666 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 19,1897. 
the plants carrying large flowers on scapes 15 in. to 
- 18 in. high. The beautiful summer-flowering Onci 
dium wentworthianum was rapidly developing six 
long panicles of bloom. A good form of the showy O. 
gardnerianum was also in the collection. Here also 
were the pretty Epidendrum Wallisii, Masdevallia 
harryana, M. ignea and M. bella. Other divisions 
contained many subjects grown by themselves or 
located in company with other subjects which they 
have been ousting for some years past. Oncidium 
decorum carries long panicles of bloom. Laelia 
tenebrosa has almost outsed the original L. grandis 
from collections, but both are grown here. Mr. 
Thorne is unusually successful in cultivating the 
difficult Dendrobium atroviolaceum, which he has 
several times brought before the public. In another 
house close by is a grand piece of Cyrtopodium 
punctatum in a No. 1 size-pot. Suspended from the 
roof of the Caladium house, are fine pieces of the 
difficult Epidendrum (Diacrium) bicornutum in 
baskets. These were recently brought before the 
public in grand condition. Broughtonia sanguinea 
also from the West Indies was flowering well, carry¬ 
ing from 5 to 13 spikes of bloom on a piece. 
Other Plant Houses. 
The centre of one stove is filled with Gardenias, 
planted out, and though they are less than Two years 
old, they are of great size, affording a long-continued 
succession of bloom. When at their best they afford 
about six to seven dozen blooms of a morning. 
Ixoras are represented by such grand types as I. 
macrothyrsa (Duffii), I. Williamsii, I. Westii, &c. 
Seedlings of Anthurium scherzerianum are flowering 
in considerable quantity and are of great decorative 
value. In another house we noted Carex brunnea 
variegata, Asparagus, Pandanus Veitchi and Saint- 
paulia ionantha, that pretty Gesnerad, in batches. 
A fine collection of Caladiums, including the best 
and finest of last year's and other recent intro¬ 
ductions, occupies a low span-roofed house. This 
will be recognised by the mention of such names as 
Lord Derby, Duke of York, Duchess of York, Her 
Majesty, Reine de Danemark, Princess Royal, 
Leonard Bause, and the useful old C. argyrites. The 
plants are yet small but beautifully coloured. 
Another bench was filled with Crotons in great 
variety and of a useful decorative size. The creamy 
and red-edged Ananassa sativa variegata was beauti¬ 
fully and highly coloured. 
A large part of the Strawberry staging is now 
occupied with Gloxinias, Streptocarpus and Celosia 
cristata in bloom. Numerous heated pits are 
occupied with 300 to 400 Amaryllis, Acalyphas and 
Cyclamens. The latter were sown in October last, 
and have been put into 48 and 32-sized pots, for 
autumn flowering. A cool lean-to house contains 
Amaryllis, Cannas, Hydrangea Dr. Hogg, Malmai- 
son, and other Carnations. Very beautiful are Mrs. 
Joicey, large bright scarlet, and M. Robinson Suisse, 
pink. Old Clove and Uriah Pike in pots are also 
favourites. 
Fruit Houses. 
Fruit is well represented as well as Orchids and 
other flowers. Cutting was commenced in the early 
vinery on May 26th. The Vines are Black 
Hamburgh, about eleven years old, and the house 
was closed for forcing on December 1st. Though 
fruited every year, many of the bunches are of hand¬ 
some size. We next passed through a house of 
Royal George Peaches and Elruge Nectarines ; after 
which we noted that the early Peach house con¬ 
tained Early Dagmar, about ripe, and Early Alfred, 
bearing an enormous crop. The Grapes of Mrs. 
Pince, Black Hamburgh, and Muscat of Alexandria 
were about half grown in another house. A vinery 
with a curvilinear front contains Lady Downes, and 
Gros Colman for late work. The Vines were only 
planted last year. A span-roofed vinery contains 
Muscats and Lady Downes, the berries of which 
were recently thinned. Here is a fine batch of 
Celosia pyramidalis in bloom. A Peach house in 
which the fruits will be ripe next month contains 
Grosse Mignonne, Royal George and Early Rivers 
Peaches, and Humblot, Elruge and Early Hative 
Nectarines. A curiosity in its way yet useful is a 
large old Vine of Black Hamburgh, which covers the 
whole of the roof of a low span-roofed vinery, 
recently rebuilt The Strawberries forced here are 
La Grosse Sucre, Royal Sovereign, Sir Joseph 
Paxton and President, named in the order of ripen¬ 
ing. Mr. Thorne intends to grow 1,000 plants of 
Royal Sovereign for forcing next year, A fine lot of 
Sir Joseph Paxton was ripening in another house. 
