356 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 2, 1901. 
lucky and easy method of getting over the 
difficulty of distinguishing between species 
and varieties, do not usually undertake the 
naming of plants by the use of Latin words. 
Of recent years the naming of garden varie¬ 
ties has been considerably simplified in this 
country. We may take Daffodils as an 
instance, the nomenclature of which has 
been greatly simplified ; for instead of half 
a dozen Latin names, the practice of giving 
English names or the names of persons has 
largely prevailed, so that except in special 
cases the varieties are indicated by the 
garden name only. In lists of course these 
names are simply placed under the botanical 
names for the genus and species as a guide 
to the affinities of the varieties so named. 
The writer above named says there can¬ 
not be such a thing as a species, considered 
from the point of evolution. We quite 
agree that no one has yet been able to 
define a species with any degree of satisfac¬ 
tion, or by a rule that will apply to all cases 
or any extensive number of cases. The 
definition of a variety is equally impossible 
if laws for it are to be laid down on the 
same principles that hedge about a species 
from the evolutionist point of view. The 
naming of Ferns is the subject under dis¬ 
cussion, and the above mentioned writer 
speaks of local variations being ‘ due 
largely and often entirely to man's interfer¬ 
ence with the topography, and freaks and 
monstrosities have been often calmly 
described with Latin names.” The latter 
part of this sentence is true enough ; but 
as far as we have been able to discern, 
freaks and monstrosities amongst Ferns 
will and do arise in places that have not 
been particularly, if in any way, disturbed 
by man. Many of such freaks have been 
solitary specimems, picked out of the 
crevices of rocks, out of hedges or, it may 
be, in woods where the relatives of the 
Ferns in question are quite normal. How 
then can it be said that they have originated 
through the interference of man ? 
The chief complaint is that Latin 
trinomials have been given to such freaks, 
monstrosities and local variations that have 
neither wide distribution nor permanency 
to recommend them. The writer thinks or 
rather says that “ a solution of the evil is 
simple.” He would discard all trinomials 
and quadrinomials for freaks and monstrosi¬ 
ties as unworthy of a place in Latin nomen¬ 
clature. He takes rather a bold step when 
he says that “all valid described forms 
should be considered species until proved 
intergrade.” Who is going to settle what 
is a valid form, or an intergrade ? A large 
number of species as they stand to-day may 
and often have many intermediates that 
appear equally as valid species as them¬ 
selves, and varieties have their intermedi¬ 
ates or intergrades. He states that his 
views do not prevent the close student from 
naming forms with three or four names 
when the comparative study of many speci¬ 
mens of a group renders it necessary. The 
chances are that the systematist will name 
a new variety at once without waiting to 
learn how many more are likely to be dis¬ 
covered. Most collectors of Ferns or other 
plants have an ambition to be first in the 
field in naming and describing their finds. 
■ » t» 
Japanese Exports. — From Nagasaki in 1899, 
Mushrooms to the extent of 178,856 lbs. were 
exported. Japan has possibilities in this line. 
Hybrids— " Plants that are derived from two dis¬ 
tinct species cannot be called varieties of either." 
The best way to denote that they were hybrids and 
net varieties of one species would be to insert a x 
after the generic name, thus: Cypripedium x lee- 
anum, which resulted by hybridising C. insignewith 
C. spicerianum. 
Weather in London.—The state of the elements 
during the last week has been somewhat varied. 
Saturday was mild and fine; Sunday was fearfully 
boisterous and rain fell in torrents ; Monday and 
Tuesday gave us a keen frost, these conditions modi¬ 
fied, prevailing on Wednesday, the 30th ult. 
Messrs. Lumleys, Ltd —Messrs. E. & H. Lum- 
ley, land agents and auctioneers, for personal con¬ 
venience in the management and administration of 
their business, have registered as a private limited 
company, under the name of Messrs. Lumleys, Ltd., 
St. James’ House, 22, St. James' Street, London, 
S.W. The constitution of the firm remains un¬ 
changed, Mr. Henry Lumley being the governing 
director. 
