516 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
April 17, 1897. 
home grown fruits. They are so different 
in character from Apples, that the demand 
for either may continue to increase annually. 
--*■- 
Garden Superintendent, Crystal Palace —The late 
Mr. William Head is succeeded by Mr. George 
Caselton, who has discharged the duties of the office 
for the last two months. 
A severe hailstorm with terrific thunder and 
lightning passed over Dropmore, Maidenhead and 
surrounding districts on the 7th inst., the hail doing 
much damage to fruit trees in bloom. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—The annual 
report and financial statement, as well as the 
schedule of prizes of this society are now to hand. 
We shall give fuller particulars at an early date. 
The Isle of Rhodes, situated off the coast of Asia 
Minor is named after the Rose, we suppose on account 
of the number and beauty of the Roses growing there. 
At all events old writers tell us that when Jupiter 
Pluvius poured down a shower upon the island, the 
drops turned into Roses. 
Worcesterand District Branch of the Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution. — The noble president has 
given permission for this society to make a fete day in 
the grounds of Madresfield Court, on April 22nd. 
The beautiful gardens should be in a blaze of spring 
colour at this time, and together with the well 
known maze and rockery will be the means of 
attracting many shillings to the coffers of this 
deserving institution. 
Archerfield Gardens, Drem.—On page 505 of your 
last issue, when speaking of Archerfield Gardens, 
Drem, you are made to say that :—He has well 
maintained the high reputation which Archerfield 
enjoyed in the days of the late Mr. Lees and Mr. D. 
Thomson. Mr. Lees never was gardener at Arcber- 
field. Mr. Morrison succeeded the late Mr. Kettles. 
I’m afraid your correspondent never was at Archer¬ 
field, else he would see a great difference since then. 
—J. McKelvie. 
Ealing Gardeners' Society.—The annual dinner of 
this progressive society was held at the Drayton 
Court Hotel, Ealing, on the 7th inst., Chas. Jones, 
Esq., M.I.C.E., presiding. There was a large 
attendance of members and friends, some really 
interesting speeches, interspered with good music_ 
and a wholesome tone generally, which augurs well 
for the future success of this society. Amidst the 
satisfaction and enthusiam which the hon. secretary’s 
(Mr. W. Roberts) report created, there was, how¬ 
ever, one regret ; and that was concerning the chair¬ 
man of committee, S. A. Sewell, Esq., F.R.H.S., 
who, in consequence of removal to another neigh¬ 
bourhood, will be unable to act in his old capacity. 
Mr. Sewell was a regular attendant at the meetings, 
and, as he always brought urbanity and geniality to 
tbe chair, his absence is sure to be felt, Apart from 
this retirement the meeting was a great success. 
Thus ends the ninth session of the Ealing Gardeners’ 
Mutual Improvement Society. 
Chiswick Gardener’s Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion —This association has resolved to organise a 
Chrysanthemum show to be held at Chiswick in the 
autumn provided that sufficient local support can be 
obtained to warrant the carrying out of this resolu¬ 
tion. There has been no local society for some 
years past, and although the summer show was 
sometimes a failure financially, owiDg to bad 
weather, when such a society did exist, yet their 
autumn show was usually a great success. The Royal 
Horticultural Society has never attempted a Chry¬ 
santhemum show at Chiswick, so that any effort by 
the gardener's association would not compete in any 
way with that body. The object of the gardeners is 
to apply any surplus of cash, after paying expenses, 
for the benefit of one or other of the gardening 
charities as may be determined after the holding of 
the show. In such a popular suburb as Chiswick 
there should be no difficulty in getting sufficient 
local support to carry out this unambitious and 
laudable scheme. With a little prize money to 
excite competition, there would be no difficulty in 
getting the local and other gardeners to support the 
show by bringing forward exhibits. Some of them 
have already expressed their willingness to give their 
assistance in every way possible. 
A Wood Pigeon has built her nest in a Poplar tree 
overhanging the pavement of the footpath by the 
side of a leading thoroughfare at Onslow Crescent, 
South Kensington, where 'buses and various other 
vehicles as well as foot passengers are constantly 
moving to and fro. 
