October  23,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
389 
were  won  by  Mr.  Ashton  with  Webbs’  Renown  ;  by  E.  Davies  with 
Webbs’  Motor;  and  Mr.  Haycox  with  Goklfinder.  Messrs. 
Field’s  by  Mr.  Wilson  with  C.  Fielder.  Messrs.  Kerr’s,  Dumfries, 
by  Mr.  Ashton  with  Enterprise.  Messrs.  Nivens  by  Mr.  Johnson 
with  General  Buller,  and  Jno.  Wilson  with  Pioneer.  The  best 
new  Potato  was  Edward  VII.  from  Mr.  J.  R.  Newton. 
Roots  and  vegetables  were  really  grand,  but  space  will  not 
permit  of  full  list  being  given.  All  the  leading  firms  were 
thoroughly  represented  in  grain,  roots,  &c. — R.  P.  R. 
Reading  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement. 
More  than  one  hundred  members  assembled  at  the  last  meet¬ 
ing  of  the  above  association  to  hear  Mr.  George  Gordon,  V.M.H., 
deliver  a  lecture  on  “  Beautiful  Flowering  l'rees  and  Shrubs.” 
Time  did  not  suffice  to  give  more  than  a  running  commentary 
on  a  magnificent  series  of  photographs,  shown  by  the  limelight, 
illustrating  some  typical  specimens  of  the  double  Peach,  Almond, 
Magnolia,  Cherry,  Plum,  Quince,  Pear,  Thorn,  Laburnum, 
Genista,  Berberis,  Lilac,  Deutzia,  Viburnum,  Exorchorda,  Spirsea, 
Stapelia,  Hydrangea,  Horse  Chestnut,  Catalpa,  Wistaria,  Azalea, 
Heath,  Andromeda,  Rhododendron,  &c.  The  exhibits  were  exceed¬ 
ingly  interesting,  the  honorary  ones  were  a  basket  of  Princess  of 
Wales  Violets  (splendid  blooms),  retarded  Potatoes  (illustrating 
the  method  of  obtaining  young  Potatoes  all  the  year  round),  also 
a  dish  of  fruit  of  Psidium  Cattleyanum  (Guava)  suitable  for 
dessert  or  jelly  by  Mr.  G.  Stanton,  Park  Place  Gardens,  Henley- 
cn-Thames.  A  collection  of  Sweet  Peas  by  Mr.  D.  Agar, 
gardener  to  Milton  Bode,  Esq.,  Caversham.  For  Certificates, 
a  batch  of  Michaelmas  Daisies  grown  as  annuals,  seed  sown  in 
February,  planted  out  in  June,  and  potted  in  September  (Certifi¬ 
cate  awarded)  by  Mr.  F.  Laver,  The  Gardens,  Hillside,  Reading, 
and  a  magnificent  specimen  of  Orchid,  Odontoglo-ssum  grande 
(Certificate  awarded)  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Pigg,  The  Gardens,  Treveroli, 
Maidenhead.  A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Gordon,  on  the  proposition  of  the  president,  for  his  interesting 
lecture.  Four  new  members  were  elected.  The  subject  for  the 
meeting  on  October  27  will  be  “  Sweet  Peas,”  by  Mr.  House, 
Westbury-on-Trym. 
Metropolitan  Public  Girdens  Association. 
Opfn  Spaces. — At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Metropolitan 
Public  Gardens  Association,  held  at  83,  Lancaster  Gate,  W.,  the 
Hon.  Dudley  Fortescue,  vice-chairman,  presiding,  it  was  decided 
(in  response  to  a  request)  to  support  the  Land  Dedication  Bill, 
introduced  by  Lord  Balcarres,  M.P.,  and  others,  to  assist  land 
owners  to  set  aside  ground  for  public  enjoyment  without  neces¬ 
sarily  having  to  part  with  their  freehold  interests.  Communica¬ 
tions  were  read  from  residents  in  Birmingham  seeking  advice 
as  to  steps  to  be  taken  to  secure  open  spaces,  and  in  giving  the 
information  sought,  it  was  agreed  to  urge  the  desirability  of 
forming  organisations  similar  to  the  Association  in  provincial 
cities  and  towns,  as  centres  of  open  space  promotion  and  effort. 
