January 27. 1900. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
349 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICOLTO RAL .—ayd January. 
The meeting on Tuesday last was not a very large 
one, the finer features consisting of Orchids, Chinese 
Primulas, Cyclamens, Ferns, and various small lots 
of new or interesting subjects. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, had a 
varied and beautiful exhibit of Orchids, set up with 
Selaginellas and Maidenhair Ferns. Very choice 
were Cypripedium Hera Euryades, C. Euryades 
(reverse crosses of villosum Boxalli and C. leeanum), 
C. Pharos, C. Lsonidas, C carnusianum (Veitch’s 
var.), C. Minos, C. Niobe, and many others of that 
genus. Dendrobium atroviolaceum, D endocharis, 
D. Cassiope, D. findlayanum, D. euosmum leucopte- 
rum, and D. Dulce, were all in fine form and freely 
bloomed. 
Sir Trevot Lawrence, Bait, (grower, Mr. W. H. 
White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, exhibited a small 
group of well flowered and cheerful looking Orchids. 
Dendrobium burfordiense, D. Cordelia, D. 
melanodiscus var. Rainbow, and Cypripedium 
Sallieri hyeanum, were simply masses of bloom. A 
lovely variety is Cyp. leeanum,albertianum,the mark¬ 
ings being heavy and rich. Calanthe Regnieri 
hololeuca, Tainia penangiana, Maxillaria arachnites 
and M. leptosepala were other interesting plants in 
the exhibit. 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, exhibited 
a small group of Dendrobium atroviolaceum in small 
pots plunged in a large one. The flowers showed 
considerable variety. They also had D. Madonnae. 
De B. Crawshay, Esq. (gardener, Mr. S. Cooke), 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks, had several beautiful varieties 
of Odontoglossum Rossii majus, including the 
varieties O R. m. Mrs. de B. Crawshay, and 
O.R. m. Mr. Lionell Crawshay. G. F. Moore. Esq. 
(gardener.Mr. Morris),Bourton-on-water, Gloucester, 
staged the beautiful Cattleya percivaliana Chardwar 
var., Cypripedium Beckmanni, and C. mooreanum. 
Messrs Stanley Mobbs & Ashton, Southgate, 
London, N., exhibited the rare Cattleya ludde- 
manniana Abnor Hassall. Sir Wm. S. Marriott, 
Bart., The Down House, Blandford, staged Odonto¬ 
glossum crispum castum, a white variety. Cypri¬ 
pedium nitens Hessle var. (C. villosum x C. insigne 
Maulei), and C. Hera Adrastus were well shown by 
W. G. Burkinshaw, Esq., West Hill, Hessle, Hull. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., exhibited a small 
group of new hybrids, including Phaiocalanthe in- 
sperata, Cypripedium Actaeus langleyense, Laelia 
Mrs. M. Gratrix var. supetba, Phalaenopsis Hy¬ 
men, and Epidendrum Wallisio-ciliare superbum, 
all handsome acquisitions. Norman C. Cookson, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. Wm. Murray), Oak wood, 
Wylam-on-Tyne, exhibited a beautiful hybrid named 
Cypripedium sanderiano-Curtisii. 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, exhibited the 
beautiful Phalaenopsis intermedia brymeriana, two 
plants of Cymbidium traceyanum, Dendrobium 
vannerianum, and the handsome seedling Phalaen¬ 
opsis schilleriano stuartiana. Baron Schroder, The 
Dell, Egham (gardener, Mr. H. Ballantine) exhibited 
a fine panicle of Odontoglossum crispum schroder- 
ianum. 
Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Bradford, 
Yorks, exhibited several hybrids, including Laelio- 
cattleya Charlesworthii, Lc. Sunray, Lc. Cappei, and 
Cypripedium cowleyanum magnificum. J T. Bennett 
Poe, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Downes), Holmwood, 
Cheshunt, received a Cultural Commendation for 
Laelia anceps sanderiana. R. G. Thwaites, Esq., 
23, Christchurch Road, Streatbam, staged Dendro¬ 
bium Galatea. 
A Silver Gilt Flora Medal was awarded to Sir F. 
WigaD, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H. Young, Clare 
Lawn, East Sheen), for a magnificent collection of cut 
flowers of Phalaenopsis in long panicles set up with 
a few other Orchids, Ferns and Palms. Amongst 
them were P. grandiflora, P. schilleriana, P. s. 
