404 
February 23, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Since the founding of the institution in 
1887 in commemoration of her late Majesty 
the Queen’s Jubilee the original committee 
have been dropping awa)^ either by death or 
retirement by reason of increasing age or 
necessity for more leisure to carry out their 
own particular duties, until few ofthem.now 
remain. The ranks, however, continue to 
be filled up by younger men eager and 
willing to render their services to a good 
cause. By such means the subscribers may 
rest assured that the heart ofthe institution 
will be kept green and vigorous. One of 
the features or important items ofthe meet¬ 
ing was the sympathetic reference to the 
death of our late Sovereign Lady Queen 
Victoria, and the illuminated address to her 
Majesty Queen Alexandra, who, as Princess 
of Wales, has been patron of the Fund for 
many years past. 
The list of candidates seeking for election 
again repeated the oft-told tale of human 
misfortune in many a previously happy 
home. After enquiry in the proper quarters 
in each respective case of application, 
14 candidates were placed upon the list, 
of whom 12 were to be elected to the 
benefits of the Fund. Since the list was 
closed, however, two more very urgent cases 
came under the cognizance of the committee 
and the circumstances investigated prior to 
the day of election. The officers and mem¬ 
bers of the executive committee felt they 
could hardly do anything to help these two 
fresh applicants without first espousing the 
cause of the two unsuccessful candidates. 
The difficulty was disposed of by the 
announcement from the chair that the Fund 
was able to support all four. Naturally, 
this was received by the audience with feel¬ 
ings and indications of thankfulness and 
surprise. Then Harry J. Veitch,Esq., one 
of the vice-presidents, proposed that these 
four additions be elected to the benefits of 
the Fund. This was seconded by G. 
Monro, Esq., and carried unanimously to 
the great satisfaction of all present. This 
method of dealing with a difficult question 
is not without precedent, but never before, 
in our recollection, have so many as sixteen 
been elected at any one annual general 
meeting. All of these items have been more 
fully dealt with in our report of the meeting 
on another page. 
- mtm - 
Hablitzia tamnoides is a fast growing perennial 
herbaceous climber of much elegance and beauty, 
and specially suitable for covering old houses, pal¬ 
ings, stakes, &c. It enjoys a rich, friable soil and a 
sunny position. 
Chester Natural Science Society. — The subject 
which engaged the attention of the members of the 
above at the general meeting on Thursday evening, 
February 14th, was a lecture by the Rev. W. N. 
Howe, M.A., on “ The Seine, from Rouen to Paris.” 
The chair was taken by the Rev. A. H. Fish. The 
lecture was illustrated by over eighty beautiful 
lantern slides, taken from photographs, paintings and 
original sketches. 
Chester Paxton Society.—On account of the 
death of the QueeD, the usual fortnightly meeting 
was postponed till last Saturday, when Mr. John 
Jackson, Capenhurst Hall Gardens, read an able and 
instructive paper on “ The cultivation of the Vine in 
houses constructed for plant culture.” He dealt with 
the various phases of the culture of the Grape, from 
the time of planting to the ripening of the fruit, and 
described in a lucid manner the results of his experi¬ 
ence, extending over a period of twenty odd years. 
The troublesome insect and fungoid pests, with which 
Grape growers are so much troubled, were also 
included, and valuable hints as to exterminating and 
keeping them in check were given. A discussion, 
which was led by the chairman, Mr. John Weaver, 
followed the reading of the paper. On the propo¬ 
sition of Mr. N. F. Barnes, seconded by Mr. Miln, a 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Jackson. 
Correction.—Our report of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society last week, p. 396, middle column, 
stated that Messrs. H. Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, 
Enfield, exhibited Catdeya Trianaei pitiana, but 
should have said C. Trianaei Titania. Cypripedium 
Gertrude Hollington was not amongst their exhibit; 
but owing to the mixed way n which the plants are 
stood on the table of new plant it is often very 
difficult if not impossible to say to whom they 
belong. 
