152 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 14, 1903. 
National Fruit Growers’ Federation. —A tangible result of 
the advocacy by the National Fruit Growers’ Federation of im¬ 
proved vans for the transit of their produce on the railways will 
be seen in the approaching fruit season on the Midland line. 
Having heard a deputation from the Federation last week, the 
Manager and Wagon Superintendent of this railway promised that 
500 ventilated wagons, embodying improvements suggested by the 
Federation, should be put in hand at once for the traffic of the 
ensuing season, 25 of them to be specially fitted up inside for 
carrying chip baskets as ail experiment. 
Woolton Gardeners’ Society.— The usual meeting of the 
above was held on Thursday of last week at the Mechanics’ 
Institute, Mr. R. Todd presiding over a good attendance of 
members. Mr. Joseph Stoney exhibited a plant of Odonto- 
glossum crispum of a good variety, with an extra strong spike. 
Mr. G. Haigh produced Chrysanthemum foliage with examples 
of rust. Thanks were accorded in each case. Mr. F. Ker, of 
the Aigburth Nurseries, was introduced to give a lecture on 
“ Hardy Plants and Bulbs for Early Forcing.” The subject was 
dealt with in a comprehensive manner, commencing with those 
kinds the most suitable for the middle of December, such as 
Tulips, the Van Thols being recommended for the earliest; 
also Paper White Narcissus and the common Daffodil. These 
were followed by Azalea indica, A. mollis, and A. Daviesii, Lilac 
of sorts, Rhododendron blandinianum, Deutzia gracilis, Lilium 
Harrisii, Hydrangea, Roses, etc. The latter should be pro¬ 
vided with an abundance of light and free from draughts as a 
preventive against mildew. The value of retarded bulbs, 
especially Lily of the Valley, was commented on, with the best 
means of forcing such kinds. A capital discussion followed, 
in which the following took part:—The Chairman, Messrs. R. G. 
Waterman, T. Carling, G. Haigh, ,J. McColl, Jos. Stoney, and 
others, in which was mentioned the value of forced pyramid 
Laburnums, scarlet and white Thom, Clematis in variety, the 
Daffodils in their pleasing forms, Magnolias, etc. A cordial 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Ker for his excellent address, 
and to Mr. Todd for presiding. A collection from the members 
was made on behalf of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.— 
W. W. 
* * * 
Croydon Horticultural Mutual Improvement Society.— 
A most enjoyable and instructive evening was spent with this 
society at their rooms, Sunflower Temperance Hotel, on the 
3rd inst., when the subject ‘Peaches” formed the nucleus of 
the paper of Mr. Alderman, The Garden, Morden Hall, and to 
all those interested in horticulture the matter was so thoroughly 
dealt with that each one present at the meeting must have 
been inspired with the thought that they would strive their 
utmost to carry away the many practical details so ably por¬ 
trayed by the lecturer, and so turn them to use in the gardens 
under their own care. In the minutest details he. discoursed 
on the life of the Peach tree from the time of propagating till 
its establishment as an old veteran in the greenhouse and on 
the walls of the garden, mentioning some trees under his own 
care which were over 20 years old. In the lecturer’s opinion 
the Plum and Almond stocks were the most suited to receive 
the grafts, and he emphasised the advisability of using- good 
open loamy soil, not too rich, which should be on a border well 
drained, and in the case of growing them successfully under 
glass the lean-to houses were best. From October to November 
he considered the best time for planting, although as late as 
February or March would be found suitable. In training trees, 
the fan shape was considered to be best, leaving the centre of 
the tree well open, as this would eventually fill up when active 
growth took jilace. The disbudding should be done gradually, 
allowing a week’s elapse between each operation, keeping the 
shoots regularly tied, and allowing exposure/to sun: and air. 
The thinning of fruit set should be done at intervals, leaving 
a square foot of space from each fruit for exhibition purposes, 
and where a general crop is required Sin. to 9in. was sufficient. 
The necessity of good ventilation from the top of the greenhouse 
in genial weather was very essential to get the best results, and 
this would also help to prevent the many injurious attacks of 
diseases which these trees are subject to. The discussion which 
followed was participated in by several members, and the chair¬ 
man, Mr. W. J. Simpson, in proposing a hearty vote of thanks 
to Mr. Alderman for the paper, fully expressed the unanimous 
appreciation of the members for the lucid and practical manner 
■with which the lecturer had dealt with his subject, and this 
was endorsed by Mr. M. E. Mills. Mr. W. Bentley exhibited 
cut blooms of Habrothamnus elegans. The next paper will be 
“ Garden Rootcrops,” by Mr. Thomas Bunyard, on Tuesday, 
February 17th. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Mr. W. Browne, after thirty years' service, is retiring on 
Civil Service pension from the superintendentship of the Royal 
Central Parks, London. 
