THE ORCHID HOUSES. By W. H. WHITE, Orchid Grower to Sir TREVOR Lawrence, Thunias.-The following species of Thunia ST. Marshallii, T. Bensoniæ, T. alba, T. candidissima, T. pulchra, and the hybrids T. Veitchiana, T. Brymeriana, &c., are invaluable or exhibition purposes during the early sumner months. All of them are of easy culture, but they succeed best in a comparatively hot tmosphere, such as is generally maintained in he East Indian house or plant stove. These eciduous plants will need immediate attention s to potting; the young growths at the base of he old stems have already commenced to deelop, and it is important to do the work before hese shoots begin to produce new roots. The lants should be turned out of their pots, and he whole of the soil shaken from them, all dead oots cut, and the stems thoroughly cleaned f scale insects or red spider, by washing them 1 strong soft-soapy water or the XL-All insecicide wash. The usual method of growing Thunias, six or eight stems in a clump, is a ery convenient one, as when the plants are in loom the drooping spikes have a better effect han when they are cultivated singly in small ots. Select clean, good-sized pots, according > the strength of the plants, and half-fill them ith crocks for drainage, placing a thin turf of brous loam over them. I have tried these hunias in various kinds of compost, and find he stems keep more dwarf and sturdy and loom more freely in the following mixture than ny other-Good fibrous turfy-loam, three arts; leaf-soil, broken crocks, and coarse silver and mixed together, one part. Pot the plants 1 the usual manner, but not too firmly, or most of the roots would remain close to the urface instead of penetrating to the whole epth of the scil. Tie each stem firmly in its lace by means of strong neat sticks. For a ew weeks after re-potting, keep the plants in he house where some of the Dendrobiums are t rest and where the atmospheric temperature t night at this season is kept at between 55° nd 60°. Afford them little or no water until he shoots have grown to several inches in ngth, when the plants should be removed to he lightest position in the warmest house, eleating them well up to the roof glass. Increase e supply of water as the growths lengthen, nd when thoroughly established and the roots e numerous, afford them an occasional waterg with weak liquid manure. Materials for potting.-During the next few eeks many plants will need attention as to reotting, &c., therefore it is advisable to obtain good store of Orchid peat, and living sphag m-moss, also plenty of small crocks; place a fficient quantity of fibrous loam on the potting nch, which will be required for species of abenaria, Thunia, Calanthe, &c. Anguloas, &c.-Anguloa Clowesii, A. uni-ra, A. Ruckerii, A. eburnea, Chysis braccens, C. aurea, C. Limminghii, C. lævis, C. denii, C. Chelsonii, and others of this type ecommencing to grow, but, as the flowers velop in conjunction with the young owths, the plants should not be disturbed by potting, which is best done when the flowers ve faded. Keep the Anguloas in the interdiate house, but the Chysis should be susnded close to the glass in a shady corner of = Cattleya house. Plants of both genera ould be given sufficient water to keep their ots moist until the time arrives for re-potting. e young growths and flower buds of Chysis = frequently disfigured by a small yellow ecies of thrip; therefore, whether these insects present or not, see that these plants obtain a Odly share of the fumes of the vaporising mpound when fumigating the structure. ventilation whenever the outside conditions are favourable. Train the plants carefully to stakes, and arrange the growths with the idea of completely covering the stakes. Large plants are useful either for conservatory decoration or for use in the pleasure-grounds, flower-garden, or terrace. Zonal Pelargoniums.-To provide plants for flowering in autumn and winter, cuttings may now be inserted in boxes or pots. If space is limited, insert a number together in boxes, and place the boxes on the hot-water pipes, where there is a very moderate heat. As soon as roots have been made, put up the cuttings singly, and place them in a position exposed to the light, either on a shelf or in a frame well up to the glass. Re-pot them when necessary, and later in the season, when they are established in their flowering pots, they should be stood on a bed of ashes in a sunny position out of doors. Keep all blooms pinched off until the end of August. Remove the plants indoors at the end of September, or earlier, if heavy autumnal rains are more than usually prevalent. Primula X Kewensis.