June 7, 1913. 
THE GARDENERS- MAGAZINE. 
425 
The Chairman proposed "Prospejdty to 
4be Kew Guild ” after the usual loyal toasts, 
and he spoke very highly of the fine ^rk 
accomplished at home and abroad by Jiew 
men whom he had met with in his journey- 
ines. He urged the young men at Kew and 
all Kewites residing in and around London, 
to make the most of the opportunities Kew 
affords for study; he added that, whatever 
success he had achieved as a landscape gar¬ 
dener was due to his long and close associa¬ 
tion with Kew, and the varied scenes and 
wide range of cultivated plants Kew con¬ 
tained. Mr. E. Brown and Mr. MacMillan 
responded, and each paid tribute to the in¬ 
fluence of Kew and the skill of Kewites 
abroad. Mr. Brown pointed out that there 
was room for considerable improvement in 
the Colonies, because very often a college- 
trained man was given a position that a 
practical man, such as one trained at Kew, 
should and could properly fill. 
An excellent musical programme was pro¬ 
vided, and a quarter of an hour’s interval 
gave old friends an opportunity of a hand¬ 
shake and a chat. “The President” was 
proposed by Mr. Chas. H. Curtis, who re¬ 
ferred to Mr. Goldring’s work at home, in 
India, and in America, and to the honour 
the Guild received from the success of any 
one of its members. Musical honours were 
accorded, and the President suitably replied. 
“ Auld Lang Syne ” broujght the proceedings 
to a close at a fairly early hour. 
The Perpetual Carnation 
Society. 
The date fixed for the annual dinner 
of the Perpetual Carnation Society — 
Wednesday, Miay 21—was, to be paredoxical, 
well chosen, but unfortu(na<te. It was weil 
chosen, because probably a larger number of 
the members and friends of the society were 
in town that evening than would hav« been 
possible fio get together on any other date, 
but it was unfortunate t)bat the Kew Guild 
dinner, also held at the Holborn Restaurant 
on the same evening, had prior claim to the 
attendance of a good many who would other, 
wi^ have readily enjoyed and added to the 
^joyment of the excellent dinner and de¬ 
lightful entertainment over which Mr. J. S. 
Brunton ably presided. It musrt not be sup. 
posed that tne clashing caused anything ap- 
^oaohdng unhappy results, for a -company 
of fifty-«ix persons sat down at the well- 
spread and beautifully decorated tables, 
every one of whim evidently thiroughly 
enjoyed the whole proceedings. Among 
the company pre^nt were a number of ladies, 
und several visitors from a distance, a few 
coming even from France. 
The loyal toasts were proposed toy the 
Ch^man, who also responded to that of 
I he Perpetual-flowering Carnation So- 
oi«ty,’’ which Mr. D. Ingamellis proposed in 
^ well-cho'sein s.peech. Mr. Brunton, 
S course of his reply, remarked that 
he ^lety is making steady progress, its 
mcml^rsihip now numbering nearly 500 and 
extentog to almost every country in Europe 
as well as to South Africa. 
To Mr. C. Engelmann fell the privilege 
health of the chairman, 
Iqm^” ^ eloquent and entertaining 
guage, ^he whole company app-roving in 
uo uncertain manner. 
Broughty Ferry Horticultural 
Association. 