* * * 
Mr. Alfred Gaunt, one of the Yorkshire College lecturers on 
horticulture, delivered a lecture on the 31st ult. to the members 
of the Burley Allotments Association, Leeds, on “ Friends and 
Enemies of the Garden.” 
* * * 
Gardening Appointment.— Mr. P. Jakeman, until recently 
head gardener to Mrs. Heap, Blackmoor, West Derby, Liver¬ 
pool, has been appointed head gardener to Sir W. B. Forwood, 
Kt., Bromborough Hall, Birkenhead. 
* * * 
Mr. A. D. Webster, for some years past superintendent of 
Greenwich Park, has been promoted as superintendent of 
Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill by the First Commissioner 
of Works, Lord Windsor. Mr. Webster enters on his duties on 
the 18th inst. 
* * * 
Mr. F. S. Sillitoe, sub-foreman in the propagating pits at 
Ivew, has, we understand, received an appointment at the 
Botanical Station, Khartoum, and sets out on his mission next 
month. He was previously with Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, 
Limited, Chelsea, and is well versed in his profession, taking 
a keen interest in all that pertains to it. 
* * * 
The Gardens at Ciiatsworth.— In these days the most in¬ 
teresting feature at Chatsworth is undoubtedly the wonderful 
gardens, which include 80 acres of lawns. To the Queen, who 
is so enthusiastic a horticulturist, this feature of the beautiful 
place must appeal in a special sense, as must the unique con¬ 
servatory, which is said to cover close on an acre of ground, and 
through which runs a carriage road. 
* * * 
Southport Municipal Gardens. —The Lord Street Boulevards 
Committee of the Southport Town Council have now had before 
them the scheme of the head gardener, Mr. Hathaway, for im¬ 
proving the municipal gardens. The main features of the plan 
are that the fountain is left in its present position, and that 
the bandstand is placed immediately behind it, nearer Lord 
Street. Round the bandstand there is seating accommodation 
for about 2,000 people. Outside the space given up to the public 
are flower beds and shrubbery, and the main portion of the 
latter will be planted close to Lord Street. Instead of ordinary 
whitewash, some rockwork, with water plants and trickling 
water, will be introduced around the fountain. An ornamental 
wall will surround the enclosed space. On the side of the 
gardens nearest the Cambridge Hall specimen Hollies and a row 
of trees will be planted. The total cost of the scheme will be 
under £500, as contrasted with £5,000 which was to have been 
spent under Mr. Mawson’s plan. A bandstand costing £500 
will be erected. 
* * * 
Sudden Death or a Ciieadle Gardener.— The death took 
place suddenly at Cheadle on the morning of the 28th ult. of 
Mr. Robert Mackellar, head gardener to Mr. James Watts, of 
Abney Hall. The deceased had held the position of head gar¬ 
dener at Abney for a period of almost 30 years, being appointed 
there in the lifetime of the late Sir James Watts. His reputa¬ 
tion as a successful scientist in horticulture was little less than 
national, his almost exhaustless list of prizes having been earned 
at such prominent shows as the Botanical Gardens, Manchester, 
and Shrewsbury, whilst in the old days of the Cheadle Show 
he was invariably the most prominent exhibitor. He was well 
known at Stockport, especially in connection with Chrysan¬ 
themum shows, and in the culture of the Japanese plant and 
bloom he possessed an enviable reputation. Of late years he bad 
not taken so active a part in the show world, except as a judge, 
and in this capacity his services were often sought. For many 
years also he had been usefully identified with the Cheadle 
Literary Institution, and the success of the Technical Instruc¬ 
tion Classes held there is largely due to Mr. Mackellar’s associa¬ 
tion with them. It appears that Mr. Mackellar was working- 
up to 10.30 on the 27th ult. at the house in Mill Lane, and he 
and the under-gardener, named Wilbraham Wood, returned to 
the hall about 11 o’clock. At about midnight the deceased was 
taken seriously ill. Dr. Wilson was called in, but despite every 
medical attention his death was announced at about. 6 o’clock. 
Sincere and widespread regret is expressed at his death. 
