116 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October ‘JO, 190C. 
he changed from an ordinary or casual ob¬ 
server, and developed into a specialist of 
the most pronounced character ; and since 
then has been so successful not only in find¬ 
ing new and remarkable forms, but in 
raising even finer ones under a state of 
cultivation. Within a week of his first 
find he picked up B. S. polydactyla near 
Lynton, Devon, and was now smitten with 
the fever for collecting, a most enticing 
and alluring pursuit which he has since cul¬ 
tivated at intervals in various parts of 
Britain and Ireland. The very narrow and 
neat fronds of B. S. concinnum Druery are 
made up of semi-circular, very short and 
beautifully serrate pinnae. B. S. lineare 
Barnes differs in having entire or almost 
entire strap-like fronds. Quite a handsome 
form is B. S. plumosum Airey, which, in its 
best and highest development, is bipinnate, 
and 2 ft. long, yet narrow and graceful. The 
basal third only of the fronds of B. S. con- 
tractum is narrow and contracted. The 
broad pinnae of B. S. imbricatum overlap 
one another like the tiles on a roof. Another 
type is B. S. ramo-cristatum, with branching 
and crested fronds. B. S. ramo-cristatum 
Sinclair has the pinnae of the fertile fronds 
mostly confined to the apex. Of the Lady 
Ferns, Lastreas and Polystichums we must 
say something later on as the limits 
of space are against us on this occa¬ 
sion ; while the varieties, which include 
some of the finest forms in existence, are 
too rare, beautiful and interesting to be 
overlooked. 
Royal Horticultural Society.—The next fruit and 
flower show of the Royal Horticultural Society will 
be held on Tuesday, October 23rd, in the Drill Hall, 
James Street, Westminster, 1—4 p.m. A lecture on 
"Mistakes in Orchard Management,” illustrated by 
limelight, will be given by Mr. John Ettle, F.R.H.S.. 
at three o’clock. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.— 
At a meeting of the above in conjunction with the 
Royal Agricultural and Botanical Society of Ghent 
on the 7th inst., Certificates of Merit were awarded 
to Dracaena Standaerti, presented by M. P. Stard- 
aert (by acclamation) ; Agave attenuata, shown by 
M. E. Bedinghaus; a lot of Cattleya hardyana and 
C. h. Mme. Maurice Verdonck, exhibited by M. 
Maurice Verdonck (in both cases with unanimity) ; 
Cattleya Harrisoniae var. Prince Albertus van 
Belgie, shown by M. L. P. De Langhe-Vervaene (by 
acclamation); to each of Laelia praestans var. 
amoena (with unanimity), L. praestans var., Steno- 
glottis longifolia var. albens, Cattleya bowringiana 
Wild's var., and C. hardyana lilacina, all exhibited 
by the Marquis of Wavrin; Miltonia moreliana 
Vinckii, C. Harrisoniae var., C. Prince Albert (C. 
Loddigesii x C. Trianaei), Dendrobium Phalaenop- 
sis Princesse Albert de Belgique, Cattleya labiata 
Princesse Clementine (by acclamation), Laelia 
praestans grandiflora, Cattleya'schilleriana superba, 
and C Lafontaine (C. Mendelii x C. guttata), all the 
eight being shown by M. Vincke-Dujardin; Laelia 
praestans var. bella, shown by L’Horticole Coloniale 
(by acclamation); a collection of cut flowers of new 
varieties of Cactus Dahlias, exhibited by M. A. 
Gallet (with unanimity) ; a collection of cut flowers of 
Ceanothus, in twelve varieties, staged by M. G. 
Kerkvoorde; and a collection of cut flowers of 
Gloxinia, presented by M. le Comte Oswald de Ker- 
chove de Denterghem. A Certificate for culture was 
accorded to Echinocactus Grusonii, shown by M. E. 
Bedinghaus. A Certificate for novelty was placed 
to Anthurium scherzerianum Aurora Boreale, shown 
by M. Louis De Smet (with unanimity). Honour¬ 
able mention for flowering was accorded to Burling- 
tonia Candida, exhibited by M. Maurice Verdonck. 
A similar award was made to a collection of cut 
flowers of new varieties of Canna florifere, shown by 
M. A. Gallet. Chrysanthemum Chas. Molin, Chrys¬ 
anthemum Mutual Friend, Kentia gracilis, Cibotium 
Schiedei, and Dracaena Bruanti fol. var., shown by 
several exhibitors, the Jury desired to see again at a 
future meeting. 