<^inary monthly meeting was held 
in P^^i<i«ncy of Mr. James Bethel 
20th inst. The 
RoWt^ evening was Mr. James 
Arhrnll^^* 'gardener, Letham Grange, 
Cultiv K ^ subject “ The 
cultivation of Stone Fruits.” Taking apri- 
nectarines, peaches, and 
proceeded to describe 
cultivating them in their 
iu tha ^n. the open as wall trees, and 
dard«'^a«^? and plums as stan- 
fhem a« afterwards dealt with 
and subjects in permanent houses 
orchard houses, where they 
'wually growu in pote and tubs. He 
pointed out the necessity in all cases of 
having lime in the soil, and the feeding of 
the trees with phosphates, nitrates, and pot¬ 
ash. With reference to training, the lec¬ 
turer generally condemned the free growing 
system usually recognised as fan-trained or 
bushes as pot trees, his idea being that 
better results were obtained from cordons in 
each case. Stating the case for peaches and 
nectarines in a permanent border, the odds 
were against the fan-trained tree occupying 
so much space with the fruits all ripe within 
a few days, and then, when it was desired 
to plant a new tree the old one had to be 
cleared out. A prolonged discuseion ensued^ 
and on the call of the president the lecturer 
was cordially thanked. The monthly award 
was made to Mr. D. K. Meston, The Lodge 
Gardens, for a well-flowered Anthurium 
Scherzerianum Wardi. 
Royal Scottish Arboricultural 
Society. 
The first excursiion for the season of the 
members of the Aberdeen branch of this 
society took place recently, when Drum 
Castle and woo^, some seven or eight miles 
from Aberdeen, were visited. The day was 
beautifully fine, and the whole valley of the 
Dee was bathed in sunshine. 
Drum Castle is the home of Mr. A. F. 
Indue, the present chairman of the branch, 
and that gentleman met the members at 
Drum Station, and aiooampanied them in 
their tour. The party was the largest the 
branch had ever had at an excuilsdon, and 
included Sir John Gladstome, of Fasque; Sir 
John Fleming, of Dalmuinzie; Mr. Sydney J_ 
Gammell, of Drumtochty; Mr. M. Y. Hay, 
of Seaton; Mr. A. M. Ogston, of Ardoe, and 
many other landed proprietors, factors, and 
foresters -for forty mdes round, i^^logies 
woire received from Sir Thomas Burnett, 
Bart., of Leys; Sir John Maephersen-Gnant, 
of Ballindalloch; Mr. Nicol, of Ballogde, and 
many other leading gentlemen and forosters. 
When all were marshalled, each with his 
sprig of Scots pine denoting membership of 
the society, Mr. Irvine led the way to a very 
fine wood of Scots nine about 50 years of age. 
Here the skill and mantagement brought to 
bear on the wood were much a-dmired. From 
thence the party proceeded to a wood of simi¬ 
lar trees, planted from 80 to 100 years ago. 
Here '^1ome grand old specimens were found, 
and the foresters held some animated con¬ 
versations over what they saw. Younger 
wc>od-3, varying from 12 to 36 years old, 
were then inspected, when an adjournment 
wias made to tb-e Cattle, where luncheon was 
served. Here Mr. Irvine welcomed his 
guests, and expressed the great pleasure it 
gave him tt> see such a large gathering. 
Luncheon over, the fbrecters proceeded to 
inspect the gardens adjoining the Castle, 
where ‘some magnificent trees were seen, in¬ 
cluding oak, .Spanish chestnut, ash, and elm 
_all of la-i^e size. The moat remyarkable 
trees seen during this part of the tour were 
two holly trees, one on each eide of the Castle 
enitianoe, which are supposed to be the 
largest in this or any other county. 
The party then proceeded to visit the old 
Forest of Drum. William de Irvin-e, first 
of his line to hold the lands of Drum, re¬ 
ceived them as a reward for his services 
from Robert the Bruce in 1323, and during 
the 590 years which have passed since William 
entered into posisession, the old forest of 
Drum has remained, practically speaking, in 
its primeval and virginal state. The privi¬ 
lege of inspecting this wonderful link with 
other days was greatly appreciated by the 
visitiors. Extending to some 400 acres, many 
capital specimens were seen of gnarled oaks, 
old Scots pine, etc., all naturally grown. 
The visitors were delighted with their expe. 
riences in the fine old wood. The Castle was 
then visdibed, and the fam-ous old tower— 
erected generations before the Irvines came 
into possession—proved an object of great 
inter^. 
