat, or they will become 
drawn and spoiled, since such plants never develop 
into really strong fruiting specimens. As soon, 
therefore, as they are well through the soil they 
must be taken out of the heat and removed to a 
frame. Here they must be kept close for a few days, 
when the transition will not check them to any 
extent. From this time onward until they are finally 
consigned to their permanent quarters, they must be 
ventilated freely, gradually hardening them off until 
they are fit for planting out, which will be by the 
middle of March. 
A south border under a wall is the best position, 
for here the plants will get the greatest amount of 
sunlight and a good deal of shelter. 
In the case of dwarf varieties such as American 
Wonder and Chelsea Gem, both of which answer 
well to the ''hastening' 1 system, the rows may be from 
15 in. to f8 in. apart. Taller growing varieties such 
as William I., Ringleader, or Sangster's No. 1 will 
naturally require more space. These latter should 
be staked as soon as they are planted, for not only 
do the stakes themselves give some shelter, but they 
render it easier to give further protection should 
occasion require it. An easy and effective way of 
giving this is to lay boughs of Laurels or other ever¬ 
greens along the rows. 
Dwarf varieties should be enclosed by a light 
framework of spars, over which mats may be thrown, 
in the event of severe frost supervening. March 
very rarely passes away without a spell of more or 
less severe weather. Even if we do not get very 
sharp frost or snow, the biting winds are even more 
troublesome, as beneath their blighting infiuence 
the plants stand absolutely still for weeks together as 
if numbed; indeed, if cold winds hold for very long, 
the crop is sure to be late. 
--I-- 
THE GOLD LACED POLYANTHUS. 
It will be very gratifying to all lovers of this grand 
old race of Florists' flowers to observe the adver¬ 
tisement in last week’s Gardening World of a 
Middleton florist, who offers for sale, at a very 
moderate price, six varieties of the "show” gold- 
laced Polyanthus, viz., " G. Thornby,” " Mrs. 
Brownhill,’ 1 “Middleton Favourite,” "Exile,” 
"Cheshire Favourite,” and “ Sydney Smith.” The 
three former are evidently new varieties, as I have 
never heard of them before, but the latter three are 
old ones. I am sorry these two champion varieties, 
viz. (Bullocks’) “ Lancer ” and " George the Fourth ” 
are not included in the list, These two varieties 
were formerly very extensively cultivated in the 
district of Middleton, by the late Mr. Samuel Barlow 
and Mr. Beswick ; and as they are great acquisitions 
to every collection, it would be interesting to know 
whether they are still in cultivation, and, if so, 
where they are obtainable, and at what price ? 
This is a very good time to obtain plants, either 
for pot culture or for growing in the open border. 
If for the latter they should be planted in some good 
rich soil, where the sun will not shine upon them 
after 12 o'clock noon. This is the most important 
feature in the growth of the “ show ” Polyanthus ; 
and with ordinary attention in other respects, keep¬ 
ing the plants regularly and well watered during hot 
and dry weather, they will thrive and bloom as 
freely as the common border varieties. — James 
Thun tan, The Green, Cannock, February 7.2nd, 1897. 
-— 
SHEFFIELD CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SOCIETY. 
The annual dinner of this society took place on 
Tuesday, February 2nd, at the Masonic Hall, Surrey 
Street, Sheffield, about one hundred members and 
friends sitting at the board to partake of a sub¬ 
stantial and varied spread, that reflected great credit 
on the caterer. Captain Jeffcock, the genial presi¬ 
dent, occupied the chair, and was supported on the 
left by Mr. Atkinson (of Messrs. Fisher, Son, & 
Sibray),and Mr. Seagrave, nurseryman, whilst on the 
right were to be seen Messrs. Jarvis, Vickers, the 
secretary, &c. 
The chairman remarked, in proposing the toast of 
the evening, that in all probability the Queen would 
honour the town with a visit during the current 
year, when he hoped the neighbouring nurserymen 
would be favoured with a share of the necessary 
decorations, contiguous to the route, at the various 
railway stations, &c. He also announced the 
receipt of apologies from various gentlemen who had 
been invited to attend, but had been prevented 
through the prevalence of the inclement weather and 
other causes, notably the Deputy Mayor, and the 
representatives of the kindred societies, York and 
Barnsley. Mr. Jarvis, in the course of an able 
speech, eulogised the virtues of the president and 
vice-presidents, whilst Mr. Vickers dilated on the 
fascinations of floriculture, wittily introducing a 
remark anent the railway guard or porter, who 
visibly measures a few inches more round the chest 
when favoured with but a buttonhole from a horti¬ 
cultural friend, concluding with an expressive hope 
that the Sheffield Chrysanthemum Society would, 
during the coming year, beat its already healthy 
financial record—admittedly already one of the most 
prosperous in the country. 
Mr. Gartery, from Rotherham, in response to 
“ Visitors and KindredSocieties,’’remarked that to his 
knowledge the courtesy of the Sheffield executive 
was very much appreciated by representatives of 
other similar societies ; whilst Mr. W. Camsell, ever 
humorous, kept the large audience in considerable 
merriment by his witticisms concerning the innate 
accomplishments of the president, vice-presidents, 
and secretary. 
