368 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  16,  1902. 
Newport  (Mod.)  Gardeners. 
The  members  of  the  above  association  held  the  first  meeting  of 
the  session  on  Wednesday,  October  8,  when  Mr.  J.  J.  Graham,  of 
the  Cardiff  Gardeners’  Association,  read  a  paper  on  “The 
Chrysanthemum.”  Mr.  Graham  is  the  holder  of  the  challenge 
cup  of  the  Newport  Chrysanthemum  Society,  and  his  paper  was 
looked  forward  to  with  great  interest.  There  was  a  very  good 
attendance,  presided  over  by  Mr.  F.  S.  Daniels.  Mr.  Graham 
gave  a  very  instructive  account  of  the  manner  in  which  he  treats 
his  plants,  commencing  with  the  striking  of  the  cuttings,  potting 
on  the  plants,  the  soil,  and  the  watering,  which  he  considered  of 
the  utmost  importance,  being  very  careful  not  to  overdo  them 
Avith  stimulants,  and  not  to  coddle  the  plants  at  any  time.  He 
then  proceeded  to  give  directions  as  to  stopping  the  plants,  timing 
and  taking  the  buds,  destruction  of  pests,  housing,  air  giving, 
shading,  &c.,  finishing  his  paper  by  remarking  that  all  the 
trouble,  care,  and  anxiety  were  forgotten  in  the  glorious  display 
made  bv  the  Queen  of  Autumn.  A  discussion  followed,  and  many 
questions  were  asked  by  Messrs.  Kenward,  Daniels,  Duff,  Whit- 
row,  Morgan,  Pegler,  Sharratt,  Wiggins,  and  Neades.  A  splendid 
collection  of  upwards  of  thirty  varieties  of  Apples  and  Pears  Avere 
placed  on  the  tables  by  that  noted  Monmouthshire  fruit-grower 
and  exhibitor,  Mr.  J.  Basham,  of  Bassaleg,  for  Avhich  a  certificate 
of  merit  was  awarded.  A  Croton  by  Mr.  Sharratt  ,  and  a  Eucharis, 
by  Mr.  LeAATis,  Avere  also  shown. — J.  P. 
Devon  and  Exeter  Gardeners. 
The  annual  meeting  of  the  Devon  and  Exeter  Gardeners 
Association  Avas  held  at  the  Guildhall  on  the  9th  inst.,  under  the 
chairmanship  of  the  Mayor  (Mr.  A.  E.  Dunn).  Those  present 
were  Messrs,  W.  B.  Baker,  Wm.  Cobley,  D.  Betts,  M.  R.  Court, 
J  Rogers  Wm.  Charley,  Wm.  Andrews,  E.  Cole,  W.  Brewer, 
J.  Hutchings,  F.  T.  Baker,  T.  Cork,  J.  Isaac,  T.  Woodridge,  E. 
Phillips,  Wm.  B.  Chapbell,  E.  W.  Miln,  J.  G.  Anning,  J.  P. 
Rippon,  C.  Perkins,  J.  Langdon,  R.  C  ripps,  H.  J.  Baker,  R. 
Mills,  Andrew  Hope  (lion,  secretary),  and  W.  Maekay  (treasurer). 
The  lion,  secretary  read  the  committee’s  report,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  summary  :  — 
Though  the  past  year — the  eleventh  in  the  history  of  the  asso¬ 
ciation — has  been  of  an  uneventful  character,  it,  nevertheless,  lias 
been  one  of  steady  progress  and  furtherance'  of  the  aims  with 
which,  our  work  began.  A  noticeable  feature  in  the  meetings  of 
the  last  session  was  the  presence  of  young  members  as  well  as  of 
many  of  the  founders  of  the  association,  and  the  outspoken  and 
friendly  criticism  upon  the  arguments  and  theories  and  methods 
advocated  by  those  who  prepared  the  papers  read.  By  this 
means,  undoubtedly,  much  practical  benefit  was  bestowed,  and 
the  real  interests  of  the  society  maintained  and  advanced. 
The  practical  side  has  never  been  overlooked  or  forgotten 
in  the  discussions.  The  continued  kindness  of  His  Wor¬ 
ship  the  Mayor  of  Exeter  in  granting  the  use  of  so  com¬ 
fortable  a  room  in  the  Guildhall  for  our  meetings  has 
been  a  great  help,  being  so  centrally  situated,  and  has 
relieved  the  society  from  certain  expenses  or  private 
obligations  for  accommodation  which  otherwise 
would  have  been  incurred.  A  feature  of  our 
arrangements,  introduced  in  the  spring  of  1901, 
was  continued  for  the  last  tivo  sessions,  and 
added  much  to  the  interest  and  usefulness  of  the  work 
done.  That  Avas  the  presenting  of  a  nominal  first,  second, 
and  third  prize  at  each  meeting  for  the  best  offered  in 
competition  by  the  members  of  such  products  as  Beet, 
Leeks,  Brussels  Sprouts,  table  plants,  Chrysanthemums, 
&c.  These  private  competitions  proved  of  great  value 
as  object  lessons  in  teaching  young  gardeners  what  to 
aim  at  and  Avhat  to  avoid  in  specimens  for  the  exhibition 
table.  The  committee,  believing  that  much  useful 
instruction  was  by  this  means  indirectly  conveyed  to  the 
members,  have  resolved  to  continue  the  scheme.  As  the 
voting  is  by  ballot  of  the  members  present,  an  unbiassed 
and  fair  judgment  is  in  every  case  given.  Although  the 
balance  in  the  treasurer’s  hands  is  ample  for  all  ordinary 
requirements,  the  amount  has  been  reduced  by  the  death 
of  several  kind  friends  of  our  association,  such  as  Mr. 
