166 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 10, 1900. 
than the class for twelve vases of five 
blooms each. The class filled two long 
tables from end to end, and most of the 
visitors were agreed that the blooms were 
larger than ever. They certainly received 
a great amount of attention, and elicited a 
great amount of admiration. The tall vases 
and the long leafy stems enable the huge 
blooms to be seen to the greatest advantage. 
We doubt if such blooms have ever been seen' 
in America, where this system of exhibiting 
the autumn flower is the most prevalent 
one, and has been so for many years past. 
Whatever some people may say about the 
coarseness of big blooms, there can be no 
doubt that they attract the greatest number 
of the general public, and even the gar¬ 
deners themselves. There was a consider¬ 
able outcry against the introduction of the 
newer and larger types of incurved varie¬ 
ties, but we believe, and always did, that 
they were not only an impetus to keep the 
interest in this class alive, but to restore 
some of its lost prestige and popularity. 
The large forms are now the most numerous 
on the boards, and the older ones being the 
smallest are only resorted to to fill the front 
row of the boards. 
The competing groups were not the 
same as formerly, inasmuch as the material 
was used to decorate the fountains in the 
floor of the building, to the great improve¬ 
ment of the fountains. Mr. Norman 
Davis took the lead, and other winners are 
all given in our report of the show in 
another column. The non-competitive 
groups were again very numerous and fine. 
Telling groups were set up by Messrs. H. 
Cannell & Sons, Mr. H. J. Jones, Hobbies, 
Limited, Mr. R. Jameson, of Dublin, 
Mr. Norman Davis, Messrs. Wm. Cutbush 
& Son, Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, 
Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Mr. Robert Owen, 
Messrs. George Bunyard & Co., and 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, the latter showing 
a mixed group of flowers and fruits, while 
the Messrs. Bunyard had 150 dishes of 
superb Apples and Pears. 
-- 
White Lilac has been offered in London florists’ 
shops tor about a fortnight. 
Mr. Alexander Dryden, for some time at Eden- 
fiell, Springfield, Fite, has been appointed gardener 
to Dr, Piayfair, Westgreen Manor, Wincbfield, 
H? nts. 
Chrysanthemums in East London.—The Duchess 
Dowager of Sutherland has consented to open the 
Chrjsintbemum Show at the People’s Palace on 
Thursday, November 15th, at 8 p.m. Mr. Clarence 
Brandon, secretary of the People's Palace, has also 
accepted the invitation of the committee to act in 
conjunction with Mr. C. E. Osborn as'one of the 
honorary secretaries. 
Ealing Gardeners' Society. — Oa the 30th ult., a 
very instruciive paper on the " Construction and 
Maintenance of Roads and Paths” was read by Mr. 
W. B. Gingell, Superintendent of Ravenscourt Park, 
Hammersmith. Mr. Gingells subject was an 
eminently practical one, and, as such, appealed with 
much force to the majority of the craft, who love to 
have a clear and unmistakable statement of facts 
placed before them. In the matter of making a road 
or a path, there is not n.uch room for deviation, for, 
given the materials, the other can be worked out to 
a mathematical nicety. The maintenance, however, 
requires care and judgment, and Mr. Gingell dwelt 
on this phase with aptness and ability ; so much so, 
that his audience could find no flaws to conjure 
with. Mr. Gingell insisted that if paths were to be 
kept in an efficient condition, it was necessary that 
certain rules should be observed, which he summar¬ 
ised as follows: — Make the road or path well to 
start with ; never d:sturb the surface, except when 
repairs are necessary ; roll on every opportunity, 
especially after rain ; and water as often as possible 
ia hot wea her. The chairman, Mr. C. B. Green, 
and several others, commented favourably on the 
lecture, the lecturer receiving a hearty recognition 
of his services. 
Weather in London.—Much rain has fallen during 
the week. The weather is exceedingly mild. 
National Amateur Gardeners’ Association.—A 
crowded meeting of the members of this association 
met at Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C., 
on Tuesday evening, the 6th inst. Mr. Donald 
McDonald, F.L.S. (of Carter & Co.), read an inter¬ 
esting essay on “ Fragrant Trees and Shrubs.” 