R.H.S Examination.—Intending candidates for 
the above examination to be held in April are re¬ 
minded that their names should be sent in to the 
secretary, 117, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., 
before the end of the present month. Next year 
(1902) the questions set at the examination will be 
of a more advanced character, it having been found 
that the present syllabus is too elementary for the 
bulk of those who enter. We think that if the mark¬ 
ing by the examiners was a little stricter, the present 
syllabus would still suffice as a good test. 
Professional Gardeners’ Friendly Benefit 
Society.—The members of the above society, whose 
headquarters are in Leeds, met at the “ Green 
Dragon ” hotel, on Friday, February 8th, to discuss 
the thirty-fourth annual dinner. The president, Mr. 
J. Inman, occupied the chair. After the loyal toast 
had been honoured, the secretary (Mr. G. Carver) 
presented the annual report. It stated that, owing 
to the great amount of sickness which had occurred 
amongst members during the year, the expenditure 
had considerably exceeded the income. The amount 
paid out in sick allowance was £139 19s. 2d., and in 
funeral allowance £37, the total payments for the 
year being £200 gs. The income from all sources 
came to £150 14s. 3d , thus leaving a deficiency on 
the year’s working of ^49 14s. 9d. This, deducted 
from the amount of capital at the end of 1899, left 
the latter at £1,200 2s. 4d , which was equal to 
£8 12s. 8d. per member. After mentioning that the 
present membership of the society was 139, the 
report stated that during the year Mr. W. Sunley 
was presented by the members with a cash testi¬ 
monial of £ 6 , as a token of respect and appreciation 
of the valuable services rendered by him as secretary 
of the society for upwards of thirty years. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.—A meeting 
of the above was held at the society’s offices, on 
Saturday evening, Mr. T. Foster presiding over a 
fair attendance. The subject " Vegetables for 
Exhibition” was in the capable hands of Mr. B. 
Ashton, of Lathom Hall Gardens, who, by his suc¬ 
cessful exhibits at the leading vegetable shows, has 
placed himself in the position of one fully able, and as 
the results proved most willing, to give the fullest 
details in producing the highest results. In the cul¬ 
ture of the Potato the ground should be 
trenched or bastard trenched as required 
in the autumn ; fork over previous to planting, cut 
out a trench for the tubers, giving a liberal dressing 
of manure and covering the sets with 1 in. of leaf 
mould or burnt rubbish. In preparing for the show 
the tubers should have a treble bath, the first to take 
off most of the dirt, the next to have a small quantity 
of soft soap added and the tubers to be carefully 
washed with a sponge, then having a final rinsing in 
the third. Shape and equal size were mentioned as 
two important factors to meet the requirements of 
the judges. Onions should be sown in a temperature 
of 6o° to 65° in January, pricking off as required, 
planting out about the middle of March, weather 
permitting. Onions, to get full points, should weigh 
not less than 2$ lb., Ailsa Craig being the variety 
recommended. Peas should not be less than 6 ft. 
from row to row. A trench 2 ft. deep and the same 
in width should be prepared, including plenty of 
manure. Mulch and water freely, stop the growth 
after some few trusses of flowers have shown them¬ 
selves, and thin out the pods. Be careful not to 
handle in picking. Scarlet runners may be treated 
io a similar manner. Celery and Leeks should have 
a liberal preparation, giving 6 in. of manure ; grow 
quickly by giving plenty of liquid manure. The 
questions and discussion that followed were more 
than could be got through in the allotted time, show¬ 
ing the importance attached to the subject. On the 
motion of Mr. R. Pinnington, seconded by Mr. J. 
Stoney. the warmest thanks of the meeting were 
accorded to Mr. Ashton for his admirable paper. A 
like vote to the chairman concluded the pro¬ 
ceedings. 
Weather in London.—The past fortnight has 
been exceedingly winter-like in London. At Chis¬ 
wick, Kew, and other places as much as 18 0 of frost 
have been experienced on one or two nigbts. Snow 
fell heavily for a short while on Sunday, February 
17th, and frost set in afterwards. On Monday and 
Tuesday light showers were frequent. The latter 
day was “ raw ” and black. 
