April 22, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
341 
refrigerating house, and they would no doubt be able to get a 
supply of fresh Rhubarb even earlier than November. 
* * * 
Gun Accident in a Garden.— Early in the month Mr. J. 
Barrie, of Sea,forth, took a rifle, to the back door of his house, 
loaded it, and fired at a clothes prop in the garden. Unfor¬ 
tunately for the outcome of this loose practice, a gardener 
named Albert Rolfe was working in a neighbouring garden 
behind a wooden hoarding, and soon after the shot was fired he 
came from behind the hoarding and said, “ I am shot.” He died 
soon afterwards. He was thirty years of age, and was a gardener 
and greengrocer. 
* * * 
Tobacco Culture in Ireland.- Some years ago Tobacco was 
grown to a certain extent and manufactured in England, but 
the practice is in abeyance at present. In co, Meath, how¬ 
ever, the culture and curing of Tobacco has been conducted for 
some years past under the supervision of Colonel Everard. The 
Agricultural Department had resolved to conduct experiments 
in co. Waterford, but they were unable to procure an expert 
from America in time to superintend the planting. Colonel 
Everard came forward, and agreed to superintend the planting 
of twenty acres in co. Meath. With the aid of experts he has 
cured and manufactured a brand of Tobacco which has gained 
warm commendation from connoisseurs both at home and in 
America. 
* * * 
A Vicar on Botany.— The Rev. A. C. Morris, Vicar of St. 
Mary’s, Ilford, has been giving a series of lectures on botany 
to anyone who likes to attend in that town. His services are 
purely voluntary, and while discussing the subject he impressed 
upon his hearers the value of learning the names which were 
always definite and understood by students in all parts of the 
world. These names he said expressed in a single word as much 
as three or four sentences could do. Those who thus made 
themselves acquainted with the technical names were able to 
follow those employed by people in other countries, whether 
English-speaking or not. He also recommended the use of any 
one of the three leading British floras, which could often be 
obtained secondhand. He also considered “John’s Flowers of 
the Field ” an excellent book. 
* * * 
Home and Foreign Potatos. —Quite recently the “ Scotsman ” 
has been discussing the question of foreign Potatos in this 
country. According to the account, the various towns and vil¬ 
lages in various parts of England, from Yorkshire to Kent and 
Cornwall, have been flooded with Potatos from the Continent. 
These make their appearance in British markets during nine 
months of the year at prices within reach of everybody, and 
this is the explanation as to the foreigners’ capability in supply¬ 
ing so much of the home demand. Another good authority on 
the subject, “ The North British Agriculturist,” says that home- 
grown Potatos have been cheap and plentiful enough in the 
four kingdoms, and instead of being supplied by cheap foreign 
Potatos the various places are supplied with an abnormally 
cheap home-grown supply. For this reason the last year’s crop 
of foreign Potatos is as completely excluded from our markets 
as if held in check by an import duty. 
* * * 
+i t!, T v T ? ® xperiments ix Scotland. —Under the auspices of 
he Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture, some 
experiments were carried on at Muirhouses, Kirriemuir, and at 
tiiiton of Burleigh, Kinross. At the first-named place the 
ground was dressed with 16 tons of farmyard manure per acre ; 
a diessmg of artificial manure was also given, consisting of 
\ Cwt ; sul P hat e of ammonia, 3 cwt. superphosphate, i cwt. 
pnosphatic guano, and 1£ cwt. sulphate of potash. Thirteen 
^aiie les^of I otatos were planted, and the heaviest crop— 
„ tons 2 cwt.—was produced by Pink Blossom. The lightest 
ciop was 9 tons 15 cwt. 3 qrs. produced by Langworthy. Three 
other varieties, namely, Goodfellow, The Factor, and Up-to- 
ate also gave heavy crops, varying between 14 tons 8 cwt 2 qrs 
and 13 tons 13 cwt. 2 qrs. At Hilton of Burleigh the same 
lessmg of artificial manure was given, but the farmyard 
7 as Ih this case Goodfellow stood at the top 
werp Tt t0ns ^ C n t ' i ^i le next Slx varie ties in order of weight 
Ever good, Pink Blossom, Factor, British Queen, Up-to- 
6 cw t 2 n nl + L S E i Ward VIL The lat t er produced 13 tons 
that th. ’ i °* h ^ s 1 ran g ln g higher. It may be stated here 
Period MT*/ - at Hllt r had been ^der grass for a long 
peiiod, and had given only a crop of oats since it was ploughed! 
