226 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
March 12, 1904. 
fungus and Lichens, with the higher order, like the giant Oak. 
After alluding to the title of his lecture, Mr. Sterile explained 
that anthocyanine in Daisies was the red or pink spot on the 
petal, which protected ith© flower from bright sunshine, and was a 
clear exhibition of Nature’s economy, having the power to 
change light-rays into' heat-rays. The lecture was illustrated by 
lantern slides, and on the call of Mr. Grant a large and appre¬ 
ciative audience accorded the lecturer a hearty vote of thanks. 
Mr. John Bell, Corona Gardens, exhibited a well-flowered plant 
of Dendrobiuni mobile, for which he received a Cultural Certifl 
cate. A spontaneous vote of thanks to the chairman closed a 
pleasant and profitable evening. 
* * * 
The Birmingham and Midland Counties Gardeners’ Mutual 
Improvement Society.— On Monday, February 29th, a very in¬ 
teresting lecture was given by Dr. Buller, of the Birmingham 
University, entitled “ Parasitical Flowering Plants.” The lec¬ 
ture was illustrated by lantern slides and also by dried herba¬ 
rium specimens of the various plants mentioned. Sections of 
the Silver Fir were handed round, showing the surprising depth 
to which the suckers of the Mistlefo enter the wood, or rather, 
as the lecturer said, the layers of the wood grow over the sucker, 
which comes to the same thing, as the holes in some cases are 
lg in. in depth and § in. in diameter. The lecturer classed 
parasites, as partial and complete. The Honeysuckle and the 
Convolvulus, he said, were partially parasitic, as they only 
depended for mechanical support on, and took no nourishment 
from, the host. The Misibleto also', he said, was a partial para¬ 
site (which, by the way, confirms the opinion ventured by an 
old correspondent in your paper to this effect, and which at the 
time caused some controversy). Root parasites, such as the 
Tliesiums and Bartsias and Latliraeas, etc., were described, 
and lastly, the Balanop'hora and the Rafflesias were described 
and splendidly illustrated on the screen, to the delight and 
surprise of the large 'audience. A vote of thanks was proposed 
by Mr. Humphreys, of the Botanical Gardens at Edgbaston, 
who said that gardeners were chiefly interested in parasites as 
in an enemy, although by the interesting manner in which the 
lecturer treated this subject they were almost carried away 
and tempted to look upon them, otherwise. Mr. Hamill 
seconded the proposal, which was carried unanimously by an 
extremely appreciative audience.—J. W. M., “ Edelweiss,” 
Birmingham. 
Potato Sir John Franklin. —A stone of this new variety 
was sold early this month at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, at the rate 
of £3,000 per ton. 
* * * 
Mr. Joseph. Lino, a gardener lately residing at 27, Hampden 
Road, Holloway, recently fell ill, and on the 25th ult. was 
making an attempt to get up, but fell back and died almost 
immediately. An inquest was held, and death was attributed 
to syncope from heart disease and old age. He was 77 years 
of age. 
* * * 
High-priced Potatos. —Six small tubers of the Eldorado 
Potato, weighing in the aggregate only 5 oz., were disposed of 
by auction at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, in the beginning of this 
month. They were knocked down at £56 3s. 6d., which works 
out at the rate of £402,658 13s. 4d. a ton. This is regarded as 
a world’s record for the noble tuber. 
* * * 
ANCiSTROCHrLUS thomsonianus Gentilii. —The typical form 
of A. thomsonianus, an Orchid hailing from the Congo, is violet 
and very sweet scented. Recently a new variety has been 
flowered, and named A. t. Gentilii. This has white flowers, 
with a red lip and column. The flower is somewhat smaller in 
expanse than that- of the type. It was flowered at the Colonial 
Greenhouses at Laeken, Belgium. The plant lasts about three 
weeks in bloom. A double page coloured illustration of this 
beautiful variety is given in the March number of the “ Revue 
cle l’Horticulture Beige.” The above long name has been given 
to an Orchid formerly mentioned in gardening books under the 
name of Pachystoma thomsonianum. 
Gardening Lectures at Windsor. —Mr. A. S. Galt, F.R.H.S.. 
Horticultural Instructor 'to the Berkshire C.C., continued hi- 
series of lectures at the Royal Albert Institute, Windsor, on the 1 
2nd ins't., when “Roses” was his subject. 
