9»4 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 23, 1905. 
Dinner of the National Amateur 
Gardeners’ Association. 
The fifteenth annual dinner of the above asso¬ 
ciation was held in the Holborn Restaurant, 
London, on the 12th inst., when a large party sat 
down to table under the chairmanship of Mr. 
T. W. Sanders, F.L.S., the president. After th? 
usual loyal toasts, the chairman next proposed the 
" National Amateur Gardeners’ Association and 
its Affiliated Societies.” He said that during the 
past fifteen years he considered the society had 
done a considerable amount of good, seeing that 
all the members owed their knowledge of garden¬ 
ing to the association and the work carried on at 
their monthly meetings. “ The President, Officers 
and Committee” was proposed by Mr. John Co!- 
lingridge, and responses were given by Messrs. 
T. W. Sanders, H. T. Wooderson, and A. Boulton, 
the first-named giving an example of the strenuous 
life he had to leadJn.attending to his work and 
the multitude of meetings of different sorts. Mr. 
A. J. Foster proposed “The Trade and Donors 
of Trophies and other Prizes,” to which Messrs. 
IV. Sydenham and J. Green (of Hobbies, Ltd.) 
replied. “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr. 
D. B. Crane, and replied to by Mr. C. Y. Coates. 
“The Press” was proposed by Mr. G. W. Cook, 
and responded to by Mr. C. T. Druery and several 
others. The champion trophies won during the 
year were also presented about the middle of the 
programme. These took the form of flower-stands. 
Rose-bowl, silver cups, framed water-colour 
pictures, etc. Some of the chief winners were 
Messrs. C. Y. Coates. D. B. Crane, F. G. Oliver, 
Taylor, H. W. Smith, F. Finch (ex-secretary). 
Miss Sanders, and others. Mr. Richard Cordwell 
(hon. sec.), 35, Medusa Road, Catford, S.E., and 
Mr. Harry Burns were also amongst the speakers. 
During the evening numerous songs and musical 
pieces served to enliven the meeting, which was 
thereby rendered very pleasant and highly appre¬ 
ciated by those present. 
Winter and Spring Flowering Shrubs. 
Mr. W. A. Cook, Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham, 
delighted the members of the Croydon and Dis¬ 
trict H.M.I.S. at their last meeting with a paper 
which he read on “ Winter and Spring Flowering 
Shrubs.” The subject, which is a vast one, was 
outlined by him in a concise and lucid manner, 
and many hints for the further embellishment of 
our gardens were given. When spring breaks 
upon us. what can be grander than the many- 
coloured flowering shrubs, set off by the multi¬ 
tudinous shades of foliage, which, if properly 
arranged, lend to our gardens and pleasure- 
grounds a sight and fragrance unsurpassed. To 
obtain such a picture as he portrayed requires 
the knowledge of suitable varieties,, and the list 
he enumerated should be the means of providing 
us with the necessary kinds to make our outside 
gardens an adornment of sylvan beauty, and so 
promulgate the pride existing in this country for 
our gardens. The discussion following the paper 
was well maintained by Messrs. Bentley, Brown, 
Sugden, Gregory, Cutler, Boshier, and Mills, and 
to the questions asked Mr. Cook fully replied. A 
hearty vote of thanks to him brought an enjoyable 
evening to a close. 
National Potato Society. 
The general annual meeting of the above society 
was held on December 7th, 1905. in the Prince’s 
Saloon at the Agricultural Hall, Islington. 
London, N., Mr. G. Gordon, V.M.H., in the chair, 
and was largely attended. The secretary, Mr. 
M. P. Wright, read the minutes of the previous 
meeting and the annual report for 1905. The 
balance-sheet showed that the society had a 
balance on the year’s working of £81 11s. Mr. 
A D. Hall moved and Mr. Strawson seconded 
the adoption of the report. .Air. Davie inquired 
about the die and medals which were charged 
for on the balance-sheet. The secretary explained 
that certain medals had been awarded to amateurs’ 
gerS s T eti€S ' The resolution was 
carried unanimously. The secretary brought up 
the question of unpaid subscriptions, asking the 
meeting to decide when the defaulters should cease 
to be members. After some discussion Mr. 
