362 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  29,  1897. 
Tulip  Leaves  Diseased. — Mr.  Thos.  Wannock  of  Polegate,  Sussex, 
lent  specimens  of  leaves  showing  discolouration.  They  were  forwarded 
to  Kew  for  examination. 
Cineraria  eruentvs. — Mr.  Herrin  of  Dropmore  sent  specimens  of  the 
original  form  of  this  plant  exhibiting  different  shades  of  colour  as  well 
as  a  cross  between  it  and  the  garden  form.  The  latter  was  of  a  deep 
crimson  tint. 
Daffodils  synanthic. — Rev.  C.  W.  Dod  sent  two  specimens,  each 
consisting  of  two  flowers,  of  which  the  stalks  were  fused  for  the  entire 
length  from  base  to  flower  ;  they  were  the  var.  Empress.  He  observes 
that  in  one  case  “  the  union  was  by  a  superficial  membrane  only  ;  but 
in  the  other  the  combination  was  complete,  the  joint  scape  being  hollow 
at  the  base,  without  any  visible  joining.’' 
Larthnnts  — Mr.  Wilks  brought  specimens  of  this  umbellifer.  which 
is  common  in  the  woods  and  hedges  and  open  hills  about  Croydon,  the 
tubers  being  much  eaten  by  children  in  that  neighbourhood.  He 
remarked  that  two,  of  the  ages  two  and  ten,  had  lately  died,  apparently 
poisoned  by  eating  the  leaves  of  some  wild  plant,  but  its  nature  could 
not  be  discovered. 
Bamboo  Canes  and  Earwigs. 
As  Bamboo  canes  are  so  much  in  request  for  training  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums,  I  wish  to  draw  attention  to  an  evil  in  relation  to  their  use  that 
came  under  my  notice,  as  the  experience  may  prove  useful  to  others. 
We  grew  about  300  Chrysanthemums  for  large  blooms,  and  after  the 
buds  were  taken  ■we  w7ere  much  troubled  by  earwigs.  We  tried  traps  of 
every  description  to  no  purpose,  and  the  ravages  kept  growing  worse, 
even  after  the  plants  were  housed.  On  going  in  with  a  light  about 
10.30  p  m.,  October  23rd,  I  chanced  to  see  an  earwig  just  vanishing  into 
the  hollow  end  of  a  Bamboo  cane  ;  the  next  day  every  cane  was  un¬ 
loosed,  and  the  occupants  dislodged  by  a  sharp  tap  on  the  floor  ;  it  was 
then  we  found  what  a  splendid  retreat  the  canes  had  afforded  for  the 
enemy.  We  succeeded  in  killing  a  small  army  of  earwigs,  and  needless 
to  say  were  troubled  no  more  that  season.  I  recommend  all  growers 
who  use  Bamboo  canes  for  Chrysanthemums  to  cut  the  tops  at  a  joint, 
or  otherwise  to  plug  them  with  wood  or  cement  if  they  wish  to  save 
the  blooms  from  the  ravages  of  these  troublesome  pests.— J.  C., 
Lancashire. 
Putney  and  Wandsworth  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
We  are  informed  that  by  way  of  celebrating  the  sixtieth  year  of 
Her  Majesty’s  reign  the  tradesmen  of  Putney  and  Wandsworth  will  this 
year  offer  a  silver  cup,  value  25  guineas,  to  be  called  the  Putney  and 
Wandsworth  Tradesmen’s  Commemoration  Challenge  Cup,  also  hand¬ 
some  money  prizes  for  cut  blooms,  open  to  all,  at  the  annual  show  to 
be  held  in  November.  , 
Highgate  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
The  annual  report  and  balance-sheet,  together  with  the  schedule  of 
the  Dext  Show  of  the  Highgate  and  District  Chrysanthemum  Society, 
has  just  reached  us.  The  Committee’s  report  is  a  gratifying  one  as 
showing  the  satisfactory  condition  of  the  Society,  and  proving  the 
increased  popularity  of  the  annual  Show.  The  1S96  exhibition  brought 
so  many  exhibits  that  the  Northfield  Hall  did  not  provide  a  sufficiency 
of  space,  and  the  overflow  had  to  be  relegated  to  a  tent.  We  trust  this 
year’s  display,  which  is  fixed  for  Thursday  and  Friday,  November  4th 
and  5th,  will  be  equally  as  successful  both  floriculturally  and  financially. 
