February 6, 1904 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
125 
Corbridge Gardeners. —The second annual dinner of the Cor- 
bridge Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society was held at the 
Wheatsheaf Hotel, Corbridge, when about fifty sat down to table, 
under the presidency of Mr. Wm. Hardman. After the usual 
loyal toasts he made some remarks on the objects of the society. 
Mr. J. Cameron, of the Byethorn Gardens, than proposed “ The 
Corbridge and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Society.” He was confident it would have the success in the 
future which it had had in the past, and, with the present officers, 
he felt sure it was in safe hands. He also referred to the amal¬ 
gamation of societies as a stage towards raising the status of the 1 
gardener. Mr. Clapha-m, of Byewell Hall Gardens, responded, 
and said the society had been a great power in promoting the 
Chrysanthemum Show at Corbridge. “The Visitors” was pro¬ 
posed by Mr. Mathieson, and responded to by Mr. Lark, chair¬ 
man of the Newcastle Society, and Mr. Munroe, secretary of that 
society. During the evening, songs, recitations, and readings, 
etc., rendered the evening most enjoyable, and the meeting broke 
up after singing “ Auld Lang Syne.” 
* * * 
Hamilton and District Gardening and Forestry Associa¬ 
tion. —A very successful smoking concert, under the auspices of 
the above association, was held the other week in the Royal 
Hotel. There was a good turnout of members. Councillor' Gib¬ 
son presided, supported by Messrs. A. T. M'Millan, James 
Graham, Hugh Millar, D. N. Cross, Arthur Brown, and J. Jack- 
son. An interesting and central feature of the evening’s pro¬ 
ceedings was the presentation of a very serviceable camera to 
Mr. D. N. Cross, and of two handsome pictures to Mr. J. Jack- 
son, secretary of the association. The gifts, which were in ac¬ 
knowledgment of the many services the recipients had rendered 
the association, were respectively handed over in the name of the 
subscribers by Messrs. M'Millan and Graham in happy and 
complimentary terms. Mr. Cross and Mr. Jackson suitably re¬ 
plied, thanking thei members for their great kindness in thus 
remembering them. During the evening songs were well ren¬ 
dered by Messrs. Gavin Brown, Lumsden, L. Smith, and Allan ; 
readings by Messrs. Hugh Millar and Troup ; and selections on 
the concertina and gramophone by Messrs. Wighton and Cross 
respectively. 
* * * 
Mauchi.ine Horticultural Society. —The annual general 
meeting of the above society was held in the Lesser Temperance 
Hall, Mauchline, on the evening of Thursday, the 14th January. 
Mr. Walker kindly consented to occupy the chair. The trea¬ 
surer and secretary’s reports proved that the society had made 
progress, as the balance now to their credit was £23 3s. 3gd., 
which is an increase on last year’s account, although the ex¬ 
penditure at their last exhibition has exceeded their previous 
year’s. It was agreed to hold the show on the same day as last 
year, August 20th. The following were re-elected to 1 carry on 
the work for another year :—Honorary presidents, Marcus Bain, 
Esq., C.C., Woodiside ; David M'Queen, Esq., J.P., St. David’s ; 
president, Dr. J. Pollock, Box Villa; vice-president, A. G. 
Alexander, Esq., Westfield ; secretary, Mr. John Alexander, 
Bumbank ; treasurer, Mr. William Wilson, New Road. Gar¬ 
deners: Mr. R. Mail - , Barskimming ; Mr. T. M'Caughtrie, 
Netherplace ; Mr. K. M'Leam, Ca.trine House ; Mr. A. Stewart, 
Failford ; Mr. A. M'Phee, Woodside ; Mr. W. Fraser, Balloch- 
myle. Committee of Management : Mr. J. W. Davidson, Mr. D. 
M'Leish, Mr. J. Bell, Mr. J. Walker, Mr. J. T. Gibb, Mr. A. 
Hamilton, Mr. Jas. Wilson, Mr. T. M'Caughtrie, Mr. K. M'Lean, 
Mr. W. Whitelaw, Mr. A. Anderson, Mr. J. Murdoch, Mr. A. 
Robison, Mr. A. M'Phee, Mr. P. Tannock, Mr. G. Wyllie. 
* * * 
Scottish Horticultural Association. —The opening meeting 
of the session was held on the 2nd inst. in Dowell’s Rooms, 18, 
George Street, Edinburgh. There was a good attendance of 
members, Mr. J. W. McHattie, the president, occupying the 
chair. Mr. James Whytock, The Palace Gardens, Dalkeith, 
read a very interesting paper entitled “ Some Experiences in 
Ornamental Shrub and Tree Planting and Growing.” Mr. 
