310 THE GARDENING WORLD. January 13, 1900. 
Bush Fires are raging in Victoria and Tasmania, as 
a result of the great heat and drought prevailing 
there. 
Eleven of the Young Men at Kew have been laid up 
with influenza. This is rather a large percentage to 
be off duty at one time, and the authorities make the 
remainder muster at a given place every morning to 
get a dose of quinine. This expedient was resorted 
to on a previous visitation of the epidemic and 
proved successful. 
The Gloucester Diary for 1900 .—A glance at the 
index of this neat little diary and directors’ calendar, 
proves it to be a useful booklet for the section of our 
public to which it is offered and compiled for. The 
names and addresses of inspectors and others 
connected with the Gloucester Railway Carriage and 
Waggon Co., Ltd., are recorded, together wiih brief 
memos., tables of distances and other information, 
which is sandwiched between the pages of the 
diary. 
The “ Garden Annual ” for 1900 —Again we have to 
record ihe issue of the '* Garden Annual,” from the 
well-known address of The Garden newspaper offices, 
and bearing the name of the original publisher of the 
work. Active gardeners and interested horti¬ 
culturists, both in our own islands and abroad, find 
this work of reference on gardens, on their owners, 
head gardeners, and their full postal address, a very 
useful publication. This year’s style of arrangement 
follows that of past times. All the new plants of 
1839. and when they were exhibited, received, 
awards, and from whom they came, together with 
the dates, are alphabetically arranged. But more is 
needless. Those who have the “ Annual "find it a 
good shilling’s worth ; and to others it is to be 
well recommended, 
Open Air Vine Culture —I have to thank you for 
copy of your journal of 2nd ult. Your notice of my 
contribution to the journal of the R.H.S. pleases me 
as keeping my " hobby ” of open air Vine cultivation 
before the public. What friends call my hobby 
should be at least part of the business of many 
people in this country. My conviction is that Vine 
growing in many of our southern counties would 
pay. Clement Hoare, who is the only master I 
know of this subject, says that wine could be grown 
at a cost not more than that of moderately strong 
beer. My calculation is is. per gallon, and in some 
cases as low as6d., if land owners will do their part 
and not stand aside or assert that it can’t be done. 
We know of nearly a score of English counties which 
have grown wine, and since they did so, I for one 
maintain that our climate has improved. My 
collection of Vines in the open has last month been 
increased from twenty-seven to forty-five varieties. 
I hope these lately arrived guests will survive.— H. 
M. Tod. 
Men and Women Gardeners. —There are about 
ihree sections of labour at which I can never fancy 
a woman to be employed, and these are as engine- 
drivers, gardeners, or jolly jack tars. The middle 
section of these divisions of employment, has, how¬ 
ever, become blessed with the sunshine of her gentle 
presence. There can be no dull days now in our 
gardens with " Woman in her loveliness, presenti¬ 
ment of Paradise" as its caretaker and director of 
of works. From stories which are going the rounds, 
it would seem that women as gardeners are highly 
successful. A woman has been appointed head- 
gardener to a demesne of the Marquis of Bute. No 
doubt after this the Marquis will discover men 
gardeners an anomaly, and may invent a substitution 
to conscription in the enrollment of the “ anomaly,” 
into an army. Capital! bless the lady gardeners. 
No more shall we be under the dominancy of fouzzled 
old cabbagers, who can grow nothing better than 
greenflies or toadstools, when by the bounty of Provi¬ 
dence a few Doyenne du Comice Pears, or a truss of 
Crimson Rambler Roses do appear, they nobly guard 
the heritage from high Heaven sent, vowing execra¬ 
tions upon the head of master or mistress who dares 
do more than admire them without his kind per¬ 
mission. According to a cutting sent us by a reader, 
the above story has an actual foundation and real 
enactment. A lady had an old Scotch gardener who 
could grow nothing for her, or when a bloom or fruit 
was to hand he so grudged her having it, that in his 
place she substituted an “ Eve,” and now she sings 
Corn in Egypt ” all day lon 0 ! 
Bermuda Bulbs. —Statistics which are authentic, 
show that as many as 270,000 bulbs have been im¬ 
ported into Bermuda to grow for next season's 
American and English market supply. 
