February  IG,  1809. 
JOUUXAL  OF  HORTWULTUUE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDEXER. 
121 
in  as  light  and  airy  a  position  as  can  be  got.  Above  everything, 
avoid  overcrowding.  Do  not  grow  100  plants,  if  you  have  only 
accommodation  for  sixty.  Set  the  plants  well  up  on  inverted  pots,  so 
as  to  allow  a  free  circulation  of  air  amongst  them.  A  temperature  not 
lower  than  55",  with  a  dry  buoyant  atmosphere,  will  secure  a  brilliant 
display  throughout  the  dullest  months  of  the  year,  at  which  season 
especially  the  gay  trusses  are  highly  appreciated. 
Some  may  think  I  have  been  unnecessarily  minute  in  details,  but 
it  is  by  attending  strictly  to  what  may  appear  trifles  that  success  is 
attained.  If  the  foregoing  notes  should  prove  helpful  to  someone 
who  may  be  anticipating  the  growing  of  a  few  of  these  simple  yet 
useful  plants  lor  winter  blooming,  then  the  time  occupied  will  not 
have  been  mis-spent.  It  is  not  my  intention  in  these  notes  to  teach 
the  professional,  but  simply  to  help  the  amateur. — Albyn. 
CULTIVATION  OF  LETTUCE. 
The  earliest  supplies  of  Lettuce  are  usually  of  the  Cos  section,  this 
being  the  hardier  for  standing  in  the  open  ground  throughout  the 
winter  from  seeds  sown  in  September.  The  young  seedlings  should 
be  planted  out  in  rows  in  October  or  November  on  good  but  not 
freshly  manured  ground,  as  a  very  strong  and  succulent  growth  is  not 
suitable  for  withstanding  extremes  of  cold.  Damp  and  birds  are  the 
greatest  enemies  to  Lettuce  in  winter,  the  former  causing  the  leaves 
and  centres  of  the  plants  to  decay,  while  the  winged  enemies  peck  at 
the  leaves  to  such  an  extent  as  to  arrest  the  proper  growth  of  the 
plants.  Planting  on  firm  ground  in  an  open  situation  will  do  much 
to  arrest  the  prevalence  of  damp,  and  covering  the  plants  with  wire 
guards  effectually  prevents  the  attacks  of  birds. 
At  this  season  Lettuce  plants  which  have  stood  well  through  the 
winter  may  receive  good  culture  in  the  shape  of  frequent  hoeing  of 
the  soil  during  dry  periods.  This  is  largely  conducive  to  growth,  and 
is  always  beneficial.  Blank  spaces  can  be  filled  up  by  lifting  and 
planting  some  fresh  plants  from  the  seed  bed,  selecting  the  strongest, 
and  lifting  carefully  with  balls  of  soil.  Additional  rows  should  be 
planted,  and  these  may  be  placed  on  richer  ground  than  recommended 
for  the  autumn  planting.  Place  a  foot  apart  every  way  if  the  plants 
are  good,  but  closer  in  the  rows  should  they  be  small. 
In  unfavourable  situations  for  planting  outdoors  to  stand  the 
winter,  and  it  is  desirable  to  have  an  early  supply,  seed  must  be  sown  in 
boxes  in  January  and  February  in  slight  heat.  After  germination, 
however,  give  as  little  heat  as  possible,  and  raise  the  box  of  seedlinsrs 
close  to  the  light  in  a  cool  frame  or  house.  The  seedlings  must  be 
thinly  disposed,  and  when  of  sufficient  strength  be  pricked  out 
in  a  frame  on  a  very  gentle  hotbed  near  the  glass.  They  will  also 
succeed  on  a  bed  of  rich  soil  in  a  frame  without  the  aid  of  a  hotbed. 
A  daily  supply  of  air  must  be  afforded,  especially  in  favourable 
weather.  It  is  important  that  the  plants  do  not  become  drawn. 
(Iradually  give  more  air,  and  fully  expose  on  every  suitable  occasion. 
Both  Cos  and  Cabbage  varieties  succeed  under  this  treatment. 
