398 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
October  24,  1895. 
seventy,  when  he  ceases  to  participate  in  the  benefits  of  the  sick  fund, 
may  annually  draw  a  portion  of  his  balance  (which  at  that  age  must 
necessarily  be  large),  and  at  the  same  time  be  qualified  for  assistance 
from  the  Benevolent  Fund,  should  he  require  it.  It  is  true  no  member 
has  as  yet  availed  himself  of  this  rule,  the  reason  probably  being  the 
Society  has  only  just  existed  long  enough  for  it  to  be  possible. 
Peculiar  to  this  Society,  and  undoubtedly  of  great  value,  is  the 
Convalescent  Fund,  a  Fund  which  owes  its  existence  to  the  foresight 
and  generosity  of  Mr.  Sherwood.  (Cheers.)  This  Fund  is  purely  a 
voluntary  one,  and  it  is  at  the  disposal  of  the  Committee  to  send  away 
for  a  time  any  member  who  may  have  been  so  prostrated  by  illness  as 
to  render  a  change  imperative,  but  who  may  not  have  the  wherewithal 
needful.  To  generous  friends,  and  to  those  who  are  enjoying  a  larger 
share  of  the  good  things  of  this  world  than  falls  to  all  of  us,  I  would 
venture  to  ask  something  more  than  a  kindly  thought  for  this  Fund 
when  the  United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society  next 
comes  uppermost  in  their  minds. 
These,  gentlemen,  are  the  points  especially  worthy  of  notice.  Most 
of  us  here,  and  certainly  those  interested  in  the  three  great  bodies  for 
doing  good  connected  with  our  calling,  are  aware  what  the  use  this  Society 
must  be  to  any  member  in  case  of  illness,  but  to  our  visitors  1  would 
say.  For  a  moderate  monthly  payment  he  receives  a  liberal  weekly 
allowance  during  sickness  ;  for  no  payment  at  all  he  may,  if  a  fit 
subject  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  participate  in  the  Convalescent 
Fund,  Should  he  in  his  old  age  be  in  want,  the  Benevolent  Fund  is  at 
his  service  ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  for  in  this  point  the  Society  differs 
from  others  of  its  kind,  he  does  not  lose  his  deposit  should  his 
payments  unfortunately  lapse,  and  he  at  the  age  of  seventy,  or  in  case 
of  death  anyone  he  may  have  nominated,  may  withdraw  the  full  sum  with 
the  interest  placed  to  his  credit  up  to  the  time  he  ceased  subscribing, 
without  any  deductions  whatsoever.  (Cheers.) 
Grentlemen,  I  have  done.  Briefly  I  have  tried  to  lay  before  you  a  few 
important  points  about  this  splendid  Society,  and  will  now  ask  you  to 
drink  with  all  cordiality  to  its  continued  and  rapid  success.  (Prolonged 
cheers.) 
Mr.  N.  Cole  rose  to  reply,  and  said  he  considered  it  a  great  honour 
to  be  asked  to  do  so  on  behalf  of  the  Society.  He  was  sure  that  all 
present  were  gratified  at  the  satisfactory  statements  made  by  the 
Chairman,  and  he  wished  to  thank  him  on  behalf  of  the  Society  for 
presiding  on  that  occasion.  The  work  of  this  Society  was  to  do  good 
amongst  gardeners,  and  by  its  efforts  they  hoped  to  make  the  world 
more  pleasant  to  live  in.  In  course  of  further  remarks  Mr.  Cole  said 
much  had  been  hinted  about  the  long  name  borne  by  the  Society  ;  they, 
however,  delighted  in  the  long  name,  as  each  portion  of  it  had  its  own 
particular  benefit,  and  with  reference  to  that  fund  alluded  to  by  the 
Chairman — namely,  the  convalescent  fund,  the  name  of  Sherwood  would 
be  honoured  as  long  as  the  Society  lasted.  (Cheers.)  He  thanked  the 
Chairman  for  the  able  manner  in  which  he  had  addressed  those  present, 
and  expressed  the  hope  he  would  live  many  years  to  glorify  the  name  of 
Veitch.  (Applause.) 
Me.  Jas.  Hudson,  when  proposing  the  toast  of  the  “  Honorary  and 
Life  Members  and  Visitors,”  said  he  was  pleased  to  say  that  the  list  of 
honorary  and  life  members  included  some  of  the  best  known  names  in 
the  horticultural  world  ;  and  where,  he  added,  could  they  meet  better 
than  round  a  festive  board,  with  employer  and  employed  working 
amicably  together  for  the  public  good  ?  and,  further,  he  hoped  those  who 
had  come  as  visitors  would  leave  as  honorary  members.  Great  strides 
had  been  made  since  the  Society  attained  its  majority  eight  years  ago  ; 
then  there  were  300  ordinary  and  twelve  honorary  members,  now  it  was 
composed  of  581  ordinary  and  fifty  honorary  members  ;  at  that  time  the 
amount  invested  was  £3650,  to-day  the  total  reaches  £10,300.  These 
figures,  he  continued,  speak  volumes  for  the  support  it  has  received  from 
gardeners  all  over  the  country ;  indeed,  he  said,  it  was  a  Society  to 
which  every  gardener  ought  to  belong,  and  he  trusted  it  would  receive 
still  greater  support.  The  Society  now  included  several  members  of  the 
horticultural  press,  provision  having  been  made  for  their  admittance. 
