November 18, 1905. THE GARDENING WORLD . 
‘cutting” to the “exhibition board.” Chry- 
lanthemunis are a strong point at Culhani Court 
iardens, and it was only to be expected that some 
;ood hints would be forthcoming in the paper. 
Members were not disappointed in their hopes, 
or the directions were most minute and the details 
if culture so necessary to success were clearly 
tatel. Tae kind of cuttings, their treatment 
ill rooted, potting off, soils, watering, shifting, 
taking, summer quarte-s, bud taking, manures, 
lousing, ska ling, ventilating, diseases, fumiga- 
,ion, dressing the blooms, blending the colours 
md arrangement on the show board were the 
thief points treated. A good discussion followed, 
md a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. 
McCulloch at the close. 
II. Coleby, Hon. Sec. 
Horticultural Societies ard Public-hduses. 
The use of the old Wesleyan Chapel has been 
granted to the Working Horticultural Associa¬ 
tion, which reminds us that a discussion is b“ing 
carried on elsewhere as to the advi-ability of 
holding horticultural society meetings at public- 
houses. A magistrate who took part in the dis¬ 
cussion ot the subject is reported to have advo¬ 
cated the practice on the ground that with flowers 
to examine and admire a man would be likely to 
irink les=. There can be no doubt that many 
detainers refrain from joining those societies 
ivhich make their headquarters at licensed 
rouses hut it is not always easy—in many cases 
t is imposdble—to find any other meeting-place. 
Such societies might very well be offered the use 
if public school rooms or of church or chapel 
class rooms. 
Equal to the Occasion. 
There are chairmen and chairmen. Some are 
ideal, some are not. Some say too much, and 
some err, perhaps, on the side of not saying quite 
enough. But when the chairman is introducing 
a lecturer it is just as well for him to leave the 
lecturer something to say. The other night a 
gentleman was announced to deliver a lecture 
before a horticultural society on Chrysanthemums, 
and only put in an appearance. The chairman, a 
man fond of hearing his own voice and of posing 
as a learned man, had industriously crammed on 
all m itters appertaining to the Chrysanthemum 
and carefully traversed the whole subject, 
occupying so much time that the evening was far 
spent when he reluctantly resumed his seat 
beaming with self-satisfaction. Thereupon the 
lecturer rose, and, on behalf of the meeting, thanked 
the chairman for his lecture and moved a vote of 
thanks for his lucid and erudite exposition. This 
was turning the tables with a vengeance. 
Kew Employees TJnior. 
The working staff of the Royal Gardens, Kew, 
who some time since formed themselves into the 
Kew Employees Union, are agitated because of 
the dismissal of two gardeners who took part in 
a public meeting of the Union held laM month. 
Tne authorities, it is stited, consider that to 
participate in such proceedings is a grave breach 
of discipline. There can, how r ever, be no question 
that the grievances of the men are serious. They 
have been brought to the notice of Government, 
in the proper course, but without result or even 
answer. 
Wages of Gardeners. 
A statement laid before the Board of Agriculture 
md Fisheries in March last showed that while the 
County Council pay gardeners of different grades 
35s. to 27s. weekly, the gardeners at Kew get from 
27s. to 21s. only ; the latter also get paid less for 
overtime and their annual leave is shorter. The 
minimum wages of gardeners in the Royal Parks 
s 25s. Gardeners receiving 21s. weekly for 53 j 
hours’ work have recently had the mortification 
pf seeing labourers employed at Kew iu certain 
ough work drawing 28s. 6 d. for 49 hours’ 
work. Even the Richmond Borough Council’s 
-treet-sweepers are paid 25s. That skilled men 
should be so treated is enough to cause dissatis- 
action, and we hope the Un : on will persevere 
inti' they get redress. 
Doctoring Exhibits. 
In our opinion it is not “ playing the game ” 
at all fairly to manipulate flowers for exhibition 
to the extent that is often done. It is bad enough 
that this practice of doctoring flowers should lie 
sometimes winked at by the judges, but it is 
surely a mistake for a man to stand up before a 
horticultural mutual improvement society and 
explain how to manipulate blooms so as to make 
them appear what they are not. Blooms that 
have been pulled, twisted and turned in every 
conceivable way, and, moreover, “faked” blooms 
with substituted petals from other blooms 
ingeniouslv made to resemble the real'thing, may 
be very clever from some points of view, but to 
palm them off as genuine specimens of high 
culture is a dishonest and immoral procedure. 
Those who obtain prizes for such exhibits are 
securing recognition on false pretences, and in 
addition are depriving straightforward exhibitors 
of every chance of success. That such things 
: hould be is manifestly wrong and acts as a 
deterrent to honest competitors. It is surely 
going too far when a lecturer endeavours to 
initiate prospective exhibitors into such repre¬ 
hensible practices. 
Women as Professional Gardeners. 
“ Should ladies take up gardening as a pro 
fession?” was the title of an excellent lecture 
delivered last week by Mr. G. Dray, Superintend¬ 
ent of the Recreation Grounds, Sydenham, before 
the members of the Croydon and District Horti¬ 
cultural M. I. Society. Mr. Dray, who u=ed the 
term women instead of ladies—to which no lady 
would object—said that some argued that the 
occupation was ineffeminate and that women are 
not physically strong enough to follow the occu¬ 
pation, but these objections were fallacies and 
were disproved by the fact that so many appoint¬ 
ments are now successfully held by women in 
in this country and abroad. 
