55 2 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 27, 1901. 
they had seen for the objects in view. Any 
site selected must be at least 20 miles from 
the London of to-day in order to secure 
the benefits of an open country free from 
the buildings and smoke that were so detri¬ 
mental to gardening at Chiswick. In the 
meantime they intended to lay out the 
garden systematically on a definite and 
regular plan with departments for different 
cultures, to lay down walks, to plant trees 
as a shelter belt, and certain other trees and 
shrubs which they might deem necessary 
to establish at once. No glass was to 
be put up in the meantime, but all appli¬ 
ances deemed necessary would follow in due 
course and upon mature deliberation. 
The case for the Council and their recom¬ 
mendations was to all appearances very 
strong, and the crowded assemblage of 
Fellows listened with breathless attention, 
but mutterings were struggling for vent and 
the president was taxed to keep the great 
body of excited listeners in order, but 
managed the reins admirably. Neverthe- 
lesss there was calm discussion, alternating 
with animated outpourings of argument and 
protest, alternating with orations of a highly 
amusing character according to the bent or 
particular style of the speaker, enlivened 
with cheers, applause or laughter in response 
to the arguments vouchsafed or the language 
in which they were couched. Mr. Harry 
J. Veitch proposed the case for the Council, 
which was duly seconded. Mr. Arthur W. 
Sutton proposed an amendment that the 
society should not purchase ground for 
a garden, that a home, or in other words, a 
Horticultural Hall, was the first requisite 
of the society, which was seconded by Dr. 
Masters. In a trice three gentlemen, namely, 
Mr. A. W. Sutton, Mr. N. N. Sherwood, 
and Mr. H. J. Elwes offered ^1,000 each 
in support of the proposal for a hall. Finally 
on a show of hands being asked for by the 
president about 275 of the 300 persons pres¬ 
ent, or something like those figures, that is 
about 91 per cent., voted for a hall as the 
greatest need for the society. We think 
the Fellows ought now to come forward with 
a scheme for the proper housing of the 
society. 
Potatos, when first introduced to Russia in 1769, 
and being known as " devil's Apples,” gave rise to 
serious riotmg. 
Tropical Plants.—It is often a matter of conjec¬ 
ture amoDg visitors to botanical gardens and else¬ 
where, that collections of tropical plants are grown, 
as to the reason for so many of them being armed 
with thorns, spikes, and prickles, It is now generally 
conceded that these members of the torrid zone 
have got to arm themselves thus against the eternal 
preying of the herbivorous animals In some parts 
where vegetation is scarcer, and where the mammalia 
are hard pressed for food, the plants are found to be 
very strongly endowed with these spines. This fact 
has led some to the foolish question, " Do plants 
think ? ” The thorns or prickles serve as protective 
armour for preserving the plants from extermina¬ 
tion. 
Dry v. Damp Storage of Potatos.—An Irish 
paper thinks that the English farmer hasjpeculiar 
ways of dealing with his Pota'os. In Ireland 
Potato growers make it a poinpto have their tubers 
taken up and stored in as dry condition as possible 
experience having shown that such treatment is 
specially conducive to long keeping in sound con¬ 
dition. In a communication to one of the Lincoln 
papers, observes our Irish contemporary, a contribu¬ 
tor says:—"The past fortnight has witnessed a 
rapid clearance of the Potato fields. The Potatos 
have gone into clamp dry—too dry according to some 
growers who prefer more mould and moisture. One 
extensive grower has in his time thrown water over 
his heap previous to graving down. The Potatos 
are said to come out a", the better for it.” 
The Easter Trade in cut flowers by the florists 
in the larger cities of the United States, has been 
greater this year than there is any record of 
previously. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. —The thirteenth 
annua) dinner in aid of the Royal Gardeners' Orphan 
Fund will take place at the Hotel Cecil, Strand, 
W.C., on Tuesday, May 7th, igqi, under the presi¬ 
dency of the Hon. W. F. D Smith, M.P. A large 
number of gentlemen have kindly consented to act 
as stewards and will be glad to receive subscriptions 
for the chairman's list. The secretary is Mr. B. 