Mr.  Hudson,  in  conclusion,  said  it  gave  him  great  pleasure  to  see 
Mr.  Veitch  in  the  chair  on  that  occasion. 
Mr.  Moss  replied  in  a  few  well-choaen  words  on  behalf  of  the 
honorary  life  members  and  visitors,  remarking  that  he  not  only  wished 
to  see  a  greater  addition  to  the  life  members,  but  also  to  the  ordinary 
members,  and  the  sooner  more  gardeners  recognise  the  uses  of  the 
Society  the  better  and  happier  will  be  their  old  age. 
Mr.  ICETON  proposed  the  “Health  of  the  Chairman,”  remarking 
that  wherever  gardeners  met  the  name  of  Veitch  was  well  known,  and 
he  was  proud  to  have  the  honour  of  giving  the  toast,  which  he  knew 
would  be  received  heartily  by  all  those  present. 
Mr.  Veitch  in  reply  thanked  those  present  for  the  hearty  manner  in 
which  they  had  drunk  his  health,  adding  that  they  would  be  pleased  to 
hear  that  Mr.  Nutting  had  promised  to  take  the  chair  at  the  next 
annual  dinner.^  It^  also  gave  him  great  pleasure  to  state  that  Mr. 
N.  Sherwood  with  his  usual  generosity  had  contributed  five  guineas  to 
the  convalescent  fund,  and  Mr.  Moss  had  given  two  guineas  ;  also  that 
Messrs.  A.  J.  Sutton,  Iceton,  Mott,  H.  J.  Jones,  and  G.  Wythes  had 
expressed  a  wish  that  their  names  should  be  enrolled  on  the  list  of  life 
members.  (Renewed  cheers.)  In  conclusion  he  said  it  gave  him  great 
pleasure  to  be  amongst  them  on  that  occasion,  he  wished  the  Society  all 
success,  and  should  it  ever  want  a  friend  he  would,  if  possible,  be  that 
friend,  and  further  so  far  as  he  was  able  its  interests. 
Mr.  H.  CUTBUSH  gave  “  Thanks  to  the  Donors  of  Fruit  and  Flowers,” 
which  was  responded  to  by  Mr.  McKercher. 
Mr.  Joseph  Wheeler  proposed  the  “Press,”  stating  that  its 
members  had  done  much  to  further  its  interests  by  making  known  its 
benefits  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land  ;  this  he  hoped 
they  would  still  continue  to  do.  Mr.  J.  Fraser  responded  on  behalf^of 
the  Press. 
An  excellent  musical  programme  was  provided  under  the  direction 
of  Miss  Alice  Parker,  and  the  company  dispersed,  having  spent  a  most 
pleasant  evening. 
TREE  CARNATIONS. 
Very  rarely  are  Carnations  grown  well  in  pots  in  private  gardens, 
and  many  plants  are  annually  conveyed  to  the  rubbish  heap  through 
mismanagement.  Failure  does  not  so  often  result  from  insufficient 
experience  up  to  the  time  it  is  necessary  to  house  them  as  by  the  want  of 
suitable  accommodation  for  them  afterwards.  Another  ani  probably  the 
main  cause  of  failure  is  due  to  the  supposition  that  a  profusion  of 
fragrant  flowers  will  be  produced  in  succession  from  the  time  they  are 
housed  through  the  winter  and  spring  months.  The  system  of  treatment 
pursued  to  accomplish  this  soon  destroys  the  health  of  the  plants,  and 
failure  is  the  result  before  the  spring  months  arrive.  To  maintain  a  good 
supply  of  flowers  from  the  present  time  until  the  end  of  spring  a  large 
stock  of  plants  is  required,  for  a  few  will  yield  more  flowers  after  the 
middle  of  February  than  a  large  number  will  from  now  until  then. 
From  a  good  stock  of  plants  in  a  suitable  position  solitary  flowers  may 
almost  daily  be  cut  from  the  time  of  housing  them  until  they  are  pro¬ 
duced  plentifully  about  the  time  named,  but  from  ordinary  plants  they 
cannot  be  had  in  any  abundance. 
It  is  very  frequently  forgotten  that  the  Carnation  is  a  hardy  plant. 