Chiswick Gardeners' “ Mutual.”—Mr. J. Harri¬ 
son Dick (Gardening World) gave a lecture before 
the members of the above society on Thursday even¬ 
ing, February 14th, his subject being :—'• Loudon, 
his Life and Works.” A brief review of the state of 
country and of gardening prior to Loudon’s birth in 
1783, was giveD, the lecturer then relating the chief 
events of interest in the life of this interesting and 
wonderful landscapist, literateur, and botanist. In 
the after-discussion some valuable observations were 
made, and in conclusion, Mr. Dick received a unani¬ 
mous vote of thanks. 
Kew Gardens.—Mr. Benjamin P. Ware, Vice- 
President of the Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society, recently read a paper before the above 
society on " A Visit to Kew Gardens and Hampton 
Court. ’ An abstract of the letter appears in The 
Weekly Florists' Review. We extract one sentence, 
which says “ Kew Garden is so accessible, so beauti¬ 
ful, and so instructive that it is not surprising that 
from 60,000 to 80,000 people visit it during the season 
annually.” We may correct this by saying that so 
many as 90,000 have been registered in one single 
day—an August Bank Holiday. 
Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Im¬ 
provement Association.—The fortnightly meeting 
of the above association was held on Monday, the 
nth inst., when the president, Mr. Leonard G. 
Sutton, presided over a large attendance of members. 
The paper for the evening was “ Greenhouse Flower¬ 
ing Plants for Summer Bedding,” by Mr. F. Town¬ 
send, of Sandhurst Lodge Gardens (son of Mr. W. 
Townsend, the head gardener). The subject was 
ably dealt with, and the following varieties were 
strongly recommended for the purpose, viz. : 
Abutilons, Aloysia, Begonias, Bougainvillea, Cannas, 
Diplacus, Erythrinas, Fuchsias, Heliotrope, Habro- 
thamnus, Hydrangeas, Lasiandra, Lobelia cardinalis, 
Nicotiana, Plumbago, Streptosolen, Salvias, Swain- 
sonia, Scented Pelargoniums. During the discussion 
which followed, Mr. Townsend was congratulated on 
the able manner in which he had presented his 
subject, and also, on being the youngest member 
that had as yet read a paper before the association. 
Mr. E. S. Pigg, The Gardens, Samoa, Reading ; and 
Mr. H. Wilson, The Gardens, Lower Redlands, 
Reading, were awarded the association’s Certificate 
of Cultural Merit, the former for a beautiful batch 
of Narcissus Van Zion, and the latter for a collection 
of Apples including Newton Wonder, Wellington, 
Baxter's Pearmain, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Ribston 
Pippin, Sturmer Pippin, Reinette du Canada, 
Gascoigne’s Scarlet Seedling, &c. Mr. W. Town¬ 
send, Sandhurst Lodge Gardens, made a most 
interesting exhibit of plants of Centradenia rosea. 
This was not entered for the Certificate. Four new 
members were elected. Before closing the mee'ting 
the president and members took the opportunity of 
heartily congralulating Mr. G. Stanton, of Park 
Place, Henley-on-Thames, on the distinction that 
had been conferred on him by the French Govern¬ 
ment in nominating him Chevalier du Merite 
Agricole. Mr. Stanton in replying said that the 
nomination came to him as a surprise. He received 
an official letter from the French Minister of Agri¬ 
culture through the French Ambassador in London, 
informing him of the fact. A few days later came 
the full insignia of the order subscribed for by old 
French pupils with advice that the parchment 
diploma would follow in due course. Why was this 
honour conferred ? For acts of kindness shown in 
days of the past to young French gardeners who 
came to Park Place Gardens for improvement in 
horticulture. These young men are now become or 
becoming some of the leading horticulturists in 
France. He felt that the greatest pleasure connect¬ 
ed with the honour was the credit it gave through 
him to Park Place Gardens, where thirty years of 
his life had been spent, and also to the Reading and 
District Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion, of which he had been a member for many 
years. 
