210 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 11, 1905. 
Plymouth,” and this was carried unanimously. Mr. W. S. E. 
Cholwill, head gardener, Lukoslaiid, Ivy bridge, was appointed 
local secretary, and all those wishing to 30 m the association 
were requested to communicate with him. Over fifty members 
of the audience responded to the request there and then —— 
A meeting of the committee of the Yorkshire branch was helci in 
Leeds on the 25th ult. Amongst other business, it was resolved 
that the committee meet monthly, special meetings to be con¬ 
vened by circular, and that a small sub-committee be appointed 
to consider any doubtful applications for membership. A circular 
letter drawn up by the secretary was adopted, with slight altera¬ 
tions, and 1,000 copies were ordered to be printed and to be 
circulated, together with the “ Plea, Prospectus, and 1 01111 of 
Application ” for membership, among the gardeners throughout 
the county. 
* * * 
Row at. Horticultural Society. —The next fortnightly ex¬ 
hibition and meeting of this society will be held on Tuesday, 
March 14th, when a lecture, illustrated by lantern slides, will 
be delivered by the Rev. Prof. Henslow, V.M.H., on “ Liu, 
Variation.” 
* * * 
Beckenham Horticultural Society.— There was a large 
attendance of members and friends on Friday, the 3rd inst., to 
hear Mr. Leech give his experience on “ Bottling of Fruit. Mr. 
Leech very clearly illustrated to the members lus methods. 
Several bottles of fruit were opened which had been bottled three 
to four years. The lecture was much appreciated, as it clearly 
showed to the members how they could put their surplus fruit to 
a good use without very much expense. O 11 Friday, March 10th, 
Mr. W. Watson, of Ivew, will address the meeting on the ad¬ 
visability of forming a branch of the British Gardeners’ Associa¬ 
tion . 
* * * 
A Magnificent Prize. —The iNationa.1 Potato Society has 
secured a magnificent prize for its show at the Horticultural 
Hall, 011 November 23rd and 24th, this year, through the enter¬ 
prise of Messrs. James Carter and Co., the famous Holborn 
seedsmen, and Mr. A. Findlay, the great Scottish raise). Con¬ 
jointly, Messrs. Carter and Findlay offer a. splendid silver chal¬ 
lenge cup, value £50, and £12 in cash, for twelve dishes of 
Potatos. Full particulars are given in the schedule, copies of 
which may now be had on application to the secretary, Mr. 
Walter P.’ Wright, Postling, Hytlie. Altogether, prizes to the 
value of nearly £200 are offered. 
* * * 
British Gardeners’ Association. —The usual meeting of the 
Woolton Gardeners’ Society was held on the 2nd 111 st. at the 
Mechanics’ Institute, Mr. T. Carling presiding.^ The subject 
announced was a discussion on the above proposed society. Mr. 
John Stoney was the opener, and claimed considerable advan¬ 
tages from such an organisation, especially to the younger 
members. Considerable interest was shown in the matter, the 
discussion being carried on by Messrs. R. Todd, C. Sherry, 
W. W. Gamble, Jos. Stoney, G. Haigli, R. G. Waterman, H. Col¬ 
lett, J. Collins, H. Hunter, etc. The tone of the meeting was 
distinctly in favour of some such organisation, especially that of 
registration. No vote was taken on the matter, but a general 
expression was made that it was highly desirable for all to 
attend the proposed Liverpool meeting, where fuller details might 
be gained. 
* * * 
Liverpool Horticultural Association. —A meeting of the 
members of this society was held under the presidency of Mr. - 
T. Foster, in Liverpool, on the 4th inst. A good attendance was 
present to listen to the practical lecture of Mr. B. Ashton, on 
'• The Culture of the Peach.” The lecturer stated that he should 
endeavour to show, by submitting his own form of culture in 
the gardens of Lathom, that success was still possible. The 
makfng of the borders, the best types of compost, and the neces¬ 
sary forms of drainage 1 were given. The walls should face due 
south and be from 8 ft, to 12 ft, in height. Some means of 
protection were essential, especially during severe weather in the 
blooming season. Nailing was recommended in preference to 
wires, so that the wood would receive the warmth from the walls 
during the low temperature at night. Details in pruning, dis 
budding, laying in of the laterals, watering, and syringing were 
given in a lucid manner, and, to complete the culture throughout 
a season, from May,- the necessary culture under glass was also 
stated. A list of the most approved kinds was. given, those 
most suitable for under glass and for the outside being stated. 