-This beautiful hybrid flowered very freely all through the winter, and its clear yellow flowers were a great contrast to the different forms of P. obconica, with which it has been associated, the cultural treatment necessary for the one being suitable for the other. Seeds of P. x Kewensis, P. sinensis var. stellata, and P. obconica may be sown during the present month, if early-blooming plants of P. stellata are required in autumn. Sow the seeds in pans filled with very light, sandy soil, made moderately firm, and cover the seeds very lightly. Place a piece of glass over the pan, and stand it in a frame for preference, where there is an atmospheric temperature of 60°. Keep the pan shaded from the direct rays of the sun, tak ing great care that the soil never becomes quite dry, this being a frequent cause of failure with small seeds. Hydrangeas.-The early batches of these in full growth will now require liberal stimulants, also copious supplies of water. The latest plants are starting into growth naturally. Both H. Hortensia and H. paniculata grandiflora are very useful for growing in pots. Flowering shrubs will now require very little forcing to get them into bloom. Do not subject them to much heat after the blooms show colour. Tulips, Narcissus, and Hyacinths now require no forcing, the different varieties coming into bloom very quickly at this season. Remove to a cool house or frame any required to be kept back. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. By WILLIAM H. HONESS, Gardener to C. COMBE, Esq., Cobham Park, Surrey. Early Potatos.-Tubers should now be planted in a position where they will receive the protection of a wall or hedge, but if this is not possible, a few should be planted on the warmest border available, and later on, when they appear through the ground, afford them protection each night. Select those varieties known to have good cropping qualities, and with a dwarf haulm such as Sharpe's Victor, May Queen, &c. Maincrop Potatos.-Where large quantities of these are grown for the winter's supply, the seed. tubers, if not already prepared, should be at once thoroughly and carefully examined, particularly if the presence of any bad ones is suspected, previous to being put in bags for their conveyance to the fields or elsewhere. Planting should be commenced at the end of the present month, or early in April. The variety Up to Date still appears most popular, and several of the newer introductions are very similar to this variety. Dalmeny Beauty, in spite of the large tubers it produces, finds favour here, for its cooking qualities at this time of the year are unexcelled. French Beans will now be giving good results in pots, but as the weather becomes warmer, they will require even closer attention, and more frequent syringings, or they will quickly fall a prey to red spider and thrips. Sowings may now be made for raising plants for planting out in a cold house or in frames to yield a supply after the last batch of those forced, and before Beans will be procurable out of doors. Celery. Plants raised from earlier sowings are liable to bolt, unless lifted early for consumption. The main sowing should now be made in a light, rich soil. Any of the following varieties may be selected :-Standard Bearer, Aldenham Park, Sandringham White and Solid White. The receptacles in which the seeds are sown should be placed in a moist atmosphere that is kept at a temperature of 55° or not higher than 60°. As soon as germination has taken place, let the seedlings be placed near to the glass, and prick off the most forward plants as soon as any are large enough to be handled, leaving the smaller ones a week or more longer; this will help to prevent the plants becoming weakly and drawn. Afford more fresh air gradually as growth advances and the atmosphere out of doors becomes warmer. The most backward plants from the sowing will be considerably behind those that are first pricked out, and will form a late batch, which may be useful for flavouring soups, if not required for planting out in trenches. If the trenches for Celery can be made at an early date, the ridges might be utilised for crops of French Beans, Lettuce, early Turnips, &c., which would all be ready for clearing off before the Celery will need earthing-up. THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. By J. MAYNE, Gardener to the Hon. MARK ROLLE, Bicton, East Devon. The Grape Vine.