106 
THE QARDEHUSQ WORLD. 
Janumv 30. 1904. 
duly honoured, and were followed by the chairman proposing 
“ Prosperity to the Society.” Mr. George Schneider responded, 
thanking the English friends and supporters for their help, and 
specially referring to the new departure of last year, when the 
society was invited to visit, and was hospitably entertained by 
Mr. Peter Kay. He was glad to say this example had been 
imitated, and the society was now in possession of other sunuar 
invitations, which they would be very pleased to accept.„ 
speeches were made by Mr. T. Bevan, Mr. Guilloud, Mr. Haiman 
Payne, and the proceedings, which were of the most cordial 
character, terminated with the singing of the ‘ Marseillaise. 
7 u. * 
Croydon and District Horticultural Mutual Improi e- 
ment Society —An excellent attendance of members assembled 
at the society’s rooms, Sunflower Temperance Hotel, George 
Street, on the 19th inst., when the first of the new senes of 
papers for the coming year was read by Mr. H. J. Jones, Itye- 
croft Nurseries, Lewisham, who took for Ins subject Chrys¬ 
anthemums,” and for upwards of two hours he described m 
detail the cultivation of this popular flower. Mr. Jones is well 
known in the horticultural world as an expert on '' Mums, 
and his reputation as a grower was sufficient to create a lively 
interest in those present, who listened with great intensity to 
his remarks, so that when his paper was concluded the applause 
of appreciation was unanimous, everyone evidencing the delight 
at such a lucid and practical deliverance of the methods whereby 
success can be obtained in the growth of these autumn and 
winter flowering plants. His opening remarks were on the pro¬ 
pagation, recommending boxes for this purpose as being pre¬ 
ferable to pots. The cuttings should be struck about Decsm.b- 
and January in slight heat, giving plenty of light; in fact, rig lit 
throughout his paper the one essential thing ne emphasised to 
secure good plants was plenty of light at all stages of growth. 
Passing on to the repotting, this should be done when the plants 
are ready, and although February and March are good months 
for this operation, yet m> fixed dates can be laid diown, but 
simply governed by 'the plants themselves. Time would only 
allow a short discussion, and what questions were asked Mr. 
Jones replied to clearly. Mr. W. Turney, Station Road Nur¬ 
series, Croydon, staged well-grown Primulas, and Mr. P. F 
Bunyard exhibited a new plant-label, the “Eclipse.” Several 
new members were elected. 
* * * 
Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association. —The first fortnightly meeting in the New Year was 
held on the 18th inst., and was largely attended, Mr. \Y. 
Barnes, chairman for 1904, presiding. The subject for the even¬ 
ing was “A Chat on the Small Border System for Fruit under 
Glass,” and Mr. J. Wool ford, The Gardens, Wokefield Park, in 
introducing the subject, said that he did not condemn large 
borders, because he knew that excellent Grapes, Peaches, etc., 
were grown in them ; but it was not absolutely necessary to' have 
them to produce good useful fruit for the table or even for 
exhibition, therefore if you can obtain what you want in small 
borders why go to the expense of having large ones ? Details 
were given as. to the composition of borders, planting, etc. A 
splendid discussion followed, the chief points raised being plant¬ 
ing out from pots, feeding, enlarging the borders, shanking, etc. 
Those taking part were Messrs. Blake, Barnes, Townsend, Exler, 
Fry, Bright, Bassil, Judd, Wilson, Neve, Hinton, Wicks, and 
Lees. There were several exhibits, Mr. B. Wilson, The Gardens, 
Lower Redlands, staging nine dishes of Apples (Smalls’ 
Admiral, Gascoigne’s Seedling, Bramley’s Seedling, Duke of 
Devonshire, Wellington, Ribston Pippin, Beauty of Kent, Blen¬ 
heim Pippin, and Lane’s Prince Albert) ; Mr. Wynn, The 
Gardens, “ Samoa,” Kendr ck Road, two dishes of nicely-coloured 
fruits of Sutton’s Winter Beauty Tomato ; Mr. F. W. Exler, The 
Gardens, East Thorpe, half dozen excellently-grown plants of 
Cyclamen; Mr. J. Stone, purest white Christmas Roses ; and 
Mr. F. Lever, The Gardens, Hillside, plants of Begonia 
manicata. A hearty vote of thanks was. accorded to\ Mr. Wool- 
ford for his instructive paper and to the exhibitors. Several new 
members were elected. 
