478 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  18,  1897. 
-  Royal  Horticultural  Society. — The  next  Fruit  and  Floral 
meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  will  he  held  on  Tuesday, 
November  23rd,  in  the  Drill  Hall,  James  Street,  Westminster,  one  to  four. 
At  three  o’clock  a  lecture  on  “  Horticultural  Exhibitions  and  Schedules  ” 
will  be  given  by  IMr.  John  Wright,  V.M.H. 
-  Shirley  (iAiiOENERs’  Association. -The  monthly  meeting 
was  held  at  the  Parish  Room,  Shirley,  on  Monday,  the  15th  inst.  There 
was  a  very  good  attendance,  IMr.  B.  Ladhams,  F.R.H.S.,  occupying  the 
chair.  Mr.  F.  Shrivel!,  F.L.S.,  Tonbridge,  gave  a  lecture  on  “  Chemical 
Manures  for  the  Garden,”  and  detailed  the  results  of  four  years’ 
experiments  conducted  by  himself  and  Dr.  Bernard  Dyer. 
-  Apple  Trees  in  Bloom  in  Mid-November.— The  unpre¬ 
cedented  mildness  of  the  weather  has  had  a  remarkable  effect  in  the 
West  of  England.  Strawberry  plants  are  in  many  places  in  full  bloom, 
and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Trowbridge,  not  far  from  the  far-famed 
“  AVhite  Horse,”  and  under  the  shelter  of  the  Wiltshire  Downs,  a  farmer 
has  an  Apple  tree  which  for  some  time  past  has  been  covered  with  blooms, 
and  the  fruit  is  now  setting  for  a  second  time  this  year. 
-  Hbssle  Gardeners’  Society.— A  meeting  of  the  above 
Society  was  held  on  Tuesday,  November  9th,  Mr.  Geo.  Picker  in  the 
chair.  Mr.  Lv^ons  read  a  very  interesting  paper  on  “  The  Gardener’s 
Refuse  Fire  versus  The  Compost  Heap.”  The  essayist  pointed  out  the 
disadvantages  that  are  caused  by  the  burning  of  garden  refuse,  and 
described  the  advantages  gained  by  allowing  it  to  remain  in  heaps 
to  decompose.  He  also  described  the  best  mode  of  rendering  such 
unsightly  heaps  attractive.  The  animated  discussion  that  followed  the 
essay  showed  that  a  great  number  of  members  did  not  hold  the  same 
views  as  the  essayist.  Owing  to  a  Chrysanthemum  show  being  held  in 
the  vicinity  there  was  only  a  moderate  attendance.  A  hearty  vote  of 
thanks  was  given  to  the  essayist  and  Chairman  at  the  termination  of  the 
meeting. —G.  W.  G. 
-  “Indian  Gardening.” — On  September  the  15th  the  first  issue 
of  this  gardening  paper  was  published  at  Calcutta,  and  the  six  numbers 
received  to  date  are  now  before  us.  The  paper  and  type  used  are  both 
of  good  average  quality,  and  a  perusal  of  the  several  articles,  with  their 
selection,  prove  much  care  in  the  editorial  department.  All  topics 
relative  to  gardening  are  dealt  with  in  a  sound  practical  manner,  and  it  is 
probable  that  the  paper  will  receive  a  considerable  amount  of  support. 
“  Indian  Gardening  ”  is  issued  weekly.  Agricultural  notes  and  articles 
have  also  a  goodly  amount  of  space  devoted  to  them,  and  will  enhance  the 
interest  and  widen  the  popularity  of  the  journal.  An  advance  may  be 
seen  between  the  first  and  sixth  number,  which  augurs  well  for  the 
future.  We  trust  the  promoters  and  managers  of  “Indian  Gardening” 
will  meet  with  unqualified  success. 
— —  Grapes  for  Maidstone. — In  view  of  the  fearful  calamity 
which  has  overtaken  our  county  town,  I  am  endeavouring  to  arrange  for 
a  supply  of  Grapes  for  the  sufferers.  Nearly  2,000  cases  of  typhoid 
have  been  recorded,  and  the  distress  is  terrible.  The  struggle  towards 
convalescence  after  attacks  of  this  fever  is  always  a  long  and  weary  one. 
