December  17.  1903.  JOURi\ AL  CF  HORTICULTURE  AND  cottage  gardener. 
507 
advocating  tlie  use  of  tlie  liose-pipe  with  discretion  from  April  to 
October  inclusive  in  lieu  of  the  watering-can,  their  contention 
being  that  plant  pests,  i.e.,  fly,  thrip,  bug,  Ac.,  were  kept 
under;  clean  and  healthy  growth  the  result,  and  a  great  gain  in 
time  and  labour.  A  vote  of  thanks  being  passed  to  Mr.  Horne, 
and  Mr.  Foster  for  presiding,  a  most  i’lstructive  and  pleasant 
evening  terminated.  J.  S. 
Metropolitan  Public  Gardens  Association. 
Open  Spaces. — At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Metropolitan 
Public  Oardens  Association,  83,  Lancaster  Gate,  W.,  the  Hon. 
Dudley  Forte.scue,  Vice-chairman,  presiding,  a  request  from  the 
Grocers’  Company  that  the  Association  should  continue  to  main¬ 
tain  the  garden  in  Princes  Street  on  behalf  of  the  Company,  was 
received  and  agreed  to.  A  letter  was  read  asking  for  the 
assi.stance  of  the  Association  in  the  laying  out  of  the  Norfolk 
Square  area,  Islington,  to  the  retention  of  which,  as  a  public 
recreation  ground  for  a  very  crowded  district,  the  Local  Govern¬ 
ment  Board,  on  the  representations  of  the  Borough  Council  and 
the  Association,  had  at  length  assented  ;  and  it  wa.s  agreed  to 
deal  with  the  matter  at  the  next  meeting  after  certain  requisite 
information  had  been  obtained. 
It  was  decided  to  protest  against  a  proposal  to  extend 
Bosebery  Avenue  by  way  of  Duncan  Terrace  to  the  Essex  Road, 
which  would  have  the  effect  of  extinguishing  one  public  garden 
laid  out  by  the  As.sociation,  as  well  as  several  green  strips  that 
it  is  hoped  to  eventually  acquire  as  an  addition  thereto.  Re¬ 
monstrances  were  received  against  building  operations  upon  the 
Duke  of  We.stminster’s  garden  in  Duke  Street,  which  for  some 
years  the  Duke,  at  his  own  expense,  had  opened  to  the  public, 
and  in  reply  to  its  representations  that  the  space  should  be 
spared,  the  Association  was  informed  by  the  Duke’s  agent  that 
the  building  was  a  transformer  station,  mainly  underground,  and 
that  it  Avould  have  a  flat  roof  rather  above  the  level  of  the  road- 
Avay,  enclosed  with  a  stone  balustrade,  which  would  be  tastefully 
laid  out  with  .shrubs,  trees  and  .seats  for  public  use. 
The  St.  Thoma.s’s  Hospital  authorities  wrote  expressing 
regret  that  they  could  not  see  their  way  tO'  abstain  from  building 
on  the  triangle  in  Lambeth  Palace  Road.  Proposals  for  dealing 
with  Golden  Square,  W.C.,  and  Poplar  Churchyard  were  con¬ 
sidered. 
It  was  stated  that  tree  planting  at  Queen’s  Road,  Battersea, 
and  St.  Thomas’s  Street,  S.E.,  had  been  completed,  and  that 
similar  work  in  Lamb’s  Conduit  Street  and  elsewhere  was  in 
hand.  It  was  agreed  to  ask  the  First  Commi.ssioner  of  Works 
to  spare  certain  portions  of  the  Duke  of  York’s  School  site,  con¬ 
taining  fine  tree.s  adjacent  to  exi.sting  thoroughfares,  and  to 
plant  double  the  number  of  trees  in  the  processional  route  now 
being  formed  in  the  Mall  than  would  eventually  be  needed. 
The  question  of  the  preservation  of  London  .square.s',  Avith 
.special  reference  to  Edward  Square  and  Pembroke  Square,  wliich, 
it  Avas  stated,  had  recently  been  sold  by  auction,  AAas  further 
considered.  Progress  Avas  reported  in  regard  to  schemes  for 
extending  Hampstead  Heath,  and  for  acquiring  an  estate  at 
I'pper  Clapton,  and  communications  AA’ere  receiAmd  from  the 
Director  of  Kew  Gardens,  asking  that  the  Association  should 
make  efforts  to  preserve  Lots  Eyot,  an  island  opposite  the 
Gardens,  Avhich  is  threatened  Avith  building  operations. 
Chester  Paxton  — Annual  Meeting. 
Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes,  Eaton  Gardens,  presided  OA'er  the  annual 
general  meeting  Avhich  Avas  held  at  the  Grosvenor  Museum  on 
Saturday.  The  hon.  secretary,  Mr.  G.  P.  Miln,  in  presenting 
the  annual  report  and  balance-sheet  pointed  out  that  the  exhibi¬ 
tion  of  fruits  and  Chry.santhemums  held  in  November  Avas  the 
best  in  the  history  of  the  Society.  A  number  of  neAv  members 
and  subscribers  had  been  added  to  the  list,  this  now  .standing  at 
over  oOO.  The  Society’s  finances  had  also  been  augmented,  there 
noAv  being  a  surplu.s  in  hand  of  over  £65.  On  the  proposition  of 
Mr.  Robt.  Wakefield,  the  report  and  accounts  Avere  adopted,  and 
a  hearty  vote  of  thanks  accorded  to  Mr.  Aliln  for  his  A'aluable 
servuces'.  Major  MacGillycuddy  AA'as  re-elected  hon.  president, 
and  Mr.  N.  F.  Barnes  chairman  of  committee.  Mr.  R.  NeAv- 
•stead,  A.L.S.,  Avas  also  re-elected  /consulting  naturalist.  A 
unanimous  Avish  Avas  expressed  that  Mr.  Miln '.should  agaiu 
undertake  the  duties  of  secretary  and  treasurer,  to  AvJii.cluhq [con¬ 
sented,  and  the  folloAAung  Averc  elected  to  .serve  ,  on  the  com¬ 
mittee  for  the  ensuing  year: — Me.s.srs.  A.  W.  Armstrong,  John 
Breen,  J.  Clack.  .Tohn  Dutton,  A.  Ellams.  C.  Flack,  T.  Gilbert, 
John  Jackson,  H.  G.  Little,  G.  Lyon,  S.  Mdy,  C.  Nixon,  H. 
Pierce,  Wm.  Pringle.  Josh.  Ryder,  J.  1).  Siddall^  E-  Stubbs, 
Robt.  Wakefield,  John  Weaver,  and  John  Wynne.  It  aaus 
re.solvcd  that  the  next  exhibition  of  fruits  and  Chrysanthemums 
be  held  on  November  IG  and  17,  1904. 
[We  regret  that  pressure  on  space  has  necessitated  the  holding 
OA’er.of  reports  from  Bristol  and  Sheffield.] 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain. 
Begonia,  Glolra  de  Lorraine. 
Being  a  constant  reader  of  your  valuable  Journal,  and  se  eing 
space  allotted  for  young  gardeners,  I  Avould  like  to  pen  a  feAv 
lines  on  the  culture  of  that  beautiful  Begonia,  Gloire  de  Ijor- 
raine.  I  prefer  to  take  cuttings  at  the  end  of  March,  as  the  best 
cuttings  are  from  sucker.s.  Put  them  .singly  into  very  small  pots, 
and  place  them  in  a  brisk,  moist  bottom  heat.  When  rooted,  add 
a  little  air  to  the  propagating  case,  and  in  a  foAA'  days  place  them 
on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  Avarm  house,  say  60deg  Fah.,  at 
night,  rising  to  70deg  Fah.  in  the  daytime.  When  they  haA-.i  been 
there  a  fcAV  days,  pot  them  into  60’s,  and  groAv  them  in  the  same 
temperature.  This  Begonia  likes  a  Avarm,  moist  atmosphere,  and 
Should  be  shaded  from  direct  sun.  Pot  the  plants  on,  as  re- 
tpiired,  and  then  place  them  again  in  the  same  temperature,  and 
Avhen  they  have  nearly  completed  their  groAvth,  place  them  in 
a  house  of  50deg  Fah.  at  night,  rising  to  60deg  Fah.  in  the  day¬ 
time,  AA'ith  a  little  air  added  to  the  top  of  the  house  ;  side  draughts 
must  be  avoided.  Care  must  be  taken  Avith  the  Avater-pot,  as  it  is 
an  easy  matter  to  oA'er-Avater  and  cause  the  plants  to  damp  off. 
We  have  beautiful  plants  28in  high  and  2ft  across. — Second 
Gakdenek. 
Chrysanthemum  Cuttings. 
The  present  is  a  good  time  for  inserting  cuttings  of  some  of  the 
later  floAvering  A’arieties  of  Japanese  Chrysanthemums,  the  last 
Aveek  of  December  being  the  most  suitable  time  for  inserting  the 
bulk  of  the  midseason  varieties  Avith,  of  course,  a  feAV  exceptions. 
There  are  many  different  methods  of  striking,  but  the  one  I  prefer 
is  as  folloAVs:  Place  a  required  number  of  clean,  Avell-litting  hand- 
lights  on  some  pieces  of  slate,  on  a  stage  or  floor  of  a  light  house, 
in  Avhich  a  temperature  of  about  50  deg  Fah.  is  maintained,  and 
OA’er  the  slate  bottom  spread  a  layer  of  about  2in  of  moist,  sifted 
a.shes.  Take  your  cuttings  (root-cuttings,  if  po.ssible)  Avhich  should 
be  about  2^in  long,  and  prepare  in  the  usual  manner. 
