000 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  16,  1899. 
IlOYAL  GARDENERS’  ORPHAN  FUND. 
“A.  D.”  makes  some  pertinent  remarks  on  the  above  Fund  in  your 
issue  on  February  ‘23rd,  page  153.  He  deplores  the  fact  that  not  one  of 
the  fathers  of  the  nineteen  children  nominated  for  election  this  year  had 
been  a  subscriber  to  the  charity,  and  refers  to  the  indifference  of 
gardeners  generally  in  not  becoming  subscribers,  and  asks,  Can  anyone 
explain  it  ? 
I  am  afraid  it  is  dilBcult  of  explanation.  A  glance  at  the  list  of 
subscribers  for  1897  reveals  the  fact  that  many  men  occupying  prominent 
positions  as  head  gardeners  do  not  subscribe  to  the  Fund,  and  who,  we 
may  assume,  could  well  afford  the  sum  of  5s.  or  more  per  annum.  It  is 
possible  the  claims  of  the  Fund  have  not  been  brought  home  to  them  by 
personal  solicitation. 
But  the  large  majority  of  gardeners  are  poorly  paid,  and  can  ill  afford 
even  the  small  annual  sum  of  58.,  and  especially  as  they  have  no  guarantee 
that  their  children  will  receive  the  benefits  of  the  Fund  should  they 
require  it.  As  a  worker  for  eight  years  on  behalf  of  the  Fund,  I  have 
solicited  scores  of  gardeners  to  become  annual  subscribers,  and  what  is 
the  result  1  I  have  four  gardeners  on  my  book,  the  remainder  being 
nurserymen  and  private  ladies  and  gentlemen.  Some  whom  I  have  asked 
say,  ‘‘  We  have  no  guarantee  that  we  shall  receive  any  benefit  ;  we  have  no 
voice  in  the  management,  as  wo  live  at  too  great  a  distance  from  the  place 
of  meeting,  and  it  is  thpse  living  near  who  can  du  as  they  like  and  pull 
the  strings  on  behalf  of  any  candidates  for  election.” 
I  do  not  endorse  these  views,  as  I  have  every  confidence  in  the  Execu¬ 
tive  Committee,  and  I  should  like  to  impress  on  the  great  body  of  gar¬ 
deners  the  necessity  of  becoming  annual  subscribers  ;  and  if  there  is 
anything  in  connection  with  the  Fund  they  do  not  approve  of,  let  them 
make  it  known  through  the  horticultural  press  or  otherwise. 
The  time  will  come  when  it  will  be  the  children  of  subscribers  who  will 
benefit  by  the  Fund.  But  it  must  not  be  two  children  from  one  family 
to  the  exclusion  of  children  from  other  families,  whose  claims  are  equal  or 
perhaps  more  deserving.  At  the  last  annual  meeting  the  following  was 
added  to  Rule  XI. — ”  Not  more  than  two  children  of  the  same  family  can 
be  in  receipt  of  the  benefits  of  the  Fund  at  the  same  time.”  Previously  the 
rule  did  not  specify  how  many  children  from  one  family  might  receive  the 
benefit  of  the  Fund.  But  why  should  two  of  one  family  receive  the 
benefit  of  the  Fund  while  other  families  are  left  out  2  Surely  the  Fund 
is  meant  to  benefit  a  number  of  families  and  not  the  few.  At  the  present 
time  eight  families  have  each  two  children  on  the  Fund,  each  child  being 
allowed  5s.  per  week. 
Mr.  A.  Dean  suggested  that  at  a  future  time  it  would  be  expedient  to 
insist  that  there  muse  be  four  children  under  twelve  years  of  age  in  a 
family  before  two  of  its  members  could  be  on  the  Fund  at  the  same  time. 
1  do  not  agree  with  him  ther*'.  I  suggest  that  only  one  child  from  a 
family  shall  receive  the  benefit  of  the  Fund,  unless  under  exceptional 
circumstances,  such  as  the  loss  of  both  parents.  I  would  further  suggest 
that  should  the  circumstances  of  the  case  require  it,  the  child  of  a  deceased 
subscriber  who  has  subscribed  for  five  or  more  years  shall  be  entitled  to 
the  benefit  of  the  Fund  without  election  ;  or  the  child  might  be  allowed 
twenty  or  more  votes  for  each  year  the  lather  had  subscribed. 