-With a succession of summers like that of last year one could recommend an extended culture of out-door Grapes, but in the average season many of the bunches of fruit fall a prey to mildew, or fail to ripen in a proper manner. A vine or two are to be found in many an old garden, planted more for the purpose of their foliage than for their fruit, the former being largely used for dishing up ripe fruits, being more durable than leaves gathered under glass protection. Intending planters should choose a southern aspect, and for preference a brick wall, as such walls retain the sun's heat much longer than stone. A well-drained soil is essential, and good, friable loam to the depth of 18 or 24 inches is ample. It is better to allow a little extra width than let the roots get down into the cold subsoil. Keep the border rather above the ordinary ground level in low situations and where a heavy rainfall is registered. Commence planting at once; shake away all the old soil, then uncoil and spread out the roots evenly, covering them with about 3 inches deep of soil, which should be well worked down among them as covering proceeds. Fasten the cane to the wall, and as the season advances, see that the roots do not suffer from the want of water. All necessary pruning of the vine ought to be done as The soon as the foliage falls in the autumn. old Dutch Sweetwater, Royal Muscadine and Reine Olga are suitable varieties, the first-named being, perhaps, the most reliable. General work.-Examine autumn and more recently planted trees, treading well around any that may have got loosened by the wind, and see that no stake or support is injuring the bark of the tree. Any badly-rooted trees that have been transplanted and show signs of still remaining dormant should be syringed overhead two or three times daily when the weather is bright, and all blossom buds removed as soon as they become visible. The weather during the past fortnight has been favourable to the destruction of weeds on fruit quarters. Further sprayings of fruit trees and bushes must now be put off until another winter. Although the winter has been inore severe than for some years past, there is but a few days difference in the first open flowers of the Apricot, for coping and netting had to be put up here on the 7th inst. It is a pleasure to record a plentiful show of blossom buds on nearly every variety of fruit tree and bush. Keep a sharp look-out on Black Currant bushes for "bigbuds," removing any to the fire than can be found. Some cultivators syringe their bushes with a mixture of equal parts lime and sulphur, after being boiled down; 6lb. of each in 12 gallons of water, putting about a quarter-pint of this into a 4-gallon can of water. It may be preventive, but is not a cure. In the case of badly affected bushes, the wisest plan is to grub them all up and burn them, choosing a new station for replanting next autumn with clean stock. EDITORIAL NOTICE. ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB. LISHER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, W.C. Letters for Publication, as well as specimens and plants for naming, should be addressed to the EDITOR, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London. Communications should be WRITTEN ON ONE SIDE ONLY OF THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible, and duly signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith. Special Notice to Correspondents.-The Editor does not undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by special arrangement. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed by his correspondents. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. SATURDAY, MARCH 16-German Gard. Soc. meet. TUESDAY, MARCH 19 Roy. Hort. Soc. Coms. meet. British Gard. Assoc. Ex. Council meet. THURSDAY, MARCH 21 Linnean Soc. meet. Torquay Spring Fl. Show. Manchester & North of England Orchid Soc. meet. AVERAGE MEAN TEMPERATURE for the ensuing week, deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years at Greenwich-41.5°. A TUAL TEMPERATURES: LONDON.-Wednesday, March 13 (6 P.M.): Max. 52; Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street, PROVINCES.