520 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 13. 1901. 
impetus has within recent years been given 
to the raising and cultivation of improved 
forms of Sweet Brier as a result of the 
accomplishments in that direction by the 
late Lord Penzance. Many of his varieties 
are amongst the most cherished of the race, 
whoever put them into commerce. Most 
of them are single, or at most only semi¬ 
double. There are, however, the Double 
Scarlet and the Double White, apparently 
of unknown origin, and which might, in 
skilful hands, be capable of still further 
improvement. The Double White has 
flesh-white flowers, and is of dwarf habit, 
which might make it useful for pot culture 
in order to get flowers on April 23rd. At 
all events raisers might avail themselves of 
it in order to raise a race of dwarf varieties 
suitable for pot culture and forcing in order 
to meet the requirements of a truly national 
emblem on St. George’s Day. Many men, 
many minds ; and it is evident that Roses 
of various colours are required to meet the 
varying tastes of those that will wear 
Roses on England’s Day. 
A Record Rent for a Farm.—A sewage farm 
near Edinburgh draws ^35 per acre for rent. Some 
times as many as five crops of grass are cut from it 
during a year. 
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra has been 
graciously pleased to continue to be a patroness of 
the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution, of 
which her late Majesty Queen Victoria was 
patroness for fifty years. 
The Wood Leopard Moth.—At the last meeting 
of the Scientific Committee of Royal Horticultural 
Society, Mr. McLachlan stated that “ the caterpillar 
of this moth really bored upwards through the pith 
and not downwards as generally supposed.” This is 
certainly not the case, at least, with the wood of the 
Spanish Chestnut, for amongst the numerous 
examples before me not one instance of the caterpil¬ 
lar following the pith is observable ; indeed, I should 
say that no general course of boring is adopted, the 
tunnels being as often directed from side to side of 
the branch as lengthways, and the hardest wood is 
never avoided I have not heard it denied that the 
course is generally upwards.— A. D. Webster. 
Register of Nurseries, Market Gardens, Farms, 
Florists Seed Businesses, &c.—The current issue 
of the “Horticultural Register” issued by Messrs. 
Protheroe & Morris, 67 and 68, Cheapside, London, 
is before us and shows a large number of businesses 
for disposal, either to be let or sold, in various parts 
of England, but particularly in the southern counties 
from Devon and Sussex to Warwick, Derbyshire, 
Hampshire, Lancashire, &c. There are, however, 
paragraphs relating to gardening establishments in 
the north of England, the Channel Islands and even 
Australia. Those intending to commence business 
or even to extend their present one would therefore 
find this publication useful, as showing the chances 
available at the present time for securing what they 
require. Places to be disposed of are pretty 
numerous in London, and also in the immediately 
surrounding counties. 
Two Old Trees.—Two trees, believed to be the 
remains of the ancient “Great Birnam Wood’' 
stand on the south bank of the Tay, behind Birnam 
Hotel, or at least they stood there till recently. One 
of them, an Oak, at 5 ft. from the ground, measured 
18 ft. in circumference. About 88 years ago the Oak 
was measured by Dr. E. D. Clarke, the celebrated 
traveller, who recorded its girth as 17 ft. The differ¬ 
ence of time between the two measurements was 70 
years, so that the tree took that time to add 12 in. 
to its circumference, a fact which would point to 
great age. The Sycamore or Scotch Plane, mea¬ 
sured at the same height, was 19 ft. 8 in. in circum¬ 
ference. These trees are in the direct line that the 
English army must have marched on its way to 
Dunsinane to fight Macbeth and place Malcolm on 
the Scottish throne ; and are believed to be close 
upon 1,000 years old. 
London loo years ago had a population of 888,198 
when the first official census was taken. 
Largest Horse Chestnut in Scotland.—AmoDgst 
some giant specimens of Horse Chestnut in the 
grounds of Moncreifie House, Perthshire, is a 
patriarch, believed to be the largest iu Scotland, or 
possibly in Britain. At 1 ft. from the ground the 
circumference of the bole is 20J ft., and at 5 ft. up 
the girth is 19 ft. The bole is 10 ft. long, above 
which it gives off three enormous limbs, each equal 
to an ordinary-sized tree. One of the largest of the 
limbs, torn off by the memorable hurricane, which 
blew down the Tay Bridge in 1879, was computed to 
weigh about 2 tons. 