There  are  eighty  classes  scheduled,  including  many  in  which  special 
prizes  are  very  generously  offered  by  ladies  and  gentlemen  resident  in 
the  neighbourhood.  The  Secretary  is  Mr.  W.  E.  Boyce,  20,  Holmesdale 
Road,  Highgate,  N. 
Hull  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
The  motto  of  the  Hull  and  East  Riding  Chrysanthemum  Society  has 
ever  been  “  Onward,”  and  during  1896  the  Society  as  well  as  the  several 
years  since  its  inception  still  showed  signs  of  progress.  In  the  report  that 
was  read  at  the  annual  meeting  occurs  the  following  paragraph  : — “  The 
Committee  heartily  congratulate  the  members  of  the  Society  on  the 
result  of  the  last  year’s  working.  Not  only  has  there  been  an  addition 
to  the  roll  of  membership,  and  consequently  an  increase  in  the  amount 
of  subscriptions,  but  the  public  have  manifested  a  much  greater  interest 
in  the  Society’s  proceedings.  This  latter  fact  is  evidenced  by  the  greatly 
increased  attendance  at  the  last  exhibition  held  by  the  Society  on  the 
11th  and  12th  November  last;  in  fact,  so  great  was  the  demand  for 
admission  on  the  second  day  of  the  show  that,  at  one  time,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  close  the  doors  until  the  congested  state  of  the  room  had 
been  somewhat  relieved.”  Could  anything  more  satisfactory  than  this 
be  wished — except  a  larger  building?  Never  have  officials  worked 
harder  than  those  of  Hull,  wbfere  the  whole  scheme  of  arrangement  is 
well  nigh  perfect.  They  have  sought  for  success  and  they  have  found 
j  t,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  if  present  efforts  are  maintained 
they  will  keep  it.  The  Honorary  Secretaries  are  Messrs.  Edward  Harland 
and  Jas.  Dixon,  Manor  Street,  Hull,  who  will  provide  full  particulars  of  ' 
the  show  to  be  held  in  November. 
South  Shields  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
When  the  annual  meeting  of  the  South  Shields  and  Northern 
Counties  Chrysanthemum  Society  was  held  Aid.  T.  G.  Mabane,  President, 
occupied  the  chair.  Mr.  Bernard  Cowan  (Hon.  Secretary)  read  the 
annual  report,  which  stated  that  the  balance  in  hand  had  been  increased 
from  15s.  5d.  to  £26  5s.  9d.,  which  might  be  considered  as  highly  satis¬ 
factory.  From  the  annual  meeting  held  on  the  22nd  September,  1895,  till 
November  25th,  1896,  the  Committee  collected  in  subscriptions  the  hand¬ 
some  sum  of  £139  6e.  6i.  This  was  gratifying  as  showing  that  the  worlc 
of  the  Committee  was  appreciated  in  trying  to  hold  successful  exhibitions 
in  the  town.  The  last  exhibition  was  scarcely  so  large  as  the  previous 
one,  but  the  high-clas9  merits  of  the  exhibits  amply  compensated  for 
that  deficiency.  The  Chairman  observed  that  the  report  was  most  satis¬ 
factory.  Last  year  they  seemed  to  get  low  down,  but  they  had 
fortunately  been  able  to  bring  the  Society  up  again.  As  our  readers 
will  probably  be  aware,  the  first  show  of  the  Society  was  held  in  1882, 
and  for  the  success  that  has  been  achieved  since  that  time  much  credit 
is  undoubtedly  due  to  Mr.  Bernard  Cowan,  who  is  an  occasional 
contributor  to  our  columns. 
Sheffield  Chrysanthemum  Society. 
At  the  monthly  meeting  held  in  the  Society’s  rooms  on  the  14th  inst. , 
the  second  of  three  papers  on  the  cultivation  of  the  Chrysanthemum  was 
read  by  Mr.  Chas.  Scott.  The  former  paper  commenced  with  the 
cuttings  and  treatment  required  up  to  the  present  time.  The  second 
portion,  which  was  very  clear  and  concise,  fully  explained  the  writer’s 
treatment,  dealt  with  the  time  for  stopping  the  various  sections  of 
the  group.  He  also  gave  instructions  in  watering,  potting,  the  soil  most 
suitable  to  use,  and  other  essentials.  The  remaining  portion  of  his 
cultural  instructions  will  be  given  later  in  the  season,  when  the  series 
will  have  dealt  with  the  annual  life  of  the  plant  from  the  cutting  to  the 
exhibition  flower  in  November,  when  the  Society’s  shows  are  held.  A 
large  number  of  the  members  were  present,  and  greatly  appreciated  the 
information  given.  A  discussion  followed,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
essayist  brought  the  subject  to  a  close.  The  exhibits  were  Spiraeas,  and 
a  good  number  of  fine  plants  were  shown.  In  the  professional  section 
Mr.  T.  Dixon  was  first,  Mr.  Thos.  Morton  second,  and  Mr.  Chat.  Scott 
third.  Amateurs,  Mr.  H.  H.  Weliford  first,  and  Mr.  W.  Donaldson 
second.  Mr.  John  J.  Newsham  occupied  the  chair,  and  received  a  vote 
of  thanks  for  his  services. 