Hall moved that such members be allowed a year's 
grace; this was seconded by Air. Fred Pickering 
and carried unanimously. Air. W. Cuthbertson 
proposed that the officers, committee, and board 
of arbitration as given in the schedule be elected 
en bloc. This was seconded by Air. F. G. Cramp- 
ton and carried unanimously. On the motion of 
Air. Davie, Air. J. Gray, of Osborne Street, 
Glasgow, was re-elected to the board of arbitra¬ 
tion, the members of which were given votes on 
the general committee. 
Sheffield F. and H. Society. 
In order to encourage cottagers to take an in¬ 
creased interest in their gardens, the above society 
is offering a magnificent 10-guinea challenge bowl 
for the best-kept cottage or allotment garden. It 
is a beautiful piece of workmanship, manufactured 
specially by Messrs. Atkin Bros., Sheffield. The 
winner will hold it for one year, and will also be 
entitled to a miniature facsimile of it; if won 
three times it becomes the absolute property of 
the winner. Three money prizes are also offered 
of 20s., 10s., and 5s. In addition, for the best 
collection of vegetables grown in these competing 
gardens, and shown at the annual show of the 
society, prizes value 21s.. 10s., and 7s. 6d. are 
offered, and for the best display of cut flowers, 
prizes value 21s., 10s., and 5s., so that the amateur 
members of this society are being well catered 
for. For a subscription of 2s. 6d. per year 
members are entitled to attend the monthly meet¬ 
ings, at which essays are read ; to compete for 
monthly prizes; and to exhibit at the annual 
show. The schedule for 1906, which is in the 
printer’s hands, shows that the committee are 
determined to be progressive. Several new classes 
have been added, and prizes increased in others. 
Groups, Roses, Dahlias, and vegetables will be 
special features.—W. L. 
Wargrave and District G.M.I.A. 
At the last meeting of this association, on 
November 29th, Mr. J. A. Hall, of Shiplake Court 
Gardens, read a very instructive paper on 
“ Economic Plants.” Out of so large a number to 
select from, only the chief ones could be referred 
to, and of these the lecturer took Tea, Coffee, 
Sugar, Sago, Arrowroot, Rice, Clove, Pepper, Nut¬ 
meg Camphor, Cotton, Flax, Hemp, Senna, Castor- 
oil plant, Cinchona, and Tobacco, describing the 
plant, its principal places of growth, propagation, 
and uses for either food, drink, clothing or medi¬ 
cine. A good discussion followed, in which several 
other useful plants were mentioned. A vote of 
thanks was accorded Air. Hall at the close for his 
entertaining paper. 
Much in Little. 
AVe understand that Mr. Harris, secretary of the 
National Agricultural Association, says there are' 
at present 110 societies in existence dealing with 
the purchase and sale of agricultural and garden 
produce.-For the first time the muidi-coveted 
premier award of the Liverpool H. A.’s silver chal¬ 
lenge cup, value 20 guineas, has been carried away 
by an exhibitor from a distance. The winner was 
Mr. J. B. Hankey, of Leatherhead, Surrey 
(gardener. Air. W. Higgs).-The officials of the 
Brighton Post Office have just held a Chrysan¬ 
themum show. Tl ere were eighty exhibits and 
it is hope 1 a permanent horticultural society may 
be started. 
, The prize essay scheme as drawn up by the 
Committee was submitted at the last meeting of 
the Isle of Wight H.A., and adopted.—The Pro¬ 
fessional Gardeners Friendly Benefit S-ocietv have 
paid out for sickness benefits since the last meet¬ 
ing £5 13s.—The concert held at Ohertsey on the 
23rd ult-., and organised by Air. A. J. Brown, in 
aid of the funds of the Gardeners’ Royal Bene¬ 
volent Institution, was a great success, and much 
enjoyed. During the past six years this district 
has contributed £60 to the funds of the institu¬ 
tion.—After paying all expenses of the Chrysan- 
themum Show of the Chislehurst G.A., a balance 
of £5 6s. was left, and this was divided between 
the Cray Valley Hospital and the Royal Gar¬ 
deners’ Orphan Fund.—The Ladywell, Lewisham 
and District Cottagers’ H.S. made a loss of £40 
on its two shows this year. The membership of 
the Society is 400, and there are 300 allotment 
holders.—(Mr. J. B. Reid having resigned the 
secretaryship of the Durham, Northumberland 
and Newcastle H.S., Air. J. Wilfrid Pace, C.A., 
has been elected in his place 
The Alayor of Tunbridge Wells (Councillor 
Hicks) has offered to become a vice-president of 
the Tunbridge AVells Chrysanthemum and Gar¬ 
deners’Association.-The Royal Horticultural 
Society’s silver medal for the best cottage garden 
in Surrey was won by Mr. AYm. Ede, who is a 
member of the Capeland District H.S.-Dr. T. 
