150 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 14, 1903. 
Society and Association Notes and News. 
Early intimation of meetings and reports 
will be esteemed by the Editor at 37 & 38, 
Shoe Lane. 
Beckenham Horticultural Society.— On January 30th Mr. 
G. Clinging, gardener, “ Selwood,” gave a paper on Pears. 
Councillor Crease presided during the evening. Mr. Clinging 
dealt with root-pruning (which was absolutely necessary to 
ensure success), summer pruning, and the advantages of liquid 
manure. Councillor Crease spoke upon the enormous amount 
of foreign Pears arriving in this country, and the splendid wav 
they have abroad of packing fruit so as to ensure successful 
travelling without being damaged to any extent. 
* * * 
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association.- —Open 
Spaces : At the monthly meeting of the Metropolitan Public 
Gardens Association, held on Wednesday, the 4th inst., at 83, 
Lancaster Gate, W., Sir William Yincent, Bart., vice-chairman, 
presiding, progress was reported with regard to the laying out 
of the Southfields Recreation Ground, Wandsworth, and with 
the schemes for the acquisition of Poplar and Whitechapel 
churchyards. It was stated that tree planting work undertaken 
by the association in thoroughfares in Shoreditch and Islington 
had been completed, and it was agreed to make a further offer 
to plant trees in a part of Essex Road, N. The secretary stated 
that as a result of the recent joint memorial and deputation from 
the association and other open space societies to the London 
County Council, that body had voted £10,000 towards the Hain- 
ault and Lambourne Forest scheme, and that the joint committee 
were now engaged on the promotion of a Bill to enable the 
various authorities interested to contribute. Applications for 
seats for Broomfield Park, N., and Home Park, Sydenham, were 
granted. It was agreed to take further steps to oppose any 
attempts to alienate public spaces and buildings thereon, as 
proposed in the Golder’s Hill case now before the London 
County Council, for the establishment of convalescent hospitals, 
owing to the grave danger thereby arising to the security of 
property acquired for public enjoyment if once tampered with 
for the promotion of particular objects. A letter was read from 
the Office of Works stating that it had been decided to remove 
the Duke of York’s School, Chelsea, and declining to receive a 
d-equitation from the association to urge the preservation as an 
open space of the site, more especially that picturesque portion 
containing trees and grass, and it was decided to make renewed 
representations for preventing the disappearance of the whole 
of the 11 or 12 acres of open ground. It was also agreed to 
oppose a Bill which seeks powers to build on a disused burial 
ground in .Dorset Street, and to assist in the endeavours now 
being made to preserve certain fields on the north-west confines 
of Hampstead Heath, which if built on would greatly injure 
the fine view and the amenities of the most rural part of the 
Heath. 
* * * 
Chislehttrst Gardeners’ Society.— At the recent meeting of 
the above society Mr. H. Cannell, F.R.H.S., Swanley, gave a 
most interesting lecture on “ Flow to grow large Onions, and 
also plenty of smaller ones.” He showed that this vegetable 
was not to be despised, whether regarded as an article of whole¬ 
some diet or for commercial profit. Being a vegetarian, Mr. 
Cannell declared that if Onions were more extensively used as 
an article of food mankind would require fewer doctors. The 
Onion ranked next to the Pineapple as a digestive article of 
food. The cultivation of this vegetable he could trace back for 
2,000 years b.c., and during the building of the pyramids of 
Egypt no less a sum than was represented by ninp tons of pure 
gold was expended in jirocuring Onionis for the 'workmen. In 
this country official returns show that 7,000,000 bushels of 
Onions, valued at £1,000,000 sterling, were imported into this 
country. From a patriotic point of view this should be deplored, 
but he considered that favourable prospects awaited those pos¬ 
sessed of the necessary intelligence and aptitude for Onion cul¬ 
ture in this country. In the matter of cultivation a warm 
southern aspect and light, well drained, rich soil are desirable, 
and give the best results. They cannot apply too much manure 
for the production of large Onions, but good keeping Onions 
for -culinary use did not require such high feeding. The soil 
should be heavily dressed, with farm-yard manure and dressings 
of soot and artificial manure. The soil could be trenched as 
deeply as they liked, but the poor material should be left in the 
bottom of the trench. Digging should be done in August and 
repeated during the winter, because the more the ground was 
stirred the better the results obtained. Reliable seed and sow¬ 
ing during favourable weather were commented upon. Hoeing 
should be frequent during growth ; even in dry weather a cover¬ 
ing of dust retains the moisture in the soil. Insect pests and 
mildew should be kept down by methods which he recommended. 
