290 
October  13,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
THE  UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  BENEFIT 
AND  PROVIDENT  SOCIETY. 
About  130  members  and  friends  of  the  “  United  ”  met  at  the  Holborn 
Restaurant  on  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  the  5th  inst.,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  Society's  twelfth  anniversary  dinner.  Mr.  Geo.  Bunyard,  V.M.H., 
occupied  the  chair,  and  with  him  were  Messrs.  N.  N.  Sherwood,  Jas.  H. 
Veitch,  H.  Laing,  H.  B.  May,  Jas.  Hudson,  S.  T.  Wright,  Geo.  Wythes, 
Geo.  Gordon,  J.  Heal,  W.  Y.  Baker,  W,  P.  Thompson,  and  A.  Outram, 
amongst  other  gentlemen  well  known  in  horticultural  circles. 
Dinner  was  laid  for  half-past  six,  and  a  lengthy  toast  list  was  provided. 
After  the  admirably  served  repast  had  been  well  discussed,  conversation 
“  across  the  walnuts  and  wine ’’  became  general.  The  Chairman  rose  to 
propose  the  customary  loyal  toasts  of  the  Queen,  and  the  Prince  and 
Princess  of  Wales  and  the  rest  of  the  Royal  Family.  These  having  been 
right  loyally  received,  the  Chairman  proceeded  to  give  the  toast  of  the 
evening,  “  The  United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident  Society,”  with 
which  he  coupled  the  name  of  the  Society’s  Hon.  Treasurer,  Mr.  Jas. 
Hudson.  Mr.  Bunyard  briefly  reviewed  some  of  the  salient  points  in  the 
constitution  and  history  of  the  Society,  saying  that  it  now  had  738 
members,  sixty-four  of  whom  had  joined  since  the  commencement  of  the 
year.  He  reminded  his  audience  that  the  gardener’s  life  was  often 
a  very  hard  one.  He  had  to  work  early  and  late,  and  although  he  was 
often  treated  by  his  employers  as  a  friend  and  equal,  yet  his  pay  was 
but  small.  The  “  United  ”  was  doing  a  most  excellent  work  amongst 
gardeners,  and  was  filling  a  gap.  He  could  not  find  any  flaw  in  its 
management.  The  funds  were  properly  invested,  and  tho  whole  thing 
was  in  order  from  first  to  last.  Those  who  put  their  money  into  it  would 
find  it  a  good  investment,  for  the  Society  gave  3  per  cent,  interest, 
whereas  the  Queen  only  gave  2^.  With  the  benevolent  branches  the 
Institution  contained  everything  that  was  good,  and  he  advised  every 
gardener  to  join  it.  The  toast  was  enthusiastically  received. 
In  replying,  Mr.  Hudson  said  that  they  were  endeavouring  to  sow  the 
seeds  of  frugality  and  self  reliance.  He  hoped  that  all  gardeners  would 
take  Mr.  Bunyard's  advice  to  heart  and  join  them.  The  Society’s 
expenses  were  kept  down  as  low  as  possible,  the  officers,  with  the  excep¬ 
tion  of  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Collins,  to  whom  a  nominal  allowance  was  made, 
performed  their  duties  gratuitously,  and  the  average  of  funds  invested 
per  member  would  challenge  comparison  with  any  society  ;  indeed,  he 
doubted  if  any  other  society  could  show  such  a  high  average.  He  hoped 
that  they  would  have  before  long  a  membership  of  1000,  and  £20,000 
invested. 
The  toast  of  “  The  Honorary  and  Life  Members  ”  was  given  by  Mr. 
Nathan  Cole,  who  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  way  in  which  the 
Society  was  supported  by  the  nursery  and  seed  trade.  He  urged  all 
gardeners  to  bring  the  Convalescent  Fund  to  the  notice  of  their  lady 
employers,  for  the  example  set  by  Mrs.  Harry  Yeitch,  whose  charitable 
and  kind  heart  all  gardeners  had  reason  to  bless,  was  worthy  of  emula¬ 
tion.^  Mr.  James  H.  Veitch  responded  in  a  few  well  chosen  words.  Mr. 
T.  Winter  gave  the  health  of  “  The  Visitors,”  associating  therewith  the 
name  of  Mr.  S.  T.  Wright,  who,  in  replying,  paid  a  high  tribute  to  the 
management  of  the  Institution  they  had  met  to  honour. 
Mr.  Geo.  Buny  ard  proposed,  and  Mr.  W.  Roupell  supported,  the  toast 
of  “  Kindred  Associations.”  Special  mention  was  made  of  the  Royal 
Gardeners’  Orphan  Fund  and  the  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institu¬ 
tion,  the  name  of  Mr.  G.  J.  Ingram,  the  Secretary  of  the  latter  Institution, 
being  coupled  with  the  toast.  Mr.  Ingram  said  that  although  these 
Institutions  w’ere  pleased  with  sympathy  they  watted  practical  help,  for 
sympathy  did  not  cost  much.  He  hoped  that  the  “  United  ”  would  con¬ 
tinue  to  prosper,  and  would  do  even  more  good  in  the  future  than  it  had 
done  in  the  past. 
