March  22,  IfOO. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
253 
Tlie  I{oyal  Iforticultural  Society. 
Scientific  Committee,  March  13th. 
Present  :  Dr.  "M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair)  ;  Dr.  Muller,  Mr.  Hudson, 
Mr.  Im  Thurn,  Eev.  W.  Wilks,  Mr.  Lynch,  and  Kev.  G.  Henslow, 
hon.  sec. 
Grapes  diseased. —  Mr.  Hudson  brought  some  specimens  which 
appeared  to  be  attacked  with  the  fungus  Glseospcrium.  Dr.  Masters 
undertook  to  examine  it  further. 
Douglas  Fir  diseased. — Branches  were  received  from  Mr.  Rogers 
of  Penalowne,  Cornwall.  They  were  from  young  trees,  planted  in  an 
old  plantation.  In  some  cases  the  whole  tree  was  unhealthy ;  but  in 
others  the  trees  grow  vigorously,  and  only  the  top  dies.  They  were 
referred  to  Dr.  W.  G.  Smith  for  examination. 
Pear  Stem  constricted.  —  Mr.  Rogers  also  sent  a  specimen  re¬ 
markably  constricted  by  a  staple.  The  diameter  of  the  stem  being 
2  inches,  this  was  reduced  to  half  an  inch  at  the  constriction.  It  had 
borne  good  crops  of  fruit  up  to  last  year. 
At>ies  amabilis  attacked  by  Chermes. — Dr.'Masters  showed  specimens 
of  this  tree,  also  called  A.  Lowiana,  with  gouty  branches.  The  bark 
was  badly  infested  by  an  aphis  much  resembling  that  which  attacks 
Beeches.  The  same  remedy  of  syringing  with  petroleum  emulsion  is 
to  be  adopted  if  the  trees  be  slightly  infested  ;  otherwise  the  only 
means  of  destroying  the  pest  is  to  destroy  the  tree  by  burning. 
Hydnora  ajricana. — He  also  showed  a  specimen  of  this  remarkable 
parasite.  It  is  a  fleshy,  leafless  plant,  parasitic  upon  plants  of  the 
genera  Cotyledon  and  Euphorbia  in  tropical  and  South  Africa.  There 
are  about  eight  species.  The  specimen  was  I’eceived  from  Grahamstown. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident 
Society. 
There  was  a  fairly  large  attendance  of  members  at  the  Caledonian 
Hotel  on  the  P2th  inst.,  when  this  society  held  its  annual  meeting.  It 
had  been  announced  that  Mr.  S.  T.  Wright  would  occupy  the  chair, 
but  unfortunately  indisposition  prevented  his  attendance.  At  very 
short  notice  Mr.  Richard  Dean  undertook  to  jpreside,  and  beyond 
calling  upon  the  secretary  to  read  the  minutes  of  the  first  annual 
meeting,  he  did  not  take  up  any  time.  The  prelijminaries  having  been 
disposed  of,  Mr.  Collins  was  requested  to  read  the  committee’s  report 
for  the  past  year,  which  was  as  follows  : — 
Report  for  1899.  ^ 
In  presenting  the  annual  report  and  balance  sheet  for  the  year 
ending  January  8tb,  1900,  the  committee  have  great  pleasure  in  stating 
that  the  society  continues  to  make  progress  in  a  very  satisfactory 
manner.  I 
Eighty-three  members  joined  during  the  ye^r,  twenty-nine  lapsed 
from  various  causes,  two  died,  and  two  ceased  to  pay,  being  over 
seventy  years  of  age  ;  this  leaves  a  net  increase  of  fifty,  the  member¬ 
ship  for  the  year  being  791.  The  amount  of  subscriptions  paid  by 
members  to  the  benefit  fond,  including  arrears  for  1898,  was 
£1236  5s.  3d.  The  sick  pay  account  was  £206  2s.,  being  £52  15s.  less 
than  last  year.  This  is  covered  by  deductions  jrom  members  deposit 
accounts  of  Gs.  5d.  and  4s.  4d.  respectively.  Thete  is  a  balance  now  in 
this  fund  (including  £1201  15s.  lid.  standing  ^o  the  credit  of  lapsed 
members)  of  £12,190  9s.  2d.  _  _ 
The  Benevolent  Fund  is  now  doing  a  usefuLwork.  Subscriptions 
amounting  to  £153  16s.  Id.  have  been  received  from  honorary  and 
benefit  members,  including  £10  10s.  generously  given  by  W.  Y.  Baker, 
Esq.,  at  the  annual  dinner.  Various  grants  have^  been  made  from  this 
fund,  amounting  to  £66  5s.  6d.  The  Convalescept  Fund  continues  to 
increase.  Mr.  Baker  and  Mr.  Sherwood  each  gave  a  donation  of  £o  5s. 
