February 18, 1905. 
THE OA R DEN IMG WORL D. 
13 
Solanum integrifolium. 
Tl.o genus Solanum, of which the Potato is a typical ex- 
nlvmU , enjoys a wide distribution over the world, and has 
lid into an immense number of forms. As many as 900 
‘ more have been described, but possibly TOO or 800 would 
I more nearly the correct number of decidedly distinct 
ies In this country, with the exception of Potatos, they 
irvown purely for ornamental purposes. Some are appre¬ 
ciated for the sake of their ornamental* foliage; others tor 
their blossom, and another section for the sake of their highly 
coloured and ornamental berries. 
The species under notice is ornamental only tor the sake ot 
richly coloured fruits of large size. These fruits bear con¬ 
siderable resemblance to a small Tomato, and as m that case 
' 1 - are home in clusters from the side of the stem. Roughly 
,Skiin' the hemes are about the size of a pigeon’s egg, 
sometimes larger, sometimes smaller, the larger ones being 
ribbed like a Tomato and dark crimson-red. The leaves are 
(n -il or elliptic, and in spite of the specific name, they have 
few coarse teeth on either side, but this might be due to a 
oreater vigour under cultivation. Some of the leaves 
may be entire. They are also furnished with small 
spines on the midrib. _ 
The species is a native of Asia and Africa, and 
does not seem to be much known in cultivation. The 
only specimens we have seen are those which have 
been fruiting in the greenhouse No. -4 at Kew dining 
the past winter. The shrubby stems are. about 2 ft. 
to 24 ft. in height; possibly they might be grown 
shorter by cutting back seedling plants and growing 
them on again, and in all probability larger plants 
could be obtained if desirable. Our illustration 
shows about half a dozen plants forming part of a 
large group in the house named. 
Acalypha Hispida. 
The Acalypha being such a showy subject, I think it 
deserves better culture than we usually find meted 
out to it. Quite recently I visited a garden of 
repute, and I was surprised to find such poor ex¬ 
amples of this beautiful stove plant. 
It may be had in bloom all the year round. Insert 
cuttings" from the tips of the shoots singly in small 
pots and plunge in a brisk bottom heat. Keep close 
and moist until rooted, which should be about a fort¬ 
night after putting in. They should then be potted 
into 5-in. pots, giving them a compost in which leaf- 
soil and sand predominate. Their surroundings 
should be kept damp (this is very; essential), for a 
hot, dry atmosphere means small leaves, short racemes (or 
tails) and a starved appearance. Pot on as they require it, 
choosing an 11-in. pot for the final shift. Their compost 
after the 48-size should consist of lumpy, fibrous loam 
two parts, with half part each of leaf-soil and sand. 
Some growers add peat, but my experience is that 
they are stronger and better in colour without it. Ply 
the syringe freely at all stages of growth, only laying 
it aside when the tails are at their best. The Acalypha 
is a gross feeder, and should be given copious supplies of 
liquid manure, artificial or farmyard—the latter for prefer¬ 
ence. Plants grown on the single-stem system are the most 
attractive. If the foregoing principles are adhered to, plants 
7 ft. high with hundreds of racemes will be 1 the result. 
^ George F. Sleight (Foreman). 
Hampworth Lodge Gardens, Salisbury. 
Southport Winter Gardens.— A new company has purchased 
this public resort at Southport, and intends making such im¬ 
provements that the gardens will be a place to which the South- 
port people will delight to go. The new directors are believed 
to entertain several excellent ideas for the future development 
of the estate. 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. 
Tho seventh annual general meeting of the subscribers to 
the ahovo fund was Ivld at “Simpson’s,” 100, Strand, London, 
W.C., on the 10th inst, Mr. Henry 15. May, the chairman of tin 
Executive Committee, presiding. Of 31 candidates for the 
benefits of tho fund, 14 were to be elected. 
Report of the Executive Committee. 
In presenting their seventeenth annual report, the Executive 
Committee has again the pleasure of congratulating the sup¬ 
porters of the fund upon a year’s record of steady progress 
and enhanced usefulness. They could have heartily welcomed 
a larger measure of financial support, especially from ttie class 
whose children alone derive the benefits of the fund, but in 
the face of the “ hard times” it is a matter for congratulation 
that the revenue (exclusive of legacies, etc.) shows an increase 
of some £35. 
As will be seen from the accounts presented herewith, there 
has been a slight increase in annual subscriptions, which is. 
unhappily, more than counterbalanced by the falling off under 
the general heading of donations. This the committee greatly 
Solanum integrifolium : Fruits crimson-red. 
deplores, for the reason that the deficiency is attributable 
mainly to the smaller amounts obtained by means of collecting 
boxes, the sale of flowers, etc., at exhibitions, musical enter¬ 
tainments, and the opening of private gardens for file benefit 
of the fund. On the other hand, the collection at (and in 
consequence of) the annual festival amounted to a larger sum 
than has resulted from any festival held since 1896. 
The payments made on account of the children show an in¬ 
crease over the amount paid in the previous year of £74 10s.. 
largely owing to the increased number of candidates who re¬ 
quired assistance while waiting for election. The committee 
consider it extremely desirable that they should be placed in 
a position to meet the numerous pressing applications for 
assistance made under Rule 14, and again earnestly appeal to 
those most nearly interested in the matter for a larger measure 
of support to enable them to do so. It is the committee s ex¬ 
perience that in most of the cases that come before them the 
poor widows and children are left almost destitute, and most 
pitifully apply for help, that the committee has been glad 
to grant when possible, and to give promptly, thereby en 
hancing its value; but with so many claims coming upon 
them it would seem that in the near future it may happen 
that this much-needed help will not be forthcoming without 
some increase in the annual subscriptions. 
The number of orphans who have been elected to receive the 
benefits of the fund during the past sixteen years is 189. and 