It  was  announced  that  the  Consistory  Court  had  given  judgment 
as  anticipated  in  reference  to  the  building  of  a  parochial  hall 
on  Holy  Trinity,  Stepney,  Churchyard  Garden,  to  the  effect  that 
it  was  an  enlargement  of  the  church  permissible  under  the  Acts, 
and  a  hope  was  expressed  that  the  case  would  be  taken  to  a 
Superior  Court.  Seats  were  granted  for  the  Dulwich  Free 
Library  Garden  and  Home  Park,  Lower  Sydenham.  A  letter 
was  read  from  the  Stepney  Borough  Council  agreeing  to  take 
over  and  maintain  St.  Mary’s,  Whitechapel,  Churchyard,  which 
the  Association  had  undertaken  to  put  in  order.  Satisfactory 
progress  was  reported  as  regards  the  laying-out  of  the  South- 
fields  Recreation  Ground,  Wandsworth;  but  it  had  not  been 
possible  to  commence  work  at  All  Saints,  Poplar,  Churchyard, 
as  the  transfer  of  the  ground  to  the  loeal  authority  was  still  in¬ 
complete.  It  was  agreed  to  make  offers  with  regard  to  acquiring 
a  site  in  Putney  and  three  squares  in  Lambeth.  It  was  stated 
that  the  erection  of  a  drinking  fountain  by  means  of  thq 
generosity  of  a  member  in  Charles  Square  Garden,  Hoxton,  had 
been  completed.  Donations  from  the  Merchant  Taylors’  and 
Skinners’  Companies  of  £10  10s.  and  £5  5s.  respectively  were 
gratefully  acknowledged,  and  there  was  a  need  felt  for  further 
contributions,  there  being  a  considerable  diminution  in  the 
receipts,  owing  probably  to  the  adverse  effect  of  the  late  war 
and  allied  causes. 
Royal  Horticultural— Drill  Hall,  October  20. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  last  was  again  of  great  interest,  and 
hardy  flowers,  Chrysanthemums,  and  vegetables  were  each 
exhibited  abundantly.  In  the  absence  of  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence, 
Bart.,  Harry  J.  Veitch,  Esq.,  occupied  the  chair.  The  secretary, 
Rev.  W.  Wilks,  M.A.,  announced  the  gift  to  the  society’s  hall 
fund  scheme  of  one  hundred  guineas,  and  read  His  Majesty’s 
letter  to  the  Fellows.  He  also  intimated  that  Leopold  de  Roth¬ 
schild,  Esq.,  had  promised  a  contribution  to  the  same  fund,  of 
500  guineas,  and  Mr.  Wilks  eloquently  urged  on  any  Fellow  to 
do  the  most  that  they  could  to  help  on  the  work  in  hand.  Lastly, 
he  stated  that  a  record  had  been  established  in  the  number  of 
new  members  elected  during  one  year,  for  since  January  there 
have  been  1,005  new  Fellows’  names  added  to  the  books,  which 
surpasses  all  previous  records  in  this  line. 
Mr.  J.  Godfrey,  from  Exmouth,  presented  an  attractive  selec¬ 
tion  of  both  early-flowering  and  exhibition  varieties  of  Chrys¬ 
anthemums.  Amongst  the  former  were  the  following  :  Gladiator, 
Kitty  Crew,  Harry  Grover,  Delightful,  Mrs.  E.  V.  Freeman  Pink 
Beauty,  Mars,  Godfrey’s  Pet,  and  October  King,  the  colours 
being  rich  and  good,  and  the  former  very  pleasing.  Among  the 
exhibition  blooms  were  those  of  the  varieties  Britannia,  Gran¬ 
deur,  Masterpiece,  Lord  Alverstone,  Kimberley,  T.  Humphries, 
Loveliness,  Exmouth  Rival,  The  Lion,  Attraction,  and  Exmouth 
Crimson. 
Messrs.  Wells  and  C'o.,  Earlswood  Nurseries,  Earlswood, 
Surrey,  was  also  forward  with  a  delightful  group  of  the  Autumn 
Queen,  among  which  were  noted  R.  Hooper  Pearson  (a  fine 
exhibition  flower  of  large  size  and  good  finish),  Miss  E.  Fulton, 
Lord  Alverstone,  Mine.  Von  -Andre,  Mine.  G.  Henry,  Mrs.  T.  W. 
Pockett,  Chas.  Longley,  Miss  Alice  Byron,  and  a  number  of 
showy  decorative  varieties.  The  afore-named  were  all  shown  as 
single  stemmed  plants  in  pots. 
Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham,  set  un  a  very 
large  group  of  pot  Chrysanthemums,  each  bearing  flowers  of  high 
exhibition  merit.  Early  flowering  sorts  in  front  were  as  follows: 
Notaire  Groz,  Edie  Wright,  Market  White,  GoocheFs  Crimson, 
Horace  Martin,  White  Quintus,  A  ivid,  Lemon  Queen,  Bouquet 
de  Feu,  and  Roi  des  Precoces. 
Messrs.  Barr  and  Sons  had  Colchicums  and  Crocuses,  and 
the  pretty  Nerine  undulata,  &c.  ;  Mr.  J.  Russell  had  berried 
Aucubas;  and  Messrs.  Peed  and  Son  staged  foliage  plants  and 
Cattleyas.  From  Messrs.  A  eitch  and  Sons,  Limited,  came  a 
brilliant  contribution  of  the  charming  Begonia  incomparabilis 
(bright  rich  scarlet  crimson),  and  a  selection  of  their  hybrid 
winter-flowering  Begonias.  They  also  had  hybrid  Javanese 
Rhododendron  trusses,  and  Daedalacanthus  parvus  in  pots,  the 
plants  all  being  well  grown. 
