October 20, 1900 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
125 
the first twenty years it did not thrive. It was not 
well known, and, of course, nothing makes success 
like success. It received signal notice by the 
endeavours and writings of Mr. John Wright, 
V.M.H., through the medium of the Journal of 
Horticulture, and gradually its influence extended. 
The membership fifteen years ago was ioo, to-day 
there are 844 on the books! Since last annual 
dinner, 65 new members had joined, and Mr. Monro 
earnestly appealed to the members present to do 
their utmost to emulate (he could scarcely hope 
they would surpass it) the past year’s work. There 
are two scales of payments, the higher scale of gd. a 
week, which entitles the member to 18/- per week in 
case of sickness, and the lower scale of 6d. a week, 
by which 12/- is provided on illness. Full payment 
is kept up for twenty-six weeks, and half the amount 
for twenty-six weeks longer if the case demands it. 
The members[contribute annually a small subscrip¬ 
tion toward the Benevolent Fund, and 2s. 6d. 
towards the Management Fund. The Convalescent 
Fund, started a few years ago by N. N. Sherwood, 
Esq., is supported by voluntary contributions. This 
fund is one of the best, and is intended to benefit 
gardeners who have just recovered from a severe 
illness, and who may require a seaside trip to put 
them into thorough health again. Mr. Monro 
brought this fund specially to the attention of all 
those who are debarred from being members of the 
society, but who may be willing to assist in some 
respect. 
The original framers of the rules received a compli¬ 
ment from the chairman, and he mentioned with 
satisfaction that only three rules had required altera¬ 
tion since the time they were first drawn up. The 
society was not worked on "the guinea-pigs on the 
table system,” for each member had a separate 
account on the ledger, and all matters were performed 
with due caution yet with promptitude. It made light 
work for the committee in having so attentive and 
capable a secretary as Mr. William Collins. In 
further urging gardeners, and especially the younger 
gardeners, to become members, Mr. Monro pointed 
out that they would find it a savings bank, and a 
sure stay in case of sickness. It made for thrift and 
bred the true British spirit of independence. He 
cited the case of a member who had £94 13s. nd. 
standing to his credit. The interest of this 
for one year at 3 per cent, comes to £2 15s. 3d. 
His contributions were £1 19s., so that his standing 
account was increased by 50 per cent, more than he 
actually subscribed to it. Surely this was enticing. 
He had £99 is. 9s. at the end of 1899, the small 
annual expenses having at the same time been 
deducted. Another instance of a similar increase to 
the account of a member paying on the lower scale 
was also noticed. 
The goodwill and brotherliness which such a 
society engendered amongst its members, be they 
employers or employed, was another cord touched by 
the speaker. Mr. Monro in referring to the splendid 
sister institutions, the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent, 
and the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund, said that 
while these provided for old age on the one hand, 
and for gardeners' orphans on the other, neither of 
them provided for the working gardener in his time 
of illness. The above two institutions, and the 
society whose anniversary they were celebrating, 
completed the circle of “insurances" against ever¬ 
present possibilities. 
The chairman then proposed the toast, coupling 
with it the name of Mr. j. Hudson, V.M.H., trea¬ 
surer of the society. Mr. Hudson expressed his 
pleasure at seeing Mr. Monro in the chair, supported 
as he was with so many friends. It was his hope 
that the future would show as much success as the 
immediate past had done. They had a good name 
and they ought to make it known. Till they had 
i.ooo members and largely invested funds, Mr. Hud¬ 
son hoped he might be able to continue in his office 
as treasurer. The working expenses during the year 
just closed amounted to 2s. iojd. per member, but 
each member only pays 2s. 6d., the balance is volun¬ 
tarily subscribed at the annual dinner, and money is 
got from advertisements and other sources. Holding 
the report of the society in his hands, Mr. Hudson 
said the list of names contained therein almost pro¬ 
vided one with a complete horticultural directory. 
Those who had become members were wise ; and he 
advised all to join in the benefits afforded by the 
society. 
Following Mr. Hudson’s response, the company 
were photographed as they sat at the tables, by 
Messrs. Fradelle & Young, of 283, Regent's Street, 
W.. from whom photographs can be had for 5s. 6d. 
each. A finished photograph was exhibited before 
the company broke up. 
The toast of “ The Honorary and Life Members ’’ 
was given by Mr. C. H. Curtis, and responded to by 
Mr. Arnold Moss (Messrs. Jacob Wrench & Co.) 
The fact that most of the honorary and life members 
were employers of labour was used by Mr. Curtis to 
appeal to them to use their influence and induce 
their workmen to become members. Both parties 
would thus be benefited from a sense of common 
security. Mr. Moss supported what Mr. Curtis had 
just said, and re-echoed the chairman's remarks “that 
such a society strengthened the independent spirit.” 
Mr. Harry J. Veitch gave " The Craft,” and briefly 
outlined the changes which he had experienced 
during his forty-four years of active work in horti¬ 
culture. He said he had very great hopes for the 
future of gardening and gardeners. Twenty years 
ago the question was where are the places for 
the men ? but for the past five years this has 
been changed to where are the men for the 
places? Of necessity the condition of gardeners 
must rise, for the love of horticulture was increasing. 
Mr. Alex Dean replied at some length. He termed 
the gardener “an operator in art ” rather than a 
handicraftsman like the carpenter, the bricklayer or 
other tradesmen. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Sir John 
Llewellyn, Leopold de Rothschild Esq., and other 
high personages were well-known gardeners and 
were proud of their gardening connections. Mr. 
Dean had lived his life as a gardener and thought 
himself happy to think he would die a gardener. 
