May?, 1904 THE GARDENING WORLD . 
311 
liongst the gardeners of f lie district by providing lectures on all 
ibjects relative to the horticultural profession, and by their 
forts making the gardening fraternity of Bristol seoond to none 
1 the kingdom. The society shows a membership of over 100, 
hich number, it is hoped, will be considerably increased during 
he coming year. Th© subscription is only 2s. 6d. per annum, 
"hich, considering the amount of information obtained from the 
8 lectures given, is a small amount, and quite within the reach of 
very class of horticulturist. Young gardeners especially would do 
■ell by joining a society such as this, where they would be helped 
o master tile profession they had chosen. Col. Cary Batten had 
igaiu been unanimously elected president, Mr. Garnish as chair- 
nan, and Mr. Lee as vice-chairman. Messrs. Curtis and Garnish 
tot as librarians to the library, which, although only in its 
nfancy, is in a flourishing condition. Mr. W. Ellis Groves is 
he boil, secretary and treasurer, with Mr. H. Kitley 'as liis 
issistant and 15 members as committee, Mr. H. Groves acting 
is registrar. Prizes offered on Thursday last for three table 
daiits went to Mr. J. C. Godwin (gardener, Mr. McCulloch); 
q r 'W. Howell Davis (gardener, Mr. Curtis); and Mr. S. White 
o-ardener, Mr. Bruce). A certificate of merit went to Mr. J. C. 
jkxlwin for Odontoglossum triumphans. A special certificate 
vas recommended for Messrs. Garaway and Co. for a magnificent 
ot of zonal Pelargoniums. 
. * * * 
Scottish Horticultural Association. —The monthly meeting 
>{ this association was held in Dowell's. Rooms, 18, George 
Street, Edinburgh, on the 3rd inst. There was a good attendance 
of members, presided over by Mr. J. W. MoHattie (president). 
Mr. George Gordon, V.M.H., Endsleigh Priory, Kew, delivered 
a very interesting and informative lecture on “ Flowering Trees 
'and Shrubs.” The lecture was freely illustrated by limelight 
views. Mr. Gordon considers that the class of plants under 
review have until recent years been sadly neglected, and strongly 
advocates a selection of only the very best trees arid shrubs 
in gardens of moderate size. One of the most attractive slides 
exhibited was tlia-t of a plant of Magnolia stellate. The lecturer 
specially recommended Prunus triloba, especially for conserva¬ 
tory decoration. Siberian Crabs were recommended for exten¬ 
sive planting, flowers, fruit, and foliage all being very attractive 
m turn. Berberls stenophylla was also' a very attractive slide. 
Cytisus praecox made a lovely slide. Dealing with the Lilacs, 
ilr. Gordon urged the necessity of keeping the plants clear of 
suckers. Mr. Gordon dealt in turn with a great variety of 
trees and shrubs other than those indicated. The exhibits on 
the table included : From Mr. John Woodrow, The Gardens, 
St. Margaret’s Tower, Edinburgh, a, plant of herbaceous Calceo¬ 
laria flowered the second year; this plant was 3ft. in diameter, 
and was well flowered, which was awarded a Cultural Certificate ; 
from Messrs. Dickson and Co., Royal Nurseries, Craigmillar, 
Edinburgh, six pots of Anemone Fire King ; from Messrs. Grieve 
and Sons, Redbra.es Nursery, Edinburgh, Arabis albida ti. pi., 
gold-laced Polyanthus, and Myosotis. Queen Victoria ; from Mr. 
V Johnstone, Hay Lodge, Trinity, a plant of Tillandsia nobilis 
in flower ; from Mr. Wm. Copeland, Orwell Lodge, Edinburgh, 
t a plant of Spiraea astilboides ; from Mr. J. Cameron, Tlie 
warden, Auchterarder House, Perthshire, a collection of Rose 
blooms and spikes of Dendrobium Auchterarder Pearl ; from 
Messrs. Thos. Methven and Sons, Warriston Nurseries, Edin¬ 
burgh, a collection of Japanese Maples, single-flowered plants of 
Hydrangea hortensis, and two plants of T’aberna© montanum 
tooronaria, and a collection ’ of Magnolia blooms; from Mr. 
■Ueslie, Trinity Cottage, Edinburgh, trusses of four seedling 
| greenhouse Rhododendrons ; from Mr. M. Todd, Stoneybank, 
Musselburgh, a collection of Violas, including a pure white 
seedling named Todd’s Virgin White, which was awarded a Cer- 
-ificate of Merit.—C. C. 