at  the  annual  dinner.  Three  members  only  applied  for  assistance  during 
the  year,  the  amount  paid  out  being  £4  only.  Tpe  Management  Fund 
shows  a  balance  of  £129  8s.  lOd.  The  amount  invested  in  Corporation 
Stock  by  the  treasurer  during  the  past  year  )vas  £1500,  the  total 
invested  funds  being  £15,850,  and  the  treasurer  i  has  £153  14s.  lid.  in 
hand.  .u  u  • 
The  annual  dinner  passed  off  in  a  most  successful  manner,  the  chair 
being  admirably  filled  by  W.  Y.  Baker,  Esq.  Ifhe  society’s  accounts 
were  audited  by  Messrs.  G.  Dixon  and  W.  Gunner,  and  found  correct. 
From  the  remarks  of  the  committee  as  set  forth  above  it  can  easily 
be  gathered  that  the  general  affairs  of  the  iijstitution  are  in  a  most 
flourishing  state,  as  indeed  they  should  be  oonsjdering  the  advantages 
derivable  therefrom  by  members.  The  three  fgnds  known  respectively 
as  the  Benefit,  Benevolent,  and  Voluntary  Convalescent,  are  all  adrni- 
rable,  and  happily  each  shows  a  material  improvement  in  financial 
status  over  last  year.  The  management  of  the  society  is  in  every  way 
excellent,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  sole  desir^  of  the  committee  is  to 
do  the  utmost  good  with  the  money  in  hafld.  There  are  no  lavish 
expenses  for  offices,  while  the  secretary,  as  v^as  remarked  during  the 
evening,  carries  out  his  many  duties  for  a  surprisingly  low  salary.  As 
we  cannot  give  the  whole  of  the  balance-sheets  we  reproduce  the  one 
read  by  Mr.  Jas.  Hudson,  the  treasurer. 
Treasurer’s  Statement  of  Accounts. 
Dr.  Receipts. 
Expenditure. 
Or. 
1899.  January  9th. 
£ 
8. 
d. 
1900. 
£ 
8. 
d. 
To  Balance  in  hand  ... 
128 
15 
11 
Bv  Sick  Pay  from  Benefit 
1900.  January  8th. 
1 
Fund . 
206 
2 
0 
Hon.  Mems’.  Subs,  to 
Payment  to  Nominees 
Ben.  Fund . 
62 
7 
0 
of  Deceased  Members 
6 
7 
2 
Benefit  Mems’.  Subs.  ...1208 
19 
O 
Payments  from  Benevo- 
„  Benevolent  Subs.... 
88 
9 
* 
lent  Fund . 
66 
5 
6 
„  Convalescent  Subs. 
7 
18 
9 
Payments  from  Con- 
,,  Management  ,. 
87 
4 
8 
valescent  Fund . 
4 
0 
0 
,,  Arreai’s  of  Subs. ,1898 
27 
6 
0 
Payments  from  Manage- 
„  ,,  Ben.  Fund  „ 
5 
19 
6 
ment  Fund  . 
138 
18  10 
5 
8 
10 
Investments,  Stamps, 
Rules  and  Revocation 
and  Commission  ...1543 
G 
6 
Fees  . 
0 
8 
G 
Advts.  in  Annual  Report 
7 
5 
9 
£1965 
0 
0 
Hon.  Mems’.  Subs.,  and 
Don.  to  Conv’t.  Fund 
20 
9 
G 
Hon.  Members’  Don.  to 
Management  . 
3 
3 
0 
Sale  of  Certificates  of 
Membership  . 
20 
0 
G 
Divs.  on  Investments 
per  Trustees  . 
444 
18 
2 
Balance  in  hand . 
