July 13, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
733 
Hellebore Powder is an effective remedy for all 
insect pests, and if dusted on plants will prevent 
butterflies from laying their eggs on them. 
Messrs. Webb & Sons at Wolverhampton.—At 
the Wolverhampton Floral Fete on Tuesday last, 
Messrs. Ed. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, 
were awarded a large Gold Medal for their splendid 
floral display, and likewise an Award of Merit. 
A Mimetic Pelargonium.—No doubt many of our 
readers have either heard of or have seen the Cactus 
Pelargonium. Now we have another which closely 
mimics or resembles a Pink, a laced Pink to wit. It 
is an Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, with semi double 
flowers, the petals of which are toothed at the apex, 
so that we fear the florists will disown it for that 
flagrant disregard of their canons. The petals have 
likewise a scarlet lacing round the apex and some of 
them have a crimson blotch at the base. It is named 
Mrs. H. J. Jones, and appeared in the exhibit of Mr. 
H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham,at the Drill 
Hall, on Tuesday, the 2nd inst. Having carried away 
a bloom in our coat, almost everyone who saw it took 
it for a small Pink until the calyx at the back of the 
flower revealed its true nature. 
St. Andrew’s Horticultural Association.—This 
association, which also embraces Gorleston, South- 
town, and Cobholm, is to hold its first annual show 
and fete at Gorleston on August 15th. There are 
350 prizes offered, which give a great chance for the 
amateur competitor, who ought to turn in upon full 
force, seeing what a populous district it embraces, 
and most fishermen have a good garden. A large num¬ 
ber of special prizes are offered by the following indi¬ 
viduals and firms. — His Worship the Mayor ; 
Messrs. Daniel Brothers, Ltd., Norwich; Messrs. J. 
Carter & Co., High Holborn, London; Messrs. 
Brunning & Co., seed merchants, Yarmouth; 
Messrs. Lever Brothers, Ltd., Port Sunlight, 
Cheshire; Mr. W. Poole, Gorleston; Mr. R. J. 
Disney, Bradwell; Mr. W. Herbert, Gorleston ; Mr. 
W. J. Benns, Yarmouth; Mr. G. N. Spencer, 
Gorleston; also Messrs. J. Tolver Waters, H. A. 
Blagg, E. Palr-er, S. W. Benns, T. Saul, Mrs. W. 
W. Cook, and the Rev. Forbes Phillips. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society.—The monthly committee meeting of this 
Society was held on Monday evening last at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi Terrace, Strand. Mr. 
C. H. Curtis occupied the chair. The minutes of 
the last meeting were read and confirmed. Seven 
new members were elected. Nine members are on 
the sick fund at the present time. Mr. John Fairey 
(No. 239) was granted £1 10s. from the Convalescent 
Fund. A letter of thanks from Mr. George Clinging 
for assistance from the Convalescent Fund was read. 
A cheque for £6 5s. nd. being the amount standing 
to the credit of the late Richard Smart (a lapsed 
member) was granted to his widow. Cheques were 
granted to Messrs. G. Mouland and J. M. Barry, 
being quarterly allowances from the Benevolent 
Fund, also cheques for Messrs. Pollett’s account and 
the secretary’s salary. The treasurer reported that 
he had £187 3s. 6d. in hand. The proof for new 
rule books was then gone through and passed for 
the printers. 
Workmen’s Compensation Act.— During the past 
few years the methods of agriculture have so changed 
that they are now in a large part mechanical, and the 
introduction of machinery has brought additional risks 
to the farm servant. A man who was a few years 
ago a simple ploughman is now required to be more of 
an engineer, and this being the case the Legislature 
is of opinion that the time has come when the pro¬ 
tection afforded to other workers should now be ex¬ 
tended to workmen in agriculture. The expression 
agriculture includes horticulture, forestry, and the 
use of land for any purpose of husbandry, inclusive 
of the keeping or breeding of live stock, poultry or 
bees, and the growth of fruit and vegetables. The 
Act came into force on July 1st, 1901, and is without 
doubt a great boon to gardeners, etc., but will not of 
course meet the approval of theiremployers. Whether 
they approve of it or not they will now have to pay 
heavy compensation for injury in case of accident. 
All the conditions and workii g of the Act can be 
obtained in pamphlet form from Mr. John Griffiths, 
solicitor, The East Gate, Chester. 
Preservation of Wild Birds. —The number of 
useful birds that are destroyed on the Continent has 
begun to have a detrimental effect on agri¬ 
horticulture. In many countries legislation has 
been brought to bear on the subject, and every 
means is being adopted to again encourage the 
useful feathered friends of the crops. 