School Teachers’ Examination in Cottage and Allotment 
Gardening.— -The Royal Horticultural Society will hold an 
examination in cottage gardening on Tuesday, June 21st, 1904. 
; Ibis examination is intended for, and will be confined to, 
elementary school teachers. It lias been undertaken in view of 
tue increasing demand in country districts that the 
j schoolmaster shall be competent to teach the elements' 
m cottage gardening, and the existing absence of any 
test whatever of such competence. The general con- 
duct of this examination will be on similar lines to that of 
tUe more general examination. A copy of the syllabus, with 
u particulars, may be obtained by sending a stamped and 
Wet' e i 1V ? lo]3e to the seci 'etary, R.H.S., 117, Victoria Street, 
Potatos in Cornwall. —The early Potato crop in Cornwall is 
making substantial progress. The haulm covers the ground in 
the more favoured situations, and, so far, has not beeu injured 
by frost. 
* * * 
Presentation to Mr. W. J. Buchanan.— On leaving Kippen 
to become head gardener to the Earl of Mar and Kellie at 
Alloa Park, Mr. W. J. Buchanan, of the Forth Vineries, re¬ 
ceived a purse of sovereigns from his friends. 
\ * * * 
Rhododendrons in Nottingham Park. —The people of Not¬ 
tingham are regretting that this year’s display of Rhododendrons 
in the park will probably be the last, as the park is being 
rapidly broken up into building allotments, so that instead of 
flowers there will be houses and streets. The Rhododendrons 
will presently be at their best. 
* * * 
Late Broccoli crops in Cornwall are suffering somewhat by 
competition with good supplies from Kent. Young Cabbages 
coming in large quantities from Worcestershire are also affect¬ 
ing the sale of Broccoli, as well as Cabbages, from Cornwall, 
but why this should be is not very clear, unless the Worcester¬ 
shire article is of better quality. 
* * * 
Policeman’^ Roof Garden.— Railway men are usually con¬ 
sidered very ardent and enthusiastic gardeners. They are not 
without rivals, however, for Mr. Hickman, the court-keeper, 
has an interesting garden on the roof of Southwark Police 
Court. He grows both vegetables and flowers, the latter pre¬ 
dominating, as the plants are confined to pots. 
* * * 
Eldorado Fotatos in Pots.— The cultivation of Potatos in 
pots is very extensive this year. One firm of growers in Spald¬ 
ing is said to have 15,000 pot plants on hand. The plants have 
been raised from cuttings, and consist of a single stem each. 
They are being offered for sale at £4 each. Several other varie¬ 
ties of Potatos are being grown in the same way. 
* * * 
Cut Flowers of Foreign Growth are said to be diminishing 
in the quantities imported, and this is said to be due to the 
increase of home culture. The home-grown flowers would also 
be fresher. We often wonder how any sale can be obtained 
for flowers that have been huddled together in heaps for some 
time in the florists’ shops, without being placed in water. 
* * * 
Plants Benefited by Ants. —The* European species, of Saw- 
wort (Serratula) are said to be particularly liable to attack 
from a certain kind of beetle which destroys their flowers whole¬ 
sale if allowed free scope. The scales underneath the flower heads 
of this genus are furnished with glands that exude a liquid, and 
tliis is much sought after by a species of ant which is selfish 
enough to drive away the beetle or other insect with which it 
may be able to cope. This custom is, however, of particular 
advantage to the plants, by preventing the flower heads from 
being destroyed by the beetle. In tropical America there are 
even more interesting instances of plants frequented by ants to 
the mutual benefit of both. One good instance is that of Acacia 
sphaerooephala, tlie Bull’s-horn "Acacia. The leaves of this 
species bear Little pear-shaped nodules of soft and succulent 
tissues on their edges, and the ants make use of this for food. 
The older spines situated at the base of the leaves generally have 
their tips broken off, and, being hollow, they afford lodgment 
for the ants. The Acacia takes its popular name from these 
hollow, spiny, and horn-like stipules. When the tree is dis¬ 
turbed by an aiinmal the ant.s rush out and attack it. Tlie species 
of Cecropia have hollow stems and branches, and these afford 
lodgment for armies of ants that serve as a bodyguard. The 
species of Myrmecodia, natives of Java, form short tuberous- 
looking stems filled with galleries, and forming intricate 
passages that give accommodation to large armies of airts of a 
very aggressive character, and which sally out on being dis¬ 
turbed by aggressors. These galleries are not likely to have 
been formed for the accommodation of ants, but it is certain that 
ants have taken possession of them, so that they serve the double 
advantage of being beneficial to host and guest. 
