38S 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  30,  1903. 
interesting  and  instructive  address,  incidentally  compared  his 
own  procedure  of  cultivating  the  Cyclamen  with  the  German  one. 
Mr.  NV.  Gardiner  also  spoke.  Mr.  W.  Spinks  also  contributed  a 
few  remarks,  and  in  acknowledging  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  Mr. 
Lohrmann  expressed  his  gratification  of  the  earnest  attention 
accorded  to  the  rendering  of  what  he  feared  was  his  imperfect 
address.  He  also  took  occasion  to  advert  to  the  comparative 
positions  of  the  German  and  English  young  gardeners  and 
nurserymen’s  assistants,  and  the  almost  univer.sal  adoption  of 
gardeners’  mutual  improvement  societies  in  Germany,  as  well  as 
the  practice  of  a  weekly  meeting  night  in  the  larger  establish¬ 
ments  to  discuss  matters  connected  with  their  daily  avocations, 
thus  simultaneously  acquiring  a  technical  as  well  as  a  practical 
knowledge  of  horticultural  craft  generally. — W.  G. 
Darlington  Spring  Show. 
There  are  few  more  pleasant  gatherings  than  the  spring 
flower  show  of  the  Darlington  Horticultural  Society,  and  the 
exhibition  which  was  held  on  the  22nd  in  the  Central  Hall  may 
be  without  exaggeration  said  to  be  a  success  both  from  a  horti¬ 
cultural  and  financial  point  of  view.  There  was  a  large  attend¬ 
ance  at  the  opening  ceremony,  which  was  performed  by  the  Lady 
Constance  Emmott.  Subsequently  the  officials  and  judges  par¬ 
took  of  luncheon  at  the  North-Eastern  Hotel,  under  the  presi¬ 
dency  of  Alderman  Sedgwick.  Several  toasts  wei’e  honoured, 
including  “The  Judges,”  which  was  responded  to  by  Messrs. 
Short,  Noble,  and  Simpson.  “Success  to  the  Society”  was  pro¬ 
posed  by  the  chairman,  the  toast  being  acknowledged  by  Messrs. 
Stephenson  and  Miln.  There  were  some  excellent  exhibits  in  all 
departments,  and  the  general  opinion  was  that  the  display  of 
Narcissi  blooms  was  a  very  fine  one.  Thanks  to  Messrs.  Morri¬ 
son,  Robinson,  and  Wilkinson,  the  whole  of  the  exhibits  were 
excellentlj'  staged.  The  judges  were: — Mrs.  Backhouse  and  Mrs. 
Frank  Pease;  Narcissi,  Mr.  C.  H.  Backhouse  (St.  John’s),  Mr.  J. 
Simpson  (Hurworth  Grange):  General,  Mr.  J.  Short  (Hummers- 
knott)  and  Mr.  J.  Noble  (Woodburn).  The  secretarial  duties 
were  carried  out  in  an.  excellent  manner  by  Mr.  T.  E.  Miln, 
assisted  by  a  hard-working  and  enthusiastic  committee.  A 
capital  musical  programme  was  submitted,  both  afternoon  and 
evening,  the  conductor  of  the  orchestra  being  Mr.  J.  Aloysius 
Hoggett.  The  vocalists  were  Madame  Janet  Reed  and  Mr.  J.  J. 
Walker,  and  Mr.  Rupert  Plowman  gave  a  recitation. 
PaigQton  (Devon)  Gardeners’. 
The  last  monthly  meeting  of  the  session  was  held  in  the 
Court  Room,  Town  Hall,  on  Thursday,  the  23rd.  Mr.  J. 
Crathorn  (the  chairman)  presided  over  a  fairly  well  attended 
meeting.  The  evening  was  devoted  to  impromptu  questions,  and 
answers  proved  very  interesting  and  insti'uctive.  The  written 
questions  having  been  handed  in  the  chairman  called  on  some 
member  to  answer,  and  it  was  then  open  to  discussion. 
Question  No.  1. — “  Is  limewashing  for  young  fi’uit  trees  bene¬ 
ficial  if  so,  when  is  the  best  time  to  do  it?”  Mr.  W.  G.  Edwards 
said  he  thought  it  very  beneficial  if  properly  done.  He  advocated 
putting  a  little  linseed  oil  in  the  limewash  to  make  it  more 
adhesive  and  prevent  its  washing  off  with  rain.  He  preferred 
doing  it  about  the  end  of  November,  either  by  syringing  or  paint¬ 
ing.  He  had  found  it  good  for  the  destruction  of  moss,  scale,  and 
American  blight.  Mr.  A.  E.  Jefferies  fully  agreed  with  all  that 
Mr.  Edwards  had  said,  and  stated  that  it  was  also  very  good  for 
trees  that  had  become  hide-bound,  as  it  opened  the  bark,  enabled 
the  stock  to  swell  and  the  tree  to  start  into  fresh  growth.  Mr. 
