146 
February  17,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
-  Gaedening  Appointment. — Mr.  Geo.  Hawes,  until  recently 
foreman  at  The  Gardens,  Lyne,  Eusper,  Horsham,  has  been  appointed 
gardener  to  W.  Grazebrook,  Esq.,  Thenford,  Banbury, 
-  Kew  Guild. — The  annual  general  meeting  will  take  place  on 
Thursday  evening,  February  24th,  at  eight  o’clock,  in  the  Lecture  Room 
in  the  Royal  Gardens.  Entrance  by  the  Melon  Yard  Gate. 
-  The  Geeat  Eiee  in  Holboen.— We  are  informed  by  Messrs. 
Carter  &  Co.  that  the  fireproof  outer  walls  of  their  premises  were  scorched 
only,  and  this  particular  warehouse  contained  only  a  few  score  bales  of 
breakfast  oats,  so  that  orders  will  be  executed  and  despatched  with  the 
usual  promptitude. 
-  New  “  Gaeden  Book  ”  by  the  Poet  Laueeate.  — 
According  to  “  Literature,”  the  Poet  Laureate  has  rented  for  the  winter 
months  the  Villa  Cedri,  in  the  upper  valley  of  the  Arno,  about  two  miles 
from  Florence,  and.  is  engaged  on  a  Tuscan  sequel  to  “  The  Garden  That 
I  Love,”  and  “In  Veronica’s  Garden.”  Many  readers  of  these 
delightful  books  will  look  forward  to  the  publication  of  Mr,  Austin’s  new 
book.  Is  it  to  be  “  In  the  Poet’s  Garden  ”  or  “  In  a  Tuscan  Garden  ”  ? 
— A.  Haediman, 
-  United  Hoeticultueal  Benefit  and  Peovident 
Society, — At  the  Committee  meeting  of  the  above  Society,  held  at  the 
Caledonian  Hotel  on  Monday  evening,  it  was  worthy  of  note  that  every 
member  of  the  Committee  was  present.  Twenty-seven  new  members 
were  proposed  and  duly,  elected  on  the  Society,  this  being  the  largest 
number  ever  elected  at  one  meeting.  The  average  age  of  the  candidates 
was  twenty-five  years.  The  total  number  of  members  is  now  714.  The 
annual  meeting  will  take  place  on  March  14th,  at  which  jMr.  G.  Wythes, 
V.M.H.,  has  consented  to  take  the  chair.— G.  W.  Cummins. 
-  Chestee  Paxton  Society. — At  the  usual  fortnightly  meeting 
neld  in  the  Grosvenor  Museum  on  Saturday  last,  Mr.  C.  Flack  of 
Cholmondeley  Castle  Gardens  read  an  able  and  instructive  paper  entitled 
“  Grape  Growing  for  a  Private  Establishment.”  Mr.  Flack,  who  is  a 
recognised  authority  on  Grape  culture  in  Cheshire,  dealt  extensively  with 
the  subject,  entering  fully  into  all  the  details  of  treatnfent  and  cultivation 
of  the  Vine,  and  gave  a  list  of  the  host  and  most  useful  varieties  for 
keeping  up  the  season’s  supply.  ‘An  interesting  discussion  followed  the 
reading  of  the  paper,  when  it  was  very  evident  that  several  valuable  hints 
had  been  thrown  out  by  the  essayist,  which  the  members  would  carry 
away  with  them  and  put  into  practice.  The  meeting  terminated  with  a 
hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Flack. 
-  Giant  Mignonette. — The  remarkable  looking  variety  of  the 
common  British  Mignonette  which  Messrs.  Cannell  &  Sons  have  at 
Swanley  under  the  name  of  Reseda  alba,  certainly  also  should  be  known 
as  gigantea.  "Whilst  the  variety  grows  somewhat  spreading,  and 
is  measured  by  inches  in  height,  this  giant  variety  sends  its  long 
spikes  up  to  a  height  of  several  feet.  It  is  really  a  noble  garden  plant, 
and  the  long  spikes,  gathered  and  set  up  in  glasses,  not  only  keep  fresh 
a  long  time,  but  grow  and  develop  quantities  of  fresh  flowers.  Ordinary 
fragrant  Mignonette  cannot  be  endured  by  all  persons  in  a  room  ;  this 
variety,  however,  has  very  little  odour.  It  is,  too,  very  hardy,  for  on  a 
border  where  Mignonette  Macbet  was  quite  dead,  the  giant  form  was 
vigorously  green,  and  full  of  growth — would,  indeed,  soon  bloom.  Plants 
in  pots  from  seed  sown  in  August  ranged  from  10  to  18  inches  in  height, 
clothed  with  finely  laciniated  leafage. — A. 