Outdoor  sowdngs  may  be  made  early  in  March.  Select  an  open  and 
rich  border  having  a  good  depth  of  well  worked  soil.  Pulverise  the 
surface  so  as  to  have  an  even  tilth  of  fine  soil.  Draw  shallow  drills  a 
foot  apart  and  half  an  inch  deep.  Sow  the  seeds  evenly  and  thinly, 
levelling  the  soil  again  carefully.  Protection  must  be  afforded,  or 
birds  will  scratch  them  up  and  make  holes  in  the  bed  by  dusting  them¬ 
selves  in  the  soil.  As  soon  as  practicable  thin  the  seedlings  to  enable 
them  to  grow  sturdily,  continuing  to  do  this  until  left  far  enough  apart 
for  developing  into  fine  plants.  Water  as  needed,  for  by  maintaining 
the  soil  moist  growth  receives  no  checks,  which  are  the  chief  cause  of 
premature  bolting. 
Keep  the  soil  free  from  weeds,  and  the  surface  loose  by  frequent 
hoeing  or  stirring.  In  continued  dry  weather  water  is  required 
frequently,  but  when  this  is  likely  to  be  the  case  it  is  highly  desirable 
to  mulch  between  the  rows  with  some  decayed  manure,  and  apply 
water  over  this  when  a  supply  is  necessary.  The  mulching  ought  net 
to  be  given  before  the  plants  have  attained  a  fair  size,  as  the  cultiva¬ 
tion  attendant  on  thinning  the  plants,  weeding,  and  loosening  the  soil 
is  highly  beneficial,  and  more  conducive  to  growth  than  very  early 
mulching,  especially  during  a  show^ery  period. 
Sowing  a  large  ({uantity  of  seed  at  wdde  intervals  is  not  so  good  a 
plan  as  making  small  sowings  frequently  during  late  spring  and 
suinmer,  for  then  a  stock  is  secured  in  various  stages  of  growih, 
rendering  a  continuous  supply  of  succulent  Lettuces  easy  ot 
accomplishment.  The  thinnings  from  Lettuce  beds  may  be  trans¬ 
planted,  and  the  plants  succeed  in  moist  weather.  When  once 
established  they  grow  freely.  For  the  driest  periods,  however,  sow 
the  seed  where  the  plants  are  to  stand. 
The  best  Cos  varieties  of  Lettuce  are  Sutton’s  White  Heart,  Winter 
White,  Paris  White,  and  Paris  (Ireen.  Of  the  Cabbage  varieties 
Sutton’s  Favourite,  Commodore  Nutt,  Tom  Thumb,  and  All  the  Year 
Pound  are  excellent.^E.  D.  S. 
NATIONAL  CIIRYSANTIIEMrM  SOCIETY. 
The  Executive  Committee  meeting  following  the  annual  genera  ^ 
meeting  is  usually  a  busy  one,  and  that  held  on  Monday  evening  last 
wa^  no  exception  to  the  rule,  much  of  the  business  being  the  nomi¬ 
nation  and  election  of  several  gentlemen  to  fill  vacancies  on  the 
various  sub-committees.  Mr.  Percy  Waterer,  the  newly  elected 
Chairman,  presided,  and  after  the  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting- 
had  been  read  and  confirmed,  several  of  the  new  officers  expressed  their 
thanks  for  having  been  chosen  to  fulfil  those  positions. 
On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Dean  (the  Secretary),  it  was  resolved  that  a 
sub-committee  be  appointed  to  consider  the  relations  of  affiliated 
societies  with  the  parent  society,  and  leport  thereon  to  the  Executive 
Committee.  It  was  further  resolved  that  half  this  Committee  consist 
of  representatives  of  affiliated  societies. 
Mr.  Crane  moved  that  a  vote  be  passed  placing  on  record  the  hitrh 
appreciation  by  the  Committee  of  Mr.  T.  W.  Sanders’  services  “as 
Chairman  during  the  past  two  years.  Similar  votes  were  also  passed 
in  favour  of  Mr.  R.  Ballantine  and  Mr.  George  Gordon. 