This was illustrated by lime-light views of many 
subjects having a bearing on the paper. We hope 
to he able to publish the essay entire. Sir Geo. C. 
M. Birdwood, LL.D., &c,, &c., occupied the chair. 
A collection of fragrant plants, leaves and seeds was 
exhibited by Messrs. Carter & Co. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.—A meetiDg 
of members of the above was held in Victoria Street 
on the 3rd inst., Mr. T. Foster presiding over a large 
attendance. The meetings have been resumed after 
the lapse of one winter and the last meeting promises 
a successful season. Mr. R. G. Waterman, secre¬ 
tary of the Woolton Society, was introduced by the 
chairman, and selected for his subject “Soils and 
their Treatment.” The system recommended was of 
a practical and thorough manner. Selection of site, 
approved draining and burning, value and form of 
shelter, manures and their uses, and rotation of crops 
received intelligent treatment. As usual a discussion 
followed in which many present took part, after 
which a cordial vote of thanks was tendered to 
lecturer and chairman for their services. 
Death of Mr. Gillian.—By the death of Mr. 
Gillian whose demise occurred at Dalkeith Park, 
Midlothian, on the 30th ult., horticulture has sus¬ 
tained the loss of a firm attache. He has, for a 
period extending over ten years, acted as overseer of 
the men whose duty it is to keep the walks, shrub¬ 
beries, &c., within that vast enclosure denominated 
as the park. Previous to his engagement there, he 
for many years acted in the capacity of head gar¬ 
dener in various situations both in England and 
Scotland. Whilst acting as such in Ormiston Hall, 
Midlothian, he raised amongst other varieties a pure 
white seedling zonal Pelargonium, which has been 
distributed as Ormiston seedling. During his later 
years he derived much pleasure from the cultivating 
and selecting of seedling and also of meritorious 
varieties of Potatos. As a neighbour he will be 
sadly missed, for his kind and obliging manner and 
his pawky conversation made him a general favourite. 
The encomiums of those who served under him 
verges almost on pathos whilst detailing his kind¬ 
ness, and while they are asserting their unlikelihood 
of serving under such another. Deceased was in his 
sixty-seventh year, and leaves a widow for whom 
much sympathy is felt.— D. M. 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association.—The 
opening meeting of the session was held on the 31st 
ult. in Exeter Guildhall, and was presided over by 
Mr. Andrew Hope (hon. secretary), the lecturer 
being Mr. Allen H. Ware (Ph. Ch.), lecturer at the 
Royal Albert Memorial College (technical depart¬ 
ment). His subject was “ Studies in Plant Life.” 
There was a large attendance of members and 
students in botany from the Memorial College, the 
Middle School, and St. John’s Hospital School, 
many lady teachers being present. Mr. Ware, who 
illustrated his lecture by pictures thrown on a screen 
by limelight, commenced by showing the structure 
of leaves, and the part they took in building up 
the plant. Maoy interesting examples were 
exhibited to show the marvellous manner in 
which plants adapt themselves to their surroundings, 
protect themselves from their foes, and help 
themselves from the larder of the atmosphere 
which surrounds them, occasionally borrowing from 
their neighbours. A typical collection of plants, 
insectivorous and other kinds, were lent by Mr. 
Veitch for the occasion, and were examined with 
much interest by the students. The lecture through¬ 
out was deeply interesting and instructive, and was 
listened to with marked attention. The chairman, 
in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Ware, hoped that 
one effect of the lecture would be the taking of 
greater interest in botanical study by youDg 
gardeners, to whom, after the acquirement of some 
of the technical terms, it would prove an absorbing 
and delightful and useful study. It served to show 
how thin was the dividing line between the animal 
and the vegetable kingdom, and that nothing had 
been made in vain in the plan of creation. 
Chrysanthemum Show at Dulwich.—Exhibitors 
who have previously shown Chrysanthemums at 
Dulwich show will be timing their blooms for Tues¬ 
day, the 13th, on which and the following date the 
show is held this year. The hon. secretary is Mr. C. 
