354 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  18,  1900. 
Secretaries  of  All  Gardenings  Mutual  Improvement 
Societies  are  requested  to  send  address  and  title  of  their  organisations 
to  the  Editor  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  at  12,  Mitre  Court 
Chambers,  Fleet  Street,  London,  for  insertion  in  the  coining  edition  of 
the  “  Horticultural  Directory,”  which  is  published  at  the  beginning  of 
December. 
Wargrave  Gardeners’  association. — At  a  recent  meeting  of 
this  association  Mr.  F.  W.  E.  Shrivell,  F.L.S.,  of  Thompson’s  Farm, 
Golden  Green,  Tonbridge,  lectured  on  “Chemical  Manures”  The 
lecturer  has  carried  out  experiments  for  the  past  six  years  in  conjunc¬ 
tion  with  Dr.  Bernard  Dyer,  and  the  results  of  these  experiments  formed 
liis  subject. 
Kingston-on-Thames  and  District  Chrysanthemum 
Society. — The  annual  show  of  this  society  will  be  held  as  usual  in 
the  larj>e  Drill  Hall  at  Kingston  on  November  6th  and  7th.  Although 
these  dates  clash  with  many  other  show  fixtures,  the  local  executive 
think  that  a  good  show  will  result.  Some  vase  classes  should  bring 
good  competition,  as  also  should  the  groups  of  Chrysanthemums.  A 
vocal  concert  will  be  given  in  the  Hall  on  the  second  evening. 
Hlghgate  Chrysanthemum  Society. — This  is  one  of  the  most 
ambitious  of  the  scores  of  societies  that  owe  their  establishment  and 
maintenance  to  the  popularity  of  the  autumn  queen.  The  north  of 
London  has  for  years  been  prolific  in  first-class  growers,  and  an 
excellent  display  is  usually  the  reward  of  a  particularly  energetic 
committee’s  efforts.  The  Northfield  Hall,  H'ghgate,  has  been 
requisitioned  for  the  show,  which  is  to  be  held  on  November  1.3 ih  and 
14th.  Out  of  the  sixty-eight  classes  particularised  the  prizes  in  no  less 
than  fifty-two  are  provided  by  generous  donors,  the  remaining  sixteen 
coming  from  the  coffers  of  the  society.  This  fact  speaks  volumes  for 
the  popularity  of  the  society  amongst  the  residents  of  the  district. 
The  secretary  is  Mr.  W.  E.  Boyce,  20,  Holmesdale  Road,  Highgate. 
Beckenham  Horticultural  Society. — This  society  commenced 
its  winter  session  on  Friday,  October  12th,  by  opening  the  Library 
and  Reading  Room.  A  paper  on  “  Hardy  Plants  ”  was  read  by  Mr.  D. 
Harris,  who  is  no  mean  authority  on  the  subject,  having  had  the 
advantage  of  working  with  Miss  Jekyll,  V.M.H.,  when  she  was 
endeavouring  to  discriminate  between  the  better  plants  and  the  less 
worthy  previous  to  writing  “  Wood  and  Garden.”  It  would  be 
impossible  to  find  a  garden  planted  as  described,  whose  owner  would 
not  be  the  better  for  it,  and  it  will  doubtless  be  the  means  of  bringing 
hardy  plants  more  to  the  front  at  Beckenham.  Choice  of  site,  situation, 
arrangement  for  height  and  colour  effect,  preparation  of  the  soil,  when, 
where,  how,  and  what  to  plant,  were  gone  into  thoroughlv.  At  the 
close  Mr.  Thornton,  in  a  few  well  chosen  remarks,  proposed  a  vote  of 
thanks,  which  was  heartily  accorded.  Messrs.  Peed  &  Son,  South 
Norwood,  sent  a  display  of  double  and  single  Begonia  blooms.  A 
tastefully  arranged  basket  of  Roses,  some  of  the  newer  varieties  of 
Cactus  Dahlias,  and  Physalis  Franchetti  were  contributed  by 
Mr.  Trowell,  gardener  to  D.  Link,  Esq.,  “  Fairlight,  and  Mr.  Day, 
gardener  to  H.  F.  Simonds,  Esq.,  Woodthorpe,  exhibited  a  beautiful 
specimen  of  Vanda  Sanderiana. 
