March 14, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
239 
Society and Association Notes and News. 
Early intimation of meetings and reports 
will be esteemed by the Editor at 37 & 38, 
Shoe Lane. 
Lee, Blaokheatii, Lewisham, and West Kent Horticul¬ 
tural’ Society. —At the meeting of the above society on the 
27th nit., at the Old Institute, Old Road, after the usual 
monthly business had been transacted, the members and other 
subscribers were treated to an excellent and instructive lecture 
on the cultivation, diseases, etc., of the Caladium, by Mr. 
Bastin, of the firm of Messrs. J. Peed and Sons, The Nurseries, 
Norwood. There was also exhibited an excellent display of 
Apples, showing good-keeping equalities, by Mr. Johnson, The 
Garden’s, Kemnal Manor, Chislehurst. A splendid piece of 
Dendrobiuin wardianum, beautifully flowered, and showing 
good culture, was shown by Mr. Judge, The Gardens, Beech- 
dale, Eltham Road, and Primula sinensis by Mr. London, 
Blackheath Park, showing good bloo'ms and culture, and they 
were each awarded a First-class Certificate. 
* * * 
Scottish Horticultural Association. —The monthly meeting 
of the above association was held at 5, St. Andrew Square, Edin¬ 
burgh, on the evening of Tuesday, 3rd inst., Mr. J. W. McHattie. 
the president, in the chair. There was a crowded attendance of 
members. The secretary read a paper entitled “ The Gardener 
asa Man,” contributed by F. W. Burbidge, Esq., At. A.,. F.L.S., 
Y.M.H., Trinity College Botanic Gardens, Dublin, a life 
member of the association. The writer stated at the outset 
that, we had “ good men who are gardeners, and good gardeners 
who are men,” and said the great desideratum was to have the 
two qualities in combination. Mr. Burbidge holds that it is not 
so much the acquirement of knowledge as the ability to use it 
rightly that is essential in the education of gardeners. Fie also 
maintains that the young man who would starve rather than do 
any work beneath his dignity is not the kind of man to cut 
much of a figure in the world ; and he thinks the higher schools 
and Universities have not served to counteract this priggish 
prejudice against manual labour, adding that “ some of our 
brightest and most useful men have graduated in the great 
working university of the world.” Mr. Burbidge advised young 
gardeners to go through an elementary course of physics, 
chemistry, arithmetic and drawing. In advocating “ nature 
studies,” he said the gospel of the 1 plant world ’ was one of 
enterprising self-sacrifice, of the abnegation of the individual 
for the good of the race.” The writer advised the exercise of 
tact in dealing with employers and employees, not omitting her 
often (un)serene highness the cook. The paper was listened 
to with keen interest, and was frankly but appreciatively 
criticised. The exhibits on the table were: From Messrs. 
Dickson and Co., Waterloo’ Place, several fine specimens of an 
improved strain of Primula sinensis, for which a cultural cer¬ 
tificate was granted ; from' the Edinburgh Public Parks De¬ 
partment (Mr. J. W. McHattie), collections of Daffodils and 
Tulips, and a very fine pan of Lily of the Valley ; from Mrs. 
Algie, Togher House, Hollymount, co. Mayo, a collection of 
Sweet Violets, and from Mr. A- Johnstone, Hay Lodge, Trinity, 
several pots of Primula floribunda of a very good strain. 
* * * 
The Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Im¬ 
provement Society'. —A meeting of this society took place at 
their rooms, Sunflower Temperance Hotel, George Street, on 
Tuesday last, March 3rd, when a good attendance welcomed a 
member, Mr. W. Briscoe, who is one of the staff at the Royal 
Gardens, Kew, and who kindly came down to read his prize 
essay on “ Propagation.” Perhaps some will remember the 
occasion of this society’s annual dinner in January last, when 
a presentation for the first prize essay on “ Propagation of Plant 
Life was made to Mr. Briscoe, and at the time mention was 
made that tlm recipient would read the paper before the mem¬ 
bers of the society' at a future date. For the last two years Mr. 
