102 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  29,  190?. 
any  advantage  aecruing  from  this  method,  because  such  statistics  are 
only  based  on  ‘-individual  vai-iations  ”  which  do  not  give  rise  to 
variations  of  which  systematists  can  take  any  account — i.e.,  as  long  as 
the  plants  are  living  under  the  same  conditions  of  life.  They  are 
merely  fluctuating  details  due  to  the  qualities  of  growth,  of  which 
Dr.  Wallace  observed:  “They  are  due  to  the  laws  which  determine 
the  growth  and  development  of  the  organism  and,  therefore,  rarely 
coincide  exactly  with  the  limits  of  a  species. Fortnightly  Review,” 
March,  1895,  p.  444.)  The  author  I’eferred  to  “  treats  of  the  numerical 
variation  found  in  the  ray  florets  of  Helianthus  annuus.”  He 
examined  1103  heads,  and  counted  the  number  of  ray  florets.  His 
conclusion  is  as  follows:  “The  class  having  twenty-one  ray  flowers 
included  over  31  per  cent,  of  all  the  individuals ;  slightly  over  10  per 
cent,  of  all  the  individuals  are  segregated  in  classes  thirty  to  thirty- 
four  inclusive ;  while  only  three  individuals  Avere  found  having  more 
tlian  thirty-four  ray  floAvers.”  He  ought  to  have  noticed  and  added  a 
third  gA’oup,  containing  about  thirteen  florets,  represented  in  the  curve 
given.  He  adds,  “  the  curve  shoAvs  a  positive  skeAvness  of  1-1 ;  but  at 
present  it  cannot  be  stated  Avhether  this  skcAvness  is  toAvai-d  or  aAvay 
from  the  ancestral  eoncbtions  of  the  species.”  The  curve  exhibited 
shoAvs  an  enormously  high  maximum  at  tAventy-one,  and  tAvo  small 
ones  about  thirteen  and  thirty-four,  thirty  times  less  in  height.  Noav, 
if  the  author  had  simply  observed  the  phyllotactical  ai’rangement  of 
the  florets  in  the  head,  Avhieh  represents  a  depressed  cone,  he  Avould 
have,  I  think,  Avithout  doubt,  found  that  it  Avas  to  be  represented  by 
the  “angular  divergence”  of  for  the  maximum  of  tAventy-one 
floAvers  signifies  this,  while  the  tAvo  numbers,  thirteen  and  thirty-four, 
represent  the  fractions  and  J|,  one  on  either  side  of  the  maximum, 
5’j.  When  cones  and  “  heads  ”  of  Composite,  &e.,  are  phyllotaetically 
examined,  it  Avill  almost  always  be  found  that  certain  suppressions 
occur;  a  leading  or  “generating”  spiral  may  be  selected,  but  in 
consequence  of  inequalities  of  groAvth,  other  subsidiary  spirals  interfere. 
Similarly  in  the  Helianthus  the  fluctuations  around  the  numbers 
thirteen,  tAventy-one.  thirty-four,  mean  that  certain  florets  are 
suppressed,  Avhile  the  other  maxima  than  tAventy-one  indicate  the 
secondary  spirals.  The  “  skeAvness  ”  to  Avhieh  Mr.  Wilcox  refers  is  a 
necessary  result  Avith  angular  divergences  higher  than  g,  because  360 
is  not  divisible  by  thirteen,  tAventy-one,  or  thirty-four  Avithout 
remainders.  Hence,  none  of  the  spirals  represented  by  these  can 
have  the  initial  numbers  of  the  “  cycles  ”  in  a  A-ertieal  line  on  cones, 
nor  on  a  radius  in  heads.  The  author  makes  no  allusion  to  phyllo- 
•taxis,  so  is  apparently  unaware  that  it  completely  explains  his  curves 
without  appealing  to  any  ancestral  origin  of  the  maxima. 
Prescot  Horticultural. 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  above  society  was  held  last  Aveek, 
Mr.  J.  B.  Pratt  occupying  the  chair.  Mr.  W.  Case,  the 
courteous  and  energetic  secretary,  read  the  yearly  report,  Avhich 
unfortunately  Avas  not  of  the  most  favourable  character,  the 
finances  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  commenced  with  £25  in 
hand,  which  had  dwindled  at  the  end  to  a  very  small  balance, 
this  being  attributed  to  a  slight  falling  oft  in  gate  money,  but 
more  especially  to  the  many  claims  made  upon  the  toAvns- 
people  during  the  AAmr.  Mr.  Pendleton  moved  a.  resolution 
tha*  the  society  be  disbanded,  as  he  thouglit  the  committee, 
which  was  composed  entirely  of  working  men,  should  not  be 
resjmnsible  for  any  loss  entailed. 