Lethbridge,  Mr.  T.  Snorv,  Mr.  R.  B.  West,  Mr.  H.  D. 
Thomas,  and  others,  avIio  were  constant  subscribers  to  our 
funds.  If  the  state  of  our  funds  had  warranted  our 
doing  so,  the  committee  Avould  have  proposed  to  offer 
prizes  to  young  gardeners  for  the  best  essay  on  some 
specific  gardening  subject,  the  award  to  be  made  by  the 
committee.  With  gratitude  and  much  pleasure  the 
committee  record  the  consent  given  by  our  very  good 
friend  Mr.  E.  A.  Sanders  to  be  again  nominated  as  presi¬ 
dent  of  the  association.  Our  thanks  are  also  due  to  the 
local  and  horticultural  Press  for  the  excellent  reports 
they  have  given  of  our  proceedings.  A  series  of  papers 
for  the  autumn  session  is  now  being  arranged,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  they  will  prove  no  less  interesting  and  instruc¬ 
tive  than  those  which  have  preceded  them.  Passing 
reference  may  be  made  to  the  very  pleasant  summer  outings 
held  by  the  members  in  July  last.  By  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
T.  B.  Bolitho  and  Mr.  R.  F.  Watkins,  the  charming  seats  of  these 
gentlemen  on  the  Dart  were  visited,  and  the  rare  trees  and  shrubs 
for  which  they  are  famous,  inspected.  A  balance  in  hand  was 
reported  of  £6  Is.  6d. 
The  Mayor,  in  proposing  the  adoption  of  the  reports,  thought 
they  Avere,  on  the  whole,  very  satisfactory.  He  was  sure  that 
every  one  of  those  members  who  had  taken  the  trouble  to  attend 
the  meetings  regularly  must  have  benefited  by  the  different 
lectures.  He  thought  their  association  was  deserving  of  the 
greatest  possible  assistance. 
Mr.  R.  Mills  seconded,  and  the  reports  Avere  unanimously 
adopted.  Mr.  A.  Hope  moved  that  Mr.  E.  A.  Sanders  be  re¬ 
elected  president.  He  was  sure  that  if  he  had  the  whole  of 
Exeter  for  a  field  to  choose  from,  lie  could  not  find  one  more  in 
touch  with  the  association  and  with  gardening. 
Mr.  W.  Maekay,  in  seconding,  said  that  during  the  time  their 
association  had  been  established  they  had  had  many  presidents, 
but  none  avIio  had  done  more  good  for  the  association  than  Mr. 
Sanders. 
The  re-election  Avas  unanimous,  as  Avas  the  re-election  of  the 
vice-presidents,  viz.: — His  Worship  the  Mayor  of  Exeter,  the 
Sheriff,  Major  Tracey,  Messrs.  W.  B.  Heberden,  C.B.,  C.  T.  K. 
Roberts,  P.  C.  M.  Veitch,  R.  G.  Abraham,  H.  N.  Imbert  Terry, 
and  G.  D.  Cann.  Messrs.  A.  Hope  and  W.  Maekay  were  re-elected 
secretary  and  treasurer  respectively,  and  the  committee  were 
re-elected.  A  vote  of  thanks  to'  the  Mayor  for  the  use  of  the  Guild¬ 
hall,  and  for  his  kindness  in  presiding,  Avas  heartily  accorded  on 
the  motion  of  Mr.  Andrew  Hope. 
Beckenham  Horticultural. 
On  Friday,  October  10,  the  first  lecture  of  the  season,  “The 
Watering  of  Plants,”  Avas  delivered  by  Professor  Percival,  M.A., 
F.L.S.,  to  an  appreciative  assembly;  Dr.  Randall,  the  chairman 
of  the  U.D.C.,  presiding.  The  lecturer  referred  to  the  mechanical 
action  of  watering,  and  counselled  giving  more  care  and  thought 
than  is  usual.  By  the  aid  of  diagrams,  the  root  system  was 
fully  explained,  the  Avay  in  Avhich  water  enters  the  plant  by  its 
root  hairs,  carrying  with  it  nutriment,  and  was  traced  by  the 
lecturer  through  the  plant  to  the  leaf,  and  the  changes  that  take 
place  there  described.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  there  are  many  side 
issues  arising  out  of  the  Avatering  question,  much  of  this  the 
lecturer  dealt  with  in  a  most  interesting  and  instructive  manner, 
and  at  the  close  a  most  hearty  Arote  of  thanks  Avas  accorded  to 
him.  Mr.  Price,  of  Broadclyst  Gardens,  had  on  view  a  collection 
of  kitchen  and  dessert  Apples,  for  which  he  was  worthily  awarded 
the  society’s  certificate  of  merit. — T.  C. 
Apple,  Lord  Derby. 
