October 24, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
901 
to Cactus Dahlia Prince of Orange, as a new plant, from G. F. 
Hemerik, at Leiden, and E. H. Krelage and Son, at Haarlem ; 
to Musa arnoldiana and 15 Musa religiosa, as new imported 
plants, from the Rykstinnbouwn school, at Wageningen; to Bol- 
tonia laevigata, as a new imported plant, from Messrs. Weselen- 
burg and Shassen, at Leiden. An Honourable Mention was 
accorded to Panicum plicatum, as insufficiently known plant, 
from the Hortus Botanicus, at Utrecht. A Silver Medal was 
awarded to a collection of Cactus Dahlias, from Mr. P. J. G. 
Zimmermans, at Oegstgust; to a collection of Cactus Dahlias, 
from Mr. Julius G. Bunge, Heemstede (gardener, C. Blanken- 
steyn); to a collection of Asters in 25 varieties, from Messrs. 
Weselenburg and Shassen, at Leiden. A Bronze Medal went 
to a collection of Cactus Dahlias from Mr. G. Hemerik, at 
Leiden ; to a collection of Carnations from Mr. G. J. Roelbssen, 
gardener, at Hengelo ; and to a collection of Carnations from 
Messrs, van Namen Brothers, at Zwyndreclrt. 
* * ■* 
Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association.— The fortnightly meeting was held on the 12th inst., 
and notwithstanding the exceedingly rough weather experienced, 
between 70 and 80 members assembled, under the chairman¬ 
ship of the president, Mr. Leonard Sutton, to hear a lecture 
by Mr. G. Wythes, V.M.H., of Syon House Gardens, Brent¬ 
ford, on “ Strawberries and their Culture." As the lecturer was 
well known to the majority present as an authority with regard 
to the Strawberry, and also as a large grower, much was ex¬ 
pected by the members, and it was a source of gratification to 
all that the expectations formed were more than realised. The 
subject was not only treated exhaustively, but in a plain and 
practical manner. The points touched upon were: The pre¬ 
paring of plants for forcing ; varieties for forcing ; the routine 
of culture ; Strawberries in the open ground ; prolonging the 
season; culture after planting out; alpine or small kinds ; 
and last, but which proved the most interesting, Strawberries 
as annuals or yearlings. Great stress was laid upon the fact 
that it was most desirable that plants should be grown pur¬ 
posely for runners, and not allowed to fruit. As to varieties 
for forcing, Royal Sovereign was recommended for early sup¬ 
plies, to be followed by Vicomtesse Hericarte de Thury, La 
Grosse Sucree, and President for late use, while for the annual 
system of culture, Royal Sovereign, President, Dr. Hogg, and 
Gunton Park were advised. The discussion which followed 
brought out several points of interest. Those taking part were 
the president, Messrs. Fry, Powell, Judd, Exler, Hinton, Turn- 
ham, Townsend, Gibson, and Tunbridge. For the reason stated 
above the exhibits were smaller and less numerous than usual, 
but the Certificate of Cultural Merit was awarded to four 
especially fine fruits of Sutton’s Royal Jubilee Melon staged 
by Mr. G. Herridge, The Gardens, St. Peter’s Hill, Caversham. 
Mr. Durrant, The Gardens, Preston, exhibited a plant of Be¬ 
gonia with yeilow flowers. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded 
to Mr. Wythes and the exhibitors. Seven new members were 
elected. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvemeni 
Association. —The opening meeting of the winter session o: 
this society was held at St. John’s Rooms, Redland, on tin 
15th inst. The chair was taken by Dr. Barclay J. Barron. A 
most instructive lecture was given by Mr. J. C. House, ol 
Coombe Nurseries, Westbury-on-Trym, iris subject being “ Hard] 
Perennials. Mr. House, who makes a special study of oui 
hardy perennials, was accorded an enthusiastic reception, anc 
his lecture was listened to with a great amount of interest. He 
remarked on the renewed interest taken in these gems of om 
gaidens, the cultivation of which was increasing every year 
He gave an exhaustive list of the favourite varieties, with cul 
tural directions for each, in such a manner that his audienct 
weie able to carry away with them a host of most valuabh 
hints. A special feature of the evening was a magnificent col 
lection of 50 varieties of perennial flowers grown at Messrs 
Isaac House and Son’s Coombe Nurseries, which, notwithstand- 
mg the inclement weather, were most remarkable. Pyrethrums 
-t’entstemons, Michaelmas Daisies alike were beautiful in I he 
extreme, showing the amount, of care and attention bestowed 
Up , on ; h ® m - . The society unanimously awarded them a Certifi- 
cate of Special Merit for this praiseworthy display, with which 
Hey had taken so much trouble. Dr. Barclay J. Barron, or 
passing a vote of thanks, remarked on the most interesting 
lecture Mr. House had given, and said how pleased he was tc 
Rave been able to preside over such a meeting, which had beer 
oi so profitable a nature to himself and the members present. 
