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THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 18, 1901. 
The Wholesale Fruit Merchants at Newcastle-on- 
Tyne have been obliged to give up their position at 
Mai mo Wharf. They have presented a petition to 
the Corporation appealing against it. 
Nursery Blaze.— It is not often that we hear of a 
hoiticultural nursery burning down, but such an 
occurrence happened on May 2nd, at Derby, when 
stock, chiefly Rhododendrons, was destroyed to the 
value of £ i,ooo. The origin of the fire is unknown. 
The Influence of Incandescent Light on Carna¬ 
tion Culture.—An interesting experiment has just 
been terminated at the Agricultural College, Michi¬ 
gan, to test the effects of incandescent light on plants 
by having two 32 c -p. lights alight at night in one 
half of a house of Carnations, the other half remain¬ 
ing in darkness. After careful observations taken 
from Octobsr 15th to the end of March, it has been 
proved that the effect of light increases the length of 
the stems and the size and quality of the flowers. 
Register of Nurseries, Market Gardens, &c.— 
We have just received the May issue of a booklet 
containing a large number of detailed descriptions 
of nurseries, market gardens, farms, seed businesses, 
&c., which are for disposal in various parts of the 
country. It is a very useful publication, and a useful 
medium for letting or selling anything connected 
with agri-horticulture. It is not confined to home 
sales alone, but extends to the Colonies and foreign 
countries also. It is issued by Messrs. Protheroe & 
Morris, 67 and 68, Cheapside, London, E.C. 
October Sowings.—The cultural calendars that 
appear in agricultural papers of Australia at this 
season of the year furnish one of the best means 
for impressing on the mind the alteration of seasons 
between the countries of the southern and the 
northern hemispheres. For instance, the October 
calendars advise growers to sow as many things as 
possible during the month, in order to get the seeds 
up and well started before the hot, dry weather sets 
in. Beans, Beet, Cabbages, Carrots, Water Melons, 
Pumpkins, and Tomatos are mentioned. Thus we 
can meditate on the co-operation and providence of 
Nature! 
Raffia Fibre. — This universally used tying 
material is the product of a Palm which is indi¬ 
genous to Madagascar. It is by no means a stately 
Palm, but the leaves are a tremendous length, often 
attaining the leDgth of 40 ft. Each of these leaves 
produces about 100 pinnae about 4 ft. long. The 
under part of these peels off easily in strips running 
from the base to the apex. When this is dried in 
the sun it changes from the pale green to the straw 
colour which is so familiar to all gardeners. It is 
woven into articles of clothing by the natives; who 
are very clever in this art. The supply in Mada¬ 
gascar is practically inexhaustible, and only scarcity 
of labour keeps up the price. About 20,000 bales 
are exported annually. 
Reading and District Gardeners at Bucklebury 
Place. — On Tuesday afternoon last the members of 
the Reading and District Gardeners Mutual Im¬ 
provement Association pa ! d a visit to Bucklebury 
Place, WoolhamptoD, Berks., the residence of 
Arthur W. Sutton, Esq., for the purpose of seeing 
his beautiful Dali Garden, and the other spring 
gardening on the policies where the subjects grown 
there are now in perfection. The association num¬ 
bers over 200, of whom many travelled by train from 
Reading and other stations, and when all bad as¬ 
sembled at Bucklebury Place there were over a 
hundred in the party. Last year the association 
organised some half-day summer outings, and the 
project proved so successful that it was resolved to 
repeat it this year, the May meeting being arranged 
for as above stated. The members were under the 
leadership of Mr. Neve, the chairman. The presi¬ 
dent of the association, Mr. Leonard G Sutton, also 
turned up, and when all had assembled, they were 
hospitably ente tained to a sumptuous tea in the 
Fireside Club Room, before proceeding round the 
gardens. After the inspection of the latter, the large 
party was photographed on the slopes of the Dell 
Garden by the gardener, Mr. A. Wright, who after¬ 
wards read a paper on Wallflowers. What they saw 
and heard at Bucklebury Place we must give in more 
detail on a future occasion. 