Briscoe has been at Kew, where the many facilities offered there 
have greatly benefited him, both in technical and practical parts 
or horticulture, and his reception was extremely hearty from his 
many friends and brother members of this society. In his papei 
te dealt with every part of this important subject, giving full 
escription of the propagating house, where the multiplicatior 
pi plant life may be carried on, and in classifying the subjeci 
'j' headings, viz., seeds, Fern-spores, division of plants, 
j. ’ 1 ! 0(y k an< ^ flower stem cuttings, layering, grafting, 
Y as able to portray the "best methods in each 
everT cl Whereby rr^ le accom Phshment could be carried on with 
y success. The most suitable times of the year for thes< 
operations were fully defined, and his advice for the continual 
supply of bloom and decorative plants, both in the greenhouse 
and outside, was much appreciated, the essayist in all parts 
bearing out the full characteristics of good, sound practice in 
his paper, which the judge had fully commented upon when 
examining his paper, and which deservedly called forth the 
judge’s remarks that the paper was a credit to any society. At 
the conclusion of the paper the members joined in good discus¬ 
sion on variousi points in the essay, and this added to the in¬ 
terest and enjoyment of all present. Mr. E. Ivromer brought 
well-grown Laelia jcngheana ; Mr. M. E. Mills showed 
Cyclamen Papilio and Dendrobium Pierardii in fine form ; and 
Mr. A. Edwards brought good flowered plants of the double 
Cineraria. Four new members were elected. The next paper 
will be on March 17th, when Mr. A. C. Roffey will discourse 
on the treatment of Cucumber culture. 
* * * 
Aberdeen—Royal Horticultural Society.—A m interesting 
ceremony took place on the 4:h inst., in the office of the secre¬ 
tary of the Royal Horticultural Society—Mr. J. B. Rennett, 
advocate—the occasion being a presentation to Mr. Alexander 
Milne, Bon-Accord Farm, in recognition of his more than 20 
years’ services as a director and latterly as vice-chairman of 
the society, an office from which he retired at the last annual 
general meeting. Mr. Samuel Pope, vice-chairman of directors, 
occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of sub¬ 
scribers to the presentation. Mr. William Pyper, of Hillhead, 
also a former chairman of the society, made the presentation, 
and in doing so referred in felicitous terms to Mr. Milne’s long, 
faithful, and self-denying services to the society. Mr. Milne 
acknowledged in feeling terms, and mentioned that exactly 60 
years ago his grandfather, Air. Thomas Milne, had been the 
recipient of a similar mark of recognition of services rendered 
by him to the society as its first treasurer. The gifts con¬ 
sisted of a handsome marble clock for Mr. Milne, and a silver 
salver for Airs. Milne, the clock bearing the following inscrip¬ 
tion :—“Presented by the directors and members of the Royal 
Horticultural Society of Aberdeen and other friends to Air. 
Alexander Alilne, Bon-Accord Farm, Old Skene Road 1 , together 
with a silver salver to Airs. Milne, on the occasion of his retiral 
from the vice-chairmanship of the society. February, 1903.” 
* * * 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association.— “ Orchids ” 
was the title of a paper read at Exeter Guildhall by Air. James 
Merrit, gardener to Air. R. B. Ashby, Matford House, in con¬ 
nection with the Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association. 
Air. Merrit said he was afraid that large numbers of people 
were under the impression that the Orchid was a plant for the 
wealthy alone, and that its cultivation needed heavy expendi¬ 
ture and special skill. He assured them that some of the gems 
of this beautiful family were within the reach of the most 
moderate purse, and that for the cultivation of some of the 
most useful kinds very little skill was required. Several kinds, 
such as Lycastes, various Odontoglots, Cypripediums, Maxi- 
larias, Alasdevallias, and others could be grown and flowered 
successfully. The expenses incurred in the collection, importa¬ 
tion, and establishment of these plants debarred them from 
being put in the market on terms of equality with the usual 
occupants of their greenhouses. They must take into considera¬ 
tion their quaint shapes, great utility, and time of flowering, 
many of them blooming in the dull months of autumn and 
wdnter. With a moderate collection of these plants there was 
always a choice bloom to be had from January to December. 
The best time for a beginner to start with imported plants was 
in the spring. He could start with the established plant at 
any time of the year. It was very tedious work in establishing 
imported plants, but in the end the beginner -would not be¬ 
grudge any expense, time, or trouble taken. Air. Alerrit then 
proceeded to give particulars of the most satisfactory specimens, 
with the time of flowering and the duration of bloom. Once 
potted in good material, any kind w T ould go on for a long time 
splendidly, but they must be renovated once a year, and kept 
free from insects. The terrestrial Orchids required, in addition 
to peat, crock, etc., a certain amount of loam, leaf-soil, and 
other such material. In potting, the pot should be as small 
as possible, in reason. Freshly potted plants should not be 
over watered. Alost Orchids required a resting period. In 
conclusion, Air. Alerrit pleaded for the more general cultiva- 