-Wednesday, March 13 (6 P.M.): Max. 48°, SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK, MONDAY Liliums, Perennials, Roses, Azaleas, &c., at 67 & 69, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 11. WEDNESDAY Azaleas, Hardy Plants and Bulbs, Liliums, Palms and Hardy Bulbs and Plants, Roses, Azaleas, &c., Choice Sir Hanbury, K.C.V.O. The announcement of the death of Sir Thomas Hanbury on the Thomas 9th inst., at La Mortola, near Ventimiglia, will be read with regret as deep as it is widespreading. He was born in 1832 at Clapham, a member of a family well known for a succession of representatives distinguished in many departments of industry, science, and philanthropy. To horticulturists Sir Thomas is best known by his munificent gift of the late Mr. George Wilson's garden at Wisley to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1903. Chiswick, with all its glorious associations, was no longer suitable for the proper carrying out of its appropriate functions. Each year the local conditions became worse. At the same time, the necessity of a home for the Society was equally or even more pressing. Every Fellow of the Society, and many besides, will remember how, by the most happy conjunction of favourable circumstances, the hall was built mainly in consequence of the devotion of Baron Schröder, and the garden at Wisley secured for the use of the Society entirely by the liberality of Sir Thomas Hanbury. Thus was the centenary of the R.H.S. a matter which had elicited prolonged discussion and much difference of opinion most appropriately celebrated. Although this timely and most serviceable donation is the circumstance which will elicit the grateful remembrance of the larger number of horticulturists in this country, it is by no means the only claim that Sir Thomas had on the gratitude and esteem of his associates. After some years of successful enterprise as a merchant at Shanghai, Sir Thomas purchased the Pallazzo Orengo at La Mortola, a little Italian village just beyond the French frontier at Mentone, and near the old Italian town of Ventimiglia, about midway between the towns of Nice and Genoa. Here, with the assistance of his brother, the late Mr. Daniel Hanbury, a botanist and pharmacologist of eminence, he set to work to establish an experimental botanic garden, in which were cultivated as many of the noteworthy plants of various countries as would thrive in the generally favourable though sometimes trying climate of the Genoese Riviera. Working in association with the late M. Thuret and M. Naudin, of Antibes, the authorities at Kew and many other distinguished botanists and horticulturists, Sir Thomas amassed a particularly interesting collection of plants. How rich it was may be judged from the lists that he was wont to send us yearly of the plants in flower about Christmas or New Year's Day THE LATE SIR THOMAS HANBURY, K.C.V.O. as well as from the exchange lists that he issued periodically, and the many illustrations of remarkable plants that have been published in these columns. A long chapter is devoted to this garden and its contents in Strasburger's Rambles on the Riviera," an English version of which was published in 1906 by T. Fisher Unwin, of Adelphi Terrace, and noticed in our columns at the time of publication. No visitor to Bordighera or Mentone should omit to make an excursion to La Mortola, the garden of Sir Thomas Hanbury. The public are admitted on Mondays and Fridays on payment of one franc. This money helps to support the Hospital of Ventimiglia. Those wishing to study in the garden will receive, permission from the owner to visit it at any time. The beautiful Palazzo still standing in the grounds takes its name from the former owners, the Orengo family of Ventimiglia. When Sir Thomas Hanbury acquired this estate in 1806 there was a scanty Olive grove on it. With the ail of experienced and skilful gardeners he has converted it into the fairy-like spot which now charms the visitor. The late Mr. Daniel Han bury, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c., brother of the owner, assisted with his scientific knowledge in laying the foundation of this vast collection of plants. The garden covers an area of about 40 hectares. It slopes up steeply from the sea to a height of 300 feet, where the road passes through the village of La Mortola. The deep hollow in the nummulitic limestone in which part of the gar den is situated affords protection against winds, and permits of the development of such luxuriant vegetation as can scarcely be equalled on the Riviera. It is, indeed, only by irrigating the whole estate that the summer drought is prevented from being fatal to the plants. For at La Mortola they reckon on over 200 cloudless days in the year: and even during the six winter months there are only about 40 rainy days. "It would be a rash endeavour to attempt to describe the innumerable plants which have been brought together in the gardens of La Mortola. I can do no more than mention its rich profusion and splendour, and draw attention to the valu able information which every visitor can there glean for himself. For each plant bears a label, on which is inscribed its