* * * 
Beckenham Horticultural Society. —“ Strawberries,” by 
Mr. J. Lyne, was the paper read at the above society on 
January 15th. Strawberries are as some other fruits, the soil 
in certain localities suiting some varieties better than others, 
but for general cultivation a moderately loamy soil with deep 
cultivation suits most varieties. Plants should be renewed after 
the third year. When layering: runners, it was his system to 
layer three in a 48 or 32 pot, plant out, 3 ft. between the rows 
and 2 ft. from plant to plant. The forcing of Strawberries was 
very clearly illustrated. Mr. Lyne, living close to a district 
where large numbers of plants are grown for lorc.ng by market 
growers, was able to give to the members his results, and of 
the other growers, and the system the plants had to undergo 
to get such. There was a good discussion, in which Mr. Lyne, 
jun., took part. He being a market grower of Strawberries, his 
remarks were very attentively listened to, as growing Straw¬ 
berries under glass for market was not thoroughly understood 
by most of those present. The moral of Mr. Lyne’s paper was 
how to grow Strawberries profitably with the least expense pos¬ 
sible. 
* * * 
National Chrysanthemum Society. —The annual general 
meeting of the above society will be held at Carr’s Restaurant. 
265, Strand, London, W.C., on Monday, February 1st next, at 
7 p.m., Charles E. Shea, Esq., president, in the chair. 
* * * 
Liverpool Horticultural Association. —The annual dinner 
of this authority was held on the 16th inst. at the Bear s Paw, 
Liverpool, Mr. R. W. Ker in the chair. This enjoyable function 
still holds its own, being successful in every way. The number 
present was 113, against 119 last year. The tables, as usual, 
were embellished by well-grown flowering and foliage plants from 
the nurseries of Messrs. R. P. Kerr and Sens. After the dinner, 
which was well served, the chairman gave the loyal toasts, 
which were heartily received. Later on Mr. Ker gave the toast 
of “ The Liverpool Horticultural Association,” and in doing so 
gave an able and instructive retrospect of the past year. 
Looking to the future, reference was made to the new horticul¬ 
tural hall now in progress and the valuable acquisition of the 
Wisley Gardens—a most generous gift, and one that the speaker 
felt sure would be the means of doing much good in the advance¬ 
ment of horticulture. A brief but lucid review of last year’s 
leading shows was given, followed by comments of those in pre¬ 
paration for the ensuing year, especially those on the Continent 
and America. Some notice w'as made to the historical houses 
and their connection with horticulture in the neighbourhood, 
with a suggestion that they should be approached for their 
support and interest, with that of the City Council, in arranging 
an exhibition worthy of Liverpool and Lancashire in the St. 
George’s Hall and the fine plateau now in the course of con¬ 
struction adjoining the hall during the year 1905. Reference 
was made to the interest of the Parks and Gardens Committee, 
who had now under their charge over 1,000 acres of land, which 
must add greatly to the health and pleasure of the working 
masses. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. Foster 
(chairman of committee), in reply, felt he could promise on be¬ 
half of his fellow-members a willingness to do all in their power 
to accomplish what had been so ably suggested by their chair¬ 
man. Other toasts and some well-selected musical items com¬ 
pleted a most enjoyable evening. 
* * * 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society'. —The annual 
general meeting of this society was held in Dowell's Rooms, 
Edinburgh, on the 14th inst., Mr. D. P. Laird, vice-president, 
in the chair. The secretary submitted the report of the council, 
which stated that, being satisfied with the result of having held 
the spring show last year in the third week of May, they had 
resolved to hold the spring show of 1904 at the same time of the 
month. The nett gain in membership during the year was 120. 
The report also referred to the five International Exhibitions 
already organised by the society, and stated that the council 
were making arrangements for holding another International 
in September, 1905, at which they hoped to be able to offer about 
£1,500 in premiums. Advance particulars of some of the prin¬ 
cipal competitions are in preparation, and will be shortly issue 1. 
His Majesty the King had accorded his patronage to this exhi¬ 
bition, and had given a valuable silver cup to be awarded at it. 
The abstract of accounts showed a considerable improvement in 
the position of the society, the excess of income over expendi¬ 
ture for the year being £126 18s. 2d., and the funds of the society 
£928 5s., compared with £715 17s. 7d. at the close of the pre¬ 
vious year, this result being attained without restricting the 
scope of the society’s exhibitions. The prize money paid at the 
spring show amounted to £176 3s. 6d., and at the autumn show 
to £328 13s. 6:1. The council report and abstract of accounts 
were approved of. The retiring president, Lord Balfour of 
Burleigh, was unanimously re-elected. Mr. W. H. Massie, 
nurseryman, was elected a vice-president, in room of the retiring 
vice-president; and Messrs. Daniel Kidd, The Gardens, Car- 
berry Tower, Inveresk ; Mr. James Grieve, Redbraes Nurseries ; 
and Councillor Mackenzie, Edinburgh, were elected councillors 
in room of those retiring. 
