November 18, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
8*7 
FIRST PRIZE ESSAY. 
HOW TO EXTEND 
THE 
/Aeabersfiir & Usefulness 
OF 
Local Horticultural Societies. 
)est of the late-keeping Pears. We refer, of 
;ourse, to dessert varieties, excluding those 
varieties that are of no other service except 
or stewing or other culinary purposes. 
Pears of this type keep till well into summer, 
out they cannot be used on the table till 
cooked. Josephine de Malines is not fit to eat 
until February, then it is usable until April, 
rhe fruit is of medium size, with deliciously- 
pei-flumed flesh when in perfection. 
In some years gardeners have a difficulty 
in finishing this variety to make it fit for 
table use. That might have been the fault of 
the season, or it might be due to the con¬ 
ditions in the fruit room. In such a. case 
the fruits can be assisted artificially to mature 
by placing a few of them at a time in a basket- 
and standing them near enough to the hot- 
water pipes in some of the hothouses, so that 
the heat will assist in ripening the Pears. By 
this means they have been made to assume a 
delicious flavour and perfume even before 
they would have done so naturally. The 
variety is indeed one of the best, if not the 
best, of the late-keeping Pears. 
The tree is very hardy, and may either be 
grown on the Pear stock or on the Quince. 
On the latter it bears earlier and fruits quite 
freely. Trees on the Quince stock can always 
be restricted to a simall amount of space, and 
therefore prove more suitable and valuable for 
small gardens. 
Perennial Lobelias. 
These beautiful, late-flowering gems of the 
herbaceous or mixed border are not often 
seen in their different species, numerous 
varieties, and varied intense colours of soft 
salmon to deepest cardinal, different shades 
of blue, and purest silvery white. 
The old fulgens, Queen Victoria and Syphi¬ 
litica, are comparatively well known, but a 
good collection of the newer and superior 
sorts still require to the unacquainted some 
introducing. Five varieties of the species 
Syphilitica produce flowers of blue, white, 
purple, and rose. Laxifolia is a Mexican 
species, with scarlet and yellow flowers. The 
true cardinalis is quite hardy, as it comes 
from North America, and since its arrival 
many varieties have been given to us by the 
hybridist. Lobelia atroviolacea has rich crim¬ 
son flowers; carminata, deep carmine ; Car¬ 
mine Gem, soft carmine-rose, a beautiful 
thing. Corallina is coral scarlet, very pretty, 
and seldom exceeds 2ft. high ; Gerardii is 
pale rosy-violet, very distinct ; Ibis has rosy- 
scarlet flowers; Magenta Queen, magenta- 
rose. Papilon has flowers of the purest 
shining white, and is very beautiful. The 
stems and foliage of this variety are soft green, 
and it requires winter protection. Rivoirei 
is a warm rosy-scarlet variety. Two of the 
newest and best are Lord Ardilaun and Dis¬ 
tinction ; these were raised a few years since 
at Newry, and are new reasonably obtainable 
(in most parts. 
Though the types of cardinalis and syphi¬ 
litica are quite hardy, I prefer to winter the 
newer varieties in cold frames, giving them a 
good start in spring before planting out. I 
have omitted many good old sorts, because 
they are fairly popular, flourishing in some 
parts like weeds, especially in semi-aquatic 
i situations. 
Perennial Lobelias may all be raised from 
'seed, propagated by division or stem cuttings 
I —that is, unflowered stems, cut across at each 
leaf-joint, leaving the eye and one or two 
inches of stem. These, when placed in damp 
sand, kept in a close frame, and attended to, 
soon make sturdy little plants. 
rfEXRY H, Gibsox. 
Local horticultural societies are of two 
classes, and each has its own particular sphere 
of usefulness, and a paper of this kind must 
include a consideration of both. 
First, there are those ordinarily known as 
“- Town Horticultural Society ” or “- 
Cottage Garden Society,” and which chiefly 
aim at fostering the cultivation of flowers, 
fruit, and vegetables in the best manner by 
cottagers, allotment holders, and amateurs 
generally. Prizes are offered by the commit¬ 
tee, and as a rule the competitions are entered 
into very keenly, and a healthy rivalry is 
secured. In order that everyone connected 
with the town, parish, or village may feel 
interested in the success of the scheme, sec¬ 
tions for handicraft, needlework, knitting, 
honey, bread and cake making, buttermaking, 
cooking of Potatos, etc., should be included. 
