November  26,  1903.  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
495 
far  the  greater  quantity  of  dung  goes  on  to  meadows  and  green 
crops,  and  it  may  be  said  that  in  the  former  case  autumn  or  early 
winter  is  the  best  time  to  make  the  application.  The  complete 
.stocking  of  the  ground  with  plants  obviates  much  loss  of  soluble 
matters  by  washing.  On  farms  entirely  under  grass  there  is  no 
choice  but  to  employ  the  dung  on  meadows  or  pastures,  and  on 
.such  farms  it  would  be  bad  practice  not  to  cart  out  all  available 
dung  in  autumn.  Of  course,  the  dungstead  will  again  fill  up 
during  winter,  and  on  the  whole  it  is  ijrobably  better  to  dis¬ 
tribute  this  additional  supply  in  spring  than  to  leave  it  in  the 
heap,  subject  to  waste  and  yielding  no  return  till  the  following 
autumn.  Late  spring  dressings,  however,  unless  the  dung  is 
very  ‘‘short”. — -e.g.,  dung  made  with  moss  litter — interfere  with 
the  work  of  the  mowing  machine,  though  this  can  be  avoided  by 
chain  harrowing  and  raking  the  roughness  off  two  or  three  months 
after  dressing. 
In  the  case  of  green  crops  part  of  the  dung  may  with  advantage 
be  ploughed  in  during  autumn,  but  only  on  clean,  strong  land 
in  a  dry  district.  But  if  foul  and  especially  strong  land  has  to 
he  cleaned  in  spring,  it  will  be  found  that  autumn  dung,  by 
holding  moisture,  retards  the  getting  of  the  land  into  condition 
in  spring.  In  any  case  the  work  of  the  cultivator  brings  much  of 
the  dung  to  the  surface,  and  this,  being  collected  with  the  weeds, 
is  carted  off  the  land  again,  or  possibly  wasted  by  burning. 
Farmyard  manure  ploughed  in  during  autumn  will  decay  more 
rapidly — and  especially  so  in  a  mild  winter — than  if  left  in  the 
dung-heap,  so  that  a  relatively  larger  proportion  will  be  available 
for  the  use  of  the  first  crop.  But  ju.st  on  this  account  the  suc¬ 
ceeding  crops  will  not  get  so  much  benefit,  and  this  fact  has 
to  be  borne  in  mind  in  estimating  the  respective  advantages  of 
autumn  and  spring  dressings. 
The  Board  of  Agriculture  would  be  glad  if  recipients  of  this 
leaflet  would  make  it  known  to  others  interested  in  the  subject. 
Copies  may  be  obtained  free  of  charge  and  post  free  on  application 
to  the  Secretary,  Board  of  Agriculture,  4,  Whitehall  Place, 
•London,  S.W.  Letters  of  application  so  addressed  need  not  be 
.stamped. 
Societies. 
Royal  Horticultural,  Drill  Hall,  November  2M. 
The  meeting  on  Tuesday  was  a  small  one,  and  there  was  no 
lecture. 
Floral  Committee. 
Present :  H.  B.  May,  Esq.  (in  the  chair) ;  with  Messrs.  C.  T. 
Druery,  G.  Nicholson,  Jas.  M"alker,  R.  Dean,  J.  Green, 
J.  F.  McLeod,  J.  Jennings,  G.  Reuthe,  C.  R.  Fielder,  C.  Dixon, 
C.  J.  Salter,  R.  C.  Notcutt,  O.  Jeffries,  H.  J.  Cutbush,  C.  E. 
Pearson,  C'.  E.  Shea,  H.  J.  Jones,  W.  P.  Thomson,  E.  H.  Jen¬ 
kins,  W.  J.  James,  Chas.  Blick,  E.  Mawley,  E.  T.  Cook,  and 
R.  W.  Wallace. 
Messrs.  J.  Hill  and  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries,  Lower 
Edmonton,  displayed  a  fine  exhibit  of  specimen  Ferns  (Silver- 
gilt  Banksian  Medal) ;  and  from  Messrs.  W^.  Cutbusli  and  Son, 
Highgate,  came  a  pretty  exhibit  of  alpine  and  herbaceous  plants, 
backed  with  Conifers.  The  chief  features  were  the  Tritomas, 
Schizostylis  coccinea,  Pernettyas  in  variety,  all  beautifully 
berried,  Gentiana  acaulis.  Crocus  hyemali.s.  Campanula  muralis 
major,  and  Primroses.  They  also  had  Carnations  (Silver  Bank¬ 
sian  Medal). 
Messrs.  W.  Bull  and  Sons,  King’s  Road,  Chelsea,  contributed 
a  nice  display  of  Epiphyllum  delicatum,  who.se  delicate  floAvers 
were  much  admired. 
Me.ssrs.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  CheLsea,  occupied  a 
table  running  the  entire  length  of  the  Hall  Avith  their  Avinter- 
f.OAvering  Begonias.  (Silver-gilt  Flora  Medal.)  From  Messrs. 
