470 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  20,  1902. 
Devon  and  Exeter  Gardeners. 
The  meeting  held  in  connection  with  the  Devon  and  Exeter 
Gardeners’  Association  at  the  Guildhall,  Exeter,  on  November  12 
was  well  attended.  Mr.  T.  Slade,  gardener  to  the  Right  Hon. 
Lord  Poltimore,  read  an  excellent  paper  on  “  Table  Decorations,” 
which  we  hope  to  furnish  notes  of. 
Coronation  Trees. 
Trees  to  commemorate  the  King’s  Coronation  have  been 
planted  at  Edlington,  Yorks,  by  the  authorities  ;  also  in  Victoria 
Park  in  the  East  of  London  ;  and  at  Musselburgh,  in  Midlothian. 
Twenty  purple  Beeches  were  planted  by  the  King,  the  German 
Emperor,  the  Queen,  the  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales,  and 
other  Royal  members,  at  Sandringham  on  Monday,  November  10. 
A  Plan  Drawing  Competition. 
The  date  for  the  sending-in  of  plans  for  a  gardener’s  bothy 
(of  which  particulars  were  given  on  page  416,  October  30)  is  draw¬ 
ing  near,  and  we  would  particularly  request  young  gardener- 
draughtsmen  to  give  the  matter  their  consideration,  that  a  really 
useful  plan  may  be  put  before  our  readers.  Plans  may  be  sent 
in  now  if  completed. 
The  Horticultural  Hall. 
The  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  have  issued 
in  the  form  of  a  brochure  the  plans  and  statements  for  the 
erection  of  the  new  hall  which  is  to  commemorate  the  Centenary 
of  the  Society’s  existence.  Owing  to  the  Rose  analysis  and  the 
crowd  of  Chrysanthemum  show  reports  in  our  pages  this  week 
we  are  debarred  from  publishing  the  plans  as  accepted  by  the 
Council,  but  we  trust  to  be  able  to  do  so  next  week.  There  are 
many  imposing  features,  but  an  improvement  could  be  effected 
in  the  roof,  which  detracts  from  the  nobility  of  the  front  eleva¬ 
tion  by  its  resemblance  to  that  of  a  board  school. 
Bowls  in  Liverpool  Parks. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Parks  and  Gardens  Com¬ 
mittee  of  the  Liverpool  Corporation,  after  hearing  a  most  favour¬ 
able  report  from  the  esteemed  superintendent,  Mr.  Herbert, 
have  decided  to  spend  some  £60  on  the  purchase  of  bowls,  owing 
to  the  highly  successful  season  which  has  just  passed.  This  is  a 
step  in  the  right  direction,  as  the  old  game  has  very  many  devo¬ 
tees  in  the  district,  who  are  now  petitioning  the  Council  to  lay 
down  more  sward  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  cannot  enter  into 
the  more  vigorous  outdoor  pursuits.  A  small  charge  is  made,  and 
by  this  means  the  ratepayers  are  relieved  of  heavy  taxation.  It 
is  an  object  worthy  of  extension  if  one  must  judge  the  zest  of  the 
competitors  as  a  criterion.- — R.  P.  R. 
The  Loss  at  the  York  Gala. 
Under  the  presidency  of  Alderman  Sir  C.  Milward,  a  meeting 
of  the  council  of  the  Grand  Yorkshire  Gala  was  held  at  Harker’s 
Hotel  last  week.  The  balance  sheet  showed  that  there  was  a 
loss  on  last  June’s  gala  of  £634  8s.  4d.,  due  to  the  inclement 
weather  which  prevailed  at  the  time.  This  is  the  greatest  loss 
which  the  society  has  ever  sustained.  The  next  business  was 
the  appointment  of  a  secretary  in  succession  to  Mr.  C.  W. 
Simmons,  who  retired  on  the  ground  of  pressure  of  other  business, 
and  Mr.  Fred  Arey,  of  3,  New  Street,  wras  elected  to  that, 
position.  In  recognition  of  the  services  of  Mr.  Simmons  during 
the  fourteen  years  he  was  secretary,  the  council  elected  him  a 
life  member.  Votes  of  thanks  were  accorded  the  ex-Lord  Mayor, 
president  for  the  past  year;  to  Sir  C.  A.  Milward,  chairman  of 
committee;  Alderman  Border,  vice-chairman;  Alderman  Sir 
J.  S.  Rymer,  treasurer ;  to  Messrs.  Harper  (N.E.R.) ;  and  to 
Messrs.  Backhouse,  Webb,  and  Suttons  for  donations.  It  may  be 
stated  that,  notwithstanding  the  loss  of  the  last  gala,  the  society 
have  still  a  substantial  balance  in  hand.  With  regard  to  next, 
year’s  fixture,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  arrange  dates.  A 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  concluded  the  proceedings. 
Irrigation  in  America. 
In  Texas  and  Louisiana  there  are  now  more  than  one  hundred 
canals  and  pumping  stations,  each  capable  of  flooding  one  thou¬ 
sand  acres  of  rice.  These  are  owned  by  irrigation  companies, 
which  supply  the  water  as  needed  to  the  rice  farmers. 
The  Automobile  Lawn  Mower. 
