April 10, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
501 
Farm and Garden Pests.—The twentieth annual 
report on injurious insects has just been issued by 
Miss E. A. Ormerod. Therein she calls special 
attention to the fact that the mildness of the winter 
of 1895-6 had no apparent effect upon insect depre¬ 
dation, but that the subsequent drought was favour¬ 
able to the propagation of caterpillars preying on 
leaves. Eelworms have been busy, although not 
specially so. A list of remedies and preventives is 
appended. 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms. — Odontoglossum 
wilckeanum seems to maintain its reputation or 
popularity with buyers, whenever a really fine form 
makes its appearance, as it did at the rooms of 
Messrs. Protheroe and Morris, Cheapside, on the 
2nd inst. A richly blotched variety was quickly run 
up to 24 gs., making at least four in relatively quick 
succession which have commanded high prices. The 
grand O. triumphans Lionel Crawshay did not 
change hands at 21 gs. It is a very handsome and 
richly coloured variety. A hybrid Odontoglot was 
secured for gs. The largest O. Pescatorei we 
have ever seen fetched 9 gs. The individual blooms 
were as large as those of a good O. crispnm. They 
were white, beautifully tinted with a lively rose on 
the sepals and petals. 
Deaths through Eating Privet.—Quite recently an 
inquest was held by Coroner Jackson, at Croydon, 
on Janet Challen, aged nine, and Ada Challen, aged 
one year and ten months. The elder had taken the 
younger out, and next morning she was taken ill 
with pain, purging, and sickness, dying two days 
later. Her younger sister died in the same way on 
the following morning. They had been seen eating 
the young shoots of Privet. Dr. William James 
Coles was called to see the children, and found them 
both suffering from enteritis. The post mortem 
showed acute inflammation of the stomach and 
bowels, with slight peritonitis; and ia the case of the 
younger, a piece of leaf surrounded by inflammation. 
Witness believed both children died of acute 
enteritis, probably through eating Privet, and gave 
that verdict. 
Presentation to Mr. Douglas. —The Committees of 
the National Carnation and Picotee Society, and of 
the National Auricula and Primula Society in 
accepting the resignation of Mr. James Douglas, 
their late Hon. Secretary, passed the following 
resolution :—In accepting with much regret, the 
resignation by Mr. James Douglas of his post as hon. 
secretary of the National Carnation and Picotee 
Society and the National Auricula and Primula 
Society, the committee desire to place on record 
their hearty appreciation of the devotion with which 
he has always striven to promote to the utmost, the 
interests and prosperity of the societies, and to 
express to him their grateful thanks for his long, 
faithful and efficient service." Some members of 
both societies wish to present Mr. James Douglas, 
on his retirement, with a slight testimonial—which 
will be an expression of their own feelings of grati¬ 
tude and esteem, and at the same time a pleasing 
reminiscence to him of his long association with the 
societies. The presentation of a clock and a purse 
of money will take place at the “ Hotel Windsor," 
after the luncheon, on the 13th inst., the occasion of 
the annual show of the National Auricula and 
Primula Society. The following gentlemen were 
amongst the first who intimated their intention of 
subscribing :—Martin R. Smith, Esq., ^5 ; Sir John 
T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., M.P., £5 ; H. Selfe Leonard, 
Esq., ^5 ; J. T. Bennett Poe, Esq , £2. 2s. ; Rev. J. 
D. Horner, £2 2s.; Robert Sydenham, Esq , £z\ 
J. J. Keen, Esq., £1 is. ; E. Colby Sharpin, Esq., 
£1 is.; Dr. Masters, £1 is. ; John T. Hedley,. Esq., 
£1 is. , H. J. Pearson, Esq , £1 is. ; Chas. Turner, 
Esq., £1 is.; Robert Gordon, Esq., £1 ; Rev. H. 
Honywood D’Ombrain, 10s. 6d.; William Smith, 
Esq., 10s. 6d. ; E. Charrington, Esq., 10s. 6d.; M. 
V. Charrington, Esq., 10s. 6d. ; Aubrey Spurling, 
Esq., 10s. 6d. ; A. W. Jones, Esq, 10s. 6d.; Ben 
Simonite, Esq., 10s. 6d. ; John Jennings, Esq., 
Jos. 6d. ; E. Hill, Esq , 10s. 6d.; Martin Rowan, 
Esq., 10s. 6d.; Nigel M. Smith, Esq., 10s. 6d.; W. J. 