-  Hanley  Hoeticultueal  Fete.  —  We  have  received  the 
schedule  of  the  exhibition  that  is  to  be  held  in  Hanley  Park,  Staffordshire 
on  July  6th  and  7th.  It  is  a  substantial  and  excellent  production,  and 
predicates  a  varied  and  extensive  show.  The  classes  in  the  different 
sections  exceed  100,  the  chief  being  the  first  on  the  list,  in  which  £20 
and  a  special  is  offered  as  the  first  prize  in  the  open  class  for  a  group  op 
plants,  with  five  others  in  the  same  class  of  £15  (and  special),  £10 
£7  10s.,  £5,  and  £2  10s.  This  ought  to  bring  good  competition.  For  a 
group  of  Orchids  £15,  £10,  and  £5  are  provided,  with  two  specials.  We 
also  observe  a  first  prize  of  £6  and  special  for  forty-eight  Roses,  and  the 
same  for  thirty-six  triples,  with  three  other  prizes  following  in  each  class. 
Prizes  of  £7,  £5,  and  £4,  each  with  a  special  attached,  are  offered  for 
decorated  dinner  tables  in  a  form  that  is  left  entirely  to  the  discretion  of 
the  exhibitors.  The  chief  prizes  for  fruit  are  £5,  £4,  £8,  and  £2  for 
a  collection  of  six  dishes.  A  pleasant  feature  of  this  schedule  is  the 
offering  of  so  many  special  prizes  by  local  supporters  of  the  event.  Gold 
and  silver  medals  are  announced  for  non-competitive  exhibitors. 
Evident  Hanley  means  business.  Air.  Joseph  Kent,  Superintendent,  The 
Park,  Hanley,  is  the  Horticultural  Secretary. 
-  Eaely  Seeing  Flowees.— When  waiting  at  Barham  Junction 
the  other  day  a  beautiful  bunch  of  spring  flowers  carried  by  a  lady 
attracted  my  attention.  It  consisted  of  Pyrus  japonica.  Vincas,  Snow¬ 
drops,  Crocuses,  Wallflowers,  Anemones,  and  others,  showing  how  early 
these  lovely  spring  flowers  are  this  season. — A.  0. 
-  Weeds  Showing  Flowees.— Those  who  have  weedy  patches 
or  plots  of  ground  remaining  undug  may  be  reminded  that  vigorous 
plants  of  Groundsel  will  soon  be  in  bloom,  and  if  let  alone  will  rapidly 
mature  a  crop  of  seed,  which  may  be  blown  all  over  the  garden,  causing 
work  and  trouble  in  the  future.  Dig  the  ground  and  bury  the  weeds  to 
form  plant  food  is  the  advice  of— Peactitionee. 
-  Naecisbus  minimus. — This,  the  tiniest  of  all  the  Trumpet 
Daffodils,  opened  here  for  the  first  time  this  season  on  24th  January- 
There  was  only  one  flower,  however  ;  and  it  is  probable  that  the  greater 
number  of  the  flowers  will  be  more  than  a  week  later.  These  are 
established  bulbs,  and  have  not  been  lifted  and  dried.  Had  they 
been  dried  off  and  replanted  early  they  would  probably  have  flowered 
sooner.  This  Trumpet  Daffodil  is  always  an  early  bloomer,  and  in  1890 
flowered  a  few  days  earlier  than  this  year. — S.  Aenott,  Carsethorn  by 
Dumfries^  N.B. 
