June 27, 1003. 
THE a ARDEN IN G WORLD 
565 
Society and Association Notes. 
Hastings and St. Leonards Horticultural Society. —The 
nonthly show and lecture of the Hastings, St. Leonards, and 
District Horticultural Society took place in the lower Central 
Hall. As the spring season advances the numlber of competitors 
a the show increases, and the more gorgeous flowers of the 
leason were much in evidence, the exhibition proving most suc¬ 
cessful. Messrs. J. Miller, G. E. Lyon, and F. Deller judged 
the exhibits. * * * 
Forest Gate and Stratford Amateur Chrysanthemum 
Society. —The monthly exhibition of plants in connection with 
this society, with the usual lecture, took place at the Norwich 
Hall, Romford Road. The subject of the lecture was “ The Cul¬ 
tivation of Tornados,” and was ably handled by that well-known 
expert in horticulture, Mr. A. J. Foster, of New Cross. Com¬ 
mencing with the evolution of the fruitful plant, the lecturer 
proceeded to discuss the various methods of propagation. Out¬ 
door culture, he remarked, was admirably adapted for many 
parts of the district, whilst those who- were fortunate enough 
to possess a glass structure were, with a little trouble, in a 
position to provide a sufficiency of this succulent fruit for them¬ 
selves and friends. The enemies of Tomato plants, althoug'h 
possessing small bodies, rejoiced in particularly long names ; 
these insects with care and attention could be overcome. 
* * * 
The Royal Horticultural Society of Southampton.— 
Under the auspices of this society an exhibition was held in a 
marquee on the ground, a small extra charge being made for en¬ 
trance to the tent. It was in every way a success, and though 
tiie number of exhibits in some of the classes was not very large, 
the quality was far and away superior to the ordinary country 
shows. The beautiful floral collection was admirably staged, 
and set off to the best possible advantage. Some of the exhi¬ 
bitors there were Messrs. Ban- and Sons, Covent Garden, 
London; Mr. E. Wills, Shirley Nursery, Southampton; Mr. 
W. B. Ladhams, Southampton; Messrs. Hillier and Sons, Win¬ 
chester ; R. B. Davis and Sons, Yeovil; Halley and Sons, Bit- 
teme Park ; Jarman and Co., Chard ; W. H. Rogers and Son, 
Red Lodge; Mr. M. Prichard, Christchurch; and Mr. C. 
Dymott, Milllbrook. The arrangements were admirably carried 
out by the secretary, Mr. Fuidge. 
* * * 
Birmingham Gardeners’ Association. —By the kind permis¬ 
sion of the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, his beautiful 
grounds at Highbury were ion the 17th inst. visited by upwards 
of 100 members and lady friends of this society. The regular 
annual outing will, however, be to Trentham Hall Gardens, the 
seat of the Duke of Sutherland, on July 15th. The almost more 
tiian ordinary display of Orchids ini flower, considering the 
supply required for Mr. Chamberlain’s London residence during 
the season, formed a very interesting feature. Several other 
sections of .he greenhouses, containing Gloxinias, Pelargoniums, 
and Calceolarias, were greatly admired ; while the new alpine 
and rockery garden, and a more recently-formed “ Dutch garden ” 
or parterre, were objects of peculiar interest. Messrs. Deacon 
and Maokay (the respective head gardenler and Orchid grower) 
were heartily thanked for their courteous attention, and Mr. 
Walter Jones (the vice-chairman of the association) proposed, 
seconded by Mr. R. C. Bick, that a hearty vote of thanks be 
sent to Mr. Chamberlain for his generosity. 
* * * 
Table Decoration at Regent’s Park. —The art of table deco¬ 
ration received agreeable illustration on the 17th inst., when the 
students at the Practical Gardening School of the Royal Botanic 
Society gave an exhibition of their capabilities. The designs 
were not very numerous, but as a rule they possessed consider- 
I able merit. Trie first prize for decorations, in which vases were 
I employed, fell to Miss Child, who relied on Sweet Peas of a 
light pink hue with Gypsophila. Miss Sowerby, who took fifth 
premium, presented an- exhibit with the same characteristics, 
save that Asparagus trails were employed instead of Smilax. 