Chelsea Physic Garden. The committee of management of 
this institution have issued a first report, in which tin y give an 
account of-the origin and history of the garden. After bein" 
put on a proper basis and practically remodelled, tin- new glass¬ 
houses were opened on July 25th, 1902. The houses have- given 
every satisfaction to those whose scientific work has to lie con¬ 
ducted there. Great care is exercised in the permission given 
to genuine students to utilise the garden. The laboratory is 
chiefly occupied by students of the Royal College of Science. 
Hitherto the library has been kept strictly closed, but Mr. 
Francis Darwin, F.R.S., has made arrangements whereby 
teachers or advanced students may be able to refer to the books 
when required for the purpose of study. With regard to future 
work, arrangements have been made for the convenience of Sir 
William Ramsay, F.R.S., making experiments on the value 
of certain manures for plant culture. Seeds are exchanged 
with other gardens, and it is important to add that this has 
been carried on since 1682. The four old Cedars which were re¬ 
cently destroyed were planted in 1683 ; their diseased condition 
menaced other trees in the garden. Great satisfaction is ex¬ 
pressed concerning the work done by Professor Farmer and by 
Mr. Hales, the curator. 
Society &“ Association Notes. 
1 iie Nurserymen Market Gardeners’ and General 
Hailstorm Insurance Corporation, Limited. —The tenth 
annual general meeting of this company was held at the 
registered oflices, 41 and 42, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C., 
on Friday, the 7th inst., when Mr. Harry J. Veitch presided. 
The progress of the company had been continued, the income for 
the year having increased to £2,964 8s. Id. The assets of the 
company now amount to £20,229 15s. 4d., and the reserve fund 
now stands at £9,000. The usual dividend of 5 per cent, and 
bonus of per cent, was agreed to. It was noted that the 
company still had the same chairman, directors, and secretary as 
at its formation. 
* * *■ 
Brighton and Sussex Horticultural Society. —The spring 
show of the above society, which holds three annually, was held 
on the 13th and 14th inst., in the Dome and Corn Exchange, 
Brighton, and in every way proved a very great success. This 
Society is noted for the fine spring show which is always got 
together, and this year was no exception, owing to the untiring 
efforts of the secretary, Mr. Thorpe, and the other oflicials, who 
had done everything in their power to produce a fine exhibition. 
A notable feature of the show was the splendid groups staged by 
the well-known exhibitors, Messrs. Balchin and Son, Brighton, 
Messrs. Miles, of Victoria Nurseries, Brighton, and others. 
There were numerous classes, all of which were keenly contested, 
especially those for a table of flowering and foliage plants, a 
table of Orchids, a mantelpiece and hearth arranged for effect, 
Mignonette, Lily of the Valley, etc. Decorated dinner tables 
are also a great feature, and in a class for these, the space, not 
to exceed 3ft. by 2ft., there were nine competitors. The premier 
prize was awarded to Miss Mabel Howell, Tower Lodge, Queen’s 
Park, Brighton, who had a very beautiful exhibit. Among 
the honorary exhibits a noticeable one was Messrs. Cheal’s, of 
Crawley, who staged plants, fruit, and rock-work.—E. B. 
* * * 
The Reading and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Association. —During last month two excellent papers 
were read before the members at. their usual fortnightly meet¬ 
ings* and the subjects gave rise to great interest. The first was 
“ Gourds, and their Place in the Garden,” and was treated in a 
most interesting manner by Mr. J. W. Odell, a member of the 
Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, who 
by the aid of the lantern showed that not only were many 
of the varieties of Gourds suitable for food, but were excellent 
subjects for the decoration of the garden. The second was 
‘-‘Vinter-flowering plants,’ and this was treated in a most 
practical manner by Mr. J. A. Hall, of Shiplake Court 
Gardens. The most popular flowers were touched upon, and 
in some cases the lecturer severely criticised the manner m 
which some were cultivated. This gave rise to a most animated 
though practical discussion, upwards of twenty members taking 
part in the debate. The exhibits were numerous and of excel¬ 
lent quality. Mr. F. Lever, The Gardens, Hillside, staged a 
magnificent collection of bulbous flowering plants, including 
Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissi: Mr. J. Price, The Fern 
J 