Native Guano on the Farm and in the Garden — 
The Native Guano Company, Ltd., of 29, New 
Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, E.C.,has issued 
a brochure of testimonials which are from users of 
the Native Guano in different parts of nearly every 
county in the United Kingdom, all of which testify 
to the excellent results following its employment. 
These testimonials Sfeak for themselves. We may 
be allowed, however, to add the results obtained 
from experiments made by Dr. A. B. Griffiths, 
Ph. D., F.R.S.E. Two plots of land of one acre 
each were marked off; and each plot was sown with 
7 lbs. of seeds of Mangold Wurzels. Plot A. was 
treated with 12 cwts. of " Native Guano,” whereas 
plot B. did not receive any manure. The results 
obtained were : Plot A, 33 tons ; plot B, 20 tons. 
Oats like vise treated gave 56 bushels on the manured 
plot, and 30 bushels on the unmanured. Potatos 
gave 9 tons on the manured plot, and 5 tons where 
the Native Guano was not used. It will be admitted 
that this sewage fertiliser conspicuously benefits the 
crops. 
West Derby Gardeners’ Society.—At a meeting 
of this society held on the 18th inst., under the 
presidency of W. Craigie Williams, Esq., when a 
moderate attendance of members was present, Mr. 
H. Corlett, of Woolton Wood, gave a plain practical 
talk on "Orchids: their culture and treatment." 
Some forty varieties of flowers were placed on the 
table from which brief notes were given on potting, 
watering, ventilating, shading, and temperature. As 
the subject was too large for a general detailed 
system of management, the notes given were brief, 
and included those suitable for Calanthes, Coelo- 
gynes.and Cypripediums,which were dealt with some¬ 
what fully, and other species were noticed in their 
more important requirements. The details of culture 
were those followed at Woolton Wood, and in 
cases where the results were not altogether as 
desired the various courses pursued were stated. 
Many questions on the subject were asked and clearly 
replied to,which made a most instructive evening on 
the important inmates of our glass structures. A 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Corlett 
for his valuable and instructive address. 
The First Christmas Card.—Unlike the playing 
cards that are well nigh indispensable at Christmas 
and other parties, the custom of sending Christmas 
cards is quite modern. The playing cards are as 
old as the art of printing, but only thirty years ago 
a Berlin lady of noble birth painted the first Christ¬ 
mas card. It grew out of a strong desire to send a 
simple remembrance to a cousin of hers who was in 
the diplomatic service of William I., then King of 
Prussia and afterwards German Emperor. The 
lady had loved and been beloved by this cousin, but 
a strange misunderstanding had parted them. 
During a convalescence she painted a spray of 
Forget-me-nots on a fancy card and inscribed a few 
words in gold letters, the translation of which was : 
“ May the Christ-child rest on your heart and bring 
you peace and happiness ! " This she despatched on 
Christmas eve to the Court by a trusted friend, who 
managed matters so adroitly that the lovers were 
again reconciled and ever after happy. The follow¬ 
ing year they told their story to some intimate 
friends at Court. The nobility then adopted this 
method for sending best wishes and polite greetings 
during the' holiday season. Shortly afterwards 
printed cards appeared, and it became a trade. The 
folding card, with happy surprises in sentiment 
hidden under flowers, was a conception of the French 
in 1871. The trade still grows in significance, 
especially since the evolution of the card to the 
calendar and the booklet .—The Orcadian. 
Easter this year (1901) falls on April 7th. Time 
your plants for then. 
Mr. Charles G. Girdham.—We are pleased to 
chronicle the appointment of Mr. Charles G. Gird¬ 
ham, sub-foreman in the Arboretum, the Royal 
Gardens, Kew, to a position in Messrs. W. Clibran 
& Son’s establishment at Altrincham, where he will 
take charge of the catalogue department. Mr. Gird¬ 
ham has been for some years at Kew, during which 
time he has gained the respect of all his neighbours. 