-  The  Gaedenees’  Benevolent  Institution. — In  reply  to 
Mr.  Ollerhead,  I  beg  to  say,  that  even  though,  as  I  proposed,  ballot 
papers  need  not  be  signed,  only  those  to  whom  sent  could  have  posses¬ 
sion,  therefore  it  is  absurd  to  talk  about  anyone  being  able  to  fill  them 
up.  Surely  it  is  hardly  argument  to  suggest  that  papers  would  be  filled 
up  and  returned  after  the  subscriber  was  dead.  Papers  should  be  issued 
only  fourteen  days  before  the  election,  and  required  to  be  returned  per 
post,  with  the  votes  filled  in,  tyo  days  before  the  election.  Were  that  sO) 
there  would  be  no  canvassing  for  signed  but  unfilled  voting  papers,  as  is 
now  the  case,  to  be  used  in  bundles  at  the  voting  scrutiny  for  the  purpose 
of  making  certain  candidates  having  friends  at  Court  safe.  Called  a 
ballot,  the  voting  is  the  reverse  of  balloting,  which  my  proposal  would 
make  it. — A.  D. 
-  Loughboeough  Gaedenees’  Association.— On  February 
9th,  before  about  thirty  members  of  the  above  Association,  Mr.  E.  Luck- 
hurst,  F.R.H.S.,  gave  a  lecture  on  “Plant  Food,”  referring  to  the  soil, 
and  its  proper  condition  of  cultivation,  as  being  the  medium  whereby  all 
manures  were  gradually  absorbed,  and  in  turn  given  out  to  the  plants  as 
required  for  their  sustenance.  By  the  aid  of  a  couple  of  black  boards 
the  lecturer  was  able  to  display  in  a  concise  manner  the  principal 
ingredients  of  “  the  Luckhurst  manure,”  containing  the  “  essential 
elements  ”  of  fertility.  The  analyses  of  stable  and  farmyard  manure, 
sewage,  sawdust,  peat  moss,  and  soot  were  referred  to,  and  the  best 
methods  of  application  detailed  in  a  comprehensive  manner.  The  nitrate 
fields  of  Chili,  the  source  whence  comes  sulphate  of  ammonia  and  muriate 
of  potash,  were  briefiy  described.  The  lecturer  said,  that  by  a  careful 
and  judicious  application  of  manures  rotation  cropping  was  not  absolutely 
necessary.  Some  discussion  followed  upon  the  merits  of  sawdust  and 
peat  moss  as  manures,  which  elicited  responses  from  the  lecturer,  who 
quoted  instances  of  the  great  increase  in  the  value  of  land  which  had 
for  a  number  of  years  been  manured  with  these  fertilisers  by  market 
gardeners.  The  usual  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded.  [Is  there  no^ 
a  mistake  in  the  reference  to  sulphate  of  ammonia  ?1 
- Tomato  and  Potato  Cultivation  in  Cheshiee.  —  The 
results  of  some  experiments  in  Tomato  and  Potato  cultivation  at  the 
Cheshire  County  Council’s  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  School  at 
Holmes  Chapel  have  been  compiled,  and  are  of  great  interest.  In  1896, 
when  the  experiments  with  Tomatoes  were  successful,  the  plants  were 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  the  previous  December,  and  the  first  ripe  fruits 
were  gathered  on  the  following  4th  May.  It  was  thought  by  sowing 
early,  and  having  large  and  strong  plants,  the  ripe  fruit  could  be  produced 
earlier  in  the  season  ;  consequently  seed  was  sown  at  the  end  of  August, 
and  the  young  plants  were  established  before  the  winter  set  in.  The 
result  was  not  quite  satisfactory.  Ripe  fruit  was  gathered  a  fortnight 
earlier,  but  the  yield  per  plant  was  considerably  less.  Good  liquid 
manure  is  described  by  the  chief  of  the  Horticultural  School  as  still  one 
of  the  best  of  fertilisers.  The  heaviest  yield  of  Potatoes  per  acre  was 
17  tons  13  cwts.  2  qrs.  14  lbs.,  and  the  .smallest  7  tons  12  cwts.  3  qrs. 
3  lbs.,  both  of  these  being  late  varieties.  The  early  varieties  averaged 
from  10  to  11  tons  to  the  acre,  and  the  second  early  varieties  from  12  to 
14  tons  per  acre.  In  some  of  the  varieties  disease  claimed  2  tons  10  cwt. 
of  the  yield  per  acre,  in  others  only  a  few  lbs.  of  tubers.  Small  and 
unsaleable  Potatoes  varied  from  3  tons  4  cwts.  to  the  acre  to  about 
8  cwts.  to  the  acre.  The  experiments  are  to  be  continued  next  season. 
— R.  P.  R. 