Melons are grown in batches in numerous frames. 
A Peach case 104 ft. long has recently been built and 
though the trees are trained to galvanised wires no 
injury results after the first year. 
The kitchen garden contains an abundance of 
bush fruit. Gooseberries on north aspect walls will 
give a late supply. Plums and Cherries dropped 
their fruits owing to frost. Apricots on walls as well 
as Morello and May Duke Cherries are bearing 
abundantly. Pears are good ; but the Apple crop is 
doubtful owing to the severe late frosts. Spring 
Cabbages were abundant and good, cutting having 
begun early. The borders were gay with bearded 
Irises, Spanish Irises, in a most vigorous condition, 
and Aquilegias. In the frame ground 500 to 600 
Chrysanthemums, cut down to make them dwarf for 
conservatory work, are making satisfactory progress. 
Altogether this is a many-sided garden, but every¬ 
thing is kept clean and in good order, reflecting great 
credit upon Mr. Thorne. 
- I *- 
THE GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVO¬ 
LENT INSTITUTION. 
The interesting statistics as showing the progress 
made by this deserving charity since 1851, when 
Her Majesty the Queen became the patroness, and 
the late Prince Consort the patron of the institution, 
given by Mr. Harry J. Veitch, the treasurer, in his 
cheery speech at the Anniversary Festival on the 
26th ult., illustrated in a remarkable manner not 
only how horticulture, but some of the various 
organisations it has incidentally called into existence 
have progressed during the past forty-six years. In 
1851, the Anniversary Festival took place at the 
London Coffee House, Joseph Paxton, Esq. presi¬ 
ding ; and among those present were such literary 
luminaries of the time as Charles Dickens, Douglas 
Jerrold, and Mark Lemon. The subscription list at 
the dinner amounted to nearly £ 300 . This fact 
afforded Mr. Veitch material upon which to found 
an address dealing with certain statistics which were 
eloquent as demonstrating the progress made during 
the past half century, although it does appear to 
those who look closely into such matters that the 
gardening profession as a body do not support the 
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution to an extent 
which is desired. 
The necessarily brief report of the Festival given 
in our issue of the 5th inst., owing to the exigencies 
of space caused by the great demand made by the 
report of the Temple Show, scarcely sufficed to 
bring out in their fullest significance the figures given 
by Mr. Veitch. From them we learned that in 1851 
when the charity had been in existence thirteen 
years, there were thirty-five pensioners; in 1897 
there are 161. In the former year there were 
fifteen candidates for two vacancies ; and the com¬ 
parative paucity of subscribers at that period is 
shown from the fact that the candidate highest on 
the poll secured only 480 votes. In 1897 there were 
forty-nine candidates to fill twenty vacancies and the 
successful one highest on the poll secured 3,759 
votes—about eight times as many as in 1851, 
The comparison in the amount paid for pensions 
is also suggestive; as, in 1851, the sum of £512 was 
so expended ; in 1897, about /3,00a, exclusive of 
gratuities granted by the committee under special 
circumstances In 1851, there was an income of 
£748 from annual subscriptions and donations ; in 
1897, it is very nearly five times as much, viz., 
Z3.835. In 1851, the invested funds amounted to 
£2,250 ; in 1897, the sum is £26,700, and being, as 
Mr. Veitch observed, well invested, is actually 
worth nearly /3o,ooo. Since the formation of the 
Institution there has been distributed in pensions 
and gratuities the sum of £71,000, employed be it 
remembered in cheering the closing days of many an 
old, deserving, worn-out gardener and his wife or 
widow, who might otherwise have been dependent 
upon parochial relief. In 1885 the pensions given to 
men were raised from £16 to £20 per annum, and in 
the case of women from £12 to /16. What such an 
increase means is best known to those who have had 
to struggle under the disadvantages of a limited in¬ 
come, and can comprehend the full value of every 
additional shilling made to it. 
