March  17,  1898. 
J0URNA7.  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
245 
UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT  AND 
PROVIDENT  SOCIETY.  • 
Tub  annual  general  meeting  of  this  Society  took  place,  as  announced, 
at  the  Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi,  Strand,  at  8  p.m.,  on  Monday,  the  14th 
inst.,  Mr.  George  Wythes  of  Syon  House  Gardens,  llrentford,  in  the 
chair.  After  the  minutes  of  the  last  annual  general  meeting  were  read 
and  passed,  the  Chairman  called  upon  Air.  Collins  to  read  the  report  and 
balance-sheet  for  the  year  1897.  The  statement  of  assets  and  liabilities 
was  read  by  Air.  J.  Hudson,  who  said  that  the  balance  to  the  credit  of 
each  member  was  duly  invested.  He  also  stated  that  in  the  assets  the 
£13,100  represented  a  present  value  of  no  less  than  £14,742  10s. 
Air.  Wythes,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report  and  balance-sheet," 
said  that  it  had  given  him  great  pleasure  to  listen  to  the  most  satisfactory 
accounts  of  the  working,  financial  and  otherwise,  of  the  Society  for  the 
year  ending  January  10th  last.  From  inquiries  he  had  made  previous 
to  the  meeting  he  was  enabled  to  glean  something  of  the  progress  of  this 
excellent  Society,  not  only  during  the  past  year,  but  for  some  years  prior 
of  that.  Compared  with  the  earlier  years  of  the  Society,  the  progress 
male  was  astonishing.  The  Society  had  at  the  present  time  an  invested 
capital  of  £13,000,  w^ich  was  really  worth  £14,742  10s.  As  there  were 
720  paying  benefit  members,  this  would  work  out  at  nearly  £20  10s.  per 
meml)er.  He  paid  a  compliment  to  the  admirable  manner  in  which  the 
affairs  of  the  Society  were  managed,  for  the  entire  working  expenses 
during  the  past  year  were  only  6  per  cent,  of  the  income.  Mr.  Wythes 
thought,  however,  the  reason  why  such  a  Society  did  not  increase  in 
membership  strength  more  rapidly  was  because  there  was  too  much 
negligence  and  apathy  on  the  part  of  intending  subscribers.  Proceeding 
to  give  other  figures,  he  said  that  the  annual  investments  for  the  last  two 
years  were  £1200,  and  that  £10,000  in  all  had  been  invested  during  the 
last  thirteen  years.  The  members  should  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
the  executive  Committee  is  still  enabled  to  allow  each  one  respectively 
3  per  cent,  per  annum  on  the  balances  standing  to  their  account  in 
the  ledger.  This  allowance  of  3  per  cent,  cannot  go  on  many  more 
years  at  the  present  price  of  sound  trustees’  stocks,  which  realise  now 
only  between  2^  and  2|  per  cent.  At  one  time  these  stocks  could  be 
purchased  below  par,  and  this  no  doubt  was  the  reason  why  3  per  cent, 
has  been  continued  so  long.  The  more  carefully  he  read  over  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  Society  the  more  he  felt  disposed  to  give  credit 
to  the  originators  of  “  The  United.”  Every  member  should  do  his  best 
to  obtain  fresh  members,  never  missing  a  chance  to  press  home  the 
essential  features  of  the  rules,  to  bear  in  mind  the  motto  of  the 
Society — “Union  is  Strength.”  The  speaker  had  not  the  slightest  doubt 
that  there  are  many  candidates  for  the  pension  of  the  Gardeners’  Royal 
Benevolent  Institution  who  would  be  only  too  glad  if  they  were  members 
of  the  United,  many  of  whom  do  not  appear  to  have  belonged  to  any 
society  at  all.  He  advised  all  young  gardeners  especially  to  join  without 
delay. 
W.  Alarshall,  Esq.,  seconded.  He  said  that  as  one  of  the  originators 
he  was  glad  to  congratulate  the  Society  on  its  success.  It  was  started 
with  eight  or  ten  members,  and  now  they  had  720.  He  had  always  found 
gardeners  to  be  civil,  obliging,  and  deserving  men,  and  was  glad  to  do 
what  he  could  for  their  benefit.  On  being  put  to  the  meeting,  the  report 
■  and  balance-sheet  were  unanimously  adopted.  On  a  motion  by  Air.  Cole, 
it  was  decided  to  print  and  circulate  2500  copies  of  the  report  and 
balance-sheet. 
