February 20, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
16b 
Visitors.” During the evening vocal and instrumental music, 
recitations, etc., enlivened the proceedings. 
* * * 
Heading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association.— There was a large attendance at the last fort¬ 
nightly meeting of the above association, when Mr. Winsor, 
foreman, Bear Wood Gardens, gave one of those practical 
demonstrations which have become very popular with the 
members. On this occasion wreath-making was the subject, and 
(wo wreaths were made during the evening. The first was done 
to show the quickest; the other to illustrate the making when 
more time is available. The principal flowers used were Arums, 
Carnations, Lily of the Valley, Roman Hyacinths, Orchids, and 
Chrysanthemums. A very interesting discussion followed, in 
which many useful hints were thrown out by Mr. Powell, of Park 
Place. The only exhibit was some splendidly grown plants of 
Primula sinensis, staged by Mr. T. Butcher, The Gardens, 
Greenbank, Reading. Eight new members were elected. 
* * * 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement 
Association.—A most successful meeting of this association 
was held at St. John’s Rooms on the 11th inst., Mr. E. Poole, 
F.R.H.S., presiding over a. good attendance. The lecturer foi 
the evening was Air. Powell, acting as representative from the 
Reading Gardeners’ Association. His lecture was entitled 
“Bouquet Alaking,” and Mr. Powell added much to his very 
able lecture by demonstrating the art of manipulating flowers. 
He claimed that the floral art was most essential for the gar¬ 
dener to master, and that all young gardeners starting their 
career should endeavour to make themselves perfect as florists. 
Air. Powell was practical in his demonstrations ; starting with 
the foundation of the bouquet, wiring flowers, and arranging 
them so as to have the most pleasing effect was the main point 
of his lecture. His bouquet, a very beautiful example of floral 
art, was handed through his audience, which proved beyond 
doubt that he understood his subject in a marked degree. 
Sprays and buttonholes also received his attention, and the 
many hints given were eagerly taken by his very attentive 
hearers. A lively discussion followed his lecture, during which 
he was asked several questions. He was unanimously thanked 
for his interesting discourse. Prizes for three Cyclamen were 
awarded to : 1st, W. A. F. Powell, Esq. (gardener, Air. Raikes) ; 
2nd, P. J. Worsley, Esq. (gardener, Air. Wheer) ; and 3rd to 
J. C. Godwin, Esq. (gardener, Air. McCulloch). Certificates of 
Alerit went to W. Howell Davis, Esq. (gardener, Air. Curtis), for 
Cattleya Trianaei; Aliss Pease (gardener, Mr. L. Gassick), for 
Dendrobium Pierardii ; and to Henry Derliam, Esq. (gardener, 
1 Air. Scase), for a well-grown Primula.—H. K. 
* * * 
Devon and Exeter Gardeners’ Association.— Mr. S. Baker, 
of Wear House Gardens, Exeter, gave an interesting and in¬ 
structive lecture at the meeting of the above society at the 
Guildhall, Exeter, on the 10th inst. “Tomato Culture” was 
the subject of his discourse, and this vegetable he described as 
the luxury of the poor as well as the rich for the past decade 
and a half. The best part of a good salad he described as the 
t Tomato. Early crops, he said, should be grown in 8-in. pots 
or tubs, which may be plunged to save continuous watering. 
These early Tomatos, in order to make them set, he brushed 
over with a rabbit’s tail. Tomato plants grow stronger in 
February as the sun gains in strength, and by March they 
should make good specimens in pots ready for planting out or 
potting on. He favoured the border very much, but it must 
L,bs shallow, to prevent the plants making too gross a growth. 
He was unable to name those that take the premier place, but 
be found Dutchman, Perfection, Best of All, Veitch’s Glory, 
Holmes’ Supreme, and Dobbie’s Champion to be very good 
soils. Amongst dessert varieties Golden Nugget, Sunbeam, and 
Golden Queen were hard to beat. Out of doors the years 1900 
and 1901 were exceptional seasons for the ripening of Tomatos 
even up to October. The years 1902 and 1903 were just the 
reverse. In some gardens Tomatos were grown to fruit all 
the year round, but required a deal of attention to be a success. 
