274 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  26,  1903. 
The  National  Horticultural  Hall. 
We  are  glad  to  record  that  among  other  recent  contributions, 
Amy  Lady  Tate  has  given  £500,  and  J.  Wernlier,  Lsq.,-£100, 
tOAvards  the  building  fund  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s 
}iCAv  Hall. 
Destroying  Wild  Flowers. 
This  season  is  an  appropriate  one  for  issuing  a  warning  about 
Avild  flowers.  A  contemporary  observes  that  the  collection  and 
sale  of  Avild  floAvers  has  become  such  a  very  extensive  business 
that  the  beauty  of  our  Avoods  and  hedgeroAvs  for  a  circuit  of  many 
miles  around  London  threatens  to  be  utterly  destroyed.  It  is 
not  only  that  the  floAvers  are  cut,  but  the  practice  of  digging  up 
the  roots  is  almo.st  criminal.  There  are  many  districts  in  South 
Essex  Avhere  Primroses  could  be  gathered  to  any  extent  only  a 
feAV  years  ago,  and  not  one  is  to  be  seen  noAV. 
Open  Spaces  and  Trees  for  London. 
An  addition  to  the  open  spaces  cf  London  Avas  made  on  the 
loth,  by  the  generosity  of  the  Earl  of  Northbrook  and  of  Viscount 
Baring,  his  .son.  They  harm  united  in  conAmying  to  the  London 
Ccnnty  Council,  Northbrook  Park,  at  Lee.  It  has  been  in  the 
hands  of  the  Baring  family  for  over  a  hundred  years,  but  its 
history  is  Avell-knoAvn  right  doAvn  to  the  days  of  the  Conqueror, 
by  AA'hom  it  was  presented  to  Odo,  Bishop  of  Bayeux.  Situated  in 
a  part  of  London  which  is  rapidly  being  covered  Avith  buildings, 
it  is  a  gift  of  the  utmost  benefit  to  the  surroAinding.  district.  We 
may  append  a  note  here  stating  that  preparations  Avere  already 
being  made  on  the  10th  for  lining  either  side  of  the  avenue  from 
Charing  Cross  to  Westmin.ster  Bridge  Avith  London  Planes.  The 
holes  AA  cre  then  being  dug  and  good  soil  placed  in.  (Noav  planted). 
Coveiit  Garden  and  the  Railway  Companies 
At  a  I’epresentatiA'e  meeting  in  the  Floral  Hall,  Covent 
Carden,  on  the  20th  inst.,  it  Avas  determined  to  federate  the  fruit, 
floAver,  and  Amgetable  trades  of  London.  Collectively  they  intend 
to  attack  the  raihvay  companies  in  respect  of  overcharges  in  rates 
and  payment  for  damages  to  their  perishable  goods.  Mr.  Marks, 
cf  Leicester,  Avho  presided,  held  that  therailAA'ay  companies  ought 
to  alloAv  compensation  for  goods  ruined  OAving  to  their  delay  in 
delivering  them.  He  had  been  informed  by  the  reiAresentathms 
of  four  railAAay  companies  that  they  did  not  intend  to  listen  to 
any  claims  for  lo.ss  su.stained  in  late  deliverju  After  di.scussion  it 
AA  as  agreed  to  federate  Avith  the  Avholesale  dealers  of  Manchester, 
Birmingham,  Leicester,  and  other  large  toAvns  in  the  countrj' 
to  counteract  the  decision  of  the  raihvay  companies  not  to  pay 
any  claims  for  shortage,  pilferage,  damage,  and  delay. 
Nottingham  Industrial  Exhibition,  1903. 
It  has  been  decided  to  hold  an  exhibition  of  local  and  inter¬ 
national  indu.stries  at  Nottingham,  to  open  the  latter  part  of 
May,  and  a  .strong  and  representatiAm  committee  is  being  formed. 
The  Avorking  and  the  direction  of  this  exhibition  is  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Charles  Imre  Kiralfy  and  Mr.  Albert  E.  Kiralfju  The 
site  selected  borders  the  riA’er  Trent,  and  is  close  to  the  county 
and  toAvn  cricket  and  football  clubs’  grounds;  enclosures  Ausited 
on  ‘‘event  ”  days  by  over  30,000  people.  Attractions  and  entertain¬ 
ments  form  important  items  in  the  scheme,  and  the  grounds  are  in 
the  hands  of  a  landscape  gardener ;  avenues  of  miniature  shady 
trees — such  as  the  tourist  discoAmrs  at  the  out-of-door  cafes  on  the 
Continent — are  to  be  a  feature.  There  are  to  be  specialities  in 
the  Avay  of  popular  refreshment  departments.  Transport 
facilities  are  excellent.  The  Midland,  Great  Northern,  Great 
(Central,  and  London  and  North-Western  Raihvays  liaA^e  stations 
close  at  hand,  and  there  is  a  tramAvay  service  up  to  the  entrance 
gates.  Nottingham  has  a  population  of  over  250,000,  and  within 
the  district  there  are  upAvards  of  2,000,000  inhabitants;  further, 
the  city  is  a  setting— out  ]>oint  to  the  extensive  holiday  grounds, 
"The  Dukeries  ”  and  Sherwood  Forest.  Special  arrangemetnts 
are  in  progre,ss  to  allow  the  A^isitors  readily  to  take  “  the  grand 
tour.”  The  chief  offices  of  the  exhibition  are  at  Nottingham, 
and  in  London  at  19,  Buckingham  Street,  Strand,  W.C. 
Garden  Pests. 