Mr. Atkinson, in his reply to the toast of “ Non¬ 
competing Members and Nurserymen,” very aptly 
alluded to the growing negligence of other autumn 
flowers, such as Tree Carnations and Cyclamens, as 
regards their cultivation for exhibition purposes, and 
thought that though the "Autumn Queen” of 
flowers.the Chrysanthemum, would perforce come to 
the front, still other charming flowers should not be 
so glaringly omitted from the schedule of prizes, and 
so discourage the cultivation of other seasonable 
floral gems. No other industry, he resumed, had 
attained such a progressive movement during the 
sixty years of Her Majesty’s reign as horticulture, 
and this led him to allude to the appeal now being 
made by the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institu¬ 
tion's executive for funds to augment the existing 
balance, so as to inaugurate something befitting the 
Diamond Jubilee of the Queen. 
The secretary also stated that he had received a 
letter from the treasurer in London, and commended 
the appeal for help to their consideration. The 
meeting was represented by the following members 
from the Rotherham Chrysanthemum Society, viz :— 
Messrs. Gartery, Stocks, Wainwright, Bradford, 
Taylor, Rhodes, and Upstone. The various toasts 
were interspersed with harmony of a good order, 
much enhanced by the singing of Mr. Crossland, 
jun. (nurseryman), who possesses a most exceptional 
natural alto voice that, with the necessary training, 
would in the humble opinion of the writer, warrant 
for him a greater income than can ever be attained 
in these days of keen competition in the nursery 
trade, for his command of the top A natural would 
defy all competitors . — Albert Upstone, Seedsman, 
Rotherham, 
MESSRS. W. BALCHIN & SONS’ 
FLORAL ESTABLISHMENT 
AT BRIGHTON. 
One of the principal attractions in the busy thorough¬ 
fare of the Western Road, Brighton, is the 
conservatories of Messrs. W. Balchin and Sons. 
These buildings are large and commodious, well suited 
for making a floral display, and bea utifully fitted up 
with all the necessary appointments of modern 
enterprise for carrying on a large business. At a 
recent visit, a grand and imposing sight was pre¬ 
sented to me. Noble Palms standing upon pedestals 
display their natural gracefulness, as well as other 
plants suitable for decorative work. This part of 
the business is very extensive, and is managed by 
Mr. W. Balchin, junior, who leaves nothing undone 
to please the numerous visitors, and to carry out the 
extensive floral decorations ; for many of the leading 
contracts fall into their hand, and are executed in a 
thoroughly practical and satisfactory manner. The 
great increase in this part of their business must be 
most gratifying to them. 
Amongst the various and pleasing arrangements 
in these conservatories mentioned, are large quanti¬ 
ties of well grown and profusely flowered plants of 
Azalea mollis in its varied bright forms, and Azalea 
indica, of which Deutsche Perle, (double white) and 
Madame Van der Cruzen (double pink) seem to be 
the favourite, and deservedly so, for plants in 5 in., 
pots are flowered to perfection. Cyclamens are also 
grandly done, and a very fine strain too. Butterfly 
Vulcan, and the giganteum varieties are well repre¬ 
sented. Double and single Primulas, tree Carnations, 
Malmaisons and Marguerites, are flowering freely; 
also Lilacs in variety, Callas, Lilium Harrisii, 
Acacias,Freesias,Narcissus, Tulips,Roman, and other 
Hyacinths. Lily of the Valley, Anemones, Violets, 
and double scarlet Pelargoniums, all help to make a 
grand display, as they are beautifully arranged, and 
intermixed with various light and graceful foliage 
plants. 
Amongst the cut flowers a few good and useful 
Orchids were conspicuous, including Cattleyas, 
Laelias, Dendrobiums, Coelogynes, Odontoglossums, 
and Oncidiums in variety; also large sprays of Acacia. 
Most of the former, here grown in pots, are represented 
in vases as cut flowers. Several young ladies are en¬ 
gaged here in making up various floral designs, for 
which there is a very great demand ; and the nimble 
way in which they prepare the flowers and make up 
the various button-holes, sprays, bouquets, wreaths, 
&c., shows they are no novices at the work. 
In addition to this enterprising part of their 
business they have a branch at Hove, where a lucra¬ 
tive seed business is conducted by another son, and 
close by they have a large number of glass houses, 
where various plants, both flowering and foliage, are 
grown to suit the increasing demand for floral and 
decorative work. I noticed that the public buildings, 
hotels, and restaurants, seem to take an interest in 
decorations of this kind, and rightly too ; for what 
Can give a more pleasing charm to such places than 
nature's adornments of plants and flowers. 
In addition to these places mentioned, their 
principal Nurseries are at Hassocks, a few miles out 
of Brighton, on the South Coast Line. No doubt 
many of our gardening friends visit Brighton. Should 
they feel inclined, let them pay a visit to Hassocks ; 
and whether they meet Mr. Balchin, senior, or Mr. 
Richardson, the general manager, they will, I know, 
be made perfectly welcome. In the former they will 
find a gentleman well versed in all matters relating 
to our profession, ever willing to learn, unassuming 
in manner, and most pleasant to converse with. In 
Mr. Richardson they will find a straightforward, 
enthusiastic, practical man. His work proclaims 
this for him, for many things are well done at 
Hassocks, that you cannot see every day. These 
nurseries are very extensive, for many acres of fruit 
trees, hardy trees and shrubs, Coniferae, &c., are 
grown in great quantities. Roses are extensively 
done also. 
It is here where so many of the plants and flowers 
are grown for the requirements of their trade. Houses 
well-built for the purposes, and large ones too, are 
full to overflowering with foliage plants of all sorts 
and sizes, as well as flowering plants, as formerly 
mentioned. A nice useful lot of Orchids in good con¬ 
dition—those kinds suitable for cutting purposes — 
receive the necessary attention with good results. It 
is here, under Mr. Richardson, that a few good old 
