February  10,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
133 
PRESENTATION  TO  MR.  R.  PINNINOTON. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Liverpool  branch  of  the 
N.A.G.  Association  was  held  in  the  Common  Hall,  Eackins  Hey, 
Liverpool,  on  Thursday  last,  W.  Histed,  Esq.,  presiding  over  a  good 
attendance  of  members.  A  notice  of  motion  had  been  placed  on  the 
minutes  in  the  name  of  several  members  to  either  break  up  or  re-arrange 
the  Liverpool  branch,  but  this  had  been  withdrawn,  and  wisely  so, 
judging  from  the  splendid  report  read  by  the  Secretary.  The  Treasurer’s 
report  showed  a  balance  of  nearly  £  10.  The  newly  elected  Eresident  is 
•T.  H.  Drake,  Esq.,  and  Messrs.  H.  A.  Robins,  Treasurer  ;  .1.  M.  Smyth, 
Secretary  ;  A.  Cooper,  Assistant-Secretary  ;  D.  W.  Cangley,  Exhibition 
Secretary  ;  and  Messrs.  Glover,  Gillanders,  and  Pearce  were  added  to  the 
list  of  Vice-Presidents.  Several  handsome  contributions  were  promised 
to  the  prize  fund. 
The  Secretary,  in  the  unavoidable  absence  of  the  President,  Isaac  C. 
Glover,  Esq.,  said  he  had  a  pleasing  duty  to  perform— viz.,  to  recognise  in 
some  tangible  form  the  continued  support  given  to  the  branch  by  Mr.  R. 
Pinnington  of  Roby,  who  by  his  kind  manner  and  ready  assistance  as 
adviser,  lecturer,  adjudicator,  and  in  many  practical  ways  had  endeared 
himself  to  all  members.  For  himself  he  could  only  speak  in  the  highest 
terms  of  Mr.  Pinnington’s  ability  and  friendship,  and  he  was  quite  sure 
that  every  member  was  the  better  for  having  known  Mr.  Pinnington.  He 
had  great  pleasure  in  asking  IMr.  Langley  to  present  Mr.  Pinnington  with 
a  handsome  travelling  bag,  with  initials  engraved.  Mr.  Langley  said 
that  the  compliment  was  thoroughly  deserved,  and  trusted  that  the 
recipient  would  be  long  spared  to  use  the  bag,  also  to  continue  his  good 
work  amongst  them.  Mr.  Pinnington,  in  reply,  thanked  all  very  much 
for  their  kind  appreciation  of  his  work,  which  he  assured  them  had  been 
willingly  given.  In  no  profession  was  there  more  scope  for  one’s 
abilities,  or  greater  gain  to  mind  and  body,  than  the  delight  of 
cultivating  plants  and  flowers.  The  value  of  his  work  would  have  been 
amply  repaid  by  the  kind  record  in  the  minute  book,  but  as  the 
Committee  thought  differently  he  could  only  thank  them  again  for  their 
handsome  present,  which  would  always  be  highly  valued.  The  usual 
votes  of  thanks  closed  the  proceedings. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Potting  and  Watering. 
This  is  a  subject  upon  which  a  large  volume  coull  be  written  withoui 
exaggerating  its  importance.  Where  good  plant  culture  is  desired  it  is 
essential  for  this  work  to  receive  strict  and  careful  attention.  It  form.s 
part  of  the  young  gardener's  duties  for  the  whole  of  the  year,  and  what  a 
credit  it  must  be  for  each  one  to  show  his  chief  that  he  is  not  careless  in 
this  matter.  In  many  cases  the  plants  under  his  charge  will  soon  show 
whether  they  are  receiving  proper  attention  or  not.  If  the  young  gardener 
is  at  all  interested  in  his  work  he  will  not  be  satisfied  unless  good  results 
follow  and  the  plants  repay  him  for  the  little  extra  attention  he  has 
bestowed  on  them. 
The  main  object  of  all  gardeners  should  be  to  do  everything  just  at 
the  proper  time.  If  any  plant  is  worth  growing  at  all  it  should  be  worth 
growing  well,  and  at  no  period  must  it  be  neglected,  or  good  result.'; 
cannot  be  expected.  Spring  is  the  busiest  time  for  most  gardeners, 
and  a  few  hints  on  potting  may  prove  helpful  to  young  readers  of  the 
“  Domain.”  Always  use  clean  and  dry  pots,  which  must  have  thorough 
drainage,  with  clean  crocks  of  various  sizes.  A  large  piece,  with  the 
concave  side  downwards,  should  be  placed  at  the  bottom  of  each  pot,  and 
a  few  smaller  pieces  over  it,  the  quantity  of  drainage  being  decided  by  the 
size  of  the  pots.  Over  this  a  thin  layer  of  moss  or  rough  fibrous  loam  is 
placed  to  prevent  the  soil  from  getting  among  the  drainage. 