At  the  election  of  officers  which  followedT  Messrs.  W.  P.  Thompson, 
E.  T.  Cook,  Wheeler,  and  Wood  were  unanimously  re-elected  as  members 
of  Committee.  Air.  Cole  proposed  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Treasurer 
(Mr.  .1.  Hudson)  for  his  excellent  services,  which  was  received  with 
acclamation.  Mr.  Hudson  suitably  responded,  assuring  them  that  he  was 
glad  to  do  all  he  could.  AVhen  he  first  took  the  post  of  Treasurer  he 
invested  £200  the  first  year  ;  last  year  he  invested  £1200.  On  the  pro¬ 
position  of  the  Chairman,  seconded  by  Air.  .1.  Hudson,  Air.  W.  Collins 
was  unanimously  asked  to  continue  the  office  of  Secretary.  Both  proposer 
and  seconder  spoke  very  highly  of  Air.  Collins’  services.  That  gentleman 
briefly  replied,  and  acknowledged  the  pleasure  he  felt  in  performing  the 
secretarial  duties,  aided  as  he  was  by  such  a  capital  Committee. 
On  the  motion  of  Air.  .1.  Hudson,  Air.  Collins  received  for  1897  a 
salary  of  £20  according  to  rules,  a  bonus  of  £5,  and  Od.  from  each 
member  over  the  number  of  300. 
Votes  of  thanks  to  the  Committee,  the  Trustees,  to  the  Press,  and  the 
Chairman  were  passed. 
The  Special  General  AIeeting. 
A  special  general  meeting  followed  upon  the  conclusion  of  the 
“annual,”  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  advisability  of  altering 
certain  rules. 
Mr.  Hudson  proposed  that  Rule  VIII.,  referring  to  the  Secretary's 
salary,  read  “  £30”  instead  of  £20. 
Mr.  Burge  moved,  and  Air.  Cole  seconded,  that  in  Rule  XIV.,  after 
the  words  “  lower  scale,’  the  words  “  with  the  privilege  of  increasing  this 
to,”  should  be  added. 
Mr.  Thompson  proposed,  and  Mr.  Winter  seconded,  that  the  word 
“  successive  ”  be  struck  out  of  Rule  XIV.  Air.  Thompson  showed  con¬ 
clusively  how  important  this  was  in  the  case  of  a  member  going  on  the 
funds  after  having  been  on  a  few  weeks  previously,  say  for  twenty-four 
weeks,  wffien  by  declaring  off  for  a  week  or  two  he  would  again  be  eligible 
for  the  full  series  of  twenty-six  weeks  at  full  pay. 
All  these  alterations  were  carried,  the  last-named  after  some  dis¬ 
cussion. 
On  the  motion  of  Air.  Cole,  a  new  rule  relating  to  the  Voluntary 
Convalescent  F und,  was  added,  to  be  called  Rule  X VIIlA.  It  read  as 
follows  : — “The  object  of  the  Fund  is  to  give  members  a  change  of  air 
during  convalescence.  The  Committee  of  Management  to  have  power  to 
relieve  members  of  this  Society  from  the  Voluntary  Fund  as  they  may 
deem  advisable.  All  cases  must  be  recommended  by  a  duly  qualified 
medical  practitioner.” 
RED  SPIDER  IN  VINERIES. 
I  HAVE  been  reading  Mr.  Thomson’s  articles  on  the  above  subject  with 
much  interest,  for  whoever  propounds  a  safe  and  certain  remedy  for  the 
destruction  of  red  spider  on  Vines  will  be  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors 
gardeners  ever  had.  I  have  usually  resorted  to  sponging  Vine  leaves 
with  an  insecticide  for  routing  their  enemy,  as  I  dislike  the  parching 
atmosphere  created  by  painting  the  pipes  with  sulphur,  the  results  as  to 
the  “spider”  being  with  us  of  a  very  fleeting  character.  It  may  have 
been  the  fault  of  the  sulphur,  but  it  was  what  is  generally  known  as 
flowers  of  sulphur.  However,  I  desire  to  be  on  the  right  track,  but  am 
somewhat  confused  as  to  the  exact  product  Mr.  Thomson  advocates. 
By  reference  to  the  “  National  Encyclopaedia,”  I  find  that  although 
sulphur  exists  in  Iceland,  Teneriffe,  St.  Vincent,  and  some  other  places, 
the  expense  of  obtaining  it  is  so  great,  that  Sicily  is  almost  the  only  source 
of  supply.  Anyhow,  that  upwards  of  nine-tenths  of  the  whole  quantity 
imported  into  this  country  is  received  from  Sicily,  where  the  native 
sulphur  is  roughly  purified.  The  sulphur  thus  obtained  is  imported  into 
this  country  and  again  refined  by  distilling  in  a  large  iron  pot ;  the 
vapour  is  condensed  in  a  spacious  brick  chamber  in  a  fine  pulverulent 
form,  known  as  flowers  of  sulphur. 
Further,  the  article  states  that  sublimed  sulphur  or  flowers  of  sulphur 
is  a  slightly  gritty  powder,  without  taste,  and  without  odour  till  heated. 
