218 Proceedings of the 



varieties of pears of the highest excellence, obtained by the per- 

 severance of our Flemish neighbours, offered a gratifying example 

 of the important results to which industry and patience, combined 

 upon scientific principles, are sure to lead in horticulture, as well 

 as other arts. 



January IBth. 



No meeting was held, in consequence of the decease of his Royal 

 Highness the Duke of York, one of the few honorary members of 

 the Society. 



February 6th, 

 A number of short papers upon various horticultural matters 

 were read. There was laid upon the table a specimen of coarse 

 netting, for protecting fruit-trees, that had been manufactured in 

 North Wales, at a very low price. This was the best material that 

 has yet been produced for the purpose, and less than half the price 

 of the cheapest of all similar manufactures. 



Various flowers and fruits of the season were exhibited, and 

 cuttings and seeds of choice fruits and vegetables were distributed 

 among the members. 



February 20th, 



A paper was read upon the cultivation of camellias in the open 

 air, in Yorkshire, and another upon metallic hot-houses. The latter, 

 by Mr. William M'Murtrie, gardener to Lord Anson, and a very 

 experienced cultivator, excited great attention. The author pointed 

 out the great disadvantages attending hot-houses constructed of 

 iron, if to be used as forcing-houses ; showed them to be more 

 expensive, and not more durable than houses of wood ; and finally, 

 declared his belief that they were, if considered as forcing-houses, 

 totally inapplicable to such objects. In this he maybe right ; but 

 with regard to iron houses for objects of ornament, and for the cul- 

 tivation of flowering, and perhaps tropical fruiting-plants, we ap- 

 prehend that there can be no doubt that they are, under good ma- 

 nagement, of the greatest advantage, while it must be admitted 

 that, under careless or unskilful management, they are very much 

 the reverse. In construction and maintenance they are expensive, 

 and in management they are uncertain ; but for appearance, and 

 for promoting the health of the plants they contain, they are unri- 

 valled. 