Prepare  a  number  of  large  GO-sized  pots,  by  nearly  half-filling 
them  Avith  crocks,  and  then  placing  a  layer  of  coarse  leaf  mould 
on  top.  Fill  these  Avith  a  soil  consisting  of  tAvo  parts  loam„  one 
of  leaves,  and  of  sand,  Avhich  should  have  been  thoroughly 
mixed  and  passed  througli  a  liii  sieve,  and  press  doAvn  fairly  firm. 
Place  five  cuttings  round  the  edge  of  each  pot  and  giA’e  a  soaking 
of  Avater.  Then  place  them  in  the  handlights  and  keep  the 
cuttings  from  flagging  by  frequent  overhead  sprinklings,  removing 
the  tops  of  the  handlights  each  morning  for  an  hour  to  let  the 
excess  of  moisture  escape,  other Avise  keeping  close.  All  damped 
leaves  and  cuttings  should  be  instantly  removed,  as  they  tend 
to  affect  others.  .  ir  i  i 
As  tlio  cuttin^^s  coniniGiice  to  root,  littlG  ciir  loay  dg  aitoiciGCi 
them  on  favourable  occasions,  and  this  can  be  increased  gradually, 
if  the  cuttings  do  not  flag,  until  they  are  Avell-rooted,  Avhen  the 
lights  may  be  remoA'ed  entirely.  BeloAA"  are  giA’en  a  fcAA  Aaiieties 
Avhich  reqhire  a  longer  sea.so'ii.  cf  groAA’th  : — Mad.  Paolo  Radaelli, 
General  Hutton.  Mafeking  Hero.  Calvat’s  Sun  J.  R.  \[Pton, 
Mrs.  E.  Hummell,  Dorothy  Pywell,  Australie,  Mrs.  H.  Weeks, 
Mad.  HerreAvege,  Wilfred  H.  Godfrey,  and  Durban  s  Pride. — 
E.  B.,  South  Berks.  _ 
[The  ansAver  by  ‘ 
Scot”  to  the  criticism  on  his  ai'tiele  entitled 
‘‘  Principles  of  Propriety 
issue.] 
ar 
riA-ed  too  late  for  insertion  in  the  present 
-4^►- 
PUBEICATION.S  RECEIVED. — “The  British  Canadian  Revievy.”  a 
eekly  chronicle  of  the  groAvth  of  Canadian  enterprise,  \ol.  YlII.. 
o.  343.  .  .  •  “Garten  Flora,’’  Nov.,  with  coloured  plate  ot 
dontoglossuin  erispum  Marienfeldiense.  .  .  •  “  Le  Momteur 
'Horticulture,”  Dec.  10,  Avith  coloured  plate  of  Ltelia  (syn.  Cattlcja, 
indl.),  erispa,  Reich.  .  .  .  “  Orchid  Review,”  December,  with  a 
eautiful  half-tone  illustration  of  llabenaria  carnea.  Cypripeclium 
n-  Paphiopedilum,  as  svstematists  noAV  call  it)  GodetVoyae  and  its 
Hies  are  here  treated ;  also  Orchids  in  the  sub-alpme  Coi^illeras  ot 
outh  Mexico,  Orchids  in  season.  Calendar  of  Operations  for  December, 
lid  other  articles.  Price  6d.  nM  •  • 
“The  Garden  Diary-”  George  Allen,  London,  3s.  6d.  1  Ins  is  a 
ttle  book  bound  in  stout  covers,  and  having  a  page  for  every  day  m 
le  year.  The  loAver  half  of  the  page  is  left  blank  for  notes,  Avhile 
le  upper  half  contains  a  selected  verse  from  the  poets.  4  or  ev-ery 
lontli,  too,  there  are  cultural  directions.  The  authoress  is  Rose 
ijjjrsley.  ^  Monof^i'aph  of  the  Cocciclae  of  the  iJritisli  isles. 
bl  II  by  Robert  Newstead.  Ijondon :  Printed  tor  the  Ray 
oeiety  “The  Heather,”  by  Alex  Wallace,  editor  ot  tlie 
Florists’ •  Exchange,”  New  York.  *  *  “Home  Lesser-known 
apan  Trees  and  Shrubs,  and  Some  Recently  Introduced  trees  and 
hrvihs  from  Central  tUiina,”  by  James  G.  Veiteh,  4.L.S.,  19t3. 
:eprinted  (with  illustrations)  from  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Hoiti- 
Liltural  Society.  *  “  Hints,’’ (Ictobcr,  1902,  to  September 
lonie'stic,  Literarv.  Gardening.  Social,  A'C.  No.  1,  \  o  .  I.  ( Hhei .  . 
15,  Chancery  Lane.  London,  W.C.  *  “Garten  Ilora,  Dec.  1, 
’ith  coloured  plate  of  Costus  Friedriehseni. 
