230 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
Mai-fh  20,  1902. 
naiuf  from  Mr.  Oscar  Eicrbach.  of  tlie  Botanic  Garden,  Bel¬ 
grade.  The  tree  is  reported  to  he  a  native  of  the  mountains  of 
Tlie.ssaly.  No  foliage  was  sent,  hut  the  cones  have  the  appear- 
anc. '  of  tlio.se  of  a  variety  of  P.  Laricio,  hut  much  more  tapering 
in  form  than  i.s  usually  the  case  in  that  species. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident. 
Hereunder  we  furnish  the  annual  report  of  this  most  useful 
society,  as  passed  at  the  annual  general  meeting  held  at  the 
Caledonian  Hotel,  Adelphi  Terrace,  Strand,  London,  on  Monday 
evening,  March  10.  On  that  occasion  Herhert  J.  CHithush  wa  ; 
chairman,  and  had  around  him  thirty  memhers,  including  a 
number  of  new  ones.  The  report  is  as  follows;  — 
Report  of  Committee  for  1901, 
■  In  presenting  its  report  for  the  year  ending  January  13, 
1902,  the  committee  is  gratified  to  be  able  to  announce  that 
the  society  is  in  a  thoroughly  sound  position  financially.  The 
investments  have  increased  materially  during  the  year,  and  the 
number  of  members  is  far  larger  than  on  any  previous  occasion. 
Early  in  the  year  the  Empire  was  called  upon  to  bear  a  great 
loss  when  Her  Majesty  the  late  Queen  Victoria  passed  away, 
full  of  years  and  honour.  At  the  meeting  held  in  February.  1901, 
the  committee,  on  behalf  of  the  society,  sent  to  King  Edward 
a  letter  of  condolence  with  His  Majest.y  in  the  great  loss  he 
had  sustained,  and  at  the  same  time,  conveyed  to  His  Majesty 
its  expressions  of  loyalty.  His  Majesty  was  graciously  pleased 
to  command  an  acknowledgment  to  be  made,  and  this  the  com¬ 
mittee  has  had  inset  in  the  society’s  minute  book. 
“  At  the  meeting  following  the  annual  general  meeting,  the 
committee  resolved  to  elect  a  chairman  and  vice-chairman  of 
committee  annually,  instead  of  voting  a  member  to  the  chair  at 
each  meeting.  Putting  this  resolution  into  effect,  the  committee 
unanimously  elected  Mr.  Charles  H.  Cui'tis  as  its  first  chairman, 
and  Mr.  Thomas  Winter  as  its  first  vice-chairman.  As  usual, 
twelve  regular  committee  meetings  were  held  during  the  year, 
and,  in  addition,  one  special  and  one  sub-committee  meeting. 
The  attendance  of  the  members  of  committee  averaged  nearly 
eleven  per  meeting. 
“  A  new  edition  of  the  society’s  rules  became  necessary  during 
the  year,  and  has  been  published.  It  differs  from  the  previous 
edition  in  presenting  the  rules  as  originally  drawn  up  and  regis¬ 
tered,  with  all  subsequent  additions  and  alterations  printed  in 
detail  at  the  end.  Marginal  references  direct  members  to  the 
pages  containing  additions  and  alterations,  and  on  each  of  these 
pages  there  are  cross  references  to  the  rule  or  rules  affected. 
In  publishing  the  new  edition  in  this  form,  the  committee  fol¬ 
lowed  the  advice  of  the  Registrar  of  Friendly  Societies :  but 
it  suggests  that  when  another  edition  becomes  necessary,  a 
special  general  meeting  be  called  for  the  purpose  of  revising 
the  original  rules,  embodying  the  alterations  and  additions  that 
have  already  been  made,  and  having  the  whole  re-registered. 
“  For  the  fourth  successive  year  eighty-three  new  members 
have  been  admitted  to  the  society,  a  number  that  has  not  hitherto 
been  exceeded.  The  committee  hopes,  however,  that  during  the 
ensuing  year,  members  will  do  their  utmost  to  place  before  the 
young  gardeners  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  the  many  advan¬ 
tages  and  benefits  of  the  society,  and  thereby  secure  a  still 
larger  increase  of  membership,  ft  was  the  painful  duty  of  the 
committee  to  refuse  admission  to  two  candidates  at  its  last  meet¬ 
ing  of  the  year,  as  both  were  a  few  days  over  the  age  limit. 
During  the  year  twenty-four  members  have  lapsed,  and  two  have 
died,  so  that  now  the  number  of  subscribing  members  is  904,  an 
advance  of  fifty-three  for  the  year. 