It  \\ as  arranged  that  the  Society  s  annual  outing,  which  this  year 
will  be  to  Lord  Rosebery’s  residence  at  Mentmore,  shall  take  place  on 
Monday,  July  the  17th.  ^ 
Replying  to  certain  queries  concerning  the  roll  of  membership 
the  Secretary  explained  that  while  there  were  in  1897  806  members’ 
exch^sive  of  foreign  subscribers,  the  number  for  the  past  year  was 
but  <£>8.  The  accessions  for  the  past  year  were  six  Fellows,  eif^hty- 
five  ordinary  members,  and  ten  affiliated  societies,  in  each  case  tlae 
number  being  below  that  of  the  preceding  year. 
The  election  to  fill  vacancies  on  the  Floral  Committee  caused  by 
compulsory  retirement  under  rule  was  then  proceeded  with,  the 
result  that  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  —  viz.,  M’essrs 
C.  Gibson,  W.  Higgs,  H.  J.  Jones,  J.  Lyne,  A.  Wright,’ C.  Blick 
and  R.  Kenyon.  ’ 
The  Classification  Committee  was  also  reconstituted,  the  Com¬ 
mittee  being  almost  the  same  as  last  year,  with  the  exception  that 
Messrs.  Kenyon  and  Simmons  occupy  the  places  of  Mr.  Geo.  Gordon, 
who  resigned,  and  Mr.  T.  Bevan,  who  by  his  election  to  the  Vice- 
chairmanship  is  now  an  ex-officio  member. 
The  Schedule  Sub-Committee  of  nine  members  was  also  elected, 
the  following  accepting  a  seat  on  that  Committee  .-—Messrs.  Davey’ 
Moorman,  Jones,  Lees,  Taylor,  Outram,  Gleeson,  Nevill,  and  Crane. 
There  was  some  little  competition  for  places  on  the  Finance  Com¬ 
mittee,  ^lessrs.  ^loorman,  Taylor,  and  Crane  being  successful. 
The  Secretary  then  submitted  the  report  of  the  Schedule  Sub- 
Committee,  the  first  item  of  which  was  the  definition  of  “  Amateur.” 
A  motion  was  also  carried  that  miscellaneous  exhibits  not  competing 
in  any  specified  class  are  invited,  as  they  afford  interesting  variety  to 
an  exhibition.  It  is  not  required  that  such  be  wholly  grown  by  the 
exhibitor. 
Various  alterations  in  the  prizes  were  recommended  and  agreed  to, 
and  among  the  changes  is  one  lor  twelve  vases  of  Japanese,  distinct, 
each  containing  five  blooms  of  one  variety,  for  which  the  first  prize  is 
offered  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  and  consists  of  a  gold  medal  and  £20. 
Other  prizes  in  proportion  are  allotted,  and  each  unsuccessful  exhibitor 
will  have  a  small  silver  medal. 
IMr.  N.  Davis  aiSO  offers  prizes  in  some  special  classes  of  self-coloured 
vp.rieties,  and  among  the  names  of  other  donors  are  Messrs.  A^^ate, 
Ray  &  Co.,  Godfrey,  Webb  &  Sons,  Hurst  &  Son,  Daniel  Bros.’ 
and  Fidler. 
The  Chairman,  Mr.  P.  Waterer,  also  offers  the  sum  of  £5  for  the 
best  essay  on  the  rust,  the  same  to  consist  of  not  more  than  2000 
words,  to  be  type-written,  and  sent  in  to  the  Secretary  by  the  1st 
October.  Messrs,  fl.  W.  Sanders,  Massie,  and  Waterer  will  adjudicate 
upon  the  papers.  For  further  particulars  as  to  this  and  other  matter 
contained  in  the  new  schedule,  reference  must  be  made  to  it  when 
published. 
On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Bevan  it  was  resolved  that  the  silver-gilt 
medal  be  offered  to  the  French  N.C.S.  for  competition  at  the  Lyons 
Chrysanthemum  Show  next  November. 
New  members  were  elected,  and  local  societies  at  Ipswich  and 
Buxton  were  admitted  in  affiliation.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  new 
Chairman  brought  the  proceedings  to  a  close. 
SHEFFIELD  CHRYSANTHEMUM  SOCIETY. 
The  first  ordinary  meeting  of  the  present,  session  was  held  on  the 
evening  of  the  8th  inst.,  when  the  usual  business  transactions  of  the 