name, native country, and natural order. A catalogue of the garden, published in 1889, included about 3,600 different plants. Since then their number has been much augmented by the addition of new species of scientific interest or technical impertance. All botanical institutions duly receive the catalogue, with permission to draw upon the treasures of the garden for scientific purposes Sir Thomas Hanbury is careful to entrust the management of his garden to competent hands Hitherto this duty has fallen to the lot of industrious and scientifically-trained gardeners. Mortola is almost unique among private gardens, and should arouse the emulation of other wealthy landowners." The Botanical Institute of Genoa, under the direction of Professor Penzig, was also founded by the Cavaliere Hanbury, as he was styled in Italy, and numerous works of beneficence and charity were unostentatiously performed by him. The writer of these notes was privileged on one occasion to visit one of the village schools supported by Mr. Hanbury, as he then was. Observing the intimate terms in which he seemed to be with the clergy of the neighbourhood, some dignitaries of the church being present on the occasion, it was interesting to observe how a foreigner and a member of the Society of Friends had succeeded in gaining the esteem. of the Roman Catholic clergy. Where beneficence and the welfare of his neighbours had to be considered, differences of creed and nationality were not suffered to intervene; for instance, it is reported that only a few days before his decease Sir Thomas gave £2,000 for a public garden at Ventimiglia. We are glad to hear that Mr. Arthur W. Sutton, a member of the Scientific Committee of the R.H.S., attended the memorial service which was held at Mentone on the 13th inst. OUR SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATION to the present issue affords a glimpse of a portion of the great Temperate House in the Royal Gardens, Kew, as it appears in spring-time. The Acacias, Camellias, Rhododendron (Azalea) mollis, Prunus, Pyrus, Cerasus, and species of the warmer temperate zone are in bloom, and at such a season this house may be seen at its best. At all seasons of the year the extreme variation in the foliage of the different species is interesting, and this feature is shown in the present illustration, where the striking appearance of the Cordylines and Phormium is impressive, but when the spring flowers arrive they add an appreciative gaiety to the scene. Reference is made in another column to the remarkable garden that belonged to VIEW IN A PORTION OF THE TEMPERATE HOUSE, KEW, IN SPRING-TIME. Photo by C. P. Raffill. Temple Press Ltd., Printers, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C. late Sir THOMAS HANBURY in the Italian viera, where it is possible to grow out of doors der Italy's sunnier skies most of the plants that this country thrive the better for having such tection as the Kew Temperate House affords m. A descriptive account of the principal cies in this house was printed in our issue for y 23, 1904. INNEAN SOCIETY.-At the evening meeting to held on Thursday, March 21, 1907, at 8 p.m., following paper will be read: Messrs. E. A. WELL ARBER, M.A., F.L.S., and JOHN PARKIN, A., F.L.S., On the Origin of Angiosperms. hibitions: 1, Miss HELEN WARD, Water-colour etches of Alpine Flowers; 2, Mr. J.BURTT-DAVY, .S., Photographs of Transvaal trees and treenery. BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION'S CERTIATE RECOGNISED BY THE CARDIFF CITY UNCIL.-The Cardiff City Council on Monday passed a resolution to the effect that trained deners (as defined by the British Gardeners' ociation) employed in the Parks Department 11 be paid 27/- per week, and upon their passing Royal Horticultural Society's Parks Employees' imination they shall receive an increase of one ling per week per annum until a maximum of be reached. HE ROYAL SOCIETY.-Among the 15 selected didates (out of over 90 representatives of all nches of science) for admission to the Royal iety this year we notice the name of Mr. H. N. LEY, formerly of the Natural History Museum, for several years director of the Botanic dens, Singapore. The selection will have to confirmed by the Fellows. Mr. RIDLEY is an sional contributor to these pages. REVENTION OF CORRUPTION Act, 1906.