I  know  these  suggestions  require  consideration,  but  it  is  in  the  interest 
of  the  Fund  1  make  them,  and  1  expect  to  hear  the  opinions  of  others  ; 
and  possibly  the  Executive  Committee  may  be  induced  to  consider  them, 
and  so  make  the  Fund  of  still  greater  benefit,  and  perhaps  by  so  doing 
the  great  body  of  gardeners  will  be  encouraged  to  become  subscribers. — 
J.  B.  Stevenson,  Hon.  Local  Secretary,  Bournemouth. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
DRILL  HALL. — March  14th. 
On  Tuesday  last  the  Drill  Hall  presented  a  very  gay  spectacle  despite 
the  heavy  fog  which  enshrouded  this  and  other  parts  of  London.  Every 
table  was  requisitioned  to  almost  its  fullest  extent  with  splendidly  diver¬ 
sified  exhibits  of  excellent  quality.  Orchids  were  magnificent,  and  con¬ 
sidering  the  weather,  large  in  numbers,  but  of  course  miscellaneous  floral 
displays  formed  the  backbone  of  the  exhibition.  Apples  were  admirably 
shown  from  Withington,  Hereford,  and  Sittingbourne. 
Fruit  Committee. — Present :  Geo.  Bunyard,  FIsq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
with  Messrs.  R.  Fife,  J.  Smith,  G.  Wythes,  W,  Pope,  W.  Bates,  W. 
Iggulden,  A.  Dean,  S.  Mortimer,  A.  F.  Barron,  J.  Basham,  E.  Shaw-Blaker 
and  ,1.  H.  Veitch. 
The  collection  of  Apples  from  Mr.  J.  Watkins,  Withington,  Hereford, 
was  an  excellent  one,  and  comprised  many  varieties  that  are  not  cus* 
tomarily  seen  in  good  condition  at  this  period  of  the  year.  Almost  the 
whole  of  the  fruits  were  firm,  of  large  size,  and  exceptionally  rich  in 
colour.  Amongst  the  most  conspicuous  were  Lord  Derby,  Hormead’s 
Pearmain,  Beauty  of  Kent,  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Hanwell  Souring,  New 
Bess  Pool ,  Dumelow’s  Seedling,  Annie  Elizabeth,  Catshead,  Claygate 
Pearmain,  Sandringham,  The  Queen,  Bramley’s  Seedling,  Histon  Favourite, 
Flower  of  Kent,  Buxton’s  Pearmain,  Wadhurst  Pippin,  Blenheim  Pipping 
Cox’s  Pomona,  Flanders  Pippin,  Wealthy,  Reinette  du  Canada,  Nelson’s 
Codlin,  Brabant  Bellefleur,  Newton  Wonder,  and  Brownlee’s  Russet. 
Mr.  A,  J.  Thomas,  Rodmersham,  Sittingbourne,  the  well-known 
producer  of  Pear  ,  was  represented  by  a  collection  of  Apples,  which 
were  tabled  in  most  creditable  condition.  The  individual  fruits  were  not 
large,  but  they  were  sound  and  of  high  colour.  Particularlv  noteworthy 
were  Betty  Geeson,  Blue  Pearmain,  Hanwell  Souring,  Lady  Henniker, 
Glory  of  England,  Old  Russet,  Barnack  Beauty,  Striped  Beefing,  Chelms¬ 
ford  Wonder.  Newton  Wonder,  The  Queen,  Sandringham,  Gloria  Mundi, 
Bramley’s  Seedling,  Annie  Elizabeth,  Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Bismarck, 
and  Lord  Derby. 
