41G 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
May 9, 1893. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Severe Frost in the Fens.— Eight to fourteen degrees of frost 
were registered in the Fens on the 25th ult. There was ice g in. 
thick on the dykes, and crops have suffered severely. 
* * * 
The Gardeners’ Dinner. —We are pleased to learn that 
Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., will preside at the great gathering 
of gardeners to dine at the Holhorn Restaurant on September 
29th next. 
* * * 
Mr. H. McFayden, head gardener to John Scott, Esq., C.B., 
of Halkshill, Largs, has been appointed in a similar capacity 
to L. Breidmeyer, Esq., of Cuckfield Park, Sussex, a director of 
the De Beers mine. 
* * * 
Mr. James McFayden, foreman at Byethom Gardens, Cor- 
bridge-on-Tyne during the last eighteen months, has been 
appointed head gardener to John Scott, Esq., C.B., of Hal'k- 
hill, Largs. He enters on his duties on May 15th. 
* * * 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.— The annual dinner in aid 
of this charity for the benefit of gardeners’ orphans was held at 
the Hotel Cecil on the 5th inst. Exigencies of space oblige us 
to hold over the account of it till next week. 
* * * 
Control of Fruit Markets in California. —The fruit growers 
and fruit packets of Southern California have formed an asso¬ 
ciation that will have several millions of capital, and which 
will control the marketing of all Southern California. 
* * * 
Plants for Open Spaces in Southwark. —The tender of Mr. 
Victor Madsen, of Lilford Road Nurseries, Camberwell, amount¬ 
ing to £85 11s., for the supply of plants to the Southwark 
Borough Council’s open spaces was accepted. The highest 
tender was £110 19s. 6d. 
* * •* 
Early Mushroom. —It may interest your readers to know that 
on the 29th of April I found a mushroom, fully 5 in. in circum- 
cumference, on a partly-shaded place in a wood on this estate. 
I think this is pretty early for the edible fungus, especially 
when you consider that We had 25 degrees of frost on the 15th 
of the same month.—A. T. 
* * * 
Kew Guild Dinner. —We are requested to remind our readers 
who are old Kewites that the annual dinner will take place at 
the Holborn Restaurant on the 25th inst., at 7.30 p.m., and that 
the secretary (Mr. Winn) would be glad to hear before the 18th 
from all who intend to be present. The chair will be taken by 
Dr. Scott, F.R.S., and he will be supported by Sir W. T. 
Thiselton-Dyer, Director, Sir T. LI. Elliott, Secretary to the 
Board of Agriculture, etc. 
* * * 
Couleur Cardinal Tulips. —A correspondent writes to us that 
one of the most glorious sights to be seen in Lincolnshire last 
week was a bed of 10,000 Couleur Cardinal Tulips in full bloom. 
This strong-growing, rich deep red plum-coloured Tulip will 
last in bloom in the fields a good fortnight, and if picked earlier, 
the bloom will grow and improve in wrnter in vases in the 
ordinary living-room for many days. This fine stock of Tulips 
is the property of Mr. T. Kime, of Mareham-le-Fen, Boston, 
Lincolnshire, who has now 116 kinds of Tulips planted on about 
three acres of land, and comprising a stock of about 500,000 
bulbs, all, our correspondent informs us, looking perfectly well 
and vigorous. 
* * * 
Early Potatos in West Cork. —There is on view at present 
in West Cork a specimen of early Potatos grown by the gardener 
(Dennis Donovan) at Mr. Swanton’s, Chateau Marie, Glandore. 
This specimen is about the size of a hen-egg, is a strong and 
healthy-looking and well-matured Potato, and is to all appear¬ 
ances fit for table use. These Potatos were grown in the open 
air, and without the aid of any exceptional treatment. By care¬ 
ful gardening and attention to the selection of seed, Mr. Donovan 
has during the past few years succeeded in producing Potatos 
fit for consumption early in May, and, on a few occasions, during 
the last week in April. This fact proves conclusively that the 
salubriousness of the climate of the West Cork seaboard is 
eminently suited for the production of early Potatos and vege¬ 
tables for the English markets at a time when these products 
can be disposed of at very remunerative prices. 
Death from Eating Cucumbers.— Robert Wilson, an an 
cultural labourer, who died suddenly near King’s Lynn n a 
had a hearty meal of Cucumber. The coroner’s verdict was the 
the Cucumbers had brought on syncope. 
