April  17,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
349 
Societies. 
Royal  Horiicultural— Scientific  Committee,  April  8tli. 
Present:  Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke  (in  the  chair);  and  Messrs.  Hooper, 
Gordon,  Odell,  Druery,  Bowles,  Douglas,  Woi’sley,  Holmes, 
Bennett-Poe.  Bev.  W.  Wilks,  and  Dr.  Masters. 
Violet-leaf  Disease. — Dr.  Cooke  reported  as  follows  on  the  speci- 
meim  sent  by  Colonel  Spragge  :  “  Many  of  the  leaves  of  the  Violets 
exhibited  were  in  a  bad  state,  the  tissue  being  entirely  bleached 
and  dead,  but  not  in  interfoliary  spots,  as  in  Phyllosticta  and 
Sei^toria,  but  marginal,  extending  inwards  until  the  greater  part 
or  the  whole  of  the  leaf  is  involved.  It  was  the  opinion  of  some 
of  the  members  of  the  committee  that  this  bleaching  was  the 
result  of  external  circumstances,  and  not  from  the  attacks  of  any 
parasite.  With  this  view  I  am  disposed  to  agree.  The  mode  of 
attack  is  not  that  of  the  American  disease  (Alternaria),  of  which 
I  failed  to  find  a  single  spore.  All  the  spots  were  occupied  by 
tufts  of  a  black  mould,  which  at  present  I  am  inclined  to  think 
must  be  saprophytic,  appearing  .subsequently  on  the  dead  tissue. 
They  do  not  appear  upon  the  leaves  beginning  to  fade,  only  on 
the  quite  dead  spots.  These  moulds  are  of  two  kinds,  and  both 
belong  to  genera  in  which  the  species  are  wholly  .saprophytic,  it 
being  the  exception,  in  some  few  cases,  for  them  to  become 
parasitic.  The  fungus  appears  in  small,  dark  olive  tufts  scattered 
over  the  dead  ti.ssue,  and  in  no  case  becoming  confluent,  and 
spreading  in  patches.  The  earlie.st  form  to  appear  is  a 
Cladosporium,  which  certainly  is  not  Cladosporium  herbarium, 
nor  does  it  appear  to  be  Cladosporium  epiphyllum.  The  threads 
are  slender,  unbranched,  septate,  and  of  a  pale  olive,  not  nodulose 
or  torulose.  and  rather  long  for  the  genus  (120  to  150  by  5  />(.). 
The  conidia,  as  usual,  are  at  finst  continuous,  afterwards 
uuiseptate,  then  biseptate  and  triseptate ;  so  that  in  the  same 
tuft  one  may  find  conidia  with  no  septum,  and  others  with  one, 
two,  or  three,  in  all  cases  narrow,  and  but  little  thicker  than  the 
threads  (18  to  30  Ijy  6  to  7  The  other  form,  which  appears 
mixed  with  the  foregoing,  is  a  Macrosporium  of  the  type  of 
M.  sarcinula,  with  delicate,  deciduous  threads  and  somewhat 
cubical  conidia  (30  to  35  by  25  to  30  jJ-),  truncate  at  the  ends,  and 
but  slightly  constricted.  The  septa,  longitudinal  and  transverse, 
divide  the  conidia  into  quadrangular  cells,  mostly  in  three 
irregular  rows,  and  of  a  darker  olive-broAvn  than  appears  in  the 
Cladosporium.  I'nfortunately,  I  have  not  seen  a  description  of 
the  Italian  Macrosporium  Yiolse,  Avhich  has  the  reputa¬ 
tion  of  being  a  destructive  parasite  on  Violets.  It  has 
been  demonstrated  that  there  is  some  close  affinity,  or 
relationship,  betAveen  Cladosporium  and  Macrosporium.  They 
are  often  found  together,  and  in  some  ca.ses  have  the  reputation 
of  being  the  Microconidia  an,d  Macroconidia  of  some  species  of 
Pleospora,  bearing  muriform  sporidia  contained  in  asci.  I  can 
only  repeat  that  I  do  not  think  these  moulds  are  the  cause,  but 
the  consequence  of  the  disease.  N.B. — Since  Avriting  the  above 
I  have  seen  description  of  the  Italian  pest,  Macrosporium  Violse 
(Poll.),  and  it  is  certainly  not  the  same  as  the  one  I  have 
described  ;  since,  in  that  species,  the  spots  are  definitely  orbicular 
and  regular,  and  the  conidia  are  clavate^  and  attenuated  at  the 
base  (40  to  90  by  10  ju.),  not  at  all  resembling  these  described 
above,  Avhich  I  must  still,  in  default  of  better  evidence,  regard  as 
a  saprophyte.’^ 
The  Metropolitan  Public  Gardens  Association. 