Vestalis, &c. Highly interesting also were Vanda 
lamellata and Aerides vandarum. 
Lord Rothchild (gardener, Mr. E. Hill), Tring 
Park, Tring, exhibited Odontoglossum crispum, with 
a spike 3 ft. long, bearing three branches, and carry¬ 
ing thirty seven flowers. The plant has been in the 
Tring Park collection for seventeen years. 
Messrs. Hill & Son, Barrowfield Nurseries, Lower 
Edmonton, once again graced the Drill Hall with a 
very representative collection of gold and silver 
Ferns, Lycopodiums, &c. The Cyathea insignis as a 
centrepiece, Asplenium caudatum, Davallia dissecta, 
a very well grown and pretty basket species, Pte»s 
straminea, harder and darker green than P. tremula 
were subjects for every garden. Lastrea patens was 
also seen in much freshness, and Polypodium irioides, 
a narrow-leaved variety. Gymnogramme # schizo- 
phylla gloriosa adds another capital subject to the 
list, and to conclude with a taller growing and hardier 
Fern one may mention Polypodium Phymatodes 
(Silver Flora Medal.) 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, 
Enfield, have fulfilled the predictions made by us 
when they showed at the December meetings, which 
was to the effect that given more time the Enfield 
Cyclamens would be capital samples of culture. The 
strain is well known as of very superior merit and 
when seen in the mass, good plants each of them, 
the effect was very fine. The Bush Hill Pioneer 
feathered white and red Cyclamens and varieties of 
the Papilio type, especially those where a Picotee 
edge is developing, are the acme of floral beauty. 
(Silver Banksian Medal.) 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, set up a 
very choice group of Chinese Primulas. Among the 
plants of this collection the centra' group represent¬ 
ing a new break, the result of a cross between The 
Lady, the graceful long-stalked variety, and White 
Perfection, a large flowered Chinese white. The 
cross has been exceptionally successful, for the larger 
flowers of the dwarf variety are now borne on the 
lengthened dark brown petioles got from the other 
parent. This latter break has been called Kentish 
Queen. Mrs. H. Cannell represents another 
distinct kind on which the edges of the corollas are 
smooth and even instead of wavy as in the type. 
The plants were very fine and represented good 
colours ranging over a wide selection. (Silver Flora 
Medal.) 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed a capital 
four boxes of their Winter Beauty Tomato. 
Enough has been said of this in the past, and further 
comment than that it is the best winter fruiting 
variety we have, need not be given. 
Galanthus Elwesii var. Whittali was shown by 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Covent Garden, W.C. It 
is one of the finest and most distinct types of early 
flowering Snowdrop we have. Their very sweet- 
scented bowls of free-flowering Sacred Lilies were 
much admired. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, again 
were evident in the old position at the north end of 
the hall, showing a fresh supplement of their 
incessantly flowering Javanico-jasminiflorum Rhodo¬ 
dendrons. They also showed wbat was more or less 
a novelty to the visitors, a number of plants of the 
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis arborea which bears 
yellow flowers of a frioge-like appearance on its bare 
brown stems. This is a very handsome Japan shrub 
which attains the dimensions of a small tree and is 
more suitable for general planting than the American 
species. 
--—-— — —- 
OBITUARY. 
. Mr. John Fraser, V.M.H. 
It is with great regret that we announce the death of 
this veteran, well-known and much respected horti¬ 
culturist, of the Woodford Nurseries, South Wood¬ 
ford, Essex, on Saturday last (the 20th inst.), at the 
age of 78. He was the oldest member of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, and feeling reference was 
made to his decease at the meeting of the committees 
of the society on Tuesday last. He had been a mem¬ 
ber of the Floral Committee for many years, and the 
chairman of that body (Mr. William Marshall) and 
Mr. George Paul spoke in terms of great respect to 
his memory, and in high praise of the invaluable aid 
he had for many a year and day rendered the society 
by his presence at the committee table; and of the 
high estimation in which his advice was always held 
and respected, when given concerning the merits and 
horticultural value of the new and other plants 
brought forward for certificates, as well as when ad¬ 
judicating upon the groups put up at the meetings 
and shows of the society. A resolution was proposed 
and carried unanimously that his colleagues on the 
committee convey their sincere condolences to the 
family of the deceased for their irreparable loss. 