Bristol  Gardeners’  Association. — The  opening  meeting  of  the 
winter  session  was  held  at  St.  John’s  Parish  Room,  Redland,  on 
Thursday,  October  11th.  Mr.  W.  A.  Garaway  presided  over  a  very 
large  attendance,  and  briefly  introduced  the  lecturer,  Mr.  F.  W.  E. 
Shrivell,  F.L.S.,  of  Tonbridge,  Kent,  assuring  him  of  the  pleasure  his 
visit  gave  to  the  association  members,  who  were  deeply  interested  in 
the  line  of  work  to  which  he  had  given  his  time  and  ability.  The 
lecture  was  on  “  Chemical  Manures  in  the  Kitchen  and  Fruit  Gardens,” 
the  subject  being  treated  by  Mr.  Shrivell  in  his  usual  lucid  style.  He 
claimed  at  the  outset  that  to  use  chemical  manures  successfully  a  man 
need  not  be  a  chemist,  admitting  that  the  matter  required  some  thought, 
but  not  more  knowledge  than  was  possessed  by  the  ordiuary  gardener. 
Broccoli,  Potatoes,  Strawberries,  Apples,  and  Gooseberries  were 
all  mentioned  as  having  been  grown  under  varying  conditions,  and 
always  to  greater  advantage,  with  the  judicious  use  of  chemicals. 
Several  questions  were  asked  Mr.  Shrivell,  all  of  which  he  clearly 
replied  to,  and  received  by  acclamation  the  thanks  of  the  meet- 
iug  for  his  attendance  and  lecture.  Prizes  for  twelve  Plums  were 
awarded  Messrs.  Orchard  and  Poole,  for  six  Onions  to  Messrs.  Ross  and 
Sutton.  Certificates  of  merit  went  to  Mr.  Poole  (collection  of  hardy 
flowers),  Mr.  Ambrose  (baskets  of  Peas  and  Cauliflower),  Mr.  McCulloch 
(Cattleya  Harrisoni),  and  Mr.  Maidment  (Cattleya  labiata). 
The  Ben  Cant  Memorial  Prize  Fund. — The  following  addi¬ 
tional  subscriptions  have  been  already  promised  : — The  Rev.  J.  H. 
Pemberton,  £l  Is.  ;  Messrs.  G.  &  W.  H.  Birch,  £l  Is. ;  Messrs.  W.  Paul 
and  Son,  £2  23. ;  E.  B.  Lindsell,  £1  Is. ;  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  £1  Is  ; 
O.  G.  Orpen,  £1  Is.  ;  the  Rev.  E.  Bartrum,  D.D.,  £1;  Capt.  Ramsay, 
10s.;  the  Rev.  G.  E.  Jeans,  10s.;  A.  Hill  Gray,  £1;  Messrs.  Alex. 
Dickson  &  Sons,  £l  Is. ;  J.  D.  Pawle,  10s. ;  Messrs.  Prior  &  Sons, 
£2  2s. ;  J.  T.  Strange,  10s.  ;  George  Bunyard,  £l ;  Dr.  Seaton,  10s. ; 
Capt.  Christy,  £1;  Alfred  Tate,  £1  Is.  ;  and  H.  V.  Machin,  £2  2s. 
Cblswlck  Mutual  Improvement  Society. — We  are  informed 
by  Mr.  H.  C.  Chapelow,  55,  Holly  Road,  Chiswick,  that  the  committee 
ot  this  association  will  hold  its  meetings  in  the  council  room,  at  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens.  The  committee  has  arranged 
the  first  four  meetings,  which  include  “Chemical  Manure  in  the  Fruit 
and  Kitchen  Garden,”  October  25th;  “Alpine  or  Rockery  Plants,’’ 
November  8th;  “Grapes,”  November  22Qd ;  and  “Autumn-tinted 
Trees  and  Shrubs,”  December  6th.  The  meetings  of  this  society  have 
proved  of  considerable  value  to  the  students  in  Chiswick  gardens,  and 
to  others. 
