December 16, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
253 
original parent species once more, the result this 
time was a deep crimson, showing that reciprocal 
and mutual effect had gone further. Then with a 
basis of such colours to work from, it was an easy 
matter to increase the hues to all the variety which 
the Messrs Veitch’s Rhododendrons now possess. 
C. E. Shea, Esq., occupied the chair .tendering his 
own and the thanks of the audience to Professor 
Henslow. This is the last lecture of the session. 
Hardening IJiscellany. 
BEGONIA, JOHN HEAL. 
The number of winter flowering Begonias is now 
so large, and is so persistently added to, that we 
soon shall have winter rivalling the glow of summer 
beauty. Mr. John Heal, of Messrs. Veitchs', 
Chelsea, is the raiser of the Begonia to which, in 
this instance, he has given his name. The habit of 
the plant is bushy and free-floweriDg, the flowers 
being of a pretty, rosy-pink, and considerably 
larger than a Gloire de Lorraine. The.stems require 
the support of a stake. 
ZONAL PELARGONIUM, IAN MCLAREN. 
The fame with which the author of " Beside the 
Bonnie Brier Bush ” was crowned seems to have 
fallen in corresponding ratio on the lovely and 
valuable salmon-pink Zonal Pelargonium, which has 
been christened after him, with the tender and 
beautiful thoughts. This lovely plant, perfectly 
studded with blooms, is the envy and delight of all 
who visit my own houses, where I have a lovely speci¬ 
men in one of the rooms. It might be said of the 
Ian McLaren Pelargonium that here we have the 
highest of idealistic conceptions realised.— H.J.J. 
CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNEVAR. SANDERAE. 
In this variety of C. insigne we have a flower at 
once nobly handsome, graceful, because of its curv¬ 
ing petals and sepals, and beautiful from the soft 
lemon tinge of the large lip and the pure paper white 
upper sepal. Some lovely samples were shown by 
Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons at the Drill Hall on 
November 21st. This is a variety which anyone 
can admire, but for the greater portion of Cypripedi- 
ums I see no beauty in them. They are simply dull 
stiff curiosities. May the hybridists continue in the 
laudable endeavour to introduce life,grace and loveli¬ 
ness into the forms and colours of Cypripediums. 
DRACAENA SAN DERIANA. 
Though not like the usual run of Dracaena this gray 
or white variegated variety hailing like many other 
good things from the renowned firm of plantsmen 
and orchidists at St. Albans, is one which will be 
seen in every garden where serviceable plants are in 
vogue. It is not entirely new, but is of recent intro¬ 
duction. The internodes or spaces between the leaves 
are lengthened, the leaves themselves being short 
and about i in. broad. The plant is suitable for 
tray arrangements in dwellings. 
ARBUTUS UNEDO. 
When really well-flowered branches of this, the 
Strawberry tree are seen, the usefulness, or rather 
the adaptability, most opportune, too, of the plant 
strikes one. Do not the leathery, dark, shining 
green leaves, slightly serrated and elliptical, with the 
loads of bead-like whitish flowers strewed along the 
young shoots, just seem altogether in keeping with 
the bell?, the jingling bells, which Father Christmas 
sends ? How altogether fairly-like to see the 
Arbutus bushes coated softly with the hoary spears 
which John Frost spreads abroad, and to imagine 
these little bead-flowers jingling through or amid 
them all. Rosy-red faces and gray breaths which 
we puff forth in the clear, crisp mornings just now, 
are not more in keeping with the season than the 
beautiful boughs of the Strawberry tree ; then 
plant it. 
ASPLENIU M FONTANUM. 
In this Fern we have a pretty little rockery species. 
It likes an open soil, gritty, as some would describe 
it, and its rooting area need not be great. It is said 
to be a native species, and one thing is clear, it is 
perfectly hardy. The fronds vary according as their 
environs are adverse or suitable to growth, but from 
4 in. to 7 in. or 8 in. is the general run of them. It 
is well worth looking up. 
CAMPANULA MAYI. 