Mr. W. Collins, secretary, announced the names 
of those who had promised subscriptions that even¬ 
ing. These were Geo. Monro, Es<j., 5 gs. ; Harry J. 
Veitch, Esq., 5 gs.; N. N. Sherwood, Esq., 5 gs.; 
and from his daughter whose marriage was cele¬ 
brated the day before, 5 gs.; Messrs. Dicksons, 
Chester, gave 2 gs. ; T. M. Cox, Esq., 1 gn.; G. 
M. Roach, Esq., 10/6 ; and Alex. Dean, Esq., 10/6. 
Messrs. Willingham Bros., and the Messrs. Cut- 
bush have become honorary members, paying one 
guinea a year. The pleasant evening’s entertain¬ 
ment broke up about 10.15 p m., after singing " Auld 
Lang Syne.” 
-*5*- 
ARDENING fjflSCELLANY. 
GUNNERA MANICATA. 
Without any exception I regard this as the most 
remarkable and magnificent hardy ornamental her¬ 
baceous plant I have at present met with. To give 
those unacquainted with either it or G. scabra an 
idea of its general appearance it might be described 
as resembling a giant Rhubarb, with leaves 12 to 20 ft. 
in circumference, borne on stout foot stalks, 4 to 6 ft. 
in height. It prefers a damp shady position and 
should be so placed that its immense foliage can 
stand out clear from all surrounding objects. A pre¬ 
ferable site for it is where it can be looked up to, and 
down upon. From either aspect its huge proportions 
cannot tail to impress even a superficial observer. — 
IV. B. G. 
MONARDA DIDYMA ALBA. 
As a companion plant to the very superior Monarda 
didyma, the white variety of it ought to be included 
when making up the plant borders at the present 
time. It does not always develop pure white flowers 
unless it is grown in a friable soil. When subjected 
to too much dampness it has a tendency, especially 
in shade, to assume a green tint. The crimson, the 
white, and the pink M. fistulosa sorts are all splen¬ 
did border plants. 
OXALIS DISPAR. 
Anyone seeing this Oxalis for the first time, would 
scarcely recognise it under casual examination as an 
Oxalis at all. It is a shrubby growing species, with 
dark green, trifoliate leaves which grow irregularly 
from the somewhat straggling stems. The flowers 
are axillary, on long peduncles and are arranged in 
clusters. Their bright canary yellow colour makes 
them attractive and showy. It is a native of the 
lower altitudes of Guinea, therefore requires a stove 
temperature when grown artifically. During growth 
it requires to be pinched, in order to form bushy 
plants. 
A GOOD TRAP FOR EARWIGS 
Can be made of old worn out garden hose by cutting 
it into four inch lengths, and plugging up one end 
with cork. Place them among plants or trees infested 
with these vermin and go round every morning with 
a pail of water, taking the traps and giving them a 
sharp tap on the edge of the pail. The insects will 
fall into the water ; or a tap on the end of the boot 
will do, crushing them as they fall with the foot.— 
W. B. G. 
BROWALLIA DEMISSA. 
For winter-blooming the Browallias have been re¬ 
commended at an earlier date. Probably B. demissa 
may not have been prominently brought to notice, 
and if not, it is not because it is inferior to B. elata 
or any other. The flowers are bright lavender-blue, 
borne in the same manner as those of B. elata. It is 
now in flower and has been so for some time. In our 
warm stoves we want more of these easily grown 
flowering plants. Beautiful and stately foliage 
plants are respected by all of us, but they ought not 
surely to be grown to the exclusion of nearly all the 
flowering subjects. 
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 0) 
news upon passing events likely to interest horticult¬ 
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 
tobic 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. James 
Reid, Viceregal Gardens, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 
for his article on " Begonia Gloire de Sceaux," 
p. 103. 
QUGSCIOQg ADD Ar$UJGR$. 
Will our friends who send usnews.apers be so goop 
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, Pelargoniums, 
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.] 
Pot Plants infested with Grubs.— Gaitlands : The 
Cyclamen corm you sent us was perfectly decayed, 
quite black and swarming with small grubs, not 
worms as you mention. They are the young larvae 
or grubs of the Daddy Long-legs or Leather Jackets. 
They may belong to Tipula oleracea or allied 
species, but are yet too young to fully determine. 
The eggs have been laid amongst leaves or on the 
grass from which the leaves were raked, or more 
likely on the leaf mould heap. They would thus 
be introduced to the pots in which plants are 
grown amongst the leaf mould used in the compost. 
Then hatching out under the influence of heat and 
moisture, the grubs commence to feed upon the 
roots of the plants and other vegetable matter 
within their reach. After the roots of the 
Cyclamens have been destroyed decay has set in 
until the whole corm has decayed and become suit¬ 
able food for the grubs. You do not say what plants 
they have destroyed other than the Cyclamen you 
sent, so that we cannot advise you except in general 
terms as to what you should do. Where the roots 
are thoroughly destroyed the plants may be thrown 
away or burnt, and the soil buried deeply so as to 
prevent the grubs from getting to the surface. All 
the Cyclamens like that you sent may be thrown 
away or rather burned to destroy the grubs. When 
repotting any plants you should first bake the leaf 
mould intended for mixing with the compost so as to 
destroy the young grubs ; or the leaf mould might 
be scalded with boiling water to destroy grubs and 
eggs. 
Planting Gladiolus The Bride .—Omega : This 
variety belonging to the early flowering section, and 
usually being required for cut flowers as early as 
possible must be planted out with that object in 
view*. It may be done in February, or even earlier, 
according to the condition of the weather, the state 