The Forest Gate Chrysanthemum Society held 
concert at the Town Hall, West Ham, on the 30th 
ult., in aid of the West Ham Hospital. The first 
part of the programme was taken up by the juvenile 
operetta, “ King Arthur,” capably performed by the 
boys of Farrance Street Board School, Limehouse, 
their singing and acting giving great satisfaction. 
About £20 will be handed over to the West Ham 
Hospital as a result of the concert. 
Dundee Chrysanthemum Society.—We learn that 
the balance sheet for 1896 shows a favourable 
balance amounting to £20 16s. 3d. The arrange¬ 
ments this year are for a grand Chrysanthemum 
Carnival to take place on November 25th, 26th, and 
27th, at which Mr. Norman Davis has agreed to act 
as judge for the cut blooms and plants. The special 
prizes already announced consist of four challenge 
cups, two gold and three silver medals, six money 
prizes, and three works of art. Mr. W. P. Laird, of 
73, Nethergate, again acts as hon. secretary. 
Vegetables and Flowers for Competition.—Under 
the auspices of the members of the Broughty Ferry 
Horticultural Society a lecture was delivered in the 
Courtroom on Wednesday evening by Mr. J. Machar, 
Corona, Broughty Ferry. There was a good 
attendance, and Dean of Guild, George A. Scott 
occupied the chair. Mr. Machar who took as bis 
subject " Vegetables and Flowers as Staged for Com¬ 
petition,” delivered an address full of valuable hints 
and information, which was listened to with close 
attention. 
The Acanthus and Greek Architecture. —The 
original idea of the capital of the Corinthian order of 
architecture was derived from an architect 
observing the leaves of Acanthus mollis under 
peculiar circumstances. Vitruvius states that 
a basket containing some relics covered with 
a tile was placed by friends over a young girl's 
grave. An Acanthus plant grew up beneath the 
basket, and the latter so far obstructed the progress 
of the leaves that they spread out all round it and 
recurved gracefully. Callimachus observed the 
plant under these circumstances, and was struck by 
the beauty of the untrained decoration. Having 
some columns to design for a building in Corinth, 
he imitated the basket and the Acanthus leaves, the 
latter adorning the capitals. The Greeks quickly 
availed themselves of the idea When building other 
houses, and even applied similar ornaments to their 
clothes. 
Shirley Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Association. 
—The first meeting of the fourth year of the above 
Society, was held at the Parish Room, Shirley, 
Southampton, on Wednesday, the 7th inst., the 
President, Mr. W. F. G. Spranger, in the chair, 
there being a fair attendance of the members. The 
society had been most fortunate in securing the 
services of the Rev. G. H. EDgleheart, M.A., Apple- 
shaw, Andover, to give a lecture on the *' Narcissi,” 
and his address was listened to with the greatest 
attention, and secured many marks of applause. 
Taking the flower he showed how the classes were 
divided, the time and soil for planting, and touched 
slightly on the diseases. Then he spoke of the 
pleasure derived from growing them from seed, and 
showed how by cross-fertilisation and seed se’ection 
the classes had been made to merge one into the 
other, resulting in some splendid hybrids, some of 
which he exhibited at the meeting, and four of these 
were awarded an extra special certificate. A brief 
discussion ensued, and the Rev. lecturer replied to 
several questions, in one case showing how to 
fertilise the flowers. A very hearty vote of thaLks 
was accorded to the Rev. lecturer, who also brought 
a grand collection of his seedlings. There was also 
a splendid collection of 35 varieties of blooms from 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Long Ditton, Surrey, 30 
odd varieties from Mr. B. Ladham's Nurseries, and 
hardy flowering shrubs and American plants from 
Mr. W. H. Rogers, Red Lodge, making altogether a 
very interesting exhibition, for which the exhibitors 
were accorded a hearty vote of thanks, as was a'so 
the president for his kindness in presiding. 
