1-20 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 6. 1904. 
the garden we may state is not to be initiated at present, but 
is merely being kept in, view for some future occasion. The 
idea, of the Council is to limit expenses, to mere necessaries 
until the hall lias, been paid for and expenses provided for 
its upkeep. 
We think, however, that the scientific, department, is very 
necessary in, the case of a society occupying the foremast, posi¬ 
tion, in, horticulture in this country. True, there are other 
establishments, chiefly colleges, attached to the agricultural 
interest, or some, scientific institution; but, we think that a 
scientific establishment in the Wisley garden would be in a 
position to unravel many difficulties, with which the practical 
horticulturist has to contend. The plants used in, agriculture 
are relatively few by comparison with those which come under 
the care of the gardener proper. In just such proportion are 
the difficulties multiplied, both in the case, of cultivation, and 
in the matter of plant, diseases and insect, pests. Other ques¬ 
tions arise from time to time in urging forward the cause of 
horticulture in new directions. No, other garden, should be, 
better fitted for testing such oases necessary to the progress 
of horticulture as that, under the care of the R.H.S., to which 
so many scientific men and practical horticulturists are at¬ 
tached. ' The old-fashioned idea with regard to science was, 
that, it was mere theory, and had no connection with practical 
work whatever. Gardeners, therefore, of the old school held 
aloof for a, long period, but if science and practice co,uld be 
united in the new gardens it would help forward the cause 
of horticulture immensely. The sooner, then, that such a 
department is established the better it will be for the cause. 
Another item we might mention in connection with_ the 
hundred years of the existence of the society is: the great in¬ 
crease of Fellows. During 1903 no, less than 1,412 Fellows 
joined the society. This was the largest number which has 
joined the society since it was established. 
The Council have, framed a, new bye-law, whereby the mini¬ 
mum rate of fellowship will be raised to two guineas. That, 
however, does not apply to, gardeners, and various others here 
specified, so that they will remain in the same position to the 
society relatively as before. In lieu of the enhanced price of 
fellowship, it is here shown what advantages such will derive 
by belonging to the society, in the matter of tickets for en¬ 
trance on the important, show days,, the journal, and the plants 
which they get by way of distribution. Presuming the, Fellows 
wanted to attend all these shows, a, Fellow’s ticket would, of 
course, prove an immense saving, even in the matter of cash, 
leaving out of the question what other advantages they might 
enjoy. 
Two of the most important shows of this year will still be 
held in the old situations—namely, the Temple Show and the 
Holland House Show. We notice also that five national 
societies will be associated with the R.H.S. at the respective 
periods of the year when their shows are held. It does not 
seem to be settled definitely when the new hall at Vincent 
Square will be ready to be opened, but, the Council hope it, will 
be ready for the meeting of July 26th. This is an ordinary 
meeting: of the society, but the National Carnation and Pico,tee 
Society is again to hold its annual exhibition in connection 
with it. Should that prove to be the initial meeting in the 
new hall, we presume that most of the meetings and shows 
will then take place there, with exception, possibly, of the 
Femple Show and the, Holland House Show. 
We note, however, the proposal to hold the exhibition of 
British-grown fruits and vegetables in the new hall on October 
4th, 5th, and 6th. That should prove an improvement at, least 
upon the Crystal Palace and Chiswick, as far as convenience for 
getting there is concerned. It has always been urged that 
those places were too far away, to get any considerable body 
of people together, so that the fruit exhibition, not having 
been established on, a, very satisfactory basis in the matter 
of attendance, the new hall may 'serve to give it- a fillip. The 
question depends largely upon the interest which the Fellows 
generally place upon an exhibition that is confined chiefly to 
flowers and vegetables. Unless specially interested in garden¬ 
ing, we presume that those residing in the neighbourhood of 
Vincent Square would affect t'he show only to a very small 
extent. 
The number of awards granted by the Council last year on 
the recommendation of the committees was, also* considerable 
and in excess of that, of the previous year. No less than 
thirty-seven gold medals and forty silver cups, were awarded 
during the year. The medal that seems to* have, been of the 
most importance, 'however, was the silver Banksian, which was 
accorded in no less than 216 cases. First-class Certificates 
were slightly under that of 1902, whereas the Awards of Merit 
numbered 290, being considerably over that of the previous 
year. The number of awards of all kinds, including medals 
and certificates,, was 1,180, 'by comparison with 1,025 in 1902. 
The Sea Buckthorn. 
(See Supplement.) 
The above interesting shrub or small tree is also known by 
the name of Sallow Thorn, which would -simply mean -the spiny 
Willow. Botanically, however, it is known as Hippophae 
rhamnoides. Under ordinary conditions it forms a bush of no 
great size-, but the specimen from which our illustration, was 
prepared formed a little tree about 10 ft. or 12 ft. in height, 
with a single stem and symmetrical form. 
This tree stands close to the temperate house at Kew at the 
northern end, and when photographed was simply laden with 
berries, although the foliage served t,o obscure the 'berries, and 
the camera refused to show them up. At, the present, time 
this tree, being quite leafless, is covered with its orange 
berries more or less discoloured by the recent frost, yet never¬ 
theless forming a conspicuous ornament in the grounds. It is 
upon the grass and at the end of the collection, which includes 
all the trees and shrubs of the same affinity as that under 
notice, so that we suspect there must, be a male tree in the 
vicinity, otherwise pollen must, have been carried from the 
margin of the pond near the, Palm house:, which we think 
scarcely likely, as it is nearly half a mile off. 
Some cultivators who have undertaken the- culture of this 
interesting shrub have failed to get 'be-rriesi, but if they would 
take care to procure: male and female plants, growing them in 
contiguity, there would be no difficulty in getting a profusion 
of berries every year. These are of a bright orange colour, 
but only moderately conspicuous: during the summer months 
owing to the wealth of foliage with which the tree is, clothed ; 
but immediately after the' leaves have fallen the berries are 
brought out in all their prominence, and render the tree or 
bushes bearing them distinctly ornamental during the greater 
part of winter. 
Even in summer-time, when the tree is clad with its dense 
leafage, it is highly ornamental on account of the gray ap¬ 
pearance of the foliage, which at a distance would remind one 
of a haze or mist in fine summer weather. This is due to the ^ 
plant being more or less covered with silvery scales on the 
under surface, and the dark, gray-green appearance of the 
upper surface of the leaves. These are narrow, and not unlike 
those of some of the finer Willows ; hence the origin, of the 
name, Sallow Thorn. The latter part: of this name is applic¬ 
able owing to the fact that many of the short branches or j 
twigs become hardened and form thorns, such as may be seen 
in the wild Damson and the wild Pear. 
The plant is a native of our own sea shores:, being found 
occasionally forming isolated plants or little thickets close 
to the edge of the salt water. It also enjoys a, wide distribu¬ 
tion over northern and central Asia, and the Himalayas, where 
a form of it is known under the name of H. salicifolia. Owing 11 
to the similarity between these and our own species, some 
would be inclined to regard it as merely a form, but in the Kew 
Hand-list it, is considered sufficiently distinct to be regarded as. 
a true species. 
There are two varieties of our native species, however, in the 
gardens—namely, H. r. augustifolia, and H. r. taurica. Those 
who would attempt to grow these plants would find them 
very suitable for planting near the edges of ornamental water, 
and if the situation is rocky the plants would be all the more 
appropriate. The species also makes a beautiful specimen in 
the landscape, a,s our supplement will show. 