At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Metropolitan  Public  Gardens’ 
Association,  held  at  83,  Lancaster  Gate,  W.,  it  AA-as  .stated  that 
Loi-d  Meath  had  prepared  a  paper  on  “  Open  Spaces  and  Physical 
Training,”  to  be  read  at  the  approaching  conference  of  the  Man¬ 
chester  and  Salford  Sanitary  Association,  and  it  Avas  agreed  to 
accept  the  invitation  of  the  Sanitary  Institute  to  read  a  paper 
on  open  spaces  at  the  Congress  to  be  held  in  Manchester  in 
September  next.  A  letter  AA'as  read  announcing  that  the  appeal 
of  the  Hearts  of  Oak  Society  against  the  decision  of  the  London 
County  Council  refusing  permission  to  build  on  certain  forecourts 
in  the  Euston  Poad  had  failed,  and  this  Avas  considered  very 
satisfactoiy,  as  the  association  had  constantly  urged  the  great 
importance  of  preserving  the  open  character  of  this  and  similar 
roads,  in  spite  of  past  encroachments,  by  means  of  these  fore¬ 
courts,  Avhich  could  in  the  future  be  converted  into  continuous 
boulevards  when  no  longer  required  as  private  gardens.  A  reso¬ 
lution  Avas  read,  Avhich  had  been  passed  on  to  the  London  County 
Council,  against  the  proposals  of  the  Charing  Cross,  Euston,  and 
Hamp.stead,  and  EdgAvare  and  Hampstead  Raihvay  Companies  to 
construct  a  number  of  tubes  under  Hampstead  Heath.  It  was 
decided  to  opimse  any  proposals  of  the  Patriotic  Fund  Commis¬ 
sioners  for  selling  or  building  on  land  formerly'  part  of  Wands- 
wortli  Common  Avhich  they  no  longer  required,  and  Avhich  it  was 
strongly  felt  should  be  restored  to  the  common.  It  AA’as  agreed 
to  offer  to  lay  out  St.  John’s.  Stratford,  and  St.  George’s,  Blooms¬ 
bury,  churchyards,  and  to  take  steps  to  oppose  building  schemes 
on  Holy  Trinity,  Stepney,  and  St.  James’s,  ClerkeiiAA-ell,  church¬ 
yard,  as  contrary  to  the  Disused  Burial  Grounds  Acts.  Protests 
Avhich  Lord  Meath  had  receiA'ed  Averc  read  against  the  cutting, 
and  clearing  operations  that  Avere  taking  place  at  Burnham 
Beeches,  and  requesting  that  steps  should  be  taken  to  prevent 
this  beautiful  AA'ood  from  being  subjected  to  further  acts  of. 
vandalism,  and  it  AA’as  decided  to  draAv  the  attention  of  the  Lord 
Mayor  and  the  Corporation  to  the  matter,  and  ask  them  to 
institute  a  thorougli  inquiiw.  A  number  of  interesting  propo.sals 
for  preserving  and  improving  various  open  spaces  included  St. 
Peter’s  Square,  Hammersmith,  some  .squares  in  Stepney,  Golcl- 
ington  Crescent,  X,W.,  A-acant  sites  in  North  Fulham,  Clapton, 
Duhyich,  and  Islington.  A  letter  AA’as  read  from  Lord  Hobhou.se 
cordially^  approving  of  the  suggestions  aa  IucIi  Lord  Meath  had 
made  public  that  Coronation  memorials  should,  if  possible,  take' 
the  form  of  the  proA’ision  of  lands  for  public  enjoyment  or  the  ■ 
planting  of  trees.  Progress  Aias  reported  Avith  regard  to  tree 
planting  in  Shoreditcli,  Norfolk  Square,  Paddington,  and! 
Kensal  Pise. 
United  Horticultural  Provideuf. 
'J'lie  monthly  committee  meeting  of  this  society  Avas  held  at 
the  Caledonian  Hotel.  A  del  phi  Terrace,  W.C.,  on  Monday  eA’ening 
la.st,  Mr.  C.  H.  Curtis  in  the  chair.  The  minutes  of  the  last 
meeting  Avere  read  and  signed.  Thirteen  ncAV  members  Avere 
elected.  Tavo  cheques  Avere  granted  from  lapsed  members’ 
accounts,  one  being  for  £1  8s.  9d.  to  Ai  idoAA'  and  the  other  for 
£13  I6.S.  claimed  by  lapsed  member  on  reacing  sixty  years  of  age. . 
Cheques  Avere  also  granted  for  payment  of  tAvo  members’  quarterly 
alloAA’ance  from  the  beneA’olent  fund,  also  for  printing  and ! 
secretaiy’s  salary.  The  secretary  produced  receipts  for  amounts 
granted  to  the  nominees  of  deceased  members  at  the  last  meeting. 