Thunbergia grandiflora, a pretty warm house 
climber, is now displaying long sprays of its tubular, 
lavender-coloured flowers. 
A Pink Carnation is President McKinley’s 
favourite flower, and has been adopted as an emblem 
of fealty for the U.S. electioneering campaign. 
The Journal of the Department of Agriculture 
of Western Australia for August, 1900, has reached 
us, and in it are articles on a wide number of up-to- 
date agricultural and horticultural subjects, &c. 
Orchid Flowers in the Market.—Orchids, 
especially Cattleyas (says an American contem¬ 
porary, and we here can say the same), are becoming 
more and more a factor in the cut flower market; 
and the general flower-buying public, as well as the 
very wealthy, are becoming familiar with them. 
During the winter season the demand is usually 
greater than the supply and the call for these gems 
of the floral kingdom will undoubtedly continue to 
increase 
A New Cabbage Planter.—Mr. John Macdonald, 
of Lenzie, N.B. (says the Farmers' Gazette), has 
invented an improved Cabbage planter. The imple¬ 
ment is of simple construction and performs the 
triple operations of dibbling, planting, and closing 
simultaneously. By its aid a man has planted from 
8,000 to 10,000 Cabbages in day, every plant being 
left as straight as a die. The implement is very 
durable and so simple as to be turned out at the cost 
of a few coppers. 
Gardening Appointments in Ireland. — Mr. 
Robert Russell, gardener for eight and a half years 
to — Fry, Esq.. J.P., Wilton House, Merrion Road, 
Dublin, has been appointed steward and gardener to 
Mr. Tedcastle, Marlay, Rathfarnham. Mr. William 
Haddow, for the past two years general foreman at 
Castle Boro’, County Wexford, has been appointed 
head gardener to Lord Ardilaun, Ashford House, 
Cory, County Dublin. Mr. T. H. Quin, from Messrs. 
Dicksons, the Royal Nurseries, Chester, and late 
head gardener at Bushey Park, Enniskerry, has been 
appointed head gardener and manager to Col. Cosby, 
Stradbally Hall, Queen’s County. 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual 
Improvement Society.—One of the most successful 
meetings yet held took place at the society’s room, 
the "Sunflower” Temperance Hotel, George Street, 
on Tuesday, the 9th inst. Mr. W. J. Simpson was 
in the chair, Mr. M. E. Mills in the vice-chair, and 
upwards of forty members were present. The chair¬ 
man introduced Mr. Scaplehorn, a member of the 
Woking Horticultural Society, who gave an interest¬ 
ing and instructive paper on “ Hardy Flowers.” The 
lecturer dealt most ably with the various classes of 
hardy flowers, pointing out their beauty at various 
seasons of the year, the treatment, cultivation, propa¬ 
gation, &c.; also the most suitable kinds for giving 
effect in the garden, as cut flowers, and for exhibi¬ 
tion. Hardy Orchids, Liliums, Primulas, Iris, 
aquatic and bog plants, and the formation of beds 
and borders were also noted, and in the course of 
his paper Mr. Scaplehorn pointed out that the 
humble cottager could grow and enjoy the hardy 
flowers equally with the millionaire. The reading of 
the paper was listened to with great interest, and at 
its conclusion met with most hearty applause. A 
very interesting discussion followed, in which many 
of the members took part. A hearty and unanimous 
vote of thanks was passed. The meeting was 
brightened by a fine display of hardy flowers by 
members and friends, Mr. M. E. Mills showing 
twenty-four fine bunches in as many varieties ; also a 
beautiful vase of Physalis Francheti. Messrs. G. 
Jackman & Son, of Woking, also contributed about 
two dozen bunches of excellent varieties. Mr. J. R. 
Box, Croydon, exhibited a number of boxes of single 
and double seedling Begonias, cut from the open 
ground at West Wickham Nurseries, of the best 
types and rich colour, also some new Dahlias. Messrs. 
John Peed & Son, West Norwood, exhibited a large 
collection of Begonias from the open ground, both 
single and double, the Camellia and Picotee forms 
being exceptionally fine. A vote of thanks was 
accorded the exhibitors for their exhibits. The 
chairman announced that the next meeting would be 
held on the 16th October ; subject, “ Chrysanthe¬ 
mums,” by Mr. M. E. Mills, The Gardens, Coombe 
House, Croydon. 