A capital discussion, followed, in which Messrs. Joseph Stoney, 
E. F. Hazleton, R. W. Ker, John Stoney, E. G. Waterman, . 
Ewbank, and others took part. Mr. Ker, in his remarks, spoke 
strongly on the advisability of providing a more suitable room 
in which to hold their meetings, and offering a substantial 
donation towards that object. 
* * * 
Chelmsford and District Gardeners’ Association.— At the! 
weekly meeting on Friday, March 3 rd, under the presidency of 
Mr. Searles, Mr. Chandler gave a paper on “ Budding and 
Grafting.” ” Budding,” said the lecturer, “ should precede graft¬ 
ing, for, by budding first, should failure occur, then you can 
follow with grafting.” Selection of proper buds was the most 
important tiart of all, and many failures were due to poor buds. 
Grafting occupies the greater part of the year where it, is rh nei 
inside and cut. Mr. Chandler ably showed the many methods 
of grafting by specimen work, and recommended that grafts be 
left till wanted, and that it was best to put the graft 011 so that 
it could go straight to work. In waxing, the speaker thought 
that it was unnecessary to wrap the graft completely round. So 
long as the “ cuts ” were covered and it was air-tight, all was 
well. The other was labour and material wasted. Discussion 
followed, and the meeting terminated with the usual vote of 
thanks. 
* * * 
National Potato Society’s Show. —The schedule of the 
National Potato Society’s show, copies of which are now ready 
and can be obtained post free from Mr. Walter P. Wright, Post- 
ling, Hytlie, marks a great advance on 1904. The president. Sir 
John T. D. Llewellyn, Bart., offers a silver 01131, value £10 10s. 
Messrs. Carter and Co., in conjunction with Mr. Archibald 
Findlay, offer a magnificent challenge 01131, value £50. together 
with £12 in cash. Messrs. Sutton and Sons offer £24 in cash 
311'izes for their great Potatos, Discovery and Sujperlative. Mr. 
E. J. Deal (Messrs. W. W. Johnson and Son, Limited, Boston) 
offers a silver CU31. Valuable cash 331'izes are offered by the 
following well-known firms: Messrs. Daniels Bros., Limited. 
Norwich ; Fidler and Sons, Reading ; J. Kerr, Dumfries ; Robert 
Sydenham, Birmingham ; S. M. Thomson (Dalmeny agent), 
Edinburgh; William Deal, Kelvedon ; Dobbie and Co., Rothe¬ 
say ; T. A. Scarlett, Edinburgh ; Professor W. J. Malden. 
Ham ; R. W. Green, Wisbech ; .J. Bettinscn, Wisbech ; G. 
Massey and Sons, Spalding : H. Scott, Warminster, and others. 
The- total value of the 3irizes is nearly £200, and the schedule 
is comprehensive and varied. 
The King and Garden Ornaments.— On the 2nd inst. the 
King, attended by the Hon. Sidney Greville, S3>ent half an hour 
inspecting some fine old garden ornaments at a saleroom in 
London. 
* * * 
Accident in Felling Trees. —On the 16th ult. four men were 
engaged in felling trees 011 Lord Yarborough’s estate at Limbex, 
Yorkshire. One of them got in the way of a falling tree, and 
was pinned to the ground, being killed almost immediately. 
This unfortunate accident befell Thomas Jackson. 
-* * * 
Cheap Ferns for London. —At Taunton, Devon, on the 18th 
ult., two hawkers were charged with committing damage in a 
wood at Otterford. They had dug up about 864 Ferns from a 
space of 25 yards long and 18 yards wide. These were packed 
in sacks for removal. The Bench were informed that the Ferns 
fetched 4s. a dozen in London. The hawkers had to pay fines 
and damages, and the Ferns were forfeited. 
* * * 
Fall in Potato Prices.—O ur contemporaries in the Midlands 
and North are referring to the recent great fall in the prices 
of Potatos, and some of them say it is no doubt a good thing 
on the whole. Buyers of Potatos at fabulous prices were cer¬ 
tain to be disappointed sooner or later. At a- sale of Eldorado 
some time ago the prices varied from 27s. 6 d. to 34s. per stone, 
or an average of £12 per cwt. A little over a year ago this same 
Potato was selling at 63s. per lb., or £352 per cwt. Northern 
Star is being offered at £6 10s. per ton, instead of £600, which 
was the price asked for little more than twelve months ago. 
Buyers with small purses will now be able to procure these 
notable varieties at a reasonable price. 
