824 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 20, 1900 
always stand on the safe side, whatever the 
fortune or misfortune of life. After the 
above sixteen have been provided for, there 
were still thirty-two left out in the cold. 
Four of the applicants died, practically, on 
the eve of the election, and one retired 
through being otherwise provided for, 
fortunately. The remainder have to rely 
upon their own resources for another 
twelvemonth, or to possible allowances from 
the Samaritan Fund, for the inauguration 
of which, thanks to the far-seeing initiative 
of Mr. Harry J. Veitch. This fund is to 
provide relief in urgent cases of distress on 
behalf of unsuccessful candidates at the 
annual election. The Samaritan Fund now 
amounts to £ 520 , but the hope was ex¬ 
pressed by its prime mover that it should 
soon reach ^3,000; for then something 
more satisfactory could be accomplished in 
the granting of temporary relief. 
At the close of the year there were 163 
pensioners on the funds of the charity, and 
after allowing for deaths this number has 
now been raised to 178, being four more 
than at the corresponding date of last year. 
The report recorded the thanks of the 
committee to those who opened their gar¬ 
dens to the public and otherwise made 
efforts on behalf of the institution, and 
more especially to A. W. Sutton, Esq., who 
initiated the founding of an auxiliary branch 
of the institution at Reading, during the 
past year. The meeting was held about a 
week earlier than on previous occasions, 
and that may account for the somewhat 
smaller attendance than usual. The usual 
date had to be altered at the desire of the 
committee in order to secure the services of 
Mr. Harry J. Veitch before going abroad in 
the course of a few days after the meeting. 
Everything was conducted in a business¬ 
like manner, and passed off without a hitch. 
There was nothing of a sensational charac¬ 
ter on the agenda, and that would no doubt 
explain the absence of many subscribers. 
The old sajing, “ Blessed is that 
country whose annals are dull,” would 
undoubtedly apply here. The chair¬ 
man announced the fact that the insti¬ 
tution, during the past year, had been more 
prosperous than in any previous one. Only 
thirty-seven votes were lost on this occasion 
through carelessnessin forgetting to sign the 
voting papers before sending them in. Last 
year there were over 200 lost in this way. A 
full report of the meeting will be found on 
another column. 
Reaching of Botany in Schools. —At a 
conference of science teachers, held 
under the direction of the Technical Edu¬ 
cation Board of the London County Coun¬ 
cil, at the Imperial Institute, on the 10th 
inst., the chair was taken by the Right 
Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., a 
great gathering of science teachers being 
present. Professor L. C. Mial, F.R.S., of 
the Yorkshire College, Leeds, delivered the 
first address, taking as his subject the 
above heading. He regretted that botany 
did not take so important a position in the 
curriculum of schools as did physics and 
chemistry. Later on, the professor, in re¬ 
plying to a criticism, said he did not think 
that botany could be wisely associated with 
the teaching of geography. In our opinion 
bocany and geography are a great deal 
interdependent upon one another. To the 
youthful mind botany would serve to clothe 
the dry bones of geography, and help to fix 
many a notable fact about the native homes 
of at least the more important plants on the 
youthful mind. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., 
D.C.L., F.R.S., said he was struck with 
the importance of botany as it affected 
country schools. One of the reasons which 
brought men to city life was that it was 
more varied and attractive than life in the 
country, though that was no fault of the 
latter. The teaching of botany aimed at 
opening the eye of the pupils to the beauties 
of Nature around them, so that they might 
enjoy what they saw, for to do that was to 
enjoy themselves and take a more intelligent 
interest in life and the world around them, 
than if utterly ignorant of the natural 
objects and surroundings amid which they 
might be placed in the country. More than 
this we assert that it would help them to 
take a more intelligent interest in their 
gardens, by turning them to use, ornament 
or profit in raising fruits, flowers, and vege¬ 
tables now so indispensable to civilised 
life. 
