754 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
September 23, 1905. 
Contending that Darwin’s use of the expres¬ 
sion “survival of the fittest” was mislead¬ 
ing, the lecturer pointed out that it was not 
always the “ fittest,” in the sense of the best, 
which survived, but those which were the 
most adapted to their surroundings. Experi¬ 
ence of plants proved that one of inferior 
quality constantly drove out one of consider¬ 
ably higher quality by reason of its being 
better adapted to the conditions of inferior 
product. Numerous examples of this were 
cited, the lecture being well illustrated by 
blackboard diagrams and lantern slides. 
The P.G.F B.S. 
Some time ago it was suggested that the 
advantages to members of the Professional 
Gardeners’ Friendly Benefit Society would 
be considerably extended by amalgamation 
with one or other of the large friendly socie¬ 
ties having branches scattered throughout 
the country, and some correspondence has 
since taken place with the General United 
Order of Oddfellows. At the monthly meet¬ 
ing of the society, on the 5th inst. (Mr. G. 
Stubbs in the chair), a lengthy discussion 
took place on the subject, and it was decided 
to send a deputation to the meeting of the 
board of directors of that Order in November 
to go into the matter. 
G. Carver, Sec. 
Croydon Horticulturists. 
“ Nature’s Method of Fertilisation or 
Pollination ” was the subject of a lecture 
delivered by Mr. G. E. Dibley, F.G.S., at 
the last meeting of the Croydon and District 
H.M.I. Society, and which was much enjoyed 
by the members. Amongst the floral ex¬ 
hibits at the meeting were Cactus. Dahlias, 
Gaillardias, and Anemones from the gardens 
of Mr. Frank Lloyd, C'oombe House ; a fine 
collection of herbaceous plants, brought by 
Mr. P. F. Bunyard, Kidderminster Road ; 
and an admirable specimen of Nicotiana 
Sanderae, sent by Messrs. E. W. and S. 
Rogers, seedsmen, Croydon and Thornton 
Heath. 
Harry Boshier, Hon. Sec. 
Lewes aud District Chrysanthemum 
Society. 
Never since the inauguration of this society 
has such 1 a keen interest been evinced in the 
monthly competitions by the members as that 
taken on last Wednesday evening, when a 
record was set upi as regards the number of 
exhibits, which totalled forty-three, while 
the beauty of the blooms (Zinnias, Dahlias, 
etc.) was of such a nature that they would 
have done credit to a much larger exhibition. 
Mr. J. W. James and Mr. S. Smith were the 
judges, and their task was by no means a 
light one. Mr. James presided, and twenty- 
two members were present. 
E. H Hallett, Hoii. Sec. 
Bournemouth Gardeners’ MI.A. 
At the last meeting of the Bournemouth 
and District Gardeners’ M. I. Association a 
paper was read by Mr. H. Marlow, of the 
Public Gardens, on “ The Dahlia,” who also 
exhibited a fine collection of the Cactus varie¬ 
ties. A profitable discussion followed the 
reading of the paper, and Mr. Marlow re¬ 
ceived the thanks of the meeting for the 
information imparted. Mr. Charles Cox 
occupied the chair. 
W. Shave, Assist. Sec. 
Success at South Shields. 
The second revived show of the South 
Shields H.S. was a success in every depart¬ 
ment, and the most sanguine expectations of 
the committee were more than realised. 
Double the accommodation for exhibitors was 
provided, yet every available foot of room 
was taken up. The exhibits totalled up¬ 
wards of 1,000, and growers mustered in force 
from Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, and 
Northumberland. The display in the several 
classes was of the highest quality, and con¬ 
sequently the competition was remarkably 
keen. Notwithstanding their brief tenure 
of office, the arrangements of the committee 
were admirable, from the point of view alike 
of exhibitors and visitors. The attendance of 
the public on both days was also most satis¬ 
factory considering the state of the weather. 
The committee do 1 not anticipate having so 
large a balance as last year, owing to the 
prize list having been much augmented, and 
to other heavy expenditure. 
Geo. Ogilvie, Sec. 
The Sweet Pea in Scotland. 
There was a good muster of members at the 
monthly meeting on the evening of the- 5th 
inst. of the Scottish Horticultural Associa¬ 
tion to hear that successful grower and ex¬ 
hibitor of Sweet Peas, Mr. Thomas Duncan, 
expatiating on his favourite flower. Mr. 
Duncan dealt with the Sweet Pea from am 
exhibitor’s point of view, and illustrated his 
lecture by placing on the table thirty-five 
varieties of those popular blooms. He 
deprecated the practice of wiring Sweet Peas, 
and expressed the hope that the rule of the 
N.S.P.S. making wiring a disqualification 
would become universal. c. C. 
Nefarious. 