Solid  food  cannot  be  given,  no  matter  how  keen  the  pangs  of  hunger  may 
be.  The  Mayor  tells  me  that  Grapes  are  needed,  and  anyone  having  some 
to  spare,  if  only  a  bunch  or  two,  would  be  performing  a  good  act  by  send¬ 
ing  them.  Boxes  sent  to  the  Mayor,  marked  “Maidstone  Grape  Fund,’» 
will  be  diverted  to  the  proper  quarter,  and  both  railways,  S.E.R.  and 
L.C.D.R.,  deliver  such  gifts  free.  I  would  gladly  send  printed  labels  to 
anyone  on  receipt  of  a  postcard.  I  may  add  that  kind  promises  of  assist¬ 
ance  have  already  been  made  by  several  well-known  horticulturists. — 
W.  P.  Wright,  Willeshorouglu  Ashford,  Kerd. 
-  The  Remarkably  Mild  Weather.— Seldom  has  there  been 
such  warm  weather  immediately  preceding  the  end  of  the  first  half  of 
November  as  there  has  been  for  the  last  few  weeks.  The  natural  con¬ 
sequence  is  seen  in  the  wealth  of  flowers  to  be  seen  in  suburban  gardens. 
The  display  of  Chrysanthemums  in  the  garden  of  the  cottage  behind  the 
post-office  on  Wimbledon  Common  was  a  great  point  of  attraction  to 
pedestrians  a  day  or  two  ago  ;  and  it  is  notable  that  the  “  Daily  Mail  ”  on 
Monday  printed  from  a  gardening  correspondent  at  Wimbledon — probably 
the  owner  of  the  garden  in  question— the  following  list  of  plants  which 
he  says  are  at  the  present  time  blooming  in  his  garden  : — 
Myrtle 
Fuchsias 
Nasturtiums 
Polyanthus 
Roses 
Mignonette 
Marigolds 
Primroses 
Antirrhinums 
Chrysanthemums 
Scarlet  Geranium 
Violets 
Wallflowers 
Michaelmas  Daisies 
Lobelias 
Marguerite  Daisies 
Marguerite  Carnations 
Everlasting  Flowers 
Auriculas 
Pansies 
Red  Daisies 
Nicotiana  affinis 
Calliopsis  Drummondi,  and 
Vincas. 
-  Gardening  Appointments.— Mr.  .1.  Dare,  after  ten  years’ 
service  at  Stancliffe,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener  to  W.  Hoare,  Esq., 
at  Iden  Manor,  Stajdehurst.  Mr.  A.  E.  Drewett,  until  recently  gardener 
at  Wakehurst  Place,  Hayward’s  Heath,  has  been  appointed  head  gardener 
to  A.  B.  Foster,  Esq.,  Canwell  Hall,  Tamworth,  Staffs. 
-  Violas  in  November. — “  A  Viola  Lover”  writes  “  At  the 
Tamworth  Showq  on  the  10th  inst.,  Mr.  W.  Sydenham  exhibited  a  table 
of  Violas,  which  conveyed  the  impression  that  we  were  nearer  ,lune  than 
November.  Many  beautiful  new  and  some  older  varieties  were  seen  in 
the  best  of  condition.  When  we  consider  the  Viola  starts  blooming  in 
April  and  May,  and  continues  to  do  so  until  November,  we  surely  can 
claim  for  it  a  position  second  to  none  amongst  hardy  flowers.” 
-  Apples  for  Export. — In  the  Taunton  district  Apples  have 
been  very  plentiful  this  year,  and  large  quantities  have  been  sold  for 
exporting  to  Normandy.  Agents  purchase  the  crop,  by  the  tree  or  by 
the  orchard,  gather,  and  of  course  pack  the  fruit,  the  bulk  of  it  being 
sent  by  boat  from  Bridgwater,  Burnham,  and  other  small  towns  on  the 
coast.  What  prices  have  been  obtained  I  do  not  know,  but,  as  the 
farmers  seem  quite  satisfied,  I  should  say  the  Apple  crop,  in  this  district 
at  any  rate,  has  been  profitable  this  year. — J.  E. 
-  Birmingham  Gardeners’  Association. — At  a  recent 
meeting  of  this  Society  (Mr.  Spinks  in  the  chair)  a  very  interesting  and 
comprehensive  paper  was  given  by  Mr.  W.  Gardiner  on  the  Pmony.  The 
essayist  advocated  the  merits  of  the  numerous  varieties  of  herbaceous  and 
tree  varieties  (Moutan),  both  as  garden  flowers  and  for  cutting  purposes, 
including  also  their  comparajtively  simple  requirements  in  a  cultural  point 
of  view.  Stress  Avas  laid  upon  the  beauty  and  delicious  fragrance 
possessed  by  many  of  the  varieties.  An  interesting  and  instructive 
discussion  followed. 
