172 
the gardening world 
February 21, 1903 
Society and Association 
Notes and News. 
Early intimation of meetings and reports 
will be esteemed by the Editor at 37 fif 38, 
Shoe Lane. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
The annual general meeting of this society will be held at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, on Monday, March 
9th, at 8 ii.ni. Mr. John Green, of Dereham, Norfolk, has 
kindly consented to preside. 
* * * 
The Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists reminds 
horticulturists and amateurs that the fifteenth International 
Quinquennial Exposition of Horticulture will be held at Ghent 
from April 18th to 26th, 1903, and is destined to surpass in 
splendour its predecessors. The Syndical Chamber organised on 
that occasion an international meeting of horticulturists at 
Ghent. 
* ■■ * 
R.H.S. Fruit and Vegetable Show, Chiswick, September 
29th, 30th, October 1st, 1903.—A desire has been expressed in 
several quarters that some idea of the vegetable schedule should 
bo put forth at once. It will include classes for (a) single dishes 
of all sorts of vegetables ; (b) collection of vegetables (trade 
only), 100 square feet; collection of vegetables (amateurs), 50 
square feet; collection of vegetables (amateurs), 24 square feet; 
collection of Pumpkin® and Gourds (open), 50 square feet; col¬ 
lection of 18 varieties Potato® (trade); collection of 12 varieties 
Potatos (amateurs) ; (c) three dishes of Peas, distinct (amateurs), 
six dishes of round Potatos (amateurs), six dishes of Kidney 
Potatos (amateurs), three dishes of Kidney Potatos (amateurs), 
three dishes of round Potato® (amateurs), four dishes of Tomatos, 
distinct (amateurs), two dishes of Tomato®, distinct (amateuis), 
nine varieties Salad Plants in basket (amateurs). 
* .. * 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association. —The fortnightly meeting of this' association was 
held at St. John’s Rooms. Recilamd, on Thursday, the 12th inst., 
Mr. E. Binfield, Old Sneyd Park, occupying the chair. The sub¬ 
ject for the evening was “Melons and Cucumbers,” introduced 
by Mr. Collier, of the Cardiff Gardeners’. Association. The lec¬ 
turer detailed the best methods for cultivation, including time 
for sowing the seed, training, stopping, tying, and general treat¬ 
ment. He also described the insect pests and diseases which 
they are liable to, and the best means for eradication and preven¬ 
tion. Soil® and compost® also received his attention, and were 
fully explained. A good discussion followed Mr. Collier’s lecture, 
and he was verted the thanks of the meeting for his able paper. 
Prizes for two Orchids were awarded, equal firsts to Mr. W. 
Howell Davis, J.P. (gardener. Mr. Curtis), and Mr. .T. M. Harris 
fgardener, Mr. Venn). Certificates of Merit went to Mr. Garnish 
for some cut Tulips. Mr. W. Howell Davis, J.P. (gardener. Mr. 
Curtis), for Odontoglossum crispum, and to Mr. H. Kitley .for a 
pot of double Daffodils, grown entirely in moss- Tlie society’s 
Certificate of Special Merit was recommended to Mr. Hall (gar¬ 
dener. Mr. Ware) for two good pot® of Freesias, and to Mr. Avre® 
for a fine collection of Cypripediums- 
* -TV * 
Ealing Gardeners’ Society. —Mr. Arthur Pentney, of Staines 
Road Nurseries, Hounslow, was in evidence on the 12Hi inst., 
when a very comprehensive paper on the “ Root Trade” was 
delivered to an appreciative audience. Mr. Pentney explained 
that the term “ roots ” was a technical one, and was applied to 
those plants such as Pansies, Primroses, Carnation®, Pinks, Wall¬ 
flowers', Foxgloves, etc., for which there was an enormous de¬ 
mand. The coster—the versatile coster—was the medium by 
which huo-e quantities of these roots were distributed among the 
people. He usually bought his roots at a low figure, and sold 
them at a very high one, often making as much as* 400 per cent, by 
the transaction. Although he was a good distributor he was 
generally a bad character, he., he was mot particular as to bis 
statements when he had anything to sell. Mr. Pentney gave 
some very humorous instances of the frauds practised hv this in¬ 
dividual. Seedling single Carnations, known, in the trade as 
“ Jacks,” were much sought after by the coster. They looked so 
promising that thev found a readv sale ; ave. -and even gardeners 
had been taken in by their lobustness. Epilobium montanum— 
a very common weed—was substituted for Musk ; while Arte- 
mesia vulgaris, the common Mugwort, did duty for Chrysanthe¬ 
mums. Many other tricks of the trade were duly and humorously 
exposed, and many interesting matters discussed. The chairman 
(Mr. C. B. Green) and others gave instances of some of these 
tricks, after which the cordial thanks of the meeting were given to i 
Mr. Pentney. In the competition for six Primulas Mr. C. 