The children, too, are often considered, for 
besides needlework and knitting, in which the 
girls can compete, and fretwork, etc., for the 
boys and lads, wild flower competitions often 
bring very tastefully arranged bunches and 
vases. A class or two specially for head 
gardeners should find a place, in the schedule, 
and non-competitive exhibits ought to be soli¬ 
cited and welcomed. Hat trimming, boot 
blacking, towel washing, and several other 
minor attractions have been introduced of late 
years, and provide novel forms of amusement. 
The Annual Show. 
The annual show is, of course, the goal to 
which all exertions are directed, and there are 
several requirements which must not be over¬ 
looked to make the venture a success. They 
are: (1) A clearly arranged schedule and good 
prizes, mostly, if not all. in money. As a rule 
those for whom these shows are arranged do 
not care for “ cups ” and such like articles. 
(2) A representative committee of gardeners 
and others, not forgetting ladies, interested in 
horticulture and in the welfare of the people 
of the parish, etc. 
(3) A good central place should be chosen for 
the show. 
(4) The tents should be arranged as con¬ 
veniently as possible, and not be overcrowded 
with exhibits. 
(5) The needlework, handicraft, and such 
like exhibits ought to be kept separate from 
the horticultural products. 
(6) There should be tents for the supply of 
refreshments, another for toys, etc., for the 
children, and if swings and roundabouts can 
be obtained, so much the better. 
(7) A good band must certainly be provided, 
for it enlivens the proceedings and acts as a 
great draw. 
(8) Seats should not be forgotten, for people 
do not want to be moving about all the time. 
If the above requirements are attended to, 
and the show is favoured with a fine day, the 
year’s exertions and anxieties ought to termi¬ 
nate with a most successful show. 
Mutual Improvement Societies. 
The second kind of society is that which 
encourages mutual intercourse among theii 
members, apart from the exhibition of the 
produce of gardens and plant-houses. These 
are generally known as “ Mutual Improvement 
By H. COLEBY. 
Societies,” and during the past twenty years 
have done a great deal of good among 
gardeners, both professional and amateur. 
We have heard of late that many of these 
useful societies have collapsed. What is the 
reason? Several causes are assigned. First, 
want of interest in the society, not only by its 
members, but by the general public and em¬ 
ployers, who benefit by the gardener’s art to a 
large extent. 
Pulling Together. 
Secondly, the committee do not all pull 
together for the society’s good; and, thirdly, 
the secretary is not a good organiser, and 
lacks those qualities which are so necessary in 
keeping the society alive. There may be other 
reasons, each applicable to its own soc-ietv. but 
those above mentioned are likely to be met 
with in all societies in a more or less marked 
degree; and, having briefly referred to the 
negative side of the question, a consideration 
of the positive side will be more cheerful. 
It must be taken for granted that there 
must be no lack of interest, the committee 
must all work together, and the secretary 
must be a good organiser. Perhaps more de¬ 
pends on the secretary than on any other 
officer. He must be the right man in the 
right place, and if he can get the committee 
to" work with him in the interests of the 
society, that society will assuredly not suffer. 
Membership is bound to fluctuate, owing to 
the movements of the younger men especially, 
who ought to be continually trying to better 
themselves. I am not an advocate of a young 
fellow stagnating in one place ; to get as com¬ 
plete a training as possible in his profession he 
must see and practise different methods. But 
as soon as a new man takes up his abode, his 
“ head ” or some other member should have a 
talk with him and try to induce him to become 
a member of the mutual improvement asso¬ 
ciation. Head gardeners may be potent fac¬ 
tors in obtaining new members if they would 
only take the trouble to have a few minutes' 
chat with their subordinates. Now. suppos¬ 
ing the society has a good number of members, 
what steps should be taken to keep their 
interest from flagging? It goes without say¬ 
ing that every new-comer should be warmly 
welcomed by the committee. In reality tne 
very existence of the society and its usefulness 
ought to be sufficient reasons, but in this age 
of “ inducements ” in the form of prizes for 
this, that, and the other, something mor- 
tangible is required in mutual improvement 
associations. In the first place: — 
(1) Everv horticultural society ought to be¬ 
come affiliated with the B.H.S. The subscrip¬ 
tion is as low as one guinea, and the benefits 
to be obtained are great—of many times the 
value of the subscription. The greatest 
benefit, to my mind, is the copy of the 
“ Journal,” a periodical at once instructive, 
scientific, practical, and very useful, not only 
to the professional gardener, but also to the 
amateur. I need not enumerate the other 
advantages to be obtained from affiliation, 
but any" society wishing to unite with the 
R.H.S. for the good of horticulture generally 
should apply to the secretary of the society at 
Vincent Square for particulars. 
