253 
JOURNAL  OF  IIOPJTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
March  24,  19C4. 
Life  of  John  Abercromhie. 
John  Abercrombie,  the  antlior  of  the  book,  “Every  iMan  His 
Own  Gardener,”  was  born  at  Edinburgh  in  1726,  near  which  city 
liis  father  conducted  a  considerable  market  garden.  From  his 
infancy  he  was  emi)loyed  to  assist  in  this  undertaking,  which  was 
one  particularly  suited  to  his  taste.  At  fourteen  he  became  an 
apprentice  of  his  father.  He  was  thoroughly  grounded  in  his 
profession,  the  practice  of  years  being  retained  and  concentrated 
by  a  habit  we  commend  to  all  young  gardeners  of  committing  to 
paper  the  observations  he  made  in  its  pursuit  from  a  very  early 
age.  Soon  after  his  apprenticeship  exiDired,  being  about  eighteen, 
upon  a  domestic  misunderstanding  he  came  to  London,  where  he 
obtained  employment  in  some  of  the  Royal  Gardens,  at  Kew,  and 
at  Leicester  House.  Afterwaixls  he  became  gardener  to  Dr. 
Alunro  and  other  gentlemen.  About  1751-2  he  became  gardener 
to  Sir  James  Douglas,  during  his  continuance  in  whose  service  he 
married.  Fearing  his  family  might  become  troublesome  he  left 
his  situation  in  1759  and  returnecl  to  Scotland  with  the  intention 
cf  becoming  kitchen  and  market  gardener,  but  came  again  to 
England  after  an  absence  of  only  ten  months.  He  was  engaged 
in  the  service  of  several  noblemen  and  gentlemen  until  1770, 
when  he  engaged  a  kitchen  garden  and  .small  nursery  grouncl 
between  Mile  End  Road  ancl  Hackney,  attending  Spitalfields 
TJarket  with  the  pi'oducts  until  1771-2.  At  this  period  he  became 
a  publican  in  Dog  Row,  Mile  End.  His  house  was  afterwards 
converted  into  the  Artichoke  Tea  Gardens.  Bj"  the  importunity 
of  his  Avife  he  left  this  and  entered  into  the  seed  and  nursery 
business  at  NeAvington  and  Tottenham  Court,  carrying  on  at  the 
same  time  an  extensive  trade  as  a  kitchen  gardener  and  florist. 
The  taste  he  displayed  in  arranging  and  the  skill  in  cultivating 
gardens  ipduced  a  recommendation  to  publish  on  those  sAibjects; 
but  it  was  long  before  his  diffidence  would  allow  him  to  make 
an  attemiAt.  AfterAvards  becoming  more  confident  Abercrombie 
published  his  “Gardener’s  Pocket  Journal,  or  Daily  Assistant,” 
Avhich  obtained  a  A’cry  extensive  sale  and  has  since  passed  through 
manv  editions.  Besides  these  he  compiled  many  other  books. 
He  died  from  an  accident  on  the  2nd  of  May.  1806.  He  at 
one  period  after  the  publication  of  his  “  Every  Man  His  Oavii 
Gardener,”  had  actually  embarked  to  superintend  the  Gardens  of 
the  Empress  of  Russia,  but  the  sight  of  the  ocean  inspired  him 
with  terrors  Avhich  he  could  not  overcome. 
Societies. 
United  Horticultural  Benefit  and  Provident. 
Report  op  the  Committee  por  1903. 
The  annual  meeting  Avas  held  on  March  14,  Avhen  this  report 
was  submitted: — It  is  Avith  the  pleasure  that  results  from  con¬ 
tinued  success,  and  the  knoAvledge  that  the  society  is  noAV  filling 
that  place  in  the  horticultural  world  for  Avhich  it  was  created 
thirty-nine  year.s  ago,  that  the  committee  brings  forAvard  its 
report  for  the  year  1903.  Both  financially  and  numerically  the 
society  continues  to  progress  steadily. 
It  is  interesting  to  notice  that  Avhile  some  feAver  neAv  members 
were  elected  than  in  1902,  the  number  Avas  eighty-three,  precisely 
the  same  as  in  the  years  1899,  1900,  and  1901.  Five  members 
died  during  the  year,  tAventy-seA^en  lapsed  from  various  causes, 
and  one,  having  passed  the  age  limit  Avas,  at  his  oaaii  request, 
paid  out.  This  leaves  a  nett  gain  of  fifty  for  the  year,  and  brings 
the  total  membership  to  1016. 