Mr. Peter Barr, Y.M.H., was lately at Melbourne, 
New South Wales, and gave a lecture on Daffodils 
before the Royal Horticultural Society, of Victoria, 
on August 9th. His portrait appears in The Leader, 
which is an immense weekly publication issued in 
Melbourne. A short history of Mr. Barr's career is 
also furnished. His aim in thus travelling so far 
and wide is for collecting and classifying plants that 
may be useful to “ the trade.” 
Royal Horticultural Society.—Mr. Gauntlett, of 
Redruth, has presented a collection of thirty-four 
hardy varieties of Bamboos to the Society. The 
Essex County Council have presented one of their 
Technical Committee Students to a Scholarship ten¬ 
able at the society’s gardens. The following are the 
subjects appointed for trial at the gardens during the 
season 1901-2, viz. :—1, Verbenas. 2, Hybrid Tea 
and hybrid China Roses. 3, Delphiniums. 4, Her¬ 
baceous Lobelias. 5, German Irises, with a view to 
the correction of nomenclature. 6, New varieties of 
Potatos. 7, New varieties of Peas. 8, Summer 
and autumn Cabbages. 9, Plants suitable for salads. 
W. Wilks, See. 
The Plenteous Fruit Harvest. —Fruit growers 
in the Peterborough district (and possibly elsewhere), 
says the Midland Counties Herald, have a grievance 
against the newspapers. Exaggerated statements 
have been made as to the bulk of the fruit crop; 
buyers have acted on the information and refused to 
buy except at very unremunerative prices to the 
seller. Consequently the crop, which is an average 
one, is being wasted. Around Peterborough tons of 
stone fruits lie rotting beneath the trees. A local 
buyer admitted that he purchased at £6 a ton Plums 
which in London readily fetched a price “ equivalent 
to /40 a ton.” For ourselves we will say that there 
is a vast amount of irresponsible statistical writings 
and reports given through the Press in these days. 
The fruit crop has been so heavy this year that we 
know there are men who have not cleared carriage 
and commission agent’s expenses on the sale of tons 
of their fruits! 
Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual.— 
The first meeting of the autumn session was held on 
Monday, the 8th inst., and as it had been arranged 
for Mr. G. Stanton, of Park Place, Henley-on- 
Thames, to give a paper on “Annuals,” it is need¬ 
less to say that a very large attendance of members 
was present. Mr. Stanton, in introducing his sub¬ 
ject, said that at the present day it was difficult to 
draw the line exactly between annuals, biennials, 
and perennials, because the two latter are frequently 
treated as annuals, with advantage by growing from 
seed. Annuals may be said to serve three distinct 
purposes, viz.:—for cutting, an important considera¬ 
tion in these days ; for bedding, a purpose for which 
many of them are well adapted; and for filling up 
or supplementing our mixed borders as may be 
necessary. The .varieties best adapted for various 
purposes were then touched upon under the follow¬ 
ing headings Climbers, Summer Bedding, Spring 
Bedding, Cutting, and Mixed Borders. A very 
interesting discussion followed, in which Messrs. 
Fry, Townsend (WellingtonjCollege), Barnes (Bear¬ 
wood), Tunbridge (Henley), Pope (Wargrave), 
Butcher (Newbury), Neve (Sindlesham), Tufnail, 
Sherlock (Mortimer), Lever,^Alexander, and Bryant 
(Pangbourne) took part, and the conclusion came to 
was that autumn sowing was of great advantage and 
that many perennials should be treated as annuals. 
A great feature of the meeting was the exceptionally 
good exhibits of flowers from the open, and which 
would have been considered excellent had it been 
August instead of October. The flowers were staged 
by Mr. Stanton, who had a collection of thirty-four 
varieties; Mr. F. Lever, The Gardens, Hillside, 
perennial Asters from seed ; Mr. W. T. Townsend, 
Sandhurst Lodge Gardens, Pentstemon and Physalis 
Francheti; Mr. E. Fry, The Gardens, Greenlands, 
Sweet Peas ; Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Ten Weeks 
Stocks, Nemesias, Marguerite Carnations, and 
Mexican Poppy; Mr. S. W. Sherlock, Oakfield 
Gardens, Salvias; whilst Mr. Botley, Blythewood 
Gardens, Maidenhead, brought some beautiful 
Eucfcaris amazonica. A hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded to the lecturer and to the exhibitors. 
Although the association is a very large one it is 
continually growing, seven new members were 
elected at the meeting. 