Phlox Paul Kruger.—This name has been given to 
a heavily variegated form of P. paniculata or rather 
a garden hybrid of which that species was one of the 
parents. The flowers are of a rich carmine, but the 
foliage is evidently considered the most valuable 
portion of it. The leaves have broad, pale yellow, 
and creamy-yellow margins, and sometimes the 
green portion a’ong the centre is reduced to very 
small limits. A full page and colourel illustration 
of it is given in Tijisclirift voor Tuinbouw, Plate 4, 
1897. 
Horticultural Exhibition at Hamburg.—The spring 
exhibition (1st to 9th May) will be of capital import¬ 
ance, both on account of the number of classes- 
scheduled.the value of the prizes offered, and in the as¬ 
sured parficipation of the principal German and foreign 
firms. The awards will consist of large gold medals 
together with 500 marks in money, small gold medals 
with 300 marks, and large silver medals together 
with rso, 100, 73, or 50 marks, or of medals alone 
according to the value of the exhibits. Inde¬ 
pendently of these prizes there will be at the dis¬ 
position of the jury prizes of honour consisting of 
r,ooo marks (/50) for the best exhibit of a group of 
plants, whether flowering or foliage; 200 marks for 
the best lot of Orchids at the spring exhibition 
1,000 marks for the best lot of Azaleas at the same 
show ; 600 marks for the best lot of Orchids shown 
by amateurs; and 1,000 marks for the best exhibit 
of Palms of recent introduction. 
The Poet’s Narcissus at Kew.—A very charming 
effect produced by Narcissus poeticus ornatus may 
just now be seen in the wilderness in tne Royal 
Gardens, Kew. Broad patches of this handsome 
and early flowering variety may be seen skirting a 
wide grass walk or vista, amongst the tall Beech and 
other trees in this part of the pleasure grounds. 
Visitors passing along the Syon vista, towards the 
Bamboo garden. Rhododendron dell and the Thames 
banks, cannot fail to see these broad masses of the 
Poet’s Narcissus, for the snowy purity of tbe flowers 
attracts the eye from a great distance. Additional 
plantations of these, and other species of Narcissi, 
as well as bulbs of various kinds, are annually made 
in the gardens, and though the general public has 
free access to them in the ma jority of cases, it is 
with pleasure that we note the general good 
behaviour of the visitors. Only the mcst thought¬ 
less would molest such flowers, knowing well that 
they have been planted. 
Bulletin of the French Horticultural Society if 
London. — The society itself was established in 
London on January 1st, 1889, and is something of the 
nature of a mutual improvement society as under¬ 
stood in this country, but it goes much further in 
assisting its members to get into situations where 
they can learn gardening in this country while 
carrying on their studies. Monthly meetings are 
held at 19, Old Compton Street, W.C., and the pro¬ 
ceedings that take place, together with the papers 
read at the meetings are recorded in the annual 
Bulletin, now before us, and in which we note that 
the society continues to grow in importance and 
popularity on both sides of the Channel. The 
membership now consists of 315, made up of three 
founders, one president of honour, 20 honorary per¬ 
petual members, 132 honorary, 48 titulary,, and 51 
corresponding members. The balance sheet shows 
that the total receipts of the society for last year 
were £^g is. 56., and the expenses £20 16s. ojd., 
leaving a balance of ^38 5s. 4.Jd., which has been 
placed in the bank in London. A small sum also 
stands to the credit of the society in the bank at 
Paris. A commemorative banquet (the eighth) was 
held on January 9th last, under the presidency of Mr. 
George Nicholson, curator of the Royal Gardens, 
Kew. Forty-seven members and invited friends sat 
down to dinner, being twice the number on a similar 
occasion the previous year. The library of the 
society increases in size every year by the number of. 
books presented by various donors. Amongst the 
essays and papers printed in the Bulletin are Veitch’s 
Hybrid Cypripediums (John Jaques), species of 
Asparagus (E. Tack), Chrysanthemums in the 
establishment of Thomas Rochford (Leon Lemoine), 
Davalias (Jean Heinzl) the Hoiticultural establish¬ 
ments of Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, London (Leon 
Pynaert and Louis Genti) and various others. The 
Bulletin runs to 140 pages and contains several illus¬ 
trations. 