The  next  thing  is  to  prepare  the  compost,  which  should  always  be 
of  the  same  temperature  as  that  in  which  the  plants  have  been  previously 
growing.  Both  pots  and  soil  ought  invariably  to  be  prepared  before  the 
plants  are  brought  in.  This  being  done  we  may  proceed  with  the  work 
and  carefully  turn  out  the  plants.  Remove  the  crocks  and  all  loose  soil 
around  the  roots,  and  if  they  are  matted  together  it  is  advisable  to 
open  them  out.  A  handful  of  compost  should  be  put  at  the  base  of  the 
roots  and  made  firm.  In  most  cases  pot  firmly  with  the  fingers  alone, 
as  the  potting  stick  is  the  cause  of  much  injury  done  to  the  roots, 
especially  with  tender-rooted  plants.  1  find  it  advisable  to  dispense 
with  it  altogether  in  many  cases,  but  with  such  plants  as  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums,  Azaleas,  Camellias,  Strawberries,  and  others,  it  is  impossible  to 
repot  without  it.  It  should  never  be  put  near  the  roots,  and  when  used 
the  operator  must  be  careful  not  to  injure  the  roots  by  ramming 
too  severely. 
After  potting,  the  plants  should  be  kept  close  until  root  action  has 
recommenced.  Well  shade  from  the  hot  sun,  and  keep  a  somewhat  moist 
atmosphere  by  gently  .syringing  the  plants  or  between  the  pots.  In  my 
opinion  this  is  the  most  important  time  for  careful  watering.  The 
plants  should  first  of  all  be  given  enough  to  settle  the  soil,  but  no  more 
until  they  really  require  it.  The  method  by  which  many  gardeners  are 
able  to  know  when  a  plant  is  dry  is  by  tapping  the  pots  with  the  knuckles, 
but  I  have  found  this  method  of  examination  will  not  suffice  in  nfany 
instances.  It  is  always  best  to  test  plants  which  require  the  most 
careful  watering  by  lifting  them,  when  one  can  quickly  feel  if  they  are 
heavy  enough  for  the  size  of  the  pots.  In  winter  all  plants  require  to  bo 
kept  somewhat  on  the  dry  side,  particularly  those  in  greenhouse 
temperatures, — J,  F.  D.,  Yorks. 
Musa  Cavendishi  oh  Banana. 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  write  regarding  the  note  on  Bananas  on 
page  35  of  the  .journal,  but  it  is  seldom  we  see  this  delicious  fruit  men¬ 
tioned  in  gardening  literature  The  plentiful  foreign  supply,  and  the 
expense  connected  with  their  cultivation  at  home,  seeing  they  need  more 
heat  and  room  than  can  be  spared  in  most  places,  are  the  reasons  why 
they  are  so  seldom  seen  growing.  I  enclose  a  photograph  of  a  bunch  of 
fruit  which  was  taken  about  the  middle  of  December  last,  the  first  fingers 
of  which  were  ripe  on  the  8th  of  January.  The  plant  was  from  a  sucker 
detached  during  the  spring  of  1896,  and  grown  in  a  15-inch  pot.  The 
plant  was  used  in  the  mansion  for  some  time  instead  of  a  Palm,  and  was 
never  at  that  time  intended  to  be  utilised  as  a  fruiter.  As  a  plant  in  the 
bed  where  they  are  grown  for  fruit  was  making  little  progress,  it  was 
taken  out  and  this  plant  put  in  its  place  during  March  of  last  year.  I 
think  the  photo  will  show  that  the  fingers  are  a  good  size,  and  in  all  there 
Fig.  20.— Mu.sa  Cavendishi. 
were  187  fully  developed  on  the  bunch.  An  opinion  of  the  photo  will 
be  gladly  received,  and  if  it  is  considered  worthy  of  reproduction  all  the 
better. 
I  am  of  opinion  that  an  ordinary  stove  temperature  during  the 
dull  winter  months  is  most  suitable  for  Bananas,  raising  it  with  the 
increased  sunshine  in  the  spring,  when  they  grow  very  rajudly.  They 
get  plenty  of  top-dressings  of  horse  and  cow  manure,  besides  being  watered 
with  sulphate  of  ammonia  dissolved  in  the  water.  I  never  had  anything  to  do 
with  Bananas  till  a  little  over  a  year  ago,  and  I  would  be  thankful  to 
anyone  who  has  had  experience  with  them,  whether  belonging  to  the 
Y.G.D.  or  the  elders  in  the  profession,  for  information  regarding  them, 
especially  with  respect  to  temperature. — S.,  Junior. 
[After  its  sojourn  in  the  mansion  the  plant  seems  to  have  done  very 
well.  Well-ripened  home-grown  Bananas  are  much  superior  to  imported 
fruits,  which  have  to  bo  cut  in  a  green  state.] 
The  Tuberous  Begonia. 
The  tuberous  Begonia  has  of  late  years  become  very  popular,  and 
deservedly  so,  considering  its  easy  culture  and  the  various  uses  to  which 
it  can  be  adapted.  It  is  a  charming  plant  for  summer  bedding,  and 
I  will  treat  on  the  culture  of  the  jdants  for  that  purpose.  Unlike  many 
older  plants  which  reejuire  so  much  house  room  and  attention  during  the 
winter  months,  the  tubers  can  l)e  stored  away  safely  until  again  needed. 
The  present  month  is  a  suitable  one  for  sowing  seed  if  the  plants  are 
re([uired  for  this  season’s  bedding.  Pans  or  boxes  should  bfi  well  drained 