This,  however,  did  not  meet  with  mudi  support,  the 
majority  believing  that  a  vigorous  canvas  and  a  slight  curtailing 
of  the  schedule  would  meet  all  difficulties.  To  the  suburban 
residents  of  the  fine  old  town,  and,  in  fact,  to  all  supporters, 
the  committee’s  decision  Avill  be  heartily  approA’ed,  as  the  shoAv 
brought  a  few  thousands  of  visitors,  who  not  only  appreciated 
the  beauties  of  the  flowers,  &c.,  but  enjoyed  to  the  full  the 
many  attractions  provided. — R.  P.  R. 
Liverpool  Grain,  Root,  and  Fruit  Show. 
Annual  Meeting  and  Presentation. 
The  annual  meeting  Avas  held  in  the  club  room,  Houghton 
Street,  on  Saturday  last,  Mr.  R.  Webster  presiding  over  a  large 
attendance.  The  ac-counts  shoAved  a  net  income  for  the  year  of 
£11.3  12s.  6d.,  Avhich,  after  paying  all  expenses,  left  a  credit 
balance  of  £21  7s.  4d.  During  the  year  the  new  membership  fees 
amounted  to  £27.  Mr.  R.  Mercer  Avas  elected  president  for  the 
year,  and  in  returning  thanks  referred  to  the  large 
increase  of  membership.  He  then,  on  behalf  of  thci  club,  pre^ 
sented  Mr.  R.  Webster,  the  retiring  president,  Avith  a  massive 
silver  Rose  boAvl  and  an  enlarged  photograph  of  himself  in  recogni¬ 
tion  of  his  long  connection  Avith  the  club  and  as  a  mark  of  respect 
and  esteem.  The  club  wa.s  founded  in  1870,  Mr.  Webster  being 
its  first  president,  and  on  nineteen  other  occasions  since,  ahvays 
Avitli  great  success.  Many  members  spoke  in  the  same  .strain. 
Mr.  AVebster  briefly  thanked  the  members  for  their  A'ery  kind 
and  A'aluable  gifts.  Mr.  Archibald  Stubbs,  J.P.,  was  then  elected 
Auce-chairman,  and  Mr.  J.  Pimbley  hon.  treasurer.  Business 
over,  an  admirable  address  on  “Free  Trade”  was  delivered  by 
Mr.  T.  W.  Kellit,  in  Avhich  he  stated  that  the  British  farmer 
should  be  placed  on  equal  terms  with  the  foreigner,  and  that 
foreign  imported  produce  ought  to  bc'  taxed  to  the  extent  of  2d. 
in  the  shilling,  and  should  be  placed  on  commodities  in  the  bulk, 
sue  has  Wheat,  cattle,  butter,  and  all  dairj'  produce.  Professor 
H.  T.  Daine  seconded  the  proposition,  Avhich  Avas  carried  unani¬ 
mously.  Copies  were  ordered  to-  be  sent  to  thc'  Chancellor  of  the 
Exchequer,  Members  of  Parliament,  etc.  Azotes  terminated  the 
meeting  of  this  club,  Avhich  is  doing  so  much  to  improve  grain, 
Potatoes,  and  fruit. — R.  P.  R. 
Etdliill  and  Reigate  Gardeners’. 
The  members  of  this  society  held  their  fortnightly  meeting 
at  Mutton’s  Hotel,  on  January  20,  Mr.  Bound  in  the  chair.  After 
the  usual  bu.siness,  and  eleccion  of  new  members,  the  names  and 
Avinners  of  the  society’s  certificates  Avere  announced.  Mr.  Bound 
gained  one  for  a  good  dish  of  Apple  Bramley’s  Seedling,  and  Mr. 
Bone  Avith  an  excellent  dish  of  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin.  The  chair¬ 
man  briefly  introduced  the  lecturer,  namely,  Mr.  McLeod,  of 
Dover  House,  Roehampton,  to  give  his  paper  on  Carnations.  The 
lecturer  divided  his  subject  under  three  heads,  namely,  the  Mal- 
maison,  the  Tree,  and  Border  Carnations,  and  e^ch  division  was 
dealt  Avith  in  a  most  lucid  manner.  The  folloAving  took  part  in 
the  discussion: — Messrs.  Bound,  Wells,  Peters,  Ducan,  Herbert 
Mould,  and  others.  It  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  those  who 
groAv  Carnations  Avill  endeavour  to  put  into  practice  a  great  many 
points  the  lecturer  emphasised.  About  ninety  members  w-ere 
present,  and  a  very  hearty  vote  of  thanks  Avas  accorded  to  Mr. 
McLeod. — Jno.  AA’^.  B. 
Cirdiff  Gardeners’. 
A  large  attendance  of  members  and  friends  spent  a  A'ery 
pleasant  evening  at  the  Grand  Hotel,  Cardiff,  on  the  19th,  when 
the  Cardiff  and  County  Horticultural  Society  held  their  four¬ 
teenth  annual  general  meeting  under  the  chairmanship  of  Mr. 