Wynne, 8, Danes Inn, Strand, London, W.C. 
Effect of Lightning on Trees.—On some occa¬ 
sions when a tree is struck by lightning the latter 
converts the sap into steam, which shatters and 
scatters the pieces of wood in all directions. The 
cambium layer is rich in sap, and very often the 
lightning elects, or cannot help, travelling down this 
layer. The result is that only the bark is thrown off 
and the wood beneath it ploughed into a furrow of 
greater or lesser depth from the point at which the 
lightning entered down to the ground, which it 
enters and becomes dissipated. 
Primrose Day.—The simple Primrose flower 
was much in evidence again this year on the 19th, 
especially in the neighbourhood of St. Stephen’s 
Square, Westminster, where a multitude of pilgrims 
annually assemble to do homage to the statue of tbd 
great statesman. To wear a bunch of Primroses on 
this day is becoming a custom, and departing from 
its taint of party politics, for the wearing of the 
simple flower is now adopted by men of all parties 
and women also. A large number of M.P.'s were 
seen wearing bunches of various sizes. Mr. 
Chamberlain did not forsake his customary Orchid, 
but he wore one of a primrose hue. 
Crabs as Gardeners.—A crab is one of the last 
things one would expect to find laying out a garden. 
There are several species that do this by planting 
seaweeds on their horny carapaces. They generally 
cultivate the common Wrack. Pieces are cut off 
with their claws and fixed on peculiar hooked 
spikes. A seaweed, if fastened firmly, soon takes 
root on any hard substance by means of suckers, so 
that the upper surface of the crab is quickly a wavy 
mass of vegetation. In consequence of this disguise 
they are unrecognisable when mixed with plants on 
the bottom, and so escape pursuit from their 
enemies. The crab does not suffer much inconveni¬ 
ence by this strange partnership, as the plants 
obtain their entire food supply from the water. 
Japanese Acers.—In Switzerland large quanti¬ 
ties of Maple remains are found when deep excava¬ 
tions are made. They differ from our British 
Maples by being less lobed, only having three, 
whereas o_rs have five or six. The Japanese forms 
are much more lobed as is seen by the plants now 
so extensively grown for decorative work. It is 
supposed, says the Rev. Professor G. Henslow, that 
during the evolution from the time when the Swiss 
specimens were flourishing they have gradually 
become more divided in the leaf, and that our present 
form of Maple or Acer is later than the Swiss, and 
those of Japan are Nature’s latest efforts. Oo the 
remains found in Switzerland are found traces of 
the black spots made by a fungus whim up to the 
present day attacks and disfigures our Actrs, thus 
showing how persistently the fungus holds on, for it 
is doubtless millions of years since the Swiss remains 
were flourishing. 
Broughty Ferry Horticultural Association.— 
The monthly meeting was held on the 16th inst., 
Mr. Wm. Grant presiding. The essayist for the 
evening was Mr. A. Duncan, landscape gardener > 
Carnoustie, his subject being “ Market Gardening 
for Profit.” To make it pay he advocated a high 
standard of cultivation, saying it was better to make 
a speciality of a few things and do them well than to 
attempt the culture of a vast number. He made 
strong comments on the want of a covered market ia 
Dundee suitable for the display and sale of horticul¬ 
tural products. A feature of the meeting was a 
competition for one vase of cut flowers for effect. 
There were six competitors. The first prize and 
medal was awarded to Mr. David Meston, gardener, 
The Lodge ; the second to Mr. James Fairweather, 
Airlie Park Gardens, West Ferry; third to Mr. W. 
Laing, Monifieth Road. 
Land for Labour.—In Sweden it is said that a 
farmer in some cases gives so many acres of land to 
a tenant in return for so many days’ labour for so 
many years. 
The Bee Orchis. -In nearly all the Orchid family 
self fertilisation is impossible owing to structural 
peculiarities. The Bee Orchis is one of the excep¬ 
tions ; it is so constructed that the pollinia become 
detatebei and swing backwards and forwards, and 
in so doing strike the stigmatic surface and leave 
some of the pollen which fertilises it. 