— following extract is taken from the Board of de journal lately issued. "Cases of commiss being offered by certain foreign firms on =rs secured in this country having been brought e notice of the Board of Trade, the Board re to draw attention to the Prevention of uption Act, 1906,' by the provisions of which acceptance, or agreement to accept, by an t, or the offer, or agreement to offer, to an t, of anything in the nature of a secret comon is punishable on conviction by imprison, with or without hard labour, for a term not eding two years, or to both imprisonment and fine, or, on summary conviction, to imprison, with or without hard labour, for a term not ding four months, or to a fine not exceeding pounds, or to both such imprisonment and fine. The Act came into force on the 1st ■ry, 1907." . E BARONESS BURDETT-COUTTS.-We exfrom Nature the following interesting note :scholarship was to be established at Oxford, lassics, or history, or even theology, but e claimed her aid. Such things were not at haphazard. She would spare herself no e both to search out both the need and the With a touch of characteristic humour quired of Sir WILLIAM HOOKER whether Gardens, so far up the Thames, was not poor -weeds. She had already found out the fact ad secured the GRIFFITHS collection so rare tensive that without impairing the central eteness it provided duplicates for six other cal establishments. She probably had not CHIMPER'S Monograph on the genus Sphagnd did not know the details of the muscoloollection of BRUCH, but she found out that also wanted mosses and that SCHIMPER'S herbarium could be acquired; thus, not so by wealth as by thoughtful insight, special ments of British science were enriched at her THE "CHILLINGHAM ORCHID SALE.-The sale of duplicates from the collection of the Right Hon. the Earl of TANKERVILLE, which took place at Messrs. PROTHEROE & MORRIS' Central Auction Rooms, on March 12, proved very successful, the 251 lots realising in the aggregate £3,283. Odontoglossums were the favourite plants as usual, and the highest price attained was for lot 152, O. crispum Leonard Perfect, 700 guineas. It is a part of the remarkable plant shown by Messrs. SANDER & SONS, at the Temple Show, 1906, and illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle, June 2, 1906, pp. 348-9. Lots 64 and 140, being two plants of O. crispum Mabel Whateley, brought 180 and 200 guineas respectively; 168, O. crispum Brilliantissimum, 180 guineas; 208, a similar plant, 140 guineas; 52,O. crispum Tankervilliæ, 100 guineas : 116, O. ardentissimum, Chillingham variety, 100 guineas; and other Odontoglossums fetched good prices. Of the Cypripediums a small plant of one of the most beautiful, lot 172, C. Thalia giganteum, brought 50 guineas; 105, C. Victory, 40 guineas; 100, C. x Earl of Tankerville, 50 guineas; 60, C. Lord Ossulston, 17 guineas; and the prices realised for good forms of C. euryades, C. aureum, and other of the older favourites in some cases were higher. The best price for a Cattleya was for lot 156, C. Warneri alba, 220 guineas, and in this class the white varieties well maintained their value. Lot 84, C. Dowiana Rosita, realised 42 guineas, and throughout the sale appeared to be very satisfactory. POTATO VIOLET COMMERSONI AND BLUE GIANT. The controversy still rages over these varieties. The Revue Horticole, in its issue for March 1, calls attention to a lecture by M. VINCEY. With regard to the three varieties of Potato Violet Commersoni, Blue Giant and Richter Imperator, one and, better still, two dressings of copper sulphate certainly caused an increase in the yield; but it is remarkable that, even without any dressings and with the largest amount of irrigation, Violet Commersoni yielded a much larger crop than did Blue Giant and Richter Imperator after two applications. All the conditions of the irrigation being otherwise equal, with two copper dressings in each case, the yield of Violet S. Commersoni was more than twice as large as that of the two other potatos. From this experiment, M. VINCEY draws the following conclusions :— (a)-For cultivation on a large scale, more especially in a very permeable soil, alternately moist and dry owing to irrigation with sewage matters and with a food supply far exceeding the requirements of the crop, Violet S. Commersoni 'is a valuable acquisition owing to its exceptional qual ity for supporting, satisfactorily, intensive applications of sewage. (b)-As regards general cultiva tion also, this variety is of much interest owing to its resistance to mildew and its total yield and proportion of starch. (c)-In its characteristics, under cultivation at any rate, Violet Commersoni is an entirely different plant to Blue Giant. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.