244 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  12,  1894. 
enviable  position.  “Vegetable  Culture”  is  as  thorough,  concise,  and 
instructive  as  either  of  the  preceding  Primers,  and  more  than  that  need 
not  be  said. 
What  Mr.  Dean  has  to  say  about  “Soils:  Their  Preparation  and 
Manuring,”  is  most  instructive,  and  the  pity  is  so  few  working  men  can 
be  induced  to  dig  even  to  the  full  depth  of  the  spade,  to  say  nothing  of 
loosening:  the  subsoil — always  provided  that  circumstances  favour  this 
work.  They  should  study  his  three  “  P’s  ”  (fig.  44)  Poverty,  Progress,  and 
Prosperity.  Shallow  pipe  drains  doubtless  suit  many  gardens,  owing  to  the 
difficulty  connected  with  finding  outlets  for  deeper  drains,  but  has  Mr. 
Dean  never  seen  any  ill  effects  attending  the  practice  of  laying  drains 
only  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  in  depth  ?  I  have,  and  can  tell  him  that  it  is 
possible  to  greatly  improverish  ground  by  draining  it  too  rapidly.  In 
one  instance  all  drains  30  inches  deep  had  to  be  taken  up  and  relaid 
1  foot  or  more  deeper,  before  either  fruit  trees  or  vegetables  would  thrive 
satisfactorily.  If  we  only  sink  them  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  in  depth,  and 
in  addition  place  “  several  inches  of  very  coarse  rubble  or  stones  over 
them,  and  on  the  top  some  Heath,  Gorse,  or  Quick  hedge  trimmings,” 
we  form  a  drain  that  will  draw  far  too  much  moisture  and  nutriment 
from  the  soil  to  a  distance  of  several  yards  away. 
All  the  kinds  of  manure  that  come  within  the  reach  of  amateurs  and 
working  men  generally  are  ably  treated  upon,  and  good  advice  as  to  the 
rotation  of  crops  given.  In  order  to  deal  with  them  effectively  the 
various  kinds  of  vegetables  are  grouped  somewhat  in  accordance  with 
their  habit  of  growth  or  condition  in  which  they  can  be  utilised.  Thus 
we  commence  with  tap  or  bulbous  rooted  vegetables ;  followed  by 
tuberous-rooted  kinds.  Much  that  Mr.  Dean  advances  concerning 
Potatoes  is  particularly  instructive,  but  I  should  have  been  better 
pleased  to  see  planting  with  a  dibber  condemned,  except  for  light  soil. 
Selections  of  Potatoes  are  difficult  to  make,  especially  seeing  that  all  who 
are  experienced  in  the  matter  strongly  advise  weeding  out  and  retaining 
only  a  few  sorts,  or  say  not  more  than  four  or  five.  Mr.  Dean  probably 
does  not  mind  the  bother  connected  with  a  larger  number,  and  contents 
himself  with  favourably  mentioning  twenty-six  varieties.  True,  they 
are  in  sections,  and  possibly  he  bad  in  mind  the  wants  of  exhibitors. 
Could  he  not  have  given  us  limited  selections  for  different  soils  ? 
Under  the  heading  “Pod-bearing  Vegetables,”  Peas,  Broad,  Runner, 
and  Kidney  Beans  are  comprised  and  well  treated.  Fruit-bearing 
vegetables  have  likewise  a  chapter  to  themselves.  Of  these  the 
most  noteworthy  are  Vegetable  Marrows,  Cucumbers,  and  Tomatoes, 
a  few  pages  being  devoted  to  the  house  culture  of  the  two  latter. 