Flowers from the Scilly Isles.—The cultivation 
of early spring flowers is one of the chief industries 
of these isles. The quantity brought over for Easter 
decorations, &c.,was phenomenal. In one day thirty- 
three tons of blooms were landed at Penzance and 
dispatched to the various markets. The total con¬ 
signment for the week preceding Easter was over 
seventy-two tons. When it is considered how little 
a quantity blooms weigh the quantity can be better 
understood. Although the quantity was five tons in 
excess of last year the prices commanded were much 
higher, owing to the enormous number of orders 
from all parts of the country. 
Richmond Horticultural Society.—This well- 
known society is again adopting an active and pro¬ 
gressive policy in regard to its forthcoming annual 
flower show. Last year the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Council and Committees were invited to 
Richmond, and were treated right royally. This 
year the National Rose Society will hold its show in 
the Old Deer Park, Richmond, Surrey, on Wednes¬ 
day, June 26ih, when an exceptionally large number 
of visitors and exhibitors is anticipated. Between 
the two societies about £300 will be offered in prize 
money, so that there is sure to be keen competition. 
Schedules have already been sent to former exhib¬ 
itors, but the hon. secretary (Mr. C. R. King, 61, 
George Street, Richmond, Surrey) will be glad to 
post copies to other intending exhibitors for the 
June show. 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual 
Improvement Society.—A meeting was held in the 
society’s room at tne Sunflower Temperance Hotel, 
on Tuesday evening, 16th inst , when Mr. W. J. Simp¬ 
son presided over a capital attendance of members. 
Orchids formed the feature of the evening. The 
chairman introduced Mr. H. J. Chapman, gardener 
to R. I. Measures, Esq., Cambridge Lodge, Camber¬ 
well, who gave a most valuable and practical paper 
on " Cypripediums,” or Slipper Orchids. The 
lecturer, whose knowledge of Orchids is extensive, 
dealt with the introduction and geographical distribu¬ 
tion of the Cypripediums, noting the different 
sections into which they are divided. Fertilisation 
and hybridisation were most ably treated upon, and 
the parentage ot some of the most important hybrids 
noted, Mr. Chapman having himself raised some 
notable hybrids. The cultivation next claimed 
attention. Here the lecturer's skill as a cultivator, 
as well as a writer, was in evidence, and his happy 
way of conveying to those present his experience and 
replies to questions met wiih hearty applause, and 
on the proposition of the chairman, seconded by Mr. 
Turney, a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded 
Mr. Chapman. The lecture was illustrated by about 
fifty paintings of Cypripediums by Miss N. Roberts, 
artist to the R.H.S., kindly lent by the artist and 
R. I. Measures, Esq., to whom the society’s vote of 
thanks was given. Mr. W. E. Humphreys, gardener 
to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, Hackbridge, 
exhibited a beautiful group of Orchids in flower, 
including Cattleya Trianaet, Queen Empress, Catt. 
Schroderae Perfecture, Scuticaria Hedwenii, Masde- 
vallia Shuttleworthii, Pleurothallis tiidentata, 
Odontoglossum nevadense pictum, Halli, Lycaste 
Skinnerii bella.Cypripedium ThomsoniHookerae,&c. 
Mr. W. J. Simpson, gardener to C. H. Walker, Esq , 
staged twelve very fine flowers of Cypripediums. By 
the side of these stood four charming seedling 
Auriculas, exhibited by Mr. F. C. L Wratten. To 
the exhibitors a hearty vote of thanks was accorded. 
The Secretary (Mr. John Gregory) announced the 
next meeting to be held at the Art Gallery, Park 
Lane, on May 7th. Subject: “ Gardeners 
Feathered Friends and Foes,” by Mr. Percy F. 
Bunyard, illustrated with lantern slides by Mr. R. 
B. Lodge, of Enfield. All interested in horticulture 
are cordially invited. 