Barr  and  Sons,  C9vent  Garden,  came  a  small  exhibit  of  Nerines 
Irises,  Schizostylis  coccinea,  and  Solanum  jasminoides.  ’ 
Mr.  W.  Higgs,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Hankey,  E.sq.,  Fetcham 
Park,  staged  sixty  incurved  Chrj^santhemunis  in  thirty-six 
varieties.  Needless  to  add,  they  were  Avell  up  to  Mr.  Higgs’ 
usual  form,  and  truly  AAmnderful  for  the  late  period.  (Silvmr 
Flora  Medal.)  Mr.  J.  Rus.sell,  Richmond,  made  a  large  exhibit 
of  berried  and  foliage  plants.  (Silver  Flora.) 
Messrs.  H.  Canned  and  Sons,  SAAanley,  filled  an  entire  table 
Avith  an  exliibit  of  Chrysanthemums,  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  and 
huge  plants  of  Begonias.  The  Chrysanthemums  included  .speci¬ 
men  floAvers  of  Bessie  Godfrey,  Mrs.  F.  W.  Vallis,  Daniel 
Lambert,  General  Hutton,  Godfrey’s  Pride,  and  Mytile’ne.  The 
Zonals  Avere  superb,  both  in  colour  and  the  size  of  the  floAvers. 
The  Begonias  Avere  in  Gin  and  Sin  pots,  large  specimens  2|ft  hiii-li,’ 
and  at  lea.st  2ft  through;  marvels  of  cultural  skill.  (Silver-gilt 
Banksian  Medal.)  Mes.srs.  Thos.  Cripps  and  Son.  Tunbrido-e 
VVel  s.  arranged  a  semi-circular  group  of  Poinsettias.  (Silver 
Banksian  Medal.) 
Messrs.  W.  Wells  and  Co.,  Ltd.,  Redhill,  made  a  fine  display 
of  specimen  and  decorative  Chrysanthemums.  The  chief  of  the 
large  A'arieties  Avere  Miss  Elsie  Fulton,  F.  A.  Cobbold,  Harrison 
Dick,  Terra  Cotta,  Mary  Inglis,  W.  A.  Etheringtoii,  Donald 
McLeod,  Dora  Stevens,  Mrs.  E.  Thirkell,  Dorothy  PyAvell  and 
(xeneral  Hutton.  In  the  decorative  section:  Glorious,  Nivette-. 
VelloAV  Souvenir  d’une  Petite  Amie,  Elsie  Neville,  and  Harold 
ShaAv  Avere  the  most  conspicuous.  (Silver  Banksian  Medal.) 
Mr.  Geo.  Reuthe,  Keston,  Kent,  staged  some  pretty  Nerines, 
Avhich  included  the  varieties  Mrs.  Blick,  crispa,  and  elegans 
alba. 
Orchid  Committee. 
Present:  H.  J.  Veitch,  Esq.  (in  the  chair);  Avith  Messrs. 
J.  O’Brien,  de  B.  CraAvshay,  H.  M.  PoUett,  H.  Ballantine, 
N.  C.  Cookson,  J.  Douglas,  F.  Wellesley,  F.  A.  Rehder,  A. 
Hislop,  E.  Hill,  A.  A.  McBean,  G.  F.  Moore,  F.  J.  Thorne, 
J  .W.  Odell,  W.  Boxall,  W.  H.  Young,  M.  Glee.son,  H.  Little, 
W.  A.  Bilney,  W.  H.  White,.  H.  T.  Tracy,  and  J.  Wilson  Potter. 
Mr,  H.  Whateley,  Kenilworth,  exhibited  about  a  dozen 
Cypripediums,  the  be.st  being  C.  Leeanum,  Burford  Lodge 
A^ariety ;  C.  insigne  Harefield  Hall  A‘ar.,  S.  in-signe  Sanderse,  and 
C.  Leeanum  giganteum.  Mr.  F.  Wellesley,  Woking,  staged  tAvo 
C,ypripediums,  C.  insigne  citi'inuni  aureum  (a  beautiful  variety, 
Avith  the  upper  lip  edged  Avith  Avhite),  also  C.  i.  Westfield  variety 
(a  good  form  Avith  a  nicely  marked  upper  lip).  From  Messrs. 
CharlesAvorth  and  Co.,  Bradford,  came  a  choice  collection. 
Mr.  F.  A.  Rehder,  Gipsy  Hill,  arranged  a  nice  collection  of 
Cypripediums.  The  plants  Avere  Avell  floAvered  and  in  good  con¬ 
dition.  From  Messr.s.  Jas.  Veitch  and  Sons,  Ltd.,  Chelsea, 
came  a  collection  chiefly  composed  of  Cattleyas.  The  most  con¬ 
spicuous  being  C.  Portia,  a  lovely  form,  a  cross  betAveen 
C.  BoAvringiana  and  C.  labiata;  C.  Ehdna,  and  C.  Ixion.  L-c. 
Decia,  and  L.c.-Nysa  AA’ere  also  most  striking. 