Among the numerous trade catalogues to 
hand from leading nurserymen we have been 
struck with a note which appears in many 
of them, conspicuous in big type, to the effect 
that having received application from pro¬ 
spective exhibitors at horticultural shows to 
sell or give them flowers for competition, 
“ we beg to say that on no account will we do 
so.” The meanness, the depravity, and the 
entire- absence of that sense of a love of 
fair play—the Britisher’s boast—which is so 
painfully evidenced by the necessity for this 
cautionary paragraph is, thank goodness, 
we may safely rest assured, shared by a quite 
insignificant number of those who are am¬ 
bitious to shine as successful exhibitors. 
The low cunning of these ignoble souls is 
only exceeded by the innate stupidity which 
could lead them to suppose that any reput¬ 
able fifm would be -a party to so base a fraud. 
Sharks in Office. 
“W.” writes:—“The editorial notes re¬ 
specting local gardening societies are good, 
and straight to the point. It is a matter of 
some considerable difficulty to secure a good 
secretary, and this fact alone is often the 
cause of a society’s collapse. A secretary 
must be well known, and a man of honour. 
Far too many sharks drop into the secretarial 
chair, and it is a matter of indifference to 
them how the society stands. Not a great 
distance from here a society is suffering, and 
has suffered, through past secretaries. One, 
although a good fellow and popular, was not 
suited to the work, being too dilatory and 
careless with his books. His- removal neces¬ 
sitated a new man, and from the. sadly 
diminishing members it was a matter of diffi¬ 
culty to get a man. A recently-elected mem¬ 
ber was proposed, and he was elected. The 
society is now a bit of money out of pocket, 
whilst the rogue has left them a legacy in 
the shape of a big bill for hop manure which 
the members neither had nor ordered. The 
late secretary had used official notepaper, 
and secured quantities of manure, which he 
sold. Of course, he has vanished, together 
with the majority of the members’ subscrip¬ 
tions.” 
Lack of Enthusiasm, 
“ Respecting the lack of enthusiasm,” con¬ 
tinues “W.,” “I can speak fully upon, for 
another society near by, although safe as 
houses in the money way, is as dead as a 
doornail as regards its value. The secretary 
is a pure, unadulterated yokel, likewise the 
chairman and everyone else. The parson, 
who should be a leading light, is the reverse. 
It cannot be denied that unless there are 
some professional members these little local 
societies are quite ridiculous. The above 
society has one professional, a youth, and 
the parson also is listed as such, his odd man 
being classed as a cottager. A year or two 
ago an up-to-date hustler appeared in their 
midst, and at their summer show he massed 
a great exhibit in modern style. His disgust 
was great when he found that the professional 
class for twelve cut flowers was really a fact, 
and he almost had a fit when his two rivals 
staged twelve individual blooms in one vase 
against his mighty twelve bunches. He re¬ 
fused to follow their lead, and was disquali¬ 
fied, according to the schedule. Being unable 
to be present at the annual general meeting, 
this man, who would have proved a tower oi 
strength, was passed over, and not put on the 
committee nor given any office whatever. 
Needless to say, he refuses to exhibit this 
year.” 
Conditions of Success. 
“On the other hand,” says “W.,” in con¬ 
clusion, “ there is another cottage gardeners’ 
society, to which I have the honour of belong¬ 
ing, and this is ever progressing. Although 
a village society, the professionals from the 
town and near-by villages arq, heartily wel¬ 
comed, so that the monthly meetings are 
always made up by professionals, amateurs, 
and cottagers to the extent of forty or fifty. 
The exhibits during the summer months are 
so numerous that the village ‘ pub. will not 
hold them, so a free monthly flower show is 
held at the village hall. The secretary is 
a most popular man, and a gardener at heart, 
though a butler by profession. Far and wide 
he is known as the half-crown man. The 
annual shows are always well attended, 
although wet weather often dogs them. The 
society is affiliated to the It.H.S. and the 
National Potato Society. A district com¬ 
mittee of the latter has been formed from 
among the members, and the secretary of the 
gardeners’ society acts as chairman of the 
committee. The committee, I may add, is 
composed of red-hot Potato men, and they 
were the first to ask the N.P.S. for a medal 
for a local Potato competition, which will be 
held in November. The correspondent of the 
committee is looked upon as a Potato-maniac, 
and he is not infrequently requisitioned lor 
lectures on the noble tuber. Under these con¬ 
ditions our society flourishes, for nearly every 
man is red-hot. Deadheads do not ge ^ 
very happy time, and they are not welcomed. 
Much in Little. 
A plate of Loganberries, shown by 1 'ir. 
M Skinner at the show of the Gargrave 
(Yorks) H.S., was awarded a special piize. 
This is an almost new plant, being a hybud 
between the Blackberry and the Raspberry. 
_Mr. J. Acaster’s display at the Thorne 
Horticultural Society’s Show included a new 
fruit called Strawberry-Raspberry, said to be 
a cross between the two fruits, and has tne 
appearance of a large Raspbeiry.— P^i 
ing at the show of the Stranraer H.S., Mr. 