Alfa Fibre for Paper. —Over the bay of the 
entrance door of the Church of the Holy Trinity at 
Porte dlsly, Algiers, is the following interesting 
inscription on a tablet of Algerian marble :— 
“ Edward Li oyd, 
of Salisbury Square, London, 
and 
SittiDgbourne, Kent. 
Died April 8th, 1890. Age 73. 
He was known and respected in England as a leading 
journalist, the father of the cheap Press, and in this 
colony as one of its greatest benefactors. He was 
first to show the value of Alfa fibre for the manu¬ 
facture of paper, and to start a branch of industry 
which is one of the most important in Algeria.” 
Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod,LL.D.,Y.M.H.—It is with 
a deep feeling of regret that we hear of the retire¬ 
ment from active work of Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod. 
In 1877, when she issued her first report on injurious 
insects and common farm pests, very little was 
known of agricultural entomology. By the great 
interest she has taken in the world during the last 
twenty-five years she has completely revolutionised 
the subject. She was ever ready to answer 
gratuitously any inquiries, and look into the causes 
of mischief, and advise the best means for their 
removal. It is not only at home that the work of 
Miss Ormerod is known and appreciated, but in 
nearly every country in the world, so that her retire¬ 
ment will be widely felt. After her long and useful 
labours it is to be hoped that she may live long to 
enjoy her rest. 
Ealing Gardeners’ Society.—The thirteenth an¬ 
nual dinner of this society was held on the 2nd inst. 
at the Lyric Restaurant, Ealing, when about forty 
members and friends gathered together to enjoy 
themselves and to toast the supporters and workers 
of the society, and to otherwise emphasise the 
advantages of membership. M. C. Hulbert, Esq., 
one of the vice-presidents, and district councillor, 
occupied the chair. In proposing the toast of the 
evening, he not only wished success to the society, 
but offered a special donation to further that success. 
He then dilated on the quality and progress of 
modern gardening, and referred to several large 
gardens he had visited and noted with much satis¬ 
faction. Drummond Castle especially took his 
fancy, as he inclined to the formal style of gardening 
and rejoiced in terraces, statuary and architectural 
features. However, there was no limit to gardening 
—each one could pursue his individual taste and 
devote himself to the science, or the art, whichever 
recommended itself to his approbation. Certainly 
England was the home of gardens and gardening, and 
anything which tended to foster a love of the beautiful 
deserved one’s respect. There were many other 
little speeches and much bonhomie. A large number 
of prizes were distributed. Mr. Dack, on behalf of 
the hon. secretary, Mr. Roberts, gave his report and 
chronicled progress. Mr. R. Callard complimented 
the “ President, officers and committee,” to which 
Mr. C. B. Green responded. The “ Donors of 
prizes ” was well sustained by Mr. R. Green, and 
found worthy support from Mr. Councillor Pritchard. 
The “ Readers of papers ” was undertaken by Mr. 
W. J. Simpson (Falkland Park), and concluded by 
Mr. A. Wait, of Kensington Cemetery, Hanwell. 
The “Exhibitors” was well handled by Mr. Geo. 
Cannon, and replied to by Mr. Exhibitor Holloway. 
Mr. Wood and Mr. Edwards, respectively, took the 
"Judges of exhibits.” Other toasts succeeded, con¬ 
cluding with the "Chairman,” of whom Mr. Burgess 
said very kindly things. Some capital songs and 
recitations were given during the evening and con¬ 
tributed very materially to render the gathering a 
great success. 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual 
Improvement Society.—A meeting will be held at 
the " Sunflower ” Temperance Hotel, on Tuesday 
evening, April i6:h, when a paper will be given by 
Mr. H. f Chapman, The Gardens, Cambridge 
Lodge, Camberwell, subject, " Cypripediums.” 