-At Richmond police court, on Friday, February 22, a clerk of West Kensington, was charged with threatening to commit suicide by taking poison, on the previous day, in Kew Gardens. Mr. JOHN MASTERS HILLIER, keeper of the museum at Kew Gardens, saw the man leaning against a bay for about halfan hour, and when accused left he found that a fracture in a big glass door of a case containing atropin had been made much worse, the glass having been smashed. He gave the attendant strict injunctions to watch in case the man returned again, as he did the next day. The attendant then told witness that accused had been tampering with the case again. Witness asked him what he was after, and prisoner replied, "Atropin; I want to take a dose." He added, "I have nothing to live for." After other evidence had been given, the Bench discharged accused after he had expressed regret for his proposed action. GUERNSEY, with an area of about 40 square miles, has, it is estimated, 3,000 growers for market. American Florist. COMMERCIAL MOTOR EXHIBITION.-At this exhibition at Olympia, London, which will close on the 18th inst., Messrs. BOULTON & PAUL, Ltd., Norwich, are exhibiting in the motor boat section, and Messrs. RANSOMES, SIMS & JEFFERIES, Ltd., Ipswich, are showing motor lawn mowers. LEGISLATION FOR FRUIT-GROWERS.-Mr. J. A. PEASE, on behalf of Sir E. STRACHEY, stated, in the House of Commons on March 8, that the President of the Board of Agriculture hopes shortly to introduce legislation by which local authorities would be given power to deal with insects and other destructive pests in their districts in order that fruit-growers might be protected. are DRESDEN HorticulturaL EXHIBITION.— The International Horticultural Exhibition to be held at Dresden from May 4 to May 12 is attracting much interest. The usual German fashion of exhibiting plants as in cultivation or growing naturally is always very costly. The German public is not much interested in gardening for the simple love of plants; they require some special attractions. The Rhododendrons and Alpine plants must be shown in the frame of a landscape of the Caucasian mountains, for instance, or the water and bog plants as we find them in the woods, the Orchids and Bromeliads must be arranged on the trees of a Brazilian jungle; a background so built up is very' popular, and so are dioramas. This kind of exhibits may seem to a scientific or specialist grower rather superfluous, but it is in conformity with the taste of the German public. Indeed, the horticultural exhibitions of Dresden celereally picturesque arrangements, brated over all Germany, and amply worth a visit. The same plan was carried out in 1904 at Dusseldorf, where the Rhododendrons were shown in that manner by a Dresden gardener and won many admirers, who until then had not known that Rhododendrons are hardy in the German climate. The aim of these decennial international exhibitions is to show the development and progress of the various horticultural productions; of winter-flowering plants, as Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, and Irises. In addition to these, that are grown for the markets of the eastern half of the Continent, for the last 10 years Lily of the Valley, the Lilac, forced Roses, and foliage plants (Palms, &c.), for the decorations of rooms and winter gardens, have been largely cultivated. All these plants will be shown in enormous quantities in an exhibition-palace, very well adapted to display them in the style above mentioned. It is a pity indeed that the plants and flowers must be brought together for the short period of one week, but the labour will not be thrown away, as the German, Austrian, Prussian, and other foreign gardeners and plant-lovers are expected to be present in large numbers. The King of Saxony, the traditional patron of these exhibitions, will open it, and it is expected that the Kaiser may come, as he did in 1896, and so secured a very large attendance of the public. A special show of Orchids will be arranged (certainly not on the jungle scheme), including fine varieties and hybrids, and only for a duration of three days (May 4-7). Some of the first Orchid-cultivators of England, Germany, and Belgium will take part in the exhibition. F. Ledien, Dresden. - We note the appearance of the schedules for the various sections of the Dresden Horticultural Exhibition. These classes are as follow:-A, 1, Palms and stove plants; 2, spring flowers and cool greenhouse plants; B, Orchids; C, principles of horticulture; D, floral decorations; E, landscape gardening and buildings; F, water plants; G, fruit trees; H, vegetables; I, forestry, Rose and tree culture; K, bulbs, horticultural products and implements; L, Cacti and other succulents. |