Sir  Jas.  Rankin  has  introduced  a  Bill  into  the  House  of 
Commons  to  proA’ide  for  the  eradication  of  disease  and  of  injurious 
insects  among.st  fruit  trees  in  nursery^  gardens.  The  Bill  has 
been  read  a  first  time. 
A  St.  Andrews  Park. 
The  FniA'crsity  (’ourt  of  St.  AndreAA’s  has  unanimously 
accepted  the  offer  cf  Mr.  Carnegie,  Lord  Rector  of  the  EniA'ersity, 
to  purchase  a  park  of  nine  acres  on  the  aacsT  side  of  the  city  for 
the  use  of  those  attending  the  college. 
"  Alpine  Flowers  for  Gardens.” 
A  neAV  edition  of  this  book,  long  out  of  print,  Avill  shortly  be 
published  by  Mr.  John  Murray,  and  may  be  obtained  from  all 
booksellers.  It  is  revised,  considerable  additions  have  been 
made,  and  many  Alpine  and  mountain  shrubs  added,  the  author 
thinking  these  give  the  be.st  and  most  enduring  of  rock  gardens 
for  many  situations. 
Holmes  Chapel,  Cheshire. 
When  Mr.  Hanbury  vi.sited  Cheshire  recently,  he  Avent  to 
Holmes  Chapel  and  inspected  the  experimental  Avork  in  agricid- 
ttire  and  horticulture  that  is  being  carried  on  at  the  County 
Council  schools  there.  He  premised,  if  possible,  a  gi’ant  toAvards 
the  continuance  of  this  experimental  and  research  Avork,  and  the 
authorities  have  received  a  first  grant  of  £200. 
Jamaica  Bananas. 
In  sending  their  leaflet  on  Jamaica  Bananas,  the  directors  of 
Elders  and  Fvffes,  Limited,  state  that  in  round  figures,  the  con¬ 
sumption  of  Bananas  during  the  pa.st  tAvo  years,  i.e.,  since  Mr. 
Chamberlain’s  effort  to  aid  Jamaica,  has  risen  from  one  and  a 
half  million  to  three  and  a  half  million  bunches  per  annum,  Avhich 
speaks  eloquently  for  the  groAving  popularity  of  this  fruit. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
The  President  and  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
have  i‘eque.sted  the  folloAving  gentlemen  to  be  so  kind  as  tO'  act 
as  Representatives  of  the  Society  at  the  forthcoming  Ghent 
Quinquennial  SIioav,  auz.  :  The  Right  Hon.  The  Lord  Redesdale, 
Frederick  G.  Lloyd,  Esq.,  High  Sheriff  of  Buckinghamshire,  Mr. 
James  Hudson,  A'.M.H.,  each  of  Avhom  are  members  of  the 
Council  of  the  Society.  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Pearson  is  attached  to  the 
deputation  as  their  seci'etary. 
Orchid  Sale  in  Manchester. 
A  sale  of  a  private  collection  of  Orchids  took  pdace  on  the  12th 
at  the  Horticultural  Rooms  of  Messrs.  Artingstall  and  Hind, 
Limited,  Manchester,  and  realised  a  large  sum.  The  collection 
belonged  to  Mr.  A.  Y.  Lees,  of  Stretford,  aaIio  is  giving  up  the 
hobby  on  account  of  his  leaving  the  district.  The  chief  feature 
Avas  the  sale  of  tAvo  plants  of  Cattleya  Mendeli  alba,  very  distinct 
specimens,  one  of  Avhich  Avas  sold  to  Mr.  Samuel  Gratrix  for  105 
guineas.  The  other,  a  portion  of  the  same  plant,  Avas  .sold  for 
49  guineas. 
National  Dahlia  Society. 
A  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the  above  society  aauII  be  held 
by  kind  permission  of  the  Horticultural  Club,  at  the  Club  Room, 
Hotel  Windsor,  on  Tuesday,  April  7,  at  1  p.m.  Busine.ss : — 
1.  To  appoint  a  sub-committee  to  draAv  up  neAv  official  catalogue, 
Avith  concise  instructions  on  Dahlia,  culture.  2.  To-  draAv  up  list 
of  judges  for  the  metropolitan  and  provincial  exhibition.s.  3. 
Other  business.  It  will  be  proposed  that  the  new  official  cata¬ 
logue  commence  Avith  a  series  of  articles  on  Dahlia  culture  as 
folloAAs: — The  Cactus  Dahlia;  Introduction.  1.  Situation  and 
soils.  2.  Propagating  and  management  under  gla.ss.  3.  Culture 
in  the  open  (thinning  and  disbudding).  4.  Manuring  and  Avater- 
ing.  5.  Exhibiting  the  Cactus  Dahlia.  G.  The  Cactus  Dahlia 
for  decoration.  7.  SIioav  and  Fancy  Dahlias.  8.  Exhibiting  the 
ShoAv  and  Fancy  Dahlia.  9.  The  pompon  Dahlia.  10.  The 
single  Dahlia.  These  articles  to  be  Avritten  by  the  leading  gro Avers, 
Avho,  it  is  hoped,  Avill  co-operate  to  assist  the  Society  in  this  Avay. 
The  committee  Avill  be  a.sked  to  select  and  appoint  the  authors  of 
the  different  articles.  It  is  anticipated  that  the  neAv  catalogue, 
Avhich  Avill  constitute  the  fir.st.  Avork  ever  published  on  the  Cactus 
Dahlia,  Avill  thus  form  an  up-to-date  and  most  useful  booklet, 
commanding  a  large  general  sale,  Avhich,  together  Avith  adver¬ 
tisements,  Avill  amply  repay  its  cost. — P.  W.  Tulloch,  Secretary. 
