394 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
May 2, 1903. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Death of Me. Thomas Weaver.— It is with great regret that 
we announce the death, on the 22nd nit., of Mr. Thomas Weaver, 
who for many years had been head gardener to Mrs. Townsend 
Ince. 
A * * 
Mb. E. T. Cook. —On page 368 we incidentally mentioned 
Mr. E. T. Cook as being one of the employees at one time under 
the late Mr. A. F. Barron, at Chiswick. We might have stated 
that Mr. Cook was only there as a student without pay, and 
not an employee in the strict sense of the term. 
* * ■* 
Death of Mr. Andrew Pettigrew. —We regret to announce 
the death of Mr. A. Pettigrew, at The Gardens, Cardiff Castle, 
at 5 o’clock on the morning of Sunday last, in his 70th year. 
He had been gardener to the Marquess of Bute for many years 
at that place, and was well known to a wide circle of the 
fraternity. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family, several 
of whom are in the gardening profession. 
* * * 
The Late G. F. W ilson’s Garden.— It may interest our 
readers to know that the very fine rock, wood, water, and alpine 
garden, known as Oakwood, Wisley, near Ripley, Surrey, the 
property of the trustees of the late Mr. G. F. Wilson, F.R.S., 
is to be put up for sale by auction at the Mart, London, on 
Wednesday, May 6th, at one o’clock. The garden was pre¬ 
viously put up for auction in January last, but failed to find 
a purchaser. If it had been more conveniently situated, such 
a fine garden could hardly fail to excite the envy of many, and 
the desire to possess it. 
* * * 
Accident.— We regret to report a serious accident which befell 
Mr. George Ludlow, market gardener, etc., of Pinvin, Pershore, 
on the 21st ult. He was returning home from Pershore Stock 
Sale about six o’clock in the evening, when something startled 
the horse, and it bolted. Mr. Ludlow was thrown out of the 
trap and fell on his head in the road. He was conveyed in an 
unconscious condition to Pershore Cottage Hospital, where it 
was found he had sustained severe concussion of the ‘brain, and 
was badly cut about the head and face. He remained uncon¬ 
scious through the night. Dr. Rusher is attending him, and 
we are glad to say he is favourably progressing. 
* * * 
A Distinguished Botanist.— Degree Day at the Cape Univer¬ 
sity had a special interest for the students of botany. The 
honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred upon Mr. 
Harry Bolus, F.L.S., one of the most distinguished botanists 
of South Africa. In stating the grounds upon which the 
Honorary Degree Committee had decided to confer the honour, 
Professor Hahn said that much of what was known in this branch 
of natural science was due to the labours of Mr. Bolus. It was 
now about 50 years since Mr. Bolus commenced the study of 
botany, which he had continued up to the present time with 
unabating zeal, perseverance, and enthusiasm. At the time he 
commenced the study of botany he also started the study of 
the German language for the purpose of being able to read the 
German botanical literature, and his first publication was a 
translation of two treatises on South African botany by Pro¬ 
fessor Meyer. Of his enthusiasm and of his desire to promote 
the scientific teaching of botany he had given such valuable 
and practical proof and evidence that the newly-established 
Chair of Botany in the South African College would be known 
to present and future students as the Harry Bolus Chair of 
Botany. It would be too long a task to enumerate the results 
of the scientific work that had been done by Mr. Bolus in 
devoting the greater part of his spare time to the study of this 
subject. He had acquired a thorough insight into the 
geographical distribution of South African plants on his 
numerous botanical trips and journeys, of which the most note¬ 
worthy were undertaken in 1883 to Namaqualand, in 1886 vid 
Transvaal to Delagoa Bay, and in recent years to Pondoland, 
and to the country about the rarely-visited Montaux-Sources. 
A complete list of his works and publications, which had ap¬ 
peared in various scientific periodicals and in monographs, had 
been submitted to the University Council. They extended from 
1869 to the present time, and had appeared in vaiious scientific 
publications or periodicals. The most important work was at 
present in the iirinters’ hands. The extent and nature of the 
scientific work of Mr. Bolus secured for him for ever a pro¬ 
minent position in the front ranks of scientists in South Africa 
The University honoured itself by honouring and recogiiisin 
the work done by Air. Bolus for the advancement of science ii 
South Africa. Mr. Bolus had a cordial welcome on steppin 
forward to receive his degree, and the Vice-Chancellor (Sir .Johi 
Buchanan), in conferring it upon him, congratulated the Univerl 
sity upon being able to bestow the degree of D.Sc. (Honori 
Causa ) on such a worthy recipient. 