■ Tomatos wei’e liable to numerous diseases, but he thought those 
• which had too much of their foliage taken off were more liable 
: to suffer than others from Black Spot. The prizes for three 
beads of Seakale were awarded to Mr. J. Rogers (Barley House), 
Mr. J. Ford (Fair Park House), and Mr. Coles (Elmfield House), 
in this order. 
* * * 
^ Bristol and Bath Auxiliary of the Gardeners’ Royal 
Benevolent Institution. —A special meeting of the above asso- 
•iation was held at Chivers’ Restaurant on the 12th inst. Air. 
!V. A. Caraway, occupying the chair, explained the object of 
he meeting, namely, to consider the advisability of holding a. 
Rose, Begonia, and Orchid show in aid of the institution. Air. 
A r allance was invited to explain the position, and remarked on 
the want of funds to meet the requirements of the Bristol and 
Bath Auxiliary, and it was felt that the time was opportune to 
provide some scheme for increasing the income, which at the 
present time was at a very low mark. They had for several 
J oui's past been assisted through the generosity of many leading 
gentlemen of the district, who had allowed their gardens to be 
thrown open to tlie public, and by making a small charge the 
auxiliary had added to their funds, and had also been materially 
assisted by the Bristol Chrysanthemum Society and the West- 
bury Show by allowing the sale of produce at their respective 
shows. But, notwithstanding this able assistance, the society 
was very short of funds. He (Air. A T allance) had carefully 
thought out the matter, and thought that a Rose Show would 
be the best means of increasing the income of so deserving a 
charity. He therefore proposed that a show be held for the 
Purpose. He understood-that a bazaar in aid of the AVinsley 
Sanatorium was to be held this year at the Zoological Gardens, 
and it would not be generous of them to hold the show this year 
in face of that most deserving institution, but he thought it 
could be done next year. A discussion was invited. Many 
gentlemen spoke, and on the vote being taken it was unani¬ 
mously decided to hold the show during the summer of 1905. 
The question of a guarantee fund was also brought forward and 
responded to in a very gratifying way, many gentlemen adding 
their names to the list of guarantors. An additional committee 
was elected, and Bristol may now look forward with interest to 
a floral show which will certainly meet the tastes of all lovers 
of horticulture. 
Centennial Dinner of the R.H.S.— Owing to unforeseen 
circumstances, the Centennial dinner of the society proposed to 
be held on Alarch 3rd is unavoidably postponed.—W. Wilks, 
Secretary. 
* * * 
Plant Life at Windsor.— On the 9th inst. the Rev. AY. 
Speir, ALA., gave an interesting lecture on plant life at the 
Albert Institute. 
* * * 
Mr. Harry Low, for several years .foreman at Larbert House 
Gardens, Stirlingshire, lias been appointed bead gardener to 
Lady Fowler, at Braeinore, Ross-shire. 
* * * 
R.H.S. Prize for Essay.— The prize of £10 offered by the 
Council of the Royal Horticultural Society for the best “ Essay 
on Cottage and Allotment Gardening ” has been won by the 
motto “ Observe and Practise,” Air. C. AVakely, of Ohelimsford. 
—W. Wilks, Secretary. 
* * * 
Daffodils are now one of the leading features of all the best 
florists’ shops in London and its suburbs, while the Scilly white 
Narcissus is very plentiful in the streets. Alany of the Daffodils 
in the shops are fresh in appearance, but some of them seem 
•a little overdrawn by too hard forcing and too little ventilation. 
* * * 
The AATnter Heliotrope. —This winter-flowering, sweet¬ 
smelling composite has been uncommonly fine this winter for 
six or eight weeks past. It is ai native of the Alediterraneam 
region, and finds our climate, at least in the South and West, 
perfectly suited to its requirements. It is a near ally of the 
Tussilago, and botanically known as Petasites fragrans. The 
flowers are faintly tinted with purple, and of dull, unassuming 
■appearance ; yet it attracts many people on account of its strong 
■and aggressive but' agreeable odour. When planted in the 
garden its creeping rhizomes and large leaves soon occupy a 
•considerable amount of space, and for this reason is undesirable 
in gardens during summer. For this reason it no doubt gets 
evicted from time to time, but even then proceeds to re-establish 
itself when the dumping, ground is favourable to the emission 
of roots. In roadside, gardens it escapes through the pales of 
the fence, and sometimes takes possession of the roadside bank, 
where it ousts other kinds of vegetation easily on account of 
its large leaves and creeping underground stems. 