This new form, which is quite distinct from C. iso- 
phylla, nevertheless, has come from this species on 
one side or another, either as the paternal or mother 
parent. The foliage leaves are perhaps the most 
marked in difference, these being somewhat hirsute. 
This hairiness of the leaves can hardly be regarded 
as an improvement; for without a deep green back¬ 
ground or undergrowth the lively blue of the cam- 
panulate flowers is not so fittingly thrown forth. 
However, the introduction is very worthy of a place, 
because of its freer flowering qualities and fine habit 
for basket culture. Good plants for decoration can 
be grown in ten weeks from the cutting stage.— J. 
SAXIFRAGA PELTATA. 
This large leaved Saxifraga has a peculiar place of 
its own in garden decoration, because among hardy 
plants few have the form of leaf which it possesses, 
and its size and suitability for damp places are also 
qualities in its favour. That it enjoys dampness 
goes without saying, for the richer, and to a degree 
the damper the station it grows upon, the stronger 
and greater are its leaves. Where anyone is on the 
look out for a semi-bog plant of large proportions 
(rising to 4 ft.) this Saxifraga ought to be considered. 
A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED HEART. 
One of the sweetest floral arrangements which I 
have recently seen was that of a heart made from 
white Madame Desgranges Chrysanthemum blooms 
as a ground work. Then on the left hand top bend 
or curve of the arrangement deep pink Roses were 
loosely bunched together with spikes of Lily of the 
Valley. Around the right bottom curve Violets of 
the Monte Carlo varieties were studded, being 
raised on long stems.— D. 
SOPHORA JAPONICA. 
Here we have a tree very ornamental and perfectly 
hardy. The genus Sophora contains members be¬ 
longing to tropical and temperate countries, and 
which we cultivate in our stoves or intermediate and 
other houses. The above species, however, is one 
of the hardy members, and forms a fine tree when in 
flower during late summer or early autumn. To all 
appearance it resembles the False Acacia, both in 
the form and colour of the compound leaves, 
and in form at least of the flowers, it 
being also a member of the Leguminosae. Of course, 
where the False Acacia does well there is no real 
need to add Sophora japonica unless for variety. 
This species has to be grafted on to another variety 
before it can be guaranteed to establish and continue 
itself when permanently planted. The tree is worth 
the looking up for consideration. 
A TRIO OF FINE PELARGONIUMS. 
Paul Campbell is one; Bryden is another; and 
Mark Twain is the third. The former is crimson- 
scarlet in colour, the trusses being good, and borne 
on long stalks. Bryden is a clear rose-peach with a 
tinge of scarlet and a white centre. The habit is 
good, and the plant is a free-flowerer. Mark Twain 
has a rosy centre, the edges being deeper; the 
foliage is rounded and of a clear green colour. 
THE SALE OF POISONS. 
Messrs. Jacob Wrench & Sons (Limited), seed 
merchants, &c., London Bridge, were summoned at 
the Guild Hall, on Thursday, November 30th: (1) 
For selling on the 7th ult. a certain vegetable 
alkaloid, viz., nicotine, in a bottle which was not 
labelled with the word “ poison ” ; (2) for selling 
such poison to a person unknown to them, and 
without an introduction ; and (3) for not making an 
entry in a book that should be kept for the purpose 
of the sale of poison. 
Mr. Horace Avory, who defended, said his clients 
would plead not guilty. 
Mr. Vaughan Williams prosecuted on behalf 
of the Pharmaceutical Society, and said the pro¬ 
ceedings were instituted under the 17th section of 
the Pharmacy Act, 1868. Having recited the 
different poisons and preparations mentioned in the 
schedule of the Act, Mr. Vaughan Williams said 
the complaint was made in respect of a pre¬ 
paration called the XL All Vaporising Fumigator, 
which was used, amongst other things, for destroy¬ 
ing blight in greenhouses. A bottle purchased of 
the defendants was analysed, and found to contain a 
large proportion of nicotine, an exceedingly 
dangerous poison. On the label there was a warning 
that the bottle should be kept corked and out of 
the reach of children, as it was ‘‘somewhat 
poisonous.” 