-  Roofing  Felts. — The  uses  to  which  felt  may  be  put  in  the 
garden  are  extremely  numerous,  indeed  they  are  so  valuable  as  to 
warrant  a  supply  being  always  on  hand.  By  the  aid  of  felt  a  shed 
may  be  made  waterproof  and  the  temperature  raised  several  degrees. 
But  it  is  of  no  use  procuring  felts  unless  those  of  good  quality  are  chosen, 
and  amongst  the  best  are  those  marked  with  the  Red  Hand.  From  many 
sources  we  have  heard  excellent  testimonials  as  to  the  excellence  of  the 
material  bearing  this  trade  mark,  and  those  procuring  some  for  any 
purpose  will  do  well  to  order  this,  when  they  may  be  sure  of  a  trust¬ 
worthy  article.  It  can  be  supplied  by  all  ironmongers,  who  have  also 
pamphlets  containing  interesting  notes  on  the  uses  of  felts. 
-  Export  of  Ginseng. — From  a  recent  number  of  the 
“Pharmaceutical  Journal”  it  appears  that  in  November,  1895,  an  ordi¬ 
nance  was  promulgated  in  Corea  legalising  the  export  of  Ginseng.  For 
centuries  red  Ginseng  has  been  sent  to  Pekin  by  the  overland  embassy, 
the  trade  being  a  royal  monopoly  from  which  the  King  of  Corea  derived 
the  principal  portion  of  his  revenue,  the  export  by  sea  being  prohibited. 
The  annual  crop  is  limited  in  quantity  to  about  15,000  catties,  upon  which 
an  excise  duty  of  10  dols.  a  catty  is  charged  under  the  new  regulations, 
to  which  is  added  an  import  duty  of  5  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  levied  on  its 
arrival  at  a  treaty  port  in  China.  Under  the  new  law  the  King  is  com¬ 
pensated  for  his  loss  of  the  Ginseng  monopoly  by  an  equivalent  addition 
to  the  privy  purse. 
-  Open  Spaces. — At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Metropolitan 
Public  Gardens  Association,  83,  Lancaster  Gate,  W.,  the  Earl  of  Meath 
(Chairman)  presiding,  a  communication  was  read  from  the  City  Parochial 
Foundation,  consenting  to  the  allocation  of  their  open  space  grant  of 
£1000  to  the  cost  of  laying  out  Bethnal  Green  Parish  churchyard,  and 
to  the  provision  of  a  drinking  fountain  therein,  in  accordance  with  the 
proposal  of  the  Association  made  some  time  previously,  and  it  was 
resolved  to  seek  permission  to  erect  a  tablet  in  the  ground,  with  a  suitable 
inscription,  as  a  record.  It  was  also  agreed  to  offer  trees  for  planting  in 
thoroughfares  at  Kensington,  Calvert  Avenue,  Shoreditch  and  Hoxton 
Market,  and  to  grant  seats  for  South  Grove,  Camberwell,  and  De 
Beauvoir  Square.  The  Chairman  reported  the  opening  of  a  playground  in 
Benbow  Street,  Deptford,  secured  and  laid  out  by  the  Greenwich  Board 
of  Works,  and  provided  with  ample  gymnastic  apparatus  by  the  Associa¬ 
tion.  Letters  were  read  respecting  the  proposed  acquisition  for  the 
public  of  Churchyard  Bottom  Wood,  N.,  Pymmes  Park,  Edmonton,  N. 
a  part  of  Golder’s  Hill  Estate,  N.W.,  a  site  at  Bromley,  Kent,  a  burial- 
ground  at  Barking,  E.,  Camberwell  Churchyard,  a  cleared  area  in 
Islington,  and  a  plot  of  land  in  Ratcliff.  It  was  also  decided  to  see 
whether  any  steps  could  be  taken,  and,  if  so,  what  the  cost  would  be,  to 
improve  the  churchyards  of  St.  Nicholas  and  St.  Paul’s,  Deptford,  in 
order  to  render  them  more  available  as  public  gardens  than  at  present. — 
(“  Garden.”) 