R.H S of Ireland.—The annual general meeting 
of the above society was held on Tuesday, December 
19th, in the Central Hall, Westmoreland Street, 
Dublin, the president, the Right Hon. Lord 
Ardilaun, in the chair. The minutes of the last 
annual meeting were read, and showed on the whole 
a fair record, although the receipts are lower than 
last year's. Other matters of business, such as 
arranging for next year’s challenge cups, and the 
appointing of new officers, were accomplished. 
H. Cannell & Sons' Seed Catalogue —The Golden 
Seeds ot Kent from the horticultural establishments 
of Eynsfords and Swanley go over the wide world. 
Messrs. Cannell & Sons, of the two places above 
noted, are once again sending out their catalogue of 
seeds, plants, trees, and novelties, a catalogue which 
keeps up to the high standard already gained. Gar¬ 
deners will find it valuable as an easy and accurate 
reference to the long list of soft-wooded plants which 
for conservatory decoration are absolutely necessary 
in our modern gardens. The lists of vegetable 
seeds offer a wide selection, and the high merits of the 
plants from which the seeds are saved may be judged 
from the fact that the Messrs. Cannell obtained the 
highest English Trade Award from the R.H.S. on 
October 24th, 1899, for a collection of vegetables. 
The catalogue enumerates all the popular races of 
florists’ flowers and varieties in each class, with 
illustrations filling each page. The Papilio forms of 
Cyclamen are well portrayed. Altogether it is one 
of the catalogues which gardeners will find useful. 
Developing the fruit trade in our Colonies.—Aeon- 
temporary makes a leader upon the subject of the, 
greater development of fruit culture in South Africa 
and in our other colonies, so that in a possible day 
of adversity we should not be too dependent upon 
outside sources for our food or fruit supplies. The 
displayed loyalty of our colonials during the present 
crisis and the obscene commentaries of the French 
Press, more especially, are the motives upon which 
our lagging apathy might contemplate for its quicken¬ 
ing, after which it is safe to conclude that our 
answer might take the serious shape of boycotting 
our wrathful and foulsome cross-channel neighbours. 
If we earnestly joined bands and both gave and re¬ 
ceived reciprocal advantages there seems no reason 
why it should not be proved that Britons never 
were, and never shall be, slaves in trade any more 
than in imperial administration by foreigners. A 
boycott of France would be a very severe blow to 
her and a mighty upward swing of luck to our kith 
and kin, resulting in ultimate good for ourselves. 
Annual Meeting of the Grand Yorkshire Gala.— 
The annual meeting of guarantors and life 
members of the Grand Yorkshire Gala was held 
last week at Harkei’s Hotel, York. Aid. Sir C. A. 
Milward presided over a goodly attendance. Last 
year's Gala had proved most satisfactory in all 
respects. The chairman referred to deputations 
which had been made, one to wait upon the Lord 
Mayor of York to invite him as the president of the 
Gala for 1900. The Lord Mayor was proposed and 
seconded for the office, and unanimously accepted. 
His speech was full of hope for another prosperous 
year. He proposed that the retiring president be 
elected as Chairman of the Council. This also was 
seconded and unanimously carried. Mr. Aid. Border 
was re-elected vice-chairman. Mr. Jas. Wilkinson 
was re-elected treasurer, and Mr. Simmons likewise 
was again appointed to the secretaryship. Messrs. 
Pearson and Taylor were elected auditors. The 
following were appointed on the CouncilMessrs. 
G. Balmford, J. Blenkin, J. Biscomb, J. W. Craven, 
M. Cooper (guarantor), Alderman Dale, L. Foster, 
J.P , J. S. Gray, G. Garbutt, T. G. Hodgson, J. J. 
Hunt, A. Jones (Sheriff of York), E. B. Kendall, W. 
Lund, T. M. Lambert, Alderman McKay, J.P., Aider- 
man Purnell, G. Potter-Kirby, A. Proctor, E. S. 
Robinson, H. S:ott, W. S. Sharp, J. B. Sampson, 
and W. H. Waddington. On the motion of the 
Lord Mayor, £21 were voted to the local fund for 
Soldiers’ and Sailors' Families. The following grants 
were made :—£650 for the floral fete; £230 for 
music; £190 for fireworks ; £60 for ballon ascents; 
and £175 for amusements. 