“ Cultivate your Bump of caution, don’t be • meat' 
for the Palm swindler," is advice given by The 
American Florist to its readers. Swindlers in the 
Palm trade are very rife in America. 
Weather in London.—Fogs have given place to 
dampness. We are having a repetition of the 
weather we had some time back, dismal surroundings 
with a lining of mud and water under foot. Friday 
and Sunday were exceptions however, both being 
gloriously dry and bright. 
Automatic Plant Watering.—From a weekly paper 
we glean that an "invention" for automatically 
watering pot plants has been " discovered." It 
proves to be the old custom adopted by growers of 
window and other pot plants usually exposed to 
greatly drying influences. The pot with the plant 
is placed within a larger one, and the space between 
the two is filled in with leaf mould, fibre or 
sphagnum, and kept somewhat damp. Used thus 
the plan has its merits. Otherwise, to attempt such 
a vital operation, as plant watering by automatic 
means is certainly " before our time," and very 
much to be condemned. 
A Successful Small Holding.—Land always gives 
back an increase when well cultivated ; and where 
lack of knowlege or industry is evident, profitable 
yields can hardly be expected. A correspondent to 
a weekly contemporary describes what his own 
small holding returns to him. He has a garden, a 
field and an orchard all worked by one man. At 
the present time all kinds of Greens are flourishing ; 
the Celery is good : Leeks are large and blanched ; 
there are two beds of White's Lettuce for salads, and 
Parsley in abundance. The root crop has long 
since been well secured; fruit trees pruned and 
manured. The old Potato ground is put up in ridges 
to enable the frost to penetrate the soil, kill the 
grubs and sweeten the earth. A splendid crop of 
Rye grass is growing well and will furnish spring 
food for his Jersey cow. The writer says that he 
seldom buys any fertiliser for his garden, the cow 
and poultry supply all that is wanted. 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association. — The 
syllabus for the spring session of the above associa¬ 
tion has again been prepared, and proves to be an 
excellent one. The essayists are men thoroughly 
conversant with the subjects they treat of. The 
following are the titles of the papers, and the names 
of those who will read them :—Wednesday, 17th 
January, Mr. J. Merritt, gardener to R. AshDy, Esq., 
Matford House, Exeter, on "The management of 
Caladiums ” ; then on Wednesday, ,31st January, 
Mr. G. Camp, gardener to E. Byrom, Esq., Culver, 
Exeter, describes “ Gardening as a Profession" ; on 
Wednesday, 14th February, Mr. Alfred Tucker, The 
Royal Nurseries, Exeter, details " The Culture of 
Herbaceous and Alpine Plants ” ; Mr. F. W. Shrivel!, 
F.L.S., of Thompson’s Farm, Golden Green, Ton- 
bridge, is to give his interesting lecture on " Ex¬ 
periments with Chemical Manures in Kitchen and 
Market Gardening " ; Mr. T. Slade, gardener to Lord 
Poltimore, Poltimore, Exeter, occupies Wednesday, 
14th March, by a treatise on " The Treatment of 
Amaryllis" ; then to wind up, Mr. Henry Webber, 
of Messrs. Veitch’s Nurseries, and Mr. W. R. 
Baker, of Knightleys Gardens, on Wednesday, 
March 28th, gives " A demonstration of various 
methods of Potting Plants, with the different soils 
required.” 
The Tea Plantations in Natal are estimated to be 
capable of furnishing sufficient leaves for the whole 
of the tea-drinking inhabitants of South Africa. 
Shirley Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Association. 
—The monthly meeting of the above society was 
held at the Parish Room, Shirley, Southampton, on 
the 15th inst., Mr. B. Ladhams, F.R.H.S. presiding. 