Mr. Avory said the facts were admitted, and the 
whole question was whether it was a poison within 
the meaning of the Act. 
Dr. Stephenson, scientific analyst to the Home 
Office, said the fumigator consisted of a solution 
of nicotine and camphor. In the bottle sold by the 
defendants there was enough Dicotine to kill a 
thousand people. In answer to the Lord Mayor, the 
witness said that possibly from three to five drops 
of the fumigator would be fatal to human life. 
Mr. Avory called scientific witnesses to express the 
opinion that the preparation did not come within the 
Act. He was prepared to admit, he said, that nico¬ 
tine itself was a poisonous alkaloid, and that a person 
who sold pure nicotine would bring himself within 
the terms of the Act. The evidence, however, 
clearly showed that what the defendants had sold 
was not the poisonous alkaloid itself, but a prepara¬ 
tion of it, and that was not included in the schedule. 
The Lord Mayor said he was satisfied that it was a 
poison within the meaning of the schedule. He was 
prepared, however, to state a case for the superior 
court. 
Mr. Avory remarked that at any rate his clients 
were ignorant of having committed a breach of the 
law. For years they had sold the fumigator without 
any warning from the Pharmaceutical Society. 
The Lord Mayor on the first summons imposed a 
fine of £5, and £10 10s. costs, and on each of the 
other two a fine of 10s., with the bare costs. Mr. 
Avory intimated that he should take the case further. 
—From the City Press. 
- a|» 
CHRYSHNTHEJUUm SHOWS. 
CORBRIDGE. —November 18th. 
The second annual Chrysanthemum show of the 
Corbridge Gardeners’ Horticultural Society, in aid 
of the District Nurses’ Association, was held on 
Saturday, November i8tb, in the Town Hall. Every¬ 
one interested, and this practically represented the 
neighbourhood, made a point of visiting the show. 
The show was opened by Mrs. Barnett, of Bywell 
House. During the afternoon and evening Mr. 
Hamilton’s Quadrille Band rendered choice musical 
selections. Messrs. Corbett, of Prudhoe Hall, and 
Bolam, of Axwell Park, were the judges, and these 
gave their awards as under :— 
For a group of plants, Mr. J. Cameron, gardener 
to H. S. Edwards, Esq., Byethorne, was the first 
prize-winner ; Mr. James Winder, of Howden Dene, 
came second; while Mr. J. Charlton, of Farnley 
Hill, was an able third. The vases of Chrysanth¬ 
emum competition was well entered for, Mr. J. 
Cameron being first with an exceptionally fine 
exhibit; Mr. W. Hay, of Farnley Grange, followed ; 
with Mr. W. C. Fraser, Dilston Hall, third. For 
twelve Japanese blooms, Mr. J. Cameron again 
proved the stronger grower, beating Messrs. W. C. 
Fraser and Wm. Hay, in this order. 
Mr. Cameron also had the satisfaction of winning 
the prize for the best bloom in the show. He was 
the winner for six incurved blooms; Messrs. Fraser 
and Hay followin so. 
Mr. James Winder won for three vases of single 
Chrysanthemums; while for a lady's spray and 
buttonhole, Mr. W. C. Fraser was the leader. Mr, 
W. Hay won for the hand bouquet. Messrs. Fraser, 
Winder, and Hay were awarded prizes in this order 
for a basket arrangement of Chrysanthemums. 
Mr. J. Mathieson, Piper Close, was placed first for 
six pots of Primulas. For a collection of vegetables, 
Mr. J. Waugh, of Wheel Birks, was first; Mr. W. 
Herdman, second ; and Mr. W. E. Clapham, third. 
Mr. J. Waugh won for a collection of hardy fruits. 
The arrangements were carried out in a thoroughly 
efficient manner by a painstaking committee, con¬ 
sisting of Messrs. J. Charlton, who is secretary, W. 
C. Fraser, J. Cameron, W. Hay, T. Thompson, W. 
Clapham, J. Waugh, and J. Mathieson. 
The society's Certificate was awarded to Mr. John 
