166 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 11, 1899. 
Salt is good for Asparagus, Turnips, Mangels. 
Birch and Russia Leather.—The peculiar odour 
which distinguishes this leather, says the Revue de 
VHorticulture Beige, is communicated to it by a resin, 
betriline, very abundant in the outer bark of the 
Birch. There is obtained by distillation of that 
bark an essential oil which serves to perfume the 
leathers tanned wiih the bark of the Goat Willow or 
Sumach. 
Staines Road Nursery, Hounslow.—For over two 
years Mr. Bridges has had a lease of this nursery, 
and now he has been joined by Mr. Arthur Pentney, 
of Worton Hall Gardens, Isleworth. They have 
acquired the York Nursery on the opposite side of 
the road. In the two places they are to carry on a 
nursery and florist business. Mr. Bridges was also 
a private gardener before he took over the Staines 
Road Nursery. 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —A benefit 
concert, in aid of the above institution was held at 
the Constitution Hall, Chertsey, on Thursday, the 
2nd inst. Mr. A. J. Brown, head gardener and 
bailiff of the School of Handicrafts, Chertsey, is the 
hon. local secretary, and under his guidance and 
efforts the concert was a great success, in spite of the 
inauspicious nature of the weather. Many local and 
talented artistes combined to make the musical 
enterlainment a great success. There was a large 
and keenly appreciative audience, including the elite 
of the town and neighbourhood. Mr. Brown informs 
us he will be able to send £13 to the institution. 
Juno Cycles for the Year 1900 .—At the National 
Cycle Show, Crystal Palace, November 17th to 25th, 
1899, a large and varied assortment of these well- 
known "Juno” cycles, will be on view at stand 
No. 15, in the centre transept, opposite the great 
orchestra; and will include a "Juno” Ladies’ Free 
Wheel, fitted with pedal back wheel rim brake, 
weighing only some 28 lbs , a surprising and low 
weight for such a machine. Also Gents' Free 
Wheelers will be shown with similarly fitted brakes, 
both racer and roadster variety. We are given to 
understand that all "Juno” cycles for 1900 will 
be so built as to be easily converted into free 
wheelers, and will be provided (in addition to back 
rim brakes), with optional front wheel brakes. 
Among the tricycles there will be a notable " Juno ” 
carrier built on novel lines, combining as is need¬ 
ful in such a machine, great strengh with lightness, 
and constituting quite a new departure in trades¬ 
mens’ carrier cycles. "Juno” cycles have always 
enjoyed the reputation of first grade, thoroughly 
up-to-date machines, and the models for 1900 
more than maintain their high character, includ¬ 
ing as they do, many new and novel improve¬ 
ments, the fruit of prolonged experience in cycle 
building. 
Shells as Artificial Flowers.—Mr. R. Lydekekker, 
F.R.S., writing in the current number of Knoivledge, 
gives us an immense amount of information on the 
many us<s to which shells are put as ornaments, im¬ 
plements, and articles of trade. We can do no more 
than give a short extract. Mr. Lydekker says:— 
" Both in this country and in Japan, shells are also 
employed to make artificial flowers. In the British 
manufacture large flowers, such as Tulips and Roses, 
are thase generally selected for imitation ; but the 
Japanese attempt smaller and more delicate blooms. 
Elegant specimens of their work may be seen in the 
shell-gallery at the National History Museum. Then, 
agaiD, there is a large trade in various descriptions 
of common shells, such as small scallops, cockles, 
polished mussels, whelks, etc., which are mounted 
with velvet and si k to form pin-cushions, needle- 
books, purses, and other fancy articles. A number 
of species of shells are polished and sold as orna¬ 
ments, as are many of the larger and handsomer 
kinds in their natural condition. These are known 
in the trade as fancy shells; and when to these are 
added the hosts of less common species which pass 
through the dealer’s hands previous to finding a 
p’ace in the cabinet of the shell collector, it is 
evident that the total traffic in these beautiful objects 
must be very large indeed. It seems, however, that 
the trade is by no means in such a flourishing con¬ 
dition as it was some twenty or thirty years ago; 
the popular taste fin-shells, either as natural history 
specimens, as ornaments, or in the form of shell- 
boxes, having very appreciably declined 1 ” 
The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., is to 
be entertained at a banquet on December 14th, by 
the Leicester Chamber of Commerce. This is in 
recognition of his services to commerce, science, and 
literature. 