The meeting expected the presence of Mr. W. Middle- 
brook of Messrs. Veitch & Sons Nursery, Chelsea, to 
give a paper on “ Pear Culture,” but being unable 
to attend, his paper was read by Mr. J. Miles, the 
Gardens, Portswood Park. Mr. Middlebrook dealt 
with the subject most thoroughly, pointing out the 
importance of soils, sub-soils, climate, position, 
planting, pruning, stocks, insects, diseases, &c., and 
also the best kinds of Pears to cultivate. A dis¬ 
cussion ensued and there was quite a lively time 
about pruning especially. Votes of thanks were 
accorded both gentlemen fcr the excellent paper. 
Nature's Birthday.—The following very interesting 
paragraph was sent us by a correspondent as a 
cutting from The Scotsman :—"To-day, January 15th, 
1900, being the 15th day of Shebat, is, according to 
our calendar (says the Jewish World), the new year 
for trees. Of the four New Year Days ordered by 
the Talmudic authorities, none is more apposite than 
that which recognises that the longest winter nights 
are over ; that the sun renews its warmth to earth ; 
now the forest throws off the lethargy of the winter’s 
sleep, and the sap commences to rise in the trees. 
The old Rabiswere excellent observers in their own 
way. They recognised the dulling influence of the 
shorter days, and they responded to the human 
exultation at a brighter season, not by permitting a 
Bacchanalian feast, but by commanding a simple 
festival that would bring about a recognition of 
nature." 
Reading and District Gardeners.—There was a 
large attendance of members at the fortnightly meet¬ 
ing of the Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual 
Improvement Association, on Monday evening last, 
in the Club Room, the Old Abbey Restauraunt, to 
hear Mr. G. Hinton, of Walmer Gardens, Reading, 
read his essay, which was awarded the first prize in 
the recent competition, " The planting of a garden 
with Hardy Fruit Trees and Bushes.” The paper 
gave rise to much criticism, and, during an hour and 
a quarter’s interesting discussion, many points upon 
planting, manuring, pruning, &c, were touched upon. 
Those taking part were Messrs. Chamberlain, Purkis, 
Wilson, Woolford, Trollope, Parfitt, Farey, 
Cretchley, Blake, Bryant, Alexander, Bennett, 
House, and Dote. A hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded to Mr. Hinton for reading his paper, and 
to Messrs. Bunyard, of Maidstone, and the Hon. 
Sec. for present of books to the Library. 
Scottish Horticultural Association.—The annual 
gathering of the above association was held on 
January gth, at 5, St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, 
C. W. Cowan, Esq., Valleyfield, Penicuik, the presi¬ 
dent, and afterwards Mr. Alex. McKenzie, Warriston 
Nurseries, in the chair. In opening the proceedings, 
the chairman gave to the meeting his best wishes for 
a prosperous new year, especially prosperous to 
horticulturists. Nineteen new members were 
elected, and thirty-one were nominated for election, 
among which were three as life members. Both 
Mr. R. Laird’s and Mr. Mackinnon’s reports, the 
former as secretary and the latter as treasurer, were 
very satisfactory. Mr. Laird made reference to the 
loss sustained by the association from the death of 
the two eminent members, Mr. M. Dunn and Mr. 
W. M. Welsh. The treasurer's report showed a 
balance of /22 19s. 3d. from the receipts of the last 
Chrysanthemum show. The ordinary income of the 
association, including the balance from last year, 
amounted to £949 6s. 6Jd., and after meeting the ex¬ 
penditure the surplus funds at the end of the year 
were ^777 12s. r^d. The reports were adopted, and 
some alterations were made in the rules. Office¬ 
bearers were afterwards elected. The Duke of 
Buccleuch was again chosen as honorary president, 
and Mr. Cowan as president. Messrs. Lonieand 
Comfort were elected vice-presidents. Mr. Laird 
and Mr. Mackinnon were re-elected to their offices 
as secretary and treasurer. Messrs. Grieve, Chaplin, 
Chalmers, JohnstOD, Proctor, Burgoyne, Salter, and 
Brown were appointed to fill the vacancies on the 
council. 