James, Esq., 10s.; A. J. Sanders, Esq., 5s.; J. 
Gifford, Esq., 5s. Subscriptions to date amount to 
50 guineas. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, T. E. 
Henwood, 16, Hamilton Road, Reading. 
Vegetarians are now agitating for soap made of 
vegetable fat, crockery in which no bone has been 
ground, and gloves made of vegetable fibre. 
Crystal Paiace Fruit Show.—The schedule for this 
show will be issued by the Royal Horticultural 
Society in a week or 10 days time, and will contain 
an authoritative list of dessert and cooking Apples, 
Pears, and Plums, post free for one penny. Dona¬ 
tions towards the prize fund wilt be gratefully 
received by the Society. 
Scottish Horticultural Association.—At the monthly 
meeting held on Tuesday April 6th in Edinburgh, 
the President, Mr. M. Todd in the chair, several 
plants and cut blooms were exhibited—notably some 
seedling greenhouse Rhododendrons by Mr. 
Macmillan, Trinity Cottage, and by Mr. Brown, 
Mayfield, Trinity. Some very fine Neapolitan and 
Parma Violets and Niphetos Roses were shown by 
Mr. Brough, Duntreath Castle. A most interesting 
Lecture was given by Mr. A. Chalmers, Manager 
to Mr. David W. Thomson of Frederick Street 
Edinburgh), on " A Trip through the Bulb Farms of 
Holland." The use of some good lime-light views 
made a very good lecture, even more intellectual and 
entertaining. On the motion of Mr. A. Mackenzie 
(Treasurer) a very hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded the lecturer. A number of new members 
were elected to the association. The paper for next 
month (the first Tuesday in May) will be ; “The 
propagation of the Tuberous Begonia" by Mr 
Burgoyne of Beech Hill. 
Soils and Manures.—This was the title of a lecture 
delivered recently at Goring to the members of the 
"gardening class," by Mr. D. A. Gilchrist, B. Sc., 
Edin., director of the Agricultural Department of the 
Reading University Extension College. The Rev. 
L. J. Wallace presided. The first point considered 
by the lecturer was the effect of the climate on the 
soil, for it largely depended upon the amount of rain¬ 
fall and sunshine what the soil was capable of pro¬ 
ducing. As an instance of this they obtained spring 
flowers much earlier in Cornwall and Devon than 
they could ia that district. The reason was that, 
owing to the action of the Gulf stream the west and 
south-west of England was much milder than, and 
the rainfall was about double that of, the east, and 
there were many more hours of sunshine in the east 
than in the west. By means of a geological map 
embracing a wide area around Streatley, the 
lecturer pointed out the kind of soils in their locality. 
Dealing with chalky soils he stated that water 
always drained away from chalk, and that many 
parts of Oxfordshire would have made better 
residential districts if water could be obtained more 
easily. In the comparatively small area of the 
garden it was possible to convert a thin chalky soil 
into a strong useful medium, but this could not be 
done on the farm. With clay soils the great diffi¬ 
culty was to keep them in good physical condition. 
They must take care never to work a clay soil when 
it was wet. Soils were sometimes spoken of as 
spend-thrifts and misers. Sandy soils were the 
spendthrifts, because while perfectly willing to give 
up the plant food contained to the plants, they were 
also liable to have these ingredients washed out of 
them by the rains. Clays were the misers, because 
although they contained plenty of plaot food, they 
were unwilling to part with it. In speaking of the 
application of manures Mr. Gilchrist pointed out the 
best kinds for different soils. Stable manure was 
good and useful, unless allowed to get hot when much 
of the nitrogen would be lost. It was a popular but 
mistaken idea that manure should be well-rotted 
before it was applied. It should be kept as near the 
surface as possible, so that it could mix with the 
upper six inches of the soil. 
ORCHIDS AT CHARDWAR. 
The Orchid houses at Chardwar are now very gay ; 
one plant of Dendrobium aggregatum having no 
less than 57 spikes, is a lovely sight. Several grand 
plants of Dendrobium superbum giganteum have 
really gigantic blooms, and a fine spike of the rare 
and distinct D. atro-violaceum (a lovely variety) is 
very conspicuous. The rarely seen D. Lowii, also a 
lovely form of D. Adrasta, and a good D. Rubens, 
are also fine. There are still some grand spikes of 
Phalaenopsis amabilis, P. gloriosa, P. stewartiana, 
and P. leucorhoda, and the plants are in rude health 
and vigour. They are a source of great pleasure to 
the owner. 