“  Subscriptions  and  arrears  to  Benefit  Fund  amounted  to 
£1,440  12s.  lOd.,  and  the  total  dLsbursed  as  sick  pay  was  £307  16s., 
a  slight  advance  on  the  amount  paid  out  in  1900,  but  met  by  a 
deduction  of  8s.  4d.  and  5s.  6d.  respectively  on  the  two  scales. 
Only  seventy-seven  members  received  sick  pay ;  but  the  average 
duration  of  illness  was  greater  than  in  the  previous  year.  The 
total  balance  standing  to  the  account  of  the  Benefit  Fund  is 
now  £14,764  Os.  Id. 
“  The  Benevolent  Fund  has  afforded  assistance  to  eight  mem¬ 
bers,  the  total  amount  paid  out  being  £107  7s..  an  increase  of 
£25  7s.  on  the  sum  paid  in  1900,  but  not  nearly  so  large  an 
increase  as  was  the  amount  paid  out  in  1900  (£82)  upon  the  sum 
disbursed  in  1899  (£35  5s.  6d.).  The  committee  has  had  the 
whole  subj^t  of  the  Benev'olent  Fund  under  consideration,  but 
at  present  it  has  no  proposition  to  make  to  the  members  regard¬ 
ing  it.  From  the  Convalescent  Fund  the  sum  of  £6  10s.  has 
been  paid,  divided  among  five  members.  For  donations  to  this 
fund  the  committee  desires  to  thank  both  honorary  and  benefit 
members. 
TT  October  9  the  society  held  its  annual  dinner  at  the 
Holborn_  Restaurant,  when  105  members  and  friends  attended. 
Tbe  chairman  on  this  occasion  was  Peter  Kay,  Esq.,  V.M.H., 
■who  not  only  rnade  an  able  president,  but  also  iiberaliy  assisted 
Me  committee  in  carrying  out  the  arrangements  for  this  function. 
Cutbush  and  Son.  J.  Laing  and  Sons,  H.  Canneil 
and  Sons,  Wrn.  Thomson  and  Son,  P.  Kay,  Riley  Scott,  Robinson, 
and  others,  the  thanks  of  the  committee  are  due,  and  hereb.y 
tendered  for  their  gifts  of  flowers  and  fruits.  The  committee 
has  much  pleasure  in  stating  that  Arthur  W.  Sutton,  Esq., 
V.M.H.,  has  kindly  promised  to  preside  at  the  annual  dinner 
of  1902. 
“  In  conclusion,  the  committee  would  urge  each  member  to 
take  a  deeper  active  interest  in  the  advancement  of  the  society, 
and  by  the  exertion  of  personal  influence  to  secure  new  members, 
so  that  the  record,  of  the  Coronation  year  may  surpass  that  of’ 
all  previous  years,  and  the  membership  of  the  society  be  raised 
to  at  least  one  thousand.” 
Statement  of  Liabilities  and  Assets. 
LIABILITIES. 
1902,  January  13th.  £  s.  rt. 
To  Benevolent  Fund  . .  3,f96  18  2 
,,  Convalescent  Fund  .  4.'i8  17  0 
,,  -Management  Fund  . .  07  12  1 
,,  Benetit  Fund  ..  11,7  4  0  1 
18,887  7  10 
Balance .  199  6  3 
£19,086  14  1 
ASSETS. 
1902.  January  13th.  £  s.  d. 
By  Invests,  as  per  1 9f  0  ac.  17,400  0  0- 
,,  1900-1  Cardiff  Corpo¬ 
ration  Stock  too  0  0 
,,  London  County  Stock  4C0  0  .O- 
,,  Crovdon  Corporation 
Stock  ..  ,.  700  0  0 
19,000  0  0 
Cash  in  hand  of  Tre.'tsurer  8o  14  1 
£19,080  14  1 
Total  Invested  Money  .. 
March  5th,  1902. 
..  £19,000 
W. GUNNER  \ 
T.  H.  PUZEY  ) 
Auditors.. 