A  small  group  of  Orchids  came  from  Captain  Holford  (groAver, 
Mr.  Alexander),  Tetbury,  consisting  of  large  plants  of  Cypri¬ 
pediums  and  Lselio-Cattleyas.  The  chief  forms  Avere  C.  Leeanum 
Holford’s  variety,  a  plant  carrying  fourteen  floAvers;  C.  insigne 
Harefield  Hall  Amriety,  a  grand  piece,  for  Avhich  a  cultural  com¬ 
mendation  AA’as  awarded,  also  excellent  plants  of  C.  i.  Sanderse. 
xC  large  and  choice  collection  of  Cypripediums  came  from 
Messrs.  Jas.  Cypher  and  Son,  Cheltenham,  chiefly  of  the  insigne 
type,  some  of  the  best  being  C.  Leeanum  giganteum,  a  fine 
piece;  C.  L.  niagnificum,  C.  L.  aureum,  C.  L.  Burforden.se, 
C.  L.  Cypheri  (a  pretty  hybrid),  C.  Leonia,  and  C.  insigne 
Wallacei,  though  there  Avere  several  others  Avorthy  of  mention. 
Messrs.  Hugh  Loav  and  Co.,  Enfield,  had  a  few  choice  forms 
.such  as  Cattleya  labiata  grandis,  Lselio-cattleya  Decia  alba,  a 
good  hybrid,  Avith  Cypripediums  in  variety,  and  a  good  form  of 
Odontoglo'ssum  Harryano-crispum. 
Orchid  Committee  Medals. — Silver-gilt  Floras  to  Captain 
Holford  and  Messrs.  Cypher;  Silver  Floras  to  F.  A.  Rehder, 
Esq.,  and  Charle.sAA'orth  and  Co.  ;  Silver  Banksians  to  Hugh  Loav 
and  Co. ;  H.  Whiteley,  Esq. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present:  G.  Bunyard,  E.sq.  (in  the  chair);  with  Mes.srs.  W. 
Bates,  S.  Mortimer,  J.  Cheal,  A.  Dean,  W.  Fyfe,  O.  Thomas, 
G.  Reynolds,  J.  Jaques,  J.  Willard,  G.  Norman,  J.  Meindoe, 
A.  H.  Pearson,  G.  Wythes,  and  H.  Markham. 
Air.  F.  Cole,  gardener  to  Sir  Chas.  Rus.sell,  SwalloAvfield 
Park,  Reading,  made  a  nice  exhibit  of  Grapes.  The  varieties 
staged  Avere  Cooper’s  Black,  Alu.scat  of  x\lexandria  (good  in 
bunch  and  Avell  coloured).  Black  xAlicante,  and  Mrs.  Pince.  (Silver- 
gilt  Knightian  Medal.)  Mes.srs.  J.  x\mbrose  and  Son,  Cheshunt, 
.staged  four  bunches  of  the  neAV  Melton  Constable  Seedling 
Grape.  Alessrs.  B.  S.  Williams  and  Son,  Fpper  HolloAA'ay, 
staged  a  nice-looking  Savoy  named  Williams’  Conical.  Mr. 
J.  Crook,  Ford  Abbey,  Chard,  .staged  tAvo  di.shes  of  Seedling 
Apples ;  and  Mr.  H.  CraAAdey,  The-  Grange  Gardens,  Sevenoaks, 
also  staged  a  seedling  black  Grape. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Chrysanthemum  Mrs,  J.  Dunn  (H.  J.  Jones). — A  fine  Japanese 
variety,  described  under  the  awards  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum 
Society’s  meeting  at  the  Crystal  Palace;  much  whiter  on  this  occasion. 
A.M. 
Chrysanthemum  Dorothy  Pywell  (J.  SeAvard). — Described  under  the 
aAvards  of  the  N.C.S.  in  this  Aveek’s  Notes  and  Notices.  A.M. 
Lady  Cranston  (W.  J.  Godfrey).— Described  in  the  aAvards  of  the 
National  Chrysanthemum  Society,  page  487.  A.M. 
Lalio-cattleya  Cassiope  (Capt.  Holford).— A  good  form,  with  pa’e 
lilac  sepals  and  petals,  the  lip  purple,  Avith  a  yelloAv-A  eined  throat.  A.M. 
Cypripedium  x  Queen  of  Italy  (CharlesAvorth  and  Co.). — A  cross 
betAveen  C.  i.  Sanderie  and  Godefroyae  leueochilum.  The  upper  sepal 
is  pale  creamy  yelloAv.  Avhite  at  the  top,  the  lower  sepals  being  spotted, 
likeAvise  the  pouch,  though  faintly.  A.M. 
Cypripedium  Leeanum,  var.  Staffordianum  (Capt.  Holford). — A 
large,  well-formed  floAver,  the  upper  sepal  being  white  Avithout  the 
spots.  The  pouch  is  large  and  Avell  formed.  A.M. 