A  member  asked  permission  to  be  transferred  from  the  loAA'er  to 
the  higher  scale  of  contribution,  Avliich  Avas  granted.  A  letter  AA^as 
read  from  Mr.  George  Gordon  thanking  the  committee  for  their 
A'ote  of  thanks,  coiiA’eyed  to  him  for  his  article  on  the  society  in 
“  Ihe  GardeneiAs’  IMagazine  ”  of  March  8.  It  AA’as  resolA’ed  to 
commence  the  committee  meetings  in  future  at  7  p.m.  instead  of 
8  p.m. — W.  C. 
Binfield  and  District  Gardeners’. 
The  usual  fortnightly  meeting  AA’as  held  on  Tuesday,  April  8,. 
in  Miss  Shaen’s  Poom  ,  Mr.  Bungay  pre-sidhig.  An  excellent 
lecture  Avas  given  by  Mr.  Neve,  The  Gardens,  Sindlesham,  on 
“  Spring  Bedding  Plants,”  a  very  intere.sting  and  appropriate 
subject  for  the  present  season.  He  commenced  by  mentioning 
.several  old  and  useful  varieties,  such  as  WallfloAvers  in  variety. 
Pansies,  Violas,  Doronicums,  Dai.sies,  Aubrietias,  Arabis,. 
Myo.sotis,  Alyssum,  and  A’arious  bulbs  and  hoAv  to  groAv  them  from  i 
.seed  or  division.  A  lengthy  discussion  folloAved,  in  Avhicli  Messrs. . 
Bungay,  Busby,  Elsey,  Galliford,  Haines,  Paine,  Pottinger, 
Kimber,  and  Weavers  took  part,  the  lecturer  mo.st  ably  respond¬ 
ing  to  all  questions  put  to  him.  Mr.  Neve  AA’as  the  recipient  of  a 
hearty  vote  of  thanks,  thus  ending  one  of  the  pleasantest  eA’enings 
of  this  association.  At  the  next  meeting,  April  29,  Mr.  Taylor, 
Lily  Hill  Nunseries.  Bracknell,  Avill  giA^e  a  paper  on  the 
“  Auricula.” 
Hailstorm  Insurance  Corporation. 
The  .seventh  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Nurserymen,  . 
Market  Gardeners’  and  General  HaiLstorm  Insurance  Corporation. 
Limited,  AA’as  held  at  the  registered  office  of  the  corporation,  41 
and  42,  King  Street.  Covent  Garden,  on  Friday,  the  lltji  inst.,. 
AA’hen  Mr.  Harry’  J.  Veitch,  the  chairman  of  the  corporq-tion,  pre- 
.sided.  The  report  of  the  shareholders  shoAved  that  the  corpora¬ 
tion  is  .still  increasing  its  business.  In  1896,  the  end  off  the  first 
year  of  the  corporation,  there  Avere  235  policies  in  force  on  ^ 
10,408,161  square  feet  of  glass,  Avhereas  at  the  end  of  the  year 
ju.st  ended  952  policies  AA'ere  in  force  on  31,797,734  square  feet. 
The  interest  on  invested  funds,  Avhich  noAV  amount  to 
£15,620  18s.  3d.,  is  noAv  sufficient  to  pay  4|  per  cent,  on  the 
paid-up  capital.  A  dividend  AA’as  declared  at  the  rate  of  5  per 
cent,  per  annum,  together  Avith  a  bonus  of  21-  per  cent,  on  the 
paid-up  capital,  Avhilst  £1,170  Avas  ijlaced  to  reserv’e  fund  and  ' 
£569  11s.  8d.  Avas  carried  forAvard.  The  chairman  stated  that, 
whilst  a  larger  dividend  might  have  been  paid,  the  directors  . 
thought  it  Aviser  to  recommend  the  building  up  of  such  a  reserve 
fund  as  to  prevent  the  necessity  of  making  further  calls  upon  the 
shareholders  when  heavy’  claims  Avere  made  on  the  company.  He 
recalled  the  fact  that  in  1897  claims  amounting  to  over  £1,500  ' 
Avere  made  for  damage  done  by  a  hailstorm  in  one  afternoon,  and 
that  these  claims  Avould  haA'e  amounted  to  a  much  greater  sum 
had  the  hailstorm  been  as  A’iolent  as  that  Avhich  occurred  at 
Harpenden  in  1895,  Avhen  half  the  glass  on  one  nursery  Avas  com¬ 
pletely  Avrecked.  The  shareholders  preseiit  expressed  their  .satis¬ 
faction  at  the  satisfactory  report,  Avhich  shoAved  that  the  corpora- 
