84 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 23, 1904. 
poses and the distance apart at which to plant fruit trees and 
bushes. Various other information is also given that cannot 
fail to prove serviceable to those interested in gardening. 
■* * * 
The Strawberry Microbe.— Microbe farming to supply 
flavours for the table is a possible future development. The 
new microbe of M. Eichholtz, which gives a strong flavour - ofi 
Strawberries, was first isolated and grown in milk. It was 
found to peptonise and render soluble the albuminoids, and the 
peculiar agreeable taste developed at the same time was soon 
noticed. Further experiment has shown that the Bacillus fragi, 
as this microbe is called, may impart its flavour to beef-tea 
and several other liquids, and some solids, although it is with¬ 
out effect on mashed Potatos. 
* * * 
Strawberry Farms.— What is probably the greatest Straw¬ 
berry-growing district in the world has just been described in 
an American official report. It is situated around Florin, 
Sacramento County, California. During the season of 1902, 
which ended in August, no fewer than 1,095 tons were sent from 
Florin alone to other cities in the east, while in 1905 the ship¬ 
ments exceeded 1,500 tons. The Strawberries are sent away 
packed in crates of 15 lbs. each. As a rule, the crops are boiight 
by wholesale dealers, who do the picking, packing, and shipping, 
and who pay the growers about £80 an acre. As the climate is 
excellent for this cultivation, and the profits large, the growth 
of this fruit is rapidly extending. It is interesting to note that 
throughout the entire district only two varieties are grown, 
the “Dollar berry” and the “Jessies.” As a result of this, the 
Strawberries sent to the various markets are the same through¬ 
out the season. 
* * * 
The Horticultural Directory and Year Book.— The new 
edition for 1904 of the above work, sent out by the editorial de¬ 
partment of the “ Journal of Horticulture,” 12, Mitre Court 
Chambers, Fleet Street, London, has been on our table for some 
time. It follows much the same plan as in former years, and 
some additions have been made to the matter. Amongst the 
new additions is a list of instructors in horticulture appointed 
by county councils in various counties of England, together with 
those employed in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. No instructor 
has been appointed for the Isle of Alan, yet the heading is 
here, and reminds us of the chapter on snakes in Ireland, which 
said “ there were none.” On page 50 a list of the holders of 
the Victoria Medal of Honour in Horticulture is given. To 
gardeners generally the most important part of the book will 
be that dealing with the addresses of various gardeners, nur¬ 
serymen, seedsmen, and florists in different parts of the British 
Isles. Not all of the names of gardeners are correctly recorded, 
even if they are recorded at all in some cases, but that would 
be an accomplishment which few makers of books could aspire! 
to. In some cases it is, no doubt, due to the gardeners them¬ 
selves, and some are so retiring that they do not wish their 1 
names to be made so conspicuous. In other cases it may not 
have been brought before the gardener that his name was wanted 
for such a publication. It is incumbent upon all concerned, 
however, to do their duty in the matter, so as to furnish a 
directory that should be fairly correct, for the British Isles, at 
least. Of course, there are changes occurring during the course 
of the year that cannot be corrected until a new directory for 
the year is brought out. 
Society and Association Notes. 
Mr. Robertson Munro, late gardener to P. McLaurin, Esq., 
Cartside, Milliken Park, has been appointed gardener to Archi¬ 
bald Findlayson, Esq., of Merchiston Castle, Renfrewshire. 
* * * 
Royal Horticultural Society. —The next fruit and flower 
show of the Royal Horticultural Society will be held on Tues¬ 
day, January 26th, in the Drill Hall, Buckingham Gate, West¬ 
minster, 1-4 p.m. A lecture on “Oranges” will be given by 
Mr. H. Somers Rivers at three o’clock. At a general meeting 
of the society, held on Tuesday, January 5th, 53 new Fellows 
were elected. 
* * * 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —At the annual 
general meeting of the Worcester and District Auxiliary of the 
above institution the other week, the balance-sheet showed an 
income of £92 14s. 7d., of which £75 had been forwarded to the 
parent society, leaving a balance in hand of £10 4s. Id. The 
income was less than in previous years, owing to the inclement 
weather which prevailed on the day the Madresfield Court 
Gardens were thrown open for the benefit of the cause. As it 
was, £7 4s. lOd. was collected that day. 
* * * 
Isle oe Wight Horticultural Association. —Dr. Groves 
presided at the second annual general meeting of this society 
at Warburton’s Hotel, Newport, on the 16th inst. The annual 
report presented by Messrs. Tribbick and Kime, the hon. 
secretaries, showed that the past year’s working had been favour¬ 
able to the society, 22 new members having joined. Notwith¬ 
standing the heavy expenses in connection with the Sweet Pea 
show, they had a balance in favour of the society. Papers had 
been read on a variety of interesting subjects. 