Blue and white Cornflowers, charmingly disposed, secured 
second honours for Miss Morley. For table decorations, without 
vases, the first prize was voted to Miss Scargill, Who showed 
wired Roses, with Rose leaves and Asparagus, while an extra 
was awarded to Miss Sowerby, who had made a pretty fire-screen 
of Spanish Iris. Ormge and yellow Poppies, Marguerites and 
grasses, and Ivy-leaf Pelargonium all had their votaries. The 
exhibition proved a pleasant adjunct to the Rhododendron show 
in Regent’s Park, and there was music on the lawn by the band 
of the 2nd Life Guards. 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Society. —“Heating and Ventilating Horticultural 
Structures ” was the title of the paper read before the members 
of this society, at their rooms, Sunflower Temperance Hotel, 
George Street, on the 16th inst., and the subject found a worthy 
exponent in the society’s chairman, Mr. W. J. Simpson, who 
from Die commencement to the conclusion made his remarks 
lucid and interesting to those assembled. The lecturer alluded 
to the adoption of hot water as the best means of producing the 
required heat, because by this system it was safe, effectual, an t 
economical. Its origin dates back for many years, but not until 
1822 was any decided improvement made in the. apparatus, and 
it is due to the energies of Mr. Atkinson, a distinguished archi¬ 
tect, that the foundation, of the present system was introduced. 
In the lecturer’s opinion, after some years of practical experi¬ 
ence, the best boiler is the upright or spiral tubular form, these 
being very powerful, and can: at all times be relied upon to pro¬ 
perly perform their work if due attention is paid them. The 
different temperatures required were classified under three head¬ 
ings, viz., stove, intermediate, and greenhouse, and the propor¬ 
tion; of piping the lecturer advised was 1 ft. of 4 in. pipe 
to every 20 cubic feet of air for the stove, 1 ft. of 4 in. pipe to 
every 30 cubic feet of air for the intermediate, and 1 ft. of 
4 in. pipe to every 40 cubic feet- of air for the greenhouse. 
Valves should be. placed in the flow and return pipes in each 
compartment to regulate the heat; also air taps should be placed 
at the highest point of the piping. 
* * * 
Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association. —The first summer evening meeting of the above 
association, was held by the kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. 
Walter, at Bear Wood, on the 12th inst., and an exceedingly 
pleasant evening was spent by upwards of 80 members, who 
journeyed by various means — the cycle predominating. The 
party met at the “ Nursery,” and, under the guidance of Mr. 
W. Barnes, the head gardener, late foreman at Sandringham, 
the splendid range of new glass houses was inspected. The first 
thing that claimed the special attention of the visitors was the 
magnificent crops of Melons, and a finer display of this luscious 
fruit would be difficult to find, in a private establishment, 
■throughout the country, and was evidence that Mr. Barnes had 
a thorough experience in this department of horticulture. The 
plants were in different stages of development, and there were 
upwards of 100 fruits ready for the table. The varieties prin¬ 
cipally grown were a seedling, the result of a cross between 
Eureka and another variety of Sutton’s introductions and Ring¬ 
leader. A house was devoted to Tomatos in pots, and the plants 
were carrying a heavy crop of splendid fruit. Grapes, Peaches, 
and Nectarines were excellent crops ; especially noticeable was 
a tree of Royal George Peach, 27 years old, which had never 
failed to give good results, and this year was bearing a record 
crop. The young Vines planted by Mr. Barnes are a credit, 
and promise great things in the future by the appearance of 
their foliage and grand growth. Passing on to the Carnation 
house, the members were particularly struck with the healthy 
foliage of the plants. Over 1,000 of the leading varieties of 
Malmaisons are grown, which were just coming into flower, and 
promise a wonderful display. In another house close upon 
1,000 young tree Carnations were noted. A splendid, batch of 
Calanthes is being worked up ; also a grand stock of young 
Crotons,. Caladiums, Palms, Ferns, «etc., grown for house decora¬ 
tion, which is a great item at Bear Wood. Out of doors a batch 
of 1,300 Chrysanthemums claimed attention, and notwithstand¬ 
ing the untoward season, Strawberries, Peas, and other Vege¬ 
tables were looking well. On the Terrace Gardens the beds of 
Tea Roses, with a ground work of Violas, will certainly make a 
brilliant display during next month, as will Sweet Peas, which 
have been planted largely. Bear Wood for many years has been 
noted throughout the district for the Rhododendrons ; the late 
Mr. John Walter not only planted them in his private grounds, 
but by the wayside, and hundreds of visitors wend their way 
annually to the village to see them. Notwithstanding the frosts 
which entirely destroyed the Azaleas, the Rhododendrons are 
blooming profusely. ” Before separating, the President, Mr. 
Leonard Sutton, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. and 
Mrs. Walter for their kindness in throwing open their gardens 
and grounds to the members, and to Mr. Barnes for his kind 
attention to the party. As one of the meetings during the 
autumn session, according to arrangement already made, will 
he devoted to the criticisms or otherwise of Mr. Barnes’s 
methods of culture, etc., many notes were taken by the mem¬ 
bers, and the evening will be looked forward to with much 
interest, 
