January 31, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
105 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Foreman to journeyman. (Jim) on the fires : “ Did you keep up 
the heat in the .stove last night, Jim?” “No, but. the ‘boss ’ 
marie it hot enough for me this morning.” 
* * * 
N. Traveller to old Labourer: “How will I distinguish the 
head from the under gardeners over there?” “Quite easy, sir. 
The ‘boss’ has a double crop of solemn care on his face.” 
“Thanks.” 
* * * 
Gardening Lecture at Henley-on-Thames. —The second of 
the series of gardening lectures arranged by the Berks C.C. was 
given In. the National Schools by Mr. A. S. Galt. His subject 
was “ Tap-rooted Vegetables,” and some good advice was given 
regarding the cultivation, manuring and diseases of these useful 
crops. 
* # * 
Kent County Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society. 
—The annual meeting was held on the 16th inst-. at the Rink 
Hall, Blarkheath, Mr. H. C. Hawkins presiding over a good 
attendance, including Messrs. F. Fox (hon. secretary), CL D. 
Judge (assistant lion, secretary), T. Aley (chairman of com¬ 
mittee), J. Pearce, E. Smith, Howe, Jeffery, Bakm-, Gilbert, W. 
Clark, Pavey, Dixon, Webb, Payne, Struckett, T. E. Brown, W. 
H. Nicolson, Poole, etc. The committee reported a balance in 
hand of £16 odd, or a profit on the year of nearly £ 6 . They 
hoped that members anil their friends would still support the 
society, so as to enable it to carry on its valuable work. 
* * * 
Notts. Horticultural and Botanical Society. —The 21st 
annual dinner of the Nottinghamshire Horticultural and 
Botanical Society was held on the 22nd inlst. at the Arboretum 
Rooms, Nottingham, under the genial presidency of Mr. P. S. 
Clay, the Chief Constable of the city. The opportunity of c.ele 
brating the society’s coming of age was accepted by a large and 
representative body of members, and under comfortable condi¬ 
tions a most enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. G. Goode pro¬ 
posed “ Success to the Notts. Horticultural ar.i 1 Botanical 
Society,” and Mr. C. J. Mee, whose name was coupled with the 
toast, was gratified that it was their coming of age dinner. 
* * * 
Harrenden Horticultural Society. —At the 24th annual 
general meeting of members of this society, recently held, the 
report for the year showed the number of subscribers to be 326 ; 
the total receipts were £216 Os. 8 d., and the expenditure 
£215 4s. 10d., leaving a balance in hand of 15s. lOd. In! addition 
to this the society has a reserve of £30 in the bank. The last 
show was pronounced a success, £65 13s. 3d. being realised at the 
entrance gates. The number of non-subscribers who paid for ad¬ 
mission was 2,363. The total number of competing exhibitors 
was 101, and the number of exhibits 636. These furores show a 
falling off from the average, which may be accounted for by the 
unpropitious season of 1902. The 25th annual show was fixel 
for Wednesday, August 26th. Mr. J. ,T. Willis is the secretary, 
and ha.s held this position since the commencement of the society. 
* * * 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association. —The opening 
meeting of the spring session was held on the 21st inst. at the 
Guildhall, when a large number of the members attended. Mr. 
Luscombe, generd foreman at Messrs. Veitch’s Nurseries, 
occupied the chair. The subject was “A Demonstration on the 
I Various Methods of Preparing Cuttings,” and was introduced bv 
Mr. Samuel Radley. He prefaced his remarks by say inn that 
the best workmen had the best tools, and a necessary condition 
of successfully preparing cuttings was to hare a good, well- 
sharpened knife, as experience showed that cuttings made with 
such a tool struck more readily. He exhibited a sharpening 
hone, and illustrated its use. The cuttings made at the table bv 
the members nresemt were of such plants as Chrysanthemums, 
Carnations, Calceolarias. Fuchsias, Lobelias. India-rubber 
plants. Heaths, Azaleas, etc. Cuttings were made of leaves oulv 
as in the caw of Begonias. Gloxinias, etc., and others with a hud 
attached. Them root cuttings were shown. Tn short, the de¬ 
monstration was the most practical and valuable of anv of the 
meetings held by the society, and many useful hints and precepts 
were given bv experienced and practical gardeners to the younger 
members. The first prize for the best two beads of Celerv was 
won by Mr. J. Weeks, gardener to Mr. E. A. Sanders. Stoke 
House: the second to Mr. J. Abram, gardener to Mr. T 
Kekewieh, Peamore. 