Mr.  John  Russell.  Richmond,  exhibited  Seakale  Russell’s  Solid  Ivory  ; 
a  very  good  form.  Mr,  G.  Baker,  gardener  to  H.  A.  Blythe,  Esq.,  Stan- 
stead,  staged  a  dish  of  Cyphomandra  betacea.  Mr.  J.  Masterson,  gardener 
to  the  Earl  of  Camperdown,  Shipston-on-Stonr,  exhibited  good  dishes  of 
Blenheim  Pippin,  Allen’s  Everlasting,  and  Ro3’al  Russet,  also  excellent 
dishes  of  Uvedale’s  St.  Germain. 
Mr.  T,  J.  Gilbert,  Bourne,  Lincoln,  sent  dishes  of  Bergamotte  d’Esperen, 
Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Bramley’s  Seedling,  and  Barnack  Beauty.  Mr.  J. 
Cocks,  Peterborough,  sent  a  good  bundle  of  well  grown  Leeks.  Mr.  J. 
Crook,  Forde  Abbey,  Chard,  exhibited  four  dishes  of  Apples,  comprising 
good  specimens  of  Cowarne  Quoining  and  Marget’s  Seedling.  Mr.  G. 
Kent,  gardener  to  L.  Solomons  Esq.,  Dorking,  exhibited  a  dish  of  new 
Potatoes  of  good  size  and  very  well  formed. 
Floral  Committee.— Present :  C.  E.  Shea.  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
Messrs.  C.  T.  Druery,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  R.  Wilson  Ker,  Wm.  Howe, 
Thos,  Peed,  C.  E.  Pearson,  J.  W.  Barr,  J.  D.  Pawle.  G.  Gordon,  E.  H. 
Jenkins,  C.  R.  Fielder,  E.  T.  Cook,  C.  Blick,  D.  B.  Crane,  J.  Walker, 
H.  J.  .Jones,  E.  Mawley,  J.  Fraser,  C.  Jefferies,  and  W.  Marshall. 
Messrs.  Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  sent  a  very  fine  collection 
of  Camellias  in  pots.  The  plants  were  literally  covered  with  flowers,  and 
appeared  to  be  in  the  pink  of  condition.  The  white  varieties 
were  represented  by  Alba  Plena,  Fimbriata,  Montironi,  Princess  Charlotte, 
Mathotiana  alba,  a  splendid  white  form  of  the  old  favourite,  and  Donna 
Maud  Pia  ;  while  such  varieties  as  the  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  Exquisite, 
C.  H.  Hovey,  L’Avenir,  Pride  of  Waltham,  and  Madonna  constituted  a 
strong  force  in  the  coloured  varieties.  Ten  boxes  of  cut  blooms  in  still 
greater  variety  formed  a  good  front  to  this  excellent  and  interesting 
display. 
The  St.  George’s  Nursery  Company,  Hanwell,  again  contributed 
a  fine  display  of  Cyclamen,  about  130  plants  being  staged  in  their 
well  known  style.  The  blooms  were  very  fine,  and  consisted  of  a 
great  variety  of  colours,  while  the  plants  themselves  could  only  be  classed 
as  excellent.  Messrs.  J.  Hill  &  Son,  Edmonton,  occupied  one  side  stage, 
running  the  length  of  the  hall,  with  a  capital  exhibit  of  Ferns,  and  a  few 
other  foliage  plants  ;  Adiantum  tinctum,  Blechnum  biasiliense,  Pteris 
tricolor,  Nephrodium  erythosorum,  Pteris  arguta,  Blechnum  occidentale, 
and  Doodia  aspera  multifida  were  conspicuous  with  their  tinted 
foliage,  and  made  a  very  attractive  exhibit.  Mr.  John  R.  Box,  Croydon, 
staged  a  capital  strain  of  Cinerarias,  the  plants  being  exceedingly  dwarf, 
and  the  colours  bright  and  varied,  a  first-rate  strain. 
Messrs.  R.  &  G.  Cuthbert,  Southgate,  made  an  attractive  exhibit 
of  Azalea  mollis  and  Ferns.  The  majority  were  seedlings,  with  a  few 
named  varieties.  The  plants  were  just  masses  of  flower,  in  many  varied 
tints,  and  the  Ferns  formed  quite  a  relief  to  so  much  colouring.  Messrs.  R. 
