THE GARDENING WORLD , 
January 28, 1905. 
8-2 
animals are not under physic. It should be allowed to remain 
heaped up for some time, turning the heap about twice a week. 
When a temperature of 75 to 80 is kept up the beds may be 
prepared in a sloping condition, about 4 in 12. These are 
best made in a covered shed, for then protection is given from 
severe frost and rains." Cover the bed with finely-sifted loam 
to a depth of 3 in., break the spawn into pieces about the size 
of a hen’s egg, and insert 9 in. apart. Gently pat the bed 
down, but not plaster the surface ; cover over with loose litter 
about 2 in. or 3 in. deep. If the bed becomes at all dry, moisten 
with tepid water containing a little salt, but great care should 
be exercised in applying moisture, otherwise the bed will be 
spoilt. The Mushrooms should appear in six to eight weeks 
from time of spawning. Woodlice are best prevented by shaking 
pepper round the sides of the house. For growing in the open 
air he recommended building the beds in ridges, also in pits, 
and treated in the same way as in sheds, only more covering 
must be' used, and heavy mats or tarpaulin. The supply can) 
be kept up all through the year.' The paper evoked animated 
discussion, which brought out further cultural points, those 
taking part being Messrs. Mills, Bentley, Etherington, Oxtoby, 
Gregory, Bunyard, May, Harris, Bushier, Channon, and Padley. 
An exhibit of mushrooms was staged by- Mr. Cook, and 
from the lion, secretary (Mr. H. Boshier) came samples of 
bottled fruit, sterilised under the process recommended by Mr. 
Leach in a previous lecture, which was much appreciated. 
* * * 
X at r ox at. Potato Society. —In view of the great injury done 
to the Potato trade by expensive lawsuits, the National Potato 
Society has decided to establish an arbitration board. Its con¬ 
stituents, whose names follow, are gentlemen of sound judgment 
and <rreat experience in the trade. Their services are open to 
any members who care to settle their differences amicably and 
economically, instead of embarking on litigation, with its 
attendant cost, worries, and (owing to want of expert judgment) 
frequent injustice. The following is the list of arbitrators . 
Mr J. D. Blanshard, Bardney, Lincoln ; Mr. T. J. Blaydes, 
Ep worth, Doncaster; Mr. Wm. Cutlibertson, Debbies Seed 
Farms, Mark’s Tey, Essex ; Mr. Wm. Davie, 38, Market Street, 
Haddington, N.B. ; Mr. E. J. Deal (Messrs. W W. Johnson 
and Sons, Limited), Boston, Lines. ; Mr. W m. Deal, Brook lands, 
Kelvedon, Essex; Mr.. J. Gardiner, Perth N.B. ; Mr. Zeci. 
Gray, Everton, Sandy, Beds.; Mr. R. W . Green, Wisbech, 
Cambs. • Mr. E. T. Marsh, 15, Borough High Street, London, 
S E • Mr. G. Massey, 17, Market Place, Spalding, Lines. ; 
Mr Jeff Road, Fulford, York; Mr. James Robertson, 22, Mary 
Street, Dublin ; Mr. T. A. Scarlett, Market Street Edinburgh ; 
Mr. J. F. Williamson, Summer Hill, Mallow, co. Cork, Ireland. 
—Walter P. Wright. 
* * * 
D rx dee Horticultural Association. — The members of this 
association, along with a few friends, met at a social meeting 
and supper in Wood’s Rooms, Commercial Street on the even- 
liur 0 f January 20th. Ex-Bailie Melville presided Messrs. R, 
Cairns and Jas. Slater acted as croupiers. After doing justice 
to an excellent supper purveyed by Mr. Wood the chairman 
aave the toast, “The King, the Queen, and the Prince and 
Princess of Waffs,” which was enthusiastically responded to. 
"The Imperial Forces” was proposed by Mr. J. W. Land. 
Mr George Laurie replied. Ex-Bailie McDonald, in proposing 
« Tp e City and Trade of Dundee,” contrasted his first impres- - 
sions of the city and trade fifty years ago with the present 
time, remarking that the city magnate might grumble, as was 
his usual wont, about dull trade, but could still afford to di'ie 
about in his carriage and enjoyed his usual luxuries. Mir. 
D. P. Scott, banker, in replying, spoke pessimistically of the 
outlook, and expressed his opinion that bad times were in store 
for Dundee with its staple industry. “ The Dundee and Brouglity 
Ferry Horticultural Associations ” was proposed by Mr. David 
Storrie, who referred to the formation, growth, and activity of 
the Dundee Horticultural Association since its birth in 188C. 