An  illustration  of  one  of  the  above  inventions  appears  in 
“  American  Gardening  ”  for  October  25.  This  machine  has  been 
in  use  on  the  lawns  of  Mr.  P.  A.  B.  Widener,  Ogontz,  Pennsyl¬ 
vania,  and  have  greatly  assisted  the  turf,  heavy  rollers  being 
attached  to  the  machine. 
Gardeners’  Library  at  Pymmes  Park,  Edmonton. 
In  connection  with  the  Middlesex  County  Council  School  of 
Gardening,  a  garden  library  has  been  established'  at  Pymmes 
Park,  Edmonton.  The  library  is  open  for  the  benefit  of  gardeners 
in  the  .neighbourhood  on  Tuesday  and  Thursday  evenings  from 
7.30  to  9.30,  and  on  Wednesday  mornings:  from  10.30  to  1.  A 
good  selection  of  the  best  books  on  gardening  and  botany  has 
already  been  made,  and  others  will  be  added  from  time  to  time. 
Applications  to  use  the  library  may  be  made  to  Mr.  J.  Weathers, 
County  Instructor  in  Horticulture,  Pymmes  Park,  Edmonton. 
Devonshire  the  Beautiful. 
Devonshire  in  particular  is  exceedingly  beautiful  at  the 
present  time.  The  Oak  and  Beech  woods,  rvhich  are  so  very 
plentiful,  are  resplendent  in  many  shades  of  bronze,  russet,  gold, 
and  crimson,  wdiile-  beneath  the  trees  the  ground  over  many  acres 
is  likewise  strewn  in  colours  of  the  richest  tones.  At  Exmouth 
on  Monday  morning  the  sun  shone  as  in  mid-May,  and  the  black¬ 
birds  sang  voluptuously.  Berberis  Darwihi  was  noticed  in 
flower,  in  company  with  Jasminum  nudiflorum  and  Passiflora 
cserulea,  each  in  the  open  air.  Happy  Devonshire !  for  indeed 
she  is  endowed  with  plenteousness.  While  Shetland  is  cutting 
a  green  harvest,  the  southern  county  lias  Wheat  fields  with 
growths  4in  high. 
Bristol  and  District  Gardeners’  Mutual  Improvement  .Sssoc, 
This  association  held  its  usual  meeting  at  St.  John’s  Rooms, 
Redland,  on  Thursday  evening  last,  Mr.  E.  Poole,  F.R.H.S., 
presiding  over  a  good  attendance.  The  lecturer  for  the  evening 
was  Mr.  E.  Binfield,  gardener  to  Mr.  Francis  Taggart,  J.P., 
F.L.S.,  Old  Sneyd  Park,  his  subject  being  “Stove  and  Green¬ 
house  Ferns.”  The  members  having  looked'  forward  to  this 
lecture,  were  not  disappointed,  for  the  masterly  way  in  which 
Mr.  Binfield  handled  his  subject  proved  conclusively  that  he  had 
made  a  careful  study  of  these  most  useful  plants,  his  lecture 
being  brim  full  of  useful  and  practical  information.  He  dealt 
minutely  with  the  general  treatment  of  the  leading  varieties, 
including  propagation,  potting,  watering,  insect  pests,  and 
numerous  other  items  required  for  successful  cultivation.  Mr. 
Binfield  remarked  on  the  indispensable  uses  of  Ferns.  Cut 
flowers,  groups  of  plants,  &c.,,  were  incomplete  without  them.  He 
strongly  advised  his  audience  to  follow’  as  much  as  possible 
Nature’s  own  instructions,  which  can  always  be  relied  on.  The 
Maidenhair  varieties  being  the  most  popidar,  Mr.  Binfield  gave 
many  excellent  hints  concerning  the  requirements  of  these 
favourites.  He  recommended  watering  with  soft  water  which 
wTas  the  same  temperature  as  the  house.  Shading  was  necessary 
for  their  well-being,  if  not  carried  to  excess.  He  gave  a  com¬ 
plete  list  of  the  best  varieties  for  different  purposes.  To  eradi¬ 
cate  insect  pests,  Mr.  Binfield  argued  that  the  XL  All  fumigator 
was  undoubtedly  the  best.  His  lecture  was  much  appreciated, 
as  was  shown  by  the  excellent  discussion  which  followed,  and 
Mr.  Binfield  was  accorded  the  heartiest  thanks  of  the  meeting 
for  the  evening’s  enjoyment.  Prizes  for  six  sprays  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums  were  awarded  as  follows  :  first,  Col.  Goss  (gardener,  Mr. 
Shaddick) ;  second,  Mrs.  Coleman  (gardener,  Mr.  Spry).  Cer¬ 
tificates  of  merit  went  to  Lady  Cave  (gardener,  Mr.  E.  Poole) 
for  a  fine  collection  of  vegetables  ;  to  Mills  Baker,  Esq.  (gardener, 
Mr.  Board),  for  a  Cypripedium ;  and  to  Gilbert  Howes,  Esq. 
(gardener,  Mr.  White),  for  two  Ferns;  the  judges  recommending 
a  special  certificate  of  merit  for  W.  A.  F.  Powell  Esq.  (gardener, 
Mr.  Raikes),  for  five  excellent  Chrysanthemums.  On  Novem¬ 
ber  27  Mr.  Harding,  of  Clifton,  is  announced  to  lecture  on 
“  Fungus,”  which  will,  no  doubt,  be  an  interesting  one. — H.  K. 