The chair will be taken at 8 p.m., but the room will 
be open for exhibits, &c., at 7 p.m.— John Gregory, 
Secretary. 
Royal Horticultural Society.—Notice is hereby 
given that a general meeting of the Fellows of the 
society will be held at the Drill Hall of the London 
Scottish Volunteers, Buckingham Gate, Westmin¬ 
ster, on Tuesday, April 23rd, to consider, and if 
approved, to adopt the proposal of the council to 
purchase on behalf of the society for the purpose of 
its new gardens, forty-eight acres of land in the 
county of Kent, forming part of Rabbit's Farm, and 
adjoining the Little Boys’ Home at South Darenth. 
Fellows wishing to see the properly before the meet¬ 
ing, should take the ten a.m. train from Victoria 
(L. C. & D. Railway) to Farnffigbam Road Station, 
on Thursday, the i8tb, when some of the members 
of the council will be on the spot to explain bound¬ 
aries, &c.— By order of the council, W. Wilks, 
Secretary, 
Cup for Daffodils.—The Daffodil Cup offered at 
the R.H.S. meeting on the 9th inst, not having been 
awarded owing to there being one competitor only, 
will be offered in competition again on April 23rd as 
follows :—Group of ‘Daffodil Blossoms (Polyanthus 
varieties excluded) grown without artificial heat; 
must include some of each section, Magni-, Medii-, 
and Parvi-Coronati; must contain at least 50 
varieties distinct, of 30 of which at least three 
blooms each must be shown. Not more than nine 
blooms of any one variety may be put up. To be 
staged in bottles, vases or tubes, not exceeding 3 in, 
in diame er at the top (inside measurement), and all 
the stems must touch the water. Quality of flower 
will count more than quantity, and correct naming 
and tasteful arrangement will be duly considered. 
Any foliage may be used, Daffodil or otherwise. No 
prize will be awarded unless there are two competi¬ 
tors at least Open to amateurs and gentlemen’s 
gardeners only. First Prize, a £7 7s. Silver Cup, 
presented to the society by Messrs. Barr & Sons. 
Second Prize, Silver Flora Medal. Owing to the 
backward season the Narcissus Committee will also 
meet on May 7th.— W. Wilks. 
The Hamilton and District Gardening and 
Forestry Association held their monthly meeting in 
the Mming Institute on Tuesday evening, 2nd inst , 
when Mr. M. Campbell, sen., cf the Blantyre 
Nurseries read a paper on " The Cultivation of the 
Dahlia.” Mr. Campbell is a well known grower and 
exhibitor of this class of florist flowers, as well as 
many others, the Carnation in particular. The 
paper was most practical in all details, and selection 
of show and fancy varieties, including twenty-four 
Cactus Dahlias, which Mr. Campbell considers the 
cream, both for exhibition and house decoration, 
which was of much value and interest to the 
members present. Mr. Campbell was awarded a 
most hearty vote of thanks. The Rev. Mr. Pater¬ 
son, Ardenclutha, the president of the association, 
exhibited a spike of Coelogyne cristata Chatsworth 
var,, which was scented The perfume reminded one 
of white Lilac. I had the honour of being invited 
to see the plants in Mr. Paterson’s very valuable 
collection of Orchids. Mr. Paterson had all plants 
in flower removed from the house where this plant 
was staged to give one the chance of proving the 
effect. The plant had twelve flower spikes with 
five and six blooms each. When I entered the 
house the perfume was most effective; in fact I 
looked round to see if there was no white Lilac 
about. There were no flowers of any sort about. 
Mr. Reoard, the gardener, told me it flowered about 
five years ago, and they sent some blooms to the 
Gardeners' Chronicle, but by the time they reached 
London the editor said the perfume had gene. I 
must say the spike sent to our meeting was not so 
effective as on the plant. The form of the pseudo¬ 
bulb to me was of somewhat different to the ordin¬ 
ary variety. I have been used to seeing them being 
of a deeper green and quite round. The flow* r 
spikes seemed to me all floweriDg on the three year 
old bulbs. Mr. Paterson is much interested to 
know if any of the cristata varieties are known to be 
scented.— J. M. 