I  will  only  allude  to  Tomatoes.  On  well  prepared  ground  in  the 
open  air  there  is  no  good  reason  why  the  plants  should  not  be  1  foot 
apart  instead  of  2  feet  in  rows  3  feet  asunder.  Under  glass,  instead  of 
row*  running  only  18  inches  apart  across  the  house,  heavier  crops  of 
superior  fruit  are  had  when  the  plants  are  twice  that  distance  asunder  ; 
at  least  that  is  the  conclusion  I  have  arrived  at  after  repeated  experi¬ 
ments.  I  have  also  found  that  the  best  Tomato  for  open  air  culture  is 
the  heavy  cropping  variety,  Early  Ruby. 
Green  vegetables,  salads,  and  herbs  are  fully  and  ably  treated,  and  so 
are  edible  stemmed  plants  ;  but  the  Celery  plant  he  shows  needs  another 
earthing  if  the  crop  has  to  remain  for  use  in  the  spring.  Mr.  Dean  has 
been  more  fortunate  than  I  if  he  can  rely  on  good  Globe  Artichokes 
from  seedling  plants.  The  work  concludes  with  an  excellent  chapter  on 
cottage  and  allotment  gardening,  showing  what  good  work  is  being  done 
by  the  Technical  Education  Department  in  Surrey,  and  also  conveying 
sound  advice  as  to  judging  allotments  and  gardens,  with  further  infor¬ 
mation  for  the  benefit  of  exhibitors.  In  this  instance  again  an  index 
increases  the  value  of  the  work.  We  only  want  another  of  the  same 
handy  series  (on  fruit)  to  form  a  cheap  and  trustworthy  library,  valuable 
alike  for  school  teachers,  young  gardeners,  and  cultivators  generally. — 
W.  Iggulden,  Instructor  on  Horticulture ,  Somerset. 
UNITED  HORTICULTURAL  PROVIDENT  AND  BENEFIT 
SOCIETY.— Annual  Meeting. 
The  annual  general  meeting  of  the  above  Institution  was  held  at  the 
Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi,  on  Monday  evening  last.  The  chair  was 
taken  by  Mr.  J.  Cheal,  who,  after  the  usual  preliminary  business,  called 
on  the  Secretary  to  read  the  following  report : — 
The  Committee  have  again  very  much  pleasure  in  presenting  to  the 
members  the  annual  report  and  balance-sheet  for  the  year  ending 
January  13th,  1896,  and  in  Btating  that  the  Society  continues  in  a 
prosperous  condition.  Seventy  members  joined  during  the  year,  eighteen 
lapsed,  and  two  died,  leaving  a  net  gain  of  fifty.  In  the  benefit  fund 
the  amount  of  subscriptions  paid  was  £896  14s.  7d.,  including  arrears 
for  1894.  The  sick  list  has  been  rather  a  heavy  one,  the  amount  of 
£145  6s.  4d,  having  been  paid  to  fifty  members.  The  deductions  from 
members’  deposit  account  to  meet  this  amount  is  6s.  2d.  and  4s.  2d.  in 
the  two  scales  of  contributions  respectively.  The  amount  of  sick  pay 
has  been  increased  since  July  8th  from  16s.  to  18s.,  and  from  10s.  6d.  to 
12s.  per  week  in  the  two  classes.  Amounts  standing  to  the  credit  of 
deceased  members  have  been  paid,  also  one  lapsed  member.  Subscrip¬ 
tions  to  the  benevolent  fund  from  benefit  and  honorary  members  are 
£128  9s.  6d.  The  sum  of  £7  10s.  was  granted  to  the  widow  of  the  late 
Charles  Smith,  and  small  sums  amounting  to  £8  10s.  6d.  were  granted 
to  other  members  in  distress.  No  call  has  been  made  on  the  convalescent 
fund  during  the  year.  Members’  attention  is  particularly  called  to 
this  fund,  as  its  benefits  might  be  considerably  extended.  Mr.  Sherwood 
again  gave  £5  5s.  at  the  annual  dinner  to  this  fund.  The  management 
fund  shows  a  balance  of  £30  8s.  8d,  The  Treasurer  has  invested  £1100 
during  the  year  in  Corporation  Three  per  Cent,  stock,  and  has  a  good 
balance  in  hand.  The  annnal  dinner  was  again  carried  out  with  spirit 
and  success.  James  H.  Veitch,  Esq.,  made  an  excellent  Chairman,  and 
took  the  greatest  interest  in  the  proceedings.  The  accounts  have  been 
carefully  audited  by  Messrs.  Gunner  and  Dixon,  and  found  correct. 