Death of Mr. Fred. Canham —We very much 
regret having to record the very sudden death of 
this veteran Orchid grower, gardener to C. H. Feil- 
ing, Esq., Southgate House, Southgate, Middlesex, 
at five o’clock on the morning of the 30th ult. 
Many gardeners, but particularly Orchid growers 
knew him well. He was present at the late Major 
Mason’s sale of Orchids, and quite recently put up 
an exhibit of Orchids at one of the meetings of the 
Royal Horticultural Society. As recently as Satur¬ 
day evening last he appeared quite well, but on 
Sunday night he had a violent fit of coughing, which 
caused or brought on again an old rupture of the 
bowels. The doctor sent him away to the Great 
Northern Hospital on Sunday night, where it was 
decided that an operation was the only chance of 
saving his life. His sons saw him after the opera¬ 
tion, and he was quite cheerful, but died shortly 
after. It was practically the renewal of an old 
complaint, as he had suffered more or less for two 
years past. His many friends are very much upset 
at his sudden and so unexpected decease. 
Monument to M. Jean Linden, Brussels. —At it 
o'clock on Sunday morning last, at the Parc Leo¬ 
pold, Brussels, in presence of the burgomaster, M. 
Buis, and a certain number of notables and lovers 
of boiany and horticulture, the inauguration 
of the monument raised to Jean Linden, one of the 
initiators of Belgian horticulture, took place. The 
monument, a marked success of Tombay, the 
statuary, consists of a life-like bust in bronze, poised 
upon a plinth of granite, decorated with a basso- 
relievo, representing an Orchid. It is raised at an 
angle of the esplanade of the Natural History 
Museum, with its back against the wall of the en¬ 
closure of the celebrated establishment created by 
Linden, and now directed by his son, M. Lucien 
Linden. Two speeches were delivered on the 
occasion, and M. le Comte de Kerchove de Denter- 
ghem, the president of the organising committee, 
spoke first. He spoke in very eloquent terms of 
the travels and introductions of Orchids, Palms, 
Begonias, &c., made by Jean Linden, and the im¬ 
pulse he bad given to Belgian horticulture. The 
monument was handed over to the City of Brussels 
in the person of M. Buis. 
Woolton Mutual Improvement Society. -A meeting 
oi this Society was held on the 2nd inst., in the 
Mechanics’ Institute, Mr. R. B. Ker presiding over a 
large attendance. The lecturer, Mr. J. Hathaway, 
superintendent of the Southport Parks and Gardens, 
was introduced as a practical and successful culti¬ 
vator of the fruit that he came to speak upon, one 
that was of considerable importance to all gardeners; 
namely, " The Peach Inside and Outside.” In 
opening the subject the essayist briefly alluded to its 
history and with what good results it had been 
grown outside in this country, and there should be 
no reason why it should not be continued at the 
present time, if a fair or similar amount of labour 
was expended upon it that was devoted to inside 
culture. It was advised that the wall should be 
from 8 ft. to 12 ft. in height with a south or south¬ 
west aspect; that the border should be 14 ft. wide 
and that no crop should be grown within 4 ft. of the 
wall; efficient drainage should be given ; that good 
soil to the depth from 2 ft. to ft. be provided ; 
that planting should be done early in the autumD, 
as soon as the leaves commence falling; mulch 
with half rotten manure. Disbudding should be 
commenced as soon as the shoots could be handled ; 
commencing with the strongest. As a prevention 
against insect pests it was recommended that the 
wall be syringed with flowers of sulphur just before 
the flowering season. The treatment under glass 
was also giveD, after which a discussion followed in 
which Messrs. W. Tunnington, J. Wilson, J. Stoney, 
R. Todd, and the chairman took part. A hearty vote 
of thanks was accorded to Mr.Hathaway for his admir¬ 
able lecture and to the chairman for presiding. The 
secretary announced that arrangements were in hand 
for the formation of a mutual help class to prepare 
for the Royal Horticultural Society’s examination 
next spring. Those desirous of joining were requested 
to give in their names before the next meeting. 
COELOGYNE CRISTATA. 