153 
14  11 
£2118 
14 
11 
i  £2118 
14 
11 
As  we  briefly  noted  on  page  214  of  our  last  issue,  this  shows  a  most 
satisfactory  condition  of  affairs,  and  it  goes  without  saying  that  any 
society  that  can  cover  the  expenses  of  management  by  the  aid  of  its 
interest  on  investments  alone  must  have  its  affairs  excellently- 
conducted.  The  statement  of  its  assets  and  liabilities  is  in  the  same 
eminently  satisfactory  condition. 
In  rising  to  move  the  adoption  of  the  report  and  the  balance  sheets 
of  the  several  funds,  the  chairman  made  several  pertinent  remarks,  and 
while  confining  himself  mainly  to  the  statements  set  forth,  threw  out 
one  or  two  hints  that  he  considered  worthy  of  the  society’s  attention. 
These  had  in  view  the  extension  of  the  society’s  business  amongst 
gardeners  throughout  the  country,  who  either  from  apathy  or 
indifference  had  not  become  subscribers.  Mr.  Dean  congratulated  the 
institution  on  the  splendid  progress  that  had  been  made,  and  deplored 
the  fact  that  there  were  only  791  members  on  the  books  ;  hence  the 
suggestions  thrown  out.  He  wished  specially  to  bring  the  society 
before  the  younger  generation  of  gardeners,  and  that  much  might  be 
done  in  this  direction  cannot  be  doubted.  In  concluding,  the  chairman 
paid  a  graceful  tribute  to  gardeners  as  a  class,  describing  them  as 
steady,  thrifty,  and  industrious.  Mr.  W.  Marshall  seconded  the 
motion,  which  was  carried  without  a  dissentient  voice. 
The  retiring  members  of  the  committee  were  Messrs.  Hemsley, 
Keif,  Winter,  Summers,  Cook,  and  Forman,  of  whom  the  four  first 
named,  being  eligible,  were  re-elected,  Messrs.  Curtis  and  Stanbridge 
taking  the  place  of  the  other  two.  Then  followed  several  votes  of  thanks 
to  various  officers  for  past  services,  after  which  Mr.  W.  Marshall  moved 
the  following  resolution  That  the  members  of  the  United  Horti¬ 
cultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society,  at  their  annual  meeting  held  on 
March  12th,  1900,  desire  to  record  their  appreciation  of  the  inestimable 
services  rendered  to  the  fund  by  the  late  Mr.  John  Fraser,  V.M.H.,  as 
their  first  treasurer  on  the  formation  of  the  society,  and  hereby  tender 
their  sincere  condolences  to  his  family  for  the  irreparable  loss  they 
have  sustained.”  This  having  b4en  seconded,  was  carried  unanimously. 
In  view  of  the  amount  of  work  that  devolves  upon  the  secretary  it 
was  proposed  that  his  salary  be  raised  to  £52  per  annum,  but  as  this 
could  not  be  done  without  notice  of  motion  having  been  given,  it  was 
decided  to  give  him  a  bonus  of  £10  over  and  above  his  salary,  and 
refer  the  increase  to  the  committee,  who  in  turn  would  report  to  a 
special  general  meeting.  This  advance  is  thoroughly  warranted,  and 
we  hope  will  be  made.  It  was  decided  to  print  and  distribute  5000 
copies  of  the  report.  Other  formal  business  having  been  disposed  of, 
a  cordial  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  closed  the  meeting. 
- 1  ■  ■  ^  > 
Grassendale  and  Aigbnrtli  Spring  SIiow. 
The  first  of  the  spring  shows  in  our  district  was  opened  by  the 
committee  of  the  above  society  in  the  Grassendale  Parish  Room  on 
Saturday  last,  and  notwithstanding  the  difficult  weather  that  has  been 
experienced,  the  display  of  flowers  and  plants  was  bright  and  varied. 
As  to  the  society  itself,  one  rarely  finds  such  a  formidable  list  of 
special  prizes,  which  goes  to  make  up  a  sound  financial  concern  and 
keeps  it  intact  against  weather  and  other  causes.  Then,  too,  Mr. 
Evans,  the  chairman,  is  thorough  in  every  way,  and  his  allusion  to  the 
assistance  rendered  by  Mr.  T.  Johnson,  the  excellent  secretary,  and  the 
committee,  was  well  put  and  heartily  received. 
For  twelve  Hyacinths,  Mr.  F.  Field,  gardener  to  J.  H.  Wilson,  Esq., 
Errington  Lodge,  Aigburth,  staged  admirably  Fabiola,  Queen  of  the 
I 