* * x 
Big Strawberries.— On the 22nd ult. Mr. F. Fara^her u a 
dener to the High Bailiff of Douglas, Isle of Man, showed ’som 
fine samples of Strawberry Royal Sovereign, grown at Marathoi 
the residence of his worship. One weighed 2 oz. 2 scruples, an 
measured 7f in. in circumference. On another occasion h 
gathered six fruits averaging oz. each. 
* * * 
National Fruit Growers’ Federation.— The first anmu 
general meeting of the above was held at the Caxton Hall, West 
minster, on the 5th inst. The business was for the election c 
a president, president-elect, vice-presidents, treasurer, auditor 
secretary, solicitor, etc., for the appointment of council, adr 
tion of rules, report of provisional committee, and the coi 
sideration of proposed legislation for prevention of blight an 
insects. The work done by the Federation during the past y a 
has given general satisfaction to those concerned, and it is coil 
sidered to have justified its existence. 
* * * 
Gardeners and Low Wages. — On Sunday last a meeting ■ 
West End gardeners was held in Hyde Park, London, for'di 
purpose of calling public attention to the low wages and otb 
inconveniences to which they are subjected. After some dr 
cussion the following resolution was proposed and carried 
“ T1 ) a t this meeting of West End gardeners strongly protest 
against the wages paid by their employers as inadequate, an 
this meeting disapproves of the system of calling upon gai 
deners to do domestic work. Further, that they should’ bl 
paid a minimum wage of 28s. per week, with one month’s notic 
to leave on either side.” 
* * * 
The Wild Tulip (Tulipa Sylvestris).— In visiting a cottag 
garden at Midgham, Berks, one evening the other week, I sa> 
a fine clump of our native Tulip in flower. It had been brough 
from an adjacent wood several years ago, where a good lare 
patch of it was growing, and since its removal it has great! 
increased in vigour, and has now become quite at home. Th 
bright ycdlow sweet-scented flowers were showy, and produce 
on stems fully a foot high. One of the stems carried two flowers 
This is the first time I have met the wild form at home, 
know there is some doubt about its right to be called a native' 
but that right has been conferred on it by several authorities 
—A. W. 
* * * 
Presentation to an Edinburgh Gardener. —On the occasioi 
of Mr. Thomas Wallace, gardener, North wood, leaving to fill ai 
appointment in Ireland, a few of his confreres and other friend 
met in the Oak Inn, Causewayside on Thursday, the 23rc 
ultimo, Mr. Jos. Hy. Murray (from Messrs. R. Laird and Sons 
Ltd.) in the chair. The customary toasts over, the toast of tin 
evening followed with acclamation, when the chairman in a ver 
humorous manner presented the guest of the evening with ; 
substantial easy chair for himself, and a handsome silver teapo 
for his wife. The toast was pledged in due form, and responded 
to by Mr. Thomas Wallace in a few well-chosen remarks. Song: 
and recitations provided the harmony of the evening, anc 
altogether Mr. Wallace was accorded a very hearty send off lu 
his many friends in Edinburgh, thanks due in a great measnn 
to the enthusiastic convener, Mr. John Hogg, gardener, Grangi 
House. — Nem. Djs. 
* * * 
Rose Festivals. —In some parts of France Rose festivals arl 
held on June 8th, the Feast Day of St. Medard, Bishop of Noyou 
wbo is said to have originated them at Salency about a.d. 500 
These take the form of a religious ceremony, says “Pearson': 
Weekly,” and the Rose Queen is conducted in procession to hei 
seat of state in the church. Similar festivals of more seculat 
sort have been held in other districts on Napoleon’s birthday 
August 15th, which is also the Festival of the Assumption. Ai 
eye-witness tells us that at Asni&res, some 40 years ago, all tin 
people were astir early on a brilliant morning to decorate tin 
streets with flags and banners and to hold high holiday. Ai 
the appointed hour a fair maiden, selected for her worth an 
modesty, was escorted by a bevy of white-robed girls to tin 
market-place. There, uplifted on a throne, she was crowned 
with Roses and acclaimed as “La Rosibre.” A Rose festival 
on similar lines is held in England by the children of White) 
land’s College School, at Chelsea. 
