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THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 20. 1904. 
mittee, wl%o were eligible. Mr. J. Assbee proposed that Messrs. 
W. Bull, R, H. Pearson, and W. P. Thomson be elected on the 
committee in place of Messrs. G. H. Richards, P. E. Kay, and 
G. Nicholson. Mr. Marshall proposed four scrutineers for the 
ballot. The chairman proposed the re-election of Mr. B. 
Wynne, the secretary. All of these propositions were seconded 
and carried. 
The following candidates were found successful on a declara¬ 
tion of the ballot:—George James Lammas, with 367 votes: 
Harry George Pantling, 361 ; Reginald Joseph Pantling, 339 ; 
Margaret Lammas, 328 ; Louie Witcher, 230 ; Mary Elizabeth 
Pretty, 229 ; Robert Arthur Pretty, 228 ; Frank William 
Sonntag, 214 : Henry Gillet, 213 ; and Hilda Blanche Ayling, 
186. 
Obituary. 
Mr. R. Halsall. 
The funeral of Mr. R. Halsall, who died at Southport on the 
7th inst., took place at St. Cuthbert’s Church on the 10th inst. 
During the past two years Mr. Halsall had been in very in¬ 
different health, and about six months ago he was obliged to 
retire from work as gardener at Hesketh Park, where he had 
been employed for the past 14 years. Previous to his death he 
was confined to bed for three weeks. He suffered from a com¬ 
plication of ailments, but death was due subsequently to dropsy 
and heart disease. He was 49 years of age. His funeral was 
followed by a very large number of people in the district, by 
whom he was much respected. It may here be stated that Mr. 
Halsall’s- mother died only a month previously at the ripe old 
age of 91 years. 
Mr. Charles Fergusson. 
On the 10th inst. Mr. Charles Fergusson was found drowned 
in the River Nairn, near Nairn Bridge. It is supposed that lie 
lost his way on the Monday night, which was very dark, and 
accidentally fell into the river. Mr. Fergusson was at one time 
engaged as gardener in the service of Mr. Stirling, Fairburn ; 
also to the Duke of Athol ; and at Cally House, Kirkcudbright. 
About five years ago he went to Nairn, and carried on an ex¬ 
tensive florist and nursery business. He was a native of Blair 
Atholl. Mr. Fergusson was a well-known authority on Celtic 
history. He also had unique collections, of tartans and birds 
eggs, and frequently gave lectures upon the same at public 
meetings. His death has caused much regret in the vicinity, 
and great sympathy is felt for his widow and family. 
Mr. F. W. Phillips. 
The 'sad circumstances attending the deatli of Frederick 
William Phillips, gardener to Sir Frederick Edridge, Croydon, 
were the subject of a coroner’s inquest at Oak Cottage, Addis- 
combe Road, on the 8th inst. The jury returned a verdict of 
“ Suicide whilst temporarily insane.” 
International Horticultural Exhibition at Turin, Italy. 
_The Executive Committee of the International Exhibition of 
Horticulture and Floriculture, which will take place at Turin 
from May 20th to 21st next, is happy to announce that the 
success of that exhibition is now well assured. H.M. the King 
of Italy has accorded a large Medal of Honour, which will be. 
awarded to the exhibitor whose products will be the most in¬ 
teresting and beautilul, and two other Gold Medals as prizes 
of honour for hardy ornamental and hothouse plants respec¬ 
tively. H. M. the Queen Mother, the patroness of the exhibi¬ 
tion,' has likewise given a Medal of Honour for the best exhibit 
in the cut flower, bouquet, and room decoration department of 
the show. S.A.R. the Duke of Aosta (honorary president) has 
offered specially a large Gold Medal for fruit-bearing and 
useful plants. The Minister of Agriculture offers four Gold 
and twelve Silver Medals, besides a large Gold Medal that is 
destined for the highest merit in agriculture ; the provincial 
deputation of Turin, besides an important sum of money, will 
give three Gold Medals ; the Chamber of Commerce of Turin 
three Medals, including a large Gold one ; the Royal Academy 
of Agriculture, six Medals. Furthermore, Gold Medals will 
be offered by the Horticultural Societies of Milan and Genoa, 
by the Florists’ and Gardeners’ Society of Rome, and by the 
president of the executive committee of the exhibition. 
Society and Association Notes. 