Bananas to the number of 2,805,700 hunches were imported 
into this country last, year. These figures are more than double 
those of 1900. 
* * * 
Immense consignments of flowers, including Narcissi, 
Hyacinths, Violets, and Anemones, are now arriving daily at 
Folkestone Harbour from the South of Europe for the London 
and other markets. 
* * * 
Tiie Brighton Horticultural Society.— The annual dinner 
and social gathering under the auspices of the Brighton and 
Sussex Horticultural Society took place at the Imperial Hotel, 
under the genial presidency of Mr. William Balohin, on the 22nd 
inst. 
* * * 
Gift of a Recreation Ground. —Mr. Everard H -sketh, who is 
well known in the district for his generosity, has presented 
Hartford with a recreation ground. The site occupies a portion 
of Hartford Brent, overlooking the charming Darenth Valley, 
and has historic interest as being the reputed gathering place of 
Wat Tyler’s host prior to the march on London. 
* * * 
Sale of the late Alderman Alf. Cooke’s Orchids. —Messrs. 
Hepper and Sons, acting under instruction® from Mrs. Alf Cooke, 
on the 21st inst. offered for sale by auction, at their Sale Rooms 
in East Parade, Leeds, a collection of surplus Orchids and stove 
plants from the gardens of Weetwood Hall, Leeds. The collec¬ 
tion comprised 350 Orchids, including some very beautiful and a 
number of rare blooms, and about 300 stove plants. 
* * * 
( David Garrick’s Mulberry Tree.— The death of David 
Garrick took place in 1779, and to-day is the anniversary of that 
event. In Abington Park, Northampton, a Mulberry tree 
planted by him still bears fruit. For over one hundred years 
this tree bo-re a copper plate with the following inscription : 
“Ibis tree was planted by David Garrick, Esq., at the request 
of Ann Thursby, as a growing testimony of t-heir friendship, 
* 
* * 
Birmingham Amateur Gardeners’ Association.-— The annual 
meeting of the Birmingham Amateur Gardeners’ Association was 
held at the Technical School on the 22nd inst., Councillor 
William Davis presiding. In their tenth annual report the com¬ 
mittee recorded the continued progress of the associatiou. The 
meetings had been well attended, the various exhibitions had on 
the whole been well supported.' and the number of new members 
elected was satisfactory. Still they felt that the association had 
as yet only touched the fringe of amateur gardening in 
Birmingham. 
* * # 
The Queen’s Patronage.— The annual meeting of the Cowes 
Horticultural Improvement Association was held at the Town. 
Hall on the 21st inst., Mr. H. Shepard presiding. A gratifying 
report of the society’s doings for the past year was presented by 
the hon. secretary, Mr. C. E. Creighton.' It was stated that 
Queen Alexandra had graciously consented to become the 
patroness of the association in succession to her late Majesty 
Queen Victoria. The financial statement showed that Queen 
Alexandra had sent a donation of £5 and Princess Henry of 
Battenberg £3 3s. Mr. Godfrey Baring, J.P., C. C., was re-elected 
president, and other officers were also appointed. The lion, 
secretary was re-elected in a complimentary manner. 
* * * 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —The annual 
meeting of the Bristol and Bath Auxiliary of the Gardeners’ 
Royal Benevolent Institution was held on the 21st inst. at 
Olivers’ Restaurant, RoyaL Promenade. Mr. IV. A. Caraway 
was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. 
The president (Mr. J. H. Hockley) was unanimously re-elected, 
and resolutions were also adopted re-electing the treasurer (Mr. 
J. H. Vallance), the secretary (Mr. G. Harris), and the com¬ 
mittee. The accounts for the past year were submitted, arid 
showed that the -society had considerably benefited by the kind¬ 
ness of the committees of the Chrysanthemum Society and the 
Westbury Flower Show in allowing them to have a stall for the 
sale of flowers at their respective shows, and also by the action 
of Mr. Antony Gibbs in kindly allowing his beautiful grounds at 
Tyntesfield to be opened fo-r their benefit. The auxiliary was 
this year able to forward the sum of £79 16s. to the parent 
society, which does a good work in granting pensions of £20 per 
annum for life to aged gardeners who are no longer able to follow 
their occupation. 
