January 24, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
59 
[UARY 24, 1903. e Gardening World* 
I NOTICES TO READERS AND 
CORRESPONDENTS. 
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EDITORIAL NOTES. 
Imports of Bananas. 
In 1900, 1,287,442 bunches of Bananas 
were imported to the United Kingdom. In 
1901, they rose to 2,228,672, whilst, last 
year, they attained to 2,805,700 bunches. 
The latter number is the largest on record 
for this country. 
Returning Thanks. 
We take this opportunity of returning 
thanks to the very many readers of The 
Gardening V orld who have been good 
enough to write to us their congratulations 
on the change in the appearance and con¬ 
tents of the journal. While not wishing to 
obtrude such personal matters, we cannot 
let the occasion pass without thanking one 
and all for their kindly compliments. We 
would that we could reply to each one 
separately, but the number of our letters 
forbids that. Our best return for the com¬ 
pliments is to try and be still more worthy 
of them, and this we mean to do. May we 
add that any suggestions of our readers as 
regards the betterment of the paper will be 
esteemed. As The Gardening World has 
been esteemed in the past, so do we hope 
that during the present year and in the 
years to come it will receive that welcome 
from its readers which lies at the true root 
of the success of a journal such as this aspires 
to be. 
—o— 
Croydon and District Gardeners. 
The programme of the Croydon and Dis¬ 
trict Horticultural Mutual Improvement 
Society has been made up for the next half- 
year. Their meetings are very appropriately 
held at the Sunflower Temperance Hotel. 
Croydon—a title which includes two very 
suitable mottoes for gardeners generally. 
We note that papers will be read by Mr. J. 
Bean, Mr. T. Bunyard, Mr. Alderman, Mr. 
W. Green, Mr. A. C. lloffey, Mr. H. J. Jones, 
Mr. W. Turney, and Mr. W. J. Simpson. 
The papers are very varied, and include such 
topics as “ Nature’s Seed Sowing,” “ Garden 
Root Crops,” “ Peaches,” “ Mushrooms,” 
“ Cucumbers,” “ Popular Horticulture,” and 
the “ Ventilating and Heating of Horticul- 
© © 
tural Structures.” One night is set apart 
for discussion on various topics not here 
named. The programme we consider a very 
good one. 
. —o— 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners. 
The above association is much older than 
the sister one at Croydon, but still pursues 
its career with great activity. The list of 
subjects for the spring session is already 
before us, and we note the names of pre¬ 
vious readers of papers, and also some fresh 
ones. Papers are promised by Mr. S. 
Radley, Mr. R. Hodder, Mr. James Merrit, 
Mr. K W. F. Shrivell, F.L.S., and Mr. C. M. 
Collingwood. Not the least important of 
the work carried on by this long-established 
society is the giving of prizes for various 
fruits, flowers and vegetables during the 
course of the session. For the spring session, 
we note no less than six prizes to be awarded 
on as many different evenings. 
Dundee Horticultural Association. 
The twenty-second session of the above 
association having ended with December 
last, and reported upon, shows that the work 
lias been one of continued interest and pro¬ 
gress. There is a total membership of 107 
members, and out of these, the average 
at-tendance has been very encouraging. In 
order still further to encourage the members, 
the council decided to grant three Royal 
Horticultural Society’s medals. The silver 
medal was awarded to Mr. D. Sanders, Tay 
Park Gardens, Broughty Ferry, for Calceo¬ 
larias and Begonia Gloire de Lorraine. Mr. 
James Kinnear and Mr. James Bethel were 
each awarded a bronze medal for various 
horticultural products. Mr. D. Sanders 
was also successful in securing cultural cer¬ 
tificates, which shows that these prizes 
stimulate the growers to great efforts. In 
looking at the balance-sheet, we note the 
substantial though not large sum on the 
credit side of the sheet, and are pleased to 
learn of the continued success of this long- 
established society. 
—0— 
Fancy Taste for Sweet Peas. 
If the various expressions of opinion which 
we have heard lately are an indication of 
development in the matter of colour in the 
Sweet Peas, the next classification carried 
out by the National Sweet Pea Society will 
have to take account of a large number of 
varieties of a mixed character in the matter 
of colours. These will, of course, have to be 
placed in the class named “ fancies.” Novelty 
is always dear to the heart of the flower- 
lover, and possibly it may be that self-col¬ 
oured new varieties are not now being pro¬ 
duced fast enough to please those who are 
on the outlook for novelties in this popular 
annual. There is also an indication that 
this love for novelty will demand new 
varieties, if onlv for the sake of change. At 
the same time, we think that the standard 
' varieties will ^ong be cultivated, unless they 
are displaced by new varieties of more 
decided or better defined self-coloured, 
popular and pleasing shades. 
—0-— 
Fog in the Metropolis. 
The bitter east wind of last week suddenly 
gave way to rain and fog on Saturday night- 
The change was as unexpected as it was 
sudden, and neither plants nor their cul¬ 
tivators were prepared for the rapid change. 
Winter flowering plants always suffer, more 
or less, from this uncalled-for visitation of 
King Fog, the extent depending upon the 
temperature in which the plants may be 
grown. In the open air they do not suffer 
materially, provided the fog is not accom¬ 
panied by a heavy deposit of carbon and 
various chemical matter upon the foliage. 
In a greenhouse the plants suffer only 
slightly if they are at rest, but if they are 
being kept in a flowering condition by a 
suitably high temperature, some of them are 
sure to feel the effects of the fog in a short- 
time. Stove plants are sure to suffer, too, in 
a greater degree, owing to the high tempera¬ 
ture in which the plants are grown. The 
first- injury to be noted is that the flowers 
drop from the plants, or wither where they 
hang, as in the case of the Orchids, Be¬ 
tween Saturday and Monday the sudden 
visitation of fog was responsible for a con¬ 
siderable amount of flower dropping. 