Spurgin, the late hon. secretary of the Ongar 
H.S., who is leaving Ongar, has been presented 
with a silver tea and coffee service by the mem¬ 
bers of the society as a mark of their appreciation 
of his valuable services as the originator of the 
society in 1888 and their first hon. secretary. 
Annual Meetings. 
The financial statement of the Stone (Kent) and 
District Floral and Horticultural Society shows 
that there is a balance in hand of £2 8s. 4d., the 
expenditure during the year having amounted to 
£41 8s. lid. 
The balance-sheet of the East Oxford Horti¬ 
cultural Society shows a balance brought forward 
from last year of £6 0s. lid., whilst the season 
has finished with a balance in hand of £11 8s. 5d. 
As a result of this year’s successful show of the 
Durham, Northumberland, and Newcastle Botani¬ 
cal and Horticultural Society, the society ends 
the year with a credit balance of £134 1 0s. lOd. 
The statement of accounts relating tc this year's 
exhibition of the Dinas Powis Horticultural 
Society showed a credit balance of £39 5s. 10d. It 
was decided to hold the 1906 show on July 25th. 
Air. H. D. Williams was re-elected lion, secretary. 
llie Rev. W. Allen, the treasurer of the 
Loughton H.S., in submitting the balance-sheet 
said they started the year with £11 RH 5d. in 
hand, and ended with a balance of £13 13s. lid 
an increase of £2 3s. fid. 
The annual report presented by the hon. secre¬ 
tary (the Hon. J. de C. Boscawen) at the annual 
meeting of the Cornwall Daffodil and Sprint 
Flower Society showed that the year opened with 
a credit balance of £7 14s. 9d. Subscriptions 
realised £71 16s., admission to show, £136 15s. 6d. 
and £2 was forthcoming as interest on deposit 
The expenditure included £1 Is. subscription to 
the R.H.S., £65 for the Alarine Band, £50 4s. for 
prizes, £77 19s. lid. for general expenses, and 
£24 Is. 4d. balance, and £100 on deposit. A 
further £20 was placed on deposit. The society 
numbers 160 members. Next year’s show will 
be held on April 3rd and 4th. 
The Great Bowden H.S. is flourishing. They 
started the year with a sum in hand of £51 0s. 3d. 
The expenses of the last show amounted to 
£122 12s. 5d., and they now had a balance on the 
right side of over £56. 
Air. L. AY. Godtrey, treasurer of the AXill Road, 
Barnwell, and New Town (Ely) Cottage Amateur 
G.A., i eported receipts amounting to £91 19s. 4d.; 
the expenditure amounted to £63 14s. 9d., and 
there was a balance at the bank of £20, with 
£8 4s. 7d. in the hands of the treasurer. 
The receipts of the Preston and Fulwood H S 
for 1905 were £225 10s. 5d., and the payments, 
including an adverse balance with which they 
commenced, £214 0s. lOd. AVlien everything 
came in there would, said the treasurer, be a 
balance in hand of £14 16s. 7d. It was decided 
that next year’s show should be extended to three 
days instead of two as previously. 
The balance sheet of the The Newmarket H. S , 
shows that the receipts during the past year 
amounted to £280 12s. 5d., including a balance 
brought forward of £68 13s. 10d., and that after 
all debts had been paid a balance remained of 
£80 1/a. 2d. Mr. Leopold de Rothschild was 
re-elected president, and Air. Geo. A. Sarvent, 
secretary. 
The income of the Kinellar H.S. for the past 
year was £71. There is a balance in hand of 
£1 10s. 6d. Air. N. Smith, Blackburn, was re¬ 
elected secretary. 