T.  Gard  endorsed  what  had  been  said  and  referred  to  some 
pyramid  trees  that  had  been  painted  all  over  from  top  to  bottom, 
the  result  of  which  he  was  anxiously  Avatching.  Mr.  S.  J.  Sanders 
said  his  experience  Avas  that  the  addition  of  a  little  soot  Avas 
equally  good  and  less  objectionable  in  colour. 
Question  No.  2. — “  What  is  the  best  Avay  to  cultivate 
Dracaenas?”  Mr.  A.  E.  Jefferies  said  that  in  the  nursery  AAhei-ehe 
grcAV  large  quantities  of  them  he  found  no  difficulty  AAith  them. 
A  mixture  of  loam,  peat,  and  sand,  Avith  proper  drainage,  careful 
Avatering,  and  keeping  the  foliage  clean  suited  them  admirably. 
Mr.  EdAA'ards.  agreeing  Avith  that,  referred  to  the  beautiful 
coloured  stove  A-arieties,  and  gave  directions  for  their  cultiva¬ 
tion.  Mr.  Sanders  said  that  Avhere  the  pots  Avere  stood  in  vases 
or  saucers  it  aaus  necessary  to  AAatch  that  they  AAere  not  stand¬ 
ing  in  AA'ater. 
Question  No.  3. — “  What  is  the  best  time  to  disbud  Peach 
trees?”  Mr.  T.  Gard  said  he  generally  did  it  as  soon  as  the  AAOod 
Avas  long  enough,  and  saAv  no  good  in  leaving  the  useless  AA'ood  to 
rob  the  trees.  Mr.  Sanders  agreed  Avith  early  disbudding  if  time 
Avas  aA’ailable,  Avhich  aaus  not  ahvays  the  case.  Mr.  G.  Hall 
refei’red  to  a  system  of  spurring,  A'iz.,  cutting  back  to  tAvo  or 
three  eyes.  Mr.  EdAvards  spoke  of  the  stopping  system  and 
showed  the  benefit  of  so  doing,  and  referred  to  the  trees  at  Cock- 
ingtoii  Fruit  Farm  as  examples. 
Question  No.  4. — “Is  the  summer  pruning  of  fruit  trees  bene¬ 
ficial  ?”  Mr.  J.  VoAvell  said  he  practised  it  himself,  and  found  it 
beneficial  if  done  at  the  proper  time,  but  he  did  not  agree  Avith 
doing  it  more  than  once  during  the  summer.  Mr.  T.  Gard  agreed 
Avith  it,  and  thought  the  end  of  July  the  best  time,  but  should  not 
do  it  to  young  trees.  The  question  AA  as  also  spoken  to  by  Messrs. 
Crathorn  and  EdAvards. 
Question  No.  5. — “  What  do  you  think  the  most  difficult  family 
of  plants  to  groAv?”  Mr.  J.  VoAvell  thought  the  herbaceous 
Calceolarias  about  the  most  difficult  family  to  groAV.  Mr.  G. 
Hall  said  he  thought  Orchids  the  most  difficult.  Mr.  T.  Gard 
agreed  that  Orchids  demanded  a  deal  of  care  to  groAV  Avell,  and 
said  that  it  AA’ould  require  an  experienced  gardener  to  groAV  them. 
Messrs.  Crathorn  and  EdAAards  both  took  the  same  vieAv,  and 
speaking  of  beauty,  A’alue,  and  diversity  of  character,  thought 
them  the  most  difficult  to  manage.  Mr.  A.  E.  Jefferies,  Avhilst 
agreeing  that  Orchids  Avere  a  most  beautiful,  costly,  and  interest¬ 
ing  family,  and  demanding  a  deal  of  care  and  attention,  yet 
thought  it  Avas  not  the  most  difficult  to  grow.  He  thought  the 
Ericas  or  Heaths,  and  especially  the  Cape  Heaths,  a  family  that 
demanded  more  care,  and  more  constant  and  Avatchful  attention, 
than  any  other  family  of  plants  ;  Avhich  he  instanced  in  all  the 
stages  of  groAvth  from  cutting  to  the  specimen  for  exhibition, 
dAvelling  particularly  on  the  great  care  required  in  Avatering  and 
preparing  those  Avaxy  beauties  for  exhibition. 
Question  No.  6. — “  What  is  the  best  remedy  for  mildeAV  and 
hoAV  to  use  it  ?”  Mr.  T.  Gard  said  he  used  carbolic  softsoap  and 
paraffin,  and  found  it  very  effective,  and  questioned  (if  properly 
prepared  and  used  Avith  due  care)  Avhether  there  Avas  anything 
better.  Messrs.  G.  Hall,  W.  G.  EdAAards  and  others  dealt  Avith 
the  question  in  respect  to  Roses,  Vines,  and  fruit  trees,  speaking 
of  the  many  and  A'aried  remedies.  The  chairman,  by  thanking 
the  members  for  the  ready  and  cheerful  Avay  in  Avhich  they  took 
up  the  questions  and  sustained  the  discussion,  brought  a  A’ery 
pleasant  eA'ening  and  profitable  session  to  a  close. 