Harry Boshier, Hon. Sec. 
York’s Big Show. 
York’s grand Chrysanthemum Show, promoted 
by the Ancient Society of York Florists, takes 
place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of 
this week. This is an event that is always keenly 
anticipated by the flower-loving public of the 
north, for it is an admirably organised show, and 
indeed one of the very best in the couu ry. Last 
year the gate money amounted to £354 11s. 3d., 
and this year it is hoped that sum will be 
exceeded. A lirst-class military band has been 
engagel for the 15th and 16th, and the renowned 
Black Dyke Band for Friday. Mr. Geo. F. W. 
Oman, of 38, Petergate, York, is the energetic 
and experienced secretary of the Society. 
Gardeners Then and Now. 
The members of the Dundee Horticultural 
Association have been discussing the subject of 
present-day gardeners and of gardeners of by¬ 
gone days. Mr. Grant, the president of the 
society, was of opinion that their predecessors 
were more devoted to the profession. Con¬ 
temporary gardeners, he thought, had caught the 
infection of the times—everything was done so 
rapidly. As regards competition, the speaker 
expressed surprise that the gardeners in Dundee 
and the district were more backward than they 
were twenty years ago. The same interest on 
the part of employers likewise was not main¬ 
tained, and this was to be regretted, as the flower 
shows had fallen largely into the hands of the 
amateurs. Ex-Bailie Melville observed that it 
was one of the greatest mistakes on the part of 
employers, and one of the greatest disappoint¬ 
ments to the gardeners not to be allowed to com¬ 
pete. He wished there was more enthusiasm 
among the employers; if there were, perhaps the 
young gardeners would not be so ready to rush to 
football on Saturday. 
The Washington Thorn (Crataegus coi'elata) 
is now covered with scarlet liaws, and is very 
effective. 
P AR5 ABOUT P EOELE. 
Mrs. Hawker, of the Firs, Plymstock, an 
enthusiast in floriculture, has provided the 
children of the village with a collection of 
bu.lbs. Instructions for growing them have 
been given, and each child has been supplied 
with a copy of rules. Prizes will be awarded 
for the best grown plants. 
Mr. Guillaume has made a lovely water 
garden at his residence in the Rue de Coul- 
miers, Paris, and his basins bloom with 
natives of the Nile, the Amazon, and the 
Ganges, the Nelumbium of Japan, the Nym- 
phaea flava of Florida, and aquatic plants 
from all comers of the globe. 
The late Colonel William George Webb, 
M.P., of Woodfield, Staffs., Conservative mem¬ 
ber for Kingswinford Division of Staffs., and 
senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Edward 
Webb and Sons, seed merchants, ofWordsley, 
left estate of the gross value of £592,800, of 
which the net personalty- lias been sworn at 
£559,984. 
Mr. H. Hemsley, lion, secretary- of the 
Crawley and District Gardeners’ M.I.A., has 
produced a new seedling Pea, a cross between 
Gradus and Ne Plus Ultra, which, will be put 
on the market next sjiring by Messrs. J. Cheal 
and Sons. This is described as a splendid 
late Pea, very prolific, and little affected by- 
mildew. 
The highest garden in the world is Queen 
Margherita’s. It is 6,000ft. above sea level, 
near the summit of Petit- St. Bernard. Dur¬ 
ing a tour of the Alps the Queen noticed the 
garden and became smitten with the idea- of 
cultivating Alpine plants and lichens, which 
she obtained from all parts of the world, 
planting many of them herself. This garden 
is the most perfect and richest of its kind in 
the world. 
Mr. A. J. Ballhatchett, F.R.H.S., of South- 
fields, London, S.W.. writing to the “Daily- 
Express,” says: “I have grown Bananas in 
London. When I was head gardener and 
bailiff to the late Bishop of London (Dr. 
Temple), I grew them for three y-ears in suc¬ 
cession in the hot-houses at Fulham Palace 
Gardens. They grew from 10ft. to 12ft. in 
height; each plant bore one bunch of fruit, 
which ripened to perfection. 
Clara Lady FitzGerald, who is a keen horti¬ 
culturist and fruit grower, was awarded first 
prize at the recent Cork Fruit Show for a 
line exhibit of twelve varieties of apples. 
Lady" FitzGerald enjoys the distinction of 
having gained a first prize each successive 
year in Cork in classes open to all Munster, 
and also first prize at the great Dublin Fruit 
Show. She takes an immense interest in the 
beautiful gardens at Carrigorau, her fine old 
place in cot Clare, and being extremely- 
wealthy, spares no expense on the upkeep 
thereof. 
What can be done with only a small piece 
of land under good management and care is 
illustrated by the success of Air. William 
Plumridge, of the “ Duke of Cambridge.” 
Queen’s Road, Marlow. With under a rood 
of ground Mr. Plumridge has this year grown 
Up-to-Date Potatos of great size and excellent 
quality- ; also Peasgood Nonsuch Apples, the 
largest averaging in weight 21 bs. to three 
Apples. In addition he has iu a small 
covered run kept twelve Buff Orpington hens, 
which, since October 24th, 1904. have pro¬ 
duced over 1,000 eggs. 