All this is good, very good, it speaks volumes for 
the liberality of those connected with and interested 
in gardening; but is it enough ? There are now 
twenty-nine candidates waiting for election, and to 
these additions will certainly be made previous to 
the next ballot. It is probable that of these twenty- 
nine candidates there are many in urgent need of the 
assistance rendered by the Institution, hoping that 
the helping hand may be held ont to them in the 
hour of their great need. One hundred additional 
subscribers of one guinea annually would provide 
pensions for five of these expectant ones, and give to 
their latter days blessed freedom from fear of want. 
It would be gratifying to know that at a time when 
a multitude of applications are being made for 
means to fittingly celebrate an event unique in 
English history, the claims of old and indigent 
gardeners are not overlooked. There are numbers 
in the ranks of the gardening profession who have 
not yet written themselves as lovers of their needy 
brethren by subscribing to this Institution. The 
thought that the time may come when accident or 
unforseen misfortune may make an application for 
relief necessary, should animate every gardener, and 
lead him to consider whether, on the lowest ground 
of all—that of self-interest—it is expedient he should 
become a subscriber. When this mental condition is 
reached, active support becomes highly probable. 
* » ■>- 
THE FLOWER GARDENS OF VICTORIA 
(AUSTRALIA). 
(1 Concluded from p. 651.) 
About the shrubs and trees I cannot say much, but 
some are such well-known ones that I can remember 
them. Laurustinus is very common, and grows and 
blossoms splendidly. Rhododendrons and Pitto- 
sporums, the latter bearing blooms of two shades of 
colour, a cream and a purple, grow into huge trees 
and hedges, and in springtime the night air is really 
heavy with their perfume. They are the commonest 
shrubs found in our gardens. Abutilons behave 
splendidly in our climate, especially in the cooler 
districts. Solanums grow to immense size, and their 
brilliant fruit makes a lovely contrast to their bright 
green leaves. The Indian Shot or Cannais a strong 
and good grower, as are Hakeas, Grevilleas, Flowering 
Gums, one specially fine being Eucalyptus ficifolia, 
bearing crowds of blooms. Magnolias bloom in great 
profusion, while no garden is deemed complete with¬ 
out its Daphne plant. Habrothamnus and Salvia 
grow into large trees, and are splendid flower bearers. 
The Bottlebrush or Callistemon has beautiful singular 
flowers of scarlet, crimson, and purple. The Sterculia 
acerifolia bears rich masses of vermillion blossoms, 
like bunches of coral. Melaleucas or Tea Tree, 
Lophostemons, and Currijongs are all splendid showy 
shrubs, and bloom splendidly. 
In a country necessitating shade, verandahs are to 
be found on every house, and naturally everyone 
grows some sort of a creeper on the posts or on wire 
stretched between them, or on lattices or porches, 
getting thereby ornament and usefulness in the shape 
of shade and privacy. Thus one finds Masdevallias, 
Bignonias, Convolvuli, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Cle¬ 
matis, Periwinkle, Hoyea, Wistaria, Tecomas, 
Grevilleas, Banksia, and all sorts of climbing Roses. 
Passion Flowers of the ordinary crimson and edible 
varities, the latter a prolific fruit bearer if planted in 
the right aspect, are common. Virginia Creeper of 
two sorts is a favourite on every brick-walled or 
cement-covered house. 
I must now mention one or two plants which are 
indigenous to Australia. One is Sturt’s lovely Desert 
Pea, with its brilliant crimson and black flowers. 
In a hot dry soil this plant grows to perfection, and 
one can well imagine the surprise and delight felt by 
the explorer whose name it bears on his first coming 
on to a vast plain covered for acres with this glory. 
Another plant is the Boronia. It has the most subtle 
perfume, and is a native of West Australia, where 
there are plains covered with it. When in bloom 
the perfume-laden breezes blowing from over these 
plains are said to be simply intoxicating. 
Now I must stop. My object has been to try and 
give you an idea what we can grow in and around 
Melbourne and throughout the colonies of Victoria, 
and in much of N.S.W., the two S.-Eastern colonies, 
almost a home for any of the flowers to be found in 
England, as well as numerous others from other 
parts of the world, with of course those which are 
indigenous to the colonies of Australasia. There are 