Wallace  &  Co.,  Colchester,  staged  a  very  interesting  display  of  Irises, 
such  as  I.  persica,  with  its  remarkable  colouring,  I.  assyrica,  and 
I.  stylosa,  also  a  few  Mu  cari. 
Captain  Holford,  Tetbury,  undoubtedly  contributed  the  chief  feature 
of  the  meeting  with  a  magnificent  display  of  Hippeastrums,  that  occupied 
one  side  of  the  centre  staging,  running  the  entire  length.  The  plants 
were  growing  in  6-inch  pots,  many  of  them  carrying  two  spikes  of  bloom. 
The  colours  were  exceedingly  bright  and  varied,  and  no  doubt  great 
strides  are  being  made  to  improve  the  shape  of  the  blooms.  A  truly  fine 
exhibit.  Mr.  H.  B,  May,  Edmonton,  arranged  a  group  of  Clematises  in 
full  flower,  but  the  effect  was  quite  destroyed  by  the  light  from  the 
windows  behind  them.  The  varieties  Lady  Londesborough,  Miss  Bate¬ 
man,  Fair  Rosamond,  Lord  Londesborough,  and  Sir  Garnet  Wolseley 
were  most  notable. 
Messrs.  Barr  &  Son,  Covent  Garden,  staged  an  extensive  display  of 
spring  flowers.  The  chief  were  the  numerous  forms  of  Narcissi,  which 
were  well  shown.  The  Queen  of  Spain,  Madame  de  Graaff,  Empress, 
Emperor,  W.  P.  Milner,  Albicans,  and  Cyclamineus  major  were  very 
attractive,  as  were  also  a  collection  of  Polyanthus  Narcissi.  Helleborus 
viridis  graveolens,  and  H.  Colchicus  Lothair,  with  Anemones,  Crocuses, 
and  Lachenalias  contributed  to  the  display.  Messrs.  F.  Sander  &  Co., 
St.  A-lbans,  exhibited  plants  of  Deutzia  Lemoinei,  a  cross  between 
D.  gracilis  and  D.  parvi flora.  Messrs.  Thos.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tunbridge 
Wells,  sent  a  group  of  Clematis  in  pots,  also  boxes  of  cut  bloom. 
Mr.  G.  Mount,  Canterbury,  opened  the  ball  in  the  Rose  world  with  a 
beautiful  display.  The  Teas  were  excellent,  and  the  colour  in  the 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  beyond  reproach.  The  boxes  contained  capital 
blooms  of  Captain  Hayward,  Mrs.  J.  Laing,  and  La  France, 
Niphetos,  Catherine  Mermet  (grand),  and  Bridesmaid,  while  the 
blooms  displayed  in  vases  carried  excellent  foliage.  Messrs.  J.  Veitch 
and  Sons,  Chelsea,  contributed  baskets  of  Deutzia  Lemoinei,  Azalea 
mollis,  Spiraea  confusa  (media),  and  Azalea  linearifolia  backed  by  Palms. 
Orchid  Committee. — Present  :  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ; 
and  Messrs.  J.  O’Brien,  de  Barri  Crawshay,  T.  W.  Bond,  J.  Colman, 
H.  Little,  F.  Sander,  A.  Outram,  H.  J.  Chapman,  W.  H.  Young, 
11.  Ballantine,  E.  Hill,  H.  T.  Pitt,  J.  Jaques,  W.  H.  Protheroe,  C.  Winn, 
J.  G.  Fowler,  and  S.  Courtauld. 
The  usual  corner  of  the  Orchid  table  was  occupied  with  a  beautifu' 
collection  from  Messrs.  J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Ltd.,  Royal  Exotic  Nurseries, 
Chelsea.  The  plants  were  fairly  numerous,  *^  01  the  principal  attraction 
was  found  in  the  excellent  quality  of  the  richly  coloured  flowers.  There 
was,  too,  no  stiffness  observable  in  the  arrangement,  and  this  alone  made 
the  stand  very  interesting.  Such  Dendrobiums  as  Euosmum  leucopterum, 
Cybele,  nobile,  Pitcherianum,  Euryales,  Wardiano-japonicum,  Edilhae, 