"Hurst & Son ” Musical Society. — The second 
concert of the season of the above society was held 
last Thursday evening in the Pillar Hall, Corn Ex¬ 
change, Mark Lane, E.C. It, like its predecessors, 
was an unqualified success It is most gratifying to 
note the gradual perfection which Mr. E. Sherwcoa’s 
orchestra is gaining. At the meeting last Thursday 
N. N. Sherwood, Esq., as usual, presided. The 
company numbered upwards of 100, and was in the 
heartiest and free spirited mood possible, The 
programme opened at 7.30 prompt by a cheery 
pianoforte solo from Mr. J. Jefferson. This was ably 
given, and provided a high standard to be upheld 
throughout the evening. Mr, Cox followed with a 
pleasant song, the first of a series of patriotic songs 
most suitable for such a time as this. The very 
beautiful and somewhat pathetic song, “ Angels 
Guard Thee,"came next in order from a sweet 
singer, Mr. John Garrett. The sympathetic chords 
in the bosom of the audience were touched, the 
beautiful song passing off with much applause. Then 
came an orchestral selection, entitled " 'A Frangesa,” 
a composition from Kaiser. Nothing better could 
have been chosen, the joyous pulse of the music 
being well developed, and proving that the band is 
under good leadership. By persistent practice the 
" Hurst Orchestra ’’ will make a name for itself, and 
that even in London. Mr. R. C. Tucker always 
entertains the audiences at these concerts, and his 
humorous recitations have become recognised as 
features of the programme. He was in his usual 
mood, which is sufficient commentary to those who 
have heard him. The warrior song, " Who Carries 
a Gun,” set us " up in arms ” (in a quiet way and 
inwardly) by the story it told. Just a little more 
“ go ” would have enhanced the spirit of the song. 
Another selection from the orchestra, "TheMarch 
of the Monks,” but heightened the good opinions 
already formed about the rendering of their pieces. 
A humorous song, " I live underneath,” by Mr. R. 
Phillips, lent variety to the items. But Mr. T. A. 
Baldwin’s song of "The Old Soldier,” oh!—the 
company joining in the chorus simply shook the 
rafters. The old soldier wanted once more to go 
afighting for his Queen, as many in reality no doubt 
would like to at this time. Then came Mr. Fairley 
and Mr. Harmer, both of them dons at singing, and 
gave us as a duet, "The Army and Navy.” No 
words are needed here ; it was grand. The sounds 
of revelry grew higher when Mr. Harry Briden, 
" the inimitable Harry,” appeared and chanted off 
the story of how “ They were very good to Me.” 
Mr. R. Elley gave a very smart banjo solo. " The 
Bohemian Girl ” by the orchestra proved that 
in this difficult piece some further practice is required 
to perfect its effect from the band. It was, however, 
well received. Once again we heard Mr. Tucker, 
this time in the character of "an old salt,” who tells 
the tale of bis son-in-law's courtship with his own 
daughter ; how he, the father, refused young Hall, 
thus causing him to flee to the Crimea where the war 
was raging. Eventually he became a hero, came 
home, and like the prodigal of old was received to 
his father's bosom with many joyous tears. Mr. 
Arthur Wolton, always looked for at the Hurst 
concerts, pleasantly recited one of the old " Ingolds- 
by Legends,” in connection with which, as their 
author, the Rev. Thos. Barron, Vicar of St. Paul’s 
Cathedral some twenty or thirty years ago, has left 
a famous name. Other songs, duets, &c., followed. 
Most of the artistes had to respond to hearty 
encores. The party dispersed about 10.40 after 
singing the National Anthem. 
-*4-- 
CHOICE BASKET FERNS. 
Adiantum tenerum var. farleyense, is a beautiful 
Fern which can be grown to perfection, and also 
seen to greater advantage when planted in a wire 
basket. It requires a temperature of 60" to 65 9 . 
Although a very moist atmosphere is necessary to 
develop the fronds, great discretion should be used 
when applying water to the roots, as failure is in¬ 
evitable if the soil is allowed to turn sour, through 
the application of too much water. 
The compost should consist of half loam (fibrous), 
quarter fibrous peat, and quarter leaf mould and 
charcoal, and a little artificial manure. Retain all 
fibre, and well mix the compost. Make a lining 
to the basket with thin strips of fibrous loam, then 
place the plant in position, and fill with compost 