Mr.  R.  Dean  toasted  “  The  Horticultural  Press  ”  in  an  eloquent  speech. 
Mr.  Geo.  Gordon,  in  his  reply',  touched  upon  the  necessity  there  was  of 
keeping  the  merits  of  the  Society  before  tho  public. 
Mr.  W.  Collins  spoke  of  the  obligation  they  were  under  to  the  donors 
of  the  fruit  and  flowers  that  had  been  placed  on  the  tables,  making  special 
mention  of  Messrs.  H.  Cannell  &  Sons  and  Messrs.  B.  S.  Williams  &  Son. 
Mr.  J.  McKerchar  responded. 
The  following  donations  were  announced  by  the  Chairman  : — Mr. 
Garcia,  1  guinea  ;  Mr.  Watkins,  1  guinea  ;  Mr.  Geo.  Munro,  1  guinea  ; 
Mr.  Leopold  de  Rothschild,  1  guinea  ;  Mr.  S.  T.  Wright,  10s.  6d.  ;  Mr.  R. 
Dean,  10s.  6d.  ;  Mr.  Jas.  H.  Veitch,  3  guineas  ;  Mr.  Cox,  1  guinea  ;  Mr. 
R.  Pinches,  10s.  6d. ;  and  Anonymous,  1  guinea,  Mr.  Bunyard  also  pro¬ 
posed  his  son  as  an  ordinary  member  at  a  guinea  a  year. 
Mr.  H.  B.  May  proposed  “  The  Health  of  the  Chairman,”  who,  after 
a  suitable  reply,  nominated  Mr.  W.  Y.  Baker  as  Chairman  for  next  year’s 
dinner. 
Vocal  and  instrumental  music  was  discoursed  at  intervals  through  the 
evening  by  the  Lamb  Bros.  Glee  Club  of  Maidstone. 
The  quarterly  meeting  of  the  above  Society  was  held  on  Monday 
evening  at  the  Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi,  Strand.  Mr.  Wm.  Taylor 
occupied  the  chair.  Five  new  members  were  elected  and  one  nominated. 
The  principal  business  of  the  evening  was  respecting  the  oldest  member 
m  the  Society  (No.  4  in  the  register),  who  has  reached  the  age  of  seventy 
and  according  to  Rule  17  is  now  entitled  to  receive  an  allowance  from  the 
benevolent  fund.  This  member  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Society, 
has  been  in  office  the  whole  time,  and  has  never  drawn  any  sick  pay. 
laking  all  these  things  into  consideration,  the  Committee  decided  to  allow 
lm  8s..  per  week  from  the  benevolent  fund  for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
1  ere  is  a  balance  of  nearly  £80  standing  to  this  member’s  credit  in  the 
ledger,  from  which  he  asked  to  be  allowed  to  withdraw  £6,  and  leave  the 
balance  to  be  drawn  from  as  required.  A  vote  of  thanks  for  his  past  > 
services  was  accorded  him.  Two  other  members  are  receiving  5s.  per 
week  and  one  4s.  6d.  per  week  from  the  benevolent  fund  in  continuation 
of  sick  pay,  they  having  been  unable  to  work  for  over  twelve  months. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Begonia  Gloire  de  Lorraine. 
A  beautiful  plant,  worthy  of  extensive  cultivation,  is  this  winter 
flowering  Begonia.  It  will  be  in  bloom  with  us  when  this  note  appears  in 
print.  Like  several  others  of  the  genus  it  requires  stove  treatment,  and 
the  method  of  cultivation  practised  successfully  by  us  is  as  follows  :  — 
When  the  plants  pass  out  of  flower  they  are  gradually  brought  to  a  state 
of  rest  by  a  reduction  in  the  supply  of  w  ater  and  the  temperature  :  this 
lasts  six  or  eight  weeks,  when  the  plants  are  again  placed  in  heat  to 
produce  cuttings.  These  are  inserted  in  the  usual  manner  round  the 
sides  of  4-inch  pots,  and  placed  singly  when  rooted  into  2-inch  pots. 
An  ideal  place  to  grow  this  Begonia  is  in  the  Cucumber  house.  Our 
plants  have  been  In  such  a  position  since  June,  and  are  now  quite  bushes, 
12  to  15  inches  in  height  and  the  same  in  diameter,  in  5-inch  pots.  The 
final  potting  takes  place  early  in  June,  usually  into  5-inch  pots,  the  com¬ 
post  used  being  about  equal  parts  of  very  fibrous  peat  and  loam  with 
plenty  of  sand  added  and  a  little  artificial  manure.  The  plants  may  be 
supported  by  placing  one  stake  in  the  centre  of  each  pot  and  looping  the 
growths  to  it  loosely  as  necessary.  The  shoots  should  be  kept  regularly 
pinched  to  insure  a  perfect  specimen,  and  all  buds  removed  till  the  time 
the  plants  are  required  to  flower,  by  which  means  they  may  be  utilised 
successionally. 