A.  Maurice  Bailey.  The  balance-sheet  and  report  of  the  com¬ 
mittee  Avas  read  and  unanimously  adopted,  and  showed  the  total 
receipts  of  £806  13s.  8d..  Avhieh,  after  meeting  expenses,  leaves  a 
balance  in  hand  of  £58  16s.  8d.  To  this  amount  the'  .sum  of 
£66  6s.  6d.  must  be  added  for  the  value  of  plant,  &c.,  belonging 
to  the  society,  therefore  making  the  total  balance  of  £125  3s.  2d. 
The  secretary  (Mr.  H.  Gillett)  announced  amid  applause  that  the 
Right  Hon.  Lord  Windsor  had  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
committee  to  become  president  for  the  ensuing  year.  The  folloAi'- 
ing  officers  w’ere  elected  :  Dr.  De  A^ere  Hunt,  chairman  ;  and  Mr. 
A.  W.  Morris,  vice-chairman.  The  executive  committee  Ava.s  re- 
electc'd  Avith  the  addition  of  Messrs.  J.  L.  Wheatley,  Town  Clerk 
of  Cardiff,  and  Ben  Winfield,  Avho'  have  kindly  consented  to  act. 
The  shoAv  for  this  year  Avas  fixed  for  July  22  and  23.  The  schedule 
of  prize.s  was  carefully  gone  into  and  ordered  to  be  printed.  There 
will  again  be  an  exhibition  of  honey,  &c.,  in  connection  Avith  the 
Glamorgan  Bee-Keepers’  Association,  which  proved  such  a  success 
last  year.  Oiving  to  the  increased  number  of  entries  in  the  Art 
section  (painting  and  photograjiliy,  horticultural  subjects)  the 
classes  in  this  branch  have  been  enlarged.  The  chairman  in  his 
report  mentioned  incidentally  that  the  Sunbeam  League  had 
during  the  past  six  years  benefited  to  the  extent  of  £245  througli 
having  a  tent  at  the  show,  Avhich  amount  has  been  handed  tO'  the 
Cardiff  Infirmary.  The  usual  A'otes  of  thanks  were  passed,  special 
reference  being  made  to  the  donors  of  prizes. — H.  G. 
Shirley  (Southampton)  Gardeners’ <  Bog  Gardening. 
At  a  meeting  on  Monday,  the  19th,  held  at  the  Parish  Room, 
Shirley,  Mr.  Ernest  Ladhams  gave  a  A^ery  interesting  lecture  on 
“Bog  Gardening  and  AVaterside  Planting.”  Mr.  Ladliams  had, 
at  great  pains,  quite  transformed  the  platform  by  tastefully 
setting  it  out  as  a  rockei'y,  the  care  displayed  in  the  arrangement 
being  the  theme  of  general  admiration.  The  AA  ord  “  bog  ”  lias,  to 
most  minds,  rather  a  repulsive  than  an  attractive  .sound,  so  that 
perhaps  to  many  people  it  may  seem  rather  strange  to  talk  of 
gardening  in  a  bog.  Nor,  Avhen  AA'e  remember  as  an  example  a 
dark,  filthy-looking  liquid  mass,  composed  of  decayed  vegetable 
matter  and  the  Avashings  of  thei  adjoining  land,  the  accumulation 
of  centuries,  fed  by  many  small  oozes  or  land-soaks,  as  Avell  a.s  the 
rainfall,  and  grown  oA'er  in  places  like  a  tangled  thicket  Avith 
Alder,  Birch,  and  WilloAA',  and  the  usual  matted  undergroAvth, 
such  as  Brambles  and  Blackthorn — Avhen  Ave  look  at  such  a  spot, 
many  of  us.  no  doubt  Avould  vei-y  much  desire  that  it  did  not* 
exist.  To  desire  such  a,  place  to  “  garden  ”  in  Avould  be  the 
farthest  from  our  thoughts;  but  such  a  place  can  be  transformed- 
into  one  of  very  great  interest  and  beauty.  : 
The  lecturer  said  that  the  “  bog  ”  must  be  drained  by  a  m.ain 
drain,  into  Avhich  smaller  ones  should  be  conducted.  Great  care 
must  be  taken  in  choosing  plants  and  in  planting.  Of  noble 
foliaged  plants  for  the  purpose  he  named  Gunnera  manicata. 
Rheum  palmatum.  Polygonum  sachaliense.  Saxifraga  peltata, 
Heracleum  giganteum,  and  Bocconia  cordata,  each  very  useful. 
For  floAA'ering  plants.  Spiraeas,  Irises.  Lythrum  roseum,  Lobelia 
syphilitica,  Lysimachia  clethroides,  Rodgersia  podophylla,  Gen- 
tiana  lutea,  Cypripediums,  SundeA\*s,  Marsh  Marigolds,  Bog 
Beans,  and  North  American  Liliums,  all  make  a  grand  display. 