The cool houses are now very bright and attrac¬ 
tive. Among many good things in bloom, I noted a 
magnificent variety of Odontoglossum ruckerianum, 
several good O. andersonianum, many fine O. 
crispum, several good forms of O. luteo-purpureum, 
and O. Hallii. O. Edwardii was also very distinct, 
and carrying very strong spikes. Many fine forms of 
O. Pescatorei were noted, and some grand forms of 
O. Rossii. I also observed a good form of Maxillaria 
sanderiana.and some good Odontoglossum cirrhosum. 
The Cattleyas in bloom included several good 
varieties of C. Trianaei, C. Mendelii, some rather 
distinct forms of C. Schroderae, and a marvellous 
variety of C. dolosa. The latter variety seems quite 
at home, and grows and flowers very freely. 
There is also a great variety of Cypripediums, and 
one very dark form of Miltonia Rcezlii. The plants 
ofChysis bractescens are in grand form, and several 
plants in bloom suspended in one of the houses are 
quite a feature. I never remember seeing so fine 
a lot ; and when grown and flowered as they are at 
Chardwar, they would be admired by most Orchid 
growers. I have only noted a few of the good things 
in bloom in the collection, but may add that the 
plants generally are making good progress, and the 
collection promises to be the finest in this part of the 
kingdom.— J. C. 
—.— 
FORCED STRAWBERRIES. 
I am sending you a few fruits of Royal Sovereign 
and Vicomtesse H. Da Thury. Both varieties were 
started on the same date, namely, November 30th, 
when I closed our earliest Peach house. I gathered 
the first dish on the 27th uit., so you will see they 
have not been hard forced. The two varieties 
ripened together as near as possible. You will con¬ 
clude by the largest fruit (Royal Sovereign) that it 
is a good forcer, and a long way ahead of the 
Vicomtesse as to size, and according to my taste, 
equally as good in flavour (please give your opinion 
as to this). I potted up 250 of Royal Sovereign and 
am more than satisfied as to its behaviour. It is a 
strong grower, sets its fruit exceedingly well, and 
swells up to a good size, for this date. I shall 
certainly discard the other kind, and depend 
principally upon the one I am writing in praise of 
for my supply in pots. It throws up its flower 
stalks to a good height, an advantage in early work. 
Both kinds are in 5f-in. pots. Royal Sovereign 
carries six, and Vicomtesse nine fruits respectively. 
—/. Mayne, Bicton. 
[The fruits were all that our correspondent claimed 
for them. Vicomtesse Hericarte de Thury is a very 
good Strawberry fjr general purposes ; but if large 
fruits are desired it is nowhere. Its mild, sweet 
flavour loses much by being forced, becoming com¬ 
paratively tasteless. Its fruits are small and conical. 
Royal Sovereign, on the contrary, gains largely in 
appearance by the fine size of its fruits, which are 
often broad and flattened at the apex, like a cocks¬ 
comb. The rich, aromatic flavour of the fruit is 
acidulated, and this is largely retained, even after 
forcing, giving the taster the true smack of fruit 
grown in the proper season under natural conditions. 
We can, from observation, corroborate Mr. Mayne’s 
statement as to the superiority of Royal Sovereign 
for forcing purposes.— Ed j 
STANDARD CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
The grafting of standard Chrysanthemums is a 
hobby that I have indulged in for a number of years 
with very gratifying results. These grafted speci¬ 
mens never fail to attract the public at our autumn 
exhibition. It is such a relief from the stereotyped 
specimens we are all so well accustomed to that I 
have taken the liberty of sending you a rhoto of one 
my productions, which was awarded a Certificate of 
Merit at one of the Dundee Chrysanthemum exhibi¬ 
tions. 
For grafting plants of this kind I preserve a few of 
my last year's plants with long, straight stems 3 ft. or 
4 ft. above the pot. Some time in March, or during 
the spring months, I place them in a newly-started 
Vinery until they commence to grow, and the bark 
will rise freely. I make a T-shaped cut in the bark 
of the stem in the same way as I would for budding 
a Rose, selecting for grafts cleaD, healthy tops about 