American.—At San Jose, Mrs. McKinley is to be 
presented with a gigantic bouquet on the occasion of 
her tour across America. It is to measure ico ft. in 
circumference, and is to weigh over two tons. 
Size.—An interesting question was brought forward 
at a recent meeting of the Philadelphia Florists' 
Club. The controversy was, "What size constitutes 
a plant, when speaking of herbaceous plants?’’ It 
is not a question that can be easily answered. When 
plants are in pots it is an easy matter to state the 
size of the pots and settle the difficulty. We think 
then the only way when it is a matter of buying a 
plant is to see it first and judge the size of it. 
Malaria and Mosquitoes — A writer to the 
Journal of the Society of Arts recommends the use of 
the " XL-ALL ” solution at the rate of eight drams 
to the gallon as a prevention against mosquitoes. 
The manner of applying it is to sprinkle a pint of 
this solution on an old bed sheet. This should then 
be hung up in the sleeping apartment. The odour 
of the nicotine and camphor effectually prevents the 
approach of the mosquitoes. But what about the 
odour to the occupant ef the room ? 
Sand as a Manurial Dressing.—Many people 
ridicule the idea of using sand as manure. But it is 
used in many districts by farmers, with very good 
results. The two things that must be considered 
are the sand and the soil. Sand, as a rule, is very 
slow in becoming available as a plant food, but 
when it consists largely of shells in a state of 
extreme comminution it quickly supplies phosphate 
of lime, a substance which greatly improves heavy 
and sour soils. 
Oenanthe crocata.—This is a very dangerous 
plant to get into pasture land, owing to its very 
poisonous nature. From time to time we hear of 
cattle being poisoned by it. Recently, on a well 
managed farm in Co. Down, seven bullocks died in 
one field all showing the same symp ons of poison¬ 
ing. On the herbage being closely examined by Mr. 
Moore, consulting botanist to the Royal Dublin 
Society, it was found that the field contained a 
quantity of this noxious weed which had been 
closely eaten by the cattle, thus causing the mis¬ 
chief. The plant much resembles the Water Hem¬ 
lock, and is known amongst farmers, &c., as Hem¬ 
lock Water Dropwort. 
Prevention of Potato Scab.—The following use¬ 
ful information for horticulturists appealed in the 
columns of The Farmer's Gazette:—“ As a result of 
many experiments it has been found that one of the 
best methods of checking its ravages is to steep or 
soak the seed Potatos sometime before planting 
In a weak solution of formalin. The strength of the 
solution employed is about half pint of the formalin 
to 15 gallons of water. Potatos soaked in such a 
solution for two hours and then allowed to dry by 
evaporation before being planted are found to enjoy 
almost complete immunity from scab even when 
growing alongside of others badly infested with the 
disease.” 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Im¬ 
provement Society.—A very interesting paper was 
read before this society recently by Mr. Percy 
Bunyard, entitled, “ Gardeners' Feathered Frieods 
and Foes.” He contended that the amount of harm 
done by birds in the garden was infinitesimal as 
compared with the large amount of good which they 
did. He thought a garden without birds would be 
like a garden without a Rose, and Condemned the 
ruthless destruction of them. He owned that the 
thrush, blackbird, and starling undoubtedly wrought 
great havoc with the fruit, but this was fully com¬ 
pensated for in the good they did by destroying in¬ 
jurious insects; and if their good and evil deeds weie 
fairly balanced one would find a greit preponderance 
in their favour. The chat family he mentioned as 
being among the most useful, as their food consisted 
of flies, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, small snails, &c. 
The lecturer did not speak very favourably of the 
sparrow. He said its food included everything that 
was eatable. The bullfinch, he thought, was the 
worst enemy, but even it was not so black as it was 
painted. Amongst those which indirectly took an 
active part in the garden, he mentioned the owl and 
hawk. The lecture was splendidly illustrated by 
lantern slides, taken by Mr. R. B. Lodge, Enfield, a 
well-known photographer of bird life. 
Old Farmer to His Son.—"Now, don't fergit 
while ye’re in the city to git some uv them 'lectric 
light plants we heern so much about. We kin jis 
ery well raise 'em ourselves an’ save kerosene.”— 
Irish Farming World. 