As a convincing proof of the uncertainty of life, even among 
gardeners, he remarked that only five or six of the first council 
were now alive, and even these were showing signs of hoary- 
headedness. After briefly referring to Die kindness extended 
to the association by Mr. J. Martin W bite, by whose rnunfi- 
cence its members now possessed an excellent library of scientific 
and practical works, Mr. Storrie ref erred to the Droughty Ferry 
Horticultural Association as an offshoot which was making 
a bold and determined effort to outgrow the parent plant. Mr. 
R, Cairns and Mr. Jas. Slater, the respective presidents, re¬ 
plied. During intervals of songs and recitations rendered by 
members and others, “ The Nurserymen,” “ The Gardeners,” 
“ The Amateurs,” and kindred toasts were pledged. Mr. Grant, 
in proposing the health of “ The Chairman,” referred to the ex- 
Bailie’s popularity as president of the Chrysanthemum Society, 
his zeal and interest in everything connected with gardeners 
and gardening, and his desire when fostering the ancient art 
to beautify the city, of which they all hoped one day to see him 
Lord Provost. This toast was received with acclamation and 
the singing of “For he’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The chairman 
modestly but appropriately replied. The singing of “ Auld Lang 
Syne” brought a pleasant and enjoyable evening to a close.— 
James Bethel, Secretary. 
Accident to Mr. Charles Maddocks. — At Harrison’s Road, 
Edgbaston, Birmingham, while Mr. Charles Maddocks was 
standing on a plank in his vinery on the 17th inst. he acci¬ 
dentally slipped and sustained a broken leg. He is fifty-five 
years of age, and was removed to the general hospital. • 
* * * 
Accident to Mr. Arthur Worley. — The other week, while 
Mr. Arthur Worley, son of Mr. Alfred Worley, gardener to 
Colonel J. Hill, C.B., was helping his father to fell a small tree 
near the Park Cottage', Wollaston, li© ascended to cut off a 
branch, when the tree came down, causing the operator to 
dislocate his ankle. 
* * * 
Another Costly Carnation. — A new variety of Carnation 
with pure white flowers, except some traces of carmine on the 
petals (some say pure pink) has been raised from the celebrated 
Mrs. Thomas W. Lawson/and 20,000 dollars was paid for it on 
the 12th inst. by Mr. R, F. Pierson, a New York millionaire. 
This would amount to £4,000, that is, 10,000 dollars less than 
was paid for the original Carnation Airs. T. W. Lawson. Dif¬ 
ferent accounts are given of the name to be applied to this 
new comer, but one is Pierson’s Pink, while another account 
states that the new variety is known as the Frenzied Flower. 
* * * 
The Blizzard at Mentone. — Various accounts have reached 
this country of the far-reaching effects of the recent blizzard 
in South Europe. The Municipal Council of Mentone has 
voted £400 to help the unfortunate growers who are prac¬ 
tically ruined by the blizzard. It may be said that, owing to 
the destruction of flowers in that usually favoured and sunny 
district, prices, for various flowers have been, doubled or trebled 
at Covent Garden market. The ordinary wholesale price for 
Violets is Is, per dozen bunches, but that, has been trebled ; 
in like manner Narcissi have risen front Is. or Is. 6d. to 3s. 
Anemones, usually 9d. per dozen bunches, have risen to 2s. 6d. 
or 3s. Carnations have risen from 6d. to 2s. a dozen blooms. 
Roses, for Diiei time being have practically been wiped out. 
* * * 
Chrysanthemums in America. —According to Mr. George C. 
Watson, in “ The American Florist,” 1893 and 1894 were the 
banner years of the Chrysanthemum in America. In, other words, 
that period was considered the culminating one of the greatest 
glory of the autumn flower. He says that no better exhibits have 
ever been seen in America since that, time. Many of the skilled 
growers of those days have either died or left the field, and it 
does not seem that an equal number have taken their place, 
although some still keep up their reputation of former years. 
At that time big plants in pots reached their greatest dimen¬ 
sions, while the same might be said of the big blooms. Another 
point he takes up is the remarkable dearth of novelties. Eight 
or ten new varieties used to come before the committees every 
week during that period, but very few have been brought up 
this year. Judging from all this, he thinks that the Chrysan- 
themum lias reached its greatest perfection, and, at all events, 
that they have made no advance on the shows of ten years ago 
either in size, colour, quality, or culture. He does not, on this 
account, take a pessimistic view of the situation, but thinks 
that others as well as himself can make up their minds honestly 
to enjoy the autumn displays while they may. He admits having 
enjoyed the colour, form, and fragrance of the flowers, and 
hopes the day may be long in coming when he cannot have the 
same opportunity. 