Royal Horticultural Society. —The next, fruit and fiowet 
show of the Royal Horticultural Society will be held on Tues¬ 
day, February 23rd, in the Drill Hall, Buckingham Gate, West¬ 
minster, from 1 to 4 o’clock p.m. A lecture by Mr. R. Lewis 
Castle, of the Duke of Bedford’s experimental gardens, on 
“ Pomology,” will be given at 3 o’clock. At a general meeting 
of the society, held on Tuesday, February 9th, eighty-nine new 
Fellows were elected, making a total of 261 elected since the 
beginning of the present year. 
* * * 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —The third 
grand smoking concert held under the auspices of the Liverpool 
Auxiliary took place at the “ Bear’s Paw,” Liverpool, on the 
13th inst., W. W. Rutherford, Esq., M.P., presiding over a 
large attendance, and he was supported by Messrs. C. A. 
Young, J. Dickson, N. F. Barnes, B. Ker, A. J. Crippin, W. 
Gibbins, B. Ashton, J. Guttridge, T. Foster, Councillor Utting, 
and many other well-known horticulturists. The chairman, 
who was accompanied by Mrs. Rutherford, gave an admirable 
address, extolling the good work of the institution and comment¬ 
ing those present for accepting their share of the responsibilities 
for supporting the parent society. Special stress was appealed 
for so that the committee could deal with the many urgent cases 
that were now before them. Some sterling advice was given to 
the young men jiresent to avail themselves of the many privi¬ 
leges that were offered them in the educational world, whereby 
they might equip themselves so that they might be fully pre¬ 
pared to carry out in a more efficient manner the various duties 
that would shortly devolve upon them. Mr. R. G. Waterman 
(bon. sec.) proposed, and Mr. H. Middlehurst seconded, a vote 
of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford for their practical sym¬ 
pathy and words of encouragement. This was carried with 
musical honours and hearty cheers. Mr. C. A. Young, chair 
man of committee, presented a beautiful bouquet on behalf of 
the committee to Mrs, Rutherford. The musical portion of 
the evening was excellent in every way, and gave unbounded 
pleasure to the crowded audience. The hall was tastefully 
arranged with plants and cut flowers, contributed by Messrs. 
R, P. Ker and Son, E. Webb and Sons, C. A. Young, and others. 
The invited guests and officials wore Dendrobiums and Gielo 
gynes provided by members. 
* * * 
Croydon Horticultural Mutual Improvement Society.— 
The fourth annual dinner of the above society was held at the 
Greyhound Hotel, Croydon, on the 10th inst., when there was 
a good attendance. The president, Mr. J. J. Reid, occupied 
the chair, and was supported by many influential horticultural 
people. The chairman proposed “ The King and Royal Family.” 
Then Mr. C. H. Curtis, F.R.H.S., proposed “The Society.” 
He was pleased to learn that the society was a prosperous one, 
but regretted that there were so many societies in Croydon, when 
they might amalgamate to the advantage ''of all. The different 
departments could then be worked by independent committees. 
He had a feeling that the Croydon Horticultural Society had not 
fulfilled its mission, or there would have been no need for the 
Mutual Improvement Society. He wished prosperity to the 
latter. Mr. Boshier, the secretary, replied to the above, ami 
said that, in his opinion, the three societies were working, most 
amicably together. His own society had been described as the 
nursery of the other societies. Every member of it, old and 
young, was encouraged to voice his feelings and opinions. The 
“ Mutual ” had had a most successful year, and was enabled to 
carry forward a substantial balance. Their spring exhibition 
had been successful, as well as the reading of papers and the 
prize essay competitions. In addition, his society had instituted 
a gardeners’ registry, and by this means had been able to secure 
a situation for one of its members. They could recommend a 
man to suit any vacancy that might exist. He would like to 
see the society have a larger membership. Mr. J. Gregory 
proposed “ Kindred Societies,” which had always been a hobby 
of his. He said that a man who took interest in his garden also 
took interest m Ins home-. Mr. W. Gunner replied for the 
Croydon Horticultural Society, and said that he was a member 
of all three societies, and had an opportunity of seeing vegetables 
grown by cottagers, amateurs, and allotment holders that would 
not disgrace a professional. Mr. P. Bunyard proposed “ The 
Chairman,” and the latter replied, and said that he would be 
pleased to offer another prize for an essay. Messrs. Middleton 
and W. Briscoe were the winners of the quizes for essays. Other 
toasts were “ The Horticultural and Local Press ” and “ The 