Royal National Tulip Society.—The conference 
and annual southern exhibition of this old society, 
which was founded in 1849, will be held under the 
auspices of the Birmingham Botanical and Horti¬ 
cultural Society, on Thursday, May 23rd, 1901, in 
the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham. 
There are fourteen classes in all, which ought to 
provide a good show. 
National Sweet Pea Society.—The schedule of 
prizes and regulations for exhibitors for the first 
exhibition and fair of the above society is now out. 
The classes are very numerous and the prizes offered 
very substantial. Decorating with Sweet Peas and 
light foliage forms a large item in the schedule, there 
being no less than seven classes. It is to take place 
on July 25th and 26 h at the Royal Aquarium, 
Westminster. 
Gathering Figs.—Figs, unlike many other fruits, 
do not become sweeter after picking; they should, 
therefore, be left on the tree until quite ripe. When 
a fig is fully ripe it hangs down, becomes very soft, 
and its skin cracks in lines running from apex to 
base. They should not be bruised or they decay 
immediately. When gathering.it is best to cut them 
off, so that they are not injured by the pull. When 
fully ripe, a fig contains fifty per cent, by weight of 
pure sugar. 
Temple Show.—This great horticultural event of 
the year is almast on us again, and gardeners from 
all parts of the British Isles are making preparations 
for a visit. It is well patronised by Continental 
gardeners, and some of the most distinguished horti¬ 
cultural men of the time are to be met during the 
three days of this colossal exhibition. It is held in 
the Temple Gardens, facing the river, midway 
between the Temple and Blackfriars stations 
(District Railway). By kind permission of Colonel 
Lord Binning, the band of H.M. Royal Horse 
Guards (Blues) will be in attendance, so that by the 
aid of a first-class firm of caterers all the senses may 
be gratified, both smelling, hearing, seeing, and 
tasting. On the first day, May 22nd, it opens at 
12.30, oa the other two days at 9 a.m. For further 
particulars see advertisement columns. 
The “Hurst & Son” Musical Society.—This 
soeiety gave their last concert of the third season, 
which took the form of a " Smoker,” at the London 
Tavern, Fenchurch Street, on Wednesday, May 8th. 
A good number of members and friends were present. 
The chair was occupied by Hugh Aiton, Esq. (in the 
unavoidable absence of the president, N. N. Sher¬ 
wood, E q ). A capital programme was arranged 
and carried out without a hitch. The orchestra 
opened the proceedings with a spirited march. Mr. 
D. Fairley followed with a fine rendering of the 
serenade, " I Arise from Dreams of Thee.” Messrs. 
T. A. Ballwin, J. E. Dixon, Arthur Cox and V. F. 
Cummins were heard to advantage in their respective 
soDgs. Mr. Baldwin, in response to an encore gave 
" A Jovial Monk.” Mr. R. C. Tucker’s character 
recitations were given in a manner which merited 
the hearty recall this gentleman received for " The 
Three Parsons" and " Geese.” Mr. Frederick 
Wimble’s piccolo solo, "The Wien,” a somewhat 
difficult piece, was rendered in capital style and 
gained a hearty recall. The selection from " Mari- 
tana ” by the orchestra was given in a manner which 
merited the hearty applause of the company. The 
humorous element of the evening was in the capable 
hands of Mr. Harry Briden and Mr. Alec Meade, 
the former’s song," The Ballymoney Conversazione,” 
followed by “The Story of a Tin-tack," and Mr. 
Alec Meade’s " My Next Door Neighbour’s Garden," 
" The Old Dun Cow ” and a parody on " Daddy,” 
kept the audience in good humour. Mr. Bentley- 
Green’s ventriloqulal efforts were a great feature of 
the evening and his imitations on the concertina 
were very effective. A vote of thanks to the chair¬ 
man brought a very pleasant evening to a close with 
the National Anthem. The committee are to be con¬ 
gratulated on the success of their efforts, not only 
on this occasion, but the previous concerts during 
the season. 