A meeting of the branch was then held, 
Mr. Irvine presiding. Since their last meet¬ 
ing, the Chairman said, the branch had lost 
a very prominent and highly-respected mem¬ 
ber in the death of Mr. A. M. Gordon, of 
Newton, the first president of the branch, 
and who gave it its first send-off. He moved 
that they record in their transactions the 
deep sense of the loss sustained by the death 
of Mr. Gordon, and that an excerpt of the 
minutes be sent to Mrs. Gordon and family. 
This was uinaniimously agreed to. Mr. R. J. 
Nicol, younger, of Ballogie, was admitted 
a member ^ the branch. The Secretary 
intimated that, through the kindne€s of th*e 
Seafield trustees, the branch would make 
an excursion to the famous Cullen, woods on 
August 9. 
Mr. Gammell, of Drum-tochty, proposed a 
vote of thamks to Mr. Irvine for the great 
kindness and hospitality he had shown therh 
that day. Needless to say. the response was 
lucorty in the extreme, and cheers were oc-r- 
dially given for the president and Mrs. 
Irvine. The party then wended their way 
to the station, all delighted with the expen. 
ences they had undergone. 
Reading: Gardeners’ 
Association. 
Fortune favoured the members of this 
society ou Wednesday last, when, by kind 
permission of the Right Hon. the Earl and 
Countess of Carnarvon, the beautiful grounds 
and gardens at Highclere Castle, near New¬ 
bury, were visited. 
A large muster of members assembled at 
the G.W.R. station and journeyed to New¬ 
bury by the 10.33 train. Newbury was 
reached at 11.15, outlying members having 
been picked up at intermediate stations. 
Brakes conveyed the visitors to Highclere by 
way of Wash Common, and an exceedingly 
pleasant drive was enjoyed. On reaching tlie 
outskirts of the park the party was met by 
the head gardener, Mr. Blake, and conducted 
by him round the lakes, the banks of which 
are clothed with a profusion of rhododen¬ 
drons and azaleas in most varied colouring. 
A walk of a mile and a-half through lovely 
woodland drives brought the party to a large 
marquee erected on the outskirts of the park, 
where, by the kindness of the vice-president, 
an excellent luncheon was in readiness. 
Here the party was joined by the Presi¬ 
dent, the Vice-President, Mr. W.Pole Routh, 
and Mr. Arthur Sutton, who had motored 
over. The President proiwsed the loyal 
toast, which was heartily received, and a 
verse of the National Anthem was sung. 
Mr. Arthur Sutton then projposed the 
health of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, 
requesting their representative, Mr. Blake, 
to convey to them the sincere thanks of the 
company for their kindness in permitting a 
visit to their lovely demesne. Mr. Blake 
having responded. 
The Chairman proposed the health of the 
Vice-president, expressing the thanks of the 
party for his kind entertainment. 'This was 
received with applause. Mr. Leonard Sutton, 
in reply, expressed the pleasure it gave him 
to be with the members that day. In con¬ 
clusion, be gave the toast of the President, 
thanking him for affording the members the 
pleasure of his company on yet another an¬ 
nual excursion. 
Luncheon concluded, the party was driven 
to the gardens and then conducted by Mr. 
Blake through the glass houses and walled 
rden. A fine crop of melons in one of the 
uses was specially noticed. From the gar¬ 
dens the tour was continued past the noble 
mansion to the delightful lawns and pleasure 
grounds, where lovely beds of rhododendrons 
and azaleas, just at the zenith of their 
beauty, made a really dazzling colour effect, 
one bed of rhododendrons—Pink Pearl— 
being particularly charming. The niagnifi- 
cent o^ars (for which Highclere is cele¬ 
brated) and other giant trees also proved a 
great attraction to the visitors. 
At 4.15 the party repaired to a large naar- 
quee on the lawn in front of the mansion, 
where, by the kindness of the Counte^ of 
Carnarvon, tea was served, and this kindly 
. thought of her ladyship was very greatly 
appreciated. Reading was reached at 7.30 
after a most enjoyable, instructive, and suc¬ 
cessful outing. 