Any  system  of  forcing,  however  gentle,  during  the  dreary  months  of 
winter,  very  quickly  runs  up  the  growths  of  the  plants  weakly  and 
destroys  them  after  producing  a  few  small  flowers.  Those  who  attempt 
to  force  Carnations  to  flower  during  November,  December,  and  January 
must  be  prepared  to  sacrifice  the  plants,  for  they  are  very  little  good 
afterwards,  and  will  not  yield  ia  the  end  one-twentieth  the  quantity  of 
blooms  that  they  are  capable  of  doing  under  natural  treatment. 
Carnations,  after  they  are  housed,  may  be  stood  in  a  vinery  from 
which  the  foliage  has  been  removed  for  a  time,  but  they  will  not  long 
continue  satisfactory  in  a  makeshift  position.  If  numbers  of  plants  are 
grown  they  should  have  a  house  to  themselves,  or  the  lightest  and  best 
side  of  the  house  is  insufficient  to  fill  the  whole  space.  Wherever  they 
may  be  placed  the  treatment  and  conditions  of  the  house  they  occupy 
should  be  arranged  to  suit  them.  From  the  time  the  plants  are  housed 
they  should  have  a  light  position,  not  too  far  from  the  glass.  This  treat¬ 
ment  must  be  continued  through  the  winter,  and  fire  heat  only  employed 
to  maintain  an  average  night  temperature  of  45°,  and  occasionally  during 
dull  weather  to  evaporate  damp.  The  growth  during  the  winter  months 
is  almost  at  a  standstill,  and  employing  fire  heat  is  injurious.  Under  the 
conditions  advised  they  will  continue  growing  slowly,  and  when  the  days 
lengthen  with  increased  light  and  heat  thin  shoots  will  rapidly  strengthen, 
and  a  large  number  of  fine  flowers  will  be  th^  result  in  succession  for  & 
long  time. 
«  During  the  winter  Carnations  require  careful  watering  at  their  roots  j 
the  soil  must  not  be  saturated,  or  the  foliage  will  soon  turn  a  sickly 
yellow  colour.  On  the  other  hand,  they  should  never  be  allowed  to  suffer 
by  an  insufficient  supply  of  water  or  the  roots  soon  perish.  Strong 
supplies  of  liquid  manure  are  also  detrimental  to  them,  but  given  in  a 
weak  state  and  judiciously  it  will  prove  the  reverse.  Clear  soot  water 
has  a  very  beneficial  effect  upon  the  plants,  and  quickly  tells  upon  the 
foliage.  Weak  liquid  made  from  cow  manure  is  also  good  for  them.  In 
addition  to  the  soot  water  we  have  found  nothing  better  for  them  than 
light  applications  of  artificial  manure  applied  to  the  surface  about  once 
a  month. — L. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
October  15th. 
Scientific  Committee. — Present :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair); 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Mr.  J.  Weathers,  and  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  Sec. 
Injury  to  Foliage  hy  Wind, — Mr.  Ch.  Plowright  of  Lynn  sent 
photographs  showing  how  trees  were  damaged  on  the  north  sides 
by  a  cold  wind  on  May  16th,  with  the  following  communication 
“After  a  spell  of  fine  weather,  lasting  until  the  14th  of  May,  we  began 
to  think  our  fruit  crop  was  safe  for  the  year,  but  on  the  15th  the 
temperature  fell,  and  on  the  16th  we  had  a  gale  from  the  north 
accompanied  by  one  or  two  hail  showers.  The  effect  was  seen  in  a 
Hawthorn  hedge  facing  north  and  south,  for  the  foliage  was  shrivelled 
up  on  the  north  side,  where  it  is  dead,  but  remained  bright  green  on  the 
south  side.  Similarly  three  or  four  Pear  trees  showed  a  remarkable 
appearance  ;  the  north  side  was  quite  black,  not  a  leaf  had  escaped, 
while  the  opposite  side  did  not  seem  to  have  suffered  at  all.  A  row  of 
Elms  showed  graphically  which  way  the  wind  had  blown,  and  some  fine 
old  Beeches  assumed  on  their  north  side  quite  an  autumnal  hue.  The 
Horse  Chestnuts,  from  the  size  of  their  leaves,  afforded  very  distinctive 
evidence  of  the  injury  they  sustained,  the  foliage  having  turned  a  bright 
red.  The  above  effects  were  general  in  this  part  of  Norfolk  ;  indeed, 
no  tree  at  all  exposed  seemed  to  have  escaped.  One  of  the  most  striking 
incidents  is  the  Spruce  Fir  ;  at  East  Walton  there  is  a  row  of  these 
trees  whose  young  shoots  have  been  killed  by  the  cold  wind  on  the 
north  side,  and  hang  like  brown  plumes  at  the  end  of  the  branches.” 
Mr.  Plowright  does  not  allude  to  the  probable  effect  of  salt,  but  as  a 
north  wind  at  Lynn  is  entirely  a  sea  wind,  the  disastrous  effect  to  the 
foliage  was  probably  chiefly  due  to  the  presence  of  salt  spray. 