Mr. Fraser was one of the two vice-chairmen of 
the Floral Committee, as well as a Fellow of the 
Royal Horticultural Society. For many years after 
the founding of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund, 
he was one of its auditors, and always carried out 
his duties most conscientiously. 
For more than a generation he has been known 
over the length and breadth of the land as a most 
successful cultivator of special classes of plants such 
as Heath®, New Holland plants generally, Roses, 
and fruit trees. His name in times past was associ¬ 
ated with Lea Bridge, where his nurseries were then 
situated. Laterly, he moved his nurseries to South 
Woodford, where he devoted the ground chiefly to 
the rearing and cultivation of fruit trees and Roses, 
owing to the changes of the times and the much 
smaller demand for hard-wooded subjects, which 
have largely gone out of fashion. 
He leaves a son, who, we presume, will carry on 
the business. The funeral took place at Leyton 
Parish Church on Wednesday,at 3.30 p.m., as we went 
to press. The Royal Horticultural Society was re¬ 
presented at the funeral obsequies. 
--t*- 
READ THIS. 
A weekly award of 5s. will be made by the pro¬ 
prietors of The Gardening World, to the person 
who sends the most interesting or valuable item of 
news upon passing events likely to interest horiicult- 
urists at large ; hints containing suggestive facts of 
practical interest to gardeners or growers of plants, 
fruits, or flowers ; successful methods of propagating 
plants usually considered difficult ; or any other 
topic coming within the sphere of gardening proper. 
The articles in question should not exceed 250 words, 
and should be marked ” Competition.” The address 
of the winner will be published. The Editor’s 
judgment must be considered final. The communi¬ 
cations for each week should be posted not later 
than Monday night. 
The prize last week was awarded to Mr. J. Mayne, 
Bicton, for " Propagation by the Aid of Water.” A 
correspondent writes to tell us this is also his 
decision. 
Competitors, please kindly read the first paragraph 
of this notice again, particularly—"The articles in 
question should not exceed 250 words.” Six words 
less would not cause the loss of the prize to the best 
or most original or interesting article ; whereas 251 
words would be loo many. — Ed. G. W. 
Questions add ms®6RS- 
*.* Will our friends who send us newspapers be so good 
as to mark the paragraphs or articles they wish us to see. 
We shall be greatly obliged bv their so doing. 
[Correspondents, please note that we cannot undertake to 
name florists' flowers such as Carnations, Pelargonium{, 
Chrysanthemums, Roses, nor such as are mere garden 
varieties, differing only in the colour of the flower. 
Florists' flowers, as a rule, can only be named by those who 
grow collections of them.'] 
Caustic Soda and Fruit Trees — J- Mac: The 
caustic soda washes are generally employed in com¬ 
pany with some other ingredients. To destroy scale 
a mixture is made up of 18 lbs. resin, 5 lbs. caustic 
soda (70 per cent, strength), fish or whale oil pints, 
and sufficient water to make up 100 gallons. The 
quantity you would require would depend upon the 
size of the trees, and the fineness, or otherwise, of 
the rose or nozzle on the spraying machine. 
Those points would have to be ascertained by prac¬ 
tice, You would, in all probability, require the 100 
gallons, because ia spraying the trees much would 
be unavoidably lost. If you desire to employ caus¬ 
tic soda alone use 5 lbs. of it in 100 gallons of water, 
The soda should be of the strength mentioned above. 
Should you decide to begin with 50 gallons of the 
insecticide, then only half of the soda would, be 
necessary, and so on in proportion for any given 
smaller quantity. Should you use the soda, resin, 
and fish oil, the ingredients (if you get them in the 
solid state) must undergo a process of boiling for 
about an hour, so as to make them mix properly. 
This can be done in a small quantity of water, 
making up the necessary amount afterwards by 
gradually pouring in cold water and stirring all the 
time. 
Names of Birds.—Omega: The Chaffinch is one 
of the finches, and is named Fringilla caelebs. The 
common or House Sparrow is generally known as 
Passer domesticus, but some ornithologists name it 
Pyrgitta domestica The small bird you sent was 
the Common Creeper (Certhia familiaris). It is a 
perfectly harmless bird, its sole food consisting of in¬ 
sects, which it picks out of the cracks and crevices 
of trees, up the trunks of which it is continually 
climbing. Though fairly well distributed it is not 
very often obstr/ed od account of its habit of hiding 
behind the tree trunks so as to escape the observa- 
