January 19, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
325 
Mr. Baxter, from Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, 
has been appointed Superintendent of the Wellogate 
Cemetery, Hawick. 
A Border Counties Chrysanthemum Society has 
been formed, the first show of which will be heid at 
Galashiels in the autumn. 
Mr. Machie, of the Orchid houses, Kew, has been 
appointed as Orchid grower at Highbury, Birming¬ 
ham, the residence of the Rt. Hon. Joseph 
Chamberlain. 
Mr. William Doggrell, for the past three years 
gardener to Mrs. Stephen, Elenslea, Broughty 
Ferry, has been appointed gardener to ex-Sheriff 
Rcbertson, Burnside, Forfar.— A. D. 
Gardening Appointment.—Mr. J. Sweeney, who 
has acted for some time to James Albert Power, 
Esq., D.L., at Leopardstown Park, Stillorgan, has 
received a good appointment as head gardener to 
Mrs. Moore, Phoenix Park, Dublin. 
Mr. John Bell, for the past ten years gardener to 
Sheriff Robertson, Burnside, Forfar, has been 
appointed gardener to Robert Mudie, Esq , Corona, 
Broughty Ferry, on Mr. J. Macber retiring after 
eighteen years' service at Corona. Mr. Bell enters his 
new duties on January 25th.— A. D. 
Weather in London.—Thursday and Friday of 
last week were cold and dull ; Saturday brought a 
thick black fog; Sunday was very agreeable, while 
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have continued 
equally fine. Twelve degrees of frost were registered 
in parts of Surrey on Tuesday, the 15th inst. 
Mr. David Airdrie, for over ten years gardener 
to J. N. H. Graham, Esq., Larbert House, Falkirk, 
Stirlingshire, has resigned his position there, and 
leaves on the 26th of this month. The climate 
of the district has been trying to the health of his 
family. He leaves with the perfect good will of his 
employer. Mr. Airdrie is a good all-round gardener, 
and is particularly successful with Grapes and other 
fruits, so that he should not be long in finding an 
employer. 
Scottish Horticultural Association.— In our 
report of the annual general meeting of this associa¬ 
tion, held on the 8th inst., a clerical oversight led 
us into the error of stating (p. 308) that Mr. Charles 
Comfort, gardener, Broomfield House, was appointed 
to the office of secretary in place of Mr. Laird. To 
put the matter straight we now give a list of the 
officials. President. Mr. Charles Comfort : vice- 
presidents, Messrs. M.Todd, Mackenzie, T. Fortune, 
G. Wood, and R. Laird; secretary, Mr. P. Loney ; 
treasurer, Mr. W. Mackinnon. In addition to the 
above there are fifteen gentlemen on the council, all 
of whom take an active share in the direction and 
management of the association, which in the past 
has done much excellent educational work for horti¬ 
culture in Scotland. The monthly meetings, at 
which papers are read and discussed, are much 
appreciated by the members in and around Edin¬ 
burgh. Mr. Peter Lorey, who is now hon. secretary, 
had previously been one of the vice-presidents, as 
well as a member of the finance committee. His 
address is 6, Carlton Street, Edinburgh. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Im¬ 
provement Association.—The usual fortnightly 
meeting of this society was held at St. John's Parish 
Rcom, Redland, on Trursday, the 10th inst., Mr. G. 
Brook pres ding. The subject for the evening was 
“ Six good vegetables and their cultivation,” opened 
by Mr. W. J. Hockey, of Yatton The vegetables 
under consideration were Beans, Cauliflower, Celery, 
OoioDs, Peas and Potatos, thesubject being dealt with 
in the able manner to be expected from such an expert 
as the lecturer undoubtedly is. He gave very clear 
directions as to preparation of ground, times of sow¬ 
ing seed, method of planting, and after-treatment in 
each case, urging the frequent use of the hoe 
amongst the crops and careful attention to insect 
pests. Mr. Hockey also advised the judicious use of 
chemical manures in nearly all vegetable culture, 
giving details as to kinds and quantities suitable. A 
short but interesting discussion followed the lecture, 
and the lecturer was cordially thanked for his atten¬ 
dance Pr zes for six crowns of Seakale were 
awarded Messrs Binfield, Gardner, and Shaddick. 
Certificates of Merit went to Mr. Frampton for a 
Cymbidium giganteum ; and Mr. A. Murrell for an 
exhibit of Cypripedium leeanum blooms. 