* * * 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— 
The monthly committee meeting of this society was held at the 
Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, on Monday evening 
lltli inst., Air. C. H. Curtis in the chair. Seventeen new members 
were elected. The death of two members was reported (Air. 
Cha rles Brown and Air. Henry Sheppard), and the amount 
standing to their credit in the society’s books was directed to be 
paid to their nominees respectively. Three members applied 
to be allowed to pay the higher scale of contribution, which was 
granted. Nine members were reported on the sick fund. Sick 
pay for the month was £29 18s. Alessrs. W. Gunner and T. H. 
Puzey were appointed to audit the accounts for the past year. 
* * * 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Society. —A very good programme for the bi-montlily 
meetings of this society has now been made out to fill in the 
time till June 7th. At the opening meeting of the year, on 
January 19th, “Chrysanthemums” was the paper read by Mr. 
H. J. Jones, Ryecroft Nurseries, Lewisham, S.E. This will be 
followed, on February 2nd, by “Present-day Orchid Culture,” 
by Air. W. P. Bound, The Gardens, Gatton Park, Reigate. On 
February 16th “ Forced Vegetables ” will be read by Air. W. A. 
Cooke, The Gardens, Shirley Park, near Croydon. On Alarcli 
1st “ Summer and Autumn Flowering Bulbs,” by Mr. W. Harris 
(Alessrs. J. R. Box and Co.), Derby Road, Croydon, will be the 
subject, to be followed on the 15th by “ Fungi : Some of their 
effects on other forms of Life ” (illustrated), by Air. G. Alassee, 
V.A1.H., F.L.S., Herbarium, Royal Gardens, Kew. The paper 
for April 5th is “Roses,” by Air. W. E’aslea, Waltham Cross. 
On April 20th (Wednesday) comes the exhibition of spring 
flowers (feature, Daffodils), at Art Gallery, Park Lane, Croydon. 
Then on Alay 3rd “ The Value of Botany to Gardeners ” will be 
read by Air. E. E. Hawes, Royal Botanic Gai’dens, Regent’s 
Park. On Alay 17th “ Insectivorous Plants ” (illustrated) will 
be given by Dr. Brooke Ridley, Croydon. June 7th is reserved 
for discussions. 
* * * 
Beckenham Horticultural Society. —On Friday, Jan. 8th, 
“A Talk on New Fruits,” by Air. George Bunyard, V.M.H., of 
Maidstone, was the lecture. A. J. Baker, Esq., presided during 
the evening. Mr. Bunyard said new varieties generally were 
bought for trial by fruit growers much sooner than formerly. 
As an illustration, Cox's Orange Pippin was 25 years in the 
nursery before growers would try iit. These are a few varieties 
he recommended all to grow: —Apples : Allington Pippin ; 
Baron Wolseley, good keeper; Byford Wonder, keeps till 
March ; Christmas Pearman ; Edward VII., good early; Early 
Victoria, fine early kitchen ; James Grieve, good; Mrs. Philli- 
more, Northern Beauty, good kitchen ; King’s Acre Pippin, and 
Sanspareil. Blackberries : Tlie Logan Berry was reoommended, 
also Wineberry, splendid for growing over arches. The English 
Blackberry was preferred to the American variety. Cherries: 
Cleveland Bigarreau, Ludwig Bigarreau, De Shrecken, Noble 
good for orchard ; Windsor, good; Belle de St. Tronc, good 
early; Guigne d’Annonay. Currants : Red American Wonder, 
Black Boskoop Giant, which does not have the big bud so much 
as other varieties. Figs : St. John’s, early wliiite, grows a good 
second crop ; Violette Lepor. Grapes : Appley Towers, Lady 
Hastings, Prince of Wales. Gooseberries : Alay Duke. Crab 
Apple: John Downie, one of the best; Cheats Siberian Crab. 
Peach and Nectarines: Cardinal, Early Rivers, Duchess of Corn¬ 
wall, -stands forcing ; Duchess of York, late Peach, keeps its 
flavour. Pears: Aspasie Aucourt, Eeunre Du Buisson, Charles 
Ernest, Michaelmas Nelis, St. Edmunds. Plums: President, 
black, good for wall or standard ; Rivers- Orange. Gages: Swan, 
Golden Transparent Gage. Giant Prune is recommended. Rasp¬ 
berries : The Guinea, Yellow. Rhubarb Dawe’s Ohampi-on, New 
Crimson Winter. Strawberries : Queen of Denmark; Givon’s 
Late Prolific he strongly recommended as being a good tiling. 
Air. Bunyard gave a description of the fruits and the habits of 