Precipitated  sulphur  or  milk  of  sulphur  resembles  sublimed  sulphur  in  its 
general  properties,  but  is  much  paler  in  colour,  and  is  in  a  finer  state  of 
division.  Also  that  sulphur  is  obtained  on  a  large  scale  by  decomposing 
with  an  acid  the  crude  calcium  sulphide  obtained  from  the  vat  waste 
from  the  alkali  manufacture,  but  only  part  of  the  sulphur  can  be  thus 
extracted.  Is  this  where  the  difference  occurs,  or  is  it  in  the  different 
method  from  that  usually  practised  that  proves  its  efficacy  ? 
I  should  esteem  it  a  favour  if  Air.  Thomson  would  put  me  right  in  the 
matter.  I  stand  indebted  to  him  for  much  that  I  have  learnt  through 
the  teaching  of  his  various  works  and  writings,  probably  to  me  of  double 
interest,  knowing,  as  I  do,  the  spot  of  his  earliest  achievements,  of  which 
in  past  days  I  heard  much  ;  also  those  of  his  old  friend,  the  late  Air. 
Thrower,  of  High  Canons,  to  whom  he  refers  in  the  last  issue  of  the 
Journal,  which  gardens  I  have  visited  in  the  long  ago,  and  seen  the  good 
man  and  his  work.  I  trust  your  able  correspondent  may  long  enjoy  his 
well-earned  rest,  and  still  assist  us  with  teachings  from  his  long  and 
successful  experience.  —  .1.  J.  Craven,  AUerton  Priory  Gardens,  near 
Liverpool. 
CENTAUREA  CANDIDISSIMA. 
I  HAVE  had  at  various  times  large  quantities  of  this  plant  to  propa¬ 
gate,  and  my  favourite  method  of  proceeding  is  similar  to  that  of  your 
correspondent  on  page  176.  I  used  to  slip  off  one  or  two  side  shoots 
from  each  plant  about  the  first  week  in  August,  and  without  much 
trimming  place  one  in  each  pot  of  sandy  loam.  Water  was  then  given  to 
settle  the  soil  firmly  around  the  cutting,  and  the  pots  were  then  plunged 
in  leaf  mould  in  a  cold  frame  behind  a  north  wall.  About  90  per  cent,  or 
rather  more  would  form  roots,  and  if  the  frame  were  on  a  dry  bottom, 
and  the  lights  in  good  order,  they  were  wintered  in  that  position.  I 
invariably  found  damp  to  be  more  injurious  than  a  few  degrees  of  frost. 
Anyone  wanting  large  numbers  of  this  handsome  foliage  plant  will  do 
well  to  adopt  the  plan  suggested.  The  advantage  of  taking  the  cuttings 
so  early  is  that  they  have  time  to  root,  and  become  .well  established 
before  the  winter.  One  or  two  pieces  from  each  of  the  old  plants  are 
not  missed,  and  will  not  interfere  in  the  least  with  the  decorative  effect  of 
the  flower  garden  or  bed.  Although  these  plants  are  easily  raised  from 
seeds,  I  prefer  autumn-rooted  stock,  and  besides,  I  find  indoor  space  early 
in  the  year  is  too  valuable  for  such  plants  as  can  be  successfully  wintered 
in  cold  frames. 
I  can  fully  endorse  all  your  correspondent  says  of  the  combination  of 
this  plant  with  Coleus  A’'erschaftelti.  I  once  saw  a  magnificent  bed  not 
more  than  six  miles  from  Deal,  and  within  sight  of  the  Downs,  which  has 
left  a  lasting  impression  on  my  mind  ;  and  whenever  speaking  of 
C.  Amrschaftelti  this  particular  bed  flashes  before  me.  I  very  much 
regret  the  latter  will  not  succeed  outdoors  here. — J.  Easter,  Nostell 
Priory  Gardens.  _ 
I  HAVE  read  with  interest  the  remarks  which  have  appeared  in  recent 
issues  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  as  to  the  best  methods  of  propagating 
this  handsome  plant.  We  grow  it  largely,  and  find  no  difficulty  in  keeping 
up  the  number  required  for  bedding  purposes,  for  which  it  is  admirably 
adapted,  and  is  one  of  the  most  effective  plants  we  have. 
Cuttings  may  be  had  in  abundance  by  placing  the  old  plants  either  in 
the  reserve  garden  or  the  herbaceous  border,  and  by  twisting  out  the 
crown  as  soon  as  it  commences  growth  the  small  shoots  at  the  side  will  in 
a  very  short  time  grow  apace  and  be  fit  for  insertion  in  pots  (well  drained) 
of  sandy  soil.  I  prefer  pulling  the  cuttings  downwards  from  the  parent 