The  Committee,  in  conclusion,  ask  the  members  to  do  what  they  can  to 
induce  other  gardeners  to  join  this  excellent  Society,  as  they  are  quite 
sure  that  no  gardener  can  do  better  than  join  the  “  United.”  The 
receipts  for  1895  amounted  to  £1569  7s.  lljd.,  while  the  expenditure 
was  £1486  10s.  3£d.,  leaving  a  balance  in  hand  of  £82  17s,  8d.  The 
capital  at  present  invested  is  £10,800. 
The  Chairman,  in  a  few  supplementary  remarks,  complimented  the 
Society  on  its  satisfactory  condition,  stating  that  the  amount  standing 
to  the  account  of  the  Institution  was  almost  three  times  more  than  was 
the  case  nine  years  ago,  while  there  was  a  gain  of  fifty  members  during 
the  past  year.  The  Society,  he  said,  commended  itself  to  all  gardeners, 
as  it  was  independent,  and  provided  against  sickness  and  for  old  age.  It 
was  admirably  managed,  and  he  would  give  a  few  instances  of  its  great 
benefits.  At  the  death  of  one  of  the  first  members  there  was  a  balance 
standing  to  his  account  of  £46  10s.,  which  was  duly  paid  over  to  his 
widow.  Another  member,  whose  payments  lapsed  when  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  seventy,  had  the  sum  of  £82  10s.  standing  to  his  credit.  A 
third  member  has  now  the  sum  of  £54  11s.  3d.  standing  to  his  credit  ;  a 
fourth  £64  9s.  4d.  ;  and  a  fifth  £82  10s.  These  statements  Bpoke 
volumes  for  the  stability  and  good  management  of  the  Institution,  which 
is  on  a  good  and  solid  basis.  The  funds  are  all  invested  in  sound  and 
satisfactory  concerns,  and  the  accounts  have  all  been  carefully  and 
scrupulously  audited  ;  and,  as  the  balance-sheet  showed,  the  Society  is  in 
a  flourishing  and  reliable  condition.  The  report  and  balance-sheet  were 
then  duly  adopted,  and  the  re-election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year 
proceeded  with,  hearty  votes  of  thanks  being  accorded  to  the  various 
officers.  As  Mr.  J.  George,  one  of  the  Trustees  of  this  Society,  has 
attained  the  age  of  seventy  he  is,  through  the  rules  of  the  Institution, 
prohibited  from  serving  longer,  and  Mr.  Scott  was  duly  elected  in  his 
place,  this  causing  a  vacancy  on  the  Committee,  which  Mr.  Berry  was 
chosen  to  fill.  The  whole  of  the  evening’s  business  having  been 
conducted  in  an  amicable  and  highly  satisfactory  manner,  a  hearty  vote 
of  thanks  was  accorded  to  Mr.  Cheal  for  presiding,  and  for  the  excellent 
way  in  which  he  had  discharged  the  duties  connected  therewith.  We 
regret  that  unusual  pressure  on  our  space  precludes  a  fuller  report  being 
given  of  this  meeting. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
Drill  Hall,  March  10th. 
The  Society  scored  a  record  at  the  meeting  on  Tuesday,  as  it  was 
no  doubt  the  largest  spring  meeting  ever  held  in  the  building.  Amongst 
flowering  plants  Cyclamens  and  Cinerarias  were  the  chief  feature.  The 
heaviest  of  the  duties  lay  with  the  Floral  and  Orchid  Committees,  there 
being  such  a  large  number  of  exhibits  in  these  sections  to  deal  with. 
