February 4, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
103 
wireworms and other troublesome pests. When potted for 
blooming plenty of air is necessary for the plants to keep them 
free from diseases commonly known as “rust” and “spot.” 
The shading of the blooms, staking, feeding, and other essential 
things for the welfare of the plants were dealt with by the 
speAker, and the names of the best varieties to grow were given, 
as well as various recipes for the prevention and extermination 
of diseases and insect pests. At the close of the address several 
questions were asked which were readily answered by Mr. 
Martin, anil the discussion which ensued undoubtedly proved 
a benefit to many of those present. Mr. Wilks, gardener to the 
Hon. Dudley Ryder, Worth, was awarded the society’s Certifi¬ 
cate for a nice exhibit of Poinsettia pulcherrima, which was 
ureatly admired. Three names were added to the list of mem¬ 
bers. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Martin for his 
excellent paper, and also to Mr. Holton for presiding, which 
was carried accordingly, and a very profitable evening thus 
brought to a close. 
* * * 
The British Gakdexers’ Association.— “ The aims and 
objects of the British Gardeners’ Association” was the subject 
under discussion at a meeting held under the auspices of the 
Loughborough and District Gardeners’ Association, at the Town 
Hali, Loughborough, on the 17th inst., Mr. J. T. Smith pre¬ 
siding over a large and representative attendance of local gar¬ 
deners. In the course of his address, Mr. W. H. Divers, head 
gardener at Belvoir Castle, and a member of the Committee of 
Selection of the “B.G.A.,” after giving a most interesting 
account of the early history of gardening and the great advance¬ 
ment that has been made in all branches of gardening within 
recent times, said that, most unfortunately, there had not been 
a corresponding advance in the wages paid to gardeners. He 
then proceeded to most carefully and lucidly explain the objects 
and programme of the association, pleading that hearty support 
should be given to it by both employer and employed. After 
some discussion, upon the motion of Mr. D. Roberts, of Prest- 
wold Gardens, Loughborough, it was unanimusly resolved that 
“ all those present pledge themselves to give their support and 
co-operation to the British Gardeners’ Association.” Mr. W. 
Begbie having been elected local secretary, the usual hearty 
votes of thanks were accorded to the lecturer and chairman. 
- Meetings for the purpose of organising branches of the 
association will be held in the following towns:—Croydon 
(February 7th), Waltham Cross (February 7th), Norwich (Feb¬ 
ruary 8th), Leeds (February 11th), Birmingham (February 13th) ; 
also in Manchester, Liverpool, Bath, Crawley, Newport (Mon.), 
Exeter, Wylam-on-Tyne, and Altrincham. It is hoped that 
gardeners residing near any of these towns will make an effort 
to be present at the meetings. Lip to the present meetings have 
been held at Oxford, Haslemere, Caterham, Redhill, Bourne¬ 
mouth, Ijiswich, Sunderland, Cardiff, Swansea, Loughborough, 
and Newcastle. Secretaries of gardeners’ societies are invited to 
communicate with the secretary of the association with a view 
to making arrangements for meetings in their respective 
districts. 
* * * 
i 
1 
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. —Open 
Spares : At the monthly meeting of the Metropolitan Public. 
Gardens Association, held at 83, Lancaster Gate, W., recently, 
the Earl of Meath (chairman) presiding, draft of the annual 
report showing some thirty items of work successfully 
carried out during the past year was read and approved. It was 
mentioned that there was a decrease ini the income, which was 
partly accounted for by the absence of certain receipts for special 
objects obtained in 1903, but that more new members and donors 
were needed in order to maintain and extend the work. The 
chairman drew attention to the decision of the London County 
Council not. to make the teaching of swimming obligatory in its 
schools owing to a deficiency of accommodation, and it was re¬ 
solved to communicate with the Council on the subject, which 
was one falling within the lines of the association’s work. A 
letter was read from the Council stating that it. had refused an 
application for building over a number of forecourts in the 
Euston Road, to which the association had objected, and a 
hope was expressed that this refusal would pave the way for a 
general boulevard scheme in the Marylebone, Euston, and Pen- 
tonville Roads, of which the association had always been an 
advocate. It was decided to give assistance to the planting of 
tiees in thoroughfares in Stepney and Poplar, to make a grant 
of seats for the Public Library Garden in Mill wall, and to 
wpP y gymnastic aoparatus for the lads’ clubs in Buxton Street, 
V/hitechanel, and Tait Street, St. George’s-in-the-East, and for 
the parochial gymnasium which .had been fitted up by the asso¬ 
ciation m the crypt of St. Peter’s Church, Wal worth, nine years 
ago. A letter was received from the Poplar Borough Counci 
assenting to the amended plan of the association for the laying 
out of tlie parish disused churchyard, and it was decided to 
ask the Council to proceed with the legal steps requisite for 
securing a transfer of the ground. The London. Squares and 
Enclosures (Preservation) Bill was considered, as also was tin 
London County Council’s General Powers Bill, the clauses in 
which relating to the exchange and sale of any public spaces 
in the Council’s possession were thought to be far too wide. 