Whytock began by making a comparison of present-day natural 
arrangement of hardy shrubs and coniferae with the stiffness 
that characterised the arrangement of these half a century ago. 
In planting coniferae such as Wellingtonia. gigantea for per¬ 
manent specimens the lecturer advocated a distance of 20ft. 
apart, with Scotch Fir, Austrian Pine, and Lai'eh planted between 
to afford shelter till the specimens attained a fair size. Mr. 
Whytock deprecated planting trees too close to avenues ; he 
would leave a space of at least 30ft. On this space he would 
fringe the trees with hybrid Rhododendrons, with a band of St. 
John’s wort next the avenue. Mr. Whytock gave some interest¬ 
ing details of his experience and observations in Queen’s County 
and county Wicklow, Ireland. The lecturer, in closing, recom¬ 
mended (in .suitable localities), a full use between the garden 
proper and the surrounding wood of such comparatively tender 
subjects as Gunneras, Pampas Grass, New Zealand Flax, 
Hydrangeas, etc. An interesting and appreciative discussion 
followed the reading of the paper, and the lecturer was awarded 
a hearty vote of thanks. From Mr. James Hunter, Baugholm 
Bower, Trinity, came Ly.caste lanipes ; from Mr. Small, Black¬ 
ford Park, Edinburgh, trails of Clematis indivisa ; from Mr. 
T. A. Scarlett, 22, Market Street, Edinburgh, Potatos, 
“Eldorado” and “Northern Star” ; from Mr. Charles Comfort, 
Broomfield, Davidson's Mains, a pot of Iris histrioides, and 
bunches of Garrya elliptica, Laurustinus, and Jasminium 
nudiflorum. 
Rats in East Lothian. —Potato and Turnip crops in East 
Lothian are suffering from a plague of rats. 
* * * 
Flowers from the Scilly Isles. —The steamship Lyonesse 
landed four tons of flowers from the Isles of Scilly at Penzance 
the other week for inland destinations. 
* * * 
Winter Aconite in Bloom. —-Hundreds of the Winter Aconite 
(Eranlhis hyemalis) are r.ow in bloom in the Royal Gardens, 
Kew. They were highly conspicuous before the close of 
J anuary. 
* * * 
New Year’s Gathering at Edmonton. —The employees of the 
well-known firm of Fern growers, Messrs. J. Hill and Son, of 
Barrowfield Lane, Edmonton, had their annual New Year's 
gathering the other week. 
* * * 
Aberdeen Chrysanthemum Society.- —The annual meeting of 
the members of this society was held in the Union Hall Buildings 
on -the 16th ult. The chairman moved the election of Mr. 
James Esslemont to the office of president for the year. Mr. 
J. M. Simpson seconded, and Mr. Esslemont was unanimously 
elected. Mr. Sinclair was re-appointed secretary and treasurer. 
* * * 
Flowers in Full Bloom at Newburgh. —The recent mild 
weather is bringing forward vegetation in the gardens at New¬ 
burgh, Fife, rather early, and the small fruit is swelling into 
buds, with the prospect of being checked later on. Snowdrops 
and spring flowers are in full bloom. The parasite on Black 
Currant bushes has become very prevalent throughout the dis¬ 
trict, and most of the bushes will have to be thrown out. 
•* * * 
Gardening Classes at Windsor. —A meeting of the Art Class 
Committee in connection with the Royal Albert Institute was 
held the other week at Windsor, to which a large number of gar¬ 
deners were invited. These attended from all the principal 
estates round about Windsor. The chairman, explained that the 
meeting was called to consider a scheme proposed by the Educa¬ 
tion Committee of the Berks County Council for the carrying on 
of gardening classes in Windsor and the surrounding districts. 
* * * 
Bulbs for Chichester Cathedral Grounds. —The Rev. 
Canon Masters has recently received from: a- leading firm of 
seedsmen a box containing several hundred bulbs for the 
Chichester Cathedral grounds, and it is hoped that such kind¬ 
ness from persons not connected with the cathedral will be fol¬ 
lowed by gifts from others who have a more personal interest 
in it as residents in the diocese. There is a growing desire 
to make the surroundings of the cathedral as beautiful and 
orderly as possible. Several in Chichester have already kindly 
assisted, and as others in the county may like to do so, it is 
well to add that- no more bulbs will be required for this season, 
but a few nice shrubs now and plants later on would be grate¬ 
fully acknowledged by Canon Masters, The Close, Chichester. 