Edwards was first, and Mr. Woods second. Mr. Woods also ex¬ 
hibited a dozen pots of Freesias, Mr. Daok some fine double Nar- 
cissus “ Van Sion,” Mr. Hogg Cypripediums and Catfleyas; anil 
Mr. Styles some garnishing Kale, which was much admired. 
* * 31 - 
Examination in Horticulture. —The Royal Horticultural 
Society’s annual examination in the principles and practice of 
horticulture will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 1903. Full 
particulars may be obtained by sending a stamped and directed 
envelope to the society’s offices, 117, Victoria Street, London, 
S.W. The questions set at all the previous examinations ar<- 
now published, price Is., complete. 
* vf ^ 
Royal Horticultural Society. —The next fruit and flower 
show of the Royal Horticultural Society will be held on Tuesday. 
February 24th, in the Drill Hall, Buckingham Gate, West¬ 
minster, at 1-4 p.m. A lecture “ On the Use of Eether and Chloro¬ 
form in the Forcing of Shrubs ” will be given by Monsieur Emile 
Lemoine. At a general meeting of the society, held on Tuesday. 
February 10th, eighty-two new Fellows were elected, amongst 
them being the Duke of Leeds, Viscountess Morpeth. Sir William 
Vincent, Bart., Sir Gilbert Greenall, Bart., Sir Harold Pelly. 
Bart., Lady Brownlow, Lady Evelyn Cotterell, and Lady Evelyn 
James, making a total of 220 elected since the beginning of the 
present year. 
Hull anb District Horticultural Association. —The annual 
dinner of the Hull and District Horticultural Association was 
held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Carr Lane, Hull, on the 3rd inst., 
Mr. T. R. Ferens, J.P., the president, in the chair. Supporting 
the president were Alderman Jarman, Councillors G. L. Scott, 
J.P., Sylvester Sage, G. Dibnev, and C. Raine, Captain Coysh. 
J.P., Bir. Mountain, Messrs. W. Wheatley, B. Bolton, the hon. 
secretary (Mr. J. F. Posthill), and others. Captain Coysh gave 
“ The Hull and District Horticultural Association.” Referring 
to the last show as a failure from a financial point of view, he 
said' he was sure that the next show would be a great financial 
success. He had heard, however, that from a horticultural 
standpoint the exhibition was second to none in the Riding. 
Councillor Rain© responded, and mentioned that the member¬ 
ship of the society was over 220. They had attempted—suc¬ 
ceeded to some extent—in educating the public of Hull up to a 
greater appreciation of flowers and plants. They had also tried 
to cultivate a taste for the beautiful by taking their members 
on excursions into the country. One of their aims was to induce 
the Corporation to put into operation the Allotments Acts as 
far as practicable and possible in and around the city of Hull. 
* * * 
Southampton Horticultural Society. —The annual meet¬ 
ing of this society was held at the Mayor’s Parlour, Municipal 
Buildings, Southampton, on the 6th instant. The Mayor 
(Mr. H. I. Sanders) presided. A very satisfactory report 
was laid before the meeting, in which it was stated that not¬ 
withstanding the general depression that prevailed last season, 
affecting adversely so many institutions depending largely upon 
gate receipts, this society had maintained a comparatively satis-, 
factory financial position, and although the gate receipts at the 
summer show were £17 less than in the previous year, there 
was a small credit balance on the year’s working. It had been 
necessary during the past year to exjoend a large sum in renew¬ 
ing and placing the-society’s material in a thoroughly satisfac¬ 
tory condition, some of which had been in use over twenty years. 
The society had been more than usually unfortunate during the 
past twelve months by the decease of many subscribers, pro¬ 
minent amongst them being Sir Frederick Perkins (whose name 
has been connected with the society since its formation), General 
Sir N. Chamberlain, Dr. King Sampson, Dr. Dane, and Mr. E. 
Brown, jun. (vice-chairman). The untimely death of the last- 
named gentleman was keenly felt by the council. The council 
expressed thanks to the following, among others, for their 
support:—The president, Sir S. Montagu, Bart., Mr. J. Willi' 
Fleming, the Hon. Mrs. Yorke, Messrs. W. Garton and W. 
Gartom, jun., Alderman F. A. Dunsford, J.P., Messrs. Toogood 
and Sons, Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Mr. H. Glasspool, and 
others who contributed to the prize fund. The detailed state¬ 
ment of accounts showed that on the year’s working there was 
