October 22, 1904 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
853 
By the National Chrysanthemum Society. 
October 5th. 
Chrysanthemum Mona Davis. 
This Japanese variety has numerous, very broad, drooping, 
creamy-white florets, making a bloom of great depth and 
solidity, and about 7 in. in diameter. The young florets in the 
centre are more or less whorled. The tips of the fully de¬ 
veloped florets are: bristly at the tips, making a distinctive 
feature. First-class certificate to Mr. Norman Davis, Fram- 
field, Uckfield, Sussex. 
Chrysanthemum Miss Lucie Devean. 
The flowers of this form are pure white, with incurved, and 
pointed florets. In general form it recalls Western King. It 
was accorded a First-class Certificate as an October market 
Jap. when shown by Mr. Norman, Davis. 
Chrysanthemum Japanese Viola. 
The above name is somewhat singular as applied to a Chry¬ 
santhemum, but it may be described as a globular Japanese 
bloom of great, depth, about 7 in. in diameter, with broad, 
much interlaced, pink florets, very often showing the silvery 
reverse. Award of Merit to Mr. M. Silsbury, Providence, 
Shanklin, Isle of Wight. 
Chrysanthemum Winnie. 
The blooms of this early-flowering, decorative variety are 
hemispherical, bright yellow, compact, and measure about 2 in. 
to 3 in. across. It was accorded a First-class Certificate as an 
October market variety when shown by Messrs, H. Canned 
and Sons, Swanley, Kent. 
Chrysanthemum Arthur du Cros. 
The above has 1 rosy-purple drooping florets, and therefore 
belongs to- the: reflexed Japanese section like Miss Mona Davis. 
First-class Certificate to Arthur du Cro®, Esq. (gardener Mr. 
T. Bullimorei), Canons’ Park, Edgware, Middlesex. 
The United Horticultural Benefit and 
Provident Society. 
ANNUAL DINNER. 
The eighteenth anniversary dinner of the above society was 
held in the Hoi bom, Restaurant, London, on Wednesday, 12th 
ins®, when about, ninety-eight sat. down to table under the 
presidency of W. A. Bilney, Esq., Weybridge. Amongst those 
present we noted Messrs. George Bunyard, William Sherwood, 
Riley Scott, E. F. Hawes, James Hudson, W. Collins', William 
Taylor, George Gordon, C. H. Curtis, John Heale, Lewis Castle, 
and various others who. take an interest, in this popular society. 
After the cloth was removed the chairman proposed “ The 
King,” and afterwards “ Queen Alexandra., the Prince and 
Princess of Wales', and other Members of the Royal Family,” 
the toasts being well received. 
Later on he proceeded 'to the most important toast of the 
evening, “ The United Horticultural Benefit, and Provident 
Society.” At. the outset he appreciated the honour of being 
called upon to take the chair. He. also congratulated Mr. 
James Hudson, the: treasurer, on the success recently achieved 
by his son. In brief he. related liisi successes at Cambridge 
University, and said, after waiting patiently for some time, 
lie had now obtained a post of great importance at Huddersfield. 
Proceeding, the chairman, in a humorous vein, said if he had 
known what he now knows concerning horticulture, he would 
never have been a. lawyer. At one time he wais 1 nearly ap¬ 
prenticed to a nurseryman ; such a business he calculated rea¬ 
lised at least a minimum of £10,000 a year. He himself never 
bought, a bulb from a foreign nurseryman, being patriotic 
enough to patronise his own countrymen. He eulogised the 
Horticultural Press for being honest in matters generally, and 
appreciated the fact that, they always gave unvarying assist¬ 
ance. to the United Horticultural. 
This society he says has existed for forty years, and ha- 
now assets worth £22,000. It, has over 1,000 members, seem¬ 
ingly ai large number, but he was surprised it was not greater. 
The society has an advantage over a life insurance society, inas¬ 
much as the capital is not forfeited if a member fails to pay 
the premium. In the latter event the capital is merely kept 
for him until lie reaches the aigei of sixty. It. is the duty of 
every member, and those who. are not members, to do. their 
best for this society. It was also, important to. join the other 
gardeners’ 'societies, inasmuch as a gardener’s children a.re 
looked after by one, his wife by another, and himself by this 
society. He. concluded by washing long life .and prosperity 
to the society, coupling the toast with the name of Mr. C. H. 
Curtis. 
After some remarks, Mr. Curtis .said the: 'society had been 
making provision to accept lady gardeners as members. The 
membership of the society, he said, was now close upon 1,100. 
He would emphasise the chairman’s remarks concerning the 
duty of members, and said that the latter do endeavour to 
get ordinary members 1 , and also, secure honorary ones, who 
were of great advantage to them, inasmuch as they do. not 
expect any assistance from the society in return. He de¬ 
scribed how he had been able to> secure a new honorary member 
for the society at the Potato' show. 
In due course Mr. E. F. Hawes proposed “ The Honorary and 
Life Members.” He said that, however satisfactory it was 
toi have so many life members at present, he hoped that the 
number would be increased to. 800 before long. This toast 
he coupled with the name of Mr. George' Bunyard. 
The latter on rising said that his friend, Mr. Bilney, had 
stopped short before finishing his story with regard to nursery¬ 
men. What' the chairman meant to say was that the nursery¬ 
men have to spend £10,000 before they receive anything in 
return. The nurserymen were able, however, to help societies 
like this, and he was glad to say that he never knew a better 
for the purpose for which it was intended. He continued that 
a nurseryman to 'succeed must, love his business just a® in the 
case of the gardener. During his 'lifetime his business as a 
nurseryman had brought him intouconta.ct with a great number 
of gardeners in. different parts' of the country, and he was glad 
to say that British gardeners were most honourable men, and 
in fact, lie had never found a. more honest, body of men. He 
trusted that this society would go on and prosper. 
Mr. James Hudson, Y.M.H., next proposed “ The Chairman.” 
He said that, given an enthusiastic chairman, they were bound 
■to succeed with their anniversary dinners, as: they had done, 
on that occasion:. In the course of further remarks he stated 
that the committee were revising the rules of the institution 
SO' that they might be able to increase the usefulness and im¬ 
portance of the society amongst! their fellow men. 
The chairman in replying, isaid that he would like to say 
a. word to young gardeners. They had great rivals in France, 
and greater one® in Germany. He thought, however, there 
was greater rivalry in. America, and recounted some of the 
humorous sayings which are reputed to have come from that 
quarter. In conclusion, he hoped that gardeners would sub¬ 
scribe as .early a® possible', and give all they could. 
Tlie chairman having to leave early, his place wa.si taken 
by Mr. George Bunyard, who conducted the proceedings for 
■the remainder of the evening. 
“ The Visitors ” was proposed by Mr. Riley Scott, and in 
due course responded to by Mr. T. IT. Puzey, F.S.A.A. 
“ Tlie Press,” was p-ropo'S-ed by Mr. William Taylor, who. 
spoke in eulogistic term® of the services rendered by the Horti¬ 
cultural Press. This toast was responded to by Mr. George 
Gordon, V.M.H., who gave some humorous hints a.s to- how 
certain plants were discussed by the daily press. He con¬ 
cluded by assuring them that the Horticultural Press would 
continue to exert themselves in favour of the society. 
During the course of the evening several songs were ren¬ 
dered by the Amphion Quartette, and several others, while 
recitations were also intercalated between the subjects. A 
very pleasant evening was thus spent, and concluded by-tlie 
singing of “ Auld Lang Syne.” 