The  society  also  shoAvs  sound  financial  progress,-  the  amount 
invested  during  the  year  being  £1,800,  making  a  total  of 
£22,018  12s.  7d.  now  in  trust  for  the  members.  Sick  pay  for  the 
year  amounted  to  £303  5s.,  a  slight  increase  on  the  payments 
under  that  head  in  the  previous  year,  but  yet  shoAving  a  decrease 
in  the  sum  chargeable  per  head,  this  being  7s.  2d.  and  4s.  lOd.  as 
compared  Avith  the  7s.  5d.  and  4s.  lid.  of  1902.  The  Benevolent 
Fund  has  rendered  assistance  to  the  extent  of  £129  2s.  Od.  Of 
this  amount,  members  oAer  70  years  of  age  (three)  received 
£61  8s.,  and  members  transferred  from  the  Sick  Fund  (six) 
received  £53  15s.,  all  in  Aveekly  alloAvances.  In  addition,  special 
grants  A'ar.ying  from  19s.  6d.  to  £5  were  made  to  five  members, 
the  total  amount  being  £13  19s.  6d.  The  Convalescent  Fund 
has  only  been  draAvn  on  to  the  extent  of  £4  10s.,  and  the  Com¬ 
mittee  feels  that  the  Sick  and  Benevolent  Funds  might  often 
be  relieved  somOAA'hat  if  members  recoA^ering  from  an  illness  took 
advantage  of  this  fund  before  resuming  their  employment. 
On  the  recommendation  of  the  treasurer,  the  trustees  sold 
the  £1,000  South  Indian  Raihvay  Capital  Stock,  and  AA’ith  the 
proceeds  thereof  £1,200  of  Lii'erpool  Three  Per  Cent.  Stock  Avas 
purchased.  This  transfer,  effected  because  of  the  prospect  of 
early  redemption  of  the  stock,  Avas  made  Avith  advantage  to  the 
society. 
■  The  committee  AAOuld  especially  draAV  attention  to  the  fact 
that  lapsed  inembers  do  not  forfeit  any  amounts  standing  to 
their  credit  in  the  society’s  books.  This  should  not  be  lost  sight  of 
Avhen  young  gardeners  are  being  induced  to  join  the  scciet.y. 
The  total  amount  standing  to  the  credit  of  lapsed  members  is 
£1,564  13s.  8d.,  aa  IucIi,  by  the  Avay,  earns  interest  for  the  benefit 
members.  The  largest  amount  credited  to  a  lapsed  member  is 
just  over  £65  and  the  loAve.st  is  Is.;  forty-four  have  over  £10; 
.sixty-five  have  over  £5  and  less  than  £10 ;  and  221  have  amounts 
less  than  £5.  All  these  sums  can  be  claimed  Avhen  the  lapsed 
member  reaches  the  age  of  60,  and,  in  the  case  of  earlier  death, 
by  his  nominee.  Lapsed  members  having  £5  to  their  credit  may 
be  regarded  as  having  belonged  to  the  society  for  about  five 
years;  Avhile  those  Avith  from  £5  to  £10  to  their  accounts  have 
an  aA’erage  member.ship  of  seven  and  a  half  years. 
During  the  year  the  committee  has  had  under  consideration 
the  revision  of  the  rules  of  the  society,  but  the  business  at  the 
usual  monthly  meetings  has  so  increased,  that  little  time  Avas 
left  for  this  special  Avork.  Now',  howeA'er,  the  committee  has 
resolved  itself  into  a  Rules  Sub-Committee,  and  as  such  it  .sits 
one  eA’ening  a  month  to  discuss  the  rules.  The  committee  hopes 
to  be  able  to  place  the  suggested  alterations  before  a  special 
general  meeting  of  meinbens,  to  be  held  on  the  same  date  as  the 
next  annual  meeting. 
The  committee  Avi.shes  to  tender  its  best  thanks  to  the 
honorary  members,  and  especially  to  Mr.  Peter  Barr,  V.H.DI.. 