* * * 
Mr. W. J. Stawaed, for the past ten months foreman at 
Warlies Park, Waltham Abbey, Essex, and previously two and 
a half years general foreman in The Gardens, Kildonan, Barr- 
hill, Ayrshire, N.B., lias been appointed head gardener to Mrs. 
H. S. FI. Lacon, Ormesby Hall, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and 
entered upon Iris new duties on February 27th. 
* * * 
A Garden Suburb at Bristol. —The cry back to the laud has 
developed into a scheme for a garden suburb at Bristol. The 
site selected is at Mangotsfield, and it is announced that build¬ 
ing operations will commence about the end of March. Thei 
Bristol Garden Suburb Association issues shares on the prin¬ 
ciple of the co-operation society. It has 230 acres, and the 
smallest holding is one-eighth of an acre. All the houses will 
be detached or semi-detached, and 30 ft. will intervene between 
each pair of houses. 
* * * 
Pea Nuts. —During the past 10 years the Pea Nut, or, more 
popularly, the Monkey Nut (Aracliis hypogaea), has been greatly 
increasing in vogue in this country. At the present time they 
sell at 16s. to 17s. per cwt. Confectioners use them in the place 
of Almonds. The exports from Senegal alone average 10,000 
tons. The best of them come to this country. On the Con¬ 
tinent they are largely used for the expression of oil. Tliis is 
no doubt the reason that Continental people, including thei 
French, Dutch, and Germans, take a larger quantity than we do. 
The opinion is prevalent in the trade that the Monkey Nut will 
become as popular as Tomatos or Bananas. It is stated that 
during the cold weather they have been ousting the Sweet, 
Chestnut on account of their warming properties. 
* * * 
The “Woman’s Agricultural Times.”— While the Lady 
Warwick Hostel was situated at Reading a journal was pub¬ 
lished on behalf of the same. When the school was moved to 
the Lady Warwick College, Studley Castle, Warwick, the publi¬ 
cation was interrupted for .a time, but has now been resumed,' 
the journal .appearing quarterly m a new form. The first number, 
gives a full-page picture of Lady Marjorie Greville, now) 
Viscountess Helmeley, and daughter of Lord and Lady Warwick. 
An article has been written on Lady Warwick’s College in its 
new quarters, giving its aims and aspirations, by the Warden. 
How to live in the country, fruit growing, fruit growing m 
England and foreign fruit trade, Asparagus culture, the mole, 
agricultural co-operation, scientific agriculture in Scandinavia, 
women as gardeners, rural industries, the poultry industry, ami, 
various other subjects are dealt with. Although the journal 
comes out at fewer intervals, it is larger, and' contains a greater 
variety of matter. 
* * * ] 
Retirement of Mr. George Field Morris.—W e understand 
that Mr. G. F. Morris, F.S.I., senior partner of 'the firm of 
Messrs. Protlieroe and Morris, 67 and 68, Cheapside, London, 
and Leytonstone, has retired from the firm as from December 31st 
last. His father was one of the original partners of the firm. 
He himself was born at Leytonstone, 'and educated at Forest 
Place Academy. Early in life he gave evidence of a natural tastt 
and talent for drawing and music. Nevertheless, at rthe age o! 
fourteen, he entered the nursery business in order to. learn tlx 
practical details of horticulture in all its branches. As an auc¬ 
tioneer he conducted 'hi© first sale in 1860. He has been con¬ 
nected with, the firm for 58 years, although for the last 10 year, 
he has not been actively engaged in it, having left the entire 
management to the four other partners, Messrs. H. G. Morris,- 
J. B. Slade, T. A. Morris, and A. E. Protlieroe, who will con¬ 
tinue the business. We are glad to state that Mr. G. E. Mom 
is still in excellent health, and we are sure all our readers wil 
wish him many years of health to enjoy his well-earned retire¬ 
ment. In 1870 he opened a branch office at Leytonstone as f 
land and estate agent and auctioneer, and since then tins hat; 
practically been his duty and labour in the firm, taking ful 
charge of it, and developing this branch of the business. H< 
has been very extensively engaged in laying out estates for build 
iug purposes and in disposing of them to buyers. He also was 
an adept a.t valuation. His talent for music and drawing nevei' 
left him, for lie is an adept at the pencil, and we have seen mam 
beautiful sketches of his, and have also- listened with delight ti 
bis music. The style and title of the firm will remain as hitherto 