This  Begonia  was  a  mass  of  bloom  for  fully  four  months  last  year, 
from  October  onwards,  and  I  would  recommend  anyone  not  in  possession 
of  it  to  procure  a  few  plants,  as  it  is  one  of  those  gems  which  help  to 
gladden  our  eyes  during  the  dull  winter  months  :  the  colour  of  the 
flow'ers  is  of  a  pleasing  delicate  rose.  One  more  point  in  connection  with 
it  is  its  adaptability  for  use  as  a  vase  plant.  With  due  care  it  will  last 
ten  or  twelve  days  in  good  condition,  after  which  time  it  may  be  given  a 
biusk  shake  to  remove  loose  flowers,  replaced  in  the  stove  and  well 
syringed,  and  in  about  a  fortnight  will  again  be  fit  for  decorative 
purposes. — T.  P. 
Culture  of  Hydrangeas. 
Hydrangeas  are  plants  that  are  exceedingly  useful  for  conservatory 
or  greenhouse  decoration,  and  they  may  be  successfully  grown  by 
amateurs  as  well  as  professionals.  Although  in  the  south  of  England 
they  are  quite  hardy,  in  the  north  they  will  require  the  shelter  of  a  cold 
house  ;  in  fact,  it  is  best  if  possible  to  treat  them  always  as  half-hardy 
plants,  and  protect  them  from  frost.  The  Hydrangea  is  a  plant  which  is 
grown  very  extensively  for  market,  and  finds  a  ready  sale,  especially 
with  lovers  of  window  plants. 
Tho  best  way  to  propagate  Hydrangeas  is  from  cuttings  of  half- 
ripened  wood,  w  hich  will  root  freely  in  a  propagating  pit.  If  such  is  not 
available,  they  will  do  just  as  well  in  a  manure  heated  frame.  Tho 
cuttings  should  be  covered  with  a  bell-glass  to  keep  them  close  while 
airing  the  frame.  The  time  of  insertion  of  the  cuttings  is  not  of  great 
importance,  but  if  they  are  proDagated  in  April  they  will  require  a  small1 
shift  about  August,  while  inserted  two  or  three  months  later  they  will 
do  well  in  the  small  pots  through  the  winter. 
The  compost  I  have  seen  used  is  one  composed  of  one-half  good  loam 
and  the  other  half  leaf  mould,  peat,  and  sharp  sand  in  about  equal  propor¬ 
tions.  The  cuttings  may  be  rooted  several  in  a  pot,  and  placed  into  small 
60’s  when  necessary,  and  if  a  shift  is  needful  again  the  first  year  into  48’s. 
After  potting  the  plants  ought  to  be  kept  close  for  a  time  until  they  begin 
to  take  hold  of  the  soil,  when  they  should  be  gradually  given  light  and 
air,  and  afterwards  removed  outside  into  the  sunshine.  If  they  are 
plunged  in  ashes  they  will  benefit  by  it.  The  points  should  be  removed 
when  the  shoots  are  a  few  inches  long  to  encourage  them  to  break  freely, 
but  they  must  not  be  cut  back  too  hard,  as  it  is  on  the  wood  made  in  one 
season  that  they  bloom  the  next.  If  the  plants  are  wintered  in  a  cool 
house,  by  tho  beginning  of  April  they  will  show  flower.  They  should 
then  be  given  a  size  larger  pots,  using  the  same  soil  as  before  recom¬ 
mended,  enriched  with  a  little  bonemeal  or  artificial  manure.  When  the 
pots  are  well  filled  with  roots  liquid  manure  may  be  applied,  to  give 
substance  to  the  foliage  and  flowers.  Soot  water  occasionally  will  also 
improve  them.  The  growths  which  the  plant  throws  from  the  bottom 
must  be  retained  for  next  year’s  flowering,  after  thinning  out  the  weakest. 
The  flowers  ought  to  be  removed  as  soon  as  they  have  faded,  to  give 
the  young  shoots  a  chance  of  developing.  I  have  seen  very  useful  little 
plants  with  large  heads  of  flower  obtained  by  cutting  off  some  of  the 
growths  as  soon  as  they  show  flower,  and  rooting  them  quickly  in  a  brisk 
bottom  heat.  In  this  form  they  will  make  charming  plants  for  furnishing, 
and  will  be  found  to  adapt  themselves  in  many  ways  where  small  deco¬ 
rative  plants  are  required. 
The  plants  will  winter  well  in  their  summer  pots,  unless  largo 
specimens  are  required  as  quickly  as  possible,  when  they  may  be  potted 
again  after  flowering.  Light  and  air  are  the  chief  agents  in  the  successful 
culture  of  Hydrangeas  (like  many  other  plants),  and  they  should  be  given 
as  much  as  possible  when  the  plants  are  ripening  their  wood,  as  the 
results  are  never  so  satisfactory  if  the  growths  are  sappy.  The  syringe 
should  also  be  used  freely,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  water  at  all  times  given, 
at  the  roots.— S.  S. 