Hints were also given about the storing of Onions. The lecturer 
exhibited different varieties of Onions and Primulas. Mr. Allum 
-staged a well grown Cyclamen. The president, Mr. J. Lyne, 
offered some remarks on the subject, and proposed a vote of 
thanks to the lecturer. 
* * * 
Dundee Gardeners -and Basket-Making. —The proceedings 
at the ordinary monthly meeting of the Dundee Horticultural 
Association in the Technical Institute on the 3rd inst. were of 
a somewhat novel character, being an interesting combination 
of the practical and the poetical. Mr. William Grant, Fernhall 
Gardens, West Ferry, presided over a good attendance. The 
practical part of the business consisted in basket-making by 
Mr. William Nicoll, Farington Hall, and Mr. Napier, Tayfield 
Gardens, Newport. The former gentleman showed various 
pretty specimens of baskets which he had manufactured in his 
leisure hours, and constructed a dainty little one (to the design 
of which he gives the name of “ The Lover’s Knot ”) in presence 
of the audience. Basket-making, he said, would form a very 
pleasant and profitable hobby -for evening work in the bothies. 
Foreigners, lie remarked, were generally regarded as neater 
handed in making baskets than the basket-makers of this 
country ; but for useful, substantial work in this line nothing 
could beat that of the Scotch gardener who mastered the art-. 
Mr. Napier showed the process of constructing a suitable and 
substantial garden basket-, and all the articles were handed 
round for inspection. Mr. D. Storrie gave an instructive 
lect-urette regarding the various kinds of Willows (specimens of 
which were shown), and the best varieties for basket-making, 
commending in particular for their remarkable flexibility the 
twigs of the Babylonian Weeping Willow. Mr. Storrie also read 
a delightfully sentimental paper entitled “ Bursting Buds and 
Babbling Brooklets,” in which he, by the use of some very fine 
word pictures in poetry and prose, contended that the literary 
art—word painting—was greater than that of painting on canvas. 
The paper, as well as the basket-making exposition, evoked 
some interesting comments. Mr. Watson, Bridge of Earn, re¬ 
marked, with reference io the latter art, that if it were an inno¬ 
vation it was a very good one. There were several interesting 
horticultural exhibits. A letter from Mrs. Carlaw Martin was 
read reminding the association of the forthcoming exhibition 
of bulb culture by Dundee school children, and intimating that 
any suggestions calculated t-o help the greater usefulness of the 
show would be cordially welcomed. It was agreed to lend such 
support. 
* * * 
Brotjghty Ferry Horticultural Association.— At the open¬ 
ing meeting of the session on the 20t-h ult. the president, Mr. 
William Grant, delivered an address which was practically a 
resume -of the work of the association since its inauguration six 
years ago. Those who originally took part in the founding of 
this -association included such names as Mr. James Simpson, 
Mr. W. S. Watt, the late Mr. James Ross, and the present 
secretary, Mr. Christison, who lias held office continuously ever 
since. In like manner Mr. Holman has been the only treasurer 
during that period. The Rev. Mr. Pyton was the first honorary 
president, and Mr. Simpson the first president. Others who 
have occupied the cha-ir in succession were the late Mr. Watt, 
Mr. J. W. Laird, Mr. J. Machar, and the speaker, who has held 
office since 1895. Since the commencement there have been 
192 meetings, and nearly 200 papers on various subjects have 
been read and discussed. Continuing, the president mentioned 
the names of a large number of the more interesting papers and 
the names of the gentlemen who read them. During the same 
period many visits have been made to the leading nurseries in 
the district, which had proved exceedingly pleasant and instruc¬ 
tive. A large number of the members had availed themselves 
of the privileges extended to them. Amongst innovations were 
conferences on the Strawberry and Raspberry, to the edification 
of the members. Twelve opportunities had been afforded for 
exhibiting garden products of interest. Competitions of a 
limited nature had also proved of advantage' to them in their 