Votes  of  thanks  were  passed  to  the  officers  who  had  served 
throughout  the  year.  The  committee  and  Mr.  Hudson  (treasurer 
for  twenty-one  years)  deserve  the  sincerest  thanks  of  those  whose 
interests  they  so  ably  manage.  Mr.  Charles  H.  Curtis,  the 
enthusiastic  and  willing  chairman  of  committee,  was  re-elected 
to  the  post,  and  Mr.  Winter  to  that  of  the  vice-chair,  all  the' 
other  officers  being  re-elected.  In  his  speech  following  the 
report,  Mr.  Cutbush  reviewed  the  aims  and  benefits  of  the 
society,  than  which,  as  he  stated,  there  is  no  better  in  the 
country.  W^e  heartily  commend  those  gardeners  who  are  desirous 
to  be  provident,  and  who  wish  to  ensure  themselves  against 
monetary  embarrassment  during  illness,  to  obtain  a  copy  of  the 
rules  from  Mr.  Wm.  Collins,  the  secretary.  His  address  is 
9,  Martindale  Road,  Balhain,  S.W.  We  trust  to  bring  forward 
the  claims  of  the  “IJnited”  Horn  time  to  time  during  the  year. 
Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution. 
The  City  Hall,  Eberle  Street,  Liverpool,  was  never  used  for 
a  greater  purpose  than  that  of  the  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent 
social  evening,  when  every  portion  of  the  vast  hall  was  fully 
occupied  by  a  numerous  attendance,  representing  all  the  leading 
tradesmen  and  gardeners  in  the  neighbourhood.  Professor  R.  J. 
Harvey  Gibson,  F.L.S.,  University  College,  Liverpool,  occupied 
the  chair,  and  he  was  supported  by  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.,  and 
Geo.  J.  Ingram,  Esq.,  who  had  kindly  come  down  from  London 
to  address  the  meeting.  I’he  chairman  gave  all  a  hearty  welcome, 
and  he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Veitch,  who  sketched  the  history 
of  the  association  from  its  inception,  the  frequent  applause 
denoting  the  thorough  hold  he  had  on  the  audienc^  who  had 
many  knotty  points  solved  to  their  satisfaction.  Mr.  Ingram 
also  made  many  friends  by  his  kindly  and  sympathetic  speech, 
whilst  Mr.  Ker,  Mr.  Guttridge  (of  the  Botanical  Gardens,  Waver- 
tree)  supported  in  no  mean  manner.  Mr.  C.  A.  Young,  chairman 
of  the  local  committee,  made  a  most  effective  speech,  and  Mr. 
Waterman,  secretary,  eulogised  the  proceedings.  Many  sub¬ 
scriptions  and  donations  were  promised,  and  it  was  a  most 
gratifying  event  when  Mr.  Veitch  announced  the  fact  that  the 
meeting  was  the  finest  preliminary  that  he  had  ever  attended, 
and  that  the  musical  programme  was  a  long  way  ahead  of  any¬ 
thing  they  could  get  in  London.  The  proceeds  and  other  matters 
I  shall  leave  for  a  later  notice. — R.  P.  R. 
Bristol  Gardeners’  Association. 
This  association  held  its  meetizig  at  St.  John’s  Rooms  on 
Thursday  evening  last,  when  Mr.  Daniels,  of  the  Newport 
Gardeners’  Association,  gave  a  paper  on  “  The  Cultivation  of  the 
Cineraria.”  Judging  from  the  discussion  which  followed  Mr. 
Daniels’  address,  it  was  obvious  that  the  Cineraria  is  very  much 
in  favour  with  the  gardening  fraternity  of  the  district.  Cineraria 
stellata  is  extremely  floriferous,  and  most  useful  for  cutting. 
Since  1777  the  Cineraria  has  undergone  many  improvements,, 
which  have  now  reached  perfection,  and  no  greenhouse  is  com¬ 
plete  without  a  few  plants.  The  best  composts,  feeding,  and 
general  treatment  were  described  in  a  practical  way.  His  paper  was 
a  worthy  one,  his  audience  appreciative,  and  the  Newport  Asso¬ 
ciation  are  to  be  congratulated  in  having  such  a  member  as  Mr. 
Daniels.  He  was  accorded  the  best  thanks  of  the  meeting  for 
his  paper.  Prizes  for  two  Cinerarias  were  awarded  as  follows: 
Alderman  W.  Howell  Davis  (gardener,  Mr.  Curtis)  taking  first 
honours,  while  Mr.  A.  Cole  (gardener,  Mr.  Bird)  ran  very  close 
with  second :  Certificates  of  Merit  were  given  to  Dr.  Heale  for 
Calla  Elliotiana  and  Dendrobium  atro-violaceum  and  to  Mr. 
Gilbert  Howes  (gardener,  Mr.  White)  for  Phaius  grandiflorus. 
Dr.  Heale  and  Mr.  Geo.  Brook  also  exhibited  Suramatum 
guttatum  (?!  a  curious  plant  which  grows  without  the  aid  of  soil’ 
or  water. — H.  K. 