Neither  fruits  nor  vegetables  were  very  numerous,  but,  speaking 
generally,  the  quality  was  fairly  high. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present:  T.  Francis  Rivers,  Esq.  (in  the 
chair)  ;  and  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  with  Messrs.  G.  Bunyard,  J.  H.  Veitch, 
H.  J.  Pearson,  A.  F.  Barron,  T.  J.  Saltmarsh,  A.  H.  Pearson,  P.  C;  M. 
Veitch,  J.  Smith.  G.  Reynolds,  H.  Balderson,  F.  Q.  Lane,  G.  Sage, 
W.  Bates,  A.  J.  Laing,  J.  Cheal,  J.  Willard,  A.  Dean,  T.  Glen,  and 
J.  Wright. 
Mr.  Stevens  sent  plants  of  Stevens’  Wonder  Strawberry,  bearing  large, 
ripe  fruits  (vote  of  thanks).  A  fine  diBh  of  Blue  Pearmain  Apple  was 
sent  by  Mr.  John  Watkins,  Hereford,  and  a  first-class  certificate  was 
awarded  with  one  dissentient. 
Winter  Quarrenden  Apples  were  placed  on  the  table  from  Chiswick, 
for  showing  the  keeping  qualities  of  the  variety.  It  was  granted  an 
award  of  merit  in  November. 
Mr.  R.  Parker,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Richmond  and  Gordon,  sent 
Apples  from  a  tree  100  years  old,  an  undoubted  form  of  the  Blenheim, 
and  not  sufficiently  distinct  for  a  varietal  name.  He  also  sent  a  fine 
dish  of  Apples  from  a  tree  at  Goodwood,  locally  known  as  “  Lincolnshire 
Reinnette.”  This  name  is  not  included  in  a  list  of  about  150 
Reinettes  in  “  Hogg’s  British  Pomology.”  It  is  a  good  sized,  uniform, 
somewhat  conical  and  symmetrical  fruit,  a  long  keeper  and  of  excellent 
flavour  (award  of  merit).  It  is  to  be  named  Goodwood,  Pippin.  A 
silver  Banksian  medal  was  also  granted  to  Mr.  Parker  for  a  collection 
of  Apples. 
Mr.  S.  Mortimer  sent  fruits  and  fruiting  plants  of  his  Cucumber 
Marvel,  medium  sized,  well  shaped,  and  well  coloured,  and  the  plants 
most  prolific.  First-class  certificate.  Mr.  Owen  Thomas  sent  beautiful 
samples  of  Frogmore  Prolific  Cucumber ,  somewhat  larger  than  the 
Marvel.  A  first-class  certificate  was  awarded,  with  two  dissentients. 
It  was  stated  that  a  trial  of  Cucumbers  could  not  (as  was  hoped  by 
the  Committee)  be  made  at  Chiswick  this  year. 
Mr.  G.  Wythes  sent  a  bunch  of  Asparagus  as  forced  with  leaves  in 
permanent  beds  at  Syon  (vote  of  thanks).  He  also  sent  plants  of  the 
Syon  Hardy  Kale,  a  hardy  variety  with  much  cut  leaves,  distinct,  and 
recommended  to  be  tried  at  Chiswick.  Messrs.  Barr  &  Son  exhibited 
Barr’s  Exquisite  Dwarf  Curled  Kale,  a  compact  hardy  variety,  recom¬ 
mended  to  Chiswick  for  trial. 
Floral  Committee. — Present :  W.  Marshall,  Esq.  (in  the  chair) ; 
and  Rev .  H .  H.  D’Ombrain,  with  Messrs.  J.  Fraser,  J .  Laing,  C.  T.  Druery, 
H.  Herbst,  B,  ,Owen,  G.  Stevens,  J.  Hudson,  J.  Jennings,  C.  J.  Salter, 