Beadlngr  Gardeners’  Mutual. — The  first  meeting  of  the  autumn 
session  was  held  on  Monday  evening  last,  and  it  had  been  arranged 
for  Mr.  G.  Stanton  of  Park  Place,  Henley-on-Thames,  to  give  a  paper 
on  “Annuals.”  Mr.  Stanton,  in  introducing  his  subject,  said  that  at 
the  present  day  it  was  diflflcult  tp  draw  the  line  exactly  between  annuals, 
biennials,  and  perennials,  because  the  two  latter  are  frequently  treated 
as  annuals,  with  advantage  by  growing  from  seed.  Annuals  may  be 
said  to  serve  three  distinct  purposes —viz.,  for  cutting,  an  important 
consideration  in  these  days  ;  for  bedding,  a  purpose  for  which  many  of 
them  are  well  adapted  ;  and  for  filling  up  or  supplementing  our  mixed 
borders  as  may  be  necessary.  The  varieties  best  adapted  for  various 
purposes  were  then  touched  upon  under  the  following  headings : — 
Climbers,  Summer  Bedding,  Spring  Bedding,  Cutting,  Mixed  Borders. 
A  very  interesting  discussion  followed,  in  which  Messrs.  Fry,  Townsend, 
Wellington  College;  Barnes,  Bearwood;  Tunbridge,  Henley;  Pope, 
Wargrave;  Butcher,  Newbury  ;  Neve,  Siudlesham  ;  Tufnail,  Sherlock, 
Mortimer;  Lever,  Alexander,  and  Bryant,  Pangbourne,  took  part,  and 
the  conclusion  came  to  was  that  autumn  sowing  was  of  great  advantage, 
and  that  many  perennials  should  be  treated  as  annuals.  A  great 
feature  of  the  meeting  was  the  large  attendance  and  the  exceptionallv 
good  exhibits  of  fiowers  from  the  open,  which  would  have  been 
considered  excellent  even  in  August.  The  flowers  were  staged  by 
Mr.  Stanton,  collection  of  thirty-four  varieties ;  Mr.  F.  Lever,  The 
Gardens,  Hillside,  perennial  Asters  from  seed  ;  Mr.  W.  Townsend, 
Sandhurst  Lodge  Gardens,  Pentstemon  and  Physalis  Franchetti ;  Mr. 
E.  Fry,  The  Gardens,  Greenlands,  Sweet  Peas;  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons, 
Ten.  week  Stocks,  Nemesias,  Marguerite  Carnations  and  Mexican  Poppy; 
Mr.  S.  W.  Sherlock,  Oakfield  Gardens,  Salvias;  whilst  Mr.  Botley, 
Blythewood  Gardens,  Maidenhead,  brought  some  beautiful  Eucharis 
amazonica.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  accorded  to  the  lecturer  and 
to  the  exhibitors.  Although  the  association  is  a  very  large  one  it  is 
continually  growing ;  seven  new  members  were  elected  at  the 
meeting. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Cblswlck. — Taken  in  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens — height  above  sea  level  24  feet . 
Date. 
Direction  of 
Wind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Bain. 
Temperature  of  ] 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
Lowe.st 
Temperature 
on  Grass. 
1600. 
October. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
-id 
OQ 
<X> 
JS 
s 
<v 
o 
h3 
Sunday . .  7 
Monday..  S 
Tuesday  9 
Wed’sday  10 
Thursday  11 
Friday  ..  12 
Saturday  13 
s.s.w. 
S.S.W. 
w.s.w. 
s.w. 
N.W. 
N.W. 
S.W. 
deg. 
63-2 
66-0 
66-2 
56  4 
43-2 
45-9 
53-4 
deg. 
68-7 
60-8 
65'2 
62  3 
42-7 
44-5 
48-6 
deg, 
67-9 
74-3 
72-5 
58  0 
67-6 
60 -5 
65-3 
deg. 
56  9 
44-7 
49-0 
54 -5 
34- 6 
35- 6 
40  9 
ins. 
0-02 
0-02 
deg. 
65- 9 
66 - 3 
66  0 
67- 6 
63-3 
61-9 
61-6 
deg. 
55 -9 
66-3 
66-5 
66-8 
66-7 
65-8 
65-3 
deg. 
66-8 
66-6 
66-6 
66-5 
66 -6 
56-5 
66-4 
deg. 
46-3 
35-1 
42-4 
61-5 
26  "5 
27- 6 
28- 9 
Means  .. 
54-8 
61  -8 
63-7 
45-2 
Total 
0-04 
54 -5 
66-2 
66-6 
36-9 
The  weather  during  the  first  part  of  the  week  was  very  bright  and 
warm,  the  latter  part  being  much  cooler,  with  frost  on  the  ground  on 
three  mornings.  Small  quantities  of  rain  fell  on  the  9th  and  13th  inst. 
