THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 18, 1905. 
145 
Native Guano 
The above fertiliser, manufactured and sent out by the 
Native Guano Company, Limited, 29, Bridge Street, Black- 
friars, London, S.E., continues to find a great number ot 
customers in various parts of the country, who have not been 
slow to acknowledge the results obtained, judging by the 
large number of testimonials here given. These testimonials 
come from England, Scotland, Wales, and the Channel Islands, 
and are classified under the various counties, and the addresses 
being given testify that those who have used the Guano do 
not hesitate to describe the results they have obtained by the 
use of it. Needless to say, it has been employed for all sorts 
of gardens, in the field, and for vegetables as well as Wheat, 
Barley, and other cereals. To be more specific from a garden 
point of view, it has been successfully employed with such 
kitchen garden crops as Potatos, Onions, Carrots, Peas, Beans, 
Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Turnips, etc. It would be 
needless, and even impossible here, to recount half of the 
opinions given, but while some regard the results as very 
satisfactory, others again say : most successfully, reliable, safe 
in action, best for general crops, can highly recommend, well 
satisfied, and other phrases which are used to indicate the 
satisfactory results obtained from the use of the manure. 
Others do' not hesitate to use it for garden flowers. Native 
Guano is sufficiently concentrated to be sprinkled on the 
ground to be planted, or on the surface by way of a stimulant 
later on, just as various concentrated artificial manures are 
employed. In this case, however, although it is necessary 
to use caution in the strength employed, there is not the 
same danger as in the case of the excessive use of artificial 
manures that may be employed. 
Messrs. Laxton’s Seed Catalogue, 
Readers will remember that Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, 
are chiefly notable for the numerous and very superior Straw¬ 
berries which they have raised and put into cultivation. We 
cannot forget, however, that many splendid varieties of 
culinary or garden Peas have also been raised and sent out 
by the same firm. The catalogue of seeds now issued records 
the varieties which they have thus been instrumental in 
putting before the public. Good descriptions accompany each 
of the varieties. Vegetables generally are also dealt with in 
the same way, and they also catalogue seed Potatos and flowers 
for a great variety of purposes. 
On the Editor’s Table. 
Tree Carnation Elliott’s Queen. 
The second week of February is not the best time of the 
year for getting Carnations of the largest size and in their 
best form, but a very handsome bloom of Elliott's Queen has 
reached us from Messrs. H. and J. Elliott, Courtbushes Nur¬ 
series, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. 
The flower itself measured 3 in. in diameter, and consisted 
of numerous petals forming a hemispherical bloom and per¬ 
fectly full in the centre. The colour was not a very common 
one in Carnations, and though the light in London at the time 
was not of the best' we are afraid that a brighter light would 
only have increased the difficulty by introducing other colours, 
owing to the intensity and incidence of the light, as must be 
well-known to all who study the subtle colours of florists’ 
flowers and the way they behave under transmitted light. 
We should describe'the colour as rich rose flushed with a 
shade of violet or purple, this latter colour being most evident 
on the reversed edge of some of the petals. The senders’ own 
description is rich rose-pink with a brilliant purplish metallic 
lustre. The petals were broad round the outer edge of the 
flower, but nearly all the others were a good width for a flower 
of such size. They were also rather deeply toothed at the 
edges, but this is a character which applies to most true Carna¬ 
tions. If the average size of the bloom of this variety in any 
way approaches that sent, the variety could scarcely fail to 
become popular, as it is a very handsome and effective variety. 
The calyx was also well formed, regularly divided at the 
apex, fully 1 in. long, and therefore not so likely to split irre¬ 
gularly as those which are short and inflated. The bloom was 
also decidedly fragrant, and with a higher temperature, or 
before being so long cut, no doubt the clove scent would even 
be stronger. There can be no doubt that it is a magnificent 
Carnation, and we anticipate a great run of popularity for it 
when it becomes better known. 