“ My Garden Diary for 1901 .”—Prompt with the 
introduction of the new year comes the beautiful and 
most useful little brochure from Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons, the Royal Seedsmen, of Reading, entitled " My 
Garden Diary for 1901.” We know that this tasty 
little publication finds its way to the desks and 
benches of gardeners and garden lovers all over the 
kingdom, for the'intelligence imprinted is both very 
pithy and practical. A spray of Sutton’s Nemesias 
is figured on the back cover, the presentment of 
which ought to induce a very large circle to become 
growers of this easily grown and pretty half hardy 
annual. The diary of garden work for each month, 
together with numerous useful notes about instituted 
events are furnished, and each page has in addition a 
calendar and space for odd memoranda notes. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons’ Seed Guide —The cata¬ 
logue of this well-known house (King Street, Covent 
Garden, E.C.), has now been posted to customers. 
At p. 25 the novelties and specialities for the coming 
season will be found. In a cursory survey we are 
pleased to notice that the long-spurred Aquilegias 
which can be so successfully raised from seeds find 
a fitting notice. These long-spurred Aquilegias have 
been bred and selected in the Long Ditton nurseries 
and so are constituted to do well in warm and dry 
soils, equally, of course, in gardens favoured with a 
steady supply of moisture. The plants are naturally 
more or less upland in their habitats, so that it is a 
worthy task to breed a strata suitable for the lowland 
strath. Carthamustinctorius, whose beautiful flowers 
are used for a dye extract,ought to be in every garden. 
We would also refer very specially to Kalanchoe 
flammea, a grand new succulent that requires to be 
carefully watered in the early stages of growth; the 
Scotch Exhibhion strain of Pansies, Poppies in 
every strain and section, Salvia splendens Glory of 
Stuttgart, Streptosolen Jamesoni, Sweet Peas, Lathy- 
rus latifolius Pink Beauty, a beautiful new Ever¬ 
lasting Pea; together with the new additions to 
Cyclamen, to wit, C. Papilio; to Primulas, as the 
Star types ; and to Cinerarias, of which the new 
Cruenta hybrids deserve the attention of ail. The 
lists of novelties, however, are easily traced as they 
are printed on blue paper. The catalogue is 
arranged alphabetically and no detail or piece of in¬ 
formation that would be of interest to the grower, is 
withheld, the whole book being handsomely got up. 
The novelties include new varieties of Antirrhinum, 
China Asters, Aquilegias, Carnations, Cosmos, Del¬ 
phinium, Dianthus, Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, 
Lathyrus, Mignonette, Forgtt-me-Not and many 
others. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society.—The monthly committee meeting of the 
above society was held on Monday evening last at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, W.C. ; 
Mr. C. H. Curtis in the chair. Respecting the 
secretary’s salary it was proposed by Mr.Winter,and 
seconded by Mr. Hudson (as a recommendation to 
the general meeting which was about to take place), 
that £yo be paid h ; m for the year 1900, with an 
annual increment of £5 until £100 is reached. This 
was carried by the majority. Nine new members 
were fully elected, and three others subject to pro¬ 
duction of birth certificates. Six others were 
nominated. Mr. G. Moreland, having received 
twelve months' sick pay, was granted half pay for a 
few weeks until he reaches 70 years of age. A mem¬ 
ber was granted six months’ subscription to assist 
him over a difficulty. The actuary’s report was 
produced, and was ordered to be read at the next 
meeting. A cheque for £12 12s. was passed for the 
actuary's services. The secretary was instructed to 
pay Messrs. Polletts’ account, and a cordial vote of 
thanks to the chairman ended the meeting. A 
special general meeting was also held for the purpose 
of taking into consideration the recommendation of 
the committee that the secrttiry’s salary be 
adequately increased. The chair was taken by W. 
Roupell, Esq After a few vrey appropriate remarks 
by the chairman, it w=,s proposed by Mr. Winter, 
and seconded by Mr. Hudson, that _ the secretary's 
salary be /70 for the year ending January 14th, 1901, 
with an annual increment of £5 till the maximum of 
£100 is reached, the said salary to be paid quarterly 
and Rule 8 to be altered accordingly. An amend¬ 
ment was made by Mr. Burge, but there being no 
seconder, the original motion was put to the meeting 
(forty-seven members being presem), and carried 
unanimously A very hearty vote of thanks to the 
chairman ended the meeting.— W. Collins. 
Fourth Annual Social Evening of the Gardeners 
in the Royal Gardens, Kew.—This function took 
place on January roth, in the Gymnasium, Kew, 
when past and present Kewites and their lady friends 
numbering about 120, enjoyed a very pleasant 
evening. The gymnasium was tastefully decorated 
for the occasion. Dancing formed the principal 
item of the programme. SoDgsand recitations were 
rendered by the following Kewites:—Messrs. 