Isle  of  Wight  Rose. 
On  Tuesday,  the  25th  inst.,  the  annual  meeting  of  this  society 
Avas  held  at  Warburton’s  Hotel,  NeAvport,  under  the  presidency 
of  Sir  Barrington  Simeon,  Bart.,  M.P.  (president).  Those  also 
present  Avere  the  Lady  Adela  Cochrane,  Revs.  G.  E.  Jeaui;  (corre¬ 
sponding  secretary),  and  C.  A.  ShaAv,  Dr.  LoAve,  Major  E.  Croft 
Murray  (treasurer),  Messrs.  Francis  Pittis,  J.P..  J.  O.  Brook, 
E.  V.  MattlieAvs  (financial  secretary),  and  G.  Williams.  The 
tenth  annual  report  stated  that  the  Coronation  year  Avas  almost  a 
record  one  for  inclement  weather,  and  the  interests  of  the 
society  suffered  severely  by  it.  It  Avas  some  compensation  for 
the  miserable  June  blooming  that  not  for  a  great  many  years 
have  Roses  been  so  fine  or  so  lasting  in  September  and  October. 
ncAv  edition  of  the  pamphlet  by  the  Rev*.  G.  E.  Jeans  on  “  The 
Choice  of  Roses  for  a  Gai'den,”  much  improved  in  form  and  fully 
re-Avritten  up-to-date,  has  been  issued  by  the  society  to  its 
members,  and  many  gratifying  expressions  have  been  I’eceived 
about  it.  It  Avas  very  favourably  revieAved  in  the  Journal  of 
Horticulture  and  elseAvhere.  It  is  proposed  to  hold  the  shoAV  for 
1903  in  Carisbrooke  Castle,  which  Avas  the  Avenue  in  1898.  Permis¬ 
sion  has  been  most  cordially  given  by  the  Deputy  Governor  of 
the  Island.  The  chairman  said  he  Avas  sure  they  all  desired  first 
to  join  in  the  expression  of  deep  regret  at  the  death  of  Captain 
Delano  Osborne,  a  most  kind  friend  of  the  Rose  Society.  Sir 
Barripgton  proceeded  to  warmly  acknoAvledge  their  indebtedness 
to  Airs.  Murray.  Avho,  though  she  had  Avon  the  challenge  cup  cut- 
right,  preferred  to  Avin  it  in  open  competition,  and  for  most 
kindly  alloAving  her  prize,  originally  offered  for  Noisettes  or  Tea 
Roses  in  different  stages  of  blooming,  to  be  grten  for  table 
decorations  (applause).  They  had  also  to  express  their  gratitude 
to  the  Deputy  Governor,  Avho,  with  his  customary  generosity, 
gave  back  the  £2  charged  for  the  use  of  the  Carisbrooke  Castle 
grounds  for  the  shoAv,  and  also  gave  prizes  as  Avell.  Carisbrooke 
Castle  Avas  an  ideal  place  for  a  shoAv,  and  they  looked  forAvard  to 
having  a  very  successful  sIioav  there  in  June.  The  committee 
thought  the  best  date  for  the  shoAv  AAOuld  be  June  25,  but  if 
June  26  Avas  observed  as  the  Coronation  holiday,  they  Avould 
hold  the  .shoAV  on  the  26th.  The  re-election  of  the  president  was 
carried  by  acclamation,  and  the  vice-presidents  and  various 
officers  of  the  Society  Avere  duly  reappointed,  and  on  the  sugges¬ 
tion  of  the  Rev.  G.  E.  Jeans,  the  name  of  the  Deputy  Governor 
Avas  added  to  the  list  of  vice-presidents,  in  recognition  of  his 
liberality  to  the  society.  The  Rev.  G.  E.  Jeans  briefly  reviewed 
features  of  the  annual  report,  and  said  that  liaA'ing  regard  to  all 
the  circumstances  they  did  a  great  deal  better  at  the  last  shoAv 
than  might  have  been  expected,  and  he  acknoAvledged  the  valued 
Avork  of  his  co-secretary.  Air.  AlattheAvs,  in  connection  thereAvith. 
Air.  AlatthoAvs  mentioned  that  the  balance-sheet,  Avhich  Avas  not 
yet  quite  complete,  shoAved  a  credit  balance  of  £13  8s.  lOd. 
against  £14  odd  last  year,  though  their  gate  money  Avas  so  very 
much  le.ss  last  year.  Thanks  to  the  chairman  concluded  tho 
pi'cceedings. 