Society & Association Notes. 
Scottish Pansy and Viola Association. — The genex-al meet¬ 
ing of this society was held in Glasgow on the 8 th inst., Mr. 
John Stewart (president) in the chair. The report showed that 
twenty new Pansies, six new Violas, one new bedding Lobelia, 
and one new early-flowering Chrysanthemum had been certifi¬ 
cated luring last season. Office-bearers and judge® for 1905 
were appointed: President, Mr. R.. T. Milne, Bridge of Wen- 
secretary, John Smellie, Pansy Gardens, Busby. After the 
business of the society was over, Mr. Alex. Sweet, of Cathcart, 
delivered a characteristic lecture on “ Hardy Flowers,” dealing 
specially with Liliums and the rarer varieties of herbaceous 
plants, all of which lie hacl grown successfully in his own 
garden. He also expressed liis views on varieties most suit¬ 
able for Scotch gardens, and how they should be displayed to 
best advantage. After Messrs. Stewart, Fife, Campbell, Robert¬ 
son, and others had expressed their appreciation of the paper, 
Mr. Sweet was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. 
* * * 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution. —The Liverpool 
Auxiliary is worthy of high praise for the manner that their 
annual social gathering was conducted on Saturday last. This 
function has now secured a leading position amongst gardeners 
and nurserymen, and the latest will add to its fame for its 
enterprise in making known the benefits of the society, and as 
a reunion where pleasure and good fellowship are leading 
factors. The chair was most ably filled by Dr. J. G. \\. 
McFall, M.B., D.S., S.C.S., lecturer in botany, Municipal 
Technical Schools, who. in a practical address strongly advo¬ 
cated the claims of the institution, so. that when the.' days of 
toil were numbered there would be in store such assistance as 
was most needed. He thanked the committee for the honour 
conferred upon him by inviting him to. occupy the chair. He 
was in close touch with the gardener, whom he considered the 
most apt of his pupils, and amongst the numerous gathering, lie 
found many faces well known to him, and whom he was pleased 
to- meet. The hall, as usual, was tastefully decorated with 
plants and cut flowers, for which Mr. C. A. Young, Messrs. E. 
Webb and Son, and Messrs. R.. P. Ker and Sons, and others 
received the cordial thanks of the, meeting. The secretary 
announced subscriptions, and donations amounting to sixteen 
guineas, which was received with applause. Other votes of 
thanks, included the chairman, secretary, and treasurer, anil 
the artistes:, who contributed a charming musical combination. 
* * _ ■* 
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. —Open 
Spaces: At the monthly meeting of this association, held at 
83, Lancaster Gate, W., on the 1st inst., Sir William Vincent, 
Bart., vice^chaiianan, presiding, the recent death, of Mr. F. D. 
Mocatta. was. alluded to in sympathetic terms, he having been a 
vice-chairman of the association for nearly twenty years, a regular 
atlendant at its meetings, and a liberal supporter of its work, 
and a vote of condolence was passed with his widow and family 
in then* bereavement It was stated that the Postmaster-General 
had last week favourably received a. deputation, on which the 
association was represented, in: reference to the disfigurement, of 
commons and public spaces by telegraph and telephone wires and 
posts, and had promised that he would omit the compulsory 
clause relating to public spaces from the Telegraph Construction 
Bill, to which the association! and others had taken exception. 
A proposal for the acquisition of twenty-five acres of land at 
Denmark Hill was under consideration, and it was decided to ap¬ 
point representatives to serve on a joint committee. An applica¬ 
tion was received from the Camberwell. Borough Council for 
assistance in the laying out of some land in Varcoe Read, about 
which further information was needed. A letter to the Press in 
reference to the promotion of window gardens in poor localities 
was approved. Grants of seats: were made for a public library 
garden, Galbraith Street, Isle of Dogs, and for Ufford Street 
recreation ground, New Cut. The secretary stated that gym- 