CINERARIAS  AT  HOME. 
As  so  much  seems  to  have  been  written  lately  on  the  culture  of 
Cinerarias,  it  may  perhaps  interest  your  readers  to  know  something  of  the 
manner  of  growth  in  their  native  haunts.  During  a  prolonged  stay  in  the 
Canary  Islands  I  took  particular  note  of  these  plantB,  and  came  to  this 
conclusion — they  are  undoubted  rock  plants.  I  never  once  saw  the  tall 
Cineraria  cruenta  in  the  Island  of  Teneriffe.  This  species  is  undeniably 
the  original  parent  of  the  greenhouse  varieties,  and  the  flowers,  though 
of  course  not  the  size  of  our  huge  modern  inventions,  are  by  no  means 
small. 
In  the  Island  of  Grand  Canary  they  grew  in  abundance  upon  the 
hills,  but  even  on  the  mountains  their  tall  showy  flower  heads  were 
always  to  be  discerned  on  the  summit  of  cliffs,  or  on  the  raised  banks  on 
each  side  of  the  steep  country  lanes.  In  this  last  position,  among  the 
rough  hedges  of  Prickly  Pear  and  Cytisus,  they  flourished  amazingly, 
growing  to  the  height  of  3  feet  or  more.  The  flowers  varied  greatly  in 
colour  ;  a  pure  white  vras  to  be  found,  but  was  far  less  common  than 
those  splashed  or  edged  with  blue,  mauve,  or  purplish  pink,  or  of  seifs 
of  various  vivid  shades  of  purplish  crimson.  Though  the  roots  were 
generally  shaded  and  protected  by  tall  rough  grass  and  herbs,  the  heads 
were  always  in  full  sunshine.  I  noticed  only  one  curious  exception, 
where  many  hundreds  of  these  plants  were  growing  on  the  face  of  a 
perfectly  perpendicular  cliff.  So  straight  and  rocky  was  it,  that  it  was 
quite  destitute  of  other  plant  life  ;  but  growing  all  down  the  precipitous 
lava  rock  were  the  Cinerarias,  and  though  stunted  and  dwarfed  to  the 
height  of  a  few  inches,  they  appeared  nevertheless  green  and  healthy. 
These  were  in  deep  shadow  at  midday,  but  during  the  spring  at  least 
little  trickles  of  water  ceaselessly  crept  down  the  face  of  - the  cliff  and 
kept  the  roots  moist,  for  no  roots  could  have  penetrated  into  that  iron- 
hard  rock,  while  its  surface  was  too  steep  and  unbroken  for  any 
nourishing  soil  to  lodge  on  it.  I  may  add  that  this  district  is  very  wet 
during  the  winter  and  early  spring  months — their  flowering  season. 
Though  I  never  came  across  Cineraria  cruenta  in  Teneriffe,  in  one 
region  I  found  a  variety  of  Cineraria  infinitely  more  charming  and  refined. 
This  only  grew  on  steep  rocky  cliffs  or  banks  of  broken  lava,  and  in 
the  south  and  warmest  side  of  the  island.  It  was  never  more  than  6  or 
8  inches  in  height,  and  few  flowers  crowned  the  stem  ;  its  leaves,  unlike 
those  of  its  cousin  of  the  Grand  Canary,  were  not  coarse  and  weedy 
looking,  and  its  fixed  colour  was  a  Boft  and  pleasing  shade  of  pink  ;  and 
though  far  from  uncommon  in  the  neighbourhood,  I  hardly  ever  saw  it 
elsewhere.  Unfortunately  I  made  no  note  of  its  correct  botanical  name, 
though  enlightened  by  an  enthusiastic  plant  hunter,  who  declared  it  to 
be  an  exceedingly  rare  species,  but  I  can  find  no  mention  of  it  in 
“  Nicholson’s  Dictionary.” — Nota  Bene. 