* * * 
The Proposed Gardeners’ Dinner, September 29th next.— 
As great interest in the proposed dinner for gardeners has beei 
aroused, it is intimated for general information that the functioi 
will take place in the sujierb King’s Hall of the Holbon 
Restaurant. It is purposed to arrange, for a reception by th 
chairman of the dinner and other eminent horticulturists o 
all attending the dinner, thus giving each one a cordial welcome 1 
That reception, it is hoped, will commence at 6.30, and tin 
dinner at 7 p.m. The London Pierrot Company, a talente 
troupe of vocalists, will furnish the music. Membership of th. 
committee is limited to gardeners only. Messrs. J. Smiti 
(Mentmore), J. Jennings (Ascott), C. Jeffries (Brentford), an 
G. Keif (Regent’s Park) have been added. A list of 10* 
gardeners is being prepared who will be invited to act as pro 
vincial stewards. The tickets will be 5s. Ladies will h 
admitted and morning dress worn. Mr. A. Dean, 62, Rich 
mond Road, Kingston-on-Thames, is the secretary. 
* * * 
The Tweed Vineyards : Coming of Age of Mr. W. H 
Thomson. —An interesting event to the villagers of Cloveriford 
and district and to his many friends took place on the 16th ult. 
in the coming of age of Air. W. H. Thomson (secretary of th 
company), of the world-famed firm of William Thomson am 
Sons, Limited, Tweed Vineyards. The employees of the firn 
and the members of Clovenfords Draughts Club, of which Mr 
Thomson is president, marked the occasion with the presenta 
tion to Air. Thomson of a handsome marble clock and pair oj 
bronzes. The subscribers, to the number of 90, met in the c-lul 
room, which was tastefully decorated. The company sat dowi 
to a sumptuous tea provided by the firm. The chairman of th 
evening was Air. David Calderhead, manager, who was sup 
ported by Miss Thomson, Air. W. H. Thomson, Rev. R. Small, 
minister of the parish, Mr. Thomas Gibson, formerly of Tor 
woodlee, Mr. R. Grieve, etc. The chairman said that he hac 
known Air. Thomson for 20 years, and he had no doubt that lit 
would worthily uphold his own good name as well as the faun 
of the Tweed Vineyards. He had pleasure in expressing th 
sentiments of all, and in congratulating him on attaining hi: 
majority. They all joined in wishing him long life and pros 
perity, and many happy returns of the day. The chairman 
after the singing of “ Afton Water,” by Air. A. Wray, callec 
on Air. Small to make the presentation. The Rev. Air. Small 
in making the presentation, spoke as follows:—"Air. Thomson 
I have been requested by the Draughts Club and the employee: 
of the Tweed Vineyard to discharge for them a very pleasan 
duty and one most congenial to myself. It is to make in then 
name and on their behalf a presentation to you as a token ant. 
an expression of their goodwill and wishes on your attaining youi 
majority. I need hardly tell you that a 21st natal day comes 
only once in a man’s lifetime, and this makes it all the mort 
sacred and significant. As your friend, your father’s friend, 
your grandfather’s friend, and he was the dearest I ever had 
on earth, and whose name and memory I still fondly cherish 
I have special pleasure in being here to-night to do honour tc 
you, his grandson, and to rejoice with you all in this your daj 
of rejoicing. In] your ancestral line you have a high ideal set) 
before you, and from what we all know of your many good per 
sonal qualities it will not be difficult to predict your realisatior 
of it in many points. In it there are to be found members that 
have held the very highest rank in the horticultural world. 
Dean Hole, in his ‘ Alemories,’ writing of your grandfather, 
styles and titles him ‘King of the Vineyard.’” Air. Thomson, 
in replying, said he never felt so incapable of expressing his 
feelings. He could not find words wherewith to thank them. 
He only wished he felt more deserving of their kind words and 
actions, but he could assure them that their gift would be- 
treasured by him not only for its own value, but more so for 
the kindly feelings it showed. The clock bore the following: 
inscription:—“Presented to William H. Thomson, on the occa¬ 
sion of his attaining his majority, by the employees of William 
Thomson and Sons and members of the Clovenfords Draughts 
Club.” 