Honour to the Brave.—Amongst the many young 
gardeners and men connected with the agri- 
horticultural trade who have recently returned from 
the seat of war, none have had a more enthusiastic 
reception than what was accorded to Corporal James 
W. Watt, of the Lothians and Berwickshire Yeo¬ 
manry. The gallant young corporal is the eldest son 
of Mr. James Watt, J.P., the head of the great 
Carlisle seed firm known as Messrs. Little & 
Ballantyne. When he arrived at Carlisle he found 
an enthusiastic crowd awaiting him, who quickly 
unharnessed the horse in the cab which was to 
convey him home, and hundreds of willing hands 
dragged the cab round the town. Corporal Watt in 
a few well chosen words thanked them for the honour 
they had done him, but although he felt proud of his 
reception his heart was full to think of the many old 
friends he had left behind him never to be seen 
again as they had fallen in the great fight for their 
country. Mr. Watt senior, in response to loud calls, 
assured the gathering that it was the proudest 
moments in his life, but he hoped his son would 
now turn his sword into a ploughshare, and would 
succeed him in the business and be their neighbour 
for a great many years. He concluded in the true 
John Bull style of inviting everybody to come and 
partake of refreshments with him, an invitation which 
was enthusiastically responded to. 
A tree which is believed to have its roots in an old 
nest, may be seen growing from near the top of a 
very high mill chimney in one of the main streets of 
Dover. 
The Future of our Parks.—Parks, as a rule, are 
provided to keep the people in good health, and are 
often known as the lungs of a town, but Bideford 
people have found a new use for them, and that is 
as a space wherein they can beat their carpets. 
Thus, instead of promoting the health of the people 
and making a place of refuge from the dust, they are 
to be utilised as a medium for spreading disease, and 
instead of people resorting to the park to get out of 
the dust from the roads, they will have to go out on 
to the roadsjto escape from the dust of the park. When 
the matter was put before the District Council, it 
received considerable opposition, and after a stormy 
debate it was only passed by a majority of one. One 
councillor, during a speech in defence of the practice, 
said there was no other place so convenient as the 
park for the purpose, and as many a poor man 
earned a little extra money by beating carpets, if the 
Council prohibited the use of the park for that pur¬ 
pose, they should immediately provide a suitable 
place. So in the near future the Bideford people 
may expect to have the privilege of strolling in a 
park in which the air is made crisp by the flying 
dust and the ears are gratified by the melodious 
rattle of carpet beating, while under foot, instead of 
the ugly green grass, there will be a soft sand to 
walk on, much softer than that at the fashionable 
seaside resorts. We think there are great possibili¬ 
ties in the scheme, of failure we mean, of course. 
Publications of the Syndical Chamber of Bel¬ 
gian Horticulturits.—In a pamphlet before us we 
note that the above society has published accounts 
of their various proceedings during 1900. On the 
left hand page the report is printed in Flemish, and 
in French on the right hand page. The pamphlet is 
published from Ghent, the headquarters of the 
society. The first account relates to the proceedings 
and the situation of the Syndical Chamber of Bel¬ 
gian Horticulturists during 1900, and is described as 
the report of the permanent committee. This is 
followed by the report of the commission of the 
monthly horticultural exhibitions; the statutes; 
the bye-laws of the office for the settlement of 
instruction and disputed points; the regulations for 
the exportation of living plants to the United States 
of America, &c. At the end of the pamphlet is an 
account of the monthly horticultural meetings held 
during 1900, including the various awards made by 
the jury. The Certificates of Merit granted for 
plants are fairly numerous and recorded under each 
month, commencing with January. Some of the 
plants mentioned are known on this side of the Ger¬ 
man Ocean, and, no doubt, many of them have since 
found their way to our shores. Orchids come in for 
a large share of attention, particularly Cypripediums, 
Odontoglossums, Cattleyas, Laelias, Miltonias, &c. 
Anthuriums come in for a greater share of attention 
than in this country, where nurserymen never seem 
to have been very active in raising them. Other 
plants have been honoured by Certificates for Cul¬ 
ture, the equivalent of our Cultural Commendation ; 
also for culture and flowering ; and for ihe variety. 
The award of 11 Honourable Mention ” has no exact 
equivalent on this side of the water. Certificates of 
Merit are also granted for the novelty of the respec¬ 
tive plants shown. Lists of the various members of 
tha society are also given, including honorary and 
corresponding members, and corresponding societies. 
The secretary is M Henri de Wilde. 
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POLYANTHA ROSE MINIATURE. 
Amongst the many pretty garden Roses that claim 
attention at the present time is the variety under 
notice. The small flowers are pale rose when they 
open, fading to white with age, and as the plant is 
very vigorous they are produced in great profusion. 
They are also charming in the bud state, just as they 
show their brightest yet delicate colouring. Besides 
its use for covering walls, fences, pillars, the front of 
cottages, &c., the variety is also suitable for forcing 
in spring, either for cut flowers or conservatory 
decoration. It was sent out in 1885, but might be 
more frequently seen than it is. The accompanying 
illustration shows a spray of it. 