Avho  so  abl.y  presided  at  the  largely-attended  annual  dinner,  held 
at  the  Holborn  Restaurant  on  October  10th.  The  nurserymen 
and  seedsmen  Avho  have  been  good  enough  to  publish  the  title 
and  objects  of  the  societj',  together  Avith  the  secretary’s  name 
and  address,  are  also  Avarmly  thanked  for  the  seiwices  thus  ren¬ 
dered.  At  the  same  time,  the  committee  Avishes  to  express  its 
high  appreciation  of  the  many  services  ablj'  and  cheerfully  ren¬ 
dered  the  society  by  the  horticultural  Press. 
In  conclusion,  Avith  so  much  progress  to  record,  the  committee 
confidently  looks  forAvard  to  a  further  increase  of  member.ship, 
and  in  this  connection  urges  all  members  and  friends  to  do  their 
utmost  to  induce  the  young  gardeners  of  the  L'nited  Kingdom 
to  join  “  The  United,”  as  the  society  is  noAv  popularly  designated. 
— Signed  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  Ch.arles  H.  Cvrtis,  chair¬ 
man,  Wm.  t'oLLiNS,  Secretary. 
We  publish  only  the  general  .statement  of  liabilities  and 
asset.s :  — 
AS.SET.?. 
1904.  .January  lltli  £  s.  d.  £  s.  ,1. 
By  Investments 
as  per  last 
year  ..  . .  20,100  0  0 
L  8s— South 
I  n  d  i  a  n 
Stock  sold  1,00)  0  0 
19,400  0  0 
,,  Liverpool 
Corpora¬ 
tion  3  per 
cent.  Stock  2,700  0  0 
,,  Devo  n  po  rt 
C  o  r  p  o  ra¬ 
tion  3  per 
cent.Stock  300  0  0 
- 22,4C0  0  0 
,,  Cash  on  De- 
posit  at 
Bank  (on 
cill)  200  0  0 
,,  Cash  in  hand 
of  Treasur¬ 
er  ....  12S  17  4 
,,  C  a  s  h  in 
hand  of 
Secretary  20  10  0 
-  349  7  10 
.£22,749  7  1  i 
Examined  and  found  correct,  as  per  AA'.  GUNNER,  F.S..4.A.  )  j,, 
Bankei s’ Pass  Book.  T.  II.  PUZEA',  F.S.A.A.  j 
March  9,  1904. 
The  Secretary’s  address  is  9,  Martindale  Road,  Balhain,  S.W.,  and 
that  officer  Avill  be  pleased  to  forAvard  information  to  all  Avho  inquire. 
Chester  Paxton. 
The  closing  meeting  for  the  present  session  Avas  held  in  the 
Gro.svenor  Museum  on  Saturday,  AA'hen  a  paper,  entitled  “The 
Value  of  Education  and  Science  to  Those  Employed  in  Horticul¬ 
tural  Pursuits,”  contributed  by  Mr.  W.  White,  late  of  Bole.sAvorth, 
and  noAv  of  London,  Avas  read  by  the  secretary,  Mr.  G.  P.  ^liln. 
The  subject  Avas  dealt  Avith  in  a  A'ery  comprehensiA’e  manner,  the 
Avriter  laying  special  emphasis  on  the  desirability  of  horticul¬ 
turists  acquiring  a  better  and  more  complete  knoAvledge  of  those 
sciences  bearing  directly  upon  their  profession.  Mtich  useful 
information  and  sound  advice  Avas  imparted,  folloAved  by  an  in¬ 
teresting  discussion,  in  Avhich  Mr.  A.  W.  Armstrong,  Avho  pre¬ 
sided,  Mr.  Naylor,  Mr.  John  Weaver,  and  Mr.  Wakefield  took 
part,  and  the  meeting  closed  Avith  a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  to  IMr.. 
White  for  hi.s  able  contribution.  The  secretary  announced  that 
it  Avas  proposed  to  hold  an  exhibition  of  spring  fioAvers  in  the 
Grosvenor  Museum  on  or  about  April  13  and  14.  provided  that 
spring  floAvers  Avould  be  sufficiently  aclA'anced  bj'  these  dates. 
1904.  .Tnnufivy,  lllh  £  s.  d. 
To  Benevolent  Fund . .  ..  4,017  4  0 
,,  Convalescent  Fund  ..  501  15  11 
,,  Mana  ement  Fund  ..  72  4  2 
„  Benefit  Fund  ..  ..  17,427  8  G 
22,018  12  7 
Balance,  .Surplus  Fund 
providing  for  depre¬ 
ciation  in  value  of 
Stock . 
730  16 
£22,749 