A. Young, 319, Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich, 
S.E. 
Mr. John Alexander Laing, of Messrs. John Laing 
& Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., has been elected to serve 
as a Councillor for the new borough of Lewisham, 
one of the districts into which London has just been 
divided. He represents the Forest Hill Ward, and 
on the polling day stood almost as high as any of 
the Councillors in the number of votes. 
The Hurst & Son Cricket Club.—A general meet¬ 
ing of the above club was held on Tuesday, October 
30th, Mr. Edward Sherwood, one of the vice-presi¬ 
dents, being in the chair; Mr. William Sherwood, 
also a vice-president, and a good number of members 
being present. The hon. secretary read his annual 
report, and the hon. treasurer, Mr. Wm. Cox, made 
his financial statement, which showed a very satis¬ 
factory state of affairs. The batting, bowling, and 
a "hat trick” prize were won respectively by Mr. 
Squire, Mr. Sampson, the captain, and Mr. Portch. 
All the officers were re-elected, viz., Mr. Sampson, 
captain; Mr. Portch, vice-captain; committee, Messrs. 
Arthur Cox, Delacourt, Duggleby, Jerry, Locke, 
Main, Squire, Thake; and hon. sec., Wm. Riden. 
The meeting unanimously voted from the balance in 
hand the sum of one guinea to the Royal Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund. 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual 
Improvement Society.—A special meeting of the 
society took place in the Lecture Hall of the Croy¬ 
don Public Library, on Tuesday, October 23rd, 
when there was an exhibition of the books on botany, 
horticulture, agriculture and kindred subjects, in the 
Central Library. Mr. E. Kromer, of the Roraima 
Nursery, Bandon Hill, occupied the chair, and Mr. 
W. J. Simpson, Falkland Park Gardens, the vice 
chair. Mr. Aldenham Foss, chairman of the Croy¬ 
don Public Libraries Committee, heartily welcomed 
the members of the society and invited them to 
inspect the fine collection of books arranged on the 
table, and expressed the wishes of the Libraries 
Committee that the books provided by them should 
be read to the fullest extent. The chairman next 
introduced Mr. John Weathers, of Isleworth, who 
gave an excellent exposition of his views on " Horti¬ 
cultural and Botanical Books,” pointing out their 
principal contents and those specially useful to the 
horticulturist and botanical student. Mr. Weathers, 
having complimented the borough on the fine col¬ 
lection of books in the Public Library, then divided 
his subject, treating on the various branches of horti¬ 
culture, &c., soiis, manures, hardy perennials, P'erns, 
exotic and hardy, Bamboos, trees, shrubs, Palms, 
Orchids, fruit, vegetables, landscape gardening, plant 
diseases, insect friends and foes, &c. Mr. Weathers’ 
extensive knowledge of the horticultural and 
botanical literature of the present day enabled him 
to give to the members that advice frequently 
required, and on the proposition of the chairman a 
vote of thanks was given Mr. Weathers. The 
secretary, Mr. Gregory, called the attention of mem¬ 
bers to the excellent and valuable catalogue of 
books compiled by Mr. Jast, chief librarian, and his 
assistant Mr. Savage, and published by the society, 
which is being distributed to the members. Mr. 
Gregory pointed out that probably this is the first 
occasion a Horticultural Mutual Improvement 
Society had published a catalogue of books on 
special subjects in a public library. Mr. Jast kindly 
gave some very useful information as to the lending 
and reference libraries under his charge, and a hearty 
vote of thanks was accorded him for his valuable 
services to the society, also to Mr. Alderman Foss 
and the Libraries Committee for the use of the hall 
and the warm welcome given to the society. 
- - I —- 
PANSIES FROM GARGUNNOCK. 
Even at this late period of the year some very fine 
blooms of fancy Pansies have reached us from Mr. 
Charles Kay, Mill Farm, Gargunnock, N.B. Some 
of the blooms of James Dewar were somewhat over 
3 in. in diameter. The well defined velvety-black 
blotches were of huge size, leaving only a narrow 
lacing of creamy-yellow; and when the red band 
between the yellow and the black is at its best, the 