H.  J.  Elwes,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Walters),  Colesborne,  Chel¬ 
tenham,  displayed  a  very  pretty  group  of  well  flowered  Nerines, 
and  number  of  the  varieties  being  new  or  little  known.  A  group 
of  Gloire  Begonias,  the  white  and  pink  varieties,  all  very  large 
for  the  time  of  the  year,  was  sent  by  Hugh  Kerr,  Esq.  (gardener, 
Mr.  Dunkley),  Ardgowan,  South  Woodford.  Mrs.  Dennison 
(gardener,  Mr.  A.G.  Gentle),  Little  Gaddesden,  Berkhamsted,  was 
forward  with  a  group  of  Michaelmas  Daisies,  in  which  were 
included  a  number  of  seedlings. 
Mr.  H.  B.  May,  from  Edmonton,  had  superb  plants  of 
Adiantum  Farleyense  and  Cordylines,  while  Messrs.  Bull  and 
Sons  gave  variety  and  somewhat  of  novelty  by  a  combination  of 
huge  Tree  Ferns,  Dicksonias,  and  Cibotiums.  Messrs.  B.  S. 
Williams,  Upper  Holloway,  N.,  staged  perfect  specimen  Cordy¬ 
lines  (Dracaenas)  in  variety,  all  clean,  even,  and  well  coloured. 
Perennial  Asters  from  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son  were  seen  to 
great  advantage,  for  the  whole  plants  were  set  up.  A  number 
of  good  new  named  varieties  were  here,  including  Hon.  Ed.  Gibbs, 
Triumph,  Golden  Spray,  cordifolius  elegans,  c.  Diana,  Theodora, 
Captivation,  Coombefishacre,  and  others.  They  had  also  some 
beautiful  Carnations.  Messrs.  Ware  had  hardy  flowers. 
From  Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries,  Lower 
Edmonton,  there  came  a  beautiful  and  varied  collection  of  Ferns. 
Messrs.  C’harlesworth  and  Co.,  Heaton,  Bradford,  had  a  very 
choice  group  of  hybrid  Orchids,  including  Cattleya  Bowriggiano- 
superba,  Lselia-Cattleya  Goltoiana,  Cattleya  Mrs.  J.  W.  Whiteley, 
magnifica,  Ladio-Cattleya  La  France,  Cattleya  Mrs.  Herbert 
Greaves,  &c. 
Walter  C.  Walker.  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  Geo.  Cragg),  Percy 
Lodge,  Winchmore  Hill,  N.,  had  a  group  of  Odontoglossums, 
while  from  J.  Bradshaw,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  G.  E.  Whitelegg), 
The  Grange,  Southgate,  there;  was  a  collection  of  Cattleyas  (well- 
flowered  plants),  Odontoglossums,  and  Oncidiums.  Baron 
Schroder,  Sander  and  Sons,  Mr.  Gurney  Fowler,  and  also  Hugh 
Low  and  Co.  staged  Orchids. 
Major  Bythway  (gardener,  Mr.  W.  Wilkins),  Walborough, 
Llanelly,  S.  Wales,  contributed  a  brightly  coloured  collection  of 
Apples,  comprising  over  seventy  dishes  of  the  best  sorts.  From 
the  appearance  of  the  fruits  it  was  evident  that  very  considerable 
care  had  been  expended  on  their  culture.  Mrs.  Arnold,  The 
Lodge,  Dedham,  also  had  a  few  dishes  of  Apples. 
R.  W.  Hudson,  Esq.  (gardener,  Mr.  J.  Gibson),  greatly  added 
to  the  interest  of  the  meeting  by  the  highly  creditable  display  of 
vegetables  he  had  on  this  occasion.  It  seemed  as  though  every 
sort  of  vegetable  that  gardens  grow  was  here,  all  nioely  staged, 
and  the  products  fresh  and  good.  The  Eclipse  Cauliflower  were 
very  fine  samples ;  Gladstone  Pea  and  Sutton’s  Giant  French 
Asparagus  were  meritorious.  Potatoes  were  splendid,  as,  indeed, 
was  everything  staged;  but  on  viewing  the  wonderful  variety  of 
them,  we  found  it  beyond  our  space  and  time  to  try  to  detail 
them.  The  collection  were  all  grown  from  Messrs.  Sutton  and 
Sons’  seeds.  A  Gold  Medal  was  unanimously  awarded. 
Messrs.  Cannell  and  Sons,  Swanley,  staged  vegetables, 
including  C'annells’  Defiance  Cabbage,  Cranston’s  Excelsior 