It was agreed to urge the Board of Agriculture to reintroduce 
the Open Spaces Consolidation Bill of last session. Letters were 
read about the Italian roof garden being formed in Duke Street; 
and about vacant sites in Notting Hill, Upper Sydenham, Mile 
End, and elsewhere, and it was stated that no reply had as yet 
come to hand from the Corporation with regard to the associa¬ 
tion’s request that its committee should receive a deputation in 
reference to the preservation of the neglected Shad well Fish 
Market site as an open space. 
* * * 
The Selborne Society.— Few, if any, of the members of the 
Selborne Society, which perpetuates the memory of Gilbert 
White, have followed more closely in the footsteps of this old- 
time English naturalist than Mrs. Bright won. In this connec¬ 
tion an illustrated interview with her in her home at Stanmore 
which appears in “ The Girls’ Realm ” for February is of interest 
not only to members of the Selborne Society, of which Airs. 
Brightwen is vice-president, but also to the readers of her 
charming books and all lovers of Nature throughout the English- 
speaking world. The article in question, which is by the hon. 
secretary. Air. Wilfred Alark Webb, is practically a review of 
Mrs. Brightwen’s observations. These deal more particularly 
with creatures which have become pets without being kept in 
captivity, though those are mentioned that were confined, 
but spent a no less happy existence so soon as they had become 
familiar enough with their mistress to be allowed the run of 
her house. Squirrels, field-mice, robins, rooks, are amongst 
the former, Virginian nightingales, owls, and staghorn beetles 
among the latter. The secret of Airs. Brightwen’s success is 
described, and pictures of pets, of curious plants, and of the 
museum are given, as well as a number of delightful little views 
taken in the beautiful grounds of her house. 
* * * 
Croydon Horticultural AIutual Improvement Society.— 
The fifth annual dinner of the above society was held at the 
Greyhound Hotel, Croydon, on the 25th inst., under the pre¬ 
sidency of Air. J. J. Reid, the vice-chair being taken by Air. 
R. Hooper Pearson. The attendance was a very large one, and 
the room was beautifully decorated with large Palms. After 
dinner the usual loyal toasts were proposed by the chairman, 
while the vice-chairman proposed “ The Society.” He recounted 
facts relating to the founding of the society and its gradual 
increase until they had from 130 to 133 members. He thought 
that employers might assist the society, inasmuch as the good 
work done there was ultimately for their benefit. By the ex¬ 
change of views, not only amongst local gardeners, hut by the 
assistance of those from a. distance, he thought it was the means 
of obtaining a maximum benefit. In reading papers he thought 
that gardeners should always choose the subject with which 
they were most acquainted. Air. Douglas Young replied to the 
toast, and said that the great success which had attended the 
society justified its existence, and he suggested that the Croydon 
Horticultural Society might affiliate with such societies as 
theirs. He had great respect for the profession, as it combined 
the scientific and the artistic. He could not conceive anything 
more useful or helpful than their society. Air. Harry Boshier. 
hon. secretary, said that in gaining three vice-presidents during 
the year it was evidence that the employers were taking an 
interest in the society. They had been working most amicably 
with the other two societies in the town. They carried forward 
a balance of £1 14s. 4d. at December 31st last. The balance 
was not a large one, but he explained that the money had been 
used for the benefit of the members. Last year they had 
nineteen meetings, at which lectures and papers were given. 
They also had exhibits brought to the meetings, thus creating 
a wider interest in the same. He urged those present to in¬ 
crease the number of members. Air. AI. E. Alills proposed 
“ Kindred Societies,” coupling the toast with the name of Dr. 
Jackson. The latter, in replying, said that the Croydon Society 
was doing excellent work, and mentioned other societies also 
carrying out their special duties. He thought, however, that 
there should be a society to run a Dahlia show in Croydon. 
At Thornton Heath they were running three shows, and this 
year were going to try another. He thought that societies not 
only helped to make gardeners more efficient, but interested 
them in their work. The prizes for essays were then presented 