We wish him good luck in his new duties. 
National Chrysanthemum Society.—The annua 
general meeting of the members of the above society 
will take place at Carr’s Restaurant, 265, Strand, 
W.C.,on Monday, February 4th next, at 7 o’clock 
in the evening. Charles E. Shea, Esq., Vice- 
President, will occupy the chair. The business of 
the meeting is to receive the committee’s annual re¬ 
port and balance sheet; to elect- a president, vice- 
president, and officers, and one-third of the com¬ 
mittee for the year ensuing; to consider certain 
alterations and amendments to the rules; and to 
transact such business as pertains to the annual 
general meeting. The following are proposed altera¬ 
tions and amendments to the rules:—r. By Mr. C. 
E. Wilkins, re rule III. (Management), second fine, 
to strikeout "Vice-Presidents"; and 2. Rule VIII. 
(Election of Fellows), the last three lines to read :— 
•• Candidates for honorary fellowships must be 
nominated by the executive committee, and their 
election shall take place at a general meeting of the 
society .”—Richard Dean, General Secretary. 
Portfolio of New Chrysanthemums for 1901 .— 
Mr. H. J. Jones, of Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, 
S.E., has again prepared his portfolio of the new 
varieties of Chrysanthemums that are being dis¬ 
tributed now. There are twenty illustrations 
altogether, printed on stout and well prepared paper, 
the reproductions being 7^ in. by 9 in. Even though 
the blooms have a massively grand appearance in 
the portfolio it is mentioned in the introduction that 
the actual blooms were larger still. In any case a 
good idea of the style of the blooms can be obtained, 
and that is what is desired. It is patent to all that 
during a short exhibiting season blooms cannot be 
dispatched to every corner of the land, so that only 
a comparatively few of the enthusiasts see the 
season’s novelties, and to continue or gain the front 
rank as an exhibitor you must have the “ novelties." 
For descriptions the reviewer is referred to Mr. 
Jones' Plant and Seed Catalogue, though perhaps 
next year he may see it advisable to add the de¬ 
scription to the photographic illustration in the 
portfolio. The varieties best depicted seem to be 
Mr. F. Greenfield, Mrs. J. C. Neville, Mrs. G. 
Mileham, Mr. S. Fryett, Mis. Emma G. Fox, and 
Edith Shrimpton. The portfolio is issued to those 
who write for it at a cost of only eight penny 
stamps. 
Woolton Chrysanthemum Society.—The second 
annual meeting of this society was held on Saturday 
of last week at the Mechanics’ Institute, Mr. Jos. 
Stoney occupying the chair. The report of the year's 
work was read by Mr. Learoyd, the secretary, and the 
balance sheet by Mr. R. G. Waterman, treasurer, 
pro tem., proved in every way highly satisfactory. 
Progress was reported in the number and value of 
subscriptions. The number of entries showed a 
large increase, especially in the cottagers’ section. 
Cash received at the door was better than the pre¬ 
vious year, whilst the amount of prize money was 
considerably in excess of the previous year. The 
balance in hand at the commencement of the year 
was £21 16s., and the present year’s working proved 
£12 16s. Sd. to the good, making a total balance in 
the bank of £34 12s. 8d. An offer of a silver 
challenge cup was received from the treasurer, Mr. 
Neil Gossage, who unfortunately was unable to be 
present through indisposition; to be competed for 
by cottagers. This offer was received with accla¬ 
mation. The secretary was instructed to forward 
the best thanks of the meeting to Miss Brunner and 
Miss Tate for their services as judges in the table 
decorations ; and to Miss Manson for her able help 
in making the bouquet for the Lady Mayoress. Mr. 
Neil Gossage was re-elected treasurer, and Mr. J. G. 
Learoyd secretary. A vote of thanks was tendered 
to these gentlemen for their services, and to others 
who had freely given their assistance, including the 
chairman for his services in the chair. 