He hoped the society would continue to make the steady pro¬ 
gress it had made during its formation, and expressed the hope 
that more of the Clifton gentry would interest themselves in 
the good, sound, and useful work being done for the benefit of 
the horticultural world. Mr. House suitably replied, which 
bi ought to a close a most enjoyable evening. Prizes for six 
bunches of perennials were awarded to Mr. A. Baker (gardener, 
Mr. Orchard), Lady Cave (gardener, Mr. Poole), and Mr. J. C. 
Aitken (gardener, Mr. Clarke). For a basket of autumn foliage 
and berries the prizes went to Mr. R. Ambrose, Mr. Cary, and 
Mr. R. Poole. Certificates of Merit went to Mr. A. Cole (gar¬ 
dener, Mr. Bird) for six vases Begonias, Mr. H. Daniel (gar 
dener, Mr. Quick) for one Orchid, and for two Orchids to Mr. 
F. C. Fisher (gardener, Mr. Shelton). 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Mr. J. Dickson, general foreman at Dalkeith Palace Gardens 
for the last two years, has been appointed as head gardener to 
the Duke of Atliole, at Blair Castle, Blair Athole, N.B. 
* * * 
Profitable Apple Tree.— Mr. Blow, of Little Hale, near 
Sleaford, Lincolnshire, has an Apple tree that produced him 
this season 20 stones of Apples, which he sold at 4s. per stone 
- £4 in all. 
„ _ * * * 
Storm and Flood.— The whole stock of Potatos and Turnips 
growing in certain fields on the banks of the River Wansbeck, 
Northumberland, is reported as having been washed away into 
the sea by the overflowing of the river. 
* * * 
Chrysanthemums in the London Parks. - The annual 
Chrysanthemum shows at the following parks under the control 
of the London County Council are now open, viz. :—Battersea 
Park, Finsbury Park, and Southwark Park. The shows at Vic¬ 
toria Park and Waterlow Park were opened on the 15th and 
17th inst. respectively. 
* * 45 - 
Large Ailanthtts glandulosa.—A fine specimen of this tree 
was blown down at Middle Lodge, Gatton Park, Reigate, on 
September 10th, during the great gale of wind. The tree stood 
80 ft. in height or more, and the trunk had a circumference of 
12 ft. oi moie about a yard above the base. The roots that 
had entered the soil deeply were decayed. 
* * * 
The Strawberry-Raspberry. —A daily contemporary states 
that this Rubus has been produced by scientific crossing of the 
paients indicated, but that “ in some curious way, however, 
the subtle quality so marked in the fruit of both the parents 
has been lost in the hybrid. ’ The plant in question never was 
the result of a cross between the Strawberry and Raspberrv, 
but a wild variety of Rubus rosaefolius, growing upon some of 
the mountains of Japan. When will the public get disillusion¬ 
ised of such remarkable stories? 
* * * 
Proposed Park for Upper Clapton.—A t a recent meeting of 
the London County Council the Parks and Open Spaces Com¬ 
mittee presented a report including the following item - —“We 
have had brought to our knowledge the desirability of acquiring 
for the purpose of a public park the Springfield Estate at Uppe? 
Clapton. The estate has an area of 32 acres 2 roods 10 perches 
and upon it are standing three large residences, known as’ 
Springfield House, Spnnghill House, and The Chestnuts and 
two cottages. Springfield House is at present m the occupation 
of the owner of the estate, Springhill House is let on a yearly 
tenancy determinable by either party on December 25th in anv 
year by six months’ notice, and The Chestnuts is let. on lease 
for a term expiring Michaelmas, 1905. One of the cottages is 
let on a weekly and the other on a yearly tenancy, and several 
grass paddocks, forming part of the estate, are subject to annual 
rnn odoioc 7 j a 
L'erfumes of lowers.— Recent investigations have show 
that the perfume of flowers is often increased by growing unde 
coloured glass, that some plants are fragrant only at ni4t an 
others only m hot sunshine, that the seasons affect the°odour S 
and that temperate climates are more favourable than tropics 
°£ es - / l ClenCe pa P er sa T s that these perfumes powerfuil 
affect the human organism, often producing a kind of intox 
cation, and sometimes even giving rise “ to serious nerv 
troubles. The vapours of most essences-such as Cinnamon 