I have several pots and pans of the above Orchid 
which fail to flower satisfactorily with me ; one pot, 
a 9-in., last year had six spikes, and one pan with the 
same amount, but this year up till now they have 
shown no spikes, and I am afraid will not now, as 
the pseudobulbs are made up. I grow them with the 
Cattleyas till about the beginning of October, then 
put them in a cool vinery. I must say they make 
good pseudobulbs, and the foliage is dark green and 
leathery, yet fail to show the flower spike. I have 
tried them this year in a vinery all the summer, but 
with no better result. As my employer is very fond 
of them I should be very glad if any of your numer¬ 
ous readers could tell me where I am at fault. I 
have them potted in the usual mixture of peat, 
sphagnum, &c., and I generally use clinkers for 
drainage, as I find they root very freely in them.— 
G. C. C. 
FINSBURY PARK. 
At this time of the year when the public parks are 
almost destitute of flowers out of doors, it is with 
increased interest and appreciation that the residents 
within reach of those parks which at this time have 
a Chrysanthemum show open, avail themselves of 
the efforts which have been made by the respective 
superintendents for their special acceptance. 
Finsbury Park, under the direction of Mr. Melville, 
comes out boldly this year again as in times past. 
Provided with a good span-house, the superintendent 
has arranged the plants ail on the tight hand side 
of the house, reckoning from the end of the entrance, 
the edge being furnished in serpentine fashion. The 
plants of course come well under the eye, rising 
higher as they go back. The ends and corners of 
the house are decked with such pleasing varieties 
as Margot, which sends up huge armfuls of its flower¬ 
ing shoots. A cheery back-ground is got from a fine 
spreading band of Source d’Or Improved. Japan¬ 
ese varieties of special note are difficult to choose, 
for the whole stock of the plants is of high merit. 
Mrs. E. S. Trafford is always to be found in repre¬ 
sentative collections, because of its cheery colouring 
and its generally good form. Mrs. Fursden some¬ 
what resembles Australie and makes a fine bloom. 
The old Mrs. F. Jameson still holds a place. 
M. Pankoucke, the large canary yellow Japanese 
variety, represents a form of more recent introduc¬ 
tion. Mdme. E. R gers was here also, forming an 
interesting specimen for the public curiosity. Lady 
Byron seems to have developed well this year, in 
most parts of London at least. The blooms at 
Finsbury were large and very pure. Mrs. W. H, 
Lees also showed out prominently. Mons. Freeman 
a pale mauve with pink reverse, was a much admired 
vaiiety, as likewise the incurved Jap., Beauty of 
Teignmoutb, of which there were some blooms of 
grand build and strength. Hairy Wonder must be 
retained because of peculiarities, and beauty too, of 
course. N. C. S. Jubilee is to be seen in very good 
condition. There are some capital specimens of Mrs. 
W. H. Weeks and the incurved Jap. Mrs. C. Har¬ 
man Payne. Master H. Tucker could scarcely be 
surpassed in either build, size, brilliance or sub¬ 
stance. Charles H. Curtis as might be expected is 
simply superb. The depth and clearness of its 
colouring, together with the fine quality of its florets 
and shape, maintain this variety as quite a superior 
one. Mrs. C. W. Palmer makes a very sweet bloom 
without doubt, and one the public need not grow 
tired of. Phoebus and Viviand Morel also are well 
regarded. Mdlle. Elsie Teichman when in such fine 
style as here shown is an Ai. plant. R. C. Kingston 
and Charles Davis almost complete our list. 
It will be seen that the selection is very diversi¬ 
fied. Those that are grown are all more or less of 
sterling merit, and with remarkably few exceptions 
have not been improved upon since they themselves 
were first brought forth as better sorts than 
previously existing kinds. Bush plants of Margot, 
Souvenir d' une Petite Amie, John Shrimpton, and 
the well known dwarf growing favourites such as 
Soeur Melaine, Virgin Queen, Precocite, &c., are 
used with good effect either in the end parts or,in the 
case of the variety Margot, are trained up and 
about the supporting central pillars. The conjoined 
effect of having used the one variety of Chrysanthe¬ 
mum to the pillars is certainly in much better taste 
than if half a dozen varieties had been employed. 
Everything is nice and clean, and seemingly much 
appreciated by the large turn-out of visitors, which is 
all that Mr. Melville expects. 