Mackay, E. Horton, Heath, McAllister, Miller, 
Housego, Dawe and Haskings; violin selections by 
Messrs. Dalgarno and Duncan. A character sketch, 
entitled " The Geese," by the lady gardeners 
(Misses E. M. Powell and Edna M. Gunnell), was 
much appreciated. The proceedings terminated with 
the singing of •• Auld Lang Syne ” aDd " God Save 
the Queen.” Mr. E. Horton acted as M.C. and Mr. 
W. C. Smith as hon. secretary. 
The Sale of Poisons and Poisonous Compounds.— 
At a meeting of the Coal Tar Distillers' Association, 
held at the London Chamber cf Commerce on 
Tuesday, the 8th instant, Mr. S. B. Boulton presid¬ 
ing, the following resolution, proposed by the Chair¬ 
man and seconded by Mr. C. D. T. Bushell, was 
carried unanimously ; — 
Resolved'. “That the Draft B.ll fomulated by the 
Tiaders in Poisons Protection Society with the 
alterations suggested and adopted by this meet¬ 
ing receive the support of the Coal Tar Dis¬ 
tillers' Association.” 
At a meeting of the Inverness Chamber of Com¬ 
merce, held at Inverness on the 8ih inst., the sub¬ 
joined motion was. moved by Mr Donald Murray 
and seconded by Mr. J. A. Gossip (Messrs. Howden 
& Co., Nurserymen) :— 
That the Chamber resolve to petition Parliament 
in favour of the proposed Bill to alter and 
amend the law relating to the sale of poisons 
and poisonous compounds for agricultural and 
trade purposes.” 
The motion was unanimously adopted. 
City of Edinburgh Gardenership.—Under remit, 
the Public Parks Committee of Edinburgh City sub¬ 
mitted, as a short leet of applicants for the appoint¬ 
ment of head city gardener, the following: — Robert 
Bell, Demesne Office, Baron’s Court, Newton- 
Stuart, Ireland; Thomas H. Ccok, Gosford Gar¬ 
dens, Longniddry ; John W. M’Hattie, The Gardens, 
Lea Park, Milford, Surrey ; A. D. Richardson, Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. Introducing the 
subject, the convener (Bailie Forbes Mackay) said 
that any one of twelve or fourteen of the gentlemen 
who Came forward might have very well filled the 
office. Nominations were made as follows:—Mr. 
Ball, Bailies Mackay and Murray; Mr. Cock, Mr. 
Clark and Bailie Grieve ; Mr. M Hattie, Mr. 
Harrison and Bailie Gibson; Mr. Richardson, 
Messrs. Cameron and Stark. The first vote 
resulted :—M'Hattie, 20 ; Ball and Richardson, 9 
each ; and Cook, 8 ; and the final and deciding vote 
was: — M'Hattie, 25; Bell, 12; Richardson, 9 — 
The Edinburgh Evening News. As will be seen 
above Mr. John W. M’Hattie has been appointed 
to the responsible position of head gardener to the 
City of Edinburgh. The position is one of the 
prizes of the gardening profession in the United 
Kingdom, bringing, as it does, a salary of £250 
up to £280. One hundred and thirty eight appli¬ 
cations were made, but these were speedily reduced 
to twelve or fourteen, and aga’n to a short leet of 
fjur, upon whom the final vote was made. Mr. J. 
W. M'Hattie is a native of Morayshire, and served 
his apprenticeship at Moy Hall, Ioverness-shire, 
the seat of the Macintosh, of Macintosh, and sub¬ 
sequently was employed in ihe gardens at Cantray 
House, Inverness; Altyre House, Forres; Raith, 
Fifeshire; Knightshayes Court, Devonshire; and 
Oxenford Casile, Midlothian. He was for a good 
many years head gardener to the late Marquis of 
Lothian, at Newbattle Abbey, near Dalkeith, where 
his success in f uit exhibiting, particularly Grapes, 
and of Chrysanthemums is well known amongst gar¬ 
deners and others. He has won a great number 
of highly prized medals, cups and monetary awards, 
all of which prove the new Edinburgh City gar¬ 
dener to be an all-round first-class cultivator. But 
he is equally as great in landscape gardening, at 
which he has had wide practice. From New¬ 
battle Abbey he came south again to superintend 
the gardens and pleasure grounds at Strathfield- 
saye, belonging to the Duke of Wellington. He 
only recently became gardener to-Whitaker Wright, 
Esq , Lea Park, Milford, Surrey. He has also been 
forming the beautiful gardens at Tlyney Hall, the 
seat of Lionel Phillips, Esq , the millionaire. His 
portrait appeared in The Gardening World for 
November 10th, 1900. 
